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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT NO. 5 TO PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 15, 2004 | | Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) Registration No. 333-120094 |
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
7,471,257 shares of Common Stock
We are supplementing the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement on Form S-1A dated November 15, 2004, as previously supplemented by Prospectus Supplement No. 1 dated March 3, 2005, Prospectus Supplement No. 2 dated March 11, 2005, Prospectus Supplement No. 3 dated April 7, 2005 and Prospectus Supplement No. 4 dated June 15, 2005, to provide information contained in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A dated October 14, 2005, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, our Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 10, 2005, our Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 12, 2005 and our Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 21, 2005. The Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A dated October 14, 2005 provides information relating to our annual meeting of stockholders to be held on November 16, 2005. The Annual Report on Form 10-K states our results of operations for the period stated therein. The Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 10, 2005 disclosed that we hired Shelby E. Sherard as our new Chief Financial Officer. The Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 12, 2005 disclosed that Brian D. Parker, our Chief Financial Officer at the time, resigned from his position to pursue other opportunities. The Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 21, 2005 disclosed that we adopted a Long-Term Executive Cash Incentive Plan.
Accordingly, this Prospectus Supplement No. 5 includes our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A dated October 14, 2005, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, our Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 10, 2005, our Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 12, 2005 and our Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 21, 2005, which are annexed hereto in their entirety, and we hereby incorporate by reference herein the Exhibits referenced in, and filed as exhibits to, such Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, such Annual Report on Form 10-K and such Current Reports on Form 8-K.
This Prospectus Supplement No. 5 is not complete without, and may not be delivered or utilized except in connection with, the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement on Form S-1A dated November 15, 2004, including any amendments and supplements thereto.
INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS. SEE “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE 3 IN THE PROSPECTUS.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this or any previous Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is October 19, 2005.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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| Filed by the Registrant x |
| Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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| Check the appropriate box: |
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| o Preliminary Proxy Statement |
| o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
| x Definitive Proxy Statement |
| o Definitive Additional Materials |
| o Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Grubb & Ellis Company
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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| x No fee required. |
| o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. |
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| 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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| 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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| 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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| 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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| o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
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| o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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| 1) Amount Previously Paid: |
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| 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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SEC 1913 (02-02) | Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number. |
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Dear Grubb & Ellis Stockholder:
You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Grubb & Ellis Company (the “Company”) to be held at 8:30 a.m., local time, on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 in the Delaware Room of the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 East Delaware Place, Chicago, IL 60611.
Stockholders of record at the close of business on September 23, 2005 (the “Record Date”) may vote at the Annual Meeting, and will receive this Notice and the proxy statement, which are first being mailed on or about October 14, 2005.
A list of the stockholders who are entitled to vote at the meeting will be available for inspection by any stockholder for any purpose related to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, at the Company’s executive offices, located at 2215 Sanders Road, Suite 400, Northbrook, IL 60062.
The purposes of the meeting are:
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| 1. | To elect six (6) directors to the Board of Directors to serve for one year and until their successors are elected and qualified; and |
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| 2. | To ratify and approve the Company’s Restricted Share Program for outside directors. |
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| 3. | To transact any other business properly brought before the meeting. |
The meeting will also provide an opportunity to review with you the business of the Company during the 2005 fiscal year and give you a chance to meet your directors.
Your vote is important to the Company. To be sure that your shares are represented at the meeting, whether or not you plan to attend, please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and mail it as soon as possible in the enclosed reply envelope. If you do attend the meeting and wish to vote in person, you may withdraw your proxy and vote your shares personally.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
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| Sincerely, |
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| Mark E. Rose |
| Chief Executive Officer |
October 14, 2005
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
Executive Offices
2215 Sanders Road, Suite 400
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
PROXY STATEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT VOTING
1. Q: What will I be voting on?
A: (1) the election of six directors;
(2) the ratification and approval of the Company’s Restricted Stock Program for outside directors.
(3) any other business properly brought before the meeting.
2. Q: How are directors nominated?
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| A: | Our Bylaws provide that nominations for director are made by written notice to the Secretary of the Company at least 14 days before the stockholders’ meeting at which directors are to be elected. The Board of Directors (the “Board”) nominated the candidates listed in this proxy statement. The Board has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve as a director of the Company. If someone is nominated and becomes unable to serve, then your signed proxy card will authorize Mark Rose and Maureen Ehrenberg, officers of the Company who are the proxy holders, to nominate someone else. |
3. Q: What is the Restricted Stock Program for outside directors?
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| A: | The Restricted Stock Program for outside directors, which are those directors of the Company who are not officers or employees of the Company, provides for annual grants of $50,000 worth of restricted shares of the Company’s common stock based upon the then current market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of each such annual grant. All grants of restricted stock vest three (3) years after the date of grant. |
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4. Q: | Who has the right to vote? |
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| A: | All common and Series A-1 preferred stockholders, who will vote as a single class, as of the close of business on September 23, 2005 (the “Record Date”) can vote. On that date, there were 15,117,604 outstanding shares of common stock of the Company. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. On that same date, there were 11,725 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) outstanding, and each share of Preferred Stock is entitled to 953 votes, providing for an aggregate of 11,173,925 votes for the Preferred Stock. Therefore, the total number of votes available at the Annual Meeting is 26,291,529. A majority of the outstanding votes is a quorum.Note: references to “common stock” elsewhere in this proxy statement mean only the shares of common stock of the Company, and references to “capital stock,” “stock” and “shares” mean all of the shares of common stock and Preferred Stock of the Company, together. |
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5. Q: | Do any stockholders have agreements or rights about how they will vote their shares? |
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| A: | Yes. Here is some information about a voting agreement involving certain principal stockholders. |
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| 1997 Voting Agreement. There is an agreement (“1997 Voting Agreement”) dated January 24, 1997, among Warburg, Pincus Investors, L.P. (“Warburg”); C. Michael Kojaian, and Mike Kojaian, in their capacity as investors in the |
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| Company (collectively, the “Kojaian Investors”); and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“GS Group”), which was entered into in connection with certain financing transactions of the Company in 1996 and 1997. Under this agreement, the parties agreed to vote all of their shares of common stock for one director nominee designated by the Kojaian Investors (“Kojaian Nominee”), one director nominee designated by GS Group (“Goldman Nominee”), and all director nominees designated by Warburg (“Warburg Nominees”). The 1997 Voting Agreement provides that the Kojaian Nominee must be a Kojaian Investor or an officer or partner of a firm affiliated with the Kojaian Investors; each Warburg Nominee must be an officer of Warburg or one of its venture banking affiliates; and the Goldman Nominee must be an employee of Archon Group, L.P. or Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”), or an affiliate of either firm. In order for the parties to this agreement to have the right to designate nominees, they must beneficially own the following minimum amounts of common stock: the Kojaian Investors or a controlled transferee (1,250,000 shares); Warburg (5,509,169 shares); and GS Group (1,250,000 shares). For the 2005 election of directors, C. Michael Kojaian has been designated as the Kojaian Nominee, Warburg has not designated any nominees and GS Group is not eligible to designate any nominees as their common stock holdings have dropped below the required minimum level. |
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| See also “Stock Ownership Information.” |
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| To our knowledge, the Kojaian Investors intend to vote all of their shares in favor of all nominees for the directors listed in this proxy statement and in favor of the Restricted Stock Program for outside directors. The Kojaian Investors and their affiliates, by virtue of their ownership of all of the issued and outstanding shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock, plus an aggregate 3,762,882 shares of common stock, have approximately 56.8% of the voting power, and therefore have the power, without the vote of other stockholders, to elect all of the nominees to the Board and to ratify and approve the Restricted Stock Program for outside directors. |
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6. Q: | What other business will be acted upon at the annual meeting? |
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| A: | We know of no other business for the meeting. Your signed proxy card will authorize the proxy holders to vote on your behalf in their discretion on any other business that may properly be brought before the meeting. |
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| A: | If you have an account “on record” at Computershare Investor Services, L.L.C., our stock transfer agent and registrar (“Computershare”), or if you have Grubb & Ellis shares in your 401(k) plan account, you can vote any of these ways: |
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| (a) | Return the proxy card:Mark the boxes that show how you want to vote, sign and date each proxy card you receive and return it in the prepaid envelope. If you return your signed proxy card but do not mark the boxes showing how you wish to vote, your shares will be voted FOR the nominees listed on the card. |
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| (b) | By telephone:Call toll-free 1-888-583-9310 in the United States or Canada any time prior to 1:00 A.M., Central Time, on November 16, 2005 from a touchtone telephone, then follow the instructions to cast your vote. Do not mail back your proxy card. |
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| (c) | On the Internet:Go to the following website prior to 1:00 A.M., Central Time, on November 16, 2005:www.computershare.com/us/proxy/gbe. Enter the information requested on your computer screen, then follow the instructions on your screen to cast your vote. Do not mail back your proxy card. |
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| Canceling your vote:You can cancel your vote by mailing another proxy card with a later date, telephoning to re-vote, or logging onto the Internet and re-voting. You can also: |
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| (1) | attend the meeting and vote by ballot; or |
| (2) | send written notice to the Secretary of the Company canceling your vote. |
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| If you hold shares in a brokerage account, you must follow the instructions you received with this proxy statement for voting and/or canceling your vote. |
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8. Q: | What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card? |
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| A: | You should vote on each proxy card you receive. If you are a record stockholder, have an account “on record” with Computershare, or if you hold Grubb & Ellis shares in your 401(k) plan account, you will receive a proxy card with a reply envelope addressed to Computershare. For any accounts held in different ways, such as jointly with another person or in trust, you will receive separate proxy cards. If you have more than one account at Computershare and wish to consolidate the accounts, or if you share the same address as other Grubb & Ellis stockholders and wish to receive only one set of stockholder materials for your household, such as proxy statements and annual reports to stockholders, please call Shareholder Services at Computershare: Ph. 312-360-5100. If you hold shares in a stock brokerage account, you will receive a proxy card or information about other methods of voting from your broker, and you will send your vote to your broker according to the broker’s instructions. If you hold shares in our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, you will receive voting materials directly from E*TRADE— and you will send your vote back to E*TRADE (as you would for any stock brokerage account). If you do not vote your 401(k) plan shares, the plan trustee, Fidelity Management Trust Company, will not vote your shares. |
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9. Q: | Who will count the votes? |
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| A: | Computershare will act as inspector of election and tabulate the votes. |
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10. Q: | What vote is needed to elect a director? |
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| A: | A vote in favor of a nominee by a plurality of the votes cast at a duly called meeting at which there is a quorum present in person or by proxy is needed to elect a director. A quorum is a majority of all shares issued and outstanding that are eligible to vote at such meeting. Cumulative voting is not permitted. |
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| Where a proxy card has been voted “abstain,” “withhold authority,” or “broker non-vote,” the shares are counted for quorum purposes, but are not considered cast for voting on a proposal or an election. “Broker non-vote” means that shares are held by a broker or in nominee name and the broker or nominee has signed and returned a proxy card to us, but for which the broker has no authority to vote because no instructions have been received from its customer. |
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11. Q: | Who is soliciting my vote and how much does it cost the Company? |
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| A: | Our Board of Directors is asking you to vote in favor of the nominees for director who were selected by the Board and identified in this proxy statement. Computershare was engaged to assist in distribution of the proxy materials to holders of stock brokerage accounts, at a fee of $800 plus expenses estimated at $1,500. Also, our employees and directors may solicit proxies as part of their assigned duties, at no extra compensation. The Company will pay the expenses related to this proxy solicitation. |
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12. Q: | What information will I receive with this solicitation? |
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| A: | You should have received with this proxy statement the Annual Report to Stockholders for the 2005 fiscal year. Stockholders may request another copy of the Annual Report from Investor Relations, Grubb & Ellis Company, 2215 Sanders Road, Suite 400, Northbrook, IL 60062. In addition, you may download the Annual Report from the Company’s website on the Internet at www.grubb-ellis.com. |
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13. Q: | How can I as a stockholder arrange for a proposal to be included in next year’s Company proxy statement? |
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| A: | For your proposal to be considered for inclusion in NEXT YEAR’s proxy statement, you can submit a proposal in writing to our Corporate Secretary at our headquarters by June 8, 2006. If you are eligible to submit the proposal, and if it is an appropriate proposal under proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and our Bylaws, it will be included. |
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14. Q: | Will my proxy confer discretionary authority to vote on stockholder proposals next year? |
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| A: | If we receive notice of a stockholder proposal after June 8, 2006 and before August 31, 2006, then the proposal does not need to be included in next year’s proxy statement and the proxy holders would have discretionary authority to vote on the matter only under certain circumstances, and only if the matter is included in the proxy statement. If we receive notice of a stockholder proposal after August 31, 2006, then the proxy holders can vote on such a proposal in their discretion based upon the signed proxy cards which have been returned to us, but the matter will not be discussed in the proxy statement and will not be listed on the proxy card (because the submission deadline will have been missed). |
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
A. Information About the Board and its Compensation
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 the Company’s Board of Directors consisted of C. Michael Kojaian, its Chairman, R. David Anacker, Anthony D. Antone, Robert J. McLaughlin, Rodger D. Young and Mark E. Rose, who was appointed to serve as a director until the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders when he joined the Company as its Chief Executive Officer in March 2005. The Board held 8 meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005. Each incumbent director attended 100% of the meetings of the Board and any standing Board committees on which he served. The Board has a standing Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee, each of which are described below.
Compensation of Directors.Only outside directors (who are unaffiliated with the Company as officers or employees of the Company) receive compensation for serving on the Board and on its committees. Such compensation for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 consisted of an annual retainer fee of $30,000, a fee of $1,500 for each in person committee and Board meeting attended, and an annual fee of $5,000 for each committee chaired. Under the 1993 Stock Option Plan for outside directors, outside directors each received an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock upon the date of first election to the Board, and an option to purchase 8,000 shares of common stock upon successive fourth-year anniversaries of service. The exercise prices of the options are equal to the then market value of the Company’s common stock as of the date of the grant. Directors other than members of the Compensation Committee were also eligible to receive stock options under the 1990 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan. Effective October 1, 2005, compensation for outside directors, which is set by the Board, was revised in light of the increasing responsibilities and liabilities imposed on directors. Specifically, the annual retainer was increased to $40,000, and the annual retainer with respect to the chair of the Audit Committee was increased to $10,000 (the annual fee for serving as the chair of any other Board Committee remained the same). In addition, Directors will now also be paid $1,000 for each telephonic Board or committee meeting attended (in addition to being paid $1,500 for attending in person Board or committee meetings), for up to six (6) telephonic meetings per year. The foregoing fees with respect to committee attendance relate only to standing committees of the Board and do not pertain to any special committees, compensation for which is determined on a case-by-case basis. All other cash compensation remained the same. In addition, also effective October 1, 2005, the stock option grants were eliminated and are replaced by a Restricted Stock Program which provides for annual grants of $50,000 worth of restricted stock, which vest three (3) years from the date of grant. In addition, recipients of restricted stock are also required to accumulate an equity position in the Company of $200,000 over 5 years. See “Information About the Restricted Stock Program for Outside Directors” below.
Compensation Committee.The functions of the Compensation Committee are the approval of compensation arrangements for our executive officers, administration of certain stock option and other compensation plans, making recommendations to the Board regarding the adoption of equity compensation plans in which directors and officers are eligible to participate and the award of long term cash and equity incentives to our officers. The current members of the Compensation Committee are Robert J. McLaughlin, Chairman, R. David Anacker and Rodger D. Young. Mr. McLaughlin replaced
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Mr. Kojaian as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and Mr. Kojaian resigned from the Compensation Committee in September 2004. The Compensation Committee held 4 meetings in fiscal 2005.
B. Audit Committee Report
The following Audit Committee Report is not to be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) except to the extent that the Company specifically requests that such information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) or the Exchange Act.
Composition of the Committee. The Audit Committee of the Board is to be composed of at least three independent directors as practical based on Board composition. The current members of the Audit Committee are R. David Anacker, Chairman and Robert McLaughlin. The Board has determined that the members of the Audit Committee are independent and financial experts in accordance with rules established by the SEC.
Charter and Responsibilities of the Committee. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The charter of the Audit Committee was last revised effective September 20, 2005 and is included in this proxy statement as Exhibit A. The Audit Committee has revised its charter to incorporate the final Sarbanes-Oxley Act and exchange listing requirements.
The primary function of the Committee is to provide oversight relating to the corporate accounting functions, the systems of internal controls, and the integrity and quality of the financial reports of the Company. The responsibilities of the Committee include recommending to the Board the appointment of independent accountants as auditors; approval of the scope of the annual audit; and a review of: a) the independence and performance of the auditors; b) the audit results and compliance with the auditors’ recommendations; and c) financial reports to stockholders. In addition, the Committee approves the selection of any vendor utilized for internal auditing; and monitors the Company’s internal audit function, its corporate accounting function and the effectiveness of internal controls, and compliance with certain aspects of the Company’s conflicts-of-interest policy.
The independent accountants are responsible for performing an independent audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and to issue a report thereon. Management is responsible for the Company’s internal controls and the financial reporting process. The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring these processes.
Business of the Committee for the 2005 Fiscal Year. The Audit Committee met six times during the 2005 fiscal year. The meetings were designed to facilitate communications between the Audit Committee, management, the internal auditors, and the Company’s independent public accountants, Ernst & Young LLP. Management represented to the Audit Committee that the Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The Audit Committee believes that management maintains an effective system of internal controls that results in fairly presented consolidated financial statements. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited consolidated financial statements for the 2005 fiscal
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year with management and the independent accountants. The Committee meets with the independent accountants at the conclusion of each of their presentations. Management personnel are excused from these meetings.
The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent accountants the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,Communication with Audit Committees,as amended.
The Audit Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountants, Ernst & Young LLP, as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1,Independence Discussions with Audit Committees. Additionally, the Audit Committee has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP the issue of its independence from the Company, and considered the compatibility of the non-audit services with the auditors’ independence. Effective in November 2002, all audit and non-audit services provided by Ernst & Young LLP were pre-approved by the Committee.
In reliance on the reviews and the discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors and the Board approved the inclusion of the audited consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005.
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| THE AUDIT COMMITTEE |
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| R. David Anacker, Chairman |
| Robert J. McLaughlin |
The Company’s Auditors. Ernst & Young LLP (“Ernst & Young”), independent public accountants, served as our auditors for the 2005 and 2004 fiscal years. It is anticipated that Ernst & Young will be appointed as our auditors for the 2006 fiscal year as well. Representatives of Ernst & Young are expected to attend the Annual Meeting and will be available to answer questions. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they wish. Ernst & Young billed the Company the fees and costs (“fees”) set forth below for services rendered during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 respectively.
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| | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
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Audit Fees | | $ | 306,320 | | | $ | 294,210 | |
All Other Fees: | | | | | | | | |
| Audit Related Services(1) | | $ | 69,132 | | | $ | 19,623 | |
| Non-Audit Related Services(2) | | $ | 63,000 | | | $ | 72,500 | |
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Total: | | $ | 438,452 | | | $ | 386,333 | |
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| (1) | Audit related services generally include services in connection with benefit plan audits, registration Statements filed with the SEC and other transactions with respect to the Company’s securities, and accounting consultations. | |
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| (2) | These fees related to tax-related services. | |
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C. Information About the Nominees for Director
The names of the persons who have been nominated by the Board for election as directors at the Annual Meeting are set forth below. There are no other nominees. All nominees have consented to serve as directors if elected.
If any nominee becomes unable to serve as a director, the proxies will be voted by the proxy holders for a substitute person nominated by the Board, and authority to do so is included in the proxy. The Board has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as a director of the Company.
The term of office of each nominee who is elected extends until the annual stockholders’ meeting in 2006 and until his successor is elected and qualified.
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R. David Anacker | | 70, is a Principal of Canal Partners, a private investment organization. He is also the Business Development Specialist, Office of the President, for Parker-Hannifin Corporation’s Instrumentation Group, which is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. He has been Vice Chairman of Veriflo Corporation, an industrial equipment manufacturing firm located in Richmond, California, since November 1991. He served as a director of Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. (“Management Services”), a subsidiary of the Company, from August 1992 to July 1994. Mr. Anacker has served as a director of the Company since May 1994. |
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Anthony G. Antone | | 36, has been associated with Kojaian Management Corporation, a real estate investment firm headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, since October 1998, serving as Vice President— Development since September 2001, and as Director— Development from October 1998 to September 2001. Prior to that time he served the office of Spencer Abraham, United States Senator, as Deputy Chief of Staff. He is also a director of Bank of Michigan. Mr. Antone, an attorney, was first elected to the Board July 1, 2002. |
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C. Michael Kojaian | | 43, the Kojaian Nominee, has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company since June 2002. He is President of Kojaian Ventures, LLC and also Executive Vice President, a director and a shareholder of Kojaian Management Corporation, both of which are investment firms headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is also a director of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc., and is a member of the United States President’s Export Council. Mr. Kojaian has served as a director of the Company since he was first elected in December 1996 as a representative of the Kojaian Investors. |
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Robert J. McLaughlin | | 72, has been a director of the Company since July 2004. He founded The Sutter Group in 1982, a management consulting company that focuses on enhancing shareholder value, and currently serves as its President. Previously, Mr. McLaughlin served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Tru-Circle Corporation, an aerospace subcontractor from November 2003 to April 2004, and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Imperial Sugar Company from August 2001 to February 2003, and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from October 2001 to April 2002. He is a director of Imperial Sugar Company and Meridian Automotive Systems. Mr. McLaughlin previously served as a director of the Company from September 1994 to March 2001. |
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Mark E. Rose | | 42, was hired as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer of the Company in March 2005. Mr. Rose joined Grubb & Ellis from Jones Lang LaSalle where he had served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Americas since 2003. At Jones Lang LaSalle, he was responsible for driving implementation of strategy, operational effectiveness and delivery of client-focused business solutions in North and South America as well as overseeing financial initiatives for the region. Mr. Rose also spent two years as the Company’s Chief Innovation Officer. |
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Rodger D. Young | | 59, has been a name partner of the law firm of Young & Susser, P.C. since its founding in 1991, a boutique firm specializing in commercial litigation with offices in Southfield, Michigan and New York City. In 2001, Mr. Young was named Chairman of the Bush Administration’s Federal Judge and U.S. Attorney qualification Committee by Governor John Engler and Michigan’s Republican Congressional Delegation. Mr. Young has served as a director of the Company since April 1, 2003. |
The Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the election of
all nominees to the Board of Directors.
D. Information About the Restricted Share Program for Outside Directors.
In September of 2005 the Board of Directors of the Company, in recognition of the increasing responsibilities and liabilities imposed on Directors, and in order to more closely align the compensation of outside directors with that of other similarly situated corporations, revised the compensation payable to outside directors. In determining whether to increase compensation to outside directors, and if so by what amount, the Board, among other things, retained the services of an outside independent management consulting firm to review and assess the current compensation package for outside directors of the Company to both the Company’s business peers and general industry
10
peers. Based upon the study delivered to the Board in August of 2005, and other factors, the Board, upon recommendations provided to it by the Compensation Committee, decided to increase the compensation payable to its outside directors.
In addition to increasing the cash compensation payable to its outside directors as described elsewhere in this proxy statement, and cognizant of the importance of aligning the interests of outside directors with those of the Company’s stockholders, the Board eliminated the stock option grants previously afforded to outside directors (10,000 shares of common stock upon the first election to the Board and 8,000 options on successive four year anniversaries thereafter) and replaced it with the Restricted Stock Program, for which the Board is now seeking ratification and approval from the Company’s stockholders. Specifically, the Restricted Stock Program provides that outside directors receive $50,000 worth of restricted stock each year based upon the then current market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. All restricted shares vest three years from the date of grant, except upon a change of control, in which event vesting is accelerated. Outside directors are also required to accumulate an equity position in the Company over five years in an amount equal to $200,000 worth of common stock. Shares of common stock acquired by outside directors pursuant to the Restricted Stock Program can be applied toward this equity accumulation requirement. Upon leaving the Board, all grants that have already been made to the departing Director would continue to vest in accordance with the three-year vesting schedule. Effective September 22, 2005, each of the Company’s current outside directors, Rodger Young, R. David Anacker, Robert McLaughlin and Anthony Antone, received their initial restricted stock grant of 7,505 shares of common stock which is based upon the closing price of the Company’s common stock on Wednesday, September 21, which was $6.66. For the reasons outlined above, the Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of stockholders that the Restricted Stock Program be ratified and adopted by the Company’s stockholders.
The Board unanimously recommends that the stockholders vote FOR the ratification
and approval of the Restricted Stock Program for outside directors.
