UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
|_| REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
|X| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 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: 333-9410
MARSULEX INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Canada
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
111 Gordon Baker Road, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M2H 3R1
(Address of principal executive offices)
Securities registered or to be registered
pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered or to be registered
pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation
pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
9 5/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008 (THE "SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES")
As of December 31, 2004, the number of
outstanding common shares was: 31,696,398
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 which financial statement item the registrant has
elected to follow.
Item 17 |X| Item 18 |_|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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PART I
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ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS 1
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE 1
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION 1
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY 9
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS 20
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES 20
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 24
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 26
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING 26
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 27
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK 31
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES 33
PART II
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ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUINCIES 33
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY
HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS 33
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 33
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT 33
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS 34
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTANTS FEES AND SERVICES 34
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES 35
ITEM 16E PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND
AFFILIATED PURCAHSES 35
PART III
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ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 35
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 35
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS 36
SIGNATURE 36
i
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Information not required for an annual report.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Information not required for an annual report.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
We express all dollar amounts in this Annual Report on Form 20-F in Canadian
dollars, except where otherwise indicated. References to "$" are to Canadian
dollars, and references to "US$" are to U.S. dollars. Unless otherwise
indicated, all references to "Marsulex" or the "Company" are references to
Marsulex Inc. and its subsidiaries.
The historical consolidated financial statements of the Company are reported
in Canadian dollars and are prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in Canada ("Canadian GAAP"). These principles conform in
all material respects with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States ("U.S. GAAP"), except as described in Note 19 to the audited
historical consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this
Annual Report on Form 20-F. All references to "tons" are to metric tons
(approximately 2,200 pounds), rather than "short" tons (2,000 pounds).
Forward-looking Statements
- --------------------------
Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 20-F under the
captions Item 4. Information on the Company, Item 5. Operating and Financial
Review and Prospects and elsewhere in this Annual Report constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this document, the words,
"anticipate," "believe," "estimate" and "expect" and similar expressions, as
they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of the
Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks,
uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any
future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements, including, among others, the Company's
reliance on customers, competition in the Company's markets, development of
new products and services, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, commodity
prices or interest rates, the Company's ability to maintain good relations
with its employees, changes in laws or regulations regarding the environment
or other environmental liabilities, the Company's ability to integrate
acquisitions and obtain financing and ability to protect its intellectual
property, and other risks discussed under "Risks Factors" in Item 3. Key
Information and risks discussed from time to time in the Company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual
results may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated,
believed, estimated or expected. The Company does not intend, and does not
assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.
A. Selected Financial Data
-----------------------
The following table presents selected historical consolidated financial data
of the Company as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004, 2003,
2002, 2001 and 2000. The selected historical consolidated financial data for
the Company set forth below has been derived from the audited historical
consolidated financial statements of the Company. Historic results are not
necessarily indicative of the results that you may expect for any other future
period or for a full year. The selected historical consolidated financial data
should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial
statements of the Company and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Annual Report and Item 5 - "Operating and Financial Review and Prospects".
1
($000 except share and per share amounts) 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
(restated 1,2) (restated 1) (restated 1)
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Canadian GAAP:
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenue 137,022 134,982 138,291 236,714 311,491
Gross profit 48,867 48,436 48,263 66,302 76,179
Selling, general, administrative and other costs 23,342 19,663 20,747 26,273 33,099
Foreign exchange (gains) losses on monetary items (61) (2,057) (569) 471 (387)
Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets 57 -- 20 59 (871)
Depreciation 16,907 15,727 15,660 15,170 17,684
Unusual items 2 657 1,422 7,487 (55,556) 46,709
Foreign exchange loss on Senior Notes 3 -- -- -- 968 1,841
Amortization of deferred charges 4 708 726 387 1,074 1,442
Interest expense 10,569 9,755 13,684 18,085 20,270
Interest capitalized (4,252) (3,738) (2,572) (1,065) (191)
Interest income (756) (730) (1,942) (3,141) (3,509)
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Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before
income taxes, minority interest and amortization
of goodwill 1,696 7,668 (4,639) 63,964 (39,908)
Income taxes (recovery) 5 (3,204) 810 1,544 12,268 (1,039)
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Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations 4,900 (6,183) 51,696 (38,869)
before minority interest and amortization of
goodwill 6,858
Minority interest -- -- 1,595 1,403 1,503
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Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before
amortization of goodwill 4,900 6,858 (7,778) 50,293 (40,372)
Amortization of goodwill, net of income taxes -- -- -- 3,555 3,986
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Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 4,900 6,858 (7,778) 46,738 (44,358)
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax -- -- -- 16,644 3,658
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Net earnings (loss) 4,900 6,858 (7,778) 63,382 (40,700)
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Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per 0.15 0.22 (0.25) 1.48 (1.40)
share, basic
Earnings (loss) per share, basic 0.15 0.22 (0.25) 2.01 (1.29)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per 0.15 0.21 (0.25) 1.47 (1.40)
share, diluted
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted 0.15 0.21 (0.25) 2.00 (1.29)
Other Financial Data (from continuing operations):
Earnings from operations before the undernoted
(EBITDA 6) 25,586 30,830 28,085 39,558 43,467
EBITDA 6 per share 0.81 0.97 0.89 1.26 1.38
Capital expenditures 14,627 32,583 40,977 29,775 17,182
Cash flow provided by continuing operations 25,179 29,501 10,153 14,732 18,103
Balance Sheet Data (end of year):
Current assets 63,690 51,929 37,429 163,822 95,680
Total assets 272,777 270,489 239,245 343,569 315,913
Current liabilities 31,553 24,787 20,746 75,207 67,612
Long-term debt 111,612 119,196 95,943 125,654 182,274
Total debt 113,138 119,196 95,943 167,539 194,276
Net debt 7 68,319 85,250 88,003 49,391 162,277
Shareholders' equity 101,834 96,827 91,702 100,825 39,200
Capital Stock 57,973 57,973 57,625 57,505 57,505
Number of shares 31,696,398 31,696,398 31,553,732 31,501,232 31,501,232
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2
2003 2002 2001 2000
($000 except per share amounts) 2004 (restated (8)) (restated (8)) (restated (8)) (restated (8))
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. GAAP:
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations 4,921 7,240 (2,902) 37,497 (47,797)
Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations per
share 0.16 0.23 (0.09) 1.19 (1.52)
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations
per share 0.15 0.23 (0.09) 1.18 (1.52)
Net earnings (loss) 4,921 7,240 (2,902) 54,141 (44,139)
Basic earnings (loss) per share 0.16 0.23 (0.10) 1.72 (1.40)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share 0.15 0.23 (0.10) 1.71 (1.40)
Total Assets 272,373 270,064 238,575 339,089 312,657
Shareholders' equity 102,224 97,196 91,689 96,950 34,549
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(1) On January 1, 2003, the Company early-adopted the new CICA accounting
standard for asset retirement obligations (CICA handbook section 3110)
and restated previously reported periods. This standard is consistent
with FAS No. 143, which the Company adopted for U.S. GAAP purposes
effective January 1, 2003.
EFFECT ON OPENING RETAINED EARNINGS IN THE CONSOLIDATED 2003 2002 2001 2000
BALANCE SHEETS ($000)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset retirement cost, included in property, plant and
equipment 466 466 466 401
Accumulated depreciation on property, plant, and equipment (242) (189) (136) (83)
Asset retirement obligation, included in other liabilities (685) (627) (569) (446)
Future tax liability 28 21 14 7
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Opening retained earnings (433) (329) (225) (121)
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EFFECT ON THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS ($000) 2003 2002 2001 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accretion expense 61 58 58 58
Depreciation expense 54 53 53 53
Future tax recovery (8) (7) (7) (7)
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Total impact to net earnings 107 104 104 104
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Under U.S. GAAP, prior periods are not restated, and the cumulative
effect of the adoption of the standard is recorded in earnings in the
year of adoption with the effect for 2003 being a decrease in earnings of
$433,000 ($0.014 per share). The pro forma impact of retroactive
application is:
($000) 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) 4,921 7,240 (2,902) 54,141 (44,139)
Pro forma effect of retroactively applying -- -- (104) (104) (104)
FAS 143
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Pro forma net earnings (loss) 4,921 7,240 (3,006) 54,037 (44,243)
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(2) Unusual items:
($000) 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
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Expenses incurred on cancellation of stock
options held by former employees (2a) -- 737 -- -- --
Gain on disposal of sulphur removal assets -- -- -- (64,768) --
(2b)
Expenses incurred on early retirement of debt -- -- 1,252 5,593 --
(2c)
Write-off of deferred charges -- -- -- 3,619 --
Loss on disposal of Intertrade Holdings Inc. -- -- -- -- 46,709
(2d)
(Loss) gain on disposal of parts and service
business and other assets (2e) 155 685 (4,014) -- --
Write-off of capitalized project costs (2f) -- -- 9,508 -- --
Other unusual items 502 -- 741 -- --
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657 1,422 7,487 (55,556) 46,709
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(2a) On December 17, 2003, the Company purchased 433,434 stock options held by
former employees of the Company for a total consideration of $737,000.
The options were cancelled and fully expensed.
(2b) On July 18, 2001, the Company completed the sale of its sulphur removal
services assets in eastern North America and of BCT, a subsidiary of
Marsulex, to Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund for gross cash proceeds
before costs of disposition of $167.2 million (the "Chemtrade
Transaction") or $156.6 million net of costs of disposition, comprised of
$128.1 million for the sale of the sulphur removal assets and $28.5
3
million for the sale of BCT. The disposal resulted in a pre-tax gain of
$64.8 million or $54.9 million net of tax for the sulphur removal
services assets in eastern North America and a gain of $15.9 million or
$15.1 million net of tax for BCT.
(2c) On July 18, 2001, the Company fully retired its outstanding 10.21% Senior
Notes and cancelled its US$50.0 million operating credit facility at an
expense of $5.6 million. These expenses included the write-off of
deferred debt issuance costs and foreign exchange costs of $3.0 million
and a make-whole payment of $2.6 million.
As a result of the Chemtrade Transaction, the Company was obligated to
make an offer to purchase a portion of the Senior Subordinated Notes
limited to the net cash proceeds from the transaction reduced by the
repayment of Senior Notes and funds committed and applied on capital
projects. On August 20, 2002, the Company completed the offer to purchase
in the amount of $69.5 million (US$44.2 million) principal at par plus
accrued interest of $0.9 million (US$0.6 million). As part of the
purchase, the Company incurred expenses of $1.3 million.
(2d) On December 29, 2000, the Company disposed of its investment in
Intertrade Holdings Inc., and the disposal resulted in a pre-tax loss of
$46.7 million or $42.6 million net of tax.
(2e) On January 31, 2002, the Company completed the sale of its parts and
service business and other assets for gross proceeds of $6.6 million.
(2f) Due to significant changes in the financial markets, the Company and
Santee Cooper mutually agreed not to proceed with the previously
announced project for Marsulex to build and own a flue gas
desulphurization system utilizing Marsulex's patented ammonium sulphate
scrubbing technology at Santee Cooper's Winyah Power Generating Station.
This resulted in a write-off of capitalized project costs of $9.5
million. Under U.S. GAAP, certain costs deferred under Canadian GAAP
prior to a legally binding contract being entered into must be expensed.
(3) Effective January 1, 2002, generally accepted accounting standards were
amended to eliminate the deferral and amortization of foreign currency
translation differences resulting from the translation of long-term
monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies. All
such translation differences that the Company previously deferred and
amortized are now charged directly to earnings. The prior year financial
statements have been restated retroactively to adopt this new Section.
(4) In 1998, the Company paid US$220,000 (Cdn $316,000), in connection with
the repayment of bridge financing used for acquisitions. These amounts
were deferred and amortized over the term of the debt acquired as part of
the acquisitions. Under U.S. GAAP, these amounts would be deferred and
amortized over the term of the bridge financing. Since the bridge
financing facility extended from May 1998 to June 1998 these amounts
would be expensed under U.S. GAAP.
(5) United States Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109
("Statement 109"), "Accounting for Income Taxes," has been adopted by the
Company for United States reporting purposes. Under the asset and
liability method of Statement 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities
are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing
assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The same
methodology applies under Canadian GAAP, however, the terminology uses
the word "future" in the place of "deferred". Deferred tax assets and
liabilities under Statement 109 are measured using the enacted tax rates
expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under Canadian GAAP
the future tax assets and liabilities are measured using substantively
enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in
which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or
settled. Under Statement 109 and Canadian GAAP, the effect on
deferred/future tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is
recognized in income in the period in which the change occurs.
(6) Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and unusual
items or EBITDA is used by management internally to measure the
performance of the business as a whole as well as to measure the
performance of the individual segments and also forms the primary basis
upon which employees of the Company receive incentive compensation. It is
presented as supplemental information because management, through its
discussions with key stakeholders of the Company including shareholders,
analysts and other financial institutions, believes it is a widely used
financial indicator of the Company's operating profitability and
performance before the effects of capital investment and financing
decisions. EBITDA is not a recognized measure under Canadian GAAP or U.S.
GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings,
consolidated cash flow from operations or any other measure of
performance required by GAAP or as an indicator of the Company's
operating performance. The Company's method of calculating EBITDA may
differ from other companies and accordingly, the Company's EBITDA may not
be comparable to measures used by other companies. The following is a
reconciliation of how the Company calculates EBITDA.
($000) 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
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Earnings from operations before the undernoted (EBITDA) 25,586 30,830 28,085 39,558 43,467
Loss (gain) on disposal of fixed assets 57 -- 20 59 (871)
Depreciation 16,907 15,727 15,660 15,170 17,684
Unusual items, loss (gain ) 657 1,422 7,487 (55,556) 46,709
Foreign exchange loss -- -- -- 968 1,841
Amortization of deferred charges 708 726 387 1,074 1,442
Interest expense 10,569 9,755 13,684 18,085 20,270
Interest capitalized (4,252) (3,738) (2,572) (1,065) (191)
Interest income (756) (730) (1,942) (3,141) (3,509)
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Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before
income taxes, minority interest and amortization of
goodwill 1,696 7,668 (4,639) 63,964 (39,908)
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4
(7) Net debt is calculated as follows:
($000) 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
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Total debt 113,138 119,196 95,943 167,539 194,276
Cash and cash equivalents and cash held in trust both
current and long-term portions 44,819 33,946 7,940 118,148 31,999
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Net Debt 68,319 85,250 88,003 49,391 162,277
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(8) Cumulative impact
In 2002, the Company originally did not reflect certain costs previously
deferred under Canadian GAAP which were written off for Canadian GAAP in
2002 in determining its net loss under United States GAAP. As a result,
the Company has retroactively increased the previously reported United
States GAAP retained earnings as at December 31, 2002 by $3,645,000 and
decreased reported United States GAAP net loss for the year ended
December 31, 2002 by the same amount.
In addition, the Company has adjusted the cumulative impact on retained
earnings of United States GAAP adjustments in 2003 and 2002 to
appropriately reflect the impact of deferred income taxes of $794,000 in
2003 and foreign currency translation gain of $1,015,000 in 2003 and
2002.
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
- -------------------------
The following tables provide exchange rates for Canadian dollars expressed in
U.S. dollars for each period indicated. These exchange rates are based on the
inverse of the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers in
Canadian dollars as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York (the "Noon Buying Rate").
The following table sets forth the high and low exchange rates for each month
during the previous six months:
Previous Six Months
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Feb 2005 Jan 2005 Dec 2004 Nov 2004 Oct 2004 Sept 2004
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High 1.2566 1.2421 1.2413 1.2270 1.2725 1.3068
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Low 1.2299 1.1987 1.1858 1.1774 1.2197 1.2639
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The following table sets forth the average exchange rates for the five most
recent financial years, calculated by using the average rate on the last day
of each month in such year:
Years ended December 31
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
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Average 1.2959 1.3916 1.5702 1.5487 1.4872
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On March 28, 2004, the inverse of the noon buying rate was US$ $1.2234 per
$1.00.
B. CAPITALIZATION AND INDEBTEDNESS
-------------------------------
Information not required for an annual report.
C. REASONS FOR THE OFFERING AND USE OF PROCEEDS
--------------------------------------------
Information not required for an annual report.
D. RISK FACTORS
------------
The following is a description of risk factors that could affect the Company's
business, and ultimately, its profitability.
5
RELIANCE ON CUSTOMERS
The business of the Company is dependent on the involuntary production of a
number of by-products by its customers. As environmental regulations become
more demanding, the need for by-product control, regeneration, removal, and
conversion has increased. There can be no assurance that environmental
regulations will not become less stringent in the future or that customers of
the Company will continue to involuntarily produce by-products which drive
their demand for the Company's services. Services provided and products
handled from the Company's major customer accounted for 9.6% of the Company's
total 2004 revenue, the loss of which could have a significant impact on the
Company.
COMPETITION
Marsulex operates in competitive markets, and some of the Company's
competitors have economic resources greater than those of the Company and are
well established as suppliers to the markets that Marsulex serves.
Accordingly, such competitors may be better able to withstand volatility
within industries and throughout the economy as a whole while retaining
significantly greater operating and financial flexibility than the Company.
There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to compete
effectively with its competitors and competitive pressures may harm the
Company's business.
Several of the Company's niche services and products are sold into select
markets. There can be no assurance, however, that these markets will not
attract additional competitors that could have greater financial,
technological, manufacturing and marketing resources than Marsulex.
NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
The Company has made significant investments in the development and
commercialization of new products, technologies and services. Broad market
acceptance and long-term commercial viability of services incorporating new
products, technologies and services may take some years to establish, if at
all, and are subject to business and competitive risks. If the Company is
unable to develop and market new products in a timely fashion, or at all, the
Company may not be able to compete successfully.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
As the Company has U.S. based operations and reports in Canadian dollars, it
is exposed to foreign exchange fluctuations. Approximately 44.5% of the
Company's 2004 revenue was in U.S. dollars. Ignoring the foreign exchange
impact on U.S. denominated working capital items, at present; a one-cent
increase in the value of the Canadian dollar would negatively impact gross
profit by approximately $0.3 million. The Company's debt and related interest
expense is in U.S. dollars and hedges the U.S. dollar cash flow from
operations.
The U.S. dollar interest expense, when combined with U.S. dollar depreciation
and amortization expenses, limits the exposure of net earnings to foreign
exchange fluctuations. A one-cent increase in the value of the Canadian dollar
positively impacts net earnings by less than $0.1 million.
The Company has self-sustaining operations holding U.S. dollar assets and debt
and under present accounting rules in Canada, any fluctuation in the Canadian
dollar value against the U.S. dollar is recorded in the foreign currency
translation adjustment account that is part of the shareholders' equity on the
balance sheet.
COMMODITY PRICES
Industrial chemicals sold by the Company are subject to market price
fluctuations. In addition, regional supply and demand imbalances can lead to
isolated price erosion. The Company's end-use contracts generally have a "meet
or release" provision. As a result, competitive pressure can cause the Company
to lower selling prices in order to retain the volume. While the Company
attempts to reduce its exposure to market price fluctuations through contracts
where commodity price exposure is either shared with or borne entirely by the
customer or through contracts with which have minimum volume requirements or
guaranteed fees, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful
in renegotiating existing contracts or entering new contracts with such terms.
6
LABOUR
Out of a total of 186 employees, the Company has 37 unionized employees at
three sites, represented by three unions through three collective agreements.
