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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004
Commission File Number 1-4773
AMERICAN BILTRITE INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 04-1701350
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
57 River Street
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-2097
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(781) 237-6655
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Name of Exchange on
Title of Each Class Which Registered
- ------------------- ----------------
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value American Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. Yes [ X ] No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will
not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes [ ] No [X]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock of the registrant held by
non-affiliates as of June 30, 2004 was $14.1 million.
The number of shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $.01 per share,
outstanding as of March 15, 2005 was 3,441,551.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be
held on May 10, 2005, which will be filed by the registrant within 120 days
after December 31, 2004 are incorporated by reference into Part III of Form
10-K. A copy of this document can be obtained at no cost by calling the Company
at (781) 237-6655.
Factors That May Affect Future Results
Some of the information presented in or incorporated by reference in this report
constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks, uncertainties and
assumptions. These forward-looking statements are based on the Registrant's
expectations, as of the date of this report, of future events. Except as
required by applicable law, the Registrant undertakes no obligation to update
any of these forward-looking statements. Although the Registrant believes that
its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, within the bounds of its
knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual
results will not differ materially from its expectations. Readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Factors that
could cause or contribute to the Registrant's actual results differing from its
expectations include those factors discussed elsewhere in this report, including
in the section of this report entitled "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Risk Factors That May Affect
Future Results," and in the Registrant's other filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
(a) General Development of Business. American Biltrite Inc. (together
with, unless the context otherwise indicates, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and
K&M Associates L.P., "ABI" or the "Company") was organized in 1908 and is a
Delaware corporation. ABI's major operations include its Tape Division as well
as a controlling interest in Congoleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Congoleum"), a controlling interest in K&M Associates L.P., a Rhode Island
limited partnership ("K&M"), and ownership of a Canadian subsidiary, American
Biltrite (Canada) Ltd. ("AB Canada").
The Tape Division produces adhesive-coated, pressure-sensitive papers and films
used to protect material during handling or storage or to serve as a carrier for
transferring decals or die-cut lettering. The Tape Division also produces
pressure sensitive tapes and adhesive products used for applications in the
heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), footwear, automotive,
electrical and electronic industries.
In 1995, ABI acquired a controlling interest in K&M, a designer, supplier,
distributor and servicer of a wide variety of adult, children's and specialty
items of fashion jewelry and related accessories throughout the U.S. and Canada.
ABI, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns an aggregate 94.5% interest (7% as
sole general partner and 87.5% in limited partner interests) in K&M. K&M
wholesales its products to mass merchandisers, specialty stores and department
stores.
Congoleum is a leading manufacturer of resilient sheet and tile flooring. In
1993, ABI acquired an ownership position in Congoleum in exchange for its U.S.
tile business (the "Tile Division"). In 1995, ABI acquired voting control when
Congoleum sold a new issue of shares of its Class A common stock to the public
which had one vote per share and used the proceeds to redeem most of the
two-vote-per-share Class B shares held by the then majority shareholder. ABI's
interest has increased further since then as a result of Congoleum's repurchases
of its common stock combined with open market purchases of Congoleum common
stock by ABI. As of December 31, 2004, ABI's ownership of 151,100 shares of
Congoleum's Class A common stock and 4,395,605 shares of Class B common stock
represented 69.5% of the equity voting interests of Congoleum. Congoleum is a
defendant in a large number of asbestos-related lawsuits. On December 31, 2003,
Congoleum and two of its subsidiaries each filed their respective voluntary
petitions commencing cases for reorganization relief under Chapter 11 of the
United States Bankruptcy Code in order to resolve Congoleum's asbestos-related
liabilities pursuant to a prepackaged Chapter 11 plan of reorganization filed in
the Congoleum Chapter 11 cases. On November 8, 2004, Congoleum filed a modified
plan of reorganization and related documents with the Bankruptcy Court
reflecting the result of further negotiations with representatives of the
Asbestos Claimants' Committee, the Future Claimants' Representative and other
asbestos claimant representatives. The Bankruptcy Court approved the disclosure
statement and plan voting procedures on December 9, 2004 and has scheduled a
hearing beginning April 12, 2005 to consider confirmation of the plan. Congoleum
has solicited and received the acceptances necessary for confirmation of its
plan. However, there can be no assurance that the confirmation hearing will not
be rescheduled to a later date, that the proposed plan of reorganization will
not be modified further, that the Bankruptcy Court will confirm and approve the
plan, or that the proposed plan, if confirmed, will become effective. Congoleum
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currently expects that the confirmation hearings will transpire over a number of
months. Congoleum is presently involved in litigation with certain insurance
carriers related to disputed insurance coverage for asbestos-related
liabilities, and certain insurance carriers filed various objections to
Congoleum's previously proposed plan of reorganization and related matters. It
is expected that these or other insurance carriers will file objections to
confirmation of the recently filed modified plan of reorganization. Other
parties have also filed or may file various objections to confirmation of
Congoleum's plan of reorganization. Under the terms of Congoleum's modified plan
of reorganization, if confirmed, ABI would continue to own the shares of
Congoleum common stock it currently owns but they would be pledged as collateral
for Congoleum's obligations under the promissory note expected to be contributed
by Congoleum to the trust to be formed upon confirmation of Congoleum's plan of
reorganization. See Notes 1 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements, which are contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Outside the United States, the Tape Division operates facilities in Belgium,
Italy and Singapore, where bulk tape products are converted into various sizes,
a sales and distribution facility in Italy, to enable quicker response to
customer demands in the European and Asian markets, and a sales representative
office in Shanghai, China. Other international operations include: a
wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, American Biltrite (Canada) Ltd., which
produces resilient floor tile, rubber tiles and rolled rubber flooring and
industrial products (including conveyor belting, truck and trailer splash guards
and sheet rubber material). ABI owns 50% of Compania Hulera Sula, S.A. de C.V.
("Hulera Sula"), a Honduran corporation, which produces soles, heels, sandals
and other footwear products under license from ABI. Hulera Sula in turn owns
100% of Hulera Sacatepequez, S.A., a Guatemalan corporation which manufactures
products in Guatemala similar to those of Hulera Sula. Fomtex, S.A., a
Guatemalan corporation 60% owned by Hulera Sula, manufactures foam mattresses,
beds and other foam products. In October 2003, ABI discontinued the operations
of its wholly owned subsidiary Janus Flooring Corporation ("Janus Flooring"),
which manufactured pre-finished hardwood flooring. Results from Janus Flooring,
including charges resulting from the shutdown, are being reported as a
discontinued operation.
For financial reporting purposes, ABI operates in four industry segments:
flooring products, tape products, jewelry and the Canadian division, which
produces flooring and rubber products. See Note 14 of Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements, set forth in Item 8 below.
(b) Financial Information about Industry Segments. Business segment
information is in Note 14 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, set
forth in Item 8 below.
(c) Narrative Description of Business.
Marketing, Distribution and Sales. The Tape Division's protective papers and
films are sold domestically and throughout the world, principally through
distributors, but also directly to certain manufacturers. Other tape products
are marketed through the Tape Division's own sales force and by sales
representatives and distributors throughout the world. ABI's Belgian, Italian
and Singapore facilities sell these products throughout Europe and the Far East.
4
The products of K&M are sold domestically and in Canada through its own direct
sales force and through third-party sales representatives. K&M's business and
operations experience seasonal variations. In general, fashion jewelry supply,
distribution and service businesses respond to the seasonal demands of mass
merchandisers and other major retailers, which typically peak in preparation for
end-of-year holiday shopping. Accordingly, K&M's working capital needs tend to
be greatest in the second and third fiscal quarters as it increases production
activities in advance of its peak selling season, while its revenues tend to be
greater toward the end of each fiscal year, especially in the latter part of the
third quarter and the first half of the fourth quarter.
AB Canada's floor tile, rubber products and industrial products are marketed
principally through distributors. Seasonal variations in the sales and working
capital requirements of this division are not significant.
Congoleum currently sells its products through approximately 17 distributors
providing approximately 79 distribution points in the United States and Canada,
as well as directly to a limited number of mass market retailers. Congoleum
considers its distribution network to be very important to maintaining a
competitive position. Although Congoleum has more than one distributor in some
of its distribution territories and actively manages its credit exposure to its
customers, the loss of a major customer could have a materially adverse impact
on Congoleum's business, results of operations and financial condition, at least
until a suitable replacement is in place. The sales pattern for Congoleum's
products is seasonal, with peaks in retail sales typically occurring during
March/April/May and September/October. Orders are generally shipped as soon as a
truckload quantity has been accumulated, and backorders can be canceled without
penalty.
Hulera Sula's footwear and foam products are marketed and distributed in certain
Central American countries.
Financial information about products that contributed more than 10% of the
Company's consolidated revenue during the last three fiscal years is included in
Note 14 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, set forth in Item 8
below.
Working Capital and Cash Flow. In general, ABI's working capital requirements
are not affected by accelerated delivery requirements of major customers or by
obtaining a continuous allotment of raw material from suppliers. ABI does not
provide special rights for customers to return merchandise and does not provide
special seasonal or extended terms to its customers. K&M does provide
pre-approved allowances in the form of markdowns and return authorizations as
required.
Congoleum produces goods for inventory and sells on credit to customers.
Generally, Congoleum's distributors carry inventory as needed to meet local or
rapid delivery requirements. Congoleum's typical credit terms generally require
payment on invoices within 31 days, with a discount available for earlier
payment. These practices are typical within the industry.
5
In 2005, Congoleum anticipates spending an additional $6.5 million at a minimum
to obtain confirmation of its plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of the
United States Bankruptcy Code and $9.3 million in connection with the related
insurance coverage litigation, which will have a material impact on its
liquidity and cash flow, although Congoleum anticipates that its existing cash
(including restricted cash) and credit arrangements should be sufficient to fund
these expenditures. In connection with Congoleum's plan of reorganization, ABI
expects to spend $1.2 million in 2005, which is not expected to have a material
adverse effect on ABI's working capital or cash flow. ABI is generally not
otherwise liable for the separate obligations of Congoleum.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - ABI and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries"
and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Congoleum" in Item 7 below.
Raw Materials. ABI generally designs and engineers its own products. Most of the
raw materials required by ABI for its manufacturing operations are available
from multiple sources; however, ABI does purchase some of its raw materials from
a single source or supplier. Any significant delay in or disruption of the
supply of raw materials could substantially increase ABI's cost of materials,
require product reformulation or require qualification of new suppliers, any one
or more of which could materially adversely affect the business, operations or
financial condition of ABI. Congoleum does not have readily available
alternative sources of supply for specific designs of transfer print paper,
which are produced utilizing print cylinders engraved to Congoleum's
specifications. Although no loss of this source of supply is anticipated,
replacement could take a considerable period of time and interrupt production of
certain products. Congoleum maintains a raw material inventory and has an
ongoing program to develop new sources, which is designed to provide continuity
of supply for its raw material requirements. Although the Company and Congoleum
have generally not had difficulty in obtaining their requirements for these
materials, they have occasionally experienced significant price increases for
some of these materials. In particular, industry supply conditions for specialty
resins used in flooring have been very tight, despite significant price
increases, in part due to a fire at a large resin plant in 2004. Although the
Company and Congoleum have not experienced any significant difficulties
obtaining specialty resin, there can be no assurances that they may not have
difficulty in the future, particularly if global supply conditions deteriorate.
Raw material prices in 2004 increased significantly and are expected to remain
high in 2005 and until additional capacity becomes available.
Competition. All businesses in which ABI is engaged are highly competitive,
principally based upon pricing of the product, the quality of the product and
service to the customer. ABI's tape products compete with products of some of
the largest fully integrated rubber and plastic companies, as well as those of
smaller producers. Included among its competitors are 3M, Nitto Permacel,
Venture Tape, Ivex and R-Tape. AB Canada's flooring products compete with those
of other manufacturers of rubber and resilient floor tiles and with all other
types of floor covering. AB Canada also competes with Armstrong World
Industries, Inc., Flexco/Roppe, Nora and Mondo and with other manufacturers of
alternate floor covering products. In the rubber products category, AB Canada
has several competitors, principally among them being GRT Division of Enpro, The
Biltrite Corporation and West America Rubber Company.
6
The market for Congoleum's products is highly competitive. Resilient sheet and
tile compete for both residential and commercial customers primarily with
carpeting, hardwood, melamine laminate and ceramic tile. In residential
applications, both tile and sheet products are used primarily in kitchens,
bathrooms, laundry rooms and foyers and, to a lesser extent, in playrooms and
basements. Ceramic tile is used primarily in kitchens, bathrooms and foyers.
Carpeting is used primarily in bedrooms, family rooms and living rooms. Hardwood
flooring and melamine laminate are used primarily in family rooms, foyers and
kitchens. Commercial grade resilient flooring faces substantial competition from
carpeting, ceramic tile, rubber tile, hardwood flooring and stone in commercial
applications. Congoleum believes, based upon its market research, that purchase
decisions are influenced primarily by fashion elements such as design, color and
style, durability, ease of maintenance, price and ease of installation. Both
tile and sheet resilient flooring are easy to replace for repair and
redecoration and, in Congoleum's view, have advantages over other floor covering
products in terms of both price and ease of installation and maintenance.
Congoleum encounters competition from three other manufacturers in North America
and, to a much lesser extent, foreign manufacturers. In the resilient category,
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. has the largest market share. Certain of
Congoleum's competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources
and access to capital than Congoleum.
K&M competes with other companies that make similar products on the basis of
product pricing and the effectiveness of merchandising services offered. In
assessing K&M's products and services, customers tend to focus on margin dollars
realized from the sales of product and return on inventory investment needed to
generate sales. In its business of supplying and servicing fashion jewelry and
accessory products, K&M competes with a variety of competitors, among them are
Liz Claiborne Inc., Jones Apparel Group and a number of other companies offering
similar products and/or services. K&M also competes with numerous importers and
overseas suppliers of similar items.
Patents and Trademarks. ABI and its subsidiaries own many trademarks, including
the Congoleum brand name, the AB(R) logo, TransferRite(R) and Ideal(R) at the
Tape Division, Estrie(R) and AB Colors Plus(R) at AB Canada, and Amtico(R),
which is used solely in the Canadian market. K&M also licenses the AK Anne
Klein(R), Panama Jack(R), Guess?(R), Bratz(R) and MUDD(R) trademarks as well as
certain others. These trademarks are important for the Company in maintaining
its competitive position. The Company also believes that patents and know-how
play an important role in maintaining competitive position. For example,
Congoleum utilizes a proprietary transfer printing process for certain tile
products that it believes produces visual effects that only one other competitor
is presently able to duplicate.
Research and Development. Research and development efforts at the Company
concentrate on new product development, increasing efficiencies of the various
manufacturing processes, and improving the features and performance of existing
products. Expenditures for research and development were $5.8 million, $4.8
million, and $5.1 million, on a consolidated basis for the years ended December
31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
7
Key Customers. For the year ended December 31, 2004, two customers of Congoleum
accounted for over 10% of ABI's consolidated net sales. The two customers
together accounted for 70% of Congoleum's net sales of $229.5 million. These
customers are Congoleum's distributor to the manufactured housing market,
LaSalle-Bristol, and its largest retail distributor, Mohawk Industries, Inc. No
other customer accounted for more than 10% of ABI's consolidated sales.
K&M's largest customer Wal*Mart accounts for 43% of K&M's net sales and 8% of
ABI's consolidated net sales, and K&M's top three customers in terms of net
sales in 2004 together accounted for 59% of K&M's net sales. The loss of the
largest customer would have a material adverse effect on K&M.
Sales to five unaffiliated customers of the Tape Division together constitute
approximately 21% of the net sales for the Division. The loss of the largest
unaffiliated customer and/or two or more of the other unaffiliated customers
could have a significant, adverse effect on the Tape Division's revenue. AB
Canada's sales to Congoleum accounted for approximately 13% of AB Canada's net
sales in 2004. The loss of Congoleum would have a significant, adverse affect on
AB Canada's revenue. See Note 14 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
set forth in Item 8 of this report.
Backlog. The dollar amount of backlog of orders believed to be firm as of
December 31, 2004 and 2003 was $13.3 million and $12.9 million, respectively. It
is anticipated that all of the backlog as of December 31, 2004 will be filled
within the current fiscal year. There are no seasonal or other significant
aspects of the backlog. In the opinion of management, backlog is not significant
to the business of ABI.
Environmental Compliance. Because of the nature of the operations conducted by
ABI, ABI's facilities are subject to a broad range of federal, state, local and
foreign legal and regulatory provisions relating to the environment, including
those regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, the handling
and disposal of solid and hazardous substances and wastes and the remediation of
contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances at ABI facilities
and off-site disposal locations. ABI believes that compliance with existing
federal, state, local and foreign provisions will not have a material adverse
effect upon its financial position nor does the Company expect to have material
recurring costs or capital expenditures relating to environmental matters,
except as disclosed in Item 3 (Legal Proceedings) of this report.
Congoleum, pursuant to administrative consent orders signed in 1986 and in
connection with a prior restructuring, is in the process of implementing cleanup
measures at its Trenton sheet facility under New Jersey's Environmental Clean-up
Responsibility Act, as amended by the New Jersey Industrial Site Recovery Act.
Congoleum does not anticipate that the additional costs of these measures will
be significant. In connection with the acquisition of the Tile Division, ABI
signed a similar consent order with respect to the Trenton tile facility, and
Congoleum agreed to be financially responsible for any cleanup measures
required. Congoleum is named, together with a large number (in most cases,
hundreds) of other companies, as a potentially responsible party ("PRP") in
pending proceedings under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), as amended, and similar state laws.
In four instances, although not named as a PRP, Congoleum has received a request
for information. These pending proceedings currently relate to eight disposal
sites in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland in which recovery from
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generators of hazardous substances is sought for the cost of cleaning up the
contaminated waste sites. Congoleum's ultimate liability and funding exposure in
connection with those sites depends on many factors, including the volume of
material contributed to the site, the number of other PRPs and their financial
viability, the remediation methods and technology to be used and the extent to
which costs may be recoverable from insurance. However, under CERCLA, and
certain other laws, as a PRP, Congoleum can be held jointly and severally liable
for all environmental costs associated with a site.
The most significant exposure to which Congoleum has been named a PRP relates to
a recycling facility site in Elkton, Maryland. The PRP group at this site is
made up of 81 companies, substantially all of which are large financially
solvent entities. Two removal actions were substantially complete as of December
31, 1998; however, the groundwater treatment system was installed thereafter.
The Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") recently selected a remedy for the
soil and shallow groundwater; however, the remedial investigation/feasibility
study related to the deep groundwater has not been completed. The PRP group
estimated that future costs of the remedy recently selected by the EPA based on
engineering estimates would be approximately $11.0 million. Congoleum's
proportionate share, based on waste disposed at the site, is estimated to be
approximately 5.7% or $0.7 million. The majority of Congoleum's share of costs
is presently being paid by one of its insurance carriers, whose remaining policy
limits for this claim will cover approximately half this amount, with the
balance to be funded by other insurance carriers and Congoleum.
ABI and its subsidiaries, including Congoleum, have historically expended
substantial amounts for compliance with existing environmental laws and
regulations, including those matters described in Item 3 (Legal Proceedings)
below. ABI will continue to be required to expend amounts in the future, due to
the nature of past activities at its facilities, to comply with existing
environmental laws, and those amounts may be substantial. Because environmental
requirements have grown increasingly strict, however, ABI is unable to determine
the ultimate cost of compliance with environmental laws and enforcement
policies. The Company has established accruals for matters for which management
considers a loss to be probable and reasonably estimable. However, there can be
no assurances that the ultimate liability concerning these matters will not have
a material adverse effect on the Company.
See Item 3 (Legal Proceedings) below for certain additional information
regarding environmental matters.
Employees. As of December 31, 2004, ABI and its subsidiaries employed
approximately 1,600 people.
(d) Financial information about foreign and domestic operations and export
sales. Financial information concerning foreign and domestic operations is in
Note 14 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, set forth in Item 8
below. The Company's consolidated export sales from the United States were $23.0
million in 2004, $23.7 million in 2003, and $24.4 million in 2002.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
At December 31, 2004, ABI and its subsidiaries owned ten manufacturing plants
and a jewelry distribution center and leased additional office and warehousing
space as follows:
Owned
Or Industry Segment For
Location Square Feet Leased Which Properties Used
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Trenton, NJ 1,050,000 Owned Flooring products
Marcus Hook, PA 1,000,000 Owned Flooring products
Trenton, NJ 282,000 Owned Flooring products
Finksburg, MD 107,000 Owned Flooring products
Trenton, NJ 111,000 Leased Flooring products
Mercerville, NJ 56,000 Leased Flooring products
Sherbrooke, Quebec 379,000 Owned Canadian division
Moorestown, NJ 226,000 Owned Tape products
Lowell, MA 57,000 Owned Tape products
Billerica, MA 30,000 Leased Tape products
Renaix, Belgium 84,000 Owned Tape products
Singapore 32,000 Owned Tape products
Providence, RI 103,000 Owned Jewelry products
New York, Qingdoa, China
and Bentonville, Arkansas 11,200 Leased Jewelry products
Toronto, Ontario 152,000 Owned Discontinued operation
ABI knows of no material defect in the titles to any such properties or material
encumbrances thereon other than the owned properties in Renaix, Belgium, and
Singapore which have mortgages securing outstanding debt in amounts equal to
approximately 35% and 57% of the original cost of the property, respectively,
and under the terms of the Company's principal credit agreements and facilities,
pursuant to which the Company has granted a security interest in the properties
in Moorestown, NJ, Lowell, MA and Providence, RI. ABI believes that all of its
and its subsidiaries' properties are in good condition and have been well
maintained.
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It is estimated that during 2004, ABI's and its subsidiaries' plants for the
manufacture of floor covering products operated at approximately 95% of
aggregate capacity, its plants for the manufacture of tape products operated at
approximately 88% of aggregate capacity and the Canadian division operated at
approximately 80% of aggregate capacity. All estimates of aggregate capacity
have been made on the basis of a five-day, three-shift operation.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ABI has been named by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Potentially
Responsible Party within the meaning of the federal Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, as to four sites in three
separate states. In addition, ABI has entered into a settlement agreement that
resolved one environmental lawsuit. See Note 8 of Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements included in Item 8 for detailed information about these
matters.
The present owner of a site in Maine formerly owned by ABI has notified ABI that
it believes ABI is potentially responsible for response and remediation costs.
ABI also is potentially responsible for response and remediation costs as to
three state-supervised sites, two sites in Massachusetts, and one in New York.
See Note 8 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8
for information about ABI's potential liability at these four sites.
In accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, ABI has recorded a
reserve of approximately $3.6 million, which represents a probable and
reasonably estimable amount to cover the anticipated remediation costs at all
four sites, net of recoveries, based on facts and circumstances known to the
Company at the present time.
ABI is a co-defendant with many other manufacturers and distributors of
asbestos-containing products in approximately 1,838 pending claims involving
approximately 2,928 individuals as of December 31, 2004. These claims relate to
products of the Tile Division, which was acquired by Congoleum. The claimants
allege personal injury from exposure to asbestos or asbestos-containing
products. The Company utilizes an actuarial study to assist it in developing
estimates of the Company's potential liability for resolving present and
possible future asbestos claims. Projecting future asbestos claims costs
requires estimating numerous variables that are extremely difficult to predict,
including the incidence of claims, the disease that may be alleged by future
claimants, future settlement and trial results, future court dismissal rates for
claims, and possible asbestos legislation developments. Furthermore, any
predictions with respect to these variables are subject to even greater
uncertainty as the projection period lengthens. In light of these inherent
uncertainties, and based upon consultations with third party advisors, the
Company believes that five years is the most reasonable period over which to
include future claims that may be brought against the Company for recognizing a
reserve for future costs. The Company believes that costs for claims that might
be brought after that period are not reasonably estimable.
The estimated range of liability for settlement of current claims pending and
claims anticipated to be filed through 2010 was $7,500 to $19,400 as of December
31, 2004. The Company believes no amount within this range is more likely than
any other and, accordingly, has recorded a liability of $7,500 in its financial
statements, which represents the minimum probable and reasonably estimable
amount for the future liability at the present time. The Company also believes
that
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based on this liability estimate, the corresponding amount of insurance probable
of recovery is $7,500 at December 31, 2004, which has been included in other
assets. These amounts were based on currently known facts and a number of
assumptions. However, projecting future events, such as the number of new claims
to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of each such claim, and the
continuing solvency of various insurance companies, as well as numerous
uncertainties surrounding asbestos legislation in the United States, could cause
the actual liability and insurance recoveries for the Company to be higher or
lower than those projected or recorded.
There can be no assurance that the Company's accrued asbestos liabilities will
approximate its actual asbestos-related settlement and defense costs, or that
its accrued insurance recoveries will be realized. It is reasonably possible
that the Company will incur charges for resolution of asbestos claims in the
future, which could exceed the Company's existing reserves. The Company will
continue to vigorously defend itself and believes it has substantial insurance
coverage to mitigate future costs related to this matter.
See Note 8 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8
for detailed information about these claims.
On December 31, 2003, Congoleum and two of its subsidiaries each filed their
respective voluntary petitions commencing cases for reorganization relief under
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code with the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. These Chapter 11 cases are
being jointly administered as Case No. 03-51524 (KCF), styled In re Congoleum
Corporation, et al., and were commenced in order to resolve Congoleum's
asbestos-related liabilities and any future asbestos-related liability that
might be asserted against Congoleum. During 2003, Congoleum obtained the
asbestos personal injury claimant votes necessary for approval of a proposed
pre-packaged Chapter 11 plan of reorganization and in January 2004, filed its
pre-packaged plan of reorganization and disclosure statement with the bankruptcy
court. On November 8, 2004, Congoleum filed a modified plan of reorganization
reflecting the results of further negotiations with representatives of the
Asbestos Claimants' Committee, the Future Claimants' Representative and other
asbestos claimant representatives. The Bankruptcy Court approved the disclosure
statement and plan voting procedures on December 9, 2004 and has scheduled a
hearing beginning April 12, 2005 to consider confirmation of the plan. Congoleum
has solicited and received the acceptances necessary for confirmation of its
plan. See Notes 1, 8 and 9 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
included in Item 8 for information about Congoleum's asbestos liabilities and
plan of reorganization.
Together with a large number (in most cases, hundreds) of other companies,
Congoleum is named as a PRP in pending proceedings under CERCLA and similar
state laws. See Note 8 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
included in Item 8 for detailed information about these matters.
