Item 1. Business
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “the Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Alamo Group Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
General
The Company is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high quality agricultural equipment and infrastructure maintenance equipment for governmental and industrial use. The Company’s products include tractor-mounted mowing and other vegetation maintenance equipment, street sweepers, excavators, vacuum trucks, snow removal equipment, pothole patchers, zero turn radius mowers, agricultural implements and related aftermarket parts and services. The Company emphasizes high quality, cost-effective products for its customers and strives to develop and market innovative products while constantly monitoring and seeking to contain its manufacturing and overhead costs. The Company has a long-standing strategy of supplementing its internal growth through acquisitions of businesses or product lines that currently complement, command, or have the potential to achieve a meaningful share of their niche markets. The Company has approximately 2,470 employees and operates a total of eighteen plants in North America, Europe and Australia. The Company sells its products primarily through a network of independent dealers and distributors to governmental end-users, related independent contractors, as well as to the agricultural and commercial turf markets. The Company operates primarily in the United States, England, France, Canada and Australia.
The predecessor corporation to Alamo Group Inc. was incorporated in the State of Texas in 1969, as a successor to a business that began selling mowing equipment in 1955, and Alamo Group Inc. was reincorporated in the State of Delaware in 1987.
History
Since its founding in 1969, the Company has focused on satisfying customer needs through geographic market expansion, product development and refinement, and selected acquisitions. The Company’s first products were based on rotary cutting technology. Through acquisitions, the Company added flail cutting technology in 1983 and sickle-bar cutting technology in 1984. The Company added to its presence in the industrial and governmental vegetation markets with the acquisition of Tiger Corporation (“Tiger”) in late 1994.
The Company entered the agricultural mowing markets in 1986 with the acquisition of Rhino Products Inc. (“Rhino”), a leading manufacturer in this field. With this acquisition, the Company embarked on a strategy to increase the Rhino dealer distribution network during a period of industry contraction. The addition of M&W Gear Company (“M&W”) in early 1995 allowed the Company to enter into the manufacturing and distribution of tillage equipment, which complements the Rhino distribution network. M&W has been integrated into the agricultural marketing group.
In 1991, the Company began its international expansion with the acquisition of McConnel Ltd. (“McConnel”), a United Kingdom (“U.K.”) manufacturer of vegetation maintenance equipment, principally hydraulic boom-mounted hedge and grass cutters and related parts. Bomford-Turner Ltd. (“Bomford”), also a U.K. company, was acquired in 1993. Bomford is a manufacturer of heavy-duty, tractor-mounted grass and hedge mowing equipment. McConnel and Bomford sell their products to dealers and distributors through their respective sales forces.
In 1994, the Company acquired Signalisation Moderne Autoroutiere S.A. (“SMA”) located in Orleans, France. SMA manufactures and sells principally a line of heavy-duty, tractor-mounted grass and hedge mowing equipment and associated replacement parts primarily to departments of the French government. This acquisition, along with the acquisitions of Forges Gorce, a flail blade manufacturer in France, in 1996 and Rousseau Holdings S.A. (“Rousseau”), a leading French manufacturer of hedge and verge mowers, in 2004, when combined with McConnel and Bomford, has made the Company one of the largest manufacturers in the European market for the kind of equipment sold by the Company.
In 1995, the Company expanded its business in the agricultural market with the acquisition of Herschel Corporation (“Herschel”), a manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket farm equipment replacement and wear parts.
In 2000, the Company acquired Schwarze Industries, Inc. (“Schwarze”). Schwarze is a manufacturer of a broad range of street sweeping equipment which is sold to governmental agencies and contractors. The Company believes the Schwarze sweeper products fit the Company’s strategy of identifying product offerings with brand recognition in the industrial markets the Company serves. In 2004, the Company purchased the pothole patcher product line from Wildcat Manufacturing, Inc. The product line was merged into the Schwarze operation and is complementary to its current product offerings.
In 2000, the Company purchased the product line and associated assets of Twose of Tiverton Ltd. (“Twose”) in the U.K. and incorporated its production into the existing facilities at McConnel and Bomford while maintaining its own sales force and dealer distribution network. Twose was a small regional manufacturer of power arm flail mowers and parts, as well as harrows and rollers, which strengthened the Company’s market leadership position in the U.K.
In 2000, the Company acquired Schulte Industries Ltd. and its related entities (“Schulte”). Schulte is a Canadian manufacturer of mechanical rotary mowers, snow blowers, and rock removal equipment. Schulte strengthened the Company’s Canadian presence in both marketing and manufacturing. It also expanded the Company’s range of large, heavy-duty rotary mowers.
In 2001, the Company acquired all of the assets of SMC Corporation (“SMC”). SMC manufactures front-end loaders and backhoes principally for Original Equipment Manufacturer (“OEM”) customers and its own SMC brand. This acquisition expanded the product range of our agricultural division by branding a line of loaders for Rhino.
In 2002, the Company purchased inventory, fixed assets and certain other assets of Valu-Bilt Tractor Parts (“Valu-Bilt”), a subsidiary of Quality Stores, Inc., located in Des Moines, Iowa. Valu-Bilt is a distributor of new, used and rebuilt tractor parts and other agricultural spare and wear parts sold directly to customers through its catalog and the internet and on a wholesale basis to dealers. Subsequent to the purchase, the operations of Valu-Bilt in Des Moines, Iowa, were consolidated into the Company’s Herschel facility in Indianola, Iowa.
In 2002, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of Faucheux Industries S.A. (“Faucheux”), a leading French manufacturer of front-end loaders and attachments. The Company acquired Faucheux out of administration, a form of bankruptcy in France. This acquisition broadened the range of our agricultural implements offered in the French market.
In 2005, the Company, through its European subsidiary Alamo Group (EUR) Ltd., acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding stock of Spearhead Machinery Limited (“Spearhead”) and subsequently merged its manufacturing operations into Bomford’s facility. Spearhead manufactures a range of tractor-mounted vegetation maintenance equipment, including reach mowers, flail mowers and rotary cutters. This acquisition extended our product lines and market coverage in Europe.
In early 2006, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of the Gradall excavator business (“Gradall”) of JLG Industries, Inc. including their manufacturing plant in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Gradall is a leading manufacturer of both wheeled and crawler telescopic excavators in North America. This acquisition enhanced our Industrial Division product offering sold to governmental buyers and related contractors for maintenance along right-of-ways.
In 2006, the Company purchased the vacuum truck and sweeper lines of Clean Earth Environmental Group, LLC and Clean Earth Kentucky, LLC (collectively referred to as “VacAll”). This included the product lines, inventory and certain other assets that relate to this business. The production of the vacuum truck and sweeper lines were moved to the Gradall facility in New Philadelphia, Ohio.
In 2006, the Company acquired 100% of the ownership interests in Nite-Hawk Sweepers LLC (“Nite-Hawk”), a manufacturer of truck mounted sweeping equipment primarily for the contract sweeping market, which expanded its presence in that market and complements our Schwarze sweeper line.
In 2007, the Company purchased Henke Manufacturing Corporation (“Henke”), a manufacturer of specialty snow removal attachments. Henke’s products are mounted on both heavy industrial equipment and medium to heavy-duty trucks. The primary end-users are governmental agencies, related contractors and other industrial users.
In 2008, the Company acquired Rivard Developpement S.A.S. (“Rivard”), a leading French manufacturer of vacuum trucks, high pressure cleaning systems and trenchers. The acquisition broadened the Company’s product offering to its customers in Europe and other markets we serve.
In 2009, the Company acquired substantially all the assets of Bush Hog, LLC. (“Bush Hog”), a leading agricultural equipment manufacturer of rotary cutters, finishing mowers, zero turn radius mowers (“ZTRs”), front-end loaders, backhoes, landscape equipment and a variety of other implements. This acquisition, combined with the Company’s existing range of agricultural mowers, created one of the largest manufacturers of agricultural mowers in the world.
On October 18, 2011, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain specified liabilities of Tenco Group, Inc. ("Tenco") and its subsidiaries. Tenco is a Canadian based manufacturer of snow removal equipment including snow blades, blowers, dump bodies, spreaders and/associated parts and service. Tenco has operations in Quebec as well as New York and Vermont. The equipment is sold primarily through dealers to governmental end-users as well as contractors.
Marketing and Marketing Strategy
The Company believes that within the U.S. it is a leading supplier to governmental markets, a leading supplier in the U.S. agricultural market, and one of the largest suppliers in the European market for its key niche product offerings. The Company’s products are sold through the Company’s various marketing organizations and extensive worldwide dealer and distributor networks under the Alamo Industrial®, Terrain King®, Tiger™, Gradall®, VacAll®, Schwarze®, Nite-Hawk™, Henke®, Tenco®, Bush Hog®, Rhino®, Earthmaster®, Herschel®, Valu-Bilt®, Schulte®, McConnel®, Bomford®, Spearhead™, Twose™, SMA®, Forges Gorce™, Faucheux™, Rousseau™ and Rivard® trademarks as well as other trademarks and trade names.
Products and Distribution Channels
North American Industrial Division
Alamo Industrial equipment is principally sold through independent dealers to governmental end-users, related independent contractors and, to a lesser extent, utility and other dealers serving right-of-way maintenance operators and other applications in the U.S. and other countries. Governmental agencies and contractors that perform services for such agencies purchase primarily hydraulically-powered, tractor-mounted mowers, including boom-mounted mowers, other types of cutters and replacement parts for heavy-duty, intensive use applications, including maintenance around highway, airport, recreational and other public areas. A portion of Alamo Industrial’s sales includes tractors, which are not manufactured by Alamo Industrial.
Tiger equipment includes heavy-duty, tractor and truck-mounted mowing and vegetation maintenance equipment and replacement parts. Tiger sells to state, county and local governmental entities and related contractors, primarily through a network of independent dealers. Tiger’s dealer distribution network is independent of Alamo Industrial’s dealer distribution network. A portion of Tiger’s sales includes tractors, which are not manufactured by Tiger.
Schwarze equipment includes air, mechanical broom, and regenerative air sweepers, pothole patchers and replacement parts. Schwarze sells its products primarily to governmental agencies and independent contractors, either directly or through its independent dealer network. A portion of Schwarze’s sales includes truck chassis which are not manufactured by Schwarze. The Company believes that Schwarze complements Alamo Industrial because the dealer and/or end-user for both products in many cases are the same.
Gradall produces a range of models based on high-pressure hydraulic telescoping booms which are sold through dealers primarily to governmental agencies, contractors and to a lesser extent the mining industry, steel mills and other specialty applications in the U.S. and other countries. Many of these products are designed for excavation, grading, shaping and similar tasks involved in land clearing, road building or maintenance. These
products are available mounted on various types of undercarriages: wheels for full-speed highway travel, wheels for on/off road use, and crawlers.
VacAll produces catch basin cleaners and roadway debris vacuum systems. These units are powerful and versatile with uses including, but not limited to, removal of wet and dry debris, spill elimination, and cleaning of sludge beds. VacAll also offers a line of sewer cleaners. Its products are primarily sold through dealers to industrial and commercial contractors as well as governmental agencies. A portion of VacAll’s sales includes truck chassis which are not manufactured by the Company.
Nite-Hawk manufactures parking lot sweepers with unique and innovative hydraulic designs. By eliminating the auxiliary engine, Nite-Hawk sweepers have proven to be fuel-efficient, environmentally conscious, and cost-effective to operate. Nite-Hawk focuses mainly on and sells direct to parking lot contractors. A portion of Nite-Hawk’s sales includes truck chassis which are not manufactured by Nite-Hawk.
Henke designs and manufactures snow plows and heavy-duty snow removal equipment, hitches and attachments for trucks, loaders and graders sold primarily through independent truck and industrial dealers. Henke’s primary end-users are governmental agencies, related contractors and other industrial users.
Tenco designs and manufactures a heavy duty line of snow removal equipment including snow plows, snow blowers, dump bodies and spreaders. Its products are primarily sold through independent dealers. End-users are governmental agencies, contractors and other industrial users.
North American Agricultural Division
Bush Hog, Rhino and Earthmaster equipment is generally sold to farmers and ranchers to clear brush, maintain pastures and unused farmland, shred crops and till fields and for haymaking. It is also sold to other customers, such as mowing contractors and construction contractors, for non-agricultural purposes. Bush Hog and Rhino equipment consists principally of a comprehensive line of tractor-powered equipment, including rotary cutters, finishing mowers, flail mowers, disc mowers, ZTR ride-on mowers, front-end loaders, backhoes, rotary tillers, posthole diggers, scraper blades and replacement parts. This equipment is primarily sold through farm equipment dealers, as well as original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and other distributors.
In 2012, the backhoe operations at SMC were consolidated into the Company's agricultural facility in Gibson City, Illinois and front-end loaders for Bush Hog and Rhino were outsourced.
Herschel/Valu-Bilt aftermarket replacement parts are sold for many types of farm equipment and tractors and certain types of mowing and construction equipment. Herschel products include a wide range of cutting parts, plain and hard-faced replacement tillage tools, disc blades and fertilizer application components. Herschel replacement tools and parts are sold throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico to five major customer groups: farm equipment dealers; fleet stores; wholesale distributors; OEMs; and construction equipment dealers. Valu-Bilt complements the Herschel product lines while also expanding the Company’s offering of aftermarket agricultural parts and added catalog and internet sales direct to end-users.
Schulte equipment includes heavy-duty mechanical rotary mowers, snow blowers, rock removal equipment and related replacement parts. Schulte serves both the agricultural and governmental markets primarily in Canada and the U.S. Schulte also sells some of the Company’s other product lines in their markets and some of its products through independent distributors throughout the world.
European Division
McConnel equipment principally includes a broad line of hydraulic, boom-mounted hedge and grass cutters, as well as other tractor attachments and implements such as hydraulic backhoes, cultivators, subsoilers, buckets and other digger implements and related replacement parts. McConnel equipment is sold primarily in the U.K., Ireland and France and in other parts of Europe and, to a lesser extent, throughout the world, through independent dealers and distributors.
Bomford equipment includes hydraulic, boom-mounted hedge and hedgerow cutters, industrial grass mowers, agricultural seedbed preparation cultivators and related replacement parts. Bomford equipment is sold to governmental agencies, contractors and agricultural end-users in the U.K., Ireland and France and, to a lesser
extent, other countries in Europe, North America, Australia and the Far East. Bomford’s sales network is similar to that of McConnel in the U.K. Rhino sells some of Bomford’s product line in the U.S.
Twose equipment includes light-duty power arm mowers, agricultural implements and related replacement parts. Twose products are manufactured at the Company’s U.K. facilities. These products are sold through Twose’s dealer distribution network in the U.K. and through Faucheux’s and other independent distributors internationally.
The addition of Spearhead expanded the Company’s product lines, particularly rotary cutters, and market coverage in Europe and increased utilization of our existing U.K. manufacturing facilities.
SMA equipment includes hydraulic, boom-mounted hedge and hedgerow cutters and related replacement parts. SMA’s principal customers are French local authorities. SMA’s product offerings include certain quick-attach boom mowers manufactured by the Company in the U.K. to expand its presence in agricultural dealerships. During the third quarter of 2010, the Company closed and sold its SMA facility located in Orleans, France and production was relocated to the Rousseau manufacturing facility near Lyon, France.
Forges Gorce manufactures cutting blades which are sold to some of the Company’s subsidiaries as well as to other customers.
Faucheux equipment includes front-end loaders, backhoes, attachments and related parts. Historically, the majority of Faucheux sales have been in France, but the Company has expanded market coverage to other countries.