There were no collective bargaining agreements that expired in 2004 and no
work stoppages were incurred as a result of unresolved labour issues. The
Company and the union satisfactorily resolved three formal grievances with one
grievance outstanding at year-end. The collective bargaining agreement with
the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union in our Fort Saskatchewan
Sulphides plant is set to expire March 31, 2005. Although the Company has not
suffered any loss of production due to work stoppages by its employees in
recent years, there can be no assurances that work stoppages or other labour
disturbances which may have a material impact on the Company will not occur in
the future. Finally, a large number of the Company's suppliers and customers
have unionized employees and there can be no assurances that work stoppages or
other labour disturbances at the Company's suppliers or customers will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
ENVIRONMENT
Notices and Findings of Violation have been issued against the Company by
federal regulators in 1998 with respect to the Company's Toledo facility in
Oregon, Ohio. The Company is, however, in compliance with the permits issued
by the governing body (the State) and although there is a potential for
penalties to be assessed against the Company, the Company believes that it is
in substantial compliance with environmental laws, regulations and guidelines.
A Notice and Finding of Violation was issued by federal regulators in 1999
with respect to the facility in Cairo, Ohio which has been sold to Chemtrade
Logistics Inc. ("Chemtrade"). As part of the sale, the Company has indemnified
Chemtrade against liabilities relating to the Notice and Finding of Violation
issued. As part of the indemnification the Company is obligated to reimburse
Chemtrade for the necessary installation of control equipment and for any
penalties which may be levied against the facility in respect of the Notice
and Finding of Violation.
If the Company is not successful in prosecuting indemnity claims from entities
from which it purchased the Toledo and Cairo facilities, if sufficient funds
are not available from such indemnity obligations or if the Company is subject
to new or significant environmental liabilities of which management is not
currently aware, the Company's business or financial condition could be
materially adversely affected.
PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY
The Company relies on a combination of patents, confidentiality procedures and
contractual provisions to protect its proprietary rights. Despite the
Company's efforts to protect its proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may
obtain and use information that the Company regards as proprietary. Policing
unauthorized use of such proprietary technology, if required, may be
difficult, time-consuming and costly. In addition, the laws of certain
countries in which the Company does business may not protect its proprietary
rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States or Canada. There
can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in protecting its
proprietary rights.
Further, the industry in which the Company competes has many participants, who
own or claim to own, intellectual property. From time to time, a third party
may claim that the Company infringes such third party's intellectual property
rights or may challenge the Company's rights to its own intellectual property.
Any claim, whether or not with merit, could be time-consuming to evaluate,
result in costly litigation or require the Company to enter into licensing
agreements that may require the payment of a license fee and/or royalties to
the owner of the intellectual property. Such licensing agreements, if
required, may not be available on royalty or other licensing terms acceptable
to the Company, if available at all.
ACQUISITIONS
A substantial part of the Company's growth has come through acquisitions. The
success of acquisitions will depend in part on the Company's ability to
overcome significant challenges, including timely, efficient and successful
execution of post-acquisition strategies. If the Company fails to meet the
7
challenges involved in integrating the operations of its acquisitions, it may
not realize anticipated benefits or synergies of the acquisitions, which could
adversely affect operating results.
Future acquisitions may involve debt incurrence, operating losses, dilutive
issuances of equity securities and significant cash expenditures, any of which
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
Recent and any future acquisitions involve a number of risks, including:
o the Company's ability to integrate the acquired business;
o diversion of management attention;
o impairment of goodwill adversely affecting net income;
o the Company's ability to retain the management or other key employees of
the acquired business;
o the Company's ability to establish uniform standards,
controls, procedures and policies;
o the Company's ability to retain customers of the acquired companies;
o exposure to legal claims for activities of the acquired business prior to
the acquisition;
o damage to the Company's reputation as a result of performance or customer
satisfaction problems relating to an acquired business; and
o the performance of any acquired business could be lower than anticipated.
NEW FINANCING
The Company continues to actively pursue growth initiatives and may enter into
commitments in advance of securing financing. This may require the Company to
seek additional financing to supplement its current cash balances and
internally generated cash flows in order to finance these commitments.
Therefore, the Company is at risk as to the availability of new credit and the
associated interest rates.
ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
Marsulex is a Canadian corporation with its principal place of business in
Canada. A majority of the Company's directors and officers are residents of
Canada and all or a substantial portion of the Company's assets and those of
such persons are located outside the United States. Consequently, it may be
difficult to effect service of process within the United States upon the
Company or its directors or officers who are not residents of the United
States, or to realize in the United States upon judgments of courts of the
United States predicated upon civil liabilities under the U.S. Securities Act
of 1933. No assurance can be given that Canadian courts (1) would enforce
judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against the Company or such
persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal
securities laws or the securities or "blue sky" laws of any state within the
United States or (2) would enforce, in original actions, liabilities against
the Company or such persons predicated upon the U.S. federal securities laws
or any such state securities or blue sky laws.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company's accounting policies, which are disclosed in Significant
Accounting Policies note, Note 1 of the audited financial statements, are in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada and are
applied on a consistent basis with the exception of goodwill which was applied
prospectively. High-quality financial statements require rigorous application
of accounting policies. Management uses judgment in selecting policies for
which alternative methods exist and in applying the accounting policies. The
policies discussed in Management's Discussion and Analysis, Item 5 of this
report, are considered by management to be critical to an understanding of the
Company's financial statements because their application places the most
significant demands on management's judgment, and financial reporting results
rely on estimation about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
Specific risks for these critical accounting policies are described in the
critical account policies section of the Management, Discussion and Analyst,
Item 5 of this report. For all of these policies, management cautions that
future events rarely develop exactly as forecasted, and the best estimates
routinely require adjustment and these adjustments may have a material impact
on the Company's financial condition.
8
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
- --------------------------------------
INCORPORATION
Marsulex Inc. ("Marsulex" or the "Company") was amalgamated under the laws of
Canada on June 16, 1989 under the Canada Business Corporations Act. On June
16, 1989, Marsulex amended its articles to remove the private company
restrictions. On November 19, 1996, Marsulex amended its articles by, among
other things, changing the minimum and maximum number of directors, amending
the authorized capital and reclassifying certain classes of shares to prepare
for a rights offering. Marsulex's registered office and Canadian headquarters
is located at 111 Gordon Baker Road, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario, M2H 3R1, and
its telephone number is 416-496-9655. The Company's agent for service in the
United States is Mr. Brian Stasiewicz located at Suite 2100, 203 North La
Salle, Chicago, Illinois, 60601, and the telephone number is 312-558-1545.
A. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPANY
--------------------------------------
The Company was formed in June 1989 when it acquired certain sulphur
businesses and assets from C.I.L. Inc. ("CIL"), a wholly owned subsidiary of
ICI plc, a U.K.-based diversified chemical company. In December 1996, the
Company completed an initial public offering of its common shares and obtained
a listing for its common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange. CIL entered the
sulphur products business in the late 1800s and was a major U.S. marketer of
sulphur products. Following the acquisition, management shifted the focus of
the Company from marketing sulphur products to providing outsourced
environmental compliance solutions. As a result of this shift, the Company
modified its contracts with customers to de-emphasize the impact of changes in
pricing and demand for industrial chemicals on the Company's financial
performance, and increased its percentage of revenues from contracts with
guaranteed fees on minimum volume requirements. The Company also began
implementing a strategy of expanding its services and prior to 2002 the
Company completed the following acquisitions:
o In October 1996, the Company purchased the business and assets of Coulton
Chemical Company, L.P. (the "Coulton Acquisition"), a leading provider of
sulphuric acid regeneration services in northern Ohio.
o In June 1997, the Company purchased 65% of Sulconam Inc. ("Sulconam"),
which it increased to 100% in 2002. Sulconam (now Marsulex Montreal Inc.)
is based in Montreal, Canada and it extracts and recovers sulphur from
hydrogen sulphide gas sent to the plant by pipeline from the Petro-Canada
and Shell Canada oil refineries and converts it into elemental sulphur
and sodium bisulphite.
o The Company entered the power generation sector in September 1997, with
the acquisition of certain assets of General Electric Environmental
Services Inc, "GEESI", providing the Company with a leading market
position in air emission control to the global power industry.
o Sulex Inc. ("Sulex") was purchased in May 1998 and is the remaining
subsidiary purchased as part of the purchase of IT Holding, Inc. and BCT
Chemtrade Corporation from Trelleborg AB. Sulex operates two plants on
the U.S. west coast - at Long Beach, California and at Anacortes,
Washington - that remove molten sulphur from west coast oil refineries by
converting the molten sulphur to a solid form for shipment overseas.
o In December 2000, Marsulex acquired the assets of Westaim Corporation's
chemicals division that consisted of two Alberta-based chemical
manufacturers and distributors of water treatment and industrial
chemicals.
In August 2000, the Company signed an outsourcing agreement with Holcim Inc.
(formerly Holnam Inc.) and completed a facility at Holcim's manufacturing
plant in Dundee, Michigan. Under the terms of the agreement, the customer
takes all of the production from the Company's facility. For a number of
reasons, the customer stopped accepting product in March of 2003 and the
Company's plant was subsequently idled. In accordance with the terms of the
agreement, an arbitrated solution is being pursued. The Company has invested
in excess of US$5 million in the CP-Gyp facility and operations.
In April 2001, the Company finalized definitive agreements to provide an
environmental services package to BP. The services package is expected to
generate in excess of $275 million in total revenues for the Refinery Services
Group over the life of the agreements. The package is comprised of three
parts: a new facility, designed, built and owned by the Company, that provides
redundancy and operating flexibility to BP's sulphur recovery unit at their
9
refinery in Whiting, Indiana; the provision by the Company of alkylation spent
acid removal and regeneration services for BP Whiting, utilizing a new rail
transfer facility at the Whiting site owned by the Company; and long-term
extensions to existing agreements that encompass services provided by the
Company for the BP Toledo refinery as well as BP Chemicals in Lima, Ohio. The
new site emissions facility at BP Whiting became operational in the third
quarter of 2002.
In April 2001, the Company announced that it had signed definitive agreements
to provide environmental services for Syncrude's proposed Upgrader Expansion
project at the Mildred Lake oil sands facility in Alberta. The Company's
proprietary ammonium scrubber technology will be utilized to reduce both
ammonia and sulphur dioxide gas emissions. Under the agreements with Syncrude,
the Company will provide a package of technology and services and will own and
operate a portion of the environmental compliance facilities at the Mildred
Lake site (the Company's Fort McMurray facility). Construction of the
Company's portion of the environmental compliance facilities began in 2002 and
was completed on schedule in September of 2003. The Company continues to
maintain the plant in readiness for commissioning and start-up when Syncrude's
overall UE-1 project is completed. Once the facility has been started up, the
Company will earn a fee to process and dispose of the by-products from the
scrubber and will participate in income derived from the sale of the ammonium
sulphate fertilizer. The total revenue generated by the service package over
the 15-year life of the agreements is expected to exceed $150 million.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and unusual items,
once the revenue stream from the outsourced services starts, is expected to be
in excess of $7.5 million per year over the life of the agreements. The
agreements also provide for three 5-year extensions. Under the Company's
agreement with Syncrude, Syncrude reimbursed Marsulex for its carrying costs
during the period between the completion of construction and the commencement
of fees, which began in January 2005. During the second quarter of 2003, the
Company obtained long-term financing for its portion of the environmental
compliance facilities at Syncrude's UE-1 project and $40 million was advanced
to a loan account which is held in trust. Cash draws are made on this account
as construction of the facility progresses. The financing is secured by the
assets of a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and by a general guarantee
from the Company until the successful start-up of the facility as defined
under the terms of the loan agreement, at which time the general guarantee is
released and the loan will be secured by the subsidiary's assets. If, after
the successful start-up of the facility, the subsidiary fails to perform its
operating obligations, the Company will become responsible for the operation
of the facility. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 7.3% per annum
with a monthly interest-only payment required until the commencement of fees,
which began in January of 2005, and at which time the repayment of principal
and expensing of the interest also began and will continue over the next 15
years.
On July 18, 2001, the Company completed the sale of its sulphur removal assets
in eastern North America and of BCT, a subsidiary of the Company, to Chemtrade
Logistics Income Fund (the "Chemtrade Transaction") for gross cash proceeds of
$167.2 million before costs of disposition. The Company used a portion of the
proceeds to fully retire the $37.7 million of 10.21% Senior Notes, with the
remaining funds invested in interest bearing deposits at December 31, 2001.
The Company also cancelled its US$50 million operating credit facility.
On August 20, 2002 the Company completed an offer to repurchase up to $69.5
million (US$44.2 million) of its 9 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes. The Company
acquired $69.5 million principal amount of the Notes plus accrued interest of
$0.9 million (US$0.6 million), fulfilling its obligations under the terms of
the indenture that arose as a result of the Chemtrade Transaction.
In the third quarter of 2001, the Company announced the disposition of its
mechanical collectors equipment sales business that was part of its Power
Generation Group. In January 2002, the Company completed the transition of the
Group to being a provider of outsourced services with the sale of its parts
and service business and other assets.
In September 2003, the Company's largest shareholder, TD Capital Canadian
Private Equity Partners, acquired 4.7 million non-voting shares of the Company
in a private transaction. The shares were converted to voting shares and TD
Capital now directly or indirectly owns or controls approximately 57% of the
Company's outstanding shares.
On October 7, 2003, the Company acquired the sulphur products business in
Prince George, British Columbia from Duke Energy Gas Transmission. The gross
purchase price was $13,382,000 prior to working capital adjustments, which
resulted in a cash purchase price of $11,604,000 financed by the Company
10
through existing cash. The acquisition has been accounted for using the
purchase method of accounting and has been consolidated from the date of
acquisition. The Company has had the exclusive marketing responsibility for
the facility's output for almost 15 years and has participated in the earnings
throughout that period. The operation was integrated into the Company's
Western Markets Group and began contributing to earnings in the fourth quarter
of 2003.
In 2004, the Company began its preparation for the expansion of its Montreal
facility. The expansion will increase the facility's capacity by approximately
50% and the existing service agreements have been extended to 2015 from 2010.
Construction of the project has begun and is scheduled for completion in mid
2006.
B. BUSINESS OVERVIEW
-----------------
THE COMPANY
Marsulex is a leading industrial services company with a focus on outsourced
environmental compliance solutions. The Company's services encompass the
complete outsourcing of environmental compliance activities including the
ownership and operation of compliance assets. The Company provides its
services to a number of industries where increasingly stringent environmental
compliance regulations and pressure to improve financial performance create
opportunities for Marsulex to apply its core competencies and new technologies
to outsourced compliance solutions for customers. The two industries where
Marsulex already has a significant presence and that offer immediate business
opportunities for the Company are oil refining and power generation. In
western Canada, Marsulex also produces, upgrades and markets sulphur-based
industrial chemicals. This range of services meets customer needs and creates
long-term value for shareholders.
o Over 20 oil refineries and industrial customers are serviced from five
Marsulex owned and operated facilities in North America.
o Marsulex is a leading supplier of industrial chemicals to more than 15
pulp and paper manufacturers in western Canada. The Company also supplies
water treatment chemicals to municipalities and industry throughout
Alberta and Saskatchewan.
o Marsulex's proprietary ammonium scrubbing technology, which has been in
commercial operation in the U.S. since 1996, has been installed at the
Syncrude coker expansion at Mildred Lake, Alberta. The Company believes
that this technology delivers the best available flue gas
desulphurization efficiency related to capturing SO2 emissions and
minimizing CO2 production all at better economics.
o Marsulex is the world's largest provider of traditional flue gas
desulphurization ("FGD") systems and services to the power generation
industry. Marsulex's technology is utilized in 174 units - 121 of them
outside of North America. The FGD systems are delivered by licensees in
North America and internationally.
o Marsulex provides customers with access to leading edge proprietary
technologies and economies of scale and scope.
The Company's goal is to create shareholder value by providing outsourced
industrial services that generate:
o Superior returns on invested capital.
o High quality predictable and sustainable earnings and cash flow.
Marsulex currently does this by focusing its operations on air quality
compliance with a concentration on the energy industry, by securing fees under
long-term contracts, and by continuous improvement of its operations.
The Company intends to grow its business through:
o The identification of new market opportunities in industrial services to
drive organic growth.
o The development of new service solutions based on proprietary Marsulex
technologies or best available technologies that facilitate the
outsourcing of environmental compliance activities under long-term
service agreements incorporating guaranteed fees.
o Acquisition of complementary businesses that are within the Company's core
competencies.
11
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company currently provides its services to a number of industries where
increasingly stringent environmental compliance regulations and pressure to
improve financial performance create opportunities for Marsulex to apply its
core competencies and technologies to outsourced compliance solutions for
customers.
The Company's solutions are developed to meet customer needs and to provide
them with innovative compliance solutions that use best available technology,
and the Company's demonstrated expertise in compliance processes, site
operations, risk management, transportation, by-product removal and marketing
to limit or manage environmental exposure at the lowest possible cost. The
Company provides skills that may be far removed from customers' core
businesses, and also can often achieve economies of scale that customers
cannot access on their own.
The two industries where Marsulex already has a significant presence and that
offer immediate business opportunities for the Company are oil refining and
power generation. These industries are:
o Impacted by stringent environmental regulations.
o Capital intensive with sensitivity to reduced costs and improved operating
margins.
o Increasingly receptive to outsourcing as a way to maximize
investment returns.
o Viable and have long-term growth prospects.
Oil Refining Industry
- ---------------------
In the mid-1990's, Marsulex targeted the oil refining industry. Environmental
regulations dealing with site air emissions, restrictions on sulphur content
in refined products and the banning of the gasoline component, MTBE (methyl
tertiary-butyl ether), in some parts of the U.S. have all made the cost and
complexity of compliance a top industry priority. At the same time, oil
refining margins and return on investment have tracked well below general
industry norms, focusing attention on operating cost reductions and improved
returns on net assets.
Through a series of acquisitions and the development of innovative compliance
technologies, Marsulex has developed new outsourced environmental compliance
services that offer its customers environmental compliance at lower cost due
to innovative technology-based solutions and economies of scale. Marsulex
provides turnkey solutions that may include the design, building, ownership
and operation of facilities under long-term fee-based contracts.
Power Generation Industry
- -------------------------
The Company also identified the power generation industry as a similar
opportunity and established internationally a platform in this sector in 1997
by acquiring certain business assets of GEESI. In North America, there is a
growing trend towards deregulation of the power industry, making cost
competitiveness a key issue. In existing solid fuel-fired generating
facilities, the most effective way to lower operating costs is to switch to
lower cost, higher sulphur content fuels. These fuels, however, create several
environmental compliance issues. Marsulex, utilizing its proven patented
technologies, offers outsourcing solutions that enable power generators to
meet environmental compliance obligations while creating greater fuel
flexibility and access to the savings of lower cost high-sulphur fuel as well
as cost avoidance opportunities and enhanced by-product revenues. The Company
offers its established international customer base a range of services to deal
with NOx, SOx, particulate and other air emission compliance issues.
COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS
As a provider of a range of environmental compliance services, the Company
believes it has a number of competitive strengths. Further, the Company
believes that given the critical and complex nature of the Company's services,
potential new entrants would be disadvantaged as a result of the Company's
large installed base of compliance facilities that have been in commercial
operation for many years.
12
Broad Range of Value-Added Technologies and Technical Capabilities
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company provides its customers with a broad range of technologies,
including patented or proprietary technologies, technical services and support
and has a reputation for technical skill, innovation and knowledge of customer
needs. Unlike certain of the Company's competitors that focus solely on the
sale of equipment or distribution and sale of converted by-products, the
Company works closely with customers to design the optimal environmental
compliance solution that best meets each customer's needs.