11
STOCK OWNERSHIP INFORMATION
The following table shows the share ownership as of September 23, 2005 by persons known by us to be beneficial holders of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock, directors, named executive officers, and all current directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise noted, the stock listed is common stock, and the persons listed have sole voting and disposition powers over the shares held in their names, subject to community property laws if applicable.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Amount and Nature of | | | Percent of | | | |
| | Beneficial Ownership | | | Class(1) | | | |
|
|
|
|
| | Principal Stockholders: | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
| | C. Michael Kojaian (also a director) | | | 850,842 | | | | 5.6(2) | | | |
| | Mike Kojaian | | | 850,844 | | | | 5.6(2) | | | |
| | Kojaian Holdings, L.L.C. | | | 723,840 | | | | 4.8(2) | | | |
| | Kojaian Ventures, L.L.C. | | | 1,337,358 | plus | | | 8.8(2) | | | |
| | | | | 11,725 | preferred | | | | | | |
| | Warburg, Pincus Investors, L.P. | | | 5,861,902 | (3) | | | 38.8 | % | | |
| | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | | 859,355 | (4) | | | 5.7 | % | | |
| | Whitebox Advisors, LLC | | | 764,800 | | | | 5.1 | % | | |
|
|
| | Directors: | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
| | R. David Anacker | | | 14,000 | (5) | | | * | | | |
| | Anthony G. Antone | | | — | | | | — | | | |
| | Robert J. McLaughlin | | | 53,333 | | | | * | | | |
| | Mark E. Rose | | | — | | | | — | | | |
| | Rodger D. Young | | | 6,666 | (5) | | | * | | | |
|
|
| | Named Executive Officers: | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
| | Maureen A. Ehrenberg | | | 193,068 | (5) | | | 1.3 | % | | |
| | Robert H. Osbrink | | | 15,000 | (5) | | | * | | | |
| | Brian D. Parker | | | 100,092 | (5) | | | * | | | |
|
|
| | All Current Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (10 persons): | | | 4,145,045 | (5) | | | 26.8 | % | | |
|
|
| |
(1) | The percentage of shares of capital stock shown for each person in this column and in this footnote assumes that such person, and no one else, has exercised any currently outstanding warrants, options or convertible securities held by him or her. Giving effect to the voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock, the percentages of voting power at September 23, 2005 for the following are: C. Michael Kojaian and affiliates— 56.8%; Warburg— 22.3%; GS Group— 3.3%; Whitebox Advisors, LLC— 2.9%; and all current directors and executive officers as a group— 57.6%. |
|
(2) | C. Michael Kojaian, the Chairman of the Board is affiliated with Mike Kojaian, his father, Kojaian Holdings, L.L.C. and Kojaian Ventures, L.L.C. (“KV”), whose |
12
| |
| 11,725 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock carries voting rights equivalent to 11,173,925 shares of common stock. Pursuant to the rules established under the Exchange Act, the foregoing parties may be deemed to be a “group,” as defined in Section 13(d) of such Act. |
|
(3) | Warburg, Pincus Investors, L.P., 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017. The sole general partner of Warburg is Warburg, Pincus & Co., a New York general partnership (“WP”). Warburg Pincus LLC, a New York limited liability company (“Warburg Pincus”), manages Warburg. Lionel I. Pincus is the managing partner of WP and the managing member of Warburg Pincus and may be deemed to control both of them. |
|
(4) | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., 85 Broad Street, New York, NY 10004. Shares reported for GS Group include 60,155 shares of common stock held by Archon Group, L.P. (“Archon”). Archon is a majority-owned subsidiary of GS Group. The general partner of Archon is Archon Gen-Par, Inc. (“AGP”), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of GS Group. |
|
(5) | Includes options under our stock option plans which were exercisable at September 23, 2005 or within sixty days thereafter, for the following numbers of shares: Mr. Anacker— 14,000; Ms. Ehrenberg— 189,022; Mr. McLaughlin— 3,333 shares; Mr. Osbrink— 15,000; Mr. Parker— 100,000; Mr. Young— 6,666; and all current directors and executive officers as a group— 328,021. |
| |
B. | Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance |
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers, the chief accounting officer and stockholders holding ten percent (10%) or more of our voting securities (“Insiders”) to file with the SEC reports showing their ownership and changes in ownership of Company securities, and to send copies of these filings to us. To our knowledge, based upon review of copies of such reports we have received and based upon written representations that no other reports were required, during the year ended June 30, 2005, the Insiders complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them.
13
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
A. Information About Executive Officers
In addition to Mr. Rose, the following are the current executive officers of the Company:
| | |
Maureen A. Ehrenberg | | 45, has served as Executive Vice President of the Company since November 2000, and as Senior Vice President of the Company from May 1998 to November 2000. She was named President of Global Client Services in February 2004. She has also served as President of Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, from February 1998 and as the head of the Company’s International Services Group since April 2003. From May 2000 to May 2001, she served as a member of the Office of the President of the Company. She also serves as a director and/or officer of certain subsidiaries of the Company. Ms. Ehrenberg also acted as a Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company from April 2003 until Mr. Rose joined the Company in March 2005. |
|
Robert H. Osbrink | | 57, has served as Executive Vice President of the Company since December 2001 and was named President of Transaction Services in February 2004. During the five years prior to December 2001, Mr. Osbrink served in a progression of regional managerial positions in the Los Angeles and Southwestern United States areas for the Company. Mr. Osbrink also acted as a Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company from April 2003 until Mr. Rose joined the Company in March 2005. |
|
Brian D. Parker | | 53, has served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company from March 2003 through September 2005, when he resigned as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Parker is currently assisting the Company on a transitional basis. From July 2001 he was founder and president of Joplin Advisors, Inc., a management consulting firm. Prior to July 2001, he was the Chief Financial Officer of the Company from October 1996 to January 2000 and served as Executive Vice President Business Development from February 2000 until his resignation from the Company in June 2001. He was also a member of the Office of the President of the Company from May 2000 until May 2001. He also serves as a director and/or officer of certain subsidiaries of the Company. Mr. Parker also acted as a Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company from April 2003 until Mr. Rose joined the Company in March 2005. |
14
| | |
Shelby E. Sherard | | 35, has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since October 2005. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Sherard served from 2002 through 2005, as the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Sitestuff, Inc., a company based in Austin, Texas, which provides procurement solutions for the commercial real estate industry. From 2000 to 2002, Ms. Sherard served as an Associate in the Investment Banking division at Morgan Stanley, where she focused on Global Power & Utilities, Real Estate and Mergers and Acquisitions. From 1994 to 1998, Ms. Sherard served in the Corporate Finance Group at La Salle Partners Incorporated (now Jones Lang La Salle Incorporated), initially serving as a Financial Analyst until her promotion to Associate in 1996. |
The table below shows compensation earned, including deferred compensation, for services in all capacities with the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003 by the following executives:
| | |
| (a) | the persons who served as Chief Executive Officer or in a similar capacity during the 2005 fiscal year (Mr. Rose from his hire date of March 8, and prior to that Ms. Ehrenberg, Mr. Osbrink, and Mr. Parker as Co-Chief Executive Officers); |
|
| (b) | the person who served as Chief Financial Officer for the 2005 fiscal year (Mr. Parker); |
|
| (c) | each of the four most highly-compensated executive officers of the Company who were serving as executive officers during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005, three of which (Ms. Ehrenberg, Mr. Osbrink and Mr. Parker) were employed throughout the entire fiscal year, and Mr. Rose from his hire date of March 8. |
15
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | | | | | |
| | Annual Compensation | | | Long Term Compensation | | | |
| |
| | |
| | | |
| | Securities | | | |
| | Restricted | | | Underlying | | | All Other | | | |
| | Name and | | | | Salary | | | Bonus | | | Stock Awards | | | Options/SARs | | | Compensation | | | |
| | Principal Position(1) | | Year | | | ($) | | | ($)(2) | | | ($)(3) | | | (#)(4) | | | ($)(5) | | | |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | | |
| | Mark E. Rose | | | 2005 | | | | 157,000 | | | | 2,083,000 | | | | 750,000 | | | | 500,000 | | | | 45,000 | | | |
| | Chief Executive Officer | | | 2004 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | |
| | | | | 2003 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | |
|
| | Maureen A. Ehrenberg | | | 2005 | | | | 397,000 | | | | 278,000 | | | | 500,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 302,000 | | | |
| | Executive Vice President, and | | | 2004 | | | | 400,000 | | | | 58,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 2,000 | | | |
| | President, Global Client Services | | | 2003 | | | | 358,000 | | | | 150,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | |
|
| | Robert H. Osbrink | | | 2005 | | | | 419,000 | | | | 298,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 2,000 | | | |
| | Executive Vice President, and | | | 2004 | | | | 450,000 | | | | 196,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 2,000 | | | |
| | President, Transaction Services | | | 2003 | | | | 550,000 | | | | 139,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | |
|
| | Brian D. Parker | | | 2005 | | | | 324,000 | | | | 187,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 2,000 | | | |
| | Executive Vice President, and | | | 2004 | | | | 324,000 | | | | 109,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 150,000 | | | | 1,400 | | | |
| | Chief Financial Officer | | | 2003 | | | | 113,000 | | | | 28,000 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | |
| |
(1) | Mr. Rose was hired as Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective March 8, 2005. He was not employed by the Company in any capacity prior to that date. Ms. Ehrenberg has been serving as President of Global Client Services since February 2004 and as an Executive Vice President of the Company since November 2002. Ms. Ehrenberg was also appointed President of Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. in February 1998 and continues to serve in that capacity as well. Ms. Ehrenberg also served as a member of the Office of the President from May 31, 2000 to May 15, 2001 and as Co-Chief Executive Officer from April 2003 until the hiring of Mr. Rose in March 2005. Mr. Osbrink has been serving as President of Transaction Services since February 2004. Previously, Mr. Osbrink served as the Company’s Executive Vice President of Transaction Services for the Western Region and also served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company from April 2003 until the hiring of Mr. Rose in March 2005. Mr. Parker was hired as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer in March 2003 and also served as Co-Chief Executive Officer from April 2003 until the hiring of Mr. Rose in March 2005. Previously, Mr. Parker served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company from October 1996 to January 2000 at which time he was appointed Executive Vice President Business Development until his resignation from the Company on June 8, 2001. Mr. Parker also served as a member of the Office of the President from May 31, 2000 to May 15, 2001. Mr. Parker submitted his resignation as Chief Financial Officer in September 2005. See “Employment Contracts” below for information. |
|
(2) | Mr. Rose received a signing bonus of $2,083,000 upon joining the Company in March 2005, which is subject to repayment by Mr. Rose under certain circumstances through March 2008. All other bonus compensation set forth in the table represents incentives that were primarily paid in the fiscal year indicated for services rendered during the previous calendar year. See “Employment Contracts” below. |
|
(3) | The amounts set forth in the table represent all outstanding restricted stock awards held by the officer. Mr. Rose holds 159,575 shares of restricted stock with a market value of $1,117,025 as of June 30, 2005, which vest in equal one-third installments on each of the first, second, and third anniversaries of March 8, 2005, the grant date. Ms. Ehrenberg holds 84,746 shares of restricted stock with a market value of $593,222 as of June 30, 2005, which vest entirely on December 30, 2007. |
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(4) | The amounts represent options to purchase the numbers of shares of common stock indicated. |
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(5) | Mr. Rose received approximately $45,000 in cash compensation related to his transition to the Company in March 2005. Ms. Ehrenberg received a one time payment of $300,000 in June 2005, which is subject to repayment should Ms. Ehrenberg resign from the Company before June 6, 2006. All other amounts represent Company contributions made during each calendar year following the 2004 and 2003 plan years (calendar years) to the 401(k) plan accounts of the designated individuals. |
16
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS
IN LATEST FISCAL YEAR
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | Estimated Future Payouts | |
| | | | | |
| |
| | Plan | | | Performance | | | Threshhold | | | Target | | | Maximum | |
Name | | Year | | | Period | | | ($) | | | ($) | | | ($) | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Mark E. Rose | | | 2005 | | | | 1/1/05 – 12/31/07 | | | $ | 67,600 | | | $ | 325,000 | | | $ | 812,500 | |
| | | 2004 | | | | 1/1/04 – 12/31/06 | | | $ | 67,600 | | | $ | 325,000 | | | $ | 812,500 | |
|
Maureen A. Ehrenberg | | | 2005 | | | | 1/1/05 – 12/31/07 | | | $ | 48,672 | | | $ | 234,000 | | | $ | 585,000 | |
| | | 2004 | | | | 1/1/04 – 12/31/06 | | | $ | 48,672 | | | $ | 234,000 | | | $ | 585,000 | |
|
Robert H. Osbrink | | | 2005 | | | | 1/1/05 – 12/31/07 | | | $ | 54,080 | | | $ | 260,000 | | | $ | 650,000 | |
| | | 2004 | | | | 1/1/04 – 12/31/06 | | | $ | 54,080 | | | $ | 260,000 | | | $ | 650,000 | |
|
Brian D. Parker | | | 2005 | | | | 1/1/05 – 12/31/07 | | | $ | 43,805 | | | $ | 210,600 | | | $ | 526,500 | |
| | | 2004 | | | | 1/1/04 – 12/31/06 | | | $ | 43,805 | | | $ | 210,600 | | | $ | 526,500 | |
As described below in the description of the plan under the caption “Employment Contracts and Compensation Arrangements”, the Estimated Future Payouts are based on the achievement of certain cumulative Earnings Before Interest and Taxes targets during the three year performance period, which cannot be estimated with certainty at this time.
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Potential Realizable | |
| | | | | | | | | | Value at Assumed | |
| | | | | | | | | | Annual Rates of Stock | |
| | Price Appreciation For | |
Individual Grants | | | Option Term(1) | |
| | |
| |
| | Number of | | | Percent of | | | | | |
| | Securities | | | Total | | | | | |
| | Underlying | | | Options/SARs | | | Exercise or | | | | | |
| | Options/SARs | | | Granted to | | | Base | | | | | |
| | Granted(2) | | | Employees in | | | Price | | | Expiration | | | |
Name | | (#) | | | Fiscal Year | | | ($/Sh) | | | Date | | | 5% ($) | | | 10% ($) | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Mark E. Rose | | | 500,000 | | | | 100% | | | $ | 4.70 | | | | 3/8/15 | | | $ | 1,478,000 | | | $ | 3,745,000 | |
AGGREGATED OPTION/ SAR EXERCISES IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END
OPTION/ SAR VALUES
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
| | Number of Securities | | | |
| | Underlying Unexercised | | | Value of Unexercised | |
| | Shares | | | | | Options/SARs at | | | In-the-Money Options/SARs | |
| | Acquired on | | | Value | | | FY-End(#) | | | at FY-End($) | |
| | Exercise | | | Realized | | |
| | |
| |
Name | | # | | | ($) | | | Exercisable/Unexercisable | | | Exercisable/Unexercisable(1) | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Maureen A. Ehrenberg | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 189,022/0 | | | | $121,000/$0 | |
Robert H. Osbrink | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 15,000/0 | | | | $7,000/$0 | |
Brian D. Parker | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 100,000/50,000 | | | | $608,000/304,000 | |
Mark E. Rose | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0/500,000 | | | | 0/1,150,000 | |
| |
(1) | The value of the in-the-money options at fiscal year-end was calculated based on the closing price of the common stock as reported on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board on June 30, 2005 ($7.00 per share). |
17
| |
C. | Employment Contracts and Compensation Arrangements |
Mark E. Rose
On March 8, 2005, the Board of Directors named Mark E. Rose as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Accordingly the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Rose, effective as of such date (the “Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Rose will serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for a term of three (3) years and shall also serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Rose shall be paid a base salary of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) per annum, and shall be eligible to receive annual performance-based bonus compensation of up to two (2) times his base salary; which, only for the first year of the term, is guaranteed and shall be no less than Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000). The Company also agreed to pay Mr. Rose a sign-on bonus of Two Million Eighty Three Thousand Dollars ($2,083,000), which shall be subject to repayment by Mr. Rose, in whole or in part, under certain circumstances as set forth in the Employment Agreement. In addition, Mr. Rose is entitled to participate in the Company’s long term incentive compensation plan.
Mr. Rose is also entitled to participate in the Company’s health and other benefit plans generally afforded to executive employees and is reimbursed for reasonable travel, entertainment and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with his duties. The agreement contains confidentiality, non-competition, no-raid and non-solicitation provisions and is terminable by the Company upon Mr. Rose’s death or disability, or for cause, without any additional compensation other than what is accrued to Mr. Rose as of the date of any such termination. In the event that Mr. Rose is terminated without cause, or if Mr. Rose terminates the agreement for Good Reason, as that term is defined in the agreement, Mr. Rose is entitled to receive his annual base salary, payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for twenty-four (24) months, plus an amount equal to the cost of COBRA payments, increased to compensate for any amount withheld by the Company due to federal and state withholdings, until the earlier of twelve months from the termination date or Mr. Rose obtains health coverage from another source. The Company’s payment of any amounts to Mr. Rose upon his termination for Good Reason is contingent upon Mr. Rose executing a Release acceptable to the Company.
In addition, in the event Mr. Rose is terminated upon a Change in Control, as that term is defined in the agreement, or within eighteen (18) months thereafter, Mr. Rose is entitled to receive payment of two (2) times his base salary and two (2) times his applicable bonus, paid ratably over twelve (12) months in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices. In addition, upon a Change in Control, the vesting of Mr. Rose’s stock options shall become fully vested upon the closing of the change of control transaction and he shall have twenty-four (24) months to exercise the unexercised options. The Company’s payment of any amounts to Mr. Rose upon his termination upon a Change in Control is contingent upon Mr. Rose executing a Release acceptable to the Company.
In addition, upon the entering into of the Employment Agreement the Company granted to Mr. Rose non-qualified stock options, exercisable at the then current market price, to purchase up to five hundred thousand (500,000) shares of the Company’s common stock. Mr. Rose is also entitled to receive during the term of the Employment Agreement
18
annual stock grants of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000) worth of restricted shares of the Company’s common stock at the per share price that is equal to the then current market price of the Company’s common stock on the date immediately preceding the grant date. The issuance of the restricted shares of common stock to Mr. Rose is exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as it constitutes a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. Both the stock options and all restricted shares of common stock vest ratably over three (3) years, subject to acceleration (in whole or in part) under certain circumstances.
Maureen A. Ehrenberg
On June 6, 2005, the Company entered into a three (3) year employment agreement with Maureen A. Ehrenberg (the “Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which Ms. Ehrenberg will continue to serve as the Company’s Executive Vice President and as the President of both Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. and the Company’s Global Client Services.
During the term of the Employment Agreement, which is effective as of January 1, 2005, Ms. Ehrenberg shall be paid a base salary of Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($360,000) per annum, and shall be eligible to receive annual performance-based bonus compensation of up to 80% of base salary. Ms. Ehrenberg is also entitled to participate in the Company’s long term incentive compensation plan. In addition, Ms. Ehrenberg is entitled to participate in the Company’s health and other benefit plans generally afforded to executive employees and is reimbursed for reasonable travel, entertainment and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with her duties. The agreement contains confidentiality, non-competition, no-raid, non-solicitation and indemnification provisions and is terminable by the Company upon Ms. Ehrenberg’s death or disability, or for cause, without any additional compensation other than what is accrued to Ms. Ehrenberg as of the date of any such termination.
In the event that Ms. Ehrenberg is terminated Without Cause, or if Ms. Ehrenberg terminates the agreement for Good Reason, as that term is defined in the agreement, Ms. Ehrenberg is entitled to receive as severance pay, her annual base salary, payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for the greater of the remainder of the then-existing term of the Employment Agreement or twelve (12) months and prorated bonus compensation; plus an amount equal to the cost of COBRA payments, increased to compensate for any amount withheld by the Company due to federal and state withholdings, until the earlier of the end of the Severance period or Ms. Ehrenberg obtains health coverage from another source. The Company’s payment of any amounts to Ms. Ehrenberg upon her termination without cause or for good reason is contingent upon Ms. Ehrenberg executing a Release acceptable to the Company.
In addition, in the event Ms. Ehrenberg is terminated upon a Change in Control, as that term is defined in the agreement, or within eighteen (18) months thereafter or if she terminates the agreement for Good Reason six (6) months prior to a Change in Control, Ms. Ehrenberg is entitled to receive payment of two (2) times her base salary and two (2) times her applicable bonus, paid ratably over twelve (12) months in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices. In addition, upon a change in control, the vesting of Ms. Ehrenberg stock options shall become fully vested upon the closing of the Change of Control transaction. The Company’s payment of any amounts to
19
Ms. Ehrenberg upon her termination upon a change in control is contingent upon Ms. Ehrenberg executing a Release acceptable to the Company.
In addition, upon the entering into of the Employment Agreement, the Company granted to Ms. Ehrenberg a stock grant of Five Hundred Thousand ($500,000) worth of restricted shares of the Company’s common stock at the per share price that is equal to the then current market price of the Company’s common stock on the date immediately preceding the grant date. All of the restricted shares vest upon the expiration of the term of the Employment Agreement, subject to acceleration in the event of a Change in Control, as defined in the Employment Agreement. The issuance of the restricted shares of common stock to Ms. Ehrenberg is exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as it constitutes a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
Robert H. Osbrink
On November 9, 2004, the Company entered into a four (4) year employment agreement, effective as of January 1, 2004, with Robert H. Osbrink, the Company’s President of Transaction Services. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, Mr. Osbrink receives a base salary of no less than $400,000 per year, as well as annual performance based bonus compensation of up to 75% of base salary. Mr. Osbrink is also entitled to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive compensation plan.
Mr. Osbrink is also entitled to participate in all benefit plans, including but not limited to, medical, dental, retirement, disability and all life insurance plans, that are generally made available by the Company to similarly situated executives.
In the event that Mr. Osbrink is terminated by the Company Without Cause, or Mr. Osbrink terminates his employment agreement for Good Reason, as that term is defined in the agreement, he is entitled to receive his base salary for twelve (12) months, payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, plus reimbursement for COBRA payments until the earlier of twelve (12) months, or until such time as Mr. Osbrink obtains health insurance from another source. In addition, upon Mr. Osbrink’s termination in connection with a Change in control, as that term is defined in the agreement, Mr. Osbrink is entitled to receive two (2x) times his base salary plus two (2x) times his “applicable bonus”, as that term is defined in the agreement, paid ratably over twelve (12) months. The agreement also contains a confidentiality, non-competition, no-raid, non-solicitation and non-disparagement provisions. The term of Mr. Osbrink’s new employment agreement is through December 31, 2007, and this new agreement superseded Mr. Osbrink’s previous executive employment agreement with the Company, which was due to expire on January 1, 2005.
On September 7, 2005, Mr. Osbrink and the Company agreed to an amendment of his employment agreement, increasing his annual performance based bonus compensation to up to 100% of base salary.
In addition, upon the entering into of the amendment, the Company granted to Mr. Osbrink a stock grant of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) worth of restricted shares of the Company’s common stock at the per share price that is equal to the then current market price of the Company’s common stock on the date immediately preceding the grant date. All of the restricted shares vest on December 29, 2007, subject to acceleration in the event of a Change in Control, as defined in the Employment
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Agreement. The issuance of the restricted shares of common stock to Mr. Osbrink is exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as it constitutes a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
Brian D. Parker
Effective March 1, 2003 Mr. Parker signed an exclusive employment agreement with the Company to serve a term of one (1) year as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company for a base annual salary of $360,000. In addition, Mr. Parker was entitled to receive a target bonus compensation of up to 50% of base salary, of which 50% is guaranteed and paid currently, based upon the performance of both Mr. Parker and the Company in accordance with goals to be established by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Parker was also entitled to participate in the Company’s health and other benefit plans generally afforded executive employees and be reimbursed for reasonable travel, entertainment and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with his duties. The agreement contained confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions and was terminable by the Company upon Mr. Parker’s death or disability, or for cause, or without cause in which event Mr. Parker was entitled to the lesser of four (4) months base salary or the remaining base salary due under the agreement.
On April 1, 2003, Mr. Parker and the Company agreed to an amendment of his employment agreement, reducing his annual base salary to $324,000 and the guaranteed portion of his target bonus to 45% commencing April 16, 2003 through December 31, 2003, and providing to reinstate his annual base salary and guaranteed bonus thereafter to their original amounts for the remainder of the term of the Agreement.
Effective September 30, 2003 Mr. Parker and the Company entered into a new, three (3) year exclusive employment agreement to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer for an annual base salary of $324,000. In addition, Mr. Parker is entitled to receive target bonus compensation of up to 50% of base salary based upon the performance of Mr. Parker and the Company in accordance with goals to be established by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in consultation with Mr. Parker. Mr. Parker was also granted 150,000 common stock purchase options, exercisable at $0.92 per share, of which 50,000 became exercisable on the date of grant, December 9, 2003, 50,000 became exercisable on December 9, 2004, and 50,000 shall become exercisable on December 9, 2005. The options have a term of ten (10) years. Mr. Parker is also entitled to participate in the Company’s health and other benefit plans generally afforded to executive employees and is reimbursed for reasonable travel, entertainment and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with his duties. The agreement contains confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation provisions and is terminable by the Company upon Mr. Parker’s death or disability, or for cause, without any additional compensation other than what is accrued to Mr. Parker as of the date of any such termination.
In the event that Mr. Parker is terminated without cause, or if Mr. Parker terminates the agreement for Good Reason, as that term is defined in the agreement, Mr. Parker is entitled to receive his annual base salary, payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices for twelve (12) months, if the effective date of termination occurs prior to October 1, 2005, or for six (6) months, if the effective date of such termination occurs on or after October 1, 2005. In addition, upon a Change in Control, as that term is defined in the agreement, of the Company, in the event Mr. Parker is
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terminated upon a change in control or within thirty (30) days thereafter, or Mr. Parker resigns during the thirty (30) day period after the ninetieth (90) day following a change of control, Mr. Parker is entitled to receive a lump sum equal to twelve (12) months base salary and bonus compensation, and also is entitled to receive benefits for twelve (12) months thereafter. In addition, upon a change in control, the vesting of Mr. Parker’s stock options is accelerated and the vesting of certain other benefits pursuant to the Company’s benefit plans is also accelerated.
Mr. Parker is also entitled to participate in the Company’s long term incentive compensation plan.
In September 2005 Mr. Parker resigned as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and he is currently assisting the Company on a transitional basis.
Shelby E. Sherard
Effective October 10, 2005 Ms. Sherard and the Company entered into a three (3) year exclusive Employment Agreement pursuant to which Ms. Sherard will serve as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at an annual base salary of $200,000. In addition, Ms. Sherard is entitled to receive target bonus compensation of up to 50% of base salary based upon annual performance goals to be established by the Compensation Committee of the Company. Ms. Sherard was also granted 25,000 common stock purchase options which have a term of ten (10) years, are exercisable at $5.89 per share, and vest ratably over three years. Ms. Sherard is also entitled to participate in the Company’s health and other benefit plans generally afforded to executive employees and is reimbursed for reasonable travel, entertainment and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with her duties. The Agreement contains confidentiality, non-competition, no raid and non-solicitation provisions and is terminable by the Company upon Ms. Sherard’s death or disability, or for cause, without any additional compensation other than what has accrued to Ms. Sherard as of the date of any such termination.
In the event that Ms. Sherard is terminated without cause, or if Ms. Sherard terminates the agreement for Good Reason, as that term is defined in the Agreement, Ms. Sherard is entitled to receive her annual base salary, payable in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices, for twelve months. In addition, upon a Change in Control, as that term is defined in the Agreement, in the event that Ms. Sherard is terminated within nine months after a Change in Control or within six months prior to a Change in Control and in contemplation thereof, Ms. Sherard is entitled to receive her base salary paid ratably over twelve months plus her average bonus paid ratably over twelve months in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices. In addition, upon a Change in Control, the vesting of all of Ms. Sherard’s stock options is accelerated.
Ms. Sherard is also entitled to participate in the Company’s Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan.
Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan
In June 2005 the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors adopted a Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan for executive employees of the Company. This plan provides for the payment of bonuses to certain executive employees of the Company if specified financial goals of the Company are achieved with respect to performance
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periods covering a rolling three calendar year period. Specified financial goals are revised each year by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors based upon what they believe to be appropriate financial goals for the Company’s executive officers for the applicable three-year periods. As of June 30, 2005, approximately $373,000 had been accrued under this plan for payment to executive officers no earlier than the first calendar quarter of 2007.
The current members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. McLaughlin, Chairman, Mr. Anacker and Mr. Young. In September 2004, Mr. Robert McLaughlin joined the Compensation Committee as its Chairman and Mr. Kojaian stepped down from the Committee. Mr. Kojaian, Mr. Anacker, Mr. Young and Mr. McLaughlin have never served as officers or employees of the Company.
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E. | Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation |
The following Compensation Report and the section entitled, “Grubb & Ellis Stock Performance” are not to be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically requests that such information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference into any filing under the 1933 Act or the Exchange Act.
The committee has developed and implemented compensation policies, plans and programs which seek to reward achievement of positive financial results for the Company, and in doing so enhance stockholder value.
In order to attract and retain outstanding executives with the potential to contribute significantly to the success of the Company, our policies have sought to compensate executives commensurate with executives of equivalent-sized firms in terms of revenues and with similar responsibilities, but not necessarily the Peer Group companies referred to below under “Grubb & Ellis Stock Performance.”
The compensation programs of Mark E. Rose, Maureen A. Ehrenberg, Robert H. Osbrink and Brian D. Parker are described in “Employment Contracts, and Termination of Employment and Change-in-Control Arrangements” above. In approving the compensation terms of their employment agreements including bonus compensation, we took into consideration our knowledge of competitive compensation programs for executive officers and their level of responsibility and expectations of future performance.
Base salaries and target percentages of salaries applicable for bonus compensation were approved based on the input from the Human Resources Department, and on our knowledge of competitive salaries as described above and, as applicable, our judgment about the executives’ individual past performance, expectations of future performance, and most importantly, level of responsibilities. Bonuses were earned upon a number of factors including achievement of annual targeted levels of Company-wide, and applicable business unit, revenue, EBITDA and net income, and performance to unit budgets. No one factor was a prerequisite to receiving the bonus.
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Stock options, restricted stock, and long term incentive programs are designed to align the interests of executives with those of stockholders, and further the growth, development and financial success of the Company. The Board believes that granting equity incentives to our management helps retain and motivate management. In recommending grants under these programs by the Board, the Committee takes into account the scope of responsibility, the performance requirements and anticipated contributions to the Company of each proposed optionee. Our decision to recommend the award of equity incentives at the time of hiring, entering into employment contracts or promotion is based upon the circumstances of each situation, including the level of responsibility of the executive. The exercise price of each option granted is set at fair market value at the date of grant, which represent ongoing incentives to contribute to the Company. The restricted stock, options and incentive compensation awards vest over two to four years. We determine the recommended number of shares given to each executive, primarily based upon the executive’s level of responsibility and the number and price of options then held by the executive.
The Charter of the Compensation Committee was ratified by the Board of Directors effective September 21, 2005 and is included in this proxy statement as Exhibit B.
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| THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE |
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| Robert J. McLaughlin |
| R. David Anacker |
| Rodger D. Young |
The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Company’s principal executive officers, principal financial officer and controller and complies with the required standards of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Accordingly, the Company’s code of ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing, and to promote, among other things, honest and ethical conduct, full, timely, accurate and clear public disclosures, compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, the prompt internal reporting of violations of the code, and accountability. In addition, in August 2005 the Company launched its Ethics Hotline with an outside service provider in order to assure compliance with the so-called “whistle blower” provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This toll-free hotline provides employees with a means by which issues can be communicated to management on a confidential basis. A copy of the Company’s Code of Ethics is available upon request and without charge by contacting Investor Relations, Grubb & Ellis Company, 2215 Sanders Road, Suite 400, Northbrook, IL 60062.
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G. | Grubb & Ellis Stock Performance |
The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock against the cumulative total return on the S&P 500 Stock Index, and a peer group of the Company (“Peer Group”). The comparison assumes $100 was invested on June 30, 2000 in each of the foregoing and that all dividends, if any, were reinvested.
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Method of Selection of Peer Group. We believe that the following commercial real estate firms have been our primary, nationwide competitors having publicly-traded stock: CB Richard Ellis Services, Inc.(“CB”); Insignia Financial Group, Inc. (“Insignia”) which merged with CB in July, 2003; Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (“LaSalle”); and Trammell Crow Company (“Trammell Crow”). Note that CB ceased having publicly traded equity in July 2001, and while public trading of CB’s equity resumed in June, 2004, they will not be included in the Peer Group returns until next year. In addition to La Salle and Trammell Crow, the Peer Group we have used consists of the public companies with the same company-level Standard Industrial Classification (“SIC”) Code as the Company, as reported by Primark Corporation as of June 30, 2005. Our company-level SIC Code is 6531 — real estate agents and managers. We have excluded from the Peer Group those firms whose primary business is not real estate transactional, referral or management business, such as firms whose business is primarily real estate investment (e.g., real estate investment trusts). The Peer Group firms for the current year are, in addition to the Company: Homelife, Inc.; Kennedy-Wilson, Inc.; LaSalle; Most Home Corporation; Trammell Crow; and Why USA Financial Group, Inc.Some of these companies do not have a five-year stock history. Note that since the average Peer Group returns are weighted based on relative market capitalization, more than 90% of the Peer Group’s returns are attributable to LaSalle and Trammell Crow.
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COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY, S&P 500 AND A PEER GROUP
(PERFORMANCE RESULTS THROUGH JUNE 30, 2005)
(DATA BELOW ARE REPRESENTED AS A GRAPH IN THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT)
Copyright © 2002, Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.www.researchdatagroup.com/S&P.htm
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| | 6/30/00 | | | 6/30/01 | | | 6/30/02 | | | 6/30/03 | | | 6/30/04 | | | 6/30/05 | |
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Grubb & Ellis Company | | $ | 100 | | | $ | 93.62 | | | $ | 42.38 | | | $ | 20.00 | | | $ | 33.87 | | | $ | 119.15 | |
S&P 500 | | | 100 | | | | 85.17 | | | | 69.85 | | | | 70.03 | | | | 83.41 | | | | 88.68 | |
Peer Group | | | 100 | | | | 98.23 | | | | 141.75 | | | | 98.67 | | | | 151.18 | | | | 257.08 | |
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* | The comparisons in this table are not intended to forecast or to be indicative of possible future performance of our common stock. |
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The following are descriptions of certain transactions and business relationships between the Company and our directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders. On a quarterly basis, the Audit Committee reviews information about transactions involving Archon Group, L.P., an affiliate of GS Group (“Archon”), and its affiliates, and the Kojaian Investors and their affiliates, as described below, compared to transactions with
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other parties, and makes an independent recommendation to the Board as to the benefit to stockholders from such transactions. See also “Questions and Answers About Voting” regarding the 1997 Voting Agreement and Designation of Series A Committee Members, and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” above.
Issuance and Exchange of Preferred Stock.
In May 2002, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with Kojaian Ventures, L.L.C. (“KV”), an affiliate of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, which provided for (i) the purchase by KV from the Company of an aggregate of 1,337,358 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $4,158,431, which is the same purchase price that the Company paid for the re-acquisition of such shares, (contemporaneously) from Warburg, and (ii) the extension of a $11,237,500 loan (the “Loan”) junior to the other lenders under the Company’s then existing senior credit agreement. Approximately $6 million of the financing was used to pay down certain revolving debt under such senior credit agreement and approximately $5 million was used to repay to Warburg a $5 million loan that Warburg had made to the Company earlier that year. The Loan bore interest at the rate of 12% per annum, compounded quarterly. The promissory note evidencing the Loan (the “Note”) was convertible, generally at the option of the holder, into shares of an amended Series A Preferred Stock, calculated by dividing the outstanding principal, accrued interest and certain costs by the stated value of $1,000 per share.
On September 19, 2002, KV converted the Note into 11,725 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, having a per share stated value of $1,000. The terms of the Series A Preferred Stock included an accrued dividend of 12% per annum, compounded quarterly, as well as a preference over the common stock in the event that the Company undergoes certain sale transactions that constitute a change in control, or a liquidation or dissolution. That is, the holder of the Series A Preferred Stock was entitled to be paid with respect to its Series A Preferred Stock prior to when holders of common stock were entitled to be paid with respect to their common stock in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or certain sale transactions that constitute a change in control of the Company. In any such instances, the preference payable to the holder of the Series A Preferred Stock, prior to any payments being made to any holders of common stock, is the greater of (i) 2 times the face value of the Series A Preferred Stock, which is $11,725,000, plus the accrued dividend thereon at the rate of 12% per annum, or (ii) the equivalent of 40% of the consideration to be paid to all equity holders of the Company on an “Adjusted Outstanding Basis” (as defined in the underlying documents). In addition, the Preferred Stock also entitled its holder to (i) vote on all matters that are subject to the vote of all stockholders, (ii) to appoint, prior to September 19, 2005, a three-person committee whose approval is required for certain sale, merger, recapitalization, reorganization, acquisition and liquidation events, and veto rights over certain other corporate actions and (iii) to be paid all of its accrued dividends before any dividends are paid to common stockholders of the Company.
In December 2004, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement”) with KV pursuant to which the Company paid to KV all accrued and unpaid dividends with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock for the period September 19, 2002, the date of issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, up to and through December 31, 2004. In exchange therefore, KV agreed to eliminate in its entirety,
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as of January 1, 2005, the 12% preferential cumulative dividend payable on the Series A Preferred Stock. Upon the closing of the transaction in January 2005, the Company delivered to KV the one time accrued dividend payment of approximately $3.6 million.
The Company and KV effected the elimination of the 12% cumulative preferred dividend with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock by an exchange of preferred securities. Accordingly, simultaneously upon the consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement, on January 4, 2005, KV delivered to the Company its original share certificate representing 11,725 shares of Series A Preferred Stock in exchange for a new share certificate representing 11,725 shares of a newly created Series A-1 Preferred Stock of the Company (the “New Preferred Stock”). The New Preferred Stock is identical in all respects to the Series A Preferred Stock except that the New Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative preferred dividend and is now only entitled to receive dividends if and when dividends are declared and paid to holders of the Company’s common stock. As was the case with the Series A Preferred Stock, the New Preferred Stock has a preference over the Company’s Common Stock in the event that the Company undergoes a liquidation, dissolution or certain change in control transactions. In such situations, the holder of the New Preferred Stock would be entitled to payment of the greater of (i) $23.5 million (twice the face value of the New Preferred Stock) or (ii) the equivalent of 40% of the consideration to be paid to all the equity holders of the Company, thereby diluting the return that would otherwise be available to the holders of the Common Stock of the Company had this preference not existed.
Like the Series A Preferred Stock, the New Preferred Stock is not convertible into common stock, but nonetheless votes on an “as liquidated basis” along with the holders of common stock on all matters. Consequently, the New Preferred Stock, like the Series A Preferred Stock, currently is entitled to the number of votes equal to 11,173,925 shares of common stock, or approximately 42.5% of all voting securities of the Company. In addition, as noted above, with the elimination of the preferential cumulative dividend, the New Preferred Stock will now only be entitled to receive dividends if and when dividends are declared by the Company on, and paid to holders of, the Company’s common stock. The holders of the New Preferred Stock will receive dividends, if any, based upon the number of voting common stock equivalents represented by the New Preferred Stock. The New Preferred Stock is not subject to redemption.
Other Related Party Transactions
We believe that the fees and commissions paid to and by the Company as described below were comparable to those that would have been paid to or received from unaffiliated third parties.
Archon, an affiliate of GS Group, a principal stockholder of the Company, is engaged in the asset management business, and performs asset management services for various parties. During the 2005 fiscal year, Archon, its affiliates and portfolio property owners paid the Company and its subsidiaries the following approximate amounts in connection with real estate services rendered to Archon and its portfolio properties: $1,813,000 in management fees, which include reimbursed salaries, wages and benefits of $1,299,000; $1,955,000 in real estate sale and leasing commissions; and $54,000 in fees for other real estate and business services. The Company also paid asset management fees to Archon’s affiliates of approximately $87,000 related to properties the Company manages in their behalf. In addition, Archon, its affiliates and portfolio property owners were
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involved in seven transactions as a lessee/ buyer during the 2005 fiscal year, for which the company received real estate commissions of approximately $366,000 from the landlord/ seller.
Kojaian Management Corporation and its various affiliated portfolio companies (collectively, “KMC”) are controlled by the Kojaian Investors. KMC is engaged in the business of investing in and managing real property both for its own account and for third parties. During the 2005 fiscal year, KMC and its portfolio companies paid the Company and its subsidiaries the following approximate amounts in connection with real estate services rendered: $9,041,000 for management services, which include reimbursed salaries, wages and benefits of $3,740,000; $587,000 in real estate sale and leasing commissions; and $60,000 for other real estate and business services. The Company also paid asset management fees to KMC of approximately $2,957,000 related to properties the Company manages in its behalf. In addition, KMC and its portfolio companies were involved in one transaction as a lessee during the 2005 fiscal year, for which the Company received real estate commissions of approximately $29,000 from the landlord. In August 2002, the Company entered into an office lease with a landlord related to KMC, providing for an annual average base rent of $365,400 over the ten-year term of the lease.
In fiscal year 2005, the Company incurred $160,000 in legal fees on behalf of C. Michael Kojaian and Kojaian Ventures, L.L.C. (collectively, the “Kojaian Parties”) and $64,000 in legal fees on behalf of Warburg in connection with each of them being named in a lawsuit filed in March 2004. In August 2005, the litigation was settled by the parties and the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice. Total legal fees through the settlement of the lawsuit, including fees incurred through fiscal 2005, are estimated to be $300,000 on behalf of the Kojaian Parties and $126,000 on behalf of Warburg Pincus. Although the Company was not party to the litigation, the litigation expenses of the Kojaian Parties and Warburg were being paid by the Company pursuant to contractual indemnification obligations contained in various purchase and sale, and credit and other agreements entered into with the Kojaian Parties and Warburg during fiscal 2002. Of the total legal fees incurred on behalf of the Kojaian Parties, approximately $164,000 were paid to the law firm of Young & Susser. Rodger D. Young, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since April 2003, is a partner of Young & Susser.
This concludes our proxy statement. We hope that you found it informative and look forward to seeing you at our Annual Meeting.
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| BY ORDER OF THE BOARD |
| OF DIRECTORS |
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| /s/ Clifford A. Brandels |
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| Clifford A. Brandeis |
| Corporate Secretary |
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EXHIBIT A
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
REVISED AS OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2005
There shall be a committee of the board directors of Grubb & Ellis Company (the “Company”) to be known as the Audit Committee.
Composition and Qualification of the Committee
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1. | Independence. The Audit Committee shall be comprised of at least three directors, (if practical, based on Board composition) who are independent of the management of the Company and are free of any material business relationship with the Company, as determined by the board of directors. Directors who have been affiliates of the Company or officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries within five years of appointment would not be qualified for Audit Committee membership. No member shall receive any compensation from the Company other than directors’ or committee fees (including fees payable in cash, stock or other Company equity). In addition, the members of the Committee shall qualify under the regulations of any exchange or other market on which the Company’s securities are then traded, and under federal and/or state legal requirements, as such regulations and requirements may be amended from time to time. Members shall not serve on more than three public company audit committees simultaneously. |
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2. | Knowledge of Finance. All members of the Committee shall have a working familiarity with basic finance and accounting practices. At least one member of the Audit Committee shall be determined to be an audit committee financial expert. |
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3. | Appointment. Audit Committee members, including the Chairman of the Audit Committee, shall be appointed by the board of directors and serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. |
Purpose
The Audit Committee shall provide assistance to the Company’s Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibility to the stockholders and others, relating to:
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| A. | The integrity of the Company’s financial statements; |
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| B. | The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting: |
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| C. | The Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; |
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| D. | The independent auditors’ qualifications and independence; and |
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| E. | The performance of the company’s internal audit function and independent auditors; |
Scope of Responsibilities
The Committee, in carrying out its responsibilities, believes its policies and procedures should remain flexible, in order to react to changing conditions and circumstances. The
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Committee will take appropriate actions to monitor, among other things, the overall “tone” for quality financial reporting, sound business risk practices, and ethical behavior.
In meeting its responsibilities, the Audit Committee shall:
Independent Auditors and Audit Oversight
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1. | Appoint the independent auditors to audit the books of the Company, its divisions and subsidiaries for the ensuing year, which firm is ultimately accountable to the Audit Committee and the Board, and approve the extent, scope and terms of its engagement. The Audit Committee shall confirm the rotation of the lead audit partner and the other audit partners of the auditing firm charged with review of the Company’s audit, as required by law. On at least an annual basis, the Audit Committee will require the independent auditors to provide a formal, written statement, and such other reports periodically as it deems appropriate, delineating the following: a) the firm’s internal quality-control procedures; b) any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm, including any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and c) all relationships between the auditors and the Company. The Committee will review and discuss with the independent auditors the disclosures made by the auditors and shall make any decisions it deems advisable with respect to the auditors. The Audit Committee shall report the engagement and all relevant matters regarding the independent auditors to the Board. |
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2. | Review the performance of the independent auditors, and effect the dismissal/replacement of the independent auditors when circumstances warrant. The Audit Committee shall report to the Board any such dismissal and replacement of the independent auditors. |
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3. | Review and pre-approve the non-audit services performed by the independent auditors and the extent and terms of its engagement, with due consideration of the possible effect on its independence. The Audit Committee shall also regularly review the real estate services provided by the Company to the independent auditors with the same consideration. |
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4. | Adopt Company policies for hiring employees or former employees of the independent auditors to take into account the effect of such employees seeking employment on the auditors’ independence. |
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5. | Meet with the independent auditors and financial management of the Company to review the scope of the proposed audit for the current year and the audit procedures to be utilized, and at the conclusion thereof review such audit and discuss with the independent auditors any audit problems or difficulties, and comments or recommendations of the independent auditors. Also review management’s responses to and compliance with the independent auditors’ statements of problems or difficulties and its comments or recommendations. The Committee is responsible for the resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting. The Committee should review the following: any accounting adjustments that were noted or proposed by the auditors but were not recorded in the financial statements (as immaterial or otherwise); any communications between |
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| the audit team and the audit firm’s national office respecting auditing or accounting issues or internal control-related issues presented by the engagement and any management or internal control letter issued. |
Accounting Principles; Internal Controls
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1. | Review with the independent auditors, the internal auditor, and with the Company’s financial and accounting personnel: |
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| A. | the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal auditing, accounting and financial controls of the Company, including among other things, the computerized information controls and security, and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies, and elicit any recommendations that they may have for the improvement of such internal control procedures or particular areas where new or more detailed controls or procedures are desirable. |
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| B. | major issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations, including any significant changes in the company’s selection or application of accounting principles; |
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| C. | analysis prepared by management and/or the independent auditor setting forth significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection therewith, especially any discussion of alternative GAAP methods, the discussions of the quality, not just the acceptability of accounting principles; |
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| D. | reports from the independent auditors on critical accounting policies and practices, the auditors’ preferred treatment of financial information among alternatives that have been discussed with management, and all material written communications between the auditors and management; |
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| E. | the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as off-balance sheet structures on the financial statements of the Company. |
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| F. | the clarity of the disclosures in the financial statements: |
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2. | Analyze any internal control deficiencies or any fraud identified in the certification process for Form 10K or 10Q of the chief executive officer or the chief financial officer. |
Internal Auditor and Audit Oversight
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1. | Review the internal audit function of the Company, including the proposed programs for the coming year and the coordination of such programs with the independent auditors, with particular attention to maintaining balance between independent and internal auditing resources. |
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2. | Review and approve the selection of any outsource vendor for the internal audit function for the ensuing year, and the extent, scope and terms (including budget and staffing) of its engagement. The outsourced internal audit function and external audit function will not be performed by the same firm. |
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3. | Review the performance of the internal auditors and direct dismissal/replacement of the internal auditor when circumstances warrant. |
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4. | Review and approve the non-audit services performed by any outsource vendor performing the internal audit function and the extent and terms of its engagement, with due consideration of the possible effect on its objectivity. |
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5. | Prior to each Audit Committee meeting, but no less than quarterly, the Audit Committee shall be provided a summary of findings from completed internal audits and a progress report on the proposed internal audit plan with explanations for any deviations from the original plan. |
General Responsibilities
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1. | Regularly report to the Board any issues that arise with respect to the board’s oversight responsibility as set forth in the Purpose above. |
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2. | Engage, at Company expense, outside legal, financial or other professional advisors to obtain advice and/or assistance as the Committee deems reasonable and appropriate. |
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3. | Fulfill its responsibilities as specified in the Company’s conflicts of interest policy, including among other things, the review of related party transactions. A quarterly report of the Company’s related party transactions shall be provided to the Audit Committee in advance of its regularly scheduled Audit Committee meeting. |
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4. | Review, with the Company’s counsel, any legal matters that could have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements. |
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5. | Review and inquire into compliance with policies established by the Board or Compensation Committee regarding executive officers’ expenses and perquisites, including use of Company assets. |
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6. | Review the findings of any examinations by regulatory agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, to the extent related to Company matters subject to Committee review. |
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7. | Review and provide input regarding the appointment, replacement, reassignment or dismissal of the Chief Financial Officer. |
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8. | Inquire of the Chief Financial Officer, other members of management, the internal auditor, and the independent auditors about significant risks or exposure to the Company and assess the steps management has taken to minimize such risks to the Company. Discuss with management the Company policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. |
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9. | Review Company compliance, together with Counsel, with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. |
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10. | Perform other oversight functions as may be appropriate under the law or as requested by the board of directors from time to time. |
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11. | Assess the Committee’s performance at least annually. |
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12. | Review and reassess this Charter at least annually and obtain the approval of the Company’s board of directors of any amendments. |
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Company Disclosure
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1. | Review the interim financial statements, including the Company’s disclosure under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” with management and the independent auditors prior to the filing of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Also, the Committee shall discuss the results of the quarterly review and any other matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the independent auditors under the standards of the Public Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). |
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2. | Review with management and the independent auditors the financial statements, including the Company’s disclosure under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” to be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (or the annual report to shareholders if distributed prior to the filing of Form 10-K). Also, the Committee shall discuss the results of the annual audit and any other matters required to be communicated to the Committee by the independent auditors under the standards of the PCAOB. |
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3. | Discuss with management general guidelines and policies with respect to earnings releases, financial information and related information to be provided to the public, to analysts and to rating agencies. |
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4. | Prepare the Committee’s annual report for disclosure in the Company’s proxy statement in connection with the annual shareholders’ meeting. |
Complaints; Investigations
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1. | The Audit Committee may cause to be made an investigation into any matter brought to its attention within the scope of its duties, with the power to retain outside counsel, accountants or others for this purpose at the Company’s expense. |
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2. | The Audit Committee shall establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and for the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. |
Committee Meetings
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1. | Schedule of Meetings. Regular meetings of the Audit Committee are expected to be scheduled four times per year to coincide with regularly scheduled board meetings, whenever practical. Special meetings of the Audit Committee may be called at the direction or upon the request of any two members of the Audit Committee upon notice as required for special meetings of the board in Section 3.10 of the Company’s Bylaws. |
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2. | Quorum; Manner of Acting. A quorum for conducting the business of the Audit Committee shall be two members thereof, and all matters shall be decided by the affirmative vote of at least two members of the Committee, either at a meeting or by written consent. The Committee shall act when a majority of independent members that are members of the Committee are present. Committee members may participate in committee meetings by telephone conference call. The Audit Committee may |
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| request members of management or others to provide information to the Committee and to attend its meetings from time to time. |
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3. | Private Sessions. At all meetings of the Audit Committee, sufficient opportunity should be made available for the independent auditors, the internal auditors or others to meet privately with the members of the Audit Committee. Among the items to be discussed in these meetings are the independent auditors’ evaluation of the Company’s financial, accounting and auditing personnel, the cooperation which the independent auditors received during the course of their audit, and the internal auditor’s evaluation of the Company’s internal controls. |
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4. | Review and approve minutes of all meetings of the Audit Committee which shall be made available to the board of directors of the Company. |
Flexibility
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee expects to provide an open avenue of communication between the internal auditor, the independent auditor and the board of directors. The Audit Committee’s policies and procedures should remain flexible in order that it can best react to changing conditions and environments and to assure the directors and stockholders that the Company accounting and reporting practices are in accordance with all requirements and are of the highest quality.
Limitations of Audit Committee’s Role
While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations. These are the responsibilities of management and the independent auditor.
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EXHIBIT B
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
CHARTER OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SEPTEMBER 21, 2005
The purpose of the Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Grubb & Ellis Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) shall be to exercise the exclusive and full power and authority of the Board with respect to compensation of the Company’s Executive Officers and other Board-elected Corporate Officers of the Company. The Compensation Committee shall be responsible for management development and succession, and for assuring that management of the Company is compensated in a manner consistent with the Company business strategies, and such other matters as the Board may confer upon the Committee from time to time.
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2. | Composition and Term of Office |
The Compensation Committee shall be composed of such number of directors, to be determined by the Board, and as shall be appointed by the Board, from time to time. No member of the Compensation Committee shall be an employee of or consultant to the Company or its subsidiaries. No member of the Compensation Committee shall be eligible to receive any equity award or incentive under any compensatory equity arrangement or plan of the Company. The receipt of equity pursuant to a bona fide financing arrangement of the Company is not considered compensatory for this purpose. The members of the Compensation Committee shall serve until their respective resignation, death or removal by the Board.
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3. | Manner of Acting; Meetings |
The Compensation Committee shall hold a minimum of one meeting per year, and additional meetings as necessary. The Compensation Committee may act by unanimous written consent without a meeting. A majority of the members of the Compensation Committee shall constitute a quorum for meetings. The Corporate Secretary or his/her delegate shall take minutes at meetings of the Compensation Committee and prepare any written consents. The minutes of Compensation Committee meetings shall be approved by the Committee, shall be available for review by the Board and shall be filed as permanent records with the Corporate Secretary. Any member of the Compensation Committee shall report on proceedings and decisions of the Compensation Committee at appropriate meetings of the Board.
