Prepared by R.R. Donnelley Financial -- FORM 10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 28, 2002.
or
¨ 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 000-24124
FRESH AMERICA CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Texas |
|
76-0281274 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
|
(I.R.S. Employer Identification
No.) |
1049 Avenue H East, Arlington, Texas 76011
(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (817) 385-3000
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
At August 9, 2002, the Registrant had 8,410,098 shares of its Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding.
Part I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.—FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FRESH AMERICA CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and
per share amounts)
| |
|
June 28,
2002
|
|
|
December 28,
2001
|
|
| ASSETS |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
| Current Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
1,560 |
|
|
$ |
3,742 |
|
| Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
20,344 |
|
|
|
18,124 |
|
| Inventories |
|
|
2,881 |
|
|
|
2,545 |
|
| Prepaid expenses |
|
|
1,116 |
|
|
|
1,010 |
|
| Income tax receivable |
|
|
1,606 |
|
|
|
2,086 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Current Assets |
|
|
27,507 |
|
|
|
27,507 |
|
| Property and equipment, net |
|
|
5,632 |
|
|
|
6,924 |
|
| Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $2,343 in 2002, and $5,322 in 2001 |
|
|
10,641 |
|
|
|
16,141 |
|
| Other assets |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
386 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Assets |
|
$ |
43,827 |
|
|
$ |
50,958 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Current Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Note payable and current portion of long-term debt |
|
$ |
5,187 |
|
|
$ |
1,474 |
|
| Accounts payable |
|
|
23,963 |
|
|
|
20,580 |
|
| Accrued salaries and wages |
|
|
921 |
|
|
|
1,075 |
|
| Other accrued expenses |
|
|
2,200 |
|
|
|
3,208 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Current Liabilities |
|
|
32,271 |
|
|
|
26,337 |
|
| Long-term debt, less current portion |
|
|
152 |
|
|
|
6,226 |
|
| Other liabilities |
|
|
475 |
|
|
|
444 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Liabilities |
|
|
32,898 |
|
|
|
33,007 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 8% Series D cumulative redeemable preferred stock, $1.00 par value (77,000 shares authorized and issued); liquidation
value of $23,100 plus accrued and unpaid dividends |
|
|
6,613 |
|
|
|
2,429 |
|
| |
| Shareholders’ Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Common stock $.01 par value (authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued 8,410,098 shares) |
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
84 |
|
| Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
36,328 |
|
|
|
40,512 |
|
| Accumulated deficit |
|
|
(32,096 |
) |
|
|
(25,074 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Shareholders’ Equity |
|
|
4,316 |
|
|
|
15,522 |
|
| |
| Commitments and Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity |
|
$ |
43,827 |
|
|
$ |
50,958 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an
integral part of these statements.
2
FRESH AMERICA CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands,
per share amounts)
| |
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
| |
|
June 28,
2002
|
|
|
June 29,
2001
|
|
|
June 28,
2002
|
|
|
June 29,
2001
|
|
| Net sales |
|
$ |
52,280 |
|
|
$ |
70,218 |
|
|
$ |
107,704 |
|
|
$ |
157,119 |
|
| Cost of sales |
|
|
46,873 |
|
|
|
61,807 |
|
|
|
96,540 |
|
|
|
140,227 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gross profit |
|
|
5,407 |
|
|
|
8,411 |
|
|
|
11,164 |
|
|
|
16,892 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
4,799 |
|
|
|
9,535 |
|
|
|
11,537 |
|
|
|
21,969 |
|
| Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
316 |
|
|
|
767 |
|
|
|
635 |
|
|
|
1,575 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total operating costs and expenses |
|
|
5,115 |
|
|
|
10,302 |
|
|
|
12,172 |
|
|
|
23,544 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Operating income (loss) |
|
|
292 |
|
|
|
(1,891 |
) |
|
|
(1,008 |
) |
|
|
(6,652 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Interest expense, net |
|
|
(267 |
) |
|
|
(953 |
) |
|
|
(400 |
) |
|
|
(1,935 |
) |
| Other, net |
|
|
(98 |
) |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
(114 |
) |
|
|
171 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
(365 |
) |
|
|
(940 |
) |
|
|
(514 |
) |
|
|
(1,764 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Loss before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
|
(73 |
) |
|
|
(2,831 |
) |
|
|
(1,522 |
) |
|
|
(8,416 |
) |
| Income tax expense (benefit) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
115 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(743 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
|
(73 |
) |
|
|
(2,946 |
) |
|
|
(1,522 |
) |
|
|
(7,673 |
) |
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net loss |
|
|
(73 |
) |
|
|
(2,946 |
) |
|
|
(7,022 |
) |
|
|
(7,673 |
) |
| |
| Preferred stock dividends and accretion |
|
|
2,092 |
|
|
|
258 |
|
|
|
4,184 |
|
|
|
514 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net loss available to common shareholders |
|
$ |
(2,165 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,204 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,206 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,187 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Basic and diluted loss per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Net loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
$ |
(0.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.41 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.68 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.25 |
) |
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(0.65 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net loss |
|
$ |
(0.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.41 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.33 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.25 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an
integral part of these statements.
3
FRESH AMERICA CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
| |
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
| |
|
June 28, 2002
|
|
|
June 29, 2001
|
|
| Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net loss |
|
$ |
(7,022 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,673 |
) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bad debt expense |
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
412 |
|
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
|
5,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
635 |
|
|
|
1,575 |
|
| Gain on sale of assets |
|
|
(365 |
) |
|
|
128 |
|
| Deferred income taxes |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
297 |
|
| Change in assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Accounts receivable |
|
|
(2,291 |
) |
|
|
8,182 |
|
| Inventories |
|
|
(336 |
) |
|
|
2,148 |
|
| Prepaid expenses |
|
|
(106 |
) |
|
|
102 |
|
| Income tax receivable and other assets |
|
|
819 |
|
|
|
(991 |
) |
| Accounts payable |
|
|
3,383 |
|
|
|
(2,977 |
) |
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
|
|
(1,131 |
) |
|
|
(35 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
|
(843 |
) |
|
|
1,168 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Additions to property and equipment, net |
|
|
(840 |
) |
|
|
(271 |
) |
| Proceeds from sale of property and equipment |
|
|
2,095 |
|
|
|
2,019 |
|
| Proceeds from Canadian note receivable |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
338 |
|
| Proceeds from sale of King’s Onion House common stock |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,500 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net cash provided by investing activities |
|
|
1,255 |
|
|
|
4,586 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Payments of indebtedness |
|
$ |
(2,594 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,673 |
) |
| Payments of Canadian revolving line of credit |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(3,756 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net cash used in financing activities |
|
|
(2,594 |
) |
|
|
(7,429 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
| |
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(2,182 |
) |
|
|
(1,694 |
) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
|
$ |
3,742 |
|
|
|
4,880 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
|
$ |
1,560 |
|
|
$ |
3,186 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash paid for interest |
|
$ |
248 |
|
|
$ |
474 |
|
| Cash paid for income taxes |
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
177 |
|
| |
| Non-cash financing and investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Capital lease additions |
|
$ |
233 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
| Common stock issued to retire debt |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
3,718 |
|
The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an
integral part of these statements.
