ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
The Fairchild Corporation was incorporated in October 1969, under the laws of the State of Delaware. We have 100% ownership interests (directly and indirectly) in Fairchild Holding Corp. and Banner Aerospace Holding Company I, Inc. Fairchild Holding Corp. is the owner (directly and indirectly) of Republic Thunderbolt, LLC and effective November 1, 2003 and January 2, 2004, acquired ownership interests in Hein Gericke, PoloExpress, and Intersport Fashions West. Our principal operations are conducted through these entities. Our consolidated financial statements present the results of our former fastener business, and APS, a small business sold in 2004, as discontinued operations.
The following discussion and analysis provide information which management believes is relevant to the assessment and understanding of our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
Certain statements in this filing contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to our financial condition, results of operation and business. These statements relate to analyses and other information, which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements also relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including current trend information, projections for deliveries, backlog and other trend estimates that may cause our actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those suggested or described in this financial discussion and analysis by management. These risks include: our ability to find, finance, acquire and successfully operate one or more new businesses; product demand; weather conditions in Europe during peak business periods; timely deliveries from vendors; our ability to raise cash to meet seasonal demands; our dependence on the aerospace industry; customer satisfaction and quality issues; labor disputes; competition; our ability to achieve and execute internal business plans; worldwide political instability and economic growth; military conflicts; reduced airline revenues as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, and their aftermath; reduced airline travel due to infectious diseases; and the impact of any economic downturns and inflation.
If one or more of these and other risks or uncertainties materializes, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected. Given these uncertainties, users of the information included in this financial discussion and analysis by management, including investors and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update the forward-looking statements included in this filing, even if new information, future events or other circumstances have made them incorrect or misleading.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Our business consists of three segments: sports & leisure, aerospace, and real estate operations. Our sports & leisure segment is engaged in the design and retail sale of protective clothing, helmets and technical accessories for motorcyclists in Europe and the design and distribution of such apparel and helmets in the United States. Our aerospace segment stocks a wide variety of aircraft parts, then distributes them to commercial airlines and air cargo carriers, fixed-base operators, corporate aircraft operators and other aerospace companies worldwide, and also manufactures airframe components. Our real estate operations segment owns and leases a shopping center located in Farmingdale, New York, and owns and rents to Alcoa, an improved parcel located in Southern California.
On November 1, 2003, we acquired substantially all of the worldwide operations of Hein Gericke, PoloExpress, and Intersport Fashions West (IFW), collectively now known as Fairchild Sports. Hein Gericke currently operates 142 retail shops in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. PoloExpress (also known as Polo) currently operates 87 retail shops in Germany. IFW, located in Tustin, California, is a designer and distributor of motorcycle apparel, boots and helmets under several labels, including First Gear and Hein Gericke. In addition, IFW designs and produces apparel under private labels for third parties, including Harley-Davidson. IFW also distributes in the United States, products manufactured for other companies, under their own labels. Fairchild Sports is a seasonal business, with a historic trend of a higher volume of sales and profits during the months of March through September.
On December 26, 2003, we obtained a $55 million, ten-year term loan financing of our shopping center on a non-recourse basis.
On January 2, 2004, we acquired all but 7.5% of the remaining interest in PoloExpress.
In January 2004, we obtained a $20.0 million asset based revolving credit facility with CIT. The amount that we can borrow under the facility is based upon the inventory and accounts receivable on-hand at our aerospace segment. The loans bear interest at a rate of 1.0% over prime and we will pay a non-usage fee of 0.5%.
On May 5, 2004, we obtained financing of €41.0 million at the sports & leisure segment from two German banks and satisfied a €46.5 million note payable which had become due. Interest is based on the three-month Euribor rate.
On August 26, 2004, we obtained a $13.0 million, three-year term loan financing on the real estate we own in Fullerton, California; Huntington Beach, California; and Wichita, Kansas.
On January 21, 2005, we obtained €7.0 million seasonal loan financing at the sports & leisure segment.
During the next several months, we will endeavor to:
- Develop Hein Gericke brand recognition through presently targeted customers and market expansion.
