ITEM 1. BUSINESS - ----------------
OVERVIEW
Metrotrans Corporation (the "Company") is a manufacturer and distributor of a range of shuttle, mid-size, and full-size touring buses designed for use primarily by image conscious commercial enterprises. The Company's principal products are its Classic(R) line of shuttle and mid-size touring buses, its Eurotrans(R) line of mid-size coaches that are moderately priced in comparison to full-size motor coaches, its Legacy LJ line of mid-size coaches which bridges between the Classic and Eurotrans lines, and a line of full-size Century motor coaches manufactured by Irizar S. Coop. in Spain but marketed and distributed by the Company in the United States. See "Products" below. The Company's products are targeted at distinct markets, including tour and charter companies, hotels, automobile rental companies, airport ground transportation companies, parking lot operators, medical and retirement facilities, intracity and rural transit operators, and churches. The Company's customers include ATE Management and Service Company, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ryder Systems, Inc.), Budget Rent-A-Car Corp., Alamo Rent-A-Car, Inc., Hyatt Hotels Corp., Life Care Centers of America, Marriott Hotels Inc., and Dollar Rent-A-Car.
The Company markets its products in the United States primarily through a number of Company operated sales centers located in 11 states and, to a lesser extent, through several independent dealers. The Company also markets its products internationally on a limited basis primarily from its headquarters in Griffin, Georgia. See "Sales and Marketing" below.
Since the introduction of the Classic in 1986, the Company has experienced continuous growth in its unit sales, revenues and earnings. The Company's growth has been enhanced by the introduction of the Eurotrans line in 1990, the Eurotrans XLT(TM) and the Classic II(TM) in late 1992, the Classic Commuter(TM) in late 1993 and the Legacy LJ in 1996. In late 1997, the Company announced two additional product lines the Anthem and the Irizar Century with deliveries scheduled to begin in mid 1998. See "Products" Below.
In order to sustain its growth and increase its manufacturing capacity, the Company moved its manufacturing and administrative offices to the current location in Griffin, Georgia during 1992. During 1997, the Company manufactured an average of approximately 20 Classics and Classic IIs, one to two Eurotrans and Eurotrans XLTs per week, and one to two Legacy LJs per week. The Company estimates existing capacity in its present facilities to manufacture up to 35 Classic and Classic IIs, 5 Eurotrans and Eurotrans XLTs per week, and 5 Legacy LJs per week while maintaining its current one shift operation. Substantially all of the buses and coaches manufactured by the Company are based on firm customer orders received in advance of production.
The Company was incorporated in 1982. During the period from 1982 until the introduction of the Classic in 1986, the Company marketed the Metrotrans, a mid- size bus designed by the Company but manufactured on a private label basis by a third party manufacturer, as well as another mid-size bus product manufactured by a large manufacturer of recreational vehicles.
The Company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, Bus Pro, Inc. ("Bus Pro"), in February 1997 for the purpose of operating its used coach division. Refurbishes and remarkets to various secondary markets used buses
received by the Company through trade-ins related to new bus sales and purchased under terminating lease agreements. In March 1996, the Company liquidated three wholly-owned subsidiaries - Spalding Molded Products, Inc., Eurotrans Corp., and Metrotrans Overseas, Inc. and consolidated the operations of those entities with the operations of the Company.
PRODUCTS
HISTORY. The Company originally marketed buses manufactured by third parties. These buses were designed and built based on recreational vehicle principles and standards using electrical and mechanical systems that overlapped and were dependent upon the chassis manufacturer's system. Additionally, the buses were equipped with light duty components designed for occasional recreational use. In 1984 and 1985, the Company designed a mid-size bus utilizing a "cutaway" cab chassis as well as electrical and mechanical engineering techniques that the Company believes had not been used in small and mid-size bus manufacturing. The Company began manufacturing its Classic line in 1986 based on its new designs.
DESIGN. During the Company's design process, the Company's design team emphasizes safety and quality over all other features. The Company's Classic and Legacy LJ designs include 16-gauge steel tubing welded into a roll cage completely surrounding the passenger seating area. In addition there is a roll cage constructed in the cab of the Classic over the driver's head. The floor of the Classic and Legacy LJ is constructed of 11 and 14-gauge steel cross-members and is gusseted full length on each side by 11-gauge steel tubing. The Company's Eurotrans product is built using similar engineering standards, including a 14- gauge steel roll cage surrounding the sides and top of the entire bus, modified to accommodate the larger size of the Eurotrans.
Despite the fact that there are few safety standards specific to the mid- size bus industry, the Company's Classic line is designed and has been tested to exceed the strict safety standards established for school buses. The Company has certified the crash-worthiness of its vehicles and components with Atlanta Testing & Engineering Inc., an independent testing laboratory. The Classic line has been certified to withstand 200% of the vehicle's weight on the roof and sides without catastrophic failure in a roll-over. Federal standards require that a school bus withstand 150% of the vehicle's weight in a roll-over test. The Company has met the requirements of the Ford Motor Home and Transit Bus Qualified Vehicle Modifier Program to attain "FM-Fully Meets" status. In addition, certain of the Company's products have been tested at the Alatoona Bus Testing Center in order to qualify the vehicles for government funded purchasing.
DESCRIPTION The Company manufactures and markets shuttle and mid-size touring buses and mid-size and full-size coaches that can accommodate varying numbers of passengers at prices ranging from $30,000 to $360,000. The interior configuration of the Company's buses may be custom designed to accommodate the needs of the specific customer. For example, car rental agencies typically require that the bus or coach contain large, open racks for luggage storage while medical and retirement facilities often require a configuration that will accommodate one or more wheelchairs and a paratransit lift and door.
Set forth below is information regarding each of the Company's current models.
THE CLASSIC LINE
The Classic. The Company introduced the Classic bus in 1986. The Classic was the Company's initial entry into mid-size bus manufacturing and continues to be the Company's leading seller. The Classic utilizes a dual rear wheel cutaway cab, engine, chassis and transmission manufactured by Ford Motor Company ("Ford") or General Motors Corporation ("GM"). During the period from the introduction of the Classic in 1986 to date, the Company made and continues to make modifications to the Classic in response to customer suggestions. For example, the Classic has been modified to include optional aircraft style positive closing interior overhead luggage compartments and a gull-wing type rear luggage and paratransit lift door which provides weather protection while open.
THE CLASSIC II. The Company introduced the Classic II in 1992. The Classic II utilizes a single rear wheel cutaway chassis manufactured by Ford or General Motors and is a smaller and less expensive alternative to the Classic seating up to 17 passengers. The Classic II is marketed primarily to parking lot operators, rental car agencies, churches and schools. The Classic II has virtually all of the standard features incorporated in the Classic and is available with similar options. The Classic II may be operated without a commercial operator's license.
THE CLASSIC COMMUTER. The Company introduced the Classic Commuter in late 1993. The Classic Commuter, like the Classic II, utilizes a single rear wheel Ford or General Motors cutaway chassis and can accommodate up to 17 passengers. The Classic Commuter is not as tall as the Classic II and is intended to provide an alternative to passenger vans by offering the interior comfort, styling and safety features of a mid-size bus, including a welded steel roll cage not available in passenger vans, at a price that is generally $5,000 to $8,000 higher than an average passenger van.
THE LEGACY LINE
THE LEGACY LJ. In 1995, the Company introduced the Legacy LJ, a down-sized rear engine coach accommodating up to 33 passengers and built on a Spartan Motors Inc. ("Spartan") chassis designed exclusively for the Company. A product that fills a gap between a cutaway chassis shuttle bus and a full-size motor coach, the Legacy LJ offers the image and reliability of a coach with the maneuverability of a shuttle bus featuring a 16 foot, 4 inch turning radius which allows operation in narrow streets or compact parking lots.
