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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Mark One)
|X| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001
OR
|_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____ to _____
Commission file number: 000-24669
HOMETOWN AUTO RETAILERS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware 06-1501703
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (IRS Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
774 Straits Turnpike
Watertown, CT 06795
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (860) 945-6900
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:
Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 per share
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No |_|
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. |_|
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant as of May 10, 2002 was approximately $2,832,412.
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Class A and Class B
Common Stock, $.001 par value, as of May 10, 2002 was 7,175,105 shares.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
NONE
HOMETOWN AUTO RETAILERS, INC.
Form 10-K Annual Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
PART I
Item 1. Business.............................................................................................. 3
Item 2. Properties............................................................................................ 16
Item 3. Legal Proceedings..................................................................................... 18
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders................................................... 18
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters................................. 19
Item 6. Selected Financial Data............................................................................... 20
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations................. 21
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk............................................ 34
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data........................................................... 34
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures................. 34
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.................................................... 35
Item 11. Executive Compensation................................................................................ 38
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management. ...................................... 45
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions........................................................ 48
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT INFORMATION
Certain statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are "forward-looking
statements" (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995) regarding the plans and objectives of management for future operations.
Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Hometown to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking
statements included herein are based on current expectations that involve
numerous risks and uncertainties. Hometown's plans and objectives are based, in
part, on assumptions involving the continued expansion of business. Assumptions
relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things,
future economic, competitive and market conditions and future business
decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and
many of which are beyond the control of Hometown. Although Hometown believes
that its assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable,
any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no
assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Report will prove
to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the
forward-looking statements, the inclusion of such information should not be
regarded as a representation by Hometown or any other person that the objectives
and plans of Hometown will be achieved. Factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth herein under
the headings "Business," "Certain Factors That May Affect Future Growth" and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Hometown was founded by merger, on June 27, 1997, between Dealerco, Inc.,
a New York Corporation, organized on March 10, 1997 and Hometown Auto Retailers,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, organized on June 6, 1997. Until the closing of
its initial public offering on July 31, 1998, Hometown conducted no operations
under its own name and all revenues were generated by its predecessor companies,
which consists of three corporations (the Core Operating Companies). On July 31,
1998, Hometown acquired three dealerships, and the Core Operating Companies,
which operate six dealerships, a collision repair center and a factory
authorized freestanding service center. In 1999, Hometown also acquired a
freestanding Lincoln Mercury and Toyota dealerships and added both a Mazda and a
Jeep dealership to existing locations. In 2000, Hometown acquired a high-end
used car operation, which was added to its Massachusetts location. In 2001,
Hometown sold its Morristown, NJ dealership, Lincoln Mercury franchise back to
Lincoln Mercury.
General
The Company sells new and used cars and light trucks, provides maintenance
and repair services, sells replacement parts and provides related financing,
insurance and service contracts through 10 franchised dealerships located in New
Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont. The Company's
dealerships offer 12 American and Asian automotive brands, including Chevrolet,
Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Isuzu, Jeep, Lincoln, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Mazda, Daewoo,
and Toyota. The Company also is active in two "niche" areas of the automotive
market, the sale of Lincoln town cars and limousines to livery car and livery
fleet operators and the maintenance and light repair of cars and trucks at a
Ford and Lincoln Mercury factory authorized free-standing service center.
The Company's "Lincoln Mercury Autocare" center located in Connecticut was
the pilot facility for Ford's authorized free-standing neighborhood service
center concept for the maintenance and light repair of cars and trucks.
Free-standing neighborhood service centers are an innovative attempt by the
automobile retail industry to recapture repair and maintenance business which
has been lost in recent decades to chain and independent service businesses.
These services centers are designed to enhance customer convenience by operating
during extended hours, servicing vehicles without prior appointment and offering
quick turnaround.
Operating Strategy
Hometown will seek to consolidate operations and increase the
profitability of its existing dealerships by using a strategy that combines its
"best in class" operating practices with the advantages of its established
customer base, local presence and name recognition. Each of the Company's
dealerships will use a core operating strategy specifically designed to produce
a high "shop absorption rate," a high rate of service retention and a high ratio
of retail used to new car sales, all in order to maximize profitability and
provide insulation from the cyclical nature of new car sales. "Shop absorption
rate" is the percentage of a dealerships fixed expenses that are covered or
absorbed by the gross profit of the parts and service departments.
The Company believes that the following factors, coupled with its
established organizational structure, will help it achieve its operating
strategy:
o Strong Regional Focus. The Company's ten franchised dealerships are
located in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and
Vermont. The Company believes that proximity
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of its dealerships to one another will contribute to ease of
management, more effective control of dealership operations,
increased sales from coordinated marketing of new cars, used cars
and livery vehicles and cost savings from coordinated auction
purchasing, car transport and other activities.
o Established Customer Base. The Company believes that its existing
dealerships have good local reputations and have strong local name
recognition. Through "owner-loyalty" and similar programs, the
Company believes it has established a customer base that looks to
its existing "hometown" dealership as its first choice in buying
replacement vehicles. See "Dealership Operations - Parts and
Service" for a description of "owner-loyalty program".
o Experienced Management. Hometown's management is comprised of second
and third generation members of dealer families who have been
leaders in the automotive retailing industry. The executive officers
and key managers of the Company have over 200 years of combined
experience in the automotive retailing industry and are members of
families who have owned dealerships since 1947. They are recognized
leaders in the automotive retailing industry and have served at
various times in leadership positions in state and national industry
organizations. The Company has also received numerous awards based
on high customer satisfaction index ("CSI") ratings and other
performance measures regularly compiled and monitored by the
automobile Manufacturers. See "Management-Directors and Officers"
for additional information as to the numerous Manufacturer awards
and citations earned by Hometown's senior management and dealerships
in recent years.
o Focus on Higher Margin Operations
o Parts and Service. Hometown's dealerships emphasize sales of
parts and service, which typically have a higher profit margin
than vehicle sales. As part of their emphasis Hometown
operates "Lincoln Mercury Autocare" a freestanding
neighborhood service center for the maintenance and light
repair of cars and trucks which operates during extended
hours, provides comfortable customer waiting areas and quickly
services vehicles without prior appointment. It is also,
through its Westwood subsidiary, a major seller of Lincoln
Town Cars and limousines to livery car and livery fleet
operators. These sales tend to generate significant
maintenance and repair business since the primary concern of
livery operators is keeping their cars in use and on the road
for a maximum number of hours per day.
o Used Car Sales. The sale of used vehicles is emphasized at
each of the Company's dealerships. Typically, used vehicle
sales generate higher gross margins than new vehicle sales.
The Company seeks to attract customers and enhance buyer
satisfaction by offering multiple financing options and
extended warranties on used vehicles.
o Ability To Source High Quality Used Vehicles. An important component
in selling used vehicles and maintaining high margins on such sales
is the ability to obtain high quality used vehicles at reasonable
prices. The Company obtains its used vehicles through trade-ins and
off-lease programs as well as regular auction buying. Key executives
at each dealership have developed the skills necessary for making
effective purchases at regularly scheduled auctions. The Company
believes that auction buying activities will be enhanced by its
ability to use common buyers to fill the needs of several
dealerships, handle its own transportation of vehicles from the
auction to the dealership and obtain discounted prices.
4
o Brand Diversity. Hometown's dealerships offer 12 American and Asian
automotive brands including Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Isuzu,
Jeep, Lincoln, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Mazda, Daewoo, and Toyota. The
Company believes that brand diversity helps to insulate it from
changes in consumer preferences, short supplies of particular
automotive models and negative publicity concerning a particular
Manufacturer or vehicle model.
o Centralized Financing and Administrative Functions. The Company
believes that it has been able to generate cost savings by centrally
financing its new and used car inventories through Ford Motor Credit
on March 16th 2001. Additional cost savings have been achieved by
consolidating the Connecticut office operations for three
dealerships to one location. Hometown intends to continue this
consolidation process for all its dealerships where possible.
o Quality Personnel. The Company employs professional management
practices in all aspects of its operations, including information
technology, advanced employee sales training, profit-based
compensation and cash management. Each dealership is managed as a
profit center by a trained and experienced general manager who has
primary responsibility for decisions relating to inventory, pricing
and personnel. The Company compensates its general managers and
department managers pursuant to various formulas based upon
dealership or department profitability, rather than on sales volume.
Senior management uses computer-based management information systems
to monitor each dealership's sales, profitability and inventory on a
daily basis and to identify areas requiring improvement and provide
additional training where necessary. The Company believes that the
application of its professional management practices provides it
with an ability to achieve levels of profitability superior to
industry averages.
Dealership Operations
The Company's established operating practices and procedures, including
the management and pricing of inventories of new and used vehicles, are
regularly reviewed and updated by the Chief Executive Officer and members of the
Company's operating committee. Each of the Company's dealerships use a
management structure that promotes and rewards the achievement of benchmarks set
by senior management. Each local general manager of a Hometown dealership is
ultimately responsible for the operation, personnel and financial performance of
that dealership. Each general manager is complemented with a management team
generally consisting of a new vehicle sales manager, a used vehicle sales
manager, service and parts managers and finance and insurance ("F&I") managers.
The general manager and the other members of each dealership management team, as
long-time members of their local communities, are typically best able to judge
how to conduct day-to-day operations based on the team's experience in and
familiarity with its local market. Certain members of the Company's senior
management also serve as general managers of particular dealerships.
Each dealership engages in a number of inter-related businesses: new
vehicle sales; used vehicle sales; service and parts operations; and F&I.
New Vehicle Sales. Hometown's dealerships represent 12 American and Asian
brands of lower, mid and higher priced sport and family cars and light trucks,
including sport utility vehicles. The Company believes that offering numerous
new vehicle brands appeals to a variety of customers, minimizes dependence on
any one Manufacturer and reduces its exposure to supply problems and product
cycles. The following table sets forth for 2000 and 2001, certain information
relating to the brands of new vehicles sold at retail by the Company:
5
For the Year Ended December 31,
2000 and 2001
2000 2001
---- ----
BRANDS Number Percentage Number Percentage
------ ------ ---------- ------ ----------
LINCOLN/MERCURY ........ 2,404 35.7% 1,517 24.3%
TOYOTA ................. 2,476 36.8% 2,857 45.9%
FORD ................... 626 9.3% 671 10.8%
DODGE .................. 251 3.7% 142 2.3%
JEEP ................... 273 4.1% 289 4.6%
CHEVROLET .............. 245 3.6% 337 5.4%
OLDSMOBILE ............. 36 0.5% 36 0.6%
PLYMOUTH ............... 35 0.5% 26 0.4%
CHRYSLER ............... 112 1.7% 156 2.5%
ISUZU .................. 40 0.6% 24 0.4%
MAZDA .................. 117 1.7% 146 2.3%
DAEWOO ................. 105 1.6% 29 0.5%
OTHER .................. 11 0.2% 0 0.0%
----- ----- ----- -----
Total .................. 6,731 100.0% 6,230 100.0%
===== ===== ===== =====
Hometown's new vehicle unit sales include lease transactions. New vehicle
leases generally have short terms, which tend to bring the consumer back to the
market sooner than if the purchase were debt financed. In addition, leases
provide a steady source of late-model, off-lease vehicles for used vehicle
inventory. Leased vehicles generally remain under factory warranty for the term
of the lease, which allows the dealerships to provide repair service to the
lessee throughout the lease term.
Hometown seeks to provide customer-oriented service designed to meet the
needs of its customers and establish lasting relationships that will result in
repeat and referral business. For example, the Company intends to implement the
strategy of the Core Operating Companies by: (i) engaging in extensive follow-up
after a sale in order to develop long-term relationships with its customers;
(ii) training its sales staffs to be able to meet customer needs; (iii)
employing more efficient, non-confrontational selling systems; and (iv) using
computer technology that decreases the time necessary to purchase a vehicle. The
Company believes that its ability to share "best practices" among its
dealerships gives it an advantage over smaller dealerships.
Hometown acquires substantially all of its new vehicle inventory from
Manufacturers of the vehicle brands it sells. The Manufacturers allocate a
limited inventory among their franchised dealers based primarily on sales volume
and input from dealers. The Company finances its inventory purchases through
revolving credit arrangements known in the industry as "floor plan" financing.
Used Vehicle Sales. The Company sells used vehicles at each of its
franchised dealerships. Sales of used vehicles have become an increasingly
significant source of profit for dealerships. Consumer demand for used vehicles
has increased as prices of new vehicles have risen and as more high quality used
vehicles have become available. Furthermore, used vehicles typically generate
higher gross margins than new vehicles because of their limited comparability
and the somewhat subjective nature of their
6
valuation. The Company intends to emphasize used vehicle sales by maintaining a
high quality inventory, providing competitive prices and arranging extended
service contracts for its used vehicles and continuing to promote used vehicle
sales. The Company will also certify that its used cars meet specified testing
and quality standards.
The following table shows actual vehicle sales by the Company from 1998
through 2001 and the pro forma combined vehicle sales by the predecessor Core
Operating Companies in 1997:
Number of Used and New Vehicles Sold
------------------------------------
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Used Vehicles - Retail.......... 4,725 3,995 4,790 4,549 4,874
Used Vehicles - Wholesale....... 4,154 3,794 3,319 3,208 3,105
New Vehicles.................... 5,431 5,150 6,892 6,731 6,230
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total Sales............. 14,310 12,939 15,001 14,488 14,209
Sales of used vehicles are dependent on the ability of the dealerships to
obtain a supply of high quality used vehicles and effectively manage that
inventory. New vehicle operations provide a supply of such vehicles through
trade-ins and off-lease vehicles. Hometown supplements its used vehicle
inventory with used vehicles purchased at auctions where manufacturers re-market
lease return, rental buy back and manufacturer demonstration cars. To maintain a
broad selection of high quality used vehicles and to meet local preferences, the
Company acquires used vehicles from trade-ins and a variety of sources
throughout the Northeast, including direct purchases and manufacturers' and
independent auctions.
Hometown follows an inventory management strategy pursuant to which used
vehicles are offered at progressively lower gross profit margins the longer they
stay in inventory and if not sold at retail by the end of 10 weeks are sold to
another dealer or sold at auction. Unsold, excess or unsuitable vehicles
received as trade-ins are sold at auctions or sold directly to other dealers and
wholesalers. Trade-ins may be transferred among Hometown dealerships to provide
balanced inventories of used vehicles at each location.
Hometown has taken steps to build customer confidence in its used vehicle
inventory, including participation in the Manufacturers' certification processes
to make used vehicles eligible for new vehicle benefits such as new vehicle
finance rates and extended Manufacturer warranties.
Hometown believes that franchised dealership strengths in offering used
vehicles include: (i) access on new vehicle purchase to trade-ins which are
typically lower mileage and higher quality relative to trade-ins on used car
purchases, (ii) access to late-model, low mileage off-lease vehicles, rental
returns and Manufacturer demos, and (iii) the availability of Manufacturer
certification and extended Manufacturer warranties for higher quality used
vehicles. The Company believes that a well-managed used vehicle operation at
each location affords it an opportunity to: (i) generate additional customer
traffic from a wide variety of prospective buyers, (ii) increase new and used
vehicle sales by aggressively pursuing customer trade-ins, (iii) generate
incremental revenues from customers financially unable or unwilling to purchase
a new vehicle, and (iv) increase ancillary product sales, particularly F&I, to
improve overall profitability. Hometown also maintains a "virtual" used car lot
through its web site "htauto.com". Customers can see digital images of most of
Hometown's pre-owned inventory, updated weekly, at all their locations. In
addition, sales people and managers can search other Hometown locations to
fulfill customer needs for used cars or trucks not at the specific location that
a customer may be in. This potentially eliminates many customers from leaving
one Hometown location without seeing what they need.
7
Parts and Service. The Company regards service and repair activities as an
integral part of its overall approach to customer service, providing an
opportunity to foster ongoing relationships with its customers and deepen
customer loyalty. Hometown provides parts and service at each of its franchised
dealerships for the vehicle brands sold by these dealerships. Maintenance and
repair services are provided at 10 locations, one factory authorized
neighborhood service center and one collision repair center (included in one of
the 10 dealerships), using approximately 100 service bays. Hometown provides
both warranty and non-warranty service work.
The Company implemented an "owner loyalty program" to encourage customers
to return to the dealership for all maintenance and light repair work. The
program provides customers with information as to recommended intervals of
service and details all charges for a wide range of maintenance activities and
expected replacements at such intervals. Customers who maintain their vehicles
in accordance with the owner loyalty program recommendations receive various
items of maintenance, such as oil changes, loaner vehicles, certain scheduled
maintenance, wiper blades, spark plugs and towing without charge and also
receive specified rebates against new or used vehicle purchases for money spent
in Hometown's service departments. The owner loyalty program is designed to
combat the recent trend for increasing percentages of repair and maintenance
work to be performed at service stations and other independent repair shops,
chains of specialized repair, maintenance and part replacement shops, such as
muffler shops, brake shops, and tire shops. Manufacturers' policies that require
warranty work to be performed at franchised dealerships support the Company's
strategy of retaining maintenance and light repair work.
The parts and service business is less cyclical than new vehicle sales and
provides an important recurring revenue stream to the Company's dealerships. The
Company will use systems, already in place at the Core Operating Companies, that
track its customers' maintenance records and notify owners of vehicles purchased
at the dealerships when their vehicles are due for periodic services. The
Company believes that this practice encourages preventive maintenance rather
than post-breakdown repairs.
Each dealership sells factory-approved parts for vehicle brands and models
sold by that dealership. These parts are either used in repairs made by the
dealership or sold at retail to its customers or at wholesale to independent
repair shops. Each dealership employs its own parts manager and independently
controls its parts inventory and sales. Hometown dealerships which sell the same
new vehicle brands will have access to each other's computerized inventories.
Further, certain Manufacturers have begun to offer discounts on volume purchases
of certain parts and components.
Finance, Insurance and Other Revenue. Hometown dealerships arrange
financing for their customers' vehicle purchases, sell vehicle service contracts
and arrange selected types of credit insurance in connection with the financing
of vehicle sales. The dealerships place heavy emphasis on F&I and offer advanced
F&I training to their F&I managers. During 2001, Hometown arranged financing for
approximately 61.8% of new and used vehicles sold at retail to its customers.
Typically, the dealerships forward proposed financing contracts to finance
companies owned and operated by the Manufacturers or to selected commercial
banks or other financing parties. The dealerships receive a finance fee from the
lender for arranging the financing and may be assessed a charge-back against a
portion of the finance fee if the contract is terminated prior to its scheduled
maturity for any reason, including early repayment or default. However, under
existing agreements no charge-backs are permitted after 90, or in some cases
120, days except for certain sales to livery car operations. In addition,
Hometown has guaranteed certain automobile financing loans made by financial
institutions to its livery customers for the purchase of new and used
limousines. At December 31, 2001 contingent liability on these guarantees to
Ford Motor Credit Co. and another financial institution aggregated $746,000. The
collectability of such loans to customers in the livery business can be
adversely affected by a decline in economic conditions. The Company has
8
established reserves for potential liability arising from such guarantees, based
on available historical information.
At the time of a new vehicle sale, the Company offers extended service
contracts to supplement the Manufacturer's warranty. Additionally, the Company
sells primary service contracts for used vehicles, as well as service contracts
of third party vendors.
The Company also offers three types of insurance to customers: (i) credit
life insurance pays off the remaining balance of the vehicle loan upon the death
of the insured, (ii) disability insurance makes the monthly loan payments on
behalf of the insured during a period of disability and (iii) gap insurance
ensures that the loan is paid in full if the vehicle becomes totally inoperable
due to an accident. The Company's dealerships typically receive one-half of the
premiums as a commission for selling these products. Insurance revenues for the
year ended December 31, 2001 were less than 2% of total Finance, Insurance and
Other Revenues.
Seasonality
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations."
Franchise Agreements
Each Hometown dealership operates pursuant to a franchise agreement
between the applicable Manufacturer and the dealership. The typical automotive
franchise agreement specifies the locations at which the dealer has the right
and the obligation to sell motor vehicles and related parts and products and to
perform certain approved services in order to serve a specified market area. The
designation of such areas and the allocation of new vehicles among dealerships
are subject to the discretion of the manufacturer which generally does not
guarantee exclusivity within a specified territory. However, most states have
laws protecting dealership territories. In addition, a franchise agreement may
impose requirements on the dealer concerning such matters as showrooms,
facilities and equipment for servicing vehicles, maintenance of inventories of
vehicles and parts, maintenance of minimum net working capital and training of
personnel. Compliance with each of these requirements is closely monitored by
the Manufacturer. In addition, Manufacturers require each dealership to submit a
financial statement of operations on a monthly and annual basis. The franchise
agreement also grants the dealer the non-exclusive right to use and display the
Manufacturer's trademarks, service marks and design in the form and manner
approved by the Manufacturer.
Each franchise agreement sets forth the name of the person approved by the
Manufacturer to exercise full managerial authority over the dealership's
operations and the names and ownership percentages of the approved owners of the
dealership and contains provisions requiring the Manufacturer's prior approval
of changes in management or transfers of ownership of the dealership. A number
of Manufacturers prohibit the acquisition of a substantial ownership interest in
the franchised dealer or transactions that may affect management control of the
franchised dealer, in each case without the approval of the Manufacturer.
Most franchise agreements expire within one to five years. The Company
expects to renew any expiring agreements in the ordinary course of business with
the exception of Morristown Lincoln Mercury which has been sold back to the
manufacturer. The typical franchise agreement provides for early termination or
non-renewal by the Manufacturer under certain circumstance such as change of
management or ownership without Manufacturer approval, insolvency or bankruptcy
of the dealership, death or incapacity of the dealer manager, conviction of a
dealer manager or owner of certain crimes, misrepresentation of certain
information by the dealership or dealer manager or owner to the
9
Manufacturer, failure to adequately operate the dealership, failure to maintain
any license, permit or authorization required for the conduct of business or
material breach of other provisions of the franchise agreement. The dealership
is typically entitled to terminate the franchise agreement for any cause.
Various federal and state laws established to protect dealerships from the
generally unequal bargaining power between the parties also govern the
automobile franchise relationship. The state statutes generally provide that it
is a violation for a manufacturer to terminate, or to fail to renew, a franchise
without good cause. Most statutes also provide that the manufacturer is
prohibited from unreasonably withholding approval for a proposed change in
ownership of the dealership. Generally, in order to withhold approval, the
manufacturer must have material reasons relating to the character, financial
ability or business experience of the proposed transferee. Moreover, certain
states including Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Vermont have laws
which grant to pre-existing dealers a right to contest, in court or before an
administrative agency, if a manufacturer establishes a new dealership, or
authorizes the relocation of an existing dealership, to a location within a
defined market area of a pre-existing dealership holding a franchise to sell the
same brand. Accordingly, the relationship between the Manufacturer and the
dealer, particularly as it relates to a manufacturer's rights to terminate, or
to fail to renew, the franchise, is the subject of a substantial body of case
law based upon specific facts in each instance. The above discussion of state
court and administrative holdings and various state laws is based on
management's beliefs and may not be an accurate description of the state court
and administrative holdings and various state laws.
