F-1 INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES [ITEMS 14(A)(1) AND (2)] PAGE ---- INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT F-2 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, 1998 AND 1997: Consolidated Balance Sheets F-3 Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings F-5 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity F-6 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-8 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-9 F-2 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT To the Shareholders and Board of Directors The Davey Tree Expert Company Kent, Ohio We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Davey Tree Expert Company and subsidiary companies as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of net earnings, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Davey Tree Expert Company and subsidiary companies as of December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. /s/ DELOITTE AND TOUCHE LLP Cleveland, Ohio March 23, 2000 F-3 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 63 $ 1,264 $ 722 Accounts receivable 71,452 51,490 43,896 Operating supplies 2,848 2,644 2,662 Prepaid expenses and other assets 2,494 2,940 2,724 Refundable income taxes 2,375 1,248 Deferred income taxes 2,014 1,842 2,032 ---------- ---------- --------- Total current assets 81,246 61,428 52,036 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: Land and land improvements 6,495 6,325 6,283 Buildings and leasehold improvements 18,480 18,269 16,142 Equipment 201,997 187,084 166,902 ---------- ---------- --------- 226,972 211,678 189,327 Less accumulated depreciation 142,964 132,245 123,053 ---------- ---------- --------- Net property and equipment 84,008 79,433 66,274 OTHER ASSETS AND INTANGIBLES 11,428 8,225 9,515 TOTAL ASSETS $ 176,682 $ 149,086 $ 127,825 ========== ========== ========= See notes to consolidated financial statements. F-4 DECEMBER 31 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable $ 14,287 $ 15,191 $ 10,187 Accrued liabilities 9,815 11,413 10,822 Insurance liabilities 4,755 5,797 6,738 Income taxes payable 1,647 Notes payable, bank 500 300 Current maturities of long-term debt 3,746 855 3,148 Current obligations under capital leases 296 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total current liabilities 33,399 33,256 32,842 LONG-TERM DEBT 65,904 42,893 24,104 LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS UNDER CAPITAL LEASES 4,361 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 4,731 3,588 1,381 INSURANCE LIABILITIES 11,155 10,969 10,913 OTHER LIABILITIES 712 1,112 698 ---------- ---------- ---------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 120,262 91,818 69,938 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred shares Common shares 10,728 8,728 8,728 Additional paid-in capital 3,136 5,893 4,625 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (543) (745) (535) Retained earnings 76,455 94,547 85,510 ---------- ---------- ---------- 89,776 108,423 98,328 LESS: Treasury shares, at cost 33,356 51,155 40,441 ---------- ---------- ---------- TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 56,420 57,268 57,887 ---------- ---------- ---------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 176,682 $ 149,086 $ 127,825 ========== ========== ========== See notes to consolidated financial statements. F-5 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET EARNINGS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) REVENUES $ 308,144 100.0% $ 313,887 100.0% $ 295,079 100.0% COSTS AND EXPENSES: Operating 210,628 68.3 210,921 67.2 197,726 67.0 Selling 45,403 14.7 39,601 12.6 37,832 12.8 General and administrative 21,742 7.1 22,764 7.2 20,297 6.9 Depreciation and amortization 20,412 6.7 19,934 6.4 17,375 5.9 ---------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- ----- 298,185 96.8 293,220 93.4 273,230 92.6 ---------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS 9,959 3.2 20,667 6.6 21,849 7.4 INTEREST EXPENSE 4,947 1.6 3,391 1.1 2,703 .9 OTHER INCOME - NET (1,138) (.4) (565) (.2) (105) ---------- ----- ---------- ----- ---------- ----- EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES 6,150 2.0 17,841 5.7 19,251 6.5 INCOME TAXES 2,435 0.8 7,244 2.3 7,972 2.7 ---------- ------ ---------- ----- ---------- ----- NET EARNINGS $ 3,715 1.2% $ 10,597 3.4% $ 11,279 3.8% ========== ===== ========== ===== ========== ===== EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.47 $ 1.29 $ 1.28 ========== ========== ========== EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ASSUMING DILUTION $ 0.42 $ 1.15 $ 1.19 ========== ========== ========== See notes to consolidated financial statements. F-6 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, 1998 AND 1997 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADDITIONAL COMMON PAID-IN SHARES CAPITAL --------- ---------- BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 1997 $ 8,728 $ 3,876 Comprehensive income: Net earnings Other comprehensive income, net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Comprehensive income Receipts from subscriptions receivable Shares purchased Shares sold to employees 695 Options exercised 54 Dividends --------- --------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997 8,728 4,625 Comprehensive income: Net earnings Other comprehensive income, net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Comprehensive income Shares purchased Shares sold to employees 1,115 Options exercised 153 Dividends --------- --------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1998 8,728 5,893 Comprehensive income: Net earnings Other comprehensive income, net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustments Comprehensive income Stock dividend and share retirement 2,000 (3,982) Shares purchased Shares