THE EUROTRANS LINE
THE EUROTRANS. The Company first introduced the Eurotrans in 1990. The Eurotrans seats up to 41 passengers and utilizes a rear mount turbo diesel engine manufactured by Cummins Engine Company, a four-speed automatic transmission manufactured by Allison Transmission Company and a chassis manufactured by Spartan. The Eurotrans superstructure is supported by a 14-gauge welded steel roll cage manufactured by the Company. The Eurotrans also utilizes a one-piece windshield which offers the driver and passengers the safety and convenience of unobstructed visibility.
THE EUROTRANS XLT. In late 1992, the Company introduced the Eurotrans XLT. The Eurotrans XLT features a raised platform chassis manufactured exclusively for the Company by Spartan allowing for full undercarriage luggage storage
similar to that found in full-size motorcoaches. The Eurotrans XLT seats up to 41 passengers and utilizes a more powerful Cummins turbo diesel engine than that used in the standard Eurotrans and a six-speed electronic transmission manufactured by Allison Transmission Company.
THE ANTHEM LINE
THE ANTHEM. The Company introduced the Anthem and began accepting orders in late 1997 and anticipates initial customer deliveries of production units in mid-1998. The 35', two-axle Anthem is the first bus manufactured by the Company with a semi-monoque integral construction and, accordingly, offers a substantial amount of undercarriage luggage storage. The Anthem seats up to 45 passengers and utilizes a Cummins C8.3 turbo diesel engine and an Allison B400 World transmission.
THE IRIZAR CENTURY LINE
THE IRIZAR CENTURY. The Company established a relationship with Irizar S.Coop. during 1997 whereby the Company, given its substantial distribution system and industry expertise in the United States, is marketing and providing after-sale support for certain full-size Irizar motorcoaches in North America. The bus bodies of these motorcoaches are manufactured in Spain by Irizar on chassis supplied by the Company from the United States. The Century motorcoach, produced in either 40' or 45' lengths and seating up to 56 passengers, has been in production by Irizar for several years for other markets and has received a number of Coach of the Year awards in Europe. The Company-supplied chassis presently in use has been jointly developed by the Company, Irizar and Spartan Motors and is manufactured by Spartan. The chassis utilizes American components, including either a Cummins M11 or Detroit Diesel Series 60 turbo diesel engine and an Allison B500 World transmission.
SALES AND MARKETING
The Company markets its buses and coaches primarily through a number of Company operated sales centers in the United States. The Company's direct sales force only markets the Company's product. The Company advertises in industry trade journals and showcases vehicles in industry trade shows. The Company also has implemented a direct mail program targeted at specific markets identified by the Company. The Company currently markets its products domestically through sales centers in or near the following cities:
Atlanta Georgia Chicago Illinois Cincinnati Ohio Dallas, Texas Denver, Colorado Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Los Angeles, California Nashville, Tennessee Orlando, Florida Philadelphia, Pennsylvania San Francisco, California Washington, D.C.
The Company currently utilizes approximately 25 full-time sales personnel operating out of the Company's sales and service centers. The Company's direct sales personnel are responsible for the performance of their respective sales centers and are compensated primarily on a commission basis. The commission earned on each sale is based on a percentage of the amount by which the actual sales price exceeds the "dealer" invoice price established by the Company. The Company also markets its products through several independent distributors located in Honolulu, Hawaii; Dallas, Oregon (Salem); San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Vancouver, British Columbia.
CUSTOMERS
The Company has a customer base comprised of companies in a number of different industries, including tour and charter companies, hotels, automobile rental companies, airport parking companies, medical and retirement facilities, limousine companies, intracity and rural transit companies, and churches. During 1997, the Company's customers included ATE Management and Service Company, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Ryder Systems, Inc.) which operates public transportation systems in a number of areas in the United States, Budget Rent-A- Car Corp., Alamo Rent-A-Car, Inc., Life Care Centers of America, Marriott Hotels Inc., Hyatt Hotels Corp., and Dollar Rent-A-Car Corp.
PRODUCT SUPPORT AND CUSTOMER SERVICE
The Company offers a free two-day service education program designed to teach the customer's mechanics and other service personnel about the mechanical and electrical systems used in the Company's buses and coaches. The Company also provides technical assistance on an as needed basis. The Company's buses and coaches are generally covered by a 13-month unlimited mileage warranty (excluding the chassis, engine, drivetrain, tires and certain other items that are covered by the manufacturer's standard warranty). The Company currently provides maintenance and service facilities at several of its sales centers and has approximately 40 authorized independent full-service centers. Additionally, the manufacturers of certain components of the Company's buses and coaches, including the chassis, engine and drivetrain, have service centers authorized to service their specific components in large population centers throughout the United States. Customers may choose to operate as an authorized service center (many fleet customers have these capabilities) and may recommend local facilities to become authorized service centers. In either case, the centers must be qualified and approved by the Company. All warranty repairs must be made at an authorized service center. The Company's customers may call the METROCARE toll free number to receive repair authorization and/or guidance on service and maintenance.
The Company has an administration agreement with Automobile Protection Corporation ("APCO") whereby the Company offers extended service contracts to its bus customers. APCO administers and adjusts claims by working directly with the customer and the repair facility chosen by the customer once the initial Company or chassis manufacturer warranty has expired.
MANUFACTURING AND PURCHASING
The Company is a vertically integrated manufacturer that constructs the body framing and coach work, molds its own plastic and fiberglass, constructs the cabinets and assembles certain of the electrical circuitry for each of its
buses and coaches. By manufacturing these items, the Company is able to maintain substantial control over product safety and quality, supply and scheduling. The vertical integration also allows the Company greater flexibility in its design and allows the customer to choose the design features and options that best meet the customer's needs. The Company also controls costs by purchasing most of its parts and supplies on an as needed basis and manufacturing substantially all of its buses based on firm customer orders. The Company purchases pre-assembled chassis, including engines, transmission drivetrain and axle assemblies, for use in its buses and coaches. By purchasing the chassis from third party suppliers, the Company is able to offer to its customers the warranty programs of the suppliers. The Company is a participant in the Ford Motor Home and Transit Bus Qualified Vehicle Modifier Program and has attained "FM-Fully Meets" status. Ford established this program to assist manufacturers, such as the Company, in complying with Ford's strict engineering guidelines. As a participant in the program, the Company is able to make certain modifications to the Ford chassis used in most of its Classic line of buses, including lengthening the chassis without affecting the standard warranty covering the chassis.
During 1997, substantially all of the Company's manufacturing of its buses and coaches was conducted in a 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Griffin, Georgia, using three production lines. The production capacity for each of the lines could increase further with the addition of more work shifts. The Company's manufacturing facility has primary assembly lines with designated areas for body manufacturing, electrical harness installation, interior installation and finishing. Sub-assemblies (electrical harness, cabinet making, seating, upholstery and coachwork) occur adjacent to the assembly lines allowing for sub-assembled components to feed the lines at an optimum location minimizing line time on each unit. The Company contracts with a third party for the exterior painting of its vehicles. Currently, it takes approximately ten days to build a Classic, Classic II or Classic Commuter and approximately 25 days to build a Eurotrans or Eurotrans XLT coach or a Legacy LJ bus.
The Company maintains a strict quality control program providing for a quality control inspection at each stage of the manufacturing process for each vehicle manufactured. Additionally, each vehicle undergoes a leak test, electrical testing, a complete systems test and two heating and cooling tests. Each vehicle also undergoes a complete road test by at least two inspectors so that problems can be identified and corrected prior to delivery of the vehicle to the customer.