Rousseau sells hydraulic and mechanical boom mowers, primarily in France, through its own sales force and dealer distribution network mainly to agricultural and governmental markets. These products have also been introduced into other markets outside of France.
Rivard manufactures vacuum trucks, high pressure cleaning systems and trenchers. Rivard’s equipment is primarily sold in France and certain other markets, mainly in Europe and North Africa, to governmental entities and related contractors. It also complements our product offerings in North America.
Replacement Parts
In addition to the sales of Herschel/Valu-Built replacement parts, the Company derives a significant portion of its revenues from sales of replacement parts for each of its wholegoods lines. Replacement parts represented approximately 23%, 24% and 26% of the Company’s total sales for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The decrease in 2012 was mainly from lower replacement part sales in the Company's European division which was due to the weak economy that continues to affect Europe. Proprietary replacement parts generally are more profitable and less cyclical than wholegoods.
While the Company believes that the end-users of its products evaluate their purchases on the basis of price, reputation and product quality, such purchases are also based on a dealer’s service, support of and loyalty to the dealer based on previous purchase experiences, as well as other factors such as product and replacement part availability.
Product Development
The Company’s ability to provide innovative responses to customer needs, to develop and manufacture new products, and to enhance existing product lines is important to its success. The Company continually conducts research and development activities in an effort to improve existing products and develop new products. As of December 31, 2012, the Company employed 132 people in its various engineering departments, 70 of whom are degreed engineers and the balance of whom are support staff. Amounts expended on research and development activities were approximately $5,686,000 in 2012, $6,017,000 in 2011 and $5,774,000 in 2010. As a percentage of sales, research and development was approximately 0.9% in 2012, 1.0% in 2011 and 1.1% in 2010, and is expected to continue at similar levels in 2013.
Seasonality
The Company’s sales, both product and replacement parts, are generally higher in the second and third quarters of the year, because a substantial number of the Company’s products are used for maintenance activities such as vegetation maintenance, highway right-of-way maintenance, construction, and street and parking lot sweeping. Usage of this equipment is lower in harsh weather. The Company utilizes a rolling twelve-month sales forecast provided by the Company’s marketing departments and order backlog in order to develop a production plan for its manufacturing facilities. In addition, many of the Company’s marketing departments attempt to equalize demand for products throughout the calendar year by offering seasonal sales programs which may provide additional incentives, including discounts and extended payment terms.
Competition
The Company’s products are sold in highly competitive markets throughout the world. The principal competitive factors are price, quality, availability, service and reputation. The Company competes with several large national and international companies that offer a broad range of equipment and replacement parts, as well as with numerous small, privately-held manufacturers and suppliers of a limited number of products, mainly on a regional basis. Some of the Company’s competitors are significantly larger than the Company and have substantially greater financial and other resources at their disposal. The Company believes that it is able to compete successfully in its markets by effectively managing its manufacturing costs, offering high quality products, developing and designing innovative products and, to some extent, avoiding direct competition with significantly larger potential competitors. There can be no assurance that the Company’s competitors will not substantially increase the resources devoted to the development and marketing of products competitive with the Company’s products or that new competitors with greater resources will not enter the Company’s markets.
Unfilled Orders
As of December 31, 2012, the Company had unfilled customer orders of $124,453,000 compared to $119,923,000 at December 31, 2011. The 4% increase was primarily due to the positive impact of improved agricultural market conditions on Bush Hog and Rhino backlogs during the fourth quarter of 2012. The Company continues to be affected by soft market conditions and reduced government spending in parts of its Industrial and European divisions. Management expects that substantially all of the Company’s backlog as of December 31, 2012 will be shipped during fiscal year 2013. The amount of unfilled orders at a particular time is affected by a number of factors, including manufacturing and shipping schedules which, in most instances, are dependent on the Company’s seasonal sales programs and the requirements of its customers. Certain of the Company’s orders are subject to cancellation at any time before shipment; therefore, a comparison of unfilled orders from period to period is not necessarily meaningful and may not be indicative of future actual shipments. No single customer is responsible for 10% or more of the aggregate revenue of the Company.
Sources of Supply
The principal raw materials used by the Company include steel, other metal components, hydraulic hoses, paint and tires. During 2012, the raw materials needed by the Company were available from a variety of sources in adequate quantities and at prevailing market prices. No one supplier is responsible for supplying more than 10% of the principal raw materials used by the Company.
While the Company manufactures many of the parts for its products, a significant percentage of parts, including most drivelines, gearboxes, industrial engines, and hydraulic components, are purchased from outside suppliers which manufacture to the Company’s specifications. In addition, the Company, through its subsidiaries, purchases tractors and truck chassis as a number of the Company’s products are mounted and shipped with a tractor or truck chassis. Tractors and truck chassis are generally available, but some delays in receiving tractors or truck chassis can occur throughout the year. The Company sources its purchased goods from international and domestic suppliers. No single supplier is responsible for supplying more than 10% of the purchased goods used by the Company.
Patents and Trademarks
The Company owns various U.S. and international patents. While the Company considers its patents to be advantageous to its business, it is not dependent on any single patent or group of patents. In 2010, the Company
wrote off $224,000 in older patents which the Company believes no longer provide a competitive advantage. The net book value of trademarks was $5,500,000 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Products manufactured by the Company are advertised and sold under numerous trademarks. Alamo Industrial®, Terrain King®, Gradall®, VacAll®, Henke®, Bush Hog®, Rhino®, Earthmaster®, McConnel®, Bomford®, SMA®, Schwarze®, Nite-Hawk™, Tenco®, Tiger™, Schulte®, Forges Gorce™, Twose™, Faucheux™, Herschel®,Valu-Bilt®, Rivard®, Rousseau™ and Spearhead™ trademarks are the primary marks for the Company’s products. The Company also owns other trademarks which it uses to a lesser extent, such as M&W®, SMC™, Fuerst®, Triumph®, Mott®, Turner®, and Dandl®. Management believes that the Company’s trademarks are well known in its markets and are valuable and that their value is increasing with the development of its business. The Company actively protects its trademarks against infringement and believes it has applied for or registered its trademarks in the appropriate jurisdictions.
Environmental and Other Governmental Regulations
Like other manufacturers, the Company is subject to a broad range of federal, state, local and foreign laws and requirements, including those concerning air emissions, discharges into waterways, and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances and waste materials, as well as the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances at the Company’s facilities and offsite disposal locations, workplace safety and equal employment opportunities. These laws and regulations are constantly changing, and it is impossible to predict with accuracy the effect that changes to such laws and regulations may have on the Company in the future. Like other industrial concerns, the Company’s manufacturing operations entail the risk of noncompliance, and there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur material costs or other liabilities as a result thereof.
The Company knows that its Indianola, Iowa property is contaminated with chromium which most likely resulted from chrome plating operations which were discontinued before the Company purchased the property. Chlorinated volatile organic compounds have also been detected in water samples on the property, though the source is unknown at this time. The Company voluntarily worked with an environmental consultant and the state of Iowa with respect to these issues and believes it completed its remediation program in June 2006. The work was accomplished within the Company’s environmental liability reserve balance. We requested a “no further action” classification from the state. We received a conditional “no further action” letter in January of 2009. When we demonstrate stable or improving conditions below residential standards for a certain period of time by monitoring existing wells, an unconditional “no further action” letter will be requested.
Prior to December 31, 2012, the Company had an environmental reserve in the amount of $1,185,000 related to the acquisition of Gradall’s facility in New Philadelphia, Ohio. The reserve was for potential ground water contamination/remediation that was identified before the acquisition and believed to have been generated by a third party company located near the Gradall facility. Monitoring of the test wells by the City of New Philadelphia as required by the Ohio EPA has shown no increase in contamination over the past 30 years and the Company was informed in the fourth quarter of 2012 that the wells were plugged during the second half of the year. Based on this information, the Company has determined that a reserve is no longer required.
The Company knows that Bush Hog’s main manufacturing property in Selma, Alabama was contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds which most likely resulted from painting and cleaning operations during the 1960s and 1970s. The contaminated areas were primarily in the location of underground storage tanks and underneath the former waste storage area. Under the Asset Purchase Agreement, Bush Hog’s prior owner agreed to and has removed the underground storage tanks at its cost and has remediated the identified contamination in accordance with the regulations of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. An environmental consulting firm was retained by the prior owner to administer the cleanup and monitor the site on an ongoing basis until the remediation program is complete and approved by the applicable authorities.
Certain other assets of the Company contain asbestos that may have to be remediated over time. The Company believes that any subsequent change in the liability associated with the asbestos removal will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
The Company is subject to various other federal, state, and local laws affecting its business, as well as a variety of regulations relating to such matters as working conditions, equal employment opportunities, and product safety. A variety of state laws regulate the Company’s contractual relationships with its dealers, some of which
impose restrictive standards on the relationship between the Company and its dealers, including events of default, grounds for termination, non-renewal of dealer contracts, and equipment repurchase requirements. The Company believes it is currently in material compliance with all such applicable laws and regulations.
Employees
As of December 31, 2012, the Company employed approximately 2,470 employees. In North America, the Company has collective bargaining agreements at the Gradall facility which cover 171 employees and will expire in March 9, 2014 and at the Tenco facility in Canada covering 55 employees which will expire on December 13, 2015. The Company’s European operations, McConnel, Bomford, SMA, Forges Gorce, Faucheux, Rousseau and Rivard, also have various collective bargaining agreements covering 846 employees. The Company considers its employee relations to be satisfactory.
Financial Information about Segments
See Note 15 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
International Operations and Geographic Information
See Note 16 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Available Information
The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains a website that contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information that issuers (including the Company) file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website is http:// www.sec.gov.
The Company’s website is www.alamo-group.com. The Company makes available free of charge through its website, via a link to the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The Company also makes available through its website, via a link to the SEC’s website, statements of beneficial ownership of the Company’s equity securities filed by its directors, officers, 10% or greater shareholders and others required to file under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
The Company also makes available free of charge on its website its most recent annual report on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the current fiscal year, its most recent proxy statement and its most recent annual report to stockholders, although in some cases these documents are not available on our site as soon as they are available on the SEC’s site. You will need to have on your computer the Adobe Acrobat Reader® software to view the documents, which are in PDF format. In addition, the Company posts on its website its Charters for its Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, as well as its Corporate Governance Policies and its Code of Conduct and Ethics for its directors, officers and employees. You can obtain a written copy of these documents, excluding exhibits, at no cost, by sending your request to the Corporate Secretary, Alamo Group Inc., 1627 E. Walnut Street, Seguin, Texas 78155, which is the principal corporate office of the Company. The telephone number is (830) 379-1480 ext. 1621. The information on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference into this report.
Forward-Looking Information
Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Part II of this Annual Report contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In addition, forward-looking statements may be made orally or in press releases, conferences, reports or otherwise, in the future by or on behalf of the Company.
Statements that are not historical are forward-looking. When used by us or on our behalf, the words "expect," “will,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” "would," “could,” “should,” “anticipate,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan,” “may” and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. These uncertainties include factors that affect all businesses operating in a global market, as well as matters specific to the Company and the markets we serve. Certain particular risks and uncertainties that continually face us include the following:
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budget constraints and revenue shortfalls which could affect the purchases of our type of equipment by governmental customers and related contractors in both domestic and international markets;
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market acceptance of new and existing products;
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our ability to maintain good relations with our employees;
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our ability to hire and retain quality employees;
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changes in the prices of agricultural commodities, which could affect our customers’ income levels; and
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impairment in the carrying value of goodwill.
In addition, we are subject to risks and uncertainties facing the industry in general, including the following:
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changes in business and political conditions and the economy in general in both domestic and international markets;
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increase in unfunded pension plan liability due to financial market deterioration;
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price and availability of critical raw materials, particularly steel and steel products;
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increased competition;
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our ability to develop and manufacture new and existing products profitably;
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adverse weather conditions such as droughts, floods, snowstorms, etc., which can affect the buying patterns of our customers and related contractors;
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increased costs of complying with new regulations;
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the potential effects on the buying habits of our customers due to animal disease outbreaks;
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adverse market conditions and credit constraints which could affect our customers and end-users, such as cutbacks on dealer stocking levels;
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changes in market demand;
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financial market changes including changes in interest rates and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates;
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the inability of our suppliers, customers, creditors, public utility providers and financial service organizations to deliver or provide their products or services to us;
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abnormal seasonal factors in our industry;
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legal actions and litigation;
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changes in domestic and foreign governmental policies and laws, including increased levels of government regulation and changes in agricultural policies;
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government actions, including budget levels, regulations and legislation, relating to the environment, commerce, infrastructure spending, health and safety;
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risk of governmental defaults and resulting impact on the global economy and particularly financial institutions; and
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amount of farm subsidies and farm payments.
We wish to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and to recognize that the statements are not predictions of actual future results. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results, due to the risks and uncertainties described above and under “Risk Factors,” as well as others not now anticipated. The foregoing statements are not exclusive and further information concerning us and our businesses, including factors that could potentially materially affect our financial results, may emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all risk factors or to assess the impact of such risk factors on the Company’s businesses.
Executive Officers of the Company
Certain information is set forth below concerning the executive officers of the Company, each of whom has been elected to serve until the 2013 annual meeting of directors or until his successor is duly elected and qualified.
Ronald A. Robinson was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company on July 7, 1999. Mr. Robinson had previously been President of Svedala Industries, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Svedala Industries AB of Malmo, Sweden, a leading manufacturer of equipment and systems for the worldwide construction, mineral processing and materials handling industries. Mr. Robinson joined Svedala in 1992 when it acquired Denver Equipment Company of which he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Dan E. Malone was appointed Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer on January 15, 2007. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Malone held the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Secretary at Igloo Products Corporation, a manufacturer of insulated consumer goods, from 2002 to January 2007. Mr. Malone was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The York Group, Inc. from 2000 to 2002, and held various financial positions from 1987 to 2000 with Cooper Industries, Inc. and its various subsidiaries.
Robert H. George joined the Company in May 1987 as Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer and has served the Company in various executive capacities since that time. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. George was Senior Vice President of Frost National Bank, a national bank association, from 1978 to 1987.
Richard J. Wehrle has been Vice President and Controller of the Company since May 2001. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Wehrle served in various accounting management capacities within the Company since 1988.
Donald C. Duncan has been General Counsel of the Company since January 2002 and was elected Vice President in February 2003. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Duncan was counsel for various publicly held companies in Houston, Texas and most recently was Associate General Counsel for EGL, Inc. from 2000 to 2001 and Senior Counsel for Weatherford International Inc. from 1997 to 1999.
Geoffrey Davies, OBE and PhD, has been Managing Director of Alamo Group (EUR) Ltd. since December 1993 and was elected Vice President of the Company in February 2003. From 1988 to 1993, Dr. Davies served McConnel Ltd., a U.K. company acquired by Alamo Group in 1991, in various capacities including serving as its Marketing Director from February 1992 until December 1993.
Richard D. Pummell was elected Vice President of Alamo Group Inc. in November 2009. Mr. Pummell joined the Company in 2005 as Executive Vice President of Alamo Group (USA) Inc. and is in charge of the Agricultural division. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Pummell was Vice President for Global Supply and General Manager of
Metso Minerals, a supplier of technology and services for mining, constructions, power generation, automation, recycling and pulp and paper industries.
.
