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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-11862
INTERPOOL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in the charter)
DELAWARE 13-3467669
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
211 COLLEGE ROAD EAST, PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY 08540
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
(609) 452-8900
(Registrant's telephone number including area code)
---------------------
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
Name of Each Exchange
Title of Each Class on which Registered
------------------- -------------------
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.001 NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
NONE
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that
the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [_]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates
of the registrant was approximately $135,195,629.50 as of March 20, 1998.
At March 20, 1998, there were 27,551,728 shares of the registrant's
Common Stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting
of Shareholders to be held on May 27, 1998 are incorporated by reference into
Part III of the Form 10-K.
INTERPOOL, INC.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item Page
PART I
1. Business................................................... 3
2. Properties................................................. 10
3. Legal Proceedings.......................................... 10
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders........ 10
PART II
5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity
and Related Shareholder Matters...................... 11
6. Selected Financial Data.................................... 11
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations..................... 13
7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk. 20
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data................ 21
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure................. 40
PART III
10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant......... 41
11. Executive Compensation..................................... 41
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management................................... 41
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions............. 41
PART IV
14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and
Reports on Form 8-K.................................... 42
Signatures................................................. 47
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Interpool, Inc. (the "Company" or "Interpool") is one of the world's
leading lessors of intermodal dry freight standard containers and is the
second largest lessor of intermodal container chassis in the United States. At
December 31, 1997, the Company's container fleet totalled approximately
426,000 twenty foot equivalent units ("TEUs"), the industry standard measure
of dimension for containers used in international trade, and its chassis fleet
totalled approximately 63,000 chassis. The Company leases its containers and
chassis to over 200 customers, including nearly all of the world's 20 largest
international container shipping lines.
The efficiencies and cost savings inherent in intermodal
transportation of containerized cargo have facilitated the dramatic growth of
international trade. Intermodal transportation permits movement of cargo in a
standard steel container by means of a combination of ship, rail and truck
without unpacking and repacking of the contents during transit. The Company
believes the world's dry freight standard container fleet has grown from fewer
than .4 million TEUs in 1970 to approximately 9.6 million TEUs by mid-1997.
During the twelve-month period ending in mid-1997 the Company estimates that
approximately 1.2 million TEUs were produced, of which .3 million have been
estimated to be replacements of older containers. Concurrently with this
growth of the world's container fleet, the domestic chassis fleet has grown to
accommodate the increased container traffic. Leasing companies have played a
significant role in the growth of intermodal transportation, supplying
approximately half of the world's container and chassis requirements.
The Company focuses on leasing dry freight standard containers and
container chassis on a long-term basis in order to achieve high utilization of
its equipment and stable and predictable earnings. From 1991 through 1994, the
combined utilization rate of the Company's container and chassis fleets
averaged at least 90%. At the end of 1995 and 1996 the combined utilization
rate of the Company's container and chassis fleets was approximately 97% and
at December 31, 1997 such rate was approximately 98%. Substantially all of the
Company's newly acquired equipment is leased on a long-term basis and, at
December 31, 1997, approximately 94% of its total equipment fleet was leased
on this basis. The remainder of the Company's equipment is leased under
short-term agreements to satisfy customers' peak or seasonal requirements,
generally at higher rates than under long-term leases. The Company
concentrates on standard dry cargo containers and chassis because such
equipment may be more readily remarketed upon expiration of a lease than
specialized equipment. In financing its equipment acquisitions, Interpool
generally seeks to meet debt service requirements from the leasing revenue
generated by its equipment.
The Company conducts its container and chassis leasing business
through its two subsidiaries, Interpool Limited and Trac Lease, Inc. ("Trac
Lease"), respectively. Certain other United States equipment leasing
activities are conducted through Interpool itself.
The Company and its predecessors have been involved in the leasing of
containers and chassis since 1968. The Company leases containers throughout
the world, with particular emphasis on the Pacific Rim. The Company leases
chassis to customers for use in the United States. The Company maintains
contact with its customers through a worldwide network of offices, agents and
sales representatives. The Company believes one of the key factors in its
ability to compete effectively has been the long-standing relationships
management has established with most of the world's large shipping lines. In
addition, Interpool relies on its strong credit rating and low financing costs
to maintain its competitive position.
From time to time the Company considers possible acquisitions of
complementary businesses and asset portfolios. The Company recently agreed to
establish a strategic alliance with another container leasing company whose
business complements that of the Company. In connection with this arrangement,
the Company has agreed to purchase a 50% equity interest in this entity from
one of its existing two owners and to provide financing to the entity to
enable it to repay certain equipment debt. These related transactions are
subject to various conditions and contingencies and there can be no assurance
that they will be consummated. If these transactions were to be consumated, the
entity involved would not be deemed a "significant subsidiary" of the Company
for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission's accounting
requirements.
COMPANY HISTORY
The Company is a Delaware corporation formed in February 1988. The
Company is the successor to a line of container and chassis leasing businesses
that traces its beginning to the 1960's.
Interpool Limited, a container and chassis leasing business, was
formed in 1968 by Warren L. Serenbetz, a director of the Company and executive
consultant until January 1995, Martin Tuchman, currently Chairman of the
Board, Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company, and two other
individuals. In 1978, Interpool Limited was sold to Thyssen-Bornemisza, N.V.
("Thyssen"). As part of Thyssen, Interpool Limited continued to be managed by
Messrs. Serenbetz and Tuchman. In 1986, Messrs. Serenbetz and Tuchman, along
with Mr. Raoul J. Witteveen and two other senior executives formed and became
the stockholders of Trac Lease. In 1988, the Company was formed by Messrs.
Serenbetz, Tuchman and Witteveen and acquired Interpool Limited from Thyssen
(the "Interpool Limited Acquisition"). In 1993, the Company acquired 87.5% of
Trac Lease (the "Trac Lease Acquisition"). In the first quarter of 1996
pursuant to an Agreement of Merger between Trac Lease and Trac Lease Merger
Corp., a newly formed subsidiary (the "Trac Merger"), the Company acquired the
minority interests in Trac Lease and as a result Trac Lease became a wholly
owned subsidiary.
INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION
The fundamental component of intermodal transportation is the
container. Containers provide a secure and cost-effective method of
transporting finished goods and component parts because they are generally
freely inter- changeable between different modes of transport, making it
possible to move cargo from a point of origin to a final destination without
the repeated unpacking and repacking of the goods required by traditional
shipping methods. The same container may be carried successively on a ship,
rail car and truck and across international borders with minimal customs
formalities. Containerization is more efficient, more economical and safer in
the transportation of cargo than "break bulk transport" in which the goods are
unpacked and repacked at various intermediate points enroute to their final
destination. By eliminating manual repacking operations when differing modes
of transportation are used, containerization reduces freight and labor costs.
In addition, automated handling of containers permits faster loading and
unloading and more efficient utilization of transportation equipment, thereby
reducing transit time. The protection provided by sealed containers also
reduces damage to goods and loss and theft of goods during shipment.
Containers may also be picked up, dropped off, stored and repaired at
independent common user depots located throughout the world.
The adoption of uniform standards for containers in 1968 by the
International Standards Organization (the "ISO") precipitated a rapid growth
of the container industry, as shipping companies recognized the advantages of
containerization over traditional break bulk transportation of cargo. This
growth resulted in substantial investments in containers, container ships,
port facilities, chassis, specialized rail cars and handling equipment.
Most containers are constructed of steel in accordance with
recommendations of the ISO. The basic container type is the general purpose
dry freight standard container (accounting for approximately 87% of the
world's container fleet), which measures 20 or 40 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8
1/2 or 9 1/2 feet high. In general, 20-foot containers are used to carry
heavy, dense cargo loads (such as industrial parts and certain food products)
and in areas where transport facilities are less developed, while 40-foot
containers are used for lighter weight finished goods (such as apparel,
electronic appliances and other consumer goods) in areas with better developed
transport facilities. Standards adopted by the International Convention for
Safe Containers and the Institute of International Container Lessors govern
the operation and maintenance of containers.
The demand for containers is influenced primarily by the volume of
international and domestic trade. In recent years, however, the rate of growth
in the container industry has exceeded that of world trade as a whole due to
several factors, including the existence of geographical trade imbalances, the
expansion of shipping lines, and changes in manufacturing practices, such as
growing reliance on "just-in-time" delivery methods and increased exports by
certain technologically advanced countries of component parts for assembly in
other countries and the subsequent re-importation of finished products.
4
When a container vessel arrives in port, each container is loaded
onto a chassis or rail car. A chassis is a rectangular, wheeled steel frame,
generally 20 or 40 feet in length, built specifically for the purpose of
transporting a container. Once mounted, the container and chassis are the
functional equivalent of a trailer. When mounted on a chassis, the container
may be trucked either to its final destination or to a railroad terminal for
loading onto a rail car. Similarly, a container shipped by rail may be
transferred to a chassis to travel over the road to its final destination. As
the use of containers has become a predominant factor in the intermodal
movement of cargo, the chassis has become a prerequisite for the domestic
segment of the journey. A chassis seldom travels permanently with a single
container, but instead serves as a transport vehicle for containers that are
loaded or unloaded at ports or railroad terminals. Because of differing
international road regulations and the lack of international standards for
chassis, chassis used in the United States are seldom used in other countries.
The Company's management believes that in recent years domestic
railroads and trucking lines have begun actively marketing intermodal use of
services for the domestic transportation of freight. In 1992, container
loadings represented, for the first time, a majority of total domestic rail
loadings of intermodal transportation equipment. Management further believes
that this trend should serve to accelerate the growth of intermodal
transportation, and hence result in increased container and chassis demand.
As a result of the advantages of intermodal containerization and the
increased globalization of the world economy, the use of containers for
domestic intermodal transportation has also grown over the last few years.
Greater use of containers on cargo ships led railroad and trucking companies
to develop the capacity to transport containers domestically by chassis and
rail car. In addition, shipping companies began soliciting domestic freight in
order to mitigate the cost of moving empty containers back to the port areas
for use again in international trade. The introduction in the mid-1980's of
the double stack railroad car, specially designed to carry containers stacked
one on top of another, accelerated the growth of domestic intermodal
transportation by reducing shipping costs still further. Due to these trends,
an increasing portion of domestic cargo is now being shipped by container
instead of by a conventional highway trailer. The Company has acquired over
11,000 units of equipment, including domestic trailers, domestic chassis and
domestic containers in order to increase its participation in the growing
domestic intermodal market.
THE LEASING MARKET AND THE COMPANY'S STRATEGY
BENEFITS OF LEASING
Leasing companies own approximately half of the world's container
fleet and half of the domestic chassis fleet, with the balance owned
predominantly by shipping lines. Leasing companies have maintained this market
position because container shipping lines receive both financial and
operational benefits by leasing a portion of their equipment. The principal
benefits to shipping lines of leasing are:
o to provide shipping lines with an alternative source of financing
in a traditionally capital-intensive industry;
o to enable shipping lines to expand their routes and market shares
at a relatively inexpensive cost without making a permanent commitment to
support their new structure;
o to enable shipping lines to benefit from leasing companies'
anticipatory buying and volume purchases, thereby offering them attractive
pricing and prompt delivery schedules;
o to enable shipping lines to accommodate seasonal and/or directional
trade route demand, thereby limiting their capital investment and storage
costs; and
o to enable shipping lines at all times to maintain the optimal mix
of equipment types in their fleets.
5
Because of these benefits, container shipping lines generally obtain
a significant portion of their container fleets from leasing companies, either
on short-term or long-term leases. Short-term leases provide a considerable
degree of operational flexibility in allowing a customer to pick up and drop
off containers at various locations worldwide at any time. However, customers
pay for this flexibility in the form of substantially higher lease rates for
short-term leases and drop-off charges for the privilege of returning
equipment to certain locations. Most short-term leases are "master leases,"
under which a customer reserves the right to lease a certain number of
containers as needed under a general agreement between the lessor and the
lessee. Long-term leases provide the lessee with advantageous pricing
structures, but usually contain an early termination provision allowing the
lessee to return equipment prior to expiration of the lease only upon payment
of an early termination fee. Since 1991, the Company has experienced minimal
early returns under its long-term leases, primarily because of the penalties
involved and because customers must return all containers covered by the
particular long-term lease being terminated, generally totalling several
hundred units, and bear substantial costs related to their repositioning and
repair. Frequently, a lessee will retain long-term leased equipment well
beyond the initial lease term. In these cases, long-term leases will be
renewed at the then prevailing market rate, either for additional one-year
periods or as part of a short-term agreement. In some cases, the customer has
the right to purchase the equipment at the end of a long-term lease. The
Company's long-term leases generally have five to eight year terms.
The Company often enters into long-term "direct finance" leases.
Under a direct finance lease, the customer owns the container at the
expiration of the lease term. Although customers pay a higher per diem rate
under a direct finance lease than under a long-term operating lease,
a direct finance lease enables the Company to provide customers with access to
financing on terms generally comparable to those available from financial
institutions which provide this type of financing. The percentage of the
Company's revenues provided by direct finance leases has increased from 11% in
1991 to 21% in 1997.
Shipping lines generally spread their business over a number of
leasing companies in order to avoid dependence on a single supplier.
Unlike the business of container leasing, which is global in scale,
the Company's chassis leasing business is almost exclusively a domestic
business. Many of the customers for the Company's chassis, however, are United
States subsidiaries or branches of international shipping lines.
COMPANY STRATEGY
The Company emphasizes long-term leases in order to minimize the
impact of economic cycles on the Company's revenues and to achieve high
utilization and stable and predictable earnings. The lower rate of turnover
provided by long-term leases enables the Company to concentrate on the
expansion of its asset base through the purchase and lease of new equipment,
rather than on the repeated re-marketing of its existing fleet.
The result of this strategy has been to establish the Company as one
of the world's leading lessors of dry freight standard containers. The Company
intends to continue its emphasis on acquiring and leasing dry freight standard
containers, rather than investing significantly in special purpose equipment
such as refrigerated or tank containers. Management believes that the Company
currently has one of the youngest container fleets of the world's ten largest
container lessors.
Trac Lease, with a fleet of approximately 63,000 chassis, is
currently the second largest chassis lessor in the United States, with the
largest lessor having a fleet approximating 100,000 chassis. The Company's
chassis leasing strategy includes an emphasis on long-term leasing of new or
re-manufactured chassis which allows the Company to offer equipment packages
to its customers at the most attractive cost to the Company.
In order to redeploy chassis that are coming off long-term leases,
the Company operates "chassis pools" for most of the major port authorities
and terminal operators on the Eastern seaboard and the Gulf coast. A chassis
pool is an inventory of chassis available for short-term leasing to customers
of the port or terminal. The principal ports in the United States where the
Company supplies chassis pools are Boston, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston,
Savannah and Houston.
