SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 10-K
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2004
Commission file number 0-10146
ABRAMS INDUSTRIES, INC.
| Georgia (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
58-0522129 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| 1945 The Exchange, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA (Address of principal executive offices) |
30339-2029 (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (770) 953-0304
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
| Title of each class: None |
Name of each exchange on which registered: |
|
| None |
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value Per Share
(Title of Class)
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 ü NO
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 the Registrants 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. ü
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act 12b-2).
YES NO ü
The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of October 31, 2003 was $5,575,967. See Part III for a definition of nonaffiliates. The number of shares of Common Stock of the registrant outstanding as of April 30, 2004, was 3,180,340.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The information called for by Part III (Items 10, 11, 13 and 14) is incorporated herein by reference to the registrants definitive proxy statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which is to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.
PART I
ITEM 1 BUSINESS
Abrams Industries, Inc. (i) provides energy engineering services and develops, implements and supports maintenance and service request solutions for facilities; (ii) implements energy saving lighting programs and provides other energy services, including facility-related improvements that reduce energy and operating costs; and (iii) engages in real estate investment and development.
As used herein, the term Company refers to Abrams Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries and predecessors, unless the context indicates otherwise, and the term Parent or Parent Company refers solely to Abrams Industries, Inc.
The Company historically provided commercial construction and general contracting services. Construction revenues in fiscal 2004 continued to decrease significantly from prior years due to the Companys decision to reduce revenue volume rather than contract at prices that offered the Company unacceptable levels of potential profit relative to the inherent risks. During fiscal 2004, the Company continued to see an ongoing lack of attractive project opportunities, in a competitive marketplace, that would meet its risk/reward requirements. Accordingly, the Company has elected to discontinue its operations as a multi-purpose general contractor.
The Companys strategy is to continue to add new service offerings that are expected to generate lower gross revenues, but at higher profit margins, than general contracting. The Company is pursuing this strategy partially through selective acquisitions. In December 2003, the Company acquired the business and assets of The Wheatstone Energy Group, Inc., a provider of energy efficient lighting system installation services and other energy-related services. In April 2004, the Company expanded its capabilities through the purchase of the business and assets of iTendant, Inc., (iTendant). The iTendant software platform is a comprehensive Web and wireless maintenance and service request solution that connects property owners, managers, engineers, building occupants and service providers in order to improve communication and increase visibility into building operations. In May 2004, the Company further expanded its energy engineering and design capabilities through the purchase of the business and assets of Building Performance Engineers, Inc. (BPE). BPE specializes in the optimization of building performance through energy analyses, simulation and modeling, on-site investigative engineering, building and engineering systems design, and qualification of buildings for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. These transactions have expanded the Companys portfolio of offerings designed to improve facility operating performance and lower building operating costs, while improving the level of service and comfort for building occupants.
The Company was organized under Delaware law in 1960 to succeed to the business of A. R. Abrams, Inc., which was founded in 1925 by Alfred R. Abrams as a sole proprietorship. In 1984, the Company changed its state of incorporation from Delaware to Georgia.
Further information on the businesses of the Companys operating segments is discussed below. Financial information for the segments is set forth in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
ENERGY AND FACILITIES SOLUTIONS SEGMENT
In May 2001, the Company acquired the business and assets of Servidyne Systems, Inc., establishing the Companys Energy and Facilities Solutions Segment. Servidyne Systems, LLC (Servidyne), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, provides energy engineering services and maintenance and service request solutions that assist its customers in optimizing facility performance and reducing the costs of owning and operating buildings, by lowering energy consumption, increasing work efficiency, and improving occupant satisfaction. Servidyne acquired the business and assets of iTendant and BPE in April 2004 and May 2004, respectively. These acquisitions have expanded Servidynes capabilities in engineering and in developing, implementing, and supporting maintenance and service request solutions. Servidynes engineering services include energy audits; engineering design services; energy monitoring and analyses; LEED certification; building commissioning; energy modeling; mechanical, electrical and plumbing surveys; and Energy Star® qualification. Servidyne also assists customers in managing facility equipment maintenance for the highest efficiency and useful equipment life, and in managing service requests to improve building occupant satisfaction while maximizing labor productivity, by implementing and supporting its proprietary computerized maintenance and service request systems, and by providing consulting services.
