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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

[X]

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003

 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: 0-29464

ROCK OF AGES CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware

03-0153200

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

(I. R. S. Employer
Identification Number)

772 Graniteville Road, Graniteville, Vermont                          05654
(Address of principal executive offices)                                     (Zip Code)

 (802) 476-3121
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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 than 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 whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as described in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No X

 As of August 12,  2003, 4,418,836 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 2,756,395 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Rock of Ages Corporation were outstanding.


ROCK OF AGES CORPORATION

INDEX

 Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period
Ended June 30, 2003

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE NO.

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets -
June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations -
Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations

13

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

27

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

27

 

 

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

28

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

29

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

29

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

30

 

 

 

 

Signature

31

 

2


Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including exhibits and information incorporated by reference herein) contains certain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including but not limited to those that discuss strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters, or projected or anticipated revenues, income, returns or other financial measures. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in or indicated by such statements, including but not limited to the ability of the Company to continue to identify suitable acquisition candidates, to consummate additional retail acquisitions on acceptable terms and to successfully integrate the operations of such acquired entities, to successfully open new retail stores, demand for the Company's products, litigation risks, as well as general economic, competitive, key employee and other factors described in this report or other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results" under Item 2 below. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements.

3


PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1: Financial Statement

ROCK OF AGES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2003

 

 

2002

 

 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

            1,985

 

$

            6,185

 

Trade receivables, net

 

15,674

 

 

17,671

 

Inventories

 

21,557

 

 

21,654

 

Prepaid & refundable income taxes

 

1,852

 

 

213

 

Due from affiliate

 

14

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

 

860

 

 

860

 

Other current assets

 

3,871

 

 

4,125

 

Assets of discontinued operations - held for sale

 

28,471

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

     Total current assets            

 

74,284

 

 

50,708

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

40,441

 

 

43,921

 

Cash surrender value of life insurance, net

 

742

 

 

766

 

Intangibles, net

 

506

 

 

574

 

Debt issuance costs, net

 

277

 

 

304

 

Due from affiliates

 

81

 

 

81

 

Deferred tax assets

 

5,169

 

 

6,249

 

Intangible pension asset

 

1,136

 

 

1,136

 

Prearranged receivables

 

 

 

14,013

 

Cemetery property

 

 

 

6,056

 

Other

 

1,568

 

 

2,026

 

 

 


 

 


 

     Total assets

$

        124,204

 

$

        125,834

 

 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings under lines of credit

$

            5,525

 

$

            4,386

 

Current installments of long-term debt

 

154

 

 

205

 

Current installments of deferred compensation

 

330

 

 

324

 

Trade payables

 

2,195

 

 

1,957

 

Accrued expenses

 

4,988

 

 

5,001

 

Due to affiliates

 

 

 

9

 

Customer deposits

 

9,146

 

 

7,318

 

Liabilities of discontinued operations

 

22,641

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

     Total current liabilities

 

44,979

 

 

19,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, excluding current installments

 

12,810

 

 

12,832

 

Deferred compensation

 

4,761

 

 

4,649

 

Prearranged deferred revenue

 

 

 

21,846

 

Accrued pension cost

 

2,741

 

 

2,691

 

Accrued postretirement benefit costs

 

834

 

 

834

 

Other

 

629

 

 

1,136

 

 

 


 

 


 

     Total liabilities

 

66,754

 

 

63,188

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Preferred stock - $.01 par value;

 

 

 

 

 

 

    2,500,000 shares authorized

 

 

 

 

 

 

    No shares issued or outstanding

  Common Stock - Class A, $.01 par value;

 

 

 

 

 

 

     30,000,000 shares authorized

 

 

 

 

 

 

     4,418,836 and 4,929,336 shares issued and outstanding

 

44

 

 

49

 

  Common Stock - Class B, $.01 par value;

 

 

 

 

 

 

     15,000,000 shares authorized

 

 

 

 

 

 

     2,756,395 and 2,756,395 shares issued and outstanding

 

28

 

 

28

 

  Additional paid-in capital

 

65,833

 

 

68,574

 

  Accumulated deficit

 

                (6,970

)

 

              (3,442

)

  Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

                (1,485

)

 

              (2,563

)

 

 


 

 


 

     Total stockholders' equity

 

57,450

 

 

62,646

 

 

 


 

 


 

     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

124,204

 

$

125,834

 

 

 


 

 


 
             

 **SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

4


 

ROCK OF AGES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
( in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)

   

Three Months Ended

   

Six Months Ended

 
   

June 30,

   

June 30,

 


 

 

2003

 

 

2002

 

 

2003

 

 

2002

 
   
   
   
   
 

Net Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Quarrying

$

8,249

 

$

8,415

 

$

11,146

 

$

12,636

 

   Manufacturing

 

5,400

 

 

5,553

 

 

8,979

 

 

8,972

 

   Retailing

 

12,551

 

 

14,038

 

 

15,688

 

 

17,553

 
   
   
   
   
 

     Total net revenues

 

26,200

 

 

28,006

 

 

35,813

 

 

39,161

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Quarrying

 

3,323

 

 

3,832

 

 

2,663

 

 

4,671

 

   Manufacturing

 

1,443

 

 

1,760

 

 

2,316

 

 

2,077

 

   Retailing

 

7,412

 

 

8,559

 

 

8,637

 

 

9,718

 
   
   
   
   
 

     Total gross profit

 

12,178

 

 

14,151

 

 

13,616

 

 

16,466

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

10,671

 

 

8,907

 

 

18,427

 

 

16,024

 
   
   
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

1,507

 

 

5,244

 

 

(4,811

)

 

442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

161

 

 

188

 

 

310

 

 

362

 
   
   
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Income (loss) from continuing operations
     before provision for income taxes

 

1,346

 

 

5,056

 

 

(5,121

)

 

80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

19

 

 

1,225

 

 

(1,533

)

 

28

 
   
   
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

 

 

1,327

 

 

 

3,831

 

 

 

(3,588

)

 

 

52

 

Discontinued operations, net of income taxes

 

26

 

 

18

 

 

60

 

 

72

 
   
   
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

 

1,353

 

 

3,849

 

 

(3,528

)

 

124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, net of tax effect of $5,459 (Note 2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(28,710

)
   
   
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Net income (loss)

$

1,353

 

$

3,849

 

$

(3,528

)

$

(28,586

)
   
   
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share - basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Net income (loss) from continuing
     operations before cumulative effect of
     changes in accounting principles

$

 

0.18

 

$

0.49

 

$

(0.50

)

 

$

0.01

 

     Discontinued operations, net of income
     taxes

0.01

0.00

0.01

0.01

     Cumulative effect of changes in
     accounting principles

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

(3.66

)
   
   
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Net income (loss) per share

$

0.19

 

$

0.49

 

$

(0.49

)

$

(3.64

)
   
   
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share - diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Net income (loss) from continuing
     operations before cumulative effect of
     changes in accounting principles

$

0.18

 

$

0.48

 

$

(0.50

)

$

0.01

 

     Discontinued operations, net of income
     taxes

 

0.00

 

 

0.00

 

 

0.01

 

 

0.01

 

     Cumulative effect changes in
     accounting principles

$

$

$

$

(3.61

)

   
   
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share

$

0.18

 

$

0.48

 

$

(0.49

)

$

(3.59

)
   
   
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares
       outstanding - basic

 

7,175

 

 

7,860

 

 

7,181

 

  7,853  

Weighted average number of common shares
       outstanding - diluted

 

7,226

 

 

7,978

 

 

7,181

 

 

7,943

 

 

**SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 5

 


 ROCK OF AGES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ in thousands)
(Unaudited)

   

Six Months Ended

 
   

June 30,

 
   
 

 

 

2003

 

 

2002

 
   
   
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Net loss

$

           (3,528

)

$

(28,586

)

    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in)
   operating activities:

     Goodwill impairment

 

 

 

33,782

 

      Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

1,804

 

 

1,682

 

      Cash surrender value of life insurance

 

24

 

 

62

 

      Deferred taxes

 

10

 

 

(5,492

)

   Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Decrease (increase) in trade receivables

 

742

 

 

(1,142

)

      Decrease (increase) in prearranged receivables

 

(479

)

 

641

 

      Decrease (increase) in due from related parties

 

(23

)

 

53

 

      Increase in inventories

 

(68

)

 

(316

)

      Decrease ( increase) in cemetery property

 

43

 

 

(41

)

      Decrease ( increase) in other assets

 

243

 

 

(305

)

      Decrease in trade payables, accrued expenses and income

 

 

 

 

 

 

        taxes payable

 

(1,415

)

 

(399

)

