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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2004

 

Commission file number 000-26025

 

LOGO

 

U.S. CONCRETE, INC.

 

A Delaware corporation

 

IRS Employer Identification No. 76-0586680

2925 Briarpark, Suite 500

Houston, Texas 77042

(713) 499-6200

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes þ No ¨

 

As of the close of business on August 6, 2004, U.S. Concrete, Inc. had 29,085,820 shares of its common stock issued and outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

LOGO

 

U.S. CONCRETE, INC.

 

INDEX

 

     Page
No.


Part I – Financial Information

    

Item 1. Financial Statements

    

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

   1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

   2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   3

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   4

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

   10

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   17

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   17

Part II – Other Information

    

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

   18

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

   18

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   18

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   19

SIGNATURES

   20

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

   21


Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

U.S. CONCRETE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands; unaudited)

 

     June 30,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 

ASSETS


            

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 16,033     $ 7,111  

Trade accounts receivable, net

     77,068       64,086  

Inventories, net

     19,549       18,104  

Prepaid expenses

     3,449       2,566  

Other current assets

     24,688       17,604  
    


 


Total current assets

     140,787       109,471  
    


 


Property, plant and equipment, net

     120,322       121,022  

Goodwill

     165,265       165,226  

Other assets

     10,933       5,255  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 437,307     $ 400,974  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY


            

Current liabilities:

                

Current maturities of debt

   $ 8     $ 13,610  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     66,059       57,920  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     66,067       71,530  
    


 


Debt, net of current maturities

     200,000       141,429  

Other long-term liabilities

     12,145       11,304  
    


 


Total liabilities

     278,212       224,263  
    


 


Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

                

Stockholders’ equity:

                

Common stock

     29       29  

Additional paid-in capital

     166,671       164,123  

Retained earnings (deficit)

     (3,709 )     14,845  

Unearned compensation

     (3,896 )     (2,286 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     159,095       176,711  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 437,307     $ 400,974  
    


 


 

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

 

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U.S. CONCRETE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts; unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30


  

Six Months Ended

June 30


 
     2004

   2003

   2004

    2003

 

Sales

   $ 138,627    $ 124,610    $ 228,941     $ 209,677  

Cost of goods sold before depreciation, depletion and amortization

     111,198      100,851      190,951       175,979  
    

  

  


 


Gross profit before depreciation, depletion and amortization

     27,429      23,759      37,990       33,698  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     11,633      10,774      22,365       20,930  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     3,133      3,078      6,181       5,738  
    

  

  


 


Income from operations

     12,663      9,907      9,444       7,030  

Interest expense, net

     4,147      4,090      8,114       8,279  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

               28,781        

Other income, net

     251      185      562       404  
    

  

  


 


Income (loss) before income taxes

     8,767      6,002      (26,889 )     (845 )

Income tax provision (benefit)

     2,718      2,456      (8,335 )     (352 )
    

  

  


 


Net income (loss)

   $ 6,049    $ 3,546    $ (18,554 )   $ (493 )
    

  

  


 


Basic net income (loss) per share

   $ 0.21    $ 0.13    $ (0.66 )   $ (0.02 )
    

  

  


 


Diluted net income (loss) per share

   $ 0.21    $ 0.13    $ (0.66 )   $ (0.02 )
    

  

  


 


Basic common shares outstanding

     28,166      28,034      28,164       27,832  
    

  

  


 


Diluted common shares outstanding

     28,647      28,097      28,164       27,832  
    

  

  


 


 

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

 

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U.S. CONCRETE, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands; unaudited)

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30


 
     2004

    2003

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Net loss

   $ (18,554 )   $ (493 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operations:

                

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     28,781        

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     6,181       5,738  

Debt issuance cost amortization

     694       726  

Net gain on sale of property, plant and equipment

     (303 )     (80 )

Deferred income taxes

     (123 )     4,535  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     542       411  

Stock-based compensation

     463        

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions

     (13,536 )     (3,401 )
    


 


Net cash provided by operations

     4,145       7,436  
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Property, plant and equipment, net of disposals of $412 and $2,231

     (4,406 )     (4,330 )

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash received of $1,081

           (5,814 )

Other investing activities

     (151 )     (91 )
    


 


Net cash used by investing activities

     (4,557 )     (10,235 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Proceeds from borrowings

     264,000       6,270  

Repayments of borrowings

     (219,031 )     (14 )

Debt retirement costs

     (25,851 )      

Debt issuance costs

     (10,259 )     (295 )

Other financing activities

     475       438  
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     9,334       6,399  
    


 


NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     8,922       3,600  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     7,111       4,685  
    


 


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 16,033     $ 8,285  
    


 


Supplemental disclosure of investing and financing activities:

                

Assets acquired in business combination

   $     $ 7,794  

Liabilities assumed in business combination

   $     $ 2,311  

Additions to property, plant and equipment from exchanges

   $ 788     $  

Issuance of common stock related to exercised stock options

   $ 66     $  

Common stock received in settlement

   $ 1,000     $  

 

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

 

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U.S. CONCRETE, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

U.S. Concrete, Inc., a Delaware corporation, provides ready-mixed concrete and related products and services to the construction industry in several major markets in the United States. U.S. Concrete is a holding company and conducts its businesses through its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of U.S. Concrete and its subsidiaries and have been prepared by U.S. Concrete, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Some information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC’s rules and regulations, although U.S. Concrete believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. You should read these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements together with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in U.S. Concrete’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. In the opinion of U.S. Concrete, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the information in its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been included. Operating results for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results for 2004.

