Back to GetFilings.com
1
================================================================================
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
----------
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 Commission File Number 0-20618
----------
RAILAMERICA, INC.
------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 65-0328006
---------------------------- ---------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) Identification Number)
301 Yamato Road, Suite 1190
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
--------------------------------------- ---------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (561) 994-6015
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.001 Par Value
Common Stock Purchase Rights
Check 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 [ ]
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K contained in this form, and no disclosure will be
contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ( )
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates
of the registrant as of March 24, 1999 computed by reference to the average bid
and asked prices of registrant's common stock reported on NASDAQ on such date
was $63,300,000.
The number of shares outstanding of registrant's Common Stock, $.001
par value per share, as of March 25, 1999 was 11,144,319.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The registrant's proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be held June 24, 1999 (the "Definitive Proxy Statement") to be filed with the
Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A is incorporated by reference into Part III
of this Form 10-K.
================================================================================
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
PART I
Item 1. Business 3
Item 2. Properties 19
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 23
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 23
PART II
Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 24
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 26
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis 27
Item 8. Financial Statements 41
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure 41
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 42
Item 11. Executive Compensation 42
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 42
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 42
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 43
2
3
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
GENERAL
RailAmerica, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the
"Company") is a leading operator of short line freight railroads in the United
States, based on total track miles, and an operator of a regional freight
railroad in the Republic of Chile. The Company is also a leading manufacturer of
specialized truck trailers through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Kalyn/Siebert,
Inc. ("KSI"), with production facilities in Gatesville, Texas and
Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada. In addition, the Company holds a minority
interest in the Great Southern Railway Limited consortium, which operates a
4000-mile transcontinental passenger rail service in Australia. Segment and
geographic information called for in item 1 is set forth in Note 20 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements and is incorporated herein by reference.
RailAmerica's core business is the acquisition and operation of short line and
regional railroads. The Company has grown rapidly through acquisitions since
December 31, 1994, at which time it operated only 300 miles of track and
employed 220 full-time employees. At December 31, 1998, the Company operated
approximately 2,400 miles of rail line, including approximately 1,000 miles in
North America and over 1,400 miles in Chile. At December 31, 1998, the Company
employed 652 full-time employees.
The Company plans to continue to acquire short line railroads in North
America from Class I railroads as well as from other short line operators. The
Company also continues to evaluate opportunities to acquire regional railroads
in foreign markets that are being privatized by foreign governments.
Additionally, the Company will consider other strategic acquisitions in the
specialty trailer manufacturing industry.
Since industry deregulation in 1980, major North American railroads
have streamlined their operations by systematically divesting themselves of
branch lines to smaller rail operators that have advantageous cost structures.
The divestiture activity has accelerated in recent years as a result of the
consolidation of Class I railroads which has led to the disposition of redundant
and light-density routes. Similarly, an increasing number of foreign governments
are seeking to encourage private investment in infrastructure and stimulate
economic activity by privatizing their national rail systems through sale or by
concession to qualified operators. The Company's acquisition strategy as
described above is exemplified by: (i) the purchase, in April 1998, through the
Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Saginaw Valley Railway Company ("SGVY"), of a
51-mile rail line in Michigan, (ii) the long term lease/purchase agreement to
operate a 13-mile rail line in California in August 1998, through the Company's
new subsidiary, Ventura County Railroad Company, Inc. ("VCRR"), (iii) the
purchase, in January 1999, through the Company's newly-formed subsidiary,
Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway Company, of a 181-mile rail line in British
Columbia, Canada, and (iv) the selection, in February 1999, of a consortium in
which the Company is expected to be a majority partner as the successful bidder
for V/Line Freight Corporation, the rail freight business of Australia's
Victorian Government. The rail line in Victoria, Australia consists of
approximately
3
4
3,000 miles of track.
The Company believes that it is well-positioned to take advantage of
the opportunities emerging in the North American and international rail
industries. The Company has developed a disciplined evaluation and acquisition
program, identifying rail properties that can be acquired on attractive terms
and can be improved by the implementation of RailAmerica's operating practices
when applied to the rail properties acquired by the Company. These practices
have had the effect of increasing traffic while reducing expenses through
introduction of operating efficiencies and customer service programs. The
Company believes that it has become a desirable partner for Class I railroads as
a result of its ability to pursue and consummate acquisitions swiftly and
operate the rail lines more efficiently.
The Company expanded its trailer manufacturing operations through the
purchase, in January 1998, by the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, KSI, of
Fabrex, Inc. and its affiliate, Services Remorques Plus, Inc., forming a new
subsidiary, Kalyn/Siebert Canada, Inc. ("KSC"). KSC is a manufacturer of
specialty bulk-hauling truck trailers located in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada.
In January 1999, the Company completed an $11.6 million private
offering of convertible redeemable preferred stock, and, in March 1999, the
Company completed a $12.5 million private offering of restricted common stock.
See details in Liquidity and Capital Resources section.
The Company's business as of December 31, 1998 was conducted through
eighteen wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries - Huron and Eastern Railway
Company, Inc. ("HESR"), SGVY, KSI, KSC, Otter Tail Valley Railroad Company
("OTVR"), South Central Tennessee Railroad Corporation ("SCTR"), Delaware Valley
Railway Company, Inc. ("DVRC"), RailAmerica Intermodal Services, Inc. ("RIS"),
Dakota Rail, Inc. ("Dakota Rail"), RailAmerica Equipment Corporation ("REC"),
West Texas and Lubbock Railroad Company, Inc. ("WTLR"), Cascade and Columbia
River Railroad Company ("CCRR"), Minnesota Northern Railroad ("MNR"),
RailAmerica de Chile, S.A ("RDC"), Steel City Carriers, Inc. ("Steel City
Carriers"), St. Croix Valley Railroad Company ("SCXY"), RailAmerica Australia
Pty. Limited ("RAA"), and VCRR. All references to the operations of the
"Company" discussed in this Form 10-K describe the operations of its
subsidiaries.
The Company was incorporated in Delaware on March 31, 1992 as a holding
company for two pre-existing railroad companies - HESR and SGVY. The Company's
principal executive office is located at 301 Yamato Road, Suite 1190, Boca
Raton, Florida 33431, and its telephone number at that location is (561)
994-6015.
RAILROAD INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
The U.S. railroad industry is dominated by nine Class I railroads,
which operated approximately 122,000 miles of track at December 31, 1997 (the
most recent year for which data is available) and represented approximately
$32.3 billion, or approximately 91.4%, of total rail industry
4
5
operating revenue of $35.3 billion in 1997. In addition to large railroad
operators, at year end 1997 there were more than 500 short line and regional
railroads, which generated approximately $3.0 billion of operating revenue in
1997 and operated approximately 50,000 miles of track at December 31, 1997.
Reflecting downsizing of major rail carriers, the proportion of total track
miles operated by short line and regional railroads in the United States
increased to 29.0% of total railroad industry track miles in 1997 from
approximately 17.0% in 1986. The railroad industry in the United States has
undergone significant change since the passage of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980
(the "Staggers Rail Act"), which deregulated the pricing and types of services
provided by railroads. Since 1980, Class I railroads in the United States and
Canada have systematically divested themselves of branch lines to smaller rail
operators. As a result, more than 300 short line and regional railroads
operating approximately 27,000 miles of track have been created since 1980 to
serve shippers on such lines. The divestiture has accelerated in recent years as
a result of the consolidation and merger activity among Class I railroads, which
has led to the sale of overlapping routes.
