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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K


 

[X]  

    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

  

        OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

  

          FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED June 30, 2003

  
 

[ ]

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM_______TO_______.

  


COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-13684

[f10k2003001.gif]

DIMON Incorporated

Incorporated under the laws of

I.R.S. Employer

VIRGINIA

Identification No. 54-1746567

512 Bridge Street, Danville, Virginia 24541

 

Telephone Number (434)792-7511

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

Name of Exchange On Which Registered

Common Stock (no par value)

New York Stock Exchange

Common Stock Purchase Rights

 
  

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:   None

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes [X]    No [  ]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  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 aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant (based upon the closing sale price quoted by The New York Stock Exchange) on August 18, 2003, was approximately $313,801,983.  In determining this figure, the registrant has assumed that all of its directors and officers, and all persons known to it to beneficially own ten percent or more of its Common Stock, are affiliates.  This assumption shall not be deemed conclusive for any other purpose.  As of August 18, 2003, there were 44,745,504 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain information contained in the September 22, 2003 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (to be held November 6, 2003) of the registrant is incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.

 


 
 
 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

  

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

  

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

  

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

 

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

  

ITEM 6.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

  

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

 

ITEM 8.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

 

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

 

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND TRANSACTIONS

 

 

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

 

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

  

ITEM 14.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

  

ITEM 15.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

  

ITEM 16.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

  
  
  
  
  
  





 

Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

     This report on Form 10-K, including the sections entitled “Item 1. Business” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs or expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on our plans, estimates and projections at the time we make the statements, and you should not place undue reliance on them. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terms such as “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,”  &# 147;potential,” or other similar terms.

 

     Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in or suggested by any forward-looking statement. These factors include, among others: general economic and business conditions; weather conditions; crop yields; competition; the regulatory actions of U.S., foreign and local governments; foreign currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations; the loss of significant customers or a substantial reduction in orders from customers; industry trends, including continued customer consolidation and changes in customer buying and inventory practices; availability, terms and deployment of capital; ability to increase prices; production capacity constraints and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting our operations discussed in this report. See also  47;Factors that May Affect Future Results.”

 

     All forward-looking statements in this report on Form 10-K are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation, other than as required by law, to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

=====================================================================================================

AVAILABLE INFORMATION  

Our website address is www.dimon.com. We make available free of charge through our website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

THE COMPANY

DIMON Incorporated is the second largest independent leaf tobacco merchant in the world and ships tobacco to manufacturers of cigarettes and other consumer tobacco products in approximately 90 countries around the world.

 

BUSINESS DESCRIPTION

 

Product

The world's large multinational cigarette manufacturers, with one exception, rely primarily on independent leaf tobacco merchants such as DIMON to supply the majority of their leaf tobacco needs.  Leaf tobacco merchants select, purchase, process, store, pack, ship and, in certain developing markets, provide agronomy expertise and financing for growing leaf tobacco.  Our revenues primarily comprise sales of processed tobacco and fees charged for processing and related services to manufacturers of tobacco products around the world.  We do not manufacture cigarettes or other consumer tobacco products.

 

We deal primarily in flue-cured, burley, and oriental tobaccos that are used in international brand cigarettes. International brand cigarettes have gained market share in several major foreign markets including Asia (particularly the Pacific Rim), Europe and the Middle East in recent years.  International brand cigarettes include Virginia cigarettes that contain only flue-cured tobaccos as well as American blend cigarettes.  American blend cigarettes contain approximately 50% flue-cured, 37% burley and 13% oriental tobacco, contain less tar and nicotine and taste milder than locally produced cigarettes containing dark and semi-oriental tobacco historically consumed in certain parts of the world.  According to the Tobacco Merchants Association, international brand cigarettes represented 58% of worldwide cigarette consumption (excluding China) in 2002, compared to 48% in 1990.  As international brand cigarettes have continued to gain global market share, the demand for export quality flue-cured, burley and oriental tobacco sourced and processed by us and our competitors has grown accordingly.

 

-2-

 


Several of the large multinational cigarette manufacturers have expanded their operations throughout the world, particularly in Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, in order to increase their access to and penetration of these markets.  As cigarette manufacturers expand their global operations, we believe that demand will increase for local sources of leaf tobacco and local tobacco processing and distribution, primarily due to the semi-perishable nature of unprocessed leaf tobacco and the existence of domestic content laws in certain countries.  We believe that the international expansion of the large multinational cigarette manufacturers will cause these manufacturers to place greater reliance on the services of financially strong leaf tobacco merchants with the ability to source and process tobacco on a global basis and to help develop higher quality local sources of tobacco by improving local agronom ic practices.

 
 

Geographic Regions of Operation

 

We have developed an extensive international network through which we purchase, process and sell tobacco.  In addition to our processing facilities in Virginia and North Carolina, we own or have an interest in processing facilities in Brazil and Zimbabwe, the two most significant non-U.S. exporters of flue-cured tobacco, Malawi and Mexico, two of the leading non-U.S. exporters of burley tobacco, and Bulgaria, Greece, Indonesia, Kyrgystan, Macedonia and Turkey, the leading exporters of oriental tobacco.  We also have processing facilities in Germany, Italy, Tanzania and Thailand. We have historically contracted with third parties for the processing of tobacco in certain countries including Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, Congo, Guatemala, India, Spain and certain countries of the former Soviet Union.  In addition, we have entered into contracts, joint ventures and other arrangements for the purchase of tobacco grown in substantia lly all countries that produce export-quality flue-cured and burley tobacco, including Argentina, Canada, China and India.

 

We purchase tobacco in more than 40 countries.  Although a significant portion of the dollar value of tobacco we purchase is produced in the U.S., the relative importance of tobacco grown overseas to our profitability has increased steadily.  During fiscal 2003, approximately 20% of the dollar value of tobacco we purchased was purchased in the U.S.  The recent decreases in U.S. tobacco purchases, due to the shift to direct contract buying, are discussed in "Purchasing" below.  Approximately 18%, 13%, 5% and 5% of the dollar value of tobacco we purchased during fiscal 2003 was purchased in Brazil, Zimbabwe, Turkey and Malawi, respectively.  The remaining 39% was purchased in more than 35 different countries with no single country accounting for more than 4%.

 

Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas S.A. ("CdF"), we are also a leading international dealer in dark tobaccos typically used for cigars and smokeless tobacco products.  CdF maintains its administrative and sales headquarters in Barcelona, Spain, and has operations in the major dark tobacco producing countries, including Cameroon, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Northern Brazil, Paraguay and the Philippines.

 
 

Purchasing

Tobacco is purchased at auction or directly from growers. In the United States, flue-cured and burley tobacco crops were traditionally sold at public auction, but these markets have undergone a fundamental change in recent years. Beginning with the 2000 U.S. burley crop and continuing to the 2001 U.S. flue-cured crop, there was a significant shift from auction markets to purchasing directly from growers ("direct contract buying").  The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported that approximately three-fourths of both the 2002 U.S. flue-cured and U.S. burley tobacco crops were sold through direct contract buying.  Concurrent with the shift from an auction system to direct contract buying a number of our significant U.S. customers began purchasing green tobacco directly from the growers. Although the tobacco purchased directly from growers by our customers has continued to be processed in our U.S. facilities, we no longer ta ke ownership of that tobacco and no longer record sales revenues associated with its resale.  The shift to direct contract buying negatively impacted our sales in fiscal 2001, 2002 and 2003. We have continued to earn and record service revenues for the processing of all such tobaccos for our customers. Our gross profit has not been materially affected by the shift to direct contract buying by our customers, although sales revenues have been reduced and profit margin has increased. Although we believe that we have taken proper actions to operate effectively in the U.S. direct contract buying environment, there are continuing challenges in managing our operating cost base in the United States in light of the continued requirement to field buying personnel in the residual auction markets.   Under the direct contract buying system, purchasers generally buy a farmer’s entire tobacco crop which has changed the risk characteristics of the U.S. flue-cured and burley tobacco markets by increasing the possibility of accumulation of inventories of grades of tobacco that our customers do not desire. See also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors that May Affect Future Results.”

 

-3-

 


Other principal auction markets include Canada, Malawi and Zimbabwe.  We usually purchase tobacco at those auction markets after receiving specific customer orders or indications of customers' upcoming needs.  Our network of tobacco buyers allows us to cover the major auctions of flue-cured and burley tobacco throughout the world.  These buyers are experts in differentiating hundreds of grades of tobacco based on customer specifications and preferences that take into account, among other factors, the texture, visual appearance and aroma of the tobacco.

 

In non-auction markets such as Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Greece, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Kyrgystan, Spain, Tanzania, Thailand and Turkey, we purchase tobacco directly from growers or from local entities that have arranged for purchase from growers.  We often make these direct purchases based upon our projection of the needs of our long-standing customers rather than against specific purchase orders.  Our arrangements with growers vary from locale to locale depending on our predictions of future supply and demand, local historical practice and availability of capital.  For example, in Brazil, we generally contract to purchase a grower's entire tobacco crop at the market price per grade at the time of harvest based on the quality of the tobacco delivered.  Pursuant to these purchase contracts, we provide growers with fertilizer and other materials necessary to grow tobacco and may either directly loan or guarantee Brazilian rural credit loans to growers to finance the crop.  Under longer-term arrangements with growers, we may also finance or guarantee financing on growers' construction of curing barns.

 

In addition, our agronomists maintain frequent contact with growers prior to and during the growing and curing seasons to provide technical assistance to improve the quality and yield of the crop.  In other non-auction markets, such as Argentina and India, we buy tobacco from local entities that have purchased tobacco from growers and supervise the processing of that tobacco by those local entities.  We believe that our long-standing relationships with our customers are vital to our purchasing operations outside of the auction markets.

 
 

Processing

We process tobacco to meet each customer's specifications as to quality, yield, chemistry, particle size, moisture content and other characteristics.  We operate tobacco processing facilities in 29 countries. Unprocessed tobacco is a semi-perishable commodity that generally must be processed within a relatively short period of time to prevent fermentation or deterioration in quality.  Accordingly, we have located our processing facilities in proximity to our principal sources of tobacco.

 

Upon arrival at our processing plants, flue-cured and burley tobacco is first reclassified according to grade.  Most of that tobacco is then blended to meet customer specifications regarding color, body and chemistry, threshed to remove the stem from the leaf and further processed to produce strips of tobacco and sieve out small scrap.  We also sell a small amount of processed but unthreshed flue-cured and burley tobacco in loose-leaf and bundle form to certain customers.

 

Processed flue-cured and burley tobacco is redried to remove excess moisture so that it can be held in storage by customers or us for long periods of time.  After redrying, whole leaves, bundles, strips or stems are separately packed in cases, bales, cartons or hogsheads for storage and shipment.  Packed flue-cured and burley tobacco generally is transported in the country of origin by truck or rail, and exports are moved by ship.  Prior to and during processing, steps are taken to ensure consistent quality of the tobacco, including the regrading and removal of undesirable leaves, dirt and other non-tobacco related material.  Customer representatives are frequently present at our facilities to monitor the processing of their particular orders.  Increased consumption of discount and value-priced cigarettes and competition among leaf merchants have led to improvements in processing designed to minimize waste and thereby i ncrease yield.  Throughout the processing, our technicians use laboratory test equipment for quality control to ensure that the product meets all customer specifications.

 

From time to time, we process and store tobacco acquired by various stabilization cooperatives under the domestic price support program.  We can derive significant revenues from the fees charged for such services, particularly in years when a substantial portion of the domestic tobacco crop is acquired by such cooperatives under the program.  While these revenues are not material to our net sales, they result in additional recovery of fixed costs that may be significant to gross profit.  With the shift to direct contract buying, these revenues and related gross profits may decrease.

 
 
 
 
 
 

-4-

 



Customers and Selling Arrangements

 

Customers

We ship tobacco to manufacturers of cigarettes and other consumer tobacco products located in approximately 90 countries around the world.  We ship tobacco to international locations designated by these manufacturers.  A majority of the shipments of tobacco are to factories of these manufacturers that are located outside the U.S.  In certain countries, we also use sales agents to supplement our selling efforts.

 

The consumer tobacco business in most markets is dominated by a relatively small number of large multinational cigarette manufacturers and by government controlled entities.  Of our 2003, 2002, and 2001 sales and other operating revenues, approximately 38%, 35%, and 36%, respectively, were to various tobacco customers which we have been led to believe are owned by or under common control of Japan Tobacco Inc. or Altria Group, Inc., each of which contributed in excess of 10% of total sales.  No other customer accounts for more than 10% of our sales.  We generally have maintained relationships with our customers for over sixty years.  In fiscal 2003, we delivered approximately 19% of our tobacco sales to customers in the U.S., approximately 41% to customers in Europe and the remainder to customers located in Asia, Africa and elsewhere.

 

Selling Arrangements

We typically make most of our leaf tobacco purchases pursuant to customer orders or supply contracts or customer indications of anticipated need, with most purchases made based on indications.  Customers are legally bound to purchase tobacco purchased by us pursuant to orders, but no contractual obligation exists with respect to tobacco purchased in response to indications.  However, we have done business with most of our customers for many years and have never experienced a significant failure of customers to purchase tobacco for which they have given indications.

 

We have three agreements with major customers to process and, with respect to one customer, purchase and process, a certain portion of each customer's U.S. tobacco requirements.  Generally, the agreements establish a framework for pricing our services (which generally is negotiated with respect to crop year, grade of tobacco leaf or type of service provided based on market prices), but two of these agreements do not provide for minimum purchases and are terminable upon reasonable notice.  None of the contracts are individually material to our business as a whole, and we have no other significant supply agreements with our customers.

 

Our normal customer sales terms are either cash against documents, payment against invoice or customer letter of credit.  Most of our sales throughout the world are denominated in U.S. dollars.  While we can receive payment for tobacco sold after we have processed and shipped it, most of the larger customers advance payments to us throughout the buying season as we purchase tobacco for the customers' accounts.

 
 

Competition

The leaf tobacco industry is highly competitive.  Competition among leaf tobacco merchants is based primarily on the price charged for products and services as well as the merchant's ability to meet customer specifications in the buying, processing and financing of tobacco.  In addition, there is competition in all countries to buy the available leaf tobacco and in many areas, total leaf tobacco processing capacity exceeds demand.

 

Currently, there are three major global competitors in the leaf tobacco industry, including DIMON, and all are dependent upon a few large cigarette manufacturing customers.  Our principal competitors are Universal Corporation and Standard Commercial Corporation.  Of the independent leaf tobacco merchants, we believe that, based on revenues, we rank second in established worldwide market share.  We further believe that among independent leaf tobacco merchants, we have the largest or second largest market share in Argentina, Brazil, China, Greece, Guatemala, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, the U.S. and Zimbabwe as well as other countries.  Universal's market share in the U.S., Brazil and Africa is considerably greater than ours.  The number of manufacturers has declined in recent years due to consolidation.  The loss of, or a substantial reduction in the services provided to, any one or more significant customers co uld have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 
 

Seasonality

The purchasing and processing activities of our tobacco business are seasonal.  Flue-cured tobacco grown in the U.S. is purchased generally during the five-month period beginning in July and ending in November.  U.S.-grown burley tobacco is purchased usually from late November through January or February.  Tobacco grown in Brazil is purchased usually from January through July.  Other markets around the world have similar purchasing periods, although at different times of the year.

 

-5-


Mature tobacco, prior to being processed and packed, is a semi-perishable commodity.  The production cycle for redrying and packing is relatively short.  For example, flue-cured tobacco in the U.S. is generally processed, packed and invoiced within the same five-month period (July through November) that it is purchased.  During this period, inventories of unprocessed tobacco, inventories of redried tobacco and trade accounts receivable normally reach peak levels in succession.  Current liabilities, particularly advances from customers and short-term notes payable to banks, normally reach their peak in this period as a means of financing the seasonal expansion of current assets.  Increasing amounts of U.S.-grown burley and foreign tobacco are now being processed in periods other than July through November, reducing the seasonal fluctuations in working capital.  At June 30, the end of our fiscal year, the seas onal components of our working capital reflect primarily the operations related to foreign grown tobacco.

 
 

Research and Development

We routinely cooperate with both our customers and the manufacturers of the equipment used in our processing facilities to improve processing technologies.  However, no material amounts are expended for research and development, and we hold no material patents, licenses, franchises, or concessions.

 
 

Employees

Our consolidated entities employed about 3,700 persons, excluding seasonal employees, in our worldwide operations at June 30, 2003.  In the U.S. operations, our consolidated entities employed about 400 employees at June 30, 2003.  During processing periods the seasonal employees in the U.S. would number approximately 900.  Most U.S. seasonal employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with two local labor unions.  None of our full-time employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.  In the non-U.S. operations, our consolidated entities employed about 3,300 persons, excluding 15,000 seasonal employees at June 30, 2003.  We consider our employee relations to be satisfactory.

 
 

Change in Fiscal Year

On June 23, 2003, our Board of Directors adopted a new fiscal year end.  Our new fiscal year will end on March 31, beginning with the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004.  The primary purpose of the change is to better match the financial reporting cycle with natural global crop cycles for leaf tobacco.  Our predecessor companies selected the existing June 30 fiscal year end many years ago when operations were substantially domestic because it matched the U.S. crop cycle. However, given the importance of our international operations today, particularly those in South America for which financial results now straddle fiscal years, a March 31 year-end is a more appropriate fiscal end.  We will file our regularly scheduled quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during the shortened fiscal year 2004.  The separate audited financial statements required for the transition period will be included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2004.

 
 

Government Regulation and Environmental Compliance

See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Factors that May Affect Future Results" for a discussion of government regulation and environmental compliance.

 
 

Financial Information about Industry Segments, Foreign  and Domestic Operations, and Export Sales

We operate in one segment, the tobacco business.  We purchase, process, sell and store leaf tobacco. Financial information concerning our reporting is included in Note L to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."  Information with respect to our working capital appears in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-6-

 


 
 
 
 

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

 

Following is a description of our material properties:

 

Corporate

Our corporate headquarters are located in Danville, Virginia.

 

Facilities

We operate each of our tobacco processing plants for seven to nine months during the year to correspond with the applicable harvesting season.  While we believe our processing facilities are being efficiently utilized, we also believe our domestic processing facilities and certain foreign processing facilities have the capacity to process additional volumes of tobacco if required by customer demand.

 

The following is a listing of the various material properties used in operations all of which are owned by us:

 

                              LOCATION

              USE

AREA IN     
SQUARE FEET

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

UNITED STATES

   

DANVILLE, VA.

FACTORY/STORAGE

1,867,000

 

FARMVILLE, N.C.

FACTORY/STORAGE

895,000

 

LAKE CITY, S.C.

STORAGE

252,000

 

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.

FACTORY/STORAGE

239,000

 
    

SOUTH AMERICA

   

VERA CRUZ, BRAZIL

STORAGE

311,000

 

SANTA CRUZ, BRAZIL

FACTORY/STORAGE

896,000

 

VENANCIO AIRES, BRAZIL

FACTORY/STORAGE

988,000

 
    

AFRICA

   

LILONGWE, MALAWI

FACTORY/STORAGE

796,000

 

HARARE, ZIMBABWE

FACTORY/STORAGE

1,080,000

 

MOROGORO, TANZANIA

FACTORY/STORAGE

741,000

 

LUBUMBASHI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

STORAGE

288,000

 
    
    

EUROPE

   

KARLSRUHE, GERMANY

FACTORY/STORAGE

236,000

 

THESSALONIKI, GREECE

FACTORY/STORAGE

378,000

 

SPARANISE, ITALY

FACTORY/STORAGE

466,000

 

IZMIR, TURKEY

FACTORY(2)/STORAGE

898,000

 
    

ASIA

   

LAMPHUN, THAILAND

FACTORY/STORAGE

186,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-7-

 


 
 
 
 

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

DeLoach, et al. v. Philip Morris Companies Inc., et al., is a lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina (Case No. 00-CV-1235).  On April 3, 2002, the Court issued an opinion and order certifying a class of plaintiffs.  As certified, the class consists of persons who, at any time from March 1, 1996 through February 28, 2001, held a quota to grow or produced and sold U.S. flue-cured and burley tobacco.  The plaintiffs allege that the defendants, which include cigarette manufacturers and leaf tobacco dealers, including DIMON, violated the antitrust laws by conspiring to rig bids at auction and undermine the federal government quota and price support program.  The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, treble damages in an unspecified amount, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys' fees and costs of litigation.  DIMON and the other defendants have asserted a number of defenses to the allegations made.

 

On May 15, 2003, we entered into a conditional settlement agreement to resolve our involvement in the DeLoach class action litigation.  The Settlement Agreement was signed by the plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and the class of plaintiffs they represent, DIMON, and all but one of the other defendants in the case.  Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, we will pay $6 million of the approximately $210 million of cash settlement payments to be paid by the settling defendants, and will not be obligated to pay any portion of the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees or other costs or expenses awarded by the Court, which will be paid by certain other settling defendants.  Because we expect that the court will ultimately approve the settlement agreement, we have recorded our share of the settlement as of June 30, 2003.  In addition, certain other settling defendants who are cigarette manufacturers have agreed to p urchase certain minimum amounts of U.S. grown tobacco over the next ten years.  In exchange, the plaintiffs and the members of the class will release the settling defendants, including DIMON and its affiliates, from any and all claims, damages, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, under state or federal law, that any plaintiff or member of the class has or had, that was or could have been alleged as a class action in the DeLoach litigation.

 

The Settlement Agreement expressly recognizes our continued denial of wrongdoing and liability, and does not constitute an admission of any of the claims or allegations made by the plaintiffs in the case, or any admission or evidence of a violation of any law or other wrongdoing by any of the settling defendants.  

 

The Settlement Agreement has received preliminary approval from the Court, and consummation of the settlement is subject to final approval of the Court following a required notice to the members of the class of plaintiffs.  It is expected that any such final approval will occur in mid to late September.  Certain members of the potential class of plaintiffs may opt out of the settlement in accordance with the rules governing class action litigation.  The DeLoach litigation will continue against the non-settling defendant.