 

The preparation of financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

U.S. Concrete has made reclassifications to some amounts in the prior-period presentations to conform to the current-period presentation. Those reclassifications did not impact U.S. Concrete’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

U.S. Concrete has not changed its accounting policies since December 31, 2003. For a description of these policies, refer to note 1 of the consolidated financial statements in U.S. Concrete’s annual report on Form 10-K for 2003.

 

3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

U.S. Concrete accounts for its stock-based compensation plans under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” Its consolidated statement of operations does not reflect any stock-based employee compensation cost for its stock option plans if options granted under these plans have an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.

 

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U.S. CONCRETE, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

 

3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (continued)

 

The following table illustrates the pro forma effect on net income (loss) and income (loss) per share as if U.S. Concrete had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended, related to its stock-based compensation plans for the periods shown (in thousands, except per share amounts).

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30


    Six Months Ended
June 30


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net income (loss)

   $ 6,049     $ 3,546     $ (18,554 )   $ (493 )

Add: Total stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income (loss), net of related tax effects

     192       13       319       13  

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense calculated using the fair value method, net of related tax effects

     (538 )     (421 )     (808 )     (814 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ 5,703     $ 3,138     $ (19,043 )   $ (1,294 )
    


 


 


 


Basic income (loss) per share:

                                

Reported

   $ 0.21     $ 0.13     $ (0.66 )   $ (0.02 )

Pro forma

   $ 0.20     $ 0.11     $ (0.68 )   $ (0.05 )

Diluted income (loss) per share:

                                

Reported

   $ 0.21     $ 0.13     $ (0.66 )   $ (0.02 )

Pro forma

   $ 0.20     $ 0.11     $ (0.68 )   $ (0.05 )

 

4. INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,    December 31,
     2004

   2003

Raw materials

   $ 8,206    $ 8,218

Finished products and supplies

     11,343      9,886
    

  

     $ 19,549    $ 18,104
    

  

 

In the three months ended June 30, 2004, U.S. Concrete recorded in cost of goods sold an insurance recovery in the amount of $0.5 million related to a theft loss.

 

5. DEBT AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Debt consists of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,     December 31,  
     2004

    2003

 

Senior secured credit facility due 2009

   $     $  

8 3/8% senior subordinated notes due 2014

     198,567        

Fair value of interest rate swaps

     1,433        

Refinanced debt

           155,000  

Other

     8       39  
    


 


       200,008       155,039  

Less: current maturities

     (8 )     (13,610 )
    


 


     $ 200,000     $ 141,429  
    


 


 

Annual maturities of debt are $8,000 in 2004, none for 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, and $200 million thereafter.

 

5


Table of Contents

U.S. CONCRETE, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

 

5. DEBT AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

 

On March 12, 2004, U.S. Concrete entered into a new senior secured credit facility, which initially provided a revolving credit facility of up to $100 million and a term loan facility of up to $25 million. U.S. Concrete initially borrowed $44 million under the revolving credit facility and $20 million under the term loan facility, all of which it prepaid on March 31, 2004 with the proceeds from its issuance on that date of the 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes described below. U.S. Concrete used the borrowings under its new credit facility to retire debt outstanding under its prior senior credit facility and to pay related transaction fees. The commitments under the revolving credit facility were subsequently increased to $105 million, with borrowings limited based on a portion of the net amounts of eligible accounts receivable, inventory and mixer trucks. The revolving credit facility matures in March 2009. At U.S. Concrete’s option, borrowings under the revolving credit facility will bear annual interest at the Eurodollar-based rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.75% or the domestic rate plus 1.25%. The interest rate margins will vary inversely with the amount of unused borrowing capacity available under the facility. All commitments under the term loan facility were terminated following repayment of the initial $20 million borrowing under that facility. Commitment fees at an annual rate of 0.375% are to be paid on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility.

 

The credit agreement relating to the new facility provides that the administrative agent may, on the bases specified, reduce the amount of the available credit from time to time. At June 30, 2004, the amount of U.S. Concrete’s available credit under the revolving credit facility was approximately $80.4 million, net of outstanding letters of credit of $4.2 million.

 

U.S. Concrete’s subsidiaries have jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed the repayment of all amounts owing under the senior secured credit facility. In addition, U.S. Concrete collateralized the facility with the capital stock of its subsidiaries, excluding minor subsidiaries without operations or material assets, and substantially all the assets of those subsidiaries, excluding most of the assets of the aggregate quarry in northern New Jersey. The credit agreement contains covenants restricting, among other things, prepayment or redemption of subordinated notes, distributions, dividends and repurchases of capital stock and other equity interests, acquisitions and investments, mergers, asset sales other than in the ordinary course of business, indebtedness, liens, changes in business, changes to charter documents and affiliate transactions. The credit agreement limits capital expenditures to $25 million in 2004 and, in each subsequent year, to 5% of consolidated revenues in the prior year. It will require U.S. Concrete to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 on a rolling 12-month basis if the available credit under the credit facility falls below $15 million. The credit agreement provides that specified change of control events would constitute events of default under the agreement.

 

At June 30, 2004, no borrowings were outstanding under the credit facility; however, $4.2 million of the facility was utilized to support letters of credit.

 

On March 31, 2004, U.S. Concrete issued and sold $200 million of 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes due April 1, 2014. Interest on these notes is payable semiannually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. U.S. Concrete used the net proceeds of this financing to redeem its prior senior subordinated notes and prepay the outstanding debt under its new credit facility. U.S. Concrete paid $122.5 million to redeem its prior senior subordinated notes, including a prepayment premium of $25.9 million, plus all accrued and unpaid interest through the redemption date of $1.6 million.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2004, as a result of the March 2004 refinancing, U.S. Concrete recognized an ordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt of $28.8 million, which consisted of $25.9 million in premium payments to holders of the redeemed senior subordinated notes and a write-off of $2.9 million of debt issuance costs associated with all the debt repaid.