The Company purchases raw materials, supplies, parts and subcomponents from approximately 600 vendors. The Company attempts to minimize its level of inventory by ordering most parts on an as needed basis. As a result, the Company does not maintain substantial inventories of any of its parts and supplies. All of the chassis utilized in the Classic, Classic II and Classic Commuter buses are purchased fully assembled from Ford or General Motors Corporation. All of the chassis utilized in the Eurotrans, Eurotrans XLT, and Legacy LJ coaches are manufactured for the Company by Spartan and are shipped to the Company with the engine and drivetrain in place. The chassis were designed in cooperation with the Company and are manufactured for the Company by Spartan. The Company believes that it has satisfactory relationships with these suppliers.
COMPANY WARRANTY
The Company provides a 13-month, unlimited mileage, limited warranty on all of its buses and coaches that covers all parts of the vehicle except the chassis, engine, drivetrain, tires and certain other items that are covered under separate warranties by their manufacturers. The Company also provides an extended service agreement for an additional price. The service agreement is administered by APCO. See "Product Support and Customer Service" for additional information.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Company is engaged in ongoing research and development devoted to enhancing its current product line as well as to the development of new products. The Company currently maintains an engineering department of approximately ten employees who continuously seek to improve upon the Company's products and to quickly respond to customer needs and comments. The Company also works closely with its strategic suppliers in the development process to maximize the economy and effectiveness of new products. The chassis for the Legacy LJ and the Irizar Century being sold in the United States was the result of joint development between the Company and Spartan.
The Company's research and development have been driven by pro-active relationships with its customers as well as its suppliers. The direct sales method of distribution provided by the Company's sales force gives management and engineering immediate feedback on product areas that need improvement and on opportunities for new products and design enhancements of existing products. The Company's contact with its customers resulted in the development of the original Classic in 1986, the Eurotrans in 1990, the Eurotrans XLT and the Classic II in late 1992, the Classic Commuter in late 1993, the Legacy LJ in 1996, and the Irizar Century in 1997.
USED VEHICLE SALES
Many of the Company's fleet customers and potential customers rotate their fleet every two to four years. These fleet rotations, as well as lease maturities, have resulted in the development of an active market for previously- owned buses and coaches. The Company constructed a new 24,000 square foot facility during 1996 situated along Interstate 75 in McDonough, Georgia for the purpose of expanding its capabilities in the used coach refurbishing and resale markets. In connection with fleet sales in its direct distribution territories, the Company accepts "trade-in" vehicles of its own and other brands. The "trade-in" vehicles may be sold by the Company "as is", typically at approximately 15% to 35% of original value after four years use with average maintenance, or refurbished at the Company's manufacturing facility and sold for a greater percentage of their original value. Based on its marketing experience, the Company believes its "trade-in" policy increases new bus and coach purchases by fleet customers. The Company's and Bus Pro's sales personnel sell the used buses and coaches primarily to churches, start-up tour and charter operators and wholesalers who resell the buses and coaches to a variety of end- users.
BACKLOG
The Company's customers typically place orders for the Classic line for delivery within six to twelve weeks after the order and orders for the Eurotrans line for delivery within two to six months after the order. Orders for the Legacy LJ have experienced longer lead times as the Company has been working to establish a smooth production flow for the new product. The lead time for Anthem orders is expected to be similar to that of the Eurotrans after completion of initial production units. Delivery of Irizar Century units are expected within three to six months after the order as a result of the overseas shipping time. As of December 31, 1997 and 1996, the Company's backlog of orders was approximately $25,500,000 and $22,000,000, respectively. At March 15, 1998, the Company's backlog of orders was approximately $26,000,000.
COMPETITION
The market for each of the Company's products is highly competitive. Competition in the markets for the Company's products is based on a number of factors, including product quality and reliability, safety, product features, driving performance, quality of product support and customer service, loyalty of customers and price.
The Company primarily competes with approximately ten competitors for sales of the Classic line and several competitors for sales of each of its Eurotrans, Legacy LJ, Anthem and Irizar Century lines. Some of the Company's competitors have greater financial resources than the Company. The Company believes that it must continue its research and development efforts to further enhance its products and to lower the cost of its products through manufacturing efficiencies and other cost saving measures in order to remain competitive. These efforts, together with the Company's continuing sales and marketing efforts, will be critical to the Company's future success. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain or improve its competitive position in the mid-size bus and coach market. The Company currently competes in the market for its shuttle and mid-size buses primarily with Eldorado National (a division of Thor Industries, Inc.) and with Champion Motorcoach which was acquired during 1997 by Thor Industries Inc. from Champion Industries, Inc. These competitors and some other existing and potential competitors are owned by substantially larger entities than the Company.
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
The manufacture and operation of passenger buses are subject to a variety of federal, state and local regulations, including the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA"), and safety standards for passenger vehicles and their components that have been promulgated by the Department of Transportation. These standards permit NHTSA to require a manufacturer to repair or recall vehicles with safety defects or vehicles that fail to conform to applicable safety standards. The Company's products meet or exceed all applicable vehicle safety regulations and standards imposed by NHTSA. Many states regulate the sale, transportation and marketing of passenger buses. Some states also legislate additional safety and construction standard for passenger buses.
In the future, governmental laws and regulations may be adopted that impose stricter safety, environmental or operational standards on the Company's products. The Company is committed to meet or exceed all current and future applicable regulatory requirements.
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
The names "Classic" and "Eurotrans" are registered trademarks of the Company. The Company also claims rights to a number of unregistered trademarks. Management believes, however, that the Company's competitive success will not depend on the ownership of intellectual property rights.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1997, the Company had 350 full-time employees. Of the Company's total employees, approximately 30 were in sales and marketing, approximately 10 were engaged in engineering activities, including research and development, approximately 275 were in manufacturing, and approximately 35 were in administration. The Company's employees are not represented by a collective bargaining agreement and the Company has never experienced a work stoppage. Management believes the Company's relationship with its employees is good.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES - ------------------
The Company's corporate headquarters and primary manufacturing, distribution and research and development facilities are located in approximately 113,000 square feet of leased space in Griffin, Georgia. The Company leases the facility from the Griffin-Spalding County Development Authority (the "Authority") which financed the purchase of the land and construction of the facility through the sale of tax exempt Industrial Revenue Bonds. The Company is obligated to purchase the land and facility from the Authority upon payment of nominal additional consideration upon the maturity of the Bonds in 2011. The Griffin facility is comprised of approximately 13,000 square feet of office space and approximately 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space. The Company's current manufacturing facility has the capacity to produce and provide inventory for approximately 50 buses and coaches per week.
The Company owns a 22,000 square foot facility located in Ellenwood, Georgia, in which the Company manufactures the fiberglass and plastic molded products used by the Company in its buses and coaches.
The Company constructed a 24,000 square foot facility during 1996 for its used coach subsidiary, BUS PRO, INC., in McDonough, Georgia, which is used for refurbishment and sale of used buses and coaches. The facility is comprised of approximately 21,000 square feet of shop area and 3,000 square feet of office space. The facility is bordered by a parking area capable of accommodating over 230 buses.
The Company's sales centers are located in leased facilities ranging in size from 300 to 3,600 square feet. The Company primarily leases these facilities under short-term leases. See "Item 1. Business - Sales and Marketing."
The Company believes that its current facilities are suitable for and adequate to support its present level of operations.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. - --------------------------
The Company from time to time is a party to legal proceedings arising out of and incidental to the operations of the Company. However, management does not anticipate that any of such proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operation. The Company may be subject to product liability claims arising from the use of its products. The Company maintains product liability insurance which it currently considers adequate.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS - ------------------------------------------------------------
No matter was submitted by the Company to a vote of security holders during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1997.
ITEM 4A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY - -------------------------------------------
Information relating to the directors and executive officers of the Company is set forth in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.
Set forth below is certain information as of December 31, 1997 regarding the executive officers of the Company.
D. MICHAEL WALDEN, age 47, has served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since its incorporation in 1982.
TERRI B. HOBBS, age 41, has served as Executive Vice President of the Company since July 1990. From 1987 until July 1990, Ms. Hobbs served as Director of Marketing for the Company and, from 1985 through 1987, Ms. Hobbs was engaged in sales and administration for the Company.
