Tennant Company is a world leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing solutions that help create a cleaner, safer world. We provide equipment, parts and consumables and specialty surface coatings to contract cleaners, end-user businesses, healthcare facilities, schools and local, state and federal governments. We sell our products through our direct sales and service organization and a network of authorized distributors worldwide. Geographically, our customers are primarily located in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. We strive to be an innovator in our industry through our commitment to understanding our customers’ needs and using our expertise to create innovative products and solutions. The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the MD&A included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
Net Earnings for the third quarter of 2009 were $5.8 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to Net Earnings of $14.0 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2008. Net Earnings during the 2009 third quarter were unfavorably impacted by the ongoing global recession that resulted in lower Net Sales volume across all geographies and unfavorable direct foreign currency exchange impacts, somewhat offset by lower commodity prices, cost cutting, delayed discretionary spending, and savings from our workforce reductions.
Net Loss for the first nine months of 2009 was $33.0 million, or a $1.78 loss per diluted share, compared to Net Earnings of $27.5 million, or $1.48 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2008. The Net Loss in the first nine months of 2009 was primarily due to the non-cash pretax goodwill impairment charge of $43.4 million, or a $2.29 loss per diluted share, taken during the first quarter of 2009 as well as a significant decline in Net Sales due to ongoing unfavorable global economic conditions. Gross margins declined by only 80 basis points compared to the same period in 2008 as a result of benefits from commodity price deflation, cost reductions, flexible production management and workforce reductions. These benefits were not enough to offset the unfavorable impact of lower production volume through our manufacturing facilities. Selling and Administrative Expense was $25.6 million lower in the first nine months of 2009 as compared to the same period last year as a result of benefits from our workforce reduction program, reductions in volume-related expenses, and delays in discretionary spending to align expenses with the lower sales volume.
The workforce reduction program was announced during the fourth quarter of 2008 to resize our worldwide employee base by approximately 8%, or about 240 people. A pretax workforce reduction charge totaling $14.6 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2008 as a result of this program. The workforce reduction was accomplished primarily through the elimination of salaried positions across the organization. This measure is estimated to achieve savings of at least $15 million in 2009 and approximately $20 million in 2010. Additionally, early retirements, elimination of contracted positions and attrition accounted for some of the eliminated positions and contributed to these savings. The pretax charge consisted primarily of severance and outplacement services and was included within Selling and Administrative Expense in the 2008 Consolidated Statement of Earnings. During the first nine months of 2009, the severance accrual was revised to reflect actual experience resulting in a benefit of $1.7 million which was included within Selling and Administrative Expense.
Historical Results
The following compares the historical results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 in dollars and as a percentage of Net Sales (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
| | Three Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30 | | | September 30 | |
| | 2009 | | | % | | | 2008 | | | % | | | 2009 | | | % | | | 2008 | | | % | |
Net Sales | | $ | 154,427 | | | | 100.0 | | | $ | 185,935 | | | | 100.0 | | | $ | 431,651 | | | | 100.0 | | | $ | 548,120 | | | | 100.0 | |
Cost of Sales | | | 89,539 | | | | 58.0 | | | | 107,383 | | | | 57.8 | | | | 253,939 | | | | 58.8 | | | | 317,725 | | | | 58.0 | |
Gross Profit | | | 64,888 | | | | 42.0 | | | | 78,552 | | | | 42.2 | | | | 177,712 | | | | 41.2 | | | | 230,395 | | | | 42.0 | |
Operating Expense: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Research and Development Expense | | | 5,466 | | | | 3.5 | | | | 6,033 | | | | 3.2 | | | | 16,837 | | | | 3.9 | | | | 17,773 | | | | 3.2 | |
Selling and Administrative Expense | | | 51,800 | | | | 33.5 | | | | 56,074 | | | | 30.2 | | | | 146,271 | | | | 33.9 | | | | 171,904 | | | | 31.4 | |
Goodwill Impairment Charge | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 43,363 | | | | 10.0 | | | | - | | | | - | |
