Seasonality The Company experiences more demand for its products during the spring and summer than during the fall and winter. The Company’s inventory is maintained at the same general level relative to sales throughout the year by adjusting production and purchasing schedules to meet demand. The ratio of inventory to sales typically does not vary significantly from year to year. Effects of Inflation and Changing Prices The largest component of the Company’s cost of production is raw materials, principally dairy products and sugar. Historically, and over the long-term, the Company has been able to compensate for increases in the price level of these commodities through price increases and manufacturing and distribution operating efficiencies. During 2000, dairy raw material costs declined which favorably impacted gross profit by approximately $9,300,000 as compared to 1999. During 1999, dairy raw material costs favorably impacted gross profit by approximately $15,000,000 as compared to 1998. During 1998, the increase in dairy raw material costs unfavorably impacted gross profit by $22,000,000 as compared to 1997. Dairy raw material costs have been unfavorable thus far during 2001 as compared to 2000. Other cost increases such as labor and general administrative costs were offset by productivity gains and other operating efficiencies. FINANCIAL CONDITIONLiquidity and Capital Resources The Company’s cash flows from operating activities provided cash of $43,653,000, $79,123,000 and $29,196,000, in 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Cash flows from operating activities for 2000 were primarily used to fund capital expenditures of $24,513,000 and to make distributor acquisitions totaling $28,137,000. Cash flows from operating activities for 1999 of $79,123,000 were primarily used to fund capital expenditures of $23,756,000 and to make repayments of long-term debt totaling $55,058,000. The increase in cash flows from operating activities during 1999 is due to improved profitability and working capital management. The Company’s cash flows used in investing activities totaled $55,440,000, $24,048,000 and $34,845,000 in 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively. On February 9, 2000, the Company acquired the remaining 84 percent of the outstanding common stock of an independent distributor in Texas for $7,855,000, which includes cash acquired of $204,000. In connection with this transaction, the Company recorded approximately $15,269,000 of goodwill, distribution rights and other intangibles. On September 29, 2000, the Company acquired certain assets of Specialty Frozen Products, L.P., the leading independent direct-store-delivery ice cream distributor in the Pacific Northwest. The total cost of this acquisition, which was accounted for as a purchase, was $20,182,000 in cash, of which $18,922,000 was paid in 2000. The $20,182,000 was comprised of a payment of $15,550,000 for the purchase of certain assets, and a total of $4,632,000 in legal and other costs. In connection with this transaction, the Company recorded approximately $13,054,000 of goodwill, distribution rights and other intangibles. The decline in capital expenditures from 1998 to 1999 reflects the completion of a phase of capital investment required to support geographical expansion. The 1998 capital expenditures reflect the Company’s expansion of its manufacturing capacity and direct-store-delivery distribution network. The Company plans to make capital expenditures totaling approximately $40,000,000 during 2001. It is anticipated that these expenditures will be largely financed through internally-generated funds and borrowings. During 1999 and 1998, cash outflows from investing activities primarily consisted of capital expenditures totaling $23,756,000 and $35,078,000, respectively. The decline in capital expenditures from 1998 to 1999 reflects the completion of a phase of capital investment required to support geographical expansion. The 1998 capital expenditures reflect the Company’s expansion of its manufacturing capacity and direct-store-delivery distribution system. During 2001, the Company plans to make capital expenditures totaling approximately $40,000,000. It is anticipated that these expenditures will be largely financed through internally-generated funds and borrowings. The Company’s cash flows from financing activities provided cash of $11,350,000 and $3,194,000 during 2000 and 1998 respectively, compared with cash used of $53,088,000 during 1999. Cash provided by financing activities during 2000 primarily consisted of an increase of $141,374,000 in outstanding debt offset by repayments of $130,700,000 under the former revolving line of credit. On July 25, 2000, the Company entered into a new credit agreement with various banks for a revolving line of credit of $240,000,000 with an expiration date of July 25, 2005. Borrowings under the line bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 0.75 to 1.875 percent. Cash used in financing activities during 1999 primarily reflected repayments of long-term debt. During 1998, borrowings of $12,400,000 on the Company’s line of credit and cash flows from operations were used to make $8,641,000 of payments on the Company’s other debt and to pay $3,950,000 in cash dividends to common and preferred stockholders. Working capital increased by $29,601,000 from 1999 to 2000 primarily due to timing of vendor payments. In addition, a $7,978,000 capital lease obligation classified as a current liability was repaid during the second quarter of 2000 through a long-term debt borrowing under the Company’s line of credit. The Company reviewed its 1998 restructuring program and other actions with its various banks and private lenders, and secured any modifications to debt agreements required as a result of the restructuring. These modifications resulted in higher interest rates on certain debt securities during 1999, which were more than offset by lower average borrowings. Further, in July 2000, the Company entered into the new line of credit agreement discussed above. The Company anticipates that the restructuring plan will continue to enhance its cash flow through longer-term savings in its cost structure. At December 30, 2000, the Company had $2,721,000 in cash and cash equivalents, and an unused credit line of $154,500,000. The total available under the Company’s revolving line of credit is $240,000,000. The Company believes that its credit line, along with its liquid resources, internally-generated cash, and financing capacity, will be adequate to meet both short-term and long-term operating and capital requirements. The Company paid a regular quarterly dividend of $.03 per share of common stock for each quarter of 2000, 1999 and 1998. On February 14, 2001, the Board of Directors subject to compliance with applicable law, contractual provisions, and future review of the condition of the Company, declared its intention to increase the regular quarterly dividend from $.03 per common share to $.06 per common share starting with the first quarter of 2001.
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