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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 30, 2003

 

Commission File Number 0-9286

 


 

COCA-COLA BOTTLING CO. CONSOLIDATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

56-0950585

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

4100 Coca-Cola Plaza, Charlotte, North Carolina

 

28211

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(704) 557-4400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period 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 whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes  x  No  ¨

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class


 

Outstanding at May 1, 2003


Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value

 

6,642,577

Class B Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value

 

2,400,752

 



 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item l. Financial Statements

 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

In Thousands (Except Share Data)

 

    

Unaudited March 30, 2003


  

Dec. 29, 2002


  

Unaudited March 31,

2002


ASSETS

                    

Current Assets:

                    

Cash

  

$

7,162

  

$

18,193

  

$

9,172

Accounts receivable, trade, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,757, $1,676 and $2,064

  

 

79,341

  

 

79,548

  

 

81,303

Accounts receivable from The Coca-Cola Company

  

 

13,134

  

 

12,992

  

 

15,475

Accounts receivable, other

  

 

5,649

  

 

17,001

  

 

6,385

Inventories

  

 

38,469

  

 

38,648

  

 

40,852

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  

 

9,334

  

 

4,588

  

 

5,304

    

  

  

Total current assets

  

 

153,089

  

 

170,970

  

 

158,491

    

  

  

Property, plant and equipment, net

  

 

462,725

  

 

466,840

  

 

478,973

Leased property under capital leases, net

  

 

44,080

  

 

44,623

  

 

50,779

Other assets

  

 

58,521

  

 

58,167

  

 

70,729

Franchise rights, net

  

 

522,189

  

 

505,374

  

 

506,277

Goodwill, net

  

 

100,754

  

 

100,754

  

 

100,754

Other identifiable intangible assets, net

  

 

10,398

  

 

6,797

  

 

8,026

    

  

  

Total

  

$

1,351,756

  

$

1,353,525

  

$

1,374,029

    

  

  

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

In Thousands (Except Share Data)

 

    

Unaudited March 30, 2003


    

Dec. 29, 2002


    

Unaudited March 31, 2002


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                          

Current Liabilities:

                          

Portion of long-term debt payable within one year

  

$

39

 

  

$

31

 

  

$

147,431

 

Current portion of obligations under capital leases

  

 

3,969

 

  

 

3,960

 

  

 

5,715

 

Accounts payable, trade

  

 

38,617

 

  

 

38,303

 

  

 

35,476

 

Accounts payable to The Coca-Cola Company

  

 

5,227

 

  

 

9,823

 

  

 

4,817

 

Accrued compensation

  

 

11,354

 

  

 

20,462

 

  

 

7,817

 

Other accrued liabilities

  

 

65,543

 

  

 

72,647

 

  

 

68,257

 

Accrued interest payable

  

 

16,577

 

  

 

10,649

 

  

 

15,122

 

    


  


  


Total current liabilities

  

 

141,326

 

  

 

155,875

 

  

 

284,635

 

Deferred income taxes

  

 

156,330

 

  

 

155,964

 

  

 

160,578

 

Pension and postretirement benefit obligations

  

 

39,286

 

  

 

37,227

 

  

 

32,941

 

Other liabilities

  

 

60,248

 

  

 

58,261

 

  

 

60,510

 

Obligations under capital leases

  

 

41,771

 

  

 

42,066

 

  

 

41,811

 

Long-term debt

  

 

845,978

 

  

 

807,725

 

  

 

717,625

 

    


  


  


Total liabilities

  

 

1,284,939

 

  

 

1,257,118

 

  

 

1,298,100

 

    


  


  


Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)

                          

Minority interest

  

 

31,819

 

  

 

63,540

 

  

 

56,452

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

                          

Common Stock, $1.00 par value:

                          

Authorized – 30,000,000 shares;

                          

Issued – 9,704,951, 9,704,851 and 9,454,851 shares

  

 

9,704

 

  

 

9,704

 

  

 

9,454

 

Class B Common Stock, $1.00 par value:

                          

Authorized – 10,000,000 shares;

                          

Issued – 3,028,866, 3,008,966 and 3,008,966 shares

  

 

3,029

 

  

 

3,009

 

  

 

3,009

 

Capital in excess of par value

  

 

97,220

 

  

 

95,986

 

  

 

89,559

 

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

  

 

5,189

 

  

 

6,043

 

  

 

(8,929

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  

 

(18,890

)

  

 

(20,621

)

  

 

(12,362

)

    


  


  


    

 

96,252

 

  

 

94,121

 

  

 

80,731

 

Less-Treasury stock, at cost:

                          

Common – 3,062,374 shares

  

 

60,845

 

  

 

60,845

 

  

 

60,845

 

Class B Common – 628,114 shares

  

 

409

 

  

 

409

 

  

 

409

 

    


  


  


Total stockholders’ equity

  

 

34,998

 

  

 

32,867

 

  

 

19,477

 

    


  


  


Total

  

$

1,351,756

 

  

$

1,353,525

 

  

$

1,374,029

 

    


  


  


 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

In Thousands (Except Per Share Data)

 

    

First Quarter


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

Net sales

  

$

275,200

 

  

$

271,618

 

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation shown below

  

 

140,306

 

  

 

137,144

 

    


  


Gross margin

  

 

134,894

 

  

 

134,474

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding depreciation shown below

  

 

102,125

 

  

 

96,412

 

Depreciation expense

  

 

19,015

 

  

 

17,985

 

Amortization of intangibles

  

 

698

 

  

 

687

 

    


  


Income from operations

  

 

13,056

 

  

 

19,390

 

Interest expense

  

 

10,371

 

  

 

12,140

 

Other income (expense), net

  

 

(199

)

  

 

(899

)

Minority interest

  

 

116

 

  

 

759

 

    


  


Income before income taxes

  

 

2,370

 

  

 

5,592

 

Income taxes

  

 

963

 

  

 

2,214

 

    


  


Net income

  

$

1,407

 

  

$

3,378

 

    


  


Basic net income per share

  

$

            .16

 

  

$

            .39

 

Diluted net income per share

  

$

            .16

 

  

$

            .38

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

  

 

9,043

 

  

 

8,773

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding-assuming dilution

  

 

9,043

 

  

 

8,857

 

Cash dividends per share

                 

Common Stock

  

$

            .25

 

  

$

            .25

 

Class B Common Stock

  

$

            .25

 

  

$

            .25

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

In Thousands

 

    

Common

Stock


  

Class B

Common

Stock


  

Capital

in

Excess of

Par Value


    

Retained

Earnings

(Accum.