Gain on Divestiture of Assets | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (246 | ) | | | - | |
Total Operating Expenses | | | 57,266 | | | | 37.1 | | | | 62,107 | | | | 33.4 | | | | 206,471 | | | | 47.8 | | | | 189,431 | | | | 34.6 | |
Profit (Loss) from Operations | | | 7,622 | | | | 4.9 | | | | 16,445 | | | | 8.8 | | | | (28,759 | ) | | | (6.7 | ) | | | 40,964 | | | | 7.5 | |
Other Income (Expense): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest Income | | | 96 | | | | 0.1 | | | | 306 | | | | 0.2 | | | | 301 | | | | 0.1 | | | | 834 | | | | 0.2 | |
Interest Expense | | | (726 | ) | | | (0.5 | ) | | | (1,142 | ) | | | (0.6 | ) | | | (2,290 | ) | | | (0.5 | ) | | | (2,827 | ) | | | (0.5 | ) |
Net Foreign Currency Transaction Gains (Losses) | | | 353 | | | | 0.2 | | | | 2,538 | | | | 1.4 | | | | 145 | | | | - | | | | 1,925 | | | | 0.4 | |
ESOP Income | | | 252 | | | | 0.2 | | | | 769 | | | | 0.4 | | | | 740 | | | | 0.2 | | | | 1,783 | | | | 0.3 | |
Other Income (Expense), Net | | | 21 | | | | - | | | | (844 | ) | | | (0.5 | ) | | | (27 | ) | | | - | | | | (1,588 | ) | | | (0.3 | ) |
Total Other Income (Expense), Net | | | (4 | ) | | | - | | | | 1,627 | | | | 0.9 | | | | (1,131 | ) | | | (0.3 | ) | | | 127 | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Profit (Loss) Before Income Taxes | | | 7,618 | | | | 4.9 | | | | 18,072 | | | | 9.7 | | | | (29,890 | ) | | | (6.9 | ) | | | 41,091 | | | | 7.5 | |
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | | | 1,835 | | | | 1.2 | | | | 4,087 | | | | 2.2 | | | | 3,066 | | | | 0.7 | | | | 13,578 | | | | 2.5 | |
Net Earnings (Loss) | | $ | 5,783 | | | | 3.7 | | | $ | 13,985 | | | | 7.5 | | | $ | (32,956 | ) | | | (7.6 | ) | | $ | 27,513 | | | | 5.0 | |
Earnings (Loss) per Diluted Share | | $ | 0.31 | | | | | | | $ | 0.76 | | | | | | | $ | (1.78 | ) | | | | | | $ | 1.48 | | | | | |
Net Sales
Consolidated Net Sales for the third quarter of 2009 totaled $154.4 million, a 16.9% decline compared to consolidated Net Sales of $185.9 million in the third quarter of 2008. Consolidated Net Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 totaled $431.7 million, a 21.2% decline compared to consolidated Net Sales of $548.1 million during the first nine months of 2008.
The components of the change in consolidated Net Sales in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 as compared to the same periods in 2008 were as follows:
| | % Change from 2008 |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| | September 30, 2009 | | September 30, 2009 |
Organic Growth: | | | |
| Volume | (15%) | | (18%) |
| Price | 0% | | 1% |
| | (15%) | | (17%) |
Foreign Currency | (2%) | | (5%) |
Acquisitions | 0% | | 1% |
| Total | (17%) | | (21%) |
The 16.9% decrease in consolidated Net Sales in the third quarter of 2009 from 2008 was primarily driven by:
| · an organic sales decline of 15%, excluding the effects of acquisitions and foreign currency exchange, primarily due to the ongoing global recession that resulted in lower sales volume across all geographies; and |
| · an unfavorable direct foreign currency exchange impact of 2%. |
The 21.2% decrease in consolidated Net Sales in the first nine months of 2009 from 2008 was primarily driven by:
| · an organic sales decline of 17% primarily due to the ongoing global recession that resulted in lower sales volume across all geographies; and |
| · an unfavorable direct foreign currency exchange impact of 5%. |
The following table sets forth the Net Sales by geographic area for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and the percentage change from the prior year (dollars in thousands):
| | Three Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30 | | | September 30 | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | % | |
North America | | $ | 90,531 | | | $ | 107,193 | | | | (15.5 | ) | | $ | 251,601 | | | $ | 314,008 | | | | (19.9 | ) |
Europe, Middle East and Africa | | | 45,192 | | | | 55,300 | | | | (18.3 | ) | | | 131,823 | | | | 171,698 | | | | (23.2 | ) |
Other International | | | 18,704 | | | | 23,442 | | | | (20.2 | ) | | | 48,227 | | | | 62,414 | | | | (22.7 | ) |
Total | | $ | 154,427 | | | $ | 185,935 | | | | (16.9 | ) | | $ | 431,651 | | | $ | 548,120 | | | | (21.2 | ) |
North America
North America Net Sales were $90.5 million for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of 15.5% from the third quarter of 2008. We experienced a decline in unit volume across all product lines, but most significantly within our large industrial equipment. We continued to see a longer sales cycle for our products during the third quarter of 2009, with customers delaying their purchases due to the economic downturn and tight credit markets. During the third quarter of 2009, Net Sales benefited by less than 1% from slightly higher prices across most product lines. The direct impact of foreign currency translation exchange effects within North America unfavorably impacted Net Sales by less than 1% during the third quarter of 2009.
