Attached files

file filename
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - NBC ACQUISITION CORPc19902exv32w2.htm
EX-10.2 - EXHIBIT 10.2 - NBC ACQUISITION CORPc19902exv10w2.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - NBC ACQUISITION CORPc19902exv31w1.htm
EX-10.3 - EXHIBIT 10.3 - NBC ACQUISITION CORPc19902exv10w3.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - NBC ACQUISITION CORPc19902exv32w1.htm
EX-10.1 - EXHIBIT 10.1 - NBC ACQUISITION CORPc19902exv10w1.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - NBC ACQUISITION CORPc19902exv31w2.htm
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     .
Commission File Number 333-48225
NBC Acquisition Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in our charter)
     
Delaware   47-0793347
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
4700 South 19th Street
Lincoln, NE 68501-0529

(Address of principal executive offices)
(402) 421-7300
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes þ No o
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 o No o (NOTE: NBC Acquisition Corp. is a voluntary filer and is not subject to the filing requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Although not subject to these filing requirements, NBC Acquisition Corp. has filed all reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months.)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). o Yes o 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. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer þ (do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
Market value of the registrant’s voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant — Not applicable as registrant’s stock is not publicly traded.
There were 554,094 shares of common stock outstanding as of July 14, 2011.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None
Total Number of Pages: 118
Exhibit Index: Page 113
 
 

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
 
       
       
 
       
    3  
 
       
    13  
 
       
    18  
 
       
    18  
 
       
    19  
 
       
       
 
       
    19  
 
       
    20  
 
       
    23  
 
       
    42  
 
       
    44  
 
       
    86  
 
       
    86  
 
       
    86  
 
       
       
 
       
    87  
 
       
    89  
 
       
    99  
 
       
    100  
 
       
    100  
 
       
       
 
       
    101  
 
       
    107  
 
       
    107  
 
       
    108  
 
       
    112  
 
       
    113  
 
       
 Exhibit 10.1
 Exhibit 10.2
 Exhibit 10.3
 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32.1
 Exhibit 32.2

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
References in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the “Company” refer to NBC Acquisition Corp., to “NBC” refer to Nebraska Book Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and to “we,” “our,” “ours,” and “us” refer collectively to the Company and its subsidiaries, including NBC, except where otherwise indicated and except where the context requires otherwise.
The Company was formed for the purpose of acquiring all of the outstanding capital stock of NBC, effective September 1, 1995. The Company does not conduct significant activities apart from its investment in NBC. Operational matters discussed in this report, including the acquisition of college bookstores and other related businesses, refer to operations of NBC.
On March 4, 2004, Weston Presidio (Weston Presidio Capital III, L.P., Weston Presidio Capital IV, L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund, L.P., and WPC Entrepreneur Fund II, L.P.) gained a controlling interest in us through (i) the formation of two new corporations, NBC Holdings Corp. and New NBC Acquisition Corp.; (ii) a $28.2 million equity investment by Weston Presidio in NBC Holdings Corp., funds for which were ultimately paid to us in the form of a capital contribution; (iii) Weston Presidio’s purchase of 36,455 shares of our common stock directly from our holders; (iv) the cancellation of 870,285 shares of our common stock upon payment by us of merger consideration of $180.4 million to the shareholders of record for such shares; (v) the exchange of 397,711 shares of our common stock for 512,799 shares of New NBC Acquisition Corp. capital stock in the merger of the two entities with us as the surviving entity; and (vi) the exchange of 512,799 shares of our common stock by Weston Presidio and current and former members of NBC management for a like number of shares of NBC Holdings Corp. capital stock. Payment of the $180.4 million of merger consideration was funded through proceeds from the $28.2 million capital contribution, available cash, and proceeds from $405.0 million in new debt financing, of which $261.0 million was used to retire certain debt instruments outstanding at March 4, 2004 or to place funds in escrow for untendered debt instruments called for redemption on March 4, 2004 and redeemed on April 3, 2004. Throughout this Annual Report, we generally refer to all of the steps comprising this transaction as the “March 4, 2004 Transaction.”
On April 27, 2004, we filed Registration Statements on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for purposes of registering debt securities to be issued in exchange for the Senior Subordinated Notes and Senior Discount Notes arising out of the March 4, 2004 Transaction. The SEC declared such Registration Statements effective on May 7, 2004. All notes were tendered in the offers to exchange which were completed on June 8, 2004.
On October 2, 2009, in conjunction with the completion of NBC’s offering of the Senior Secured Notes and payment in full of the Term Loan, NBC entered into the ABL Credit Agreement which provided for the ABL Facility and replaced the Revolving Credit Facility (collectively the “Refinancing”).
On January 8, 2010, NBC filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the SEC for purposes of registering debt securities to be issued in exchange for the Senior Secured Notes arising out of the Refinancing. The SEC declared the Registration Statement effective on February 8, 2010. All notes were tendered in the offer to exchange that expired on March 15, 2010.
Bankruptcy Proceedings
On June 27, 2011 (the “Petition Date”), we and NBC and all of its subsidiaries (the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for reorganization relief under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Court”). The reorganization cases are being jointly administered as Case No. 11-12005 under the caption “in re Nebraska Book Company. Inc., et al.” (hereinafter referred to as the “Chapter 11 Proceedings”). We continue to operate our businesses as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Court.
The Chapter 11 Proceedings were initiated in response to our inability to fully refinance our existing debt and vendors’ unwillingness to extend credit to us under normal terms due to uncertainties with respect to refinancing.

 

3


Table of Contents

As part of the Chapter 11 Proceedings and as discussed further below, our goal is to develop and implement a plan of reorganization that meets the standards for confirmation under the Bankruptcy Code. Confirmation of a plan of reorganization or other arrangement could materially alter the classifications and amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements, which do not give effect to any adjustments to the carrying values of assets or amounts of liabilities that might be necessary as a consequence of confirmation of a plan of reorganization or other arrangement or the effect of any operational changes that may be implemented. Under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, the filing of a bankruptcy petition automatically stays most actions against a debtor, including most actions to collect pre-petition indebtedness or to exercise control over our property. Subsequent to the Petition Date, we received approval from the Court to pay or otherwise honor certain pre-petition claims of certain critical vendors, certain customer programs, and certain other pre-petition claims. Additionally, we have been paying and intend to continue to pay undisputed post-petition claims in the ordinary course of business. Accordingly, although commencement of the Chapter 11 Proceedings triggered defaults on substantially all of our debt obligations, creditors are stayed from taking any actions as a result of such defaults. Absent an order of the Court, substantially all of our pre-petition liabilities are subject to settlement under a plan of reorganization. As a result of the Chapter 11 Proceedings, the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities are subject to uncertainty. Additional details regarding the status of our Chapter 11 Proceedings are included in Note C to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
We are paying, and intend to continue paying, claims arising after the Petition Date in the ordinary course of business. We are currently funding post-petition operations under a $200.0 million Superpriority Debtor-In-Possession Credit Agreement (the “DIP Credit Agreement”), consisting of a $125.0 million debtor-in-possession term loan facility (the “DIP Term Loan Facility’) and a $75.0 million debtor-in-possession revolving facility (the “DIP Revolving Facility”). We have retained, pursuant to Court approval, legal and financial professionals to advise us in connection with the Chapter 11 Proceedings and certain other professionals to provide services and advice in the ordinary course of business. From time to time, we may seek Court approval to retain additional professionals.
We have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs associated with the Chapter 11 Proceedings and our reorganization.
Plan of Reorganization
In order for us to emerge successfully from the Chapter 11 Proceedings, we must obtain approval from the Court and our creditors for a plan of reorganization, which will enable us to transition from the Chapter 11 Proceedings into ordinary course operations outside of bankruptcy. In connection with a plan of reorganization, we also may require a new credit facility, or “exit financing.” Our ability to obtain such approval and financing will depend on, among other things, the timing and outcome of various ongoing matters in the Chapter 11 Proceedings. A plan of reorganization determines the rights and satisfaction of claims of various creditors and security holders, and is subject to the ultimate outcome of negotiations and Court decisions ongoing through the date on which the plan of reorganization is confirmed.
On June 27, 2011, we filed with the Court a restructuring support agreement, which contained a proposed plan of reorganization (the “Plan”). The Plan calls for the issuance of new senior secured notes, new senior unsecured notes and the split of new common equity interests in us between the holders of the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes (78%) and the holders of the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes (22%). The ultimate recovery to creditors and/or our shareholders, if any, will not be determined until confirmation of a plan of reorganization.
Going Concern
Our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2011 have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern. However, our ability to: (i) comply with terms of the DIP Credit Agreement; (ii) comply with various orders entered by the Court in connection with the Chapter 11 Proceedings; (iii) maintain adequate cash on hand; (iv) generate sufficient cash from operations; (v) achieve confirmation of a plan of reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code; (vi) obtain financing to facilitate an exit from bankruptcy;  and (vii) achieve profitability following such confirmation is uncertain and would have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

General
We sell or rent a variety of new and used textbooks and sell general merchandise, such as apparel, general books, sundries and gift items, through our nationwide chain of bookstores on or adjacent to college campuses. We also engage in these activities on the internet through hundreds of websites operated by us as well as numerous third-party websites. We believe we are also one of the largest wholesale distributors of used college textbooks in North America, offering approximately 107,000 textbook titles and selling over 6.1 million books annually, primarily to bookstores serving campuses located in the United States. We are also a provider of distance education materials to students in non-traditional courses, which include correspondence and corporate education courses. Furthermore, we provide the college bookstore industry with a variety of services including proprietary information and e-commerce systems, in-store promotions, buying programs, and consulting services. With origins dating to 1915 as a single bookstore operation, we have built a consistent reputation for excellence in order fulfillment, shipping performance and customer service.
We entered the wholesale used textbook market following World War II, when the supply of new textbooks could not meet the demand created by the return of ex-GI students. We became a national, rather than a regional, wholesaler of used textbooks as a result of our purchase of The College Book Company of California. During the 1970’s, we continued our focus on the wholesale business. However, realizing the synergies that exist between wholesale operations and college bookstore operations, in the 1980’s, we expanded our efforts in the college bookstore market to primarily operate bookstores on or near larger campuses, typically where the institution-owned college bookstore was contract-managed by a competitor or where we did not have a significant wholesale presence. In the last several fiscal years, we have revised our college bookstore strategy to expand our efforts in the contract-management of on-campus institutional bookstores. Today, we service the college bookstore industry through our Bookstore, Textbook, and Complementary Services Divisions.
Bookstore Division. College bookstores are a primary outlet for sales and rental of new and used textbooks to students. We also sell a variety of other merchandise including apparel, general books, sundries, and gift items. In addition to in-store sales and rentals, we sell and rent textbooks and sell other merchandise on the internet through our own bookstores’ websites as well as numerous third-party websites. As of March 31, 2011, we operated 292 college bookstores on or adjacent to college campuses. Of these 292 bookstores, 154 were leased from the educational institution that they serve (also referred to as contract-managed) and 138 were owned or leased off-campus bookstores. On May 1, 2006, we acquired 101 college bookstore locations, 98 of which were contract-managed, through the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of College Book Stores of America, Inc. (“CBA”). CBA began providing contract-management services to small to medium-sized colleges and universities nationwide in 1984.
Our college bookstores are located on or near college campuses of all sizes, including some of the nation’s largest campuses, such as: Arizona State University; Ohio State University; University of Florida; Michigan State University; Texas A&M University; University of Central Florida; Pennsylvania State University; University of Michigan; Florida State University; and University of Arizona. In addition to generating profits, our Bookstore Division provides an exclusive source of used textbooks for sale across our wholesale distribution network.
Textbook Division. We believe we are one of the largest wholesale distributors of used college textbooks in North America. Our Textbook Division consists primarily of selling used textbooks to college bookstores and on the internet through third-party websites, buying them back from students or college bookstores at the end of each school semester and then reselling them to college bookstores and on the internet. We purchase used textbooks from and resell them to college bookstores on or near college campuses of all sizes, including many of the nation’s largest campuses, such as: University of Virginia; Oregon State University; University of Texas; University of Illinois; University of Washington; University of Southern California; and Long Beach State University. Historically, because the demand for used textbooks has consistently outpaced the supply, Textbook Division sales have been determined primarily by the amount of used textbooks that we could purchase. Our strong relationships with the management of college bookstores nationwide have provided important access to valuable market information regarding the campus-by-campus supply and demand of textbooks, as well as an ability to procure large quantities of a wide variety of textbooks. We provide an internally-developed Buyer’s Guide to our Textbook Division customers. This guide lists details such as author, new copy retail price, and our repurchase price for approximately 51,000 textbook titles.
Complementary Services Division. With our acquisition of Specialty Books, Inc. (“Specialty Books”) in May 1997, we entered the distance education market, which consists of providing education materials to students in private high schools, non-traditional colleges and other courses (such as correspondence courses, continuing and corporate education courses and courses offered through electronic media such as the internet).

 

5


Table of Contents

Other services offered to college bookstores include the sale of computer hardware and software, such as our turnkey bookstore management software that incorporates point of sale, inventory control and accounting modules, and related maintenance contracts. We have installed our proprietary total store management system at over 980 college bookstore locations, and we have an installed base of approximately 190 college bookstore locations for our textbook management control systems. In total, including our own bookstores, almost 1,200 college bookstore locations use our bookstore management software products.
On July 1, 2003, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of common stock of TheCampusHub.com, Inc. (“CampusHub”), an entity that was affiliated with us through common ownership. CampusHub is no longer separately incorporated and is instead represented as our internet services division, a part of our Complementary Services Division. Our internet services division provides college bookstores with our WebPRISM product, a proprietary software platform designed to provide bookstores a way to sell in-store inventory and virtual brand name merchandise over the internet. This technology is utilized at approximately 660 bookstores, including our own bookstores.
We also provide centralized buying, consulting and store design services to assist college bookstores with their operations.
Industry Segment Financial Information
Revenue, operating profit or loss, and identifiable assets attributable to each of our reportable segments are disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements presented in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We make our periodic and current reports available, free of charge, through www.nebook.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the SEC. Information contained on our website is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The website for documents relating to the Chapter 11 Proceedings is located at www.kccllc.net/nbc.
Business Strategy
Our objective is to strengthen our position as a leading provider of products and services to the college bookstore market, thereby increasing revenue and cash flow. In order to accomplish our goal, we intend to pursue the following strategies:
Capitalize on college bookstore opportunities. We intend to increase revenues for our Bookstore Division by opening or contract-managing additional bookstores at selected college campuses and by offering enhanced textbook rental programs, digital content options, general merchandise, specialty products and services at our existing bookstores. We intend to pursue revenue growth and expand the buyback of used textbook inventory through the increased use of technology. We intend to enhance our ability to capitalize on internet activity by continuing to sell on third-party marketplaces. We also intend to increase both in-store and internet transactions through the introduction and use of a national brand, Neebo, and a national website, Neebo.com. Neebo.com currently enables us to have one website which combines the inventories of all of our bookstores into a single presentation. Moving forward, our individual bookstore websites will become a part of the overall Neebo.com website, increasing efficiency and effectiveness of our online offerings.
Re-establish growth in the Textbook Division. We expect the Textbook Division to continue to be a primary contributor of revenues and cash flows, primarily as a result of an expected increase in college enrollments, continued utilization of used textbooks, and through the expansion of our own Bookstore Division, which should provide an additional supply of used textbooks. In fiscal year 2011, we launched a program to assist customers in renting textbooks in their bookstores and in turn, these customers agree to supply us with the textbooks. Additionally, our commission structure is designed to reward customers who make a long-term commitment to supplying us with a large portion of their textbooks, and we continue to change and enhance our marketing campaign to increase student awareness of the benefits of buying and selling used textbooks. Finally, we expect to continue to utilize technology to enhance our ability to acquire and sell used textbooks in this division.
Increased market penetration through technology solutions. We intend to continue generating incremental revenue through the sale of our turnkey bookstore management software that incorporates point of sale, inventory control and accounting modules. The installation of our software, along with e-commerce technology offered through our internet services division also increases the channels through which we can access the college and university market.

 

6


Table of Contents

Expansion of other services programs. We intend to continue to develop and provide other services that enhance the college bookstore business, such as distance education distribution, our centralized buying group, store design consulting and other technology-related programs.
Industry Overview
Based on recent industry trade data from the National Association of College Stores, we believe the college bookstore industry remains strong, with approximately 4,500 college bookstores generating annual sales of approximately $10.3 billion in the 2009-10 academic year to college students and other consumers in the United States. Sales of textbooks and other education materials used for classroom instruction comprise approximately sixty-two percent of that amount. We expect this market will continue to grow as a result of continuing increases in enrollment at U.S. colleges as estimated by the U.S. Department of Education. The United States Department of Education projects that total enrollment in the United States colleges will increase from 18.2 million in 2008 to 19.0 million in 2012.
College bookstore market. College bookstores generally fall into three categories:
  (i)  
institutional — bookstores that are primarily owned and operated by institutions of higher learning, generally located on-campus;
 
  (ii)  
contract-managed — bookstores owned by institutions of higher learning and managed by outside, private companies, typically found on-campus; and
 
  (iii)  
independent — privately owned and operated bookstores, generally located off campus.
Wholesale textbook market. We believe that used textbooks will continue to be attractive to both students and college bookstores. Used textbooks provide students with a lower-cost alternative to new textbooks and bookstores typically achieve higher margins through the sale of used rather than new textbooks.
The pricing pattern of textbook publishing accounts for a large part of the growth of the used textbook market. Because of copyright restrictions, each new textbook is produced by only one publisher, which is free to set the new copy retail price and discount terms to bookstores. Based on our experience, publishers generally offer new textbooks at prices that enable college bookstores to achieve a gross margin of 23.0% to 25.0% on new textbooks. Historically, the high retail costs of new textbooks and the higher margins achieved by bookstores on the sale of used textbooks have encouraged the growth of the market for used textbooks.
The used textbook cycle begins with new textbook publishers, who purposely plan obsolescence into the publication of new textbooks. Generally, new editions of textbooks are produced every two to four years. In the first year of a new edition, there are few used copies of a new edition available. In the second and third years, used textbooks become increasingly available. Simultaneously, publishers begin to plan an updated edition. In years four and beyond, at the end of the average life cycle of a particular edition, as publishers cut back on original production, used textbooks generally represent a majority (in unit terms) of the particular edition in use. While the length of the cycle varies by title (and sometimes is indefinite, as certain titles are never updated), the basic supply/demand progression remains fairly consistent.
College bookstores begin to place orders with used textbook wholesalers once professors determine which textbooks will be required for their upcoming courses, usually by the end of May for the fall semester and the end of November for the spring semester. Bookstore operators must first determine their allocation between new and used copies for a particular title but, in most cases, they will order an ample supply of used textbooks because: (i) used textbook demand from students is typically strong and consistent; (ii) many operators only have access to a limited supply from wholesalers and believe that not having used textbook alternatives could create considerable frustration among students and with the college administration; (iii) bookstore operators earn higher margins on used textbooks than on new textbooks; and (iv) both new and used textbooks are sold with return privileges, eliminating any overstock risk (excluding freight charges) to the college bookstore.
New textbook ordering usually begins in June (for the fall semester), at which time the store operator augments its expected used textbook supply by ordering new textbooks. By this time, publishers typically will have just implemented their annual price increases. These regular price increases allow us and our competitors to buy used textbooks based on old list prices (in May) and to almost simultaneously sell them based on new higher prices, thereby creating an immediate margin increase.

 

7


Table of Contents

While price is an important factor in the store operator’s purchasing decision, available supply, as well as service, usually determine with which used textbook wholesaler a college bookstore will develop a strong relationship. Used textbook wholesalers that are able to significantly service a college bookstore account typically receive preferential treatment from store operators, both in selling and in buying used textbooks. Pure exclusive supply arrangements in our market are rare; however, in the past nine to ten fiscal years, we have been marketing certain supply programs to the industry. These programs reward customers who make a long-term commitment to supplying us with a large portion of their books through enhanced commissions, express returns, and book-buy promotion ideas and marketing materials. At the end of fiscal year 2011, over 460 bookstores were participating in these programs. Since we are usually able to sell or rent a substantial majority of the used textbooks we are able to purchase, our ability to obtain sufficient supply is a critical factor in our success.
Products and Services
Bookstore Division. As of March 31, 2011, we operated 292 college bookstores on or adjacent to college campuses. These bookstores sell and rent a wide variety of used and new textbooks and sell general books and assorted merchandise, including apparel, sundries and gift items. Over the past three fiscal years, external customer revenues (revenues excluding intercompany revenues) of our bookstores from activities other than used and new textbook sales and rentals have been between 16.6% and 19.1% of total revenues. We have been, and intend to continue, selectively expanding our product offerings at our bookstores in order to increase revenues and profitability. We have also installed, and are continually improving, software that provides e-commerce capabilities in all of our own bookstores, thereby allowing our bookstores to further expand product offerings and compete with other online textbook and general merchandise sellers. All of our bookstores sell and rent through Neebo.com. All of our bookstores sell and rent through their own websites which will continue as part of the new branded website, Neebo.com. In addition, many stores also sell textbooks and general merchandise through third-party websites that are popular among college students such as Amazon.com and Half.com.
Textbook Division. Our Textbook Division is engaged in the procurement and redistribution of used textbooks on college campuses primarily across the United States and through third-party websites. The portion of the used textbook business that our division operates in is limited to certain stores, certain textbooks and certain third-party websites. In general, the portion of the college bookstore market that our Textbook Division cannot access includes those contract-managed stores that are not operated by us that sell their used textbooks to affiliated companies, institutional and independent bookstores, to the extent that such used textbooks are repurchased from students and are retained by the bookstore for resale without involving a wholesaler and third-party websites that we do not buy and sell used textbooks through.
We publish the Buyer’s Guide, which lists approximately 51,000 textbooks according to author, title, new copy retail price, and our repurchase price. The Buyer’s Guide is an important part of our inventory control and textbook procurement system. We update and reprint the Buyer’s Guide nine times each year and make it available in both print and various electronic formats, including on our proprietary software applications. A staff of dedicated professionals gathers information from all over the country in order to make the Buyer’s Guide into what we believe to be the most comprehensive and up-to-date pricing and buying aid for college bookstores. We also maintain a database of approximately 169,000 titles in order to better serve our customers.
Complementary Services Division. Through Specialty Books, we have access to the market for distance education products and services. Currently, we provide students at approximately 11 colleges and private high schools with textbooks and materials for use in distance education and other education courses, and we are a provider of textbooks to non-traditional programs and students such as correspondence or corporate education students. We believe the fragmented distance education market represents an opportunity for us to leverage our fulfillment and distribution expertise in a growing sector of the industry. Beyond textbooks, we offer services and specialty course materials to the distance education marketplace. Students are provided a web portal allowing them a secure and easy-to-use method for obtaining their course materials. Over the past three fiscal years, external customer revenues of Specialty Books have been between 42.3% and 54.9% of total Complementary Services Division revenues.
Other services offered to college bookstores include services related to our turnkey bookstore management software that incorporates point of sale, inventory control and accounting modules, the sale of other software and hardware, and the related maintenance contracts. These services generate revenue and assist us in gaining access to new sources of used textbooks. We have installed our proprietary total store management system at over 980 college bookstore locations, and we have an installed base of approximately 190 college bookstore locations for our textbook management control systems. In total, including our own bookstores, almost 1,200 college bookstore locations use our bookstore management software products. In addition, we have developed software

 

8


Table of Contents

for e-commerce capabilities, which allows college bookstores to launch their own e-commerce site and effectively compete against other online textbook and general merchandise sellers by offering textbooks and both traditional and non-traditional store merchandise online. Presently, there are approximately 660 stores, including our own stores, licensing our e-commerce technology. We also offer a digital delivery solution which allows a college bookstore to offer students the option of purchasing e-books in addition to new and used textbooks. On April 14, 2008, we announced an agreement with CourseSmart, a comprehensive supplier of digital course materials, which establishes us as CourseSmart’s preferred supplier of e-books to the college bookstore community. Further, on June 21, 2011, we announced a partnership with SharedBook, Inc., an organization focused on the assembly and composition of custom digital content, which provides us with new capabilities in the customization and distribution of digital course materials.
Connect 2 One is a buying group which has established substantial purchasing clout by aggregating the purchasing power of approximately 660 participating stores in addition to our own bookstores (“C2O”). Through C2O, we are able to offer a variety of products and services to participating college bookstores. C2O negotiates apparel, supplies, gifts, and general merchandise discounts and develops and executes marketing programs for its membership. Other C2O marketing services include a freight savings program, a credit card processing program, a shopping bag program, and retail display allowances for magazine displays. Additionally, the C2O staff of experienced professionals consults with the management and buyers of member bookstores. Consulting services offered include strategic planning, store review, merchandise assortment planning, buyer training, and help with other operational aspects of the business. While consulting has historically represented a relatively small component of C2O’s business, it is nonetheless strategically important to the ongoing success of this aspect of our business.
We also provide consulting and store design services to assist college bookstores in store presentation and layout.
Business Description
Bookstore Division. An important aspect of our business strategy is a program designed to reach new customers through the opening of bookstores adjacent to college campuses or the contract-management of bookstores on campus. In addition to generating sales or rentals of new and used textbooks and sales of general merchandise, these outlets enhance our Textbook Division by increasing the inventory of used books purchased from the campus.
A desirable campus for a company-operated, off-campus college bookstore is one on which our Textbook Division does not currently buy or sell used textbooks either because a competitor contract-manages the college’s bookstore or the college bookstore does not have a strong relationship with us. We generally will not open a location on a campus where we already have a strong relationship with a college bookstore serving that campus because some college bookstores may view having a competing location as a conflict of interest. A desirable campus for contract-management is one where the current contract-management service is being provided by a competitor of ours and the contract is expiring.
We tailor each of our own bookstores to fit the needs and lifestyles of the campus on which it is located. Individual bookstore managers are given significant planning and managing responsibilities, including, hiring employees, controlling cash and inventory, and purchasing and merchandising product. We have staff specialists, or contracts with external specialists, to assist individual bookstore managers in such areas as store planning, merchandise purchasing and layout, inventory control and media buying.
As of March 31, 2011 we operated 292 college bookstores nationwide, having expanded from 139 bookstores at the beginning of fiscal year 2007. During fiscal year 2011, we completed the acquisition of six bookstore locations, initiated the contract-management of thirteen bookstore locations and established the start-up of two bookstore locations.

 

9


Table of Contents

The table below highlights certain information regarding our bookstores added and closed in the respective year ending March 31.
                                 
                    Bookstores        
    Bookstores Open     Bookstores     Lost/Closed     Bookstores at  
    at Beginning of     Added During     During Fiscal     End of Fiscal  
Fiscal Year   Fiscal Year     Fiscal Year     Year     Year  
2007
    139       120       15       244  
2008
    244       23       7       260  
2009
    260       24       7       277  
2010
    277       20       17       280  
2011
    280       21       9       292  
We plan to continue increasing the number of bookstores in operation. Our focus will be to pursue opportunities to contract-manage additional institutional stores. In determining to pursue opportunities to contract-manage a campus bookstore, we look at: (i) the size of the market; (ii) the competitive status of the market; (iii) the availability of top quality management; and (iv) certain other factors, including personnel costs. As mentioned previously, on May 1, 2006, we acquired 101 college bookstore locations, 98 of which were contract-managed, through the acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of CBA.
Wholesale Procurement and Distribution. Historically, because the demand for used textbooks has consistently exceeded supply, our sales have been primarily determined by the amount of used textbooks that we can purchase. As a result, our success has depended primarily on our inventory procurement, and we continue to focus our efforts on obtaining inventory. In order to ensure our ability to both obtain and redistribute inventory, our Textbook Division strategy has emphasized establishing and maintaining strong customer and supplier relationships with college bookstores through our employee account representatives. These 26 account representatives (as of March 31, 2011) are responsible for procuring used textbooks, marketing our services on campus, purchasing overstock textbooks from bookstores and securing leads for sale of our systems products. We have been able to maintain a competitive edge by providing superior service, made possible primarily through the development and maintenance of ready access to inventory, information and supply. Other components of the Textbook Division strategy and its implementation include: (i) selectively paying a marginal premium relative to competitors to entice students to sell back more textbooks to us; (ii) gaining access to competitive campuses (where the campus bookstore is contract-managed by a competitor) by opening off-campus, company-owned college bookstores; (iii) using technology to gain efficiencies and to improve customer service; (iv) maintaining a knowledgeable and experienced sales force that is customer-service oriented; (v) providing working capital flexibility for bookstores making substantial purchases; (vi) establishing long-term supply arrangements by rewarding customers who make a long-term commitment to supplying us with a large portion of their textbooks; (vii) providing working capital flexibility for bookstores that offer textbook rentals to students and that agree to supply us with textbooks, and (viii) purchasing and selling textbooks over the internet through third-party websites.
The two major used textbook purchasing seasons are at the end of each academic semester, May and December. Although we make textbook purchases during other periods, the inventory purchased in May, before publishers announce their price increases in June and July, allows us to purchase inventory based on the lower retail prices of the previous year. The combination of this purchasing cycle and the fact that we are able to sell our inventory in relation to retail prices for the following year permits us to realize additional gross profit. We advance cash to our representatives during these two periods, and the representatives in turn buy textbooks directly from students.
After we purchase the textbooks, we arrange for shipment to our warehouse in Nebraska via common carrier. At the warehouse, we refurbish damaged textbooks and categorize and shelve all other textbooks in a timely manner, and enter them into our online inventory system.
Customers place orders by phone, mail, fax or other electronic method. Upon receiving an order, we remove the textbooks from available inventory and hold them for future shipping. Customers may generally return textbooks within 60 days after the start of classes (90 days for certain customers participating in the exclusive supply program). External customer returns over the past three fiscal years have averaged approximately 24.6% of sales and generally are attributable to course cancellations or overstocking. The majority of returns are textbooks that we are able to resell for the next semester.

 

10


Table of Contents

Information Technology. We believe that we can enhance efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness through investments in technology. Because our solutions create a competitive advantage, establish efficiencies, and ensure cost-effectiveness of both our operations and the operations of our bookstore customers and suppliers, we have patents on some of our proprietary software applications and some are currently in patent pending status with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Additionally, we have registered trademarks for many of our software product names where brand recognition may be an important factor.
The center of our technology infrastructure revolves around PRISM, WinPRISM and WebPRISM, our proprietary college store management, textbook management, point of sale, inventory control systems, and e-commerce software. With more than a combined 25 years of availability in the marketplace, these proven software applications are maintained and continuously enhanced by a dedicated team of development and support professionals. Our technology operations process order entry, control inventory, generate purchase orders and customer invoices, generate various sales reports, and process and retrieve textbook information. In addition, we have developed integrated e-commerce software and service solutions allowing college bookstores to launch their own e-commerce site and effectively compete against other online textbook and general merchandise sellers by offering both print and digital textbooks and both traditional and non-traditional store merchandise online. We also develop, license or obtain certain rights related to other software designed to strengthen our e-commerce capabilities, including the capability for our bookstores to efficiently buy and sell inventory through third-party websites that are popular among college students such as Amazon.com and Half.com. In January of 2011, we launched our national online presence, Neebo.com, which consolidates our bookstore inventories onto one website and allows our bookstores to transact business online more efficiently and effectively.
In addition to using our technology for our own benefit through management and inventory control, we license the use of certain technology to bookstores. The use of our software by bookstore customers and suppliers helps solidify the business relationship, resulting in increased sales and access to additional inventory.
We conduct training courses for all systems users online and at our headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska. Classes are small and provide hands on training for the various systems. Printed reference manuals and training materials accompany each system. The customer support call center is staffed with approximately 60 experienced personnel. Support is offered via website, e-mail, and toll-free phone numbers. While support hours vary per product and time of year, after-hours pager support is available for mission-critical systems.
Beginning late in fiscal year 2008, we embarked on a project to replace our internally-developed general ledger system with a general ledger/business planning and consolidation solution from SAP. During fiscal year 2009, the new solution was put into place and utilized for internal management reporting and the fiscal year 2010 budgeting process. The new solution was fully integrated in fiscal year 2010 and, among other things, provides us with greater flexibility in recording and analyzing our operating results and streamlining our budgeting process and is utilized for external financial reporting purposes.
Customers
Our college bookstores are located at college campuses of all sizes, including some of the nation’s largest campuses, such as: Arizona State University; Ohio State University; University of Florida; Michigan State University; Texas A&M University; University of Central Florida; Pennsylvania State University; University of Michigan; Florida State University; and University of Arizona.
We sell our Textbook and certain Complementary Services Division products and services to college bookstores throughout North America, primarily throughout the United States. Our Textbook Division purchases from and resells used textbooks to college bookstores at college campuses of all sizes, including many of the nation’s largest campuses, such as: University of Virginia; Oregon State University; University of Texas; University of Illinois; University of Washington; University of Southern California; and Long Beach State University. Our 25 largest Textbook Division customers accounted for approximately 2.7% of our fiscal year 2011 consolidated revenues. No single Textbook Division customer accounted for more than 1.0% of our fiscal year 2011 consolidated revenues.
Our distance education program is, among other things, a primary supplier of textbooks and educational material to students enrolled in online courses offered through approximately 11 colleges and private high schools. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, one institution accounted for approximately 71%, 68% and 69%, respectively, of distance education program external customer revenues.

 

11


Table of Contents

No single customer accounted for more than 10.0% of our consolidated revenues in fiscal year 2011, 2010 or 2009.
Competition
We compete with a variety of other companies and also individuals, all of whom seek to provide products and/or services to the college marketplace. Our main corporate competitors, who provide products and services to colleges and universities, college bookstores and directly to students, are Follett Higher Education Group (“Follett”) and MBS Textbook Exchange/Barnes & Noble College Booksellers (“MBS”). MBS Textbook Exchange and Barnes & Noble College Booksellers are affiliated companies with certain common ownership.
Our Bookstore Division competes with:
   
Follett, MBS and a number of smaller companies for the opportunity to contract-manage institutional college bookstores (Follett and MBS contract-manage more than 800 and 600 stores, respectively);
   
other college bookstores located at colleges and universities that we serve;
   
a number of entities that rent or sell textbooks, sell e-books, other digital content and other merchandise directly to students through e-commerce bypassing the traditional college bookstore;
   
student-to-student transactions that take place on campus and over the internet; and
   
course packs and electronic media as a source of textbook information, such as on-line resources, e-books, print-on-demand textbooks and CD-ROMs which may replace or modify the need for students to purchase textbooks through the traditional college bookstore.
Our Textbook Division competes in the used textbook market, which includes the purchase and resale of used textbooks. We compete with:
   
college bookstores who normally repurchase textbooks from students to be reused on that campus the following semester or term;
   
student-to-student transactions that take place on campus and over the internet;
   
other wholesalers who purchase used textbooks from students and then resell them to other college bookstores; and
   
a number of individuals and companies that buy textbooks directly from students through e-commerce, or in person, bypassing the traditional college bookstores who are the Textbook Division’s suppliers and customers.
Our Textbook Division competes in the wholesale business with Follett and MBS, and certain smaller regional companies including Budgetext, Texas Book Company, Tichenor College Textbook Company, and South Eastern Book Company. We believe that our market share of the independent and non-contract-managed institutional stores is comparable to that of Follett and MBS individually. Many of Follett’s and some of MBS’s college bookstores are located on smaller campuses. The size of the campus and their presence there have precluded us from entering these markets, which in turn affects both our ability to buy books and our ability to add new accounts.
Our Complementary Services Division competes with:
   
MBS in the sale and installation of college bookstore information technology;
   
MBS in the distance education textbook distribution market;
   
college bookstores that provide their own e-commerce solution in competition with our internet services division;
   
the Independent College Bookstore Association (“ICBA”) in the centralized buying service business (participation by college bookstores in C2O’s or ICBA’s centralized buying service is voluntary, and college bookstores may, and some do, belong to both buying associations); and
   
a variety of smaller organizations and individuals involved in these businesses and others such as marketing services and consulting services.

 

12


Table of Contents

Governmental Regulation
We are subject to various federal, state and local health and safety laws and regulations. Generally, these laws establish standards for vehicle and employee safety. These laws include the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Future developments, such as stricter employee health and safety laws and regulations thereunder, could affect our operations. We do not currently anticipate that the cost of our compliance with, or of any foreseeable liabilities under, employee health and safety laws and regulations will have a material adverse affect on our business or financial condition.
Insurance
We maintain general liability, property, worker’s compensation and other insurance in amounts and on terms that we believe are customary for companies similarly situated. In addition, we maintain excess insurance where we reasonably believe it is cost effective.
Employees
As of March 31, 2011 we had a total of approximately 2,700 employees, of which approximately 1,100 were full-time, approximately 700 were part-time and approximately 900 were temporary. We have no unionized employees and believe that our relationship with our employees is satisfactory.
In view of the seasonal nature of our Textbook Division, we use seasonal labor to improve operating efficiency. We employ a small number of “flex-pool” workers who are cross-trained in a variety of warehouse functions. Temporary employees augment the flex-pool to meet periodic labor demands.
Geographic Financial Information
Revenues from external customers and long-lived assets, all of which are attributable to domestic operations, are disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements presented in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties associated with the Chapter 11 Proceedings. For the duration of the Chapter 11 Proceedings, our operations and our ability to execute our business strategy will be subject to the risks and uncertainties associated with our being in bankruptcy. These risks include:
   
our ability to obtain approval of the Court with respect to motions filed in the Chapter 11 Proceedings from time to time;
 
   
our ability to obtain and maintain normal trade terms with suppliers and service providers and maintain contracts that are critical to our operations;
   
our ability to attract, motivate and retain key employees;
   
our ability to attract and retain customers;
   
our ability to attract and retain the contract-management of on-campus bookstores;
   
our ability to fund and execute our business plan; and
   
our ability to obtain creditor and Court approval for, and then to consummate, a plan of reorganization to emerge from bankruptcy.

