1 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 FORM 10-Q Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For Quarter Ended April 3, 1999 Commission File No. 0-11917 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) OHIO 34-0176110 (State of Incorporation) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 1500 North Mantua Street P. O. Box 5193 Kent, OH 44240-5193 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (330) 673-9511 Number of Common Shares Outstanding as of May 17, 1999: 3,982,204 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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past ninety (90) days. YES X NO ------ ------ 2 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY INDEX ----- PAGE NO. -------- PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1: Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheets - Periods ended April 3, 1999, April 4, 1998 and December 31, 1998 3 Consolidated Statements of Net Earnings - Three Months Ended April 3, 1999 and April 4, 1998 4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three Months Ended April 3, 1999 and April 4, 1998 5 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6 Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 9 PART II: OTHER INFORMATION Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 12 Item 5: Other Information 12 Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 12 3 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in Thousands) (UNAUDITED) APRIL 3, APRIL 4, DEC. 31, 1999 1998 1998 -------- -------- -------- ASSETS - ------ CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 166 $ 321 $ 1,264 Accounts Receivable 52,420 44,345 51,490 Refundable Income Taxes 2,774 521 1,248 Operating Supplies 3,139 3,095 2,644 Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets 2,226 2,420 2,940 Deferred Income Taxes 1,829 1,993 1,842 --------- --------- --------- Total Current Assets 62,554 52,695 61,428 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: Land and Land Improvements 6,331 6,196 6,325 Buildings and Leasehold Improvements 18,382 15,992 18,269 Equipment 196,129 176,602 187,084 --------- --------- --------- 220,842 198,790 211,678 Less Accumulated Depreciation 135,751 126,634 132,245 --------- --------- --------- Net Property and Equipment 85,091 72,156 79,433 --------- --------- --------- OTHER ASSETS AND INTANGIBLES 8,140 9,591 8,225 --------- --------- --------- TOTAL ASSETS $ 155,785 $ 134,442 $ 149,086 ========= ========= ========= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - ------------------------------------ CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts Payable $ 14,138 $ 11,393 $ 15,191 Accrued Liabilities 11,985 11,956 11,413 Insurance Liabilities 8,692 8,302 5,797 Income Taxes Payable --- --- --- Notes Payable, Bank 241 750 --- Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt 11,159 10,147 855 --------- --------- --------- Total Current Liabilities 46,215 42,548 33,256 LONG-TERM DEBT 42,605 25,332 42,893 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 3,579 1,344 3,588 INSURANCE LIABILITIES 7,172 9,086 10,969 OTHER LIABILITIES 1,098 833 1,112 --------- --------- --------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 100,669 79,143 91,818 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred Shares - No Par Value; Authorized 4,000,000 Shares; None Issued Common Shares - $1.00 Par Value; Authorized 12,000,000 Shares; Issued 8,728,440 Shares at April 3, 1999, April 4, 1998 and December 31, 1998 8,728 8,728 8,728 Additional Paid-in Capital 5,922 4,681 5,893 Retained Earnings 92,379 83,851 94,547 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (694) (448) (745) --------- --------- --------- 106,335 96,812 108,423 LESS: Treasury Shares at cost: 4,730,129 Shares at April 3, 1999; 4,453,110 Shares at April 4, 1998; and 4,736,785 Shares at December 31, 1998 (51,219) (41,513) (51,155) --------- --------- --------- TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 55,116 55,299 57,268 --------- --------- --------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 155,785 $ 134,442 $ 149,086 ========= ========= ========= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 4 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET EARNINGS THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 3, 1999 AND APRIL 4, 1998 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT EARNINGS PER SHARE AMOUNTS) (UNAUDITED) APRIL 3, 1999 APRIL 4, 1998 ----------------- ------------------ REVENUES $ 68,266 100.0% $ 65,068 100.0% --------- ------ --------- ------ COSTS AND EXPENSES: Operating 50,557 74.1 47,780 73.4 Selling 9,861 14.4 9,021 13.9 General and Administrative 5,293 7.8 5,541 8.5 Depreciation and Amortization 4,849 7.1 4,522 6.9 --------- ------ --------- ------ TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES 70,560 103.4 66,864 102.7 --------- ------ --------- ------ EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS (2,294) (3.4) (1,796) (2.7) INTEREST EXPENSE (795) (1.2) (551) (0.8) OTHER INCOME/(EXPENSE) - NET 114 0.2 219 0.3 --------- ------ --------- ------ LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES (2,975) (4.4) (2,128) (3.2) INCOME TAXES (1,208) (1.8) (860) (1.3) --------- ------ --------- ------ NET LOSS $ (1,767) (2.6)% $ (1,268) (1.9)% ========= ====== ========= ====== LOSS PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.44) $ (0.30) ========= ========= LOSS PER COMMON SHARE - ASSUMING DILUTION $ (0.44) $ (0.30) ========= ========= BASIC EARNINGS SHARES 3,996,217 4,296,470 ========= ========= DILUTED EARNINGS SHARES 3,996,217 4,296,470 ========= ========= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 5 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 