As a result of deregulation, major railroads have been able to
concentrate their management and marketing attention on core, long-haul routes,
while divesting (through sale or lease) many of their low-density branch lines
to smaller and more cost-efficient freight railroad operators such as the
Company. The major railroads have derived significant benefits from the
divesting of branch lines to short line operators. Divesting these branch lines
allows major railroads to minimize incremental capital expenditures, increase
traffic density, improve railcar utilization and avoid rail line abandonment.
Because of the focus of short line railroads on increasing traffic volume
through increased customer service and more efficient operations, traffic volume
on short line railroads frequently increases after divestiture. Consequently,
these transactions often result in net increases in divesting carriers' freight
traffic because much of the business originating or terminating on branch lines
feeds into divesting carriers' core routes.
GROWTH STRATEGY
- NORTH AMERICAN ACQUISITIONS. RailAmerica plans to continue to acquire
short line and regional railroads that become available as a result of
rationalizations and divestitures in North America, especially in
geographic regions where the Company can "cluster" a number of acquired
rail lines to achieve economies of scale.
- INTERNATIONAL ACQUISITIONS. RailAmerica plans to acquire additional
foreign regional railroads that become available as a result of
governmental privatization, primarily through joint ventures with local
partners familiar with market conditions in the region. International
rail acquisitions often offer the Company better growth opportunities
due to their lack of historical operating efficiencies typical of
government entities.
- EXPANSION OF MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS. RailAmerica plans to investigate
additional specialized truck trailer manufacturing opportunities as
they become available.
- FOCUSED SALES AND MARKETING. RailAmerica continues to increase traffic
from existing,
5
6
former and new customers in each of its markets through the aggressive
marketing of its enhanced customer service, renegotiation of rates
where prudent and implementation of other incentive arrangements for
shippers. Once RailAmerica reestablishes frequent service for a newly
acquired railroad, it markets its newly restored service to existing
customers as well as to customers who may have dropped service when the
former owner had operational control.
- OPERATING EFFICIENCY. The Company improves its operating efficiency
through rationalized staffing, incentivized local management and staff,
centralized purchasing and corporate services, efficient equipment
utilization and outsourced maintenance.
The Company acquires rail properties by purchase of assets, lease or
operating contract. Typically, the Company bids against other short line and
regional operators for available properties. The structure of each transaction
is determined by the seller based upon economic and strategic considerations. In
addition to the financial terms of the transaction, the Company believes sellers
consider more subjective criteria such as a prospective acquirer's operating
experience, its reputation among shippers, and its ability to close a
transaction and commence operations smoothly. The Company believes it has
established an excellent record in each of these areas. In addition, by growing
revenues on its acquired lines and providing improved service to shippers, the
Company is able to provide increased revenue to the Class I carriers that
connect with its lines. The Company believes this ability to provide increased
revenue to Class I carriers is an advantage in bidding for properties.
RAILROAD OPERATIONS
GENERAL
The Company provides rail service to on-line customers through the
coordination of the railroad's general manager, marketing manager and customer
service center. Rail service for the customer is scheduled by the general
manager with the assistance of customer service personnel. Due to the Company's
flexibility in providing service, customers can initiate unscheduled rail
service on short notice by contacting the railroad's customer service center.
The general manager schedules the days' train service and provides a manifest to
the two-man crew. The crew's manifest contains information regarding the number
and type of cars to drop off and/or pick up at a customer's siding, customer
requirements concerning time of pick up and/or delivery and interchange
schedules. The two-man crew, consisting of transportation specialists, operates
the locomotive and couples and uncouples railcars along the line. Since crews
are paid a salary rather than an hourly wage, they are readily available to
provide service on an as-needed basis. Payment for rail services is coordinated
with the customer through the Company's customer service center or with the
Class I interchange partner.
The Company provides the locomotive service and, in certain instances,
the rail cars needed to move the customer's product. Maintenance of the rail
line, including capital improvements,
6
7
normal track and roadbed maintenance, signal maintenance and bridge repair, is
performed by the Company or, where efficiencies are gained, a maintenance
contractor. The Company has full-time locomotive mechanics, under the
supervision of the Company's Chief Mechanical Officer, available to maintain the
locomotive and maintenance equipment, perform car inspections and perform
running repairs on cars.
Rail traffic may be categorized as interline, local or bridge traffic.
Interline traffic either originates or terminates with customers located along a
rail line and is interchanged with other rail carriers. Local traffic both
originates and terminates on the same rail line and does not involve other rail
carriers. Bridge traffic neither originates nor terminates on a rail carrier's
line, but rather passes over the line from one connecting carrier to another.
Interline traffic generated over 95% of the Company's total freight revenues in
1998.
Flexibility with respect to work assignments is a key element of the
Company's operating strategy and contributes significantly to operational
productivity. All of the Company's railroad personnel are trained in a wide
range of skills necessary for short line operations. Employees can be assigned
to tasks on an as-needed basis because the Company is not bound by traditional
railroad industry craft and work distinctions (pursuant to which railroad
employees are assigned to tasks based upon narrowly defined job descriptions).
The Company believes the organization of its railroads into relatively small
work groups encourages greater team effort and permits more clearly defined
responsibility and accountability than is obtainable by large, more centrally
managed railroads.
Each of the Company's short line railroads maintains a
performance-based profit-sharing program through which a portion of a railroad's
operating profits is distributed to its employees. Profit-sharing programs are
administered by corporate headquarters and the general managers and
distributions are made in part on the basis of meeting railroad operating
targets and in part on individual performance. The general managers also
participate in quarterly performance-based profit-sharing programs.
MARKETING
The Company focuses on providing rail service to its customers that is
easily accessible, reliable and cost-effective. Following commencement of
operations by RailAmerica, the Company's railroads generally have attracted
increased rail shipments from existing customers and obtained traffic from new
customers who had not previously shipped by rail or had ceased rail shipments.
The Company believes its ability to generate additional traffic is enhanced by
its marketing efforts which are aimed at identifying and responding quickly to
the individual business needs of customers along its rail lines. As part of its
marketing efforts, the Company often schedules more frequent rail service, helps
customers negotiate price and service levels with connecting carriers and
assists customers in obtaining the quantity and type of rail equipment required
for their operations. The Company also provides non-scheduled train service on
short notice to accommodate customers' special or emergency needs.
7
8
The Company's decentralized management structure is an important
element of its marketing strategy. Significant discretion with respect to sales
and marketing activities is given to the Company's domestic regional marketing
managers and its international marketing manager. Each regional marketing
manager works closely with personnel of the Company's railroads and with other
members of senior management to develop marketing plans to increase shipments
from existing customers and to develop business from new customers. The Company
also works with the marketing staffs of the connecting Class I carriers to
develop an appropriate array of rail-oriented proposals to meet customers' needs
and with industrial development organizations to locate new rail users. The
Company considers all of its employees to be customer service representatives
and encourages them to initiate and maintain regular contact with shippers.
CUSTOMERS
In 1998, the Company served more than 200 customers domestically who
shipped and/or received a wide variety of products. The Company's railroads are
typically the only rail carriers directly serving their customers. Although most
of the Company's domestic railroads have a well-diversified customer base,
several of the smaller rail lines have one or two dominant customers. In 1998,
the Company's 10 largest domestic customers accounted for approximately 45% of
domestic transportation revenue. There is no single customer which represented
more than 10% of the Company's domestic transportation revenue. The Company had
four customers who each represented more than 10% of the international
transportation revenue. The customers represented 22%, 22%, 18% and 14% of
international transportation revenue.
