Back to GetFilings.com
1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(MARK ONE)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ____________ TO ____________
Commission file number: 1-14267
REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
DELAWARE 65-0716904
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC. 33301
110 S.E. 6TH STREET, 28TH FLOOR (Zip Code)
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (954) 769-6000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class Name of Each Exchange on which Registered
------------------- -----------------------------------------
CLASS A COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE THE 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 [ ]
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. [ ]
As of January 27, 1999, the registrant had outstanding 79,724,417 shares of
Class A Common Stock and 95,688,083 shares of Class B Common Stock. At such
date, the aggregate market value of the shares of the Common Stock held by
non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $1,288,608,324.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part III Portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement relative to the
1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Part IV Portions of previously filed reports and registration
statements.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2
INDEX
TO FORM 10-K
PAGE NUMBER
-----------
Item 1. Business.................................................... 1
Item 2. Properties.................................................. 18
Item 3. Legal and Administrative Proceedings........................ 19
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders......... 19
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters....................................... 20
Item 6. Selected Financial Data..................................... 21
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations (including Item 7A)............. 22
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data................. 31
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure.................................. 51
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule and Reports on Form
8-K....................................................... 53
3
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
BACKGROUND
In July 1998, Republic Services, Inc. (the "Company") completed the initial
public offering (the "Initial Public Offering") of its Class A common stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "Class A Common Stock"), resulting in net proceeds of
$1.4 billion. All of the proceeds were used to repay debt owed to Republic
Industries, Inc. ("Republic Industries"). As of December 31, 1998, approximately
63.9% of the Company's common stock (including its Class B common stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "Class B Common Stock" and together with the Class A
Common Stock, the "Common Stock") was owned by Republic Industries.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
The Company is a leading provider of services in the domestic non-hazardous
solid waste industry. The Company provides solid waste collection services for
commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers through 131
collection companies in 26 states. The Company also owns or operates 70 transfer
stations and 48 solid waste landfills.
The Company had revenue of $1,369.1 million and $1,127.7 million and
operating income of $284.3 million and $201.3 million for the years ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The $241.4 million (or 21.4%) increase
in revenue and the $83.0 million (or 41.2%) increase in operating income are
primarily attributable to the successful execution of the Company's growth and
operating strategies described below.
The Company's internal growth strategy is supported by its presence in high
growth markets throughout the Sunbelt, including Florida, Georgia, Nevada,
Southern California and Texas, and other domestic markets that have experienced
higher than average population growth during the past several years. The Company
believes that its presence in such markets positions it to experience growth at
rates that are generally higher than the industry's overall growth rate.
Since 1995, the Company has acquired numerous solid waste companies with an
aggregate of over $1.4 billion in annual revenue. In September 1998, the Company
agreed to purchase certain assets, including landfills, transfer stations,
routes and other items, from Waste Management, Inc. ("Waste Management"), and to
convey to Waste Management certain of the Company's assets for a net purchase
price of approximately $490 million in cash plus certain properties. By December
31, 1998, closings with Waste Management had been completed with respect to 6
landfills, 7 transfer stations and 136 commercial collection routes. See "ITEM
7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS -- Business Combinations."
The Company believes that it is well positioned to continue to increase its
revenue and operating income in order to enhance stockholder value.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Based on analyst reports and industry trade publications, the Company
believes that the United States non-hazardous solid waste services industry
generated revenue of approximately $35.0 billion in 1997, of which approximately
44% was generated by publicly-owned waste companies, 23% was generated by
privately-held waste companies and 33% was generated by municipal and other
local governmental authorities. The substantial majority of the publicly-owned
companies' total revenue of approximately $15.4 billion was generated by only
five companies in 1997. However, according to industry data, the domestic
non-hazardous waste industry remains highly fragmented as the privately-held
companies' total revenue of approximately $8.0 billion was generated by more
than 5,000 companies.
1
4
The Company believes that in recent years there has been a trend toward
rapid consolidation in the solid waste collection industry, which has
historically been characterized by numerous small companies. The Company
believes that this trend will continue as a result of the following factors:
Subtitle D Regulation. Subtitle D ("Subtitle D") of the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended ("RCRA"), and similar
state regulations have significantly increased the amount of capital,
technical expertise, operating costs and financial assurance obligations
required to own and operate a landfill and other solid waste facilities.
Many of the smaller industry participants have found these costs difficult,
if not impossible, to bear. Large publicly-owned companies, such as the
Company, have greater access to capital, and a lower cost of capital,
available to finance such increased capital expenditures and costs,
relative to many of the privately owned companies in the industry.
Additionally, the required permits for landfill development, expansion or
construction have become more difficult to acquire. Consequently, many
smaller, independent operators have decided to either close their
operations or sell them to larger operators with greater access to capital.
Integration of Solid Waste Businesses. Vertically integrated solid
waste companies gain further competitive advantage over non-integrated
operators by being able to control the waste stream in a market through the
collection, transfer and disposal process. The ability of the integrated
companies to internalize the disposal of collected solid waste, coupled
with access to significant capital resources to make acquisitions, has
created an environment in which large publicly-owned integrated companies
can operate more cost effectively and competitively than non-integrated
operators.
Municipal Privatization. The trend toward consolidation in the solid
waste services industry is further supported by the increasing tendency of
a number of municipalities to privatize their waste disposal operations.
Privatization of municipal waste operations is often an attractive
alternative to funding the changes required by Subtitle D.
These developments, as well as the fact that there are a limited number of
viable exit strategies for many of the owners and principals of numerous
privately-held companies in the industry, have contributed to the overall
consolidation trend in the solid waste industry.
GROWTH STRATEGY
The Company's growth strategy is to increase revenue, gain market share and
enhance stockholder value through internal growth and acquisitions. For certain
risks related to the Company's growth strategy, see "-- Risk Factors."
- - INTERNAL GROWTH. The Company's internal growth strategy focuses on retaining
existing customers and obtaining commercial, municipal and industrial
customers through its well-managed sales and marketing activities.
Long-Term Contracts. The Company seeks to obtain long-term contracts
for the collection of solid waste in the high-growth markets in which it
operates. These include exclusive franchise agreements with municipalities
as well as commercial and industrial contracts. By obtaining such long-term
agreements, the Company has the opportunity to grow its contracted revenue
base at the same rate as the underlying population growth in such markets.
For example, the Company has secured exclusive, long-term franchise
agreements in high-growth markets such as Los Angeles and Orange Counties,
California, Las Vegas, Nevada, Arlington, Texas and many areas of Florida.
The Company believes that this positions it to experience internal growth
rates that are generally higher than the overall industry's growth rate. In
addition, the Company believes that by securing a base of long-term
recurring revenue in growth markets, the Company is better able to protect
its market position from competition and is less susceptible to downturns
in economic conditions.
Sales and Marketing Activities. The Company's well-managed sales and
marketing activities enable it to capitalize on its leading positions in
many of the markets in which it operates. The Company currently has over
350 sales and marketing employees in the field, who are incentivized by a
commission structure to generate high levels of revenue. For the most part,
such employees directly solicit business
2
5
from existing and prospective commercial, industrial and municipal
customers. The Company trains new and existing sales personnel with an
emphasis on teaching sales personnel to understand the Company's rate and
cost structures.
- - ACQUISITION GROWTH. As a result of the highly fragmented nature of the solid
waste industry, the Company has been able to grow significantly through
acquisitions. The Company's acquisition growth strategy is focused on the
approximately $8.0 billion of revenue that was generated by over 5,000
privately-held solid waste companies in 1997. The Company believes that its
ability to acquire many of these privately-held companies is enhanced by
increasing competition in the solid waste industry, increasing capital
requirements as a result of changes in solid waste regulatory requirements and
the limited number of exit strategies for such companies' owners and
principals. The Company's acquisition growth strategy is to (i) acquire
businesses that position the Company for growth in existing and new markets,
(ii) acquire well-managed companies and retain local management, (iii)
integrate business in existing markets and (iv) acquire operations and
facilities from municipalities that are privatizing. For certain risks
involved with the Company's growth strategy, see "-- Risk Factors."
Acquire Businesses Positioning the Company for Growth. In making
acquisitions, the Company principally targets high quality businesses that
will allow it to be, or provide it favorable prospects of becoming, a
leading provider of integrated solid waste services in markets with
favorable demographic growth. The Company generally has acquired, and will
continue to seek to acquire, solid waste collection, transfer and disposal
companies that (i) have strong operating margins, (ii) are in growth
markets, (iii) are among the largest or have a significant presence in
their local markets and (iv) have long-term contracts or franchises with
municipalities and other customers. Although the Company seeks to expand
its operations to selected new markets where the potential for growth and
further integration of operations exists, the Company's primary focus is to
concentrate its acquisition efforts in its existing markets in the Sunbelt,
including Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Southern California and Texas and other
domestic markets that have experienced higher than average population
growth during the past several years. The Company is not limited to the
foregoing target criteria for acquisitions, and may also acquire additional
non-hazardous solid waste operations as opportunities arise. The Company
continuously reviews possible acquisition candidates and is in discussions
from time to time with one or more of such candidates. In September 1998,
the Company entered into an agreement with Waste Management to purchase 16
landfills, 11 transfer stations and 136 commercial collection routes across
the United States as well as to obtain disposal agreements at various Waste
Management disposal sites. With these acquisitions, the Company will have
expanded its presence in four existing markets and will enter 16 new
markets. At December 31, 1998, closings had been completed for 6 landfills,
7 transfer stations and all of the collection routes. Management believes
that the closing of the remaining Waste Management assets will be completed
in the first quarter of 1999. See also "ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- Business
Combinations."