sold to employees 1,033 Options exercised 192 Dividends --------- --------- BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1999 $ 10,728 $ 3,136 ========= ========= See notes to consolidated financial statements. F-7 ACCUMULATED SUBSCRIP- OTHER COMPRE- TIONS HENSIVE RECEIVABLE COMPRE- INCOME RETAINED TREASURY FROM HENSIVE (LOSS) EARNINGS SHARES EMPLOYEES INCOME TOTAL ------------ -------- -------- ---------- ------- ----- $ (401) $ 75,725 $ (35,451) $ (7) $ 52,470 11,279 $ 11,279 (134) (134) -------- $ 11,145 11,145 ======== 7 7 (5,918) (5,918) 737 1,432 191 245 (1,494) (1,494) -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- (535) 85,510 (40,441) 0 57,887 10,597 $ 10,597 (210) (210) -------- $ 10,387 10,387 ======== (12,150) (12,150) 773 1,888 663 816 (1,560) (1,560) -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- (745) 94,547 (51,155) 0 57,268 3,715 $ 3,715 202 202 -------- $ 3,917 3,917 ======== (19,759) 21,741 (5,509) (5,509) (407) 626 1,974 2,166 (2,048) (2,048) -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- $ (543) $ 76,455 $ (33,356) $ 0 $ 56,420 ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== See notes to consolidated financial statements. F-8 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net earnings $ 3,715 $ 10,597 $ 11,279 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: Depreciation 20,019 19,563 17,000 Amortization 393 371 375 Deferred income taxes 971 2,397 (817) Gain on sale of assets (1,487) (587) (325) Other (290) 28 (1) -------- -------- -------- 23,321 32,369 27,511 Change in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (19,962) (7,594) (4,091) Other assets (3,732) (59) (2,876) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (2,949) 5,595 2,606 Insurance liabilities (856) (885) 2,539 Other liabilities (400) (1,233) 1,245 -------- -------- -------- Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (4,578) 28,193 26,934 -------- -------- -------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from sales of property and equipment 2,730 1,880 1,138 Acquisitions (857) (712) (449) Capital expenditures: Land and buildings (2,574) (2,617) (285) Equipment (18,006) (31,392) (26,718) -------- -------- -------- Net cash used in investing activities (18,707) (32,841) (26,314) -------- -------- -------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net borrowings (payments) under notes payable, bank 500 (300) 225 Principal payments of long-term debt (1,071) (5,547) (2,778) Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 26,973 22,043 7,756 Sales of treasury shares 2,792 2,704 1,677 Receipts from stock subscriptions 7 Dividends paid, $.20 in 1999; $.19 in 1998; $.17 in 1997 (1,601) (1,560) (1,494) Repurchase of common shares (5,509) (12,150) (5,918) -------- -------- -------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 22,084 5,190 (525) -------- -------- -------- NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (1,201) 542 95 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 1,264 722 627 -------- -------- -------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR $ 63 $ 1,264 $ 722 ======== ======== ======== See notes to consolidated financial statements. F-9 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Davey Tree Expert Company and its subsidiary companies. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and contingencies disclosed in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. FISCAL YEAR The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31; 1999 was a 52-week year ended January 1, 2000; 1998 was a 52-week year ended January 2, 1999 and 1997 was a 53-week year ended January 3, 1998. For presentation purposes, all years were presumed to have ended on December 31. REVENUE RECOGNITION The Company recognizes revenues as services are provided, either on a time and materials basis, price per unit completed, or an agreed upon fee for services performed. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE Carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. Due to the short maturities, the carrying amount of the investments approximates fair value. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE The Company had an allowance of $348,000 at December 31, 1999 and $314,000 at December 31, 1998 and 1997. INTANGIBLE ASSETS Intangible assets represent goodwill, employment contracts, and customer lists resulting from business acquisitions and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3-15 years. The net book value of intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $2,711,000, $2,318,000, and $1,947,000 at December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, respectively) was $2,790,000, $2,631,000, and $2,550,000 at December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, respectively. F-10 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT The Company records property and equipment at cost. In January 1998, the Company commenced development of its new enterprise-wide information system. This project included the re-design of certain key business processes, and replaced the Company's legacy systems on April 4, 1999. Costs have been expensed or capitalized depending on whether they were incurred in the preliminary project stage, application development stage, or the post implementation stage. Reengineering, training, and other costs such as data conversion have been expensed as incurred. Generally, land improvements, leasehold improvements and buildings are depreciated by the straight-line method while the declining balance method is used for equipment. The estimated useful lives used in computing depreciation are: land improvements, 5-20 years; buildings and leasehold improvements, 5-40 years; equipment, 3-10 years. IMPAIRMENT The Company periodically assesses recoverability of the carrying amount of its property