General
The Compensation Committee shall determine the policy and strategies of the Company with respect to management compensation, taking into account such factors as the Compensation Committee shall determine are relevant, such as programs which will
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enable the Company to attract and retain persons who are in a position to contribute to the success of the Company, and the Company’s ability to compensate in relation to its profitability and liquidity.
The Compensation Committee shall have such other duties and responsibilities regarding the hiring and termination of employment of Executive Officers and Board-elected Corporate Officers as may be conferred upon the Compensation Committee by the Board from time to time.
Compensation of Executive Officers and Board-elected Corporate Officers
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| A. | The Compensation Committee shall recommend to the full Board the designation of persons as Executive Officers of the Company from time to time, with due regard for applicable securities law considerations. |
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| B. | The Compensation Committee shall approve all compensation arrangements, and changes thereto, for persons designated by the Board as Executive Officers and Board-elected Corporate Officers of the Company, including but not limited to employment agreements, severance agreements which materially enhance compensation or terms from that set forth in a previously executed employment agreement or other agreement or written Company policies, and/or change-of-control arrangements, salaries, cash incentive programs, perquisites, reimbursement of relocation or other costs, and equity-based awards and programs. |
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| C. | The Compensation Committee shall approve the annual performance goals and objectives of each of the Executive Officers and Board-elected Corporate Officers. |
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| D. | The Compensation Committee shall, at least annually, evaluate the performance of each Executive Officer with due regard for the approved performance goals and objectives applicable to him/her, determine whether and to what extent any incentive awards have been earned, and report to the Board with respect to the evaluation and any awards. |
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| E. | The Compensation Committee’s policies shall include review of executive compensation with respect to the limits on deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, but with the flexibility to exceed the limits when in its judgment it is warranted based upon competitive practices, the Compensation Committee’s overall policies and the Company’s best interests. |
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| F. | The Compensation Committee shall prepare its annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement, as required. |
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| G. | The Compensation Committee shall periodically consult with the Chief Executive Officer of the Company with respect to compensation of management and key personnel. |
Equity Programs
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| A. | The Compensation Committee shall review and recommend to the Board all proposed equity plans or arrangements in which any director, employee, real estate professional or consultant of the Company may participate. The Compen- |
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| | sation Committee is authorized to terminate any such plan if in its judgment termination is appropriate. |
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| B. | The Compensation Committee shall have the power to grant or award any equity or equity incentive under a Board-approved plan or arrangement, to the extent the Committee deems appropriate, subject to the limitations set forth in the applicable plans pursuant to which such equity or incentives or awards are to be granted. |
Employee Benefit Plans
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| A. | The Compensation Committee shall provide general oversight of the Company’s employee benefit plans, including the appointment and removal of any management administrative committee members, the appointment and removal of any trustees, and the establishment, modification and termination of any welfare or pension plans in which employees of the Company may participate. The Compensation Committee may delegate specific authority to a member or committee of management with respect to amendment, administration and termination of such plans. |
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| B. | Notwithstanding the Compensation Committee’s benefit plan oversight authority, the authority to approve an employer matching contribution to the Company’s 401(k) Plan and to approve changes in the Company’s welfare plans which would result in significant increases in welfare plan costs are reserved to the full Board. |
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5. | Compensation of Directors |
The Compensation Committee shall recommend to the Board, from time to time, compensation programs applicable to directors of the Company.
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6. | Authority to Hire Advisors |
The Compensation Committee shall have the power to select, retain, compensate and terminate any compensation consultant it determines is useful in the discharge of the Committee’s responsibilities. The Committee shall also have the authority to seek advice from internal or external legal, accounting or other advisors.
The Compensation Committee shall, at least annually, review its performance against this charter and provide a report to the Board on its performance and any recommended changes to the charter.
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Proxy — Grubb & Ellis Company
For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders — November 16, 2005
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
I am a stockholder of Grubb & Ellis Company (the “Company”) and I have received the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders dated October 14, 2005 and the accompanying Proxy Statement. I appoint Mark E. Rose and Maureen A. Ehrenberg and each or either of them as Proxy Holders, with full power of substitution, to represent and vote all the shares of capital stock which I may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in the Four Seasons Hotel, 120 East Delaware Place, Chicago, Illinois, on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at 8:30 a.m. or at any and all adjournments thereof, with all powers which I would have if I were personally present at the meeting.
The shares represented by this Proxy will be voted in the way that I direct. If no direction is made, the Proxy will be voted “FOR” all nominees listed under the “Election of Directors,” all of whom have been nominated by the Board of Directors as described in the accompanying Proxy Statement. If any of the nominees listed becomes unavailable to serve as a director prior to the Annual Meeting, the Proxy will be voted for any substitute nominee(s) designated by the Board of Directors. I ratify and confirm all that the above Proxy Holders may legally do in relation to this Proxy.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED POSTMARKED ENVELOPE.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)
Telephone and Internet Voting Instructions
You can vote by telephone OR Internet! Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week!
Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the two voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy.
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• | | Call toll free 1-888-583-9310 in the United States or Canada any time on a touch tone telephone. There isNO CHARGEto you for the call. | | • | | Go to the following web site: WWW.COMPUTERSHARE.COM/US/PROXY/GBE |
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• | | Follow the simple instructions provided by the recorded message. | | • | | Enter the information requested on your computer screen and follow the simple instructions. |
If you vote by telephone or the Internet, please DO NOT mail back this proxy card.
Proxies submitted by telephone or the Internet must be received by 1:00 a.m., Central Time, on November 16, 2005.
THANK YOU FOR VOTING
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2005
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 1-8122
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization) | | 94-1424307 (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
2215 Sanders Road, Suite 400,
Northbrook IL, 60062
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(847) 753-7500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class Common Stock | | Name of each exchange on which registered None |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
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 x No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in its definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of December 31, 2004 was approximately $17,756,453.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of September 22, 2005 was 15,117,604 shares.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A no later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2005) are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
PART I
Item 1. Business
General
Grubb & Ellis Company, a Delaware corporation organized in 1980, is the successor by merger to a real estate brokerage company first established in California in 1958. Grubb & Ellis Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Grubb & Ellis” or the “Company”) is one of the world’s leading full-service commercial real estate companies. The Company leverages local expertise with its global reach to provide innovative, customized solutions for real estate owners, corporate occupants and investors. As of June 30, 2005, the Company had 4,100 employees and more than 800 transaction professionals in 47 owned offices. In addition, it has access to over 700 additional transaction professionals in 57 affiliate offices. The Company is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded commercial real estate firms, based on total revenue.
The Company, through its offices, affiliates and alliance partners, provides a full range of real estate services, including transaction, management and consulting services, to users and investors worldwide. Grubb & Ellis strategizes, arranges and advises on the sale, acquisition or lease of such business properties as office, industrial and retail buildings, as well as the acquisition and disposition of commercial land.
Major multiple-market clients have a single point of contact through the Company’s global accounts program for coordination of all services. Delivered in a seamless manner across a global platform, the Company’s comprehensive services include feasibility studies, site selection, exit strategies, market forecasts, strategic planning, project management and research.
Property and facilities management services are provided by Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. (“GEMS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Leveraging the management portfolio and the trend for outsourcing, additional revenues are earned by providing business services and construction management. Operating on a national scale, GEMS had approximately 153 million square feet of property under management as of June 30, 2005.
Current Business Platform and Organization
Historically, Grubb & Ellis’ transaction services operations have generated approximately 60% of the Company’s revenue, with leasing transactions providing approximately 55% and dispositions and acquisitions accounting for the remaining 45% of that revenue. The leasing activity represents a blend of tenant representation, landlord representation and dual-representation. Grubb & Ellis’ transaction professionals are supported by an extensive platform, including the Company’s in-depth market research, which is regarded by real estate professionals and other industry constituents as one of the leading sources for market data in the real estate industry.
The management services group has traditionally generated approximately 40% of the Company’s revenue. Approximately 75% of the group’s revenue is comprised of reimbursed salaries, wages and benefits related generally to on-site employees at the clients’ facilities. Management service fees generated from third-party property management, facilities management, business services and other related activities comprise the remaining 25% of revenue from this group. The Grubb & Ellis Management Services business unit provides its customers with client accounting, engineering services, independent property management and corporate facilities management.
The Company is currently organized in the following business segments. Additional information on these business segments can be found in Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report.
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Transaction Services
Historically, transaction services have represented a large portion of the Company’s operations, and in fiscal year 2005 represented 58% of the Company’s total revenue. A significant portion of the transaction services provided by the Company are transaction related services, in which the Company represents the interests of tenants, owners, buyers or sellers in leasing, acquisition and disposition transactions. These transactions involve various types of commercial real estate, including office, industrial, retail, hospitality, multi-family and land.
The Company also delivers these services to corporate clients through a coordinated account management process that includes a single point of contact. In addition to traditional transaction services, the Company also provides its corporate clients certain consulting related services, including site selection, feasibility studies, exit strategies, market forecasts, appraisals, project management, strategic planning and research services.
Management Services
GEMS provides comprehensive property management and related services for properties owned primarily by institutional investors, along with facilities management services for corporate users. In regard to certain management and facility service contracts, the owner of a property will also reimburse the Company for certain expenses, primarily on-site employee salaries and related benefit costs that are incurred on behalf of the owner. Other related services include construction management, business services and engineering services. In fiscal year 2005, these management services represented the remaining 42% of the Company’s total revenue.
Knight Frank
On September 27, 2005, the Company notified Knight Frank in writing that it would not renew its strategic global alliance with Knight Frank, and accordingly, that the parties’ five year relationship would expire on December 31, 2005 in accordance with the terms of the existing alliance agreement. All corporate services contracts currently in existence pursuant to the alliance agreement will be honored and fulfilled in accordance with their terms. The Company is currently considering a number of strategic alternatives, including, among others, other alliances, company-owned and other structures. The aggregate fees earned by the Company from its strategic alliance with Knight Frank were not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the fiscal periods covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Preferred Stock
In December 2004, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement”) with Kojaian Ventures, LLC (“KV”), a related party, in KV’s capacity as the holder of all the Company’s issued and outstanding 11,725 shares of Series A Preferred Stock which carried a preferential cumulative dividend of 12% per annum (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). Pursuant to the Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement, the Company paid to KV all accrued and unpaid dividends with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock for the period September 19, 2002, the date of issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, up to and through December 31, 2004. In exchange therefore, KV agreed to eliminate in its entirety, as of January 1, 2005, the 12% preferential cumulative dividend payable on the Series A Preferred Stock. Upon the closing of the transaction in January 2005, the Company delivered to KV the one time accrued dividend payment of approximately $3.6 million.
The Company and KV effected the elimination of the 12% cumulative preferred dividend with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock by an exchange of preferred securities. Accordingly, simultaneously upon the consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement, on January 4, 2005, KV delivered to the Company its original share certificate representing 11,725 shares of Series A Preferred Stock in exchange for a new share certificate representing 11,725 shares of a newly created Series A-1 Preferred Stock of the Company (the “New Preferred Stock”). The New Preferred Stock is identical in all respects to the Series A Preferred Stock except that the New Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative preferred dividend and is now only entitled to receive dividends if and when dividends are declared and paid to holders of the Company’s common stock. As was the case with the Series A Preferred Stock, the New
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Preferred Stock has a preference over the Company’s Common Stock in the event that the Company undergoes a liquidation, dissolution or certain change in control transactions. In such situations, the holder of the New Preferred Stock would be entitled to payment of the greater of (i) $23.5 million (twice the face value of the New Preferred Stock) or (ii) the equivalent of 40% of the consideration to be paid to all the equity holders of the Company, thereby diluting the return that would otherwise be available to the holders of the Common Stock of the Company had this preference not existed.
The total ownership interest of KV and its affiliates in the Company (the combined total holdings of the New Preferred Stock and Common Stock) remains the same as it was prior to the exchange, which is currently equal to approximately 57% of the Company’s total voting power. The Company’s Board of Directors believes, however, that common stockholders of the Company who are not affiliated with KV benefit favorably from the elimination of the 12% preferential dividend resulting from the exchange of the old Series A Preferred Stock for the New Preferred Stock which carries no preferential dividend.
Like the Series A Preferred Stock, the New Preferred Stock is not convertible into common stock, but nonetheless votes on an “as liquidated basis” along with the holders of common stock on all matters. Consequently, the New Preferred Stock, like the Series A Preferred Stock, currently is entitled to the number of votes equal to 11,173,925 shares of common stock, or approximately 42.5% of all voting securities of the Company. In addition, as noted above, with the elimination of the preferential cumulative dividend, the New Preferred Stock will now only be entitled to receive dividends if and when dividends are declared by the Company on, and paid to holders of, the Company’s common stock. The holders of the New Preferred Stock will receive dividends, if any, based upon the number of voting common stock equivalents represented by the New Preferred Stock.
Credit Facility
On March 31, 2005, the Company amended its secured credit facility that it initially entered into in June 2004 with Deutsche Bank. Under the amended credit facility, the $25 million term loan portion of the credit facility was unchanged. The revolving credit line component of the credit facility, however, was increased from $15 million to $35 million, of which approximately $32 million is currently available. In addition, the term of the credit facility was extended by one year, and it now matures in June 2008, subject to the Company’s right to extend the term for an additional twelve months through June 2009. Other modifications to the credit facility include the elimination of any cap regarding the aggregate consideration that the Company may pay for acquisitions, the ability to repurchase up to $30 million of its Common Stock, and the elimination of all term loan amortization payments due before maturity. Other principal economic terms and conditions of the credit facility remain substantially unchanged. The Company paid closing costs totaling approximately $688,000 in connection with the amendment, of which $550,000 were recorded as deferred financing fees and are being amortized over the amended term of the agreement.
Strategic Initiatives
The Company named Mark E. Rose Chief Executive Officer in March 2005. Since that time, the Company has undergone an extensive strategic planning process, which is expected to be complete within the next several months. Although the plan has not been finalized, the Company expects to adopt a growth strategy based on increasing its offering of client solutions for material and global real estate users and investors. It intends to focus on its key differentiators, including: its extensive market coverage, specialties, innovation, research, the use of technology and teamwork. Priorities will include increased recruiting and retention of professionals, an increase in the size and volume of transactions, capturing more of the growing corporate outsourcing market and strengthened client relationships by providing innovative solutions.
As the Company looks to the future, it continues to build on its core strengths and focus on building its presence in key markets. Management is committed to embracing programs that will lead to increased productivity and retention of its professionals. These programs include continuing education, training, knowledge sharing and increased referrals. The Company instituted its Specialty Council system in fiscal 2004, which is designed to encourage professionals in a particular specialty to gain information and share knowledge with their peers on a local, regional and national level. Since the creation of the Specialty Councils,
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the Company has witnessed increased collaboration among its professionals and more efficient prospecting of new clients.
Throughout 2005, the Company has encouraged teamwork as a way to provide better solutions for its clients and garner its share of the growing corporate outsourcing market. Through its local transaction offices and Global Client Services, which includes management services, affiliate network, corporate services and institutional services, the Company is able to provide a single point of contact and strategic account management for clients with multi-market and multi-product needs. The strategy is expected to result in more facilities management and corporate services assignments, which typically generate more consistent, annuity-type revenue.
Industry and Competition
The commercial real estate industry is large and fragmented. The estimated $4.5 trillion of commercial real estate in the United States produces annual sales transactions valued at $150 billion and annual lease transactions valued at $180 billion. The gross market for annual brokerage commissions is estimated at approximately $13 billion. On a national basis, the commercial brokerage industry is highly fragmented with the half-dozen leading firms generating approximately 10% of the revenue.
Leasing commissions in most of the markets where the Company competes have remained stable over the past 12 months, as business capital spending and hiring have remained constant compared to the prior year. Investment market conditions remained very strong as low interest rates, improved leasing conditions and the questionable outlook for stocks and bonds attracted buyer interest. These factors contributed to an industry-wide increase in commission revenue. Leasing commission rates have held firm recently, although sales commission rates remain under pressure, especially for larger institutional-grade properties.
The Company competes in a variety of service disciplines within the commercial real estate industry. Each of these business areas is highly competitive on a national as well as local level. The Company faces competition not only from other national real estate service providers, but also from boutique real estate advisory firms, appraisal firms and self-managed real estate investment trusts. Although many of the Company’s competitors are local or regional firms that are substantially smaller than the Company, some of the Company’s competitors are substantially larger than the Company on a local, regional or national basis. In general, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to compete effectively, to maintain current fee levels or margins, or maintain or increase its market share. Due to the Company’s relative strength and longevity in the markets in which it presently operates, and its ability to offer clients a range of real estate services on a local, regional, national and international basis, the Company believes that it can operate successfully in the future in this highly competitive industry, although there can be no assurances in this regard.
Environmental Regulation
Federal, state and local laws and regulations impose environmental controls, disclosure rules and zoning restrictions that impact the management, development, use, and/or sale of real estate. The Company’s financial results and competitive position for the fiscal year 2005 have not been materially impacted by its compliance with environmental laws or regulations. Such laws and regulations tend to discourage sales and leasing activities and mortgage lending with respect to some properties, and may therefore adversely affect the Company and the industry in general. Failure of the Company to disclose environmental issues in connection with a real estate transaction may subject the Company to liability to a buyer or lessee of property. Applicable laws and contractual obligations to property owners could also subject the Company to environmental liabilities through the provision of management services. Environmental laws and regulations impose liability on current or previous real property owners or operators for the cost of investigating, cleaning up or removing contamination caused by hazardous or toxic substances at the property. The Company may be held liable as an operator for such costs in its role as an on-site property manager. Liability can be imposed even if the original actions were legal and the Company had no knowledge of, or was not responsible for, the presence of the hazardous or toxic substances. Further, the Company may also be held responsible for the entire payment of the liability if it is subject to joint and several liability and the other responsible parties are unable to pay.
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The Company may also be liable under common law to third parties for damages and injuries resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the site, including the presence of asbestos containing materials. Insurance for such matters may not always be available. Additionally, new or modified environmental regulations could develop in a manner that could adversely affect the Company’s transaction and management services. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report for additional information.
Seasonality
Since the majority of the Company’s revenues are derived from transaction services, which are seasonal in nature, the Company’s revenue stream and the related commission expense are also subject to seasonal fluctuations. However, the Company’s non-variable operating expenses, which are treated as expenses when incurred during the year, are relatively constant in total dollars on a quarterly basis. The Company has typically experienced its lowest quarterly revenue in the quarter ending March 31 of each year with higher and more consistent revenue in the quarters ending June 30 and September 30. The quarter ending December 31 has historically provided the highest quarterly level of revenue due to increased activity caused by the desire of clients to complete transactions by calendar year-end.
Revenue in any given quarter during the years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, as a percentage of total annual revenue, ranged from a high of 29.2% to a low of 22.4%.
Service Marks
The Company has registered trade names and service marks for the “Grubb & Ellis” name and logo and certain other trade names. The right to use the “Grubb & Ellis” brand name is considered an important asset of the Company, and the Company actively defends and enforces such trade names and service marks.
Real Estate Markets
The Company’s business is highly dependent on the commercial real estate markets, which in turn are impacted by numerous factors, including but not limited to the general economy, interest rates and demand for real estate in local markets. Changes in one or more of these factors could either favorably or unfavorably impact the volume of transactions and prices or lease terms for real estate. Consequently, the Company’s revenue from transaction services and property management fees, operating results, cash flow and financial condition are impacted by these factors, among others.
Item 2. Properties
The Company leases all of its office space through non-cancelable operating leases. The terms of the leases vary depending on the size and location of the office. As of June 30, 2005, the Company leased approximately 630,000 square feet of office space in 60 locations under leases which expire at various dates through February 28, 2014. For those leases that are not renewable, the Company believes that there are adequate alternatives available at acceptable rental rates to meet its needs, although there can be no assurances in this regard. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report for additional information, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Information with respect to legal proceedings can be found in Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2005.
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GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
PART II
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Item 5. | Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters |
Market and Price Information
The principal market for the Company’s common stock is the over-the-counter market (“OTC”). The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of the Company’s common stock on the OTC for each quarter of the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005 and 2004.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
| | | | | | |
| | High | | | Low | | | High | | | Low | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
First Quarter | | $ | 4.26 | | | $ | 1.55 | | | $ | 1.50 | | | $ | 1.01 | |
Second Quarter | | $ | 5.20 | | | $ | 3.60 | | | $ | 1.20 | | | $ | 0.80 | |
Third Quarter | | $ | 4.94 | | | $ | 4.10 | | | $ | 1.20 | | | $ | 0.87 | |
Fourth Quarter | | $ | 7.00 | | | $ | 4.75 | | | $ | 2.00 | | | $ | 0.90 | |
As of September 22, 2005, there were 1,088 registered holders of the Company’s common stock and 15,117,604 shares of common stock outstanding, of which 9,686,924 were held by persons who may be considered “affiliates” of the Company, as defined in Federal securities regulations. Sales of substantial amounts of common stock, including shares issued upon the exercise of warrants or options, or the perception that such sales might occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices for the common stock.
No cash dividends were declared on the Company’s common stock during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005 or 2004. Any such dividends declared and paid are restricted in amount by provisions contained in the credit agreement between the Company and various lenders to not more than 100% of Excess Cash Flow generated in the prior fiscal year, as that term is defined in the credit agreement.
Sales of Unregistered Securities
Pursuant to that certain Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement dated December 30, 2004 between the Company and Kojaian Ventures, L.L.C., the Company issued 11,725 shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock of the Company (“New Preferred Stock”) on January 4, 2005 to Kojaian Ventures, L.L.C. in exchange for 11,725 shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company (“Series A Preferred Stock”) held by such entity. The issuance of the New Preferred Stock by the Company was exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as it constituted a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. of this Report for additional information, which is incorporated herein by reference.
On March 8, 2005, the Company granted 159,575 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, with a fair market value of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000) on the immediately preceding trading day, to Mark E. Rose, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Such restricted shares, which vest in equal, annual installments of thirty-three and one-third percent (331/3%) on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of March 8, 2005 subject to the terms and conditions of that certain Restricted Stock Agreement dated March 8, 2005 by and between the Company and Mr. Rose, were issued in connection with that certain Employment Agreement dated March 8, 2005 by and between the Company and Mr. Rose. The issuance of the restricted shares by the Company to Mr. Rose was exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as it constituted a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. Additional information regarding the foregoing issuance can be found in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 8, 2005, and such disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
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On June 6, 2005, the Company granted 84,746 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, with a fair market value of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) on the immediately preceding trading day, to Maureen A. Ehrenberg, the Company’s Executive Vice President and President of both Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. and Global Client Services. Such restricted shares, which vest on December 30, 2007 subject to the terms and conditions of that certain Restricted Stock Agreement dated June 6, 2005 by and between the Company and Ms. Ehrenberg, were issued in connection with that certain Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2005 by and between the Company and Ms. Ehrenberg. The issuance of the restricted shares by the Company to Ms. Ehrenberg was exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as it constituted a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. Additional information regarding the foregoing issuance can be found in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 6, 2005, and such disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.
On September 7, 2005, the Company granted 37,314 restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, with a fair market value of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) on the immediately preceding trading day, to Robert H. Osbrink, the Company’s Executive Vice President and the President of Transaction Services. Such restricted shares, which vest on December 29, 2007 subject to the terms and conditions of that certain Restricted Share Agreement dated September 7, 2005 by and between the Company and Mr. Osbrink, were issued in connection with that certain First Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of September 7, 2005 by and between the Company and Mr. Osbrink. The issuance of the restricted shares by the Company to Mr. Osbrink was exempt from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as it constituted a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information on equity compensation plans of the Company as of June 30, 2005.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Number of securities | |
| | | | | | remaining available for | |
| | | | | | future issuance under | |
| | Number of securities to be | | | Weighted average | | | equity compensation | |
| | issued upon exercise of | | | exercise price of | | | plans (excluding | |
| | outstanding options, | | | outstanding options, | | | securities reflected in | |
| | warrants and rights | | | warrants and rights | | | column (a)) | |
Plan Category | | (a) | | | (b) | | | (c) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Equity Compensation plans approved by security holders | | | 853,022 | | | $ | 4.60 | | | | 2,273,952 | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | | 592,130 | | | $ | 9.18 | | | | 1,336,983 | |
Total | | | 1,445,152 | | | $ | 6.48 | | | | 3,610,935 | |
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Stockholders
Information regarding the Grubb & Ellis 1998 Stock Option Plan can be found in Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report and is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 6. | Selected Financial Data |
Five-Year Comparison of Selected Financial and Other Data for the Company:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Years Ended June 30, | |
| | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | | | 2002 | | | 2001 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | (in thousands, except share data) | |
Total services revenue | | $ | 463,535 | | | $ | 440,554 | | | $ | 425,946 | | | $ | 431,446 | | | $ | 516,610 | |
Net income (loss) to common stockholders | | | 12,378 | | | | 12,576 | | | | (17,902 | ) | | | (15,477 | ) | | | 1,369 | |
Benefit (provision) for income taxes | | | 152 | | | | 2,821 | | | | (2,432 | ) | | | 1,187 | | | | (5,102 | ) |
(Increase) decrease in deferred tax asset valuation allowance | | | 5,208 | | | | 7,853 | | | | (7,707 | ) | | | (5,214 | ) | | | — | |
Net income (loss)(1) | | | 13,267 | | | | 14,194 | | | | (16,772 | ) | | | (15,477 | ) | | | 4,502 | |
Net income (loss) per common share(1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| — Basic | | | 0.82 | | | | 0.83 | | | | (1.19 | ) | | | (1.09 | ) | | | 0.26 | |
| — Diluted | | | 0.81 | | | | 0.83 | | | | (1.19 | ) | | | (1.09 | ) | | | 0.25 | |
Weighted average common shares | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| — Basic | | | 15,111,898 | | | | 15,097,371 | | | | 15,101,625 | | | | 14,147,618 | | | | 17,051,546 | |
| — Diluted | | | 15,221,982 | | | | 15,101,183 | | | | 15,101,625 | | | | 14,147,618 | | | | 17,975,351 | |
| |
(1) | Income and per share data reported on the above table reflect special charges in the amount of $3.2 million, $9.5 million, $1.75 million, and $6.2 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Net income for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001 includes a loss of $676,000 on the extinguishment of debt and a charge of $3.1 million reflecting the cumulative effect of a change in an accounting principle. For information regarding comparability of this data as it may relate to future periods, see discussion in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of June 30, | |
| | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | | | 2002 | | | 2001 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | (in thousands, except share data) | |
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 84,620 | | | $ | 73,715 | | | $ | 75,102 | | | $ | 90,377 | | | $ | 92,426 | |
Working capital | | | 18,094 | | | | 8,622 | | | | (2,723 | ) | | | 4,251 | | | | 1,216 | |
Long-term debt | | | 25,000 | | | | 25,000 | | | | — | | | | 36,660 | | | | 29,000 | |
Long-term debt — affiliate | | | — | | | | — | | | | 31,300 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Other long-term liabilities | | | 6,628 | | | | 7,551 | | | | 10,323 | | | | 10,396 | | | | 9,734 | |
Stockholders’ equity | | | 24,497 | | | | 14,623 | | | | 255 | | | | 5,866 | | | | 16,316 | |
Book value per common share | | | 1.62 | | | | 0.97 | | | | 0.02 | | | | 0.39 | | | | 1.22 | |
Common shares outstanding | | | 15,114,871 | | | | 15,097,371 | | | | 15,097,371 | | | | 15,028,839 | | | | 13,358,615 | |
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Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report contains statements that are forward looking and as such are not historical facts. Rather, these statements constitute projections, forecasts or forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “should,” “strive,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate” or similar expressions. When the Company discusses its strategies or plans, it is making projections, forecasts or forward-looking
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statements. Actual results and stockholders’ value will be affected by a variety of risks and factors, including, without limitation, international, national and local economic conditions and real estate risks and financing risks and acts of terror or war. Many of the risks and factors that will determine these results and stockholder values are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. These statements are necessarily based upon various assumptions involving judgment with respect to the future.