Competition
The automotive retailing industry is extremely competitive and consumers
generally have a number of choices in deciding where to purchase or service a
new or used vehicle. The Company competes for new vehicle sales with other
franchised dealers in each of its marketing areas. Hometown does not have any
cost advantage in purchasing new vehicles from the Manufacturers and typically
relies on sales expertise, reputation and customer goodwill, the quality of its
service and location of its dealerships to sell new vehicles. In recent years,
automobile dealers have also faced increased competition in the sale or lease of
new vehicles from independent leasing companies, on-line purchasing services and
warehouse clubs. The Company believes that the principal competitive factors in
new vehicle sales are the marketing campaigns conducted by Manufacturers, the
ability of dealerships to offer a wide selection of the most popular vehicles,
the location of dealerships and the quality of customer service. Other
competitive factors include customer preference for particular brands of
automobiles, pricing (including Manufacturer rebates and other special offers)
and warranties. The Company believes that its dealerships are competitive in all
of these areas.
In used vehicles, Hometown competes with other franchised dealers,
independent used car dealers, automobile rental agencies and private parties for
supply and resale of used vehicles. The Company believes that the principal
competitive factors in used vehicle sales are the quality and condition of its
used cars, price and the quality of customer service.
The Company competes against other franchised dealers to perform warranty
repairs and against other automobile dealers, franchised and independent service
center chains and independent garages for non-warranty repair and routine
maintenance business. The Company competes with other automobile dealers,
service stores and automotive parts retailers in its parts operations. The
Company believes that the principal competitive factors in parts and service
sales are price, the use of factory approved replacement parts, a dealership's
expertise with a Manufacturer's brands and models, the quality of customer
service and convenience for the customer.
10
In addition to competition for the sale of vehicles, the Company competes
with publicly and privately owned dealership groups for the acquisition of other
dealerships. It currently faces only limited competition in this region from
other purchasers of dealerships. Publicly owned dealerships with significantly
greater capital resources have acquired a limited number of dealerships in the
Company's current and targeted market areas including Republic Industries, Inc.
and United Auto Group, Inc. which have, respectively, purchased a dealer group
in southern New Jersey, eastern Massachusetts, and a limited number of
dealerships in New Jersey and the Danbury, Connecticut and Nyack, New York
areas. The Company expects increased future competition for dealerships in its
markets.
Governmental Regulations
A number of regulations affect Hometown's business of marketing, selling,
financing and servicing automobiles. The Company is also subject to laws and
regulations relating to business corporations generally.
Under New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont law,
the Company must obtain a license in order to establish, operate or relocate a
dealership or provide certain automotive repair services. These laws also
regulate the Company's conduct of business, including its advertising and sales
practices. Other states may have similar requirements.
The Company's financing activities are subject to federal
truth-in-lending, consumer leasing and equal credit opportunity regulations, as
well as state and local motor vehicle finance laws, installment finance laws,
insurance laws, usury laws and other installment sales laws. Some states
regulate finance fees that may be paid as a result of vehicle sales. Penalties
for violation of any of these laws or regulations may include revocation of
certain licenses, assessment of criminal and civil fines and penalties and, in
certain instances, may create a private cause of action for individuals. The
Company believes that its dealerships substantially comply with all laws and
regulations affecting their businesses and do not have any material liabilities
under such laws and regulations, and that compliance with all such laws and
regulations does not and will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
material adverse effect on the Company's capital expenditures, earnings, or
competitive position.
Environmental Matters
The Company is subject to a wide range of federal, state and local
environmental laws and regulations, including those governing discharges to the
air and water, storage of petroleum substances and chemicals, handling and
disposal of wastes, and remediation of contamination arising from spills and
releases. As with automobile dealerships generally, and service and parts and
collision repair center operations in particular, the Company's business
involves the generation, use, handling and disposal of hazardous or toxic
substances or wastes. Operations involving the management of hazardous and
non-hazardous wastes are subject to requirements of the Federal Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act and comparable state statutes. Pursuant to these
laws, federal and state environmental agencies have established approved methods
for storage, treatment, and disposal of regulated wastes with which the Company
must comply.
Hometown's business also involves the use of aboveground and underground
storage tanks. Under applicable laws and regulations, the Company is responsible
for the proper use, maintenance and abandonment of regulated storage tanks owned
or operated by it and for remediation of subsurface soils and groundwater
impacted by releases from such existing or abandoned aboveground or underground
storage tanks. In addition to these regulated tanks, the Company owns and
operates other underground and aboveground devices or containers (e.g.
automotive lifts and service pits) that may not be classified as
11
regulated tanks, but which are capable of releasing stored materials into the
environment, thereby potentially obligating the Company to remediate any
contamination of soils or groundwater resulting from such releases.
The Company is also subject to laws and regulations governing remediation
of contamination at facilities it operates or to which it sends hazardous or
toxic substances or wastes for treatment, recycling or disposal. The
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"),
also known as the "Superfund" law, imposes liability, without regard to fault or
the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons that are
considered to have contributed to the release of a "hazardous substance" into
the environment. These persons include the owner or operator of the disposal
site or sites where the release occurred and companies that disposed or arranged
for the disposal of the hazardous substances released at such sites. Under
CERCLA, these "responsible parties" may be subject to joint and several
liability for the costs of cleaning up the hazardous substances that have been
released into the environment, for damages to natural resources and for the
costs of certain health studies, and it is not uncommon for neighboring
landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and
property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances.
Further, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, also known as the Clean
Water Act, and comparable state statutes prohibit discharges of pollutants into
regulated waters without authorized National Pollution Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) and similar state permits, require containment of potential
discharges of oil or hazardous substances, and require preparation of spill
contingency plans. The Company expects to implement programs that address
wastewater discharge requirements as well as containment of potential discharges
and spill contingency planning.
Environmental laws and regulations have become very complex, making it
very difficult for businesses that routinely handle hazardous and non-hazardous
wastes to achieve and maintain full compliance with all applicable environmental
laws. Like virtually any network of automobile dealerships and vehicle service
facilities, the Company, from time to time, can be expected to experience
incidents and encounter conditions that will not be in compliance with
environmental laws and regulations. However, none of Hometown's dealerships have
been subject to any material environmental liabilities in the past and the
Company does not anticipate that any material environmental liabilities will be
incurred in the future. Although the Company is in the process of establishing
an environmental management program that is intended to reduce the risk of
noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations, environmental laws and
regulations and their interpretation and enforcement are changed frequently and
the Company believes that the trend towards broader and stricter environmental
legislation and regulations is likely to continue. Hence, there can be no
assurance that compliance with environmental laws or regulations or the future
discovery of unknown environmental conditions will not require additional
expenditures by the Company or that such expenditures would not be material. See
"Certain Factors that may Affect Growth and Profits - Governmental Regulations
and Environmental Matters."
Employees
As of December 31, 2001, the Company employed 445 people, of whom
approximately 85 were employed in managerial positions, 93 were employed in
non-managerial sales positions, 201 were employed in non-managerial parts and
service positions and 66 were employed in administrative support positions.
Hometown believes that its relationships with its employees are favorable.
None of the employees is represented by a labor union. Because of its dependence
on the Manufacturers, the Company may, however, be affected by labor strikes,
work slowdowns and walkouts at the manufacturing facilities of their
Manufacturers or of suppliers to, or shippers for, their Manufacturers.
12
CERTAIN FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT GROWTH AND PROFITS
The following factors may affect the growth or profits of the Company and
should be considered by any prospective purchaser of the Company's securities:
A Decrease In Consumer Demand For Our New Vehicle Lines Or The Failure Of Its
Manufacturer Could Adversely Affect The Results Of Our Operations.
Our business is significantly dependent upon the sale of new vehicles from
Ford Motors, Toyota Motors and Daimler Chrysler. For the year ended December 31,
2001, Toyota Motor, Ford Motor and Chrysler accounted for 45.9%, 35.1% and 9.8%
of our new vehicle sales, respectively. New vehicle sales generate the majority
of our gross revenue and lead to sales of higher-margin products and services
such as, used vehicle sales, finance and insurance products and repair and
maintenance services. In addition, the success of each of our franchises is also
dependent to a great extent on the success of the respective manufacturer,
including its financial condition, marketing, vehicle demand, production
capabilities and management. If one or more of these manufacturers were to
suffer from labor strikes, negative publicity, including safety recalls of a
particular vehicle model, or a decrease in consumer demand for its products, our
results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
The Failure To Meet Manufacturers' Customer Satisfaction Requirements Could
Limit Our Ability To Acquire Additional Dealerships And Participate In
Manufacturers' Incentive Programs.
Many manufacturers attempt to measure customers' satisfaction with
automobile dealerships through a CSI, or customer satisfaction index, rating
system. These manufacturers may use a dealership's CSI scores as a factor in
evaluating applications for additional dealership acquisitions and participation
by a dealership in incentive programs. Additionally, from time to time, the
components of the various manufacturer CSI scores have been modified and there
is no assurance that such components will not be further modified or replaced by
different systems in the future, which will make it more difficult for our key
dealerships to meet such standards. If our dealerships fail to meet or exceed
their manufacturers' CSI standards, those manufacturers may prohibit us from
acquiring additional dealerships and or participating in incentive programs
which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
If Automobile Manufacturers Discontinue Incentive Programs, Our Sales Volume or
Profit Margin Could Be Materially and Adversely Affected.
We depend on manufacturers for certain sales incentives, warranties and
other programs that are intended to promote and support new vehicle sales.
Manufacturers often make many changes to their incentive programs during each
year. Some key incentive programs include:
o customer rebates on new vehicles;
o dealer incentives on new vehicles;
o special financing or leasing terms;
o warranties on new and used vehicles; and
o sponsorship of used vehicle sales by authorized new vehicle dealers.
o A reduction or discontinuation of our key manufacturers' incentive
programs may materially and adversely affect our revenues or
profitability.
13
We May Not Be Able To Retain Key Existing Employees Or Attract And Retain
Qualified Employees.
Our success depends to a large extent upon the abilities and continued
efforts of its senior executive officers and key managers including Corey
Shaker, William C. Muller Jr., Joseph Shaker and Steven Shaker and on our
ability to attract and retain qualified employees to operate our dealerships. If
any of these persons becomes unavailable to continue in such capacity, or if
Hometown were unable to attract and retain other qualified employees, its
business or prospects could be adversely affected.
The Reporting Of Our Profitability Could Be Materially And Adversely Affected If
It Is Determined That The Book Value Of Goodwill Is Higher Than Fair Value.
Our balance sheet at December 31, 2001 includes an amount designated as
"goodwill" that represents 29.0% of assets and 86.4% of stockholders' equity.
Goodwill arises when an acquirer pays more for a business than the fair value of
the tangible and separately measurable intangible net assets. Under a newly
issued accounting pronouncement, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
142 "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", beginning in January 2002, the
amortization of goodwill has been replaced with an "impairment test" which
requires that we compare the fair value of goodwill to its book value at least
annually and more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment. If
we determine that the book value of goodwill is higher than fair value then the
difference must be written-off, which could materially and adversely affect the
reporting of our profitability.
Hometown is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 142 on its consolidated
financial statements and believes that, if the current market price of the
Company's common stock is indicative of fair value, the majority of its goodwill
may be impaired as of the initial adoption of this statement.
Continued Losses May Threaten The Viability Of Our Business.
We had a net loss of $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2001
compared to a net loss of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2000, an
improvement of $1.7 million or 44.7%. If we continue to sustain significant
losses in the future, our business could be materially and adversely affected
and the value of our common stock will likely decline or become worthless.
Our Limited Cash And Working Capital Could Have An Adverse Affect On Our
Business.
At December 31, 2001, our total cash and cash equivalents was
approximately $4.4 million and our working capital was approximately $4.1
million. In addition, we are obligated to invest $1 million for real property
improvements at our Framingham, Massachusetts, dealership. If we sustain net
losses in 2002 or subsequent years, as we sustained in 2001, then we may have
insufficient working capital to maintain our current level of operations,
provide for unexpected contingencies or finance the real property improvements
required at our Framingham dealership. In such event, we will need to seek
additional capital from public or private equity or debt funding sources and we
may not be able to raise needed cash on terms acceptable to us or at all.
Financings may be on terms that are dilutive or potentially dilutive to our
stockholders. If sources of financing are required, but are insufficient or
unavailable, we will be required to modify our growth and operating plans to the
extent of available funding, which could have an adverse affect on our business.
The Cyclical Nature of Automobile Sales May Adversely Affect Our Profitability.
Sales of motor vehicles, particularly new vehicles, historically have been
subject to substantial cyclical variation characterized by oversupply and weak
demand. We believe that the industry is affected by many factors, including
general economic conditions, consumer confidence, the level of personal
discretionary spending, interest rates and credit availability. There can be no
assurance that the industry will not experience sustained periods of decline in
vehicle sales, particularly new vehicle sales, in the future. Any such decline
could have a material adverse affect on our business.
14
Governmental Restrictions On Imported Products Could Impair Our Ability To Sell
Foreign Vehicles Profitably.
A portion of our new vehicle business involves the sale of vehicles, parts
or vehicles composed of parts that are manufactured outside the United States.
As a result, our operations will be subject to customary risks of importing
merchandise, including fluctuations in the value of currencies, import duties,
exchange controls, trade restrictions, work stoppages and general political and
economic conditions in foreign countries. The United States or the countries
from which our products are imported may, from time to time, impose new quotas,
duties, tariffs or other restrictions, or adjust presently prevailing quotas,
duties or tariffs, which could affect our operations and our ability to purchase
imported vehicles and/or parts.
The Concentration of Voting Power Could Prevent Our Class A Common Stockholders
From Having Any Voice In Our Corporate Affairs.
The holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes for each
share held, while holders of our Class A common stock, are entitled to one vote
per share held. Consequently, the holders of the Class B common stock, who also
own approximately 44% of our outstanding common stock of all classes, will
control approximately 89% of the aggregate number of votes eligible to be cast
by stockholders for the election of directors and certain other stockholder
actions, and will be in a position to control our policies and operations. In
addition, the holders of the Class B common stock have entered into a
stockholders' agreement obligating them, for a five-year period, to vote for two
designees of each of the three founding dealership groups, as directors on our
Board of Directors. Those designees are now, Salvatore A. Vergopia, Joseph
Shaker, William C. Muller Jr., Corey Shaker, Edward A. Vergopia and H. Dennis
Lauzon. Our executive officers and directors control approximately 57% of the
aggregate number of votes eligible to be cast by stockholders for the election
of directors and certain other stockholder actions, and will be in a position to
control our policies and operations. Accordingly, absent a significant increase
in the number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding or conversion of
Class B common stock into Class A common stock, the holders of shares of Class B
common stock will be entitled, for the foreseeable future, to elect all members
of the Board of Directors and control all matters subject to stockholder
approval.
Regulations Affecting Low Price Securities Could Impair The Liquidity Of Our
Class A Common Stock.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted regulations which
generally define "penny stock" to be an equity security that has a market price,
as defined, of less than $5.00 per share or an exercise price of less than $5.00
per share, subject to certain exceptions, including an exception of an equity
security that is quoted on The Nasdaq Stock Market. Equity securities trading on
the NASD "OTC Bulletin Board" are subject to rules that impose additional sales
practice requirements on broker-dealers who sell our securities. For
transactions covered by these rules, the broker-dealer must make a special
suitability determination for the purchaser of such securities and have received
the purchaser's written consent to the transactions prior to the purchase.
Additionally, unless exempt, the rules require the delivery, prior to the
transaction, of a disclosure schedule prepared by the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must
disclose the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered
underwriter, current quotations for the securities and, if the broker-dealer is
the sole market-maker, the broker-dealer must disclose this fact and the
broker-dealer's presumed control over the market. Finally among other
requirements, monthly statements must be sent disclosing recent price
information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the
limited market in penny stocks. Since February 2001 our Class A common stock has
been trading on the
15
NASD OTC Bulletin Board, as a penny stock, and therefore is subject to these
additional rules. As such, these penny stock rules may restrict the ability of
stockholders to sell our Class A common stock. Consequently, the liquidity of
our Class A common stock could be impaired, not only in the number of securities
which could be bought and sold, but also through delays in the timing of
transactions, reduction in security analysts and new media coverage of Hometown,
and lower prices for our securities than might otherwise be obtained.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Set forth in the table below is certain information relating to the
properties that the Company uses in its business.
Occupant/Trade Name Location Use Lease/Own
- ------------------- -------- --- ---------
Shaker's 831 Straits Turnpike New and used car sales; Lease expires in 2013; $240,000
Lincoln Watertown, CT service; F & I per year with CPI increases in
Mercury 06795 2004 and 2009
Lincoln 1189 New Haven Rd. Service Owned by dealership
Mercury Naugatuck, CT
Autocare 06770
Family Ford 1200 Wolcott Street New and used car sales; Lease expires in 2013; $240,000
Waterbury, CT service; F & I per year with CPI increases in
06705 2004 and 2009
Shaker's Jeep 1311 South Main St. New and used car sales; Lease expires in 2013; $72,000
Eagle Waterbury, CT service; F & I per year with CPI increases in
06706 2004 and 2009
Westwood 55 Kinderkamack Rd. New and used car sales; Lease expires in 2013; $360,000
Lincoln Emerson, NJ service; F & I; livery sales per year with CPI increases in
Mercury 07630 2004 and 2009
Muller Toyota Route 31 and Van New and used car sales; Lease expires in 2013; $360,000
Sickles Rd. Clinton, service; F & I per year with CPI increases in
NJ 08809 2004 and 2009. Hometown
guarantees mortgage debt
associated with this lease. The
lease is treated as a capital
lease.
Muller Route 173 and New and used car sales; Lease expires in 2013; $396,000
Chevrolet, Voorhees Rd. service; F & I per year with CPI increases in
Oldsmobile, Stewartsville, NJ 2004 and 2009. Hometown
Isuzu 08865 guarantees mortgage debt
associated with this lease. The
lease is treated as a capital
lease.
16
Wellesley 965 Worcester Road New and User car sales; Lease expires 12/22/08 at
Lincoln Wellesley, MA service; F&I $216,000 per year, one five year
Mercury 02181 renewal option at the same rent;
and option to purchase at the
end of term or end of extension
term at the then fair market
value.
Bay State 571 Worcester Road New and used car sales; Owned facility
Lincoln Framingham, MA service; F & I
Mercury 01701
Brattleboro Route 5, Putney Rd. New and used car sales; Lease expires 4/28/03 at
Chrysler N. Brattleboro, VT service; F & I $240,000 per year; one five-year
Plymouth 05304 renewal option at the same rent
Dodge plus CPI adjustment, and option
Sales; to purchase at fair market value
of not less than $1.5 million.
Morristown 115 Spring St. New and used car sales; Dealership sold in January,
Auto Sales, Morristown, NJ service; F & I 2001. Lease was assumed by third
Inc. 07960 party in April, 2001.
Autos of 2934 Rte 9 W New and used car sales; Owned facility
Newburgh, New Windsor, NY service; F & I
Inc. d/b/a 12553
Toyota of
Newburgh
Leases
The Company has leased from various affiliates the premises occupied by
certain of its dealerships. Each of the governing leases became effective as of
the closing of the initial public offering, has a term expiring in 2013, is on a
triple net basis and provides for a consumer price index ("CPI") increase to the
base rent for the five-year periods commencing January 1, 2004 and 2009.
Hometown believes that each lease was at their fair market value at inception.
Shaker Group. The Company leases, for an initial annual base rental of $240,000,
the premises occupied by its Lincoln Mercury dealership in Watertown,
Connecticut, and for an initial base rental of $240,000 and $72,000
respectively, the premises occupied by the Family Ford and Shaker Jeep/Eagle
dealerships in Waterbury, Connecticut from Shaker Enterprises, a Connecticut
general partnership whose seven partners include Joseph Shaker, Corey Shaker,
Steven Shaker and Janet Shaker. Corey Shaker is President and a director and
principal stockholder of the Company. Steven Shaker is Regional Vice
President-North Division and a principal stockholder of the Company. Joseph
Shaker is a director and a principal stockholder of the Company. Janet Shaker is
a principal stockholder of the Company.
Muller Group. The Company leases, for an initial annual base rental of $360,000
and $396,000 respectively the premises occupied by its Toyota ("Toyota")
dealership in Clinton, New Jersey and its Chevrolet/Oldsmobile/Isuzu ("Chevy")
dealership in Stewartsville, New Jersey from Rellum Realty Company, a New Jersey
general partnership, one of whose two partners is William C. Muller Jr. Mr.
Muller is Regional Vice President-South Division, director and a principal
stockholder of the
17
Company. The Toyota and Chevy leases are treated as capital leases. In
connection with the acquisition in 1999 of real estate used by Baystate Lincoln
Mercury, Hometown guaranteed the mortgage debt of Rellum Realty Company. The
1999 guaranty was given in substitution for a February 1998 guaranty of that
debt by the Muller Group, a subsidiary of the Company. As of December 31, 2001
the mortgage debt balance is $5.2 million. The Company makes annual lease
payments of $756,000 to the landlord. The annual mortgage payments made by the
landlord total approximately $774,000. The mortgage matures March 2013.
Westwood. The Company leases, for an initial annual base rental of $360,000 the
premises occupied by its Lincoln Mercury dealership in Emerson, New Jersey from
Salvatore A. Vergopia and his wife. Mr. Vergopia is a director and a principal
stockholder of the Company.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On or about February 7, 2001, Salvatore A. Vergopia and Edward A.
Vergopia, directors and formerly executive officers of Hometown, and Janet
Vergopia, the wife of Salvatore A. Vergopia (the "Vergopias") filed a complaint
in the Superior Court of New Jersey in Bergen County, against Hometown, its
officers and directors, certain holders of its Class B common stock, and certain
other unnamed persons, alleging breach of two employment agreements, wrongful
termination of employment, breach of a stockholders' agreement and certain other
wrongful conduct, including age discrimination and breach of fiduciary duty. The
Vergopias are seeking back pay, front pay, compensatory, consequential and
punitive damages, in an unspecified amount as well as, reinstatement, injunctive
and other legal and equitable relief.
We have retained litigation counsel to represent us in this action. A
motion has been granted such that only a single shareholder remains as an
individual shareholder defendant. Also, the Company has filed counterclaims to
recover damages associated with the Vergopia's breaches of certain agreements,
as well as breaches of their fiduciary duties. Discovery is proceeding in this
action.
We believe that the Vergopias commenced this action in response to our
dismissal of both Salvatore A. Vergopia and Edward A. Vergopia from their
officerships and employment positions with us. We believe we have meritorious
defenses and are vigorously defending this action. The Company does not believe
that the eventual outcome of the case will have a material adverse effect on the
Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None
18
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
(a) Market Information
The Company's Class A Common Stock had been traded on The NASDAQ National
Market under the symbols "HCAR" since July 31, 1998. On February 12, 2001, the
Company's stock was delisted by NASDAQ for failing to meet minimum share price
and market capitalization requirements. The stock now trades over the counter as
a Bulletin Board stock under the symbol "HCAR.OB"
The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices as quoted by
The NASDAQ National Market through February 11, 2001 and the NASD Bulletin Board
for periods thereafter. Such quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without
retail mark-up, markdown or commission and may not necessarily represent actual
transactions.
Price Range of Common Stock Bid Prices
- --------------------------- ------------------------
High Low
Year ended 2000
First Quarter $9.63 $3.56
Second Quarter $8.06 $2.06
Third Quarter $2.91 $1.00
Fourth Quarter $1.50 $0.31
Year Ended 2001
First Quarter $1.00 $0.38
Second Quarter $1.25 $0.35
Third Quarter $1.15 $0.60
Fourth Quarter $1.00 $0.51
(b) Holders
As of May 10, 2002, the number of record holders of the Class A Common
Stock of the Company was 54. Hometown believes it has more than 900 beneficial
holders.