4
FRESH AMERICA CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Description of Business
and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
Fresh America Corp. (“Fresh America”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”
or “our”) provides procurement, processing, repacking, warehousing and distribution services of fresh produce and other refrigerated products for a wide variety of customers in the retail, food service and food distribution businesses. The
Company was founded in 1989 and distributes throughout the United States through eight distribution facilities and one processing facility.
The Company’s fiscal year is a 52-week period ending on the last Friday in December. The quarters ended June 28, 2002 and June 29, 2001 each consisted of 13 weeks. The consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of Fresh America and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Unaudited Interim Financial Information
The consolidated balance sheet as of June 28, 2002, the consolidated statements of operations and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the periods ended June 28, 2002 and June 29, 2001 and related notes have been
prepared by the Company and are unaudited. In the opinion of the Company, the interim financial information includes all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods.
Certain information, definitions and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted from the interim financial information. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated
financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2001. The results for the periods ended June 28, 2002 and June 29, 2001 may not be indicative of operating results for the full year.
Prior year balances include certain reclassifications to conform to the current year presentation.
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net earnings (loss) applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the
period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. See Note 3 – “Earnings (Loss) Per Share” for the calculation of
EPS.
New Accounting Standards
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and SFAS No. 144
“Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long- Lived Assets” effective December 29, 2001 (the first day of our 2002 fiscal year). SFAS No. 142 eliminates the amortization for goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives.
Intangible assets with lives restricted by contractual, legal, or other means will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. Goodwill and other intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more
frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. SFAS No. 142 requires a two-step process for testing impairment. First, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying value to determine
whether an indication of impairment exists. If impairment is indicated, then the fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is determined by allocating the unit’s fair value to its assets and liabilities (including any unrecognized
intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been
5
acquired in a business combination. The amount of impairment for goodwill is measured as the excess of its carrying value over its fair value.
In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142, the initial test for an indicator of reporting unit goodwill
impairment must be completed within six months of adoption. At June 28, 2002, the Company completed its initial assessment and determined the $5.5 million of unamortized goodwill related to the Company’s Los Angeles, California facility was
impaired as the carrying value of its assets exceeded its fair value. The Company had no intangible assets subject to amortization under SFAS No. 142 at June 28, 2002 or December 28, 2001. Intangible assets not subject to amortization consist of
goodwill and totaled $10.6 million at June 28, 2002 and $16.1 at December 28, 2001.
The effect of the adoption of
SFAS No. 142 on net loss available to common shareholders and earnings per share is as follows:
| |
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
| |
|
June 28, 2002
|
|
|
June 29, 2001
|
|
|
June 28, 2002
|
|
|
June 29, 2001
|
|
| Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
$ |
(73 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,946 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,522 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,673 |
) |
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Preferred stock dividends and accretion |
|
|
2,092 |
|
|
|
258 |
|
|
|
4,184 |
|
|
|
514 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Reported net loss available to common shareholders |
|
|
(2,165 |
) |
|
|
(3,204 |
) |
|
|
(11,206 |
) |
|
|
(8,187 |
) |
| Add back: goodwill amortization |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
413 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
826 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Adjusted net loss available to common shareholders |
|
$ |
(2,165 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,791 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,206 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,361 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Reported net loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
$ |
(0.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.41 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.68 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.25 |
) |
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(0.65 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Reported net loss available to common shareholders |
|
|
(0.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.41 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.33 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.25 |
) |
| Add back: goodwill amortization |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
.05 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
.13 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Adjusted net loss available to common shareholders |
|
$ |
(0.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.36 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.33 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.12 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SFAS No. 144 supersedes SFAS No. 121, “Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of” and the accounting and reporting provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 “Reporting the Results of Operations-Reporting the Effects of Disposal
of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions”. SFAS No. 144 retains the fundamental provisions of SFAS No. 121 but eliminates the requirement to allocate goodwill to long-lived assets
to be tested for impairment. This statement also requires discontinued operations to be carried at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell and broadens the presentation of discontinued operations to include a component of an entity rather
than a segment of a business. The adoption of SFAS No. 144 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.
In April 2002, the Financial Accounting Standard Board issued SFAS No. 145, Rescission of SFAS Nos. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of SFAS No. 13 and Technical Corrections. SFAS No. 145 eliminates SFAS No. 4
“Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt” and thus allows for only those gains or losses on the extinguishment of debt that meet the criteria of extraordinary items to be treated as such in the financial statements. SFAS No.
145 also amends Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” to require sale-leaseback accounting for certain lease modifications that have economic effects that are similar to sale-leaseback transactions.
The provisions of this statement relating to the rescission of SFAS No. 4 are effective for fiscal years beginning after May
6
15, 2002, the provisions of this statement relating to the amendment of SFAS No. 13 are effective for transactions occurring after May 15, 2002,
and all other provisions of this Statement are effective for financial statements issued on or after May 15, 2002. Management is currently assessing the impact of this Statement on its financial statements.
Recently the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. SFAS No. 143 establishes requirements for the
accounting for removal costs associated with asset retirements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002, with earlier adoption encouraged. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated
financial statements.
In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146 “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit
or Disposal Activities”, which requires all restructurings initiated after December 31, 2002 to be recorded when they are incurred and can be measured at fair value, and subsequently adjust the recorded liability for changes in estimated cash
flows. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 146, which must be adopted in the first quarter of 2003.
Segment and Related Information
The Company provides disclosure required by SFAS
No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” which establishes standards for the way public business enterprises report information about products and services. Because of the Company’s business of
handling fresh produce and the interrelated nature of the Company’s business activities, all of which are generally conducted at each of the Company’s locations, management of the Company does not capture the financial results of the
interrelated business activities in its financial information systems by type of activity at each location or for the Company as a whole. The management of the Company measures performance based on the gross margins and pretax income generated from
each of the Company’s operations. Pretax income for the purpose of management’s analysis does not include corporate overhead such as selling, general and administrative expenses and income tax expense. Since the business units have similar
economic characteristics and are engaged in procurement, processing and distribution of produce, they have been aggregated into one reportable segment for reporting purposes.