and equipment, goodwill, and other intangible assets principally by evaluating the utilization of those assets as well as the profitability associated with their related revenues. In the event these assessments indicate their carrying amounts may not be recoverable, estimates will be made of the applicable assets future undiscounted cash flows to determine if recognition of an impairment loss is necessary. STOCK SPLIT On May 19, 1999 the Company's Board of Directors declared a 2-for-1 stock split in the form of a 100% stock dividend on outstanding shares only, to shareholders of record as of June 1, 1999. To effect the stock split, they authorized the retirement of 1,981,894 common shares held in treasury. Per common share amounts have been restated for all periods presented to give retroactive effect to the stock split, and common shares issued, treasury shares and retained earnings have been adjusted to reflect the share retirement. Common share disclosures have also been restated, where appropriate, to reflect the 2-for-1 stock split. EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per common share and earnings per common share - assuming dilution: 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) Numerator: Net earnings $ 3,715 $ 10,597 $ 11,279 Denominator: For earnings per common share weighted average shares outstanding 7,971,810 8,244,366 8,785,938 Effect of dilutive securities employee and director stock options 899,742 983,646 665,674 --------- --------- --------- Denominator for earnings per share- assuming dilution 8,871,552 9,228,012 9,451,612 ========= ========= ========= Earnings per common share $ .47 $ 1.29 $ 1.28 ========= ========= ========= Earnings per common share - assuming dilution $ .42 $ 1.15 $ 1.19 ========= ========= ========== F-11 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued) RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS In 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." As permitted by SFAS No. 137, the Company expects to adopt this statement in 2001. The statement requires that all derivatives, such as interest rate exchange agreements (swaps), be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through income. Derivatives determined to be hedges will be adjusted to fair value through either income or other comprehensive income, depending on the nature of the hedge. The Company has not yet determined what effect SFAS No. 133 will have on the earnings and financial position of the Company. RECLASSIFICATIONS Reclassifications have been made to the prior-year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. 2. OPERATING SEGMENTS The Company has two primary operating segments which provide a variety of horticultural services to their respective customer groups. Residential and Commercial services provides for the treatment, preservation, maintenance, cultivation, planting and removal of trees, shrubs and other plant life; its services also include the practices of tree surgery, tree feeding, tree spraying and landscaping, as well as the application of fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides. Utility services is principally engaged in the practice of line clearing for public utilities. The "Other" segment category includes the Company's services related to natural resource management and consulting, forestry research and development, and environmental planning. The Company's primary focus in evaluating segment performance is on operating earnings. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in Note 1, except that only straight-line depreciation is allocated. Corporate expenses are substantially allocated among the operating segments. Identifiable assets are those directly used or generated by each segment, and include accounts receivable, inventory, and property and equipment. Unallocated assets consist principally of corporate facilities, enterprise-wide information systems, cash and cash equivalents, deferred taxes, prepaid expenses, and other assets and intangibles. Detail to Operating Segments is as follows: RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL UTILITY SERVICES OTHER TOTAL ------- ---------- ----- ----- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 1999 Revenues $ 173,654 $ 129,174 $ 5,316 $ 308,144 Earnings from operations 7,076 6,370 195 13,641 Depreciation 10,595 6,273 300 17,168 Segment assets 65,233 64,125 3,582 132,940 Capital expenditures 13,712 7,312 200 21,224 F-12 2. OPERATING SEGMENTS (CONTINUED) RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL UTILITY SERVICES OTHER TOTAL ------- ---------- ----- ----- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 1998 Revenues $ 184,768 $ 122,297 $ 6,822 $ 313,887 Earnings from operations 12,849 10,838 159 23,846 Depreciation 11,213 5,928 162 17,303 Segment assets 66,720 40,785 2,247 109,752 Capital expenditures 16,442 8,303 99 24,844 1997 Revenues $ 167,798 $ 113,977 $ 13,304 $ 295,079 Earnings from operations 9,556 10,325 2,569 22,450 Depreciation 9,918 5,214 73 15,205 Segment assets 59,291 33,730 1,223 94,244 Capital expenditures 14,460 6,894 65 21,419 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) EARNINGS Operating earnings for reportable segments $ 13,446 $ 23,687 $ 19,881 Operating earnings for other 195 159 2,569 Unallocated amounts: Other corporate expense (3,682) (3,179) (601) Interest expense (4,947) (3,391) (2,703) Other income - net 1,138 565 105 --------- --------- --------- Earnings before tax $ 6,150 $ 17,841 $ 19,251 ========= ========= ========= DEPRECIATION Depreciation for reportable segments $ 16,868 $ 17,141 $ 15,132 Depreciation for other 300 162 73 Unallocated depreciation 2,851 2,260 1,795 -------- --------- --------- Total $ 20,019 $ 19,563 $ 17,000 ======== ========= ========= ASSETS Assets for reportable segments $129,358 $ 107,505 $ 93,021 Assets for other 3,582 