UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) [x] Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004 or [ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the transition period from ___ to ___. Commission file number 1-13437 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) MISSOURI 43-1710906 (State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.) 27500 RIVERVIEW CENTER BLVD., SUITE 400 BONITA SPRINGS, FLORIDA 34134 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) (239) 949-4450 (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Name of Each Exchange Title of Each Class on Which Registered ------------------- ------------------- Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: COMMON STOCK $0.01 PAR VALUE 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 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ] Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes [X] No [ ] The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of April 12, 2004 was approximately $181.7 million computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold on July 31, 2003, the last day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, as reported by The Nasdaq National Market At April 12, 2004, the Company had 23,071,067 shares of common stock outstanding. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the Proxy Statement for the Source Interlink Companies, Inc. Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on July 14, 2004 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report to the extent described in Part III hereof. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ---- PART I ITEM 1. Business 1 ITEM 2. Properties 8 ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings 8 ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 8 PART II ITEM 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 9 ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data 10 ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 11 ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 28 ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 29 ITEM 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 29 ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures 29 PART III ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 30 ITEM 11. Executive Compensation 30 ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management And Related Stockholder Matters 30 ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 31 ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 31 PART IV ITEM 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K 32 Some of the information in this report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate,' "estimate," "project," and similar expressions often characterize forward-looking statements. These statements may include, but are not limited to, projections of collections, revenues, income or loss, estimates of capital expenditures, plans for future operations, products or services, and financing needs or plans, as well as assumptions relating to these matters. These statements are only predictions and you should not unduly rely on them. Our actual results will differ, perhaps materially, from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks and uncertainties faced by us described below and elsewhere in this report: - market acceptance of and continuing demand for our services; - the impact of competitive services; - the pricing and reimbursement policies of magazine publishers; - our ability to obtain additional financing to support our operations; - changing market conditions and other risks detailed below; - demand for magazines at the retailers we service; and - our ability to access retailers' point-of-sales information needed to efficiently allocate distribution. We believe it is important to communicate our expectations to our investors. However, there may be events in the future that we are not able to predict accurately or over which we have no control. The factors listed above provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. Before you make an investment decision relating to our common stock, you should be aware that the occurrence of the events described in these risk factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. You should read and interpret any forward-looking statement in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, the notes to our consolidated financial statements and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of financial Condition and Results of Operations." Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which that statement is made. Unless required by U.S. federal securities laws, we will not update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which the statement is made. PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS. We provide fulfillment and marketing services to more than 2,500 retail companies, who operate collectively approximately 80,000 stores, most major magazine publishers and consumer product manufacturers of confections and general merchandise. We are the largest direct-to-retail magazine distributor in the United States to more than 5,200 retail outlets including book stores, music stores and other specialty retailers, such as Barnes & Noble, Inc., Borders Group, Inc., Musicland Stores Corporation and Virgin Records. Additionally our company is a leading provider in the United States of design, manufacture and management services to the front-end of supermarkets, discount stores, drug stores, convenience stores, terminals and newsstands, such as Food Lion, Kroger Company, Target Corporation, Walgreens and Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. Our business model is designed to provide a complete array of products and value-added services to retailers in both the specialty and mainstream retail markets. These services include product fulfillment 1 to retailers for publishers, publisher rebate and other incentive payment collection, fixture design and manufacturing, information technology and other management services. Our extensive relationships with retailers, as well as publishers and other vendors, throughout the United States and Canada, have enabled us to build a reputation for reliable and timely service and an efficient fulfillment infrastructure to service these markets. We believe that by acting as an outsourced coordinator of all these services we are well positioned to continue adding customers, both in the United States and internationally, and to continue providing additional products and services to our extensive customer base. To further this goal, we opened an office in London, U.K. to serve as our base for expansion into the European market. INDUSTRY OVERVIEW MAGAZINE FULFILLMENT According to Harrington Associates, LLC, the total market for sales of single-copy magazines at retail in the United States of America has been estimated to total approximately $4.55 billion in 2003. The structure of the distribution channel for single-copy magazines has changed little over the past several decades. Publishers generally engage a single national distributor, who acts as their representative to regional and local wholesalers and furnishes billing, collecting and marketing services throughout the United States or other territory. These national distributors then secure distribution to retailers directly, or more typically, through a number of regional and local wholesalers. The wholesalers maintain direct vendor relationships with the retailers. Retailers in the mainstream retail market require these wholesalers to provide extensive in-store services including receiving, verifying, stocking new issues and removing out-of-date issues. However, this traditional structure is not economically viable in the specialty retail market. Thus in contrast, wholesalers servicing the specialty retail market typically do not provide these in-store services. FRONT-END MANAGEMENT The retail sale of single-copy magazines is largely an impulse purchase decision by the consumer. As a result, publishers and manufacturers of other impulse merchandise such as confections and general merchandise (i.e., razor blades, film, batteries, etc.) consider it important for their products to be on prominent display in those areas of a store where they will be seen by the largest number of shoppers in order to increase the likelihood that their products will be sold. Retailers typically display magazines, confections and general merchandise in specific aisles, or the "mainline," and the checkout area, or the "front-end." Product visibility is highest in the front-end because every shopper making a purchase must pass through this area. Due to the higher visibility and resulting perception of increased sales potential, publishers and other vendors compete for favorable display space in the front-end. To secure the desired display space, publishers and other vendors offer rebate and other incentive payments to retailers, such as: - initial fees to rearrange front-end display fixtures to ensure the desired placement of their products; - periodic placement fees based on the location and size of their products' display; and - cash rebates based on the total sales volume of their products. Due to the high volume of sales transactions and great variety of incentive programs offered, there is a significant administrative burden associated with front-end management. As a result, most retailers have historically outsourced the information gathering and administration of magazine claims collection to third parties such as our company. This relieves retailers of the administrative burdens, such as monitoring thousands of titles each with a distinct incentive arrangement. 2 INFORMATION SERVICES Prompt delivery of information regarding sales activity, including timing of the redesign of front-end space, changes in display positions or the discontinuance of a vendor's product, is important to publishers and other vendors of front-end products. This information allows publishers and other vendors to make important strategic decisions in advance of re-configurations and other changes implemented by retailers to the front-end. Conversely, timely delivery of information about publisher or other vendor price changes, special promotions, new product introductions and other plans is important to retailers because it enables them to enhance the revenue potential of the front-end. Historically, information available to publishers and other vendors regarding retail activity at the front-end and information available to retailers about publisher or other vendors has been fragmented and out-of-date. This has been the result of a number of factors, including: - the sale of front-end products, including magazines, through national distributors, which minimized direct contact between retailers and publishers or other vendors; - the lack of an efficient information collection system to gather information specifically regarding front-end product sales; - the difficulty of gathering and organizing data from a large number of retailers selling magazines and other front-end products over a large geographic area; and - the lack of an efficient, cost-effective means to disseminate information. We believe that there is an increasing demand on the part of publishers and other vendors of front-end products for more frequent and detailed information regarding front-end retail activity. Through our three operating groups we have access to a significant amount of information regarding retail front-end and mainline sales activity. OUR BUSINESS Our business consists of three synergistic operating groups: Magazine Fulfillment, In-Store Services and Wood Manufacturing. - The Magazine Fulfillment group uses our information technology to manage the distribution of magazines to over 5,300 retail outlets in the specialty retail market operated by 18 retail chains and 1,700 independent retailers. We assist these retailers with the selection, logistical procurement and fulfillment of approximately 4,000 monthly and 50 weekly titles from over 560 publishers. - The In-Store Services group assists retailers in the mainstream retail market with the design and implementation of their front-end merchandising programs. This group provides other value-added services to retailers, publishers and other vendors, including assistance with publisher rebate and other fee collection and access to real-time sales information on more than 10,000 magazine titles, thereby enabling them to make more informed decisions regarding their product placement and distributing efforts. - The Wood Manufacturing group designs and manufactures wood displays and store fixtures for leading specialty retailers. MAGAZINE FULFILLMENT In the spring of 2001, we established our Magazine Fulfillment group with the acquisition of The Interlink Companies, Inc., a group of affiliated specialty magazine distributors. This strategic acquisition provided a platform from which we intend to offer an expanding list of merchandise and services to 3 retailers, including those currently served by our In-Store Services and Wood Manufacturing groups, who are underserved by existing distribution channels and to merchandise vendors who find it difficult to adequately service certain classes of retailers. In May 2002, we entered into an agreement giving us the right to distribute domestically a group of foreign magazine titles. At present, our Magazine Fulfillment group primarily supplies magazines to the specialty retail market. We are the principal magazine supplier for Barnes & Noble, Inc., Borders Group, Inc. and other major specialty retailers. We purchase more than 4,000 magazine titles and receive them at ten strategically located distribution centers. The distribution centers are located in San Diego, California; San Francisco, California; Los Angeles, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Honolulu, Hawaii; Rockford, Illinois; Carteret, New Jersey; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Dallas, Texas; and Kent, Washington. From each of these distribution points, we process orders and ship the magazines to the retailers by commercial freight carriers, primarily Federal Express ground service. Given our broad distribution infrastructure, we are capable of delivering magazines overnight to virtually any location within the continental United States. To meet the needs of our clients, our Magazine Fulfillment group presently offers three levels of service: Direct-to-Retail Fulfillment. We purchase magazines, from publishers typically on a fully returnable basis. Merchandise is received in bulk at our strategically located distribution centers. Using just-in-time replenishment and order regulation systems, our employees fulfill the merchandise orders and ship the required merchandise by third party carrier directly to individual retail outlets. Wholesale Fulfillment. Our wholesale fulfillment service facilitates the magazine procurement needs of lower volume or geographically isolated retailers by arranging for bulk shipment of magazines from publishers' printers directly to wholesalers located in lower volume markets. Back Room Management. We developed our back room management services to enable publishers and traditional distributors access to just-in-time replenishment and order regulation. We are engaged by publishers and traditional distributors to act as their order fulfillment and shipping agent. Rather than purchasing merchandise, our back room management clients furnish merchandise to us that we then package into individual orders and ship directly to individual retail outlets. We also serve as a processor of returns for many of our retailer customers. This service consists of counting covers of unsold magazines and preparing return forms required by wholesalers to obtain credit. Our Magazine Fulfillment group's logistical functions are linked by just-in-time replenishment and order regulation systems. By utilizing our systems, publishers and retailers are able to more effectively manage their inventory levels. We leverage third-party freight carriers, maximize the efficiency of our fixed asset base and permit retailers to reorder and return titles efficiently. The total market for sales of single-copy magazines at retail in the United States was approximately $4.55 billion in calendar year 2003. In fiscal 2004, we estimate we distributed magazines having a retail value of approximately $387.0 million, or approximately 8.5% of this retail market. In March 2003, we expanded our international operations when we entered into an agreement giving us the right to distribute internationally a group of domestic magazine titles. In September 2003, we established a London, U.K. office from which we are seeking to expand our international magazine distribution business and offer front-end management services to retailers that presently lack the expertise to fully realize the sales potential of their front-ends. Our Magazine Fulfillment group's revenues accounted for $255.8 million, $211.7 million and $155.8 million of our total revenues for fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Operating income (loss) from this group accounted for $15.0 million, $7.4 million and $ (67.7) million of our total operating income (loss) for fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Total assets for the group were $47.7 million, $32.9 million and $37.0 million at January 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. 