COMMODITIES
The Company provides its customers with local rail freight services
accessing the nationwide rail systems both domestically and internationally. The
Company hauls products for its customers based upon market demands in its local
operating areas. The following table sets forth by number and percentage the
total carloads of each of the principal commodities hauled by the Company's
railroads during the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.
CARLOADS CARRIED BY COMMODITY GROUP
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
COMMODITY CARLOADS % OF TOTAL CARLOADS % OF TOTAL CARLOADS % OF TOTAL
- ----------------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------
IRON ORE 62,037 53% 19,493 28% 0 0%
AGRICULTURE 15,423 13% 13,297 19% 9,624 37%
WOOD PRODUCTS 9,153 8% 9,797 14% 5,021 19%
FOOD PRODUCTS 7,521 6% 5,425 8% 1,762 7%
BALLAST/STONE 4,147 4% 3,957 6% 437 2%
8
9
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------
COMMODITY CARLOADS % OF TOTAL CARLOADS % OF TOTAL CARLOADS % OF TOTAL
- ----------------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- -------- ----------
FERTILIZER 4,308 4% 3,900 6% 2,511 10%
COAL 4,898 4% 3,877 6% 832 3%
COPPER 1,188 1% 2,785 4% 0 0%
STEEL 1,695 1% 1,732 3% 1,584 6%
SODIUM SULFATE 732 0.5% 1,290 2% 1,237 5%
PROPANE 1,161 1% 0 0% 0 0%
AUTO PARTS 683 0.5% 755 1% 904 3%
PLASTICS 628 0.5% 574 1% 551 2%
OTHER 3,961 3.5% 2,258 3% 1,408 5%
------- ------ ------
TOTAL 117,535 100% 69,140 100% 25,871 100%
======= ====== ======
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1998, the Company had approximately 104 full-time
rail employees in North America and 210 full-time rail employees in Chile.
Temporary lay-offs of personnel and hiring of part-time or short-term employees
are sometimes required to adjust to the Company's somewhat seasonal operations.
As of December 31, 1998, the Company had 8 employees who were subject to
contract negotiations with the United Transportation Union. No contract has been
signed to date.
SAFETY
An important component of the Company's operating strategy is
conducting safe railroad operations for the benefit and protection of employees,
customers and the communities served by the Company's railroads. The Company's
safety program, led by the Director of Rules, Safety and Training, involves all
of the Company's employees and is administered on a daily basis by each Regional
Vice President. Operating personnel are trained and certified in train
operations, hazardous materials handling, proper radio procedures and all other
areas subject to governmental rules and regulations. Each employee involved in
train operations is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing whether or
not required by federal regulation.
The Company believes that each of its railroads complies fully with
federal, state and local regulations. Additionally, each railroad is given
flexibility to develop more stringent safety rules based on local requirements
or practices. The Company also participates in governmental and industry
sponsored safety programs including Operation Lifesaver (the national grade
crossing awareness program) and the American Short Line Railroad Association
Safety Committee.
9
10
COMPETITION
In acquiring rail properties, the Company competes with other short
line and regional railroad operators, some of which are larger and have greater
resources than the Company. Competition for rail properties is based primarily
upon price, operating history and financing capability. The Company believes its
established reputation as a successful acquirer and operator of short line rail
properties, in combination with its managerial and financial resources,
effectively positions it to take advantage of future acquisition opportunities.
The Company's railroads are typically the only rail carriers directly
serving their customers; however, the Company's railroads compete directly with
other modes of transportation, principally motor carriers and, to a lesser
extent, ship and barge operators. The extent of this competition varies
significantly among the Company's railroads. Competition is based primarily upon
the rate charged and the transit time required, as well as the quality and
reliability of the service provided, for an origin-to-destination package. To
the extent other carriers are involved in transporting a shipment, the Company
cannot control the cost and quality of service. Cost reductions achieved by
major rail carriers over the past several years have generally improved their
ability to compete with alternate modes of transportation.
ACQUISITION OF SGVY BROWN CITY SUBDIVISION
In April 1998, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SGVY,
acquired from CSX Transportation, Inc. ("CSXT") a 51 mile rail line located in
Michigan's "Thumb" region. The line runs from just east of Saginaw to Brown
City, Michigan and handles traffic such as grain, corn, fertilizer and soybeans.
The line connects with SGVY's sister railroad, HESR, at Vassar, Michigan and
interchanges with CSXT at Saginaw.
ACQUISITION OF VENTURA COUNTY RAILROAD COMPANY, INC.
In August 1998, the Company, through its newly formed, wholly-owned
subsidiary, VCRR, entered into a long term lease/purchase agreement to operate a
13-mile rail line serving the Port of Hueneme and the Oxnard Harbor District in
Oxnard, California, located approximately 50 miles north of Los Angeles. VCRR
handles ship-to-rail port traffic which includes finished autos, chemicals,
plastic and paper products. Traffic from this line interchanges with the Union
Pacific Railroad at Oxnard.
10
11
RAILROAD PROPERTIES
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
railroad properties that the Company owned as of December 31, 1998:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date of Track Principal
Railroad Acquisition Miles Structure Location Commodities
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Huron and Eastern March 1986 83 Owned Michigan Agricultural products, sugar
Railway (Huron Division) products, fertilizer, scrap
steel, auto parts, aggregates
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Huron and Eastern May 1988 55 Owned Michigan Agricultural products, sugar
Railway (Saginaw 45 Leased products, fertilizer, scrap
Division) steel, auto parts, aggregates
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saginaw Valley Railway Jan. 1991 10 Owned Michigan Agricultural products,
Apr. 1998 51 Owned fertilizer
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Central Tennessee Feb. 1994 49 Leased Tennessee Wood products, frozen
Railroad 3 Trackage potatoes, newsprint,
rights plastics, steel
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delaware Valley Railway July 1994 45 Easement Pennsylvania Agricultural and steel
10 Lease Delaware products, iron and wood
products
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dakota Rail Sept. 1995 44 Contract Minnesota Plastics, lumber, scrap steel,
for Deed chemicals
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Texas & Lubbock Nov. 1995 104 Owned Texas Fertilizer, sodium sulfate,
Railroad 4 Trackage chemical, cotton and cotton
rights products
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cascade and Columbia Sept. 1996 131 Owned Washington Wood products, limestone,
River Railroad 6 Trackage paper products, agricultural
rights products
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Otter Tail Valley Railroad Oct. 1996 72 Owned Minnesota Coal, agricultural products,
fertilizer
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minnesota Northern Dec. 1996 174 Owned Minnesota Agricultural products, sugar
Railroad 47 Trackage products, fertilizer, coal,
rights aggregates
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ferronor Feb. 1997 1,400 Majority Chile Iron ore, copper, limestone,
owned propane, sugar products
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
St. Croix Valley Railroad Aug. 1997 44 Owned Minnesota Agricultural products,
16 Trackage fertilizer, plastics
rights
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great Southern Railway Oct. 1997 Minority Southern Passenger
Interest Australia
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ventura County Railroad Aug. 1988 13 Leased California Auto products, wood
products
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11
12
TRAILER MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS
KSI, located in Gatesville, Texas, was established in 1968 and
manufactures a broad range of specialty truck trailers. KSI products are
marketed to customers in the construction, trucking, agricultural, railroad,
utility, and oil industries. In addition, a substantial portion of KSI's sales
are to the military and several other local and federal government agencies.