- Integrate and restructure the components of Fairchild Sports to enhance operational efficiencies, by centralizing
worldwide procurement and improving information systems. - Complete Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 internal control compliance efforts on a worldwide basis.
- Generate cash from borrowings and sale of non-core assets to support our operations and corporate needs.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Business Transactions
On November 1, 2003, we acquired for $45.5 million (€39.0 million) substantially all of the worldwide business of Hein Gericke and the capital stock of Intersport Fashions West (IFW) from the Administrator for Eurobike AG in Germany. Also on November 1, 2003, we acquired for $23.4 million (€20.0 million) from the Administrator for Eurobike AG and from two subsidiaries of Eurobike AG all of their respective ownership interests in PoloExpress and receivables owed to them by PoloExpress. We used available cash from investments that were sold to pay the Administrator $14.8 million (€12.5 million) on November 1, 2003 and borrowed $54.1 million (€46.5 million) from the Administrator at a rate of 8%, per annum. On May 5, 2004 we received financing from two German banks and paid the note due to the Administrator. The aggregate purchase price for these acquisitions was approximately $68.9 million (€59.0 million), including $15.0 million (€12.9 million) of cash acquired.
On January 2, 2004, we acquired for $18.8 million (€15.0 million) all but 7.5% of the interest owned by Mr. Klaus Esser in PoloExpress. Mr. Esser retained a 7.5% ownership interest in PoloExpress, but Fairchild has the right to call this interest at any time from March 2007 to October 2008, for a fixed purchase price of €12.3 million ($16.8 million at December 31, 2004). Mr. Esser has the right to put such interest to us at any time during April of 2008 for €12.0 million ($16.4 million at December 31, 2004). On January 2, 2004, we used available cash to pay Mr. Esser $18.8 million (€15.0 million) and provided collateral of $15.0 million (€12.0 million) to a German bank to issue a guarantee to Mr. Esser to secure the price for the put Mr. Esser has a right to exercise in April of 2008. The transaction includes an agreement with Mr. Esser under which he agrees with us not to compete with PoloExpress for five years. We also signed an employment agreement with Mr. Esser for two years. Through December 31, 2004, in addition to his base salary, Mr. Esser received a profit distribution of approximately €0.5 million, which reduces the 2008 put option. As of December 31, 2004, the €11.5 million ($15.6 million) collateralized obligation for the put option, net of distributions, was included in other long-term liabilities and the €12.0 million ($16.4 million) restricted cash is invested in a capital protected investment and money market funds, and is included in long-term investments.
The total purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired by approximately $34.0 million. The excess of the purchase price over net tangible assets was all allocated to identifiable intangible assets, including brand names “Hein Gericke” and “Polo”, and reflected in goodwill and intangible assets in the consolidated financial statements as of December 30, 2004. Since their acquisition on November 1, 2003, we have consolidated the results of Hein Gericke, PoloExpress and IFW into our financial statements.
Hein Gericke, PoloExpress and IFW are now included in our segment known as sports & leisure. Our sports & leisure segment is a highly seasonal business, with a historic trend for higher volumes of sales and profits during March through September when the weather in Europe is more favorable for individuals to use their motorcycles than October to February. We acquired these companies because we believe they have potential upside, and may provide a platform for other entrees into related leisure businesses. The acquired companies are European leaders of this industry and opportunities for expansion are significant in Europe and the United States. Hein Gericke currently operates 142 retail shops in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. PoloExpress currently operates 87 retail shops in Germany. IFW, located in Tustin, California, is a designer and distributor of motorcycle accessories, protective and other apparel, and helmets, under several labels, including First Gear and Hein Gericke. In addition, IFW designs and produces apparel under private labels for third parties. IFW also distributes in the United States, products manufactured by or for other companies, under their own label. The acquisition has lessened our dependence on the aerospace industry.
Consolidated Results
Because Fairchild Sports is a highly seasonal business, with a historic trend of a higher volume of sales and profits during the months of March through September, the discussion below can not be relied upon as a trend of our future results.