 

In October 2001, the Directorate General for Competition (DGCOMP) of the European Commission (EC) began conducting an administrative investigation into certain tobacco buying and selling practices alleged to have occurred within the leaf tobacco industry in Spain and Italy. We believe that the DGCOMP may be conducting similar investigations in other countries.  Our subsidiaries in Spain (Agroexpansion) and Italy (DIMON Italia) are cooperating with the DGCOMP.  Based on our understanding of the facts pertaining to the activities of Spanish and Italian tobacco processors, including Agroexpansion and DIMON Italia, respectively, we believe there have been infringements of EU law.  Agroexpansion and DIMON Italia believe that there are mitigating circumstances in the structure and traditional operation of tobacco production and processing in these markets.  The EC is not expected to issue a ruling (Statement of Objection) concerni ng either of these investigations until later in 2003.  We expect that administrative penalties will be assessed, and those penalties could be material to our earnings.  However, we are not able to make an assessment of the amount of any such penalties at this time.  We understand that the cooperation of our subsidiaries with the DGCOMP during its investigations could result in a reduction of the amount of penalties imposed.

 

In September 2002, the Argentina National Commission for Defense of Competition ("NCDC") began an administrative inquiry into the tobacco and cigarette industry in Argentina.  Our subsidiary in Argentina, DIMON Argentina S.A., is cooperating with the NCDC.  We cannot predict whether the inquiry will result in any further action by the NCDC.

 
 
 
 

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ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

None.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF DIMON INCORPORATED

 

The following information is furnished with respect to the Company’s executive officers who were serving in the capacities indicated as of June 30, 2003. Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and are elected at each annual organizational meeting of the Board.

 

NAME

AGE

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE – PAST FIVE YEARS

 

Brian J. Harker

53

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DIMON since March 2003; prior thereto Chief Executive Officer since May 1999; prior thereto President since March 1999; prior thereto Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since October 1996.

   

Steve B. Daniels

45

President and Chief Operating Officer of DIMON since March 2003; prior thereto Senior Vice President-Operations Director since October 2001; prior thereto Senior Vice President-Regional Director Latin America/Africa since March 1999; prior thereto Senior Vice President-Regional Executive Latin America since March 1998.

   

James A. Cooley

52

Senior Vice President-Chief Financial Officer of DIMON since February 1999; prior thereto Senior Vice President-Treasurer since September 1997.

   

H. Peyton Green, III

54

Senior Vice President-Sales Director of DIMON since October 2001; prior thereto Senior Vice President-Sales and Marketing since November 1998.

   

Don C. Hare

48

Vice President-Human Resources of DIMON since January 2001; prior thereto Senior Human Resources Generalist with a range of companies with responsibility for compensation and benefit design, as well as, organization design and change.

   

Thomas C. Parrish

55

Senior Vice President-Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of DIMON since October 2001; prior thereto Senior Vice President-Corporate Affairs and Secretary since November 1999; prior thereto Senior Vice President-Corporate Affairs since 1997.

   

The information contained in the Proxy Statement under the caption "Election of Directors" is incorporated herein by reference.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-9-

 


 
 
 
 
 
 

PART II

 
 
 

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
                   STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

DIMON Incorporated's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol "DMN."  The Common Stock began trading on the NYSE on April 3, 1995.

 

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low reported sales prices of the Common Stock as reported by the NYSE and the amount of dividends declared per share for the periods indicated.

 
 

DIMON                           
 Common Stock                     

 
 

High 

 

Low 

 

Dividends
Declared 

 
 

____________________________________________

 

Fiscal Year 2003

 

Fourth Quarter……......................................……..

$ 7.44

 

$5.69

 

$.075  

 

Third Quarter……........................................…….

7.50

 

5.60

 

.075  

 

Second Quarter……......................................…….

6.60

 

5.35

 

.075  

 

First Quarter…….........................................…….

7.00

 

5.45

 

.05  

 
       

Fiscal Year 2002

 

Fourth Quarter……......................................……..

$ 7.94

 

$6.35

 

$.05  

 

Third Quarter……........................................…….

8.29

 

6.35

 

.05  

 

Second Quarter……......................................…….

7.50

 

5.35

 

.05  

 

First Quarter…….........................................…….

10.18

 

5.49

 

.05  

 
 

As of June 30, 2003, there were approximately 5,946 shareholders, including approximately 5,036 beneficial holders of DIMON Incorporated's Common Stock.  DIMON pays dividends quarterly.

 

We are subject to certain restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.  See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors that May Affect Future Results."

 

On May 27, 2003, we completed a private issuance of $125 million principal amount of  7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2013 pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 to the initial purchaser, Wachovia Securities, Inc.  The financial covenants of the Senior Notes are substantially similar to those for the existing $200 million principal amount of 9 5/8 % Senior Notes due 2011. The net proceeds from the sale of the 7 3/4% Senior Notes were approximately $121.6 million, after deducting the initial purchaser’s discounts and offering expenses of approximately $3.4 million.  The proceeds from the 7 3/4% Senior Note issuance were used to repay our 8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2006.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-10-

 


ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL STATISTICS
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 
 

Years Ended June 30

(in thousands, except per share amounts

__________________________________________________________________________

and number of stockholders)

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

==================================================================================================================

Summary of Operations

     

   Sales and other operating revenues……

$1,271,683     

$1,259,720     

$1,400,955   

$1,473,630   

$1,815,223  

   Restructuring (recovery), asset

     

      impairment and merger costs.....…….

-     

-     

(1,384)  

(211) 

25,932  

   Income (loss) from continuing

     

      operations before cumulative

     

      effect of accounting changes

     

      and extraordinary item……………...

26,280     

27,476     

24,997   

17,988  

(28,378) 

   Cumulative effect of accounting

     

      changes, net of income taxes…..…….

-     

-     

(103)  

-   

-   

   Income from discontinued

     

      operations, net of  income taxes……..

-     

-     

-   

-   

22,912  

   Extraordinary item -

     

      Iraqi receivable recovery,

     

      net of income taxes………………….

1,777     

-     

-   

-   

-    

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Net Income (Loss)

28,057     

27,476     

24,894   

17,988  

(5,466) 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Per Share Statistics

     

   Basic Earnings Per Share:

     

   Income (loss) from continuing

     

      operations before cumulative

     

      effect of accounting changes

     

      and extraordinary item……………...

$          .59     

$          .62     

$          .56   

$       .40  

$         (.63) 

      Net income (loss) ............…………...

.63     

.62     

.56   

.40  

(.12) 

      

   Diluted Earnings Per Share:

     

   Income (loss) from continuing

     

      operations before cumulative

     

      effect of accounting changes

     

      and extraordinary item……………...

.58*   

.61*   

.56* 

.40*

(.63)*

      Net income (loss)…..............………..

.62*   

.61*   

.56* 

.40*

(.12)*

      

   Dividends paid…....................………...

.275     

.20     

.20   

.20  

.40   

   Book value….........................…………

10.16     

9.74     

9.23   

9.06  

8.91   

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

      

Balance Sheet Data

     

   Working capital (1).................………...

$   436,544     

$   429,059     

$   172,863   

$  433,735  

$  443,602   

   Total assets…........................………….

1,353,152     

1,277,090     

1,182,089   

1,266,749  

1,479,194   

   Revolving Credit Notes and

     

      Other Long-Term Debt (1).....……….

351,569     

328,883     

128,641   

400,856  

458,180   

   Convertible Subordinated

     

      Debentures…………………………..

73,328     

73,328     

73,328   

73,328  

73,328   

   Stockholders' equity….............……….

454,573     

434,663     

411,539   

403,504  

396,539   

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Other Statistics

     

   Common shares outstanding

     

      at year end…......................………….

44,737     

44,640     

44,575   

44,525  

44,525   

   Number of stockholders

     

      at year end (2)…..................………...

5,946     

6,025     

4,611   

4,899  

5,729   

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

*      For 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 assumed conversion of Convertible Debentures at the beginning of the period has
        an antidilutive effect on earnings per share.

 

(1)   Working capital increased in fiscal 2002 due to the issuance of long-term debt which was used to refinance both the
         current portion of long-term debt and other short-term debt.  See Note F to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial
         Statements."

 

(2)   Includes the number of stockholders of record and non-objecting beneficial owners.

 

-11-

 


ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 
 

Our discussion and analysis of DIMON’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial information and related footnotes for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001.

 
 

General

========================================================================================================

DIMON was formed through the April 1, 1995 merger of Dibrell Brothers, Incorporated (established in 1873) and Monk-Austin, Inc. (established in 1907).  We believe that we are the world's second largest independent purchaser and processor of leaf tobacco.

 
 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

========================================================================================================

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

          Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We believe that our critical accounting policies are those described below.

 

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventories are reviewed and written down for changes in market value based on assumptions related to future demand and worldwide and local market conditions. If actual demand and market conditions vary from those projected by management, additional write downs to lower of cost or market value may be required.  Inventory write downs in 2003 and 2002 were $3.5 million and $4.7 million, respectively.

 

Income Taxes

Through our subsidiaries, we are subject to the tax laws in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate.  Therefore, we must estimate tax expense as well as assess the impact of amounts arising from differing treatment of items for book and tax purposes. We are also subject to a tax audit in each of these jurisdictions, which could result in changes to estimated taxes.  In addition, we make assumptions regarding the future utilization of foreign tax credits, alternative minimum tax credits and tax loss carryforwards. These assumptions could be affected by changes in future taxable income and its sources and changes in U.S. or foreign tax laws. Our effective tax rate could be impacted by changes in these assumptions.   See Note J to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for further disclosure on income taxes.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Annually, or more frequently if necessary, we review the carrying value of goodwill in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” utilizing a discounted cash flow model.  The preparation of discounted future cash flow analyses requires significant judgment by management with respect to earnings growth rates and the appropriate discount rate.  Neither a one-percentage-point increase in the discount rate assumption or a one-percentage-point decline in the earnings growth rate would result in an impairment charge.  Unforeseen events and changes in circumstances and market conditions could, however, cause significant changes in estimates of future cash flows, which could result in an impairment charge.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-12-

 


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 

Critical Accounting Policies (Continued)

========================================================================================================

 

Long-Lived Assets

We review the carrying values of our long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying values may not be recoverable.  Unforeseen events and changes in circumstances and market conditions could negatively affect the fair value of our assets and result in an impairment charge.  Fair value is the amount at which the asset could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties and may be estimated using a number of techniques, including quoted market prices or valuations by third parties, present value techniques based on estimates of cash flows, or multiples of earnings or revenue performance measures.  The fair value of the asset could be different using different estimates and assumptions in these valuation techniques.

 

Pensions and Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits

The valuation of our pension and other postretirement health care and life insurance plans requires the use of assumptions and estimates that are used to develop actuarial valuations of expenses, assets and liabilities. These assumptions include discount rates, investment returns, projected salary increases and benefits and mortality rates. The actuarial assumptions used in our pension reporting are reviewed annually and compared with external benchmarks to assure that they accurately account for our future pension and postretirement obligations. A one-percentage-point increase in assumed health care trend rates would increase the cost of postretirement benefits by $.1 million and the obligation by $1.1 million.  A one-percentage-point decrease would decrease postretirement benefit costs by $.09 million and the obligation by $1.0 million.  Changes in other assumptions and future investment returns could potentially have a material imp act on our pension and postretirement expenses and related funding requirements.  See Note K to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for a further discussion of these assumptions and how a change in certain of these assumptions could affect our earnings.

 

Contingencies

A contingency is an existing condition, situation, or set of circumstances involving uncertainty that will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur.  Provisions for contingencies are required to be established when it is probable that the future event will or will not occur and that its impact can be reasonably estimated.  When we either are not able to make an assessment of an amount or have determined that the probability of a loss occurring is not likely, no liability is recorded in the consolidated financial statements for the contingency.  Provisions may be required as circumstances change with respect to ongoing matters or as new issues emerge.

 
 

Accounting Matters

========================================================================================================

 

In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," which provided a comprehensive and consistent standard for the recognition and measurement of derivatives and hedging activities.  In June 1999, the FASB issued SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of SFAS No. 133," which delayed implementation of SFAS No. 133 until years beginning after June 15, 2000.  In June 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities," which amended SFAS No. 133.  Effective July 1, 2000, we adopted SFAS No. 133 as amended.  See Notes D and O to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."

 

Effective July 1, 2000, four of our European subsidiaries changed their fiscal year end from March 31 to June 30.  More efficient financial reporting routines have allowed us to eliminate the traditional fiscal quarter lag associated with the inclusion of these subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements.  For the quarter ended September 30, 2000, income of $284 earned by the affected subsidiaries during the period between April 1, 2000 and June 30, 2000 has been recognized as the cumulative effect of an accounting change.  See Note O to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."

 
 
 
 
 

-13-

 


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 

Accounting Matters (Continued)

========================================================================================================

 

In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations," and No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.  Under the rules, goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are no longer amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests in accordance with the Statements.  We have chosen the first day of the last quarter as the date for our annual review.  Other intangible assets continue to be amortized over their useful lives.

 

We applied the new rules of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets beginning the first quarter of fiscal 2003.  Application of the non-amortization provisions of the Statement resulted in an increase in net income of approximately $6.2 million for the year.  In accordance with SFAS No. 142, we evaluated our goodwill and found no indication of impairment in fiscal 2003.

 

In October 2001, FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." This Statement establishes a single accounting model for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. As required by SFAS No. 144, we adopted this new accounting standard on July 1, 2002.  The adoption of SFAS No. 144 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In April 2002, FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections."  This Statement eliminates an inconsistency between the required accounting for sale-leaseback transactions and the required accounting for certain lease modifications that have economic effects that are similar to sale-leaseback transactions and establishes that gains and losses from extinguishment of debt should be classified as extraordinary items only if they meet the criteria of extraordinary.  There was no material impact on our financial statements as a result of adopting SFAS No. 145.

 

In June 2002, FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities."  This Statement requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred.  SFAS No. 146 also establishes that fair value is the objective for initial measurement of the liability.  We adopted this standard by the required December 2002 deadline.  The financial statements were not impacted by the adoption of this Statement.

 

In November 2002, FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others."  This Interpretation requires a guarantor to include disclosure of certain guarantees that it has issued and if applicable, at inception of the guarantee, to recognize a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing a guarantee.  The recognition and measurement requirements of this Interpretation are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002.  The adoption of this Interpretation did not have a material impact on our financial statements.  

 

In December 2002, FASB issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123." This Statement amends SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation.   In addition, this Statement amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. As required under SFAS No. 148, we adopted these disclosure requirements in fiscal 2003.

 

In January 2003, FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46,  "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities." This Interpretation requires that if a business enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities and results of the activities of the variable interest entity should be included in consolidated financial statements of the business enterprise.  This Interpretation applies immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003.  For variable interest entities created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003, the provisions of this Interpretation were effective beginning in our third quarter of fiscal 2003.  We do not believe that we have any significant variable interest entities requiring consolidation or further disclosure.  Therefore, the adoption of this Interpretation did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

-14-

 


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 

Accounting Matters (Continued)

========================================================================================================

In April 2003, FASB issued SFAS No. 149,  "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."  SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."  This Statement will become effective in fiscal 2004 for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003.  We will adopt the provisions under SFAS No. 149 beginning on July 1, 2003 and do not expect any material impact on our financial statements.

 

In May 2003, FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity."  Under the provisions of SFAS No. 150 certain financial instruments that previously could be accounted for as equity must be presented as liabilities, and in some cases assets, on the balance sheet.  We will adopt this new standard beginning July 1, 2003 and do not expect it to have any material effect on our financial statements.  

 
 

Results of Operations

========================================================================================================

Operating Environment:

 

Global

We believe that the global supply and demand for leaf tobacco is now substantially balanced, and the raw material inventories held by customers are largely in equilibrium with production forecasts.

 

Africa

Political and economic situations in Zimbabwe present uncertainties as the country is in a period of civil unrest accompanied by a deteriorating economy. We have adjusted our operations throughout the region to be attentive to the current situation. The Zimbabwe crop size is estimated to decrease from 167 million kilos in the 2002 crop year to approximately 85 million kilos in the 2003 crop year.  As a result, our customers have shifted portions of their purchases to Brazil, Argentina and certain African countries. Financial results from our Zimbabwe operation remain positive despite the adversity. Our Malawi operation continues to operate positively in a large burley market where the crop size has reached a plateau due to availability and demand for the product. In response to the Zimbabwe situation, Malawi is expanding its flue-cured production through various growing schemes. Both Zimbabwe and Malawi benefit from processing tobaccos fro m our expanding sourcing projects in the nearby African countries of Zambia, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Production at our Tanzania operation continues to grow as customer demand for these tobaccos increases further.

 

South America

We continue to see excellent results in our Brazilian operation as customers shift portions of their Zimbabwe and U.S. requirements to Brazil.  Brazil is among our largest source countries in terms of volume and revenue.  We consider this region to be a viable area for continued growth in tobacco leaf production.  Though an extended rainy season negatively affected the crop yield this past year, larger crop sizes are predicted as Brazil responds to Zimbabwe’s continued political and economic difficulties.  Argentina has also benefited from the smaller crop size in Zimbabwe, with new customers entering the market this year. Argentina continues to be in a period of political and economic uncertainty. We purchase processed tobacco for export and do not own any processing assets there.  The customer base for both Guatemala and Mexico is somewhat limited by the high production costs in those countries.  Our operati ons in those countries generally purchase and process only to customer orders.

 

Asia

The Asian region provides our customers with a good quality product at a comparatively lower cost. The importance of the Asian region is increasing as our customers expand their operations into the region.  In Thailand, we purchase and process tobacco through our own operations.  In other areas of Asia, we supervise the purchase and processing of tobacco in conjunction with operations owned by governmental and other third parties.

 
 
 
 

-15-

 


ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 

Results of Operations (Continued)

============================================================================================================

Operating Environment: (Continued)

 

Europe

We believe that Turkey will continue to be the most important among Oriental tobacco markets. Turkey is currently undergoing change as the State Monopoly (TEKEL) is privatized.  As a result of this change, Turkey has become a direct contract purchasing market, and we anticipate smaller crops in future years.  Our other Oriental operations including those in Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova continue to contribute to the region’s profitability.  We currently have various European initiatives underway to consolidate processing into regional facilities to achieve greater economies of scale.

 

North America

The production of leaf tobacco in the U.S. currently operates under a USDA-administered Tobacco Program that restricts supply and induces non-value added costs into the price of farm cured, or “green” tobacco.  Increasingly, the relatively high cost of U.S. grown tobacco makes it uncompetitive in the world market.  The market for U.S. grown leaf tobaccos has largely become limited to domestic customers, as traditional foreign buyers have significantly reduced or eliminated these tobaccos from their product blends.  The U.S. market has substantially converted to direct contract purchasing over the past several years with certain domestic customers now purchasing their requirements directly from farmers.  As a result, our U.S. operations are increasingly focused on providing processing services to our customers.  There are several legislative bills before Congress that could eliminate the Tobacco Progr am with the potential effect of making U.S. grown leaf tobacco more competitive and restoring production growth in the country.  We process approximately thirty percent of the U.S. flue-cured and burley tobacco crops. Our Canadian operations continue to contribute to the region’s profitability.

 

Dark Tobacco

We have dark air-cured tobacco operations that service customers in the cigar industry.  Recently, supply has exceeded demand for cigar filler tobacco.  This situation has resulted in both lower sales volumes and gross profits from this type of tobacco.  We believe that the cigar market has now stabilized in both the U.S. and Europe, and that supply and demand for cigar filler tobacco will become balanced.  Strong demand continues to exist for quality cigar wrappers and binders.

 

Condensed Statement of Consolidated Income

============================================================================================================




(in millions)

Year    Ended  

June 30 

2003   


Increase/  

(Decrease) 

2003     

Year   

Ended  

June 30 

2002   


Increase/ 

(Decrease)

2002   

Year   

Ended  

June 30 

2001  

============================================================================================================

Sales and other operating revenues……………

$1,271.7  

$12.0  

$1,259.7 

$(141.3)

$1,401.0 

Gross profit……………………………………

210.4  

4.9  

205.5 

14.5 

191.0 

Selling, administrative and general expenses…

116.1  

6.7  

109.4 

5.9 

103.5 

Restructuring recovery……………………….

-  

-  

-  

1.4 

(1.4)

Recovery from litigation settlements…………

-  

-  

-  

3.9 

(3.9)

Interest expense………………………………

46.9  

(1.0) 

47.9 

(5.7)

53.6 

Current charge derivative financial instruments…

12.4  

2.2  

10.2 

5.5 

4.7 

Income taxes……………………………………

9.1  

(1.1) 

10.2 

0.9 

9.3 

Equity in net income (loss) of investee companies,

     

     net of income tax…………………………….

0.3  

0.6  

(0.3)

-  

(0.3)

Cumulative effect of accounting changes,

     

     net of income taxes:

     

          Reporting period of subsidiaries………….

-  

-  

-  

(0.3)

0.3 

          Derivative financial instruments…………..

-  

-  

-  

0.4 

(0.4)

Extraordinary item – Iraqi receivable recovery,

     

     net of income taxes……………………………

1.8  

1.8  

-  

-  

-

 

____________________________________________________________

NET INCOME

$ 28.1*

$ 0.6*

$  27.5 

$    2.6*

$    24.9*

 

=====================================================

*Amounts do not equal column totals due to rounding.

-16-


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 

Results of Operations (Continued)

=========================================================================================================

 

Comparison of the Year Ended June 30, 2003 to the Year Ended June 30, 2002

=========================================================================================================

Sales and other operating revenues increased 0.9% from $1,259.7 million in 2002 to $1,271.7 million in 2003.  The increase was attributable to higher sales of non-U.S. tobacco, which was substantially offset by lower U.S. revenue.  Quantities of non-U.S. tobacco sold, primarily from Brazil, increased by 6% over the prior year.  While Zimbabwe sales decreased, overall sales from the African region increased.  In the U.S., revenue decreased largely due to reduced sales volume to non- U.S. customers as well as non-recurring sales in 2002 of prior crop tobacco.

          Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 16.5% in 2003 compared to 16.3% in 2002.  Our gross profit increased $4.9 million to $210.4 million in 2003 from $205.5 million in 2002.  This increase was primarily due to the increased volume in Brazil, which was partially offset by lower volumes of U.S. tobacco sold to non-U.S. customers.  The increase in gross profit is also due to charges recognized in 2002 of $2.9 million related to devaluation of the Argentine peso partially offset by a gain of $1.7 million realized in 2002 related to the sale of unutilized Zimbabwe assets.  In Africa, gross profit decreases in Zimbabwe were offset by increased gross profit from Malawi and Tanzania.  In Europe, gross profit decreased as costs increased due to the strength of the euro.

