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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
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(Mark One)
[X] Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended August 28, 1999
[ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Commission file number 0-10815
UNIFIED WESTERN GROCERS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
CALIFORNIA
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
5200 Sheila Street, Commerce, CA 90040
I.R.S. Employer Identification No.: 95-0615250
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (323) 264-5200
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
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TITLE OF EACH CLASS NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE
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Class A Shares None
Class B Shares None
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to
this Form 10-K. [ ]
The Company's shares are not publicly traded and therefore market value is not
readily ascertainable.
The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common
stock, as of October 29, 1999 were as follows:
Class A: 64,753 shares Class B: 395,674 shares Class C: 24 shares
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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: Portions of the proxy statement for the
2000 annual meeting in Part III.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM PAGE
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PART I
1. Business.......................................................... 3
2. Properties........................................................ 10
3. Legal Proceedings................................................. 10
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders............... 10
PART II
Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder
5. Matters........................................................... 11
6. Selected Financial Data........................................... 11
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
7. Results of Operations............................................. 11
7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk........ 16
8. Financial Statements.............................................. 17
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
9. Financial Disclosure.............................................. 43
PART III
10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant................ 44
11. Executive Compensation............................................ 45
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.... 45
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.................... 45
PART IV
14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.. 46
Signatures.............................................................. 51
2
INFORMATION CONCERNING UNIFIED
PART 1
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
On September 27, 1999, the shareholders of Certified Grocers of California,
Ltd. ("Certified") and United Grocers, Inc. ("United") (a grocery cooperative
headquartered in Portland, Oregon) approved a merger agreement in which United
merged with a wholly owned subsidiary of Certified. The merger became
effective on September 29, 1999. In connection with the merger, Certified
Grocers of California, Ltd. changed its name to Unified Western Grocers, Inc.
(the "Company" or "Unified"). Unified's historical financial information
contained herein does not include information with respect to United.
GENERAL
Unified is a grocery wholesaler serving supermarket operators in California,
Oregon, Western Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii and various foreign
countries in the South Pacific and elsewhere. In addition to offering dry
grocery, frozen food, deli, meat, dairy, bakery, gourmet/specialty foods and
general merchandise products, Unified also provides finance, insurance, store
design, security services, information services and real estate services to
its patrons. Products and services available to patrons may differ depending
upon location. Unified offers egg and produce programs in areas formerly
served by United. Unified's marketing platform is built on offering its
patrons greater value than found elsewhere by combining competitive pricing
with superior selection, quality, service and convenience.
A California corporation organized in 1922 and incorporated in 1925, Unified
does business primarily with those patrons who qualify and have been accepted
as "member-patrons." Unified is owned by its member-patrons who are primarily
independent grocers. Unified is operated as, and, with the exception of
certain subsidiaries, is taxed on a cooperative basis. The primary businesses
operated by Unified's subsidiary companies include the distribution of
specialty products and the sale of insurance, finance and store planning
services primarily to operators of retail food stores. Unified establishes
minimum purchase requirements for the member-patrons, which may be modified
from time to time. Patrons not meeting member-patron purchasing requirements
conduct business with Unified either as "associate-patrons" or as customers on
a non-patronage basis. The earnings of Unified's subsidiaries are generally
retained by Unified, while the earnings of the parent company attributable to
business conducted with its members are generally distributed to its patrons
in the form of patronage dividends. The benefit of this structure is that
taxes are paid on the Unified patronage earnings only once, that is, when
notice of a patronage dividend payout is received by the patron.
WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION
Unified's wholesale distribution business represented approximately 98% and
95% of sales for the fiscal years ended August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999,
respectively. The wholesale business includes a broad range of branded and
private label products in dry grocery, frozen, delicatessen, general
merchandise, boxed meat, service deli, ice cream, bakery and dairy.
Unified distributes its various product lines from warehouse and manufacturing
complexes located in Los Angeles, Commerce, Stockton, Hayward, Fresno, Modesto
and Tracy, California and in Portland, Oregon. Unified expects to consolidate
warehouse facilities in Northern California and to concentrate Northern
California operations in Stockton, Fresno and Hayward.
Unified sells a full line of branded grocery and nonfood items supplied by
unrelated manufacturers and also sells merchandise under its own private
labels, including the Springfield, Gingham, Special Value, La Corona, and
Golden Creme trade names. To former members of United, Unified sells private
label brand goods under the Western Family, Home & Garden, Valley Fare and
Better Buy labels. Unified also operates its own bakery and dairy facilities
in Southern California. Unified is not dependent upon any single source of
supply in any of its businesses, except for the dairy. Most of the raw milk
used in production is purchased from a dairy cooperative which provides such
products at prices established by the State of California. Management believes
that alternative suppliers are available for substantially all of Unified's
products and that the loss of any one supplier would not have a material
adverse effect on Unified's business.
3
During the course of its business, Unified enters into supply agreements with
certain members of Unified. These agreements require the member to purchase
certain agreed amounts of its merchandise requirements from Unified and
obligate Unified to supply such merchandise under agreed terms and conditions
relating to such matters as pricing and delivery. The terms and conditions in
such supply agreements may vary from standard terms and conditions, and vary
in terms and length.
SUPPORT BUSINESSES
Unified's retail support businesses collectively accounted for approximately
2% and 1% of Unified's total sales for fiscal years ended August 29, 1998 and
August 28, 1999, respectively. These retail support operations include Grocers
Capital Company ("GCC"), which provides financing for inventory purchases,
equipment purchases, store remodeling and new store acquisitions, and Grocers
Equipment Company, which provides store planning and development services and
equipment to Unified's customers. Unified also provides insurance brokerage
services for retailers through Grocers and Merchants Insurance Services, Inc.,
and underwrites selected insurance risks through two insurance subsidiaries.
By reason of the United merger, Unified operates retail support services in
Oregon and Northern California, including United Resources, Inc., which offers
financial services to members, retail development services for advertising
groups offering "chain"-like identity, and technology, security, accounting
and training services.
RETAIL BUSINESS
Unified, through its subsidiaries, currently owns all of the common stock of
SavMax Foods, Inc. ("SavMax") which operates seven retail grocery stores in
Northern California. Unified acquired SavMax as of December 31, 1998. Retail
sales for the period December 31, 1998 through August 28, 1999 were
$75 million. The retail sales represented approximately 4% of sales for fiscal
year ended August 28, 1999. The ownership of SavMax is temporary. Unified
plans to sell the retail operations to one or more qualified buyers and secure
the volume within the cooperative membership. Periodically, Unified makes
investments in retail grocery businesses and temporarily manages these
businesses until a suitable new owner can be located.
In May 1999, Unified entered into an agreement to purchase certain assets
related to 32 stores being divested in connection with Albertson's, Inc.'s
merger with American Stores, Inc. The acquisition was completed in October,
1999. Unified sold or otherwise permitted the direct transfer of 26 of these
stores to Unified members coincident with the closing of the transaction. The
remaining six stores will be retained and operated by Unified until suitable
buyers are identified.
RETAIL DEVELOPMENT
Unified offers a banner store program designed to convert older stores into
state-of-the-art retail operations. Operating under the common name "Apple
Markets", the stores are owned and operated by patrons of Unified or by
Unified. Unified intends them to have the look of a chain store because each
store carries the same name and logo and utilizes the same design layout.
COMPETITION
The food industry is characterized by intense competition and low profit
margins. In order to compete effectively, Unified must provide its patrons
with the capability to meet rapidly fluctuating competitive market prices,
provide a wide range of perishable and nonperishable products, make prompt and
efficient deliveries, and provide the services which are required by modern
market operations. Unified competes with local, regional and national grocery
wholesalers and with a number of major manufacturers which market their
products directly to retailers. Unified's success is dependent upon its
ability to supply food, general merchandise and services to its patrons in a
cost-effective manner and upon the ability of its independent retail customers
to compete with large chain store operations.
CUSTOMERS
Unified's patrons are primarily retail grocery store operators ranging in size
from single store operators to multiple store chains. Unified's largest
customer and ten largest customers accounted for approximately 5% and 31%, 6%
and 31%, and 6% and 28% of net sales for fiscal 1997, 1998, and 1999,
respectively.
4
CAPITAL STOCK
Class A Shares. Class A Shares are issued to and may be held only by member-
patrons of Unified. In order to qualify for and retain membership as a member-
patron, a person or other entity (1) must patronize Unified in amounts and in
a manner as may be established by the board of directors; (2) must have
approved financial standing; (3) must make application in such form as is
prescribed; and (4) must be accepted as a member after approval by the board
of directors.
Unified requires that each of its member-patrons acquire 100 Class A Shares.
The price for these shares is the book value per share of the outstanding
shares at the close of the fiscal year ended prior to purchase. Those former
United shareholders who received less than 100 Class A Shares in the merger
and meet the member-patron minimum purchase requirement are required to
purchase additional Class A Shares in order to maintain member-patron status.
Unified has agreed to repurchase Class A Shares received in the merger by
former United shareholders who do not maintain member-patron status at a price
equal to the book value as of April 2, 1999 of United shares for which they
were exchanged ($57.90 per United share). Class A Shares have the right to
elect approximately 80% of the authorized directors of Unified.
Class B Shares. Each holder of Class A Shares is also required to hold a
number of Class B Shares determined by the board of directors of Unified. The
board of directors establishes the number of Class B Shares that each member-
patron must hold, whether based on average weekly purchases or on some other
basis. Ownership of Class B Shares is limited to member-patrons or former
member-patrons who have tendered these shares to Unified for redemption. The
holders of Class B Shares currently have the right to elect approximately 20%
of the authorized number of directors. Except as provided above or by
California law, the holders of Class B Shares do not have any other voting
rights.
Unified requires each member-patron to acquire Class B Shares having combined
issuance values in an amount equal to the member-patron's required
subordinated cash deposit.
Class B Shares are generally issued to a new member-patron as part of the
patronage dividends paid to the member-patron over a period of five
consecutive fiscal years, beginning with the second fiscal year following
admission as a member-patron. The Class B issuance formula provides that the
member-patron will hold Class B Shares having issuance values equal to 20% of
the member-patron's Class B Share requirement after the first full year of
patronage dividend, 40% of the Class B Share requirement after the second
patronage dividend, and so on until the member-patron reaches 100% of its
Class B Share requirement after the fifth patronage dividend.
If following the issuance of Class B Shares as part of the patronage dividend
for any given fiscal year, the member-patron would not hold Class B Shares
having combined issuance values equal to the amount of Class B Shares required
to be held by the member-patron, then additional Class B Shares will be issued
to the member-patron in a quantity sufficient to achieve the required amount.
Issuance of these additional Class B Shares will be paid for by reinvestment
of 80% of the patronage dividend and secondly, charging the member-patron's
cash deposit account in an amount equal to the issuance value of the
additional Class B Shares.
Member-patrons who were former United members and did not receive sufficient
Class B Shares in the merger to meet the minimum Class B Share ownership
deposit requirements have the following alternatives: (i) provide a cash
deposit for the deficiency; or (ii) purchase additional Class B Shares to
cover the deficiency; or (iii) assign 80% of the patronage dividends the
shareholder will receive in the future to Unified to purchase Class B Shares
for the account of the shareholder until the deficiency is eliminated. During
that period, Unified will require the member to purchase at least the
percentage of product purchased during the most recent 12 month period under a
supply agreement with Unified.
Class C Shares. Class C Shares are held by members of the board of directors.
Each board member purchases one Class C Share for $10. Class C Shares are
nonvoting shares and share in liquidation only to the extent of $10 per share.
5
REDEMPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
Class A Shares and Class B Shares held by a shareholder who is no longer a
qualified and active member-patron will be redeemed at the book value of the
Company as of the close of the fiscal year last ended prior to termination of
member status. However, with respect to terminations occurring prior to
September 30, 2000, the repurchase price will be Unified's book value at the
fiscal year end prior to the effective date of the merger. There is no
obligation to redeem Class B Shares of terminated members until after
September 27, 2002.
Until September 27, 2002, Unified will redeem excess Class B Shares at the
option of the shareholder, at either:
. an amount equal to Unified's book value as of the close of the fiscal
year prior to the effective date of the merger; or
. an amount equal to the book value as of the close of the fiscal year
prior to the date the shares are tendered to the Company for repurchase,
provided the repurchase price will not be paid until after the end of
the third full fiscal year following the effective date of the merger.
After September 27, 2002, Unified will repurchase excess Class B Shares
tendered for redemption at the book value as of the close of the fiscal year
prior to the date the shares are tendered for repurchase.
During the period beginning on the effective date of the merger and ending
January 28, 2001, Unified will repurchase excess Class B Shares received in
the merger tendered for redemption which are held by former shareholders of
United at the book value as of April 2, 1999 of the shares of United's Common
Stock for which the excess Class B Shares were exchanged in the merger. The
purchase price will be evidenced by a promissory note of Unified which will be
payable in twenty equal quarterly principal installments and will bear
interest at 6% per year. Such purchases will not be subject to the 5% limit
described below.
Subject to the limitations on the repurchase of Class B Shares held by
terminated member-patrons, the amount of Class B Shares which Unified will be
obligated to redeem in any fiscal year will be limited to 5% of the sum of:
. The number of Class B Shares outstanding as of the close of the
preceding fiscal year, and
. The number of Class B Shares issued as a part of the patronage dividend
for such preceding fiscal year.
The board of directors has discretion to exceed the 5% limit. Redemption of
all capital stock is subject to limitations imposed by the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws, credit agreements to which the Company is a party,
and restrictions imposed by law on the ability of a company to redeem its own
shares.
PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS
Unified distributes patronage dividends based upon the net patronage earnings
during the fiscal year. The board of directors approves divisional dividends.
Unified distributes patronage dividends to each patron in proportion to the
dollar volume of patronage purchases from each division by the patron.
Patronage dividends are distributed after the close of the fiscal year, except
for dividends on dairy products which are distributed after the close of each
fiscal quarter.
The following table shows the patronage dividend experience of Unified during
the past three fiscal years.
(In thousands)
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Division 1997(1) 1998(1) 1999(1)
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Dairy $ 9,154 $ 9,169 $ 9,902
Dry grocery 2,970 562 2,976
Beans and rice 400 190 --
Delicatessen 1,030 182 1,088
Frozen food 730 46 229
Ice cream 180 -- --
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TOTAL (1) $14,464 $10,149 $14,195
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(1) Results in prior periods are not necessarily indicative of results for
future periods.
6
In connection with the merger, Unified changed its patronage dividend policies
for periods subsequent to the effective date of the merger. Unified will pay
its patronage dividends to member-patrons and associate-patrons on the basis
of patronage business transacted with Unified's two patronage earnings
divisions: the Dairy Division and the Cooperative Division.
. The Dairy Division consists of patronage earnings generated by the fluid
milk and juice bottling plant located in Los Angeles, California.
Patronage dividends for this division will be paid solely to patrons who
purchase manufactured and related products from the Dairy Division.
. The Cooperative Division consists of patronage earnings generated from
all other patronage activities of Unified and will not give distinction
to geographic location. The Cooperative Division includes the general
merchandise activity which previously was conducted in a non-patronage
subsidiary of Unified.
In the event of losses in one of these divisions, the loss will be offset
against earnings of the other division to determine net earnings available for
patronage dividends.
