Business Overview
Kimball International, Inc. provides a variety of products from its two business segments: the Furniture segment and the Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) segment. The Furniture segment provides furniture for the office and hospitality industries, sold under the Company's family of brand names. The EMS segment provides engineering and manufacturing services which utilize common production and support capabilities globally to medical, automotive, industrial control, and public safety industries.
Both of the Company's segments have been adversely impacted by the continued weakening in the global economy. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2009, most of the markets in which the Company competes continued the decline that began in the second quarter. Open orders at March 31, 2009 were 23% lower in the Furniture segment and 8% lower in the EMS segment compared to the beginning of the third quarter. While the Company normally experiences a decline in the open orders levels in the Furniture segment during this timeframe due to the buying patterns of the certain customers such as the U.S. Federal Government whose purchases of the Company's product are generally higher in the first half of the Company's fiscal years, the orders in both the Furniture and EMS segment have also been noticeably impacted by the economy.
The EMS industry sales projections for calendar year 2009 (by IDC, iSuppli, and Technology Forecasters) range from growth of 8% to a decline of 12%. Semiconductor sales, though, are expected to decline approximately 22% to 24% in calendar year 2009, and although the Company does not directly serve this market, it may indicate a decline in end market demand for products utilizing electronic components. Generally, as electronics end markets decline, EMS industry sales improve as customers outsource a greater portion of their electronics manufacturing to free up capital for design and marketing programs and to gain cost advantages. However, customers could elect to in-source a greater portion of their electronics manufacturing during this economic downturn.
The Company continues its strategy of diversification within the EMS segment customer base as it focuses on the four key vertical markets of medical, automotive, industrial control, and public safety. The state of the automotive vertical market is the most uncertain at this time. The Company expects the automotive demand to continue to decline but is uncertain as to how long and to what extent. The industrial control vertical market is showing weakness due to the slowing of commercial activity along with reduced residential construction and remodeling. The medical vertical market and the public safety vertical market both continue to send signals of strength. Sales to customers in the medical industry are the largest portion of the Company's EMS segment with sales to customers in the automotive industry being the second largest. The Company's sales to customers in the automotive industry are diversified between more than ten domestic and foreign customers and represented approximately 21% of the EMS segment's net sales for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. The amount of sales of electronic components that relate to General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler automobiles sold in North America were approximately 6% of the Company's EMS segment net sales during the quarter ended March 31, 2009.
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Within the Furniture segment, order volumes continue to tighten and decline in both the office furniture and hospitality furniture industries. The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer Association (BIFMA International) is projecting an approximate 19% year-over-year decline in the office furniture industry for calendar year 2009. While the Company expects its contract office furniture brand to decline at a more rapid pace than its mid-market brand due to the project nature of the contract market, it cannot predict future overall office furniture order trends at this time due to the short lead time of orders and the volatility in the global economy. The Company expects a continued decline in order rates for hospitality furniture also as hotel occupancy rates and per room revenue rates are declining on lower consumer spending.
Competitive pricing pressures within the EMS segment and on select projects within the Furniture segment continue to put pressure on the Company's operating margins.
The current economic conditions and the tightening of the credit markets have also increased the risk of uncollectible accounts and notes receivables. Accordingly, the Company heightened its monitoring of receivables and related credit risks, and the Company believes its accounts and notes receivables allowance for uncollectible accounts is adequate as of March 31, 2009. Given the current market conditions and limited credit availability, the economy could decline further potentially requiring the Company to record additional allowances.
The Company is continually assessing its strategies in relation to the significant macroeconomic challenges including the instability in the financial markets, credit availability, and demand for products. A long-standing component of the Company's profit sharing incentive bonus plan and annual retirement contribution is that they are both linked to the performance of the Company which automatically lowers total compensation expense when profits are down. The Company has also implemented various initiatives in response to the deteriorating market conditions including reducing operating costs, more closely scrutinizing customer and supply chain risk, and deferring and cancelling capital expenditures that are not immediately required to support customer requirements. Examples of actions taken to reduce operating costs include a salary reduction plan announced in February 2009, which is expected to save $3 million in labor costs annually, permanent workforce reductions, and temporary personnel layoffs. In addition, to preserve cash, the dividend declared during the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 payable during April 2009 was reduced approximately 70% from the quarterly dividend rates paid in recent quarters which will reduce dividend payments by approximately $4 million during the Company's fiscal year 2009 fourth quarter. The Company will continue to closely monitor market changes and its liquidity in order to proactively adjust its operating costs, discretionary capital spending, and dividend levels as needed.
The Company continues to have a strong balance sheet which includes a minimal amount of long-term debt of $0.4 million and Share Owners' equity of $375.9 million. The Company's short-term liquidity available, represented as cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments plus the unused amount of the Company's revolving credit facility was $145.7 million at March 31, 2009.
