1 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 FORM 10-Q Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For Quarter Ended March 29, 1997 Commission File No. 0-11917 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) OHIO 34-0176110 (State of Incorporation) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 1500 North Mantua Street P. O. Box 5193 Kent, OH 44240-5193 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (330) 673-9511 Number of Common Shares Outstanding as of May 9, 1997: 4,432,282 Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past ninety (90) days. YES X NO ------ ------ 2 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY INDEX ----- Page No. -------- PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1: Financial Statements Consolidated Balance Sheets - Periods Ended March 29, 1997, March 30, 1996 and December 31, 1996 3 Consolidated Statements of Earnings - Three Months Ended March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996 4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three Months Ended March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996 5 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6 Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 8 PART II: OTHER INFORMATION 11 2 3 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) MARCH 29, MARCH 30, DEC. 31, 1997 1996 1996 -------------- ------------- -------------- ASSETS (UNAUDITED) - ------ ------------------------------ CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 222 $ 609 $ 627 Accounts Receivable 42,336 37,483 39,805 Operating Supplies 2,920 2,687 2,477 Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets 1,990 1,912 2,023 Deferred Income Taxes 1,729 2,635 1,786 -------------- ------------- -------------- Total Current Assets 49,197 45,326 46,718 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: Land and Land Improvements 6,154 6,227 6,178 Buildings and Leasehold Improvements 16,594 17,012 16,682 Equipment 157,087 145,446 148,204 -------------- ------------- -------------- 179,835 168,685 171,064 Less Accumulated Depreciation 116,824 110,057 113,980 -------------- ------------- -------------- Net Property and Equipment 63,011 58,628 57,084 OTHER ASSETS AND INTANGIBLES 7,521 7,418 7,584 -------------- ------------- -------------- TOTAL ASSETS $ 119,729 $ 111,372 $ 111,386 ============== ============= ============== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - ------------------------------------ CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts Payable 13,863 13,457 11,564 Accrued Liabilities 14,213 14,913 12,944 Income Taxes Payable 420 779 218 Notes Payable, Bank 400 226 75 Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt 7,585 9,477 2,634 -------------- ------------- -------------- Total Current Liabilities 36,481 38,852 27,435 LONG-TERM DEBT 18,913 16,275 19,640 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 1,892 2,977 1,952 INSURANCE LIABILITIES 9,507 6,191 9,007 OTHER LIABILITIES 961 878 882 -------------- ------------- -------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 67,754 65,173 58,916 -------------- ------------- -------------- SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred Shares - No Par Value; Authorized 4,000,000 Shares; None Issued - - - - - - Common Shares - $1.00 Par Value; Authorized 12,000,000 Shares; Issued 8,728,440 Shares at March 29, 1997, March 30, 1996 and December 31, 1996 8,728 8,728 8,728 Additional Paid-in Capital 3,897 3,472 3,876 Retained Earnings 75,149 68,141 75,324 -------------- ------------- -------------- 87,774 80,341 87,928 LESS: Treasury Shares at cost: 4,233,074 Shares at March 29, 1997; 4,150,400 Shares at March 30, 1996; and 4,209,623 Shares at December 31, 1996 (35,792) (33,785) (35,451) Subscriptions Receivable from Employees (7) (284) (7) Future Contributions to ESOT (73) -------------- ------------- -------------- TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 51,975 46,199 52,470 -------------- ------------- -------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 119,729 $ 111,372 $ 111,386 ============== ============= ============== See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 3 4 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 29, 1997 AND MARCH 30, 1996 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT EARNINGS PER SHARE AMOUNTS) (UNAUDITED) MARCH 29, 1997 MARCH 30, 1996 ------------------------------- ------------------------------- REVENUES $ 60,377 100.0% $ 60,228 100.0% ------------- ----------- -------------- ----------- COSTS AND EXPENSES: Operating 43,205 71.6 43,885 72.9 Selling 8,040 13.3 7,826 13.0 General and Administrative 4,395 7.3 4,170 6.9 Depreciation and Amortization 3,890 6.4 3,377 5.6 ------------- ----------- -------------- ----------- TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES 59,530 98.6 59,258 98.4 ------------- ----------- -------------- ----------- EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS 847 1.4 970 1.6 INTEREST EXPENSE (545) (0.9) (488) (0.8) OTHER INCOME - NET 172 0.3 190 0.3 ------------- ----------- -------------- ----------- EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES 474 0.8 672 1.1 INCOME TAXES 195 0.3 264 0.4 ------------- ----------- -------------- ----------- NET EARNINGS $ 279 0.5% $ 408 