Deficit)


    

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Loss


    

Treasury

Stock


    

Total


 

Balance on December 30, 2001

  

$

9,454

  

$

2,989

  

$

91,004

 

  

$

(12,307

)

  

$

(12,805

)

  

$

(61,254

)

  

$

17,081

 

Comprehensive income:

                                                          

Net income

                         

 

3,378

 

                    

 

3,378

 

Change in fair market value of cash flow hedges, net of tax

                                  

 

14

 

           

 

14

 

Change in proportionate share of Piedmont’s accum. other comprehensive loss, net of tax

                                  

 

429

 

           

 

429

 

                                                      


Total comprehensive income

                                                    

 

3,821

 

Cash dividends paid

                

 

(2,193

)

                             

 

(2,193

)

Issuance of Class B Common Stock

         

 

20

  

 

748

 

                             

 

768

 

    

  

  


  


  


  


  


Balance on March 31, 2002

  

$

9,454

  

$

3,009

  

$

89,559

 

  

$

(8,929

)

  

$

(12,362

)

  

$

(61,254

)

  

$

19,477

 

    

  

  


  


  


  


  


Balance on December 29, 2002

  

$

9,704

  

$

3,009

  

$

95,986

 

  

$

6,043

 

  

$

(20,621

)

  

$

(61,254

)

  

$

32,867

 

Comprehensive income:

                                                          

Net income

                         

 

1,407

 

                    

 

1,407

 

Change in fair market value of cash flow hedges, net of tax

                                  

 

1,731

 

           

 

1,731

 

                                                      


Total comprehensive income

                                                    

 

3,138

 

Cash dividends paid

                         

 

(2,261

)

                    

 

(2,261

)

Issuance of Class B Common Stock

         

 

20

  

 

1,234

 

                             

 

1,254

 

    

  

  


  


  


  


  


Balance on March 30, 2003

  

$

9,704

  

$

3,029

  

$

97,220

 

  

$

5,189

 

  

$

(18,890

)

  

$

(61,254

)

  

$

34,998

 

    

  

  


  


  


  


  


 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

In Thousands

 

    

First Quarter


 
    

2003


    

2002


 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

                 

Net income

  

$

1,407

 

  

$

3,378

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                 

Depreciation expense

  

 

19,015

 

  

 

17,985

 

Amortization of intangibles

  

 

698

 

  

 

687

 

Deferred income taxes

  

 

491

 

  

 

1,111

 

Losses on sale of property, plant and equipment

  

 

178

 

  

 

702

 

Amortization of debt costs

  

 

259

 

  

 

186

 

Amortization of deferred gain related to terminated interest rate swaps

  

 

(482

)

  

 

(482

)

Minority interest

  

 

116

 

  

 

759

 

Increase in current assets less current liabilities

  

 

(5,990

)

  

 

(288

)

(Increase) decrease in other noncurrent assets

  

 

249

 

  

 

(3,235

)

Increase (decrease) in other noncurrent liabilities

  

 

3,279

 

  

 

(3,076

)

Other

  

 

70

 

  

 

(3

)

    


  


Total adjustments

  

 

17,883

 

  

 

14,346

 

    


  


Net cash provided by operating activities

  

 

19,290

 

  

 

17,724

 

    


  


Cash Flows from Financing Activities

                 

Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt

  

 

100,000

 

        

Payment of long-term debt

  

 

(50,000

)

        

Payment of current portion of long-term debt

  

 

(39

)

  

 

(56,708

)

Proceeds from (payment of) lines of credit, net

  

 

(11,700

)

  

 

49,900

 

Cash dividends paid

  

 

(2,261

)

  

 

(2,193

)

Payments on capital lease obligations

  

 

(286

)

  

 

(471

)

Debt issuance costs paid

  

 

(864

)

        

Proceeds from interest rate lock agreements

  

 

3,135

 

        

Other

  

 

(752

)

  

 

179

 

    


  


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  

 

37,233

 

  

 

(9,293

)

    


  


Cash Flows from Investing Activities

                 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

  

 

(14,286

)

  

 

(7,716

)

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment

  

 

232

 

  

 

247

 

Acquisitions of companies, net

  

 

(53,500

)

  

 

(8,702

)

    


  


Net cash used in investing activities

  

 

(67,554

)

  

 

(16,171

)

    


  


Net decrease in cash

  

 

(11,031

)

  

 

(7,740

)

Cash at beginning of period

  

 

18,193

 

  

 

16,912

 

    


  


Cash at end of period

  

$

7,162

 

  

$

9,172

 

    


  


Significant non-cash investing and financing activities:

                 

Issuance of Class B Common Stock in connection with stock award

  

$

1,254

 

  

$

768

 

Capital lease obligations incurred

           

 

41,620

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. Accounting Policies

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated and its majority owned subsidiaries (the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

The financial statements reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The accounting policies followed in the presentation of interim financial results are consistent with those followed on an annual basis. These policies are presented in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form

10-K for the year ended December 29, 2002 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. See Note 17 for new accounting pronouncements.

 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year classifications.

 

2. Piedmont Coca-Cola Bottling Partnership

 

On July 2, 1993, the Company and The Coca-Cola Company formed Piedmont Coca-Cola Bottling Partnership (“Piedmont”) to distribute and market carbonated and noncarbonated beverages primarily in portions of North Carolina and South Carolina. The Company provides a portion of the soft drink products to Piedmont at cost and receives a fee for managing the business of Piedmont pursuant to a management agreement.

 

Prior to January 2, 2002, the Company and The Coca-Cola Company, through their respective subsidiaries, each beneficially owned a 50% interest in Piedmont. On January 2, 2002, the Company purchased an additional 4.651% interest in Piedmont from The Coca-Cola Company for $10.0 million, increasing the Company’s ownership in Piedmont to 54.651%. As a result of the increase in ownership, the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of Piedmont have been consolidated with those of the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2002. The excess of the purchase price over the net book value of the interest of Piedmont acquired was $4.4 million and was recorded principally as an addition to franchise rights and other identifiable intangible assets. The Company’s investment in Piedmont had been accounted for using the equity method in 2001 and prior years.

 

On March 28, 2003, the Company purchased half of The Coca-Cola Company’s remaining interest in Piedmont for $53.5 million. This transaction increased the Company’s ownership interest in Piedmont from 54.651% to 77.326%. The excess of the purchase price over the net book value of the interest of Piedmont


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

acquired was $21.1 million and has been recorded principally as an addition to franchise rights and other identifiable intangible assets.

 

Summarized financial information for Piedmont was as follows:

 

In Thousands


  

March 30, 2003


  

Dec. 29, 2002


  

March 31,

2002


 

Current assets

  

$

31,077

  

$

31,571

  

$

33,660

 

Noncurrent assets

  

 

309,840

  

 

310,128

  

 

309,659

 

    

  

  


Total assets

  

$

340,917

  

$

341,699

  

$

343,319

 

    

  

  


Current liabilities

  

$

30,693

  

$

23,757

  

$

117,753

 

Noncurrent liabilities

  

 

170,460

  

 

178,434

  

 

101,685

 

    

  

  


Total liabilities

  

 

201,153

  

 

202,191

  

 

219,438

 

Partners’ equity

  

 

139,764

  

 

139,508

  

 

127,968

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

                

 

(4,087

)

    

  

  


Total liabilities and partners’ equity

  

$

340,917

  

$

341,699

  

$

343,319

 

    

  

  


         

First Quarter


 

In Thousands


       

2003


  

2002


 

Net sales

         

$

64,148

  

$

63,154

 

Cost of sales

         

 

32,148

  

 

30,626

 

           

  


Gross margin

         

 

32,000

  

 

32,528

 

Income from operations

         

 

2,344

  

 

4,646

 

Net income

         

$

256

  

$

1,674

 

           

  


 


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

3. Inventories

 

Inventories were summarized as follows:

 

In Thousands


  

March 30, 2003


  

Dec. 29, 2002


  

March 31,

2002


Finished products

  

$

25,898

  

$

23,207

  

$

28,580

Manufacturing materials

  

 

7,399

  

 

10,609

  

 

7,229

Plastic pallets and other

  

 

5,172

  

 

4,832

  

 

5,043

    

  

  

Total inventories

  

$

38,469

  

$

38,648

  

$

40,852

    

  

  

 

4. Property, Plant and Equipment

 

The principal categories and estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment were as follows:

 

In Thousands


  

March 30,

2003


  