4 IN-STORE SERVICES The In-Store Services group provides publisher rebate and other incentive payment collection, information technology and front-end services, including fixture design and manufacture. Claim Submission Services. Claim submission services have been the historical core of our business. U.S. and Canadian retailers engage our In-Store Services group to accurately monitor, document, claim and collect publisher rebate and other incentive payments. Our services are designed to relieve our clients of the substantial administrative burden associated with documenting, verifying and collecting their payment claims, and to collect a larger percentage of the potential incentive payments available to the retailers. We established our Advance Pay Program as an enhancement to our claim submission services. Typically, retailers are required to wait a significant period of time to receive payments on their claims for incentive rebates. We improve the retailer's cash flow by advancing the claims for rebates and other incentive payments filed by us on their behalf less our commission within a contractually agreed upon period after the end of each quarter. Information Services. In connection with our claim submission services, we gather extensive information on magazine sales, pricing, new titles, discontinued titles and display configurations on a chain-by-chain and store-by-store basis. As a result, we are able to furnish our clients with reports of total sales, sales by class of trade and sales by retailer, as well as reports of unsold magazines and total sales ranking. Our newest product, the Cover Analyzer, permits subscribers to determine the effectiveness of particular magazine covers on sales for 300 top selling titles in the United States. Our website gives subscribers the capability to react more quickly to market changes, including the ability to reorder copies of specific issues, track pricing information, to introduce new titles, and act on promotions offered by publishers. Publishers also use the website to promote special incentives and advertise and display special editions, new publications and upcoming covers. We have supplemented our own data with data obtained under agreements with Barnes & Noble, Inc., Walgreen Company and The Kroger Company. Front-End Management. Our extensive information resources and experience in claim submission processing enable us to assist retailers by managing the design and configuration of the front-end to increase sales and incentive payment revenues. Our services in this regard frequently include designing front-end display fixtures, supervising fixture installation, selecting products and negotiating, billing and collecting incentive payments from vendors. We frequently assist our retailer clients in the development of specialized marketing and promotional programs, which include special mainline or front-end displays and cross-promotions of magazines and products of interest to the readers of these magazines. Front-End and Point-of-Purchase Display Fixtures. To enhance retailers' efficiency during implementation of a front-end merchandising program, we acquired the capacity to design, manufacture, deliver and dispose of custom front-end and point-of-purchase displays for both retail store chains and product manufacturers. Retailers perceive our experience in managing front-end programs supported by our information services as helpful in improving the revenue generated at the front-end. In addition, we believe that our influence on the design and manufacture of display fixtures enhances our ability to incorporate features that facilitate the gathering of information. Raw materials used in manufacturing our fixtures include wire, powder coating, metal tubing and paneling, all of which are readily available from multiple sources. Revenue from the In-Store Services group accounted for $58.6 million, $61.8 million and $65.1 million of our total revenues for fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Operating income from this group accounted for $1.7 million, $4.6 million and $9.6 million of our total operating income for fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Total assets for the group were $101.0 million, $109.0 million and $110.0 million at January 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Total assets include assets now identified under the Shared Services group because comparable information is not available for January 31, 2002 and 5 2001 under the current presentation. Excluding those assets, total assets for the group were $79.0 million at January 31, 2004. WOOD MANUFACTURING The Wood Manufacturing group manufactures custom wood store fixtures and displays to customer specifications using wood veneers and laminates. Delivery of fixtures is highly concentrated in our third fiscal quarter as a result of the demands of retailers to be ready for the critical holiday selling season. To assure that their seasonal demands for the delivery are met, retailers typically provide commitments well in advance of anticipated product delivery. Accordingly, our inventory levels increase during seasonal periods when retailers are not opening or remodeling stores, typically November through April. Revenues from the Wood Manufacturing group accounted for $18.7 million, $17.5 million and $18.0 million of our total revenues for fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002. Operating income (loss) from this group accounted for $1.0 million, $ (0.7) million and $ (9.8) million of our operating income (loss) for fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Total assets for the group were $15.1 million, 15.4 million and $17.4 million at January 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. CUSTOMERS Our customers in the specialty retail market consist of bookstore chains, music stores and other specialty retailers. Our customers in the mainstream retail market consist primarily of grocery stores, drug stores and mass merchandise retailers. Two customers account for a large percentage of our total revenues. Barnes & Noble, Inc. accounted for 26.8%, 27.7% and 23.2% of total revenues in fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002 respectively. Borders Group, Inc. accounted for 23.8%, 25.8%, and 23.1% of total revenues in fiscal 2004, 2003, and 2002. MARKETING AND SALES Our Magazine Fulfillment group's target market includes magazine publishers, distributors and retailers. We specialize in providing nationwide magazine distribution to specialty retailers with a national or regional scope. We believe that our distribution centers differentiate us from our national competitors and are a key element in our marketing program. Our distribution centers focus on our just-in-time replenishment and our ability to deliver magazines, particularly those published on a weekly basis, overnight to virtually any location within the continental United States. We focus our marketing efforts for our In-Store Services and Wood Manufacturing groups on developing and maintaining primary relationships with customers. While we frequently attend trade shows and advertise in trade publications, we emphasize personal interaction between our sales force and customers so that our customers are encouraged to rely on our dependability and responsiveness. Sales of our services are not particularly seasonal; however, delivery of new display fixtures is highly concentrated in our third fiscal quarter as a result of the demands of retailers in advance of the holiday season. As a result, inventories of fixtures tend to be lowest during our fourth fiscal quarter and increase throughout the first and second fiscal quarters in anticipation of the delivery demands of retailers in the third quarter. To enhance the frequency of contact between our sales force and our customers, we have reorganized our direct sales force into a unified marketing group responsible for soliciting sales of all products and services available from each of our operating groups. We believe this combined marketing approach will enhance cross-selling opportunities and lower the cost of customer acquisition. COMPETITION Our Magazine Fulfillment group's principal competitors consist of national distributors, regional wholesalers, secondary or local wholesalers, and specialty distributors. 6 Competition is generally met on matters such as reliability, value added services and price. In our In-Store Services group, competitors for our claim filing services are primarily privately held companies, while our principal competitors for our fixture manufacturing services are both private and public manufacturing companies of varying sizes. Some of these companies could compete effectively with us, particularly in the manufacture and installation of display fixtures. In addition, we may face competition for our information services from dedicated information providers. The principal competitive factors in this market include access to information, technological support, accuracy, system flexibility, financial stability, customer service, and reputation. Our Wood Manufacturing group competes in a highly fragmented industry generally consisting of individual craftsmen, furniture manufacturers and other woodworking enterprises. The principal competitive factors in the wood manufacturing market include price, reliability and quality of services. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS The efficiency of our Magazine Fulfillment group is supported by our information systems that combine traditional outbound product counts with real-time register activity. Our ability to access real-time register data enables us to quickly adjust individual store merchandise allocations in response to variation in consumer demand. This increases the probability that any particular merchandise allotment will be sold rather than returned for credit. In addition, we have developed sophisticated database management systems designed to track various on-sale and off-sale dates for the numerous issues and regional versions of the more than 4,000 magazine titles that we distribute. Software used in connection with our claims submission program and in connection with our subscriber information website was developed specifically for our use by a combination of in-house software engineers and outside consultants. We believe that certain elements of these software systems are proprietary to us. Other portions of these systems are licensed from a third party, who assisted in the design of the system. We also receive systems service and upgrades under the license. We believe that we have obtained all necessary licenses to support our information systems. EMPLOYEES As of March 31, 2004, we had 1,082 employees, of whom 960 were full-time employees. Approximately 101 of our employees in Brooklyn, New York are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Local 810, Steel, Metals, Alloys and Hardware Fabricators and Warehousemen, which expires in September 2004. Approximately 49 of our employees in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local Union No. 837, which expires in December 2005. Approximately 75 of our employees in Quincy, Illinois are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with Local 822 and District 55, International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, which expires in January 2008. We believe our relationships with our employees are good. 7 ITEM 2. PROPERTIES. Our principal corporate offices are located at 27500 Riverview Center Blvd., Bonita Springs, Florida. As of March 31, 2004, we owned or leased approximately 1,000,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities, 200,000 square feet of distribution centers and 70,000 square feet of office space. The following table presents information concerning our principal properties: OWNED/ LOCATION DESCRIPTION SEGMENT SIZE SQ. FT. LEASED -------- ----------- ------- ------------ ------ Bonita Springs, FL Office Worldwide Headquarters 62,000 Leased New York, NY Office In-Store Services/ 3,500 Leased Magazine Fulfillment Rockford, IL Manufacturing/ In-Store Services/ 300,000/ Owned Distribution Center Magazine Fulfillment 10,500 Brooklyn, NY Manufacturing In-Store Services 90,000 Leased Philadelphia, PA Manufacturing In-Store Services 110,000 Owned Vancouver, B.C. Manufacturing In-Store Services 51,000 Leased Quincy, IL Manufacturing Wood Manufacturing 258,000 Owned Albermarle, NC Manufacturing Wood Manufacturing 190,000 Leased Dallas, TX Distribution Center Magazine Fulfillment 48,000 Leased Harrisburg, PA Distribution Center Magazine Fulfillment 83,000 Leased Each of our owned real properties is encumbered by a mortgage in favor of our senior lenders, Wells Fargo Foothill and Hilco Capital. We believe our facilities are adequate for our current level of operations and that all of our facilities are adequately insured. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. We are party to routine legal proceedings arising out of the normal course of business. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these unresolved legal actions or the range of possible loss, we believe that none of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. No matters were submitted to a vote of shareholders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004. 8 PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES. PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol SORC. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low bid prices for our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq National Market during the fiscal year shown. All such quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. HIGH LOW Year ended January 31, 2003 First Quarter $ 5.79 $ 4.07 Second Quarter 5.75 3.82 Third Quarter 6.41 4.26 Fourth Quarter 5.93 3.76 Year ended January 31, 2004 First Quarter $ 5.51 $ 4.33 Second Quarter 8.59 5.50 Third Quarter 9.82 7.70 Fourth Quarter 14.30 8.10 Year ending January 31, 2005 First Quarter (through April 12, 2004) $ 13.55 $ 10.43 The last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq National Market on April 12, 2004 was $12.26. As of April 12, 2004, there were approximately 99 holders of record of the common stock. DIVIDEND POLICY We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock. Our board of directors presently intends to retain all of our earnings, if any, for the development of our business for the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon a number of factors, including, among others, any restrictions contained in our credit facilities and our future earnings, operations, capital requirements and general financial condition and such other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Currently, our credit facilities prohibit the payment of cash dividends or other distributions on our capital stock or payments in connection with the purchase, redemption, retirement or acquisition of our capital stock. 9 ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA. The following selected consolidated financial data at January 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2000 and 2001 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are not included in this report. The selected consolidated financial data at January 31, 2003 and 2004 and for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this report. Our consolidated financial statements at January 31, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 have been audited by BDO Seidman LLP, independent certified public accountants. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period. You should read the summary financial data presented below in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, the notes to our consolidated financial statements and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this report. YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA: Revenues $ 82,279 $ 92,423 $ 238,923 $ 290,894 $ 333,134 Cost of revenues 48,806 53,792 176,357 216,483 244,755 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Gross profit 33,473 38,631 62,566 74,411 88,379 Selling, general and administrative expenses 12,162 23,279 38,978 46,564 52,642 Fulfillment freight - - 7,931 14,721 16,381 Relocation expenses (1) - - - 1,926 1,730 Amortization of goodwill 2,718 2,994 5,424 - - Goodwill impairment charge (2) - - 78,126 - - --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating income (loss) 18,593 12,358 (67,893) 11,200 17,626 Other income (expense): Interest expense, net (919) (2,312) (3,338) (3,765) (3,647) Other (152) 36 (2,339) 514 (316) --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total other income (expense) (1,071) (2,276) (5,677) (3,251) (3,963) --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Income before income taxes 17,522 10,082 (73,570) 7,949 13,662 Income tax expense 7,499 3,965 (705) 611 3,615 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Net income (loss) $ 10,023 $ 6,117 $ (72,865) $ 7,338 $ 10,048 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= Earnings (loss) per share - basic $ 0.65 $ 0.35 $ (4.07) $ 0.40 $ 0.54 Earnings (loss) per share - diluted 0.60 0.33 (4.07) 0.40 0.51 Weighted average of shares outstanding in computing: Basic net income per share 15,332 17,591 17,915 18,229 18,476 Diluted net income per share 16,815 18,348 17,915 18,478 19,866 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= AT JANUARY 31, ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- (IN THOUSANDS) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA: Cash $ 1,738 $ 1,085 $ 2,943 $ 5,570 $ 4,963 Working capital (3) 59,162 60,277 (9,424) (3,519) 19,418 Total assets 158,289 158,448 164,430 157,239 164,101 Current maturities of debt 174 116 42,097 29,215 4,059 Debt, less current maturities 32,215 31,780 15,578 17,026 31,541 Total liabilities 53,169 48,658 120,887 106,320 97,027 Total equity 105,120 109,790 43,543 50,919 67,074 (1) Relocation costs relate to the consolidation of our prior offices from St. Louis, Missouri, High Point, North Carolina and San Diego, California to our new offices in Bonita Springs, Florida. (2) Charge related to the impairment of the goodwill attributed to our Magazine Distribution and Wood Manufacturing businesses. (3) Includes current maturities of debt. 10 ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. Our business consists of four business segments: Magazine Fulfillment, In-Store Services, Wood Manufacturing and Shared Services. Our segment reporting is structured based on the reporting of senior management to the Chief Executive Officer. - Our Magazine Fulfillment group uses our proprietary order regulation technology to manage the distribution of magazines to over 5,200 retail outlets. We assist retailers with the selection, logistical procurement and fulfillment of approximately 4,000 monthly and 50 weekly magazine titles from over 560 publishers. The group was established in May 2001 with the acquisition of The Interlink Companies, Inc. or Interlink, and its two operating subsidiaries: International Periodical Distributors, Inc. and David E. Young, Inc. The scope of the group's operations was expanded via agreements giving us the right to export domestic titles for sale internationally and import foreign titles for sale domestically. - Our In-Store Services group assists retailers with the design and implementation of their front-end area merchandise programs, which generally have a three-year life cycle. We provide other value-added services to retailers, publishers and other vendors. These services include assisting retailers with the filing of claims for publisher incentive payments, which are based on display location or total retail sales, and providing publishers with access to real-time sales information on more than 10,000 magazine titles, thereby enabling them to make more informed decisions regarding their product placement, cover treatments and distribution efforts. - Our Wood Manufacturing group designs and manufactures wood display and store fixtures for leading specialty retailers. - Our Shared Services group consists of overhead functions not allocated to the other groups. These functions include corporate finance, human resource, management information systems and executive management that are not allocated to the three operating groups. Upon completion of our consolidation of our administrative operations, we restructured our accounts to separately identify corporate expenses that are not attributable to any of our three main operating groups. Prior to fiscal year 2004, these expenses were included within our In-Store Services group. Comparable information is not available and is not presented for prior fiscal years. REVENUES The Magazine Fulfillment group derives revenues from: - selling and distributing magazines, including domestic and foreign titles, to major specialty retailers and wholesalers throughout the United States and Canada, - exporting domestic titles internationally to foreign wholesalers or through domestic brokers, - serving as a secondary national distributor, - providing return processing services for major specialty retail book chains, and - serving as an outsourced fulfillment agent and backroom operator for publishers. The In-Store Services group derives revenues from: - designing, manufacturing and invoicing participants in front-end merchandising programs, - providing claim filing services related to rebates owed retailers from publishers or their designated agents, - shipping, installing and removing front-end fixtures, and - providing information and management services relating to magazine sales to retailers and publishers throughout the United States and Canada. The Wood Manufacturing group derives revenues from designing, manufacturing and installing custom wood fixtures primarily for retailers. 11 Over the last three fiscal years, a majority of the growth of our revenues has come from our Magazine Fulfillment group. We anticipate this trend to continue in the future. The growth has been driven by the inception of our import and export businesses as well as the growth in our core domestic wholesale distribution business. We see opportunities for growth in our In-Store Services group being driven primarily by the expansion of our claim filing services business and expansion of our international operations, primarily in the United Kingdom. We see opportunities for growth in our Wood Manufacturing group from leveraging our relationships with the retailers we service in our other two operating groups. COST OF REVENUES Our cost of revenues for the Magazine Fulfillment group consists of the costs of magazines purchased for resale less all applicable publisher discounts and rebates. Our cost of revenues for the In-Store Services and the Wood Manufacturing groups includes: - raw materials consumed in the production of display fixtures, primarily steel, wood and plastic components; - production labor; and - manufacturing overhead. Cost of revenues has increased since the inception of our Magazine Fulfillment group. As primarily a wholesale operation, the Magazine Fulfillment group traditionally has a lower gross profit margin than our In-Store Services group, which provided the bulk of our revenues before the Interlink acquisition. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Selling, general and administrative expenses for each of the operating groups include: - non-production labor; - rent and office overhead; - insurance; - professional fees; and - management information systems. Expenses associated with corporate finance, human resources, management information systems and executive offices are included within the Shared Services group and are not allocated to the other groups. Selling, general and administrative expenses have increased since the inception of our Magazine Fulfillment group. We believe we now have the infrastructure in place to support our existing operations as well as support a significant amount of domestic growth. We continue to actively search for cost savings from consolidation to offset growth in other areas such as insurance, professional fees, and normal cost of living increases. FULFILLMENT FREIGHT Fulfillment freight consists of our direct costs of distributing magazines by third-party freight carriers, primarily Federal Express ground service. Freight rates are driven by the weight of the copies being shipped and the distance between origination and destination. Fulfillment freight is not disclosed as a component of cost of revenues, and, as a result, gross profit and gross profit margins are not comparable to other companies that include shipping and handling costs in cost of revenues. Fulfillment freight has increased proportionately as the amount of product we distribute has increased. We anticipate the continued growth in our Magazine Fulfillment group will result in an increase in fulfillment freight. Generally, as pounds shipped increase, the cost per pound charged by third party carriers 12 decreases. As a result, fulfillment freight as a percent of Magazine Fulfillment group revenue should decline slightly in the future. RELOCATION EXPENSES Relocation expenses consist primarily of the cost of transferring existing employees and offices from their former locations in High Point, North Carolina, St. Louis, Missouri, and San Diego, California, to our new offices in Bonita Springs, Florida. This relocation program began in fiscal 2003 and was completed 2004. 13 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, information relating to our operations (in thousands): 2002 2003 2004 Fiscal year ended Margin Margin Margin January 31, Amount % Amount % Amount % - ----------------------- ---------- ------ ---------- ------ ---------- ------ Magazine Fulfillment Revenue $ 155,805 $ 211,663 $ 255,814 Cost of revenue 126,217 164,702 194,467 Gross profit 29,588 19.0% 46,961 22.2% 61,347 24.0% Operating expense (1) 97,297 39,600 46,389 Operating income (loss) (67,709) (43.5)% 7,361 3.5% 14,958 5.8% In-Store Services Revenue $ 65,148 $ 61,754 $ 58,601 Cost of revenue 33,978 35,391 33,931 Gross profit 31,170 47.8% 26,363 42.7% 24,670 42.1% Operating expense (1) 21,571 21,812 8,245 Operating income (loss) 9,599 14.7% 4,551 7.4% 16,425 28.0% Wood Manufacturing Revenue $ 17,970 $ 17,477 $ 18,719 Cost of revenue 16,162 16,390 16,357 Gross profit 1,808 10.1% 1,087 6.2% 2,362 12.6% Operating expense (1) 11,591 1,799 1,373 Operating income (loss) (9,783) (54.4)% (712) (4.1)% 989 5.3% Shared Services (2) Revenue $ - $ - $ - Cost of revenue - - - Gross profit - - - - - - Operating expense(1) - - 14,746 Operating income (loss) - - - - (14,746) n/a Total Revenue $ 238,923 $ 290,894 $ 333,134 Cost of revenue 176,357 216,483 244,755 Gross profit 62,566 26.2% 74,411 25.6% 88,379 26.5% Operating expense(1) 130,459 63,211 70,753 Operating income (loss) (67,893) (28.4)% 11,200 3.9% 17,626 5.3% (1) Operating expenses include selling, general and administrative expenses, fulfillment freight, relocation expenses, amortization of goodwill and asset impairment charges. (2) Prior to fiscal year 2004 amounts currently reported as Shared Services were reported as a component of In-Store Services. 14 RESULTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2004 COMPARED TO THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2003 Revenues Revenues for the fiscal year increased $42.2 million or 14.5%, over the prior fiscal year due primarily to an increase in revenue in our Magazine Fulfillment group. Our Magazine Fulfillment group's revenues were $255.8 million, an increase of $44.1 million or 20.9%. The group's revenues are comprised of the following components (in millions): 2004 2003 CHANGE --------- --------- -------- Domestic distribution $ 204.6 $ 188.6 $ 16.0 Export distribution 32.0 - 32.0 Secondary wholesale distribution 17.3 21.7 (4.4) Other 3.4 2.5 0.9 Intra-segment sales (1.5) (1.1) (0.4) -------- -------- ------- Total $ 255.8 $ 211.7 $ 44.1 ======== ======== ======= Domestic distribution consists of the gross amount of magazines (both domestic and imported titles) distributed to domestic retailers and wholesalers, less actual returns received (collectively, "actual net distribution"), less an estimate of future returns and customer discounts. The $16.0 million increase in domestic distribution consisted of a $26.3 million increase in actual net distribution, less a $10.1 million decrease from the impact of the change in the sales return reserve as compared to the prior year's change, and a $0.2 million increase in customer discounts. Actual net domestic distribution increased from $189.8 million to $216.1 million; an increase of $26.3 million or 13.9%. This increase was driven primarily by the growth of distribution to our two main customers, which increased from $155.5 million to $173.7 million or $18.2 million. The sales return reserve related to our domestic distribution increased from $33.1 million to $41.4 million or $8.3 million. Customer discounts increased from $3.0 million to $3.2 million. Our export distribution began operation in fiscal 2004. Actual net export distribution was $52.4 million. At January 31, 2004, the sales return reserve related to our export distribution, which began operations in fiscal 2004, was $20.4 million. Revenues from our secondary wholesale operations decreased due to a decrease in the number wholesale operations we serviced either because they were able to obtain distribution directly from a primary distributor or were no longer deemed credit worthy. Our In-Store Services group revenues were $58.6 million, a decrease of $3.2 million or 5.1%. The group's revenues are comprised of the following components (in millions): 2004 2003 CHANGE ------- ------- ------- Claim filing and information $ 14.0 $ 14.0 $ - Wire manufacturing 44.6 47.8 (3.2) ------- ------- ------ Total $ 58.6 $ 61.8 $ (3.2) ======= ======= ====== Our wire manufacturing revenues declined due to the cyclical nature of the industry (major chains purchase new front-end fixtures every three years) and pricing pressure in our industry. Our Wood Manufacturing group's revenues were $18.7 million, an increase $1.2 million or 7.1%. 15 Gross Profit Gross profit for the fiscal year increased $14.0 million or 18.8%, over the prior fiscal year due primarily to an increase in gross profit in our Magazine Fulfillment group. Gross profit margins increased 0.9 percentage points in the current period over the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. Margins improved or (declined) in our Magazine Fulfillment, In-Store Services, and Wood Manufacturing groups by 1.8, (0.6), and 6.4 percentage points, respectively. Gross Profit in our Magazine Fulfillment group increased $14.4 million or 30.6%. The increase related to both the increase in revenue described above as well as improving margins. The gross profit margins in our domestic distribution businesses are generally higher then our secondary wholesale business and, as a result, gross profit margins improve as the portion of total revenues is weighted more toward our domestic operations. The margins in our distribution business also improved as a result of a shift in product mix from lower margin domestic titles to higher margin import titles. Gross profit in our In-Store Services group decreased $1.7 million or 6.4%. The decrease related to both the decrease in revenues described above as well as declining margins. The decrease in margins is both due to a decrease in pricing as well as the recent increase in commodity prices particularly steel, which is a major component of our front-end fixtures. Gross profit in our Wood Manufacturing group increased $1.3 million or 117.3%. The increase related to both the increase in revenue described above as well as improving margins. The prior fiscal year results included a significant inventory write-off related to a lost customer. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $6.0 million or 13.0%, compared to the prior fiscal year. Selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percent of revenues declined from 16.0% to 15.8%. The Magazine Fulfillment group's selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $3.5 million, or 14.1%. The inception of our magazine export business resulted in $2.5 million of the increase. The combined selling, general, and administrative expenses of the In-Store Services and Shared Services group's selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $3.0 million or 14.9%. The increase is attributable to an expanded corporate infrastructure to support our enlarged scope of operations. The Wood Manufacturing group's selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased $0.4 million or 23.7%. The decrease was attributable to both the unusually high level of expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 as well as the cost savings attributable to the consolidation of our manufacturing capacity in Carson City, Nevada into the facility in Albermarle, North Carolina. Fulfillment Freight Fulfillment freight expenses increased $1.7 million or 11.5%, compared to the prior fiscal year. Freight as a percentage of the Magazine Fulfillment group's revenues decreased from 6.9% to 6.4% due to improvement in the efficiency of our distribution model and an increase in the number of pounds distributed. Under our existing contract, our freight rates per pound decrease as the number of pounds shipped increases. Relocation Expenses During fiscal 2004, we relocated our magazine distribution back office from San Diego, California to Bonita Springs, Florida. The total expense recorded in the period related to this relocation was $1.7 million. 16 During fiscal 2003, we relocated our claim submission and fixture billing center from High Point, North Carolina to Bonita Spring, Florida. The total expense recorded in the period related to this relocation was $1.9 million. Operating Income Operating income for the fiscal year increased $6.4 million or 57.4%, compared to the prior fiscal year due to the factors described above. Operating profit margins improved from 3.9% to 5.3% in the current fiscal year compared to the prior fiscal year. The increase was due to the improvement in our gross profit margins and the decrease in our selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percent of revenues. Interest Expense Interest expense includes the interest and fees on our significant debt instruments and outstanding letters of credit. Other Income (Expense) Other income (expense) consists of items outside of the normal course of operations. Due to its nature, comparability between periods is not generally meaningful. Other expense in fiscal 2004 includes a charge of $0.9 million related to the refinancing of our senior credit facilities. Other income in fiscal 2003 related primarily to the favorable settlement of an outstanding liability. Income Tax Expense The effective income tax rates were 26.5% and 7.7% for fiscal 2004 and 2003, respectively. The difference between the statutory rate and effective tax rates relates primarily to the realization of a portion of the net operating loss carry-forward acquired with our acquisition of Interlink and tax credits received from the state of Florida related to our relocation. 17 RESULTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2003 COMPARED TO THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2002 Revenues Revenues for the fiscal year increased $52.0 million or 21.8%, over the prior fiscal year due primarily to an increase in revenue in our Magazine Fulfillment group. Fiscal 2002 includes eight months of operations of this group. Our Magazine Fulfillment group's revenues were $211.7 million, an increase of $55.9 million or 35.9%. The group's revenues are comprised of the following components (in millions): 2003 2002 CHANGE --------- --------- -------- Domestic distribution $ 188.6 $ 135.8 $ 52.8 Secondary wholesale distribution 21.7 20.2 1.5 Other 2.5 0.6 1.9 Intra-segment sales (1.1) (0.8) (0.3) -------- -------- ------- Total $ 211.7 $ 155.8 $ 55.9 ======== ======== ======= Domestic distribution consists of the gross amount of magazines (both domestic and imported titles) distributed to domestic retailers and wholesalers, less actual returns received (collectively, "actual net distribution"), less an estimate of future returns and customer discounts. The $52.8 million increase in domestic distribution consisted of a $49.5 million increase in actual net distribution, plus a $4.5 million increase from the impact of the change in the sales return reserve as compared to the prior year's change, and less a $1.2 million increase in customer discounts. Actual net domestic distribution increased from $140.3 million to $189.8 million; an increase of $49.5 million or 35.3%. This increase was driven primarily by the growth of distribution to our two main customers, which increased from $101.1 million to $155.5 million or $54.4 million. The sales return reserve related to our domestic distribution decreased from $34.9 million to $33.1 million or $1.8 million. Customer discounts increased from $1.8 million to $3.0 million. Our In-Store Services group revenues were $61.8 million, a decrease of $3.3 million or 5.1%. The group's revenues are comprised of the following components (in millions): 2003 2002 CHANGE ------- ------- ------- Claim filing and information $ 14.0 $ 12.6 $ 1.4 Wire manufacturing 47.8 52.5 (4.7) ------- ------- ------ Total $ 61.8 $ 65.1 $ (3.3) ======= ======= ====== Our wire manufacturing revenues declined due to pricing pressure in the industry. Our Wood Manufacturing group's revenues were $17.5 million, a decrease of $0.5 million or 2.7%. Gross Profit Gross profit for the fiscal year increased $11.8 million or 18.9%, over the prior fiscal year due primarily to an increase in gross profit in our Magazine Fulfillment group. Gross profit margins decreased 0.6 percentage points in the current period over the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. Margins improved or (declined) in our Magazine Fulfillment, In-Store Services, and Wood Manufacturing groups by 3.2, (4.9), and (3.9) percentage points, respectively. Gross Profit in our Magazine Fulfillment group increased $17.4 million or 58.7%. The increase related to both the increase in revenue described above as well as improving margins. The gross profit margins in our domestic distribution businesses are generally higher then our secondary wholesale business and, as a 18 result, gross profit margins improve as the portion of total revenues is weighted more toward our domestic operations. In addition, gross profit margins from imported titles are generally higher than domestic titles, which began operations in May 2002. Gross profit in our In-Store Services group decreased $4.8 million or 15.4%. The decrease related to both the decrease in revenues described above as well as declining margins. Gross profit in our Wood Manufacturing group decreased $0.7 million or 39.9%. The decrease in the current fiscal year resulted from a significant inventory write-off related to a lost customer. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $7.6 million or 19.5%, compared to the prior fiscal year. Selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percent of revenues declined from 16.3% to 16.0%. The Magazine Fulfillment group's selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $6.4 million or 34.9%. The combined selling, general, and administrative expenses of the In-Store Services and Shared Services group's selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $1.1 million or 5.8%. The Wood Manufacturing group's selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $0.1 million or 5.3%. Fulfillment Freight Fulfillment freight expenses increased $6.7 million or 85.2%, compared to the comparable period of the prior fiscal year due to growth in our Magazine Fulfillment group. Freight as a percentage of the Magazine Fulfillment group's revenues increased from 5.1% to 6.9%. The increase is attributable to the growth of our fulfillment business whereby we ship other company's product for a fee. Relocation Expenses During fiscal 2003, we relocated our claim submission and fixture billing center in High Point, North Carolina to Bonita Spring, Florida. The total expense recorded in the period related to this relocation was $1.9 million. Amortization of Goodwill Prior to fiscal 2003, we amortized goodwill consistent with accounting literature in effect at that time. Effective February 1, 2002, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards "FAS" No. 142 and ceased amortizing goodwill. Asset Impairment Charges In fiscal 2002, pursuant to an independent valuation of our intangible assets (goodwill) in accordance with FAS No. 121, it was determined that an impairment charge was required. The impairment charge reduced the carrying value of goodwill on our balance sheet related to the Magazine Fulfillment and Wood Manufacturing groups to zero. Interest Expense Interest and related expenses are primarily due to our significant debt instruments, which consisted of our former revolving line of credit with Bank of America, our former credit facilities with Congress Financial, our Industrial Revenue Bonds related to our Rockford, Illinois manufacturing facility and debt to prior owners of Interlink. 19 Interest expense increased from fiscal 2002 to fiscal 2003 due to the acquisition of Interlink and the assumption of its related bank debt. Other Income (Expense) Other income (expense) consists of items outside of the normal course of operations. Due to its nature, comparability between periods is not generally meaningful. Other income in fiscal 2003 related primarily to the favorable settlement of an outstanding liability. Income Tax Expense (Benefit) The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2003 and 2002 was 6.3% and 0.7%, respectively. The difference in fiscal 2003 between the effective tax rate and the statutory rate related to the realization of a portion of the net operating loss carry-forwards acquired with our acquisition of Interlink that was fully reserved at the end of fiscal 2002. The difference in fiscal 2002 between the effective tax rate and the statutory rate related to the asset impairment charge of goodwill that was not tax deductible. 