 

13


Table of Contents

We will also be subject to risks and uncertainties with respect to the actions and decisions of the creditors and third parties who have interests in the Chapter 11 Proceedings that may be inconsistent with our restructuring and business goals.
These risks and uncertainties could affect our business and operations in various ways. For example, negative events or publicity associated with the Chapter 11 Proceedings could adversely affect our sales and relationships with our customers, as well as with our suppliers, employees and the administration of colleges where we operate the on-campus bookstore, which in turn could adversely affect our operations and financial condition. In addition, pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code, we need approval of the Court for transactions outside the ordinary course of business, which may limit our ability to respond timely to certain events or take advantage of certain opportunities. Because of the risks and uncertainties associated with the Chapter 11 Proceedings, we cannot predict or quantify the ultimate impact that events occurring during the reorganization process will have on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
As a result of the Chapter 11 Proceedings, the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities are subject to uncertainty. While operating as debtors-in-possession, and subject to approval of the Court, or otherwise as permitted in the normal course of business, we may sell or otherwise dispose of assets and liquidate or settle liabilities for amounts other than those reflected in the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Further, a confirmed plan of reorganization could materially change the amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities reported in the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. The historical consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the reported amounts of assets or liabilities that might be necessary as a result of confirmation of a plan of reorganization.
Our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2011 have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern. However, our ability to: (i) comply with terms of the DIP Credit Agreement (ii) comply with various orders entered by the Court in connection with the Chapter 11 Proceedings; (iii) maintain adequate cash on hand; (iv) generate sufficient cash from operations; (v) achieve confirmation of a plan of reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code; (vi) obtain financing to facilitate an exit from bankruptcy; and (vii) achieve profitability following such confirmation is uncertain and would have a material impact on our financial statements.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to remain in compliance with the requirements of the DIP Credit Agreement or that the lending commitments under the DIP Credit Agreement will not be terminated by our lenders. In addition to standard financial covenants and events of default, the DIP Credit Agreement provides for events of default specific to the Chapter 11 Proceedings, including, among others, defaults arising from our failure to maintain certain financial covenants including a minimum liquidity and cumulative consolidated EBITDA or our failure to obtain Court approval for a plan of reorganization acceptable to our lenders. The occurrence of an event of default under the DIP Credit Agreement would give our lenders the right to terminate their lending commitments and exercise other remedies available to them under the DIP Credit Agreement.
If the DIP Credit Agreement is terminated or our access to funding is restricted or terminated, it is likely that we would not have sufficient cash available to meet our operating needs or satisfy our obligations as they become due. In this event, we would be required to seek a sale of all or a portion of our assets pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or to convert the Chapter 11 Proceedings into liquidation under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code.
We face competition in our markets, which could adversely impact our revenue levels, profit margins and ability to acquire an adequate supply of used textbooks. Our industry is highly competitive. A large number of actual and potential competitors exist, some of which are larger than us and have substantially greater resources than us. Revenue levels and profit margins could be adversely impacted if we experience increased competition in the markets in which we currently operate or in markets in which we will operate in the future.

 

14


Table of Contents

We are experiencing growing competition from alternative sources of textbooks for students and alternative media (such as on-line resources; publishers selling or renting directly to students; print-on-demand textbooks; CD-ROMs; and websites designed to rent or sell textbooks and sell e-books, other digital content and other merchandise directly to students) and from the use of course packs (which are collections of copyrighted materials and professors’ original content which are produced by college bookstores and sold to students), all of which have the potential to reduce or replace the need for textbooks sold through college bookstores. A substantial increase in the availability or the acceptance of these alternatives as a source of textbooks and textbook information could significantly reduce college students’ use of college bookstores and/or the use of traditional textbooks and thus adversely impact our revenue levels and profit margins.
We are also experiencing growing competition from technology-enabled student-to-student transactions that take place over the internet. These transactions, whereby a student enters into a transaction directly with another student for the sale and purchase of a textbook, provide competition by reducing the supply of textbooks available to us for purchase and by reducing the sale of textbooks through college bookstores. While these transactions have occurred for many years, prior to the internet these transactions were limited by geography, a lack of information related to pricing and demand, and other factors. A significant increase in the number of these transactions could adversely impact our revenue levels and profit margins.
Over the years, an increasing number of institution-owned college bookstores have decided to outsource or “contract-manage” the operation of their bookstores. The leading managers of these bookstores include two of our principal competitors in the wholesale textbook distribution business. Contract-managed bookstores primarily purchase their used textbook requirements from and sell their available supply of used textbooks to their affiliated operations. A significant increase in the number of contract-managed bookstores operated by our competitors, particularly at large college campuses, could adversely affect our ability to acquire an adequate supply of used textbooks.
We believe all of these competitive factors have contributed to a decline in textbooks sold in the Textbook Division.
Further deterioration in the economy and credit markets, a decline in consumer spending or other conditions may adversely affect our future results of operations. As widely reported, the global credit markets and financial services industry have been experiencing a period of upheaval characterized by the bankruptcy, failure, collapse or sale of various financial institutions, diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates, uncertainty about economic stability and intervention from the United States federal government. There can be no assurance that there will not be further deterioration in credit and financial markets and confidence in economic conditions or that any recovery will be sustained. While the ultimate outcome of these events cannot be predicted, it may decrease student enrollment in colleges and universities due to the lack of financial aid and other sources of funding for education. Spending by students on textbooks and other general merchandise may also decrease due to the economic downturn.
We may not be able to continue to receive funds from NBC, our sole operating subsidiary, to permit satisfaction of our obligations. We are a holding company and as such conduct substantially all of our operations through NBC and its subsidiaries. Consequently, we do not have any income from our own operations and do not expect to generate income from our own operations in the future. As a result, our ability to meet our debt service obligations will substantially depend upon NBC and its subsidiaries’ cash flow and distribution of funds to us as dividends, loans, advances or other payments.
We may be unable to obtain a sufficient supply of used textbooks, which could adversely impact our revenue levels and profit margins. Our ability to purchase a sufficient number of used textbooks largely determines our used textbook sales for future periods. Successfully acquiring books typically requires a visible presence on college campuses at the end of each semester, which requires hiring a significant number of temporary personnel, and having access to sufficient funds under a revolving credit facility or other financing alternatives to purchase the books. Textbook acquisition also depends upon college students’ willingness to sell their used textbooks at the end of each semester. The unavailability of sufficient personnel or credit, or a shift in student preferences, could impair our ability to acquire sufficient used textbooks to meet our sales objectives, thereby adversely impacting our revenue levels and profit margins.
We may not be able to successfully open or contract-manage additional bookstores or integrate those additional stores, which could adversely impact our ability to grow revenues and profit margins. Part of our business strategy is to expand sales for our college bookstore operations by either opening privately-owned bookstores or being awarded additional contracts to manage institutional bookstores. We may not be able to identify additional private bookstore opportunities or we may not be successful in competing for contracts to manage additional institutional bookstores. Due to the seasonal nature of business in our bookstores, the operations of the private bookstores or newly contract-managed bookstores may be affected by the time of the fiscal year when a bookstore is opened or contract-managed by us. The process may require financial resources that would otherwise be available for our

 

15


Table of Contents

existing operations. Our integration of these future bookstores may not be successful; or, the anticipated strategic benefits of these future bookstores may not be realized or may not be realized within time frames contemplated by our management. Start-up and additional contract-managed bookstores may involve a number of special risks, including, but not limited to, adverse short-term effects on our reported results of operations, diversion of management’s attention, standardization of accounting systems, dependence on retaining, hiring and training key personnel, unanticipated problems or legal liabilities, and actions of our competitors and customers. If we are unable to successfully integrate our future bookstores for these or other reasons, anticipated revenues and profit margins from these new bookstores could be adversely impacted.
We may not be able to successfully renew our contract-managed bookstores on profitable terms, which could adversely impact our profit margins. As we expand our operations in contract-management of institutional bookstores, we will increasingly be competing for the renewal of our contracts for those stores as the current contracts expire. Our contracts are typically for 1 to 5 years, with various renewal and cancellation clauses. We may not be successful in renewing our current contracts or those renewals may not be on terms that provide us the opportunity to improve or maintain the profitability of managing the bookstore. If we are unable to successfully renew our contracts on profitable terms, our profit margins could be adversely impacted.
Publishers may not continue to increase prices of textbooks annually, which could adversely impact our revenue levels and profit margins. We generally buy used textbooks based on publishers’ prevailing prices for new textbooks just prior to the implementation by publishers of their annual price increases (which historically have been 4% to 5%) and resell these textbooks shortly thereafter based upon the new higher prices, thereby creating an immediate margin increase. Our ability to increase our used textbook prices each fiscal year depends on annual price increases on new textbooks implemented by publishers. The failure of publishers to continue annual price increases on new textbooks could adversely impact our revenue levels and profit margins. In recent periods, annual increases in prices have allowed us to partially offset a decline in unit sales, however there is no guarantee that this will continue.
Publisher practices regarding new editions and materials packaged with new textbooks could change, thereby reducing the supply of used textbooks available to us and adversely impacting our revenue levels and profit margins. Publishers have historically produced new editions of textbooks every two to four years. Changes in the business models of publishers to accelerate the new edition cycle or to significantly increase the number of textbooks with other materials packaged or bundled with them (which makes it more difficult to repurchase and resell the entire package of materials) could reduce the supply of used textbooks available to us, thereby adversely impacting our revenue levels and profit margins.
The loss or retirement of key members of management may occur, which could negatively affect our ability to execute our current strategy and/or our ability to effectively react to changing industry dynamics, thereby adversely impacting our revenue levels and profit margins. Our future success depends to a significant extent on the efforts and abilities of our senior management team. The loss of the services of any one of these individuals could negatively affect our ability to execute our current strategy and/or our ability to effectively react to changing industry dynamics, thereby adversely impacting our revenue levels and profit margins.
Our wholesale and bookstore operations are seasonal in nature — a significant reduction in sales during our peak selling periods could adversely impact our ability to repay the DIP Revolving Facility, thereby increasing interest expense and adversely impacting revenue levels by restricting our ability to buy an adequate supply of used textbooks. Our wholesale and bookstore operations experience two distinct selling periods and our wholesale operations experience two distinct buying periods. The peak selling periods for the wholesale operations occur prior to the beginning of each school semester in July/August and November/December. The buying periods for the wholesale operations occur at the end of each school semester in May and December. The primary selling periods for the bookstore operations are in August/September and January. In fiscal year 2011, 46% of our annual revenues occurred in the second fiscal quarter (July-September), while 31% of our annual revenues occurred in the fourth fiscal quarter (January-March). Accordingly, our working capital requirements fluctuate throughout the fiscal year, increasing substantially in May and December as a result of the buying periods. We may fund our working capital requirements primarily through the DIP Revolving Facility while in chapter 11. We intend to repay the DIP Revolving Facility with cash provided from operations. A significant reduction in sales during our peak selling periods could adversely impact our ability to repay the DIP Revolving Facility, increase the average balance outstanding under the DIP Revolving Facility (thereby resulting in increased interest expense), and restrict our ability to buy an adequate supply of used textbooks (thereby adversely impacting our revenue levels).

 

16


Table of Contents

We are controlled by one principal equity holder, which has the power to take unilateral action and could have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures and other transactions, even though such transactions might involve risks to other affected parties. Weston Presidio beneficially owns approximately 82.0% of our issued and outstanding common stock (after taking into account for such percentage calculation options outstanding and options available, if any, for future grant under the 2004 Stock Option Plan). As a result, Weston Presidio is able to control all matters, including the election of a majority of our board of directors, the approval of amendments to NBC’s and our certificate of incorporation and the approval of fundamental corporate transactions such as mergers and asset sales. The interests of Weston Presidio may not in all cases be aligned with the interests of other affected parties. In addition, Weston Presidio may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures and other transactions, including selling us, that, in its judgment, could affect its equity investment, even though such transactions might involve risks to other affected parties.
Our substantial indebtedness could limit cash flow available for our operations and could adversely affect our ability to service debt or obtain additional financing, if necessary. As of March 31, 2011, we had total outstanding debt of approximately $454.1 million and expect to continue to have material debt outstanding even after emerging from the Chapter 11 Proceeding. Our level of indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:
   
make it more difficult to pay our debts as they become due, especially during general negative economic and market industry conditions because if our revenues decrease due to general economic or industry conditions, we may not have sufficient cash flow from operations to make our scheduled debt payments;
   
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate and, consequently, places us at a competitive disadvantage to our competitors with less debt;
   
require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our debt, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
   
limit our ability to make strategic acquisitions, invest in new products or capital assets or take advantage of business opportunities;
   
limit our ability to obtain additional financing, particularly in the current economic environment; and
   
render us more vulnerable to general adverse economic, regulatory and industry conditions.
A portion of our goodwill recently became impaired and we may be required to write down additional amounts of goodwill or identifiable intangibles and record impairment charges if future circumstances indicate that goodwill or identifiable intangibles are impaired. We monitor relevant circumstances, including industry trends, general economic conditions, and the potential impact that such circumstances might have on the valuation of our goodwill and identifiable intangibles. It is possible that changes in such circumstances, or in the numerous variables associated with the judgments, assumptions and estimates made by us in assessing the appropriate valuation of our goodwill and identifiable intangibles, could in the future require us to further write down a portion of our goodwill or write down a portion of our identifiable intangibles and record related non-cash impairment charges. We evaluate the impairment of the carrying value of our goodwill and identifiable intangibles in accordance with applicable accounting standards, including the Intangibles — Goodwill and Other and Property, Plant and Equipment Topics of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”). In accordance with such standards, we evaluate impairment on goodwill and certain identifiable intangibles annually and evaluate impairment on all intangibles whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such assets may not be recoverable. Our evaluation of impairment is based on a combination of our projection of estimated future cash flows and other valuation methodologies. We recorded impairment charges of $89.0 million and $107.0 million to reduce the carrying value of goodwill to its estimated fair value at March 31, 2011 and 2009, respectively. We completed our annual test for impairment during the fourth quarter for the year ended March 31, 2010 and no impairment was indicated. The goodwill impairment charge is described in greater detail in Note G to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

17


Table of Contents

Our operations are subject to various laws, rules and regulations relating to protection of the environment and of human health and safety. Our operations are subject to federal, state and local laws relating to the protection of the environment and of human health and safety. As an owner and operator of real property, we can be found jointly and severally liable under such laws for costs associated with investigating, removing and remediating any hazardous or toxic substances that may exist on, in or about our real property. This liability can be imposed without regard to whether the owner or operator had knowledge of, or was actually responsible for causing, the conditions being addressed. Some of our properties may have been impacted by the migration of hazardous substances released at neighboring third-party locations. In addition, it is possible that we may face claims alleging harmful exposure to, or property damage resulting from, the release of hazardous or toxic substances at or from our locations or otherwise related to our business. Environmental conditions relating to any former, current or future locations could adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Increases in the price of raw materials used by our suppliers or the reduced availability of raw materials to our suppliers could increase their cost of goods, which could be passed on to us through higher prices in new textbooks, clothing and general merchandise, which may decrease our profitability. The principal raw materials used by our suppliers are paper, various fabrics and plastics. The prices we pay our suppliers for new textbooks, clothing and general merchandise are dependent in part on the market price for raw materials used to produce them. The price and availability of such raw materials may fluctuate substantially, depending on a variety of factors, including demand, crop yields, weather, supply conditions, transportation costs, energy prices, work stoppages, government regulation, economic climates and other unpredictable factors. Any and all of these factors may be exacerbated by global climate change. Fluctuations in the price and availability of raw materials to our suppliers have not materially affected our profitability in recent years. However, increases in raw material costs, together with other factors, might cause an increase in the cost of goods for our suppliers which may be passed onto us through higher prices.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
At March 31, 2011, our Bookstore Division locations consisted of the following: (i) 6 owned off-campus bookstore locations, (ii) 132 leased off-campus bookstore locations, and (iii) 154 leased on-campus (contract-managed) bookstore locations serving university and post-graduate educational institutions throughout the United States. These institutions serve more than 2 million students. We own our two Textbook Division warehouses (totaling 253,000 square feet) in Lincoln, Nebraska (one of which is also the location of our headquarters). Our distance education program was moved from Athens, Ohio to one of our warehouses in Lincoln, Nebraska in March, 2011.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
From time to time, we are subject to legal proceedings and other claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. We believe that currently we are not a party to any litigation the outcome of which would have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. We maintain insurance coverage against claims in an amount which we believe to be adequate.
On the Petition Date, we filed voluntary petitions in the Court seeking reorganization relief under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. Our chapter 11 cases have been assigned to the Honorable Peter J. Walsh and are being jointly administered as Case No. 11-12005. We continue to operate our business as debtors-in-possession under the jurisdiction of the Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and the orders of the Court. See Note C to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, the filing of a bankruptcy petition automatically stays most actions against a debtor, including most actions to collect pre-petition indebtedness or to exercise control over our property. Absent an order of the Court, substantially all pre-petition liabilities are subject to settlement under a plan of reorganization.
Under Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code, we may assume, assume and assign or reject certain executor contracts and unexpired leases, subject to the approval of the Court and certain other conditions. In general, if we reject an executor contract or unexpired lease, it is treated as a pre-petition breach of the lease or contract in question and, subject to certain exceptions, relieves us of performing any future obligations. However, such a rejection entitles the lessor or contract counterparty to a pre-petition general unsecured claim for damages caused by the breach and accordingly, the counterparty may file a claim against us for damages. In addition, our plan of reorganization will determine the rights and satisfaction of claims of various creditors and security holders, but the ultimate settlement of those claims will continue to be subject to the uncertain outcome of litigation, negotiations and Court decisions up to and for a period of time after a plan of reorganization is confirmed. At this time, it is not possible to predict with certainty the effect of the Chapter 11 Proceedings on our business.

 

18


Table of Contents

ITEM 4. RESERVED AND REMOVED.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
On June 27, 2011, we filed voluntary petitions in the Court seeking reorganization relief under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. Our plan of reorganization will determine the rights and satisfaction of claims of various creditors and security holders, but the ultimate settlement of those claims are subject to various uncertainties. Under any plan of reorganization, our presently outstanding equity securities could have no value and be canceled and we urge that caution be exercised with respect to existing and future investments in any security of ours. Further, on June 27, 2011, we filed with the Court a restructuring support agreement, which contained a proposed plan of reorganization (the “Plan”). The Plan calls for the issuance of new senior secured notes, new senior unsecured notes and the split of new common equity interests in us between the holders of the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes (78%) and the holders of the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes (22%).
As of July 14, 2011, based upon the number of holders on record, there were 5 holders of NBC Acquisition Corp. common stock, those holders being four funds affiliated with Weston Presidio (which held a total of 36,455 shares) and NBC Holdings Corp., a corporation formed by Weston Presidio as part of the March 4, 2004 Transaction. As of July 14, 2011, NBC Holdings Corp.’s issued and outstanding capital stock totaled 513,439 shares and held 517,639 shares of NBC Acquisition Corp. common stock. There are 28 holders on record of NBC Holdings Corp. capital stock, including the four funds affiliated with Weston Presidio and current and former members of our management group. As of July 14, 2011, there were also options granted and outstanding under the 2004 Stock Option Plan, held by 45 current and former members of our management group, to purchase 89,241 shares of NBC Holdings Corp. capital stock. As discussed in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, the payment of dividends is subject to various restrictions under our debt instruments. As a result, no dividends were declared on our common stock during fiscal year 2011 and 2010. There is no established public trading market for the NBC Acquisition Corp. common stock.
On March 31, 2006, 4,200 shares of NBC Holdings Corp. capital stock were issued for $0.01 per share to certain officers and directors of the Company (the “Officers”) pursuant to a stock repurchase agreement and on that same date NBC Holdings Corp. purchased 4,200 shares of our common stock for an aggregate of $42. The shares issued to NBC Holdings Corp. were subject to the same conditions as those issued to the Officers. These shares were issued pursuant to an exemption from registration claimed under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These shares became fully vested on September 30, 2010 and the 4,200 shares of NBC Holdings Corp. were repurchased and retired.
We and NBC Holdings Corp. have separate understandings that (a) with respect to each option granted by NBC Holdings Corp., pursuant to its 2004 Stock Option Plan, we have granted, and will continue to grant, an option to purchase an equivalent number of shares of our common stock at the same exercise price to NBC Holdings Corp. and (b) with respect to each share of capital stock issued by NBC Holdings Corp., pursuant to its 2005 Restricted Stock Plan, we have issued, and will continue to issue, an equivalent number of shares of our common stock at the same purchase price per share to NBC Holdings Corp.
Additional information regarding equity compensation plans can be found in Item 12, Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

19


Table of Contents

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The following table sets forth our selected historical consolidated financial and other data and should be read in conjunction with Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. The selected historical consolidated financial data was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements.
                                         
    Fiscal Years Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,     March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
    2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  
    (dollars in thousands)  
Statement of Operations Data:
                                       
Revenues
  $ 598,430     $ 605,494     $ 610,716     $ 581,248     $ 544,428  
Costs of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown below)
    366,160       370,196       371,369       354,140       332,444  
 
                             
Gross profit
    232,270       235,298       239,347       227,108       211,984  
Operating expenses:
                                       
Selling, general and administrative (1)
    176,844       161,858       168,315       157,193       143,096  
Closure of California warehouse (2)
                      (36 )     774  
Depreciation
    8,579       8,517       7,603       7,209       5,916  
Amortization
    8,626       10,853       11,384       10,443       9,613  
Goodwill impairment (3)
    89,000             106,972              
 
                             
Income (loss) from operations
    (50,779 )     54,070       (54,927 )     52,299       52,585  
Other expenses (income):
                                       
Interest expense
    51,204       49,405       41,603       41,659       40,410  
Interest income
    (176 )     (180 )     (427 )     (1,332 )     (1,643 )
Loss on early extinguishment of debt (4)
          3,066                    
Loss on derivative instrument (5)
                102       198       225  
 
                             
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (101,807 )     1,779       (96,205 )     11,774       13,593  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (3,497 )     (532 )     4,289       4,558       5,700  
 
                             
Net income (loss)
  $ (98,310 )   $ 2,311     $ (100,494 )   $ 7,216     $ 7,893  
 
                             
 
                                       
Earnings (loss) Per Share:
                                       
Basic
  $ (180.66 )   $ 1.33     $ (181.79 )   $ 13.02     $ 14.25  
Diluted
    (180.66 )     1.32       (181.79 )     12.61       13.89  
Other Data:
                                       
Adjusted EBITDA (6)
  $ 55,426     $ 73,440     $ 71,032     $ 69,951     $ 68,114  
Net cash flows from operating activities
    12,827       30,831       26,356       21,101       27,516  
Net cash flows from investing activities
    (16,307 )     (8,766 )     (14,898 )     (22,179 )     (32,809 )
Net cash flows from financing activities
    (1,046 )     (5,131 )     3,254       (2,578 )     4,893  
Capital expenditures
    5,664       5,411       7,979       7,261       6,543  
Business acquisition expenditures (7)
    9,461       2,848       6,321       14,682       25,874  
Number of bookstores open at end of the period
    292       280       277       260       244  
 
                                       
Balance Sheet Data (At End of Period):
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 56,447     $ 60,973     $ 44,038     $ 29,326     $ 32,983  
Working capital (8)
    (280,838 )     168,190       151,149       136,729       130,389  
Total assets
    508,307       616,271       609,088       703,364       697,005  
Total debt, including current maturities
    454,118       454,624       449,411       452,204       445,098  
Redeemable preferred stock (9)
    13,601       11,806       10,233              
     
(1)  
Includes share-based compensation of $448, $1,107, $1,289, $1,041 and $997 for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
(2)  
Closure of California warehouse expenses are attributable to costs associated with the October 27, 2006 closure of our California warehouse facility, including one-time termination benefits, costs to terminate contracts and costs of consolidation/relocation. Payments of one-time termination benefits extended through April, 2008 and were slightly lower than the remaining accrual for such benefits at March 31, 2007, resulting in an adjustment to the accrual during fiscal year 2008.
 
(3)  
We determined in the first step of our annual goodwill impairment test conducted at March 31 that the carrying value of certain reporting units exceeded their fair values, indicating that goodwill may be impaired for fiscal years ended 2011 and 2009. Having determined that goodwill may be impaired, we performed the second step of the goodwill impairment test. As a result, we recorded impairment charges of $89,000 and $106,972 in fiscal years 2011 and 2009, respectively, which reduced our goodwill carrying value to $129,437 and $215,436 as of March 31, 2011 and 2009, respectively. See Note G to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

20


Table of Contents

     
(4)  
The loss on early extinguishment of debt for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 relates to the write-off of debt issue costs as a result of the termination of the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility. See Note I to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
(5)  
Our interest rate swap agreement expired on September 30, 2008.
 
(6)  
EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted for goodwill impairment and for loss on early extinguishment of debt. There was no goodwill impairment or loss on early extinguishment of debt in fiscal years 2008 and 2007; therefore, Adjusted EBITDA equals EBITDA for those years. As we are highly leveraged and as our equity is not publicly-traded, management believes that the non-GAAP measures, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, are useful in evaluating our results and provide additional information for determining our ability to meet debt service requirements. That belief is driven by the consistent use of the measures in the computations used to establish the value of our equity over the past 15 years and the fact that our debt covenants also use those measures, as further described later in this Item, to measure and monitor our financial results. Due to the importance of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to our equity and debt holders, our chief operating decision makers and other members of management use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to measure our overall performance, to assist in resource allocation decision-making, to develop our budget goals, to determine incentive compensation goals and payments, and to manage other expenditures among other uses.
 
   
With respect to covenant compliance calculations, EBITDA, as defined in the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement (hereinafter, referred to as “Credit Facility EBITDA”), includes additional adjustments to EBITDA. Credit Facility EBITDA is defined in the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement as: (1) consolidated net income, as defined therein; plus (2) the following items, to the extent deducted from consolidated net income: (a) income tax expense; (b) interest expense, amortization or write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs and commissions, discounts and other fees and charges associated with indebtedness; (c) depreciation and amortization expense; (d) amortization of intangibles and organization costs; (e) any non-cash extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring expenses or losses; (f) any other non-cash charges; and (g) charges incurred on or prior to September 30, 2010 in connection with the restricted stock plan not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate; minus (3) the following items, to the extent included in the statement of net income for such period; (i) interest income; (ii) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring income or gains; and (iii) any other non-cash income. Credit Facility EBITDA is utilized when calculating the pro forma fixed charge coverage ratio under the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement. The pro forma consolidated coverage ratio under the indentures to the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes, the Senior Subordinated Notes and the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes uses EBITDA and the indentures define EBITDA similar to Credit Facility EBITDA except that charges incurred in connection with the restricted stock plan are not added back to consolidated net income. See Note I to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for disclosure of certain of our financial covenants.
 
   
There are material limitations associated with the use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent and should not be considered as alternatives to net cash flows from operating activities or net income as determined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Furthermore, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient for cash requirements because the measures do not include reductions for cash payments for our obligation to service our debt, fund our working capital, make capital expenditures and make acquisitions or pay our income taxes and dividends; nor are they a measure of our profitability because they do not include costs and expenses such as interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, goodwill impairment, and loss on early extinguishment of debt, which are significant components in understanding and assessing our financial performance. Even with these limitations, we believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, when viewed with both our GAAP results and the reconciliations to operating cash flows and net income, provide a more complete understanding of our business than otherwise could be obtained absent this disclosure. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA measures presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

 

21


Table of Contents

     
   
The following presentation reconciles net income (loss), which we believe to be the closest GAAP performance measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and reconciles EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net cash flows from operating activities, which we believe to be the closest GAAP liquidity measure, as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:
                                         
    Fiscal Years Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,     March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
    2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  
    (dollars in thousands)  
Net income (loss)
    (98,310 )     2,311       (100,494 )     7,216       7,893  
 
                                       
Interest expense, net
    51,028       49,225       41,278       40,525       38,992  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (3,497 )     (532 )     4,289       4,558       5,700  
Depreciation and amortization
    17,205       19,370       18,987       17,652       15,529  
 
                             
 
                                       
EBITDA
    (33,574 )     70,374       (35,940 )     69,951       68,114  
 
                                       
Goodwill impairment
    89,000             106,972              
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
          3,066                    
 
                             
 
                                       
Adjusted EBITDA (6)
  $ 55,426     $ 73,440     $ 71,032     $ 69,951     $ 68,114  
 
                                       
Share-based compensation
    448       1,107       1,288       1,041       997  
Interest income
    176       180       427       1,332       1,643  
Provision for losses on receivables
    2,194       1,399       1,367       468       834  
Cash paid for interest
    (44,905 )     (37,572 )     (39,124 )     (31,755 )     (31,388 )
Cash (paid) refunded for income taxes
    1,278       (3,155 )     (9,930 )     (13,031 )     (6,551 )
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets
    (132 )     235       125       285       (1 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions (10)
    (1,658 )     (4,803 )     1,171       (7,190 )     (6,132 )
 
                             
Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities
  $ 12,827     $ 30,831     $ 26,356     $ 21,101     $ 27,516  
 
                             
     
(7)  
Business acquisition expenditures represent established businesses purchased by us.
 
(8)  
Working capital is defined as current assets minus current liabilities. NBC’s three Pre-Petition principal tranches of debt (the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes, the Pre-Petition ABL Facility and the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes) each were set to mature within a period of six months of each other. The Pre-Petition ABL Facility was set to mature on the earlier of October 2, 2012 or the date that was 91 days prior to the earliest maturity of the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes (which were set to mature on December 1, 2011), the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes (which were set to mature on March 15, 2012), the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes (which were set to mature on March 15, 2013), or any refinancing thereof, effectively September 1, 2011. See Notes C and I to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
(9)  
In conjunction with the Pre-Petition Senior Credit Facility amendment in February, 2009, we issued 10,000 shares of preferred stock. See Note K to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
(10)  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions includes the changes in the balances of receivables, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets, other assets, accounts payable, accrued employee compensation and benefits, accrued incentives, accrued expenses, deferred revenue, and other long-term liabilities.

 

22


Table of Contents

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussions should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Executive Summary
Overview
Acquisitions. Our Bookstore Division continues to grow its number of bookstore locations through acquisitions and start-up locations. We acquired six bookstore locations and initiated the contract-management of thirteen bookstore locations in fifteen separate transactions and established the start-up of two bookstore locations during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. We believe there are attractive opportunities for us to continue to expand our chain of bookstores across the country.
Revenue Results. Consolidated revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 decreased $7.1 million, or 1.2%, from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in revenues in the Textbook and Bookstore Divisions. Revenues in the Textbook Division decreased primarily as a result of a decrease in units sold. Revenues decreased in the Bookstore Division primarily due to a decrease in same-store sales.
Adjusted EBITDA Results. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 decreased $18.0 million, or 24.5%, from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. The Adjusted EBITDA decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in our Bookstore Division Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA in the Bookstore Division was down due primarily to lower revenues and higher selling, general and administrative expenses. Adjusted EBITDA in the Textbook Division was also down due primarily to lower revenues and higher selling, general and administrative expenses. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are considered non-GAAP measures, and therefore you should refer to the more detailed explanation of these measures that is provided later in this Item.
EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted for goodwill impairment and for loss on early extinguishment of debt. As we are highly-leveraged and as our equity is not publicly-traded, management believes that the non-GAAP measures, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, are useful in evaluating our results and provide additional information for determining our ability to meet debt service requirements. That belief is driven by the consistent use of the measures in the computations used to establish the value of our equity over the past 15 years and the fact that our debt covenants also use those measures, as further described later in this Item, to measure and monitor our financial results. Due to the importance of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to our equity and debt holders, our chief operating decision makers and other members of management use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to measure our overall performance, to assist in resource allocation decision-making, to develop our budget goals, to determine incentive compensation goals and payments, and to manage other expenditures among other uses.
With respect to covenant compliance calculations, Credit Facility EBITDA, as defined in the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement, included additional adjustments to EBITDA. Credit Facility EBITDA was defined in the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement as: (1) consolidated net income, as defined therein; plus (2) the following items, to the extent deducted from consolidated net income: (a) income tax expense; (b) interest expense, amortization or write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs and commissions, discounts and other fees and charges associated with indebtedness; (c) depreciation and amortization expense; (d) amortization of intangibles and organization costs; (e) any non-cash extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring expenses or losses; (f) any other non-cash charges; and (g) charges incurred on or prior to September 30, 2010 in connection with the restricted stock plan not to exceed $5.0 million in the aggregate; minus (3) the following items, to the extent included in the statement of net income for such period; (i) interest income; (ii) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring income or gains; and (iii) any other non-cash income. Credit Facility EBITDA was utilized when calculating the pro forma fixed charge coverage ratio under the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement. The pro forma consolidated coverage ratio under the indentures to the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes, the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes used EBITDA and the indentures defined EBITDA similar to Credit Facility EBITDA except that charges incurred in connection with the restricted stock plan were not added back to consolidated net income. The DIP Credit Agreement also defines EBITDA similar to the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement except that it excludes professional fees related to the reorganization and proceedings under chapter 11. See Note I to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for disclosure of certain of our financial covenants.

 

23


Table of Contents

There are material limitations associated with the use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent and should not be considered as alternatives to net cash flows from operating activities or net income as determined by GAAP. Furthermore, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient for cash requirements because the measures do not include reductions for cash payments for our obligation to service our debt, fund our working capital, make capital expenditures and make acquisitions or pay our income taxes and dividends; nor are they a measure of our profitability because they do not include costs and expenses such as interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, goodwill impairment, and loss on early extinguishment of debt, which are significant components in understanding and assessing our financial performance. Even with these limitations, we believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, when viewed with both our GAAP results and the reconciliations to operating cash flows and net income, provide a more complete understanding of our business than otherwise could be obtained absent this disclosure. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA measures presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code
On the Petition Date, we filed voluntary petitions for reorganization relief under the Bankruptcy Code in the Court. The Chapter 11 Proceedings are being jointly administered as Case No. 11-12005 under the caption “In re Nebraska Book Company Inc., et al.” We continue to operate our business as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Court.
The Chapter 11 Proceedings were initiated in response to our inability to fully refinance our existing debt and vendors’ unwillingness to extend credit to us under normal terms due to refinancing uncertainties. Under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, the filing of a bankruptcy petition automatically stays most actions against a debtor, including most actions to collect pre-petition indebtedness or to exercise control over our property. Subsequent to the Petition Date, we received approval from the Court to pay or otherwise honor certain pre-petition obligations generally designed to stabilize our operations including employee obligations, tax matters, and from limited available funds, pre-petition claims of certain critical vendors, certain customer programs, and certain other pre-petition claims. Additionally, we have been paying and intend to continue to pay undisputed post-petition claims in the ordinary course of business.
Chapter 11 Financing
We are currently funding post-petition operations under a $200.0 million DIP Credit Agreement, consisting of a $125.0 million DIP Term Loan Facility and a $75.0 million DIP Revolving Facility.
Plan of Reorganization
To successfully emerge from the Chapter 11 Proceedings, in addition to obtaining exit financing, the Court must confirm a plan of reorganization, which determines the rights and satisfaction of claims of various creditors and security holders. The plan of reorganization and related disclosure statement (the “Disclosure Statement”) will outline a proposal for the settlement of claims against us based on an estimate of the overall enterprise value. On June 27, 2011, we filed with the Court a restructuring support agreement, which contained a proposed plan of reorganization (the “Plan”). The Plan calls for the issuance of new senior secured notes, new senior unsecured notes and the split of new common equity interests in us between the holders of the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes (78%) and the holders of the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes (22%). The ultimate recovery to creditors and/or our shareholders, if any, will not be determined until confirmation of a plan of reorganization.
Because a Court confirmed plan of reorganization will determine the rights and satisfaction of claims of various creditors and security holders, the ultimate settlement of such claims are subject to various uncertainties. Accordingly, no assurance can be provided as to what values, if any, will be ascribed in the Chapter 11 Proceedings to these or any other constituencies in regards to what types or amounts of distributions, if any, will be received. If certain requirements of the Bankruptcy Code are met, a plan of reorganization can be confirmed without acceptance by all constituents and without the receipt or retention of any property on account of all interests under the plan. Under any Plan, our presently outstanding equity securities could have no value and be canceled and we urge that caution be exercised with respect to existing and future investments in any security of ours. See the discussion of certain risks and uncertainties related to our Chapter 11 Proceedings and reorganization at Item 1A, Risk Factors.