6
Like most leasing companies, the Company depends on high utilization
of its equipment in order to run its operations profitably. Because the
Company has most of its container and chassis fleets under long-term leases,
the Company believes that it has generally experienced better utilization in
periods of weak demand than other leasing companies having a smaller
proportion of their fleets under long-term leases. From 1991 through 1994, the
annual utilization of the Company's container fleet and Trac Lease's chassis
fleet has averaged at least 90%. At the end of 1995 and 1996, the combined
utilization rate of the Company's container and chassis fleets was
approximately 97%. and at December 31, 1997 such rate was approximately 98%.
OPERATIONS
LEASE TERMS
Lease rentals are typically calculated on a per diem basis,
regardless of the term of the lease. The Company's leases generally provide
for monthly or quarterly billing and require payment by the lessee within 30
to 60 days after presentation of an invoice. Generally, the lessee is
responsible for payment of all taxes and other charges arising out of use of
the equipment and must carry specified amounts of insurance to cover physical
damage to and loss of equipment, as well as bodily injury and property damage
to third parties. In addition, the Company's leases usually require lessees to
repair any damage to the containers and chassis. Lessees are also required to
indemnify the Company against losses to the Company arising from accidents or
similar occurrences involving the leased equipment. The Company's leases
generally provide for pick-up, drop-off and other charges and set forth a list
of locations where lessees may pick up or return equipment. The Company's
long-term leases generally have five to eight year terms.
EQUIPMENT TRACKING AND BILLING
The Company uses a computer system with proprietary software for
equipment tracking and billing to provide a central operating data base
showing the Company's container and chassis leasing activities. The system
processes information received electronically from the Company's regional
offices. The system records the movement and status of each container and
chassis and links that information with the complex data comprising the
specific lease terms in order to generate billings to lessees. More than
15,000 movement transactions per month are routinely processed through the
system, which is capable of tracking revenue on the basis of individual
containers and chassis. The system also generates a wide range of management
reports containing information on all aspects of the Company's leasing
activities.
7
SOURCES OF SUPPLY
Because of the rising demand for containers and the availability of
relatively inexpensive labor in the Pacific Rim, approximately 70% of world
container production now occurs in China. Containers are also produced in
other countries, such as South Korea, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan,
Turkey, South Africa, and, to a lesser extent, in other parts of the world.
Most chassis used in the United States are manufactured domestically due to
the high cost of transportation to the United States of chassis manufactured
abroad. Manufacturers of chassis frequently produce over-the-road trailers as
well and can convert some production capability to chassis as needed.
Upon completion of manufacture, new containers and chassis are
inspected to insure that they conform to applicable standards of the ISO and
other international self-regulatory bodies.
MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS AND REFURBISHMENT
Maintenance for new containers and chassis has generally been minor
in nature. However, as containers and chassis age, the need for maintenance
increases, and they may eventually require extensive maintenance.
The Company's customers are generally responsible for maintenance and
repairs of equipment other than normal wear and tear. When normal wear and
tear to equipment is extensive, the equipment may have to be refurbished or
remanufactured. Refurbishing and remanufacturing involve substantial cost,
although chassis can be remanufactured for substantially less than the cost of
purchasing a new chassis. Because facilities for this purpose are not
available at all depots or branches, equipment requiring refurbishment or
remanufacture may have to be repositioned, at additional expense, to the
nearest suitable facility. Alternatively, the Company may elect to sell
equipment requiring refurbishment.
DEPOTS
The Company operates out of approximately 50 depots throughout the
world. Depots are facilities owned by third parties at which containers and
other items of transportation equipment are stored, maintained and repaired.
The Company retains independent agents at these depots to handle and inspect
equipment delivered to or returned by lessees, to store equipment that is not
leased and to handle maintenance and repairs of containers and chassis. Some
agents are paid a fixed monthly retainer to defray recurring operating
expenses and some are guaranteed a minimum level of commission income. In
addition, the Company generally reimburses its agents for incidental expenses.
REPOSITIONING AND RELATED EXPENSES
If lessees in large numbers return equipment to a location which has
a larger supply than demand, the Company may incur expenses in repositioning
the equipment to a better location. Such repositioning expenses generally
range between $50 and $500 per item of equipment, depending on geographic
location, distance and other factors, and may not be fully covered by the
drop-off charge collected from the lessee. In connection with necessary
repositioning, the Company may also incur storage costs, which generally range
between $.20 and $2.50 per TEU per day. In addition, the Company bears certain
operating expenses associated with its containers and chassis, such as the
costs of maintenance and repairs not performed by lessees, agent fees, depot
expenses for handling, inspection and storage and any insurance coverage in
excess of that maintained by lessee. The Company's insurance coverage provides
protection against various risks but generally excludes war-related and other
political risks.
DISPOSITION OF CONTAINERS AND CHASSIS AND RESIDUAL VALUES
From time to time, the Company sells equipment that was previously
leased. The decision whether to sell depends on the equipment's condition,
remaining useful life and suitability for continued leasing or for other uses,
as well as prevailing local market resale prices and an assessment of the
economic benefits of repairing and continuing to lease the equipment compared
to the benefits of selling. Containers are usually sold to shipping or
transportation companies for continued use in the intermodal transportation
industry or to secondary market buyers, such as wholesalers, depot operators,
mini storage operators, construction companies and others, for use as storage
sheds and similar structures. Because old chassis are more easily
remanufactured than old containers, chassis are less likely to be sold than
containers.
At the time of sale, the residual value of a container or chassis
will depend, among other factors, upon mechanical or economic obsolescence, as
well as its physical condition. While there have been no major technological
advances in the short history of containerization that have made active
equipment obsolete, several changes in standards have decreased the demand for
older equipment, such as the increase in the standard height of containers
from 8 feet to 8 1/2 feet in the early 1970's.
MARKETING AND CUSTOMERS
The Company leases its containers and chassis to over 200 shipping
and transportation companies throughout the world, including nearly all of the
world's 20 largest international container shipping lines. With a network of
offices and agents covering major ports in the United States, Europe and the
Far East, the Company has been able to supply containers in nearly all
locations requested by its customers. In 1997, the Company's top 25 customers
represented approximately 64% of its consolidated revenues, with no single
customer accounting for more than 7%.
The customers for the Company's chassis are a large number of
domestic companies, many of which are domestic subsidiaries or branches of
international shipping lines to which the Company also leases containers.
8
The Company maintains close relationships with a large customer base
on which detailed credit records are kept. The Company's credit policy sets
different maximum exposure limits for its customers. Credit criteria may
include, but are not limited to, customer trade route, country, social and
political climate, assessments of net worth, asset ownership, bank and trade
credit references, credit bureau reports, and operational history. Since 1990,
the Company's losses from defaults by customers have averaged less than 1% of
consolidated revenues.
The Company seeks to reduce credit risk by maintaining insurance
coverage against defaults and equipment losses. Although there can be no
assurance that such coverage will be available in the future, the Company
currently maintains contingent physical damage, recovery/repatriation and loss
of revenue insurance which provides coverage in the event of a customer's
default. The policy covers the cost of recovering the Company's equipment from
the customer, including repositioning costs, the cost of repairing the
equipment and the value of equipment which cannot be located or is
uneconomical to recover. It also covers a portion of the lease revenues the
Company may lose as a result of the customer's default (i.e., 180 days of
lease payments following default). The Company has the option to renew the
current policy for periods through December 2001, subject to premium
adjustment.
COMPETITION
There are many companies leasing intermodal transportation equipment
with which the Company competes. Some of the Company's competitors have
greater financial resources than the Company or are subsidiaries or divisions
of much larger companies. Management believes that the Company is currently
one of the world's largest dry freight standard container leasing companies
and the second largest container chassis leasing company in the United States.
In addition, the containerized shipping industry which the Company
services, competes with providers of alternative methods of transporting
goods, such as by air, truck and rail. The Company believes that in most
instances such alternative methods are not as cost-effective as shipping of
containerized cargo.
Because rental rates for containers and chassis are not subject to
regulation by any government authority but are determined principally by the
demand for and supply of equipment in each geographical area, price is one of
the principal methods by which the Company competes. In times of low demand
and excess supply, leasing companies tend to grant price concessions, such as
free days or pick-up credits, in order to keep their equipment on lease and to
avoid storage charges. The Company attempts to design lease packages tailored
to the requirements of individual customers and considers its long-term
relationships with customers to be important to its ability to compete
effectively. The Company also competes on the basis of its ability to deliver
equipment in a timely manner in accordance with customer requirements.
OTHER BUSINESS OPERATIONS
In addition to its container and chassis leasing operations through
Interpool Limited and Trac Lease, the Company also receives revenues from
other activities. The Company leases approximately 500 freight rail cars to
railroad companies through its Chicago based Railpool division. Microtech
Leasing Corporation, a 75.5% owned subsidiary of the Company, leases
microcomputers and related equipment. The Company also leases intermodal
trailers which are designed to be carried on rail flatcars and pulled by
tractor over the highway. The Company received, in the aggregate,
approximately 10% of its consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31,
1997 from these other business operations. These operations have been
consistently profitable since the Company's formation.
Grand Alliance Chassis Pool Contract
During 1997, Trac Lease was awarded a contract by the Grand Alliance
Chassis Pool, an association of four of the world's largest steamship lines,
to administer through the Company's proprietary "PoolStat" computer software
program the movement and utilization by the members of Grand Alliance of a
fleet of up to 42,000 marine shipping container chassis. The contract also
provides for Trac Lease to administer numerous locations throughout the United
States where the chassis are based. This arrangement will make Trac Lease one
of the largest administrators of chassis in the world.
9
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1997 the Company had approximately 120 employees,
approximately 100 of whom are based in the United States. None of the
Company's employees is covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The
Company believes its relations with its employees are good.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company does not own any real estate. All the Company's
commercial office space, aggregating approximately 29,000 square feet, is
leased. The Company's executive offices are located at 211 College Road East,
Princeton, New Jersey. The Company also leases office facilities in New York
City, Chicago, Portland, Barbados, Aberdeen, Antwerp, Basel, Hong Kong and
Singapore.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is engaged in various legal proceedings from time to time
incidental to the conduct of its business. In the opinion of management, the
Company is adequately insured against the claims relating to such proceedings,
and any ultimate liability arising out of such proceedings will not have a
material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of
the Company.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders through
solicitation of proxies during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997.
10
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
SHAREHOLDER MATTERS
The Common Stock of the Company is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol "IPX". The following table sets forth for the
periods indicated commencing on January 1, 1995, the high and low last
reported sale prices for the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange. All
share and per share data have been adjusted to reflect the 3-for-2 stock split
effected on March 27, 1997 and have been rounded to the nearest eighth.
HIGH LOW
---- ---
Calendar Year 1995
First Quarter................................. $13.625 $10.625
Second Quarter................................ 10.125 8.875
Third Quarter................................. 12.125 9.125
Fourth Quarter................................ 12.375 10.875
Calendar Year 1996
First Quarter................................. $12.125 $ 9.50
Second Quarter................................ 13.25 11.50
Third Quarter................................. 14.75 11.375
Fourth Quarter................................ 16.125 13.125
Calendar Year 1997
First Quarter................................. $16.75 $10.25
Second Quarter................................ 15.50 12.25
Third Quarter................................. 17.75 13.50
Fourth Quarter................................ 17.625 13.50
As of March 12, 1998 there were approximately 1,449 record holders of
Common Stock. On March 20, 1998 the last reported sale price of the Common Stock
on the New York Stock Exchange was $14.125 per share.
The Company paid a quarterly dividend in the amount of 3.75 cents per
share on its Common Stock in January, April, July and October 1997.
EQUITY FINANCING
On January 27, 1997, Interpool Capital Trust, a Delaware statutory
business trust (the "Trust"), sold an aggregate of $75 million in aggregate
liquidation amount of 9-7/8% Capital Securities (the "Capital Securities") for
a total sales price of $75 million in cash. Interpool owns all the common
securities of the Trust. The proceeds received by the Trust from the sale of
the Capital Securities were used by the Trust to acquire $75 million of 9-7/8%
Junior Subordinated Debentures due February 15, 2027 of Interpool. See
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition - Liquidity and
Capital Resources.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected historical and pro forma
consolidated financial data for the Company, for the periods and at the dates
indicated. The historical financial data for each of the five years in the
period ended December 31, 1997, and at December 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994,
and 1993, are derived from and qualified by reference to the historical
consolidated financial statements that have been audited and reported upon by
Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants. This information should
be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements
of the Company and the notes thereto.
11
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(1) (2) (3)
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues $161,425 $147,148 $127,925 $92,272 $79,526
Earnings before interest and taxes 86,474 81,481 70,752 46,170 35,116
Income before extraordinary gain/loss (4) $33,091 $34,196 $29,545 $24,102 $20,004
Income per share before
extraordinary gain/loss (4)(5):
Basic $1.17 $1.24 $1.09 $0.93 $0.86
Diluted $1.13 $1.16 $1.02 $0.87 N/A
Weighted average shares outstanding (5):
Basic 27,552 25,953 25,953 25,953 23,180
Diluted 29,370 31,438 30,533 30,293 N/A
Cash dividends declared per common share (5): $0.15 $0.13 $0.12 - -
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash, short-term investments and
marketable securities $ 42,976 $ 70,055 $ 70,661 $107,398 $124,574
Total assets 1,114,456 939,418 851,600 664,792 435,984
Debt and capital lease obligations 744,227 602,704 571,102 482,323 278,397
Stockholders' equity 250,446 280,546 246,690 156,147 133,454
(1) The 1997 income statement data excludes an extraordinary loss of $5,428,
net of the tax benefit, resulting from the retirement of debt.
(2) The 1996 income statement data includes non-recurring expense items
totaling $3,892. The Company recorded a $1,500 charge for the initial
public offering expenses of Interpool Limited which was withdrawn in the
fourth quarter; this charge has a $.06 net income per share effect on
basic basis and a $.05 net income per share effect on a diluted basis.
Also, a $2,392 charge was recorded for the accumulated dividends of the
Company's subsidiary, Trac Lease, Inc. which resulted from the acquisition
of the outstanding preferred stock of Trac Lease through the issuance of
Interpool, Inc. preferred stock. Such charge had no impact on net income
per share because unpaid dividends were included in the computation of net
income per share in prior periods.
(3) The 1995 income statement data excludes the extraordinary gain of $2,422
net of taxes resulting from the exchange of $67,436 of 5 1/4% Convertible
Exchangeable Subordinated Notes due 2018 for new 5 3/4% Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock.
(4) In connection with the initial public offering in May 1993, the Company
ceased to be a Subchapter "S" corporation for federal income tax purposes
and thereafter became subject to federal income taxes. The Company's
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1993 include a pro
forma provision for taxes as if the Company had been subject to federal
income taxes for such period.
(5) Restated to give effect of the three-for two stock split effective March
27, 1997. In 1997, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards Statement No. 128. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial
statements.
12
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of the Company's historical financial
condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the
historical consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and the
other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report.
Certain of the matters discussed herein and elsewhere in this Form
10-K may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and as such may involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of Interpool to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements.