20 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES OVERVIEW Our primary sources of cash include receipts from our customers and borrowings under our credit facilities. Our primary cash requirements for the Magazine Fulfillment group consist of the cost of magazines and the cost of freight, labor and facility expense associated with our distribution centers. Our primary cash requirements for the In-Store Services group consist of the cost of raw materials, labor, and factory overhead incurred in the production of front-end displays, the cost of labor incurred in providing our claiming, design and information services and cash advances funding our Advance Pay program. Our Advance Pay program allows retailers to accelerate collections of their rebate claims through payments from us in exchange for the transfer to us of the right to collect the claim. We then collect the claims when paid by publishers for our own account. Our primary cash requirements for the Wood Manufacturing group consist of the cost of raw materials, the cost of labor, and factory overhead incurred in the manufacturing process. Our primary cash requirements for the Shared Services group consist of salaries, professional fees and insurance not allocated to the operating groups. The following table presents a summary of our significant obligations and commitments to make future payments under debt obligations and lease agreements due by period as of January 31, 2004 (in thousands). Payments Due by Period ----------------------------------------------- Less Than 1-3 4-5 After 5 Total 1 year Years Years Years ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Debt obligations $35,600 $ 4,059 $31,494 $ 47 $ - Operating leases 38,707 5,816 8,298 6,421 18,172 ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Total contractual cash obligations $74,307 $ 9,875 $39,792 $ 6,468 $18,172 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= The following table presents a summary of our commercial commitments and the notional amount expiration by period (in thousands): Notional amount expiration by period ----------------------------------------------- Less Than 1-3 4-5 After 5 Total 1 year Years Years Years ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Financial standby letters of credit $ 4,024 $ 4,024 $ - $ - $ - ------- ------- ----- ----- ----- Total commercial commitments 4,024 4,024 - - - ======= ======= ===== ===== ===== OPERATING CASH FLOW Net cash provided by (used by) operating activities was $12.3, $20.6, and $(1.6) million for the fiscal years 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Operating cash flows in fiscal 2004 were primarily from net income ($10.0 million), plus non-cash charges including depreciation and amortization ($4.1 million) and provisions for losses on accounts receivable ($1.8 million), a decrease in accounts receivable ($0.5 million) and a decrease in other current and non-current assets ($2.0 million). These cash providing activities were offset by an increase in inventory ($1.3 21 million), and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses other current and non-current liabilities ($5.7 million). Accounts receivable and accounts payable balances were impacted by the inception of the magazine export business, which had trade receivable of $14.2 million and trade payables of $10.0 million at January 31, 2004. The magazine export agreement allowed us to become a leading exporter of domestic titles to foreign wholesalers and domestic brokers who transport the product overseas. The fiscal year includes eleven months of operations from this business and only eight months of cash collections due to standard payment terms of at least 90 days, which is typical in the industry. Accounts receivable related to our domestic magazine distribution businesses decreased $2.6 million primarily due to the increase in the sales return reserve partially offset by the growth in trade receivables as a result of higher distribution levels. Inventories for this business increased $1.7 million primarily to support higher distribution levels. Accounts receivable in our front-end fixture manufacturing and claim filing services decreased $6.7 million due to both better collection procedures as well as the lower revenue base. Operating cash flow in fiscal 2003 was primarily from net income ($7.3 million), adding back non-cash charges such as depreciation and amortization ($3.3 million) and provisions for losses on accounts receivable ($2.0 million) and a significant decrease in accounts receivable ($17.6 million). These cash providing activities were offset by a significant reduction in accounts payable ($9.7 million). The decrease in accounts receivable relates primarily to a significant decrease in receivables related to front-end fixture programs, which were at unusually high levels at January 31, 2002 and subsequently collected in the first quarter of fiscal 2003. The decrease in receivables related to front-end fixture programs relates primarily to the timing of payments by significant participants of cost-shared front-end fixture programs. Our year-end balance at January 31, 2002 was inflated by the significantly higher revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 that was, for the most part, collected in the first quarter of fiscal 2003. Improved cash flow and profits in our Magazine Distribution group allowed for a significant reduction in accounts payable ($13.0 million of the total decrease). We believe that this decrease was necessary to bring us within payment terms with all our publishers, which has significantly improved our relationship with the publishing community and allowed us to expand our business with those publishers. Negative operating cash flow in fiscal 2002 was $1.6 million despite a net loss of $72.9 million. The difference related to significant non-cash charges including depreciation and amortization ($7.8 million), provisions for losses on accounts receivable ($2.8 million) and an asset impairment charge ($78.1 million). In addition to the non-cash charges we also experienced a significant increase in accounts payable ($23.1 million), which increased cash flow from operations. This increase related to our recently purchased Interlink subsidiaries and an increase in the average days outstanding to our vendors. These increases were offset by a significant increase in accounts receivable ($36.9 million) and inventories ($3.2 million). The increase in accounts receivable was attributable to both the purchase of the Interlink companies and a significant amount of third quarter wire manufacturing revenues not collected until the first quarter of fiscal 2003. INVESTING CASH FLOW Net cash (used in) investing activities was $(9.5), $(12.8) and $2.3 million in fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. In fiscal 2004, cash used in investing activities related to capital expenditures of $2.1 million, which primarily related to our relocation to Florida and expansion of our distribution facility in Harrisburg, 22 Pennsylvania, and $2.4 million of payments related to acquisition of the customer lists under the import and export agreement. Our advance pay program generated net cash flow of $1.8 million in fiscal 2004. The Company also advanced to the prior operator of our export distribution business $6.8 million. The advances were made as part of the agreement to collect the prior operator's receivables and pay outstanding payables so as to create a seamless transition for both the customers and suppliers. This balance had decreased to approximately $3.0 million at March 31, 2004. In fiscal 2003, cash used in investing activities related to capital expenditures of $4.4 million, which related primarily to our relocation to Florida, the acquisition of Innovative Metal Fixtures ($2.0 million of a total purchase price of approximately $2.6 million; the remaining portion consisting of a note payable to the former owner) and a payment under a magazine import agreement ($2.0) million) related to the domestic distribution of foreign titles. Our advance pay program used net cash flow of $4.4 million. In fiscal 2002, cash used in investing activities related to the acquisition of Interlink totaling $13.7 million and capital expenditures of $3.7 million. Cash from investing activities included $3.5 million from the sale of software. Our advance pay program provided net cash flow of $16.0 million. The unusually high cash flow from the advance pay program was due to improvement in the collection process. The faster collection cycle for our claim receivables resulted from providing publishers with the claim information in an electronic format allowing for quicker processing. As a result of this new process, claims outstanding related to our Advance Pay program decreased compared to the prior fiscal year-end, without a significant decrease in either the number or amount of claims filed. Our borrowing agreements limit the amount of our capital expenditures in any fiscal year. FINANCING CASH FLOW Outstanding balances on our credit facility fluctuate partially due to the timing of the retailer rebate claiming process and our Advance Pay program, the seasonality of our wire manufacturing business, and the payment cycle of the magazine distribution business. Because the magazine distribution business and Advance Pay program cash requirement peak at our fiscal quarter ends, the reported bank debt levels usually are the maximum level outstanding during the quarter. Payments under our Advance Pay program generally occur just prior to our fiscal quarter end. The related claims are not generally collected by us until 90 days after the advance is made. As a result, our funding requirements peak at the time of the initial advances and decrease over the next 90 days as the cash is collected on the related claims. The wire manufacturing business is seasonal because most retailers prefer initiating new programs before the holiday shopping season begins, which concentrates revenues in the second and third quarter. Receivables from these fixture programs are generally collected from all participants within 120 days. We are usually required to tender payment on the costs of these programs (raw material and labor) within a shorter period. As a result, our funding requirements peak in the second and third fiscal quarters when we manufacture the wire fixtures and decrease significantly in the fourth and first fiscal quarters as the related receivable are collected and significantly less manufacturing activity is occurring. Within our magazine distribution business, our significant customers pay weekly, and we pay our suppliers monthly. As a result, funding requirements peak at the end of the month when supplier payments are made and decrease over the course of the next month as our receivables are collected. Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities was $(3.4), (5.2), and $1.2 million in fiscal 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. In fiscal 2004, cash used in financing activities related to our various credit facilities included net repayments under revolving credit facilities of $27.7 million, payments of notes payable of $6.0 million and proceeds from the issuance of notes payable of $20.0 million. The exercise of employee stock options 23 generated $2.8 million in proceeds. Outstanding checks increased $7.5 million as our new consolidated financing facility allowed for more efficient cash management. In fiscal 2003, cash used in financing activities related to our various credit facilities included net repayment under revolving credit facilities of $7.7 million and repayments of notes payable of $2.8 million. In addition, we repaid approximately $1.0 million of various notes outstanding to the prior owners of acquired companies. Outstanding checks increased $6.6 million relating to the timing of our payments to retailers under the Advance Pay program. At January 31, 2003, we had completed the filing of the quarterly rebate claims and had just processed a large number of payments, which was not the case at the end of 2002. In fiscal 2002, cash provided by financing activities related to borrowing under our revolving credit facility totaling $5.7 million. These borrowing were partially offset by a $4.6 million reduction of checks issued and outstanding at January 31, 2002 compared to 2001. This amount is driven primarily by the timing of our Advance Pay program, which requires significant cash outflows near our fiscal year-end. DEBT At January 31, 2004, our total debt obligations were $35.6 million, excluding outstanding letters of credit, a decrease of $10.6 million from the prior year. During fiscal 2004, we replaced our two existing credit facilities with Bank of America and Congress Financial with a new credit facility with Wells Fargo Foothill and a subordinated note payable to Hilco Capital. Debt consists of our revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Foothill that we use to fund our short-term financing needs, long-term notes to Wells Fargo Foothill and Hilco Capital, amounts owed related to the magazine import agreement, and a note payable to the former owners of an acquired company. On October 30, 2003, we entered into a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Foothill. The credit agreement enables us to borrow up to $45.0 million under a revolving credit facility and provides a $5.0 million term note payable. The credit agreement expires on October 30, 2006. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate equal to the primate rate (4.0% at January 31, 2003) plus up to 0.5% based on an availability calculation and carries a facility fee of -1/4% per annum on the difference between $45 million and the average principal amount outstanding under the facility including advances under the revolving credit facility and letters of credit. Availability under the revolving facility is limited by a borrowing base calculation, as defined in the agreement. The calculation resulted in excess availability of $17.5 million at January 31, 2004. The term note payable bears interest at a rate equal to the prime rate (4.0% at January 31, 2004) plus 2.5%. The note is payable in equal principal installments of $83 thousand per month plus current interest. The terms of the note require accelerated prepayment if certain events occur which generate cash outside of the normal course of business including such things as the sale of a significant asset or proceeds from stock sales. On October 30, 2003, we entered into a credit agreement with Hilco Capital. The note payable has a face value of $15 million and has been recorded net of the original issuance discount related to the fair value of warrants issued concurrently with the note. The note payable bears current interest at a rate equal to the greater of the prime rate (4.0% at January 31, 2004) plus 7.75% or 12% and deferred interest of 2% due at the termination of the agreement on October 30, 2006. Under the credit agreements, we are required to maintain a specified minimum level of EBITDA and compliance with specified fixed charge coverage and debt to EBITDA ratios. In addition, we are prohibited, without consent from our lenders, from: - incurring or suffering to exist additional indebtedness or liens on our assets, - engaging in any merger, consolidation, acquisition or disposition of assets or other fundamental corporate change, - permitting a change of control of our company, 24 - paying any dividends or making any other distribution on capital stock or other payments in connection with the purchase, redemption, retirement or acquisition of capital stock, - changing our fiscal year or methods of accounting, and - making capital expenditures in excess of $2.8 million during fiscal year 2005 and $3.4 million during fiscal year 2006 and each subsequent fiscal year. We were in compliance with each of these financial and operating covenants at January 31, 2004. Amounts owed related to the magazine export agreement consist of 12 quarterly payments of $350 thousand beginning in January 2004. A note payable in the principal amount of $1.6 million to the previous owner of an acquired company is past due and is being disputed under the conditions of the acquisition agreement. We received a favorable arbitration ruling during the fourth quarter, which lowered the amount owed from the prior fiscal year. Subsequent to year-end, we settled the remaining note payable and interest accrued thereon for $1.6 million. Subsequent to year-end, we completed a sale of 3.8 million shares of our common stock. The proceeds ($41.1 million after the underwriting discount but before related expenses) from the sale were utilized to repay the term loan portion of the Wells Fargo Foothill credit facility as well as pay-off all but a nominal amount of the Hilco Capital note payable. The remaining balance was utilized to pay down the outstanding balances under the revolving credit facility and increase our cash reserves by approximately $15 million. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of these estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. Management believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Revenue Recognition We record a reduction in revenue for estimated magazine sales returns and a reduction in cost of sales for estimated magazine purchase returns. Estimated sales returns are based on historical sales returns and daily point-of-sale data from significant customers. The purchase return estimate is calculated from the sales return reserve based on historical gross profit. If the historical data we use to calculate these estimates does not properly reflect future results, revenue and/or cost of sales may be misstated. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We provide for potential uncollectible accounts receivable based on customer-specific information and historical collection experience. If market conditions decline, actual collection experience may not meet expectations and may result in increased bad debt expenses. 25 Taxes on Earnings The carrying value of our net deferred tax assets assumes that we will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions, based on estimates and assumptions. If these estimates and assumptions change in the future, we may be required to increase or decrease valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expenses or benefits. Goodwill We evaluate our goodwill annually for impairment, or earlier if indicators of potential impairment exist. The determination of whether or not goodwill or other intangible assets have become impaired involves a significant level of judgment in the assumptions underlying the approach used to determine the value of the reporting units. Changes in our strategy and/or market conditions could significantly impact these judgments and require adjustments to recorded amounts of intangible assets. We have adopted a policy to review each reporting unit for impairment using a discounted cash flow approach that uses forward-looking information regarding market share, revenues and costs for each reporting unit as well as appropriate discount rates. As a result, changes in these assumptions and current working capital could materially change the outcome of each reporting unit's fair value determinations in future periods, which could require a permanent write-down of goodwill. We will continue to evaluate our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or sooner if indicators of potential impairment exist. The estimates that we have used are consistent with the plans and estimates that we are using to manage the underlying business. If we fail to achieve our estimates, we may incur a future charge for impairment of goodwill. Long-lived Assets With the exception of goodwill, long-lived assets such as intangibles and property and equipment, are evaluated for impairment when events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of these assets and their eventual dispositions is less than their carry a mount. Impairment, if any, if assessed using discounted cash flows. The determination of whether or not long-lived assets have become impaired involves a significant level of judgment in developing the assumptions underlying the approach used to determine the estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of those assets. Changes in our strategy, assumptions and/or market conditions could significantly impact these judgments and require adjustments to recorded amounts of long-lived assets. 