UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended December 31, 2005
Commission File Number 1-6560
THE FAIRCHILD CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State of incorporation or organization)
34-0728587
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 1400, McLean, VA 22102
(Address of principal executive offices)
(703) 478-5800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past ninety (90) days:
[X] Yes [ ] No.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer:
[ ] Large accelerated file [X] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
[ ] Yes [X] No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Outstanding at | |||
---|---|---|---|
Title of Class | December 31, 2005 | ||
Class A Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value | 22,604,761 | ||
Class B Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value | 2,621,412 | ||
THE FAIRCHILD CORPORATION INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005
Page | |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 (Unaudited) and | |
September 30, 2005 | 3 |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | |
(Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 | 5 |
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended | |
December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004 | 6 |
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | 7 |
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition | 18 |
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk | 26 |
Item 4. Controls and Procedures | 28 |
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION | |
Item 1. Legal Proceedings | 29 |
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 29 |
Item 5. Other Information | 29 |
Item 6. Exhibits | 29 |
All references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company” and “Fairchild” refer to The Fairchild Corporation and its subsidiaries. All references to “fiscal” in connection with a year shall mean the 12 months ended September 30th.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THE FAIRCHILD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2005 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2005
(In thousands)
ASSETS
12/31/05 | 9/30/05 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 12,993 | $ | 12,582 | ||||
Short-term investments | 6,935 | 15,698 | ||||||
Accounts receivable-trade, less allowances of $2,790 and $2,679 | 33,631 | 18,475 | ||||||
Inventories - finished goods | 97,689 | 90,856 | ||||||
Current assets of discontinued operations | 1,722 | 1,470 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 10,392 | 7,447 | ||||||
Total Current Assets | 163,362 | 146,528 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated | ||||||||
depreciation of $19,850 and $18,453 | 58,184 | 57,718 | ||||||
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations | 78,320 | 79,124 | ||||||
Goodwill and intangible assets | 41,997 | 42,665 | ||||||
Investments and advances, affiliated companies | 3,786 | 3,786 | ||||||
Prepaid pension assets | 31,790 | 31,239 | ||||||
Deferred loan costs | 1,660 | 1,839 | ||||||
Long-term investments | 58,566 | 69,652 | ||||||
Notes receivable | 5,797 | 6,787 | ||||||
Other assets | 7,106 | 7,722 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 450,568 | $ | 447,060 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
THE FAIRCHILD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2005 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2005
(In thousands)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
12/31/05 | 9/30/05 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
Bank notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt | $ | 25,447 | $ | 20,902 | ||||
Accounts payable | 30,598 | 22,612 | ||||||
Accrued liabilities: | ||||||||
Salaries, wages and commissions | 9,390 | 10,187 | ||||||
Insurance | 7,316 | 7,335 | ||||||
Interest | 211 | 443 | ||||||
Other accrued liabilities | 19,598 | 18,378 | ||||||
Income taxes | 57 | 1,029 | ||||||
Current liabilities of discontinued operations | 1,795 | 1,529 | ||||||
Total Current Liabilities | 94,412 | 82,415 | ||||||
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | ||||||||
Long-term debt, less current maturities | 47,298 | 47,990 | ||||||
Fair value of interest rate contract | — | 5,146 | ||||||
Other long-term liabilities | 26,398 | 27,315 | ||||||
Pension liabilities | 49,705 | 51,099 | ||||||
Retiree health care liabilities | 27,108 | 27,459 | ||||||
Noncurrent income taxes | 42,182 | 42,238 | ||||||
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations | 53,305 | 53,481 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES | 340,408 | 337,143 | ||||||
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: | ||||||||
Class A common stock, $0.10 par value; 40,000 shares authorized, | ||||||||
30,480 shares issued and 22,605 shares outstanding; | ||||||||
entitled to one vote per share | 3,047 | 3,047 | ||||||
Class B common stock, $0.10 par value; 20,000 shares authorized, | ||||||||
2,621 shares issued and outstanding; entitled | ||||||||
to ten votes per share | 262 | 262 | ||||||
Paid-in capital | 232,500 | 232,457 | ||||||
Treasury stock, at cost, 7,875 shares | ||||||||
of Class A common stock | (76,352 | ) | (76,352 | ) | ||||
Retained earnings | 22,089 | 20,206 | ||||||
Notes due from stockholders | (43 | ) | (109 | ) | ||||
Cumulative other comprehensive income | (71,343 | ) | (69,594 | ) | ||||
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | 110,160 | 109,917 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ | 450,568 | $ | 447,060 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
THE FAIRCHILD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)
For The Three (3) Months Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12/31/05 | 12/31/04 | |||||||
REVENUE: | ||||||||
Net sales | $ | 51,310 | $ | 64,352 | ||||
Rental revenue | 237 | 137 | ||||||
51,547 | 64,489 | |||||||
COSTS AND EXPENSES: | ||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 32,088 | 42,556 | ||||||
Cost of rental revenue | 56 | 43 | ||||||
Selling, general & administrative (See note 7) | 28,073 | 32,642 | ||||||
Pension & postretirement | 928 | 1,260 | ||||||
Other income, net | (573 | ) | (1,749 | ) | ||||
Amortization of intangibles | 128 | 143 | ||||||
60,700 | 74,895 | |||||||
OPERATING LOSS | (9,153 | ) | (10,406 | ) | ||||
Interest expense | (3,072 | ) | (3,504 | ) | ||||
Interest income | 321 | 336 | ||||||
Net interest expense | (2,751 | ) | (3,168 | ) | ||||
Investment income | 928 | 131 | ||||||
Increase in fair market value of interest rate contract | 836 | 1,675 | ||||||
Loss from continuing operations before taxes | (10,140 | ) | (11,768 | ) | ||||
Income tax provision | (65 | ) | (70 | ) | ||||
Equity in loss of affiliates, net | (42 | ) | (200 | ) | ||||
Loss from continuing operations | (10,247 | ) | (12,038 | ) | ||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net | (370 | ) | 440 | |||||
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net | 12,500 | 12,500 | ||||||
NET EARNINGS | $ | 1,883 | $ | 902 | ||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (1,047 | ) | 2,430 | |||||
Minimum pension liability | — | (1,376 | ) | |||||
Unrealized holding changes on derivatives | 299 | 27 | ||||||
Unrealized periodic holding changes on securities | (1,001 | ) | 1,828 | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (1,749 | ) | 2,909 | |||||
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | $ | 134 | $ | 3,812 | ||||
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE: | ||||||||
Loss from continuing operations | $ | (0.41 | ) | $ | (0.48 | ) | ||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net | (0.02 | ) | 0.02 | |||||
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net | 0.50 | 0.50 | ||||||
NET EARNINGS | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.04 | ||||
Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||
Basic | 25,226 | 25,195 | ||||||
Diluted | 25,226 | 25,195 |
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
THE FAIRCHILD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
For The Three (3) Months Ended December 31, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands)
12/31/05 | 12/31/04 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 1,883 | $ | 902 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,746 | 1,872 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred loan fees | 258 | 373 | ||||||
Stock compensation expense | 43 | — | ||||||
Unrealized holding gain on interest rate contract | (836 | ) | (1,675 | ) | ||||
Undistributed (earnings) loss of affiliates, net | 43 | 200 | ||||||
Change in trading securities | 9,456 | 5,959 | ||||||
Change in operating assets and liabilities | (20,925 | ) | (23,079 | ) | ||||
Non-cash charges and working capital changes of discontinued operations | 905 | 563 | ||||||
Net cash used for operating activities | (7,427 | ) | (14,885 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (2,341 | ) | (2,362 | ) | ||||
Net proceeds received from sales of investment securities, net | 8,851 | 4,555 | ||||||
Equity investment in affiliates | (43 | ) | 258 | |||||
Changes in notes receivable | 831 | 212 | ||||||
Investing activities of discontinued operations | (98 | ) | (325 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by investing activities | 7,200 | 2,338 | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of debt | 12,768 | 7,587 | ||||||
Debt repayments | (7,456 | ) | (4,047 | ) | ||||
Payment of interest rate contract | (4,310 | ) | — | |||||
Payment of financing fees | (100 | ) | (17 | ) | ||||
Loan repayments from stockholders' | 66 | 469 | ||||||
Net cash used for financing activities of discontinued operations | (165 | ) | (208 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 803 | 3,784 | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | (165 | ) | 900 | |||||
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 411 | (7,863 | ) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year | 12,582 | 12,849 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period | $ | 12,993 | $ | 4,986 | ||||
The accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.