GENERAL
The Company generates revenues through leasing transportation
equipment, primarily dry cargo containers and container chassis. Most of the
Company's revenues are derived from payments under operating leases and income
earned under finance leases, under which the lessee has the right to purchase
the equipment at the end of the lease term.
Revenue derived from an operating lease generally consists of the
total lease payment from the customer. In 1997, 1996 and 1995, revenues
derived from operating leases were $127.6 million (79% of revenues), $117.0
million (80% of revenues), and $107.5 million (84% of revenues), respectively.
Revenue derived from a direct finance lease consists only of income
recognized over the term of the lease using the effective interest method. The
principal component of the direct finance lease payment is reflected as a
reduction to the net investment in the direct finance lease. In 1997, 1996 and
1995, total payments from direct finance leases were $94.4 million, $81.1
million and $48.9 million, respectively. The revenue component of total lease
payments totalled $33.8 million (21% of revenues), $30.1 million (20% of
revenues) and $20.4 million (16% of revenues) in 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
The Company's mix of operating and direct finance leases is a
function of customer preference and demand and the Company's success in
meeting those customer requirements. During the initial two years of either an
operating lease or a direct finance lease, the contribution to the Company's
earnings before interest and taxes is very similar. In subsequent periods,
however, the operating lease will generally be more profitable than a direct
finance lease, primarily due to the return of principal inherent in a direct
finance lease. However, after the long-term portion (and any renewal) of an
operating lease expires, the operating lease will have redeployment costs and
related risks which are avoided under a direct finance lease.
The Company conducts business with shipping line customers throughout
the world and is thus subject to the risks of operating in disparate political
and economic conditions. Offsetting this risk is the worldwide nature of the
shipping business and the ability of the Company's shipping line customers to
shift their operations from areas of unfavorable political and/or economic
conditions to more promising areas. Substantially all of the Company's
revenues are billed and paid in U.S. dollars. In addition, the Company's
container purchases are paid for in U.S. dollars. The Company believes these
factors substantially mitigate foreign currency rate risks.
Certain of the shipping lines to which the Company leases containers
are entities domiciled in several Asian countries. In addition, many of the
Company's customers are substantially dependent upon shipments of goods
exported from Asia. Economic disruption, political instability or military
disturbances in these areas of the world could adversely affect the Company.
Although the Company has not experienced any material adverse impact on its
business as a result of the recent financial conditions in certain Asian
markets, there can be no assurance that financial turmoil in one or more of
the Asian markets would not adversely affect the Company's business.
13
The Company's container leasing operations are conducted through
Interpool Limited, a Barbados corporation. The Company's effective tax rate
benefits substantially from the application of an income tax convention,
pursuant to which the profits of Interpool Limited from container leasing
operations are exempt from federal taxation in the United States. Such profits
are subject to Barbados tax at rates which are significantly lower than the
applicable rates in the United States. See "--United States Federal Income
Tax." The Company's chassis leasing operations are conducted primarily through
Trac Lease. Certain other United States equipment leasing activities are
conducted through Interpool itself.
In March 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement No. 128 "Earnings per Share" which is effective for fiscal 1997.
This statement establishes accounting standards for computing and presenting
earnings per share (EPS). It replaces the presentation of primary EPS with a
presentation of basic EPS. It also requires dual presentation of basic EPS and
diluted EPS for companies with complex capital structures.
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, which establishes standards
for reporting comprehensive income and its components, and Statement No. 131,
Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, which
establishes revised reporting and disclosure requirements for operating
segments. The Company will adopt Statement Nos. 130 and 131 in the first
quarter of 1998 and year-end 1998, respectively. These Statements increase
disclosure only and will have no effect on the Company's financial position or
results of operations.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
REVENUES. The Company's consolidated revenues increased to $161.4
million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $147.1 million in the year
ended December 31, 1996, an increase of $14.3 million or 10%. Of this
increase, $6.5 million was attributable to increased container revenue
resulting from an increased container fleet size which by year-end had grown
by approximately 125,000 TEUs from the previous year. Chassis revenue also
increased by $5.2 million with the fleet increasing to 63,000 units from the
previous level of 57,000 and chassis utilization increasing to 96%. Also
contributing to the increased revenue was a $1.5 million successful legal
claim recovery.
Revenue from other business increased by $1.1 million in 1997
primarily due to increased micro computer leasing revenues of $1.6 million and
increased railcar leasing revenue of $.1 million. Partially offsetting the
increase in other business operations revenue was a reduction in intermodal
trailer leasing revenue of $.6 million.
LEASE OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. The Company's lease
operating and administrative expenses increased to $39.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 1997 from $30.7 million in the year ended December 31,
1996, an increase of $9.1 million. The increase was due to higher operating
expenses of $6.9 million resulting from expanded operations generating
increased maintenance and repair, positioning, commission, insurance and other
operating expenses. Also due to expanded operations and inflation, higher
administrative costs of $2.2 million were incurred. The increased expenses
were primarily incurred in the domestic intermodal division operations.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. The Company's depreciation and
amortization expenses increased to $35.6 million in the year ended December
31, 1997 from $32.0 million in the year ended December 31, 1996, an increase
of $3.6 million. The increase was due to expanded operating lease fleet size.
Partially offsetting the increase was the change in the estimated depreciable
lives and salvage value for chassis resulting in a reduction of expense of $.9
million.
GAIN (LOSS) ON SALE OF LEASING EQUIPMENT. The Company's gain on sale
of leasing equipment decreased to $.5 million in the year ended December 31,
1997 from $.9 million in the year ended December 31, 1996.
14
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET. The Company's net interest expense increased
to $48.9 million in the year ended December 31, 1997, from $39.5 million in
the year ended December 31, 1996, an increase of $9.4 million. The issuance of
capital securities increased interest expense by $6.8 million. Also during the
third quarter of 1997 the issuance of $225 million of unsecured notes
increased interest expense by $.9 million because of the excess of interest
expense over interest income until the proceeds were deployed. The remaining
increase was due to increased financings necessary to fund capital
expenditures.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. The Company's provision for income taxes
decreased to $4.5 million in the year ended December 31, 1997 from $7.8
million in the year ended December 31, 1996 due to a lower effective tax rate
resulting from lower taxable income in the domestic intermodal division
including higher deductible interest expense on new borrowings in 1997
mentioned previously.
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY LOSS. As a result of the factors
described above, the Company's income before extraordinary loss decreased to
$33.1 million in the year ended December 31, 1997 from $34.2 million in the
year ended December 31, 1996.
EXTRAORDINARY LOSS. The Company recorded extraordinary losses on the
retirement of debt of $5.4 million in the year ended December 31, 1997.
NET INCOME. As a result of the factors described above, the Company's
net income decreased to $27.7 million in the year ended December 31, 1997 from
$34.2 million in the year ended December 31, 1996.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
REVENUES. The Company's consolidated revenues increased to $147.1
million for the year ended December 31, 1996 from $127.9 million in the year
ended December 31, 1995, an increase of $19.2 million or 15%. Of this
increase, $16.4 million was attributable to increased container revenue
resulting from an increased container fleet size which by year-end had grown
by approximately 60,000 TEUs from the previous year. Chassis revenue also
increased by $2.4 million with the fleet increasing to 57,000 units from the
previous level of 54,000. Revenue from other business operations increased by
$.4 million in 1996 primarily due to increased intermodal trailer leasing
revenue of $.9 million and increased micro computer leasing revenue of $.2
million. Partially offsetting the increase in other business operations
revenue was a reduction in rail car leasing revenue of $.4 million and
decreased service fee income of $.3 million.
LEASE OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. The Company's lease
operating and administrative expenses increased to $30.7 million for the year
ended December 31, 1996 from $30.6 million in the year ended December 31,
1995, an increase of $.1 million. The increase was the result of increased
administrative expenses of $.6 million due primarily to inflation, offset by
lower lease operating expenses of $.5 million resulting primarily from lower
repair costs in the chassis operations.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. The Company's depreciation and
amortization expenses increased to $32.0 million in the year ended December
31, 1996 from $28.0 million in the year ended December 31, 1995, an increase
of $4.0 million. The increase is due to expanded operating lease fleet size.
GAIN ON SALE OF LEASING EQUIPMENT. The Company's gain on sale of
leasing equipment decreased to $.9 million in the year ended December 31, 1996
from $1.5 million in the year ended December 31, 1995.
INTEREST EXPENSE, NET. The Company's net interest expense increased
to $39.5 million in the year ended December 31, 1996 from $35.1 million in the
year ended December 31, 1995, an increase of $4.4 million. The issuance of
additional debt and lease financing necessary for capital expenditures
resulted in additional interest expense.
15
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. The Company's provision for income taxes
increased to $7.8 million in the year ended December 31, 1996 from $6.1
million in the year ended December 31, 1995, an increase of $1.7 million. This
increase was primarily due to higher pretax income in 1996.
NON-RECURRING CHARGES. In 1996, the Company recorded a non-recurring
charge of $2.4 million for accumulated dividends of its subsidiary, Trac
Lease, Inc. which resulted from the acquisition of the outstanding preferred
stock of Trac Lease, Inc. through the issuance of Interpool, Inc. preferred
stock. Also, the Company incurred a charge of $1.5 million for the expenses of
an initial public offering of its subsidiary, Interpool Limited, which was
withdrawn in the fourth quarter of 1996.
NET INCOME. As a result of the factors described above, the Company's
net income increased to $34.2 million in the year ended December 31, 1996 from
$32.0 million in the year ended December 31, 1995.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company uses funds from various sources to finance the
acquisition of equipment for lease to customers. The primary funding sources
are cash provided by operations and borrowings, generally from banks, the
issuance of capital lease obligations and the sale of the Company's debt
securities. In addition, the Company generates cash from the sale of equipment
being retired from the Company's fleet. In general, Interpool seeks to meet
debt service requirements from the leasing revenue generated by its equipment.
Since 1990, the Company has been steadily increasing its fleet of containers
and adding to its portfolio of finance leases. The Company generated cash flow
from operations of $134.9 million, $123.6 million, and $72.8 million in 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively. In 1997 net cash provided by financing activities
was $150.5 million resulting from the issuance of debt and capital securities
in excess of debt payments, debt retirements and dividends paid. In 1996 and
1995, net cash provided by financing activities was $21.7 million and $155.4
million, the result of the proceeds from the issuance of debt in excess of
debt repayment and dividends paid. The Company has purchased equipment costing
$263.8 million in 1997, $166.6 million in 1996 and $273.6 million in 1995. In
July and August 1997, The Company issued $225 million of ten year notes,
comprised of $150 million of 7.35% Notes due 2007 and $75 million of 7.20%
Notes due 2007. These Notes represent the Company's first issues of senior
unsecured debt. The net proceeds from these offerings were used to repay
secured indebtedness, the purchase equipment and for other investments.
On January 27, 1997, Interpool Capital Trust, a Delaware business
trust and special purpose entity (the "Trust"), issued 75,000 shares of 9-7/8%
Capital Securities with an aggregate liquidation preference of $75,000 (the
"Capital Securities") for proceeds of $75,000. Costs associated with the
transaction amounted to approximately $1,700 and were borne by the Company.
Interpool owns all the common securities of the Trust. The proceeds received
by the Trust from the sale of the Capital Securities were used by the Trust to
acquire $75,000 of 9-7/8% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures
due February 15, 2027 of the Company (the "Debentures"). The sole asset of the
Trust is $77,320 aggregate principal amount of the Debentures. The Capital
Securities represent preferred beneficial interests in the Trust's assets.
Distributions on the Capital Securities are cumulative and payable at the
annual rate of 9-7/8% of the liquidation amount, semi-annually in arrears and
commenced February 15, 1997. The Company has the option to defer payment of
distributions for an extension period of up to five years if it is in
compliance with the terms of the Capital Securities. Interest at 9-7/8% will
accrue on such deferred distributions throughout the extension period. The
Capital Securities will be subject to mandatory redemption upon repayment of
the Debentures to the Trust. The redemption price decreases from 104.975% of
the liquidation preference in 2007 to 100% in 2017 and thereafter. Under
certain limited circumstances, the Company may, at its option, prepay the
Debentures and redeem the Capital Securities prior to 2007 at a prepayment
price specified in the governing instruments. The obligations of the Company
under the Debentures, under the Indenture pursuant to which the Debentures
were issued, under certain guarantees and under certain back-up obligations,
in the aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company
of the obligations of the Trust under the Capital Securities.
The Company used $52.9 million of net proceeds from the sale of the
Debentures to the Trust to redeem 509,964 shares of the Company's 5 3/4%
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") on March 10,
1997 at a redemption price of 103.675% of the liquidation value.
16
On March 10, 1997 a total of 248,730 shares, or $24.9 million in
aggregate liquidation value, of the Company's 5 3/4% Cumulative Convertible
Preferred Stock (representing 32.78% of the outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock) were converted into a total of 1,596,446 shares of Common Stock.
Currently, there are no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.
On March 27, 1997 the Company effected a three-for-two stock split.
The Company has a $200.0 million revolving credit facility from a
group of commercial banks; on December 31, 1997, $85.0 million was
outstanding. The term of this facility extends until May 31, 1999 (unless the
lenders elect to renew the facility) at which time a maximum of 10% of the
amount then outstanding becomes due, with the remainder becoming payable in
equal monthly installments over a five year period. In addition, the Company
has operational lines of credit with banks of $84.0 million . As of December
31, 1997, $57.3 million was outstanding under these lines.
In July and August 1997, the Company issued $225 million of ten year
notes, comprised of $150 million of 7.35% Notes due 2007 and $75 million of
7.20% Notes due 2007. These Notes represent the Company's first issues of
senior unsecured debt. The net proceeds from these offerings were used to
repay secured indebtedness, to purchase equipment and for other investments.
At December 31, 1997, the Company had total debt outstanding of
$744.2 million. Subsequent to December 31, 1997, Interpool has continued to
incur and repay debt obligations in connection with financing its equipment
leasing activities. On February 24, 1998, the Company issued $100 million
principal amount of 6-5/8% Notes due 2003. The net proceeds were used to repay
borrowings under the revolving credit agreement and for other general
corporate purposes.
As of December 31, 1997, commitments for capital expenditures for
containers and chassis totalled approximately $45.0 million. The Company
expects to fund such capital expenditures from the Company's operations and
borrowings under its available credit facilities and new lease financings, as
well as from additional funds raised through the issuance of debt securities
in private and/or public markets.
The Company believes that cash generated by continuing operations,
together with existing short-term credit facilities, the issuance of debt
securities in the appropriate markets and the portion of the proceeds
remaining from recent debt security sales will be sufficient to finance the
Company's working capital needs for its existing business, planned capital
expenditures and expected debt repayments over the next twelve months. The
Company anticipates that long-term financing will continue to be available for
the purchase of equipment to expand its business in the future. In addition,
from time to time Interpool explores new sources of capital both at the parent
and subsidiary levels.
The following table sets forth certain historical cash flow
information for the three years ended December 31, 1997.