(c) Dividends
The holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may
be declared by the Company's Board of Directors. The Company has not paid and
does not expect to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future.
19
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (RESTATED)
The following selected financial data as of December 31, 2001, 2000, 1999
and 1998 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of
the Company. The following selected historical financial data as of December 31,
1997 has been derived from the audited financial statements of ERR Enterprises,
Inc., the parent of one of the Core Operating Companies.
For the Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except share and per share date)
2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues $ 275,760 $ 279,382 $ 285,315 $ 121,435 $ 59,520
Gross profit 39,815 37,881 38,054 17,287 8,488
Amortization of goodwill 704 661 600 212 --
Loss from operations of
e-Commerce subsidiary -- -- 515 -- --
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 35,114 37,946 31,499 17,267 7,686
Income (loss) from
operations 3,997 (726) 5,440 (192) 802
Interest expense (4,225) (5,069) (4,116) (1,514) (453)
Net income (loss) $ (2,136) $ (3,800) $ 641 $ (1,094) $ 305
Earnings (loss) per share,
basic and diluted $ (.32) $ (.63) $ .11 $ (.31) $ .16
Weighted average shares,
Basic 6,592,436 5,995,996 5,875,342 3,513,333 1,880,000
Diluted 6,592,436 5,995,996 6,003,851 3,513,333 1,880,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital $ 4,116 $ 1,663 $ 3,870 $ 4,649 $ 3,955
Inventories 31,887 40,170 51,187 30,418 7,539
Total assets 81,842 91,572 102,562 71,977 14,424
Total debt 46,059 54,133 65,910 37,265 7,231
Stockholders' equity $ 27,452 $ 28,643 $ 29,851 $ 28,210 $ 4,173
20
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Restatement of Prior Years Financial Statements
Subsequent to fiscal year end December 31, 2001, the Company determined:
(i) two dealership operating leases should have more appropriately been
classified as capital leases, (ii) certain manufacturer incentives should have
been more appropriately reflected as a reduction of inventory costs, and (iii)
certain insurance product sales generated in Connecticut should be recognized
over the life of the contract due to operating under a dealer obligor status
according to state law. Accordingly, the Company has restated prior year
financial statements to reflect these changes. These restatements and the effect
on the 2001 results are as follows:
(i) Reflecting the two leases as capital leases resulted in recording an
increase in buildings and capital lease obligations of $5.2 million as of July
1998, the lease inception date. For each period in the restated financial
statements the Company has recorded (a) depreciation expense on the building,
(b) interest expense and principal payments on the related capital lease
obligation and (c) eliminated the lease expense that had previously been
recorded. The effect on income before taxes from these adjustments was to reduce
pre-tax income by $147,000, $165,000 and $181,000 for the years ended December
31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The after tax effect of these adjustments
was to reduce net income $99,000, $108,000 and $87,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. These adjustments caused a
reduction in basic and diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.02, $0.02
and $0.01 for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
(ii) Manufacturers provide certain assistance to dealerships that had been
recorded as a reduction of interest expense when received. This is more
appropriately reflected as a reduction of inventory costs and cost of sales at
the time of sale of the vehicle. The effect on income before taxes from these
adjustments was to increase pre-tax income by $253,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2001 and to reduce pre-tax income by $214,000 and $132,000 for the
years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The after tax effect of
these adjustments was to increase net income by $171,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2001 and to reduce net income by $140,000 and $63,000 for the years
ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. These adjustments caused an
increase in basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.03 for the year ended
December 31, 2001, and a decrease of $0.02 and $0.01 in basic and diluted
earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
(iii) Connecticut dealerships operate under state laws which make the
dealers responsible for providing warranty service and insurance in the event of
default by the insurance carriers. Accordingly, commissions on insurance and
service contract sales are required to be recognized over the life of the
related insurance product. Previously, the income had been recognized at the
time of sale of the vehicle. The revenue is taken into income over a five-year
period, which is the life of the contract. The effect on income before taxes
from these adjustments was to increase pre-tax income by $144,000, $46,000 and
$12,000 for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The
after tax effect of these adjustments was to increase net income by $98,000,
$30,000 and $6,000 for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively. These adjustments increased basic and diluted earnings per share
by $0.01, $0.01 and $0.00 for each of the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000
and 1999, respectivley. At December 31, 2001 and 2000 the Company had $1,264,000
and $1,408,000 of deferred revenue, respectively. During the first quarter of
2002, this state law has changed which will result in Hometown recording
insurance and service contract income at the time of sale of the vehicle, the
change in the law was not retroactive. During 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and
2007, Hometown will record approximately an additional $322,000, $398,000,
$282,000, $170,000, 75,000 and $17,000 respectively, for insurance and service
contract income due to the change in the state law.
21
The total effect of the aforementioned adjustments was to increase income
before taxes $250,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001 and reduce income
before taxes $333,000 and $301,000 for the years ended December 31, 2000 and
1999, respectively. The total effect of these changes was to increase net income
$170,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001 and reduce net income $218,000 and
$144,000 for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The total
effect of these changes was to increase basic and diluted earnings per share
$0.03 for the year ended December 31, 2001 and reduce basic and diluted earnings
per share $0.03 and $0.02 for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999,
respectively. Restated basic and diluted earnings per share is $(0.63) and $0.11
for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Year Ended December 31, 2001 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2000
Revenues
New vehicle sales decreased $14.0 million or 8.1% to $158.8 million for
the year ended December 31, 2001 from $172.8 million for the year ended December
31, 2000. Approximately $5.5 million of the decrease was due to the sale of our
Morristown Lincoln Mercury location in January, 2001 to Lincoln Mercury. The
remaining $8.5 million decrease is primarily due to decreases at Hometown's
remaining Lincoln Mercury dealerships ($22.7 million decrease) partially offset
by increases at Hometown's Toyota ($9.3 million increase) and Ford ($3.1 million
increase) locations. The decreases at the Lincoln Mercury locations were due to
a decrease of 753 units sold in 2001 compared to 2000. Included in this decrease
was a 51.4% reduction in livery sales of $7.8 million or 202 units. The decrease
in volume was reflected in all of Lincoln Mercury, which reported a 14.7%
decrease in sales nationally in 2001 compared to 2000. This compares to the
25.4% decrease in Lincoln Mercury sales for the Company excluding livery sales.
One of Hometown's Lincoln Mercury dealerships, located in the New York
Metropolitan area, was particularly affected by the downturn in the economy over
the previous year, which accounts for the decrease beyond the national average.
The Toyota increase was primarily due to an additional 379 units sold in 2001
compared to 2000. Toyota now has the highest unit sales per retail outlet in the
country. The increase in the Ford location was due to the sale of 102 additional
light trucks in 2001 over 2000 partially offset by a decrease of 57 cars. The
additional trucks also had a higher average selling price due to increased sales
of the Expedition and sales of new vehicles such as the Excursion.
Used vehicle sales increased by $8.3 million or 11.0% to $83.9 million for
the year ended December 31, 2001, from $75.6 million for the year ended December
31, 2000. Adjusting for the sale of the Morristown Lincoln Mercury dealership
($2.4 million), the increase is $10.7 million. The increase is primarily due to
having a full year of results of a high-end used car business that was purchased
in the fourth quarter of 2000. The dealership that acquired this business
accounted for an increase of 424 retail units or $8.3 million over the prior
year. The increase was primarily due to the increased volume. All other
dealerships accounted for an increase in revenues of $0.7 million which was
generated by an 1.9% increase in average selling price ($1.1 million) offset by
a slight decrease of 28 units ($0.4 million). The remaining $1.7 million
increase was associated with 14.7% increase in average revenue per wholesale
unit.
Parts and service sales increased by $1.5 million or 6.3%, to $25.4
million for the year ended December 31, 2001 from $23.9 million at December 31,
2000. Adjusting for the sale of the Morristown Lincoln Mercury dealership ($0.9
million), the increase is $2.4 million. The increase in parts and service is due
to: (i) the acquisition of a high end used car dealership the end of 2000 that
enabled the dealership to generate an additional $0.7 million of parts and
service revenues in 2001 and (ii) the hiring of new service managers in certain
dealerships as well as increased focus of the dealerships toward generating
higher parts and service revenues ($1.7 million).
22
Other dealership revenues increased by $0.5 million or 7.0%, to $7.6
million for the year ended December 31, 2001 from $7.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 2000. Adjusting for the sale of the Morristown Lincoln
Mercury dealership ($0.1 million), the increase is $0.6 million. This increase
is primarily due to both increased sales of extended service contracts
associated with increased used car sales, and additional income associated with
the decrease in deferred revenue ($0.1 million) from the change in accounting
for insurance and service contracts for the Connecticut dealerships.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2001 was $39.8 million, an
increase of $1.9 million or 5.0%, compared with $37.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2000. A portion of the increase ($0.6 million) was due to the
financial statement restatement adjustments discussed above.
Gross profit on sales of new vehicles decreased $0.4 million or 3.6%, from
$11.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2000 to $10.6 million for the year
ended December 31, 2001. Gross profit on same store new vehicle sales decreased
by $0.1 million or 0.9% from the prior year primarily due to a decrease of 314
units, primarily Lincoln Mercury (753 units) partially offset by Toyota (379
units) and Ford (45 units) discussed in new vehicle revenues above, partially
offset by an increase in gross profit margin of 4.1% compared to the prior year.
The decrease would have been $0.6 million without the financial statement
restatement adjustments discussed above.
Gross profit on sales of used vehicles was $7.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 2001, an increase of $1.1 million or 16.6%, from $6.6 million in
the prior year. Excluding the sale of the Morristown Lincoln Mercury dealership,
the increase is $1.0 million. This increase was attributable to: (i) having a
full year of results of a high-end used car business that was purchased in the
fourth quarter of 2000 (as discussed in revenues above). The dealership that
acquired this business accounted for additional gross profit of $1.0 million of
which $0.7 million was from an increase of 424 retail units and $0.3 million was
from a 22.8% increase in gross profit per unit. (ii) All other dealerships
decreased $0.3 million primarily due to a 3.1% decrease in average gross profit
per unit. (iii) A $0.3 million decrease in wholesale losses in 2001 compared to
2000. Larger than normal wholesale losses due to the demand for used cars and
trucks not keeping up with supply were reflected in the year ended December 31,
2000.
Parts and service sales yielded gross profit of $13.9 million in the year
ended December 31, 2001, an increase of $0.8 million or 6.1%, from $13.1 million
for the prior year. Adjusting for the sale of the Morristown Lincoln Mercury
dealership the increase is $1.3 million. The increase is primarily due to the
aforementioned increase in related revenues.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $2.8 million or
7.4%, from $37.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2000, to $35.1 million
for the year ended December 31, 2001. The decrease is primarily attributable to
several non-recurring events in 2000 totaling approximately $3.5 million
partially offset by an increase in salaries and employee benefits of
approximately $0.6 million. The increase in salaries was primarily due to
increases associated with the inclusion of a full year of results of a high end
used car dealership that was purchased in the fourth quarter of 2000 ($0.5
million) combined with increases at the Toyota and Ford dealerships ($0.8
million). This was partially offset by the sale of the Morristown dealership
($0.5 million) and decreases at other Lincoln Mercury locations ($0.4 million).
The 2000 non-recurring events include: (1) The write-off of a receivable and
associated legal fees of approximately $800,000 from Autotech Leasing
("Autotech") as Autotech filed for bankruptcy protection. Autotech was a leasing
company that provided alternative financing for primarily
23
one of Hometowns dealerships. Hometown no longer has this type of relationship
with a leasing company. (2) Default of certain livery vehicle loans which
Hometown had guaranteed in the amount of approximately $825,000. The vehicles
were sold to high-risk customers and the transaction was guaranteed by Hometown.
Hometown no longer enters into this type of arrangement. (3) The write-off of
certain receivables totaling approximately $700,000 from specialty financing
companies due to a modification of Hometown's strategy in working with customers
with poor credit history. Hometown has discontinued the practice of entering
into recourse transactions. (4) Approximately $400,000 of bank/legal fees
associated with a discontinued bank facility. (5) A reserve for future expenses
associated with the dismissal of the former Chairman and CEO and Vice President.
Although the litigation with the former Chairman / CEO and Vice President is
ongoing, Hometown believes that its legal reserves are adequate. See "Management
Discussion & Analysis- Litigation". The effect on selling, general and
administrative expenses from the financial statement restatement adjustments
discussed above was to decrease both periods by $0.4 million.
Interest Income
Interest income increased to $90,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001
from $1,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000. The increase is the result of
the new floor plan agreement with Ford Motor Credit Corp., which allows us to
invest excess cash in interest bearing accounts. Our previous credit agreement
provided that we apply excess cash against the outstanding floor plan liability.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $0.9 million to $4.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2001 from $5.1 million for the same period in 2000. The decrease is
primarily due to a decrease in the average floor plan liability for the year
caused by better management of inventory levels as well as a decrease in
interest rates from the year ended December 31, 2000. The effect on interest
expense from the financial statement restatement adjustments discussed above was
to increase both periods by $0.6 million.
Other Income
Included in other income is a $254,000 gain on sale of the Morristown
Lincoln Mercury dealership to Lincoln Mercury in January 2001.
Valuation Adjustment for CarDay.com
On October 18, 2001, CarDay Inc. ceased operations. Hometown owns
7,380,000 shares of CarDay Inc. It is not anticipated that any shareholders will
receive any distributions from the dissolution of CarDay Inc.
CarDay Inc. began operations in 1999 as an 82% owned subsidiary of
Hometown. For the year ended December 31, 1999, the assets, liabilities and
results of operations of CarDay Inc. were included in Hometown's financial
statements. In January 2000, CarDay Inc. obtained $25 million in financing from
a group of venture capital providers. The result of this financing was to reduce
Hometown's ownership from 82% to 10.7% and to increase the carrying value of its
investment to $3,258,000. Subsequent to this dilution of ownership, Hometown no
longer reflected the assets, liabilities and results of operations of CarDay
Inc. in its consolidated financial statements because ownership had been reduced
to an amount below 20%. Hometown recorded the increase in value of the
investment, net of a deferred tax liability, as an increase in Additional
paid-in capital.
24
As a result of CarDay Inc. ceasing operations, Hometown now considers the
investment to be permanently and totally impaired. The entire investment in
CarDay Inc. of $3,258,000 less an associated deferred tax liability of
$1,175,000 has been charged against income in the quarter ended September 30,
2001. The charge has the effect of reducing net income for the year by
$2,083,000 and reducing Earnings per Share, fully diluted, for the year by
$0.32. Excluding the charge net loss was ($53,000) or ($0.01) per share fully
diluted for the year ended December 31, 2001. The charge does not affect cash,
cash flow from operations, or liquidity and capital resources.
Net Income (loss)
Net loss decreased from a loss of $3.8 million for the year ended December
31, 2000 to $2.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, a decrease of
$1.7 million or 44.7%. As described above this is due to improvements in gross
profit, the absence of the non-recurring charges included in prior year Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses and decreased interest expense, partially
offset by the write-off of CarDay, Inc. The effect on net income from the
financial statement restatement adjustments discussed above was to decrease the
net loss for 2001 by $0.2 million and to increase the net loss for 2000 by $0.2
million.
Year Ended December 31, 2000 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1999
Revenues
New vehicle sales decreased $0.6 million or 0.3% to $172.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2001 from $173.4 million for the prior year. A decrease
of 161 units was partially offset entirely by higher average unit revenues. A
majority of the decrease in units, 408, was from Hometown's Lincoln Mercury
dealerships, offset in part by strong unit sales at the Toyota, Mazda and Daewoo
dealerships which had unit increases of 288, 117 and 71, respectively. The
increase in Toyota and Mazda units were due in part to Hometown reporting a full
years results of 1999 acquisitions. Lincoln Mercury dealerships represented 5 of
Hometown's 12 locations, management believes that the decrease in units at
Lincoln Mercury dealerships was a result of a loss of popularity of the Lincoln
Mercury product line during 2000. Lincoln Mercury has introduced a new
Mountaineer sport utility and new leasing programs on its existing car and truck
lines aimed at getting back lost market share in 2000. The increase in average
unit revenues was due primarily to increased sales of some higher priced
vehicles such as the Lincoln LS and Navigator and certain Toyota models.
Used vehicle sales decreased by $6.6 million, or 8.0%, from $82.2 million
for the year ended December 31, 1999, to $75.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2000. That decrease consisted of 241 fewer retail units sold and
111 fewer wholesale units sold. The decrease in used units sold in 2000 was due
to management discontinuing the sale of fully guaranteed used cars at Westwood
in order to eliminate contingent liability on recourse paper, slower demand for
pre-owned Lincoln Mercury product, as well as strong factory incentives on New
cars particularly with regard to low interest rates and heavy rebates not
available on pre owned cars and trucks, and was coupled with lower revenue per
unit at wholesale due to excess used car supplies in our marketplace.
Parts and service revenues increased by $1.2 million, or 5.3%, from $22.7
million at December 31, 1999 to $23.9 million for the year ended December 31,
2000. Virtually all of the increase in parts and service revenue was due to the
Company's 1999 acquisitions reporting a full year of operations in 2000.
Other dealership revenues increased by $0.2 million, or 2.9%, from $6.9
million for the year ended December 31, 1999, to $7.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2000. The increase was due to Hometown's 1999 acquisitions
reporting a full year of operations in 2000.
25
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2000 was $37.9 million, a
decrease of $0.2 million or 0.5%, compared with $38.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 1999. Less than $0.1 million of the decrease was due to the
financial statement restatement adjustments discussed above.
Gross profit on sales of new vehicles decreased $0.4 million, or 3.5%,
from $11.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1999 to $11.0 million for the
year ended December 31, 2000. Lower unit sales of 161 units accounts for a
majority of the decrease combined with a small decrease in gross profit margin
due to a change in the mix of vehicle brands sold. Approximately $0.1 million of
the decrease was due to the financial statement restatement adjustments
discussed above.
Gross profit on sales of used vehicles was $6.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2000, down $0.2 million or 2.9%, from $6.8 million in the prior
year. The decrease in gross profit on used vehicles was almost completely
attributable to lower sales volume of 352 units and also a larger than normal
wholesale losses due to the demand for used cars and trucks not keeping up with
supply. As a result of this, cars and trucks that aged were sold at auction for
losses.
Parts and service sales yielded gross profit of $13.1 million in the year
ended December 31, 2000, an increase of $0.2 million or 1.6%, from $12.9 million
for the prior year. Virtually all of the increase in parts and service revenue
was due to Hometown's 1999 acquisitions reporting a full year of operations in
2000, offset by an approximate 2% decrease in gross profit margin caused by a
change in the mix of services.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $6.4 million, or
20.3%, from $31.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1999, to $37.9 million
for the year ended December 31, 2000. A substantial part of the increase was due
to several non-recurring events in 2000. The 2000 non-recurring events included:
(1) The write-off of a receivable and associated legal fees of approximately
$800,000 from Autotech Leasing ("Autotech") as Autotech filed for bankruptcy
protection. Autotech was a leasing company that provided alternative financing
for primarily one of Hometowns dealerships. Hometown no longer has this type of
relationship with a leasing company. (2) Default of certain livery vehicle loans
which Hometown had guaranteed in the amount of approximately $825,000. The
vehicles were sold to high-risk customers and the transaction was guaranteed by
Hometown. Hometown no longer enters into this type of arrangement. (3) The
write-off of certain receivables totaling approximately $700,000 from specialty
financing companies due to a modification of Hometown's strategy in working with
customers with poor credit history. Hometown has discontinued the practice of
entering into recourse transactions. (4) Approximately $400,000 of bank/legal
fees associated with a discontinued bank facility. (5) A reserve for future
expenses associated with the dismissal of the former Chairman and CEO and Vice
President. Although the litigation with the former Chairman / CEO and Vice
President is ongoing, Hometown believes that its legal reserves are adequate.
See "Management Discussion & Analysis - Litigation". The effect on selling,
general and administrative expenses from the financial statement restatement
adjustments discussed above was to decrease both periods by $0.4 million.
Interest Income
Interest income decreased from $41,000 for the year ended December 31,
1999 to $1,000 for the year ended December 31, 2000. The decrease is the result
of the floor plan agreement with GE Capital which provides that all excess cash
is used to pay down the loan balance and is not available for
26
investment in interest bearing accounts.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $1.0 million from $4.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 1999 to $5.1 million for the same period in 2000. The
increase is due to increased floor plan interest expense ($0.7 million) combined
with additional mortgage interest ($0.2 million) as a result of the purchase of
Toyota of Newburgh in April 1999. The effect on interest expense from the
financial statement restatement adjustments discussed above was to increase both
periods by $0.6 million.
Net Income (loss)
Net income decreased from $0.6 million for the year ended December 31,
1999, to a loss of $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2000, a decrease
of $4.4 million. This is the result of a combination of the aforementioned under
performing stores and brands, non-recurring charges and higher SG&A expenses in
2000. The effect on net income from the financial statement restatement
adjustments discussed above was to decrease net income by $0.2 million and $0.1
million for 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Cyclicality
Hometown's operations, like the automotive retailing industry in general,
are affected by a number of factors relating to general economic conditions,
including consumer business cycles, consumer confidence, economic conditions,
availability of consumer credit and interest rates. Although the above factors,
among others, may affect Hometown's business, Hometown believes that the impact
on the Hometown's operations of future negative trends in such factors will be
somewhat mitigated by its (i) strong parts, service and collision repair
services, (ii) variable cost salary structure, (iii) geographic regional focus,
and (iv) product diversity.
Seasonality
Hometown's operations will be subject to seasonal variations, with the
second and third quarters generally contributing more revenues and operating
profit than the first and fourth quarters. This seasonality is driven primarily
by: (i) Manufacturer related factors, primarily the historical timing of major
Manufacturer incentive programs and model changeovers, (ii) weather-related
factors, which primarily affect parts and service and (iii) consumer buying
patterns.
Effects of Inflation
Due to the relatively low levels of inflation experienced in fiscal 2000
and 2001, inflation did not have a significant effect on the results of Hometown
during those periods.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share, Basic and Diluted
On a consolidated basis, the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share
for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, are ($.32) and ($.63),
respectively. As of December 31, 2001 and 2000, Hometown has potentially
dilutive securities which are described in Footnote 9 and 16 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
27
Weighted Average Shares
On a consolidated basis, the weighted average shares, basic and diluted,
for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 are 6.6 million shares and 6.0
million shares, respectively. The weighted average shares for the basic and
diluted calculation are the same due the Company incurring a net loss in both
periods.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Total cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2001 and 2000, was $4.4
million and $0.6 million, respectively. The increase of $3.8 million in cash and
cash equivalents from December 31, 2000 to 2001 was due in part to the
termination of the lending arrangement with GE Capital whereby excess cash
receipts were automatically used to pay down the existing debt. This arrangement
ended March 2001 and subsequent to that date excess cash is invested instead of
used to pay down floor plan liability.
Cash Flow from Operations
The following table sets forth the consolidated selected information from
the statements of cash flow:
For the years ended December 31,
----------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
------ ------- --------
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities $3,069 $ 481 $ 1,280
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 350 (1,148) (11,226)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 441 (382) 6,067
------ ------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $3,860 $(1,049) $ (3,879)
====== ======= ========
Net cash provided from operations of $3.1 million is primarily due to: (i)
the net loss plus non-cash items of $1.4 million and (ii) the decrease in
inventory in excess of the decrease in floor plan liability of $0.7 million. Net
cash provided by investing activities of $0.4 million is primarily due to the
cash received from the disposal of Morristown Lincoln Mercury of $0.7 million
partially offset by purchases of property and equipment of $0.4 million. Net
cash provided by financing activities of $0.4 million is primarily due to the
proceeds from the private equity financing of $0.9 million partially offset by
principal payments of long-term debt of $0.5 million.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures for 2002 are expected to be $1.6 million consisting
primarily of the estimated construction and associated expenses for building a
new showroom at our Framingham, Massachusetts dealership.