We currently report in three principal business segments: sports & leisure, aerospace, and real estate operations. The following table provides the sales and operating income of our segments on a historical and pro forma basis for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. The pro forma results represent the impact of our acquisition of Hein Gericke, PoloExpress, and IFW, as if this transaction had occurred on October 1, 2003. The pro forma information is based on the historical financial statements of these companies, giving effect to the aforementioned transactions. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations, that would actually have occurred if the transactions had been in effect since the beginning of each fiscal period, nor are they necessarily indicative of our future results.
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| Actual | | Pro Forma |
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| 12/31/04 | 12/31/03 | 12/31/03 |
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Revenues | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sports & Leisure Segment (a) | | | $ | 43,109 | | $ | 25,207 | | $ | 33,951 | |
Aerospace Segment | | | | 23,681 | | | 16,674 | | | 16,674 | |
Real Estate Operations Segment | | | | 2,544 | | | 2,342 | | | 2,342 | |
Corporate and Other | | | | — | | | 1 | | | 1 | |
Intercompany Eliminations | | | | (122 | ) | | — | | | — | |
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Total | | | $ | 69,212 | | $ | 44,224 | | $ | 52,968 | |
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Operating Income (Loss) | | |
Sports & Leisure Segment (a) | | | $ | (5,518 | ) | $ | (3,286 | ) | $ | (3,943 | ) |
Aerospace Segment | | | | 1,080 | | | 55 | | | 55 | |
Real Estate Operations Segment | | | | 761 | | | 766 | | | 766 | |
Corporate and Other | | | | (5,372 | ) | | (3,718 | ) | | (3,718 | ) |
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Total | | | $ | (9,049 | ) | $ | (6,183 | ) | $ | (6,840 | ) |
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(a) – Actual results for the three months ended December 31, 2003, include only two months of results from our sports & leisure segment since its acquisition on November 1, 2003.
Revenues increased by $25.0 million, or 56.5%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2004. The increase was due primarily to the prior period only including two months of activity from our acquisition of Hein Gericke, PoloExpress and IFW on November 1, 2003, our foreign sales benefiting from a stronger euro as compared to the dollar, and increased sales at our sports & leisure segment. Revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 also benefited from a 42% increase in revenues at our aerospace segment.
Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 32.5% and 31.3% in the first three months of fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively. The increase in margins reflects three months of results from our sports & leisure segment in the current quarter, as compared to only two months in the prior quarter. Our sports & leisure segment has higher gross margins than our other businesses. Gross margin as a percentage of rental revenue decreased to 29.6% in the first three months of fiscal 2005 as compared to 36.5% in the first three months of fiscal 2004 due primarily to higher real estate taxes and professional fees and the sale of the Chatsworth, California facility in July 2004.
Selling, general and administrative expense increased $9.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004, as compared to the first three months of fiscal 2004. Selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended December 31, 2004, included three months of expense from our sports & leisure segment acquired on November 1, 2003 as compared to only two months in the prior period.
Other income decreased $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2003. The results for the three months ended December 31, 2003 included $1.8 million of realized foreign currency gains as a result of cash and investments in a euro denominated account which benefited from the strengthening of the euro against the United States dollar.
Net interest expense was $5.0 million and $5.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.
The fair market value adjustment of our position in a ten-year $100 million interest rate contract improved by $1.7 million and $2.1 million in the first three months of fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively. The fair market value adjustment of this agreement will generally fluctuate, based on the implied forward interest rate curve for 3-month LIBOR. If the implied forward interest rate curve decreases, the fair market value of the interest rate contract will increase and we will record an additional charge. If the implied forward interest rate curve increases, the fair market value of the interest rate contract will decrease, and we will record income. Increasing interest rates have caused the favorable change in fair market value of the contract in these periods.
The tax provision for the three months ended December 31, 2004, represents foreign taxes withheld and state taxes. No federal tax benefit was accrued due to an annual projected domestic loss and our foreign operations reporting a loss for the quarter. The tax provision for the three months ended December 31, 2003, represents foreign taxes withheld and state taxes. No federal tax provision was accrued due to our net tax loss.