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In addition to the above risks related to the current economic conditions, management currently considers the following events, trends, and uncertainties to be most important to understanding the Company's financial condition and operating performance:
- Although the Company has seen recent moderate declines in the cost of some commodities, commodity and fuel prices are expected to be a challenge the Company will continue to address in the near term.
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- The Company currently has under-utilized capacity.
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- Globalization continues to reshape not only the industries in which the Company operates but also its key customers.
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- The nature of the electronic manufacturing services industry is such that the start-up of new programs to replace departing customers or expiring programs occurs frequently, and the new programs often carry lower margins. The success of the Company's EMS segment is dependent on the successful replacement of such customers or programs. Such changes usually occur gradually over time as old programs phase out of production while newer programs ramp up.
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- Successful execution of the Company's restructuring plans is critical to the Company's future performance. The success of the restructuring initiatives is dependent on accomplishing the plans in a timely and effective manner. A critical component of the restructuring initiatives is the transfer of production among facilities which contributed to some manufacturing inefficiencies and excess working capital. The Company's restructuring plans are discussed in the segment discussions below.
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- The EMS segment's operation in China started production in June 2007. The continued success of this start-up operation is critical for securing additional customers and increasing facility utilization.
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- The increasingly competitive marketplace mandates that the Company continually re-evaluate its business models.
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- The regulatory and business environment for U.S. public companies requires that the Company continually evaluate and enhance its practices in the areas of corporate governance and management practices.
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- The Company's employees throughout its business operations are an integral part of the Company's ability to compete successfully, and the stability of its management team is critical to long-term Share Owner value.
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- As end markets dictate, the Company is continually assessing under-utilized capacity and developing plans to better utilize manufacturing operations, including shifting manufacturing capacity to lower cost venues as necessary.
o During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company approved a restructuring plan to consolidate production of select office furniture manufacturing departments. The consolidation is expected to reduce manufacturing costs and excess capacity by eliminating redundant property and equipment, processes, and employee costs. o During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company approved a plan to expand its European automotive electronics capabilities and to establish a European Medical Center of Expertise in Poznan, Poland. The Company presently has an operation in Poznan. The Company completed the move of production from Longford, Ireland, into the existing Poznan facility during the second quarter of fiscal year 2009. As part of the plan, the Company will also consolidate its EMS facilities located in Bridgend, Wales, and Poznan into a new, larger facility in Poznan. o In fiscal year 2008, the Company completed the consolidation of U.S. manufacturing facilities within the EMS segment due to excess capacity resulting in the exit of two facilities. |
- To support diversification efforts, the Company has focused on both organic growth and acquisition activities. Acquisitions allow rapid diversification of both customers and industries served.
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- The Company has taken a number of steps to conform its corporate governance to evolving national and industry-wide best practices among U.S. public companies, not only to comply with new legal requirements, but also to enhance the decision-making process of the Board of Directors.
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The preceding statements could be considered forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, a significant change in economic conditions, loss of key customers or suppliers, or similar unforeseen events.
The following discussions are based on income from continuing operations and therefore exclude all income statement activity of the prior year discontinued operations.
Financial Overview - Consolidated
Third quarter fiscal year 2009 consolidated net sales were $268.9 million compared to the third quarter fiscal year 2008 net sales of $332.1 million, a 19% decrease which was due to decreased net sales in both the EMS segment and the Furniture segment. The Company recorded income from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 of $4.1 million, or $0.11 per Class B diluted share, inclusive of after-tax restructuring charges of $0.4 million, or $0.01 per Class B diluted share. Third quarter fiscal year 2009 results also include a $13.9 million after-tax gain, or $0.37 per Class B diluted share, related to the sale of undeveloped land holdings and timberlands and a $9.1 million after-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charge, or $0.24 per Class B diluted share. For the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company recorded a loss from continuing operations of $0.9 million, or $0.02 loss per Class B share, inclusive of after-tax restructuring charges of $2.4 million, or $0.06 per Class B share.
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Net sales for the nine-month period ended March 31, 2009, of $936.0 million were down 8% from net sales of $1.01 billion for the same period of the prior year due to declines in both segments. Income from continuing operations for the nine-month period ended March 31, 2009, totaled $14.5 million, or $0.39 per Class B diluted share, inclusive of $1.7 million, or $0.04 per Class B diluted share, of after-tax restructuring costs primarily related to the European consolidation plan. The fiscal 2009 year-to-date results also include several non-recurring items: an $18.7 million after-tax gain, or $0.50 per Class B diluted share, related to the sale of undeveloped land holdings and timberlands; a $9.1 million after-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charge, or $0.24 per Class B diluted share; and $1.6 million of after-tax income, or $0.04 per Class B diluted share, for earnest money deposits retained by the Company resulting from the termination of the contract to sell the Company's Poland building and real estate. Income from continuing operations for the nine-month period ended March 31, 2008 totaled $9.9 million, or $0.27 per Class B diluted share, inclusive of $2.9 million, or $0.07 per Class B diluted share, of after-tax restructuring costs.