Due to logistics and geographic constraints, patrons who purchase from the
Dairy Division are primarily in Southern California. Patrons of Unified
outside of Southern California generally do not participate in the Dairy
Division.
Unified's bylaws provide that patronage dividends may be distributed in cash
or in any other form that constitutes a written notice of allocation under
Section 1388 of the Internal Revenue Code. Section 1388 defines the term
"written notice of allocation" to mean any capital stock, revolving fund
certificate, retain certificate, certificate of indebtedness, letter of
advice, or other written notice, that discloses to the recipient the stated
dollar amount allocated to the recipient by Unified and the portion thereof,
if any, which constitutes a patronage dividend.
Dairy Division patronage dividends are generally paid in cash. Except with
respect to member-patrons who were former United members and did not receive
sufficient Class B Shares immediately following the merger to meet minimum
Class B share ownership deposit requirements, patronage dividends for the
remaining divisions are currently paid out in the following order and manner:
first, member-patrons receive 20% in cash; second, member-patrons receive the
required amount of Class B Shares; third, the remainder is credited to the
member-patron's deposit account.
MINIMUM PURCHASE REQUIREMENT
Unified requires that each patron meet the minimum purchase requirements
established by the board of directors. Currently, Unified's minimum purchase
requirement for member-patrons is $5,000 per week and $3,500 per week for
associate-patrons. Exceptions to the minimum purchase requirements may be
granted by the board of directors. Entities not meeting these minimum purchase
requirements may be eligible to purchase product on a non-patronage basis.
PATRON DEPOSITS
Unified generally requires that its patrons maintain a subordinated cash
deposit equal to the greater of twice the amount of each patron's average
weekly purchases or twice the amount of the patron's average purchases, if the
purchases are not on a regular basis. Required deposits are determined twice a
year, at the end of Unified's second and fourth fiscal quarters, based upon a
review of the patron's purchases from certain of the cooperative divisions
during the preceding two quarters. Member-patrons meeting certain
qualifications established by the board of directors may elect to maintain a
reduced required deposit of $500,000 or one and one-quarter weeks' average
purchases, whichever is greater. Unified pays no interest on the required
deposits. Interest is paid on cash deposits which are in excess of patrons'
required deposits.
Member-patrons may satisfy the minimum deposit requirement through a
combination of a cash deposit and the ownership of Class B Shares. The deposit
value of a Class B Share is based upon its book value at the year end prior to
the initial issuance of the Class B Shares except that for former United
shareholders, the deposit value of the Class B Shares received in the merger
is equal to the book value of the shares of United's Common Stock for which
they were exchanged, calculated as of April 2, 1999. As of April 2, 1999, the
book value for each share of United's Common Stock was $57.90.
7
Former United shareholders who did not have sufficient Class B Shares
immediately following the merger to meet the minimum deposit requirements have
three alternatives: (i) provide a cash deposit for the deficiency; or (ii)
purchase additional Class B Shares to cover the deficiency; or (iii) agree to
assign 80% of the patronage dividends the shareholder will receive in the
future to Unified to purchase Class B Shares for the account of the
shareholder until the deficiency is eliminated. During that period, Unified
will require the member to purchase at least the percentage of their total
product that was purchased from United during the most recent 12 month period
under a supply agreement with Unified.
Associate-patrons may only satisfy the minimum deposit requirement through a
cash deposit.
In addition, patrons who participate in Unified's price reservation program
are required to maintain a noninterest-bearing deposit based upon the value of
their inventory included in this program. Under Unified's price reservation
program, patrons are permitted to submit price reservations in advance for
their dry grocery, frozen, delicatessen and general merchandise purchases. For
the patron to get the benefit of the price reservation, an actual order must
be placed. The price which the patron will be charged is the price in effect
at the time of the reservation.
The required deposits of patrons are contractually subordinated and subject to
the prior payment in full of certain senior indebtedness of Unified. As a
condition of becoming a patron, each patron is required to execute a
subordination agreement providing for the subordination of the patron's
required deposits. Generally, the subordination is such that no payment can be
made by Unified with respect to the required deposits in the event of an
uncured default by Unified with respect to senior indebtedness, or in the
event of dissolution, liquidation, insolvency or other similar proceedings,
until all senior indebtedness has been paid in full.
Upon request, Unified will return to patrons the amount of cash deposits that
are in excess of the required deposits, provided the patron is not in default
of its obligations to Unified. On termination of membership, patrons are
entitled to a return of deposits, less all amounts that may be owing by the
patron to Unified. In all cases, however, return of that portion of the
patron's cash deposits which consists of required deposits will be governed by
the applicable subordination provisions.
SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT AND PLEDGE OF SHARES
Unified requires each patron, whether a member-patron or an associate-patron,
to execute a subordination agreement which provides for the subordination in
certain circumstances of the patron's right to repayment of its deposit to the
prior payment in full of certain indebtedness of Unified. In addition, Unified
requires each shareholder to pledge the Class A Shares and Class B Shares of
Unified to secure its obligations to Unified, and individual shareholders of
corporate members are required to guarantee the obligations of the corporate
member. With respect to former shareholders of United who are in compliance
with their obligations to United and its subsidiaries, Unified will not
require individual guarantees in the absence of financing transactions.
TAX MATTERS
Unified is a corporation operating primarily on a cooperative basis. Unified
is subject to federal and state income and franchise taxes and must pay other
taxes applicable to corporations, such as sales, excise and real and personal
property taxes.
As a corporation operating on a cooperative basis, Unified is subject to
Subchapter T of the Internal Revenue Code. Under Subchapter T, Unified pays
patronage dividends to patrons pertaining to its fiscal year within 8 months
of the close of such fiscal year. To qualify as patronage dividends, payments
are made on the basis of the value of the business done with or for patrons,
under a pre-existing obligation to make such payment, and with reference to
the net earnings from business done with or for the cooperative's patrons.
Patronage dividends are paid in cash or written notices of allocation. A
written notice of allocation is distributed to the patron and provides notice
of the amount allocated to the patron by Unified and the portion thereof which
constitutes a patronage dividend.
Under Subchapter T, Unified may deduct, in the fiscal year for which they are
paid, the amount of patronage dividends paid in cash and qualified notices of
allocation. A written notice of allocation will be qualified if Unified pays
at least 20% of the patronage dividend in cash, and the patron consents to
take the stated
8
dollar amount of the written notice into income in the year in which it is
received. Unified deducts for tax purposes the entire amount of its patronage
dividends by paying at least 20% in cash and issuing qualified notices of
allocation for the remainder.
Unified currently intends to continue to make patronage distributions to the
extent earned to member-patrons comprised of cash and qualified notices of
allocation, including its Class B Shares. At least 20% of patronage dividends
are expected to be paid in cash. Unified will notify patrons of the stated
dollar amount allocated to them and the portion thereof which is a patronage
dividend. Patrons are required to consent to include in their gross income, in
the year received, all cash as well as the stated dollar amount of all
qualified notices of allocation including the patronage certificates and the
book value of the Class B Shares distributed to them as patronage dividends.
Patronage certificates and Class B Shares distributed as part of the patronage
dividends are also subject to state income and corporation franchise taxes in
California and may be subject to these taxes in other states.
Unified is subject to federal income tax and California franchise tax on net
earnings of business with or for patrons which is not distributed as
deductible patronage dividends and on net earnings derived from nonpatronage
business. Unified files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiaries.
To the extent that Class B Shares are received by the patron as patronage
dividends under Subchapter T, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has held
that if such Class B Shares are redeemed in full or in part or are otherwise
disposed of, there will be included in the computation of the gross income of
the patron, as ordinary income, in the year of redemption or other
disposition, the excess of the amount realized on the redemption or other
disposition over the amount previously included in the computation of gross
income. However, since Class B Shares may be issued other than as a part of
patronage dividends, it is possible that the IRS could take the position that
the proceeds from a partial redemption of Class B Shares should be taxed as a
dividend. Patrons are strongly urged to consult with their tax advisors for
further clarification of this issue and for the impact the position of the IRS
may have on their own federal and state tax returns.
EMPLOYEES
Unified (including United) employs approximately 3,945 employees, of whom
approximately 2,315 are members of one of several unions, the two largest
being the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the United Food and
Commercial Workers. Unified believes its labor relations to be good.
ENERGY MATTERS
Unified's operations are dependent upon the continued availability of electric
power, diesel fuel, and gasoline. Unified's trucking operations are extensive.
Diesel fuel storage capacity represents approximately two weeks average usage.
A shortage of diesel fuel and gasoline could materially affect deliveries of
merchandise and the activities of Unified's service representatives and, thus,
adversely affect Unified's sales.
9
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
FACILITIES
Unified's corporate offices, warehouses, retail stores and manufacturing
facilities as of August 28, 1999 are summarized as follows:
Approximate
Square Footage
-----------------
Description Owned Leased
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Corporate offices 17,000 153,000
Dry grocery 1,361,000 566,000
General merchandise -- 323,000
Frozen foods, ice cream, delicatessen and meat 454,000 66,000
Bakery 91,000 --
Dairy 74,000 --
Retail stores -- 360,000
All of these properties are located in California.
In connection with the merger with United, Unified added three distribution
facilities. United's main distribution center is owned and is located in
Milwaukie, Oregon and contains 904,500 square feet of warehouse space. Also at
this location are 43,000 square feet of office space, a small credit union
office building and a small truck repair shop.
United also operates leased product distribution facilities in Modesto
(approximately 275,000 square feet) and Tracy, California, (approximately
160,166 square feet). Unified intends to combine northern California
distribution into its existing facilities in Stockton and Fresno.
United is also the prime lessee of certain retail stores, which are subleased,
totaling approximately 1.2 million square feet.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Unified is a defendant in a number of cases currently in litigation or
potential claims encountered in the normal course of business that are being
vigorously defended. In the opinion of management, the resolutions of these
matters will not have a material adverse effect on Unified's financial
position, results of operations, or cash flow.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") notified Unified in
1993 that, together with others, it was a potentially responsible party
("PRP") for the disposal of hazardous substances at a landfill site located in
Monterey Park, California. In 1999, the EPA notified the Company that,
together with others, it was a PRP for the disposal of hazardous substances at
a landfill site located in Patterson, California. Unified believes that its
share of cost for the remaining phases of cleanup for these sites will not
exceed the amounts which Unified has reserved.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
10
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
There is no market for Unified's Class A Shares, Class B Shares, or Class C
Shares. As of October 29, 1999, the Unified's Class A Shares were held of
record by 676 shareholders, Class B Shares were held of record by 585
shareholders, and the Unified's Class C Shares were held of record, one share
each, by the 24 directors of Unified. In the past, the Company has not paid
cash dividends on its stock, and it has no intention to do so in the future.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected financial information below has been derived from the audited
consolidated financial statements of Unified as of and for its fiscal years
ended September 2, 1995, August 31, 1996, August 30, 1997, August 29, 1998,
and August 28, 1999. This information is only a summary and should be read in
conjunction with Unified's historical financial statements, and related notes,
contained elsewhere in this document.
(In thousands, except book value per share)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year(1) 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999(1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $1,822,804 $1,948,919 $1,927,092 $1,831,686 $1,893,523
Operating income 27,197 29,502 31,549 26,252 34,589
Declared patronage divi-
dends 11,571 13,200 14,464 10,149 14,195
Net earnings 769 1,517 2,307 3,389 2,639
Total assets 398,603 374,737 394,002 389,218 451,135
Long-term notes payable 129,686 75,617 92,217 125,130 143,727
Book value per share 165.86 167.94 175.22 183.47 188.27
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) 1999 includes the acquisition of SavMax Foods, Inc. from December 31,
1998.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of Unified's financial condition and results of
operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and
notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this document.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth selected financial data of Unified expressed as
a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated below:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 30, August 29, August 28,
Fiscal Year Ended 1997 1998 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales 91.0 91.1 90.7
Distribution, selling and administrative ex-
penses 7.4 7.5 7.5
Operating income 1.6 1.4 1.8
Interest expense 0.7 0.7 0.6
Other (income) expense, net (0.2) 0.3
Earnings before patronage dividends,
provision for income taxes and extraordinary
item 0.9 0.9 0.9
Patronage dividends 0.7 0.5 0.8
Provision for income taxes 0.1 0.1
Extraordinary item, net of taxes 0.1
Net earnings 0.1 0.2 0.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 28, 1999 ("1999 PERIOD") COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR
ENDED AUGUST 29, 1998 ("1998 PERIOD")
Net Sales. Net sales totaled $1.9 billion for the 1999 period and $1.8 billion
in the 1998 period. The sales increase of $61.8 million represents a 3.4%
increase over the 1998 period. In October 1998, North State Grocery Company
was added as a member-patron. Sales to North State Grocery amounted to $35.4
million
11
in the 1999 period. Additionally, retail sales generated by SavMax Foods,
Inc., ("SavMax") since the acquisition date of December 31, 1998, added net
sales of $75 million. Also, there were increased sales to the ongoing
membership of approximately $33.6 million. Offsetting these increases were
$82.2 million of sales volume lost as a result of losing two member-patrons,
Hughes Family Markets ("Hughes") and Nob Hill Markets ("Nob Hill"). Hughes and
Nob Hill were acquired by entities that have self-distribution programs;
accordingly, product supply to these member-patron stores migrated into the
corresponding self-distribution facilities in the period between March 1998
through November 1998.
Cost of Sales. In the 1999 period cost of sales were $1.7 billion, or 90.7% of
net sales, compared to $1.7 billion, or 91.1% of net sales, in the 1998
period. The overall gross margin as a percentage of net sales is slightly
higher compared to the comparable period in 1998. The increase in gross margin
is due to additional gross margin from retail sales generated by SavMax which
Unified acquired in December 1998. The increased margins were partially offset
by increased claims expense of approximately $4.0 million in one of Unified's
insurance subsidiaries and lower margins in the cooperative divisions.
Distribution, Selling and Administrative. Distribution, selling and
administrative expenses were $141.2 million, or 7.5% of net sales in the 1999
period, as compared to $137.2 million, or 7.5% of net sales, in the 1998
period. The increase is due to additional costs of $15.5 million related to
retail operations of SavMax. These costs were partially offset by improvements
in wholesale distribution expenses in the 1999 period. The Company incurred
nonrecurring charges relating to a settlement of litigation in the 1998
period. Also, expenses decreased as a result of retail operations that were
disposed of in fiscal 1998.
Interest. Interest expense decreased from $12.3 million, or 0.7% of net sales,
in the 1998 period to $11.9 million, or 0.6% of net sales, in the 1999 period.
The decrease is due to lower interest rates associated with the $180.0 million
refinancing completed in April 1998. Average interest rates related to the
senior notes and revolving credit in the 1998 period were 7.94% and 6.89% in
the 1999 period.
Other Income (Expense), Net. During the 1999 period, Unified sold its 10%
investment in common stock of K.V. Mart Co. for $4.5 million. The sale
resulted in a pretax gain of $1.5 million. The gain was offset by an
impairment of $7.3 million recorded on Unified's investment in Hawaiian
Grocery Stores ("HGS"). Subsequent to year-end, HGS defaulted on principal and
interest payments required by a note receivable and was also delinquent in
paying accounts receivable. Due to the uncertainty of when or if the default
could be cured and the belief that the impairment was other than temporary,
the Company wrote down the investment and trade accounts receivable to a
nominal carrying value. In May 1998, Unified completed the sale of
approximately 24 acres of property located in Commerce, California. This sale
resulted in a gain (net of expenses related to the sale) of $3.2 million.