Dec. 29,

2002


  

March 31, 2002


  

Estimated

Useful Lives


Land

  

$

12,670

  

$

12,670

  

$

13,058

    

Buildings

  

 

113,634

  

 

113,234

  

 

114,773

  

10-50 years

Machinery and equipment

  

 

95,420

  

 

96,080

  

 

93,009

  

5-20 years

Transportation equipment

  

 

144,907

  

 

143,932

  

 

138,441

  

4-13 years

Furniture and fixtures

  

 

39,623

  

 

39,222

  

 

38,253

  

4-10 years

Vending equipment

  

 

365,498

  

 

362,689

  

 

356,415

  

6-13 years

Leasehold and land improvements

  

 

49,433

  

 

47,312

  

 

45,945

  

5-20 years

Software for internal use

  

 

25,835

  

 

24,439

  

 

22,302

  

3-7 years

Construction in progress

  

 

6,661

  

 

3,416

  

 

3,822

    
    

  

  

    

Total property, plant and equipment, at cost

  

 

853,681

  

 

842,994

  

 

826,018

    

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

  

 

390,956

  

 

376,154

  

 

347,045

    
    

  

  

    

Property, plant and equipment, net

  

$

462,725

  

$

466,840

  

$

478,973

    
    

  

  

    


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

5. Leased Property Under Capital Leases

 

In Thousands


  

March 30, 2003


  

Dec. 29, 2002


  

March 31, 2002


  

Estimated Useful Lives


Leased property under capital leases

  

$

47,618

  

$

47,618

  

$

60,761

  

1-29 years

Less: Accumulated amortization

  

 

3,538

  

 

2,995

  

 

9,982

    
    

  

  

    

Leased property under capital leases, net

  

$

44,080

  

$

44,623

  

$

50,779

    
    

  

  

    

 

The Company recorded a capital lease of $41.6 million at the end of the first quarter of 2002 related to its production/distribution center located in Charlotte, North Carolina. This facility is leased from a related party. The lease obligation was capitalized as the Company received a renewal option to extend the term of the lease, which it expects to exercise.

 

6. Franchise Rights and Goodwill

 

In Thousands


  

March 30, 2003


  

Dec. 29, 2002


  

March 31, 2002


Franchise rights

  

$

678,286

  

$

661,471

  

$

662,374

Goodwill

  

 

155,192

  

 

155,192

  

 

155,192

    

  

  

Franchise rights and goodwill

  

 

833,478

  

 

816,663

  

 

817,566

Less: Accumulated amortization

  

 

210,535

  

 

210,535

  

 

210,535

    

  

  

Franchise rights and goodwill, net

  

$

622,943

  

$

606,128

  

$

607,031

    

  

  

 

The Company adopted the provision of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” at the beginning of 2002, which resulted in goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer being amortized. The Company will perform an annual impairment test in the third quarter of each year or earlier if significant impairment indicators arise.

 

7. Other Identifiable Intangible Assets

 

In Thousands


  

March 30, 2003


  

Dec. 29, 2002


  

March 31, 2002


  

Estimated Useful Lives


Customer lists

  

$

60,042

  

$

55,743

  

$

54,864

  

3-20 years

Less: Accumulated amortization

  

 

49,644

  

 

48,946

  

 

46,838

    
    

  

  

    

Other identifiable intangible assets, net

  

$

10,398

  

$

6,797

  

$

8,026

    
    

  

  

    


Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

8. Long-Term Debt

 

Long-term debt was summarized as follows:

 

In Thousands


  

Maturity


  

Interest Rate


    

Interest

Paid


  

March 30, 2003


  

Dec. 29, 2002


  

March 31,

2002


Lines of Credit

  

2005

  

1.86

%

  

Varies

  

$

25,900

  

$

37,600

  

$

19,900

Revolving Credit

  

2005

         

Varies

                

 

30,000

Term Loan Agreement

  

2004

  

1.95

%

  

Varies

  

 

35,000

  

 

85,000

  

 

85,000

Term Loan Agreement

  

2005

  

1.95

%

  

Varies

  

 

85,000

  

 

85,000

  

 

85,000

Term Loan Agreement

  

2002

         

Varies

                

 

97,500

Term Loan Agreement

  

2003

         

Varies

                

 

97,500

Debentures

  

2007

  

6.85

%

  

Semi-annually

  

 

100,000

  

 

100,000

  

 

100,000

Debentures

  

2009

  

7.20

%

  

Semi-annually

  

 

100,000

  

 

100,000

  

 

100,000

Debentures

  

2009

  

6.38

%

  

Semi-annually

  

 

250,000

  

 

250,000

  

 

250,000

Senior Notes

  

2012

  

5.00

%

  

Semi-annually

  

 

150,000

  

 

150,000

      

Senior Notes

  

2015

  

5.30

%

  

Semi-annually

  

 

100,000

             

Other notes payable

  

2003 – 2006

  

5.75

%

  

Varies

  

 

117

  

 

156

  

 

156

                     

  

  

                     

 

846,017

  

 

807,756

  

 

865,056

Less: Portion of long-term debt payable within one year

                   

 

39

  

 

31

  

 

147,431

                     

  

  

Long-term debt

                   

$

845,978

  

$

807,725

  

$

717,625

                     

  

  

.


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

8. Long-Term Debt (cont.)

 

The Company borrows periodically under its available lines of credit. These lines of credit, in the aggregate amount of $65 million at March 30, 2003, are made available at the discretion of the two participating banks and may be withdrawn at any time by such banks. On March 30, 2003, $25.9 million was outstanding under these lines of credit. The Company intends to refinance short-term maturities with currently available lines of credit. To the extent that these borrowings do not exceed the amount available under the Company’s $125 million revolving credit facility, they are classified as noncurrent liabilities.

 

In December 2002, the Company entered into a three-year $125 million revolving credit facility. This facility includes an option to extend the term for an additional year at the participating banks’ discretion. The revolving credit facility bears interest at a floating rate of LIBOR plus an interest rate spread of .60%. In addition, there is a facility fee of .15% required for this revolving credit facility. Both the interest rate spread and the facility fee are determined from a commonly used pricing grid based on the Company’s long-term senior unsecured noncredit-enhanced debt rating. This new revolving credit facility replaced the Company’s $170 million facility that expired in December 2002. The new facility contains covenants, which establish ratio requirements related to debt, interest expense and cash flow. On March 30, 2003, there were no amounts outstanding under this new facility.

 

In January 1999, the Company filed an $800 million shelf registration for debt and equity securities. The Company has used this shelf registration to issue long-term debt including $250 million in 1999, $150 million in 2002 and $100 million in March 2003. The Company currently has $300 million available for use under this shelf registration.

 

In November 2002, the Company issued $150 million of ten-year senior notes at a coupon rate of 5.00%. The proceeds from this issuance were used to repay borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility and lines of credit, and to loan amounts to Piedmont to enable it to repay a $97.5 million term loan. In March 2003, the Company issued $100 million of twelve-year senior notes at a coupon rate of 5.30%. The proceeds from this issuance were used to purchase an additional interest in Piedmont for $53.5 million and repay a portion of the Company’s $170 million term loan, reducing the amount outstanding under the term loan to $120 million at March 30, 2003.

 

With regards to the Company’s $120 million term loan agreement that matures in 2004 and 2005, the Company must maintain its public debt ratings at investment grade as determined by both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. If the Company’s public debt ratings fall below investment grade within 90 days after the public announcement of certain designated events and such ratings stay below investment grade for an additional 40 days, a trigger event resulting in a default occurs. The Company does not anticipate a trigger event will occur.