0.7% ============= =========== ============== =========== NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE $ 0.06 $ 0.09 ============= ============== WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING, INCLUDING COMMON STOCK EQUIVALENTS 4,821,887 4,764,054 ============= ============== See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 4 5 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 29, 1997 AND MARCH 30, 1996 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) MARCH 29, MARCH 30, 1997 1996 --------------- ---------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Earnings $ 279 $ 408 Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Depreciation 3,797 3,260 Amortization 93 117 Deferred Income Taxes (3) (143) Other (22) 253 ---------------- --------------- 4,144 3,895 Change in Operating Assets and Liabilities: Accounts Receivable (2,531) (2,861) Other Assets (291) (664) Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities 3,568 4,499 Insurance Liabilities 500 (189) Other Liabilities 281 (2,311) --------------- --------------- Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities 5,671 2,369 --------------- --------------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from Sales of Property and Equipment 225 215 Acquisitions (149) (820) Capital Expenditures: Land and Buildings (25) (346) Equipment (9,972) (7,154) --------------- --------------- Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (9,921) (8,105) ---------------- ---------------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: ESOT Payment of Debt Guaranteed by the Company 24 Net Borrowings (Payments) Under Notes Payable, Bank 325 (174) Principal Payments of Long-Term Debt (758) (885) Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt 4,982 6,807 Sales of Treasury Shares 75 Receipts from Stock Subscriptions 13 Dividends Paid (384) (323) Repurchase of Common Shares (395) (587) --------------- --------------- Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities 3,845 4,875 --------------- --------------- NET CHANGE IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS (405) (861) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 627 1,470 --------------- --------------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 222 $ 609 =============== =============== See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 5 6 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ------------------------------------------ THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 29, 1997 UNAUDITED --------- NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements as of March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996 have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q, but do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Reclassifications have been made to the prior-year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. The earnings per common share was calculated by using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including common stock equivalents during the period. NOTE 2 - RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Due to the seasonal nature of some of the Company's services, the results of operations for the quarters ended March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. NOTE 3 - DIVIDENDS On March 10, 1997 the Registrant paid a $.085 per share dividend to all shareholders of record at March 1, 1997. This compares to a $.07 per share dividend paid in the first quarter of 1996. NOTE 4 - ACCRUED LIABILITIES Accrued liabilities consisted of: MARCH 29, MARCH 30, DEC. 31, 1997 1996 1996 ------------- ------------- -------------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Compensation $ 3,525 $ 3,573 $ 4,009 Vacation 1,848 1,807 1,620 Insurance Liabilities 6,677 6,887 6,105 Taxes, other than taxes on income 1,601 1,673 600 Other 562 973 610 ------------- ------------- -------------- $ 14,213 $ 14,913 $ 12,944 ============= ============= ============== 6 7 NOTE 5 - LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt consisted of: MARCH 29, MARCH 30, DEC. 31, 1997 1996 1996 ------------- ------------- -------------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Revolving Credit Agreement: Prime rate borrowings $ 3,100 $ 2,900 $ 3,100 London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) borrowings 16,000 12,800 11,000 Term note agreement 6,600 9,000 7,200 ------------- ------------- ------------- 25,700 24,700 21,300 Long-term debt of ESOT - - 73 - - Subordinated notes - stock redemption 396 554 515 Term loans and others 402 425 459 ------------- ------------- ------------- 26,498 25,752 22,274 Less current maturities 7,585 9,477 2,634 ------------- ------------- ------------- $ 18,913 $ 16,275 $ 19,640 ============= ============= ============= NOTE 6 - ACQUISITIONS In the first quarter of 1997 and 1996, the Registrant acquired assets of organizations which provide horticultural services for a purchase price of $149,000 and $820,000 respectively, and accounted for the transactions as purchases. Their results of operations, which were not material, have been included in the accompanying financial statements from their respective acquisition dates. Goodwill and other intangibles recognized in connection with these purchases are being amortized over three to fifteen years. NOTE 7 - STOCK SPLIT On September 27, 