Net Sales decreased 19.9% to $251.6 million in North America for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Organic growth within North America has been negative during the first nine months of 2009 due to lower demand, especially for industrial and outdoor equipment, as a result of the ongoing recession in the U.S. economy. Benefits from pricing actions of approximately 1% helped offset the decline in unit volume. The direct impact of foreign currency translation exchange effects within North America unfavorably impacted Net Sales by approximately 1% during the first nine months of 2009.
Europe, Middle East and Africa
In our markets within Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), Net Sales decreased 18.3% to $45.2 million for the third quarter of 2009 as compared to the third quarter of 2008. An organic sales decline of approximately 12% in the third quarter of 2009 when compared to the same period last year was primarily due to lower sales of equipment. Unfavorable direct foreign currency exchange fluctuations decreased Net Sales by approximately 6% in the third quarter of 2009.
EMEA Net Sales decreased 23.2% to $131.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. We experienced a decline in organic growth of approximately 13% for the first nine months of 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 primarily due to decreased sales of industrial and outdoor equipment, slightly offset by benefits from pricing actions. Unfavorable direct foreign currency exchange fluctuations reduced EMEA Net Sales approximately 12% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Acquisitions added approximately 2% during the first nine months of 2009.
Other International
Our Other International markets are comprised of the following key geographic regions: China and other Asia Pacific markets, Japan, Australia and Latin America. Net Sales in these markets for the third quarter of 2009 totaled $18.7 million, a decrease of 20.2% as compared to the first quarter of 2009. An organic decline of approximately 18% in Net Sales was driven by unit volume decreases primarily within our equipment business. Unfavorable direct foreign currency translation exchange effects decreased sales in Other International markets by approximately 2% in the 2009 third quarter.
Net Sales for the first nine months of 2009 in Other International markets decreased 22.7% to $48.2 million compared to the same period last year. Unfavorable direct foreign currency translation exchange effects decreased sales by approximately 5%. Acquisitions added approximately 2% to Net Sales within this market during the first nine months of 2009. Organic sales growth was negative by approximately 20% primarily due to equipment unit volume declines.
Gross Profit
Gross Profit margin was 42.0% for the third quarter of 2009 compared with 42.2% in the third quarter of 2008. Gross margin declined by 20 basis points due to the unfavorable impacts of: lower production volume through our manufacturing facilities, mix of products sold, and foreign currency exchange effects, somewhat offset by benefits from lower commodity prices, flexible production management and workforce reductions.
Gross Profit margin was 41.2% for the first nine months of 2009 compared with 42.0% in the first nine months of 2008. Gross margin declined by 80 basis points due to the unfavorable impact of lower production volume through our manufacturing facilities and unfavorable foreign currency exchange effects, somewhat offset by benefits from lower commodity prices, flexible production management and workforce reductions.
Operating Expense
Research & Development Expense
Research and Development (“R&D”) Expense in the third quarter of 2009 was $5.5 million as compared with $6.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. R&D Expense as a percentage of Net Sales was 3.5% for the third quarter of 2009 compared to 3.2% in the comparable quarter last year.
R&D Expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $16.8 million, down 5.3% from $17.8 million in the first nine months of 2008. R&D expense as a percentage of Net Sales was 3.9% for the first nine months of 2009 compared to 3.2% in the same period last year. R&D Expense was slightly down on a dollar basis due in part to timing of projects and initiatives between years.
Selling & Administrative Expense
Selling and Administrative (“S&A”) Expense in the third quarter of 2009 decreased $4.3 million, or 7.6%, to $51.8 million from $56.1 million in the third quarter of 2008. We achieved a lower overall S&A Expense in the 2009 third quarter as compared to the same period last year as our workforce reductions and cost controls more than offset higher incentives on better than anticipated performance.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, S&A Expense decreased 14.9% to $146.3 million from $171.9 million in the comparable period last year. During the first nine months of 2009, we were successful in reducing costs and delaying discretionary spending to better align expenses with our current lower sales level.
