UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934
for the quarterly period ended MARCH 31, 2006
BADGER METER, INC.
4545 W. BROWN DEER ROAD
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53223
(414) 355-0400
A Wisconsin Corporation
IRS Employer Identification No. 39-0143280
Commission File No. 1-6706
Indicate by check mark whether the Company (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 Company
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 whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer,
an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [X] Non-accelerated filer [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ] No [X]
As of April 20, 2006, there were 6,944,221 shares of Common Stock
outstanding with a par value of $1.00 per share.
BADGER METER, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2006
INDEX
Page No.
--------
Part I. Financial Information:
Item 1 Financial Statements:
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets--
March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 4
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations--
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 5
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows--
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 6
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Condensed Financial
Statements 7
Item 2 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 12
Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 15
Item 4 Controls and Procedures 15
Part II. Other Information:
Item 6 Exhibits 15
Signatures 16
Exhibit Index 17
2
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this Form 10-Q, as well as other
information provided from time to time by the Company or its employees, may
contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward
looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect,"
"think," "should" and "objective" or similar expressions are intended to
identify forward looking statements. All such forward looking statements are
based on the Company's then current views and assumptions and involve risks and
uncertainties that include, among other things:
- the continued shift in the Company's business from lower cost, local
read meters toward more expensive, value-added automatic meter reading
(AMR) systems;
- the success or failure of newer Company products, including the
Orion(R) radio frequency mobile AMR system, the absolute digital
encoder (ADE(TM)) and the Galaxy(R) fixed network AMR system;
- changes in competitive pricing and bids in both the domestic and
foreign marketplaces, and particularly in continued intense price
competition on government bid contracts for lower cost, local read
meters;
- the actions (or lack thereof) of the Company's competitors;
- changes in the Company's relationships with its alliance partners,
primarily its alliance partners that provide AMR connectivity
solutions, and particularly those that sell products that do or may
compete with the Company's products;
- changes in the general health of the United States and foreign
economies, including housing starts in the United States and overall
industrial activity;
- increases in the cost and/or availability of needed raw materials and
parts, including recent increases in the cost of brass housings as a
result of increases in the commodity prices for copper and zinc at the
supplier level and resin as a result of increases in petroleum and
natural gas prices;
- the ability to improve operating results for foreign markets that have
experienced historical losses;
- changes in foreign economic conditions, particularly currency
fluctuations between the United States dollar and the euro; and
- changes in laws and regulations, particularly laws dealing with the
use of lead (which can be used in the manufacture of certain meters
incorporating brass housings) and Federal Communications Commission
rules affecting the use and/or licensing of radio frequencies
necessary for AMR products.
All of these factors are beyond the Company's control to varying
degrees. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to
consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward looking statements
and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward looking
statements. The forward looking statements made in this document are made only
as of the date of this document and the Company assumes no obligation, and
disclaims any obligation, to update any such forward looking statements to
reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
3
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BADGER METER, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, December 31,
2006 2005
----------- ------------
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash $ 5,770 $ 4,403
Receivables 34,919 30,450
Inventories:
Finished goods 10,975 11,875
Work in process 9,246 9,048
Raw materials 12,715 11,047
--------- ---------
Total inventories 32,936 31,970
Prepaid expenses 3,122 2,309
Deferred income taxes 3,445 3,432
--------- ---------
Total current assets 80,192 72,564
Property, plant and equipment, at cost 111,700 109,810
Less accumulated depreciation (67,382) (65,940)
--------- ---------
Net property, plant and equipment 44,318 43,870
Intangible assets, at cost less accumulated amortization 1,140 1,026
Prepaid pension 17,274 17,726
Other assets 4,120 4,101
Goodwill 6,667 6,580
--------- ---------
Total assets $ 153,711 $ 145,867
========= =========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt $ 9,585 $ 8,847
Current portion of long-term debt 6,083 7,431
Payables 15,001 11,484
Accrued compensation and employee benefits 4,633 6,436
Warranty and after-sale costs 3,572 3,610
Income and other taxes 2,997 1,778
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities 41,871 39,586
Other long term liabilities 615 634
Deferred income taxes 6,589 6,584
Accrued non-pension postretirement benefits 4,057 3,955
Other accrued employee benefits 6,517 6,332
Long-term debt 15,675 15,360