       Increase in customer deposits

 

1,828

 

 

2,600

 

       Increase in deferred compensation and pension

 

168

 

 

200

 

       Increase ( decrease) in prearranged deferred revenue

 

125

 

 

(535

)

       Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

 

163

 

 

(124

)
   
   
 

       Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

(363

)

 

2,080

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(2,843

)

 

(2,284

)

   Proceeds from sale of assets

 

 

 

2,296

 
   
   
 

       Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(2,843

)

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Net borrowings (repayments) under lines of credit

 

1,139

 

 

(1,614

)

   Principal payments on long-term debt

 

(73

)

 

(1,952

)

   Stock repurchase

 

(2,603

)

 

 

   Net stock option transactions

 

 

 

263

 

   Dividends paid on common stock

 

(143

)

 

 

   Financing fees paid

 

(5

)

   
   
   
 

      Net cash used in financing activities

 

(1,685

)

 

(3,303

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

691

 

 

258

 
   
   
 

     Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(4,200

)

 

(953

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

6,185

 

 

3,435

 
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

1,985

 

$

2,482

 
   
   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

             Interest

$

310

 

$

362

 

             Income Taxes

$

145

 

$

402

 

**SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6


ROCK OF AGES CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(1)

Basis of Presentation

 

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements are not included herein. In the opinion of management, all adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report Form 10-K (SEC File No. 000-29464, filed March 31, 2003), and Form 10-K/A filed on April 3, 2003.

 

Historical financial information has been restated to reflect the reclassification of the business conducted by Rock of Ages Kentucky Cemeteries, LLC as discontinued (see note 3).

 

(2)

Accounting Changes

 

 

In December 2002, the Company changed its method of accounting for its granite block inventory from the first-in, first-out method to the specific annual average cost method. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the Company implemented this change retroactively to January 1, 2002. The effect of the change in the three months and six months ending June 30, 2002 was to increase net income by $150,000 and $175,000 respectively. As a result of the increase in net income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, diluted net income (loss) per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2002, is now being calculated using 7,943,000 shares rather than 7,853,000 as reported in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2002.

 

 

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company assessed impairment of goodwill in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142. The provisions of SFAS No. 142 require that a two-step test be performed. First, the fair value of each reporting unit was compared to its carrying value. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is performed. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, then the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill must be determined and compared to the carrying value of the goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment loss equal to the difference will be recorded. The Company determined the fair value of each of the reporting units using a discounted cash flow analysis and compared such values to the respective reporting unit's carrying amounts. This evaluation indicated that goodwill recorded in the Retail and Cemetery segments was impaired as of January 1, 2002.  As a result, the Company completed the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of the impairment loss. Accordingly, the Company recognized a $34 million non-cash charge, recorded as of January 1, 2002, as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle for the write-down of goodwill to its fair value.  Approximately $19 million of the goodwill write-down was deductible for taxes; therefore a deferred tax asset of $5.3 million was recorded.

 

 

(3)

Discontinued Operations

 

 

During June 2003, the Company made the decision to dispose of its Cemetery business, Rock of Ages Kentucky Cemeteries, LLC. The decision was made to allow the Company to concentrate on its core businesses, quarrying, manufacturing and retailing, freeing up resources to pursue other growth strategies. The Company expects to continue to sell upright memorials in those cemeteries through its relationship with the buyer, Saber Management, LLC. The decision to sell this company represents the disposal of a long-lived asset and disposal group under SFAS No. 144 "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." Accordingly, results of this business have been classified as discontinued operations; prior periods have been restated to reflect this reclassification and the assets and liabilities of this business are classified as available for sale as of June 30, 2003. The sale is subject to the satisfactory completion of due diligence by the buyer and satisfaction of certain closing conditions contained in the definitive purchase and sale agreement and is expected to close in the latter part of the third quarter. It is estimated that the fair value of the assets exceeds the carrying value, therefore a loss on sale is not expected and has not been recorded. Operating results from Rock of Ages Kentucky Cemeteries, LLC for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 were as follows:

 

 

7


 

   

($ in thousands)

 

($ in thousands)

   

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

   

June 30,

 

June 30,

   
 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

   
 
 
 

Net Sales

$

1,053

$

979

$

2,029

$

1,987

Gross Profit

 

418

 

350

 

810

 

756

Pretax Income

 

32

 

22

 

75

 

90

Income Tax

 

6

 

4

 

15

 

18

Net Income

 

26

 

18

 

60

 

72

 

(4)

Stock Based Compensation

 

 

The Company has adopted the disclosure provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure" which is an amendment of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"), and continues to apply Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock plans. If the Company had elected to recognize compensation cost for options granted under its stock plans based upon the fair value at the grant dates of such options, consistent with the method prescribed by SFAS 123, net income and earnings per share would have been changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Six Months Ended

 
   

June 30,

   

June 30,

 
   
   
 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

2003

 

 

2002

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Net income (loss), as reported, in thousands

$

1,353

$

3,849

 

$

(3,528

)

$

(28,586

)

Net income (loss), pro forma, in thousands

$

1,214

$

3,783

 

$

(3,805

)

$

(28,719

)

Net income (loss) per share, as reported

$

0.19

$

0.49

 

$

(0.49

)

$

(3.64

)

Net income (loss) per share, pro forma

$

0.17

$

0.48

 

$

(0.53

)

$

(3.66

)

Net income (loss) per share - assuming dilution, as reported

$

0.18

$

0.48

 

$

(0.49

)

$

(3.59

)

Net income (loss) per share - assuming dilution, pro forma

$

0.17

$

0.47 

 

$

(0.53

)

$

(3.62

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were no stock options granted during the first six months of 2003.
 

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of the grant. The per share weighted average fair value of stock options granted during the first quarter of 2002 was $4.06, on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 3.9%; dividend yield of 0%; expected volatility of 61%, and expected lives of five (5) years. Because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in the opinion of management, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single value of its options and may not be representative of the future effects on reported net income or the future stock price of the Company.

 

 

(5)

Inventories

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

Inventories consist of the following:

 

2003

 

2002

 

 


 


         

Raw materials

$

9,558

$

9,847

Work-in-process

 

1,312

 

1,421

Finished goods and supplies

 

10,687

 

10,386

 

 


 


 

$

21,557

$

21,654

 

 


 


         

8


 

(6)

Earnings Per Share

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of shares used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share follows (in thousands):

 

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

2003

2002

2003

2002





Basic weighted average shares

7,175

7,860

7,181

7,853

Effect of dilutive Stock options

51

118

90





Diluted weighted average shares

7,226

7,978

7,181

7,943





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options to purchase 25,000 shares of Class A common stock were outstanding at June 30, 2003 and 2002 but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 because the options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares.

 

Options to purchase 509,165 shares of Class A common stock were outstanding at June 30, 2003, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2003 because the effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

 

(7)

Segment Information

 

 

The Company is organized based on the products and services that it offers. Under this organizational structure, the Company operates in three segments: quarrying, manufacturing and retailing.

 

 

The quarrying segment extracts rough dimension granite blocks from the ground and sells those blocks to both the manufacturing segment and to outside manufacturers, as well as to customers in Europe and Asia.

 

 

The manufacturing segment's principal product is granite memorials used primarily in cemeteries, although it also manufactures some specialized granite products for industrial applications.

 

 

The retailing segment sells memorials and other granite products at various locations throughout the United States.

 

 

The cemetery segment is being sold and its net income is classified as discontinued operations.

 

 

Inter-segment revenues are accounted for as if the sales were to third parties.