All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Factors that could adversely affect the Company’s ability to obtain favorable results and maintain or increase stockholder value include, among other things:
• Decline in the Volume of Real Estate Transactions and Prices of Real Estate. Approximately 60% of the Company’s revenue is based on commissions from real estate transactions. As a result, a decline in the volume of real estate available for lease or sale, or in real estate prices, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues.
• General Economic Slowdown or Recession in the Real Estate Markets. Periods of economic slowdown or recession, rising interest rates or declining demand for real estate, both on a general or regional basis, will adversely affect certain segments of the Company’s business. Such economic conditions could result in a general decline in rents and sales prices, a decline in the level of investment in real estate, a decline in the value of real estate investments and an increase in defaults by tenants under their respective leases, all of which in turn would adversely affect revenues from transaction services fees and brokerage commissions which are derived from property sales and aggregate rental payments, property management fees and consulting and other service fees.
• The Company’s Debt Level and Ability to Make Principal and Interest Payments. The Company currently has $25.0 million of outstanding debt in the form of a senior credit facility. Any material downturn in the Company’s revenue or increase in its costs and expenses could impair the Company’s ability to meet its debt obligations.
• The Company’s Ability to Attract and Retain Qualified Personnel. The growth of the Company’s business is largely dependent upon its ability to attract and retain qualified personnel in all areas of its business. If the Company is unable to attract and retain such qualified personnel, its business and operating results could be materially and adversely affected.
• Risks Associated with Strategic Alliances and Acquisitions. As discussed in Part I, Item I of this Annual Report under “Strategic Initiatives,” the Company has established certain strategic alliances. Also, in connection with the Company’s strategic initiatives, it may undertake one or more additional strategic acquisitions. There can be no assurance that significant difficulties in integrating operations acquired from other companies and in coordinating and integrating systems in a strategic alliance will not be encountered, including difficulties arising from the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns, the difficulty associated with assimilating groups of broad and geographically dispersed personnel and operations and the difficulty in maintaining uniform standards and policies. There can be no assurance that any integration will ultimately be successful, that the Company’s management will be able to effectively manage any acquired business or strategic alliance or that any acquisition or strategic alliance will benefit the Company overall.
• The Company Faces Intense Competition. Part I, Item I of this Annual Report under “Industry and Competition” discusses potential risks related to competition.
• The Company’s Revenues are Seasonal. Part I, Item I of this Annual Report under “Seasonality” discusses potential risks related to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business.
• Liabilities Arising from Environmental Laws and Regulations. Part I, Item I of this Annual Report under “Environmental Regulation” discusses potential risks related to environmental laws and regulations.
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• Control by Existing Stockholders. A single investor has a majority of the voting power of the Company at June 30, 2005. As a result, this investor can influence the Company’s affairs and policies and the approval or disapproval of most matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders, including the election of directors.
• Other Factors. Other factors are described elsewhere in this Annual Report.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure. The Company believes that the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Real estate sales commissions are recognized at the earlier of receipt of payment, close of escrow or transfer of title between buyer and seller. Receipt of payment occurs at the point at which all Company services have been performed, and title to real property has passed from seller to buyer, if applicable. Real estate leasing commissions are recognized upon execution of appropriate lease and commission agreements and receipt of full or partial payment, and, when payable upon certain events such as tenant occupancy or rent commencement, upon occurrence of such events. All other commissions and fees are recognized at the time the related services have been performed by the Company, unless future contingencies exist. Consulting revenue is recognized generally upon the delivery of agreed upon services to the client.
In regard to management and facility service contracts, the owner of the property will typically reimburse the Company for certain expenses that are incurred on behalf of the owner, which are comprised primarily of employee salaries and related benefit costs. The amounts, which are to be reimbursed per the terms of the services contract, are recognized as revenue by the Company in the same period as the related expenses are incurred.
Impairment of Goodwill
On July 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” The Company completed the transitional impairment test of goodwill as of July 1, 2002 and the annual impairment test as of June 30, 2005 and 2004, and has determined that no goodwill impairment will impact the earnings and financial position of the Company as of those dates. Future events could occur which would cause the Company to conclude that impairment indicators exist and an impairment loss is warranted. The determination of impairment under FAS 142 requires the Company to estimate the fair value of reporting units. This fair value estimation involves a number of judgmental variables, including market multiples, which may change over time.
Deferred Taxes
The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce the carrying value of its deferred tax assets to an amount that the Company considers is more likely than not to be realized in future tax filings. In assessing this allowance, the Company considers future taxable earnings along with ongoing and potential tax planning strategies. Additional timing differences, future earnings trends and/or tax strategies may occur which could warrant a corresponding adjustment to the valuation allowance.
Insurance and Claim Reserves
The Company has maintained partially self-insured and deductible programs for errors and omissions, general liability, workers’ compensation and certain employee health care costs. Reserves are based upon an
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estimate provided by an independent actuarial firm of the aggregate of the liability for reported claims and an estimate of incurred but not reported claims.
The Company is also subject to various proceedings, lawsuits and other claims related to environmental, labor and other matters, and is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters. A determination of the amount of reserves, if any, for these contingencies is made after careful analysis of each individual issue. New developments in each matter, or changes in approach such as a change in settlement strategy in dealing with these matters, may warrant an increase or decrease in the amount of these reserves.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
The Company reported net income of $13.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2005, reflecting a slight decrease over fiscal 2004. Modest improvements in transaction and management services revenue were offset by an increase in transaction commissions and salaries, wages and benefits expense.
Fiscal Year 2005 Compared to Fiscal Year 2004
Revenue
The Company earns revenue from the delivery of transaction and management services to the commercial real estate industry. Transaction fees include commissions from leasing, acquisition and disposition, and agency leasing assignments as well as fees from appraisal and consulting services. Management fees, which include reimbursed salaries, wages and benefits, comprise the remainder of the Company’s services revenues, and include fees related to both property and facilities management outsourcing and business services.
Total services revenue of $463.5 million was recognized for fiscal year 2005 as compared to revenue of $440.6 million for fiscal year 2004. Transaction fees increased by $18.5 million, or 7.4%, in the current fiscal year over the same period in 2004. The Company continued to realize increased commissions from investment sales in the current fiscal year, as well as growth from its corporate services business. Management services fees increased by $4.5 million, or 2.4%, during that same period due to increased reimbursed revenues related to salaries, wages and benefits, as described below. Increased facility management activity helped mitigate the loss of third party property management assignments due to property sales.
Costs of Services
Transaction commissions expense has historically been the Company’s largest expense and is a direct function of gross transaction services revenue levels, which include transaction services commissions and other fees. Professionals receive transaction commissions at rates that increase upon achievement of certain levels of production. As a percentage of gross transaction revenue, related commission expense increased to 61.8% for fiscal year 2005 as compared to 60.3% for the same period in 2004 due to higher overall transaction revenues as well as increased transaction production levels in certain markets in the country.
Reimbursable expenses, related to salaries, wages and benefits, increased by $4.4 million, or 3.2%, in the current fiscal year over the same period in 2004, primarily due to the staffing requirements of new facility management assignments.
Salaries and other direct costs increased by $291,000, or 0.8%, in the current fiscal year over the same period in 2004.
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Costs and Expenses
Salaries, wages and benefits increased by $6.9 million, or 14.8%, during fiscal year 2005 as compared to 2004 primarily due to higher performance based incentive compensation and the hiring of key executives, including the Company’s chief executive officer in the third quarter of fiscal 2005. Also, a significant part of this increase related to historically lower actuarial estimates in fiscal 2004 related to the Company’s health insurance and workers compensation insurance liabilities. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $574,000, or 1.3%, for the same period.
Depreciation and amortization expense for fiscal year 2005 decreased by 14.8% to $5.7 million from $6.7 million in the comparable fiscal year 2004 as the Company continued to closely monitor its investments in equipment, software and leasehold improvements. In addition, the Company holds multi-year service contracts with certain key professionals, the costs of which are amortized over the lives of the respective contracts, which are generally two to three years. Amortization expense relating to these contracts increased slightly to $1.4 million from $1.3 million in the prior year and slightly offset the decrease.
Interest income increased during fiscal year 2005 as compared to fiscal year 2004 as both average invested funds and interest rates increased.
Interest expense incurred during fiscal years 2005 and 2004 was due primarily to the Company’s term loan borrowings under the respective credit facility in effect during the period. The credit facility in place throughout the first eleven months of fiscal 2004 was provided by an affiliated entity of the Company’s controlling stockholder and Chairman. The Company refinanced this facility with an unaffiliated financial institution in June 2004. Interest expense was also incurred during fiscal year 2004 due to an outstanding note payable-affiliate that was subsequently repaid in June 2004.
Income Taxes
As of June 30, 2005, the Company had gross deferred tax assets of $11.5 million, with $6.2 million of the deferred tax assets relating to net operating loss carryforwards which will be available to offset future taxable income through 2024. Management believes that the Company will generate sufficient future taxable income to realize a portion of these net deferred tax assets in the foreseeable short term future; therefore, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance for $4.4 million against the deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2005 and will continue to do so until such time as management believes that the Company will realize the tax benefits related to the remaining assets. Although uncertainties exist as to these future events, the Company will continue to review its operations periodically to assess whether and when the remaining deferred tax assets may be realized and adjust the valuation allowance accordingly. The net income tax provision recorded in 2005 and 2004 reflects a benefit for the decrease in the valuation allowance of $5.2 million and $7.9 million, respectively. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report for additional information.
Net Income (Loss)
The net income to common stockholders for fiscal year 2005 was $12.4 million, or $0.81 per common share on a diluted basis, as compared to $12.6 million, or $0.83 per common share for fiscal year 2004. Dividends accrued on the Series A Preferred Stock issued by the Company were $889,000 in fiscal year 2005 and $1.6 million in fiscal year 2004. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Stockholders’ Equity
During fiscal year 2005, stockholders’ equity increased by $9.9 million, to $24.5 million from $14.6 million at June 30, 2004, as a result of net income generated during the fiscal year. The payment of dividends totaling $3.6 million on the Series A Preferred Stock partially offset the increase. The book value per common share issued and outstanding increased to $1.62 at June 30, 2005 from $0.97 at June 30, 2004.
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Fiscal Year 2004 Compared to Fiscal Year 2003
Revenue
Total services revenue of $440.6 million was recognized for fiscal year 2004 as compared to revenue of $425.9 million for fiscal year 2003. Transaction fees increased by $8.4 million in fiscal 2004 year over the same period in 2003 due to the improving revenues in certain markets, primarily the investment sales market in Southern California and higher leasing activity in the Northeast United States. This increase was partially offset by the change in ownership structure of the Company’s transaction services operations in Phoenix, Arizona to an affiliated entity. The Company now earns revenue comprised solely of the fees received under the affiliate agreement, as opposed to including the full operations of the office in its financial statements in periods prior to the change in ownership structure in April 2003. The Company also realized a similar decrease in transaction commissions expense due to these factors, and, to a lesser extent, decreases in salaries, wages and benefits expense and selling, general and administrative expense due to the Phoenix ownership change. Management services fees increased by $6.2 million or 3.3% during that same period due to increased fees, as well as reimbursed revenues related to salaries, wages and benefits, as described below.
Costs of Services
As a percentage of gross transaction revenue, related commission expense remained flat at 60.3% for each of fiscal years 2004 and 2003.
Reimbursable expenses, related to salaries, wages and benefits, increased by $3.5 million, or 2.6%, in the current fiscal year over the same period in 2003, primarily due to the staffing requirements of new facility management assignments.
Salaries and other direct costs increased by $4.3 million, or 13.4%, in the current fiscal year over the same period in 2003 primarily due to the staffing requirements and other direct costs of increased business services contracts.
Costs and Expenses
Salaries, wages and benefits decreased by $8.6 million, or 15.6%, during fiscal year 2004 as compared to 2003 primarily from cost savings related to a reduction in workforce in March 2003. The Company also realized decreases related to lower health and workers compensation insurance claims during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004. These decreases were partly offset by slightly higher bonus and incentive salary expense in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $7.5 million, or 14.2%, for the same period, as the Company decreased its discretionary spending beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2003. Reduced lease space needs resulting from a number of office closures also contributed to this decrease in expenses.
Depreciation and amortization expense for fiscal year 2004 decreased by 13.7% to $6.7 million from $7.8 million in the comparable fiscal year 2003 as the Company continued to monitor its investments in equipment, software and leasehold improvements. In addition the Company holds multi-year service contracts with certain key professionals, the costs of which are amortized over the lives of the respective contracts, which are generally two to three years. Amortization expense relating to these contracts of $1.3 million was recognized in fiscal year 2004, compared to $1.6 million in the prior year.
During fiscal year 2004, the Company recorded special charges totaling $3.2 million, consisting primarily of $2.4 million related to the disposition of the Wadley-Donovan Group, and office closure costs of $855,000. The special charges related primarily to the write-off of unamortized goodwill recorded when the Wadley-Donovan Group was acquired in February 2002. See Note 14 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
During fiscal year 2003, the Company recorded special charges totaling $9.5 million, consisting primarily of severance costs of $6.3 million related to the resignations of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer,
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Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, the Company’s General Counsel and other salaried personnel, and office closure costs of $3.2 million.
Interest income decreased during fiscal year 2004 as compared to fiscal year 2003 as a result of lower investment yield rates.
Interest expense incurred during fiscal years 2004 and 2003 was due primarily to the Company’s term loan borrowings under the credit facility which was purchased from a bank group in June 2003 by an affiliated entity of the Company’s controlling stockholder and Chairman. The Company refinanced this facility with an unaffiliated financial institution in June 2004. Interest expense was also incurred due to the note payable-affiliate funded in March 2002 and subsequently converted to preferred stock in September 2002, and a second note payable-affiliate funded in May 2003 and subsequently repaid in June 2004. See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Statements in Item 8 of this Report for additional information.
Income Taxes
As of June 30, 2004, the Company had gross deferred tax assets of $15.9 million, with $10.1 million of the deferred tax assets relating to net operating loss carryforwards. The Company recorded a valuation allowance for $9.6 million against the deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2004. The net income tax provision recorded in 2004 reflects a benefit for the decrease in the valuation allowance of $7.9 million, compared to a charge of $7.7 million for an increase in the allowance in 2002.
Net Income (Loss)
The net income to common stockholders for fiscal year 2004 was $12.6 million, or $0.83 per common share on a diluted basis, as compared to a net loss of $17.9 million, or $(1.19) per common share for fiscal year 2003. Dividends accrued on the Series A Preferred Stock issued by the Company were $1.6 million in fiscal year 2004 and $1.1 million in fiscal year 2003.
Stockholders’ Equity
During fiscal year 2004, stockholders’ equity increased by $14.4 million, to $14.6 million from $255,000 at June 30, 2003, as a result of net income generated during the fiscal year. The book value per common share issued and outstanding increased to $0.97 at June 30, 2004 from $0.02 at June 30, 2003.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
During fiscal year 2005, cash and cash equivalents increased by $11.4 million as cash generated by operating activities totaling $17.9 million was partially offset by cash used in investing activities of $2.2 million and financing activities of $4.3 million. Cash used in investing activities related primarily to $2.6 million of purchases of equipment, software and leasehold improvements. Net financing activities related primarily to the payment of dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock as discussed below.
The Company has historically experienced the highest use of operating cash in the quarter ending March 31, primarily related to the payment of incentive and deferred commission payable balances, which typically peak during the quarter ending December 31. Deferred commissions balances of approximately $13.5 million, related to revenues earned in calendar year 2004, were paid in January 2005, and production and incentive bonuses of approximately $6.8 million were paid in March 2005.
See Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Report for information concerning earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
In December 2004, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement”) with Kojaian Ventures, LLC (“KV”), a related party, in KV’s capacity as the holder of all the Company’s issued and outstanding 11,725 shares of Series A Preferred Stock which carried a preferential cumulative dividend of 12% per annum. Pursuant to the Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement, the Company paid to KV all accrued and unpaid dividends with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock for the period
16
September 19, 2002, the date of issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, up to and through December 31, 2004. In exchange therefore, KV agreed to eliminate in its entirety, as of January 1, 2005, the 12% preferential cumulative dividend payable on the Series A Preferred Stock. Upon the closing of the transaction in January 2005, the Company delivered to KV the one time accrued dividend payment of approximately $3.6 million.
The Company and KV effected the elimination of the 12% cumulative preferred dividend with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock by an exchange of preferred securities. Accordingly, simultaneously upon the consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement, on January 4, 2005, KV delivered to the Company its original share certificate representing 11,725 shares of Series A Preferred Stock in exchange for a new share certificate representing 11,725 shares of a newly created Series A-1 Preferred Stock of the Company, or the New Preferred Stock. The New Preferred Stock is identical in all respects to the Series A Preferred Stock except that the New Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative preferred dividend and is now only entitled to receive dividends if and when dividends are declared and paid to holders of the Company’s common stock. As was the case with the Series A Preferred Stock, the New Preferred Stock has a preference over the Company’s Common Stock in the event that the Company undergoes a liquidation, dissolution or certain change in control transactions. In such situations, the holder of the New Preferred Stock would be entitled to payment of the greater of (i) $23.5 million (twice the face value of the New Preferred Stock) or (ii) the equivalent of 40% of the consideration to be paid to all the equity holders of the Company, thereby diluting the return that would otherwise be available to the holders of the Common Stock of the Company had this preference not existed.
The total ownership interest of KV and its affiliates in the Company (the combined total holdings of the New Preferred Stock and Common Stock) remains the same as it was prior to the exchange, which is currently equal to approximately 57% of the Company’s total voting power. The Company’s Board of Directors believes, however, that common stockholders of the Company who are not affiliated with KV benefit favorably from the elimination of the 12% preferential dividend resulting from the exchange of the old Series A Preferred Stock for the New Preferred Stock which carries no preferential dividend.
Like the Series A Preferred Stock, the New Preferred Stock is not convertible into common stock, but nonetheless votes on an “as liquidated basis” along with the holders of common stock on all matters. Consequently, the New Preferred Stock, like the Series A Preferred Stock, currently is entitled to the number of votes equal to 11,173,925 shares of common stock, or approximately 42.5% of all voting securities of the Company. In addition, as noted above, with the elimination of the preferential cumulative dividend, the New Preferred Stock will now only be entitled to receive dividends if and when dividends are declared by the Company on, and paid to holders of, the Company’s common stock. The holders of the New Preferred Stock will receive dividends, if any, based upon the number of voting common stock equivalents represented by the New Preferred Stock.
The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mark E. Rose as Chief Executive Officer effective March 8, 2005. Terms of the agreement included, among other things, i) a sign-on bonus of approximately $2.1 million, which is subject to repayment by Mr. Rose, in whole or in part, under certain circumstances as set forth in the employment agreement, ii) a guaranteed bonus of $750,000 for calendar year 2005, iii) options to purchase up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock which generally vest over the three year term of the agreement, and iv) annual grants of $750,000 worth of restricted common stock during the term of the agreement, each grant having a three year vesting period from the date of grant.
The Compensation Committee of the Company adopted a Long-Term Executive Cash Plan (the “Plan”) in June 2005. The Plan provides for the payment of bonuses to certain executive employees if specified financial goals for the Company are achieved for the period commencing January 1, 2004 and ending December 31, 2006. As of June 30, 2005, approximately $373,000 has been accrued under this Plan for payment to the executive employees no earlier than the first calendar quarter of 2007.
On March 31, 2005, the Company amended its secured credit facility that it initially entered into in June 2004 with Deutsche Bank. Under the amended credit facility, the $25 million term loan portion of the credit facility was unchanged. The revolving credit line component of the credit facility, however, was increased from $15 million to $35 million. In addition, the term of the credit facility was extended by one year, and it now
17
matures in June 2008, subject to the Company’s right to extend the term for an additional twelve months through June 2009. Other modifications to the credit facility include the elimination of any cap regarding the aggregate consideration that the Company may pay for acquisitions, the ability to repurchase up to $30 million of its Common Stock, and the elimination of all term loan amortization payments due before maturity. Other principal economic terms and conditions of the credit facility remain substantially unchanged. The Company paid closing costs totaling approximately $688,000 in connection with the amendment, of which $550,000 were recorded as deferred financing fees and will be amortized over the amended term of the agreement.
Interest on outstanding borrowings under the credit facility is based upon Deutsche Bank’s prime rate and/or a LIBOR based rate plus, in either case, an additional margin based upon a particular financial leverage ratio of the Company, and will vary depending upon which interest rate options the Company chooses to be applied to specific borrowings. The average interest rate incurred by the Company on all credit facility obligations during fiscal years 2005 and 2004 was 5.9% and 5.3%, respectively.
The Company has no current principal payments due under the $25.0 million term portion of its Credit Facility with Deutsche Bank as of June 30, 2005. The Company also has a revolving line of credit of $35.0 million, of which approximately $32.5 million is available as of June 30, 2005. During the quarter ended December 31, 2004, the Company issued three letters of credit, totaling approximately $2.5 million, under the revolving line of credit to collateralize certain obligations related to its insurance programs. The Company believes that it can meet its working capital and investing needs with internally generated operating cash flow and, as necessary, borrowings under its revolving line of credit.
The Company leases office space throughout the country through non-cancelable operating leases, which expire at various dates through February 2014.
In total the Company’s lease and debt obligations as of June 30, 2005 which are due over the next five years are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | |
Year Ending | | |
June 30 | | Amount | |
| | | |
2006 | | $ | 15,996 | |
2007 | | | 12,404 | |
2008 | | | 35,278 | |
2009 | | | 7,835 | |
2010 | | | 4,210 | |
Thereafter | | | 3,072 | |
| | | |
| | $ | 78,795 | |
| | | |
The above amounts also include obligations due under a large office lease signed in August 2005.
| |
Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Interest Rate Risk— Derivatives
The Company’s credit facility debt obligations are floating rate obligations whose interest rate and related monthly interest payments vary with the movement in LIBOR. As of June 30, 2005, the outstanding principal balances on these debt obligations totaled $25.0 million. Since interest payments on this obligation will increase if interest rate markets rise, or decrease if interest rate markets decline, the Company is subject to cash flow risk related to these debt instruments. In order to mitigate this risk, the terms of the new credit agreement executed by the Company in June 2004 required the Company to enter into interest rate protection agreements to effectively cap the variable interest rate exposure on a portion of the obligations for a period of two years. The Company executed such an interest agreement with Deutsche Bank AG in July 2004, which provide for quarterly payments to the Company equal to the variable interest amount paid by the Company in excess of 3.5% of the underlying notional amounts.
18
The Company does not utilize financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes, nor does it utilize leveraged financial instruments.