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock 10,149 10,056
Capital in excess of par value 24,273 23,376
Reinvested earnings 77,454 74,258
Accumulated other comprehensive income 217 1
Less: Employee benefit stock and nonvested stock (795) (1,357)
Treasury stock, at cost (32,911) (32,918)
--------- ---------
Total shareholders' equity 78,387 73,416
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 153,711 $ 145,867
========= =========
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
4
BADGER METER, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Unaudited)
-----------------------
2006 2005
---------- ----------
(In thousands except
share and per share
amounts)
Net sales $ 61,036 $ 54,432
Cost of sales 39,924 35,077
---------- ----------
Gross margin 21,112 19,355
Selling, engineering and
administration 13,429 12,869
---------- ----------
Operating earnings 7,683 6,486
Interest expense 389 458
---------- ----------
Earnings before income taxes 7,294 6,028
Provision for income taxes 3,063 2,472
---------- ----------
Net earnings $ 4,231 $ 3,556
========== ==========
Per share amounts:
Earnings per share:
Basic $ .62 $ .53
Diluted $ .59 $ .51
Dividends declared: $ .15 $ .14
Shares used in computation of
earnings per share:
Basic 6,845,164 6,701,667
Impact of stock-based
compensation 306,115 239,009
---------- ----------
Diluted 7,151,279 6,940,676
========== ==========
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
5
BADGER METER, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
------------------
2006 2005
------- --------
Operating activities:
Net earnings $ 4,231 $ 3,556
Adjustments to reconcile net
earnings to net cash provided
by (used for) operations:
Depreciation 1,751 1,753
Amortization 128 59
Tax benefit on stock options -- 239
Deferred income taxes (6) (27)
Noncurrent employee benefits 1,702 1,040
Changes in:
Receivables (4,341) (5,520)
Inventories (836) 414
Prepaid expenses (818) (1,004)
Current liabilities other than debt 872 3,243
------- -------
Total adjustments (1,548) 197
------- -------
Net cash provided by operations 2,683 3,753
------- -------
Investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment (2,033) (1,167)
Other - net (221) (231)
------- -------
Net cash used for investing activities (2,254) (1,398)
------- -------
Financing activities:
Net increase in short-term debt 619 1,001
Repayments of long-term debt (1,033) (3,138)
Dividends paid (1,035) (938)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 1,248 607
Excess tax benefit from share-based payments 1,241 --
Treasury stock purchases -- (632)
Issuance of treasury stock 37 232
------- -------
Net cash provided by (used for)
financing activities 1,077 (2,868)
------- -------
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash (139) 54
------- -------
Increase (decrease) in cash 1,367 (459)
Cash - beginning of period 4,403 2,834
------- -------
Cash - end of period $ 5,770 $ 2,375
======= =======
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
6
BADGER METER, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated
condensed financial statements of Badger Meter, Inc. (the "Company")
contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals)
necessary to present fairly the Company's consolidated condensed financial
position at March 31, 2006, results of operations for the three-month
periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, and cash flows for the three-month
periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. The results of operations for any
interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected
for the full year.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles 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.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2005 consolidated condensed
financial statements to conform to the 2006 presentation.
2. The consolidated condensed balance sheet at December 31, 2005 was derived
from amounts included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2005. Refer to the footnotes to the financial
statements included in that report for a description of the Company's
accounting policies and for additional details of the Company's financial
condition. The details in those notes have not changed except as discussed
below and as a result of normal adjustments in the interim.
GOODWILL Goodwill increased from $6.6 million at December 31, 2005 to $6.7
million at March 31, 2006 as a result of translation adjustments for
goodwill denominated in foreign currencies.
WARRANTY AND AFTER-SALE COSTS The Company estimates and records provisions
for warranties and other after-sale costs in the period the sale is
reported. After-sale costs represent a variety of activities outside of the
written warranty policy, such as investigation of unanticipated problems
after the customer has installed the product, or analysis of water quality
issues. Changes in the Company's warranty and after-sale costs reserve for
the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:
Balance at Net additions Balance
beginning charged to Costs at
(In thousands) of year earnings incurred March 31
---------- ------------- -------- --------
2006 $3,610 $493 $(531) $3,572
2005 $3,817 $386 $(473) $3,730
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS At March 31, 2006, the Company has two types
of stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully
in Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" under the heading
"Stock-Based Compensation Plans" and Note 5 "Stock Option Plans" in the
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of the
Company's 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company recognizes the cost of share-based awards for the two types of
stock-based employee compensation plans on a straight-line basis over the
vesting period of the awards. Total stock compensation expense recognized
by the Company for the three month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005
was $218,000 and $32,000, respectively.