Consolidated gross profit as a percent of net sales declined 1.1 percentage points to 15.8% for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 from 16.9% for the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. For the year-to-date period of fiscal year 2009 gross profit as a percent of net sales declined to 16.8% compared to 18.8% for the year-to-date period of fiscal year 2008. Both the EMS segment and the Furniture segment contributed to the declines as discussed in more detail in the segment discussions below.
Consolidated selling and administrative costs for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2009 declined as a percent of net sales and also declined in absolute dollars by 21% and 17% as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008, respectively. The improvements for the quarter and year-to-date periods were primarily related to benefits realized as a result of the previously announced restructurings; lower salary and wage expense; lower incentive compensation and employee benefit costs which are linked to Company profitability; lower depreciation and amortization expense; lower sales and marketing incentive costs; and lower travel costs. Partially offsetting these cost declines was increased bad debt expense as a result of current market conditions. Additionally, during the year-to-date period of fiscal years 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded $4.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of favorable adjustments due to a reduction in its Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (SERP) liability resulting from the normal revaluation of the liability to fair value. The result for the year-to-date period was a favorable variance in selling and administrative costs of $2.9 million. The gain resulting from the reduction of the SERP liability that was recognized in selling and administrative costs was exactly offset by a decline in the SERP investment which was recorded in Other Income as non-operating expense, and thus there was no effect on net earnings. The SERP investment is primarily comprised of employee contributions.
Other General Income in the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 included $23.2 million pre-tax gain on the sale of undeveloped land holdings and timberlands. The auction took place during November 2008. A portion of the land tracts sold via the auction were finalized during the Company's second quarter of fiscal year 2009 resulting in a total fiscal 2009 year-to-date pre-tax gain of $31.2 million. The sale of one remaining property sold via the auction was finalized during April 2009. The gain on the sale of land was included in Unallocated Corporate in segment reporting. Also impacting the fiscal 2009 year-to-date Other General Income was $1.9 million pre-tax income from earnest money deposits retained by the Company resulting from the termination of the contract to sell and lease back the Company's Poland building and real estate. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, the buyer was unable to close the transaction, and as a result, the Company was entitled to retain the deposit funds. This income was recorded in the EMS segment.
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The Company recorded non-cash pre-tax goodwill impairment charges of $14.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 as a result of interim goodwill impairment testing which was completed during the quarter due to the continued uncertainty associated with the economy and the significant decline in the Company's sales and order trends during the quarter as well as the increased disparity between the Company's market capitalization and the carrying value of its stockholders' equity. The goodwill was related to prior acquisitions in both of the Company's segments. See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on goodwill.
The Company recorded other expense of $3.8 million and other income of $2.9 million during the nine months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The $2.9 million fiscal year-to-date variance in SERP investments contributed to the increased other expense. In addition when compared to the prior year-to-date period, other income/expense was unfavorably impacted by foreign currency movements which are partially offset by a favorable impact within operating income. Fiscal year-to-date 2008 other income also included $1.3 million pre-tax income relating to funds received as part of a Polish offset credit program for investments made in the Company's Poland operation.
The Company's effective tax rate of 37.0% for the nine months ended March 31, 2009 was higher than the effective tax rate of 24.1% for the nine months ended March 31, 2008. The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2009 was negatively impacted by losses generated in select foreign jurisdictions which have a lower tax rate which was primarily offset by a tax benefit related to its European operations.
Comparing the balance sheets as of March 31, 2009 to June 30, 2008, the Company's accounts receivable balance declined as a result of the lower sales volumes and the inventory balance declined due to a focus on managing working capital and the lower sales volumes. The Company's accounts payable balance also decreased since June 30, 2008 in relation to the declining inventory balances. The increase in property and equipment is primarily due to the construction of the new EMS segment facility in Poland and other EMS segment manufacturing equipment. The other assets line declined as the closings on the tracts of undeveloped land holdings and timberlands that were auctioned in November 2008 were substantially completed; cash proceeds received from this sale increased the Company's cash balance and allowed the Company to reduce its borrowings under credit facilities. Accrued expenses as of March 31, 2009 declined when compared to June 30, 2008 primarily due to a significant portion of accrued bonus related to the prior year being paid and the funding of the annual employer retirement contribution.
The variance in the additional paid-in capital and treasury stock lines was primarily attributable to the fulfillment of requests by Share Owners to convert approximately 1,175,000 shares from Class A shares to Class B shares and the issuance of restricted share units to key employees. The decline in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) was related to foreign currency translation adjustments and derivative financial instruments. See Note 4 - Comprehensive Income (Loss) of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on derivative instruments and foreign currency translation adjustments.