2,247 1,223 Unallocated assets 43,742 39,334 33,581 -------- --------- --------- Total $176,682 $ 149,086 $ 127,825 ========= ========= ========= CAPITAL EXPENDITURES Expenditures for reportable segments $ 21,024 $ 24,745 $ 21,354 Expenditures for other 200 99 65 Unallocated expenditures 4,013 9,165 5,584 --------- --------- --------- Total $ 25,237 $ 34,009 $ 27,003 ========= ========= ========= F-13 2. OPERATING SEGMENTS (CONTINUED) The Company's geographic information is as follows: 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) REVENUES United States $ 293,541 $ 297,705 $ 280,284 Canada 14,603 16,182 14,795 --------- --------- --------- Total $ 308,144 $ 313,887 $ 295,079 ========= ========= ========= PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET OF ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION United States $ 80,291 $ 76,489 $ 63,336 Canada 3,717 2,944 2,938 --------- --------- --------- Total $ 84,008 $ 79,433 $ 66,274 ========= ========= ========= CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION Utility services represented approximately 50%, 59% and 63% of the outstanding accounts receivable at December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, respectively. The Company had revenues from one utility customer under multiple year contracts aggregating approximately $51,000,000 in 1999, $55,000,000 in 1998, and $67,000,000 in 1997. The Company had revenues from a second utility customer under multiple year contracts of approximately $9,000,000 in 1999, $18,000,000 in 1998, and $22,000,000 in 1997. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial conditions and generally requires no collateral. 3. INSURANCE LIABILITIES In managing its casualty liability exposures for workers compensation, auto liability, and general liability, the Company is substantially self-insured. It generally retains the first $300,000 in loss per occurrence and carries excess insurance above that amount. With respect to workers compensation, the Company's risk of exposure to loss per occurrence may be less than $300,000 depending on the nature of the claim and the statutes in effect by state. Insurance liabilities are determined using actuarial methods and assumptions to estimate ultimate costs. They include a large number of claims for which the ultimate costs will develop over a period of several years. Accordingly, the estimates can change as claims mature; they can also be affected by changes in the number of new claims incurred and claim severity. For these reasons, it is possible that these estimates can change materially in the near term. Changes in estimates of claim costs resulting from new information received are recognized in income in the period in which the estimates are changed. Expenses that are unallocable to specific claims are recognized as period costs. These liabilities, including the present value of workers compensation liabilities which are discounted at 6.25% at December 31, 1999, 4.50% at December 31, 1998, and 5.75% at December 31, 1997, totaled $15,910,000, $16,766,000 and $17,651,000 at December 31, 1999, December 31, 1998, and December 31, 1997, respectively. The change in the discount rate reduced insurance costs by approximately $1,336,000 in 1999, and increased insurance costs by $306,000 in 1998 and $213,000 in 1997. Insurance liabilities are classified as current and noncurrent liabilities based on the timing of future estimated cash payments. At December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the gross value of those liabilities was approximately $19,015,000, $18,867,000 and $20,765,000, respectively. F-14 4. COMMON AND PREFERRED SHARES The Company has authorized a class of 4,000,000 preferred shares, no par value, of which none were issued. The number of common shares authorized is 12,000,000, par value $ 1.00. The number of common shares issued was 10,728,440 at December 31, 1999 and 8,728,440 (pre-split) at December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997. The number of shares in the treasury were 2,601,058, 4,736,785 (pre-split), and 4,429,205 (pre-split) at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The Company's stock is not listed or traded on an active stock market and market prices are, therefore, not available. Semi-annually, an independent stock valuation firm determines the fair market value based upon the Company's performance and financial condition. Since 1979, the Company has provided a ready market for all shareholders through its direct purchase of their common shares. During 1999, these purchases totaled 343,312 shares for $5,509,000 in cash; the Company also had direct sales, to directors and employees, excluding those shares sold through either the exercise of options or the employee stock purchase plan below, of 894 shares for $20,000. It also sold 78,236 shares to the Company's 401(k) plan for $1,254,000 and issued 28,134 shares to participant accounts to satisfy its liability for the 1998 employer match in the amount of $450,000. Uniform restrictions apply to the transfer of the Company's common shares. These restrictions generally give the Company or the trust of the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan the right to purchase the common shares whenever a shareholder proposes to transfer the shares to anyone, other than transfers to a current employee of the Company or transfers by a current or former employee to members of their immediate family. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS The 1994 Omnibus Stock Plan consolidated into a single plan provisions for the grant of stock options and other stock based incentives and maintenance of the employee stock purchase plan. Other than director options, the grant of awards is at the discretion of the compensation committee of the Board of Directors. The aggregate number of common shares available for grant and the maximum number of shares granted annually are based on formulas defined in the plan. Each non-employee director elected or appointed, and re-elected or re-appointed, will receive a director option that gives the right to purchase, for six years, 4,000 common shares at the fair market value per share at date of grant. The director options are exercisable six months from the date of grant. The maximum number of shares that may be issued upon exercise of stock options, other than director options and nonqualified stock options, is 1,600,000 during the ten-year term of the plan. Shares available for grant at December 31, 1999 were 531,627, which were based on the number available upon ratification of the plan less: the options granted presented below; the director options granted; and 864,386 shares purchased since 1994 under the stock purchase plan. A summary of the status of the Company's director options as of December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, and changes during the years ending on those dates is presented below: 1999 1998 1997 ----------------------- ------------------------ ------------------------ WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ Outstanding at beginning of year 56,000 $ 9.07 60,000 $ 7.86 48,000 $ 7.03 Granted 4,000 16.00 12,000 13.03 20,000 9.40 Exercised (16,000) 7.68 (16,000) 7.51 (8,000) 6.76 Forfeited ------ ------ ------ Outstanding at end of year 44,000 $ 10.20 56,000 $ 9.07 60,000 $ 7.86 ====== ====== ====== 15 4. COMMON AND PREFERRED SHARES (CONTINUED) Prior to adoption of the 1994 Omnibus Stock Plan, the Company had two qualified stock option plans available for officers and management employees; the final grant of awards under those plans was December 10, 1993. A summary of the status of the Company's stock option plans, excluding director options, as of December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, and changes during the years ending on those dates is presented below: 1999 1998 1997 ------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------- WEIGHTED WEIGHTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE AVERAGE AVERAGE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE --------- -------------- --------- -------------- --------- -------------- Outstanding at beginning of year 1,772,430 $ 6.55 1,895,700 $ 6.51 1,931,200 $ 6.49 Granted Exercised (414,273) 4.93 (119,670) 5.81 (35,500) 5.41 Forfeited (6,813) 4.70 (3,600) 7.90 --------- --------- --------- Outstanding at end of year 1,351,344 7.05 1,772,430 6.55 1,895,700 6.51 ========= ========= ========= Options exercisable at year end 1,139,344 1,454,430 1,471,700 ========= ========= ========= The following table summarizes information about fixed stock options outstanding at December 31, 1999: Options Outstanding ---------------------------------------- Exercise Number Outstanding Remaining Number Exercisable Price at 12/31/99 Contractual Life at 12/31/99 -------- ------------------ ---------------- ------------------ $5.95 40,800 3.0 years 40,800 6.22 408,560 2.3 408,560 6.92 388,000 4.0 388,000 7.90 513,984 .9 301,984 --------- --------- 1,351,344 1,139,344 ========= ========= The Company has an employee stock purchase plan that provides the opportunity for all full-time employees with one year of service to purchase shares through payroll deductions. The purchase price for the shares offered under the plan is 85% of the fair market value of the shares. Purchases under the plan have been as follows: 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- Number of employees participating 1,025 907 817 Annual shares purchased 103,038 102,688 124,216 Average price paid $13.63 $11.65 $8.32 Cumulative shares purchased 3,174,290 3,071,252 2,968,564 F-15 4. COMMON AND PREFERRED SHARES (CONTINUED) The Company applies the intrinsic-value method under APB Opinion 25 and related interpretations in accounting for awards granted under the three plans. Using this method, compensation is measured as the difference between the option exercise price and the market value of the stock at the date of grant. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for either the fixed options granted under these plans or the employee stock purchase plan. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock-based compensation plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under those plans consistent with the method of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," the Company's net earnings and earnings per common share - assuming dilution would have been reduced by $405,000 and $.05 in 1999, $360,000 and $.04 in 1998 and $330,000 and $.04 in 1997. In calculating the pro forma impact on earnings, the following assumptions were used for the grants in 1996: initial annual dividends of $.16 per share with annual increases of $.01 per share; a risk free interest rate of 6.25%; an expected life of 5 years; and an estimated forfeiture rate of 8%. The 1996 options vest at the rate of 20% annually. The pro forma amounts for 1999, 1998, and 1997 include $275,000, $230,000 and $200,000, respectively, attributable to compensation cost for shares acquired under the employee stock purchase plan. 5. ACCRUED LIABILITIES Accrued liabilities consisted of: DECEMBER 31 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Compensation $ 5,035 $ 6,666 $ 5,648 Medical claims 1,280 1,420 1,948 Vacation 2,184 1,927 1,848 Taxes, other than taxes on income 618 779 657 Other 698 621 721 ------- ------- ------- $ 9,815 $11,413 $10,822 ======= ======= ======= 6. NOTES PAYABLE, BANK AND LONG-TERM DEBT NOTES PAYABLE, BANK The Company had a bank operating loan which was repayable on demand and charged interest at the bank's prime rate. Additionally, the Company has unused short-term lines of credit with three banks totaling $3,852,000, generally