3, 1999 AND APRIL 4, 1998 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) APRIL 3, APRIL 4, 1999 1998 ---------- ---------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net (Loss) Earnings $ (1,767) $ (1,268) Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Depreciation 4,764 4,696 Amortization 85 83 Deferred Income Taxes 4 2 Other (169) (70) --------- --------- 2,917 3,443 Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities: Accounts Receivable (930) (449) Other Assets 219 (288) Refundable Income Taxes (1,526) (521) Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (481) 2,340 Insurance Liabilities (902) (263) Income Tax Liabilities --- (1,647) Other Liabilities (14) 135 --------- --------- Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Operating Activities (717) 2,750 --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from Sales of Property and Equipment 73 505 Capital Expenditures: Land and Buildings (128) (354) Equipment (10,148) (10,555) --------- --------- Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (10,203) (10,404) --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net Borrowings Under Notes Payable, Bank 241 450 Principal Payments of Long-Term Debt (284) (873) Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt 10,300 9,100 Sales of Treasury Shares 220 156 Dividends Paid (400) (408) Repurchase of Common Shares (255) (1,172) --------- --------- Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities 9,822 7,253 --------- --------- NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (1,098) (401) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 1,264 722 --------- --------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 166 $ 321 ========= ========= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ------------------------------------------ Three Months Ended April 3, 1999 UNAUDITED --------- NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION - ------------------------------ The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements as of April 3, 1999 and April 4, 1998 and for the periods then ended have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q, but do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Reclassifications have been made to the prior-year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. Loss per common share - assuming dilution was calculated by using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including the dilutive effect of stock options, during the period. Antidilutive options not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share were 474,413 and 435,622 in 1999 and 1998, respectively. NOTE 2 - RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - ------------------------------ Due to the seasonal nature of some of the Company's services, the results of operations for the periods ended April 3, 1999 and April 4, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. NOTE 3 - DIVIDENDS - ------------------ On March 10, 1999, the Registrant paid a $.10 per share dividend to all shareholders of record at March 1, 1999. This compares to an $.095 per share dividend paid in the first quarter of 1998. NOTE 4 - ACCRUED LIABILITIES - ---------------------------- Accrued liabilities consisted of: APRIL 3, APRIL 4, DEC. 31, 1999 1998 1998 -------- -------- -------- (Dollars In Thousands) Compensation $ 5,192 $ 4,356 $ 6,666 Vacation 2,443 2,482 1,927 Medical Claims 1,252 1,953 1,420 Taxes, other than taxes on income 2,461 1,708 779 Other 637 1,457 621 -------- -------- -------- $ 11,985 $ 11,956 $ 11,413 ======== ======== ======== 7 NOTE 5 - LONG-TERM DEBT - ---------------------------- Long-term debt consisted of: APRIL 3, APRIL 4, DEC. 31, 1999 1998 1998 -------- -------- ------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Revolving Credit Agreement: Prime rate borrowings $ 12,200 $ 4,900 $ 2,900 London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) borrowings 29,000 25,000 28,000 Term note agreement 10,000 4,200 10,000 -------- -------- -------- 51,200 34,100 40,900 Subordinated notes - stock redemption 2,062 238 2,181 Term loans and others 502 1,141 667 -------- -------- -------- 53,764 35,479 43,748 Less current maturities 11,159 10,147 855 -------- -------- -------- $ 42,605 $ 25,332 $ 42,893 ======== ======== ======== NOTE 6 - INTEREST RATE RISK MANAGEMENT - -------------------------------------- The Company has entered into an interest rate exchange agreement (swap) to modify the interest rate characteristics of the Company's long-term variable interest rate debt. The swap is accounted for using the settlement method or the "matched swap" method in which the periodic net cash settlements of the swap agreement are recognized in interest expense when they accrue. 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 swap term is matched with the term of the long-term debt. If the Company decided to terminate the interest rate swap agreement any resulting gain or loss would be deferred and amortized over the original life of the swap contract or recognized with the offsetting gain or loss of the hedged transaction. NOTE 7 - OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - ------------------------------------------ Total comprehensive loss for the three month period ended April 3, 1999 and April 4, 1998 was as follows: THREE MONTHS ENDED --------------------- APRIL 3, APRIL 4, 1999 1998 -------- -------- Net loss $ (1,767) $ (1,268) Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of related tax effects 51 87 -------- -------- Total comprehensive loss $ (1,716) $ (1,181) ======== ======== 8 NOTE 8 - OPERATING SEGMENTS - --------------------------- The Company has two primary operating segments which provide a variety of horticultural services to their respective customer groups. Residential 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, environmental planning, and commercial services. The Company's primary focus in evaluating segment performance is on operating earnings. 