The Company offers its customers outsourced environmental compliance services
based on a range of proprietary and non-proprietary technologies. The Company
develops or acquires technologies that can be incorporated into compliance
service packages that meet customer needs, enabling them to satisfy
environmental compliance requirements while lowering or avoiding operating and
capital costs. For example, Power Generation's proprietary ammonium and
potassium sulphate technologies enable power generators to access the benefits
of lower fuel costs. This is achieved through leading-edge technology that
attains compliance in excess of existing requirements and produces a saleable
by-product of high value while eliminating solid waste disposal. Similarly,
the Company's technology utilized by oil refineries to remove and recover
sulphur emissions enables them to meet stricter environmental regulations at
lower cost and derive more value from the sale of sodium bisulphite, a higher
value by-product.
The Company has a history of providing reliable and safe services. It has
expertise with respect to plant operations and provides risk management and
technical assistance with regard to gas cleaning and the handling,
transportation and storage of by-products and industrial chemicals. This
assistance includes developing protocols for overall risk management, the
handling, transporting and storing of inputs and outputs, materials
compatibility studies and advice on regulatory shipping procedures.
Strategically Located Facilities
- --------------------------------
The Company's conversion and regeneration facilities provide it with the
ability to convert gas, liquid and solid waste streams into useable industrial
chemicals. Some of these facilities are located adjacent to, or are connected
by pipeline with, certain customers' facilities. The Company also operates
several chemical manufacturing facilities in the Western Markets Group.
Strong Customer Relationships
- -----------------------------
The Company's ability to provide its customers with a total environmental
service solution that generally allows them to meet compliance requirements
and minimize the cost of environmental compliance has allowed the Company to
secure strong and long-standing customer relationships. In the Refinery
Services Group the Company's major oil refinery customers include BP,
Petro-Canada, Shell Canada Products Limited, Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC
and Sunoco, Inc. The Company or its predecessors have maintained relationships
with its major oil refinery customers for an average of approximately 39 years
and has established long-term relationships averaging approximately 44 years
with its three most significant oil refinery customers.
Western Markets currently maintains long-term relationships with numerous
customers in a variety of sectors, and for a variety of products and services.
These relationships often include multiple products and are often set in
multiple-year agreements. Many of these working relationships have been in
place for over 30 years. For example, Western Markets has supply and sourcing
agreements on various products extending up to or beyond 2007 with Sherritt
International Corporation at Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada.
The Company's Power Generation Group, the world's largest provider of
traditional FGD systems and services, has developed long-standing
relationships with numerous customers in North America and internationally.
Established Contracts
- ---------------------
The Company typically enters into contracts with its customers related to the
provision of services and the removal, distribution and sale of the resulting
industrial chemicals. The Company's contracts are generally two to 17 years in
length. The Company usually attempts to structure its contracts such that it
receives a guaranteed fee or minimum volume requirements for the services it
provides, or it receives payment based on sharing with the customer changes in
13
sales price received from the sale of industrial chemicals or other
by-products and/or changes in input costs such as fuel.
Although the volumes processed by the Refinery Services Group may be affected
by market demand and seasonal variation of the refinery customers' products,
generally peaking during the summer driving season, the Group's revenues are
largely stable year over year and may be insulated through contractual minimum
volume requirements.
The demand for the Western Markets Group's products may experience seasonal
fluctuations. For example, demand from the Group's municipality customers to
treat water peaks during the spring "run off" and summer seasons.
The timing of revenues earned from the Power Generation Group's projects and
licensing activities results in variances in the Group's quarterly results.
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
The Company's operations are subject to numerous laws, regulations and
guidelines relating to air emissions, water discharges, solid and hazardous
wastes, transportation and handling of hazardous substances and employee
health and safety in Canada, and the United States, and are subject to
numerous regulatory agencies such as, state and federal environmental
protection agencies and regulatory agencies under the Canadian Environmental
Protection Act. These environmental regulations are continually changing and
generally becoming more restrictive.
The Company believes that it is currently in material compliance with its
existing permits and regulatory approvals except as disclosed under "Item 3 -
Key Information - Risk Factors - Environment". Further, the terms and
conditions of future permits and approvals may be more stringent and may
require increased expenditures on the part of the Company.
OPERATING SEGMENTS
The Company's strategy to target the energy industry with outsourced
compliance solutions is implemented through its Refinery Services and Power
Generation operating groups. A third operating group, Western Markets,
manufactures, upgrades and distributes sulphur-based industrial chemicals. The
Company has a range of expertise and services such as project execution
support, finance, information systems, human resources, and risk management
that are provided to each of the operating groups through a fourth
non-operating segment, Corporate Support. The Company has determined that this
structure is the most efficient and effective way to make these corporate
support services available throughout the organization.
Refinery Services Group
- -----------------------
Refinery Services provides outsourced compliance solutions to major oil
refinery customers in the United States and Canada. Services are typically
provided under long-term service agreements. The services provided are
primarily regeneration of spent sulphuric acid produced during octane
enhancement of gasoline, extraction and recovery of sulphur from hydrogen
sulphide gas created during the refining process and sulphur dioxide (`SO2')
recovery to ensure air quality compliance. Refinery Services is the dominant
provider of spent acid regeneration and hydrogen sulphide emission services in
the U.S. mid-west and the only independent provider of hydrogen sulphide
services in Canada. Spent acid regeneration represented 29% of the Company's
2004 revenue (2003 - 25%). The volumes processed by the Company's facilities
are subject to the market demand and seasonal variations of its refinery
customers' products, although the segment's earnings are somewhat insulated
from these variations through contractual minimum volume requirements or
guaranteed fees, which in 2004 accounting for over 80% of the group's earnings
(2003 - 80%).
The major oil refinery customers for the Refinery Services Group include BP,
Petro-Canada, Shell Canada Products Limited, Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC
and Sunoco, Inc. The Company's long-term relationships with its major oil
refinery customers average approximately 39 years. The Company maintains close
working relationships with its oil refinery customers, as failure to remove
by-products or deliver specified quantities and qualities of regenerated or
converted by-products can result in substantially decreased production and
14
potentially the shut down of a refinery's operations. The Company's
regeneration facilities are generally located adjacent to or are connected by
pipeline with a major customer in a given geographic region, thereby reducing
transportation costs and assuring such customer reliable service. The Company
generally services other customers in the same region through the same
facilities, which allows the Company and its customers to benefit from
economies of scale.
Refinery Services also provides services to other industrial customers with
similar needs to oil refineries. These include, amongst others, The Dow
Chemical Company; Dow Corning Corporation; Penreco, a Texas General
Partnership; and GE Silicon, LLC.
Western Markets Group
- ---------------------
Western Markets produces sulphur-enhanced chemicals for the pulp and paper
industry in Alberta and Saskatchewan and is one of the leading suppliers of
alum, a water treatment chemical used extensively by municipalities for water
and sewage treatment. It operates five plants based in four locations in
Western Canada. The group's product range includes sulphuric acid, liquid
sulphur dioxide, aluminum sulphate ("alum"), sodium bisulphite, aqua ammonia,
carbon disulphide, and hydrogen sulphide. These products and related services
are provided to numerous customers with whom it has maintained long-term
relationships. These relationships often include multiple products and are
often set in multi-year agreements. A portion of the group's earnings is from
risk-shared contracts. The chemical products manufactured or marketed by the
Western Markets Group are discussed below.
Sulphuric Acid. Sulphuric acid is generally regarded as the world's
largest-volume industrial chemical and is primarily used in the production of
phosphate fertilizer, copper leaching, in water treatment, as a bleaching
agent in pulp & paper, and for various industrial uses. Sulphuric acid can be
produced involuntarily as a by-product of base metal smelting (metallurgical
acid), crude oil refining and other industrial processes, or voluntarily by
burning Sulphur. Standard grade Sulphuric acid (93%) exhibits the
characteristics of a commodity product, with market pricing and volatility a
function of supply/demand balance regionally and sometimes seasonally.
Historically, increases in market demand for sulphuric acid in North America,
or unscheduled loss of involuntary production have traditionally been
accommodated by adjustments to voluntary production (versus metallurgical),
while over-supply has typically been absorbed by the fertilizer industry.
Sulphuric acid revenue represented 15% of the Company's 2004 revenue (2003 -
14%).
Liquid Sulphur Dioxide. Liquid sulphur dioxide can be produced voluntarily by
burning elemental sulphur, or involuntarily through metallurgical sources or
various industrial processes. For involuntary producers, liquid sulphur
dioxide is a relatively high value product to produce compared to elemental
sulphur or sulphuric acid. However, the conversion of by-product gas into
liquid sulphur dioxide often requires extensive modifications to primary
processes, which can require significant investment and cost.
The price of liquid sulphur dioxide varies by geographic market, but is
comparatively much less freight-sensitive than sulphuric acid and therefore
increases the geographic area within which the liquid sulphur dioxide can be
shipped profitably. Liquid sulphur dioxide is consumed in a number of
industrial sectors and processes.
Aluminum Sulphate. Aluminum sulphate, also known as alum, is produced in both
dry and liquid forms. According to industry consultants, approximately 50% of
aluminum sulphate is consumed in municipal and industrial water treatment and
approximately 45% is used in the pulp and paper industry for process water
treatment and paper sizing.
Sodium Bisulphite. Sodium bisulphite is made by reacting caustic soda or soda
ash with sulphur dioxide in either a liquid or gaseous form. Sodium bisulphite
is primarily used as a bleaching agent in the pulp & paper industry, and can
also be used as a dechlorination agent in municipal and industrial water
treatment.
Aqua Ammonia. Aqua ammonia is used by the pulp & paper industry in the
treatment of water effluents and serves as a nutrient for micro-organisms.
Because of its high water content, freight costs are high and therefore, the
product is sold on a regional basis only.
15
Carbon Disulphide. Primarily used in the production of xanthates and
herbicides and used as a de-waxing agent in the oil and gas industry.
Hydrogen Sulphide. Primarily used in the nickel refining process.
Power Generation Group
- ----------------------
Power Generation provides outsourced environmental services, primarily air
quality compliance, to customers in the power generation industry. The key
target market is the worldwide power generator industry, primarily those power
generator customers that utilize fossil fuels in their electricity generation
processes. Fossil-fired power plants are the largest source of air pollution
in North America, and over 50% of power in the U.S. is generated from coal.
Management believes that this customer group represents an important long-term
growth opportunity as tighter environmental regulations come into force and
continued deregulation of the electric industry leads power generators to
examine opportunities to lower costs and improve the efficiency of their
operations. The estimated capital cost of bringing older coal-fired plants
into compliance exceeds US$40 billion. To counter the slow enforcement of
existing air emission control regulations in the U.S. and, therefore,
commitments by utilities to new emission control equipment, the Power
Generation Group increased its focus on prospective international markets,
especially in China.
Power Generation provides products and services that allow the power generator
customer to cost effectively remove sulphur dioxide gases and other pollutants
from its air emissions to meet environmental regulations.
One of the Company's proprietary technologies provides customers flexibility
to switch to lower cost high sulphur fuels. Its ammonium scrubbing technology
captures and converts sulphur dioxide gases into granular ammonium sulphate
and potassium sulphate, both readily marketable fertilizers. This technology
has a high SO2 removal efficiency that allows the power generator to burn
lower cost, high-sulphur fuels as well as to produce a saleable fertilizer
product. This combination can substantially reduce the power generator's
operating costs while still meeting environmental compliance obligations. The
Company's extensive experience and customer relationships established through
the installation of 174 traditional FGD systems worldwide provide a strong
base from which to offer its outsourced environmental compliance solutions.
REVENUE BY SEGMENT
($000) 2004 2003 2002
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refinery Services 73,890 71,504 69,363
Western Markets 54,590 54,295 53,953
Power Generation 8,542 9,183 14,975
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
137,022 134,982 138,291
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENTS
The Company operates primarily in Canada and the United States and revenue is
attributed to customers based on the location of the customer.
($000) 2004 2003 2002
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada 76,151 77,052 82,092
United States 58,015 57,881 53,209
Other 2,856 49 2,990
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
137,022 134,982 138,291
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPETITION
Marsulex operates in competitive markets, and some of the Company's
competitors have economic resources greater than those of the Company and are
well established as suppliers to the markets that Marsulex serves.
16
In Refinery Services, there are six other North American merchant acid
regeneration companies specializing in recycling spent acid for oil refineries
and chemical manufacturers including E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. (DuPont),
PVS Chemical Solutions Inc., Peak Chemical LLC, General Chemical Corporation
and Rhodia Inc. Refinery Service's sulphur prilling operation in Long Beach,
California, which converts molten sulphur into solid form for shipment
overseas, has two main competitors: H.J. Baker & Bros., Inc. and California
Sulphur Company.
The Western Markets group operates in a competitive environment and is subject
to volume and price volatility risk. For certain products, the group shares
end-use product price and volume risk with its supplier. Its major direct
competitors include Norfalco Ltd, Teck Cominco Ltd, Border Chemical Company
Ltd, ClearTech Industries Inc., as well as alternative products available in
the marketplace.
There are two primary competitors for Power Generation's ammonium FGD
technology: Airborne Pollution Control Inc, and Lurgi Lentjes, AG, both of
which provide emission control technology to the power generation industry.
Several competitors also supply other goods and services to the customers of
the Power Generation group including boiler and full power trains. This
integrated approach versus the Power Generation group's `pollution containment
only' approach may impact the Company's ability to compete. In addition, the
Power Generation group has competitors providing traditional FGD technology.
They include Alstom, Advatech LLC, Babcock & Wilcox Company, Babcock Power,
FISIA Babcock Environment Gmbh, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., and
Wheelabrator Air Pollution Control Company Inc.
Several of the Company's niche services and products are sold into select
markets. There can be no assurance, however, that these markets will not
attract additional competitors that could have greater financial,
technological, manufacturing and marketing resources than Marsulex.
ENVIRONMENT
The Company has a comprehensive policy on the environment directed towards
minimizing the environmental impact of all its activities. Application of, and
adherence to, the policy is regularly reviewed through environmental
assessments, including independent reviews of its assets and operations. In
2004, the Company conducted internal assessments at select facilities to
verify the presence and effectiveness of its management systems. The Company
also successfully underwent a rigorous external assessment of its management
systems and practices in December 2003 in accordance with the Reverification
Protocol of the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association's Responsible Care(R)
initiative. Conducted approximately every three years after the initial
verification of Responsible Care-In-Place, Reverification involves assessment
by an independent team made up of knowledgeable industry experts, a
representative of the community at large and representatives of the
communities in which the Company operates.
The Company's Montreal facility was one of four Quebec organizations honoured
to receive the 2004 EcoGESte Award for controlling and reducing greenhouse gas
emissions. Presented by Environnement Quebec in the Small and Mid-sized
Business category, the facility was recognized for its reduction in greenhouse
gas emissions and energy efficiency improvements.
The Environmental, Health & Safety Committee of the Board of Directors meets
regularly to, among other things, review the Company's performance against the
Company's environmental, health, safety and training policies and practices.
The Committee also works with management to prioritize capital expenditures
related to environmental risk management and regulatory compliance.
Notices and Findings of Violation have been issued against the Company by
federal regulators with respect to the Company's Toledo facility in Oregon,
Ohio. The Company is, however, in compliance with the permits issued by the
governing body (the State) and although there is a potential for penalties to
be assessed against the Company, the Company believes that it is in
substantial compliance with environmental laws, regulations and guidelines.
A Notice and Finding of Violation has been issued by federal regulators with
respect to the facility in Cairo, Ohio, which was sold to Chemtrade Logistics
Inc. ("Chemtrade"). As part of the sale, the Company has indemnified Chemtrade
against liabilities relating to the Notice and Finding of Violation issued. As
part of the indemnification the Company is obligated to reimburse Chemtrade
for the necessary installation of control equipment and for
17
any penalties, which may be levied against the facility in respect of the
Notice and Finding of Violation. The Company believes that the Cairo facility
is in material compliance with regulations issued by the State of Ohio as those
regulations relate to allegations of federal regulators, and that the State has
issued lawful permits consistent with those regulations governing the operation
of the Cairo facility.
In the opinion of management, environmental compliance cost and penalties for
both the Cairo and Oregon facilities, if imposed by federal regulators, will
not have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company,
provided the Company is successful in prosecuting indemnity claims from the
entity from which it purchased the facilities, and that sufficient monies are
available to fund those indemnity obligations.
The Company may be subject to further environmental liabilities of which
management is not currently aware which may have a material impact on the
business or financial condition of the Company.
A safe workplace has always been a primary objective of the Company, whereby
the goal is to encounter zero incidents of occupational injury or illness
among employees and the contractors engaged at the Company's facilities.
In 2004, through the increased efforts of every employee, safety performance
of the Company improved substantially with a 50% reduction in Recordable
incidents involving occupational injury or illness. The Company remains
committed to its goal and continues its efforts to further improve performance
in 2005. Among the highlights in 2004, the Company achieved a 34% improvement
in the safety performance of its contractors, five of its locations have been
without a single Recordable Injury for greater than 5 years and none of the
facilities experienced process related occurrences of a material nature. The
Company also received in 2004, Safe Handling Awards from both of its principal
rail carriers.
As a member of the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association since the
Company's inception, Marsulex annually re-affirms its commitment to the ethic
of Responsible Care(R). Through its Codes of Practice and the Company's EH&S
Management Systems, the Company continues to improve its overall performance
in the responsible management of its activities and forms valuable
relationships with its communities and stakeholders. The Marsulex Toledo, Ohio
facility was recognized by the Ohio Chemistry Technology Council ("OCTC") and
received the OCTC 2004 Excellence in Responsible Care(R). Award for its
continued improvement in areas of environmental, health and safety
performance.
C. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE - SUBSIDIARIES
---------------------------------------
As at March 15, 2004, a Toronto---Dominion Bank fund, TD Capital Canadian
Private Equity Partners, owned directly or indirectly 57.3% of the Company's
outstanding shares. The following list sets forth the wholly owned
subsidiaries, whether directly or indirectly, of Marsulex, as at December 31,
2004, and their jurisdiction of incorporation:
COMPANY JURISDICTION
- ------- ------------
Marsulex Montreal Inc. (formerly Sulconam Inc.) Canada
Marsulex Environmental Technologies Corporation Delaware
Sulex Inc. California
Marsol Canada Corporation Canada
Marsulex Refinery Environmental Services Inc. Delaware
Soucar Enterprises, LLC Delaware
Investis U.S., Inc. Delaware
IT Holding, Inc. Delaware
Marsulex Environmental Technologies, LLC Delaware
Marsulex U.S. Partnership Delaware
Marsulex Nova Scotia ULC Canada
Marsulex U.S. Holdings, LLC Delaware
4086554 Canada Inc. Canada
18
D. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
-----------------------------
DISTRIBUTION AND FACILITIES
Industrial Services and Manufacturing: The Company's industrial services
facilities provide it with the ability to process sulphur by-product streams.
In addition, the Company can also voluntarily produce a variety of industrial
chemicals at its manufacturing facilities, including sulphuric acid, liquid
sulphur dioxide, alum, and other specialty chemicals.