 

During 2002, Piedmont refinanced a $195 million term loan using the proceeds from a loan from the Company. The Company’s source of funds for this loan to Piedmont included the issuance of $150 million of senior notes, its lines of credit, its revolving credit facility and available cash flow. Piedmont pays the


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Company interest on the loan at the Company’s average cost of funds plus 0.50%. The Company plans to provide for Piedmont’s future financing requirements under these terms.

 

After taking into account all of the interest rate hedging activities, the Company had a weighted average interest rate of 5.0%, 5.0% and 5.4% for its debt and capital lease obligations as of March 30, 2003, December 29, 2002 and March 31, 2002, respectively. The Company’s overall weighted average interest rate on its debt and capital lease obligations was 5.1% for the first quarter of 2003 compared to 5.5% for the first quarter of 2002.

 

Before giving effect to the forward rate agreements discussed in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements, approximately 38% of the Company’s debt and capital lease obligations of $891.8 million was subject to changes in short-term interest rates as of March 30, 2003. The Company considers all floating rate debt and fixed rate debt with a maturity of less than one year to be subject to changes in short-term interest rates.

 

If average interest rates for the floating rate component of the Company’s debt and capital lease obligations increased by 1%, interest expense for the first quarter ended March 30, 2003 would have increased by approximately $.8 million and net income would have been reduced by approximately $.5 million.

 

During the first quarters of 2003 and 2002, interest expense was lower due to amortization of the deferred gain on previously terminated interest rate swap agreements by approximately $.5 million in each period.

 

9. Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company periodically uses interest rate hedging products to modify risk from interest rate fluctuations. The Company has historically altered its fixed/floating rate mix based upon anticipated cash flows from operations relative to the Company’s debt level and the potential impact of changes in interest rates on the Company’s overall financial condition. Sensitivity analyses are performed to review the impact on the Company’s financial position and coverage of various interest rate movements. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes nor does it use leveraged financial instruments. All of the Company’s outstanding interest rate swap agreements and forward rate agreements are LIBOR-based.

 

Derivative financial instruments were summarized as follows:

 

    

March 30, 2003


  

December 29, 2002


  

March 31, 2002


In Thousands


  

Notional Amount


  

Remaining

Term


  

Notional Amount


  

Remaining

Term


  

Notional Amount


  

Remaining

Term


Interest rate swaps – fixed

                          

$

27,000

  

.7 years

Interest rate swaps – fixed

                          

 

19,000

  

.7 years

Interest rate swaps – fixed

                          

 

40,000

  

.2 years

Interest rate swaps – fixed

                          

 

90,000

  

1.2 years

Interest rate swaps – floating

  

$

50,000

  

4.67 years

  

$

50,000

  

4.92 years

           

Interest rate swaps – floating

  

 

50,000

  

6.33 years

  

 

50,000

  

6.58 years

           

Interest rate swaps – floating

  

 

50,000

  

9.67 years

  

 

50,000

  

9.92 years

           

 


Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

9. Derivative Financial Instruments (cont.)

 

    

March 30, 2003


  

December 29, 2002


In Thousands


  

Notional Amount


  

Start Date


  

Length of Term


  

Notional Amount


  

Start Date


  

Length of Term


Forward rate agreement – fixed

  

$

50,000

  

1/02/03

  

1 year

  

$

50,000

  

1/02/03

  

1 year

Forward rate agreement – fixed

  

 

50,000

  

5/01/03

  

1 year

  

 

50,000

  

5/01/03

  

1 year

Forward rate agreement – fixed

  

 

50,000

  

5/15/03

  

1 year

  

 

50,000

  

5/15/03

  

1 year

Forward rate agreement – fixed

  

 

50,000

  

5/30/03

  

3 months

  

 

50,000

  

5/30/03

  

3 months

Forward rate agreement – fixed

  

 

50,000

  

5/30/03

  

1 year

                

 

During November 2002, the Company entered into three interest rate swap agreements in conjunction with the issuance of $150 million of senior notes and the refinancing of other Company debt as previously discussed. The interest rate swap agreements effectively convert $150 million of the Company’s debt from fixed to floating rate in conjunction with its ongoing debt management strategy. These swap agreements were accounted for as fair value hedges.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company terminated two interest rate swap agreements related to long-term debt that was retired early. These swap agreements were accounted for as cash flow hedges. The Company recorded interest expense in the fourth quarter of $2.2 million related to the amounts paid upon termination of these interest rate swap agreements.

 

The Company has entered into five forward rate agreements, which fix short-term rates on certain components of the Company’s floating rate debt for periods ranging from three to twelve months. Two of these forward rate agreements have been accounted for as cash flow hedges. The other three forward rate agreements do not meet the criteria set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, for hedge accounting and have been accounted for on a mark-to-market basis. The mark-to-market adjustment for these forward rate agreements was an increase to interest expense of approximately $.4 million during the first quarter of 2003.

 

In conjunction with the issuance of $100 million 5.30% Senior Notes in March 2003, the Company entered into certain interest rate agreements to hedge the issuance price. These interest rate agreements have been accounted for as cash flow hedges. The Company received $3.1 million from these cash flow hedges upon settlement, which has been recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax, and will be amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the related senior notes.

 

The counterparties to these contractual arrangements are major financial institutions with which the Company also has other financial relationships. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other parties. However, the Company does not anticipate nonperformance by the other parties.


Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

10. Fair Values of Financial Instruments

 

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair values of its financial instruments:

 

Cash, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable

 

The fair values of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate carrying values due to the short maturity of these financial instruments.

 

Public Debt

 

The fair values of the Company’s public debt are based on estimated market prices.

 

Non-Public Variable Rate Long-Term Debt

 

The carrying amounts of the Company’s variable rate borrowings approximate their fair values.

 

Non-Public Fixed Rate Long-Term Debt

 

The fair values of the Company’s fixed rate long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Fair values for the Company’s interest rate swaps are based on estimated current settlement values.

 

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s long-term debt and derivative financial instruments were as follows:

 

    

March 30, 2003


    

December 29, 2002


    

March 31, 2002


In Thousands


  

Carrying Amount


    

Fair

Value


    

Carrying Amount


    

Fair

Value


    

Carrying Amount


  

Fair

Value


Public debt

  

$

700,000

 

  

$

744,954

 

  

$

600,000

 

  

$

634,150

 

  

$

450,000

  

$

441,990

Non-public variable rate long-term debt

  

 

145,900

 

  

 

145,900

 

  

 

207,600

 

  

 

207,600

 

  

 

414,900

  

 

414,900

Non-public fixed rate long-term debt

  

 

117

 

  

 

117

 

  

 

156

 

  

 

156

 

  

 

156

  

 

156

Interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements

  

 

(1,372

)

  

 

(1,372

)

  

 

(2,023

)

  

 

(2,023

)

  

 

4,056

  

 

4,056

 

The fair values of the interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements at March 30, 2003 and December 29, 2002 represent the estimated amounts the Company would have received upon termination of these agreements. The fair values of the interest rate swaps at March 31, 2002 represent the estimated amounts the Company would have paid upon termination of these agreements.


Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

11. Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:

 

In Thousands


  

March 30, 2003


  

March 31,

2002


Current:

             

Federal

  

$

472

  

$

1,103

State

             
    

  

Total current provision

  

 

472

  

 

1,103

    

  

Deferred:

             

Federal

  

 

354

  

 

827

State

  

 

137

  

 

284

    

  

Total deferred provision

  

 

491

  

 

1,111

    

  

Income tax expense

  

$

963

  

$

2,214

    

  

 

Current tax expense represents alternative minimum tax.