          Selling, administrative and general expenses increased $6.7 million or 6.1% from $109.4 million in 2002 to $116.1 million in 2003.  This increase is primarily due to the recognition of $6.0 million in settlement of the DeLoach class action lawsuit, increases in retirement expense due to the under performance of plan assets, insurance expense due to changes in business risk related to events that have occurred in recent years and the impact of exchange rate changes on expenses denominated in euros and sterling.  These increases were somewhat offset by the adoption of SFAS No. 142 in 2003 that resulted in cessation of goodwill amortization that was $6.5 million in 2002 as well as lower incentive compensation awards that are related directly to our operating results.

          Interest expense decreased $1.0 million from $47.9 million in 2002 to $46.9 million in 2003.  This change is primarily due to a $14.6 million decrease related to lower average rates offset by a $13.6 million increase related to higher average borrowings partially resulting from the effect of carrying $125 million of redundant debt during the thirty-day call period associated with the refinancing transaction completed in May 2003.

          Current charge derivative financial instruments increased $2.2 million from 2002 to 2003.  This charge relates to the changes in fair value of non-qualifying interest rate swap agreements as discussed in Note D of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

          Effective income tax rates of 26% in 2003 and 27% in 2002 relate primarily to the distribution of taxable income among various taxing jurisdictions.  Changes in the rate from 2002 to 2003 are also partially attributable to the non-amortization of goodwill in 2003.

          Extraordinary Item – On May 1, 2003, the Company received $2.7 million from the United Nations Compensation Commission in connection with a claim filed by a predecessor company, Monk-Austin, Incorporated.  The claim arose from an uncollected trade receivable from the Iraqi Tobacco Monopoly, which related to transactions that occurred prior to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.  The extraordinary gain of $1.8 million is recorded net of tax of $0.9 million.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-17-

 


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 
 

Results of Operations (Continued)

=========================================================================================================

 

Comparison of the Year Ended June 30, 2002 to the Year Ended June 30, 2001

=========================================================================================================

Sales and other operating revenues were $1,259.7 million, a decrease of 10.1% from $1,401.0 million in 2001.  The decrease was primarily due to the shift from auction buying to direct contract buying in the United States.  Sales were also negatively impacted by decreased demand for cigar filler tobacco.  The decreases were partially offset by increases in sales in South America and Europe.  In South America, sales were increased by sales of prior crop tobacco in Argentina and Brazil.  In Europe, an increase in demand for oriental tobaccos resulted in higher sales.

          Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased from 13.6% in 2001 to 16.3% in 2002.  Fiscal 2002 cost of sales and gross margin percentages were not comparable to prior years due to the shift from auction buying to direct contract buying in the United States.  Gross profit increased $14.5 million or 7.6% from $191.0 million in 2001 to $205.5 million in 2002.  Gross profit increases were primarily due to shipments from Argentina and Brazil carried over from the prior fiscal year, and increased demand for European oriental tobacco.  These increases in gross profit were partially offset by decreases caused by lower demand for cigar filler tobacco, and lower gross profits in Africa due to exchange variations and lower quantities.  Pricing of certain African tobacco was sufficiently increased by exchange variations to offset lower quantities, leaving sales v alue largely unchanged, but reducing gross profit.  In the United States, decreases in gross profit caused by lower domestic demand were offset by additional gross profit from sales of prior crop tobacco.  As a result of the economic situation in Argentina, we recognized $2.9 million in charges primarily in connection with the devaluation of the Argentine peso.  Partially offsetting these charges were gains of $1.7 million related to the sale of unutilized Zimbabwe fixed assets.  

          Selling, administrative and general expenses increased $5.9 million or 5.6% from 2001 to 2002 due primarily to increased personnel related expenses, and expenses related to improved technology for information sharing.  The increase in personnel related expenses includes incentive compensation awards that are based on our performance.

          Interest expense decreased 10.6% or $5.7 million from $53.6 million in fiscal 2001 to $47.9 million in fiscal 2002.  The decrease is due to a $4.8 million decrease related to lower average borrowings and $0.9 million due to lower average rates.

          Restructuring charges of $1.4 million were recovered in fiscal 2001.  These recoveries related primarily to sales of fixed assets.

          Recovery from litigation settlements.  During fiscal 2001, a subsidiary in Spain, Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas (CdF) settled litigation regarding the alleged breach of contract in CdF's sale of a building located in Barcelona in 1991.  CdF successfully concluded the lawsuit in February 2001, resulting in income of $3.9 million.

          Current charge derivative financial instruments were $10.2 million in 2002 compared to $4.7 million in 2001 from the change in fair value of non-qualifying interest rate swap instruments as discussed in Note D to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."

          Effective income tax rates of 27% in both 2002 and 2001 relate primarily to the distribution of taxable income among various taxing jurisdictions.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-18-

 


ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 
 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

======================================================================================================

The following table is a summary of items from the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows.

 

Years Ended June 30

 

_________________________________________________

 

(in millions, except for current ratio)

2003   

 

2002   

 

2001   

 

===============================================================================================================

 

Cash and cash equivalents…....................................………….

$ 88.9

 

$  109.0

 

$  14.6

 

Net trade receivables…..........................................…………...

179.5

 

173.6

 

177.7

 

Inventories and advances on purchases of tobacco….......……

529.9

 

478.1

 

457.4

 

Total current assets…............................................……………

839.8

 

792.0

 

673.3

 

Notes payable to banks….......................................…………..

210.2

 

181.6

 

205.8

 

Accounts payable…..............................................……………

73.5

 

76.8

 

69.3

 

Total current liabilities…........................................………….

403.2

 

363.0

 

500.4

 

Current ratio…....................................................…………….

2.1 to 1

 

2.2 to 1

 

1.3 to 1

 

Revolving Credit Notes and Other Long-Term Debt…....…..

10.3

 

7.5

 

3.6

 

Convertible Subordinated Debentures…......................………

73.3

 

73.3

 

73.3

 

Senior Notes…....................................................…………….

341.3

 

321.4

 

125.0

 

Stockholders' equity…...........................................…………..

454.6

 

434.7

 

411.5

 

Purchase of property and equipment…........................……….

28.3

 

20.2

 

19.1

 

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment…...........……..

2.8

 

5.9

 

3.3

 

Depreciation and amortization…...............................………...

35.3

 

41.9

 

44.3

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

          The purchasing and processing activities of our business are seasonal.  Our need for capital fluctuates accordingly and, at any one of several seasonal peaks, our outstanding indebtedness may be significantly greater or less than at year end.  We historically have needed capital in excess of cash flow from operations to finance inventory and accounts receivable.  We also prefinance tobacco crops in certain foreign countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Greece, Turkey and Indonesia, by making cash advances to growers prior to and during the growing season.

          Our working capital increased slightly from $429.0 million at June 30, 2002 to $436.6 million at June 30, 2003.  Our current ratio was 2.1 to 1 at June 30, 2003 compared to 2.2 to 1 at June 30, 2002.  At June 30, 2003, our current assets had increased $47.8 million and current liabilities had increased $40.2 million from June 30, 2002.  The $47.8 million increase in current assets is primarily due to a $51.8 million increase in inventories and advances on purchases of tobacco and a $10.2 million increase in prepaid expenses partially offset by a $20.1 million decrease in cash.  Increases in current liabilities relate primarily to increases of $28.6 million in notes payable to banks and a $7.5 million increase in advances from customers.  The changes in inventory, notes payable to banks and cash are all related to financing requirements for inventories committed to customers.

          Cash flows from operating activities were $9.7 million in 2003 compared to $67.1 million in 2002 and $149.8 million in 2001.  The decrease in cash flows from operations in 2003 compared to 2002 is due primarily to $30.0 million more cash used for inventory and advances on purchases of tobacco, $17.8 million more cash used for accounts payable and accrued expenses and $8.5 million less cash provided by accounts receivable.  The changes in these accounts relates primarily to higher levels of inventory committed to customers.

          The decrease in cash flows from operations in 2002 compared to 2001 is primarily due to decreases of cash provided from customer advances of $72.1 million and decreases in cash provided by accounts receivable of $25.4 million, which are partially offset by increases of $23.5 million from changes in deferred items.  The changes in customer advances and accounts receivable relate primarily to the delay of shipments of tobacco from Brazil from the fourth quarter of 2001 to the first quarter of 2002.  The changes in deferred items are primarily attributable to the change in the fair value of non-qualifying interest rate swap instruments and changes in deferred income taxes.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-19-

 


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 
 

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

=========================================================================================================

          Cash flows used by investing activities were $31.5 million in 2003, $10.9 million in 2002 and $14.5 million in 2001.  The increased cash used in investing activities in 2003 compared to 2002 is primarily due to higher purchases of property and equipment and lower proceeds from the sale of property and equipment.  The decreased cash used in investing activities in 2002 compared to 2001 was due to higher proceeds from the sale of property and equipment and higher repayments of notes receivable offset partially by higher purchases of property and equipment.  

          Cash flows from financing activities provided $2.4 million in 2003 compared to $36.4 million in 2002 and a usage of $147.3 million in 2001.  The lower provision of cash in 2003 compared to 2002 is due to issuance of $125 million Senior Notes in 2003 compared to issuance of $200 million Senior notes in 2002 and a $165 million syndicated bank credit facility that was entered into in 2002.  The decreased provisions from 2002 to 2003 were somewhat offset by repayments of borrowings in 2002 that were issued under an older $250 million credit facility.  The provision of cash in 2002 as opposed to the usage in 2001 was due to both the $200 million Senior Note issuance and the $165 million syndicated bank credit facility, which are described below, offset by repayments related to our previous $250 million credit facility.

          At June 30, 2003, we had seasonally adjusted lines of credit of $480.4 million of which $210.1 million was outstanding with a weighted average interest rate of 3.48%.   Unused short-term lines of credit amounted to $234.0 million.  Total maximum borrowings, excluding the long-term credit agreements, during the fiscal year were $337.7 million.  At June 30, 2003, we had $16.7 million of letters of credit outstanding and an additional $19.5 million of letters of credit lines available.  

 

Long-Term Debt

During fiscal years 2002 and 2003 we completed two strategic refinancing transactions that, in aggregate, have expanded our sources and available amounts of liquidity, extended the average maturity of our debt portfolio from 3.2 years to 8.0 years, and significantly reduced our dependence on short-term uncommitted debt facilities.

          On October 30, 2001, we issued $200 million principal amount of 9 5/8% Senior Notes due 2011.  The proceeds of this Note issuance were used to repay certain existing indebtedness, including all amounts drawn under our $250 million syndicated credit facility then existing.  The financial covenants of the Senior Notes are substantially similar to those for the $125 million principal amount of 8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2006, that were outstanding at that time.  Concurrent with the completion of the Note issuance, we entered into a derivative financial instrument to swap the entire $200 million notional amount to a floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 4.11%, set six months in arrears.  The effective rate at June 30, 2003 was 5.23%.    

          Also, on October 31, 2001, we closed on a three-year $165 million syndicated bank credit facility with a group of five banks.  The credit facility is subject to certain commitment fees and covenants that, among other things, require us to maintain minimum working capital and tangible net worth amounts, require specific liquidity and long-term solvency ratios, including certain borrowing base restrictions, and restrict acquisitions.   We continuously monitor our compliance with these covenants. The credit facility's initial term expires on October 31, 2004, and, subject to approval by the lenders, may be extended. The rates of interest are based on our published credit rating and vary according to the type of loan requested by us.  During the life of the agreement, the interest rate could be the prime rate or the LIBOR rate adjusted. The primary advance rate is the a gent bank's base lending rate (4.0% at June 30, 2003). We pay a commitment fee of 1% per annum on any unused portion of the facility.  Decisions relative to drawings and repayments are made based on circumstances then existing, including our judgment as to the most effective utilization of funds. Based on forecast working capital needs, we do not anticipate making significant draws on this facility in the near term.

          On May 30, 2003, we issued $125 million principal amount of 7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2013.  The proceeds of this Note issuance were used to redeem in full $125 million of our outstanding 8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2006.  The financial covenants of the Senior Notes are substantially similar to those for the aforementioned $200 million principal amount of 9 5/8% Senior Notes due 2011.  Concurrent with the completion of the Note issuance, we entered into a derivative financial instrument to swap the entire $125 million notional amount to a floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.69%, set six months in arrears.  The effective rate at June 30, 2003 was 4.81%.  The existing 8 7/8% Senior Notes due 2006 were fully redeemed at June 30, 2003.

 
 
 
 
 
 

-20-

 


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 
 

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

==============================================================================================================

Long-Term Debt (Continued)

          The indentures governing our Senior Notes contain certain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to (i) transfer or issue shares of capital stock of subsidiaries to third parties, (ii) pay dividends or make certain other payments, (iii) incur additional indebtedness, (iv) issue preferred stock, (v) incur liens to secure our indebtedness, (vi) apply net proceeds from certain asset sales, (vii) enter into certain transactions with affiliates, (viii) merge with or into any other person or (ix) enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions.

          For all of the derivative financial instruments mentioned above, the notional amount, maturity, and payment dates of the derivative financial instruments match those of the Notes.  In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," the derivatives qualify for hedge accounting treatment.   See also Notes D and O to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."

          We have historically financed our operations through a combination of short-term lines of credit, revolving credit arrangements, customer advances, cash from operations and equity and equity-linked securities.  At June 30, 2003, we had no material capital expenditure commitments.  We believe that these sources of funds will be sufficient to fund our anticipated needs for fiscal year 2004.  There can be no assurance, however, that these sources of capital will be available in the future or, if available, that any such sources will be available on favorable terms.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations

We have summarized in the table below our contractual cash obligations and other commercial commitments as of June 30, 2003.

 
 

Payments / Expirations by Period

 

________________________________________________________________________

(in millions)

Total   

Year 1

Years 2-3

Years 4-5

More than
5 Years

=============================================================================================================

Long-Term Debt..............………......…...

$421.4

$   0.7

$ 3.3

$74.4

$343.0

Capital Lease Obligations..................…...

6.0

0.9

1.6

1.4

2.1

Operating Leases...............……........…...

27.1

5.3

6.7

2.9

12.2

Tobacco Purchase Obligations..………...

419.8

417.6

2.2

Grower Financing Guarantees............…..

103.9

80.8

14.1

7.9

1.1

 

________________________________________________________________________

Total Contractual Obligations and

     

    Other Commercial Commitments.……

$978.2

$505.3

$27.9

$86.6

$358.4

 

======================================================================

 

          We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources, as defined under the rules of SEC Release No. FR-67.

 

Lease Obligations

We have both capital and operating leases.  In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, operating leases are not reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.  The operating leases are for land, buildings, automobiles and other equipment; the capital leases are primarily for production machinery and equipment.  The capitalized lease obligations are payable through 2009.  Operating assets that are of long-term and continuing benefit are generally purchased.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-21-

 


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 
 

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

========================================================================================================

Tobacco Purchase Obligations and Grower Financing Guarantees

Tobacco purchase obligations result from contracts with growers, primarily in the United States and Brazil, to buy either specified quantities of tobacco or the grower's total tobacco production.  Amounts shown as tobacco purchase obligations are estimates based on projected purchase prices of the future crop tobacco.  Payment of these obligations is net of our advances to these growers. Our tobacco purchase obligations do not exceed our projected requirements over the related terms and are in the normal course of business.  In certain non-U.S. markets, we provide growers with materials necessary to grow tobacco and may either directly loan or guarantee bank loans to growers to finance the crop.  Under longer-term arrangements, we may also finance or guarantee financing on growers' construction of curing barns or other tobacco production assets.  We are obligated to repay any guaranteed loan should the grower default. & nbsp;See also Note N to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

 
 

Tax and Repatriation Matters

========================================================================================================

We are subject to income tax laws in each of the countries in which we do business through wholly owned subsidiaries and through affiliates.  We make a comprehensive review of the income tax requirements of each of our operations, file appropriate returns and make appropriate income tax planning analyses directed toward the minimization of our income tax obligations in these countries.  Appropriate income tax provisions are determined on an individual subsidiary level and at the corporate level on both an interim and annual basis.  These processes are followed using an appropriate combination of internal staff at both the subsidiary and corporate levels as well as independent outside advisors in review of the various tax laws and in compliance reporting for the various operations.

          Dividend distributions are made from certain subsidiaries while the undistributed earnings of certain other foreign subsidiaries are not subject to additional foreign income taxes nor considered to be subject to U.S. income taxes unless remitted as dividends.  We intend to reinvest such undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries indefinitely; accordingly, no provision has been made for U.S. taxes on those earnings.  We regularly review the status of the accumulated earnings of each of our U.S. and foreign subsidiaries and reevaluate the aforementioned dividend policy as part of our overall financing plans.

 
 

Factors that May Affect Future Results

========================================================================================================

The following important factors, among other things, in some cases have affected, and in the future could affect, our actual operating and financial results and could cause our actual results for 2004 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us.  

 

Risks Relating To Our Operations

========================================================================================================

Our financial results will vary according to growing conditions, customer indications and other factors, which also reduces your ability to gauge our performance and increases the risk of an investment in our securities.

Our financial results, particularly the quarterly financial results, may be significantly affected by fluctuations in tobacco growing seasons and crop sizes.  The cultivation period for tobacco is dependent upon a number of factors, including the weather and other natural events, such as hurricanes or tropical storms, and our processing schedule and results of operations can be significantly altered by these factors.

          Further, the timing and unpredictability of customer indications, orders and shipments causes us to keep tobacco in inventory, increases our risk and results in variations in quarterly and annual financial results.  We may from time to time in the ordinary course of business keep a significant amount of processed tobacco in inventory for our customers to accommodate their inventory management and other needs.  Sales recognition by us and our subsidiaries is based on the passage of ownership, usually with shipment of product.  Since individual shipments may represent significant amounts of revenue, our quarterly and annual financial results may vary significantly depending on our customers' needs and shipping instructions.  

          These fluctuations result in varying volumes and sales in given periods, which also reduces your ability to compare our financial results in different periods or in the same periods in different years.

 

-22-


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 
 

Risks Relating To Our Operations (Continued)

========================================================================================================

Our adoption and application of certain standards in financial accounting could cause our annual and quarterly financial results to vary and will reduce your ability to gauge our performance, increasing the risk of an investment in our securities.

Effective July 1, 2000, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."  As a result of adoption of SFAS No. 133, we recognize all derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swap contracts and foreign exchange contracts, in the consolidated financial statements at fair value regardless of the purpose or intent for holding the instrument.  We use forward contracts to mitigate our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on forecasted transactions.  The effective portion of unrealized gains and losses associated with forward contracts and the intrinsic value of option contracts are deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income until the underlying hedge transactions are reported on our consolidated statement of earnings.  We have traditionally used interest rate swaps to mitigate our e xposure to changes in interest rates related to certain debt agreements.  The swaps convert floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt.  Interest rate swaps, to the extent they are effective hedges, are accounted for as cash flow hedges, with the changes in the fair values of these instruments being recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income net of deferred taxes.  Changes in the fair values of derivatives not qualifying as hedges are reported in net income.  As a result of fluctuations in interest rates and volatility in market expectations, the fair market value of interest rate swap instruments can be expected to appreciate or depreciate over time.  We plan to continue the practice of economically hedging various components of our debt.  However, as a result of SFAS No. 133, certain swap instruments have and may continue to create volatility in future reported earnings.

          In addition, we have applied SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2003, and no longer amortize goodwill and intangible assets, resulting in increased earnings.  However, if we determine that there has been a material impairment to goodwill or other intangible assets with indefinite lives, we will recognize the amount of that impairment as a charge to earnings in the applicable reporting period.  This could cause variances in our reported earnings in different quarters and years, which may impair your ability to compare results in those periods.  See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Accounting Matters" and Notes D and O to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."

 

The shift to direct contract buying of green tobacco by many of our U.S. customers affects your ability to compare our year to year results and could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Comparability of our sales revenues has been affected by the shift to direct contract buying in the United States.  In the United States, prior to 2002, we took ownership of all green tobaccos we purchased, then processed and resold that tobacco to our customers.  Concurrent with the shift from an auction system to a direct contract buying system in the United States, certain major U.S. customers began purchasing green tobacco directly from the growers.  We no longer take ownership of that tobacco and no longer record revenues associated with its resale.  We continue to earn and record service revenues for the processing of all such tobaccos for our customers.  Our gross profit has not been materially affected by the shift to direct contract buying by our customers, although sales revenues have been reduced and our profit margin has improved.  Although we will purchase the majority of our current requirements throu gh direct contract buying, we will still need to maintain buying personnel in the residual auction markets, which could affect our ability to manage our costs.

 

Our extension of credit to tobacco growers could have an adverse effect on our financial condition.

We make advances to tobacco growers in many countries to finance their growing of tobacco for sale to us.  Crop advances to growers are generally secured by the grower's agreement to deliver green tobacco.  In the event of crop failure, recovery of advances could be delayed until deliveries of future crops or indefinitely.  The temporary or permanent loss of these advances to growers could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 
 
 
 
 
 

-23-

 


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 
 

Risks Relating To Our Operations (Continued)

========================================================================================================

Competition could adversely affect our operating results.

The leaf tobacco industry is highly competitive.  Competition among leaf tobacco merchants is based primarily on the price charged for products and services as well as the merchant’s ability to meet customer specifications in the buying, processing and financing of tobacco.  In addition, there is competition in all countries to buy the available tobacco and in many areas, total leaf tobacco processing capacity exceeds demand.  There are three major global competitors in the leaf tobacco industry, and they are dependent upon a few large tobacco manufacturing customers.  The number of manufacturers has declined in recent years due to consolidation.  The loss of, or a substantial reduction in the services provided to, any large or significant customer could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Our reliance on a small number of significant customers may adversely affect our results of operations.

Our customers are manufacturers of cigarette and tobacco products.  Several of these customers individually account for a significant portion of our sales in a normal year. Of our consolidated tobacco sales in 2003, 2002 and 2001, approximately 38%, 35% and 36%, respectively, represented sales to various tobacco customers which we believe are owned by or under common control of Japan Tobacco Inc. or Altria Group, Inc.  In addition, tobacco product manufacturers are currently experiencing a period of consolidation, and further consolidation among our customers could decrease such customer's demand for our leaf tobacco or processing services.  The loss of any one or more of such customers could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.  