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. Details to Operating Segments are as follows: UTILITY RESIDENTIAL OTHER TOTAL ------- ----------- ----- ----- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) 1999 Net sales $ 43,797 $ 21,394 $ 3,075 $ 68,266 Earnings (loss) from operations 1,687 (2,692) (1,289) (2,294) Depreciation 2,830 1,446 488 4,764 Segment assets 69,737 37,892 48,156 155,785 Expenditure for segment assets 4,397 2,978 2,901 10,276 1998 Net sales $ 43,136 $ 20,107 $ 1,825 $ 65,068 Earnings (loss) from operations 1,798 (1,390) (2,204) (1,796) Depreciation 2,683 1,284 729 4,696 Segment assets 63,415 33,740 37,287 134,442 Expenditure for segment assets 6,279 2,374 2,256 10,909 Profit or Loss 1999 1998 ---------- --------- Operating profit reportable segments $ (1,005) $ 408 Other profit/loss (1,289) (2,204) Unallocated amounts: Interest expense (795) (551) Other corporate expense 114 219 -------- -------- Earnings before tax credits $ (2,975) $ (2,128) ======== ======== NOTE 9 - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS - --------------------------------------------- In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. It becomes effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999, and establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. The Company has not yet completed its analysis of SFAS No. 133 and accordingly has yet to determine the effect, if any, it will have on future financial statement reporting and disclosures. 9 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ----------------------------------------------------------- AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ------------------------- Three Months Ended April 3, 1999 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES - ------------------------------- Operating activities used $717,000 in the first quarter of 1999, $3,467,000 more than the $2,750,000 provided in 1998. This increased use of cash is primarily attributable to a higher net loss, an increase in accounts receivable and the Registrant's refundable income taxes, a reduction in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and a decrease in insurance liabilities. The Registrant's seasonal net losses of $1,767,000 increased $499,000 from the previous year's first quarter net loss of $1,268,000. The increased losses resulted primarily from higher seasonal losses sustained by the Registrant's Residential service line. Insomuch as the Registrant's services are highly seasonal, and that the prime sales season does not commence until the second quarter, it is difficult to draw conclusions regarding annual performance from first quarter results. Accounts receivable increased $930,000 and the Registrant's days outstanding of 68.1 days represent an increase of 4.4 days from year end 1998. The Registrant is not concerned as to the overall collectibility of accounts and will continue its efforts to reduce both the level of accounts receivable and days outstanding. It also performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition for collection purposes, and when determined necessary, it provides an allowance for doubtful accounts. Refundable taxes increased by $1,526,000, primarily due to the increased seasonal net losses. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased $481,000, a $2,821,000 change when compared to the $2,340,000 provided in 1998. This decrease is primarily attributable to a reduced level of advance payments from clients. Insurance liabilities declined by $902,000, $639,000 more than in 1998. This reduction continues to occur as a function of relatively stable levels of estimated ultimate costs associated with the Registrant's generally mature self- insurance program, coupled with an acceleration in claims payments. These accelerated payments have continued from last year and are due to the Registrant's excess insurer and claims administrator "catching up" in its claims processing. Investing activities used $10,203,000, $201,000 less than last year and consistent with its reduced budget for capital expenditures for 1999 of approximately $22,000,000. Financing activities provided $9,822,000, a $2,569,000 increase over the amount provided in the first quarter of 1998. The increase resulted from a slightly higher level of borrowings and lower share repurchases. At April 3, 1999, the Registrant's principal source of liquidity consisted of $166,000 in cash and cash equivalents; short term lines of credit and amounts available to be borrowed from banks via notes payable totaling $4,600,000, of which $710,000 was considered drawn to cover outstanding letters of credit; and the revolving credit agreement and temporary line of credit totaling $70,000,000, of which $41,200,000 was drawn and $9,715,000 was considered drawn to cover outstanding letters of credit. Including the outstanding term note agreement, at that date the Registrant's credit facilities totaled $84,600,000. The Registrant is currently working with its principal banks to temporarily increase its line of credit by $15,000,000. This increase has been requested due to anticipated temporary delays in billing to the Registrant's Residential customers, a result of "going live" with its enterprise-wide information system on April 4, 1999. Additional discussion regarding the system implementation follows under Results of Operations. With the requested increase, the Registrant believes its available credit will exceed credit requirements, and that its liquidity is adequate. 