Stock Options:
The Company has six stock option plans which provide for the issuance of
options to key employees and directors of the Company. Each plan authorizes
the issuance of options to purchase up to an aggregate of 400,000 shares of
Common Stock, with vesting periods of up to ten years and maximum option
terms of ten years. As of March 31, 2006, options to purchase 287,268
shares remain available for grant under four of these plans.
7
Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for stock compensation
plans under the recognition and measurement provisions of Accounting
Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB 25), "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees," and related Interpretations, as permitted by Financial
Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 123 (SFAS 123), "Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation." No stock-based employee compensation cost
was recognized for stock option awards in the Consolidated Statements of
Operations for the periods prior to January 1, 2006 as all options granted
under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the
underlying Common Stock on the date of grant.
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition
provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R) (SFAS 123(R)), "Share-Based
Payment," using the modified-prospective-transition method. Under this
transition method, compensation cost recognized in the first quarter of
2006 includes compensation costs for all share-based payments granted prior
to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair
value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123 and
compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to
January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance
with the provisions of SFAS 123(R). There were no stock option grants made
in the first quarter of 2006. The Company estimated the fair value of its
option awards granted prior to January 1, 2006 using the Black-Scholes
option-pricing formula, and will continue to use this model. Results for
prior periods have not been restated.
As a result of adopting SFAS 123(R) on January 1, 2006, the Company's
earnings before income taxes and net earnings for the three month period
ended March 31, 2006 were $107,000 and $78,000 lower, respectively, than if
the Company had continued to account for share-based compensation under APB
25.
Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), the Company presented all tax
benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as
operating cash flows in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash
Flows. SFAS 123(R) requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits
of the tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for
those options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash
flows.
The following table illustrates the effects on net earnings and earnings
per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions
of SFAS 123 to stock option plans during the three months ended March 31,
2005. These pro forma calculations only include the effects of stock-based
compensation granted since January 1, 1995. The value of the options is
amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over their vesting periods
and forfeitures are recognized as they occur.
Three months ended
(In thousands except per share amounts) March 31, 2005
------------------
Net earnings, as reported $3,556
Deduct: Incremental stock-based compensation
determined under fair value based method
for all awards since January 1, 1995,
net of related tax effects (76)
------
Pro forma net earnings $3,480
======
Earnings per share:
Basic, as reported $ .53
Basic, pro forma $ .52
Diluted, as reported $ .51
Diluted, pro forma $ .50
8
The following table summarizes the stock option transactions for the
three-month periods ended March 31:
2006 2005
------------------ ------------------
Weighted Weighted
average average
exercise exercise
(In thousands except per share amounts) Options price Options price
------- -------- ------- --------
Options outstanding at January 1 645 $14.69 809 $14.01
Options granted -- -- -- --
Options exercised (93) $13.38 (50) $12.15
Options forfeited/cancelled -- -- (1) $15.57
--- ---
Options outstanding at March 31 552 $14.91 758 $14.14
=== ===
Exercisable at March 31 326 $14.09 429 $14.52
=== ===
The following table summarizes the aggregate intrinsic value of the
non-qualified stock option premium related to options outstanding,
exercisable and exercised as of and for the periods ended March 31:
(In thousands) 2006 2005
------- -------
Exercised $ 3,309 $ 605
Outstanding $20,267 $10,872
Exercisable $12,254 $ 5,981
Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2006 are as follows (options in
thousands):
Weighted Weighted
average average
contractual exercise
Price Range life Options price
- ----------- ----------- ------- --------
$ 7.40 - $11.50 3.7 179 $11.35
$12.07 - $14.25 6.3 230 $14.10
$15.00 - $46.23 5.6 143 $20.65
--- ---
Options outstanding 5.2 552 $14.91
=== ===
Options exercisable 4.6 326 $14.09
=== ===
Nonvested Stock:
Director Stock Grant Plan: Non-employee directors receive an annual award
of 600 shares of Common Stock under the shareholder-approved 2002 Director
Stock Grant Plan. The Company records compensation expense for this plan
ratably over the annual service period beginning May 1. Director stock
compensation expense recognized by the Company for the three-month periods
ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was $64,000 and $32,000, respectively. As of
March 31, 2006, the unrecognized compensation cost related to the nonvested
director stock award that is expected to be recognized over the remaining
one month is estimated to be approximately $20,000.