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Results of Operations by Segment - Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2009 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2008
Electronic Manufacturing Services Segment
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company acquired privately-held Genesis Electronics Manufacturing of Tampa, Florida. The acquisition supports the Company's growth and diversification strategy, bringing new customers in key target markets. The operating results of this acquisition were included in the Company's consolidated financial statements beginning on September 1, 2008 and excluding the related goodwill impairment had an immaterial impact on the fiscal year-to-date 2009 financial results. See Note 2 - Acquisition of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the acquisition.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company approved a plan to expand its European automotive electronics capabilities and to establish a European Medical Center of Expertise in Poznan, Poland. The Company completed the move of production from Longford, Ireland, into the existing Poznan facility during the fiscal year 2009 second quarter. As part of the plan, the Company will also consolidate its EMS facilities located in Bridgend, Wales, and Poznan, Poland, into a new, larger facility in Poznan, which is expected to improve the Company's margins in the very competitive EMS market. The plan is being executed in stages with a projected completion date of December 2011.
See Note 7 - Restructuring Expense of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on restructuring charges.
Also during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company had signed a conditional agreement to sell and lease back the facilities and real estate that house its current Poland operations. The Company planned to lease back the building until December 2011 at which time it will have completed the consolidation of its European operations into a newly constructed facility in Poland. The closing on the sale of the existing Poland facility was expected to occur before December 31, 2008. The buyer was unable to close the transaction. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company was entitled to retain approximately $1.9 million of earnest money deposit funds held by the Company which was recorded as pre-tax other general income in the Company's second quarter of fiscal year 2009 and is therefore included in the following year-to-date discussions. The Company continues to market the facility and real estate.
EMS segment results were as follows:
| At or for the Three Months Ended | | | | For the Nine Months Ended | | |
| March 31, | | | | March 31, | | |
(Amounts in Millions) | 2009 | | 2008 | | % Change | | 2009 | | 2008 | | % Change |
Net Sales | $ 140.6 | | $ 181.1 | | (22%) | | $ 490.5 | | $ 536.5 | | (9%) |
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations | $ (9.6) | | $ (2.2) | | (328%) | | $ (11.0) | | $ (3.6) | | (210%) |
Restructuring Expense, net of tax | $ 0.2 | | $ 1.3 | | | | $ 1.1 | | $ 1.5 | | |
Goodwill Impairment, net of tax | $ 8.0 | | $ 0.0 | | | | $ 8.0 | | $ 0.0 | | |
Open Orders | $ 154.1 | | $ 186.3 | | (17%) | | | | | | |
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Third quarter fiscal year 2009 net sales to customers in the automotive and industrial control industries experienced double digit percentage declines compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. Sales to customers in the medical industry declined slightly, and sales to customers in the public safety industry were flat when compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. The decreased EMS segment net sales for the first nine months of fiscal year 2009 as compared to the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 were due to decreased sales to customers in the automotive and industrial control industries more than offsetting increased sales to customers in the public safety and medical industries. Due to the contract nature of the Company's business, open orders at a point in time may not be indicative of future sales trends.
Third quarter fiscal year 2009 EMS segment gross profit as a percent of net sales declined 1.8 percentage points compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 primarily due to the impact of lower sales volumes which more than offset the favorable impact of lower employee benefit costs which are linked to Company profitability. Year-to-date fiscal 2009 gross profit as a percent of net sales declined 1.6 percentage points compared to year-to-date fiscal 2008. The year-to-date gross profit decline is the result of lower volumes; inefficiencies in the segment's European operations which are currently being consolidated into one facility; higher employee healthcare costs; and contractual customer price reductions on select products which also negatively impacted gross profit. Partially mitigating the lower margins were lower employee benefit costs which are linked to Company profitability and benefits the segment realized on the North American consolidation activities which were completed late in fiscal year 2008.
The EMS segment achieved a 33% reduction in selling and administrative costs for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. On a year-to-date basis, selling and administrative costs were reduced 25%. Costs for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2008 decreased in both absolute dollars and as a percent of net sales, and the improvement was primarily related to benefits realized from restructuring activities, reduced spending on travel, lower depreciation/amortization expense, and a strong focus on managing all costs including labor reductions as a result of the current macroeconomic conditions. Lower incentive compensation costs and lower employee benefit costs which are linked to Company profitability also contributed to the year-to-date selling and administrative expense reduction as compared to the year-to-date period of fiscal year 2008.
The restructuring expense recorded in the third quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal year 2009 was primarily related to the European consolidation plan.
Other General Income for the year-to-date period of fiscal year 2009 included the $1.9 million pre-tax, which equated to $1.6 million after-tax, income from earnest money deposits retained by the Company resulting from the termination of the contract to sell and lease back the Company's Poland building and real estate.
The EMS segment earnings for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2009 were also impacted by the recording of non-cash pre-tax goodwill impairment of $12.8 million.
When compared to the prior year-to-date period, other income/expense was unfavorably impacted by foreign currency movements which are partially offset by a favorable impact within operating income. The year-to-date fiscal year 2008 other income/expense included $1.3 million of pre-tax, or $0.7 million after-tax, income relating to funds received as part of a Polish offset credit program for investments made in the Company's Poland operation.