28
Use of Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial
statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods
presented. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates. A summary of our
significant accounting policies are presented in the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements.
Receivables
Hometown had $5.7 million in accounts receivable, net at December 31, 2001
compared to $6.1 million at December 31, 2000. The majority of those
receivables, $3.2 million and $3.5 million as of December 31, 2001 and 2000,
respectively, are contracts-in-transit from companies that provide or secure
financing for customer purchases. These amounts are typically received within
seven days of the transaction. Of the remaining amount, $1.4 million and $1.2
million as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively, represents amounts due
from manufactures for such items as warranty claims. Additional amounts are
parts, service and other trade receivables. In assessing our allowance for
doubtful accounts, we consider historical losses as well as current performance
with respect to past due accounts. The decrease in the allowance of $0.7 million
from fiscal year ended December 31, 2000 to 2001 was due to the write-off of
certain fully reserved receivables that had been reserved for in 2000.
Inventories
New, used and demonstrator vehicle values are stated at the lower of cost
or market, determined on a specific unit basis. Parts and accessories are stated
at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or market. In
assessing lower of cost or market for new vehicles, we primarily consider the
aging of vehicles along with the timing of annual and model changeovers. The
assessment of lower of cost or market for used vehicles considers recent data
and trends such as loss histories, current aging of the inventory and current
market conditions.
Chargeback reserves
Hometown may be charged back ("chargebacks") for unearned financing fees,
insurance or service contract commissions in the event of early termination of
the contracts by the customers. The revenues from financing fees and commissions
are generally recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles. The reserves for
future charge backs are based on historical operating results and the
termination provisions of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and
service contract income, net of estimated chargebacks, are included in other
dealership revenue in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Private Equity Financing
On July 23, 2001, the Board of Directors voted in favor of raising up to
$1.5 million in a private equity financing through the sale of Units to
accredited investors at a price of $2.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of two
shares of Class A Common Stock of Hometown plus a warrant to purchase one
additional
29
share at an exercise price of $1.20 per share, exercisable within a three-year
period. On July 19, 2001, agreements were signed with 10 accredited investors
and a total of 974,996 Class A Common shares were issued, as follows:
Investor # of Units Purchased # of Shares Issued/
Total Proceeds
Corey Shaker 35,714 71,428
Steven Shaker 35,714 71,428
Janet Shaker 35,714 71,428
Richard Shaker 35,714 71,428
Joseph Shaker 35,714 71,428
Edward Shaker 35,714 71,428
Edward D. Shaker 35,714 71,428
William C. Muller Trust 100,000 200,000
William Muller, Jr. 100,000 200,000
Paul Yamin 37,500 75,000
------- -------
Total 487,498 974,996
------- -------
Corey Shaker, Steven Shaker and William Muller, Jr. are officers of the
Company. Joseph Shaker is a Director of the Company.
This was recorded as an increase in additional paid in capital in July
2001. At December 31, 2001, William Muller, Jr. owes Hometown $30,000. This is
recorded in subscriptions receivable which is a reduction to additional paid in
capital at December 31, 2001.
Floor Plan Financing
On March 15, 2001, the Hometown completed a refinancing of its revolving
line of credit with GE Capital Corporation ("GECC") to a traditional floor plan
line of credit at each dealership with Ford Motor Credit Corporation ("FMCC").
As of December 31, 2001 our floor plan liability with FMCC is $32.6 million.
The FMCC floor plan agreement provides financing for vehicle purchases and
is secured by and dependent upon new and used vehicle inventory levels. Maximum
availability under the FMCC agreement is a function of new and used car sales
and is not a pre-determined amount.
The FMCC floor plan loans carry an interest rate of prime less 0.75% for
new vehicles and prime less 0.50% for used vehicles. These rates are for the
first year only. Subsequent to the first year the Company will be subject to the
FMCC standard financing agreement. From March 15, 2001 through December 31,
2001, interest ranged from 4.00% to 7.25% for new vehicles and from 4.25% to
7.50% for used vehicles.
Hometown is in the process of renewing its floor plan agreement with FMCC.
Hometown expects rates under the new plan to increase in relation to the current
plan particularly with respect to the rates charged for used vehicles. The new
agreement has not been finalized at the time of the filing of this Form 10-K.
The GECC agreement provided financing for Hometown's vehicle purchases as
well as operating expenses. Under the GECC facility the maximum line was
$41,145,000 as of December 31, 2000. The
30
GECC facility was a revolving line of credit not specifically lent to purchase
individual vehicles. Therefore, the loan balance cannot be allocated to vehicle
categories.
Interest rates on the GECC floor plan arrangements ranged from 9.2% to
9.9% during 2001, through its close in March 2001, and 7.4% to 9.4% during 2000.
The arrangement included a swing line that handled daily loan activity. The
balance of the swing line was swept into the floor plan line once monthly. The
interest rates on the swing line ranged from 9.1% to 9.6% during 2001 and from
8.6% to 9.6% during 2000.
Automobile manufacturers periodically provide floor plan interest
assistance, or subsidies, which reduce the dealer's cost of financing. The
accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect interest expense gross.
Floor plan interest assistance is recorded as a reduction of cost of sales when
the vehicle is sold.
Other Indebtedness
In addition to floor plan financing, Hometown has long-term debt and
capital lease obligations of $13.5 million, which is primarily attributable to
real estate mortgage notes payable of $8.6 million due in monthly installments
including interest at 10% that matures in May 2014 and capital lease obligations
of $4.6 million due in monthly installments including interest at 10% that
matures in March 2013.
As of December 31, 2001, Hometown has the following contractual obligations:
(In thousands)
Total 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Thereafter
----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----------
Floor Plan $32,553 $32,553
Long term debt $13,506 $ 709 $720 $703 $772 $838 $9,764
Operating leases:
Third parties $ 2,734 $ 748 $648 $430 $260 $216 $ 432
Related parties $10,564 $ 912 $912 $912 $912 $912 $6,004
Company Guarantees
Hometown guarantees or partially guarantees loans advanced by financial
institutions to certain customers. It is Hometown's policy to provide reserves
for potential future default losses based on available historical information.
One of Hometown's dealerships, prior to fiscal 2000, had entered into
various arrangements whereby Hometown guaranteed or partially guaranteed loans
advanced by financial institutions to certain customers as follows:
(i) Portfolio of customer's limousine vehicle loans granted by Ford
Motor Credit Co. As of December 31, 2001, Hometown fully and
partially guaranteed limousine vehicle loans aggregating
approximately $558,000.
(ii) Portfolio of vehicle loans, granted by a financial institution, to
various customers of the dealership with below average credit. As of
December 31, 2001, Hometown fully guaranteed vehicle loans
associated with these customers aggregating approximately $188,000.
31
Hometown has provided a reserve for potential future default losses
associated with the guarantees based on available historical information. The
reserve continues to decrease as the loans are paid off and due to no loan
guarantees being provided by the Company to customers with below average credit.
In connection with the acquisition in 1999 of real estate used by Baystate
Lincoln Mercury, Hometown guaranteed the mortgage debt of Rellum Realty Company.
The 1999 guaranty was given in substitution for a February 1998 guaranty of that
debt by the Muller Group, a subsidiary of the Company. As of December 31, 2001
the mortgage debt balance is $5.2 million. The Company makes annual lease
payments of $756,000 to the landlord. The annual mortgage payments made by the
landlord total approximately $774,000. The mortgage matures March 2013.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
In January 2001, Hometown sold the franchise for its Morristown, NJ store
back to Lincoln Mercury for $0.7 million in cash. During the first six months of
2001, Hometown received the purchase price plus $40,000 for parts returned, and
paid out a broker's commission of $35,000. The transaction resulted in Hometown
recording a $254,000 gain on the sale, which is included in other income.
Hometown guaranteed the stock that was issued in connection with the
Toyota of Newburgh acquisition in 1999 would have a market value of at least
$1,000,000 by March 31, 2001. On June 28, 2001, an agreement was signed with the
former owners settling the guarantee whereby the Company issued 200,000 shares
of Hometown stock and will pay $240,000, payable in monthly installments through
December 31, 2002 and a monthly profit sharing payment equal to 20% of Newburgh
Toyota's monthly pre-tax income over $57,142 for the period from April 1, 2001
to December 31, 2002.
On January 12, 2000, Hometown completed the acquisition of a Jeep
franchise in Brattleboro, Vermont for $0.6 million. As part of this acquisition,
Hometown also purchased the new vehicle inventory totaling $0.3 million. The
operations of this franchise have been included as part of Hometowns existing
Brattleboro Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge dealership since the date of acquisition.
This acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting,
resulting in goodwill of approximately $0.8 million.
Related Party Transactions
Hometown has leased from various affiliates the premises occupied by
certain of its dealerships and guaranteed the related mortgage debt of certain
dealerships. Each of the governing leases became effective as of the closing of
the initial public offering, has a term expiring in 2013, is on a triple net
basis and provides for a consumer price index ("CPI") increase to the base rent
for the five-year periods commencing January 1, 2004 and 2009. Total expense for
operating leases and rental agreements with related parties was $0.9 million for
the year ending December 31, 2001 and future minimum payments under these lease
agreements as of December 31, 2001 is $10.6 million. Two of the leases are
treated as capital leases. Total payments for these leases were $0.8 million for
the year ended December 31, 2001. This practice is fairly common in the
automotive retail industry. See Item 13 - "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions".
At December 31, 2001, $161,000 is due from related parties, including a
non-interest bearing note receivable ($121,000) from a company owned by an
officer of Hometown. The note is being paid to the Hometown at $3,000 per month.
In addition, there is a subscription receivable of $30,000 from an officer of
Hometown.
32
Litigation
On or about February 7, 2001, Salvatore A. Vergopia and Edward A.
Vergopia, directors and formerly executive officers of Hometown, and Janet
Vergopia, the wife of Salvatore A. Vergopia (the "Vergopias") filed a complaint
in the Superior Court of New Jersey in Bergen County, against Hometown, its
officers and directors, certain holders of its Class B common stock, and certain
other unnamed persons, alleging breach of two employment agreements, wrongful
termination of employment, breach of a stockholders' agreement and certain other
wrongful conduct, including age discrimination and breach of fiduciary duty. The
Vergopias are seeking back pay, front pay, compensatory, consequential and
punitive damages, in an unspecified amount as well as, reinstatement, injunctive
and other legal and equitable relief.
We have retained litigation counsel to represent us in this action. A
motion has been granted such that only a single shareholder remains as an
individual shareholder defendant. Also, Hometown has filed counterclaims to
recover damages associated with the Vergopia's breaches of certain agreements,
as well as breaches of their fiduciary duties. Discovery is proceeding in this
action.
We believe that the Vergopias commenced this action in response to our
dismissal of both Salvatore A. Vergopia and Edward A. Vergopia from their
officerships and employment positions with us. We believe we have meritorious
defenses and are vigorously defending this action. Hometown does not believe
that the eventual outcome of the case will have a material adverse effect on
Hometown's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on our
amounts outstanding under our floor plan financing arrangement, which bears
interest at variable rates based on prime. Based on floor plan amounts
outstanding at December 31, 2001 of $32.6 million, a 1% change in the prime rate
would result in a $0.3 million change to annual floor plan interest expense.
Hometown invests excess cash, $2.1 million at December 31, 2001, in a
money market account that was paying interest of 1.86% at December 31, 2001.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
SFAS 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" which
supercedes SFAS 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be
Disposed Of" and the accounting and reporting provisions of Accounting
Principles Board Opinion (APB) 30, "Reporting the Results of Operations -
Reporting the Effects of the Disposal of a Segment Business and Extraordinary,
Unusual, and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions". SFAS 144 addresses
financial accounting and reporting for the impairment and disposal of long-lived
assets. Discontinued operations accounting will be used for a component of an
entity and future operating losses of discontinued operations will no longer be
accrued. Additionally, assets acquired and held for disposal are recorded based
on fair value less cost to sell at the acquisition date. SFAS 144 is effective
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.
In June 2001, the FASB approved SFAS Nos. 141 and 142 "Business
Combinations" and "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", respectively. SFAS
141, among other things, eliminates the "Pooling of Interests" method of
accounting for business acquisitions entered into after June 30, 2001. SFAS 142,
among other things, eliminates the need to amortize goodwill and requires
companies to use a fair-value approach to determine whether there is an
impairment of existing and future goodwill.
33
Additionally, an acquired intangible asset should be separately recognized if
the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other
legal rights, or if the intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed,
rented or exchanged, regardless of the acquirer's intent to do so. These
statements are effective for Hometown beginning January 1, 2002.
Goodwill amortization, which ceases on January 1, 2002, was $704,000,
$661,000 and $600,000 during 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. By the end of
the first quarter of fiscal year 2002, Hometown must begin to perform an
impairment analysis of intangible assets. Furthermore, the first step of the
goodwill transition impairment test must be completed by June 30, 2002 and make
disclosure of the effect in the second quarter. By calendar year end, the
Company is required to determine the correct implied fair value of the goodwill
and record any impairment charges that result from this application as a
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. Future impairment losses
would be recorded as an operating expense.
Hometown is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 142 on its
consolidated financial statements and believes that, if the current market price
of the Company's common stock is indicative of fair value, the majority of its
goodwill may be impaired as of the initial adoption of this statement.
Forward Looking Statement
When used in the Annual Report on Form 10K, the words "may", "will",
"should", "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "project",
"intend" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section
21E of the Exchange Act regarding events, conditions and financial trends that
may affect the Hometown's future plans of operations, business strategy, results
of operations and financial condition. Hometown wishes to ensure that such
statements are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements pursuant to the
safe harbor established in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Prospective investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties and
that actual results may differ materially from those included within the
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including the ability
of Hometown to consummate, and the terms of, acquisitions. Such forward-looking
statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important
factors, including those set forth herein and others set forth from time to time
in Hometown's reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Hometown disclaims any intent or
obligation to update such forward-looking statements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
See Management Discussion and Analysis - Quantitative and Qualitative
Disclosure about Market Risk.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated financial statements of the Company required by this item
are set forth beginning on page F-1
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
Not applicable
34
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Directors and Executive Officers
The executive officers and directors of the Company and their respective
ages as of May 10, 2002 are as follows:
Name Age Position Director Since
- ---- --- -------- --------------
Corey Shaker 44 President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief 1997
Executive Officer and Director
William C. Muller Jr. 50 Regional Vice President - South Division and 1997
Director
Steven Shaker 33 Regional Vice President - North Division Not a director
Joseph Shaker 34 Director 1997
Charles F. Schwartz (1) 46 Chief Financial Officer Not a director
Salvatore A. Vergopia 62 Director 1997
Edward A. Vergopia 32 Director 1997
Stephen A. Zelnick * 64 Director 2001
H. Dennis Lauzon 53 Director 2002
Timothy C. Moynahan* 62 Director 2002
Steven A. Fournier* 47 Director 2002
- --------------
*Member of Audit and Compensation Committees
(1) Replaced John J. Stavola as the Chief Financial Officer January 2002. John
J. Stavola was the Acting Chief Financial Officer of the Company. He is now the
Corporate Controller.
All directors hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders
and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Officers are elected
to serve subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Set forth below is a brief description of the background and business
experience of the executive officers and directors of the Company:
Corey Shaker was named President and Chief Operating Officer on February
7, 2000, and added the title of Chief Executive Officer on August 29, 2000. In
addition, he was Vice President-Connecticut Operations since October 1, 1997 and
was in charge of Hometown's Company-wide sales training efforts. Prior to that,
from 1989 he was Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Family Ford Inc.
where he was responsible for all aspects of its operations. He is a member of
NADA Ford F01 20 group. He was awarded the Lincoln Mercury Salesperson of the
Nation award in 1980 and is a three-time winner of the Lincoln Mercury Inner
Circle award. Mr. Shaker serves on the board of directors of AdStar Inc., a
35
provider of classified ad placement services on the internet and other
electronic delivery channels. He is also a first cousin to Steven Shaker, the
Regional VP - North Division, and Joseph Shaker, a director of the Company. He
holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Providence College.
William C. Muller Jr. has been Regional Vice President - South Division
since March 2000. Mr. Muller has been Vice President-New Jersey Operations since
October 1, 1997. In addition, from 1980 he was the President of Muller Toyota,
Inc. and of Muller Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Isuzu, Inc (both of which are
currently known as Muller Automotive Group, Inc. and Good Day Chevrolet,
Oldsmobile, Isuzu, Inc., respectively.) Under his management, Muller Toyota has
been: (a) a 13-time recipient of Toyota's Prestigious President's Award, given
to those dealers with superior levels of customer satisfaction who also exceed
capital standards and have high market penetration and facilities that meet or
exceed Toyota standards; (b) a 13-time recipient of Toyota Parts Excellence
Award; (c) a 9-time winner of Toyota Service Excellence Award; and (d) a 3-time
winner of Toyota's Sales Excellence Award. He holds a B.A. degree from Fairleigh
Dickinson University.
Steven Shaker has been Regional Vice President - north Division since
March 2000. Mr. Shaker had been a Vice President in charge of Parts and Service
since October 1, 1997. In addition, from 1992 he was Director of Parts and
Service of all of the Shaker Group's operations and was instrumental in the
implementation of the pilot program to develop the Ford Motor Company's first
Autocare automobile service center. He is the brother of Joseph Shaker and a
first cousin of Corey Shaker, each respectively a director of the Company. He
holds a B.A. degree from Salve Regina College.
Joseph Shaker was President and Chief Operating Officer from October 1,
1997 to February 7, 2000, and was in charge of the Company's dealer acquisition
program, including the implementation of such programs as may be necessary to
assimilate new dealers into Hometown's operational model. In addition, from 1991
he was the Chief Operating Officer of Shaker's Lincoln Mercury, Shaker's Jeep
Eagle and Lincoln Mercury Autocare in Connecticut. In 1992, at the request of
Ford Motor Company, he developed the pilot free-standing neighborhood Autocare
Center which has become the model for free-standing neighborhood auto
maintenance centers established by Ford Motor with certain of its other dealers.
He also started Shaker's Lincoln Mercury limousine department in 1992 and has
been responsible for its growth and implementation. He is a Member of the
Executive Committee of the NADA 20 Group. He is the brother of Steven Shaker,
the Regional VP - North Division, and a first cousin of Corey Shaker, a director
of the Company. He holds a B.S. (Management) degree from Bentley College.
Charles F. Schwartz has been Chief Financial Officer since January 2002.
From November 2001 through January 2002 he was the Assistant to the CEO. Prior
to joining Hometown, he was the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for
Staples Communications, a nationwide integrator of communications solutions from
2000 - 2001. From 1993 - 2000 he was the Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Chief of Staff for People's Choice TV Corporation, a wireless
communications company. From 1989 through 1993, Mr. Schwartz had been Chief
Financial Officer of Jimbo's Jumbos, Incorporated, an affiliate of Chock Full O'
Nuts. Mr. Schwartz is a Certified Public Accountant. He holds a B.B.A. degree
in accounting from Bernard M. Baruch College in New York City
Salvatore A. Vergopia had been Chairman of the Board from October 1997 to
December 2000, and Chief Executive Officer from October 1997 to August 2000, of
Hometown. In addition, from 1992 until December, 2000, he was President and for
over 20 years prior thereto, Vice President of Westwood Lincoln Mercury Sales
Inc. He is also the father of Edward Vergopia, director. He holds a B.S. degree
from Northern Arizona University.
Edward A. Vergopia was formerly Vice President - Fleet Operations from
October 1997 to December 2000. In addition, from 1988 until December, 2000, he
was Executive Vice President of
36
Westwood where, among other responsibilities, he managed the Lincoln Mercury
Division of Spoilers Plus (custom cars) and Westwood Lincoln Mercury Limousine
Department. During those periods, he also worked in the Leasing, Financing and
Parts and Service Departments of Westwood Lincoln Mercury. He is also the son of
Salvatore Vergopia, director. He holds a B.B.A. from the University of Miami.
Stephen A. Zelnick has been a partner in the law firm Morse, Zelnick, Rose
and Lander, LLP since its inception in August 1995. Mr. Zelnick serves on the
boards of directors of Milestone Scientific, Inc., a manufacturer of dental
devices, AdStar, Inc., a provider of classified ad placement services on the
internet and other electronic delivery channels, and DAG Media, Inc., a
publisher of classified telephone directories. Mr. Zelnick holds a BS degree in
Economics with an accounting major from the Wharton School of the University of
Pennsylvania and an LLB from Yale Law School.
H. Dennis Lauzon has been the President and owner of Parkway Toyota since
1978. Mr. Lauzon is on the Toyota Dealers Advertising Board as well as the
Dealer Council. He is also on the board of Trustees for Hackensack University
Medical Center. Mr. Lauzon attended Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Timothy C. Moynahan has been a founding partner in the law firm Moynahan,
Minnella, Broderick and Tindall since 1974. Mr. Moynahan is a director of the
Institute of Human Virology, at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
He is also President of the Connecticut Chapter of the Ireland Chamber of
Commerce, a non-profit organization which promotes economic relationships
between the United States and Ireland and is Vice-President of the Paula A.
Moynahan Skin Care Company, a manufacturer of skin care products. Mr. Moynahan
holds a BS degree in History from Providence College and a JD degree from
Catholic University School of Law.
Steven A. Fournier has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Gar-Kenyon Technologies, LLC, a manufacturer of hydraulic aerospace components,
since December 2001. He has also been President and Chief Operating Officer of
Matthews Ventures, a diversified holding company, since 1992. Mr. Fournier
currently serves as Director, Treasurer, and member of the executive committee
of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Fournier holds a Bachelor of
Science Degree in Accounting from Bentley College in 1975 and is a Certified
Public Accountant.
Committees of the Board of Directors
The Company's Board of Directors has established compensation and audit
committees, whose members are Messrs. Zelnick, Moynahan and Fournier. The
Compensation Committee reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors the
compensation and benefits of all officers of the Company, reviews general policy
matters relating to compensation and benefits of employees of the Company and
administers the issuance of stock options and discretionary cash bonuses to the
Company's officers, employees, directors and consultants. The Audit Committee
meets with management and the Company's independent public accountants to
determine the adequacy of internal controls and other financial reporting
matters. It is the intention of the Company to appoint only independent
directors to the Audit and Compensation Committees.
37
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation.
The following table presents certain information concerning compensation
paid or accrued for services rendered to the Company in all capacities during
the year ended December 31, 2001, for the Chief Executive Officer and the other
executive officers of the Company whose aggregate annual base salary exceeded
$100,000 (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers").
COMPENSATION TABLE
Annual Compensation
----------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Annual
Year
Name and Principal Position Compensation $ Salary Bonus(1) Other
--------------------------- ------------- -------- -------- -----
Corey E. Shaker 2001 250,000(2) -- 7,000
President and Chief 2000 200,000 -- 7,000
Executive Officer 1999 200,000 -- --
William C. Muller, Jr 2001 200,000 130,372 --
Regional Vice President- 2000 200,000 -- --
South Division 1999 200,000 -- 3,000
Steven Shaker Regional Vice 2001 118,600 10,000 2,600
President-North 2000 110,000 -- 3,000
Division 1999 100,000 -- --
John J. Stavola 2001 126,250 -- 750
Acting Chief Financial 2000 40,650 -- --
Officer and Secretary(3) 1999 -- -- --
- ----------
(1) The amount shown are cash bonuses earned in the specified year. A portion
of these bonuses may be paid in the first quarter of the following year.