 

 

9


The following is the unaudited segment information for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 (in thousands):

Three month period:

 

2003

 

Quarrying

 

 

Manufacturing

 

 

Retailing

 

 

Corporate
Overhead

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Total net revenues

$

  8,785

$

8,073

$

12,551

$

$

29,409

Inter-segment net revenues

 

(536

)

 

(2,673

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3,209

)

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Net revenues

 

8,249

 

 

5,400

 

 

12,551

 

 

 

 

26,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross profit

 

3,556

 

 

1,439

 

 

7,183

 

 

 

 

12,178

 

Inter-segment gross profit

 

(233

)

 

4

 

 

229

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Gross profit

 

3,323

 

 

1,443

 

 

7,412

 

 

 

 

12,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

2,628

 

 

901

 

 

5,882

 

 

1,260

 

 

10,671

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

$

695

$

542

$

1,530

$

(1,260

)

$

1,507

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2002

 

Quarrying

 

 

Manufacturing

 

 

Retailing

 

 

Corporate
Overhead

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net revenues

$

8,842

 

$

7,756

 

$

14,038

 

$

 

$

30,636

 

Inter-segment net revenues

 

(427

)

 

(2,203

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,630

)

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Net revenues

 

8,415

 

 

5,553

 

 

14,038

 

 

 

 

28,006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross profit

 

4,002

 

 

1,711

 

 

8,438

`

 

 

 

14,151

 

Inter-segment gross profit

 

(170

)

 

49

 

 

121

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Gross profit

 

3,832

 

 

1,760

 

 

8,559

 

 

 

 

14,151

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

984

869

5,868

1,186

8,907

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

$

2,848

$

891

$

2,691

$

(1,186

)

$

5,244

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

10


Six month period:

 

2003

 

Quarrying

 

 

Manufacturing

 

 

Retailing

 

 

Corporate
Overhead

 

 

Total

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

Total net revenues

$

11,994

 

$

13,398

 

$

15,688

 

$

 

$

41,080

 

Inter-segment net revenues

 

(848

)

 

(4,419

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5,267

)

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

11,146

 

 

8,979

 

 

15,688

 

 

 

 

35,813

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross profit

 

2,895

 

 

2,386

 

 

8,335

 

 

 

 

13,616

 

Inter-segment gross profit

 

(232

)

 

(70

)

 

302

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

2,663

 

 

2,316

 

 

8,637

 

 

 

 

13,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

3,958

1,738

10,225

2,506

18,427

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

$

(1,295

)

$

578

 

$

(1,588

)

$

(2,506

)

$

(4,811

)

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2002

 

Quarrying

 

 

Manufacturing

 

 

Retailing

 

 

Corporate
Overhead

 

 

Total

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net revenues

$

13,321

 

$

12,311

 

$

17,553

 

$

 

$

43,185

 

Inter-segment net revenues

 

(685

)

 

(3,339

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,024

)

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

12,636

 

 

8,972

 

 

17,553

 

 

 

 

39,161

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total gross profit

4,860

2,027

9,579

16,466

Inter-segment gross profit

 

(189

)

 

50

 

 

139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

4,671

 

 

2,077

 

 

9,718

 

 

 

 

16,466

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

1,735

 

 

1,639

 

 

10,269

 

 

2,381

 

 

16,024

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

$

2,936

 

$

438

 

$

(551

)

$

(2,381

)

$

442

 

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 
                               

11


Net revenues by geographic area are as follows:

 

   

($ in thousands)

 

($ in thousands)

   

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

   

June 30,

 

June 30,

   
 

Net revenues (1):

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

   
 
 
 

United States

$

          23,220

$

 25,406

$

31,374

$

35,282

Canada

 

2,980

 

2,600

 

4,439

 

3,879

   
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net revenues

$

26,200

$

28,006

$

35,813

$

39,161

   
 
 
 

 

(1)

Net revenues are attributed to countries based on where product is produced.

Long-lived assets by geographic area are as follows:

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

2003

 

2002

Long-lived assets:

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

   
 

United States

$

          37,588

$

41,686

Canada

 

2,853

 

2,235

   
 

 

$

40,441

$

43,921

   
 
         

 

(8)

Comprehensive Income

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) consisted of net income, cumulative translation adjustment, and a minimum pension liability adjustment ($ in thousands).

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign
Currency
Items

 

 

Minimum
Pension
Liability
Adjustment

 

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

Balance at December 30, 2002

$

(756

)

$

(1,807

)

$

(2,563

)

Changes in 2003

 

1,078

 

 

 

 

1,078

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

Balance at June 30, 2003

$

322

 

$

(1,807

)

$

(1,485 )

 

 

 

 


 

 


 
                   

 

 12


 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

General

 

 

Rock of Ages Corporation (the "Company") is an integrated quarrier, manufacturer, distributor and retailer of granite and products manufactured from granite. The quarry division sells granite blocks both to the manufacturing division and to outside manufacturers, as well as to customers in Europe and Asia. The manufacturing division's principal product is granite memorials, which are sold to owned and non-owned retail memorial stores and used primarily in cemeteries, although it also manufactures some specialized granite products for industrial applications. The retail division primarily sells granite memorials directly to consumers. As discussed below, the Company also owns cemeteries and has decided to dispose of its Cemetery business.

 

 

The Company has decided to dispose of its Cemetery business, Rock of Ages Kentucky Cemeteries, LLC. The decision was made to allow the Company to concentrate on its core businesses, quarrying, manufacturing and retailing, freeing up resources to pursue other growth strategies. The Company expects to continue to sell upright memorials in those cemeteries through its relationship with the buyer, Saber Management, LLC. The decision to sell this company represents a disposal of long-lived asset and disposal group under SFAS No. 144 "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." Accordingly, results of this business have been classified as discontinued operations, and prior periods have been restated to reflect this reclassification. The sale is subject to the satisfactory completion of due diligence by the buyer and satisfaction of certain closing conditions contained in the definitive purchase and sale agreement and is expected to close in the latter part of the third quarter. It is estimated that the fair value of the assets exceeds the carrying value, therefore a loss on sale is not expected and has not been recorded.

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

 

Critical accounting policies are as follows: Revenue recognition, accounting for pensions, impairment of long-lived assets and valuation of deferred income taxes.

 

 

Revenue Recognition

 

 

The Company records revenues from quarrying, manufacturing, retailing and cemeteries.

 

 

The granite quarried by the Company is sold both to outside customers and used by the Company's manufacturing division. The quarry division records revenue and gross profit related to the sale of granite sold to an outside customer either when the granite is shipped or, in the case of the special December terms, when the customer selects and identifies the blocks at the quarry site and an invoice is issued. The Company does not record a sale, nor does the Company record gross profit, at the time granite is transferred to the Company's manufacturing division. The Company records revenue and gross profit related to internally transferred granite only after the granite is manufactured into a finished product and sold to an outside customer. Manufacturing revenues related to outside customers are recorded when the finished product is shipped from Company facilities. Manufacturing revenues related to internally transferred finished products are recorded when ultimately sold at retail to an outside customer. Retailing revenues are recorded when the finished monument is placed in the cemetery. In certain instances, the Company may enter into an agreement with a customer, which provides for extended payment terms, generally up to two years from either the date of setting the memorial or, in certain instances, upon the settlement of an estate. The Company records cemetery revenues as described below.

 

The quarry division recognizes revenue from sales of granite blocks when the granite is shipped from the quarry site and provides for a 5% discount if payment is made within 30 days of purchase, except as described in the following paragraph.

 

 

13


 

The Company allows customers to purchase granite blocks on a bill-and-hold basis at its Barre quarries upon customer request in order to allow its customers to meet their need for granite blocks since many do not have sufficient storage space at their facilities and want to ensure an adequate supply of blocks especially when the Barre quarries are closed from mid-December through mid-March because of weather. During this time, the quarry customers' manufacturing plants remain open, and many prefer to ensure they own blocks of a size and quality selected by them prior to the quarries' closure. All blocks purchased in December are invoiced on or about December 31 and, at that time, the blocks are removed from the Company's inventory, the customer's name is printed on the blocks, and title and risk of ownership passes to the buyer. Payment terms are one-third of the invoice amount on January 15, one-third on February 15, and one-third on March 15. The program provides essentially the normal 30-day payment terms during the months when the quarry is closed notwithstanding that the customer purchases a three-month supply in December and makes payments over ninety days. Customers need not use these terms and may buy from inventory during the closure period on a first-come, first-served basis with normal 30-day terms. Normal payment terms apply when customers request to purchase blocks on a bill-and-hold basis at other times throughout the year.  In many cases, granite blocks owned by customers remain on the Company's property for varying periods after title passes to the buyer.  The Company retains a delivery obligation using the Company's trucks. However the Company considers the earnings process substantially complete because the cost of delivery service is inconsequential (less than 3%) in relation to the selling price. Further, under industry terms of trade, title passes and the payment obligation is established when the block is identified to a particular customer and transaction.

 

 

The cemetery division records revenues on its products and services primarily when the product is delivered or the service is performed. However, preneed sales of cemetery lots are recognized as revenue when 20% of the total purchase price of the lot has been received from the customer. The cemetery division's recognition of revenue from preneed sales of cemetery services and merchandise is deferred until the period in which the services or merchandise is delivered. On the balance sheet at December 31, 2002, the full contract amount is included in prearranged deferred revenue, a liability. The corresponding receivable due from the customer is reflected in prearranged receivables, an asset, and the corresponding cash received from the customer is reflected part in prearranged receivables (for the portion placed in trust) and part in cash (for the portion the Company is allowed to retain). When the services or merchandise is delivered, the Company recognizes as revenue the full contract amount plus all trust earnings associated with that contract. The Company cannot predict when the existing contracts will mature but it is estimated that most contracts will have an average life of ten to fifteen years. The amount of prearranged deferred revenue was $21.8 million at December 31, 2002.