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Included in this segment are a significant amount of sales to Bayer AG affiliates which accounted for the following portions of consolidated net sales and EMS segment net sales:
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended |
| March 31, | March 31, |
| 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 |
Bayer AG affiliated sales as a percent of consolidated net sales | 14% | 11% | 12% | 11% |
Bayer AG affiliated sales as a percent of EMS segment net sales | 26% | 21% | 23% | 20% |
The nature of the electronic manufacturing services industry is such that the start-up of new customers and new programs to replace expiring programs occurs frequently. New customer and program start-ups generally cause losses early in the life of a program, which are generally recovered as the program matures and becomes established. This segment continues to experience margin pressures related to an overall excess capacity position in the electronics subcontracting services market.
Risk factors within this segment include, but are not limited to, general economic and market conditions, customer order delays, increased globalization, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, rapid technological changes, component availability, the contract nature of this industry, unexpected integration issues with acquisitions, and the importance of sales to large customers. The continuing success of this segment is dependent upon its ability to replace expiring customers/programs with new customers/programs. Additional risk factors that could have an effect on the Company's performance are contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.
Furniture Segment
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company approved a restructuring plan to consolidate production of select office furniture manufacturing departments. The consolidation is expected to reduce manufacturing costs and excess capacity by eliminating redundant property and equipment, processes, and employee costs. The consolidation is expected to be substantially complete by the end of fiscal year 2009. The Company estimates that the pre-tax charges related to the consolidation activities will be approximately $0.8 million, consisting of severance and other employee costs, property and equipment asset impairment, and other consolidation costs.
See Note 7 - Restructuring Expense of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on restructuring charges.
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Furniture segment results were as follows:
| At or for the Three Months Ended | | | | For the Nine Months Ended | | |
| March 31, | | | | March 31, | | |
(Amounts in Millions) | 2009 | | 2008 | | % Change | | 2009 | | 2008 | | % Change |
Net Sales | $ 128.2 | | $ 151.0 | | (15%) | | $ 445.5 | | $ 477.4 | | (7%) |
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations | $ (1.6) | | $ 1.2 | | (231%) | | $ 5.6 | | $ 12.1 | | (54%) |
Restructuring Expense, net of tax | $ 0.1 | | $ 0.9 | | | | $ 0.4 | | $ 1.2 | | |
Goodwill Impairment, net of tax | $ 1.1 | | $ 0.0 | | | | $ 1.1 | | $ 0.0 | | |
Open Orders | $ 86.0 | | $ 97.4 | | (12%) | | | | | | |
The net sales decline in the Furniture segment for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 resulted from decreased net sales of office furniture which were partially offset by increased net sales of hospitality furniture. Price increases net of higher discounting contributed approximately $0.7 million to net sales during the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 when compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. Third quarter fiscal year 2009 sales of newly introduced office furniture products which have been sold for less than twelve months approximated $6.2 million. For the fiscal year-to-date period, decreased net sales of office furniture also more than offset increased net sales of hospitality furniture. Price increases net of higher discounting contributed approximately $7 million to net sales during the first nine months of fiscal year 2009 when compared to the first nine months of fiscal year 2008. Year-to-date fiscal year 2009 sales of newly introduced office furniture products which have been sold for less than twelve months approximated $21.3 million. Furniture products open orders at March 31, 2009 declined when compared to the open orders at March 31, 2008 due to decreased office furniture open orders more than offsetting an increase in hospitality furniture open orders. Open orders at a point in time may not be indicative of future sales trends.
Third quarter fiscal year 2009 gross profit as a percent of net sales declined 1.3 percentage points when compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. In addition to the impact of the lower net sales level for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, gross profit was negatively impacted by higher commodity costs, increased discounting on select product, and a sales mix shift to lower margin product. Partially offsetting the higher costs were price increases on select office furniture products, labor efficiency improvements, decreased employee benefit costs which are linked to Company profitability, and a decrease in LIFO inventory reserves resulting from lower inventory levels which positively impacted the third quarter fiscal year 2009 gross profit. Gross profit as a percent of net sales for the nine months ended March 31, 2009 declined 2.6 percentage points when compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2008 primarily due to higher employee healthcare costs as well as reasons similar to the above third quarter discussion.
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Selling and administrative expenses for the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 decreased in absolute dollars but increased as a percent of net sales on the lower sales volumes. Selling and administrative expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2008 decreased in both absolute dollars and as a percent of net sales. The selling and administrative expense decline for the quarter and year-to-date period resulted from lower salary expenses, lower sales and marketing incentive costs, lower travel expense, lower incentive compensation and employee benefit costs which are linked to Company profitability, and also benefits related to the workforce reduction restructuring activities. Partially offsetting the selling and administrative expense improvements was higher employee healthcare costs for the nine-month period ended March 31, 2009 and increased bad debt expense of approximately $2.1 million and $2.4 million on a pre-tax basis for the three and nine-month periods ended March 31, 2009, respectively.