26 RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", which amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 149 is effective for all contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity." SFAS No. 150 requires that certain financial instruments, which under previous guidance were accounted for as equity, must now be accounted for as liabilities. The financial instruments affected include mandatory redeemable stock, certain financial instruments that require or may require the issuer to buy back some of its shares in exchange for cash or other assets and certain obligations that can be settled with shares of stock. SFAS No. 150 is effective for all financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities." FIN 46 requires the consolidation of variable interest entities in which an enterprise absorbs a majority of the entity's expected losses, receives a majority of the entity's expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in an entity. The provisions of FIN 46 were effectively immediately for those variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. The provision, as amended December 2003, are effective immediately for those variable interest entities held prior to February 1, 2003 that are considered to be special purpose entities. The provisions, as amended, are to be applied no later than the end of the first reporting period that ends after March 15, 2004 for all other variable interest rate entities held prior to February 1, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 27 ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. Our primary market risks include fluctuations in interest rates and exchange rate variability. Our debt relates to credit facilities with Wells Fargo Foothill and a note payable to Hilco Capital. See "--- Liquidity and Capital Resources --- Debt" The revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo Foothill has an outstanding principal balance of approximately $11.7 million at January 31, 2004. Interest on the outstanding balance is charged based on a variable interest rate related to the prime rate (4.0% at January 31, 2004) plus a margin specified in the credit agreement (0.25% at January 31, 2004, 0.0% at February 1, 2004). The term note payable with Wells Fargo Foothill has an outstanding principal balance of $4.1 million as of January 31, 2004. Interest on the outstanding balance is charged based on a variable interest rate related to prime rate (4.0% at January 31, 2004) plus 2.5%. The note payable with Hilco Capital has a principal amount payable at maturity of $15.0 million as of January 31, 2004. Interest on the outstanding balance is charged based on a variable interest rate related to the prime rate (4.0% at January 31, 2004) plus 7.75% as specified in the credit agreement. Interest expense from these credit facilities is subject to market risk in the form of fluctuations in interest rates. In March 2004, we utilized the proceeds from a sale of our common stock to pay-down all but a nominal amount of the Hilco Capital Note Payable, repay the term note portion of the Wells Fargo Foothill credit facility, and repaid all outstanding balances owed under the revolving credit partition of the Wells Fargo Foothill credit facility. We do not perform any interest rate hedging activities related to these two facilities. We have exposure to foreign currency fluctuations through our operations in Canada. These operations accounted for approximately $5.5 million, which represented 1.7% of our revenues for the fiscal 2004. We generally pay the operating expenses related to these revenues in the corresponding local currency. We will be subject to any risk for exchange rate fluctuations between such local currency and the dollar. Additionally, we have exposure to foreign currency fluctuation through our exporting of foreign magazines and the purchased of foreign magazine for domestic distribution. Revenues derived from the export of foreign titles (or sale to domestic brokers who facilitate the export) totaled $32.0 million for fiscal year 2004 or 9.6% of total revenues. For the most part, our export revenues are denominated in dollars and the foreign wholesaler is subject to foreign currency risks. Distribution net of actual returns, excluding estimates for future returns, totaled $5.9 million (of a total $52.5 million) and was concentrated primarily in Australian dollars. We have the availability to control foreign currency risk via increasing or decreasing the local cover price paid in the foreign markets. There is a risk that a substantial increase in local cover price due to a decline in the local currency relative to the dollar could decrease demand for these magazines at retail and negatively impact our results of operations. Domestic distribution related to imported titles, net of actual returns, excluding estimates for future returns, totaled approximately $39.9 million (of a total $216.1 million or 18.5%). Foreign publications are purchased in both dollars and the local currency of the foreign publisher, primarily Euros and pound sterling. In the instances where we buy in the foreign currency, we have the ability to set the domestic cover price, which allows us to control the foreign currency risk. These titles are generally priced significantly higher then their domestic counterparts, are considered somewhat of a luxury item, and demand is not highly impacted by cover price increases. However, a significant negative change in the relative strength of the dollar to these foreign 28 currencies could result in higher cover prices and have a significant impact on the sales of these magazines at retail and on our results of operations. We do not conduct any significant hedging activities related to foreign currency. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA Our consolidated financial statements are included herein as a separate section of this report which begins on page F-1. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE. None. ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the "Evaluation Date"). Based on this evaluation, our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that as of the Evaluation Date our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide assurance that the information concerning us and our consolidated subsidiaries, which is required to be included in our reports and statements filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (i) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions required disclosure and (ii) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission In addition, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the above-mentioned evaluation that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, we have not identified any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect our ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information. We restated our financial statements during 2004 to reflect adjustments resulting from the revision of our accounting treatment of revenues derived from our rebate claim filing services and cash flows from our Advance Pay Program. In light of this restatement, our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted a new evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the date of March 3, 2004. Based on this evaluation, our management, including our principal executive officer and financial officer, concluded that the prior conclusion was correct, and that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. We have not designed or implemented any changes to our disclosure controls and procedures as a result of the restatement or the March 3, 2004 evaluation. 29 PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT. The information required by Item 10 with respect to our directors and executive officers is incorporated by reference from the information under the captions "Election of Directors", "Executive Officers", "Committees of the Board of Directors," "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance," and "Code of Ethics", contained in the Company's definitive proxy statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Company's 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on July 14, 2004 (the "Proxy Statement"). ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. The information required by Item 11 with respect to the compensation of our chief executive officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption "Compensation of Executive Officers" contained in the Proxy Statement. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS. The information required by Item 12 with respect to the security ownership of our management and significant shareholders is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption "Security Ownership of Directors, Executive Officers and Principal Shareholders" contained in the Proxy Statement. 30 SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS The following table sets forth, at January 31, 2004, certain information concerning our compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance. (c) Number of securities remaining available for (a) (b) future issuance under Number of securities to Weighted-average equity compensation be issued upon exercise exercise price of plans (excluding of outstanding options, outstanding options, securities reflected in Plan Category warrants and rights warrants and rights column (a)) - --------------------- ----------------------- -------------------- ----------------------- Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 4,060,284 $7.28 22,561 Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (1) 840,750 $6.07 -0- --------- ----- ------ Total 4,901,034 $7.07 22,561 ========= ===== ====== (1) Represents options and warrants issued to executive and non-executive employees as an inducement to accept employment with the registrant. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS. The information required by Item 13 with respect to certain relationships and transactions is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption "Certain Business Relationships and Transactions" contained in the Proxy Statement. ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES. The information required by Item 14 with respect to fees billed for services rendered by our principal accountant is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption "Fees Paid to Independent Auditors" contained in the Proxy Statement. 31 PART IV ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. (a) 1. Financial Statements: Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants Consolidated balance sheets - January 31, 2004 and 2003 Consolidated statements of operations - years ended January 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity - years ended January 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 Consolidated statements of cash flows - years ended January 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 Notes to consolidated financial statements 2. Financial statement schedules. The following consolidated financial statement schedule of Source Interlink Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries is included herein: Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants S-1 Schedule II Valuation and qualifying accounts S-2 All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted. 3. Exhibits. See Exhibit Index. (b) Reports on Form 8-K. On March 3, 2004, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing the restatement of our financial statements for each of the three fiscal years ended January 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, and the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2003 and 2002 and attaching a copy of the press release announcing such restatement. On December 11, 2003, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing our results of operations for our third fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2003 and attaching a copy of the press release announcing such results. On November 5, 2003, we filed a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing our execution and funding of secured credit facilities with Wells Fargo Foothill and Hilco Capital and attaching a copy of the press release announcing such transaction. 32 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on April 15, 2004. SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. (registrant) /s/ Marc Fierman -------------------------------- Marc Fierman Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on April 15, 2004. SIGNATURE TITLE /s/ S. Leslie Flegel Chairman, Chief Executive Officer - ------------------------------------- and Director (principal executive officer) S. Leslie Flegel /s/ James R. Gillis President, Chief Operating Officer - ------------------------------------- and Director James R. Gillis /s/ Marc Fierman Chief Financial Officer - ------------------------------------- (principal financial and accounting officer) Marc Fierman /s/ Robert O. Aders Director - ------------------------------------- Robert O. Aders /s/ Harry L. Franc III Director - ------------------------------------- Harry L. Franc III /s/ Aron S. Katzman Director - ------------------------------------- Aron S. Katzman /s/ Allan R. Lyons Director - ------------------------------------- Allan R. Lyons /s/Randall S. Minix Director - ------------------------------------- Randall S. Minix /s/Kenneth F. Teasdale Director - ------------------------------------- Kenneth F. Teasdale 33 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PAGE Audited Consolidated Financial Statement of Source Interlink Companies, Inc. The Report of the Independent Certified Public Accountants F-2 Consolidated Balance Sheets at January 31, 2004 and 2003 F-3 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three years in the period ended January 31, 2004 F-5 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three years in the period ended January 31, 2004 F-6 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years in the period ended January 31, 2004 F-7 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8 The Report of the Independent Certified Public Accountants Board of Directors Source Interlink Companies, Inc. Bonita Springs, Florida We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Source Interlink Companies, Inc. as of January 31, 2004 and 2003 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2004. These consolidated 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, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Source Interlink Companies, Inc. at January 31, 2004 and 2003 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 2004 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, effective February 1, 2002. /s/ BDO Seidman, LLP Chicago, Illinois April 12, 2004 F-2 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) January 31, 2004 2003 ---- ---- ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash $ 4,963 $ 5,570 Trade receivables (Note 3) 41,834 44,108 Purchased claims receivable 5,958 7,761 Inventories (Note 4) 17,241 15,912 Income tax receivable 2,067 6,883 Deferred tax asset (Note 10) 2,915 2,342 Advances under magazine export agreement (Note 2) 6,830 - Other 2,536 2,051 --------- --------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 84,344 84,627 --------- --------- Property, plants and equipment (Note 5) 29,145 27,671 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (10,582) (7,532) --------- --------- NET PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT 18,563 20,139 --------- --------- OTHER ASSETS Goodwill, net (Note 7) 45,307 44,750 Intangibles, net (Note 6) 7,931 2,047 Deferred tax asset (Note 10) 908 947 Other 7,048 4,729 --------- --------- TOTAL OTHER ASSETS 61,194 52,473 --------- --------- $ 164,101 $ 157,239 --------- --------- See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-3 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except par value) January 31, 2004 2003 ---- ---- LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Checks issued against future advances on revolving credit facility $ 14,129 $ 6,611 Accounts payable and accrued expenses, net of allowance for returns of $57,842 and $32,065 at January 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively 44,741 50,119 Deferred revenue 1,680 2,177 Other 317 24 Current maturities of debt (Note 8) 4,059 29,215 --------- --------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 64,926 88,146 Debt, less current maturities (Note 8) 31,541 17,026 Other 560 1,148 --------- --------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 97,027 106,320 --------- --------- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 12 and 13) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Contributed Capital: Preferred Stock, $.01 par (2,000 shares authorized; none issued) - - Common Stock, $.01 par (40,000 shares authorized; 18,991 and 18,363 shares issued) 190 184 Additional paid-in-capital 102,297 97,338 --------- --------- Total contributed capital 102,487 97,522 Accumulated deficit (35,778) (45,826) Accumulated other comprehensive (loss): Foreign currency translation 932 (210) --------- --------- 67,641 51,486 Less: Treasury Stock (100 shares at cost) (567) (567) --------- --------- TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 67,074 50,919 --------- --------- $ 164,101 $ 157,239 ========= ========= See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-4 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share data) Fiscal year ended January 31, 2004 2003 2002 --------- --------- --------- Revenues $ 333,134 $ 290,894 $ 238,923 Costs of revenues 244,755 216,483 176,357 --------- --------- --------- Gross profit 88,379 74,411 62,566 Selling, general and administrative expense 52,642 46,564 38,978 Fulfillment freight 16,381 14,721 7,931 Relocation expenses 1,730 1,926 - Amortization of goodwill (Note 7) - - 5,424 Goodwill impairment charge (Note 7) - - 78,126 --------- --------- --------- Operating income (loss) 17,626 11,200 (67,893) --------- --------- --------- Other income (expense) Interest expense (3,647) (3,765) (3,338) Other (316) 514 (2,339) --------- --------- --------- Total other income (expense) (3,963) (3,251) (5,677) --------- --------- --------- Income (loss) before income taxes 13,663 7,949 (73,570) Income tax expense (benefit) (Note 10) 3,615 611 (705) --------- --------- --------- Net income (loss) $ 10,048 $ 7,338 $ (72,865) --------- --------- --------- Earnings per share - basic $ 0.54 $ 0.40 $ (4.07) Earnings per share - diluted 0.51 0.40 (4.07) Weighted average of shares outstanding - basic (Note 9) 18,476 18,229 17,915 Weighted average of shares outstanding - diluted (Note 9) 19,866 18,478 17,915 --------- --------- --------- See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-5 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (in thousands) Retained Other Additional Earnings Comprehensive Total Common Stock Paid - in (Accumulated Income Treasury Stock Stockholders' Shares Amount Capital Deficit) (Loss) Shares Amount Equity ------ -------- ---------- ------------ ------------- ------ -------- -------------- Balance, January 31, 2001 18,372 $ 183 $ 97,773 $ 19,701 $ (1,420) 1,117 $ (6,447) $ 109,790 Net loss (72,865) (72,865) Foreign currency translation (306) (306) Loss on marketable security included in net income 1,339 1,339 -------------- Comprehensive loss (71,832) -------------- Issuance of common stock 980 10 5,439 5,449 Exercise of stock options 57 1 147 148 Purchase of treasury stock 9 (39) (39) Other 6 - 27 27 ------ -------- ---------- ---------- --------- ----- -------- -------------- Balance, January 31, 2002 19,415 194 103,386 (53,164) (387) 1,126 (6,486) 43,543 Net income 7,338 7,338 Foreign currency translation 177 177 -------------- Comprehensive income 7,515 -------------- Issuance of common stock in exchange for services 46 1 216 217 Exercise of stock options 17 - 76 76 Exercise of warrants 11 - 32 32 Purchase of treasury stock 100 (464) (464) Retirement of treasury stock (1,126) (11) (6,372) (1,126) 6,383 - ------ -------- ---------- ---------- --------- ----- -------- -------------- Balance, January 31, 2003 18,363 184 97,338 (45,826) (210) 100 (567) 50,919 Net income 10,048 10,048 Foreign currency translation 1,142 1,142 -------------- Comprehensive income 11,190 -------------- Exercise of stock options 624 6 2,820 2,826 Tax benefit from stock options exercised 924 924 Original issuance discount of note payable from warrants 936 936 Other 4 - 279 279 ------ -------- ---------- ---------- --------- ----- -------- -------------- Balance, January 31, 2004 18,991 $ 190 $ 102,297 $ (35,778) $ 932 100 $ (567) $ 67,074 ====== ======== ========== ========== =========== ===== ======== ============== See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-6 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) Years ended January 31, 2004 2003 2002 --------- --------- --------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) $ 10,048 $ 7,338 $ (72,865) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 4,084 3,301 7,815 Provision for losses on accounts receivable 1,819 2,023 2,824 Deferred income taxes (534) (1,178) (2,321) Deferred revenue (497) (320) (855) Loss on sale of security - - 3,500 Asset impairment charge - - 78,126 Tax benefit from stock options exercised 924 - - Other 1,047 (288) 581 Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding business acquisitions): Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable 455 17,619 (36,851) (Increase) decrease in inventories (1,329) 1,200 (3,227) Decrease (increase) in other current and non-current assets 1,952 614 (1,476) (Decrease) increase in accounts payable and other liabilities (5,673) (9,675) 23,147 --------- --------- --------- CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES 12,296 20,634 (1,602) --------- --------- --------- INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures (2,113) (4,429) (3,711) Purchase of claims (81,341) (79,789) (85,888) Payments received on purchased claims 83,144 75,396 101,886 Advances under magazine export agreement (6,830) - - Payments under magazine import agreement (1,000) (2,000) - Payments under magazine export agreement (1,400) - - Acquisition of The Interlink Companies, Inc., net of cash acquired - - (13,677) Acquisition of Innovative Metal Fixtures, Inc. - (2,014) - Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets - - 3,495 Other - - 165 --------- --------- --------- CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES (9,540) (12,836) 2,270 --------- --------- --------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES Increase (decrease) in checks issued against revolving credit facilities 7,518 6,611 (4,575) (Repayments) Borrowings under credit facilities (27,733) (7,667) 5,656 Payments of notes payable (5,974) (3,758) - Borrowing under notes payable 20,000 - - Proceeds from the issuance of common stock 2,826 108 148 Purchase of treasury stock - (465) (39) --------- --------- --------- CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES (3,363) (5,171) 1,190 --------- --------- --------- INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH (607) 2,627 1,858 CASH, beginning of period 5,570 2,943 1,085 CASH, end of period $ 4,963 $ 5,570 $ 2,943 --------- --------- --------- See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BUSINESS Source Interlink Companies, Inc. (the Company) and its subsidiaries distribute magazines direct to specialty retailers, design, manufacture, install and remove retail fixtures located at the check-out lane, manage retailers' claims for rebates with magazine publishers, provide access to a comprehensive database of point-of-sale data to retailers and product managers, and manufacture high-end wood retail display fixtures. PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Source Interlink Companies, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) as of the date they were acquired. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. REVENUE RECOGNITION Magazine Fulfillment Revenues from the sale of magazines the Company distributes are recognized at the time of delivery less allowances for estimated returns. Revenues from the sale of magazines to wholesalers that are not shipped through our distribution centers are recognized at the later of notification from the shipping agent that the product has been delivered or the on-sale date of the magazine. The Company records a reduction in revenue for estimated magazine sales returns and a reduction in cost of sales for estimated magazine purchase returns. Estimated returns are based on historical sell-through rates. Fulfillment & Return Processing Services Revenues from performing fulfillment and return processing services are recognized at the time the service is performed. The Company is generally compensated on either a per-copy or per-pound basis based on a negotiated price or a cost plus model. Rebate Claim Filing Revenues from the filing of rebate claims with publishers on behalf of retailers are recognized at the time the claim is paid. The revenue recognized is based on the amount paid multiplied by our commission rate. The Company has developed a program (the "advance pay" program) whereby the Company will advance the claimed amount less applicable commissions to the retailers and collect the entire amount claimed from publishers for our own accounts. The Company accounts for the advance as a purchase of a financial asset and records a receivable at the time of purchase. Information Products Revenues from information product contracts are recognized ratably over the subscription term, generally one year. Custom Display Manufacturing F-8 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Revenues from the design and manufacture of custom display fixtures are recognized when the retailer accepts title to the display. Transfer of title usually occurs upon shipment. However, upon request from a customer, the product can be stored for future delivery for the convenience of the customer. If this occurs, we recognize revenue when the manufacturing and earnings processes are complete, the customer accepts title in writing, the product is invoiced with payment due in the normal course of business, the delivery schedule is fixed and the product is segregated from other goods. Services related to the manufacturing of displays such as freight, installation, warehousing and salvage are recognized when the services are performed. INVENTORIES Inventories for In-store Services and Wood Manufacturing segments are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. Inventories for the Magazine Fulfillment segment are valued at the lower of cost or market. Magazine inventory cost is determined by the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. The effect of the LIFO reserve at January 31, 2004 on the balance sheet and the income statement is insignificant. PROPERTY, PLANTS & EQUIPMENT Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method for financial reporting over the estimated useful lives as follows: Asset Class Life ----------- ---- Buildings 40 years Machinery and equipment 5-7 years Vehicles 5-7 years Furniture and fixtures 5-7 years Computers 3-5 years Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the life of the lease. GOODWILL Prior to the adoption of SFAS 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired was accounted for as goodwill and was amortized on a straight-line basis based on a 15 to 20 year life. The amortization period was based on the nature of the business acquired, its industry, and the long-standing relationships with core customers. In accordance with SFAS 142, goodwill is no longer amortized and is now tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or a component of an operating segment that constitutes a business for which financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by management. Management has determined that the Company's reporting units are the same as its operating segments for the purpose of allocating goodwill and the subsequent testing of goodwill for impairment. Goodwill relates entirely to the In-Store Services segment, which consists of acquired rebate claim filing and wire manufacturing operations. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment at least annually in the absence of an indicator of possible impairment and immediately upon an indicator of possible impairment. Fair value of the operating unit is determined based on a combination of discounted cash flows and publicly traded company multiples and acquisition multiples of comparable businesses. For goodwill valuation purposes only, the fair value of the operating segment is allocated to the assets and liabilities of the operating segment to arrive at an implied fair value of goodwill, based upon known facts and circumstances as if the acquisition occurred currently. The difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the goodwill would be recognized as an impairment loss. F-9 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INTANGIBLE ASSETS The Company currently amortizes intangible assets, other than goodwill, over the estimated useful life of the asset ranging from 10 to 15 years. When appropriate, the Company commissions an independent expert to advise the Company on the useful life. DEFERRED FINANCING FEES Deferred financing fees are capitalized and amortized over the life of the credit facility and are included in other long-term assets. IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of those items. Our cash flow estimates are based on historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. The net carrying value of assets not recoverable is reduced to fair value. Our estimates of fair value represent our best estimate based on industry trends and reference to market rates and transactions. The Company had made acquisitions in the past that included a significant amount of goodwill and other intangible assets. Under generally accepted accounting principles in effect through December 31, 2001, these assets were amortized over their estimated useful lives, and were tested periodically to determine if they were recoverable from operating earnings on an undiscounted basis over their useful lives. Effective in 2002, goodwill is no longer amortized but is subject to an annual (or under certain circumstances more frequent) impairment test based on its estimated fair value. Other intangible assets that meet certain criteria will continue to be amortized over their useful lives and will also be subject to an impairment test based on estimated fair value. Estimated fair value is less than values based on undiscounted operating earnings because fair value estimates include a discount factor in valuing future cash flows. There are many assumptions and estimates underlying the determination of an impairment loss. Another estimate using different, but still reasonable, assumptions could produce a significantly different result DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Company uses a derivative to hedge variable interest rate exposure related to its Bank of America credit facility. To achieve hedge accounting, the criteria specified in FAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" must be met. FAS 133 requires all derivatives, whether designated for hedging relationships or not, to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the value of a derivative depends on whether the contract has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting. The Company's derivative did not qualify for hedge accounting and any changes in fair value are recorded on the statement of operations. CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK The Company has significant concentrations of credit risk in its Magazine Fulfillment, In-Store Services and Wood Manufacturing segments. If the Company experiences a significant reduction in business from its clients, the Company's results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected. The Company aggregates customers with a common parent when calculating the applicable percentages. For magazine distribution the Company calculates contribution to revenue based on the actual distribution and estimated sell-through based on the Company's calculated sales return reserve. During fiscal 2004, two customers (Barnes and Noble, Inc. and Borders Group, Inc.) accounted for 50.6% (26.8% and 23.8%) of total revenues. During fiscal 2003, these two customers accounted for 53.5% (27.7% and 25.8%) of total revenues. F-10 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS During fiscal 2002, these two customers accounted for 46.3% (23.2% and 23.1%) of total revenues. ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS The Company provides for potential uncollectible accounts receivable based on customer specific information and historical collection experience. SHIPPING AND HANDLING CHARGES Shipping and handling charges related to the distribution of magazines are not included in Cost of Revenues. Shipping and handling costs totaled approximately $16.4, $14.7 and $7.9 million in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. RELOCATION EXPENSES During fiscal 2003 and 2004, the Company relocated its claims submission and fixture billing center, its Corporate Headquarters, and its Magazine Fulfillment administrative offices to its new facility in Bonita Springs, FL. The Company elected early adoption of FAS 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit of Disposal Activities" and accounted for the relocation in accordance with the guidance provided by FAS 146. FAS 146 requires recording costs associated with an exit or disposal activity at their fair values when a liability has been incurred. During fiscal 2004, the Company incurred $1.7 million of expenses related to the relocations. These costs consist of reimbursement of $0.3 million for moving expenses, $1.2 million for severance payments and other costs. During fiscal 2003, the Company incurred $1.9 million of expenses related to the relocations. These costs consist of reimbursement of $1.2 million for moving expenses, $0.2 million for severance payments and other costs. INCOME TAXES The Company accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company's financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, the Company generally considers all expected future events other than enactments of changes in the tax laws or rates. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND TRANSACTIONS The financial position and results of operations of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are determined using local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each year-end. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included in the other comprehensive income account in stockholders' equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Comprehensive income is defined to include all changes in equity except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. The Company's two items of comprehensive income are foreign currency translation adjustments and in fiscal 2002 only a net unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale securities. F-11 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS EARNINGS PER SHARE In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," which requires the presentation of "basic" earnings per share, computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, and "diluted" earnings per share, which reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying amount of debt including credit facilities approximates fair value due to their stated interest rate approximating a market rate. These estimated fair value amounts have been determined using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION FAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" defined a fair value method of accounting for stock options and other equity instruments. Under the fair value method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. As provided in FAS No. 123, the Company elected to apply Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans. No stock based compensation was reflected in the fiscal 2004, 2003 or 2002 net income (loss) related to our stock option plans as all options granted in those years had an exercise price equal to or greater than the market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. The following is a reconciliation of net income (loss) per weighted average share had the Company adopted FAS No. 123 (in thousands except per share amounts): 2004 2003 2002 -------- -------- -------- Net income (loss) $ 10,048 $ 7,338 $(72,865) Stock compensation costs, net of tax (1,330) (2,191) (1,788) -------- -------- -------- Adjusted net income (loss) $ 8,718 $ 5,147 $(74,653) -------- -------- -------- Weighted average shares, basic 18,476 18,229 17,915 Weighted average shares, diluted 19,866 18,478 17,915 Basic earnings per share - as reported $ 0.54 $ 0.40 $ (4.07) Diluted earnings per share - as reported 0.51 0.40 (4.07) Basic earnings per share - pro-forma $ 0.47 $ 0.28 $ (4.17) Diluted earnings per share - pro-forma 0.44 0.28 (4.17) ======== ======== ======== The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: Year Ended January 31, 2004 2003 2002 ------------- ------------- ------------- Dividend yield 0% 0% 0% Expected volatility 0.50 0.50 0.60 Risk-free interest rate 2.16% - 2.58% 2.21% - 4.32% 3.27% - 4.78% F-12 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", which amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 149 is effective for all contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity." SFAS No. 150 requires that certain financial instruments, which under previous guidance were accounted for as equity, must now be accounted for as liabilities. The financial instruments affected include mandatory redeemable stock, certain financial instruments that require or may require the issuer to buy back some of its shares in exchange for cash or other assets and certain obligations that can be settled with shares of stock. SFAS No. 150 is effective for all financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46), "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities." FIN 46 requires the consolidation of variable interest entities in which an enterprise absorbs a majority of the entity's expected losses, receives a majority of the entity's expected residual returns, or both, as a result of ownership, contractual or other financial interests in an entity. The provisions of FIN 46 were effectively immediately for those variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. The provision, as amended December 2003, are effective immediately for those variable interest entities held prior to February 1, 2003 that are considered to be special purpose entities. The provisions, as amended, are to be applied no later than the end of the first reporting period that ends after March 15, 2004 for all other variable interest rate entities held prior to February 1, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. 2. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND ASSET ACQUISITIONS The Interlink Companies, Inc. In a series of transactions occurring between February 21, 2001 and June 1, 2001, the Company acquired all of the stock of The Interlink Companies, Inc. ("Interlink") for cash totaling $13.7 million (including professional fees and net of cash acquired) and 980,025 shares of the Company's common stock, valued at the time of acquisition at $5.4 million. Interlink has various operating companies, including International Periodical Distributors, Inc. ("IPD"), a direct distributor of magazines, and Deyco, a specialty national magazine distributor. This transaction has been accounted for as a purchase, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities have been recorded at fair market value. Results of operations have been included as of the effective date of the transaction. The purchase price exceeded the fair value of the assets acquired by approximately $70.9 million. Unaudited pro forma results of operations for 2002 for the Company and Interlink, assuming the acquisition took place on February 1, 2001, follows (in thousands): 2002 ---- Revenues As reported $ 238,923 Pro forma 299,543 Net Income (loss) As reported (72,865) F-13 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2002 ---- Pro forma (84,522) Earnings (loss) per share Basic As reported $ (4.07) Basic Pro forma (4.72) Diluted As reported (4.07) Diluted Pro forma (4.72) Innovative Metal Fixtures, Inc. In May, 2002, the Company (through its Aaron Wire subsidiary) acquired all of the assets of Innovative Metal Fixtures, Inc. for $2.6 million ($2.0 million in cash and $0.6 million in a note payable to the former owner). Innovative Metal Fixtures, Inc. manufactures wire and metal fixture displays from manufacturing facilities in Vancouver, British Columbia. This transaction has been accounted for as a purchase, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities have been recorded at fair market value. Results of operations have been included as of the effective date of the transaction. The purchase price exceeded the fair value of the assets acquired by approximately $2.0 million. The fair value of the assets acquired was allocated primarily to goodwill. Magazine Import Agreement In May, 2002, the Company entered into an agreement giving the Company the right to distribute domestically a group of foreign magazine titles. The agreement calls for an initial payment of $2.0 million, $1.0 million in fiscal 2004 and additional contingent payments up to $2.5 million spread over the two years ended May 2005 based on the overall gross profit generated from the sale of these titles. Payments under this agreement are included in intangible assets and are being amortized over ten years, the term of the agreement. Magazine Export Agreement In March, 2003, the Company entered into an agreement giving the Company the right to distribute internationally a group of domestic magazine titles. The agreement calls for an initial payment of $1.4 million, guaranteed payments totaling $4.2 million spread over the next four fiscal years, and additional contingent payments up to $5.6 million based on the overall gross profit generated from the Company's international sales of these titles. Guaranteed payments under this agreement were capitalized at inception and are included in intangible assets and are being amortized over fifteen years, the term of the agreement. The remaining guaranteed balances due under the agreement are included in Debt. Under the agreement, the Company agreed to pay the prior owner's outstanding trade payables out of the collections of the prior owner's outstanding receivables. Amounts collected in excess of payments made or payments in excess of collection are to be settled at a future date. At January 31, 2004 payments in excess of collections amounted to $6.8 million. At March 31, 2004 this balance had decreased to $3.0 million. 