 

All the subsidiaries of U.S. Concrete, excluding minor subsidiaries, have jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed the repayment of the 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes. U.S. Concrete directly or indirectly owns 100% of each subsidiary guarantor. Separate financial statements of the subsidiary guarantors are not provided because U.S. Concrete has no independent assets or operations, the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several, and the non-guarantor subsidiaries are minor. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of U.S. Concrete or any guarantor to obtain funds from its subsidiaries by dividend or loan.

 

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Table of Contents

U.S. CONCRETE, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

 

5. DEBT AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

 

The indenture governing the notes limits the ability of U.S. Concrete and its subsidiaries to pay dividends or repurchase common stock, make certain investments, incur additional debt or sell preferred stock, create liens, merge or transfer assets. At any time prior to April 1, 2007, U.S. Concrete may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes at a redemption price of 108.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings. In addition, after March 31, 2009, U.S. Concrete may redeem all or a part of the notes at a redemption price of 104.188% in 2009, 102.792% in 2010, 101.396% in 2011 and 100% in 2012 and thereafter. The indenture requires U.S. Concrete to redeem the subordinated notes from the proceeds of certain asset sales that are not reinvested in the business or used to pay senior debt and upon the occurrence of a change of control. U.S. Concrete’s senior secured credit agreement prohibits these redemptions.

 

U.S. Concrete’s ability to incur additional debt is primarily limited to borrowings available under its senior secured credit facility.

 

Effective April 16, 2004, U.S. Concrete entered into interest rate swap agreements that have the economic effect of modifying the interest obligations associated with $70 million of its 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes, such that the interest payable on these notes effectively becomes variable based on the six-month LIBOR rate, set on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The swaps have been designated as fair-value hedges and have no ineffective portion. The notional amounts of the swaps match the principal amounts of the hedged portion of the notes, and the termination dates of the swaps match the maturity date of the notes. As a result of the swaps, the interest rate on the hedged portion of the notes will be LIBOR plus 3.16%. Because the swap agreements are considered an effective fair-value hedge, there will be no effect on U.S. Concrete’s results of operations from the mark-to-market adjustment as long as the swap agreements are in effect. The swap agreements are marked to market each quarter, with a corresponding mark-to-market adjustment of the 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes. During the three months ended June 30, 2004, the interest rate swap agreements reduced U.S. Concrete’s interest expense by approximately $0.5 million.

 

For the six months ended June 30, U.S. Concrete’s interest payments were approximately $5.7 million in 2004 and $7.5 million in 2003.

 

6. INCOME TAXES

 

In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, for each interim reporting period, U.S. Concrete estimates the effective tax rate it expects for the full fiscal year and uses that estimated rate in providing its income taxes on a current year-to-date basis.

 

The effective income tax rate of 41% for 2003 differed from the federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to state income taxes. In March 2004, U.S. Concrete recognized an ordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt of $28.8 million. The currently estimated effective income tax rate of 31% for 2004 is less than the federal statutory rate due primarily to state income taxes reducing the federal tax benefit related to the estimated current year loss.

 

For the six months ended June 30, U.S. Concrete’s income tax payments were approximately $0.2 million in 2004 and $0.2 million in 2003. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, U.S. Concrete received income tax refunds of approximately $1.6 million, primarily from the overpayment of its 2003 estimated federal tax payments.

 

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Table of Contents

U.S. CONCRETE, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

 

7. RESTRICTED STOCK

 

Shares of restricted common stock issued under U.S. Concrete’s 1999 Incentive Plan are subject to restrictions on transfer and certain other conditions. During the restriction period, the holders of restricted shares are entitled to vote and receive dividends on those restricted shares. On issuance of the common stock, an unamortized compensation expense equivalent to the market value of the shares on the date of grant is charged to stockholders’ equity and is amortized over the restriction period.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2004, U.S. Concrete issued 343,000 shares of restricted stock under the plan to employees as part of the 2004 annual grant or as grants issued for promotions and new hires. The restricted stock grants also vest ratably over a four-year period.

 

As of June 30, the outstanding shares of restricted stock totaled 805,000 in 2004 and 98,000 in 2003. U.S. Concrete recognized stock-based compensation expense of approximately $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, U.S. Concrete recognized stock-based compensation expense of approximately $22,000.

 

8. SHARES USED IN COMPUTING LOSS PER SHARE

 

The following table summarizes the number of shares (in thousands) of common stock U.S. Concrete has used on a weighted average basis in calculating basic and diluted loss per share:

 

     Three Months
Ended June 30


   Six Months Ended
June 30


     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

   28,166    28,034    28,164    27,832

Effect of dilutive stock options and awards

   481    63      
    
  
  
  

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

   28,647    28,097    28,164    27,832
    
  
  
  

 

For the three-month period ended June 30, stock options and awards covering 1.9 million shares in 2004 and 4.1 million shares in 2003 were excluded from the computation of the net income (loss) per share because their effect would have been antidilutive.

 

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

From time to time, and currently, U.S. Concrete is subject to various claims and litigation brought by employees, customers and other third parties for, among other matters, personal injuries, property damages, product defects and delay damages that have, or allegedly have, resulted from the conduct of its operations.

 

U.S. Concrete believes that the resolution of all litigation currently pending or threatened against it or any of its subsidiaries will not have a material adverse effect on its business or consolidated financial condition; however, because of the inherent uncertainty of litigation, U.S. Concrete cannot provide assurance that the resolution of any particular claim or proceeding to which it is a party will not have a material adverse effect on its results of operations for the fiscal period in which that resolution occurs. U.S. Concrete expects in the future it and its operating subsidiaries will from time to time be a party to litigation or administrative proceedings that arise in the normal course of its business.