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations include the results of certain legal and environmental expenses associated with our former businesses. The earnings from discontinued operations for the first three months of fiscal 2005 resulted from a $0.3 million reduction in our environmental accrual due to a settlement of a matter for an amount lower than its expected cost and a tax benefit of $0.5 million realized from the carryback of environmental remediation payments. The loss from discontinued operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 includes an accrual of $0.8 million for legal expenses relating to a business we sold several years ago and a $1.0 million cost of severance for a former fastener employee.
We recognized a $12.5 million and $5.9 million gain on the disposal of discontinued operations, as a result of additional proceeds earned from the sale of the fastener business in the three months ended December 31, 2004, and December 31, 2003, respectively. No income tax expense was recorded due to our overall net tax loss.
Segment Results
Sports & Leisure Segment
Our sports & leisure segment, which we purchased from the Administrator of Eurobike AG and Mr. Klaus Esser, designs and sells motorcycle apparel, protective clothing, helmets, and technical accessories for motorcyclists. Primary brand names of our products include Polo, Hein Gericke, and First Gear. Hein Gericke currently operates 142 retail shops in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Polo currently operates 87 retail shops in Germany. For the most part, the Hein Gericke retail stores sell Hein Gericke brand items, and the Polo retail stores sell Polo brand products. Both the Hein Gericke and Polo retail stores sell products of other manufacturers, the inventory of which is owned by the Company. IFW, located in Tustin, California, is a designer and distributor of motorcycle apparel, boots and helmets under several labels, including First Gear and Hein Gericke. In addition, IFW designs and produces apparel under private labels for third parties, including Harley-Davidson. IFW also distributes in the United States, products manufactured by or for other companies, under their own label. The sports and leisure segment is a seasonal business, with an historic trend of a higher volume of sales and profits during the months of March through September.
On a pro forma basis, sales in our sports & leisure segment increased by $9.2 million during the three months ended December 31, 2004, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2003. The increase is due to the strengthening of the euro as compared to the United States dollar during the three months ended December 31, 2004, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2003, additional inventory in our stores, and enhancements to the products available during the off-season period. On a pro forma basis, the operating loss in our sports & leisure segment increased by $1.6 million during the three months ended December 31, 2004, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2003. The operating loss in the current quarter was adversely effected by the strengthening of the euro as compared to the United States dollar and slightly lower gross margins.
Since the November 1, 2003 acquisition, Hein Gericke has initiated steps to advance its retail business in Germany. Hein Gericke is focusing on better advertising and greater marketing to restore brand recognition previously enjoyed by Hein Gericke in Germany. In early 2005, a new ERP computer system, now operational at Polo, will be expanded to encompass the operations of Hein Gericke. The new ERP computer system will enable the business to operate in a more efficient manner. Hein Gericke and Polo increased the procurement of goods for delivery to meet the seasonal increase in sales. We believe relations with the suppliers of Fairchild Sports have improved since our acquisition. We have initiated a program to focus on optimal store location. This includes closing or relocating low performing stores, and opening new stores in England and elsewhere in Western Europe. Since the acquisition, we have opened seven stores in Germany, five stores in the England, and one store in Italy, and we have closed nineteen low performing stores in Germany. We have also redesigned several stores to better present our products to customers.
Aerospace Segment
Our aerospace segment has six locations in the United States, and is an international supplier to the aerospace industry. Four locations specialize in the distribution of avionics, airframe accessories, and other components, one location provides overhaul and repair capabilities, and one location manufactures airframe components. The products distributed include: navigation and radar systems, instruments, and communication systems, flat panel technologies and rotables. Our location in Titusville, Florida, overhauls and repairs landing gear, pressurization components, instruments, and avionics. Customers include original equipment manufacturers, commuter and regional airlines, corporate aircraft and fixed-base operators, air cargo carriers, general aviation suppliers and the military. Sales in our aerospace segment increased by $7.0 million, or 42.0%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Sales in our aerospace segment are not anticipated to sustain a growth rate at these levels in the coming quarters, as demand in the aerospace industry is still adversely affected by the events of September 11, 2001, and the continued financial difficulties of major commercial airlines.
Operating income increased by $1.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2004, reflecting the increase in volume of sales and a small increase in gross margin as a percentage of sales.