3. TRADE RECEIVABLES Trade receivables consist of the following (in thousands): 2004 2003 -------- -------- Trade receivables $112,504 $ 88,322 F-14 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2004 2003 -------- -------- Allowances: Sales returns and other 66,102 38,289 Doubtful accounts 4,568 5,925 -------- -------- 70,670 44,214 -------- -------- $ 41,834 $ 44,108 ======== ======== 4. INVENTORIES Inventories consist of the following (in thousands): 2004 2003 ------- ------- Raw materials $ 2,278 $ 2,413 Work-in-process 1,973 1,752 Finished goods: Fixtures 761 1,174 Magazine inventory 12,229 10,573 ------- ------- $17,241 $15,912 ======= ======= In the event of non-sale, magazine inventories are generally returnable to the publishers for full credit. 5. PROPERTY, PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT Property, plants and equipment consist of the following (in thousands): 2004 2003 ------- ------- Land $ 870 $ 911 Buildings 7,081 7,222 Leasehold improvements 1,419 1,190 Machinery and equipment 8,780 8,746 Vehicles 332 344 Furniture and fixtures 3,722 3,247 Computers 6,941 6,011 ------- ------- Property, plants and equipment $29,145 $27,671 ======= ======= 6. INTANGIBLE ASSETS A summary of the Company's intangible assets is as follows (in thousands): 2004 2003 ------- ------- Amortizable intangible assets: Customer lists $ 9,110 $ 2,483 Accumulated amortization (1,179) (436) ------- ------- Intangibles, net $ 7,931 $ 2,047 ======= ======= Amortization expense from intangible assets was $0.7, $0.2, and $0.1 million for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. F-15 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years is estimated to be (in thousands): Fiscal year Amount - ----------- ------ 2005 $750 2006 716 2007 691 2008 687 2009 684 7. GOODWILL AMORTIZATION AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGE For comparative purposes, the following schedule is a reconciliation of reported net income to adjusted net income for the three years ended January 31, 2004, adjusted to exclude goodwill amortization (in thousands, except per share data). 2004 2003 2002 ---------- --------- --------- Reported net income $ 10,048 $ 7,338 $ 72,865) Add back: Goodwill amortization, net of tax - - 4,842 ---------- --------- -------- Adjusted net income $ 10,048 $ 7,338 $ 68,023) ---------- --------- -------- Reported earnings per share - basic $ 0.54 $ 0.40 $ (4.07) Reported earnings per share - diluted 0.51 0.40 (4.07) Adjusted earnings per share - basic $ 0.54 $ 0.40 $ (3.80) Adjusted earnings per share - diluted 0.51 0.40 (3.80) ========== ========= ======== In 2002, we recorded an asset impairment charge related to the carrying value of goodwill. The impairment charge resulted from a valuation commissioned by the Company under FAS 121. Management's reasonable and supportable estimates of expected future cash flows from our Magazine Fulfillment and Wood Manufacturing segments were less than the carrying amount of the goodwill. Accordingly, we reduced the carrying value of the goodwill for Interlink and Huck to fair value. Our estimate of fair value was determined by independent appraisal using customary valuation methodologies (including discounted cash flow and fundamental analysis). The valuation concluded that the fair values of these segments were less than the carrying amount of the assets associated with these segments by approximately $78.1 million. The following table shows, by segment, the original goodwill net of accumulated amortization, the impairment charge and the resulting goodwill at January 31, 2002 (in thousands): Original Impairment Resulting Segment Goodwill Charge Goodwill ------- -------- ---------- --------- In-Store 42,769 - 42,769 Wood manufacturing 9,539 9,539 - Magazine Fulfillment 68,587 68,587 - ------ ------ ------ The change in goodwill from January 31, 2003 to January 31, 2004 related to the goodwill of foreign subsidiaries and the resulting changes in foreign currency rates. 8. DEBT Debt consists of (in thousands): F-16 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2004 2003 ------- ------- Revolving Credit facility - Wells Fargo Foothill $11,735 $ - Note payable - Wells Fargo Foothill 4,083 - Note payable - Hilco Capital, net of $858 original issuance discount 14,142 - Guaranteed payments under magazine import agreements (Note 2) 3,850 - Revolving credit facility - Bank of America - 26,611 Revolving credit facilities - Congress Financial Corporation - 12,857 Industrial Revenue Bonds - 4,000 Notes payable to former owners of acquired company, currently being disputed by Company 1,613 1,886 Other 177 887 ------- ------- Debt 35,600 46,241 Less current maturities 4,059 29,215 ------- ------- Debt, less current maturities $31,541 $17,026 ======= ======= Wells Fargo Foothill Credit Facility On October 30, 2003, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Foothill, which expires October 30, 2006. The credit agreement enables the Company to borrow up to $45.0 million under a revolving credit facility and provides a $5.0 million note payable. The credit agreement is secured by all of the assets of the Company. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate equal to the prime rate (4.0% at January 31, 2004) plus a margin up to 0.5% (the applicable margin was 0.25% at January 31, 2004) based on an availability calculation and carries a facility fee of 1/4% per annum on the difference between $45 million and the average principal amount outstanding under the facility including advances under the revolving credit facility and letter of credits. The term note payable bears interest at a rate equal to the prime rate (4.0% at January 31, 2004) plus 2.5%. The note is payable in equal principal installments of $0.1 million per month plus current interest. Subsequent to year-end, the note payable was paid in full. Under the credit agreement, the Company is limited in its ability to declare dividends or other distributions on capital stock or make payments in connection with the purchase, redemption, retirement or acquisition of capital stock. There are also limitations on capital expenditures and the Company is required to maintain certain financial ratios. The Company was in compliance with these ratios at January 31, 2004. Availability under the facility is limited by the Company's borrowing base calculation, as defined in the agreement. The calculation resulted in excess availability, after consideration of outstanding letters of credit, of $17.5 million at January 31, 2004. Hilco Capital Note Payable On October 30, 2003, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Hilco Capital. The note bears a value at maturity of $15.0 million and has been recorded net of the original issuance discount. Upon the closing of the agreement, Hilco received a five year warrant to purchase up to 400,000 shares of the Company's common stock at $8.04 per share. The warrants were valued at $.9 million using a Black Scholes option pricing model. The value of F-17 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS these warrants was recorded as an original issuance discount to the term loan and will be amortized over the term of the loan using the effective interest method. The credit agreement is secured by a subordinated interest in the assets of the Company. The note is payable October 30, 2006 and can be prepaid without penalty at any earlier date. The note payable bears current interest at a rate equal to the greater of the prime rate (4.0% at January 31, 2004) plus 7.75% or 12% and deferred interest of 2% due at the termination of the agreement. Under the note payable, the Company is limited in its ability to declare dividends or other distributions on capital stock or make payments in connection with the purchase, redemption, retirement or acquisition of capital stock. There are also limitations on capital expenditures and the Company is required to maintain certain financial ratios. The Company was in compliance with these ratios at January 31, 2004. Bank of America and Congress Financial Credit Facilities The Company utilized the proceeds from the Wells Fargo Foothill credit facilities and Hilco Capital note payable to repay the Bank of America and Congress Financial credit facilities. The early termination of these credit facilities resulted in a $0.9 million write-off of the unamortized balance of the related deferred financing fees. Note Payable to Former Owner of Acquired Company In connection with the acquisition of Interlink, the Company assumed debt to the former owners of IPD. The Company disputed the remaining amounts owed and commenced legal action requesting the court release the Company of any further obligation under these arrangements. The notes were due in fiscal 2003 and bear interest of 12%, which the Company continued to accrue pending the outcome of the litigation. The balance due under the notes payable decreased during the year due to a positive arbitration award regarding the disputed items. Subsequent to year-end, the Company and the former owner settled the notes payable, interest accrued thereon, and the indemnification claim by agreeing to pay a total of $1.6 million. The aggregate amount of long-term debt maturing in each of the next five years is as follows (in thousands): Fiscal year Amount - ----------- ------ 2005 $ 4,059 2006 2,440 2007 29,054 2008 47 At January 31, 2004 and 2003, unamortized deferred financing fees were $2.6 and $0.3 million, respectively. Of the $2.6 million in deferred financing fees, $0.5 million related to the remaining unamortized closing fees on the Hilco Capital Note Payable, which the Company repaid all but a nominal amount subsequent to year-end. 9. EARNINGS PER SHARE A reconciliation of the denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations are as follows (in thousands): 2004 2003 2002 ------ ------ ------ Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 18,476 18,229 17,915 Effect of dilutive securities: F-18 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2004 2003 2002 ------ ------ ------ Stock options and warrants 1,390 249 - ------ ------ ------ Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - as adjusted 19,866 18,478 17,915 ====== ====== ====== Certain items were excluded from the dilution calculation for the following reasons (shares in thousands): At January 31, 2004, options and warrants to purchase 817 and 26 shares of common stock, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option's and warrant's exercise price was greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock for 2004. At January 31, 2003, options and warrants to purchase 3,484 and 234 shares of common stock, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option's and warrant's exercise prices was greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock for 2003. At January 31, 2002, options and warrants to purchase 4,326 and 262 shares of common stock, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive due to the Company's net loss. 10. INCOME TAXES Provision (benefit) for federal and state income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations consists of the following components (in thousands): 2004 2003 2002 ------- ------- ------- Current Federal $ 3,232 $ 1,108 $ 969 State 435 195 216 Foreign 482 485 431 ------- ------- ------- Total current 4,149 1,788 1,616 ------- ------- ------- Deferred Federal (708) (1,028) (1,853) State 135 (181) (422) Foreign 39 32 (46) ------- ------- ------- Total deferred (534) (1,177) (2,321) ------- ------- ------- Total income tax expense (benefit) $ 3,615 $ 611 $ (705) ======= ======= ======= The following summary reconciles income taxes at the maximum federal statutory rate with the effective rates for 2004, 2003 and 2002 (in thousands): 2004 2003 2002 ------- ------- -------- Income tax expense (benefit) at statutory rate $ 4,782 $ 2,703 $(25,014) Change in valuation allowance (3,208) (2,109) - Non-deductible goodwill amortization - - 1,266 Non-deductible goodwill impairment - - 23,325 Non-taxable life insurance proceeds - - (714) State income tax expense (benefit), net of federal income tax benefit 371 403 (207) Difference in foreign tax rates (104) (142) 134 F-19 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2004 2003 2002 ------- ------- -------- Other, net 1,774 (244) 505 ------- ------- -------- Income tax expense (benefit) $ 3,615 $ 611 $ (705) ------- ------- -------- Components of earnings (loss) before income taxes are as follows (in thousands): 2004 2003 2002 ------- -------- -------- United States $11,875 $ 6,009 $(74,305) Foreign 1,787 1,940 735 ------- -------- -------- $13,662 $ 7,949 $(73,570) ------- -------- -------- Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The sources of the temporary differences and their effect on deferred taxes are as follows (in thousands): 2004 2003 -------- -------- Deferred tax assets Net operating loss carryforwards $ 5,030 $ 6,037 Allowance for doubtful accounts 1,777 1,870 Goodwill 1,510 2,409 Other 968 1,898 -------- -------- 9,285 12,214 Less: Valuation allowance (4,104) (7,312) -------- -------- Deferred tax asset, net 5,181 4,902 -------- -------- Deferred tax liabilities Book/tax difference in capital assets 1,358 1,613 -------- -------- Total deferred tax liabilities 1,358 1,613 -------- -------- Net deferred tax asset (Liability) 3,823 3,289 -------- -------- Classified as: Current asset (liability) 2,915 2,342 Long-term asset (liability) 908 947 -------- -------- Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ 3,823 $ 3,289 -------- -------- At January 31, 2004, the Company had net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards of approximately $14,371 expiring as follows (in thousands): Fiscal year Amount - ----------- ------ 2018 190 2019 2,940 2020 11,241 Internal Revenue Service regulations limit the utilization of these net operating losses to approximately $1.2 million per year. Valuation allowances exist on assets where there is uncertainty as to their eventual utilization. Valuation allowances relate to any NOL whose usage is limited by law. F-20 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The Company purchased legal services from Armstrong Teasdale LLP totaling approximately $0.7, $0.5, and $0.8 million for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Mr. Kenneth Teasdale is Chairman of Armstrong Teasdale LLP and has served as a director on the Company's Board of Directors since March 2000. 12. COMMITMENTS Leases The Company leases office and manufacturing space, an apartment, computer equipment, and vehicles under leases that expire over the next five years. Management expects that in the normal course of business, leases will be renewed or replaced with other leases. Rent expense was approximately $5.9, $4.9, and $3.6 million for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more consisted of the following at January 31, 2004 (in thousands): Year Ending January 31, Amount - --------------------------------------- 2005 $ 5,816 2006 4,629 2007 3,669 2008 3,328 2009 3,093 Thereafter 18,172 $ 38,707 13. LITIGATION AND CONTINGENCIES Litigation The Company has pending certain legal actions and claims, which were incurred in the normal course of business, and is actively pursuing the defense thereof. In the opinion of management, these actions and claims are either without merit or are covered by insurance and will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. 14. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Stock Option Plans Under the Company's stock option plans, options to acquire shares of Common Stock have been made available for grant to certain employees and non-employee directors. Each option granted has an exercise price of not less than 100% of the market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The contractual life of each option is generally 10 years. The vesting of the grants varies according to the individual options granted. F-21 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Range of Weighted Number of Exercise Average Options Prices Exercise Price --------- ---------------- -------------- Options outstanding at January 31, 2001 3,066,048 $ 1.66 - $ 21.60 $ 10.29 Options granted 2,349,416 3.92 - 6.31 5.11 Options forfeited or expired (1,032,701) 4.00 - 16.63 10.77 Options exercised (56,364) 2.42 - 2.66 2.63 --------- ---------------- --------- Options outstanding at January 31, 2002 4,326,399 1.66 - 21.60 7.46 Options granted 926,750 4.27 - 6.00 4.83 Options forfeited or expired (395,633) 1.66 - 16.63 5.89 Options exercised (16,599) 2.42 - 5.00 4.63 --------- ---------------- --------- Options outstanding at January 31, 2003 4,840,917 2.42 - 21.60 7.09 Options granted 826,750 4.56 - 9.66 5.09 Options forfeited or expired (141,972) 4.21 - 16.63 7.29 Options exercised (624,661) 2.42 - 5.94 4.52 --------- ---------------- --------- Options outstanding at January 31, 2004 4,901,034 $ 2.42 - $ 21.60 $ 7.07 ========= ================ ========= The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding at January 31, 2004: Options Outstanding Options Exercisable -------------------------------------------- ----------------------- Weighted Remaining Weighted Number Average Contractual Numbers Average Exercise Price Outstanding Price Life (Months) Exercisable Price - --------------- ----------- -------- ------------ ----------- --------- $ 2.42 - $ 5.00 2,334,361 $ 4.62 24 - 108 1,835,995 $ 4.64 5.01 - 7.50 995,389 5.57 48 - 106 968,472 5.57 7.51 - 10.00 741,917 7.95 58 - 118 649,084 7.89 10.01 - 15.00 417,667 12.79 59 - 76 416,667 12.78 15.01 - 21.60 411,700 18.66 78 - 86 411,700 18.66 --------- ------ --------- --------- 4,901,034 $ 7.07 4,281,918 $ 7.35 ========= ====== ========= ========= Options exercisable at January 31, 2003 totaled 3,816,021 with a weighted average exercise price of $7.58. Options exercisable at January 31, 2002 totaled 2,548,042 with a weighted average exercise price of $8.56. The weighted average fair value of each option granted during the year was $1.82, $1.80, and $2.23 (at grant date) in 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. The options were issued at exercise prices which were equal to or exceeded quoted market price at the date of grant. At January 31, 2004, 22,561 shares were available for grant under the plans. Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan The Company has a combined profit sharing and 401(k) Plan. Annual contributions to the profit sharing portion of the Plan are determined by the Board of Directors and may not exceed the amount that may be deducted for federal income tax purposes. There were no profit sharing contributions charged against operations for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002. Under the 401(k) portion of the Plan, all eligible employees may elect to contribute 2% to 20% of their compensation up to the maximum allowed under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company matches one half of an employee's F-22 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS contribution, not to exceed 5% of the employee's salary. The amounts matched by the Company during the years ended January 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002 pursuant to this Plan were approximately $0.4, $0.3, and $0.4 million, respectively. Deferred Compensation Plan During fiscal year 1997, the Company established an unfunded deferred compensation plan for certain officers, who elect to defer a percentage of their current compensation. The Company does not make contributions to the plan and is responsible only for the administrative costs associated with the plan. Benefits are payable to the participating officers upon their death or termination of employment. From the deferred funds, the Company has purchased certain life insurance policies. However, the proceeds and surrender value of these policies are not restricted to pay deferred compensation benefits when they are due. Union Plan At January 31, 2004, 178 of the Company's 1,169 employees were members of a collective bargaining unit. The Company is party to two collective bargaining agreements, which expire on December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2004. Contributions to the union funds were approximately $0.4 million for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002. Stock Award Plan In September 1996, the Company adopted its Stock Award Plan for all employees and reserved 41,322 shares of Common Stock for such plan. Under the plan, the Stock Award Committee, appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company, shall determine the employees to whom awards shall be granted. No awards were granted during the years ended January 31, 2004, 2003, or 2002. 