Patronage Dividends. Declared patronage dividends totaled $14.2 million for
the 1999 period as compared to $10.1 million for the 1998 period. The increase
is due to lower wholesale distribution, selling and administrative expenses,
interest expense, and the non-recurrence of expense related to the early
extinguishment of debt in the 1998 period, offset by impairment expenses
related to HGS as discussed above.
Net Earnings. Net earnings for the 1999 period were $2.6 million compared to
$3.4 million for the 1998 period. Net earnings are generated by the Company's
subsidiaries and nonpatronage activities, which do not distribute patronage
dividends.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED AUGUST 29, 1998 ("1998 PERIOD") COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR
ENDED AUGUST 30, 1997 ("1997 PERIOD")
Net Sales. Net sales totaled $1.8 billion for the 1998 period as compared to
$1.9 billion in the 1997 period. Sales decreased 4.9% from fiscal 1997. The
reduction in sales is the result of reduced sales to Megafoods Stores, Nob
Hill and Hughes which amounted to $86.3 million. Megafoods, Nob Hill and
Hughes were all acquired by entities that have self-distribution programs.
Accordingly, product supply to their respective stores migrated into the
corresponding self-distribution facilities in the period between February 1997
through August 1998.
Cost of Sales. In the 1998 period, the overall gross margin as a percentage of
net sales is consistent with the 1997 period. An increase in service fees
implemented mid-year was offset by a substantial reduction in margins from
retail operations that were disposed of in the 1997 period.
12
Distribution, Selling and Administrative. Distribution, selling and
administrative expenses were $137.2 million, or 7.5% of net sales, in the 1998
period, as compared to $142.6 million, or 7.4% of net sales, in the 1997
period. The level of expense as a percentage of sales for the 1998 period is
greater than the 1997 period primarily due to the lower volume levels
discussed under "Net Sales," nonrecurring charges relating to a settlement of
litigation and costs to update computer programs that will be impacted by the
Year 2000 issue. These increased costs were partially offset by reduced costs
resulting from the implementation of radio frequency and automated routing
programs in several of Unified's distribution facilities.
Interest. Interest expense decreased from $13.0 million in the 1997 period to
$12.3 million in the 1998 period. The decrease is primarily due to lower
interest rates associated with Unified's refinancing of its debt completed in
April 1998 and reduced average borrowing requirements resulting from
reductions in inventories and accounts receivable.
Other Income (Expense), Net. Net other income in the 1998 period was $3.2
million as compared to other expense of $655,000 in the 1997 period. In May
1998, Unified completed the sale of approximately 24 acres of property located
in Commerce, California. This sale resulted in a gain, net of expenses related
to the sale, of $3.2 million. Other expense of $655,000 in the 1997 period
resulted from a $1.5 million reduction in the fair value of Unified's
investment in SavMax, offset by gains realized from the sale of finance
receivables ($387,000) and the remainder of Unified's interest in Major
Market, Inc. ($458,000).
Patronage Dividends. Patronage dividends totaled $10.1 million for the 1998
period as compared to $14.5 million for the 1997 period. The reduction is
primarily due to lower sales through the cooperative divisions, the
refinancing charge and the nonrecurring charges discussed previously, offset
by reduced interest costs.
Extraordinary Charge. The extraordinary loss of $1.08 million, net of income
taxes, in the 1998 period is related to the early extinguishment of debt in
connection with Unified's refinancing transaction. This charge covers
prepayment premiums paid and the write-off of financing costs relating to debt
refinanced in the transaction.
Net Earnings. Net earnings were $3.4 million for the 1998 period as compared
to $2.3 million for the 1997 period. The increase reflects the earnings
generated by Unified's subsidiaries and the gain on the sale of the Commerce
property, which are not subject to patronage distribution but are retained and
serve to increase book value per share.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Unified relies upon cash flow from operations, patron deposits, shareholdings
and borrowings under Unified's credit lines, to finance operations. Net cash
provided by operating activities totaled $9.5 million for the 1999 period. Net
cash utilized by operating activities totaled $12.6 million for the 1998
period. Net cash provided by operating activities in the 1999 period is
primarily due to increased accounts payable and long-term liabilities in the
distribution and SavMax operations. At August 28, 1999, working capital was
$98.0 million. The current ratio was 1.6 and 1.5 at fiscal year end 1998 and
1999, respectively. Working capital varies primarily as a result of seasonal
inventory requirements.
Capital expenditures totaled $17.3 million in the 1999 period, $18.4 million
in the 1998 period, and $15.2 million in the 1997 period.
At August 28, 1999, Unified had $80,000,000 in senior notes outstanding to
certain insurance companies and pension funds. The senior notes were
unsecured, due in April 2008 and bore interest at 7.22% per annum. Unified
also had a $100,000,000 revolving credit facility with a group of banks. The
revolving credit was unsecured, expired in April of 2003 and bore interest at
the bank's base rate or at an adjusted LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from
0.375% to 0.90% depending on Unified's leverage ratio. Both the senior notes
and the revolving credit facility limited the incurrence of additional funded
debt, restricted the issuance of secured indebtedness and prohibited the
payment of dividends (other than patronage dividends). These credit agreements
contained various financial covenants. Obligations under the credit agreements
were senior to the rights of member-patrons with respect to deposits and
patronage dividend certificates. The terms of the senior notes and revolving
credit facility were amended subsequent to year end (see "Financing of the
Merger").
13
Unified entered into a five-year interest rate collar agreement during
February 1999 in relation to certain borrowings on its variable rate revolving
credit. The collar agreement was put in place without incurring a fee with
respect to the collar transaction. The hedge agreement is structured such that
Unified pays a variable rate of interest between 6% (cap rate) and 4.94%
(floor rate) based on a notional amount of $50,000,000. The weighted average
interest rate, prior to lender's margin, on borrowings on the revolving credit
was 5.30% at August 28, 1999.
A $10 million credit agreement is collateralized by GCC's member loan
receivables. GCC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Unified. The primary function
of GCC is to provide loan financing to Unified's member-patrons. The funding
for loans made by GCC is provided by GCC's cash reserves as well as the $10
million credit agreement. The maturity date of the credit agreement is
September 20, 2001, but is subject to an annual extension of one year by the
mutual consent of GCC and the bank. No amounts were outstanding under this
credit line at August 28, 1999. The unused portion of this credit line is
subject to commitment fees of 0.125% plus $25,000 annually.
Member loan receivables are periodically sold by GCC to a bank through a loan
purchase agreement. The maturity date of the loan purchase agreement is August
29, 2001, but is subject to extension by mutual agreement of GCC and the bank
for an additional one year on each anniversary date of the initial purchase
date. Total loan purchases under the agreement are limited to a total
aggregate principal outstanding of $50 million. GCC entered into an additional
loan purchase agreement with a different bank in January 1999. This additional
loan purchase agreement can be terminated upon ninety days prior written
notice and there is no maximum limitation on the loan purchases. At August 29,
1998 and August 28, 1999, the aggregate principal outstanding balance of loans
purchased by the banks was $17 million and $27 million, respectively. The loan
sales are subject to limited recourse provisions.
FINANCING OF THE MERGER
In connection with the merger with United and subsequent to year end, Unified
refinanced its existing institutional and bank indebtedness. Unified entered
into a five-year, $200 million revolving credit facility secured by accounts
receivable and inventories. Borrowings bear interest at either LIBOR plus an
applicable margin based on a funded debt to operating cash flow ratio or the
higher of the lender's base rate or 0.50% above the lender's federal funds
borrowing rate.
The new revolving credit facility permits advances up to 85% of eligible
accounts receivable and 65% of eligible inventories. The security interest
would be released if Unified achieves designated investment grade ratings for
a period of not less than one year.
Pursuant to new term credit agreements with existing term lenders, Unified
collateralized its existing $80 million of 7.22% senior unsecured notes with
property, plant and equipment and issued $40 million of new ten-year senior
secured notes. The interest rate on the existing $80 million senior notes
increased by 0.50% and the senior mortgage notes bear interest at 8.71%. The
interest rate increase on the existing $80 million senior notes and the
securitization of both notes would be eliminated in the event the combined
entity achieves designated investment grade ratings for a period of not less
than one year.
The new credit agreements contain customary representations, warranties,
covenants and default provisions for financing of this type.
These agreements will provide funds to meet the on-going borrowing
requirements of Unified and were used to repay existing institutional
indebtedness of United, to fund redemption of shares of terminated members and
to meet other cash requirements of the merger.
Unified distributes at least 20% of the patronage dividends in cash and
distributes Class B Shares as a portion of the patronage dividends distributed
to its member-patrons. Patrons are generally required to maintain subordinated
deposits with Unified and member-patrons purchase Class B shares to satisfy
this requirement. In the merger, former United members were provided the
opportunity to build the minimum subordinated deposit over time, provided that
they agree to assign 80% of patronage dividends received and maintain a supply
agreement with Unified until the minimum deposit condition is satisfied. Upon
termination of patron status, the withdrawing patron will be entitled to
recover deposits in excess of its obligations to Unified if permitted by the
applicable subordination provisions, and a member-patron also will be entitled
to have its shares redeemed, subject to applicable legal requirements, company
policies and credit agreement limitations. Unified's current redemption policy
limits the Class B Shares that Unified is obligated to redeem in any fiscal
year to 5% of the number of Class B Shares deemed outstanding at the end of
the preceding
14
fiscal year. In fiscal 1999, this limitation restricted Unified's redemption
of shares to 19,007 shares for $3.5 million. In connection with the merger,
(i) Unified redeemed 71,310 Class B shares of discontinued members for a total
consideration before set-offs of $13.4 million, leaving excess shares tendered
by active members of 11,725, (ii) adopted a policy that it would not be
obligated to redeem Class B Shares of terminated member-patrons for three full
fiscal years following the merger, and (iii) modified the share repurchase
price formula. Cash flow to fund redemption of shares is provided from
operations, patron deposits, patronage certificates, current shareholdings and
borrowings under Unified's credit lines.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial
Accounting Standard No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities," which establishes accounting and reporting standards for
derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in
other contracts, and for hedging activities. The statement requires that
Unified recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the
balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. As amended by SFAS
No. 137, this statement is effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2000. Management is in the process of determining the
effects on Unified's financial statements.
YEAR 2000
Unified has had an active Year 2000 program since August 1996. This program
includes a detailed review of Unified's software applications, hardware, and
embedded technology. Unified has utilized an outside consultant to assess the
embedded chip technology within its facilities. This assessment found 95% of
the chips to be either already compliant or in the process of being updated by
various vendors. Unified estimates that 99% of the embedded chip technology
has been completed and the remaining 1% will be completed by December 1, 1999.
In 1996, Unified began assessing the application software of Unified to
determine risk of Year 2000 failure. The assessment process was used to
identify the business applications that would be at risk for potential century
date impact and to prioritize the critical, moderate, and low risk
applications for remediation or replacement. Applications that will be
impacted by Year 2000 were scheduled for remediation or replacement. Unified
is 100% complete with replacing or remediating both business critical
applications and moderate risk applications. Unified is 95% complete as to low
risk applications and expects that 100% of the remaining applications will be
completed by December 1, 1999.
Unified decided to replace certain systems that were not Year 2000 compliant.
The systems being replaced were older systems that would have been replaced
prior to Year 2000 regardless of the non-compliant issue. The estimated total
cost of the Year 2000 project, including replacement of the systems, is
approximately $11.7 million. The estimated total cost of the new systems is
approximately $5.1 million, which is being capitalized. The remaining $6.6
million has been or will be expensed. The total amount incurred on the project
through November 10, 1999 was $10.8 million, of which $5.9 million related to
the cost to remediate software, which has been expensed, and $4.9 million
related to the replacement of systems including hardware. An additional
$75,000 has been expensed related to the cost of identifying and communicating
with third party suppliers.
Unified has notified its members of the Year 2000 issues through newsletters,
meetings, and discussions. Unified's Interactive Ordering Program, which
allows retailers to order electronically, and CertiNet, which is a
comprehensive in-store system, are Year 2000 compliant.
The Year 2000 project team is also addressing interaction with vendors and the
potential impact of Year 2000 issues. Unified has completed the upgrade and
implementation of the Year 2000 compliant version of the Uniform Commercial
Standard ("UCS") transactions. Unified is working with UCS vendors to make
sure that processing of orders, invoices, and payments via electronic data
interchange will be Year 2000 compliant. For those UCS vendors that are not
ready for Year 2000, Unified has a contingency plan that converts the vendor's
data into Year 2000 compliant data before processing through Unified's
systems.
Additionally, Unified is a member of the National Grocers Association's
("NGA") Year 2000 Task Force, which was formed to assist retailers in
resolving the Year 2000 problem in their businesses through the sharing of
information. The objectives of this group are to:
. identify the hardware and software systems at risk;
15
. communicate with the vendor community and establish definitive position
statements regarding cash systems; and
. communicate these findings to NGA members. Many of Unified's members are
members of NGA. A comprehensive report of the findings of the Task Force
is available to all members and vendors that are associated with Unified
and the contents thereof have been discussed at several recent industry
meetings. Unified has set up an electronic bulletin board with
information on Year 2000 issues for its members.
Unified has aggressively pursued a formal confirmation process with its
trading partners on their state of readiness for Year 2000. This area includes
the identification and prioritizing of critical suppliers, financial
institutions, and utilities, and communicating with them about their plans and
progress in addressing the Year 2000 issue. Unified has identified and
contacted over 4,000 suppliers requesting information on their plans and
progress on the Year 2000 issue. Unified currently has responses from 89% of
the identified suppliers. Out of these responses, 85% have responded that they
expect full compliance prior to Year 2000, or are already 100% compliant.
Unified is continuing to pursue the remaining suppliers, through their
representatives, for compliance information. The critical suppliers have
responded positively with compliance in place or prior to Year 2000.
As the Year 2000 program progresses, Unified will be developing additional
contingency plans. Unified's contingency plans will be intended to address
both remediation of systems and the overall business operating risk.
Unified has been meeting with its members during the last two years to raise
their awareness of the potential for business interruption due to Year 2000.