Real Estate Operations Segment
Our real estate operations segment owns and operates a 451,000 square foot shopping center located in Farmingdale, New York, and also owns and leases to Alcoa a 208,000 square foot manufacturing facility located in Fullerton, California. We have two tenants that each occupy more than 10% of the rentable space in the shopping center. Rental revenue increased by 8.6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2004, reflecting tenants occupying an additional 6,000 square feet of the shopping center and us receiving higher average rents. The weighted average occupancy was 96.6% during the first three months of fiscal 2005, as compared to 95.3% in the first three months of fiscal 2004. The average effective annual rental rate per square foot was $21.44 and $19.53 during the first three months of fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004, respectively. As of December 31, 2004, approximately 97% of the shopping center was leased. We anticipate that rental income will increase during 2005, as a result of new leases for approximately 12,000 square feet, entered into at the end of fiscal 2004. The Fullerton property is leased to Alcoa through October 2007, and is expected to generate revenues and operating income in excess of $0.5 million per year.
Operating income remained stable in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2004. For the quarter ended December 31, 2005, the increase in rental revenue was offset by additional depreciation expense and real estate taxes that increased by $0.1 million.
Corporate
The operating loss at corporate increased by $1.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2004. The first quarter of fiscal 2004 included $1.8 million of gains realized on foreign currency on cash we held in euros and investments in a euro denominated account which benefited from the strengthening of the euro against the United States dollar.
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Total capitalization as of December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2004 was $290.8 million and $277.7 million, respectively. The three-month change in capitalization included an $8.9 million net increase in debt resulting from additional borrowings net of repayments of approximately $3.3 million and the difference due to the foreign currency effect on debt denominated in euros. Equity increased by $4.3 million, due primarily to our $0.9 million reported net income, and a $2.9 million favorable increase in other comprehensive income from a favorable fluctuation in foreign currency of $2.4 million and a $1.8 million increase in unrealized holding changes in our available-for-sale investments, offset partially, by a $1.0 minimum pension liability adjustment. Our combined cash and investment balances totaled $93.8 million on December 31, 2004, as compared to $109.4 million on September 30, 2004, and included restricted investments of $73.3 million and $75.0 million at December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2004, respectively.
Net cash used for operating activities for the three months ended December 31, 2004, was $14.9 million and included a $6.0 million liquidation of trading securities used to fund our cash requirements, including our $19.4 million increase in inventory. Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended December 31, 2003, was $19.8 million and reflected the $33.3 million liquidation of trading securities used to fund the acquisition of Hein Gericke, PoloExpress and IFW. Excluding assets and liabilities acquired from our acquisition, the working capital uses of cash in the first three months of fiscal 2004 included a $18.2 million increase in inventory, offset by a $20.7 million increase of accounts payable and other accrued liabilities.
Net cash provided by investing activities for the three months ended December 31, 2004 was $2.3 million, and included $4.6 million of proceeds received from investment securities, offset partially by $2.7 million of capital expenditures. Net cash used for investing activities for the three months ended December 31, 2003 was $61.1 million, and included our acquisition funding of $53.9 million, net of $15.0 million cash acquired.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $3.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004, which reflects $3.3 million of net borrowings, and $0.5 million received on repayment of shareholder loans. Net cash provided by financing activities was $103.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2003, which reflected $55.0 million borrowed to finance our shopping center and the short-term financing of €46.5 million for our acquisition of Hein Gericke, PoloExpress, and IFW.
Our principal cash requirements include supporting our current operations and general administrative structure, capital expenditures, and the payment of other liabilities including postretirement benefits, environmental investigation and remediation obligations, and litigation settlements and related costs. We expect that cash on hand, cash generated from operations, cash available from borrowings, and proceeds received from dispositions of assets, including investments, will be adequate to satisfy our cash requirements during the next twelve months. On December 31, 2004, our foreign operations had cash of $3.1 million. However, debt agreements in place at our foreign locations restrict the amount of cash that can be transferred to our other subsidiaries. We may consider raising cash to meet the needs of our operations by issuing additional stock or debt, entering into partnership arrangements, liquidating non essential assets or other means.
On January 21, 2005, our subsidiary, PoloExpress finalized a seasonal loan agreement with Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG (HVB), pursuant to which HVB will advance €7.0 million to PoloExpress for financing purchases of inventory for the 2005 seasonal trough.