15. WARRANTS The following table summarizes information about the warrants for common stock outstanding at January 31, 2004: Exercise Number Number Date of Date of Price Outstanding Exercisable Grant Expiration - -------- ----------- ----------- ------- ---------- $ 5.39 8,000 8,000 May 23, 2002 April 30, 2007 6.82 150,000 - October 23, 2003 October 23, 2013 8.01 75,000 25,000 August 29, 2003 August 29, 2013 8.04 400,000 400,000 October 30, 2003 October 30, 2008 14.00 25,644 25,644 May 23, 2002 August 31, 2005 16. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Supplemental information on the approximate amount of interest and income taxes paid (refunded) is as follows (in thousands): Year Ended January 31, 2004 2003 2002 --------- -------- -------- Interest $ 3,945 $ 3,545 $ 3,590 Income Taxes $ (2,962) $ 2,609 $ 2,565 Significant non-cash activities were as follows: F-23 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS During 2004, in connection with the magazine export agreement discussed in Note 2, a liability of $4.2 million was recognized for the guaranteed payments owed under the agreement. In connection with the closing of the Wells Fargo Foothill credit facility, the outstanding balances (including any accrued but unpaid interest and fees) with Bank of America and Congress Financial were paid in full. Termination of our existing facilities resulted in a write-off of the related unamortized deferred loan charges of $0.9 million. The Hilco Capital note payable is recorded net of an original issuance discount related to the 400,000 warrants (total value at $0.9 million) issued upon close. During 2003, the Company retired 1,126,120 shares of common stock held in treasury which was recorded at a cost of $6.4 million. As part of the relocation of our North Carolina claim submission and fixture billing center to Bonita Springs, Florida, the assets related to the land and building located in North Carolina totaling $1.8 million was placed on the market for sale. As a result, the related assets were removed from our capital asset accounts and are recorded in other long-term assets. During 2002, the Company issued 980,025 shares of Common Stock as part of the Interlink acquisition. In conjunction with business acquisitions, the Company used cash as follows (in thousands): Year ended January 31, ---------------------- 2003 2002 --------- ----------- Fair value of assets acquired, excluding cash $ 3,015 $ 77,435 Less: Liabilities assumed and created upon acquisition 397 58,309 Less: Note payable issued 604 - Less: Stock issued - 5,449 --------- ----------- Net Cash Paid $ 2,014 $ 13,677 ========= =========== 17. SEGMENT FINANCIAL REPORTING The Company's segment reporting is based on the reporting of senior management to the Chief Executive Officer. This reporting combines the Company's business units in a logical way that identifies business concentrations and synergies. The reportable segments of the Company are Magazine Fulfillment, In-Store Services, Wood Manufacturing and Shared Services. The accounting policies of the segments are materially the same as those described in the Summary of Accounting Policies. The Magazine Fulfillment segment derives revenues from (1) selling and distributing magazines, including domestic and foreign titles, to major specialty retailers and wholesalers throughout the United States and Canada, (2) exporting domestic titles internationally to foreign wholesalers or through domestic brokers, (3) serving as a secondary national distributor, (4) providing return processing services for major specialty retail book chains and (5) servicing as an outsourced fulfillment agent. The In-Store Services segment derives revenues from (1) designing, manufacturing, and invoicing participants in front-end fixture programs, (2) providing claim filing services related to rebates owed retailers from publishers or their designated agent, (3) shipping, installation and removal of front-end fixtures, and (4) providing information and management services relating to retail magazine sales to U.S. and Canadian retailers and magazine publishers. F-24 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Wood Manufacturing segment derives revenues from designing, manufacturing and installing high-end wood store fixtures. Shared Services consists of overhead functions not allocated to individual operating segments. Previously, the majority of these expenses were included in the In-Store Services segment. Comparable information is not available and not presented for the prior fiscal year. Segment results follow (in thousands): Magazine In-Store Wood Shared Year ended January 31, 2004 Fulfillment Services Manufacturing Services Consolidated - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues $ 255,814 $ 58,601 $ 18,719 $ - $ 333,134 Cost of revenues 194,467 33,931 16,357 - 244,755 ------------ ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Gross profit 61,347 24,670 2,362 - 88,379 Selling, general & administrative 28,354 8,245 1,373 14,670 52,642 Fulfillment freight 16,381 - - - 16,381 Relocation expense 1,654 - - 76 1,730 ------------ ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Operating Income $ 14,958 $ 16,425 $ 989 $ (14,746) $ 17,626 ------------ ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total Assets $ 47,718 $ 78,953 $ 15,114 $ 22,316 $ 164,101 ============ =========== ========== ========== ========== The following segment results are reported under the segment reporting effective for the prior year (in thousands). Magazine In-Store Wood Year ended January 31, 2004 Fulfillment Services Manufacturing Consolidated - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Revenues $ 255,814 $ 58,601 $ 18,719 $ 333,134 Cost of revenues 194,467 33,931 16,357 244,755 ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Gross profit 61,347 24,670 2,362 88,379 Selling, general & administrative 28,354 22,915 1,373 52,642 Fulfillment freight 16,381 - - 16,381 Relocation expense 1,654 76 - 1,730 ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Operating Income $ 14,958 $ 1,679 $ 989 $ 17,626 ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Assets $ 47,718 $ 101,269 $ 15,114 $ 164,101 ============ =========== =========== =========== Magazine In-Store Wood Year ended January 31, 2003 Fulfillment Services Manufacturing Consolidated - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Revenues $ 211,663 $ 61,754 $ 17,477 $ 290,894 Cost of revenues 164,702 35,391 16,390 216,483 ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Gross profit 46,961 26,363 1,087 74,411 Selling, general & administrative 24,794 19,971 1,799 46,564 Fulfillment freight 14,721 - - 14,721 Relocation expense 85 1,841 - 1,926 ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Operating Income $ 7,361 $ 4,551 $ (712) $ 11,200 ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Assets $ 32,862 $ 108,982 $ 15,395 $ 157,239 ============ =========== =========== =========== F-25 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Magazine In-Store Wood Year ended January 31, 2002 Fulfillment Services Manufacturing Consolidated - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Revenues $ 155,805 $ 65,148 $ 17,970 $ 238,923 Cost of revenues 126,217 33,978 16,162 176,357 ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Gross profit 29,588 31,170 1,808 62,566 Selling, general & administrative 18,421 18,848 1,709 38,978 Fulfillment freight 7,931 - - 7,931 Amortization of goodwill 2,358 2,723 343 5,424 Asset impairment charge 68,587 - 9,539 78,126 ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Operating Income $ (67,709) $ 9,599 $ (9,783) $ (67,893) ------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Total Assets $ 36,961 $ 110,043 $ 17,426 $ 164,430 ============ =========== =========== =========== 18. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) Quarterly financial data for 2004 and 2003 is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts): Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 April 30 July 31 October 31 January 31 -------------------------------------------------------- 2004 Revenues $ 80,983 $ 85,475 $ 92,229 $ 74,447 Gross profit 20,760 23,004 24,938 19,677 Net income 629 2,992 4,096 2,332 Earnings per share - basic $ 0.04 $ 0.16 $ 0.22 $ 0.12 Earnings per share - diluted 0.04 0.15 0.20 0.11 2003 Revenues $ 67,066 $ 73,955 $ 81,214 $ 68,659 Gross profit 18,901 17,809 20,384 17,317 Net income 1,727 1,108 2,903 1,600 Earnings per share - basic $ 0.09 $ 0.06 $ 0.16 $ 0.09 Earnings per share - diluted 0.09 0.06 0.16 0.09 During 2004, the Company restated its historical financial statements to revise the accounting treatment for revenue recognition related to its rebate claim filing business. Reconciliation of selected quarterly financial data to previously reported amounts (in thousands): As previously Quarter ended April 30, 2003 reported As restated - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenues $ 81,015 $ 80,983 Gross profit 20,781 20,759 Net income 641 629 Earnings per share - basic 0.04 0.04 Earnings per share - diluted $ 0.04 $ 0.04 F-26 SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS As previously Quarter ended July 31, 2003 reported As restated - ------------------------------------------------------------ Revenues $ 85,155 $ 85,475 Gross profit 22,780 23,004 Net income 2,857 2,992 Earnings per share - basic 0.16 0.16 Earnings per share - diluted $ 0.15 $ 0.15 19. SUBSEQUENT EVENT In March 2004, the Company completed the sale of 3,800,000 shares of common stock at $11.50 per share excluding underwriting discounts and expenses. Proceeds to the Company of approximately $41.1 million before expenses were utilized to repay the Wells Fargo Foothill note payable and revolving credit facility, and all but a nominal amount on the Hilco Capital note payable. F-27 Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants Board of Directors Source Interlink Companies, Inc. Bonita Springs, Florida The audits referred to in our report dated April 12, 2004, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., which are referred to in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, included the audit of the accompanying financial statement schedule. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based upon our audits. In our opinion, such financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. /s/BDO Seidman, LLP Chicago, Illinois April 12, 2004 S-1 SCHEDULE II SOURCE INTERLINK COMPANIES, INC. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Schedule January 31, 2004 (in thousands) Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charged to Balance at Charged to other Balance at beginning of costs and accounts - end of Description period expenses describe (1) Deductions period - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Year ended January 31, 2004: Allowance for doubtful accounts $5,925 $1,819 $ - $3,176 $4,568 Year ended January 31, 2003: Allowance for doubtful accounts 6,142 2,023 - 2,240 5,925 Year ended January 31, 2002: Allowance for doubtful accounts $1,398 $2,824 $7,206 $5,286 $6,142 (1) Additions due to acquisitions S-2 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION - --------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ 3.1 Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form S-B, as filed with the SEC on June 12, 1995 (File No. 0-26238) 3.2 Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form S-B, as filed with the SEC on June 12, 1995 (File No. 0-26238) 3.3 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form SB-2, as filed with the SEC on August 4, 1997 (File No. 333-32733) 3.4 Amendment to Bylaws, incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2, as filed with the SEC on October 7, 1997 (File No. 333-32733) 3.5 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form SB-2, as filed with the SEC on October 7, 1997 (File No. 333-32733) 3.6 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-KSB, as filed with the SEC on May 5, 1999 (File No. 001-13437) 3.7 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002 (File No. 001-13437) 4.1 Form of Common Stock Certificate, incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form SB-2, as filed with the SEC on August 4, 1997 (File No. 333-32733) 4.2 Form of Warrant issued pursuant to a Loan Agreement dated as of October 30, 2003, by and between Source Interlink Companies, Inc., its subsidiaries and Hilco Capital, LP, as agent, incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on November 5, 2003. 4.3 Warrantholders Rights Agreement dated as of October 30, 2003 by and between Source Interlink Companies, Inc. and Hilco Capital LP, incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on November 5, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.1 Form of indemnity Agreement with Officers and Directors, incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form S-B, as filed with the SEC on June 12, 1995 (File No. 0-26238) 10.3(a) The Source Information Management company Amended and Restated 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2001 (File No. 001-13437) 10.6(a) Employment and Non-Competition Agreement with James R. Gillis dated as of December 14, 1998, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2000 (File No. 001-13437) 10.6.1(a) Amendment to Employment and Non-Competition Agreement with James R. Gillis dated as of August 3, 2000, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2001 (File No. 001-13437) 10.20(a) The Source Information Management Company Amended and Restated 1998 Omnibus Plan, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2001 (File No. 001-13437) 10.21(a) Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated as of May 21, 2003 between Source Interlink Companies, Inc. and S. Leslie Flegel, incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on June 16, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.22(a) Employment Agreement between The Source Information Management Company and Jason S. Flegel dated as of January 3, 2001, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2001 (File No. 001-13437) 10.28 Standard Lease Agreement between SINV II, LLC as Landlord and Source-Huck Store Fixture Company as Tenant dated October 31, 2001, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002 (File No. 001-13437) 10.29 Standard Lease Agreement between SINV, LLC as Landlord and Source-Huck Store Fixture Company as Tenant dated October 31, 2001, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002 (File No. 001-13437) 10.31 Lease Agreement by and between Riverview Associates Limited Partnership and Source Interlink Companies, Inc. dated August 9, 2001, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 16, 2002 (File No. 001-13437) 10.31.1 Lease Amendment by and between Riverview Associates Limited Partnership and Source Interlink Companies, Inc. dated August 27, 2003, incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on September 15, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.32 Industrial Lease between Broadway Properties LTD and Innovative Metal Fixtures, Inc. dated for reference June 1, 2001 and Assignment and Assumption Agreement between Innovative Metal Fixtures, Inc., Aaron Wire & Metal Products LTD and Broadway Properties LTD dated May 3, 2002, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.33 Net Lease between Conewago Contractors, Inc. and Pennsylvania International Distribution Services, Inc. dated as of May 1, 2000, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.33.1 First Amendment to Net Lease between Conewago Contractors, Inc. and Pennsylvania International Distribution Services, Inc. effective September 1, 2003, incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on December 15, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.34 Lease Agreement between Regal Business Center, Inc and Publisher Distribution Services, Inc. dated as of September 1, 1998, as amended by Modification and Ratification of Lease Agreement dated as of October __, 1998 and Second Modification and Ratification of Lease Agreement dated as of October __, 2001 (dates omitted in original), incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.35 Lease Agreement between Milan Industrial Park and Eastern News Distributors, Inc. dated as of September __, 1995 (date omitted in original), as assigned by Assignment and Assumption of Lease between COMAG Marketing Group, Inc. and International Periodical Distributors, Inc. dated as of April 27, 2001, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.36 Commercial Lease Agreement between NCSC Properties LLC and Huck Store Fixture Company of North Carolina dated July 1, 2002, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.37 Agreement between Louis Nathan Wank, Irving Wank, Murray Wank, Sylvia Goshen, Anna Godel, Sylvia Thorne and/or Wank Brothers and Brand Manufacturing Corp. dated June 1, 1989, as amended by Extension of Lease dated October 22, 1999, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.38 Agreement between Louis Nathan Wank, Irving Wank, Murray Wank, Sylvia Goshen, Steven Godel, Sylvia Thorne and/or Wank Brothers and Brand Manufacturing Corporation dated November 1, 1995, as amended by Extension of Lease dated October 22, 1999, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.39 Agreement between Louis Nathan Wank, Irving Wank, Murray Wank, Sylvia Goshen, Anna Godel, Sylvia Thorne and/or Wank Brothers and Brand Manufacturing Corp. dated September 1, 1984, as amended by Extension of Lease dated October 22, 1999, incorporated by reference to Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on May 1, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.40 Agreement of Lease dated as of October 24, 2000 by and between Joseph P. Day Realty Corp., as agent for owner Ron Bet 40th Street LLC, and Brand Manufacturing Corp, incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on June 16, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.41(a) Employment Agreement by and between Source Interlink Companies, Inc. and Marc Fierman dated as of July 24, 2003, incorporated by reference to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the SEC on September 15, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.43 Loan Agreement by and among Source Interlink Companies, Inc., its subsidiaries and Hilco Capital LP, as agent, dated as of October 30, 2003, incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on November 5, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.44 Loan Agreement by and among Source Interlink Companies, Inc., its subsidiaries and Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc., as arranger and administrative agent, dated as of October 30, 2003, incorporated by reference to Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on November 5, 2003 (File No. 001-13437) 10.45(a)(b) Employment and Non-Competition Agreement dated as of March 1, 2004 between Source Interlink Companies, Inc. and John R. Amann 21.1(b) Subsidiaries of the Registrant 23.1(b) Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP 31.1(b) Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer 31.2(b) Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer 32.1(b) Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer (a)--indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement (b)--filed herewith