Unified has established contingency plans that will convert member and vendor
data into Year 2000 compliant data before processing through Unified's
systems. Failure of Unified's members or vendors to be Year 2000 compliant
could have a material adverse impact on Unified's operations. However, as
discussed above, Unified is actively working with members and vendors to
address the Year 2000 issues.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This document and the documents of Unified incorporated by reference may
contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to
expectations concerning matters that (a) are not historical facts, (b) predict
or forecast future events or results, (c) embody assumptions which may prove
to have been inaccurate, including Unified's assessment of the probability and
materiality of losses associated with litigation and other contingent
liabilities; Unified's ability to develop and implement Year 2000 systems
solutions; and Unified's expectations regarding the adequacy of capital and
liquidity. Also, when we use words such as "believes," "expects,"
"anticipates" or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking
statements. Although Unified believes that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give you any assurance
that such expectations will prove correct. Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from such expectations include the adverse
effects of the changing industry environment and increased competition;
continuing sales decline and loss of customers; exposure to the uncertainties
of litigation and other contingent liabilities; the failure of Unified, its
vendors or its customers to develop and implement year 2000 systems solutions;
and the failure of Unified to integrate the operations and systems of
Certified and United; the increased credit risk to Unified caused by the
ability of former United members to establish their required minimum deposits
over time through use of patronage dividends to purchase Class B Shares if
such members default on their obligations to Unified prior to their deposit
requirements being met and the existing deposit proves inadequate to cover
such members obligation. All forward-looking statements attributable to
Unified or United are expressly qualified in their entirety by the factors
which may cause actual results to differ materially.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Unified has only limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and
does not use them for trading purposes. They are used to manage well-defined
interest rate risks. Unified entered into a five-year interest rate collar
agreement during February 1999 in relation to certain borrowings on its
variable rate revolving credit. The collar agreement was put in place without
incurring a fee with respect to the collar transaction. The hedge agreement is
structured such that Unified pays a variable rate of interest between 6% (cap
rate) and 4.94% (floor rate) based on a notional amount of $50,000,000. The
weighted average interest rate, prior to lender's margin, on borrowings on the
revolving credit were 5.30% at August 28, 1999.
16
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors
Unified Western Grocers, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Unified
Western Grocers, Inc. (formerly Certified Grocers of California, Ltd.) and
subsidiaries (the "Company") as of August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999, and
the related consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive earnings,
shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the years ended August 30, 1997,
August 29, 1998, and August 28, 1999. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of the Company as of August 29, 1998
and August 28, 1999, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for
the years ended August 30, 1997, August 29, 1998, and August 28, 1999 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Los Angeles, California
October 29, 1999
17
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999 1998 1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,105 $ 8,027
Accounts and notes receivable, net 95,672 108,786
Inventories 124,419 150,800
Prepaid expenses 4,744 5,544
Deferred taxes 3,853 4,286
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 232,793 277,443
Properties, net 76,299 79,231
Investments 41,341 35,017
Notes receivable 21,792 13,914
Other assets, net 16,993 45,530
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS $389,218 $451,135
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 80,870 $102,172
Accrued liabilities 51,767 54,536
Current portion of notes payable 743 6,623
Patrons' excess deposits and declared patronage dividends 13,630 16,091
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 147,010 179,422
Notes payable, due after one year 125,130 143,727
Long-term liabilities, other 20,440 29,393
Commitments and contingencies
Patrons' deposits and certificates:
Patrons' required deposits 12,147 12,450
Subordinated patronage dividend certificates 6,158 5,986
Shareholders' equity:
Class A Shares 5,479 5,669
Class B Shares 56,992 57,833
Retained earnings 15,685 17,160
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (losses) 177 (505)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity 78,333 80,157
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $389,218 $451,135
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
18
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS
(dollars in thousands)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 30, August 29, August 28,
years ended 1997 1998 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $1,927,092 $1,831,686 $1,893,523
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales 1,752,899 1,668,202 1,717,779
Distribution, selling and administrative 142,644 137,232 141,155
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 31,549 26,252 34,589
Interest expense (13,020) (12,320) (11,911)
Other income (expense), net (655) 3,200 (5,780)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before patronage dividends, pro-
vision for income taxes and extraordinary
item 17,874 17,132 16,898
Patronage dividends (14,464) (10,149) (14,195)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before provision for income taxes
and extraordinary item 3,410 6,983 2,703
Provision for income taxes 1,103 2,515 64
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before extraordinary item 2,307 4,468 2,639
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extraordinary item (net of income taxes of
$714) -- 1,079 --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings 2,307 3,389 2,639
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other comprehensive earnings, net of in-
come taxes:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) 522 (5) (738)
Minimum pension liability adjustment 172 27 56
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS $ 3,001 $ 3,411 $ 1,957
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
19
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE YEARS ENDED AUGUST 30,
1997, AUGUST 29, 1998 AND AUGUST 28, 1999
(dollars in thousands)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated
Other
Class A Class B Comprehensive
-------------- ---------------- Retained Earnings
Shares Amount Shares Amount Earnings (Losses)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, August 31, 1996 49,100 $5,305 383,815 $56,504 $11,436 $(539)
Class A Shares issued 4,100 689
Class A Shares redeemed (5,300) (633) (257)
Class B Shares issued 21,366 3,744
Class B Shares redeemed (19,191) (2,899) (324)
Net earnings 2,307
Net unrealized gain on
appreciation of
investments (net of
deferred tax liability
of $271) 522
Minimum pension
liability adjustment
(net of deferred tax
liability of $132) 172
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, August 30, 1997 47,900 5,361 385,990 57,349 13,162 155
Class A Shares issued 4,800 841
Class A Shares redeemed (5,900) (723) (311)
Class B Shares issued 13,456 2,470
Class B Shares redeemed (19,300) (2,827) (555)
Net earnings 3,389
Net unrealized loss on
depreciation of
investments (net of
deferred tax benefit
of $5) (5)
Minimum pension
liability adjustment
(net of deferred tax
liability of $17) 27
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, August 29, 1998 46,800 5,479 380,146 56,992 15,685 177
Class A Shares issued 4,800 879
Class A Shares redeemed (5,200) (689) (264)
Class B Shares issued 18,210 3,429
Class B Shares redeemed (19,007) (2,588) (900)
Net earnings 2,639
Net unrealized loss on
depreciation of
investments (net of
deferred tax benefit
of $375) (738)
Minimum pension
liability adjustment
(net of deferred tax
liability of $41) 56
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, AUGUST 28, 1999 46,400 $5,669 379,349 $57,833 $17,160 $(505)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
20
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
fiscal years ended August 30 1997, August 29, 1998
and August 28, 1999 1997 1998 1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings $ 2,307 $ 3,389 $ 2,639
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
provided (utilized) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 12,204 14,792 16,906
Deferred taxes (107) (1,219) (1,535)
Gain on sale of investments in affiliates, member
loan receivables,
and properties, net (562) (2,460) (1,360)
Reduction in fair value of investment 1,500 7,280
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Accounts and notes receivable, net (93) (1,297) (11,971)
Inventories 1,031 10,853 (15,166)
Prepaid expenses (282) 163 (275)
Notes receivable (13,462) (5,057) (2,753)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable 6,030 (23,628) 7,713
Accrued liabilities (2,474) (7,293) (1,438)
Patrons' excess deposits and declared patronage
dividends 1,669 (3,196) 2,461
Long-term liabilities, other (1,586) 2,329 6,978
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (utilized) by operating activi-
ties 6,175 (12,624) 9,479
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of properties (15,166) (18,414) (11,372)
Investment in securities, net (9,839) (4,632) (7,720)
Proceeds from sales of notes receivable 6,256 2,780 6,590
Proceeds from sales of properties 1,229 12,320 82
Increase in other assets (3,100) (2,236) (3,024)
Sales of investments in affiliates, net of cash
disposed* 500
Acquisition of net assets from wholesale distribu-
tion company** (8,954)
Acquisition of net assets in retail store opera-
tions*** 75
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash utilized by investing activities (20,120) (10,182) (24,323)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Additions to long-term notes payable 27,944 124,000 20,500
Reduction of long-term notes payable (15) (90,344) (139)
Reduction of short-term notes payable (11,440) (11,329) (1,593)
Redemption of patronage dividend certificates (249) (172)
Repurchase of shares from members (4,112) (4,416) (4,441)
(Decrease) increase in members' required deposits (1,166) (2,211) 303
Issuance of shares to members 4,432 3,311 4,308
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities 15,394 19,011 18,766
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equiva-
lents 1,449 (3,795) 3,922
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 6,451 7,900 4,105
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $ 7,900 $ 4,105 $ 8,027
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
21
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS--(CONTINUED)
(dollars in thousands)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
for fiscal years ended August 30 1997, August 29, 1998
and August 28, 1999 1997 1998 1999
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest $13,264 $12,790 $ 11,962
Income taxes $ 2,688 $ 3,179 $ 1,673
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*SALES OF INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES, NET OF CASH DIS-
POSED:
Proceeds in excess of net assets of affiliates sold,
net $ 500
**ACQUISITION OF NET ASSETS FROM WHOLESALE DISTRIBU-
TION COMPANY:
Working capital, other than cash $ (6,292)
Property, plant and equipment (1,442)
Other assets (1,220)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquisition of net assets from wholesale distribution
company $ (8,954)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
***ACQUISITION OF NET ASSETS IN RETAIL STORE OPERA-
TIONS:
Working capital, other then cash $ 11,327
Property, plant and equipment (4,467)
Notes receivable and other long-term assets (2,681)
Goodwill (23,354)
Long-term liabilities, other 1,883
Long-term notes payable 5,479
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11,813)
Previous investment in retail store operations 11,888
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash effect due to acquisition of net assets in
retail store operations $ 75
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
22
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Years Ended August 30, 1997, August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Basis of Presentation:
On September 27, 1999, the shareholders of Certified Grocers of California,
Ltd. ("Certified") and United Grocers, Inc. ("United") (a grocery cooperative
headquartered in Portland, Oregon) approved a merger agreement in which United
merged with a wholly owned subsidiary of Certified (see Note 18). The merger
became effective on September 29, 1999. In connection with the merger,
Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. changed its name to Unified Western
Grocers, Inc. (the "Company" or "Unified"). Unified's historical financial
information for the fiscal years contained herein does not include information
with respect to United.
Principles of Consolidation:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and accounts with subsidiaries
have been eliminated.
Nature of Business:
The Company is a cooperative organization engaged principally in the
distribution of food products and related general merchandise products
primarily to retail establishments owned by shareholders of the Company. All
establishments with which directors are affiliated, as members of the Company,
purchase groceries, related products and store equipment from the Company in
the ordinary course of business pursuant to published terms or according to
the provisions of supply agreements.
The Company makes investments in retail grocery operations to assist its
members. Periodically, the Company will own and manage retail grocery stores
on a temporary basis until a qualified and suitable owner can be identified.
The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to August 31.
Use of Estimates:
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash Equivalents:
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventories:
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on
the first-in, first-out method for items of warehouse stock and on the retail
method for retail stores.
Depreciation:
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the assets which range from 3 to 40 years. Leasehold
improvements are amortized based on the estimated life of the asset or the
life of the lease, whichever is shorter. Expenditures for replacements or
major improvements are capitalized; expenditures for normal maintenance and
repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Upon sale or retirement of
properties, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the
accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations.
23
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Investments:
The Company has classified all investments in debt securities as held-to-
maturity securities, based on the Company's positive intent and ability to
hold those securities. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at cost,
adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity.
Equity investments and subordinated interests, residual interests and
servicing fee amounts from the sale of member loan receivables are carried at
estimated fair value and are classified as investments available-for-sale.
Unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, on available-for-sale investments
are recorded as a separate component of shareholder's equity.
Goodwill:
Goodwill, representing the excess of the purchase price over the estimated
fair value of net assets acquired (see Note 4), is amortized over the period
of expected benefit. Management reviews goodwill for impairment whenever
events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not
be recoverable. Management deems goodwill to be impaired if the estimated
expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying amount.
Estimates of expected future cash flows are based on management's best
estimates of anticipated operating results over the remaining useful life of
the assets. As of August 28, 1999, goodwill net of accumulated amortization
amounted to $23 million and is included in other assets in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheet.
Environmental Costs:
The Company expenses, on a current basis, certain recurring costs incurred in
complying with environmental regulations and remediating environmental
pollution. The Company also reserves for certain non-recurring future costs
required to remediate environmental pollution for which the Company is liable
whenever, by diligent legal and technical investigation, the scope or extent
of pollution has been determined, the Company's contribution to the pollution
has been ascertained, remedial measures have been specifically identified as
practical and viable, and the cost of remediation and the Company's
proportionate share can be reasonably estimated.
Reclassifications:
Certain amounts in the prior years' financial statements have been
reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.
Comprehensive Earnings (Losses):
During fiscal 1999, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard ("SFAS") No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." This statement
establishes standards for the reporting and displaying of comprehensive income
and its components. Comprehensive income is net income, plus certain other
items that are recorded by the Company directly to shareholders' equity,
bypassing net income. The only items currently applicable to the Company are
the unrealized gain or loss on appreciation or depreciation of investments and
the minimum pension liability adjustment. The balance and current period
change for each component of comprehensive earnings are summarized as follows:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Unrealized Gain
(Loss) On Appreciation Minimum Pension
(Depreciation) of Investments Liability Adjustment
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, August 31, 1996 $(284) $(255)
Current-period change 522 172
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, August 30, 1997 238 (83)
Current-period change (5) 27
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, August 29, 1998 233 (56)
Current-period change (738) 56
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, AUGUST 28, 1999 $(505) $ 0
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
24
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The components of the net change in unrealized holding gains (losses) for
fiscal years 1997, 1998, and 1999 are as follows:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period $436 $205 $(641)
Less reclassification adjustment for gains (losses)
included in net earnings (86) 210 97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET UNREALIZED HOLDING GAINS (LOSSES) $522 $ (5) $(738)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," which establishes accounting
and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain
derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging
activities. The statement requires that the Company recognize all derivatives
as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those
instruments at fair value. As amended by SFAS No. 137, this statement is
effective for all fiscal quarters of fiscal years beginning after June 15,
2000. Management is in the process of determining the effects on the Company's
financial statements.
2. PROPERTIES:
Properties at August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999 stated at cost, are
comprised of:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Land $ 8,350 $ 8,338
Buildings and leasehold improvements 52,353 61,910
Equipment 94,011 104,932
Equipment under capital leases 6,094 6,364
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
160,808 181,544
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 84,509 102,313
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
$ 76,299 $ 79,231
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
On May 19, 1998, the Company completed the sale of approximately 24 acres of
property located in Commerce, California. The sale resulted in a gain (net of
expenses related to the sale) of $3.2 million. This transaction required
certain administrative offices and distribution facilities to be relocated.
The Company utilized its remaining properties to accommodate most of the
displaced facilities.
3. INVESTMENTS:
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale investments, including
equity securities, were as follows:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
August 29, 1998 Cost Gains Losses Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. government
corporations and agencies $13,276 $150 $ 7 $13,419
Corporate securities 3,807 268 131 3,944
Mortgage backed securities 10,776 86 14 10,848
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub-total 27,859 504 152 28,211
Redeemable preferred stock 8,253 59 49 8,263
Equity securities 4,867 4,867
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
$40,979 $563 $201 $41,341
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
25
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
August 28, 1999 Cost Gains Losses Value
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Maturities:
U.S. Treasury securities and
obligations of U.S. Government
corporations and agencies $17,083 $ 26 $ 660 $16,449
Corporate securities 6,055 375 209 6,221
Mortgage backed securities 8,192 11 286 7,917
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub-total 31,330 412 1,155 30,587
Redeemable preferred stock 1,324 99 103 1,320
Equity securities 3,114 12 16 3,110
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
$35,768 $523 $1,274 $35,017
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed maturity investments are due as follows:
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Amortized Fair
August 29, 1998 Cost Value
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Maturities Available for Sale:
Due after one year through five years $10,762 $10,954
Due after five years through ten years 7,584 7,612
Due after ten years 9,513 9,645
- ----------------------------------------------------------
$27,859 $28,211
- ----------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Amortized Fair
August 28, 1999 Cost Value
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Maturities Available for Sale:
Due after one year through five years $ 8,723 $ 8,722
Due after five years through ten years 9,060 8,914
Due after ten years 13,547 12,951
- ----------------------------------------------------------
$31,330 $30,587
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers
may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or
prepayment penalties. Mortgage-backed securities are shown as being due at
their average expected maturity dates.