Restricted Stock: On April 28, 2005, a restricted stock plan was approved
which provides for the issuance of nonvested Common Stock to certain
eligible employees. The plan authorizes the issuance of up to an aggregate
of 50,000 shares of Common Stock, of which a net of 15,500 were issued in
the second quarter of 2005. This restricted stock award has a three-year
cliff vesting period contingent on employment. There were no restricted
stock grants made in the first quarter of 2006. Restricted stock
compensation expense recognized by the Company for the three-month period
ended March 31, 2006 was $47,000.
The fair value of nonvested shares is determined based on the market price
of the Company's shares on the grant date. As of January 1, 2006, 15,500
restricted shares were issued with a fair value of $36.65 per share, and
there were no changes to these amounts during the period ended March 31,
2006. As of March 31, 2006, there was $394,000 of unrecognized compensation
cost related to nonvested restricted stock that is expected to be
recognized over a weighted average period of 2.08 years.
9
3. The Company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan for
its domestic employees and a non-contributory postretirement plan that
provides medical benefits for certain domestic retirees and eligible
dependents. The following table sets forth the components of net periodic
benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 based on a
September 30 measurement date:
Other
postretirement
Pension benefits benefits
---------------- --------------
(In thousands) 2006 2005 2006 2005
----- ----- ---- ----
Service cost $ 485 $ 457 $ 56 $ 44
Interest cost 595 625 122 125
Expected return on plan assets (918) (910) -- --
Amortization of prior service cost (28) (29) (9) (45)
Amortization of net loss 318 248 59 40
----- ----- ---- ----
Net periodic benefit cost $ 452 $ 391 $228 $164
===== ===== ==== ====
The Company previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 2005 that it did not expect to contribute funds to its
pension plan in 2006. While the Company believes that it will not be
required to make a contribution in 2006, such belief is based upon the
estimated return on assets as of the annual measurement date of September
30, 2006.
The Company also disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2005 that it estimated it would pay $1.0 million in other
postretirement benefits in 2006. As of March 31, 2006, $250,000 of such
benefits were paid. The Company continues to believe that its estimated
payments for the full year are reasonable. Note that the amount of benefits
paid in calendar year 2006 will not impact the expense for postretirement
benefits for the current year.
4. The Company guarantees the debt of the Badger Meter Officers' Voting Trust
("BMOVT"), from which the BMOVT obtained loans from a bank on behalf of the
officers of the Company in order to purchase shares of the Company's Common
Stock. The officers' loan amounts are collateralized by the Company's
shares that were purchased with the loans' proceeds. There have been no
loans made to officers by the BMOVT since July 2002. The Company has
guaranteed $0.8 million and $1.1 million of the BMOVT's debt at March 31,
2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. The current loan matures in April
2006, at which time it is expected to be renewed. The fair market value of
this guarantee at March 31, 2006 continues to be insignificant because the
collateral value of the shares exceeds the loan amount. It is the Company's
intention to eliminate the BMOVT by December 31, 2010, because it no longer
fulfills its original purpose of providing officers with loans to purchase
Common Stock. The Company has no other off-balance sheet arrangements.
The Company guarantees the outstanding debt of the Badger Meter Employee
Savings and Stock Ownership Plan that is recorded in long-term debt, offset
by a similar amount of unearned compensation that has been recorded as a
reduction of shareholders' equity. The loan amount is collateralized by
shares of the Company's Common Stock. A payment of $120,000 in the first
quarter of 2006 reduced the loan from $0.9 million at December 31, 2005 to
$0.8 million at March 31, 2006.
5. Total comprehensive income was $4.4 million and $2.8 million for the
three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Included
in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 was a $0.2 million
gain and a $0.8 million loss, respectively, of other comprehensive income
related to foreign currency translation adjustments.