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 at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Note 2. Debt and Liquidity
Throughout its
operational restructuring during the past three years, the Company sought various financing alternatives in an effort to raise capital and refinance or restructure its senior bank and subordinated debt. In September 2001, the Company completed a
financial restructuring whereby North Texas Opportunity Fund, LP (“NTOF”) invested $5.0 million in the Company by purchasing 50,000 shares of the Company’s Series D cumulative redeemable preferred stock and warrants exercisable for
84,100,980 shares of our common stock. Subsequent to NTOF’s investment, Arthur Hollingsworth, an affiliate of NTOF and the Company’s Chairman of the Board, purchased from NTOF for the same price as paid by NTOF, 3,500 shares of Series D
preferred stock and warrants exercisable for 5,887,069 shares of our common stock. As a condition to the NTOF investment in the Company, John Hancock Life Insurance Company, the Company’s subordinated lender at such time, converted all of its
subordinated debt, Series C preferred stock, warrants and accrued interest and dividends thereon, into newly issued shares of Series D preferred stock and warrants. In particular, John Hancock Life Insurance Company, John Hancock Variable Life
Insurance Company, Signature 1A (Cayman), Ltd. and Signature 3 Limited (collectively, the “Hancock Entities”) exchanged $20 million of subordinated debt, warrants to purchase 576,134 shares of the Company’s common stock, 50,000 shares
of Series C cumulative redeemable
7
preferred stock and all accrued interest and dividends for 27,000 shares of the Company’s Series D cumulative redeemable preferred stock
and warrants exercisable for 45,414,529 shares of our common stock. The warrants are exercisable for a ten-year period that commenced on August 14, 2001 and ends August 14, 2011. The exercise price of the warrants is $.0001 per share and the
warrants are subject to anti-dilution provisions providing adjustment in the event of any recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, reorganization, merger or similar transaction or certain issuances of shares below their market value. See Note
5 for additional information regarding the terms of the warrant, cumulative redeemable preferred stock and other shareholder matters.
Subsequent to the financial restructuring, Bank of America, N.A., the Company’s senior lender, assigned its interest in the Company’s term debt to Endeavour, LLC (the “Senior Lender”) and the Senior
Lender extended the maturity date of the term debt to January 6, 2003. The Company is seeking a new lender to provide a revolving credit facility to replace the existing term facility prior to its maturity date and provide working capital. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to replace its Senior Lender as anticipated or extend its senior credit facility beyond January 2003, if that becomes necessary.
In July 2000, the Company entered into an agreement amending the stock purchase agreement relating to the Company’s November 1998 acquisition of Perricone Citrus
Company. As part of the amended agreement, unsecured promissory notes owed by the Company totaling $3.5 million and the accrued and unpaid interest therein were restructured whereby the Company agreed to the following: payments totaling $100,000
upon execution of the amended agreement; lump-sum payments of $350,000 and $150,000 on January 1, 2002 and July 1, 2002, respectively; and 24 monthly installment payments of $37,500 totaling $900,000. Additionally, the Company issued the note
holders 300,000 warrants to purchase common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $2.50 per share. The warrants are exercisable for the duration of seven years. The issuances of these securities were exempt from registration under the
Securities Act under Regulation D. In February 2002, the Company and the note holders agreed to further amend the agreement to change the due date of all remaining payments to the earlier of (i) January 7, 2003 or (ii) the repayment or refinancing
of the Company’s term note with the Senior Lender. All previous accrued interest was forgiven, and the remaining principal balance began accruing interest at an annual rate of 10% in January 2002.
Under the terms of the purchase agreement for the acquisition of Jos. Notarianni & Co. (“Notarianni”), a portion of the
purchase price was contingent upon Notarianni’s earnings subsequent to its acquisition. On February 5, 2002, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to Mr. Joseph Cognetti in the amount of $1,233,043 (the “Cognetti Note”) for
settlement of the contingent payment amount. At December 28, 2001, the contingency amount was recorded as an increase to goodwill and long-term debt. The Cognetti Note bears interest at an annual rate of 5%, payable quarterly, and becomes due and
payable on the earlier of (i) January 7, 2003 or (ii) the repayment or refinancing of the Company’s term note with the Senior Lender.
The Company’s purchase agreement with Hereford Haven Inc., formerly doing business as Martin Bros. (“Martin Bros.”), also contained a contingent payment component in the purchase price. The total contingent
payment was $5.0 million and was due March 31, 2001. The amount was payable in either cash, common stock or a combination of cash and common stock to the extent of 75% at the Company’s option and 25% at the selling shareholder’s option. In
satisfaction of 75% of the contingent payment, in April 2001, the Company issued 3,166,694 shares of its common stock to Larry Martin, the former owner of Martin Bros., which were valued at the market value of the Company’s common stock at the
time of the transaction. The issuance of these securities to Mr. Martin was exempt from registration under the Securities Act under Regulation D. The remaining $1.2 million of contingent consideration was evidenced by a promissory note and was
restructured as part of the NTOF-led financial restructuring discussed above. The note is payable in cash subject to the approval of the Company’s Senior Lender. This note bears interest at an annual rate of 5%, payable quarterly, and becomes
due and payable on the earlier of (i) January 7, 2003 or (ii) the repayment or refinancing of the Company’s term note with the Senior Lender.
8
The Company is party to a master lease agreement with SunTrust Leasing
Corporation that has been used to provide equipment financing. The Company is not in compliance with certain financial covenants under the terms of the lease and has received waivers for noncompliance through January 6, 2003. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be in compliance with such covenants subsequent to January 6, 2003 or will be successful in revising or obtaining waivers for the covenants.
Management believes that the combination of the effects of the NTOF-led financial restructuring completed in September 2001, the anticipated refinancing of the indebtedness
to the Senior Lender on a long-term basis, cash generated from ongoing operating activities, and the realization of recent reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses will enable the Company to meet its obligations as they come due in
the foreseeable future. However, there can be no assurance the Company will be able to replace its Senior Lender as anticipated or extend its term notes beyond January 2003, if that becomes necessary.