RICHARD M. BRUNO, age 45, joined the Company in May 1995 and has served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary since that time. From January 1994 to May 1995, Mr. Bruno was Treasurer of Mohawk Industries, Inc., a carpet manufacturing company. From October 1983 to January 1994, Mr. Bruno was with Engraph, Inc., a packaging manufacturing company, and served as its Treasurer for more than five years.
Set forth below is certain information as of December 31, 1997 regarding certain significant employees of the Company who are not executive officers.
THOMAS HOLLENBECK, age 49, has served as Vice President - Sales and Marketing since March 1997. From February 1991 to March 1997, Mr. Hollenbeck was associated with MJM International, Inc. which served as a sales representative of the Company for California and Hawaii. From 1988 to 1991, Mr. Hollenbeck was Senior Vice President of General Rent-a-Car of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a rental car company, and from 1975 to 1988 served as Vice President - Sales and Marketing of National Coach Corp., a shuttle bus manufacturer.
J. DOUGLAS DUNN, age 43, has served as Vice President Sales Administration of the Company since October 1997. Prior to that time and for more than five
years, he was owner and president of J.D. Dunn, Inc., dba Magnum Transportation, Inc., an independent distributor of buses for El Dorado National, a division of Thor Industries, Inc.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED - -------------------------------------------------------------- STOCKHOLDER MATTERS -------------------
The Company's Common Stock has been traded on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "MTRN" since the Company's initial public offering in June 1994. Prior to the initial public offering, there was no established trading market for the Company's Common Stock. The Company did not issue or sell any shares of its Common Stock that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. As of March 25, 1998, the number of stockholders of record of the Company's Common Stock was approximately 188. The following table sets forth, by fiscal quarter, the high and low closing sale prices of the Common Stock as reported by The Nasdaq National Market for the three years ended December 31, 1997.
The Company intends to retain all future earnings for the expansion and development of the Company's business and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Future dividend policy and the payment of dividends, if any, will be determined by the Company's Board of Directors in light of circumstances then existing including the Company's earnings, financial condition, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA - -------------------------------
The following selected financial data for and as of the end of each of the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, and 1993 are derived from the financial statements of the Company, which financial statements have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants. The selected financial data is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report. The financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1997, and the report of Arthur Andersen LLP thereon, are included elsewhere in Item 8 of this report.
____________
/(1)/ The Company elected S Corporation status effective January 1, 1989. On May 31, 1994, the Company converted its status to a C Corporation and, accordingly, from June 1, 1994 has been subject to federal and state income taxes. Net income prior to June 1, 1994, includes federal and state income taxes as if the Company had been a C Corporation, based on the effective tax rates that would have been in effect during the periods reported.
/(2)/ The weighted average number of shares outstanding prior to the third quarter of 1994 gives effect to the estimated number of shares of Common Stock that would be required to be sold (at the initial public offering price of $8.50 per share) to fund a $4.5 million S Corporation distribution to the S Corporation stockholders.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -------------------------
OVERVIEW
The Company was incorporated in 1982 for the purpose of designing, manufacturing and marketing shuttle and mid-size buses. During the period from its incorporation in 1982 to the introduction in 1986 of its initial manufactured product, the Classic, the Company focused its efforts on marketing buses manufactured by other companies. Since the introduction of the Classic, the Company has experienced significant growth in unit sales and revenues. The market for the Company's products is diverse and broad based. Set forth below are the principal markets identified by the Company together with the approximate number of units sold or leased in each market during the periods indicated.
The diversity of the customer base from which the Company derives its revenue has made the Company less vulnerable to economic downturns in a particular market. Additionally, several of the Company's larger customers typically rotate their fleets every two to four years which can result in significant orders to the Company during their respective purchasing cycles.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth selected financial information derived from the Company's income statements expressed as a percentage of net revenue for the periods indicated.
_______________
The following table sets forth total unit sales and average revenue per unit for 1997, 1996, and 1995.
(1) The Company first introduced the Legacy LJ in 1996.
1997 COMPARED TO 1996
NET REVENUE. Net revenue increased $2.7 million or 3.4% from $77.5 million in 1996 to $80.1 million in 1997. This increase results primarily from the net of increases of approximately $5.7 million in sales of Legacy LJ units and $2.9 million in Bus Pro sales offset by reductions of approximately $6.0 million in Classic sales and $1.3 million in Eurotrans sales. An increase in parts sales and extended service agreement revenue accounted for the remainder of the increase in net revenue. The Legacy LJ's first full year of sales was 1997. The decline in Classic sales was affected by production difficulties in the first quarter and by a lower backlog of orders over the third and fourth quarter. The order backlog for Classics was influenced by the Company's sales focus on new product introductions rather than by any overall change in the market demand for shuttle buses.
The 48.6% increase in net revenue from Bus Pro sales of used buses acquired by the Company from trade-ins and lease maturities, from $6.0 million in 1996 to $8.9 million in 1997, resulted from an increase in the used coach selling effort and the increased capability to perform refurbishment on used coaches available for sale. Order backlog for the Company at December 31, 1997 was $25 million, including $7.5 million in orders for the newly-introduced Irizar Century full- size motorcoach, compared with $22 million at December 31, 1996.
COST OF SALES AND GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit declined from $14.7 million in 1996 to $14.0 million in 1997. As a percentage of net revenue, gross profit declined from 18.9% of sales to 17.4%. The Company experienced uneven production flow and cost inefficiencies during the first quarter and throughout the latter portion of 1997. This uneven flow and cost inefficiency resulted in higher than normal materials use and more labor and overhead cost per unit than in the prior year.
The difficulties early in 1997 were a continuation of manufacturing issues that arose during the fourth quarter of 1996 and included the establishment of a new Legacy LJ production line, an attempt to produce a record volume of Eurotrans, and a reorganization of manufacturing management. Each of these factors had a disruptive effect on the output of the Classic production line. In the latter portion of 1997, output of Legacy LJ units was slowed when a planned conversion to a different drivetrain chassis was delayed due to late deliveries from the supplier and when a number of engineering redesign issues, such as a redesigned front cap, were implemented. Output of Classic units was negatively affected by the lower backlog of orders which resulted in shorter lead times for materials procurement. Isolated shortages of materials caused disruptions in production flow and resulted in higher than anticipated manufacturing costs.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES AND OPERATING INCOME. Operating income declined to $4.2 million from $6.2 million in 1996. As a percentage of net revenue, operating income declined from 8.0% in 1996 to 5.2% in 1997. Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were $9.8 million in 1997, up 15.9% from $8.5 million in 1996. As a percentage of net revenue, SG&A rose from 10.9% in 1996 to 12.2% in 1997. The increase in SG&A is attributable to a number of factors, including a number of senior management changes and additions during 1997 resulting in an increase in compensation expense, relocation and other employment-related costs and higher legal expenses incurred in connection with legal matters.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Net interest expense increased from $736,000 in 1996 to $1.3 million in 1997 and resulted primarily from an increase of approximately $4 million in the average level of borrowing under the Company's bank credit
facility during 1997 over 1996 and from an approximate additional $200,000 in interest charges in 1997 over 1996 incurred under the Ford Motor Credit Corporation ("Ford Credit") pooled chassis agreement for chassis held on consignment beyond the 90-day interest-free period.
1996 COMPARED TO 1995
NET REVENUE. Net revenue increased $13.5 million or 21.0% from $64.0 million in 1995 to $77.5 million in 1996. This increase reflects an increase in the number of units sold and the sales of higher priced units. The number of units sold in the Classic line increased 13.5% to 1,192 in 1996 from 1,050 in 1995. Average revenue per Classic unit increased to $48,000 in 1996 from $47,000 in 1995. Unit sales of Eurotrans coaches increased 14.9% to 77 units in 1996 from 67 units in 1995 while average revenue per Eurotrans unit increased to $147,000 in 1996 from $134,000 in 1995. The Company began selling the Legacy LJ in 1996.