THE FAIRCHILD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)
1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005, and the condensed consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the periods ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 have been prepared by us, without audit. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows at December 31, 2005, and for all periods presented, have been made. These adjustments include certain reclassifications to reflect the sale of Fairchild Aerostructures and the pending sale of our shopping center as discontinued operations. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2005 was derived from the audited financial statements as of that date.
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in complete financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the periods ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year. Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
The financial position and operating results of our foreign operations are consolidated using, as the functional currency, the local currencies of the countries in which they are located. The balance sheet accounts are translated at exchange rates in effect at the end of the period, and the statement of operations accounts are translated at average exchange rates during the period. The resulting translation gains and losses are included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in our statement of operations in the period in which they occur.
Stock-Based Compensation
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. In accordance with Statement 123R, we have elected to implement Statement 123R on a modified prospective basis, and to use the Black-Scholes valuation model in calculating fair value of the cost of stock-based employee compensation plans. That cost will be recognized on a straight-line basis 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. We adopted Statement 123R on October 1, 2005, and accordingly, we recognized $43 of compensation cost in the first quarter ended December 31, 2005. No tax benefit and deferred tax asset were recognized on the compensation cost because of our domestic full valuation allowance against deferred tax assets.
As permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, and prior to adoption of Statement 123R, we used the intrinsic value based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, for our stock-based employee compensation plans. Since the exercise price and the fair value of the underlying stock were the same on the grant date, no compensation cost was recognized for the granting of stock options to our employees in the three months ended December 31, 2004. If stock options previously granted were accounted for based on their fair value as determined under Statement 123, our pro forma results for the three months ended December 31, 2004, would be as follows:
12/31/04 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Net earnings, as reported | $ | 902 | |||
Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the | |||||
fair value based method for all awards, net of tax | (91 | ) | |||
Pro forma net earnings | $ | 811 | |||
Basic and diluted earnings per share: | |||||
As reported | $ | 0.04 | |||
Pro forma | $ | 0.03 |
The pro forma effects of applying SFAS 123 may not be representative of the effects on reported net results for future years. Our employee stock option plan ends in April 2006, and no new plan is being proposed at this time. No grants were issued during the three months ended December 31, 2005 or December 31, 2004. On December 31, 2005, we had outstanding stock option awards of 767,087, of which 633,483 stock option awards were vested.
2. CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS
Cash equivalents and investments at December 31, 2005 consist primarily of investments in United States government securities, investment grade corporate bonds, and equity securities which are recorded at market value. Restricted cash equivalent investments are classified as short-term or long-term investments depending upon the length of the restriction period. Investments in common stock of public corporations are recorded at fair market value and classified as trading securities or available-for-sale securities. Other investments do not have readily determinable fair values and consist primarily of investments in preferred and common shares of private companies and limited partnerships. A summary of the cash equivalents and investments held by us follows:
December 31, 2005 | September 30, 2005 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aggregate | Aggregate | |||||||||||||
Fair Value | Cost Basis | Fair Value | Cost Basis | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents: | ||||||||||||||
U.S. government securities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 16 | $ | 16 | ||||||
Money market and other cash funds | 12,993 | 12,993 | 12,566 | 12,566 | ||||||||||
Total cash and cash equivalents | $ | 12,993 | $ | 12,993 | $ | 12,582 | $ | 12,582 | ||||||
Short-term investments: | ||||||||||||||
Money market funds - restricted | $ | 5,743 | $ | 5,743 | $ | 4,965 | $ | 4,965 | ||||||
Trading securities - equity securities | 1,192 | 1,192 | 10,733 | 10,733 | ||||||||||
Total short-term investments | $ | 6,935 | $ | 6,935 | $ | 15,698 | $ | 15,698 | ||||||
Long-term investments: | ||||||||||||||
U.S. government securities - restricted | $ | 3 | $ | 3 | $ | 9,547 | $ | 9,547 | ||||||
Money market funds - restricted | 9,965 | 9,965 | 10,672 | 10,672 | ||||||||||
Corporate bonds - restricted | 23,560 | 24,252 | 23,741 | 24,319 | ||||||||||
Equity securities - restricted | 15,452 | 15,065 | 15,459 | 14,831 | ||||||||||
Available-for-sale equity securities | 4,662 | 3,612 | 5,309 | 3,612 | ||||||||||
Other investments | 4,924 | 4,924 | 4,924 | 4,924 | ||||||||||
Total long-term investments | $ | 58,566 | $ | 57,821 | $ | 69,652 | $ | 67,905 | ||||||
Total cash equivalents and investments | $ | 78,494 | $ | 77,749 | $ | 97,932 | $ | 96,185 | ||||||
On December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, we had restricted investments of $54,723 and $64,383 respectively, all of which are maintained as collateral for certain debt facilities, our interest rate contract liquidated prior to December 31, 2005, the Esser put option, environmental matters, and escrow arrangements. On December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, we had cash of $4,228 and $9,070, respectively, held by our European subsidiaries which have debt agreements that place certain restrictions on the amount of cash that may be transferred outside the borrowing companies. For additional information on Debt see Note 3.
On December 31, 2005, we had gross unrealized holding gains from available-for-sale securities of $1,679 and gross unrealized losses from available-for-sale securities of $932. On September 30, 2005, we had gross unrealized holding gains from available-for-sale securities of $2,445 and gross unrealized losses from available-for-sale securities of $697.
3. DEBT
At December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, notes payable and long-term debt consisted of the following:
Dec. 31, 2005 | Sept. 30, 2005 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revolving credit facilities - Fairchild Sports | $ | 13,676 | $ | 8,917 | ||||
Current maturities of long-term debt | 11,771 | 11,985 | ||||||
Total notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt | 25,447 | 20,902 | ||||||
Term loan agreement - Fairchild Sports | 23,038 | 25,301 | ||||||
Promissory note - Real Estate | 13,000 | 13,000 | ||||||
CIT revolving credit facility - Aerospace | 10,252 | 8,164 | ||||||
GMAC credit facility - Fairchild Sports | 3,696 | 3,650 | ||||||
Capital lease obligations | 3,933 | 4,597 | ||||||
Other notes payable, collateralized by assets | 5,150 | 5,263 | ||||||
Less: current maturities of long-term debt | (11,771 | ) | (11,985 | ) | ||||
Net long-term debt | 47,298 | 47,990 | ||||||
Total debt | $ | 72,745 | $ | 68,892 | ||||
Credit Facilities at Fairchild Sports
At December 31, 2005, our German subsidiary, Hein Gericke Deutschland GmbH and its German partnership, PoloExpress, had outstanding borrowings of $33.3 million due under its credit facilities with Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf and HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt KGaA. The revolving credit facility provides a credit line of €10.0 million ($10.3 million outstanding, and $1.5 million available at December 31, 2005), at interest rates of 3.5% over the three-month Euribor (6.0% at December 31, 2005), and matures annually. Outstanding borrowings under the term loan facility have blended interest rates, with $18.4 million bearing interest at 1% over the three-month Euribor rate (3.5% at December 31, 2005), with an interest rate cap protection in which our interest expense would not exceed 6% on 50% of debt, and the remaining $4.6 million bearing interest at a fixed rate of 6%. The term loans mature on March 31, 2009, and are secured by the assets of Hein Gericke Deutschland GmbH and PoloExpress and specified guarantees provided by the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The loan agreements require Hein Gericke Deutschland and PoloExpress to maintain compliance with certain covenants. The most restrictive of the covenants requires Hein Gericke Deutschland to maintain equity of €44.5 million ($52.7 million at December 31, 2005), as defined in the loan contracts. No dividends may be paid by Hein Gericke Deutschland unless such covenants are met and dividends may be paid only up to its consolidated after tax profits. As of December 31, 2005, Hein Gericke borrowed approximately $8.2 million (€7.0 million) from our subsidiary, Fairchild Holding Corp., which is not subject to restriction against repayment. The loan agreements have certain restrictions on other forms of cash flow from Hein Gericke Deutschland. At December 31, 2005, we were in compliance with the loan covenants.
At December 31, 2005, our subsidiary, Hein Gericke UK Ltd had outstanding borrowings of $3.7 million (£2.1 million) on its £5.0 million ($8.6 million) credit facility with GMAC. The loan bears interest at 2.25% above the base rate of Lloyds TSB Bank Plc and matures on April 30, 2007. We must pay a 0.75% per annum non-utilization fee on the available facility. The financing is secured by the inventory of Hein Gericke UK Ltd and an investment with a fair market value of $4.1 million at December 31, 2005.