 

We face increased risks of doing business due to the extent of our international operations.

We do business in over 40 countries, many of which do not have stable economies or governments.  Our international operations are subject to international business risks, including unsettled political conditions, expropriation, import and export restrictions, exchange controls, inflationary economies and currency risks and risks related to the restrictions on repatriation of earnings or proceeds from liquidated assets of foreign subsidiaries. These risks are exacerbated in countries where we have advanced substantial sums or guaranteed local loans or lines of credit for the purchase of tobacco from growers.

          We have expanded our international operations in areas where the export of tobacco has increased due to increased demand for lower priced tobacco.  We have significant investments in our purchasing, processing and exporting operations in Brazil, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Italy and Thailand.  In particular, we derive significant operating profit from our operations in Brazil and Zimbabwe.  In recent years, these countries' economic problems have received wide publicity related to devaluation of the local currency and inflation.   Devaluation can affect our purchase costs of tobacco and our processing costs.

          Zimbabwe remains in a period of civil unrest in combination with a deteriorating economy.  Should the current political situation continue, we could experience disruptions and delays associated with our Zimbabwe operations.  The government’s forced land resettlement program has caused disruptions to both tobacco and food farm production in Zimbabwe.  The volume of the 2003 tobacco crop is projected to decline by approximately 49% in comparison to the prior year crop.  If the political situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate, our ability to recover our assets there could be impaired.  Our Zimbabwe subsidiary has long-lived assets of approximately $46.3 million as of June 30, 2003.

          Argentina is in a period of political and economic uncertainty.  We purchase Argentine tobacco for export.  We do not own any processing assets in Argentina and do not foresee any additional material effects on our operations.  However, we do continue to closely monitor events associated with the instability in Argentina and their possible impact on future results.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-24-

 


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 
 

Risks Relating To Our Operations (Continued)

=========================================================================================================

          We do business in countries that have tax regimes in which the rules are not clear or not consistently applied.  This is especially true with regard to international transfer pricing.  We have not had any significant exposure to date as a result of these risks.

 

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our business is generally conducted in U.S. dollars, as is the business of the tobacco industry as a whole.  However, local country operating costs, including the purchasing and processing costs for tobaccos, are subject to the effects of exchange fluctuations of the local currency against the U.S. dollar.  We attempt to minimize such currency risks by matching the timing of our working capital borrowing needs against the tobacco purchasing and processing funds requirements in the currency of the country where the tobacco is grown.  Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies can significantly affect our operating results.

          In addition, the devaluation of foreign currencies, particularly Asian and Eastern European currencies, has resulted and may in the future result in reduced purchasing power from customers in these areas.  We may incur a loss of business as a result of the devaluation of these currencies now or in the future.

          Various outstanding interest-bearing instruments are sensitive to changes in interest rates. With respect to our variable-rate debt, a 10% change in interest rates would have the effect of increasing or decreasing interest expense by $1.6 million.

 

Our indentures and credit agreements contain, and in the future could contain additional, covenants and tests that would limit our ability to take actions or cause us to take actions we may not normally take.

Our existing indentures and credit agreements contain a number of significant covenants.  These covenants will limit our ability to, among other things:

 

·

borrow additional money;

 

·

make capital expenditures and other investments;

 

·

merge, consolidate or dispose of our assets;

 

·

acquire assets in excess of certain dollar amounts; and

 

·

grant liens on our assets.

 

          Our credit facility and existing indentures require, and any future indenture may require, us to meet certain financial tests.  The failure to comply with these covenants and tests would cause a default under those agreements.  A default, if not waived, could result in the debt under our credit facility and indentures becoming immediately due and payable and could result in a default or acceleration of our other indebtedness with cross-default provisions.  If this occurs, we may not be able to pay our debt or borrow sufficient funds to refinance it.  Even if new financing is available, it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us.  Complying with these covenants and tests may cause us to take actions that we otherwise would not take or not take actions that we otherwise would take.

 

Provisions in our indentures restrict our ability to make payments, including payments of dividends to our shareholders.

Under the terms of the Indentures relating to our 9 5/8% Senior Notes due 2011 and 7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2013, we will not be permitted to make certain payments that are restricted by such Indentures, including cash dividends on our common stock.  We generally may make such restricted payments, provided that (1) we are not in default under the Indentures, (2) we are able to incur at least $1.00 of additional indebtedness under a consolidated interest coverage ratio test set forth in the Indentures, and (3) the aggregate amount of the payments to be made is less than the total of (x) $20.0 million, (y) 50% of our consolidated net income for the period from April 1, 1996, through the end of our most recent fiscal quarter and (z) the net cash proceeds from our sale of any equity securities or debt securities that are converted into equity securities.  At June 30, 2003 and 2002, we were permitted to make restricted payments, i ncluding cash dividends on our common stock, of up to $39.4 million and $46.4 million, respectively.

 

-25-

 


ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 

Risks Relating to the Tobacco Industry

=========================================================================================================

Reductions in demand for consumer tobacco products could adversely affect our results of operations.

The tobacco industry, both in the United States and abroad, continues to face a number of issues that may reduce the consumption of cigarettes and adversely affect our business, sales volume, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

          These issues, some of which are more fully discussed below, include:

 

·

governmental actions seeking to ascribe to tobacco product manufacturers liability for adverse health effects associated with smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke;

 

·

smoking and health litigation against tobacco product manufacturers;

 

·

tax increases on consumer tobacco products;

 

·

current and potential actions by state attorneys general to enforce the terms of the Master Settlement Agreement ("MSA") between state governments in the United States and tobacco product manufacturers;

 

·

governmental and private bans and restrictions on smoking;

 

·

actual and proposed price controls and restrictions on imports in certain jurisdictions outside the United States;

 

·

restrictions on tobacco product manufacturing, marketing, advertising and sales;

 

·

the diminishing social acceptance of smoking;

 

·

increased pressure from anti-smoking groups; and

 

·

other tobacco product legislation that may be considered by Congress, the states and other countries.

 

Tobacco product manufacturer litigation may reduce demand for our services.

Our primary customers, the leading cigarette manufacturers, face thousands of lawsuits brought throughout the United States and, to a lesser extent, the rest of the world.  The effects of the lawsuits on our customers could reduce their demand for tobacco from us.  These lawsuits have been brought by plaintiffs, including (1) individuals and classes of individuals alleging personal injury and/or misleading advertising, (2) governments (including governmental and quasi-governmental entities in the United States and abroad) seeking recovery of health care costs allegedly caused by cigarette smoking, and (3) other groups seeking recovery of health care expenditures allegedly caused by cigarette smoking, including third-party health care payors, such as unions and health maintenance organizations. Damages claimed in some of the smoking and health cases range into the billions of dollars.  In September 1999, the United State s Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the leading cigarette manufacturers, seeking to recover billions of dollars.  Additional plaintiffs continue to file lawsuits.

          There have been several jury verdicts in tobacco product litigation during the past three years.  For example, in July 2000, the jury in the Engle smoking and health class action in Florida returned a verdict against the cigarette manufacturer defendants for approximately $145 billion in punitive damages.  The class certification in the Engle case was recently overturned by an appellate court.  A California jury in an individual smoker case returned a verdict against Philip Morris Incorporated for $3 billion in punitive damages.  The judge in the case reduced the award to $100 million.  Philip Morris Incorporated has filed an appeal in this case.  In March 2003, a Madison County, Illinois judge ordered Philip Morris to pay $10.1 billion in damages for allegedly misleading smokers with respect to “light” cigarettes.  T he appeal in this case is ongoing.

          In November 1998, certain United States tobacco product manufacturers entered into the MSA with 46 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Marianas to settle asserted and unasserted health care cost recovery and other claims.  These manufacturers had previously settled similar claims brought by Mississippi, Florida, Texas and Minnesota and an environmental tobacco smoke and health class action brought on behalf of airline flight attendants.  The MSA has received final judicial approval in all 52 settling jurisdictions.

 

-26-


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 
 

Risks Relating to the Tobacco Industry (Continued)

=========================================================================================================

          Key provisions of the MSA are as follows:

 

·

payments of approximately $206 billion over 25 years from the cigarette manufacturers to the states;

 

·

marketing and advertising restrictions, including bans on cartoon characters, point-of-sale advertising, billboards, bus and taxi placards and sponsorships of most sporting events by brand names;

 

·

disbanding the Tobacco Institute, the Council for Tobacco Research and the Council for Indoor Air Research;

 

·

eliminating vending machine sales and requiring that all tobacco products be behind a counter; and

 

·

making payments of $1.7 billion for educational efforts about the dangers of smoking and to discourage youth smoking.

 

          The MSA and other state settlement agreements include provisions relating to advertising and marketing restrictions, public disclosure of industry documents, limitations on challenges to tobacco product control and underage use laws, lobbying activities and other provisions.

          It is not possible to predict the outcome of the litigation pending against the U.S. cigarette manufacturers, or the extent to which these actions might adversely affect our customers, their demand for our product and our business generally.  Unfavorable outcomes in pending cases could encourage the commencement of additional litigation.  Adverse legislative, regulatory, political and other developments concerning cigarette smoking and the tobacco product industry continue to receive widespread media attention.  These developments may negatively affect the perception of potential judges and juries with respect to the tobacco product industry, possibly affecting the outcome of litigation.  Although we are not a party to the litigation against the tobacco product manufacturers, the Master Settlement Agreement or the State Settlement Agreements, determination s that are adverse to the manufacturers could adversely affect their purchases as our customers.

 

Legislative and regulatory initiatives could reduce consumption of consumer tobacco products and demand for our services.

In recent years, members of Congress have introduced legislation, some of which has been the subject of hearings or floor debate, that would subject cigarettes to various regulations under the Department of Health and Human Services or regulation under the Consumer Products Safety Act, establish anti-smoking educational campaigns or anti-smoking programs, or provide additional funding for governmental anti-smoking activities, further restrict the advertising of cigarettes, including requiring additional warnings on packages and in advertising, provide that the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act and the Smoking Education Act could not be used as a defense against liability under state statutory or common law, allow state and local governments to restrict the sale and distribution of cigarettes, and eliminate or reduce the tax deductibility of tobacco product advertising.  It is not possible to determine the outcome of these regulatory initiatives, or to predict what, if any, other foreign or domestic governmental legislation or regulations will be adopted relating to the manufacturing, advertising, sale or use of cigarettes, or to the tobacco industry generally.  However, if any or all of the foregoing were to be implemented, our business, volume, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

          Reports with respect to the harmful physical effects of cigarette smoking have been publicized for many years, and the sale, promotion and use of cigarettes continue to be subject to increasing governmental regulation.  Since 1964, the Surgeon General of the United States and the Secretary of Health and Human Services have released a number of reports linking cigarette smoking with a broad range of health hazards, including various types of cancer, coronary heart disease and chronic lung disease, and recommending various governmental measures to reduce the incidence of smoking.  The 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994 reports focus upon the "addictive" nature of cigarettes, the effects of smoking cessation, the decrease in smoking in the United States, the economic and regulatory aspects of smoking in the Western Hemisphere, and cigarette smoking by adolescents, par ticularly the "addictive" nature of cigarette smoking in adolescence.

 

-27-

 
 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 
 

Risks Relating to the Tobacco Industry (Continued)

=========================================================================================================

          A number of foreign nations also have taken steps to restrict or prohibit cigarette advertising and promotion, to increase taxes on cigarettes and to discourage cigarette smoking.  In some cases, such restrictions are more onerous than those in the United States.  For example, advertising and promotion of cigarettes has been banned or severely restricted for a number of years in Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Italy, Singapore and other countries.  Further, in May of 2003, the World Health Organization adopted a treaty, the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, which requires signatory nations to enact legislation that would require, among other things, specific actions to prevent youth smoking; restrict or prohibit tobacco product marketing; inform the public about the health consequences of smoking and the benefits of quitting; regulate the content of tobacco products; impose new package warning requirements including the use of pictorial or graphic images; eliminate cigarette smuggling and counterfeit cigarettes; restrict smoking in public places; increase and harmonize cigarette excise taxes; abolish duty-free tobacco sales; and permit and encourage litigation against tobacco product manufacturers.  The treaty will take effect after forty countries ratify it, and must be implemented by national laws in the ratifying nations.  It is impossible to predict the extent to which these and any additional restrictions might affect our business.

          Due to the present regulatory and legislative environment, a substantial risk exists that past growth trends in tobacco product sales may not continue and that existing sales may decline.  It is not possible to predict the extent to which any of these issues may affect our business.

 

We have been, and continue to be, subject to governmental investigations into, and litigation concerning, leaf tobacco industry buying practices.

The leaf tobacco industry, from time to time, has been the subject of government investigations regarding trade practices.  In September 1998, we and several of our employees received subpoenas relating to an investigation by the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice into certain buying practices alleged to have occurred in the industry.  We have received notice that this investigation has been concluded without any action taken against us.

          DeLoach, et al. v. Philip Morris Companies Inc., et al., is a lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina (Case No. 00-CV-1235).  On April 3, 2002, the Court issued an opinion and order certifying a class of plaintiffs.  As certified, the class consists of persons who, at any time from March 1, 1996 through February 28, 2001, held a quota to grow or produced and sold U.S. flue-cured and burley tobacco.  The plaintiffs allege that the defendants, who include cigarette manufacturers and leaf tobacco dealers, including DIMON, violated the antitrust laws by conspiring to rig bids at auction and undermine the federal government quota and price support program.  The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, treble damages in an unspecified amount, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys' fees and costs of liti gation.  DIMON and the other defendants have asserted a number of defenses to the allegations made.

          On May 15, 2003, we entered into a conditional settlement agreement to resolve our involvement in the DeLoach class action litigation.  The Settlement Agreement was signed by the plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and the class of plaintiffs they represent, DIMON, and all but one of the other defendants in the case.  Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, we will pay $6 million of the approximately $210 million of cash settlement payments to be paid by the settling defendants, and will not be obligated to pay any portion of the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees or other costs or expenses awarded by the Court, which will be paid by certain other settling defendants.  Because we expect that the court will ultimately approve the settlement agreement, we have recorded our share of the settlement as of June 30, 2003.  In addition, certain othe r settling defendants who are cigarette manufacturers have agreed to purchase certain minimum amounts of U.S. grown tobacco over the next ten years.  In exchange, the plaintiffs and the members of the class will release the settling defendants, including DIMON and our affiliates, from any and all claims, damages, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, under state or federal law, that any plaintiff or member of the class has or had, that was or could have been alleged as a class action in the DeLoach litigation.

          The Settlement Agreement has received preliminary approval from the Court, and consummation of the settlement is subject to final approval of the Court following a required notice to the members of the class of plaintiffs.  It is expected that any such final approval will occur in mid to late September.  Certain members of the potential class of plaintiffs may opt out of the settlement in accordance with the rules governing class action litigation.  The DeLoach litigation will continue against the non-settling defendant.

 
 
 
 

-28-

 


 

ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                   CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Continued)

 
 
 

Risks Relating to the Tobacco Industry (Continued)

========================================================================================================

          In October 2001, the Directorate General for Competition (DGCOMP) of the European Commission (EC) began conducting an administrative investigation into certain tobacco buying and selling practices alleged to have occurred within the leaf tobacco industry in Spain and Italy. We believe that the DGCOMP may be conducting similar investigations in other countries.  Our subsidiaries in Spain (Agroexpansion) and Italy (DIMON Italia) are cooperating with the DGCOMP.  Based on our understanding of the facts pertaining to the activities of Spanish and Italian tobacco processors, including Agroexpansion and DIMON Italia, respectively, we believe there have been infringements of EU law.  Agroexpansion and DIMON Italia believe that there are mitigating circumstances in the structure and traditional operation of tobacco production and processing in these markets.  The EC is not expected to issue a ruling (Statement of Objection) concerning either of these investigations until later in 2003.  We expect that administrative penalties will be assessed, and those penalties could be material to our earnings.  However, we are not able to make an assessment of the amount of any such penalties at this time.  We understand that the cooperation of our subsidiaries with the DGCOMP during its investigations could result in a reduction of the amount of penalties imposed.

          In September 2002, the Argentina National Commission for Defense of Competition ("NCDC") began an administrative inquiry into the tobacco and cigarette industry in Argentina.  Our subsidiary in Argentina, DIMON Argentina S.A., is cooperating with the NCDC.  We cannot predict whether the inquiry will result in any further action by the NCDC.

          Adverse determinations in these or similar proceedings may negatively impact our future results.

 
 

Risks Relating to Owning Our Stock

========================================================================================================

Anti-takeover provisions could discourage a takeover that you consider to be in your best interest or prevent the removal of our current directors and management.

We have adopted a number of provisions that could have anti-takeover effects or prevent the removal of our current directors and management. We have adopted a shareholder protection rights plan, commonly referred to as a poison pill. The rights plan is intended to deter an attempt to acquire our company in a manner or on terms not approved by our Board of Directors. The rights plan will not prevent an acquisition that is approved by our Board of Directors.  See also Note M to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

          Our Articles of Incorporation authorize the Board of Directors to determine the terms of up to 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock and issue such stock without stockholder approval. The issuance of preferred stock could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from acquiring, voting control of our company in order to remove our current directors and management. These provisions could make more difficult the removal of our current directors and management or a takeover of our company, even if the events would be beneficial to our stockholders. These provisions could also limit the price that investors might be willing to pay for our common stock.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-29-

 


 

ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT
                     MARKET RISK

 
 
 

Derivatives Policies: Hedging interest rate exposure using swaps and hedging foreign exchange exposure using forward contracts are specifically contemplated to manage risk in keeping with management’s policies. We may use derivative instruments, such as swaps or forwards, which are based directly or indirectly upon interest rates and currencies to manage and reduce the risks inherent in interest rate and currency fluctuations.  See also Note D to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

          We do not utilize derivatives for speculative purposes, and we do not enter into market risk sensitive instruments for trading purposes. Derivatives are transaction specific so that a specific debt instrument, contract, or invoice determines the amount, maturity, and other specifics of the hedge.

 

Foreign exchange rates: Our business is generally conducted in U.S. dollars, as is the business of the tobacco industry as a whole.  However, local country operating costs, including the purchasing and processing costs for tobaccos, are subject to the effects of exchange fluctuations of the local currency against the U.S. dollar.  We attempt to minimize such currency risks by matching the timing of our working capital borrowing needs against the tobacco purchasing and processing funds requirements in the currency of the country where the tobacco is grown.  Fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies can significantly affect our operating results. We have recognized exchange losses in our statements of income of $3.5 million, $4.4 million and $3.6 million in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

Interest rates: We manage our exposure to interest rate risk through the proportion of fixed rate and variable rate debt in our total debt portfolio. A ten percentage-point change in interest rates would increase our interest cost by approximately $1.6 million. Substantially all of our long-term borrowings are denominated in U.S. dollars and carry fixed interest rates.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-30-

 



 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 
 

  STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
  
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 
 

Years Ended June 30                  

(in thousands, except per share data)

2003    

2002    

2001    

===============================================================================================================

Sales and other operating revenues…................................………..

$1,271,683 

$1,259,720 

$1,400,955 

Cost of goods and services sold…....................................………...

1,061,270 

1,054,255 

1,209,931 

 

_______________________________________________

 

210,413 

205,465 

191,024 

Selling, administrative and general expenses…....................……

116,075 

109,363 

103,537 

Restructuring recovery..........…………………………………….

(1,384)

Recovery from litigation settlements...............................…………

(3,923)

 

_______________________________________________

 

Operating Income…................................................…………..

94,338 

96,102 

92,794 

Interest expense…......................................................……………

46,887 

47,877 

53,574 

Current charge derivative financial instruments.............…………

12,409 

10,202 

4,680 

 

_______________________________________________

Income before income taxes, equity in net income (loss) of

   
 

investee companies, cumulative effect of accounting

   
 

changes and extraordinary item …………………………………

35,042 

38,023 

34,540 

Income taxes…...............................................……………………

9,111 

10,202 

9,272 

 

_______________________________________________

Income before equity in net income (loss) of investee

   
 

companies, cumulative effect of accounting changes

   
 

and extraordinary item ………………………………………

25,931 

27,821 

25,268 

Equity in net income (loss) of investee companies, net

   
 

of income taxes…...................................................………….

349 

(345)

(271)

   

_______________________________________________

Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes

   

     and extraordinary item ……………………………………….

26,280 

27,476 

24,997 

Cumulative effect of accounting changes, net of income taxes:

  

 

 

Reporting period of subsidiaries…..............…….........……….

284  

 

Derivative financial instruments….....................……….……..

(387) 

Extraordinary item - Iraqi receivable recovery,

  

 

     net of $957 income tax………………………………………..

1,777 

 

_______________________________________________

NET INCOME….............................................………….………..

$  28, 057 

$  27,476 

$  24,894 

   

==============================================

Other Comprehensive Income:

   
 

Net Income…................................................…………………

$  28,057 

$  27,476 

$  24,894 

 

Equity Currency Conversion Adjustment…...…….………….

3,668 

637 

(2,962)

 

Additional Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment…………

(1,745)

(736)

(292)

 

Reclassification of Derivative Financial

   
   

Instruments into Earnings ..………………….………….…

418 

4,192 

-  

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Adjustment….……………..

1,220 

(4,828) 

   

_______________________________________________

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME…...............…………….

$  31, 618 

$  31,569 

$  16,812 

 

==============================================

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-31-

 
 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 

  STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Continued)

  DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 
  
  

Years Ended June 30                   

(in thousands, except per share data)

2003    

2002    

2001    

===============================================================================================================

Basic Earnings Per Share

   
 

Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes

   
 

     and extraordinary item …………………………………….

$.59 

$.62  

$.56  

 

Cumulative effect of accounting changes..........……....………

-  

 

Extraordinary item – Iraqi receivable recovery……………….

.04 

-  

  

______________________________________________

 

Net Income…................................................………………….

$.63 

$.62  

$.56  

  

==============================================

Diluted Earnings Per Share

   
 

Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes

   
 

     and extraordinary item ……………………………………

$.58*

$.61*

$.56*

 

Cumulative effect of accounting changes.…….............………

-  

 

Extraordinary item – Iraqi receivable recovery……………….

.04*

-  

  

_______________________________________________

 

Net Income…............………...................................…………..