 

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U.S. CONCRETE, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

 

9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (continued)

 

U.S. Concrete retains various self-insurance risks with respect to losses for third-party liability and property damage.

 

U.S. Concrete is subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations concerning, among other matters, air emissions and wastewater discharge. Its management believes it is in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. From time to time, it receives claims from federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and entities asserting that it may be in violation of environmental laws and regulations. Based on experience and the information currently available, management of U.S. Concrete believes that these claims will not have a material impact on U.S. Concrete’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Despite compliance and experience, it is possible that U.S. Concrete could be held liable for future charges, which might be material but are not currently known or estimable. In addition, changes in federal or state laws, regulations or requirements, or discovery of currently unknown conditions, could require additional expenditures.

 

As permitted under Delaware law, U.S. Concrete has agreements that provide indemnification of officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is or was serving at U.S. Concrete’s request in such capacity. The maximum potential amount of future payments that U.S. Concrete could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is not limited; however, U.S. Concrete has a director and officer insurance policy that limits its exposure and enables U.S. Concrete to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. All the indemnification agreements were grandfathered under the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 45, because they were in effect prior to December 31, 2002. As a result of the insurance policy coverage, U.S. Concrete believes the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. Accordingly, U.S. Concrete has not recorded any liabilities for these agreements as of June 30, 2004.

 

U.S. Concrete is party to agreements that require it to provide indemnification in certain instances when it acquires businesses and real estate and in the ordinary course of business with its customers, suppliers and service providers.

 

In the normal course of business, U.S. Concrete is currently contingently liable for performance under $6.7 million in performance bonds that various states and municipalities have required. The bonds principally relate to construction contracts, reclamation obligations and mining permits. U.S. Concrete has indemnified the underwriting insurance company against any exposure under the performance bonds. No material claims have been made against these bonds.

 

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

 

Statements we make in the following discussion which express a belief, expectation or intention, as well as those that are not historical fact, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, could differ materially from those we express in the following discussion as a result of a variety of factors, including the risks and uncertainties we have referred to under the heading “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-looking Statements” following Item 1 in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (the “2003 10-K”) and “—Factors That May Affect Our Future Operating Results” below. For a discussion of our other commitments, related-party transactions, our critical accounting policies, new accounting pronouncements and inflation, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 in the 2003 10-K.

 

Overview

 

We derive substantially all our revenues from the sale of ready-mixed concrete, other concrete products and related construction materials to the construction industry in the United States. We typically sell ready-mixed concrete under purchase orders that require us to formulate, prepare and deliver the product to our customers’ job sites. We recognize sales from these orders when we deliver the ordered products. We serve substantially all segments of the construction industry in our markets, and our customers include contractors for commercial and industrial, residential, street and highway and public works construction.

 

The markets for our products generally are local, and our operating results are subject to swings in the level and product mix of construction activity that occur in our markets. The level of activity affects the demand for our products, while the product mix of activity among the various segments of the construction industry affects both our relative competitive strengths and our operating margins.

 

Although the residential construction market remained strong throughout 2003, the nonresidential construction market continued to decline, reflecting the general state of the overall economy and employment in the United States. This general decline in nonresidential construction and sustained adverse weather conditions in several of our markets for a portion of the year had an adverse impact on our sales in 2003. The nonresidential construction market began to slowly improve in the first half of 2004 and we expect this trend to continue.

 

Our cost of goods sold consists principally of the costs we incur in obtaining the cement, aggregates and admixtures we combine to produce ready-mixed concrete and other concrete products. We obtain most of these materials from third parties and generally have only a few days’ supply at each of our plants. These costs vary with our levels of production. Our cost of goods sold also includes labor, primarily for delivery professionals, and insurance costs and the operating, maintenance and rental expenses we incur in operating our plants, mixer trucks and other vehicles.

 

Since our inception in 1999, our growth strategy has contemplated acquisitions. The rate and extent to which appropriate further acquisition opportunities are available, and the extent to which acquired businesses are integrated and anticipated synergies and cost savings are achieved, can affect our operations and results.

 

For additional information about the items summarized above, see Item 7 in the 2003 10-K.

 

Factors That May Affect Our Future Operating Results

 

Cyclicality of construction industry activity. Demand for ready-mixed concrete and other concrete products depends on the level of activity in the construction industry. That industry is cyclical in nature, and the general condition of the economy and a variety of other factors beyond our control affect its level of activity. These factors include, among others:

 

  commercial vacancy and residential new home inventory levels;

 

  employment levels;

 

  consumer spending habits;

 

  the availability of funds for public or infrastructure construction;

 

  changes in interest rates;

 

  sustained adverse weather conditions;

 

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  the availability of short- and long-term financing; and

 

  levels of inflation.

 

Seasonality of construction industry activity. Reflecting the levels of construction activity, the demand for ready-mixed concrete is highly seasonal. Our results for any individual quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year because seasonal changes and other weather-related conditions can affect construction activity and, as a result, our sales and earnings. Normally, we attain the highest sales and earnings in the second and third quarters and the lowest sales and earnings in the first quarter. For these reasons, you should not rely on (1) quarterly comparisons of our revenues and operating results as indicators of our future performance or (2) the results of any quarterly period during a year as an indicator of results you may expect for that entire year.

 

Regional Variability. The economic and seasonal factors described above can affect various local and regional economies in different ways. Accordingly, the levels of construction activity at any given time can vary greatly across the country. Markets for our products generally are local and, therefore, our results of operations are susceptible to fluctuations in the levels of construction activity that may occur in our local markets.

 

Product Supply and Demand. Generally, ready-mixed concrete is price-sensitive. Prices for our products are subject to changes in response to relatively minor fluctuations in supply and demand, general economic conditions and market conditions, all of which are beyond our control. Because of the fixed-cost nature of our business, our overall profitability is sensitive to price changes and minor variations in sales volumes.