Note 3. Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The following table reconciles the calculations of the Company’s basic and diluted EPS (in thousands, except per share amounts):
| |
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
| |
|
June 28, 2002
|
|
|
June 29, 2001
|
|
|
June 28, 2002
|
|
|
June 29, 2001
|
|
| Basic & Diluted EPS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
$ |
(73 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,946 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,522 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,673 |
) |
| Less: Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Preferred stock dividends |
|
|
153 |
|
|
|
224 |
|
|
|
306 |
|
|
|
446 |
|
| Accretion of preferred stock |
|
|
1,939 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
3,878 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net loss available to common shareholders |
|
$ |
(2,165 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,204 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,206 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,187 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Weighted average common shares outstanding |
|
|
8,410 |
|
|
|
7,818 |
|
|
|
8,410 |
|
|
|
6,530 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Loss per share |
|
$ |
(.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(.41 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.33 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.25 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options and warrants to purchase 519,000 shares of common stock for
the six-month period ended June 28, 2002 and 1,356,000 shares of common stock for the six-month period ended June 29, 2001 were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
Note 4. Income Taxes
The income tax benefit for the six-month period ended June 29, 2001 principally relates to the losses of the Company’s former Canadian subsidiary, Ontario Tree Fruits, which can be carried back to
recover Canadian taxes paid in prior years. The Canadian tax benefit of $900,000 has been provided at an effective rate of 44.5%, reflecting combined provincial and federal Canadian income taxes. This amount is reduced by a state tax provision of
$157,000.
No U.S. Federal or state income tax benefit was recorded for the three–month and six-month periods
ended June 28, 2002 and June 29, 2001 because the Company could not carryback U.S. losses to recover any prior year federal income taxes.
9
Based on the Company’s assessment of its ability to carry back net operating losses, scheduled reversals of taxable
and deductible temporary differences and future taxable income, a valuation allowance has been provided at June 28, 2002 and June 29, 2001 to eliminate the Company’s U.S. net deferred tax assets.
Note 5. Shareholders’ Equity
In connection with the financial restructuring, the Company held a special meeting of the shareholders. The Company’s shareholders were asked to approve an amendment to the Company’s articles
of incorporation to increase the authorized common stock from 10 million to 250 million and decrease the common stock’s stated par value from $.01 to $.0001 per share (the “Charter Amendment”). The Charter Amendment was necessary for
the warrants issued to NTOF, Mr. Hollingsworth and the Hancock Entities discussed in Note 2 to be exercisable. At the special meeting, approximately 61.9% of the shareholders voted in favor of the Charter Amendment, falling short of the necessary
approval of the holders of a supermajority (66.7%) of the issued and outstanding stock. Because the Charter Amendment was not approved by December 31, 2001, the warrants were not exercisable at such time, and in accordance with the Certificate of
Designations pursuant to which the Series D preferred stock was issued, the holders of the Series D preferred stock received increased rights, as described below.
Initially, each share of the 77,000 shares of Series D preferred stock had the right to receive cumulative dividends, payable monthly in cash and calculated on the basis of
an annual dividend rate of $8 for each share plus interest on any accrued but unpaid dividends. Because the Charter Amendment was not approved by December 31, 2001, the annual dividend rate increased to $18 per share on December 31, 2001. However,
the Company obtained a waiver for the enhanced dividend from the Series D preferred shareholders for the period from December 29, 2001 until January 3, 2003. Therefore, the annual dividend rate remained at the original annual dividend rate of $8 for
each share of preferred stock. Cumulative preferred dividends accrued as of June 28, 2002 and December 28, 2001 totaled $358,000 and $205,000 respectively. The Company may not declare a dividend on any other class of capital stock so long as any
accrued dividends for the preferred stock have not been paid. If the Company pays a dividend to holders of any other class of the Company’s capital stock, then the Company will pay a dilution fee to the holders of the preferred stock. When the
Charter Amendment was not approved at the special meeting, the holders of preferred stock became entitled to vote as a separate class for all matters on which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote, with each share entitled to one vote per
share, except where applicable law prevents class voting. In addition, the holders of the preferred stock became entitled to vote together with the holders of common stock as a combined class on any matter on which the common stock is eligible to
vote, with each share of common stock entitled to one vote per share and each share of preferred stock entitled to 250 votes per share, being 11,625,000 votes for NTOF, 875,000 for Mr. Hollingsworth and 6,750,000 for the Hancock Entities.
The Series D preferred shareholders have a put right on the Series D preferred stock after August 14, 2004, and
immediately upon any breach by the Company of the financial restructuring agreements or any sale, merger or change of control of the Company at $100 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. Because Charter Amendment was not approved by December
31, 2001, the holders of Series D preferred stock received the right to exercise their put right at three times the face value of the preferred stock, such amount being $13,950,000 for NTOF, $1,050,000 for Mr. Hollingsworth and $8,100,000 for the
Hancock Entities, plus accrued and unpaid dividends. Additionally, the holders of the preferred stock have the right to redeem their shares of preferred stock on the same terms of the put right after April 30, 2007 or immediately upon the occurrence
of any sale, merger or change of control of the Company, any qualified public offering with net proceeds of at least $20,000,000 or any private equity financing with net proceeds of at least $20,000,000.
On July 31, 2002, the Company held its 2002 annual meeting of shareholders. At the annual meeting, the Charter Amendment was submitted
again to the Company’s shareholders for approval. The Charter
10
Amendment was approved at the annual meeting and the Company’s articles of incorporation have been amended to incorporate the Charter
Amendment. As a result, the warrants issued to NTOF, Mr. Hollingsworth and the Hancock Entities became exercisable.
Note
6. Recent Events.
In May 2002, the Company sold its building in Richmond, Indiana
and temporarily moved these operations to its facility in Chicago, Illinois. Approximately $1.7 million of the net proceeds were used to pay principal on the Company’s senior secured debt with its Senior Lender. The Company may borrow up to
$560,000 under its credit facility with its Senior Lender to fund capital expenditures and moving expenses incurred in relocating its operations formerly performed at its Richmond facility to a new leased location.
In June 2002, the Company’s office and main warehouse facility in Scranton, Pennsylvania was partially destroyed by fire. A portion
of the operations performed at the Scranton facilities were moved to the Company’s nearby Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania facility in a few days with minimal disruption. The Company believes its insurance policies are adequate to cover the losses
associated with the fire from both a property and casualty and business interruption perspective. At this time, the Company intends to continue operating the business formerly performed in Scranton from the Wilkes-Barre location until it can replace
the Scranton facility.
The Company is pursuing strategic alternatives with respect to its Francisco Distributing
division located in Los Angeles, California including a sale of all or a substantial part of the division’s assets, together with the termination of its equipment and real property lease obligations.