S&A Expense as a percentage of Net Sales was 33.5% for the third quarter of 2009, up from 30.2% in the comparable 2008 quarter. S&A Expense as a percentage of Net Sales was 33.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, up from 31.4% in the comparable 2008 period. Although S&A Expense was lower than in the third quarter of 2008 and in the first nine months of 2008 on a dollar basis, the sharp decline in sales experienced in the first nine months of 2009 still resulted in higher S&A Expense as a percentage of Net Sales during the third quarter and the first nine months of 2009.
Goodwill Impairment Charge
During the first quarter of 2009, we recorded a non-cash pretax Goodwill Impairment Charge of $43.4 million related to our EMEA reporting unit. All but $3.8 million of this charge is not tax deductible.
Gain on Divestiture of Assets
During the second quarter of 2008, we realized a pretax gain of $0.2 million from the divestiture of assets related to our Centurion chassis-mounted street sweeper product.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Interest Income
Interest Income was $0.1 million and $0.3 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, a decrease of $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2008. The decrease between 2009 and 2008 reflects the impact of a decline in interest rates between periods on lower average levels of cash and cash equivalents.
Interest Expense
Interest Expense was $0.7 million and $2.3 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, a decrease of $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively, from 2008. We became a net debtor during the latter part of the first quarter of 2008 borrowing against our revolving credit facility primarily to fund the two acquisitions that closed during the first quarter of 2008. The decline in interest expense between periods was primarily due to lower debt levels as a result of our increased focus on cash optimization.
Net Foreign Currency Transaction Gains (Losses)
Net foreign currency gains in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 were $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively, a decrease of $2.2 million and $1.8 million, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The net unfavorable change from the prior year of foreign currency gains in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 was primarily due to a $0.9 million unfavorable movement in the foreign currency exchange rates in the first quarter of 2008 related to a deal contingent non-speculative forward contract that we entered into which fixed the cash outlay in U.S. dollars for the Alfa acquisition and the 2008 third quarter $2.7 million net foreign currency gain from the settlement of forward contracts related to a British Pound denominated loan. No such transactions occurred during 2009.
ESOP Income
ESOP Income was $0.3 million and $0.7 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009, respectively, as compared to $0.8 million and $1.8 million in the same periods in 2008. We benefit from ESOP Income when the shares held by Tennant’s ESOP Plan are utilized and the basis of those shares is lower than the current average stock price. This benefit is offset in periods when the number of shares needed exceeds the number of shares available from the ESOP as the shortfall must be issued at the current market rate, which is generally higher than the basis of the ESOP shares. Lower levels of ESOP Income during both the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 as compared to 2008 are due to a lower average stock price during 2009.
Other Income (Expense), Net
Other Expense, Net was inconsequential in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 as compared to a net expense of $0.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively, in the same periods in 2008. During the third quarter of 2008 we contributed $1.0 million to Tennant’s charitable foundation and during the first nine months of 2008, we incurred $0.7 million of costs related to potential acquisitions. There were no such costs incurred during 2009.
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2009 was 24.1% compared to the effective tax rate in the third quarter of the prior year of 22.6%. Each of these quarters benefited from discrete net favorable tax items, primarily due to adjustments of tax reserves related to federal tax filings, as well as the expiration of the statute of limitations in various jurisdictions. The underlying base tax rate, which excludes discrete tax items, declined from 39.5% to 36.9% for the 2009 first nine months compared to a reduction from 38% to 36% for the first nine months of 2008. The tax rate primarily depends on the mix in taxable earnings by country.
The year-to-date effective rates were a negative 10.3% for 2009 compared to 33.0% for 2008. The year-to-date tax expense includes only a $1.1 million tax benefit associated with the $43.4 million impairment of goodwill recorded in the first quarter, materially impacting the overall effective rate. Excluding the first quarter goodwill impairment, the year-to-date effective tax rate would have been 30.7%.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Cash and Cash Equivalents totaled $13.9 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $29.3 million at December 31, 2008. We believe that the combination of internally generated funds and present capital resources are more than sufficient to meet our cash requirements for the next twelve months. Our debt-to-capital ratio was 19.5% and 31.2% at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
On July 29, 2009, we filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC to facilitate any future issuances of debt securities, preferred stock, depository shares and common stock. No securities can be offered under the shelf registration statement until it has been declared effective by the SEC.