 

Materials Supply. We rely on third parties to supply the materials we use to produce ready-mixed concrete and other concrete products. If we receive insufficient supplies of these materials to meet our customers’ needs or if our suppliers were to experience price increases or disruption in their businesses, such as labor-related disputes, supply shortages or distribution problems, our future operating results may be adversely affected. During the second quarter of 2004, supplies of cement were tight in some of our markets. This shortage was caused by increased demand for cement, lower inventories of cement, downtime of certain cement plants and insufficient availability to increase imports of cement. As of June 30, 2004, this shortage of cement has not had a material impact on our operating results. However, a continuation of this shortage could in future periods adversely affect our operating results.

 

Competition. Competitive conditions in our industry also may adversely affect our future operating results.

 

Financing. We rely on third-party financing to fund, in part, our working capital and capital expenditure needs, the internal expansion of our operations and our acquisition activities. Our credit facility and the indenture governing our senior subordinated notes contain covenants that limit our ability to take certain actions with respect to our company and our businesses. Future financing arrangements likely will contain similar restrictions. These restrictions on our activities may cause us to forego courses of action that we would otherwise choose to pursue.

 

Product Claims. Our operations generally involve providing concrete that must meet building code or other regulatory requirements and contractual specifications for durability, stress-level capacity, weight-bearing capacity and other characteristics. We may incur material costs and losses as a result of claims that our products do not meet regulatory requirements or contractual specifications.

 

Regulation. We are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations concerning, among other matters, air emissions and wastewater discharge. We believe we are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. From time to time, we receive claims from federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and entities asserting that we may be in violation of environmental laws and regulations. On the basis of our experience and the information currently available, we believe these claims will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Despite compliance and experience, it is possible that we could be held liable for future charges that might be material but are not currently known or estimable. In addition, changes in federal or state laws, regulations or requirements, or discovery of currently unknown conditions, could require additional expenditures. We have $0.3 million accrued for potential remediation costs in connection with the aggregates business we acquired in 2002. We currently do not expect the costs of that remediation to exceed that amount.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We have outlined our critical accounting policies in Item 7 in the 2003 10-K. We have concluded that our critical accounting policies are the use of estimates in the recording of allowance for doubtful accounts, realization of goodwill, accruals for self-insurance, accruals for income tax provision and the valuation and useful lives of property, plant and equipment. During the six months ended June 30, 2004, there were no changes in the application of our critical accounting policies presented in the 2003 10-K. See note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of the 2003 10-K for a discussion of these accounting policies.

 

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Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth selected historical statements of operations information (dollars in thousands) and that information as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated.

 

     Three Months Ended June 30

    Six Months Ended June 30

 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 
     (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Sales

   $ 138,627    100.0 %   $ 124,610    100.0 %   $ 228,941     100.0 %   $ 209,677     100.0 %

Cost of goods sold (1)

     111,198    80.2       100,851    80.9       190,951     83.4       175,979     83.9  
    

  

 

  

 


 

 


 

Gross profit (1)

     27,429    19.8       23,759    19.1       37,990     16.6       33,698     16.1  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     11,633    8.4       10,774    8.6       22,365     9.7       20,930     10.0  

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     3,133    2.3       3,078    2.5       6,181     2.7       5,738     2.7  
    

  

 

  

 


 

 


 

Income from operations

     12,663    9.1       9,907    8.0       9,444     4.2       7,030     3.4  

Interest expense, net

     4,147    3.0       4,090    3.3       8,114     3.5       8,279     3.9  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

        0.0          0.0       28,781     12.6           0.0  

Other income, net

     251    0.2       185    0.1       562     0.2       404     0.2  
    

  

 

  

 


 

 


 

Income (loss) before income taxes

     8,767    6.3       6,002    4.8       (26,889 )   (11.7 )     (845 )   (0.3 )

Income tax provision (benefit)

     2,718    2.0       2,456    2.0       (8,335 )   (3.6 )     (352 )   (0.2 )
    

  

 

  

 


 

 


 

Net income (loss)

   $ 6,049    4.3 %   $ 3,546    2.8 %   $ (18,554 )   (8.1 )%   $ (493 )   (0.1 )%
    

  

 

  

 


 

 


 


(1) Cost of goods sold and gross profit are before depreciation, amortization and depletion.

 

Sales. Sales increased $14.0 million, or 11.2%, for the three months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in 2003. This increase was primarily attributable to a 3.7% increase in the average sales price of ready-mixed concrete and a 6.1% increase in ready-mixed concrete volumes as a result of the increase in construction activity in most of our markets. Sales increased $19.3 million, or 9.2%, for the six months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in 2003. This increase was primarily attributable to a 2.2% increase in the average sales price of ready-mixed concrete and a 5.5% increase in ready-mixed concrete volumes as a result of the increase in construction activity in most of our markets. Severe weather in the first quarter of 2003, particularly in February, reduced construction activity in several of our markets.

 

Gross profit before depreciation, depletion and amortization. Gross profit increased $3.7 million, or 15.4%, for the three months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in 2003. Gross margins were 19.8% for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 19.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2003. Gross profit increased $4.3 million, or 12.7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in 2003. Gross margins were 16.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 16.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2003. These increases were primarily attributable to higher ready-mixed concrete volumes and an insurance recovery in the amount of $0.5 million related to a theft loss.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million, or 8.3%, for the three months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in 2003. These expenses increased $1.5 million, or 7.2%, for the six months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in 2003. These increases were primarily attributable to professional fees, stock-based compensation expense and insurance costs.