11
Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results of Operations
The following table presents the components of the consolidated
statements of operations as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:
| |
|
Quarter Ended
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
|
|
| |
|
June 28, 2002
|
|
|
June 28, 2001
|
|
|
June 28, 2002
|
|
|
June 28, 2001
|
|
| Net sales |
|
100.0 |
% |
|
100.0 |
% |
|
100.0 |
% |
|
100.0 |
% |
| Cost of sales |
|
89.7 |
|
|
88.0 |
|
|
89.6 |
|
|
89.2 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Gross profit |
|
10.3 |
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
10.4 |
|
|
10.8 |
|
| Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
9.2 |
|
|
13.6 |
|
|
10.7 |
|
|
14.0 |
|
| Depreciation and amortization |
|
0.6 |
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
1.0 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total operating costs and expenses |
|
9.8 |
|
|
14.7 |
|
|
11.3 |
|
|
15.0 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Operating income (loss) |
|
0.5 |
|
|
(2.7 |
) |
|
(0.9 |
) |
|
(4.2 |
) |
| Other expense |
|
(0.7 |
) |
|
(1.3 |
) |
|
(0.5 |
) |
|
(1.2 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Loss before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
(0.2 |
) |
|
(4.0 |
) |
|
(1.4 |
) |
|
(5.4 |
) |
| Income tax expense (benefit) |
|
— |
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
— |
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. |
|
(0.2 |
) |
|
(4.2 |
) |
|
(1.4 |
) |
|
(4.9 |
) |
| Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
— |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net loss |
|
(0.2 |
) |
|
(4.2 |
) |
|
(6.5 |
) |
|
(4.9 |
) |
| Preferred dividends and accretion |
|
4.0 |
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
3.9 |
|
|
0.3 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net loss available to common shareholders |
|
(4.2 |
%) |
|
(4.6 |
%) |
|
(10.4 |
%) |
|
(5.2 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparison of Quarter Ended June 28, 2002 to Quarter Ended June 28, 2001
Net sales. Net sales decreased $17.9 million, or 25.6%, to $52.3 million in the second
quarter of 2002 from $70.2 million in the second quarter of 2001. Approximately $7.7 million of this decrease is related to divestitures of certain operations. These divestitures included: King’s Onion House (“King’s”), which was
sold in April 2001, resulting in a decrease of $3.0 million; Bacchus Fresh International (“BFI”), which was sold in August 2001, resulting in a decrease of $1.1 million; and other divestitures resulting in a decrease of $1.6 million, in
the aggregate. In addition, in May 2001 a decision was reached, via arbitration, to rescind the original purchase agreement of the Company’s Florida location, Thompson’s Produce, resulting in a decrease in sales of $2.0 million compared to
the corresponding period in 2001. The Company also experienced a decrease in sales of approximately $7.7 million at its Los Angeles facility during the second quarter of 2002 as compared to the same period of 2001. This decrease was primarily
attributable to the departure of key sales persons at the facility beginning in August 2001. As discussed in Note 6—“Recent Events”, the Company is pursuing strategic alternatives with respect to its Los Angeles operations. The
remaining net decrease of $2.5 million was the result of decreased sales at several of the Company’s locations. The decreases were primarily due to a decline in economic conditions that most significantly impacted the food-service portion of
the Company’s business. The decrease was partially offset by increases at the Company’s remaining locations, primarily due to increased business, which was a direct result of the Company’s regional and national sales programs. The
Company is currently expanding these programs with key customers and the incremental business obtained through these programs is impacting all locations.
Cost of sales. Cost of sales decreased $14.9 million, or 24.2% to $46.9 million in the second quarter of 2002 from $61.8 million in the second quarter of 2001. As a percentage of net
sales, cost of sales
12
increased from 88.0% to 89.7%, resulting in gross profit margin of 10.3% in second quarter of 2002 as compared to 12.0% in the same period of
last year. The decrease in margin as a percent of sales was primarily due to the impact of new regional and national sales programs. For program business, specific sizes and first-quality product is used and priced at acceptable margins. However,
local customers must be secured to absorb the bi-product created from the program business. Other program business using different size product is currently under development. New regional sales people have been hired to secure an outlet for the
bi-product and second quality product to create an acceptable blended margin. In addition, the Company continues to focus on improving efficiencies and finding ways to reduce direct labor/processing costs and minimize other key components of cost of
sales including freight-in and outbound delivery costs.
Selling, general and administrative
expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased by $4.8 million, or 49.7% to $4.8 million in the second quarter of 2002 from $9.6 million in the second quarter of 2001. Approximately $3.3
million of the decrease was attributable to improved efficiencies and Company-wide cost reduction initiatives that began to take effect during the second quarter of 2001. These initiatives included headcount reduction strategies, which were enhanced
by the Company’s implementation of a Company-wide standardized accounting system and a program to centralize the accounting functions. The remaining reduction for ongoing operations was a result of other cost containment initiatives and a
reduction in expenses related to legal and other professionals in 2002 as compared to 2001. The remaining $1.5 million decrease relates to operating expenses associated with locations which were divested. These divestitures primarily occurred during
the first and second quarters of 2001.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and
amortization decreased by approximately $451,000 to $316,000 in the second quarter of 2002 as compared to $767,000 in the same period of 2001. This decrease was primarily attributable to the adoption of SFAS No. 142 and the resulting elimination of
goodwill amortization.
Operating income (loss). As a result of the foregoing factors, the
Company’s operating income increased $2.2 million to $292,000 in the second quarter of 2002 as compared to a loss of $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2001.
Interest expense, net. Interest expense decreased by approximately $686,000 to $267,000 in the second quarter of 2002 as compared to $953,000 in the same
period of 2001. This decrease was primarily attributable to the September 2001 restructure of the Company’s subordinated debt with the Hancock Entities.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense for the second quarter of 2001 relates principally to Canadian income tax expense attributable to income from the Company’s Canadian
subsidiaries. No U.S. federal or state income tax benefit was recorded for the second quarter of fiscal 2002 because the Company could not carryback U.S. losses to recover any prior year income taxes.