The Furniture segment earnings for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2009 were also impacted by the recording of non-cash pre-tax goodwill impairment of $1.8 million.
Risk factors within this segment include, but are not limited to, general economic and market conditions, increased global competition, supply chain cost pressures, and relationships with strategic customers and product distributors. Additional risk factors that could have an effect on the Company's performance are contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working capital at March 31, 2009 was $167 million compared to working capital of $163 million at June 30, 2008. The current ratio was 1.7 at March 31, 2009 and 1.5 at June 30, 2008.
The Company's short-term liquidity available, represented as cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments plus the unused amount of the Company's revolving credit facility amounts to $145.7 million at March 31, 2009. The credit facility provides an option to increase the amount available by an additional $50 million at the Company's request, subject to participating banks' consent.
The Company's internal measure of Accounts Receivable performance, also referred to as Days Sales Outstanding (DSO), for the first nine months of fiscal year 2009 of 47.2 days approximated the 46.6 days for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008. The Company defines DSO as the average of monthly accounts and notes receivable divided by an average day's net sales. The Company's Production Days Supply on Hand (PDSOH) of inventory measure for the first nine months of fiscal year 2009 increased to 66.5 from 59.0 for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008. The increased PDSOH was primarily driven by EMS segment lower sales volumes coupled with increased average inventory balances for fiscal year-to-date 2009 as compared to fiscal year-to-date 2008 primarily due to customers delaying near-term requirements. The Company defines PDSOH as the average of the monthly gross inventory divided by an average day's cost of sales.
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The Company's net cash position from an aggregate of cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments less short-term borrowings under credit facilities increased from $29.8 million at June 30, 2008 to $51.0 million at March 31, 2009, as cash flow generated from operations and from the sale of assets more than offset cash payments during the first nine months of fiscal year 2009 for capital expenditures, the acquisition within the EMS segment, and dividends. Operating activities generated $36.6 million of cash flow in the first nine months of fiscal year 2009 compared to $33.0 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008. Proceeds from the sale of assets of $48.3 million were received during the first nine months of fiscal year 2009, primarily related to the sale of the Company's undeveloped land holdings and timberlands. The Company reinvested $37.7 million into capital investments for the future, primarily for manufacturing equipment, the new Poland facility under construction which is part of the plan to consolidate the European manufacturing footprint, and other facility improvements during the first nine months of fiscal year 2009. The Company also expended $5.4 million for the acquisition within the EMS segment during the first nine months of fiscal year 2009. Financing cash flow activities for the first nine months of fiscal year 2009 included $17.6 million in dividend payments, which remained flat with the first nine months of fiscal year 2008. The dividend declared during the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 payable during April 2009 was reduced approximately 70% from the quarterly dividend rates paid in recent quarters which will reduce dividend payments by approximately $4 million during the Company's fiscal year 2009 fourth quarter. Consistent with the Company's historical dividend policy, the Company's Board of Directors will evaluate the appropriate dividend payment on a quarterly basis. During fiscal year 2009, the Company expects to minimize capital expenditures where appropriate and will complete construction of the new EMS manufacturing facility in Poland. The land and new facility are expected to cost approximately $35 million of which approximately $13 million was spent prior to March 31, 2009. The Company plans to sell its current Poland facility in the future.
At March 31, 2009, the Company had $36.6 million of short-term borrowings outstanding under its $100 million credit facility described in more detail below. The Company also has several smaller foreign credit facilities available, but had no borrowings under these facilities as of March 31, 2009. At June 30, 2008, the Company had $52.6 million of short-term borrowings outstanding.
The Company maintains a $100 million credit facility with an expiration date in April 2013 that allows for both issuances of letters of credit and cash borrowings. The $100 million credit facility provides an option to increase the amount available for borrowing to $150 million at the Company's request, subject to the group of participating banks' consent. The $100 million credit facility requires the Company to comply with certain debt covenants including interest coverage ratio, minimum net worth, and other terms and conditions. The Company was in compliance with these covenants at March 31, 2009.
The Company believes the most significant covenants under its $100 million credit facility are minimum net worth and interest coverage ratio. The table below compares the actual net worth and interest coverage ratio with the limits specified in the credit agreement.
Covenant | | At or for the Period Ended March 31, 2009 | | Limit As Specified in Credit Agreement | | Excess |
| | | | | | |
Minimum Net Worth | | $375,883,000 | | $362,000,000 | | $13,883,000 |
Interest Coverage Ratio | | 20.7 | | 3.0 | | 17.7 |
The Interest Coverage Ratio is calculated on a rolling four-quarter basis as defined in the credit agreement.