 

As a result of the Company's decision to sell the cemeteries and in accordance with SFAS No. 144 "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," results of the cemetery division have been classified as discontinued operations; prior periods have been restated to reflect this reclassification and the assets and liabilities of this business are classified as available for sale as of June 30, 2003.

 

 

Accounting for Pensions

 

 

The Company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans for certain of its employees. Accounting for these plans requires the use of actuarial assumptions including estimates on the expected long-term rate of return on assets and discount rates. In order to make informed assumptions management relies on outside actuarial experts as well as public market data and general economic information. If changes in any of these assumptions occur, they may materially affect certain amounts reported on the Company's balance sheet. In particular, a decrease in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets or a decrease in the discount rate could result in an increase in the Company's pension liability and a charge to equity.

 

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

 

The Company's long-lived assets consist primarily of property and equipment and, prior to 2002, goodwill. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such an asset may not be recoverable. Such events or circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant decrease in the fair value of the underlying business or change in utilization of property and equipment.

 

 

14


 

Recoverability of property and equipment is measured by comparison of the carrying amount to estimated future undiscounted net cash flows the assets are expected to generate. Those cash flows include an estimated terminal value based on a hypothetical sale at the end of its depreciation period. Estimating these cash flows and terminal values requires management to make judgments about the growth in demand for our services, sustainability of gross margins, and our ability to integrate acquired companies and achieve economies of scale. If assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.

 

 

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company assessed impairment of goodwill in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142. The provisions of SFAS No. 142 require that a two-step test be performed. First, the fair value of each reporting unit was compared to its carrying value. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is performed. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, then the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill must be determined and compared to the carrying value of the goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit's goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment loss equal to the difference will be recorded. The Company determined the fair value of each of the reporting units using a discounted cash flow analysis and compared such values to the respective reporting units' carrying amounts. This evaluation indicated that goodwill recorded in the Retail and Cemetery segments was impaired as of January 1, 2002.  As a result, the Company completed the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of the impairment loss.  Accordingly, the Company recognized a $34 million non-cash charge, recorded as of January 1, 2002, as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle for the write-down of goodwill to its fair value.  Approximately $19 million of the goodwill write-down is deductible for taxes; therefore a deferred tax asset of $5.3 million has been recorded.

 

 

Conditions that contributed to the goodwill impairment in Retail were an underestimation of the amount of time required to fully integrate the branding strategy through the retail network and the difficulty in increasing profitability in the timeframe expected and to the extent anticipated prior to the retail acquisitions.  Conditions that contributed to the goodwill impairment in Cemeteries were lower than expected revenues and greater selling and administrative costs, which the Company believes are, to some extent, temporary but are significant enough to affect the fair value determination.

 

Valuation of deferred income taxes

 

As of June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, the Company had net deferred tax assets of $6.0 million and $7.1 million, respectively. In assessing whether deferred tax assets are realizable, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependant upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Management has recorded a valuation allowance of $4.6 million as of June 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, against the minimum tax credit carry-forwards and other deferred tax assets. Based upon the projections for future taxable income over the periods for which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefit of these unreserved net deferred tax assets. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income are reduced.

15



Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain operations data as a percentage of net revenues with the exception of quarrying, manufacturing and retailing gross profit, which are shown as a percentage of their respective revenues.

 

   

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 
   

June 30,

 

June 30,

 
   
 
 

 

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

 
   
 
 
 
 

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                Quarrying

 

31.5%

 

30.1 %

 

31.1%

 

32.3 %

 

                Manufacturing

 

20.6%

 

19.8 %

 

25.1%

 

22.9 %

 

                Retailing

 

47.9%

 

50.1 %

 

43.8%

 

44.8 %

 




                              Total net revenues

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 
                   

Gross Profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                Quarrying

 

40.3%

 

45.5%

 

23.9%

 

37.0%

 

                Manufacturing

 

26.7%

 

31.7%

 

25.8%

 

23.1%

 

                Retailing

 

59.1%

 

61.0%

 

55.1%

 

55.4%

 
   
 
 
 
 

                              Total gross profit

46.5%

50.5 %

38.0%

42.0 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general & administrative expenses

 

40.7%

 

31.8%

 

51.5%

 

40.9%

 
   
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                Income (loss) from continuing
                operations

5.8%

18.8%

(13.4%

)

1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

0.6%

 

0.7%

 

0.9%

 

0.9%

 
   
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                Income (loss) from continuing
                operations before income taxes

 

5.2%

 

18.1%

 

(14.3%

)

0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

0.1%

 

4.4 %

 

(4.3%

)

0.1%

 
   
 
 
 
 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

 

5.1%

 

13.7 %

 

(10.0%)

 

0.1%

 
                   
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes   0.1%  

0.1%

  0.2%   0.2%  
   
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles   5.2%  

13.8%

  (9.8% ) 0.3%  
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles    

    (73.3%

)

   
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)   5.2%  

13.8%

  (9.8% ) (73.0%

)

   
 
 
 
 
                   

16


 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2003 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2002

 

Revenues for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 decreased 6.4% to $26.2 million from $28.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 .

 

Quarrying revenues were $8.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 compared to $8.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 . The quarry revenues were slightly below the previous period as a result of the quarries continuing recovery from unusually severe winter weather conditions that affected both our ability to quarry as well as our ability to ship quarried stone. In addition, we have experienced decreased demand in the Pennsylvania Black quarry primarily due to weak demand in the memorialization market.

 

Manufacturing revenues were $5.4 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 compared to $5.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. Revenues from standard products in the wholesale memorial group were down approximately $500,000 from the same period last year as a result of decreased demand for memorial products as well as a week-long union strike which affected shipments. This was partially offset by recognition of revenue on the balance of the World War II memorial in the quarter ended June 30, 2003.

 

Retailing revenues were $12.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 compared to $14.0 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. The decrease in revenue was due to several factors, including, but not limited to, a decrease in demand for memorials in many of the markets served. The Company believes there has also been a downturn in other death care related businesses (principally cemeteries and funeral homes) which may indicate a decrease in demand for death care related products and services as a whole, which in turn may be the result of a lower number of total deaths quarter to quarter and continuing weakness in the general economy.

 

Gross profit dollars for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 decreased 13.9% to $12.2 million from $14.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 . Gross profit percentage decreased to 46.5 % in the current period from 50.5% in the second quarter of 2002.

 

Quarrying gross profit was $3.3 million or 40.3% of quarrying revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 compared to $3.8 million or 45.5% of quarrying revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. The decrease in gross profit dollars, as well as the decrease in gross profit percentage, was attributable, in part, to our Pennsylvania Black quarry, which had lower gross margins as a result of decreased domestic demand as well as lower quarry yields. In addition, the Company fulfilled a specific contract at the Salisbury Pink quarry requiring lower grade product sold from inventory essentially at cost as part of a program to reduce lower grade inventory in that quarry. During 2002, the Company elected to change the method of valuing inventory in the quarry division from a First-In, First-Out method to a Specific Annual Average Cost method. The effect of the change in the three-month period ended June 30, 2002 was to increase gross profit by $206,000.

 

Manufacturing gross profit was $1.4 million or 26.7% of manufacturing revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 compared to $1.8 million or 31.7% of manufacturing revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. The decrease in gross margin percentage was a result of a less favorable product mix and additional costs incurred as a result of the labor strike as well as decreased operational efficiencies associated with lower revenues in our standard products as described above.

 

Retailing gross profit was $7.4 million or 59.1% of retailing revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 compared to $8.6 million or 61.0% of retailing revenue for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. The decrease in gross margin percentage and dollars was largely attributable to lower operational efficiencies associated with the decrease in revenue discussed above. This was somewhat offset by a decrease in expenses associated with the closing of plant facilities within our retail group that took place throughout 2002 and contracting with suppliers for those goods and services.

 

17


 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 increased 19.8% to $10.7 million from $8.9 million for the same period in 2002. As a percentage of net revenues, these expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 increased to 40.7% from 31.8% in the same period of 2002. The increase was primarily a result of  increased legal expenses in the quarry segment for the Eurimex arbitration proceeding of $1.8 million for the second quarter of 2003, compared to $150,000 for the second quarter of 2002 (see Part II, Item I, "Legal Proceedings").

 

Interest expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 decreased to $161,000 from $188,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2002. This decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates under the Company's credit facilities.