Congoleum also accrues remediation costs for certain of its owned facilities on
an undiscounted basis. Estimated total cleanup costs, including capital outlays
and future maintenance costs for soil and groundwater remediation are primarily
based on engineering studies. In the ordinary course of its business, ABI and
its consolidated entities become involved in lawsuits, administrative
proceedings, product liability and other matters. In some of these proceedings,
plaintiffs may seek to recover large and sometimes unspecified amounts and the
matters may remain unresolved for several years.
12
Notes 1, 8 and 9 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, to the
extent addressing matters reportable under this Item 3, are incorporated by
reference herein.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER
MATTERS
The registrant's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, is traded on the
American Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: ABL). At the close of business on March
15, 2005, the closing price of ABI's Common Stock was $12.07 per share and the
approximate number of record holders was 325. High and low stock prices for the
last two years were:
Sale Prices of Common Shares
2004 2003
----------------------------------------------------------
Quarter Ended High Low High Low
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31 $12.49 $ 7.80 $9.85 $7.00
June 30 11.70 8.85 7.55 6.35
September 30 12.75 9.20 9.16 6.60
December 31 13.70 11.20 7.70 6.32
No dividends were issued during 2004, and per share cash dividends issued during
2003 were:
Quarter Ended 2003
- ------------------------------------
March 31 $.1250
June 30 .0625
September 30 --
December 31 --
------
$.1875
======
Debt agreements that the Company and Congoleum are separately parties to
restrict the ability of the Company and Congoleum to declare and pay dividends.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - ABI and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries"
and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Congoleum" in Item 7 below. In
addition, Congoleum would not be able to declare and pay dividends during the
pendency of its Chapter 11 case prior to consummation of its plan of
reorganization.
13
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's equity
compensation plans as of December 31, 2004.
Number of
Securities
Remaining
Number of Available for
Securities to Be Weighted- Future Issuance
Issued Upon Average Exercise Under Equity
Exercise of Price of Compensation
Outstanding Outstanding Plans (excluding
Options, Options, securities
Warrants and Warrants and reflected in
Plan Category Rights Rights Column (a))
------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
(a) (b) (c)
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by
Security Holders 462,500 $15.52 70,520
Equity Compensation Plans Not Submitted
to Security Holders for Approval 23,500 13.47 26,500
---------------- ----------------
Total 486,000 15.42 97,020(1)
================ ================
(1) Includes 70,520 shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the
Company's 1993 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as
of March 4, 1997. In addition to stock options, awards under the Company's
1993 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of March
4, 1997, may take the form of stock appreciation rights (SARs), limited
SARs, restricted stock units and other stock awards specified in the Plan.
If such awards are granted, they will reduce the number of shares of
Common Stock available for issuance pursuant to future stock option
awards.
On July 1, 1999 the Company established its 1999 Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors (as amended, the "1999 Plan"), under which non-employee
directors may be granted non-qualified options (the "Options") to purchase up to
50,000 shares of Common Stock. The 1999 Plan was not submitted to stockholders
for approval. The options granted under the 1999 Plan have ten-year terms and
fully vest 6 months from the grant date. The exercise price for each Option is
100% of the fair market value on the date of the grant. As of December 31, 2004
an aggregate of 23,500 shares of common stock were issuable upon the exercise of
outstanding Options.
Congoleum maintains separate equity compensation plans.
14
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Years Ended December 31
2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
Financial Position
Total assets $ 355,285 $ 318,933 $ 361,870 $ 423,918 $ 400,887
Long-term debt(1) 124,201 124,915 125,271 126,161 111,107
Total stockholders' equity 38,072 32,979 47,538 77,248 79,547
Summary of Operations
Net sales $ 433,869 $ 416,569 $ 434,495 $ 403,509 $ 414,096
Income (loss) before
income taxes and other items 808 (9,946) (11,813) 5,961 2,921
(Benefit from) provision for
income taxes (1,681) (3,323) 1,248 2,345 770
Noncontrolling interests (107) (174) 6,221 435 3,235
Income (loss) from continuing
operations 2,382 (6,797) (6,840) 4,051 5,386
Discontinued operation (2) (429) (7,361) (2,073) (1,235) (53)
Cumulative effect of
accounting change (3) -- -- (7,742) -- --
Net income (loss) 1,953 (14,158) (16,655) 2,816 5,333
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic $ 0.57 $ (4.11) $ (4.84) $ 0.82 $ 1.52
Diluted(4) 0.54 (4.11) (4.84) 0.82 1.51
Cash dividends per common share -- 0.1875 0.50 0.50 0.50
Number of shares used in computing
earnings (loss) per share:
Basic 3,441,551 3,441,551 3,441,562 3,455,134 3,518,107
Diluted 3,458,171 3,441,572 3,441,648 3,455,148 3,537,256
- ----------
(1) Long-term debt includes Congoleum's $100,000 8 5/8% Senior Notes due 2008.
At December 31, 2004, these notes were classified as a liability subject
to compromise as a result of Congoleum's Chapter 11 filing. See Notes 5
and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which are
contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2) Historical financial results have been restated to reflect the
classification of Janus as a discontinued operation in accordance with the
Financial Accounting Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets.
(3) Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets (SFAS No. 142). In accordance with the provisions
of SFAS No. 142, the Company recorded a transitional goodwill impairment
charge of $7.7 million.
(4) Diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2004 includes
the dilutive effect of Congoleum's stock options during the year. During
the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000, Congoleum's stock
options had no effect on American Biltrite Inc.'s diluted earnings per
share.
15
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
On December 31, 2003, Congoleum and two of its subsidiaries each filed their
respective voluntary petitions commencing cases for reorganization relief under
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in order to resolve Congoleum's
asbestos-related liabilities pursuant to a pre-packaged Chapter 11 plan of
reorganization filed in the Congoleum Chapter 11 cases. During 2003, Congoleum
obtained the requisite votes of asbestos personal injury claimants necessary to
seek approval of the proposed, pre-packaged Chapter 11 plan of reorganization.
In January 2004, the Company filed its proposed plan of reorganization and
disclosure statement with the Bankruptcy Court. On November 8, 2004, Congoleum
filed a modified plan of reorganization and related documents with the
Bankruptcy Court reflecting the result of further negotiations with
representatives of the Asbestos Claimants' Committee, the Future Claimants'
Representative and other asbestos claimant representatives. The Bankruptcy Court
approved the disclosure statement and plan voting procedures on December 9, 2004
and has scheduled a hearing beginning April 12, 2005 to consider confirmation of
the plan. Congoleum currently expects that the confirmation hearings will
transpire over a number of months. Congoleum has solicited and received the
acceptances necessary for confirmation of its plan. However, there can be no
assurance that the confirmation hearing will not be rescheduled to a later date,
that the proposed plan of reorganization will not be modified further, that the
Bankruptcy Court will confirm and approve the plan, or that the proposed plan,
if confirmed, will become effective. Congoleum is presently involved in
litigation with certain insurance carriers related to disputed insurance
coverage for asbestos-related liabilities, and certain insurance carriers filed
various objections to Congoleum's previously proposed plan of reorganization and
related matters. It is expected that these or other insurance carriers will file
objections to confirmation of the recently filed modified plan of
reorganization. Other parties have also filed or may file various objections to
confirmation of Congoleum's plan of reorganization.
In anticipation of Congoleum's commencement of the Chapter 11 cases, Congoleum
entered into a settlement agreement with various asbestos personal injury
claimants (the "Claimant Agreement"), which provides for an aggregate settlement
value of at least $491 million. As contemplated by the Claimant Agreement,
Congoleum also entered into agreements establishing a pre-petition trust (the
"Collateral Trust") to distribute funds in accordance with the terms of the
Claimant Agreement and granting the Collateral Trust a security interest in its
rights under applicable insurance coverage and payments from insurers for
asbestos claims. Under Congoleum's proposed plan of reorganization, after the
establishment of the trust to be established pursuant to the provisions of
section 524(g) of the United States Bankruptcy Code upon confirmation of the
plan of reorganization (the "Plan Trust"), the assets in the Collateral Trust
would be transferred to the Plan Trust. The Company expects that any claims
subject to the Claimant Agreement that are unsatisfied as of the confirmation of
the plan of reorganization by the Bankruptcy Court would be channeled to the
Plan Trust.
Based on its proposed plan of reorganization, Congoleum has made provisions in
its financial statements for the minimum amount of the range of estimates for
its contribution and costs to effect the proposed plan to settle asbestos
liabilities through a Plan Trust established pursuant to the provisions of
Section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Congoleum recorded a charge of $17.3
million in the fourth quarter of 2002, an additional $3.7 million in the fourth
quarter of 2003, and a further $5.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2004 to
16
provide for the estimated minimum costs of completing its reorganization. ABI
also recorded approximately $1.2 million for costs ABI expects to incur in 2005
($900 thousand) and for its anticipated contribution to the Plan Trust ($250
thousand) in connection with Congoleum's reorganization plan. Actual amounts
that will be contributed to the Plan Trust by Congoleum and costs for pursuing
and implementing the plan of reorganization could be materially higher, and
Congoleum and the Company may record significant additional charges should the
minimum estimated cost increase.
In addition, ABI is also a defendant in a number of asbestos-related lawsuits in
addition to those brought against Congoleum. See Note 8 of the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report, which is
incorporated herein by reference. These matters could have a material adverse
impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
During 2003, the Company decided to discontinue the operations of its Janus
Flooring Corporation subsidiary, a manufacturer of pre-finished hardwood
flooring, and sell the related assets. Results of Janus Flooring, including
charges resulting from the shutdown, are being reported as a discontinued
operation.
Due to Congoleum's bankruptcy and separate capital structure, the Company
believes that presenting ABI and its non-debtor subsidiaries separately from
Congoleum is the most meaningful way to discuss and analyze its financial
condition and results of operations.
Results of Operations
ABI and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries
2004 2003 2002
--------- --------- ---------
Net sales $ 204,219 $ 195,919 $ 197,487
Cost of sales 147,456 140,839 137,150
--------- --------- ---------
Gross profit 56,763 27.8% 55,080 28.1% 60,337 30.6%
Selling, general & administrative
expenses 54,765 26.8% 53,931 27.5% 52,163 26.4%
--------- --------- ---------
Operating income 1,998 1,149 8,174
Interest expense, net 3,005 2,542 2,321
Other income, net 1,440 2,083 1,515
--------- --------- ---------
Income before taxes and other items 433 690 7,368
Provision for income taxes 864 551 1,156
Noncontrolling interests (107) (174) (313)
--------- --------- ---------
(Loss) income from continuing
operations $ (538) $ (35) $ 5,899
========= ========= =========
Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2003
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2004 were $204.2 million, an increase
of $8.3 million or 4.2% from sales of $195.9 million in 2003. Tape segment sales
increased 5.4% as volume, and to a lesser extent product mix, improved
worldwide; sales of paper, film and HVAC products were up while automotive
product sales decreased. Canadian segment sales increased as a result of foreign
currency translation, and higher industrial product sales offset lower flooring
sales. Jewelry segment sales were essentially level as decreased sales to the
mass merchandiser channel and lower service revenues were offset by growth with
department stores, and specialty and mid-tier retailers.
17
Gross profit was 27.8% of net sales in 2004 compared to 28.1% in 2003. Gross
margins in the Tape segment declined 1.0 point as a percentage of net sales due
to higher raw material costs. Canadian segment margins improved 0.5 points as a
percentage of net sales as improved manufacturing performance and spending
reductions more than offset higher raw material costs. Margins in the jewelry
business improved 0.6 points as a percentage of net sales on a more profitable
customer mix.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31,
2004 were $54.8 million, up from $53.9 million in 2003, as a result of higher
employee benefit costs, freight and selling expense increases. As a percentage
of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses declined from 27.5% of
net sales in 2003 to 26.8% of net sales in 2004.
Net interest expense increased from $2.5 million in 2003 to $3.0 million in
2004 due to higher interest rates under certain of the Company's debt
agreements.
The effective tax rate in 2004 of 200% arises primarily from combining
profitable segments providing for taxes at higher statutory rates with
unprofitable segments whose resulting tax benefits are at lower statutory rates.
Furthermore, the Canadian division recorded a valuation allowance against
deferred tax assets arising from its losses. Future effective tax rates are
expected to be closer to statutory rates, but could fluctuate widely depending
on the actual and relative results of individual segments, as well as other
factors.
The loss from continuing operations was $538 thousand in 2004, compared with $35
thousand in 2003, as improved income from operations was offset by higher
interest and taxes and less favorable net foreign exchange gains/losses. The net
loss was $1.0 million in 2004 compared with a net loss of $7.4 million in 2003
when the charges related to the closure of the Janus Flooring operations were
recognized.
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2003 were $195.9 million, a decrease
of $1.6 million or 0.8% from sales of $197.5 million in 2002. Jewelry segment
sales decreased $2.8 million or 3.6% from 2002 due to lower sales to a major
mass merchandiser, partly offset by increases in sales to other customers. Tape
and Canadian segment sales increased slightly as a result of foreign currency
translation; absent the weaker U.S. dollar, these segments would have reported
decreases due to the continued weak economic environment in several of their end
use markets.
Gross profit was 28.1% of net sales in 2003 compared with 30.6% in 2002. Gross
margins in the Tape segment, as a percentage of its net sales, improved 0.7
percentage points due to a more profitable product mix, the weaker dollar, and
manufacturing cost improvements. Canadian margins declined 2.6 percentage points
as a percentage of net sales principally due to lower volume. Margins in the
jewelry business were the same in 2003 as in 2002.
18
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31,
2003 were $53.9 million, or 27.5% of net sales, up from $52.2 million or 26.4%
of net sales in 2002. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased due
to higher costs for insurance, employee medical benefits and professional fees
as well as the impact of the weaker U.S. dollar on expenses of foreign
operations.
Net interest expense increased from $2.3 million in 2002 to $2.5 million in 2003
due to slightly higher average borrowings and higher interest rates under
certain of the Company's debt agreements.
The effective tax rate in 2003 was 79.9%. The high effective tax rate in 2003
(relative to statutory rates) was primarily the result of the fact that the
Canadian division recorded a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets
arising from its losses.
The loss from continuing operations was $35 thousand in 2003, compared with
income from continuing operations of $5.9 million in 2002, as a result of the
lower profitability of the jewelry business and the loss at the Canadian
division. The net loss was $7.4 million in 2003 compared with a net income of
$1.9 million in 2002, or net income of $3.8 million before a required accounting
change. The lower net income before the required accounting change versus income
the previous year was due to the increased loss from discontinued operations in
2003 when the charges related to closure of Janus Flooring were recognized.
Congoleum
2004 2003 2002
--------- --------- ---------
Net sales $ 229,493 $ 220,706 $ 237,206
Cost of sales 167,844 166,864 179,699
--------- --------- ---------
Gross profit 61,649 26.9% 53,842 24.4% 57,507 24.2%
Selling, general & administrative
expenses 52,925 23.1% 56,911 25.8% 70,119 29.6%
--------- --------- ---------
Operating income (loss) 8,724 (3,069) (12,612)
Interest expense, net 9,332 8,843 8,112
Other income, net 1,011 1,276 1,543
--------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) before taxes 403 (10,636) (19,181)
(Benefit from) provision for
income taxes (2,545) (3,874) 92
Cumulative effect of accounting
change -- -- (10,523)
--------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) $ 2,948 $ (6,762) $ (29,796)
========= ========= =========
Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2003
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2004 totaled $229.5 million as
compared to $220.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, an increase of
$8.8 million or 4%. The increase in sales resulted from improvements in
residential sheet sales reflecting the introduction in the second half of 2004
of a new high-end product, Xclusive, continued improvements in sales of the
DuraCeramic tile product, higher shipments to the manufactured housing industry,
and the effect of a price increase. Partially offsetting these improvements were
declines in Do-It-Yourself tile sales to mass merchandisers, lower DuraStone
product sales and less demand for residential sheet specials.
19
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2004 totaled $61.6 million, or
26.9% of net sales, compared to $53.8 million or 24.4% of net sales for the year
ended December 31, 2003. The increase in gross margins was driven by improvement
in product mix, particularly residential sheet, coupled with improved
manufacturing efficiencies and the impact of cost reduction programs initiated
in the second half of 2003. These factors helped offset sharply higher raw
material costs experienced during the second half of the year. The significant
raw material inflation experienced in 2004 is expected to continue into 2005 and
will reduce profit margins to the extent it cannot be recovered through price
increases.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $52.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004 as compared to $56.9 million for the year ended December
31, 2003, a decrease of $4.0 million. Selling, general and administrative
expenses for 2004 and 2003 included $5.0 million and $3.7 million, respectively,
of costs associated with asbestos-related reorganization claims. As a percent of
net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 23.1% and 25.8% for
the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The lower selling,
general and administrative expenses reflect the impact of several cost savings
initiatives instituted in the second half of 2003, including workforce
reductions, reduced merchandising and sampling expenses, and elimination of
trade shows. These initiatives, coupled with further cost reduction steps taken
in the fall of 2004, helped offset increased costs in healthcare, pensions and
performance related incentive fees.
Congoleum recorded a charge of $5.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2004,
included in selling, general, and administrative expenses, to increase its
estimated recorded liability for resolving asbestos-related claims. The recorded
liability at December 31, 2004 represents the minimum estimated cost that
Congoleum would incur to resolve its asbestos-related liability through the
execution of Congoleum's proposed plan of reorganization. If Congoleum is not
successful in obtaining confirmation of its proposed plan of reorganization in a
timely manner, actual costs could be significantly higher. The proposed plan
also would require Congoleum to make an additional contribution to the Plan
Trust one year after confirmation of the plan equal to 51% of any increase in
market value of Congoleum's shares at that time over their value on June 6,
2003. For example, if the adjustment amount were calculated for the period ended
December 31, 2004, the resulting adjustment amount would be $17.8 million. No
provision has been made for the cost of this possible additional contribution,
which could be material. Congoleum will adjust its recorded liability should its
estimates change. In addition, it is expected that the terms of the Note will
require Congoleum to make interest payments prior to such note's maturity date.
Income from operations was $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2004
compared to a loss of $3.1 million for the same period in the prior year, an
improvement of $11.8 million. This improvement in operating income reflects
higher sales and margins coupled with reductions in operating expenses.
20
Interest income was unchanged at $0.1 million for the years ended December 31,
2004 and 2003, respectively. Interest expense increased from $8.9 million in
2003 to $9.4 million in 2004, primarily reflecting the accrued interest on
unpaid Senior Note interest. Due to the Chapter 11 proceedings, Congoleum was
precluded from making the interest payments due February 1, 2004 and August 1,
2004 on the Senior Notes.
Congoleum recorded a tax benefit of $2.5 million on income before taxes of $0.4
million in 2004. This relates primarily to anticipated tax benefits associated
with certain prior year expenditures for resolving asbestos related liabilities,
which Congoleum has determined may be carried back but were not previously
recognized.
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2002
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2003 were $220.7 million as compared
to $237.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, a decrease of $16.5
million or 7%. The decrease resulted primarily from lower sales in the
Do-It-Yourself tile category coupled with continued weakness in the Manufactured
Housing market. Improved resilient sheet volume, particularly in base-grade and
trade-up builder products, coupled with a price increase and lower sales
allowances, helped to partially mitigate the sales decline.
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2003 totaled $53.8 million, or
24.4% of net sales, compared to $57.5 million, or 24.2% of net sales, for the
year ended December 31, 2002. Gross margins improved slightly as improved
pricing, manufacturing efficiencies and cost reduction programs helped offset
raw material cost increases.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $56.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 2003 as compared to $70.1 million for the year ended December
31, 2002, a decrease of $13.2 million. Selling, general and administrative
expenses for 2003 and 2002 included $3.7 million and $17.3 million of costs
associated with asbestos-related claims, respectively. As a percent of net
sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 25.8% and 29.6% for the
years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. During 2003, cost savings
initiatives were implemented that helped offset increases in pension, medical
and other related costs.
Congoleum recorded a charge of $3.7 million during the fourth quarter of 2003,
included in selling, general, and administrative expenses, to increase its
recorded liability for resolving asbestos-related claims to the then estimated
minimum cost to resolve its asbestos-related liability through the execution of
its proposed plan of reorganization.
The loss from operations was $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2003
compared to a loss of $12.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, an
improvement of $9.5 million. This smaller loss from operations was primarily due
to the lower asbestos-related charge, offset by lower gross margin dollars.
Interest income declined from $0.3 million in 2002 to $0.1 million in 2003 due
to lower average cash equivalent and short-term investment balances. Interest
expense increased from $8.4 million in 2002 to $8.9 million in 2003, reflecting
increased borrowings under Congoleum's revolving credit agreement.
21
Congoleum recorded a tax benefit of $3.9 million on a loss before income taxes
of $10.6 million in 2003 as a result of utilizing certain loss carry forwards
that had previously been fully reserved.
Liquidity and Capital Resources - ABI and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries
At December 31, 2004, working capital was $16.2 million, the ratio of current
assets to current liabilities was 1.3 to 1, and the debt to equity ratio was
0.53 to 1. Net cash provided by operations during 2004 was $9.0 million.
Although the Company currently has no material commitments for capital
expenditures, it plans to make capital expenditures during 2005 of approximately
$3 million to $4 million. Capital expenditures generally cover normal
replacement of machinery and equipment and process improvements. Cash
requirements for capital expenditures, working capital, debt service, and any
dividends or share repurchases are expected to be financed from operating
activities and borrowings under existing lines of credit. Existing resources,
together with cash generated from operations, is expected to be sufficient to
meet capital requirements of current operations for the foreseeable future. The
Company's debt agreements restrict the amount of capital expenditures that the
Company may make in particular periods to a specified aggregate amount.
American Biltrite Inc. has two principal debt agreements that it is party to as
borrower. The first of those agreements is a credit agreement (the "Credit
Facility") with Bank of America (as successor to Fleet National Bank, "BofA").
The Credit Facility provides the Company with a revolving credit facility of up
to $20 million, including up to $5 million for the issuance of letters of
credit. Amounts that the Company can borrow under the Credit Facility are
subject to reduction from time to time if the borrowing base is less than $20
million. The formula used for determining the borrowing base formula is based
upon inventory, receivables and fixed assets of the Company and certain of its
subsidiaries, reduced by amounts outstanding under the Note Agreement (as
defined below). Interest is payable on amounts borrowed under the Credit
Facility at rates which generally vary between a LIBOR based rate plus 1.0% to a
LIBOR based rate plus 2.75% depending on the Company's leverage ratio, as
determined under the Credit Facility. Certain domestic subsidiaries of the
Company have agreed to guarantee the Company's obligations under the Credit
Facility. The Credit Facility expires on January 1, 2006.
The second principal debt agreement that American Biltrite Inc. is a party to
(the "Note Agreement") is with The Prudential Insurance Company of America
("Prudential"). Under the Note Agreement, the Company previously issued notes in
an aggregate principal amount of $20 million (the "Series A Notes"). The Series
A Notes generally bear interest at a rate of 7.91% per annum, and the Company is
obligated to pay Prudential an additional fee on each interest payment date if
the Company's and certain of its subsidiaries' ratio of debt to EBITDA, as
defined under the Note Agreement, exceeds certain levels. The amount of those
fees that may be payable by the Company varies depending on the extent the
Company's and certain of its subsidiaries' debt exceeds EBITDA, as determined
under the Note Agreement, and is capped at 2% of the outstanding principal
amount of the Series A Notes. Principal on the Senior A Notes is repayable in
five annual installments of $4.0 million beginning on August 28, 2006. In
addition, the Note Agreement provides for possible issuances of additional notes
by the Company for up to an aggregate principal amount of $15 million, which
additional notes will mature not later than 10 years after the date of issuance
and will bear interest at rates to be determined on or about the time of
issuance.
22
Both the Credit Facility and the Note Agreement contain certain covenants that
the Company must satisfy. The covenants included in the Credit Facility and the
Note Agreement include certain financial tests, restrictions on the ability of
the Company to incur additional indebtedness or to grant liens on its assets and
restrictions on the ability of the Company to pay dividends on its capital
stock. Pursuant to the Credit Facility and the Note Agreement, the Company and
certain of its domestic subsidiaries granted BofA and Prudential a security
interest in most of the Company's and its domestic subsidiaries' assets. The
security interest granted does not include the shares of capital stock of the
Company's majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum Corporation or the assets of
Congoleum Corporation.
In the past, the Company has had to amend its debt agreements in order to avoid
being in default of those agreements as a result of failing to satisfy certain
financial covenants contained in those agreements. Most recently, in March 2005,
the Note Agreement was amended to revise certain financial covenants to afford
the Company greater flexibility to comply with those covenants, as well as to
permit the Company to undertake certain transactions. The Company is currently
negotiating modifications to financial covenants for 2005 under the Note
Agreement to make them comparable to the 2005 financial covenants in the amended
Credit Facility. While the Company has been successful in such negotiations
previously and believes it will be so again, failure to obtain such
modifications or to obtain waivers of certain existing financial covenants would
likely result in the Company failing to satisfy the financial covenants as
currently comprised during the measurement periods in 2005. Such a failure would
constitute a default under the Note Agreement.
There can be no assurance that the Company will not need to obtain additional
amendments or waivers of covenants under its debt agreements in 2005 or
subsequent years. If it fails to satisfy those covenants it will be in default
under the respective debt agreements.
Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Facility and the Note Agreement, a default
by the Company under one of those agreements triggers a cross-default under the
other agreement. If a default occurs, BofA and Prudential could respectively
require the Company to repay all amounts outstanding under the respective debt
agreements. If a default occurs and the Company is unable to obtain a waiver
from BofA and Prudential and the Company is required to repay all amounts
outstanding under those agreements, the Company would need to obtain funding
from another source. Otherwise, the Company would likely be unable to repay
those outstanding amounts, in which case, BofA as administrative agent over the
collateral securing the amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility and the
Note Agreement, might exercise BofA's and Prudential's rights over that
collateral. Any default by the Company under the Credit Facility or the Note
Agreement that results in the Company being required to immediately repay
outstanding amounts under its debt agreements, and for which suitable
replacement financing is not timely obtained, would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
As noted above, the Credit Facility and the Note Agreement restrict the
Company's ability to obtain additional financing. Moreover, since the Company
and most of its subsidiaries have already granted security interests in most of
their assets, the Company's ability to obtain any additional debt financing may
be limited. The Company currently believes that its cash flow from operations,
expected proceeds from the sale of the Janus Flooring assets and borrowings
23
available under its existing credit facilities will be adequate for its expected
capital expenditure, working capital and debt service needs, subject to
compliance with the covenants contained in its debt agreements and the ability
of the Company to replace or refinance its existing credit facility that is
scheduled to expire on January 1, 2006 on satisfactory terms. However, if
circumstances change, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary
additional debt financing would likely have a material adverse effect on its
business, operations and financial condition.