10
6. In the normal course of business, the Company is named in legal proceedings
from time to time. There are currently no material legal proceedings
pending with respect to the Company. The more significant legal proceedings
are as follows.
The Company is subject to contingencies relative to environmental laws and
regulations. Currently, the Company is in the process of resolving matters
relative to two landfill sites. Provision has been made for all known
settlement costs, which are not material.
The Company is also a defendant in numerous multi-party asbestos lawsuits
pending in various states. These lawsuits assert claims alleging that
certain industrial products were manufactured by the defendants and were
the cause of injury and harm. The Company is vigorously defending itself
against these claims. Although it is not possible to predict the ultimate
outcome of these matters, the Company does not believe the ultimate
resolution of these issues will have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position or results of operations, either from a cash
flow perspective or on the financial statements as a whole.
The Company has evaluated its worldwide operations to determine whether any
risks and uncertainties exist that could severely impact its operations in
the near term. The Company does not believe that there are any significant
risks. However, the Company relies on single suppliers for certain castings
and components in several of its product lines. Although alternate sources
of supply exist for these items, loss of certain suppliers could
temporarily disrupt operations in the short term. The Company attempts to
mitigate these risks by working closely with key suppliers, purchasing
minimal amounts from alternative suppliers and by purchasing business
interruption insurance where appropriate.
The Company reevaluates its exposures on a periodic basis and makes
adjustments to reserves as appropriate.
11
ITEM 2 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND OVERVIEW
The Company is a leading marketer and manufacturer of products using flow
measurement and control technologies developed both internally and with other
technology companies. Its products are used to measure and control the flow of
liquids in a variety of applications. The Company's product lines fall into two
general categories, utility and industrial. The utility category is comprised of
two product lines, residential and commercial water meters (with various
automatic meter reading (AMR) technology systems), which are generally sold to
water utilities and constitute a majority of the Company's sales. Industrial
product line sales comprise the remainder of the Company's sales and include
automotive fluid meters and systems, small precision valves, electromagnetic
meters, impeller flow meters and industrial process meters (all with related
accessories and instrumentation).
Residential and commercial water meters and related systems are classified
as local (or manual) read meters or AMR products. Local read meters consist of a
water meter and a register. With AMR meters, the register digitally encodes the
mechanical reading and its radio frequency transmitter communicates the data to
a computerized system that collects the data and sends it to specific utility
computerized programs. Net sales and the corresponding net earnings depend on
unit volume and mix of products, with the Company generally earning higher
margins on residential AMR products (the impact of AMR on commercial products is
not as significant given the higher sales prices of commercial meters). The
Company sells AMR products of other companies as well as its own proprietary
product, Orion(R), which has higher margins than the other AMR products.
Orion(R) is currently being sold as a walk-by/drive-by system, but also has the
ability to connect with a variety of other technologies, such as power line
carrier, broadband over power line, municipal WI-FI and radio frequency systems
to allow for remote reading of the data. Net sales and the corresponding net
earnings are therefore also dependent on the mix of AMR products between
proprietary and non-proprietary products.
There is a base level of annual business for utility products driven by
replacement units and, to a lesser extent, housing starts. Sales above the base
level depend on conversions to AMR away from manual read meters. The Company
believes that conversion from local read meters to AMR products can accelerate
replacements of meters and result in growth, because it is estimated that only
15-20% of the water meter market has been converted to AMR. Badger Meter's
strategy is to solve customers' metering needs with its proprietary meter
reading systems or other systems available through alliances within the
marketplace.
The industrial products generally serve niche markets and have in the past
utilized technology derived from utility products to serve industrial uses. As
these markets evolve, these products are becoming more specialized to meet
industrial flow measurement and communication protocol requirements. Serving
these markets allows the Company to expand its technologies into other areas of
flow measurement and control, as well as utilize existing capacity and spread
fixed costs over a larger sales base.
BUSINESS TRENDS
As noted above, the Company sells AMR products of other companies as well
as its own proprietary product, Orion(R). The Company currently has a
distribution agreement under which it resells products produced by Itron, Inc.