Under an $8.0 million line of credit agreement with City National Bank that expires on June 30, 2006, our subsidiary, IFW may borrow up to $3.0 million for working capital needs and the remainder for letters of credit. Letters of credit which mature may be converted to a banker’s acceptance with a maturity date of up to 90 days. Interest is payable monthly at the bank’s prime interest rate. The interest rate at December 31, 2005 was 7.25%. At December 31, 2005, $1.4 million and $2.0 million were outstanding under this facility in the form of banker’s acceptance notes and for working capital requirements, respectively. The line of credit is collateralized by substantially all assets of IFW, is guaranteed by us, and contains financial covenants. The most restrictive covenants include maintaining a tangible net worth plus subordinated debt of not less than $5.5 million and a ratio of total senior liabilities to tangible net worth plus subordinated debt of not more than 2-to-1. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2005.
Credit Facility at Aerospace Segment
At December 31, 2005, we have outstanding borrowings of $10.3 million on a $20.0 million asset based revolving credit facility with CIT. The amount that we can borrow under the facility is based upon inventory and accounts receivable at our aerospace segment and $1.7 million was available for future borrowings at December 31, 2005. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by a security interest in the assets of our aerospace segment. The loan bears interest at 1.0% over prime (8.25% at December 31, 2005) and we pay a non-usage fee of 0.5%. The credit facility matures in January 2007.
Promissory Note - Real Estate
At December 31, 2005, we have an outstanding loan of $13.0 million with Beal Bank, SSB. The loan is evidenced by a Promissory Note dated as of August 26, 2004, and is secured by a mortgage lien on the Company’s real estate in Huntington Beach CA, Fullerton CA and Wichita KS. Interest on the note is at the rate of one-year LIBOR (determined on an annual basis), plus 6% (10.26% at December 31, 2005), and is payable monthly. The loan matures on October 31, 2007, provided that the Company may extend the maturity date for one year, during which time the interest rate shall be one-year LIBOR plus 8%. The promissory note agreement contains a prepayment penalty of 5% if prepaid after September 2005, and before September 2006; and 3% if prepaid between September 2006 and October 30, 2007. On December 31, 2005, approximately $1.2 million of the loan proceeds were held in escrow to fund specific improvements to the mortgaged property.
Guarantees
At December 31, 2005, we included $1.8 million as debt for guarantees assumed by us of retail shop partners indebtedness incurred for the purchase of store fittings in Germany. These guarantees were issued by our subsidiary in the sports & leisure segment. In addition, at December 31, 2005, approximately $1.5 million of bank loans received by retail shop partners in the sports & leisure segment were guaranteed by our subsidiaries and are not reflected on our balance sheet because these loans have not been assumed by us.
Letters of Credit
We have entered into standby letter of credit arrangements with insurance companies and others, issued primarily to guarantee payment of our workers’ compensation liabilities. At December 31, 2005, we had contingent liabilities of $1,961, on commitments related to outstanding letters of credit which were secured by restricted cash collateral.
4. PENSIONS AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Company and its subsidiaries sponsor three qualified defined benefit pension plans and several other postretirement benefit plans. The components of net periodic benefit cost from these plans are as follows:
Pension Benefits Three Months | Postretirement Benefits Three Months | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12/31/05 | 12/31/04 | 12/31/05 | 12/31/04 | |||||||||||
Service cost | $ | 97 | $ | 107 | $ | 6 | $ | 22 | ||||||
Interest cost | 2,626 | 2,795 | 519 | 737 | ||||||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (3,405 | ) | (3,555 | ) | — | — | ||||||||
Amortization of: | ||||||||||||||
Prior service cost | 90 | 78 | (278 | ) | (54 | ) | ||||||||
Actuarial (gain)/loss | 894 | 810 | 379 | 320 | ||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | 302 | $ | 235 | $ | 626 | $ | 1,025 | ||||||
Our funding policy is to make the minimum annual contribution required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or local statutory law. Based upon our actuary’s current assumptions and projections, we do not expect additional cash contributions to the largest pension plan to be required until 2009. Current actuarial projections indicate contribution requirements of $1,180 in 2009, $1,970 in 2010 and a total of $11,420 in 2011 through 2015. We are required to make annual cash contributions of approximately $0.3 million to fund a small pension plan.
5. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table illustrates the computation of basic and diluted loss per share:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic loss per share: | 12/31/0 | 5 | 12/31/0 | 4 | ||||
Loss from continuing operations | $ | (10,247 | ) | $ | (12,038 | ) | ||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | 25,226 | 25,195 | ||||||
Basic loss from continuing operations per share | $ | (0.41 | ) | $ | (0.48 | ) | ||
Diluted loss per share: | ||||||||
Loss from continuing operations | $ | (10,247 | ) | $ | (12,038 | ) | ||
Weighted average common shares outstanding | 25,226 | 25,195 | ||||||
Options | antidilut | ive | antidilut | ive | ||||
Total shares outstanding | 25,226 | 25,195 | ||||||
Diluted loss from continuing operations per share | $ | (0.41 | ) | $ | (0.48 | ) | ||
Stock options entitled to purchase 781,413 and 1,029,603 shares of Class A common stock were antidilutive and not included in the earnings per share calculation for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. The stock options could become dilutive in future periods.
6. EQUITY SECURITIES
We had 22,604,761 shares of Class A common stock and 2,621,412 shares of Class B common stock outstanding at December 31, 2005. Class A common stock is traded on both the New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges. There is no public market for the Class B common stock. The shares of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share and cannot be exchanged for shares of Class B common stock. The shares of Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share and can be exchanged, at any time, for shares of Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis.
7. CONTINGENCIES
Environmental Matters
Our operations are subject to stringent government imposed environmental laws and regulations concerning, among other things, the discharge of materials into the environment and the generation, handling, storage, transportation and disposal of waste and hazardous materials. To date, such laws and regulations have had a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and net cash flows, and we have expended, and can be expected to expend in the future, significant amounts for the investigation of environmental conditions and installation of environmental control facilities, remediation of environmental conditions and other similar matters.
In connection with our plans to dispose of certain real estate, we must investigate environmental conditions and we may be required to take certain corrective action prior or pursuant to any such disposition. In addition, we have identified several areas of potential contamination related to, or arising from other facilities owned, or previously owned, by us, that may require us either to take corrective action or to contribute to a clean-up. We are also a defendant in several lawsuits and proceedings seeking to require us to pay for investigation or remediation of environmental matters, and for injuries to persons or property allegedly caused thereby, and we have been alleged to be a potentially responsible party at various “superfund” sites. We believe that we have recorded adequate accruals in our financial statements to complete such investigation and take any necessary corrective actions or make any necessary contributions. No amounts have been recorded as due from third parties, including insurers, or set-off against, any environmental liability, unless such parties are contractually obligated to contribute and are not disputing such liability.
In October 2003, we learned that volatile organic compounds had been detected in amounts slightly exceeding regulatory thresholds in a town water supply well in East Farmingdale, New York. Recent sampling of groundwater from the extraction wells to be used in the remediation system for this site has indicated that contaminant levels at the extraction point are significantly higher than previous sampling results indicated. These compounds may, to an as yet undetermined extent, be attributable to a groundwater plume containing volatile organic compounds, which may have had its source, at least in part, from plant operations conducted by a predecessor of ours in Farmingdale. We are aiding East Farmingdale in its investigation of the source and extent of the volatile organic compounds, and may assist it in treatment. In fiscal 2005, we contributed approximately $1.0 million toward this remediation.
We expensed $0.2 million in discontinued operations for environmental matters in the three months ended December 31, 2005. As of December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, the consolidated total of our recorded liabilities for environmental matters was approximately $10.3 million and $10.8 million, respectively, which represented the estimated probable exposure for these matters. On December 31, 2005, $1.1 million of these liabilities were classified as other accrued liabilities and $9.2 million were classified as other long-term liabilities. It is reasonably possible that our exposure for these matters could be approximately $14.8 million.