$.62*

$.61*

$.56*

  

==============================================

See notes to consolidated financial statements

*   Assumed conversion of Convertible Debentures at the beginning of the period has an antidilutive
    effect on earnings per share.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-32-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 
 

June 30                    

 
 

____________________________________

 

(in thousands)

2003    

 

2002    

 

===================================================================================================================

ASSETS

    

Current assets

    

   Cash and cash equivalents…...........................................………….

$  88,932 

 

$ 108,991 

 

   Notes receivable…......................................................……………..

2,619 

 

4,400 

 

   Trade receivables (net of allowances of $1,693 in

    

      2003 and $1,935 in 2002)…....................................……………..

179,532 

 

173,576 

 

   Inventories:

    

      Tobacco…..............................................................………………

464,360 

 

391,112 

 

      Other….................................................................……………….

24,747 

 

19,215 

 

   Advances on purchases of tobacco…................................………...

40,748 

 

67,769 

 

   Current deferred and recoverable income taxes….................……..

11,349 

 

9,736 

 

   Prepaid expenses and other assets….................................………..

27,481 

 

17,239 

 
 

____________________________________

 

         Total current assets…..........................................………………

839,768 

 

792,038 

 
 

____________________________________

 
   

Investments and other assets

    

   Equity in net assets of investee companies….......................………

6,061 

 

1,072 

 

   Other investments…....................................................…………….

2,919 

 

1,941 

 

   Notes receivable…......................................................…………….

3,832 

 

5,354 

 

   Other…....................................................................……………….

37,856 

 

24,566 

 
 

____________________________________

 
 

50,668 

 

32,933 

 
 

____________________________________

 
   

Goodwill and intangible assets

    

   Goodwill……………………………………………………………

151,772 

 

151,772 

 

   Production and supply contracts…...................................…………

12,543 

 

3,938 

 

   Pension asset…..........................................................……………...

2,002 

 

1,664 

 
 

____________________________________

 
 

166,317 

 

157,374 

 
 

____________________________________

 

Property, plant and equipment

    

   Land…....................................................................………………..

19,902 

 

18,676 

 

   Buildings…...............................................................………………

187,926 

 

178,987 

 

   Machinery and equipment…...........................................………….

203,061 

 

210,769 

 

   Allowances for depreciation…........................................………….

(158,394)

 

(151,148)

 
 

____________________________________

 
 

252,495 

 

257,284 

 
 

____________________________________

 
     

Deferred taxes and other deferred charges…..........................………

43,904 

 

37,461 

 
 

____________________________________

 
 

$1,353,152 

 

$1,277,090 

 
     

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 
 
 
 
 
 

-33-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 
 

June 30                    

 
 

____________________________________

 

(in thousands)

2003   

 

2002    

 

==================================================================================================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

    

Current liabilities

    

   Notes payable to banks…...............................................…………...

$    210,162 

 

$    181,629 

 

   Accounts payable:

    

      Trade….................................................................……………….

53,394 

 

55,277 

 

      Officers and employees…...........................................…………..

10,521 

 

13,553 

 

      Other….................................................................……………….

9,602 

 

7,964 

 

   Advances from customers…...........................................…………..

75,119 

 

67,616 

 

   Accrued expenses….....................................................…………….

28,275 

 

24,797 

 

   Income taxes…...........................................................……………..

14,926 

 

11,015 

 

   Long-term debt current…..............................................……………

1,225 

 

1,128 

 
 

____________________________________

 

         Total current liabilities…..........................................…………..

403,224 

 

362,979 

 
 

____________________________________

 

Long-term debt

    

   Revolving Credit Notes and other….................................………...

10,250 

 

7,521 

 

   Convertible Subordinated Debentures….............................……….

73,328 

 

73,328 

 

   Senior Notes (net of fair value adjustment

    

      of $16,319 in 2003 and ($3,638)  in 2002) ……………………..

341,319 

 

321,362 

 
 

____________________________________

 
 

424,897 

 

402,211 

 
 

____________________________________

 
   

Deferred credits:

    

   Income taxes…...........................................................……………...

4,128 

 

9,243 

 

   Compensation and other…...................................………………….

65,252 

 

67,205 

 
 

____________________________________

 
 

69,380 

 

76,448 

 
 

____________________________________

 

Minority interest in subsidiaries….......................................…………

1,078 

 

789 

 
 

____________________________________

 
     

Commitments and contingencies…......................................………...

 

 
 

____________________________________

 
   

Stockholders' equity

2003   

 

2002   

     

   Preferred stock—no par value:

        

      Authorized shares….................……..

10,000  

 

10,000  

     

      Issued shares….......................………

 -  

 

 -  

 

 

-

 

   Common stock—no par value:

  

 

  

     

      Authorized shares….................……..

125,000  

 

125,000  

     

      Issued shares….......................………

44,737  

 

44,640  

 

183,361 

 

182,768 

 

   Retained earnings…..................................................………………

279,904 

 

264,148 

 

   Accumulated other comprehensive income…....................……….

(8,692)

 

(12,253)

 
 

____________________________________

 
 

454,573 

 

434,663 

 
 

____________________________________

 
 

$1,353,152 

 

$1,277,090 

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  

See notes to consolidated financial statements

-34-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 

Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income

 
 

______________________________________________

 

(in thousands,
except per share amounts)

Common
Stock

Retained
Earnings

Equity
Currency
Conversions

Additional
Minimum
Pension
Liability,

Net of Tax

Derivative Financial Instruments,

Net of Tax

Total
Stockholders'
Equity

=========================================================================================================================================

Balance, June 30, 2000….…….

$182,143

$229,625 

$   (7,912)

$   (352)

$        -  

$403,504 

Net income for the year……….

 

24,894 

   

24,894 

Cash dividends - $.20 per share.

 

(8,918)

   

(8,918)

Issue of 50,000 shares of

      
 

restricted stock…………….

141

    

141 

Conversion of foreign currency

      
 

financial statements………..

  

(2,962)

  

(2,962)

Adjustment in the minimum

      
 

pension liability…......…….

   

(292) 

 

(292) 

Adjustment in derivative

      
 

financial instruments….…..

    

(4,828)

(4,828)

  

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Balance, June 30, 2001….…

$182,284

$245,601 

$ (10,874)

$   (644)

$(4,828)

$411,539 

Net income for the year……….

 

27,476 

   

27,476 

Cash dividends - $.20 per share.

 

(8,929)

   

(8,929)

Issue of 65,000 shares of

      
 

restricted stock…………….

484

    

484 

Conversion of foreign currency

      
 

financial statements………..

  

637

  

637

Adjustment in the minimum

      
 

pension liability…......…….

   

(736)

 

(736)

Reclassification of derivative

      
 

financial instruments

      
 

into earnings….……….…..

    

4,192 

4,192 

  

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Balance, June 30, 2002….……

$182,768

$264,148 

$ (10,237)

$(1,380)

$   (636)

$434,663 

Net income for the year………

 

28,057 

   

28,057 

Cash dividends - $.275

      
 

per share…..............………

 

(12,301)

   

(12,301)

Issue of 82,000 shares of

      
 

restricted stock……………

512

    

512 

Exercise of employee stock

      
 

options……………………

81

    

81 

Conversion of foreign currency

      
 

financial statements……….

  

3,668 

  

3,668 

Adjustment in the minimum

      
 

pension liability….…….…

   

(1,745)

 

(1,745)

Reclassification of derivative

      
 

financial instruments

      
 

into earnings……………….

    

418 

418 

Adjustment in derivative

      
 

financial statements……….

    

1,220 

1,220 

  

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Balance, June 30, 2003……….

$183,361

$279,904 

$   (6,569)

$(3,125)

$  1,002 

$454,573 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

-35-

 


   
 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
   
   
 

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

 
 

DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 
   
   
  

Years Ended June 30           

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

(in thousands)

2003   

2002   

2001   

 
 

=====================================================================================================================

 
 

Operating activities

    
 

   Net Income…...........................................…………………....

$  28,057 

$  27,476 

$  24,894 

 
 

   Adjustments to reconcile net income

    
 

   to net cash provided by operating activities:

    
 

      Depreciation and amortization…....................................….

35,261 

41,865 

44,310 

 
 

      Restructuring recovery…......……………………………..

(1,384)

 
 

      Recovery from litigation settlement…............................….

(3,923)

 
 

      Deferred items................................................................….

2,734 

8,822 

(14,675)

 
 

      Loss on foreign currency transactions….............…………

3,507 

4,411 

3,621 

 
 

      Loss (gain) on disposition of fixed assets…..................….

(1,380)

(902)

230 

 
 

      Bad debt expense…........................................................….

94 

477 

70 

 
 

      Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable…...........………

(437)

8,048 

33,467 

 
 

      Increase in inventories and advances

  

 

 
 

         on purchases of tobacco…............................................….

(47,131)

(17,108)

(1,464)

 
 

      Decrease (increase) in current deferred

    
 

         and recoverable taxes…...……………………………….

(1,482)

(4,856)

5,068 

 
 

      Increase in prepaid expenses.........................…………….

(9,389)

(5,673)

(4,376)

 
 

      Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and

    
 

         accrued expenses….……………………………………..

(8,421)

9,363 

(4,823)

 
 

      Increase (decrease) in advances from customers………….

4,752 

(6,796)

65,312 

 
 

      Increase  in income taxes…...........................…………….

3,597 

1,608 

3,730 

 
 

      Other…...........................................................................…..

(54)

362 

(213)

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

         Net cash provided by operating activities…...............…..

9,708 

67,097 

149,844 

 
  

_______________________________________

 
    
 

Investing activities

    
 

   Purchase of property and equipment…..............................….

(28,312)

(20,180)

(19,061)

 
 

   Proceeds from sale of property and equipment…..............….

2,761 

5,911 

3,255 

 
 

   Payments received on notes receivable and

    
 

      receivable from investees…..........................................…..

5,425 

5,442 

4,014 

 
 

   Issuance of notes receivables………………………………..

(2,027)

(1,884)

(2,694)

 
 

   Purchase of equity in net assets of investee…………………

(5,000)

 
 

   Other…………………………………………………………

(4,312)

(199)

27 

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

      Net cash used by investing activities…......………………

(31,465)

(10,910)

(14,459)

 
 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 
   
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

-36-

 
   


   
 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
   
   
 

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (Continued)

 
 

DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries

 
   
   
  

Years Ended June 30           

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

(in thousands)

2003  

2002  

2001   

 
 

==========================================================================================================

 
 

Financing activities

    
 

   Net change in short-term borrowings…............................…..

$  18,627 

$  (30,129)

$  (14,134)

 
 

   Proceeds from long-term borrowings….............................….

130,087 

266,253 

146,584 

 
 

   Repayment of long-term borrowings…..............................….

(131,356)

(183,251)

(270,813)

 
 

   Debt issuance cost………………...…..............................…..

(2,631)

(7,566)

 
 

   Cash dividends paid to DIMON Incorporated stockholders...

(12,301)

(8,929)

(8,918)

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

      Net cash provided (used) by financing activities.................

2,426 

36,378 

(147,281)

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash…............................…

(728)

1,832 

(759)

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents…...........……

(20,059)

94,397 

(12,655)

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year….............……

108,991 

14,594 

27,249 

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

         Cash and cash equivalents at end of year…..........……....

$ 88,932 

$   108,991 

$   14,594 

 
  

======================================

 
      
 

Other information:

    
 

   Cash paid during the year:

    
 

      Interest…........................................................…………….

$   48,502 

$   42,049 

$   51,603 

 
 

      Income taxes….................................................……………

16,674 

12,301 

14,609 

 
 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 
   
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 

-37-

 
   


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note A – Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation

The accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements after elimination of significant intercompany accounts and transactions.  The Company uses the equity method of accounting for its investments in affiliates, which are owned 50% or less.

 

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when title and risk of loss is passed to the customer and the earnings process is complete.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are defined as temporary investments of cash with maturities of less than 90 days.

 

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Inventories are reviewed and adjusted for changes in market value based on assumptions related to future demand and worldwide and local market conditions. If actual demand and market conditions vary from those projected by management, adjustments to lower of cost or market value may be required.

          Costs of tobacco inventories are generally determined by the average cost method while costs of other inventories are generally determined by the first-in, first-out method.  Tobacco inventory is substantially finished goods.  Interest and other carrying charges on the inventories are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Effective July 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” SFAS No. 142 eliminates the amortization of goodwill and certain intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.  Instead it requires at least an annual assessment of these assets for impairment by applying a fair-value-based test. Intangible assets with finite useful lives will continue to be amortized over their useful lives.

          In the year of adoption, SFAS No. 142 required the Company to perform an initial assessment for impairment. The Company completed this initial assessment as of July 1, 2002 in the first quarter of 2003 and determined that goodwill was not impaired.  SFAS No. 142 also requires that goodwill be tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances change. The Company has chosen the first day of the last quarter of its fiscal year as the date to perform its annual goodwill impairment test.  The Company found no indication of impairment at its annual review.  Any subsequent impairment losses, if any, will be reflected in operating income in the statement of operations.

          The carrying value of other intangible assets as of June 30, 2003 in the amount of $14,545, represents production and supply contracts of $12,543 and pension assets of $2,002. The production and supply contracts are being amortized primarily on a straight-line basis over three to ten years and were determined by management to meet the criterion for recognition apart from goodwill and to have finite lives. Amortization expense associated with these intangible assets was $1,609, $3,197 and $5,850 for the years ended June 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Annual amortization expense for each of the next five years for these production and supply contracts is expected to be $2,769 in 2004; $2,432 in 2005; $2,378 in 2006; $1,860 in 2007 and $1,028 in 2008.

          The adoption of SFAS No. 142 resulted in the elimination of pretax goodwill amortization expense in the amount of $6.2 million for the year ended June 30, 2003. The following table provides a reconciliation of net income and net income per share, reflecting the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 142 on a pro forma basis for the years ended June 30, 2002 and 2001.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-38-

 


  
 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

  
  
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

  
  
 

Note A – Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

  
 

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Continued)

  
  

Years Ended June 30           

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

(in thousands, except per share data)

2003  

2002  

2001   

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

Reported net income…………………………………………..

$ 28,057 

$  27,476 

$  24,894 

 
 

Amortization of goodwill (net of $41 tax for 2002 and 2001)...

6,497 

6,561 

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

Adjusted net income…………………….............................….

$ 28,057 

$  33,973 

$  31,455 

 
  

======================================

 
 

Reported basic earnings per share…..…..............................….

$     0.63 

$      0.62 

$      0.56 

 
 

Amortization of goodwill (net of tax)…..............................…..

0.14 

0.15 

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

Adjusted basic earnings per share………………………….....

$     0.63 

$      0.76 

$      0.71 

 
  

=======================================

 
  
 

Long-Lived Assets

 

The carrying value of long-lived assets is reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment of value exists.  If an evaluation is required, the projected future undiscounted operating cash flows of the related business unit is compared to the carrying value of the long-lived assets to determine if a writedown to fair value is required.   The Company also evaluates the remaining useful lives to determine whether events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of such lives.  The Company believes that no impairment of long-lived assets existed at June 30, 2003.

  
 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment is accounted for on the basis of cost.  Provisions for depreciation are computed on a straight-line basis at annual rates calculated to amortize the cost of depreciable properties over their estimated useful lives.  Buildings, machinery and equipment and technological equipment are depreciated over ranges of 20 to 40 years, 5 to 10 years and 3 to 5 years, respectively.  The consolidated financial statements do not include fully depreciated assets.  Depreciation expense for 2003, 2002 and 2001 was $31,090, $29,654 and $28,513, respectively.

  
 

Income Taxes

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."  Under SFAS No. 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.

  
 

Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," which provided a comprehensive and consistent standard for the recognition and measurement of derivatives and hedging activities.  In June 1999, the FASB issued SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of SFAS No. 133," which delayed implementation of SFAS No. 133 until years beginning after June 15, 2000.  In June 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities," which amended SFAS No. 133.  Effective July 1, 2000, the Company adopted SFAS No. 133 as amended.  See Notes D and O to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Stat ements."

  
 

-39-

  


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note A – Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)

          Effective July 1, 2000, four of the Company’s European subsidiaries changed their fiscal year end from March 31 to June 30.  More efficient financial reporting routines have allowed the Company to eliminate the traditional fiscal quarter lag associated with the inclusion of these subsidiaries in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  For the quarter ended September 30, 2000, income of $284 earned by the affected subsidiaries during the period between April 1, 2000 and June 30, 2000 has been recognized as the cumulative effect of an accounting change.  See Note O to the "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements."

          In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations," and No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.  Under the rules, goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are no longer amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests in accordance with the Statements.  The Company has chosen the first day of the last quarter as the date for its annual review.  Other intangible assets continue to be amortized over their useful lives.

          The Company applied the new rules of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets beginning the first quarter of fiscal 2003.  Application of the non-amortization provisions of the Statement resulted in an increase in net income of approximately $6.2 million for the year.  In accordance with SFAS No. 142, the Company evaluated its goodwill and found no indication of impairment in fiscal 2003.

          In October 2001, FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." This Statement establishes a single accounting model for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. As required by SFAS No. 144, the Company adopted this new accounting standard on July 1, 2002.  The adoption of SFAS No. 144 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

          In April 2002, FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections."  This Statement eliminates an inconsistency between the required accounting for sale-leaseback transactions and the required accounting for certain lease modifications that have economic effects that are similar to sale-leaseback transactions and establishes that gains and losses from extinguishment of debt should be classified as extraordinary items only if they meet the criteria of extraordinary.  There was no material impact on the Company’s financial statements as a result of adopting SFAS No. 145.

          In June 2002, FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities."  This Statement requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred.  SFAS No. 146 also establishes that fair value is the objective for initial measurement of the liability.  The Company adopted this standard by the required December 2002 deadline.  The financial statements were not impacted by the adoption of this Statement.

          In November 2002, FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others."  This Interpretation requires a guarantor to include disclosure of certain guarantees that it has issued and if applicable, at inception of the guarantee, to recognize a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing a guarantee.  The recognition and measurement requirements of this Interpretation are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002.  The adoption of this Interpretation did not have a material impact on  the Company’s financial statements.  

          In December 2002, FASB issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123." This Statement amends SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation.   In addition, this Statement amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. As required under SFAS No. 148, the Company adopted these disclosure requirements in fiscal 2003.

 
 
 
 

-40-

 


ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 

Note A – Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)

          In January 2003, FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46,  "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities." This Interpretation requires that if a business enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities and results of the activities of the variable interest entity should be included in consolidated financial statements of the business enterprise.  This Interpretation applies immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003.  For variable interest entities created or acquired prior to February 1, 2003, the provisions of this Interpretation were effective beginning in the Company’s third quarter of fiscal 2003.  The Company does not believe that it has any significant variable interest entities requiring consolidation or further disclosure.  Therefore, the adopti on of this Interpretation did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

          In April 2003, FASB issued SFAS No. 149,  "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."  SFAS No.  149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."  This Statement will become effective in fiscal 2004 for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003.  The Company will adopt the provisions under SFAS No. 149 beginning on July 1, 2003 and does not expect any material impact on its financial statements.

          In May 2003, FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity."  Under the provisions of SFAS No. 150 certain financial instruments that previously could be accounted for as equity must be presented as liabilities, and in some cases assets, on the balance sheet.  The Company will adopt this new standard beginning July 1, 2003 and does not expect it to have any material effect on its financial statements.  

 

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  The diluted earnings per share calculation assumes that all of the outstanding Convertible Subordinated Debentures outstanding during the periods presented were converted into Common Stock at the beginning of the reporting period, or as of the date of issue, thereby increasing the weighted average number of shares considered outstanding during each period and reducing the after-tax interest expense.  The weighted average number of shares outstanding are further increased by common stock equivalents on employee stock options and restricted shares outstanding.

 

DIMON and Subsidiaries Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

 

Years Ended June 30              

 

_________________________________________

(in thousands, except per share data)

2003    

2002    

2001    

============================================================================================================

BASIC EARNINGS

   Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes

   

        and extraordinary item…………………………………………..

$26,280   

$27,476   

$24,997   

   Cumulative effect of accounting changes............................………..

-   

-   

(103)  

   Extraordinary item:  Iraqi receivable recovery……………………..

1,777   

-   

-    

 

_________________________________________

   Net Income………………………………………………………….

$28,057   

 $27,476   

 $24,894   

 

=========================================

SHARES

   

   Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding…..............……

44,532   

44,525   

44,525   

 

=========================================

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

   

   Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes

   

        and extraordinary item………………………………………….

$.59   

$.62   

$.56   

   Cumulative effect of accounting changes….........................….. ….

-   

-   

-   

   Extraordinary item – Iraqi receivable recovery…………………….

.04   

-   

-   

   

______  

______  

______  

   Net Income…………………………………………………………

$.63   

$.62   

$.56   

 

======  

======  

======  

-41-



 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note A – Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

DIMON and Subsidiaries Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

 

Years Ended June 30              

 

_________________________________________

(in thousands, except per share data)

2003    

2002    

2001    

================================================================================================================

    

DILUTED EARNINGS

   

   Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes

   

        and extraordinary item………………………………………….

$26,280   

$27,476   

$24,997   

   Add after tax interest expense applicable to 6¼%

   

        Convertible Debentures issued April 1, 1997………………….

-* 

-* 

-*  

 

_________________________________________

   Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes

   

        and extraordinary item………………………………………….

$26,280   

$27,476   

$24,997   

   Cumulative effect of accounting changes….........................………

-   

-   

(103)  

   Extraordinary item:  Iraqi receivable recovery…………………....

1,777   

-   

-    

 

_________________________________________

   Net Income as Adjusted….......................................………………

$28,057 *

$27,476 *

$24,894 *

 

=========================================

SHARES

 

   Weighted average number of common shares outstanding….....….

44,532   

44,525   

44,525   

   Restricted shares issued and shares

   

      applicable to stock options, net of shares assumed to

   

      be purchased from proceeds at average market price……………

534   

522   

313   

   Assuming conversion of 6 ¼% Convertible

   

      Debentures at the beginning of the period…..............…………..

- *

- *

- *

 

_________________________________________

   Average Number of Shares Outstanding…............................…….

45,066 *

45,047 *

44,838 *

 

=========================================

 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

   

   Income before cumulative effect of accounting changes

   

        and extraordinary item...........................................................…..

$.58 *

$.61 *

$.56 *

   Cumulative effect of accounting changes............................……….