Interest rate risk— Debt
The Company’s earnings are affected by changes in short term interest rates as a result of the variable interest rates incurred on the Company’s credit facility obligations. However, due to its purchase of the interest rate cap agreement described above, the effects of interest rate changes are limited. If LIBOR borrowing rates increase by 50 basis points, over the average levels incurred by the Company during fiscal 2005, the Company’s interest expense would increase, and income before income taxes would decrease, by $125,000 per annum. Comparatively, if LIBOR borrowing rates decrease by 50 basis points below the average levels incurred by the Company during fiscal 2005, the Company’s interest expense would decrease, and income before income taxes would increase, by $125,000 per annum. These amounts are determined by considering the impact of the hypothetical interest rates on the Company’s borrowing cost and interest rate cap agreement. They do not consider the effects that such an environment could have on the level of overall economic activity. These sensitivity analyses also assume no changes in the Company’s future or past years’ financial structure.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Grubb & Ellis Company
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Grubb & Ellis Company as of June 30, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2005. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Grubb & Ellis Company at June 30, 2005 and 2004, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2005, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Chicago, Illinois
September 1, 2005
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GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
JUNE 30, 2005 AND 2004
(In thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
| | | | | | |
ASSETS |
Current assets: | | | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted deposits of $1,105 and $3,340 at June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively | | $ | 26,415 | | | $ | 14,971 | |
| Services fees receivable, net | | | 9,339 | | | | 10,810 | |
| Other receivables | | | 2,509 | | | | 2,968 | |
| Professional service contracts, net | | | 2,170 | | | | 1,184 | |
| Prepaid and other current assets | | | 2,656 | | | | 2,230 | |
| Deferred tax assets, net | | | 3,500 | | | | 3,000 | |
| | | | | | |
| | Total current assets | | | 46,589 | | | | 35,163 | |
Noncurrent assets: | | | | | | | | |
| Equipment, software and leasehold improvements, net | | | 8,189 | | | | 9,865 | |
| Goodwill, net | | | 24,763 | | | | 24,763 | |
| Other assets | | | 5,079 | | | | 3,924 | |
| | | | | | |
| | Total assets | | $ | 84,620 | | | $ | 73,715 | |
| | | | | | |
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
| Accounts payable | | $ | 4,218 | | | $ | 4,756 | |
| Commissions payable | | | 6,282 | | | | 6,433 | |
| Accrued compensation and employee benefits | | | 11,433 | | | | 9,072 | |
| Other accrued expenses | | | 6,562 | | | | 6,280 | |
| | | | | | |
| | Total current liabilities | | | 28,495 | | | | 26,541 | |
Long-term liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
| Credit facility debt | | | 25,000 | | | | 25,000 | |
| Accrued claims and settlements | | | 4,972 | | | | 5,523 | |
| Other liabilities | | | 1,656 | | | | 2,028 | |
| | | | | | |
| | Total liabilities | | | 60,123 | | | | 59,092 | |
| | | | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | | | | | | |
| Preferred stock, $1,000 stated value: 1,000,000 shares authorized; 11,725 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2005 and 2004 | | | 11,725 | | | | 11,725 | |
| Common stock, $.01 par value: 50,000,000 shares authorized; 15,114,871 and 15,097,371 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively | | | 153 | | | | 151 | |
| Additional paid-in capital | | | 67,988 | | | | 71,410 | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 27 | | | | — | |
| Retained deficit | | | (55,396 | ) | | | (68,663 | ) |
| | | | | | |
| | Total stockholders’ equity | | | 24,497 | | | | 14,623 | |
| | | | | | |
| | Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 84,620 | | | $ | 73,715 | |
| | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
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GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2005, 2004 AND 2003
(In thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Services revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Transaction fees | | | $267,810 | | | | $249,344 | | | | $240,916 | |
| Management fees, including reimbursed salaries, wages and benefits | | | 195,725 | | | | 191,210 | | | | 185,030 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Total services revenue | | | 463,535 | | | | 440,554 | | | | 425,946 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Costs of services: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Transaction commissions | | | 165,615 | | | | 150,233 | | | | 145,287 | |
| Reimbursable salaries, wages and benefits | | | 142,771 | | | | 138,383 | | | | 134,913 | |
| Salaries, wages, benefits and other direct costs | | | 36,672 | | | | 36,381 | | | | 32,073 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Total costs of services | | | 345,058 | | | | 324,997 | | | | 312,273 | |
Costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Salaries, wages and benefits | | | 53,562 | | | | 46,639 | | | | 55,288 | |
| Selling, general and administrative | | | 44,806 | | | | 45,380 | | | | 52,899 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 5,742 | | | | 6,736 | | | | 7,802 | |
| Severance, office closure and other special charges | | | — | | | | 3,224 | | | | 9,500 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Total costs | | | 449,168 | | | | 426,976 | | | | 437,762 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Total operating income (loss) | | | 14,367 | | | | 13,578 | | | | (11,816 | ) |
Other income and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest income | | | 406 | | | | 179 | | | | 245 | |
| Interest expense | | | (1,658 | ) | | | (447 | ) | | | (2,271 | ) |
| Interest expense—affiliate | | | — | | | | (1,937 | ) | | | (498 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Income (loss) before income taxes | | | 13,115 | | | | 11,373 | | | | (14,340 | ) |
Benefit (provision) for income taxes | | | 152 | | | | 2,821 | | | | (2,432 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | | 13,267 | | | | 14,194 | | | | (16,772 | ) |
Preferred stock dividends accrued | | | (889 | ) | | | (1,618 | ) | | | (1,130 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) to common stockholders | | | $ 12,378 | | | | $ 12,576 | | | | $(17,902 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) per weighted average common share outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic- | | | $ 0.82 | | | | $ 0.83 | | | | $ (1.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Diluted- | | | $ 0.81 | | | | $ 0.83 | | | | $ (1.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic- | | | 15,111,898 | | | | 15,097,371 | | | | 15,101,625 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Diluted- | | | 15,221,982 | | | | 15,101,183 | | | | 15,101,625 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
22
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2005, 2004 AND 2003
(in thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Common Stock | | | | | Accumulated | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Additional | | | Other | | | Retained | | | Total | | | Total | |
| | Preferred | | | Outstanding | | | | | Paid-In- | | | Comprehensive | | | Earnings | | | Comprehensive | | | Stockholders’ | |
| | Stock | | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Capital | | | Loss | | | (Deficit) | | | Income (Loss) | | | Equity | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of July 1, 2002 | | | | | | | 15,028,839 | | | $ | 150 | | | $ | 72,084 | | | $ | (283 | ) | | $ | (66,085 | ) | | | | | | $ | 5,866 | |
Issuance of 11,725 Series A shares of preferred stock | | $ | 11,725 | | | | | | | | | | | | (783 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | | | | | 10,942 | |
Stock repurchases | | | | | | | (125,000 | ) | | | (1 | ) | | | (162 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | | | | | (163 | ) |
Employee common stock purchases and net exercise of stock options | | | | | | | 193,532 | | | | 2 | | | | 271 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | | | | | 273 | |
Net loss | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (16,772 | ) | | $ | (16,772 | ) | | | (16,772 | ) |
Change in value of cash flow hedge, net of tax | | | | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 109 | | | | — | | | | 109 | | | | 109 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (16,663 | ) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of June 30, 2003 | | | 11,725 | | | | 15,097,371 | | | | 151 | | | | 71,410 | | | | (174 | ) | | | (82,857 | ) | | | | | | | 255 | |
Net income | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 14,194 | | | $ | 14,194 | | | | 14,194 | |
Change in value of cash flow hedge, net of tax | | | | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 174 | | | | — | | | | 174 | | | | 174 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 14,368 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of June 30, 2004 | | | 11,725 | | | | 15,097,371 | | | | 151 | | | | 71,410 | | | | — | | | | (68,663 | ) | | | | | | | 14,623 | |
Net exercise of employee stock options | | | | | | | 17,500 | | | | — | | | | 50 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | | | | | 50 | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | | | | | — | | | | 2 | | | | 165 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | | | | | 167 | |
Payment of dividends on Series A Preferred Stock | | | | | | | — | | | | — | | | | (3,637 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | | | | | (3,637 | ) |
Net income | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 13,267 | | | $ | 13,267 | | | | 13,267 | |
Change in value of cash flow hedge, net of tax | | | | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 27 | | | | — | | | | 27 | | | | 27 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total comprehensive income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 13,294 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of June 30, 2005 | | $ | 11,725 | | | | 15,114,871 | | | $ | 153 | | | $ | 67,988 | | | $ | 27 | | | $ | (55,396 | ) | | | | | | $ | 24,497 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
23
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2005, 2004 AND 2003
(in thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 13,267 | | | $ | 14,194 | | | $ | (16,772 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Deferred tax benefit | | | 4,708 | | | | — | | | | (5,197 | ) |
| Increase (decrease) in deferred tax asset valuation allowance | | | (5,208 | ) | | | (3,000 | ) | | | 7,707 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 5,742 | | | | 6,736 | | | | 7,802 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | | 167 | | | | — | | | | — | |
| Accrued severance, office closure and other special charges | | | — | | | | 3,224 | | | | 9,500 | |
| Payment of accrued severance | | | — | | | | (3,235 | ) | | | (3,007 | ) |
| Payment of office closure costs | | | (1,273 | ) | | | (998 | ) | | | (1,157 | ) |
| Provision (recovery) for services fees receivable valuation allowances | | | (148 | ) | | | 25 | | | | 84 | |
Net receipt of tax refunds | | | 80 | | | | 398 | | | | 6,473 | |
Funding of multi-year service contracts | | | (3,274 | ) | | | (903 | ) | | | (2,361 | ) |
Decrease in services fees receivable | | | 1,714 | | | | 637 | | | | 1,727 | |
(Increase) decrease in prepaid income taxes | | | (26 | ) | | | 21 | | | | (252 | ) |
(Increase) decrease in prepaid and other assets | | | (323 | ) | | | (1,830 | ) | | | 1,061 | |
Increase (decrease) in accounts and commissions payable | | | (185 | ) | | | 3,599 | | | | (3,370 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in accrued compensation and employee benefits | | | 2,370 | | | | (2,585 | ) | | | (3,770 | ) |
Decrease in accrued claims and settlements | | | (550 | ) | | | (1,851 | ) | | | (449 | ) |
Increase in other liabilities | | | 893 | | | | 99 | | | | 736 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | | 17,954 | | | | 14,531 | | | | (1,245 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of equipment, software and leasehold improvements | | | (2,618 | ) | | | (1,222 | ) | | | (2,933 | ) |
Other investing activities | | | 380 | | | | 125 | | | | (400 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Net cash used in investing activities | | | (2,238 | ) | | | (1,097 | ) | | | (3,333 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Repayment of credit facility debt | | | — | | | | — | | | | (4,450 | ) |
Borrowings on credit facility debt | | | — | | | | 25,000 | | | | 5,000 | |
Repayment of borrowings from affiliate | | | — | | | | (32,300 | ) | | | — | |
Borrowings on note payable—affiliate | | | — | | | | — | | | | 4,000 | |
Repayment on note payable—affiliate | | | — | | | | (4,000 | ) | | | — | |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net | | | 50 | | | | — | | | | 273 | |
Repurchase of common stock | | | — | | | | — | | | | (163 | ) |
Payment of dividends on Series A Preferred Stock | | | (3,637 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Issuance costs and deferred financing fees | | | (685 | ) | | | (1,101 | ) | | | (229 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | (4,272 | ) | | | (12,401 | ) | | | 4,431 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | 11,444 | | | | 1,033 | | | | (147 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year | | | 14,971 | | | | 13,938 | | | | 14,085 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year, including restricted deposits of $1,105 and $3,340 in June 30, 2005 and 2004 | | $ | 26,415 | | | $ | 14,971 | | | $ | 13,938 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
24
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| |
1. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
(a) The Company
Grubb & Ellis Company (the “Company”) is a full service commercial real estate company that provides services to real estate owners/investors and tenants including transaction services involving leasing, acquisitions and dispositions, and property and facilities management services. Additionally, the Company provides consulting and strategic services with respect to commercial real estate.
(b) Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Grubb & Ellis Company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. (“GEMS”), which provides property and facilities management services. All significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated.
The Company consolidates all entities for which it has a controlling financial interest evidenced by ownership of a majority voting interest. Investments in corporations and partnerships in which the Company does not have a controlling financial interest or majority interest are accounted for on the equity method of accounting.
In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities and Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51 (“FIN 46”)”. FIN 46 introduces a new consolidation model, the variable interest model, which determines control (and consolidation) based on potential variability in gains and losses of the entity being evaluated for consolidation. The consolidation provisions of FIN 46 apply immediately to variable interests in variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. It applies in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15, 2003 to variable interest entities in which an enterprise that is a public company holds a variable interest that it acquired before February 1, 2003. The Company has reviewed the provisions of FIN 46 and has determined that it does not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
(c) Basis of Presentation
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities (including disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities) at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(d) Revenue Recognition
Real estate sales commissions are recognized at the earlier of receipt of payment, close of escrow or transfer of title between buyer and seller. Receipt of payment occurs at the point at which all Company services have been performed, and title to real property has passed from seller to buyer, if applicable. Real estate leasing commissions are recognized upon execution of appropriate lease and commission agreements and receipt of full or partial payment, and, when payable upon certain events such as tenant occupancy or rent commencement, upon occurrence of such events. All other commissions and fees, including management fees, are recognized at the time the related services have been performed by the Company, unless future contingencies exist. Consulting revenue is recognized generally upon the delivery of agreed upon services to the client.
In regard to management and facility service contracts, the owner of the property will typically reimburse the Company for certain expenses that are incurred on behalf of the owner, which are comprised primarily of on-site employee salaries and related benefit costs. The amounts, which are to be reimbursed per the terms of
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GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
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1. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) |
the services contract, are recognized as revenue by the Company in the same period as the related expenses are incurred. These fees totaled approximately $142.8 million, $138.4 million and $134.9 million during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
(e) Costs and Expenses
Costs of services are comprised of expenses incurred in direct relation with executing transactions and delivering services to our clients. Included in these direct costs are real estate transaction services and other commission expenses, which are recorded concurrently in the period in which the related transaction revenue is recognized. All other costs and expenses, including expenses related to delivery of property or facility management services and selling and marketing expenses, are recognized when incurred.
(f) Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“Statement 123”)” allows companies to either account for stock-based compensation under the provisions of Statement 123 or under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB 25”). The Company elected to continue accounting for stock-based compensation to its employees under the provisions of APB 25. Accordingly, because the exercise price of the Company’s employee stock options equals or exceeds the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized by the Company. If the exercise price of an award is less than the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant, the Company recognizes the difference as compensation expense evenly over the vesting period of the award. Restricted stock awards are granted at the fair market value of the underlying common stock shares immediately prior to the grant date. The value of the restricted stock awards is recognized as compensation expense evenly over the vesting period of the award.
The Company, however, is required to provide pro forma disclosure as if the fair value measurement provisions of Statement 123 had been adopted. See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement 123(R) (“FAS 123(R)”) effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The new Statement now requires mandatory reporting of all stock-based compensation awards on a fair value basis of accounting. Generally, companies will be required to calculate the fair value of all stock awards and amortize that fair value as compensation expense over the vesting period of the awards. The Company will apply the new rules on accounting for stock-based compensation awards beginning in the first fiscal quarter of fiscal 2006, which for the Company would be the quarter ending September 30, 2005. The Company has reviewed the provisions of FAS 123(R) and has determined that it will not have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.
(g) Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes are recorded based on enacted statutory rates to reflect the tax consequences in future years of the differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. Deferred tax assets, such as net operating loss carryforwards, which will generate future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits through future taxable earnings or alternative tax strategies in the foreseeable short term future is more likely than not.
26
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
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1. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) |
(h) Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand deposits and highly liquid short-term debt instruments with maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase and are stated at cost. Cash and cash equivalents whose use are restricted due to various contractual constraints, the majority of which relate to the Company’s insurance policies, totaled approximately $1,105,000 and $3,340,000 as of June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Cash payments for interest were approximately $1,442,000, $2,435,000 and $2,721,000 for each of the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Cash payments for income taxes for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003 were approximately $368,000, $164,000 and $180,000, respectively. Cash refunds for income taxes totaling approximately $80,000, $398,000 and $6,473,000 were received in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
(i) Transaction Service Contracts
The Company holds multi-year service contracts with certain key transaction professionals for which cash payments were made to the professionals upon signing, the costs of which are being amortized over the lives of the respective contracts, which are generally two to three years. Amortization expense relating to these contracts of approximately $1.4 million, $1.3 million and $1.6 million was recognized in fiscal years 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
(j) Equipment, Software and Leasehold Improvements
Equipment, software and leasehold improvements are recorded at cost. Depreciation of equipment is computed using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives ranging from three to seven years. Software costs consist of costs to purchase and develop software. Costs related to the development of internal use software are capitalized only after a determination has been made as to how the development work will be conducted. Any costs incurred in the preliminary project stage prior to this determination are expensed when incurred. Also, once the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, any further costs related to the software such as training or maintenance activities are also expensed as incurred. Amortization of the development costs of internal use software programs begins when the related software is ready for its intended use. All software costs are amortized using a straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, ranging from three to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives not to exceed the terms of the respective leases. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.
(k) Goodwill
Goodwill, representing the excess of the cost over the fair value of the net tangible assets of acquired businesses, is stated at cost and was amortized prior to July 1, 2002 on a straight-line basis over estimated future periods to be benefited, which ranged from 15 to 25 years. Accumulated amortization amounted to approximately $5,815,000 at June 30, 2005 and 2004. The Company wrote-off $2.2 million of unamortized goodwill in 2004 related to the disposition of a consulting services group. See Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141,Business Combinations, and No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. Under these rules, goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment tests in accordance with the Statement. Other intangible assets will continue to be amortized over their useful lives.
27
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
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1. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued) |
The Company applied the new rules on accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets beginning in the quarter ended September 30, 2002 and completed the transitional impairment test of goodwill as of July 1, 2002 and the annual impairment test as of June 30 of each of the fiscal years thereafter. The Company has determined that no goodwill impairment impacted the earnings and financial position of the Company as of those dates.
(l) Accrued Claims and Settlements
The Company has maintained partially self-insured and deductible programs for errors and omissions, general liability, workers’ compensation and certain employee health care costs. Reserves for such programs are included in accrued claims and settlements and compensation and employee benefits payable, as appropriate. Reserves are based on the aggregate of the liability for reported claims and an actuarially-based estimate of incurred but not reported claims.
(m) Financial Instruments
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”, requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, receivables and obligations under accounts payable and debt instruments, approximate their fair values, based on similar instruments with similar risks.
(n) Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Hedged Items
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting (“SFAS”) No. 138 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” which amends SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 133, as amended, requires companies to record derivatives on the balance sheet as assets or liabilities, measured at fair value. SFAS No. 133 may increase or decrease reported net income and stockholders’ equity prospectively, depending on future levels of interest rates, the computed “effectiveness” of the derivatives, as that term is defined by SFAS No. 133, and other variables affecting the fair values of derivative instruments and hedged items, but will have no effect on cash flows. See Notes 5 and 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding derivatives held by the Company.
(o) Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” in June 2002. This Statement requires liabilities for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity to be recognized and measured initially at its fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred.
The Company records a liability for one-time termination benefits at the date the plan of termination meets certain criteria including appropriate management approval, specificity as to employee and benefits to be provided and an indication that significant changes to the plan are unlikely. If the employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits beyond the minimum
28
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—(Continued)
retention period as defined in the Statement, the Company will recognize the liability ratably over the retention period.
The Company records a liability for certain operating leases based on the fair value of the liability at the cease-use date. The fair value is determined based on the remaining lease rentals and any termination penalties, and is reduced by estimated sublease rentals.
(p) Reclassifications
Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications have not changed previously reported results of operations or cash flow.
2. Services Fees Receivable, net
Services fees receivable at June 30, 2005 and 2004 consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
| | | | | | |
Transaction services fees receivable | | $ | 2,587 | | | $ | 4,205 | |
Management services fees receivable | | | 7,465 | | | | 7,561 | |
| Allowance for uncollectible accounts | | | (566 | ) | | | (714 | ) |
| | | | | | |
| | Total | | | 9,486 | | | | 11,052 | |
| Less portion classified as current | | | 9,339 | | | | 10,810 | |
| | | | | | |
| | Non-current portion (included in other assets) | | $ | 147 | | | $ | 242 | |
| | | | | | |
The following is a summary of the changes in the allowance for uncollectible services fees receivable for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Balance at beginning of year | | $ | 714 | | | $ | 689 | | | $ | 605 | |
Provision for bad debt | | | — | | | | 25 | | | | 84 | |
Recovery of allowance | | | (148 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Balance at end of year | | $ | 566 | | | $ | 714 | | | $ | 689 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
3. Equipment, Software and Leasehold Improvements, net
Equipment, software and leasehold improvements at June 30, 2005 and 2004 consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
| | | | | | |
Furniture, equipment and software systems | | $ | 44,072 | | | $ | 42,580 | |
Leasehold improvements | | | 6,286 | | | | 5,966 | |
| | | | | | |
| Total | | | 50,358 | | | | 48,546 | |
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | | | 42,169 | | | | 38,681 | |
| | | | | | |
Equipment, software and leasehold improvements, net | | $ | 8,189 | | | $ | 9,865 | |
| | | | | | |
The Company wrote off approximately $805,000 and $2.8 million of furniture and equipment during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005 and 2004. Approximately $698,000 and $2.6 million of accumulated depreciation and amortization expense had been recorded on these assets prior to their disposition in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
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GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
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4. | Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share |
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (“Statement 128”) requires disclosure of basic earnings per share that excludes any dilutive effects of options, warrants, and convertible securities and diluted earnings per share.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations (in thousands, except per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, | |
| | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) | | $ | 13,267 | | | $ | 14,194 | | | $ | (16,772 | ) |
| Preferred stock dividends accrued | | | (889 | ) | | | (1,618 | ) | | | (1,130 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) to common stockholders | | $ | 12,378 | | | $ | 12,576 | | | $ | (17,902 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | | | 15,112 | | | | 15,097 | | | | 15,102 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) per common share outstanding — basic | | $ | 0.82 | | | $ | 0.83 | | | $ | (1.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Diluted earnings per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) | | $ | 13,267 | | | $ | 14,194 | | | $ | (16,772 | ) |
| Preferred stock dividends accrued | | | (889 | ) | | | (1,618 | ) | | | (1,130 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) to common stockholders | | $ | 12,378 | | | $ | 12,576 | | | $ | (17,902 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | | | 15,112 | | | | 15,097 | | | | 15,102 | |
| Effect of dilutive securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Stock options and warrants | | | 110 | | | | 4 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | | | 15,222 | | | | 15,101 | | | | 15,102 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) per common share outstanding — diluted | | $ | 0.81 | | | $ | 0.83 | | | $ | (1.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Additionally, options outstanding to purchase shares of common stock, the effect of which would be anti-dilutive, were 1,229,652, 1,179,023, and 1,601,091 at June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. These options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because an operating loss was reported or the option exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares for the respective periods.
Effective June 11, 2004, the Company entered into a $40 million senior secured credit agreement with Deutsche Bank, which had a three-year term with a one-year extension option and was comprised of a $25 million term loan facility and a $15 million revolving credit facility. Repayment of the credit agreement is collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets. The new credit arrangement replaced the Company’s $27.3 million senior credit facility and $4 million subordinated loan held by Kojaian Capital, LLC and Kojaian Funding, LLC, respectively.
30
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
5. Credit Facility Debt—(Continued)
The Company used proceeds from the $25 million term loan portion of the new credit facility, along with cash reserves of approximately $7.6 million, to pay off all of its outstanding credit obligations and closing costs which totaled $1.1 million. The interest rate for revolving or long-term advances under the credit facility will be, at the election of the Company, either (i) Deutsche Bank’s prime lending rate plus 2.50%, or (ii) the London interbank offered rate of major banks for deposits in U.S. dollars (LIBOR), plus 3.50%. The average interest rate incurred by the Company on the credit facility obligation during fiscal year 2005 was 5.9%.
In order to mitigate the risks associated with changes in the interest rate markets, the terms of the new credit facility required the Company to enter into an interest rate protection agreement that effectively caps the variable interest rate exposure on a portion of its existing credit facility debt for a period of two years. The Company executed such an interest agreement with Deutsche Bank in July 2004, which will provide for quarterly payments to the Company equal to the variable interest amount paid by the Company in excess of 3.5% of the underlying notional amounts. The Company determined that this agreement was to be characterized as effective under the definitions included within Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” The change in value of these instruments during a reporting period is characterized as Other Comprehensive Income or Loss, and totaled approximately $27,000 of unrealized income during fiscal 2005.
The credit agreement also contains customary covenants related to limitations on indebtedness, acquisition, investments and dividends, and maintenance of certain financial ratios and minimum cash flow levels.
On March 31, 2005, the Company amended its secured credit facility. Under the amended credit facility, the $25 million term loan portion of the credit facility was unchanged. The revolving credit line component of the credit facility, however, was increased from $15 million to $35 million, of which approximately $32.5 million is available as of June 30, 2005. During the quarter ended December 31, 2004, the Company issued three letters of credit, totaling approximately $2.5 million, under the revolving credit line to collateralize certain obligations related to its insurance programs. In addition, the term of the credit facility was extended by one year, and it now matures in June 2008, subject to the Company’s right to extend the term for an additional twelve months through June 2009. Other modifications to the credit facility include the elimination of any cap regarding the aggregate consideration that the Company may pay for acquisitions, the ability to repurchase up to $30 million of its Common Stock, and the elimination of all term loan amortization payments due before maturity. Other principal economic terms and conditions of the credit facility remain substantially unchanged. The Company paid closing costs totaling approximately $688,000 in connection with the amendment, of which $550,000 were recorded as deferred financing fees and will be amortized over the amended term of the agreement.
Scheduled principal payments on the term loan, excluding the exercise of the one year extension option, are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | |
Year Ending | | |
June 30 | | Amount | |
| | | |
2006 | | $ | — | |
2007 | | | — | |
2008 | | | 25,000 | |
| | | |
| | $ | 25,000 | |
| | | |
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GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
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6. | Credit Facility Debt— Affiliate |
Kojaian Capital, LLC (the “New Lender”), an affiliated entity of the Company’s controlling stockholder and Chairman, acquired the Company’s then existing credit agreement from the banks on June 6, 2003. Borrowings under the credit revolver portion of the facility, totaling $5.0 million, were repaid on October 31, 2003 from cash generated by the Company’s operations, while the term loan portion of the facility was repaid in conjunction with the refinancing of the Company’s credit arrangements in June 2004. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Interest on outstanding borrowings under this credit facility were based upon Bank of America’s prime rate and/or a LIBOR based rate plus, in either case, an additional margin based upon a particular financial leverage ratio of the Company. The average interest rate incurred by the Company on outstanding borrowings during fiscal years 2004 and 2003, was 5.5% and 5.70% respectively. Direct expenses related to this facility totaled approximately $1,273,000 and were recorded as deferred financing fees and amortized over the term of the agreement. Unamortized fees totaling $317,000 were written off upon repayment of the term loan in June 2004.
The variable interest rate structure of this credit agreement exposed the Company to risks associated with changes in the interest rate markets. Consequently, the Credit Agreement required the Company to enter interest rate protection agreements, within 90 days of the date of the agreement, initially fixing the interest rates on not less than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the term loan scheduled to be outstanding for a period of not less than three years. In March 2001, the Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements for a three year term, with banks that were original parties to the Credit Agreement. Through March 31, 2004, the expiration date of the agreements, the Company had varying notional amount interest rate swaps outstanding in which the Company paid a fixed rate of 5.18% and received a three-month LIBOR based rate from the counter-parties.
7. Note Payable— Affiliate
Kojaian Funding, LLC, another affiliated entity of the Company’s controlling stockholder and Chairman, made a $4 million subordinated loan to the Company on May 9, 2003 for working capital purposes. The Company was obligated to pay interest only on the subordinated loan during its term at the rate of 10% per annum, payable monthly in arrears. The entire principal amount of the subordinated loan was due on July 15, 2004, although it was prepaid without penalty in connection with the refinancing of the Company’s credit agreement with Deutsche Bank effective June 11, 2004. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
The material terms and conditions of the subordinated loan were negotiated by a special committee comprised of the disinterested member of the Company’s board of directors, which committee was established for such purpose. The special committee recommended the entering into of the subordinated loan to the full board of directors of the Company, which unanimously approved such terms.