Under Congoleum's anticipated plan of reorganization, it is expected that
certain rights that the Company may have to receive indemnification for claims
under the plan of reorganization or the joint venture agreement relating to the
contribution by ABI to Congoleum in 1993 of the Company's tile division, subject
to certain exceptions, will not be paid to the Company for so long as any
obligations owed to the Plan Trust under the promissory note expected to be
contributed by Congoleum to the Plan Trust remain outstanding. Instead, those
amounts will be held in escrow by the Plan Trust and be pledged by the Company
as collateral securing Congoleum's obligations under that promissory note until
released from such escrow and paid to the Company pursuant to the terms of
Congoleum's plan of reorganization, the promissory note and the pledge agreement
expected to be entered into by the Company with regard to the collateral
expected to be pledged by the Company to secure Congoleum's obligations under
the promissory note. To the extent the amounts that are subject to that escrow
are material, that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
liquidity and capital resources since those escrowed amounts represent amounts
that would have already been paid by the Company but not yet reimbursed to the
Company to the extent they remain in escrow.
Pursuant to the terms of Congoleum's plan of reorganization, ABI will also
pledge the shares of Congoleum stock it owns as collateral securing Congoleum's
obligations under that promissory note expected to be contributed by Congoleum
to the Plan Trust. The original principal amount of that note is expected to be
$2.7 million and will be subject to increase as of the last trading day of the
90 consecutive trading day period commencing on the first anniversary of the
effective date of Congoleum's plan of reorganization in an amount equal to the
excess, if any, of the amount by which 51% of Congoleum's market capitalization
as of that date exceeds $2.7 million. This adjustment amount could result in the
principal amount of the note increasing materially. For example, if the
adjustment amount were calculated based on the excess of 51% of the equity value
of Congoleum over $2.7 million during the 90 consecutive day trading period
ended December 31, 2004, the resulting adjustment amount would be $17.8 million.
Although the scheduled repayment date for this note does not occur until its
tenth anniversary of issuance, it is expected that the terms of the note will
require Congoleum to make interest payments prior to the note's maturity date.
Any default by Congoleum under that note could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's liquidity and capital resources.
The proposed Congoleum plan of reorganization also provides for a possible
additional contribution by ABI to the Plan Trust in the event ABI sells its
interest in Congoleum during the three-year period beginning on the first
anniversary of confirmation of Congoleum's plan of reorganization. The expected
amount of any additional contribution by ABI would be equal to 50% of any amount
by which 51% of the equity value of Congoleum implied by ABI's sale of its
interest in Congoleum exceeds the aggregate principal amount of the note
contributed by Congoleum to the Plan Trust outstanding as of the measurement
date for determining whether the principal amount of that note would be
increased and after taking into account any such increase in the principal
amount.
24
In addition, the terms of Congoleum's plan of reorganization are expected to
provide that the Company will no longer have certain other rights to receive
indemnification under the joint venture agreement or Congoleum's plan of
reorganization for asbestos-related property damage claims. To the extent that
the Company pays material amounts for asbestos-related property damage claims
that the Company would have been entitled to be reimbursed for by Congoleum
absent the provisions of Congoleum's plan of reorganization, that could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's liquidity and capital resources.
Furthermore, to the extent that the amount of any of the Company's indemnity
claims against the Plan Trust are reduced pursuant to the distribution
procedures under Congoleum's plan of reorganization to an amount less than the
corresponding amount paid by the Company, that could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's liquidity and capital resources.
In addition, under the terms of Congoleum's plan of reorganization, ABI expects
to contribute $250 thousand in cash to the Plan Trust.
The Company's Canadian subsidiary has debt financing under an agreement with
CIBC (the "CIBC Agreement") that provided a $7.5 million Canadian dollar (US
$6.2 million at the December 31, 2004 foreign currency exchange rate) capital
loan and provides an operating loan facility of $10 million Canadian dollars (US
$8.3 million at the December 31, 2004 foreign currency exchange rate).
Proceeds of the capital loan were used to fund acquisitions of property and
equipment in Canada. The capital loan is payable in 20 equal quarterly
installments which began on February 28, 2002 and bears interest at 6.03% per
annum. The operating loan is payable on demand and bears interest at a floating
rate which was 5.75% per annum at December 31, 2004. Borrowings under the CIBC
Agreement are secured by the Canadian division's inventory, receivables, and
equipment.
At December 31, 2004, $7.5 million was outstanding under the Company's credit
facilities and $1.1 million secured outstanding letters of credit. Unused
available borrowings under the Company's credit facilities at December 31, 2004
were $15.6 million based on collateral levels at that date.
The Company has not declared a dividend subsequent to the second quarter of
2003. Any future dividends will be determined by the Company's board of
directors based upon the financial performance and capital requirements of the
Company, among other considerations. Under the Credit Facility, aggregate
dividend payments (since September 30, 2003) are generally limited to 50% of
cumulative consolidated net income (computed treating Congoleum under the equity
method of accounting), as determined under the Credit Facility, earned after
September 30, 2003. Under the Note Agreement, aggregate dividend payments (since
December 31, 2000) generally may not exceed the sum of $6.0 million plus 50% of
cumulative consolidated net income (accounting for Congoleum under the equity
method of accounting), as determined under the Note Agreement, earned after
December 31, 2000.
25
The following table summarizes the Company's obligations at December 31, 2004
for future principal payments on its long-term debt (assuming any necessary
amendments or waivers are obtained from its lenders), future minimum rental
payments on its non-cancelable operating leases and future minimum royalty and
advertising payments for licensed brand names on K&M products.
Payments due by Period
(In thousands of dollars)
2010 and
Total 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Thereafter
----------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt $24,201 $1,411 $5,414 $4,173 $4,115 $4,079 $5,009
Operating leases 5,489 1,538 1,375 1,174 722 370 310
Royalty & advertising
commitments 4,413 2,163 2,217 33 -- -- --
----------------------------------------------------------------
$34,103 $5,112 $9,006 $5,380 $4,837 $4,449 $5,319
================================================================
On December 31, 2003 the Company's subsidiary Congoleum and two of its
subsidiaries each filed voluntary petitions with the United States Bankruptcy
Court for the District of New Jersey (Case No. 03-51524) seeking relief under
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. As part of Congoleum's plan of
reorganization, ABI expects that Congoleum's indemnification obligations to ABI
with respect to current and future asbestos claims related to its former Tile
Division operations that are not covered by ABI insurance will be channeled to
the Plan Trust. ABI expects to contribute $250 thousand in cash and pledge the
shares of Congoleum stock it owns as collateral securing the performance of
Congoleum's obligations under the promissory note expected to be issued by
Congoleum to the Plan Trust. The Company also estimates that it will incur
approximately $900 thousand in expenses during 2005 in connection with
Congoleum's planned reorganization. ABI does not expect its cash contribution,
its pledge and expenses related to the reorganization will have a material
adverse effect on its liquidity or capital resources. The Company is a defendant
in a number of asbestos-related lawsuits as well. See Note 9 of the Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements, which is included at Item 8. These matters
may have a material adverse impact on the Company's liquidity and capital
resources.
Liquidity and Capital Resources - Congoleum
Congoleum is a defendant in a large number of asbestos-related lawsuits and on
December 31, 2003 filed a pre-packaged plan of reorganization under Chapter 11
of the United States Bankruptcy Code as part of its strategy to resolve this
liability. See Notes 1 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,
which are contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These matters
will have a material adverse impact on liquidity and capital resources. During
2004, Congoleum paid $10.8 million in fees and expenses related to
implementation of its planned reorganization under Chapter 11 and litigation
with certain insurance companies. Pursuant to terms of the Claimant Agreement
and related documents, Congoleum is entitled to reimbursement for certain
expenses it incurs for claims processing costs and expenses in connection with
pursuit of insurance coverage. At December 31, 2004, Congoleum had $8.8 million
recorded as a receivable for such reimbursements. The amount and timing of
reimbursements that will be received will depend on when the trust receives
funds from insurance settlements or other sources and whether the insurance
proceeds exceed $375 million, which is the required threshold for reimbursement
26
of the first $7.3 million spent by Congoleum. Congoleum believes this threshold
will be met, although there can be no assurances to that effect. Congoleum
expects to spend a further $9.3 million at a minimum in fees, expenses, and
trust contributions in connection with obtaining confirmation of its plan, which
amount is recorded in its reserve for asbestos-related liabilities (in addition
to the $14.5 million insurance settlement being held as restricted cash). It
also expects to spend a further $9.3 million during 2005 in connection with
pursuit of insurance coverage, for which it expects to be reimbursed as
discussed above.
As part of Congoleum's proposed plan of reorganization, Congoleum will also
issue a promissory note to the Plan Trust. Under the terms of the proposed plan,
the original principal amount of Congoleum's note will be $2.7 million and will
be subject to increase as of the last trading day of the 90 consecutive trading
day period commencing on the first anniversary of the effective date of
Congoleum's plan of reorganization in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of
the amount by which 51% of Congoleum's market capitalization as of that date
exceeds $2.7 million. This adjustment amount could result in the principal
amount of the note increasing materially. For example, if the adjustment amount
were calculated for the period ended December 31, 2004, the resulting adjustment
amount would be $17.8 million. Although the scheduled repayment date for this
note does not occur until its tenth anniversary of issuance, this debt may
affect Congoleum's ability to obtain other sources of financing or refinance
existing obligations. In addition, it is expected that the terms of the note
will require Congoleum to make interest payments prior to such note's maturity
date.
The proposed plan and collateral trust agreement, as modified, would obligate
Congoleum, together with the Plan Trust, to indemnify certain asbestos claimant
representatives for all costs and liabilities (including attorneys' fees)
relating to the negotiation of the modification of the plan and the collateral
trust. Congoleum's indemnification obligations in this regard are capped under
the modified plan and Plan Trust agreement at $3.0 million. In addition, the
plan would further obligate Congoleum to fund any actual costs in excess of $2.0
million incurred by such asbestos claimant representatives in connection with
the confirmation of the plan, subject to Bankruptcy Court approval of those
costs.
27
Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, including short-term investments at
December 31, 2004, were $29.7 million, an increase of $27.5 million from
December 31, 2003. The increase includes accrued but unpaid interest during 2004
of $8.9 million. Under the terms of its revolving credit agreement, payments on
Congoleum's accounts receivable are deposited in an account assigned by
Congoleum to its lender, and the funds in that account are used by the lender to
pay down any loan balance. Funds deposited in this account but not yet applied
to the loan balance, which amounted to $1.2 million and $1.8 million at December
31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, are recorded as restricted cash. Additionally,
a $14.5 million settlement received in August 2004 from an insurance carrier,
which is subject to the lien of the Collateral Trust, is included as restricted
cash at December 31, 2004. Congoleum expects to contribute these funds, less any
amounts withheld pursuant to reimbursement arrangements, to the trust formed
upon confirmation of its plan of reorganization. Working capital was $35.3
million at December 31, 2004, up from $29.9 million one year earlier. The ratio
of current assets to current liabilities at December 31, 2004 was 1.4 to 1.0,
compared to 1.6 to 1.0 at December 31, 2003. The ratio of debt to total capital
at December 31, 2004 was 0.47 to 1.0 compared to 0.57 to 1.0 at December 31,
2003. Net cash provided by operations during the year ended December 31, 2004
was $31.1 million, as compared to net cash used by operations of $20.0 million
in 2003. Net cash from operations increased from 2003 to 2004 due to improved
operating results, resumption of normal trade credit which had contracted at the
end of 2003, non-payment of interest on Congoleum's Senior Notes while operating
under Chapter 11, and improved inventory management.
Capital expenditures in 2004 totaled $3.4 million. Congoleum is currently
planning capital expenditures of approximately $6.9 million in 2005 and between
$6.0 million and $7.0 million in 2006, primarily for maintenance and improvement
of plants and equipment, which it expects to fund with cash from operations and
credit facilities.
In January 2004, the Bankruptcy Court authorized entry of a final order
approving Congoleum's debtor-in-possession financing, which replaced its
pre-petition credit facility on substantially similar terms. The
debtor-in-possession financing agreement (as amended and approved by the
Bankruptcy Court to date) provides a revolving credit facility expiring on June
30, 2005 with borrowings up to $30.0 million. Interest is based on 0.75% above
the prime rate. This financing agreement contains certain covenants, which
include the maintenance of minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization ("EBITDA"). It also includes restrictions on the incurrence of
additional debt and limitations on capital expenditures. The covenants and
conditions under this financing agreement must be met in order for Congoleum to
borrow from the facility. Congoleum was in compliance with these covenants at
December 31, 2004. Borrowings under this facility are collateralized by
inventory and receivables. At December 31, 2004, based on the level of
receivables and inventory, $18.7 million was available under the facility, of
which $4.3 million was utilized for outstanding letters of credit and $9.5
million was utilized by the revolving loan. Congoleum anticipates that its
debtor-in-possession financing facility will be replaced with a revolving credit
facility on substantially similar terms upon confirmation of its plan of
reorganization. While Congoleum expects the facilities discussed above will
provide it with sufficient liquidity, there can be no assurances that it will
continue to be in compliance with the required covenants, that Congoleum will be
able to obtain a similar or sufficient facility upon exit from bankruptcy, or
that the debtor-in-possession facility would be renewed if Congoleum's plan of
reorganization is not confirmed by that facility's expiration on June 30, 2005.
28
In addition to the provision for asbestos litigation discussed previously,
Congoleum has also recorded what it believes are adequate provisions for
environmental remediation and product-related liabilities (other than
asbestos-related claims), including provisions for testing for potential
remediation of conditions at its own facilities. Congoleum is subject to
federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations and certain legal
and administrative claims are pending or have been asserted against Congoleum.
Among these claims, Congoleum is a named party in several actions associated
with waste disposal sites (more fully discussed in "Legal Proceedings" in Part
I, Item 3). These actions include possible obligations to remove or mitigate the
effects on the environment of wastes deposited at various sites, including
Superfund sites and certain of Congoleum's owned and previously owned
facilities. The contingencies also include claims for personal injury and/or
property damage. The exact amount of such future cost and timing of payments are
indeterminable due to such unknown factors as the magnitude of cleanup costs,
the timing and extent of the remedial actions that may be required, the
determination of Congoleum's liability in proportion to other potentially
responsible parties, and the extent to which costs may be recoverable from
insurance. Congoleum has recorded provisions in its financial statements for the
estimated probable loss associated with all known general and environmental
contingencies. While Congoleum believes its estimate of the future amount of
these liabilities is reasonable, and that they will be paid over a period of
five to ten years, the timing and amount of such payments may differ
significantly from Congoleum's assumptions. Although the effect of future
government regulation could have a significant effect on Congoleum's costs,
Congoleum is not aware of any pending legislation which would reasonably have
such an effect. There can be no assurances that the costs of any future
government regulations could be passed along to its customers. Estimated
insurance recoveries related to these liabilities are reflected in other
non-current assets.
The outcome of these environmental matters could result in significant expenses
incurred by or judgments assessed against Congoleum.
Congoleum's principal sources of capital are net cash provided by operating
activities and borrowings under its financing agreement. Congoleum generated
$31.1 million in cash from operations in 2004 (as more fully discussed above),
which includes $8.9 million of accrued but unpaid interest on long-term debt.
Congoleum believes these sources will be adequate to fund working capital
requirements, debt service payments, planned capital expenditures for the
foreseeable future, and its current estimates for costs to settle and resolve
its asbestos liabilities through its proposed Chapter 11 plan of reorganization.
Congoleum's inability to obtain confirmation of the proposed plan of
reorganization in a timely manner would have a material adverse effect on
Congoleum's ability to fund its operating, investing and financing requirements.
29
The following table summarizes Congoleum's contractual obligations for future
principal payments on its debt and future minimum rental payments on its
non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2004. Congoleum does not have
payment obligations under capital leases or long term purchase contracts.
Payments due by Period
(In thousands of dollars)
2010 and
Total 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Thereafter
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt $100,000 $100,000
Operating leases 13,596 $3,183 $2,331 $2,181 2,043 $2,078 $1,780
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$113,596 $3,183 $2,331 $2,181 $102,043 $2,078 $1,780
=========================================================================
Contingencies
ABI has recorded what it believes are adequate provisions for environmental
remediation and product-related liabilities, including provisions for testing
for potential remediation of conditions at its own facilities. While ABI
believes its estimate of the future amount of these liabilities is reasonable
and that they will be paid for the most part over a period of one to seven
years, the timing and amount of such payments may differ significantly from
ABI's assumptions. Although the effect of future government regulation could
have a significant effect on ABI's costs, ABI is not aware of any pending
legislation which could significantly affect the liabilities ABI has established
for these matters. There can be no assurances that the costs of any future
government regulations could be passed along by ABI to its customers.
Certain legal and administrative claims are pending or have been asserted
against ABI. Among these claims, ABI is a named party in several actions
associated with waste disposal sites and asbestos-related claims. These actions
include possible obligations to remove or mitigate the effects on the
environment of wastes deposited at various sites, including Superfund sites. The
exact amount of such future costs to ABI is indeterminable due to such unknown
factors as the magnitude of cleanup costs, the timing and extent of the remedial
actions that may be required, the determination of ABI's liability in proportion
to other potentially responsible parties and the extent to which costs may be
recoverable from insurance. ABI has recorded provisions in its consolidated
financial statements for the estimated probable loss associated with all known
environmental and asbestos-related contingencies. The contingencies also include
claims for personal injury and/or property damage. (See Notes 1, 8 and 9 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.)
During 2003, the Company decided to cease operations at its Janus Flooring
division and recorded a charge of $8.5 million in the second quarter 2003
consisting primarily of $3.0 million to reduce inventories to net realizable
value, $0.5 million in accounts receivable allowances, a $2.5 million asset
impairment charge related to machinery and equipment and a $1.9 million income
tax provision to write off deferred tax assets deemed not probable of recovery.
The Company disposed of substantially all of the assets of Janus Flooring, other
than the real estate, during 2003. Future expenditures related to this
discontinued operation are not expected to be material, and the Company expects
to realize approximately $4.0 million in net future cash proceeds from the sale
of the real estate. Any net sales proceeds are expected to be applied to
repaying amounts outstanding under the Company's credit facilities. If the
Company is unable to timely sell or otherwise dispose of the assets of Janus on
terms acceptable to ABI and in accordance with applicable regulatory or other
legal requirements, including Canadian regulations and laws, such inability
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of
operations and financial condition.
30
Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of
operations are based upon its consolidated financial statements, which have been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities,
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results and conditions may differ from these estimates
and assumptions.
Critical accounting policies are defined as those that entail significant
judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially
different results under different assumptions and conditions. The Company
believes that its most critical accounting policies upon which its financial
condition depends, and which involve the most complex or subjective decisions or
assessments, are those described below. For a discussion on the application of
these and other accounting policies, see Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this report.
Asbestos Liabilities - As discussed previously, the Company is party to a
significant number of lawsuits stemming from their previous manufacture of
asbestos-containing products. ABI has recorded in its consolidated balance sheet
a liability and corresponding insurance receivable based on its estimates of the
future costs and related insurance recoveries to settle asbestos litigation and
pay for related legal and loss handling costs. These estimates are based on a
number of subjective assumptions, including the anticipated costs to settle
claims, the claims dismissal rate, the cost to litigate claims, the number of
claims expected to be received, and the applicability and allocation of
insurance coverage to these costs. Additionally, due to the numerous
uncertainties related to future asbestos litigation trends and costs, the
Company does not believe reasonable estimates can be developed for claim
developments beyond a five year horizon. Accordingly, the Company's estimated
liability is based on claims currently filed as well as claims anticipated to be
filed over the next five years. A change in assumptions could have a material
effect on the Company's estimated liability. For example, it is estimated that a
1% decrease in the Company's dismissal rate would result in a 19% increase in
liability assuming all other variables remained constant.
Due to the highly subjective nature of these assumptions, the Company has
estimated a wide range of potential future costs and insurance recoveries and,
because management believes that no amount within the range is more likely than
any other, has recorded a liability and insurance receivable based on the low
end of the range in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States. As such, the selection of a different amount within the range
could have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements,
as could future developments, which may differ from those assumed in developing
the Company's estimates. The Company analyzes this estimate on an annual basis
and reassesses the assumptions used as additional information becomes available
over the course of time.
31
The Company's subsidiary Congoleum is a party to a significant number of
lawsuits stemming from its manufacture of asbestos-containing products and is
seeking confirmation of a plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code as part of its strategy to resolve this liability.
Congoleum's liability for settlements of asbestos claims is at least $491
million, not including the cost to defend and litigate unsettled or future
cases, which is substantially in excess of both the total assets of Congoleum as
well as Congoleum's previous estimates made in prior periods of the maximum
liability for both known and unasserted claims. While Congoleum purchased
insurance coverage it believes applies to these claims, some of the insurance
carriers are presently insolvent and the remaining solvent insurance carriers
have disputed their coverage obligations. Congoleum believes the ultimate amount
of its liability, and the amount of recoverable insurance, will be determined
through some combination of negotiation, litigation, and bankruptcy court order,
but that these amounts can no longer be reasonably estimated given all the
uncertainties that presently exist.
Congoleum expects that insurance will provide the vast majority of the recovery
available to claimants, due to the amount of insurance coverage it purchased and
the comparatively limited resources and value of Congoleum itself. Congoleum
believed that it did not have the necessary financial resources to litigate
and/or settle asbestos claims in the ordinary course of business, and filed for
bankruptcy protection on December 31, 2003.
In light of its bankruptcy filing and proposed plan of reorganization, Congoleum
believes the most meaningful measure of its probable loss due to asbestos
litigation is the amount it will have to contribute to the Plan Trust plus the
costs to effect the reorganization. Congoleum estimates the minimum remaining
costs to complete the reorganization process to be $9.3 million, of which it has
recorded $6.6 million as a current liability and $2.7 million as a long-term
liability (representing the minimum estimated amount of the note to be
contributed to the Plan Trust). These amounts do not include the liability
associated with a $14.5 million insurance settlement recorded as restricted cash
which Congoleum expects to contribute, less any amounts withheld pursuant to
reimbursement arrangements, to the Plan Trust formed upon confirmation of its
plan of reorganization. Congoleum also expects to recover $8.8 million from
insurance proceeds or the Collateral Trust or its successor pursuant to terms of
the Claimant Agreement and related documents which provide for the Plan Trust to
reimburse certain expenses incurred by the Company. The amount and timing of
reimbursements that will be received will depend on when the trust receives
funds from insurance settlements or other sources and whether the insurance
proceeds exceed $375.0 million, which is the required threshold for
reimbursement of the first $7.3 million spent by Congoleum. Congoleum believes
this threshold will be met, although there can be no assurances to that effect.
The maximum amount of the range of possible asbestos loss is limited to the
going concern or liquidation value of Congoleum, an amount which Congoleum
believes is substantially less than the minimum estimated liability for the
known claims against it.
Environmental Contingencies - As discussed previously, the Company has incurred
liabilities related to environmental remediation costs at both third party sites
and Company owned sites. The Company accrues for its estimate of future
remediation activities when it is probable that a liability has been incurred
and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The most likely cost to be incurred
is accrued based on an evaluation of currently available facts with respect to
each individual site, including the extent of clean-up activities to be
performed, the methods employed in the clean-up activities, the Company's
32
relative share in costs at sites where other parties are involved, existing
technology, current laws and regulations and prior remediation experience. Where
no amount within a range of estimates is more likely to occur than another, the
minimum is accrued. For sites with multiple PRPs, the Company considers its
likely proportionate share of the anticipated remediation costs and the ability
of the other parties to fulfill their obligations in establishing a provision
for those costs. When future liabilities are determined to be reimbursable by
insurance coverage or payment from third parties, an accrual is recorded for the
potential liability and a receivable is recorded related to the expected
recovery. A receivable reserve is recorded when recoveries are disputed or are
not highly probable. These estimates are based on certain assumptions such as
the Company's relative share in costs at sites where other parties are involved,
and the ultimate insurance coverage available. These projects tend to be
long-term in nature, and these assumptions are subject to refinement as facts
change. As such, it is possible that the Company may need to revise its recorded
liabilities and receivables for environmental costs in future periods resulting
in potentially material adjustments to the Company's earnings in future periods.
The Company closely monitors existing and potential environmental matters in an
effort to minimize costs.
Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets - The Company provides for valuation reserves
against its deferred tax assets in accordance with the requirements of SFAS 109.
In evaluating the recovery of deferred tax assets, the Company makes certain
assumptions as to the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences,
taxable income in prior carryback years, the feasibility of tax planning
strategies and estimated future taxable income. The valuation allowance can be
affected by changes to tax laws, changes to statutory tax rates and changes to
future taxable income estimates. It is possible that the facts underlying these
assumptions may not materialize in future periods, which may require the Company
to record additional deferred tax valuation allowances, or to reduce previously
recorded valuation allowances.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - The Company sponsors several
noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering most of the Company's
employees. The Company also maintains health and life insurance programs for
retirees. Benefits under the plans are based on years of service and employee
compensation. The costs and obligations associated with these plans are
dependent upon various actuarial assumptions used in calculating such amounts.
These assumptions include the long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount
rates and other factors. These assumptions are evaluated and updated annually by
management in consultation with outside actuaries and investment advisors. Other
assumptions used include employee demographic factors such as retirement
patterns, mortality, turnover and the rate of compensation increases.
To determine the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, we consider
the current and expected asset allocation, as well as historical and expected
returns on each plan asset class. In 2004, the Company assumed that the expected
long-term rate of return on plan assets will be 7.0%-7.5%. The assumed long-term
rate of return on assets is applied to a calculated value of plan assets, which
recognizes changes in the fair value of plan assets in a systematic manner over
four years. This produces the expected return on plan assets that is included in
pension expense. The difference between this expected return and the actual
return on plan assets is deferred. The net deferral of past actuarial gains or
losses affects the calculated value of plan assets and, ultimately, future
pension expense.