Upon the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have satisfied our filing requirements of providing one year of audited financial statements of the companies we acquired on November 1, 2003, collectively now known as Fairchild Sports, and we are no longer restricted from raising additional capital though the public markets or prohibited from granting stock options.
The costs of being a small to mid-sized public company have increased substantially with the introduction and implementation of controls and procedures mandated by the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. Audit fees and audit related fees have significantly increased over the past two years. Our increased costs also include the effects of acquisitions and additional costs related to compliance with various financing agreements. We expect the costs to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 alone may double again our audit and audit related costs. We estimate that we may incur expenses of approximately $3.0 million in relation to audit and related fees in fiscal 2005. Our audit fee in 2002 was approximately $0.4 million. These increases are significant for a company of our size. We will consider all options for reducing costs and may consider opportunities to take our company private in the coming year.
Off Balance Sheet Items
On December 31, 2004, approximately $4.1 million of bank loans received by retail store partners were guaranteed by our subsidiaries in the sports & leisure segment. These loans have not been assumed by us.
Contractual and Other Obligations
At December 31, 2004, we had contractual commitments to repay long term debt, including capital lease obligations. Payments due under these long-term obligations for the fiscal years ending September 30 are as follows: $14.7 million for 2005; $11.4 million for 2006; $26.7 million for 2007; $23.0 million for 2008; $5.7 million for 2009; and $51.7 million thereafter.
We have entered into standby letter of credit arrangements with insurance companies and others, issued primarily to guarantee our future performance of contracts. At December 31, 2004, we had contingent liabilities of $2.1 million on commitments related to outstanding letters of credit.
On December 31, 2004, we have reflected a $9.4 million obligation due under a ten-year $100 million interest rate swap agreement which expires on February 19, 2008. Interest on the swap agreement is settled quarterly.
In addition, we have $26.4 million classified as other long-term liabilities at December 31, 2004, including environmental and other liabilities, which do not have specific payment terms or other similar contractual arrangements.
Currently, we are not being audited by the IRS for any years. We have a $43.2 million tax liability at December 31, 2004. However, based on tax planning strategies, we do not anticipate having to satisfy the tax liability over the short-term.
Should any of these liabilities become immediately due, we would be obligated to obtain financing, raise capital, and/or liquidate assets to satisfy our obligations.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment.” Statement 123R amends certain aspects of Statement 123 and now requires a public entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost will be required to be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, (usually the vesting period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service. Statement 123R provides some flexibility in allowing entities to determine the valuation model to use in calculating fair value, and whether to implement Statement 123R on a prospective basis, a modified prospective basis or retroactively. The statement becomes effective for our interim reporting period that begins July 1, 2005. We are currently evaluating the effects of Statement 123R. Such effect is not likely to be materially different from amounts we have previously disclosed in our filings since adopting Statement 123.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
In fiscal 1998, we entered into a ten-year interest rate swap agreement to reduce our cash flow exposure to increases in interest rates on variable rate debt. The ten-year interest rate swap agreement provided us with interest rate protection on $100 million of variable rate debt, with interest being calculated based on a fixed LIBOR rate of 6.24% to February 17, 2003. The variable rate debt that was fixed by the interest rate swap was repaid by us on December 3, 2002. On February 17, 2003, the bank, with which we entered into the interest rate swap agreement, did not exercise a one-time option to cancel the agreement, and accordingly the transaction proceeds, based on a fixed LIBOR rate of 6.745% from February 17, 2003 to February 19, 2008.
We have recognized $1.7 million in our income statement for the non-cash increase in the fair market value of the interest rate contract in the three months ended December 31, 2004 as a result of the reduction in the fair market value for our interest rate swap agreement to $9.4 million.
The fair market value adjustment of these agreements will generally fluctuate based on the implied forward interest rate curve for 3-month LIBOR. If the implied forward interest rate curve decreases, the fair market value of the interest contract will increase and we will record an additional charge. If the implied forward interest rate curve increases, the fair market value of the interest hedge contract will decrease, and we will record income.