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8. | Issuance and Exchange of Preferred Stock |
On May 13, 2002, the Company effected a closing of a financing with Kojaian Ventures, LLC (“KV”) which is wholly-owned by the Company’s controlling stockholder and Chairman, who, along with his father, owned, subsequent to the closing of the KV financing, approximately 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Stock. In addition, certain affiliated real estate entities of KV, in the aggregate, are substantial clients of the Company. The Company accepted the financing offered by KV based, in part, upon the fact that the KV financing, which replaced the financing provided by Warburg Pincus in March 2002 (see Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information), was on more favorable terms and conditions to the Company than the Warburg Pincus financing.
32
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
8. Issuance and Exchange of Preferred Stock—(Continued)
Accordingly, on the closing of the KV financing on May 13, 2002, KV paid to the Company an aggregate of $15,386,580 which provided the Company with the necessary funds, which the Company used, to (i) repay a $5,000,000 subordinated note, accrued interest thereon of $137,500 and out-of-pocket expenses of $100,000, (ii) repurchase, at cost, 1,337,358 shares of Common Stock held by Warburg Pincus for a price per share of $3.11, or an aggregate purchase price of $4,158,431, and (iii) pay down $6,000,000 of revolving debt under the Company’s then existing credit agreement. In exchange therefore, KV received (i) a convertible subordinated note in the principal amount of $11,237,500 (the “KV Debt”), and (ii) 1,337,358 shares of Common Stock at a price of $3.11 per share. The form of KV’s financing was substantially identical to the form of the Warburg Pincus financing arrangements, provided, however, that the KV Debt was more favorable to the Company in two (2) material respects.
First, the interest rate on the KV Debt was 12% per annum as opposed to 15% per annum. Similarly, the Series A Preferred Stock into which the KV Debt was converted has a coupon of 12% per annum, compounded quarterly, rather than 15% per annum, compounded quarterly. Second, the preference with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock that KV received was more favorable to the holders of the Company’s Common Stock than the Series A Preferred Stock that was to be issued to Warburg Pincus. Specifically, the holder of the Series A Preferred Stock has a preference over the Company’s Common Stock in the event that the Company undergoes a liquidation, dissolution or certain change in control transactions. That is, the holder of the Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to be paid with respect to its Series A Preferred Stock prior to holders of Common Stock are entitled to be paid with respect to their Common Stock in the event of a liquidation, dissolution or certain change in control transactions involving the Company. The preference on liquidation, dissolution and certain change in control transactions with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock issued to KV is the greater of (i) 2 times the face value of the Series A Preferred Stock, plus the accrued dividend thereon at the rate of 12% per annum, or (ii) the equivalent of 40% percent of the consideration to be paid to all the equity holders of the Company on an “Adjusted Outstanding Basis” (as defined in the underlying documents). Contrastingly, the Senior A Preferred Stock that was to be issued to Warburg Pincus was to have a preference on liquidation, dissolution and certain change in control transactions equal to the greater of (i) 2 times the face value of the Series A Preferred Stock, plus the accrued dividends thereon at the rate of 15% per annum, or (ii) the equivalent of 50% of the consideration to be paid to all equity holders of the Company on a fully diluted basis.
On September 19, 2002, the conversion rights existing under the KV Debt were exercised. As a result of this conversion, 11,725 shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock were issued to KV, having a stated value of $1,000 per share. The outstanding related party principal and interest obligations totaling $11,725,000 were reclassified to stockholders’ equity on the date of conversion.
Issuance costs of $783,000, previously offset against the note obligations, were also reclassified as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.
The Series A Preferred Stock had a preference over the Company’s Common Stock upon liquidation, dissolution and certain change of control transactions. In addition, although the Series A Preferred Stock was not convertible into Common Stock (or any other securities of the Company) it voted along with the Common Stock on all matters that were subject to the vote of common stockholders. The voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock, after final contractual adjustments, was equal to 952 shares of Common Stock for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, or a total of 11,162,200 Common Stock equivalents. As a consequence, upon the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock to KV on September 19, 2002, there was a change in the voting control of the Company, as the voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock (11,162,200 Common Stock equivalents), along with the 3,762,884 shares of outstanding Common Stock now owned by KV and its affiliates (approximately 25% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company), represented approximately 57% of the total voting power of the Company.
33
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
8. Issuance and Exchange of Preferred Stock—(Continued)
In December 2004, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement”) with KV in KV’s capacity as the holder of all the Company’s issued and outstanding 11,725 shares of Series A Preferred Stock which carried a preferential cumulative dividend of 12% per annum (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). Pursuant to the Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement, the Company paid to KV all accrued and unpaid dividends with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock for the period September 19, 2002, the date of issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock, up to and through December 31, 2004. In exchange therefore, KV agreed to eliminate in its entirety, as of January 1, 2005, the 12% preferential cumulative dividend payable on the Series A Preferred Stock. Upon the closing of the transaction in January 2005, the Company delivered to KV the one time accrued dividend payment of approximately $3.6 million.
The Company and KV effected the elimination of the 12% cumulative preferred dividend with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock by an exchange of preferred securities. Accordingly, simultaneously upon the consummation of the transaction contemplated by the Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement, on January 4, 2005, KV delivered to the Company its original share certificate representing 11,725 shares of Series A Preferred Stock in exchange for a new share certificate representing 11,725 shares of a newly created Series A-1 Preferred Stock of the Company (the “New Preferred Stock”). The New Preferred Stock is identical in all respects to the Series A Preferred Stock except that the New Preferred Stock does not have a cumulative preferred dividend and is now only entitled to receive dividends if and when dividends are declared and paid to holders of the Company’s common stock. As was the case with the Series A Preferred Stock, the New Preferred Stock has a preference over the Company’s Common Stock in the event that the Company undergoes a liquidation, dissolution or certain change in control transactions. In such situations, the holder of the New Preferred Stock would be entitled to payment of the greater of (i) $23.5 million (twice the face value of the New Preferred Stock) or (ii) the equivalent of 40% of the consideration to be paid to all the equity holders of the Company, thereby diluting the return that would otherwise be available to the holders of the Common Stock of the Company had this preference not existed.
Like the Series A Preferred Stock, the New Preferred Stock is not convertible into common stock, but nonetheless votes on an “as liquidated basis” along with the holders of common stock on all matters. Consequently, the New Preferred Stock, like the Series A Preferred Stock, currently is entitled to the number of votes equal to 11,173,925 shares of common stock, or approximately 42.5% of all voting securities of the Company. In addition, as noted above, with the elimination of the preferential cumulative dividend, the New Preferred Stock will now only be entitled to receive dividends if and when dividends are declared by the Company on, and paid to holders of, the Company’s common stock. The holders of the New Preferred Stock will receive dividends, if any, based upon the number of voting common stock equivalents represented by the New Preferred Stock. The New Preferred Stock is not subject to redemption.
34
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
9. Income Taxes
The Company maintains a fiscal year ending June 30 for financial reporting purposes and a calendar year for income tax reporting purposes. The provision for income taxes for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Current | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Federal | | $ | 4,475 | | | $ | 1,371 | | | $ | (245 | ) |
| State and local | | | 1,076 | | | | 150 | | | | 167 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | 5,551 | | | | 1,521 | | | | (78 | ) |
Deferred | | | (5,703 | ) | | | (4,342 | ) | | | 2,510 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Net provision (benefit) | | $ | (152 | ) | | $ | (2,821 | ) | | $ | 2,432 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
The Company recorded prepaid taxes totaling approximately $197,000 and $251,000 as of June 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, comprised primarily of tax refund receivables, prepaid tax estimates and tax effected operating loss carrybacks related to state tax filings. The Company also received net tax refunds of approximately $80,000 and $398,000 during fiscal years 2005 and 2004, respectively, primarily related to its state tax carrybacks.
At June 30, 2005, federal income tax operating loss carryforwards (“NOL’s”) were available to the Company in the amount of approximately $10.5 million, which expire from 2008 to 2023. Utilization of certain of these net operating loss carryforwards totaling $2.5 million is limited to approximately $960,000 per year, pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) relating to a prior ownership change.
The Company’s effective tax rate on its income before taxes differs from the statutory federal income tax rate as follows for the fiscal years ended June 30:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Federal statutory rate | | | 34.0 | % | | | 34.0 | % | | | 35.0 | % |
State and local income taxes (net of federal tax benefits) | | | 3.2 | | | | 5.3 | | | | 5.2 | |
Meals and entertainment | | | 2.9 | | | | 2.9 | | | | (2.2 | ) |
Change in valuation allowance | | | (3.8 | ) | | | (26.4 | ) | | | (53.8 | ) |
Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards | | | (32.7 | ) | | | (11.8 | ) | | | — | |
Insurance claim payments | | | 0.5 | | | | (15.6 | ) | | | — | |
Severance and office closure payments | | | (4.8 | ) | | | (8.6 | ) | | | — | |
Goodwill amortization and other | | | (1.6 | ) | | | (4.6 | ) | | | 2.6 | |
Executive compensation | | | 1.1 | | | | — | | | | (3.8 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Effective income tax rate | | | (1.2 | )% | | | (24.8 | )% | | | (17.0 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | |
The Company realized approximately $4.7 million of its deferred tax assets during fiscal 2005 due to the generation of significant taxable income during the period. The Company decreased its valuation allowance related to its deferred tax assets by approximately $5.2 million as of June 30, 2005 due to the realization of these assets and the likelihood that the Company would realize a greater portion of its remaining deferred assets in future periods. During fiscal 2004, the Company generated sufficient taxable income to realize a portion of its deferred tax assets and correspondingly reduced the valuation allowance by approximately
35
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
9. Income Taxes—(Continued)
$7.9 million. The Company had fully reserved its deferred tax assets at June 30, 2003 to reflect uncertainty at that time in regards to the realization of the assets in future periods.
Deferred income tax liabilities or assets are determined based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows as of June 30, 2005 and 2004 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
| | | | | | |
Deferred tax assets: | | | | | | | | |
| Federal NOL and credit carryforwards | | $ | 3,586 | | | $ | 7,872 | |
| State NOL carryforwards | | | 2,575 | | | | 2,263 | |
| Insurance reserves | | | 2,597 | | | | 2,376 | |
| Compensation and benefits | | | 561 | | | | 376 | |
| Commission and fee reserves | | | 510 | | | | 777 | |
| Office closure reserves | | | 463 | | | | 1,072 | |
| Claims and settlements | | | 176 | | | | 331 | |
| Other | | | 1,042 | | | | 831 | |
| | | | | | |
| | Deferred tax assets | | | 11,510 | | | | 15,898 | |
Less valuation allowance | | | (4,391 | ) | | | (9,599 | ) |
| | | | | | |
| | | 7,119 | | | | 6,299 | |
Deferred tax liabilities | | | (3,619 | ) | | | (3,299 | ) |
| | | | | | |
| Net deferred tax assets | | $ | 3,500 | | | $ | 3,000 | |
| | | | | | |
| | Current | | $ | 3,500 | | | $ | 3,000 | |
| | | | | | |
| | Long term | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | |
36
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
10. Stock Options, Warrants, Stock Purchase and 401(k) Plans
Stock Option Plans
Changes in stock options were as follows for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005, 2004, and 2003:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Exercise Price | | | Shares | | | Exercise Price | | | Shares | | | Exercise Price | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock options outstanding at the beginning of the year | | | 1,329,023 | | | | $0.92 to $16.44 | | | | 1,601,091 | | | | $2.00 to $16.44 | | | | 2,816,861 | | | | $1.88 to $16.44 | |
Granted | | | 510,000 | | | | $2.99 to $4.70 | | | | 150,000 | | | | $0.92 | | | | 10,000 | | | | $2.00 | |
Lapsed or canceled | | | (376,371 | ) | | | $3.75 to $13.50 | | | | (422,068 | ) | | | $2.85 to $13.50 | | | | (1,225,770 | ) | | | $1.88 to $13.50 | |
Exercised | | | (17,500 | ) | | | $2.85 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock options outstanding at the end of the year | | | 1,445,152 | | | | $0.92 to $16.44 | | | | 1,329,023 | | | | $0.92 to $16.44 | | | | 1,601,091 | | | | $2.00 to $16.44 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable at end of the year | | | 866,068 | | | | | | | | 1,103,356 | | | | | | | | 1,129,466 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Additional information segregated by relative ranges of exercise prices for stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2005 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Weighted | | | Weighted | | | Weighted | |
| | | | Average | | | Average | | | Average | |
| | | | Years | | | Exercise | | | Exercise | |
Exercise | | | | Remaining | | | Price-Outstanding | | | Price-Exercisable | |
Price | | Shares | | | Life | | | Shares | | | Shares | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
$ 0.92 to $ 4.70 | | | 715,500 | | | | 9.20 | | | | 3.72 | | | | 1.37 | |
$ 5.44 to $ 8.94 | | | 368,552 | | | | 4.04 | | | | 6.72 | | | | 6.72 | |
$11.13 to $16.44 | | | 361,100 | | | | 2.40 | | | | 11.69 | | | | 11.69 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 1,445,152 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average information per share with respect to stock options for fiscal years ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
| | | | | | |
Exercise price: | | | | | | | | |
| Granted | | $ | 4.67 | | | $ | 0.92 | |
| Lapsed or canceled | | | 8.67 | | | | 5.30 | |
| Exercised | | | 2.85 | | | | — | |
| Outstanding at June 30 | | | 6.48 | | | | 6.98 | |
Remaining life | | | 6.19 | years | | | 5.28 | years |
The Company’s 1990 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan, as amended, provides for grants of options to purchase the Company’s common stock for a total of 2,000,000 shares. At June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, the number of shares available for the grant of options under the plan was 1,179,952, 1,029,345 and 904,517, respectively. Stock options under this plan may be granted at prices from 50% up to 100% of the
37
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
10. Stock Options, Warrants, Stock Purchase and 401(k) Plans—(Continued)
market price per share at the dates of grant, their terms and vesting schedules of which are determined by the Board of Directors.
The Company’s 1993 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors provides for an automatic grant of an option to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock to each newly elected independent member of the Board of Directors and an automatic grant of an option to purchase 8,000 shares at the successive four year service anniversaries of each such director. The exercise prices are set at the market price at the date of grant. The initial options expire five years from the date of grant and vest over three years from such date. The anniversary options vest over four years from the date of grant and expire ten years from such date. The plan was amended in November 1998 to increase the number of issuable shares authorized for the plan from 50,000 to 300,000 and to provide for the anniversary options. The number of shares available for grant was 244,000 at June 30, 2005 and 236,000 at June 30, 2004 and 2003.
The Company’s 1998 Stock Option Plan provides for grants of options to purchase the Company’s common stock. The plan authorizes the issuance of up to 2,000,000 shares, and had 1,336,983, 1,129,219, and 971,979 shares available for grant as of June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Stock options under this plan may be granted at prices and with such other terms and vesting schedules as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, or, with respect to options granted to corporate officers, the full Board of Directors.
The Company’s 2000 Stock Option Plan provides for grants of options to purchase the Company’s common stock. The plan authorizes the issuance of up to 1,500,000 shares, and had 850,000, 1,350,000 and 1,360,000 shares available for grant as of June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Stock options under this plan may be granted at prices and with such other terms and vesting schedules as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, or, with respect to options granted to corporate officers who are subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the full Board of Directors.
Stock Warrants
In July 1999, the Company issued a warrant to purchase 600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $6.25 per share to Aegon USA Realty Advisors, Inc., the parent company of Landauer Associates, Inc. (“LAI”), as part of the consideration granted in the acquisition of LAI. The warrant had a five-year life which expired in July 2004.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Grubb & Ellis Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan provided for the purchase of up to 1,750,000 shares of common stock by employees of the Company at a 15% discount from market price, as defined, through payroll deductions. The numbers of shares purchased under this plan were 193,532 during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003. This plan was suspended in May 2003.
The Company has a 401(k) Plan covering eligible employees and provides that employer contributions may be made in common stock of the Company or cash. Discretionary contributions by the Company for the plans (net of forfeitures and reimbursements received pursuant to property and corporate facilities management services agreements) amounted to approximately $583,000 and $519,000 for the plan years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Company did not provide for a company match to the 401(k) Plan for the plan year ended December 31, 2002.
38
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
10. Stock Options, Warrants, Stock Purchase and 401(k) Plans—(Continued)
Pro Forma Information
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by Statement 123, and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for options granted subsequent to July 1, 1996, and therefore includes grants under the 1990 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan, 1993 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors, 1998 Stock Option Plan and 2000 Stock Option Plan and purchases made under the Grubb & Ellis Employee Stock Purchase Plan, under the fair value method of that Statement. The fair value for the options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Weighted-average assumptions for options granted for fiscal years 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Risk free interest rates | | | 3.99 | % | | | 3.40 | % | | | 3.83 | % |
Dividend yields | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % |
Volatility factors of the expected market price of the common stock | | | .834 | | | | .795 | | | | .393 | |
Weighted-average expected lives | | | 5.00 years | | | | 6.00 years | | | | 6.00 years | |
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of options granted. The weighted average fair values of options granted by the Company in fiscal years 2005, 2004 and 2003 using this model were $3.21, $0.65 and $0.88, respectively.
The Company currently accounts for its stock-based employee compensation plan under the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB 25. The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement 123, as amended by FASB Statement No. 148, “Accounting for Stock— Based Compensation— Transition and Disclosure (“FAS 148”)”. Compensation expense related to restricted share awards is not presented in the table below because the expense amount is the same under APB 25 and FAS 123 and, therefore, is already reflected in net income. Had the Company elected to adopt the fair value recognition provisions of FAS 123, pro forma net income and net income per share would be as follows (in thousands):
39
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
10. Stock Options, Warrants, Stock Purchase and 401(k) Plans—(Continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, | |
| | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) to common stockholders, as reported | | $ | 12,378 | | | $ | 12,576 | | | $ | (17,902 | ) |
Add: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the intrinsic value method for all awards, net of related tax effects | | | — | | | | — | | | | 228 | |
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects | | | (164 | ) | | | (172 | ) | | | (340 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Pro forma net income (loss) to common stockholders | | $ | 12,214 | | | $ | 12,404 | | | $ | (18,014 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings per weighted average common share outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic — as reported | | $ | 0.82 | | | $ | 0.83 | | | $ | (1.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Basic — pro forma | | $ | 0.81 | | | $ | 0.82 | | | $ | (1.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Diluted — as reported | | $ | 0.81 | | | $ | 0.83 | | | $ | (1.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Diluted — pro forma | | $ | 0.80 | | | $ | 0.82 | | | $ | (1.19 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Stock Repurchase Plan
In August 1999, the Company announced a program through which it may repurchase up to $3.0 million of its common stock on the open market from time to time as market conditions warrant. As of June 30, 2005, the Company had repurchased 359,900 shares of stock at an aggregate price of approximately $2.0 million. No shares were repurchased under this program during fiscal years 2005, 2004 or 2003.
| |
11. | Related Party Transactions |
The Company provides both transaction and management services to parties, which are related to principal stockholders and/or directors of the Company, primarily Kojaian affiliated entities (collectively, “Kojaian Companies”) and Archon Group, L.P. (“Archon”). In addition, the Company also paid asset management fees to the Kojaian Companies and Archon related to properties the Company manages on their behalf. Revenue earned by the Company for services rendered to these and other affiliates, including joint ventures, officers and directors and their affiliates, was as follows for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands):
40
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
11. Related Party Transactions — (Continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Transaction fees | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Kojaian Companies | | $ | 485 | | | $ | 330 | | | $ | 291 | |
| Archon | | | 2,346 | | | | 1,819 | | | | 1,663 | |
| Others | | | — | | | | — | | | | 277 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | 2,831 | | | | 2,149 | | | | 2,231 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Management fees | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Kojaian Companies | | | 9,232 | | | | 10,468 | | | | 10,274 | |
| Archon | | | 1,842 | | | | 3,613 | | | | 5,291 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | 11,074 | | | | 14,081 | | | | 15,565 | |
| Less: asset management fees | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Kojaian Companies | | | 2,957 | | | | 3,191 | | | | 3,295 | |
| Archon | | | 87 | | | | 174 | | | | 239 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | 8,030 | | | | 10,716 | | | | 12,031 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | $ | 10,861 | | | $ | 12,865 | | | $ | 14,262 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
In August 2002, the Company entered into a lease for 16,800 square feet of office space in Southfield, Michigan within a building owned by an entity related to the Kojaian Companies. The lease provides for an annual average base rent of $365,400 over the ten year life of the lease.
The Company entered into an employment agreement with Mark E. Rose as Chief Executive Officer effective March 8, 2005. Terms of the agreement included, among other things, i) a sign-on bonus of approximately $2.1 million, which is subject to repayment by Mr. Rose, in whole or in part, under certain circumstances as set forth in the employment agreement, ii) a guaranteed bonus of $750,000 for calendar year 2005, iii) options to purchase up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock which generally vest over the three year term of the agreement, and iv) annual grants of $750,000 worth of restricted common stock during the term of the agreement, each grant having a three year vesting period from the date of grant. The Company has paid the sign-on bonus to Mr. Rose as of March 31, 2005, which is being amortized to salaries, wages and benefits expense over the term of the agreement. The guaranteed bonus for 2005 is expected to be funded on or before March 1, 2006.
In July 2002, the former Chief Operating Officer’s employment agreement with the Company was terminated, and in March 2003, the Company disclosed that the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer had resigned. In addition, the Company entered into a separation agreement with its former General Counsel who resigned effective July 2, 2003. Severance charges totaling approximately $3.4 million were recognized during fiscal year 2003 relating to these events. (See Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.) None of the options to purchase 850,000 common stock shares were exercised and the option grants were cancelled upon the officers’ employment terminations.
The Compensation Committee of the Company adopted a Long-Term Executive Cash Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) in June 2005. The Plan provides for the payment of bonuses to certain executive employees if specified financial goals for the Company are achieved for the period commencing January 1, 2004 and ending December 31, 2006. As of June 30, 2005, approximately $373,000 has been accrued under this Plan for payment to the executive employees no earlier than the first calendar quarter of 2007.
In fiscal years 2005 and 2004, the Company incurred $160,000 and $100,000, respectively, in legal fees paid on behalf of C. Michael Kojaian and Kojaian Ventures, LLC (collectively, the “Kojaian Parties”), and
41
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
11. Related Party Transactions — (Continued)
$64,000 and $60,000, respectively, in legal fees paid on behalf of Warburg Pincus Investors, L.P. (“Warburg Pincus”), in connection with each of them being named in a lawsuit filed in March 2004. In August 2005, the litigation was settled by the parties and the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice. Total legal fees through the settlement of the lawsuit, including fees incurred through fiscal 2005, are estimated to be $300,000 on behalf of the Kojaian Parties and $126,000 on behalf of Warburg Pincus. Although the Company was not party to the litigation, the litigation expenses of the Kojaian Parties and Warburg Pincus were being paid by the Company pursuant to contractual indemnification obligations contained in various purchase and sale and credit and security agreements entered by the Company during fiscal 2002. Mr. Kojaian is the Chairman of the Board of the Company, and, along with affiliated persons and entities, has majority-voting control of the Company, and Warburg Pincus owns approximately 39% of the issued and outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company. In addition, of the total legal fees incurred on behalf of the Kojaian Parties, approximately $164,000 was paid to the law firm of Young and Susser. Rodger D. Young, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors since April 2003, is a partner of Young and Susser.
| |
12. | Commitments and Contingencies |
Non-cancelable Operating Leases
The Company has non-cancelable operating lease obligations for office space and certain equipment ranging from one to nine years, and sublease agreements under which the Company acts as sublessor.
The office space leases often times provide for annual rent increases, and typically require payment of property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs.
Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases with an initial term of one year or more, excluding any future potential operating or real estate tax expense increases, were as follows at June 30, 2005 (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
Year Ending June 30, | | | Lease Obligations | |
| | | | |
| 2006 | | | $ | 15,996 | |
| 2007 | | | | 12,404 | |
| 2008 | | | | 10,278 | |
| 2009 | | | | 7,835 | |
| 2010 | | | | 4,210 | |
| Thereafter | | | | 3,072 | |
| | | | |
| | | | $ | 53,795 | |
| | | | |
The above amounts also include obligations due under a large office lease signed in August 2005.
Lease and rental expense for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003 totaled $17,805,000, $20,187,000, and $21,678,000, respectively.
Environmental
As first reported in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2000, a corporate subsidiary of the Company owns a 33% interest in a general partnership, which in turn owns property in the State of Texas which is the subject of an environmental assessment and remediation effort, due to the discovery of certain chemicals related to a release by a former bankrupted tenant of dry cleaning solvent in the soil and groundwater of the partnership’s property and adjacent properties. The Company has no financial recourse available against the former tenant due to its insolvency. Prior assessments had determined that
42
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
12. Commitments and Contingencies—(Continued)
minimal costs would be incurred to remediate the release. However, subsequent findings at and around the partnership’s property increased the probability that additional remediation costs would be necessary. The partnership is working with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the local municipality to implement a multi-faceted plan, which includes both remediation and ongoing monitoring of the affected properties. Although the partnership’s other partners have made all past contributions and are expected to make all future required contributions, there can be no assurances to this effect. As of June 30, 2005, the Company’s share of cumulative costs to remediate and monitor this situation is estimated at approximately $1,157,000, based upon a comprehensive project plan prepared by an independent third party environmental remediation firm, or an increase of $100,000 during fiscal 2005. Approximately $1,074,000 of this amount has been paid as of June 30, 2005 and the remaining $83,000 has been reflected as a loss reserve for such matters in the consolidated balance sheet. The Company’s management believes that the outcome of these events will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Insolvent Insurance Provider
In the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2001, the following situation regarding an insolvent insurance provider was initially disclosed. In fiscal years 1999 and 2000, the Company’s primary errors and omissions insurance carrier was Reliance Insurance Company (of Illinois and California, collectively “Reliance”). The Company had four open claims that were covered by Reliance policies in which defense and/or settlement costs exceeded a self-insured retention.