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
(dollars in millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities ............ $ 134.9 $ 123.6 $ 72.8
Proceeds from disposition of leasing equipment ....... 5.1 5.7 6.7
Acquisition of leasing equipment ..................... (105.9) (67.5) (167.9)
Investment in direct financing leases ................ (157.8) (99.1) (105.7)
Net proceeds of issuance of long-term debt and capital
lease obligations in excess of payment of long-term
debt and capital lease obligations ................... 139.0 31.6 156.2
The Company invests its available funds in financial instruments and on
occasion makes investments in other businesses.
From time to time, the Company may enter into discussions with third
parties regarding potential acqui- sitions or business combinations. If
additional capital were to be required for any such acquisition, there can be
no assurance that such additional capital would be available on terms
acceptable to the Company.
17
On January 27, 1998, the Company filed a shelf registration statement
with the Securities and Exchange Commission under which the Company may offer
from time to time up to $400 million aggregate principal amount of its debt
and/or equity securities. As of March 27, 1998, this registration statement
has not yet become effective.
The Company entered into a five year interest rate swap contract in
1996 with a notional amount of $80 million to convert variable rate debt into
fixed rate debt. The maturity of this contract coincides with the principal
and maturity of the underlying debt instruments hedged. The notional amount
was reduced for 1997 when a portion of the debt was retired. At December 31,
1997, the notional amount was approximately $51 million. Interest rate swap
contracts are intended to be an integral part of borrowing transactions and,
therefore are not recognized at fair value. Interest differentials paid or
received under these contracts are recognized as yield adjustments to the
effective yield of the underlying debt instruments hedged. Interest rate swap
contracts would only be recognized at fair value if the hedged relationship is
terminated. Gains or losses accumulated prior to termination of the
relationship would be amortized as a yield adjustment over the shorter of the
remaining life of the contract, or the remaining period to maturity of the
underlying debt instrument hedged. If the contract remained outstanding after
termination of the hedged relationship, subsequent changes in market value of
the contract would be recognized in earnings. The Company does not use
leveraged swaps and does not use leverage in any of its investment activities
that would put principal capital at risk.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX
Commencing with its year ended December 31, 1993, the Company has
been subject to federal and state income taxes as a Subchapter "C" corporation
under the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). The Company, Trac Lease, Inc.
and other United States subsidiaries file a consolidated United States federal
income tax return. This consolidated group is liable for federal income taxes
on its worldwide income.
PERSONAL HOLDING COMPANY ISSUES. If the Company or any of its
subsidiaries were classified as a personal holding company, such corporation's
undistributed personal holding company income would be subject to a federal
income tax of 39.6% in addition to its regular federal income tax liability.
The federal income tax laws have two requirements for classifying a company as
a personal holding company. The Company and its subsidiaries currently satisfy
the first requirement, the ownership of more than 50% of the value of the
Company's stock by five or fewer individuals. Whether or not the Company or
any of its subsidiaries satisfies the second requirement, that at least 60% of
such corporation's adjusted ordinary gross income constitutes personal holding
company income, will depend upon such corporation's income mix.
Based upon current management projections, Interpool will likely be
considered a personal holding company for federal income tax purposes in 1998
(and possibly in subsequent years). If Interpool or any of its subsidiaries
were to be classified as a personal holding company for federal income tax
purposes, in addition to its regular federal income tax liability, Interpool's
or such subsidiary's undistributed personal holding company income (generally,
taxable income with certain adjustments, including a deduction for federal
income taxes and dividends paid) would be subject to a personal holding
company tax of 39.6%. Management anticipates that in 1998 Interpool's current
level of dividends would be sufficient to avoid having any undistributed
personal holding company income, and thus does not anticipate that there will
be any personal holding company tax imposed in 1998. There can be no
assurance, however, that the Company will not at some point in the future
become liable for such personal holding company tax. Furthermore, the Company
may at some point in the future elect to increase the dividend rate on its
common stock in order to avoid such tax.
TRAC LEASE. Trac Lease has approximately $15.6 million of net
operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes, which may be
used only to offset the income of Trac Lease and, if not utilized, will expire
between 2005 and 2006. The use of substantially all these loss carryforwards
is subject to a number of limitations under federal tax laws.
INTERPOOL LIMITED. Under certain circumstances, the Company may be
liable for United States federal income taxes on earnings of Interpool Limited
and any other foreign subsidiaries of the Company, whether or not such
earnings are distributed to the Company. This would occur if Interpool Limited
realized "Subpart F income" as defined in the Code, if it were deemed to be a
foreign personal holding company or a passive foreign investment company, if
it were to have an increase in earnings invested in United States property.
18
Subpart F income includes foreign personal holding company income,
such as dividends, interest and rents. Although a substantial portion of
Interpool Limited's income consists of rents from container leasing
activities, the Company believes that such rents are not Subpart F income
because they are derived from the active conduct of a trade or business and
received from unrelated persons. However, Interpool Limited has received some
dividend and interest income in 1995 and 1996, which was taxed as Subpart F
income.
If Interpool Limited were treated as a foreign personal holding
company for any year, the Company would be taxed on the amount the Company
would have received if Interpool Limited had distributed all its income to the
Company as a dividend. One of the conditions for treating a foreign subsidiary
as a foreign personal holding company is that a minimum of 60% of the foreign
subsidiary's gross income must be foreign personal holding company income.
Foreign personal holding company income does not include rental income that
constitutes at least 50% of the subsidiary's gross income. Because the Company
expects that rental income will constitute at least 50% of Interpool Limited's
gross income, the Company does not anticipate that Interpool Limited will be
deemed a foreign personal holding company.
A foreign corporation such as Interpool Limited is a passive foreign
investment company if 75% or more of its gross income is foreign personal
holding company income or the average percentage of assets by value held by
such corporation during the taxable year which produce foreign personal
holding company income is at least 50%. The Company does not believe that
Interpool Limited is a passive foreign investment company. If Interpool
Limited were to become a passive foreign investment company, the Company would
make the election to treat Interpool Limited as a qualified electing fund with
the result that the Company would be taxed each year on Interpool Limited's
entire earnings.
A parent company is also subject to taxation when a foreign
subsidiary increases the amount of its earnings invested in United States
property during any calendar year. The Company does not expect that Interpool
Limited will invest any earnings in United States property.
The Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 added a new type of
shareholder income inclusion where a foreign subsidiary has its post-December
31, 1993 earnings invested in "excess passive assets." Because the Company
believes that more than 75% of the adjusted basis of Interpool Limited's
assets will constitute assets used in the active conduct of a trade or
business generating income from unrelated persons, rather than passive assets,
the Company does not expect that the provisions dealing with excess passive
assets will apply. The Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 repealed the
income inclusion for years after 1996.
UNITED STATES/BARBADOS INCOME TAX CONVENTION. Interpool Limited's
business is managed and controlled in Barbados; it also has a permanent
establishment in the United States. Under the Tax Convention, any profits of
Interpool Limited from leasing of containers used in international trade
generally are taxable only in Barbados and not in the United States. For its
taxable years commencing prior to January 1, 1994, Interpool Limited is
entitled to the benefits of the Tax Convention for each year that more than
50% of the shares of Interpool Limited are owned, directly or indirectly, by
United States citizens or residents (the "stock ownership test") and its
income is not used in substantial part, directly or indirectly, to meet
liabilities to persons who are not residents or citizens of the United States
(the "base erosion test"). The Company believes that Interpool Limited passes
both of these tests and should continue to be eligible for the benefits of the
Tax Convention, but there can be no assurance as to such continued
eligibility. If Interpool Limited ceased to be eligible for the benefits of
the Tax Convention, a substantial portion of its income would become subject
to the 35% United States federal income tax and the 30% branch profits tax.
A protocol to the Tax Convention has been ratified by the United
States and Barbados which amends the eligibility provision of the Tax
Convention, making the stock ownership test easier to satisfy and the base
erosion test more difficult to satisfy. The protocol became effective on
January 1, 1994 and applies to taxable years of Interpool Limited commencing
on or after that date. The Company believes that Interpool Limited will
continue to satisfy the base erosion test and remain eligible for the benefits
of the Tax Convention after 1993.
19
Neither the Tax Convention nor the protocol affords Interpool Limited
any relief from the personal holding company tax or the accumulated earnings
tax. To the extent that Interpool Limited has United States source income that
is personal holding company income or is not needed in its business, Interpool
Limited could be taxed on such income unless such income is distributed to the
Company as a dividend. The Company expects that Interpool Limited would
distribute any such income to the Company.
STATE AND LOCAL TAXES
INCOME TAXES. The Company and Trac Lease are liable for state and
local income taxes on their income, and Interpool Limited is liable for state
and local income taxes on its earnings attributable to operations in the
United States.
SALES TAX. To date, Interpool Limited and Trac Lease generally have
not paid sales taxes on their leasing revenues to the states in which they
conduct business because management has believed such revenues to be exempt
from state sales taxes on several grounds, including a long-standing
interpretation of the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution that
would prohibit the imposition of a tax on cargo containers and chassis used
primarily for transportation of goods in interstate commerce or international
trade. Recently, Itel Containers International Corp. ("Itel"), a container
leasing company, challenged an attempt by the State of Tennessee to collect
sales tax on Itel's proceeds from the leasing of containers delivered in
Tennessee. In a ruling by the United States Supreme Court in February 1993,
Itel's position was rejected and the Court upheld the right of Tennessee to
impose sales tax on leasing revenues from containers delivered in Tennessee.
The Company cannot predict the extent to which states other than Tennessee
will now attempt to collect sales tax on the Company's equipment leasing
revenues based on this Supreme Court decision. Under the terms of the
Company's equipment leases, the Company would be entitled to pass any such
sales tax on to its lessees.
INFLATION
Management believes that inflation has not had a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations. In the past, the effects of
inflation on administrative and operating expenses have been largely offset
through economies of scale achieved through expansion of the business.
YEAR 2000
Management is aware of the issues associated with the programming code
in existing computer systems as the millennium (year 2000) approaches. The
major issue is whether computer systems will properly recognize date sensitive
information when the year changes to 2000. Systems that do not properly
recognize such information could generate erroneous data or fail.
The Company is utilizing primarily internal resources to identify,
correct or reprogram, and test the systems for the year 2000 compliance. It is
anticipated that all reprogramming efforts will be complete by early 1999,
allowing adequate time for testing. Management has not yet fully assessed the
year 2000 compliance expense but does not believe the cost to be material to
the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
See Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.
20
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page No.
INTERPOOL, INC.
Report of Independent Public Accountants......................... 22
Consolidated Balance Sheets--At December 31, 1997 and 1996....... 23
Consolidated Statements of Income
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995....... 24
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995........ 25
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995........ 26
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements....................... 27
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Interpool, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Interpool,
Inc. (a Delaware 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 Interpool, Inc. 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
New York, New York
February 24, 1998
22
INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
ASSETS 1997 1996
---- ----
CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS ................................................ $ 30,402 $ 45,333
MARKETABLE SECURITIES .......................................................... 12,574 24,722
ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE, less allowance
of $3,633 and $2,506, respectively ........................................... 27,448 28,818
NET INVESTMENT IN DIRECT FINANCING LEASES ...................................... 363,366 264,955
OTHER RECEIVABLES, net including amounts from related parties of
$13,433 and $13,433, respectively ............................................ 35,744 14,721
LEASING EQUIPMENT, at cost ..................................................... 745,351 650,734
Less - Accumulated depreciation and amortization ............................. (136,989) (109,363)
----------- -----------
LEASING EQUIPMENT, net ......................................................... 608,362 541,371
----------- -----------
OTHER ASSETS ................................................................... 36,560 19,498
----------- -----------
TOTAL ASSETS ................................................................ $ 1,114,456 $ 939,418
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES, including $21,532 due
to a related party in 1996 ................................................... $ 26,139 $ 38,338
INCOME TAXES:
Current ...................................................................... 836 978
Deferred ..................................................................... 15,269 14,353
----------- -----------
16,105 15,331
----------- -----------
DEFERRED INCOME ................................................................ 2,030 1,970
DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, including $3,750 and
$5,007 due to a related party, respectively:
Due within one year ........................................................ 74,830 80,831
Due after one year ......................................................... 669,397 521,873
----------- -----------
744,227 602,704
----------- -----------
COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED
SECURITIES IN SUBSIDIARY GRANTOR TRUSTS (holding solely
junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures of the Company) (75,000
shares 97/8% Capital Securities outstanding, liquidation preference $75,000) 75,000 --
MINORITY INTEREST IN EQUITY OF SUBSIDIARIES .................................... 509 529
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, par value $.001 per share; 1,000,000 authorized, none issued
at December 31, 1997 ....................................................... -- --
5 1/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred stock, par value $.001 per share;
1,640 shares authorized at December 31, 1996, none issued .................. -- --
5 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share;
760,054 shares authorized, 758,694 outstanding, liquidation preference
$75,869 at December 31, 1996 ............................................... -- 1
Common stock, par value $.001 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized,
27,551,728 outstanding at December 31, 1997 and 25,953,945 at
December 31, 1996 ........................................................ 28 26
Additional paid-in capital ................................................... 124,046 170,172
Retained earnings ............................................................ 125,657 109,837
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities ................................. 715 510
----------- -----------
250,446 280,546
----------- -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY .................................. $ 1,114,456 $ 939,418
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these balance sheets.
