================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 Commission File No. 1-31374 BIW LIMITED ------------------------------------------------------ (Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter) CONNECTICUT 04-3617838 - ------------------------------- ---------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 230 Beaver Street, Ansonia, CT 06401-0426 - ---------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203)735-1888 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange on which Registered ------------------- ----------------------------------------- Common Stock (no par value) The American Stock Exchange Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [_] Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes [_] No [X] Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the closing sale price of such stock as of June 30, 2004: $31,914,591 As of March 15, 2005, the Registrant had 1,659,579 shares of common stock, no par value, outstanding. Documents Incorporated by Reference Portions of the Annual Report to stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 are incorporated by reference into Part II of this report. Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report. ================================================================================ 1 PART I Forward Looking Information Forward looking statements in this report, including, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's plans, strategies, objectives, intentions, and expectations, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward looking statements are based on current information and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from expected results. These factors include, among others, the adequacy of rates approved by the DPUC, weather conditions, changes in governmental regulations affecting water quality, success of operating initiatives, changes in business strategy, as well as general economic and business conditions. Item 1. Business BIW Limited ("BIW" or the "Company") is the parent company of Birmingham Utilities, Inc. ("BUI" or "Birmingham Utilities") a specially chartered Connecticut public service corporation in the business of collecting and distributing water for domestic, commercial and industrial uses and fire protection in Ansonia and Derby, Connecticut, and in small parts of the contiguous Town of Seymour. Water service is also provided for domestic and commercial use in 30 satellite water operations in 16 towns in eastern Connecticut, which form BUI's Eastern Division. This division, which was acquired in 2003, was the former Eastern Connecticut Regional Water Company, Inc. Birmingham H2O Services Inc. ("BHS" or "Birmingham H2O Services"), the Company's non-regulated subsidiary, offers a consumer protection program for residential service lines and provides water related services to other water utilities, municipalities, contractors and individuals throughout Connecticut. Under its charter, Birmingham Utilities enjoys a monopoly franchise in the distribution of water in the area which it serves. In conjunction with its right to sell water, Birmingham Utilities has the power of eminent domain and the right to erect and maintain certain facilities on and in public highways and grounds, all subject to such consents and approvals of public bodies and others as may be required by law. The current sources of Birmingham Utilities' water are wells located in Derby and Seymour and interconnections with the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority's (the "Regional Water Authority") system (a) at the border of Orange and Derby (the "Grassy Hill Interconnection") and (b) near the border of Seymour and Ansonia (the "Woodbridge Interconnection"), and 69 wells located in 16 towns in eastern Connecticut that service 30 satellite water systems. Birmingham Utilities maintains its interconnected Beaver Lake Reservoir System, a 2.2 million gallon per day (MGD) surface supply, in case of emergency needs, located in Seymour and Woodbridge, CT. Birmingham Utilities' main system operating in Ansonia, Derby, and Seymour has a safe daily yield (including only those supplies that comply with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) on a consistent basis) of approximately 8.0 MGD, while the average daily demand and the maximum daily demand on the system during 2004 were approximately 3.25 MGD and 4.21 MGD, respectively. The distribution system with the exception of the well supplies, is mainly through gravity, but there are seven distinct areas at higher elevations where pumping, pressure tanks and standpipes are utilized. These higher areas include approximately 25% of BUI's customers. During 2004, approximately 1.23 billion gallons of water from all sources were delivered to Birmingham Utilities' customers. Birmingham Utilities has approximately 11,328 customers of whom approximately 97% are residential and 2 commercial. No single customer accounted for as much as 10% of total billings in 2004. The business of Birmingham Utilities is to some extent seasonal, since greater quantities of water are delivered to customers in the hot summer months. The Company had, as of March 10, 2005, 42 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees. The Company's employees are not affiliated with any union organization. Birmingham Utilities is subject to the jurisdiction of the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control ("DPUC") as to accounting, financing, ratemaking, disposal of property, the issuance of long-term securities and other matters affecting its operations. The Connecticut Department of Public Health (the "Health Department" or "DPH") has regulatory powers over the Company under state law with respect to water quality, sources of supply, and the use of watershed land. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP") is authorized to regulate BUI's operations with regard to water pollution abatement, diversion of water from streams and rivers, safety of dams and the location, construction and alteration of certain water facilities. Birmingham Utilities' activities are also subject to regulation with regard to environmental and other operational matters by federal, state and local authorities, including, without limitation, zoning authorities. Birmingham Utilities is subject to regulation of its water quality under the SDWA. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has granted to the Health Department the primary enforcement responsibility in Connecticut under the SDWA. The Health Department has established regulations containing maximum limits on contaminants, which have or may have an adverse effect on health. Executive Officers of the Registrant Name, Age and Position Business Experience Past 5 Years Betsy Henley-Cohn, 52 Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Chairwoman of the Board Chief Executive Officer of the Company since and Chief Executive Officer May 1992; Chairperson/Treasurer, Joseph Cohn & Sons, Inc. since 1979; Director, UIL Holdings Corporation, since 1990; Director, Aristotle Corp. (1995-2002); Director, Citizens Bank of Connecticut (1997-1999). John S. Tomac, 51 President of the Company since October 1, 1998; President and Treasurer Vice President of the Company December 1, 1997-September 30, 1998; Treasurer of the Company since December 1997; Assistant Controller, BHC Company 1991-1997. Item 2. Properties The Company's properties consist chiefly of land, wells, reservoirs, and pipelines. Birmingham Utilities operations in Ansonia, Derby and Seymour have 5 production wells with an aggregate effective capacity of approximately 3.0 MGD. Birmingham Utilities' existing interconnections with the Regional Water Authority can provide 5.0 MGD. Birmingham Utilities' entire system has a safe daily yield (including only those supplies that comply with the SDWA on a consistent basis) of approximately 8.0 MGD, while the average daily demand and the maximum daily demand on the system during 2004 were approximately 3.25 MGD and 4.21 MGD, respectively. The distribution system, with the exception of the well supplies, is mainly through gravity, but there are seven distinct areas at 3 higher elevations where pumping, pressure tanks and standpipes are utilized. These higher areas include approximately 25% of Birmingham Utilities' customers. Birmingham Utilities has two emergency stand-by reservoirs (Peat Swamp and Middle) with a storage capacity of 457 million gallons and a safe daily yield of approximately 2.1 MGD. Because the water produced by those reservoirs does not consistently meet the quality standards of the SDWA, none of those reservoirs is actively being used by Birmingham Utilities to supply water to the system. Birmingham Utilities' Eastern Division consists of 30 satellite water systems in 16 towns in eastern Connecticut serving 2,100 connections. These systems serve residential subdivisions, elderly housing complexes, and condominium complexes. Typical system configuration includes two or more wells, chemical addition, atmospheric storage, booster pumps, and hydropneumatic storage. Several of these systems also include filtration for iron and manganese removal. Two systems have radon removal treatment. Three of the systems are seasonal, only operating during the months of April through October. One additional system is currently under construction in Hebron, CT and is being financed by the developer of a new elderly housing complex. This system is currently serving the new RHAM School District complex in Hebron with funds provided by the school district. Two of the systems in East Hampton, CT are currently being expanded to accommodate new development. Westchester Village Mobile Home Park and Westchester East Mobile Home Park water systems serve 101 and 65 fully developed trailer homes, respectively. The Westchester Village Mobile Home Park system was significantly upgraded with new storage and pumping facilities in 2001. Birmingham Utilities' dams are subject to inspection by and the approval of the DEP. All of Birmingham Utilities' dams are in compliance with improvements previously ordered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Birmingham Utilities owns an office building at 230 Beaver Street, in Ansonia that contains 4,200 square feet of office and storage space. In addition, Birmingham Utilities owns two buildings devoted to equipment storage. Birmingham Utilities owns office space in a wood frame, residential building owned by Birmingham Utilities at 228 Beaver Street, Ansonia, CT. Birmingham Utilities also owns two residential houses at 189 Maple Street and 59 Rimmon Road, Seymour, CT. Birmingham Utilities also rents office and warehouse space in Glastonbury, CT and Birmingham H2O Services owns two buildings in Guilford, CT at 2935 and 2940 Boston Post Road. Birmingham Utilities' approximately 1,400 acres of land were acquired over the years principally in watershed areas to protect the quality and purity of the Company's water at a time when land use was not regulated and standards for water quality in streams were non-existent. Under Connecticut law a water company cannot abandon a source of supply or dispose of any land holdings associated with a source of supply until it has a "water supply plan" approved by the Health Department. The Health Department approved Birmingham Utilities' first Water Supply Plan in 1988 and updated Water Supply Plan in 1993 and in 1998. Pursuant to abandonment permits issued by the Health Department in 1988, Birmingham Utilities abandoned its Upper and Lower Sentinel Hill Reservoirs, Steep Hill (Bungay) Reservoir, and Fountain Lake Reservoir, and the land associated with them then became available for sale. In 1994, the abandonment of Great Hill Reservoir was approved by the Health Department and in 1999 the abandonment of the Quillinan Reservoir was also approved by the Health Department. Since 1988, Birmingham Utilities has sold approximately 2,325 acres of land in Bethany, Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Oxford, realizing net gains of $13,085,806. 