Jeffery A. Leonard joined Alamo Group in September 2011 as Vice President of Alamo Group Inc. and Executive Vice President of Alamo Group (USA) Inc., in charge of the Industrial division. Mr. Leonard previously was Senior Vice President of Metso Minerals Industries Inc., a supplier of technology and services for mining, constructions, power generation, automation, recycling and pulp and paper industries.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider each of the risks described below, together with all of the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, before making an investment decision with respect to the Company’s securities. If any of the following risks develop into actual events, the Company’s business, financial condition or results from operations could be materially and adversely affected and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks related to our business
Deterioration of industry conditions could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our business depends to a large extent upon the prospects for the mowing, right-of-way maintenance and agricultural markets in general. Future prospects of the industry depend largely on factors outside of our control. Any of those factors could adversely impact demand for our products, which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. These factors include the following:
•
weakness in worldwide economy;
•
the price and availability of raw materials, purchased components and energy;
•
budget constraints and revenue shortfalls for our governmental customers;
•
changes in domestic and foreign governmental policies and laws, including increased levels of governmental regulation;
•
the levels of interest rates;
•
the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign currencies in countries where we sell our products but don’t have a manufacturing presence;
•
impact of tighter credit markets on the Company, its dealers and end-users;
•
impairment in the carrying value of goodwill; and
•
increase in unfunded pension plan liability due to financial market deterioration.
In addition, our business is susceptible to a number of factors that specifically affect agricultural customer spending patterns, including the following:
•
animal disease outbreaks, epidemics and crop pests;
•
weather conditions, such as droughts, floods and snowstorms;
•
changes in farm incomes;
•
cattle and agricultural commodity prices;
•
changes in governmental agricultural policies worldwide;
•
the level of worldwide farm output and demand for farm products; and
•
limits on agricultural imports.
A downturn in general economic conditions and outlook in the United States and around the world could adversely affect our net sales and earnings.
The strength and profitability of our business depends on the overall demand for our products and upon economic conditions and outlook, including but not limited to economic growth rates; consumer spending levels; financing availability, pricing and terms for our dealers and end-users; employment rates; interest rates; inflation; consumer confidence and general economic and political conditions and expectations in the United States and the other economies in which we conduct business. Slow or negative growth rates, inflationary pressures, higher commodity costs and energy prices, reduced credit availability or unfavorable credit terms for our dealers and end-
user customers, increased unemployment rates, and continued recessionary economic conditions and outlook could cause consumers to continue to reduce spending, which may cause them to delay or forego purchases of our products and could have an adverse effect on our net sales and earnings.
We depend on governmental sales and a decrease in such sales could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
A substantial portion of our revenues is derived from sales to federal, state and local governmental entities both in the U.S. and in other countries in which we sell our products. These sales depend primarily on the levels of budgeted and appropriated expenditures for highway, airport, roadside and parks maintenance by various governmental entities and are affected by changes in local and national economic conditions.
Our dependence on, and the price and availability of, raw materials as well as purchased components may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject to fluctuations in market prices for raw materials such as steel and energy. Additionally, although most of the raw materials and purchase components we use are commercially available from a number of sources, we could experience disruptions in the availability of such materials. If we are unable to purchase materials we require or are unable to pass on price increases to our customers or otherwise reduce our cost of goods sold, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected. In addition, higher energy costs may negatively affect spending by farmers, including their purchases of our products.
Impairment in the carrying value of goodwill could negatively impact our consolidated results of operations and net worth.
The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units using a discounted cash flow analysis. This analysis requires the Company to make significant assumptions and estimates about the extent and timing of future cash flows, discount rates and growth rates. The cash flows are estimated over a significant future period of time, which makes those estimates and assumptions subject to an even higher degree of uncertainty. The Company also utilizes market valuation models and other financial ratios, which require the Company to make certain assumptions and estimates regarding the applicability of those models to its assets and businesses. As of December 31, 2012, goodwill was $31,648,000, which represents 8% of total assets.
The Company recognized goodwill impairment at one of its French operations, Faucheux, of $ 656,000 in 2012 and two of its French operations, SMA and Rousseau, of $1,898,000 in 2011 and no goodwill impairment in 2010. The primary reason for the goodwill impairment in 2012 and 2011 was the general economic downturn that continues to affect the Company's European operations. This caused the Company to revise its expectations about future revenue, which is a significant factor in the discounted cash flow analysis used to estimate the fair value of the Company's reporting units. During the 2012 impairment analysis review, it was noted that even though the Schwarze and Rivard reporting unit's fair value was above carrying value, it was not materially different. On December 31, 2012, there was approximately $6.8 million and $11.8 million of goodwill related to the Schwarze and Rivard reporting units, respectively. These reporting units would be most likely affected by changes in the Company’s assumptions and estimates. The calculation of fair value could increase or decrease depending on changes in the inputs and assumptions used, such as changes in the reporting unit’s future growth rates, discount rates, etc.
We operate in a highly competitive industry, and some of our competitors and potential competitors have greater resources than we do.
Our products are sold in highly competitive markets throughout the world. We compete with several large national and international companies that offer a broad range of equipment and replacement parts that compete with our products, as well as with numerous small, privately-held manufacturers and suppliers of a limited number of products mainly on a regional basis. Some of our competitors are significantly larger than we are and have substantially greater financial and other resources at their disposal. We believe that we are able to compete successfully in our markets by, to some extent, avoiding direct competition with significantly larger potential competitors. There can be no assurance that our competitors will not substantially increase the resources devoted to the development and marketing of products competitive with our products or that new competitors with greater resources will not enter our markets. Any failure to effectively compete could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We operate and source internationally, which exposes us to the political, economic and other risks of doing business abroad.
We have operations in a number of countries outside of the United States and we source raw materials and components globally. Our international operations are subject to the risks normally associated with conducting business in foreign countries, including but not limited to the following:
•
limitations on ownership and on repatriation of earnings;
•
import and export restrictions, tariffs and quotas;
•
additional expenses relating to the difficulties and costs of staffing and managing international operations;
•
labor disputes and uncertain political and economic environments and the impact of foreign business cycles;
•
changes in laws or policies;
•
delays in obtaining or the inability to obtain necessary governmental permits;
•
potentially adverse consequences resulting from the applicability of foreign tax laws;
•
cultural differences;
•
increased expenses due to inflation;
•
weak economic conditions in foreign markets where our subsidiaries distribute their products;
•
changes in currency exchange rates;
•
disruptions in transportation and port authorities; and
•
new regulations involving international freight shipments
Our international operations may also be adversely affected by laws and policies of the United States and the other countries in which we operate affecting foreign trade, investment and taxation.
In addition, political developments and governmental regulations and policies in the countries in which we operate directly affect the demand for our products. For example, decreases or delays in farm subsidies to our agricultural customers, or changes in environmental policies aimed at limiting mowing activities, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our acquisition strategy may not be successful, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We intend to grow internally and through the acquisition of businesses and assets that will complement our current businesses. To date, a material portion of our growth has come through acquisitions. We cannot be certain that we will be able to identify attractive acquisition targets, obtain financing for acquisitions on satisfactory terms or successfully acquire identified targets. Competition for acquisition opportunities may also increase our costs of making acquisitions or prevent us from making certain acquisitions. These and other acquisition-related factors may adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may be unable to complete or integrate existing or future acquisitions effectively, and businesses we have acquired, or may acquire in the future, may not perform as expected.
We may not be successful in integrating acquired businesses into our existing operations and achieving projected synergies. We could face many risks in integrating acquired businesses, including but not limited to the following:
•
we may incur substantial costs, delays or other operational or financial challenges in integrating acquired businesses, including integrating each company's accounting, information technology, human resource and other administrative systems to permit effective management;
•
we may be unable to achieve expected cost reductions, to take advantage of cross-selling opportunities, or to eliminate redundant operations, facilities and systems;
•
we may need to implement or improve controls, procedures and policies appropriate for a public company;
•
acquisitions may divert our management’s attention from the operation of our existing businesses;
•
we may not be able to retain key personnel of acquired businesses;
•
there may be cultural challenges associated with integrating management and employees from the acquired businesses into our organization; and
•
we may encounter unanticipated events, circumstances or legal liabilities.
Our integration of acquired businesses requires significant efforts from the management of each entity, including coordinating existing business plans and research and development efforts. Integrating operations may distract management’s attention from the day-to-day operation of the combined companies. Ultimately, our attempts to integrate the operations, technology and personnel of acquired businesses may not be successful. If we are unable to successfully integrate acquired businesses, our future results may be negatively impacted.
In addition, we may be adversely affected if businesses that we have acquired, or that we acquire in the future, do not perform as expected. An acquired business could perform below our expectations for a number of reasons, including legislative or regulatory changes that affect the areas in which the acquired business specializes, the loss of customers and dealers, general economic factors that directly affect the acquired business, and the cultural incompatibility of its management team. Any or all of these reasons could adversely affect our business, results of operation and financial condition.
The agricultural industry and the mowing and right of way maintenance industry are seasonal and are affected by the weather, and seasonal fluctuations may cause our results of operations and working capital to fluctuate from quarter to quarter.
In general, agricultural and governmental end-users typically purchase new equipment during the first and second calendar quarters. Other products such as street sweepers, excavators, snow blowers, front-end loaders and pothole patchers have different seasonal patterns, as do replacement parts in general. In attempting to achieve efficient utilization of manpower and facilities throughout the year, we estimate seasonal demand months in advance and manufacturing capacity is scheduled in anticipation of such demand. We utilize a rolling twelve-month sales forecast provided by our marketing divisions and order backlog in order to develop a production plan for our manufacturing facilities. Additionally, many of our marketing departments attempt to equalize demand for their products throughout the calendar year by offering seasonal sales programs which may provide additional incentives, including discounts and extended payment terms, on equipment that is ordered during off-season periods. Because we spread our production and wholesale shipments throughout the year to take into account the factors described above, sales in any given period may not reflect the timing of dealer orders and retail demand.
Weather conditions and general economic conditions may affect the timing of purchases and actual industry conditions might differ from our forecasts. Consequently, sudden or significant declines in industry demand could adversely affect our working capital or results of operations.
If we do not retain key personnel and attract and retain other highly skilled employees, our business may suffer.
Our continued success will depend on, among other things, the efforts and skills of our executive officers, including our president and chief executive officer, and our ability to attract and retain additional highly qualified managerial, technical, manufacturing and sales and marketing personnel. We do not maintain “key man” life insurance for any of our employees, and all of our senior management are employed at will. We cannot assure you that we will be able to attract and hire suitable replacements for any of our key employees. We believe the loss of a key executive officer or other key employee could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We are subject on an ongoing basis to the risk of product liability claims and other litigation arising in the ordinary course of business.
Like other manufacturers, we are subject to various claims, including product liability claims, arising in the ordinary course of business, and we are a party to various legal proceedings that constitute routine litigation incidental to our business. We may be exposed to product liability claims in the event that the use of our products results, or is alleged to result, in bodily injury, property damage, or both. We cannot assure you that we will not experience any material product liability losses in the future or that we will not incur significant costs to defend such claims. While we currently have product liability insurance, we cannot assure you that our product liability insurance coverage will be adequate for any liabilities that may ultimately be incurred or that it will continue to be available on terms acceptable to us. A successful claim brought against us in excess of available insurance coverage or a requirement to participate in a product recall may have a materially adverse effect on our business.
We are subject to environmental, health and safety and employment laws and regulations and related compliance expenditures and liabilities.
Like other manufacturers, the Company is subject to a broad range of federal, state, local and foreign laws and requirements, including those concerning air emissions, discharges into waterways, and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances and waste materials, as well as the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances at the Company’s facilities and offsite disposal locations, workplace safety and equal employment opportunities. These laws and regulations are constantly changing, and it is impossible to predict with accuracy the effect that changes to such laws and regulations may have on the Company in the future. Like other industrial concerns, the Company’s manufacturing operations entail the risk of noncompliance, and there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur material costs or other liabilities as a result thereof.
The Company knows that its Indianola, Iowa property is contaminated with chromium which most likely resulted from chrome plating operations which were discontinued before the Company purchased the property. Chlorinated volatile organic compounds have also been detected in water samples on the property, though the source is unknown at this time. The Company voluntarily worked with an environmental consultant and the state of Iowa with respect to these issues and believes it completed its remediation program in June 2006. The work was accomplished within the Company’s environmental liability reserve balance. We requested a “no further action” classification from the state. We received a conditional “no further action” letter in January of 2009. When we demonstrate stable or improving conditions below residential standards for a certain period of time by monitoring existing wells, an unconditional “no further action” letter will be requested which we may not receive.
The Company knows that Bush Hog’s main manufacturing property in Selma, Alabama was contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds which most likely resulted from painting and cleaning operations during the 1960s and 1970s. The contaminated areas were primarily in the location of underground storage tanks and underneath the former waste storage area. Under the Asset Purchase Agreement, Bush Hog’s prior owner agreed to and has removed the underground storage tanks at its cost and has remediated the identified contamination in accordance with the regulations of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. An environmental consulting firm was retained by the prior owner to administer the cleanup and monitor the site on an ongoing basis until the remediation program is complete and approved by the applicable authorities.
Certain other properties of the Company contain asbestos that may have to be remediated over time and it could be additional expense to the Company.
The Company is subject to various other federal, state, and local laws affecting its business, as well as a variety of regulations relating to such matters as working conditions, equal employment opportunities, and product safety. A variety of state laws regulate the Company’s contractual relationships with its dealers, some of which impose restrictive standards on the relationship between the Company and its dealers, including events of default, grounds for termination, non-renewal of dealer contracts, and equipment repurchase requirements.
If we are unable to comply with the terms of our credit arrangements, especially the financial covenants, our credit arrangements could be terminated.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with all of the terms of our credit arrangements, especially the financial covenants. Our ability to comply with such terms depends on the success of our business and our operating results. Various risks, uncertainties, and events beyond our control could affect our ability to comply with the terms of our credit arrangements. If we were out of compliance with any covenant required by our credit arrangements following any applicable cure periods, the banks could terminate their commitments unless we could negotiate a covenant waiver. The banks could condition such waiver on amendments to the terms of our credit arrangements that may be unfavorable to us including, the interest rate we currently pay on outstanding debt under our credit arrangements could increase, which could adversely affect our operating results.
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may adversely affect our financial results.
Our earnings are affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to foreign currencies, predominantly in European countries, Canada and Australia, as a result of the sale of our products in international markets. While we do hedge against such fluctuations to an extent (primarily in the U.K. market), we cannot assure
you that we will be able to effectively manage these risks. Significant long-term fluctuations in relative currency values, such as a devaluation of the Euro against the U.S. dollar, could have an adverse effect on our future results of operations or financial condition.
Risks related to investing in our common stock
Because the price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly and its trading volume has generally been low, it may be difficult for you to resell our common stock when desired or at attractive prices.
The trading price of our common stock has and may continue to fluctuate. The closing prices of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange during 2012 ranged from $34.07 to $26.20 per share, and during 2011 from $29.14 to $20.11 per share. Our stock price may fluctuate in response to the risk factors set forth herein and to a number of events and factors, such as quarterly variations in operating and financial results, litigation, changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts, the operating and stock performance of other companies that investors may deem comparable to us, news reports relating to us or trends in our industry or general economic conditions. Furthermore, the trading volume of our common stock has generally been low, which may increase the volatility of the market price for our stock. The stock price volatility and low trading volume may make it difficult for you to resell your shares of our common stock when desired or at attractive prices.
You may experience dilution of your ownership interests due to the future issuance of additional shares of our common stock.