33
At the end of each year, the Company determines the discount rate to be used to
calculate the present value of plan liabilities. The discount rate is used to
determine expected future benefit payments as a present value on the measurement
date, reflecting the current rate at which the pension liabilities could be
effectively settled. In estimating this rate, the Company looks to rates of
return on high-quality, fixed-income investments that receive one of the two
highest ratings given by a recognized ratings agency. At December 31, 2004, the
Company determined this rate to be 6.25%.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - The Company's allowance for doubtful accounts
is determined based on a variety of factors that affect the potential
collectibility of the related receivables, including length of time receivables
are past due, customer credit ratings, financial stability of customers,
specific one-time events and past customer history. In addition, in
circumstances where the Company is made aware of specific customer's inability
to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance is established. The
majority of accounts are individually evaluated on a regular basis and
appropriate reserves are established as deemed appropriate based on the criteria
previously noted. The remainder of the reserve is based on management's
estimates and takes into consideration historical trends, market conditions and
the composition of the Company's customer base. The risk associated with this
estimate is that the Company would not become aware of potential collectibility
issues related to specific accounts and thereby become exposed to potential
unreserved losses. Historically, the Company's estimates and assumptions around
the allowance have been reasonably accurate and the Company has processes and
controls in place to closely monitor customers and potential credit issues.
Inventory Allowances - The Company maintains obsolescence and slow-moving
allowances for inventory. Products and materials that are specifically
identified as obsolete are fully reserved. The remainder of the allowance is
based on management's estimates and fluctuates with market conditions, design
cycles and other economic factors. Risks associated with this allowance include
unforeseen changes in business cycles that could affect the marketability of
certain products and an unforecasted decline in current production. Management
closely monitors the market place and related inventory levels and has
historically maintained reasonably accurate allowance levels. In addition, the
Company values certain inventories using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method.
Accordingly, a LIFO valuation reserve is maintained to properly value these
inventories.
Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum have significant
asbestos liability and funding exposure, and the Company's and Congoleum's
strategies for resolving this exposure may not be successful.
As more fully set forth in Notes 1, 8 and 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements, which is included in this report, the Company and its majority-owned
subsidiary Congoleum have significant liability and funding exposure for
asbestos personal injury claims. In connection with Congoleum's strategy for
resolving its asbestos liability, in 2003, Congoleum entered into settlement
agreements with various asbestos claimants, which provides for an aggregate
settlement value of at least $491 million. Settlement of this obligation
pursuant to the terms of Congoleum's proposed modified plan is dependent on
Bankruptcy Court confirmation of the plan of reorganization, including
determinations by the Bankruptcy Court that the plan has satisfied certain
criteria under the Bankruptcy Code, among other things.
34
There can be no assurance that Congoleum will be successful in obtaining
confirmation of Congoleum's modified plan in a timely manner or at all. Any
alternative plan of reorganization pursued by Congoleum or confirmed by the
Bankruptcy Court could vary significantly from the description in this report
(including descriptions incorporated by reference in this report). Furthermore,
the estimated costs and contributions required to confirm and to effect the
proposed modified plan of reorganization or an alternative plan could be
significantly greater than currently estimated. Any plan of reorganization
pursued by Congoleum will be subject to numerous conditions, approvals and other
requirements, including Bankruptcy Court approvals, and there can be no
assurance that such conditions, approvals and other requirements will be
satisfied or obtained.
As part of Congoleum's plan of reorganization, Congoleum would contribute to the
Plan Trust certain of Congoleum's rights to receive insurance proceeds for
asbestos liabilities under its applicable insurance policies. Congoleum is
currently involved in litigation with certain of its insurance carriers related
to disputed insurance coverage for asbestos-related liabilities, and certain
insurance carriers have filed various objections to Congoleum's previously filed
plan of reorganization and related matters. It is expected that these insurers
will continue to vigorously contest their obligations to provide Congoleum with
insurance coverage for Congoleum's asbestos liabilities and seek to prevent any
contribution by Congoleum of its rights to receive insurance for asbestos
matters to the Plan Trust. The first phase of the trial is scheduled to begin on
June 6, 2005, and will address all issues and claims relating to whether the
insurers are obligated to provide coverage under the policies at issue in this
litigation for the global Claimant Agreement entered into by Congoleum,
including but not limited to all issues and claims relating to both Congoleum's
decision and conduct in entering into the Claimant Agreement and filing a
pre-packaged bankruptcy and the insurance company defendants' decisions and
conduct in opposing the Claimant Agreement and Congoleum's pre-packaged
bankruptcy, the reasonableness and good faith of the Claimant Agreement, whether
the Claimant Agreement breached any insurance policies and, if so, whether the
insurance companies suffered any prejudice, and whether the insurance companies'
opposition to the Claimant Agreement and bankruptcy and various other conduct by
the insurers has breached their duties of good faith and fair dealing such that
they are precluded from asserting that Congoleum's decision to enter into the
Claimant Agreement constitutes any breach(es) on the part of Congoleum. The
second phase of the trial will address all coverage issues, including but not
limited to trigger and allocation. The final phase of the trial will address bad
faith punitive damages, if appropriate. Congoleum believes, however, that even
if the insurers were to succeed in the first phase of the coverage action, such
result would not deprive individual claimants of the right to seek payment from
the affected insurance policies nor would such result preclude Congoleum from
amending the Claimant Agreement and seeking recovery under the Claimant
Agreement as amended; moreover, Congoleum does not believe that it would be
deprived of coverage-in-place insurance for future obligations of or demands
upon the insurers under the applicable insurance policies. However, there can be
no assurances of the outcome of these matters or their potential effect on
Congoleum's ability to obtain approval of its plan of reorganization.
The Company has its own direct asbestos liability as well. The Company's
strategy remains to vigorously defend and strategically settle its asbestos
claims on a case-by-case basis. To date, the Company's insurers have funded
substantially all of the Company's liabilities and expenses related to its
asbestos liability under the Company's applicable insurance policies. The
Company expects its insurance carriers will continue to defend and indemnify it
for its asbestos liabilities for the foreseeable future. If, however, it were
not able to receive such coverage from its insurers for the Company's asbestos
liabilities and expenses that would likely have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial position.
35
Some additional factors that could cause actual results to differ from
Congoleum's and the Company's objectives for resolving asbestos liability
include: (i) the future cost and timing of estimated asbestos liabilities and
payments and availability of insurance coverage and reimbursement from insurance
companies, which underwrote the applicable insurance policies for Congoleum and
the Company, for asbestos-related claims, (ii) costs relating to the execution
and implementation of any plan of reorganization pursued by Congoleum, (iii)
timely reaching an agreement with other creditors, or classes of creditors, that
exist or may emerge, (iv) the Company's and Congoleum's satisfaction of the
conditions and obligations under their respective outstanding debt instruments,
and amendment of those outstanding debt instruments, as necessary, to permit
Congoleum and the Company to satisfy their obligations under Congoleum's
proposed plan of reorganization, (v) the response from time-to-time of the
Company's and Congoleum's lenders, customers, suppliers and other constituencies
to the Chapter 11 process and related developments arising from the strategy to
settle asbestos liability, (vi) Congoleum's ability to maintain
debtor-in-possession financing sufficient to provide it with funding that may be
needed during the pendency of its Chapter 11 case and to obtain exit financing
sufficient to provide it with funding that may be needed for its operations
after emerging from the bankruptcy process, in each case, on reasonable terms,
(vii) timely obtaining sufficient creditor and court approval of any
reorganization plan, (viii) developments in and the outcome of insurance
coverage litigation pending in New Jersey State Court involving Congoleum, and
certain insurers, and (ix) compliance with the Bankruptcy Code, including
section 524(g). In addition, in view of American Biltrite's relationships with
Congoleum, American Biltrite could be affected by Congoleum's negotiations, and
there can be no assurance as to what that impact, positive or negative, might
be. In any event, the failure of Congoleum to obtain confirmation and
consummation of its anticipated Chapter 11 plan of reorganization would have a
material adverse effect on Congoleum's business, results of operations or
financial condition and could have a material adverse effect on American
Biltrite's business, results of operations or financial condition.
In addition, there has been federal legislation proposed that, if adopted, would
establish a national trust to provide compensation to victims of
asbestos-related injuries and channel all current and future asbestos-related
personal injury claims to that trust. Due to the uncertainties involved with the
pending legislation, the Company does not know what effects any such
legislation, if adopted, may have upon its or Congoleum's businesses, results of
operations or financial conditions, or upon any plan of reorganization Congoleum
may decide to pursue. To date, Congoleum has expended significant amounts
pursuant to resolving its asbestos liability relating to its proposed Chapter 11
plan of reorganization. To the extent any federal legislation is enacted which
does not credit Congoleum for amounts paid by Congoleum pursuant to its plan of
reorganization or requires the Company or Congoleum to pay significant amounts
to any national trust or otherwise, such legislation could have a material
adverse effect on the Company or Congoleum's businesses, results of operations
and financial conditions.
36
As a result of Congoleum's significant liability and funding exposure for
asbestos claims, there can be no assurance that if Congoleum were to incur any
unforecasted or unexpected liability or disruption to its business or operations
it would be able to withstand that liability or disruption and continue as an
operating company. Any significant increase of the Company's asbestos liability
and funding exposure would likely have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operations and financial condition and possibly its ability
to continue as a going concern.
For further information regarding the Company's and Congoleum's asbestos
liability, insurance coverage and strategies to resolve that asbestos liability,
please see Notes 1, 8 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial
Statements, which are included in this report.
A substantial portion of the Company's debt must be amended or refinanced,
existing defaults under the Company's debt agreements must be permanently
effectively waived and the Company's ability to obtain additional financing may
be limited.
As of December 31, 2004, the Company did not satisfy a financial covenant under
the Note Agreement. Prudential has granted the Company a temporary waiver of any
event of default that would result from that failure to satisfy that financial
covenant as of December 31, 2004. That temporary waiver is scheduled to expire
on March 30, 2005. The Company is currently negotiating with Prudential for a
permanent waiver of that covenant default or an amendment to the Note Agreement
that would result in the Company not violating that financial covenant as of
December 31, 2004. While the Company believes it will be able to successfully
negotiate such a waiver or amendment, failure to do so would result in the
Company being in default of the Note Agreement.
The Company is also negotiating with Prudential for modifications to the
financial covenants for 2005 under the Note Agreement to make them comparable to
the financial covenants for 2005 in the amended Credit Facility. While the
Company has been successful in such negotiations previously and believes it will
be so again, failure to obtain such modifications or to obtain waivers of
certain existing financial covenants would result in the Company failing to
satisfy the financial covenants as currently comprised during the measurement
periods in 2005. Such a failure would constitute a default under the Note
Agreement.
Pursuant to the terms of the Note Agreement and the Credit Facility, a default
by the Company under one of those agreements triggers a cross-default under the
other agreement. If such a default occurs, BofA and Prudential could
respectively require the Company to repay all amounts outstanding under the
respective debt agreements. If a default occurs and the Company is unable to
obtain a waiver from BofA and Prudential and the Company is required to repay
all amounts outstanding under those agreements, the Company would need to obtain
funding from another source. Otherwise, the Company would likely be unable to
repay those outstanding amounts, in which case, BofA as administrative agent
over the collateral securing the amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility
and the Note Agreement, might exercise BofA's and Prudential's rights over that
collateral. Any default by the Company under the Credit Facility or the Note
Agreement that results in the Company being required to immediately repay
outstanding amounts under its debt agreements, and for which suitable
replacement financing is not timely obtained, would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.
37
The Credit Facility expires on January 1, 2006. Although the Company expects
that the Credit Facility will be extended or replaced by that date, there can be
no assurances in this regard. If the Company has outstanding borrowings under
the Credit Facility at that date and the Credit Facility's term has not been
extended beyond that date, such failure would result in a breach of the Note
Agreement, which, for the reasons discussed in the preceding paragraph, could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations
and financial condition.
Under the terms of the Company's debt agreements, the Company's ability to
obtain additional debt financing is limited. Moreover, since the Company and
most of its domestic subsidiaries have already granted security interests in
most of their assets, the Company's ability to obtain any additional debt
financing may be limited.
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum may incur substantial
liability for environmental claims and compliance matters.
Due to the nature of the Company's and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum's
businesses and certain of the substances which are or have been used, produced
or discharged by them, the Company's and Congoleum's operations and facilities
are subject to a broad range of federal, state, local and foreign legal and
regulatory provisions relating to the environment, including those regulating
the discharge of materials into the environment, the handling and disposal of
solid and hazardous substances and wastes and the remediation of contamination
associated with releases of hazardous substances at Company and Congoleum
facilities and off-site disposal locations. The Company and Congoleum have
historically expended substantial amounts for compliance with existing
environmental laws or regulations, including environmental remediation costs at
both third-party sites and Company and Congoleum-owned sites. The Company and
Congoleum will continue to be required to expend amounts in the future because
of the nature of their prior activities at their facilities, in order to comply
with existing environmental laws, and those amounts may be substantial. Although
the Company and Congoleum believe that those amounts should not have a material
adverse effect on their respective financial positions, there is no certainty
that these amounts will not have a material adverse effect on their respective
financial positions because, as a result of environmental requirements becoming
increasingly strict, neither the Company nor Congoleum is able to determine the
ultimate cost of compliance with environmental laws and enforcement policies.
Moreover, in addition to potentially having to pay substantial amounts for
compliance, future environmental laws or regulations may require or cause the
Company or Congoleum to modify or curtail their operations, which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and
financial condition.
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum, may incur substantial
liability for other product and general liability claims.
In the ordinary course of their businesses, the Company and its majority-owned
subsidiary Congoleum become involved in lawsuits, administrative proceedings,
product liability claims and other matters. In some of these proceedings,
plaintiffs may seek to recover large and sometimes unspecified amounts and the
matters may remain unresolved for several years. These matters could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and
financial condition if the Company or Congoleum, as applicable, is unable to
successfully defend against or settle these matters, and its insurance coverage
is insufficient to satisfy any judgments against it or settlements relating to
these matters or the Company or Congoleum, as applicable, is unable to collect
insurance proceeds relating to these matters.
38
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum are dependent upon a
continuous supply of raw materials from third party suppliers and would be
harmed if there were a significant, prolonged disruption in supply or increase
in its raw material costs.
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum generally design and
engineer their own products. Most of the raw materials required by the Company
for its manufacturing operations are available from multiple sources; however,
the Company does purchase some of its raw materials from a single source or
supplier. Any significant delay in or disruption of the supply of raw materials
could substantially increase the Company's cost of materials, require product
reformulation or require qualification of new suppliers, any one or more of
which could materially adversely affect the Company's business, results of
operations or financial condition. The Company's majority-owned subsidiary
Congoleum, does not have readily available alternative sources of supply for
specific designs of transfer print paper, which are produced utilizing print
cylinders engraved to Congoleum's specifications. Although Congoleum does not
anticipate any loss of this source of supply, replacement could take a
considerable period of time and interrupt production of certain products, which
could have a material adverse affect on the Company's business, results of
operations or financial condition. The Company and Congoleum have occasionally
experienced significant price increases for some of its raw materials. In
particular, industry supply conditions for specialty resins used in flooring
have been very tight, despite significant price increases, in part due to a fire
at a large resin plant in 2004. Although the Company and Congoleum have not
experienced any significant difficulties obtaining specialty resin, there can be
no assurances that they may not have difficulty in the future, particularly if
global supply conditions deteriorate. Raw material prices in 2004 increased
significantly and are expected to remain high in 2005 and until additional
capacity becomes available.
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum operate in highly
competitive markets and some of their competitors have greater resources, and in
order to be successful, the Company and Congoleum must keep pace with and
anticipate changing customer preferences.
The market for the Company's and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum's
products and services is highly competitive. Some of their respective
competitors have greater financial and other resources and access to capital.
Furthermore, to the extent any of the Company's or Congoleum's competitors make
a filing under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and emerge from
bankruptcy as continuing operating companies that have shed much of their
pre-filing liabilities, those competitors could have a cost competitive
advantage over Congoleum. In addition, in order to maintain their competitive
positions, the Company and Congoleum may need to make substantial investments in
their businesses, including, as applicable, product development, manufacturing
facilities, distribution network and sales and marketing activities. Competitive
pressures may also result in decreased demand for their products and in the loss
of market share for their products. Moreover, due to the competitive nature of
their industries, they may be commercially restricted from raising or even
maintaining the sales prices of their products, which could result in the
incurrence of significant operating losses if their expenses were to increase or
otherwise represent an increased percentage of sales.
39
The markets in which the Company and Congoleum compete are characterized by
frequent new product introductions and changing customer preferences. There can
be no assurance that the Company's and Congoleum's existing products and
services will be properly positioned in the market or that the Company and
Congoleum will be able to introduce new or enhanced products or services into
their respective markets on a timely basis, or at all, or that those new or
enhanced products or services will receive customer acceptance. The Company's
and Congoleum's failure to introduce new or enhanced products or services on a
timely basis, keep pace with industry or market changes or effectively manage
the transitions to new products, technologies or services could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations or financial
condition.
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum are subject to general
economic conditions and conditions specific to their respective industries.
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum are subject to the
effects of general economic conditions. A sustained general economic slowdown
could have serious negative consequences for the Company's business, results of
operations and financial condition. Moreover, their businesses are affected by
the economic factors that affect their respective industries.
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum could realize shipment
delays, depletion of inventory and increased production costs resulting from
unexpected disruptions of operations at any of the Company's or Congoleum's
facilities.
The Company's and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum's businesses depend
upon their ability to timely manufacture and deliver products that meet the
needs of their customers and the end users of their products. If the Company or
Congoleum were to realize an unexpected, significant and prolonged disruption of
its operations at any of its facilities, including disruptions in its
manufacturing operations, it could result in shipment delays of its products,
depletion of its inventory as a result of reduced production and increased
production costs as a result of taking actions in an attempt to cure the
disruption or carry on its business while the disruption remains. Any resulting
delay, depletion or increased production cost could result in increased costs,
lower revenues and damaged customer and product end user relations, which could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations
or financial condition.
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum offer limited warranties
on their products which could result in the Company or Congoleum incurring
significant costs as a result of warranty claims.
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum offer a limited warranty
on many of their products against manufacturing defects. In addition, as a part
of its efforts to differentiate mid- and high-end products through color, design
and other attributes, Congoleum offers enhanced warranties with respect to wear,
moisture discoloration and other performance characteristics which generally
increase with the price of such products. If the Company or Congoleum were to
incur a significant number of warranty claims, the resulting warranty costs
could be substantial.
40
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum rely on a small number
of customers and distributors for a significant portion of their sales or to
sell their products.
The Company's tape division principally sells its products through distributors.
Sales to five unaffiliated customers accounted for approximately 21% of the
Company's tape division's net sales for the year ended December 31, 2004 and 22%
of its net sales for the year ended December 31, 2003. The loss of the largest
unaffiliated customer and/or two or more of the other unaffiliated customers
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of
operations or financial condition.
The Company's majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum principally sells its products
through distributors. Although Congoleum has more than one distributor in some
of its distribution territories and actively manages its credit exposure to its
distributors, the loss of a major distributor could have a materially adverse
impact on the Company's business, results of operations, or financial condition.
Congoleum derives a significant percentage of its sales from two of its
distributors. These two distributors accounted for approximately 70% of
Congoleum's net sales for the year ended December 31, 2004 and 65% of
Congoleum's net sales for the year ended December 31, 2003.
The Company's subsidiary K&M Associates L.P. sells its products through its own
direct sales force and, indirectly, through a wholly owned subsidiary and
through third-party sales representatives. Three of K&M Associates L.P.'s
customers accounted for approximately 59% of its net sales for the year ended
December 31, 2004 and 70% of its net sales for the year ended December 31, 2003.
The loss of K&M Associates L.P.'s largest customer would likely have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations or financial
condition.
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum depend on key executives
to run their businesses, and the loss of any of these executives would likely
harm the Company's business.
The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum depend on key executives
to run their businesses. In particular, three of the persons that serve as key
executives at the Company also serve as key executives at Congoleum. The
Company's future success will depend largely upon the continued service of these
key executives, all of whom have no employment contract with the Company or
Congoleum, as applicable, and may terminate their employment at any time without
notice. Although certain key executives of the Company and Congoleum are,
directly or indirectly, large shareholders of the Company or Congoleum, and thus
are less likely to terminate their employment, the loss of any key executive, or
the failure by the key executive to perform in his current position, could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations or
financial condition.
41
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market Risk
The Company is exposed to changes in prevailing market interest rates affecting
the return on its investments. The Company invests primarily in highly liquid
debt instruments with strong credit ratings and short-term (less than one year)
maturities. The carrying amount of these investments approximates fair value due
to the short-term maturities. If market interest rates were to increase by 10%
from levels at December 31, 2004, the fair value of our investments would
decline by an immaterial amount. In addition, substantially all of the Company's
outstanding long-term debt as of December 31, 2004 consisted of indebtedness
with a fixed rate of interest, which is not subject to change based upon changes
in prevailing market interest rates.
The Company operates internationally, principally in Canada, Europe, the Far
East and Central America, giving rise to exposure to market risks from changes
in foreign exchange rates. To a certain extent, foreign currency exchange rate
movements also affect the Company's competitive position, as exchange rate
changes may affect business practices and/or pricing strategies of non-U.S.
based competitors. For foreign currency exposures existing at December 31, 2004,
a 10% unfavorable movement in currency exchange rates in the near term would not
materially affect ABI's consolidated operating results, financial position or
cash flows.
Under its current policies, the Company does not use derivative financial
instruments, derivative commodity instruments or other financial instruments to
manage its exposure to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange
rates, commodity prices or equity prices and does not hold any instruments for
trading purposes.
42
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets with Consolidating Details - Assets
(In thousands of dollars)
December 31 Eliminations Congoleum American Biltrite
2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 34,691 $ 3,959 $ 29,710 $ 2,169 $ 4,981 $ 1,790
Restricted cash 15,682 1,757 15,682 1,757
Accounts and notes receivable, less
allowances for doubtful accounts and
discounts of $2,745 in 2004 and $2,615
in 2003 43,591 36,010 $ (1,036) $ (280) 17,621 13,560 27,006 22,730
Inventories 76,036 81,480 (268) (240) 39,623 44,995 36,681 36,725
Assets of discontinued operation 2,952 2,902 2,952 2,902
Deferred income taxes 12,636 9,772 10,678 8,752 1,958 1,020
Prepaid expenses & other current assets 6,826 12,983 5,124 9,672 1,702 3,311
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 192,414 148,863 (1,304) (520) 118,438 80,905 75,280 68,478
Property, plant & equipment, net 124,070 134,285 79,550 87,035 44,520 47,250
Other assets:
Insurance for asbestos-related liabilities 7,500 10,700 7,500 10,700
Goodwill, net 11,300 11,300 11,300 11,300
Other assets 20,001 13,785 (186) (186) 14,894 7,959 5,293 6,012
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38,801 35,785 (186) (186) 14,894 7,959 24,093 28,012
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $355,285 $318,933 $ (1,490) $ (706) $212,882 $175,899 $143,893 $143,740
=====================================================================================
See accompanying notes.
43
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets with Consolidating Details - Liabilities
and Stockholders' Equity
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
December 31 Eliminations Congoleum American Biltrite
2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003 2004 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 18,700 $ 13,327 $ (57) $ (280) $ 10,295 $ 4,544 $ 8,462 $ 9,063
Accrued expenses 48,605 42,391 (979) -- 28,066 24,785 21,518 17,606
Asbestos-related liabilities 21,079 7,081 21,079 7,081 -- --
Liabilities of discontinued operation 165 688 165 688
Deferred income taxes -- 4,376 -- 4,376 -- --
Notes payable 17,036 18,125 9,500 10,232 7,536 7,893
Current portion of long-term debt 21,411 21,289 21,411 21,289
Liabilities subject to compromise 14,225 -- 14,225 --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 141,221 107,277 (1,036) (280) 83,165 51,018 59,092 56,539
Long-term debt, less current portion 2,790 103,626 -- 99,773 2,790 3,853
Asbestos-related liabilities 10,238 13,438 2,738 2,738 7,500 10,700
Other liabilities 25,237 60,950 -- (186) 10,678 48,147 14,559 12,989
Noncontrolling interests 623 663 623 663
Liabilities subject to compromise 137,104 -- (186) -- 137,290 --
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
317,213 285,954 (1,222) (466) 233,871 201,676 84,564 84,744
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, par value $.01, authorized
15,000,000 shares, issued 4,607,902 shares 46 46 (93) (93) 93 93 46 46
Additional paid-in capital 19,548 19,548 (49,106) (49,105) 49,106 49,105 19,548 19,548
Retained earnings 49,526 47,573 35,007 35,035 (43,830) (46,778) 58,349 59,316
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (15,916) (19,056) 6,111 6,110 (18,545) (20,384) (3,482) (4,782)
Less cost of 1,166,351 shares of common
stock in treasury (15,132) (15,132) 7,813 7,813 (7,813) (7,813) (15,132) (15,132)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total stockholders' equity 38,072 32,979 (268) (240) (20,989) (25,777) 59,329 58,996
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $355,285 $318,933 $ (1,490) $ (706) $212,882 $175,899 $143,893 $143,740
====================================================================================
See accompanying notes.