23
INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
1997 1996 1995
--------- --------- ---------
REVENUES .............................................. $ 161,425 $ 147,148 $ 127,925
COST AND EXPENSES:
Lease operating expenses ............................ 25,259 18,361 18,857
Administrative expenses ............................. 14,573 12,370 11,773
Depreciation and amortization of leasing equipment .. 35,611 31,976 28,027
Gain on sale of leasing equipment ................... (492) (932) (1,484)
Interest expense .................................... 54,131 42,784 39,050
Interest income ..................................... (5,248) (3,299) (3,968)
Non-recurring charges ............................... -- 3,892 --
--------- --------- ---------
123,834 105,152 92,255
--------- --------- ---------
Income before provision for income taxes
and extraordinary gain/(loss) ................. 37,591 41,996 35,670
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES ............................ 4,500 7,800 6,125
--------- --------- ---------
Income before extraordinary items ............... 33,091 34,196 29,545
Extraordinary gain/(loss) on debt retirement,
net of applicable taxes of $(1,825), - and $1,683 (5,428) -- 2,422
--------- --------- ---------
Net income .................................. $27,663 $ 34,196 $ 31,967
========= ========= =========
INCOME PER SHARE BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEMS AND
PREMIUM PAID ON REDEMPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
Basic ........................................... $ 1.17 $ 1.24 $ 1.09
========= ========= =========
Diluted ......................................... $ 1.13 $ 1.16 $ 1.02
========= ========= =========
Extraordinary gain/(loss) per share:
Basic ............................................ $ (0.20) NA $ 0.09
========= ========= =========
Diluted .......................................... $ (0.18) NA $ 0.08
========= ========= =========
PREMIUM PAID ON REDEMPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
Basic ............................................ $ (0.24) NA NA
========= ========= =========
Diluted .......................................... $ (0.23) NA NA
========= ========= =========
NET INCOME PER SHARE:
Basic ............................................ $ 0.73 $ 1.24 $ 1.19
========= ========= =========
Diluted ........................................... $ 0.71 $ 1.16 $ 1.10
========= ========= =========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES
OUTSTANDING (in thousands)
Basic ........................................... 27,552 25,953 25,953
========= ========= =========
Diluted ......................................... 29,370 31,438 30,533
========= ========= =========
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
24
INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
(dollars and shares in thousands)
Preferred Stock Common Stock Net Unrealized
---------------------- --------------------- Additional Gain (Loss) on
Par Par Paid-in Retained Marketable
Shares Value Shares Value Capital Earnings Securities
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
BALANCE, January 1, 1995 ............. -- -- 25,953 $ 26 $ 102,222 $ 55,308 (1,409)
Net income ........................ -- -- -- -- -- 31,967 --
Change in net unrealized gain on
marketable securities .......... -- -- -- -- -- -- 1,479
Exchange of debt for preferred
stock .......................... 674 1 -- -- 61,029 -- --
Cash dividends declared:
Preferred stock ................ -- -- -- -- -- (819) --
Common stock ................... -- -- -- -- -- (3,114) --
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
BALANCE, December 31, 1995 ........... 674 $ 1 25,953 $ 26 $ 163,251 $ 83,342 $ 70
Net income ........................ -- -- -- -- -- 34,196 --
Change in net unrealized gain on
marketable securities .......... -- -- -- -- -- -- 440
Trac Lease minority interest
acquisition .................... 84 -- -- -- 6,892 -- --
Exchange of debt for preferred
stock .......................... 1 -- -- -- 29 -- --
Cash dividends declared:
Preferred stock ................ -- -- -- -- -- (4,241) --
Common stock ................... -- -- -- -- --
-- -- -- -- -- (3,460) --
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
BALANCE, December 31, 1996 ........... 759 $ 1 25,953 $ 26 $ 170,172 $ 109,837 $ 510
Net income ........................ -- -- -- -- -- 27,663 --
Change in net unrealized gain on
marketable securities .......... -- -- -- -- -- -- 205
Redemption of preferred stock ..... (510) (1) -- -- (46,154) (6,716) --
Conversion of preferred stock ..... (249) -- 1,597 2 (2) -- --
Conversion of subordinated notes . -- -- 2 -- 30 -- --
Cash dividends declared:
Preferred stock ................ -- -- -- -- -- (994) --
Common stock ................... -- -- -- -- -- (4,133) --
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
BALANCE, December 31, 1997 ........... 0 $ 0 27,552 $ 28 $ 124,046 $ 125,657 $ 715
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
25
INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
(dollars in thousands)
1997 1996 1995
--------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income .......................................................... $ 27,663 $ 34,196 $ 31,967
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities--
Extraordinary loss/(gain) on retirement of debt ................. 5,428 -- (2,422)
Cumulative dividend on preferred stock of subsidiary ............ -- 2,392 --
Depreciation and amortization ................................... 37,439 33,371 28,958
Gain on sale of leasing equipment ............................... (492) (932) (1,484)
Collections on net investment in direct
financing leases .............................................. 94,384 81,051 48,880
Income recognized on direct financing leases .................... (33,820) (30,143) (20,366)
Provision for uncollectible accounts ............................ 1,972 1,126 819
Changes in assets and liabilities--
Accounts and notes receivable ................................. (137) (4,159) (6,141)
Other assets .................................................. (9,159) (976) (9,656)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses ......................... 9,054 533 (942)
Income taxes payable .......................................... 2,571 5,144 3,367
Other ......................................................... (9) 2,012 (198)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities ....................... 134,894 123,615 72,782
--------- --------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisition of leasing equipment .................................... (105,905) (67,538) (167,885)
Proceeds from dispositions of leasing equipment ..................... 5,115 5,674 6,742
Investment in loan receivable ....................................... (21,514) -- --
Investment in direct financing leases ............................... (157,845) (99,064) (105,758)
Changes in marketable securities and other investing activities ..... (20,204) 20,758 9,819
Net cash used for investing activities ............................. (300,353) (140,170) (257,082)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt ............................ 389,042 122,123 199,365
Payment of long-term debt and capital lease obligations ............. (253,985) (90,493) (43,150)
Proceeds from issuance of capital securities ........................ 73,300 -- --
Redemption of preferred stock ....................................... (52,871) -- --
Dividends paid ...................................................... (4,958) (9,950) (819)
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities ................ 150,528 21,680 155,396
--------- ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and short-term investments (14,931) 5,125 (28,904)
CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS, beginning of year .................... 45,333 40,208 69,112
--------- --------- ---------
CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS, end of year .......................... $ 30,402 $ 45,333 $ 40,208
========= ========= =========
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities:
Exchange of 5 1/4% Convertible Exchangeable Subordinated Notes for
5 3/4Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock ..................... -- -- $ 67,436
Acquisition of subsidiary common and preferred stock in exchange
for Company's 5 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock ..... -- $ 6,892 --
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements.
26
INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(1) NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
The nature of operations and the significant accounting policies used by
Interpool, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company" or "Interpool") in the
preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements are
summarized below. The Company's accounting records are maintained in United
States dollars and the consolidated financial statements are prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
NATURE OF OPERATIONS--
The Company and its subsidiaries conduct business principally in a single
industry segment, the leasing of intermodal dry freight standard containers,
chassis and other transportation related equipment. The Company leases its
containers principally to international container shipping lines located
throughout the world. The customers for the Company's chassis are a large
number of domestic companies, many of which are domestic subsidiaries or
branches of international shipping lines. Equipment is purchased directly or
acquired through conditional sales contracts and lease agreements, many of
which qualify as capital leases.
BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION--
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
subsidiaries more than 50% owned. All significant intercompany transactions
have been eliminated. Minority interest in equity of subsidiaries represents
the minority stockholders' proportionate share of the equity in the income of
the subsidiaries.
In connection with acquisitions in 1988 and 1993, the excess of fair value of
assets acquired over the acquisition cost was allocated proportionately to
certain assets to reduce the value assigned to those assets. For accounting
purposes this allocation has only been recorded in the consolidation of the
Company and its subsidiaries.
TRANSLATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES--
The Company considers the U. S. dollar its functional currency and therefore,
translates foreign currency statements using an average exchange rate for
revenue and expense accounts and the rate of exchange in effect at the balance
sheet date for assets and liabilities. Substantially all transactions are U.S.
dollar denominated.
REVENUES--
Equipment leasing revenues include revenue from operating leases and income on
direct financing leases, which is recognized over the term of the lease using
the effective interest method.
LEASING EQUIPMENT--
As of December 31, 1997, in excess of 98% of leasing equipment is on lease to
customers. The net value of equipment available for hire is not material.
Depreciation and amortization of leasing equipment (both equipment currently
on-lease to customers and available for hire) are provided under the
straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives:
Dry freight standard containers.....................12 1/2 to 15 years
Chassis.............................................15 years
Other...............................................3 to 25 years
27
Effective July 1, 1997, the Company revised its estimate of the depreciation
life of chassis from 20 years to 15 years and also changed the estimated
salvage value of these chassis from one thousand two hundred dollars per unit
to two thousand six hundred dollars per unit. The effect of this change was to
decrease depreciation expense by $853 for the six months ended December 31,
1997.
Gains or losses resulting from the disposition of leasing equipment are
recorded in the year of disposition.
The residual value of leasing equipment is estimated based on the projections
for the economic value and market value of intermodal equipment as well as the
Company's experience in leasing and selling similarly aged equipment. Such
projected values are reviewed and updated when market and/or economic
conditions change. The Company continually reviews leasing equipment and other
long lived assets to evaluate whether changes have occurred that would suggest
these assets may be impaired based on the estimated cash flows of the assets
over the remaining amortization period. If this review indicates that the
remaining estimated useful life requires revision or that the asset is not
recoverable, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its fair value.
During 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 121 - "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." SFAS No. 121 did not have any impact on
the Company's financial statements.
MARKETABLE SECURITIES--
Management has determined that all securities are to be held for an indefinite
period of time and classified as securities available-for-sale carried at
market value. Unrealized holding gains and losses for available-for-sale
securities are credited (charged) to a component of stockholders' equity net
of related income taxes. Management determines the appropriate classifications
of securities at the time of purchase and reassesses the appropriateness of
the classification at each reporting date.
Premium and discount on securities are included in interest income over the
period from acquisition to maturity using the level-yield method. The specific
identification method is used to record gains and losses on security
transactions.
Sales of available-for-sale securities for the twelve months ended December
31, 1997 and 1996 resulted in proceeds of $26,523 and $2,852, gross gains of
$410 and $583, and gross losses of $215 and $135. There were no transfers of
available-for-sale securities to another category. No net unrealized holding
gains or losses have been included in income for the periods ended December
31, 1997 and 1996.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 the change in gross
unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities was $216 and $474 with a
corresponding tax increase effect of $11 and $34 resulting in a cumulative net
unrealized holding gain of $715 and $510.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available for sale securities
as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 are as follows:
Gross
Unrealized
Amortized Holding Holding Estimated
Cost Gains Losses Fair Value
--------- ------- ------- ----------
1997
U.S. Treasury.................... $1,808 $106 $ - $1,914
Other Debt Securities............ 6,401 600 (258) 6,743
Equity Securities................ 3,356 927 (366) 3,917
------- ------ ------- --------
$11,565 $1,633 $(624) $12,574
======= ====== ======= ========
1996
U.S. Treasury.................... $14,945 $ 14 $ (2) $14,957
Other Debt Securities............ 2,385 - (64) 2,321
Equity Securities................ 6,577 867 - 7,444
------- ------ ------- --------
$23,907 $881 $(66) $24,722
======= ====== ======= ========
28
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of U.S. Treasury and other debt
securities, by contractual maturity, are shown below:
Amortized Estimated
Cost Fair Value
---- ----------
Due in one year............................. $4,750 $4,734
Due after one year through five years....... 1,028 1,630
Due after five years........................ 2,431 2,293
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS--
The carrying amount of cash and short-term investments, trade receivables and
payables, accrued interest receivable and payable and the current portion of
long-term debt approximate fair value. There are no quoted market prices for
the Company's long-term debt, capital securities and interest rate swap
contracts; however, the Company believes that the carrying amount of these
instruments reasonably approximates fair value.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK--
The Company extends credit to its customers after extensive credit evaluation.
At December 31, 1997 approximately 29% of accounts receivable and notes
receivable and 87% of the net investment in direct financing leases were from
customers outside of the United States. At December 31, 1996, approximately
36% of accounts receivable and notes receivable and 84% of the net investment
in direct financing leases were from customers outside of the United States.
The Company's credit exposure to Korean and Indonesian customers at December
31, 1997 represented 4% of accounts receivable and notes receivable and 21% of
the net investment in direct financing leases. During 1997, 6% of the
Company's consolidated revenues were from these customers.
In 1997, 1996 and 1995 the Company's top 25 customers represented
approximately 64%, 66% and 67%, respectively, of its consolidated revenues,
with no single customer accounting for more than 7%.
NET INCOME PER SHARE--
At year-end 1997, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 128 that requires the reporting of both basic and diluted income
per share.
Basic net income per share is computed by deducting preferred dividends (and
in 1996 adding $2,392 of non- recurring charge for cumulative dividends
described in Note 8) from net income to arrive at income attributable to
common stockholders. This amount is then divided by the weighted average
number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per share
reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other
contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
The dilutive effect of stock options and shares issuable upon the conversion
of the 5 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and the 5 1/4%
Convertible Exchangeable Subordinated Notes have been added to the weighted
shares outstanding and interest expense net of tax effect on the notes has
been added to net income in the diluted earnings per share computation. Per
share amounts and common shares outstanding have been restated to give effect
to the three-for-two stock split effected March 27, 1997 described in Note 12.
A reconciliation of weighted average common shares outstanding to weighted
average common shares outstanding assuming dilution follows:
(in thousands)
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Average common shares outstanding 27,552 25,953 25,953
Common shares issuable (1) 1,818 5,485 4,600
Average common shares outstanding assuming dilution 29,370 31,438 30,553
(1) Issuable primarily under stock option plans in 1997 and both stock option
plans and conversion of convertible securities in 1996 and 1995.
29
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 1997 to purchase 1.5 million shares
of common stock were not included in the computation of net income per share
assuming dilution because the options' exercise prices were greater than the
average market price of the common shares.
USE OF ESTIMATES--
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 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.
(2) INCOME TAXES:
Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December
31, 1997 and 1996 were as follows:
1997 1996
---- ----
Deferred tax assets--
Loss carryforwards ........................... $17,570 $10,783
Finance leases receivable..................... 2,414 2,615
Other, primarily operating reserves........... 3,026 2,895
------- -------
Total deferred tax assets ............ 23,010 16,293
Deferred tax liabilities--
Operating property, net ........................ 36,200 28,404
Other ........................................ 2,079 2,242
------- -------
Total deferred tax liabilities........ 38,279 30,646
------- -------
Net deferred tax liability ........... $15,269 $14,353
======= =======
One of the Company's subsidiaries has tax net operating loss carryforwards
(NOLs) for Federal income tax purposes totalling approximately $15.6 million
which may be used only to offset that subsidiary's income. These NOLs, if not
utilized, will expire between 2005 and 2006.
A significant subsidiary of the Company is a Barbados corporation. Under the
terms of a protocol between the United States and Barbados, the subsidiary's
leasing income is fully taxable by Barbados, but exempt from U.S. Federal
taxation. For the years 1991 through 1997, the Barbados tax rate was a maximum
of 2 1/2% of income earned in Barbados. No deferred U.S. Federal income taxes
have been provided on the unremitted earnings of the subsidiary since it is
the Company's intention to indefinitely reinvest such earnings. At December
31, 1997 unremitted earnings of this subsidiary were approximately $120,000.
The deferred U.S. Federal Income taxes related to the unremitted earnings of
this subsidiary would be approximately $40,000, assuming these earnings are
taxable at the U.S. statutory rate, net of foreign tax credits.
A reconciliation of the U. S. statutory tax rate to the actual tax rate follows:
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
U. S. statutory rate.................................................. 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
Difference due to operation of subsidiary
in Barbados......................................................... (28.2) (24.3) (22.3)
Federal taxes on foreign income....................................... 3.6 3.1 2.9
State taxes........................................................... 1.7 2.4 3.1
Reversal of tax reserves.............................................. - - (1.6)
Cumulative dividends on Trac Lease, Inc. preferred stock.............. - 2.0 -
Other................................................................. (0.1) 0.4 0.1
---- ----- ----
Actual tax rate ..................................... 12.0% 18.6% 17.2%
The 1995 tax provision reflects the reversal of certain tax reserves that are
no longer deemed necessary.