We may issue shares of our previously authorized and unissued securities which will result in the dilution of the ownership interests of our present stockholders. We are currently authorized to issue 20,000,000 shares of common stock. On December 31, 2012, 12,036,979 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding, and there were outstanding options and restricted stock awards totaling an additional 431,805 shares of our common stock. We also have additional shares available for grant under our 2005 Incentive Stock Option Plan and our 2009 Equity Incentive Plan. Additional stock option or other compensation plans or amendments to existing plans for employees and directors may be adopted. Issuance of these shares of common stock may dilute the ownership interests of our then existing stockholders. We may also issue additional shares of our common stock in connection with the hiring of personnel, future acquisitions, such as the 1,700,000 shares issued as consideration for the acquisition of Bush Hog in 2009, future private placements of our securities for capital raising purposes or for other business purposes. This would further dilute the interests of our existing stockholders.
There is no assurance that we will continue declaring dividends or have the available cash to make dividend payments.
On January 2, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Company increased its quarterly dividend from $.06 per share to $.07 per share. Although we have paid a cash dividend in each quarter since becoming a public company in 1993, there can be no assurance that we will continue to declare dividends or that funds will continue to be available for this purpose in the future. The declaration and payment of dividends are restricted by the terms of our amended and restated revolving credit agreement, are subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors, are not cumulative, and will depend upon our profitability, financial condition, capital needs, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.
Provisions of our corporate documents may have anti-takeover effects that could prevent a change in control.
Provisions of our charter, bylaws and Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our stockholders. These provisions include supermajority voting requirements, prohibiting the stockholder from calling stockholder meetings, removal of directors for cause only and prohibiting shareholder actions by written consent. Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws state that any amendment to certain provisions, including those provisions regarding the removal of directors and limitations on action by written consent discussed above, be approved by the holders of at least two-thirds of our common stock. We are also afforded the protections of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which would prevent us from engaging in a business combination with a person who becomes a 15% or greater shareholder for a period
of three years from the date such person acquired such status unless certain board or shareholder approvals were obtained.
Future sales, or the possibility of future sales, of a substantial amount of our common stock may depress the price of the shares of our common stock.
Future sales, or the availability for sale in the public market, of substantial amounts of our common stock could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through future sales of equity securities. If we or our existing stockholders sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or if there is a perception that these sales may occur, the market price of our common stock could decline.
Certain stockholders own a significant amount of our common stock, and their interests may conflict with those of our other stockholders.
As of December 31, 2012, Capital Southwest Corporation, and its subsidiary Capital Southwest Venture Corporation, beneficially owned approximately 24% of our outstanding common stock and, Bgear LLC, Henry Crown and Company, Royce & Associates, LLC., and Dimensional Fund Advisors LP beneficially own approximately 31% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, either Capital Southwest or the other major stockholders combined could be able to significantly influence the direction of the Company, the election of our Board of Directors and the outcome of any other matter requiring stockholder approval, including mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and together with other beneficially owned investors, to prevent or cause a change in control of the Company. Also, pursuant to contractual obligations, each of Capital Southwest Venture Corporation, Capital Southwest Corporation and Duroc LLC, an affiliate of Bgear and Henry Crown and Company, were entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of the common stock owned by them under the Securities Act. Pursuant to such registration rights, on March 12, 2012 we filed a registration statement related to the common stock owned by such entities and such registration statement was declared effective by the SEC. The interests of Capital Southwest and other major stockholders may conflict with the interests of our other stockholders.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
The Company has no unresolved staff comments to report pursuant to Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
As of December 31, 2012, the Company utilized nine principal manufacturing plants located in the United States, six in Europe, two in Canada, and one in Australia. The facilities are listed below:
Approximately 95% of the manufacturing, warehouse and office space is owned. In July of 2012, the Company closed its SMC manufacturing facility located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and consolidated the operations into the Company's Gibson City, Illinois facility. The Company is reviewing its options for the sale of the SMC plant and anticipates a gain on the sale of the facility when it occurs. The Company considers each of its facilities to be well maintained, in good operating condition and adequate for its present level of operations. The Company's Memphis warehouse totaling 28,000 sq. ft. was sold during the first quarter of 2013.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Like other manufacturers, the Company is subject to a broad range of federal, state, local and foreign laws and requirements, including those concerning air emissions, discharges into waterways, and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances and waste materials, as well as the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances at the Company’s facilities and off-site disposal locations, workplace safety and equal employment opportunities. These laws and regulations are constantly changing, and it is impossible to predict with accuracy the effect that changes to such laws and regulations may have on the Company in the future. Like other industrial concerns, the Company’s manufacturing operations entail the risk of noncompliance, and there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur material costs or other liabilities as a result thereof.
The Company knows that its Indianola, Iowa property is contaminated with chromium which most likely resulted from chrome plating operations which were discontinued before the Company purchased the property. Chlorinated volatile organic compounds have also been detected in water samples on the property, though the source is unknown at this time. The Company voluntarily worked with an environmental consultant and the state of Iowa with respect to these issues and believes it completed its remediation program in June 2006. The work was accomplished within the Company’s environmental liability reserve balance. We requested a “no further action” classification from the state. We received a conditional “no further action” letter in January of 2009. When we demonstrate stable or improving conditions below residential standards for a certain period of time by monitoring existing wells, an unconditional “no further action” letter will be requested.
Prior to December 31, 2012, the Company had an environmental reserve in the amount of $1,185,000 related to the acquisition of Gradall’s facility in New Philadelphia, Ohio. The reserve was for potential ground water contamination/remediation that was identified before the acquisition and believed to have been generated by a third party company located near the Gradall facility. Monitoring of the test wells by the City of New Philadelphia as required by the Ohio EPA has shown no increase in contamination over the past 30 years and the Company was informed in the fourth quarter of 2012 that the wells were plugged during the second half of the year. Based on this information, the Company has determined that a reserve is no longer required.
The Company knows that Bush Hog’s main manufacturing property in Selma, Alabama was contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds which most likely resulted from painting and cleaning operations during the 1960s and 1970s. The contaminated areas were primarily in the location of underground storage tanks and underneath the former waste storage area. Under the Asset Purchase Agreement, Bush Hog’s prior owner agreed to and has removed the underground storage tanks at its cost and has remediated the identified contamination in accordance with the regulations of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. An environmental consulting firm was retained by the prior owner to administer the cleanup and monitor the site on an ongoing basis until the remediation program is complete and approved by the applicable authorities.
Certain other properties of the Company contain asbestos that may have to be remediated over time. The Company believes that any subsequent change in the liability associated with the asbestos removal will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In December of 2012, a federal district court jury in Louisiana found that Gradall was unjustly enriched in the amount of $1 million dollars plus interest when it sold several telescopic fire apparatuses after properly terminating what the jury determined to be an enforceable contract with the plaintiff, a fire truck manufacturer. Gradall is appealing the decision and has reserved the full amount.
Some of the former employees of SMA in Orleans, France, contested the severance offered by the Company as a result of the closure of that facility in 2010 and were awarded additional payments by a French labor court. The Company is appealing the award.
The Company is subject to various other federal, state, and local laws affecting its business, as well as a variety of regulations relating to such matters as working conditions, equal employment opportunities, and product safety. A variety of state laws regulate the Company’s contractual relationships with its dealers, some of which impose restrictive standards on the relationship between the Company and its dealers, including events of default, grounds for termination, non-renewal of dealer contracts, and equipment repurchase requirements. The Company believes it is currently in material compliance with all such applicable laws and regulations.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Company’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol: ALG. On February 28, 2013, there were 12,046,979 shares of common stock outstanding, held by approximately 87 holders of record, but the total number of beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock exceeds this number. On February 28, 2013, the closing price of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $35.78 per share.
The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, on a per share basis, the range of high and low sales prices for the Company’s common stock as quoted by the New York Stock Exchange. These price quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without adjustment for retail markups, markdowns or commissions, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
On January 2, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.07 per share which was paid on January 30, 2013, to holders of record as of January 16, 2013. The Company expects to continue its policy of paying regular cash dividends, although there is no assurance as to future dividends as they depend on future earnings, capital requirements and financial condition. In addition, the payment of dividends is subject to restrictions under the Company’s bank revolving credit agreement. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a further description of the bank revolving credit agreement.
The Company was authorized by its Board of Directors in 1997 to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to be funded through working capital and credit facility borrowings. There were no shares repurchased in 2011 or in 2012. The authorization to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares remains available, less 42,600 shares previously purchased.
Information relating to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance is set forth in Part III, Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Stock Price Performance Graph
The information contained in this Stock Performance Graph section shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act except to the extent that Alamo Group Inc. specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
The following graph and table set forth the cumulative total return to the Company's stockholders of our Common Stock during a five-year period ended December 31, 2012, as well as the performance of an overall stock market index (the S&P 500 Index) and the Company's selected peer group index (the Russell 2000 Index).
The Company believes a representative industry peer group of companies with a similar business segment profile does not exist. The SEC has indicated that companies may use a base other than industry or line of business for determining its peer group index, such as an index of companies with similar market capitalization. Accordingly, the Company has selected the Russell 2000 Index, a widely used small market capitalization index, to use as a representative peer group.
*$100 invested on 12/31/07 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.
Copyright© 2013 S&P, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright© 2013 Russell Investment Group. All rights reserved.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following selected financial data is derived from the consolidated financial statements of Alamo Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. The data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial information included herein.
(1) Includes the results of operations of companies acquired from the effective dates of acquisitions.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, certain financial data:
Results of Operations
Fiscal 2012 compared to Fiscal 2011
The Company’s net sales in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 (“2012”) were $628,402,000, an increase of $24,809,000 or 4.1% compared to $603,593,000 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 (“2011”). The increase was mainly due to the acquisition of Tenco in October of 2011 and improved sales of mowing and vacuum truck equipment in the Industrial Division. The Company's Agricultural Division was slightly down as agricultural markets experienced slower growth as farmers remained cautious about the weak U.S. economy. Sales in the European Division were also down in 2012 compared to 2011 as governmental markets remained soft due to the economic slowdown that has continued to affect Europe.
North American Industrial sales (net) were $263,353,000 in 2012 compared to $229,594,000 in 2011, an increase of $33,759,000 or 14.7%. The increase was from the acquisition of Tenco which contributed $21,444,000 of sales in 2012 compared to $6,950,000 in 2011, and improved sales from VacAll vacuum trucks and mowing equipment from both the Alamo Industrial and Tiger branded products. Sales of excavators and street sweepers were negatively affected by slower markets resulting from continued budget pressures at governmental entities.
North American Agricultural sales (net) were $200,467,000 in 2012 compared to $203,993,000 in 2011, representing a decrease of $3,526,000 or 1.7%. The decrease was from market conditions and the summer drought that affected the Midwest part of the U.S. during the first nine months of 2012. However, preseason orders during the last quarter of 2012 for both Bush Hog and Rhino products were up compared to 2011. This improvement reflected strengthening in the agricultural sector by increases in commodity prices and farm incomes.
European sales (net) decreased $5,424,000 or 3.2% to $164,582,000 in 2012 compared to $170,006,000 in 2011. This decrease reflected soft governmental market conditions that affected this Division for all of 2012. French markets in particular were down as economic uncertainty in the European economy negatively affected product sales in France.
Gross margins for 2012 were $143,512,000 (22.8% of net sales) compared to $135,085,000 (22.4% of net sales) in 2011, an increase of $8,427,000. The increase was from the acquisition of Tenco in the amount of $4,378,000 and improved vacuum trucks and mowers sales in the Company's Industrial Division. Gross margin percentages also improved over last year as a result of continued improvements from efficiency initiatives which helped lower manufacturing costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $97,507,000 (15.5% of net sales) in 2012 compared to $92,347,000 (15.3% of net sales) in 2011. The increase of $5,160,000 in SG&A in 2012 was primarily from the acquisition of Tenco in the amount of $3,515,000. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company incurred $2,420,000 in expenses relating to various litigation matters. These additional SG&A expenses were partially offset by the reversal of an environmental reserve at Gradall in the amount of $1,185,000.
The Company incurred goodwill impairment non-cash charges of $656,000 in 2012 and $1,898,000 in 2011. In 2012, the Company wrote off all the goodwill at its French company Faucheux. In 2011, the Company wrote off all of the goodwill pertaining to two of its French companies, SMA and Rousseau. The primary reason for the goodwill impairment in 2012 and 2011 was the general economic downturn that continues to affect the Company's European operations. All three companies are a part of its European Division.
Interest expense for 2012 was $1,620,000 compared to $2,422,000 in 2011, a decrease of $802,000 or 33.1% . The decrease came from reduced borrowings in 2012 compared to 2011 .
Other income net, was an expense of $517,000 during 2012 compared to income of $848,000 in 2011. The loss and gain in 2012 and 2011 were entirely from changes in exchange rates.
Provision for Income Taxes was $14,543,000 (33.5% of income before income taxes) for 2012 compared to $15,442,000 (32.1% of income before income taxes) in 2011. Due to the delay in signing the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 which extended the research and development tax credits, the Company was not able to include in its 2012 financial statements, these tax credits. This benefit will be recognized in the first quarter of 2013.
Net Income for 2012 was $28,903,000 compared to $32,687,000 in 2011 due to the factors described above.
Fiscal 2011 compared to Fiscal 2010
The Company’s net sales in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 (“2011”) were $603,593,000, an increase of $65,045,000 or 12.1% compared to $538,548,000 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 (“2010”). The increase was from improved unit sales in the North American Agricultural and Industrial segments along with higher sales of replacement parts world wide. The Company's sales for 2011 were also augmented by the acquisition of Tenco.
North American Industrial sales (net) were $229,594,000 in 2011 compared to $196,783,000 in 2010, an increase of $32,811,000 or 16.7%. The increase was mainly due to improved sales of the excavator, sweeper and mowing equipment products. While governmental spending continued to be affected by budget shortfalls, the Division experienced solid growth. The acquisition of Tenco on October 18, 2011 added $6,950,000 in sales.
North American Agricultural sales (net) were $203,993,000 in 2011 compared to $181,349,000 in 2010, representing an increase of $22,644,000 or 12.5%. The increase was from improved global agricultural market conditions and increased shipments of 2010 pre-season orders. Favorable commodity prices and higher farm income helped support higher sales for both Bush Hog and Rhino products.
European sales (net) increased $9,590,000 or 6.0% to $170,006,000 in 2011 compared to $160,416,000 in 2010. This increase was mainly from favorable exchange rates compared to 2010. Sales were impacted by weak economic conditions and budget constraints in governmental spending throughout the European economy.
Gross margins for 2011 were $135,085,000 (22.4% of net sales) compared to $116,914,000 (21.7% of net sales) in 2010, an increase of $18,171,000. The increase was from improved sales in all of the Company's segments and reflected higher margins as well as improved margin percentages. Gross margins percentages also improved over last year as a result of continued improvements from efficiency initiatives which helped lower manufacturing costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $92,347,000 (15.3% of net sales) in 2011 compared to $86,041,000 (16.0% of net sales) in 2010. The increase of $6,306,000 in SG&A in 2011 was mainly from higher sales commissions on increased sales, $596,000 in legal fees from the acquisition of Tenco, and $475,000 in expense relating to the supplemental retirement plan that was adopted on January 3, 2011. Tenco operations added $873,000 in SG&A expenses for 2011.
The Company recorded a $8,616,000 gain on bargain purchase during the fourth quarter of 2011 relating to the acquisition of Tenco. The purchase price consideration was approximately $5,933,000 plus the assumption of certain specified liabilities and other considerations.