 

24


Table of Contents

Challenges and Expectations
We expect that we will continue to face challenges and opportunities similar to those which we have faced in the recent past and, in addition, new and different challenges and opportunities. We have experienced, and we believe we will continue to experience, increasing competition from alternative sources of textbooks for students, including renting of textbooks from both online and local campus marketplace competitors and alternative media, increasing competition for the supply of used textbooks from other companies, including other textbook wholesalers and from student-to-student transactions, competition for contract-management opportunities and other challenges. We also believe that although there continues to be attractive opportunities related to contract-management of bookstores, we may not be successful in competing for contracts to manage additional institutional bookstores. Finally, we are uncertain what impact the current economy might have on our business. We expect that our capital expenditures will remain modest for a company of our size.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2011 Compared With Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2010.
Revenues. Revenues for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 and the corresponding change in revenues were as follows:
                                 
    Fiscal Years Ended     Change  
    March 31, 2011     March 31, 2010     Amount     Percentage  
Bookstore Division
  $ 468,536,378     $ 472,492,275     $ (3,955,897 )     (0.8 )%
Textbook Division
    135,498,618       140,592,220       (5,093,602 )     (3.6 )%
Complementary Services Division
    35,397,826       35,470,836       (73,010 )     (0.2 )%
Intercompany Eliminations
    (41,002,655 )     (43,061,718 )     2,059,063       (4.8 )%
 
                       
 
  $ 598,430,167     $ 605,493,613     $ (7,063,446 )     (1.2 )%
 
                       
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, Bookstore Division revenues decreased $4.0 million, or 0.8%, from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. The decrease in Bookstore Division revenues was attributable to a decrease in same-store sales and to a decrease in revenues as a result of certain store closings, which were partially offset by additional revenues from new bookstores. Same-store sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 decreased $31.4 million, or 6.9%, from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, primarily due to decreased new and used textbook revenues. The same-store sale decrease in new and used textbooks is partly attributable to the rental program implemented in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 in our off-campus bookstores and extended to all of our bookstores in fiscal 2011. The rental amount for a textbook is less than the sales amount, which results in lower textbook revenues. If the books rented would have been sold instead, we estimate that same-store sales would have been approximately $15.7 million higher, lowering the same-store sales decrease to 3.4% for the current fiscal year. We define same-store sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 as sales, including internet sales, from any store, even if expanded or relocated, that has been operated by us since the start of fiscal year 2010. In addition, revenues declined $4.1 million as a result of certain lost contract-managed stores and store closings since April 1, 2009. We have added 41 bookstore locations through acquisitions or start-ups since April 1, 2009. The new bookstores provided an additional $31.6 million of revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, Textbook Division revenues decreased $5.1 million, or 3.6%, from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, due to an approximate 4.2% decrease in units sold primarily as a result of a decrease in our supply of textbooks and an approximate 0.6% decrease in the average price per book sold primarily as a result of a decrease in higher demand, higher priced textbooks available for sale, which were partially offset by an increase in revenues from textbook rentals to third-parties as a result of an increase in student demand for textbook rentals. Complementary Services Division revenues decreased $0.1 million, or 0.2%, from the year ended March 31, 2010, as decreases in the distance education business were mostly offset by an increase in revenues from our systems and e-commerce businesses. Intercompany eliminations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 decreased $2.1 million from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.
Gross profit. Gross profit for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 decreased $3.0 million, or 1.3%, to $232.3 million from $235.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. The decrease in gross profit was primarily attributable to the decrease in revenues in the Bookstore Division. The consolidated gross margin percentage decreased slightly to 38.8% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 from 38.9% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 primarily due to a small decrease in gross margin percentage in the Bookstore Division.

 

25


Table of Contents

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 increased $14.9 million, or 9.3%, to $176.8 million from $161.9 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues were 29.6% and 26.7% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses includes a $3.7 million increase in shipping and commission expense primarily due to increased sales on the internet involving third-party websites, a $3.3 million increase in rent expense primarily due to an increase in the number of bookstores, a $2.6 million increase in consulting services related to refinancing efforts, expense reduction and top line growth initiatives such as inventory and pricing optimization, and a $2.1 million increase in personnel expenses primarily related to $1.6 million in personnel costs resulting from a voluntary early retirement plan and severance expenses. Also included in selling, general and administrative expenses were $0.4 million and $1.1 million of share-based compensation expense for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, goodwill impairment, and loss on early extinguishment of debt (Adjusted EBITDA). Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 and the corresponding change in Adjusted EBITDA were as follows:
                                 
    Fiscal Years Ended     Change  
    March 31, 2011     March 31, 2010     Amount     Percentage  
Bookstore Division
    33,905,906     $ 45,685,171     $ (11,779,265 )     (25.8 )%
Textbook Division
  $ 34,710,745       37,050,519       (2,339,774 )     (6.3 )%
Complementary Services Division
    2,764,283       2,301,001       463,282       20.1 %
Corporate Administration
    (15,955,066 )     (11,597,268 )     (4,357,798 )     (37.6 )%
 
                       
 
  $ 55,425,868     $ 73,439,423     $ (18,013,555 )     (24.5 )%
 
                       
Bookstore Division Adjusted EBITDA decreased $11.8 million, or 25.8%, primarily due to lower revenues and to higher selling, general and administrative expenses. The $2.3 million, or 6.3%, decrease in Textbook Division Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the previously mentioned decrease in revenues and to higher selling, general and administrative expenses. Complementary Services Division Adjusted EBITDA increased $0.5 million primarily due to improved results in our systems business which was mostly offset by lower results in our distance education business. Corporate Administration’s Adjusted EBITDA loss increased $4.4 million primarily due to a $2.5 million increase in consulting services and $1.6 million of costs associated with a voluntary early retirement program and severance expense.

 

26


Table of Contents

For an explanation of why EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures in evaluating our operating results and how they provide additional information for determining our ability to meet debt service requirements, see “Adjusted EBITDA Results” earlier in this Item. The following presentation reconciles net income (loss), which we believe to be the closest GAAP performance measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and reconciles EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net cash flows from operating activities, which we believe to be the closest GAAP liquidity measure, and also sets forth net cash flows from investing and financing activities as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:
                 
    Fiscal Years Ended  
    March 31, 2011     March 31, 2010  
Net income (loss)
    (98,309,733 )     2,311,287  
 
               
Interest expense, net
    51,027,654       49,224,513  
Income tax benefit
    (3,496,878 )     (532,388 )
Depreciation and amortization
    17,204,825       19,370,252  
 
           
 
               
EBITDA
    (33,574,132 )     70,373,664  
 
               
Goodwill impairment
    89,000,000        
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
          3,065,759  
 
           
 
               
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
  $ 55,425,868     $ 73,439,423  
 
               
Share-based compensation
    447,826       1,106,882  
Interest income
    175,859       180,709  
Provision for losses on receivables
    2,193,739       1,399,466  
Cash paid for interest
    (44,905,405 )     (37,572,221 )
Cash (paid) refunded for income taxes
    1,278,671       (3,155,473 )
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets
    (131,591 )     235,803  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions (2)
    (1,657,825 )     (4,803,359 )
 
           
Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities
  $ 12,827,142     $ 30,831,230  
 
           
 
               
Net Cash Flows from Investing Activities
  $ (16,306,546 )   $ (8,765,940 )
 
           
 
               
Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities
  $ (1,045,841 )   $ (5,131,133 )
 
           
     
(1)  
March 31, 2011 Adjusted EBITDA includes an adjustment for goodwill impairment and March 31, 2010 Adjusted EBITDA includes an adjustment for loss on early extinguishment of debt. See Note G and Note I to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
(2)  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions, include the changes in the balances of receivables, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets, other assets, accounts payable, accrued employee compensation and benefits, accrued incentives, accrued expenses, deferred revenue, and other long-term liabilities.
Amortization expense. Amortization expense for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 decreased $2.3 million to $8.6 million from $10.9 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, primarily due to a decrease in amortization of software development costs primarily as a result of certain capitalized technologies becoming fully amortized and to a decrease in amortization of covenant not to compete agreements arising from bookstore acquisitions primarily as a result of expiration of the agreements.
Goodwill impairment. During the fourth quarter of 2011, we recognized a non-cash charge of $89.0 million related to the impairment of goodwill. The impairment, which was determined during our 2011 annual impairment testing of goodwill conducted at March 31, was primarily due to lower operating results as discussed earlier. No impairment charge was recorded for the year ended March 31, 2010. See the Goodwill and Intangible Assets critical accounting policy later in this Item.

 

27


Table of Contents

Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 increased $1.8 million, or 3.7%, to $51.0 million from $49.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, due primarily to a $1.3 million increase in interest on the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes, which replaced the Term Loan, and a $0.8 million increase in amortization of additional prepaid loan costs related to the issuance of the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes and entering into the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement in October of 2009.
Loss on early extinguishment of debt. The loss on extinguishment of debt of $3.1 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 relates to the write-off of debt issue costs as a result of the termination of the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility in October of 2009.
Income taxes. Income tax benefit for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 increased $3.0 million to $3.5 million from $0.5 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. Our effective tax rate for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was 3.4% and (29.9)%, respectively. Our effective tax rate for the fiscal year 2011 differs from the statutory tax rate primarily as a result of a pre-tax earnings charge for non-deductible goodwill impairment. Excluding the impact of the goodwill impairment charge, which was all attributed to non-deductible goodwill and as such is treated as a permanent difference for income tax purposes, our effective tax rate would have been 33.2% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2010 differs from the statutory tax rate primarily due to the adjustment of the deferred tax rate and the change in NOL carryforward benefit. The effective tax rate would have been 72.3% without the effect of the adjustment to the deferred tax rate and change in NOL carryforward benefit. The high effective tax rate in fiscal year 2010 was due to relatively low pre-tax income and to certain states taxing on a gross receipts methodology and increased interest expense which is not deductible in some states for state taxes.
Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2010 Compared With Fiscal Year ended March 31, 2009.
Revenues. Revenues for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the corresponding change in revenues were as follows:
                                 
    Fiscal Years Ended     Change  
    March 31, 2010     March 31, 2009     Amount     Percentage  
Bookstore Division
  $ 472,492,275     $ 472,038,009     $ 454,266       0.1 %
Textbook Division
    140,592,220       147,287,779       (6,695,559 )     (4.5 )%
Complementary Services Division
    35,470,836       34,233,883       1,236,953       3.6 %
Intercompany Eliminations
    (43,061,718 )     (42,843,490 )     (218,228 )     0.5 %
 
                       
 
  $ 605,493,613     $ 610,716,181     $ (5,222,568 )     (0.9 )%
 
                       
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, Bookstore Division revenues increased $0.5 million, or 0.1%, from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. The increase in Bookstore Division revenues was primarily attributable to the addition of 44 bookstore locations through acquisitions or start-ups since April 1, 2008. The new bookstores provided an additional $21.6 million of revenue for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. Same-store sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 decreased $11.5 million, or 2.6%, from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to decreased new and used textbook revenue and to a smaller decrease in clothing and insignia wear revenues. The same-store sales decrease in new and used textbooks is partly attributable to the rental program implemented in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 in our off-campus bookstores. If the textbooks rented would have been sold instead, we estimate that same-store sales would have been approximately $4.4 million higher, lowering the same-store sales decrease to 1.6% for the current fiscal year. We define same-store sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 as sales, including internet sales, from any store, even if expanded or relocated, that has been operated by us since the start of fiscal year 2009. Finally, revenues declined $9.6 million as a result of certain lost contract-managed bookstores and store closings since April 1, 2008.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, Textbook Division revenues decreased $6.7 million, or 4.5%, from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 due primarily to an approximate 4.8% decrease in units sold, which was slightly offset by an approximate 0.2% increase in the average price per book sold and an increase in revenues from textbook rentals to third-parties. Complementary Services Division revenues increased $1.2 million, or 3.6%, from the year ended March 31, 2009, as increases in the distance education and e-commerce services businesses were mostly offset by a decrease in revenues from our consulting business. Intercompany eliminations for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 decreased $0.2 million from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.

 

28


Table of Contents

Gross profit. Gross profit for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 decreased $4.0 million, or 1.7%, to $235.3 million from $239.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. The decrease in gross profit was primarily attributable to the decrease in revenues in the Textbook Division. The consolidated gross margin percentage decreased slightly to 38.9% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 from 39.2% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 primarily due to a decrease in the gross margin percentage in the Textbook Division.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 decreased $6.4 million, or 3.8%, to $161.9 million from $168.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues were 26.7% and 27.6% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses includes a $10.3 million decrease in personnel costs and a $1.6 million decrease in advertising and travel expenses, which were primarily due to cost cutting measures implemented during the last quarter of fiscal 2009. These decreases were partially offset by a $4.2 million increase in commission expense, primarily due to an increase in sales on the internet involving third-party websites and a $1.8 million increase in rent, primarily due to an increase in the number of bookstores in the Bookstore Division.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, goodwill impairment, and loss on early extinguishment of debt (Adjusted EBITDA). Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the corresponding change in Adjusted EBITDA were as follows:
                                 
    Fiscal Years Ended     Change  
    March 31, 2010     March 31, 2009     Amount     Percentage  
Bookstore Division
  $ 45,685,171     $ 44,029,528     $ 1,655,643       3.8 %
Textbook Division
    37,050,519       39,009,073       (1,958,554 )     (5.0 )%
Complementary Services Division
    2,301,001       1,320,700       980,301       74.2 %
Corporate Administration
    (11,597,268 )     (13,326,971 )     1,729,703       13.0 %
 
                       
 
  $ 73,439,423     $ 71,032,330     $ 2,407,093       3.4 %
 
                       
Bookstore Division Adjusted EBITDA increased $1.7 million, or 3.8%, primarily due to lower selling, general and administrative expenses. The $2.0 million, or 5.0%, decrease in Textbook Division Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the previously mentioned decrease in revenues and gross profit, which were partially offset by a decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily as a result of cost cutting measures implemented during the last quarter of fiscal 2009. Complementary Services Division Adjusted EBITDA increased $1.0 million primarily due to improved results in our e-commerce and distance education businesses which were partially offset by lower results in our consulting business. Corporate Administration’s Adjusted EBITDA loss decreased $1.7 million primarily due to expenses incurred in the prior year that were not incurred again in fiscal 2010, including $1.1 million of costs associated with a voluntary early retirement program and severance.

 

29


Table of Contents

For an explanation of why EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures in evaluating our operating results and how they provide additional information for determining our ability to meet debt service requirements, see “Adjusted EBITDA Results” earlier in this Item. The following presentation reconciles net income (loss), which we believe to be the closest GAAP performance measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and reconciles EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net cash flows from operating activities, which we believe to be the closest GAAP liquidity measure, and also sets forth net cash flows from investing and financing activities as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:
                 
    Fiscal Years Ended  
    March 31, 2010     March 31, 2009  
Net income (loss)
    2,311,287       (100,494,023 )
 
               
Interest expense, net
    49,224,513       41,279,082  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (532,388 )     4,288,620  
Depreciation and amoritzation
    19,370,252       18,986,651  
 
           
 
               
EBITDA
    70,373,664       (35,939,670 )
 
Goodwill impairment
          106,972,000  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
    3,065,759        
 
           
 
               
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
  $ 73,439,423     $ 71,032,330  
 
               
Share-based compensation
    1,106,882       1,288,543  
Interest income
    180,709       426,536  
Provision for losses on receivables
    1,399,466       1,366,979  
Cash paid for interest
    (37,572,221 )     (39,123,694 )
Cash paid for income taxes
    (3,155,473 )     (9,930,165 )
Loss on disposal of assets
    235,803       124,871  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions (2)
    (4,803,359 )     1,170,551  
 
           
Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities
  $ 30,831,230     $ 26,355,951  
 
           
 
               
Net Cash Flows from Investing Activities
  $ (8,765,940 )   $ (14,898,403 )
 
           
 
               
Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities
  $ (5,131,133 )   $ 3,254,464  
 
           
     
(1)  
March 31, 2010 Adjusted EBITDA includes an adjustment for loss on early extinguishment of debt and March 31, 2009 Adjusted EBITDA includes an adjustment for goodwill impairment. See Note G and Note I to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
(2)  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions, includes the changes in the balances of receivables, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets, other assets, accounts payable, accrued employee compensation and benefits, accrued incentives, accrued expenses, deferred revenue, and other long-term liabilities.
Depreciation expense. Depreciation expense for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 increased $0.9 million, or 12.0%, to $8.5 million from $7.6 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, due primarily to new bookstores added since April 1, 2008 and bookstore remodeling projects.
Amortization expense. Amortization expense for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 decreased $0.5 million, or 4.7%, to $10.9 million from $11.4 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to a $0.5 million decrease in amortization of covenant not to compete agreements arising from bookstore acquisitions.
Goodwill impairment. During the fourth quarter of 2009, we recognized a non-cash charge of $107.0 million related to the impairment of goodwill. The impairment, which was determined during our 2009 annual impairment testing of goodwill conducted at March 31, was due to the economic downturn and changes in some variables associated with the judgments, assumptions and estimates made by us in assessing the valuation of our goodwill, including lower market multiples. No impairment charge was recorded for the year ended March 31, 2010.

 

30


Table of Contents

Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 increased $7.9 million, or 19.2%, to $49.2 million from $41.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, due primarily to a $5.7 million increase in interest on the Term Loan and Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes mainly due to higher interest rates and a $2.6 million increase in amortization of additional prepaid loan costs related to the issuance of the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes and entering into the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement. These increases were partially offset by a $0.6 million decline in interest on the Revolving Credit Facility due to lower outstanding indebtedness.
Loss on early extinguishment of debt. The loss on early extinguishment of debt of $3.1 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 relates to the write-off of debt issue costs as a result of the termination of the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility.
Income taxes. Income tax benefit for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 increased $4.8 million to $0.5 million from an expense of $4.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. Our effective tax rate for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was (29.9)% and (4.5) %, respectively. Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2010 differs from the statutory tax rate primarily due to the adjustment to the deferred tax rate and change in NOL carryforward benefit. The effective tax rate would have been 72.3% without the effect of the adjustment to the deferred tax rate and change in NOL carryforward benefit. The high effective tax rate in fiscal year 2010 was due to relatively low pre-tax income and to certain states taxing on a gross receipts methodology and increased interest expense which is not deductible in some states for state taxes. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2009 differs from the statutory tax rate primarily as a result of a pre-tax earnings charge for non-deductible goodwill impairment. Excluding the impact of the goodwill impairment charge, which was all attributable to non-deductible goodwill and as such is treated as a permanent difference for income tax purposes, our effective tax rate would have been 39.8% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to returns, bad debts, inventory valuation and obsolescence, goodwill and intangible assets, rebate programs, income taxes, and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:
Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue from Textbook Division sales at the time of shipment. We have established a program which, under certain conditions, enables our customers to return textbooks. We record reductions to revenue and costs of sales for the estimated impact of textbooks with return privileges which have yet to be returned to the Textbook Division. External customer returns over the past three fiscal years have ranged from approximately 22.9% to 26.4% of sales. Additional reductions to revenue and costs of sales may be required if the actual rate of returns exceeds the estimated rate of returns. Consistent with prior years, the estimated rate of returns is determined utilizing actual historical return experience. The accrual rate for customer returns at March 31, 2011 was approximately 26.2% of Textbook Division gross external sales with estimated product returns at March 31, 2011 of $4.9 million.
Bad Debts. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. Consistent with prior years, in determining the adequacy of the allowance, we analyze the aging of the receivable, the customer’s financial position, historical collection experience, and other economic and industry factors. Net charge-offs over the past three fiscal years have been between $1.1 million and $2.2 million, or 0.2% to 0.5%, of revenues. We have maintained an allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $1.3 million, or 0.3%, of revenues over the past three fiscal years. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

 

31


Table of Contents

Inventory Valuation and Obsolescence. Inventories, including rental inventory, are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of used textbook inventories is determined using the weighted-average method. Our Bookstore Division uses the retail inventory method to determine cost for new textbooks and non-textbook inventories. The cost of other inventories is determined on a first-in, first-out cost method. Consistent with prior years, we account for inventory obsolescence based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. At March 31, 2011, used textbook inventory was subject to an obsolescence reserve of $2.4 million. The obsolescence reserve at March 31, 2010 and 2009 was $2.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively. If actual future demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by us, inventory write-downs may be required. In determining inventory adjustments, we consider amounts of inventory on hand, projected demand, new editions, and industry factors.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets. The March 4, 2004 Transaction and our acquisitions of college bookstores result in the application of the acquisition method of accounting as of the acquisition date. In certain circumstances, our management performs valuations where appropriate to determine the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The goodwill in such transactions is determined by calculating the difference between the consideration transferred and the fair value of net assets acquired. We evaluate the impairment of the carrying value of our goodwill and identifiable intangibles in accordance with applicable accounting standards, including the Intangibles — Goodwill and Other and the Property, Plant and Equipment Topics of the FASB ASC. In accordance with such standards, we evaluate impairment on goodwill and certain identifiable intangibles annually at March 31 and evaluate impairment on all intangibles whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such assets may not be recoverable. We are required to make certain assumptions and estimates regarding the fair value of intangible assets when assessing such assets for impairment. We evaluate goodwill at the reporting unit level and have identified our reportable segments, the Textbook Division, Bookstore Division and Complementary Services Division, as our reporting units. Our reporting units are determined based on the way management organizes the segments for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Management has organized our reporting segments based upon differences in products and services provided. The Bookstore Division and Textbook Division reporting units have been assigned goodwill and are thus required to be tested for impairment.
In the first step of our goodwill impairment test conducted at March 31, 2011, fair value was determined using a combination of the market approach, based primarily on a multiple, and the income approach, based on a discounted cash flow model. In applying weights to the methods used at March 31, 2011, we believe that the discounted cash flow model captures our estimates regarding the results of our future prospects, however, we also considered the market’s expectations based on observable market information. The multiple approach requires that we estimate a certain valuation multiple of revenue and EBITDA for each reporting unit derived from comparable companies to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. The discounted cash flow model discounts projected cash flows for each reporting unit to present value and includes critical assumptions such as long-term growth rates, projected revenues and earnings and cash flow forecasts for the reporting units, as well as an appropriate discount rate. Discount rates were determined separately for each reporting unit by estimating the weighted average cost of capital using the capital asset pricing model. The multiples applied to our trailing twelve month and next twelve month revenue were 0.3x and 0.4x and to EBITDA were 7.2x and 6.9x, respectively, for the Bookstore Division. The multiples applied to our trailing twelve month and next twelve month revenue were 1.1x and 1.0x and to EBITDA were 5.3x and 5.2x, respectively, for the Textbook Division. The discounted cash flow model assumed a discount rate of 12.5% and 11.6% for the Bookstore and Textbook Divisions, respectively, based on the weighted-average cost of capital derived from public companies considered to be reasonably comparable to ours. The discounted cash flow model also assumed a terminal growth rate of 3.5% and 1.0% for Bookstore and Textbook Divisions, respectively.
Estimated fair value for our goodwill impairment test conducted for fiscal years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was determined using the market approach based primarily on comparable company EBITDA multiples. The fair value was also calculated using the income approach, based on a discounted cash flow model, and was compared to and supported the fair value based upon the EBITDA multiple approach. We believe the methods used in the past and the method used at March 31, 2011 have relative merits but using a weighting of the market and income approaches provides a better estimate of fair value.
If we fail the first step of the goodwill impairment test, we are required, in the second step, to estimate the fair value of reporting unit assets and liabilities, including intangible assets, to derive the fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill.

 

32


Table of Contents

We determined in the first step of our goodwill impairment test conducted at March 31, 2011 that the carrying values of the Bookstore and Textbook Divisions exceed their fair values, indicating that goodwill may be impaired. Having determined that goodwill may be impaired, we performed the second step of the goodwill impairment test which involves calculating the implied fair value of goodwill for each reporting unit by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities other than goodwill and debt (including both recognized and unrecognized intangible assets) and comparing the residual amount to the carrying value of goodwill. Appraisals were used to estimate fair value of our property and equipment, the excess earnings income approach was used to estimate fair value for Customer Relationships in the Textbook Division and the relief from royalty market approach was used to estimate fair value for Tradename in the Textbook Division. Carrying value was assumed to approximate fair value for all other assets and liabilities due to their short-term nature. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $89.0 million. The carrying value of goodwill in excess of the implied fair value was approximately $62.0 million and $27.0 million for the Bookstore and Textbook Divisions, respectively. Remaining goodwill at March 31, 2011 assigned to the Bookstore Division was $121.8 million and to the Textbook Division was $7.6 million.
The use of different assumptions, estimates, or judgments in either step of the goodwill impairment testing process could materially increase or decrease the fair value of the reporting unit and/or its net assets and, accordingly, could materially increase or decrease any related impairment charge. If we had used a growth rate and discount rate that were increased or decreased by 50 basis points and EBITDA and revenue multiples that were increased or decreased by 10.0%, we would have recorded an impairment charge as low as $38.0 million or as high as $82.0 million in the Bookstore Division and as low as $12.0 million or as high as $40.0 million in the Textbook Divisions.
In fiscal 2010, we identified no goodwill impairment. At March 31, 2010, the fair value of the Textbook Division exceeded the carrying value of $210.7 million by 4.8% and the Bookstore Division fair value exceeded the carrying value of $244.5 million by 4.7%.
In fiscal 2009, we recorded goodwill impairment of $107.0 million, of which $40.0 million and $67.0 million were charged to the Bookstore and Textbook Divisions, respectively.
The impairment test for intangible assets not subject to amortization involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. The impairment evaluation for indefinite lived intangible assets, which for us is our tradename, is conducted at March 31 each year or, more frequently, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset might be impaired. Significant judgments and assumptions inherent in this analysis include assumptions about appropriate long-term growth rates, royalty rates, discount rate, and cash flow forecasts. The royalty rate and pre-tax discount rate used in this analysis were 3.8% and 13.6%, respectively. Such assumptions are subject to change as a result of changing economic and competitive conditions. If we had used a royalty rate and discount rate that were increased or decreased by 0.5% we still would have reached the same conclusion of no impairment. The estimated fair value of our tradename at March 31, 2011 exceeded the carrying value by approximately 34.0%. We conducted our annual assessment of indefinite lived intangibles in the fourth quarter and no impairment was indicated.
We are also required to make certain assumptions and estimates when assigning an initial value to covenants not to compete arising from bookstore acquisitions. Changes in the fact patterns underlying such assumptions and estimates could ultimately result in the recognition of impairment losses on intangible assets.
We monitor relevant circumstances, including industry trends, general economic conditions, and the potential impact that such circumstances might have on the valuation of our goodwill and identifiable intangibles. It is possible that changes in such circumstances, or in the numerous variables associated with the judgments, assumptions and estimates made by us in assessing the appropriate valuation of our goodwill and identifiable intangibles, including a further deterioration in our financial performance or the economy or debt markets or a significant delay in the expected recovery, could in the future require us to further write down a portion of our goodwill or write down a portion of our identifiable intangibles and record related non-cash impairment charges.
Accrued Incentives. Our Textbook Division offers certain incentive programs to its customers that allow the participating customers the opportunity to earn rebates for used textbooks sold to the Textbook Division. The rebates can be redeemed in a number of ways, including to pay for freight charges on textbooks sold to the customer or to pay for certain products or services we offer through our Complementary Services Division. The customer can also use the rebates to pay for the cost of textbooks sold by the Textbook Division to the customer; however, a portion of the rebates earned by the customer are forfeited if the customer chooses to use rebates in this manner. If the customer fails to comply with the terms of the program, rebates earned during the year are forfeited. Significant judgment is required in estimating the expected level of forfeitures on rebates earned. Although we believe that our estimates of anticipated forfeitures, which have consistently been based upon historical experience, are reasonable, actual results could

 

33


Table of Contents

differ from these estimates resulting in an ultimate redemption of rebates which differs from that which is reflected in accrued incentives in the consolidated financial statements. At March 31, 2011, actual forfeitures for the last three fiscal years ranged between 6.4% and 17.9% of total rebates earned within the same year. After adjusting for estimated forfeitures, rebates earned are accrued at a rate of approximately 13.5% of the dollar value of eligible textbooks purchased by the Textbook Division. Accrued incentives at March 31, 2011 were $5.8 million, including estimated forfeitures, however, if we accrued for rebates earned and unused as of March 31, 2011, assuming no forfeitures, our accrued incentives would have been $6.5 million.
Income Taxes. We account for income taxes by recording taxes payable or refundable for the current fiscal year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the consolidated financial statements or the consolidated income tax returns. Significant judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and related accruals, deferred tax assets, and deferred tax liabilities. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. Additionally, the consolidated income tax returns are subject to audit by various tax authorities. Although we believe that our estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates resulting in a final tax outcome that may be different from that which is reflected in the consolidated financial statements.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Financing Activities
Implications of Chapter 11 Proceedings
Under section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, the filing of a bankruptcy petition automatically stays most actions against a debtor, including most actions to collect pre-petition indebtedness or to exercise control over our property. Absent an order of the Court, substantially all pre-petition liabilities are subject to settlement under a plan of reorganization. Substantially all of our pre-petition debt is in default, including $200.0 million principal amount due under the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes, $175.0 million principal amount under the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and $77.0 million principal amount under the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes.
Information related to our debt and related agreements is set forth in Note I to the consolidated financial statements at Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Pre-Petition Debt
On October 2, 2009, in conjunction with the completion of NBC’s offering of the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes and payment in full of the Term Loan, NBC entered into the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement which provided for the Pre-Petition ABL Facility and replaced the Revolving Credit Facility, effectively terminating the Senior Credit Facility. The Pre-Petition ABL Facility was secured by a first priority interest in substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ property and assets, which also secured the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes on a second priority basis. The Pre-Petition ABL Facility was scheduled to mature on the earlier of October 2, 2012 and the date that was 91 days prior to the earliest maturity of the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes (due December 1, 2011), the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes (due March 15, 2012), the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes (due March 15, 2013), or any refinancing thereof, effectively September 1, 2011. Borrowings under the Pre-Petition ABL Facility were subject to the Eurodollar interest rate, not to be less than 1.5%, plus an applicable margin ranging from 4.25% to 4.75%, or the base interest rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 3.25% to 3.75%. In addition, the applicable margin increased 1.5% during the time periods from April 15 to July 14 and from December 1 to January 29 of each year. There also was a commitment fee ranging from 0.75% to 1.0% for the daily average unused amount. Costs of $10.2 million associated with the issuance of the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes and entering into the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement were capitalized as debt issue costs to be amortized to interest expense over the remaining life of the debt instruments. Debt issue costs of $3.1 million were written off as a result of the termination of the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility.
Effective February 3, 2009, the Senior Credit Facility, which has been terminated as described earlier, was amended to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility to May 31, 2010, (ii) decrease the maximum borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility from $85.0 million to $65.0 million, (iii) amend certain definitions and financial covenants under the Senior Credit Facility, including limiting future acquisitions to contract-managed stores, and (iv) increase the interest rate on the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility. The applicable margin on the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan increased to 6.0% on Eurodollar borrowings and 5.0% on base rate borrowings. The Eurodollar interest rate was not to be less than 3.25% plus the applicable margin. The interest rate on base rate borrowings was the greater of a) prime rate, b) federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or c) the one-month Eurodollar loan rate plus 1.0%, not to be less than 4.25%, plus the applicable margin. The commitment fee rate increased to 0.75%. The modifications to the Senior Credit Facility resulted in the payment of $4.0 million in costs associated with such modifications, which were capitalized as debt issue costs to be amortized to interest expense over the remaining life of the debt instruments.

 

34


Table of Contents

In conjunction with the Senior Credit Facility amendment on February 3, 2009, we entered into a Stock Subscription Agreement with NBC Holdings Corp. (“Holdings”), pursuant to which Holdings purchased 10,000 shares of a newly created series of our preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, for $1,000 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $10.0 million. Subject to applicable restrictions under our debt agreements, the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to receive mandatory cumulative dividends from the date of issuance at a rate of 15% of the liquidation preference, which is equal to $1,000 per share, as adjusted. The Series A Preferred Stock has a redemption feature that allows for redemption at the option of the holders of a majority of the shares, on occurrence of a Change of Control, at a redemption price per share equal to the liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends subject to the restrictions and limitations under our debt agreements.
Following our chapter 11 filing on June 27, 2011, our primary liquidity requirements are for debt service under the DIP Credit Agreement, for working capital, for income tax payments, and capital expenditures. We have historically funded these requirements primarily through internally generated cash flows and funds borrowed under our revolving credit facility. At March 31, 2011, our total indebtedness was $454.1 million, consisting of a $75.0 million Pre-Petition ABL Facility which was unused at March 31, 2011, $200.0 million of Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes with unamortized discount of $0.4 million, $175.0 million of Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes, $77.0 million of Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes, and $2.5 million of other indebtedness, including capital lease obligations.
Principal and interest payments under the Pre-Petition ABL Facility, the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes, the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes, and the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes represented significant liquidity requirements for us. An excess cash flow payment of $6.0 million for fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 under the Senior Credit Facility was paid in September 2009.
Loans under the Senior Credit Facility were subject to interest at floating rates based upon the borrowing option selected. On July 15, 2005, NBC entered into an interest rate swap agreement to essentially convert a portion of the variable rate Term Loan into debt with a fixed rate of 6.844% (4.344% plus an applicable margin as defined by the Senior Credit Facility). This agreement was effective as of September 30, 2005 and expired September 30, 2008.
The Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes required semi-annual interest payments at a fixed rate of 10.0% and were set to mature on December 1, 2011. Interest payments on the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes will be paid monthly while under chapter 11. The Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes required semi-annual interest payments at a fixed rate of 8.625% and were set to mature on March 15, 2012. The Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes required semi-annual cash interest payments commencing September 15, 2008 at a fixed rate of 11.0% and were set to mature on March 15, 2013. Interest payments on the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and Senior Discount Notes ceased as of the Petition Date.
The DIP Credit Agreement requires monthly interest payments at a floating rate based upon the borrowing option selected.
Investing Cash Flows
Our capital expenditures were $5.7 million, $5.4 million and $8.0 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Capital expenditures consist primarily of leasehold improvements and furnishings for new bookstores, bookstore renovations, computer upgrades and miscellaneous warehouse improvements. The Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement did not have a limitation on capital expenditures other than as part of the fixed charge coverage ratio. We expect capital expenditures to be between $6.5 million and $7.5 million for fiscal year 2012.
Business acquisition and contract-management renewal expenditures were $9.5 million, $2.8 million and $6.3 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, nineteen bookstore locations were acquired in fifteen separate transactions (thirteen of which were contract-managed locations). During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, fourteen bookstore locations were acquired in eleven separate transactions (all of which were contract-managed locations). During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, we acquired twenty-two bookstore locations in nineteen separate transactions (nineteen of which were contract-managed locations). Our ability to make acquisition expenditures was subject to certain restrictions under the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement.