 

Income tax expense as a percentage of earnings before taxes was 1% in the quarter ended June 30, 2003 compared to 24% for the same period in 2002. The tax rate for the Company is affected by several factors, including the difference in the effective US and Canadian tax rates and the relative earnings between the two. As a result of the decrease in expected earnings for the Company in its US operations for 2003, primarily as a result of the significant expenses incurred in connection with the Eurimex arbitration proceedings, the estimated effective tax rate for the year changed from 24% to 30%. This increased tax rate, applied to the year-to-date pretax loss, resulted in a tax benefit approximately equal to the benefit recorded at the end of the first quarter under the old rate of 24%. This resulted in essentially no tax expense for the second quarter.

 

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles for the three months ended June 30, 2003 was $1.3 million, as compared to $3.8 million for the same period of 2002.
 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the three months ended June 30, 2003 was $26,000, as compared to $18,000 for the same period of 2002. In accordance with SFAS 144, the Company stopped recording depreciation once the business was classified as discontinued, therefore the Company had $24,000 less in depreciation expense in the quarter ended June 2003 than in the same period of 2002.
 
Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2003 was $1.4 million, as compared to $3.8 million for the same period of 2002.
 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2002

 

Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2002 decreased 8.5% to $35.8 million from $39.2 million for the same period in 2002.

 

Quarrying revenues were $11.1 million for the six-months ended June 30, 2003 compared to $12.6 million for the same period in 2002. The decrease was due to unusually severe weather conditions in the first quarter of 2003 that affected both our ability to quarry as well as our ability to ship quarried stone, thereby decreasing revenue. In addition, we have experienced decreased demand in the Pennsylvania Black quarry, primarily due to weak demand in the memorialization market.

 

Manufacturing revenues were $9.0 million for both of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2003 and June 30, 2002. Revenues in the wholesale memorial division were down approximately $1.4 million from the same period last year as a result of decreased demand for memorial products in both the U.S. and Canada. This was offset entirely by the combination of $1.0 million in revenue on the World War II memorial in the six-month period ended June 30, 2003 and an increase in revenue in the precision products division. The Company recognized no revenue on the World War II memorial in the six-month period ended June 30, 2002.

 

Retailing revenues were $15.7 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003 compared to $17.6 million for the same period in 2002. The decrease in revenue was due to unusually severe winter weather conditions in many areas which significantly affected our ability to set memorials in cemeteries and a decrease in demand for memorials as well. The Company believes there has also been a downturn in other death care related businesses (principally cemeteries and funeral homes) which may indicate a decrease in demand for death care related products and services as a whole, which in turn may be the result of a lower number of deaths in the first six months of 2003 compared to 2002, and continuing weakness in the general economy.

 

Gross profit dollars for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003 decreased 17.3% to $13.6 million from $16.5 million for the same period in 2002. Gross profit percentage decreased to 38.0% in 2003 from 42.0% in 2002.

 

Gross profit from quarrying was $2.7 million or 23.9% of quarrying revenue for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003 compared to gross profit of $4.7 million or 37.0% of quarrying revenue for the same period in 2002. The decrease in gross profit dollars as well as the decrease in gross profit percentage was primarily a result of unusually severe winter weather conditions, which decreased production and, to a lesser degree, lower profit sales from the Salisbury Pink quarry and lower demand and yield from the Pennsylvania Black quarry as discussed above. During 2002, the Company elected to change the method of valuing inventory in the quarry division from a First-In, First-Out method to a Specific Annual Average Cost method. The effect of the change in the six-month period ended June 30, 2002 was to increase gross profit by $240,000.

 

18


 

Manufacturing gross profit was $2.3 million or 25.8% of manufacturing revenue for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003 compared to $2.1 million or 23.1% of manufacturing revenue for the same period in 2002. The increase in gross margin percentage and dollars was a result of greater revenue and improved efficiencies in the industrial products division.

 

Retailing gross profit was $8.6 million or 55.1% of retailing revenue for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003 compared to $9.7 million or 55.4% of retailing revenue for the six month period ended June 30, 2002. The decrease in gross margin percentage and dollars was largely attributable to lower operational efficiencies associated with the decrease in revenue discussed above. This was somewhat offset by a decrease in expenses associated with the closing of plant facilities within our retail group that took place throughout 2002 and contracting with suppliers for those goods and services.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003 increased 15.0% to $18.4 million from $16.0 million for the same period in 2002. As a percentage of net revenues, these expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003 increased to 51.5% from 40.9% in the same period of 2002 The increase was primarily a result of increased legal expenses in the quarry segment for the Eurimex arbitration proceeding of $2.4 million for the first six months of 2003 compared to $150,000 in the first six months of 2002 (see Part II, Item 1, "Legal Proceedings").

 

Interest expense for the six-month period ended June 30, 2003 decreased to $310,000 from $362,000 for the same period in 2002. This decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates under the Company's credit facilities.

 

Income tax expense was a benefit of $1.5 million (or 30% of the loss before taxes) in the six month period ended June 30, 2003 compared to an expense of $28,000 (or 35% of pretax profits) for the same period in 2002. The tax rate for the Company is affected by several factors, including the difference in the effective US and Canadian tax rates and the relative earnings between the two. As a result of the decrease in expected earnings for the Company in its US operations for 2003, primarily as the result of the significant expenses incurred in connection with the Eurimex arbitration proceedings, the estimated effective tax rate for the year has changed from 24% to 30%. The tax rate for the six month period ended June 30, 2002 is higher than normal as a result of reclassifying the earnings and taxes from the cemeteries into discontinued operations consistent with the Company's desire to sell that segment. The Company expects to earn a profit for the year and pay taxes so the income tax benefit is expected to be temporary.

 

Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles for the six months ended June 30, 2003 was $3.6 million, as compared to a net income of $52,000 for the same period of 2002.
 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2003 was $60,000, as compared to $72,000 for the same period of 2002. In accordance with SFAS 144, the Company stopped recording depreciation once the business was classified as discontinued, therefore the Company had $24,000 less in depreciation expense in the six months ended June 2003 than in the same period of 2002.
 
There was no cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, for the six months ended June 30, 2003 as compared to a loss, net of tax, of $28.7 million for the same period of 2002, primarily due to a write-down of goodwill to its fair value in accordance with SFAS 142.
 
Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2003 was $3.5 million, as compared to $28.6 million for the same period of 2002.
 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity. The Company considers its liquidity to be adequate to meet its long and short-term cash requirements. Historically, the Company has met these requirements primarily from cash generated by operating activities and periodic borrowings under the commercial credit facilities described below. The Company's acquisitions have increased its requirements for external sources of liquidity, and the Company anticipates that this trend will continue as it further implements its growth strategy.

 

In January 2003, the Company repurchased 500,500 shares of its common stock for a total of $2,602,600 as part of its share buy back program. Since August 5, 2002, the Company has repurchased a total of 676,200 shares for $3,359,269 under the share buy back program.  The shares have subsequently been retired. There remain 323,800 shares authorized to be purchased under the current repurchase program. The Company expects to continue to repurchase shares on an opportunistic basis determined by, among other things, current debt levels, anticipated uses of capital, the price of the stock and general market conditions.

 

The Company made a payment to fund its defined benefit pension plan of $1.4 million in 2002, which was the maximum allowable deductible amount for tax purposes. Based on current market conditions and the related impact on the fair value of plan assets, additional funding of this extent may be warranted in the future and the Company believes it will be able to fund such contributions either from cash from operations or borrowing under its credit facilities.

 

Cash Flow. At June 30, 2003, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $2.0 million and working capital of $29.3 million, compared to $2.5 million and $16.2 million, at June 30, 2002. The increase in working capital is primarily the result of the reclassification of cemetery assets held for sale into current assets.

19


 

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2003, net cash used in operating activities was $363,000 which consisted primarily of the net loss of $3.5 million plus cash provided primarily by a decrease in receivables and an increase in customer deposits less cash used primarily as a result of a decrease in payables and accrued expenses.  This compares to cash provided by operating activities for the period ended June 30, 2002 of $2.1 million which consisted primarily of the net loss of $28.6 million plus the non-cash charges associated with the goodwill impairment net of taxes as well as the cash provided primarily by an increase in customer deposits, less the cash used primarily as a result of an increase in receivables, an increase in inventories, a decrease in deferred revenue, and a decrease in payables and accrued expenses.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $2.8 million in the six month period ended June 30, 2003 as a result of capital purchases, compared to $12,000 provided by investing activities in the corresponding period of 2002 as a result of the proceeds from the sale of the Company's Lawson facility which was almost entirely offset by capital purchases.