Goodwill impairment for 2011 was a non-cash charge of $1,898,000 compared to none in 2010. In 2011, the Company wrote off all of the goodwill pertaining to two of its French companies, SMA and Rousseau in its European Division after performing its required impairment test review. The primary reason for the goodwill impairment in 2011 was the general economic downturn that continues to affect the Company's European operations.
Interest expense for 2011 was $2,422,000 compared to $3,664,000 in 2010, a $1,242,000 or a 33.9% decrease. The decrease came from lower interest rates in 2011 compared to 2010 despite higher borrowing due to increased working capital requirements.
Other income net, was $848,000 during 2011 compared to income of $290,000 in 2010. The gains in both 2011 and 2010 are entirely from changes in exchange rates.
Provision for Income Taxes was $15,442,000 (32.1% of income before income taxes) for 2011 compared to $7,915,000 (27.3% of income before income taxes) in 2010. Included in the 2010 tax provision is an $898,000 tax credit related to prior years’ research and development expenses.
Net Income for 2011 was $32,687,000 compared to $21,117,000 in 2010 due to the factors described above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
In addition to normal operating expenses, the Company has ongoing cash requirements which are necessary to conduct the Company’s business, including inventory purchases and capital expenditures. The Company’s inventory and accounts payable levels, particularly in its North American Agricultural Division, build in the first quarter and early spring and, to a lesser extent, in the fourth quarter in anticipation of the spring and fall selling seasons. Accounts receivable historically build in the first and fourth quarters of each year as a result of pre-season sales. These sales help balance the Company’s production during the first and fourth quarters. Some of the Company’s recent acquisitions which are not involved in vegetation maintenance have helped to soften this seasonality pattern.
As of December 31, 2012, the Company had working capital of $228,672,000, which represents an increase of $28,136,000 from working capital of $200,536,000 as of December 31, 2011. The increase in working capital was primarily from cash and cash equivalents as the Company experienced solid cash flow from its operations .
Capital expenditures were $4,654,000 for 2012, compared to $5,766,000 for 2011. For 2013, capital expenditures are expected to be higher compared to 2012 levels due to plant expansions at both the Bomford facility in the U.K. and the Schulte facility in Canada. The Company expects to fund capital expenditures from operating cash flows or through its revolving credit facility, described below.
The Company was authorized by its Board of Directors in 1997 to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to be funded through working capital and credit facility borrowings. There were no
shares repurchased in 2011 or in 2012. The authorization to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares remains available less 42,600 shares previously purchased.
The Company has $26,581,000 in cash and cash equivalents held by its foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012. The majority of these funds are at our UK and Canadian facilities and would not be available for use in the United States without incurring US federal and state tax consequences. The Company plans to use these funds for capital expenditures or acquisitions outside the United States.
During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company announced its plans to close the SMC manufacturing facility located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and consolidate the operations into the Company's Gibson City, Illinois facility. The closure resulted in a pretax charge of $867,000 in redundancy costs. The Company completed the consolidation in July of 2012 with no additional costs. The Company listed for the sale the SMC plant and anticipates a gain on the sale of the facility when it occurs.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $51,263,000 for 2012, compared to $10,667,000 for 2011. The increase of cash from operating activities resulted primarily from reductions in accounts receivable and inventory levels and to a lesser extent increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Net cash used by financing activities was $9,942,000 for 2012, compared to net cash used of $19,071,000 for 2011. The decrease in financing activities in 2012 was from repayments of amounts borrowed from our bank credit facility due to cash provided by operating activities.
The Company maintains a revolving credit facility with certain lenders under its Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement. The aggregate commitments from lenders under such revolving credit facility is $100,000,000 and, subject to certain conditions, the Company has the option to request an increase in aggregate commitments of up to an additional $50,000,000. The revolving credit agreement requires us to maintain various financial covenants including a minimum EBIT to interest expense ratio, a minimum leverage ratio and a minimum asset coverage ratio. The agreement also contains various covenants relating to limitations on indebtedness, limitations on investments and acquisitions, limitations on sale of properties and limitations on liens and capital expenditures. The revolving credit agreement also contains other customary covenants, representations and events of defaults. As of December 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under the revolving credit facility. The termination date of the revolving credit facility is March 28, 2016. As of December 31, 2012, no amounts were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. On December 31, 2012, $1,335,000 of the revolver capacity was committed to irrevocable standby letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business as required by vendors' contracts resulting in $98,665,000 in available borrowings.
Alamo Group Europe Limited renewed its facility with Lloyd’s TSB Bank plc.. The facility was renewed effective November 12, 2012 and any outstanding balance would bear interest at Lloyd’s Base Rate plus 2.0% per annum. The facility is unsecured but guaranteed by the U.K. subsidiaries of Alamo Group Europe Limited. As of December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding balances in British pounds borrowed against the U.K. overdraft facility.
There are additional lines of credit: for the Company’s French operations in the amount of 6,200,000 Euros, for our Canadian operation in the amount of 3,500,000 Canadian dollars; and for our Australian operation in the amount of 400,000 Australian dollars. As of December 31, 2012, 238,000 Euros were borrowed against the French line of credit; no Canadian dollars were outstanding on the Canadian line of credit; and no Australian dollars were outstanding under its facility. The Canadian and Australian revolving credit facilities are guaranteed by the Company.
As of December 31, 2012, the Company is in compliance with the terms and conditions of its credit facilities.
Management believes the bank credit facilities and the Company’s ability to internally generate funds from operations should be sufficient to meet the Company’s cash requirements for the foreseeable future. However, challenges affecting the banking industry and credit markets in general can potentially cause changes to credit availability which creates a level of uncertainty.
Inflation
The Company believes that inflation generally has not had a material impact on its operations or liquidity. The Company is exposed to the risk that the price of energy, steel and other purchased components may increase and the Company may not be able to increase the price of its products correspondingly. If this occurs, the Company’s results of operations would be adversely impacted.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Legislative Changes
On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the “ATR Act”) which included an extension of the federal research and development credit retroactively to 2012 and prospectively through 2013. The effects of the ATR Act are recognized in 2013.
In December 2012, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities”. ASU 2011-11 will require the Company to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The new guidance is effective for the Company's interim period ending March 31, 2013. The disclosures required are to be applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The Company does not expect that this guidance will have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows as it is disclosure-only in nature.
The SEC adopted the conflict mineral rules under Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on August 22, 2012. The rules require public companies to disclose information about their use of specific minerals originating from and financing armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or adjoining countries. The conflict mineral rules cover minerals frequently used to manufacture a wide array of electronic and industrial products including semiconductor devices. The rules do not ban the use of minerals from conflict sources, but require public disclosure beginning with calendar year 2013. We have determined that we are subject to the rules and are evaluating our supply chain and continue to develop processes to assess the impacts and comply with the regulation.
In July 2012, the FASB amended its guidance to simplify how an entity tests indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. The amendment will allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative impairment test. An entity no longer will be required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The amendment becomes effective for the Company's interim period ending March 31, 2013 and early adoption is permitted. We have elected to adopt this guidance for the year ended December 31, 2012 and this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any obligation, under any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement to which an entity unconsolidated with the Company is a party, that has or is reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
Contractual and Other Obligations
The following table shows the Company’s approximate obligations and commitments to make future payments under contractual obligations as of December 31, 2012:
Definitions:
(A)
Long-term debt obligation means a principal payment obligation under long-term borrowings.
(B)
Capital lease obligation means a principal payment obligation under a lease classified as a capital lease.
(C)
Interest obligation represents interest due on long-term debt and capital lease obligations. Interest on long-term debt assumes all floating rates of interest remain the same as those in effect at December 31, 2012.
(D)
Operating lease obligation means a payment obligation under a lease classified as an operating lease.
(E)
Purchase obligation means an agreement to purchase goods or services that is enforceable and legally binding on the registrant that specifies all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transactions.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Critical Accounting Policies
An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the financial statements. Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. For further information on the critical accounting policies, see Note 1 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where it is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, the Company records a specific reserve to reduce the amounts recorded to what it believes will be collected. For all other customers, it recognizes reserves for bad debt based on historical experience of bad debts as a percent of revenues for each business unit, adjusted for relative improvements or deteriorations in the aging and changes in current economic conditions.
The Company evaluates all receivables that are over 60 days old and will reserve specifically on a 90-day basis. The Company has a secured or insured interest on most of its wholegoods that each customer purchases. This allows the Company, in times of a difficult economy when the customer is unable to pay or has filed for bankruptcy, to repossess its inventory. This also allows Alamo Group to maintain only a reserve over its cost, which usually represents the margin on the original sales price.
The allowance for doubtful accounts balance was $3,077,000 on December 31, 2012, and $3,215,000 on December 31, 2011. The decrease was mainly from the Company’s Agricultural Division.
Sales Discounts
On December 31, 2012, the Company had $15,005,000 in reserves for sales discounts compared to $14,567,000 on December 31, 2011 on product shipped to our customers under various promotional programs. The increase was due primarily to increased sales volume of the Company’s agricultural products during the 2012 pre-season, which runs during the third and fourth quarters of each year with orders shipped through the second quarter of 2013. The Company reviews the reserve quarterly based on analysis made on each program outstanding at the time.
The Company bases its reserves on historical data relating to discounts taken by the customer under each program. Historically, between 85% and 95% of the Company’s customers who qualify for each program actually take the discount that is available.
Inventories - Obsolete and Slow Moving
The Company had a reserve of $9,099,000 on December 31, 2012 and $7,630,000 on December 31, 2011 to cover obsolete and slow moving inventory. The increase in the reserve was mainly from the U.S. Agricultural Division and the European Division, specifically its French operations. The obsolete and slow moving inventory policy states that the reserve is to be calculated as follows: 1) no inventory usage over a three-year period is deemed obsolete and reserved at 100 percent; and 2) slow moving inventory with little usage requires a 100 percent reserve on items that have a quantity greater than a three-year supply. There are exceptions to the obsolete and slow moving classifications if approved by an officer of the Company, based on specific identification of an item or items that are deemed to be either included or excluded from this classification. In cases where there is no historical data, management makes a judgment based on a specific review of the inventory in question to determine what reserves, if any, are appropriate. New products or parts are generally excluded from the reserve policy until a three-year history has been established.
The reserve is reviewed and, if necessary, adjustments are made on a quarterly basis. The Company relies on historical information when available to support its reserve. The Company does not adjust the reserve balance until the inventory is liquidated.
Warranty
The Company’s warranty policy is generally to provide its customers warranty for up to one year on all wholegood units and 90 days on parts though some components can have warranty for longer terms.
Warranty reserve, as a percentage of sales, is generally calculated by looking at the current twelve months’ expenses and prorating that amount based on twelve months’ sales with a ninety-day to six-month lag period. The Company’s historical experience is that an end-user takes approximately 90 days to six months from the receipt of the unit to file a warranty claim. A warranty reserve is established for each different marketing group. Reserve balances are evaluated on a quarterly basis and adjustments made when required.
The current liability warranty reserve balance was $5,007,000 on December 31, 2012 and $5,083,000 on December 31, 2011. The decrease was mainly from the Company’s Industrial Division.
Goodwill
We test goodwill for impairment annually, at the reporting unit level, and whenever events or circumstances make it likely that an impairment may have occurred, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate or a decision to sell all or a portion of a reporting unit. We perform our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1 and monitor for interim triggering events on an ongoing basis. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment utilizing a qualitative assessment or a two-step process. We have an option to make a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit's goodwill for impairment. If we choose to perform a qualitative assessment and determine the fair value more likely than not exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. For reporting units where we perform the two-step process, the first step requires us to compare the fair value of each reporting unit, which we primarily determine using an income approach based on the present value of discounted cash flows, to the respective carrying value, which includes goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value is higher than the fair value, there is an indication that an impairment may exist and the second step is required. In step two, the implied fair value of goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the fair values assigned to its assets and liabilities. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment loss.
The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units using a discounted cash flow analysis. This analysis requires the Company to make significant assumptions and estimates about the extent and timing of future cash flows, discount rates and growth rates. The cash flows are estimated over a significant future period of time, which makes those estimates and assumptions subject to an even higher degree of uncertainty. The Company also utilizes market valuation models and other financial ratios, which require the Company to make certain assumptions and estimates regarding the applicability of those models to its assets and businesses. As of December 31, 2012, goodwill was $31,648,000, which represents 8% of total assets.
The Company recognized goodwill impairment at one of its French operations, Faucheux of $ 656,000 in 2012 and at two of its French operations, SMA and Rousseau of $1,898,000 in 2011 and no goodwill impairment in 2010. The primary reason for the goodwill impairment in 2012 and 2011 was the general economic downturn that continues to affect the Company's European operations. This caused the Company to revise its expectations about future revenue, which is a significant factor in the discounted cash flow analysis used to estimate the fair value of the Company's reporting units. During the 2012 impairment analysis review, it was noted that even though the Schwarze and Rivard reporting unit's fair value was above carrying value, it was not materially different. On December 31, 2012, there was approximately $6.8 million and $11.8 million of goodwill related to the Schwarze and Rivard reporting units, respectively. These reporting units would be most likely affected by changes in the Company’s assumptions and estimates. The calculation of fair value could increase or decrease depending on changes in the inputs and assumptions used, such as changes in the reporting unit’s future growth rates, discount rates, etc.
Management believes that the estimated valuations it arrived at are reasonable and consistent with what other marketplace participants would use in valuing the Company's components. However, management cannot give any assurance that these market values will not change in the future. For example, if discount rates demanded by the market increase, this could lead to reduced valuations under the income approach. If the Company's projections are not achieved in the future, this could lead management to reassess their assumptions and lead to reduced valuations under the income approach. If the market price of the Company's stock decreases, this could cause the Company to reassess the reasonableness of the implied control premium, which might cause management to assume a higher discount rate under the income approach which could lead to reduced valuations. If future similar transactions exhibit lower multiples than those observed in the past, this could lead to reduced valuations under the similar transactions approach. And finally, if there is a general decline in the stock market and particularly in those companies selected as comparable to the Company's components, this could lead to reduced valuations under the public company market multiple approach. The Company's annual impairment test is performed during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Given the current market conditions and continued economic uncertainty, the fair value of the Company's components could deteriorate which could result in the need to record impairment charges in future periods. The Company also monitors potential triggering events including changes in the business climate in which it operates, attrition of key personnel, volatility in the capital markets, the Company's market capitalization compared to its book value, the Company's recent operating performance, and the Company's financial projections. The occurrence of one or more triggering events could require additional impairment testing, which could result in future impairment charges. In particular, since the Schwarze and Rivard, reporting unit's carrying
value is not materially different from fair value, any changes to the Company's assumptions could lead to an indicated impairment in step one, requiring the Company to proceed to step two and potentially record an impairment charge. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding goodwill.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company is exposed to various financial market risks. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates. The Company does not enter into derivative or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Foreign Currency Risk
International Sales
A portion of the Company’s operations consists of manufacturing and sales activities in international jurisdictions. The Company primarily manufactures its products in the United States, the U.K., France, Canada and Australia. The Company sells its products primarily within the markets where the products are produced, but certain of the Company’s sales from its U.K. operations are denominated in other European currencies. As a result, the Company’s financials, specifically the value of its foreign assets, could be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the other markets in which the subsidiaries of the Company distribute their products.
To mitigate the short-term effect of changes in currency exchange rates on the Company’s functional currency-based sales, the Company’s U.K. subsidiaries regularly enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge over 90% of its future net foreign currency cash receipts over a period of six months. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $2,409,000 outstanding in forward exchange contracts related to accounts receivable. A 15% fluctuation in exchange rates for these currencies would change the fair value by approximately $361,000. However, since these contracts hedge foreign currency denominated transactions, any change in the fair value of the contracts should be offset by changes in the underlying value of the transaction being hedged.