The provision for income taxes reflected in the accompanying consolidated
statements of income is as follows:
1997 1996 1995
------ ------ ------
U. S ......................... $3,990 $7,210 $5,607
Other ........................ 510 590 518
------ ------ ------
$4,500 $7,800 $6,125
====== ====== ======
Current ...................... $2,511 $2,950 $2,874
Deferred ..................... 1,989 4,850 3,251
------ ------ ------
$4,500 $7,800 $6,125
====== ====== ======
For further information regarding the Company's tax structure reference is
made to Item 7 of this Form 10-K.
(3) LEASING ACTIVITIES:
AS LESSEE--
The net book value of assets acquired through capital leases was $232,162 at
December 31, 1997. The aggregate capital lease obligations, secured by
equipment, with installments payable in varying amounts through 2008, were
$223,494 at December 31, 1997.
As of December 31, 1997, the annual maturities of capital leases and related
interest were as follows:
Payment Interest Principal
------- -------- ---------
1998 ........................ $41,801 $14,355 $27,446
1999 ........................ 33,775 12,537 21,238
2000 ........................ 34,521 10,962 23,559
2001 ........................ 32,255 9,307 22,948
2002 ........................ 23,042 8,023 15,019
Thereafter .................. 130,558 17,274 113,284
------- ------ -------
$295,952 $72,458 $223,494
======== ======= ========
The Company leases office space and certain leasing equipment under operating
leases expiring at various dates through 2001. Rental expense under operating
leases aggregated $3,728, $3,838 and $3,753 for the periods ended December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
As of December 31, 1997, the aggregate minimum rental commitment under
operating leases having initial or remaining noncancellable lease terms in
excess of one year was as follows:
1998 ................................................... $2,399
1999 ................................................... 1,584
2000.................................................... 953
2001 ................................................. 87
------
$5,023
======
AS LESSOR--
The Company has entered into various leases of equipment that qualify as
direct financing leases. At the inception of a direct finance lease, the
Company records a net investment based on the gross investment (representing
the total future minimum lease payments plus unguaranteed residual value), net
of unearned lease income. The unguaranteed residual value is generally equal
to the purchase option of the lessee, which in the case of the Company's lease
contracts is insignificant. Unearned income represents the excess of gross
investment over equipment cost. Receivables under these direct financing
leases, net of unearned income, are collectible through 2006 as follows:
31
December 31, 1997
-------------------------------------
Unearned
Total Lease Lease Net Lease
Receivables Income Receivables
----------- ------ -----------
1998 ............................ $125,166 $29,528 $95,638
1999 ............................ 101,759 21,740 80,019
2000 ............................ 85,032 12,979 72,053
2001 ............................ 64,298 8,529 55,769
2002 ............................ 41,575 5,143 36,432
Thereafter ...................... 25,466 2,011 23,455
-------- ------- --------
$443,296 $79,930 $363,366
======== ======= ========
As of December 31, 1997, the Company also had noncancelable operating leases,
under which it will receive future minimum rental payments as follows:
1998 ....................................... $28,479
1999 ........................................ 12,914
2000 ....................................... 4,419
2001 ........................................ 1,365
-------
$47,177
=======
Effective January 1, 1995 the Company began capitalizing lease commissions and
amortizing this cost over the average life of the related lease contract. At
December 31, 1997 and 1996, $3,066 and $2,199 of these commissions were
included in other assets.
(4) DEBT:
Debt consists of notes and loans with installments payable in varying amounts
through 2003, with effective interest rates of approximately 5.8% to 8.0% and
a weighted average rate of 6.86% in 1997. The principal amount of debt payable
under fixed rate contracts is $327,414. Remaining debt is payable under
floating rate arrangements. Approximately $51,000 of floating rate debt
outstanding has been converted to fixed rate debt through the use of interest
rate swaps as described below. The agreements contain certain covenants which,
among other things, provide for the maintenance of specified levels of
tangible net worth (as defined) and a maximum debt to net worth ratio. At
December 31, 1997, under covenants in the Company's loan agreement
approximately $87,500 of retained earnings were available for dividends. The
Company was in compliance with its debt covenants at December 31, 1997.
As of December 31, 1997, the annual maturities of notes and loans, net of
interest thereon were as follows:
1998 ......................................... $ 47,384
1999 ......................................... 90,752
2000 ......................................... 48,085
2001.......................................... 46,239
2002.......................................... 31,753
Thereafter ................................... 256,520
--------
$520,733
========
The Company has a $200,000 credit facility from a group of commercial banks;
on December 31, 1997, $85,000 was outstanding. The term of this facility
extends until May 31, 1999 (unless the lenders elect to renew the facility) at
which time a maximum of 10% of the amount then outstanding becomes due, with
the remainder becoming payable in equal monthly installments over a five year
period. In addition, the Company has operational lines of credit with banks of
$84,000. As of December 31, 1997, $57,349 was outstanding under these lines,
$13,998 is reflected above as due in 1998 with the remaining $43,351 in 1999.
32
In July and August, 1997, the Company issued $225,000 of ten year notes,
comprised of $150,000 of 7.35% Notes due 2007 and $75,000 of 7.20% Notes due
2007. These Notes represent the Company's first issues of senior unsecured
debt. The net proceeds from these offerings were used to repay secured
indebtedness, to purchase equipment and for other investments. At December 31,
1997, borrowing outstanding on an unsecured basis totalled $268,351.
On February 24, 1998, the Company issued $100,000 principal amount of 65/8%
Notes due 2003. The net proceeds were used to repay borrowings under the
revolving credit agreement and for other general corporate purposes.
In 1996, the Company entered into a five year interest rate swap contract with
a notional amount of $80,000 to convert variable rate debt into fixed rate
debt. The maturity of this contract coincides with the maturity of the
underlying debt instruments hedged. In 1997, a portion of the debt instrument
hedged was retired and the related portion of the swap contract was closed. In
1995, the Company entered into and closed out an interest rate swap contract
with a notional amount of $82,021 which was designated as a hedge to protect
against increases in interest rates for debt instruments which were secured in
1995. The close out value of the swap was amortized as a yield adjustment over
the remaining period to maturity of the debt instruments hedged. In 1997, the
debt instruments hedged were retired and the unamortized swap value was
recognized as part of the extraordinary loss on retirement of debt.
Interest rate swap contracts are intended to be an integral part of borrowing
transactions and, therefore are not recognized at fair value. Interest
differentials paid or received under these contracts are recognized as yield
adjustments to the effective yield of the underlying debt instruments hedged.
Interest rate swap contracts would only be recognized at fair value if the
hedged relationship is terminated. Gains or losses accumulated prior to
termination of the relationship would be amortized as a yield adjustment over
the shorter of the remaining life of the contract, or the remaining period to
maturity of the underlying debt instrument hedged. If the contract remained
outstanding after termination of the hedged relationship, subsequent changes
in market value of the contract would be recognized in earnings. The Company
does not use leveraged swaps and does not use leverage in any of its
investment activities that would put principal capital at risk.
(5) RETIREMENT AND EXCHANGE OF DEBT
During 1997 the Company retired debt and recognized an extraordinary loss of
$5,428 net of tax benefit of $1,825.
During 1995 the Company consummated the exchange of $67,436 principal amount
of 5 1/4% Convertible Exchangeable Subordinated Notes for 5 3/4% Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock with a $67,436 liquidation preference. The
preferred stock was convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at a
conversion price of $23.37 per share (or effectively 4.279 shares of common
stock for one share of preferred stock) and was redeemable, in whole or in
part, at the option of the Company at any time after December 15, 1996 at a
redemption price of 103.675% of liquidation preference in 1996 declining to
100% in 2003 and thereafter. See Note 12 for redemption and conversion of the
preferred stock in 1997.
As a result of the exchange, the Company recognized an extraordinary gain of
$2,422, net of applicable taxes of $1,683, representing the difference between
the face value of the 5 1/4% Notes, less related deferred financing costs and
expenses related to the exchange and the fair market value of the 5 3/4%
preferred stock.
(6) OTHER CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS:
At December 31, 1997, the Company has outstanding purchase commitments for
equipment of approximately $45,000.
33
Under certain of the Company's leasing agreements, the Company as lessee may
be obligated to indemnify the lessor for loss, recapture or disallowance of
certain tax benefits arising from the lessor's ownership of the equipment.
In the second quarter of 1997 the Company recognized a successful legal claim
recovery of approximately $1,500 which is included in revenues.
The Company has entered into employment agreements with certain key officers
and employees which provide for minimum salary, bonus arrangements and
benefits for periods up to seven years.
The Company has a number of claims pending against it, has filed claims
against others and has been named as a defendant in a number of lawsuits
incidental to its business. The Company believes that such proceedings will
not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
(7) CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company
includes all highly liquid short-term investments with an original maturity of
three months or less in cash and short-term investments.
For the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, cash paid for interest
was approximately $51,367, $41,998 and $39,646, respectively. Cash paid for
income taxes was approximately $3,328, $2,177 and $2,514, respectively.
(8) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:
The Company leases approximately 19,000 square feet of commercial space for
its executive offices in Princeton, New Jersey from 211 College Road
Associates, a New Jersey general partnership. Martin Tuchman, the Company's
Chief Executive Officer, holds a direct or indirect equity interest of 28.85%
and Radcliff Group, Inc., a related party, holds a direct or indirect equity
interest of 28.15% in 211 College Road Associates. The annual base rental for
this property is approximately $338 under a net lease expiring in 2001,
subject to renewal. In the opinion of the Company's management, rent being
paid under this lease does not exceed rent that the Company would have paid in
an arms'-length transaction with an unrelated third party.
The Company had a consultation agreement with Radcliff Group, Inc. pursuant to
which Radcliff designated Warren L. Serenbetz, a stockholder and director, as
an executive consultant. Under the terms of the agreement compensation
continues through December 31, 2002. Compensation under this agreement was
$492 in 1997, 1996 and 1995.
On August 10, 1992, The Ivy Group, a related party, borrowed $7,100 from the
Company, evidenced by a promissory note due in July 1997. In connection with
this promissory note, The Ivy Group executed a Chattel Mortgage, Security
Agreement and Assignment under which the Company, as secured party, was
granted a security interest in 4,364 chassis owned by The Ivy Group and was
granted an assignment of all rights to receive rental payments and proceeds
related to the lease and sublease of such chassis. On November 12, 1993, the
Company pledged the 4,364 chassis owned by The Ivy Group as security for an
additional Company borrowing of $4,800 bearing interest at LIBOR plus 1.25%.
In consideration of The Ivy Group's consent to the foregoing, the interest
rate on the outstanding balance of its promissory note to the Company was
reduced to match the Company's borrowing rate.
On February 28, 1996, the Board of Directors approved a loan to The Ivy Group
of an additional $7,035 from the Company by increasing its outstanding balance
under the Ivy loan from $6,398 to $13,433, reflecting the current estimated
loan value of the Ivy collateral. Under the terms of the amended loan, the
entire new balance bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.75% repayable over a five
year term on an interest only basis, subject to maintenance of fixed
loan-to-collateral value ratios. The Company was also granted the right to
continue to utilize the collateral to secure additional Company financings.
34
The Ivy Group, in which Mr. Tuchman, Radcliff Group, Inc. and Mr. Witteveen
hold interests, has invested in chassis which it has leased to Trac Lease. In
1986, The Ivy Group became a New Jersey general partnership and Mr. Witteveen
and two senior executive officers of Trac Lease became partners. Radcliff
Group, Inc. and Mr. Tuchman share equally in the net income of The Ivy Group
derived from the lease of 1,184 chassis to Trac Lease ("Contributed Chassis").
In addition, each of Radcliff Group and Mr. Tuchman receives 28.5% of the net
income of The Ivy Group, other than that derived from the Contributed Chassis.
Mr. Witteveen receives 14.3% of the net income of The Ivy Group, other than
that derived from the Contributed Chassis. In 1995, 1996 and 1997, 32%, 17.5%
and 29%, respectively of the aggregate gross income of The Ivy Group was
derived from the Contributed Chassis and 68%, 82.5% and 71%, respectively was
derived from other activities. The terms of all agreements between Trac Lease
and The Ivy Group, including rental rates, are fixed and, in the opinion of
the Company's management, are comparable to terms that Trac Lease would have
obtained in arms'-length transactions with unrelated third parties. Trac Lease
has been advised by the principals of The Ivy Group that the personal tax
consequences to such principals would make it inadvisable to terminate the
transactions entered into except with respect to any extensions of the lease
agreements. The Ivy Group has entered into an agreement with the Company
pursuant to which it has agreed not to engage in any business activities that
are competitive with the business activities of the Company or its
subsidiaries (including Trac Lease) without the prior consent of the Company.
As of December 31, 1997, pursuant to lease agreements, Trac Lease leased from
The Ivy Group an aggregate 7,411 chassis for aggregate annual lease payments
of approximately $3,900. Such leases either renew automatically unless
canceled by either party prior to the first day of the renewal period or
expire on various dates in 1998 or 2000. In August 1990, The Ivy Group pledged
approximately 1,400 of the aforementioned chassis to a financial institution
in order to secure a loan in the amount of $6,500, of which $4,366 was
outstanding as of December 31, 1996. Approximately $2,500 of the loan was used
by The Ivy Group to purchase 50% of the preferred stock of Trac Lease, with
the remainder used to purchase equipment. In the event of a default by The Ivy
Group under such loan, Trac Lease has agreed to purchase such chassis from the
lender at a price equal to the principal balance of the loan then outstanding.
On December 30, 1986, Princeton Intermodal Equipment Trust I, a New Jersey
trust (Princeton Intermodal), as lessor, and Trac Lease, as lessee, entered
into a lease agreement pursuant to which Trac Lease leased 618 chassis from
Princeton Intermodal at a fixed rate of $2.00 per day for an 11-year term.
Martin Tuchman and Warren L. Serenbetz, directly and indirectly, are among the
beneficiaries of Princeton Intermodal, of which an unaffiliated party is the
trustee. The Ivy Group, Mr. Tuchman and Warren L. Serenbetz held 3.2%, 32.1%
and 12.9% interests, respectively, in Princeton Intermodal. The terms of the
lease agreement between Princeton Intermodal and Trac Lease, in the opinion of
Trac Lease's management, were comparable to terms that Trac Lease would have
obtained in an arms'-length transaction with an unrelated third party. The Ivy
Group entered into a guarantee of all rental payments due from Trac Lease to
Princeton Intermodal under such lease agreement, which guarantee continued for
the length of the lease term. The lease term expired on December 31, 1997 at
which time The Ivy Group acquired additional interests in Princeton Intermodal
previously held by non affiliated parties representing 22.6% of Princeton
Intermodal, and Princeton Intermodal was terminated. As of January 1, 1998, The
Ivy Group, as lessor entered into a new lease for this equipment with Trac Lease
at a fixed rate of $2.00 per day under a lease agreement which automatically
renews annually unless cancelled by either party. The terms of the new
lease agreement between The Ivy Group and Trac Lease are comparable to terms
that Trac Lease would have obtained in an arms-length transaction with an
unrelated third party.