at the banks' prime rate, which was 8.50% at December 31, 1999. F-17 6. NOTES PAYABLE, BANK AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED) LONG-TERM DEBT DECEMBER 31 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Revolving credit agreement: Prime rate borrowings $ 11,600 $ 2,900 $ 2,800 London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) borrowings 45,000 28,000 18,000 Term note agreement 10,000 10,000 4,800 --------- --------- --------- 66,600 40,900 25,600 Subordinated notes - stock redemption 1,674 2,181 357 Term loans and other 1,376 667 1,295 --------- --------- --------- 69,650 43,748 27,252 Less current maturities 3,746 855 3,148 --------- --------- --------- $ 65,904 $ 42,893 $ 24,104 ========= ========= ========= The total annual installments required to be paid on long-term debt are as follows: 2000, $3,746,000; 2001, $2,890,000; 2002, $57,427,000; 2003, $2,432,000; 2004, $2,038,000; and thereafter $1,117,000. REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT In 1999, the Company renegotiated and amended its Revolving Credit Agreement (Revolver) with two banks, which permits borrowings, as defined, up to $70,000,000 through March 31, 2000, and $55,000,000 thereafter. It provides the Company an option of borrowing funds at either the prime (8.5% at December 31, 1999) interest rate or rates based on LIBOR (5.24% at December 31, 1999) plus a margin adjustment ranging from .9% to 1.4%. The Revolver also includes a commitment fee of between .15% and .25% on the average daily unborrowed commitment. A minimum of $5,000,000 in borrowings may be converted, at the Company's option, to four-year loans. The agreement has an expiration date of April 30, 2002. In 1999, the Company also renegotiated and amended its temporary line of credit in the amount of $15,000,000 with its principal bank, which provided for borrowings at either the prime interest rate, rates based on LIBOR, or a negotiated fixed interest rate. The agreement has an expiration date of May 31, 2000. Under the most restrictive covenants of the Revolver and the Term Note Agreement below, the Company is obligated to maintain a minimum shareholders' equity, as defined, of $45,000,000 plus 30% of annual consolidated earnings for 1998 and each year thereafter; a maximum ratio of consolidated funded debt to consolidated funded debt plus consolidated shareholders' equity of .58 to 1, and .5 to 1 in 1999 - 2000, and 2001 - 2002, respectively; and a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 2.25 to 1.0. The Company was not in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant as of December 31, 1999. The banks effectively waived the non- compliance with this covenant through an amendment to the existing agreement, by substituting in its place, a covenant based on the ratio of EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes on income) to interest expense as of December 31, 1999. The ratio of EBIT to interest expense may not be less than 2.00 to 1.00 at that date through September 29, 2000; 2.25 to 1.00 on September 30, 2000 through December 30, 2000; 2.75 to 1.00 on December 31, 2000 through March 30, 2001; and 3.00 to 1.00 on March 30, 2001 and thereafter. The amendment also provides for an extension of the $70,000,000 of availability under the Revolver through April 30, 2000; a new revolving credit agreement is expected to be completed prior to that date. F-18 6. NOTES PAYABLE, BANK AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED) TERM NOTE AGREEMENT Commencing June 30, 2000, the Term Note Agreement provides for twenty consecutive quarterly principal installments of $500,000, plus interest at either LIBOR plus a margin adjustment ranging from 1.00% to 1.50%, or prime. The average adjusted LIBOR rate during 1999 was 6.46%; adjusted LIBOR was 6.54%, 6.19%, and 7.09% at December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. SUBORDINATED NOTES In 1998 and 1995, the Company redeemed shares of its common stock from shareholders for cash and five-year subordinated promissory notes. Effective January 1, 1998, these notes bear interest based on the five-year U.S. Treasury rate in effect at January 1 of each year (4.53% in 1999); prior to 1998, they bore interest at a rate equal to the average of the prime rate and the prevailing local bank basic savings rate. There were 115,430 shares redeemed in 1998 for cash of $1,157,710 and notes of $1,943,091. In 1995, there were 31,574 shares redeemed for cash of $174,147 and notes of $595,627. TERM LOANS AND OTHER The weighted-average interest on the term loans approximates 8.53% and the amounts outstanding are being repaid primarily in equal monthly installments through 2007. INTEREST ON DEBT The Company made cash payments for interest on all debt of $4,912,000, $3,353,000, and $2,806,000 in 1999, 1998, and 1997, respectively. 7. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Company uses interest rate exchange agreements (swaps) with its principal bank to modify the interest rate characteristics on its borrowings under the variable interest rate term note. Management's authority to utilize these agreements is restricted by the Board of Directors, and they are not used for trading purposes. Concurrent with the Company's May 14, 1998 renegotiation of the term note, it terminated the swaps outstanding on the prior term note, and entered into a new swap. At December 31, 1999, 1998, and 1997, the outstanding swaps had a total notional amount of $10,000,000, $10,000,000, and $4,800,000, respectively. These swaps effectively changed the interest rate exposure through May 14, 1998 to a fixed 7.22%, and thereafter to a fixed 6.09% plus the applicable LIBOR margin which was 1.40% at December 31, 1999. The swaps are accounted for using the settlement method or the "matched swap" method in which the quarterly net cash settlements