1996, the Registrant's board of directors declared a 2 for 1 stock split. The additional shares as a result of the split were distributed on October 10, 1996 to shareholders of record as of October 1, 1996. Common shares issued, treasury shares, and per common share amounts have been restated for all periods presented to give retroactive effect to the stock split. NOTE 8 - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARD In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 128, Earnings Per Share. FASB Statement 128 becomes effective for interim and annual financial statements issued after December 15, 1997. This statement changes the current standard for computing earnings per share (EPS) found in APB No. 15 and requires the dual presentation of "basic" and "diluted" EPS on the face of the income statement and requires certain footnote disclosures. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS 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 share in the earnings of the Company. Since the Company's outstanding stock options are currently included in the computation of EPS, the diluted EPS to be reported under the new standard will be substantially the same amount as is currently reported. 7 8 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ----------------------------------------------------------- AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ------------------------- THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 29, 1997 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Operating activities provided $5,671,000 in the first quarter of 1997, a net increase of $3,302,000 when compared to the $2,369,000 provided last year. The net improvement was mainly due to higher depreciation, a lower increase in accounts receivable and other assets, increases in insurance and other liabilities, partially offset by a lower increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Net earnings for the first quarter totaled $279,000, and were only $129,000 less than last year. Given the seasonal nature of its business, the Registrant has historically incurred significant losses in the first quarter of each year. Several factors contributed to the deviation from this norm in both 1997 and 1996. In both years, earnings in the Registrant's Utility and Consulting services were favorably influenced by additional work obtained with its major Western U.S. customer. Similarly, Residential service revenues were approximately level with last year, the result of a continued focus on sales and a generally strong economy. Despite this stable base of revenues, Residential operating losses in the current year were greater than in 1996 primarily due to some emergency snow removal work obtained in March of last year in the eastern U.S. Finally, Commercial service revenues increased over 1996, their first year of operation, and operating losses were reduced commensurately. Depreciation expense of $3,797,000 was $537,000 higher than in 1996, due to a relatively higher level of capital expenditures in the current and prior two years. Accounts receivable increased $2,531,000, $330,000 less than that experienced in 1996. Also, even though certain collections were realized in the first quarter, the Registrant's days outstanding increased 7.2 days to 59.7 days when compared to the same period last year, and remain at the same level as year end 1996. This growth in days outstanding is mainly attributable to the increase in amounts due as a result of additional work obtained with its major Western U.S. customer; the Registrant anticipates that these amounts, as well as days outstanding, will be gradually reduced over the balance of 1997. The Registrant continues to focus its efforts on such reductions, and is not concerned as to the overall collectibility of accounts. Other assets used $291,000, a $373,000 decrease when compared to the $664,000 used in the first quarter of last year. The decrease was primarily due to a smaller increase in operating supplies in the current year. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities provided $3,568,000 in cash, a net decrease of $931,000 when compared to last year. This net decline was primarily attributable to lower required accruals for the Registrant's Western Utility and Consulting services operations. The long-term portion of insurance liabilities provided $500,000, a $689,000 net increase when compared to the first quarter of 1996. When combined with the current portion of insurance liabilities which are reflected in accrued liabilities, the Registrant's self insured liabilities have increased approximately $1,000,000 since year end 1996, primarily due to accruals associated with the addition of its auto and general liability exposures to the self insured program in the second half of last year, coupled with a temporary delay in claims payments resulting from the September 1996 transition to the Registrant's new excess insurer and claims administrator. Despite this increase, the Registrant continues to benefit from 8 9 favorable claims experience and stabilization in the level of estimated ultimate costs resulting from a relatively mature self insurance program. Other liabilities provided $281,000, a $2,592,000 net increase when compared to the $2,311,000 used in 1996. The net increase was the result of an acceleration in