 

35


Table of Contents

During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we capitalized $1.6 million, $0.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in software development costs associated with new software products and enhancements to existing software products.
In addition to the previously mentioned business acquisition and contract-management renewal expenditures, the contract-managed acquisition costs during prior years included $0.6 million of unpaid consideration. The purchase price of one of the bookstores during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 included $0.7 million of contingent consideration, which is paid to the previous owner on a monthly basis and is calculated as a percentage of revenues generated by the acquired bookstore each month. Such payments have totaled $0.4 million from purchase date through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.
Operating Cash Flows
Our principal sources of cash to fund our future operating liquidity needs will be cash from operating activities and borrowings under the DIP Revolving Facility and DIP Term Loan Facility. Usage of the DIP Revolving Facility to meet our liquidity needs will fluctuate throughout the fiscal year due to our distinct buying and selling periods, increasing substantially at the end of each college semester (May and December). For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, weighted-average borrowings under our pre-petition revolving credit facilities approximated $1.5 million, with actual borrowings ranging from a low of no borrowings to a high of $20.7 million. Net cash flows from operating activities for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 were $12.8 million, down $18.0 million from $30.8 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. The decrease in net cash flows from operating activities is due primarily to lower operating results, an increase in cash paid for interest primarily as a result of timing of cash interest payments on pre-petition debt, and payments in connection with shares issued under the 2005 Restricted Stock Plan, which vested on September 30, 2010. These decreases in cash flow from operations were partially offset by lower cash payments for income taxes and a lower investment in inventories due to the timing of publisher returns. Net cash flows from operating activities for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 were $30.8 million, up $4.4 million from $26.4 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. The increase in net cash flows from operations was due primarily to a decrease in accounts receivable as a result of a decrease in Bookstore Division receivables from publishers for returns and a decrease in income taxes paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. The increase in net cash flows was partially offset by an increase in payments for inventories partially due to increased rental book inventories in the Bookstore Division at March 31, 2010.
As of March 31, 2011, we had $56.4 million in cash available to help fund working capital requirements. At certain times of the year, we also invest in cash equivalents. Any investments in cash equivalents were subject to restrictions under the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement. The Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement allowed investments in (1) certain short-term securities issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the federal government, (2) certain short-term deposits in banks that have combined capital and surplus of not less than $500 million, (3) certain short-term commercial paper of issuers rated at least A-1 by Standard & Poor’s or P-1 by Moody’s, (4) certain money market funds which invest exclusively in assets otherwise allowable under the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement and (5) certain other similar short-term investments. Although we invest in compliance with the restrictions under our credit agreement and generally seek to minimize the risk associated with investments by investing in investment grade, highly liquid securities, we cannot give assurances that the cash equivalents that are in or will be selected to be in our investment portfolio will not lose a portion of their value or become impaired in the future.
Covenant Restrictions
We have a substantial level of indebtedness. Our debt agreements impose significant financial restrictions, which could prevent us from incurring additional indebtedness and taking certain other actions and could result in all amounts outstanding being declared due and payable if we are not in compliance with such restrictions. Access to borrowings under the Pre-Petition ABL Facility was subject to the calculation of a borrowing base, which was a function of eligible accounts receivable and inventory, up to the maximum borrowing limit (less outstanding letters of credit). The Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement restricted our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, dispose of assets, make capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, loans or advances and pay dividends, except that, among other things, NBC could pay dividends to us (i) in an amount not to exceed the amount of interest required to be paid on the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes and (ii) to pay corporate overhead expenses not to exceed $250,000 per fiscal year and any taxes we owed. In addition, under the Pre-Petition ABL Facility, if availability, as defined in the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement, was less than the greater of 20% of the total revolving credit commitments and $15.0 million, we were required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.10x measured for the last twelve-month period on a pro forma basis in order to maintain access to funds under the Pre-Petition ABL Facility. At March 31, 2011, we had up to $75.0 million of total revolving credit commitments under the Pre-Petition ABL Facility (less outstanding letters of credit and subject to a borrowing base). The calculated borrowing base as of March 31, 2011 was $32.8 million, of which $0.7 million was outstanding under a letter of credit and $32.1 million was unused. At March 31, 2011, our pro forma fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.1x.

 

36


Table of Contents

The indenture governing the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes restricted our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make certain other payments, subject to certain exceptions, unless certain conditions were met, including (i) no default under the indenture had occurred, (ii) we and certain of our subsidiaries maintained a consolidated coverage ratio of 2.0 to 1.0 on a pro forma basis and (iii) the amount of the dividend or payment could not exceed 50% of aggregate income from January 1, 2004 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter plus cash proceeds received from the issuance of stock less the aggregate of payments made under this restriction (the “Restricted Payment Calculation”). If we did not meet the preceding conditions, we could still pay dividends or make certain other payments up to $15.0 million in the aggregate. At March 31, 2011, our pro forma consolidated coverage ratio was 1.1 to 1.0 and the amount distributable under the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes was $15.0 million.
The indentures governing the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes contained similar restrictions on the ability of NBC and certain of its subsidiaries to pay dividends or make certain other payments. In addition, under the indentures to the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes, if there was no availability under the Restricted Payment Calculation, but NBC maintained the 2.0 to 1.0 consolidated coverage ratio on a pro forma basis, NBC could make dividends to us to meet the interest payments on the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes. If NBC did not maintain the 2.0 to 1.0 ratio on a pro forma basis, it could still make payments, including dividends to us, up to $15.0 million in the aggregate. At March 31, 2011, NBC’s pro forma consolidated coverage ratio calculated under the indenture to the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes was 1.3 to 1.0 and the ratio calculated under the indenture to the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes was 1.5 to 1.0. The pro forma consolidated coverage ratio calculated under the indenture to the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes differed from the ratio calculated under the indenture to the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes because the indenture to the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes excluded debt issue cost amortization only for debt instruments outstanding at the March 4, 2004 Transaction date from the calculation, whereas the indenture to the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes excluded the higher debt issue cost amortization for the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes and the Pre-Petition ABL Facility, which were issued in October of 2009, from the same calculation. At March 31, 2011, the amount distributable by NBC under the most restrictive indenture was $2.3 million after applying $12.8 million in dividends NBC paid to us for the March 15, 2010, September 15, 2010 and March 15, 2011 interest on the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes.
As of March 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants, however, due to the chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on June 27, 2011, substantially all of our pre-petition debt is in default, including $200.0 million principal amount due under the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes; $175.0 million principal amount under the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and $77.0 million principal amount under the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes.
Our debt covenants used Credit Facility EBITDA in the ratio calculations mentioned above. For a discussion of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Credit Facility EBITDA, see “Adjusted EBITDA Results” earlier in this Item and for a presentation reconciling EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net cash flows from operating activities, which we believe to be the closest GAAP liquidity measure, see “Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2011 Compared With Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2010” and “Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2010 Compared With Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2009” earlier in this Item.
The DIP Credit Agreement contains, among other things, conditions precedent, covenants, representations and warranties and events of default customary for facilities of this type. Such covenants include the requirement to provide certain financial reports and other information, use the proceeds of certain sales or other dispositions of collateral to prepay outstanding loans, maintenance of certain financial covenants (including a minimum liquidity and cumulative consolidated EBITDA test), certain restrictions on the incurrence of indebtedness, guarantees, liens, acquisitions and other investments, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, dividends and other repayments in respect of capital stock, capital expenditures, transactions with affiliates, hedging and other derivatives arrangements, negative pledge clauses, payment of expenses and disbursements other than those reflected in an agreed upon budget, and subsidiary distributions, subject to certain exception.

 

37


Table of Contents

Sources of and Needs for Capital
We are currently funding post-petition operations under the DIP Credit Agreement, which consists of a $125.0 million DIP Term Loan Facility and a $75.0 million DIP Revolving Facility. Borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement may be used to finance working capital purposes, including without limitation, for the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with entering into the DIP Credit Agreement, the Cases and the repayment of loans outstanding under the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement.
Liquidity after Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing
We have incurred and expect to continue to incur significant costs associated with the Chapter 11 Proceedings and our reorganization. Following our bankruptcy filing on June 27, 2011, our most significant sources of liquidity are funds generated by borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement and cash generated by operating activities. Our working capital requirements fluctuate throughout the fiscal year, increasing substantially in May and December as a result of the buying periods. In addition to standard financial covenants and events of default, the DIP Credit Agreement provides for events of default specific to the Chapter 11 Proceedings, including, among others, defaults arising from our failure to maintain certain financial covenants including a minimum liquidity and cumulative consolidated EBITDA or our failure to obtain Court approval for a plan of reorganization acceptable to our lenders. The occurrence of an event of default under the DIP Credit Agreement would give our lenders the right to terminate their lending commitments and exercise other remedies available to them under the DIP Credit Agreement.
Liquidity prior to Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing
As of March 31, 2011, we had up to $75.0 million of total revolving credit commitments under the Pre-Petition ABL Facility (less outstanding letters of credit and subject to a borrowing base). The calculated borrowing base as of March 31, 2011 was $32.8 million, of which $0.7 million was outstanding under a letter of credit and $32.1 million was unused. Amounts drawn under the Pre-Petition ABL Facility could have been used for working capital and general corporate purposes (including up to $10.0 million for letters of credit), subject to certain limitations.
On October 2, 2009, in conjunction with the completion of NBC’s offering of the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes and payment in full of the Term Loan, we entered into the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement which provides for the Pre-Petition ABL Facility and replaced the Revolving Credit Facility (collectively the “Refinancing”). Although our overall indebtedness did not materially increase upon consummation of the Refinancing, our liquidity requirements have increased, primarily due to increased interest payment obligations. After giving effect to the Refinancing, NBC’s three principal tranches of debt (the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes, the Pre-Petition ABL Facility and the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes) each were set to mature within a period of six months of each other. The Pre-Petition ABL Facility was set to mature on the earlier of October 2, 2012 and the date that was 91 days prior to the earliest maturity of the $200.0 million Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes (which were set to mature on December 1, 2011), the $175.0 million Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes (which were set to mature on March 15, 2012), the $77.0 million Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes (which were set to mature on March 15, 2013), or any refinancing thereof, effectively September 1, 2011. As previously disclosed, the commencement of the Chapter 11 Proceedings triggered defaults on substantially all of our debt obligations however creditors are stayed from taking any action as a result of such defaults.
Our ability to satisfy our debt obligations and to pay principal and interest on our debt, fund working capital and make anticipated capital expenditures will depend on our future performance and maintaining normal terms with our vendors, which is subject to general economic conditions and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. We believe that funds generated from operations, existing cash, vendor payment terms, and borrowings under the DIP Term Loan Facility and DIP Revolving Facility will be sufficient to finance our current operations, cash interest requirements, income tax payments, planned capital expenditures, and internal growth; however, as noted previously, we cannot give assurance that we will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available under the DIP Term Loan Facility and DIP Revolving Facility in an amount sufficient to enable us to fund our liquidity needs.
NBC Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation and our parent, and us have separate understandings that (a) with respect to each option granted by NBC Holdings Corp., pursuant to its 2004 Stock Option Plan, we have granted, and will continue to grant, an option to purchase an equivalent number of shares of its common stock at the same exercise price to NBC Holdings Corp. and (b) with respect to each share of capital stock issued by NBC Holdings Corp., pursuant to its 2005 Restricted Stock Plan, we have issued, and will continue to issue, an equivalent number of shares of its common stock at the same purchase price per share to NBC Holdings Corp.

 

38


Table of Contents

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2011, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, cash flow, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Contractual Obligations
The following tables present aggregated information as of March 31, 2011 regarding our contractual obligations and commercial commitments:
                                         
            Payments Due by Period  
Contractual           Less Than     2-3     4-5     After 5  
Obligations   Total     1 Year     Years     Years     Years  
 
                                       
Long-term debt (1)
  $ 451,820,685     $ 451,697,680     $ 123,005     $     $  
Interest on long-term debt
    43,593,046       43,580,555       12,491              
Capital lease obligations
    2,297,183       505,562       740,433       581,993       469,195  
 
                                       
Interest on capital lease obligations
    555,067       158,353       238,465       130,060       28,189  
Operating leases
    85,556,000       21,922,000       31,035,000       18,280,000       14,319,000  
Purchase obligations
    2,300,000       2,300,000                    
 
                                       
 
                             
Total
  $ 586,121,981     $ 520,164,150     $ 32,149,394     $ 18,992,053     $ 14,816,384  
 
                             
 
                                       
                                         
    Total     Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period  
Other Commercial   Amounts     Less Than     2-3     4-5     Over 5  
Commitments   Committed     1 Year     Years     Years     Years  
 
                                       
Unused line of credit (2)
  $ 75,000,000     $ 75,000,000     $     $     $  
 
                             
     
(1)  
Does not include the effect of $0.4 million of unamortized discount for the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes. Substantially all of our pre-petition debt is in default, including $200.0 million principal amount due under the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes; $175.0 million principal amount under the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and $77.0 million principal amount under the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes. See Notes C and I to the consolidated financial statements at Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
(2)  
Interest is not estimated on the line of credit due to uncertainty surrounding the timing and extent of usage of the pre-petition line of credit.
We have recorded other long-term liabilities of $1.6 million, which consist primarily of certain lease related liabilities of $0.7 million to appropriately recognize rent expense over the rental term, deferred payments related to acquisitions of $0.5 million, deferred compensation of $0.3 million and accrued liabilities of $0.1 million related to a voluntary early retirement plan, which are excluded from the preceding table primarily because we cannot reasonably estimate the timing of the long-term payments.
Transactions with Related and Certain Other Parties
In accordance with NBC’s debt covenants, NBC declared and paid $8.5 million in dividends to us during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 to provide funding for interest due and payable on our $77.0 million 11% Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes.
In conjunction with the Senior Credit Facility amendment on February 3, 2009, we entered into a Stock Subscription Agreement with Holdings, pursuant to which Holdings purchased 10,000 shares of a newly created series of our preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, for $1,000 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $10.0 million. As a result of the Stock Subscription Agreement, we made a $10.0 million capital contribution to NBC.

 

39


Table of Contents

Impact of Inflation
Our results of operations and financial condition are presented based upon historical costs. While it is difficult to accurately measure the impact of inflation due to the imprecise nature of the estimates required, we believe that the effects of inflation, if any, on our results of operations and financial condition have not been material. However, there can be no assurance that during a period of significant inflation, our results of operations will not be adversely affected.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In December 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-28, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) — When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts” (“Update 2010-28”). Update 2010-28 amends the criteria for performing Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts and requires performing Step 2 if qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. Update 2010-28 becomes effective for us in fiscal year 2012 and any impairment to be recorded upon adoption will be recognized as an adjustment to beginning retained earnings. Early adoption is not permitted. Management has not yet determined if the update will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) — Multiple Deliverable Arrangements” (“Update 2009-13”). Update 2009-13 addresses the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit. The update addresses how to separate deliverables and how to measure and allocate arrangement considerations to one or more units of account. Update 2009-13 becomes effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with earlier application permitted. An entity may elect to adopt the standard on a retrospective basis. We expect to apply this standard on a prospective basis beginning April 1, 2011. Management does not expect that the update will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-14, “Software (Topic 985) — Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements” (“Update 2009-14”). Update 2009-14 clarifies what guidance should be used in allocating and measuring revenue for vendors that sell or lease tangible products in an arrangement that contains software that is more than incidental to the tangible product as a whole. The amendments in this update do not affect software revenue arrangements that do not include tangible products nor do they affect software revenue arrangements that include services if the software is essential to the functionality of those services. Update 2009-14 becomes effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with earlier application permitted. An entity may elect to adopt the standard on a retrospective basis. We expect to apply this standard on a prospective basis beginning April 1, 2011. Management does not expect that the update will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
“Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Certain statements contained or incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K made by us which are not statements of historical fact constitute “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”). Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events. Words such as “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “believe”, “seek”, “estimate” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with discussions of future operating or financial performance signify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and estimates, which are subject to risks and uncertainties including those discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, and elsewhere in this report. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this report. We do not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the statement is made and qualifies all of its forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

 

40


Table of Contents

You should understand that various factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this document, could affect our future results and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements, including:
   
our ability to satisfy our future capital and liquidity requirements; our ability to access the credit and capital markets at the times and in the amounts needed and on terms acceptable to us; our ability to comply with covenants applicable to us; and the continuation of acceptable supplier payment terms;
   
the potential adverse impact of the Chapter 11 Proceedings on our business, financial condition or results of operations, including our ability to maintain contracts and other customer and vendor relationships that are critical to our business and the actions and decisions of our creditors and other third parties with interests in the Chapter 11 Proceedings;
   
our ability to maintain adequate liquidity to fund our operations during the Chapter 11 Proceedings and to fund a plan of reorganization and thereafter, including obtaining sufficient “exit” financing; maintaining normal terms with our vendors and service providers during the Chapter 11 Proceedings and complying with the covenants and other terms of our financing agreements;
   
our ability to obtain court approval with respect to motions in the Chapter 11 Proceedings prosecuted from time to time and to develop, prosecute, confirm and consummate one or more plans of reorganization with respect to the Chapter 11 Proceedings and to consummate all of the transactions contemplated by one or more such plans of reorganization or upon which consummation of such plans may be conditioned;
   
increased competition from other companies that target our markets;
   
increased competition from alternative sources of textbooks for students and alternative media, including digital or other educational content sold or rented directly to students and increased competition for the purchase and sale of used textbooks from student-to-student transactions;
   
further deterioration in the economy and credit markets, a decline in consumer spending, and/or changes in general economic conditions in the markets in which we compete or may compete;
   
our inability to successfully start-up or contract-manage additional bookstores or to integrate those additional bookstores and/or to cost-effectively maintain our current contract-managed bookstores;
   
our inability to purchase a sufficient supply of used textbooks;
   
changes in pricing of new and/or used textbooks or in publisher practices regarding new editions and materials packaged with new textbooks;
   
the loss or retirement of key members of management;
   
the impact of seasonality of the wholesale and bookstore operations;
   
goodwill impairment or impairment of identifiable intangibles resulting in a non-cash write down of goodwill or identifiable intangibles; and
   
other risks detailed in our SEC filings, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control.
The risks and uncertainties and the terms of any reorganization plan ultimately confirmed can affect the value of our various pre-petition liabilities, common stock and/or other securities. No assurance can be given as to what values, if any, will be ascribed in the bankruptcy proceedings to each of these constituencies. A plan of reorganization could result in holders of our liabilities and/or securities receiving no value for their interests. Because of such possibilities, the value of these liabilities and/or securities is highly speculative. Accordingly, we urge that caution be exercised with respect to existing and future investments in any of these liabilities and/or securities.

 

41


Table of Contents

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Our primary market risk exposure is, and is expected to continue to be, fluctuation in interest rates. Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates related to our short-term investments and borrowings under the Pre-Petition ABL Facility. Exposure to interest rate fluctuations for our long-term debt was managed by maintaining fixed interest rate debt (primarily the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes, the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes and the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes). Because we pay fixed interest on our notes, market fluctuations do not impact our debt interest payments. However, the fair value of our notes fluctuates as a result of changes in market interest rates, changes in our credit worthiness and changes in the overall credit market.
The following table presents quantitative information about our market risk sensitive instruments, which include the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes, the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes, the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes, capital lease obligations, and other long-term debt:
                 
    Fixed Rate Debt  
            Weighted-  
            Average  
    Principal     Interest  
    Cash Flows (1)     Rate  
 
               
Fiscal Year Ended March 31:
               
2012
  $ 452,203,241       9.63 %
2013
    461,247       8.63 %
2014
    402,192       8.46 %
2015
    273,739       8.29 %
2016
    308,254       8.29 %
Thereafter
    469,195       8.29 %
 
           
Total
  $ 454,117,868       9.62 %
 
           
 
               
Fair Value as of March 31, 2011 (2)
  $ 377,465,000        
 
             
     
(1)  
Principal cash flows represent scheduled principal payments and are adjusted for certain optional prepayments, if any, to be applied toward principal balances. Does not include the effect of $0.4 million of unamortized discount for the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes.
 
(2)  
Due to the chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on June 27, 2011, substantially all of our pre-petition debt is in default. See Notes C and I to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

42


Table of Contents

Certain quantitative market risk disclosures have changed since March 31, 2010 as a result of market fluctuations, movement in interest rates and principal payments. The following table presents summarized market risk information:
                 
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2011     2010  
Carrying Values:
               
Fixed rate debt
  $ 454,117,868     $ 454,624,262  
Fair Values:
               
Fixed rate debt (1)
  $ 377,465,000     $ 438,537,000  
Overall Weighted-Average Interest Rates:
               
Fixed rate debt
    9.62 %     9.73 %
     
(1)  
Due to the chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on June 27, 2011, substantially all of our pre-petition debt is in default. See Notes C and I to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

43


Table of Contents


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
NBC Acquisition Corp.
Lincoln, NE
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NBC Acquisition Corp. and subsidiary (Debtor-in-Possession as of June 27, 2011) (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2011. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedules 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. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included 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, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of NBC Acquisition Corp. and subsidiary (Debtor-in-Possession as of June 27, 2011) as of March 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Notes A and C to the consolidated financial statements, on June 27, 2011, the Company filed for reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code. The accompanying financial statements do not purport to reflect or provide for the consequences of the bankruptcy proceedings. In particular, such consolidated financial statements do not purport to show (1) as to assets, their realizable value on a liquidation basis or their availability to satisfy liabilities; (2) as to prepetition liabilities, the amounts that may be allowed for claims or contingencies, or the status and priority thereof; (3) as to stockholder accounts, the effect of any changes that may be made in the capitalization of the Company; or (4) as to operations, the effect of any changes that may be made in its business.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2011 have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Notes A and C to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s ability to comply with the terms and conditions of the Superpriority Debtor-In-Possession Credit Agreement, obtain confirmation of a plan of reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code, and to obtain financing to facilitate an exit from Bankruptcy raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans concerning these matters are also discussed in Notes A and C to the consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Omaha, Nebraska
July 14, 2011

 

45


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP.
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2011     2010  
 
 
ASSETS
               
 
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 56,447,380     $ 60,972,625  
Receivables, net
    54,966,305       57,987,794  
Inventories
    90,114,197       97,497,689  
Recoverable income taxes
    7,398,901       2,435,287  
Deferred income taxes
    5,172,819       6,247,559  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    7,200,472       4,070,281  
 
           
Total current assets
    221,300,074       229,211,235  
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net of depreciation & amortization
    39,391,650       42,155,424  
GOODWILL
    129,436,730       215,571,126  
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS, net of amortization
    74,161,300       79,902,820  
TRADENAME
    31,320,000       31,320,000  
OTHER IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLES, net of amortization
    5,973,049       5,295,324  
DEBT ISSUE COSTS, net of amortization
    4,211,013       9,964,874  
OTHER ASSETS
    2,513,165       2,850,632  
 
           
 
  $ 508,306,981     $ 616,271,435  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
               
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 20,005,468     $ 26,387,040  
Accrued employee compensation and benefits
    8,609,377       9,401,468  
Accrued interest
    7,666,970       7,666,997  
Accrued incentives
    5,850,936       6,313,933  
Accrued expenses
    6,396,689       9,051,651  
Deferred revenue
    1,405,802       1,299,960  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    451,697,680       54,403  
Current maturities of capital lease obligations
    505,562       846,053  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    502,138,484       61,021,505  
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities
    123,005       451,343,069  
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, net of current maturities
    1,791,621       2,380,737  
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
    1,567,913       2,278,963  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
    42,072,157       40,401,490  
COMMITMENTS (Note I)
               
REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
               
 
               
Series A redeemable preferred stock, $.01 par value, 20,000 shares authorized, 10,000 shares issued and outstanding, at redemption value
    13,601,368       11,805,888  
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT):
               
Common stock, voting, authorized 5,000,000 shares of $.01 par value; issued and outstanding 554,094 shares
    5,541       5,541  
Additional paid-in capital
    111,281,289       111,203,506  
Note receivable from stockholder
    (92,675 )     (92,755 )
Accumulated deficit
    (164,181,722 )     (64,076,509 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    (52,987,567 )     47,039,783  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 508,306,981     $ 616,271,435  
 
           
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

46


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP.
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
    2011     2010     2009  
 
                       
REVENUES, net of returns
  $ 598,430,167     $ 605,493,613     $ 610,716,181  
 
                       
COSTS OF SALES (exclusive of depreciation shown below)
    366,159,699       370,195,916       371,369,240  
 
                 
 
                       
Gross profit
    232,270,468       235,297,697       239,346,941  
 
                       
OPERATING EXPENSES:
                       
Selling, general and administrative
    176,844,600       161,858,274       168,314,611  
Depreciation
    8,579,092       8,517,004       7,602,631  
Amortization
    8,625,733       10,853,248       11,384,020  
Goodwill impairment
    89,000,000             106,972,000  
 
                 
 
                       
 
    283,049,425       181,228,526       294,273,262  
 
                 
 
                       
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
    (50,778,957 )     54,069,171       (54,926,321 )
 
                 
 
                       
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
                       
Interest expense
    51,203,513       49,405,222       41,603,618  
Interest income
    (175,859 )     (180,709 )     (426,536 )
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
          3,065,759        
Loss on derivative financial instrument
                102,000  
 
                 
 
                       
 
    51,027,654       52,290,272       41,279,082  
 
                 
 
                       
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    (101,806,611 )     1,778,899       (96,205,403 )
 
                       
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
    (3,496,878 )     (532,388 )     4,288,620  
 
                 
 
                       
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ (98,309,733 )   $ 2,311,287     $ (100,494,023 )
 
                 
 
                       
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
                       
Basic
  $ (180.66 )   $ 1.33     $ (181.79 )
 
                 
 
                       
Diluted
  $ (180.66 )   $ 1.32     $ (181.79 )
 
                 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

47


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP.
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                                         
                    Note     Retained     Accumulated                
            Additional     Receivable     Earnings     Other                
    Common     Paid-in     From     (Accumulated     Comprehensive             Comprehensive  
    Stock     Capital     Stockholder     Deficit)     Income (Loss)     Total     Income (Loss)  
 
                                                       
BALANCE, April 1, 2008
  $ 5,541     $ 111,098,666     $ (97,517 )   $ 35,912,115     $ (748,000 )   $ 146,170,805          
 
                                                       
Payment on stockholder note
                9,752                   9,752          
 
                                                       
Interest accrued on stockholder note
                (4,950 )                 (4,950 )   $  
 
                                                       
Net loss
                      (100,494,023 )           (100,494,023 )     (100,494,023 )
 
                                                       
Share-based compensation attributable to stock options
          43,416                         43,416        
 
                                                     
Cumulative preferred dividend
                      (233,334 )           (233,334 )      
 
                                                       
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes:
                                                       
 
                                                       
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap agreement, net of taxes of $473,000
                            748,000       748,000       748,000  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
BALANCE, March 31, 2009
    5,541       111,142,082       (92,715 )     (64,815,242 )           46,239,666     $ (99,746,023 )
 
                                                     
 
                                                       
Payment on stockholder note
                4,869                   4,869     $  
 
                                                       
Interest accrued on stockholder note
                (4,909 )                 (4,909 )      
 
                                                       
Net income
                      2,311,287             2,311,287       2,311,287  
 
                                                       
Share-based compensation attributable to stock options
          61,424                         61,424        
 
                                                       
Cumulative preferred dividend
                      (1,572,554 )           (1,572,554 )      
 
                                         
 
                                                       
BALANCE, March 31, 2010
    5,541       111,203,506       (92,755 )     (64,076,509 )           47,039,783     $ 2,311,287  
 
                                                     
 
                                                       
Payment on stockholder note
                4,869                   4,869     $  
 
                                                       
Interest accrued on stockholder note
                (4,789 )                 (4,789 )      
 
                                                       
Net loss
                      (98,309,733 )           (98,309,733 )     (98,309,733 )
 
                                                       
Share-based compensation attributable to stock options
          77,783                         77,783        
 
                                                       
Cumulative preferred dividend
                      (1,795,480 )           (1,795,480 )      
 
                                         
 
                                                       
BALANCE, March 31, 2011
  $ 5,541     $ 111,281,289     $ (92,675 )   $ (164,181,722 )   $     $ (52,987,567 )   $ (98,309,733 )
 
                                         
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

48


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP.
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
    2011     2010     2009  
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
 
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ (98,309,733 )   $ 2,311,287     $ (100,494,023 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Share-based compensation
    447,826       1,106,882       1,288,543  
Provision for losses on receivables
    2,193,739       1,399,466       1,366,979  
Depreciation
    8,579,092       8,517,004       7,602,631  
Amortization
    8,625,733       10,853,248       11,384,020  
Goodwill impairment
    89,000,000             106,972,000  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
          3,065,759        
Amortization of debt issue costs and bond discount
    6,298,135       5,215,808       2,461,345  
Loss on derivative financial instrument
                102,000  
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets
    (131,591 )     235,803       124,871  
Deferred income taxes
    2,745,407       (4,122,157 )     (1,947,665 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
                       
Receivables
    822,961       1,252,806       (5,271,324 )
Inventories
    11,441,862       (2,874,880 )     8,101,584  
Recoverable income taxes
    (4,963,614 )     434,296       (2,846,510 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (3,118,275 )     30,593       (1,400,805 )
Other assets
    337,467       462,071       275,316  
Accounts payable
    (6,518,606 )     (376,486 )     (2,132,402 )
Accrued employee compensation and benefits
    (792,091 )     (4,378,741 )     1,679,569  
Accrued interest
    (27 )     6,617,193       18,579  
Accrued incentives
    (462,997 )     203,233       (998,157 )
Accrued expenses
    (2,654,962 )     516,894       1,104,983  
Income taxes payable
                (847,370 )
Deferred revenue
    105,842       340,686       96,280  
Other long-term liabilities
    (819,068 )     20,465       (284,493 )
 
                 
Net cash flows from operating activities
    12,827,100       30,831,230       26,355,951  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Purchases of property and equipment
    (5,663,780 )     (5,410,976 )     (7,979,371 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (9,461,308 )     (2,847,608 )     (6,320,772 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
    452,180       141,167       35,503  
Software development costs
    (1,633,638 )     (648,523 )     (633,763 )
 
                 
Net cash flows from investing activities
    (16,306,546 )     (8,765,940 )     (14,898,403 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
          199,000,000        
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
                10,000,000  
Payment of financing costs
    (66,660 )     (10,190,217 )     (3,961,811 )
Principal payments on long-term debt
    (54,401 )     (193,125,225 )     (2,070,654 )
Principal payments on capital lease obligations
    (929,607 )     (820,560 )     (722,823 )
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
    44,200,000       85,000,000       200,600,000  
Payments under revolving credit facility
    (44,200,000 )     (85,000,000 )     (200,600,000 )
Proceeds from payment on note receivable from stockholder
    4,869       4,869       9,752  
 
                 
Net cash flows from financing activities
    (1,045,799 )     (5,131,133 )     3,254,464  
 
                 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (4,525,245 )     16,934,157       14,712,012  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of period
    60,972,625       44,038,468       29,326,456  
 
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of period
  $ 56,447,380     $ 60,972,625     $ 44,038,468  
 
                 
 
                       
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:
                       
Cash paid (refunded) during the period for:
                       
Interest
  $ 44,905,405     $ 37,572,221     $ 39,123,694  
Income taxes
    (1,278,671 )     3,155,473       9,930,165  
Noncash investing and financing activities:
                       
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
                       
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap agreement, net of income taxes
  $     $     $ 748,000  
Deferred taxes resulting from unrealized gain on interest rate swap agreement
                473,000  
Unpaid consideration associated with bookstore acquisitions
          574,465       155,000  
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

49


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP.
(DEBTOR IN POSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
A. NATURE OF OPERATIONS
NBC Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) does not conduct significant activities apart from its investment in Nebraska Book Company, Inc. (“NBC”). Operational matters discussed in this report, including the acquisition of college bookstores and other related businesses, refer to operations of NBC. References to “the Company” and “NBC” are used interchangeably when discussing such operational matters. NBC participates in the college bookstore industry primarily by operating its own college bookstores, by providing used textbooks to college bookstore operators, by providing distance education products and services, and by providing proprietary college bookstore information and e-commerce systems, consulting and other services. On March 4, 2004, Weston Presidio formed NBC Holdings Corp. and acquired the controlling interest in us through a series of steps which resulted in Weston Presidio owning a substantial majority of our common stock (referred to as the “March 4, 2004 Transaction”).
Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code
On June 27, 2011 (the “Petition Date”), we, NBC and all of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for reorganization relief under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Court”). The reorganization cases are being jointly administered as Case No. 11-12005 under the caption “In re Nebraska Book Company, Inc., et al” (hereinafter referred to as the “Chapter 11 Proceedings”). We continue to operate our business as “debtors-in-possession” under the jurisdiction of the Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Court.
The Chapter 11 Proceedings were initiated in response to our inability to fully refinance our existing debt and vendors’ unwillingness to extend credit to us under normal terms. Under section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, the filing of a bankruptcy petition automatically stays most actions against a debtor, including most actions to collect pre-petition indebtedness or to exercise control over our property. Subsequent to the Petition Date, we received approval from the Court to pay or otherwise honor certain pre-petition obligations generally designed to stabilize our operations including employee obligations, tax matters, and from limited available funds, pre-petition claims of certain critical vendors, certain customer programs, and certain other pre-petition claims. Additionally, we have been paying and intend to continue to pay undisputed post-petition claims in the ordinary course of business. Additional details regarding the status of our Chapter 11 Proceedings are included in Note C.
Going Concern
Our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2011 have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern. However, our ability to: (i) comply with terms of the DIP Credit Agreement; (ii) comply with various orders entered by the Court in connection with the Chapter 11 Proceedings; (iii) maintain adequate cash on hand; (iv) generate sufficient cash from operations; (v) achieve confirmation of a plan of reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code; (vi) obtain financing to facilitate an exit from bankruptcy; and (vii) achieve profitability following such confirmation is uncertain and would have a material impact on our financial statements.
B. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our and our subsidiary’s significant accounting policies are as follows:
Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and NBC’s accounts (“we,” “our,” or “us”). All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Chapter 11 Financing: Financial reporting applicable to companies in the Bankruptcy Code generally does not change the manner in which financial statements are prepared. However, it does require, among other disclosures, that the financial statements for periods subsequent to the filing of the chapter 11 petition distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. We intend to reflect necessary changes in our first quarter financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

 

50


Table of Contents

Substantially all of our pre-petition debt is in default, including $200.0 million principal amount due under the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes; $175.0 million principal amount under the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and $77.0 million principal amount under the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes. The Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes will be classified as liabilities subject to compromise in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.
Basis of Presentation: Our financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), consistently applied and on a going concern basis, which contemplates the continuity of operations, realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. However, as a result of the Chapter 11 Proceedings, such realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities, without substantial adjustments to amounts and or changes of ownership, is highly uncertain. Given this uncertainty, there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements do not include any adjustments related to assets or liabilities that may be necessary should we not be able to continue as a going concern.
Revenue Recognition: Our revenue recognition policies, by reporting segment, are as follows:
Bookstore Division — The Bookstore Division’s revenues consist primarily of the sale or rental of new and used textbooks, as well as the sale of a variety of other merchandise including apparel, general books, sundries, and gift items. Such sales occur primarily “over-the-counter” or online with revenues being recognized at the point of sale or upon shipment. We implemented a rental program for new and used textbooks in fiscal 2010 and revenues associated with that program are recognized at the time of rental.
Textbook Division — The Textbook Division recognizes revenue from the sale of used textbooks when title passes (at the time of shipment), net of estimated product returns. The Textbook Division has established a program which, under certain conditions, enables its customers to return the used textbooks. The effect of this program is estimated utilizing actual historical return experience, and revenues are adjusted accordingly.
Complementary Services Division — Complementary Services Division revenues come from a variety of sources, including the sale of distance education materials, the sale of computer hardware and software (and licensing thereof), software maintenance contracts, membership fees, and a variety of services provided to college bookstores. Revenues from the sale of distance education materials and computer hardware/software (and licensing thereof) are recognized at the time of delivery. Software maintenance contracts and membership fees are generally invoiced to the customer annually, with the revenues being deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract. Revenues from the various services provided to college bookstores are recognized once services have been rendered.
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs: Amounts billed to a customer for shipping and handling have been classified as revenues in the consolidated statements of operations and approximated $8.9 million, $7.6 million and $6.1 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Shipping and handling costs are included in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and approximated $12.8 million, $11.0 million and $10.4 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Sales Tax Collections: We account for sales tax collected from customers and remitted to the applicable taxing authorities on a net basis, with no impact on revenues and any differences between amount collected and amount remitted being recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Advertising: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and approximated $7.3 million, $6.3 million and $7.0 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from the estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and in regular checking accounts and an overnight sweep account at the bank as well as, at certain times of the year, short-term investments in treasury notes with maturities of three months or less when purchased.

 

51


Table of Contents

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. In determining the adequacy of the allowance, we analyze the aging of the receivable, the customer’s financial position, historical collection experience, and other economic and industry factors. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Credits for returned books requested and pending approval by publishers are classified as accounts receivable.
Inventories: Inventories, including rental inventory, are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of used textbook inventories is determined using the weighted-average method. Our Bookstore Division uses the retail inventory method to determine cost for new textbooks and non-textbook inventories. The cost of other inventories is determined on a first-in, first-out cost method. We account for inventory obsolescence based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual future demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by us, inventory write-downs may be required. In determining inventory adjustments, we consider amounts of inventory on hand, projected demand, new editions and other industry factors.
Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is determined using the straight-line method. The majority of property and equipment have useful lives of one to seven years, with the exception of buildings which are depreciated over 39 years and leasehold improvements which are depreciated over the remaining life of the corresponding lease, or the useful life, if shorter. We do not consider renewal options for the determination of the amortization period for leasehold improvements unless renewal is considered reasonably assured at the inception of the lease.
Goodwill: Goodwill arose as a result of the March 4, 2004 Transaction and the acquisition of bookstore operations subsequent thereto. The goodwill in such transactions is determined by calculating the difference between the consideration transferred and the fair value of net assets acquired. We evaluate the impairment of the carrying value of our goodwill and identifiable intangibles in accordance with applicable accounting standards, including the Intangibles — Goodwill and Other and Property, Plant and Equipment Topics of the FASB ASC. In accordance with such standards, goodwill is not amortized but rather tested at least annually at March 31 for impairment and we evaluate impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We evaluate goodwill at the reporting unit level and have identified our reportable segments the Textbook Division, Bookstore Division and Complementary Services Division as our reporting units. Our reporting units are determined based on the way that management organizes the segments for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Management has organized our operating segments based upon differences in products and services provided. The Bookstore Division and Textbook Division reporting units have assigned goodwill and are thus required to be tested for impairment.
In the first step of our goodwill impairment test conducted at March 31, 2011, fair value was determined using a combination of the market approach, based primarily on a multiple, and the income approach, based on a discounted cash flow model. In applying weights to the various methods used at March 31, 2011, we believe that the discounted cash flow model captures our estimates regarding the results of our future prospects, however, we also considered the market’s expectations based on observable market information. The multiple approach requires that we estimate a certain valuation multiple of revenue and EBITDA for each reporting unit derived from comparable companies to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. The discounted cash flow model discounts projected cash flows for each reporting unit to present value and includes critical assumptions such as long-term growth rates, projected revenues and earnings and cash flow forecasts for the reporting units, as well as an appropriate discount rate. Discount rates were determined separately for each reporting unit by estimating the weighted average cost of capital using the capital asset pricing model.
Estimated fair value for our goodwill impairment test conducted for fiscal years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was determined using the market approach based primarily on comparable company EBITDA multiples. The fair value was also calculated using the income approach, based on a discounted cash flow model, and was compared to and supported the fair value based upon the EBITDA multiple approach. We believe the methods used in the past and the methods used at March 31, 2011 have relative merits but using a weighting of the market and income approaches provide a better estimate of fair value.
If we fail the first step of the goodwill impairment test, we are required, in the second step, to estimate the fair value of reporting unit assets and liabilities, including intangible assets, to derive the fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill.
We monitor relevant circumstances, including industry trends, general economic conditions, and the potential impact that such circumstances might have on the valuation of our goodwill and identifiable intangibles. It is possible that changes in such circumstances, or in the numerous variables associated with the judgments, assumptions and estimates made by us in assessing the appropriate valuation of our goodwill and identifiable intangibles, including a further deterioration in the economy or debt markets or a significant delay in a recovery, could in the future require us to further write down a portion of our goodwill or write down a portion of our identifiable intangibles and record related non-cash impairment charges.