44
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations with Consolidating Details
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
Years Ended December 31 Eliminations
2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $433,869 $416,569 $434,495 $ 157 $ (56) $ (198)
Cost of products sold 315,270 307,647 316,651 (30) (56) (198)
Selling, general & administrative expenses 106,790 110,842 122,282 (900) -- --
----------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from operations 11,809 (1,920) (4,438) 1,087 -- --
Other income (expense)
Interest income 128 191 330
Interest expense (12,465) (11,576) (10,763)
Other income (expense) 1,336 3,359 3,058 (1,115) -- --
----------------------------------------------------------------
(11,001) (8,026) (7,375) (1,115) -- --
----------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before taxes and other items 808 (9,946) (11,813) (28) -- --
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes (1,681) (3,323) 1,248
Noncontrolling interests (107) (174) 6,221 -- -- 6,534
----------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) from continuing
operations 2,382 (6,797) (6,840) (28) -- 6,534
Discontinued operation (net of tax benefit of
$2,178 and $888 in 2003 and 2002,
respectively) (429) (7,361) (2,073)
Cumulative effect of accounting change -- -- (7,742) -- -- 4,731
----------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 1,953 $(14,158) $(16,655) $ (28) $ -- $11,265
================================================================
Congoleum American Biltrite
2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales $229,493 $220,706 $237,206 $204,219 $195,919 $197,487
Cost of products sold 167,844 166,864 179,699 147,456 140,839 137,150
Selling, general & administrative expenses 52,925 56,911 70,119 54,765 53,931 52,163
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from operations 8,724 (3,069) (12,612) 1,998 1,149 8,174
Other income (expense)
Interest income 114 63 263 14 128 67
Interest expense (9,446) (8,906) (8,375) (3,019) (2,670) (2,388)
Other income (expense) 1,011 1,276 1,543 1,440 2,083 1,515
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(8,321) (7,567) (6,569) (1,565) (459) (806)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before taxes and other items 403 (10,636) (19,181) 433 690 7,368
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes (2,545) (3,874) 92 864 551 1,156
Noncontrolling interests (107) (174) (313)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) from continuing
operations 2,948 (6,762) (19,273) (538) (35) 5,899
Discontinued operation (net of tax benefit of
$2,178 and $888 in 2003 and 2002,
respectively) (429) (7,361) (2,073)
Cumulative effect of accounting change -- -- (10,523) -- -- (1,950)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 2,948 $ (6,762) $(29,796) $ (967) $ (7,396) $ 1,876
====================================================================
Basic Diluted
2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002
---------------------------- ---------------------------
Net income (loss) per common share from
continuing operations $ 0.69 $ (1.97) $(1.99) $ 0.66 $(1.97) $(1.99)
Discontinued operation (0.12) (2.14) (0.60) (0.12) (2.14) (0.60)
Cumulative effect of accounting change -- -- (2.25) -- -- (2.25)
---------------------------- ---------------------------
Net income (loss) per common share $ 0.57 $ (4.11) $(4.84) $ 0.54 $(4.11) $(4.84)
============================ ===========================
Weighted average number of common and
equivalent shares outstanding 3,442 3,442 3,442 3,458 3,442 3,442
============================ ===========================
Dividends declared per common share $ -- $0.1875 $0.50
============================
See accompanying notes.
45
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows with Consolidating Details
(In thousands of dollars)
Years Ended December 31 Eliminations
2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------
Operating activities
Net income (loss) $ 1,953 $(14,158) $(16,655) $ (28) $ -- $11,265
Net loss from discontinued operation 429 7,361 2,073
---------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) from continuing operations 2,382 (6,797) (14,582) (28) -- 11,265
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 17,539 18,026 17,067
Provision for doubtful accounts and discounts 2,631 2,691 2,863
Deferred income taxes 457 (2,243) 2,635
Cumulative effect of accounting change -- -- 7,742 -- -- (4,731)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable (11,146) 3,470 (4,603) (756) -- --
Inventories 6,620 10,722 2,453 28 -- --
Prepaid expenses & other current assets 4,733 3,908 1,680
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 25,528 (26,373) (5,159) 756 -- --
Asbestos-related liabilities (5,754) (11,475) 20,995
Noncontrolling interests 107 174 (6,221) -- -- (6,534)
Other (3,046) (1,050) (4,182)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities 40,051 (8,947) 20,688 -- -- --
Investing activities
Investments in property, plant and equipment (5,855) (7,445) (12,127)
Proceeds from sale of equipment 30 -- --
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments -- -- 1,416
---------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by investing activities (5,825) (7,445) (10,711)
Financing activities
Net short-term (payments) borrowings (1,675) 2,586 3,630
Payments on long-term debt (941) (1,203) (1,032)
Net change in restricted cash 605 (1,757) --
Dividends paid -- (645) (1,721)
Exercise of subsidiary stock options 1 -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities (2,010) (1,019) 877
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash (482) (1,859) (1,170)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by continuing operations 31,734 (19,270) 9,684
Net cash (used) provided by discontinued operation (1,002) 3,069 (6,327)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 3,959 20,160 16,803
---------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 34,691 $ 3,959 $ 20,160 $ -- $ -- $ --
===============================================================
Congoleum American Biltrite
2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating activities
Net income (loss) $ 2,948 $ (6,762) $(29,796) $ (967) $ (7,396) $ 1,876
Net loss from discontinued operation 429 7,361 2,073
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) from continuing operations 2,948 (6,762) (29,796) (538) (35) 3,949
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 11,428 11,761 11,273 6,111 6,265 5,794
Provision for doubtful accounts and discounts 2,631 2,691 2,863
Deferred income taxes -- (882) 4,112 457 (1,361) (1,477)
Cumulative effect of accounting change -- -- 10,523 -- -- 1,950
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable (4,061) 3,473 898 (6,329) (3) (5,501)
Inventories 5,372 5,730 5,057 1,220 4,992 (2,604)
Prepaid expenses & other current assets 2,340 (1,667) 602 2,393 5,575 1,078
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 21,894 (18,469) (9,669) 2,878 (7,904) 4,510
Asbestos-related liabilities (5,754) (11,475) 20,995
Noncontrolling interests 107 174 313
Other (3,102) (1,664) (4,025) 56 614 (157)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities 31,065 (19,955) 9,970 8,986 11,008 10,718
Investing activities
Investments in property, plant and equipment (3,428) (4,628) (8,366) (2,427) (2,817) (3,761)
Proceeds from sale of equipment 30 -- --
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments -- -- 1,416
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by investing activities (3,398) (4,628) (6,950) (2,427) (2,817) (3,761)
Financing activities
Net short-term (payments) borrowings (732) 10,232 -- (943) (7,646) 3,630
Payments on long-term debt (941) (1,203) (1,032)
Net change in restricted cash 605 (1,757) --
Dividends paid -- (645) (1,721)
Exercise of subsidiary stock options 1 -- --
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities (126) 8,475 -- (1,884) (9,494) 877
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash (482) (1,859) (1,170)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by continuing operations 27,541 (16,108) 3,020 4,193 (3,162) 6,664
Net cash (used) provided by discontinued operation (1,002) 3,069 (6,327)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 2,169 18,277 15,257 1,790 1,883 1,546
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 29,710 $ 2,169 $ 18,277 $ 4,981 $ 1,790 $ 1,883
===================================================================
See accompanying notes.
46
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
Accumulated
Additional Other Total
Common Paid-in Retained Comprehensive Treasury Stockholders'
Stock Capital Earnings Loss Stock Equity
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001 $46 $19,548 $ 80,752 $ (7,966) $(15,132) $ 77,248
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss for 2002 (16,655) (16,655)
Other comprehensive loss (11,334) (11,334)
-----------
Total comprehensive loss (27,989)
Dividends declared ($.50 per share) (1,721) (1,721)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2002 46 19,548 62,376 (19,300) (15,132) 47,538
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss for 2003 (14,158) (14,158)
Other comprehensive income 244 244
-----------
Total comprehensive loss (13,914)
Dividends declared ($.1875 per share) (645) (645)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2003 46 19,548 47,573 (19,056) (15,132) 32,979
Comprehensive income:
Net income for 2004 1,953 1,953
Other comprehensive income 3,140 3,140
-----------
Total comprehensive income 5,093
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2004 $46 $19,548 $ 49,526 $ (15,916) $(15,132) $ 38,072
======================================================================================
See accompanying notes.
47
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
December 31, 2004
1. Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Biltrite
Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (referred to as "ABI" or the "Company"),
as well as entities over which it has voting control. In 1995, ABI gained voting
control over Congoleum Corporation ("Congoleum") and K&M Associates L.P.
("K&M"). Upon consolidation, intercompany accounts and transactions, including
transactions with associated companies that result in intercompany profit, are
eliminated.
As discussed more fully below and elsewhere in these footnotes, the Company's
Congoleum subsidiary filed for bankruptcy protection on December 31, 2003. The
accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results for Congoleum
for all periods presented. ABI continues to own a majority of the voting stock
of Congoleum. The Company expects to continue to control Congoleum while it is
in bankruptcy. Additionally, Congoleum's proposed modified reorganization plan,
which remains subject to Bankruptcy Court approval, anticipates no changes in
the equity ownership upon emergence from bankruptcy. Congoleum believes that its
bankruptcy proceeding could be concluded during 2005. Accordingly, the Company
has elected to continue to consolidate the financial statements of Congoleum in
its consolidated results because it believes that is the appropriate
presentation given its anticipated continuing control of Congoleum. However, the
accompanying financial statements also present the details of consolidation to
separately show the financial condition, operating results and cash flows of ABI
(including its non-debtor subsidiaries) and Congoleum, which may be more
meaningful for certain analyses.
As more fully discussed in Notes 8 and 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements, the Company's subsidiary Congoleum is a party to a significant
number of lawsuits stemming from its manufacture of asbestos-containing products
and is seeking confirmation of a plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of the
United States Bankruptcy Code as part of its strategy to resolve this liability.
The plan contemplated by Congoleum would permit shareholders, including ABI, to
retain their existing equity interests in Congoleum. As part of Congoleum's plan
of reorganization, ABI expects that Congoleum's indemnification obligations to
ABI with respect to current and future asbestos personal injury claims related
to ABI's former Tile Division operations not covered by ABI insurance will be
channeled to the plan trust established under section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy
Code pursuant to Congoleum's Chapter 11 plan of reorganization. ABI and
48
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Congoleum expect to contribute, among other things, to the plan trust that would
be established pursuant to Congoleum's Chapter 11 reorganization $250 thousand
in cash from ABI and a note from Congoleum in an aggregate principal amount
equal to at least 51% of the equity value of Congoleum, with Congoleum's payment
obligations secured by a pledge by ABI of both the common stock of Congoleum
that it owns as well as certain of its rights to receive certain indemnity
payments from Congoleum. ABI does not expect that Congoleum's note contribution
to the plan trust would have a material adverse effect on ABI's liquidity or
capital resources. The value of the note that Congoleum will contribute to the
trust under the proposed plan is $2.7 million but is subject to increase based
upon the equity value of Congoleum as of the last trading day of the 90
consecutive trading day period commencing on the first anniversary of the
effective date of Congoleum's confirmed Chapter 11 plan of reorganization, which
could be materially higher. For example, if the adjustment amount were
calculated based on the excess of 51% of the equity value of Congoleum over $2.7
million during the 90 consecutive day trading period ended December 31, 2004,
the resulting adjustment amount would be $17.8 million. The proposed modified
plan calls for a possible additional contribution by ABI to the plan trust in
the event ABI sells its interest in Congoleum during the three-year period
beginning on the first anniversary of confirmation of Congoleum's plan.
Because it maintains a controlling interest, ABI has continued to consolidate
Congoleum's results, which included losses (including other comprehensive
losses) of $21.0 million in excess of the value of its investment in Congoleum
at December 31, 2004. For more information regarding Congoleum's and ABI's
asbestos liabilities and plans for resolving those liabilities, please refer to
Notes 8 and 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
AICPA Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in
Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code ("SOP 90-7") provides financial
reporting guidance for entities that are reorganizing under the Bankruptcy Code.
The Company implemented this guidance in consolidated financial statements for
periods after December 31, 2003.
Pursuant to SOP 90-7, companies are required to segregate pre-petition
liabilities that are subject to compromise and report them separately on the
balance sheet. Liabilities that may be affected by a plan of reorganization are
recorded at the amount of the expected allowed claims, even if they may be
settled for lesser amounts. Substantially all of Congoleum's liabilities as of
December 31, 2003 have been reclassified as liabilities subject to compromise.
Obligations arising post petition, and pre-petition obligations that are
secured, are not classified as liabilities subject to compromise.
Additional pre-petition claims (liabilities subject to compromise) may arise due
to the rejection of executory contracts or unexpired leases, or as a result of
the allowance of contingent or disputed claims.
49
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Included in other assets on the accompanying balance sheets is ABI's investment
in Compania Hulera Sula, S.A., a 50%-owned venture. The investment is accounted
for on the cost method due to the uncertainty of the political climate and
currency restrictions in Honduras.
Use of Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent liabilities, at the date of
the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Some of the more significant estimates
include asbestos liabilities, environmental contingencies, valuation of deferred
tax assets, and actuarial assumptions for the pension plan and post-retirement
benefits. Although the Company believes it uses reasonable and appropriate
estimates and assumptions in the preparation of its financial statements and in
the application of accounting policies, if business conditions were different,
or if the Company used different estimates and assumptions, it is possible that
actual results could differ from such estimates.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers' financial
condition and generally does not require collateral. Credit losses in previous
years have generally been within management's expectations. For the years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company had two customers that accounted
for 37%, 35%, and 32% of net sales, respectively. At December 31, 2004 and 2003,
one customer accounted for 18% and 16% of trade receivables outstanding,
respectively. Also at December 31, 2004 another customer accounted for 15% of
trade receivables outstanding.
Cash
Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments with maturities of three
months or less at the date of purchase. The carrying value of cash equivalents
approximates fair value.
Under the terms of Congoleum's revolving credit agreement, payments on its
accounts receivable are deposited in an account assigned by Congoleum to its
lender and the funds in that account are used by the lender to pay down any loan
balance. Restricted cash includes funds deposited in this account but not
immediately applied to the loan balance.
50
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company's allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on a variety
of factors that affect the potential collectibility of the related receivables,
including length of time receivables are past due, customer credit ratings,
financial stability of customers, specific one-time events and past customer
history. In addition, in circumstances where the Company is made aware of a
specific customer's inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific
allowance is established. The majority of accounts are individually evaluated on
a regular basis and appropriate reserves are established as deemed appropriate
based on the criteria previously mentioned. The remainder of the reserve is
based on management's estimates and takes into consideration historical trends,
market conditions and the composition of the Company's customer base.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the
last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for most of the Company's domestic inventories
and the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method for the Company's foreign inventories.
The Company records as a charge to cost of products sold any amounts required to
reduce the carrying value of inventories to net realizable value.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for
improvements that increase asset values and extend useful lives are capitalized.
Depreciation, which is determined using the straight-line method, is provided
over the estimated useful lives (thirty to forty years for buildings and
building improvements, ten to fifteen years for production equipment and
heavy-duty vehicles, and three to ten years for light-duty vehicles and office
furnishings and equipment).
Debt Issue Costs
Costs incurred in connection with the issuance of debt have been capitalized and
are being amortized over the life of the related debt agreements. Debt issue
costs at December 31, 2004 and 2003 amounted to $1,154 and $1,649, respectively,
net of accumulated amortization of $2,662 and $2,167, respectively, and are
included in other noncurrent assets.
51
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the estimated fair
value of the net assets acquired and was amortized through year-end 2001 using
the straight-line method principally over 40 years. The Company evaluates the
recoverability of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets annually in
the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances,
such as a decline in sales, earnings, or cash flows, or material adverse changes
in the business climate, indicate that the carrying value of an asset might be
impaired. Goodwill is considered to be impaired when the net book value of a
reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. The Company completed its
annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2004 and concluded that no
adjustment was required to the carrying value of goodwill based on the analysis
performed.
During the first quarter of 2002, the Company performed a transitional
impairment test and concluded that the goodwill related to both Congoleum and
Janus was impaired and recorded a goodwill impairment charge for the cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle of $7.7 million. Congoleum recorded an
impairment loss of $10.5 million. ABI's share, 55%, in this impairment loss
resulted in a charge of $5.8 million plus a charge of $1.9 million for an
impairment loss related to Janus goodwill for a total charge of $7.7 million.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company assesses its long-lived assets other than goodwill and
indefinite-lived assets for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate
that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. To analyze
recoverability, it projects undiscounted net future cash flows over the
remaining life of such assets. If these projected cash flows are less than the
carrying amount, an impairment would be recognized, resulting in a write-down of
the assets with a corresponding charge to earnings. The impairment loss is
measured based upon the difference between the carrying amount and the fair
value of the assets.
52
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Product Warranties
The Company provides product warranties for specific product lines and accrues
for estimated future warranty cost in the period in which the revenue is
recognized. The following table sets forth activity in the Company's warranty
reserves:
2004 2003 2002
---------------------------------------------
Beginning balance $ 3,554 $ 3,095 $ 2,983
Accruals 5,280 7,588 6,536
Charges (5,795) (7,129) (6,424)
---------------------------------------------
Ending balance $ 3,039 $ 3,554 $ 3,095
=============================================
Environmental and Product Liabilities
The Company accrues for costs associated with its environmental claims when it
is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably
estimated. The most likely cost to be incurred is accrued based on an evaluation
of currently available facts with respect to each individual site, including the
extent of clean-up activities to be performed, the methods employed in the
clean-up activities, the Company's relative share in costs at sites where other
parties are involved, existing technology, current laws and regulations and
prior remediation experience. Where no amount within a range of estimates is
more likely to occur than another, the minimum is accrued. For sites with
multiple PRPs, the Company considers its likely proportionate share of the
anticipated remediation costs and the ability of the other parties to fulfill
their obligations in establishing a provision for those costs. When future
liabilities are determined to be reimbursable by insurance coverage or other
reimbursement, an accrual is recorded for the potential liability and a
receivable is recorded related to the expected recovery. A receivable reserve is
recorded when recoveries are disputed or are not highly probable. Legal fees
associated with these claims are accrued when the Company deems that their
occurrence is probable and the fees are reasonably estimable (see Notes 4, 6 and
8).
53
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Asbestos Liabilities and Congoleum Plan of Reorganization
The Company is a party to a number of lawsuits stemming from its manufacture of
asbestos-containing products. The Company records a liability and a
corresponding insurance receivable based on its estimates of the future costs
and related insurance recoveries to settle asbestos litigation and pay for
related legal and loss handling costs. In estimating the Company's
asbestos-related exposures, the Company analyzes and considers the possibility
of any uncertainties including the anticipated costs to settle claims, the
claims dismissal rate, the cost to litigate claims, the number of claims
expected to be received, the applicability and allocation of insurance coverage
to these costs, and the solvency of insurance carriers.
The Company's subsidiary Congoleum is a defendant in a large number of
asbestos-related lawsuits and is seeking confirmation of a plan of
reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code as part of
its strategy to resolve this liability (see Notes 8 and 9). The recorded
liability for Congoleum's asbestos-related exposures is based on the minimum
estimated cost to resolve these liabilities through the proposed plan of
reorganization.
Accounting for asbestos-related costs includes significant assumptions and
estimates, and actual results could differ materially from the estimates
recorded.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when products are shipped and title has passed to the
customer. Net sales are comprised of the total sales billed during the period
less the sales value of estimated returns, trade discounts and customers'
allowances. The Company defers recognition of revenue for its estimate of
potential sales returns under right-of-return agreements with its customers
until the right-of-return period lapses.
Shipping and Handling Costs
Shipping and handling costs for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
were $7,278, $6,525 and $6,448, respectively, and are included in selling,
general and administrative expenses.
54
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Income Taxes
In accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, the Company
recognizes deferred income taxes based on the expected future tax consequences
of differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of assets
and liabilities, calculated using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in
which the differences are expected to be reflected in the tax return.
The Company reduces its deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based
upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some
portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Relevant
evidence, both positive and negative, is considered in determining the need for
a valuation allowance. Information evaluated includes the Company's financial
position and results of operations for the current and preceding years as well
as an evaluation of currently available information about future years.
The Company operates within multiple taxing jurisdictions and could be subject
to audit in these jurisdictions. These audits can involve complex issues, which
may require an extended period of time to resolve and may cover multiple years.
In the Company's opinion, adequate provisions for income taxes have been made
for all years subject to audit.
Stock-Based Compensation
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation (SFAS No. 123), requires the recognition of, or disclosure of,
compensation expense for grants of stock options or other equity instruments
issued to employees based on their fair value at the date of grant. As permitted
by SFAS No. 123, the Company follows the disclosure requirements instead of
recognition of compensation expense and, therefore, continues to apply existing
accounting rules under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB 25) and
related interpretations for its employee stock options. Under APB 25, when the
exercise price of the Company's employee stock options equals or exceeds the
market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation
expense is recognized.
The fair value for the ABI options was estimated at the date of grant using a
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively: risk-free interest rate of
4.53%, 4.31% and 4.37%, expected dividend yield of zero percent, 3.00% and
4.00%, volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company's common
stock of .347, .286 and .285, and a weighted-average expected life of the
options of seven and one-half years.
55
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
The weighted-average fair value of options granted under ABI's 1999 Stock Award
and Incentive Plan for Directors during 2004, 2003 and 2002 was $4.58, $1.90 and
$2.68, respectively.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the ABI
options is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The impact on
pro forma net income may not be representative of compensation expense in future
years, when the effect of the amortization of multiple awards would be reflected
in the pro forma disclosures.
The Company's pro forma information follows:
Years ended December 31
2004 2003 2002
-------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $1,953 $(14,158) $(16,655)
Estimated pro forma compensation
expense from stock options (105) (18) (84)
-------------------------------------
Pro forma net income (loss) $1,848 $(14,176) $(16,739)
=====================================
Pro forma income (loss) per share:
Basic $ .54 $ (4.12) $ (4.86)
Diluted .53 (4.12) (4.86)
Research and Development Costs
Expenditures relating to the development of new products are charged to
operations as incurred and amounted to $5,839, $4,765 and $5,105 for the years
ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency for the Company's foreign operations is the applicable
local currency. Balance sheet accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated at
the current exchange rate, and income statement items are translated at the
average exchange rate for the period; resulting translation adjustments are made
directly to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders'
equity. Realized exchange gains and losses (immaterial in amount) are included
in current operations.
56
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Issuances of Stock by Subsidiaries
The Company accounts for issuances of stock by its subsidiaries as capital
transactions.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share have been computed based on the weighted-average number
of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share have
been computed based upon the weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding during the year, adjusted for the dilutive effect of shares issuable
upon the exercise of stock options (common stock equivalent) unless their
inclusion would be antidilutive. In calculating diluted earnings per share, the
dilutive effect of a stock option is computed using the average market price for
the period.
Under its stock option plans, Congoleum grants stock options to employees and
non-employee directors. Congoleum's outstanding stock options may have a
dilutive effect on American Biltrite's earnings per share. The dilutive effect
of Congoleum's stock options is determined based on Congoleum's diluted earnings
per share and the number of shares of Congoleum stock owned by American
Biltrite.
Recently Issued Accounting Principles
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS
No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment. SFAS No. 123(R) replaces SFAS No.
123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, supersedes APB Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of
Cash Flows. SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees,
including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial
statements based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an
alternative to financial statement recognition. SFAS No. 123(R) is effective for
public companies at the beginning of the first interim or annual period
beginning after June 15, 2005. SFAS No. 123(R) allows for either prospective
recognition of compensation expense or retrospective recognition, which may be
back to the original issuance of SFAS No. 123 or only to interim periods in the
year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating these transition methods
and determining the effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations
and whether the adoption will result in amounts that are similar to the current
pro-forma disclosures under SFAS No. 123. The Company expects to adopt SFAS No.
123(R) on July 1, 2005.
57
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
In November 2001, Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) issue 01-9, Accounting for
Consideration Given by Vendor to Customer or Reseller of the Vendor's Products,
was issued. The Company adopted EITF 01-9 effective January 1, 2002 as required.
This issue addresses the manner in which companies account for sales incentives
to their customers. The Company's current accounting policies for the
recognition of costs related to these programs, which is to accrue for costs as
benefits are earned by the Company's customers, are in accordance with the
consensus reached in this issue. The Company has reclassified amounts previously
recorded in selling, general and administrative expense as a reduction in net
sales. The impact for the twelve month's ending December 31, 2002 was a
reduction of net sales and of selling, general and administrative expenses of
$4.1 million.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to permit comparison with
2004 classifications.
2. Inventories
Inventories at December 31 consisted of the following:
2004 2003
--------------------------------
Finished goods $54,597 $62,072
Work-in-process 9,207 7,953
Raw materials and supplies 12,232 11,455
--------------------------------
$76,036 $81,480
================================
At December 31, 2004, domestic inventories determined by the LIFO inventory
method amounted to $47,630 ($54,874 at December 31, 2003). If the FIFO inventory
method, which approximates replacement cost, had been used for these
inventories, they would have been $948 higher and $2,080 lower at December 31,
2004 and 2003, respectively.
58
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
3. Property, Plant and Equipment
A summary of the major components of property, plant and equipment at December
31 is as follows:
2004 2003
--------------------------------
Land and improvements $ 5,526 $ 5,526
Buildings 74,690 73,535
Machinery and equipment 267,620 258,367
Construction-in-progress 2,289 6,350
--------------------------------
350,125 343,778
Less accumulated depreciation 226,055 209,493
--------------------------------
$124,070 $134,285
================================
Interest is capitalized in connection with the construction of major facilities.
Capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and is
amortized over the asset's estimated useful life. Capitalized interest costs
were $200 for 2004 and $300 for each of the years 2003 and 2002.
Depreciation expense amounted to $16,994, $17,414 and $16,508 in 2004, 2003 and
2002, respectively.
4. Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses at December 31 consisted of the following:
2004 2003
--------------------------
Accrued advertising and sales promotions $24,260 $21,771
Employee compensation and related benefits 9,138 7,018
Interest 191 3,879
Environmental liabilities 1,000 1,559
Royalties 1,118 1,205
Income taxes 3,709 130
Other 9,189 6,829
--------------------------
$48,605 $42,391
==========================
As a result of Congoleum's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and in accordance with
SOP 90-7, certain liabilities are included in liabilities subject to compromise
on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 (see Note 9).
59
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
5. Financing Arrangements
Long-term debt at December 31 consisted of the following:
2004 2003
------------------------------
8 5/8% Senior Notes, due 2008 $ -- $ 99,773
Note Purchase Agreement 20,000 20,000
Other Notes 4,201 5,142
------------------------------
24,201 124,915
Less current portion 21,411 21,289
------------------------------
$ 2,790 $103,626
==============================
8 5/8% Senior Notes due 2008
On August 3, 1998, Congoleum issued $100 million of 8 5/8% Senior Notes maturing
August 1, 2008 priced at 99.505 to yield 8.70%. The Senior Notes are redeemable
at the option of Congoleum, in whole or in part, at any time on or after August
1, 2003 at predetermined redemption prices (ranging from 104% to 100%), plus
accrued and unpaid interest to date of redemption. The Indenture under which the
notes were issued includes certain restrictions on additional indebtedness and
uses of cash, including dividend payments. During 2003, the indenture was
amended to explicitly permit Congoleum to take steps in connection with
preparing and filing its prepackaged plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of
the Bankruptcy Code. In addition, due to the Chapter 11 proceedings, Congoleum
was precluded from making the interest payments due February 1, 2004 and August
1, 2004 on the Senior Notes. The amount of accrued interest that was not paid on
the Senior Notes on those dates was approximately $8.6 million (not including
accrued interest on overdue interest). The amount of interest accrued at
December 31, 2004 was approximately $12.7 million. As of December 31, 2004, the
principal amount of the Senior Notes, net of unamortized original issue
discount, was $99.8 million. These amounts, plus $495 of accrued interest on the
interest due but not paid on February 1, 2004 and August 1, 2004 are included in
liabilities subject to compromise on the balance sheet.