 

Reported income tax expense is reconciled to the amount computed on the basis of income before income taxes at the statutory rate as follows:

 

In Thousands


  

March 30, 2003


  

March 31, 2002


Statutory expense

  

$

830

  

$

1,957

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

  

 

89

  

 

185

Other

  

 

44

  

 

72

    

  

Income tax expense

  

$

963

  

$

2,214

    

  

 


Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

12. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

 

Changes in current assets and current liabilities affecting cash, net of effect of acquisitions, were as follows:

 

    

First Quarter


 

In Thousands


  

2003


    

2002


 

Accounts receivable, trade, net

  

$

207

 

  

$

3,081

 

Accounts receivable, The Coca-Cola Company

  

 

(142

)

  

 

(10,470

)

Accounts receivable, other

  

 

11,352

 

  

 

1,218

 

Inventories

  

 

179

 

  

 

4,960

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  

 

(4,746

)

  

 

(2,092

)

Accounts payable, trade

  

 

314

 

  

 

1,262

 

Accounts payable, The Coca-Cola Company

  

 

(4,596

)

  

 

(3,376

)

Other accrued liabilities

  

 

(6,632

)

  

 

11,768

 

Accrued compensation

  

 

(7,854

)

  

 

(8,765

)

Accrued interest payable

  

 

5,928

 

  

 

2,126

 

    


  


Increase in current assets less current liabilities

  

$

(5,990

)

  

$

(288

)

    


  


 


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

13. Earnings Per Share

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic net income per share and diluted net income per share:

 

    

First Quarter


In Thousands (Except Per Share Data)


  

2003


  

2002


Numerator:

             

Numerator for basic net income per share and diluted net income per share

  

$

1,407

  

$

3,378

Denominator:

             

Denominator for basic net income per share – weighted average common shares

  

 

9,043

  

 

8,773

Effect of dilutive securities – stock options

  

 

—  

  

 

            84

    

  

Denominator for diluted net income per share – adjusted weighted average common shares

  

 

9,043

  

 

8,857

    

  

Basic net income per share

  

$

            .16

  

$

            .39

    

  

Diluted net income per share

  

$

            .16

  

$

            .38

    

  

 

14. Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company has guaranteed a portion of the debt for two cooperatives in which the Company is a member. The amounts guaranteed were $40.0 million, $34.8 million and $45.8 million as of March 30, 2003, December 29, 2002 and March 31, 2002, respectively. The guarantees relate to debt and lease obligations, which resulted primarily from the purchase of production equipment and facilities. Both cooperatives consist solely of Coca-Cola bottlers. In the event either of these cooperatives fail to fulfill their commitments under the related debt and lease obligations, the Company would be responsible for payments to the lenders up to the level of the guarantees. If these cooperatives had borrowed up to their maximum borrowing capacity, the Company’s maximum potential amount of payments under these guarantees on March 30, 2003 would have been $59.8 million. The Company does not anticipate that either of these cooperatives will fail to fulfill their commitments under these agreements. The Company believes that each of these cooperatives has sufficient assets, including production equipment, facilities and working capital, to adequately mitigate the risk of material loss.

 

The Company is involved in various claims and legal proceedings which have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Although it is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome of these cases, management believes, based on discussions with legal counsel, that the ultimate disposition of these claims will not


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, cash flows or results of operations of the Company.

 

15. Capital Transactions

 

On March 4, 2003, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors determined that 20,000 shares of restricted Class B Common Stock, $1.00 par value, vested and should be issued pursuant to a performance-based award to J. Frank Harrison, III, in connection with his services as Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. This award was approved by the Company’s stockholders in 1999. The shares were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in reliance on Section 4(2) thereof.

 

16. Related Party Transactions

 

The Company’s business consists primarily of the production, marketing and distribution of soft drink products of The Coca-Cola Company, which is the sole owner of the secret formulas under which the primary components (either concentrate or syrup) of its soft drink products are manufactured. As of March 30, 2003, The Coca-Cola Company had a 27.4% interest in the Company’s total outstanding Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a combined basis.

 

The following table summarizes the significant transactions between the Company and The Coca-Cola Company:

 

In Millions


  

First Quarter 2003


  

First Quarter 2002


Payments by the Company for concentrate, syrup, sweetener and other miscellaneous purchases

  

$

61.6

  

$

60.4

Payments by the Company for customer marketing programs

  

 

12.3

  

 

11.2

Marketing funding support payments to the Company

  

 

13.1

  

 

12.6

Payments by the Company for local media

  

 

—  

  

 

—  

Local media and presence marketing funding support provided by The Coca-Cola Company

  

 

2.7

  

 

3.1

 

The Company has a production arrangement with Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (“CCE”) to buy and sell finished products at cost. Sales to CCE under this agreement were $5.5 million and $5.2 million in the first quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2002, respectively. Purchases from CCE under this arrangement were $4.6 million and $4.5 million in the first quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2002, respectively. The Coca-Cola Company has significant equity interests in the Company and CCE. As of March 30, 2003, CCE held 10.5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock but held no shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock, giving CCE a 7.7% equity interest in the Company’s total outstanding Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a combined basis.

 

On July 2, 1993, the Company and The Coca-Cola Company formed Piedmont. Prior to January 2, 2002, the Company and The Coca-Cola Company, through their respective subsidiaries, each beneficially owned a 50% interest in Piedmont. On January 2, 2002, the Company purchased an additional 4.651% interest in


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

16. Related Party Transactions (cont.)

 

Piedmont from The Coca-Cola Company, increasing the Company’s ownership in Piedmont to 54.651%. On March 28, 2003, the Company purchased an additional 22.675% interest in Piedmont from The Coca-Cola Company, increasing the Company’s ownership to 77.326%. The Company provides a portion of the soft drink products for Piedmont at cost and receives a fee for managing the operations of Piedmont pursuant to a management agreement. The Company sold product at cost to Piedmont during the first quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2002 totaling $12.6 million and $12.3 million, respectively. The Company received $3.9 million and $4.1 million for management services pursuant to its management agreement with Piedmont for the first quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2002, respectively.

 

During 2002, Piedmont refinanced a $195 million term loan using the proceeds from a loan from the Company. The Company’s source of funds for this loan to Piedmont included the issuance of $150 million of senior notes, its lines of credit, the revolving credit facility and available cash flow. Piedmont pays the Company interest on the loan at the Company’s average cost of funds plus 0.50%. As of March 30, 2003, the Company had loaned $144.0 million to Piedmont. The Company plans to provide for Piedmont’s future financing requirements under these terms.

 

The Company also subleases various fleet and vending equipment to Piedmont at cost. These sublease rentals amounted to $2.1 million and $2.5 million in the first quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2002, respectively. In addition, Piedmont subleases various fleet and vending equipment to the Company at cost. These sublease rentals amounted to approximately $50,000 each period for all periods presented.

 

The Company is a shareholder in two cooperatives from which it purchases substantially all its requirements for plastic bottles. Net purchases from these entities were approximately $10.5 million and $11.1 million in the first quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2002, respectively. In connection with its participation in one of these cooperatives, the Company has guaranteed a portion of the cooperative’s debt. Such guarantee amounted to $17.3 million as of March 30, 2003.