Prior to the Company's introduction of its own proprietary Orion(R) products,
Itron water utility related products were a significant contributor to the
Company's results. The Company's Orion(R) products directly compete with Itron
water AMR products and, in recent years, many of the Company's customers have
selected Orion(R) products. As a result, the Company's 2005 sales of Itron
products decreased approximately 12%, while Orion(R) sales doubled compared to
2004. In the first quarter of 2006, this trend continued as sales of Itron
products decreased approximately 6%, while Orion(R) sales increased 43% as
compared to the first quarter of 2005. The Company expects this trend to
continue in the future as it moves towards the February 2009 expiration of the
distribution agreement with Itron, and as Itron introduces new products not
offered under the agreement. Decreases in sales of Itron products have been
offset by increases in sales of Orion(R) products that produce a higher gross
margin than the Itron products. As a result, the Company does not expect this
trend to have a material negative impact on the Company's financial position or
results of operations.
12
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006
Net sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2006 increased $6.6
million, or 12.1%, over the same period in 2005. The overall sales increase was
driven by increased sales in both local read and AMR meters as well as
significant increases in commercial meters, all caused by volume increases,
mitigated somewhat by slightly lower industrial sales.
Residential and commercial water meter sales represented 77.4% of total
sales in the first quarter of 2006 compared to 73.2% in the first quarter of
2005. These sales increased $7.5 million to $47.3 million compared to $39.8
million in the same period in 2005. These increases were in local (or manual)
read water meter units, units utilizing AMR technologies, which carry higher
prices and contributed to the majority of the increase in net sales for the
quarter, and commercial meters. Most notable in the increase of AMR technologies
was the increase in sales of the Company's proprietary AMR product, Orion(R),
which increased approximately 43% over the amount sold in the first quarter of
2005. This was mitigated somewhat by sales decreases in other AMR technologies.
Industrial sales are affected by economic conditions, domestically and
internationally, in each of the markets served by the various product lines. In
total, industrial products represented 22.6% of total sales for the three months
ended March 31, 2006 compared to 26.8% for the same period in 2005. Industrial
sales decreased $0.9 million to $13.7 million in the first quarter of 2006
compared to $14.6 million in the first quarter of 2005. This was driven
primarily by lower sales of automotive fluid meters and related systems sold
through the Company's French subsidiary.
Gross margins in total for the first quarter of 2006 were 34.6% compared to
35.6% in the first quarter of 2005. The decrease was the net impact of lower
margins on automotive fluid meters and related systems due to competition,
offset somewhat by higher residential meter margins due to the higher mix of AMR
products, particularly the Orion(R) product which carries higher margins.
Selling, engineering and administration costs for the first quarter of 2006
were 22.0% as a percent of net sales compared to 23.6% for the same period in
2005. The decrease in selling, engineering and administration costs as a percent
of net sales is the result of cost containment efforts and higher sales levels,
offset by normal inflationary pressures. In addition, the first quarter of 2006
includes $107,000 of additional compensation expense due to expensing stock
options for the first time to comply with Financial Accounting Standards Board
Statement No. 123(R) (SFAS 123(R)), "Share-Based Payment".
Interest expense for the first quarter of 2006 was less than $0.1 million
lower than the same period in the prior year primarily due to lower debt
balances, offset somewhat by higher interest rates.
The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2006 was 42.0% compared to
41.0% in the same period in the prior year. Both periods are negatively affected
by the impact of the valuation reserve for the operating losses of the Company's
French subsidiary. The French operation continues to generate losses and the
Company is exploring options for the future of this business.
As a result of the above-mentioned items, net earnings for the first
quarter of 2006 were $4.2 million compared to net earnings in the first quarter
of 2005 of $3.6 million. On a diluted earnings per share basis, this equated to
$0.59 per share for the first quarter of 2006 compared to $0.51 for the same
period in 2005.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The main sources of liquidity for the Company typically are cash provided
by operations and borrowing capacity. For the first three months of 2006, $2.7
million of cash was provided by operations, primarily as the net result of
increased earnings adjusted for depreciation and amortization, offset by
increased inventory and receivables.
The change in the receivables balance from $30.5 million at December 31,
2005 to $34.9 million at March 31, 2006 was primarily due to increased sales and
the timing of certain customer payments.
13
Inventories at March 31, 2006 have increased $0.9 million to $32.9 million
from the December 31, 2005 balance of $32.0 million due primarily to increased
sales and the longer lead times for residential products.