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The outstanding balance under the $100 million credit facility consisted of $6.6 million for a Euro currency borrowing, which provides a natural currency hedge against a Euro denominated intercompany note between the U.S. parent and Euro functional currency subsidiaries, and an additional $30.0 million borrowing, which funded the short-term investments and short-term cash needs. There were also approximately $5 million in letters of credit against the credit facility. Total availability to borrow under the $100 million credit facility was $58.0 million at March 31, 2009.
The Company also has a credit facility for its EMS segment operation in Wales, United Kingdom, which allows for multi-currency borrowings up to 2 million Sterling equivalent (approximately $2.9 million U.S. dollars at March 31, 2009 exchange rates) and is available to cover bank overdrafts. The facility will be reviewed by the bank in November 2009 and will expire at that time if not renewed. Bank overdrafts may be deemed necessary to satisfy short-term cash needs at the Company's Wales location rather than funding from intercompany sources. At March 31, 2009, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under this overdraft facility.
The Company also has a credit facility for its EMS segment operation in Poznan, Poland, which allows for multi-currency borrowings up to 6 million Euro equivalent (approximately $8.0 million U.S. dollars at March 31, 2009 exchange rates) and is available to cover bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts may be deemed necessary to satisfy short-term cash needs at the Company's Poznan location rather than funding from intercompany sources. This overdraft facility can be cancelled at any time by either the bank or the Company. At March 31, 2009, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under this overdraft facility.
The Company believes its principal sources of liquidity from available funds on hand, cash generated from operations, and the availability of borrowing under the Company's credit facilities will be sufficient in fiscal year 2009 and the foreseeable future. One of the Company's primary sources of funds is its ability to generate cash from operations to meet its liquidity obligations, which could be affected by factors such as general economic and market conditions, a decline in demand for the Company's products, loss of key contract customers, the ability of the Company to generate profits, and other unforeseen circumstances. Should demand for the Company's products decrease significantly over the next 12 months due to the weakened economy, the available cash provided by operations could be adversely impacted. Another source of funds is the Company's credit facilities. The $100 million credit facility is contingent on complying with certain debt covenants.
The preceding statements are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements.
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Fair Value
The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, which defines fair value, for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at July 1, 2008. The adoption had an immaterial impact on the Company's financial statements. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2009, no financial assets were affected by a lack of market liquidity. For level 1 financial assets, readily available market pricing was used to value the financial instruments. For available-for-sale securities classified as level 2 assets, the Company's investment portfolio custodians use a pricing service to value the instruments. The fair values are determined based on observable market inputs which use evaluated pricing models that vary by asset class and incorporate available trade, bid, and other market information. The Company evaluated the inputs used by the pricing service to value the instruments and validated the accuracy of the instrument fair values based on historical evidence. The Company's derivatives, which were classified as level 2 assets/liabilities, were independently valued using a financial risk management software package using observable market inputs such as forward interest rate yield curves, current spot rates, and time value calculations. To verify the reasonableness of the independently determined fair values, the derivative fair values were compared to fair values calculated by the counterparty banks. The Company's own credit risk and counterparty credit risk had an immaterial impact on valuation of derivatives. See Note 8 - Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
Contractual Obligations
There have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business to the Company's summary of contractual obligations under the caption "Contractual Obligations" in Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2008.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements other than standby letters of credit and operating leases entered into in the normal course of business. These arrangements do not have a material current effect and are not reasonably likely to have a material future effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources. See Note 6 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on standby letters of credit. The Company does not have material exposures to trading activities of non-exchange traded contracts.
The preceding statements are forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements.
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Critical Accounting Policies
The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and related notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. Management uses its best judgment in the assumptions used to value these estimates, which are based on current facts and circumstances, prior experience, and other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable. The Company's management overlays a fundamental philosophy of valuing its assets and liabilities in an appropriately conservative manner. Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect the more significant judgments and estimates used in preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements and are the policies that are most critical in the portrayal of the Company's financial position and results of operations. Management has discussed these critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors and with the Company's independent registered public accounting firm.
Revenue recognition - The Company recognizes revenue when title and risk transfer to the customer, which under the terms and conditions of the sale may occur either at the time of shipment or when the product is delivered to the customer. Service revenue is recognized as services are rendered. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are recorded as sales while the related shipping and handling costs are included in cost of goods sold. The Company recognizes sales net of applicable sales tax.
- Allowance for sales returns - At the time revenue is recognized certain provisions may also be recorded, including returns and allowances, which involve estimates based on current discussions with applicable customers, historical experience with a particular customer and/or product, and other relevant factors. As such, these factors may change over time causing the provisions to be adjusted accordingly. At March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2008, the reserve for returns and allowances was $4.1 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The March 31, 2009 returns and allowances reserve was 2.6% of gross trade receivables, while over the past two years, this reserve approximated 2% of gross trade receivables.