Acquire Well-Managed Companies. The Company also seeks to acquire
businesses that have experienced management teams that are willing to work
for the Company. The Company generally retains the local management of the
larger acquired companies in order to capitalize on their local market
knowledge, community relations and name recognition, and to instill their
entrepreneurial drive at all levels of operations. By furnishing the local
management of such acquired companies with the Company's financial and
marketing resources and technical expertise, it is the Company's belief
that such acquired companies are better able to secure additional municipal
franchises and other contracts. This enables the Company to grow internally
such acquired businesses at faster rates than the industry average.
Integrate Business in Existing Markets. Once it has a base of
operations in a particular market, the Company focuses on acquiring trucks
and routes of smaller businesses that also operate in that market and
surrounding markets, which are typically referred to as "tuck-in"
acquisitions. The operations of such "tuck-in" businesses, upon being
acquired by the Company, are integrated into the Company's existing
operations in that market. In addition, the Company seeks to acquire
landfills, transfer stations, and collection companies that operate in
markets already serviced by the Company. By doing so, the
3
6
Company not only is able to grow its revenue and increase its market share,
but also is able to integrate operations and consolidate duplicative
facilities and functions to maximize cost efficiencies and economies of
scale.
Privatize Municipal Operations. The Company also seeks to acquire
solid waste collection operations, transfer stations and landfills that are
being privatized by municipalities and other governmental authorities. Many
municipalities are seeking to outsource or sell these types of solid waste
operations, as they lack the capital, technical expertise and/or
operational resources necessary to comply with increasingly stringent
regulatory standards and/or to compete effectively with private-sector
companies.
OPERATING STRATEGY
The Company seeks to leverage existing assets and revenue growth to
increase operating margins and enhance stockholder value. The Company's
operating strategy to accomplish this goal is to (i) utilize the extensive
industry knowledge and experience of the Company's executive management, (ii)
utilize a decentralized management structure in overseeing day-to-day
operations, (iii) integrate waste operations, (iv) improve operating margins
through economies of scale, cost efficiencies and asset utilization and (v)
achieve high levels of customer satisfaction. For certain risks related to the
Company's operating strategy, see "-- Risk Factors."
- - EXPERIENCED EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM. The Company believes that it has one
of the most experienced executive management teams among publicly-traded
companies in the solid waste industry.
H. Wayne Huizenga, the Company's Chairman, after several years of owning
and operating private waste hauling companies in Florida, co-founded Waste
Management in 1971. From 1971 to 1984 he served in various executive
capacities with Waste Management, including President and Chief Operating
Officer. By then, Waste Management had become the world's largest integrated
solid waste services company. From 1987 to 1994, Mr. Huizenga served as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation,
leading its growth from 19 stores to the world's largest video rental company.
In August 1995, he became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Republic
Industries.
Harris W. Hudson, the Company's Vice Chairman, worked closely with Mr.
Huizenga, from 1964 until 1982, at Waste Management and at the private waste
hauling firms they operated prior to the formation of Waste Management. In
1982, Mr. Hudson retired as Vice President of Waste Management of Florida,
Inc., a subsidiary of Waste Management. In 1983, Mr. Hudson founded Hudson
Management Corporation ("Hudson Management"), a solid waste collection company
in Florida, and served as its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until it
merged with Republic Industries in August 1995. By that time, Hudson
Management had grown to over $50.0 million in annual revenue, becoming one of
Florida's largest privately-held solid waste collection companies based on
revenue. Since August 1995, Mr. Hudson has served as an executive officer of
Republic Industries, including as President and Vice Chairman.
James E. O'Connor, the Company's Chief Executive Officer since December
1998, also worked at Waste Management from 1972 to 1978 and from 1982 to 1998.
During that time, he served in various management positions, including Senior
Vice President in 1997 and 1998 and Area President of Waste Management of
Florida, Inc. for five years, from 1992 to 1997.
James H. Cosman, the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, has
served as President of Republic Industries' Solid Waste Group since January
1997. Prior to joining Republic Industries, Mr. Cosman was employed by
Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc. for over 24 years. During that time, he
served in various management positions, including Regional Vice
President -- Northern Region.
The other officers with responsibility for operational affairs of the
Company have an average of over 16 years of management experience in the solid
waste industry.
- - DECENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE. The Company maintains a relatively small
corporate headquarters staff, relying on a decentralized management structure
to minimize administrative overhead costs and to manage its day-to-day
operations more efficiently. The Company's local management has extensive
industry
4
7
experience in growing, operating and managing solid waste companies, and
substantial experience in their local geographic markets. The Company's four
Regional Vice Presidents have an average of 22 years of experience in the
industry, and the Company's 23 Area Presidents have an average of 20 years of
experience in the industry. The Regional Vice Presidents and Area Presidents
have extensive authority, responsibility and autonomy for operations within
their geographic markets. Compensation for management within regions and areas
is in large part based on the improvement in operating income produced in each
manager's geographic area of responsibility. In addition, through long-term
incentive programs, including stock options, the Company believes that it has
one of the lowest turnover levels in the industry for its local management
teams. As a result of retaining experienced managers with extensive local
knowledge, community relations and name recognition, the Company is able to
react rapidly to changes in its markets. The Company also seeks to implement
the best practices of its various regions and areas throughout its operations
to improve operating margins.
- - INTEGRATE OPERATIONS. The Company seeks to achieve a high rate of waste
integration by controlling waste streams from the point of collection through
disposal. Through acquisitions and other market development activities, the
Company creates market specific, vertically integrated operations typically
consisting of one or more collection companies, transfer stations and
landfills. The Company considers acquiring companies which own or operate
landfills with significant permitted disposal capacity and appropriate levels
of waste volume. The Company also seeks to acquire solid waste collection
companies in markets in which its owns or operates landfills. In addition, the
Company generates internal growth in its disposal operations by constructing
new landfills and expanding its existing landfills from time to time in
markets in which it has significant collection operations or in markets that
it determines lack sufficient disposal capacity. During the year ended
December 31, 1998, approximately 40% of the total volume of waste collected by
the Company was disposed of at the Company's landfills. Because the Company
does not have landfill facilities for all markets in which it provides
collection services, the Company believes that through landfill and transfer
station acquisitions and development it has the opportunity to increase its
waste internalization rate and further integrate its operations. By further
integrating operations in existing markets through acquisitions and
developments of landfills and transfer stations, the Company is able to reduce
its disposal costs.
- - ECONOMIES OF SCALE AND COST EFFICIENCIES. To improve operating margins, the
Company's management is focused on achieving economies of scale and cost
efficiencies. The consolidation of acquired businesses into existing
operations reduces costs by decreasing capital and expenses used in routing,
personnel, equipment and vehicle maintenance, inventories and back-office
administration. The Company is generally consolidating its administrative
centers to reduce its general and administrative costs. The Company reduced
its selling, general and administrative expenses from 14.2% of consolidated
revenue in 1996 to 9.9% of consolidated revenue in 1998. In addition, the
Company's size allows it to negotiate volume discounts for certain purchases,
including waste disposal rates at landfills operated by third parties.
Furthermore, the Company has taken steps to increase its utilization of
assets. For example, to reduce the number of collection vehicles, drivers are
paid incentive wages based upon the number of customers they service on each
route. In addition, routes are frequently analyzed and rerouted to ensure that
the highest number of customers are efficiently serviced over the fewest
possible miles. By using assets more efficiently, operating expenses are
lowered significantly.
- - HIGH LEVELS OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. The Company complements its operating
strategy with a goal of maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. The
Company's personalized sales process of periodically contacting commercial,
industrial and municipal customers is intended to maintain relationships and
ensure service is being properly provided.
OPERATIONS
The Company's operations primarily consist of the collection and disposal
of non-hazardous solid waste.
Collection Services. The Company provides solid waste collection services
to commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers in 26 states
through 131 collection companies. In 1998, the Company's revenue from collection
services was derived approximately one third from services provided to
commercial
5
8
customers, one third from services provided to industrial customers, and one
third from services provided to municipal and residential customers. The
Company's commercial and residential collection operations involve the curbside
collection of refuse from small containers into collection vehicles for
transport to transfer stations or directly to landfills. Commercial collection
services are generally performed under one-year to three-year service
agreements, and fees are determined by such considerations as market factors,
collection frequency, type of equipment furnished, the type and volume or weight
of the waste collected, the distance to the disposal facility and the cost of
disposal.
Residential solid waste collection services are typically performed under
contracts with municipalities, which are generally secured by competitive bid
and which give the Company exclusive rights to service all or a portion of the
homes in their respective jurisdictions. Such contracts or franchises usually
range in duration from one to five years, although some of the Company's
exclusive franchises are for as long as 20 years. Residential solid waste
collection services may also be performed on a subscription basis, in which
individual households contract directly with the Company. The fees received for
subscription residential collection are based primarily on market factors,
frequency and type of service, the distance to the disposal facility and cost of
disposal. In general, subscription residential collection fees are paid
quarterly in advance by the residential customers receiving the service.
In its commercial and industrial collection operations, the Company
supplies its customers with waste containers commonly known as "roll-off"
containers. The Company also rents compactors to large waste generators. Waste
collection services are provided to individual commercial, industrial and
construction facilities on a contractual basis with terms generally ranging from
a single pickup to one year. The Company also rents waste roll-off containers to
construction sites and provides hauling services. The Company collects the
roll-off containers or compacted waste and transports them either to a landfill,
where the waste is disposed of, or to a transfer station.
The Company owns or operates 70 transfer stations. Waste is deposited at
these stations by the Company, other private haulers and municipal haulers for
compaction and transfer to trailers for transport to landfills, incinerators,
recycling facilities or other disposal sites.
The Company also currently provides recycling services in certain markets
primarily to comply with local laws or obligations under its franchise
agreements. These services include the curbside collection of residential
recyclable waste and the provision of a variety of recycling services to
commercial and industrial customers.