The sales agreement with Alcoa includes an indemnification for legal and environmental claims in excess of $8.4 million, for our fastener business. To date, Alcoa has contacted us concerning potential environmental and legal claims for $12.3 million, which, while disputed, could exceed the $8.4 million indemnification liability included in the sales agreement. We do not believe that we will have any liability to Alcoa in excess of the indemnification amount included in the sales agreement. Accordingly, we have not recorded an additional accrual for these environmental claims at December 31, 2005. However, Alcoa may seek to claim that amounts in excess of the $8.4 million should be paid from the $25.0 million held in escrow, which we would dispute. If it becomes probable that we are liable for claims in excess of the indemnification amount included in the sales agreement, we will, at that time record the liability. We have commenced an arbitration action against Alcoa to determine the validity of its claims.
Asbestos Matters
On January 21, 2003, we and one of our subsidiaries were served with a third-party complaint in an action brought in New York by a non-employee worker and his spouse alleging personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing products. The defendant, which is one of many defendants in the action, had purchased a pump business from us, and asserts the right to be indemnified by us under its purchase agreement. This case was discontinued as to all defendants, thereby extinguishing the indemnity claim against us in the instant case. However, the purchaser has notified us of, and claimed a right to indemnity from us in relation to many thousands of other asbestos-related claims filed against it. We have not received enough information to assess the impact, if any, of the other claims. During the last twenty-nine months, we have been served directly by plaintiffs’ counsel in twenty-five cases related to the same pump business. Two of the nineteen cases were dismissed as to all defendants, based upon forum objections. We, in coordination with our insurance carriers, intend aggressively to defend ourselves against these claims.
We have been served with a total of twenty-eight separate complaints in actions filed in various venues by non-employee workers, alleging personal injury or wrongful death as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing products other than those related to the pump business. The plaintiffs’ complaints do not specify which, if any, products are at issue, making it difficult to assess the merit and value, if any, of the asserted claims. We have resolved eleven similar (non-pump business) asbestos-related lawsuits that were previously served upon us. In nine cases, we were voluntarily dismissed, without payment of consideration to plaintiffs. The remaining two cases were settled for nominal amounts. We, in coordination with our insurance carriers, intend aggressively to defend ourselves against these claims.
Our insurance carriers have participated in the defense of all of the aforementioned asbestos claims, both pump and non-pump related. Although insurance coverage varies, depending upon the policy period(s) and product line involved in each case, management believes that our insurance coverage levels are adequate, and that asbestos claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, future results of operation, or net cash flow.
CL Motor Freight Litigation
In July 2005, we received notice that the Workers Compensation Bureau of the State of Ohio is seeking reimbursement from us of approximately $7.3 million for CL Motor Freight Inc. workers’ compensation claims which were insured under a self-insured workers compensation program in Ohio from the 1950s until 1985. We did not receive any information from Ohio for many years. CL Motor Freight is a former wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, which filed for Bankruptcy protection in 1985. We are contesting this claim.
Other Matters
Two actions, styledNoto v. Steiner, et al., andBarbonel v. Steiner, et al., were commenced on November 18, 2004, and November 23, 2004, respectively, in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for Newcastle County, Delaware. The plaintiffs allege that each is, or was, a shareholder of The Fairchild Corporation and purported to bring actions derivatively on behalf of the Company, claiming, among other things, that Fairchild executive officers received excessive pay and perquisites and that the Company’s directors approved such excessive pay and perquisites in violation of fiduciary duties to the Company. The complaints name, as defendants, all of the Company’s directors, its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, its President and Chief Operating Officer, its former Chief Financial Officer, and its General Counsel. While the Company and its Officers and Directors believe it and they have meritorious defenses to these suits, and deny liability or wrongdoing with respect to any and all claims alleged in the suits, it and its Officers and Directors elected to settle to avoid onerous costs of defense, inconvenience and distraction. On April 1, 2005, we mailed to our shareholders a Notice of Hearing and Proposed Settlement of The Fairchild Corporation Stockholder Derivative Litigation. On May 18, 2005, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County declined to approve that proposed settlement of the actions. On October 24, 2005, we mailed to our shareholders a Notice of Hearing and Proposed Supplemental Settlement of The Fairchild Corporation Stockholder Derivative Litigation. On November 23, 2005, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County approved the proposed settlement of these actions. The Court’s order became final on December 23, 2005. As a result of the settlement, we recognized a reduction in our selling, general and administrative expense for approximately $4.7 million of proceeds we received from Mr. J. Steiner and our insurance carriers. As of December 31, 2005, we have liabilities of approximately $2.3 million for legal expenses associated with the shareholder litigation, which represented the remaining estimated and unpaid costs for these matters. In January 2006, we received approximately $0.9 million from our insurance carriers to pay for the plaintiffs’ and objector’s attorneys’ fees. Additionally, we are seeking reimbursement from our insurance carriers of an additional $2.4 million for our legal costs associated with this matter. Any reimbursement we recover will be recognized as a reduction in our general & administrative expenses at the time recovery becomes definite.
In connection with the sale of the fasteners business to Alcoa in December 2002, Alcoa demanded that the Company make a post-closing balance sheet adjustment which, if accepted by us, would have entitled Alcoa to approximately $8.1 million. We rejected the adjustment and, in response, Alcoa, without our authorization, withheld payment to us of $4.0 million of the amount due to us from the $12.5 million we earned based upon commercial aircraft deliveries in 2003. We filed a claim against Alcoa in regard to the post-closing balance sheet matter, which was then submitted to BDO Seidman, LLP for arbitration. On February 18, 2005, BDO Seidman resolved in our favor the dispute with Alcoa, finding that the $8.1 million adjustment Alcoa demanded was inappropriate and denying Alcoa’s request for reformation of the acquisition agreement entered into by Alcoa and us. We also filed a claim against Alcoa to collect the $4.0 million Alcoa, without our authorization, held back “in escrow” which Alcoa agreed was due to the Company, pending resolution of a post-closing balance sheet adjustment dispute. In March 2005, Alcoa paid the $4.0 million amount it unilaterally withheld from us which remained outstanding for over a year. There is no provision in the agreements between the Company and Alcoa permitting Alcoa to create an escrow for the disputed post-closing balance sheet adjustment, and we intend to continue to pursue Alcoa for adequate compensation on the amount it arbitrarily withheld from us, including reimbursement of damages and legal fees. In addition, Alcoa has asserted other claims which, if proven, would, according to Alcoa, aggregate in excess of $5.0 million. If Alcoa is correct and these other claims exceed $5.0 million, we may be required to reimburse Alcoa for the full amount, without benefit of a threshold set forth in the acquisition agreement under which we sold our fastener business to Alcoa. To date, Alcoa has contacted us concerning potential environmental and legal claims for $12.3 million, which, while disputed, could exceed the $8.4 million indemnification reserve included in the sales agreement. We have notified Alcoa of our dispute of these matters and claims, and expect that resolution will require litigation, arbitration, or alternative dispute resolution methods.
We are involved in various other claims and lawsuits incidental to our business. We, either on our own or through our insurance carriers, are contesting these matters. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of litigation against us, including that mentioned above, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, future results of operations or net cash flows.
8. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Shopping Center
On December 21, 2005, we signed a definitive agreement to sell our Farmingdale, New York, power shopping center, Airport Plaza, to KRC Acquisition Corp., acting on behalf of a joint venture comprised of Kimco Realty Corporation and a fund managed by a major investment bank, for a total price of approximately $95 million. The purchaser has deposited $4.75 million into escrow to ensure its obligations and to seek the approval of our mortgage lender to assume our existing mortgage loan of approximately $53.8 million, or to defease the loan. Accordingly, we expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $41 million from this transaction. The closing will take place following the purchaser’s obtaining consent of the mortgage lender to its loan assumption, which could occur as early as March 2006. If the loan is defeased, the transaction may not close until as late as July 2006. The sale does not include several other undeveloped parcels of real estate that we own in Farmingdale, the largest of which is under contract of sale to the market chain, Stew Leonards. We decided to sell the shopping center to enhance our financial flexibility, allowing us to invest in existing operations or pursue other opportunities. We expect to recognize a gain from this transaction.