60
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
5. Financing Arrangements (continued)
Note Purchase Agreement
During the third quarter of 2001, ABI entered into a Note Purchase and Private
Shelf Agreement with Prudential Insurance Company (the "Prudential Agreement").
Under the terms of this agreement, ABI borrowed $20,000 and used the proceeds to
retire existing long-term and revolving debt. The terms of the Prudential
Agreement were modified during 2004 to revise covenants and certain other terms
to conform with revisions to the Company's revolving credit agreement with
respect to financial covenants for periods ending before December 31, 2004.
These amendments also granted the lender a security interest, shared with the
revolving credit lender, in certain receivables, inventory, and fixed assets. In
December 2004, the Company was granted a temporary waiver for any event of
default resulting from failure to meet financial covenants under the Prudential
Agreement as of December 31, 2004, which expires on March 30, 2005. The Company
has requested an amendment to the Prudential Agreement that would result in
compliance with all financial covenants as of December 31, 2004 and contains
covenant modifications for periods ending on or after March 31, 2005, which it
expects to receive. The notes under the Prudential Agreement bear interest at
9.91% (reducing to 7.91% if a lower ratio of debt to EBITDA, as defined in the
Prudential Agreement, is attained). Principal is repayable in five annual $4,000
installments beginning August 28, 2006.
Other Notes
In 1998, the Company obtained loans from local banks in connection with the
acquisition of buildings in Belgium and Singapore. The loans were for 25,000
Belgian francs (US $681 at the foreign currency exchange rate in effect when the
loan was obtained) and 2,700 Singapore dollars (US $1,534 at the foreign
currency exchange rate in effect when the loan was obtained). The loans are
payable in equal installments through 2008 and 2018, respectively. The interest
rates on the loans are 5.6% for the Belgian loan and 1.5% above the local bank's
prime rate (5.0% at December 31, 2004) for the Singapore loan. The loans are
secured by the property acquired.
The Company, through a Canadian subsidiary, was party to a credit agreement
providing a $7,500 Canadian dollar (US$4,712 at the foreign currency exchange
rate in effect when the credit agreement was obtained) capital loan and an
operating loan facility of $10,000 Canadian dollars (US$8,301 at the December
31, 2004 foreign currency exchange rate). At December 31, 2004, the amounts
outstanding and available for borrowing under the operating loan were $9,078
(US$7,536) and $922 (US$765), respectively.
61
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
5. Financing Arrangements (continued)
Revolving Credit Agreements
ABI is party to a revolving credit agreement that provides for borrowings of up
to $20,000 (depending on levels of inventory, receivables, and fixed assets)
through January 1, 2006, with interest varying based upon the Company's leverage
ratio (as defined in that agreement). This agreement has been amended to modify
certain terms, including making financial covenants less restrictive. This
agreement as amended provides for a commitment fee based on the average daily
unused portion of the commitment, which varies depending on the leverage ratio.
Borrowings under the revolving credit agreement and the note purchase agreement
are secured by certain of the assets of certain of the Company's subsidiaries.
At December 31, 2004, the Company did not have any amounts outstanding under
this agreement. Unused borrowing availability under this agreement at December
31, 2004 was $15,604.
In January 2004, the Bankruptcy Court authorized entry of a final order
approving Congoleum's debtor-in-possession financing, which replaced its
pre-petition credit facility on substantially similar terms. The
debtor-in-possession financing (as amended) provides an eighteen month revolving
credit facility with borrowings up to $30 million. Interest is based on .75%
above the prime rate. This financing agreement contains certain covenants, which
include the maintenance of minimum levels of EBITDA. It also includes
restrictions on the incurrence of additional debt and limitations on capital
expenditures. The covenants and conditions under this financial agreement must
be met in order for the Company to borrow from the facility. The Company was in
compliance with these covenants at December 31, 2004. Borrowings under this
facility are collateralized by inventory and receivables. At December 31, 2004,
based on the level of receivables and inventory, $18.7 million was available
under the facility, of which $4.3 million was utilized for outstanding letters
of credit and $9.5 million was utilized by the revolving loan. The Company
anticipates that its debtor-in-possession financing facility will be replaced
with a revolving credit facility on substantially similar terms upon
confirmation of its plan of reorganization. While the Company expects the
facilities discussed above will provide it with sufficient liquidity, there can
be no assurances that it will continue to be in compliance with the required
covenants, that the Company will be able to obtain a similar or sufficient
facility upon exit from bankruptcy, or that the debtor-in-possession facility
will be renewed beyond its expiration of June 30, 2005.
62
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
5. Financing Arrangements (continued)
The terms of certain of the Company's loan agreements include restrictions on
incurring additional indebtedness, restrictions on some types of payments
including dividends, and limitations on capital expenditures. Certain agreements
also have covenants requiring maintenance of minimum net worth levels, current
ratios, and fixed charge coverage ratios and maximum debt levels and debt to
EBITDA ratios. Retained earnings, which were unrestricted as to such
distributions, amounted to $1,453 at December 31, 2004.
Interest paid on all outstanding debt amounted to $3,338 in 2004, $11,500 in
2003 and $10,796 in 2002. As noted above, in connection with its Chapter 11
bankruptcy proceedings, Congoleum did not pay the interest due on its $100
million 8 5/8% Senior Notes during 2004.
Principal payments on the Company's long-term obligations due in each of the
next five years are as follows:
2005 $21,411
2006 1,414
2007 173
2008 115
2009 79
6. Other Liabilities
Other liabilities at December 31 consisted of the following:
2004 2003
--------------------------
Pension benefit obligations $ 2,615 $26,278
Environmental remediation and product
related liabilities 4,680 9,304
Other postretirement benefits -- 8,517
Deferred income taxes 16,531 8,834
Accrued workers' compensation -- 5,130
Other 1,411 2,887
--------------------------
$25,237 $60,950
==========================
As a result of Congoleum's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and in accordance with
SOP 90-7, certain liabilities are included in liabilities subject to compromise
on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 (see Note 9).
63
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
7. Pension Plans
The Company sponsors several noncontributory defined benefit pension plans
covering most of the Company's employees. Benefits under the plan are based on
years of service and employee compensation. Amounts funded annually by the
Company are actuarially determined using the projected unit credit and unit
credit methods and are equal to or exceed the minimum required by government
regulations. The Company also maintains health and life insurance programs for
retirees (reflected in the table below in "Other Benefits").
During the third quarter of 2004, the Company adopted FASB Staff Position No.
106-2, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare
Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (the "Medicare
Act"). The Medicare Act provides for a prescription drug benefit under Medicare
("Medicare Part D") as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of retiree
healthcare benefit plans that provide benefits that are at least actuarially
equivalent to Medicare Part D. Although detailed regulations necessary to
implement the Medicare Act have not yet been finalized, the Company believes
that drug benefits offered under Other Benefit plans will qualify for the
subsidy under Medicare Part D. The effects of this subsidy were factored into
the Company's 2004 annual expense. The reduction in the benefit obligation
attributable to past service cost was approximately $74 and has been reflected
as an actuarial gain. The reduction in expense for 2004 related to the Medicare
Act is approximately $18.
The following summarizes the change in the benefit obligation; the change in
plan assets; the funded status; and reconciliation to the amounts recognized in
the balance sheets for the pension benefits and other benefits plans. The
measurement date for all items set forth below is the last day of the fiscal
year presented.
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
2004 2003 2004 2003
------------------------- -------------------------
Change in Benefit Obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year $94,037 $81,106 $9,177 $8,341
Service cost 1,996 1,854 170 189
Interest cost 5,598 5,440 484 546
Plan participants contributions 168 162
Amendments -- 305
Actuarial (gain) loss (1,661) 9,351 (760) 610
Medicare Rx subsidy (74) --
Foreign currency exchange rate changes 776 1,427
Benefits paid (5,957) (5,608) (455) (509)
------------------------- -------------------------
Benefit obligation at end of year $94,957 $94,037 $8,542 $9,177
========================== =========================
64
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
7. Pension Plans (continued)
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
2004 2003 2004 2003
------------------------------------------
Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 68,175 $ 56,577
Actual return on plan assets 6,160 10,504
Employer contribution 5,754 4,752
Plan participants contribution 168 162
Foreign currency exchange rate changes 870 1,788
Benefits paid (5,957) (5,608)
--------------------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 75,170 $ 68,175
====================
Funded (Unfunded) status $(19,787) $(25,862) $(8,542) $(9,177)
Unrecognized net actuarial loss 18,271 22,504 (35) 848
Unrecognized transition obligations (281) (301) (141) (603)
Unamortized prior service cost 852 401
-------------------- ------------------
Accrued benefit cost $ (945) $ (3,258) $(8,718) $(8,932)
==================== ==================
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year $ 88,042 $ 87,766
====================
Some of the Company's pension plans have projected benefit obligations (PBO) and
accumulated benefit obligations (ABO) in excess of plan assets. The aggregate
benefit obligations and fair value of plans assets for such plans as of December
31, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:
2004 2003
--------------------------
PBO greater than plan assets
Projected benefit obligation $84,343 $84,759
Fair value of plan assets 62,865 57,608
ABO greater than plan assets
Accumulated benefit obligation 80,046 70,962
Fair value of plan assets 62,865 47,404
65
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
7. Pension Plans (continued)
The net amount for pension and other postretirement benefits recognized in the
balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
2004 2003 2004 2003
-------------------- -------------------
Accrued benefit liability $(19,552) $(26,278) $(8,718) $(8,517)
Accrued expenses (166) -- -- (415)
Prepaid benefit obligation -- 111
Intangible asset 228 328
Deferred tax asset -- 2,197
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 18,545 20,384
-------------------- -------------------
Net amount recognized $ (945) $ (3,258) $(8,718) $(8,932)
==================== ===================
The accrued pension benefit liability as of December 31, 2004 includes
Congoleum's pension liability of $16,936. The accrued other benefits liability
is Congoleum's liabilities for post-retirement benefits. These amounts have been
included in liabilities subject to compromise as of December 31, 2004 (see Note
9).
The components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31,
2004, 2003 and 2002 are as follows:
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
2004 2003 2002 2004 2003 2002
----------------------------- -----------------------
Service cost $ 1,996 $ 1,854 $ 1,587 $ 170 $ 189 $ 157
Interest cost 5,598 5,440 5,314 484 546 522
Expected return on plan assets (4,832) (4,052) (5,513)
Recognized net actuarial loss (gain) 1,375 1,499 442 49 34 14
Amortization of transition obligation (114) (111) 71
Amortization of prior service cost (198) (206) (195) (462) (462) (462)
----------------------------- -----------------------
Net periodic benefit cost $ 3,825 $ 4,424 $ 1,706 $ 241 $ 307 $ 231
============================= =======================
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation for the
pension benefits as of year-end were as follows:
2004 2003
----------------- -----------------
Discount rate 6.10% - 6.25% 6.25%
Rate of compensation increase 4.00% - 5.50% 4.00% - 5.00%
66
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
7. Pension Plans (continued)
The weighted-average discount rate used to determine the benefit obligation for
the Other Benefits as of year-end was 6.25% and 6.75% for 2004 and 2003,
respectively.
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost
related to the pension benefits were as follows:
2004 2003 2002
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Discount rate 6.10% - 6.25% 6.25% - 6.75% 6.75%
Expected long-term return on plan assets 7.00% - 7.50% 7.00% - 7.50% 7.00% - 9.00%
Rate of compensation increase 4.00% - 5.50% 4.00% - 5.50% 4.25% - 5.00%
The weighted-average discount rate used to determine net periodic benefit cost
related to the Other Benefits was 6.25% for 2004 and 6.75% for 2003.
In developing the overall expected long-term return on plan assets assumption, a
building block approach was used in which rates of return in excess of inflation
were considered separately for equity securities, debt securities, and other
assets. The excess returns were weighted by the representative target allocation
and added along with an appropriate rate of inflation to develop the overall
expected long-term return on plan assets assumption. The Company believes this
determination is consistent with SFAS 87.
Assumed healthcare cost trend rates as of year-end were as follows:
December 31
2004 2003
---------------------
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year 9.0% 9.0%
Ultimate healthcare cost trend rate 5.0% 5.0%
Year that the assumed rate reaches the ultimate rate 2010 2009
67
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
7. Pension Plans (continued)
Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts
reported for healthcare benefits. A one-percentage point change in assumed
healthcare cost trend rates would have the following effects:
1 Percentage Point 1 Percentage Point
Increase Decrease
------------------ ------------------
Effect on total of service and interest cost components $ 57 $ 51
Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation 615 562
For the pension plan, the weighted-average asset allocation at December 31, 2004
and 2003, by asset category, are as follows:
December 31
2004 2003
------------------------------
Equity securities 59% 59%
Debt securities 38% 40%
Other 3% 1%
------------------------------
Total 100% 100%
==============================
The Company has developed an investment strategy for the pension plan. The
investment strategy is to emphasize total return; that is, the aggregate return
from capital appreciation and dividend and interest income. The primary
objective of the investment management for the plan's assets is the emphasis on
consistent growth; specifically, growth in a manner that protects the Plan's
assets from excessive volatility in market value from year to year. The
investment policy takes into consideration the benefit obligations, including
timing of distributions.
The primary objective for the plan is to provide long-term capital appreciation
primarily through investment in equity and debt securities. The Company's target
asset allocation is consistent with the weighted-average allocation at December
31, 2004.
The Company selects professional money managers whose investment policies are
consistent with the Company's investment strategy and monitors their performance
against appropriate benchmarks.
68
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
7. Pension Plans (continued)
Contributions
Congoleum expects to contribute $5.3 million to its pension plan and $0.5
million to its other postretirement plan in 2005. No contributions are required
for the American Biltrite pension plans during 2005.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following benefit payments, which reflect future service as appropriate, are
expected to be paid. The benefit payments are based on the same assumptions used
to measure the Company's benefit obligation at the end of fiscal 2004.
Other Benefits
----------------------------
Not
Reflecting Reflecting
Pension Medicare Rx Medicare Rx
Benefits Subsidy Subsidy
-------- ----------- -----------
2005 $ 5,906 $ 496 $ 496
2006 6,025 499 512
2007 6,161 555 567
2008 6,273 607 618
2009 6,421 616 627
2010 - 2014 34,726 3,790 3,832
The Company also has three 401(k) defined contribution retirement plans that
cover substantially all employees. Eligible employees may contribute up to 15%
to 20% of compensation with the Company partially matching contributions.
Defined contribution pension expense for the Company was $982, $984 and $1,788
for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively.
69
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The Company occupies certain warehouse and office space and uses certain
equipment and motor vehicles under lease agreements expiring at various dates
through 2010. The leases generally require the Company to pay for utilities,
insurance, taxes and maintenance, and some contain renewal options. Total rent
expense charged to operations was $5,957 in 2004, $5,894 in 2003 and $6,079 in
2002.
Future minimum payments relating to operating leases are as follows:
2005 $ 4,721
2006 3,706
2007 3,355
2008 2,765
2009 2,448
Thereafter 2,090
-------
Total future minimum lease payments $19,085
=======
Royalty and Advertising Commitments
K&M maintains certain license arrangements for branded jewelry products. Under
the terms of these arrangements, K&M must make minimum royalty and advertising
payments based on defined percentages of net sales during the license terms.
These arrangements also include guaranteed minimum yearly royalty and
advertising payments based either on minimum levels of net sales or fixed
payment amounts.
Future minimum royalty and advertising payments are as follows:
2005 $2,163
2006 2,217
2007 33
------
Total future minimum royalty payments $4,413
======
70
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
Environmental and Other Liabilities
In the ordinary course of its business, the Company becomes involved in
lawsuits, administrative proceedings, product liability and other matters, as
more fully described in the following footnote. In some of these proceedings,
plaintiffs may seek to recover large and sometimes unspecified amounts, and the
matters may remain unresolved for several years.
The Company records a liability for environmental remediation claims when it
becomes probable that the Company will incur costs relating to a clean-up
program or will have to make claim payments and the costs or payments can be
reasonably estimated. As assessments are revised and clean-up programs progress,
these liabilities are adjusted to reflect such revisions and progress.
As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, liabilities of Congoleum comprised the
substantial majority of the environmental and other liabilities reported on the
Company's consolidated balance sheets as shown in the following table. As a
result of Congoleum's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and in accordance with SOP
90-7, certain liabilities are included in liabilities subject to compromise on
the balance sheet as of December 31, 2004. Due to the relative magnitude and
wide range of estimates of these liabilities and that recourse related to these
liabilities is generally limited to Congoleum, these matters are discussed
separately following matters for which ABI has actual or potential liability.
However, since Congoleum is included in ABI's consolidated financial statements,
to the extent that Congoleum incurs a liability or expense, it will be reflected
in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Congoleum has filed a
plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code as
part of a plan to resolve its asbestos-related liabilities. See Notes 1 and 9
for a discussion of this subject.
71
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
The following table summarizes American Biltrite's and Congoleum's recorded
assets and liabilities for environmental, asbestos and other contingencies:
December 31
2004 2003
Liability Receivable Liability Receivable
--------------------- ---------------------
American Biltrite
Environmental liabilities
Accrued expenses $ 1,000 $ 725
Other liabilities, non-current 4,680 4,099
Other assets, non-current -- $ 2,118 -- $ 1,220
--------------------- ---------------------
5,680 2,118 4,824 1,220
Asbestos product liability
Asbestos-related liabilities, non-current 7,500 -- 10,700
Insurance for asbestos-related liabilities -- 7,500 -- 10,700
--------------------- ---------------------
7,500 7,500 10,700 10,700
Other
Other liabilities, non-current 100 --
--------------------- ---------------------
-- -- 100 --
--------------------- ---------------------
$13,180 $ 9,618 $15,624 $11,920
===================== =====================
Congoleum
Environmental liabilities
Accrued expenses $ 834
Liabilities subject to compromise, current $ 640
Liabilities subject to compromise, non-current 3,956
Other liabilities, non-current 4,451
Other assets, non-current -- $ 2,105 -- $ 2,689
--------------------- ---------------------
4,596 2,105 5,285 2,689
Asbestos product liability
Asbestos-related liabilities, current 21,079 7,081
Asbestos-related liabilities, non-current 2,738 2,738
Other assets, current -- 1,509 -- 3,587
Other assets, non-current -- 7,300
--------------------- ---------------------
23,817 8,809 9,819 3,587
Other
Liabilities subject to compromise, current 854 --
Liabilities subject to compromise, non-current 31 --
Other liabilities, non-current 996 --
Other assets, non-current -- 130 -- 130
--------------------- ---------------------
885 130 996 130
--------------------- ---------------------
$29,298 $11,044 $16,100 $ 6,406
===================== =====================
72
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
December 31
2004 2003
Liability Receivable Liability Receivable
-------------------------- --------------------------
Consolidated
Environmental liabilities
Accrued expenses $ 1,000 $ 1,559
Liabilities subject to compromise, current 640
Liabilities subject to compromise, non-current 3,956
Other liabilities, non-current 4,680 8,550
Other assets, non-current -- $ 4,223 -- $ 3,909
-------------------------- --------------------------
10,276 4,223 10,109 3,909
Asbestos product liability
Asbestos-related liabilities, current 21,079 7,081 --
Asbestos-related liabilities, non-current 10,238 13,438 --
Other assets, current -- 1,509 -- 3,587
Insurance for asbestos-related liabilities -- 7,500 -- 10,700
Other assets, non-current -- 7,300
-------------------------- --------------------------
31,317 16,309 20,519 14,287
Other
Liabilities subject to compromise, current 854 --
Liabilities subject to compromise, non-current 31 --
Other liabilities, non-current 1,096 --
Other assets, non-current -- 130 -- 130
-------------------------- --------------------------
885 130 1,096 130
-------------------------- --------------------------
$42,478 $20,662 $31,724 $18,326
========================== ==========================
American Biltrite Inc.
ABI is a co-defendant with many other manufacturers and distributors of asbestos
containing products in approximately 1,838 pending claims involving
approximately 2,928 individuals as of December 31, 2004. These claims relate to
products of the Tile Division, which was acquired by Congoleum. The claimants
allege personal injury or death from exposure to asbestos or asbestos-containing
products. Activity related to asbestos claims during the years ended December 31
was as follows:
2004 2003
---------------------------
Claims at January 1 1,954 884
New claims 678 1,367
Settlements (20) (14)
Dismissals (774) (283)
---------------------------
Claims at December 31 1,838 1,954
===========================
73
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
The total indemnity costs incurred to settle claims during 2004 and 2003 were
$1,320 and $270, respectively, all of which were paid by ABI's insurance
carriers, as were the related defense costs. The average indemnity cost per
resolved claim was approximately $2.0 in 2004 and $0.9 in 2003. In general,
governmental authorities have determined that asbestos-containing sheet and tile
products are nonfriable (i.e., cannot be crumbled by hand pressure) because the
asbestos was encapsulated in the products during the manufacturing process.
Thus, governmental authorities have concluded that these products do not pose a
health risk when they are properly maintained in place or properly removed so
that they remain nonfriable. The Company has issued warnings not to remove
asbestos-containing flooring by sanding or other methods that may cause the
product to become friable. The Company estimates its liability to defend and
resolve current and reasonably anticipated future asbestos-related claims (not
including claims asserted against Congoleum), based upon a strategy to actively
defend or seek settlement for those claims in the normal course of business.
Factors such as recent and historical settlement and trial results, the court
dismissal rate of claims, the incidence of past and recent claims, the number of
cases pending against it and asbestos litigation developments that may impact
the exposure of the Company were considered in performing these estimates.
Changes in factors could have a material impact on the Company's liability. For
example, it is estimated that a 1% decrease in the Company's dismissal rate
would result in a 19% increase in liability assuming all other variables
remained constant.
The Company utilizes an actuarial study to assist it in developing estimates of
the Company's potential liability for resolving present and possible future
asbestos claims. Projecting future asbestos claim costs requires estimating
numerous variables that are extremely difficult to predict, including the
incidence of claims, the disease that may be alleged by future claimants, future
settlement and trial results, future court dismissal rates for claims, and
possible asbestos legislation developments. Furthermore, any predictions with
respect to these variables are subject to even greater uncertainty as the
projection period lengthens. In light of these inherent uncertainties, and based
upon consultations with third party advisors, the Company believes that five
years is the most reasonable period over which to include future claims that may
be brought against the Company for recognizing a reserve for future costs. The
Company believes that costs for claims that might be brought after that period
are not reasonably estimable.
The estimated range of liability for settlement of current claims pending and
claims anticipated to be filed through 2010 was $7,500 to $19,400 as of December
31, 2004. The Company believes no amount within this range is more likely than
any other, and accordingly has recorded a liability of $7,500 in its financial
statements which represents a probable and reasonably estimable amount for the
future liability at the present time. The Company also believes that based on
this liability estimate, the corresponding amount of insurance probable of
recovery is $7,500 at December 31, 2004, which has been included in other
assets. These amounts were based on currently known
74
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
facts and a number of assumptions. However, projecting future events, such as
the number of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of
each such claim, and the continuing solvency of various insurance companies, as
well as numerous uncertainties surrounding asbestos legislation in the United
States, could cause the actual liability and insurance recoveries for the
Company to be higher or lower than those projected or recorded.
There can be no assurance that the Company's accrued asbestos liabilities will
approximate its actual asbestos-related settlement and defense costs, or that
its accrued insurance recoveries will be realized. The Company believes that it
is reasonably possible that it will incur charges for resolution of asbestos
claims in the future, which could exceed the Company's existing reserves. The
Company will continue to vigorously defend itself and believes it has
substantial insurance coverage to mitigate future costs related to this matter.
Due to the numerous variables and uncertainties, including the effect of
Congoleum's Chapter 11 case and proposed plan of reorganization on the Company's
liabilities, the Company does not believe that reasonable estimates can be
developed of liabilities for claims beyond a five year horizon. The Company will
continue to evaluate its range of future exposure, and the related insurance
coverage available, and when appropriate, record future adjustments to those
estimates, which could be material.
ABI has been named as a Potentially Responsible Party ("PRP") within the meaning
of the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability
Act, as amended ("CERCLA"), with respect to four sites located in three separate
states. At one of the four sites, which is located in Southington, Connecticut,
(the "Southington Site"), an ABI subsidiary ("Ideal") is also named as a PRP. At
the Southington Site, the currently estimated aggregate future cost of
remediation and monitoring is between $30,000 and $65,000. In addition, the
Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") has estimated its reimbursable costs
to be approximately $15,000. ABI's and Ideal's share of the aggregate
assessments to the PRPs to date is approximately $159. Subject to a final
allocation among the PRPs, ABI's and Ideal's aggregate share of the EPA's past
costs and the future remediation costs is currently estimated to be between $508
and $900. Under an agreement, Ideal will share a percentage of this cost with
the former owner of Ideal's assets. Under an agreement between ABI and The
Biltrite Corporation ("TBC"), TBC is liable for 37.5% of the remediation costs
incurred by ABI with respect to the Southington Site.
At another site, ABI, together with a number of other PRPs, signed a consent
decree and site remediation agreement (the "Agreements"), which, without
admission of liability by the PRPs, requires remediation of the ILCO Superfund
site located in Leeds, Alabama (the "ILCO Site"). The currently estimated
aggregate future cost of remediation and associated transactional costs at
75
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
the ILCO Site ranges from $2,500 to $11,000. Pursuant to a final allocation
among consent decree participants, ABI's share of the currently estimated future
remediation costs range from approximately $16 to about $365. These estimates
consider commitments from de minimis and de maximus settlors, the City of Leeds
and its insurers, amounts currently held in an escrow fund, a RCRA Closure Fund
refund, and TBC's share, which by agreement is 37.5% of the remediation costs
incurred by ABI. A substantial share of ABI's future remediation costs with
respect to the ILCO site will be payable over the next one to five years.