KSI's product mix has shifted towards sales of heavy equipment and
specialty trailers. Previously located in Stockton, California, Siebert
manufactured a highly specialized detachable goose neck trailer constructed of
high yield steel. The Siebert products include up to 300-ton capacity units. The
trailer types in the heavy equipment category include specialized trailers (such
as car haulers, truck haulers, and jeep haulers), fixed neck low bed, detachable
low bed, flats and platforms, drops and double drops, folding neck low-bed, and
used trailers.
In January 1998, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, KSI,
acquired all of the outstanding stock of Fabrex, Inc. and its affiliate,
Services Remorques Plus, Inc. Fabrex's operations have been combined into KSC, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of KSI. KSC is a manufacturer of specialty bulk-hauling
truck trailers located in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada. KSC's products are
marketed to the solid waste, agricultural and construction industries.
At the date of its acquisition , Fabrex, founded in 1985, employed 50
people in its 45,000 square foot manufacturing facility located in Trios
Rivieres, Quebec, Canada, midway between Montreal and Quebec City. In April
1998, KSC purchased an additional 105,000 square-foot manufacturing facility
located adjacent to KSC's existing plant in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada. In
order to meet production requirements in conjunction with the plant expansion,
KSC hired an additional 70 employees in 1998.
PRODUCTS
The majority of KSI's sales are based on existing KSI trailer designs
which are modified with standard options. However, approximately 20% of trailers
sold must be customized to satisfy customers' specifications. KSI's "Pro
Engineer" 3-D based solid modeler drafting system and computer aided drafting
system "CAD" allows its engineers to readily modify trailer component design and
generate new designs, based on customer needs.
KSI manufactures an extensive variety of light, medium and heavy duty
truck trailers. The
12
13
Company's products include the following:
- FLATBED TRAILERS. Flatbed trailers, also known as platform trailers,
are generally used to carry loads such as steel and building materials.
The Company produces a wide variety of flatbed trailers, including
straight frames, drop frames and multi-axle units for specialized
loads. KSI's leading product in this category is the KDP-80, a 48 foot
drop deck flatbed trailer which is purchased primarily by commercial
customers. This trailer has a 10 foot spread on the tandem axle which
allows more weight per axle than narrower tandems.
- LOWBED TRAILERS. Lowbed trailers, also known as lowboy trailers or
California legals, generally haul heavy equipment such as electrical
transformers or grain silos. Lowbed trailers are equipped with up to 18
axles and have the capacity to haul up to 300 ton loads. Heavy
equipment lowbeds are used by heavy haulers, specialized carriers and
riggers, larger construction and engineering firms and
highly-specialized members of the aerospace and automotive industries.
The products constituting this category include the following trailers:
fixed neck lowbed, folding neck lowbed, detachable lowbed, and the
mechanical removable gooseneck, which is KSI's leading trailer by sales
in this product line.
- OTHER PRODUCTS. KSI manufactures a sliding-axle trailer which can be
used to transport heavy equipment such as forklifts and similar
equipment. KSI also manufactures a specialty van trailer for the United
States Tank Automotive Command ("TACOM") which has special dolly-style
suspensions and removable landing gear so that it can be shipped on
military transport cargo planes. These specialty van trailers can be
used for tactical combat purposes or as storage containers. Other
specialty products include tilt trailers, special event trailers,
protected vans and oil field trailers.
- PARTS AND ACCESSORIES. Replacement parts and accessories are primarily
sold to dealers.
From time to time, KSI is also involved in the limited sale of used
trailers, which are supplied primarily by trade-ins from its new trailer
customers. The Company sells most of its used trailers through its authorized
dealers.
KSI generally provides customers with a five-year limited warranty
on trailer mainframes and a one-year limited warranty against defects in
material and workmanship with respect to its products. KSI's warranty costs have
historically been less than one percent of net sales per year.
KSC produces specialty bulk-hauling truck trailers used in the
solid-waste, agricultural, and construction industries. Historically,
approximately 85% of KSC's sales are transfer trailers and 80% of these are made
in aluminum. KSC began producing dump trailers in 1995. In 1997, these trailers
represented approximately 15% of KSC's sales. The dump trailers consist of
approximately 70% aluminum and 30% steel. During the second half of 1998, KSC
began producing KSI flatbed trailers in its newly acquired facility.
13
14
MANUFACTURING AND ENGINEERING
KSI considers the engineering expertise, combined with the
manufacturing experience of its work force, to be key competitive advantages.
KSI utilizes this experience in its marketing by including manufacturing
personnel in initial meetings with potential KSI customers to assist in defining
and meeting the customer's objectives. This team approach often results in new
and unique ways to satisfy customer needs and facilitates effective
communication throughout the organization.
Each of KSI's trailers is manufactured from highly customized designs
based on detailed customer specifications of each aspect of the trailer,
including dimensions, structural requirements, fabrication materials, component
parts and accessories. KSI's "Pro-Engineer" 3-D solid modeler drafting system
and CAD allows its engineers to readily modify trailer component designs and
generate new designs based on customer needs.
KSI builds all the structural parts of its trailers using steel bars
and plates. The major manufacturing steps include cutting, bending and welding
of steel and, once assembled, cleaning and painting. The axles and running gears
are purchased as sub-assemblies which are integrated into the KSI trailer
design. KSI contracts out any necessary machining. KSI exercises strict quality
control by screening suppliers and conducting inspections throughout the
production process.
KSI's ability to manufacture trailers is dependent upon receiving
supplies or components and raw materials from a limited number of sources. To
date, KSI has experienced no material difficulties in procuring supplies,
components or materials. However, if deliveries of such items are delayed, KSI's
production ability may be decreased which could have a negative effect on KSI's
and the Company's results of operations.
KSI's manufacturing operations are conducted in thirteen Company owned
buildings, totaling approximately 198,000 square feet on an 25.5 acre site,
which were constructed between 1969 and 1997. KSI's manufacturing properties
serve as collateral for the Company's financing with National Bank of Canada.
The Company expects that this site will be able to meet its manufacturing goals
for the foreseeable future.
At acquisition date, Fabrex, was producing its trailers at a 45,000
square foot manufacturing facility located in Trios Rivieres, Quebec, Canada,
midway between Montreal and Quebec City. In April 1998, KSC purchased an
additional 105,000 square-foot manufacturing facility located adjacent to KSC's
existing plant in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada.
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
KSI's marketing strategy is focused on offering a broad range of
high-quality, customized trailers manufactured to the design specifications of
its customers. These products are marketed and distributed through a network of
approximately 140 independent dealers throughout North America and through a
direct sales force. During 1998 approximately 50% of independent dealers
maintained
14
15
inventories of KSI trailers.
Presently, up to 75% of all of KSI's commercial sales are made to
dealers, with the balance representing direct retail sales by its sales force.
KSI's sales staff consists of a vice president, five sales managers, and an
advertising manager. The sales staff is supported by registered mechanical
design engineers and draftsmen. Sales leads are generated through literature
mailings, trade show exhibitions, dealers, repeat customers, and word-of-mouth.
In addition, KSI places advertisements in trade publications such as MY LITTLE
SALESMAN, AMERICAN TRUCKER, LIFTING & TRANSPORTATION INTERNATIONAL, TRUCK MARKET
NEWS, MACHINERY TRADER, AMERICAN TOWMAN, TRUCK NEWS (CANADA), TRUCK & TRAILER
(CANADA) AND CONSTRUCTION PUBLIC WORKS (LATIN AMERICA). In recent years, KSI has
begun shifting resources from advertising to trade shows, which management
believes is a more cost effective method of maintaining KSI's name and
reputation and developing sales leads. KSI currently participates in
approximately five trade shows per year.