 

The Company is a member of South Atlantic Canners, Inc. (“SAC”), a manufacturing cooperative. SAC sells finished products to the Company and Piedmont at cost. Purchases from SAC by the Company and Piedmont for finished products were $25.9 million and $23.2 million in the first quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2002, respectively. The Company also manages the operations of SAC pursuant to a management agreement. Management fees from SAC were $.2 million and $.3 million in the first quarter of 2003 and the first quarter of 2002, respectively. Also, the Company has guaranteed a portion of debt for SAC. Such guarantee was $22.7 million as of March 30, 2003.

 

17. New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus on Issue No. 02-16, “Accounting by a Reseller for Cash Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products),” (“EITF 02-16”) addressing the recognition and income statement classification of various consideration given by a vendor to a customer. Among its requirements, the consensus requires that certain cash consideration received by a customer from a vendor is presumed to be a reduction of the price of the vendor’s products, and therefore should be characterized as a reduction of cost of sales when


 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

recognized in the customer’s income statement, unless certain criteria are met. EITF 02-16 is effective for the first quarter of 2003. Previously, the Company classified marketing funding support received from The Coca-Cola Company and other beverage companies as an adjustment to net sales. In accordance with EITF 02-16, the Company classified marketing funding support as a reduction of cost of sales for the first quarter of 2003. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Financial Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” (“FIN 46”). This interpretation addresses consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities with certain defined characteristics. The Company believes that the provisions of FIN 46 will not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position at this time.


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Introduction:

 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (the “Company”) produces, markets and distributes carbonated and noncarbonated beverages, primarily products of The Coca-Cola Company, which include some of the most recognized and popular beverage brands in the world. The Company is currently the second largest bottler of products of The Coca-Cola Company in the United States, operating in eleven states, primarily in the Southeast. The Company also distributes several other beverage brands. The Company’s product offerings include carbonated soft drinks, bottled water, teas, juices, isotonics and energy drinks. Over the past several years, the Company has expanded its bottling territory primarily throughout the southeastern region of the United States via acquisitions and, combined with internally generated growth, had net sales of over $1.2 billion in 2002.

 

On January 2, 2002, the Company purchased an additional 4.651% interest in Piedmont Coca-Cola Bottling Partnership (“Piedmont”) from The Coca-Cola Company for $10.0 million, increasing the Company’s ownership in Piedmont to 54.651%. On March 28, 2003, the Company purchased an additional 22.675% interest in Piedmont from The Coca-Cola Company for $53.5 million. This transaction increased the Company’s ownership interest in Piedmont to 77.326%.

 

As of March 30, 2003, The Coca-Cola Company owned 27.4% of the Company’s Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a combined basis and had a 22.674% interest in Piedmont.

 

Management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated unaudited financial statements and the accompanying footnotes along with the cautionary forward-looking statements at the end of this section.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The statement of operations, statement of cash flows and the consolidated balance sheet include the combined operations of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries. Minority interest includes The Coca-Cola Company’s interest in Piedmont, which was 45.349% for the first quarters of both 2003 and 2002.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus on Issue No. 02-16, “Accounting by a Reseller for Cash Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products),” (“EITF 02-16”) addressing the recognition and income statement classification of various consideration given by a vendor to a customer. Among its requirements, the consensus requires that certain cash consideration received by a customer from a vendor is presumed to be a reduction of the price of the vendor’s products, and therefore should be characterized as a reduction of cost of sales when recognized in the customer’s income statement, unless certain criteria are met. EITF 02-16 is effective for the first quarter of 2003. Previously, the Company classified marketing funding support received from The Coca-Cola Company and other beverage companies as an adjustment to net sales. In accordance with EITF


02-16, the Company classified marketing funding support as a reduction of cost of sales for the first quarter of 2003. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Financial Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” (“FIN 46”). This interpretation addresses consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities with certain defined characteristics. The Company believes that the provisions of FIN 46 will not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position at this time.

 

Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of results of operations and financial position in the preparation of its financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions. The Company has included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2002 a discussion of the Company’s most critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has not made any changes in any of these critical accounting policies during the first quarter of 2003, nor has it made any material changes in any of the critical accounting estimates underlying these accounting policies during the first quarter of 2003.

 

Overview:

 

The following discussion presents management’s analysis of the results of operations for the first quarter of 2003 compared to results for the first quarter of 2002 and changes in financial condition from March 31, 2002 and December 29, 2002 to March 30, 2003. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year due to seasonal factors.

 

The Company reported net income of $1.4 million or $.16 per share for the first quarter of 2003 compared with net income of $3.4 million or $.39 per share for the same period in 2002. Operating results for the first quarter of 2003 included physical case volume growth of approximately 1% and net revenue per case that was approximately equivalent to the prior year. The decline in net income was primarily a result of flat gross margin and an increase in selling, general and administrative (“S,G&A”) expenses of approximately 6%. Gross margin was impacted by lower sales in our cold drink channels due to unseasonably cold and wet weather during much of the first quarter of 2003 and the movement of the Easter holiday from the first quarter in 2002 to the second quarter in 2003. S,G&A expense increases were primarily driven by increased employment costs, increased property and casualty insurance costs and increased fuel costs. Lower interest rates and reduced debt balances resulted in a decrease in interest expense from the first quarter of 2002 of approximately $1.8 million.

 

Results of Operations:

 

The Company’s operations for the first quarter of 2003 reflected an increase in net sales of approximately 1% over the prior year. The increase reflects higher volume in supermarkets offset by lower volume in convenience stores and other cold drink channels. Physical case volume for the quarter increased by


approximately 1%. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales declined to 49.0% in the first quarter of 2003 from 49.5% for the same period in 2002. The decrease in gross margin as a percentage of net sales primarily reflects an unfavorable shift in the Company’s channel mix during the first quarter due to adverse weather conditions and the movement of the Easter holiday from the first quarter in 2002 to the second quarter in 2003.

 

The Company’s carbonated soft drink volume was unchanged in the first quarter of 2003 from the same period in the prior year. Noncarbonated beverage volume grew by almost 13%, led by Dasani bottled water which increased nearly 20% over the first quarter of 2002. Continuing its recent practice of introducing new products and packaging in response to consumer demand, the Company will introduce Sprite Remix, a new offering in the lemon-lime category, during the second quarter of 2003. This follows the successful introduction of Vanilla Coke and diet Vanilla Coke in 2002. The Company expects to introduce new packaging in its territory during the balance of 2003.

 

Cost of sales on a per unit basis was approximately even in the first quarter of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002. Modest increases in raw material costs were offset by a reduction in manufacturing labor and overhead costs on a per unit basis. The Company anticipates that the cost of PET containers will increase significantly during the second quarter of 2003 due to expected increases in raw material costs.

 

As previously discussed, the Company adopted the provisions of EITF 02-16 at the beginning of 2003. As a result, the Company has recorded marketing funding support from The Coca-Cola Company and other beverage companies as a reduction in cost of sales. Prior year marketing funding support was reclassified from net sales to cost of sales to conform to the current year presentation.