(2) Includes amounts paid after year-end.
(3) Was hired July 2000.
38
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
Number of Percent of Total Potential Realizable Value
Shares Options At Assumed Annual
Underlying Granted to Rates of Stock Price
Options Employees in Exercise Appreciation for Option
Granted(#) Fiscal Year Price Expiration Term(2)
---------- ----------- ----- ---------- -------
Name (1) 2001 ($/Share) Date 0% 5% 10%
---- --- ---- --------- ---- -- -- ---
Corey Shaker 25,000 6.9% $1.25 May 2006 -- -- --
Corey Shaker 25,000 6.9% $2.25 May 2006 -- -- --
William C. Muller Jr. 15,000 4.2% $1.25 May 2006 -- -- --
William C. Muller Jr. 15,000 4.2% $2.25 May 2006 -- -- --
Steven Shaker 15,000 4.2% $1.25 May 2006 -- -- --
Steven Shaker 15,000 4.2% $2.25 May 2006 -- -- --
John J. Stavola 7,500 2.1% $1.25 December -- -- --
2006
John J. Stavola 7,500 2.1% $2.25 December -- -- --
2006
(1) The options (except for those issued to John J. Stavola) vest with respect
to one-third of the shares of Common Stock covered by the options on May
11, 2002 (the "Initial Vesting Date") and one-third will vest on each of
the second and third anniversary of the Initial Vesting Date. The options
issued to John J. Stavola vest with respect to one-third of the shares of
Common Stock covered by the options on December 1, 2002 (the "Initial
Vesting Date") and one-third will vest on each of the second and third
anniversary of the Initial Vesting Date.
(2) Potential realizable values are net of exercise price but before taxes,
and are based on the assumption that the Common Stock of the Company
appreciates at the annual rate shown (compounded annually) from the date
of grant until the expiration date of the respective options. All the
options issued in 2001 were issued at exercise prices higher than the
market price at the date of issuance - hence the Potentially Realizable
Values are all $0. These numbers are calculated based on Securities and
Exchange Commission requirements and do not reflect the Company's
projection or estimate of future stock price growth. Actual gains, if any,
on stock option exercises are dependent on the future financial
performance of the Company, overall market conditions and the option
holder's continued employment through the vesting period. This table does
not take into account any appreciation in the price of the Common Stock
from the date of grant to the date of this Form 10-K.
39
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION
VALUES
The following table summarizes options exercised during fiscal 2001 and
presents the value of unexercised options held by the Named Executive Officers
at fiscal year end:
Number of Value of
Securities Unexercised
Underlying In-the-Money
Unexercised Options at
Options at Fiscal
Fiscal Year-End Year-End
Acquired on Value Exercisable (E) Exercisable (E)
Name Exercise Realized Unexercisable (U) Unexercisable (U)
- ----------------------- ------------ -------- ----------------- -----------------
Corey E. Shaker
President and Chief
Executive Officer -- -- 56,500 E --
60,000 U
William C. Muller, Jr.
Regional Vice
President - South -- -- 20,000 E --
30,000 U
Steven Shaker
Regional Vice
President - North -- -- 10,000 E --
30,000 U
John J. Stavola
Acting Chief
Financial Officer and 0 E
Secretary (1) 15,000 U
(1) Replaced in January 2002. Mr. Stavola is currently the Corporate
Controller of the Company.
In general, the option agreements shall be exercisable only so long as the
Optionee shall continue to be an employee of Hometown and within the
thirty-day period after the date of termination of his employment to the
extent it was exercisable on the day prior to the date of termination. In
the event the Optionee is unable to continue his employment with Hometown
as a result of his total and permanent disability, he may, but only within
three (3) months from the date of disability, exercise the option to the
extent he was entitled to exercise it at the date of such disability. In
the event of death of the Optionee, the option may be exercised, at any
time within twelve (12) months following the date of death, by the
Optionee's estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise this
option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent of the right that
would have accrued had the Optionee continued living one (1) month after
the date of death, provided that at the time of his death the Optionee is
an employee of Hometown and shall have been in Continuous Status (as
defined in Hometown's Stock Option Plan) as an employee from the date
hereof; or within thirty (30) days after the termination of Continuous
Status as an employee, the option may be exercised, at any time within
three (3) months following the date of death, by the Optionee's estate or
by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or
inheritance, but only to the extent of the right to exercise that had
accrued at the date of termination.
40
Employment Contracts
In April 1998, Hometown entered into five-year employment agreements,
effective as of the closing of Hometown's initial public offering in July, 1998,
with Corey E. Shaker, William C. Muller, Jr. and Steven Shaker. Each of their
agreements provides for an annual base salary of $200,000, except that the
agreement for Steven Shaker provides for an annual base salary of $100,000,
which increased to $125,000 in 2001.
Each agreement also provides for participation by the employee in all
executive benefit plans and, if employment is terminated without cause (as
defined in the agreement), payment of an amount equal to the salary which would
have been payable over the unexpired term of his employment agreement.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation
Decisions
None of the directors serving on the Compensation Committee are employees
or officers of the Company. Corey Shaker and Stephen A. Zelnick both serve
together on the board of directors of Adstar, Inc. No other director or
executive officer of the Company is a director or executive officer of any other
corporation that has a director or executive officer who is also a director of
the Company.
1998 Stock Option Plan
In February 1998, in order to attract and retain persons necessary for the
success of the Company, Hometown adopted its 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "Stock
Option Plan") covering up to 480,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. Pursuant to
the Stock Option Plan officers, directors and key employees of the Company and
consultants to the Company are eligible to receive incentive and/or
non-incentive stock options. The Board of Directors will administer the Stock
Option Plan, which expires in January 2008, or a committee designated by the
Board of Directors. The selection of participants, allotment of shares,
determination of price and other conditions relating to the purchase of options
will be determined by the Board of Directors, or a committee thereof, in its
sole discretion. Stock options granted under the Stock Option Plan are
exercisable for a period of up to 10 years from the date of grant at an exercise
price which is not less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the
date of the grant, except that the term of an incentive stock option granted
under the Stock Option Plan to a stockholder owning more than 10% of the
outstanding Common Stock may not exceed five years and its exercise price may
not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date
of the grant. For grants to the Named Executive Officers see the chart above
titled "AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR END
OPTION VALUES."
Employee Benefit Plan
In October 1999, Hometown amended and restated the E.R.R. Enterprises,
Inc. Profit Sharing/401(k) Plan, (the "Amended Plan") into the HOMETOWN AUTO
RETAILERS, INC. 401K Plan (the "Plan") effective October 1, 1999, for the
benefit of eligible employees, as defined. Participants may make voluntary
contributions of up to 15% of their compensation, subject to certain IRS
limitations. Hometown may make annual matching contributions to the Plan at its
discretion. No Contributions were made by Hometown to the Plan for the years
ended December 31, 2001 and 2000. Contributions under the Plan were $48,000 in
1999. Corey E. Shaker and Joseph Shaker are the Trustees of the Plan.
41
Compensation of Directors
Each non-employee Director receives a fee of $1,000, for each meeting attended
in person and $250 for each meeting attended telephonically and reimbursement
for travel costs and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending each
Directors' meeting. In addition, committee members receive $500 for each
committee meeting attended in person, other than meeting directly following or
preceding Board meetings and $125 for each committee meeting attended
telephonically. Additionally, pursuant to the Plan, each Director who is a
non-employee and is not elected pursuant to the stockholders agreement among
Hometown's Class B stockholders, commencing in 2002 will receive options to
purchase 30,000 shares of Common Stock exercisable at the fair market value on
the date of grant. These options will vest one-half on the date of grant and
one-half at the end of the subsequent year of service on the Board. In addition,
each non-employee Director receives options to purchase an additional 2,500
shares of Common Stock on the date of the Company's annual stockholders'
meeting. Such options will have an exercise price equal to the fair market value
of the Common Stock on the date of grant and will vest one-third upon grant and
one-third on each of the first and second anniversary of the date of grant.
Limitation of Directors' Liability and Indemnification
The Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") authorizes corporations
to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and
their shareholders for monetary damages for breach of directors' fiduciary duty
of care. The Company's Certificate of Incorporation limits the liability of
Directors of the Company to the Company or its shareholders to the fullest
extent permitted by Delaware law.
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides mandatory
indemnification rights to any officer or Director of the Company who, by reason
of the fact that he or she is an officer or Director of the Company, is involved
in a legal proceeding of any nature. Such indemnification rights include
reimbursement for expenses incurred by such officer or Director in advance of
the final disposition of such proceeding in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the DGCL. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities under the
Securities Act may be provided to officers and Directors or persons controlling
the Company, the Company has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
Except for the Vergopia litigation described in Item 3 above, there is no
pending litigation or proceeding involving a Director, officer, employee or
agent of the Company in which indemnification by the Company will be required or
permitted.
Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation
The primary purposes of the Compensation Committee are to establish and
maintain competitive, fair and equitable compensation practices designed to
attract and retain key management employees throughout the Corporation and to
establish appropriate incentives to motivate and reward key management employees
for achieving or exceeding established performance goals; and to oversee the
competency and qualifications of senior management personnel and the provisions
of senior management succession planning. The Compensation Committee is
responsible for a broad range of activities which include (i) recommending to
the full Board of Directors the salary(ies) of the Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer after an
evaluation of market data, internal salary relationships as provided by the
Corporation's executive compensation
42
professionals, and such other factors as the Committee deems appropriate; (ii)
recommending to the full Board of Directors the salaries for other elected
Corporate Officers and selected key management employees after reviewing the
recommendations made by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating
Officer; (iii) recommending to the full Board of Directors the type of incentive
plans, if any, which will be offered to management employees; and (iv)
administering the Corporation's 1998 Incentive Stock Option Plan, to include,
after reviewing the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Operating Officer, determining the employees to be eligible for plan
participation.
Due to the existence of five-year employment agreements between Hometown
and its key officers, which do not expire until July 2003, the scope of the
Compensation Committee's duties has been limited.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Stephen A. Zelnick
As Acting Chairman
43
COMPARE CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG HOMETOWN AUTO RETAILERS, INC.,
NASDAQ MARKET INDEX AND SIC CODE INDEX
[LINE CHART]
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON JULY 29, 1998
ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 2001
The above graph shows a comparison of cumulative total returns for Hometown, the
NASDAQ Market Index, and a Peer Group from the date of the initital public
offering.
(1) The Peer Group Index includes the following companies: Auto Nation Inc.,
Circuit City/CarMax, Group, Group 1 Automotive, Inc., Lithia Motors Inc., Rush
Enterprises, Inc., Sonic Automotive Inc., United Auto Group, Inc. and Nostalgia
Motorcars.
44
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information known to Hometown
regarding the beneficial ownership of Common Stock as of May 10, 2002 by (i)
each person known to Hometown to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of its
outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) each Director of Hometown, (iii) each
Named Executive Officer and (iv) all Directors, and Executive Officers of
Hometown as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons or entities
listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of
Common Stock owned by them.
A person is deemed to be a beneficial owner of securities that can be
acquired by such person within 60 days from the filing of this prospectus upon
the exercise of options and warrants or conversion of convertible securities.
Each beneficial owner's percentage ownership is determined by dividing the
number of shares beneficially owned by that person by the total number of shares
beneficially owned, increased to reflect the shares underlying the options,
warrants and convertible securities that are held by such person, but not held
by any other person.
o As of May 10, 2002, the total number of shares outstanding is
7,175,105, of which 3,563,605 shares are Class A common stock and
3,611,500 shares are Class B common stock.
The total number of votes are based on the combined total of Class A and
Class B common stock beneficially owned by the beneficial owner. The voting
power percentage of each beneficial owner is determined by dividing the number
of votes held by that person by the total number of votes outstanding, increased
to reflect the number of votes of the shares underlying the options, warrants
and convertible securities that are held by such person, but not held by any
other person.
o As of May 10, 2002, the total number of votes outstanding is
39,678,605, of which 3,563,605 votes are from Class A common stock
outstanding and 36,115,000 votes are from Class B common stock
outstanding;
o Class A common stock have one (1) vote per share; and
o Class B common stock have ten (10) votes per share.
45
Common Stock % of Outstanding Equity % of
Beneficially Owned Owned Aggregate
------------------------ --------------------------------- voting
Class Class Class Class Power of
Name of Beneficial Owner A B A B Total all Classes
- --------------------------------- ------- ------------------------------------------------ -----------
Officers and Directors
Salvatore Vergopia -- 705,000 -- 19.52 9.83 17.77
Corey E. Shaker 193,310 265,080 5.42 7.34 6.39 7.17
William C. Muller, Jr. 334,250 453,034 9.38 12.54 10.97 12.26
Edward Vergopia -- 235,000 -- 6.51 3.28 5.92
Steven Shaker 135,142 206,424 3.79 5.72 4.76 5.54
Joseph Shaker 184,326 321,812 5.17 8.91 7.05 8.58
Stephen A. Zelnick 51,666 -- 1.45 -- ** **
H. Dennis Lauzon 1,666 -- ** -- ** **
Timothy Moynahan 15,000 -- ** -- ** **
Steven Fournier 15,000 -- ** -- ** **
All Directors, and Executive
Officers as a group (10 persons) 930,360 2,186,350 26.11 60.54 43.44 57.45
5% Beneficial Owners
William C. Muller, Sr. 300,000 308,786 8.42 8.55 8.37 8.52
** Ownership is less than 1%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salvatore Vergopia has an address at 20 Bayberry Drive, Saddle River, New
Jersey 07458. His beneficial ownership of our Class B common stock includes
225,600 shares owned by his wife Janet.
Edward A. Vergopia has an address at 100 Winston Drive, North Tower,
Cliffside Park, New Jersey 07010.
Corey Shaker has an address at 774 Straits Turnpike, Watertown Connecticut
06795. His beneficial ownership of our common stock includes:
o 265,080 shares of Class B common stock, of which 15,980 shares are
held by the Edward Shaker Family Trust of which he is the Trustee
and a beneficiary;
o 84,428 shares of Class A common stock;
o Options exercisable within the next 60 days to purchase shares of
Class A common stock as follows:
o 36,500 shares at $9.00 per share;
o 20,000 shares at $3.00 per share;
o 8,334 shares at $2.25 per share; and
o 8,334 shares at $1.25 per share; and
o Warrants immediately exercisable to purchase 35,714 shares of Class
A common stock at $1.20 per share.
William Muller, Jr. has an address at c/o Muller Toyota Inc., Route 31, PO
Box J, Clinton, New Jersey 08809. His beneficial ownership of our common stock
includes:
o 453,034 shares of Class B common stock;
o 204,250 shares of Class A common stock;
o Options exercisable within the next 60 days to purchase shares of
Class A common stock as follows:
o 20,000 shares at $9.00 per share;
o 5,000 shares at $2.25 per share; and
o 5,000 shares at $1.25 per share; and
o Warrants immediately exercisable to purchase 100,000 shares of Class
A common stock at $1.20 per share.
46
Steven Shaker has an address at c/o Family Ford, Inc., 1200 Wolcott
Street, Waterbury, Connecticut 06705. His beneficial ownership of our common
stock includes:
o 79,428 shares of Class A common stock;
o Options exercisable within the next 60 days to purchase shares of
Class A common stock as follows:
o 10,000 shares at $9.00 per share;
o 5,000 shares at $2.25 per share; and
o 5,000 shares at $1.25 per share; and
o Warrants immediately exercisable to purchase 35,714 shares of Class
A common stock at $1.20 per share.
Joseph Shaker has an address at c/o Baystate Lincoln Mercury, 571
Worcester Road, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701. His beneficial ownership of our
common stock includes:
o 321,812 shares of Class B common stock of which 15,980 shares are
held by the Richard Shaker Family Trust which Mr. Shaker is the
Trustee and a beneficiary; and 40,000 shares are held by the Shaker
Irrevocable Trust of which Mr. Shaker is Trustee;
o 112,112 shares of Class A common stock;
o an option to purchase 36,500 shares of Class A common stock,
exercisable within the next 60 days at $9.00 per share; and
o Warrants immediately exercisable to purchase 35,714 shares of Class
A common stock at $1.20 per share.
Stephen A. Zelnick has an address at 450 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10022. His beneficial ownership of our common stock includes:
o 35,000 shares of Class A common stock;
o 15,000 shares of Class A common stock which represents his
proportionate interest in 60,000 shares beneficially owned by a
nominee of Morse, Zelnick, Rose & Lander, LLP, of which Mr. Zelnick
is a member. The filing of this report shall not be construed as an
admission that he is the beneficial owner of any of the shares owned
by the nominee for purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
o An option to purchase 1,666 shares of Class A common stock,
exercisable within the next 60 days at $0.78 per share.
H. Dennis Lauzon has an address at 854 Sunset Avenue, Haworth, New Jersey
07641. His beneficial ownership of our common stock consist of an option to
purchase 1,666 shares of Class A common stock, exercisable within the next 60
days at $0.65 per share.
Timothy Moynahan has an address at 141 East Main Street, Waterbury,
Connecticut 06722. His beneficial ownership of our common stock consist of an
option to purchase 15,000 shares of Class A common stock, exercisable within the
next 60 days at $0.48 per share.
Steven Fournier has an address at 107 Eastfield Road, Waterbury,
Connecticut 06708. His beneficial ownership of our common stock consist of an
option to purchase 15,000 shares of Class A common stock, exercisable within the
next 60 days at $0.58 per share.
William Muller, Sr. has an address at c/o Muller Toyota Inc., Route 31, PO
Box J, Clinton, New Jersey 08809. His beneficial ownership of our common stock
includes:
o 308,786 shares of Class B common stock;
o 200,000 shares of Class A common stock; and
o Warrants immediately exercisable to purchase 100,000 shares of Class
A common stock at $1.20 per share.
All shares and warrants are owned by The William C. Muller Revocable
Living Trust of which the William C. Muller Sr. is Trustee. William C. Muller
Sr. is neither an officer nor director.
47
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Hometown's
officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a
registered class of Hometown's equity securities, to file reports of ownership
and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
Officers, directors and greater than ten-percent stockholders are required by
SEC regulation to furnish Hometown with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they
file.
To the best of Hometown's knowledge, based solely on review of the copies
of such forms furnished to Hometown, or written representations that no other
forms were required, Hometown believes that all Section 16(a) filing
requirements applicable with respect to all its current officers, directors and
ten percent shareholders have been complied with as of the filing date of this
Annual Report. However, Corey Shaker, Joseph Shaker, Steven Shaker and William
Muller, Jr. were late in filing one (1) Statement of Changes in Beneficial
Ownership on Form 4 during 2001 but have all subsequently come into compliance.
With respect to any former directors, officers, and ten percent shareholders of
Hometown, the Company does not have any knowledge of any known failures to
comply with the filing requirements of Section 16(a).
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Leases
Hometown has leased from various affiliates the premises occupied by
certain of its dealerships. Each of the governing leases became effective as of
the closing of the initial public offering, has a term expiring in 2013, is on a
triple net basis and provides for a consumer price index ("CPI") increase to the
base rent for the five-year periods commencing January 1, 2004 and 2009.
Hometown believes that each lease was at their fair market value at inception.
Shaker Group. Hometown leases, for an initial annual base rental of $240,000,
the premises occupied by its Lincoln/Mercury dealership in Watertown,
Connecticut and for an initial base rental of $240,000 and $72,000 respectively,
the premises occupied by the Family ford and Shaker Jeep/Eagle dealership in
Waterbury, CT from Shaker Enterprises, a Connecticut general partnership whose
seven partners include Joseph Shaker, Corey Shaker, Steven Shaker and Janet
Shaker. Corey Shaker is the CEO, Director and a principal stockholder of the
Company. Steven Shaker is the Regional Vice President - North Division and a
principal stockholder of the Company Joseph Shaker is a Director and a principal
stockholder of the Company. Janet Shaker is a principal stockholder of the
Company.
Muller Group. Hometown leases, for an initial annual base rental of $360,000 and
$396,000 respectively the premises occupied by its Toyota dealership in Clinton,
New Jersey and its Chevrolet/Oldsmobile/Isuzu dealership in Stewartsville, New
Jersey from Rellum Realty Company, a New Jersey general partnership, one of
whose two partners is William C. Muller Jr. Mr. Muller is a director and the
Regional Vice President - South Division and a principal stockholder of
Hometown. The Toyota and Chevy leases are treated as capital leases. In
connection with the acquisition in 1999 of real estate used by Baystate Lincoln
Mercury, Hometown guaranteed the mortgage debt of Rellum Realty Company. The
1999 guaranty was given in substitution for a February 1998 guaranty of that
debt by the Muller Group, a subsidiary of the Company. As of December 31, 2001
the mortgage debt balance is $5.2 million. The Company makes annual lease
payments of $756,000 to the landlord. The annual mortgage payments made by the
landlord total approximately $774,000. The mortgage matures March 2013.
Westwood. Hometown leases, for an initial annual base rental of $360,000 the
premises occupied by its Lincoln Mercury dealership in Emerson, New Jersey from
Salvatore A. Vergopia and his wife. Mr. Vergopia is a director and a principal
stockholder of Hometown.
48
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Exhibits:
Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Dealer-Co., Inc. (NY-3/10/97)
3.2 Certificate of Incorporation of Hometown Auto Retailers, Inc.
(Del-6/5/97)
3.3 Certificate of Ownership and Merger of Dealer-Co., Inc. into
Hometown Auto Retailers, Inc. (Del-6/27/97)
3.4 Certificate of Merger of Dealer-Co., Inc. and Hometown Auto
Retailers, Inc. into Hometown Auto Retailers, Inc. (the "Company")
(NY-9/11/97)
3.5 Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation filed
February 19, 1998
3.6 Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation filed
June 8, 1998
(1)3.7 Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation filed
December 7, 2000
3.8 By-Laws of the Company
4.1 Form of Class A Common Stock Certificate
4.2 Form of Class B Common Stock Certificate
4.3 Form of Warrant Agreement between the Company and Paulson
Investment Company and related Warrant
4.4 Stock Option Plan of the Company
(2)4.5 Form of 3-year warrant issued in the Private Placement of units on
July 25, 2001
(2)4.6 Copy of the $240,000 Non-negotiable Promissory Note made by
Hometown to Autos of Newburgh, Inc.
(2)4.7 Copy of the Settlement Agreement, dated June 28, 2001, between
Hometown and Autos of Newburgh, Inc.
10.1 Exchange Agreement, dated as of the 1st day of July, 1997, among
the Registrant and the members of the Shaker Group, the Muller
Group and the Westwood Group
10.2 Agreement, dated July 2, 1997, between the Registrant and
Brattleboro Chrysler Plymouth Dodge, Inc. and Amendments dated
November 11, 1997, April 14, 1998 and July 8, 1998
10.3 Agreement, dated August 14, 1997, between the Registrant and
Leominster Lincoln Mercury, Inc., dba Bay State Lincoln Mercury
and Amendments dated October 31, 1997 and April 14, 1998,
respectively
10.4 Stockholders Agreement, dated as of the 16th day of February 1998,
among the Shaker Stockholders, the Muller Stockholders and the
Westwood Stockholders
10.5 Employment Agreement, dated as of the 20th day of April, 1998,
between the Registrant and Salvatore A. Vergopia
10.6 Employment Agreement, dated as of the 20th day of April, 1998,
between the Registrant and William C. Muller Jr.