Disposal Services. The Company owns or operates 48 solid waste landfills
with approximately 6,200 permitted acres and total available permitted disposal
capacity of approximately 1.2 billion in-place cubic yards as of December 31,
1998. See "ITEM 2. PROPERTIES." The in-place capacity of the Company's landfills
is subject to change based on engineering factors, requirements of regulatory
authorities and successful site expansions. Certain of the landfills accept
non-hazardous special waste, including utility ash, asbestos and contaminated
soils.
Most of the Company's existing landfill sites have the potential for
expanded disposal capacity beyond the currently permitted acreage. The Company
monitors the availability of permitted disposal capacity at each of its
landfills and evaluates whether to pursue expansion at a given landfill based on
estimated future waste volumes and prices, remaining capacity and likelihood of
obtaining expansion. As of December 31, 1998, the Company believes that each of
its landfills has adequate permitted capacity. To satisfy future disposal
demand, the Company is currently seeking to expand permitted capacity at certain
of its landfills.
Other Services. The Company has materials recovery facilities and other
recycling operations, which are generally required to fulfill its obligations
under long-term municipal contracts for residential collection services. These
facilities primarily sort recyclable paper, aluminum, glass and other materials.
Most of these recyclable materials are internally collected by the Company's
residential collection operations. In certain areas, the Company receives
certain types of commercial and industrial solid waste that is sorted at its
facilities into recyclable materials and non-recyclable waste. The recyclable
materials are salvaged, repackaged and sold to third parties and the
non-recyclable waste is disposed of at landfills or incinerators. The Company's
strategy, wherever possible, is to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in
recyclable commodity prices
6
9
by utilizing third parties' facilities, thereby minimizing its recycling
investment. Long-term contracts for the sale of recycling materials are also
used to mitigate the impact of commodity price fluctuations. The Company also
has composting operations at which yard waste is composted, packaged and sold as
mulch.
SALES AND MARKETING
The Company seeks to provide quality services that will enable it to
maintain high levels of customer satisfaction. The Company derives its business
from a broad customer base which the Company believes will enable it to
experience stable growth. Marketing efforts focus on continuing and expanding
business with existing customers as well as attracting new customers.
The Company has more than 350 sales and marketing employees. The Company's
sales and marketing strategy is to provide high-quality comprehensive solid
waste collection, recycling, transfer and disposal services to its customers at
competitive prices. The Company targets potential customers of all sizes, from
small quantity generators to large "Fortune 500" companies and municipalities.
All marketing activity by the Company is local in nature. The Company
generally does not change the tradenames of the local businesses that it
acquires, and therefore it does not operate nationally under any one mark or
tradename. Rather, the Company relies on the goodwill associated with the
acquired companies' local tradenames as used in each geographic market in which
it operates.
CUSTOMERS
The Company provides services to commercial, industrial, municipal and
residential customers. No one customer has individually accounted for more than
10.0% of the consolidated revenue of the Company in any of the last three years.
REGULATION
The Company's facilities and operations are subject to a variety of
federal, state and local requirements which regulate health, safety, the
environment, zoning and land use. Operating and other permits are generally
required for landfills, certain waste collection vehicles, fuel storage tanks
and other facilities owned or operated by the Company, and these permits are
subject to revocation, modification and renewal. Federal, state and local
regulations vary, but generally govern wastewater or stormwater discharges, air
emissions, the treatment, storage, transportation and disposal of hazardous and
non-hazardous wastes and the remediation of contamination associated with the
release of hazardous substances. Such regulations provide governmental
authorities with strict powers of enforcement, which include the ability to
obtain injunctions and/or impose fines or penalties in the case of violations,
including criminal penalties. These regulations are administered by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and various other federal, state and
local environmental, health and safety agencies and authorities, including the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor
("OSHA").
The Company strives to conduct its operations in compliance with applicable
laws and regulations. However, in the existing climate of heightened
environmental concerns, the Company, from time to time, has been issued
citations or notices from governmental authorities which have resulted in the
need to expend funds for remedial work and related activities at various of the
Company's landfills and other facilities. The Company has established a reserve
which it believes, based on currently available information, will be adequate to
cover any potential regulatory costs. However, there can be no assurance that
actual costs will not exceed the Company's reserve.
Federal Regulation. The following summarizes the primary environmental and
safety-related federal statutes of the United States affecting the facilities
and operations of the Company:
(1) The Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by RCRA ("SWDA"). SWDA
and its implementing regulations establish a framework for regulating the
handling, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous and
non-hazardous solid wastes, and require states to develop programs to
ensure the safe disposal of solid wastes in sanitary landfills.
7
10
Subtitle D of RCRA establishes a framework for regulating the disposal
of municipal solid wastes. Regulations under Subtitle D currently include
minimum comprehensive solid waste management criteria and guidelines,
including location restrictions, facility design and operating criteria,
closure and post-closure requirements, financial assurance standards,
groundwater monitoring requirements and corrective action standards, many
of which have not commonly been in effect or enforced in the past in
connection with municipal solid waste landfills. Each state was required to
submit a permit program designed to implement Subtitle D regulations to the
EPA by April 9, 1993. These state permit programs may include landfill
requirements which are more stringent than those of Subtitle D. Some states
have not yet fully implemented permit programs pursuant to RCRA and
Subtitle D. Once a state has an approved permit program it is required to
review all existing landfill permits to ensure compliance with the new
regulations.
All of the Company's planned landfill expansions or new landfill
development projects have been engineered to meet or exceed Subtitle D
requirements. Operating and design criteria for existing operations have
been modified to comply with these new regulations. Compliance with the
Subtitle D regulations has resulted in increased costs and may in the
future require substantial additional expenditures in addition to other
costs normally associated with the Company's waste management activities.
(2) The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980, as amended ("CERCLA"). CERCLA, among other things,
provides for the cleanup of sites from which there is a release or
threatened release of a hazardous substance into the environment. CERCLA
may impose strict, joint and several liability for the costs of cleanup and
for damages to natural resources upon current owners and operators of the
site, parties who were owners or operators of the site at the time the
hazardous substances were released, parties who transported hazardous
substances to the site and parties who arranged for disposal at the site.
Under the authority of CERCLA and its implementing regulations, detailed
requirements apply to the manner and degree of investigation and
remediation of facilities and sites where hazardous substances have been or
are threatened to be released into the environment. CERCLA liability is not
dependent upon the existence or disposal of "hazardous wastes" but can also
be based upon the existence of small quantities of more than 700
"substances" characterized by the EPA as "hazardous," many of which may be
found in common household waste.
Among other things, CERCLA authorizes the federal government to
investigate and remediate sites at which hazardous substances have been or
are threatened to be released into the environment, or to order (or offer
an opportunity to) persons potentially liable for the cleanup of the
hazardous substances to do so. In addition, CERCLA requires the EPA to
establish a National Priorities List of sites at which hazardous substances
have been or are threatened to be released and which require investigation
or cleanup.
Liability under CERCLA is not dependent upon the intentional disposal
of hazardous wastes. It can be founded upon the release or threatened
release, even as a result of unintentional, non-negligent or lawful action,
of thousands of hazardous substances, including very small quantities of
such substances. Thus, even if the Company's landfills have never knowingly
received hazardous wastes as such, it is possible that one or more
hazardous substances may have come to be located or "released" at its
landfills or at other properties which the Company may have owned or
operated. The Company could thus be liable under CERCLA for the cost of
cleaning up such hazardous substances at such sites and for damages to
natural resources, even if those substances were deposited at the Company's
facilities before the Company acquired or operated them. The costs of a
CERCLA cleanup can be very expensive. Given the difficulty of obtaining
insurance for environmental impairment liability, such liability could have
a material impact on the Company's business and financial condition. For a
further discussion, see "-- Liability Insurance and Bonding."
(3) The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 (the "Clean Water
Act"). The Clean Water Act regulates the discharge of pollutants from a
variety of sources, including solid waste disposal sites, into streams,
rivers and other waters. Point source runoff from the Company's landfills
and transfer
8
11
stations that is discharged into surface waters must be covered by
discharge permits that generally require the Company to conduct sampling
and monitoring and, under certain circumstances, reduce the quantity of
pollutants in those discharges. Storm water discharge regulations under the
Clean Water Act require a permit for certain construction activities, which
may affect the Company's operations. If a landfill or transfer station
discharges wastewater through a sewage system to a publicly-owned treatment
works ("POTW"), the facility must comply with discharge limits imposed by
the POTW. In addition, states may adopt groundwater protection programs
under the Clean Water Act or Safe Drinking Water Act that could affect
solid waste landfills. Furthermore, development which alters or affects
"wetlands" must generally be permitted prior to such development
commencing, and certain mitigation requirements may be required by the
permitting agencies.
(4) The Clean Air Act. The Clean Air Act imposes limitations on
emissions from various sources, including landfills. On March 12, 1996, the
EPA enacted rules that require large municipal solid waste landfills to
install landfill gas monitoring systems. These EPA regulations apply to
landfills that have been operating since November 8, 1987, and that can
accommodate 2.5 million cubic meters or more of municipal solid waste. The
regulations apply whether the landfill is active or closed. The date by
which each affected landfill must have the required gas collection and
control system is dependent upon the adoption of state regulations and the
date the EPA approves the state program. Many state regulatory agencies
currently require monitoring systems for the collection and control of
landfill gas. Compliance with the new EPA regulations is not expected to
have a material effect on the Company.
(5) The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the "OSH
Act"). The OSH Act authorizes OSHA to promulgate occupational safety and
health standards. Various of these standards, including standards for
notices of hazardous chemicals and the handling of asbestos, apply to the
Company's facilities and operations.