On August 15, 1992, Eurochassis L.P., a New Jersey limited partnership in
which Raoul J. Witteveen is one of the limited partners and the general
partner, entered into a master equipment lease agreement, as lessor, with Trac
Lease, as lessee, pursuant to which Eurochassis L.P. leases 100 chassis to
Trac Lease for an annual lease payment of $91. The annual lease term renews
automatically unless canceled by either party prior to the first day of the
renewal period. The terms of such master equipment lease agreement, in the
opinion of Trac Lease's management, are comparable to terms that Trac Lease
would have obtained in an arms'-length transaction with an unrelated third
party.
On March 15, 1996, pursuant to the terms of an Agreement of Merger between
Trac Lease and Trac Lease Merger Corp., a newly formed subsidiary (the "Trac
Merger"), the Company issued an aggregate of 24,390 shares of its 5 3/4%
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock ("Interpool Preferred Stock") with a
value of $2,000 to Thomas P. Birnie and Graham Owen, both officers of Trac
Lease, and Messrs. Birnie and Owen surrendered an aggregate of 25,000 shares
of common stock representing 12 1/2% of the outstanding common stock of Trac
Lease. Following the Trac Merger, Interpool, Inc. holds 100% of the
outstanding shares of common stock of Trac Lease.
35
Pursuant to the terms of the Trac Merger, the Company also issued 59,664
shares of its Interpool Preferred Stock with a value of $4,892 to The Ivy
Group and The Ivy Group surrendered 2,500 shares of Trac Preferred Stock
having a stated value of $2,500 plus accrued, cumulative dividends of $2,392.
Following the Trac Merger, no shares of Trac Lease Preferred Stock were
outstanding. The Trac Merger was accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting. The cumulative dividends on the Trac Preferred Stock were charged
to expense in the first quarter of 1996 as a non-recurring charge. Such charge
had no impact on net income per share in the first quarter because unpaid
dividends on the Trac Preferred Stock were included in the computation of net
income per share in prior periods.
In December 1996, Interpool acquired all of the limited partnership interest
and substantially all of the senior securities of the Interpool Income Fund I,
L.P., (the "Income Fund") a Delaware limited Partnership for $21,532. This
amount is included in accounts payable and accrued expense at December 31,
1996. Interpool co-sponsored the offering of the securities of the Income Fund
during 1992 and 1993 and managed the containers and chassis owned by the
Income Fund. Fees for managing the equipment on behalf of the Income Fund were
not material. The Income Fund originally acquired approximately 5,700 TEU
containers and approximately 1,500 chassis. As a result of this acquisition,
Interpool received title to the equipment and will receive all of the revenue
from the containers and chassis owned by the Income Fund, and will no longer
be subject to the Income Fund's obligations to make payments of approximately
11% on its outstanding securities.
The effect of the above related party transactions included in the
accompanying statement of income are as follows:
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Revenue............................. $1,006 $ 851 $ 450
====== ====== ======
Lease operating expense............. $2,573 $2,573 $2,573
====== ====== ======
Administrative expense.............. $ 943 $ 838 $ 785
====== ====== ======
Interest expense.................... $568 $ 691 $ 801
Non-recurring charge............... $ - $2,392 $ -
====== ====== ======
(9) RETIREMENT PLANS:
Certain subsidiaries have defined contribution plans covering substantially
all full-time employees. No contributions were made by the Company or its
subsidiaries to these plans during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996,
and 1995.
(10) SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC DATA:
The Company is engaged in one line of business, the leasing of intermodal dry
freight standard containers and intermodal container chassis. The Company's
shipping line customers utilize international containers in world trade over
many varied and changing trade routes. In addition, most large shipping lines
have many offices in various countries involved in container operations. The
Company's revenue from international containers is earned while the containers
are used in service carrying cargo around the world, while certain other
equipment is utilized in the United States. Accordingly, the information about
the business of the Company by geographic area is derived from either
international sources or from United States sources. Such presentation is
consistent with industry practice. Information about the business of the
Company by geographic area is presented in the table below:
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Revenues--
United States (a) ............................ $ 80,752 $ 70,981 $ 67,345
International ................................ 80,673 76,167 60,580
-------- -------- --------
$161,425 $147,148 $127,925
Income before taxes and extraordinary items --
United States ................................ $ 7,155 $ 10,481 11,495
International ................................ 30,436 31,515 24,175
-------- -------- --------
37,591 41,996 35,670
36
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Capital expenditures--
United States ...... 73,689 59,061 93,355
International ...... 190,061 107,531 180,288
---------- ---------- ----------
263,750 166,592 273,643
Depreciation--
United States ...... 18,120 14,689 14,207
International ...... 17,491 17,287 13,820
---------- ---------- ----------
35,611 31,976 28,027
Assets--
United States ...... 469,732 427,365 371,191
International ...... 644,724 512,053 480,409
---------- ---------- ----------
$1,114,456 $ 939,418 $ 851,600
========== ========== ==========
(a) Includes revenues from related parties of $1,006, $851 and $450 in 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively.
(11) COMPANY-OBLIGATED MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED
SECURITIES IN SUBSIDIARY GRANTOR TRUSTS:
On January 27, 1997, Interpool Capital Trust, a Delaware business trust and
special purpose entity (the "Trust"), issued 75,000 shares of 9-7/8% Capital
Securities with an aggregate liquidation preference of $75,000 (the "Capital
Securities") for proceeds of $75,000. Costs associated with the transaction
amounted to approximately $1,700 and were borne by the Company. Interpool owns
all the common securities of the Trust. The proceeds received by the Trust
from the sale of the Capital Securities were used by the Trust to acquire
$75,000 of 9-7/8% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due
February 15, 2027 of the Company (the "Debentures"). The sole asset of the
Trust is $77,320 aggregate principal amount of the Debentures. The Capital
Securities represent preferred beneficial interests in the Trust's assets.
Distributions on the Capital Securities are cumulative and payable at the
annual rate of 9-7/8% of the liquidation amount, semi-annually in arrears and
commenced February 15, 1997. The Company has the option to defer payment of
distributions for an extension period of up to five years if it is in
compliance with the terms of the Capital Securities. Interest at 9-7/8% will
accrue on such deferred distributions throughout the extension period. The
Capital Securities will be subject to mandatory redemption upon repayment of
the Debentures to the Trust. The redemption price decreases from 104.975% of
the liquidation preference in 2007 to 100% in 2017 and thereafter. Under
certain limited circumstances, the Company may, at its option, prepay the
Debentures and redeem the Capital Securities prior to 2007 at a prepayment
price specified in the governing instruments. The obligations of the Company
under the Debentures, under the Indenture pursuant to which the Debentures
were issued, under certain guarantees and under certain back-up obligations,
in the aggregate, constitute a full and unconditional guarantee by the Company
of the obligations of the Trust under the Capital Securities.
(12) CAPITAL STOCK:
The Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan for Executive Officers and Directors (the
"Stock Option Plan") was adopted by the Company's Board of Directors and
approved by the stockholders in March 1993.
A total of 6 million shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance
under the Stock Option Plan. Options may be granted under the Stock Option
Plan to executive officers and directors of the Company or a subsidiary
(including any executive consultant of the Company and its subsidiaries),
whether or not they are employees. During 1994, 2,445,000 options were granted
under the Stock Option Plan at an exercise price of $9.33 a share (the fair
value of the Company's common stock on the dates of the grants). No options
were granted in 1995. During 1996, options to purchase 465,000 shares were
granted under the Stock Option Plan at an exercise price of $11.08 a share
(the fair value of the Company's common stock on the dates of the grants).
During 1997, options to purchase 1,498,500 shares were granted under the Stock
Option Plan at an exercise price of $15.58 a share (the fair value of the
Company's common stock on the date of grant). These options vest six months
from date of grant and expire ten years from date of grant.
To date, none of the options have been exercised.
37
The Company's Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee, Nonconsultant
Directors (the "Directors' Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors and
approved by the stockholders in March 1993. Under the Directors' Plan a
nonqualified stock option to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock is
automatically granted to each nonemployee, nonconsultant director of the
Company, in a single grant at the time the director first joins the Board of
Directors. The Directors' Plan authorizes grants of options up to an aggregate
of 150,000 shares of common stock. The exercise price per share is the fair
market value of the Company's common stock on the date on which the option is
granted (the "Grant Date"). The options granted pursuant to the Directors'
Plan may be exercised at the rate of 1/3 of the shares on the first
anniversary of the director's Grant Date and 1/3 of the shares on the second
anniversary of the director's Grant Date and 1/3 of the shares on the third
anniversary of the director's Grant Date, subject to certain holding periods
required under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Options
granted pursuant to the Directors' Plan expire ten years from their Grant
Date. Pursuant to the Director's Plan, in March 1993 options to purchase
15,000 shares of common stock at the public offering price of $9.33 a share
were granted to each of three Directors of the Company.
The Directors' Plan is administered by the Stock Option Committee of the Board
of Directors. Pursuant to the Directors' Plan, in June 1994 an option to
purchase 15,000 shares of common stock at $7.67 a share was granted to Peter
D. Halstead upon his appointment to the Board. In April 1996, an option to
purchase 15,000 shares of common stock at $12.17 a share was granted to Joseph
J. Whalen upon his appointment to the Board. To date, none of the options have
been exercised.
Common stock dividends declared and unpaid at December 31, 1997 amounted to
$1,033, and are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses.
Effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement No.
123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. As permitted by the Statement,
the Company has chosen to continue to account for stock-based compensation
using the intrinsic value method. To date, all options were granted with
exercise price equal to the fair market price of the Company's Stock at Grant
Date, accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized. Options issued
with an exercise price below the fair value of the Company's common stock on
the date of grant will be accounted for as compensatory options. The
difference between the exercise price and the fair value of the Company's
common stock will be charged to expense over the shorter of the vesting or
service period. Options issued at fair value are non-compensatory. Had the
fair value method of accounting been applied to the Company's stock option
plans, which requires recognition of compensation cost ratably over the
vesting period of the underlying equity instruments, net income would have
been reduced by $6,959 or $.25 per share basic and $.24 per share diluted in
1997 and $1,473 or $.06 per share basic and $.05 per share diluted in 1996.
This pro forma impact only takes into account options granted since January 1,
1995. The average fair value of options granted during 1997 and 1996 was $7.74
and $5.28, respectively. The fair value was estimated using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model based on the market price at grant date of $15.58 and
$11.08 in 1997 and 1996, respectively and the following weighted average
assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 7.11% and 6.22%, expected life of 10
years, volatility of 28% and 31% and dividend yield of 1.0% and 1.2% in 1997
and 1996, respectively.
In 1996 there was a non-recurring charge of $1,500 for the initial public
offering expense of Interpool Limited, which was withdrawn in the fourth
quarter.
The Company used $52,871 of net proceeds from the sale of the Debentures to
the Trust to redeem 509,964 shares of the Company's 5 3/4% Cumulative
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") on March 10, 1997 at a
redemption price of 103.675% per share of the liquidation value. As a result
of the redemption of shares of Preferred Stock, the Company recorded a
one-time charge to retained earnings of $6,716 or 24 cents per share on a
basic basis and 23 cents per share on a diluted basis.
On March 10, 1997, a total of 248,730 shares, or $24,873 in aggregate
liquidation value, of the Company's 5 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred
Stock (representing 32.78% of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock) were
converted into a total of 1,596,446 shares of Common
Stock.
On March 27, 1997, the Company effected a three-for-two stock split.
38
(13) 1997 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Revenues ................................. $ 38,176 $ 39,784 $ 40,962 $ 42,503
Income before extraordinary loss ......... $ 9,094 $ 8,827 $ 7,924 $ 7,246
Basic income ............................. $ 0.31 $ 0.32 $ 0.29 $ 0.26
Diluted income per share ................. $ 0.29 $ 0.31 $ 0.28 $ 0.25
1996 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):
Revenues ................................. $ 35,179 $ 36,431 $ 37,482 $ 38,056
Net income ............................... $ 8,448(1) $ 9,471 $ 9,886 $ 10,283(2)
Basic net income per share ............... $ 0.28 $ 0.32 $ 0.34 $ 0.35(2)
Diluted net income per share ............. $ 0.27 $ 0.30 $ 0.31 $ 0.32(2)
(1) Excludes a $2,392 non-cash and non-recurring charge for accumulated
dividends of its subsidiary, Trac Lease, Inc., which resulted from the
acquisition of the outstanding preferred stock of Trac Lease, Inc.
through the issuance of Interpool, Inc. preferred stock. Such charge has
no impact on net income per share because unpaid dividends were included
in the computation of net income per share in prior years.
(2) Excludes a $1,500 charge, $.06 per share basic and $.05 per share diluted
for the initial public offering expenses of Interpool Limited which
offering was withdrawn in the fourth quarter of 1996.
(14) CERTAIN SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES:
The condensed consolidated financial data for Interpool Limited, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Interpool, Inc., included in the consolidated
financial statements of the Company, is summarized below:
For the years ended December 31,
1997 1996 1995
---- ---- ----
Income Statement Data:
Revenues ....................................... $86,264 $79,422 $64,710
Income before provision for income taxes and
extraordinary loss............................ 31,721 30,840 23,715
Income before extraordinary loss................ 29,921 29,490 22,556
Extraordinary loss on retirement of debt........ (3,492) - -
Net income...................................... $26,429 $29,490 $22,556
As of December 31,
1997 1996
---- ----
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and short-term investments................................... $ 16,533 $ 5,160
Receivables, net.................................................. 8,840 11,984
Net investment in direct financing leases......................... 320,149 227,319
Leasing equipment, net............................................ 301,367 273,024
Other assets...................................................... 9,287 8,098
--------- ---------
Total assets...................................................... $656,176 $525,585
======== ========
Debt obligations.................................................. $316,063 $379,035
Note payable to Interpool, Inc.................................... 168,000 -
Other liabilities................................................. 14,340 15,317
-------- --------
Total liabilities................................................. 498,403 394,352
Stockholder's equity.............................................. 157,773 131,233
------- -------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity $656,176 $525,585
======== ========
39
The condensed consolidated financial data for Interpool Finance Corp., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Interpool Limited, included in the condensed
consolidated financial statements of the Company and the consolidated data of
Interpool Limited, is summarized below:
From the
period of inception
January 26, 1995
For the years ended through
December 31, December 31,
1997 1996 1995
------- ------- ------
Income Statement Data:
Revenues ....................................... $23,158 $18,604 $7,112
Income before provision for income taxes and
extraordinary loss............................ 10,270 9,875 4,278
Income before extraordinary loss................ 10,270 9,875 4,278
Extraordinary loss on retirement of debt........ (1,742) - -
Net income...................................... $8,528 $9,875 $4,278
As of December 31,
1997 1996
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and short-term investments............................. $ 4,985 $ 9
Receivables, net............................................ 3,680 3,807
Net investment in direct financing leases................... 277,696 179,977
------- -------
Total assets................................................ $286,361 $183,793
======== ========
Debt obligations............................................ $121,685 $162,221
Note payable to Interpool, Inc.............................. 95,000 -
Other liabilities........................................... 790 520
---------- ----------
Total liabilities........................................... 217,475 162,741
Stockholder's equity........................................ 68,886 21,052
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders equity................... $286,361 $183,793
========== ==========
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
40
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Information required by this Item 10 is hereby incorporated by
reference to registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to
Regulation 14A promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which proxy statement is anticipated to be
filed on or about April 20, 1998.