 

52


Table of Contents

Identifiable Intangibles — Customer Relationships: The identifiable intangible asset for customer relationships is attributable to the non-contractual long-term relationships we have established over the years with customers in our Textbook and Complementary Services Divisions. This identifiable intangible is amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 20 years. We test our customer relationship intangible for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In accordance with the Property, Plant and Equipment Topic of the FASB ASC, an impairment loss would be recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible asset is not recoverable and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
Identifiable Intangibles — Tradename: The identifiable intangible asset for tradename relates to the trademark owned on the name “Nebraska Book Company” and the corresponding logo. This identifiable intangible has an indefinite useful life; and, thus, is not amortized but rather tested at least annually for impairment. In accordance with the Intangibles — Goodwill and Other Topic of the FASB ASC, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying amount of an intangible asset over its fair value. The impairment analysis is conducted annually at March 31 or, more frequently, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. We completed our test at March 31, 2011, and we determined that the intangible asset for tradename was not impaired.
Other Identifiable Intangibles — Developed Technology: Our primary activities regarding the internal development of software revolve around its proprietary college bookstore information technology (PRISM and WinPRISM) and e-commerce technology (WebPRISM), which are used by our Bookstore Division and also marketed to the college bookstore industry and other businesses. As this internally developed software is intended for both internal use and sale to external customers, we adhere to the guidance in the Software and Internal-Use Software Topics of the FASB ASC.
Development costs included in the research and development of new software products and enhancements to existing software products associated with our proprietary college bookstore information technology and e-commerce technology are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established. After technological feasibility is established, additional development costs are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of six years or the economic life of the related product. Recoverability of such capitalized costs is evaluated based upon estimates of future undiscounted cash flows. We test our developed technology intangible for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Development costs also include the development of new software products and enhancements to existing software products used solely for internal purposes. Such costs are expensed until the preliminary project stage is completed and the project has been authorized by management, at which point subsequent costs are capitalized until the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. These costs, capitalization of which totaled $1.6 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 and $0.6 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period up to six years.
Amortization of the capitalized costs associated with developed technology totaled $0.5 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 and $2.1 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.
Other Identifiable Intangibles — Covenants Not to Compete: The identifiable intangible asset for covenants not to compete represents the value assigned to such agreements, which are typically entered into with the owners of college bookstores acquired by us. This identifiable intangible is amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement, which ranges from 2 to 15 years. We test our covenants not to compete intangible for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Other Identifiable Intangibles — Contract-Managed Relationships: The identifiable intangible asset for contract-managed relationships generally represents payments made at the time of contract signing or renewal to institutions that contract with us to manage the on-campus bookstore. This identifiable intangible is amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreements, which range from 1 to 15 years. We test our contract-managed relationships intangible for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
Other Identifiable Intangibles — Other: The other identifiable intangible asset relates to an agreement whereby we agreed to pay $1.7 million over a period of 36 months, beginning September 1, 2007, to a software company in return for certain rights related to that company’s products that are designed to enhance web-based sales. This identifiable intangible was amortized on a straight-line basis over the 36 month base term of the agreement.

 

53


Table of Contents

Debt Issue Costs: The costs related to the issuance of debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the lives of the related debt. Accumulated amortization of such costs as of March 31, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $14.0 million and $8.2 million, respectively and $3.1 million of such costs were written off during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 in conjunction with the termination of the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Facility. See also long-term debt which is disclosed in Note I.
Accrued Incentives. Our Textbook Division offers certain incentive programs to its customers that allow the participating customers the opportunity to earn rebates for used textbooks sold to the Textbook Division. As the rebates are earned by the customer, we recognize the rebates based on historical rates of usage and forfeitures and the balance of earned but unused rebates is recorded as accrued incentives. Accrued incentives at March 31, 2011 were $5.8 million, including estimated forfeitures, however, if we accrued for rebates earned and unused as of March 31, 2011, assuming no forfeitures, our accrued incentives would have been $6.5 million.
Derivative Financial Instruments: Interest rate swap agreements have historically been used by us to reduce exposure to fluctuations in the interest rates on NBC’s variable rate debt. Such agreements were recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the agreements were recorded in earnings or other comprehensive income (loss), based on whether the agreements were designated as part of the hedge transaction and whether the agreements were effective in offsetting the change in the value of the interest payments attributable to NBC’s variable rate debt.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The carrying amounts of financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value as of March 31, 2011 and 2010, because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of long-term debt, including the current maturities, was approximately $377.5 million and $438.5 million as of March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, as determined by quoted market values and prevailing interest rates for similar debt issues.
Share-Based Compensation: On April 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”), codified in the Compensation — Stock Compensation Topic of the FASB ASC. The Topic focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions and requires an entity to, in most cases, measure and recognize the cost of such services based on the grant-date fair value of the award. This Topic eliminates the intrinsic value method of accounting for share-based compensation by us for transactions occurring after March 31, 2006.
We account for our share-based compensation arising from transactions occurring prior to April 1, 2006 under the provisions of the Compensation — Stock Compensation Topic of the FASB ASC utilizing the intrinsic value method. Under this method, compensation expense is recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price. The Topic establishes accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair-value-based method of accounting for share-based employee compensation plans. For purposes of measuring share-based compensation, we are considered a nonpublic entity as defined in the Topic. As allowed by the Topic, we elected to continue to apply the intrinsic-value-based method of accounting for options granted prior to April 1, 2006 and used the minimum value method for pro forma disclosure of the impact of accounting standard changes.
Nonvested Stock: Under the NBC Holdings Corp. 2005 Restricted Stock Plan, 4,200 shares of NBC Holdings Corp. capital stock were issued on March 31, 2006 for $0.01 per share to certain of our officers and directors. Certain restrictions limited the sale or transfer of these shares (as more fully described in Note Q to the consolidated financial statements). Such shares were subject to both call rights on behalf of NBC Holdings Corp. and put rights on behalf of the officers and directors once vested (as more fully described in Note Q to the consolidated financial statements). The shares vested on September 30, 2010 (the “vesting date”). Due to the existence of the put rights, share-based compensation was recognized from March 31, 2006 through the vesting date and recorded as “other long-term liabilities” or “accrued expenses” in the consolidated balance sheets, as appropriate.
Income Taxes: We provide for deferred income taxes based upon temporary differences between financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities, and tax rates in effect for periods in which such temporary differences are estimated to reverse.

 

54


Table of Contents

Tax benefits are recorded only for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits are tax benefits claimed in our tax returns that do not meet these recognition and measurement standards. Although the statute of limitations varies by state, generally starting with fiscal year 2007, tax years remain open and subject to examination by either the Internal Revenue Service or a number of states where we do business. Interest and penalties associated with underpayments of income taxes are classified in the consolidated statements of operations as income tax expense.
Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) data is computed by dividing earnings after the deduction of preferred stock dividends by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing earnings after the deduction of preferred stock dividends by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and potential common shares including stock options, if any, with a dilutive effect.
Redeemable Preferred Stock: Redeemable Preferred Stock is classified outside of permanent equity due to its redemption features that are outside our control and is measured at redemption value which includes accumulated and unpaid dividends. The number of shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding were 10,000 for fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. Accumulated dividends for the period reduce earnings or increase losses for purposes of calculating EPS and were $1.8 million, $1.6 million and $0.2 million at March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Common Stock Shares Issued and Outstanding: The number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding were 554,094 for fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
Comprehensive Income (Loss): Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (losses). Other comprehensive income (losses) consists of unrealized gains (losses) on the interest rate swap agreement, net of taxes.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted: In December 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-28, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) — When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts” (“Update 2010-28”). Update 2010-28 amends the criteria for performing Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts and requires performing Step 2 if qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. Update 2010-28 becomes effective for us in fiscal year 2012 and any impairment to be recorded upon adoption will be recognized as an adjustment to beginning retained earnings. Early adoption is not permitted. Management has not yet determined if the update will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-13, “Multiple Deliverable Arrangements” (“Update 2009-13”). Update 2009-13 addresses the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements to enable vendors to account for products or services (deliverables) separately rather than as a combined unit. The update addresses how to separate deliverables and how to measure and allocate arrangement considerations to one or more units of account. Update 2009-13 becomes effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with earlier application permitted. An entity may elect to adopt the standard on a retrospective basis. We expect to apply this standard on a prospective basis beginning April 1, 2011. Management does not expect that the update will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-14, “Certain Revenue Arrangements That Include Software Elements” (“Update 2009-14”). Update 2009-14 clarifies what guidance should be used in allocating and measuring revenue from vendors that sell or lease tangible products in an arrangement that contains software that is more than incidental to the tangible product as a whole. The amendments in this update do not affect software revenue arrangements that do not include tangible products nor do they affect software revenue arrangements that include services if the software is essential to the functionality of those services. Update 2009-14 becomes effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, with earlier application permitted. An entity may elect to adopt the standard on a retrospective basis. We expect to apply this standard on a prospective basis beginning April 1, 2011. Management does not expect that the update will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
C. VOLUNTARY REORGANIZATION UNDER CHAPTER 11 OF THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY CODE
On the Petition Date, we filed voluntary petitions for reorganization relief under the Bankruptcy Code in the Court. The Chapter 11 Proceedings are being jointly administered as Case No. 11-12005 under the caption “in re Nebraska Book Company Inc., et al”. We continue to operate our businesses as “debtors in possession” under the jurisdiction of the Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Court.

 

55


Table of Contents

Implications of Chapter 11 Proceedings
Under section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code, the filing of a bankruptcy petition automatically stays most actions against a debtor, including most actions to collect pre-petition indebtedness or to exercise control over our property. Absent an order of the Court, substantially all pre-petition liabilities are subject to settlement under a plan of reorganization. While operating as debtors-in-possession under the Bankruptcy Code and subject to approval of the Court or otherwise as permitted in the ordinary course of business, we may sell or dispose of assets and liquidate or settle liabilities for amounts other than those reflected in the consolidated financial statements. Further, a confirmed plan of reorganization or other arrangement could materially change the amounts and classifications in the historical consolidated financial statements.
Subsequent to the Petition Date, we received approval from the Court to pay or otherwise honor certain pre-petition obligations generally designed to stabilize our operations including employee obligations, tax matters, and from limited available funds, pre-petition claims of certain critical vendors, certain customer programs, and certain other pre-petition claims. Additionally, we have been paying and intend to continue to pay undisputed post-petition claims in the ordinary course of business.
On June 27, 2011, we filed with the Court a restructuring support agreement, which contained a proposed plan of reorganization (the “Plan”). The Plan calls for the issuance of new senior secured notes, new senior unsecured notes and the split of new common equity interests in us between the holders of the Senior Subordinated Notes (78%) and the holders of the Senior Discount Notes (22%). The ultimate recovery to creditors and/or our shareholders, if any, will not be determined until confirmation of a plan of reorganization.
Chapter 11 Financing
We are currently funding post-petition operations under a $200.0 million Superpriority Debtor-In-Possession Credit Agreement (the “DIP Credit Agreement”), consisting of a $125.0 million debtor-in-possession term loan facility (the “DIP Term Loan Facility”) and a $75.0 million debtor-in-possession revolving facility (the “DIP Revolving Facility”). For additional details related to the DIP Credit Agreement see Note I.
Going Concern
Our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2011 have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern. However, our ability to: (i) comply with terms of the DIP Credit Agreement; (ii) comply with various orders entered by the Court in connection with the Chapter 11 Proceedings; (iii) maintain adequate cash on hand; (iv) generate sufficient cash from operations; (v) achieve confirmation of a plan of reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code; (vi) obtain financing to facilitate an exit from bankruptcy; and (vii) achieve profitability following such confirmation is uncertain and would have a material impact on our financial statements.
D. RECEIVABLES
Receivables are summarized as follows:
                 
    March 31,  
    2011     2010  
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,283,360
  $ 28,251,599     $ 30,944,300  
Receivables from book publishers for returns
    23,041,274       22,148,190  
Advances for book buy-backs
    1,279,026       1,675,625  
Other
    2,394,406       3,219,679  
 
           
 
  $ 54,966,305     $ 57,987,794  
 
           
Trade receivables include the effect of estimated product returns. The amount of estimated product returns at March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $4.9 million and $5.3 million, respectively.

 

56


Table of Contents

E. INVENTORIES
Inventories are summarized as follows:
                 
    March 31,  
    2011     2010  
Bookstore Division
  $ 62,076,174     $ 68,765,952  
Textbook Division
    26,211,651       26,132,007  
Complementary Services Division
    1,826,372       2,599,730  
 
           
 
  $ 90,114,197     $ 97,497,689  
 
           
Textbook Division inventories include the effect of estimated product returns. The amount of estimated product returns at March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $2.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively.
General and administrative costs associated with the storage and handling of inventory approximated $9.8 million and $9.9 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, of which $1.9 million and $2.0 million was capitalized into inventory at March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
F. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of the cost of property and equipment follows:
                 
    March 31,  
    2011     2010  
Land
  $ 3,537,858     $ 3,565,382  
Buildings and improvements
    25,616,853       25,774,209  
Leasehold improvements
    17,270,358       16,207,697  
Furniture and fixtures
    18,252,704       17,153,671  
Information systems
    16,400,952       14,640,695  
Automobiles and trucks
    369,693       231,743  
Machinery
    497,232       351,011  
Projects in process
    136,988       83,703  
 
           
 
    82,082,638       78,008,111  
Less: Accumulated depreciation & amortization
    (42,690,988 )     (35,852,687 )
 
           
 
  $ 39,391,650     $ 42,155,424  
 
           
G. GOODWILL AND OTHER IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLES
As discussed in Note A, on March 4, 2004, Weston Presidio acquired the controlling interest in us through a series of steps which resulted in Weston Presidio owning a substantial majority of our common stock. The March 4, 2004 Transaction was accounted for as a purchase at NBC Holdings Corp. with the related purchase accounting pushed-down to us and NBC as of the date of the transaction. The excess of the purchase price over the historical basis of the net assets acquired was applied to adjust net assets to their fair values, as determined in part using an independent third-party appraisal. The allocation of the excess purchase price included establishing identifiable intangibles for customer relationships of $114.8 million and tradename of $31.3 million; adjusting the carrying value of developed technology at March 4, 2004 to a fair value of $11.4 million; and adjusting the carrying value of goodwill at March 4, 2004 to a fair value of $269.1 million, of which $25.3 million is deductible for income tax purposes. The weighted-average amortization period for the identifiable intangibles subject to amortization is approximately nineteen years, including twenty years for customer relationships and approximately five years for developed technology.

 

57


Table of Contents

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, nineteen bookstore locations were acquired in fifteen separate transactions. The total purchase price, net of cash acquired, of such acquisitions was $8.7 million, of which $2.8 million was assigned to goodwill, $0.5 million was assigned to covenants not to compete with a weighted-average amortization period of approximately three years, and $1.0 million was assigned to contract-managed relationships with a weighted-average amortization period of approximately five years. The weighted-average amortization period for all covenants not to compete and contract-managed relationships entered into in connection with acquisitions occurring during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 was approximately five years. Costs incurred to renew contract-managed relationships during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 were $0.4 million with a weighted-average amortization period of approximately five years before the next renewal of such contracts. As of March 31, 2011, $0.6 million of prior year contract-managed relationships costs remained to be paid. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, we paid $0.4 million of previously accrued consideration for bookstore acquisitions and contract-managed relationships occurring in prior fiscal years.
Effective September 1, 2007, we entered into an agreement whereby we agreed to pay $1.7 million over a period of thirty-six months to a software company in return for certain rights related to that company’s products that are designed to enhance web-based sales. This other identifiable intangible was being amortized on a straight-line basis over the thirty-six month base term of the agreement. The asset and corresponding liability were recorded based upon the present value of the future payments assuming an imputed interest rate of 6.7%, resulting in a discount of $0.1 million which was recorded as interest expense over the base term of the agreement utilizing the effective interest method of accounting.
For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, fourteen bookstore locations were acquired in eleven separate transactions. The purchase price, net of cash acquired, of such acquisitions was $2.9 million, of which $0.1 million was assigned to goodwill, $0.1 million was assigned to covenants not to compete with a weighted-average amortization period of two years, and $0.5 million was assigned to contract-managed relationships with a weighted-average amortization period of approximately three years. The weighted-average amortization period for all covenants not to compete and contract-managed relationships occurring during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 was approximately three years. Costs incurred to renew contract-managed relationships during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 were $0.3 million with a weighted-average amortization period of approximately three years before the next renewal of such contracts.
Goodwill assigned to corporate administration represents goodwill arising out of the March 4, 2004 Transaction, as all goodwill was assigned to corporate administration. As is the case with a portion of our assets, such goodwill is not allocated between our reportable segments when management makes operating decisions and assesses performance. We have identified the Textbook Division, Bookstore Division and Complementary Services Division as our reporting units. Such goodwill is allocated to our Bookstore Division and Textbook Division reporting units for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment and calculating any gain or loss on the disposal of all or, where applicable, a portion of a reporting unit.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, in total, by reportable segment and assigned to corporate administration, are as follows:
                         
    Bookstore     Corporate        
    Division     Administration     Total  
Balance, April 1, 2009
  $ 53,346,251     $ 162,089,875     $ 215,436,126  
Additions to goodwill:
                       
Bookstore acquisitions
    135,000             135,000  
 
                 
 
                       
Balance, March 31, 2010
    53,481,251       162,089,875       215,571,126  
Additions to goodwill:
                       
Bookstore acquisitions
    2,865,604             2,865,604  
Impairment
          (89,000,000 )     (89,000,000 )
 
                 
 
                       
Balance, March 31, 2011
  $ 56,346,855     $ 73,089,875     $ 129,436,730  
 
                 

 

58


Table of Contents

The following table presents the gross carrying amount and accumulated impairment charge of goodwill:
                         
    Gross carrying     Accumulated     Net carrying  
    amount     impairment     amount  
Balance, April 1, 2009
  $ 322,408,126     $ (106,972,000 )   $ 215,436,126  
Additions
    135,000             135,000  
 
                 
Balance, March 31, 2010
  $ 322,543,126     $ (106,972,000 )   $ 215,571,126  
 
                 
 
                       
Balance April 1, 2010
  $ 322,543,126     $ (106,972,000 )   $ 215,571,126  
Additions
    2,865,604             2,865,604  
Impairment
        $ (89,000,000 )     (89,000,000 )
 
                 
Balance, March 31, 2011
  $ 325,408,730     $ (195,972,000 )   $ 129,436,730  
 
                 
We perform a test for impairment annually at March 31 or more frequently if impairment indicators exist. Goodwill impairment testing is a two-step process. The first step involves comparing the fair value of our reporting units to their carrying amount. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the carrying amount, there is no impairment. If the reporting unit’s carrying amount is greater than the fair value, the second step must be completed to measure the amount of impairment, if any. The second step involves calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities other than goodwill and debt (including both recognized and unrecognized intangible assets) and comparing the residual amount to the carrying value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference.
We determined in the first step of the goodwill impairment test conducted at March 31, 2011, that the carrying value of the Bookstore and Textbook Divisions exceeded their fair values, indicating that goodwill may be impaired. Having determined that goodwill may be impaired, we performed the second step of the goodwill impairment test. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $89.0 million in fiscal year 2011. The carrying value of goodwill in excess of the implied fair value was approximately $62.0 million and $27.0 million for the Bookstore and Textbook Divisions, respectively. The impairment charge reduced our goodwill carrying value to $129.4 million as of March 31, 2011.
Fair value was determined using a combination of the market approach, based primarily on a multiple, and the income approach, based on a discounted cash flow model. The market approach requires that we estimate a certain valuation multiple of revenue and EBITDA for each reporting unit derived from comparable companies to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. The discounted cash flow model discounts projected cash flows for each reporting unit to present value and includes critical assumptions such as long-term growth rates, projected revenues and earnings and cash flow forecasts for the reporting units, as well as an appropriate discount rate. Discount rates were determined separately for the reporting units using the capital asset pricing model. The multiples applied to our trailing twelve month and next twelve month revenues were 0.3x and 0.4x and to EBITDA were 7.2x and 6.9x, respectively, for the Bookstore Division. The multiples applied to our trailing twelve month and next twelve month revenues were 1.1x and 1.0x and to EBITDA were 5.3x and 5.2x, respectively, for the Textbook Division. The discounted cash flow model assumed a discount rate of 12.5% and 11.6% for the Bookstore and Textbook Divisions, respectively, based on the weighted average cost of capital derived from public companies considered to be reasonably comparable to ours. The discounted cash flow model also assumed a terminal growth rate of 3.5% and 1.0% for the Bookstore and Textbook Divisions, respectively.
In the second step of the goodwill impairment test conducted at March 31, 2011, we estimated the fair value of our intangible assets Tradename and Customer Relationships in the Textbook Division using the relief-from-royalty market approach and excess earnings method income approach, respectively. Appraisals were used to estimate fair value of our property and equipment. Carrying value was assumed to approximate fair value for all other assets and liabilities due to their short-term nature.
In fiscal 2010, we identified no goodwill impairment. In fiscal 2009, we recorded goodwill impairment of $107.0 million, of which $40.0 million and $67.0 million were charged to the Bookstore and Textbook Divisions, respectively.

 

59


Table of Contents

The following table presents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of identifiable intangibles subject to amortization, in total and by asset class:
                         
    March 31, 2011  
    Gross             Net  
    Carrying     Accumulated     Carrying  
    Amount     Amortization     Amount  
Customer relationships
  $ 114,830,000     $ (40,668,700 )   $ 74,161,300  
Developed technology
    15,342,410       (12,673,678 )     2,668,732  
Covenants not to compete
    1,458,300       (739,880 )     718,420  
Contract-managed relationships
    5,217,261       (2,631,364 )     2,585,897  
Other
    1,585,407       (1,585,407 )      
 
                 
 
  $ 138,433,378     $ (58,299,029 )   $ 80,134,349  
 
                 
                         
    March 31, 2010  
    Gross             Net  
    Carrying     Accumulated     Carrying  
    Amount     Amortization     Amount  
Customer relationships
  $ 114,830,000     $ (34,927,180 )   $ 79,902,820  
Developed technology
    13,709,789       (12,137,672 )     1,572,117  
Covenants not to compete
    3,416,000       (2,268,172 )     1,147,828  
Contract-managed relationships
    4,555,740       (2,200,557 )     2,355,183  
Other
    1,585,407       (1,365,211 )     220,196  
 
                 
 
  $ 138,096,936     $ (52,898,792 )   $ 85,198,144  
 
                 
Information regarding aggregate amortization expense for identifiable intangibles subject to amortization is presented in the following table:
         
    Amortization  
    Expense  
 
       
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2011
  $ 8,625,733  
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2010
    10,853,248  
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2009
    11,384,020  
 
       
Estimated amortization expense for the fiscal years ending March 31:
       
2012
  $ 7,709,753  
2013
    7,164,848  
2014
    6,734,331  
2015
    6,521,059  
2016
    6,177,342  
Identifiable intangibles not subject to amortization consist solely of the tradename asset arising out of the March 4, 2004 Transaction which is recorded at $31,320,000. The tradename was determined to have an indefinite life based on our current intentions. The impairment for intangible assets not subject to amortization involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. The impairment evaluation for tradename is conducted at March 31 each year or, more frequently, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset might be impaired. The royalty rate and pre-tax discount rate used in this analysis performed at March 31, 2011 were 3.8% and 13.6%, respectively. We completed our test at March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and determined there was no impairment.

 

60


Table of Contents

Identifiable intangibles subject to amortization consist of customer relationships, developed technology, covenants not to compete, contract-managed relationships and other intangibles. These intangibles are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.
H. ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses are summarized as follows:
                 
    March 31,  
    2011     2010  
Accrued rent
  $ 5,892,171     $ 4,285,622  
Accrued share-based compensation
          4,257,652  
Accrued property taxes
    504,518       508,377  
 
           
 
  $ 6,396,689     $ 9,051,651  
 
           
Accrued share-based compensation was the liability recognized for the shares issued under the 2005 Restricted Stock Plan, which vested September 30, 2010, and the Restricted Stock Special Bonus Agreement, which was paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 and is described in further detail in Note Q.
I. LONG-TERM DEBT
Pre-Petition Debt
Details regarding each of our instruments of indebtedness are provided in the following table:
                 
    March 31,  
    2011     2010  
 
               
Senior Secured Notes, second-priority to ABL Facility, unamortized bond discount at March 31, 2011 and 2010 of $362,868 and $840,482, respectively, principal due December 1, 2011, interest payments accrue at fixed rate of 10.0% and are payable semi-annually on December 1 and June 1 beginning December 1, 2009
  $ 199,637,132     $ 199,159,518  
Senior Subordinated Notes, unsecured, principal due on March 15, 2012, interest payments accrue at a fixed rate of 8.625% and are payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 beginning September 15, 2004
    175,000,000       175,000,000  
 
               
Senior Discount Notes, unsecured, principal due on March 15, 2013, interest accreted at a rate of 11.0% to a face amount of $77.0 million on March 15, 2008, interest payments accrue beginning March 15, 2008 at a fixed rate of 11.0% and are payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 beginning September 15, 2008
    77,000,000       77,000,000  
 
               
Mortgage note payable with an insurance company assumed with the acquisition of a bookstore facility, due December 1, 2013, monthly payments of $6,446 including interest at 10.75%
    183,553       237,954  
 
           
 
    451,820,685       451,397,472  
Less current maturities of long-term debt
    (451,697,680 )     (54,403 )
 
           
Long-term debt
  $ 123,005     $ 451,343,069  
 
           

 

61


Table of Contents

Chapter 11 Financing
Subsequent to the Petition Date, we entered into a Superpriority Debtor-In-Possession Credit Agreement (the “DIP Credit Agreement”) which, among other things provides up to $200.0 million of financing to us as debtors and debtors in possession under the Bankruptcy Code under the terms of a $125.0 million debtor-in-possession term loan facility and a $75.0 million debtor-in-possession revolving facility. The DIP Credit Agreement is guaranteed by us, NBC Holdings and each of the domestic subsidiaries of NBC. Borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement are to be used to finance working capital purposes, including, for the payment of fees and expenses incurred in connection with entering into the DIP Credit Agreement, the Cases and the transactions contemplated, the repayment of loans outstanding under the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement.
Borrowings under the DIP Credit Agreement are secured by a perfected first priority security interest on substantially all of our property and assets.
The DIP Credit Agreement matures and expires on the earliest to occur of (a) one year from the initial closing date, (b) the date that is five business days after the Petition Date (or such later date as the administrative agent may agree in its sole discretion) if entry of the interim order has not occurred by such date, (c) the date that is thirty-five days (or such later date as the administrative agent may agree in its sole discretion) after the Petition Date if entry of the final order has not occurred by such date, (d) the effective date of the plan of reorganization and (e) the acceleration of the loans under the DIP Credit Agreement and, in connection, the termination of the unused term loan or revolving credit facility commitments in accordance with the terms.
Each loan bears interest at the Eurodollar rate or the base rate plus an applicable margin. The base interest rate is the greater of a) prime rate, b) federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or c) the one-month Eurodollar loan rate plus 1.0%. The applicable margin with respect to term loans is 6.0% in the case of base rate loans and 7.0% in the case of Eurodollar Loans. The applicable margin with respect to revolving credit loans is 2.5% in the case of base rate loans and 3.5% in the case of Eurodollar loans. In the case of the term loans only, the base rate shall not be less than 2.25% and the Eurodollar rate shall not be less than 1.25%. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an event of default, (i) all outstanding loans and reimbursement obligations (whether or not overdue) bear interest at the applicable rate plus 2.0%, (ii) the letter of credit commission payable pursuant to the DIP Credit Agreement will be increased by 2.0% and (iii) if all or a portion of any interest payable or any commitment fee or other amount payable is not paid when due, it will bear interest at the rate applicable to base rate loans plus 2.0%. NBC will also pay a fee of 0.5% on the amount committed to the revolving facility.
The DIP Credit Agreement contains, among other things, conditions precedent, covenants, representations and warranties and events of default customary for facilities of this type. Such covenants include the requirement to provide certain financial reports and other information, use the proceeds of certain sales or other dispositions of collateral to prepay outstanding loans, maintenance of certain financial covenants (including a minimum liquidity and cumulative consolidated EBITDA test), certain restrictions on the incurrence of indebtedness, guarantees, liens, acquisitions and other investments, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, dividends and other repayments in respect of capital stock, capital expenditures, transactions with affiliates, hedging and other derivatives arrangements, negative pledge clauses, payment of expenses and disbursements other than those reflected in an agreed upon budget, and subsidiary distributions, subject to certain exceptions.
Pre-Petition Debt
Indebtedness at March 31, 2011 included an amended and restated bank-administered credit agreement (the “ Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement”), which provided for a $75.0 million asset-based revolving credit facility (the “Pre-Petition ABL Facility”), which was unused at March 31, 2011; $200.0 million of 10.0% senior secured notes (the “Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes”) issued by NBC at a discount of $1.0 million with unamortized bond discount of $0.4 million at March 31, 2011 (effective rate of 10.14%); $175.0 million of 8.625% senior subordinated notes (the “Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes”) issued by NBC; $77.0 million of 11.0% senior discount notes (the “Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes”) issued at a discount of $27.0 million, and other indebtedness. The Pre-Petition ABL Facility was scheduled to expire on the earlier of October 2, 2012 or the date that was 91 days prior to the earliest maturity of the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes (due December 1, 2011), the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes (due March 15, 2012), the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes (due March 15, 2013), or any refinancing thereof, effectively September 1, 2011.
On October 2, 2009, in conjunction with the completion of NBC’s offering of the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes, we entered into the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement which provided for the Pre-Petition ABL Facility mentioned previously. The Pre-Petition ABL Facility was secured by a first priority interest in substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ property and assets, which also secured the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes on a second priority basis. Borrowings under the Pre-Petition ABL Facility were subject to the Eurodollar interest rate, not to be less than 1.5%, plus an applicable margin ranging from 4.25% to 4.75%, or a base interest rate. The base interest rate was the greater of a) prime rate, b) federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or c) the one-month Eurodollar loan rate plus 1.0%, not to be less than 2.5%, plus an applicable margin ranging from 3.25% to 3.75%. In addition, the applicable margin increased 1.5% during the time periods from April 15 to June 29 and from December 1 to January 29 of each year. There also was a commitment fee for the average daily unused amount of the Pre-Petition ABL Facility ranging from 0.75% to 1.0% of such unused amount. The average borrowings under the Pre-Petition ABL Facility for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 was $1.5 million at an average rate of 7.9%.

 

62


Table of Contents

The Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes pay cash interest semi-annually and mature on December 1, 2011. The Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes pay cash interest semi-annually and mature on March 15, 2012. The Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes, which became fully-accreted on March 15, 2008 and began to pay cash interest semi-annually on September 15, 2008, mature on March 15, 2013.
Prior to entering into the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement and issuing the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes on October 2, 2009, indebtedness included an amended and restated bank-administered senior credit facility amended on February 3, 2009 (the “Senior Credit Facility”) provided to NBC through a syndicate of lenders, which consisted of a term loan (the “Term Loan”) and a revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). Borrowings on the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility were subject to the Eurodollar interest rate or the base interest rate. The Eurodollar interest rate was not to be less than 3.25% plus the applicable margin of 6.0%. The base interest rate was the greater of a) prime rate, b) federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or c) the one-month Eurodollar loan rate plus 1.0%, not to be less than 4.25%, plus the applicable margin of 5.0%. Accrued interest on the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility was due quarterly. Additionally, there was a 0.75% commitment fee for the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Facility. The average borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and the ABL Facility were $4.0 million at an average rate of 8.8% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.
Prior to the February 3, 2009 amendment, the interest rate on the Term Loan was Prime plus an applicable margin of up to 1.5% or, on Eurodollar borrowings, the Eurodollar interest rate plus an applicable margin of up to 2.5%. The Revolving Credit Facility interest rate was Prime plus an applicable margin of up to 1.75% or, on Eurodollar borrowings, the Eurodollar interest rate plus an applicable margin of up to 2.75%. Accrued interest on the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility is due quarterly. Additionally, there was a 0.5% commitment fee for the average daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Facility. The average borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 was $16.9 million at an average rate of 5.8%.
The Senior Credit Facility stipulated that excess cash flows, as defined therein, would be applied towards prepayment of the Term Loan. An excess cash flow payment of $6.0 million was paid in September of 2009 for fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
A loss from early extinguishment of debt totaling $3.1 million was recorded for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 related to the write-off of debt issue costs as a result of the termination of the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Facility.
The Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement required us to maintain certain financial ratios and contained a number of other covenants that among other things, restricted our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, dispose of assets, make capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, loans or advances and pay dividends, except that, among other things, NBC could pay dividends to us (i) in an amount not to exceed the amount of interest required to be paid on the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes and (ii) to pay corporate overhead expenses not to exceed $250,000 per fiscal year and any taxes we may owe. In addition, under our Pre-Petition ABL Facility, if availability, as defined in the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement, was less than the greater of 20% of the total revolving credit commitments and $15.0 million, we were required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.10x measured for the last twelve-month period on a pro forma basis in order to maintain access to funds under the Pre-Petition ABL Facility. The calculated borrowing base as of March 31, 2011 was $32.8 million, of which $0.7 million was outstanding under a letter of credit and $32.1 million was unused. At March 31, 2011, our pro forma fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.1x.
The indenture governing the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes restricted our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make certain other payments, subject to certain exceptions, unless certain conditions were met, including (i) no default under the indenture had occurred, (ii) we and certain of our subsidiaries maintained a consolidated coverage ratio of 2.0 to 1.0 on a pro forma basis and (iii) the amount of the dividend or payment could not exceed 50% of aggregate income from January 1, 2004 to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter plus cash proceeds received from the issuance of stock less the aggregate of payments made under this restriction (the “Restricted Payment Calculation”). If we did not meet the preceding conditions, we could still pay dividends or make certain other payments up to $15.0 million in the aggregate. At March 31, 2011, our pro forma consolidated coverage ratio was 1.1 to 1.0 and the amount distributable under the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes was $15.0 million.