On July 29, 2009, we entered into a Private Shelf Agreement (the “Shelf Agreement”) with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. ("Prudential") and Prudential affiliates from time to time party thereto. The Shelf Agreement provides us and our subsidiaries access to an uncommitted, senior secured, maximum aggregate principal amount of $80.0 million of debt capital.
We have not drawn on the shelf registration statement or the Shelf Agreement as of September 30, 2009, but have taken these steps for greater long-term flexibility to access capital, as opportunities arise.
Cash Flow Summary
Cash provided by (used in) our operating, investing and financing activities is summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):
| | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30 | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Operating Activities | | $ | 58,420 | | | $ | 13,326 | |
Investing Activities: | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net of Disposals | | | (8,543 | ) | | | (16,227 | ) |
Acquistions of Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired | | | (2,162 | ) | | | (82,161 | ) |
Financing Activities | | | (63,063 | ) | | | 74,855 | |
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents | | | 1 | | | | (111 | ) |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents | | $ | (15,347 | ) | | $ | (10,318 | ) |
Operating Activities
Operating activities provided $58.4 million of cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Cash provided by operating activities was driven primarily by reductions in working capital during the first nine months of 2009, partially offset by lower Employee Compensation and Benefit liabilities due to payments of severance associated with the workforce reduction announced in the fourth quarter of 2008.
In the comparable 2008 period, operating activities provided $13.3 million of cash. Cash provided by operating activities included Net Earnings of $27.5 million, partially offset by payments of 2007 annual performance awards, incentives, profit sharing and rebates as well as lower accruals for these items in 2008 and higher receivables due to net sales growth over the 2007 third quarter, especially in the last month of the quarter. In addition, inventory levels increased due to higher demo and used equipment inventories related to the introduction of new products and increased inventory at our Louisville distribution center and China locations.
Management evaluates how effectively we utilize two of our key operating assets, receivables and inventories, using accounts receivable “Days Sales Outstanding” (DSO) and “Days Inventory on Hand” (DIOH), on a FIFO basis. The metrics are calculated on a rolling three month basis in order to more readily reflect changing trends in the business. These metrics for the quarters ended were as follows (in days):
| | September 30, 2009 | | December 31, 2008 | | September 30, 2008 |
DSO | | 66 | | 77 | | 70 |
DIOH | | 94 | | 101 | | 89 |
As of September 30, 2009, DSO of 66 days was 4 days lower than the prior year DSO as of September 30, 2008 and decreased 11 days compared to December 31, 2008 primarily due to the collection of outstanding Accounts Receivable.
As of September 30, 2009, DIOH increased 5 days compared to September 30, 2008 due to a disproportionate decline in sales volume as compared to the related smaller reduction in inventory. As of September 30, 2009, DIOH decreased 7 days compared to December 31, 2008 primarily due to lower levels of inventory as a result of inventory reduction initiatives.
Investing Activities
Investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 used $10.7 million in cash. Investing activities included net capital expenditures of $8.5 million and $2.2 million related to acquisition of businesses. Investments in capital expenditures included technology upgrades, tooling related to new product development and investments in our Minnesota facilities to complete the new global R&D center of excellence to support new product innovation efforts. The $2.2 million related to acquisitions was primarily comprised of the 2009 first quarter earn-out payment for our March 28, 2008 acquisition of Alfa and the 2009 third quarter earn-out payment for our August 15, 2008 acquisition of Shanghai ShenTan.
Investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 used $98.4 million in cash. Investing activities included the acquisitions of Applied Sweepers, Alfa and Shanghai ShenTan for $82.2 million and net capital expenditures of $16.2 million. Investments in capital expenditures included technology upgrades, tooling related to new product development and investments in our Minnesota facilities to create a global R&D center of excellence to support new product innovation efforts.
Financing Activities
Net cash used by financing activities was $63.1 million during the first nine months of 2009, primarily from net repayments of Long-Term Debt of $53.0 million and $7.2 million in dividends payments.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $74.9 million during the first nine months of 2008, primarily from long-term borrowings totaling $87.5 million from our Credit Agreement with our bank group led by JPMorgan and $8.5 million in net short-term borrowings. Significant uses of cash included $14.3 million for repurchases of common stock under our share repurchase program and $7.2 million in dividend payments.