Servidynes customers are building owners and operators and energy services companies in the commercial office, hospitality, retail, institutional, government, healthcare, residential and industrial sectors. The primary focus for the business is the continental United States, although the Company does business internationally as well. Contracts for energy engineering services and maintenance and service request solutions are primarily obtained through negotiations, but may also be obtained through competitive bids on larger proposals.
ENERGY SERVICES SEGMENT
In December 2003, the Company acquired the business and assets of The Wheatstone Energy Group, Inc., establishing the Companys Energy Services Segment. The Wheatstone Energy Group, LLC (Wheatstone), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, provides turnkey implementation of energy saving lighting programs and other energy-related services that reduce energy consumption and operating costs to commercial, industrial and institutional facilities. As a vendor-neutral company, Wheatstone takes an unbiased approach to evaluating and implementing energy saving systems and developing recommendations of cost-saving strategies.
Wheatstone focuses its marketing and sales activities on national accounts, energy services companies, facility owners and owners agents throughout the United States. Services are mainly obtained through negotiations, but may also be obtained through competitive bids for large contracts.
REAL ESTATE SEGMENT
Abrams Properties, Inc. (Abrams Properties), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has engaged in real estate activities since 1960. These activities primarily involve the acquisition, development, redevelopment, leasing, asset management, ownership, and sale of shopping centers and office buildings in the Southeast and Midwest. Abrams Properties uses third-party property managers and leasing agents for all of its multi-tenant properties.
Abrams Properties currently owns five shopping centers, three that it developed and two that it acquired. The centers are held as long-term investments or will be marketed for sale, as management determines is appropriate. See ITEM 2. PROPERTIES Owned Shopping Centers.
n ABRAMS 2004 4
In March 2004, Abrams Properties sold its Company-developed shopping center located in North Fort Myers, Florida. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Abrams Properties is also currently lessee and sublessor of six Company-developed shopping centers that were sold by and leased back to Abrams Properties, and then subleased to Kmart Corporation. See ITEM 2. PROPERTIES Leaseback Shopping Centers. During fiscal 2004, Abrams Properties terminated its leasehold interest in one such property. The Company owns three office properties, including a professional medical office building located in Douglasville, Georgia, which the Company acquired in April 2004. See ITEM 2. PROPERTIES Office Buildings. The Company also owns, through its wholly owned subsidiary, AFC Real Estate, Inc., a vacant former manufacturing facility located in Atlanta, Georgia.
CONSTRUCTION SEGMENT
The Company has elected to discontinue the operations of Abrams Construction, Inc. (Abrams Construction), a wholly owned subsidiary, as a multi-purpose general contractor, as is discussed elsewhere. Abrams Constructions activities included building, expanding, remodeling and renovating retail stores, shopping centers, banks, office buildings, and distribution and manufacturing facilities. Although Abrams Construction historically worked throughout much of the United States, it concentrated its activities principally in the southern and mid-western states.
EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
At April 30, 2004, the Company employed 83 salaried employees and 8 hourly employees. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are good.
SEASONAL NATURE OF BUSINESS
The businesses of the Energy and Facilities Solutions, Energy Services, and Real Estate Segments generally are not seasonal. However, certain retail customers of the Energy Services Segment choose to delay lighting installation during the winter holiday season. The business of the Construction Segment historically was somewhat seasonal, affected by weather conditions and its retail customers store opening schedules.
COMPETITION
The industries in which the Company operates are highly competitive. The Energy and Facilities Solutions Segments competition is widespread and ranges from multi-national firms to local small businesses. Competition in the Energy Services Segment consists primarily of local and regional companies. The Real Estate Segment also operates in a competitive environment, with numerous parties competing for available financing, properties, tenants and investors. In the Construction Segment, the Company competed with a large number of national and local construction companies, many of which had proprietary customer relationships or greater financial resources than the Company.