State Regulation. Each state in which the Company operates has its own
laws and regulations governing solid waste disposal, water and air pollution
and, in most cases, releases and cleanup of hazardous substances and liability
for such matters. States also have adopted regulations governing the design,
operation, maintenance and closure of landfills and transfer stations. The
Company's facilities and operations are likely to be subject to these types of
requirements. In addition, the Company's solid waste collection and landfill
operations may be affected by the trend in many states toward requiring the
development of waste reduction and recycling programs. For example, several
states have enacted laws that require counties or municipalities to adopt
comprehensive plans to reduce, through waste planning, composting, recycling or
other programs, the volume of solid waste deposited in landfills. Additionally,
laws and regulations restricting the disposal of certain wastes, including yard
waste, newspapers, beverage containers, unshredded tires, lead-acid batteries
and household appliances in solid waste landfills have been promulgated in
several states and are being considered in others. Legislative and regulatory
measures to mandate or encourage waste reduction at the source and waste
recycling also are under consideration by Congress and the EPA.
In order to construct, expand and operate a landfill, one or more
construction or operating permits, as well as zoning approvals, must be
obtained. These are difficult and time-consuming to obtain, are often opposed by
neighboring landowners and citizens' groups, may be subject to periodic renewal
and are subject to modification and revocation by the issuing agency. In
connection with the Company's acquisition of existing landfills, it may be
necessary to expend considerable time, effort and money to bring the acquired
facilities into compliance with applicable requirements and to obtain the
permits and approvals necessary to increase their capacity.
Many of the Company's facilities own and operate underground storage tanks
("USTs") which are generally used to store petroleum-based products. USTs are
generally subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations that mandate
periodic testing, upgrading, closure and removal of USTs and that, in the event
of leaks from USTs, require that polluted groundwater and soils be remediated.
The Company believes that all the Company's USTs currently meet federal
regulations. If USTs owned or operated by the Company leak, and such leakage
migrates onto the property of others, the Company could be liable for response
costs and other damages to third parties. Compliance with regulations related to
USTs is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
9
12
Finally, with regard to its solid waste transportation operations, the
Company is subject to the jurisdiction of the Interstate Commerce Commission and
is regulated by the Federal Highway Administration, Office of Motor Carriers and
by regulatory agencies in each state. Various states have enacted, or are
considering enacting, laws and regulations that would restrict the interstate
transportation and processing of solid waste. In 1978, the United States Supreme
Court held similar laws and regulations unconstitutional; however, states have
attempted to distinguish proposed laws and regulations from the laws and
regulations involved in that ruling. In May 1994, the Supreme Court ruled that
state and local flow control laws and ordinances (which attempt to restrict
waste from leaving its place of generation) were an impermissible burden on
interstate commerce, and therefore, were unconstitutional. In response to these
Supreme Court rulings, Congress has considered passing legislation authorizing
states and local governments to restrict the free movement of solid waste in
interstate commerce. If federal legislation authorizing state and local
governments to restrict the free movement of solid waste in interstate commerce
is enacted, such legislation could adversely affect the Company's operations.
The Company has a reserve for environmental and landfill costs, which
includes landfill site closure and post-closure costs. The Company periodically
reassesses such costs based on various methods and assumptions regarding
landfill airspace and the technical requirements of Subtitle D of RCRA and
adjusts its accruals accordingly. Based on current information and regulatory
requirements, the Company believes that its reserve for such environmental
expenditures is adequate. However, environmental laws may change, and there can
be no assurance that the Company's reserves will be adequate to cover
requirements under existing or new environmental regulations, future changes or
interpretations of existing regulations or the identification of adverse
environmental conditions previously unknown to the Company. See "ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS -- Environmental and Landfill Matters" and "-- Risk Factors -- Risks
relating to environmental regulation."
COMPETITION
The Company operates in a highly competitive industry, which is changing as
a result of rapid consolidation. Entry into the Company's business and the
ability to operate profitably in such industry requires substantial amounts of
capital and managerial experience.
Competition in the non-hazardous solid waste industry comes from a number
of large, national publicly-owned companies, including Waste Management,
Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc. and Allied Waste Industries, Inc., numerous
regional publicly- and privately-owned solid waste companies, and from thousands
of small privately-owned companies in their respective markets. Some of the
Company's publicly-owned competitors also are engaging in aggressive acquisition
strategies. Certain of the Company's competitors have significantly larger
operations, and may have significantly greater financial resources, than the
Company. In addition to national and regional firms and numerous local
companies, the Company competes with those municipalities that maintain waste
collection or disposal operations. These municipalities may have financial
advantages due to the availability of tax revenues and tax-exempt financing.
The Company competes for collection accounts primarily on the basis of
price and the quality of its services. From time to time, competitors may reduce
the price of their services in an effort to expand market share or to win a
competitively bid municipal contract.
In each market in which it owns or operates a landfill, the Company
competes for landfill business on the basis of disposal costs, geographical
location and quality of operations. The Company's ability to obtain landfill
business may be limited by the fact that some major collection companies also
own or operate landfills to which they send their waste. There also has been an
increasing trend at the state and local levels to mandate waste reduction at the
source and to prohibit the disposal of certain types of wastes, such as yard
wastes, at landfills. This may result in the volume of waste going to landfills
being reduced in certain areas, which may affect the Company's ability to
operate its landfills at their full capacity and/or affect the prices that can
be charged for landfill disposal services. In addition, most of the states in
which the Company operates landfills
10
13
have adopted plans or requirements that set goals for specified percentages of
certain solid waste items to be recycled.
LIABILITY INSURANCE AND BONDING
The nature of the Company's business exposes it to the risk of liabilities
arising out of its operations, including possible damages to the environment.
Such potential liabilities could involve, for example, claims for remediation
costs, personal injury, property damage, and damage to the environment in cases
where the Company may be held responsible for the escape of harmful materials;
claims of employees, customers or third parties for personal injury or property
damage occurring in the course of the Company's operations; or claims alleging
negligence or professional errors and omissions in the planning or performance
of work. The Company could also be subject to fines and civil and criminal
penalties in connection with alleged violations of regulatory requirements.
Because of the nature and scope of the possible environmental damages,
liabilities imposed in environmental litigation can be significant. The majority
of the Company's solid waste operations have third party environmental liability
insurance with limits in excess of those required by permit regulations, subject
to certain limitations and exclusions. However, there is no assurance that the
limits of such environmental liability insurance would be adequate in the event
of a major loss, nor is there assurance that the Company would continue to carry
environmental liability insurance should market conditions in the insurance
industry make such coverage costs prohibitive.
The Company carries general liability, vehicle liability, workers
compensation and employer's liability coverage, as well as umbrella liability
policies to provide excess coverage over the underlying limits contained in
these primary policies. The Company also carries property insurance. Although
the Company strives to operate safely and prudently and has, subject to certain
limitations and exclusions, substantial liability insurance, no assurance can be
given that the Company will not be exposed to uninsured liabilities which could
have a material adverse effect on its financial condition.
In the normal course of business, the Company may be required to post a
performance bond or a bank letter of credit in connection with municipal
residential collection contracts, the operation, closure or post-closure of
landfills, certain remediation contracts, certain environmental permits and
certain business licenses and permits. Bonds issued by surety companies operate
as a financial guarantee of the Company's performance. To date, the Company has
satisfied financial responsibility requirements by making cash deposits,
obtaining bank letters of credit or by obtaining surety bonds.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1998, the Company employed approximately 10,000 full
time employees, approximately 2,400 of whom were covered by collective
bargaining agreements. The management of the Company believes that it has good
relations with its employees.
RISK FACTORS
This Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K includes
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including, in particular, certain statements
about our plans, strategies and prospects. Although we believe that our plans,
intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking
statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that such plans, intentions or
expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause our actual
results of differ materially from our forward-looking statements are set forth
in this Risk Factors section. All forward-looking statements attributable to us
or any persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by
the cautionary statements set forth below. Unless the context requires
otherwise, all references to the "Company," "we," "us,' or "our" include
Republic Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
11
14
RISK THAT REPUBLIC INDUSTRIES WILL FAIL TO COMPLETE ITS DISTRIBUTION OF REPUBLIC
SERVICES COMMON STOCK OR WILL FAIL TO OBTAIN FAVORABLE LETTER RULING FROM THE
IRS.
Assuming that certain conditions are met, Republic Industries intends to
distribute to its stockholders in 1999 all of the shares of our common stock
which it then owns. In this Annual Report, we will refer to Republic Industries'
distribution of our common stock as the "Distribution." One condition to the
Distribution is that Republic Industries must obtain a private letter ruling
from the Internal Revenue Service stating, to Republic Industries' satisfaction,
that the Distribution of its shares of our common stock will not be taxable to
Republic Industries or to its stockholders for federal income tax purposes.
Republic Industries has applied for this letter ruling from the IRS and intends
promptly to take all necessary steps to complete a tax-free distribution within
three months after all of the conditions to the Distribution, including
obtaining the letter ruling, have been met or waived. Republic Industries does
not plan to distribute its shares of our common stock to its stockholders
without a satisfactory letter ruling from the IRS.
Due to recent changes in the tax laws, we cannot assure you that Republic
Industries will receive a satisfactory letter ruling within the time frame it
contemplates, or at all. Republic Industries filed its request for the letter
ruling with the IRS in July 1998, and in recent weeks has had several meetings
with the IRS to attempt to resolve certain issues relating to the request.
Consequently, we cannot assure you that Republic Industries will complete the
Distribution of its shares of our common stock within the time frame it
contemplates, or at all.
Republic Industries' Distribution of its shares of our common stock also is
subject to the condition that no events or developments occur prior to the
Distribution that, in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors of Republic
Industries, would or could result in the Distribution having a material adverse
effect on Republic Industries or its stockholders. In addition, prior to the
Distribution, Republic Industries must obtain certain consents from governmental
authorities and other third parties.
We cannot assure you that any of the conditions just described, or any
other conditions necessary to the Distribution, will be satisfied. If the
Distribution does not occur in the time frame contemplated, or does not occur at
all, then the market price of the Class A common stock could be materially
adversely affected.