The following table lists the current location and products handled at each of
the conversion, manufacturing, storage and transfer facilities:
SQUARE CAPACITY CAPACITY
FACILITIES LOCATION FOOTAGE UTILIZATION TONS/YEAR SERVICES & PRODUCTS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Industrial Service Montreal, Quebec 89,000 70% 54,750 Hydrogen Sulphide Processing
Facilities
Toledo, Ohio 115,000 90% 300,000 Spent Acid Regeneration, Hydrogen
Sulphide Processing
Long Beach, California 29,079 70% 200,000 Sulphur Prilling
Mount Vernon, 204,450 70% 130,000 Sulphur Prilling
Washington
Whiting, Indiana 29,000 -- -- Redundant Tail Gas Processing
Fort McMurray, Alberta 66,000 -- 109,000 After Start-up and commissioning will
produce Ammonium Sulphate Fertilizer
from tail gas
Dundee, Michigan 39,500 idled -- CP-Gyp facility idled
Manufacturing Calgary, Alberta 9,360 70% 16,500 Aluminum Sulphate (Alum)
Facilities
Fort Saskatchewan, 72,500 85% 38,000 Alum and Sodium Bisulphite
Alberta /14,000
Fort Saskatchewan, 38,000 95% 7,300 Carbon Disulphide and Hydrogen Sulphide
Alberta
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 11,050 70% 28,000 Alum
Prince George, British 266,000 95% 103,827 Acid, SO2
Columbia
Prince George, British 177,300 30% 10,800 Aluminum Sulphate (Alum)
Columbia
Customer Service Calgary, Alberta 1,000 -- Sulphuric Acid and Alum
Storage Centres
Fort Saskatchewan, 3,500 -- Sulphuric Acid, Aqueous Ammonia and Alum
Alberta
Office Locations Toronto, Ontario 9,334 Corporate Head Office
Chicago, Illinois 374 U.S. Head Office and Sales Office
Toledo, Ohio 1,915 U.S. Plant Management Office
Lebanon, Pennsylvania 16,900 Power Generation Office
All of the Company's locations are situated on Company-owned land, except
Prince George, British Columbia; Fort McMurray, Alberta; Toledo, Ohio; and
Whiting, Indiana; with the balance on leased land with terms up to 22 years.
The facilities at Long Beach, California and Anacortes, Washington are leased.
The Company also maintains leased office space in Toronto, Ontario; Chicago,
Illinois; Toledo, Ohio; and Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
Construction of the Company's portion of the environmental compliance
facilities at Syncrude's Upgrader Expansion project (UE-1) was completed
during the third quarter of 2003 and has been maintaining the plant in
readiness for commissioning and start-up when Syncrude's overall UE-1 project
is completed. At December 31, 2004, the Company had spent $52.5 million
compared to the total budget of $56.6 million and to the 2003 expenditures of
$49.9 million. Syncrude reimbursed the Company for its carrying costs during
the period between the completion of construction and commencement of fees,
which started in January 2005. During the second quarter 2003, the Company
obtained long-term financing for its portion of the environmental compliance
facilities at Syncrude's UE-1 project and $40.0 million was advanced to a loan
account which is held in trust. The Company also has a fixed price commitment
to purchase equipment and services relating to its construction of its
Syncrude facility totaling $32.5 million including change orders issued during
2004. To December 31,
19
2004, $32.5 million (2003 - $32.3 million) had been recorded as part of
facilities under construction in property, plant and equipment.
The Company entered into agreements with Petro-Canada and Shell Canada
Products for the expansion of its Montreal facility that would increase the
facilities capacity by approximately 50%. Construction of the project has
begun and is scheduled for completion in mid 2006. To the end of December 31,
2004, the Company has $13.0 million in purchase commitments and has recorded
$3.9 million as part of facilities under construction in property, plant and
equipment.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
Management's Discussion and Analysis of the Company's operating results and
consolidated cash flows for the 3-year period ended December 31, 2004,
liquidity and capital resources, risks and uncertainties, and critical
accounting policies are incorporated by reference herein and are attached as
exhibit 5.1 hereto.
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. DIRECTORS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT
-------------------------------
The following table sets forth the names of the directors and senior
management of the Company, the offices or positions held by them, and their
dates of appointment as applicable. Directors are elected by the shareholders
to serve until the next annual meeting of the Company or until their successor
is elected or appointed.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
POSITION WITH DATE OF
NAME RESIDENCE COMPANY APPOINTMENT
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roderick F. Barrett Toronto, Ontario Director April, 1993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David M. Gee (1) Aurora, Ontario Director, President and August, 1995 to November,
Chief Executive Officer 2004
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William A. Lambert Toronto, Ontario Director February, 2002
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ian M. Matheson Mississauga, Ontario Director October, 1989
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David S. McCann Toronto, Ontario Director February, 2002
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John A. Rogers Islington, Ontario Director November, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
William C. Stevens Toronto, Ontario Director March, 2004
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lee C. Stewart Weston, Connecticut Director September, 2000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert L. Yohe Bonita Springs, Florida Director November, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laurie Tugman (2) Mississauga, Ontario President and August, 1994
Chief Executive Officer
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward R. (Ted) Irwin (3) Mississauga, Ontario Chief Financial Officer September, 2001
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert H. Cardell Washington, New Jersey Vice President and General December, 2001
Manager, Power Generation Group
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doug Osborne Edmonton, Alberta Vice President, Western Markets May, 1989
Group
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brian Stasiewicz Chicago, Illinois Vice President, Refinery May, 1989
Services Group
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Judith George Milton, Ontario Corporate Secretary October, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. As of the dates indicated, the individual relinquished his position with the Company. Residence information is
as at the date of his departure.
2. Appointed to current position in November 2004, previously held the position of Chief Operating Officer.
3. Appointed to current position in March 2004, previously held the position of Vice President, Finance.
DIRECTORS
The members of the Board of Directors are listed below:
20
Roderick F. Barrett. Mr. Barrett is Managing Partner, Stikeman Elliott LLP,
Barristers & Solicitors and has acted as corporate counsel to Marsulex since
its inception. He serves on the board of Chemtrade Logistics Inc., as well as
a number of private companies.
William A. Lambert. Mr. Lambert is a Managing Director of TD Capital Group,
the private equity arm of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. He has over 12 years
experience in merchant banking and investing and 10 years experience in
consulting and plant engineering. Mr. Lambert received his M.B.A. from York
University and his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. He serves on the boards of a number of private
companies.
Ian M. Matheson. Mr. Matheson is Chief Consulting Officer, Risk Management
Consultants of Canada Limited. He has been a director of Marsulex since its
inception. He has also held senior management positions with, and been an
advisor to, major corporations in the United States and Canada including
manufacturing, chemical, environmental and transportation companies. He is a
director of Aon Reed Stenhouse Inc., a subsidiary of Aon Corporation, a member
of the Advisory Board of First Canadian Title Company Limited, a subsidiary of
The First American Corporation and serves on a number of boards in the
insurance, financial services and manufacturing sectors.
David S. McCann. Mr. McCann is a Managing Director of TD Capital Group, the
private equity arm of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. He has over 14 years
experience in merchant and investment banking in the U.S. and Canada. He
serves on the boards of a number of private companies.
John A. Rogers. Mr. Rogers is President & Chief Executive Officer, MDS Inc. He
has been with MDS since 1973, holding increasingly senior positions. He was
appointed to his current position in March 1996 and has been a member of the
Board of Directors of MDS since 1991. He is a Chartered Accountant and also
serves on the boards of several other organizations.
William C. Stevens. Mr. Stevens is a Vice President and Director of TD Capital
Group, the private equity arm of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. He has over 10
years experience in investment banking and private equity investing. He serves
on the boards of a number of private companies.
Lee C. Stewart. Mr. Stewart is a private financial consultant. Mr. Stewart has
had over 22 years experience as an investment banker followed by such
positions as Vice President with Union Carbide Corporation, and Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of Foamex Inc. Additionally, he is a
director of AEP Industries, P.H. Glatfelter & Company, and on the Advisory
Board of Daniel Stewart & Company.
Robert L. Yohe. Mr. Yohe is a Corporate Director. Before retiring in 1994, Mr.
Yohe was Vice Chairman and Director of Olin Corporation, a diversified company
with interests in chemicals, metals, electronic materials, ordnance and
aerospace. Prior to joining Olin, he held executive positions with several
chemical companies in the United States. He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard
Business School and has overseen the finance function in his capacity as Vice
Chairman of Olin Corporation and as President of Olin Chemicals, a subsidiary
of Olin Corporation. Mr. Yohe is also a director of Airgas, Inc., Calgon
Carbon Corporation, and The Middleby Corporation.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Laurie A. Tugman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Tugman joined
Marsulex in August 1994 as Vice President Finance & Chief Financial Officer
and held the positions of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, Chief Operating Officer prior to his promotion to President and Chief
Executive Officer in November of 2004. From 1990 to 1994, he was Vice
President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer, of a mine contracting, and
engineering company. Mr. Tugman has over 20 years experience in financial and
operational management in the waste management and oil and gas industries.
Edward R. (Ted) Irwin, Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Irwin joined Marsulex in
September 2001 as Vice President, Finance and was promoted in March 2004 to
Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Marsulex he was Chief Financial
Officer for a publicly traded Internet content provider. From 1989 to 1999 he
worked for a large consumer packaged goods company involved in manufacturing
and distribution where he held progressively
21
more senior positions including Controller, Director Business Information
Systems and Director Distribution and Logistics.
Robert H. Cardell, Vice President and General Manager Power Generation. Dr.
Cardell joined Marsulex in November of 2001. Prior to Marsulex he served as
General Manager of the Environmental Division of Babcock and Wilcox from July
1999. Before Babcock and Wilcox he was with Research-Cottrell where he was
President and CEO of their International Company. Dr. Cardell began his career
at Foster Wheeler in 1977 and held a number of senior positions in their
Construction, Engineering, and Environmental Divisions.
Doug Osborne, Vice President, Western Markets Group. Mr. Osborne has been with
Marsulex since its inception in 1989 and has held a variety of commercial
positions of increasing responsibility in product management, sales and
business management. Prior to this he held various technical and commercial
positions with CIL based in North York, Ontario.
Brian E. Stasiewicz, Vice President, Refinery Services Group. Mr. Stasiewicz
has been with the Company since its inception in 1989 and joined CIL in 1983.
He served in various regional and corporate sales positions.
Judith George, Corporate Secretary. Ms. George joined TD Capital Group, the
private equity arm of The Toronto-Dominion Bank, as Vice President Legal and
Compliance in June 2003. Prior to that date, she was Corporate Secretary of
the Harrowston group of companies, which were acquired by TD Capital Group in
July 2001. In addition, Ms. George has served as Corporate Secretary of the
Company since October 1996.
B. COMPENSATION
------------
Discussions regarding the compensation of the Company's directors and
executive officers, as included in the Company's Management Information
Circular filed with the Ontario Securities Commission are hereby incorporated
by reference and included as exhibit 5.2 hereto.
C. BOARD PRACTICES
---------------
The Mandate of the Marsulex Board is consistent with the TSX's requirement
that a board assume responsibility for the stewardship of a corporation. The
Company's Mandate is reviewed annually and includes the following
responsibilities:
(a) adoption and reassessment of the strategic plan for the Company;
(b) identification of principal risks associated with the Company's business
and review of systems to manage these risks;
(c) assessment of senior management and consideration of succession planning;
(d) adoption of communications policy for the Company; and
(e) review of internal control and management information systems.
COMMITTEES
The Board has established four standing committees to assist in this
stewardship function. Each committee is composed of outside directors, the
majority of which (except in the case of the Environmental, Health & Safety
Committee) are unrelated to the Company.
HUMAN RESOURCES AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE - This Committee is responsible for
assisting the Board in determining compensation of senior management as well
as reviewing the adequacy and form of directors' compensation. The Committee
annually reviews the goals and objectives of the Chief Executive Officer for
the upcoming year and each year conducts an appraisal of the performance of
the Chief Executive Officer and together with the CEO reviews the performance
of senior management. The members of the committee are:
Robert Yohe (Chair)
Ian Matheson (committee member until December 2, 2004)
David McCann
Lee Stewart (committee member appointed December 2, 2004)
22
AUDIT COMMITTEE - The Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight
responsibility of the Company's financial reporting, accounting systems,
internal controls and liaising with the external auditors, as well as its
fiduciary duties with regard to the Company's compliance with legal and
regulatory requirements in financial matters, public disclosure policy and
financial risk management. It reviews the annual consolidated financial
statements, quarterly financial statements and management discussion and
analysis and annual information form and SEC Form 20F on behalf of the Board.
It works jointly with the external auditors and management to develop the
annual audit plan and recommendations on internal controls. The Committee
meets with the Corporation's external auditors independently of management at
least once a year. In addition, the Committee deals with financial risk
management. The Committee's mandate is reviewed regularly. The Committee is
responsible for hiring and evaluating the Auditors and for recommending their
compensation. It reviews all non-audit work performed by the Auditors. The
members of the committee are:
John Rogers (Chair)
William A. Lambert (committee member until March 1, 2005)
Lee Stewart
Robert Yohe (committee member appointed March 1, 2005)
All Committee members are considered to be financially literate, which means
having the ability to read and understand financial statements presenting a
breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues, generally comparable to
the breadth and complexity of the issues that can reasonably be expected to be
raised in the Corporation's financial statements.
Mr. Lambert is a Managing Director of TD Capital Group, the private equity arm
of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. TD Capital Canadian Private Equity Partners, a
private equity fund established by The Toronto-Dominion Bank owns directly or
indirectly approximately 57.3% of the Company's outstanding common shares, and
therefore Mr. Lambert was not considered independent.
ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE - This Committee is responsible for
assisting the Board in monitoring environmental, health and safety issues.
Responsibilities include policies on employee health and safety, the
environment, product responsibility, and the transportation of hazardous
materials. On a regular basis, the Committee commissions and reviews external
audits related to Marsulex's compliance and reviews management's activities
with respect to correcting any deficiencies. The members of the committee are:
Ian Matheson (Chair)
Robert Yohe
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE - This Committee is responsible for developing
the Company's approach to corporate governance issues, advising the Board in
filling vacancies on the Board and periodically reviewing the composition and
effectiveness of the Board and the contribution of individual directors. The
members of the committee are:
Roderick Barrett (Chair)
John Rogers
Robert Yohe
D. EMPLOYEES
---------
The Company had 186 employees, including 115 in Canada and 71 in the U.S. at
December 31, 2004 (2003 -180 employees; 2002 - 180 employees).
There were no Collective Bargaining Agreements that expired in 2004 and no
work stoppages were incurred as a result of unresolved labour issues. The
Company and the union satisfactorily resolved three formal grievances with one
grievance outstanding at year-end.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Communications, Energy and
Paperworkers Union in our Fort Saskatchewan Sulphides plant is set to expire
March 31, 2005.
23
Further, while the Company has not suffered any loss of production due to work
stoppages by its employees in recent years, there can be no assurances that
work stoppages or other labour disturbances which may have a material impact
on the Company will not occur in the future. Finally, a large number of the
Company's suppliers and customers have unionized employees and there can be no
assurances that work stoppages or other labour disturbances at the Company's
suppliers or customers will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business.
E. SHARE OWNERSHIP
---------------
To the knowledge of Marsulex as of March 15, 2004, the directors and senior
management of Marsulex in aggregate beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
or exercise control or direction over, an aggregate of 115,242 shares of
Marsulex, representing approximately 0.4% of the issued and outstanding common
shares of Marsulex.
The following table lists the individuals who are Directors or Officers of the
Company who own 1% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company,
calculated as if options were exercised and shares issued:
# of Shares # of Options % of Total
Outstanding Restricted Share
Shares Units Granted(1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laurie Tugman 12,500 327,250 1.0% 175,599
1. Performance Share Unit Plan, as described in Company's Management
Information Circular as filed with the Ontario Securities Commission,
incorporated by reference and included as exhibit 5.2 hereto.
The exercise price of the above stock options range from $2.23 to $8.80 and
have a weighted average price of $3.79. The options outstanding have expiry
dates ranging from August 11, 2007 to February 27, 2012, with a weighted
average remaining contractual life of 4.79 years.
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS
------------------
The following table sets forth, as of March 15, 2005, information with respect
to any person who is known to the Company to beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, or to exercise control or direction over more than 10% of the
voting rights attached to any class of the voting securities of the Company
and the total amount of voting rights attached to any class of the voting
securities owned by the officers and directors as a group. The shareholders
listed below do not have voting rights different from other shareholders. The
jurisdiction in which the Company is incorporated does not require disclosure
by shareholders that are the beneficial owners of between 5% and 10%, hence
this information is not available. On March 15, 2005, there were 32,035,231
common shares outstanding.
March 15, 2005 (1)
------------------
Amount % per
Title of Class Shareholder Owned notes
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common shares TD Capital(1) 18,364,279 57.3%
Common shares Directors and Senior
Management as a group(4),(5) 894,492 2.65%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
24
Year End 2004(1) Year End 2003 Year End 2002
---------------- ------------- -------------
Amount % per Amount % per Amount % per
Title of Class Shareholder Owned notes Owned notes Owned notes
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common shares TD Capital(1) 18,364,279 57.9% 18,631,779 58.78% 13,911,597 51.84%
Non-voting JPMorgan (BHCA) L.P.(2)
convertible shares -- -- -- -- 4,720,182 15.98%
Common shares Howson Tattersall
Investment Counsel -- -- 3,411,283 10.76% 3,411,283 12.71%
Limited(3)
Common shares Directors and Senior
Management as a group(4)(5) 894,492 2.82% 1,853,522 5.49% 1,976,805 7.34%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. TD Capital Canadian Private Equity Partners, a fund established by The Toronto-Dominion Bank. Calculated on shares outstanding
and issued (March 15, 2005 - 32,035,231; December 31, 2004 - 31,696,398).
2. Calculated as if the non-voting convertible shares were converted into common shares.
3. Howson Tattersall Investment Counsel Limited ownership fell below 10% based on publicly available information.
4. Includes common shares issuable upon the exercise of all options held by the group.
5. Calculated as if options were exercised and shares issued.
On June 17, 2003, the Company filed a Notice of Intention to make a Normal
Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) with the Toronto Stock Exchange, pursuant to which
the Company was entitled to purchase up to 1,341,677 of its common shares,
representing approximately 5% of its 26,833,550 issued and outstanding common
shares as at June 12, 2003. The NCIB commenced on June 19, 2003 and terminated
on June 18, 2004, during which the Company did not purchase any shares.
On January 29, 2002, the Company announced its intention to make a NCIB
pursuant to which the Company was entitled to purchase up to 1,339,053 of its
issued and outstanding common shares. The NCIB commenced on February 1, 2002
and terminated on January 31, 2003. During 2002, the Company acquired 7,500
shares for $27,000 for cancellation pursuant to the Notice of Intention to
make a Normal Course Issuer Bid.
As of March 15, 2004, there were approximately 28 registered shareholders of
the Company having registered addresses in the United States, holding
approximately 147,720 common shares, or 4.6% of the Company's 32,035,231
outstanding common shares. The computation of the number and percentage of
common shares held in the United States is based upon the number of registered
shareholders with U.S. addresses and do not necessarily reflect the address of
the beneficial shareholder.
B. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
--------------------------
MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
The Company and TD Capital Group are parties to a management services
agreement (the "Management Services Agreement") pursuant to which TD Capital
provides certain management and other services to the Company, including
strategic advice and advisory services regarding capital transactions. The fee
for such services is $350,000 per year commencing June 1, 2001, subject to an
annual inflation adjustment. Either party may terminate the Management
Services Agreement at any time upon thirty days notice. The registered head
office of TD Capital is 66 Wellington Street, 10th Floor, Toronto, Ontario,
M5K 1A2.
Certain of the Company's directors hold senior positions with firms that
provided services to the Company and during 2004 the Company incurred fees of
$3,890,000 (2003 - $3,411,000; 2002 - $3,602,000). During January and February
2005, the Company incurred $106,000 in fees from these firms.
INDEBTEDNESS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
None of the directors, executive officers or senior officers of the Company,
no proposed nominee for election as a director of the Company, and no
associates or affiliates of any of the foregoing were indebted to the Company
at any time since the beginning of the Company's most recently completed
financial year.
INTEREST OF INFORMED PERSONS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
No informed person (as defined in Ontario Securities Act National Instrument
54-102) of the Company, which includes its directors and officers, has any
interest in any material transaction involving the Company.
25
C. INTEREST OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
-------------------------------
Information not required for an annual report.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
---------------------------------
Reference is made to Item 17 for a list of all financial statements filed as
part of this Form 20-F.