In certain circumstances, KSI will enter into agreements with its
dealers to stimulate and facilitate the sale and financing of its new and used
trailers. During the first quarter of 1995, KSI entered into a Wholesale and
Retail Financing Agreement with Associates Commercial Corporation and Associates
Commercial Corporation of Canada, Ltd. to stimulate and facilitate the sale and
financing of its new and used trailers. In addition, in December 1996, the
Company entered into an agreement with Newcourt Financial Ltd. in order to
provide wholesale and retail financing for its dealers located in Canada. Each
of these agreements provides floor plan financing for eligible dealers and lease
and/or purchase financing for end market purchasers.
KSC sells direct to customers with one salesman in Toronto who handles
Ontario and western Canada and one in Montreal who handles Quebec and maritime
provinces. In the United States the majority of sales are done through a network
of a dozen distributors. KSC also had access to KSI's extensive dealer base in
the United Stated starting in 1998.
CUSTOMERS
KSI serves a diversified customer base operating in the construction,
trucking, agricultural, railroad, utility and oil industries. Since 1990,
commercial sales have accounted for approximately two-thirds of KSI's revenues
with military or governmental agency sales representing the balance. As a result
of extensive prototype testing by TACOM and the federal government budgetary
impasse during early 1996, sales to governmental accounts represented a
disproportionately low percentage of KSI's revenue for 1996. In 1998, sales to
the federal government accounted for nearly 50% of total net sales as a result
of new contracts awarded in 1997 and 1998.
The majority of sales in the government segment are to the General
Services Administration ("GSA"), the purchasing arm of most non-military
agencies, and to TACOM, which consolidates purchases for various branches of the
military. KSI has been awarded "Blue Ribbon Contractor" status with TACOM. As a
result of this status, KSI receives a 10% preference on bids for certain
contracts. Sales to governmental agencies represented 48%, 37% and 20% of KSI's
15
16
manufacturing revenue for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996. A
substantial decrease in orders by the GSA and/or TACOM could have a material
adverse effect on KSI's business and results of operations.
In April 1998, KSI received a new order, valued at approximately $3.6
million, for semi-trailer vans under its existing contract with TACOM.
In July 1998, KSI received two new orders from the United States
Government, valued at approximately $8.8 million. The first order, through KSI's
existing requirements contract with the GSA, is valued at approximately $5.3
million and calls for the production of 101 folding goose neck level deck
trailers for the United States Army. The second order is valued at approximately
$3.5 million and calls for the production of approximately 111 low-bed trailers
for TACOM over three years. Production on both orders commenced in the fourth
quarter of 1998, with delivery starting early in 1999.
In December 1998, KSI received another new order from TACOM valued at
approximately $5.2 million. The contract calls for the production of 71 tactical
van trailers over fifteen months. Production commenced in the fourth quarter of
1998, with delivery starting early in 1999.
KSC's trailers are used in the solid-waste, agricultural and
construction industries. Waste disposal companies are KSC's largest market
segment. In addition, during the second half of 1998 KSC began producing and
marketing KSI type flatbed trailers.
BACKLOG. As of December 31, 1998, KSI's backlog of orders was
approximately $18.3 million, compared to $19.7 million as of December 31, 1997.
As of December 31, 1998, KSC's backlog of orders was approximately $3.7 million.
KSI and KSC include in its backlog only those orders for trailers for which a
confirmed customer order has been received. KSI manufactures trailers mostly to
customer or dealer orders and does not typically maintain an inventory of
"stock" trailers in anticipation of future orders.
COMPETITION. The Company faces significant competition in the truck
trailer manufacturing industry which is highly competitive and has relatively
low barriers to entry. The Company competes with a number of other trailer
manufacturers, some of which have greater financial resources and higher sales
than KSI. Furthermore, the Company's products compete with alternative forms of
shipping, such as intermodal containers. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to continue to compete effectively with existing or
potential competitors or alternative forms of shipping containers.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1998, KSI had 182 full-time employees in the trailer
manufacturing operation and approximately 17 part-time employees. None of the
KSI employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement. As of December
31, 1998, KSC had 120 full-time employees in
16
17
the trailer manufacturing operation of which 89 are subject to a collective
bargaining agreement.
MOTOR CARRIER OPERATIONS
On February 10, 1995, the Company acquired substantially all of the
assets of Steel City, a regional motor carrier located in Sault Ste. Marie,
Ontario, Canada. Since the Company's acquisition of Steel City, its financial
performance and development have not measured up to the Company's expectations
for the business. Accordingly, in March 1997 the Company adopted a formal plan
to discontinue its motor carrier operations and refocus the Company's efforts on
expanding its railroad and manufacturing operations. The Company's Board of
Directors approved the plan of discontinuance on March 20, 1997.
Effective December 1, 1998, the Company ceased all motor carrier
operations and leased substantially all of the operating assets of Steel City
Carriers, Ltd. to Laidlaw Carriers, Inc., an operating subsidiary of Ontario,
Canada-based Contrans Corporation. The leases are for a period of 18 to 24
months. In addition, the Company has entered into an agreement to sell its
Ontario real estate that was previously used in its motor carrier operations.
REGULATION
OVERVIEW. In addition to environmental safety and other regulations
applicable to all businesses, the Company's railroad subsidiaries are subject to
regulations of numerous government agencies, including (i) regulation by the
Surface Transportation Board ("STB") and the Federal Railroad Administration
("FRA"); (ii) certain labor related statutes including the Railway Labor Act,
Railroad Retirement Act, the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, and the
Federal Employer's Liability Act, and (iii) regulation by agencies in the states
in which the Company does business. Additionally, the Company is subject to STB
regulation in its acquisition of new railroad properties. As a result of the
Staggers Rail Act amendments to the Interstate Commerce Act in 1980 and
enactment of the ICC Termination Act of 1995, there has been a significant
relaxation in regulation governing rail carriers, which management believes has
greatly simplified the purchase and sale of shortline railroad properties and
expedited the closing of such transactions. The Company believes its operations
are in material compliance with all such regulations.
STB. The STB has jurisdiction over, among other matters, the
construction, acquisition, or abandonment of rail lines, the consolidation or
merger of railroads, the assumption of control of one carrier (including
railroads and interstate motor and water carriers) by another carrier (or an
entity controlling another carrier), the use by one railroad of another
railroad's tracks ("trackage rights"), the rates charged by railroads for their
transportation services, and the service of rail carriers. Legislation enacted
in 1995 replaced the Interstate Commerce Commission ("ICC") with the STB and
abolished labor protective conditions applicable to numerous types of rail
transactions. Today, most transactions involving shortline railroads are no
longer subject to protective conditions for adversely affected employees by
labor agencies. Certain types of transactions involving mid-size "regional
railroads" (annual revenues between $20 million and $250 million) are still
subject to
17
18
limited labor protective conditions for adversely affected employees (in absence
of any other arrangements negotiated between management and labor, affected
employees receive one year's severance pay upon consummation of acquisition
transactions).