RISKS RELATING TO REPUBLIC INDUSTRIES' VOTING CONTROL OF REPUBLIC SERVICES.
Republic Industries currently owns approximately 63.9% of our outstanding
shares of common stock, which represents approximately 88.7% of the combined
voting power of the outstanding shares of our Class A and Class B common stock.
As a result of its voting power, Republic Industries can determine virtually all
matters requiring a vote of the stockholders, including the election of all of
our directors. Our Board of Directors currently consists of five members, two of
whom also currently serve as members of Republic Industries' Board of Directors.
Republic Industries intends to maintain ownership of at least 80% of the
combined voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock until the
Distribution of its shares of our common stock can be completed. If Republic
Industries does not complete the Distribution, it may elect to maintain its
controlling interest in our common stock indefinitely. As long as Republic
Industries maintains a controlling interest in our common stock, the market
price of our Class A common stock may be adversely affected by events which are
unrelated to our business or operations.
RISKS RESULTING FROM THE DISPARATE VOTING RIGHTS OF THE CLASS A AND CLASS B
COMMON STOCK.
The holders of Class A common stock have different voting rights from the
holders of Class B common stock. On all matters submitted to a vote of the
stockholders, holders of Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share
while holders of Class B common stock are entitled to five votes per share. As a
result of this disparity in voting rights, potential investors and potential
future purchasers of our Class A common stock may not be willing to pay as much
for shares of Class A common stock and the shares of Class A common stock may be
less easily sold for cash.
12
15
RISKS RELATING TO AGREEMENTS WHICH WERE NOT SUBJECT TO ARM'S LENGTH
NEGOTIATIONS.
We entered into certain agreements with Republic Industries while we were
its wholly owned subsidiary. None of these agreements were the result of
arm's-length negotiations. As a result, we cannot assure you that these
agreements were made on terms as favorable as could have been obtained from
parties with whom we were not related.
RISKS RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST OF CERTAIN EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND
DIRECTORS.
Two of our executive officers also serve as executive officers of Republic
Industries. Two members of our Board of Directors also serve as members of
Republic Industries' Board of Directors. Some of our executive officers and
directors hold shares of Republic Industries common stock or hold options or
warrants to acquire shares of Republic Industries' common stock. As a result of
these relationships, there is a potential for conflicts of interest with respect
to decisions which may arise in the ordinary course of business. Conflicts which
concern whether or not Republic Industries will complete the Distribution of its
shares of our common stock may also arise. We have not established formal
procedures to resolve any conflicts that arise. Consequently, we intend to
resolve any conflicts on a case-by-case basis.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR LIMITED ABILITY TO ISSUE COMMON STOCK IN CONNECTION WITH
REPUBLIC INDUSTRIES' DISTRIBUTION OF ITS SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
In order for Republic Industries' Distribution of its shares of our common
stock to be tax-free to it and its stockholders, among other requirements,
Republic Industries must distribute shares of our common stock representing at
least 80% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our voting stock.
If Republic Industries cannot meet this percentage requirement when it
distributes its shares of our common stock to its stockholders, then the
Distribution will not be tax-free and will not occur.
In order to allow Republic Industries to meet the percentage requirements
of a tax-free Distribution, we have agreed not to issue additional shares of our
capital stock without the consent of Republic Industries if the issuance of
additional shares of our capital stock would, or could, prevent the Distribution
from being tax-free. In addition, in connection with the Distribution proposed
by Republic Industries, we may be required to refrain, prior to and after
completion of the Distribution, from issuing additional capital stock in a
single transaction or series of transactions which, when added to the shares of
our common stock which we issued in our initial public offering and any shares
of our common stock which may be sold by Republic Industries prior to the
Distribution, could result in a 50% or greater change in the vote or value of
our outstanding capital stock.
Meeting the requirements of a tax-free Distribution may make it difficult
for us to raise cash by issuing equity securities, including shares of our
common stock. Meeting these requirements may also make it difficult for us to
complete acquisitions of businesses by issuing equity securities, including
shares of our common stock, to pay for the acquisition.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY REPUBLIC INDUSTRIES FROM CERTAIN
TAX LIABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DISTRIBUTION.
We will indemnify Republic Industries for any tax liability it may incur as
a result of actions by us after the Distribution which cause the Distribution to
lose its tax-free status. Any indemnification which we are required to provide
to Republic Industries as a result of tax liability related to the Distribution
would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR FUTURE CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND THE ABSENCE OF FUNDING
FROM REPUBLIC INDUSTRIES.
Our working capital requirements and cash flow from operating activities
can vary from quarter to quarter, depending on the timing of capital
expenditures, acquisitions and other factors. Prior to our initial public
offering, Republic Industries satisfied our working capital needs pursuant to
its corporate-wide cash management policies. Following our initial public
offering, Republic Industries has no longer been required to
13
16
provide funds to finance our operations or acquisitions. As a result, we have
incurred and expect to continue to incur both long-term debt and short-term debt
having interest rates and/or repayment terms less favorable than those which
were historically enjoyed with Republic Industries. Additionally, as long as we
remain a subsidiary of Republic Industries, certain restrictive covenants in
Republic Industries' bank credit facilities could adversely affect our ability
to borrow money.
Republic Industries amended its credit facilities to permit us to incur
unsecured indebtedness in excess of $1.0 billion. We have a $1.0 billion
unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of banks. The credit facility
consists of a $500.0 million facility expiring July 1999 and a $500.0 million
facility expiring July 2003. Borrowings under our credit facility bear interest
at LIBOR based rates. When the existing credit facility expires, we cannot
assure you that we will be able to refinance borrowings under that facility on
terms that are as favorable. If we are unable to obtain additional needed
financing on acceptable terms, we may need to reduce the scope of our
acquisition growth strategy, which could have a material adverse effect on our
growth prospects and the market price of our common stock.
RISKS RELATING TO THE COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE OPERATE.
We operate in a highly competitive business environment. Some of our
competitors have significantly larger operations and may have significantly
greater financial resources than we do. In addition, the solid waste industry is
constantly changing as a result of rapid consolidation which may create
additional competitive pressures in our business environment.
We also compete with municipalities that maintain their own waste
collection or disposal operations. These municipalities may have a financial
advantage over us due to the availability of tax revenue and tax-exempt
financing.
In each market in which we own or operate a landfill, we compete for solid
waste volume on the basis of disposal or "tipping" fees, geographical location
and quality of operations. Our ability to obtain solid waste volume for our
landfills may be limited by the fact that some major collection companies also
own or operate landfills to which they send their waste.
We compete for collection accounts primarily on the basis of price and the
quality of services. From time to time our competitors may reduce the price of
their services in an effort to expand their market share or to win a
competitively bid municipal contract.
As a result, we may have difficulty competing effectively from time to
time.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR DEPENDENCE ON ACQUISITIONS FOR GROWTH.
Our ability to execute our growth strategy depends in part on our ability
to identify and acquire desirable acquisition candidates as well as our ability
to successfully integrate the acquired companies' operations into our business
and then increase the market share of these acquired companies. The
consolidation of our operations with the operations of acquired companies,
including the integration of systems, procedures, personnel and facilities, the
relocation of staff, and the achievement of anticipated cost savings, economies
of scale and other business efficiencies, presents significant challenges to our
management, particularly if several acquisitions occur at the same time. We
cannot assure you that we will be able to identify desirable acquisition
candidates, that we will be able to acquire any of the identified candidates,
that we will effectively integrate companies which are acquired and fully
realize the expected cost savings, economies of scale or business efficiencies,
or that any acquisitions will be profitable or accretive to our earnings.
Additional factors may negatively impact our acquisition growth strategy.
Our acquisition strategy requires the expenditure of significant amounts of
capital. The intense competition among our competitors pursuing the same
acquisition candidates may further increase such capital requirements. In
addition, our inability to account for acquisitions under the pooling of
interests method of accounting for a period ending two years following the
Distribution may limit our ability to complete certain transactions.
Furthermore, in order not to adversely impact the tax-free status of the
Distribution, following the Distribution, we may need to refrain from issuing
additional shares of capital stock in a single transaction or series of
transactions related
14
17
to the Distribution which, when combined with the Class A common stock issued in
the initial public offering along with any shares of common stock sold by
Republic Industries prior to the Distribution, could cause a 50% or greater
change in the vote or value of our outstanding capital stock. If any of the
aforementioned factors force us to alter our growth strategy, our financial
condition, results of operations and growth prospects could be adversely
affected.
RISKS RELATING TO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES OF BUSINESSES WE ACQUIRE.
In pursuing our acquisition strategy our investigations of the acquisition
candidates may fail to discover certain undisclosed liabilities of the
acquisition candidates. If we acquire a candidate having undisclosed
liabilities, as a successor owner we may be responsible for such undisclosed
liabilities. We typically try to minimize our exposure to such liabilities by
obtaining indemnification from each seller of the acquired companies, and by
deferring payment of a portion of the purchase price as a security for the
indemnification. However, we cannot assure you that such indemnifications will
be obtainable, enforceable, collectible or sufficient in amount, scope or
duration to fully offset any undisclosed liabilities arising from our
acquisitions.
RISKS RELATING TO MANAGEMENT OF OUR GROWTH.
Our growth strategy places significant demands on our financial,
operational and management resources. In order to continue our growth and
operate independently of Republic Industries, we will need to add administrative
and other personnel, and make additional investments in operations and systems.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to find and train qualified personnel,
or do so on a timely basis, or expand our operations and systems to the extent,
and in the time, required.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL.
Our future success depends on the continued contributions of certain key
executive officers. Most of our executive officers do not have employment
agreements and we do not maintain key man life insurance policies on any of our
executive officers. In addition, as a result of our separation from Republic
Industries we will need to employ additional personnel for certain functions
which were previously performed by employees of Republic Industries. The loss of
the services of key employees and officers, whether such loss is through
resignation or other causes, or our inability to attract additional qualified
personnel, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition,
results of operations and growth prospects.
RISKS RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION.
We may need to spend considerable time, effort and capital to keep our
facilities in compliance with federal, state and local requirements regulating
health, safety, environment, zoning and land use. In addition, certain of our
waste operations that cross state boundaries could be adversely affected if the
federal government, or the state or locality in which these waste operations are
located, imposes discriminatory fees on, or otherwise limits or prohibits, the
transportation or disposal of solid waste. If environmental laws become more
stringent, our environmental capital expenditures and costs for environmental
compliance may increase in the future. In addition, due to the possibility of
unanticipated events or regulatory developments, the amounts and timing of
future environmental expenditures could vary substantially from those we
currently anticipate. Because of the nature of our operations, we have in the
past and may in the future be named as a potentially responsible party in
connection with the investigation or remediation of environmental conditions. We
cannot assure you that the resolution of these investigations will not have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Citizens' groups have become increasingly active in challenging the grant
of renewal permits and licenses for landfills and other waste facilities.
Responding to the challenges presented by these citizens' groups has further
increased our costs and extended the time associated with establishing new
facilities and expanding existing facilities.
We currently accrue for landfill costs, which include expected landfill
site closure and post-closure costs, based on consumption of landfill airspace.
At December 31, 1998, assuming that all available landfill capacity is used, we
expect to expense approximately $370.5 million of landfill costs over the
remaining lives of these facilities. We cannot assure you that our reserves for
landfill and environmental costs will be adequate to cover
15
18
the requirements of existing environmental regulations, future changes or
interpretations of existing regulations or the identification of adverse
environmental conditions previously unknown to us.
RISKS RELATING TO LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
We are involved in various administrative and legal proceedings in the
ordinary course of business. We cannot give you any assurance with respect to
the outcome of these proceedings or the effect which the outcomes may have on
our insurance coverages or otherwise, or that our reserves are adequate to meet
the requirements of any adverse outcomes. A significant judgment against us, the
loss of significant permits or licenses, or the imposition of a significant fine
could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of
operations.
Citizens' groups have become increasingly active in challenging the grant
or renewal of permits and licenses for landfills and other waste facilities.
Responding to the challenges presented by those citizens' groups has further
increased our costs and extended the time associated with establishing new
facilities and expanding existing facilities.
Except for routine litigation incidental to our business, presently there
are no pending material legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which
any of our property is subject.
RISKS RELATING TO THE YEAR 2000.
We use computer software and related technologies throughout our business
that are likely to be affected by the date change in the year 2000. We may not
discover and remediate all potential problems with our systems in a timely
manner. In addition, computer software and related technologies used by our
customers, service providers, vendors and suppliers are also likely to be
affected by the year 2000 date change. Failure of any of these parties to
properly process dates for the year 2000 and thereafter could result in
unanticipated expenses and delays to us, including delays in the payment by our
customers for services provided and delays in our ability to conduct normal
banking operations. See "ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- Year 2000."
RISKS RELATING TO THE SEASONALITY OF OUR BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS.
Our operations can be adversely affected by periods of inclement weather
which could delay the collection and disposal of waste, reduce the volume of
waste generated or delay the construction or expansion of our landfill sites and
other facilities.
RISKS RELATING TO SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE.
Subject to applicable law, Republic Industries may sell any and all of the
shares of our common stock that it owns. The Separation and Distribution
Agreement gives Republic Industries the right in certain circumstances to
require us to use our best efforts to register for resale shares of our common
stock held by Republic Industries and its wholly owned subsidiaries. In
addition, prior to the Distribution, Republic Industries may acquire additional
solid waste companies and contribute them to us in exchange for additional
shares of our common stock. Republic Industries may also make additional
investments in our capital securities, or otherwise, prior to the Distribution.
The planned Distribution would involve the distribution of an aggregate of
95,688,083 shares of Class B common stock and 16,474,417 shares of Class A
common stock to Republic Industries' stockholders in 1999 (assuming that no
additional shares of common stock are disposed of or acquired by Republic
Industries between the date hereof and the date of the Distribution). Shares of
Class B common stock may be converted into shares of Class A common stock in
certain circumstances. Substantially all of the shares of common stock to be
distributed to Republic Industries' stockholders in the Distribution will be
eligible for immediate resale in the public market. We cannot predict whether
substantial amounts of shares of our common stock will be sold in the open
market in anticipation of, or following, the Distribution. Any sales of
substantial amounts of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the
perception that such sales might occur, could materially adversely affect the
market price of the Class A common stock.
Any issuance by us of any additional shares of our capital stock is subject
to our agreement with Republic Industries not to issue any shares of capital
stock that would reduce Republic Industries' ownership below the required
distribution percentage described earlier in this Risk Factors section. Subject
to these contractual
16
19
limitations with Republic Industries, we may file registration statements
covering the issuance and/or resale of shares of Class A common stock which may
be issued in potential future acquisitions by us of non-hazardous solid waste
businesses.
WE DO NOT PRESENTLY ANTICIPATE PAYING CASH DIVIDENDS ON OUR COMMON STOCK.
We intend to retain all earnings for the foreseeable future for use in the
operation and expansion of our business. In addition, our credit facility
contains restrictions on our ability to declare and pay dividends. Consequently,
we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock to our
stockholders for the foreseeable future.
17
20
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company's corporate headquarters are located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
in premises leased from a subsidiary of Republic Industries. As of December 31,
1998, the Company owned approximately 4,900 collection vehicles. Certain of the
property and equipment of the Company are subject to liens securing payment of
portions of the Company's indebtedness. The Company also leases certain of its
offices and equipment. The Company believes that all of its facilities are
sufficient for its current needs.
The following table provides certain information regarding the 48 landfills
owned or operated by the Company as of December 31, 1998.
UNUSED
TOTAL PERMITTED PERMITTED
LANDFILL NAME LOCATION ACREAGE ACREAGE ACREAGE
------------- -------- ------- --------- ---------
Anderson(1).......................... Anderson, California 1,200 150 101
Apex................................. Clark County, Nevada 2,340 1,233 1,153
Brazoria............................. Clute, Texas 1,000 246 176
Broadhurst Landfill(2)............... Jesup, Georgia 900 90 64
C&T Regional......................... Linn, Texas 200 77 19
Capital Waste & Recycling
Disposal........................... Rotterdam, New York 33 5 --
Charter Waste........................ Abilene, Texas 396 300 283
Cleveland Container.................. Shelby, North Carolina 174 77 40
CWI Florida.......................... Winter Haven, Florida 80 58 14
Dozit Landfill....................... Morganfield, Kentucky 232 47 33
East Carolina Landfill............... Aulander, North Carolina 729 108 71
Epperson Landfill.................... Williamstown, Kentucky 861 100 58
Foothills Landfill(2)................ Lenior, North Carolina 231 78 72
Forest Lawn.......................... Three Oaks, Michigan 387 126 73
Front Range.......................... Denver, Colorado 602 195 162
Green Ridge.......................... Scottdale, Pennsylvania 580 87 54
Green Valley Landfill................ Ashland, Kentucky 263 37 --
Kestral Hawk......................... Racine, Wisconsin 210 125 37
Laughlin(2).......................... Laughlin, Nevada 40 40 --
Los Mangos........................... Alajuela, Costa Rica 41 24 8
Mallard Ridge........................ Delavan, Wisconsin 659 40 14
National Serv-All.................... Fort Wayne, Indiana 265 204 41
Nine Mile Road....................... St. Augustine, Florida 154 28 9
North County......................... Houston, Texas 46 40 20
Northwest Tennessee.................. Union City, Tennessee 600 120 99
Oak Grove............................ Winder, Georgia 301 60 32
Ohio County Balefill(2).............. Beaver Dam, Kentucky 908 179 143
Pepperhill........................... North Charleston, South Carolina 37 22 13
Pine Ridge........................... Griffin, Georgia 850 101 81
Pinellas(2).......................... St. Petersburg, Florida 750 478 200
Presidio(2).......................... Presidio, Texas 10 10 6
Republic/Alpine(2)................... Alpine, Texas 80 74 63
Republic/CSC......................... Avalon, Texas 298 205 133
Republic/Imperial.................... Imperial, California 250 73 37
Republic/Maloy....................... Campbell, Texas 388 195 130
Safety Lights........................ Memphis, Tennessee 49 21 6
San Angelo(2)........................ San Angelo, Texas 257 232 109
Savannah Regional.................... Savannah, Georgia 132 59 52
Southern Illinois Regional........... DeSoto, Illinois 249 113 47
Springfield Environmental............ Mt. Vernon, Indiana 55 25 --
Swiftcreek Landfill.................. Macon, Georgia 792 81 33
Tay-Ban.............................. Birch Run, Michigan 90 25 6
Tri-K Landfill....................... Stanford, Kentucky 572 64 49
United Refuse........................ Fort Wayne, Indiana 305 77 16
Upper Piedmont Environmental......... Roxboro, North Carolina 614 70 54
Uwharrie Landfill(2)................. Mt. Gilead, North Carolina 905 90 31
Victory Environmental................ Terre Haute, Indiana 461 260 138
Wabash Valley........................ Wabash, Indiana 284 69 12
------ ----- -----
Total................................ 20,860 6,218 3,992
====== ===== =====
- ---------------
(1) The Company has entered into a contract to sell this landfill to Waste
Management.
(2) Operated but not owned by the Company.
18
21
ITEM 3. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS
The Company generally is and will continue to be involved in various
administrative and legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. No
assurance can be given with respect to the outcome of these proceedings or the
effect such outcomes may have on the Company, or that the Company's insurance
coverages or reserves with respect thereto are adequate. A significant judgment
against the Company, the loss of significant permits or licenses, or the
imposition of a significant fine could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Except for routine litigation incidental to the business of the Company,
there are no pending material legal proceedings to which the Company is a party
or to which any of its property is subject. The Company believes that the
outcome of the proceedings to which it is currently a party will not have a
material adverse effect upon its financial condition, results of operations or
prospects. However, unfavorable resolution of any such proceedings could affect
the consolidated results of operations or cash flows for the quarterly period in
which they are resolved.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to the stockholders of the Company during the
fourth quarter of 1998.
19
22
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS
MARKET INFORMATION, HOLDERS AND DIVIDENDS
The Class A Common Stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on
July 1, 1998. There is no market for the Class B Common Stock.
The following table sets forth the range of the high and low sales prices
of the Class A Common Stock for the periods indicated:
1998 HIGH LOW
- ---- ---- ----
Third Quarter........................................... $ 27 7/16 $ 13 3/8
Fourth Quarter.......................................... 24 9/16 14
On January 27, 1999, the last reported sales price of the Class A Common
Stock was $20 3/4.
There were approximately 37 record holders of the Class A Common Stock at
January 19, 1999. The only record holder of the Class B Common Stock is Republic
Industries.
The Company does not intend to pay cash dividends on the Common Stock for
the foreseeable future because it intends to retain all earnings for use in the
operation and expansion of the Company's business. Furthermore, the Company's
ability to declare or pay dividends is limited by the terms of the credit
facility which contains covenants that restrict the payment of cash dividends.
Holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock have identical rights
as to cash dividends, which if declared would be payable on a pro rata basis to
all holders of Common Stock.
20
23
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following Selected Financial Data should be read in conjunction with
the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto as of December
31, 1998 and 1997 and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1998 and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The selected
statement of operations data of the Company for the full fiscal year 1994, and
the selected balance sheet data at December 31, 1995 and 1994 presented below
were derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the
Company, which in the opinion of management reflect all adjustments, consisting
of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of such
data. See Notes 1, 3, 6 and 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
a discussion of basis of presentation, business combinations, stockholders'
equity and restructuring and other charges and their effect on comparability of
year-to-year data.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenue........................................... $1,369.1 $1,127.7 $ 953.3 $ 805.0 $ 610.1
Expenses:
Cost of operations.............................. 842.7 723.0 628.3 507.1 380.8
Depreciation, amortization and depletion........ 106.3 86.1 75.3 63.0 53.2
Selling, general and administrative............. 135.8 117.3 135.3 137.7 115.0
Restructuring and other charges................. -- -- 8.8 3.3 --
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating income.................................. 284.3 201.3 105.6 93.9 61.1
Interest expense.................................. (44.7) (25.9) (29.7) (19.1) (13.2)
Interest income................................... 1.5 4.9 11.7 4.4 1.5
Other income (expense), net....................... (.9) 1.8 2.2 1.8 (5.5)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income from continuing operations before income
taxes........................................... 240.2 182.1 89.8 81.0 43.9
Provision for income taxes........................ 86.5 65.9 38.0 31.6 17.0
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income from continuing operations................. 153.7 116.2 51.8 49.4 26.9
Loss from discontinued operations................. -- -- -- (24.8) (5.4)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net income........................................ $ 153.7 $ 116.2 $ 51.8 $ 24.6 $ 21.5
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Basic and diluted earnings per share(a)........... $ 1.13 $ 1.21 $ .54 $ .26 $ .22
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Weighted average common and common equivalent
shares outstanding(a)........................... 135.6 95.7 95.7 95.7 95.7
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Pro forma basic and diluted earnings per
share(b)........................................ $ 1.01 $ .74
======== ========
Pro forma weighted average common and common
equivalent shares outstanding(b)................ 175.4 175.4
======== ========
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
(IN MILLIONS)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents......................... $ 556.6 $ -- $ 24.2 $ 36.1 $ 39.2
Total assets...................................... 2,812.1 1,348.0 1,090.3 838.9 681.1
Amounts due to Republic Industries................ -- 266.1 254.9 125.0 27.4
Total debt........................................ 1,057.1 75.1 142.7 160.1 195.2
Total stockholders' equity........................ 1,299.1 750.8 494.5 372.2 272.4
- ---------------
(a) Prior to the Initial Public Offering on July 1, 1998, the Company had only
100 shares of common stock outstanding, all of which were owned by Republic
Industries. Historical share and per share data have been retroactively
adjusted for the recapitalization of the Company's 100 shares of common
stock into 95.7 million shares of Class B Common Stock in July 1998.
(b) Pro forma basic and diluted earnings per share assume the Initial Public
Offering and the repayment in full of the amounts due to Republic Industries
occurred as of the beginning of each period presented.
21
24
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein.
All references to historical share and per share data of the Company's Common
Stock have been retroactively adjusted for the recapitalization of the Company's
100 shares of common stock into 95,688,083 shares of Class B Common Stock in
July 1998.
OVERVIEW
In May 1998, Republic Industries announced its intention to separate the
Company from Republic Industries (the "Separation"). Republic Industries also
announced its intention to distribute its remaining shares of Common Stock in
the Company as of the distribution date to Republic Industries' stockholders in
1999, subject to certain conditions and consents (the "Distribution"). The
Company and Republic Industries have entered into certain agreements providing
for the Separation and governing various interim and ongoing relationships
between the companies. The Distribution is conditioned, in part, on Republic
Industries obtaining a private letter ruling from the IRS to the effect that,
among other things, the Distribution will qualify as a tax-free distribution for
federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Code, in form and substance
satisfactory to Republic Industries.
In July 1998, the Company completed the Initial Public Offering resulting
in net proceeds of approximately $1.4 billion. In addition, in July 1998 the
Company repaid in full all remaining amounts due to Republic Industries through
the issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock and with the net proceeds from
the Initial Public Offering. Following the Initial Public Offering and the
repayment of amounts due to Republic Industries, Republic Industries owned
approximately 63.9% of the outstanding shares of Class A and Class B Common
Stock which represents approximately 88.7% of the combined voting power of all
of the outstanding shares of the Class A and Class B Common Stock. Following the
recapitalization of the Company's Common Stock, repayment of amounts due to
Republic Industries and the Initial Public Offering, the Company had the
following shares of Common Stock outstanding (in millions):
CLASS A CLASS B TOTAL
------- ------- -----
Recapitalization of Company's Common Stock.................. -- 95.7 95.7
Repayment of amounts due to Republic Industries............. 16.5 -- 16.5
Initial Public Offering..................................... 63.2 -- 63.2
---- ---- -----
79.7 95.7 175.4
==== ==== =====
Prior to the Initial Public Offering, the Company had been a wholly owned
subsidiary of Republic Industries. As a wholly owned subsidiary, the Company
received services provided by Republic Industries, including accounting,
auditing, cash management, corporate communications, corporate development,
financial and treasury, human resources and benefit plan administration,
insurance and risk management, legal, purchasing and tax services. Republic
Industries also provided the Company with the services of a number of its
executives and employees. In consideration for these services, Republic
Industries allocated a portion of its overhead costs related to such services to
the Company. This allocation had historically been based on the proportion of
invested capital of the Company as a percentage of the consolidated invested
capital of Republic Industries and its subsidiaries (including the Company). In
June 1998, the Company and Republic Industries entered into a services agreement
("Services Agreement") pursuant to which Republic Industries will continue to
provide the services described herein in exchange for a monthly fee of $1.25
million, subject to review and adjustment from time to time as the Company
reduces services required from Republic Industries. Effective January 1, 1999,
such fee was reduced to $.9 million per month. Management of the Company
believes that the amounts allocated to the Company and/or charged under the
Services Agreement were no less favorable to the Company than costs the Company
would have incurred to obtain such services on its own or from unaffiliated
third parties.
22
25
The historical consolidated financial information included in this Annual
Report does not necessarily reflect what the Company's financial position and
results of operations would have been had the Company been operated as a
separate, stand-alone entity during the periods presented.
GENERAL
The Company is a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste collection
and disposal services in the United States. The Company provides solid waste
collection services for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential
customers through 131 collection companies in 26 states. The Company also owns
or operates 70 transfer stations and 48 solid waste landfills.
The Company's revenue is generated primarily from its solid waste
collection operations, with the remainder comprised of revenue from landfill
disposal services and other services including recycling and composting
operations. Collection, transfer and disposal, recycling and other services
accounted for approximately 78.7%, 10.1%, 3.1% and 8.1%, respectively, of
consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 1998.
Revenue from collection operations consists of fees from commercial,
industrial, municipal and residential customers. In 1998, the Company's revenue
from collection services was derived approximately one third from services
provided to commercial customers, one third from services provided to industrial
customers and one third from services provided to municipal and residential
customers. Residential and commercial collection operations in certain markets
are performed under long-term contracts with municipalities. Industrial and
commercial collection operations generally are provided to individual customers
on a contractual basis with terms up to three years. Revenue from landfill
disposal operations consists of tipping fees charged to third parties. Recycling
operations are generally integrated with collection operations with revenue
derived through the sale of recyclable materials. No one customer has
individually accounted for more than 10.0% of the Company's consolidated revenue
in any of the last three years.
Cost of operations for the Company's collection operations is primarily
variable and includes disposal, labor, fuel and equipment maintenance costs. The
Company seeks to achieve a high rate of waste internalization by controlling
waste streams from the point of collection through disposal. During 1998,
approximately 40% of the total volume of waste collected by the Company was
disposed of at the Company's landfills. Landfill cost of operations includes
most daily operating expenses, the legal and administrative costs of ongoing
environmental compliance, costs of capital for cell development and accruals for
closure and post-closure costs. Certain direct landfill development costs, such
as engineering, upgrading, cell construction and permitting costs, are
capitalized and depleted based on consumed airspace. All indirect landfill
development costs are expensed as incurred.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
The Company makes decisions to acquire or invest in businesses based on
financial and strategic considerations.