Net revenue from sales of used buses acquired by the Company from trade-ins and lease maturities increased $2.5 million or 71.6% to $6.0 million in 1996 from $3.5 million in 1995. The increase in sales of used buses resulted from an increase in the used coach selling effort and the increased capability to perform refurbishment on used coaches available for sale. The Company completed construction of a new facility for its used coach operation at yearend and has incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, BUS PRO, INC., to continue the expansion of its used coach activities. The Company's investment in the new facility is approximately $1.2 million.
COST OF SALES AND GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased 11.8% to $14.7 million in 1996 from $13.1 million in 1995. As a percentage of net revenue, gross profit declined from 20.5% in 1995 to 18.9% in 1996. The reduced gross margin was largely the result of factors affecting the fourth quarter of 1996 during which the gross margin of 15.5% was impacted primarily by a) lower margins on sales of Eurotrans units to transit customers in spite of record Eurotrans unit volume, b) inefficiencies in existing production lines causing increases in material, labor and plant overhead costs as well as reduced production volume of the Classic line and resulting from the significant unit volume increase in both the Eurotrans and Legacy LJ rear engine product lines as well as from engineering issues related to the newly-designed General Motors cutaway chassis models, and c) uneven production flow of the newly introduced Legacy LJ resulting from the need to resolve design issues in the custom chassis.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES AND OPERATING INCOME. Operating income increased to $6.2 million in 1996 from $5.7 million in 1995. Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were $8.5 million in 1996, an increase of 13.7% over $7.5 million in 1995. As a percentage of net revenue, SG&A improved to 10.9% in 1996 from 11.7% in 1995. The increase in SG&A resulted primarily from the increase in unit sales and net revenue.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Net interest expense increased 3.5% to $736,000 in 1996 from $711,000 in 1995. The relative consistency of interest expense from 1995 to 1996 is largely the result of average borrowings and interest rates remaining stable during the years.
FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
The following table presents certain unaudited quarterly results prepared by the Company on a basis consistent with its audited financial statements and includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that the Company considered necessary for a fair presentation of the data. Such quarterly results are not necessarily indicative of future results of operations. This information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
The Company historically has experienced significant fluctuations in its financial results from quarter to quarter due to factors such as availability of cutaway chassis, the mix of buses and coaches sold, the timing of orders and delivery dates, the purchasing cycles of certain large customers that typically rotate their fleets every two to four years and the state of the economy. Furthermore, because of the relatively high selling prices of buses and coaches such as those manufactured by the Company, a small variation in the number and mix of buses and coaches sold in any quarter can have a significant effect on sales and operating results for that quarter.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company has financed its operations primarily through cash flow from operations, bank borrowings and financing arrangements with Ford Motor Credit Corporation ("Ford Credit").
Net cash of $52,000 was used in operating activities during 1997. An increase in inventories of $2.7 million was primarily responsible for offsetting the funds provided by net income, depreciation and a decrease in accounts receivable of approximately $1.0 million. The inventory increase resulted largely from an increase in finished goods at December 31, 1997 comprised of a higher than normal level of customer-ordered units awaiting delivery and of a build-up of demonstrator units during 1997 needed in support of new product line sales of the Legacy LJ, Anthem and Irizar Century. The $1.0 million decline in accounts receivable is the result of normal volatility in the timing of shipments and customer payments at a period end. Capital expenditures of $1.6 million were primarily to purchase manufacturing equipment as well as a store location in Orlando, Florida and land for potential expansion at the Griffin facility. The capital expenditures and acquisition costs of Magnum Transportation of $449,000,
net of the continued decrease in investment in sales-type leases substantially accounted for the $2.0 million net cash used in investing activities. The Company continues to direct its customers to third-party financing programs that do not give rise to lease accounting and anticipates its investment in sales- type leases to continue to decline. Net cash provided by financing activities of $1.9 million resulted primarily from a net increase in credit facility borrowing of $2.7 million as the prior short-term line of credit was replaced in September 1997 with a multi-year facility classified as long-term debt.
Net cash of $939,000 was used in operating activities during 1996 with the increases in accounts receivable of $1.2 million and inventories of $5.1 million more than offsetting the funds provided by net income, depreciation and amortization. The increase in accounts receivable results primarily from the significant volume of bus shipments near the end of the year, including the increased activity of yearend sales by the used coach division. Capital expenditures of $1.9 million, most significant of which is the new facility developed for the used coach division's refurbishment and sales activities, were primarily responsible for the net cash used in investing activities of $1.2 million. The increased capital expenditures, however, were partially offset by the declining investment in sales-type leases as the Company has reduced the volume of sales via leases requiring capital lease treatment. Net cash provided by financing activities of $2.2 million came primarily from increased borrowings under the Company's line of credit of $3.1 million offset by repayments of long- term debt of $1.0 million.
Net cash provided by operations during 1995 was $600,000, reflecting in part, an increase in accounts receivable of over $4.6 million more than offsetting $4.0 million provided by net income, depreciation and amortization. The increase in accounts receivable was largely the result of the significant volume of bus shipments near the end of the year. Investing activities during the year used $164,000 and resulted from capital expenditures of $277,000 offset by sales-type lease investment activity, both of which were lower than in the prior year. Debt repayments and reductions in collateralized borrowings totalling $502,000 were partially funded by $891,000 of cash repayments from majority stockholders in connection with the Company's 1994 initial public offering.
During the third quarter of 1997, the Company entered into a new revolving credit facility with its primary bank. The $16 million, three-year unsecured credit facility provides interest rate pricing at reduced spreads over LIBOR that vary based on leverage. The credit facility is available for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 1997, the Company had $10,000,000 outstanding under this credit facility.
The Company has a pooled chassis agreement with Ford Credit pursuant to which Ford Credit maintains an inventory of Ford chassis at the Company's manufacturing facility in Griffin, Georgia. Ford Credit retains title to each chassis until the date the chassis enters the production line at which time the Company becomes obligated to purchase the chassis from Ford Credit. The time between delivery of the chassis at the Company's facility, and the time the chassis enters production is termed the consignment period. The Company is obligated to pay interest at the prime rate plus 1% charged on consigned chassis during any portion of the consignment period that extends beyond 90 days.
The Company believes that cash flow from operations and funds available under the Company's credit facilities are sufficient to meet the Company's funding needs for its present operations for fiscal 1998.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA - ----------------------------------------------------
METROTRANS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995 TOGETHER WITH
AUDITORS' REPORT
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Metrotrans Corporation and Subsidiaries:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of METROTRANS CORPORATION (a Georgia corporation) AND SUBSIDIARIES as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. 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 financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Metrotrans Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Atlanta, Georgia February 18, 1998
METROTRANS CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
ASSETS 1997 1996 ------- ------- CURRENT ASSETS: Cash $ 50 $ 22 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $77 and $282 in 1997 and 1996, respectively 9,151 10,109 Current portion of net investment in sales-type leases 877 810 Inventories 20,932 17,903 Prepaid expenses and other 1,333 784 ------- ------- Total current assets 32,343 29,628
PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, NET 6,922 5,447 NET INVESTMENT IN SALES-TYPE LEASES 405 1,098 INTANGIBLES 536 0 DEPOSITS AND OTHER 302 391 ------- ------- $40,508 $36,564 ======= =======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES: Short-term borrowings $ 0 $ 7,297 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 7,726 7,139 Current portion of long-term debt 1,087 1,132 Customer deposits 238 552 ------- ------- Total current liabilities 9,051 16,120 ------- ------- LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT PORTION 11,945 2,719 ------- ------- OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 300 0 ------- ------- DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 183 629 ------- ------- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 7)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Preferred stock, no par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized 0 0 Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 4,084,294 and 4,077,383 shares issued and outstanding in 1997 and 1996, respectively 41 41 Additional paid-in capital 10,577 10,466 Deferred compensation (210) (315) Retained earnings 8,621 6,904 ------- ------- 19,029 17,096 ------- ------- $40,508 $36,564 ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated balance sheets.