of the agreements are recognized in interest expense when they accrue. The accrual amounts are included in the consolidated balance sheets as accrued liabilities. Interest expense was increased by $82,000, $35,000, and $9,000 in 1999, 1998 and 1997 respectively from these agreements. An interest rate swap is considered to be a matched swap if it is linked through designation with an asset or liability provided that it has the opposite interest rate characteristics of the asset or liability. Generally, if the asset or liability that is linked to the swap matures, or is extinguished, or if the swap no longer qualifies for settlement accounting the swap will be marked to market through income. The term of the agreements is matched with the maturity period of the term note. If the Company decided to terminate the swap agreements any resulting gain or loss would be deferred and amortized over the original life of the swap contracts or recognized with the offsetting gain or loss of the hedged transaction. F-19 7. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Continued) The fair value of the swaps is the quoted amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the swap agreements as provided by the bank, taking into account current interest rates. Had these agreements been terminated as of December 31 each year, the Company would have received $177,000, paid $335,000 and paid $3,000 in 1999, 1998, and 1997, respectively. The carrying value of the Company's long-term debt is considered to approximate fair value based on borrowing rates currently available for loans with similar terms and maturities. 8. EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND 401KSOP On March 15, 1979, the Company consummated a plan which transferred control of the Company to its employees. As a part of this plan, the Company sold 2,880,000 common shares to the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Trust (ESOT) for $2,700,000. The Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), in conjunction with the related ESOT, provided for the grant to certain employees of certain ownership rights in, but not possession of, the common shares held by the trustee of the Trust. Annual allocations of shares have been made to individual accounts established for the benefit of the participants. Effective January 1, 1997, the Company commenced operation of the "The Davey 401KSOP and ESOP," which retained the existing ESOP participant accounts and incorporated a deferred savings plan (401(k) plan) feature. Participants in the plan are allowed to make before-tax contributions, within Internal Revenue Service established limits, through payroll deductions. The Company will match, in either cash or Company stock, 50% of each participant's before-tax contribution, limited to the first 3% of the employee's compensation deferred each year. All nonbargaining employees of the parent company and its domestic subsidiaries who attained age 21 and completed one year of service are eligible to participate. The Company's cost of this plan for 1999, 1998, and 1997, consisting principally of the accruals for the employer match, was $489,000, $520,000 and $493,000, respectively. 9. PENSION PLANS DESCRIPTION OF PLANS Substantially all of the Company's employees are covered by two defined benefit pension plans. One of these plans is for non-bargaining unit employees and, through 1996, provided a non-contributory benefit with respect to annual compensation up to a defined level, with voluntary employee contributions beyond the specified compensation levels. Concurrent with the introduction of the Davey 401KSOP, future benefits earned under this plan were modified, and as of January 1, 1997, the plan was amended to become non-contributory. The other plan is for bargaining unit employees not covered by union pension plans, is non-contributory, and provides benefits at a fixed monthly amount based upon length of service. FUNDING POLICY The Company's funding policy is to make the annual contributions necessary to fund the plans within the range permitted by applicable regulations. The plans' assets are invested by outside asset managers in marketable debt and equity securities. F-20 9. PENSION PLANS (CONTINUED) EXPENSE RECOGNITION Pension expense (income) was calculated as follows: 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Service cost - increase in benefit obligations earned $ 699 $ 754 $ 626 Interest cost on projected benefit obligation 887 905 849 Expected return on plan assets (2,644) (2,106) (1,894) Amortization of prior service cost (34) (34) (34) Amortization of initial net asset (72) (72) (72) Recognized gains (950) (240) (141) -------- ------- -------- Net pension income $(2,114) $ (793) $ (666) ======= ======= ======= FUNDED STATUS The funded status of pension plans at December 31 was as follows: 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Plan assets at fair market value $ 38,569 $ 32,725 $ 25,561 Projected benefit obligation (12,778) (13,595) (12,502) --------- --------- --------- Excess of assets over projected benefit obligation 25,791 19,130 13,059 Unrecognized initial asset (858) (938) (1,010) Unrecognized gain (17,785) (13,125) (7,741) Unrecognized prior service cost (596) (629) (663) --------- --------- --------- Prepaid benefit cost recognized as other assets in balance sheets $ 6,552 $ 4,438 $ 3,645 ========= ========= ========= RECONCILIATIONS The projected benefit obligation is reconciled as follows: 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Balance, beginning of year $ 13,595 $ 12,502 $ 12,091 Service cost 699 754 626 Interest cost 887 905 849 Participant contributions 13 Settlements (131) Actuarial (gain) loss (1,217) 607 104 Benefits paid (1,055) (1,173) (1,181) --------- --------- --------- Balance, end of year $ 12,778 $ 13,595 $ 12,502 ========= ========= ========= F-21 