 

Net cash used in financing activities in the six month period ended June 30, 2003 was $1.7 million, which consisted primarily of repurchases of stock under the Company's stock repurchase program offset by borrowings under the Company's line of credit, compared to $3.3 million in the corresponding period of 2002 which consisted primarily of repayments on the credit facility and principal payments on long-term debt from the proceeds of the sale of the Company's Lawson facility.

 

Capital Resources. The Company has a credit facility with the CIT Group/Business Credit ("CIT"). The facility consists of an acquisition term loan line of credit of up to $30.0 million and a revolving credit facility of up to another $20.0 million based on eligible accounts receivable, inventory and certain fixed assets. As of June 30, 2003, the Company had $12.5 million outstanding and $17.5 million available under the term loan line of credit and $5.5 million outstanding and $14.5 million available under the revolving credit facility. The Company has a multi-tiered interest rate structure on its outstanding debt with CIT. As of June 30, 2003, the interest rate structure was as follows:

 

Amount

Formula

Effective Rate

 


 


 


Revolving Credit Facility

$   2.5 million

 

Prime - .50%

 

3.50%

Revolving Credit Facility

     3.0 million

 

LIBOR + 1.50%

 

2.79%

Term Loans

   12.5 million

 

LIBOR + 1.75%

 

3.04%

 

The Company can elect the interest rate structure for the Revolver and/or the Term Loan under the credit facility based on the prime rate or LIBOR.

 

The incremental rate above or below prime and above LIBOR is based on the Company's Funded Debt to Net Worth Ratio. As of June 30, 2003, the Company was at the most favorable increments available.

 

For the quarter ended June 30, 2003, the Company was in violation of one of its trailing 12-month debt covenants primarily as a result of  $4.0 million of fees and expenses incurred since July 1, 2002 in connection with the Eurimex arbitration hearing held in May 2003. The Company has received a waiver from CIT allowing the Company to exclude the Eurimex arbitration expenses incurred prior to June 30, 2003 from the calculation of the covenant for the quarters ending June 30, September 30, and December 31, 2003, and for the quarter ending March 31, 2004.

 

As of June 30, 2003, the Company had $4.0 million CDN available and $0 outstanding under a demand revolving line of credit with the Royal Bank of Canada.

20


Contractual Obligations - ($ in thousands)

 

Contractual Cash Obligations

 

Total

 

Less than 1 Year

 

1-3 Years

 

4-5 Years

 

After 5 Years


 


 


 


 


 


Long-Term Debt (1)

$

12,964

$

154

$

44

$

12,521

$

245

Operating Leases (2)

 

2,828

 

1,056

 

1,172

 

600

 

Purchase Obligations (3)

 

18,000

 

3,000

 

6,000

 

6,000

 

3,000






Total Obligations

$

33,792

$

4,210

$

7,216

$

19,121

$

3,245

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Long-Term Debt consists of various notes payable for general business use and strategic acquisitions, the repayment of which is expected to be funded from a combination of cash flow from operations and its existing credit facility.

 

 

(2)

Operating Leases are principally for real estate and is expected to be funded from cash flow from operations.

 

 

(3)

The purchase obligation is a supply agreement with Adams Granite Co. The Company has agreed to purchase a minimum of $3,000,000 of monuments from Adams Granite each year for a term of seven years with various stipulations as to variations from the "minimum order" and pricing agreements, and is expected to be funded from cash flow from operations. The remaining term of the agreement is six years.

 

The Company's primary need for capital will be to maintain and improve its manufacturing, quarrying, and retail facilities and to finance acquisitions as part of its growth strategy. The Company has approximately $5.0 million budgeted for capital expenditures in 2003. The Company believes that the combination of cash flow from operations and its existing credit facilities will be sufficient to fund its operations for at least the next twelve months.

 

Seasonality

 

Historically, the Company's operations have experienced certain seasonal patterns. Generally the Company's net sales have been highest in the second or third quarter and lowest in the first quarter of each year due primarily to weather. Cemeteries in northern areas generally do not accept granite memorials during winter months when the ground is frozen because they cannot be properly set. In addition, the Company typically closes certain of its Vermont and Canadian quarries during these months because of increased operating costs attributable to adverse weather conditions. As a result, the Company has historically incurred a net loss during the first three months of each calendar year.

 21


 

 Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results

 

The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or which are currently deemed immaterial may also impair our business, financial condition and results of operations. If any of these risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

Our continued growth depends, at least in part, on acquisitions, which involve numerous risks that could negatively affect our earnings and financial condition.

 

Our ability to continue to grow depends in part upon the acquisition of additional companies. We cannot assure you that we will identify suitable acquisition candidates, or that we will be able to consummate transactions on acceptable terms. Further, even if we successfully acquire additional companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully integrate the operations of such companies with our own. We intend to finance acquisitions through a combination of available cash resources, bank borrowings, and, in appropriate circumstances, the issuance of equity and/or debt securities. Acquiring additional companies will have a significant effect on our financial position, and could cause substantial fluctuations in our quarterly and yearly operating results. Also, acquisitions may result in the recording of significant goodwill and intangible assets on the Company's financial statements, the write-off of which would reduce reported earnings at the point in time the goodwill is deemed impaired. With respect to retail acquisitions, goodwill impairment could be incurred at the closing of the acquisition.

 

Opening new stores is a component of our growth strategy and entails uncertainties and risks that could adversely affect our profitability.

 

Our ability to continue to grow our retail business will depend in part upon our ability to open new retail stores in selected locations. Our success in opening new retail stores will depend on our ability to identify suitable locations for opening new retail stores on acceptable terms, our ability to attract and retain competent management and sales personnel, and our ability to form strategic alliances and relationships with local funeral homes, cemeteries and other death care professionals, and our ability to attract customers to our new stores. It is unlikely that new retail stores that we open will generate significant profits in the early stages, and many new stores will lose money for the first few years of operation. Accordingly, opening new retail stores may adversely affect our business or profitability.

 

If we are unable to maintain our relationships with independent retailers, our sales may not continue to grow and could decline.

 

We have historically sold our granite memorials to consumers through independent retailers. Over the past five years, we have acquired 26 retailers with approximately 100 retail outlets in 15 states. However, we are still dependent in part on our independent retailers for the successful distribution of our products to the ultimate customer. We have no control over the independent retailers' operations, including such matters as retail price, advertising and marketing. Three important components of our growth strategy are to continue to acquire retailers, open new retail stores in selected markets and pursue strategic alliances with funeral homes, cemetery owners, and other death care professionals. Although we have taken steps to reduce conflicts between our owned retail stores and our independent retailers, the implementation of these elements of our strategy has in the past been, and may in the future be construed by some of our existing independent retailers as an effort to compete with them. In certain cases this has adversely affected their relationship with us and caused them to decrease or cease their purchases of our products. These issues may continue to arise as we pursue our growth strategy. In addition, significant barriers to entry created by local heritage, community presence and tradition characterize the granite memorial retail industry. Consequently, we have experienced, and may continue to experience difficulty replacing retailers or entering particular retail markets in the event of a loss of an independent retailer. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain our existing relationships or establish new relationships with independent retailers. Disruption in our relationships with independent retailers could impede our sales growth or cause sales to decline, which would adversely affect our business and financial results.

22


 

If we lose our key personnel, or are unable to attract and retain additional qualified personnel, our business could suffer.

 

Our operations and the implementation of our operating and growth strategies, such as integration of acquisitions and the opening of new retail stores, are management intensive. We are substantially dependent upon the abilities and continued efforts of Kurt M. Swenson, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and other senior management. Our business is also dependent on our ability to continue to attract and retain a highly skilled retail, quarrying and manufacturing workforce, including sales managers and counselors, stone cutters, sand blasters, sculptors and other skilled artisans. The loss of the services of Mr. Swenson, other members of the Company's senior management or other highly skilled personnel could adversely affect our business and operating results.

 

We face intense competition and, if we are unable to compete successfully, we may be unable to increase our sales, which would adversely affect our business and profitability.

 

The dimension stone industry is highly competitive. The Company competes with other dimension stone quarriers, including quarriers of granite, marble, limestone, travertine and other natural stones. The Company also competes with manufacturers of so-called "engineered stone" as well as manufacturers of other building materials like concrete, aluminum, glass, wood and other materials. The Company competes with providers of these materials on the basis of price, availability of supply, end-user preference for certain colors, patterns or textures, and other factors.

 

The granite memorial industry is also highly competitive. The Company competes with other granite quarriers and manufacturers in the sale of granite blocks for memorial use on the basis of price, color, quality, geographic proximity, service, design availability, production capacity, availability of supply and delivery options. All of the Company's colors of granite are subject to competition from memorial grade granite blocks of similar color supplied by quarriers located throughout the world. There are approximately 140 manufacturers of granite memorials in North America. There are also manufacturers of granite memorials in India, South Africa, China and Portugal that sell finished memorials in North America.