Preferred stock dividends and accretion. The increase in preferred stock dividends and accretion in the second quarter
of 2002 compared to the prior year period is principally due to the fair value of the Series D cumulative redeemable preferred stock issued pursuant to the NTOF-led financial restructuring described in Note 2 being substantially less than the face
amount, and issuance costs which further reduced the initially recorded value. In addition, under the terms of the Series D preferred stock, the enhanced rights described in Note 5 became effective when the Charter Amendment was not approved by
December 31, 2001. One of the enhanced rights allows the holders of the preferred stock to exercise their put right at three times the face value of the preferred stock. This enhancement increased the accretion related to the preferred stock during
the first and second quarters of 2002. As a result, the accretion of the carrying
13
value exceeds the accretion recorded on the previously outstanding Series C cumulative redeemable preferred stock.
Net loss available to common shareholders. As a result of the foregoing factors, the Company reported net loss of $2.2
million in the second quarter of 2002 compared to $3.2 million in the second quarter of 2001, a decrease of $1.0 million.
Comparison
of Six Months Ended June 28, 2002 to Six Months Ended June 29, 2001
Net sales. Net sales
decreased $49.4 million, or 31.5%, to $107.7 million in the first six months of 2002 from $157.1 million in the first six months of 2001. Approximately $33.1 million of this decrease is related to divestitures of certain operations. These
divestitures included: the Company’s Canadian operations, which were sold in March 2001 resulting in a decrease of $4.6 million; King’s which was sold in April 2001 resulting in a decrease of $14.1 million; BFI which was sold in August
2001 resulting in a decrease of $5.0 million; and other divestitures resulting in a decrease of $3.4 million, in the aggregate. In addition, the decision to rescind the original purchase agreement of Thompson’s Produce in May 2001 resulted in a
decrease in sales of $6.0 million compared to prior year period. The Company also experienced a decrease in sales of approximately $15.9 million at its Los Angeles facility for the first six months of 2002 as compared to the same period of 2001.
This decrease was primarily attributable to the departure of key sales persons at the facility beginning in August 2001. As discussed in Note 6—“Recent Events”, the Company is pursuing strategic alternatives with respect to its Los
Angeles operations.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales decreased $43.6 million, or 31.2% to $96.6
million in the first six months of 2002 from $140.2 million in the first six months of 2001. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales increased to 89.6% from 89.2 resulting in gross profit as a percent of sales of 10.4% for the first six months
of 2002 as compared to 10.8% in the same period of 2001.
Selling, general and administrative
expenses. SG&A expenses decreased by $10.5 million, or 47.5% to $11.5 million in the first six months of 2002 from $22.0 million in the first six months of 2001. Approximately $4.9 million of the decrease resulted from improved
efficiencies and Company-wide cost reduction initiatives that began to take effect during the second quarter of 2001. These initiatives included headcount reduction strategies, which were enhanced by the Company’s implementation of a
Company-wide standardized accounting system and a program to centralize the accounting functions. The remaining reduction for ongoing operations was a result of other cost containment initiatives and a reduction in expenses related to legal and
other professionals in 2002 as compared to 2001. The remaining $5.6 million decrease relates to operating expenses associated with locations which were divested. These divestitures primarily occurred during the first and second quarters of 2001.
Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization decreased by approximately
$940,000 to $635,000 for the first six months of 2002 as compared to $1.6 million in the same period of 2001. This decrease was primarily attributable to the implementation of SFAS No. 142 and the resulting elimination of goodwill amortization.
Operating loss. As a result of the foregoing factors, operating loss decreased $5.7 million to
$1.0 million in the first six months of 2002 from $6.7 million in the first six months of 2001.
Interest
expense, net. Interest expense decreased by approximately $1.5 million to $400,000 for the first six months of 2002 as compared to $1.9 million in the same period of 2001. This decrease was primarily attributable to the September 2001
restructure of the Company’s subordinated debt with the Hancock Entities.
14
Income tax benefit. The income tax benefit for the first six
months of 2001 consists of a Canadian income tax benefit of $900,000 related to the loss incurred by the Company’s Canadian subsidiaries which can be carried back to recover prior year income taxes paid, and U.S. state income tax expense of
approximately $157,000. Income tax expense in the first six months of 2000 consisted solely of Canadian income taxes. No U.S. federal income tax benefit was provided in either period because the Company cannot carryback U.S. losses to recover any
prior year federal income taxes.
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. In
accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142, the initial test for an indicator of reporting unit goodwill impairment must be completed within six months of adoption. As of June 28, 2002, the Company has completed its initial assessment, and
determined $5.5 million of remaining goodwill related to the Company’s facility in Los Angeles, California was impaired as the carrying value of its assets exceeded its fair value. During the first quarter of 2003, the Company’s results
for first quarter 2002 will be restated to include this cumulative effect of change in accounting principle.
Preferred stock dividends and accretion. The increase in preferred stock dividends and accretion in the first six months of 2002 compared to the prior year period is principally due to the fair value of the Series D
cumulative redeemable preferred stock issued pursuant to the NTOF-led financial restructuring described in Note 2 being substantially less than the face amount, and issuance costs which further reduced the initially recorded value. In addition,
under the terms of the Series D preferred stock, the enhanced rights described in Note 5 became effective when the Charter Amendment was not approved by December 31, 2001. One of the enhanced rights allows the holders of the preferred stock to
exercise their put right at three times the face value of the preferred stock. This enhancement increased the accretion related to the preferred stock during the first and second quarters of 2002. As a result, the accretion of the carrying value
exceeds the accretion recorded on the previously outstanding Series C cumulative redeemable preferred stock.
Net loss available to common shareholders. As a result of the foregoing factors, the Company reported a net loss of $11.2 million in the first six months of 2002 as compared to $8.2 million in the first six months
of 2001, an increase of $3.0 million. The first six months of 2002 includes $5.5 million impairment of the remaining goodwill related to the Company’s facility in Los Angeles, California, which is shown as a cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash used in operating activities was $843,000 for the first six months of 2002 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $1.2 million for the first six months
of 2001. This decrease of $2.0 million is primarily attributable to less cash provided from accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventories and accrued expenses during the current period compared to the prior year period. The decreases in these
balances are due to divestiture of non-performing operations. Cash provided by investing activities was $1.3 million for the first six months of 2002 as compared to $4.6 million for the first six months of 2001. The decrease of $3.3 million
primarily relates from the sale of King’s of $2.5 million. In addition, the Company’s capital expenditures increased in 2002 as compared to the same period of 2001, primarily related to investments in a company-wide standardized
information system. The implementation was initiated in the third quarter of 2001 and will be completed in the third quarter of 2002. Cash used in financing activities was $2.6 million for the first six months of 2002 compared to $7.4 million for
the first six months of 2001. This decrease is primarily due to the repayments on the Canadian revolving line of credit, which was fully repaid and cancelled in March 2001, and a decrease in payments required to the Company’s Senior Lender in
2002 as compared to 2001.