Property, plant and equipment increased $0.4 million since December 31,
2005. This is the net result of $2.0 million of capital expenditures and $1.8
million of depreciation expense adjusted for the effects of foreign exchange
rates on the foreign assets.
Short-term debt and the current portion of long-term debt at March 31, 2006
decreased $0.6 million to a combined $15.7 million versus a balance at the end
of 2005 of $16.3 million. Long-term debt increased to $15.7 million at March 31,
2006 from $15.4 million at December 31, 2005. In 2005, the Company obtained a
$10 million five-year term loan to replace short-term debt. This increase in
long-term debt was reduced by normal scheduled payments. Overall, the Company's
total debt position has decreased as cash was provided from operations. At March
31, 2006, none of the Company's debt carries financial covenants or was
collateralized.
Payables increased to $15.0 million at March 31, 2006 from $11.5 million at
December 31, 2005 primarily as a result of the timing of payments. Accrued
compensation and employee benefits declined $1.8 million since December 31, 2005
to $4.6 million due to the first quarter 2006 payments of amounts accrued at
December 31, 2005, offset somewhat by costs accrued for 2006 expenses to date.
Income and other taxes payable increased to $3.0 million at March 31, 2006 from
$1.8 million at December 31, 2005 as a result of the timing of tax payments.
Common stock and capital in excess of par value have increased from
December 31, 2005 due to new shares issued in connection with the exercise of
stock options. Employee benefit stock decreased as a result of a payment made on
the ESSOP loan during the first quarter of 2006, amortization of nonvested stock
expense and the adoption of FAS 123(R), which required the reclassification of
amounts from employee benefit stock to capital in excess of par value.
Badger Meter's financial condition remains strong. The Company believes
that its operating cash flows, available borrowing capacity, including $34.4
million of unused credit lines, and its ability to raise additional capital
provide adequate resources to fund ongoing operating requirements, future
capital requirements and the development of new products.
OTHER MATTERS
There are currently no material legal proceedings pending with respect to
the Company. The more significant legal proceedings are as follows.
The Company is subject to contingencies relative to environmental laws and
regulations. Currently, the Company is in the process of resolving matters
relative to two landfill sites. Provision has been made for all known settlement
costs, which are not material.
The Company is also a defendant in numerous multi-party asbestos lawsuits
pending in various states. These lawsuits assert claims alleging that certain
industrial products were manufactured by the defendants and were the cause of
injury and harm. The Company is vigorously defending itself against these
claims. Although it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcome of these
matters, the Company does not believe the ultimate resolution of these issues
will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or
results of operations, either from a cash flow perspective or on the financial
statements as a whole.
No other risks or uncertainties were identified that could have a material
impact on operations and no long-lived assets have become permanently impaired
in value.
ACCOUNTING CHANGE
The Company began expensing the cost of stock options on January 1, 2006
when it adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No.123(R),
"Share-Based Payment". See Note 2 to the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated
Condensed Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q for information regarding this
accounting change.
14
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The Company's off-balance sheet arrangements and contractual obligations
are discussed in Part II, Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" under the headings "Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements" and "Contractual Obligations" in the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and have not materially
changed since that report was filed.
ITEM 3 QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company's quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk
are included in Part II, Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" under the heading "Market Risks"
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2005, and have not materially changed since that report was filed.
ITEM 4 CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Exchange Act"), the Company's management evaluated, with the participation
of the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and the
Company's Senior Vice President - Finance, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the
Exchange Act) as of the end of the quarter ended March 31, 2006. Based upon
their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Company's
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and the Company's Senior Vice
President - Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer concluded that the
Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the
quarter ended March 31, 2006 to ensure that material information relating to the
Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, was made known to them by
others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was being prepared.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2006, that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's
internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6 EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ----------- -----------
31.1 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section
302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section
302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32 Certification of Periodic Financial Report by the Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
15
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
BADGER METER, INC.
Dated: April 25, 2006 By /s/ Richard A. Meeusen
-------------------------------------
Richard A. Meeusen
Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer
By /s/ Richard E. Johnson
-------------------------------------
Richard E. Johnson
Senior Vice President - Finance,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
By /s/ Beverly L.P. Smiley
-------------------------------------
Beverly L.P. Smiley
Vice President - Controller
16
BADGER METER, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2006
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ----------- -----------
31.1 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section
302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section
302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32 Certification of Periodic Financial Report by the Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
17