While imposition of labor protective conditions on line sales and
transfers does not subject a rail line buyer to the seller's collective
bargaining agreements, rates of pay, and other labor practices and does not
unionize the buyer's operating and maintenance employees, it entitles employees
of buyer or seller who are "adversely affected" by the transaction in terms of
job loss, pay cuts, loss of overtime, loss of hours, loss of benefits, and
moving expenses, to receive payments over a period of four years representing
compensation for those losses. Generally, in a line sale or transfer, only the
seller's or transferor's employees are affected.
As a result of the 1980 Staggers Rail Act, railroads have received
considerable rate and market flexibility including the ability to obtain
wholesale exemptions from numerous provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act.
Under the Staggers Rail Act, all containerized and truck trailer traffic handled
by railroads was deregulated. On regulated traffic, railroads and shippers are
permitted to enter into contracts for rates and provision of transportation
services without the need to file tariffs. Moreover, on regulated traffic, the
Staggers Rail Act amendments have allowed railroads considerable freedom to
raise or lower rates without objection from captive shippers. While the ICC
termination retained maximum rate regulation on traffic over which railroads
have exclusive control, the new law relieved railroads from the requirements of
filing tariffs and rate contracts with the STB on all traffic other than
agricultural products.
FUTURE OF THE STB. Under the ICC Termination Act the STB is presently
funded through September 30, 1999. It is unclear whether the STB will be
reauthorized in its present form.
FRA. The FRA regulates railroad safety and equipment standards,
including track maintenance, handling of hazardous shipments, locomotive and
rail car inspection and repair requirements, and operating practices and crew
qualifications.
STATES. Under the ICC Termination Act states lost their jurisdiction
over economic regulation of intrastate transportation. All states retain some
jurisdiction over safety related matters.
EMPLOYEES; LABOR CONSIDERATIONS
As of December 31, 1998, the Company had approximately 444 full-time
employees in North America. Approximately 89 of the Company's employees are
members of a union and are employed at KSC. Approximately 46 of KSC's employees
are members of the Federation Inter-Provinciale des Ouvriers en Electricite
(F.I.P.O.E.), which was accredited in Canada in 1988. The other 43 of KSC's
union employees are members of the L'Association des employes de production de
Kalyn Siebert Canada, Inc. (A.E.P.K.), which was accredited in August 1998.
The Company's railroad operations are somewhat seasonal. Most
agricultural shipments
18
19
occur from September through May, and much of the Company's track maintenance is
performed in the summer months. Temporary layoffs of personnel, hiring of
part-time or short-term employees, or use of independent contractors are
sometimes required to adjust to the seasonal nature of track maintenance work
and other business requirements. As of December 31, 1998 the Company had 104
full-time railroad employees, 302 full-time employees in the trailer
manufacturing division, one full-time employee in the motor carrier operations
and 38 corporate and/or support employees.
Ferronor operated with approximately 350 employees as of the date that
the Company acquired majority ownership. As contemplated by management,
significant reductions in the work force have been effectuated and the current
workforce is approximately 210 employees.
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
MICHIGAN RAILROAD PROPERTIES
The majority of the Company's 199 miles of Michigan rail line consists
of 90 pound or heavier welded and jointed rail. The Company's track standards
allow for maximum operating speeds ranging from 10 m.p.h. to 25 m.p.h. The
Company owns approximately 1,260 acres of operating and non-operating real
estate in Michigan. The Company's Michigan rail properties serve as collateral
for the Company's $55 million Revolving Loan Agreement with the National Bank of
Canada et al (the "Revolver") (See Note 10 to Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements).
The Company built its Eastern regional headquarters office in Vassar,
Michigan during 1997. This office building is 6,800 square feet and houses
management, dispatching, engineering, real property management, accounting and
marketing personnel. The Company owns a locomotive shop which was constructed in
1987, and a maintenance-of-way equipment repair building completed in 1989,
which also serves as a satellite operations center.
TENNESSEE RAILROAD PROPERTIES
SCTR leases approximately 49 miles of rail line and approximately 450
acres of related real estate from the South Central Tennessee Railroad
Authority. The lease was extended in February 1997 until 2004 and provides for
base lease payments of $1,300 per month. The Company has the option to purchase
the rail line and real estate for one dollar throughout the term of the lease.
SCTR owns a locomotive shop and general office facility in Centerville,
Tennessee which houses all of its operating personnel. SCTR also owns related
maintenance and office equipment. The Company's rights to the lease of the SCTR
property, as well as all the common stock of SCTR owned by the Company and
SCTR's other equipment, serve as collateral under the Company's financing
arrangements with General Electric Capital Corporation obtained in connection
with the Company's acquisition of SCTR. This financing is being refinanced
during 1999. (See Note 10 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
19
20
DELAWARE AND PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD PROPERTIES
DVRC operates approximately 55 miles of rail line, consisting of 45
miles located in southeastern Pennsylvania, and 10 miles of contiguous line
which extends into the State of Delaware, where the Company interchanges with
CSX Transportation at Elsmere, Delaware. The Pennsylvania rail line is operated
pursuant to an agreement between DVRC and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The
rail line in Delaware was operated by DVRC pursuant to a 10-year lease with the
Wilmington & Northern Railroad Company. DVRC terminated that lease on June 30,
1996 and has since been operating over that rail segment on a month-to-month
basis. DVRC has received grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for track
maintenance and improvements from 1994 through 1998 which require local
matching.
MINNESOTA RAILROAD PROPERTIES
Dakota Rail operates approximately 44 miles of rail line between
Hutchinson and Wayzata, Minnesota. The rail line is being purchased pursuant to
a contract for deed from the State of Minnesota. Dakota Rail also owns certain
non-operating real estate parcels. Total land both operating and non-operating
owned by Dakota Rail equals approximately 580 acres. In addition to the rail
line and land, Dakota Rail also owns six buildings, consisting of two depots,
two diesel houses and two other buildings.
MNR currently operates over 221 miles of rail line of which it owns
approximately 174 miles and has trackage rights over 47 miles. The rail line
includes five branch lines, divided into seven segments in northern Minnesota.
MNR also owns approximately 2,600 acres of operating and non-operating land. MNR
sold approximately 30 miles of rail line in December 1996. MNR's rail properties
serve as collateral for the Revolver (See Note 10 to Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements).
OTVR owns 72 miles of rail line in Western Minnesota from Fergus Falls,
Minnesota to an interchange with Burlington Northern Santa Fe near Fargo, North
Dakota. The total land owned by OTVR is approximately 1,080 acres. In addition
to the rail line and land, OTVR owns a depot building in Fergus Falls. OTVR's
railroad properties serve as collateral for the Company's Revolver (See Note 10
to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
SCXY operates over 60 miles of rail line of which it owns 44 miles and
has trackage rights over 16 miles. The rail line includes two branch lines in
and around Hinckley, Minnesota.
TEXAS RAILROAD PROPERTIES
WTLR owns approximately 104 miles of rail line, extending from the City
of Lubbock to both Seagraves and Whiteface. The total land owned by WTLR is
approximately 1,500 acres. In addition to the rail line and land, WTLR owns four
buildings. These buildings consist of an office building in Lubbock used as the
railroad general offices, a one story storefront office building, and
20
21
a maintenance building and storage shed, all in Brownfield, Texas. The Company's
Texas railroad properties serve as collateral for the Revolver (See Note 10 to
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
WASHINGTON RAILROAD PROPERTIES
CCRR owns 131 miles of rail line between Oroville and Wenatchee,
Washington. CCRR also has trackage rights over 6 miles of rail line near
Wenatchee. Total land owned by CCRR is approximately 1,600 acres. In addition to
the rail line and land, CCRR owns three buildings. These buildings consist of an
office building, a maintenance-of-way shop/storage building and a locomotive
shop, all of which are located in Omak, Washington. The Company's Washington
railroad properties serve as collateral for the Revolver. (See Note 10 to Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements).