On December 31, 2012, the fair value of these agreements was in an unfavorable position; therefore, the derivative financial instruments were recorded as a loss of $142,000, which has been recognized in other income (expense), net.
Exposure to Exchange Rates
The Company’s earnings are affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to foreign currencies, predominantly in European countries, Canada and Australia, as a result of the sale of its products in international markets. Foreign currency forward contracts in the U.K. are used to hedge against the earnings effects of such fluctuations. On December 31, 2012, the result of a uniform 10% strengthening in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the currencies in which the Company’s sales are denominated would have resulted in a decrease in gross profit of $5,275,000. Comparatively, on December 31, 2011, the result of a uniform 10% strengthening in the value of the dollar relative to the currencies in which the Company’s sales are denominated would have resulted in a decrease in gross profit of approximately $4,816,000. This calculation assumes that each exchange rate would change in the same direction relative to the U.S. dollar. In addition to the direct effects of changes in exchange rates, which are a changed dollar value of the resulting sales, changes in exchange rates may also affect the volume of sales or the foreign currency sales price as competitors’ products become more or less attractive. The Company’s sensitivity analysis of the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates does not factor in a potential change in sales levels or local currency prices. The translation adjustment during 2012 was a loss of $4,445,000 . On December 31, 2012, the British pound closed at 0.6155 relative to the U.S. dollar, and the Euro closed at 0.7579 relative to the U.S. dollar. By comparison, on December 31, 2011, the British pound closed at 0.6434 relative to the U.S. dollar, and the Euro closed at 0.7716 relative to the U.S. dollar. No assurance can be given as to future valuation of the British pound or Euro or how further movements in those or other currencies could affect future earnings or the financial position of the Company.
Interest Rate Risk
The majority of the Company’s long-term debt bears interest at variable rates. Accordingly, the Company’s net income is affected by changes in interest rates. Assuming the average level of borrowings at variable rates and a two hundred basis point change in the 2012 average interest rate under these borrowings, the Company’s 2012 interest expense would have changed by approximately $520,000. In the event of an adverse change in interest rates, management could take actions to mitigate its exposure. Further, this analysis does not consider the effects of the change in the level of overall economic activity that could exist in such an environment. However, challenges affecting the banking industry and credit markets in general can potentially cause changes to credit availability which creates a level of uncertainty.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The financial statements and supplementary data described in Item 15 of this report and included on pages 44 through 78 of this report are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. An evaluation was carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of Alamo’s management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), and Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933). Based upon the evaluation, the President & Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), and Vice President & Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the end of the period covered by this report.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Management’s report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is included on page 41 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and incorporated by reference herein. The Company’s independent public accounting firm has audited and issued a report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting which is included on page 41 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and incorporated by reference herein.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in Alamo’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined by paragraph (d) of Rule 13-a-15) under the Securities Exchange Act during the fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Alamo’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
There is incorporated in this Item 10, by reference, that portion of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which appears therein under the captions “Proposal 1 - Election of Directors,” “Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors,” “Information Concerning Directors,” “Meetings and Committees of the Board,” “The Audit Committee,” and “The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.” See also the information under the caption “Executive Officers of the Company” in Part I of this Report.
The Board of Directors has delegated certain responsibilities to three Committees of the Board. The Committees are the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating/Corporate Governance
Committee. The Board of Directors has also adopted Corporate Governance guidelines and a Code of Conduct and Ethics for all employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and those individuals performing similar functions.
The Committee Charters, Code of Conduct and Ethics, and Corporate Governance Guidelines may be found on the Company’s website ( www.alamo-group.com) under the “Our Commitment” tab and are also available without charge in print by sending a request to the Corporate Secretary, Alamo Group Inc., 1627 E. Walnut Street, Seguin, Texas, 78155, which is the principal executive office of the Company. The telephone number is 830-379-1480. The Company will post any amendments to the Code of Conduct and Ethics, and any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or the New York Stock Exchange, on the Company’s website.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
There is incorporated in this Item 11, by reference, that portion of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which appears under the caption “Executive Compensation,” “The Compensation Committee,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” Compensation Committee Report” and “Director Compensation during 2012.”
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
There is incorporated in this Item 12, by reference, that portion of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders which appears under the caption “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock.”
Information on Alamo Group Inc.’s Equity Compensation Plans
The following table provides information on the shares that are available under the Company’s stock compensation plans and, in the case of plans where stock options may be granted, the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of those stock options. The Company currently does not have an Equity Compensation Plan not approved by the Stockholders.
The numbers in the table are as of December 31, 2012, the last day of Alamo Group Inc.’s 2012 fiscal year.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence
Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions is set forth under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and such information is incorporated by reference herein. There were no such reportable relationships or related party transactions in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. In 1999, the Company approved a supplemental retirement benefit for Donald J. Douglass which is paid on a quarterly basis over a period of fourteen and one-half years that began in the year 2000. The remaining balances on December 31, 2012 and 2011 were $115,000 and $184,000, respectively, and are included in the Accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities sections of the Company’s balance sheets.
Information regarding director independence is set forth under the caption “Information Concerning Directors” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and such information is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information regarding principal accountant fees and services is set forth under the caption “Proposal 3 - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors” in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and such information is incorporated by reference herein.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Financial Statements
Page
Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (KPMG LLP)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Income
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules for which a provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are omitted because they are not required or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
Exhibits
Exhibits - The following exhibits are incorporated by reference to the filing indicated or are included following the index to Exhibits.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Compensatory Plan
SIGNATURES
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.
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 their capacities and on 11th day of March, 2013.
Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 using the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, the Company’s management concludes that, as of December 31, 2012, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting were effective based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework.
KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.
Date:
March 11, 2013
/s/ Ronald A. Robinson
President & Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Dan E. Malone
Executive Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Richard J. Wehrle
Vice President & Corporate Controller
Principal Accounting Officer
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders Alamo Group Inc:
We have audited Alamo Group Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Alamo Group Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit 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 effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Alamo Group Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Alamo Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the three-years ended December 31, 2012, and our report dated March 11, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders Alamo Group Inc:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Alamo Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the three-years ended December 31, 2012. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes 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, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Alamo Group Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the three-years ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Alamo Group Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 11, 2013, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Alamo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
See accompanying notes.
Alamo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
See accompanying notes.
Alamo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
See accompanying notes.
Alamo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Alamo Group Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
See accompanying notes.
Alamo Group Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of the Business and Segments
The Company manufactures, distributes and services high quality tractor-mounted mowing and other vegetation maintenance equipment, street sweepers, excavators, vacuum trucks, snow removal equipment, pothole patchers, zero turn radius mowers, agricultural implements and related aftermarket parts and services.
The Company manages its business in three principal reporting segments: North American Agricultural, North American Industrial and European, which are discussed in Notes 15 and 16.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Alamo Group Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Alamo Group”), all of which are wholly owned. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain reclassifications have been made to 2010 in order to conform to the 2012 and 2011 presentation. The accompanying statement of income reflects the correction of a misclassification of freight revenue for the period. Freight billed to customers was previously recorded as a reduction of cost of sales and has been reclassified to increase sales and cost of sales in accordance with ASC 605-45-45-20. The reclassification of revenue and cost of sales for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 resulted in an increase of approximately $15.3 million, $15.6 million and $14.0 million, respectively, with no impact on reported net income.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Judgments related to asset impairment and certain reserves are particularly subject to change. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Foreign Currency
The Company translates the assets and liabilities of foreign-owned subsidiaries at rates in effect at the end of the year. Revenues and expenses are translated at average rates in effect during the reporting period. Translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income within the statement of stockholders’ equity.
The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its exposure to certain foreign currency transactions. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. Changes in the market value of the foreign currency instruments are recognized in the financial statements upon settlement of the hedged transaction. On December 31, 2012, the Company had $2,409,000 in outstanding forward exchange contracts related to sales. The unrealized loss of the December 31, 2012 contracts that the Company expects to incur during the first quarter of 2013 is approximately $88,000, net of taxes. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included in Other income (expense), net. For 2012, 2011 and 2010, such transactions netted gains (losses) of $(476,000), $816,000, and $265,000, respectively.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. The credit risk is limited because of the large numbers and types of customers and their geographic dispersion.
Inventories
Inventories of U.S. operating subsidiaries are stated at the lower of cost (last-in, first-out method) (“LIFO”) or market, and the Company’s international subsidiaries’ inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) (“FIFO”) or market.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are stated on the basis of cost. Major renewals and betterments are charged to the property accounts while replacements, maintenance and repairs, which do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets, are expensed to the current period. Depreciation is provided at amounts calculated to amortize the cost of the assets over their estimated useful economic lives using the straight-line method.
Goodwill
Goodwill consists of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. We perform our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1 and monitor for interim triggering events on an ongoing basis. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment utilizing a qualitative assessment or a two-step process. We have an option to make a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit's goodwill for impairment. If we choose to perform a qualitative assessment and determine the fair value more likely than not exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. For reporting units where we perform the two-step process, the first step requires us to compare the fair value of each reporting unit, which we primarily determine using an income approach based on the present value of discounted cash flows, to the respective carrying value, which includes goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value is higher than the fair value, there is an indication that an impairment may exist and the second step is required. In step two, the implied fair value of goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the fair values assigned to its assets and liabilities. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment loss.
The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units using a discounted cash flow analysis. This analysis requires the Company to make significant assumptions and estimates about the extent and timing of future cash flows, discount rates and growth rates. The cash flows are estimated over a significant future period of time, which makes those estimates and assumptions subject to an even higher degree of uncertainty. The Company also utilizes market valuation models and other financial ratios, which require the Company to make certain assumptions and estimates regarding the applicability of those models to its assets and businesses. As of December 31, 2012, goodwill was $31,648,000, which represents 8% of total assets.
The Company recognized goodwill impairment at one of its French operations, Faucheux of $ 656,000 in 2012 and two of its French operations, SMA and Rousseau of $1,898,000 in 2011 and no goodwill impairment in 2010. The primary reason for the goodwill impairment in 2012 and 2011 was the general economic downturn that continues to affect the Company's European operations. This caused the Company to revise its expectations about future revenue, which is a significant factor in the discounted cash flow analysis used to estimate the fair value of the Company's reporting units. During the 2012 impairment analysis review, it was noted that even though the Schwarze and Rivard reporting unit's fair value was above carrying value, it was not materially different. On December 31, 2012, there was approximately $6.8 million and $11.8 million of goodwill related to the Schwarze and Rivard reporting units, respectively. These reporting units would be most likely affected by changes in the Company’s assumptions and estimates. The calculation of fair value could increase or decrease depending on changes in the inputs and assumptions used, such as changes in the reporting unit’s future growth rates, discount rates, etc.
Management believes that the estimated valuations it arrived at are reasonable and consistent with what other marketplace participants would use in valuing the Company's components. However, management cannot give any assurance that these market values will not change in the future. For example, if discount rates demanded by the
market increase, this could lead to reduced valuations under the income approach. If the Company's projections are not achieved in the future, this could lead management to reassess their assumptions and lead to reduced valuations under the income approach. If the market price of the Company's stock decreases, this could cause the Company to reassess the reasonableness of the implied control premium, which might cause management to assume a higher discount rate under the income approach which could lead to reduced valuations. If future similar transactions exhibit lower multiples than those observed in the past, this could lead to reduced valuations under the similar transactions approach. And finally, if there is a general decline in the stock market and particularly in those companies selected as comparable to the Company's components, this could lead to reduced valuations under the public company market multiple approach. The Company's annual impairment test is performed during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Given the current market conditions and continued economic uncertainty, the fair value of the Company's components could deteriorate which could result in the need to record impairment charges in future periods. The Company also monitors potential triggering events including changes in the business climate in which it operates, attrition of key personnel, volatility in the capital markets, the Company's market capitalization compared to its book value, the Company's recent operating performance, and the Company's financial projections. The occurrence of one or more triggering events could require additional impairment testing, which could result in future impairment charges. In particular, since the Schwarze and Rivard, reporting unit's carrying value is not materially different from fair value, any changes to the Company's assumptions could lead to an indicated impairment in step one, requiring the Company to proceed to step two and potentially record an impairment charge.
See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding goodwill.
Intangible Assets
The Company’s definite-lived intangible assets consist of trade names. The net book value of the trademarks was $5,500,000 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company wrote off $224,000 in older patents which the Company believes no longer provide a competitive advantage.
Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives not subject to amortization consist of the Gradall trade name valued at $3,600,000 and the Bush Hog trade name valued at $1,900,000 on December 31, 2012.
The Company tests its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis at year-end, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset could be below its carrying amount. The impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset, determined using the relief from royalty method, with its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for the carrying amount in excess of its fair value.
Identifiable intangible assets are recorded at estimated cost. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives.
Pensions
In connection with the February 3, 2006 purchase of all the net assets of the Gradall excavator business, the Company assumed sponsorship of two Gradall non-contributory defined benefit pension plans, both of which were frozen with respect to both future benefit accruals and future new entrants.
The Gradall Company Hourly Employees’ Pension Plan covers approximately 334 former employees and 134 current employees who (i) were formerly employed by JLG Industries, Inc., (ii) were covered by a collective bargaining agreement and (iii) first participated in the plan before April 6, 1997. An amendment ceasing all future benefit accruals was effective April 6, 1997.
The Gradall Company Employees’ Retirement Plan covers approximately 242 former employees and 88 current employees who (i) were formerly employed by JLG Industries, Inc., (ii) were not covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and (iii) first participated in the plan before December 31, 2004. An amendment ceasing future benefit accruals for certain participants was effective December 31, 2004. A second amendment discontinued all future benefit accruals for all participants effective April 24, 2006.
The Company recognizes the funded status of the defined benefit pension plans as a liability in its statement of financial position and recognizes any changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through other comprehensive income.
Related Party Transactions
There were no reportable relationships or related party transactions for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. In1999, the Company approved a supplemental retirement benefit for Donald J. Douglass which is paid on a quarterly basis over a period of fourteen and one-half years that began in the year 2000. The balance on December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $115,000 and $184,000, respectively, and is included in the Accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities sections of the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when each of the following four criteria are met: 1) a contract or sales arrangement exists; 2) products have been shipped per agreed terms and title has been transferred or services have been rendered; 3) the prices of the products or services are fixed or determinable; and 4) collectability is reasonably assured. Pre-season sales orders are solicited in the fall in advance of the dealer’s sales season in the spring and summer. Pre-season sales orders are shipped beginning in the fall and continuing through the spring and represent an opportunity for the Company’s factories to level their production/shipping volumes through the winter months. These pre-season shipments carry descending discounts in conjunction with delayed payment terms of up to six months from the dealer’s requested delivery date. Revenue from sales is recorded net of a provision for discounts that are anticipated to be earned and deducted at time of payment by the customer. These approximated discounts represent an average of historical amounts taken and are adjusted as program terms are changed. The reserves for discounts are reviewed and adjusted quarterly. From time to time, revenue is recognized under a bill and hold arrangement. Revenue recognized under bill and hold arrangements for 2012, 2011, and 2010 was immaterial.
Accounting for Internal Use Software
The Company capitalizes certain costs associated with the development and installation of internal use software. Internal use software costs are expensed or capitalized depending on whether they are incurred in the preliminary project stage, application development stage or the post-implementation stage. Amounts capitalized are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software.
The book value of capitalized software net of depreciation is approximately $1,092,000 and $1,320,000 on December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Software depreciation expense was $676,000, $822,000 and $749,000 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Internal use software is amortized for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method over the estimated life of two to seven years.