DIVIDEND POLICY
It is the current policy of Marsulex to reinvest any available funds in the
Company, and accordingly Marsulex has not paid cash dividends during the past
5 years and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the near future. The
Board of Directors periodically reviews this policy. The Company's debt
facility limits the payment of dividends.
B. SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
-------------------
See Item 4. - "History and Development of the Company", for significant changes
since December 31, 2004.
LITIGATION
The Company is currently involved in proceedings with federal regulators in
the United States with regards to certain liabilities with its plant in
Toledo, Ohio. The Company has also indemnified Chemtrade Logistics Inc. for
Notices and Finding of Violations relating to the Cairo, Ohio plant as
discussed in "Item 3 Key Information- Risk Factors - Environment".
The Company is involved in certain claims arising out of the ordinary course
and conduct of its business that, in the opinion of management, will not have
a material impact upon the financial position of the Company
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
COMMON SHARES
The common shares of the Company are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange in
Canada under the symbol "MLX". The following table sets forth the reported
high and low prices of the outstanding common shares on The Toronto Stock
Exchange for the periods indicated:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Period High Low
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended 2000 $ 4.05 $1.70
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended 2001 4.15 1.85
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended 2002 5.00 3.00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First quarter ended March 31, 2003 4.10 3.00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second quarter ended June 30, 2003 3.90 3.05
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarter ended September 30, 2003 4.25 3.60
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth quarter ended December 31, 2003 5.20 4.00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended 2003 5.20 3.00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First quarter ended March 31, 2004 6.25 4.50
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second quarter ended June 30, 2004 6.00 5.00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third quarter ended September 30, 2004 6.00 4.70
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth quarter ended December 31, 2004 7.69 5.65
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended 2004 7.69 4.50
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Period High Low
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month Ended September 30, 2004 6.00 5.16
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month Ended October 31, 2004 6.75 5.65
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month Ended November 30, 2004 7.40 6.51
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month Ended December 31, 2004 7.69 6.00
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month Ended January 31, 2005 7.00 6.20
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Month Ended February 28, 2005 7.20 6.25
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES
There is currently no organized public market for the Senior Subordinated
Notes and the Company does not intend to apply for a listing of the Senior
Subordinated Notes on any securities exchange.
The Senior Subordinated Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated as of June
30, 1998, between the Company and The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New
York, as trustee.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. SHARE CAPITAL
-------------
Information not required for an annual report.
B. MEMORANDUM OF ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
-------------------------------------
Reference is made to Exhibit 1.1 and 1.2 of this Form 20-F regarding the
Company's Articles of Incorporation and By-laws.
CORPORATE INFORMATION AND OBJECTS AND PURPOSES
The Company is incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the
"CBCA") through articles of amalgamation dated June 16, 1989, as amended by a
certificate of amendment dated November 19, 1996. The articles of the Company
(the "Articles") place no restrictions on the Company's objects and purposes.
The Company has also adopted by-laws No. 2 and No. 4 to regulate its internal
functions (collectively the "Bylaws").
Directors' Matters
Section 4.18 of Bylaw No. 4 provides that a director of the Company who is a
party to, or who is a director of, or has a material interest in any person
who is a party to, a material contract or proposed material contract with the
Company shall disclose the nature and extent of his or her interest at the
time and in the manner provided by the CBCA. Any such contract or proposed
contract shall be referred to the board or shareholders for approval even if
such contract is one that in the ordinary course of the Company's business
would not require approval by the board or shareholders. Such a director shall
not vote on any resolution to approve the same except as provided by the CBCA.
Section 4.19 of Bylaw No. 4 provides that the remuneration of the directors of
the Company may, from time to time, be determined by the board. There are no
restrictions in the Articles on the directors' power, in the absence of an
independent quorum, to vote compensation to themselves or any member of their
body. The Bylaws do not preclude any director from serving the Company in any
other capacity and receiving remuneration therefore.
Bylaw No. 4 provides that the directors of the Company are authorized to:
(a) borrow money upon the credit of the Company;
(b) issue, reissue, sell or pledge bonds, debentures, notes or other
evidences of indebtedness or guarantee of the Company, whether secured or
unsecured;
27
(c) to the extent permitted by the Act, give a guarantee on behalf of the
Company to secure performance of any present or future indebtedness,
liability or obligation of any person; and
(d) mortgage, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise create a security interest in
all or currently owned or subsequently acquired real or personal, movable
or immovable, property of the Company including book debts, rights,
powers, franchises and undertakings, to secure any such bonds,
debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness or guarantee or any
other present or future indebtedness, liability or obligation of the
Company.
The borrowing powers of the directors set forth in the Articles can be varied
by amending the Articles. The CBCA provides that a corporation may alter its
articles by filing articles of amendment with the CBCA Director. A proposed
amendment to the articles of a corporation is adopted when such amendment is
approved by a special resolution. A special resolution is defined in the CBCA
as a resolution passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the votes
cast by those members of a corporation who, being entitled to do so, vote in
person or by proxy at a general meeting of the corporation, or consented to in
writing by every member of a corporation who would have been entitled to vote
in person or by proxy at a general meeting of the corporation.
There is no provision in the Articles or Bylaws of the Company regarding
retirement or non-retirement of directors under an age limit requirement.
Neither the CBCA, the Company's Articles or Bylaws require that a director
hold any shares to become, or retain the position of, a director of the
Company.
SHARE RIGHTS
As of March 15, 2005, the capital stock of the Company consists of four
classes of authorized shares:
1. unlimited senior preference shares, no par value;
2. unlimited junior preference shares, no par value;
4. unlimited convertible shares, non-voting, no par value; and
5. unlimited common shares, no par value.
Of these four classes, the following are issued and fully paid:
1. nil convertible shares; and
2. 32,035,231 common shares.
PREFERENCE SHARES
The senior preferred shares as a class may be issued from time to time in one
or more series, each series comprising the number of shares, designation,
privileges, restrictions and conditions which the directors of the Company
determine by resolution. On the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the
Company or on any other distribution of assets of the Company among its
members for the purpose of winding up its affairs, the senior preferred shares
are entitled to receive, before any distribution of any part of the assets of
the Company among the holders of any shares ranking subordinate to the senior
preferred shares, for each senior preferred share, an amount equal to the
redemption price of such share and any dividends declared thereon and unpaid.
The junior preferred shares as a class may be issued from time to time in one
or more series, each series comprising the number of shares, designation,
privileges, restrictions and conditions which the directors of the Company
determine by resolution. On the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the
Company or on any other distribution of assets of the Company among its
members for the purpose of winding up its affairs, the junior preferred shares
are entitled to receive, before any distribution of any part of the assets of
the Company among the holders of any shares ranking subordinate to the junior
preferred shares, for each junior preferred share, an amount equal to the
redemption price of such share and any dividends declared thereon and unpaid.
Except for such rights relating to the election of directors on a default in
payment of dividends as may be attached to any series of preferred shares by
the directors of the Company, holders of either senior or junior
28
preferred shares are not entitled to receive notice of, or to attend or vote at
any general meeting of the members of the Company.
COMMON SHARES
The holders of the common shares are entitled to one vote per share for
matters voted on by members of the Company. Subject to the prior rights of the
holders of any senior preferred shares or junior preferred shares ranking
senior to the common shares and non-voting convertible shares with respect to
priority of dividends, the holders of common shares and the holders of
non-voting convertible shares are entitled to receive equally share for share,
such non-cumulative dividends as the directors may, from time to time,
declare.
NON-VOTING CONVERTIBLE SHARES
The non-voting convertible shares are convertible into common shares on a
one-for-one basis and the common shares are convertible into non-voting
convertible shares on a one-for-one- basis at any time. The non-voting
convertible shares are entitled to receive the same dividend as the common
shares and participate equally with the common shares in any distribution of
assets of the Company. The holders of the non-voting convertible shares are
not entitled to vote at the annual meeting or any special meeting of the
shareholders except where the holders of a specified class are entitled to
vote separately as a class as provided in the CBCA.
MODIFICATION OF SHARE RIGHTS
Pursuant to the CBCA, the members of the Company may, by special resolution
(defined as described above--Directors' Matters), and by otherwise complying
with the Articles and Bylaws of the Company, vary or abrogate any special
rights or restrictions attached to any shares, whether issued or unissued.
SHAREHOLDER MEETINGS
The CBCA provides that the Company must hold an annual general meeting at
least once in every calendar year. The Company may hold an extraordinary
general meeting at any time. The CBCA also provides that one or more members
of the Company holding not less than 5% of the issued voting shares of the
Company may give notice to the directors requiring them to call and hold a
general meeting.
The Company must give to its members entitled to receive notice of a general
meeting not less than 21 days' and not more than 50 days' notice of any
general meeting of the Company, but those members may in any manner waive the
period of notice for a particular meeting. The CBCA provides that for the
purpose of determining members, or members of a class of members, entitled to
notice of, or to vote at, a general meeting or class meeting, the directors
may set in advance a record date which may not be more than 50 days before the
meeting date.
The CBCA requires the directors of a reporting company (such as the Company)
to provide with notice of the meeting a form of proxy for use by every member
entitled to vote at such meeting as well as an information circular containing
prescribed information regarding the matters to be dealt with at the general
meeting. Prior to each annual general meeting of its members, the directors of
the Company must place comparative financial statements, made up to a date not
more than six months before the annual general meeting, the report of the
auditor, and the report of the directors to the members.
There are no restrictions under the laws of the jurisdiction of the Company's
incorporation, or in the company's articles or by laws, that limit the rights
of non-residents or foreign shareholders to own, or hold or exercise voting
rights on, our common shares, preference shares or non-voting convertible
shares.
The articles and bylaws of the company do not contain any restriction that
would have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control
of the Company and that would operate only with respect to a merger,
acquisition or corporate restructuring involving the Company.
The articles and by-laws of the Company do not require that a shareholder
disclose his or her share ownership interest in the Company.
29
C. MATERIAL CONTRACTS
------------------
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH FORMER CEO
In November 2004, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with David
Gee, the former President and CEO of the Company. The total cost of payments
to Mr. Gee in connection with his departure from the Company pursuant to the
settlement agreement amounted to $4,287,886. This amount represents the
payment of (i) a settlement award calculated using years of service with the
Company and the years of service with the prior employer, (ii) the bonus in
respect of service for the 2004 year, (iii) a lump sum retiring allowance, and
(iv) a lump-sum contribution made in respect of a supplemental pension plan.
Also pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Company agreed to continue to
make its premium contributions so as to provide for certain benefits
(including life and health care insurance) until the earlier of (a) June 30,
2007 and (b) the date Mr. Gee secures comparable benefit coverage. Under the
terms of the settlement agreement, all performance share units and stock
options held by Mr. Gee, to the extent then not vested, vested immediately.
Pursuant to the settlement agreement entered into with Mr. Gee, the Company
has satisfied its obligations with respect to the supplemental pension plan.
LOAN AGREEMENT
On June 5, 2003, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a
Long-term Loan agreement with First Treasury, a member of the Integrated Asset
Management group of companies, to finance the Syncrude project. The loan is
secured by the subsidiary's assets and the Company provides a general
guarantee until the successful start-up of the facility as defined in the loan
agreement, at which time the general guarantee will be released and the loan
will be secured by the subsidiary's assets. If, after the successful start-up
of the facility, the subsidiary fails to perform its operating obligations,
the Company will become responsible for the operation of the facility and as a
result the servicing of the debt. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of
7.3% per annum with a monthly interest only payment required until the
commencement of the revenue stream at which time the repayment of principal
will be made over the next 15 years. The revenue stream and the repayment of
principal commenced in January 2005.
D. EXCHANGE CONTROLS
-----------------
There is no law or governmental decree or regulation of general application in
Canada that restricts the export or import of capital, or affects the
remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to a non-resident holder
of common shares, other than withholding tax requirements. See below for
discussion on "Taxation."
There are no limitations of general application imposed by Canadian law or by
the constituent documents of the Company on the right of a non-resident to
hold or vote debt or common shares, other than as provided in the Investment
Canada Act (Canada). The following summarizes the principal features of the
Investment Canada Act (Canada):
The Investment Canada Act (Canada) requires certain "non-Canadian"
individuals, governments, corporations or other entities who wish to acquire
control of a "Canadian business" (as defined in the Investment Canada Act), or
establish a "new Canadian business" (as defined in the Investment Canada Act)
to file either a notification or an application for review with the Investment
Review Division of the federal Department of Industry or in the case of the
acquisition of a "cultural" business (as defined in the Investment Canada
Act), the Department of Canadian Heritage. The Investment Canada Act requires
that acquisitions of control of a Canadian business by a "non-Canadian" that
meet specified financial thresholds be reviewed and approved by the Minister
responsible for the Investment Canada Act on the basis that the Minister is
satisfied, or deemed to be satisfied, that the acquisition is "likely to be of
net benefit to Canada," having regard to criteria set forth in the Investment
Canada Act. The Investment Canada Act provides detailed rules for determining
whether control has been or will be acquired. The acquisition of one-third or
more of the voting shares of a corporation may be considered an acquisition of
control. Generally, reviewable acquisitions of control may not be implemented
before being approved by the Minister. Failure to comply with the review
provisions of the Investment Canada Act could ultimately result in, among
other things, a court order directing divestiture of the Canadian business.
30
E. TAXATION
--------
The following paragraphs set forth certain Canadian federal income tax
considerations in connection with the purchase, ownership and disposition of
the Senior Subordinated Notes. The discussion is restricted to non-residents
of Canada who are residents of the United States and who hold such Senior
Subordinated Notes as capital property. The tax considerations set forth below
are based upon the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Canada), and on the
Canada-United States Income Tax Convention, 1980, as well as regulations,
rulings, judicial decisions and administrative and assessing practices now in
effect in Canada, all of which are subject to change. This discussion does not
take into account provincial or territorial laws of Canada, or laws of foreign
jurisdictions.
The Company is not required to withhold tax from interest paid by it on Senior
Subordinated Notes to any non-resident of Canada with whom it is dealing at
arm's length within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada). Under such
laws and administrative and assessing practices, no other tax on income
(including taxable capital gains) is payable in respect of the purchase,
holding, redemption or disposition of the Senior Subordinated Notes or the
receipt of interest or any premium thereon by holders with whom the company
deals at arm's length and who are not residents, and who are not deemed to be
residents, in Canada in any taxation year in which they hold the Senior
Subordinated Notes, and who do not use or hold, and are not deemed to use or
hold, the Senior Subordinated Notes in connection with carrying on a business
in Canada, and who are not non-resident insurers carrying on an insurance
business in Canada and elsewhere.
The above description of Canadian income tax considerations is of a general
nature only and should not be construed as advice to any particular holder of
Senior Subordinated Notes. Holders should consult with their Canadian tax
advisers with respect to their particular tax position.
F. DIVIDENDS AND PAYING AGENTS
---------------------------
Information not required for an annual report.
G. STATEMENT BY EXPERTS
--------------------
Information not required for an annual report.
H. DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
--------------------
The Company is subject to certain of the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance therewith, has
and will file reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports and other information filed with
the Commission may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the
principal office of the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public
reference rooms. The SEC also maintains an Internet site, www.sec.gov, which
contains reports and other information regarding companies that file with the
SEC.
I. SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
----------------------
Information not required for an annual report.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
A. QUANTITATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET RISK
------------------------------------------
The Company does not invest in market risk-sensitive investments such as
derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments.
31
B. QUALITATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET RISK
-----------------------------------------
The Company is exposed to changes in the market price of the chemicals it
sells, and to fluctuations in the foreign currency exchange and interest rates
primarily in its cash, debt, and foreign currency transactions, all in the
normal course of business.
INTEREST RATE RISK
The interest rate on the Company's U.S. denominated per annum long-term debt
is fixed under contractual agreements. The Senior Subordinated Notes bear
interest of 9 5/8% while the Long-term Loan bears interest of 7.3% per annum.
The following table demonstrates the maturity of the Company's fixed rate
debt:
Fair Value
($000) 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Thereafter Total Dec 31, 2003
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 5/8% Senior Subordinated
Notes(1) -- -- -- 73,138 -- -- 73,138 74,600
7.3% Long-Term Loan(2) 1,526 1,641 1,765 1,898 2,040 31,130 40,000 40,522
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The Senior Subordinated Notes are denominated in U.S. dollars and converted at the December 31, 2004 year-end rate of 1.2036.
The Notes mature at the end of June 2008 and are redeemable at the option of the Company at specified redemption premiums.
2. On June 5, 2003 a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a Long-term Loan agreement to finance the Syncrude
project and is secured by the subsidiary's assets. The Company provides a general guarantee until the successful start-up
of the facility as defined in the loan agreement at which time the general guarantee will be released and the loan will be
secured by the subsidiary's assets. If, after the successful start-up of the facility, the subsidiary fails to perform its
operating obligations, the Company will become responsible for the operation of the facility and as a result the servicing
of the debt. The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 7.3% per annum with a monthly interest only payment required until
the commencement of the revenue stream at which time the repayment of principal will be made over the next 15 years. The
repayment of principal commenced January 2005.
FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK
The following table provides the percentage of Marsulex's revenues that were
denominated in U.S. dollars.
2004 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
44.5% 42.9% 40.6%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historically, Marsulex has hedged its U.S. dollar cash flow by financing its
business largely with U.S. dollar debt.
A one-cent increase in the value of the Canadian dollar on its U.S. dollar
denominated operations has the following impact:
($ thousands) 2004 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross margin $ (267) $ (332) $ (306)
SGA costs 68 91 93
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from operations before the undernoted $ (199) $ (241) $ (213)
Depreciation and amortization of deferred
charges and intangible assets 153 164 136
Net interest expense 98 113 197
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes(1) 52 36 120
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. This excludes the foreign exchange impact on translation of U.S. denominated monetary assets
and liabilities
32
CHEMICAL PRICES
Industrial chemicals sold by the Company are subject to market price
fluctuations. In addition, regional supply and demand imbalances can lead to
isolated price erosion.
The Company's end-use contracts generally have a "meet or release" provision.
As a result, competitive pressure can cause Marsulex to lower selling prices
in order to retain the volume.
In some contracts, commodity price exposure is either shared with, or borne
entirely by, the generator customers. A number of significant contracts are
structured such that the contract includes minimum volume requirements or
guaranteed fees in order to increase the stability of the cash flows
("fee-based"). The following table demonstrates the percent of revenue from
continuing operations derived from fee-based and risk-sharing arrangements:
2004 2003 2002
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fee-based 46.7% 43.6% 53.5%
Risk-sharing 12.3% 12.9% 21.8%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the contracts that are subject to commodity price fluctuations, a one
dollar change in price would result in an approximate 1.25% change in gross
profit.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Information not required for an annual report.
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUINCIES
Information not required for an annual report.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE
OF PROCEEDS
The Company's debt facility limits the payment of dividends.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
A. DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure controls and procedures are defined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission as those controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure
that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed or
submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the
Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. The Company's Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the Company's
disclosure controls and procedures as of the period covered by this Annual
Report on Form 20-F and have determined that such disclosure controls and
procedures are effective.
B. CHANGE IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There have not been any significant changes in the Company's internal control
over financial reporting that have occurred during the fiscal period ended
December 31, 2004 and that have materially affected or are reasonably likely
to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16A AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. John Rogers, an individual
serving on the audit committee of the Company's Board of Directors, is an
audit committee financial expert, as that term is defined in Item 401(h)(2) of
33
Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The
Board of Directors of the Company has also determined that Mr. Rogers is
independent, as that term is defined in the applicable listing standards of
the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
ITEM 16B CODE OF ETHICS
The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to its all of its
employees including executives, senior officers, and members of the board of
directors. The Company has posted the text of the Code of Conduct on its
website. It can be viewed by visiting the Company's website at
www.marsulex.com and selecting "Investor".