CALIFORNIA RAILROAD PROPERTIES
In August 1998, the Company, through its newly formed, wholly-owned
subsidiary, Ventura County Railroad Company, Inc. ("VCRR"), entered into a long
term lease/purchase agreement to operate a 13-mile rail line serving the Port of
Hueneme and the Oxnard Harbor District in Oxnard, California, located
approximately 50 miles north of Los Angeles. VCRR's general offices are located
at the Port of Hueneme.
CHILEAN RAILROAD PROPERTIES
In February 1997, the Company, through a newly formed, wholly-owned
subsidiary, RailAmerica de Chile S.A., acquired 55% of the outstanding voting
stock of Ferronor. Ferronor owns and operates approximately 1,400 miles of rail
line serving northern Chile. RailAmerica was joined in the purchase of Ferronor
by APCO, a family-owned Chilean transportation and distribution company.
Ferronor operates the only north-south railroad in northern Chile,
extending from La Calera near Santiago, where it connects with Chile's southern
railway, Ferrocarril del Pacifico, S.A., to its northern terminus at Iquique,
approximately 120 miles south of the Peruvian border. It also operates several
east-west branch lines that link a number of iron, copper and limestone mines
and production facilities with several Chilean Pacific port cities. Ferronor
also serves Argentina and Bolivia through traffic interchanged with the General
Belgrano Railroad and the Ferrocarriles Antofagasta Bolivia.
TEXAS MANUFACTURING PROPERTIES
KSI's manufacturing operations are conducted in thirteen Company owned
buildings, totaling approximately 198,000 square feet on an 25.5-acre site,
which were constructed over the period from 1969 to 1997. The Company's Texas
manufacturing properties serve as collateral for the Revolver (See Note 10 to
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
21
22
QUEBEC, CANADA MANUFACTURING PROPERTIES
KSC's manufacturing operations are conducted in two Company owned
buildings, totaling approximately 150,000 square feet on a 36.7-acre site. The
Company's Quebec manufacturing properties serve as collateral for certain term
financings (See Note 10 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
ONTARIO, CANADA MOTOR CARRIER PROPERTIES
Steel City Carriers operates from a terminal it owns in Sault Ste.
Marie, Ontario, Canada, which includes an office building housing administrative
and dispatch offices, fabricating and service and a shop building. The service
facility has three bays which provide adequate space for repairs and maintenance
of Steel City Carriers' tractors and trailers as well as some owner-operators'
tractors. A 5-1/2 acre lot provides adequate space for the normal loading,
unloading, movement and parking of tractors and trailers as well as for
temporarily storing and transferring some shipments. The Company has entered
into an agreement to sell the real estate and anticipates the sale closing in 12
to 24 months. The Company's Ontario properties serve as collateral for the
Revolver (See Note 10 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).
ROLLING STOCK
As of December 31, 1998, the Company's domestic railroad rolling stock
consisted of 47 locomotives and 992 freight cars, some of which were owned and
some of which are leased from third parties. Most of the Company's rail cars are
subject to fixed monthly lease payments which are offset, in part, by fees
charged by the Company to connecting railroads and shippers. The Company owns
138 tank cars that it has leased to various shippers. The tank cars serve as
collateral for term financing agreements. Certain of the Company's locomotives
are owned by the Company and serve as collateral under various financing
agreements (See Note 8 to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). The
Company also owns various other equipment used in the maintenance and operation
of its railroads. The following tables summarize the composition of the
Company's domestic railroad equipment fleet as of December 31, 1998:
FREIGHT CARS
-----------------------------------
TYPE OWNED LEASED TOTAL
---- ----- ------ -----
Covered hopper cars -- 458 458
Open top hopper cars 5 184 189
Tank cars 138 -- 138
Box cars -- 59 59
Wood chip cars -- 78 78
Center-beam flat cars -- 60 60
Flat cars 10 -- 10
--- --- ---
153 839 992
=== === ===
22
23
LOCOMOTIVES
---------------------------------
HORSEPOWER/UNIT OWNED LEASED TOTAL
--------------- ----- ----- -----
Over 2000 2 0 2
1500 to 2000 22 14 36
Under 1500 9 0 9
-- -- --
33 14 47
== == ==
As of December 31, 1998, Ferronor owned approximately 32 locomotives
and 810 rail cars in Chile.
Based on current and forecasted traffic levels on the Company's
railroads, management believes that its present equipment, combined with the
availability of other rail cars for hire, is adequate to support its operations.
Management believes that the Company's insurance coverage with respect to its
property and equipment is adequate.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
The Company maintains its principal executive office in Boca Raton,
Florida. This office consists of approximately 7,250 square feet and is leased
through January 2001. The lease calls for monthly rental payments of
approximately $13,000 with annual increases. In July 1998, the Company purchased
a 59,500 square foot office building, located in Boca Raton, Florida, for
approximately $4.6 million. Approximately 17,500 square feet of this building is
to be used as the Company's new corporate headquarters. The Company is expected
to take occupancy during the second quarter of 1999. The remaining 42,000 square
feet of space is currently leased to a single tenant. In addition, the Company
subleases a corporate office in San Francisco, California, consisting of
approximately 1,000 square feet and leased through June 2001, with lease
payments of approximately $550 per month.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the ordinary course of conducting its business, the Company becomes
involved in various legal actions and other claims some of which are currently
pending. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties, the outcome of individual
litigated matters is not predictable with assurance, and it is reasonably
possible that some of these matters may be decided unfavorably to the Company.
It is the opinion of management that the ultimate liability, if any, with
respect to these matters will not be material. Other than ordinary routine
litigation incidental to the Company's business, no other litigation exists.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of 1998.
23
24
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Effective March 6, 1997, the Company's common stock began trading on
the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "Rail". Prior to March 6, 1997, the
Company's common stock traded on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market tier of The Nasdaq
Stock Market. Set forth below is high and low bid information for the common
stock as reported on the NASDAQ system for each quarter of 1997 and 1998. All
such quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down
or commissions and may not reflect actual transactions.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Sales Price Low Sales Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter $ 6 1/8 $ 4 5/8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second Quarter 5 4 1/4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third Quarter 6 5/16 4 1/8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth Quarter 7 3/8 5 3/8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Sales Price Low Sales Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998
First Quarter $ 7 23/32 $ 6
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Second Quarter 7 3/16 5 15/16
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Third Quarter 6 3/8 5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth Quarter 8 3/4 5 5/16
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Sales Price Low Sales Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter (through March 25) $10 3/4 $ 7 1/4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of March 25, 1999, there were 303 holders of record of the common
stock and approximately 3,000 beneficial stockholders. The Company has never
declared or paid a dividend on its common stock. The ability of the Company to
pay dividends in the future will depend on, among other things, restrictive
covenants contained in loan or other agreements to which the Company may be
subject.