-   

-   

-   

   Extraordinary item – Iraqi receivable recovery…………………….

.04 *

-   

-   

 

______  

______  

______  

   Net Income as Adjusted…................................……….......………

$.62 *

$.61 *

$.56 *

 

======  

======  

======  

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

*  Assumed conversion of Convertible Debentures at the beginning of the period has an antidilutive effect on
    earnings per share.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-42-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note A – Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

 

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s stock option plans are described more fully in Note I to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”  The Company accounts for its plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related Interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under these plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Net income, as reported, includes compensation expense related to restricted stock.  The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to stock-based employee compensation.

 
  

Years Ended June 30           

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

(in thousands, except per share data)

2003  

2002  

2001   

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

Net income, as reported………………………………………..

$  28,057  

$  27,476 

$  24,894 

 
 

Deduct:  Total stock-based employee compensation expense

 

   
 

     determined under fair value based method for all awards,

    
 

     net of related tax effects……………………………………

(1,035) 

(742)

(408)

 
  

_______________________________________

 
 

Pro forma net income………………….............................….

$  27,022  

$  26,734 

$  24,486 

 
  

======================================

 
 

Earnings per share:

  
 

     Basic – as reported………………..…............................….

$        0.63  

$       0.62 

$       0.56 

 
 

     Basic – pro forma……………….…..............................…..

0.61  

0.60 

0.55 

 
  

==================================

 
 

     Diluted – as reported………………..….............................

$        0.62  

$       0.61 

$       0.56 

 
 

     Diluted – pro forma……………….…................................

0.60  

0.59 

0.55 

 
  

==================================

 
 

Related Parties

During fiscal 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Company paid $3,382, $2,741 and $2,387, respectively, in leasing arrangements for storage facilities and equipment.  The primary owners of the lessor are current and former employees of a subsidiary of the Company in Zimbabwe.

 

Restructuring

In fiscal 2001, the Company recovered $1,384 primarily related to the disposals of fixed assets.

 

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  These estimates may change with future events.

 
 
 
 
 
 

-43-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note B – Extraordinary Item

On May 1, 2003, the Company received $2,734 from the United Nations Compensation Commission in connection with a claim filed by a predecessor company, Monk-Austin, Incorporated.  The claim arose from an uncollected trade receivable from the Iraqi Tobacco Monopoly, which related to transactions that occurred prior to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990.  The predecessor company charged off the entire receivable, net of tax, as a $5,202 extraordinary loss during its fiscal year 1991.  The extraordinary gain of $1,777 is recorded net of tax of $957.

          

 

Note C – Foreign Currency Translation

The financial statements of foreign entities included in the consolidated financial statements have been translated to U.S. dollars in accordance with SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation.”

          The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, for which the local currency is the functional currency, are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at period end for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during each reporting period for results of operations. Adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements are reflected as a separate component of other comprehensive income.

          The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries, for which the U.S. dollar is the functional currency and which have certain transactions denominated in a local currency, are remeasured into U.S. dollars. The remeasurement of local currencies into U.S. dollars creates remeasurement adjustments that are included in net income. Exchange losses in 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $3,507, $4,411 and $3,621, respectively and are included in the respective statements of income.

 
 
    
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-44-

 


ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 

Note D – Derivative and Other Financial Instruments

 

Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments

Effective July 1, 2000, the Company adopted SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."  As a result of adoption of SFAS No. 133, the Company recognizes all derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swap contracts and foreign exchange contracts, in the consolidated financial statements at fair value regardless of the purpose or intent for holding the instrument.  Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized periodically in income or in shareholders' equity as a component of comprehensive income depending on whether the derivative financial instrument qualifies for hedge accounting, and if so, whether it qualifies as a fair value hedge or cash flow hedge.  Changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges are recorded in income along with the portions of the changes in the fair values of the h edged items that relate to the hedged risk(s).  Changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective as hedges, are recorded in other comprehensive income net of deferred taxes.  Changes in fair values of derivatives not qualifying as hedges are reported in income.

          The fair value estimates presented herein are based on information available to management and were determined using quoted market prices and the discounted value of future cash flows.

          During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, accumulated other comprehensive income increased by $1,638, net of deferred taxes of $804 due to the reclassification of $418, net of taxes of $202, which was reclassified into earnings, primarily as cost of goods and services sold, due to the fulfillment of transactions.  The remaining $1,220, net of tax of $602, was due to the issuance of new cash flow hedges during the year.  During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002, accumulated other comprehensive income decreased by $4,192, net of deferred taxes of $2,112, due to the reclassification of net losses on derivative instruments to earnings.  Of this amount, $994, net of taxes of $535, was reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of a cash flow hedge that had been deemed effective.  During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001, accumu lated other comprehensive income decreased by $4,828, net of deferred taxes of $2,423, related specifically to accumulated unrealized net losses on forward contracts and interest rate swap agreements accounted for as cash flow hedges.

          At June 30, 2003, the Company expects to reclassify approximately $1,002 of gains on derivative instruments, net of deferred taxes of $494, from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next twelve months due to the actual fulfillment of forecasted transactions.  The Company is hedging its exposure to the variability of future cash flows for forecasted transactions over various time periods not exceeding ten years.

          The carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company's long-term debt are $426,122 and $449,522, respectively, as of June 30, 2003 and $403,339 and $402,977, respectively, as of June 30, 2002.

          The counterparties to all of the Company’s derivative financial instruments are a diverse group of major financial institutions with which the Company also has other financial relationships.  These counterparties expose the Company to credit loss in the event of non-performance.  If a counterparty fails to meet the terms of an agreement, the Company's exposure is limited to the net amount that would have been received, if any, over the agreement's remaining life.  The Company does not anticipate non-performance by the counterparties, given their high credit ratings, and no material loss would be expected from non-performance by any one of such counterparties.

 

Fixed to Floating Rate Interest Swaps

Concurrent with the private issuance of $200 million principal amount of 9 5/8% Senior Notes on October 30, 2001, the Company entered into a derivative financial instrument to swap the entire $200 million notional amount of the Senior Notes to a floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 4.11%, set six months in arrears.   Also, concurrent with the private issuance of $125 million principal amount of 7 3/4% Senior Notes on May 30, 2003, the Company entered into a derivative financial instrument to swap the entire $125 million notional amount of Senior Notes to a floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.69%, set six months in arrears.  See also Note F to the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

          The maturity, payment dates, and other fundamental terms of these derivative financial instruments match those of the related Senior Notes.  In accordance with SFAS No. 133, these derivatives qualify for hedge accounting treatment.  They are accounted for as fair value hedges.  Changes in the fair value of these derivative financial instruments, as well as offsetting changes in the fair value of the Senior Notes, are being recognized in current period earnings.  As of June 30, 2003 and 2002, the fair value of the debt increased the Senior Notes liability by $16,319 and decreased the liability by $3,638, respectively, with a corresponding change in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments reflected in Deferred Credits – Compensation and Other.    

 

-45-


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note D – Derivative and Other Financial Instruments (Continued)

 

Floating to Fixed Rate Interest Swaps

Prior to the implementation of SFAS No. 133, the Company entered into multiple interest swaps to convert a portion of its worldwide debt portfolio from floating to fixed interest rates, to reduce its exposure to interest rate volatility.  At June 30, 2003, the Company held instruments of this type with an aggregate notional value of $265 million, bearing interest at rates between 4.29% and 6.22%, and with maturity dates ranging from September 15, 2003 to September 15, 2008.  The implementation of SFAS No. 133 eliminated hedge accounting treatment for these instruments because they do not meet certain criteria.  Accordingly, the Company is required to reflect the full amount of all changes in their fair value, without offset, in its current earnings.  These fair value adjustments have caused substantial volatility in the Company’s reported earnings.  For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Compa ny recognized non-cash charges before income taxes of $12,409, $10,202 and $4,680, respectively, from the change in the fair value of these derivative financial instruments.  With the recognition of each charge or credit relating to these instruments, a corresponding amount is recognized in Deferred Credits – Compensation and Other.  At June 30, 2003, there was an aggregate credit of $27,884 relating to these instruments accumulated in this balance sheet classification, all of which will reverse through future earnings over the remaining life of the instruments.

 

Forward Currency Contracts

The Company periodically enters into forward currency contracts to protect against volatility associated with certain non-U.S. dollar denominated forecasted transactions.  In accordance with SFAS No. 133, these derivatives qualify for hedge accounting treatment.  They are accounted for as a cash flow hedges.  Changes in the fair value of these derivative financial instruments, net of deferred taxes, are recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and do not affect current period earnings.

 
 

Note E – Short-Term Borrowing Arrangements

Excluding all long-term credit agreements, the Company has lines of credit arrangements with a number of banks under which the Company may borrow up to a total of $480,394 at June 30, 2003 ($450,412 at June 30, 2002).  These lines bear interest at a weighted average rate of 3.48% for the year ending June 30, 2003.  Unused lines of credit at June 30, 2003, amounted to $234,031 ($210,696 at June 30, 2002), net of $36,201 of available letters of credit lines.  Certain non-U.S. borrowings of approximately $18,327 have inventories of approximately $18,327 as collateral.  There were no compensating balance agreements at June 30, 2003 or 2002.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-46-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note F – Long-Term Debt

Such debt is comprised of:

 

2003               

 

2002               

 

____________________________

 

_________________________

 

Maturing

within 

One Year

Maturing

after    

One Year

 

Maturing

within 

One Year

Maturing

after    

One Year

=============================================================================================================================================================

Senior Notes (Net of Fair Value Adjustment

     

    of $16,319 in 2003 and (($3,638) in 2002)….

$            -

$341,319

 

$        -

$321,362

Convertible Subordinated Debentures…..………

-

73,328

 

-

73,328

Revolving Credit Notes……………….….……..

-

-

 

-

-

Other Long-Term Debt…...................…………..

655

6,076

 

584

2,814

 

________________________________________________________________

 

       655

420,723

 

   584

397,504

Capitalized Lease Obligations…...........…………

570

4,174

 

544

4,707

 

________________________________________________________________

 

$    1,225

$424,897

 

$1,128

$402,211

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

  Payments of the debt are scheduled as follows:

 

Senior  
Notes  

Convertible
Subordinated
Debentures

Revolving
Credit   
Notes   

Other    
Long-Term
Debt   

Total    

=============================================================================================================================================================

2004…….................…….

$           -

$          -

$         -

$   655

$       655

2005…….................…….

-

-

-

1,735

1,735

2006…….................…….

-

-

-

1,568

1,568

2007…….................…….

-

73,328

-

608

73,936

2008…….................…….

-

-

-

441

441

2009…….................…….

-

-

-

181

181

Later years…….........……

341,319

-

-

1,543

342,862

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

$341,319

$73,328

$         -

$6,731

$421,378

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 
 

          On May 29, 1996, the Company issued $125 million in 8 7/8% Senior Notes (the "8 7/8% Notes") due 2006. The 8 7/8% Notes were general unsecured obligations of the Company and ranked equally in right of payment with all other unsubordinated indebtedness (including the $165 million credit facility discussed below) of the Company.  The Company used the net proceeds to repay certain existing short-term indebtedness and for other corporate purposes.  The 8 7/8% Notes included a call provision enabling the Company to redeem them on or after June 1, 2001, in whole or in part, at established redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.  There were no sinking fund requirements for the 8 7/8% Notes.  The 8 7/8% Notes were subject to certain covenants that, among other things, required specific liquidity and long-t erm solvency ratios and, under certain circumstances, restricted payment of dividends by the Company.  The Company generally may make such restricted payments, provided that (1) the Company is not in default under the Indenture, (2) the Company is able to incur at least $1.00 of additional indebtedness under a consolidated interest coverage ratio test set forth in the Indenture, and (3) the aggregate amount of the payments to be made is less than the total of (x) $20,000, (y) 50% of the Company's consolidated net income for the period from April 1, 1996, through the end of the Company's most recent fiscal quarter and (z) the net cash proceeds from the sale by the Company of any equity securities or debt securities that are converted into equity securities.

 

-47-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note F – Long-Term Debt (Continued)

 

          On May 30, 2003, the Company completed a private issuance of $125 million principal amount of 7 3/4% Senior Notes (the “7 3/4% Notes”) due 2013 pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and issued a redemption notice for all $125 million of the outstanding 8 7/8% Notes.  The financial covenants of the 7 3/4% Notes are substantially similar to those for the other existing Notes, including restrictions on certain payments.  Concurrent with the completion of the 7 3/4% Note issuance, the Company entered into a derivative financial instrument to swap the entire $125 million notional amount to a floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.69%, set six months in arrears.  The effective rate at June 30, 2003 was 4.81%.  The outstanding 8 7/8% Notes were fully redeemed at June 30, 2003.

          On April 1, 1997, DIMON Incorporated issued $73,328 of 6 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due on March 31, 2007 (the "Debentures"), net of the cancellation of $50,000 in fiscal 1999 settlement of the Intabex litigation.  The Debentures are convertible into approximately 2,549 shares of the Company's Common Stock at a conversion price of $28.77 per share at any time prior to maturity.  The Debentures are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness, as defined, of the Company, and do not have a cross-default provision. The Debentures are redeemable at the option of the Company under certain circumstances on or after April 1, 2000.

          On October 30, 2001, the Company completed a private issuance of $200 million principal amount of 9 5/8% Senior Notes (the “9 5/8% Notes”) due 2011 pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933.  The financial covenants of the 9 5/8% Notes are substantially similar to those for the 8 7/8% Notes, including restrictions on certain payments. The proceeds from the 9 5/8% Notes were used to repay certain existing indebtedness of the Company, including all amounts drawn under the Company's then-existing $250 million syndicated credit facility then existing.  

          Concurrent with the completion of the 9 5/8% Note issuance, the Company entered into a derivative financial instrument to swap the entire $200 million notional amount to a floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 4.11%, set six months in arrears.  The effective rate at June 30, 2003 was 5.23%.  

          On October 31, 2001, the Company closed on a three-year $165 million syndicated bank credit facility with a group of five banks.  The credit facility is subject to certain commitment fees and covenants that, among other things, require DIMON to maintain minimum working capital and tangible net worth amounts, require specific liquidity and long-term solvency ratios, including certain borrowing base restrictions, and restrict acquisitions. The Company continuously monitors its compliance with these covenants. The credit facility's initial term expires on October 31, 2004, and, subject to approval by the lenders, may be extended. The rates of interest are based on the Company’s published credit rating and vary according to the type of loan requested by the Company. During the life of the agreement, the interest rate could be the prime rate or the LIBOR rate adjusted. The primary advance rate is the agent bank's base lending rate (4.0% at June 30, 2003). The Company pays a commitment fee of 1% per annum on any unused portion of the facility.

          At June 30, 2003, the Company was permitted to make restricted payments, including cash dividends on its Common Stock, of up to $39.4 million.

          Other long-term debt consists of obligations of DIMON Incorporated and the tobacco operations in Brazil, Italy and Macedonia, and is payable at interest rates varying from 2.50% to 15.52%.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-48-

 



 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 
 

Note G – Long-Term Leases

The Company has both capital and operating leases.  The operating leases are for land, buildings, automobiles and other equipment; the capital leases are primarily for production machinery and equipment.  The capitalized lease obligations are payable through 2009.  Interest rates are imputed at 3.25% to 12.50%.  Amortization is included in depreciation expense.  Minimum future obligations and capitalized amounts are as follows:

 
 

Capital
Leases

Operating
Leases  

===============================================================================================================

2004………....................................................................………………………………

$   856 

$  5,278

2005………....................................................................………………………………

829 

4,768

2006………....................................................................………………………………

767 

1,974

2007………....................................................................………………………………

717 

1,469

2008………....................................................................………………………………

713 

1,396

Remaining…………………………………………………………………………….

2,131

12,240

 

_____________________________

 

$6,013 

$27,125

  

=========

Less amount representing interest and deposits……….................……………………

1,269 

 
 

________

 

Present value of net minimum lease payments………..................……………………

$4,744 

 

Less current portion of obligations under capital leases……….......………………….

570 

 
 

________

 

Long-term obligations under capital leases………......................…………………….

$4,174 

 
 

=======

 

Capitalized amounts:

  

   Buildings………...............……………………………………………………………

$     81 

 

   Machinery and equipment, primarily vehicles………...............…………………….

5,257 

 

   Accumulated amortization……….......................................…………………………

(1,005)

 
 

_______

 
 

$4,333 

 
 

========

 

Note H – Preferred Stock

The Board of Directors is authorized to issue shares of Preferred Stock in series with variations as to the number of shares in any series.  The Board of Directors also is authorized to establish the rights and privileges of such shares issued, including dividend and voting rights.  At June 30, 2003, no shares had been issued.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-49-

 
 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note I – Stock Incentive Plan

The Incentive Plan authorizes the issuance of up to a total of 4.266 million shares of common stock.  This amount is subject to increase annually by 3% of the number of shares of common stock issued during such year, other than pursuant to the Incentive Plan or shares issued in the event of a stock dividend, stock split, subdivision or combination or other similar change in the capital structure of the Company, or any other event that, in the judgment of the Executive Compensation Committee (the "Committee"), necessitates adjustment of the maximum number of shares available.  The Incentive Plan authorizes the issuance of various stock incentives to any employee of the Company or any subsidiary and any member of the Board that the Committee determines has contributed to the profits or growth of the Company or its affiliates, including nonqualified or incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares of restricted sto ck, performance shares and incentive awards.

          Stock options granted under the Incentive Plan allow for the purchase of common stock at prices determined at the time the option is granted by the Committee.  Stock appreciation rights (SARs) may be granted under the Incentive Plan in relation to option grants or independently of option grants.  SARs generally entitle the participant to receive in cash the excess of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of exercise over the value of the SAR at the date of grant.  Restricted stock is common stock that is both nontransferable and forfeitable unless and until certain conditions are satisfied.  The shares pay dividends and have ordinary voting rights but are forfeitable if employment terminates before the three-year vesting period.  As of June 30, 2003, 197 thousand shares of restricted stock had been awarded under the Incentive Plan.   Performance shares granted under the Incentive Plan are an award, stated with respect to a specified number of shares of common stock that entitles the holder to receive shares of common stock, cash or a combination of both.  As of June 30, 2003, no performance shares had been awarded under the Incentive Plan.  Incentive awards granted under the Incentive Plan allow for selected individuals to receive cash payments upon attainment of stated performance objectives determined by the Committee.  No awards may be granted under the Incentive Plan, as amended, after February 8, 2015.

          The options and SARs become exercisable on various dates as originally determined for the grants assumed by DIMON.  Under the Incentive Plan, the Committee will determine the dates that the options and SARs become exercisable.

          At the 1998 Annual Stockholders' Meeting, shareholders approved the DIMON Incorporated Directors' Stock Plan (the "Directors' Plan"), which replaced the existing Nonemployee Directors' Stock Option Plan effective January 1, 1999. The Directors' Plan is administered by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, with all grants approved by the Board.  The Directors' Plan authorizes the grant of common stock, performance shares and options to purchase common stock to any director who is not an employee of the Company (or any subsidiary) and any person who provides services to the Company (or any subsidiary) in a capacity other than as an employee if the Executive Committee, with the approval of the Board, determines that such person has contributed significantly or can be expected to contribute significantly to the profits or growth of the Company.  The option price will be equal to the fair market value of DIMON common stock on the date of grant. The maximum number of shares to be issued under the Directors' Plan is 70 thousand shares. Options granted under the Directors' Plan are immediately exercisable. As of June 30, 2003, options to purchase 60 thousand shares had been granted and were outstanding under the Directors' Plan and options to purchase 24 thousand shares had been granted and were outstanding under the Nonemployee Directors' Stock Option Plan.

          The Company accounts for the costs of SARs as compensation charges to the income statement with quarterly adjustments for market price fluctuations. All other options are treated as equivalent shares outstanding. There was a $270 charge to income in 2003, $218 credit to income in 2002 and $807 charge to income in 2001 arising from adjustments in fair market values of the SARs.

           

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-50-

 


ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note I – Stock Incentive Plan (Continued)

  

  

 

Information with respect to options and SARs follows:

 
 

2003 

2002 

2001 

=================================================================================================================

Options and SARs outstanding at beginning of year……..……

3,716 

3,253 

2,818 

Options and SARs granted……................................………….

738 

670 

664 

Options and SARs exercised……..............................…………

(22)

-  

Options and SARs cancelled……..............................…………

(295)

(207)

(229)

 

______________________________________________

Options and SARs outstanding at end of year…….........………

4,137 

3,716 

3,253 

 

______________________________________________

SARs included as outstanding at end of year……...........………

750 

637 

537 

 

______________________________________________

Options available for future grants at end of year…….....………

853 

1,377 

1,905 

 

______________________________________________

Options and SARs exercisable at end of year…….........………..

2,221 

2,277 

1,825 

 

______________________________________________

Option and SAR exercise prices per share:

   

Date of grant

(at lowest price)……..........……………….

$  6.25 

$  7.44 

$  2.81 


(at highest price)……..........………………

6.25 

7.44 

6.00 

Exercised

(at lowest price)……...........………………

4.63 

-  

 

(at highest price)……..........………………

4.63 

-  

Cancelled

(at lowest price)……...........………………

2.81 

2.81 

4.63 

 

(at highest price)……..........………………

22.31 

22.31 

22.31 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

          Weighted average option exercise price information for the years 2003, 2002 and 2001 follows:

 
 

2003  

2002  

2001  

==================================================================================================================

Outstanding at July 1…….......................................…………..

$11.08 

$12.03 

$14.63 

Granted during the year……...................................…………..

6.25 

7.44 

2.86 

Exercised during the year…….................................………….

4.63 

-  

Cancelled during the year……………………………………..

18.79 

14.29 

16.81 

Outstanding at June 30…….....................................………….

9.73 

11.08 

12.03 

Exercisable at June 30…….....................................…………..

13.35 

14.93 

17.47 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-51-

 


ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note I – Stock Incentive Plan (Continued)

          Option groups outstanding at June 30, 2003 and related weighted average price and life information follows:

 
 

Grant Date
by Fiscal Year

Options  
Outstanding

Options  
Exercisable

Exercise
Price  

Remaining Life
(Fiscal Years)

=======================================================================================================================================

 

1994……................………………..

131

131

$16.67

-

 

1995……................………………..