9. PENSION PLANS (CONTINUED) The fair value of plan assets are reconciled as follows: 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Balance, beginning of year $ 32,725 $ 25,561 $ 21,488 Actual return on plan assets 7,030 8,337 5,241 Participant contributions 13 Settlements (131) Benefits paid (1,055) (1,173) (1,181) --------- --------- --------- Balance, end of year $ 38,569 $ 32,725 $ 25,561 ========= ========= ========= On a weighted-average basis the following assumptions were used in accounting for the plans: 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- Discount rate used to determine Projected benefit obligation 7.50% 6.75% 7.00% Expected return on plan assets 8.25% 8.25% 8.25% Rate of compensation increase 5.00% 5.00% 5.00% MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS The Company also contributes to several multiemployer plans, which provide defined benefits to unionized workers who do not participate in the Company sponsored bargaining unit plan. Amounts charged to pension cost and contributed to the plans in 1999, 1998 and 1997 totaled $194,000, $396,000, and $380,000, respectively. 10. INCOME TAXES The approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference that gave rise to the Company's deferred tax assets (no valuation allowance was considered necessary) and liabilities at December 31, was as follows: 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) CURRENT Assets: Compensated absences $ 433 $ 377 $ 341 Insurance 1,455 1,311 1,447 Other - net 126 154 244 ------- ------- ------- Net current 2,014 1,842 2,032 ------- ------- ------- NON-CURRENT Assets: Insurance 4,096 3,872 3,825 Other - net 162 286 462 Liabilities: Accelerated depreciation for tax purposes (6,746) (6,222) (4,421) Pensions (2,243) (1,524) (1,247) ------- ------- ------- Net noncurrent (4,731) (3,588) (1,381) ------- ------- ------- Net deferred tax asset (liability) $(2,717) $(1,746) $ 651 ======= ======= ======= F-22 10. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) 8 Significant components of income tax expense include: 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Current tax expense (benefit): U.S. Federal $ 1,085 $ 3,014 $ 6,839 Canadian (21) 333 309 State and local 400 1,500 1,641 ------- ------- ------- 1,464 4,847 8,789 ------- ------- ------- Deferred tax expense (benefit): U.S. Federal 932 1,975 (682) Canadian (43) 73 46 State and local 82 349 (181) ------- ------- ------- 971 2,397 (817) ------- ------- ------- $ 2,435 $ 7,244 $ 7,972 ======= ======= ======= The differences between the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate are as follows: 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- U.S. Federal statutory tax rate 34.0% 34.6% 34.9% State and local income taxes 4.3 5.5 5.5 Canadian income taxes .2 .7 .7 Miscellaneous 1.1 (.2) .3 ----- ----- ----- Effective tax rate 39.6% 40.6% 41.4% ===== ===== ===== Earnings (loss) before income taxes by country are as follows: 1999 1998 1997 ---- ---- ---- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) U.S. $ 6,364 $ 17,006 $ 18,604 Canadian (214) 835 647 -------- -------- -------- $ 6,150 $ 17,841 $ 19,251 ======== ======== ======== The Company made cash payments for income taxes of $2,591,000, $7,742,000, $7,360,000 in 1999, 1998, and 1997, respectively. F-23 11. LEASES On December 30, 1999, the Company entered into agreements to lease equipment under capital leases in the amount of $4,657,000. These amounts have been included in property and equipment. No amortization was recorded in 1999. As of December 31, 1999, minimum lease obligations under capital leases are as follows: YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 TOTAL ----------------------- ------ (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 2000 $ 572 2001 744 2002 744 2003 744 2004 744 Thereafter 2,505 ---------- Total minimum capital lease payments 6,053 Amounts representing interest at 6.81% 1,396 ---------- Present value of net minimum lease payments 4,657 Less current portion 296 ---------- Long-term obligations at December 31, 1999 $ 4,361 ========== The Company also leases facilities which are used for district office and warehouse operations. These leases extend for varying periods of time up to four years and, in some cases, contain renewal options. Total rental expense under such operating leases amounted to approximately $2,000,000, $1,899,000, and $1,723,000 for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. As of December 31, 1999, future minimum rental payments, including taxes and other operating costs, for all operating leases having noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year, totaled $5,390,000, and are expendable as follows: 2000, $1,795,000; 2001, $1,441,000; 2002, $1,033,000; 2003, $643,000 and 2004, $478,000. 12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company is party to a number of lawsuits, threatened lawsuits and other claims arising out of the normal course of business. Management is of the opinion that liabilities which may result are adequately covered by insurance, or to the extent not covered by insurance or accrued, would not be material in relation to the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company. At December 31, 1999, the Company was contingently liable to its principal banks in the amount of $12,093,000 for outstanding letters of credit for insurance coverage. 13. ACQUISITIONS In 1999, 1998, and 1997, the Company completed acquisitions of organizations providing Residential and Commercial services for a total purchase price of $857,000, $712,000 and $449,000, respectively. They were accounted for as purchases and their results of operations, which were not material in any of the years presented, are included in the accompanying financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. ********