estimated income tax payments last year. Investing activities used $9,921,000, an increase of $1,816,000 when compared to last year. The increase was attributable to higher capital expenditures necessitated by growth in the Registrant's Residential and Commercial services, as well as to sustain existing Utility operations. The Registrant believes its capital budget of approximately $20,500,000 is consistent with its plan to expand services, maintain equipment on existing operations, and provide for suitable branch office facilities. Financing activities provided $3,845,000, $1,030,000 less than that provided in 1996. The reduction was due to a lower increase in the level of borrowings under the Registrant's revolving credit agreement in 1997, principally resulting from the increase in cash provided by operating activities. At March 29, 1997, the Registrant's principal source of liquidity consisted of $222,000 in cash and cash equivalents; short-term lines of credit and amounts available to be borrowed from banks via notes payable totaling $3,807,000 of which $673,000 had been drawn and a revolving credit agreement in the amount of $35,000,000, of which $19,100,000 had been drawn and $8,110,000 was considered drawn to cover outstanding standby letters of credit. The Registrant is in the process of negotiating with its principal banks to allow for more favorable pricing under its existing credit facility, as well as to provide an additional $5,000,000 temporary line of credit. Including this line of credit and the outstanding term note agreement of $6,600,000, the Registrant's credit facilities will total $49,807,000. Accordingly, the Registrant believes its available credit will exceed credit requirements, and that its liquidity is adequate. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Revenues of $60,377,000 increased $149,000 when compared to the $60,228,000 generated in the first quarter of 1996. As previously discussed, revenues remain relatively strong in the Registrant's Utility, Consulting, and Residential services. Operating costs declined both in dollars and as a percentage of revenues when compared with 1996 first quarter results. At $43,205,000, operating costs declined $680,000 from last year's level of $43,885,000 and as a percentage of revenues they declined 1.3% to 71.6%. The percentage reduction was primarily the result of lower operating costs associated with relatively higher Residential and Consulting service revenues. These services, when compared to other services, favorably influence operating costs because they are generally higher priced services with inherently higher gross margins and attendent lower operating costs. Consulting services in particular are far less capital intensive and any increase in these revenues relative to the Registrant's other services will benefit its cost structure. For the quarter, selling costs of $8,040,000 increased $214,000, and as a percentage of revenues increased .3% to 13.3%, when compared to last year. This increase was mainly the result of local advertising and promotional expenses associated with the Registrant's marketing efforts for its Residential, Commercial and Consulting services. General and Administrative costs increased by $225,000 and as a percentage of revenues they increased .4% to 7.3%. The increase was mainly attributable to costs related to the Registrant's continued upgrade of its information service technologies, along with costs related to the expansion of its Commercial and Consulting services. 9 10 Depreciation and Amortization expense of $3,890,000 increased $513,000 or .8% as a percentage of revenues when compared to the prior year. Both the dollar and percent increase resulted from higher capital expenditures in the current and two preceding years, primarily for equipment to support Utility, Residential and Commercial services. The Registrant anticipates that depreciation expense will approximate $15,000,000 in 1997. Interest expense of $545,000 increased $57,000 when compared to the $488,000 incurred last year, and as a percentage of revenues it increased .1% to .9%. The increase was mainly caused by higher debt levels in the current year, as well as slightly higher interest rates associated with the Registrant's LIBOR-based borrowings. As a result of the above factors, earnings before income taxes were $474,000 or .8% of revenues, a decrease of $198,000 or .3% as a percentage of revenues when compared to the first quarter of 1996. Effective income tax rates of 41.1% and 39.3% were used to compute income tax expense in 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Registrant's net earnings of $279,000 were $129,000 lower than the $408,000 earned in 1996. As a percentage of revenues, the current year net declined .2% to .5%. 10 11 THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY PART II: OTHER INFORMATION -------------------------- All Items of Part II were either inapplicable or would have been answered in the negative; therefore, no reference thereto is required to be made in this report. SIGNATURES ---------- Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY BY: /s/ David E. Adante -------------------------- David E. Adante Executive Vice President, CFO and Secretary-Treasurer BY: /s/ Bradley L. Comport -------------------------- Bradley L. Comport Corporate Controller May 13, 1996 11