In October 2001, Reliance was placed in liquidation by order of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which casts doubt on the recovery from Reliance of the Company’s open claims. The Company had established loss reserves for the estimated settlement costs of the claims and all of the claims have now been resolved. The Company is seeking reimbursement for the costs of defense, settlement and/or judgment in excess of the self-insured retention from the liquidator. No new significant information has been obtained for fiscal 2005. The Company is unable to estimate the probability and timing of any potential reimbursement at this time, and therefore, has not assumed any potential recoveries in establishing its reserves.
General
The Company is involved in various claims and lawsuits arising out of the conduct of its business, as well as in connection with its participation in various joint ventures and partnerships, many of which may not be covered by the Company’s insurance policies. In the opinion of management, the eventual outcome of such claims and lawsuits is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
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13. | Concentration of Credit Risk |
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist principally of trade receivables and interest-bearing investments. Users of real estate services account for a substantial portion of trade receivables and collateral is generally not required. The risk associated with this concentration is limited due to the large number of users and their geographic dispersion.
The Company places substantially all of its interest-bearing investments with major financial institutions and limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution.
The Company believes it has limited exposure to the extent of non-performance by the counterparties of its interest rate cap agreement as the counter party is a major financial institution and, accordingly, the Company does not anticipate any non-performance.
43
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
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14. | Severance, Office Closure and Other Special Charges |
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, the Company completed the disposition of the Wadley-Donovan Group, through which the Company provided relocation and economic development consulting services. As a result of the disposition, the Company recorded a loss totaling approximately $2.4 million related primarily to the write-off of unamortized goodwill recorded when the original business was acquired in February 2002. The Company closed certain non-performing offices and recorded additional special charges of $855,000 related to office closure costs which consist primarily of future lease obligations of office space by the Company, net of estimated sublease income, along with related unamortized leasehold improvements. As of June 30, 2005, remaining future net lease obligations, including those which arose in prior years, totaled approximately $824,000. The cumulative amount of special charges incurred by the Company during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 totaled $3.2 million.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, the Company recorded special charges totaling $9.5 million, consisting primarily of severance costs of $6.3 million related to the resignations of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and General Counsel, and to a reduction of other salaried personnel, and office closure costs of $3.2 million.
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15. | Business Acquisitions and Related Indebtedness |
Effective as of April 1, 2003, the Company entered into a series of agreements which altered the structure of the Company’s transaction services operations in Phoenix, Arizona, effectively transferring its existing Phoenix commercial transaction services business to a newly-formed entity whose majority owners are the real estate salespersons previously employed by the Company in its Phoenix office. As part of the overall transaction, this new entity signed an agreement pursuant to which it shall participate in the Company’s affiliate program. The fees received by the Company from this affiliate agreement will comprise the revenues earned from the new Phoenix structure, as the gross operations of the office will no longer be reflected in the Company’s future financial statements (other than revenue earned from trailing contracts the Company retained). The Company also obtained a 20% minority interest in this entity for $400,000.
16. Segment Information
The Company has two reportable segments— Transaction Services and Management Services.
The Transaction Services segment advises buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants on the sale, leasing and valuation of commercial property and includes the Company’s national accounts groups and national affiliate program operations.
The Management Services segment provides property management and related services for owners of investment properties and facilities management services for corporate users.
The fundamental distinction between the Transaction Services and Management Services segments lies in the nature of the revenue streams and related cost structures. Transaction Services generates revenues primarily on a commission or project fee basis. Therefore, the personnel responsible for providing these services are compensated primarily on a commission basis. The Management Services revenues are generated primarily by long term (one year or more) contractual fee arrangements. Therefore, the personnel responsible for delivering these services are compensated primarily on a salaried basis.
The Company evaluates segment performance and allocates resources based on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) that include an allocation (primarily based on segment revenue) of certain corporate level administrative expenses (amounts in thousands). In evaluating segment performance, the Company’s management utilizes EBITDA as a measure of the segment’s ability to generate cash flow from its operations. Other items contained within the measurement of net income, such as interest and taxes, and special charges, are generated and managed at the corporate administration level rather than
44
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
16. Segment Information—(Continued)
the segment level. In addition, net income measures also include non-cash amounts such as depreciation and amortization expense.
Management believes that EBITDA as presented with respect to the Company’s reportable segments is an important measure of cash generated by the Company’s operating activities. EBITDA is similar to net cash flow from operations because it excludes certain non-cash items; however, it also excludes interest and income taxes. Management believes that EBITDA is relevant because it assists investors in evaluating the Company’s ability to service its debt by providing a commonly used measure of cash available to pay interest. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or cash flows from operating activities (which are determined in accordance with GAAP), as an indicator of operating performance or a measure of liquidity. EBITDA also facilitates comparison of the Company’s results of operations with those companies having different capital structures. Other companies may define EBITDA differently, and, as a result, such measures may not be comparable to the Company’s EBITDA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Transaction | | | Management | | | Company | |
| | Services | | | Services | | | Totals | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | (amounts in thousands) | |
Fiscal year ended June 30, 2005 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Revenues | | $ | 267,810 | | | $ | 195,725 | | | $ | 463,535 | |
| EBITDA | | | 19,546 | | | | 563 | | | | 20,109 | |
| Total Assets | | | 65,606 | | | | 15,317 | | | | 80,923 | |
| Goodwill, net | | | 18,376 | | | | 6,387 | | | | 24,763 | |
Fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Revenues | | $ | 249,344 | | | $ | 191,210 | | | $ | 440,554 | |
| EBITDA | | | 22,105 | | | | 1,433 | | | | 23,538 | |
| Total Assets | | | 52,672 | | | | 17,792 | | | | 70,464 | |
| Goodwill, net | | | 18,376 | | | | 6,387 | | | | 24,763 | |
Fiscal year ended June 30, 2003 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Revenues | | $ | 240,916 | | | $ | 185,030 | | | $ | 425,946 | |
| EBITDA | | | 5,700 | | | | (214 | ) | | | 5,486 | |
Reconciliation of Segment EBITDA to Statements of Operations (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fiscal Year Ended June 30, | |
| | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Segment EBITDA | | $ | 20,109 | | | $ | 23,538 | | | $ | 5,486 | |
Less: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation & amortization | | | (5,742 | ) | | | (6,736 | ) | | | (7,802 | ) |
Special charges | | | — | | | | (3,224 | ) | | | (9,500 | ) |
Net interest expense | | | (1,252 | ) | | | (2,205 | ) | | | (2,524 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Income (loss) before income taxes | | $ | 13,115 | | | $ | 11,373 | | | $ | (14,340 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Reconciliation of Segment Assets to Balance Sheet (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | |
| | As of June 30, | |
| | | |
| | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
| | | | | | |
Total segment assets | | $ | 80,923 | | | $ | 70,464 | |
Current tax assets | | | 197 | | | | 251 | |
Deferred tax assets | | | 3,500 | | | | 3,000 | |
| | | | | | |
| Total Assets | | $ | 84,620 | | | $ | 73,715 | |
| | | | | | |
45
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
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17. | Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2005 | |
| | (in thousands, except per share amounts) | |
| | | |
| | First Quarter | | | Second Quarter | | | Third Quarter | | | Fourth Quarter | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenue | | $ | 103,679 | | | $ | 135,580 | | | $ | 109,439 | | | $ | 114,837 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) | | $ | (1,066 | ) | | $ | 8,686 | | | $ | 1,393 | | | $ | 5,354 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income to common stockholders | | $ | (1,818 | ) | | $ | 7,852 | | | $ | 1,094 | | | $ | 5,250 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic— | | $ | (0.12 | ) | | $ | 0.52 | | | $ | 0.07 | | | $ | 0.35 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | | | 15,103 | | | | 15,115 | | | | 15,115 | | | | 15,115 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted— | | $ | (0.12 | ) | | $ | 0.52 | | | $ | 0.07 | | | $ | 0.34 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | | | 15,103 | | | | 15,232 | | | | 15,205 | | | | 15,282 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
EBITDA | | $ | 377 | | | $ | 10,151 | | | $ | 2,787 | | | $ | 6,794 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock market price range (high : low) | | $ | 4.26 : $1.55 | | | $ | 5.20 : $3.60 | | | $ | 4.94 : $4.10 | | | $ | 7.00 : $4.75 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2004 | |
| | (in thousands, except per share amounts) | |
| | | |
| | First Quarter | | | Second Quarter | | | Third Quarter | | | Fourth Quarter | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating revenue | | $ | 101,884 | | | $ | 123,789 | | | $ | 102,402 | | | $ | 112,479 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) | | $ | 870 | | | $ | 8,576 | | | $ | (2,748 | ) | | $ | 6,880 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income to common stockholders | | $ | (150 | ) | | $ | 7,447 | | | $ | (3,690 | ) | | $ | 8,969 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic— | | $ | (0.01 | ) | | $ | 0.49 | | | $ | (0.24 | ) | | $ | 0.59 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | | | 15,097 | | | | 15,097 | | | | 15,097 | | | | 15,097 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted— | | $ | (0.01 | ) | | $ | 0.49 | | | $ | (0.24 | ) | | $ | 0.59 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding | | | 15,097 | | | | 15,098 | | | | 15,097 | | | | 15,105 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
EBITDA | | $ | 2,599 | | | $ | 10,210 | | | $ | (1,199 | ) | | $ | 8,704 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common stock market price range (high : low) | | $ | 1.50 : $1.01 | | | $ | 1.20 : $0.80 | | | $ | 1.20 : $0.87 | | | $ | 2.00 : $0.90 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, material adjustments were recorded relating to i) the loss on disposition of the Wadley Donovan Group, totaling $2.4 million in the third fiscal quarter, and ii) a $1.0 million decrease in salaries and benefits expense due to a reduction in the related self-insurance reserves, and a $3.0 million deferred tax benefit due to a reduction in the valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets, both of which occurred in the fourth fiscal quarter.
46
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Effective as of June 30, 2005, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a—15e under the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to timely alert them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company’s Exchange Act filings. There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of the evaluation.
47
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
The information called for by Item 10 is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) no later than 120 days after the end of the 2005 fiscal year.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information called for by Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act no later than 120 days after the end of the 2005 fiscal year.
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Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholders Matters |
The information called for by Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act no later than 120 days after the end of the 2005 fiscal year.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information called for by Item 13 is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act no later than 120 days after the end of the 2005 fiscal year.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information called for by Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act no later than 120 days after the end of the 2005 fiscal year.
48
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
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1. | The following Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Consolidated Financial Statements are submitted herewith: |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2005 and June 30, 2004
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2005, 2004 and 2003
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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2. | All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions, are inapplicable, or the information is contained in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and therefore have been omitted. |
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3. | Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K: |
(3) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
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3.1 | | Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as restated November 1, 1994, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 1995. |
3.2 | | Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on December 9, 1997, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant’s Statement on Form S-8 filed on December 19, 1997 (File No. 333-42741). |
3.3 | | Certificate of Retirement with Respect to 130,233 Shares of Junior Convertible Preferred Stock of Grubb & Ellis Company, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on January 22, 1997, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 13, 1997. |
3.4 | | Certificate of Retirement with Respect to 8,894 Shares of Series A Senior Convertible Preferred Stock, 128,266 Shares of Series B Senior Convertible Preferred Stock, and 19,767 Shares of Junior Convertible Preferred Stock of Grubb & Ellis Company, filed with the Delaware Secretary State on January 22, 1997, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 13, 1997. |
3.5 | | Certificate of Designations, Number, Voting Powers, Preferences and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock of the Registrant as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on March 8, 2002 incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2002. |
3.6 | | Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designations, Number, Voting Powers, Preferences and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock of Grubb & Ellis Company, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2002. |
3.7 | | Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended and restated effective May 31, 2000, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 28, 2000. |
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3.8 | | Amended and Restated Certificate of Designations, Number, Voting Powers, Preferences and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock of Grubb & Ellis Company, as filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on September 13, 2002 incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.8 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on October 15, 2002. |
3.9 | | Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement dated as of December 30, 2004 by and between the Registrant and Kojaian Ventures, LLC incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2005. |
3.10 | | Certificate of Designations, Number, Voting Powers, Preferences and Rights of Series A-1 Preferred Stock of Grubb & Ellis Company, as filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on January 4, 2005 incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2005. |
(4) Instruments Defining the Rights of Security Holders, including Indentures.
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4.1 | | Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of December 11, 1996 among the Registrant, Mike Kojaian, Kenneth J. Kojaian and C. Michael Kojaian, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 1996. |
4.2 | | Registration Rights Agreement dated as of December 11, 1996 among the Registrant, Warburg, Pincus Investors, L.P., Joe F. Hanauer, Mike Kojaian, Kenneth J. Kojaian and C. Michael Kojaian, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 1996. |
4.3 | | Purchase Agreement dated as of January 24, 1997 between the Registrant and Warburg, Pincus Investors, L.P., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 4, 1997. |
4.4 | | Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of January 24, 1997 between the Registrant and Archon Group, L.P., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 4, 1997. |
4.5 | | Registration Rights Agreement dated as of January 24, 1997 between the Registrant and Archon Group, L.P., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 4, 1997. |
4.6 | | Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 13, 2002 by and between Grubb & Ellis Company and Kojaian Ventures, LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2002. |
4.7 | | Convertible Subordinated Promissory Note and Security Agreement in the principal amount of $11,237,500 dated May 13, 2002 and executed by Grubb & Ellis Company, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2002. |
4.8 | | Stock Subscription Warrant No. A-1 dated July 30, 1999 issued to Aegon USA Realty Advisors, Inc., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.20 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 28, 1999. |
4.9 | | Form of Subordination Agreement, executed by Warburg, Pincus Investors, L.P. in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as Agent, and the Lenders, which is an Exhibit to the Option Purchase Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2002. |
4.10 | | Option Purchase Agreement dated March 7, 2002 by and among the Registrant, Warburg, Pincus Investors, L.P. and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2002. |
50
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4.11 | | Fourth Amendment dated as of May 13, 2002 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among the Registrant, the other financial institutions from time to time parties thereto, Bank of America, N.A., American National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago and LaSalle Bank National Association, dated as of December 31, 2000, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2002. |
4.12 | | Form of Waiver executed by Bank of America, N.A., LaSalle Bank National Association and Bank One, N.A., and the Registrant, dated December 20, 2002, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2003. |
4.13 | | Form of Waiver executed by Bank of America, N.A., LaSalle Bank National Association and Bank One, N.A., and the Registrant, dated March 26, 2003, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 27, 2003. |
4.14 | | Form of Waiver executed by Bank of America, N.A., LaSalle Bank National Association and Bank One, N.A., and the Registrant, dated May 1, 2003, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2003. |
4.15 | | Form of Waiver executed by Bank of America, N.A., LaSalle Bank National Association and Bank One, N.A., and the Registrant, dated May 30, 2003, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 13, 2003. |
4.16 | | Form of Waiver executed by Kojaian Capital, LLC and the Registrant, dated June 6, 2003, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 13, 2003. |
4.17 | | Sixth Amendment dated as of June 20, 2003 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among the Registrant and Kojaian Capital, LLC, dated as of December 31, 2000 incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2003. |
4.18 | | Copy of $5,000,000 Convertible Promissory Note and Security Agreement dated March 7, 2002 issued by the Registrant to Warburg, Pincus Investors, L.P. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2002. |
4.19 | | Form of $6,000,000 Convertible Promissory Note and Security Agreement of the Registrant which is an Exhibit to the Option Purchase Agreement to be payable to the order of Warburg, Pincus Investors, L.P. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2002 (Commission File No. 1-8122). |
4.20 | | Securities Purchase Agreement dated May 13, 2002 by and between Grubb & Ellis Company and Kojaian Ventures, LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2002. |
4.21 | | Copy of Convertible Subordinated Promissory Note and Security Agreement in the principal amount of $11,237,500 dated May 13, 2002 issued by the Registrant to Kojaian Ventures, LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2002. |
4.22 | | Copy of Promissory Note in the principal amount of $4,000,000 dated May 9, 2003 issued by the Registrant to Kojaian Funding, LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 20, 2003. |
4.23 | | Copy of Guarantee and Collateral Agreement by the Registrant and certain of its Subsidiaries in favor of Kojaian Funding, LLC, as Lender, dated as of May 9, 2003, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 20, 2003. |
4.24 | | Copy of Security Agreement by the Registrant in favor of Kojaian Funding, LLC, as Lender, dated as of May 9, 2003, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 20, 2003. |
51
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4.25 | | Copy of Subordination Agreement executed by Kojaian Funding, LLC in favor of Bank of America, as Agent, and the Lenders, dated as of May 9, 2003, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 20, 2003. |
4.26 | | Copy of Side Letter Agreement executed by the Registrant, dated as of May 9, 2003, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 20, 2003. |
4.27 | | Copy of Side Letter Agreement executed by the Registrant, dated as of May 9, 2003, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 20, 2003. |
4.28 | | Copy of Credit Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2004, entered into by and among the Registrant, certain of its subsidiaries, the “Lenders” (as defined in the Credit Agreement), Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., as sole book-running manager and sole lead arranger, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as initial swing line bank, the initial issuer of letters of credit and administrative agent for the lender parties, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2004. |
4.29 | | Security Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2004, by and among the Registrant, certain of its subsidiaries and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as administrative agent, for the “Secured Parties” (as defined in the Security Agreement), incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 21, 2004. |
4.30 | | Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2005, entered into by and among Grubb& Ellis Company, certain of its subsidiaries, the “Lenders” (as defined therein), Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., as sole book-running manager and sole arranger, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as initial swing line bank, the initial issuer of letters of credit and administrative agent for the lender parties incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 5, 2005. |
4.31 | | Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2005, by and among Grubb & Ellis Company, certain of its subsidiaries and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as administrative agent, for the “Secured Parties” (as defined herein) incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 5, 2005. |
On an individual basis, instruments other than Exhibits listed above under Exhibit 4 defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries and partnerships do not exceed ten percent of total consolidated assets and are, therefore, omitted; however, the Company will furnish supplementally to the Commission any such omitted instrument upon request.
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10.1* | | Employment Agreement entered into between Brian D. Parker and the Registrant dated March 1, 2003, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 27, 2003. |
10.2* | | First Amendment to Employment Agreement entered into between Brian D. Parker and the Registrant dated April 1, 2003, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on October 10, 2003. |
10.3* | | Employment Agreement with First Amendment entered into between Richard L. Fulton and the Registrant dated September 1, 2002 and April 1, 2003, respectively, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on October 10, 2003. |
52
| | |
10.4* | | Employment Agreement with First and Second Amendments entered into between Robert Osbrink and the Registrant dated December 21, 2001, August 16, 2002 and April 1, 2003, respectively, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on October 10, 2003. |
10.5* | | Employment Agreement entered into on November 9, 2004, between Robert H. Osbrink and the Registrant, effective January 1, 2004 incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 15, 2004. |
10.6* | | Form of First Amendment to Employment Agreement entered into between Robert Osbrink and the Registrant dated as of September 7, 2005. |
10.7* | | Compensation Arrangement Letter between Maureen A. Ehrenberg and the Registrant dated May 22, 2003, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on October 10, 2003. |
10.8* | | Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2005, by and between Maureen A. Ehrenberg and the Registrant incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 10, 2005. |
10.9* | | Employment Agreement entered into on March 8, 2005, between Mark E. Rose and the Registrant, effective March 8, 2005 incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2005. |
10.10* | | Grubb & Ellis 1990 Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan, as amended effective as of June 20, 1997, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on December 19, 1997 (Registration No. 333-42741). |
10.11* | | 1993 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form S-8 filed on November 12, 1993 (Registration No. 33-71484). |
10.12* | | First Amendment to the 1993 Stock Option Plan for Outside Directors, effective November 19, 1998, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 12, 1999. |
10.13* | | Grubb & Ellis 1998 Stock Option Plan, effective as of January 13, 1998, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 28, 1999. |
10.14* | | First Amendment to the Grubb & Ellis 1998 Stock Option Plan, effective as of February 10, 2000, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 12, 2000. |
10.15* | | Grubb & Ellis Company 2000 Stock Option Plan, effective November 16, 2000, incorporated by herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 14, 2001. |
10.16* | | Description of Grubb & Ellis Company Executive Officer Incentive Compensation Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on September 28, 1999. |
10.17 | | Letter Amendment dated May 13, 2002 by and between Grubb & Ellis Company and Kojaian Ventures, LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 14, 2002. |
10.18 | | Transition Agreement entered into as of April 1, 2003, portions of which were omitted pursuant to a request for Confidential Treatment under Rule 24(b) of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2003. |
| |
* | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
53
(21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant
(23) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(24) Powers of Attorney
(31) Section 302 Certifications
(32) Section 906 Certification
(b) Reports filed on Form 8-K
| |
| A Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 6, 2005, was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 10, 2005, reporting under Items 1.01 and 3.02 that the Company had entered into a three year employment agreement with Maureen A. Ehrenberg, pursuant to which Ms. Ehrenberg will continue to serve as the Company’s Executive Vice President and as the President of both Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. and the Company’s Global Client Services. |
|
| A Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 21, 2005, was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2005, reporting under Item 1.01 that the Compensation Committee of the Company had adopted a long-term executive cash incentive plan. |
|
| A Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 12, 2005, was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 16, 2005, reporting under Item 5.02 that Brian D. Parker had submitted his resignation as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company and that the submission of such resignation was not the result of any dispute or disagreement with the Company. |
54
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) 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.
Grubb & Ellis Company
(Registrant)
| | |
/s/ Mark E. Rose
Mark E. Rose Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | | September 28, 2005 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | |
/s/ Mark E. Rose
Mark E. Rose Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | | September 28, 2005 |
/s/ Brian D. Parker
Brian D. Parker Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | | September 28, 2005 |
*
R. David Anacker, Director | | September 28, 2005 |
*
Anthony G. Antone, Director | | September 28, 2005 |
*
C. Michael Kojaian, Director | | September 28, 2005 |
*
Robert J. McLaughlin, Director | | September 28, 2005 |
*
Rodger D. Young, Director | | September 28, 2005 |
|
/s/ Mark E. Rose | | |
| | |
* By: Mark E. Rose, Attorney-in-Fact, pursuant to Powers Of Attorney
55
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 10, 2005
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | |
Delaware | | 1-8122 | | 94-1424307 |
|
(State or other jurisdiction of formation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
2215 Sanders Road, Suite 400, Northbrook, Illinois 60062
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code(847) 753-7500
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.
On October 12, 2005, Grubb & Ellis Company (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that it had hired Shelby E. Sherard as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Accordingly the Company has entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Sherard, dated as of October 10, 2005 (the “Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which Ms. Sherard will serve as the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for a term of three (3) years.
Under the Employment Agreement, Ms. Sherard shall be paid a base salary of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000) per annum, and shall be eligible to receive annual performance-based bonus compensation. In addition, upon entering into the Employment Agreement, the Company granted to Ms. Sherard non-qualified stock options to purchase up to twenty-five thousand (25,000) shares of the Company’s common stock, exercisable at the price of $5.89 per share. The stock options vest ratably over three (3) years, subject to acceleration under certain circumstances. Ms. Sherard shall also be entitled to participate in the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan, subject to terms and conditions to be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Sherard served from 2002 to 2005, as the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Sitestuff, Inc., a company based in Austin, Texas, which provides procurement solutions for the commercial real estate industry. From 2000 to 2002, Ms. Sherard served as an Associate in the Investment Banking division at Morgan Stanley, where she focused on Global Power & Utilities, Real Estate and Mergers and Acquisitions. From 1994 to 1998, Ms. Sherard served in the Corporate Finance Group at La Salle Partners Incorporated (now Jones Lang La Salle Incorporated), initially serving as a Financial Analyst until her promotion to Associate in 1996.
The foregoing is only intended to be a summary of the terms of the Employment Agreement, and is not intended to be a complete discussion of such document. Accordingly, the following is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Employment Agreement, which is annexed as an Exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
| (c) | | The following are filed as Exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K: |
| 1. | | Employment Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2005, by and between Shelby E. Sherard and Grubb & Ellis Company. |
|
| 2. | | Press Release issued by Grubb & Ellis Company on October 12, 2005. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly authorized and caused the undersigned to sign this Report on the Registrant’s behalf.
| | | | |
| | GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY | |
| By: | /S/ Mark E. Rose | |
| | Mark E. Rose | |
| | Chief Executive Officer | |
|
Dated: October 14, 2005
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) September 12, 2005
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | |
Delaware | | 1-8122 | | 94-1424307 |
| | | | |
(State or other jurisdiction of formation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
2215 Sanders Road, Suite 400, Northbrook, Illinois 60062
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code(847) 753-7500
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o | | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
|
o | | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
|
o | | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
|
o | | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.
On September 12, 2005, Brian D. Parker, the Chief Financial Officer and an Executive Vice President of Grubb & Ellis Company (the “Company”), submitted his resignation. Mr. Parker resigned from the Company to pursue other opportunities, and his resignation is not the result of any dispute or disagreement with the Company.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly authorized and caused the undersigned to sign this Report on the Registrant’s behalf.
| | | | |
| GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY | |
| By: | /s/ Mark E. Rose | |
| | Mark E. Rose | |
| | Chief Executive Officer | |
|
Dated: September 16, 2005
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) June 21, 2005
GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | |
Delaware | | 1-8122 | | 94-1424307 |
(State or other | | (Commission | | (IRS Employer |
jurisdiction of | | File Number) | | Identification No.) |
formation) | | | | |
2215 Sanders Road, Suite 400, Northbrook, Illinois 60062
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code(847) 753-7500
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On June 21, 2005, the Compensation Committee of Grubb & Ellis Company (the “Company”), pursuant to the authority granted to it by the Company’s Board of Directors, adopted a Long-Term Executive Cash Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Pursuant to the Plan, no payments are to be made to any participants of the Plan until the first calendar quarter of 2007.
The foregoing is only intended to be a summary of the terms of the Plan, and is not intended to be a complete discussion of such document. Accordingly, the foregoing is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, which is annexed as an Exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) The following are filed as Exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K:
| 1. | | Long-Term Executive Cash Incentive Plan of Grubb & Ellis Company adopted June 21, 2005. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly authorized and caused the undersigned to sign this Report on the Registrant’s behalf.
| | | | |
| GRUBB & ELLIS COMPANY | |
| By: | /s/ Mark E. Rose | |
| | Mark E. Rose | |
Dated: June 27, 2005 | | Chief Executive Officer | |
|