There are two EPA sites in Georgia. At one of the EPA sites, ABI has been named
along with seven other PRPs with respect to three neighborhood sites ("Sites")
in Atlanta, Georgia where properties within the boundaries of the Sites contain
lead in the surface soil in concentrations that exceed the EPA's residential
lead screening level. The EPA has requested that ABI sign an Administrative
Order on Consent ("AOC"). ABI has reviewed the EPA notification letter and the
AOC and is assessing its responsibility with respect to the Sites and whether it
is in its interest to sign the consent order. The former owners have signed an
AOC and will remediate the sites and seek contribution from the other PRPs. At
the other site in Fulton County (together with the "Sites," the "Georgia
Sites"), a former smelting and refinery site, ABI has not entered into any
negotiations with other PRP's or the site owner. ABI believes, based upon
current information available, that its liability at either site will not be
material. Under an agreement between ABI and TBC, TBC is liable for 37.5% of the
remediation costs, incurred by ABI at these Georgia sites.
A lawsuit was brought by Olin Corporation, the present owner of a former
chemical plant site in Wilmington, Massachusetts (the "Olin Site"), which
alleged that ABI and three defendants were liable for a portion of the site's
soil and groundwater response and remediation costs at the site. A wholly-owned
subsidiary of ABI owned and operated the Wilmington plant from 1959 to 1964 and
for approximately one month during 1964, ABI held title to the property
directly.
In 2000, ABI and TBC entered into a settlement agreement with Olin that resolved
all claims and counterclaims among the parties. Under the terms of the
agreement, ABI and TBC together paid Olin $4,100 in settlement of their share of
Olin's $18,000 of alleged past response costs incurred through December 31,
1998. ABI and TBC also agreed to reimburse Olin for 21.7% of Olin's response
costs incurred at the site after January 1, 1999, plus an annual reimbursement
of $100 for Olin's internal costs. Under an agreement between ABI and TBC, TBC
is liable for 37.5% of the costs that may be incurred by ABI in connection with
this lawsuit and 37.5% of the amounts due under the settlement agreement with
Olin.
76
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
Additional expenditures, principally consisting of remediation and oversight
costs, will be required to remediate the site. Olin has estimated that the total
response costs for 2005 will be approximately $6,400. For costs beyond 2005, ABI
has estimated the range to be between $20,000 and $59,000. As of December 31,
2004, ABI has estimated its potential liability for Olin to be in the range of
$4,400 and $13,800 after allocation for Olin's internal costs and before any
recoveries from insurance and TBC.
The State of Maine Department of Environmental Protection has put the present
owner of a former ABI plant on notice to clean up a dumpsite where there is
exposed asbestos from sheet vinyl waste along with other hazardous substances.
ABI is reviewing the condition of the site and its potential liability for its
share of any clean-up costs. ABI believes, at this time, that the cost of site
investigation, remediation, maintenance and monitoring at the site will be
approximately $1,100. ABI has not yet entered a final cost sharing agreement
with the current owner. Under an agreement between ABI and TBC, TBC is liable
for 37.5% of the remediation costs incurred by ABI at this site.
ABI also is potentially responsible for response and remediation costs with
respect to three state-supervised sites, two sites in Massachusetts, and one in
New York. At these three sites, ABI's liability will be based upon disposal of
allegedly hazardous waste material from its current and former plants. While the
exact amount of the future costs to ABI resulting from its liability is
indeterminable due to such unknown factors as the magnitude of clean-up costs,
the timing and extent of the remedial actions that may be required,
determination of ABI's liability in proportion to other responsible parties and
the extent to which costs may be recoverable from insurance, ABI believes, based
upon current information available, that its liability for these sites will not
be material. Under an agreement between ABI and TBC, TBC is liable for 37.5% of
the remediation costs incurred by ABI at these sites.
ABI has made demands against its insurance carriers to provide defense and
indemnity for ABI's liabilities at the Southington Site, the ILCO Site, the
Georgia Sites, the Olin Site and the state supervised sites in Maine,
Massachusetts and New York. An agreement was executed by ABI and its carriers
regarding the payment of the defense costs for the Olin Site. ABI has reached
agreements with three of its insurance carriers whereby the carriers have
reimbursed the Company $1,900 for past and current environmental claims. One
carrier has agreed to reimburse the Company for 2.5% for Olin's future
environmental expenses, $46 of which was reimbursed through December 31, 2004
and which reimbursement, pursuant to ABI's agreement with TBC, was shared 37.5%
with TBC. ABI and its other carriers continue to discuss ABI's remaining demands
for insurance coverage for these sites.
77
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
In accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, ABI maintains a
reserve of approximately $5.7 million, which represents a probable and
reasonably estimable amount to cover the anticipated remediation costs described
above based on facts and circumstances known to the Company at the present time.
The Company has also recorded a receivable of $2.1 million for ABI's estimable
and probable recoveries for the contingencies described above. These projects
tend to be long-term in nature, and these assumptions are subject to refinement
as facts change. As such, it is possible that the Company may need to revise its
recorded liabilities and receivables for environmental costs in future periods
resulting in potentially material adjustments to the Company's earnings in
future periods. To mitigate these risks, the Company closely monitors existing
and potential environmental matters.
Congoleum
Congoleum is a defendant in a large number of asbestos-related lawsuits and is
seeking confirmation of a plan of reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code. See Note 9.
Congoleum is named, together with a large number (in most cases, hundreds) of
other companies, as a PRP in pending proceedings under CERCLA, and similar state
laws. In addition, in four other instances, although not named as a PRP,
Congoleum has received a request for information. These pending proceedings
currently relate to eight disposal sites in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and
Maryland in which recovery from generators of hazardous substances is sought for
the cost of cleaning up the contaminated waste sites. Congoleum's ultimate
liability in connection with those sites depends on many factors, including the
volume of material contributed to the site, the number of other PRP's and their
financial viability, the remediation methods and technology to be used and the
extent to which costs may be recoverable from insurance. However, under CERCLA,
and certain other laws, as a PRP, the Company can be held jointly and severally
liable for all environmental costs associated with a site.
The most significant exposure to which Congoleum has been named a PRP relates to
a recycling facility site in Elkton, Maryland. The PRP group at this site is
made up of 81 companies, substantially all of which are large financially
solvent entities. Two removal actions were substantially complete as of December
31, 1998; however, the groundwater treatment system was installed thereafter.
EPA recently selected a remedy for the soil and shallow groundwater; however,
the remedial investigation/feasibility study related to the deep groundwater
remediation has not been completed. The PRP group estimated that future costs of
the remedy selected by the EPA based on engineering estimates would be
approximately $11 million. Congoleum's proportionate share, based on waste
disposed at the site, is estimated to be approximately 5.7% or $0.7 million.
78
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
The majority of Congoleum's share of costs is presently being paid by one of its
insurance carriers, whose remaining policy limits for this claim will cover
approximately half this amount, with the balance to be funded by other insurance
carriers and Congoleum.
Congoleum also accrues remediation costs for certain of Congoleum's owned
facilities on an undiscounted basis. Congoleum has entered into an
administrative consent order with the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection and has self-guaranteed certain remediation funding sources and
financial responsibilities for clean-up and removal activities arising from
operating manufacturing plants in New Jersey. Estimated total clean-up costs,
including capital outlays and future maintenance costs for soil and groundwater
remediation are primarily based on engineering studies.
Congoleum anticipates that these matters will be resolved over a period of
years, and that after application of expected insurance recoveries, funding of
the costs will not have a material adverse effect on Congoleum's liquidity or
financial position.
Other
In the ordinary course of its business, ABI and Congoleum become involved in
lawsuits, administrative proceedings, product liability and other matters. In
some of these proceedings, plaintiffs may seek to recover large and sometimes
unspecified amounts, and the matters may remain unresolved for several years.
9. Congoleum Asbestos Liabilities and Planned Reorganization
On December 31, 2003 Congoleum and two of its subsidiaries each filed their
respective voluntary petitions commencing cases for reorganization relief under
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code with the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. These Chapter 11 cases are
being jointly administered as Case No. 03-51524 (KCF), styled In re Congoleum
Corporation, et al., and were commenced in order to resolve Congoleum's
asbestos-related liabilities and any future asbestos-related liability that
might be asserted against Congoleum. During 2003, Congoleum obtained the
asbestos personal injury claimant votes necessary for approval of a proposed
pre-packaged Chapter 11 plan of reorganization, and, in January 2004, filed its
pre-packaged plan of reorganization and disclosure statement with the Bankruptcy
Court. On November 8, 2004, Congoleum filed a modified plan of reorganization
and related documents with the Bankruptcy Court reflecting the result of further
negotiations with representatives of the Asbestos Claimants' Committee, the
Future Claimants' Representatives and other asbestos claimant representatives.
The Bankruptcy Court approved the disclosure statement and plan voting
procedures on December 9, 2004 and has scheduled a
79
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
9. Congoleum Asbestos Liabilities and Planned Reorganization (continued)
hearing to begin April 12, 2005 to consider confirmation of the plan. Congoleum
has solicited and received the acceptances necessary for confirmation of its
plan. However, there can be no assurance that the confirmation hearing will not
be rescheduled to a later date, that the proposed plan of reorganization will
not be modified further, that the Bankruptcy Court will approve the plan, or
that the proposed plan, if confirmed, will become effective. Congoleum currently
expects that the confirmation hearings will transpire over a number of months.
Congoleum is also involved in litigation with certain insurance carriers related
to disputed insurance coverage for asbestos-related liabilities, and certain
insurance carriers have filed various objections to Congoleum's plan of
reorganization and related matters. It is expected that these or other insurance
carriers will file objections to the recently filed modified plan of
reorganization. Other parties have also filed or may file various objections to
Congoleum's plan of reorganization.
In anticipation of Congoleum's commencement of the Chapter 11 cases, Congoleum
entered into a settlement agreement with various asbestos personal injury
claimants (the "Claimant Agreement"), which provides for an aggregate settlement
value of at least $491 million. As contemplated by the Claimant Agreement,
Congoleum also entered into agreements establishing a pre-petition trust (the
"Collateral Trust") to distribute funds in accordance with the terms of the
Claimant Agreement and granting the Collateral Trust a security interest in its
rights under applicable insurance coverage and payments from insurers for
asbestos claims. Under Congoleum's proposed plan of reorganization, after the
establishment of the trust to be established pursuant to the provisions of
section 524(g) of the United States Bankruptcy Code upon confirmation of the
plan of reorganization, the assets in the Collateral Trust would be transferred
to the Plan Trust. The Company expects that any claims subject to the Claimant
Agreement that are unsatisfied as of the confirmation of the plan of
reorganization by the Bankruptcy Court would be channeled to the Plan Trust.
The modified plan, if confirmed, would leave most non-asbestos creditors
unimpaired and would resolve all pending and future asbestos claims against
Congoleum. The plan of reorganization would provide for, among other things, an
assignment of, or grant a security interest in, certain rights in, and proceeds
of, Congoleum's applicable insurance to a plan trust established under Section
524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code that would fund distributions to pending and
future asbestos claims, provide for the issuance of an injunction that would
protect Congoleum from all future asbestos-related litigation and liabilities by
channeling all current and future asbestos claims to the plan trust. General
unsecured creditors would be unimpaired under the plan.
80
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
9. Congoleum Asbestos Liabilities and Planned Reorganization (continued)
The proposed plan and collateral trust agreement (agreement related to the
Collateral Trust), as modified, would obligate Congoleum, together with the plan
trust, to indemnify certain asbestos claimant representatives for all costs and
liabilities (including attorneys' fees) relating to the negotiation of the
modification of the plan and the collateral trust. Congoleum's indemnification
obligations in this regard are capped under the modified plan and plan trust
agreement at $3.0 million. In addition, the plan would further obligate
Congoleum to fund any actual costs in excess of $2.0 million incurred by such
asbestos claimant representatives in connection with the confirmation of the
plan, subject to Bankruptcy Court approval of those costs.
ABI expects that, as part of Congoleum's plan of reorganization, Congoleum's
indemnification obligations to ABI with respect to current and future asbestos
personal injury claims related to ABI's former Tile Division operations not
covered by ABI insurance will be channeled to the plan trust established under
Section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code pursuant to Congoleum's Chapter 11 plan of
reorganization. ABI further expects that, under the plan, Congoleum's
indemnification obligations to ABI with respect to current and future asbestos
property damage claims related to ABI's former Tile Division operations not
covered by ABI insurance will be disallowed and expunged, resulting in no
further obligations of Congoleum to indemnify ABI for such claims and no right
of ABI to receive payments for such claims from the plan trust. ABI and
Congoleum expect to contribute, among other things, to the plan trust that would
be established pursuant to Congoleum's Chapter 11 reorganization $250 thousand
in cash from ABI and a note from Congoleum in an initial aggregate principal
amount of approximately $2.7 million, with payment of such contribution secured
by a pledge by ABI of both the common stock of Congoleum that it owns as well as
certain of its rights to receive certain indemnity payments from Congoleum. ABI
does not expect that Congoleum's note contribution to the plan trust would have
a material adverse effect on ABI's liquidity or capital resources. The principal
amount of the note that Congoleum will contribute to the trust under the
proposed plan is subject to increase based upon the equity value of Congoleum as
of the last trading day of the 90 consecutive trading day period commencing on
the first anniversary of the effective date of Congoleum's confirmed Chapter 11
plan of reorganization, which could be materially higher. For example, if the
adjustment amount were calculated for the period ended December 31, 2004, the
resulting adjustment amount would be $17.8 million. The proposed plan also
provides for a possible additional contribution by ABI to the plan trust in the
event ABI sells its interest in Congoleum during the three-year period beginning
on the first anniversary of confirmation of Congoleum's plan of reorganization.
The expected amount of any additional contribution by ABI would be equal to 50%
of any amount by which 51% of the equity value of Congoleum implied by ABI's
sale of its interest in Congoleum exceeds the aggregate principal amount of the
note contributed by Congoleum to the plan trust outstanding as of the
measurement date for determining whether the principal amount of that note would
be increased and after taking into account any such increase in the principal
amount.
81
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
9. Congoleum Asbestos Liabilities and Planned Reorganization (continued)
While Congoleum believes its plan is feasible and in the best interest of all
Congoleum's constituents, there are sufficient risks and uncertainties such that
no assurances of the outcome of Congoleum's Chapter 11 case can be given.
Congoleum expects that its remaining costs to confirm and effect its proposed
plan of reorganization, consisting principally of legal and advisory fees and
contributions to the Plan Trust will be approximately $9.3 million at a minimum.
Liabilities Subject to Compromise
Pursuant to SOP 90-7, Congoleum is required to segregate pre-petition
liabilities that are subject to compromise and report them separately on the
consolidated balance sheet. Liabilities that may be affected by a plan of
reorganization are recorded at the amount of the expected allowed claims, even
if they may be settled for lesser amounts. Substantially all of Congoleum's
pre-petition debt is recorded at face value and is classified within liabilities
subject to compromise. In addition, Congoleum's accrued interest expense on its
Senior Notes is also recorded in liabilities subject to compromise.
Liabilities subject to compromise at December 31, 2004 were as follows:
Current
Pre-petition other payables and accrued interest $ 14,225
Non-current
Debt (at face value) 100,000
Pension liability 16,936
Other post-retirement benefit obligation 8,303
Pre-petition other liabilities 12,051
---------
137,290
Elimination--Payable to American Biltrite (186)
---------
137,104
---------
Total liabilities subject to compromise $ 151,329
=========
Additional pre-petition claims (liabilities subject to compromise) may arise due
to the rejection of executory contracts or unexpired leases, or as a result of
the allowance of contingent or disputed claims.
82
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
10. Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of
the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2004 and
2003 were as follows:
2004 2003
-----------------------
Deferred tax assets:
Accruals and reserves $ 19,687 $ 15,525
Net operating losses and credit carryforwards 8,037 7,524
-----------------------
Total deferred tax assets 27,724 23,049
Less valuation allowance 5,331 2,321
-----------------------
Net deferred tax assets 22,393 20,728
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation 15,789 16,523
Insurance 5,796 2,308
Inventory 2,799 4,061
Foreign taxes 957 1,095
Other 947 179
-----------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities 26,288 24,166
-----------------------
Net deferred tax liability $ (3,895) $ (3,438)
=======================
Credit carryforwards consisted primarily of alternative minimum tax credits and
state tax credits.
At December 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company had available federal net operating
loss carry forwards of approximately $6.6 million and $19.1 million,
respectively. These carry forwards were generated from Congoleum's losses and
may be utilized to offset Congoleum's future taxable income. The Company has
determined that a partial valuation allowance is necessary to reduce the
deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The federal loss
carry forwards will begin to expire in 2023.
During 2004, 2003 and 2002, Congoleum recorded a minimum pension liability
adjustment. Deferred taxes were adjusted accordingly, and the tax effect reduced
or increased Congoleum's retained earnings. The tax charge (benefit) to retained
earnings was $1,588, $(2,767) and $(3,512) for the years ended December 31,
2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The consolidated statement of stockholders'
equity reflects ABI's proportionate share of the net adjustment to retained
earnings.
83
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
10. Income Taxes (continued)
The components of income (loss) before the provision for income taxes (and other
items) for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
2004 2003 2002
-------------------------------------------
Domestic $ 1,870 $(12,607) $(12,758)
Foreign (1,062) 2,661 945
-------------------------------------------
$ 808 $ (9,946) $(11,813)
===========================================
Significant components of the (benefit from) provision for income taxes for the
years ended December 31 were as follows:
2004 2003 2002
-------------------------------------------
Current:
Federal $ 159 $ (1,856) $ (2,612)
Foreign (119) 727 259
State 708 334 432
-------------------------------------------
Total current 748 (795) (1,921)
Deferred:
Federal (3,525) (2,052) 2,341
Foreign (257) (27) 830
State (1,657) (449) (2)
Valuation allowance 3,010 -- --
-------------------------------------------
Total deferred (2,429) (2,528) 3,169
-------------------------------------------
$(1,681) $ (3,323) $ 1,248
===========================================
84
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
10. Income Taxes (continued)
The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory tax
rates to income tax expense for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
2004 2003 2002
---------------------------------
U.S. statutory rate 34.0% 34.0% 34.0%
State income taxes, net of federal
benefits and valuation allowance (14.8) 1.0 (5.0)
Change in valuation allowance 272.7 -- --
Benefit of net operating losses (496.5) -- --
Undistributed domestic earnings -- -- 10.0
Reorganization expenses -- -- (24.9)
Goodwill impairment -- -- (14.1)
Other (3.4) (1.6) (10.6)
---------------------------------
Effective tax rate (208.0)% 33.4% (10.6)%
=================================
On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the "Act") was
signed into law. The Act creates a temporary incentive for U.S. multinationals
to repatriate accumulated income earned outside the U.S. at an effective tax
rate of 5.25%. On December 21, 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position,
Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation
Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (FAS 109-2). FAS 109-2
allows companies additional time to evaluate the effect of the law on whether
unrepatriated foreign earnings continue to qualify for SFAS 109's exception to
recognizing deferred tax liabilities and would require explanatory disclosures
from those who need the additional time. Through December 31, 2004, the Company
has not provided U.S. income taxes on approximately $22,621 of unremitted
foreign earnings because such earnings were intended to be indefinitely
reinvested outside the U.S. Whether the Company will ultimately utilize and
benefit from the Act depends on a number of factors including reviewing future
Congressional guidance before a decision can be made. Until that time, the
Company will make no change in its current intention to indefinitely reinvest
accumulated earnings of its foreign subsidiaries, except in instances where the
Company can remit such earnings with a significant associated tax cost. Absent
the repatriation incentive of the Act, the Company believes that any U.S. tax
liability due upon remittance of such earnings would be immaterial due to
availability of U.S. foreign tax credits generated from such remittance. The
related foreign tax withholding, which would be required if the Company remitted
the foreign earnings to the U.S. would be approximately $1.2 million.
During 2004, the Company received net income tax refunds of $3,981. Income taxes
paid in 2003 and 2002 amounted to $434 and $1,853, respectively.
85
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
11. Other Comprehensive Income
The Company records unrealized gains or losses on foreign currency translation
adjustments and changes in certain minimum pension liabilities in other
comprehensive income.
Components of other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31
consisted of the following:
2004 2003 2002
------------------------------
Foreign currency translation adjustments $1,301 $ 3,181 $ 2
Change in minimum pension liability 1,839 (2,937) (11,336)
------------------------------
$3,140 $ 244 $(11,334)
==============================
Accumulated balances related to each component of other comprehensive loss as of
December 31, net of related taxes, were as follows:
2004 2003
----------------------------
Foreign currency translation adjustments $ (119) $ (1,420)
Minimum pension liability (15,797) (17,636)
----------------------------
$(15,916) $(19,056)
============================
86
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
12. Income (Loss) Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per
share for the years ended December 31:
2004 2003 2002
---------------------------------
Numerator:
Net income (loss) $1,953 $(14,158) $(16,655)
=================================
Denominator:
Basic income per share:
Weighted-average shares 3,442 3,442 3,442
Dilutive employee stock options 16 -- --
---------------------------------
Diluted income per share:
Adjusted weighted-average shares and
assumed conversions 3,458 3,442 3,442
=================================
Basic income (loss) per share $ 0.57 $ (4.11) $ (4.84)
=================================
Diluted income (loss) per share $ 0.54 $ (4.11) $ (4.84)
=================================
Diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2004 includes the
dilutive effect of Congoleum's stock options during the year. The impact of
Congoleum's dilutive stock options was $0.02 per share and was determined based
on Congoleum's diluted earnings per share of $0.35 for the year ended December
31, 2004. During 2003 and 2002, Congoleum's stock options had no effect on
American Biltrite Inc.'s diluted earnings per share.
13. Stock Option Plans
ABI Stock Plans
During 1999, ABI adopted a stock option plan, which permits the issuance of
50,000 options for common stock to non-employee directors. Under the terms of
the plan, options granted are nonqualified and are issued at a price equal to
100% of fair market value at the date of grant. Options granted under the plan
are exercisable six months after the date of grant.
ABI maintains a stock award and incentive plan which permits the issuance of
options, stock appreciation rights (SARs), limited SARs, restricted stock,
restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to selected employees and
independent contractors of the Company. The plan reserved 400,000 shares of
common stock for grant and provides that the term of each award be determined by
the committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") charged with
administering the plan. During 1997, the Board of Directors approved an
amendment to the plan to increase the number of shares reserved for grant from
400,000 to 550,000.
87
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
13. Stock Option Plans (continued)
Under the terms of the plan, options granted may be either nonqualified or
incentive stock options and the exercise price, determined by the Committee, may
not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. SARs and
limited SARs granted in tandem with an option shall be exercisable only to the
extent the underlying option is exercisable and the grant price shall be equal
to the exercise price of the underlying option. In addition, the Committee may
grant restricted stock to participants of the plan at no cost to them. No SARs
or restricted stock have been granted under the plan since its adoption. Other
than the restrictions that limit the sale and transfer of these SARs and
restricted stock, participants are entitled to all the rights of a shareholder.
The following tables summarize information about ABI's stock options:
2004 2003 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted- Weighted- Weighted-
Average Average Average
Exercise Exercise Exercise
Shares Price Shares Price Shares Price
---------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at beginning of year 228,500 $22.04 469,940 $19.48 510,440 $19.57
Granted 261,500 9.66 3,500 7.10 3,500 12.20
Exercised -- -- -- -- -- --
Forfeited (4,000) 16.64 (244,940) 16.90 (44,000) 19.94
-------- -------- --------
Outstanding at end of year 486,000 $15.42 228,500 $22.04 469,940 $19.48
======== ======== ========
Options exercisable at end of year 223,300 218,100 468,457
Available for grant at end of year 97,020 354,520 113,080
Weighted-Average
Weighted- Weighted- Remaining
Outstanding at Average Exercisable at Average Contractual
Range of December 31, Exercise December 31, Exercise Life
Exercise Price 2004 Price 2004 Price (Years)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$7.10-$14.00 272,500 $ 9.74 13,000 $11.37 9.31
$14.01-$17.25 21,000 $14.82 17,800 $14.96 5.07
$17.26-$23.625 192,500 $23.53 192,500 $23.53 2.40
88
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
13. Stock Option Plans (continued)
Congoleum Stock Option Plans
Congoleum maintains a Stock Option Plan and a Directors' Stock Option Plan.
Under these plans, options to purchase up to 850,000 shares of Congoleum's Class
A common stock may be issued to directors, officers and key employees. These
options may be either incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options, and
the options' exercise price must be at least equal to the fair value of
Congoleum's Class A common stock on the date of grant.
The following table summarizes information about Congoleum's stock options:
2004 2003 2002
---------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted- Weighted- Weighted-
Average Average Average
Exercise Exercise Exercise
Shares Price Shares Price Shares Price
---------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at beginning of year 668,000 $1.99 691,500 $2.10 686,500 $9.91
Granted 41,000 1.98 30,500 0.39 682,000 2.05
Canceled -- -- -- -- (677,000) 9.97
Exercised (400) 2.05 -- -- -- --
Forfeited (5,100) 2.07 (54,000) 2.05 -- --
-------- -------- --------
Outstanding at end of year 703,500 1.99 668,000 2.02 691,500 2.10
======== ======== ========
Options exercisable at end of year 269,900 1.98 142,800 2.13 14,900 3.58
Available for grant at end of year 144,100 180,000 156,500
Weighted-Average Remaining
Contractual Life of Options
Outstanding (Years) 7.64 8.53 9.50
89
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
14. Industry Segments
Description of Products and Services
The Company has four reportable segments: flooring products, tape products,
jewelry, and a Canadian division that produces flooring and rubber products. The
flooring segment consists of Congoleum, which manufactures vinyl and vinyl
composition floor coverings and sells them primarily through floor covering
distributors to retailers and contractors for commercial and residential use.
The tape products segment consists of two production facilities in the United
States, and finishing and sales facilities in Belgium and Singapore. The tape
products segment manufactures paper, film, HVAC, electrical, shoe, and other
tape products for use in industrial and automotive markets. The jewelry segment
consists of K&M Associates L.P., a national costume jewelry supplier to mass
merchandisers and department stores. The Company's Canadian division produces
flooring, rubber products, including materials used by footwear manufacturers,
and other industrial products.
Factors Used to Identify Reportable Segments
Reportable segments are business units that offer different products and are
each managed separately. The Company's Canadian division manufactures certain
products which are similar to products of the flooring segment; however, the
Canadian division is managed and reports separately from the flooring segment.