 

63


Table of Contents

The indentures governing the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes contained similar restrictions on the ability of NBC and certain of its subsidiaries to pay dividends or make certain other payments. In addition, under the indentures to the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes, if there was no availability under the Restricted Payment Calculation, but NBC maintained the 2.0 to 1.0 consolidated coverage ratio on a pro forma basis, NBC could make dividends to us to meet the interest payments on the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes. If NBC did not maintain the 2.0 to 1.0 ratio on a pro forma basis, it could still make payments, including dividends to us, up to $15.0 million in the aggregate. At March 31, 2011, NBC’s pro forma consolidated coverage ratio calculated under the indenture to the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes was 1.3 to 1.0 and the ratio calculated under the indenture to the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes was 1.5 to 1.0. The pro forma consolidated coverage ratio calculated under the indenture to the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes differed from the ratio calculated under the indenture to the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes because the indenture to the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes excluded debt issue cost amortization only for debt instruments outstanding at the March 4, 2004 Transaction date from the calculation, whereas the indenture to the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes excluded the higher debt issue cost amortization for the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes and the Pre-Petition ABL Facility, which were issued in October of 2009, from the same calculation. At March 31, 2011, the amount distributable by NBC under the most restrictive indenture was $2.3 million after applying $12.8 million in dividends NBC paid to us for the March 15, 2010, September 15, 2010 and March 15, 2011 interest on the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes.
At March 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants, however, due to the chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on June 27, 2011, substantially all of our pre-petition debt is in default, including $200.0 million principal amount due under the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes; $175.0 million principal amount under the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and $77.0 million principal amount under the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes.
At March 31, 2011, the aggregate maturities of long-term debt for the next five fiscal years were as follows:
         
Fiscal        
Year        
 
 
2012
  $ 451,697,680  
2013
    67,387  
2014
    55,618  
2015
     
2016
     
J. LEASES AND OTHER COMMITMENTS
We have 7 bookstore facility leases classified as capital leases. These leases expire at various dates through fiscal year 2018 and contain options to renew for periods of up to ten years. Capitalized leased property included in property and equipment was $1.8 million and $2.6 million, net of accumulated depreciation at March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
We also lease bookstore facilities and data processing equipment under noncancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through fiscal year 2024, many of which contain options to renew for periods of up to ten years. Certain of the leases are based on a percentage of sales, ranging from 0.0% to 15.0%.

 

64


Table of Contents

Future minimum capital lease payments and aggregate minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases for the fiscal years ending March 31 are as follows:
                 
    Capital     Operating  
Fiscal Year   Leases     Leases  
2012
  $ 663,914     $ 21,922,000  
2013
    529,925       17,440,000  
2014
    448,973       13,595,000  
2015
    350,765       10,857,000  
2016
    361,288       7,423,000  
Thereafter
    497,385       14,319,000  
 
           
Total minimum lease payments
    2,852,250     $ 85,556,000  
 
           
Less amount representing interest at 8.6%
    (555,067 )        
 
             
Present value of minimum lease payments
    2,297,183          
Less obligations due within one year
    (505,562 )        
 
             
Long-term obligations
  $ 1,791,621          
 
             
Total rent expense for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $38.4 million, $35.1 million and $33.3 million, respectively. Percentage rent expense, above the guaranteed rent minimum amount, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $13.4 million, $11.4 million and $10.0 million, respectively.
K. REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
In conjunction with the Senior Credit Facility amendment on February 3, 2009, we entered into a Stock Subscription Agreement with NBC Holdings Corp. (“Holdings”), pursuant to which Holdings purchased 10,000 shares of a newly created Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, for $1,000 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $10.0 million. Mandatory cumulative dividends compound annually on December 31 at a rate of 15% of the liquidation preference, which is equal to $1,000 per share, as adjusted.
The preferred stock may be redeemed at the option of the holders of a majority of the Series A Preferred Stock, on the occurrence of a Change of Control, as defined in our First Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, at a redemption price per share equal to the liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; subject to the restrictions or limitations in our debt agreements. Until such time we are able to redeem all shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the holders of shares that remain outstanding have all rights, powers, privileges and preferences including the right to receive dividends at the rate of 17.5% per annum.
Due to the nature of the redemption feature, we have classified the Preferred Stock as temporary equity and have measured the Preferred Stock at redemption value. As of March 31, 2011, there have been no changes in circumstance that would require the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock or permit the payment of cumulative preferred dividends. Unpaid accumulated dividends at March 31, 2011 were $3.6 million and are included in the redemption value of the Preferred Stock.
L. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The standard excludes lease classification or measurement (except in certain instances).
A three-level hierarchal disclosure framework that prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability is used in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis in the statement of financial position. Market price observability is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of asset or liability and its characteristics. Assets and liabilities with readily available active quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.
The three levels are defined as follows: Level 1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets; Level 2 — inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

65


Table of Contents

The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures Topic of the FASB ASC also applies to disclosures of fair value for all financial instruments disclosed under the Financial Instruments Topic of the FASB ASC. The Financial Instruments Topic requires disclosures about fair value for all financial instruments, whether recognized or not recognized in the statement of financial position. For financial instruments recognized at fair value on a recurring basis in the statement of financial position, the three-level hierarchal disclosure requirements also apply.
Our long-term debt is not measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis in the statement of financial position so it does not fall under the three-level hierarchal disclosure requirements. The estimated fair value of the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes, the Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes and the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes, all of which are at a fixed rate, was determined utilizing the market approach based upon quoted prices for these instruments in markets that are not active. Other fixed rate debt (including capital lease obligations) estimated fair values are determined utilizing the income approach, calculating a present value of future payments based upon prevailing interest rates for similar obligations.
At March 31, 2011 and 2010 we did not have any funds drawn under our revolving line of credit. Estimated fair values for our long-term fixed rate debt at March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010 are summarized in the following table:
                 
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2011     2010  
Carrying Values:
               
Fixed rate debt
  $ 454,117,868     $ 454,624,262  
 
               
Fair Values:
               
Fixed rate debt
  $ 377,465,000     $ 438,537,000  
Due to the chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on June 27, 2011, substantially all of our pre-petition debt is in default. See Notes C and I.
M. NOTE RECEIVABLE FROM STOCKHOLDER
The note receivable from stockholder reflected as a component of stockholders’ equity pertains to the remaining balance of a note obtained from an NBC executive officer in conjunction with the issuance of shares of our common stock in January, 1999. The note, which was due to mature in January, 2011, was amended in December, 2010 to extend the maturity date to January, 2013. The note is payable at maturity and bears interest at 5.25%.
N. INCOME TAXES
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of:
                         
    Fiscal Years Ended  
    March 31, 2011     March 31, 2010     March 31, 2009  
Current:
                       
Federal
  $ (6,717,324 )   $ 1,646,948     $ 4,984,002  
State
    475,039       1,942,821       1,252,283  
Deferred
    2,745,407       (4,122,157 )     (1,947,665 )
 
                 
 
  $ (3,496,878 )   $ (532,388 )   $ 4,288,620  
 
                 

 

66


Table of Contents

The following represents a reconciliation between the actual income tax expense and income taxes computed by applying the Federal income tax rate to income before income taxes:
                         
    Fiscal Years Ended  
    March 31, 2011     March 31, 2010     March 31, 2009  
Statutory rate
    34.0 %     34.0 %     34.3 %
Goodwill impairment
    (29.7 )           (44.3 )
Valuation allowance
    (0.9 )            
Adjustment to state deferred tax rate
    0.4       (81.6 )      
NOL carryforward benefit
          (20.6 )      
State income tax effect
    (0.1 )     22.5       6.2  
Meals and entertainment
    (0.1 )     6.5       1.4  
Non-deductible debt discount accretion
    (0.1 )     3.2       0.5  
Other
    (0.1 )     6.1       (2.6 )
 
                 
 
    3.4 %     (29.9 )%     (4.5 %)
 
                 
For fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, our effective tax rate would have been 33.1%, excluding the impact of the goodwill impairment charge, which was all attributed to non-deductible tax goodwill and as such treated as a permanent difference for income tax purposes. Excluding the impact of the adjustment to the state deferred tax rate of $1.5 million, or (81.6%), and the NOL carryforward benefit of $0.4 million, or (20.6%), the effective tax rate would have been 72.3% for fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. The high effective tax rate in fiscal year 2010 was due to relatively low pre-tax income, to certain states taxing on a gross receipts methodology and increased interest expense which is not deductible in some states for state taxes. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, our effective tax rate would have been 39.8%, excluding the impact of the goodwill impairment charge, which was all attributed to non-deductible tax goodwill and as such treated as a permanent difference for income tax purposes.
The components of the deferred tax assets (liabilities) consist of the following:
                 
    March 31,  
    2011     2010  
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities), current:
               
Vacation accruals
  $ 1,021,060     $ 1,053,004  
Inventories
    1,295,657       1,176,603  
NOL carryforward benefit
          759,526  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    475,750       488,432  
Product returns
    1,052,254       1,140,441  
Incentive programs
    2,162,773       2,391,251  
Other
    (834,675 )     (761,698 )
 
           
 
    5,172,819       6,247,559  
 
           
Deferred income tax assets (liabilities), noncurrent:
               
 
               
Rental textbook assets
    (1,926,312 )      
Deferred compensation agreements
    112,358       140,707  
Interest on Senior Discount Notes
    9,805,559       10,065,529  
Goodwill amortization
    (11,492,248 )     (10,270,824 )
Covenants not to compete
    1,606,013       1,608,593  
Identifiable intangibles
    (40,056,937 )     (42,496,001 )
Property and equipment
    (466,635 )     (492,925 )
NOL carryforward benefit
    1,126,272        
NOL valuation allowance
    (899,808 )        
Other
    119,581       1,043,431  
 
           
 
    (42,072,157 )     (40,401,490 )
 
           
 
  $ (36,899,338 )   $ (34,153,931 )
 
           

 

67


Table of Contents

At March 31, 2011, we had net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards for state income tax purposes of approximately $31.8 million, which will expire on various dates, if unused, beginning in 2012 through 2031. We have recorded a deferred tax asset for the NOL carryforwards of $1.1 million and have established a valuation allowance of $0.9 million against the deferred tax asset.
We had no unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2011 and 2010. Interest and penalties for underpayments of income taxes were $1,232 and $7,477, respectively, paid in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011; $8,833 and $10,543, respectively, paid in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010; and $2,250 and $6,100, respectively, paid in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009.
O. RETIREMENT PLANS
Our subsidiary participates in and sponsors a 401(k) compensation deferral plan. The plan covers substantially all employees. The plan provisions include employee contributions based on a percentage of compensation along with a company matching feature (100% of the employee’s contribution up to 1% of their total compensation plus 50% of the employee’s contribution on the next 5% of their total compensation). NBC’s contributions for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $1.5 million, $1.5 million and $2.4 million, respectively.
When NBC acquired College Book Stores of America, Inc. (“CBA”) on May 1, 2006, CBA had an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”). NBC acquired all the issued and outstanding shares of CBA stock owned by the Plan. The Plan was frozen and converted to a qualified profit sharing plan. There have been no contributions to the Plan since May 1, 2006, and there will be no future contributions to this Plan. The majority of Plan assets were distributed to participants during fiscal year 2010 and final distribution occurred in January 2011. The Plan assets, which were not included in the consolidated financial statements, were invested by the trustee, primarily in fixed income investments.
P. DEFERRED COMPENSATION
NBC has a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for selected employees. This plan allows participants to voluntarily elect to defer portions of their current compensation. The amounts can be distributed upon either death or voluntary/involuntary resignation or termination. Interest is accrued at the Prime rate adjusted semi-annually on January 1 and July 1 and is compounded as of March 31. The liability for the deferred compensation totaled $0.4 million as of March 31, 2011 and 2010. One of the plan participants retired effective May, 2011. The deferred compensation will be paid in one annual installment plus interest on January 1, 2012 and is included in current liabilities at March 31, 2011.
Q. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
In conjunction with the March 4, 2004 Transaction, NBC Holdings Corp. established the 2004 Stock Option Plan, which was amended on August 13, 2008 and January 14, 2010 to increase the number of options available for issuance under the Plan. On September 29, 2005, NBC Holdings Corp. adopted the NBC Holdings Corp. 2005 Restricted Stock Plan to provide for the sale of NBC Holdings Corp. capital stock to certain of our officers and directors. Details regarding each of the plans are as follows:
2004 Stock Option Plan — This plan, established and amended by NBC Holdings Corp., provides for the granting of options to purchase 100,306 shares of NBC Holdings Corp. capital stock to selected employees, officers, and employee directors of ours and our affiliates. Additional shares may be issued upon changes in the capitalization of the Company and upon approval of a committee designated by our Board of Directors (“the Committee”). All options granted are intended to be nonqualified stock options, although the plan also provides for incentive stock options. This plan provides for the granting of options at the discretion of the Committee. Vesting schedules of options may vary and are determined at the time of grant by the Committee. Subject to certain exceptions, stock options granted under this plan are to be granted at an exercise price of not less than fair market value on the date the options are granted and expire ten years from the date of grant. At March 31, 2011, there were 10,425 options available for grant under this plan. With respect to each option granted by NBC Holdings Corp., we and NBC Holdings Corp. have an understanding that pursuant to the 2004 Stock Option Plan, we have granted, and will continue to grant, an option to purchase an equivalent number of shares of our common stock at the same exercise price to NBC Holdings Corp.
No share-based compensation expense was recognized at the time of grant for the options granted to employees prior to April 1, 2007, as the exercise price was greater than or equal to the estimated fair value (including a discount for the holder’s minority interest position and illiquidity of NBC Holdings Corp.’s capital stock) of NBC Holdings Corp.’s capital stock on the date of grant.

 

68


Table of Contents

On March 4, 2010, our Board of Directors approved the grant of 5,000 options available for issuance under the 2004 Stock Option Plan. The options, which have an exercise price of $85 per share, vest 25% on each of April 26, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. The options expire on April 26, 2020. The fair value of such options was estimated on the date of grant under the calculated value method using a closed-form option valuation model that contained the following assumption — expected volatility of 30.9%, no expected dividends, an expected term of four years, and a risk-free rate of 2.1%. As the stock underlying such options is not publicly traded, the expected volatility was based upon quarterly observations of the Dow Jones Global Index for Small Cap General Retailers over the four year period ended April 15, 2010. This index was selected as one which fit the industry in which we operate, and the volatility of that index was calculated utilizing a standard deviation formula. The expected term was an estimate of the period of time that such options granted are expected to remain outstanding after considering the vesting period and historical experience. The risk-free rate was based upon the April 26, 2010 estimated yield of a U.S. Treasury constant maturity series with a four year term.
On February 3, 2010, our Board of Directors approved the grant of 4,238 options available for issuance under the 2004 Stock Option Plan. The options, which have an exercise price of $85 per share, vest 25% on each of February 3, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. The options expire on February 3, 2020. The fair value of such options was estimated on the date of grant under the calculated value method using a closed-form option valuation model that contained the following assumption — expected volatility of 27.8%, no expected dividends, an expected term of four years, and a risk-free rate of 1.9%. As the stock underlying such options is not publicly traded, the expected volatility was based upon quarterly observations of the Dow Jones Global Index for Small Cap General Retailers over the four year period ended February 3, 2010. This index was selected as one which fit the industry in which we operate, and the volatility of that index was calculated utilizing a standard deviation formula. The expected term was an estimate of the period of time that such options granted are expected to remain outstanding after considering the vesting period and historical experience. The risk-free rate was based upon the February 3, 2010 estimated yield of a U.S. Treasury constant maturity series with a four year term.
On October 12, 2007, our Board of Directors approved the grant of 4,917 options available for issuance under the 2004 Stock Option Plan. The options, which have an exercise price of $205 per share, vest 25% on each of October 12, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The options expire on October 12, 2017. The fair value of such options was estimated on the date of grant under the calculated value method using a closed-form option valuation model that contained the following assumptions — expected volatility of 13.1%, no expected dividends, an expected term of four years, and a risk-free rate of 4.3%. As the stock underlying such options is not publicly traded, the expected volatility was based upon quarterly observations of the Dow Jones Global Index for Small Cap General Retailers over the four year period ended October 12, 2007. This index was selected as one which fit the industry in which we operate, and the volatility of that index was calculated utilizing a standard deviation formula. The expected term was an estimate of the period of time that such options granted are expected to remain outstanding after considering the vesting period and historical experience. The risk-free rate was based upon the October 12, 2007 estimated yield of a U.S. Treasury constant maturity series with a four year term.
As a result of employee resignations, 313 options granted prior to April 1, 2007, 200 options granted October 12, 2007 and 150 options granted February 3, 2010 have been forfeited.

 

69


Table of Contents

Specific information regarding share-based compensation for stock options granted after March 31, 2007 is presented in the following table:
         
Stock Options Granted October 12, 2007:
       
General information:
       
Grant date calculated fair value per option
  $ 38.23  
Shares at March 31, 2011:
       
Vested
    4,717  
Nonvested
     
 
     
Total
    4,717  
 
     
Unrecognized share-based compensation at March 31, 2011
  $  
Period over which unrecognized share-based compensation will be realized (in years) at March 31, 2011
     
 
       
Stock Options Granted February 3, 2010:
       
General information:
       
Grant date calculated fair value per option
  $ 13.87  
Shares at March 31, 2011:
       
Vested
    2,296  
Nonvested
    1,942  
 
     
Total
    4,238  
 
     
Unrecognized share-based compensation at March 31, 2011
  $ 26,930  
Period over which unrecognized share-based compensation will be realized (in years) at March 31, 2011
    1.8  
 
       
Stock Options Granted April 26, 2010:
       
General information:
       
Grant date calculated fair value per option
  $ 17.09  
Shares at March 31, 2011:
       
Vested
    2,396  
Nonvested
    2,604  
 
     
Total
    5,000  
 
     
 
       
Unrecognized share-based compensation at March 31, 2011
  $ 44,507  
 
       
Period over which unrecognized share-based compensation will be realized (in years) at March 31, 2011
    2.1  
         
    Fiscal Year Ended  
    March 31,  
Financial information:   2011  
Consolidated Statement of Operations:
       
Share-based compensation
  $ 77,783  
Deferred tax benefit
    93,138  
Other Required Disclosures:
       
Total calculated fair value of shares vested during the period
  $ 77,783  

 

70


Table of Contents

A summary of our share-based compensation activity related to stock options vested or expected to vest for the 2004 Stock Option Plan is as follows:
                 
    Fiscal Year Ended  
    March 31, 2011  
            Weighted-  
            Average  
            Exercise  
    Number     Price  
2004 Stock Option Plan:
               
Outstanding — beginning of year
    84,391     $ 117.75  
Granted
    5,000       85.00  
Exercised or converted
           
Forfeited
    (150 )     85.00  
Expired
           
 
           
Outstanding — end of year
    89,241     $ 113.73  
 
           
Exercisable — end of year
    83,447     $ 115.86  
 
           
                                 
    2004 Stock Option Plan  
    Outstanding     Exercisable  
            Weighted-             Weighted-  
            Average             Average  
            Remaining             Remaining  
            Contractual             Contractual  
    Number     Term (Yrs)     Number     Term (Yrs)  
March 31, 2011:
                               
Exercise price of $52.47
    26,628       2.9       26,628       2.9  
Exercise price of $106
    11,760       2.9       11,760       2.9  
Exercise price of $146
    10,750       2.9       10,750       2.9  
Exercise price of $160
    26,298       4.1       26,298       4.1  
Exercise price of $205
    4,717       6.5       4,717       6.5  
Exercise price of $85
    9,088       9.0       3,294       9.0  
 
                       
 
    89,241       4.1       83,447       3.7  
 
                       
2005 Restricted Stock Plan This plan provided for the issuance of shares of nonvested stock to individuals determined by NBC Holdings Corp.’s Board of Directors. Any shares issued under the plan were subject to restrictions on transferability and a right of NBC Holdings Corp. to re-acquire such shares at less than their then fair market value under certain conditions.
On March 31, 2006, 1,400 shares of NBC Holdings Corp. capital stock were issued for $0.01 per share to each of our three officers and directors (the “Officers”) pursuant to a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (the “RSPA”). The Officers were party to the Stockholders Agreement, dated March 4, 2004, by and among NBC Holdings Corp. and the Stockholders of NBC Holdings Corp. named therein, the provisions of which restricted the transfer of such shares and provided for certain other rights as detailed therein. The shares granted to the Officers were also each subject to a Stock Repurchase Agreement (the “SRA”) that, among other things, provided for vesting, certain call rights on behalf of NBC Holdings Corp., and certain put rights on behalf of the applicable Officer. With respect to each share of capital stock issued by NBC Holdings Corp., we and NBC Holdings Corp. have an understanding that pursuant to the 2005 Restricted Stock Plan, we have issued, and will continue to issue, an equivalent number of shares of our common stock at the same purchase price per share to NBC Holdings Corp.
The put rights enabled the Officer to require NBC Holdings Corp. to repurchase all vested shares following the Vesting Date at the lesser of fair market value or effectively $1.0 million for such Officer’s 1,400 shares, subject to certain adjustments and any restrictions or limitations in our debt covenants. The SRA also provided that NBC Holdings Corp. would pay a cash bonus to the Officer related to any vested shares that were repurchased in connection with the put. This bonus was intended to reimburse the Officer for any federal, state and local taxes related to the repurchase and to this cash bonus itself.

 

71


Table of Contents

In connection with the NBC Holdings Corp. 2005 Restricted Stock Plan, NBC also entered into a Restricted Stock Special Bonus Agreement (the “SBA”) with each Officer. Each SBA provided for the payment of a cash bonus to the Officer within 30 days following the Vesting Date based upon certain criteria (the “Special Bonus”). If the Officer was still employed by us on that date, or had been terminated without “cause,” as defined in the SBA, following a change of control, as defined in the SBA, prior to that date, the amount would be calculated as effectively $1.0 million less the fair market value of his nonvested stock, subject to certain adjustments. The SBA also provided that in the event of payment of the Special Bonus, NBC would pay an additional cash bonus to the Officer in an amount sufficient to reimburse the Officer for any federal, state and local taxes related to the Special Bonus and this additional bonus itself.
The combination of the NBC Holdings Corp. 2005 Restricted Stock Plan, the RSPA, the SRA and the SBA was intended to provide a minimum after-tax compensation benefit of $1.0 million to each of the Officers assuming that they remained employed by NBC through September 30, 2010 — all subject to certain adjustments and conditions related to our debt covenants — as described earlier. The shares issued under the 2005 Restricted Stock Plan vested September 30, 2010, the put rights were exercised by the Officers and total payments of $4.6 million under the 2005 Restricted Stock Plan, the RSPA, the SRA and the SBA were paid during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.
Due to the put rights on behalf of the Officers, share-based compensation was re-measured at the end of each reporting period and recognized to a minimum of $3.0 million plus anticipated cash bonuses to be paid to reimburse the Officers for any federal, state and local taxes thereon from the date of issuance of the nonvested stock until September 30, 2010 and was recorded as “accrued expenses” in the consolidated balance sheets and as “selling, general and administrative expenses” in the consolidated statements of operations. No additional nonvested shares have been issued.

 

72


Table of Contents

In re-measuring share-based compensation at the end of each reporting period, we recognized the greater of (a) the minimum compensation benefits associated with the nonvested shares or (b) the estimated fair value of such shares. Fair value was estimated utilizing a methodology which is consistent with the transaction-based method under the market approach described in the AICPA Audit and Accounting Practice Aid Series, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities (the “Practice Aid”). This methodology is consistent with the approaches that have been used in all four arms-length negotiated transactions involving our common stock since 1995, including the last transaction on March 4, 2004 and includes the following steps: (a) the determination of an estimated enterprise value using a multiple of EBITDA; (b) the enterprise value is reduced by outstanding debt and redeemable preferred stock and accumulated dividends to derive an equity value; and (c) the equity value is then divided by outstanding common stock and common stock equivalents to arrive at an estimated equity value per share. As NBC Holdings Corp.’s common stock is not publicly traded and the nonvested shares represent a minority interest position, the estimated equity value per share was discounted for these factors to arrive at the fair value of the nonvested shares. The factors to be considered in performing a valuation as outlined in the Practice Aid, as well as the risks outlined in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other factors, impact the selection of the EBITDA multiple used in the previously mentioned valuation methodology. As these factors and risks change, their impact on the valuation methodology is also considered. Specific information regarding nonvested stock share-based compensation is presented in the following table:
                         
    Fiscal Years Ended  
    March 31, 2011     March 31, 2010     March 31, 2009  
    Minimum Compensation  
Nonvested Stock:
                       
Valuation methodology
                       
Share-based compensation:
                       
Recognized:
                       
Value of nonvested shares
  $ 333,333     $ 666,667     $ 666,667  
Reimbursement for taxes
    36,751       378,791       578,460  
 
                 
Total
  $ 370,084     $ 1,045,458     $ 1,245,127  
 
                 
Unrecognized: (1)
                       
Value of nonvested shares
  $     $ 333,333     $ 1,000,000  
Reimbursement for taxes
          198,825       606,097  
 
                 
Total
  $     $ 532,158     $ 1,606,097  
 
                 
Deferred tax benefit
  $     $ 375,824     $ 476,298  
 
                       
Period over which unrecognized share-based compensation will be realized (in years)
          0.5       1.5  
R. SEGMENT INFORMATION
Our operating segments are determined based on the way that management organizes the segments for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Management has organized our operating segments based upon differences in products and services provided. We have three operating segments: Bookstore Division, Textbook Division, and Complementary Services Division. The Bookstore and Textbook Divisions qualify as reportable operating segments, while separate disclosure of the Complementary Services Division is provided as management believes that information about this operating segment is useful to the readers of the consolidated financial statements. The Bookstore Division segment encompasses the operating activities of our college bookstores located on or adjacent to college campuses. The Textbook Division segment consists primarily of selling used textbooks to college bookstores, buying them back from students or college bookstores at the end of each college semester and then reselling them to college bookstores. The Complementary Services Division segment includes book-related services such as distance education materials, computer hardware and software, e-commerce technology, consulting services, and a centralized buying service.
We primarily account for intersegment sales as if the sales were to third parties (at current market prices). Certain assets, net interest expense and taxes (excluding interest and taxes incurred by NBC’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, NBC Textbooks LLC, Net Textstore LLC, CBA, Campus Authentic LLC, and Specialty Books, Inc.) are not allocated between our segments; instead, such balances are accounted for in a corporate administrative division.

 

73


Table of Contents

EBITDA and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, goodwill impairment, and loss on early extinguishment of debt (“Adjusted EBITDA”) are important measures of segment profit or loss used by the Chief Executive Officer and President (chief operating decision makers) in making decisions about resources to be allocated to operating segments and assessing operating segment performance.
The following table provides selected information about profit and assets on a segment basis:
                                 
                    Complementary        
    Bookstore     Textbook     Services        
    Division     Division     Division     Total  
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2011:
                               
External customer revenues
  $ 468,299,457     $ 102,889,379     $ 27,241,331     $ 598,430,167  
Intersegment revenues
    236,921       32,609,239       8,156,495       41,002,655  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    8,901,801       6,089,249       1,054,568       16,045,618  
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and goodwill impairment (Adjusted EBITDA)
    33,905,906       34,710,745       2,764,283       71,380,934  
Total assets
    173,974,208       117,814,656       14,264,903       306,053,767  
 
                               
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2010:
                               
External customer revenues
  $ 471,028,406     $ 104,918,932     $ 29,546,275     $ 605,493,613  
Intersegment revenues
    1,463,869       35,673,288       5,924,561       43,061,718  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    9,285,089       6,075,652       2,606,650       17,967,391  
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and loss on early extinguishment of debt (Adjusted EBITDA)
    45,685,171       37,050,519       2,301,001       85,036,691  
Total assets
    189,058,497       121,026,790       15,312,328       325,397,615  
 
                               
Fiscal year ended March 31, 2009:
                               
External customer revenues
  $ 470,690,964     $ 111,715,360     $ 28,309,857     $ 610,716,181  
Intersegment revenues
    1,347,045       35,572,419       5,924,026       42,843,490  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    9,009,168       6,086,334       2,644,555       17,740,057  
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and goodwill impairment (Adjusted EBITDA)
    44,029,528       39,009,073       1,320,700       84,359,301  
Total assets
    179,192,480       131,827,129       17,836,018       328,855,627  

 

74


Table of Contents

The following table reconciles segment information presented above with consolidated information as presented in the consolidated financial statements:
                         
    Fiscal Years Ended  
    March 31, 2011     March 31, 2010     March 31, 2009  
Revenues:
                       
Total for reportable segments
  $ 639,432,822     $ 648,555,331     $ 653,559,671  
Elimination of intersegment revenues
    (41,002,655 )     (43,061,718 )     (42,843,490 )
 
                 
Consolidated total
  $ 598,430,167     $ 605,493,613     $ 610,716,181  
 
                 
 
                       
Depreciation and Amortization Expense:
                       
Total for reportable segments
  $ 16,045,618     $ 17,967,391     $ 17,740,057  
Corporate Administration
    1,159,207       1,402,861       1,246,594  
 
                 
Consolidated total
  $ 17,204,825     $ 19,370,252     $ 18,986,651  
 
                 
 
                       
Goodwill impairment
  $ 89,000,000     $     $ 106,972,000  
 
                       
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes:
                       
Total Adjusted EBITDA for reportable segments (1)
  $ 71,380,934     $ 85,036,691     $ 84,359,301  
Corporate Administration Adjusted EBITDA loss (including interdivision profit elimination) (1)
    (15,955,066 )     (11,597,268 )     (13,326,971 )
 
                 
 
    55,425,868       73,439,423       71,032,330  
Depreciation and amortization
    (17,204,825 )     (19,370,252 )     (18,986,651 )
Goodwill impairment
    (89,000,000 )           (106,972,000 )
 
                 
Consolidated income (loss) from operations
    (50,778,957 )     54,069,171       (54,926,321 )
Interest and other expenses, net
    (51,027,654 )     (49,224,513 )     (41,279,082 )
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
          (3,065,759 )      
 
                 
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes
  $ (101,806,611 )   $ 1,778,899     $ (96,205,403 )
 
                 
                         
    March 31, 2011     March 31, 2010     March 31, 2009  
Total Assets:
                       
Total for reportable segments
  $ 306,053,767     $ 325,397,615     $ 328,855,627  
Assets not allocated to segments:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
    45,012,983       49,933,615       36,090,627  
Receivables, net
    23,437,942       17,839,544       19,857,099  
Recoverable income taxes
    7,398,901       2,435,287       2,869,583  
Deferred income taxes
    1,644,974       1,690,559       2,350,802  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    2,197,991       2,216,334       3,485,273  
Property and equipment, net
    11,718,278       11,711,425       12,258,135  
Goodwill (2)
    73,089,875       162,089,875       162,089,875  
Identifiable intangibles, net
    31,656,404       32,035,514       32,722,900  
Debt issue costs, net
    4,211,013       9,964,874       7,896,706  
Other assets
    1,884,853       956,793       611,664  
 
                 
Consolidated total
  $ 508,306,981     $ 616,271,435     $ 609,088,291  
 
                 
     
(1)  
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, goodwill impairment, and loss on early extinguishment of debt.
 
(2)  
We determined in the first step of our annual goodwill impairment test conducted at March 31 that the carrying value of certain reporting units exceeded their fair values, indicating that goodwill may be impaired for fiscal years ended 2011 and 2009. Having determined that goodwill may be impaired, we performed the second step of the goodwill impairment test. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $89.0 million and $107.0 million in fiscal years 2011 and 2009, respectively, which reduced our goodwill carrying value to $129.4 million and $215.4 million as of March 31, 2011 and 2009, respectively.
Our revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the customer. Substantially all revenues generated are attributable to customers located within the United States.

 

75


Table of Contents

S. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In accordance with NBC’s debt covenants, NBC declared and paid $8.5 million in dividends to us during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 to provide funding for interest due and payable on our $77.0 million 11% Pre-Petition Senior Discount Notes.
In conjunction with the Senior Credit Facility amendment on February 3, 2009, we entered into a Stock Subscription Agreement with NBC Holdings Corp. (“Holdings”), pursuant to which Holdings purchased 10,000 shares of a newly created series of our preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, for $1,000 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $10.0 million. As a result of the Stock Subscription Agreement, we made a $10.0 million capital contribution to NBC.
T. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic EPS data is computed by dividing earnings after the deduction of preferred stock dividends by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS data is calculated by dividing earnings after the deduction of preferred stock dividends by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and potential common shares including stock options, if any, with a dilutive effect. The information used to compute basic and dilutive EPS on income (from continuing operations is as follows:
                         
    Fiscal Years Ended  
    March 31, 2011     March 31, 2010     March 31, 2009  
Net income (loss)
  $ (98,309,733 )   $ 2,311,287     $ (100,494,023 )
Less: preferred stock dividends
    (1,795,480 )     (1,572,554 )     (233,334 )
 
                 
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
  $ (100,105,213 )   $ 738,733     $ (100,727,357 )
 
                 
 
                       
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic
    554,094       554,094       554,094  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
 
 
Potential shares of common stock, attributable to stock options
          5,768        
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted
    554,094       559,862       554,094  
Weighted average common shares outstanding-diluted includes the incremental shares that would be issued upon the assumed exercise of stock options, if the effect is dilutive. Options to purchase 89,241 and 80,203 shares of common stock were outstanding at March 31, 2011 and 2009, but were not included in the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Stock options outstanding for March 31, 2010 were 84,391.
U. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On June 27, 2011, we filed voluntary petitions for reorganization relief under the Bankruptcy Code in the Court. Due to the chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, substantially all of our debt is in default and has been classified as current liabilities. See Note C and Note I for further discussion.

 

76


Table of Contents

V. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Effective January 26, 2009, we established Campus Authentic LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBC which was separately incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. On April 24, 2007, we established Net Textstore LLC as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBC separately incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. On May 1, 2006, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of CBA, an entity separately incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois and now accounted for as one of NBC’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. Effective January 1, 2005, our textbook division was separately formed under the laws of the State of Delaware as NBC Textbooks LLC, one of NBC’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. Effective July 1, 2002, our distance education business was separately incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware as Specialty Books, Inc., one of NBC’s wholly-owned subsidiaries. In connection with their incorporation, Campus Authentic LLC, Net Textstore LLC, CBA, NBC Textbooks LLC and Specialty Books, Inc. have unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, full and prompt payment and performance of NBC’s obligations, liabilities, and indebtedness arising under, out of, or in connection with the Pre-Petition Senior Subordinated Notes and Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes. However, we are not a guarantor of NBC’s obligations, liabilities or indebtedness arising out of, or in connection, with such notes. As of March 31, 2011, we, NBC and NBC’s wholly-owned subsidiaries were also a party to the First Lien Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement related to the Pre-Petition ABL Credit Agreement. Condensed consolidating balance sheets, statements of operations, and statements of cash flows are presented on the following pages which reflect financial information for the parent company (NBC Acquisition Corp), NBC and the subsidiary guarantors (Campus Authentic LLC (from January 26, 2009), Net Textstore LLC, CBA, NBC Textbooks LLC and Specialty Books, Inc.), consolidating eliminations, and consolidated totals.