 

The Company's quarrying and manufacturing competitors include both domestic and international companies, some of which may have greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing and other resources than the Company. Foreign competitors of the Company may have access to lower cost labor and better commercial deposits of memorial grade granite, and may be subject to less restrictive regulatory requirements than the Company. For example, companies in South Africa, India, China and Portugal also manufacture and export finished granite memorials into North America which compete with the Company's products.

 

The competition for retail sales of granite memorials faced by the Company's retail outlets is also intense and is based on price, quality, service, design availability and breadth of product line. Competitors include funeral home and cemetery owners, including consolidators, which have greater financial resources than the Company, as well as approximately 3,000 independent retailers of granite memorials located outside of cemeteries and funeral homes.

 

The sale of cemetery lots and related products is highly competitive. The competition is based upon price, geographic location, and the overall aesthetics, maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery. Competitors include churches and municipalities that own and operate cemeteries, and other cemetery owners, including consolidators, which may have greater financial resources that the Company.

 

We cannot assure you that domestic or foreign competition will not adversely impact our business.

 

23


The increasing trend toward cremation, and potential declines in memorialization for other reasons, may result in decreased sales of our products.

 

There is an increasing trend toward cremation in the United States. According to the Cremation Association of North America, or CANA, cremation was used in approximately 25% of the deaths in the United States in 2000, compared to approximately 17% in 1990, and CANA expects this rate to rise to approximately 40% by 2010. While we continue to believe that most families will choose to memorialize their loved-ones, regardless of whether they choose cremation over a traditional burial, to the extent increases in cremation rates result in decreases in memorialization rates, this decrease will result in a decline in our memorial sales, which would adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

Our business is also subject to the risk that memorialization rates may decline over time for other reasons. Certain cemeteries have in the past and may in the future limit the use of granite memorials as a memorialization option. To the extent that general memorialization rates or the willingness of cemeteries to accept granite memorials declines, this decline could adversely affect our business.

 

Sales of our products are seasonal and may cause our quarterly operating results to fluctuate.

 

Historically, our operations have experienced certain seasonal patterns. Generally, our net sales are highest in the second or third quarter and lowest in the first quarter of each year due primarily to weather. Cemeteries in northern regions generally do not accept granite memorials during winter months when the ground is frozen because they cannot be properly set. We typically close certain of our Vermont and Canadian quarries during these months because of increased operating costs attributable to weather conditions. We have historically incurred an aggregate net loss during the first six months of each calendar year. Our operating results may vary materially from quarter to quarter due to, among other things, acquisitions, changes in product mix and limitations on the timing of price increases, making quarterly year-to-year comparisons less meaningful.

 

Our competitive position could be harmed if we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights.

 

We believe that our tradenames, trademarks, brands, designs and other intellectual property are of great value, and we rely on trademark, copyright and other proprietary rights laws to protect our rights to this valuable intellectual property. Third parties may in the future try to challenge our ownership of our intellectual property. In addition, our business is subject to the risk of third parties counterfeiting our products or infringing on our intellectual property rights. We may need to resort to litigation in the future to protect our intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources. Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights, most notably, the Rock of Ages trademark, could have a material adverse effect on our business and competitive position.

 

Our business is subject to a number of operating risks that are difficult to predict and manage.

 

Our quarry and manufacturing operations are subject to numerous risks and hazards inherent in those industries, including among others, unanticipated surface or underground conditions, varying memorial grade granite recovery rates due to natural cracks and other imperfections in granite quarries, equipment failures, accidents and worker injuries, labor issues, weather conditions and events, unanticipated transportation costs and price fluctuations. As a result, actual costs and expenditures, production quantities and delivery dates, as well as revenues, may differ materially from those anticipated, which could adversely affect our operating results.

 

Our international operations may expose us to a number of risks related to conducting business in foreign countries.

 

We derived approximately 23% of our revenues in fiscal 2002 from sales outside the United States, with approximately 9% of revenues in fiscal 2002 from sales in Canada by the Company's Canadian subsidiaries. In prior years such percentage represented by international sales has been higher. Foreign sales are subject to numerous risks, including currency conversion risks, limitations (including taxes) on the reparation of earnings, slower and more difficult accounts receivable collection and greater complication and expense in complying with foreign laws.

 

24


 

Sales of our ancillary products are cyclical, which may adversely affect our operating results.

The markets for our industrial precision products, which include machine base and surface plates that are utilized in the automotive, aeronautic, computer, machine tool, optical, precision grinding and inspection industries, and granite press rolls used in the manufacture of paper, are subject to substantial cyclical variations. Sales of these products have declined significantly as a result of the recent general economic downturn and may continue to decline upon a further or sustained downturn, or as a result of uncertainties regarding current future economic conditions that generally affect, such industries. We cannot assure you that changes in the industries to which we sell our precision products will not adversely affect our operating results.

Existing stockholders are able to exercise significant control over us.

Kurt M. Swenson and his brother, Kevin C. Swenson, collectively have approximately 63% of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of our common stock, and will therefore be in a position to control the outcome of most corporate actions requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and the approval of transactions involving a change in control of the Company.

 

We may incur substantial costs to comply with government regulations.

Our quarry and manufacturing operations are subject to substantial regulation by federal and state governmental statutes and agencies, including the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Mine Safety and Health Administration and similar state and Canadian authorities. Our operations are also subject to extensive laws, and regulations administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and similar state and Canadian authorities, for the protection of the environment, including but not limited to those relating to air and water quality, solid and hazardous waste handling and disposal. These laws and regulations may require parties to fund remedial action or to pay damages regardless of fault. Environmental laws and regulations may also impose liability with respect to divested or terminated operations even if the operations were divested or terminated many years ago. In addition, current and future environmental or occupational health and safety laws, regulations or regulatory interpretations may require significant expenditures for compliance, which could require us to modify or curtail our operations. We cannot predict the effect of such laws, regulations or regulatory interpretations on our business, financial condition or results of operations. While we expect to be able to continue to comply with existing environmental and occupational health and safety laws and regulations, any material non-compliance could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Our retail stores and sales counselors are subject to the so-called "No Call" laws, which allow consumers to place their telephone number on a "no-call" list maintained by various states and the federal government. At present, there are "No-Call" laws in a majority of the states in which we do business and the federal "No-Call" law will go into effect by the Fall of 2003. Counselors are unable to make telephone calls to any consumer whose number has been placed on the applicable no-call list, subject to certain limited exceptions. Making telephone calls to introduce the Company and set appointments has been an important part of marketing our retail products and services. While we are taking steps to decrease our reliance on telephone marketing calls, compliance with the "No-Call" laws could adversely affect our retail business and results of operations.
 

25


 

Provisions of our corporate organizational documents and Delaware law could delay or prevent a change in control of the Company, even if it would be beneficial to our stockholders.

 

Certain provisions contained in our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws:

 

  • grant ten votes per share to each share of Class B Common Stock;
  • divide the Board of Directors into three classes, each of which will have a different three-year term;
  • provide that the stockholders may remove directors from office only for cause and by a supermajority vote;

  • provide that special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by the Board of Directors or certain Company officers and not by stockholders;
  • establish certain advance notice procedures for nomination of candidates for election as directors and for stockholder proposals to be considered at annual stockholders' meetings;
  • authorize the issuance of preferred stock. Accordingly, the Board of Directors is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights that could materially adversely affect the voting power or other rights of, or be dilutive to, the holders of our Common Stock.

Certain of these provisions may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control or unsolicited acquisition proposals that a stockholder may consider favorable. In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which may prohibit or delay large stockholders, in particular those owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock, from merging or combining with us.

 

 

26


  

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

 

The Company has financial instruments that are subject to interest rate risk, principally debt obligations under its credit facilities. Historically, the Company has not experienced material gains or losses due to interest rate changes. Based on the Company's current variable rate debt obligations, the Company believes its exposure to interest rate risk is not material.

 

 

The Company is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk primarily from the operations of its Canadian subsidiary. Based on the size of this subsidiary and the Company's corresponding exposure to changes in the Canadian/U. S. dollar exchange rate, the Company does not consider its market exposure relating to currency exchange to be material.

 

 

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

(a)  Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(c) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

(b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  There have not been any changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

27


 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

The Company is a party to legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of its business. While the outcome of these proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, the Company is involved in the arbitration proceeding described below and is a defendant in the lawsuit described below.