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $0.1 million, or 3.2%, for the three months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in 2003. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense increased $0.4 million, or 7.0%, for the six months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in 2003. This increase was primarily attributable to capital expenditures acquired and placed in service after March 31, 2003.

 

Interest expense, net. During the three months ended June 30, 2004, the interest rate swap agreements reduced interest expense by approximately $0.5 million. Interest expense, net, decreased $0.2 million, or 2.0%, for the six months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in 2003. At June 30, we had outstanding borrowings totaling $200.0 million in 2004 and $166.7 million in 2003 and a weighted average annual interest rate of 8.4% in 2004 and 8.5% in 2003.

 

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Loss on early extinguishment of debt. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, as a result of the March 2004 refinancing, we recognized an ordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt of $28.8 million, which consisted of $25.9 million in premium payments to holders of the subordinated notes we prepaid and a write-off of $2.9 million of debt issuance costs associated with all the debt paid.

 

Other income, net. Other income, net, increased $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in 2003. Other income, net, increased $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to the corresponding period in 2003.

 

Income tax benefit. We recorded an income tax provision of $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to $2.5 million for the corresponding period in 2003. We recorded an income tax benefit of $8.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to a benefit of $0.4 million for the corresponding period in 2003. This increase in the benefit for income taxes was principally the result of the taxable loss generated from the loss on early extinguishment of debt. At the end of each interim reporting period, we make an estimate of the effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. This estimate is used in providing for income taxes on a year-to-date basis and may change in subsequent interim periods. Our estimated annualized effective tax rate was 31% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 41% for the six months ended June 30, 2003. The effective income tax rate for 2004 is less than the federal statutory rate due primarily to state income taxes reducing the federal tax benefit related to the estimated current year loss.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We require cash to pay our operating expenses, make capital expenditures and service our debt and other long-term liabilities. Our principal sources of funds are from our operations and capital markets, principally the commercial, institutional and public debt markets.

 

The principal factors that could adversely affect the availability of our internally generated funds include:

 

  any deterioration of sales, because of weakness in markets in which we operate;

 

  any decline in gross margins due to shifts in our project mix; and

 

  the extent to which we are unable to generate internal growth through integration of additional businesses or capital expansions of our existing business.

 

The principal factors that could adversely affect our ability to obtain cash from external sources include:

 

  financial covenants contained in our credit facility and the indenture governing our 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes;

 

  volatility in the markets for corporate debt; and

 

  fluctuations in the market price of our common stock.

 

The following key financial measurements reflect our financial position and capital resources as of June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 (dollars in thousands):

 

    

June 30,

2004


    December 31,
2003


 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 16,033     $ 7,111  

Working capital

     74,720       37,941  

Total debt

     200,008       155,039  

Debt as a percent of capital employed

     55.7 %     46.7 %

 

Our sources of liquidity, in addition to cash from operations, include the senior secured revolving credit facility we obtained in March 2004, which currently provides us with a revolving credit borrowing capacity of up to $105 million. The revolving credit facility matures in March 2009, with borrowings limited based on a portion of the net amounts of eligible accounts receivable, inventory and mixer trucks. At our option, borrowings under the revolving credit facility will bear annual interest at the Eurodollar-based rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.75%, or the domestic rate plus 1.25%. The interest rate margins will vary inversely with the amount of unused borrowing capacity available under the facility. Commitment fees at an annual rate of 0.375% are to be paid on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility.

 

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The credit agreement relating to the revolving credit facility provides that the administrative agent may, on the bases specified, reduce the amount of the available credit from time to time. At June 30, 2004, the amount of our available credit under the revolving credit facility was approximately $80.4 million, net of outstanding letters of credit of $4.2 million.

 

Our subsidiaries have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the repayment of all amounts owing under the senior secured credit facility, on a joint and several basis. In addition, we collateralized the facility with the capital stock of our subsidiaries, excluding minor subsidiaries without operations or material assets, and substantially all the assets of those subsidiaries, excluding most of the assets of the aggregate quarry in northern New Jersey. The credit agreement contains covenants restricting, among other things, prepayment or redemption of subordinated notes, distributions, dividends and repurchases of capital stock and other equity interests, acquisitions and investments, mergers, asset sales other than in the ordinary course of business, indebtedness, liens, changes in business, changes to charter documents and affiliate transactions. The credit agreement limits capital expenditures to $25 million in 2004 and, in each subsequent year, to 5% of consolidated revenues in the prior year. It will require us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 on a rolling 12-month basis if the available credit under the credit facility falls below $15 million. The credit agreement provides that specified change of control events would constitute events of default under the agreement.

 

At June 30, 2004, no borrowings were outstanding under the revolving credit facility; however, $4.2 million of the facility was utilized to support letters of credit.

 

To improve liquidity and provide more financial and operating flexibility, on March 31, 2004, we issued $200 million of 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes maturing April 1, 2014. Interest on these notes is payable semiannually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. We used the net proceeds of this financing to redeem our prior senior subordinated notes and to prepay outstanding debt. We paid $122.5 million to redeem our prior senior subordinated notes, including a prepayment premium of $25.9 million, plus all accrued and unpaid interest through the redemption date of $1.6 million.

 

All our subsidiaries, excluding minor subsidiaries, have jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed the repayment of the 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes.

 

The indenture governing the notes limits the ability of us and our subsidiaries to pay dividends or repurchase common stock, make certain investments, incur additional debt or sell preferred stock, create liens, merge or transfer assets. At any time prior to April 1, 2007, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes at a redemption price of 108.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings. In addition, after March 31, 2009, we may redeem all or a part of the notes at a redemption price of 104.188% in 2009, 102.792% in 2010, 101.396% in 2011 and 100% in 2012 and thereafter. The indenture requires us to redeem the subordinated notes from the proceeds of certain asset sales that are not reinvested in the business or used to pay senior debt and upon the occurrence of a change of control. Our senior secured credit agreement prohibits these redemptions.