In May 2004, we issued a floating rate note with a principal amount of €25.0 million. Embedded within the promissory note agreement is an interest rate cap protecting one half of the €25.0 million borrowed. The embedded interest rate cap limits to 6%, the 3-month EURIBOR interest rate that we must pay on the promissory note. We paid approximately $0.1 million to purchase the interest rate cap. In accordance with SFAS 133, the embedded interest rate cap is considered to be clearly and closely related to the debt of the host contract and is not required to be separated and accounted for separately from the host contract. We are accounting for the hybrid contract, comprised of the variable rate note and the embedded interest rate cap, as a single debt instrument.
The table below provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Notional amounts are used to calculate the contractual payments to be exchanged under the contract. Weighted average variable rates are based on implied forward rates in the yield curve at the reporting date.
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(In thousands) Expected maturity date Type of interest rate contract Variable to fixed contract amount Fixed LIBOR rate EURIBOR cap rate Average floor rate Weighted average forward LIBOR/EURIBOR rate Market value of contract at December 31, 2004 Market value of contract if interest rates increase by 1/8% Market value of contract if interest rates decrease by 1/8% | February 19, 2008 Variable to Fixed $100,000 6.745% N/A N/A 3.56% $(9,413) $(8,952) $(9,702) | March 31, 2009 Interest Rate Cap $14,512 N/A 6.0% N/A 3.12% $16 $19 $13 |
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These rules refer to the controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods. Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days before the filing of this quarterly report, which we refer to as the Evaluation Date. They have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, such controls and procedures were effective at ensuring that the required information was disclosed on a timely basis in our reports filed under the Exchange Act.
Changes in Internal Controls
Our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, which we refer to as the evaluation date. We maintain a system of internal accounting controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that our books and records accurately reflect our transactions and that our established policies and procedures are followed. We are currently implementing a new ERP computer system, now operational at Polo, to encompass the operations of Hein Gericke. We anticipate that the new ERP computer system will enable the business to operate in a more efficient manner and enhance internal controls.There were no other significant changes to our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect our internal controls during the quarter ended December 31, 2004.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The information required to be disclosed under this Item is set forth in Footnote 9 (Contingencies) of the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) included in this Report.
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
Pursuant to the sale of our fastener business to Alcoa, we have agreed that the Company may not declare dividends on its common stock for a period of five years (ending on December 3, 2007).
Item 5. Other Information
1. The Board of Directors has established a Governance and Nominating Committee consisting of non-employee independent directors, which, among other functions, identifies individuals qualified to become board members, and selects, or recommends that the Board select, the director nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders. As part of its director selection process, the Committee considers recommendations from many sources, including: management, other board members and the Chairman. The Committee will also consider nominees suggested by stockholders of the Company. Stockholders wishing to nominate a candidate for director may do so by sending the candidate’s name, biographical information and qualifications to the Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee c/o the Corporate Secretary, The Fairchild Corporation, 1750 Tysons Blvd., Suite 1400, McLean VA 22102.
In identifying candidates for membership on the Board of Directors, the Committee will take into account all factors it considers appropriate, which may include (a) ensuring that the Board of Directors, as a whole, is diverse and consists of individuals with various and relevant career experience, relevant technical skills, industry knowledge and experience, financial expertise, including expertise that could qualify a director as a “financial expert,” as that term is defined by the rules of the SEC, local or community ties, and (b) minimum individual qualifications, including strength of character, mature judgment, familiarity with the Company’s business and industry, independence of thought and an ability to work collegially. The Committee also may consider the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board of Directors.
2. Over the past several years, we have disclosed certain legal proceedings in France involving Mr. Jeffrey Steiner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. A special committee consisting of all of the Company’s independent directors has been reviewing issues arising from these proceedings, including, among other things, reimbursement of approximately $5.5 million for legal fees and other amounts advanced by the Company on behalf of Mr. Steiner in connection with the proceedings.
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:
*31 Certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
*32 Certifications required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
* Filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to the signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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| For THE FAIRCHILD CORPORATION (Registrant) and as its Chief Financial Officer:
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| By: /s/ JOHN L. FLYNN John L. Flynn Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Tax |
Date: February 9, 2005