Indebtedness
As of September 30, 2009, we had committed lines of credit totaling approximately $134.5 million and uncommitted lines of credit totaling $80.0 million. There was $34.5 million in outstanding borrowings under our JPMorgan facility and no borrowings under any other facilities as of September 30, 2009. In addition, we had stand alone letters of credit of approximately $2.1 million outstanding and bank guarantees in the amount of approximately $1.1 million. Commitment fees on unused lines of credit for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $0.4 million.
Our most restrictive covenants are part of our Credit Agreement with JPMorgan, which are the same covenants in the Shelf Agreement with Prudential, and require us to maintain an indebtedness to EBITDA ratio of not greater than 3.50 to 1 and to maintain an EBITDA to interest expense ratio of no less than 3.50 to 1 as of the end of each quarter. However, during the first quarter of 2009, we amended the indebtedness to EBITDA financial ratio required for the third quarter of 2009 to not greater than 5.50 to 1 and amended the EBITDA to interest expense financial ratio for the third quarter of 2009 to not less than 3.25 to 1. As of September 30, 2009, our indebtness to EBITDA ratio was 1.37 to 1 and our EBITDA to interest expense ratio was 10.04 to 1.
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
On March 4, 2009, we entered into a second amendment to the Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (“JPMorgan”), as administrative agent, Bank of America, N.A., as syndication agent, BMO Capital Markets Financing, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Co-Documentation Agents and the Lenders from time to time party thereto. This amendment principally provides: (i) an exclusion from our EBITDA calculation for all non-cash losses and charges up to $15.0 million cash restructuring charges during the 2008 fiscal year and up to $3.0 million cash restructuring charges during the 2009 fiscal year, (ii) an amendment of the indebtedness to EBITDA financial ratio required for the second and third quarters of 2009 to not greater than 4.00 to 1 and 5.50 to 1, respectively, (iii) an amendment to the EBITDA to interest expense financial ratio for the third quarter of 2009 to not less than 3.25 to 1, and (iv) the ability for us to incur up to an additional $80.0 million of indebtedness pari passu with the lenders under the Credit Agreement. The revolving credit facility available under the Credit Agreement remains at $125.0 million, but the amendment reduced the expansion feature under the Credit Agreement from $100.0 million to $50.0 million. The amendment put a cap on permitted new acquisitions of $2.0 million for the 2009 fiscal year and the amount of permitted new acquisitions in fiscal years after 2009 will be limited according to our then current leverage ratio. The amendment prohibits us from conducting share repurchases during the 2009 fiscal year and limits the payment of dividends and repurchases of stock in fiscal years after 2009 to an amount ranging from $12.0 million to $40.0 million based on our leverage ratio after giving effect to such payments. Finally, if we obtain additional indebtedness as permitted under the amendment, to the extent that any revolving loans under the credit agreement are then outstanding we are required to prepay the revolving loans in an amount equal to 100% of the proceeds from the additional indebtedness. Additionally, proceeds over $25.0 million and under $35.0 million will reduce the revolver commitment on a 50% dollar for dollar basis and proceeds over $35.0 million will reduce the revolver commitment on a 100% dollar for dollar basis.
In conjunction with the amendment to the Credit Agreement, we gave the lenders a security interest on most of our personal property and pledged 65% of the stock of all domestic and first tier foreign subsidiaries. The obligations under the Credit Agreement are also guaranteed by our domestic subsidiaries and those subsidiaries also provide a security interest in their similar personal property.
Included in the amendment were increased interest spreads and increased facility fees. The fee for committed funds under the Credit Agreement now ranges from an annual rate of 0.30% to 0.50%, depending on our leverage ratio. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at an annual rate of, at our option, either (i) between LIBOR plus 2.20% to LIBOR plus 3.00%, depending on our leverage ratio; or (ii) the highest of (A) the prime rate, (B) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, and (C) the
adjusted LIBOR rate for a one month period plus 1.00%; plus, in any such case under this clause (ii), an additional spread of 1.20% to 2.00%, depending on our leverage ratio.
We were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2009. There was $34.5 million in outstanding borrowings under this facility as of September 30, 2009, with a weighted average interest rate of 3.25%.
Prudential Investment Management, Inc.