METROTRANS CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
1997 1996 1995 ------- ------- ------- NET REVENUE $80,132 $77,482 $64,027
COST OF SALES 66,153 62,814 50,914 ------- ------- ------- Gross profit 13,979 14,668 13,113
SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 9,823 8,477 7,458 ------- ------- ------- Operating income 4,156 6,191 5,655
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET 1,330 736 711 ------- ------- ------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 2,826 5,455 4,944
INCOME TAX PROVISION 1,109 2,136 1,914 ------- ------- ------- NET INCOME $ 1,717 $ 3,319 $ 3,030 ======= ======= ======= EARNINGS PER SHARE: Basic $ 0.43 $ 0.83 $ 0.76 ======= ======= ======= Diluted $ 0.42 $ 0.81 $ 0.76 ======= ======= ======= WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING: Basic 4,040 4,015 3,985 ======= ======= ======= Diluted 4,112 4,107 3,993 ======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
METROTRANS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
METROTRANS CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995
(In Thousands)
1997 1996 1995 ------- ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 1,717 $ 3,319 $ 3,030 ------- ------- ------- Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 708 575 944 Deferred taxes (446) 532 (307) Compensation under restricted stock award 105 105 105 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired business: Accounts receivable 958 (1,231) (4,635) Inventories (2,716) (5,132) 97 Other assets (460) (108) 37 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 500 1,053 1,057 Customer deposits (314) (52) 272 ------- ------- ------- Total adjustments (1,665) (4,258) (2,430) ------- ------- ------- Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities 52 (939) 600 ------- ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures (1,629) (1,908) (277) Purchase of Magnum Transportation (449) 0 0 Net (increase) decrease in property held for lease (504) (56) 9 Net decrease in investment in sales-type leases 626 728 104 ------- ------- ------- Net cash used in investing activities (1,956) (1,236) (164) ------- ------- ------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net (repayments) borrowings under line of credit (7,297) 3,128 (323) Proceeds from refinancing of debt 10,000 0 0 Net (decrease) increase in collateralized borrowings (45) 45 (985) Payments of long-term debt (774) (1,008) (85) Net proceeds from issuance of common stock 48 9 0 Cash repayments from majority stockholders 0 0 891 ------- ------- ------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 1,932 2,174 (502) ------- ------- ------- NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH 28 (1) (66)
CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 22 23 89 ------- ------- ------- CASH AT END OF YEAR $ 50 $ 22 $ 23 ======= ======= ======= CASH PAID FOR INTEREST $ 1,323 $ 749 $ 714 ======= ======= ======= CASH PAID FOR INCOME TAXES $ 515 $ 2,670 $ 2,206 ======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
METROTRANS CORPORATION
AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996, AND 1995
1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Metrotrans Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the "Company"). All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company manufactures and sells shuttle and midsize touring buses. The Company markets its products in the United States, primarily through Company operated sales centers. Additionally, the Company accepts trade-in vehicles of its own and other brands.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES PRESENTATION
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Revenue from bus sales is recognized upon shipment to the customer. Customer deposits for partial payment of vehicles are deferred and treated as current liabilities until the vehicles are shipped and recognized as revenue.
WARRANTIES
The Company offers a 13-month (unlimited mileage) limited warranty on all new vehicles and service plans that extend limited coverage for longer periods. The Company accrues a liability for its warranty coverage based on historical experience.
INVENTORIES
Chassis inventories are valued at cost. Units taken in trade are valued on a specific identification basis and do not exceed estimated realizable value. Inventories of conversion materials and supplies and work in process are valued at the lower of average cost or market on a first-in, first-out ("FIFO") basis.
Inventories as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 consist of the following (in thousands):
1997 1996 ------- ------- Chassis awaiting conversion $ 3,437 $ 3,044 Raw materials 4,549 4,482 Work in process 1,524 2,328 Finished goods 6,287 2,758 Used vehicles 5,135 5,291 ------- ------- $20,932 $17,903 ======= =======
PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the assets' estimated useful lives of 3 to 7 years, except for buildings, which have estimated useful lives of 30 years.
The detail of property, plant, and equipment as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 is as follows (in thousands):
1997 1996 ------- ------- Land $ 1,031 $ 693 Buildings 4,021 2,800 Property held for lease 3,070 2,565 Machinery and equipment 1,735 1,348 Furniture and fixtures 674 520 Construction in progress 506 935 ------- ------- 11,037 8,861 Less accumulated depreciation (4,115) (3,414) ------- ------- $ 6,922 $ 5,447 ======= =======
INTANGIBLES
Intangibles consist of goodwill and a noncompete agreement related to the Company's acquisition of Magnum Transportation. Goodwill is being amortized over 40 years. The noncompete agreement is being amortized over the life of the agreement of 10 years.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Accounts payable include book overdrafts created by outstanding checks. At December 31, 1997 and 1996, the book overdrafts totaled $382,000 and $969,000, respectively.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per Share," effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 1997. The Company has adopted the new guidelines for the calculation and presentation of earnings per share, and all prior periods have been restated. Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of
shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding and the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and unvested restricted stock. For years ending December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, outstanding options of 96,500, 15,000, and 0, respectively, have been excluded from diluted weighted average shares outstanding as the exercise price exceeded the average stock price and thus, their impact was antidilutive.
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the wide variety of customers and markets for which the Company's products are provided, as well as their dispersion across many different geographic areas. As a result, as of December 31, 1997, the Company does not consider itself to have any significant concentrations of credit risk.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The book values of cash, trade accounts receivable, and trade accounts payable approximate their fair values principally because of the short-term maturities of these instruments. The fair value of the Company's long-term debt is estimated based on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of similar terms and maturities. Under this method, the Company's fair value of long-term debt was not significantly different than the stated value as of December 31, 1997.
LONG-LIVED ASSETS
The Company periodically reviews the values assigned to long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangibles, to determine whether any impairments are other than temporary. Management believes that the long- lived assets in the accompanying balance sheets are appropriately valued.
3. PRODUCT LEASES The Company leases its products to customers under various arrangements, with the leases recorded as either operating or sales-type leases, depending on the terms of the lease.
For operating leases, rental revenue is recognized over the life of the lease, and the related equipment is depreciated over its estimated useful life. Net revenues recognized under operating leases during 1997, 1996, and 1995 were $330,000, $232,000, and $882,000, respectively. For sales-type leases, the discounted present value of lease revenues is recorded as sales, with related equipment cost (net of the discounted present value of any residual value) recorded as cost of sales. Financing income applicable to these leases is recognized over the life of the lease using the effective interest method. Net revenues recognized under sales-type leases during 1997, 1996, and 1995 were $1,479,000, $343,000, and $3,729,000, respectively.