Shipping and Handling Costs
The Company’s policy is to include shipping and handling costs in costs of goods sold.
Advertising
We charge advertising costs to expense as incurred. Advertising and marketing expense related to operations for fiscal years 2012, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $6,353,000, $6,441,000 and $5,135,000, respectively. Advertising and marketing expenses are included in Selling, General and Administrative expenses (“SG&A”).
Research and Development
Product development and engineering costs charged to SG&A amounted to $5,686,000, $6,017,000, and $5,774,000 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Legal Costs
The Company’s policy is to accrue for legal costs expected to be incurred in connection with loss contingencies.
Federal Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to the future years in which deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be settled or realized. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon projections of future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefits of these deductible differences.
We do not provide for a U.S. income tax liability on undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. The earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, which reflect full provision for non-U.S. income taxes, are currently indefinitely reinvested in non-U.S. operations.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has granted options to purchase its common stock to certain employees and directors of the Company and its affiliates under various stock option plans at no less than the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. These options are granted for a term not exceeding ten years and are forfeited in the event the employee or director terminates his or her employment or relationship with the Company or one of its affiliates other than by retirement or death. These options generally vest over five years. All option plans contain anti-dilutive provisions that permit an adjustment of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock represented by each option for any change in capitalization.
The Company calculated the fair value for options with the following weighted-average assumptions for 2012, 2011, and 2010:
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying values of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these items. The carrying value of our debt approximates the fair value as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.
2. EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the reconciliation from basic to diluted average common shares and the calculations of net income per common share. Net income for basic and diluted calculations does not differ.
Stock options totaling 38,954 shares in 2012, 78,337 shares in 2011, and 133,700 shares in 2010 were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
3. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Valuation and qualifying accounts included the following:
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where it is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, the Company records a specific reserve to reduce the amounts recorded to what it believes will be collected. For all other customers, it recognizes reserves for bad debt based on historical experience of bad debts as a percent of revenues for each business unit, adjusted for relative improvements or deteriorations in the aging and changes in current economic conditions.
The Company evaluates all receivables that are over 60 days old and will reserve specifically on a 90-day basis. The Company has a secured or insured interest on most of its wholegoods that each customer purchases. This allows the Company, in times of a difficult economy when the customer is unable to pay or has filed for bankruptcy, to repossess its inventory. This also allows Alamo Group to maintain only a reserve over its cost, which usually represents the margin on the original sales price.
The allowance for doubtful accounts balance was $3,077,000 on December 31, 2012, and $3,215,000 on December 31, 2011. The decrease was mainly from the Company’s Agricultural Division.
Sales Discounts
On December 31, 2012, the Company had $15,005,000 in reserves for sales discounts compared to $14,567,000 on December 31, 2011 on product shipped to our customers under various promotional programs. The increase was due primarily to increased sales volume of the Company’s agricultural products during the pre-season, which runs during the third and fourth quarters of each year with orders shipped through the second quarter of 2013. The Company reviews the reserve quarterly based on analysis made on each program outstanding at the time.
The Company bases its reserves on historical data relating to discounts taken by the customer under each program. Historically, between 85% and 95% of the Company’s customers who qualify for each program actually take the discount that is available.
Inventories - Obsolete and Slow Moving
The Company had a reserve of $9,099,000 on December 31, 2012 and $7,630,000 on December 31, 2011 to cover obsolete and slow moving inventory. The increase in the reserve was mainly from the U.S. Agricultural Division and the European Division, specifically its French operations. The obsolete and slow moving inventory policy states that the reserve is to be calculated as follows: 1) no inventory usage over a three-year period is deemed obsolete and reserved at 100 percent; and 2) slow moving inventory with little usage requires a 100 percent reserve on items that have a quantity greater than a three-year supply. There are exceptions to the obsolete and slow moving classifications if approved by an officer of the Company, based on specific identification of an item or items that are deemed to be either included or excluded from this classification. In cases where there is no historical data, management makes a judgment based on a specific review of the inventory in question to determine what reserves, if any, are appropriate. New products or parts are generally excluded from the reserve policy until a three-year history has been established.
Warranty
The Company’s warranty policy is generally to provide its customers warranty for up to one year on all wholegood units and 90 days on parts though some components can have warranty for longer terms.
Warranty reserve, as a percentage of sales, is generally calculated by looking at the current twelve months’ expenses and prorating that amount based on twelve months’ sales with a ninety-day to six-month lag period. The Company’s historical experience is that an end-user takes approximately 90 days to six months from the receipt of the unit to file a warranty claim. A warranty reserve is established for each different marketing group. Reserve balances are evaluated on a quarterly basis and adjustments made when required.
The current liability warranty reserve balance was $5,007,000 on December 31, 2012 and $5,083,000 on December 31, 2011. The decrease was mainly from the Company’s Industrial Division.
4. INVENTORIES
Inventories valued at LIFO represented 56% and 61% of total inventory for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The excess of current costs over LIFO-valued inventories was $8,975,000 and $9,459,000 on December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. (The $484,000 decrease in LIFO reserve during 2012 came from reductions in inventory levels within U.S. operations. The impact of the application of the LIFO method on the Statement of Income for the years ended December 31, 2012, was a decrease to cost of sales of $484,000, and a increase in 2011 of $1,805,000 and a increase in 2010 of $1,452,000.) Inventories consisted of the following on a cost basis, net of reserves:
5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:
Property, plant and equipment on December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 include $16,738,000 and $16,772,000, respectively, for items listed above that are held under capital leases. Accumulated depreciation relating to the capital leases on December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $7,910,000 and $8,003,000, respectively. Amortization related to the capital lease is included in depreciation expense.
6. GOODWILL
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, 2011 and 2012 are as follows:
7. ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accrued liabilities consist of the following balances:
8. LONG-TERM DEBT
The components of long-term debt are as follows:
The Company maintains a revolving credit facility with certain lenders under its Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement. The aggregate commitments from lenders under such revolving credit facility is$100,000,000 and, subject to certain conditions, the Company has the option to request an increase in aggregate commitments of up to an additional $50,000,000. The revolving credit agreement requires us to maintain various financial covenants including a minimum EBIT to interest expense ratio, a minimum leverage ratio and a minimum asset coverage ratio. The agreement also contains various covenants relating to limitations on indebtedness, limitations on investments and acquisitions, limitations on sale of properties and limitations on liens and capital expenditures. The revolving credit agreement also contains other customary covenants, representations and events of defaults. As of December 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under the revolving credit facility. The termination date of the revolving credit facility is March 28, 2016. As of December 31, 2012, no amounts were outstanding under the revolving credit facility. On December 31, 2012, $1,335,000 of the revolver capacity was committed to irrevocable standby letters of credit issued in the ordinary course of business as required by vendors’ contracts resulting in $98,665,000 in available borrowings.
Alamo Group Europe Limited renewed its facility with Lloyd’s TSB Bank plc.. The facility was renewed effective November 12, 2012 and any outstanding balance would bear interest at Lloyd’s Base Rate plus 2.0% per annum. The facility is unsecured but guaranteed by the U.K. subsidiaries of Alamo Group Europe Limited. As of December 31, 2012, there were no outstanding balances in British pounds borrowed against the U.K. overdraft facility.
There are additional annual lines of credit: for the Company’s French operations in the amount of 6,200,000 Euros, for our Canadian operation in the amount of 3,500,000 Canadian dollars; and for our Australian operation in the amount of 400,000 Australian dollars. As of December 31, 2012, 238,000 Euros were borrowed against the French line of credit; no Canadian dollars were outstanding on the Canadian line of credit; and no Australian dollars were outstanding under its facility. The Canadian and Australian revolving credit facilities are guaranteed by the Company. The Company’s borrowing levels for working capital are seasonal with the greatest utilization generally occurring in the first and second quarter.
As of December 31, 2012, the Company is in compliance with the terms and conditions of its credit facilities.
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt, as of December 31, 2012, are as follows: $588,000 in 2013; $109,000 in 2014; $9,000 in 2015; and zero thereafter.
The fair value of the Company’s debt is based on secondary market indicators. Since the Company’s debt is not quoted, estimates are based on each obligation’s characteristics, including remaining maturities, interest rate, credit rating, collateral, amortization schedule and liquidity. The carrying amount approximates fair value.
9. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING
Most of the Company’s outstanding debt is advanced from a revolving credit facility that accrues interest at a contractual margin over current market interest rates. The Company’s financing costs associated with this credit facility can materially change with market increases and decreases of short-term borrowing rates, specifically London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). During the second quarter of 2007, the Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements with JPMorgan that hedged future cash flows related to its outstanding debt obligations. One swap had a three-year term and fixed the LIBOR base rate at 4.910% covering $20 million of this debt, which expired on March 31, 2010. The other had a four-year term and fixed the LIBOR base rate at 4.935% covering an additional $20 million of these variable rate borrowings and expired on March 31, 2011. At December 31, 2012 there was zero liability related to the expired interest rate swaps.
10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. There is a three-tier fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques. Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions. In Fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:
Level 1 - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets.
Level 3 - Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable
When available, the Company uses quoted market prices to determine fair value, and the Company classifies such measurements within Level 1. In some cases where market prices are not available, the Company makes use of observable market-based inputs to calculate fair value, in which case the measurements are classified with Level 2. If quoted or observable market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that use, where possible, current market-based parameters such as interest rates, yield curves, currency rates, etc. These measurements are classified within Level 3.
Fair value measurements are classified to the lowest level input or value-driver that is significant to the valuation. A measurement may therefore be classified within Level 3 even though there may be significant inputs that are readily observable.
11. INCOME TAXES
The jurisdictional components of income before taxes consist of the following:
The components of income tax expense (benefit) consist of the following:
The difference between income tax expense (benefit) for financial statement purposes and the amount of income tax expense computed by applying the domestic statutory income tax rate of 35% to income loss before income taxes consist of the following:
Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. The components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:
As of December 31, 2012, the Company had foreign deferred tax assets consisting of foreign net operating losses and other tax benefits available to reduce future taxable income in a foreign jurisdiction. These foreign jurisdictions' net operating loss carryforwards are in the approximate amount of $10.6 million with an unlimited carryforward period. The Company also has U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards in the approximate amount of $3.5 million which expire from 2014 to 2028.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Based on the expectation of future taxable income and that the deductible temporary differences will offset existing taxable temporary differences, the Company believes it is more likely than not that it will realize the benefits of these deductible differences.
Deferred income taxes have not been provided on the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and the respective tax bases of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, based on the determination that such differences are essentially permanent in duration in that the earnings of the subsidiaries are expected to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. As
of December 31, 2012, the cumulative undistributed earnings of these subsidiaries approximated $125,731,000. If these earnings were not considered indefinitely reinvested, deferred income taxes would have been recorded after the consideration of foreign tax credits. At this time, it is not practicable to estimate the amount of additional income taxes that might be payable on those earnings, if distributed.
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC Section 740-10-25 (formerly FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”) on January 1, 2007. During the 3rd quarter of 2010, the Company completed a research and development credit study (R&D study) related to prior year tax returns. The R&D study resulted in tax credits of approximately $1,100,000. The Company has recorded an unrecognized tax benefit in the amount of $193,000 as of December 31, 2010. In 2011, the Company recorded an additional R&D tax credit of $252,000 for federal and $164,000 for state, and recorded an additional unrecognized tax benefit of approximately $42,000 that if recognized would affect our annual effective tax rate. In 2012, an additional $22,000 was added to the reserve related to the 2011 R&D credit. We do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months.
As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were $257,000 and $235,000, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect our annual effective tax rate.
The Company adopted the policy to include interest and penalty expense related to income taxes as interest and other expense, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, no interest or penalties has been accrued. The Company’s open tax years for its federal and state income tax returns are for the tax years ended 2008 through 2012. The Company's open tax years for its foreign income tax returns are for the tax years ended 2008 through 2012.
On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (Act) was enacted. The Act provides tax relief for businesses by reinstating certain tax benefits retroactively to January 1, 2012. There are several provisions of the Act that impact the Company, most notably the extension of the Research and Development credit. Income tax accounting rules require tax law changes to be recognized in the period of enactment; as such, the associated tax benefits of the Act will be recognized in the Company's provision for income taxes in the first quarter of 2013. The company expects that a benefit in the range of $300,000 to $400,000 will be recognized related to the enactment in the first quarter of 2013.
12. COMMON STOCK
The Company was authorized by its Board of Directors in 1997 to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to be funded through working capital and credit facility borrowings. No shares were repurchased in 2011 or 2012. The authorization to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares remains available less 42,600 shares, previously purchased.
Subsequent to December 31, 2012, the Company declared and paid a dividend of $0.07 per share.
13. STOCK OPTIONS
Incentive Options
On April 28, 1994, the stockholders approved the 1994 Incentive Stock Option Plan (“1994 ISO Plan”) for key employees. Each option becomes vested and exercisable for up to 20% of the total optioned shares each year after grant. Under the terms of this plan, the exercise price of the shares subject to each option granted would not be less than the fair market value of the common stock at the date the option is granted. There are 39,580 shares outstanding under this option plan. No further option grants can be made under this plan.
On May 3, 2005, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2005 Incentive Stock Option Plan (“2005 ISO Plan”) and the Company reserved 500,000 shares of common stock for options to be issued under the 2005 ISO Plan . During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, options to purchase 61,000 shares, 35,000 shares and 19,000 shares, respectively, were granted under this plan. Each option becomes vested and exercisable for up to 20% of the total optioned shares one year following the grant of the option and for an additional 20% of the total optioned shares after each succeeding year until the option is fully exercisable at the end of the fifth year.
Following is a summary of activity in the Incentive Stock Option Plans for the periods indicated:
*Weighted Averages
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2012 were as follows:
*Weighted Averages
The weighted-average grant-date fair values of options granted during 2012, 2011, and 2010 were $14.76, $12.50 and $11.40, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, there was $1,048,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a period of five years.
Non-qualified Options
On May 7, 2009, the stockholders of the Company approved the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan and the Company reserved 400,000 shares of common stock for this plan. Options become vested and exercisable for up to 20% of the total optioned shares one year following the grant of the option and for an additional 20% of the total optioned shares after each succeeding year until the option is fully exercisable at the end of the fifth year.
Following is a summary of activity in the Non-Qualified Stock Option Plans for the periods indicated:
*Weighted Averages
Options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2012 were as follows:
*Weighted Averages
The weighted-average grant-date fair values of options granted during 2011 were $12.50. There were no options granted in 2012 or 2010. As of December 31, 2012, there was $273,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a period of five years.
During 2012, 2011 and 2010 there were 23,100, 14,600, and 78,600 non-qualified options, respectively, were exercised, $315,000, $167,000, and $984,000 of cash receipts were received, respectively, and tax deductions of $284,000, $178,000, and $796,000 were realized, respectively, for the tax deductions from option exercises.
Restricted Stock Units
Following is a summary of activity in the Restricted Stock Units for the periods indicated:
Restricted stock units vest 25% after one year following the award date and for an additional 25% of total awarded shares each succeeding year until fully vested. The weighted-average remaining contractual life in years for 2012, 2011, and 2010 were 2.65, 3.48 and 3.33, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, there was $98,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a period of four years.
14. RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
Defined Benefit Plans
In connection with the February 3, 2006 purchase of all the net assets of the Gradall excavator business, the Company assumed sponsorship of two Gradall non-contributory defined benefit pension plans, both of which are frozen with respect to both future benefit accruals and future new entrants.