On July 29, 2009, we entered into a Shelf Agreement with Prudential and Prudential affiliates from time to time party thereto. The Shelf Agreement provides us and our subsidiaries access to an uncommitted, senior secured, maximum aggregate principal amount of $80.0 million of debt capital.
The minimum principal amount of the private shelf notes that can be issued at any time under the Shelf Agreement is $5.0 million with an issuance fee of 0.10% of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the principal amount of the issued shelf notes, payable on the date of issuance. The Shelf Agreement also provides for other fees, including a fee of an additional 1.00% per annum, in addition to the interest accruing on the shelf notes, in the event the amount of capital required to be held in reserve by a holder of the shelf notes in respect of such shelf notes is greater than the amount which would be required to be held in reserve with respect to promissory notes rated investment grade by a nationally recognized rating agency. Any private shelf note issued during the issuance period may have a maturity of up to 12 years, provided that the average life for each private shelf note issued is no more than 10 years after the original issuance date. Prepayments of the shelf notes will be subject to payment of yield maintenance amounts to the holders of the shelf notes.
The Shelf Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants, including but not limited to covenants restricting our ability to incur indebtedness and liens and merge or consolidate with another entity. Further, the Shelf Agreement contains a covenant requiring us to maintain an indebtedness to EBITDA ratio for the second and third quarters of 2009 of not greater than 4.00 to 1 and 5.50 to 1, respectively, and thereafter as of the end of each quarter of not greater than 3.50 to 1. The Shelf Agreement also contains a covenant requiring us to maintain an EBITDA to interest expense ratio for the third quarter of 2009 to not less than 3.25 to 1, and thereafter of no less than 3.50 to 1. The Shelf Agreement contains a cap on permitted acquisitions of $2.0 million for the 2009 fiscal year and other limitations on the permitted acquisitions amount based on our leverage ratio in fiscal years after 2009. Finally, the Shelf Agreement prohibits us from conducting share repurchases during the 2009 fiscal year and limits the payment of dividends or repurchases of stock in fiscal years after 2009 to an amount ranging from $12.0 million to $40.0 million based on our leverage ratio after giving effect to such payments.
As of September 30, 2009, there was no balance outstanding on this facility and therefore no requirement to be in compliance with the financial covenants under this facility. However, the financial covenants under this facility are the same as the financial covenants in the Credit Agreement, all of which we were in compliance with as of September 30, 2009. Should notes be issued under the Shelf Agreement, such notes will be pari passu with outstanding debt under the Credit Facility.
Contractual Obligations
There have been no material changes with respect to contractual obligations as disclosed in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Newly Issued Accounting Guidance
Compensation – Retirement Benefits
In December 2008, the FASB issued new guidance that requires an employer to make certain disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The requirements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009. The new guidance pertains only to the disclosures and does not affect the accounting for defined benefit pensions or other postretirement plans; therefore, we do not anticipate that the adoption of the new guidance will have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
In August 2009, the FASB issued new guidance that provides clarification in certain circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available; a company is required to measure fair value using an alternative valuation technique. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after August 27, 2009. We do not anticipate that the adoption of the new guidance will have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements
In October 2009, the FASB issued new guidance that sets forth the requirement that must be met for an entity to recognize revenue for the sale of a delivered item that is part of a multiple-element arrangement when other elements have not yet been delivered. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the new guidance will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cautionary Statement Relevant to Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements contained in this document as well as other written and oral statements made by us from time to time are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements do not relate to strictly historical or current facts and provide current expectations or forecasts of future events. Any such expectations or forecasts of future events are subject to a variety of factors.
These include factors that affect all businesses operating in a global market as well as matters specific to us and the markets we serve.