The components of the investment in sales-type leases as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 are as follows (in thousands):
1997 1996 ------ ------ Total minimum lease payments receivable $1,335 $2,041 Less unearned income 53 133 ------ ------ Net investment 1,282 1,908 Less current portion 877 810 ------ ------ $ 405 $1,098 ====== ======
Minimum lease payments receivable as of December 31, 1997 are as follows:
Sales-Type Leases ---------- 1998 $ 896 1999 291 2000 93 2001 11 2002 and Thereafter 44 ------ $1,335 ------
4. LONG-TERM DEBT The Company's long-term debt as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 consists of the following (in thousands):
1997 1996 ------- ------ Revolving credit facility, payable September 2000; interest payable monthly at prime (8.5% at December 31, 1997) or LIBOR plus a margin of .75% to 1.25%, depending on the Company's leverage ratio, as defined (7.1% at December 31, 1997), unsecured $10,000 $ 0
Industrial development revenue ("IDR") bonds, payable through quarterly mandatory sinking fund redemption payments varying from $15 to $40 from June 1992 through 2011; interest payable monthly at variable rates, as defined in the agreement, secured by the real estate 1,620 1,700
Notes payable to leasing companies for property held for operating leases, collateralized by the leased equipment and customer lease payments receivable, payable in varying monthly installments, bearing interest at rates approximating 8% 0 98
Notes payable to leasing companies for products sold under sales-type leases, secured by the leased equipment and customer notes receivable, payable in varying monthly installments, bearing interest at rates approximating 8% through 1999 349 679
1997 1996 ------- ------ Notes payable to a leasing company for products sold under sales-type leases, secured by the leased equipment, payable at the end of each lease through 2000, including interest at various rates approximating 8% 933 1,239
Note payable to a bank, bearing interest at 7.5%, payable in monthly installments of $3 through March 1997, secured by property located in Ellenwood, Georgia 0 135
Note payable to a bank, bearing interest at prime plus 1% (9.5% at December 31, 1997), payable monthly, unpaid interest and principal due August 1998, secured by property located in Orlando, Florida 130 0 ------- ------ 13,032 3,851 Less amount due within one year 1,087 1,132 ------- ------ $11,945 $2,719 ======= ======
During September 1997, the Company restructured its revolving credit facility. The new facility provides for maximum borrowings of $16,000,000, of which $10,000,000 was outstanding at December 31, 1997 and $6,000,000 was available for future borrowings. The facility requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratio covenants, as defined.
The IDR bonds were issued in December 1991, with a face value of $2,000,000. The proceeds were used in 1991 and 1992 to fund the construction of a new manufacturing facility. The rate on the IDR bonds (average rate of 5.8% in 1997) may vary as frequently as every seven days to maintain a rate on the IDR bonds necessary to retain a market value approximating par value. At the Company's option, the interest rate on the IDR bonds can be fixed at the minimum rate necessary to retain a market value approximating par value.
Future maturities of long-term debt as of December 31, 1997 are as follows (in thousands):
1998 $ 1,087 1999 359 2000 10,174 2001 111 2002 and thereafter 1,301 ------- $13,032 =======
5. INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
1997 1996 1995 ------ ------ ------ Current taxes: Federal $1,509 $1,417 $1,987 State 199 187 234 Deferred (599) 532 (307) ------ ------ ------ $1,109 $2,136 $1,914 ====== ====== ======
The differences between the federal statutory income tax rate and the Company's effective tax rate were:
1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- Federal statutory rate 34.0% 34.0% 34.0% State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 4.5 4.5 4.0 Other, net 0.7 0.7 0.7 ---- ---- ---- 39.2% 39.2% 38.7% ==== ==== ====
Components of the net deferred tax asset (liability) as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 are as follows (in thousands):
1997 1996 ------ ------ Deferred tax liabilities: Revenue recognition $(443) $(596) Leasing activities 0 (106) ----- ----- Total deferred tax liabilities (443) (702) ----- ----- Deferred tax assets: Inventories 234 147 Leasing activities 260 0 Liabilities not currently deductible 406 292 Allowance for doubtful accounts 45 93 Other 0 73 ----- ----- Total deferred tax assets 945 605 ----- ----- Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ 502 $ (97) ===== =====
As of December 31, 1997 and 1996, current income taxes payable (receivable) amounted to $498,000 and $(448,000), respectively.
6. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During 1996 and 1995, the Company leased space from an entity that is controlled by the Company's majority stockholders. Lease costs during 1996 and 1995 were $7,000 and $12,700, respectively.
In November 1992, the Company and an affiliate of the Company's majority stockholders entered into a lease agreement with the affiliate which owned an airplane. The lease agreement provided that the Company lease the airplane on an as-needed basis at fair market hourly rental rates. Rental costs for use of the airplane were $363,000 and $447,000 in 1996 and 1995, respectively. All commitments by the Company in connection with this agreement were terminated in October 1996.
7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES SUPPLIERS
The Company has a supply agreement with a major motor vehicle chassis manufacturer. Under the agreement, the Company is shipped chassis on consignment and is obligated to pay interest at prime on consigned chassis during any portion of the consignment period which extends beyond 90 days. The consignment period is the period from delivery of the chassis to the date the chassis is placed in production by the Company. During the
consignment period, the vehicle manufacturer retains title to the chassis and has the right to redistribute the chassis to its other customers. Similarly, the Company has the right to return the chassis within the consignment period and must make full payment at the end of the consignment period if it desires to retain the chassis. At December 31, 1997, chassis on hand accounted for as consigned inventory was approximately $3,330,000. Interest paid on consigned chassis amounted to $531,000, $339,000, and $327,000 in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.
The Company currently purchases all of its chassis, including the engine and drivetrain, from three major suppliers. Although the Company believes other sources for these components are available, any significant interruption or delay in the supply of chassis from the three suppliers could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
LEASES
As discussed in Note 3, the Company enters into various leasing arrangements with customers and leasing companies. Certain leases contingently obligate the Company to indemnify the leasing company for any losses it incurs up to a specified amount on the lease in the event the lessee defaults. In addition, the Company enters into agreements with a financial institution whereby the Company guarantees varying amounts of customers' purchase debt obligations. The Company's obligation under these guarantees becomes effective in the case of default in payments by the customers or certain other defined conditions. When notified of a lessee default, the Company has the option of honoring its guarantee (which is generally less than the debt obligation) or purchasing the buses for the outstanding debt obligation.
During 1997, the Company purchased buses totaling $1,900,000 related to the above guarantees and in 1996 and 1995 purchased an insignificant amount of buses. Additionally, the Company expects to purchase in 1998 additional buses totaling $2,300,000 related to 1997 lessee defaults and litigation settlements. Purchases to date have been or are expected to be sold to third parties at amounts approximating the purchase price. As of December 31, 1997, the Company's aggregate potential liability under the above arrangements was $11,997,000. In the opinion of management, the Company's obligation under the above arrangements will not have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
The Company leases certain office space, equipment, and an airplane under operating leases. Future minimum lease payments under these agreements as of December 31, 1997 are as follows (in thousands):
1998 $ 700 1999 703 2000 594 2001 548 2002 492 Thereafter 1,447 ------ $4,484 ======
Rental expense for 1997, 1996, and 1995 totaled $710,000, $287,000, and $256,000, respectively.
LITIGATION
The Company is involved in certain legal matters primarily arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the Company's liability in any of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.
8. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY PREFERRED STOCK
The board of directors has authorized 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with no par value. The board of directors has the authority to issue these preferred shares and to fix dividends, voting and conversion rights, redemption provisions, liquidation preferences, and other rights and restrictions.
INCENTIVE STOCK PLANS
In March 1994, the Company adopted long-term incentive plans which allow the issuance of grants or awards of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, and restricted stock to employees and directors of the Company to acquire up to 601,500 shares of the Company's common stock. Options generally become exercisable over three to four years and expire ten years after the date of grant. At December 31, 1997, 209,625 shares were reserved for future grants under the incentive plans.
During 1997 and 1996, the Company issued 5,000 and 20,000, respectively, nonqualified stock options outside of the above incentive plans. The options were issued at fair market value at the date of grant and become exercisable over three to four years.