10.7 Employment Agreement, dated as of the 20th day of April, 1998,
between the Registrant and Corey Shaker
10.8 Employment Agreement, dated as of the 20th day of April, 1998,
between the Registrant and Edward A. Vergopia
10.9 Employment Agreement, dated as of the 20th day of April, 1998,
between the Registrant and James Christ
49
10.10 Employment Agreement, dated as of the 20th day of April, 1998,
between the Registrant and Steven Shaker
10.11 Lease, dated as of April 20, 1998, between Shaker Enterprises, as
landlord, and Hometown (Lincoln/Mercury dealership in Watertown,
CT.)
10.12 Lease, dated as of April 20, 1998, between Joseph Shaker Realty
Company, as landlord, and Hometown (Ford dealership in Waterbury,
CT.)
10.13 Lease, dated as of April 20, 1998, between Joseph Shaker Realty
Company, as landlord, and Hometown (Jeep/Eagle dealership
Waterbury, CT.)
10.14 Lease, dated as of April 20, 1998, between Rellum Realty Company,
as landlord, and Hometown (Toyota dealership in Clinton, NJ)
10.15 Lease, dated as of April 20, 1998, between Rellum Realty Company,
as landlord, and Hometown (Chevrolet/Oldsmobile/Isuzu dealership
In Stewartville, NJ)
10.16 Lease, dated as of April 20, 1998, between Salvatore A. Vergopia
and Janet Vergopia, as landlord, and Hometown (Lincoln Mercury
dealership in Emerson, NJ)
10.17 Inventory Loan and Security Agreement between Toyota Motor Credit
Corporation and Muller Toyota, Inc.; Commercial Promissory Notes;
Dealer Floor Plan Agreement
10.18 Ford Motor Company Automotive Wholesale Installment Sale and
Security Agreement with Shakers, Inc.; Power of Attorney for
Wholesale Installment Sale Contract; and Automotive Installment
Sale Contract
10.19 Ford Motor Company Automotive Wholesale Installment Sale and
Security Agreement with Family Ford, Inc. and Power of Attorney
for Wholesale
10.20 Chrysler Financial Security Agreement and Master Credit Agreement
with Shaker's Inc.
10.21 Lease, dated as of April 20, 1998, between Thomas E. Cosenzi
optionees as landlord, and Hometown (Chrysler Plymouth dealerships
in N. Brattleboro, VT.)
10.22 Form of Stock Option Agreement with schedule of optionees
10.23 Agreement dated May 28, 1998, between the Registrant and Pride
Auto Center, Inc. (an Acquisition)
10.24 Supplemental Agreement to Dealer Sales and Service Agreement
(Publicly Traded Company) dated April 27, 1998 among Muller
Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Isuzu, Inc., Hometown Auto Retailers, Inc.
and American Isuzu Motors, Inc.
10.25 Letter consent for ownership change and initial public offering
from Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. dated July 24, 1998
10.26 Supplemental Agreement to General Motors Corporation Dealer Sales
and Service Agreement between Hometown Auto Retailers, Inc. and
General Motors, dated July 20, 1998.
10.27 Letter consent from Ford Motor Company to Hometown Auto Retailers,
Inc. relating to the Ford Division and Lincoln Mercury Division
dated July 24, 1998.
10.28 Credit Agreement dated January 6, 1999 among the registrant,
specified subsidiaries, General Electric Capital Corporation, and
other specified lenders. All Annexes A through I.
(1)10.29 Credit Agreement dated March 14, 2001 among the registrant,
subsidiaries of the registrant, and Ford Motor Credit Company.
(2)10.30 Guarantee Agreement dated January 5, 1999 among the registrant
and Falcon Financial, LLC.
(2)10.31 Modification Agreement dated January 6, 1999 among the registrant,
subsidiaries of the registrant and Falcon Financial, LLC.
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant
(2)99.1 Letter to Commission Pursuant To Temporary Note 3T
50
----------
* Unless otherwise indicated all exhibits were previously filed as an
exhibit to Hometown's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No
333-52763), and incorporated herein by reference.
(1) Filed as an exhibit to Hometown's Form 10-K for the period ending
December 31, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.
(2) Filed herewith.
Reports on Form 8-K:
The Registrant did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the Quarter
ended December 31, 2001.
Financial Statement Schedules:
See below, beginning on page F-1.
Supplemental Schedules:
Report of Independent Public Accountants on Schedule is set forth on page S-1.
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31,
2001, 2000 and 1999 is set forth hereafter beginning on page S-2.
51
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d), the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on May 23,
2002 on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Hometown Auto Retailers, Inc.
By: /s/ Corey Shaker
------------------------------------
Corey Shaker, President 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.
/s/ Corey Shaker
- --------------------------------
Corey Shaker President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
/s/ Charles F. Schwartz
- --------------------------------
Charles F. Schwartz Chief Financial Officer
/s/ William C. Muller, Jr.
- --------------------------------
William C. Muller, Jr. Director
/s/ Joseph Shaker
- --------------------------------
Joseph Shaker Director
/s/ Stephen A. Zelnick
- --------------------------------
Stephen A. Zelnick Director
/s/ H. Dennis Lauzon
- --------------------------------
H. Dennis Lauzon Director
- --------------------------------
Salvatore A. Vergopia Director
- --------------------------------
Edward A. Vergopia Director
/s/ Timothy C. Moynahan
- --------------------------------
Timothy C. Moynahan Director
/s/ Steven A. Fournier
- --------------------------------
Steven A. Fournier Director
52
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
----
Report of Independent Public Accountants F-2
Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2000
(Restated) and 2001 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 2001 (2000 and 1999 Restated) F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001
(2000 and 1999 Restated) F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 2001 (2000 and 1999 Restated) F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-7
Report of Independent Public Accountants on Schedule S-1
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts S-2
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Hometown Auto Retailers, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hometown
Auto Retailers, Inc. (a Delaware Corporation) as of December 31, 2001 and 2000,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001.
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements 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 audit 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 consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hometown
Auto Retailers, Inc. as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2001, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States.
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the
accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2000, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 have been restated.
Stamford, Connecticut ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
May 23, 2002
F-2
HOMETOWN AUTO RETAILERS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
December 31,
ASSETS 2001 2000
(Restated)
-------- --------
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,446 $ 586
Accounts receivable, net 5,656 6,149
Inventories, net 31,887 40,170
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 344 326
Deferred income taxes and taxes receivable 1,681 956
-------- --------
Total current assets 44,014 48,187
Property and equipment, net 11,889 12,462
Goodwill, net 23,708 24,793
Other assets 2,231 6,130
-------- --------
Total assets $ 81,842 $ 91,572
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Floor plan notes payable $ 32,553 $ 40,123
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 6,160 5,267
Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations 709 620
Deferred revenue 476 514
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 39,898 46,524
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 12,797 13,390
Long-term deferred income taxes 721 1,664
Other long-term liabilities and deferred revenue 974 1,351
Total liabilities 54,390 62,929
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 2,000,000 shares
authorized, no shares issued and outstanding -- --
Common stock, Class A, $.001 par value, 12,000,000 shares
authorized, 3,561,605 and 2,301,109 issued and outstanding, respectively 3 2
Common stock, Class B, $.001 par value, 3,760,000 shares
authorized, 3,613,500 and 3,699,000 issued and outstanding, respectively 4 4
Additional paid-in capital 29,730 28,786
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) (2,285) (149)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity 27,452 28,643
-------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 81,842 $ 91,572
======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements
F-3
HOMETOWN AUTO RETAILERS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
For the Years Ended December 31,
---------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
(Restated) (Restated)
----------- ----------- -----------
Revenues
New vehicle sales $ 158,825 $ 172,759 $ 173,427
Used vehicle sales 83,903 75,623 82,224
Parts and service sales 25,402 23,869 22,735
Other, net 7,630 7,131 6,929
----------- ----------- -----------
Total revenues 275,760 279,382 285,315
Cost of sales
New vehicle 148,271 161,752 162,062
Used vehicle 76,189 68,981 75,385
Parts and service 11,485 10,768 9,814
----------- ----------- -----------
Total Cost of sales 235,945 241,501 247,261
----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit 39,815 37,881 38,054
Amortization of goodwill 704 661 600
Loss from operations of e-Commerce subsidiary -- -- 515
Selling, general and administrative expenses 35,114 37,946 31,499
----------- ----------- -----------
Income (loss) from operations 3,997 (726) 5,440
Interest income 90 1 41
Interest expense (4,225) (5,069) (4,116)
Other income 254 -- --
Other expense (8) (23) (31)
Valuation adjustment for CarDay.com (3,258) -- --
----------- ----------- -----------
Income (loss) before taxes (3,150) (5,817) 1,334
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (1,014) (2,017) 693
----------- ----------- -----------
Net income (loss) $ (2,136) $ (3,800) $ 641
=========== =========== ===========
Earnings (loss) per share, basic $ (.32) $ (.63) $ .11
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted $ (.32) $ (.63) $ .11
=========== =========== ===========
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic 6,592,436 5,995,996 5,875,342
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 6,592,436 5,995,996 6,003,851
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements
F-4
HOMETOWN AUTO RETAILERS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 (Restated) and 1999 (Restated)
(in thousands)
Retained
Class A Class B Additional Earnings Total
Common Stock Common Stock Paid-in (accumulated Stockholders'
Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital deficit) Equity
------ -------- ------ -------- ---------- ------------ -------------
Balance at December 31, 1998 (Restated) 2,040 $ 2 3,760 $ 4 $ 25,194 $ 3,010 $ 28,210
Conversion of Class B Common
to Class A Common 7 -- (7) -- -- -- --
Issuance of Class A Common to
acquire Toyota of Newburgh 100 -- -- -- 1,000 -- 1,000
Net Income -- -- -- -- -- 641 641
----- -------- ----- -------- -------- ------- --------
Balance at December 31, 1999 (Restated) 2,147 $ 2 3,753 $ 4 $ 26,194 $ 3,651 $ 29,851
Conversion of Class B Common
to Class A Common 54 -- (54) -- -- -- --
Issuance of Class A Common 100 -- -- -- 332 -- 332
Valuation adjustment
for CarDay.com -- -- -- -- 2,260 -- 2,260
Net Loss -- -- -- -- -- (3,800) (3,800)
----- -------- ----- -------- -------- ------- --------
Balance at December 31, 2000 (Restated) 2,301 $ 2 3,699 $ 4 $ 28,786 $ (149) $ 28,643
Conversion of Class B Common
to Class A Common 86 -- (86) -- -- -- --
Shares issued for Newburgh
purchase 200 - -- -- -- -- --
Capital infusion from
Accredited Investors 975 1 -- -- 808 -- 809
Warrants -- -- -- -- 166 -- 166
Subscription receivable -- -- -- -- (30) -- (30)
Net Loss -- -- -- -- -- (2,136) (2,136)
----- -------- ----- -------- -------- ------- --------
Balance at December 31, 2001 3,562 $ 3 3,613 $ 4 $ 29,730 $(2,285) $ 27,452
===== ======== ===== ======== ======== ======= ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements
F-5
HOMETOWN AUTO RETAILERS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31,
2001 2000 1999
(Restated) (Restated)
------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss) $(2,136) $ (3,800) $ 641
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization 1,613 1,552 1,466
Loss on sale of assets -- -- 12
Gain on disposal of business unit (254) -- --
Loss on write-down of CarDay.com 3,258 -- --
Deferred income taxes (1,124) (1,683) 21
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net 499 (48) 133
Inventories 8,226 11,017 (13,497)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (18) 997 (913)
Other assets 92 375 (752)
Floor plan notes payable (7,570) (8,863) 15,320
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 898 883 (1,139)
Deferred revenue (38) (17) --
Other long term liabilities and deferred revenue (377) 68 (12)
------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities 3,069 481 1,280
------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment (369) (421) (6,187)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment 14 149 44
Investment in website for development -- -- (1,251)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired -- (876) (3,832)
Disposal of business unit 705 -- --
------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 350 (1,148) (11,226)
------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from long-term borrowings -- 9,406
Principal payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations (504) (714) (1,650)
Excess cash used to pay down floor plan notes -- -- (2,538)
Other current bank borrowings, net of repayments -- -- 500
Due from/to related parties -- -- 349
Issuance of common stock and warrants 945 332 --
------- -------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 441 (382) 6,067
------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,860 (1,049) (3,879)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period 586 1,635 5,514
------- -------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period $ 4,446 $ 586 $ 1,635
======= ======== ========
Cash paid for - Interest $ 3,988 $ 4,571 $ 4,114
======= ======== ========
Cash paid for - Taxes $ 146 $ 204 $ 1,048
======= ======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements
F-6
HOMETOWN AUTO RETAILERS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BUSINESS AND ORGANIZATION
Business of Hometown Auto Retailers Inc.
Hometown was founded on March 10, 1997 as Dealerco, Inc., a New York
Corporation, and was later merged into Hometown Auto Retailers, Inc., a Delaware
Corporation ("Hometown" or the "Company"). Hometown's purpose was to consolidate
and operate automobile dealerships in the Northeast, primarily in New Jersey and
New England. Hometown was formed to combine three dealership groups (the "Core
Operating Companies") located in New Jersey and Connecticut, one of which was
considered the accounting acquirer ("Shaker"), acquire two other dealerships
(the "Acquisitions") located in Vermont and Massachusetts, complete an initial
public offering (the "Offering") of its Common Stock and, subsequent to the
Offering, continue to acquire, through merger or purchase, additional
dealerships to expand its regional operations.
During 1999, the Company invested in an internet-commerce subsidiary,
CarDay.com. CarDay is an Internet auction site that offers a buying experience
that offers many of the features generally not available outside the traditional
dealership environment. In January 2000, CarDay obtained $25 million in
financing from a group of venture capital firms. As a result of that financing,
Hometowns ownership interest in CarDay was reduced from 82% to 10.7% and to
increase the carrying value of its investment to $3,258,000. Since CarDay is a
"Development Stage Company", the Company treated the resulting increase in value
of the investment as an increase in additional paid-in-capital. This is in
accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin 51.
The investment in CarDay.com is accounted for on the cost basis. The Company
believes that any similar future transactions are unlikely. At December 31,
1999, organizational and website development costs of CarDay of $515,000 are
included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Subsequent to
January 20, 2000, the operating results of CarDay are not reflected in
Hometown's financial statements as Hometown's ownership interest has fallen
below 20%. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001, CarDay ceased operations,
accordingly the Company considers the investment to be permanently and totally
impaired. (Note 4)
Basis of Presentation
In July 1998, Hometown simultaneously completed the combination of the
Core Operating Companies, the Acquisitions and the Offering. The Core Operating
Companies were acquired in exchange for common stock of Hometown. The
Acquisitions were acquired for cash.
Principals of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include all significant majority
owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions among the
consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated.
The Company's operations are subject to seasonal variations, with the
second and third quarters generally contributing more revenues and operating
profit than the first and fourth quarters. This seasonality is driven primarily
by: (i) factors related to the automobile and truck manufacturers from which the
Company holds franchises ("Manufacturer"), primarily the historical timing of
major Manufacturer incentive programs and model changeovers, (ii)
weather-related factors, which primarily affect parts and service and (iii)
consumer buying patterns.
2. RESTATEMENT OF PRIOR YEARS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Subsequent to fiscal year end December 31, 2001, the Company determined:
(i) two dealership operating leases should have more appropriately been
classified as capital leases, (ii) certain manufacturer incentives should have
been more appropriately reflected as a reduction of inventory costs, and (iii)
certain insurance product sales generated in Connecticut should be recognized
over the life of the contract due to operating under a dealer obligor status
according to state law. Accordingly, the Company has restated prior year
financial statements to reflect these changes. These restatements and the effect
on 2001 results are as follows:
F-7
(i) Reflecting the two leases as capital leases resulted in recording an
increase in buildings and capital lease obligations of $5.2 million as of July
1998, the lease inception date. For each period in the restated financial
statements the Company has recorded (a) depreciation expense on the building,
(b) interest expense and principal payments on the related capital lease
obligation and (c) eliminated the lease expense that had previously been
recorded. The effect on income before taxes from these adjustments was to reduce
pre-tax income by $147,000, $165,000 and $181,000 for the years ended December
31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The after tax effect of these adjustments
was to reduce net income $99,000, $108,000 and $87,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. These adjustments caused a
reduction in basic and diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.02, $0.02
and $0.01 for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
(ii) Manufacturers provide certain assistance to dealerships that had been
recorded as a reduction of interest expense when received. This is more
appropriately reflected as a reduction of inventory costs and cost of sales at
the time of sale of the vehicle. The effect on income before taxes from these
adjustments was to increase pre-tax income by $253,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2001 and to reduce pre-tax income by $214,000 and $132,000 for the
years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The after tax effect of
these adjustments was to increase net income by $171,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2001 and to reduce net income by $140,000 and $63,000 for the years
ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. These adjustments caused an
increase in basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.03 for the year ended
December 31, 2001, and a decrease of $0.02 and $0.01 in basic and diluted
earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
(iii) Connecticut dealerships operate under state laws which make the
dealers responsible for providing warranty service and insurance in the event of
default by the insurance carriers. Accordingly, commissions on insurance and
service contract sales are required to be recognized over the life of the
related insurance product. Previously, the income had been recognized at the
time of sale of the vehicle. The revenue is taken into income over a five-year
period, which is the life of the contract. The effect on income before taxes
from these adjustments was to increase pre-tax income by $144,000, $46,000 and
$12,000 for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The
after tax effect of these adjustments was to increase net income by $98,000,
$30,000 and $6,000 for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively. These adjustments increased basic and diluted earnings per share
by $0.01, $0.01 and $0.00 for each of the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000
and 1999, respectively. At December 31, 2001 and 2000 the Company had $1,264,000
and $1,408,000 of deferred revenue, respectively. During the first quarter of
2002, this state law has changed which will result in Hometown recording
insurance and service contract income at the time of sale of the vehicle, the
change in the law was not retroactive. During 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and
2007, Hometown will record approximately an additional $322,000, $398,000,
$282,000, $170,000, 75,000 and $17,000 respectively, for insurance and service
contract income due to the change in the state law.
The total effect of the aforementioned adjustments was to increase income
before taxes $250,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001 and reduce income
before taxes $333,000 and $301,000 for the years ended December 31, 2000 and
1999, respectively. The total effect of these changes was to increase net income
$170,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001 and reduce net income $218,000 and
$144,000 for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The total
effect of these changes was to increase basic and diluted earnings per share
$0.03 for the year ended December 31, 2001 and reduce basic and diluted earnings
per share $0.03 and $0.02 for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999,
respectively. Restated basic and diluted earnings per share is $(0.63) and
$(0.11) for the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
F-8
3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Major Suppliers and Franchise Agreements
The Company purchases substantially all of its new vehicles at the
prevailing prices charged by the applicable Manufacturers to all franchised
dealers. The Company's sales volume could be adversely impacted by the
manufacturers' inability to supply it with an adequate supply of popular models
or as a result of an unfavorable allocation of vehicles by the manufacturer.
Each Manufacturers franchise agreement contains provisions which may
limit, without the consent of the applicable manufacturer, changes in dealership
management and ownership, place certain restrictions on the dealership (such as
minimum working capital requirements) and provide for termination of the
franchise agreement by the manufacturer in certain instances.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues for vehicle and parts sales are recognized upon delivery to or
acceptance by the customer. Revenues for vehicle service are recognized when the
service has been completed. Sales discounts and service coupons are accounted
for as a reduction to the sales price at the point of sale. Manufacturer
incentives and rebates, including holdbacks, are not recognized until earned in
accordance with respective manufacturers incentive programs.
Finance, Insurance and Service Contract Income Recognition
The Company arranges financing for customers through various institutions
and receives financing fees equal to the difference between the loan rates
charged to customers and the predetermined financing rate set by the financing
institution. In addition, the Company receives commissions from the sale of
credit life and disability insurance and extended service contracts to
customers. The revenues from financing fees and commissions are generally
recorded at the time of the sale of the vehicles. These revenues are recorded on
a net basis. Connecticut dealerships operate under state laws which make the
dealers responsible for providing warranty service and insurance in the event of
default by the insurance carriers. Accordingly, commissions on insurance and
service contract sales are required to be recognized over the life of the
related insurance product. At December 31, 2001 and 2000 the Company had
$1,264,000 and $1,408,000 of deferred revenue, respectively. During the first
quarter of 2002, this state law has changed which will result in the Hometown
recording insurance and service contract income at the time of slae of the
vehicle, the change in the law was not retroactive. During 2002, 2003, 2004,
2005, 2006, and 2007, Hometown will record approximately $322,000, $398,000,
$282,000, $170,000, 75,000 and $17,000 respectively, in additional insurance and
service contract income due to the change in the state law.
The Company may be charged back ("chargebacks") for unearned financing
fees, insurance or service contract commissions in the event of early
termination of the contracts by the customers. The reserves for future charge
backs are based on historical operating results and the termination provisions
of the applicable contracts. Finance, insurance and service contract income, net
of estimated chargebacks, are included in other dealership revenue in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash on deposit,
marketable securities and liquid investments, such as money market accounts,
that have an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
F-9
Contracts-in-Transit
Contracts-in-transit represent receivables from finance companies for the
portion of the vehicle purchase price financed by customers through sources
arranged by the Company.
Inventories
New, used and demonstrator vehicle values are stated at the lower of cost
or market, determined on a specific unit basis. Parts and accessories are stated
at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or market. The
Company assesses the lower of cost or market reserve requirement for vehicles,
on an individual unit basis, taking into consideration historical loss rates,
the age and composition of the inventory and current market conditions. The
lower of cost or market reserves were $0.4 million and $0.3 million at December
31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold
improvements are capitalized and amortized over the lesser of the life of the
lease or the estimated useful life of the asset.
Capital Lease Obligations
The Company classifies two dealership leases as capital leases. The
Company depreciates these properties over the terms of the lease (Note 2).
Company Guarantees
The Company guarantees or partially guarantees loans advanced by financial
institutions to certain customers. It is the Company's policy to provide
reserves for potential future default losses based on available historical
information. The Company guarantees certain mortgage debt obligations of the
lessor, related to two dealership leases.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the estimated fair
value of the net assets acquired and is being amortized on a straight-line basis
over a 40 year period.
Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-lived Assets
The Company periodically reviews goodwill, certain related intangibles and
other long-lived assets for impairment whenever changes in the circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable.
The Company considers relevant cash flow, management's strategic plans,
significant decreases in the market value of the asset and other available
information in assessing whether the carrying value of the assets can be
recovered. When such events occur, the Company compares the carrying amount of
the assets to undiscounted expected future cash flows. If this comparison
indicates an impairment, the carrying amount would then be compared to
discounted expected future cash flows. The difference would be recorded as an
impairment of assets. The discount rate used is based on the Company's weighted
average cost of capital, which represents the blended after-tax costs of debt
and equity. As of December 31, 2001, the Company does not believe any impairment
exists based on this methodology.
F-10
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes." Under this method, deferred income taxes are
recorded based upon differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of
assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws
that will be in effect when the underlying assets are realized or liabilities
are settled. A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets when it is more
likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be
realized.