Particular risks and uncertainties presently facing us include:
· | Geopolitical, economic and credit market uncertainty throughout the world. |
· | Cost and availability of financing for ourselves and our suppliers. |
· | Our customers’ ability to obtain credit to fund equipment purchases. |
· | Successful integration of acquisitions, including ability to carry remaining goodwill at current values. |
· | Ability to accurately project future financial and operating results and to achieve such projections. |
· | Ability to achieve operational efficiencies while reducing expenses and headcount. |
· | Fluctuations in the cost or availability of raw materials and purchased components. |
· | Ability to achieve anticipated global sourcing cost reductions. |
· | Success and timing of new technologies and products. |
· | Unforeseen product quality problems. |
· | Effects of litigation, including threatened or pending litigation. |
· | Relative strength of the U.S. dollar, which affects the cost of our materials and products purchased and sold internationally. |
· | Ability to effectively manage organizational changes, including workforce reductions. |
· | Ability to achieve anticipated savings from our workforce reductions. |
· | Ability to attract and retain key personnel. |
· | Effects of potential impairment write-down of our intangible asset values. |
· | Ability to acquire, retain and protect proprietary intellectual property rights. |
· | Potential for increased competition in our business. |
· | Changes in laws, including changes in accounting standards and taxation changes. |
We caution that forward-looking statements must be considered carefully and that actual results may differ in material ways due to risks and uncertainties both known and unknown. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. For additional information about factors that could materially affect Tennant’s results, please see our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the “Risk Factors” section of our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, and investors are advised to consult any further disclosures by us on this matter in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other written statements we make from time to time. It is not possible to anticipate or foresee all risk factors, and investors should not consider any list of such factors to be an exhaustive or complete list of all risks or uncertainties.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Commodity Risk – We are subject to exposures resulting from potential cost increases related to our purchase of raw materials or other product components. We do not use derivative commodity instruments to manage our exposures to changes in commodity prices such as steel, oil, gas, lead and other commodities.
Various factors beyond our control affect the price of oil and gas, including but not limited to worldwide and domestic supplies of oil and gas, political instability or armed conflict in oil-producing regions, the price and level of foreign imports, the level of
consumer demand, the price and availability of alternative fuels, domestic and foreign governmental regulation, weather-related factors and the overall economic environment. We purchase petroleum-related component parts for use in our manufacturing operations. In addition, our freight costs associated with shipping and receiving product and sales and service vehicle fuel costs are impacted by fluctuations in the cost of oil and gas.
Fluctuations in worldwide demand and other factors affect the price for lead, steel and related products. We do not maintain an inventory of raw or fabricated steel or batteries in excess of near-term production requirements. As a result, fluctuations in the price of lead or steel can significantly impact the cost of our lead- and steel-based raw materials and component parts.
We mitigate the risk of raw material or other product component cost increases through product pricing, negotiations with our vendors and cost reduction actions. The success of these efforts will depend upon our ability to maintain our selling prices in a competitive market and our ability to achieve cost savings. During 2008, our raw materials and other purchased component costs were unfavorably impacted by commodity prices although we were able to mitigate these higher costs with pricing actions and cost reduction actions. During the first nine months of 2009, our raw material and other product component prices were favorably impacted by commodity prices. If the commodity prices increase or selling prices decrease, our results may be unfavorably impacted during the fourth quarter of 2009.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk – Due to the global nature of our operations, we are subject to exposures resulting from foreign currency exchange fluctuations in the normal course of business. Our primary exchange rate exposures are with the Euro, British pound, Australian and Canadian dollars, Japanese yen, Chinese yuan and Brazilian real against the U.S. dollar. The direct financial impact of foreign currency exchange includes the effect of translating profits from local currencies to U.S. dollars, the impact of currency fluctuations on the transfer of goods between Tennant operations in the United States and abroad and transaction gains and losses. In addition to the direct financial impact, foreign currency exchange has an indirect financial impact on our results, including the effect on sales volume within local economies and the impact of pricing actions taken as a result of foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
Because a substantial portion of our products are manufactured or sourced primarily from the United States, a stronger U.S. dollar generally has a negative impact on results from operations outside the United States while a weaker dollar generally has a positive effect. Our objective in managing the exposure to foreign currency fluctuations is to minimize the earnings effects associated with foreign exchange rate changes on certain of our foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities. We periodically enter into various contracts, principally forward exchange contracts, to protect the value of certain of our foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities. The gains and losses on these contracts generally approximate changes in the value of the related assets and liabilities. We had forward exchange contracts outstanding in the notional amounts of approximately $51.5 million and $67.0 million as of the periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The potential for material loss in fair value of foreign currency contracts outstanding and the related underlying exposures as of September 30, 2009, from a 10% adverse change is unlikely due to the short-term nature of our forward contracts. Our Foreign Currency Risk Management Policy prohibits us from entering into transactions for speculative purposes.
Other Matters – Management regularly reviews our business operations with the objective of improving financial performance and maximizing our return on investment. As a result of this ongoing process to improve financial performance, we may incur additional restructuring charges in the future which, if taken, could be material to our financial results.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures for the period ended September 30, 2009 (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Principal Financial and Accounting Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and our principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control
There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.