Stock option activity during each of the three years ended December 31, 1997 is summarized as follows:
Weighted Number Average of Exercise Shares Price -------- -------- Outstanding at December 31, 1994 10,000 $ 8.50 Granted 187,000 7.22 Exercised 0 0.00 Canceled 0 0.00 ------- Outstanding at December 31, 1995 197,000 7.28 Granted 141,000 13.46 Exercised 0 0.00 Canceled (16,000) 7.41 ------- Outstanding at December 31, 1996 322,000 10.33 Granted 147,000 10.05 Exercised (6,875) 6.89 Canceled (76,125) 10.87 ------- Outstanding at December 31, 1997 386,000 9.85 ======= Exercisable at December 31, 1997 104,375 8.74 =======
The weighted average remaining life of the options outstanding at December 31, 1997 was 8.6 years.
In February 1995, the Company awarded 50,000 shares of restricted stock under the plans to each of two employees. Each of these grants vests 2,500 shares upon grant, with the remaining 47,500 shares vesting 2,500 per quarter through 1999. Unearned compensation of $525,000 was charged on the date of the grant, which represented the market value on such date, and is being amortized to expense over the vesting period.
The Company accounts for the stock option plans under Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, which requires compensation costs to be recognized only when the option price differs from the market price at the grant date. FASB Statement No. 123 allows a company to follow APB Opinion No. 25 with additional disclosure that shows what the Company's net income and earnings per share would have been using the compensation model under FASB Statement No. 123.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following weighted average assumptions used for grants in each of the last three years:
1997 1996 1995 ------- ------- ------- Risk-free interest rate 5.8% 6.4% 6.4% Expected dividend yield 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Expected lives 6 years 6 years 6 years Expected volatility 51.0% 45.0% 45.0%
The total values of the options granted during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995 were computed as approximately $661,000, $808,000, and $563,000, respectively, which would be amortized over the vesting period of the options. If the Company had accounted for these plans in accordance with SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income and net income per share would have been reduced to the following pro forma amounts:
1997 1996 1995 ------- ------- ------- Net income: As reported $1,717 $3,319 $3,030 Pro forma 1,690 3,167 3,003 Basic earnings per share: As reported $ 0.43 $ 0.83 $ 0.76 Pro forma 0.42 0.79 0.75 Diluted earnings per share: As reported $ 0.42 $ 0.81 $ 0.76 Pro forma 0.41 0.77 0.75
9. ACQUISITION
In October 1997, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of J.D. Dunn, Inc. d/b/a Magnum Transportation for $427,000 in cash and $450,000 in seller obligations. The seller obligations are payable in three payments of $150,000. The first payment in January 1998 is payable in cash and has been included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying balance sheets. The second and third payments are payable in the
form of common stock in January 1999 and January 2000, respectively, and have been included in other noncurrent liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets.
Total consideration, including transaction costs of $22,000, was $899,000. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase. The excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets purchased of $536,000 was allocated to goodwill and a noncompete agreement.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND - ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE --------------------
Not Applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT - --------------------------------------------------------
Information relating to the directors of the Company, including directors who are executive officers of the Company is set forth in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.
Pursuant to Instruction 3 of Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K and General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, information relating to the executive officers of the Company who are not directors and certain other significant employees of the Company is set forth in Item 4A of this report under the caption "Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Company." Such information is incorporated herein by reference.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder require the Company's directors and executive officers and any persons who own more than 10% of the Company's Common Stock, as well as certain affiliates of such persons, to file initial reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Directors, executive officers and persons owning more than 10% of the Company's Common Stock are required by Securities and Exchange Commission regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports received by it and written representations that no other reports were required of those persons, the Company believes that during 1997, all filing requirements applicable to its directors and executive officers were complied with in a timely manner except that Forms 5 for each of D. Michael Walden, Terri B. Hobbs, Richard M. Bruno, and George W. Mathews, Jr. were not filed in a timely manner. The Company is not aware of any other persons other than directors and executive officers who own more than 10% of the Company's Common Stock.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION - --------------------------------
Information required by this item is set forth under the captions "Election of Directors - Director Compensation" and "Executive Compensation" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF MANAGEMENT - -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Information required by this item is set forth under the caption "Voting - Principal Stockholders" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS - --------------------------------------------------------
Information required by this item is set forth under the caption "Certain Transactions" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Documents Filed as Part of This Report
1. Financial Statements
The following financial statements of the Company and the related report of independent public accountants thereon are set forth in Item 8 of this Report.
Report of Independent Public Accountants Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Financial Statement Schedules
No financial statement schedules are required to be included in this report under the related instructions or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
3. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference in this report. Where such filing is made by incorporation by reference to a previously filed registration statement or report, such registration statement or report is identified in parentheses. The Company will furnish any exhibit upon request to Richard M. Bruno, Chief Financial Officer, 777 Greenbelt Parkway, Griffin, Georgia 30223. There is a charge of $.50 per page to cover expense for copying and mailing.
Exhibit Number Description - -------- -----------
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-76492).
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-76492).
10.1 (a) Authorized Converter Pool Agreement dated July 10, 1990 by and between the Company and Ford Motor Company with respect to chassis purchases. (Exhibit 10.1(a) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-76492).
(b) FMCC Pool Company Wholesale Finance Plan - Application for Wholesale Financing and Security Agreement, dated June 26, 1990, by and between the Company and Ford Motor Credit Company with respect to Ford chassis financing (Exhibit 10.1(b) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-76492).
(c) Intercreditor Agreement dated June 26, 1990, by and between the Company, Ford Motor Credit Company and NationsBank of Georgia, N.A. (formerly known as The Citizens and Southern National Bank) ("NationsBank"), granting to FMCC a first priority lien on Ford chassis with respect to Ford chassis financing (Exhibit 10.1(c) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-76492).
10.2 (a) Loan Agreement between Metrotrans Corporation and NationsBank, N.A. dated September 5, 1997 (Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended September 28.1997).
10.3 (a) Indenture of Trust dated as of December 1, 1991, between the Griffin-Spalding County Development Authority (the "Authority") and the First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee, with respect to the bond financing on the Company's manufacturing facility (Exhibit 10.5(a) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-76492).
(b) Lease Agreement dated December 1, 1991, between the Authority and EMS Properties, Inc., with respect to the Company's manufacturing facility (Exhibit 10.5(b) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-76492).
(c) Assignment and Assumption of Lease dated as of January 1, 1994, by and between EMS Properties, Inc. and the Company with respect to the assignment of EMS Properties' leasehold interest to the Company (Exhibit 10.5(c) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-76492).
(d) Remarketing Agreement dated as of December 1, 1991, among the Authority, EMS Properties, Inc. and NationsBank, as Remarketing Agent, with respect to the industrial revenue bonds (Exhibit 10.5(d) to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-76492).
10.4** Employment Agreement dated March 15, 1994 between D. Michael Walden and the Company (Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-76492).
10.5 1994 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-76492).
10.6 1994 Directors Stock Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-76492).
10.7 Aircraft Lease Agreement dated December 20, 1996, between General Electric Credit Corporation and the Company (Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1994.
11* Computation of Earnings Per Share.
21* Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23* Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
27* Financial Data Schedule.
_______________ * Filed herewith ** The indicated exhibit is a management contract or compensatory plan.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
No reports on Form 8-K have been filed by the Registrant during the quarter ended December 31, 1997.
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.
METROTRANS CORPORATION (Registrant)
By /s/ D. Michael Walden ------------------------------------------ D. Michael Walden Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 30, 1998 ---------------------------------------
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 30, 1998.
/s/ D. Michael Walden Chairman of the Board, - -------------------------- President and Chief Executive D. Michael Walden Officer
/s/ Patrick L. Flinn Director - -------------------------- Patrick L. Flinn
/s/ George W. Mathews, Jr. Director - -------------------------- George W. Mathews, Jr.
/s/ M. Earl Meck Director - -------------------------- M. Earl Meck
/s/ William C. Pitt III Director - -------------------------- William C. Pitt III
/s/ Randy B. Stanley Director - -------------------------- Randy B. Stanley
/s/ Richard M. Bruno Chief Financial Officer, - -------------------------- Vice President, Treasurer, Richard M. Bruno and Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)