10 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - --------------------- Revenues of $68,266,000 for the first quarter of 1999 increased $3,198,000 or 4.9% when compared to last year, and are higher in both Utility and Residential services. Utility services has been positively influenced by increased demand for its services generally, and Residential services continues to benefit from heightened sales efforts coupled with good economic conditions. Operating costs increased in both dollars and as a percentage of revenues when compared to 1998. At $50,557,000, they increased $2,777,000 from the $47,780,000 incurred in 1998, and as a percentage of revenues they increased .7% to 74.1%. The increase is largely attributable to relatively higher labor and equipment costs in Residential services. Selling costs of $9,861,000 increased $840,000 in the quarter, and as a percentage of revenues they increased .5% to 14.4%. The increase continues to result from higher expenditures for commissions and branch office expenses associated with higher Residential service revenues. General and administrative costs decreased by $248,000 to $5,293,000, and as a percentage of revenues they declined .7% to 7.8%. The decrease was mainly due to a lower level of costs incurred with respect to the Registrant's implementation of its enterprise-wide information system. In 1997, the Registrant completed development of its information technology plan for the purpose of replacing its existing legacy systems with this new system. In accord with the information technology plan, the new system will significantly enhance the Registrant's processes and its ability to support future growth. The software vendor has also represented that this new system is year 2000 compliant. The Registrant acquired and commenced implementation of this new system in January 1998, and completed the blueprint phase as of July 4, 1998. Configuration, data conversion, and testing followed through April 3, 1999. On April 4, 1999, the Registrant commenced live operation of the new system and discontinued use of the legacy system, approximately two months earlier than had been anticipated. The Registrant's current estimate for the ultimate cost of this new system is approximately $14,000,000. Of this total, $3,000,000 had been expensed in 1998 and through April 3, 1999, $9,000,000 had been capitalized. The remaining amount of approximately $2,000,000 will be expensed during 1999, of which $700,000 had been incurred during the first quarter. These costs are slightly higher than the amount anticipated for 1999, and result from required enhancements detected after commencement of going live with the new system. In a related sense, the Registrant has had to delay billing its Residential customers until approximately May 15, 1999, primarily due to certain errors in converting customer data from the legacy system. Accordingly, it expects a temporary increase in accounts receivable and for that reason, is working with its principal banks to obtain a temporary increase in its available lines of credit. The Registrant has not fully addressed the year 2000 readiness of its non-IT systems, those systems with embedded technology, but will do so by June 1999. The Registrant also continues to assess the year 2000 readiness of external entities with which it interfaces. Material relationships include, but are not limited to, those with existing utility customers in which electronic billing is required as well as vendors such as the Registrant's principal bank which will provide or already provides such services as lockbox processing, treasury management services, and benefit plan administration. It is anticipated that substantially all of these assessments will be completed by June 1999. The Registrant remains uncertain with respect to its most reasonably likely worst case year 2000 scenario, but believes that most issues have already been identified in conjunction with the implementation of its enterprise-wide information system. Due to this uncertainty, the Registrant also has no contingency plans, but will, to the extent considered necessary under the circumstances, develop such plans as issues are identified. The preceding comments regarding the year 2000 are forward looking statements and as such represent the Registrant's best faith estimates of costs that will be incurred. There can be no assurance that these estimates are accurate. Depreciation and amortization of $4,849,000 increased $327,000 or .2% as a percentage of revenues. The increases are attributable to a relatively higher level of capital expenditures for equipment, particularly in the last two years, and primarily to support Utility and Residential services. 11 Interest expense of $795,000 was $244,000 higher than in 1998, and as a percentage of revenues it increased .4% to 1.2%. The increase is a result of higher debt levels. The Registrant's loss before income tax credits increased $847,000 to $2,975,000, and as a percentage of revenues it increased 1.2% to 4.4%. Effective income tax rates of 40.6% and 40.4% were used to compute income tax credits in 1999 and 1998, respectively. 12 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY PART II: OTHER INFORMATION --------------------------- ITEM 4: NONE ITEM 5: NONE ITEM 6: EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a)Exhibits 27 Financial Data Schedule (b)Reports on Form 8-K No reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the quarter for which this report is filed. SIGNATURES ---------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY BY: /s/ David E. Adante ----------------------- David E. Adante Executive Vice President, CFO and Secretary-Treasurer BY: /s/ Bradley L. Comport ----------------------- Bradley L. Comport Corporate Controller May 17, 1999