At June 28, 2002 the Company had negative working capital of $4.8 million compared to
working capital of $1.2 million at December 28, 2001. The decrease in working capital is primarily due to the change in
15
classification of debt due January 2003 from long-term to short-term debt (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements).
In May 2002, the Company sold its building in Richmond, Indiana and temporarily moved these operations to its facility in
Chicago, Illinois. Approximately $1.7 million of the net proceeds were used to pay principal on the Company’s senior secured debt with its Senior Lender. The Company may borrow up to $560,000 under its credit facility with its Senior Lender to
fund capital expenditures and moving expenses incurred in relocating its operations formerly performed at its Richmond facility to a new leased location.
In June 2002, the Company’s office and main warehouse facility in Scranton, Pennsylvania was partially destroyed by fire. A portion of the operations performed at the Scranton facilities were
moved to the Company’s nearby Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania facility in a few days with minimal disruption. The Company believes its insurance policies are adequate to cover the losses associated with the fire from both a property and casualty and
business interruption perspective. At this time, the Company intends to continue operating the business formerly performed in Scranton from the Wilkes-Barre location until it can replace the Scranton facility.
Financial Restructuring
Throughout its operational restructuring during the past three years, the Company sought various financing alternatives in an effort to raise capital and refinance or restructure its senior bank and
subordinated debt. In September 2001, the Company completed a financial restructuring whereby North Texas Opportunity Fund LP, (“NTOF”) invested $5.0 million in the Company by purchasing 50,000 shares of the Company’s Series D
cumulative redeemable preferred stock and warrants exercisable for 84,100,980 shares of our common stock. Subsequent to NTOF’s investment, Arthur Hollingsworth, an affiliate of NTOF and the Company’s Chairman of the Board, purchased from
NTOF for the same price as paid by NTOF, 3,500 shares of Series D preferred stock and warrants exercisable for 5,887,069 shares of our common stock. As a condition to the NTOF investment in the Company, John Hancock Life Insurance Company, the
Company’s subordinated lender at such time converted all of its subordinated debt, Series C preferred stock, warrants and accrued interest and dividends thereon into newly issued shares of Series D preferred stock and warrants. In particular,
John Hancock Life Insurance Company, John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company, Signature 1A (Cayman), Ltd. and Signature 3 Limited (collectively, the “Hancock Entities”) exchanged $20 million of subordinated debt, warrants to purchase
576,134 shares of the Company’s common stock, 50,000 shares of Series C cumulative redeemable preferred stock and all accrued interest and dividends for 27,000 shares of the Company’s Series D cumulative redeemable preferred stock and
warrants exercisable for 45,414,529 shares of our common stock. The warrants are exercisable for a ten-year period that commenced on August 14, 2001 and ends August 14, 2011. The exercise price of the warrants is $.0001 per share and the warrants
are subject to anti-dilution provisions providing adjustment in the event of any recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, reorganization, merger or similar transaction or certain issuances of shares below their market value.
Other Debt Arrangements
Bank Debt. Subsequent to the financial restructuring, Bank of America, N.A., the Company’s senior lender, assigned its interest in the Company’s term debt to Endeavour, LLC
(the “Senior Lender”) and the Senior Lender extended the maturity date to January 6, 2003. The Company is seeking a new lender to provide a revolving credit facility to replace the existing term facility prior to its maturity date and
provide working capital. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to replace its Senior Lender as anticipated or extend its senior credit facility beyond January 2003, if that becomes necessary.
Acquisitions. In July 2000, the Company entered into an agreement amending the stock purchase agreement relating to the
Company’s November 1998 acquisition of Perricone Citrus Company. As part of
16
the amended agreement, unsecured promissory notes owed by the Company totaling $3.5 million and the accrued and unpaid interest therein were
restructured whereby the Company agreed to the following: payments totaling $100,000 upon execution of the amended agreement; lump-sum payments of $350,000 and $150,000 on January 1, 2002 and July 1, 2002, respectively; and 24 monthly installment
payments of $37,500 totaling $900,000. Additionally, the Company issued the note holders 300,000 warrants to purchase common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $2.50 per share. The warrants are exercisable for the duration of seven years.
The issuances of these securities were exempt from registration under the Securities Act under Regulation D. In February 2002, the Company and the note holders agreed to further amend the agreement to change the due date of all remaining payments to
the earlier of (i) January 7, 2003 or (ii) the repayment or refinancing of the Company’s term note with the Senior Lender. All previous accrued interest was forgiven, and the remaining principal balance began accruing interest at an annual rate
of 10% in January 2002.
Under the terms of the purchase agreement for the acquisition of Jos. Notarianni &
Co. (“Notarianni”), a portion of the purchase price was contingent upon Notarianni’s earnings subsequent to its acquisition. On February 5, 2002, the Company issued an unsecured promissory note to Mr. Joseph Cognetti in the amount of
$1,233,043 (the “Cognetti Note”) for settlement of the contingent payment amount. At December 28, 2001, the contingency amount was recorded as an increase to goodwill and long-term debt. The Cognetti Note bears interest at an annual rate
of 5%, payable quarterly, and becomes due and payable on the earlier of (i) January 7, 2003 or (ii) the repayment or refinancing of the Company’s term note with the Senior Lender.
The Company’s purchase agreement with Hereford Haven Inc., formerly doing business as Martin Bros. (“Martin Bros.”), also contained a contingent payment
component in the purchase price. The total contingent payment was $5.0 million and was due March 31, 2001. The amount was payable in either cash, common stock or a combination of cash and common stock to the extent of 75% at the Company’s
option and 25% at the selling shareholder’s option. In satisfaction of 75% of the contingent payment, in April 2001, the Company issued 3,166,694 shares of its common stock to Larry Martin, the former owner of Martin Bros., which were valued at
the market value of the Company’s common stock at the time of the transaction. The issuance of these securities to Mr. Martin was exempt from registration under the Securities Act under Regulation D. The remaining $1.2 million of contingent
consideration was evidenced by a promissory note and was restructured as part of the NTOF-led financial restructuring discussed above. The note is payable in cash subject to the approval of the Company’s Senior Lender. This note bears interest
at an annual rate of 5%, payable quarterly, and becomes due and payable on the earlier of (i) January 7, 2003 or (ii) the repayment or refinancing of the Company’s term note with the Senior Lender.