 

The Company relies extensively on advertising and sales promotion in the marketing of its products. The Coca-Cola Company and other beverage companies that supply concentrates, syrups and finished products to the Company make substantial marketing and advertising expenditures to promote sales in the local territories served by the Company. The Company also benefits from national advertising programs conducted by The Coca-Cola Company and other beverage companies. Certain of the marketing expenditures by The Coca-Cola Company and other beverage companies are made pursuant to annual arrangements. Although The Coca-Cola Company has advised the Company that it intends to provide marketing funding support in 2003, it is not obligated to do so under the Company’s master bottle contract. Significant decreases in marketing funding support from The Coca-Cola Company or other beverage companies could adversely impact operating results of the Company. Total marketing funding support from The Coca-Cola Company and other beverage companies, which include direct payments to the Company as well as payments to customers for marketing programs, was $14.9 million and $14.7 million in the first quarters of 2003 and 2002, respectively. In 2002, The Coca-Cola Company offered through its Strategic Growth Initiative an opportunity for the Company to receive additional marketing funding support, subject to the Company’s achievement of certain volume performance requirements. The Company recorded $1.6 million and $.3 million as a reduction in cost of sales related to the Strategic Growth Initiative during the first quarters of 2003 and 2002, respectively.


S,G&A expenses for the first quarter of 2003 increased approximately 6% from the first quarter of 2002. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in employee compensation and employee benefit plans (including costs related to the Company’s pension plans), property and casualty insurance costs and fuel costs. Based on the performance of the Company’s pension plan investments and lower interest rates, pension expense will increase from $6.2 million in 2002 to approximately $9.5 million in 2003. Nonhealth related insurance costs increased by $1.4 million or 39% over the first quarter of 2002. Fuel costs were approximately $.6 million higher in the first quarter of 2003.

 

Depreciation expense increased approximately $1.0 million for the first quarter of 2003 compared to the first quarter of 2002. The increase in depreciation expense in the first quarter was primarily related to amortization of a capital lease for the Company’s Charlotte, North Carolina production/distribution center. The lease obligation was capitalized at the end of the first quarter of 2002 as the Company received a renewal option to extend the term of the lease, which it expects to exercise. The lease was previously accounted for as an operating lease. The Company anticipates that additions to property, plant and equipment in 2003 will be in the range of $70 million to $75 million and plans to fund such additions through cash flows from operations and its available credit facilities. Additions to property, plant and equipment during 2002 were $57.3 million. The Company is in the process of initiating an upgrade of its Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) computer software systems, which is anticipated will take four to five years to complete.

 

Interest expense of $10.4 million decreased by $1.8 million or almost 15% from the first quarter of 2002. The decrease is attributable to lower average interest rates on the Company’s outstanding debt and lower debt balances. The Company’s overall weighted average interest rate on debt and capital lease obligations was 5.1% during the first quarter of 2003 as compared to 5.5% in the first quarter of 2002.

 

The Company’s effective income tax rates for the first quarters of 2003 and 2002 were 40.6% and 39.6%, respectively. The Company’s first quarter 2003 effective tax rate reflects expected fiscal year 2003 earnings. The Company’s effective income tax rate for the remainder of 2003 is dependent upon operating results and may change if the results for the year are different from current expectations.

 

Changes in Financial Condition:

 

Working capital decreased $3.3 million from December 29, 2002 and increased by $137.9 million from March 31, 2002 to March 30, 2003. The significant change from March 31, 2002 was due to the refinancing of approximately $147 million of debt, which was included as short-term at the end of the first quarter of 2002. The short-term debt was refinanced using proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt, as discussed more fully below.

 

Working capital decreased by $3.3 million from December 29, 2002 to March 30, 2003. The more significant changes included declines in cash of $11.0 million and accounts receivable, other of $11.4 million offset by decreases in other accrued liabilities of $7.1 million and accrued compensation of $9.1 million. The decline in accounts receivable, other is due to the receipt of life insurance proceeds of $6.8 million and a refund of estimated federal income taxes of $1.7 million. These life insurance proceeds related to certain policies covering J. Frank Harrison, Jr., the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company, who passed away in November 2002. The receipt of these proceeds had no impact on the results of operations for the first quarter of 2003. The decline in accrued compensation reflects payments under the Company’s incentive plans in March 2003.


Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2003 were $14.3 million compared to $7.7 million in the first quarter of 2002.

 

The Company’s outstanding debt and capital lease obligations declined to $891.8 million at March 30, 2003 from $912.6 million at March 31, 2002. Total debt and capital lease obligations as of March 30, 2003 include $53.5 million related to the purchase of an additional interest in Piedmont on March 28, 2003, as previously discussed. As of March 30, 2003, the Company’s debt and capital lease obligations had a weighted average interest rate of approximately 5.0%. Before giving effect to forward rate agreements discussed below, approximately 38% of the Company’s debt and capital lease obligations of $891.8 million as of March 30, 2003 was maintained on a floating rate basis and was subject to changes in short-term interest rates. As a result of the aforementioned forward rate agreements, the Company’s exposure to interest rate movements has been significantly reduced for 2003. Including the estimated interest expense related to debt incurred for the additional ownership in Piedmont, the Company estimates that interest expense for 2003 will approximate $44 million, a reduction of approximately $5 million from 2002.

 

In December 2002, the Company entered into a three-year $125 million revolving credit facility. This facility includes an option to extend the term for an additional year at the participating banks’ discretion. The revolving credit facility bears interest at a floating rate of LIBOR plus an interest rate spread of .60%. In addition, there is a facility fee of .15% required for this revolving credit facility. Both the interest rate spread and the facility fee are determined from a commonly used pricing grid based on the Company’s long-term senior unsecured noncredit-enhanced debt rating. This new revolving credit facility replaced the Company’s $170 million facility that expired in December 2002. The new facility contains covenants, which establish ratio requirements related to debt, interest expense and cash flow. On March 30, 2003, there were no amounts outstanding under this new facility.

 

The Company borrows periodically under its available lines of credit. These lines of credit, in the aggregate amount of $65 million at March 30, 2003, are made available at the discretion of the two participating banks and may be withdrawn at any time by such banks. The Company can utilize its $125 million revolving credit facility in the event the lines of credit are not available. As of March 30, 2003, the Company had $25.9 million outstanding under its lines of credit at an interest rate of 1.86%.

 

If average interest rates for the floating rate component of the Company’s debt and capital lease obligations increased by 1%, interest expense for the first quarter of 2003 would have increased by approximately $.8 million and net income would have been reduced by approximately $.5 million.

 

In January 1999, the Company filed an $800 million shelf registration for debt and equity securities. The Company has used this shelf registration to issue long-term debt, including $250 million in 1999, $150 million in 2002 and $100 million in March 2003. The Company currently has $300 million available for use under this shelf registration.

 

In November 2002, the Company issued $150 million of ten-year senior notes at a coupon rate of 5.00%. The proceeds from this issuance were used to repay borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility and lines of credit, and to loan amounts to Piedmont to enable it to repay a $97.5 million term loan. In March 2003, the Company issued $100 million of twelve-year senior notes at a coupon rate of 5.30%. The proceeds from this issuance were used to purchase an additional


interest in Piedmont for $53.5 million and repay a portion of the Company’s $170 million term loan, reducing the amount outstanding under the term loan to $120 million at March 30, 2003.

 

During 2002, Piedmont refinanced a $195 million term loan using the proceeds from a loan from the Company. The Company’s source of funds for this loan to Piedmont included the issuance of $150 million of senior notes, its lines of credit, its revolving credit facility and available cash flow. Piedmont pays the Company interest on the loan at the Company’s average cost of funds plus 0.50%. The Company plans to provide for Piedmont’s future financing requirements under these terms.

 

With regard to the Company’s $120 million term loan agreement, the Company must maintain its public debt ratings at investment grade as determined by both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. If the Company’s public debt ratings fall below investment grade within 90 days after the public announcement of certain designated events and such ratings stay below investment grade for an additional 40 days, a trigger event resulting in a default occurs. The Company does not anticipate a trigger event will occur.