PRINCIPAL CUSTOMERS
In fiscal 2004, the Company derived approximately 38% ($14,706,748) of its consolidated revenues from continuing operations from direct transactions with The Home Depot, Inc. These revenues resulted principally from construction activities, which are being discontinued as is discussed elsewhere. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements of the Company. No other single customer accounted for 10% or more of the Companys consolidated revenues during the year.
BACKLOG
The following table indicates the backlog of contracts and expected rentals for the next twelve months by industry segment:
| April 30, | April 30, | |||||||
| 2004 |
2003 |
|||||||
Energy and Facilities
Solutions(1) |
$ | 875,000 | $ | 768,000 | ||||
Energy Services (2) |
2,234,000 | | ||||||
Real Estate (3) |
7,407,000 | 9,302,000 | ||||||
Construction(4) |
124,000 | 15,262,000 | ||||||
Less: Intersegment
eliminations |
(517,000 | ) | (442,000 | ) | ||||
Total Backlog |
$ | 10,123,000 | $ | 24,890,000 | ||||
| (1) | Contracts that can be cancelled with less than one years notice are not included in backlog. As of April 30, 2004, and April 30, 2003, such contracts not included in backlog totaled $1.43 million and $1.14 million, respectively, in potential revenue over the ensuing twelve months, assuming cancellation provisions are not invoked. | |||
| (2) | The Energy Services Segment was formed in December 2003. See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements. | |||
| (3) | Included in Real Estate income at April 30, 2003, is approximately $255,000 related to a Kmart leaseback that was assigned to the fee owner by the Company in October 2003, and approximately $2.14 million related to the Companys shopping center located in North Fort Myers, Florida, which was sold at a gain in March 2004. See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. The intersegment eliminations reported include only intercompany rent of approximately $517,000 and $442,000, in the fiscal years ended April 30, 2004, and April 30, 2003, respectively. | |||
| (4) | The difference between 2004 and 2003 is primarily due to the Companys election to discontinue its operations as a multi-purpose general contractor. | |||
The Company estimates that most of the backlog at April 30, 2004, will be completed prior to April 30, 2005. No assurance can be given as to future backlog levels or whether the Company will realize earnings from revenues resulting from the backlog at April 30, 2004.
REGULATION
The Company is subject to the authority of various federal, state and local regulatory agencies including, among others, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Company is also subject to local zoning regulations and building codes. Management believes that it is in substantial compliance with all such governmental regulations, except for the Construction Segment to the extent set forth under ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS regarding past conduct that may have contravened antitrust laws. Management believes that compliance with federal, state and local provisions, which have been enacted or adopted for regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, does not have a material adverse effect upon the capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position of the Company.
n ABRAMS 2004 5
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The Executive Officers of the Company as of June 30, 2004, were as follows:
| Alan R. Abrams (49) | Officer since 1988 |
Co-Chairman of the Board since 1998 and a Director of the Company since 1992, he has been Chief Executive Officer since 1999 and President since 2000. From 1998 to 1999, he was President and Chief Operating Officer. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Servidyne Systems, LLC from May 2002 to July 2003.
| Mark J. Thomas (48) | Officer since 2003 |
Chief Financial Officer since 2003. Prior to joining the Company, he was employed by Paragon Trade Brands (a manufacturing company), serving as Vice President of Finance & Corporate Controller from October 2000 to October 2002. He also was employed by Mead Corporation (a paper packaging company), serving as Director of Finance from April 1997 to October 2000.
| Melinda S. Garrett (48) | Officer since 1990 |
A Director of the Company since 1999, she has been Secretary since 2000 and Vice President since May 2004, and was Chief Financial Officer from 1997 to 2003. She also has served Abrams Properties, Inc. as Chief Executive Officer since 2003, President since 2001, Chief Financial Officer from 1998 to 2000, and Vice President from 1993 to 2000.
| J. Andrew Abrams (44) | Officer since 1988 |
Co-Chairman of the Board since 1998 and a Director of the Company since 1992, he has been Vice President-Business Development since 2000. He served as President and Chief Operating Officer from 1999 to 2000. From 1997 to 1999, he was Executive Vice President.
| Claire J. Wiggill (38) | Officer since 2003 |
Vice President since 2001, she also has served as Interim President of Servidyne Systems, LLC since July 2003. Prior to joining the Company, she was employed by iXL, Inc. (an interactive design company), serving as Senior Manager from May 2000 to September 2001. She also was employed by Wachovia Securities (an investment bank) from 1992 to May 2000, most recently serving as Senior Vice-President.
Executive Officers of the Company are elected by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Board of the respective subsidiary to serve at the pleasure of the Board. Alan R. Abrams and J. Andrew Abrams are brothers, and are the sons of Edward M. Abrams, the Companys Chairman Emeritus, who retired as a member of the Board of Directors in 2003. David L. Abrams, a member of the Board of Directors, is first cousin to Alan R. Abrams and J. Andrew Abrams, and nephew to Edward M. Abrams. There are no other family relationships between any Executive Officers or Directors of the Company.
n ABRAMS 2004 6
ITEM 2 PROPERTIES
The Company, through its Real Estate Segment, owns its corporate headquarters building, which contains approximately 65,880 square feet of office space. The building is located in the North x Northwest Office Park, 1945 The Exchange, in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. The Parent Company and all the operating segments have their main offices located in this building. In addition to the 25,928 square feet of offices leased by Abrams entities, another 33,500 square feet is leased to unrelated tenants, and 6,452 square feet is currently available for lease.
The Company also owns a vacant former metal manufacturing facility located in Atlanta, Georgia.
In December 2003, as part of the Energy Services Segments acquisition of the business and assets of The Wheatstone Energy Group, Inc., the Company assumed two leases for a total of 10,000 square feet of office and warehouse space located at 1231 Collier Road in Atlanta, Georgia, which leases expired in June 2004. The Energy Services Segment relocated its main offices to the corporate headquarters building in June 2004 upon expiration of one of the leases, but retained the other 5,000 square feet of space under an amended lease for use as a warehouse, extending the lease to March 2007.
The Company owns, or has an interest in, the following properties:
OWNED SHOPPING CENTERS
As of April 30, 2004, the Companys Real Estate Segment owned three shopping centers that it developed and two that it acquired. The following chart provides relevant information relating to the owned shopping centers:
| Percentage | Rental | Principal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| of Square | Calendar | Income | Amount of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leasable | Footage | Year(s) | Per Leased | Debt | Debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Square | Leased as of | Placed in | Rental | Square | Service | Outstanding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Feet in | April 30, | Service by | Income | Foot | EBITDA | Payments | as of April 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location |
Acres |
Building(s) |
2004 |
Company |
2004 |
2004 (1) |
2004 (2) |
2004 (3) |
2004 (4) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1100 W. Argyle Street |
10.5 | 110,070 | 97 | % | 1972, 1996 | $ | 565,753 | $ | 5.30 | $ | 395,059 | $ | 396,933 | $ | 2,584,318 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Jackson, MI(5) |
2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1075 W. Jackson Street |
7.3 | 92,120 | 100 | 1980, 1992 | 515,259 | 5.59 | 439,723 | 405,249 | 2,340,652 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Morton, IL (6) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2500 Airport Thruway |
8.0 | 87,543 | 100 | 1980, 1988 | 441,286 | 5.04 | 396,296 | 391,356 | 1,385,623 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Columbus, GA (6) (7) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5700 Harrison Avenue |
10.8 | 86,396 | 97 | 1998 | 628,749 | 7.50 | 382,069 | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cincinnati, OH (8) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8106 Blanding Blvd. |
18.8 | 174,220 | 90 | 1999 | 1,594,759 | 10.17 | 1,138,911 | 887,187 | 8,315,124 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jacksonville, FL (9) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Calculated by dividing annual rental income by leased square feet in building, as of April 30, 2004. | |||
| (2) | EBITDA is defined as earnings before the following: interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization of loan and lease costs. See table following in this ITEM 2. PROPERTIES - EBITDA, which reconciles earnings before income taxes from continuing operations to EBITDA. | |||
| (3) | Includes principal and interest. | |||
| (4) | The Companys liability for repayment is limited by exculpatory provisions to its interest in the respective mortgaged properties. | |||
| (5) | 2004 rental income and EBITDA for the shopping center in Jackson, Michigan, included partial year revenues of $4,667 from a portion of the 21,000 square feet of newly created shop space that first opened in April 2004. This center is currently being marketed for sale. | |||
| (6) | Land is leased, not owned. | |||
| (7) | The center in Columbus, Georgia, is owned by Abrams-Columbus Limited Partnership, in which Abrams Properties, Inc. serves as general partner and owns an 80% interest. | |||
| (8) | Originally developed by third parties in 1982. This center is currently in the process of being marketed for sale. | |||
| (9) | Originally developed by third parties in 1985. | |||
The Companys former shopping center located in North Fort Myers, Florida, was sold at a gain in March 2004. This property is not included above.
n ABRAMS 2004 7
The two centers located in Morton, Illinois, and Columbus, Georgia, are leased exclusively to Kmart. The Kmart lease in Columbus, Georgia, expires in 2008 and has ten five-year renewal options, and the Kmart lease in Morton, Illinois, expires in 2016 and has eight five-year renewal options. Anchor tenant lease terms for the other owned centers are shown in the following table:
| Lease | Options | ||||||||||||||||
| Anchor | Square | Expiration | to | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
Tenant (1) |
Footage |
Date |
Renew |
|||||||||||||
Jackson, MI |
Big Lots | 26,022 | 2007 | 2 for 5 years each | |||||||||||||
| Kroger | 63,024 | 2021 | 6 for 5 years each | ||||||||||||||
Cincinnati, OH |
Kroger (2) | 42,456 | 2005 | 3 for 5 years each | |||||||||||||
| Harbor Freight Tools | 13,500 | 2010 | 2 for 5 years each | ||||||||||||||
Jacksonville, FL |
Publix (3) | 85,560 | 2010 | 6 for 5 years each | |||||||||||||
| Office Depot | 22,692 | 2008 | 2 for 5 years each | ||||||||||||||
| (1) | A tenant is considered to be an Anchor Tenant if it leases 12,000 square feet or more for an initial lease term in excess of five years. | |||
| (2) | Tenant has subleased the premises to Mattress Distribution Center, Inc., but remains liable for the lease until the expiration date. | |||
| (3) | Tenant has subleased the premises to Floor and Decor Outlets, but remains liable for the lease until the expiration date. | |||
With the exception of the Kmart lease in Columbus, Georgia, and the Harbor Freight Tools lease in Cincinnati, Ohio, all of the anchor tenant and many of the small shop leases provide for contingent rentals if sales generated by the respective tenant in the leased space exceed specified amounts. In some cases, contingent rentals are subject to certain rights of offset for the amounts that the ad valorem taxes exceed specified amounts. In fiscal 2004, the Company recognized $56,656 in contingent rent, net of offsets, from owned shopping centers, which amounts are included in the aggregate rentals set forth above.
Typically, tenants are responsible for their pro rata share of ad valorem taxes, insurance and common area maintenance costs (subject to the rights of offset against contingent rents mentioned above). Kmart has total maintenance responsibility for the centers in Morton, Illinois, and Columbus, Georgia.
OWNED OFFICE BUILDINGS
The Company, through its Real Estate Segment, owns three office properties: the corporate headquarters building located at 1945 The Exchange, in suburban Atlanta, Georgia; an office park in suburban Atlanta, Georgia; and a professional medical office building in Douglasville, Georgia. The following chart provides pertinent information relating to the office buildings:
| Percentage | Rental | Principal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| of Square | Calendar | Income | Amount of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leasable | Footage | Year(s) | Per Leased | Debt | Debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Square | Leased as of | Placed in | Rental | Square | Service | Outstanding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Feet in | April 30, | Service by | Income | Foot | EBITDA | Payments | as of April 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Location |
Acres |
Building(s) |
2004 |
Company |
2004 |
2004 (1) |
2004 (2) |
2004 (3) |
2004 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1945 The Exchange |
3.12 | 65,880 | 85 | % | 1997 | $ | 1,107,319 | $ | 19.77 | $ | 654,872 | $ | 443,690 | $ | 4,785,829 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Atlanta, GA (4) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1501-1523 |
8.82 | 121,476 | 62 | 1997 | 1,621,901 | 21.53 | 955,505 | 536,382 | 6,059,460 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Johnson Ferry Rd. Marietta, GA (5) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4586 Timber Ridge Dr. |
2.534 | 28,404 | 81 | 2004 | 57,393 | N/A | 43,558 | 17,526 | 2,941,469 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Douglasville, GA (6) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Calculated by dividing annual rental income by leased square feet in building, as of April 30, 2004. | |||
| (2) | EBITDA is defined as earnings before the following: interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization of loan and lease costs. See table following in this ITEM 2. PROPERTIES - EBITDA, which reconciles earnings before income taxes from continuing operations to EBITDA | |||
| (3) | Includes principal and interest. | |||
| (4) | The Companys corporate headquarters building of which the Company leases approximately 25,928 square feet. Rental income and EBITDA include $497,235 of intercompany rent at a competitive rate paid by the Parent Company, Real Estate Segment and the Construction Segment. The building was originally developed by third parties in 1974 and acquired and re-developed by the Company 1997. | |||
| (5) | The Company, through a subsidiary of its Real Estate Segment, is the lessee of 10,661 square feet of space under a master lease agreement to satisfy a condition required by the lender, of which 5,445 square feet has been leased to third parties as of April 30, 2004. Rental income and EBITDA include $138,681 of intercompany rent at a competitive rate paid by the Real Estate Segment. The buildings were originally developed by third parties in 1980 and 1985. | |||
| (6) | The Company acquired this professional medical office building on April 5, 2004. The rental income is only for the short period following the acquisition through April 30, 2004. | |||
n ABRAMS 2004 8
EBITDA
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of loan and lease costs (EBITDA) is not a measure of performance defined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Management, however, believes that EBITDA is useful to investors and management in evaluating performance, because it is a commonly used financial analysis tool for measuring and comparing individual properties in the area of operating performance. EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute for earnings (loss) before income taxes as an indicator of the Companys performance, or as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. The following table reconciles earnings before income taxes from continuing operations under GAAP to EBITDA presented in the Owned Shopping Center and Owned Office Buildings tables above:
| OWNED SHOPPING CENTERS |
OWNED OFFICE BUILDINGS |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jackson | Morton | Columbus | Cincinnati | Jacksonville | Atlanta | Marietta | Douglasville | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Michigan |
Illinois |
Georgia |
Ohio |
Florida |
Georgia |
Georgia |
Georgia |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings before
income taxes from
continuing operations |
$ | 90,245 | $ | 83,027 | $ | 153,029 | $ | 324,392 | $ | 40,371 | $ | 76,839 | $ | 147,077 | $ | 1,086 | ||||||||||||||||
Add: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
52,648 | 125,151 | 104,299 | 50,789 | 147,141 | 167,055 | 286,289 | 17,168 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization |
22,452 | 7,236 | 29,037 | 6,888 | 22,546 | 37,546 | 62,321 | 7,778 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest Expense |
229,714 | 224,309 | 109,931 | | 928,853 | 373,432 | 459,818 | 17,526 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA |
$ | 395,059 | $ | 439,723 | $ | 396,296 | $ | 382,069 | $ | 1,138,911 | $ | 654,872 | $ | 955,505 | $ | 43,558 | ||||||||||||||||
LEASEBACK SHOPPING CENTERS
The Company, through its Real Estate Segment, has a leasehold interest in six shopping centers that it developed, sold, and leased back under leases expiring from years 2006 to 2014. Each of the centers is entirely subleased by the Company to Kmart Corporation. The Kmart subleases provide for contingent rentals if sales exceed specified amounts, and contain nine five-year renewal options, except Jacksonville, Florida, which has eight five-year renewal options. The Companys leases with the fee owners contain renewal options coextensive with Kmarts renewal options.
Kmart is responsible for insurance and ad valorem taxes, but has the right to offset against contingent rentals for any such taxes paid in excess of specified amounts. In fiscal 2004, the Company recognized $83,773 in contingent rentals, net of offsets, from leaseback shopping centers, which amounts are included in the aggregate annual rentals set forth below. The Company has responsibility for structural and roof maintenance of the buildings. The Company also has responsibility for underground utilities, parking lots and driveways, except for routine upkeep, which is the responsibility of the subtenant, Kmart. The Companys leases contain exculpatory provisions, which limit the Companys liability for payments to its interests in the respective leases.
The following chart provides certain information relating to the leaseback shopping centers:
| Square | Calendar Years | Rental | Rental Income | Rent | ||||||||||||||||||
| Feet in | Placed in Service | Income | Per Square Foot | Expense | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location |
Acres |
Building(s) |
by Company |
2004 |
2004 (1) |
2004 |
||||||||||||||||
Bayonet Point, FL |
10.8 | 109,340 | 1976, 1994 | $ | 368,565 | $ | 3.37 | $ | 269,564 | |||||||||||||
Orange Park, FL |
9.4 | 84,180 | 1976 | 264,000 | 3.14 | 226,796 | ||||||||||||||||
Davenport, IA |
10.0 | 84,180 | 1977 | 255,308 | 3.03 | 204,645 | ||||||||||||||||
Minneapolis, MN |
7.1 | 84,180 | 1978 | 368,127 | 4.37 | 230,570 | ||||||||||||||||
Jacksonville, FL |
11.6 | 97,032 | 1979 | 303,419 | 3.13 | 258,858 | ||||||||||||||||
Richfield, MN |
5.7 | 74,217 | 1979 | 300,274 | 4.05 | 241,904 | ||||||||||||||||
| (1) | Calculated by dividing rental income by square feet in building. |
REAL ESTATE LEASED OR HELD FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OR SALE
The Company, through its Real Estate Segment, owns or has an interest in the following real estate held for future development or sale:
| Calendar Year | ||||||||||
| Development | Intended | |||||||||
| Location |
Acres |
Completed |
Use (1) |
|||||||
Dixie Highway |
4.7 | 1979 | Food store and/or retail shops | |||||||
Louisville, KY |
||||||||||
Mundy Mill Road |
5.3 | 1987 | Commercial development pad or up to | |||||||
Oakwood, GA |
four outlots | |||||||||
North Cleveland Avenue |
11.6 | 1993 | Five outlots, anchor pads and retail shops | |||||||
North Fort Myers, FL |
||||||||||
Metropolitan Parkway |
3.6 | (3 | ) | Warehouse, industrial or commercial | ||||||
Atlanta, GA (2) |
building | |||||||||
n ABRAMS 2004 9
| (1) | Outlot as used herein refers to a small parcel of land platted separately from the shopping center parcel, which is generally sold for, leased for, or developed as a fast-food restaurant, bank, small retail shops, or other similar use. | |||
| (2) | Land and buildings, originally utilized by the Company as its metal manufacturing facility; owned by AFC Real Estate, Inc., formerly known as Abrams Fixture Corporation. | |||
| (3) | The Company assembled the property in a series of transactions. The buildings were developed by third parties prior to 1960. | |||
There is no debt on any of the above properties. The Company will either develop the properties described above or will continue to hold them for sale or lease to others.
For further information on the Companys properties, see Notes 3, 5, 7 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, and SCHEDULE III - REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION.
ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company announced on July 7, 2003, that an internal investigation, which was conducted by the Companys legal counsel at the request of senior management, revealed information suggesting that activities in violation of Federal antitrust laws may have taken place in a certain job bidding process for one customer of the Companys subsidiary, Abrams Construction, Inc. The results of this investigation were reported to the Board of Directors of the Company on June 9, 2003. The Company also voluntarily communicated the results of its investigation to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ, on July 1, 2003, issued a conditional letter of amnesty to the Company and its subsidiaries for their cooperation in recognizing and then immediately reporting the irregularities. The Company believes, based on its internal investigation, that the specific improprieties were confined to a bidding process for The Home Depot, Inc. (Home Depot), its largest customer in fiscal 2004. At this time, the Company has no reason to believe that any other customers were affected by such inappropriate activity. The Company also communicated its concerns about the job bidding process to Home Depot. The Company has conducted extensive additional training of all employees and has implemented additional procedures to prevent a recurrence of this behavior.
Currently, the Company believes that it has satisfied all of the DOJs requests for document production in conjunction with its on-going cooperation with the DOJ investigation, and has otherwise complied with the conditions of the letter of amnesty. The remaining estimated costs are not expected to be material. Such cost estimates, however, are particularly difficult to make with any precision. To date, no private party has made, or threatened to make, any claim in connection with this matter. It is possible, however, that claims could be made as a result of this situation, and such claims could be material.
On September 20, 2002, the Companys subsidiary, Abrams Properties, Inc. (API), filed a claim in the Superior Court of Cobb County, Georgia, against APIs former real estate asset manager, who subsequently made a demand against API for arbitration and filed a counterclaim. The case is currently being arbitrated. The dispute arises out of the former asset managements provision of real estate services to API. The Company believes APIs claims against its former asset manager and its defenses to the asset managers claims are meritorious, and intends to continue to vigorously pursue its claims and assert its defenses.
The Company believes the ultimate disposition of the above noted legal proceedings and claims or potential claims will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations of the Company; however, the Company cannot predict the ultimate disposition of the above noted claims, potential claims and proceedings, and therefore, the Company cannot be certain that the above noted legal proceedings and claims or potential claims will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, cash flows, or results of operations of the Company.
ITEM 4 SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5 MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS.
| CLOSING MARKET PRICES |
DIVIDENDS PAID PER SHARE |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| FISCAL 2004 |
FISCAL 2003 |
FISCAL 2004 |
FISCAL 2003 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| HIGH | LOW | HIGH | LOW | |||||||||||||||||||||
| TRADE |
TRADE |
TRADE |
TRADE |
|||||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter |
$ | 4.05 | $ | 3.60 | $ | 5.31 | $ | 4.60 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.04 | ||||||||||||
Second Quarter |
4.75 | 3.57 | 4.84 | 3.37 | 0.04 | 0.04 | ||||||||||||||||||
Third Quarter |
4.49 | 3.76 | 4.58 | 3.47 | 0.04 | 0.04 | ||||||||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter |
4.55 | 3.80 | 4.10 | 3.75 | 0.04 | 0.04 | ||||||||||||||||||
The common stock of Abrams Industries, Inc. is traded on the NASDAQ National Market System (Symbol: ABRI). The approximate number of holders of common stock was 485 (including shareholders of record and shares held in street name) at June 30, 2004.
n ABRAMS 2004 10
The information contained under the heading Equity Compensation Plan in the Companys definitive proxy materials for its 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under a separate filing, and is hereby incorporated by reference.
The Company did not repurchase any of the shares of its common stock during its fiscal year ended April 30, 2004.
On April 16, 2004, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company acquired the business and substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of iTendant, Inc. The consideration included 123,547 newly-issued shares of the Companys common stock, par value $1.00 per share. See Note 14, Acquisitions, to the consolidated financial statements for more information. The issuance of the stock is exempt from registration as private placements pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules promulgated there under.
ITEM 6 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth selected financial data for the Company and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto:
| Year Ended April 30, |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
||||||||||||||||
Net Earnings (Loss) (1) |
$ | (1,850,126 | ) | $ | (1,073,524 | ) | $ | 811,774 | $ | 676,172 | $ | (456,605 | ) | ||||||||
Net Earnings
(Loss) - Continuing Operations (2) |
$ | (4,706,963 | ) | $ | (2,092,653 | ) | $ | (1,268,685 | ) | $ | 211,906 | $ | 2,069,756 | ||||||||
Net Earnings (Loss) -
Discontinued Operations |
$ | 2,856,837 | $ | 1,019,129 | $ | 2,080,459 | $ | 464,266 | $ | ||||||||||||