Measurement of Segment Profit or Loss and Segment Assets
Costs specific to a segment, such as pension expense, are charged to the
segment. Certain Corporate office expenses are allocated to certain segments
based on resources allocated. Significant assets of the Corporate office include
cash, insurance assets related to accrued liabilities, and deferred tax assets.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those
described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
Intersegment sales and transfers are recorded at cost plus an agreed upon
intercompany profit on intersegment sales or transfers.
90
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
14. Industry Segments (continued)
Segment Profit and Assets
Years ended December 31
2004 2003 2002
--------------------------------------
Revenues
Revenues from external customers:
Flooring products $ 229,650 $ 220,650 $ 237,008
Tape products 85,560 81,141 80,637
Jewelry 75,757 76,157 78,972
Canadian division 42,902 38,621 37,878
--------------------------------------
Total revenues from external customers 433,869 416,569 434,495
Intersegment revenues:
Flooring products 58 56 198
Tape products 120 126 138
Jewelry -- -- --
Canadian division 6,207 6,856 9,816
--------------------------------------
Total intersegment revenues 6,385 7,038 10,152
--------------------------------------
Total revenue 440,254 423,607 444,647
Reconciling items
Intersegment revenues (6,385) (7,038) (10,152)
--------------------------------------
Total consolidated revenues $ 433,869 $ 416,569 $ 434,495
=====================================
Approximately 48%, 51% and 50% of the Canadian division's revenues from external
customers were for flooring products for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The
remaining revenues from the Canadian division's external customers were from
sale of rubber and other industrial products.
91
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
14. Industry Segments (continued)
Years ended December 31
2004 2003 2002
---------------------------------------
Interest income
Flooring products $ 114 $ 63 $ 263
Tape products 4 16 15
Jewelry 3 7 20
Canadian division -- 9 12
---------------------------------------
Total segment interest revenue 121 95 310
Corporate office interest revenue 7 96 20
---------------------------------------
Total consolidated interest income $ 128 $ 191 $ 330
=======================================
Interest expense
Flooring products $ 9,446 $ 8,906 $ 8,375
Tape products 106 111 109
Jewelry 416 416 435
Canadian division 575 66 109
---------------------------------------
Total segment interest expense 10,543 9,499 9,028
Corporate office interest expense 1,922 2,077 1,735
---------------------------------------
Total consolidated interest expense $12,465 $11,576 $10,763
=======================================
Depreciation and amortization expense
Flooring products $11,428 $11,761 $11,273
Tape products 2,812 2,939 2,861
Jewelry 860 900 831
Canadian division 2,427 2,412 2,078
---------------------------------------
Total segment depreciation and amortization 17,527 18,012 17,043
Reconciling items
Corporate office depreciation 12 14 24
---------------------------------------
Total consolidated depreciation and amortization $17,539 $18,026 $17,067
=======================================
92
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
14. Industry Segments (continued)
Years ended December 31
2004 2003 2002
-----------------------------------
Segment profit
Flooring products $ 403 $(10,636) $(19,181)
Tape products (630) 300 305
Jewelry 5,400 4,782 7,301
Canadian division (2,264) (2,072) 507
-----------------------------------
Total segment profit 2,909 (7,626) (11,068)
Reconciling items
Corporate expenses (2,089) (2,214) (774)
Intercompany (loss) profit (12) (106) 29
-----------------------------------
Total consolidated earnings (loss) from
continuing operations before income
taxes and other items $ 808 $ (9,946) $(11,813)
===================================
Segment profit or loss is before income tax expense or benefit. The flooring
products segment loss includes charges related to asbestos claims of $5.0
million in 2004, $3.7 million in 2003 and $17.3 million in 2002.
December 31
2004 2003
---------------------------
Segment assets
Flooring products $ 212,882 $ 175,899
Tape products 51,788 54,415
Jewelry 37,158 37,272
Canadian division 39,953 35,642
---------------------------
Total segment assets 341,781 303,228
Reconciling items
Assets of discontinued operation 2,952 2,902
Corporate office assets 22,577 22,812
Intersegment accounts receivable (11,558) (9,575)
Intersegment profit in inventory (281) (248)
Intersegment other asset (186) (186)
---------------------------
Total consolidated assets $ 355,285 $ 318,933
===========================
93
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
14. Industry Segments (continued)
Years ended December 31
2004 2003 2002
---------------------------
Expenditures for additions to long-lived assets
Flooring products $3,428 $4,628 $ 8,366
Tape products 670 973 2,004
Jewelry 1,105 801 579
Canadian division 652 1,038 1,164
----------------------------
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived
assets 5,855 7,440 12,113
Reconciling items
Corporate office expenditure for additions to
long-lived assets -- 5 14
----------------------------
Total expenditures for additions to long-lived
assets $5,855 $7,445 $12,127
============================
December 31
2004 2003
----------------------------
Long-Lived Assets by Area
United States $146,078 $152,164
Canada 13,527 14,508
Europe 1,115 1,151
Asia 2,151 2,247
----------------------------
Total long-lived assets $162,871 $170,070
============================
94
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
14. Industry Segments (continued)
Geographic Area Information
Years ended December 31
2004 2003 2002
------------------------------------
Revenues from external customers
United States $361,410 $354,392 $370,034
Canada 39,808 30,660 33,093
Mexico 3,602 4,639 5,512
Europe 17,494 17,308 16,716
Asia 9,153 7,899 7,474
Other 2,402 1,671 1,666
------------------------------------
Total revenues from external customers $433,869 $416,569 $434,495
====================================
Revenues are attributed to regions based on the location of customers.
15. Discontinued Operation
During the second quarter of 2003, the Company reassessed operations at its
Toronto, Canada subsidiary, Janus Flooring Corporation, a manufacturer of
prefinished hardwood flooring, and decided to exit and dispose of this business
before the end of 2003 due to its history of operating losses. The Company
acquired Janus in 2000 intending it to serve as a strategic addition to the
flooring product business. In connection with this decision to exit and dispose
of Janus Flooring, the Company recorded a charge of $8.5 million in second
quarter 2003 consisting primarily of $3.0 million to reduce inventories to net
realizable value, $0.5 million in accounts receivable allowances, a $2.5 million
asset impairment charge related to machinery and equipment and a $1.9 million
income tax provision to write off deferred tax assets deemed not probable of
recovery. Results of Janus Flooring, including this charge, are being reported
as a discontinued operation. Assets of discontinued operation at December 31,
2004 and 2003 consisted primarily of land and building held for sale and
liabilities of discontinued operation consist primarily of accrued expenses. The
Company expects the land and building will be sold during 2005.
95
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
16. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
First Second Third Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter
-------------------------------------------------------
2004
- ----
Net sales $ 99,415 $ 112,510 $ 113,180 $ 108,764
Gross profit 25,217 33,238 32,616 27,528
Net (loss) income from continuing operations (1,863) 1,827 1,514 904
Discontinued operation (162) (110) (70) (87)
Net (loss) income (2,025) 1,717 1,444 817
Net (loss) income per share, basic:
Net (loss) income from continuing operations (0.54) 0.53 0.44 0.27
Discontinued operation (0.05) (0.03) (0.02) (0.03)
Net (loss) income (0.59) 0.50 0.42 0.24
Net (loss) income per share, diluted(1) :
Net (loss) income from continuing operations (0.54) 0.52 0.43 0.25
Discontinued operation (0.05) (0.03) (0.02) (0.03)
Net (loss) income (0.59) 0.49 0.41 0.22
2003(2)
- -------
Net sales $ 101,946 $ 103,457 $ 107,810 $ 103,356
Gross profit 26,842 26,168 29,003 26,909
Net (loss) income from continuing operations (2,406) (1,989) 1,348 (3,750)
Discontinued operation (719) (9,897) (922) 4,177
Net (loss) income (3,125) (11,886) 426 427
Net (loss) income per share, basic and diluted:
Net (loss) income from continuing operations (0.70) (0.58) 0.39 (1.09)
Discontinued operation (0.21) (2.88) (0.27) 1.21
Net (loss) income (0.91) (3.46) 0.12 0.12
(1) Diluted earnings per share for the second, third and fourth quarters of
2004 include the dilutive effect of Congoleum's stock options during those
periods. Congoleum's stock options had no effect on American Biltrite
Inc.'s diluted earnings per share during 2003.
(2) Amounts prior to the third quarter of 2003 have been restated for Janus as
a discontinued operation.
96
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
17. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company's cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable,
accounts payable, notes payable and long-term debt are financial instruments.
Congoleum's $100 million 8 5/8% Notes due in 2008 had a book value of $99.8
million and a fair market value of $64.0 million at December 31, 2004. The
corresponding amounts at December 31, 2003 were a book value of $99.7 million
and a fair market value of $65.0 million. The carrying value of the Company's
remaining financial instruments approximates their fair value at December 31,
2004.
The fair value of the Company's publicly traded long-term debt is determined
based on quoted market values. The fair value of the Company's other financial
instruments is determined based on discounted cash flows. Due to the short
period over which the cash flows are expected to be realized, the carrying value
of the financial instruments approximates the net present value of cash flows
and changes in interest rate assumptions would not have a material effect on the
calculation.
97
Report of Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Stockholders
American Biltrite Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American
Biltrite Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2004 and 2003,
and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004.
Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at
Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an
audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Our audit
includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis
for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but
not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the
Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no
such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of American Biltrite
Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the consolidated
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as
a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth
therein.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective
January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets."
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
March 17, 2005
98
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company's management,
with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and
Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
under the Securities Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2004. Based on this
evaluation, the Company's CEO and CFO concluded that, as of December 31, 2004,
the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were (1) designed to ensure
that material information relating to the Company, including the Company's
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the Company's CEO and CFO by others
within those entities, particularly during the period in which this Annual
Report on Form 10-K was being prepared and (2) effective, in that they provide
reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in
the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls. No change in the Company's internal control
over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the
Securities Exchange Act) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31,
2004 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect,
the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.
99
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The Company has adopted a code of ethics (as that term is defined in Item 406 of
Regulation S-K of the regulations promulgated by the SEC) that applies to the
principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting
officer or controller and all other employees of the Company. The text of the
Company's code of ethics is posted on our Internet website www.ambilt.com or may
be obtained without charge by sending a written request to Mr. Henry W.
Winkleman, Secretary of the Company, at the Company's office at 57 River Street,
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02481. We may satisfy the disclosure requirement
under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or a waiver from, a
provision of our code of ethics and conduct that applies to our principal
executive officer or our principal financial and accounting officer by posting
such information on our website at www.ambilt.com.
The information required by this item is contained in ABI's Proxy Statement for
its Annual Stockholders' Meeting to be held May 10, 2005 to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2004 and
is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is contained in ABI's Proxy Statement for
its Annual Stockholders' Meeting to be held May 10, 2005 to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2004 and
is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item is contained in part in Item 5 hereof and
in part in ABI's Proxy Statement for its Annual Stockholders' Meeting to be held
May 10, 2005 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120
days after December 31, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this item is contained in ABI's Proxy Statement for
its Annual Stockholders' Meeting to be held May 10, 2005 to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2004 and
is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item is contained in ABI's Proxy Statement for
its Annual Stockholders' Meeting to be held May 10, 2005 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after December 31, 2004 and
is incorporated herein by reference.
100
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON
FORM 8-K
(a) List of Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules
(1) The following consolidated financial statements of American Biltrite
Inc. and its subsidiaries are included in Item 8:
Consolidated Balance Sheets with Consolidating Details -
December 31, 2004 and 2003, pages 43 & 44
Consolidated Statements of Operations with Consolidating Details
- Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, page 45
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows with Consolidating Details
- Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, page 46
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - Years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, page 47
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, pages 48 through 97
(2) The following financial statement schedule is included in Item 15
(d)
SCHEDULE II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable
accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are
not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and
therefore have been omitted.
(3) Listing of Exhibits
The listing of exhibits required under this item is incorporated
herein by reference to pages 105 through 115 of this Form 10-K.
(b) Exhibits: The required exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by
reference following the required Exhibit Index.
(c) Financial Statement Schedule: The required consolidated financial
statement schedule is included on page 102 of this Form 10-K.
101
American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries
Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
(In thousands of dollars)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COL. A COL. B COL. C COL. D COL. E COL. F COL. G
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions
------------------------------------
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at
Beginning of Costs and other Accounts Deductions - End of
Description Period Expenses -- Describe Other Describe Period
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004
Allowances for doubtful accounts
and cash discounts $2,615 $2,648 $2,518 (A) $2,745
====================================================================================
2003
Allowances for doubtful accounts
and cash discounts $2,764 $2,691 $2,840 (A) $2,615
====================================================================================
2002
Allowances for doubtful accounts
and cash discounts $4,190 $2,863 $4,289 (A) $2,764
====================================================================================
(A) Represents accounts charged off during the year, net of recoveries.
102
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN BILTRITE INC.
(Registrant)
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ Howard N. Feist III
------------------------- -------------------------------------
Howard N. Feist III, Vice President
Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ Roger S. Marcus
------------------------- --------------------------------------
Roger S. Marcus, Chairman of the Board
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ Richard G. Marcus
------------------------- --------------------------------------
Richard G. Marcus, President, Chief
Operating Officer and Director
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ William M. Marcus
------------------------- --------------------------------------
William M. Marcus, Executive Vice
President, Treasurer, Chairman of the
Executive Committee and Director
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ Leo R. Breitman
------------------------- --------------------------------------
Leo R. Breitman, Director
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ Gilbert K. Gailius
------------------------- --------------------------------------
Gilbert K. Gailius, Director
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ John C. Garrels III
------------------------- --------------------------------------
John C. Garrels III, Director
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ Frederick H. Joseph
------------------------- --------------------------------------
Frederick H. Joseph, Director
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ Mark N. Kaplan
------------------------- --------------------------------------
Mark N. Kaplan, Director
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ James S. Marcus
------------------------- --------------------------------------
James S. Marcus, Director
103
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ Natalie S. Marcus
------------------------- --------------------------------------
Natalie S. Marcus, Director
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ Kenneth I. Watchmaker
------------------------- --------------------------------------
Kenneth I. Watchmaker, Director
Date: March 24, 2005 by: /s/ Howard N. Feist III
------------------------- --------------------------------------
Howard N. Feist III, Vice President
Finance, Chief Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer
104
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 (1) VII Restated Certificate of Incorporation
3 (2) I By-Laws, amended and restated as of
September 11, 2004
4 (1) Any instrument defining the rights of
holders of unregistered long-term debt of
American Biltrite Inc. that does not
authorize the issuance of debt securities
in excess of 10 percent of the total
assets of American Biltrite Inc. and its
subsidiaries on a consolidated basis is
not filed as an exhibit to this Report.
American Biltrite Inc. agrees to furnish a
copy of each such instrument to the
Securities and Exchange Commission upon
request.
4 (2) XV Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement
and Facility Guarantee, dated as of August
28, 2001, among American Biltrite Inc.,
K&M Associates L.P. and The Prudential
Insurance Company of America
4 (3) XV Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase and
Private Shelf Agreement and Facility
Guarantee, dated as of December 31, 2002,
among American Biltrite Inc., K&M
Associates L.P. and The Prudential
Insurance Company of America
4 (4) XV Amendment No. 2 to Note Purchase and
Private Shelf Agreement and Facility
Guarantee, dated as of March 31, 2003,
among American Biltrite Inc., K&M
Associates L.P. and The Prudential
Insurance Company of America
105
Exhibit No. Description
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 (5) XV Amendment No. 3 to Note Purchase and
Private Shelf Agreement and Facility
Guarantee, dated as of June 30, 2003,
among American Biltrite Inc., K&M
Associates L.P. and The Prudential
Insurance Company of America
4 (6) XV Amendment No. 4 to Note Purchase and
Private Shelf Agreement and Facility
Guarantee, dated as of October 14, 2003,
among American Biltrite Inc., K&M
Associates L.P. and The Prudential
Insurance Company of America
4 (7) XV Amendment No. 5 to Note Purchase and
Private Shelf Agreement and Facility
Guarantee, dated as of January 29, 2004,
among American Biltrite Inc., K&M
Associates L.P. and The Prudential
Insurance Company of America
4 (8) XIV Security Agreement, dated as of October
14, 2003, among American Biltrite Inc.,
K&M Associates L.P., Fleet National Bank
and the subsidiaries of American Biltrite
Inc. from time to time party thereto
4 (9) XIV Intercreditor and Collateral Agency
Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2003,
by and among Fleet National Bank, Citizens
Bank of Massachusetts, The Prudential
Insurance Company of America and the other
banks from time to time party thereto and
the Acknowledgment of and Consent and
Agreement to Intercreditor and Collateral
Agency Agreement by American Biltrite
Inc., K&M Associates L.P. and the other
American Biltrite Inc. guarantor
subsidiaries
106
Exhibit No. Description
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 (10) XIV Guarantor Joinder Agreement, dated as of
October 14, 2003, made by ABTRE, Inc.,
AIMPAR, Inc., American Biltrite
Intellectual Properties, Inc., Ideal Tape
Co., Inc., Majestic Jewelry, Inc., Ocean
State Jewelry, Inc. and 425 Dexter
Associates, L.P. in favor of The
Prudential Insurance Company
4 (11) I Indenture, dated as of August 3, 1998, by
and between Congoleum Corporation and
First Union National Bank, as trustee
4 (12) I First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of
March 28, 2003, between Congoleum
Corporation and Wachovia Bank, National
Association (as successor to First Union
National Bank), as trustee
4 (13) I Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of
August 7, 2003, between Congoleum
Corporation and Wachovia Bank, National
Association (as successor to First Union
National Bank), as trustee
10 (1) III Joint Venture Agreement dated as of
December 16, 1992 by and among American
Biltrite Inc., Resilient Holdings
Incorporated, Congoleum Corporation,
Hillside Industries Incorporated and
Hillside Capital Corporation
10 (2) IV Closing Agreement dated as of March 11,
1993 by and among American Biltrite Inc.,
Resilient Holdings Incorporated, Congoleum
Corporation, Hillside Industries
Incorporated and Hillside Capital
Corporation
10 (3) IX, II 1993 Stock Award and Incentive Plan as
Amended and Restated as of March 4, 1997
107
Exhibit No. Description
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 (4) VI K&M Associates L.P. Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership
10 (5) V Purchase Agreement dated as of March 31,
1995 by and among Ocean State and certain
limited partners of K&M
10 (6) V Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
April 1, 1995 by and among the Company,
Jewelco Acquisition Co., Inc., AIMPAR,
Inc., Arthur I. Maier, Bruce Maier and
Edythe J. Wagner
10 (7) V Option Agreement dated as of April 1, 1995
by and among Ocean State and certain
limited partners of K&M
10 (8) V Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
May 3, 1995 by and among the Company,
Zirconia Acquisition Co., Inc., Wilbur A.
Cowett Incorporated and Wilbur A. Cowett
10 (9) VII, II Split-Dollar Agreement dated as of
December 20, 1996 by and between American
Biltrite Inc. and Michael J. Glazerman,
Trustee of the Marcus Family Insurance
Trust u/t/d/ March 1, 1990
10 (10) VII, II Split-Dollar Agreement dated as of
December 20, 1996 by and between American
Biltrite Inc. and the Marcus Family 1990
Insurance Trust
10 (11) VII, II Split-Dollar Agreement dated as of
December 20, 1996 by and between American
Biltrite Inc. and the Marcus Family 1996
Irrevocable Insurance Trust Dated October
28, 1996
108
Exhibit No. Description
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 (12) VII, II Split-Dollar Agreement dated as of
December 20, 1996 by and between American
Biltrite Inc. and The Richard G. Marcus
Irrevocable Insurance Trust of 1990 Dated
June 1, 1990
10 (13) VII, II Split-Dollar Agreement dated as of
December 20, 1996 by and between American
Biltrite Inc. and the Roger S. Marcus
Irrevocable Insurance Trust Dated November
29, 1996, Richard G. Marcus, Trustee
10 (14) VII, II Split-Dollar Agreement dated as of
December 20, 1996 by and between American
Biltrite Inc. and the Roger S. Marcus
Irrevocable Insurance Trust Dated November
29, 1996
10 (15) VII, II Split-Dollar Agreement dated as of January
9, 1997 by and between American Biltrite
Inc. and Joseph D. Burns
10 (16) VII, II Description of Supplemental Retirement
Benefits for Gilbert K. Gailius
10 (17) X, II American Biltrite Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan
10 (18) X American Biltrite 1999 Stock Option Plan
for Non-Employee Directors
10 (19) XI, II Description of Employment Arrangement for
Gilbert K. Gailius.
10 (20) II, XII Split-Dollar Agreement dated as of
November 20, 2000 by and between American
Biltrite Inc. and
Howard N. Feist III
109
Exhibit No. Description
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 (21) XIII Personal Services Agreement, dated as of
March 11, 1993, by and between Congoleum
Corporation and the Company; First
Amendment dated as of February 8, 1995;
Second Amendment dated as of November 15,
1996; Third Amendment dated as of March
10, 1998; Fourth Amendment dated as of
November 7, 2002
10 (22) XV Credit Agreement, dated as of October 14,
2003, among American Biltrite Inc., K&M
Associates L.P., Fleet National Bank and
the other lenders party thereto
10 (23) XV Security Agreement, dated as of October
14, 2003, among American Biltrite Inc.,
K&M Associates L.P., Fleet National Bank
and the subsidiaries of American Biltrite
Inc. from time to time party thereto
10 (24) XV Intercreditor and Collateral Agency
Agreement, dated as of October 14, 2003,
by and among Fleet National Bank, Citizens
Bank of Massachusetts, The Prudential
Insurance Company of America and the other
banks from time to time party thereto and
the Acknowledgment of and Consent and
Agreement to Intercreditor and Collateral
Agency Agreement by American Biltrite
Inc., K&M Associates L.P. and the other
American Biltrite Inc. guarantor
subsidiaries
10 (25) XV Guarantee Agreement dated as of October
14, 2003, among Abtre, Inc., Aimpar, Inc.,
American Biltrite Intellectual Properties,
Inc., Ideal Tape Co., Inc., Majestic
Jewelry, Inc., Ocean State Jewelry, Inc.,
425 Dexter Associates, L.P. and Fleet
National Bank
110
Exhibit No. Description
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 (26) XVI Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated
as of January 29, 2004, among American
Biltrite Inc., K&M Associates L.P. and
Fleet National Bank
10 (27) I Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, dated
as of April 13, 2004, among American
Biltrite Inc., K&M Associates L.P. and
Fleet National Bank
10 (28) XVII Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated
as of November 3, 2004 among American
Biltrite Inc., K&M Associates L.P. and
Fleet National Bank
10 (29) I Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated
as of January 27, 2005 among American
Biltrite Inc., K&M Associates L.P. and
Fleet National Bank
10 (30) XIV Settlement Agreement Between Congoleum
and Various Asbestos Claimants dated April
10, 2003
10 (31) XIV First Amendment to Settlement Agreement
Between Congoleum and Various Asbestos
Claimants dated June 6, 2003.
10 (32) XIV Collateral Trust Agreement, dated April
16, 2003, by and between Congoleum, Arthur
J. Pergament, solely in his capacity as
the Collateral Trustee of the Collateral
Trust, and Wilmington Trust Company,
solely in its capacity as Delaware Trustee
of the Collateral Trust
111
Exhibit No. Description
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 (33) XIV First Amendment to Collateral Trust
Agreement, dated June 6, 2003, by and
between Congoleum, Arthur J. Pergament,
solely in his capacity as the Collateral
Trustee of the Collateral Trust, and
Wilmington Trust Company, solely in its
capacity as Delaware Trustee of the
Collateral Trust
10 (34) XIV Security Agreement, dated April 16, 2003,
by and between Congoleum and Arthur J.
Pergament, solely in his capacity as the
Collateral Trustee of the Collateral Trust
10 (35) XIV Second Security Agreement, dated April 17,
2003, by and between Congoleum and Arthur
J. Pergament, solely in his capacity as
the Collateral Trustee of the Collateral
Trust
10 (36) XIV Termination Agreement, dated June 6, 2003,
by and between Congoleum and Arthur J.
Pergament, solely in his capacity as the
Collateral Trustee of the Collateral Trust
10 (37) XIV Superseding Security Agreement, dated June
11, 2003, by and between Congoleum and
Arthur J. Pergament, solely in his
capacity as the Collateral Trustee of the
Collateral Trust
10 (38) I Loan and Security Agreement, dated
December 10, 2001 (the "Congress Financial
Loan Agreement") by and between Congress
Financial Corp. (the "Lender") and the
Company
10 (39) I Amendment No. 1 to Loan and Security
Agreement, dated September 24, 2002, by
and between Congress Financial Corporation
and Congoleum Corporation
112
Exhibit No. Description
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 (40) I Amendment No. 2 to Loan and Security
Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2003,
by and between Congress Financial
Corporation and Congoleum Corporation
10 (41) I Ratification and Amendment Agreement dated
January 7, 2004, by and between Congoleum
and Congress Financial Corporation
10 (42) I Ratification and Amendment Agreement dated
December 14, 2004, by and between Congoleum
and Congress Financial Corporation
11 VIII Statement Re: Computation of Per Share
Earnings
21 (1) Subsidiaries of the Registrant (including
each subsidiary's jurisdiction of
incorporation and the name under which
each subsidiary does business)
23 (1) Consent of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
31.1 Certification of the Principal Executive
Officer of the Registrant Pursuant to
Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended
31.2 Certification of the Principal Financial
Officer of the Registrant Pursuant to
Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended
32 Certification of the Chief Executive
Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of
the Registrant pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
113
I Exhibits filed with the current Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2004.
II Compensatory plans required to be filed as exhibits pursuant to Item
14(c) of Form 10-K.
III Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 21, 1992.
(1-4773)
IV Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 25, 1993.
(1-4773)
V Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K as amended by the Form 8-K/A filed respectively
on May 17, 1995 and July 17, 1995. (1-4773)
VI Incorporated by reference to Item 14 of the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.
(1-4773)
VII Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.
(1-4773)
VIII Incorporated by reference to Note 12 of the Company's consolidated
financial statements (filed herewith).
IX Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed on June 28, 1997. (1-4773)
X Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 1999.
XI Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
XII Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.
XIII Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
114
XIV Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2003.
XV Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed on October 17, 2003.
XVI Incorporated by reference to the exhibits to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q filed on February 2, 2004.
XVII Incorporated by reference to the exhibits filed with the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 8, 2004.
115