The Gradall Company Hourly Employees’ Pension Plan covers approximately 334 former employees and 134 current employees who (i) were formerly employed by JLG Industries, Inc., (ii) were covered by a collective bargaining agreement and (iii) first participated in the plan before April 6, 1997. An amendment ceasing all future benefit accruals was effective April 6, 1997.
The Gradall Company Employees’ Retirement Plan covers approximately 242 former employees and 88 current employees who (i) were formerly employed by JLG Industries, Inc., (ii) were not covered by a collective bargaining agreement and (iii) first participated in the plan before December 31, 2004. An amendment ceasing future benefit accruals for certain participants was effective December 31, 2004. A second amendment discontinued all future benefit accruals for all participants effective April 24, 2006.
The following tables set forth the change in plan assets, change in projected benefit obligation, rate assumptions and components of net periodic benefit cost as of December 31 with respect to these plans. The measurement dates of the assets and liabilities of both plans were December 31 of the respective years presented.
The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of defined benefit postretirement plans as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and recognized changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur. The Company measures the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position.
The underfunded status of the plans were $9,871,000 and $10,792,000 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, is recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as long-term accrued pension liability because plan assets are less than the value of benefit obligations expected to be paid.
The accumulated benefit obligation for our pension plans represents the actuarial present value of benefits based on employee service and compensation as of a certain date and does not include an assumption about future compensation levels.
In determining the projected benefit obligation and the net pension cost, we used the following significant weighted-average assumptions:
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:
Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:
The Company employs a building block approach in determining the expected long-term rate on return on plan assets. Historical markets are studied and long-term historical relationships between equities and fixed income are preserved consistent with the widely accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long run. Current market factors such as inflation and interest rates are evaluated before long-term market assumptions are determined. The long-term portfolio return is established via a building block approach with proper consideration of diversification and rebalancing. Peer data and historical returns are reviewed to check for reasonability and appropriateness.
The following tables present the components of net periodic benefit cost (gains are denoted with parentheses and losses are not):
The Company estimates that $703,000 of unrecognized actuarial expense will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit costs during 2013.
The Company employs a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status, and corporate financial condition. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed income investments. Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks, as well as growth, value, and small and large capitalizations. Other assets such as real estate, private equity, and hedge funds are used judiciously to enhance long-term returns while improving portfolio diversification. Derivatives may be used to gain market exposure in an efficient and timely manner; however, derivatives may not be used to leverage the portfolio beyond the market value of the underlying investments. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through quarterly investment portfolio reviews, annual liability measurements, and periodic asset/liability studies.
The pension plans' weighted-average asset allocations as a percentage of plan assets at December 31 are as follows:
As of December 31, 2012, we used the following valuation techniques to measure fair value for assets. There were no changes to these methodologies during 2012: Level 1 - Assets were valued using the closing price reported in the active market in which the individual security was traded. Level 2 - Assets were valued using quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker dealer quotations, net asset value of shares held by the plans, and other methods by which all significant input were observable at the measurement date. Level 3 - Assets were valued using valuation reports from the respective institutions at the measurement date. The following table presents the hierarchy levels for our postretirement benefit plan investments as of December 31:
Our interests in the common collective trust investments are managed by one custodian. Consistent with our investment policy, the custodian has invested the assets across a widely diversified portfolio of U.S. and international equity and fixed income securities. Fair values of each security within the collective trust as of December 31, 2012 were obtained from the custodian and are based on quoted market prices of individual investments; however, since the fund itself does not have immediate liquidity or a quoted market price, these assets are considered Level 2.
The common collective funds noted in the above table have estimated fair value using the net asset value per share of investments. Investments can be redeemed immediately at the current net asset value per share based on the fair value of the underlying assets. Redemption frequency is daily. The categories contain investments in equity securities of smaller growing companies, medium-sized U.S. companies, large value-oriented and growth-oriented companies and foreign companies traded on international markets.
Expected benefit payments are estimated using the same assumptions used in determining our benefit obligation as of December 31, 2012. The following table illustrates the estimated pension benefit payments which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, that are projected to be paid:
Supplemental Retirement Plan
The Board of Directors of the Company adopted the Alamo Group Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”), effective as of January 3, 2011. The SERP will benefit certain key management or other highly compensated employees of the Company and/or certain subsidiaries who are selected by the Compensation Committee and approved by the Board to participate.
The SERP is intended to provide a benefit from the Company upon retirement, death or disability, or a change in control of the Company. Accordingly, the SERP obligates the Company to pay to a participant a Retirement Benefit (as defined in the SERP) upon the occurrence of certain payment events to the extent a participant has a vested right thereto. A participant’s right to his or her Retirement Benefit becomes vested in the Company’s contributions upon 10 years of Credited Service (as defined in the SERP) or a change in control of the Company. The Retirement Benefit is based on 20% of the final three-year average salary of each participant on or after his or her normal retirement age (65 years of age). In the event of the participant’s death or a change in control, the participant’s vested retirement benefit will be paid in a lump sum to the participant or his or her estate, as applicable, within 90 days after the participant’s death or a change in control, as applicable. In the event the participant is entitled to a benefit from the SERP due to disability, retirement or other termination of employment, the benefit will be paid in monthly installments over a period of fifteen years.
The Company records amounts relating to the SERP based on calculations that incorporate various actuarial and other assumptions, including discount rates, rate of compensation increases, retirement dates and life expectancies. The net periodic costs are recognized as employees render the services necessary to earn the SERP benefits.
In connection with the initiation of the SERP, the Company had an unfunded long-term liability of $1,964,301, a deferred tax asset of $746,000 and $1,218,301 in accumulated other comprehensive income. The $1,964,301 includes prior service cost which will be amortized over the average remaining service periods of the employees. The prior service cost is included as a component of net periodic pension cost.
The change in the Projected Benefit Obligation (PBO) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 is shown below in thousands:
The components of net periodic pension expense were as follows in thousands:
The Company estimates that $327,000 of unrecognized actuarial expense will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit costs during 2013.
In determining the projected benefit obligation and the net pension cost, we used the following significant weighted-average assumptions:
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:
Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31:
Future estimated benefits expected to be paid from the plan over the next ten years as follows in thousands:
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company has three defined contribution plans, The Gradall Salaried Employees’ Savings and Investment Plan (“Salary Plan”), The Gradall Hourly Employees’ Savings and Investment Plan (“Hourly Plan”) and The International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Retirement Plan (“IAM Plan”). The Company contributed $388,000 and $356,000 to the IAM Plan for the plan years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company converted the Salary Plan into its 401(k) retirement and savings plan and put the Hourly Plan into a separate 401(k) retirement and savings plan.
The Company provides a defined contribution 401(k) retirement and savings plan for eligible U.S. employees. Company matching contributions are based on a percentage of employee contributions. Company contributions to the plan during 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $1,678,000, $992,000, and $481,000, respectively. A U.S. subsidiary of the Company had an Hourly Employee Pension Plan of Trust covering collective bargaining which was terminated on December 31, 2006. As of January 1, 2006 the employees were added to the existing 401(k) retirement and salary plan.
Three of the Company’s international subsidiaries also participate in a defined contribution and savings plan covering eligible employees. The Company’s international subsidiaries contribute between 3% and 10% of the participant’s salary up to a specific limit. Total contributions made to the above plans were $696,000, $676,000, and $607,000 for the year ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
15. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company reports three business segments: North American Industrial, North American Agricultural and European. The Company’s sales are principally within the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada and Australia. The Company sells its products primarily through a network of independent dealers and distributors to
governmental end-users, related independent contractors, as well as to the agricultural and commercial turf markets.
The Company has included a summary of the financial information by reporting segment. The following table presents the revenues, income from operations (loss), goodwill and total identifiable assets by reporting segment for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:
16. INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Following is selected financial information on the Company’s international operations which include Europe, Canada and Australia:
Following is other selected geographic financial information on the Company’s operations:
Net sales are attributed to countries based on the location of customers.
17. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For 2012, 2011 and 2010 the Company’s Comprehensive Income was $$32,895,000, $$25,531,000, and $$17,503,000, respectively.
The components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) are as follows:
18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Leases
The Company leases office space and equipment under various operating leases, which generally are expected to be renewed or replaced by other leases. The Company has certain capitalized leases consisting principally of leases of buildings. As of December 31, 2012, future minimum lease payments under these non-cancelable leases and the present value of the net minimum lease payments for the capitalized leases are:
Rental expense for operating leases was $2,088,000 for 2012, $1,879,000 for 2011, and $1,632,000 for 2010.
Purchase obligations of $76,338,000 represent an estimate of goods and services to be purchased under outstanding purchase orders not reflected on the Company’s balance sheet. New purchase obligations should be received and paid for during the current fiscal year.
Other
Like other manufacturers, the Company is subject to a broad range of federal, state, local and foreign laws and requirements, including those concerning air emissions, discharges into waterways, and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous substances and waste materials, as well as the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances at the Company’s facilities and offsite disposal locations, workplace safety and equal employment opportunities. These laws and regulations are constantly changing, and it is impossible to predict with accuracy the effect that changes to such laws and regulations may have on the Company in the future. Like other industrial concerns, the Company’s manufacturing operations entail the risk of noncompliance, and there can be no assurance that the Company will not incur material costs or other liabilities as a result thereof.
The Company knows that its Indianola, Iowa property is contaminated with chromium which most likely resulted from chrome plating operations which were discontinued before the Company purchased the property. Chlorinated volatile organic compounds have also been detected in water samples on the property, though the source is unknown at this time. The Company voluntarily worked with an environmental consultant and the state of Iowa with respect to these issues and believes it completed its remediation program in June 2006. The work was accomplished within the Company’s environmental liability reserve balance. We requested a “no further action” classification from the state. We received a conditional “no further action” letter in January of 2009. When we demonstrate stable or improving conditions below residential standards for a certain period of time by monitoring existing wells, an unconditional “no further action” letter will be requested.
Prior to December 31, 2012, the Company had an environmental reserve in the amount of $1,185,000 related to the acquisition of Gradall’s facility in New Philadelphia, Ohio. The reserve was for potential ground water contamination/remediation that was identified before the acquisition and believed to have been generated by a third party company located near the Gradall facility. Monitoring of the test wells by the City of New Philadelphia as required by the Ohio EPA has shown no increase in contamination over the past 30 years and the Company was informed in the fourth
quarter of 2012 that the wells were plugged during the second half of the year. Based on this information, the Company has determined that a reserve is no longer required.
The Company knows that Bush Hog’s main manufacturing property in Selma, Alabama was contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds which most likely resulted from painting and cleaning operations during the 1960s and 1970s. The contaminated areas were primarily in the location of underground storage tanks and underneath the former waste storage area. Under the Asset Purchase Agreement, Bush Hog’s prior owner agreed to and has removed the underground storage tanks at its cost and has remediated the identified contamination in accordance with the regulations of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. An environmental consulting firm was retained by the prior owner to administer the cleanup and monitor the site on an ongoing basis until the remediation program is complete and approved by the applicable authorities.
Certain other assets of the Company contain asbestos that may have to be remediated over time. The Company believes that any subsequent change in the liability associated with the asbestos removal will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
The Company is subject to various other federal, state, and local laws affecting its business, as well as a variety of regulations relating to such matters as working conditions, equal employment opportunities, and product safety. A variety of state laws regulate the Company’s contractual relationships with its dealers, some of which impose restrictive standards on the relationship between the Company and its dealers, including events of default, grounds for termination, non-renewal of dealer contracts, and equipment repurchase requirements. The Company believes it is currently in material compliance with all such applicable laws and regulations.
19. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
Summarized quarterly financial data for 2012 and 2011 is presented below. Seasonal influences affect the Company’s sales and profits, with peak business occurring in May through August.
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
The sum of quarterly earnings per share may not equal total year earnings per share due to rounding of earnings per share amounts, and differences in weighted-average shares and equivalent shares outstanding for each of the periods presented.
The fourth quarter 2011 results include the following items: (1) a pretax charge of $1.9 million related to goodwill impairment (2) a $8.6 million gain on bargain purchase relating to Tenco and (3) restructuring cost of $0.9 million relating to a plant closure.
The fourth quarter 2012 results include the following items: (1) a pretax charge of $0.7 million related to goodwill impairment (2) a $2.4 million charge relating to various litigation matters and (3) a $1.2 million reversal of an environmental reserve at our Gradall facility.
20. ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS
Tenco
On October 18, 2011 (“Closing Date”), the Company acquired the majority of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Tenco Group Inc. ("Tenco") located in St. Valerien, Quebec, Canada. The purchase price was approximately $5.9 million and included substantially all of the ongoing business of Tenco, including the Tenco brand name and all related product names and trademarks (the "Acquisition").
The Acquisition was accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations (“ASC Topic 805”). Accordingly, the total purchase price was allocated on a provisional basis to assets acquired and net liabilities assumed in connection with the Acquisition based on their estimated fair values as of the completion of the Acquisition. These allocations reflected various provisional estimates that were available at the time and are subject to change during the purchase price allocation period as valuations are finalized. All valuations are now final.
The Company believes that it was able to acquire the assets of Tenco for less than the fair value because of (i) Tenco's Canadian operations had been operating under Receivership Orders from the Quebec Superior Court since July 25, 2011 and (ii) Tenco had no additional working capital to pay their vendors timely and could not operate the business in order to service their customers in the ordinary course of business. Tenco was an unprofitable venture, and the seller approached the Company in an effort to sell Tenco. With Tenco in receivership, the only options, in our opinion, available were to sell the business below market value or shut Tenco down and sell off the business in pieces which, we believe, would have been more costly and time consuming. As a result, the Company was able to agree on a favorable purchase price.
The primary reason for the Tenco acquisition was to provide the opportunity to expand the Company's presence in the snow removal equipment business in North America, particularly Canada and North East U.S. This acquisition complemented and broadened our range of products in this sector.
The fair value of the net assets acquired was approximately $13.7 million, which exceeded the preliminary estimated purchase price of approximately $5.9 million. Accordingly, the Company recognized the excess of the fair value of the net assets over the purchase price of approximately $7.7 million as a gain on bargain purchase. The gain on bargain purchase of approximately $7.7 million was shown separately within income from operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The recorded amount was provisional and subject to change. The Company evaluated the purchase price allocation during 2012 including the opening fair value of inventory, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, property plant and equipment, accrued liabilities and deferred taxes which required the Company to adjust the recorded gain.
The following table summarizes the provisional amount recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the Closing Date. Since the acquisition, net adjustments of $0.9 million were made to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with a corresponding adjustment to the bargain purchase gain. A single estimate of fair value results from a complex series of judgments about future events and uncertainties and relies heavily on estimates and assumptions. The Company's judgments used to determine the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, can materially impact the Company's results of operations. The December 31, 2011 financial statement balances and disclosure impacted by these adjustments have been retrospectively adjusted. The adjustments were due to final valuation of property, plant and equipment, inventory and other liabilities. The following are the final fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the Acquisition date:
Under 805-10, acquisition related costs (i.e., advisory, legal, valuation and other professional fees) are not included as a component of consideration transferred, but are accounted for as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The Company incurred $0.6 million of acquisition related costs in 2011. Assuming this transaction had been made at the beginning of any period presented, the consolidated pro-forma results would not be materially different from reported results.
For the year ending December 31, 2012, Tenco's net revenue was $28.4 million and net income was $0.8 million. In the period between the Closing Date and December 31, 2011, Tenco generated approximately $7.0 million of net revenue and $0.2 million net income from operations. The Company has included the operating results of Tenco in its consolidated financial statements since the Closing Date.