 

Our ability to incur additional debt is primarily limited to borrowings available under our senior secured credit facility.

 

Effective April 16, 2004, we entered into interest rate swap agreements that have the economic effect of modifying the interest obligations associated with $70 million of our 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes, such that the interest payable on these notes effectively becomes variable based on the six-month LIBOR rate, set on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The swaps have been designated as fair-value hedges and have no ineffective portion. The notional amounts of the swaps match the principal amounts of the hedged portion of the senior subordinated notes, and the termination dates of the swaps match the maturity date of the notes. As a result of the swaps, the interest rate on the hedged portion of the notes will be LIBOR plus 3.16%. Because the swap agreements are considered an effective fair-value hedge, there will be no effect on our results of operations from the mark-to-market adjustment as long as the swap agreements are in effect. The swap agreements are marked to market each quarter with a corresponding mark-to-market adjustment of the 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes. During the three months ended June 30, 2004, the interest rate swap agreements reduced our interest expense by approximately $0.5 million.

 

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Cash Flow

 

Our net cash provided by operating activities is generally the cash effects of transactions and other events used in the determination of net income or loss. Net cash provided by operating activities of $4.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 2004 decreased $3.3 million from the net cash provided in the six months ended June 30, 2003. This decrease reflected higher accounts receivable and an increase in inventories in 2004, partially offset by the receipt of income tax refunds and lower interest payments.

 

Our net cash used for investing activities of $4.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2004 decreased $5.7 million from the net cash used in the six months ended June 30, 2003, primarily because of an acquisition we made in 2003.

 

Our net cash provided from financing activities of $9.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2004 increased $2.9 million from the net cash provided in the six months ended June 30, 2003. This increase was primarily attributable to our March 2004 refinancing activities. As a result of these activities, cash and cash equivalents, which totaled $16.0 million at June 30, 2004, increased $8.9 million from December 31, 2003.

 

We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment (net of disposals). Free cash flow is a performance measure not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Our management uses free cash flow in managing our business because we consider it to be an important indicator of our ability to service our debt and generate cash for acquisitions and other strategic investments. We believe free cash flow may provide users of our financial information additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. As a non-GAAP financial measure, free cash flow should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, our reported operating results or cash flow from operations or any other measure of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Our historical net cash (used) provided by operations and free cash flow is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30


 
     2004

    2003

 

Net cash provided by operations

   $ 4,145     $ 7,436  

Less: Purchases of property and equipment (net of disposals)

     (4,406 )     (4,330 )
    


 


Free cash flow

   $ (261 )   $ 3,106  
    


 


 

Future Capital Requirements

 

For 2004, our current capital requirements include approximately $15 million of planned capital expenditures, subject to availability of equipment. In addition, in the normal course of business we lease certain equipment used in our operations under operating leases.

 

Our management believes, on the basis of current expectations, that our internally generated cash flow and borrowings under our new senior secured credit facility will be sufficient to provide the liquidity necessary to fund our operations and meet our capital and debt-service requirements for at least the next 12 months.

 

Acquisitions

 

Since our inception, cash has been the primary component in the consideration we have paid to acquire businesses. We expect that cash would be a significant, if not the principal, element in acquisitions we might make in the foreseeable future.

 

Other Matters

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not currently have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources. From time to time, we may enter into noncancellable operating leases that would not be reflected on our balance sheet.

 

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Commitments

 

The following are our contractual commitments associated with our indebtedness and lease obligations as of June 30, 2004 (in millions):

 

Contractual obligations


   Total

   Less
Than
1 year


   1-3
years


   4-5
years


   After 5
years


Principal on debt

   $ 200.0    $    $    $    $ 200.0

Interest on debt (1)

     167.5      16.8      33.5      33.5      83.7

Operating lease

     33.4      11.4      14.1      6.6      1.3
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 400.9    $ 28.2    $ 47.6    $ 40.1    $ 285.0
    

  

  

  

  


(1) Interest payments due under our 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes. The interest rate swap mark-to-market adjustments are not included in the contractual commitments.

 

The following are our commercial commitments expirations as of June 30, 2004 (in millions):

 

Other commercial commitments


   Total

   Less
Than
1 year


   1-3
years


   4-5
years


   After
5
years


Standby letters of credit

   $ 4.2    $ 4.2    $    $    $

Performance bonds

     6.7      6.7               
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   $ 10.9    $ 10.9    $    $    $
    

  

  

  

  

 

Our purchase obligations were not significant as of June 30, 2004.

 

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, but we intend to utilize them to manage our fixed to variable-rate debt ratio. All derivatives, whether designated as hedging relationships or not, are required to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. Because of the short duration of our investments, changes in market interest rates would not have a significant impact on their fair value.

 

The issuance of our 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes increased the amount of our fixed-rate debt outstanding from $95 million to $200 million. The fair value of the debt will vary as interest rates change.

 

Effective April 16, 2004, we entered into interest rate swap agreements that have the economic effect of modifying the interest obligations associated with $70 million of our 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes, such that the interest payable on these senior subordinated notes effectively becomes variable based on the six-month LIBOR rate, set on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The swaps have been designated as fair-value hedges and have no ineffective portion. The notional amounts of the swaps match the principal amounts of the hedged portion of the senior subordinated notes, and the termination dates of the swaps match the maturity date of the notes. As a result of the swaps, the interest rate on the hedged portion of the notes will be LIBOR plus 3.16%. Because the swap agreements are considered an effective fair-value hedge, there will be no effect on our results of operations from the mark-to-market adjustment as long as the swap agreements are in effect. The swap agreements are marked to market each quarter, with a corresponding mark-to-market adjustment of the 8 3/8% senior subordinated notes. During the three months ended June 30, 2004, the interest rate swap agreements reduced our interest expense by approximately $0.5 million.