4 Birmingham Utilities no longer has any significant land holdings that will not be needed in the future for water supply purposes. The DPUC has accepted with respect to prior transactions, an accounting and ratemaking mechanism by which the gain on the sale of Birmingham Utilities' land holdings is shared between ratepayers and stockholders as contemplated by Connecticut law. (See Note 1 to the Company's Financial Statements.) Item 3. Legal Proceedings None. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders None. PART II Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities The inside back cover of the Company's Annual Report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2004, (Shareholder Information), is incorporated herein by reference, pursuant to Rule 12b-23 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") and to Instruction G(2) to Form 10-K. Item 6. Selected Financial Data The inside front cover of the Company's Annual Report to shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2004, (Financial Highlights), is incorporated herein by reference, pursuant to Rule 12b-23 of the Act and to Instruction G(2) to Form 10-K. Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Pages 6 through 13 of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2004 (Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) are incorporated herein by reference, pursuant to Rule 12b-23 of the Act and to Instruction G(2) to Form 10-K. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk The Company has certain exposures to market risk related to changes in interest rates. The Company has an outstanding revolving credit agreement, under which there were borrowings of $2,255,000 at December 31, 2004. The revolving credit agreement bears interest at variable rates based on current LIBOR indices. The Company is not subject in any material respect to currency or other commodity risk. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data The consolidated financial statements, together with the report therein, of Dworken, Hillman, LaMorte and Sterczala, P.C., dated February 11, 2005 appearing on pages 14 through 32 of the Company's 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated herein by reference, pursuant to Rule 12b-23 of the Act and Instruction G(2) to Form 10-K. Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Not applicable. 5 Item 9A. Controls and Procedures The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company's Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based on the definition of "disclosure controls and procedures" in Rule 13a-15(e). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. As of December 31, 2004, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the Company's Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective. In connection with the evaluation described in the foregoing paragraph, there were no changes identified in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Item 9B. Other Information None. PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant The information appearing under the captions Proposal No. 1 - "Election of Directors" and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2005, is incorporated by reference in partial response to this item. See also "Executive Officers of the Registrant", following Part I, Item 1 herein. Item 11. Executive Compensation The information appearing under the captions "Executive Compensation" and "Compensation of Directors" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2005 is incorporated by reference in response to this item. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. The information appearing under the caption "Stock Ownership" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2005 is incorporated by reference in partial response to this item. Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans 6 The following table provides information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2004: - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Securities Number of Securities Remaining available to be issued upon Weighted-average For future issuance exercise of outstanding exercise price of Under equity Plan Category options outstanding options Compensation plans - --------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------- -------------------- Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 67,240 $13.92 75,500 - --------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------- -------------------- Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders -- -- -- - --------------------------- ----------------------- ------------------- -------------------- Total 67,240 $13.92 75,500 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions The information appearing under the caption "Certain Transactions" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2005 is incorporated by reference in response to this item. Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services The information concerning Principal Accountant Fees and Services is set forth under the heading "Auditor Matters" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2005 is incorporated by reference in response to this item. PART IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule (a) The following statements are filed as part of this report: Page in Annual Report* Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained earnings for the three years ended December 31, 2004 16 Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2004 and 2003 15 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 2004 17 Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements 18-32 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 14 7 * Incorporated by reference from the indicated pages of the 2004 Annual Report. (b) Exhibits (3) Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of BIW Limited. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits C and D of the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement of BIW Limited on Form S-4 (Reg. No. 333-84508) dated May 20, 2002. (4) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders. (4.1) Bond Purchase Agreement dated as of April 15, 2004 between Birmingham Utilities, Inc., and General Electric Capital Assurance Company. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Form 10-Q of BIW Limited for the period ended June 30, 2004. (4.2) Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 15, 2004 between Birmingham Utilities, Inc., and US Bank National Association. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Form 10-Q of BIW Limited for the period ended June 30, 2004. (4.3)First Modification and Reaffirmation Agreement by and between Birmingham Utilities, Inc., Birmingham H2O Services, Inc., and Citizens Bank of Connecticut, dated December 30, 2003. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of BIW's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2003. (4.4) Birmingham Utilities, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan, adopted by its Board of Directors on September 13, 1994. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 (iii) of Birmingham Utilities, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1994. (10) Material Contracts. (10.1) Agreement to Purchase Water by and between The Ansonia Derby Water Company and South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority dated January 18, 1984 for the sale of water by the Authority to the Company and subsequent amendment dated December 29, 1988. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10.1) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Birmingham Utilities, Inc. for the period ended December 31, 1999. (10.2) Agreement to Purchase Water by and between The Ansonia Derby Water Company and South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority dated November 30, 1984 for the sale by the Authority to the company of water and for the construction of the pipeline and pumping and storage facilities in connection therewith by the Authority at the expense primarily of the Company and Bridgeport Hydraulic Company. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10.2) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Birmingham Utilities, Inc. for the period ended December 31, 1996. (10.3) Employment Agreement between Birmingham Utilities, Inc. and John S. Tomac dated October 1, 1998. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10.3) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Birmingham Utilities, Inc. for the period ended December 31, 1998. (10.4) Birmingham Utilities, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan adopted by its Board of Directors on September 13, 1994. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10.9) of Birmingham Utilities, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1994. 8 (10.5) Birmingham Utilities, Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors adopted by its Board of Directors on September 13, 1994. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10.10) of Birmingham Utilities, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1994. (10.6) Birmingham Utilities, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan adopted by its Board of Directors on December 9, 1998. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10.8) of Birmingham Utilities, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1999. (10.7) Birmingham Utilities, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan for non-employee Directors adopted by its Board of Directors on September 6, 2000. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10.9) of Birmingham Utilities, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2000. (10.8) Form of Option Agreement for grants pursuant to 2000 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors. (10.9) Form of Option Agreement for grants pursuant to 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. (13) 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders (21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant (23) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (31.1) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (31.2) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (32) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 9 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. BIW Limited (Registrant) BY: /s/ Betsy Henley-Cohn ---------------------------- Betsy Henley-Cohn Chairwoman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Date: March 30, 2005 10 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. /s/ Michael J. Adanti /s/ Themis Klarides - ------------------------ --------------------------- Michael J. Adanti, Director Themis Klarides, Director March 30, 2005 March 30, 2005 /s/ Mary Jane Burt /s/ B. Lance Sauerteig - ------------------------ --------------------------- Mary Jane Burt, Director B. Lance Sauerteig, Director Date: March 30, 2005 Date: March 30, 2005 /s/ James E. Cohen /s/ Kenneth E. Schaible - ------------------------ --------------------------- James E. Cohen, Director Kenneth E. Schaible, Director Date: March 30, 2005 Date: March 30, 2005 /s/ Betsy Henley-Cohn /s/ John S. Tomac - ------------------------ --------------------------- Betsy Henley-Cohn, Chairwoman John S. Tomac, Director and Chief Executive Officer President & Treasurer and Board of Directors Chief Financial Officer Date: March 30, 2005 Date: March 30, 2005 /s/ Alvaro da Silva /s/ Linda Batten - ------------------------ --------------------------- Alvaro da Silva, Director Linda Batten, Controller Date: March 30, 2005 Date: March 30, 2005 /s/ Juri Henley-Cohn - ------------------------ Juri Henley-Cohn, Director Date: March 30, 2005 11 BIW Limited INDEX TO EXHIBITS Item No. - -------- 10.8 Form of Option Agreement for grants pursuant to 2000 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors. 10.9 Form of Option Agreement for grants pursuant to 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. 13 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders. 21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant. 23 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. 31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 31.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 12