Investment income is summarized as follows:
- ------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
- ------------------------------------------------
Fixed maturities $1,728 $2,526 $2,280
Preferred stock 91 444 115
Equity securities 75 82 (18)
Cash and cash equivalents 332 364 131
- ------------------------------------------------
2,226 3,416 2,508
Less investment expenses 137 22 232
- ------------------------------------------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME $2,089 $3,394 $2,276
- ------------------------------------------------
Investments carried at fair values of $17,975 and $19,688 at August 29, 1998
and August 28, 1999, respectively, are on deposit with regulatory authorities
in compliance with insurance company regulations. Equity securities which do
not have readily determinable fair values are accounted for using the cost
method.
At August 28, 1999, the Company held investments in preferred stock ($1,000),
a note receivable ($5,300), and was owed trade receivables ($980) from
Hawaiian Grocery Stores, Inc. ("HGS"), a customer. The entire amount has been
either reserved or written-off based on developments pertaining to HGS.
Subsequent to year end, HGS defaulted on the principal and interest payments
required by the note receivable. The trade receivables also became delinquent
during the Company's fourth quarter. The Company believes there is an
26
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
impairment of its investment in HGS which is other than temporary and has
written the preferred stock and note receivable down to a nominal carrying
value and has fully reserved the trade accounts receivable. HGS has notified
the Company that it is experiencing cash flow difficulties due to operating
difficulties and reduced sales, it is uncertain when or if the default can be
cured.
4. ACQUISITION:
At August 29, 1998, the Company owned an equity interest in SavMax Foods, Inc.
("SavMax"), a member-patron. SavMax is an operator of seven retail grocery
stores with retail sales of approximately $75 million for the period December
31, 1998 through August 28, 1999. Sales on an annual basis are approximately
$115 million. The investment consisted of (a) 10% of the outstanding Series A
common stock with an original cost of $2.5 million and (b) $6.3 million of
8.5% Series B cumulative redeemable preferred stock.
The Company purchased the remaining common and preferred shares of SavMax as
of December 31, 1998, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $4.5
million. The transaction also included an ongoing covenant not to compete from
a selling shareholder, termination of the sellers' existing employment and
consulting agreements, and the entry into a consulting arrangement with a
selling shareholder. The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase
pursuant to Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16, "Business
Combinations." Accordingly, the consideration has been allocated to the assets
and liabilities based on the relative fair values. The excess of the purchase
price over the fair value of the net assets acquired was $23.4 million and was
recorded as goodwill. The results of the acquired business have been included
in the consolidated financial statements from December 31, 1998. Although
SavMax has been consolidated, the Company intends to sell its investment to a
qualified buyer(s) in the future. The following summarizes the fair value of
assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on SavMax's balance sheet as
of January 2, 1999.
- ------------------------------------------------------
Current assets $ 8,530
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net 4,467
Other assets 2,681
- ------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 15,678
- ------------------------------------------------------
Accounts payable 12,724
Accrued liabilities and deferred credits 5,747
Notes payable 8,673
- ------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 27,144
- ------------------------------------------------------
Net (11,466)
Total investment common and preferred stock 11,888
- ------------------------------------------------------
Goodwill $ 23,354
- ------------------------------------------------------
The accompanying consolidated statements of earnings do not include any
revenues or expenses related to SavMax prior to the December 31, 1998
acquisition date. The following unaudited consolidated pro forma information
utilizes the audited information for the Company for fiscal 1998 and 1999 and
unaudited information for SavMax for those periods. The pro forma information
presents the results of operations of the Company as if the acquisition had
taken place on September 1, 1997.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 1998 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $1,903,832 $1,920,540
Earnings before patronage dividends, provision for
income
taxes and extraordinary item $ 15,517 $ 9,481
Patronage dividends $ 10,149 $ 14,195
Net earnings (losses) $ 1,855 $ (4,559)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
27
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
These unaudited pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes
only and do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which
would have actually resulted had the acquisition been in effect on September
1, 1997, or of future results of operations.
5. ACCRUED LIABILITIES:
Accrued liabilities at August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999 are summarized as
follows:
1998 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Insurance loss reserves and other liabilities $17,290 $21,122
Accrued wages and related taxes 12,136 13,401
Accrued income and other taxes payable 6,230 5,292
Accrued promotional liabilities 2,561 277
Other accrued liabilities 13,550 14,444
- --------------------------------------------------------------
$51,767 $54,536
- --------------------------------------------------------------
6. NOTES PAYABLE:
Notes payable at August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999 are summarized as
follows:
1998 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senior notes payable expiring April 1, 2008, interest rate
at 7.22% payable monthly, interest only through April 1,
2000 and $832 principal and interest thereafter through
April 1, 2008, remaining $34.8 million due May 1, 2008. $ 80,000 $ 80,000
Notes payable to banks under a $100 million revolving credit
agreement expiring April 10, 2003, interest rate at the
agent's base rate (8.5% at August 29, 1998 and 8.25% at Au-
gust 28, 1999) or adjusted LIBOR (5.69% plus 0.825% at Au-
gust 29, 1998 and 5.36% plus 0.9% at August 28, 1999) 44,000 64,500
Other debt related to SavMax 4,599
Obligations under capital leases 1,873 1,251
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total notes payable 125,873 150,350
Less portion due within one year 743 6,623
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$125,130 $143,727
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maturities of notes payable as of August 28, 1999 are:
Fiscal
year
- --------------------
2000 $ 6,623
2001 4,918
2002 4,929
2003 69,690
2004 5,532
Thereafter 58,658
- --------------------
$150,350
- --------------------
At August 28, 1999, Unified had $80 million in senior notes outstanding to
certain insurance companies and pension funds. The senior notes were
unsecured, due in April 2008 and bore interest at 7.22% per annum. Unified
also had a $100 million revolving credit facility with a group of banks. The
revolving credit was unsecured, expired in April of 2003 and bore interest at
the bank's base rate or at an adjusted LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from
0.375% to 0.90% depending on Unified's leverage ratio. Both the senior notes
and the revolving credit facility limited the incurrence of additional funded
debt, restricted the issuance of secured indebtedness and prohibited the
payment of dividends (other than patronage dividends). These credit agreements
contained various financial covenants. Obligations under the credit agreements
were senior to the rights of member-patrons with respect to deposits and
patronage dividend certificates.
28
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Unified entered into a five-year interest rate collar agreement during
February 1999 in relation to certain borrowings on its variable rate revolving
credit. The collar agreement was put in place without incurring a fee with
respect to the collar transaction. The hedge agreement is structured such that
Unified pays a variable rate of interest between 6% (cap rate) and 4.94%
(floor rate) based on a notional amount of $50 million. The weighted average
interest rate, prior to lender's margin, on borrowings on the revolving credit
was 5.30% at August 28, 1999.
The extraordinary loss of $1.08 million, net of income taxes, in fiscal 1998
is related to the early extinguishment of debt in connection with the
Company's refinancing transaction. This charge covers prepayment premiums paid
and the write-off of financing costs relating to debt refinanced in the
transaction.
A $10 million credit agreement is collateralized by Grocers Capital Company's
("GCC") member loan receivables. GCC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Unified.
The primary function of GCC is to provide loan financing to Unified's member-
patrons. Member loans are made at a market rate of interest starting at prime
plus 0.5%. The funding for loans made by GCC is provided by GCC's cash
reserves as well as the $10 million credit agreement. The maturity date of the
credit agreement is September 20, 2001, but is subject to an annual extension
of one year by the mutual consent of GCC and the bank. Amounts advanced under
the credit agreement bear interest at prime (8.25% at August 28, 1999) or
Eurodollar (5.50% at August 28, 1999) plus 0.9%. No amounts were outstanding
under this credit line at August 29, 1998 or August 28, 1999. The unused
portion of this credit line is subject to commitment fees of 0.125% plus $25
annually.
Member loan receivables are periodically sold by GCC to a bank through a loan
purchase agreement. The maturity date of the loan purchase agreement is August
29, 2001, but is subject to extension by mutual agreement of GCC and the bank
for an additional one year on each anniversary date of the initial purchase
date. Total loan purchases under the agreement are limited to a total
aggregate principal outstanding of $50 million. GCC entered into an additional
loan purchase agreement with a different bank in January 1999. This additional
loan purchase agreement can be terminated upon ninety days prior written
notice. There is no maximum limitation on the additional loan purchase
agreement. At August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999, the aggregate principal
outstanding balance of loans purchased by the banks was $17 million and $27
million, respectively. The loan sales are subject to limited recourse
provisions.
The Company and GCC have also guaranteed loans made directly to members by
third party lenders. At August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999, the maximum
principal amount of these guarantees was $7.8 million and $0.6 million,
respectively. Member loans, provided by GCC and third parties, are generally
secured with collateral which usually consists of personal and real property
owned by member-patrons and personal guarantees of member-patrons.
As a result of maturing long-term debt (a noncash financing activity), the
Company reclassified from long to short-term debt $11.3 million, $0.7 million,
and $2.3 million in the 1997 period, 1998 and 1999, respectively.
In connection with the merger with United, and subsequent to year end, Unified
refinanced its existing institutional and bank indebtedness. Unified entered
into a five-year, $200 million revolving credit facility secured by accounts
receivable and inventories. Borrowings bear interest at either LIBOR plus an
applicable margin based on a funded debt to operating cash flow ratio or the
higher of the lender's base rate or 0.50% above the lender's federal funds
borrowing rate. The new revolving credit facility permits advances up to 85%
of eligible accounts receivable and 65% of eligible inventories. The security
interest would be released if Unified achieves designated investment grade
ratings for a period of not less than one year.
Pursuant to new term credit agreements with existing term lenders, Unified
collateralized its existing $80 million 7.22% senior unsecured notes due 2008
with buildings and equipment and issued $40 million of new ten year senior
secured notes. The interest rate on the existing $80 million senior notes
increased by 0.50% and the senior secured notes bear interest at 8.71%. The
interest rate increase on the existing $80 million senior notes and the
securitization of both notes would be eliminated in the event the combined
entity achieves designated investment grade ratings for a period of not less
than one year.
29
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The new credit agreements contain customary representations, warranties,
covenants and default provisions for financing of this type, including
financial ratio covenants which are modeled after covenants contained in
Unified's existing loan agreements, modified to reflect the merger and the
additional extension of credit.
7. LEASES:
The Company has entered into operating and capital leases for certain
warehouse, transportation and data processing equipment. The Company has also
entered into operating leases for approximately 31 retail supermarkets. The
majority of these locations are subleased to various member-patrons of the
Company. The operating leases and subleases are noncancelable, renewable,
include purchase options in certain instances, and require payment of real
estate taxes, insurance and maintenance.
In addition, on August 28, 1999, the Company was contingently liable with
respect to 14 lease guarantees for certain member-patrons. The total current
annual rent on locations underlying such lease guarantees on that date was
approximately $3.8 million. The commitments have expiration dates through
2017. The Company believes the locations underlying these leases are
marketable and, accordingly, would be able to recover a substantial portion of
the guaranteed amounts in the event the Company is required to satisfy its
obligations under the guarantees.
In consideration of lease guarantees and subleases, the Company normally
receives a monthly fee equal to 5% of the monthly rent under the lease
guarantees and subleases. Obligations of member-patrons to the Company,
including lease guarantees, are generally supported by the Company's right of
offset, upon default, against the member-patrons' cash deposits, shareholdings
and patronage certificates, as well as in certain instances, personal
guarantees and reimbursement and indemnification agreements.
Rent expense was $17.0 million, $16.2 million, and $18.4 million in fiscal
1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively. Sublease rental income was $5.3 million,
$6.2 million, and $4.5 million in fiscal 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively.
30
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Minimum rentals on properties leased by the Company, including properties
subleased to third parties, as of August 28, 1999 are summarized as follows:
Capital Operating
Fiscal year Leases Leases
- --------------------------------------------------------------
2000 $1,034 $ 16,459
2001 288 14,736
2002 12,108
2003 11,215
2004 10,581
Thereafter 52,820
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Total minimum lease payments 1,322 $117,919
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Less amount representing interest 71
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Present value of net minimum lease payments 1,251
Less current portion 971
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Total long term portion $ 280
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Future minimum sublease rental income on operating leases as of August 28,
1999 is summarized as follows:
Fiscal
year
- -------------------
2000 $ 3,407
2001 3,366
2002 2,885
2003 2,600
2004 2,478
Thereafter 21,041
- -------------------
$35,777
- -------------------
8. INCOME TAXES:
The significant components of income tax expense are summarized as follows:
1997 1998 1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal:
Current $ 932 $2,367 $1,299
Deferred 162 (820) (1,077)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total federal 1,094 1,547 222
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
State:
Current 278 653 300
Deferred (269) (399) (458)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total state 9 254 (158)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax expense $1,103 $1,801 $ 64
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
31
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The effects of temporary differences and other items that give rise to
deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented below:
August 29, August 28,
1998 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable $ 2,388 $ 2,109
Accrued benefits 9,159 11,109
Deferred income 1,697 1,275
Insurance reserves 1,788 1,702
Investment valuation adjustment 642 642
Accrued environmental liabilities 313 313
Accrued rent -- 619
Asset impairment adjustment -- 849
Alternative minimum tax and other credits 1,080 1,285
Net operating loss carryforwards 5 3,205
Other 786 1,278
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross deferred tax assets 17,858 24,386
Less valuation allowance 1,400 5,536
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets $16,458 $18,850
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment $ 5,939 $ 6,283
Capitalized software 1,988 1,992
Intangible assets 627 707
Deferred state taxes 753 782
Deferred gain on installment method -- 479
Other 191 248
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total gross deferred tax liabilities 9,498 10,491
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax asset $ 6,960 $ 8,359
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax assets of $3.9 million and $4.3 million are included in
deferred taxes, current and $3.1 million and $4.1 million in other assets on
the Company's accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of August 29, 1998
and August 28, 1999, respectively.
A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the deferred tax assets to a level
which, more likely than not, will be realized. The change in the valuation
allowance between fiscal 1998 and 1999 is primarily a result of the
acquisition of SavMax (see Note 4). The remaining balance of the net deferred
tax assets should be realized through future operating results, the reversal
of taxable temporary differences, and tax planning strategies.
The provision for income taxes at the Company's effective tax rate differed
from the provision for income taxes at the statutory rate (34%) as follows:
1997 1998 1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal income tax expense at the statutory rate $1,159 $1,765 $919
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 209 303 158
Insurance subsidiary not recognized for state taxes (324) (278) (41)
Tax exempt income -- -- (94)
Reduction in valuation allowance -- -- (820)
Other, net 59 11 (58)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for income taxes (net of taxes related to ex-
traordinary item in 1998) $1,103 $1,801 $ 64
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
At August 28, 1999, the Company has alternative minimum tax credit
carryforwards of approximately $693 available to offset future regular income
taxes payable to the extent such regular taxes exceed alternative minimum
taxes payable. In addition, the Company has tax benefits associated with the
net operating loss carryforwards for federal and state income tax purposes of
approximately $2,739 and $466, which begin expiring in 2011 and 2000,
respectively.