 

 

Granite Stone Business International Sarl (f/k/a Eurimex SA) (Luxembourg) vs Rock of Ages Corporation (USA) ICC Arbitration 11502/KGA/MS. On April 18, 2001 the Company received a Request for Arbitration ("Request") from its former distributor outside the United States, Eurimex S. A. (now known as Granite Stone Business International), in connection with the termination by the Company of the distribution agreement for the Company's Salisbury Pink granite. Eurimex has also claimed damages in connection with a distribution agreement for the Company's Bethel White granite, which agreement expired by its terms in 1998. Pursuant to those agreements, the arbitration is taking place under the International Chamber of Commerce rules.

 

 

The Request includes claims by Eurimex that the Company wrongfully terminated the Salisbury Pink and Bethel White agreements. The Request also alleges that the Company violated antitrust laws under the European Community Treaty and United States antitrust laws. In the Request, Eurimex alleged that it suffered damages in excess of $30 million, and that it would seek to have such damages trebled under U.S. antitrust laws. In subsequent pre-hearing submissions, however, Eurimex asserted damages of approximately $25.3 million, plus interest, "moral" damages, attorneys' fees and costs.

 

 

The Company denies all of Eurimex's allegations and further states that it believes that Eurimex has engaged in improper or unlawful tying practices in the sale of the Company's products. The Company has answered Eurimex's Request and has brought certain counterclaims against Eurimex, including a claim for frivolous action. A preliminary scheduling conference was held on October 2, 2001, and both arbitral and subject matter jurisdictional issues were briefed. A second hearing on further procedural issues and jurisdiction was held on March 13, 2002. On July 1, 2002, the arbitral tribunal rendered a decision on the arbitral jurisdictional issues finding that it has arbitral jurisdiction over all of the claims brought by Eurimex. The tribunal deferred ruling on whether it had subject matter jurisdiction over the claimant's U.S. antitrust law claims. The parties have completed the discovery process, and submitted pre-hearing submissions setting out their respective positions. On March 11, 2003, after the Company had filed its First Pre-Hearing Submission, Eurimex withdrew all of its U.S. antitrust law claims and, hence, the threat of treble damages. A hearing on the merits of the dispute was held in May 2003, at which time Eurimex confirmed that its withdrawal of the U.S. antitrust law claims was with prejudice. The parties expect to be filing post-hearing submissions at the end of August 2003. The matter will then be ripe for a decision on the merits by the arbitral tribunal.

 

The Company denies liability and will continue to vigorously defend the claims made by Eurimex. The Company has incurred legal fees and expenses of $5.3 million since the inception of the case. If the arbitral tribunal were to decide in favor of Eurimex, and award substantial damages, the Company's business and financial condition would likely be materially adversely affected.

 

Kurtz Monument Company (Pennsylvania) v. Rock of Ages Corporation (Delaware) Case No. 03-510 U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. On April 22, 2003, Kurtz Monument Company filed a complaint against the Company alleging that the Company breached certain terms of a sealed settlement agreement by engaging in conduct constituting commercial disparagement. Damages have not been specified. The Company believes this action by Kurtz Monument Company is without merit. The Company denies liability and will continue to vigorously defend claims made by Kurtz Monument Company.

 

 

The Company carries insurance with coverages that it believes to be customary in its industry. Although there can be no assurance that such insurance will be sufficient to protect the Company against all contingencies, management believes that its insurance protection is reasonable in view of the nature and scope of the Company's operations.

   

 

28


 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

The Company held its annual meeting of stockholders on June 18, 2003 (the "Annual Meeting"), to elect two Class III directors and to ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the 2003 fiscal year.

 

 

Each of Richard C. Kimball and Kurt M. Swenson was elected to serve as a Class III director for a three-year term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2006 and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each of James L. Fox, Douglas M. Schair and Charles M. Waite continue to serve as Class I directors for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2004 and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each of George R. Anderson and Frederick E. Webster Jr. continue to serve as Class II directors for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2005 and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

 

 

The following table sets forth the number of votes cast for, against or withheld, as well as the number of abstentions, as to the election of each of Richard C. Kimball and Kurt M. Swenson and the ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP as the Company's independent auditors of the 2003 fiscal year.

 

Votes For

Votes Withheld/
Votes Against

 

Abstentions

 

 


 


 


Election of

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Richard C. Kimball

 

29,143,947

 

350,343

 

    Kurt M. Swenson

 

29,143,947

 

350,343

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KPMG LLP

 

29,485,327

 

5,200

 

3,763

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be legally declared by the board of directors and, in the event of dissolution and liquidation, to receive the net assets of the Company remaining after payment of all liabilities, in proportion to their respective holdings. On May 9, 2003, the board of directors declared a dividend of $.01 per share of common stock, payable on June 15, 2003 to holders of record as of May 15, 2003.

 29


  

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

 

 

(a)

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

Number

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-33685) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 1997 and declared effective on October 20, 1997.

 

 

 

 

3.2

Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant (as amended through April 6, 1999) incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31.1999.

 

 

 

 

4

Specimen Certificate representing the Class A Common Stock incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-33685) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 1997and declared effective on October 20, 1997.

     
  10.1 Form of Collective Bargaining Agreement dated May 1, 2003 by and between Rock of Ages Corporation and the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO-CLC on behalf of Amalgamated Local #4.
     
  10.2 Form of Collective Bargaining Agreement dated April 28, 2003 by and between Rock of Ages Corporation-Quarries Division and the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO-CLC on behalf of Amalgamated Local #4.

 

 

 

  10.3 Asset Purchase Agreement dated July 28, 2003 by and between Rock of Ages Kentucky Cemeteries, LLC and Saber Management ,LLC.
     
  10.4 Letter dated August 8, 2003 by and between the Registrant, CIT Business Credit and Fleet National Bank.
     

 

18

Letter re: Change in Accounting Principles incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

 

 

 

  31.1 Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
  31.2 Certification of CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1

Certification of CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

32.2

Certification of CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

(b)

Reports Submitted on Form 8-K:

 

 

 

 

On April 30, 2003, the Registrant filed a report on Form 8-K pursuant to Item 5 (Other Events and Required FD Disclosure) and 9 (Regulation FD Disclosure) to report the financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2003. The Registrant also reported that members of Local 4 of the United Steelworkers Union employed in its Barre, Vermont manufacturing plant had rejected the Company's final settlement offer for a new three-year contract and went on strike.

 

 

 

On May 2, 2003, the Registrant filed a report on Form 8-K pursuant to Item 5 (Other Events and Required FD Disclosure) to report that employees represented by Local 4 of the United States Steelworkers Union ratified a new three-year contract with the Company.

 

 

 

On May 9, 2003, the Registrant filed a report on Form 8-K pursuant to Item 5 (Other Events and Required FD Disclosure) to report that the Company's board of directors had declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per share payable on June 15, 2003 to shareholders of record as of May 15, 2003.

 

 

 

On June 9,2003, the Registrant filed a report on Form 8-K pursuant to Item 5 (Other Events and Required FD Disclosure) to report that the Company has signed a letter of intent to sell its cemeteries, all located in Kentucky, to privately held Saber Management LLC, for $6,750,000 in cash.

 

 30


SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

ROCK OF AGES CORPORATION

 

 

Dated: August 13, 2003

By: /s/ Douglas S. Goldsmith
Douglas S. Goldsmith
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
(Duly Authorized Office and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

31


            

Exhibit Index

Number

Exhibits

 

 

3.1

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-33685) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 1997 and declared effective on October 20, 1997.

 

 

3.2

Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant (as amended through April 6, 1999) incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31,1999.

 

 

4

Specimen Certificate representing the Class A Common Stock incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-33685) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15, 1997and declared effective on October 20, 1997.

   
10.1 Form of Collective Bargaining Agreement dated May 1, 2003 by and between Rock of Ages Corporation and the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO-CLC on behalf of Amalgamated Local #4.
   
10.2 Form of Collective Bargaining Agreement dated April 28, 2003 by and between Rock of Ages Corporation-Quarries Division and the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO-CLC on behalf of Amalgamated Local #4.

 

 

10.3 Asset Purchase Agreement dated July 28, 2003 by and between Rock of Ages Kentucky Cemeteries, LLC and Saber Management LLC.
   
10.4 Letter Agreement dated August 8, 2003 by and between the Registrant, CIT Business Credit and Fleet National Bank.
   

18

Letter re: Change in Accounting Principles incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

 

 

31.1 Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2 Certification of CFO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   

32.1

Certification of CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32.2

Certification of CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32


Links

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Controls and Procedures
Legal Proceedings
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Other Information
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURE
Exhibit Index