Interest Expense
Automobile manufacturers periodically provide floor plan interest
assistance, or subsidies, which reduce the dealer's cost of financing. The
accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect interest expense gross.
Floor plan interest assistance is recorded as a reduction of cost of sales when
the vehicle is sold (Note 2).
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash
equivalents; floor plan notes payable and long-term debt. The carrying amounts
of cash equivalents approximate fair value due to the short maturity of those
instruments. The carrying amounts of floor plan notes payable approximate fair
value due to their variable interest rates. The fair market value of long-term
debt approximated the carrying value at December, 31, 2001. The fair value of
long-term debt is estimated based on the current rates offered for similar debt
instruments with the same remaining maturities.
Advertising and Promotion
The Company expenses advertising and promotion as incurred. Automobile
Manufacturers periodically provide advertising assistance, or subsidies, which
is recorded as a reduction the dealer's advertising expense.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a
concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents,
contracts in transit and accounts receivable. The Company maintains cash
balances at financial institutions that may, at times, be in excess of federally
insured levels. Also, the Company grants credit to individual customers and
local companies in the automobile repair business such as automotive parts
stores, automotive mechanics, and automotive body repair shops.
The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and
generally does not require collateral. The Company maintains an allowance for
doubtful accounts at a level which management believes is sufficient to provide
for potential credit losses.
Earnings (loss) per Share
"Basic earnings (loss) per share" represents net income (loss) divided by
the weighted average shares outstanding. "Diluted earnings (loss) per share"
represents net income (loss) divided by weighted average shares outstanding
adjusted for the incremental dilution of potentially dilutive securities. (Note
9 and 16)
F-11
Stock-based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation issued to employees in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees". The Company, as permitted, elected not to adopt
the financial reporting requirements of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock
Based Compensation" for stock based compensation granted to employees.
Accordingly, the Company has disclosed in the notes to the consolidated
financial statements, the proforma net loss for the periods presented as if the
fair value based method was used in accordance with SFAS No. 123.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires
management to make estimates and assumptions in determining the reported amounts
of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from these estimates.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
The net change in floor plan financing of inventory, which is a customary
financing technique in the industry, is reflected as an operating activity in
the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.
Reclassification
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2001
presentation.
Segments
The Company's management considers its business to be a single
segment-Automotive Retailing. The Company's sales and services are through
similar distribution channels, and the Company's customers are similar for all
sources of revenues. Management evaluates its operating results by dealerships,
which are all located in the Northeastern United States.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
SFAS 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" which
supercedes SFAS 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be
Disposed Of" and the accounting and reporting provisions of Accounting
Principles Board Opinion (APB) 30, "Reporting the Results of Operations -
Reporting the Effects of the Disposal of a Segment Business and Extraordinary,
Unusual, and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions". SFAS 144 addresses
financial accounting and reporting for the impairment and disposal of long-lived
assets. Discontinued operations accounting will be used for a component of an
entity and future operating losses of discontinued operations will no longer be
accrued. Additionally, assets acquired and held for disposal are recorded based
on fair value less cost to sell at the acquisition date. SFAS 144 is effective
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.
In June 2001, the FASB approved SFAS Nos. 141 and 142 "Business
Combinations" and "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", respectively. SFAS
141, among other things, eliminates the "Pooling of Interests" method of
accounting for business acquisitions entered into after June 30, 2001. SFAS 142,
among other things, eliminates the need to amortize goodwill and requires
companies to use a fair-value approach to determine whether there is an
impairment of existing and future goodwill.
F-12
Additionally, an acquired intangible asset should be separately recognized
if the benefit of the intangible asset is obtained through contractual or other
legal rights, or if the intangible asset can be sold, transferred, licensed,
rented or exchanged, regardless of the acquirer's intent to do so. These
statements are effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2002.
Goodwill amortization, which will cease on January 1, 2002, was $704,000,
$661,000 and $600,000 during 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. By the end of
the first quarter of fiscal year 2002, the Company must perform an impairment
analysis of non-goodwill intangible assets. Furthermore, the first step of the
goodwill transition impairment test must be completed by June 30, 2002 and make
disclosure of the effect in the second quarter. By calendar year end, the
Company is required to determine the correct implied fair value of the goodwill
and record any impairment charges that result from this application as a
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. Future impairment losses
would be recorded as an operating expense.
The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS 142 on its
consolidated financial statements and believes that, if the current market price
of the Company's common stock is indicative of fair value, the majority of its
goodwill may be impaired as of the initial adoption of this statement.
4. DETAILS OF CERTAIN BALANCE SHEET ACCOUNTS
Accounts receivable, net consist of the following:
12/31/01 12/31/00
-------- --------
(in thousands)
Due from manufacturers $1,416 $1,239
Due from finance companies 3,170 3,530
Parts and service receivables 481 698
Other 589 682
------ ------
Total receivables, net $5,656 $6,149
====== ======
The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0.3 million and $0.9 million as
of December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively. In assessing the allowance for
doubtful accounts, the Company considers historical losses as well as current
performance with respect to past due accounts.
Inventories, net consist of the following:
12/31/01 12/31/00
-------- --------
(in thousands)
New Vehicles $21,722 $30,608
Used Vehicles 8,559 7,529
Parts, accessories and other 1,606 2,033
------- -------
Total Inventories $31,887 $40,170
======= =======
F-13
Other Assets
CarDay Inc.
On October 18, 2001, CarDay Inc. ceased operations. Hometown owns
7,380,000 shares of CarDay Inc. It is not anticipated that any shareholders will
receive any distributions from the dissolution of CarDay Inc.
CarDay Inc. began operations in 1999 as an 82% owned subsidiary of
Hometown. For the year ended December 31, 1999, the assets, liabilities and
results of operations of CarDay Inc. were included in Hometown's financial
statements. In January 2000, CarDay Inc. obtained $25 million in financing from
a group of venture capital providers. The result of this financing was to reduce
Hometown's ownership from 82% to 10.7%, and to increase the carrying value of
its investment to $3,258,000. Subsequent to this dilution of ownership, Hometown
no longer reflected the assets, liabilities and results of operations of CarDay
Inc. in its financial statements because ownership had been reduced to an amount
below 20%. Hometown recorded the increase in value of the investment, net of a
deferred tax liability, as an increase in Additional paid-in capital.
As a result of CarDay Inc. ceasing operations, Hometown now considers the
investment to be permanently and totally impaired. The entire investment in
CarDay Inc. of $3,258,000 less an associated deferred tax liability of
$1,175,000 has been charged against income in the quarter ended September 30,
2001. The charge has the effect of reducing net income for the year by
$2,083,000 and reducing Earnings per share, fully diluted, for the year by
$0.32. The charge does not affect cash, cash flow from operations, or liquidity
and capital resources.
Summarized financial data for CarDay, Inc. for the periods owned for which
it was not part of the Companies consolidated financial results is as follows:
Balance Sheet Data As of December 31, 2000
(000's)
----------------------------
Current Assets $ 7,697
Total Assets $ 11,363
Current Liabilities $ 568
Convertible Preferred Stock $ 7
Other Shareholders' Equity $ 10,421
Statement of Operations Data Year Ended December 31, 2000
(000's)
----------------------------
Revenues $ 272
Gross profit $ 225
Loss from operations $(14,910)
Net loss $(14,353)
F-14
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:
12/31/01 12/31/00
-------- --------
(in thousands)
Accounts payable, trade $2,319 $ 993
Accrued compensation costs 655 273
Sales and use tax 619 618
Customer payoffs 368 338
Reserve for finance, insurance and
service contract chargebacks 270 142
Reserve for guarantees on finance contracts 377 1,205
Reserve for policy work expenses 226 158
Other accrued expenses 1,326 1,540
------ ------
Total $6,160 $5,267
====== ======
Other long-term liabilities and deferred revenue
The Company receives commissions from the sale of insurance products and
extended service contracts to customers. These revenues are recorded on a net
basis. Connecticut dealerships operate under state laws which make the dealers
responsible for providing warranty service and insurance in the event of default
by the insurance carriers. Accordingly, commissions on insurance and service
contract sales are required to be recognized over the life of the related
insurance product. At December 31, 2001 the Company had $1,264,000 of deferred
revenue of which $476,000 was current and $788,000 was long-term. At December
31, 2000 the Company had $1,408,000 of deferred revenue of which $514,000 was
current and $894,000 was long-term. During the first quarter of 2002, this state
law has changed which will result in the Hometown recording insurance and
service contract income at the time of sale of the vehicle, the change in the
law was not retroactive. During 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, Hometown
will record approximately an additional $322,000, $398,000, $282,000, $170,000,
75,000 and $17,000 respectively, for insurance and service contract income due
to the change in the state law. Deferred revenue will decrease each year by
these amounts.
During 1999, the Company entered into a non-compete agreement with the
previous owner of one of the Acquisitions. The payments under this agreement are
due in equal installments over 46 months. The liability for the remaining
obligation under the agreement, included in other long-term liabilities at
December 31, 2001 and 2000, was $173,000 and $272,000 respectively. The related
asset is included in the other assets on the accompanying consolidated financial
statements and is being amortized over 10 years, representing the life of the
non-compete agreement.
F-15
5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment consist of the following:
Estimated Useful
Lives in Years 12/31/01 12/31/00
---------------- -------- --------
(in thousands)
Land and land improvements 15 to 20 $ 4,293 $ 4,293
Buildings and leasehold improvements 7 to 31.5 8,369 8,276
Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures 3 to 7 2,803 2,672
Vehicles 5 111 118
Construction in progress 97 30
-------- --------
Sub-total 15,673 15,389
Less - accumulated depreciation (3,784) (2,927)
-------- --------
Total $ 11,889 $ 12,462
======== ========
Included in land and land improvements is land held for sale of $500,000.
Included in buildings and leasehold improvements are capital leases for two
dealerships totaling $5,180,000 for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2000.
Construction in progress represents a dealership showroom currently under
construction. The Company expects spending on this project to be approximately
$1,250,000 in 2002. Depreciation will begin once the asset is placed in service.
Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2001,
2000 and 1999 was $909,000, $891,000 and $866,000 respectively.
6. FLOOR PLAN NOTES PAYABLE AND INTEREST EXPENSE
12/31/01 12/31/00 12/31/99
-------- -------- --------
(in thousands)
Floor plan notes payable $32,553 $40,123 $48,986
======= ======= =======
Floor plan interest expense $ 2,548 $ 3,370 $ 2,662
======= ======= =======
On March 15, 2001, the Company completed a refinancing of its revolving
line of credit with GE Capital Corporation ("GECC") to a traditional floor plan
line of credit at each dealership with Ford Motor Credit Corporation ("FMCC").
The FMCC floor plan agreement provides financing for vehicle purchases and
is secured by and dependent upon new and used vehicle inventory levels. Maximum
availability under the FMCC agreement is a function of new and used car sales
and is not a pre-determined amount.
The FMCC floor plan loans carry an interest rate of prime less 0.75% for
new vehicles and prime less 0.50% for used vehicles. These rates are for the
first year only. Subsequent to the first year the Company will be subject to the
FMCC standard financing agreement. From March 15, 2001 through December 31,
2001, interest ranged from 4.00% to 7.25% for new vehicles and from 4.25% to
7.50% for used vehicles.
F-16
The Company is in the process of renewing its floor plan agreement with
FMCC. The Company expects rates under the new plan to increase in relation to
the current plan particularly with respect to the rates charged for used
vehicles. The new agreement has not been finalized at the time of the filing of
this 10-K.
The GECC agreement provided financing for the Company's vehicle purchases
as well as operating expenses. Under the GECC facility the maximum line was
$41,145,000 as of December 31, 2000. Current availability at December 31, 2000
was $1,022,000. The GECC facility was a revolving line of credit not
specifically lent to purchase individual vehicles. Therefore, the loan balance
cannot be allocated to vehicle categories.
Interest rates on the GECC floor plan arrangements ranged from 9.2% to
9.9% during 2001, through its close in March 2001, and 7.4% to 9.4% during 2000.
The arrangement included a swing line that handled daily loan activity. The
balance of the swing line was swept into the floor plan line once monthly. The
interest rates on the swing line ranged from 9.1% to 9.6% during 2001 and from
8.6% to 9.6% during 2000.
Automobile manufacturers periodically provide floor plan interest
assistance, or subsidies, which reduce the dealer's cost of financing. The
accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect interest expense gross.
Floor plan interest assistance was $1.7 million, $2.3 million and $1.5 million
for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively, and is
recorded as a reduction of cost of sales when the vehicle is sold. Of these
amounts, $0.2 million, $0.5 million and $0.3 million was recorded as a reduction
of inventory at December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
7. LONG TERM DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATION
12/31/01 12/31/00
-------- --------
(in thousands)
Real estate mortgage note payable, due in monthly installments
including interest at 10%, maturing May 1, 2014 $ 8,607 $ 8,899
Capital lease obligations, due in monthly installments including interest at
10.0%, maturing in March 2013 4,604 4,794
Mortgage note payable, due in monthly installments including interest at
10.5%, maturing in July 2003, relating to assets held for sale 158 283
Various due in monthly installments including interest ranging from 7.2% to
14.6%, maturing on various dates through October 2006 137 34
------- -------
13,506 14,010
Less: Current portion 709 620
------- -------
Total Long Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations $12,797 $13,390
======= =======
F-17
Maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations for each of the
next five years and thereafter are as follows:
Year ending Aggregate
December 31, Obligation
------------ ----------
(in thousands)
2002 $ 709
2003 720
2004 703
2005 772
2006 838
Thereafter 9,764
-------
$13,506
=======
8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Leases
Certain officers of the Company lease to the dealerships the premises
under various leases, two of which are classified as capital leases. (See Note 5
and 13). In connection with the acquisition in 1999 of real estate used by
Baystate Lincoln Mercury, Hometown guaranteed the mortgage debt of Rellum Realty
Company. The 1999 guaranty was given in substitution for a February 1998
guaranty of that debt by the Muller Group, a subsidiary of the Company. As of
December 31, 2001 the mortgage debt balance is $5.2 million. The Company makes
annual lease payments of $756,000 to the landlord. The annual mortgage payments
made by the landlord total approximately $774,000. The mortgage matures March
2013.
Due from related parties, included in other assets on the consolidated
balance sheet, are as follows:
12/31/01 12/31/00
-------- --------
(in thousands)
Note receivable from a company owned by an officer of the Company,
non-interest bearing with payment due monthly of $3,000 $121 $156
Other, net 40 10
---- ----
Total $161 $166
==== ====
9. CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND PER SHARE DATA
Preferred Stock
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that its Board of
Directors has the authority, without further action by the holders of the
outstanding Common Stock, to issue up to two million shares of Preferred Stock
from time to time in one or more classes or series, to fix the number of shares
constituting any class or series and the stated value thereof, if different from
the par value, and to fix the terms of any such series or class, including
dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion or exchange rights, voting rights,
rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), the
redemption price and the liquidation preference of such class or series. As of
December 31, 2001 and 2000, the Company does not have any
F-18
Preferred Stock outstanding. The designations, rights and preferences of any
Preferred Stock would be set forth in a Certificate of Designation which would
be filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware.
Common Stock - Class A and Class B
The Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock each have a par
value of $.001 per share and are identical in all respects, except voting rights
and the convertibility of the Class B Common Stock. Subject to any special
voting rights of any series of Preferred Stock that may be issued in the future,
the holders of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share and the
holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share. Except as
otherwise required by law, both Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock
vote together as one class on all matters to be voted on by stockholders of the
Company, including the election of directors. Class A Common Stock is not
convertible. The Class B Common Stock is convertible into Class A Common Stock
on a share for share basis, at any time at the election of the holder and is
automatically converted into Class A Common Stock upon any transfer to a person
who is not then an officer or director of the Company or of a subsidiary of the
Company. All of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, representing
approximately 89% of the aggregate voting power of the Company, are beneficially
owned by the principals of the Core Operating Companies, including a majority of
the Board of Directors of Hometown. Neither class of Common Stock has
redemption, preemptive or sinking fund rights. Holders of both classes of Common
Stock are entitled to dividends as and when declared by the Board of Directors
from funds legally available therefore and, upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, to participate ratably in all assets remaining after
payment of all liabilities. Except for the $30,000 subscription receivable
discussed in Note 10, all shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding are
fully-paid and non-assessable.
Warrants
In connection with the "Private Equity Financing" (Note 10), the Company
issued warrants that entitled the holders to purchase up to 487,498 shares of
Class A Common Shares at a purchase price of $1.20 per share, exercisable over a
three-year period.
In connection with the Initial Public Offering, the Company granted to the
Paulson Securities (the "Representative"), Representative's Warrants, entitling
the holders thereof to purchase up to 180,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at
a purchase price of $10.80 per share over a four-year period commencing one year
from the effective date of the Offering.
Per Share Data
This following represents reconciliation from basic earnings per share to
diluted earnings per share.
Year Ended December 31;
-----------------------
2001 2000 1999
------------- ------------- ---------
(in thousands)
Determination of Share:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic 6,592,436 5,996,146 5,875,342
Contingent shares from stock guaranty -- -- 128,509
--------- --------- ---------
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted 6,592,436 5,996,146 6,003,851
========= ========= =========
Earnings (loss) per share, basic $ (.32) $ (.63) $ .11
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted $ (.32) $ (.63) $ .11
========= ========= =========
F-19
Basic earnings (loss) per share" represents net income (loss) divided by
the weighted average shares outstanding. "Diluted earnings (loss) per share"
represents net income (loss) divided by weighted average shares outstanding
adjusted for the incremental dilution of potentially dilutive securities.
Options and warrants to purchase approximately 1,283,248, 482,000 and 454,000
shares of common stock were outstanding during 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings
(loss) per share because either the option and warrant prices were greater than
the average market price of the common shares, or the effect would be
anti-dilutive. The Company had potentially dilutive securities related to a
stock guarantee issued in connection with an acquisition (Note 18) of
approximately 1,900,000 common shares as of December 31, 2000 that was not
included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because the
effect would have been anti-dilutive.
10. PRIVATE EQUITY FINANCING
On July 23, 2001, the Board of Directors voted in favor of raising up to
$1.5 million in a private equity financing through the sale of Units to
accredited investors at a price of $2.00 per Unit. Each Unit consists of two
shares of Class A Common Stock of Hometown plus a warrant to purchase one
additional share at an exercise price of $1.20 per share, exercisable within a
three-year period. On July 19, 2001, agreements were signed with 10 accredited
investors and a total of 974,996 Class A Common shares were issued, as follows:
Investor # of Units Purchased # of Shares Issued
Corey Shaker 35,714 71,428
Steven Shaker 35,714 71,428
Janet Shaker 35,714 71,428
Richard Shaker 35,714 71,428
Joseph Shaker 35,714 71,428
Edward Shaker 35,714 71,428
Edward D. Shaker 35,714 71,428
William C. Muller Trust 100,000 200,000
William Muller, Jr. 100,000 200,000
Paul Yamin 37,500 75,000
------- -------
Total 487,498 974,996
------- -------
Corey Shaker, Steven Shaker and William Muller, Jr. are officers of the
Company. Joseph Shaker is a Director of the Company.
This was recorded as an increase in additional paid in capital in the July
2001. At December 31, 2001, William Muller, Jr. owes the Company $30,000. This
is recorded in subscriptions receivable which is a reduction to additional paid
in capital at December 31, 2001.
F-20
11. INCOME TAXES
Federal and state income taxes (benefits) are as follows:
12/31/01 12/31/00 12/31/99
-------- -------- --------
(in thousands)
Federal:
Current $ (377) $(1,275) $431
Deferred (485) (479) 19
State:
Current (20) (191) 241
Deferred (132) (72) 2
------- ------- ----
Total Income Taxes $(1,014) $(2,017) $693
======= ======= ====
Actual income tax expense differs from income tax expense computed by
applying a U.S. federal statutory corporate tax rate of 34% to income (losses)
before income taxes as follows:
12/31/01 12/31/00 12/31/99
-------- -------- --------
Provision at the statutory rate (34.0%) (34.0%) 34.0%
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
State income tax, net of benefit for
Federal deduction (3.1%) (3.1%) 9.0%
Non-deductible goodwill 4.9% 2.2% 7.0%
Other -- 0.2% 2.0%
------- ------- -----
Effective tax rate (32.2%) (34.7%) 52.0%
======= ======= =====
F-21
Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences in the
recognition of income and expenses for financial reporting purposes and for tax
purposes. The tax effects of these temporary differences representing deferred
tax assets and liabilities result principally from the following:
12/31/01 12/31/00
-------- --------
(in thousands)
Deferred income taxes and taxes receivable:
Current net operating loss carryforward $ 1,373 $ 750
Reserves and accruals not deductible
until paid 117 --
Tax on current portion of deferred revenue 191 206
------- -------
Total $ 1,681 $ 956
======= =======
Deferred tax assets - long term:
Long term net operating loss carryforward $ 901 $ 1,265
Tax on long term portion of deferred revenue 315 358
Deferred tax on capital leases treated as
operating leases for tax purposes 228 177
Deferred tax on floor plan interest treated as
reduction of inventory for book presentation -- 193
------- -------
Total $ 1,444 $ 1,993
======= =======
Deferred tax liabilities:
LIFO recapture $ -- $ (53)
Amortization of goodwill (424) (283)
Depreciation (111) (75)
CarDay Reserve -- (1,175)
Other (186) (78)
------- -------
Net deferred tax liability $ (721) $(1,664)
======= =======
12. ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION
The Company expenses advertising and promotion as incurred. Advertising
and promotion expenses included in Selling, General and Administrative Expenses,
net of manufacturers' rebates and assistance, were approximately $3.1 million,
$2.8 million, and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and
1999, respectively. Manufacturers advertising rebates and assistance was
approximately $0.4 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million for the years ended
December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 respectively.
F-22
13. OPERATING LEASES
The Company has executed leases for the premises occupied by its
dealerships. Certain of the leases are with related parties. The minimum rental
commitments required under these operating leases after December 31, 2001 are as
follows:
Year ending December 31, Total Obligation Related Parties Other
------------------------ ---------------- --------------- -----
(in thousands)
2002 $1,660 $912 $748
2003 1,560 912 648
2004 1,342 912 430
2005 1,172 912 260
2006 1,128 912 216
Thereafter 6,436 6,004 432
------- ------- ------
Total $13,298 $10,564 $2,734
======= ======= ======
Total expense for operating leases and rental agreements was $1,729,000,
$1,992,000 and $2,059,000 for the years ending December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
respectively.
Total expense for operating leases and rental agreements with related
parties was $912,000, $912,000 and $1,092,000 for the years ending December 31,
2001, 2000 and 1999 respectively.
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation
On or about February 7, 2001, Salvatore A. Vergopia and Edward A.
Vergopia, directors and formerly executive officers of Hometown, and Janet
Vergopia, the wife of Salvatore A. Vergopia (the "Vergopias") filed a complaint
in the Superior Court of New Jersey in Bergen County, against Hometown, its
officers and directors, certain holders of its Class B common stock, and certain
other unnamed persons, alleging breach of two employment agreements, wrongful
termination of employment, breach of a stockholders' agreement and certain other
wrongful conduct, including age discrimination and breach of fiduciary duty. The
Vergopias are seeking back pay, front pay, compensatory, consequential and
punitive damages, in an unspecified amount as well as, reinstatement, injunctive
and other legal and equitable relief.