Equipment Financing. The Company is party to a master lease agreement with SunTrust Leasing Corporation that has been
used to provide equipment financing. The Company is not in compliance with certain financial covenants under the terms of the lease and has received waivers for noncompliance through January 6, 2003. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be in compliance with such covenants subsequent to January 6, 2003 or will be successful in revising or obtaining waivers for the covenants.
Management believes that the combination of the effects of the NTOF-led financial restructuring completed in September 2001, the anticipated refinancing of the indebtedness to the Senior Lender on a
long-term basis, cash generated from ongoing operating activities, and the realization of recent reductions in selling, general and administrative expenses will enable the Company to meet its obligations as they come due in the foreseeable future.
However, there can be no assurance the Company will be able to replace its Senior Lender as anticipated or extend its term notes beyond January 2003, if that becomes necessary.
17
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2002, the Financial Accounting Standard Board issued SFAS No. 145, Rescission of SFAS Nos. 4, 44 and 64, Amendment of SFAS No. 13 and Technical Corrections. SFAS
No. 145 eliminates SFAS No. 4 “Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt” and thus allows for only those gains or losses on the extinguishment of debt that meet the criteria of extraordinary items to be treated as such in the
financial statements. SFAS No. 145 also amends Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” to require sale-leaseback accounting for certain lease modifications that have economic effects that are similar to
sale-leaseback transactions. The provisions of this statement relating to the rescission of SFAS No. 4 are effective for fiscal years beginning after May 15, 2002, the provisions of this statement relating to the amendment of SFAS No. 13 are
effective for transactions occurring after May 15, 2002, and all other provisions of this Statement are effective for financial statements issued on or after May 15, 2002. Management believes the adoption of this Statement will have no material
effect on its financial position or results of operations.
Recently the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, Accounting for
Asset Retirement Obligations. SFAS No. 143 establishes requirements for the accounting for removal costs associated with asset retirements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002, with earlier adoption encouraged. The Company
is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.
In July 2002, the
FASB issued SFAS No. 146 “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”, which requires all restructurings initiated after December 31, 2002 to be recorded when they are incurred and can be measured at fair value, and
subsequently adjust the recorded liability for changes in estimated cash flows. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS No. 146, which must be adopted in the first quarter of 2003.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company
follows certain significant accounting policies when preparing its consolidated financial statements. A complete summary of these policies is included in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ending December 28, 2001, a copy of which can be obtained from the Company upon request.
Certain of the policies require management to make significant and subjective estimates which are sensitive to deviations of actual results from management’s assumptions. In particular, management makes estimates regarding the
fair value of the Company’s reporting units in assessing potential impairment of goodwill. In addition, the Company makes estimates regarding future undiscounted cash flows from the future use of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable.
In assessing
impairment of goodwill, the Company uses estimates and assumptions in estimating the fair value of its reporting units. Actual future results could be different than the estimates and assumptions used. Events or circumstances which might lead to an
indication of impairment of goodwill would include, but might not be limited to, future business volume, finished product prices and operating costs or other events which could affect the performance of the companies.
In assessing impairment of long-lived assets other than goodwill where there has been a change in circumstances indicating that the
carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable, the Company has estimated future undiscounted net cash flows from use of the asset based on actual historical results and expectations about future economic circumstances including future
business volume, finished product prices and operating costs. The estimate of future net cash flows from use of the asset could change if actual prices and costs differ due to industry conditions or other factors affecting the Company’s
performance.
18
Quarterly Results and Seasonality
The Company’s business is somewhat seasonal, with its greatest quarterly sales volume historically occurring in the second quarter. There are decreases in availability
of product during periods of transition from one growing region to the next. In any given quarter, an adverse development such as the unavailability of high quality produce or harsh weather conditions could have a disproportionate impact on the
Company’s results of operations for the full year.
Inflation
Although the Company cannot determine the precise effects of inflation, management does not believe inflation has had a material effect on its sales or results of
operations. However, independent of normal inflationary pressures, the Company’s products are subject to fluctuating prices, which result from factors discussed above in the section titled “Quarterly Results and Seasonality”.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All
statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of these provisions, including any projections of earnings, revenues or other financial items, any statements of the plans and objectives of
management for future operations or financing, any statements concerning proposed new products or services, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations or any of its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct, and actual results
could differ materially from those projected or assumed in the Company’s forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the Company’s future financial condition and results, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to
inherent risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, adverse weather conditions, a decrease in sales in the fresh produce industry due to the threat of bio-terrorism, continued loss of key sales personnel, general economic and market
conditions, the availability and cost of borrowed funds and limitations arising from the Company’s indebtedness, the ability to refinance its existing bank debt and raise additional capital, government regulation, and seasonality.
Additional information concerning these and other risk factors is contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2001, a copy of which may be obtained from the Company upon request.
19
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk. As of June 28, 2002 our senior secured debt accrued interest at a
market rate at the time of borrowing plus an applicable margin on certain borrowings. The interest rate is based on the lending bank’s prime rate plus 4.5%. The impact on the Company’s results of operations of a one-percentage point
interest rate change on the outstanding balance of the variable rate debt as of June 28, 2002 would be $10,000.
Commodity Pricing Risk. For reasons discussed previously, prices of high quality produce can be extremely volatile. In order to reduce the impact of these factors, we generally set our prices based on current
delivered cost or enter into supply-side contracts to ensure adequate margins on a high proportion of our sales contracts.
Part II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company has been a party to ordinary routine litigation incidental to various aspects of its operations. Management is currently not
aware of any litigation that is expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or the results of operations.
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
Not
applicable.
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
Not applicable
Item
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Not applicable
Item 5. Other Information
Not applicable
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on 8-K.
| Exhibit Number
|
|
Description
|
| |
| 3.1* |
|
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Fresh America Corp. |
| |
| 3.2 |
|
Restated Bylaws of Fresh America Corp. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for
the quarterly period ended September 28, 2001). |
| |
| 4.1 |
|
Specimen of Common Stock Certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form S-1 [Commission File Number 33-77620]). |
20
| |
| 4.2 |
|
Statement of Designation for Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1
to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 20, 2001). |
| |
| 12.1 |
|
Statement regarding computation of per share earnings (Incorporated by reference to Note 1 to the Financial
Statements included herein). |
Not applicable.
21
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| FRESH AMERICA CORP. (Registrant) |
|
|
|
|
| |
| By: |
|
/s/ CHERYL A.
TAYLOR
|
|
|
|
Date: August 12, 2002 |
| |
|
Cheryl A. Taylor Executive Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|