 

At March 30, 2003, the Company’s debt ratings were as follows:

 

    

Long-Term

    

Debt


Standard & Poor’s

  

BBB

Moody’s

  

Baa

 

There were no changes in these debt ratings from the prior year. It is the Company’s intent to operate in a manner that will allow it to maintain its investment grade ratings.

 

The Company issued 20,000 shares of Class B Common Stock to J. Frank Harrison, III, its Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2003 under a restricted stock award plan that provides for annual awards of such shares subject to meeting certain performance criteria. The performance criteria were met with respect to fiscal year 2002.

 

Sources of capital for the Company include operating cash flows, bank borrowings, issuance of public or private debt and the issuance of equity securities. Management believes that the Company, through these sources, has sufficient financial resources available to maintain its current operations and provide for its current capital expenditure and working capital requirements, scheduled debt payments, interest and income tax payments and dividends for stockholders. The amount and frequency of future dividends will be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors in light of the earnings and financial condition of the Company at such time, and no assurance can be given that dividends will be declared in the future.

 

The Company periodically uses interest rate hedging products to modify risk from interest rate fluctuations. The Company has historically altered its fixed/floating rate mix based upon anticipated cash flows from operations relative to the Company’s debt level and the potential impact of changes in interest rates on the Company’s overall financial condition. Sensitivity analyses are performed to review the impact on the Company’s financial position and coverage of various interest rate movements. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes nor does it use leveraged financial instruments.


The Company has entered into five forward rate agreements, which fix short-term rates on certain components of the Company’s floating rate debt for periods ranging from three to twelve months. Two of these forward rate agreements have been accounted for as cash flow hedges. The other three forward rate agreements do not meet the criteria set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, for hedge accounting and have been accounted for on a mark-to-market basis. The mark-to-market adjustment for these forward rate agreements was an increase to interest expense of approximately $.4 million during the first quarter of 2003.

 

In conjunction with the issuance of $100 million 5.30% Senior Notes in March 2003, the Company entered into certain interest rate agreements to hedge the issuance price. These interest rate agreements have been accounted for as cash flow hedges. The Company received $3.1 million from these cash flow hedges upon settlement, which has been recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax, and will be amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the life of the related senior notes.

 

During the first quarters of 2003 and 2002, interest expense was lower due to amortization of the deferred gain on previously terminated interest rate swap agreements by approximately $.5 million in each period.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report to Stockholders on Form 10-Q, as well as information included in future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission and information contained in written material, press releases and oral statements issued by or on behalf of the Company, contains, or may contain, several forward-looking management comments and other statements that reflect management’s current outlook for future periods. These statements include, among others, statements relating to: increases in pension expense; anticipated return on pension plan investments; the Company’s estimate of interest expense for 2003; anticipated costs associated with nonhealth related insurance; potential marketing funding support from The Coca-Cola Company; sufficiency of financial resources; anticipated additions to property, plant and equipment and financing, therefore; the Company’s belief that disposition of certain litigation and claims will not have a material adverse effect; the Company’s expectation of exercising its option to extend certain lease obligations; the effects of the upgrade of ERP systems; management’s belief that the Company has sufficient financial resources to maintain current operations and provide for its current capital expenditures and working capital requirements, scheduled debt payments, interest and income tax payments and dividends for stockholders; the Company’s intention to operate in a manner to maintain its investment grade ratings; the Company’s intention to provide for Piedmont’s future financing requirements; the Company’s belief that parties to certain contractual obligations will perform their obligations under the contracts; the Company’s plans to introduce Sprite Remix; the Company’s plans to introduce new packaging during the balance of 2003; the Company’s beliefs regarding the costs of PET containers and management’s belief that a trigger event will not occur under the Company’s term loan agreement. These statements and expectations are based on the current available competitive, financial and economic data along with the Company’s operating plans, and are subject to future events and uncertainties. Among the events or uncertainties which could adversely affect future periods are: lower than expected net pricing resulting from increased marketplace competition; changes in how significant customers market our products; an inability to meet performance requirements for expected levels of marketing funding support payments from The Coca-Cola Company or other beverage companies; reduced marketing and advertising spending by The Coca-Cola Company or other beverage companies; an inability to meet requirements under bottling contracts; the inability of our aluminum can or PET bottle suppliers to meet our demand; material changes from expectations in the cost of raw materials; higher than expected insurance premiums; lower than anticipated return on pension plan assets; higher than anticipated health care costs; higher than expected fuel prices; unfavorable interest rate fluctuations; terrorist attacks, war or other civil disturbances; changes in financial markets and an inability to meet projections in acquired bottling territories.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

Within the 90-day period prior to the date of this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company’s Exchange Act filings.

 

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors which could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date the Company carried out its evaluation.


 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a)   Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number


  

Description


  4.1

  

Limited Waiver and Consent dated March 25, 2003 by and between the Company and General Electric Capital Corporation, as Agent to the Loan Agreement dated November 20, 1995.

  4.2

  

Fourth Amendment to Partnership Agreement dated as of March 28, 2003 by and among Piedmont Coca-Cola Bottling Partnership, The Coca-Cola Company and the Company.

  4.3

  

Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of March 28, 2003 by and between Piedmont Partnership Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (KO Subsidiary), and Coca-Cola Ventures, Inc., a Delaware corporation (a subsidiary of the Company).

  4.4

  

Assignment dated as of March 28, 2003 by and between Piedmont Partnership Holding Company and Coca-Cola Ventures, Inc.

  4.5

  

The Registrant, by signing this report, agrees to furnish the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon its request, a copy of any instrument which defines the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Registrant and its subsidiaries for which consolidated financial statements are required to be filed, and which authorizes a total amount of securities not in excess of 10 percent of total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

99.1

  

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

99.2

  

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


(b)   Reports on Form 8-K

 

On March 3, 2003, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the announcement of the Company’s financial results for the period ended December 29, 2002.

 

On March 6, 2003, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the announcement of the Company’s plan to increase its ownership of Piedmont Coca-Cola Bottling Partnership.

 

On March 27, 2003, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the issuance of $100 million of its 5.30% Senior Notes due 2015.

 

On March 31, 2003, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K relating to the announcement of the Company’s purchase of an additional interest in Piedmont Coca-Cola Bottling Partnership from The Coca-Cola Company for $53.5 million.

 

On April 25, 2003, the Company filed a Current Report of Form 8-K relating to the announcement of the Company’s financial results for the period ended March 30, 2003.


SIGNATURES

 

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

 

       

COCA-COLA BOTTLING CO.CONSOLIDATED

(REGISTRANT)

Date: May 12, 2003        

     

By:

 

/s/    DAVID V. SINGER        


           

David V. Singer

Principal Financial Officer of the Registrant and

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

I, J. Frank Harrison, III, certify that:

 

1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated;

 

2.   Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

4.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

  a)   designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

  b)   evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c)   presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

  a)   all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b)   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: May 12, 2003

     

/s/    J. FRANK HARRISON, III        


       

J. Frank Harrison, III

       

Chairman of the Board of Directors

and Chief Executive Officer


 

I, David V. Singer, certify that:

 

1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated;

 

2.   Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

4.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

 

  a)   designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

 

  b)   evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

 

  c)   presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

 

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

 

  a)   all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

 

  b)   any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

 

6.   The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: May 12, 2003

     

/s/    DAVID V. SINGER        


       

David V. Singer

       

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer