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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

 

or

 

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

 

For the transition period from            to           

 

1-12181-01

 

1-12181

(Commission File Number)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

 

 

PROTECTION ONE, INC.

 

PROTECTION ONE ALARM MONITORING, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant
As Specified In its Charter)

 

(Exact Name of Registrant
As Specified In its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware

 

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction
Of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(State of Other Jurisdiction
Of Incorporation or Organization)

 

 

 

93-1063818

 

93-1064579

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

818 S. Kansas Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66612

 

818 S. Kansas Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66612

(Address of Principal Executive Offices,
Including Zip Code)

 

(Address of Principal Executive Offices,
Including Zip Code)

 

 

 

(785) 575-1707

 

(785) 575-1707

(Registrant’s Telephone Number,
Including Area Code)

 

(Registrant’s Telephone Number,
Including Area Code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether each of the registrants (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 such registrants were required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether each of the registrants is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
o No ý

 

As of August 10, 2004, Protection One, Inc. had outstanding 98,282,679 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of such date, Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc. had outstanding 110 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share, all of which shares were owned by Protection One, Inc.

 

 



 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the materials incorporated by reference herein include “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements generally can be identified as such because the context of the statement includes words such as we “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “should” or other words of similar import.  Similarly, statements herein that describe our objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements.  Such statements include those made on matters such as our earnings and financial condition, litigation, accounting matters, our business, our efforts to consolidate and reduce costs, our customer account acquisition strategy and attrition, our efforts to implement new financial and human resources software, our liquidity and sources of funding and our capital expenditures.  All forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.  We continue to face liquidity problems caused by our significant debt burdens and continuing net losses.  The consummation of the sale of its ownership interests in us by Westar Industries, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Westar Energy, Inc., which we refer to collectively as Westar, our former majority owner that beneficially owned approximately 88% of our common stock, to POI Acquisition, L.L.C. and POI Acquisition I, Inc., entities formed by Quadrangle Capital Partners L.P., Quadrangle Select Partners L.P., Quadrangle Capital Partners-A L.P. and Quadrangle Master Funding Ltd., which we refer to collectively as Quadrangle, and the assignment of Westar’s rights and obligations as the lender under our revolving credit facility to POI Acquisition, L.L.C., has resulted in a $285.9 million non-cash charge against our income to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets that we believe are not realizable, and the sale is expected to further materially adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and liquidity.  We may restructure our indebtedness in an out-of-court proceeding and/or seek the protection of federal bankruptcy laws to reorganize our debts.  In connection with a restructuring or reorganization of our indebtedness, the interests represented by the Company’s currently outstanding shares of common stock would likely be substantially diluted or cancelled in whole or in part.  Statements made in the Form 10-Q regarding the sale by Westar and its possible effects on us also constitute forward-looking statements.  The forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date of this report and we undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.  Please refer to “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 for more information regarding risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated in our forward-looking statements.

 

Unless the context otherwise indicates, all references in this report to the “Company,” “Protection One,” “we,” “us” or “our” or similar words are to Protection One, Inc., its direct wholly owned subsidiary, Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc., and Monitoring’s wholly owned subsidiaries.  Protection One’s sole asset is, and Protection One operates solely through, Monitoring and Monitoring’s wholly owned subsidiaries.  Both Protection One and Monitoring are Delaware corporations organized in September 1991.

 

2



 

PART I

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.                             FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

PROTECTION ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

June 30,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

30,213

 

$

35,203

 

Restricted cash

 

1,778

 

1,810

 

Receivables, net

 

21,961

 

23,670

 

Inventories, net

 

5,890

 

6,221

 

Prepaid expenses

 

3,706

 

5,522

 

Tax receivable from Westar

 

26,088

 

26,088

 

Deferred tax assets

 

30

 

33,899

 

Other

 

3,602

 

3,955

 

Total current assets

 

93,268

 

136,368

 

Property and equipment, net

 

29,540

 

31,921

 

Customer accounts, net

 

210,450

 

244,744

 

Goodwill

 

41,847

 

41,847

 

Deferred tax assets, net of current portion

 

 

252,411

 

Tax receivable from Westar, net of current portion

 

7,933

 

 

Deferred customer acquisition costs

 

101,190

 

94,225

 

Other

 

7,763

 

7,506

 

Total Assets

 

$

491,991

 

$

809,022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIENCY IN ASSETS)

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt, including $215,500 due to related parties

 

$

356,218

 

$

215,500

 

Accounts payable

 

3,140

 

5,314

 

Accrued liabilities

 

36,268

 

31,258

 

Deferred revenue

 

33,100

 

33,253

 

Total current liabilities

 

428,726

 

285,325

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

 

190,925

 

331,874

 

Deferred customer acquisition revenue

 

50,695

 

44,209

 

Other liabilities

 

1,422

 

1,440

 

Total Liabilities

 

671,768

 

662,848

 

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 6)

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.10 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 150,000,000 shares authorized,  128,125,584 shares issued  at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003

 

1,281

 

1,281

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

1,379,474

 

1,379,434

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

86

 

78

 

Deficit

 

(1,526,006

)

(1,200,007

)

Treasury stock, at cost, 29,842,905 shares at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003

 

(34,612

)

(34,612

)

Total stockholders’ equity (deficiency in assets)

 

(179,777

)

146,174

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficiency in Assets)

 

$

491,991

 

$

809,022

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

3



 

PROTECTION ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring and related services

 

$

123,702

 

$

129,125

 

Other

 

10,703

 

9,903

 

Total revenues

 

134,405

 

139,028

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues (exclusive of amortization and depreciation shown below):

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring and related services

 

34,334

 

37,189

 

Other

 

15,216

 

14,146

 

Total cost of revenues

 

49,550

 

51,335

 

Gross profit (exclusive of amortization and depreciation shown below)

 

84,855

 

87,693

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

15,561

 

16,079

 

General and administrative

 

55,544

 

40,320

 

Amortization and depreciation

 

39,335

 

40,314

 

Total operating expenses

 

110,440

 

96,713

 

Operating loss

 

(25,585

)

(9,020

)

Other (income) expense:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

13,203

 

12,675

 

Related party interest

 

8,915

 

6,652

 

Other

 

(83

)

(2,092

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(47,620

)

(26,255

)

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

(278,379

)

8,949

 

Net loss

 

$

(325,999

)

$

(17,306

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on marketable securities

 

9

 

 

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(325,990

)

$

(17,306

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted per share information:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per common share

 

$

(3.32

)

$

(0.18

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands)

 

98,283

 

98,094

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these

consolidated financial statements.

 

4



 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring and related services

 

$

61,828

 

$

64,019

 

Other

 

5,446

 

4,923

 

Total revenues

 

67,274

 

68,942

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues (exclusive of amortization and depreciation shown below):

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring and related services

 

16,864

 

18,231

 

Other

 

7,875

 

7,092

 

Total cost of revenues

 

24,739

 

25,323

 

Gross profit (exclusive of amortization and depreciation shown below)

 

42,535

 

43,619

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

8,143

 

7,838

 

General and administrative

 

20,303

 

19,954

 

Amortization and depreciation

 

19,675

 

20,111

 

Total operating expenses

 

48,121

 

47,903

 

Operating loss

 

(5,586

)

(4,284

)

Other (income) expense:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

6,747

 

6,513

 

Related party interest

 

4,299

 

3,539

 

Other

 

(72

)

(2,073

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(16,560

)

(12,263

)

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

(56

)

4,273

 

Net loss

 

$

(16,616

)

$

(7,990

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on marketable securities

 

1

 

 

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(16,615

)

$

(7,990

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted per share information:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per common share

 

$

(0.17

)

$

(0.08

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands)

 

98,283

 

98,106

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these

consolidated financial statements.

 

5



 

PROTECTION ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(325,999

)

$

(17,306

)

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

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of branch assets

 

(57

)

(2,092

)

Amortization and depreciation

 

39,335

 

40,314

 

Amortization of debt costs and premium

 

352

 

369

 

Amortization of deferred customer acquisition costs in excess of amortization of deferred revenues

 

9,937

 

8,277

 

Deferred income taxes

 

286,311

 

10,217

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

224

 

916

 

Other

 

(5

)

68

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables, net

 

1,485

 

3,573

 

Tax receivable from Westar

 

(7,933

)

(19,266

)

Other assets

 

1,688

 

2,523

 

Accounts payable

 

(2,581

)

(48

)

Deferred revenue

 

(127

)

(2,202

)

Other liabilities

 

5,140

 

(2,850

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

7,770

 

22,493

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Installations and purchases of new accounts

 

(14

)

(249

)

Deferred customer acquisition costs

 

(20,618

)

(21,896

)

Deferred customer acquisition revenues

 

10,202

 

8,960

 

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(2,829

)

(2,795

)

Sale of AV ONE

 

 

1,411

 

Proceeds from disposition of assets

 

279

 

2,598

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(12,980

)

(11,971

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Payments on long-term debt

 

 

(8,567

)

Proceeds from sale of trademark

 

 

450

 

Debt issue costs

 

 

74

 

Proceeds from sale of parent company stock- held as treasury

 

 

11,940

 

Purchase of Treasury Stock

 

 

(3

)

Exercise of stock options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

 

256

 

Funding from Westar, as former parent

 

220

 

998

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

220

 

5,148

 

Net cash provided by discontinued operations

 

 

229

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(4,990

)

15,899

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

35,203

 

1,545

 

End of period

 

$

30,213

 

$

17,444

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

15,663

 

$

19,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for taxes

 

$

201

 

$

237

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these

consolidated financial statements.

 

6



 

PROTECTION ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(Unaudited)

 

1.              Basis of Consolidation and Interim Financial Information:

 

Protection One, Inc., referred to as Protection One or the Company, a Delaware corporation, is a publicly traded security alarm monitoring company.  Protection One is principally engaged in the business of providing security alarm monitoring services, which includes sales, installation and related servicing of security alarm systems for residential and business customers. On February 17, 2004, the Company’s former majority owner, Westar Industries, Inc., referred to as Westar Industries, a wholly owned subsidiary of Westar Energy, Inc, which together with Westar Industries is referred to as Westar, sold its ownership interests in the Company and assigned its rights and obligations as the lender under the revolving credit facility.  See Note 2, “Change in Majority Owner” for a further discussion of the sale transaction.

 

The Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q.  Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2003 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.

 

See Note 10, “Going Concern and Management’s Plan” for Management’s plan regarding liquidity and going concern issues.

 

In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure,” which amends SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.”  SFAS No. 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation.  In addition, it amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results.  This statement requires that companies follow the prescribed format and provide the additional disclosures in their annual reports for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. The Company applies the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board, or APB, Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” as allowed by SFAS Nos. 123 and 148, and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans.  The Company has adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 148.

 

For purposes of the pro forma disclosures required by SFAS No. 148, the estimated fair value of options is amortized to expense on a straight-line method over the options’ vesting period.  Under SFAS No. 123, compensation expense would have been $0.6 million and $0.1 million in the six and three months ended June 30, 2004, respectively and $0.4 million and $0.2 million in the six and three months ended June 30, 2003, respectively.  Information related to the pro forma impact on earnings and earnings per share follows.

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss available for common stock, as reported

 

$

(325,999

)

$

(17,306

)

Add:  Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net loss, net of related tax effects

 

36

 

45

 

Deduct:  Total stock option expense determined under fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects (a)

 

(566

)

(392

)

Loss available for common stock, pro forma

 

$

(326,529

)

$

(17,653

)

Net loss per common share (basic and diluted):

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(3.32

)

$

(0.18

)

Pro forma

 

$

(3.32

)

$

(0.18

)

 

7



 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss available for common stock, as reported

 

$

(16,616

)

$

(7,990

)

Add:  Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net loss, net of related tax effects

 

6

 

22

 

Deduct:  Total stock option expense determined under fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects (a)

 

(69

)

(188

)

Loss available for common stock, pro forma

 

$

(16,679

)

$

(8,156

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per common share (basic and diluted):

 

 

 

 

 

As reported

 

$

(0.17

)

$

(0.08

)

Pro forma

 

$

(0.17

)

$

(0.08

)

 


a.               Stock option expense calculation includes $43 thousand and $17 thousand for the six and three months ended June 30, 2003, respectively, associated with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or ESPP.  The ESPP was suspended in the fourth quarter of 2003.  Therefore, the 2004 stock option expense calculation includes no adjustment for the ESPP.

 

In the opinion of management of the Company, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

Restricted cash on the accompanying balance sheet represents a trust account established as collateral for the benefit of the insurer of the Company’s workers’ compensation claims.  The Company receives interest income earned by the trust.

 

The Company has no stock options or warrants that represent dilutive potential common shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004.  The Company has issued stock options and warrants of which approximately 0.4 million and 0.5 million represent dilutive potential common shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003.  These securities were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share since to do so would have been antidilutive for all periods presented.

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-year information to conform with the current year presentation.

 

2.              Change in Majority Owner:

 

On February 17, 2004, Westar Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, sold approximately 87% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share to POI Acquisition I, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of POI Acquisition, L.L.C.  Both POI Acquisition, L.L.C. and POI Acquisition I, Inc. are entities formed by Quadrangle Capital Partners L.P., Quadrangle Select Partners L.P., Quadrangle Capital Partners-A L.P. and Quadrangle Master Funding Ltd., collectively referred to as Quadrangle.  Westar retained approximately 1% of the Company’s common stock, representing shares underlying restricted stock units granted to current and former employees of Westar.  As part of the sale transaction, Westar Industries also assigned its rights and obligations as the lender under the revolving credit facility to POI Acquisition, L.L.C.  Quadrangle paid approximately $122.2 million to Westar as consideration for both the common stock and the revolving credit facility, including accrued interest of $2.2 million, and Westar could receive additional consideration that is contingent upon certain potential post-closing events.

 

In connection with the closing of the sale transaction described above, the Company announced, among other things, the (i) retention of Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin Capital to assist it with its evaluation of the effects of the sale transactions,

 

8



 

and (ii) execution of two standstill agreements with POI Acquisition, L.L.C. and POI Acquisition I, Inc., which the parties have agreed to extend until August 23, 2004, subject to Quadrangle’s right to terminate the agreements.

 

See Note 4, “Debt” for a discussion of the impact of the change in control on the Company’s outstanding debt and Note 8, “Income Taxes” for a discussion relating to the Company’s Tax Sharing Agreement with Westar.

 

3.              Intangible Assets – Customer Accounts and Goodwill:

 

The following reflects the changes in the Company’s investment in purchased customer accounts (at cost) for the following periods (in thousands):

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2004

 

Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2004

 

Year
Ended
December 31, 2003

 

Beginning customer accounts

 

$

680,928

 

$

680,941

 

$

680,349

 

Acquisition of customer accounts

 

14

 

 

259

 

Sale of accounts

 

(22

)

(21

)

(28

)

Other

 

 

 

348

 

 

 

680,920

 

680,920

 

680,928

 

Less accumulated amortization

 

(470,470

)

(470,470

)

(436,184

)

Ending customer accounts, net

 

$

210,450

 

$

210,450

 

$

244,744

 

 

Amortization expense was $17.1 million and $34.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively.  Amortization expense was $17.2 million and $34.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively.  The table below reflects the estimated aggregate customer account amortization expense for 2004 and each of the four succeeding fiscal years on the existing customer account base as of June 30, 2004.

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Estimated amortization expense

 

$

68,612

 

$

52,322

 

$

51,961

 

$

45,641

 

$

20,000

 

 

There were no changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill for the three or six months ended June 30, 2004 or 2003.

 

4.              Debt:

 

Long-term debt and the fixed or weighted average interest rates are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

June 30,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving Credit Facility, maturing January 5, 2005, variable 7.75%

 

$

215,500

 

$

215,500

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, maturing January 2009, fixed 8.125%

 

110,340

 

110,340

 

Senior Unsecured Notes, maturing August 2005, fixed 7.375%

 

190,925

 

190,925

 

Senior Subordinated Discount Notes, maturing June 2005, fixed 13.625% (a)

 

30,378

 

30,609

 

 

 

547,143

 

547,374

 

Less current portion (b)

 

(356,218

)

(215,500

)

Total long-term debt

 

$

190,925

 

$

331,874

 

 


(a)          The effective rate to the Company is 11.8% due to amortization of a premium related to the notes. The unamortized balance of the premium at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 was $0.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

 

(b)         See discussion below regarding the potential impact if an event of default and acceleration occurs under the indenture relating to the 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes, or if the revolving credit facility is accelerated, on the various debt instruments.

 

9



 

The indenture relating to the 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes required the Company to make a semi-annual interest payment on June 30, 2004.  The Company paid the semi-annual interest payment on July 30, 2004, prior to expiration of the interest payment grace period.  The indenture also requires the Company to give notice of its intention to repurchase the notes within 30 days following the date of a change in control and to consummate the repurchase within 60 days of such notification.  Under the terms of this indenture, because the Company did not offer to repurchase such notes, its inaction constitutes a covenant breach, which breach, if not cured within 30 days after receipt of appropriate notice, would constitute an event of default under the indenture for the 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes.

 

Upon any such event of default, the trustee or the holders of such senior subordinated discount notes may seek to exercise certain remedies available to them under the indenture governing the notes, including, without limitation, acceleration of the notes, though the subordination provisions of the indenture restrict the Company’s ability to make any payment to the holders of such notes upon acceleration of such notes in certain circumstances.  The acceleration of the 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes, if not rescinded or satisfied, would cause a cross default to be triggered under the indenture for the 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes, which had aggregate outstanding principal of $110.3 million as of August 10, 2004.  If such acceleration and cross default should occur, the Company does not have the funds available to repay the indebtedness, and the Company could be forced to seek relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or an out-of-court restructuring.

 

The $215.5 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility is in default due to the change in control of Protection One consummated on February 17, 2004, non-compliance with financial covenants and a failure to make a quarterly interest payment that was due on the revolving credit facility on June 30, 2004.  The Company has entered into a standstill agreement with Quadrangle, however, pursuant to which, among other things, Quadrangle agreed to waive the change in control default and other specified defaults, and the Company agreed, among other things, that it could not borrow any additional amounts under the revolving credit facility.  Upon the expiration or termination of this standstill agreement, Quadrangle may exercise its rights under the revolving credit facility and declare the indebtedness to be due and payable.  The parties have agreed to extend the standstill agreement until August 23, 2004, subject to Quadrangle’s right to terminate the agreement.  There can be no assurances that the parties will further extend the standstill agreement or that Quadrangle will not terminate the standstill agreement prior to August 23, 2004.  Furthermore, acceleration of the revolving credit facility, if not rescinded or satisfied, would cause cross defaults under the Company’s other debt instruments.  If such acceleration should occur, the Company does not have the funds available to repay the indebtedness, and the Company could be forced to seek relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or an out-of court restructuring.

 

The Company deferred payment of the semi-annual interest payment that was due on July 15, 2004 on the outstanding $110.3 million aggregate principal amount of its 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes. On August 13, 2004 the Company paid the semi-annual interest payment on its 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes, prior to expiration of the interest payment grace period.

 

The Company deferred payment of the quarterly interest payment that was due on June 30, 2004 on the revolving credit facility, though as long as the standstill agreement is in place, Quadrangle has agreed not to exercise any remedies as a result of our failure to make this quarterly interest payment to them. The Company intends to pay the quarterly interest payment on the revolving credit facility on August 16, 2004.

 

The indentures relating to the Company’s 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes and to its 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes contain certain restrictions, including with respect to its ability to incur debt and pay dividends, based on earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, or EBITDA.  The definition of EBITDA varies among the indentures and the revolving credit facility.  EBITDA is generally derived by adding to income (loss) before income taxes, the sum of interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense, including amortization of deferred customer acquisition costs and deducting amortization of deferred revenues.  However, under the varying definitions of the indentures, additional adjustments are sometimes required.

 

The Company’s revolving credit facility contains a number of potential events of default, including with respect to financial covenants which it must maintain.  Under the standstill agreement executed with Quadrangle, which the parties have agreed to extend until August 23, 2004, subject to Quadrangle’s right to terminate the agreement, the Company has received a temporary waiver of certain specified defaults if certain conditions are met.

 

10



 

The Company’s revolving credit facility and the indentures relating to certain of its other indebtedness contain the financial covenants and tests, respectively, summarized below:

 

Debt Instrument

 

Financial Covenant and Test

Revolving Credit Facility

 

Total consolidated debt/annualized most recent quarter EBITDA—less than 5.75 to 1.0 and

Consolidated annualized most recent quarter EBITDA/latest four fiscal quarters interest expense—greater than 2.10 to 1.0

 

 

 

Senior Subordinated Notes

 

Current fiscal quarter EBITDA/current fiscal quarter interest expense—greater than 2.25 to 1.0

 

 

 

Senior Subordinated Discount Notes

 

Total debt/annualized current quarter EBITDA—less than 6.0 to 1.0
Senior debt/annualized current quarter EBITDA—less than 4.0 to 1.0

 

At June 30, 2004, the Company was not in compliance with the covenants under the revolving credit facility, described above, and did not meet the tests under the indentures relating to the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness or to pay dividends.  As noted above, the Company entered into a standstill agreement with Quadrangle whereby Quadrangle agreed to grant the Company a waiver of certain specified defaults, including failure to comply with these financial covenants, among others, for a 90-day period, which has since been extended, if certain conditions are met.  Continued failure to meet the tests would result in continuing restrictions on the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness or to pay dividends and the event of default under the revolving credit facility could allow the lenders to declare all amounts outstanding immediately due and payable.

 

The Company may restructure its indebtedness in an out-of-court proceeding and/or seek the protection of the federal bankruptcy laws to reorganize its debts.  In connection with a restructuring or reorganization of the Company’s indebtedness, the interests represented by the Company’s currently outstanding shares of common stock would likely be substantially diluted or cancelled in whole or in part.

 

5.              Related Party Transactions:

 

On February 17, 2004, Westar Industries sold approximately 87% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company and assigned its rights and obligations under the revolving credit facility to Quadrangle.   See the discussion below and in Note 2, “Change in Majority Owner” for additional information relating to the sale transaction.

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

On February 17, 2004, Westar Industries transferred its rights and obligations as lender under the revolving credit facility to Quadrangle pursuant to the sale agreement.  The Company and Quadrangle entered into a standstill agreement, which the parties have agreed to extend until August 23, 2004, subject to Quadrangle’s right to terminate the agreement, and, among other things, prohibits the Company from making borrowings under the facility and also temporarily prohibits Quadrangle from exercising its remedies under the facility if certain conditions are met.  The Company accrued interest expense of $4.2 million and $8.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, and made scheduled interest payments to Quadrangle of $4.1 million on borrowings under the facility during the first quarter of 2004.  Payment of accrued interest of $4.2 million due on June 30, 2004 for the second quarter of 2004 was deferred due to ongoing negotiations with the Company’s creditors, however, the Company intends to pay the quarterly interest payment on the revolving credit facility on August 16, 2004.  See Note 4, “Debt” for additional information related to the revolving credit facility.  Of the $8.3 million interest accrued for the six months ended June 30, 2004, $2.2 million was recorded prior to the sale of the Company by Westar.

 

On March 23, 2004, the Company and Quadrangle entered into a fifteenth amendment to the revolving credit facility that modified the confidentiality provision in the revolving credit facility.

 

The Company had outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility of $215.5 million at December 31, 2003. The Company accrued interest expense of $2.8 million and $5.6 million and made interest payments of $2.8 million and $5.6 million on borrowings under the facility for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively.

 

Tax Receivable Related to Tax Sharing Agreement

 

The Company had a receivable balance of $34.0 million and $26.1 million at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively, relating to a tax sharing agreement with Westar Energy.  In December 2003, the Company received $20.0 million from Westar Energy as partial payment for the tax benefit utilized in its 2002 tax return filed in the third quarter of

 

11



 

2003.  The receivable balance of $26.1 million at December 31, 2003 reflects the balance of the estimated tax benefit to be utilized by Westar Energy in its 2003 consolidated income tax return plus the remainder of the 2002 tax benefit not paid in 2003.  An additional $7.9 million receivable was recorded for the estimated tax benefit generated in the first quarter prior to February 17, 2004 that Westar Energy will likely be able to utilize in its 2004 consolidated income tax return, which will likely be filed in 2005.

 

The Company had been a member of Westar’s consolidated tax group since 1997.  During that time, Westar made payments to the Company for tax benefits attributable to the Company and utilized by Westar in its consolidated tax return pursuant to the terms of a tax sharing agreement.  Following the consummation of the sale of Westar’s ownership interests in the Company, it is no longer a part of the Westar consolidated tax group.

 

The Company and Westar did not, however, terminate the tax sharing agreement, and based on discussions with Westar and its counsel, there are several areas of potential dispute between the Company and Westar regarding Westar’s obligations under the terms of the tax sharing agreement.  The most material of these potential disputes involve (i) the amount of any tax sharing payments that would be due to the Company if Westar decides in the future to elect to treat the sale of its interests in the Company as a sale of assets under the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) the proper treatment under the tax sharing agreement of tax obligations or benefits arising out of the transaction in which Westar sold its ownership interests in the Company, including the impact on future tax sharing payments related to the cancellation of indebtedness income generated by a partial write down of the revolving credit facility prior to closing or the assignment of the revolving credit facility for less than the full amount outstanding under the facility at closing and (iii) whether tax sharing payments due to the Company when Westar was subject to alternative minimum tax should be calculated at the alternative minimum tax rate of 20% or the normal statutory rate of 35% to the extent that Westar has utilized or is reasonably expected to be able to utilize the associated alternative minimum tax credits or otherwise has received full benefits at normal statutory rates from the Company’s losses.  The Company believes that it has strong positions with respect to these items and will aggressively pursue its positions.  If the Company prevails, it may realize additional tax sharing payments from Westar.

 

See Note 8, “Income Taxes” for further discussion relating to income taxes.

 

Kansas Corporation Commission

 

On November 8, 2002, the Kansas Corporation Commission, referred to as KCC, issued Order No. 51 which required Westar Energy to initiate a corporate and financial restructuring, reverse specified accounting transactions described in the Order, review, improve and/or develop, where necessary, methods and procedures for allocating costs between utility and non-utility businesses for KCC approval, refrain from any action that would result in its electric businesses subsidizing non-utility businesses, reduce outstanding debt giving priority to reducing utility debt and, pending the corporate and financial restructuring, imposed standstill limitations on Westar Energy’s ability to finance non-utility businesses including the Company. These standstill protections require that Westar Energy seek KCC approval before it takes actions such as making any loan to, investment in or transfer of cash in excess of $100,000 to the Company or another non-utility affiliate, entering into any agreement with the Company or another non-utility affiliate where the value of goods or services exchanged exceeds $100,000, investing, by Westar Energy or Westar Energy’s affiliate, of more than $100,000 in an existing or new non-utility business and transferring any non-cash assets or intellectual property to the Company or another non-utility affiliate.  In addition, Westar Energy must charge interest to the Company and other non-utility affiliates at the incremental cost of their debt on outstanding balances of any existing or future inter-affiliate loans, receivables or other cash advances due Westar Energy.  The Order also suggested that the sale by Westar Energy of the Company’s stock should be explored, along with other alternatives, as a possible source of cash to be used to reduce Westar Energy debt. An additional provision affecting the Company includes a requirement that it cannot sell assets having a value of $100,000 or more without prior KCC approval.

 

On December 23, 2002, the Kansas Corporation Commission issued Order No. 55 clarifying and modifying the November 8, 2002 Order.  One such clarification was that Westar Energy and Westar Industries would be prohibited from making payments to the Company under the tax sharing agreement until certain requirements were met by Westar Energy regarding its debt.

 

On January 10, 2003, Protection One filed a petition seeking reconsideration of certain aspects of Order No. 55.  Specifically, the Company requested that the Commission reconsider and revise Order No. 55 so that it clearly does not

 

12



 

interfere with the Company’s contractual arrangements with Westar Energy and Westar Industries, including, but not limited to the tax sharing agreement and the revolving credit facility.

 

On February 11, 2003, the parties to the KCC proceeding filed a Limited Stipulation and Agreement, which sought the KCC’s approval for Protection One to sell all of its Westar Energy stock to Westar Energy.  The KCC approved the Limited Stipulation and Agreement on February 14, 2003.  Protection One sold its Westar Energy stock to Westar Energy on February 14, 2003 for $11.6 million.

 

On February 25, 2003, the Company entered into a Partial Stipulation and Agreement, which is referred to as the reconsideration agreement, with the Staff of the KCC, Westar Energy, Westar Industries and an intervener.  The reconsideration agreement requested that the KCC issue an order granting limited reconsideration and clarification to its order issued December 23, 2002.  The reconsideration agreement also requests that the KCC authorize Westar Energy and Westar Industries to perform their respective obligations to the Company under the tax sharing agreement and the revolving credit facility. Additionally, the Reconsideration Agreement provides that, among other things; (a) the maximum borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility will be reduced to $228.4 million and the maturity date may be extended one year to January 5, 2005; (b) Westar Energy may provide funds to Westar Industries to the extent necessary to perform its obligations to the Company under the revolving credit facility; (c) Westar Energy will reimburse the Company approximately $4.4 million for expenses incurred in connection with services provided by Protection One Data Services and AV One, Inc. to Westar Energy and Westar Industries, and for the sale of AV One, Inc. to Westar Energy; and (d) the Management Services Agreement between the Company and Westar Industries is cancelled.

 

On March 11, 2003, the KCC issued Order No. 65 conditionally approving the reconsideration agreement. The KCC imposed the following on the terms of the reconsideration agreement: (a) the revolving credit facility must be paid off upon the sale of all or a majority of Protection One common stock held by Westar Industries, and this pay-off must be a condition of any sale by Westar Industries of Protection One’s stock; (b) Westar Energy must provide advance notice to the KCC if the payment to the Company under the tax sharing agreement exceeds approximately $20 million; (c) Protection One must receive KCC approval prior to selling any assets exceeding $100,000 and Westar Energy and Westar Industries must receive KCC approval prior to selling their stock in Protection One; and (d) Protection One must waive potential claims against Westar Energy and Westar Industries relating to certain inter-company agreements.  In addition, the KCC reserved the right to impose a deadline for the sale by Westar Industries of its Protection One stock.  Westar Energy is precluded from extending any credit to the Company except for borrowings the Company may make under the revolving credit facility.

 

In addition, on March 19, 2003, the Company submitted two letters to the KCC in response to KCC Order No. 65, one of which was addressed to the KCC and the other of which was addressed to Westar Energy.  As described in the letters, the Company agreed to (i) release Westar Energy from certain claims relating to Protection One Data Services, Inc., or PODS, AV One, Inc. and the Management Services Agreement and (ii) accept the conditions set forth in Order No. 65 relating to matters other than PODS, AV One, Inc. and the Management Services Agreement.  The Company does not intend to seek reconsideration of Order No. 65.

 

On January 2, 2004, Westar Energy and Westar Industries filed a Joint Motion with the KCC to sell Westar Industries’ equity interest in Protection One to Quadrangle.  The Joint Motion also sought to assign Westar Industries’ interest in the revolving credit facility to Quadrangle.  In the alternative, the Joint Motion sought permission for Westar Energy to sell its shares of stock in Westar Industries to Quadrangle, at which time Westar Industries’ assets and liabilities would consist of the revolving credit facility and equity interest in Protection One.  On February 13, 2004, the KCC approved the Joint Motion.

 

Administrative Services Agreement

 

Westar Energy provides administrative services to the Company pursuant to an agreement, referred to as the administrative services agreement, which includes accounting, tax, audit, human resources, legal, purchasing, facilities services and use of computer systems.  The administrative services agreement will terminate on February 17, 2005, one year after the date of sale of the Company by Westar unless an earlier termination date is mutually agreed upon.  Charges of approximately $0.9 million and $1.7 million were incurred for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, compared to charges of approximately $1.1 million and $2.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003.  The

 

13



 

Company had a net balance due to Westar Energy primarily for these services of $0.7 million and $0.3 million at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

AV ONE and Protection One Data Services

 

On June 5, 2002, the Company acquired the stock of a wholly owned subsidiary of Westar Industries named Westar Aviation, Inc. for approximately $1.4 million.  The Company subsequently changed the name of the newly acquired corporation to AV ONE, Inc., referred to as AV ONE, and entered into an Aircraft Reimbursement Agreement with Westar Industries.  Under this agreement, Westar Industries agreed to reimburse AV ONE for certain costs and expenses relating to its operations.  In accordance with the reconsideration agreement, Westar Energy reimbursed the Company for all costs incurred relating to the services provided to Westar Energy and Westar Industries and on March 21, 2003, repurchased the stock of AV ONE at book value.  The Company did not incur any gain or loss on the transaction since the sale was transacted at book value.

 

In June 2002, the Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary named Protection One Data Services, Inc. and on July 1, 2002 transferred to it approximately 42 of its Information Technology employees.   Effective July 1, 2002, PODS entered into an outsourcing agreement with Westar Energy pursuant to which PODS provided Westar Energy information technology services.  As a condition of the agreement, PODS offered employment to approximately 100 Westar Energy Information Technology employees.  Operation of the subsidiary and the provision of such services were discontinued as of December 31, 2002.  The approximately 142 Information Technology employees that had accepted employment with PODS were transferred back to their respective companies as of December 31, 2002.  On March 21, 2003, in accordance with the reconsideration agreement, Westar Energy paid the Company $1.1 million for the balance due under the outsourcing agreement.

 

Quadrangle

 

In addition to interest accrued and paid under the revolving credit facility, discussed above, the Company paid $0.2 million to Quadrangle for legal expenses incurred by Quadrangle in the second quarter of 2004.  No payments were made to Quadrangle in the first quarter of 2004.  The Company has agreed to pay the costs for the financial and legal advisors for both the senior and subordinated debt holders relating to a potential restructuring of the Company’s indebtedness.

 

6.              Commitments and Contingencies:

 

Litigation

 

Rogers Litigation

 

On August 2, 2002, Monitoring, Westar Energy, Inc. and certain former employees of Monitoring, as well as certain third parties, were sued in the District Court of Jefferson County, Texas, by Regina Rogers, a resident of Beaumont, Texas (Case No. D167654).  Ms. Rogers has asserted various claims due to casualty losses, property damage and mental anguish she allegedly suffered as a result of a fire to her residence on August 17, 2000.  In her complaint, Ms. Rogers alleges that Protection One and certain of its employees were negligent, grossly negligent and malicious in allegedly failing to properly service and monitor the alarm system at the residence.  The complaint also alleges various violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, or DTPA, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, intentional misconduct and breach of contract.  Relief sought under the complaint (as amended) includes actual, exemplary and treble damages under the DTPA, plus attorneys’ fees.  Although the complaint does not specify the amount of damages sought, counsel for the plaintiff has previously alleged actual damages of approximately $7.5 million.  The Company believes it has adequate insurance coverage with respect to the potential liability.  The Company’s primary insurance carrier is providing defense of the action, and the Company is reimbursing the primary insurance carrier for the applicable deductible.  The excess carrier is proceeding under a reservation of rights.  Discovery is on-going in this matter.  An August 20, 2004 mediation is scheduled.  The trial date, originally scheduled for September 2004, has been continued to January 2005.  In the opinion of management the outcome should not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

14



 

Dealer Litigation

 

On May 10, 2004, Nashville Burglar Alarm, LLC, a former dealer, filed a demand for arbitration against Monitoring with the American Arbitration Association, or AAA, alleging breach of contract, misrepresentation, breach of implied covenant of good faith, violation of consumer protection statues and franchise law violations.  Nashville Burglar Alarm, along with five other former dealers, was an original plaintiff in a putative class action lawsuit filed against Monitoring in May 1999, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky (Total Security Solutions, Inc., et al. v. Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc., Civil Action No. 3:99CV-326-H).  In that matter, the court granted Monitoring’s motion to stay the proceeding pending the individual plaintiffs’ pursuit of arbitration as required by the terms of their dealer agreements, and AAA refused plaintiffs’ motion to require that all of the claims of the plaintiffs be heard collectively.  Since that time, four of the original plaintiffs in the Total Security Solutions case (not including Nashville Burglar Alarm) were either settled by the mutual agreement of the parties, or dismissed by the AAA.  The remaining original plaintiff in the Total Security Solutions case has not pursued claims in arbitration.

 

Another dealer (not a plaintiff in the original Total Security Solutions litigation), Ira Beer, owner of Security Response Network, Inc. and Homesafe Security, Inc., has brought similar claims in arbitration against the Company.  Discovery is ongoing in this matter.

 

The Company believes it has complied with the terms of its contracts with these former dealers and intends to aggressively defend against these claims.  In the opinion of management, none of these pending dealer claims, either alone or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Other Protection One dealers have threatened, and may bring, claims against the Company based upon a variety of theories surrounding calculations of holdbacks and other payments, or based on other theories of liability.  The Company believes it has materially complied with the terms of its contracts with its dealers.  The Company cannot predict the aggregate impact of these potential disputes with its dealers, which could be material.

 

University of New Hampshire Litigation

 

In August 2003, the University of New Hampshire and Dr. Stacia Sower, a professor at the University, filed separate lawsuits against Monitoring in New Hampshire Superior Court (Stacia Sower v. Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc. and University of New Hampshire v. Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc. & CU Security, Docket Number 03-C-0199).  The suit arises from Monitoring’s alleged failure to properly monitor a low-temperature freezer used by the University to store research specimens, which failure allegedly caused damage to or destruction of scientific specimens.  Dr. Sower’s suit alleges breach of the duty of care, violations of New Hampshire Revised Statute Chapter 358-A, products liability and other causes of action.  The University’s suit alleges negligence, breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, negligent or intentional misrepresentation, strict liability, violations of New Hampshire Revised Statute Chapter 358-A, breach of implied warranties and other causes of action.  Both lawsuits seek unspecified monetary damages, although in correspondence received prior to the filing of suit, damages in excess of $1.1 million are alleged.  The University’s lawsuit also seeks rescission of Monitoring’s contract with the university.

 

Both lawsuits were removed to the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, and have been consolidated by the court.  The parties are currently conducting discovery in the matter.

 

Monitoring’s liability insurance carrier has been notified of these claims, and is proceeding under a reservation of rights.  Monitoring intends to vigorously defend against any and all claims relating to this matter, and believes it has adequate insurance coverage with respect to any potential liability arising from this suit.  In the opinion of management, the outcome of this dispute will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Milstein Litigation

 

On May 20, 2003, Joseph G. Milstein filed a putative class action suit against Monitoring in Los Angeles Superior Court (Milstein v. Protection One Alarm Services, Inc., John Does 1-100, including Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc., Case No. BC296025).  The complaint alleges that Mr. Milstein and similarly situated Protection One customers in

 

15



 

California should not be required to continue to pay for alarm services during the term of their contracts if the customer moves from the monitored premises.  The complaint seeks money damages and disgorgement of profits based on several purported causes of action.  On May 29, 2003, the plaintiff added Monitoring as a defendant in the lawsuit.  On October 28, 2003, the Court granted Protection One’s motion to compel arbitration of the dispute pursuant to the terms of the customer contract.

 

The case is now before the AAA.  The parties have fully briefed the “Clause Construction” phase of the arbitration, which requires the arbitrator to determine, as a threshold matter, whether the arbitration clause in the contract between the parties permits the arbitration to proceed on a class-wide basis.  The Clause Construction hearing was conducted August 10, 2004.  The arbitrator has taken the matter under advisement and requested written submissions from the parties on certain issues.

 

Monitoring maintains that the claims asserted in this matter are without merit, and it intends to vigorously defend against any and all claims relating to this matter.

 

Encompass Insurance Subrogation Claim

 

On May 20, 2004, Encompass Insurance Company, as subrogee of Patrick and Ann Hylant, brought suit against Monitoring, two other monitoring companies and the manufacturer of alarm system equipment in the Circuit Court of Michigan, County of Emmet, Case No. 04-8236-N2, alleging improper and faulty installation of the alarm system.  (Encompass Insurance Company, as Subrogee of Patrick and Ann Hylant v. Sunrise of Petoskey, Inc., Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc., Ademco Distribution, Inc. and Emergency 24, Inc.).  The suit arises from a fire which purportedly occurred on October 1, 2002 at the Hylant’s residence.  The complaint alleges negligence, breach of implied warranties, breach of contract and gross negligence on the part of the defendants, and seeks damages in excess of $1 million for alleged casualty losses and property damage.  Monitoring’s excess carrier is proceeding under a reservation of rights.  Monitoring intends to vigorously defend against any and all claims relating to this matter, and believes it has adequate insurance coverage with respect to any potential liability arising from this suit.  In the opinion of management, the outcome of this dispute will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

General Claims and Disputes

 

The Company is a party to claims and matters of litigation incidental to the normal course of its business.  Additionally, the Company receives notices of consumer complaints filed with various state agencies.  The Company has developed a dispute resolution process for addressing these administrative complaints.  The ultimate outcome of such matters cannot presently be determined; however, in the opinion of management, the resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Retention Payments and Severance Arrangements Related to Change in Control

 

In order to retain the services of numerous employees who, as a result of Westar’s announcement of its intent to dispose of its ownership interest in the Company, may have felt uncertain about future ownership, management and direction, the Company entered into retention and severance arrangements with approximately 190 employees to provide incentives for such employees to remain with the Company through the sales process.  On October 31, 2003, the Company paid approximately $5.1 million to those employees who fulfilled their obligations related to the retention agreements.  Additional severance amounts of approximately $9.8 million may also be paid under these arrangements to those employees, if any, who are terminated following a change in control.  No significant amounts have been expensed by the Company relating to the severance arrangements.

 

An additional approximately $11.0 million was paid to executive management upon the change in control of the Company on February 17, 2004, pursuant to their employment agreements with the Company.  These payments were included in the general and administrative expense of the Company in the first quarter of 2004.

 

In addition, upon the change in control, $3.5 million was expensed and paid to the financial advisor to the Company’s Special Committee of the Board of Directors in the first quarter of 2004.  In February 2004, the Company recorded an expense of $1.6 million for director and officer insurance coverage that lapsed upon the change in control.  The Company expensed approximately $1.2 million for legal and other professional fees related to the change in control for the year ended December 31, 2003, of which approximately $0.6 million was expensed in the first half of 2003.

 

16



 

New Management Employment Agreements and Key Employee Retention Plan

 

In July and August 2004 the Company’s senior executives entered into new employment agreements, to provide assurance that the Company will have their continued services during and after the period of the Company’s anticipated restructuring.  The previous employment agreements with these senior executives would have expired on or about August 17, 2004.  The new employment agreements supersede and replace these previous employment agreements.

 

These employment agreements provide for, among other things, minimum annual base salaries, bonus awards, payable in cash or otherwise, and participation in all of the Company’s employee benefit plans and programs in effect for the benefit of senior executives, including stock option, 401(k) and insurance plans, and reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the conduct of the business of the Company, provided the executive officers properly account for any such expenses in accordance with Company policies.  The employment agreements also contain provisions providing for compensation to the senior executives under certain circumstances after a change in control of the Company, and in certain other circumstances.

 

In order to retain the services of senior management and selected key employees who may feel uncertain about the Company’s future ownership and direction due to the ongoing discussions with the Company’s creditors regarding a potential restructuring of the Company’s indebtedness, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized senior management in June 2004 to implement a new key employee retention plan.  The new retention plan is intended to apply to approximately 30 senior management and selected key employees and to provide incentives for such individuals to remain with the Company through a restructuring.  Although the individual agreements are yet to be finalized, it is expected that the maximum payout under the plan will be approximately $3.7 million and could be less under certain circumstances.  No expenses with respect to the new retention plan have been accrued.

 

Debt Restructuring Charges

 

In addition to its own financial and legal advisors, the Company has agreed to pay the costs for the financial and legal advisors for both the senior and subordinated debt holders relating to a potential restructuring of the Company’s indebtedness, currently under discussion among the Company, Quadrangle and its affiliates (the lenders under the revolving credit facility) and certain holders of the Company’s publicly held debt.  If an agreement with such parties is reached, a resulting restructuring plan may be presented for judicial approval under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which provides for companies to reorganize and continue to operate as going concerns.  If a successful restructuring is completed, the Company may be obligated to pay success fees to the financial advisors in an aggregate amount of up to $7 million.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company has expensed $2.8 million and $3.7 million, respectively, relating to these advisors.

 

ATX preferred stock

 

In 1999 the Company sold its Mobile Services division to ATX Corporation for cash, a note, and shares of preferred stock of ATX Corporation.  The Company did not record a carrying value for the preferred shares at that time based on uncertainties regarding realization value.  The original terms of the preferred stock instrument give the Company the right to put the shares back to ATX in August 2004, which could result in a gain of up to approximately $4.4 million if ATX repurchases the shares.  Gain, if any, on the transaction will be recorded only upon realization.

 

SEC Inquiry

 

On or about November 1, 2002, the Company, Westar Energy and its former independent auditor, Arthur Andersen LLP, were advised by the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that the Staff would be inquiring into the practices of the Company and Westar Energy with respect to the restatement of their first and second quarter 2002 financial statements announced in November 2002 and the related announcement that the 2000 and 2001 financial statements of the Company and Westar Energy would be reaudited.  The Company has cooperated and intends to cooperate further with the Staff in connection with any additional information requested in connection with such inquiry.

 

7.              Segment Reporting:

 

The Company’s reportable segments include North America and Multifamily.  North America provides residential, commercial and wholesale security alarm monitoring services, which include sales, installation and related servicing of security alarm systems in the United States.  Multifamily provides security alarm services to apartments, condominiums and other multi-family dwellings.

 

The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.  The Company manages its business segments based on earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of deferred customer acquisition costs and revenues) and other income and expenses (“adjusted EBITDA”).

 

17



 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2004
(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

North
America(1)

 

Multifamily(2)

 

Adjustments(3)

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues

 

$

115,865

 

$

18,540

 

 

 

$

134,405

 

Adjusted EBITDA(4)

 

35,781

 

7,843

 

 

 

43,624

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense

 

36,871

 

2,464

 

 

 

39,335

 

Amortization of deferred costs in excess of amortization of deferred revenues

 

7,618

 

2,319

 

 

 

9,937

 

Change in control and reorganization costs

 

18,394

 

1,543

 

 

 

19,937

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(27,102

)

1,517

 

 

 

(25,585

)

Segment assets

 

469,366

 

86,812

 

(64,187

)

491,991

 

Expenditures for property

 

2,564

 

265

 

 

 

2,829

 

Investment in new accounts, net

 

8,776

 

1,654

 

 

 

10,430

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2003
(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

North
America(1)

 

Multifamily(2)

 

Adjustments(3)

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues

 

$

120,082

 

$

18,946

 

 

 

$

139,028

 

Adjusted EBITDA(4)

 

32,812

 

6,759

 

 

 

39,571

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense

 

37,868

 

2,446

 

 

 

40,314

 

Amortization of deferred costs in excess of amortization of deferred revenues

 

6,159

 

2,118

 

 

 

8,277

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(11,215

)

2,195

 

 

 

(9,020

)

Segment assets

 

786,991

 

96,257

 

(57,553

)

825,695

 

Expenditures for property

 

2,335

 

460

 

 

 

2,795

 

Investment in new accounts, net

 

10,382

 

2,803

 

 

 

13,185

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2004
(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

North
America(1)

 

Multifamily(2)

 

Adjustments(3)

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues

 

$

58,062

 

$

9,212

 

 

 

$

67,274

 

Adjusted EBITDA(4)

 

17,982

 

4,086

 

 

 

22,068

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense

 

18,449

 

1,226

 

 

 

19,675

 

Amortization of deferred costs in excess of amortization of deferred revenues

 

3,994

 

1,178

 

 

 

5,172

 

Change in control and reorganization costs

 

2,807

 

 

 

 

2,807

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(7,268

)

1,682

 

 

 

(5,586

)

Expenditures for property

 

1,581

 

87

 

 

 

1,668

 

Investment in new accounts, net

 

4,385

 

699

 

 

 

5 ,084

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2003
(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

North
America(1)

 

Multifamily(2)

 

Adjustments(3)

 

Consolidated

 

Revenues

 

$

59,341

 

$

9,601

 

 

 

$

68,942

 

Adjusted EBITDA(4)

 

17,155

 

3,046

 

 

 

20,201

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense

 

18,898

 

1,213

 

 

 

20,111

 

Amortization of deferred costs in excess of amortization of deferred revenues

 

3,285

 

1,089

 

 

 

4,374

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(5,028

)

744

 

 

 

(4,284

)

Expenditures for property

 

1,107

 

296

 

 

 

1,403

 

Investment in new accounts, net

 

4,805

 

1,703

 

 

 

6,508

 

 


(1)  Includes allocation of holding company expenses reducing Adjusted EBITDA by $1.6 million and $3.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively and $0.8 million and $3.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

(2)  Includes allocation of holding company expenses reducing Adjusted EBITDA by $0.4 million and $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively and $0.2 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

(3)  Adjustment to eliminate intersegment accounts receivable.

(4)  Adjusted EBITDA does not represent cash flow from operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles, should not be construed as an alternative to operating income and is indicative neither of operating performance nor cash flows available to fund the cash needs of Protection One.  Items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing the financial performance of Protection One.  Protection One believes presentation of Adjusted EBITDA enhances an understanding of financial condition, results of operations and cash

 

18



 

flows because Adjusted EBITDA is used by Protection One to satisfy its debt service obligations and its capital expenditure and other operational needs, as well as to provide funds for growth.  In addition, Protection One believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a factor that is typically considered by senior lenders and subordinated creditors and the investment community in determining the current borrowing capacity and the estimated long-term value of companies with recurring cash flows from operations.  Protection One’s computation of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.  The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP measure for each of the periods presented above:

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

North
America

 

Multifamily

 

Consolidated

 

North
America

 

Multifamily

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

 

$

(46,829

)

$

(791

)

$

(47,620

)

$

(25,939

)

$

(316

)

$

(26,255

)

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense

 

19,810

 

2,308

 

22,118

 

16,816

 

2,511

 

19,327

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense

 

36,871

 

2,464

 

39,335

 

37,868

 

2,446

 

40,314

 

Amortization of deferred costs in excess of amortization of deferred revenues

 

7,618

 

2,319

 

9,937

 

6,159

 

2,118

 

8,277

 

Change in control and reorganization costs

 

18,394

 

1,543

 

19,937

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

(83

)

 

(83

)

(2,092

)

 

(2,092

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

35,781

 

$

7,843

 

$

43,624

 

$

32,812

 

$

6,759

 

$

39,571

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

North
America

 

Multifamily

 

Consolidated

 

North
America

 

Multifamily

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

$

(17,083

)

$

523

 

$

(16,560

)

$

(11,703

)

$

(560

)

$

(12,263

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense

 

9,887

 

1,159

 

11,046

 

8,748

 

1,304

 

10,052

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense

 

18,449

 

1,226

 

19,675

 

18,898

 

1,213

 

20,111

 

Amortization of deferred costs in excess of amortization of deferred revenues

 

3,994

 

1,178

 

5,172

 

3,285

 

1,089

 

4,374

 

Change in control and reorganization costs

 

2,807

 

 

2,807

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

(72

)

 

(72

)

(2,073

)

 

(2,073

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

17,982

 

$

4,086

 

$

22,068

 

$

17,155

 

$

3,046

 

$

20,201

 

 

8.              Income Taxes:

 

The Company has a tax sharing agreement with Westar Energy.  Pursuant to this agreement, Westar Energy has made payments to the Company for current tax benefits utilized by Westar Energy in its consolidated tax return irrespective of whether the Company would realize these current benefits on a separate return basis.  As of December 31, 2003, other than for net operating loss carryforwards, no valuation allowance had been established by the Company because the tax sharing agreement utilized a parent company down approach in the allocation of income tax expense among members of the

 

19



 

consolidated tax group and, consistent with that approach, no valuation allowance had been allocated to the Company.  As a result of the February 17, 2004 sale transaction whereby Westar sold its investment in the Company, $285.9 million of the Company’s net deferred tax assets are not expected to be realizable, and the Company therefore recorded a non-cash charge against income in the first quarter of 2004 to establish a valuation allowance for these assets.  Absent the completion of a restructuring, the Company is not expected to be in a position to record a tax benefit for losses incurred.

 

In addition, as a result of the sale, except for amounts owed with respect to losses the Company incurred prior to leaving the Westar consolidated tax group, the Company will no longer receive payments from Westar Energy.  In 2003, the Company received aggregate payments from Westar Energy of $20.0 million.  The loss of these payments will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s cash flow.  There are several areas of potential dispute between the Company and Westar regarding Westar’s obligations under the terms of the tax sharing agreement.  See the discussion in Note 5, “Related Party Transactions.”

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $13.3 million and tax expense of $291.7 million from a valuation allowance established for most of its deferred tax assets, resulting in net income tax expense of $278.4 million.  For the three months ended June 30, 2004, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $5.8 million that was offset by $5.8 million additional valuation allowance expense, resulting in no net income tax expense.  As discussed above, absent the completion of a restructuring, the Company is not expected to be in a position to record tax benefits for losses incurred in the future.

 

9.              Recent Board of Directors Developments:

 

As a result of Westar’s sale of its interests in the Company, Westar’s designees on the Company’s Board of Directors, Bruce A. Akin, James T. Clark, Greg Greenwood, Larry D. Irick and William B. Moore, resigned from the Board of Directors, effective as of the closing of the sale transaction.  The Company also announced that Donald A. Johnston resigned from its Board of Directors, effective as of the closing of the sale transaction.

 

Due to these resignations, the Company’s Board of Directors consists of three members, including the Company’s President and CEO, Richard Ginsburg.  On March 31, 2004, the Company announced that Ben M. Enis had been named as its new Chairman of the Board, replacing William B. Moore.  Because the Board consists of only three members, all committees of the Board have been temporarily dissolved, and the full Board is acting on those matters previously addressed by its committees.

 

10.  Going Concern and Management’s Plan:

 

Going Concern

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.  The Company continues to face liquidity problems caused by its significant debt burden and continuing net losses.  Absent recapitalization and restructuring its debts, management believes its projected cash flow will be insufficient to support its current debt balances, which may be accelerated or which it may be required to offer to repurchase as a result of the change in control, and related interest obligations.

 

Westar, which owned approximately 88% of the Company’s common stock, was also an important source of the Company’s external capital through a revolving credit facility and through payments made under a tax sharing agreement.  On February 17, 2004, Westar Industries consummated the sale of its equity interest in the Company and the assignment of its rights and obligations under the revolving credit facility to Quadrangle.  As a result of this transaction, the Company does not expect to have sufficient cash flow to fund its operations in 2004 without a restructuring of its debts for the reasons described below.

 

The indenture relating to the 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes required the Company to make a semi-annual interest payment on June 30, 2004.  The Company paid the semi-annual interest payment on July 30, 2004, prior to expiration of the interest payment grace period.   The indenture also requires the Company to give notice of its intention to repurchase the notes within 30 days following the date of a change in control and to consummate the repurchase within 60 days of such notification.  Under the terms of this indenture, because the Company did not offer to repurchase such notes, its inaction constitutes a covenant breach, which breach, if not cured within 30 days after receipt of appropriate notice, would constitute an event of default under the indenture for the 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes.

 

20



 

Upon any such event of default, the trustee or the holders of such senior subordinated discount notes may seek to exercise certain remedies available to them under the indenture governing the notes, including, without limitation, acceleration of the notes, though the subordination provisions of the indenture restrict the Company’s ability to make any payment to the holders of such notes upon acceleration of such notes in certain circumstances.  The acceleration of the 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes, if not rescinded or satisfied, would cause a cross default to be triggered under the indenture for the Company’s 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes, which had aggregate outstanding principal of $110.3 million as of June 30, 2004.  If such acceleration and cross default should occur, the Company does not have the funds available to repay the indebtedness, and it could be forced to seek relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or an out-of-court restructuring.

 

The $215.5 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility is in default due to the change in control of Protection One consummated on February 17, 2004, non-compliance with financial covenants and a failure to make a quarterly interest payment that was due on the revolving credit facility on June 30, 2004.  The Company has entered into a standstill agreement with Quadrangle, however, pursuant to which, among other things, Quadrangle agreed to waive the breach of the change in control provision and other specified defaults, and the Company agreed, among other things, not to borrow additional amounts under the revolving credit facility.  Upon the expiration or termination of this standstill agreement, Quadrangle may exercise its rights under the revolving credit facility and declare the indebtedness due and payable.  The parties have agreed to extend the standstill agreement until August 23, 2004, subject to Quadrangle’s right to terminate the agreement, and there can be no assurances that the parties will further extend the standstill agreement or that Quadrangle will not terminate the standstill agreement prior to August 23, 2004.  Furthermore, acceleration of the revolving credit facility, if not rescinded or satisfied, would cause cross defaults under the Company’s other debt instruments.  If such acceleration should occur, the Company does not have the funds available to repay the indebtedness, and the Company could be forced to seek relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or an out-of-court restructuring.

 

Except for amounts owed with respect to losses the Company incurred prior to leaving the Westar consolidated tax group as a result of Westar selling its interest in the Company, it will no longer receive payments from Westar under the tax sharing agreement.  Such loss of tax payments will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity.

 

The Company’s 7 3/8% senior notes and 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes require it to make a repurchase offer at 101% of the principal amount, plus interest, in the event of a change in control triggering event.  A change in control triggering event consists of a change in control coupled with the withdrawal of the rating of the notes or two ratings downgrades by one of certain specified rating agencies, provided that such withdrawal or downgrade occurs within 90 days after the date of public notice of the occurrence of a change in control or the intention to effect a change in control.  As of June 30, 2004, $190.9 million principal amount of the 7 3/8% senior notes and $110.3 million principal amount of the 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes were outstanding.  Should such repurchase right be triggered, the Company lacks the funds to repurchase these debt securities, and the Company could be forced to seek relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or an out-of-court restructuring.

 

The Company may restructure its indebtedness in an out-of-court proceeding and/or seek the protection of the federal bankruptcy laws to reorganize its debts.  In connection with a restructuring or reorganization of the Company’s indebtedness, the interests represented by the Company’s currently outstanding shares of common stock would likely be substantially diluted or cancelled in whole or in part.

 

Management’s Plan

 

The Company has retained Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin Capital as its financial advisor and has been engaged in discussions regarding a proposed restructuring with Quadrangle and its affiliates (the lenders under the revolving credit facility) and certain holders of its publicly held debt.  If an agreement with such parties is reached, a resulting restructuring plan may be presented for judicial approval under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which provides for companies to reorganize and continue to operate as going concerns.  The Company is engaged in discussions with Quadrangle and other debt holders, and there can be no assurance that an agreement regarding financial restructuring will be reached or what other actions the Company may need to take, including selling assets, to meet its liquidity needs.

 

The Company’s operating strategy continues to be to improve returns on invested capital by realizing economies of scale from increasing customer density in the largest urban markets in North America.  The Company plans to accomplish this goal by:  (i) retaining its customers by providing superior customer service from its monitoring facilities and its branches; and (ii) using its national presence, strategic alliances, such as its alliance with BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., and strong local operations to persuade the most desirable residential and commercial prospects to enter into long term agreements with it on terms that permit it to achieve appropriate returns on capital.

 

21



 

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations updates the information provided in and should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Overview

 

Protection One is a leading provider of property monitoring services, providing electronic monitoring and maintenance of alarm systems to over 1.0 million customers in North America as of June 30, 2004.  Our revenues are generated primarily from recurring monthly payments for monitoring and maintaining the alarm systems that are installed in our customers’ homes and businesses.  We provide our services to residential (both single family and multifamily residences), commercial and wholesale customers.

 

Important Matters

 

We have reported losses for the past several years.  Westar Energy has consummated the sale of its equity interest in us, and the assignment of its rights and obligations in the credit facility that it provided to us, to Quadrangle.   We refer to such credit facility as the revolving credit facility.  A primary financing source for us has been the revolving credit facility, and additional credit under such facility has been eliminated by a standstill agreement executed by Quadrangle and us.  Payments made to us by Westar Energy under a tax sharing agreement between Westar and us were another important source of liquidity for us, and except for amounts owed with respect to losses we incurred prior to leaving the Westar consolidated tax group as a result of Westar selling its interest in us, we will no longer receive payments from Westar Energy under the tax sharing agreement.  We have evaluated these conditions and events in establishing our operating plans.  We plan to carefully monitor the level of investment in new customer accounts and continue control of operating expenses and capital expenditures.   The sale by Westar Energy has resulted in a $285.9 million non-cash charge against our income in the first quarter of 2004 to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets that we believe are not realizable, and the sale is expected to further materially adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and liquidity.  We may restructure our indebtedness in an out-of-court proceeding and/or seek the protection of federal bankruptcy laws to reorganize.

 

We continue to face liquidity problems caused by our significant debt burden and continuing net losses.  Absent recapitalization and restructuring our debts, management believes our projected cash flow will be insufficient to support our current debt balances, which may be accelerated or which we are required to offer to repurchase as a result of the change in control, and related interest obligations.  Our independent public accountants included in their report on our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 explanatory language that describes the significant uncertainty about our ability to continue as a going concern due to recurring losses from operations, deficiency in working capital, inability to obtain ongoing financing and breach of covenants on outstanding debt subsequent to year end.

 

We have retained Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin Capital as our financial advisor and are engaged in discussions regarding a proposed restructuring with Quadrangle and its affiliates, the lenders under our revolving credit facility, and certain holders of our publicly-held debt.  If an agreement with such parties is reached, a resulting restructuring plan may be presented for judicial approval under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which provides for companies to reorganize and continue to operate as going concerns.  Discussions with Quadrangle and other debt holders are ongoing, and there can be no assurance that an agreement regarding financial restructuring will be reached or what other actions we may need to take, including selling assets, to meet our liquidity needs.

 

The indenture relating to the 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes required us to make a semi-annual interest payment on June 30, 2004.  We paid the semi-annual interest payment on July 30, 2004, prior to expiration of the interest payment grace period.  The indenture also requires us to give notice of our intention to repurchase the notes, which had aggregate outstanding principal of $29.9 million as of June 30, 2004, within 30 days following the date of a change in control, and to consummate the repurchase within 60 days of such notification.  We have not given notice of our intention to repurchase these notes, and this inaction constitutes a covenant breach under the notes’ indenture, which breach, if not cured within 30 days after receipt of appropriate notice, would constitute an event of default under the indenture.

 

22



 

Upon any such event of default, the trustee or the holders of such senior subordinated discount notes may seek to exercise certain remedies available to them under the indenture governing the notes, including, without limitation, acceleration of the notes, though the subordination provisions of the indenture restrict our ability to make any payment to the holders of such notes upon acceleration of such notes in certain circumstances.  The acceleration of the 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes, if not rescinded or satisfied, would cause a cross default to be triggered under the indenture for our 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes, which had aggregate outstanding principal of $110.3 million as of June 30, 2004.  If such acceleration and cross default should occur, we do not have the funds available to repay the indebtedness, and we could be forced to seek relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or an out-of-court restructuring.

 

Furthermore, as a result of Westar’s sale of its interests in us, non-compliance with financial covenants and a failure to make a quarterly interest payment that was due on the revolving credit facility on June 30, 2004, the $215.5 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility is in default.  We have entered into a standstill agreement with Quadrangle, pursuant to which, among other things, Quadrangle agreed to waive the change in control default and other specified defaults, and we agreed that we could not borrow any additional amounts under the revolving credit facility.  Upon the expiration or termination of this standstill agreement, Quadrangle may exercise its rights under the revolving credit facility and declare the indebtedness to be due and payable.  The parties have agreed to extend the standstill agreement until August 23, 2004, subject to Quadrangle’s right to terminate the agreement.   There can be no assurances that the parties will further extend the standstill agreement or that Quadrangle will not terminate the standstill agreement prior to August 23, 2004.  Furthermore, acceleration of our revolving credit facility, if not rescinded or satisfied, would cause cross defaults under our other debt instruments.  If such acceleration should occur, we would not have the funds available to repay the indebtedness, and we could be forced to seek relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or an out-of-court restructuring.

 

We deferred payment of the semi-annual interest payment that was due on July 15, 2004 on the outstanding $110.3 million aggregate principal amount of our 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes. On August 13, 2004, the Company paid the interest payment prior to expiration of the interest payment grace period.

 

 We deferred payment of the quarterly interest payment that was due on June 30, 2004 on the revolving credit facility, though as long as the standstill agreement is in place, Quadrangle has agreed not to exercise any remedies as a result of our failure to make this quarterly payment to them. We intend to pay the quarterly interest payment on the revolving credit facility on August 16, 2004.

 

We may restructure our indebtedness in an out-of-court proceeding and/or seek the protection of the federal bankruptcy laws to reorganize our debts.  In connection with a restructuring or reorganization of our indebtedness, the interests represented by the Company’s currently outstanding shares of common stock would likely be substantially diluted or cancelled in whole or in part.

 

Stockholders and other security holders or buyers of our securities or our other creditors should not assume that material events subsequent to the date of this Form 10-Q have not occurred.  If we seek an out-of-court restructuring, there can be no assurances as to whether or not such restructuring would be successful.

 

Summary of Other Significant Matters

 

Net Loss.  We incurred a net loss of $326.0 million in the first six months of 2004.  This net loss includes a charge of $285.9 million to establish a valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets and an after-tax expense of $17.9 million relating to the change in control and subsequent restructuring efforts.  The remaining net loss of $22.2 million reflects a decline in revenue, substantial charges incurred by us for amortization of customer accounts and interest incurred on indebtedness.  Absent a successful restructuring, we do not expect to have earnings in the foreseeable future.

 

 Write Down of Deferred Tax Assets. Prior to Westar’s sale of its interest in us, we had a pro-rata tax sharing agreement with Westar Energy.  Pursuant to this agreement, Westar Energy made payments to us for current tax benefits utilized by Westar Energy in its consolidated tax return. Because Westar Energy completed its disposition of its investment in us, most of our net deferred tax assets, which were $286.3 million at December 31, 2003, were determined not to be realizable.  We recorded a non-cash charge against income for the portion of our net deferred tax assets we determined not to be realizable.

 

Interest Payments.  We deferred payment of the semi-annual interest payment that was due on February 17, 2004 on the outstanding $190.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 7 3/8% senior notes but subsequently made such payment on March 31, 2004, within the 60-day interest payment grace period.  On June 30, 2004 we deferred the semi-annual interest payment due on our 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes but subsequently made the semi-annual interest payment on July 30, 2004, within the 30-day interest payment grace period.  We deferred payment of the semi-annual interest payment that was due on July 15, 2004 on the outstanding $110.3 million aggregate principal amount of our 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes but subsequently made the semi-annual interest payment on August 13, 2004, within the 30-day interest payment grace period.  We deferred payment of the quarterly interest payment that was due on June 30, 2004 on the revolving credit facility, though as long as the standstill agreement is in place, Quadrangle has agreed not to exercise any remedies as a result of our failure to make this quarterly interest payment to them. On August 16, 2004, we intend to pay the quarterly interest payment that was due on June 30, 2004 on the revolving credit facility. In addition, we intend to make timely payment of the semi-annual interest payment on the outstanding $190.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 7 3/8% senior notes that is due on August 16, 2004.

 

23



 

Trade Credit Availability.  In April 2004, we renegotiated credit terms with some of our security equipment vendors resulting in reduced availability of trade credit in exchange for prompt payment discounts.  As a result of these changes in terms, trade payables have been reduced by about $3.2 million since March 31, 2004.  We believe that other vendors may seek to renegotiate credit terms with us, which could result in further reductions of trade credit availability.

 

Bank Account Funding.   In June 2004, our bank notified us that, given our current financial condition, they would no longer be able to provide controlled disbursement services due to operational risks.  The bank amended certain terms and conditions to segregate our disbursement accounts from the existing zero balance account structure, requiring us to fund the controlled disbursement accounts manually.

 

New Software Will Be Required.   During 2003, we began the process of replacing our accounting, human resources, inventory management and accounts payable software.  Implementation of new software is required as a result of Westar’s disposition of its investment in us and commenced in the first quarter of 2004.  We expect to invest approximately $2.6 million for implementation of the new software.

 

Payment of Transaction-related Bonuses and Fees.  In order to retain the services of numerous employees who, as a result of Westar’s interest in exploring strategic alternatives for divesting its ownership interest in us, may have felt uncertain about our future ownership, management and direction, we entered into retention and severance arrangements in 2003 with approximately 190 employees to provide incentives for these employees to remain with us through the sales process.  On October 31, 2003, we paid approximately $5.1 million to those employees who fulfilled their obligation related to the retention agreement.  Additional severance amounts of up to an aggregate of approximately $9.8 million may also be paid under these arrangements to those employees, if any, who are terminated within a defined period following the change in control that occurred on February 17, 2004.  No significant amounts have been expensed by us relating to the severance arrangements.

 

Upon the change in control on February 17, 2004, an additional $11.0 million was paid to executive management.  In addition, upon the change in control, fees and expenses of $3.5 million were paid to the financial advisor to our Special Committee of the Board of Directors.  In addition, in February 2004, we recorded an expense of $1.6 million for director and officer insurance coverage that lapsed upon the change in control.

 

Financial Advisory and Legal Fees.   We have retained Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin Capital as our financial advisor and are engaged in discussions regarding a proposed restructuring with Quadrangle and its affiliates, the lenders under our revolving credit facility, and certain holders of our publicly held debt.  We are required to pay financial advisory and legal fees incurred on behalf of the holders of our publicly held debt.  During the first six months of 2004, we expensed approximately $3.7 million for such fees.

 

Dispute Regarding Tax Sharing PaymentsWe have been a member of Westar’s consolidated tax group since 1997.  During that time, Westar made payments to us for tax benefits attributable to us and utilized by Westar in its consolidated tax return pursuant to the terms of a tax sharing agreement.  Following the consummation of the sale of Westar’s ownership interests in us, we are no longer a part of the Westar consolidated tax group.

 

We and Westar did not, however, terminate our tax sharing agreement, and based on discussions with Westar and its counsel, there are several areas of potential dispute between us regarding Westar’s obligations under the terms of the tax sharing agreement.  The most material of these potential disputes involve (i) the amount of any tax sharing payments that would be due to us if Westar decides in the future to elect to treat the sale of its interests in us as a sale of assets under the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) the proper treatment under the tax sharing agreement of tax obligations or benefits arising out of the transaction in which Westar sold its ownership interests in us, including the impact on future tax sharing payments to us related to the cancellation of indebtedness income generated by a partial write down of the revolving credit facility prior to closing or the assignment of the revolving credit facility for less than the full amount outstanding under the facility at closing and (iii) whether tax sharing payments due to us when Westar was subject to alternative minimum tax should be calculated at the alternative minimum tax rate of 20% or the normal statutory rate of 35% to the extent that Westar has utilized or is reasonably expected to be able to utilize the associated alternative minimum tax credits or otherwise has received full benefits at normal statutory rates from our losses.  We believe that we have strong positions with respect to these items and will aggressively pursue our positions.  If we prevail, we may realize additional tax sharing payments from Westar.

 

24



 

Recurring Monthly Revenue.  At various times during each year, we measure all of the monthly revenue we are entitled to receive under contracts with customers in effect at the end of the period. Our computation of recurring monthly revenue, or RMR, may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies and RMR should not be viewed by investors as an alternative to actual monthly revenue, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  We had approximately $19.9 million and $20.6 million of recurring monthly revenue as of June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  The decrease is primarily a result of our net loss of 23,022 customers during the twelve month period ended June 30, 2004.  While the rate of decrease is significantly slower than it was in prior years, we expect this trend will continue until we reduce attrition on the North American retail portfolio of accounts to a level lower than recorded in this reporting period and we have access to the capital needed to invest in creating at least as many accounts as we lose.  Until we are able to reverse this trend, net losses of customer accounts will materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our recurring monthly revenue includes amounts billable to customers with past due balances which we believe are collectible. We seek to preserve the revenue stream associated with each customer contract, primarily to maximize our return on the investment we made to generate each contract. As a result, we actively work to collect amounts owed to us and to retain the customer at the same time.  In some instances, we may allow up to six months to collect past due amounts, while evaluating the ongoing customer relationship.  After we have made every reasonable effort to collect past due balances, we will disconnect the customer and include the loss in attrition calculations.

 

The following table identifies RMR by segment and in total for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

Six months ended June 30,
2004

 

Six months ended June 30,
2003

 

 

 

North
America

 

Multi
family

 

Total

 

North
America

 

Multi
family

 

Total

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

(in thousands)

 

Beginning RMR balance (a)

 

$

17,255

 

$

2,834

 

$

20,089

 

$

18,239

 

$

2,798

 

$

21,037

 

RMR retail additions

 

865

 

126

 

991

 

829

 

160

 

989

 

RMR retail losses

 

(1,054

)

(114

)

(1,168

)

(1,325

)

(129

)

(1,454

)

Net change in wholesale RMR

 

10

 

 

10

 

15

 

 

15

 

Ending RMR balance

 

$

17,076

 

$

2,846

 

$

19,922

 

$

17,758

 

$

2,829

 

$

20,587

 

 

 

 

Three months ended June 30,
2004

 

Three months ended June 30,
2003

 

 

 

North
America

 

Multi
family

 

Total

 

North
America

 

Multi
family

 

Total

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

(in thousands)

 

Beginning RMR balance (b)

 

$

17,135

 

$

2,842

 

$

19,977

 

$

18,001

 

$

2,798

 

$

20,799

 

RMR retail additions

 

442

 

67

 

509

 

406

 

93

 

499

 

RMR retail losses

 

(516

)

(63

)

(579

)

(653

)

(62

)

(715

)

Net change in wholesale RMR

 

15

 

 

15

 

4

 

 

4

 

Ending RMR balance

 

$

17,076

 

$

2,846

 

$

19,922

 

$

17,758

 

$

2,829

 

$

20,587

 

 


(a)          Beginning RMR balance includes $850 and $806 wholesale customer RMR for 2004 and 2003, respectively, in both the North America segment and in total.  Our Multifamily segment RMR does not contain wholesale customer RMR.

(b)         Beginning RMR balance includes $846 and $818 wholesale customer RMR for 2004 and 2003, respectively, in both the North America segment and in total.  Our Multifamily segment RMR does not contain wholesale customer RMR.

 

We believe the presentation of RMR is useful to investors because the measure is used by investors and lenders to value companies such as ours with recurring revenue streams.  The table below reconciles our RMR to revenues reflected on our consolidated statements of operations.

 

25



 

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

North
America

 

Multi-
family

 

Total

 

North
America

 

Multi-
family

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Recurring Monthly Revenue at June 30

 

$

17.1

 

$

2.8

 

$

19.9

 

$

17.8

 

$

2.8

 

$

20.6

 

Amounts excluded from RMR:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred revenue

 

0.6

 

0.1

 

0.7

 

0.4

 

0.2

 

0.6

 

Other revenues (a)

 

1.9

 

0.2

 

2.1

 

1.5

 

0.4

 

1.9

 

Revenues (GAAP basis):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June

 

19.6

 

3.1

 

22.7

 

19.7

 

3.4

 

23.1

 

January – May

 

96.3

 

15.4

 

111.7

 

100.4

 

15.5

 

115.9

 

January – June

 

$

115.9

 

$

18.5

 

$

134.4

 

$

120.1

 

$

18.9

 

$

139.0

 

 

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

North
America

 

Multi-
family

 

Total

 

North
America

 

Multi-
family

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Recurring Monthly Revenue at June 30

 

$

17.1

 

$

2.8

 

$

19.9

 

$

17.8

 

$

2.8

 

$

20.6

 

Amounts excluded from RMR:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred revenue

 

0.6

 

0.1

 

0.7

 

0.4

 

0.2

 

0.6

 

Other revenues (a)

 

1.9

 

0.2

 

2.1

 

1.5

 

0.4

 

1.9

 

Revenues (GAAP basis):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June

 

19.6

 

3.1

 

22.7

 

19.7

 

3.4

 

23.1

 

April – May

 

38.5

 

6.1

 

44.6

 

39.6

 

6.2

 

45.8

 

April – June

 

$

58.1

 

$

9.2

 

$

67.3

 

$

59.3

 

$

9.6

 

$

68.9

 

 


(a) Revenues that are not pursuant to monthly contractual billings.

 

Customer Creation and Marketing.   Our current customer acquisition strategy for our North America segment relies primarily on internally generated sales.  We currently have a salaried and commissioned sales force that utilizes our existing branch infrastructure in approximately fifty-five markets.  The internal sales program generated 26,565 accounts and 24,521 accounts in the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.  Our Multifamily segment also utilizes a salaried and commissioned sales force to produce new accounts.  We are susceptible to macroeconomic downturns that may affect our ability to attract new customers.

 

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

North America Segment (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer additions

 

26,565

 

24,972

 

13,250

 

12,785

 

Customer losses

 

(36,080

)

(44,162

)

(15,250

)

(22,556

)

Net decrease in account base

 

(9,515

)

(19,190

)

(2,000

)

(9,771

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMR additions

 

$

865,061

 

$

828,777

 

$

442,068

 

$

405,473

 

RMR losses

 

$

(1,043,575

)

$

(1,310,047

)

$

(500,911

)

$

(648,156

)

Net decrease in RMR

 

$

(178,514

)

$

(481,270

)

$

(58,843

)

$

(242,683

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multifamily Segment (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer additions

 

9,308

 

15,489

 

4,611

 

9,191

 

Customer losses

 

(10,697

)

(9,559

)

(5,247

)

(4,049

)

Net increase (decrease) in account base

 

(1,389

)

5,930

 

(636

)

5,142

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RMR additions

 

$

125,556

 

$

160,484

 

$

66,892

 

$

93,606

 

RMR losses

 

$

(114,166

)

$

(128,665

)

$

(63,269

)

$

(62,372

)

Net increase in RMR

 

$

11,390

 

$

31,819

 

$

3,623

 

$

31,234

 

 


(1)          Customer and RMR additions do not include the activity in our wholesale business.  RMR additions include additional RMR for new contracts providing additional services to existing customers.  The net change in wholesale customers and wholesale RMR for each period presented is included in customer losses and RMR losses.  RMR losses also include the net increase or decrease in RMR relating to services already being provided to existing customers.

(2)          RMR additions and RMR losses reflect the net change in RMR related to access control and resident optional contracts.  RMR losses also include changes in RMR on existing customers.

 

26



 

We are a partner in a marketing alliance with BellSouth to offer monitored security services to the residential, single family market and to small businesses in seventeen of the larger metropolitan markets in the nine-state BellSouth region.  The marketing alliance agreement provides that it may be terminated by mutual written consent of both parties or by either party upon 180 days notice or earlier upon occurrence of certain events.  Among other things, should we make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, should an order for relief under the U. S. Bankruptcy Code be entered by a United States Court against us or should a trustee or receiver of any substantial part of our assets be appointed by any court, or if we are in default with respect to any of the covenants relating to financial performance set forth in the 7 3/8% senior notes, BellSouth may seek to terminate the alliance which could have a material adverse impact on our operating results.  Under this agreement, we operate as “BellSouth Security Systems from Protection One” from our branches in the nine-state BellSouth region.  BellSouth provides us with leads of new owners of single family residences in its territory and of transfers of existing BellSouth customers within its territory.  We follow up on the leads and attempt to persuade them to become customers of our monitored security services.  We also market directly to small businesses.  We pay BellSouth an upfront royalty for each new contract and a recurring royalty based on a percentage of recurring charges.  Approximately 23.1% of our new accounts created in the first six months of 2004 and approximately 21.3% of the accounts created in all of 2003 were produced from this arrangement.  Termination of this agreement could have an adverse affect on our ability to generate new customers in this territory.

 

We continually evaluate our customer creation and marketing strategy, including evaluating each respective channel for economic returns, volume and other factors and may shift our strategy or focus, including the elimination of a particular channel.

 

Attrition.  Subscriber attrition has a direct impact on our results of operations since it affects our revenues, amortization expense and cash flow.  We define attrition as a ratio, the numerator of which is the gross number of lost customer accounts for a given period, net of the adjustments described below, and the denominator of which is the average number of accounts for a given period.  In some instances, we use estimates to derive attrition data.  We make adjustments to lost accounts primarily for the net change, either positive or negative, in our wholesale base.  We do not reduce the gross accounts lost during a period by “move in” accounts, which are accounts where a new customer moves into a home installed with our security system and vacated by a prior customer, or “competitive takeover” accounts, which are accounts where the owner of a residence monitored by a competitor requests that we provide monitoring services.

 

Our actual attrition experience shows that the relationship period with any individual customer can vary significantly.  Customers discontinue service with us for a variety of reasons, including relocation, service issues and cost.  A portion of the acquired customer base can be expected to discontinue service every year.   Any significant change in the pattern of our historical attrition experience would have a material effect on our results of operations.

 

We monitor attrition each quarter based on a quarterly annualized and trailing twelve-month basis. This method utilizes each segment’s average customer account base for the applicable period in measuring attrition.  Therefore, in periods of customer account growth, customer attrition may be understated and in periods of customer account decline, customer attrition may be overstated.

 

27



 

Customer attrition by business segment for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 is summarized below:

 

 

 

Customer Account Attrition

 

 

 

June 30, 2004

 

June 30, 2003

 

 

 

Annualized
Second
Quarter

 

Trailing
Twelve
Month

 

Annualized
Second
Quarter

 

Trailing
Twelve
Month

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

7.8

%

9.6

%

11.1

%

11.9

%

North America, excluding wholesale

 

12.5

%

13.9

%

14.2

%

14.5

%

Multifamily

 

6.3

%

6.0

%

4.9

%

6.2

%

Total Company

 

7.3

%

8.5

%

9.1

%

10.1

%

 

New Management Employment Agreements and Key Employee Retention Plan.  In July and August 2004 our senior executives entered into new employment agreements with us, to provide assurance that we will have their continued services during and after the period of our anticipated restructuring.  The previous employment agreements with these senior executives would have expired on or about August 17, 2004.  The new employment agreements supersede and replace these previous employment agreements.

 

These employment agreements provide for, among other things, minimum annual base salaries, bonus awards, payable in cash or otherwise, and participation in all of our employee benefit plans and programs in effect for the benefit of our senior executives, including stock option, 401(k) and insurance plans, and reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the conduct of the business of the Company, provided the executive officers properly account for any such expenses in accordance with our policies.  The employment agreements also contain provisions providing for compensation to the senior executives under certain circumstances after a change in control of the Company, and in certain other circumstances.

 

In order to retain the services of senior management and selected key employees who may feel uncertain about our future ownership and direction due to the ongoing discussions with our creditors regarding a potential restructuring of our indebtedness, our Board of Directors authorized senior management in June 2004 to implement a new key employee retention plan.  The new retention plan is intended to apply to approximately 30 senior management and selected key employees, and to provide incentives for such individuals to remain with us through a restructuring.  Although the individual agreements are yet to be finalized, it is expected that the maximum payout under the plan will be approximately $3.7 million and could be less under certain circumstances.  No expenses with respect to the new retention plan have been accrued.

 

Security and Exchange Commission Inquiry.  On or about November 1, 2002, we, Westar Energy and its former independent auditor, Arthur Andersen LLP, were advised by the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission that the Staff will be inquiring into the practices of us and Westar Energy with respect to the restatement of the first and second quarter 2002 financial statements announced in November 2002 and the related announcement that the 2000 and 2001 financial statements of Protection One and Westar Energy would be reaudited.  We have cooperated and intend to cooperate further with the Staff in connection with any additional information requested in connection with such inquiry.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Our discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP.  The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates on an on-going basis, including those related to bad debts, inventories, customer accounts, goodwill, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.  The following is a brief description of the more significant accounting policies and methods we use.

 

Revenue and Expense Recognition.  Revenues are recognized when security services are provided. System installation revenues, sales revenues on equipment upgrades and direct and incremental costs of installations and sales are deferred for residential customers with monitoring service contracts.  For commercial customers and our national account customers, revenue recognition is dependent upon each specific customer contract.  In instances when we pass title to a system unaccompanied by a service agreement or we pass title at a price that we believe is unaffected by an accompanying but undelivered service, we recognize revenues and costs in the period incurred.  In cases where we retain title to the system or we price the system lower than we otherwise would because of an accompanying service agreement, we defer and amortize revenues and direct costs.

 

Deferred system and upgrade installation revenues are recognized over the estimated life of the customer utilizing an accelerated method for our residential and commercial customers and a straight-line method for our Multifamily customers.

 

28



 

Deferred costs in excess of deferred revenue are recognized utilizing a straight-line method over the initial contract term, typically two to three years for residential systems, five years for commercial systems and five to ten years for Multifamily systems.  To the extent deferred costs are less than deferred revenues, such costs are recognized over the estimated life of the customer utilizing the same method as with the related deferred revenues.

 

The table below reflects the impact of this accounting policy on the respective line items of the Statement of Operations for the six and three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003.  The “Total Amount Incurred” line represents the current amount of billings that were made and the current costs that were incurred for the period.  We then subtract the deferral amount and add back the amortization of previous deferral amounts to determine the amount we report in the Statement of Operations.

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

Revenues-
other

 

Cost of revenues-
other

 

Selling expense

 

Revenues-other

 

Cost of revenues-
other

 

Selling expense

 

 

 

(in thousands)

North America segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amount incurred

 

$

16,796

 

$

18,706

 

$

15,863

 

$

15,575

 

$

18,563

 

$

17,844

 

Amount deferred

 

(9,885

)

(11,878

)

(6,768

)

(8,641

)

(11,467

)

(7,265

)

Amount amortized

 

2,924

 

5,343

 

5,199

 

1,954

 

4,019

 

4,094

 

Amount included in Statement of Operations

 

$

9,835

 

$

12,171

 

$

14,294

 

$

8,888

 

$

11,115

 

$

14,673

 

Multifamily segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amount incurred

 

$

393

 

$

1,965

 

$

1,208

 

$

470

 

$

3,137

 

$

1,480

 

Amount deferred

 

(317

)

(1,865

)

(107

)

(320

)

(2,939

)

(224

)

Amount amortized

 

792

 

2,945

 

166

 

865

 

2,833

 

150

 

Amount included in Statement of Operations

 

$

868

 

$

3,045

 

$

1,267

 

$

1,015

 

$

3,031

 

$

1,406

 

Total Company:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amount incurred

 

$

17,189

 

$

20,671

 

$

17,071

 

$

16,045

 

$

21,700

 

$

19,324

 

Amount deferred

 

(10,202

)

(13,743

)

(6,875

)

(8,961

)

(14,406

)

(7,489

)

Amount amortized

 

3,716

 

8,288

 

5,365

 

2,819

 

6,852

 

4,244

 

Amount reported in Statement of Operations

 

$

10,703

 

$

15,216

 

$

15,561

 

$

9,903

 

$

14,146

 

$

16,079

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

Revenues-
other

 

Cost of revenues-
other

 

Selling expense

 

Revenues-other

 

Cost of revenues-
other

 

Selling expense

 

 

 

(in thousands)

North America segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amount incurred

 

$

8,690

 

$

9,616

 

$

8,270

 

$

7,678

 

$

8,691

 

$

8,472

 

Amount deferred

 

(5,185

)

(6,050

)

(3,519

)

(4,386

)

(5,466

)

(3,492

)

Amount amortized

 

1,542

 

2,796

 

2,740

 

1,046

 

2,228

 

2,103

 

Amount included in Statement of Operations

 

$

5,047

 

$

6,362

 

$

7,491

 

$

4,338

 

$

5,453

 

$

7,083

 

Multifamily segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amount incurred

 

$

230

 

$

921

 

$

597

 

$

268

 

$

1,907

 

$

796

 

Amount deferred

 

(229

)

(900

)

(29

)

(206

)

(1,805

)

(116

)

Amount amortized

 

398

 

1,492

 

84

 

523

 

1,537

 

75

 

Amount included in Statement of Operations

 

$

399

 

$

1,513

 

$

652

 

$

585

 

$

1,639

 

$

755

 

Total Company:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amount incurred

 

$

8,920

 

$

10,537

 

$

8,867

 

$

7,946

 

$

10,598

 

$

9,268

 

Amount deferred

 

(5,414

)

(6,950

)

(3,548

)

(4,592

)

(7,271

)

(3,608

)

Amount amortized

 

1,940

 

4,288

 

2,824

 

1,569

 

3,765

 

2,178

 

Amount reported in Statement of Operations

 

$

5,446

 

$

7,875

 

$

8,143

 

$

4,923

 

$

7,092

 

$

7,838

 

 

29



 

Valuation and Amortization of Customer Account and Goodwill Intangible Assets. Customer accounts are stated at cost.  Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired by us.  Goodwill is tested for impairment on at least an annual basis or as circumstances warrant.  Customer accounts are tested on a periodic basis or as circumstances warrant.  For purposes of this impairment testing, goodwill is considered to be directly related to the acquired customer accounts.  Factors we consider important that could trigger an impairment review include the following:

 

                  high levels of customer attrition;

                  continuing recurring losses above our expectations; and

                  adverse regulatory rulings.

 

An impairment test of customer accounts would have to be performed when the undiscounted expected future operating cash flows by asset group, which consists primarily of capitalized customer accounts and related goodwill, is less than the carrying value of that asset group.  An impairment would be recognized if the fair value of the customer accounts is less than the net book value of the customer accounts.

 

Customer Account Amortization.  The choice of an amortization life is based on our estimates and judgments about the amounts and timing of expected future revenues from customer accounts and average customer account life.  Selected periods were determined because, in our opinion, they would adequately match amortization cost with anticipated revenue.  We periodically use an independent appraisal firm to perform lifing studies on our customer accounts to assist us in determining appropriate lives of our customer accounts.  These reviews are performed specifically to evaluate our historic amortization policy in light of the inherent declining revenue curve over the life of a pool of customer accounts, and our historical attrition experience.  We have identified the following three distinct pools of customer accounts, each of which has distinct attributes that effect differing attrition characteristics.  For the North America pools, the results of the lifing studies indicated to us that we can expect attrition to be greatest in years one through five of asset life and that a declining balance (accelerated) method would therefore best match the future amortization cost with the estimated revenue stream from these customer pools.

 

Our amortization rates consider the average estimated remaining life and historical and projected attrition rates.  The amortization method for each customer pool is as follows:

 

Pool

 

Method

North America:

 

 

•     Acquired Westinghouse Customers

 

Eight-year 120% declining balance

•     Other Customers

 

Ten-year 135% declining balance

 

 

 

Multifamily

 

Nine-year straight-line

 

The results of a lifing study performed by a third party appraisal firm in the first quarter of 2002 showed a deterioration in the average remaining life of customer accounts.  The report showed our North America customer pool can expect a declining revenue stream over the next 30 years with an estimated average remaining life of nine years.  Our Multifamily pool can expect a declining revenue stream over the next 30 years with an estimated average remaining life of ten years.  Taking into account the results of the lifing study and the inherent expected declining revenue streams for North America and Multifamily, in particular during the first five years, we adjusted the amortization of customer accounts for our North America and Multifamily customer pools to better match the rate and period of amortization expense with the expected decline in revenues.

 

We recorded approximately $17.1 million and $34.3 million of customer account amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively.  We recorded approximately $17.2 million and $34.3 million of customer account amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively.  These amounts would change if we changed the estimated life or amortization rate for customer accounts.

 

30



 

Income Taxes.  As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate.  Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and our deferred tax assets and liabilities.  This process involves us estimating our actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items, such as depreciation and amortization, for tax and accounting purposes.  These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheet.  We must then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered.  To the extent we believe that recovery is not more likely than not, we must establish a valuation allowance.  In the first quarter of 2004, due to Westar’s sale of its interest in us, we determined that most of our deferred tax assets would not be realizable.  We recorded a non-cash charge to income in the approximate amount of $285.9 million to establish a valuation allowance equal to the amount of net deferred tax assets determined not to be realizable.

 

In addition, as a result of the sale, except for amounts owed with respect to losses we incurred prior to leaving the Westar consolidated tax group as a result of Westar selling its interest in us, we will no longer receive payments from Westar Energy.  In 2003, we received aggregate payments from Westar Energy of $20.0 million.  The loss of these payments will have a material adverse effect on our cash flow.  There are several areas of potential dispute between us regarding Westar’s obligations under the terms of the tax sharing agreement.  See “—Important Matters—Dispute Regarding Tax Sharing Payments” above.

 

Operating Results

 

We separate our business into two reportable segments:  North America and Multifamily.  North America provides security alarm monitoring services, which include sales, installation and related servicing of security alarm systems.    Multifamily provides security alarm services to apartments, condominiums and other multi-family dwellings.

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2003

 

Protection One Consolidated

 

Revenues decreased approximately 3.3% in the first six months of 2004 compared to the first six months of 2003, primarily due to the decline in the size of our customer base.  Cost of revenues decreased approximately 3.5% primarily due to a decrease of $1.1 million in salary expense in our monitoring centers from a reduction in our monitoring personnel in the Wichita call center during 2003.  General and administrative costs increased approximately 37.8%, primarily due to costs related to the change in control and restructuring efforts, including payments made to executive management, financial advisors and legal counsel.  Selling costs decreased approximately 3.2%, due to a $1.4 million decrease in security consultant compensation and related benefits primarily due to a reduction in our sales force partially offset by a $1.1 million increase in amortization of previously deferred selling costs.  Interest expense increased by approximately 14.4%, due to an increase in the weighted average interest rate of our revolving credit facility from 5.2% to 7.8%.  In 2004, we recorded a non-cash charge to income in the approximate amount of $285.9 million to establish a valuation allowance equal to the amount of deferred tax assets determined not to be realizable.

 

North America Segment

 

We present the table below for comparison of our North America operating results for the periods presented. Next to each period’s results of operations, we provide the relevant percentage of total revenues so you can make comparisons about the relative change in revenues and expenses.

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Revenues:

 

 

Monitoring and related services

 

$

106,030

 

91.5

%

$

111,194

 

92.6

%

Other

 

9,835

 

8.5

 

8,888

 

7.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

115,865

 

100.0

 

120,082

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring and related services

 

30,444

 

26.3

 

33,052

 

27.5

 

Other

 

12,171

 

10.5

 

11,115

 

9.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cost of revenues

 

42,615

 

36.8

 

44,167

 

36.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

73,250

 

63.2

 

75,915

 

63.2

 

Selling expense

 

14,294

 

12.3

 

14,673

 

12.2

 

General and administrative expense

 

49,187

 

42.5

 

34,589

 

28.8

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense

 

36,871

 

31.8

 

37,868

 

31.5

 

Operating loss

 

$

(27,102

)

(23.4

)%

$

(11,215

)

(9.3

)%

 

31



 

2004 Compared to 2003.   We had a net decrease of 9,515 customers in the first six months of 2004 as compared to a net decrease of 19,190 customers in the first six months of 2003.  The average customer base for the first six months of 2004 and 2003 was 707,734 and 734,191, respectively, or a decrease of 26,457 customers. The number of customers decreased primarily because our customer acquisition strategies were not able to generate accounts in a sufficient volume at acceptable cost to replace accounts lost through attrition.  We expect that this trend will continue until we reduce attrition on the North American retail portfolio of accounts to a level lower than recorded in this reporting period and we have access to the capital needed to invest in creating at least as many accounts as we lose.  Until we are able to reverse this trend, net losses of customer accounts will materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We believe the decrease in annualized quarterly attrition is due to a company wide focus on retaining our current customers. We are currently focused on reducing attrition, developing cost effective marketing programs and generating positive cash flow.

 

Further analysis of the change in the North America account base between the two periods is discussed below.

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning Balance, January 1

 

712,491

 

743,786

 

Customer additions, excluding wholesale

 

26,565

 

24,972

 

Customer losses, excluding wholesale

 

(35,395

)

(41,500

)

Change in wholesale customer base and other adjustments

 

(685

)

(2,662

)

Ending Balance, June 30

 

702,976

 

724,596

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annualized attrition

 

9.0

%

10.8

%

 

Monitoring and related services revenues decreased 4.6% in the first six months of 2004 compared to the first six months of 2003 primarily due to the decline in our customer base.  These revenues consist primarily of contractual revenue derived from providing monitoring and maintenance service.

 

Other revenues increased 10.7% the first six months of 2004 compared to the first six months of 2003 due to an increase of approximately $1.0 million in the amortization of previously deferred revenues. These revenues are generated from our internal installations of new alarm systems and consist primarily of sales of burglar alarms, closed circuit televisions, fire alarms and card access control systems to commercial customers, as well as amortization of previously deferred revenues.

 

Cost of monitoring and related services revenues decreased 7.9% in the first six months of 2004 compared to the first six months of 2003. These costs generally relate to the cost of providing monitoring service and include the costs of monitoring, billing, customer service and field operations. The decrease in the first six months of 2004 compared to the first six months of 2003 is primarily due to a $1.1 million decrease in monitoring center wage expense due to a reduction in headcount and a $1.8 million decrease in service costs due in part to a decrease in our retail customer base and increased efficiency of our service technicians.  Costs of monitoring and related services revenues as a percentage of the related revenues decreased to 28.7% in the first six months of 2004 from 29.7% in the first six months of 2003.

 

Cost of other revenues increased 9.5% in the first six months of 2004 compared to the first six months of 2003. These costs consist primarily of equipment and labor charges to install alarm systems, closed circuit televisions, fire alarms and card access

 

32



 

control systems sold to our customers, as well as amortization of previously deferred customer acquisition costs.  The increase in 2004 is primarily due to a $1.3 million increase in amortization of previously deferred customer acquisition costs, partially offset by a decrease in costs related to commercial outright sales.  These costs as a percentage of other revenues were 123.8% for the first six months of 2004 compared to 125.1% for the first six months of 2003.

 

Selling expense decreased 2.6% in the first six months of 2004 compared to the first six months of 2003 primarily due to a $1.4 million decrease in salary and related expenses due to a reduction in our sales force and support staff in 2003, partially offset by a $1.1 million increase in amortization of previously deferred selling costs.

 

General and administrative expense increased 42.2% in the first six months of 2004 compared to the first six months of 2003. This increase includes $19.9 million of expense related to the change in control and subsequent restructuring efforts, including approximately $9.5 million in change in control payments to executive management, investment banker fees of $3.5 million, $1.6 million related to the write off of prepaid insurance, and financial advisory and legal fees related to the restructuring of $3.7 million.  This increase was partially offset by a decrease in general and administrative salaries of $2.0 million related to short term incentive payments and retention bonus accruals, a decrease in insurance premiums of $0.7 million, a decrease in bad debt expense of $0.6 million primarily related to improved collections and recoveries of written off accounts and a $0.6 million decrease in equipment rentals.  As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expenses increased in the first six months of 2004 to 42.5% from 28.8% in 2003.

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense decreased 2.6% in the first six months of 2004 compared to the first six months of 2003.  This decrease is due to a reduction of $1.0 million in depreciation expense caused by the loss of depreciation on assets becoming fully depreciated in excess of the depreciation on current year fixed asset additions.

 

Multifamily Segment

 

The following table provides information for comparison of the Multifamily operating results for the periods presented. Next to each period’s results of operations, we provide the relevant percentage of total revenues so that you can make comparisons about the relative change in revenues and expenses.

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring and related services

 

$

17,672

 

95.3

%

$

17,931

 

94.6

%

Other

 

868

 

4.7

 

1,015

 

5.4

 

Total revenues

 

18,540

 

100.0

 

18,946

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring and related services

 

3,890

 

21.0

 

4,137

 

21.8

 

Other

 

3,045

 

16.4

 

3,031

 

16.0

 

Total cost of revenues

 

6,935

 

37.4

 

7,168

 

37.8

 

Gross profit

 

11,605

 

62.6

 

11,778

 

62.2

 

Selling expense

 

1,267

 

6.8

 

1,406

 

7.4

 

General and administrative expense

 

6,357

 

34.3

 

5,731

 

30.3

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense

 

2,464

 

13.3

 

2,446

 

12.9

 

Operating income

 

$

1,517

 

8.2

%

$

2,195

 

11.6

%

 

2004 Compared to 2003.  We had a net decrease of 1,389 customers in the first six months of 2004 compared to a net increase of 5,930 customers in the first six months of 2003.  The average customer base was 335,135 for the first six months of 2004 compared to 332,877 for the first six months of 2003.  The change in Multifamily’s customer base for the period is shown below.

 

33



 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning Balance, January 1,

 

335,829

 

329,912

 

Customer additions

 

9,308

 

15,489

 

Customer losses

 

(10,697

)

(9,559

)

Ending Balance

 

334,440

 

335,842

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annualized attrition

 

6.4

%

5.7

%

 

Monitoring and related services revenues for the first six months of 2004 decreased 1.4% from the first six months of 2003. These revenues consist primarily of contractual revenue derived from providing monitoring and maintenance service.  A $0.4 million decrease in repair billings was offset by an increase in RMR related to the slight increase in the average customer base.

 

Other revenues for the first six months of 2004 decreased 14.5% from the first six months of 2003.  These revenues consist primarily of amortization of previously deferred revenues associated with the sale of alarm systems and revenues from the sale of access control systems.  The decline is primarily due to the $0.1 million decrease in the amortization of previously deferred revenue and a $0.1 million decrease in access control system sales revenue.

 

Cost of monitoring and related services revenues for the first six months of 2004 decreased 6.0% from the first six months of 2003.  These costs generally relate to the cost of providing monitoring service and include the costs of monitoring, customer service and field operations.  This decrease is the result of decreased field service costs of $0.2 million and lower employment costs of $0.1 million related to an employee retention plan in 2003.  Cost of monitoring and related services revenues as a percentage of related revenues decreased slightly to 22.0% in the first six months of 2004 from 23.1% in the first six months of 2003.

 

Cost of other revenues for the first six months of 2004 increased 0.5% from the first six months of 2003.  These costs consist primarily of amortization of installation costs previously deferred and the costs to install access control systems.  The costs increased primarily due to increased amortization of deferred customer acquisition costs of $0.1 million offset by a $0.1 million decrease in access control system installation costs.

 

Selling expense for the first six months of 2004 declined 9.9% from the first six months of 2003.  This decrease is the result of lower employment costs of $0.1 million related to an employee retention plan in 2003 and reduced advertising costs of $0.1 million.

 

General and administrative expense for the first six months of 2004 increased 10.9% from the first six months of 2003 primarily due to increased employment costs of $1.5 million primarily due to change in control payments made in February 2004 and increased liability insurance costs of $0.4 million, offset by a $0.5 million decrease in management fees allocated from Protection One, lower legal costs of $0.4 million, decreased employment costs of $0.3 million primarily related to an employee retention plan in 2003 and reduced telecommunications costs of $0.1 million.

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense for the first six months of 2004 remained consistent with the first six months of 2003.

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2003

 

Protection One Consolidated

 

Revenues decreased approximately 2.4% in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2003, primarily due to the decline in the size of our customer base.  The rate of decrease slowed in the second quarter due to improvements in the attrition rate.  Cost of revenues decreased approximately 2.3% primarily due to a decrease of $0.5 million in salary expense in our monitoring centers.  General and administrative costs increased approximately 1.7%, primarily due to payments of $2.8 million made to financial advisors and legal counsel in connection with corporate debt

 

34



 

restructuring and an increase of $0.4 million in bad debt expense partially offset by a $1.3 million decrease in salaries related to the 2003 retention bonus which was not repeated in 2004, a decrease in medical and dental expense of $0.8 million due to changes in benefit plans and the number of employees covered under such plans and a $0.6 million decrease in premiums to insurance companies due to a decrease in the cost of director and officer insurance.  Selling costs increased approximately 3.9%, primarily due to an increase in amortization of previously deferred commissions.  Interest expense increased by approximately 9.9%, primarily due to an increase in the weighted average interest rate of our revolving credit facility.

 

North America Segment

 

We present the table below for comparison of our North America operating results for the periods presented. Next to each period’s results of operations, we provide the relevant percentage of total revenues so you can make comparisons about the relative change in revenues and expenses.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring and related services

 

$

53,015

 

91.3

%

$

55,003

 

92.7

%

Other

 

5,047

 

8.7

 

4,338

 

7.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

58,062

 

100.0

 

59,341

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring and related services

 

14,945

 

25.7

 

16,089

 

27.1

 

Other

 

6,362

 

11.0

 

5,453

 

9.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cost of revenues

 

21,307

 

36.7

 

21,542

 

36.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

36,755

 

63.3

 

37,799

 

63.7

 

Selling expense

 

7,491

 

12.9

 

7,083

 

11.9

 

General and administrative expense

 

18,083

 

31.1

 

16,846

 

28.4

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense

 

18,449

 

31.8

 

18,898

 

31.9

 

Operating loss

 

$

(7,268

)

(12.5

)%

$

(5,028

)

(8.5

)%

 

2004 Compared to 2003.   We had a net decrease of 2,000 customers in the second quarter of 2004 as compared to a net decrease of 9,771 customers in the second quarter of 2003.  The average customer base for the second quarter of 2004 and 2003 was 703,976 and 729,482, respectively, or a decrease of 25,506 customers. The number of customers decreased primarily because our customer acquisition strategies were not able to generate accounts in a sufficient volume at acceptable cost to replace accounts lost through attrition.  We expect that this trend will continue until we reduce attrition on the North American retail portfolio of accounts to a level lower than recorded in this reporting period and we have access to the capital needed to invest in creating at least as many accounts as we lose.  Until we are able to reverse this trend, net losses of customer accounts will materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. We believe the decrease in annualized quarterly attrition is due to a company wide focus on retaining our current customers. We are currently focused on reducing attrition, developing cost effective marketing programs and generating positive cash flow.

 

Further analysis of the change in the North American account base between the two periods is discussed below.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning Balance, April 1

 

704,976

 

734,367

 

Customer additions, excluding wholesale

 

13,250

 

12,785

 

Customer losses, excluding wholesale

 

(17,052

)

(20,678

)

Change in wholesale customer base and other adjustments

 

1,802

 

(1,878

)

Ending Balance, June 30

 

702,976

 

724,596

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annualized quarterly attrition

 

7.8

%

11.1

%

 

35



 

 

Monitoring and related services revenues decreased 3.6% in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2003 primarily due to the 3.0% decline in our customer base.  These revenues consist primarily of contractual revenue derived from providing monitoring and maintenance service.

 

Other revenues increased 16.3% the second quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2003 due to an increase of approximately $0.5 million from the amortization of previously deferred revenues and an increase in commercial outright sales activity. These revenues are generated from our internal installations of new alarm systems and consist primarily of sales of burglar alarms, closed circuit televisions, fire alarms and card access control systems to commercial customers, as well as amortization of previously deferred revenues.

 

Cost of monitoring and related services revenues decreased 7.1% in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2003. These costs generally relate to the cost of providing monitoring service and include the costs of monitoring, billing, customer service and field operations. The decrease in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2003 is primarily due to a $0.5 million decrease in monitoring center wage expense due to a reduction in headcount and a $0.8 million decrease in service costs due in part to a 5.4% decrease in our retail customer base and increased efficiency of our service technicians.  Costs of monitoring and related services revenues as a percentage of the related revenues decreased to 28.2% in the second quarter of 2004 from 29.3% in the second quarter of 2003.

 

Cost of other revenues increased 16.7% in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2003. These costs consist primarily of equipment and labor charges to install alarm systems, closed circuit televisions, fire alarms and card access control systems sold to our customers, as well as amortization of previously deferred customer acquisition costs.  The increase in 2004 is primarily due to a $0.6 million increase in amortization of previously deferred customer acquisition costs and an increase in costs related to commercial outright sales.  These costs as a percentage of other revenues were 126.1% for the second quarter of 2004 compared to 125.7% for the second quarter of 2003.

 

Selling expense increased 5.8% in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2003 primarily due to a $0.6 million increase in the amortization of previously deferred commissions.

 

General and administrative expense increased 7.3% in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2003. This increase is generally due to payments of $2.8 million made to financial advisors and legal counsel in connection with corporate debt restructuring, an increase of $0.4 million in bad debt expense partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in salaries related to the 2003 retention bonus, a decrease in medical and dental expense of $0.8 million due to changes in benefit plans and a $0.6 million decrease in premiums to insurance companies.  As a percentage of total revenues, general and administrative expense increased in the second quarter of 2004 to 31.1% from 28.4% in 2003.

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense decreased 2.4% in the second quarter of 2004 compared to the second quarter of 2003.  This decrease is due to a reduction of $0.4 million in depreciation expense caused by the loss of depreciation on assets becoming fully depreciated in excess of the depreciation on fixed asset additions in the second quarter.

 

Multifamily Segment

 

The following table provides information for comparison of the Multifamily operating results for the periods presented. Next to each period’s results of operations, we provide the relevant percentage of total revenues so that you can make comparisons about the relative change in revenues and expenses.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring and related services

 

$

8,813

 

95.7

%

$

9,016

 

93.9

%

Other

 

399

 

4.3

 

585

 

6.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

9,212

 

100.0

 

9,601

 

100.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitoring and related services

 

1,919

 

20.8

 

2,142

 

22.3

 

Other

 

1,513

 

16.4

 

1,639

 

17.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cost of revenues

 

3,432

 

37.2

 

3,781

 

39.4

 

Gross profit

 

5,780

 

62.8

 

5,820

 

60.6

 

Selling expense

 

652

 

7.1

 

755

 

7.9

 

General and administrative expense

 

2,220

 

24.1

 

3,108

 

32.4

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense

 

1,226

 

13.3

 

1,213

 

12.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

1,682

 

18.3

%

$

744

 

7.7

%

 

36



 

2004 Compared to 2003.  We had a net decrease of 636 customers in the second quarter of 2004 compared to a net increase of 5,142 customers in the second quarter of 2003.  The average customer base was 334,758 for the second quarter of 2004 compared to 333,271 for the second quarter of 2003.  The change in Multifamily’s customer base for the period is shown below.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning Balance, April 1,

 

335,076

 

330,700

 

Customer additions

 

4,611

 

9,191

 

Customer losses

 

(5,247

)

(4,049

)

Ending Balance, June 30,

 

334,440

 

335,842

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annualized quarterly attrition

 

6.3

%

4.9

%

 

Monitoring and related services revenues for the second quarter of 2004 decreased 2.3% from the second quarter of 2003. These revenues consist primarily of contractual revenue derived from providing monitoring and maintenance service.  Decreased repair billings of $0.2 million were offset by a $0.1 million increase in RMR related to the slight increase in the average customer base.

 

Other revenues for the second quarter of 2004 decreased 32.0% from the second quarter of 2003.  These revenues consist primarily of amortization of previously deferred revenues associated with the sale of alarm systems and revenues from the sale of access control systems.  The decline was primarily due to a $0.1 million decrease in the amortization of previously deferred revenue and a $0.1 million decline in access control system sales.

 

Cost of monitoring and related services revenues for the second quarter of 2004 decreased 10.4% from the second quarter of 2003.  These costs generally relate to the cost of providing monitoring service and include the costs of monitoring, customer service and field operations.  The decline was primarily the result of a $0.2 million decrease in field service costs.  Cost of monitoring and related revenues as a percentage of related revenues decreased slightly to 21.8% in the second quarter of 2004 from 23.8% in the second quarter of 2003.

 

Cost of other revenues for the second quarter of 2004 decreased 7.7% from the second quarter of 2003.  These costs consist primarily of amortization of installation costs previously deferred and the costs to install access control systems.  The costs decreased primarily due to decreased access control installation costs of $0.1 million.

 

Selling expense for the second quarter of 2004 declined 13.6% from the second quarter of 2003.  This decrease is the result of lower employment costs of $0.1 million related to an employee retention plan in 2003 which was not repeated in 2004 and reduced advertising costs of $0.1 million.

 

37



 

General and administrative expense for the second quarter of 2004 decreased 28.5% from the second quarter of 2003 primarily due to decreased management fees of $0.6 million allocated from Protection One, lower legal fees of $0.3 million and lower employment costs of $0.1 million related to an employee retention plan in 2003 that was not repeated in 2004, offset by increased liability insurance costs of $0.2 million.

 

Amortization of intangibles and depreciation expense for the second quarter of 2004 remained consistent with the second quarter of 2003.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We continue to face liquidity problems caused by our significant debt burden and continuing net losses.  Absent recapitalization and restructuring our debts, management believes our projected cash flow will be insufficient to support our current debt balances, which may be accelerated or which we are required to offer to repurchase as a result of the change in control, and related interest obligations.  Our independent public accountants included in their report on our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 explanatory language that describes the significant uncertainty about our ability to continue as a going concern due to recurring losses from operations, deficiency in working capital, inability to obtain ongoing financing and breach of covenants on outstanding debt subsequent to year end.

 

We have retained Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin Capital as our financial advisor and are engaged in discussions regarding a proposed restructuring with Quadrangle and its affiliates, the lenders under our revolving credit facility, and certain holders of our publicly held debt.  If an agreement with such parties is reached, a resulting restructuring plan may be presented for judicial approval under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which provides for companies to reorganize and continue to operate as going concerns.  Discussions with Quadrangle and other debt holders are ongoing, and there can be no assurance that an agreement regarding financial restructuring will be reached or what other actions we may need to take, including selling assets, to meet our liquidity needs.  We expect to incur significant costs related to any proposed restructuring of our indebtedness.  Such costs could include, among other things, fees and expenses of our legal and other professional advisors.  In addition, we have agreed to pay the costs for the financial and legal advisors for both the senior and subordinated debt holders relating to a potential restructuring of our indebtedness, currently under discussion among us, Quadrangle and its affiliates (the lenders under our revolving credit facility) and certain holders of our publicly held debt.  If a successful restructuring is completed, we may be obligated to pay success fees to the financial advisors in an aggregate amount of up to $7 million.  For the six months ended June 30, 2004, we have expensed $3.7 million relating to these advisors.

 

Westar, which owned approximately 88% of our common stock, was also an important source of our external capital through a revolving credit facility and through payments made under a tax sharing agreement.  On February 17, 2004, Westar Industries consummated the sale of its equity interest in us and the assignment of its rights and obligations under the revolving credit facility to Quadrangle.  As a result of this transaction, we do not expect to have sufficient cash flow to fund our operations in 2004 without a restructuring of our debts for the reasons described below.

 

The indenture relating to the 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes required us to make a semi-annual interest payment on June 30, 2004.  We paid the semi-annual interest payment on July 30, 2004, prior to expiration of the interest payment grace period.  The indenture also requires us to give notice of our intention to repurchase the notes within 30 days following the date of a change in control and to consummate the repurchase within 60 days of such notification.  Under the terms of this indenture, because we did not offer to repurchase such notes, our inaction constitutes a covenant breach, which breach, if not cured within 30 days after receipt of appropriate notice, would constitute an event of default under the indenture for the 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes.

 

Upon any such event of default, the trustee or the holders of such senior subordinated discount notes may seek to exercise certain remedies available to them under the indenture governing the notes, including, without limitation, acceleration of the notes, though the subordination provisions of the indenture restrict our ability to make any payment to the holders of such notes upon acceleration of such notes in certain circumstances.  The acceleration of the 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes, if not rescinded or satisfied, would cause a cross default to be triggered under the indenture for our 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes, which had aggregate outstanding principal of $110.3 million as of June 30, 2004.  If such acceleration and cross default should occur, we do not have the funds available to repay the indebtedness, and we could be forced to seek relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or an out-of-court restructuring.

 

38



 

The $215.5 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility is in default due to the change in control of Protection One consummated on February 17, 2004, non-compliance with financial covenants and a failure to make a quarterly interest payment that was due on the revolving credit facility on June 30, 2004.  We have entered into a standstill agreement with Quadrangle, however, pursuant to which, among other things, Quadrangle agreed to waive the breach of the change in control provision and other specified defaults, and we agreed, among other things, not to borrow additional amounts under the revolving credit facility.  Upon the expiration or termination of this standstill agreement, Quadrangle may exercise its rights under the revolving credit facility and declare the indebtedness to be due and payable.  The parties have agreed to extend the standstill agreement until August 23, 2004, subject to Quadrangle’s right to terminate the agreement.  There can be no assurances that the parties will further extend the standstill agreement or that Quadrangle will not terminate the standstill agreement prior to August 23, 2004.  Furthermore, acceleration of our revolving credit facility, if not rescinded or satisfied, would cause cross defaults under our other debt instruments.  If such acceleration should occur, we would not have the funds available to repay the indebtedness, and we could be forced to seek relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or an out-of-court restructuring.

 

Furthermore, we cannot provide any assurances regarding what actions Quadrangle may cause us to take, including whether it would (a) invest sufficient equity capital or provide credit support to meet our liquidity needs, (b) cause us to seek to restructure our debts, or (c) cause us to seek to reorganize under the federal bankruptcy laws, which may involve the possible elimination or cancellation of our current common stock with little or no value being given to our current stockholders.

 

Prior to Westar’s sale of its interest in us, we had been a member of Westar’s consolidated tax group since 1997.  During that time, Westar made payments to us for tax benefits attributable to us and utilized by Westar in its consolidated tax return pursuant to the terms of a tax sharing agreement.  Except for amounts owed with respect to losses we incurred prior to leaving the Westar consolidated tax group, we will no longer receive payments from Westar under the tax sharing agreement.  Such loss of tax payments will have a material adverse effect on our liquidity.

 

We and Westar did not, however, terminate our tax sharing agreement, and based on discussions with Westar and its counsel, there are several areas of potential dispute between us regarding Westar’s obligations under the terms of the tax sharing agreement.  The most material of these potential disputes involve (i) the amount of any tax sharing payments that would be due to us if Westar decides in the future to elect to treat the sale of its interests in us as a sale of assets under the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) the proper treatment under the tax sharing agreement of tax obligations or benefits arising out of the transaction in which Westar sold its ownership interests in us, including the impact on future tax sharing payments to us related to the cancellation of indebtedness income generated by a partial write-down of the revolving credit facility prior to closing or the assignment of the revolving credit facility for less than the full amount outstanding under the facility at closing and (iii) whether tax sharing payments due to us when Westar was subject to alternative minimum tax should be calculated at the alternative minimum tax rate of 20% or the normal statutory rate of 35% to the extent that Westar has utilized or is reasonably expected to be able to utilize the associated alternative minimum tax credits or otherwise has received full benefits at normal statutory rates from our losses.  We believe that we have strong positions with respect to these items and will aggressively pursue our positions.  If we prevail, we may realize additional tax sharing payments from Westar.

 

Our 7 3/8% senior notes and 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes require us to make a repurchase offer at 101% of the principal amount, plus interest, in the event of a change in control triggering event.  A change in control triggering event consists of a change in control coupled with the withdrawal of the rating of the notes or two ratings downgrades by one of certain specified rating agencies provided that such withdrawal or downgrade occurs within 90 days after the date of public notice of the occurrence of a change in control or the intention to effect a change in control.  As of June 30, 2004, $190.9 million principal amount of the 7 3/8% senior notes and $110.3 million principal amount of the 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes were outstanding.  Should such repurchase right be triggered, we lack the funds to repurchase these debt securities, and we could be forced to seek relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or an out-of-court restructuring.

 

Additional credit under the revolving credit facility has been eliminated by a standstill agreement executed by Quadrangle and us.  Our inability to borrow under the revolving credit facility could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and financial position.  Because of the potential default that existed at the end of 2003 related to Westar’s pending sale of its ownership interest in us, our outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility are currently priced as ABR borrowings and are at a rate higher than our previous Eurodollar borrowings.  If interest rates increase one percent, we would incur an additional $2.2 million of annual interest expense.

 

We may restructure our indebtedness in an out-of-court proceeding and/or seek the protection of the federal bankruptcy laws to reorganize our debts.  In connection with a restructuring or reorganization of our indebtedness, the interests represented by the Company’s currently outstanding shares of common stock would likely be substantially diluted or cancelled in whole or in part.

 

39



 

Operating Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004.  Our operations provided a net $7.8 million in cash flow in the first six months of 2004, a decrease of $14.7 million compared to net cash provided of $22.5 million in the first six months of 2003 primarily due to $19.9 million in costs related to the change in control and the restructuring efforts.

 

Investing Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004.   We used a net $13.0 million for our investing activities in the first six months of 2004.  We invested a net $10.4 million in cash to install and acquire new accounts and $2.8 million to acquire fixed assets.  In the first six months of 2003, we invested a net $13.2 million in cash to install and acquire new accounts and $2.8 million to acquire fixed assets, we received $1.4 million for the sale of AV ONE, Inc. and $2.6 million from the disposition of other assets.

 

Financing Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004.  Financing activities provided a net $0.2 million in cash for the first six months of 2004 compared to $5.1 million in the first six months of 2003. We received $11.9 million from Westar Energy related to the sale of our Westar Energy securities and paid $8.6 million on long term debt in the first six months of 2003.

 

In the first six months of 2004, we did not increase our borrowings under the revolving credit facility.  At June 30, 2004, the revolving credit facility had a weighted average interest rate before fees of 7.75% and an outstanding balance of $215.5 million.

 

Material Commitments.  We have future, material, long-term commitments made in the past several years in connection with our growth. The following reflects these commitments as of June 30, 2004:

 

Debt Security

 

Stated
Maturity Date
(a)

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

January 2005

 

$

215,500

 

13 5/8% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes (b)

 

June 2005

 

29,872

 

7 3/8% Senior Unsecured Notes

 

August 2005

 

190,925

 

8 1/8% Senior Subordinated Notes

 

January 2009

 

110,340

 

Total

 

 

 

$

546,637

 

 


(a)          See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources,” above, for discussion regarding acceleration of indebtedness.

(b)         Excludes $0.5 million premium which is being amortized to income.

 

The following table shows our contractual cash obligations and the expected expiration per period:

 

At December 31, 2003:

 

 

 

Payment Due by Period

 

Contractual Cash Obligations

 

Total

 

Less than 1
year

 

1-3 years

 

3-5 years

 

More than 5
years

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Long-term debt (a)

 

$

331,137

 

$

 

$

220,797

 

$

 

$

110,340

 

Operating leases (b)

 

17,203

 

6,572

 

6,943

 

2,652

 

1,036

 

Change in Control Agreements (c)

 

10,973

 

10,973

 

 

 

 

Unconditional purchase obligations (d)

 

9,375

 

3,750

 

5,625

 

 

 

Total contractual cash obligations

 

$

368,688

 

$

21,295

 

$

233,365

 

$

2,652

 

$

111,376

 

 


(a)          Payment due by period is based on maturity date without consideration of acceleration that may be required in the event of default.  See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources,” above, for additional information.

(b)         A new lease agreement whereby corporate headquarters will move from its current location was finalized in the second quarter of 2004.  In addition to the operating lease obligation as of December 31, 2003 listed above, $7.5

 

40



 

thousand additional expense per month will be incurred for a 42 month period beginning July 1, 2004.  This new lease replaces a month-to-month rental agreement for current corporate facilities with a  cost of $38.5 thousand per month.

(c)          Amounts paid in February 2004 upon consummation of the change in control.  See Item 1, “Business—Overview—Payment of Transaction Related Bonuses and Fees” for additional information regarding an additional $11.0 million payable in certain circumstances.

(d)         Contract tariff for telecommunication services.

 

The table below shows our total commercial commitments and the expected expiration per period:

 

At June 30, 2004:

 

 

 

Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period

 

Other Commercial Commitments

 

Total

 

2004

 

2005 – 2006

 

2007 – 2008

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Line of credit

 

$

215,500

 

$

215,500

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Standby letters of credit

 

2,000

 

2,000

 

 

 

 

Total commercial commitments

 

$

217,500

 

$

217,500

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

 

The indentures relating to our 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes and to our 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes contain certain restrictions, based on “EBITDA”, regarding our ability to incur debt and pay dividends.  The definition of EBITDA varies among the indentures and the revolving credit facility.  EBITDA is generally derived by adding to income (loss) before income taxes, interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense.  However, under the varying definitions of the indentures, various and numerous additional adjustments are sometimes required.

 

Our revolving credit facility contains a number of potential events of default, including financial covenants which we must maintain.  Under the standstill agreement executed with Quadrangle, which the parties have agreed to extend until August 23, 2004, subject to Quadrangle’s right to terminate the agreement, we have received a temporary waiver of certain specified defaults if certain conditions are met.

 

Our revolving credit facility and the indentures relating to certain of our other indebtedness contain the financial covenants and tests, respectively, summarized below:

 

Debt Instrument

 

Financial Covenant and Test

Revolving Credit Facility

 

Total consolidated debt/annualized most recent quarter EBITDA less than 5.75 to 1.0 and

 

 

Consolidated annualized most recent quarter EBITDA/latest four fiscal quarters interest expense greater than 2.10 to 1.0

 

 

 

Senior Subordinated Notes

 

Current fiscal quarter EBITDA/current fiscal quarter interest expense greater than 2.25 to 1.0

 

 

 

Senior Subordinated Discount Notes

 

Total debt/annualized current quarter EBITDA less than 6.0 to 1.0

 

 

Senior debt/annualized current quarter EBITDA less than 4.0 to 1.0

 

At June 30, 2004, we were not in compliance with the covenants under the revolving credit facility and did not meet the tests under the indentures relating to our ability to incur additional indebtedness or to pay dividends.  As noted above, we entered into a standstill agreement with Quadrangle whereby Quadrangle agreed to grant us a waiver of certain specified defaults, including failure to comply with these financial covenants, among others, if certain conditions are met.  Our ability to comply with the ratios and the tests under our debt instruments will be affected by events outside our control and there can be no assurance that we will be able to meet them.  Continued failure to meet the tests would result in continuing restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness or to pay dividends and the event of default under the revolving credit facility could allow the lenders to declare all amounts outstanding immediately due and payable.

 

These debt instruments also restrict our ability to pay dividends to stockholders, but do not otherwise restrict our ability to fund cash obligations.

 

41



 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.  We had no off-balance sheet transactions or commitments as of or for the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Credit Ratings.  Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) are independent credit-rating agencies that rate our debt securities.  On April 9, 2004, S&P downgraded its ratings on our senior unsecured debt due to concerns regarding our insufficient liquidity and cash flows relative to our debt burden combined with the loss of Westar as a source of external capital and the near-term expiration of the standstill agreement with Quadrangle regarding the revolving credit facility.  S&P’s outlook remained negative.  As of August 10, 2004, our public debt was rated as follows:

 

 

 

Senior
Unsecured
Debt

 

Senior
Subordinated
Unsecured Debt

 

Outlook

 

S&P

 

CC

 

C

 

Negative

 

Moody’s

 

Caa2

 

Ca

 

Negative

 

 

Capital Expenditures.  We anticipate making capital expenditures of approximately $33.0 million in 2004. Of such amount, we plan to expend approximately $22.6 million in customer acquisition costs, net of deferred customer acquisition revenues, and $10.4 million for fixed assets.  Assuming we have available funds, capital expenditures for 2005 and 2006 are expected to be approximately $31.8 million and $34.7 million, respectively.  Of these amounts approximately $23.6 million and $26.3 million would be used for customer acquisition costs, net of deferred customer acquisition revenues, in 2005 and 2006, respectively, with the balance for fixed assets. These estimates are prepared for planning purposes and are revised from time to time.  Actual expenditures for these and possibly other items not presently anticipated will vary from these estimates during the course of the years presented.

 

Tax Matters.  In the first quarter of 2004, due to Westar’s sale of its interest in us, we determined that most of our deferred tax assets would not be realizable.  We recorded a non-cash charge to income in the approximate amount of $285.9 million to establish a valuation allowance equal to the amount of deferred tax assets determined not to be realizable.

 

In addition, as a result of the sale, except for amounts owed with respect to losses we incurred prior to leaving the Westar consolidated tax group as a result of Westar selling its interest in us, we will no longer receive payments from Westar Energy.  In 2003, we received aggregate payments from Westar Energy of $20.0 million.  The loss of these payments will have a material adverse effect on our cash flow.  There are several areas of potential dispute between us regarding Westar’s obligations under the terms of the tax sharing agreement.  See “—Summary of Other Significant Matters—Dispute Regarding Tax Sharing Payments” above.

 

ITEM 3.                             QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We have not experienced any significant changes in our exposure to market risk since December 31, 2003.  For additional information on our market risk, see Item 7A of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

ITEM 4.                             CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

Our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, after management’s evaluation, with the participation of such officers, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that, based on such evaluation, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

42



 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 

During the first fiscal six months ended June 30, 2004, no change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred that, in our judgment, either materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Because the Board currently consists of only three members, the audit committee and the other committees of the Board have been temporarily dissolved, and the full Board is acting on those matters previously addressed by such committees.  Two of our three directors are independent.

 

PART II

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.                             LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

Information relating to legal proceedings is set forth in Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I of this report, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 2.                             CHANGES IN SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

 

None.

 

ITEM 3.                             DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

 

See Note 4, “Debt” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

None.

 

ITEM 5.                             OTHER INFORMATION.

 

None.

 

ITEM 6.                             EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

 

(a) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

 

 

 

3.1

 

Bylaws of Protection One, Inc.  (as amended and restated June 24, 2004).

3.2

 

Bylaws of Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc.  (as amended and restated June 24, 2004).

10.1

 

Employment Agreement dated July 23, 2004 between Protection One Inc., Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc. and Richard Ginsburg.

10.2

 

Employment Agreement dated July 23, 2004 between Protection One Inc., Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc. and Darius G. Nevin.

10.3

 

Employment Agreement dated July 23, 2004 between Protection One Inc., Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc. and Peter J. Pefanis.

10.4

 

Employment Agreement dated July 23, 2004 between Protection One Inc., Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc. and Steve V. Williams.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

 

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

43



 

32.1

 

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

32.2

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer 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.  Since the quarter ended March 31, 2004, we filed or furnished the following Current Reports on Form 8-K:

 

Date
Filed

 

Item
Number(s)

 

Report Description

 

 

 

 

 

8/2/04

 

5,7

 

We reported that on July 26, 2004, we reached an agreement to further extend the standstill agreement to August 2, 2004 and thereafter the standstill agreement is automatically extended for three consecutive one week periods unless the Quadrangle Group LLC affiliate(s) deliver a written notice.  We also reported that we made the previously deferred semi-annual interest payment of approximately $2 million on the outstanding $29.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 13 5/8% senior subordinated discount notes.

7/16/04

 

5

 

We reported that we intend to defer payment of the semi-annual interest payment due July 15, 2004 on our outstanding $110.3 million aggregate principal amount of our 8 1/8% senior subordinated notes.

7/1/04

 

5,7

 

We reported that on June 28, 2004, we reached an agreement to further extend the standstill agreement to July 6, 2004, and thereafter the standstill agreement is automatically extended for three consecutive one week periods unless the Quadrangle Group LLC affiliate(s) deliver a written notice.  We also reported that we intend to defer payment of the semi-annual interest payment due June 30, 2004 on our outstanding $29.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 13 5.8% senior subordinated discount notes and the quarterly interest payment due on our $215.5 million principal amount revolving credit facility with affiliates of Quadrangle Group.

6/3/04

 

5,7

 

We reported that on May 28, 2004, we reached an agreement to further extend the standstill agreement to June 8, 2004, and thereafter the standstill agreement is automatically extended for three consecutive one week periods unless the Quadrangle Group LLC affiliate(s) deliver a written notice.

5/25/04

 

5,7

 

We reported that on May 24, 2004, we reached an agreement to further extend the standstill agreement to June 1, 2004.

5/18/04

 

5,7

 

We reported that on May 17, 2004, we reached an agreement to further extend the standstill agreement to May 24, 2004.

 

44



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date:

August 13, 2004

 

PROTECTION ONE, INC.

 

 

PROTECTION ONE ALARM MONITORING, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/   Darius  G. Nevin

 

 

 

 

 

Darius G. Nevin, Executive Vice President and

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

45