The Company has retained litigation counsel to represent us in this
action. A motion has been granted such that only a single shareholder remains as
an individual shareholder defendant. Also, the Company has filed counterclaims
to recover damages associated with the Vergopia's breaches of certain
agreements, as well as breaches of their fiduciary duties. Discovery is
proceeding in this action.
The Company believes that the Vergopias commenced this action in response
to the dismissal of both Salvatore A. Vergopia and Edward A. Vergopia from their
officerships and employment positions with the Company. The Company believes it
has meritorious defenses and is vigorously defending this action. The Company
does not believe that the eventual outcome of the case will have a material
adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of
operations.
F-23
The Company from time to time may be a defendant in lawsuits arising from
normal business activities. Management reviews pending litigation with legal
counsel and believes that the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from such
actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated
financial position or results of operations.
Insurance
The Company carries a standard range of insurance coverage, including
general and business auto liability, commercial property, workers' compensation
and excess liability coverage.
Guaranties
One of the Company's dealerships, prior to fiscal 2000, had entered into
various arrangements whereby the Company guaranteed or partially guaranteed
loans advanced by financial institutions to certain customers as follows:
(i) Portfolio of customer's limousine vehicle loans granted by Ford
Motor Credit Co. As of December 31, 2001, the Company fully and
partially guaranteed limousine vehicle loans aggregating
approximately $558,000.
(ii) Portfolio of vehicle loans, granted by a financial institution, to
various customers of the dealership with below average credit. As of
December 31, 2001, the Company fully guaranteed vehicle loans
associated with these customers aggregating approximately $188,000.
The Company has provided a reserve for potential future default losses
associated with the guarantees based on available historical information.
In connection with the acquisition in 1999 of real estate used by Baystate
Lincoln Mercury, Hometown guaranteed the mortgage debt of Rellum Realty Company.
The 1999 guaranty was given in substitution for a February 1998 guaranty of that
debt by the Muller Group, a subsidiary of the Company. As of December 31, 2001
the mortgage debt balance is $5.2 million. The Company makes annual lease
payments of $756,000 to the landlord. The annual mortgage payments made by the
landlord total approximately $774,000. The mortgage matures March 2013.
15. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company maintains the Hometown Auto Retailers, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the
"Plan") for the benefit of eligible employees, as defined. Participants may make
voluntary contributions of up to 15% of their compensation, subject to certain
IRS limitation. The Company may make annual matching contributions to the Plan
at its discretion. No contributions are to be made by the Company to the Plan
for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000. Contributions to the Plan were
$48,000 in 1999.
16. STOCK OPTION PLAN
In February 1998, in order to attract and retain persons necessary for the
success of the Company, Hometown adopted its 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "Stock
Option Plan") covering up to 480,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. Pursuant to
the Stock Option Plan, officers, directors, key employees of the Company and
consultants to the Company are eligible to receive incentive and/or
non-incentive stock options. The Stock Option Plan, which expires in January
2008, is administered by the Board of Directors or a committee designated by the
Board of Directors. The selection of participants, allotment of shares,
determination of price and other conditions relating to the purchase of options
will be determined by the Board of Directors, or a committee thereof, in its
sole discretion. Stock options granted under the Stock Option Plan are
exercisable for a period of up to ten years from the date of grant at an
exercise price which
F-24
is not less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of the
grant, except that the term of an incentive stock option granted under the Stock
Option Plan to a stockholder owning more than 10% of the outstanding Common
Stock may not exceed five years and its exercise price may not be less than 110%
of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of the grant.
The following tables summarize information about stock option activity and
amounts:
Weighted Average Weighted Average
Number of Shares Price per Share Fair Value
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Balance at December 31, 1998 297,555 $ 8.90
Options Granted 51,200 4.31 $1.03
Canceled (74,555) 9.00
------- ------
Balance at December 31, 1999 274,200 8.01
Options Granted 50,000 1.24 $0.65
Canceled (22,200) 7.30
------- ------
Balance at December 31, 2000 302,000 $ 7.24
Options Granted 368,000 1.69 $0.33
Canceled (54,250) 4.42
------- ------
Balance at December 31, 2001 615,750 $ 4.17
======= ======
Exercisable at December 31, 1999 84,733 $ 8.64
======= ======
Exercisable at December 31, 2000 161,333 $ 8.63
======= ======
Exercisable at December 31, 2001 283,668 $ 7.18
======= ======
Number of
Range of Options Weighted Weighted Average Options Weighted
Exercise Outstanding at Average Exercise Price Exercisable Avg. Exercise
Prices 12/31/01 Remaining Life Per Share at 12/31/01 Price
- ---------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------- ----------- --------------
$0.65 to $1.50 236,875 5.49 $ 1.10 46,668 $ 1.18
$2.25 to $3.00 161,875 4.18 $ 2.39 20,000 $ 3.00
$5.00 to $6.00 10,000 1.75 $ 5.94 10,000 $ 5.94
$9.00 207,000 1.70 $ 9.00 207,000 $ 9.00
------- ---- ------ ------- ------
615,750 3.81 $ 4.17 283,668 $ 7.18
======= ==== ====== ======= ======
In accordance with SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation", the fair value of option grants is estimated on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for pro forma footnote purposes.
In 2001, the dividend yield was assumed to be 0%, the risk-free interest
rate ranged from 4.0% to 4.98%, the expected option life was 5 years and the
expected volatility was 75%. In 2000, the dividend yield was assumed to be 0%,
the risk-free interest rate was 6.00%, the expected option life was 3 years and
the expected volatility was 73.58%. In 1999, the dividend yield was assumed to
be 0%, the risk-free interest rate was 6.48%, the expected option life was 3
years and the expected volatility was 40.0%.
F-25
As permitted by SFAS 123, the Company has chosen to continue accounting
for stock options at their intrinsic value under Accounting Principles Board
("APB") Opinion No, 25. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized
for its stock option plans. Had the fair value method of accounting been applied
to the Company's stock option plans, the tax-effected impact would be as
follows:
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2001 2000 1999
------- ------- -----
Net Income (Loss) as reported $(2,136) $(3,800) $ 641
Estimated fair value of option grants, net of tax (73) (19) (32)
------- ------- -----
Net Income (Loss), adjusted $(2,209) $(3,819) $ 609
======= ======= =====
Adjusted earnings per share, basic $ (.34) $ (.64) $ .10
Adjusted earnings per share, diluted $ (.34) $ (.64) $ .10
17 OTHER INCOME / OTHER EXPENSE
The significant components of Other Income and Other Expense are:
12/31/01 12/31/00 12/31/99
-------- -------- --------
Other Income:
Gain on sale of Morristown franchise $ 254 -- --
----- ---- ----
Total Other Income $ 254 -- --
===== ==== ====
Other Expense:
Loss on sale of fixed assets $ -- $ -- $ (3)
Miscellaneous (8) (23) (28)
----- ---- ----
Total Other Expense $ (8) $(23) $(31)
===== ==== ====
In January 2001, Hometown sold the franchise for its Morristown, NJ store
back to Lincoln Mercury for $0.7 million in cash. During the first six months of
2001, Hometown received the purchase price plus $40,000 for parts returned, and
paid out a broker's commission of $35,000. The transaction resulted in Hometown
recording a $254,000 gain on the sale.
18. ACQUISITIONS
On April 1, 1999, Hometown acquired Newburgh Toyota. The purchase price
was $2.9 million in cash, 100,000 shares of Hometown Class A Common Stock and
the assumption of floor plan and various other debt for the fully capitalized
operation. The acquisition resulted in goodwill of approximately $2.7 million.
The Company guaranteed that stock issued in connection with this
acquisition will have a market value of at least $1,000,000 by March 31, 2001.
Such amount was included in the original purchase accounting. On June 28, 2001,
an agreement was signed with the former owners settling the guarantee
F-26
whereby the Company issued 200,000 shares of Hometown stock and will pay
$240,000, payable in monthly installments through December 31, 2002 and a
monthly profit sharing payment equal to 20% of Newburgh Toyota's monthly pre-tax
income over $57,142 for the period from April 1, 2001 to December 31, 2002. In
accordance with APB No. 16, the issuance of the 200,000 shares and the cash
settlement did not result in a change in purchase accounting as the original
purchase accounting contemplated the guaranteed stock price and because the
settlement is outside of the allocation period. The cash settlement is being
accounted for as a period expense.
On January 12, 2000, Hometown completed the acquisition of a Jeep
franchise in Brattleboro, Vermont for $0.6 million. As part of this acquisition,
the Company also purchased the new vehicle inventory totaling $0.3 million. The
operations of this franchise have been included as part of Hometowns existing
Brattleboro Chrysler/Plymouth/Dodge dealership. This acquisition has been
accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, resulting in goodwill of
approximately $0.8 million.
All goodwill is being amortized over a 40-year period. The cumulative
amount of goodwill amortization through December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 is
$2,177,000, $1,473,000 and $812,000, respectively. Goodwill amortization expense
was $704,000, $661,000 and $600,000 for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000
and 1999, respectively.
F-27
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
Consolidated Statements of Operations
RESTATED
For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
2001
1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr. Total Year
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Net Sales $ 60,647 $ 74,454 $ 71,517 $ 69,142 $ 275,760
Cost of Sales 51,457 63,311 61,277 59,900 235,945
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Gross profit 9,190 11,143 10,240 9,242 39,815
Amortization of goodwill 178 175 176 175 704
Selling, general and administrative expenses 7,531 9,000 8,548 10,035 35,114
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Income from operations 1,481 1,968 1,516 (968) 3,997
Interest income 1 29 45 15 90
Interest expense (1,271) (1,096) (976) (882) (4,225)
Other income 254 -- -- -- 254
Other expense (1) (1) (3) (3) (8)
Valuation adjustment -- -- (3,258) -- (3,258)
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Income (loss) before taxes 464 900 (2,676) (1,838) (3,150)
Provision (benefit) before taxes 267 291 (930) (642) (1,014)
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Net income (loss) $ 197 $ 609 $ (1,746) $ (1,196) $ (2,136)
======== ======== ======== ======== =========
Per share information:
Earnings (loss) per share, basic $ 0.03 $ 0.10 $ (0.24) $ (0.17) $ (0.32)
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted $ 0.02 $ 0.10 $ (0.24) $ (0.17) $ (0.32)
Weighted average shares, basic 6,000.1 6,000.1 7,175.1 7,175.1 6,592.4
Weighted average shares, diluted 8,032.3 6,200.1 7,175.1 7,175.1 6,592.4
F-28
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
Consolidated Statements of Operations
RESTATED
For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 (continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
2000
1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr. Total Year
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Net Sales $ 73,911 $ 74,654 $ 69,728 $ 61,089 $ 279,382
Cost of Sales 64,241 64,366 59,626 53,268 241,501
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Gross profit 9,670 10,288 10,102 7,821 37,881
Amortization of goodwill 163 164 163 171 661
Selling, general and administrative expenses 8,349 8,909 8,701 11,987 37,946
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Income from operations 1,158 1,215 1,238 (4,337) (726)
Interest income 1 -- -- -- 1
Interest expense (1,248) (1,291) (1,217) (1,313) (5,069)
Other expense (6) (13) (1) (3) (23)
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Income (loss) before taxes (95) (89) 20 (5,653) (5,817)
Provision (benefit) before taxes (42) (48) 78 (2,005) (2,017)
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Net income (loss) $ (53) $ (41) $ (58) $ (3,648) $ (3,800)
======== ======== ======== ======== =========
Per share information:
Earnings (loss) per share, basic $ (0.01) $ (0.01) $ (0.01) $ (0.61) $ (0.63)
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted $ (0.01) $ (0.01) $ (0.01) $ (0.61) $ (0.63)
Weighted average shares, basic 5,988.3 5,997.0 5,998.5 6,000.1 5,996.0
Weighted average shares, diluted 5,988.3 5,997.0 5,998.5 6,000.1 5,996.0
F-29
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
Consolidated Statements of Operations
RESTATED
For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 (continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
1999
1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. 4th Qtr. Total Year
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Net Sales $ 58,586 $ 77,115 $ 80,110 $ 69,504 $ 285,315
Cost of Sales 50,807 66,557 69,563 60,334 247,261
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Gross profit 7,779 10,558 10,547 9,170 38,054
Amortization of goodwill 136 150 150 164 600
Loss from operations of e-commerce subsidiary -- -- 139 376 515
Selling, general and administrative expenses 6,773 8,222 8,272 8,232 31,499
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Income from operations 870 2,186 1,986 398 5,440
Interest income 10 10 10 11 41
Interest expense (682) (1,036) (1,128) (1,270) (4,116)
Other expense (1) (10) (4) (16) (31)
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Income (loss) before taxes 197 1,150 864 (877) 1,334
Provision (benefit) before taxes 79 493 368 (247) 693
-------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
Net income (loss) $ 118 $ 657 $ 496 $ (630) $ 641
======== ======== ======== ======== =========
Per share information:
Earnings (loss) per share, basic $ 0.02 $ 0.11 $ 0.08 $ (0.11) $ 0.11
Earnings (loss) per share, diluted $ 0.02 $ 0.11 $ 0.08 $ (0.11) $ 0.11
Weighted average shares, basic 5,800.0 5,900.0 5,900.0 5,900.0 5,875.3
Weighted average shares, diluted 5,800.0 6,052.0 6,066.7 5,900.0 6,003.9
F-30
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Restated)
For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
(in thousands except share data)
(unaudited)
2001
1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. Year End
-------- -------- -------- --------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,741 $ 930 $ 4,055 $ 4,446
Accounts receivable, net 7,112 8,337 6,826 5,656
Inventories, net 34,980 36,955 31,859 31,887
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 448 834 503 344
Deferred income taxes and taxes receivable 838 834 830 1,681
------- ------- -------- --------
Total current assets 51,119 47,890 44,073 44,014
Property and equipment, net 12,291 12,177 11,972 11,889
Goodwill, net 24,234 24,059 23,883 23,708
Other assets 5,973 5,609 2,028 2,231
------- ------- -------- --------
Total Assets $93,617 $89,735 $ 81,956 $ 81,842
======= ======= ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Floor plan notes payable $36,823 $36,940 $ 32,516 $ 32,553
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 10,597 6,017 5,162 6,160
Current maturities of long-term debt and
capital lease obligations 624 619 636 709
Deferred revenue 504 495 485 476
------- ------- -------- --------
Total current liabilities 48,548 44,071 38,799 39,898
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 13,227 13,158 12,976 12,797
Long-term deferred income taxes 1,701 1,727 287 721
Other long-term liabilities and deferred revenue 1,301 1,330 1,246 974
------- ------- -------- --------
Total liabilities 64,777 60,286 53,308 54,390
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 2,000,000 shares -- -- -- --
authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, Class A, $.001 par value,
12,000,000 shares authorized, 2,301,109, 2,315,109,
3,546,605 and 3,561,605 issued and outstanding,
respectively 2 2 3 3
Common stock, Class B, $.001 par value,
3,760,000 shares authorized, 3,699,000,
3,685,000, 3,628,500 and 3,613,500 issued and outstanding,
respectively 4 4 4 4
Additional paid-in capital 28,786 28,786 29,730 29,730
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 48 657 (1,089) (2,285)
------- ------- -------- --------
Total stockholders' equity 28,840 29,449 28,648 27,452
------- ------- -------- --------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $93,617 $89,735 $ 81,956 $ 81,842
======= ======= ======== ========
F-31
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Restated)
For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 (continued)
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
2000
1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. Year End
-------- -------- -------- --------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,132 $ 1,858 $ 936 $ 586
Accounts receivable, net 8,501 9,276 8,156 6,149
Inventories, net 43,857 40,633 37,395 40,170
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,147 2,175 2,274 326
Deferred income taxes and taxes receivable 211 209 207 956
------- ------- ------- --------
Total current assets 55,848 54,151 48,968 48,187
Property and equipment, net 12,773 12,692 12,573 12,462
Goodwill, net 25,116 24,952 24,789 24,793
Other assets 4,857 5,198 5,220 6,130
------- ------- ------- --------
Total Assets $98,594 $96,993 $91,550 $ 91,572
======= ======= ======= ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Floor plan notes payable $43,673 $42,011 $36,499 $ 40,123
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 4,499 4,219 4,292 5,267
Current maturities of long-term debt and
capital lease obligations 853 858 859 620
Deferred revenue 527 523 518 514
------- ------- ------- --------
Total current liabilities 49,552 47,611 42,168 46,524
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 13,706 13,539 13,388 13,390
Long-term deferred income taxes 1,698 2,042 2,282 1,664
Other long-term liabilities and deferred revenue 1,254 1,458 1,421 1,351
------- ------- ------- --------
Total liabilities 66,210 64,650 59,259 62,929
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 2,000,000 shares -- -- -- --
authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, Class A, $.001 par value,
24,000,000, 24,000,000, 24,000,000 and 12,000,000
shares authorized, 2,294,016, 2,296,016, 2,299,109
and 2,301,109 issued and outstanding, respectively 2 2 2 2
Common stock, Class B, $.001 par value,
3,760,000 shares authorized, 3,703,000, 3,701,000,
3,699,000 and 3,699,000 issued and outstanding,
respectively 4 4 4 4
Additional paid-in capital 28,780 28,780 28,786 28,786
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 3,598 3,557 3,499 (149)
------- ------- ------- --------
Total stockholders' equity 32,384 32,343 32,291 28,643
------- ------- ------- --------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $98,594 $96,993 $91,550 $ 91,572
======= ======= ======= ========
F-32
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Restated)
For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 (continued)
(in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
1999
1st Qtr. 2nd Qtr. 3rd Qtr. Year End
-------- -------- -------- --------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,681 $ 658 $ 844 $ 1,635
Accounts receivable, net 6,335 7,845 9,099 6,101
Inventories, net 29,641 42,680 41,270 51,187
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,797 2,206 2,951 1,595
Deferred income taxes and taxes receivable 212 212 212 735
------- ------- ------- --------
Total current assets 39,666 53,601 54,376 61,253
Property and equipment, net 7,938 13,235 13,001 13,619
Goodwill, net 21,344 23,275 23,429 24,578
Other assets 1,184 2,017 1,903 3,112
------- ------- ------- --------
Total Assets $70,132 $92,128 $92,709 $102,562
======= ======= ======= ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Floor plan notes payable 29,282 40,604 39,045 48,986
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 4,041 4,945 5,337 4,787
Current maturities of long-term debt and
capital lease obligations 1,214 985 1,956 3,079
Deferred revenue 531 531 531 531
------- ------- ------- --------
Total current liabilities 35,068 47,065 46,869 57,383
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 5,630 14,078 13,962 13,845
Long-term deferred income taxes -- -- 427 200
Other long-term liabilities and deferred revenue 1,106 1,000 970 1,283
------- ------- ------- --------
Total liabilities 41,804 62,143 62,228 72,711
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 2,000,000
shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding -- -- -- --
Common stock, Class A, $.001 par value,
24,000,000 shares authorized, 2,040,000,
2,140,000, 2,140,000 and 2,147,000 issued and
outstanding, respectively 2 2 2 2
Common stock, Class B, $.001 par value,
3,760,000 shares authorized, 3,760,000, 3,760,000,
3,760,000 and 3,753,000 issued and outstanding,
respectively 4 4 4 4
Additional paid-in capital 25,194 26,194 26,194 26,194
Retained earnings 3,128 3,785 4,281 3,651
------- ------- ------- --------
Total stockholders' equity 28,328 29,985 30,481 29,851
------- ------- ------- --------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $70,132 $92,128 $92,709 $102,562
======= ======= ======= ========
F-33
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ON SCHEDULE
To Hometown Auto Retailers, Inc.
We have audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the
United States, the consolidated financial statements of Hometown Auto Retailers,
Inc. included in this annual report on Form 10K and have issued our report
thereon dated May 23, 2002. Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an
opinion on the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole. This
schedule is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange
Commissions rules and is not part of the basic consolidated financial
statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied
in the audit of the basic consolidated financial statements and, in our opinion,
fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to be set
forth therein in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken
as a whole.
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the
accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2000, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
the years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999 have been restated.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
May 23, 2002
S-1
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
Additions
Balance at charged to Deductions, Other Balance at
Beginning Costs and net of Adjustments End
Account Description of Year Expenses Write-offs (1) of Year
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------
Reserve for finance contract charge-backs
Year ended December 31, 2001 $ 96,000 $ 277,000 $(260,000) $ -- $113,000
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Year ended December 31, 2000 $ 187,000 $ 242,000 $(333,000) $ -- $ 96,000
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Year ended December 31, 1999 $ 605,000 $ 14,000 $(282,000) $(150,000) $187,000
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Reserve for insurance contract charge-backs
Year ended December 31, 2001 $ 3,000 $ 39,000 $ (19,000) $ -- $ 23,000
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Year ended December 31, 2000 $ 5,000 $ 13,000 $ (15,000) $ -- $ 3,000
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Year ended December 31, 1999 $ 5,000 $ 25,000 $ (25,000) $ -- $ 5,000
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Reserve for service contract charge-backs
Year ended December 31, 2001 $ 43,000 $ 203,000 $(112,000) $ -- $134,000
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Year ended December 31, 2000 $ 73,000 $ 48,000 $ (78,000) $ -- $ 43,000
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Year ended December 31, 1999 $ 97,000 $ 18,000 $ (42,000) $ -- $ 73,000
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Reserve for uncollectible long-term
finance contracts
Year ended December 31,2001 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Year ended December 31,2000 $ 443,000 $ -- $(443,000) $ -- $ --
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
Year ended December 31, 1999 $ 60,000 $ 383,000 $ -- $ -- $443,000
========= ========= ========= ========= ========
S-2
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS - Continued
For the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
Additions
Balance at charged to Deductions, Other Balance at
Beginning Costs and net of Adjustments End
Account Description of Year Expenses Write-offs (1) of Year
Reserve for guarantees on finance
Contracts
Year ended December 31, 2001 $1,205,000 $ 312,000 $(789,000) $(351,000) $ 377,000
========== ========= ========= ========= ==========
Year ended December 31, 2000 $ 380,000 $ 825,000 $ -- $ -- $1,205,000
========== ========= ========= ========= ==========
Year ended December 31, 1999 $ 217,000 $ 13,000 $ -- $ 150,000 $ 380,000
========== ========= ========= ========= ==========
Reserve for policy work expenses
Year ended December 31, 2001 $ 158,000 $ 947,000 $(879,000) $ -- $ 226,000
========== ========= ========= ========= ==========
Year ended December 31, 2000 $ 180,000 $ 775,000 $(797,000) $ -- $ 158,000
========== ========= ========= ========= ==========
Year ended December 31, 1999 $ 185,000 $ 743,000 $(748,000) $ -- $ 180,000
========== ========= ========= ========= ==========
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Year ended December 31, 2001 $ 904,000 $ 109,000 $(763,000) $ -- $ 250,000
========== ========= ========= ========= ==========
Year ended December 31, 2000 $ 100,000 $ 804,000 $ -- $ -- $ 904,000
========== ========= ========= ========= ==========
Year ended December 31, 1999 $ 100,000 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 100,000
========== ========= ========= ========= ==========
(1) For the year ended December 31, 1999, a $150,000 reclassification
was made from the Reserve for finance contract chargebacks to the
Reserve for guarantees on finance contracts as part of the purchase
accounting adjustments for the purchase of Toyota of Newburgh. The
adjustment of $351,000 to the Reserve for guarantees on finance
contracts for the year ended December 31, 2001 represents a transfer
to accounts payable for a portion of the liability that became
fixed.
Note: Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the
2001 presentation.
S-3