253

253

13.97

1

 

1996……................………………..

281

281

16.97

2

 

1997……................………………..

305

305

18.18

3

 

1998……................………………..

325

325

22.33

4

 

1999……................………………..

626

626

7.72

5

 

2000……................………………..

170

170

4.62

6

 

2001……................………………..

651

35

2.86

7

 

2002……................………………..

658

45

7.44

8

 

2003……................………………..

737

50

6.25

9

  

_______

_______

  
  

4,137

2,221

  

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

   

          The weighted average fair value at date of grant for options granted during 2003 and 2002 was $1.97 and $3.26 per option, respectively.  The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

Black-Scholes Assumptions

2003   

 

2002   

 

=============================================================================================================================

 

Expected Life in Years……......................…………

7    

 

7    

 
 

Interest Rate……..................................…………….

4.04%

 

4.62%

 
 

Volatility……......................................……………..

55.01%

 

63.10%

 
 

Dividend Yield……...............................……………

4.80%

 

2.69%

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-52-

 


ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note J – Income Taxes

The components of income before income taxes, equity in net income (loss) of investee companies, cumulative effect of accounting changes  and extraordinary item consisted of the following:

 
 

2003   

2002   

2001   

=============================================================================================================================

U.S. …….......................................................…………………

$(39,684)

$(46,095)

$(20,552)

Foreign……....................................................……………….

74,726 

84,118 

55,092 

 

__________________________________________

 

$ 35,042 

$ 38,023 

$ 34,540 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

          The details of the amount shown for income taxes in the Statements of Consolidated Income and Comprehensive Income follow:

 
 

2003   

2002   

2001   

=============================================================================================================================

Current

   

Federal……....................................................………………..

$     1,165 

$     688  

$          -  

State…….......................................................…………………

-  

-  

 -  

Foreign……...................................................………………..

23,742 

9,524 

11,386 

 

_____________________________________________________

 

$   24,907 

$  10,212 

$ 11,386 

 

_____________________________________________________

Deferred

   

Federal……....................................................………………..

$  (10,779)

$     (505)

$   3,074 

State…….......................................................…………………

(959)

(160)

Foreign……....................................................……………….

(4,058)

495 

(5,028)

 

_____________________________________________________

 

$  (15,796)

$       (10)

$  (2,114)

 

_____________________________________________________

  

Total…….......................................................………………..

$      9,111 

$  10,202 

$   9,272 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

          The reasons for the difference between income tax expense based on income before income taxes, equity in net income (loss) of investee companies, cumulative effect of accounting changes and extraordinary item and the amount computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate to such income are as follows:

 
 

2003   

2002   

2001   

==========================================================================================================================

Computed "expected" tax expense……....................…………

$ 12,265 

$ 13,308 

$  12,089 

Effect of foreign income taxes…….........................…………

223 

(10,805)

(4,279)

U.S. taxes on foreign income, net of tax credits……...………

4,520 

7,207 

8,027 

Permanent items……..........................................…………….

(7,897)

492 

(6,565)

 

__________________________________________

Actual tax expense…...........................………………………

$   9,111 

$ 10,202 

$    9,272 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 
 
 
 
 
 

          

-53-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note J – Income Taxes (Continued)

 

          The deferred tax liabilities (assets) are comprised of the following:

 
 

2003   

2002   

====================================================================================================================

Deferred tax liabilities:

  
 

Foreign taxes…….....................................................…………………

$   3,550 

$   4,393 

 

Fixed assets……......................................................…………………..

12,202 

14,434 

  

_____________________________________

Total deferred tax liabilities……...............................……………………...

$ 15,752 

$ 18,827 

 

_____________________________________

  

Deferred tax assets:

  
 

Reserves and accruals….............................................…………………

$  (10,642)

$  (6,400)

 

Restructuring accruals……..............................………………………..

(1,091)

(1,726)

 

Tax credits……..............................................……………….………...

(8,242)

(20,351)

 

Tax loss carryforwards…….........................................………………..

(20,407)

(22,524)

 

Derivative transactions…………………………………………………

(10,848)

(6,328)

 

Postretirement and other benefits……..............................…………….

(15,696)

(12,731)

 

Other……..............................................................…………………….

(4,757)

(3,727)

  

____________________________________

   

Gross deferred tax assets……………………………………………………

(71,683)

(73,787)

Valuation allowance…….................................................………………….

16,504 

30,696 

 

_____________________________________

Total deferred tax assets……………………………………………………

$(55,179)

$(43,091)

 

_____________________________________

Net deferred tax asset……........................…………………………………

$(39,427)

$(24,264)

 

=====================================

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

          For the year ended June 30, 2003, the valuation allowance decreased by $14,192 due primarily to utilization of foreign tax credit carryovers in the US, and for June 30, 2002, the valuation allowance increased by $3,201 due primarily to increases in net operating loss carryovers.  At June 30, 2003, the Company has net operating tax loss carryforwards of approximately $44,794 from foreign operations and $120,639 from U.S. operations for state income tax purposes that expire in 2004 and thereafter.  Valuation allowances of $16,504 and $30,696 remain at the end of fiscal 2003 and 2002 respectively, primarily related to state and foreign net operating losses, which begin expiring in 2004, and foreign tax credits that will expire in 2004.

          Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of the loss carryforwards.  Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely that not that all of the deferred tax assets, net of applicable valuation allowances, will be realized.  The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable could be reduced or increased if estimates of future taxable income change during the carryforward period.

          Consolidated retained earnings at June 30, 2003 include undistributed earnings of $229,138 from certain foreign consolidated subsidiaries which are neither subject to additional foreign income taxes nor considered to be subject to U.S. income taxes unless remitted as dividends.  The Company considers these undistributed earnings to be permanently reinvested abroad, and accordingly, has made no provision for U.S. taxes on such earnings. It is not practicable to estimate the income tax liability that might be incurred if such earnings were remitted to the United States; however, it is not anticipated that any incremental U.S. tax would result due to the ability to offset with foreign tax credits.

          

 

-54-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note K – Employee Benefits

Retirement Benefits

The Company has a Cash Balance Plan that provides retirement benefits for substantially all U.S. salaried personnel based on years of service rendered, age and compensation.  The Company also maintains an Excess Benefit Plan that provides individuals who participated in the former Dibrell Defined Benefit Pension Plan the difference between the benefits they could have potentially accrued under the Defined Benefit Pension Plan and the benefits that would have actually been paid as limited by regulations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code.  The Company funds these plans in amounts consistent with the funding requirements of Federal Law and Regulations.

          Additional non-U.S. plans sponsored by certain subsidiaries cover substantially all of the full-time employees located in Germany, Greece, Italy and Turkey.  

          A reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the plans at June 30 was as follows:

 
 

2003   

2002   

=============================================================================================================

Change in Benefit Obligation

  
 

Benefit obligation, beginning………...............................…………

$ 60,248 

$ 56,809 

 

Service cost………....................................................……………..

2,467 

1,912 

 

Interest cost………....................................................……………..

4,294 

4,235 

 

Actuarial loss ……..….............................…………………………

7,181 

2,975 

 

Benefits paid………...................................................…………….

(5,616)

(5,683)

  

____________________________________

 

Benefit obligation, ending………...................................…………

$ 68,574 

$ 60,248 

  

===================================

   
   

Change in Plan Assets

  
 

Fair value of plan assets, beginning……….......................……….

$ 35,951 

$ 43,174 

 

Actual return on plan assets……….................................…………

967 

(2,950)

 

Company contribution…………………………………………….

1,838 

1,656 

 

Benefits paid………...................................................…………….

(5,616)

(5,929)

 

____________________________________

 

Fair value of plan assets, ending………...........................………..

$ 33,140 

$ 35,951 

 

===================================

 

Funded status of plan………..............................................……………

$(35,434)

$(24,297)

Unrecognized actuarial loss….............................……………………..

9,423 

331 

Unrecognized prior service cost………..................................…………

2,609 

3,088 

Unrecognized net transition obligation………..........................……….

-  

(218)

 

____________________________________

 

Net amount recognized……….......................................…………

$(23,402)

$(21,096)

 

===================================

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-55-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 

Note K – Employee Benefits (Continued)

Retirement Benefits (Continued)


 

2003   

2002   

=================================================================================================================

Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet Consist of:

  
 

Prepaid benefit cost…………........................................…………..

$           - 

$           - 

 

Accrued benefit liability…………...................................…………

(30,519)

(25,018)

 

Intangible asset………….............................................……………

2,002 

1,664 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income.……………………….

5,115 

2,258 

 

__________________________________

 

Net amount recognized…………....................................………….

$(23,402)

$(21,096)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

          Net periodic pension costs included the following components:


 

2003  

2002  

2001  

 

==================================================================================================================

Service cost………..........................................………….

$ 2,467 

$ 1,912 

$ 1,799 

 

Interest expense……….....................................…………

4,294 

4,235 

4,224 

 

Expected return on plan assets………...................………

(3,039)

(3,625)

(3,824)

 

Amortization of prior service cost………...............…….

316 

283 

291 

 

Amortization of transition amount………...............……

(252)

(348)

(311)

 

Actuarial loss (gain)..............................…………………

291

(225)

(449)

 
 

_______________________________________________

 

Net periodic pension cost……….........................……….

$ 4,077 

$ 2,232 

$ 1,730 

 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

          For the U.S. plans, benefit obligations for the Retirement Plan and the Excess Benefit Plan were determined using assumed discount rates of 6.00% for 2003, 7.25% for 2002 and 7.75% for 2001.  Assumed compensation increases were 3.5% for 2003 and 4.0% for 2002 and 2001 for the Retirement Plan and for the Excess Benefit Plan. The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets for all three years was 9% for the Retirement Plan.  Plan assets consist principally of common stock and fixed income securities.  For non-U.S. plans, discount rates and assumed compensation increases are in accordance with locally accepted practice.  No assumed long-term rate of return is made for non-U.S. plan assets as these plans are generally not funded.

          The projected benefit obligation and accumulated benefit obligation for those plans in which the accumulated benefit obligation was in excess of plan assets were $68,574 and $64,007, respectively, for 2003 and $24,785 and $21,135, respectively, for 2002.  These plans hold no assets.

          The Company also sponsors a 401-k savings plan for most of its salaried employees located in the United States.  The Company's contributions to the plan were $401 in 2003, $396 in 2002 and $405 in 2001.

 

Postretirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits

The Company provides certain health and life insurance benefits to retired U.S. employees (and their eligible dependents) who meet specified age and service requirements.  Plan assets consist of paid-up life insurance policies on certain current retirees.  The Company retains the right, subject to existing agreements, to modify or eliminate the medical benefits.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-56-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note K – Employee Benefits (Continued)

Postretirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits (Continued)

          A reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the plans at June 30 was as follows:

 
 

2003   

2002   

=================================================================================================================

Change in Benefit Obligation

  
 

Benefit obligation, beginning………................................………..

$  14,503 

$  13,729 

 

Service cost………....................................................……………..

342 

199 

 

Interest cost………....................................................……………..

1,357 

1,004 

 

Actuarial loss……….........................................…………………..

7,924 

2,065 

 

Benefits paid………...................................................…………….

(2,078)

(2,494)

  

__________________________________

 

Benefit obligation, ending………...................................…………

$  22,048 

$  14,503 

  

==================================

Change in Plan Assets

  
 

Fair value of plan assets, beginning………........................………

$         95 

$      174 

 

Actual return on plan assets……….................................…………

(8)

38 

 

Company contribution……………………………………………

185 

178 

 

Benefits paid………...................................................…………….

(118)

(295)

 

__________________________________

 

Fair value of plan assets, ending………...........................………..

$       154 

$        95 

 

===============================

Funded status of plan………..............................................……………

$(21,894)

$(14,408)

Unrecognized actuarial loss……..…............................……………….

8,004 

261 

Unrecognized prior service cost……….................................…………

(2,232)

(2,540)

 

__________________________________

 

Net amount recognized………......................................…………..

$(16,122)

$(16,687)

 

==================================

Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet Consist of:

  
 

Prepaid benefit cost………...........................................…………..

$           -  

$          -  

 

Accrued benefit liability………......................................…………

(16,122)

(16,687)

 

Intangible asset………................................................……………

-  

-  

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income…….................………

-  

-  

 

__________________________________

 

Net amount recognized……….......................................………….

$(16,122)

$(16,687)

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

          For measurement purposes, a 10.0% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2003.  The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5.0% by the year 2010.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-57-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note K – Employee Benefits (Continued)

Postretirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits (Continued)

          Net periodic benefit costs included the following components:


 

2003  

2002  

2001  

=================================================================================================================

Service cost…….............................................………….

$   342 

$   199 

$   284 

Interest expense……........................................…………

1,357 

1,004 

1,210 

Expected return on plan assets……......................……...

(5)

(10)

(2)

Amortization of prior service cost……..................…….

(308)

(308)

(217)

Actuarial (gain)/loss……..................................………..

194 

(33)

(113)

 

_________________________________________________

Net pension cost…….......................................…………

$1,580 

$   852 

$1,162 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


          Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans.  A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:


 

1-Percentage-
Point Increase

1-Percentage-
Point Decrease

=================================================================================================================

Effect on total of service and interest cost components……........……

$  101            

$  (88)            

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation……......................………

        1,118            

        (990)            

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


          The Company continues to evaluate ways to better manage these benefits and control the costs.  Any changes in the plan or revisions to assumptions that affect the amount of expected future benefits may have a significant effect on the amount of the reported obligation and annual expense.

          Employees in operations located in certain foreign countries are covered by various foreign postretirement life insurance benefit arrangements.  There are no postretirement health benefits due to coverage ceasing at retirement or coverage continuing through a national health system.  For these foreign plans, the cost of benefits charged to income was not material in 2003, 2002 and 2001.

 

Note L – Segment Information

The Company operates in one segment, the tobacco business:  purchasing, processing, selling and storing leaf tobacco.  The Company purchases tobacco in more than 40 countries and ships tobacco to approximately 90 countries.

          Geographic information as to sales and other operating revenues is based on the destination of the product sold.  Long-lived assets are classified based on the location of the asset.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-58-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note L – Segment Information (Continued)

 

2003    

2002    

2001    

=====================================================================================================================

Sales and Other Operating Revenues:

   
 

United States….........................................…………

$   239,207

$   248,620

$   437,256

 

Germany...........................................……………….

175,700

186,480

208,218

 

Other…..................................................…………...

856,776

824,620

755,481

  

_________________________________________________________

  

$1,271,683

$1,259,720

$1,400,955

 

=========================================================

    

Sales and Other Operating Revenues to Major Customers:

 

Of the 2003, 2002 and 2001 sales and other operating revenues, approximately 38%, 35% and 36%, respectively, were to various tobacco companies which management has reason to believe are now owned by or under the common control of two companies.  (The following table summarizes the net sales to each customer for the periods indicated: )

 
 

Customer A…................................................…………..

$   215,988

$   166,675

$   251,929

Customer B…................................................…………..

264,547

275,487

248,078

 

________________________________________________________

 

$   480,535

$   442,162

$   500,007

 

=========================================================

Long-Lived Assets:

   
 

United States….......................................…………..

$  37,503

$  44,599

$  56,516

 

Brazil…................................................…………….

40,262

38,979

38,985

 

Malawi.................................................…………….

25,566

28,107

29,721

 

Tanzania.............................................……………...

22,582

24,470

26,391

 

Zimbabwe.............................................……………

46,292

49,418

52,382

 

South America.......................................…………...

1,769

1,970

2,388

 

Europe…..............................................…………….

51,693

42,805

41,200

 

Asia……..............................................…………….

7,043

7,306

7,316

 

Other…...............................................……………..

19,785

19,630

15,409

  

_________________________________________________________

 

Long-Lived Assets…............……...

$252,495

$257,284

$270,308

  _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Note M – Shareholder Rights Plan

Pursuant to a Rights Agreement, dated as of March 31, 1995, between the Company and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as Rights Agent, one right to purchase common stock is attached to each share of DIMON common stock.  Each right entitles the holder thereof to purchase from the Company one share of common stock at a price of $65.00 per share only after the date on which any person or group of affiliated persons acquires additional shares of common stock representing 10% or more of the outstanding common stock (a “Triggering Event”).  After a Triggering Event, each holder of a right will have the right to receive common stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company) having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right, and all rights that are beneficially owned by such acquiring person (or certain related parties) will be null and void.  If the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination, each right will entitle the holder, other than the acquiring person, to purchase securities of the surviving company having a market value equal to twice the exercise price of the rights.  Following the acquisition by any person of more than the threshold percentage of the Company’s outstanding common stock but less than 50% of such stock, the Company may exchange one share of common stock for each right (other than rights held by such acquiring person).  Until the rights become exercisable, they may be redeemed by the Company at a price of one cent per right.  The rights expire on March 31, 2005.

 

-59-


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note N - Contingencies and Other Information

In 1993, the Company received notices from Brazilian tax authorities of proposed adjustments to the income tax returns of the Company's entities located in Brazil for the calendar years ending 1988 through 1992.  In August 1996, the Company also received notices of adjustments from Brazilian tax authorities proposing adjustments to the income taxes for calendar year 1992 based on the Company's recalculation of monetary correction as allowed under Law 8200.  The Company successfully defeated many of the proposed adjustments in litigation and settled the other issues under REFIS and Tax Amnesty programs.  During the twelve months ended June 30, 2003, the Company resolved an additional $2,000 of tax, penalties and interest.  As of June 30, 2003, tax, penalties and interest relating to still unresolved issues is approximately $1,600, before related tax benefits for future deductions, and deduction of interest if the Company fail ed to prevail on these issues.    

          On October 31, 2002, the Company received an assessment from the tax authorities in Germany regarding the taxable gain from the sale of its flower operations, Florimex, in September 1998.  The report concluded the values of the real estate located in Germany were greater than those arrived at with the buyer of the flower operation.  The proposed adjustment to income tax is equivalent to approximately $4,500.  The Company has challenged this finding with valuations that support the values used in the original filings and is currently discussing the issue with the tax officials in Germany.

          In September 2002, the Company’s Tanzanian operation received an assessment for income taxes equivalent to approximately $1,000.  The company has filed a protest and an appeal and is awaiting a reply.

          The Company believes it has properly reported its income and paid its taxes in Brazil, Germany and Tanzania in accordance with applicable laws and intends to vigorously contest the proposed adjustments. The Company expects the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated balance sheet or results of operations.

          DeLoach, et al. v. Philip Morris Companies Inc., et al., is a lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina (Case No. 00-CV-1235).  On April 3, 2002, the Court issued an opinion and order certifying a class of plaintiffs.  As certified, the class consists of persons who, at any time from March 1, 1996 through February 28, 2001, held a quota to grow or produced and sold U.S. flue-cured and burley tobacco.  The plaintiffs allege that the defendants, which include cigarette manufacturers and leaf tobacco dealers, including the Company, violated the antitrust laws by conspiring to rig bids at auction and undermine the federal government quota and price support program.  The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief, treble damages in an unspecified amount, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys' fees and costs of litiga tion.  The Company and the other defendants have asserted a number of defenses to the allegations made.

          On May 15, 2003, the Company entered into a conditional settlement agreement to resolve its involvement in the DeLoach class action litigation.  The Settlement Agreement was signed by the plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and the class of plaintiffs they represent, the Company, and all but one of the other defendants in the case.  Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the Company will pay $6 million of the approximately $210 million of cash settlement payments to be paid by the settling defendants, and will not be obligated to pay any portion of the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees or other costs or expenses awarded by the Court, which will be paid by certain other settling defendants.  Because management expects that the court will ultimately approve the settlement agreement, the Company has recorded its share of the settlement as of June 30, 2003.  In addition, certain other settling defendants who are cigarette manufacturers have agreed to purchase certain minimum amounts of U.S. grown tobacco over the next ten years.  In exchange, the plaintiffs and the members of the class will release the settling defendants, including the Company and its affiliates, from any and all claims, damages, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, under state or federal law, that any plaintiff or member of the class has or had, that was or could have been alleged as a class action in the DeLoach litigation.

          The Settlement Agreement expressly recognizes the Company’s continued denial of wrongdoing and liability, and does not constitute an admission of any of the claims or allegations made by the plaintiffs in the case, or any admission or evidence of a violation of any law or other wrongdoing by any of the settling defendants.  

          The Settlement Agreement has received preliminary approval from the Court, and consummation of the settlement is subject to final approval of the Court following a required notice to the members of the class of plaintiffs.  It is expected that any such final approval will occur in mid to late September.  Certain members of the potential class of plaintiffs may opt out of the settlement in accordance with the rules governing class action litigation.  The DeLoach litigation will continue against the non-settling defendant.

 

-60-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 
 

Note N - Contingencies and Other Information (Continued)

         In October 2001, the Directorate General for Competition (DGCOMP) of the European Commission (EC) began conducting an administrative investigation into certain tobacco buying and selling practices alleged to have occurred within the leaf tobacco industry in Spain and Italy.  The Company believes that the DGCOMP may be conducting similar investigations in other countries.  The Company subsidiaries in Spain (Agroexpansion) and Italy (DIMON Italia) are cooperating with the DGCOMP.  Based on the Company’s understanding of the facts pertaining to the activities of Spanish and Italian tobacco processors, including Agroexpansion and DIMON Italia, respectively, the Company believes there have been infringements of EU law.  Agroexpansion and DIMON Italia believe that there are mitigating circumstances in the structure and traditional operation of tobacco production and proces sing in these markets.  The EC is not expected to issue a ruling (Statement of Objection) concerning either of these investigations until later in 2003.  The Company expects that administrative penalties will be assessed, and those penalties could be material to our earnings.  However, the Company is not able to make an assessment of the amount of any such penalties at this time.  The Company understands that the cooperation of its subsidiaries with the DGCOMP during its investigations could result in a reduction of the amount of penalties imposed. 

          In September 2002, the Argentina National Commission for Defense of Competition ("NCDC") began an administrative inquiry into the tobacco and cigarette industry in Argentina.  The Company subsidiary in Argentina, DIMON Argentina S.A., is cooperating with the NCDC.  The Company cannot predict whether the inquiry will result in any further action by the NCDC.

          The Company and certain of its foreign subsidiaries guarantee bank loans to growers to finance their crop.  Under longer-term arrangements, the Company may also guarantee financing on growers' construction of curing barns or other tobacco production assets.  The Company also guarantees bank loans to certain tobacco cooperatives to assist with the financing of their growers' crops.  Guaranteed loans are generally repaid concurrent with the delivery of tobacco to the Company.  The Company is obligated to repay any guaranteed loan should the grower or tobacco cooperative default.  If default occurs, the Company has recourse against the grower or cooperative.  At June 30, 2003, the Company is guarantor of an amount not to exceed $136,799 with $105,576 outstanding under these guarantees.  The majority of the current outstanding guarantees expire within the respective annual crop cycle.  The Company considers the risk of significant loss under these guarantees and other contingencies to be remote, and the accrual recorded for exposure under them was not material at June 30, 2003.  

          On August 21, 2001, the Company's subsidiary in Brazil won a claim related to certain excise taxes ("IPI credit bonus") for the years 1983 through 1990 and is now pursuing collection.  The collection procedures are not clear and the total realization process could potentially be over many years.  The Company is unable to estimate the realizable value of this claim as of June 30, 2003.

          Zimbabwe remains in a period of civil unrest in combination with a deteriorating economy.  Should the current political situation continue, the Company could experience disruptions and delays associated with its Zimbabwe operations.  If the political situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate, the Company’s ability to recover its assets there could be impaired.  The Company’s Zimbabwe subsidiary has long-lived assets of approximately $46,292 as of June 30, 2003.

          The Company's subsidiary in Spain, Compania General de Tabacos de Filipinas (CdF), was the plaintiff in a lawsuit regarding the alleged breach of contract in CdF's sale of a building located in Barcelona in 1991.  CdF successfully concluded the lawsuit in February, 2001, and the Company realized a gain of $3,923.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-61-

 


 

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Continued)

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
DIMON Incorporated and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

Note O - Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting Principles

Reporting Period of Subsidiaries

Effective July 1, 2000, four of the Company's European subsidiaries changed their fiscal year end from March 31 to June 30.  More efficient financial reporting routines have allowed the Company to eliminate the traditional fiscal quarter lag associated with the inclusion of these subsidiaries in its consolidated financial statements.  For the quarter ended September 30, 2000, income of $284 earned by the affected subsidiaries during the period between April 1, 2000 and June 30, 2000 has been recognized as the cumulative effect of an accounting change.  

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

Effective July 1, 2000, the Company adopted SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities."  In accordance with the transition provisions of SFAS No. 133, the Company recorded a cumulative effect loss adjustment of $100, net of applicable taxes of $37, in other comprehensive income to recognize the fair value of all derivatives designated as cash-flow hedging instruments.  Also, in accordance with the transition provisions, the Company recorded as the cumulative effect of an accounting change a $387 loss, net of applicable taxes of $191, in the statement of operations, for the unrealized fair market value depreciation of certain interest rate swap instruments not designated as hedges.

 

Note P - Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Summarized quarterly financial information is as follows:

 
 

First   
Quarter 

 

Second 
Quarter 

 

Third  
Quarter 

 

Fourth  
Quarter  

 

Fiscal    
Year     

 

=========================================================================================================================================

2003

          

Sales and Other Operating

          

   Revenue.....................……………

$270,944  

 

$305,721  

 

$301,404  

 

$393,614 

 

$1,271,683  

 

Gross Profit....................………..…

55,586  

 

44,172  

 

41,103  

 

69,552 

 

210,413  

 

Net Income before

          

   extraordinary items……………..

5,058  

 

6,272  

 

2,670  

 

12,280 

 

26,280  

 

Per Share of Common Stock:

          

Basic Earnings………………….…

.11  

 

.14  

 

.06  

 

.32 

 

.63  

 

Diluted Earnings........………….….

.11*

 

.14*

 

.06*

 

.31 

 

.62*

 

Cash Dividends per Share...………

.05  

 

.075  

 

.075  

 

.075 

 

.275  

 

Market Price

- High...………

7.00  

 

6.60  

 

7.50  

 

7.44 

 

7.50  

 

                     

- Low...………

5.45  

 

5.35  

 

5.60  

 

5.69 

 

5.35  

 
            

2002

          

Sales and Other Operating

          

   Revenue.....................…………..

$288,721  

 

$376,363  

 

$257,065  

 

$337,571 

 

$1,259,720  

 

Gross Profit....................………….

52,612  

 

47,596  

 

39,360  

 

65,897 

 

205,465  

 

Net Income……………………….

3,918  

 

6,201  

 

4,690  

 

12,667 

 

27,476  

 

Per Share of Common Stock:

          

Basic Earnings…………………….

.09  

 

.14  

 

.11  

 

.28 

 

.62  

 

Diluted Earnings …........………….

.09*

 

.14*

 

.10*

 

.28 

 

.61*

 

Cash Dividends per Share...………

.05  

 

.05  

 

.05  

 

.05 

 

.20  

 

Market Price

- High...………

10.18  

 

7.50  

 

8.29  

 

7.94 

 

10.18  

 

                     

- Low...………

5.49  

 

5.35  

 

6.35  

 

6.35 

 

5.35  

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 
  

*

Assumed conversion of Convertible Debentures at the beginning of each period has an antidilutive effect on earnings per share.

      

 

-62-

 


 
 
 
 

ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
                   ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE-

None.

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information contained in the Proxy Statement under the caption "Election of Directors" is incorporated herein by reference thereto.  See "Additional Information - Executive Officers of the Company" at the end of Part I above for information about the executive officers of the Company.

 
 

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND TRANSACTIONS

The information contained in the Proxy Statement under the caption "Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors" is incorporated herein by reference thereto.  

 
 

ITEM 12.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The information contained in the Proxy Statement under the caption "Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

 

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information contained in the Proxy Statement under the caption "Compensation of Executive Officers and Directors – Employment and Consulting Agreements" is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 14.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Based on their most recent evaluation, which was completed within 90 days of the filing of this Form 10-K, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(c)) are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our filings with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

          There were no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

 

ITEM 15.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information contained in the Proxy Statement under the caption “Audit and Non-Audit Fees” is incorporated herein by reference.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-63-

 



PART IV

ITEM 16.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS
                    ON FORM 8-K

  

(a)

(1) and (2)

  
 

LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

  
 

Statements of Consolidated Income and Comprehensive Income --Years

 

          ended June 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet--June 30, 2003 and 2002

 

Statement of Stockholders' Equity--Years ended June 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows--Years ended June 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  
 

Financial Statement Schedules:

 

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

Report of Ernst & Young LLP

  

(b)

Current Reports on Form 8-K

-

August 19, 2002 - Item 7, DIMON’s Earnings for Fiscal Year 2002 Increase 43% Earnings Performance is Expected to Continue in 2003 and Item 9, Regulation FD Disclosure

  

-

August 29, 2002 - Item 9, Regulation FD Disclosure – A. Sworn Statements and B. 906 Certification Statements

  

-

August 30, 2002 - Item 5 and 7, DIMON Announces Quarterly Dividend

  

-

October 30, 2002 - Item 5 and 7, DIMON Announces 50% Increase in Quarterly Dividend

  

-

October 30, 2002 – Item 5, DIMON Holds Annual Shareholder Meeting

  

-

November 5, 2002 - Item 7, DIMON’s First Quarter Earnings Increase 21% Company Confirms Fiscal 2003 Earnings Guidance and Item 9, Regulation FD Disclosure

  

-

November 5, 2002 - Item 9, Regulation FD Disclosure –

A.  906 Certification Statements

  

-

February 4, 2003 – Item 7,  DIMON’s Second Quarter Earnings Rise to Reflect Continued Business Progress Company Confirms Fiscal 2003 Earnings Guidance and

Item 9, Regulation FD Disclosure

  

-

February 21, 2003 - Item 5 and 7, DIMON Announces Quarterly Dividend

  

-

February 24, 2003 – Item 5, DIMON Names Steven B. Daniels President and Chief Operating Officer

  

-

May 7, 2003 – Item 7, DIMON Reports Third Quarter Earnings, Company Confirms Fiscal 2003 Earnings Guide and Item 9, Regulation FD Disclosure

  

-

May 16, 2003 – Item 9, DIMON Announces Conditional Settlement of DeLoach Class Action Litigation

  

-

May 20, 2003 – Item 9, DIMON Estimates Earnings Effect From Settlement

  

-

May 22, 2003 – Item 5 and 7, DIMON Announces Quarterly Dividend

  

-

May 27, 2003 – Item 9, DIMON Inc. Announces Private Offering of Senior Notes

  

-

June 3, 2003 – Item 9, DIMON Announces Successful Refinancing Transaction Issues $125 Million of Ten-Year

7 3/4% Senior Notes Will Retire $125 Million of 8 7/8% Senior Notes Due 2006

  

-

June 25, 2003 – Item 8, Change in Fiscal Year

    
    

-64-

 


 
 

ITEM 16.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS
                    ON FORM 8-K
(Continued)

 
 

(b)

Current Reports on Form 8-K

-

June 25, 2003 – Item 7 and 9, DIMON Announces Change of Fiscal Year-End Reiterates Previously Articulated Guidance for Fiscal Year 2003 Provides Earnings Guidance for Shortened Fiscal Year 2004

  

-

August 19, 2003 - Item 7, DIMON Reports Fiscal Year 2003 Earnings Company Confirms Fiscal 2004 Earnings Guidance and Item 12, Regulation FD Disclosure

  

-

August 26, 2003 – Item 5 and 7, DIMON Names Two Additional Directors and Announces Regular Quarterly Dividend of $0.075 Per Share

 

(c)

Exhibits

  
 

The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K:

  
 

3.01

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of DIMON Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Appendix VII to DIMON Incorporated's Joint Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) in connection with DIMON Incorporated's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (file 33-89780))

   
 

3.02

Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, of DIMON Incorporated effective February 20, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to DIMON Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001)

   
 

4.01

Specimen of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to DIMON Incorporated's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (file 33-89780))

   
 

4.02

Article III of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of DIMON Incorporated (filed as Exhibit 3.01)

   
 

4.03

Article III of the Amended and Restated By-Laws of DIMON Incorporated (filed as Exhibit 3.02)

   
 

4.04

Rights Agreement, dated as of March 31, 1995, between DIMON Incorporated and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to DIMON Incorporated Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 1, 1995)

   
 

4.05

Indenture, dated May 29, 1996 among DIMON Incorporated as issuer, DIMON International, Inc. and Florimex Worldwide, Inc. as guarantors and Crestar Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.05 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1996)

   
 

4.06

Indenture, dated October 30, 2001, between DIMON Incorporated as issuer, and SunTrust Bank as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to DIMON Incorporated's Form 10-Q filed for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001)

   
 

4.07

Indenture, dated May 30, 2003, between DIMON Incorporated as issuer and SunTrust Bank as trustee. (filed herewith)

   
 

4.08

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2003, between DIMON Incorporated and Wachovia Securities, Inc., as Rights Agent. (filed herewith)

   
 

4.09

Form of Global Note for 7¾% Senior Notes due 2013 (included in Exhibit 4.07 as Exhibit A thereof).

 

-65-

 


 
 
 
 

ITEM 16.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS
                    ON FORM 8-K
(Continued)

 

(c)

Exhibits

   
 

10.01

DIMON Incorporated Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (1995) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to DIMON Incorporated's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (file No. 33-89780))

   
 

10.02

Dibrell Brothers, Incorporated Retirement Plan (Excess Benefit Plan) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Dibrell Brothers, Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1987)

   
 

10.03

Dibrell Brothers, Incorporated Pension Equalization Plan (Benefit Assurance Plan) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Dibrell Brothers, Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1991)

   
 

10.04

Early Retirement Agreement, dated May 17, 1999, between DIMON Incorporated and Claude B. Owen, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999)

   
 

10.05

Indenture, dated as of April 1, 1997, by DIMON Incorporated to LaSalle National Bank, relating to 6 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due March 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.2 to DIMON Incorporated's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 16, 1997)

   
 

10.06

Employment Agreement dated January 3, 1997, with Brian J. Harker (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to DIMON Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated February 14, 1997)

   
 

10.07

First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated April 22, 1999, between DIMON Incorporated and Brian J. Harker (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999)

   
 

10.08

Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 1994, between Monk-Austin International, Inc. and Larry R. Corbett (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Monk-Austin, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1994) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999)

  
 

10.09

Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated August 10, 1995, between DIMON International, Inc. and Larry R. Corbett (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999)

   
 

10.10

Amended DIMON Incorporated Supplemental Retirement Plan dated July 30, 1998 and effective January 1, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1998)

   
 

10.11

DIMON Incorporated Directors' Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999)

   
 

10.12

Settlement Agreement, dated May 24, 1999, between DIMON Incorporated and Tabex (Private) Limited, Folium Inc., Blair Investments (Private) Limited, Tabacalera S.A., Anthony C. B. Taberer, Paul A.B. Taberer, and Charles M.B. Taberer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999)

   
 

-66-

 


 
 
 
 

ITEM 16.    EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS
                    ON FORM 8-K
(Continued)

 

(c)

Exhibits (Continued)

   
 

10.13

Amended 1995 DIMON Incorporated Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, adopted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on November 12, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2000)

   
 

10.14

Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 2001, among DIMON Incorporated, First Union National Bank as Lender and Administrative Agent and Deutsche Bank AG – Amsterdam Branch, ING Bank – London Branch, Natexis Banque Populaires and SunTrust Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to DIMON Incorporated's Form 10-Q filed for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001)

   
 

10.15

Compensation Deferral Plan (filed herewith)

   
 

12

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (filed herewith)

   
 

21

List of Subsidiaries (filed herewith)

   
 

23

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith)

   
 

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)

   
 

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)

   
 

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)

   
 

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)

   

(d)

Financial Statement Schedules:

  
 

Schedule II, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts, appears on the following pages.  The consolidated financial statement schedules listed in Item 14(a) appear on the following pages.  All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are not applicable and, therefore, have been omitted.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-67-

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
DIMON INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30

 
 
 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

COL. A

COL. B

COL. C

COL. D

COL. E

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  

ADDITIONS

  
  

____________________________

  
  

(1)

(2)

  

DESCRIPTION

Balance at
Beginning
of Period

Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

Charged to
Other Accounts
- -Describe

Deductions
- -Describe

Balance at
End of
Period

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Year ended June 30, 2001

     

Deducted from asset accounts:

     

 Allowance for doubtful accounts

$7,263,980

$   70,348

$                    -   

$6,103,961(A)

$1,230,367

 

___________

__________

_____________

_________     

___________

Total

$7,263,980

$   70,348

$                    -   

$6,103,961     

$1,230,367

 

=========

=========

=============

========    

=========

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Year ended June 30, 2002

     

Deducted from asset accounts:

     

 Allowance for doubtful accounts

$1,230,367

$  982,794

$                     -   

$   277,967(B)

$1,935,194

 

___________

__________

_____________

________     

___________

Total

$1,230,367

$  982,794

$                     -   

$   277,967      

$1,935,194

 

=========

=========

=============

=======     

=========

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Year ended June 30, 2003

     

Deducted from asset accounts:

     

 Allowance for doubtful accounts

$1,935,194

$   94,594

$                     -   

$   337,021(B)

$1,692,767

 

___________

__________

_____________

________     

___________

Total

$1,935,194

$   94,594

$                     -   

$   337,021      

$1,692,767

 

=========

=========

=============

=======     

=========

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

(A)

Currency translation and direct write-off,  $2,840,467; recovery from litigation settlement, $3,263,494.

(B)

Currency translation and direct write-off.

  

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

-68-

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Report of Independent Auditors

 
 
 
 
 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of DIMON Incorporated

 
 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of DIMON Incorporated and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2003.  Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 16(a).  These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States.  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, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of DIMON Incorporated and subsidiaries at June 30, 2003 and 2002, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

 

As discussed in Note O to the consolidated financial statements, in 2001 the Company changed its consolidated reporting period for four European subsidiaries and also changed its method of accounting for derivative financial instruments.  As discussed in Note A to the consolidated financial statements, in 2003 the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Intangible Assets.

 
 

/s/  Ernst & Young LLP

_____________________________________

Greensboro, North Carolina

August 15, 2003

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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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 on August 28, 2003.

 

DIMON INCORPORATED (Registrant)

 
 

      /s/  Brian J. Harker

By________________________________________________

     Brian J. Harker

     Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

  

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on August 28, 2003.

 

      /s/  Brian J. Harker

By________________________________________________

     Brian J. Harker

       Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief        Executive Officer of DIMON Incorporated

      /s/  James E. Johnson, Jr.

By________________________________________________

      James E. Johnson, Jr.


        Director of DIMON Incorporated

  

      /s/  Steve B. Daniels

By________________________________________________

      Steve B. Daniels

        President and Chief Operating Officer

        of DIMON Incorporated

      /s/  Norman A. Scher

By________________________________________________

     Norman A. Scher

       Director of DIMON Incorporated

  

      /s/  James A. Cooley

By________________________________________________

      James A. Cooley

        Senior Vice President-Chief Financial Officer

        of DIMON Incorporated

     /s/  John M. Hines

By________________________________________________

     John M. Hines

       Director of DIMON Incorporated

  

      /s/  Joseph L. Lanier, Jr.

By________________________________________________

      Joseph L. Lanier, Jr.

        Director of DIMON Incorporated

     /s/  R. Stuart Dickson

By________________________________________________

     R. Stuart Dickson

       Director of DIMON Incorporated

  

      /s/  Albert C. Monk III

By________________________________________________

     Albert C. Monk III

       Director of DIMON Incorporated

     /s/  Martin R. Wade III

By________________________________________________

      Martin R. Wade III

       Director of DIMON Incorporated

  

      /s/  Thomas F. Keller

By________________________________________________

     Thomas F. Keller


       Director of DIMON Incorporated

     /s/  Hans B. Amell

By________________________________________________

      Hans B. Amell

       Director of DIMON Incorporated

  

      /s/  Henry F. Frigon

By________________________________________________

     Henry F. Frigon

       Director of DIMON Incorporated

     /s/  Thomas G. Reynolds

By________________________________________________

     Thomas G. Reynolds

       Vice President-Controller (Principal

       Accounting Officer) of DIMON

       Incorporated

  

      

By________________________________________________

     William R. Slee


       Director of DIMON Incorporated

     

By________________________________________________

      C. Richard Green, Jr.

       Director of DIMON Incorporated

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibits

 

Page No.

   

3.01

 

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of DIMON Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Appendix VII to DIMON Incorporated's Joint Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) in connection with DIMON Incorporated's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (file 33-89780))

 
    
    

3.02

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, of DIMON Incorporated effective February 20, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 to DIMON Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001)

 
    

4.01

 

Specimen of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to DIMON Incorporated's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (file 33-89780))

 
    

4.02

 

Article III of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of DIMON Incorporated (filed as Exhibit 3.01)

 
    

4.03

 

Article III of the Amended and Restated By-Laws of DIMON Incorporated (filed as Exhibit 3.02)

 
    

4.04

 

Rights Agreement, dated as of March 31, 1995, between DIMON Incorporated and First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to DIMON Incorporated Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 1, 1995)

 
    

4.05

 

Indenture, dated May 29, 1996 among DIMON Incorporated as issuer, DIMON International, Inc. and Florimex Worldwide, Inc. as guarantors and Crestar Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.05 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1996)

 
    

4.06

 

Indenture, dated October 30, 2001, between DIMON Incorporated as issuer, and SunTrust Bank as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to DIMON Incorporated's Form 10-Q filed for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001)

 
    

4.07

 

Indenture, dated May 30, 2003, between DIMON Incorporated as issuer and SunTrust Bank as trustee. (filed herewith)


74 - 182

    

4.08

 

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2003, between DIMON Incorporated and Wachovia Securities, Inc., as Rights Agent. (filed herewith)



183 - 208

    

4.09

 

Form of Global Note for 7¾% Senior Notes due 2013 (included in Exhibit 4.07 as Exhibit A thereof).

 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibits

(Continued)

Page No.

   

10.01

 

DIMON Incorporated Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to DIMON Incorporated's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (file No. 33-89780))

 
    

10.02

 

Dibrell Brothers, Incorporated Retirement Plan (Excess Benefit Plan) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Dibrell Brothers, Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1987)

 
    

10.03

Dibrell Brothers, Incorporated Pension Equalization Plan (Benefit Assurance Plan) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Dibrell Brothers, Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1991)

 
   

10.04

Early Retirement Agreement, dated May 17, 1999, between DIMON Incorporated and Claude B. Owen, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999)

 
   

10.05

Indenture, dated as of April 1, 1997, by DIMON Incorporated to LaSalle National Bank, relating to 6 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due March 31, 2007 (incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit 10.2 to DIMON Incorporated's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 16, 1997)

 
   

10.06

Employment Agreement dated January 3, 1997, with Brian J. Harker (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to DIMON Incorporated's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated February 14, 1997)

 
   

10.07

First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated April 22, 1999, between DIMON Incorporated and Brian J. Harker (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999)

 
   

10.08

Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 1994, between Monk-Austin International, Inc. and Larry R. Corbett (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Monk-Austin, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1994) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999)

 
   

10.09

Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated August 10, 1995, between DIMON International, Inc. and Larry R. Corbett (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999)

 
   
 
 
 
 

-72-

 


 
 
 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibits

(Continued)

Page No.

   

10.10

Amended DIMON Incorporated Supplemental Retirement Plan dated July 30, 1998 and effective January 1, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1998)

 
   

10.11

DIMON Incorporated Directors' Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999)

 
   

10.12

Settlement Agreement, dated May 24, 1999, between DIMON Incorporated and Tabex (Private) Limited, Folium Inc., Blair Investments (Private) Limited, Tabacalera S.A., Anthony C. B. Taberer, Paul A.B. Taberer, and Charles M.B. Taberer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1999)

 
   

10.13

Amended 1995 DIMON Incorporated Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, adopted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on November 12, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to DIMON Incorporated's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2000)

 
   

10.14

Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 2001, among DIMON Incorporated, First Union National Bank as Lender and Administrative Agent and Deutsche Bank AG – Amsterdam Branch, ING Bank – London Branch, Natexis Banque Populaires and SunTrust Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to DIMON Incorporated's Form 10-Q filed for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001)

 
   

10.15

Compensation Deferral Plan (filed herewith)

209 – 220

   

12

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (filed herewith)

221

   

21

List of Subsidiaries (filed herewith)

222 – 223

   

23

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith)

224

   

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)


225

   

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)


226

   

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)


227

   

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith)


228

   
 
 
 

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