Aerostructures Business
On June 24, 2005, we completed the sale of our Fairchild Aerostructures business for $6.0 million to PCA Aerospace. The cash received from PCA Aerospace is subject to a post-closing adjustment based upon the net working capital of the business on January 1, 2005, compared with its net working capital as of June 24, 2005, which we have estimated to be approximately $1.5 million, and is included in accounts receivable at December 31, 2005. PCA Aerospace disputes the working capital post-closing adjustment, and also alleges that we owe PCA Aerospace $4.4 million. We have notified PCA Aerospace of our dispute of these claims. In connection with the sale, we have deposited with an escrow agent approximately $0.4 million to secure indemnification obligations we may have to PCA Aerospace. The escrow period is eighteen months. We decided to sell Fairchild Aerostructures, which was included in our aerospace segment, because we believe we received adequate fair value for a business whose performance was below our expectations and because its business was unrelated to other businesses we own. We used $0.9 million of the proceeds from the sale to repay a portion of our CIT revolving credit facility and we plan to use the remaining proceeds from the sale to reinvest in our existing operations. Fairchild Aerostructures was previously included in our aerospace segment.
In addition, we are leasing property we own located in Huntington Beach, California, to PCA Aerospace through October 2007. We can cause PCA Aerospace to purchase the Huntington Beach property at the greater of fair market value or $6.0 million under a put option we hold which can be exercised upon the earlier of the Beal Bank loan being paid off (currently due in October 2007, but with extension options) or January 31, 2012. PCA Aerospace also holds a similar purchase option. At December 31, 2005, the book value of the Huntington Beach property was $3.0 million and we believe the current fair market value is approximately $5.5 million.
Fastener Business
On December 3, 2002, we completed the sale of our fastener business to Alcoa Inc. for approximately $657 million in cash and the assumption of certain liabilities. During the four-year period from 2003 to 2006, we are entitled to receive additional cash proceeds of $0.4 million for each commercial aircraft delivered by Boeing and Airbus in excess of stated threshold levels, up to a maximum of $12.5 million per calendar year. Deliveries exceeded the threshold aircraft delivery level needed for us to earn the full $12.5 million contingent payment for 2004 and 2003, respectively. Accordingly, we recognized a $12.5 million gain on disposal of discontinued operations in fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004. The remaining threshold aircraft delivery level was 570 in 2005; and is 650 in 2006.
Based upon press releases issued by Boeing and Airbus, and other publicly available information, 668 commercial aircraft were delivered by Boeing (290 aircraft) and Airbus (378 aircraft) in 2005. These deliveries exceeded the 602 threshold aircraft delivery level needed for us to earn the full $12.5 million contingent payment for 2005, as set forth in the agreement to sell our fastener business to Alcoa. Accordingly, we recognized a gain of $12.5 million on the disposal of discontinued operations in the three months ended December 31, 2005. We expect to receive this amount in February 2006.
On December 3, 2002, we deposited with an escrow agent $25 million to secure indemnification obligations we may have to Alcoa. The escrow period remains in effect to December 3, 2007, but funds may be held longer if claims are timely asserted and remain unresolved. The escrow is classified in long-term investments on our balance sheet. In addition, for a period ending on December 3, 2007, we are required to maintain our corporate existence, take no action to cause our own liquidation or dissolution, and take no action to declare or pay any dividends on our common stock.
The results of the shopping center, Fairchild Aerostructures, and the fastener business are recorded as earnings from discontinued operations, the components of which are as follows:
Three months Ended | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12/31/05 | 12/31/04 | |||||||
Net revenues | $ | 2,391 | $ | 4,729 | ||||
Cost of revenues | 1,617 | 4,179 | ||||||
Gross margin | 774 | 550 | ||||||
Selling, general & administrative expense | 441 | 283 | ||||||
Other income, net | (109 | ) | (973 | ) | ||||
Operating income | 442 | 1,240 | ||||||
Investment income | 22 | — | ||||||
Net interest expense | (826 | ) | (800 | ) | ||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before taxes | (362 | ) | 440 | |||||
Income tax provision | (8 | ) | — | |||||
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations | $ | (370 | ) | $ | 440 | |||
The assets and liabilities of our Shopping Center are being reported as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations at December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, and were as follows:
12/31/05 | 9/30/05 | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Current assets of discontinued operations: | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | $ | 9 | $ | 60 | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,713 | 1,410 | ||||||
1,722 | 1,470 | |||||||
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations: | ||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 90,879 | 90,781 | ||||||
Accumulated depreciation | (16,346 | ) | (15,571 | ) | ||||
Deferred Loan Costs | 811 | 832 | ||||||
Other assets | 2,976 | 3,082 | ||||||
78,320 | 79,124 | |||||||
Current liabilities of discontinued operations: | ||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt | (679 | ) | (668 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable | (630 | ) | (415 | ) | ||||
Accrued liabilities | (486 | ) | (446 | ) | ||||
(1,795 | ) | (1,529 | ) | |||||
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations: | ||||||||
Long-term debt | (53,137 | ) | (53,313 | ) | ||||
Other long-term liabilities | (168 | ) | (168 | ) | ||||
(53,305 | ) | (53,481 | ) | |||||
Total net assets of discontinued operations | $ | 24,942 | $ | 25,584 | ||||
Term Loan Agreement - Shopping Center
At December 31, 2005, our subsidiary, Republic Thunderbolt, LLC, has outstanding borrowings of $53.8 million on a non-recourse 10-year term loan financing of our Airport Plaza shopping center in Farmingdale, New York. The interest rate is fixed at 6.2% for the term of the loan and the loan matures in January 2014. The loan requires the maintenance of a lock-box arrangement, whereby rental revenues are deposited and funds are automatically withdrawn to satisfy the monthly loan payments. After the monthly loan payments are made, the remaining funds are then disbursed to us. The loan does not have a subjective acceleration clause. In addition, the loan may not be prepaid until three months before its maturity, however, the loan may be assumed by other parties, or after June 2006, defeased. The loan is secured by the assets of our shopping center. On December 31, 2005, approximately $6.1 million of the loan proceeds were being invested in a long-term escrow account as collateral to fund certain contingent environmental matters.
9. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
We currently report in three principal business segments: sports & leisure, aerospace, and real estate operations. The following table provides the historical results of our operations for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12/31/05 | 12/31/04 | |||||||
Revenues | ||||||||
Sports & Leisure Segment | $ | 34,430 | $ | 43,115 | ||||
Aerospace Segment | 16,880 | 21,237 | ||||||
Real Estate Operations Segment | 258 | 258 | ||||||
Intercompany Eliminations | (21 | ) | (121 | ) | ||||
Total | $ | 51,547 | $ | 64,489 | ||||
Operating Income (Loss) | ||||||||
Sports & Leisure Segment | $ | (7,100 | ) | $ | (5,518 | ) | ||
Aerospace Segment | 567 | 1,417 | ||||||
Real Estate Operations Segment | 140 | 139 | ||||||
Corporate and Other | (2,760 | ) | (6,444 | ) | ||||
Total | $ | (9,153 | ) | $ | (10,406 | ) | ||
Earnings (Loss) From Continuing | ||||||||
Operations Before Taxes | ||||||||
Sports & Leisure Segment | $ | (7,952 | ) | $ | (6,633 | ) | ||
Aerospace Segment | 234 | 1,121 | ||||||
Real Estate Operations Segment | (217 | ) | (160 | ) | ||||
Corporate and Other | (2,205 | ) | (6,096 | ) | ||||
Total | $ | (10,140 | ) | $ | (11,768 | ) | ||
Assets | 12/31/05 | 9/30/05 | ||||||
Sports & Leisure Segment | $ | 156,239 | $ | 154,648 | ||||
Aerospace Segment | 45,591 | 42,848 | ||||||
Real Estate Operations Segment | 116,138 | 117,226 | ||||||
Corporate and Other | 132,600 | 132,338 | ||||||
Total | $ | 450,568 | $ | 447,060 | ||||
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 31, 2006, we entered into an €11.0 million ($13.0 million at December 31, 2005) seasonal credit line with Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf, with €5.5 million of funding anticipated in February 2006. We believe that our cash resources will be sufficient to meet our seasonal needs in 2006. The seasonal financing facility is 80% guaranteed by the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The seasonal facility will reduce by €1.0 million per year and expires on June 30, 2008. We are holding discussions with other German banks, to commit to €5.5 million of the €11.0 million seasonal facility on a permanent basis, subsequent to the 2006 season, but to date, we have not received a positive indication from a second bank to participate in the seasonal financing. If we are unable to obtain a €5.0 million commitment from a second bank by October 30, 2006, we have undertaken to deposit €5.0 million as restricted cash with Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf, in lieu of €5.0 million from the second bank, for the 2007 season. If we fail to do so, Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf may reduce, by one half, its €10.0 million loan commitment for the 2007 season.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OFRESULTS
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 IFW. Our principal operations are conducted through these entities. Our consolidated financial statements present the results of our shopping center (under contract to sell), our former fastener business (sold December 3, 2002), and Fairchild Aerostructures (sold June 24, 2005), 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 included elsewhere in this report.
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 finance and successfully operate our retail businesses; our ability to accurately predict demand for our products; our ability to receive timely deliveries from vendors; our ability to raise cash to meet seasonal demands; our dependence on the retail and aerospace industries; our ability to maintain customer satisfaction and deliver products of quality; our ability to properly assess our competition; our ability to improve our operations to profitability status; our ability to liquidate non-core assets to meet cash needs; our ability to attract and retain highly qualified executive management; our ability to achieve and execute internal business plans; weather conditions in Europe during peak business season and on weekends; labor disputes; competition; worldwide political instability and economic growth; military conflicts, including terrorist activities; 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. Our real estate operations segment owns and leases a shopping center located in Farmingdale, New York (under contract to sell), and owns and rents two improved parcels located in Southern California.
For the three months ended December 31, 2005, we reported a loss from continuing operations before income taxes of $10.1 million, as compared to a loss of $11.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. The current quarter loss from continuing operations benefited from the settlement of the shareholder derivative litigation, which improved results by approximately $3.8 million. Excluding this item, the increased loss from continuing operations resulted primarily from lower revenues in our sports & leisure and aerospace segments. The seasonal inventory demands of our sports & leisure business has contributed primarily to our $7.4 million use of cash in our operating activities in the three months ended December 31, 2005. As of December 31, 2005, we have unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $14.2 million, and available borrowing under lines of credit of $3.2 million. In addition, we expect to receive net cash of $12.5 million from Alcoa in February 2006, under the terms of our 2002 sale agreement and we received net cash of $2.9 million in January 2006, related to the settlement of our stockholders derivative litigation. Also, on January 31, 2006, we entered into an €11.0 million ($13.0 million at December 31, 2005) seasonal credit line with Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf, with funding of €5.5 million anticipated in February 2006.
We have undertaken a number of actions, which we believe will improve the results of Hein Gericke in 2006 and beyond including:
- Implementation of an internet sales shop.
- Tighter control over discretionary spending and promotional activities.
- Management changes, with emphasis on enhancing the supply chain.
- Implementation of a new computer system which provides improved sales and inventory management information and enhances operational efficiencies.
In addition, we plan to:
- Improve our operational efficiency by further reducing overhead expenses.
- Enhance training programs for our sales people.
- Promote our internet sales shop.
- Identify strategic markets outside of Germany and the United Kingdom for possible expansion.
We expect that cash on hand, cash proceeds received from the stockholder derivative litigation and proceeds due to us from Alcoa, cash available from lines of credit, including an €11.0 million ($13.0 million at December 31, 2005) seasonal line of credit, and proceeds received from dispositions of short-term investments and shopping center, will be adequate to satisfy our cash requirements during the next twelve months.
In order to improve our liquidity, on December 21, 2005, we signed a definitive agreement to sell our Farmingdale, New York, power shopping center, Airport Plaza, to KRC Acquisition Corp., acting on behalf of a joint venture comprised of Kimco Realty Corporation and a fund managed by a major investment bank, for approximately $95 million. The purchaser has deposited into escrow $4.75 million to ensure its obligations and to seek the approval of our mortgage lender to assume our existing mortgage loan of approximately $53.8 million, or to defease the loan. The closing will take place following the purchaser’s obtaining consent of the mortgage lender to its loan assumption, which could occur as early as March 2006. If the loan is defeased, the transaction may not close until as late as July 2006. The sale does not include several other undeveloped parcels of real estate that we own in Farmingdale, New York, the largest of which is under contract of sale to the market chain, Stew Leonards. We decided to sell the shopping center to enhance our financial flexibility, allowing us to invest in existing operations or pursue other opportunities.
Our cash needs are generally the highest during the first and second quarters of our fiscal year, when our sports and leisure segment purchases inventory in advance of the spring and summer selling seasons.
In December 2005, we entered into discussions with an investment bank concerning our capital requirements. On December 26, 2005, we engaged the investment bank to seek on our behalf a commitment for a short-term loan to us of $20 million, against our agreement to sell our shopping center to KRC Acquisition Corp. The investment bank indicated to us that it was highly confident that it obtain a loan commitment, if needed, during the period of our seasonal trough. We chose not to consummate that loan, but could seek similar or other financing from the same or other lenders.
In the event that our cash needs are substantially higher than projected, particularly during our seasonal trough, we will take additional actions to generate the required cash. These actions may include one or any combination of the following:
- Liquidating investments and other non-core assets.
- Obtaining and utilizing borrowings available to us under a “bridge” financing agreement collateralized by the expected proceeds to be received from the sale of our shopping center.
- Eliminating, reducing, or delaying all non-essential services provided by outside parties, including consultants.
- Significantly reducing our corporate overhead expenses.
- Delaying purchases of inventory.
However, if we need to implement one or more of these actions, there nevertheless remains some uncertainty that we will actually receive a sufficient amount of cash in time to meet all of our needs during the seasonal trough. Even if sufficient cash is realized, any or all of these actions may have adverse affects on our operating results and/or businesses.
During the next several months, we plan to:
- Consummate the closing of our shopping center sale.
- Generate additional cash from borrowings and/or the sale of other non-core assets to support our operations and corporate needs.
- Implement the terms of a settlement of the stockholders derivative litigation.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Business Transactions
On June 24, 2005, we completed the sale of our Fairchild Aerostructures business for $6.0 million to PCA Aerospace. The cash received from PCA Aerospace is subject to a post-closing adjustment based upon the net working capital of the business on January 1, 2005, compared with its net working capital as of June 24, 2005, which we have estimated to be approximately $1.5 million, and is included in accounts receivable at December 31, 2005. PCA Aerospace disputes the working capital post-closing adjustment, and also alleges that we owe PCA Aerospace $4.4 million. We have notified PCA Aerospace of our dispute of these claims. In connection with the sale, we have deposited with an escrow agent approximately $0.4 million to secure indemnification obligations we may have to PCA Aerospace. The escrow period is eighteen months. We decided to sell Fairchild Aerostructures, which was included in our aerospace segment, because we believe we received adequate fair value for a business whose performance was below our expectations and because its business was unrelated to other businesses we own. We used $0.9 million of the proceeds from the sale to repay a portion of our CIT revolving credit facility and we used the remaining proceeds from the sale to reinvest in our existing operations.
Consolidated Results
We currently report in three principal business segments: sports & leisure, aerospace, and real estate operations. Because Fairchild Sports is a highly seasonal business, with an historic trend of a higher volume of sales and profits during the months of March through September, the discussion below should not be relied upon as a trend of our future results. The following table provides the revenues and operating income (loss) of our segments:
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12/31/05 | 12/31/04 | |||||||
Revenues | ||||||||
Sports & Leisure Segment | $ | 34,430 | $ | 43,115 | ||||
Aerospace Segment | 16,880 | 21,237 | ||||||
Real Estate Operations Segment | 258 | 258 | ||||||
Intercompany Eliminations | (21 | ) | (121 | ) | ||||
Total | $ | 51,547 | $ | 64,489 | ||||
Operating Income (Loss) | ||||||||
Sports & Leisure Segment | $ | (7,100 | ) | $ | (5,518 | ) | ||
Aerospace Segment | 567 | 1,417 | ||||||
Real Estate Operations Segment | 140 | 139 | ||||||
Corporate and Other | (2,760 | ) | (6,444 | ) | ||||
Total | $ | (9,153 | ) | $ | (10,406 | ) | ||
Revenues decreased by $12.9 million, or 20.1%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2006, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2005. The first three months of fiscal 2006, included reduced revenues of $8.7 million and $4.4 million in our sports & leisure segment and our aerospace segment, respectively. See segment discussion below for further details.
Gross margin as a percentage of sales improved to 37.5% in the first three months of fiscal 2006, as compared to 33.9% in the first three months of fiscal 2005. An increase in margins at our sports & leisure segment helped partially offset the lower sales. Gross margins also improved at our aerospace segment due primarily to a change in product mix.
Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales increased by 3.8% to 54.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2005, as compared to the first three months of fiscal 2005, due primarily to the lower volume of revenues. Selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended December 31, 2005, also benefited from $4.7 million received by us from the settlement of the shareholder derivative litigation, offset partially by $0.6 million of related legal fees.
Other income decreased $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2004, due primarily to one-time items recognized in the prior period.
Net interest expense was $2.8 million and $3.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. The decrease reflected lower interest expense on the $100 million interest rate contract due to higher variable interest rates in the United States. We settled the interest rate contract at the end of December 2005, which will lead to a reduction in interest expense from this factor over the next four quarters.
Investment income increased $0.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2004, and included a $0.5 million increase in gains realized on the sale of investments, a $0.1 million increase in other dividend income and a $0.2 million increase in the fair market value of investments classified as trading securities.
The fair market value adjustment of our position in a ten-year $100 million interest rate contract improved by $0.8 million in the first three months of fiscal 2006, as compared to $1.7 million in the same period in fiscal 2005. The fair market value adjustment of this agreement reflected increasing interest rates and caused the favorable change in fair market value of the contract in these periods. We settled the interest rate contract at the end of December 2005, and accordingly we will have no further income or loss from this contract. The settlement allowed us to increase cash available for operations by approximately $2.5 million.
The tax provision for the three months ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, represents $0.1 million of state taxes. No federal tax benefit was accrued, due to our foreign operations reporting a loss for the quarter and our annual projected loss for domestic operations. The tax provision for the three months ended December 31, 2004, represents foreign taxes withheld and state taxes.
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations include the results of our shopping center, which is under contract of sale, Fairchild Aerostructures prior to its sale, certain accounts receivable recovery efforts, and legal and environmental expenses associated with our former businesses. The loss from discontinued operations for the first three months of fiscal 2006 resulted from a $0.2 million loss at our shopping center and $0.2 million of environmental expenses. 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, offset partially from a $0.2 million loss at our shopping center, and a $0.3 million loss at Fairchild Aerostructures.
We recognized a $12.5 million gain on the disposal of discontinued operations in each of the three months ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, due to $12.5 million of additional proceeds earned from the sale of the fastener business. No income tax expense was recorded due to our overall domestic tax loss.
Segment Results
Sports & Leisure Segment
Our sports & leisure segment designs and sells motorcycle apparel, protective clothing, helmets, and technical accessories for motorcyclists. Primary brand names of our products include Hein Gericke and Polo. Hein Gericke currently operates 145 retail shops in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Polo currently operates 87 retail shops in Germany and one shop in Switzerland. 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 Hein Gericke. In addition, IFW designs and produces apparel under private labels for third parties. The sports and leisure segment is a seasonal business, with an historic trend of a higher volume of sales and profits during March through September.
Sales in our sports & leisure segment decreased by $8.7 million during the three months ended December 31, 2005, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2004. Same store sales decreased by 5.3% in the current period, and sales at IFW decreased by 58.8%, due primarily to a reduction in sales to Harley-Davidson and Tucker-Rocky. Additionally, foreign currency exchange rates on the translation of European sales into U.S. dollars changed unfavorably by approximately 7.1% in the current period contributing $3.0 million to the sales decline. Average retail sales per square meter was $322.55 in the three months ended December 31, 2005, as compared to $366.82 in the three months ended December 31, 2004. The operating loss was $7.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005 as compared to $5.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004, and was adversely affected by difficult trading conditions in Germany and the reduction in business at IFW. The business improved its gross margins by 10.2%, despite the reduction in revenues.
Since the November 1, 2003 acquisition, Hein Gericke has initiated steps to advance its retail business in Germany. Hein Gericke is focusing on more efficient advertising and marketing to restore brand recognition and increase customer traffic previously enjoyed by Hein Gericke in Germany. A new ERP computer system operational at Polo, was expanded to encompass the operations of Hein Gericke. The new ERP computer system enables the business to operate in a more efficient manner. 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. We have also redesigned several stores to better present our products to customers.
Aerospace Segment
Our aerospace segment has five 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, and one location provides overhaul and repair capabilities. 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 decreased by $4.4 million, or 20.5%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2006, as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2005. Sales in our aerospace segment benefited in the three months ended December 31, 2004, from the delivery of an unusually large order. Demand in the aerospace industry for the products we sell continue to be adversely affected by the financial difficulties of commercial airlines.
Operating income decreased by $0.9 million, in the first quarter of 2006, as compared to the same period in fiscal 2005, due primarily to the decrease in volume of sales, offset partially by a slight 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, owns and leases to Alcoa a 208,000 square foot manufacturing facility located in Fullerton, California, and also owns and leases to PCA Aerospace a 58,000 square foot manufacturing facility located in Huntington Beach, California.
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. The Huntington Beach property is leased to PCA Aerospace through October 2007, and is expected to generate revenues and operating income of $0.4 million per year. We can cause PCA Aerospace to purchase the Huntington Beach property at the greater of fair market value or $6.0 million under a put option we hold which can be exercised upon the earlier of the time when a mortgage loan, which encumbers the property, is paid off (currently due in October 2007, but with extension options) or January 31, 2012. PCA Aerospace also holds a similar purchase option. At December 30, 2005, the book value of the Huntington Beach property was $3.0 million and we believe the current fair market value is approximately $5.5 million.
In April 2005, we engaged Eastdil Realty Company, LLC, to explore opportunities for the sale of our Farmingdale, New York shopping center. In October 2005, our Board of Directors’ authorized management to sell the shopping center, and on December 21, 2005, we signed a definitive agreement to sell our center to KRC Acquisition Corp., acting on behalf of a joint venture comprised of Kimco Realty Corporation and a fund managed by a major investment bank, for approximately $95 million. The purchaser has deposited into escrow $4.75 million to ensure its obligations and has agreed to seek the approval of our mortgage lender to assume our existing mortgage loan of approximately $53.8 million, or to defease the loan. The closing will take place following purchaser’s obtaining consent of the mortgage lender to its loan assumption, which could occur as early as March 2006. If the loan is defeased, the transaction may not close until as late as July 2006. The results of the shopping center are included in discontinued operations. We expect to recognize a gain from this transaction.
Corporate
The operating loss at corporate was reduced by $3.9 million in the first three months of fiscal 2006, as compared to the first three months of fiscal 2005, due primarily to the settlement of the shareholder derivative litigation in which we recognized a $4.1 million net reduction in general and administrative expenses.
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Total capitalization as of December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005 was $182.9 million and $178.8 million, respectively. The three-month change in capitalization included a net increase of $3.9 million in debt resulting from $7.0 million of additional borrowings from our credit facilities, offset partially by approximately $1.9 million of term debt repayments and a $1.5 million reduction due to the change in foreign currency on debt denominated in euros. Equity decreased by $0.2 million, reflecting our $1.9 million net earnings, offset partially by a $1.7 million other comprehensive loss. Our combined cash and investment balances totaled $78.5 million on December 31, 2005, as compared to $97.9 million on September 30, 2005, and included restricted investments of $54.7 million and $64.4 million at December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, respectively.
Net cash used for operating activities for the three months ended December 31, 2005, was $7.4 million and included a $20.9 million increase in net operating assets, principally related to the $12.5 million due from Alcoa and a $6.8 million increase in inventory, offset partially by $9.5 million of trading securities liquidated used to fund our operating requirements. 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 investing activities for the three months ended December 31, 2005 was $7.2 million, and included $8.9 million of proceeds received from investment securities, offset by $2.3 million of capital expenditures. 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 $2.4 million of capital expenditures.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2005, which reflected $11.8 million of debt repayments, including the liquidation of the $100 million interest rate contract, offset by $12.8 million received on additional borrowings. Net cash provided by financing activities was $3.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004, which reflects primarily $3.5 million of net borrowings, and $0.5 million received on repayment of shareholder loans.
Our principal cash requirements include supporting our current operations, general and administrative expenses, capital expenditures, and the payment of other liabilities including postretirement benefits, environmental investigation and remediation costs, and litigation settlements and related costs. We expect that cash on hand, cash generated from the earnout due to us from Alcoa, proceeds due to us from the stockholder derivative litigation, cash available from lines of credit, and proceeds received from dispositions of short-term investments, will be adequate to satisfy our cash requirements during the next twelve months.
In order to improve our liquidity, on December 21, 2005, we signed a definitive agreement to sell our Farmingdale, New York, power shopping center, Airport Plaza, to KRC Acquisition Corp., acting on behalf of a joint venture comprised of Kimco Realty Corporation and a fund managed by a major investment bank, for approximately $95 million. The purchaser deposited into escrow $4.75 million to ensure its obligations and to seek the approval of our mortgage lender to assume our existing mortgage loan of approximately $53.8 million, or to defease the loan. The closing will take place following purchaser’s obtaining consent of the mortgage lender to its loan assumption, which could occur as early as March 2006. If the loan is defeased, the transaction may not close until as late as July 2006. The sale does not include several other undeveloped parcels of real estate that we own in Farmingdale, New York, the largest of which is under contract of sale to the market chain, Stew Leonards. We decided to sell the shopping center to enhance our financial flexibility, allowing us to invest in existing operations or pursue other opportunities.
Our cash needs are generally the highest during the first and second quarters of our fiscal year, when our sports and leisure segment purchases inventory in advance of the spring and summer selling seasons.
On January 31, 2006, we entered into an €11.0 million ($13.0 million at December 31, 2005) seasonal credit line with Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf, with €5.5 million of funding anticipated in February 2006. We believe that our cash resources will be sufficient to meet our seasonal needs in 2006. The seasonal financing facility is 80% guaranteed by the German State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The seasonal facility will reduce by €1.0 million per year and expires on June 30, 2008. We are holding discussions with other German banks, to commit to €5.5 million of the €11.0 million seasonal facility on a permanent basis, subsequent to the 2006 season, but to date, we have not received a positive indication from a second bank to participate in the seasonal financing. If we are unable to obtain a €5.0 million commitment from a second bank by October 30, 2006, we have undertaken to deposit €5.0 million as restricted cash with Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf in lieu of €5.0 million from the second bank for the 2007 season. If we fail to do so, Stadtsparkasse Düsseldorf may reduce, by one half, its €10.0 million loan commitment for the 2007 season.
In December 2005, we entered into discussions with an investment bank concerning our capital requirements. On December 26, 2005, we engaged the investment bank to seek on our behalf a commitment for a short-term loan to us of $20 million, against our agreement to sell our shopping center to KRC Acquisition Corp. The investment bank indicated to us that it was highly confident that it obtain a loan commitment, if needed, during the period of our seasonal trough. We chose not to consummate that loan, but may seek similar or other financing from the same or other lenders.
In the event that our cash needs are substantially higher than projected, particularly during our seasonal trough, we will take additional actions to generate the required cash. These actions may include one or any combination of the following:
- Liquidating investments and other non-core assets.
- Obtaining and utilizing borrowings available to us under a “bridge” financing agreement collateralized by the expected proceeds to be received from the sale of our shopping center.
- Eliminating, reducing, or delaying all non-essential services provided by outside parties, including consultants.
- Significantly reducing our corporate overhead expenses.
- Delaying purchases of inventory.
However, if we need to implement one or more of these actions, there nevertheless remains some uncertainty that we will actually receive a sufficient amount of cash in time to meet all of our needs during the seasonal trough. Even if sufficient cash is realized, any or all of these actions may have adverse affects on our operating results and/or businesses.
We may also consider raising cash to meet subsequent needs of our operations by issuing additional stock or debt, entering into partnership arrangements, liquidating assets or other means. Should the sale of our shopping center be delayed or not occur, we may be forced to liquidate other non-essential assets, and significantly reduce overhead expenses.
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. The costs to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 alone substantially increased our audit and related costs to approximately $3.1 million in fiscal 2005, as compared to only $1.6 million in fiscal 2004. This increase is significant for a company of our size. We are considering all options for reducing costs, including opportunities to take our company private in the coming year.
In February 2005, we announced our intention to purchase up to 500,000 shares of our outstanding Class A Common Stock. Through December 31, 2005, we acquired 61,800 shares at an average price of $3.12 per share, and have not purchased any shares since May 11, 2005.
Off Balance Sheet Items
On December 31, 2005, approximately $1.5 million of bank loans received by retail shop partners in the sports & leisure segment were guaranteed by our subsidiaries and are not reflected on our balance sheet because these loans have not been assumed by us. These guarantees were assumed by us when we acquired the sports & leisure business. We have guaranteed loans to shop partners for the purchase of store fittings in certain locations where we sell our products. The loans are secured by the store fittings purchased to outfit our retail stores.
Contractual and Other Obligations
At December 31, 2005, 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: $20.1 million for 2006; $27.1 million for 2007; $8.2 million for 2008; $16.4 million for 2009; and $1.0 million for 2010.
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, 2005, we had contingent liabilities of $2.0 million on commitments related to outstanding letters of credit.
Our operations enter into purchase commitments in the normal course of business.
Based upon our actuary’s recent assumptions and projections, we do not expect additional cash contributions to our largest pension plan to be required until 2009. Current actuarial projections indicate contribution requirements of $1,180 in 2009, $1,970 in 2010 and a total of $11,420 in 2011 through 2015. We are required to make annual cash contributions of approximately $0.3 million to fund a small pension plan.
In addition, we have $26.4 million classified as other long-term liabilities at December 31, 2005, including $13.8 million due to purchase the remaining 7.5% interest in PoloExpress in April 2008. The remaining $13.4 million of other long-term liabilities include 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 $42.2 million tax liability at December 31, 2005. 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 March 2005, The Financial Accounting Standards Board published FASB Interpretation No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligation”, to clarify that an entity must recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation when incurred if the liability’s fair value can be reasonably estimated. FIN 47 also defines when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. FIN 47 is intended to provide a more consistent recognition of liabilities relating to asset retirement obligations, additional information about expected future cash outflows associated with those obligations, and additional information about investments in long-lived assets, because it recognizes additional asset retirement costs as part of the assets’ carrying amounts. FIN 47 is effective no later than the end of our fiscal year ending September 30, 2006. We are currently assessing the possible impact, if any, of implementing this standard.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to certain market risks as part of our ongoing business operations, including risks from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates that could impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We manage our exposure to these and other market risks through regular operating and financing activities. We may use derivative financial instruments on a limited basis as additional risk management tools and not for speculative investment purposes.
Interest Rate Risk: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. At December 31, 2005, the fair value of this instrument is nominal.
Foreign Currency Risk:We are exposed to foreign currency risks that arise from normal business operations. These risks include the translation of local currency balances of our foreign subsidiaries, intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries and transactions denominated in foreign currencies. Our objective is to minimize our exposure to these risks through our normal operating activities and, if we determine appropriate, we may consider utilizing foreign currency forward contracts in the future. For the three months ended December 31, 2005, we estimate that approximately 68% of our total revenues were derived from customers outside of the United States, with approximately 59% of our total revenues denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar. We estimate that revenue and operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2005 were lower by $3.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively, as a result of changes in exchange rates as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2004. At December 31, 2005, we had $32.9 million of working capital (current assets minus current liabilities) denominated in foreign currencies. At December 31, 2005, we had no outstanding foreign currency forward contracts. The following table shows the approximate split of these foreign currency exposures by principal currency at December 31, 2005:
Euro | UK Pound | Swiss Franc | Total Exposure | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues | 74 | % | 25 | % | 1 | % | 100 | % | |
Expenses | 81 | % | 18 | % | 1 | % | 100 | % | |
Working Capital | 75 | % | 24 | % | 1 | % | 100 | % |
A hypothetical 10% strengthening of the dollar during the quarter ended December 31, 2005 versus the foreign currencies in which we have exposure would have reduced revenue by approximately $3.1 million and reduced operating expenses by approximately $3.5 million, resulting in a $0.4 million improvement in our operating loss as compared to what was actually reported. Working capital at December 31, 2005, would have been approximately $3.3 million lower than actually reported, if we had used this hypothetical stronger United States dollar. These numbers were estimated using the different hypothetical rate for the entire year and applying it evenly to all non United States dollar transactions.
Inflation:We believe that inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2005. However, we cannot assure you that future inflation would not have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.
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 aim to 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. Our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective at September 30, 2005 due to two material weaknesses noted in our annual report. We recently implemented policies and procedures that will document adequately the review and approval process of journal entries at our two subsidiaries which were found to have a material weakness as of September 30, 2005. Additionally, we are in the process of enhancing our procedures relating to accounting for complex and non-routine transactions in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, to reduce the likelihood that a misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements that is more than inconsequential could occur. 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, 2005.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
The information required to be disclosed under this Item is set forth in Footnote 7 (Contingencies) of the Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) included in this Report.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity 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.
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, (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, and (c) appreciation of contemporary forms of governance, and the current regulatory environment. The Committee also may consider the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board of Directors.
(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.
For THE FAIRCHILD CORPORATION (Registrant) and as its Chief Financial Officer: By:/s/ JAMES G. FOX James G. Fox Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Finance |
Date: February 9, 2006