9. SUBORDINATED PATRONAGE DIVIDEND CERTIFICATES:
The Company has a patronage dividend retention program whereby, subject to
annual Board approval, it may retain a portion of the patronage dividends and
issue patronage certificates (the "Patronage Certificates") evidencing the
indebtedness respecting the retained amounts. The program provides for the
issuance of the Patronage Certificates to patrons in a portion and at an
interest rate determined by the Board in connection with its approval of a
particular issuance. The Patronage Certificates are unsecured general
obligations, subordinated to certain indebtedness of Unified, and
nontransferable without the consent of Unified.
The Company issued Patronage Certificates for fiscal years 1993, 1994 and
1995. The outstanding Patronage Certificates have a seven-year term and bear
interest payable annually on December 15 in each year. The following table
represents a summary of the outstanding Patronage Certificates at August 28,
1999 and their respective terms:
Aggregate Annual
Fiscal Principal Interest Maturity
Year Amount Rate Date
- -----------------------------------
1993 $1,807 7% 12/15/00
1994 $2,257 8% 12/15/01
1995 $1,922 7% 12/15/02
During fiscal 1997 and 1998 Unified set off approximately $273 and $118,
respectively, in Patronage Certificates against a portion of amounts owed to
the Company by the holders. No amounts were set off in fiscal 1999.
Patronage Certificates have not been issued subsequent to fiscal 1995.
However, the program has not been discontinued, and the Board could authorize
the issuance of Patronage Certificates in connection with patronage dividends
payable in future years.
10. CAPITAL SHARES:
The Company requires that each member-patron hold 100 Class A Shares. Each
member-patron must also acquire Class B Shares having combined issuance values
equal to the lesser of the amount of the member-patron's required deposit or
twice the member-patron's average weekly purchases (the "Class B Share
requirement"). For this purpose, each Class B Share held by a member-patron
has an issuance value equal to the book value of Unified's outstanding shares
as of the close of the fiscal year last ended prior to the issuance of such
Class B Share.
After payment of at least 20% of the patronage dividend in cash and the
issuance of the Patronage Certificates, Class B Shares are issued as a portion
of each member-patron's patronage dividend and, to the extent necessary to
fulfill the member-patron's Class B Share requirement, by crediting the
member-patron's cash deposit account for the issuance values of such shares.
All shares of a terminated member, or member who holds Class B Shares in
excess of their Class B Share requirement, may be redeemed by the Company
(subject to certain legal limitations, provisions of the Company's redemption
policy, and provisions of certain of the Company's committed lines of credit)
at a redemption price based on book value, less all amounts that may be owing
by the member to the Company as fixed in the Articles of Incorporation. All
shares are pledged to the Company to secure the Company's redemption rights
and as collateral for all obligations to the Company. The Company is not
obligated in any fiscal year to redeem more than 5% of the sum of the number
of Class B Shares outstanding as of the close
33
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
of the preceding fiscal year and the number of Class B Shares issued as a part
of the patronage dividend for the preceding year (the "5% limit"). Thus,
shares tendered for redemption in a given fiscal year may not necessarily be
redeemed in that fiscal year. In fiscal 1999, the 5% limitation restricted
Unified's redemption of shares to 19,007 shares for $3.5 million. The
following table summarizes the Class B Shares tendered and presently approved
for redemption, shares redeemed, and the remaining number of shares pending
redemption at the fiscal year end of each of the following periods:
Book
Fiscal Year Tendered Redeemed Remaining Value
- --------------------------------------------------------
Years prior to 1997 74,868 $14,095
1997 9,575 19,191 65,252 $12,285
1998 29,680 19,300 75,632 $14,239
1999 25,177 19,007 81,802 $15,401
Subsequent to the 1999 fiscal year end and in connection with the merger with
United (see Note 1 and Note 18), the Company (i) redeemed 71,310 Class B
Shares held by terminated member-patrons and (ii) adopted amendments to its
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws which restrict the Company's obligation
to repurchase Class B Shares of terminated members for a three-year period and
changed the redemption provisions in other respects (see Note 18).
There are 500,000 authorized Class A Shares, of which 46,800 and 46,400 were
outstanding at August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999, respectively. There are
2,000,000 authorized Class B Shares, of which 380,146 and 379,349 were
outstanding at August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999, respectively.
No member-patron may hold more than 100 Class A Shares. However, it is
possible that a member-patron may have an interest in another member, or that
a person may have an interest in more than one member, and thus have an
interest in more than 100 Class A Shares. The board of directors is authorized
to accept member-patrons without the issuance of Class A Shares when the board
of directors determines that such action is justified by reason of the fact
that the ownership of the patron is the same, or sufficiently the same, as
that of another member-patron holding 100 Class A Shares. The price for such
shares will be the book value per share of outstanding shares at the close of
the fiscal year last ended.
There were 15 authorized Class C Shares of which 15 are outstanding as of
August 28, 1999. These shares are valued at ten dollars per share, and
ownership is limited to members of the board of directors with no rights as to
dividends or other distributions.
Holders of Class A Shares are entitled to vote such shares cumulatively for
the election of 80% of the authorized number of directors. Holders of the
Class B Shares are entitled to vote such shares cumulatively for the election
of 20% of the authorized number of directors. Except as required by California
law, the Class C Shares have no voting rights.
See Note 1 and Note 18 regarding amendments to the Articles of Incorporation
and bylaws of Unified, limitations on redemption of Class B Shares of
terminated members, modification of the redemption provisions of Class A
Shares and Class B Shares, and changes in Class C Shares in connection with
the United merger.
11. BENEFIT PLANS:
The Company has a noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan ("benefit
plan") covering substantially all of its nonunion employees. The benefits
under the plan generally are based on the employee's years of service and
average earnings for the three highest consecutive calendar years of
compensation during the ten years immediately preceding retirement. The
Company makes contributions to the pension plan in amounts which are at least
sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirements of applicable laws and
regulations but no more than amounts deductible for federal income tax
purposes. Benefits under the plan are included in a trust providing benefits
through annuity contracts.
34
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The Company also has an Executive Salary Protection Plan ("ESPP II"), which
provides additional post-termination retirement income based on each
participant's final salary and years of service with the Company. The funding
of this benefit is facilitated through the purchase of life insurance
policies, the premiums of which are paid by the Company.
Pension expense for the benefit plans totaled $1,602, $1,399, and $1,364 in
fiscal 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively.
The components of net periodic costs for the benefit plan and ESPP II at
August 30, 1997, August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999 consists of the
following:
Benefit Plan
- -----------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Service cost $1,514 $1,586 $1,926
Interest cost 2,641 2,705 2,927
Expected return on plan assets (2,861) (3,165) (3,733)
Amortization of prior service cost (39) (39) (39)
Recognized actuarial loss 19 -- --
Amortization of transition asset (309) (309) (309)
- -----------------------------------------------------------
NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST $ 965 $ 778 $ 772
- -----------------------------------------------------------
ESPP II
- -----------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Service cost $193 $200 $150
Interest cost 303 294 301
Expected return on plan assets -- -- --
Amortization of prior service cost 112 112 141
Recognized actuarial loss 29 15 --
- -----------------------------------------------------------
NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST $637 $621 $592
- -----------------------------------------------------------
The following table sets forth the change in benefit obligation for the
benefit plan and ESPP II at August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999:
Benefit Plan ESPP II
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1999 1998 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefit obligation at beginning of year $34,513 $39,914 $3,965 $3,971
Service cost 1,586 1,926 200 150
Interest cost 2,705 2,927 294 301
Plan amendments -- -- -- 889
Actuarial loss (gain) 3,762 (558) (106) (159)
Benefits paid (2,652) (3,463) (382) (404)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFIT OBLIGATION AT END OF YEAR $39,914 $40,746 $3,971 $4,748
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table sets forth the change in plan assets for the benefit plan
and ESPP II at August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999:
Benefit Plan ESPP II
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1999 1998 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of
year $37,276 $41,511 -- --
Actual return on plan assets 6,887 5,086 -- --
Employer contribution -- -- $ 382 $ 404
Benefits paid (2,652) (3,463) (382) (404)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS AT END OF YEAR $41,511 $43,134 $ 0 $ 0
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
35
unified Western Grocers, inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The accrued pension and other benefit costs recognized in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets at August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999 is computed
as follows:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefit Plan ESPP II
1998 1999 1998 1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status at June 1
overfunded/(underfunded) $1,597 $2,388 $(3,971) $(4,748)
Unrecognized actuarial (gain)/loss 801 (1,110) 381 327
Unrecognized prior service cost (226) (188) 1,347 2,095
Unrecognized transition asset (912) (603) -- --
Fourth quarter net periodic pension expense (195) (194) (43) (148)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET AMOUNT RECOGNIZED PREPAID (ACCRUED): $1,065 $ 293 $(2,286) $(2,474)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The additional minimum liability for the ESPP II represents the excess of the
unfunded accumulated benefit obligation over previously accrued pension costs.
A corresponding intangible asset is recorded as an offset to this additional
liability. Because the asset recognized may not exceed the amount of
unrecognized prior service cost, the balance, net of tax benefits, of $56 and
$0 is reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity at August 29,
1998 and August 28, 1999, respectively.
The weighted average assumptions used in computing the preceding information
as of June 1 were as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Benefit Plan
1997 1998 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate for benefit obligation 7.50% 7.00% 7.00%
Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost 8.00% 7.50% 7.00%
Expected return on plan assets 8.50% 9.00% 9.00%
Rate of compensation increase 5.50% 5.50% 5.50%
- --------------------------------------------------------------
ESPP II
1997 1998 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate for benefit obligation 7.50% 7.00% 7.00%
Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost 8.00% 7.50% 7.00%
Expected return on plan assets NA NA NA
Rate of compensation increase 4.00% 4.00% 4.00%
The Company also made contributions of $6.1 million, $5.6 million, and $6.6
million in fiscal 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively, to collectively
bargained, multiemployer defined benefit pension plans in accordance with the
provisions of negotiated labor contracts. Information from the plans'
administrators is not available to permit the Company to determine its
proportionate share of termination liability, if any.
The Company has an Employees' Sheltered Savings Plan ("SSP"), which is a
defined contribution plan, adopted pursuant to Section 401 (k) of the Internal
Revenue Code for substantially all of its nonunion employees. The Company
matches each dollar deferred up to 4% of compensation and, at its discretion,
matches 40% of amounts deferred between 4% and 8%. At the end of each fiscal
year, the Company also contributes an amount equal to 2% of the compensation
of those participants employed at that date. The Company contributed
approximately $2.2 million, $2.3 million, and $1.9 million, in fiscal years
1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively.
The Company has an Employee Savings Plan ("ESP"), which is a defined
contribution plan, for substantially all union and nonunion employees hired
prior to March 1, 1983. Subsequent to March 1, 1983, the Company's
contribution to the ESP in any fiscal year is based on net earnings as a
percentage of total sales and is applicable to union employees only. In the
event net earnings are less than 1.5% of total sales, no contribution is
required. All nonunion employees who had a previous balance in the ESP had
their balances transferred to the SSP effective the first quarter of fiscal
1992. No expense was incurred in fiscal 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively.
36
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
12. POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS OTHER THAN PENSIONS:
The Company sponsors postretirement benefit plans that cover both nonunion and
union employees. Retired nonunion employees currently are eligible for a plan
providing medical benefits. A certain group of retired nonunion employees
currently participate in a plan providing life insurance benefits for which
active nonunion employees are no longer eligible. Certain eligible union and
nonunion employees have separate plans providing a lump-sum payout for unused
days in the sick leave bank. The postretirement health care plan is
contributory for nonunion employees retiring after January 1, 1990, with the
retiree contributions adjusted annually. The life insurance plan and the sick
leave payout plans are noncontributory. The plans are unfunded.
The components of net periodic benefit cost consist of the following for
fiscal 1997, 1998, and 1999, respectively:
- -----------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Service cost $ 788 $ 920 $1,055
Interest cost 1,960 2,145 2,345
Amortization of transition obligation 1,124 1,124 1,124
Recognized actuarial loss 19 79 75
- -----------------------------------------------------------
NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST $3,891 $4,268 $4,599
- -----------------------------------------------------------
The change in the benefit obligations consist of the following during fiscal
1998 and 1999:
- ----------------------------------------------------------
1998 1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Benefit obligation at beginning of year $28,452 $33,238
Service cost 920 1,055
Interest cost 2,145 2,345
Actuarial loss 3,271 508
Benefits paid (1,550) (1,639)
- ----------------------------------------------------------
BENEFIT OBLIGATION AT END OF YEAR $33,238 $35,507
- ----------------------------------------------------------
The change in the plan assets during the year is:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year -- --
Employer contribution $ 1,550 $ 1,639
Benefits paid (1,550) (1,639)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
FAIR VALUE OF PLAN ASSETS AT END OF YEAR $ 0 $ 0
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
The funded status of the plan is:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1999
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status at June 1 (underfunded) $(33,238) $(35,507)
Unrecognized actuarial loss 4,297 5,128
Unrecognized transition obligation 16,800 15,677
Fourth quarter contribution 416 398
Fourth quarter net periodic pension expense (1,123) (1,521)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
NET AMOUNT RECOGNIZED ACCRUED: $(12,848) $(15,825)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
37
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
The weighted-average assumptions as of June 1 are:
- --------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate for benefit obligation 7.50% 7.00% 7.00%
Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost 8.00% 7.50% 7.00%
Rate of compensation increase 5.50% 5.50% 5.50%
For measurement purposes, a 6.85% annual rate of increase in the per capita
cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for fiscal 2000; the rate was
assumed to decrease gradually to 5.00% in fiscal 2003 and remain at that level
thereafter. The health care cost trend rate assumption has a significant
effect on the amounts reported. To illustrate, increasing the assumed health
care cost trend rates by one percentage point in each year would increase the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of August 28, 1999 by $4.8
million and the aggregate benefit cost for the year then ended by $541. A
decrease of 1% would decrease the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation as of August 28, 1999 by $4.1 million and the aggregate benefit
cost for the year then ended by $452.
The Company's union employees participate in a multiemployer plan that
provides health care benefits for retired union employees. Amounts contributed
to the multiemployer plan for these union employees totaled $1.1 million in
fiscal 1997 and 1998, and $0.1 million in 1999.
13. CONTINGENCIES:
Litigation. The Company is a defendant in a number of cases currently in
litigation or potential claims encountered in the normal course of business
which are being vigorously defended. In the opinion of management, the
resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position, results of operations, or cash flow.
Environmental Matters. The United States Environmental Protection Agency
("EPA") notified the Company in 1993 that, together with others, it was a
potentially responsible party ("PRP") for the disposal of hazardous substances
at a landfill site located in Monterey Park, California. In 1999, the EPA
notified the Company that, together with others, it was a PRP for the disposal
of hazardous substances at a landfill site located in Patterson, California.
The Company believes that its share of cost for the remaining phases of
cleanup for these sites will not exceed the amounts which the Company has
reserved.