ITEM 16C PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre-approval
of audit related, tax services and other non-audit services provided by the
auditors (Auditor Services). These policies and procedures are summarized
below.
The terms of engagement and scope of the annual audit of the financial
statements are agreed to by the Audit Committee in advance of the engagement.
The Audit Committee approves the audit fees in respect to the annual audit.
The auditors are not permitted to provide non-audit services that would
compromise their independence or violate any laws or regulations that would
affect their appointment as auditors. They are eligible for selection to
provide non-audit services only to the extent that their skills and experience
make them a logical supplier of the services. The Audit Committee must
pre-approve the provision of all non-audit services by the auditors and will
consider regulatory guidelines in determining the scope of permitted services.
The Audit Committee has pre-approved the list of services that can be
performed by the auditor. Assignments outside these parameters must be
specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee in advance of commissioning
the work.
In 2004, the Audit Committee of the Company approved all audit related, tax
services and other non-audit services performed by the Company's auditors.
Fees during the fiscal year ended December 31 2004 2003
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Audit Fees 269,570 217,000
Audit Related Fees 21,950 3,800
Tax Service Fees 127,000 227,500
Other Fees 104,850 16,800
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 523,370 465,100
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Audit Fees
- ----------
The aggregate fees billed by KPMG LLP (the "Outside Auditors"), the Company's
principal accountant, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
are for professional services rendered by the Outside Auditors for the audit
of the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements or services that
are normally provided by the Outside Auditors in connection with statutory and
regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit-Related Fees
- ------------------
The aggregate fees billed by the Outside Auditors for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003, for assurance and related services rendered by it
that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the
Company's financial statements and are not reported above as audit fees.
Professional services provided included the review of the Company's pension
plans.
34
Tax Fees
- --------
The aggregate fees billed by the Outside Auditors for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003, for professional services rendered by it for tax
compliance, tax advice, tax planning and other services. Tax services provided
included tax advisory services and review and filing of the Company's annual
income tax returns.
All Other Fees
- --------------
The aggregate fees billed by the Outside Auditors for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively, for products and services provided
by the Outside Auditors, other than the services reported in the preceding
three paragraphs. These services included SOX advisory and due diligence
services.
ITEM 16D EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED
PURCHASERS
None.
PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the
basis of Canadian GAAP. A reconciliation to U.S. GAAP appears in Note 19
thereto.
MARSULEX INC. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Page
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management's Responsibilities for Financial Reporting FS-1
Auditors' Report FS-2
Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2004 FS-3
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 FS-4
Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 FS-4
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 FS-5
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements FS-6
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company has elected to provide financial statements in accordance with
Item 17 in lieu of responding to this item.
35
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exhibit Number Description
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1 Articles of Incorporation of the Company(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.2 By-laws of the Company(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1 Indenture between Marsulex Inc. and the Bank of Nova Scotia
Trust Company of New York for up to US$155,000,000 in 9-5/8%
Senior Subordinated Notes(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.2 Amended and Restated Asset and Share Purchase Agreement(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.3 Amended and Restated Share and Debt Purchase Agreement(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.4 Share Purchase Agreement (Shares of Sulconam Inc.)(4)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.5 Loan Agreement(5)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.6 Settlement Agreement with former CEO
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.1 Management's Discussion and Analysis
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.2 Management Information Circular
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Listing of Marsulex subsidiaries (included on page 18 hereof)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer Pursuant to Section 302 ofthe Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Incorporated by reference to exhibits of the Company's Form 20-F
(registration number 333-09410) filed with the SEC on June 27, 2001.
2. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 7.1 of the Company's Form F-10
(registration number 333-09410) filed with the SEC on September 17, 1998.
3. Incorporated by reference to exhibits of the Company's Amendment No. 1 of
the Form 20-F (registration number 333-09410)filed with the SEC on July 8,
2002.
4. Incorporated by reference to exhibits of the Company's of the Form 20-F
(registration number 333-09410) filed with the SEC on March 18, 2003.
5. Incorporated by reference to exhibits of the Company's of the Form 20-F
(registration number 333-09410) filed with the SEC on March 25, 2004.
SIGNATURE
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned
to sign this annual report on its behalf.
MARSULEX INC.
By: /s/ Laurie Tugman
Name: Laurie Tugman
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated this 29 day of March, 2005
36
Index to Exhibits
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exhibit Number Description
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.1 Articles of Incorporation of the Company(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.2 By-laws of the Company(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1 Indenture between Marsulex Inc. and the Bank of Nova
Scotia Trust Company of New York for up to US$155,000,000 in
9-5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes(2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.2 Amended and Restated Asset and Share Purchase Agreement(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.3 Amended and Restated Share and Debt Purchase Agreement(3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.4 Share Purchase Agreement (Shares of Sulconam Inc.)(4)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.5 Loan Agreement(5)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.6 Settlement Agreement with former CEO
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.1 Management's Discussion and Analysis
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.2 Management Information Circular
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 Listing of Marsulex subsidiaries (included on page 18 hereof)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Incorporated by reference to exhibits of the Company's Form 20-F
(registration number 333-09410) filed with the SEC on June 27, 2001.
2. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 7.1 of the Company's Form F-10
(registration number 333-09410) filed with the SEC on September 17, 1998.
3. Incorporated by reference to exhibits of the Company's Amendment No. 1 of
the Form 20-F (registration number 333-09410) filed with the SEC on July 8,
2002.
4. Incorporated by reference to exhibits of the Company's of the Form 20-F
(registration number 333-09410) filed with the SEC on March 18,, 2003.
5. Incorporated by reference to exhibits of the Company's of the Form 20-F
(registration number 333-09410) filed with the SEC on March 25, 2004.
37
MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of Marsulex Inc. is responsible for the integrity of the
accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and all other information in
the annual report. The financial statements have been prepared by management
in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles applied
on a consistent basis and which recognize the necessity of relying on best
estimates and informed judgements. The most significant of these accounting
principles have been set out in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
To discharge its responsibilities for financial reporting and safeguarding of
assets, management depends on the Company's systems of internal accounting
control. These systems are designed to provide reasonable and cost-effective
assurance that the financial records are reliable and form a proper basis for
the timely and accurate preparation of financial statements.
The Board of Directors oversees management's responsibilities for financial
statements primarily through the activities of its Audit Committee, which is
composed solely of Directors who are neither officers nor employees of the
Company. This Committee meets regularly with financial management and the
independent auditors to discuss internal controls, auditing matters and
financial reporting issues. The Audit Committee reviews the Consolidated
Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis prior to the
Board of Directors' approving them for inclusion in the Annual Report. The
Audit Committee also meets with the auditors without the presence of
management, to discuss the results of their audit and the quality of financial
reporting.
The financial statements have been audited by KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants.
Their report outlines the scope of their examinations and opinion on the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
/s/ Laurie Tugman /s/ Edward R. Irwin
Laurie Tugman Edward R. Irwin
President Chief Financial Officer
& Chief Executive Officer
Toronto, Canada
February 18, 2005
FS-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE SHAREHOLDERS
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Marsulex Inc. as at
December 31, 2004 and 2003 and the consolidated statements of operations,
retained earnings and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 2004. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted
auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and
perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance 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.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Company as at December 31,
2004 and 2003 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of
the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2004 in accordance with
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.
Canadian generally accepted accounting principles vary in certain significant
respect from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. Information relating to the nature and effect of such differences is
presented in note 19 to the consolidated financial statements.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants
Toronto, Canada
February 18, 2005
COMMENTS BY AUDITOR FOR U.S. READERS ON CANADA-U.S. REPORTING DIFFERENCE
In the United States, reporting standards for auditors require the addition of
an explanatory paragraph following the opinion paragraph when there is a
retroactive adjustment to the Company's financial statements, such as the
change described in Note 19(a) to the consolidated financial statements. Our
report to the shareholders dated February 18, 2005 is expressed in accordance
with Canadian reporting standards which do not require a reference to such
change in accounting principles in the auditor's report when the change is
properly accounted for and adequately disclosed in the financial statements.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants
Toronto, Canada
February 18, 2005
FS-2
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of dollars)
December 31, 2004 and 2003
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 30,922 $ 16,375
Cash held in trust (note 10(a)) 6,397 10,071
Accounts receivable 21,896 19,621
Due from Chemtrade Logistics 900 900
Inventories (note 6) 2,186 2,760
Future tax asset (note 15) 154 605
Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,235 1,597
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
63,690 51,929
Long-term portion of cash held in trust (note 10(a)) 7,500 7,500
Property, plant and equipment (note 7) 152,432 156,679
Deferred charges and other assets, net of accumulated amortization 986 2,378
Goodwill 45,544 48,940
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization (note 9) 2,625 3,063
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 272,777 $ 270,489
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 10,564 $ 9,765
Accrued liabilities 19,281 13,515
Income taxes payable 60 1,385
Interest payable 122 122
Current portion of long-term debt (note 10) 1,526 --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31,553 24,787
Long-term debt (note 10) 111,612 119,196
Deferred revenues 3,718 796
Other liabilities 9,838 10,488
Future tax liability (note 15) 14,222 18,395
Shareholders' equity:
Capital stock (note 11) 57,973 57,973
Retained earnings 43,190 38,290
Foreign currency translation adjustment 671 564
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
101,834 96,827
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 272,777 $ 270,489
Subsequent event (note 11)
Commitments and contingencies (note 14)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
On behalf of the Board:
/s/ John Rogers /s/ Lee C. Stewart
John Rogers Lee C. Stewart
Director Director
FS-3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 137,022 $ 134,982 $ 138,291
Cost of sales and services 88,155 86,546 90,028
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit 48,867 48,436 48,263
Selling, general, administrative and other costs 23,342 19,663 20,747
Foreign exchange gains on monetary items (61) (2,057) (569)
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 57 -- 20
Depreciation 16,907 15,727 15,660
Unusual items (note 2) 657 1,422 7,487
Amortization of deferred charges and intangible assets 708 726 387
Interest expense 10,569 9,755 13,684
Interest capitalized (4,252) (3,738) (2,572)
Interest income (756) (730) (1,942)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and minority interest 1,696 7,668 (4,639)
Income taxes (recovery) (note 15):
Current 507 559 2,706
Future (3,711) 251 (1,162)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3,204) 810 1,544
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) before minority interest 4,900 6,858 (6,183)
Minority interest -- -- 1,595
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) $ 4,900 $ 6,858 $ (7,778)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) per share (note 12(a)):
Basic $ 0.15 $ 0.22 $ (0.25)
Diluted 0.15 0.21 (0.25)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS
(In thousands of dollars)
Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings, beginning of year $ 38,290 $ 31,432 $ 39,223
Premium on common stock purchased for cancellation (note 11) -- -- (13)
Net earnings (loss) 4,900 6,858 (7,778)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings, end of year $ 43,190 $ 38,290 $ 31,432
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
FS-4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands of dollars)
Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities:
Net earnings (loss) $ 4,900 $ 6,858 $ (7,778)
Items not affecting cash:
Depreciation 16,907 15,727 15,660
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 57 -- 20
Non-cash unusual items (note 2) 422 685 6,679
Amortization of deferred charges and intangible assets 708 726 387
Future income taxes (3,711) 251 (1,162)
Minority interest -- -- 1,595
Accretion of asset retirement obligations (note 8) 73 61 58
Other non-cash items 294 231 471
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19,650 24,539 15,930
Change in non-cash operating working capital (note 5) 5,529 4,962 (5,777)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operations 25,179 29,501 10,153
Financing activities:
Issuance of common stock (note 11) -- 348 133
Repurchase of common stock (note 11) -- -- (27)
Repayment of long-term debt -- -- (69,492)
Increase in long-term debt -- 40,000 --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- 40,348 (69,386)
Investing activities:
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment 26 -- 3,358
Additions to property, plant and equipment (14,627) (32,583) (40,977)
Decrease (increase) in deferred charges 140 (168) --
Acquisitions (note 3) -- (11,604) (16,590)
Decrease (increase) in cash held in trust (note 10(a)) 3,674 (17,571) --
Decrease (increase) in other assets 900 1,589 (241)
Decrease in note from Chemtrade Logistics -- -- 4,305
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9,887) (60,337) (50,145)
Foreign exchange loss on cash held in foreign currency (745) (1,077) (830)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 14,547 8,435 (110,208)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 16,375 7,940 118,148
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 30,922 $ 16,375 $ 7,940
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid $ 10,569 $ 9,633 $ 13,688
Income taxes paid, net of refunds 832 559 2,008
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
FS-5
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in thousands of dollars)
Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
1. Significant accounting policies:
(a) Basis of presentation:
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Marsulex
Inc. (the Company) and its subsidiaries from their respective dates of
acquisition. All intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated.
(b) Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash equivalents are comprised of highly liquid investments having
remaining terms of maturity of 90 days or less when acquired. They are
valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.
(c) Inventories:
Inventories are valued at the lower of average cost and net realizable
value, with cost including the purchase cost of raw materials and
operating supplies and the cost of production for work in process and
finished goods.
(d) Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is charged
on a straight-line basis over the economic useful lives of the related
assets or, where applicable, the lower of the economic useful lives of
the related assets and the duration of the related customer contracts,
which range from three to 22 years.
Costs related to facilities and equipment under construction are not
depreciated until the facilities and equipment are substantially
completed and ready for commercial use.
The Company includes, as part of the cost of its plant and equipment, all
interest costs incurred prior to the asset becoming available for
operation.
(e) Asset retirement obligations:
The Company recognizes the fair value of a future asset retirement as a
liability in the period in which it incurs a legal obligation associated
with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets that results from the
acquisition, construction, development, and/or normal use of the assets.
The Company concurrently recognizes a corresponding increase in the
carrying amount of the related long-lived asset that is depreciated over
the life of the asset. The fair value of the asset retirement obligation
is estimated using the expected cash flow approach that reflects a range
of possible outcomes discounted at a credit-adjusted risk-free interest
rate. Subsequent to the initial measurement, the asset retirement
obligation is adjusted at the end of each period to reflect the passage
of time and changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the
obligation. Changes in the obligation due to the passage of time are
recognized in income as an operating expense using the interest method.
Changes in the obligation due to changes in estimated cash flows are
recognized as an adjustment of the carrying amount of the related
long-lived asset that is depreciated over the remaining life of the
asset.
(f) Intangible assets:
Intangibles include the estimated value at the date of acquisition of
long-term contractual customer relationships and other intangible assets.
Where customer relationships do not have a history of renewal, they are
amortized over the contract terms. Intangible assets associated with
other relationships are amortized over their expected life, which is
currently eight years.
(g) Impairment of long-lived assets:
Long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and
intangibles subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of
an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and
used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to
estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the
asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future
cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the
carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets
to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and
reported at the lower of the carrying amount of fair value less costs to
sell, and are no longer depreciated. The asset and liabilities of a
disposed group classified as held for sale would be presented separately
in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet.
FS-6
(h) Goodwill:
Goodwill is initially recorded as the excess of the Company's cost over
the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business
combination. The amount of the goodwill is assigned to the respective
reporting unit. On an annual basis, the Company assesses the carrying
value of goodwill based upon the fair value of the related reporting
unit. If any impairment in the value of the reporting unit exists, the
implied fair value of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit is
determined and compared to the carrying value of the goodwill. Any
impairment that exists following the assessment is recorded as a charge
to the income statement at the time the impairment occurs as part of
earnings from operations.
(i) Deferred charges:
Deferred charges are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of
the contract to which they relate (up to 10 years).
(j) Foreign currency translation:
The accounts of the Company's foreign operations are considered to be
self-sustaining and are translated into Canadian dollars using the
current rate method. Assets and liabilities are translated at the rates
in effect at the balance sheet date and revenue and expenses are
translated at average exchange rates for the year. Gains or losses
arising from the translation of the financial statements of
self-sustaining foreign operations are deferred in a "foreign currency
translation adjustment" account in shareholders' equity until there is a
realized reduction in the net investment.
Gains and losses on the translation of the U.S. dollar-denominated Senior
Subordinated Notes (note 10) used for the acquisition of the Company's
self-sustaining foreign operations are considered to be a hedge of the
net investment in the self-sustaining operations and are offset against
the exchange gains or losses arising on translation of the financial
statements of the foreign operation and are included in the foreign
currency translation adjustment.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in U.S. dollars of non
self-sustaining operations are translated into Canadian dollars at the
rate of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date. All revenue and
expenses denominated in U.S. dollars are translated at average rates in
effect during the year. Translation gains and losses are included in the
consolidated statements of operations.
(k) Revenue recognition:
The Company earns revenue through the provision of industrial services,
including the processing, removal, distribution, and sale of the
by-products resulting from compliance services, and the sale of
industrial chemicals.
Generally revenue is recognized when a contract has been executed by a
customer, delivery has occurred, the amount is fixed and determinable,
the collection of the receivable is deemed reasonably assured and the
Company has no remaining performance obligations.
Where the Company enters into a multi-element contract, such as the
provision of licenses bundled with project management activities, the
fees are allocated to each element based on the relative fair value of
each element. When the fair value of the undelivered element has not been
established, revenue for the delivered element is deferred until the
earlier of when fair value is established or when all elements have been
delivered. Any billings or cash received in advance of services rendered
under the contracts are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized once
the services are provided.
Revenue from the processing activities is earned as the services are
rendered and upon the completion of the Company's obligation stipulated
under its long-term agreements.
Revenue from the sale of industrial products including sulphur-enhanced
chemicals and other by-product chemicals is recognized at the time of
shipment and title has passed to the customer.
The revenue associated with the design and procurement of equipment is
recognized on a percentage of completion method using engineering
estimates for costs and time to complete the project in order to
determine the percent complete. The effect of changes in total estimated
income for each contract is recognized in the year in which the
determination is made.
Revenue from fees earned for the provision of licenses is recognized upon
completion of the Company's obligations and when reasonable certainty of
collection of the fees exists and is amortized over the term of the
agreement. Revenue from engineering and project management activities are
recognized when the services are rendered.
(l) Employee future benefit plans:
The Company accrues its obligations under employee benefit plans and the
related costs net of plan assets and has adopted the following policies:
i) The cost of pensions and other retirement benefits earned by
employees is actuarially determined using the projected benefit
method prorated on service and management's discount rate and best
estimate of expected plan investment performance, salary escalation,
retirement ages of employees and expected health care costs.
FS-7
ii) For the purpose of calculating the expected return on plan assets,
those assets are valued at fair value.
iii) The excess of the net actuarial gain (loss) over 10% of the greater
of the benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets at the
beginning of the year is amortized over the average remaining
service period of active employees. The average remaining service
period of the active employees covered by the pension plans is
between 11 and 14 years. The average remaining service period of the
active employees covered by the other retirement benefit plans is
between 11 and 12 years.
(m) Income taxes:
Future income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future
income tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases. Future income tax assets and liabilities are
measured using enacted or substantively enacted tax rates expected to
apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences
are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is
recorded against any future income tax asset if it is more likely than
not that the asset will not be realized. Income tax expense is the sum of
the Company's provision for current income taxes and the difference
between opening and ending balances of future income tax assets and
liabilities.
(n) Environmental obligations:
Liabilities are recorded when environmental claims or remedial efforts
are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Environmental
expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or
capitalized as appropriate.