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information required by this Item 11 is hereby incorporated by
reference to registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to
Regulation 14A promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which proxy statement is anticipated to be
filed on or about April 20, 1998.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
Information required by this Item 12 is hereby incorporated by
reference to registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to
Regulation 14A promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which proxy statement is anticipated to be
filed on or about April 20, 1998.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Information required by this Item 13 is hereby incorporated by
reference to registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to
Regulation 14A promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which proxy statement is anticipated to be
filed on or about April 20, 1998.
41
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON
FORM 8-K
(a)(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INTERPOOL, INC.
Report of Independent Public Accountants
Consolidated Balance Sheets--At 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
(a)(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable
regulations of the Commission are not required under the related instructions
or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
(a)(3) EXHIBITS
3.1 -- Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
3.2 -- Form of Restated Bylaws of the Company incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
4.1 -- Form of Certificate representing the Common Stock incorporated
herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
4.2 -- Indenture between Interpool, Inc. and United States Trust Company
of New York, as trustee, relating to the Notes, dated July 29, 1997
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form S-4 filed on
October 23, 1997.
4.3 -- Registration Rights Agreement between Interpool, Inc. and Smith
Barney Inc., as initial purchaser, dated July 29, 1997 incorporated
herein by reference to the Company's Form S-4 filed on October 23,
1997.
4.4 -- Indenture between Interpool, Inc. and United States Trust Company
of New York, as trustee, relating to the Notes, dated August 5, 1997
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form S-4 filed on
October 24, 1997.
4.5 -- Registration Rights Agreement between Interpool, Inc. and Smith
Barney Inc., as initial purchaser, dated August 5, 1997 incorporated
herein by reference to the Company's Form S-4 filed on October 24,
1997.
10.1 -- Purchase Agreement dated as of January 30, 1993 by and between
Sequa Capital Corp. and the Company, as amended as of March 5, 1993
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.2 -- Restructuring Agreement as of August 5, 1992 among the Company,
Trac Lease, Radcliff Group, Interpool Limited, Sequa Capital Corp.,
Martin Tuchman, Raoul J. Witteveen, Warren L. Serenbetz, Warren L.
Serenbetz, Jr., Paul H. Serenbetz, Stuart W. Serenbetz and Clay R.
Serenbetz incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the
Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.3 -- Amended and Restated Term Credit Agreement dated as of February
19, 1993 between the Company and Swiss Bank Corporation incorporated
herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
10.4 -- Promissory Note of the Company dated February 11, 1993 to United
Jersey Bank/Central N.A. incorporated herein by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by
the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.5 -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1992 by and between
Raoul J. Witteveen and the Company incorporated herein by reference
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared
effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.6 -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1992 by and between
Radcliff Group and the Company incorporated herein by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective
by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.7 -- Consultation Services Agreement dated as of January 1, 1992 by
and between Radcliff Group and the Company incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
10.9 -- Form of Stock Option Plan for Executive Officers and Directors
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.10 -- Form of Stockholders' Agreement dated as of May 4, 1993, among
the Company and Messrs. Martin Tuchman, Raoul J. Witteveen, Warren
L. Serenbetz, Warren L. Serenbetz, Jr., Clay R. Serenbetz, Paul H.
Serenbetz, Stuart W. Serenbetz and Arthur L. Burns and the Serenbetz
Trust incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.12 -- Form of Non-Compete Agreement dated as of May 4, 1993, by and
between The Ivy Group and the Company incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on December 7, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-71538).
10.13 -- Lease Agreements by and between 211 College Road Associates and
Interpool Limited and 211 College Road Associates and Microtech
Leasing. incorporated herein by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the
Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.14 -- Lease Agreement dated December 30, 1986 between Princeton
Intermodal Equipment Trust I and Trac Lease. incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
10.15 -- Lease Agreements between The Ivy Group and Trac Lease
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.16 -- Amendment No. 1, dated August 10, 1992, to Secured Promissory
Note and Chattel Mortgage, Security Agreement and Assignment by and
between The Ivy Group and the Company incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
10.17 -- Chassis Lease Agreement dated as of August 15, 1992 by and
between Eurochassis L.P. and Trac Lease incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
10.18 -- Form of Transfer and Subscription Agreement among Radcliff Group,
Martin Tuchman, Raoul J. Witteveen, Warren L. Serenbetz, Warren L.
Serenbetz, Jr., Clay R. Serenbetz, Paul H. Serenbetz, Stuart W.
Serenbetz, the Serenbetz Trust and the Company incorporated herein
by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
10.19 -- Form of Exchange and Subscription Agreement by and between the
Company and Arthur L. Burns incorporated herein by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by
the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.20 -- Demand promissory notes of the Company payable to Martin Tuchman,
Warren L. Serenbetz and Princeton International Properties
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.23 -- Indemnity Agreement between the Company and other directors
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.26 -- Agreement between the Company and Arthur L. Burns regarding
certain litigation incorporated herein by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the
Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.27 -- Indenture between the Company and IBJ Schroeder Bank & Trust
Company, as Trustee, dated January 27, 1997 incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period
ended 12/31/96.
10.28 -- First Supplemental Indenture between Interpool, Inc. and IBJ
Schroeder Bank & Trust Company dated January 27, 1997 incorporated
herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the period ended 12/31/96.
10.29 -- Series A Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement dated January 27,
1997 incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the period ended 12/31/96.
10.30 -- Agreement of Merger dated March 15, 1996 among Trac Lease, Inc.,
Trac Lease Merger Corp. and the Company incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period
ended 12/31/95.
10.31 -- Letter Agreement between The Ivy Group and the Company
incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the period ended 12/31/95.
10.32 -- Chassis Lease Agreement dated January 1, 1998 between The Ivy
Group and Trac Lease, Inc.
12.1 -- Statement regarding computation of ratios of earnings to fixed
charges incorporated herein by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the
Commission on December 7, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-71538).
21.1 -- Subsidiaries of the Company incorporated herein by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective
by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
23.1 -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP with respect to consolidated
financial statements of the Company incorporated herein by reference
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared
effective by the Commission on December 7, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-71538).
27. -- Financial Data Schedule.
99.1 -- Press Release dated November 4, 1997 (incorporated by reference
to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
September 30, 1997).
99.2 -- Press Release dated December 19, 1997
99.3 -- Press Release dated December 22, 1997.
99.4 -- Press Release dated January 27, 1998.
99.5 -- Press Release dated February 19, 1998
99.6 -- Press Release dated February 25, 1998.
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(b)(1) Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 24, 1998.
No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended December 31,
1997. However, on February 24, 1998, the Company filed a Current Report on
Form 8-K reporting the sale of $100 million aggregate principal amount of
65/8% Notes Due 2003. The 65/8% Notes were sold in a private transaction
pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ON SCHEDULE
To Interpool, Inc.:
We have audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards, the consolidated financial statements of Interpool, Inc. and
subsidiaries included in this Form 10-K and have issued our report thereon
dated February 24, 1998. Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an
opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying
Schedule II is the responsibility of the Company's management and is presented
for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules
and is not part of the basic financial statements. The schedule has been
subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic
financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material
respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to
the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
Arthur Andersen LLP
New York, New York
February 24, 1998
INTERPOOL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
(in thousands)
Balance at Charged to Write-offs, Balance
Beginning Costs and Net of at End
of Year Expenses Recoveries of Year
------- -------- ---------- -------
Year Ended December 31, 1997................ $2,506 $1.972 $845 $3,633
Year Ended December 31, 1996................ $2,099 $1,126 $719 $2,506
Year Ended December 31, 1995................ $1,883 $819 $603 $2,099
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this Report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
INTERPOOL, INC.
(Registrant)
March 23, 1998 By /s/ Martin Tuchman
------------------------------------------------
Martin Tuchman
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
March 23, 1998 By /s/ Martin Tuchman
------------------------------------------------
Martin Tuchman
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
March 23, 1998 By /s/ Raoul J. Witteveen
------------------------------------------------
Raoul J. Witteveen
President, Chief Financial Officer and
Director (Principal Financial Officer)
March 23, 1998 By /s/ Warren L. Serenbetz
------------------------------------------------
Warren L. Serenbetz
Director
March 23, 1998 By /s/ John M. Bucher
------------------------------------------------
John M. Bucher
Director
March 23, 1998 By /s/ Arthur L. Burns
------------------------------------------------
Arthur L. Burns
Director
March 23, 1998 By /s/ Peter D. Halstead
------------------------------------------------
Peter D. Halstead
Director
March 23, 1998 By /s/ Joseph J. Whalen
------------------------------------------------
Joseph J. Whalen
Director
March 23, 1998 By /s/ William Geoghan
------------------------------------------------
William Geoghan
Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
EXHIBIT INDEX
3.1 -- Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
3.2 -- Form of Restated Bylaws of the Company incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
4.1 -- Form of Certificate representing the Common Stock incorporated
herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
4.2 -- Indenture between Interpool, Inc. and United States Trust Company
of New York, as trustee, relating to the Notes, dated July 29, 1997
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form S-4 filed on
October 23, 1997.
4.3 -- Registration Rights Agreement between Interpool, Inc. and Smith
Barney Inc., as initial purchaser, dated July 29, 1997 incorporated
herein by reference to the Company's Form S-4 filed on October 23,
1997.
4.4 -- Indenture between Interpool, Inc. and United States Trust Company
of New York, as trustee, relating to the Notes, dated August 5, 1997
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Form S-4 filed on
October 24, 1997.
4.5 -- Registration Rights Agreement between Interpool, Inc. and Smith
Barney Inc., as initial purchaser, dated August 5, 1997 incorporated
herein by reference to the Company's Form S-4 filed on October 24,
1997.
10.1 -- Purchase Agreement dated as of January 30, 1993 by and between
Sequa Capital Corp. and the Company, as amended as of March 5, 1993
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.2 -- Restructuring Agreement as of August 5, 1992 among the Company,
Trac Lease, Radcliff Group, Interpool Limited, Sequa Capital Corp.,
Martin Tuchman, Raoul J. Witteveen, Warren L. Serenbetz, Warren L.
Serenbetz, Jr., Paul H. Serenbetz, Stuart W. Serenbetz and Clay R.
Serenbetz incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the
Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.3 -- Amended and Restated Term Credit Agreement dated as of February
19, 1993 between the Company and Swiss Bank Corporation incorporated
herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
10.4 -- Promissory Note of the Company dated February 11, 1993 to United
Jersey Bank/Central N.A. incorporated herein by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by
the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.5 -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1992 by and between
Raoul J. Witteveen and the Company incorporated herein by reference
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared
effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.6 -- Employment Agreement dated as of January 1, 1992 by and between
Radcliff Group and the Company incorporated herein by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective
by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.7 -- Consultation Services Agreement dated as of January 1, 1992 by
and between Radcliff Group and the Company incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
10.9 -- Form of Stock Option Plan for Executive Officers and Directors
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.10 -- Form of Stockholders' Agreement dated as of May 4, 1993, among
the Company and Messrs. Martin Tuchman, Raoul J. Witteveen, Warren
L. Serenbetz, Warren L. Serenbetz, Jr., Clay R. Serenbetz, Paul H.
Serenbetz, Stuart W. Serenbetz and Arthur L. Burns and the Serenbetz
Trust incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.12 -- Form of Non-Compete Agreement dated as of May 4, 1993, by and
between The Ivy Group and the Company incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on December 7, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-71538).
10.13 -- Lease Agreements by and between 211 College Road Associates and
Interpool Limited and 211 College Road Associates and Microtech
Leasing. incorporated herein by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the
Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.14 -- Lease Agreement dated December 30, 1986 between Princeton
Intermodal Equipment Trust I and Trac Lease. incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
10.15 -- Lease Agreements between The Ivy Group and Trac Lease
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.16 -- Amendment No. 1, dated August 10, 1992, to Secured Promissory
Note and Chattel Mortgage, Security Agreement and Assignment by and
between The Ivy Group and the Company incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
10.17 -- Chassis Lease Agreement dated as of August 15, 1992 by and
between Eurochassis L.P. and Trac Lease incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
10.18 -- Form of Transfer and Subscription Agreement among Radcliff Group,
Martin Tuchman, Raoul J. Witteveen, Warren L. Serenbetz, Warren L.
Serenbetz, Jr., Clay R. Serenbetz, Paul H. Serenbetz, Stuart W.
Serenbetz, the Serenbetz Trust and the Company incorporated herein
by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
declared effective by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No.
33-59498).
10.19 -- Form of Exchange and Subscription Agreement by and between the
Company and Arthur L. Burns incorporated herein by reference to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by
the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.20 -- Demand promissory notes of the Company payable to Martin Tuchman,
Warren L. Serenbetz and Princeton International Properties
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.23 -- Indemnity Agreement between the Company and other directors
incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Commission on May 4,
1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.26 -- Agreement between the Company and Arthur L. Burns regarding
certain litigation incorporated herein by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the
Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
10.27 -- Indenture between the Company and IBJ Schroeder Bank & Trust
Company, as Trustee, dated January 27, 1997 incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period
ended 12/31/96.
10.28 -- First Supplemental Indenture between Interpool, Inc. and IBJ
Schroeder Bank & Trust Company dated January 27, 1997 incorporated
herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the period ended 12/31/96.
10.29 -- Series A Capital Securities Guarantee Agreement dated January 27,
1997 incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the period ended 12/31/96.
10.30 -- Agreement of Merger dated March 15, 1996 among Trac Lease, Inc.,
Trac Lease Merger Corp. and the Company incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period
ended 12/31/95.
10.31 -- Letter Agreement between The Ivy Group and the Company
incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the period ended 12/31/95.
10.32 -- Chassis Lease Agreement dated January 1, 1998 between The Ivy
Group and Trac Lease, Inc.
12.1 -- Statement regarding computation of ratios of earnings to fixed
charges incorporated herein by reference to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the
Commission on December 7, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-71538).
21.1 -- Subsidiaries of the Company incorporated herein by reference to
the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective
by the Commission on May 4, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-59498).
23.1 -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP with respect to consolidated
financial statements of the Company incorporated herein by reference
to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared
effective by the Commission on December 7, 1993 (Reg. No. 33-71538).
27. -- Financial Data Schedule.
99.1 -- Press Release dated November 4, 1997 (incorporated by reference
to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
September 30, 1997).
99.2 -- Press Release dated December 19, 1997
99.3 -- Press Release dated December 22, 1997.
99.4 -- Press Release dated January 27, 1998.
99.5 -- Press Release dated February 19, 1998
99.6 -- Press Release dated February 25, 1998.