Significant businesses acquired and accounted for under the pooling of
interests method of accounting have been included retroactively in the
Consolidated Financial Statements as if the companies had operated as one entity
since inception. Businesses acquired and accounted for under the purchase method
of accounting are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the
date of acquisition.
In September 1998, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with
Waste Management to acquire certain assets and to enter into certain disposal
agreements at various Waste Management facilities. The assets to be acquired
include 16 landfills, 11 transfer stations and 136 commercial collection routes
across the United States. Total consideration for the transaction will be
approximately $490.0 million in cash plus certain additional properties, which
will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. At December 31,
1998, closings had been completed for 6 landfills, 7 transfer stations and all
of the collection routes at a purchase price of $200.8 million consisting of
cash and certain properties. Management believes the closing of the remaining
asset acquisitions will be completed in the first quarter of 1999.
23
26
Prior to the Initial Public Offering, Republic Industries has acquired
various businesses operating in the solid waste services industry using cash and
shares of Republic Industries common stock ("Republic Industries Common Stock").
These businesses were contributed by Republic Industries to the Company
subsequent to their acquisition. The Company has applied the same accounting
method used by Republic Industries in accounting for business combinations.
During the year ended December 31, 1998, Republic Industries acquired
various solid waste services businesses which were contributed to the Company.
The aggregate purchase price paid by Republic Industries in transactions
accounted for under the purchase method of accounting was $128.3 million,
consisting of cash and approximately 3.4 million shares of Republic Industries
Common Stock. Subsequent to the Initial Public Offering, the Company acquired
various solid waste businesses. The aggregate purchase price paid by the Company
in transactions accounted for under the purchase method of accounting was $450.5
million consisting of cash and certain properties. Cost in excess of the fair
value of net assets acquired in 1998 acquisitions totaled approximately $572.4
million. As of December 31, 1998, the Company had intangible assets, net of
accumulated amortization, of $918.3 million, which consist primarily of the cost
in excess of fair value of net assets acquired. Cost in excess of the fair value
of net assets acquired is amortized over forty years on a straight-line basis.
As of December 31, 1998, amortization expense associated with these intangible
assets on an annualized basis is approximately $32.2 million. The Company
believes the forty year life assigned to the cost in excess of the fair value of
net assets acquired is reasonable as the businesses acquired are generally
well-established companies which have been in existence for many years and have
stable, long-term customer relationships.
During the year ended December 31, 1997, Republic Industries acquired
various solid waste services businesses which were contributed to the Company.
The aggregate purchase price paid by Republic Industries in transactions
accounted for under the purchase method of accounting was $147.9 million,
consisting of cash and approximately 5.7 million shares of Republic Industries
Common Stock. Cost in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in these
acquisitions totaled $149.1 million. In addition, Republic Industries issued an
aggregate of approximately 34.1 million shares of Republic Industries Common
Stock in transactions accounted for under the pooling of interests method of
accounting. Included in the shares of Republic Industries Common Stock issued in
acquisitions accounted for under the pooling of interests method of accounting
are approximately 0.3 million shares issued for acquisitions that were not
material individually or in the aggregate and, consequently, prior period
financial statements were not restated for such acquisitions.
During the year ended December 31, 1996, Republic Industries acquired
various solid waste services businesses which were contributed to the Company.
The aggregate purchase price paid by Republic Industries in transactions
accounted for under the purchase method of accounting was $87.6 million,
consisting of cash and approximately 6.6 million shares of Republic Industries
Common Stock. Cost in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in these
acquisitions totaled $73.6 million. In addition, Republic Industries issued an
aggregate of approximately 40.0 million shares of Republic Industries Common
Stock in transactions accounted for under the pooling of interests method of
accounting. Included in the shares of Republic Industries Common Stock issued in
acquisitions accounted for under the pooling of interests method of accounting
are approximately 1.1 million shares issued for acquisitions that were not
material individually or in the aggregate and, consequently, prior period
financial statements were not restated for such acquisitions.
See Note 3, Business Combinations, of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements, for further discussion of business combinations.
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Pro forma net income was $177.6 million, or $1.01 per share, for the year
ended December 31, 1998 as compared to $128.9 million, or $.74 per share, for
the year ended December 31, 1997. Pro forma operating results assume the Initial
Public Offering and the repayment in full of the amounts due to Republic
Industries had occurred as of the beginning of each period indicated.
See Note 1, Basis of Presentation, of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements, for further discussion of pro forma operating results.
24
27
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
Net income was $153.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 as
compared to $116.2 million in 1997 and $51.8 million in 1996. Operating results
for the year ended December 31, 1996 includes restructuring and other charges
further described below.
The following table sets forth revenue and cost of operations,
depreciation, amortization and depletion, selling, general and administrative
expenses, restructuring and other charges and operating income with percentages
of revenue for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
1998 % 1997 % 1996 %
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Revenue.............................. $1,369.1 100.0% $1,127.7 100.0% $ 953.3 100.0%
Cost of operations................... 842.7 61.6 723.0 64.1 628.3 65.9
Depreciation, amortization and
depletion.......................... 106.3 7.8 86.1 7.6 75.3 7.9
Selling, general and administrative
expenses........................... 135.8 9.9 117.3 10.4 135.3 14.2
Restructuring and other charges...... -- -- -- -- 8.8 .9
-------- ----- -------- ----- -------- -----
Operating income..................... $ 284.3 20.8% $ 201.3 17.9% $ 105.6 11.1%
======== ===== ======== ===== ======== =====
Revenue. Revenue was $1,369.1 million, $1,127.7 million and $953.3 million
for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The increase
in 1998 over 1997 of $241.4 million, or 21.4%, is a result of internal growth
which accounted for 12.8% of the increase and acquisitions which accounted for
8.6% of the increase. Price and primarily volume contributed 7.0% of the
internal growth increase and "tuck-in" acquisitions contributed 5.8% of the
increase. The increase in 1997 over 1996 of $174.4 million, or 18.3%, is a
result of internal growth which accounted for 10.8% of the increase and
acquisitions which accounted for 7.5% of the increase. Price and primarily
volume contributed 7.4% of the internal growth increase and "tuck-in"
acquisitions contributed 3.4%.
Cost of Operations. Cost of operations was $842.7 million, $723.0 million
and $628.3 million or, as a percentage of revenue, 61.6%, 64.1% and 65.9% for
the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The increases in
aggregate dollars are a result of the expansion of the Company's operations
through acquisitions and internal growth. The decreases in cost of operations as
a percentage of revenue are primarily a result of improved operating
efficiencies.
Depreciation, Amortization and Depletion. Depreciation, amortization and
depletion expenses were $106.3 million, $86.1 million and $75.3 million or, as
percentages of revenue, 7.8%, 7.6% and 7.9% for the years ended December 31,
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The increases in depreciation, amortization
and depletion expenses in aggregate dollars are due primarily to acquisitions.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses were $135.8 million, $117.3 million and $135.3 million
or, as percentages of revenue, 9.9%, 10.4% and 14.2% for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The decreases in selling,
general and administrative expenses as percentages of revenue in each of the
years are primarily due to leveraging the existing overhead structure over an
expanding revenue base. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses
are Republic Industries' allocations of corporate general and administrative
costs of $7.5 million, $10.2 million and $8.4 million for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and fees paid to Republic
Industries under the Services Agreement of $7.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998. See Note 10, Related Party Transactions, of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Restructuring and Other Charges. The Company recorded restructuring and
other charges of approximately $8.8 million for the year ended December 31,
1996, which includes costs to close certain landfill operations, asset
write-offs and merger expenses associated with certain business combinations
accounted for under the pooling of interests method of accounting.
25
28
Operating Income. Operating income was $284.3 million, $201.3 million and
$105.6 million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Excluding restructuring and other charges, operating income would
have been $114.4 million in 1996.
Interest Expense. Interest expense was incurred on the Company's revolving
credit facility, amounts due to Republic Industries, and the debt assumed in
acquisitions. Interest expense was $44.7 million, $25.9 million and $29.7
million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and
includes interest expense on amounts due to Republic Industries of $37.3
million, $20.2 million and $18.8 million for the years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively. The amounts due to Republic Industries were repaid
in full in July 1998 through the issuance of Class A Common Stock and proceeds
from the Initial Public Offering.
Pro forma interest expense was $7.4 million and $5.7 million for the years
ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. This increase is due primarily
to borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility.
Interest and Other Income. Interest and other income was $.6 million, $6.7
million and $13.9 million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The variances during the periods are primarily due to fluctuations
in cash balances on hand and related interest income.
Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $86.5 million, $65.9
million and $38.0 million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The effective income tax rate was 36.0%, 36.2% and 42.3% for the
years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The higher 1996
effective income tax rate is primarily due to varying higher historical
effective income tax rates of acquired businesses. There can be no assurance
that the trend in the Company's effective tax rate will continue to be favorable
in the future.
Effective with the Initial Public Offering on July 1, 1998, the Company is
no longer included in Republic Industries' federal tax return.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND LANDFILL MATTERS
The Company owns or operates 48 solid waste landfills with approximately
6,200 permitted acres and total available permitted disposal capacity of
approximately 1.2 billion in-place cubic yards as of December 31, 1998. As of
December 31, 1998 and 1997, cubic yards of available airspace at the Company's
landfills were 1,230.1 million and 1,104.7 million, respectively. Airspace
increased during 1998 by 125.4 million cubic yards as a result of landfills
acquired and internally developed totaling 145.3 million cubic yards, offset by
consumption of 19.9 million cubic yards during the year.
The Company provides for accrued environmental and landfill costs which
include landfill site closure and post-closure costs. Landfill site closure and
post-closure costs include estimated costs to be incurred for final closure of
the landfills and estimated costs for providing required post-closure monitoring
and maintenance of landfills. These costs are accrued based on consumed
airspace. The Com