(o) Stock-based compensation:
The Company provides compensation to certain employees, officers and
directors in the form of stock options. For awards granted after January
1, 2003, the fair value method is used. Under this method the Company
records the fair value of the options granted over the vesting period as
an expense. The offset for these expenses is recorded in contributed
surplus until the options are exercised. The Company followed the
settlement method of accounting for awards granted prior to January 1,
2003. Using this method, no expense was recognized for stock options as
the strike price is set at the market price on the day the awards are
issued. When stock options are exercised, the proceeds received by the
Company were credited to common shares.
The Company also provides compensation to certain employees, key persons,
and directors in the form of Deferred Share Units (DSU's) and Performance
Share Units (PSU's). Upon settlement PSU's automatically convert to
DSU's, unless at the option of the holder, the units are converted to
common stock purchased on the open market. DSU's may be settled at the
holder's option in cash or common stock purchased on the open market.
These awards are accounted for using the intrinsic value method such that
the value of the share units at grant date, together with subsequent
changes in the common share price in relation to the share unit prices,
are recorded as compensation expense over the grant period in selling,
general, administrative, and other costs in the statements of operation
and reflected in accrued liabilities in the balance sheets.
(p) Earnings per share (EPS):
Basic EPS is calculated by dividing the net earnings available to common
shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
during the year. Diluted EPS is calculated using the treasury stock
method, which assumes that all outstanding stock options with an exercise
price below the average market price are exercised and the assumed
proceeds are used to purchase common shares at the average market price
during the year.
(q) Use of estimates:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Canadian
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
(r) Comparative figures:
Certain 2003 and 2002 comparative figures have been reclassified to
conform to the financial statement presentation adopted in 2004.
FS-8
2. Unusual items:
Consolidated Statements of Operations
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses incurred on cancellation of stock options held by former employees
(note 11) $ -- $ 737 $ --
Loss (gain) on disposal of parts and service business and other assets
(note 4) 155 685 (4,014)
Expenses incurred on early retirement of debt (note 2(a)) -- -- 1,252
Write-off of capitalized project costs (note 2(b)) -- -- 9,508
Other unusual items 502 -- 741
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total unusual items $ 657 $ 1,422 $ 7,487
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses incurred on early retirement of debt $ -- $ -- $ 1,185
Loss (gain) on disposal of parts and service business and other assets -- 685 (4,014)
Write-off of capitalized project costs -- -- 9,508
Other 422 -- --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total non-cash unusual items $ 422 $ 685 $ 6,679
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) On August 20, 2002, the Company completed the purchase of a portion of
its 9 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes in the amount of $69,492,000 (U.S.
$44,234,000) principal at par plus accrued interest of $929,000 (U.S.
$591,000). As part of the purchase, the Company incurred expenses of
$1,252,000 comprised of writing off of deferred debt issuance costs of
$1,185,000 and expenses incurred on the transaction of $67,000.
(b) Write-off of capitalized project costs:
Due to significant changes in the financial markets, the Company and
Santee Cooper, South Carolina's state owned electric and water utility,
mutually agreed not to proceed with the previously announced project for
Marsulex to build and own a flue gas desulphurization system utilizing
Marsulex's patented ammonium sulphate scrubber technology at Santee
Cooper's Winyah Power Generating Station. This resulted in a write-off of
capitalized project costs of $9,508,000 in 2002.
3. Acquisitions:
(a) On October 7, 2003, the Company acquired the sulphur products business in
Prince George, British Columbia from Duke Energy Gas Transmission. The
gross purchase price of $13,382,000 was prior to working capital
adjustments which resulted in a cash purchase price of $11,604,000. The
acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting and has been consolidated from the date of acquisition. The
final purchase price has been allocated as follows:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment $ 13,382
Current assets 769
Current liabilities (1,760)
Post retirement benefits (670)
Other liabilities (117)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash purchase price $ 11,604
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As part of the Duke Energy Gas Transmission acquisition, the Company
recognized the fully funded pension benefits obligations of $1,390,000
and post retirement benefits of $670,000 relating to the employees of
this plant. These obligations are included in the post retirement
obligations disclosed in note 13.
(b) On December 30, 2002, the Company acquired the remaining 35% of the
outstanding common shares of Sulconam Inc. for an aggregate cash purchase
price of $16,590,000.
The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting
and the final purchase price allocation, including the acquisition costs,
is summarized as follows:
FS-9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and equipment $ 7,313
Intangible assets, contractual customer relationships 3,501
Future tax liability (2,047)
Minority interest 7,823
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 16,590
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Disposal of parts and service business and other assets:
On January 31, 2002, the Company completed the sale of its parts and
service business and other assets for gross proceeds of $6,545,000, of
which $3,358,000 was received in cash resulting in an after tax gain on
disposal of $3,612,000.
5. Change in non-cash operating working capital:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts receivable $ (2,667) $ 3,907 $ 6,718
Inventories 550 (980) 1,329
Prepaid expenses and other assets 358 (1,534) (171)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 8,521 2,747 (13,038)
Income taxes payable (1,233) 822 (615)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 5,529 $ 4,962 $ (5,777)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Inventories:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raw materials and work in process $ 461 $ 516
Finished goods 938 1,421
Operating supplies 787 823
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 2,186 $ 2,760
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Property, plant and equipment:
Details of property, plant and equipment:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated Net book
Cost depreciation value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land $ 1,499 $ -- $ 1,499
Plant and equipment 196,491 106,420 90,071
Facilities and equipment under construction 60,862 -- 60,862
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 258,852 $ 106,420 $ 152,432
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated Net book
Cost depreciation value
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land $ 1,499 $ -- $ 1,499
Plant and equipment 197,378 95,408 101,970
Facilities and equipment under construction 53,210 -- 53,210
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 252,087 $ 95,408 $ 156,679
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FS-10
During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company capitalized
$4,252,000 (2003 - $3,738,000; 2002 - $1,935,000) of financing costs as
part of the cost of facilities and equipment under construction.
8. Asset retirement obligations:
The Company has recorded asset retirement costs and corresponding
obligation where it has determined legal obligations exist, including
Company properties that are on leased land, which revert back to the
lessor and where the Company has a legal obligation under the landlease
agreement to remove improvements and structures from the property. The
following is a reconciliation of the changes in the asset retirement
obligation during the year:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, beginning of the year $ 863 $ 685
Liabilities incurred during the year -- 117
Accretion expense 73 61
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at the end of year $ 936 $ 863
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accretion expense is included in selling, general, administrative and
other costs. The estimated undiscounted estimated cash flows required to
settle the obligation amount to $2,550,000 and are expected to be settled
in the next 6 to 30 years. The cash flows are discounted using a
credit-adjusted risk-free rate of 8.5% (2003 - 8.5%).
Other assumptions used by management to determine the carrying amount of
the asset retirement obligation are: labour costs based on current
marketplace wages required to hire contractors to dismantle and remove
the leasehold improvements, market risk premium for unforeseeable
circumstances, and the rate of inflation over the expected years to
settlement.
9. Intangible assets:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intangible assets, at cost (note 3(b)) $ 3,501 $ 3,501
Less accumulated amortization 876 438
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intangible assets, net of amortization $ 2,625 $ 3,063
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Long-term debt:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term Loan
7.3%, maturing 2019 (note 10(a)) $ 40,000 $ 40,000
Senior Subordinated Notes:
9 5/8% U.S. $60,766,000 (2002 - U.S. $60,766,000), maturing 2008 (note 10(b)) 73,138 79,196
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total debt 113,138 119,196
Less current portion 1,526 --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 111,612 $ 119,196
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Long-term Loan:
On June 5, 2003, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a
Long-term Loan agreement to finance its portion of the construction of
the environmental compliance facilities at Syncrude's Mildred Lake oil
sands facility in Alberta. The loan is secured by the subsidiary's
assets. A general guarantee is provided by the Company until the
successful start-up of the facility as defined in the loan agreement at
which time the general guarantee will be released and the loan will be
secured by the subsidiary's assets. If, after the successful start-up of
the facility, the subsidiary fails to perform its operating obligations,
the Company will become responsible for the operation of the facility and
as a result the servicing of the debt.
The loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 7.3% per annum with a monthly
interest-only payment required until the repayment of principal which
commenced January 2005. Monthly principal repayments are due over the
next 15 years as follows:
FS-11
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005 $ 1,526
2006 1,641
2007 1,765
2008 1,898
2009 2,040
Thereafter 31,130
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under the terms of the agreement $40,000,000 was advanced to a loan
account which is held in trust. As construction of the facility
progresses, cash draws are made on the loan with the remaining amount
held in trust and recorded separately in current and long-term assets as
cash held in trust. As defined in the agreement, $7,500,000 of the funds
are required to remain in trust until the successful commissioning and
start-up of the facility and have been recorded as long-term portion of
cash held in trust.
(b) Senior Subordinated Notes:
Long-term debt denominated in U.S. dollars has been translated to
Canadian dollars at rates in effect at the balance sheet dates.
Amounts due for repayment, stated in U.S. dollars, are as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008 $ 60,766
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Senior Subordinated Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company
at specified redemption premiums. The Senior Subordinated Notes require
the Company to offer to repurchase the notes equal to 101% of the
principal amount upon a change of control. A change of control as defined
in the indenture has not occurred.
11. Capital stock:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorized:
Unlimited preference shares, no par value Unlimited convertible shares,
non-voting, no par value Unlimited common shares, no par value
Issued and fully paid:
Common shares $ 57,973 $ 57,973
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common shares issued at December 31, 2001 26,781,050
Common shares cancelled pursuant to the Normal Course Issue Bid (7,500)
Common shares issued upon exercise of stock options 60,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common shares issued at December 31, 2002 26,833,550
Conversion of non-voting convertible shares 4,720,182
Common shares issued upon exercise of stock options 142,666
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common shares issued at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 31,696,398
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-voting convertible shares issued at December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2002 4,720,182
Conversion of non-voting convertible shares (4,720,182)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-voting convertible shares issued at December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The non-voting convertible shares are convertible into common shares on a
one-for-one basis and the common shares are convertible into non-voting
convertible shares on a one-for-one basis at any time. The non-voting
convertible shares are entitled to receive the same dividend as the
common shares and participate equally with the common shares in any
distribution of assets of the Company. In September 2003, the Company's
major shareholder acquired all of the issued non-voting convertible
shares and subsequently converted them into common shares.
FS-12
On June 17, 2003, the Company announced its intention to make a Normal
Course Issuer Bid (NCIB), pursuant to which the Company is entitled to
purchase up to 1,341,677 of its outstanding common shares. The NCIB
commenced on June 19, 2003 and terminated on June 18, 2004, during which
the Company did not purchase any shares.
On January 29, 2002, the Company announced its intention to make a NCIB
pursuant to which the Company was entitled to purchase up to 1,339,053 of
its outstanding common shares. The NCIB commenced on February 1, 2002 and
terminated on January 31, 2003. The purchases were made for cancellation
at the market price of such shares at the time of acquisition. During
2002, the Company acquired 7,500 shares for cancellation for total cash
cost of $27,000.
During 2003, the Company issued 142,666 common shares for cash proceeds
of $348,000 upon the exercise of stock options. In 2002, the Company
issued 60,000 common shares for cash proceeds of $133,000 upon the
exercise of stock options.
Subsequent to December 31, 2004, the Company issued 338,833 common shares
for cash proceeds of $762,000 upon the exercise of stock options.
Stock option plan:
Under the terms of the Company's stock option plan, 4,095,160 common
shares have been reserved for issuance to holders of options granted.
Options held by any participant in the option plan may not exceed 5% of
the common shares outstanding from time to time. Generally options
granted vest in equal annual amounts on each of the first three
anniversary dates of the grant and are exercisable for 10 years from the
date of grant.
Details of the changes in options outstanding are as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Weighted average
options exercise price
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding, December 31, 2001 2,736,500 $ 3.68
Granted 249,250 3.95
Forfeited (251,300) 3.70
Exercised (60,000) 2.23
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding, December 31, 2002 2,674,450 $ 3.74
Forfeited (46,585) $ 4.92
Exercised (142,666) 2.44
Cancelled (433,434) 3.57
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding, December 31, 2003 2,051,765 $ 3.84
Forfeited -- --
Exercised -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding, December 31, 2004 2,051,765 $ 3.84
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On December 17, 2003, the Company purchased 433,434 stock options held by
former employees of the Company for a total consideration of $737,000.
The options were cancelled and fully expensed.
The following table summarizes information about stock options
outstanding at December 31, 2004:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options outstanding Options exercisable
Number Weighted Number
Range of outstanding, average Weighted exercisable, Weighted
exercise December 31, remaining Average December 31, average
prices 2004 contractual life exercise price 2004 exercise price
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$2.23 - $2.90 599,666 6.2 years $2.24 599,666 $2.22
$3.40 - $4.65 1,294,599 4.6 years $3.98 1,228,677 $3.98
$8.80 157,500 3.4 years $8.80 157,500 $8.80
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,051,765 1,985,843
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directors' Deferred Share Unit Plan:
Effective March 1, 2002, the Company established a Directors' Deferred
Share Unit Plan (DSU's) whereby directors of the Company may elect to
have a portion or all of their remuneration paid in DSU's. The number of
DSU's issued is calculated by dividing the director's remuneration by the
fair market value of the Company's common shares on the grant date and
may be settled in cash or common shares purchased on the open market.
This amount and subsequent changes in the common share price in relation
FS-13
to the DSU's issue price is recorded as compensation expense and included
in selling, general, administrative and other expenses. In 2004, the
Company granted a total of 14,410 DSU's.
Performance Share Unit Plan:
On March 1, 2002, the Company established a Performance Share Unit Plan
(PSU's) for certain employees and key persons as part of their long-term
incentive compensation package. The number of PSU's to be granted each
year is at the discretion of the Board of Directors, who also determine
the criteria for vesting of the PSU's. At the end of the grant period,
typically three years, the PSU's are automatically converted to Deferred
Share Units (DSU's) or, at the holder's election, into common shares.
DSU's may be settled at retirement, termination, resignation or death, in
cash or common shares. PSU and DSU settlements of common shares are made
by the Company through purchases on the open market. These amounts and
subsequent changes in the common share price in relation to the PSU issue
price are recorded as compensation expense and included in selling,
general, administrative and other expenses. During the current year, the
Company granted 230,415 PSU's and recorded an expense in the amount of
$2,454,000 (2003 - $1,065,000; 2002 - $229,000).
12. Earnings (loss) per share:
(a) The following table sets forth the computation of diluted earnings (loss)
per share:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Numerator:
Net earnings (loss) available to common shareholders $ 4,900 $ 6,858 $ (7,778)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denominator (shares in thousands):
Weighted average shares outstanding 31,696 31,572 31,543
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options 808 462 --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions 32,504 32,034 31,543
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 2004, 157,500 (2003 - 588,600; 2002 - 2,674,450) stock options were
not included in the determination of earnings (loss) per share because to
do so would be anti-dilutive.
(b) Pro forma impact of the stock-based compensation:
The Company's results would have been as follows had it elected to
recognize the cost of its stock-based compensation based on the estimated
fair value of stock options granted during 2002.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) for the year, as reported $ 4,900 $ 6,858 $ (7,778)
Stock based compensation for options issued during 2002 72 170 232
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma net earnings (loss) for the year $ 4,828 $ 6,688 $ (8,010)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma net earnings (loss) per share:
Basic $ 0.15 $ 0.21 $ (0.25)
Diluted $ 0.15 $ 0.21 $ (0.25)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fair value of each stock option granted subsequent to January 1, 2002
was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing
model using the following:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average exercise price $ 3.95
Weighted average fair value of options granted during 2002 $ 2.13
Expected life of options (years) 10
Expected stock price volatility 30%
Expected dividend yield 0%
Risk-free interest rate 5.6%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Employee future benefits:
FS-14
The Company has non-contributory defined benefit pension plans and
provides post-retirement benefits other than pensions that include such
items as medical benefits for pensioners and survivors to a portion of
its employees. This net post-retirement liability is included in other
liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The Company measures its accrued benefit obligations and the fair value
of plan assets for accounting purposes as at December 31 of each year.
The most recent actuarial valuation of the pension plans for funding
purposes was as of December 2001 and February 2004 for the obligations
relating to the 2003 acquisition. The next required valuation will be
three years from those dates.
The change in the funded status of post-retirement defined benefit plans
was as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension Post-retirement benefits
benefits other than pensions
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in post-retirement obligations:
Obligation at beginning of year $ 7,055 $ 5,262 $ 4,776 $ 1,126 $ 512 $ 308
Service cost 375 244 230 20 20 24
Interest cost 460 326 296 49 32 20
Benefits paid (225) (167) (147) -- -- (6)
Curtailment -- -- -- (371) -- --
Actuarial loss (gain) -- -- 107 -- (108) 166
Adjustment to Obligation relating to the
acquisition 408 -- -- (238) -- --
Obligations relating to the acquisition -- 1,390 -- -- 670 --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obligations at end of year $ 8,073 $ 7,055 $ 5,262 $ 586 $ 1,126 $ 512
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of
year $ 6,271 $ 4,357 $ 4,591 $ -- $ -- $ (6)
Actual return on plan assets 614 384 (220) -- -- --
Employer contributions 489 307 133 -- -- 12
Benefits paid (225) (167) (147) -- -- (6)
Adjustment to assets relating to the
acquisition 20 -- -- -- -- --
Assets relating to the acquisition -- 1,390 -- -- -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 7,169 $ 6,271 $ 4,357 $ -- $ -- $ --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funding status of plans:
Plan surplus/(deficit) $ (904) $ (784) $ (905) $ (586) $(1,126) $ (512)
Unrecognized net transitional obligations
(assets) (614) (679) (744) 25 147 178
Unrecognized prior service costs 749 949 1,061 -- 30 149
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net post-retirement liabilities at end of year $ (769) $ (514) $ (588) $ (561) $ (949) $ (185)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Included in the above accrued benefit obligation and fair value of plan
assets at year-end are the following amounts in respect of benefit plans
that are not fully funded:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension Other
Benefit benefit
plans plans
2004 2003 2004 2003
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued benefit obligation $ 8,073 $ 7,055 $ 586 $ 1,126
Fair value of plan assets 7,169 6,271 -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status - plan deficit $ 904 $ 784 $ 586 $ 1,126
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FS-15
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percentage of plan assets
Asset category 2004 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amounts outstanding relating to the acquisition 21% 22%
Equity securities 47% 43%
Debt securities 32% 35%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 100% 100%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post-retirement benefits expense included the following components:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension Post-retirement benefits
benefits other than pensions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost $ 375 $ 244 $ 230 $ 20 $ 20 $ 24
Interest cost 460 326 296 49 32 20
Expected return on plan assets (442) (310) (321) -- -- --
Amortization of transitional obligations
(assets) (65) (65) (65) 25 31 31
Amortization of actuarial and investment
gain (loss) 29 38 -- -- 11 --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post-retirement benefits expense $ 357 $ 233 $ 140 $ 94 $ 94 $ 75
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The weighted average assumptions used in the determination of the
post-retirement benefits expense and obligation were as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension Post-retirement benefits
benefits other than pensions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate 6.0% 6.0% 6.0% 6.0% 6.0% 6.0%
Expected return on plan assets 7.0% 7.0% 7.0% 7.0% 7.0% 7.0%
Rate of compensation increase 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The composite health care cost trend rate used in measuring
post-retirement benefits other than pensions was assumed to begin at 13%,
declining one percent per year until it reaches 8% and remaining at that
level thereafter.
A one percent change in the assumed composite health care cost trend rate
would have the following effects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Post-retirement
benefits
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1% Increase 1% Decrease
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Increase) decrease on accumulated benefits obligation $ (43) $ 43
Increase (decrease) on net periodic expense 31 (31)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FS-16
14. Commitments and contingencies:
(a) Operating leases:
Under the terms of operating leases, the Company is committed to rental
payments as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005 $ 3,572
2006 2,864
2007 2,499
2008 1,921
2009 649
Thereafter 136
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 11,641
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Purchase agreements:
Substantially all of the Company's service contracts with customers have
a minimum fixed duration and provide for the guaranteed removal of
contracted by-products, which are produced in the customer's
manufacturing process.