 

We purchase commodities, such as cement, aggregates and fuel, at market prices and do not currently use financial instruments to hedge commodity prices.

 

Our operations are subject to factors affecting the level of general construction activity, including the level of interest rates and availability of funds for construction. A significant decrease in the level of general construction activity in any of our market areas may have a material adverse effect on our sales and earnings.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2004 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 

In addition, during the three months ended June 30, 2004, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, these internal controls over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

For information about litigation involving us, see note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I of this report, which we incorporate by reference into this Item 1.

 

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock during the three months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

1. At the annual meeting of shareholders held April 30, 2004, our shareholders elected Vincent D. Foster, John R. Colson and Mary P. Ricciardello as directors of U.S. Concrete, Inc. with terms expiring in 2007. Votes cast to elect Vincent D. Foster were 23,583,959 for and 60,661 abstaining. Votes cast to elect John R. Colson were 23,560,959 for and 83,661 abstaining. Votes cast to elect Mary P. Ricciardello were 23,561,056 for and 83,563 abstaining. Terms of office for continuing directors expire (1) in 2005 for Robert S. Walker and Murray S. Simpson and (2) in 2006 for Eugene P. Martineau and T. William Porter.

 

2. At the annual meeting of shareholders held April 30, 2004, our shareholders ratified the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent auditors of U.S. Concrete, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2004. Votes cast to ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were 23,600,051 for and 31,169 withheld, with 13,400 abstentions and no broker non-votes.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number


    

Description


3.1 *   

—Restated Certificate of Incorporation of U.S. Concrete (Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-74855), Exhibit 3.1).

3.2 *   

—Amended and Restated Bylaws of U.S. Concrete, as amended (Post Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 (Reg. No. 333-42860), Exhibit 4.2).

3.3 *   

—Certificate of Designation of Junior Participating Preferred Stock (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 (File No. 000-26025), Exhibit 3.3).

4.1 *   

—Credit Agreement dated as of March 12, 2004 among U.S. Concrete, the Lenders and Issuers named therein and Citicorp North America, Inc., as administrative agent (Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 000-26025), Exhibit 4.9).

4.2 *   

—First Consent to Exhibit 4.1 (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 000-26025), Exhibit 4.2).

4.3 *   

—Purchase Agreement dated as of March 26, 2004 by and among U.S. Concrete, the Guarantors party thereto, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC as representatives of the Initial Purchasers referred to therein (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 000-26025), Exhibit 4.3).

4.4 *   

—Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 31, 2004 by and among U.S. Concrete, the Guarantors party thereto, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC as representatives of the Initial Purchasers referred to therein (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 000- 26025), Exhibit 4.4).

4.5 *   

—Indenture among U.S. Concrete, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, dated as of March 31, 2004, for the 8 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014
(Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 000-26025), Exhibit 4.5).

4.6 *   

—Form of Note (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 000-26025), included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.5).

4.7 *   

—Notation of Guarantee by the Subsidiary Guarantors dated March 31, 2004 (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 000-26025), Exhibit 4.7).

31.1     

—Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Eugene P. Martineau.

31.2     

—Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Michael W. Harlan.

32.1     

—Section 1350 Certification of Eugene P. Martineau.

32.2     

—Section 1350 Certification of Michael W. Harlan.


* Incorporated by reference to the filing indicated.

 

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

 

On May 6, 2004, we furnished a current report on Form 8-K, under Item 12 – Results of Operations and Financial Condition, setting forth our earnings release for the period ended March 31, 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

         U.S. CONCRETE, INC.
Date: August 9, 2004   

By:

  /s/ Michael W. Harlan
        

Michael W. Harlan

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and

Chief Financial Officer

 

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Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number


    

Description


3.1 *   

—Restated Certificate of Incorporation of U.S. Concrete (Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-74855), Exhibit 3.1).

3.2 *   

—Amended and Restated Bylaws of U.S. Concrete, as amended (Post Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 (Reg. No. 333-42860), Exhibit 4.2).

3.3 *   

—Certificate of Designation of Junior Participating Preferred Stock (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000 (File No. 000-26025), Exhibit 3.3).

4.1 *   

—Credit Agreement dated as of March 12, 2004 among U.S. Concrete, the Lenders and Issuers named therein and Citicorp North America, Inc., as administrative agent (Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 000-26025), Exhibit 4.9).

4.2 *   

—First Consent to Exhibit 4.1 (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 000-26025), Exhibit 4.2).

4.3 *   

—Purchase Agreement dated as of March 26, 2004 by and among U.S. Concrete, the Guarantors party thereto, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC as representatives of the Initial Purchasers referred to therein (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 000-26025), Exhibit 4.3).

4.4 *   

—Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 31, 2004 by and among U.S. Concrete, the Guarantors party thereto, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Banc of America Securities LLC as representatives of the Initial Purchasers referred to therein (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 000- 26025), Exhibit 4.4).

4.5 *   

—Indenture among U.S. Concrete, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, dated as of March 31, 2004, for the 8 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014
(Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 000-26025), Exhibit 4.5).

4.6 *   

—Form of Note (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 000-26025), included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.5).

4.7 *   

—Notation of Guarantee by the Subsidiary Guarantors dated March 31, 2004 (Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 000-26025), Exhibit 4.7).

31.1     

—Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Eugene P. Martineau.

31.2     

—Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Michael W. Harlan.

32.1     

—Section 1350 Certification of Eugene P. Martineau.

32.2     

—Section 1350 Certification of Michael W. Harlan.


* Incorporated by reference to the filing indicated.

 

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