14. SEGMENT INFORMATION:
During fiscal 1999, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," which changes the way
information about operating segments is reported.
Unified is a grocery wholesaler serving independent supermarket operators
primarily in California, but also Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, and various
countries in the South Pacific and elsewhere. In addition to offering a
complete line of food and general merchandise products, Unified also provides
finance, insurance, store design and real estate services to its patrons.
Based on the information monitored by the Company's operating decision makers
to manage the business, the Company has identified one reportable segment.
Wholesale distribution includes the results of operations from the sale of
food and general merchandise items to independent supermarket operators, both
members and non-members, and sales to company-owned retail stores.
The "all other" category includes the aggregation of retail sales, finance,
insurance and other services provided to a common customer base, none of which
individually meets the quantitative thresholds of a reportable segment.
38
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Information about the Company's operations by operating segment is as follows:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales
Wholesale distribution $1,889,728 $1,807,366 $1,822,382
All other 60,594 38,446 112,075
Intersegment elimination (23,230) (14,126) (40,934)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL NET SALES $1,927,092 $1,831,686 $1,893,523
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings
Wholesale distribution $ 27,990 $ 22,946 $ 33,638
All other 3,559 3,306 951
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating earnings 31,549 26,252 34,589
Interest expense (13,020) (12,320) (11,911)
Other income (expense), net (655) 3,200 (5,780)
Patronage dividends (14,464) (10,149) (14,195)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EARNINGS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES AND
EXTRAORDINARY ITEM $ 3,410 $ 6,983 $ 2,703
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation and amortization
Wholesale distribution $ 11,819 $ 14,470 $ 15,690
All other 385 322 1,216
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION $ 12,204 $ 14,792 $ 16,906
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures
Wholesale distribution $ 13,178 $ 18,060 $ 11,756
All other 1,988 354 5,525
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES $ 15,166 $ 18,414 $ 17,281
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets
Wholesale distribution $ 332,168 $ 324,907 $ 336,635
All other 61,834 64,311 114,500
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS $ 394,002 $ 389,218 $ 451,135
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK:
Financial instruments which potentially expose the Company to concentrations
of credit risk consist primarily of trade receivables, notes receivable, and
lease guarantees for certain member-patrons. These concentrations of credit
risk may be affected by changes in economic or other conditions affecting the
Western United States, particularly California. However, management believes
that receivables are well diversified, and the allowances for doubtful
accounts are sufficient to absorb estimated losses. Obligations of member-
patrons to the Company, including lease guarantees, are generally supported by
the Company's right of offset, upon default, against the member-patrons' cash
deposits, shareholdings and Patronage Certificates, as well as personal
guarantees and reimbursement and indemnification agreements.
The Company's largest customer and ten largest customers accounted for
approximately 5% and 31%, 6% and 31%, and 6% and 28%, of net sales for fiscal
1997, 1998 and 1999.
16. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of
each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate
that value:
Cash and cash equivalents:
The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these
instruments.
39
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Investments and Notes receivable:
The fair values for investments and notes receivable are based primarily on
their quoted market prices or those of similar instruments. Equity securities
which do not have readily determinable fair values are accounted for using the
cost method. The Company regularly evaluates securities carried at cost to
determine whether there has been any diminution in value that is deemed to be
other than temporary and adjusts the value accordingly.
Notes payable, Notes payable due after one year, Subordinated Patronage
Dividend Certificates and Interest rate collar agreement:
The fair values for notes payable, notes payable due after one year,
subordinated patronage dividend certificates, and the interest rate collar
agreement are based primarily on rates currently available to the Company for
debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. The fair values for notes
payable, notes payable due after one year, and patronage dividend certificates
approximated their carrying value at August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999.
There were no material unrealized gains or losses associated with the interest
rate collar agreement at August 28, 1999.
The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair values of the Company's
financial instruments at August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999 were based on
estimates of market conditions, estimates using present value and risks
existing at that time. These values represent an approximation of possible
value and may never actually be realized.
17. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
Members affiliated with directors of the Company make purchases of merchandise
from the Company and also may receive benefits and services which are of the
type generally offered by the Company to its eligible members.
Since the programs listed below are only available to patrons of the Company,
it is not possible to assess whether transactions with members of the Company,
including entities affiliated with directors of the Company, are less
favorable to the Company than similar transactions with unrelated third
parties. However, management believes such transactions are on terms which are
consistent with terms available to other patrons similarly situated.
A brief description of related party transactions with members affiliated with
directors of the Company follows:
Loans and Loan Guarantees:
GCC provides loan financing to its member-patrons (see Note 6). GCC had the
following loans outstanding at August 28, 1999 to members affiliated with
directors of the Company:
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate Loan
Balance at Maturity
Director August 28, 1999 Date
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Darioush Khaledi $3,358 2004
Bill Andronico 2,629 2000-2004
David Bennett 2,000 2003
40
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Member-patron loans are periodically sold to a bank, subject to limited
recourse provisions. At August 28, 1999, the principal balances of loans to
members affiliated with directors of the Company that were sold with recourse
were as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggregate Loan
Balance at Maturity
DIRECTOR August 28, 1999 Date
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael A. Provenzano, Jr. $1,233 2000-2005
Darioush Khaledi 1,229 1999
Mark Kidd 174 2003
David Bennett 154 2001
James R. Stump 128 1999-2001
John Berberian 66 1999-2000
Jay McCormack 21 1999-2000
The Company provides loan guarantees to its members. GCC has guaranteed 10% of
the principal amount of certain third-party loans to K.V. Mart Co. ("KV") of
which director Darioush Khaledi is an affiliate. At August 28, 1999, the
principal amount of this guarantee was $563.
Lease Guarantees and Subleases:
The Company provides lease guarantees and subleases to its member-patrons. The
Company has executed lease guarantees or subleases to members affiliated with
directors of the Company at August 28, 1999 as follows:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No. Of Total Current Expiration
DIRECTOR Stores Annual Rent Date(s)
- -----------------------------------------------------------
Darioush Khaledi 3 $1,095 2004-2011
Bill Andronico 1 861 2014
Michael A. Provenzano, Jr. 2 351 2016-2017
Mark Kidd 1 121 2008
James R. Stump 2 110 2002-2003
The Company has committed to guarantee the store lease of a store currently
under development affiliated with a director of Unified as follows:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
Estimated Annual
DIRECTOR Term Rent
- ------------------------------------
Edmund K. Davis 10 years $1,560
Other Leases:
The Company leases its produce warehouse to Joe Notrica, Inc., with which
director Morrie Notrica is affiliated. The lease is for a term of five years
expiring in November 2003. Monthly rent during the term is $24.
Supply Agreements:
During the course of its business, the Company enters into supply agreements
with members of the Company. These agreements require the member to purchase
certain agreed amounts of its merchandise requirements from the Company and
obligate the Company to supply such merchandise under agreed terms and
conditions relating to such matters as pricing and delivery. Members
affiliated with directors Andronico, Bennett, Khaledi, Provenzano, and Song
have entered into supply agreements with the Company. These supply agreements
vary in terms and length, and expire at various dates through 2005, and are
subject to earlier termination in certain events.
41
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Direct Investment:
At August 29, 1998, GCC owned 10% of the common stock of KV, of which Unified
director Darioush Khaledi is affiliated. The cost of the investment was
approximately $3 million. The stock purchase agreement contained a provision
which allowed KV to repurchase the shares upon certain terms and conditions.
In March 1999, KV exercised its repurchase rights under the agreement.
KV purchased the shares for $4.5 million, payable in cash and in an interest-
bearing note, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $1.5 million which is included in
Other income (expense), net, in the accompanying consolidated statements of
earnings and comprehensive earnings. Coincident to the transaction, KV entered
into a supply agreement with Unified for a five-year term. The agreement also
provides that for a three-year period commencing as of the date of the
agreement, in the event of (i) a change of control of KV or (ii) a breach of
the supply agreement by KV, KV shall pay the Company $900 or an amount equal
to the difference between 10% of the appraised value of KV as of the
approximate date of the Agreement (as prepared by an independent third party
appraisal firm) and $4.5 million, whichever is greater.
18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Merger:
On September 27, 1999, the shareholders of the Company and United each
approved a merger agreement pursuant to which shareholders of United exchanged
their shares for the Company's Class A Shares and Class B Shares based on an
exchange ratio of 0.228 shares of the Company's stock for each share of United
Common Stock outstanding. The merger became effective on September 29, 1999.
In the merger, United shareholders received 18,553 Class A Shares and 87,635
Class B Shares. Prior to the merger, United was a wholesale grocery
cooperative headquartered in Portland, Oregon with annual sales of
approximately $1.2 billion. Existing Class A Shares and Class B Shares of the
Company remained outstanding except that, prior to the merger, Class B Shares
held by previously terminated members (71,310 shares) were redeemed by the
Company. This redemption reduced the Class B Shares pending redemption to
11,725. Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company
effective on the date of the merger increased the number of directors of
Unified, modified the redemption provisions as they affect Class A Shares and
Class B Shares and increased the authorized number of Class C Shares.
Pursuant to financing commitments from financial institutions to provide
financing necessary to complete the merger, Unified (i) increased its bank
revolving credit line to $200 million, secured by accounts receivable and
inventories, (ii) secured its existing institutionally placed $80 million of
7.22% senior unsecured notes due 2008 by buildings and equipment and increased
the interest rate to 7.72%, and (iii) placed a new issue of $40 million in
ten-year senior notes with an interest rate of 8.71%, secured by buildings and
equipment.
Additionally, the Company changed its fiscal year end from the Saturday
nearest August 31 to the Saturday nearest September 30.
Early Retirement Plan:
Unified adopted an early retirement plan in connection with the merger which
was offered to eligible non-union employees who were age 50 or over. Employee
acceptance of the proposal was voluntary. The plan was designed to give
employees an incentive to retire early primarily by enhancing pension and
retiree medical benefits otherwise available through existing plans. The goal
of the plan was to achieve headcount reductions associated with the merger
through voluntary employee action. Benefits offered under the plan were
determined based on a formula tied to the combined total of age and years of
service of the participant. As a result of the early retirement plan,
approximately 80 employees elected early retirement. Costs of the plan are
estimated to be approximately $6.3 million.
42
Unified Western Grocers, Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
Store Acquisitions:
In May, 1999, Unified entered into an agreement with Albertson's, Inc. to
purchase certain assets related to 32 stores being sold as a result of a
required divestiture of stores associated with Albertson's Inc's. merger with
American Stores, Inc. The acquisition of the retail stores was completed in
October, 1999. Unified sold or otherwise permitted the direct transfer of a
total of 26 of the stores to Unified members coincident with the closing of
the transaction. Unified will retain and operate the remaining six stores
until it locates suitable buyers for the stores. Unified has provided and will
provide some members with financing support from GCC in connection with this
transaction. Financing support is provided on a member by member basis. In
addition, Unified has provided and will provide credit enhancement with
respect to certain of the leases involved in the transaction in the form of
guarantees or as a sublessor/sublessee.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
43
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Information regarding the directors of Unified is incorporated herein by
reference to Unified's proxy statement in connection with its next annual
meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after the end of the most
recent fiscal year. The following table sets forth certain information about
executive officers of Unified.
Officer's Name Age Business Experience During Last Five Years
-------------- --- ------------------------------------------------------
Alfred A. Plamann 57 President and Chief Executive Officer since February
1994.
Terrence W. Olsen 59 Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
since September 1999; President, Chief Executive
Officer, United Grocers, Inc., January 1999 to
September 1999; Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of United Grocers, Inc., August 1997
to January 1999; prior to August 1997, President of
United A.G. Coop, Inc.
Robert M. Ling, Jr. 42 Executive Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary since November, 1999; Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary, October 1997 to
November 1999; Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary, August 1996 to October 1997; Vice President
and General Counsel, April 1996 to August 1996; Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary, Megafoods
Stores, Inc., July 1994 to April 1996.
Richard J. Martin 54 Executive Vice President, Finance & Administration and
Chief Financial Officer since November 1999; Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, May 1998
to November 1999; previously Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer, Rykoff-Sexton, Inc.
through December 1997 when it merged with J.P.
Foodservice to form US Foodservice and Executive Vice
President Finance and Administration of US Foodservice
through January 1998.
Charles J. Pilliter 51 Executive Vice President--Sales and Marketing since
November 1999; Senior Vice President and President--
Northern California, January 1990 to November 1999.
Harley J. Delano 62 Senior Vice President--Retail Development and
President, SavMax Foods, Inc. since November 1999;
President, SavMax Foods, Inc., April 1999 to November
1999; President, Cala Foods, Inc., division of Ralphs
Grocery Company, prior to March 1999.
George D. Gardner 46 Senior Vice President--Non Foods and Specialty
Products since November 1999; Vice President--Non
Foods and Specialty Products, May 1996 to November
1999; General Manager of Grocers Specialty Co., June
1995 to May 1996; Vice President & General Manager,
Ingro Mexican Foods, Inc., May 1993 to June 1995.
Philip S. Smith 49 Senior Vice President--Procurement since November
1999; Vice President--Procurement, October 1997 to
November 1999; Executive Director--Purchasing, July
1997 to October 1997; General Manager--Northern
California, June 1996 to July 1997; Manager--Product
Sales, September 1994 to June 1996.
Robin L. Thomas 50 Senior Vice President and President, Oregon Division
since November 1999; Vice President-Sales of United
Grocers, Inc., September 1998 to November 1999;
Marketing Director-Northwest Region, Supervalu, Inc.,
June 1996 to September 1998; Vice president of
Marketing-Tacoma Distribution Division, May 1994 to
June 1996.
44
Officer's Name Age Business Experience During Last Five Years
-------------- --- -------------------------------------------------------
Paula M. Anctil 43 Vice President-Corporate Marketing since November 1999;
Senior Vice President/Marketing, United Grocers, Inc.,
August 1997 to November 1999; Director of Sales and
Business Development, United Grocers, Inc., March 1996
to April 1997, Vice President, Brown & Cole, Inc.
November 1994 to Mach 1996.
William O. Cote 42 Vice President and Controller since November 1999;
Director of Accounting prior to November 1999.
Carolyn S. Fox 59 Vice President and President of United Resources, Inc.
and Grocers Capital Corp., respectively, since November
1999; President, United Resources, Inc., July 1998 to
November 1999; prior to July 1998, Vice
President/Finance, Corporate Treasurer and a Director,
Evergreen International Aviation.
Stanley G. Eggink 52 Vice President-Transportation since November 1999;
General Manager-Transportation prior to November 1999.
Keith A. Miller 40 Vice President-Strategic Planning since November 1999;
Vice President of Business Strategy, United Grocers,
Inc., April 1998 to November 1999; Director of Business
Strategy of United Grocers, Inc., June 1997 to April
1998 and Director of Marketing, United Grocers, Inc.,
prior to June 1997.
Joseph A. Ney 51 Vice President--Insurance since November 1998;
President, Grocers and Merchants Insurance Services,
Inc., Springfield Insurance Company, and Springfield
Insurance Company, Ltd.
Jack E. Scott II 49 Vice President and Chief Information Officer since June
1996; Chief Information Officer, World Vision United
States, November 1993 to May 1996.