 

77


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
MARCH 31, 2011
                                         
    NBC     Nebraska                      
    Acquistion     Book     Subsidiary             Consolidated  
    Corp.     Company, Inc.     Guarantors     Eliminations     Totals  
ASSETS
                                       
 
                                       
CURRENT ASSETS:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ 49,526,530     $ 6,920,850     $     $ 56,447,380  
Intercompany receivables
    26,103,749       15,756,276       75,596,987       (117,457,012 )      
Receivables, net
    42       31,909,645       23,056,618               54,966,305  
Inventories
          47,874,164       42,240,033             90,114,197  
Recoverable income taxes
          7,398,901                   7,398,901  
Deferred income taxes
    (45,585 )     715,404       4,503,000               5,172,819  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
          4,338,486       2,861,986             7,200,472  
 
                             
Total current assets
    26,058,206       157,519,406       155,179,474       (117,457,012 )     221,300,074  
 
                                       
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net
          33,971,546       5,420,104             39,391,650  
 
                                       
GOODWILL
          113,765,621       15,671,109             129,436,730  
 
                                       
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS, net
          4,005,045       70,156,255             74,161,300  
 
                                       
TRADENAME
          31,320,000                   31,320,000  
 
                                       
OTHER IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLES, net
          3,533,284       2,439,765             5,973,049  
 
                                       
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES
    1,123,613       188,466,295             (189,589,908 )      
 
                                       
OTHER ASSETS
    510,798       5,885,251       328,129             6,724,178  
 
                             
 
                                       
 
  $ 27,692,617     $ 538,466,448     $ 249,194,836     $ (307,046,920 )   $ 508,306,981  
 
                             
 
                                       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                                       
 
                                       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $     $ 17,456,720     $ 2,548,748     $     $ 20,005,468  
Intercompany payables
          75,596,987       15,756,276       (91,353,263 )      
Accrued employee compensation and benefits
          6,097,248       2,512,129             8,609,377  
Accrued interest
    371,288       7,295,682                   7,666,970  
Accrued incentives
          16,896       5,834,040             5,850,936  
Accrued expenses
          5,154,291       1,242,398             6,396,689  
Income taxes payable
          (3,469,950 )     3,469,950              
Deferred revenue
          1,405,802                   1,405,802  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    77,000,000       374,697,680                   451,697,680  
Current maturities of capital lease obligations
          505,562                   505,562  
 
                             
Total current liabilities
    77,371,288       484,756,918       31,363,541       (91,353,263 )     502,138,484  
 
                                       
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities
          123,005                   123,005  
 
                                       
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, net of current maturities
          1,791,621                   1,791,621  
 
                                       
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
          1,367,913       200,000             1,567,913  
 
                                       
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
    (10,292,472 )     23,199,629       29,165,000               42,072,157  
 
                                       
DUE TO PARENT
          26,103,749             (26,103,749 )      
 
                                       
COMMITMENTS
                                       
 
                                       
REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
    13,601,368                         13,601,368  
 
                                       
STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
    (52,987,567 )     1,123,613       188,466,295       (189,589,908 )     (52,987,567 )
 
                             
 
                                       
 
  $ 27,692,617     $ 538,466,448     $ 249,194,836     $ (307,046,920 )   $ 508,306,981  
 
                             

 

78


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
MARCH 31, 2010
                                         
    NBC     Nebraska                      
    Acquisition     Book     Subsidiary             Consolidated  
    Corp.     Company, Inc.     Guarantors     Eliminations     Totals  
ASSETS
                                       
 
                                       
CURRENT ASSETS:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $ 55,410,821     $ 5,561,804     $     $ 60,972,625  
Intercompany receivables
    23,194,711       17,716,457       57,770,424       (98,681,592 )      
Receivables, net
          32,613,517       25,374,277               57,987,794  
Inventories
          55,017,307       42,480,382             97,497,689  
Recoverable income taxes
          2,435,287                   2,435,287  
Deferred income taxes
          1,690,559       4,557,000             6,247,559  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
          3,494,754       575,527             4,070,281  
 
                             
Total current assets
    23,194,711       168,378,702       136,319,414       (98,681,592 )     229,211,235  
 
                                       
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net
          36,815,903       5,339,521             42,155,424  
 
                                       
GOODWILL
          199,900,018       15,671,108             215,571,126  
 
                                       
CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS, net
          4,315,113       75,587,707             79,902,820  
 
                                       
TRADENAME
          31,320,000                   31,320,000  
 
                                       
OTHER IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLES, net
          3,455,593       1,839,731             5,295,324  
 
                                       
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES
    102,190,528       171,532,241             (273,722,769 )      
 
                                       
OTHER ASSETS
    766,191       10,892,382       1,156,933             12,815,506  
 
                             
 
                                       
 
  $ 126,151,430     $ 626,609,952     $ 235,914,414     $ (372,404,361 )   $ 616,271,435  
 
                             
 
                                       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
                                       
 
                                       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
                                       
Accounts payable
  $     $ 22,622,816     $ 3,764,224     $     $ 26,387,040  
Intercompany payables
          57,770,424       17,716,457       (75,486,881 )      
Accrued employee compensation and benefits
          6,921,873       2,479,595             9,401,468  
Accrued interest
    371,288       7,295,709                   7,666,997  
Accrued incentives
          31,148       6,282,785             6,313,933  
Accrued expenses
          8,195,313       856,338             9,051,651  
Income taxes payable
          (3,651,775 )     3,651,775              
Deferred revenue
          1,299,960                   1,299,960  
Current maturities of long-term debt
          54,403                   54,403  
Current maturities of capital lease obligations
          846,053                   846,053  
 
                             
Total current liabilities
    371,288       101,385,924       34,751,174       (75,486,881 )     61,021,505  
 
                                       
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities
    77,000,000       374,343,069                   451,343,069  
 
                                       
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, net of current maturities
          2,380,737                   2,380,737  
 
                                       
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
          1,918,963       360,000             2,278,963  
 
                                       
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
    (10,065,529 )     21,196,020       29,270,999             40,401,490  
 
                                       
DUE TO PARENT
          23,194,711             (23,194,711 )      
 
                                       
COMMITMENTS
                                       
 
                                       
REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
    11,805,888                         11,805,888  
 
                                       
STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
    47,039,783       102,190,528       171,532,241       (273,722,769 )     47,039,783  
 
                             
 
                                       
 
  $ 126,151,430     $ 626,609,952     $ 235,914,414     $ (372,404,361 )   $ 616,271,435  
 
                             

 

79


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2011
                                         
    NBC     Nebraska                      
    Acquisition     Book     Subsidiary             Consolidated  
    Corp.     Company, Inc.     Guarantors     Eliminations     Totals  
 
                                       
REVENUES, net of returns
  $     $ 354,526,859     $ 272,897,127     $ (28,993,819 )   $ 598,430,167  
 
                                       
COSTS OF SALES (exclusive of depreciation shown below)
          219,787,829       176,156,445       (29,784,575 )     366,159,699  
 
                             
 
                                       
Gross profit
          134,739,030       96,740,682       790,756       232,270,468  
 
                                       
OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):
                                       
Selling, general and administrative
          122,988,058       53,065,786       790,756       176,844,600  
Depreciation
          6,707,569       1,871,523             8,579,092  
Amortization
          2,191,853       6,433,880             8,625,733  
Goodwill impairment
          89,000,000                   89,000,000  
Intercompany administrative fee
          (8,685,564 )     8,685,564              
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    92,674,736       (16,934,057 )           (75,740,679 )      
 
                             
 
                                       
 
    92,674,736       195,267,859       70,056,753       (74,949,923 )     283,049,425  
 
                             
 
                                       
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
    (92,674,736 )     (60,528,829 )     26,683,929       75,740,679       (50,778,957 )
 
                             
 
                                       
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
                                       
Interest expense
    8,725,393       42,478,097       23             51,203,513  
Interest income
          (83,708 )     (92,151 )           (175,859 )
 
                             
 
                                       
 
    8,725,393       42,394,389       (92,128 )           51,027,654  
 
                             
 
                                       
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    (101,400,129 )     (102,923,218 )     26,776,057       75,740,679       (101,806,611 )
 
                                       
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
    (3,090,396 )     (10,248,482 )     9,842,000             (3,496,878 )
 
                             
 
                                       
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ (98,309,733 )   $ (92,674,736 )   $ 16,934,057     $ 75,740,679     $ (98,309,733 )
 
                             

 

80


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2010
                                         
    NBC     Nebraska                      
    Acquisition     Book     Subsidiary             Consolidated  
    Corp.     Company, Inc.     Guarantors     Eliminations     Totals  
 
                                       
REVENUES, net of returns
  $     $ 377,306,980     $ 264,870,178     $ (36,683,545 )   $ 605,493,613  
 
                                       
COSTS OF SALES (exclusive of depreciation shown below)
          236,892,355       171,376,403       (38,072,842 )     370,195,916  
 
                             
 
                                       
Gross profit
          140,414,625       93,493,775       1,389,297       235,297,697  
 
                                       
OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):
                                       
Selling, general and administrative
          113,325,037       47,143,940       1,389,297       161,858,274  
Depreciation
          6,751,707       1,765,297             8,517,004  
Amortization
          4,674,439       6,178,809             10,853,248  
Intercompany administrative fee
          (6,732,823 )     6,732,823              
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    (7,362,198 )     (20,241,303 )           27,603,501        
 
                             
 
                                       
 
    (7,362,198 )     97,777,057       61,820,869       28,992,798       181,228,526  
 
                             
 
                                       
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS
    7,362,198       42,637,568       31,672,906       (27,603,501 )     54,069,171  
 
                             
 
                                       
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
                                       
Interest expense
    8,725,393       40,678,890       939             49,405,222  
Interest income
          (83,373 )     (97,336 )           (180,709 )
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
          3,065,759                   3,065,759  
 
                             
 
                                       
 
    8,725,393       43,661,276       (96,397 )           52,290,272  
 
                             
 
                                       
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    (1,363,195 )     (1,023,708 )     31,769,303       (27,603,501 )     1,778,899  
 
                                       
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
    (3,674,482 )     (8,385,906 )     11,528,000             (532,388 )
 
                             
 
                                       
NET INCOME
  $ 2,311,287     $ 7,362,198     $ 20,241,303     $ (27,603,501 )   $ 2,311,287  
 
                             

 

81


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISTION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009
                                         
    NBC     Nebraska                      
    Acquisition     Book     Subsidiary             Consolidated  
    Corp.     Company, Inc.     Guarantors     Eliminations     Totals  
 
                                       
REVENUES, net of returns
  $     $ 386,910,695     $ 260,062,026     $ (36,256,540 )   $ 610,716,181  
 
                                       
COSTS OF SALES (exclusive of depreciation shown below)
          244,484,547       165,056,393       (38,171,700 )     371,369,240  
 
                             
 
                                       
Gross profit
          142,426,148       95,005,633       1,915,160       239,346,941  
 
                                       
OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):
                                       
Selling, general and administrative
          115,276,253       51,123,198       1,915,160       168,314,611  
Depreciation
          6,054,313       1,548,318             7,602,631  
Amortization
          5,180,117       6,203,903             11,384,020  
Goodwill impairment
          106,972,000                   106,972,000  
Intercompany administrative fee
          (4,923,600 )     4,923,600              
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    94,928,668       (19,707,636 )           (75,221,032 )      
 
                             
 
                                       
 
    94,928,668       208,851,447       63,799,019       (73,305,872 )     294,273,262  
 
                             
 
                                       
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
    (94,928,668 )     (66,425,299 )     31,206,614       75,221,032       (54,926,321 )
 
                             
 
                                       
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
                                       
Interest expense
    8,725,393       32,878,225                   41,603,618  
Interest income
          (385,514 )     (41,022 )           (426,536 )
Loss on derivative financial instrument
          102,000                   102,000  
 
                             
 
                                       
 
    8,725,393       32,594,711       (41,022 )           41,279,082  
 
                             
 
                                       
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    (103,654,061 )     (99,020,010 )     31,247,636       75,221,032       (96,205,403 )
 
                                       
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
    (3,160,038 )     (4,091,342 )     11,540,000             4,288,620  
 
                             
 
                                       
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ (100,494,023 )   $ (94,928,668 )   $ 19,707,636     $ 75,221,032     $ (100,494,023 )
 
                             

 

82


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2011
                                         
    NBC     Nebraska                      
    Acquisition     Book     Subsidiary             Consolidated  
    Corp.     Company, Inc.     Guarantors     Eliminations     Totals  
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ (5,561,004 )   $ 11,233,876     $ 7,154,228     $     $ 12,827,100  
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Purchases of property and equipment
          (3,661,112 )     (2,012,336 )     9,668       (5,663,780 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
          (5,657,765 )     (3,803,543 )           (9,461,308 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
          441,151       20,697       (9,668 )     452,180  
Software development costs
          (1,633,638 )                 (1,633,638 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Net cash flows from investing activities
          (10,511,364 )     (5,795,182 )           (16,306,546 )
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
                             
Payment of financing costs
          (66,660 )                 (66,660 )
Principal payments on long-term debt
          (54,401 )                 (54,401 )
Principal payments on capital lease obligations
          (929,607 )                 (929,607 )
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
          44,200,000                   44,200,000  
Payments under revolving credit facility
          (44,200,000 )                 (44,200,000 )
Dividends received from subsidiary (paid to parent)
    8,470,000       (8,470,000 )                  
Proceeds from payment on note receivable from stockholder
    4,869                         4,869  
Capital contributions
    (4,869 )     4,827             42        
Change in due from subsidiary
    (2,908,996 )     2,909,038             (42 )      
 
                             
 
                                       
Net cash flows from financing activities
    5,561,004       (6,606,803 )                 (1,045,799 )
 
                             
 
                                       
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
          (5,884,291 )     1,359,046             (4,525,245 )
 
                                       
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of period
          55,410,821       5,561,804             60,972,625  
 
                             
 
                                       
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of period
  $     $ 49,526,530     $ 6,920,850     $     $ 56,447,380  
 
                             

 

83


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2010
                                         
    NBC     Nebraska                      
    Acquistion     Book     Subsidiary             Consolidated  
    Corp.     Company, Inc.     Guarantors     Eliminations     Totals  
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ (5,405,478 )   $ 29,900,573     $ 6,336,135     $     $ 30,831,230  
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Purchases of property and equipment
          (3,737,872 )     (1,730,751 )     57,647       (5,410,976 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
          (463,474 )     (2,384,134 )           (2,847,608 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
          85,250       113,564       (57,647 )     141,167  
Software development costs
          (648,523 )                 (648,523 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Net cash flows from investing activities
          (4,764,619 )     (4,001,321 )           (8,765,940 )
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
          199,000,000                   199,000,000  
Payment of financing costs
          (10,190,217 )                 (10,190,217 )
Principal payments on long-term debt
          (193,125,225 )                 (193,125,225 )
Principal payments on capital lease obligations
          (820,560 )                 (820,560 )
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
          85,000,000                   85,000,000  
Payments under revolving credit facility
          (85,000,000 )                 (85,000,000 )
Dividends received from subsidiary (paid to parent)
    8,470,000       (8,470,000 )                    
Proceeds from payment on note receivable from stockholder
    4,869                         4,869  
Capital contributions
    (4,869 )     4,869                    
Change in due from subsidiary
    (3,064,522 )     3,064,522                    
 
                             
 
                                       
Net cash flows from financing activities
    5,405,478       (10,536,611 )                 (5,131,133 )
 
                             
 
                                       
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
          14,599,343       2,334,814             16,934,157  
 
                                       
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of period
          40,811,478       3,226,990             44,038,468  
 
                             
 
                                       
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of period
  $     $ 55,410,821     $ 5,561,804     $     $ 60,972,625  
 
                             

 

84


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009
                                         
    NBC     Nebraska                      
    Acquisition     Book     Subsidiary             Consolidated  
    Corp.     Company, Inc.     Guarantors     Eliminations     Totals  
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  $ (5,309,962 )   $ 29,207,254     $ 2,458,659     $     $ 26,355,951  
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Purchases of property and equipment
          (6,096,566 )     (1,989,243 )     106,438       (7,979,371 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
          (3,236,139 )     (3,084,633 )           (6,320,772 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
          38,060       103,881       (106,438 )     35,503  
Software development costs
          (633,763 )                 (633,763 )
 
                             
 
                                       
Net cash flows from investing activities
          (9,928,408 )     (4,969,995 )           (14,898,403 )
 
                                       
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                                       
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
    10,000,000                         10,000,000  
Payment of financing costs
          (3,961,811 )                 (3,961,811 )
Principal payments on long-term debt
          (2,070,654 )                 (2,070,654 )
Principal payments on capital lease obligations
          (722,823 )                 (722,823 )
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
          200,600,000                   200,600,000  
Payments under revolving credit facility
          (200,600,000 )                 (200,600,000 )
Dividends received from subsidiary (paid to parent)
    8,470,000       (8,470,000 )                  
Proceeds from payment on note receivable from stockholder
    9,752                         9,752  
Capital contributions
    (10,009,752 )     10,009,752                    
Change in due from subsidiary
    (3,160,038 )     3,160,038                    
 
                             
 
                                       
Net cash flows from financing activities
    5,309,962       (2,055,498 )                 3,254,464  
 
                             
 
                                       
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
          17,223,348       (2,511,336 )           14,712,012  
 
                                       
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of period
          23,588,130       5,738,326             29,326,456  
 
                             
 
                                       
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of period
  $     $ 40,811,478     $ 3,226,990     $     $ 44,038,468  
 
                             

 

85


Table of Contents

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and treasurer (our principal executive officer and principal financial officer), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2011. This evaluation was performed to determine if our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in that they are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations, including ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our chief executive officer and treasurer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and treasurer concluded that, as of March 31, 2011, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
(b) Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting:
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and the board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2011. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based on its assessment management has concluded that, as of March 31, 2011, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
(c) Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm. This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
(d) Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) which occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
We are not required to file reports with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, but are filing this Annual Report on Form 10-K on a voluntary basis.

 

86


Table of Contents

PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
The members of our Board of Directors and senior executive officers and their ages are as follows:
             
Name   Age     Position
 
           
Mark L. Bono
    51     Director
R. Sean Honey
    40     Director
Mark W. Oppegard
    61     Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Director
Barry S. Major
    54     President/Chief Operating Officer, NBC and Director
Alan G. Siemek
    51     Vice President and Treasurer
Steven A. Clemente
    41     Senior Vice President — Bookstore Division, NBC
Michael J. Kelly
    53     Senior Vice President — Textbook Division, NBC
Larry R. Rempe
    63     Senior Vice President — Complementary Services, NBC
Nathan D. Rempe
    33     Chief Technology Officer, NBC
Amanda L. Towne
    38     Chief Accounting Officer, NBC
The business experience, principal occupation and employment as well as the periods of service of each of the directors and senior executive officers during the last five fiscal years are set forth below.
Mark L. Bono became a Director of ours upon the consummation of the March 4, 2004 Transaction. Mr. Bono joined Weston Presidio in 1999 and is a member of the general partners of the Weston Funds. Prior to 1999, Mr. Bono served in various positions at Tucker Anthony, an investment banking firm, including Managing Director and Co-Head of Mergers and Acquisitions. Mr. Bono also serves as a Director of Trimark Sportswear Group, Summit Energy, Herbal Science and Rockwood. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Bono possesses particular knowledge and experience in capital structure and corporate governance practices that strengthen the Board’s collective qualification, skills and experience.
R. Sean Honey was named a Director of ours upon the consummation of the March 4, 2004 Transaction. Mr. Honey joined Weston Presidio in 1999 and is a member of the general partners of the Weston Funds. Prior to 1999, Mr. Honey served in various positions at J.P. Morgan in both Mergers and Acquisitions and Merchant Banking. Mr. Honey also serves as a Director of Apple American Group, Cellu Tissue Holdings, and Purcell Systems. As a result of these and other professional experiences, Mr. Honey possesses particular knowledge and experience in capital structure and corporate governance practices that strengthen the Board’s collective qualification, skills and experience.
Mark W. Oppegard has served in the college bookstore industry for 41 years (all of which have been with us). Mr. Oppegard became our Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Director and Chief Executive Officer of NBC on February 13, 1998 and served as our President from that date to September, 2008. Additionally, Mr. Oppegard served as NBC’s President from 1992 to September, 2008 and has served as a Director of NBC since 1995. Prior to 1998, Mr. Oppegard served as our Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Treasurer and Director between 1995 and 1998. Prior to 1992, Mr. Oppegard served in a series of positions at NBC, including Vice President of the Bookstore Division. Mr. Oppegard brings to the Board extensive executive management experience, significant knowledge of the Company, our operations, our competitors and our market, leadership skills and a long history in strategy and strategic planning.
Barry S. Major, who has served in the college bookstore industry for 12 years (all of which have been with us), was named President in September, 2008, upon consummation of the March 4, 2004 Transaction was named our Director and was named Chief Operating Officer of NBC in January, 1999. Mr. Major is also a member of the board of directors of Mutual of Omaha Bank, where he also serves on the loan committee of the board of directors and chairs the audit and compensation committees. Mr. Major brings to the Board extensive executive management experience, knowledge of the Company, our operations, our competitors and our market, financial acumen and private company corporate governance experience.
Alan G. Siemek, who has served in the college bookstore industry for 12 years (all of which have been with us), was named Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration of NBC in April, 2001. Mr. Siemek has also served as our Vice President and Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of NBC since July, 1999.

 

87


Table of Contents

Steven A. Clemente joined NBC in April, 2010 as Senior Vice President of NBC’s Bookstore Division. Prior to joining NBC, Mr. Clemente served as Group Vice President for Target Stores from February, 2008 to April, 2010 in which he was overseeing operations in excess of $2.5 billion annually. From January, 2006 to January, 2008, Mr. Clemente served as Director for Target Stores. Mr. Clemente began at Target Stores in 1995 as an Executive Team Leader/Regional Buyer and worked his way up through the organization, including District Team Leader in both Houston and Louisiana.
Michael J. Kelly, who has served in the college bookstore industry for 11 years (all of which have been with us), was named Senior Vice President of NBC’s Textbook Division in April, 2005. Prior to April, 2005, Mr. Kelly served as NBC’s Senior Vice President of Distance Learning/Marketing Services and Other Complementary Services from August, 2001 to March, 2005 and as NBC’s Vice President of e-commerce from November, 1999 to July, 2001.
Larry R. Rempe has served in the college bookstore industry for 25 years (all of which have been with us) and was named Senior Vice President of Complementary Services of NBC in April, 2005. Prior to April, 2005, Mr. Rempe served as NBC’s Vice President of Information Systems since 1986. Between 1974 and 1986, Mr. Rempe served in various positions for Lincoln Industries, Inc., a holding company that owned NBC until 1995. Mr. Larry Rempe is the father of Mr. Nathan Rempe, NBC’s Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Rempe retired effective May 1, 2011.
Nathan D. Rempe, who has served in the college bookstore industry for 6 years (all of which have been with us), was named Senior Vice President of NBC in January, 2011 and Chief Technology Officer of NBC in March, 2009. Prior to March, 2009, Mr. Rempe served as NBC’s Vice President of Internet Services since 2006 and Director of Internet Strategy in 2005. Prior to joining NBC, Mr. Rempe served as Lead e-Business Developer for Commercial Federal Bank where he managed the bank’s online consumer banking application. Mr. Rempe is also an Executive Faculty member at Creighton University, teaching graduate level courses in information technology. Mr. Nathan Rempe is the son of Mr. Larry Rempe, NBC’s Senior Vice President of Complementary Services.
Amanda L. Towne, who has served in the college bookstore industry for 12 years (all of which have been with us), was named Chief Accounting Officer of NBC in October, 2010. Ms. Towne has also served in various positions, including Vice President of Financial Reporting and Budgeting, Director of Corporate Accounting and Budgeting, and Accounting Manager of NBC since October, 1999.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) and NBC’s Board is led by Mark L. Bono. Mark W. Oppegard serves as NBC’s CEO and Director and our Director, Barry S. Major serves as NBC’s President, COO, Director and our Director and R. Sean Honey serves as our Director and NBC’s Director. The Board has determined that this is an effective leadership structure at the present time because Mr. Bono and Mr. Honey bring experience regarding acquisitions and corporate governance practice of other corporations while the Board gets the benefit of Mr. Oppegard and Mr. Major’s intimate knowledge of the day-to-day operations of our business and their significant experience in the industry.
Our Board generally administers its risk oversight function through the board as a whole. NBC’s Chief Executive Officer and President and Chief Operating Officer, members of the Board, and other executives have day-to-day risk management responsibilities. In addition, management provides a monthly report of our financial and operation performance to each member of the Board. The Audit Committee provides additional oversight through its quarterly meetings, where it reviews our contingencies, significant transactions and subsequent events, among other matters with management and our independent auditors.
The Board has not established a formal process for identifying director nominees, nor does it have a formal policy regarding consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees.
Audit Committee
Our audit committee currently consists of Mark L. Bono and R. Sean Honey. Among other functions, our audit committee (a) makes recommendations to our board of directors regarding the selection of independent auditors; (b) reviews the results and scope of the audit and other services provided by our independent auditors; (c) reviews our financial statements; and (d) reviews and evaluates our internal control functions. The Board of Directors has determined that the audit committee does not have an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. However, the Board of Directors is satisfied that the members of our audit committee have sufficient expertise and business and financial experience necessary to effectively perform their duties as the audit committee.

 

88


Table of Contents

Code of Ethics
We have adopted a written code of ethics for our principal executive officer and senior financial officers as required by the SEC under Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The code sets forth written standards to deter wrongdoing and promote honest and ethical conduct, accurate and timely disclosure in reports and documents, compliance with applicable governmental laws and regulations, prompt internal reporting of violations of the code, and accountability for adherence to the code.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The following tables and paragraphs provide information concerning compensation paid for the last three fiscal years to NBC’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and three other most highly compensated senior executive officers (each, an “Executive”) earning in excess of $100,000 in total compensation as defined in Regulation S-K, subpart 229.402(a)(3), including compensation discussion and analysis, summary compensation table, grants of plan-based awards, employment agreements, outstanding equity awards, nonqualified deferred compensation, potential payments upon termination or change in control, compensation of directors, compensation committee interlocks and insider participation, and compensation committee report.
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Compensation Philosophy. Our compensation programs are intended to attract and retain vital employees and to properly incent high level talent to work for and ultimately add value to the Company for the benefit of the shareholders.
Compensation Committee and Compensation Process. We do not have a formal Compensation Committee; however, Messrs. Bono and Honey, the two directors affiliated with Weston Presidio, the majority equity owner of NBC Holdings Corp. (our parent company), act to approve the chief executive officer base salary compensation, our budget, and all stock option or other equity awards. All other decisions related to compensation are approved by our chief executive officer and President as appropriate.
Executive Compensation Components. Components of our Executive compensation include base salary, bonus, stock option and other equity awards, severance benefits, health insurance, disability and life insurance, and various other insurance coverages as described in further detail below. The following is a brief description of each principal element of compensation:
  1)  
Base Salary. Base salaries are intended to compensate the Executives and all other salaried employees for their basic services performed for us on an annual basis. In setting base salaries, we take into account the Executive’s experience, the functions and responsibilities of the job, and any other factors relevant to that particular job. Base salaries are typically adjusted annually by our chief executive officer and President; however, we do not limit ourselves to this schedule. The chief executive officer’s base salary is approved by Messrs. Bono and Honey of the Board of Directors, the two directors affiliated with Weston Presidio.
  2)  
Bonus Plan. We use our executive bonus plan to incent each Executive on an annual basis. Bonuses for each Executive are initially determined by a preset percentage of the Executive’s salary based upon attainment of goals related to our consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA compared to budget. Such goals may be revised for material unbudgeted events. Typically the minimum percentage needed to qualify for a bonus is 93% of budgeted EBITDA, and the maximum bonus amounts are achieved at 110% of budgeted EBITDA. Such initial calculated amounts are then adjusted by our chief executive officer and President based upon non-quantifiable criteria in evaluating job performance.
  3)  
Stock Option and Other Equity Awards. We use nonqualified stock options and other equity awards to incent our Executives to remain with us and to maximize long-term value for our shareholders. We have generally awarded stock options on an annual basis to each Executive based upon informal performance measures. Generally, we must achieve at least 93% of the budgeted EBITDA before options are granted. Messrs. Bono and Honey, the two directors affiliated with Weston Presidio, receive a recommendation from our chief executive officer regarding the number of stock options to be granted to each Executive and then adjust such recommendation as they consider appropriate. In addition, in March 2006, upon the approval of the entire Board of Directors, our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and President were each issued 1,400 shares of nonvested stock for $0.01 per share. This issuance of shares was designed to incent those named Executives to remain with us until at least September 30, 2010. Since this issuance of nonvested stock, these named Executives have not received any further grants of stock options. These shares vested September 30, 2010 and were subsequently paid out. See Note Q to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

89


Table of Contents

  4)  
Severance Plans. Each Executive has signed a memorandum of understanding under which they may be paid severance of up to (i) one year of base salary, (ii) pro rata bonuses and (iii) continuation of health, life and disability benefits for up to 12 months if they are terminated without cause (as defined in those agreements).
  5)  
Other Benefits. We maintain health, dental and vision insurance plans for the benefit of eligible employees, including the Executives. The health and dental plans require the employee to pay a portion of the premium and we pay the remainder. The vision plan premium is paid in its entirety by the employee. We also maintain a 401(k) retirement plan that is available to all eligible employees. For fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, we matched elective employee-participant contributions on the basis of 100% of the employee’s contribution up to 1% of their total compensation plus 50% of the employee’s contribution on the next 5% of their total compensation. For fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, we matched elective employee-participant contributions on the basis of 100% of the employee’s contribution up to 5% of their total compensation. Certain amounts of life, accidental death and dismemberment, and short and long-term disability insurance coverage is also offered to all eligible employees and premiums or costs are paid in full by us. Certain other voluntary insurance coverages are available to eligible employees, such as supplemental life, cancer and personal accident insurance with the entire premium paid by the employee. The foregoing benefits are available to each Executive on the same basis as all other eligible employees.
We do not have a policy regarding the adjustment or recovery of compensation if the results on which that compensation was determined are restated or otherwise adjusted.

 

90


Table of Contents

Summary Compensation Table
The table presented below summarizes compensation to each Executive for the last three fiscal years:
Summary Compensation Table
                                                                 
                            (2)             Change in              
                            Non-Equity             Nonqualified              
                            Incentive             Deferred     (5)        
    Fiscal             (1)     Plan     Option     Compensation     All Other        
Name and Principal Position   Year     Salary     Bonus     Compensation     Awards (3)     Earnings (4)     Compensation     Total  
Mark W. Oppegard — Chief Executive Officer and Director, NBC
    2011     $ 199,992     $     $ 1,333,510     $     $     $ 8,827     $ 1,542,329  
 
    2010       200,426                               8,827       209,253  
 
    2009       266,500       100,000                   206       11,752       378,458  
 
                                                               
Alan G. Siemek — Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary, NBC
    2011       213,990             1,333,510                   8,827       1,556,327  
 
    2010       214,373                               8,827       223,200  
 
    2009       214,857       80,000                         11,752       306,609  
 
                                                               
Barry S. Major — Chief Operating Officer, President and Director, NBC
    2011       284,003             1,333,510                   8,827       1,626,340  
 
    2010       284,446                               8,827       293,273  
 
    2009       287,694       106,000                         11,752       405,446  
 
                                                               
Steven A. Clemente — Senior Vice President — Bookstore Division, NBC (6)
    2011       248,558       100,000             85,450             67,138       501,146  
 
    2010                                            
 
    2009                                            
 
                                                               
Michael J. Kelly — Senior Vice President — Textbook Division, NBC
    2011       203,008                               7,379       210,387  
 
    2010       203,250                   9,709             8,827       221,786  
 
    2009       204,083       65,000                         11,752       280,835  
     
(1)  
Bonus paid to Steven A. Clemente for fiscal year 2011 was paid pursuant to his employment agreement.
 
(2)  
Amounts paid related to the 2005 Restricted Stock Plan and Restricted Stock Special Bonus Agreement. See Note Q of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
(3)  
The amounts shown represent the aggregate grant date fair value for awards granted in fiscal years 2011 and 2010, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. See Note Q of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
(4)  
The amounts shown represent above market earnings on non-qualified deferred compensation.
 
(5)  
All other compensation consists of the following components: (a) matching contributions to the NBC Retirement Plan; (b) life insurance premiums paid by us on the Executive’s behalf and (c) relocation expenses paid by us on the Executive’s behalf. Relocation expenses paid on behalf of Steven A. Clemente amounted to $8,947 in relocation benefits, $25,000 for loss on sale of residence and $22,990 as tax gross up. Directors do not receive compensation for their services as a director. See Note O of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
 
(6)  
Steven A. Clemente joined the company in April, 2010.

 

91


Table of Contents

Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The following table provides information concerning each grant of an award to an Executive in the last completed fiscal year:
                                 
            All Other              
            Option Awards:     Exercise     Grant  
            Number of     or Base     Date Fair  
            Securities     Price of     Value of  
    Grant     Underlying     Option     Option  
Name   Date     Options     Awards     Awards  
 
                               
Mark W. Oppegard — Chief Executive Officer and Director, NBC
              $     $  
 
                               
Alan G. Siemek — Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary, NBC
                       
 
                               
Barry S. Major — Chief Operating Officer, President and Director, NBC
                       
 
                               
Steven A. Clemente — Senior Vice President — Bookstore Division, NBC
    4/26/2010       5,000       85       85,450  
 
                               
Michael J. Kelly — Senior Vice President — Textbook Division, NBC
                       
The exercise price of the options granted under the 2004 Stock Option Plan approximated the estimated fair value at the date of grant of the shares underlying such options. The estimated fair value of the shares underlying such options was determined utilizing the methodology described in Note Q of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table - Employment Agreements
We have employment agreements with each of the Executives. As amended, such agreements (the “Employment Agreements”) with the previously mentioned Executives provide for (1) an annual base salary, (2) incentive compensation based upon the attainment of financial objectives, (3) customary fringe benefits, and (4) a minimum incentive bonus of $100,000 paid to Steven A. Clemente for fiscal year 2011. The salaries of the Executives are approximately as follows: Mr. Oppegard, $200,000 per annum; Mr. Siemek, $214,000 per annum; Mr. Major, $284,000 per annum; Mr. Clemente, $275,000 per annum; and Mr. Kelly, $203,000 per annum. Each of the Employment Agreements provides that their term will be automatically extended from year to year, unless terminated upon specified notice by either party.
The Employment Agreements also provide that each Executive may be granted a number of options annually under the stock option plan described in Note Q to the consolidated financial statements presented in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, with the size of such grant to be determined by the Board of Directors. Each such option shall have an exercise price not to be less than the fair market value per share as of the date of grant and will be exercisable as to 25% of the shares covered thereby on the date of grant and as to an additional 25% of the shares covered thereby on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to the Executive’s continued employment with us on such dates.

 

92


Table of Contents

The Employment Agreements also provide for specified payments to the Executive upon the expiration of such agreements, in the event of termination of employment with us without “cause” (as defined in the respective agreements), and in the event of death or disability of the Executive during the term, as outlined below:
   
Termination of Employment upon Expiration of the Term of the Employment Agreement — If we have given the Executive notice of our intention to terminate employment at the end of the term of the Employment Agreement, the Executive is entitled to continued payment of base salary and health, life insurance and disability insurance benefits for a period of one year following the expiration of the term of the Employment Agreement.
   
Termination of Employment Without “Cause” prior to the Expiration of the Term of the Employment Agreement - If we have given the Executive notice of our intention to terminate employment without “cause” prior to the end of the term of the Employment Agreement, the Executive is entitled to continued payment of base salary and health, life insurance and disability insurance benefits for a period of one year following the date of termination. Additionally, the Executive is entitled to payment of any incentive bonus when otherwise due, prorated through the date of termination.
   
Termination of Employment upon Death or Disability — If an Executive’s employment is terminated as a result of death or disability, the Executive is entitled to continued payment of base salary for a period of six months following the date of termination. Additionally, the Executive is entitled to payment of any incentive bonus when otherwise due, prorated through the date of termination.
The Employment Agreements also contain customary confidentiality obligations and non-competition agreements for each Executive spanning a period of three years from the date of termination.
Finally, the Employment Agreements provide that the Executives will not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any shares of our common stock, except for certain transfers to immediate family members, in the event of disability and for estate planning purposes prior to the consummation by us of an initial public offering of our common stock.

 

93


Table of Contents

Outstanding Equity Awards
The following table provides information concerning outstanding equity awards held by each Executive:
Outstanding Equity Awards at March 31, 2011
                                 
    Option Awards  
    (1)     (1)              
    Number     Number              
    of Securities     of Securities              
    Underlying     Underlying              
    Unexercised     Unexercised     Option     Option  
    Options -     Options -     Exercise     Expiration  
Name   Exercisable     Unexercisable     Price     Date  
Mark W. Oppegard — Chief Executive Officer and Director, NBC
    5,950           $ 52.47       3/4/2014  
 
    2,675             106.00       3/4/2014  
 
    2,200             146.00       3/4/2014  
 
    1,963             160.00       11/9/2014  
 
                               
Alan G. Siemek — Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary, NBC
    4,728             52.47       3/4/2014  
 
    1,375             106.00       3/4/2014  
 
    1,375             146.00       3/4/2014  
 
    1,885             160.00       11/9/2014  
 
                               
Barry S. Major — Chief Operating Officer, President and Director, NBC
    4,780             52.47       3/4/2014  
 
    2,500             106.00       3/4/2014  
 
    2,050             146.00       3/4/2014  
 
    1,963             160.00       11/9/2014  
 
                               
Steven A. Clemente — Senior Vice President — Bookstore Division, NBC
    1,250       3,750       85.00       4/26/2020  
 
                               
Michael J. Kelly — Senior Vice President — Textbook Division, NBC
    2,111             52.47       3/4/2014  
 
    1,375             106.00       3/4/2014  
 
    1,175             146.00       3/4/2014  
 
    1,600             160.00       11/9/2014  
 
    2,400             160.00       8/29/2015  
 
    1,180             160.00       3/30/2016  
 
    700             205.00       10/12/2017  
 
    350       350       85.00       2/3/2020  
     
(1)  
Separate grants of stock options occurred on April 26, 2010, February 3, 2010, October 12, 2007, March 30, 2006, August 29, 2005 and November 9, 2004. Twenty-five percent of the options granted were exercisable immediately upon granting with the remaining options becoming exercisable in 25% increments over the subsequent three years. In connection with the March 4, 2004 Transaction, all existing options at March 4, 2004 vested, certain of which were cancelled in exchange for new options granted under the 2004 Stock Option Plan. Options granted in fiscal year 2004 under the 2004 Stock Option Plan were fully vested and exercisable at prices consistent with the options which were cancelled.

 

94


Table of Contents

Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table provides information concerning the vesting of our named executive officers’ restricted stock during Fiscal 2011. None of our named executive officers exercised stock options during Fiscal 2011:
                                 
    Option Awards     Stock Awards (1)  
    Number of             Number of        
    Shares     Value     Shares     Value  
    Acquired     Realized     Acquired     Realized  
    on Exercise     on Exercise     on Vesting     on Vesting  
Name   (#)     ($)     (#)     ($)  
 
                               
Mark W. Oppegard — Chief Executive Officer and Director, NBC
        $       1,400     $ 209,069  
 
                               
Alan G. Siemek — Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary, NBC
                1,400       209,069  
 
                               
Barry S. Major — Chief Operating Officer, President and Director, NBC
                1,400       209,069  
 
                               
Steven A. Clemente — Senior Vice President — Bookstore Division, NBC
                       
 
                               
Michael J. Kelly — Senior Vice President — Textbook Division, NBC
                       
     
(1)  
Represents the restricted shares received on vesting date September 30, 2010 and the subsequent payment received by the named executive officers directly related to the vested restricted stock. The value realized was equal to the estimated fair market value of $149.34 per unit on the day of vesting multiplied by the number of units that vested.

 

95


Table of Contents

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
The following table provides information concerning nonqualified deferred compensation for each Executive:
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation — March 31, 2011 (1)
                                         
                    (2)     Aggregate     Aggregate  
    Executive     Registrant     Aggregate     Withdrawals/     Balance  
    Contributions     Contributions     Earnings     Distributions     as of  
    in Fiscal     in Fiscal     in Fiscal     in Fiscal     March 31,  
Name   Year 2011     Year 2011     Year 2011     Year 2011     Year 2011  
 
                                       
Mark W. Oppegard — Chief Executive Officer and Director, NBC
  $     $     $ 9,540     $     $ 303,091  
 
                                       
Alan G. Siemek — Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary, NBC
                             
 
                                       
Barry S. Major — Chief Operating Officer, President and Director, NBC
                             
 
                                       
Steven A. Clemente — Senior Vice President — Bookstore Division, NBC
                             
 
                                       
Michael J. Kelly — Senior Vice President — Textbook Division, NBC
                             
     
(1)  
See Note P of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for a brief description of the deferred compensation plan.
 
(2)  
There are no above market earnings included herein for fiscal years 2011 and 2010; above market earnings in prior years were $206 in fiscal year 2009 which are included in the Summary Compensation Table above.

 

96


Table of Contents

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-In-Control
As described above, the employment agreements for each Executive include provisions for potential payment upon termination of employment. The following table quantifies the estimated payments and benefits that would be provided to the Executive in each covered circumstance, assuming the triggering event occurred on March 31, 2011:
                                                 
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control — March 31, 2011 (1)  
 
               
                                            Total  
            (3)     (4)     (4)     (4)     Potential  
    (2)     Prorated     Health     Life     Disability     Payment  
    Base     Incentive     Insurance     Insurance     Insurance     Upon  
Name   Salary     Bonus     Benefits     Benefits     Benefits     Termination  
 
                                               
Mark W. Oppegard — Chief Executive Officer and Director, NBC
                                               
Termination of Employment upon Expiration of Term
  $ 199,992     $     $ 13,543     $ 252     $ 285     $ 214,072  
Termination of Employment Without Cause
    199,992             13,543       252       285       214,072  
Termination of Employment upon Death or Disability
    99,996                               99,996  
 
                                               
Alan G. Siemek — Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, Treasurer, and Assistant Secretary, NBC
                                               
Termination of Employment upon Expiration of Term
    213,990             12,868       252       285       227,395  
Termination of Employment Without Cause
    213,990             12,868       252       285       227,395  
Termination of Employment upon Death or Disability
    106,995                               106,995  
 
                                               
Barry S. Major — Chief Operating Officer, President and Director, NBC
                                               
Termination of Employment upon Expiration of Term
    284,003             11,482       252       285       296,022  
Termination of Employment Without Cause
    284,003             11,482       252       285       296,022  
Termination of Employment upon Death or Disability
    142,002                               142,002  
 
                                               
Steven A. Clemente — Senior Vice President — Bookstore Division, NBC
                                               
Termination of Employment upon Expiration of Term
    275,000             12,868       252       285       288,405  
Termination of Employment Without Cause
    275,000             12,868       252       285       288,405  
Termination of Employment upon Death or Disability
    137,500                               137,500  
 
                                               
Michael J. Kelly — Senior Vice President — Textbook Division, NBC
                                               
Termination of Employment upon Expiration of Term
    203,008             10,291       252       285       213,836  
Termination of Employment Without Cause
    203,008             10,291       252       285       213,836  
Termination of Employment upon Death or Disability
    101,504                               101,504  
     
(1)  
The Employment Agreements are silent as to how payment amounts are ultimately determined and how payment is to be made (i.e. – monthly, lump sum, etc.). Our Board of Directors would ultimately be responsible for approving the terms of such termination payments.

 

97


Table of Contents

     
(2)  
Base salary in place at time of termination.
 
(3)  
It is assumed that the incentive bonus earned for fiscal year 2011, if any, was paid in the normal course of business. As the assumed termination does not fall within a fiscal year, no pro rata allocation is necessary.
 
(4)  
Represents premiums paid by us on the Executive’s behalf.
Compensation of Directors
Our Directors receive no compensation for services but are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses. These reimbursements are less than $10,000 annually to each Director.
Compensation Risk Assessment
We believe that our executive compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company and that the compensation programs do not encourage excessive risk and instead encourage behaviors that support sustainable value creation.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
As previously mentioned, we do not currently have a compensation committee. Mark W. Oppegard, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Director, participates with Messrs. Bono and Honey, the two directors affiliated with Weston Presidio, in deliberations concerning stock options and other equity awards from time to time granted to the Executives.
Compensation Committee Report
Our Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above with management and has approved the inclusion of such Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2011.
Board of Directors:
Mark L. Bono;
R. Sean Honey;
Mark W. Oppegard; and
Barry S. Major.

 

98


Table of Contents

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management –Shares of our common stock issued and outstanding totaled 554,094 on July 14, 2011. Weston Presidio owns 36,455 of the issued and outstanding shares directly, with the remaining 517,639 issued and outstanding shares being owned by NBC Holdings Corp, which has 513,439 shares of capital stock issued and outstanding that are owned either by Weston Presidio or current and former members of NBC management. The securities underlying the 2004 Stock Option Plan, of which 89,241 options are outstanding as of July 14, 2011, are shares of NBC Holdings Corp. capital stock. The information in the following table sets forth NBC Acquisition Corp. common stock beneficially owned by each person who owns more than 5.0% of such shares; each director; each named executive officer in Item 11, Executive Compensation; and all directors and named executive officers treated as a group. The shares listed and percentages calculated thereon are based upon NBC Acquisition Corp. common stock outstanding as of July 14, 2011 and NBC Holdings Corp. capital stock underlying nonqualified stock options that are exercisable within sixty days, pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. To our knowledge, each of such holders of shares has sole voting and investment power as to the shares owned unless otherwise noted. The address for each senior executive officer and director is 4700 South 19th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68501 unless otherwise noted.
                 
    Amount and        
    Nature of        
    Beneficial     Percent of  
Title of Class/Name of Beneficial Owner   Ownership (1)     Class (3)  
 
               
Common Stock:
               
Owning Greater Than 5% of Shares:
               
Weston Presidio Capital IV, L.P. (2)
    365,449       66.0 %
Weston Presidio Capital III, L.P. (2)
    153,623       27.7 %
WPC Entrepreneur Fund, L.P. (2)
    7,579       1.4 %
WPC Entrepreneur Fund II, L.P. (2)
    5,785       1.0 %
 
               
Ownership of Directors:
               
Mark L. Bono (2)
    532,436       96.1 %
R. Sean Honey (2)
           
 
               
Ownership of Senior Executive Officers Named in Item 11:
               
Mark W. Oppegard
    16,788       3.0 %
Alan G. Siemek
    9,363       1.7 %
Barry S. Major (4)
    13,040       2.3 %
Steven A. Clemente
    2,500       0.4 %
Michael J. Kelly
    10,891       1.9 %
 
               
Ownership of Directors and All Senior Executive Officers as a Group
    593,662       97.7 %
     
(1)  
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes voting and investment power with respect to the shares of our common stock. Such shares include NBC Holdings Corp. shares underlying nonqualified stock options exercisable within sixty days, as follows: Mr. Oppegard – 12,788 shares; Mr. Siemek – 9,363 shares; Mr. Major – 11,293 shares; Mr. Clemente – 2,500 shares; Mr. Kelly – 10,891 shares; and 53,479 shares for all directors and senior executive officers as a group.
 
(2)  
The sole general partner of Weston Presidio Capital IV, L.P., Weston Presidio Capital III, L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund, L.P., and WPC Entrepreneur Fund II, L.P. (the “Weston Presidio Funds”) is a limited liability company of which Messrs. Bono and Honey are members. Messrs. Bono and Honey disclaim beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Weston Presidio Funds, except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interests therein. The address of the Weston Presidio Funds, and Messrs. Bono and Honey is 200 Clarendon Street, 50th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
 
(3)  
The percentages are calculated based upon shares of NBC Acquisition Corp. common stock outstanding as of July 14, 2011 and shares underlying nonqualified stock options exercisable within sixty days as detailed in footnote (1).
 
(4)  
Beneficial ownership includes 1,747 shares of our common stock which are pledged as security for the full and timely payment of remaining amounts due under a promissory note Mr. Major has with us. In January, 1999, we issued 4,765 shares of our common stock to Mr. Major at a price of $52.47 per share, in exchange for $25,000 in cash and a promissory note in the principal amount of $225,000 bearing interest at 5.25% per year. Remaining amounts due under the promissory note at March 31, 2011 totaled approximately $91,000.

 

99


Table of Contents

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans – Through our parent, NBC Holdings Corp., we have a share-based compensation plan established to provide for the granting of options to purchase capital stock of NBC Holdings Corp. Details regarding this plan are presented in the footnotes to the consolidated financial statements found in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Specific information as of March 31, 2011 regarding the plans, which were not approved by security holders, is also presented in the following table.
                         
    Number of     Weighted-     Number of  
    Securities to     Average     Securities  
    be Issued Upon     Exercise     Remaining  
    Exercise of     Price of     Available for  
    Outstanding     Outstanding     Future  
Plan   Options     Options     Issuance  
2004 Stock Option Plan
    89,241     $ 113.73       10,425  
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Director Independence – We are a corporation with public debt (not listed on any exchange) whose equity is privately held. Although our Board has not made a formal determination on the matter, under current New York Stock Exchange listing standards (which we are not currently subject to) and taking into account any applicable committee standards, we believe that Messrs. Oppegard and Major would not be considered independent under any general listing standards or those applicable to any particular committee due to their employment relationship with us, and Messrs. Bono and Honey may not be considered independent under any general listing standards or those applicable to any particular committee, due to their relationship with Weston Presidio, our largest indirect stockholder.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
The following table shows our fees for audit and audit-related services and fees paid for tax and all other services rendered by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates for each of the last two years:
                 
    Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
    2011     2010  
 
               
Audit Fees
  $ 213,250     $ 234,500  
Audit-Related Fees
          118,600  
Tax Fees
    235,920       173,162  
Other Fees
           
 
           
Total
  $ 449,170     $ 526,262  
 
           
Audit Fees include professional services rendered for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements and for the reviews of the consolidated interim financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Audit-Related Fees consist of fees for assurance and related services that are related to the performance of the audit or review of the consolidated financial statements, including services provided in conjunction with the Pre-Petition Senior Secured Notes offering in October, 2009 and the SEC comment letter dated November 24, 2009.

 

100


Table of Contents

Tax Fees consist of fees for professional services for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning. These services include assistance regarding federal and state tax compliance, return preparation, and tax audits.
The audit committee pre-approves all audit and non-audit services performed by our independent registered public accounting firm.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
  (a)  
Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedules, and Exhibits.
  (1)  
Consolidated Financial Statements of NBC Acquisition Corp.
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2011 and 2010.
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended March 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
  (2)  
Financial Statement Schedules.
 
     
Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of NBC Acquisition Corp. (Parent Company Only).
 
     
Schedule II (Item 15(a)(2)) – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.
 
  (3)  
Exhibits.
         
  2.1    
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 18, 2004, by and among NBC Holdings Corp., New NBC Acquisition Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., certain Selling Stockholders named therein, and HWH Capital Partners, L.P., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  2.2    
Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 2, 2004, by and among NBC Holdings Corp., New NBC Acquisition Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., certain Selling Stockholders named therein, and HWH Capital Partners, L.P., filed as Exhibit 2.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  2.3    
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2004, by and among Weston Presidio Capital III, L.P., Weston Presidio Capital IV, L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund II, MSD Ventures, L.P., HWH Capital Partners, L.P., NBC Acquisition Corp., and NBC Holdings Corp., filed as Exhibit 2.3 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  2.4    
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 1, 2003, by and among TheCampusHub.com, Inc., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., and NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

101


Table of Contents

         
  2.5    
Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2006, by and among Nebraska Book, CBA and the Sellers referenced therein, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  2.6    
Second Amendment to Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2006, by and among Nebraska Book, CBA and the Sellers referenced therein, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 4, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  3.1    
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 3.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 3, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  3.2    
By-laws of NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 3.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-48225), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  3.3    
Amendment, dated as of August 2, 2002, to By-laws of NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 3.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.1    
Indenture, dated March 4, 2004, by and among NBC Acquisition Corp., the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.5 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.2    
Form of 11% Senior Discount Notes Due 2013 (included in Exhibit 4.5), filed as Exhibit 4.6 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.3    
Form of Exchange Note of NBC Acquisition Corp. 11% Senior Discount Notes Due 2013, filed as Exhibit 4.7 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.4    
Indenture, dated March 4, 2004, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.12 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.5    
Form of 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Note Due 2012 (included in Exhibit 4.13), filed as Exhibit 4.13 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.6    
Form of Exchange Note of Nebraska Book Company, Inc. 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Note Due 2012, filed as Exhibit 4.15 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.7    
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 31, 2004, by and among NBC Textbooks LLC, Nebraska Book Company, Inc., each other then existing Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, and the Trustee, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 6, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.8    
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2006, by and among CBA, Nebraska Book Company, Inc., each other then existing Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, and the Trustee, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 4, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.9    
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2007, by and among Net Textstore LLC, Nebraska Book Company, Inc., each other then existing Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, and the Trustee, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 7, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.10    
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 26, 2009, by and among Campus Authentic LLC, Nebraska Book Company, Inc., each other then existing Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, and the Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.14 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

102


Table of Contents

         
  4.11    
Indenture, dated October 2, 2009, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee and note holder collateral agent, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 7, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.12    
Form of 10% Senior Secured Note Due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.1 as Exhibit A to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 7, 2009), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.13    
Pledge and Security Agreement, dated October 2, 2009, among Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wilmington Trust FSB, as Noteholder Collateral Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 7, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.1    
Restructuring Support Agreement, dated June 26, 2011, by and among NBC Holdings Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, undersigned holders of Nebraska Book Company Inc.’s 8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 and the undersigned holders of our 11.0% Senior Discount Notes due 2013, filed herewith.
       
 
  10.2    
Super-Priority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2011, among NBC Holdings Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, filed herewith.
       
 
  10.3    
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated June 30, 2011, among NBC Holdings Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, filed herewith.
       
 
  10.4    
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 2, 2009, among Nebraska Book, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, Bank of America, N.A., as documentation agent, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.5    
First Amendment, dated as of March 22, 2010, to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 2, 2009, among NBC Holdings Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, and Bank of America, N.A., as documentation agent, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 25, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.6    
First Lien Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated October 2, 2009, among NBC Holdings Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.7    
First Amendment, dated as of March 22, 2010, to the First Lien Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated October 2, 2009, among NBC Holdings Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 25, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.8    
Intercreditor Agreement, dated October 2, 2009, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 7, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.9    
Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2004, by and among NBC Acquisition Corp. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Fleet Securities, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.13 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.

 

103


Table of Contents

         
  10.10    
Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2004, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Fleet Securities, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.15 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.11    
Stockholders Agreement, dated as of July 11, 2002, by and among NBC Acquisition Corp., HWH Capital Partners, L.P., HWH Cornhusker Partners, L.P., Weston Presidio Capital III, L.P., Weston Presidio Capital IV, L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund, L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund II, L.P., and the other stockholders party thereto, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.12    
Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2003, by and among NBC Acquisition Corp., HWH Capital Partners, L.P., HWH Cornhusker Partners, L.P., Weston Presidio Capital III, L.P., Weston Presidio Capital IV, L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund, L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund II, L.P., MSD Ventures, L.P., and the other stockholders party thereto, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.13    
Stock Subscription Agreement between NBC Acquisition Corp. and NBC Holdings Corp., dated as of February 3, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 3, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.14    
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2004, by and among NBC Acquisition Corp. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Fleet Securities, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.22 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.15    
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2004, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Fleet Securities, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.24 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.16    
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2009, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the guarantors listed in Schedule 1 thereto, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Piper Jaffray & Co., filed as Exhibit 10.4 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.17 *  
Form of Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of February 13, 1998 by and between NBC Acquisition Corp. and each of Mark W. Oppegard, Bruce E. Nevius, Larry R. Rempe, Kenneth F. Jirovsky, William H. Allen, Thomas A. Hoff and Ardean A. Arndt, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-48225), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.18 *  
Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of December 22, 1998 by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Barry S. Major, Chief Operating Officer, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1998, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.19 *  
Addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of December 22, 1998 by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Barry S. Major, dated March 29, 2002, filed as Exhibit 10.10 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.20 *  
Amended and Restated Secured Promissory Note dated July 9, 2002 by and between NBC Acquisition Corp. and Barry S. Major, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

104


Table of Contents

         
  10.21*    
First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Secured Promissory Note, dated as of December 31, 2008, between Barry S. Major and NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 7, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.22*    
Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of July 1, 1999 by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Alan Siemek, Chief Financial Officer, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.23*    
Addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of July 1, 1999 by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Alan Siemek, dated March 29, 2002, filed as Exhibit 10.12 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.24*    
Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of November 1, 1999 by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Michael J. Kelly, Vice President of e-commerce, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1999, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.25*    
Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of April 17, 2001 by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Robert Rupe, Senior Vice President of the Bookstore Division, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.26*    
Amendment to the Memorandums of Understanding by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and each of Mark W. Oppegard, Larry R. Rempe, Kenneth F. Jirovsky, William H. Allen, Thomas A. Hoff, Barry S. Major, Alan Siemek, Michael J. Kelly, and Robert Rupe, dated March 4, 2004, filed as Exhibit 10.36 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.27*    
Executive Employment Agreement dated as of March 27, 2010, by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Steven Clemente, Senior Vice President of the Bookstore Division, filed as Exhibit 10.24 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.28*    
NBC Holdings Corp. 2004 Stock Option Plan adopted March 4, 2004, filed as Exhibit 10.43 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.29*    
First Amendment, dated August 18, 2008, to the NBC Holdings Corp. 2004 Stock Option Plan adopted March 4, 2004, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.30*    
Second Amendment, dated January 14, 2010, to the NBC Holdings Corp. 2004 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 19, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.31*    
NBC Holdings Corp. 2005 Restricted Stock Plan adopted September 29, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.
  10.32*    
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Holdings and Oppegard, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.33*    
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Holdings and Major, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.34*    
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Holdings and Siemek, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

105


Table of Contents

         
  10.35 *  
Stock Repurchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Holdings and Oppegard, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.36 *  
Stock Repurchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Holdings and Major, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.37 *  
Stock Repurchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Holdings and Siemek, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.38 *  
Restricted Stock Plan Special Bonus Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Nebraska Book and Oppegard, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.39 *  
Restricted Stock Plan Special Bonus Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Nebraska Book and Major, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.40 *  
Restricted Stock Plan Special Bonus Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Nebraska Book and Siemek, filed as Exhibit 10.9 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.41 *  
Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and each of Mark W. Oppegard, Bruce E. Nevius, Larry R. Rempe and Thomas A. Hoff, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-48225), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.42 *  
Amendment of Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement, dated December 30, 2002, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and each of Mark W. Oppegard, Larry R. Rempe and Thomas A. Hoff, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.43 *  
NBC Acquisition Corp. 401(k) Savings Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-48225), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  12.1    
Statements regarding computation of ratios, filed as Exhibit 12.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  14.1    
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Code of Ethics for Our Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers for NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 14.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  21.1    
Subsidiaries of NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 21.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  31.1    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  31.2    
Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32.1    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32.2    
Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  99.1    
Mirror Option Agreement between NBC Acquisition Corp. and NBC Holdings Corp., dated September 30, 2005, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
   
  99.2    
Mirror Restricted Stock Agreement between NBC Acquisition Corp. and NBC Holdings Corp., dated March 31, 2006, filed as Exhibit 99.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
     
*  
- Management contracts or compensatory plans filed herewith or incorporated by reference.
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are either not required under the related instructions, are not applicable (and therefore have been omitted), or the required disclosures are contained in the consolidated financial statements included herein.

 

106


Table of Contents

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.
         
  NBC ACQUISITION CORP.
 
 
  /s/ Mark W. Oppegard    
  Mark W. Oppegard   
  Chief Executive Officer, Secretary,
and Director
July 14, 2011 
 
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.
             
/s/ Mark W. Oppegard
      /s/ Mark L. Bono    
 
Mark W. Oppegard
     
 
Mark L. Bono
   
Chief Executive Officer, Secretary, and Director
      Director    
(principal executive officer)
      July 14, 2011    
July 14, 2011
           
 
           
/s/ Alan G. Siemek
      /s/ R. Sean Honey    
 
           
Alan G. Siemek
      R. Sean Honey    
Vice President and Treasurer
      Director    
(principal financial and accounting officer)
      July 14, 2011    
July 14, 2011
           
 
           
/s/ Barry S. Major
           
 
Barry S. Major
           
President and Director
           
July 14, 2011
           
Supplemental Information to Be Furnished With Reports Filed Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act by Registrants Which Have Not Registered Securities Pursuant to Section 12 of the Act:
No annual report or proxy material with respect to any annual or other meeting of security holders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 has been, or will be, sent to security holders.

 

107


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
SCHEDULE I — CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BALANCE SHEETS
                 
    March 31,     March 31,  
    2011     2010  
ASSETS
               
 
               
OTHER ASSETS:
               
Due from subsidiary (Note A)
  $ 26,103,791     $ 23,194,711  
Investment in subsidiary (Note A)
    1,123,613       102,190,528  
Debt issue costs, net of amortization
    510,798       766,191  
Deferred income taxes
    10,246,887       10,065,529  
 
           
 
  $ 37,985,089     $ 136,216,959  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
               
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accrued interest
  $ 371,288     $ 371,288  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    77,000,000        
 
           
Total current liabilities
    77,371,288       371,288  
 
               
LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities
          77,000,000  
 
               
COMMITMENTS (Note B)
               
 
               
REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
               
Series A redeemable preferred stock, $.01 par value 20,000 shares authorized, 10,000 shares issued and outstanding, at redemption value
    13,601,368       11,805,888  
 
               
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT):
               
Common stock, voting, authorized 5,000,000 shares of $.01 par value; issued and outstanding 554,094 shares
    5,541       5,541  
Additional paid-in-capital
    111,281,289       111,203,506  
Note receivable from stockholder
    (92,675 )     (92,755 )
Accumulated deficit
    (164,181,722 )     (64,076,509 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    (52,987,567 )     47,039,783  
 
           
 
  $ 37,985,089     $ 136,216,959  
 
           
See notes to condensed financial statements.

 

108


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
SCHEDULE I — CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
    2011     2010     2009  
 
                       
INTEREST EXPENSE
  $ (8,725,393 )   $ (8,725,393 )   $ (8,725,393 )
 
                       
INCOME TAX BENEFIT
    3,090,396       3,674,482       3,160,038  
 
                       
EQUITY IN EARNINGS (DEFICIT) OF SUBSIDIARY
    (92,674,736 )     7,362,198       (94,928,668 )
 
                 
 
                       
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ (98,309,733 )   $ 2,311,287     $ (100,494,023 )
 
                 
 
                       
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
                       
 
   
Basic
  $ (180.66 )   $ 1.33     $ (181.79 )
 
                 
 
                       
Diluted
  $ (180.66 )   $ 1.32     $ (181.79 )
 
                 
See notes to condensed financial statements.

 

109


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
(DEBTOR IN POSSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
SCHEDULE I — CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                         
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    March 31,     March 31,     March 31,  
    2011     2010     2009  
 
                       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Net cash flows from operating activities
  $ (5,561,004 )   $ (5,405,478 )   $ (5,309,962 )
 
                       
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Net cash flows from investing activities
                 
 
                       
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
                10,000,000  
Dividends received from subsidiary
    8,470,000       8,470,000       8,470,000  
Change in due from subsidiary
    (2,908,996 )     (3,064,522 )     (3,160,038 )
Proceeds from payment on note receivable from stockholder
    4,869       4,869       9,752  
Contributions to subsidiary
    (4,869 )     (4,869 )     (10,009,752 )
 
                 
Net cash flows from financing activities
    5,561,004       5,405,478       5,309,962  
 
                 
 
                       
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
                 
 
                       
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of year
                 
 
                 
 
                       
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of year
  $     $     $  
 
                 
 
                       
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:
                       
 
                       
Cash paid during the period for interest
  $ 8,470,000     $ 8,470,000     $ 8,470,000  
 
                       
Noncash investing and financing activities:
                       
Accumulated other comprehensive income associated with derivative financial instrument of subsidiary
                748,000  
See notes to condensed financial statements.

 

110


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP. (PARENT COMPANY ONLY)
(DEBTOR IN POSESSION AS OF JUNE 27, 2011)
SCHEDULE I — CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
A. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
These condensed financial statements of NBC Acquisition Corp. (Parent Company Only) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto within the attached Form 10-K.
Due From Subsidiary – NBC Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) files a consolidated federal income tax return with its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nebraska Book Company, Inc. (“NBC”) and follows a policy of recording income taxes equal to that which would have been incurred had we filed a separate return. NBC is responsible for remitting tax payments and collecting tax refunds for the consolidated group. The non-current amount due from subsidiary represents the cumulative tax savings resulting from operating losses generated by us from which NBC derives the benefit through reduced tax payments on the consolidated return.
Investment In Subsidiary – We account for our investment in NBC under the equity method of accounting. Contributions to or from NBC are included within the investment in subsidiary.
B. COMMITMENTS
We, along with NBC’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (Specialty Books, Inc., NBC Textbooks LLC, College Book Stores of America, Inc., Net Textstore LLC and Campus Authentic LLC), have jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably, guaranteed the prompt and complete payment and performance by NBC of NBC’s obligations underlying its pre-petition credit agreement. Such guarantee remains in full force and effect until all obligations underlying the pre-petition credit agreement, which became effective February 13, 1998 and was most recently amended and restated on October 2, 2009, have been satisfied. The maximum potential future amounts payable under the guarantee at March 31, 2011 totaled $75.0 million in principal payments, plus interest, which was based on variable rates. As this guarantee represents a parent’s guarantee of its subsidiary’s debt to a third party, such guarantee is not carried as a liability in the “Parent Company Only” financial statements.
C. DIVIDENDS
For fiscal year 2011, 2010 and 2009, cash dividends of $8.5 million were received from NBC to provide funding for interest due and payable on our $77.0 million 11% pre-petition senior discount notes. See Note I to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
D. REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
In conjunction with the Senior Credit Facility amendment on February 3, 2009, we entered into a Stock Subscription Agreement with NBC Holdings Corp. (“Holdings”), pursuant to which Holdings purchased 10,000 shares of a newly created Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, for $1,000 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $10.0 million. See Note K to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

111


Table of Contents

NBC ACQUISITION CORP.
SCHEDULE II (Item 15(a)(2)) — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                                 
                    Charged to     Added                
    Beginning of     Charged to     Other     through             End of  
    Fiscal Year     Costs and     Accounts     Stock     Net     Fiscal Year  
    Balance     Expenses     (Revenue)     Acquisitions     Charge-Offs     Balance  
 
                                               
FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2011
                                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 1,283,360     $ 2,193,739     $     $     $ (2,193,739 )   $ 1,283,360  
Allowance for sales returns
    5,273,651             32,215,351             (32,584,000 )     4,905,002  
 
                                               
FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2010
                                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    1,283,360       1,399,466                   (1,399,466 )     1,283,360  
Allowance for sales returns
    5,452,166             31,799,536             (31,978,051 )     5,273,651  
 
                                               
FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2009
                                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    1,033,360       1,366,979                   (1,116,979 )     1,283,360  
Allowance for sales returns
    5,292,620             32,627,107             (32,467,561 )     5,452,166  

 

112


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX
         
  2.1    
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 18, 2004, by and among NBC Holdings Corp., New NBC Acquisition Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., certain Selling Stockholders named therein, and HWH Capital Partners, L.P., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  2.2    
Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 2, 2004, by and among NBC Holdings Corp., New NBC Acquisition Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., certain Selling Stockholders named therein, and HWH Capital Partners, L.P., filed as Exhibit 2.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  2.3    
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2004, by and among Weston Presidio Capital III, L.P., Weston Presidio Capital IV, L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund II, MSD Ventures, L.P., HWH Capital Partners, L.P., NBC Acquisition Corp., and NBC Holdings Corp., filed as Exhibit 2.3 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  2.4    
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 1, 2003, by and among TheCampusHub.com, Inc., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., and NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 2.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  2.5    
Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2006, by and among Nebraska Book, CBA and the Sellers referenced therein, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  2.6    
Second Amendment to Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 30, 2006, by and among Nebraska Book, CBA and the Sellers referenced therein, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 4, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  3.1    
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 3.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 3, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  3.2    
By-laws of NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 3.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-48225), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  3.3    
Amendment, dated as of August 2, 2002, to By-laws of NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 3.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.1    
Indenture, dated March 4, 2004, by and among NBC Acquisition Corp., the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.5 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.2    
Form of 11% Senior Discount Notes Due 2013 (included in Exhibit 4.5), filed as Exhibit 4.6 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.3    
Form of Exchange Note of NBC Acquisition Corp. 11% Senior Discount Notes Due 2013, filed as Exhibit 4.7 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.4    
Indenture, dated March 4, 2004, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors parties thereto and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.12 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.

 

113


Table of Contents

         
  4.5    
Form of 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Note Due 2012 (included in Exhibit 4.13), filed as Exhibit 4.13 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.6    
Form of Exchange Note of Nebraska Book Company, Inc. 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Note Due 2012, filed as Exhibit 4.15 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.7    
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 31, 2004, by and among NBC Textbooks LLC, Nebraska Book Company, Inc., each other then existing Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, and the Trustee, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated and filed on January 6, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.8    
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2006, by and among CBA, Nebraska Book Company, Inc., each other then existing Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, and the Trustee, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 4, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.9    
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2007, by and among Net Textstore LLC, Nebraska Book Company, Inc., each other then existing Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, and the Trustee, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 7, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.10    
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 26, 2009, by and among Campus Authentic LLC, Nebraska Book Company, Inc., each other then existing Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture, and the Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.14 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.11    
Indenture, dated October 2, 2009, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee and noteholder collateral agent, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 7, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.12    
Form of 10% Senior Secured Note Due 2011 (included in Exhibit 4.1 as Exhibit A to NBC Acquisition Corp Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 7, 2009), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  4.13    
Pledge and Security Agreement, dated October 2, 2009, among Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wilmington Trust FSB, as Noteholder Collateral Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 7, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.1    
Restructuring Support Agreement, dated June 26, 2011, by and among NBC Holdings Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, undersigned holders of Nebraska Book Company Inc.’s 8.625% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 and the undersigned holders of our 11.0% Senior Discount Notes due 2013, filed herewith.
       
 
  10.2    
Super-Priority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2011, among NBC Holdings Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, filed herewith.
       
 
  10.3    
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated June 30, 2011, among NBC Holdings Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, filed herewith.
       
 
  10.4    
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 2, 2009, among Nebraska Book, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, Bank of America, N.A., as documentation agent, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

114


Table of Contents

         
  10.5    
First Amendment, dated as of March 22, 2010, to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 2, 2009, among NBC Holdings Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as syndication agent, and Bank of America, N.A., as documentation agent, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 25, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.6    
First Lien Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated October 2, 009, among NBC Holdings Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.7    
First Amendment, dated as of March 22, 2010 to the First Lien Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated October 2, 2009, among NBC Holdings Corp., NBC Acquisition Corp., Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 25, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.8    
Intercreditor Agreement, dated October 2, 2009, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 7, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.9    
Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2004, by and among NBC Acquisition Corp. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Fleet Securities, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.13 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.10    
Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2004, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Fleet Securities, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.15 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.11    
Stockholders Agreement, dated as of July 11, 2002, by and among NBC Acquisition Corp., HWH Capital Partners, L.P., HWH Cornhusker Partners, L.P., Weston Presidio Capital III, L.P., Weston Presidio Capital IV, L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund, L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund II, L.P., and the other stockholders party thereto, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.12    
Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2003, by and among NBC Acquisition Corp., HWH Capital Partners, L.P., HWH Cornhusker Partners, L.P., Weston Presidio Capital III, L.P., Weston Presidio Capital IV, L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund, L.P., WPC Entrepreneur Fund II, L.P., MSD Ventures, L.P., and the other stockholders party thereto, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.13    
Stock Subscription Agreement between NBC Acquisition Corp. and NBC Holdings Corp., dated as of February 3, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 3, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.14    
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2004, by and among NBC Acquisition Corp. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Fleet Securities, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.22 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.15    
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2004, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Fleet Securities, Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.24 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.

 

115


Table of Contents

         
  10.16    
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2009, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc., the guarantors listed in Schedule 1 thereto, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Piper Jaffray & Co., filed as Exhibit 10.4 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.17 *  
Form of Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of February 13, 1998 by and between NBC Acquisition Corp. and each of Mark W. Oppegard, Bruce E. Nevius, Larry R. Rempe, Kenneth F. Jirovsky, William H. Allen, Thomas A. Hoff and Ardean A. Arndt, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-48225), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.18 *  
Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of December 22, 1998 by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Barry S. Major, Chief Operating Officer, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1998, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.19 *  
Addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of December 22, 1998 by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Barry S. Major, dated March 29, 2002, filed as Exhibit 10.10 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.20 *  
Amended and Restated Secured Promissory Note dated July 9, 2002 by and between NBC Acquisition Corp. and Barry S. Major, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.21 *  
First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Secured Promissory Note, dated as of December 31, 2008, between Barry S. Major and NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 7, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.22 *  
Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of July 1, 1999 by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Alan Siemek, Chief Financial Officer, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.23 *  
Addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of July 1, 1999 by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Alan Siemek, dated March 29, 2002, filed as Exhibit 10.12 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.24 *  
Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of November 1, 1999 by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Michael J. Kelly, Vice President of e-commerce, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1999, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.25 *  
Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of April 17, 2001 by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Robert Rupe, Senior Vice President of the Bookstore Division, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.26 *  
Amendment to the Memorandums of Understanding by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and each of Mark W. Oppegard, Larry R. Rempe, Kenneth F. Jirovsky, William H. Allen, Thomas A. Hoff, Barry S. Major, Alan Siemek, Michael J. Kelly, and Robert Rupe, dated March 4, 2004, filed as Exhibit 10.36 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.27 *  
Executive Employment Agreement dated as of March 27, 2010, by and between Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and Steven Clemente, Senior Vice President of the Bookstore Division, filed as Exhibit 10.24 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

116


Table of Contents

         
  10.28 *  
NBC Holdings Corp. 2004 Stock Option Plan adopted March 4, 2004, filed as Exhibit 10.43 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.29 *  
First Amendment, dated August 18, 2008, to the NBC Holdings Corp. 2004 Stock Option Plan adopted March 4, 2004, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.30 *  
Second Amendment, dated January 14, 2010, to the NBC Holdings Corp. 2004 Stock Option Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 19, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.31 *  
NBC Holdings Corp. 2005 Restricted Stock Plan adopted September 29, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.32 *  
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Holdings and Oppegard, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.33 *  
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Holdings and Major, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.34 *  
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Holdings and Siemek, filed as Exhibit 10.3 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.35 *  
Stock Repurchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Holdings and Oppegard, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.36 *  
Stock Repurchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Holdings and Major, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.37 *  
Stock Repurchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Holdings and Siemek, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.38 *  
Restricted Stock Plan Special Bonus Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Nebraska Book and Oppegard, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.39 *  
Restricted Stock Plan Special Bonus Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Nebraska Book and Major, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.40 *  
Restricted Stock Plan Special Bonus Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2006, between Nebraska Book and Siemek, filed as Exhibit 10.9 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 6, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.41 *  
Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and each of Mark W. Oppegard, Bruce E. Nevius, Larry R. Rempe and Thomas A. Hoff, filed as Exhibit 10.7 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-48225), is incorporated herein by reference.

 

117


Table of Contents

         
  10.42 *  
Amendment of Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement, dated December 30, 2002, by and among Nebraska Book Company, Inc. and each of Mark W. Oppegard, Larry R. Rempe and Thomas A. Hoff, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  10.43 *  
NBC Acquisition Corp. 401(k) Savings Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.8 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended (File No. 333-48225), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  12.1    
Statements regarding computation of ratios, filed as Exhibit 12.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  14.1    
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Code of Ethics for Our Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers for NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 14.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  21.1    
Subsidiaries of NBC Acquisition Corp., filed as Exhibit 21.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-114889), is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  31.1    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  31.2    
Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32.1    
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32.2    
Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  99.1    
Mirror Option Agreement between NBC Acquisition Corp. and NBC Holdings Corp., dated September 30, 2005, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.
       
 
  99.2    
Mirror Restricted Stock Agreement between NBC Acquisition Corp. and NBC Holdings Corp., dated March 31, 2006, filed as Exhibit 99.2 to NBC Acquisition Corp. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference.
     
*  
- Management contracts or compensatory plans filed herewith or incorporated by reference.
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are either not required under the related instructions, are not applicable (and therefore have been omitted), or the required disclosures are contained in the consolidated financial statements included herein.

 

118