- Allowance for doubtful accounts - Allowance for doubtful accounts is generally based on a percentage of aged accounts receivable, where the percentage increases as the accounts receivable become older. However, management judgment is utilized in the final determination of the allowance based on several factors including specific analysis of a customer's credit worthiness, changes in a customer's payment history, historical bad debt experience, and general economic and market trends. The allowance for doubtful accounts at March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2008 was $3.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The March 31, 2009 allowance for doubtful accounts balance is 2% of gross trade accounts receivable while over the preceding two years, this reserve had been at or less than 1% of gross trade accounts receivable. The increased reserve is driven by the current market conditions.
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Excess and obsolete inventory - Inventories were valued using the lower of last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost or market value for approximately 15% and 17% of consolidated inventories at March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2008, respectively, including approximately 82% and 85% of the Furniture segment inventories at March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2008, respectively. The remaining inventories are valued at lower of first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost or market value. Inventories recorded on the Company's balance sheet are adjusted for excess and obsolete inventory. In general, the Company purchases materials and finished goods for contract-based business from customer orders and projections, primarily in the case of long lead time items, and has a general philosophy to only purchase materials to the extent covered by a written commitment from its customers. However, there are times when inventory is purchased beyond customer commitments due to minimum lot sizes and inventory lead time requirements, or where component allocation or other procurement issues may exist. The Company may also purchase additional inventory to support transfers of production between manufacturing facilities. Evaluation of excess inventory includes such factors as anticipated usage, inventory turnover, inventory levels, and product demand levels. Factors considered when evaluating inventory obsolescence include the age of on-hand inventory and reduction in value due to damage, use as showroom samples, design changes, or cessation of product lines.
Self-insurance reserves - The Company is self-insured up to certain limits for auto and general liability, workers' compensation, and certain employee health benefits such as medical, short-term disability, and dental with the related liabilities included in the accompanying financial statements. The Company's policy is to estimate reserves based upon a number of factors including known claims, estimated incurred but not reported claims, and other analyses, which are based on historical information along with certain assumptions about future events. Changes in assumptions for such matters as increased medical costs and changes in actual experience could cause these estimates to change and reserve levels to be adjusted accordingly. At March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2008, the Company's accrued liabilities for self-insurance exposure were $5.3 million and $6.6 million, respectively, excluding immaterial amounts held in a voluntary employees' beneficiary association (VEBA) trust.
Taxes - Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. These assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Company evaluates the recoverability of its deferred tax assets each quarter by assessing the likelihood of future profitability and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize its deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, the Company provides a valuation allowance based on its best estimate of future taxable income in the various taxing jurisdictions and the amount of deferred taxes ultimately realizable. Future events could change management's assessment.
The Company operates within multiple taxing jurisdictions and is subject to tax audits in these jurisdictions. These audits can involve complex issues, which may require an extended period of time to resolve. However, the Company believes it has made adequate provision for income and other taxes for all years that are subject to audit. As tax periods are effectively settled, the provision will be adjusted accordingly. The liability for uncertain income tax and other tax positions was $3.0 million and $2.4 million at March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2008, respectively.
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Goodwill - Goodwill represents the difference between the purchase price and the related underlying tangible and intangible net asset values resulting from business acquisitions. Annually, or if conditions indicate an earlier review is necessary, the Company compares the carrying value of the reporting unit to an estimate of the reporting unit's fair value to identify potential impairment. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, a second step is performed to determine the amount of potential goodwill impairment. If impaired, goodwill is written down to its estimated implied fair value. Goodwill is assigned to and the fair value is tested at the reporting unit level. The Company uses discounted cash flows to establish its reporting unit fair values. The calculation of the fair value of the reporting units considers current market conditions existing at the assessment date. During the third quarter of fiscal year 2009, goodwill was reviewed on an interim basis due to the continued uncertainty associated with the economy and the significant decline in the Company's sales and order trends during the quarter as well as the increased disparity between the Company's market capitalization and the carrying value of its stockholders' equity. Interim testing resulted in the recognition of non-cash pre-tax goodwill impairment of, in millions, $12.8 within the EMS segment and $1.8 within the Furniture segment. In addition to performing the required annual testing, the Company will continue to monitor circumstances and events in future periods to determine whether additional goodwill impairment testing is warranted on an interim basis. The Company can provide no assurance that an additional impairment charge for the Company's remaining goodwill balance will not occur in future periods as a result of these analyses. At March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2008, the Company's goodwill totaled, in millions, $2.5 and $15.4, respectively.
New Accounting Standards
See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding New Accounting Standards.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained within this document are considered forward-looking under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "estimates," "projects," "expects," "anticipates," "forecasts," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, current global economic recession, other general economic conditions, significant volume reductions from key contract customers, significant reduction in customer order patterns, loss of key customers or suppliers within specific industries, financial stability of key customers and suppliers, availability or cost of raw materials, increased competitive pricing pressures reflecting excess industry capacities, successful execution of restructuring plans, or similar unforeseen events. Additional cautionary statements regarding other risk factors that could have an effect on the future performance of the Company are contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.