David A. Woodward 57 Vice President and Treasurer since November 1999;
Treasurer from August 1996 to November 1999; Secretary
and Treasurer prior to August 1996.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated herein by reference to Unified's proxy statement in connection
with its next annual meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after
the end of the most recent fiscal year.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Incorporated herein by reference to Unified's proxy statement in connection
with its next annual meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after
the end of the most recent fiscal year.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
All firms with which directors are affiliated, as members of Unified, purchase
groceries, related products and store equipment from Unified in the ordinary
course of business. As members, firms with which directors are affiliated may
receive various benefits including patronage dividends, allowances and retail
support services. Unified makes a variety of benefits available to members on
a negotiated basis. See Footnote 17 to Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements, which is incorporated herein by this reference, for a description
of related party transactions. Additional information is incorporated herein
by reference to Unified's proxy statement in connection with its next annual
meeting of shareholders to be filed within 120 days after the end of the most
recent fiscal year.
45
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) Financial Statements
Independent Auditors' Report.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 29, 1998 and August 28, 1999.
Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Earnings for the Fiscal
Years Ended August 30, 1997, August 29, 1998, and August 28, 1999.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended
August 30, 1997, August 29, 1998, and August 28, 1999.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended August 30,
1997, August 29, 1998, and August 28, 1999.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
None.
(c) Exhibits
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 1999, File No. 0-10815).
3.2 Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the
Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 1999, File No.
0-10815).
4.1 Retail Grocer Application and Agreement for Continuing Service Affiliation
With Certified Grocers of California, LTD. And Pledge Agreement
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1
Registration Statement of the Registrant filed on December 31, 1981, File
No. 2-70069).
4.2 Retail Grocer Application And Agreement For Service Affiliation With And
The Purchase Of Shares Of Certified Grocers Of California, LTD. And Pledge
Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Post Effective
Amendment No. 7 to Form S-2 Registration Statement of the Registrant filed
on December 13, 1989, File No. 33-19284).
4.3 Agreement respecting directors' shares (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.9 to Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 Registration Statement of the
Registrant filed on December 31, 1981, File No. 2-70069).
4.4 Subordination Agreement (Existing Member-Patron) (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.4 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Form S-2 Registration
Statement of the Registrant filed on July 15, 1988, File No. 33-19284).
4.5 Subordination Agreement (Existing Associate Patron) (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Form S-2
Registration Statement of the Registrant filed on July 15, 1988, File No.
33-19284).
4.6 Subordination Agreement (New Member-Patron) (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.6 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Form S-2 Registration
Statement of the Registrant filed on July 15, 1988, File No. 33-19284).
4.7 Subordination Agreement (New Associate Patron) (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.7 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Form S-2 Registration
Statement of the Registrant filed on July 15, 1988, File No. 33-19284).
4.8 Form of Class A Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5
to Post Effective Amendment No. 6 to Form S-2 Registration Statement of the
Registrant filed on December 15, 1994, File No. 33-38152).
46
4.9 Form of Class B Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6
to Post Effective Amendment No. 6 to Form S-2 Registration Statement of the
Registrant filed on December 15, 1994, File No. 33-38152).
4.10.1 Articles FIFTH and SIXTH of the Registrant's Articles of Incorporation (See
Exhibit 3.1).
4.10.2 Article I, Section 5, and Article VII of the Registrant's Bylaws (See
Exhibit 3.2).
4.11 Indenture between the Registrant and First Interstate Bank of California,
as Trustee, relating to $3,000,000 Subordinated Patronage Dividend
Certificates Due December 15, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.3 to Amendment No. 1 to Form S-2 Registration Statement of the Registrant
filed on September 27, 1993, File No. 33-68288).
4.12 Indenture between the Registrant and First Interstate Bank of California,
as Trustee, relating to $5,000,000 Subordinated Patronage Dividend
Certificates due December 15, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.3 to Form S-2 Registration Statement of the Registrant filed on October
12, 1994, File No. 33-56005).
4.13 Indenture between the Registrant and First Interstate Bank of California,
as Trustee, relating to $3,000,000 Subordinated Patronage Dividend
Certificates due December 15, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.3 to Form S-2 Registration Statement of the Registrant filed on October
13, 1995, File No. 33-63383).
4.16 Loan Purchase and Service Agreement Dated as of August 29, 1996 between
Grocers Capital Company and National Consumer Cooperative Bank
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.18 to the Registrant's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996 filed on
November 5, 1996, File No. 0-10815).
4.17 $10,000,000 Credit Agreement and Security Agreement each dated as of
September 20, 1996 between Grocers Capital Company and National Cooperative
Bank as agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.19 to the
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August
31, 1996 filed on November 5, 1996, File No. 0-10815).
4.18 Amended and Restated Loan Purchase Agreement (Existing Program) dated January 30, 1998
among United Resources, Inc., United Grocers, Inc. and National Consumer
Cooperative Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.D1 to United
Grocers, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October
2, 1998 filed on January 30, 1999, File No. 002-60487, as amended).
4.19 Amended and Restated Loan Purchase Agreement (Holdback Program) dated
January 30, 1998 among United Resources, Inc., United Grocers, Inc. and
National Consumer Cooperative Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.D2 to United Grocers, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended October 2, 1998 filed on January 30, 1999, File No. 002-60487, as
amended).
4.20 Guarantee dated September 29, 1999 by the Registrant of debt securities of
United Grocers, Inc. issued pursuant to that certain Indenture dated as of
February 1, 1978, and as subsequently amended and supplemented, by and
between United Grocers, Inc., and State Street Bank and Trust Company
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Current Report
on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 1999, File No. 000-10815).
4.21 Note purchase Agreement dated as of September 29, 1999 by and among
Registrant and the persons listed on Schedule I thereto (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current report on Form 8-K
filed on October 13, 1999, File No. 000-10815).
4.22 Secured Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of September 29, 1999, by and
among Registrant, the Lenders named therein and Rabobank Nederland, New
York Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's
Current report on Form 8-K filed on October 13, 1999, File No. 000-10815).
10.1 Comprehensive Amendment to Retirement Plan for Employees of Certified
Grocers of California, Ltd. dated as of July 27, 1995 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended August 30, 1997 filed on November 28, 1997, File
No. 0-10815).
10.2 Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan dated as of May 1, 1999.
47
10.3 Comprehensive Amendment to Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. Employees'
Sheltered Savings Plan dated as of July 27, 1995 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended August 30, 1997 filed on November 28, 1997, File No. 0-
10815).
10.4 Certified Grocers of California, Ltd., Executive Salary Protection Plan II
("ESPP II"), Master Plan Document, effective January 4, 1995 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended September 2, 1995 filed on December 1, 1995, File
No. 0-10815).
10.5 Master Trust Agreement For Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. Executive
Salary Protection Plan II, dated as of April 28, 1995 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended September 2, 1995 filed on December 1, 1995, File
No. 0-10815).
10.6 Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. Executive Insurance Plan Split dollar
Agreement and Schedule of Executive Officers party thereto (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended September 2, 1995 filed on December 1, 1995, File
No. 0-10815).
10.7 Comprehensive Amendment to Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. Employees'
Excess Benefit Plan dated as of December 5, 1995 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended August 30, 1997 filed on November 28, 1997, File No. 0-
10815).
10.8 Comprehensive Amendment to Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. Employees'
Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan dated as of December 5, 1995
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 1997 filed on
November 28, 1997, File No. 0-10815).
10.9 Comprehensive Amendment to Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. Employee
Savings Plan dated as of August 18, 1995 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended August 30, 1997 filed on November 28, 1997, File No. 0-10815).
10.10 Certified Grocers of California Early Retirement Program (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Form S-4 Registration Statement filed on
August 26, 1999, File No. 333-05917).
10.11 Lease, dated as of December 23, 1986, between Cercor Associates and Grocers
Specialty Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Form S-2
Registration Statement of the Registrant filed on September 2, 1993. File
No. 33-68288).
10.12 Expansion Agreement, dated as of May 1, 1991, and Industrial Lease, dated
as of May 1, 1991, between Dermody Properties and the Registrant
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Form S-2 Registration
Statement of the Registrant filed on September 2, 1993. File No. 33-68288).
10.12.1 Lease Amendment, dated June 20, 1991, between Dermody Properties and the
Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9.1 to Form S-2
Registration Statement of the Registrant filed on September 2, 1993. File
No. 33-68288).
10.12.2 Lease Amendment, dated October 18, 1991, between Dermody Properties and the
Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9.2 to Form S-2
Registration Statement of the Registrant filed on September 2, 1993. File
No. 33-68288).
10.17 Commercial Lease-Net dated December 6, 1994 between TriNet Essential
Facilities XII and the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.17 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended September 2, 1995 filed on December 1, 1995,
File No. 0- 10815).
10.18 Purchase Agreement dated November 21, 1994 between the Registrant and
TriNet Corporate Realty Trust, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.18 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended September 2, 1995 filed on December 1, 1995,
File No. 0-10815).
48
10.19 Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and Alfred A. Plamann
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Form S-4 Registration
Statement of the Registrant filed on August 26, 1999, File No. 333-85917).
10.19.1 Amendment to Employment Agreement dated as of August, 1999, between the
Registrant and Alfred A. Plamann (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.27 to Form S-4 Registration Statement of the Registrant filed on August
26, 1999, File No. 333-85917).
10.20 Severance Agreement between the Company and Charles J. Pilliter
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Registrant's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 1997 filed on
November 28, 1997, File No. 0-10815).
10.21 Severance Agreement between the Company and Robert M. Ling, Jr.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Registrant's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 29, 1998 filed on
November 16, 1998, File No. 0-10815).
10.22 Severance Agreement between the Company and Richard J. Martin (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the fiscal year ended August 29, 1998 filed on November 16, 1998,
File No. 0-10815).
10.23 Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each Director and
Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Registrant's Proxy
Statement dated February 24, 1997 filed on February 24, 1997, File No. 0-
10815).
10.24 Annual Incentive Plan for Chief Executive Officer (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended August 30, 1997 filed on November 28, 1997, File
No. 0-10815).
10.25 Annual Incentive Plan for Senior Management (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended August 30, 1997 filed on November 28, 1997, File NO. 0-10815).
10.26 Agreement to Sell and Purchase Real Property and Escrow Instructions, dated
September 12, 1997 between the Registrant and Smart & Final Stores
Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 1997 filed
on November 28, 1997, File No. 0-10815).
10.27 Sublease Agreement dated August 28, 1991 for the Tigard Store between
United Grocers, Inc. and a corporation in which Gaylon G. Baese, a director
of the Registrant, has an interest (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.G of United Grocers, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10- K405 for the fiscal
year ended October 2, 1998 filed on January 20, 1999, File No. 002-60487).
10.28 Sublease Agreement dated October 27, 1991 for the Eugene Store between
United Grocers, Inc. and a corporation in which Richard L. Wright, a
director of the Registrant, has an interest (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.H1 of United Grocers, Inc. Annual Report on
Form 10-K405 for the fiscal year ended October 2, 1998 filed on January 20,
1999,
File No. 002-60487).
10.29 Sublease Agreement dated October 27, 1991 for the Cotton Grove Store
between United Grocers, Inc. and a corporation in which Richard L. Wright,
a director of the Registrant, has an interest (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.H2 of United Grocers, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K405 for the
fiscal year ended October 2, 1998 filed on January 20, 1999,
File No. 002-60487).
10.30 Sublease Agreement dated February 1, 1994 for the Albany Store between
United Grocers, Inc. and a corporation in which Richard L. Wright, a
director of the Registrant, has an interest (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.H3 of United Grocers, Inc. Annual Report on
Form 10- K405 for the fiscal year ended October 2, 1998 filed on January
20, 1999,
File No. 002-60487).
10.31 Sublease Agreement dated July 26, 1979 for the Gold Beach Store between
United Grocers, Inc. and Raymond L. Nidiffer, a holder of more than five
percent of the Registrant's shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10-Q3 of United Grocers' Registration Statement on
Form S-2, File No. 33-26631).
49
10.32 Assignment of Lease and related documents for Mt. Shasta Store between
United Grocers, Inc. and C&K Market, Inc., an affiliate of Raymond L.
Nidiffer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-Q4 of United Grocers,
Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-2, File No. 33-26631).
10.33 Loan guaranties dated June 12, 1980 and September 30, 1988, given by United
Grocers, Inc. for the benefit of C&K Market, Inc., an affiliate of Raymond
L. Nidiffer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10-I12 to United Grocer's
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1989).
10.34 Agreement for Purchase and Sale and Escrow Instructions dated September 17,
1997, between United Grocers, Inc. and C&K Market, Inc., an affiliate of
Raymond L. Nidiffer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.I5 to United
Grocers, Inc.'s Form 10-K405 for the fiscal year ended October 2, 1998
filed on January 20, 1999, File No. 002-60487).
10.35 Stock Purchase Agreement dated November 17, 1997, by and among United
Grocers, Inc. and C&K Market, an affiliate of Raymond L. Nidiffer
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.I6 to Form 10-K405 of United
Grocers, Inc. filed on January 20, 1999, File No. 002-60487).
10.36 Employment Agreement dated as of August, 1999, between Registrant and
Terrence W. Olsen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Form S-4
Registration Statement of the Registrant filed August 26, 1999, File No.
333-85917).
10.37 Binder of Insurance Notifications with respect to the indemnification of
officers and directors of United Grocers, Inc. (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.x of United Grocers, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended October 2, 1998, filed on January 20, 1999, File No. 002-
60487).
21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
27 Financial Data Schedule.
(d) Financial Statement Schedules
All required schedule information is presented in the financial statements or
notes thereto. Other schedule information is either not applicable or not
material.
50
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
UNIFIED WESTERN GROCERS, INC.
/s/ Alfred A. Plamann
By _________________________________
Alfred A. Plamann
President and
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Richard J. Martin
By _________________________________
Richard J. Martin
Senior Vice President--Finance &
Administration and Chief
Financial Officer
Date: November 19, 1999
Signature Title Date
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/s/ Louis A. Amen Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Louis A. Amen
Director
__________________________________
Bill Andronico
/s/ Gaylon G. Baese Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Gaylon G. Baese
/s/ David Bennett Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
David Bennett
/s/ John Berberian Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
John Berberian
Director
__________________________________
Edmund K. Davis
/s/ Kenneth W. Findley Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Kenneth W. Findley
/s/ James F. Glassel Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
James F. Glassel
/s/ David Goodwin Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
David Goodwin
51
Signature Title Date
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/s/ Darioush Khaledi Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Darioush Khaledi
/s/ Mark Kidd Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Mark Kidd
/s/ Jay McCormack Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Jay McCormack
/s/ Mary McDonald Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Mary McDonald
/s/ Morrie Notrica Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Morrie Notrica
/s/ Peter J. O'Neal Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Peter J. O'Neal
/s/ Michael A. Provenzano Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Michael A. Provenzano
/s/ Edward J. Quijada Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Edward J. Quijada
/s/ Gordon E. Smith Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Gordon E. Smith
/s/ Mimi R. Song Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Mimi R. Song
__________________________________ Director
Robert E. Stiles
/s/ James R. Stump Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
James R. Stump
/s/ Kenneth Tucker Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Kenneth Tucker
/s/ Floyd West Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Floyd West
/s/ Richard L. Wright Director November 19, 1999
__________________________________
Richard L. Wright
52