The Company also has a fixed price commitment to purchase equipment and
services relating to the construction of its Syncrude facility totalling
$32,542,000 including approved change orders (2003 - $32,542,000). To the
end of December 31, 2004, $32,542,000 (2003 - $32,326,000) has been
recorded as part of facilities under construction in property, plant and
equipment.
Purchase commitments relating to the Company's expansion of the Montreal
facility at the end of December 31, 2004 were $12,985,000. To the end of
December 31, 2004, $3,871,000 has been recorded as part of facilities
under construction in property, plant and equipment.
(c) Environmental cleanup costs:
The Company's operations are subject to numerous laws, regulations and
guidelines relating to air emissions, water discharges, solid and
hazardous wastes, transportation and handling of hazardous substances and
employee health and safety in Canada and the United States where it
operates. These environmental regulations are continually changing and
generally becoming more restrictive. The Company has purchased a number
of sites as a result of the acquisitions of certain businesses and has
retained environmental obligations as a result of the disposition of
certain businesses and properties. Subject to certain limitations, the
Company will be indemnified by the vendors for any remediation costs or
environmental actions that may arise as a result of conditions existing
at the time of acquisition. Environmental assessments were conducted
prior to the purchase of the sites as a basis to, among other things,
evaluate indemnity protections and, where applicable, to verify the
appropriateness of existing accruals and estimates for remediation costs.
In recent years, the Company engaged third party consultants to review
the environmental status of the Company's sites. Accruals have been made
in specific instances where it is probable that liabilities will be
incurred and where such liabilities can be reasonably estimated. Such
estimates are, however, subject to change based on negotiation with
regulatory authorities, changes in laws and regulations and as new
information becomes available. Although it is possible that liabilities
may arise in other instances for which no accruals have been made, the
Company does not believe that such an outcome will significantly impact
its operations or have a material adverse effect on its financial
position.
As part of the sale of sulphur removal assets and BCT Chemtrade
Corporation to Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund on July 18, 2001, the
Company has indemnified Chemtrade Logistics Inc. for Notices and Findings
of Violation relating to a facility, and it is management's assessment
that the most likely outcome will not have a material impact upon the
financial position of the Company.
The Company is involved in certain claims arising out of the ordinary
course and conduct of its business, which in the opinion of management
will not have a material impact upon the financial position of the
Company.
FS-17
15. Income taxes:
The income tax rate varied from the basic federal and provincial income
tax rate as follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory federal and provincial income tax rate applied to income before
taxes and minority interest 36.1% 36.6% 38.6%
Income taxed at different rates in foreign jurisdictions 15.9 (0.7) 9.0
Federal Large Corporations Tax and minimum tax 19.0 3.3 (6.0)
Effect of lower manufacturing and processing tax rate of subsidiaries (1.1) (0.5) 3.0
Valuation allowance on future tax assets (182.1) (6.0) (112.3)
Recognition of previously unrecognized tax losses (27.8) (45.3) 66.2
Impact on taxable portion of capital gains (1.3) -- --
Impact of changes in enacted future tax rates -- 4.5 --
Amounts not deductible for income tax purposes and other (47.6) 18.7 (31.7)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined effective income tax rate (188.9)% 10.6% (33.2)%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the future tax assets and future tax liabilities at December
31, 2004 and 2003 are presented below:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future tax assets:
Loss carryforwards $ 41,010 $ 47,590
Accrued and other liabilities 5,308 4,795
Other 454 462
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross future tax assets 46,772 52,847
Less valuation allowance (37,806) (46,472)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net future tax assets 8,966 6,375
Future tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment (13,801) (14,581)
Goodwill (8,111) (8,111)
Deferred charges (277) (404)
Long-term debt (845) (794)
Other -- (275)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross future tax liabilities (23,034) (24,165)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net future tax liability $ (14,068) $ (17,790)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is presented on the balance sheet as follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Future tax assets $ 154 $ 605
Future tax liabilities (14,222) (18,395)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ (14,068) $ (17,790)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As at December 31, 2004, the Company has unused tax losses, corporate
minimum tax credit carryforwards and deductible temporary differences for
which no future income tax assets have been recognized. The carryforward
amounts are as follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating losses $ 96,880 $ 119,480
Corporate minimum tax credit 1,034 1,032
Deductible temporary differences for which no future tax assets have been recognized 1,816 2,911
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FS-18
Non-capital loss carryforwards including losses for which future benefit
has been recognized by year of expiry are as follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2005 $ -- $ 7,267
2006 1,201 --
2007 -- --
2008 10,180 --
Thereafter 96,880 118,734
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 108,261 $ 126,001
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Related party transactions:
The Company has entered into a management services contract with its
major shareholder for the supply of management and financial services.
During 2004, the Company incurred fees of $390,000 (2003 - $390,000; 2002
- $350,000) under the terms of the contract.
Certain of the Company's Directors hold senior positions with firms that
provide services to the Company and during 2004 the Company incurred fees
of $3,890,000 (2003 - $3,411,000; 2002 - $3,602,000). The above related
party transactions have been recorded at the exchange amounts agreed to
between the parties.
17. Business segments:
The Company's activities are divided into four reportable segments. The
three operating segments are: Refinery Services, Western Markets and
Power Generation. The fourth non-operating segment is Corporate Support,
which provides centralized services, such as project execution support,
finance, information systems, human resources and risk management to the
operating segments.
Refinery Services provides services to major oil refinery customers in
the United States and Canada, primarily outsourced compliance services
for the regeneration of spent sulphuric acid produced during the octane
enhancement of gasoline, the extraction and recovery of sulphur from
hydrogen sulphide gas created during the refining process, and the
recovery of SO2 to ensure air quality compliance.
Western Markets produces and provides sulphur-enhanced chemicals to the
pulp and paper industry in western Canada and is one of the leading
suppliers of alum, a water treatment chemical used extensively by
municipalities for water and sewage treatment. These and other chemicals
are marketed to customers in North America.
Power Generation provides outsourced environmental services, primarily
air quality compliance, to customers in the power generation industry.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refinery Western Power Corporate
2004 Services Markets Generation Support Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue from external customers $ 73,890 $ 54,590 $ 8,542 $ -- $ 137,022
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Profit $ 22,508 $ 21,523 $ 4,836 $ -- $ 48,867
Earnings (loss) before the undernoted 20,425 20,125 523 (15,487) 25,586
Depreciation, including loss on disposal 13,517 2,294 892 261 16,964
Unusual items, loss -- -- -- 657 657
Amortization of deferred charges and intangible
assets -- -- -- 708 708
Interest expense -- -- -- 10,569 10,569
Interest capitalized -- -- -- (4,252) (4,252)
Interest income -- -- -- (756) (756)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and minority
interest $ 6,908 $ 17,831 $ (369) $ (22,674) $ 1,696
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets before goodwill and intangible assets $ 140,320 $ 31,387 $ 5,374 $ 47,527 $ 224,608
Goodwill and intangible assets, net of amortization 37,662 4,468 6,039 -- 48,169
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $ 177,982 $ 35,855 $ 11,413 $ 47,527 $ 272,777
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures $ 13,634 $ 835 $ 26 $ 132 $ 14,627
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FS-19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refinery Western Power Corporate
2003 Services Markets Generation Support Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue from external customers $ 71,504 $ 54,295 $ 9,183 $ -- $ 134,982
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Profit $ 27,189 $ 18,288 $ 2,959 $ -- $ 48,436
Earnings (loss) before the undernoted 24,392 16,936 (2,097) (8,401) 30,830
Depreciation 12,976 1,558 1,001 192 15,727
Unusual items, loss -- -- -- 1,422 1,422
Amortization of deferred charges and intangible
assets -- -- -- 726 726
Interest expense -- -- -- 9,755 9,755
Interest capitalized -- -- -- (3,738) (3,738)
Interest income -- -- -- (730) (730)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and minority
interest $ 11,416 $ 15,378 $ (3,098) $ (16,028) $ 7,668
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets before goodwill and intangible assets $141,268 $ 32,812 $ 5,410 $ 38,996 $ 218,486
Goodwill and intangible assets, net of amortization 40,996 4,468 6,539 -- 52,003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $182,264 $ 37,280 $ 11,949 $ 38,996 $ 270,489
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures $ 31,641 $ 573 $ 84 $ 285 $ 32,583
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refinery Western Power Corporate
2002 Services Markets Generation Support Total
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue from external customers $ 69,363 $ 53,953 $ 14,975 $ -- $ 138,291
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Profit $ 24,547 $ 19,531 $ 4,185 $ -- $ 48,263
Earnings (loss) before the undernoted 21,569 18,263 (2,000) (9,747) 28,085
Depreciation, including loss on disposal 13,004 1,300 1,149 227 15,680
Unusual items, loss -- -- -- 7,487 7,487
Amortization of deferred charges -- -- -- 387 387
Interest expense -- -- -- 13,684 13,684
Interest capitalized -- -- -- (2,572) (2,572)
Interest income -- -- -- (1,942) (1,942)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and minority
interest $ 8,565 $ 16,963 $ (3,149) $ (27,018) $ (4,639)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets before goodwill and intangible assets $ 131,819 $ 22,378 $ 9,609 $ 13,608 $ 177,414
Goodwill and intangible assets, net of amortization 49,441 4,468 7,922 -- 61,831
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $ 181,260 $ 26,846 $ 17,531 $ 13,608 $ 239,245
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures $ 35,924 $ 448 $ 4,408 $ 197 $ 40,977
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Geographic segments:
The Company operates primarily in Canada and the United States with sales
outside North America denominated in U.S. dollars. Revenue is attributed
to customers based on location of customer.
FS-20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Property, plant and
equipment, goodwill and
Revenue intangible assets
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002 2004 2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada $ 76,151 $ 77,052 $ 82,092 $ 105,035 $ 100,175
United States 58,015 57,881 53,209 95,566 108,507
Other 2,856 49 2,990 -- --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 137,022 $ 134,982 $ 138,291 $ 200,601 $ 208,682
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 2004, services provided to and products handled from the Company's
major customer accounted for 9.6% (2003 - 10.3%; 2002 - 15.0%) of the
Company's total revenue.
18. Fair values of financial instruments:
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, cash held in trust,
including the long-term portion, accounts receivable, accounts payable
and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying values because of the
short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The amount due from
Chemtrade Logistics approximates fair market value.
The fair value of the publicly traded Senior Subordinated Notes is based
on quoted market prices. The fair value of all other debt is based on the
amount of future cash flows associated with each instrument, including
interest, discounted using borrowing rates currently available to the
Company for similar debt instruments of comparable maturity.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair market Book value Fair market Book value
value value
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term Loan $ 40,522 $ 40,000 $ 40,651 $ 40,000
Senior subordinated notes 74,600 73,138 81,968 79,196
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 115,122 $ 113,138 $ 122,619 $ 119,196
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. Generally accepted accounting principles in Canada and the United States:
The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") as
applied in Canada. In the following respects, GAAP as applied in the
United States differs from that applied in Canada.
If United States GAAP were employed, the net earnings for the years would
be adjusted as follows:
FS-21
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
(restated
note 19(a))
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) based on Canadian GAAP $ 4,900 $ 6,858 $ (7,778)
Impact on net earnings (loss) of United States GAAP adjustments:
Deferred costs (note 19(a)) -- -- 3,645
Debt financing (note 19(b)) 21 21 112
Income tax (note 19(c)) -- 794 --
Foreign currency translation loss (note 19(d)) -- -- 1,015
SFAS 143 cumulative adjustment (note 19(e) -- (433) 104
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) based on United States GAAP $ 4,921 $ 7,240 $ (2,902)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share amounts based on United States GAAP:
Net earnings (loss) - basic $ 0.16 $ 0.23 $ (0.09)
Net earnings (loss) - diluted 0.15 0.23 (0.09)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma net earnings (loss) after the retroactive effect of applying
SFAS 143:
Net earnings (loss) based on United States GAAP $ 4,921 $ 7,240 $ (2,902)
Pro forma effect of retroactively applying SFAS 143 -- -- (104)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma net earnings (loss) $ 4,921 $ 7,240 $ (3,006)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per share amounts based on United States GAAP:
Pro forma net earnings (loss) - basic $ 0.16 $ 0.23 $ (0.10)
Pro forma net earnings (loss) - diluted 0.15 0.23 (0.10)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The impact of the United States GAAP differences discussed above on the
Company's consolidated statements of retained earnings is as follows:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
(restated (restated
note 19(a)) note 19(a))
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings based on Canadian GAAP $ 43,190 $ 38,290 $ 31,432
Cumulative impact on retained earnings of United States GAAP adjustments
(note 19(a)) (8,613) (8,634) (9,016)
Share issue costs (note 19(f)) 2,257 2,257 2,257
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings based on United States GAAP $ 36,834 $ 31,913 $ 24,673
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Deferred costs and cumulative impact:
Under United States GAAP, certain costs deferred under Canadian GAAP
prior to a legally binding contract being entered into must be expensed.
There was no tax impact recorded relating to this Canadian-United States
GAAP difference as this GAAP difference resulted in a deferred tax asset,
which is not more likely than not to be realized and, accordingly, a
valuation allowance equal to the tax asset was established.
In 2002, the Company originally did not reflect certain costs previously
deferred under Canadian GAAP which were written off for Canadian GAAP in
2002 in determining its net loss under United States GAAP. As a result,
the Company has retroactively increased the previously reported United
States GAAP retained earnings as at December 31, 2002 by $3,645,000 and
decreased reported United States GAAP net loss for the year ended
December 31, 2002 by the same amount.
In addition, the Company has adjusted the cumulative impact on retained
earnings of United States GAAP adjustments in 2003 and 2002 to
appropriately reflect the impact of deferred income taxes of $794,000 in
2003 and foreign currency translation gain of $1,015,000 in 2003 and
2002.
(b) Debt financing:
In 1998, in conjunction with the acquisition of Intertrade Holdings Inc.
and BCT, a major bank provided the Company with approximately U.S. $57
million bridge financing, which was repaid on June 30, 1998 from the
proceeds of the Senior Subordinated Notes. The Company paid U.S. $220,000
(Cdn $316,000) in connection with this debt. This amount was deferred and
amortized over the term of Senior Subordinated Notes. Under United States
GAAP, this amount would be deferred and amortized over the term of the
bridge financing facility. Since the bridge financing facility extended
FS-22
from May 1998 to June 1998, the U.S. $220,000 would be expensed in 1998
under United States GAAP. There is no net tax impact from this
Canadian-United States GAAP difference as the movement in the current and
deferred taxes offsets each other.
(c) Income taxes:
United States Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 (SFAS
109), "Accounting for Income Taxes", has been adopted by the Company for
United States reporting purposes. Under the asset and liability method of
SFAS 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the
future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases. The same methodology applies under Canadian GAAP;
however, the terminology uses the word "future" in the place of
"deferred". Deferred tax assets and liabilities under Statement 109 are
measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income
in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be
recovered or settled. Under Canadian GAAP, the future tax assets and
liabilities are measured using substantively enacted tax rates expected
to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under SFAS 109 and
Canadian GAAP, the effect on deferred/future tax assets and liabilities
of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period in which
the change occurs.
(d) Foreign currency translation loss:
Under Canadian GAAP, gains and losses on the translation of U.S. dollar
denominated Senior Subordinated Notes are considered to be a hedge of the
net investment in self-sustaining operations as described in note 1(j).
In 2001, hedge accounting under United States GAAP was not applied as the
Company did not meet the requirements SFAS 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments as Hedge Activities", effective January 1, 2001.
Accordingly, under United States GAAP net earnings in 2001 were adjusted
for the gain or loss on the translation of U.S. dollar denominated debt.
There are no GAAP differences in 2003 and 2004 as the Company met the
requirements under both Canadian and U.S. GAAP.
(e) Asset retirement obligations:
In 2003, the Company adopted SFAS 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations:, which requires the fair value of a liability for an asset
retirement obligation to be recorded in the period which it is incurred
and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related
tangible long-lived asset. The change was effective January 1, 2003, and
the related cumulative effect of change in accounting principle with the
effect for 2003 being a decrease in earnings of $433,000 ($0.014 per
share). Effective January 1, 2003, under Canadian GAAP, the Company
adopted CICA section 3110, "Asset Retirement Obligations", which is
substantially the same as the recommendations of SFAS 143 except under
CICA section 3110 the change in accounting principle was adopted
retroactively with restatement.
(f) Share issue costs:
Under United States GAAP, share issue costs, net of deferred income
taxes, would be shown as a reduction of capital stock and not as a
reduction of retained earnings as permitted by Canadian GAAP.
(g) Consolidated balance sheets:
The cumulative effect of the application of United States GAAP, noted in
note 19(a) to note 19(f) above on the consolidated balance sheets of the
Company as at December 31, 2004 would be to decrease deferred charges and
other assets by $404,000 (2003 - $425,000), decrease deferred income tax
liability by $794,000 (2003 - $794,000), and increase shareholders'
equity by $390,000 (2003 - $369,000).
(h) Comprehensive income:
The Company's comprehensive income, as determined under SFAS 130, would
differ from net earnings as shown above:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 2003 2002
(restated
note 19(b))
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss) based on United States GAAP $ 4,921 $ 7,240 $ (2,902)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment (107) 2,081 2,467
Minimum pension liability adjustment (note 19(i)) (160) (447) (645)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income (loss) based on United States GAAP $ 4,654 $ 8,874 $ (1,080)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FS-23
(i) Minimum pension liability adjustment:
Under United States GAAP, the Company is required to record an additional
minimum pension liability for certain of its defined benefit pension
plans to reflect the excess of the accumulated benefit obligations over
the fair value of the plan assets with a corresponding charge against
other comprehensive income included in shareholders' equity. No such
adjustment is required under Canadian GAAP.
(j) Permitted disclosures:
Under United States GAAP, the subtotal of "operating activities" on the
consolidated statement of cash flows prior to increase in non-cash
working capital is not a permitted disclosure.
(k) Other recent accounting pronouncements:
i) In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
issued SFAS No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payment" which replaces SFAS
123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and supersedes APB
Opinion 25. SFAS 123(R) requires compensation costs related to
share-based payments to be recognized in the financial statement and
that the cost must be measured based on the fair value of the equity
of liability instruments used. Under SFAS 123(R) all share-based
payment plans must be valued using option-pricing models. SFAS
123(R) is effective for the Company's year ending December 31, 2005.
ii) In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS 151 which amends and
clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility
expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material as they related
to inventory costing. SFAS 151 requires these items to be recognized
as current period expenses. Additionally, the allocation of fixed
production overheads to the costs of inventory should be based on
the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS 151 is
effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 2005. The Company does not believe that the
application of SFAS 151 will have an impact on the financial
statements.
iii) In December 2004, FASB issued SFAS 153 which deals with the
accounting for the exchanges of non-monetary assets. SFAS 153 is an
amendment of APB Opinion 29. APB Opinion 29 requires that exchanges
of non-monetary assets should be measured based on the fair value of
the assets exchanged. SFAS 153 amends APB Opinion 29 to eliminate
the exception from using fair market value for non-monetary
exchanges of similar productive assets and introduces a broader
exception for exchanges of non-monetary assets that do not have
commercial substance. SFAS 153 is effective for non-monetary asset
exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005.
The Company does not believe that the application of SFAS 153 will
have an impact on the financial statements.
FS-24
(Intentionally left blank)
FS-25