24
25
In December 1998 and January 1999, the Company sold an aggregate of
468,000 shares of its Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock, $.01 par
value (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), in a private offering to accredited
investors for an aggregate purchase price of $11,610,000 pursuant to Section
4(2) and/or 3(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), and Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The Company paid aggregate
concessions and fees of $822,700 to the placement agent in connection with the
offering. The Series A Preferred Stock has a liquidation value of $25.00 per
share, pays cumulative annual dividends of 7.5% payable in cash, semi-annually
in arrears and is non-voting. The Series A Preferred Stock is convertible, at
the option of each holder, into shares of common stock at a conversion price of
$8.25, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. The Company is
required to redeem the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock on
December 31, 2003, at a redemption price equal to the liquidation value, plus
accrued and unpaid dividends. The Company has the right to redeem the
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock under certain circumstances.
In March 1999, the Company sold an aggregate of 1.4 million shares of
its common stock and warrants (the "1999 Warrants") to purchase 210,000 shares
of common stock in a private offering to accredited investors for an aggregate
purchase price of $12.5 million pursuant to Section 4(2) and/or 3(b) of the
Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The Company paid
aggregate concessions and fees of $437,000 to the placement agent in connection
with the offering. The 1999 Warrants are exercisable during the one-year period
following consummation at $10.125 per share, subject to adjustment under certain
circumstances.
25
26
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K. The statement of operations data for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 and the balance sheet data at December 31, 1998
and 1997 are derived from, and are qualified by reference to, audited financial
statements included elsewhere herein and should be read in conjunction with
those financial statements and the notes thereto. The statement of operations
data set forth below for the periods ended December 31, 1995 and 1994 and the
balance sheet data as of December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 are derived from the
audited financial statements of the Company not included herein (In thousands,
except operating data).
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Operating revenue $ 14,724 $ 25,078 $ 25,658 $ 47,437 $ 77,144
Operating income 2,229 3,188 3,873 7,319 12,642
Income from
continuing operations 920 1,126 1,080 2,634 4,466
Basic earnings per
common share from
continuing operations $ 0.30 $ 0.10 $ 0.22 $ 0.32 $ 0.47
Diluted earnings per common
share from continuing
operations $ 0.27 $ 0.10 $ 0.21 $ 0.30 $ 0.44
Weighted average
common shares 4,608 4,504 4,966 8,304 9,553
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total Assets $ 24,876 $ 40,064 $ 71,565 $100,835 $145,230
Long-term debt, including
current maturities 10,407 18,151 40,154 47,798 71,815
Subordinated debt,
including current maturities 2,062 5,569 3,690 3,478 908
Redeemable convertible
preferred stock 1,017 -- -- -- 6,882
Stockholders' Equity 6,408 9,149 15,992 26,814 34,760
OPERATING DATA
Freight carloads 15,614 18,505 25,871 69,140 117,535
Track mileage 299 450 930 2,330 2,400
Trailer units sold 887 875 547 730 1,129
Number of full time
employees 220 265 275 542 652
26
27
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
GENERAL
The Company's principal operations include the operation of domestic
short line railroads, international regional railroads and trailer
manufacturing. The Company hauls various products, which historically have
consisted primarily of agricultural commodities, for its customers corresponding
to their local operating areas. The Company's trailer manufacturing division,
located in Texas and Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada, manufactures a broad range
of specialty truck trailers which are marketed to a customer base from the
commercial and government sectors.
The Company's operating revenues increased by $29.7 million, or 62.6%
to $77.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $47.4 million for the
year ended December 31, 1997. Operating expenses increased by $24.4 million, or
60.7% to $64.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $40.1 million
for the year ended December 31, 1997. Other expenses, net increased by $2.9
million, or 77.5% to $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $3.7
million for the year ended December 31, 1997. Income from continuing operations
increased by $1.8 million, or 69.6% to $4.5 million for the year ended December
31, 1998 from $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1997. Increases in
revenue, operating expenses, other expenses and income were due primarily to the
inclusion of the motor carrier division in continuing operations for nine months
of 1998, the commencement of shipments on several large new contracts at
Ferronor in 1998, the acquisition of KSC and the growth of the trailer
manufacturing operations.
Set forth below is a discussion of the results of operations for the
Company's railroad operations, trailer manufacturing operations and corporate
overhead and other.
RESULTS OF DOMESTIC RAILROAD OPERATIONS
The discussion of results of operations that follows reflects the
consolidated results of the Company's domestic railroad operations for the years
ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996. The results of operations include the
operations of Evansville Terminal Company from July 1, 1996 to September 30,
1997, CCRR from September 6, 1996, OTVR from October 1, 1996, Gettysburg Railway
and Gettysburg Scenic Rail Tours, Inc. ("GSRT") from November 18, 1996 to
October 31, 1997, MNR from December 28, 1996 , SCXY from September 8, 1997, and
VCRR from September 1, 1998. As a result, the results of operations for the year
ended December 31, 1998 are not comparable to the prior year periods in certain
material respects.
27
28
The following table sets forth the operating revenues and expenses for
the Company's domestic railroad operations for the periods indicated. All
results of operations discussed in this section are for the Company's domestic
railroads only, unless indicated (in thousands).
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997 1996
------- ------- -------
Operating Revenue:
Transportation revenue $15,388 $14,737 $ 9,783
Other revenue 802 1,277 1,921
------- ------- -------
Total operating revenue 16,190 16,014 11,704
------- ------- -------
Operating Expenses:
Maintenance of way 1,974 2,231 1,310
Maintenance of equipment 675 678 625
Transportation 3,605 3,799 2,075
Equipment rental 347 599 388
Selling, general and administrative 3,095 2,457 1,381
Depreciation and amortization 1,570 1,337 961
------- ------- -------
Total operating expenses 11,266 11,101 6,740
------- ------- -------
Operating income 4,924 4,913 4,964
Interest and other expense 2,852 2,842 1,308
------- ------- -------
Income before income taxes $ 2,072 $ 2,071 $ 3,656
======= ======= =======
COMPARISON OF DOMESTIC RAILROAD OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
OPERATING REVENUES. Transportation revenues increased $0.7 million, or
4.4%, to $15.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $14.7 million
for the year ended December 31, 1997. The domestic transportation revenue per
carload decreased to $303 from $308 per car primarily due to the difference in
product mix hauled between 1998 and 1997. Domestic carloads handled totaled
49,519 for the year ended December 31, 1998, an increase of 3,312, or 7.2%,
compared to 46,207 for the year ended December 31, 1997.
Other revenues decreased by approximately $0.5 million, or 37.2%, to
$0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $1.3 million for the year
ended December 31, 1997. Other revenues for 1998 and 1997 consist of gain on
sales of railroad assets, easement sales, railroad lease and rental income and
other miscellaneous income. The decrease was primarily due to certain gains on
sale of assets during 1997 with no corresponding sales of assets in 1998.
OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses increased by $0.2 million, or
1.8%, to $11.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $11.1 million
for the year ended December 31, 1997. Operating expenses, as a percentage of
transportation revenue, were 73.2% and 75.3% for 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Management anticipates the operating expenses, as a percentage of transportation
revenue to remain fairly constant at the current level for the next twelve
months exclusive of seasonality.
28
29
Maintenance of way expenses decreased approximately $0.2 million, or
11.5%, to $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $2.2 million
for the year ended December 31, 1997 primarily due to increased track work being
performed as part of scheduled maintenance programs at WTLR and HESR during
1997.
Maintenance of equipment expenses remained fairly constant at $0.7
million for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997.
Transportation expense decreased approximately $0.2 million, or 5.1%,
to $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $3.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 1997 primarily due to the dispositions of ETC,
Gettysburg Railway and GSRT in 1997.
Equipment rental decreased approximately $0.3 million, or 42.0%, to
approximately $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $0.6
million for the year ended December 31, 1997. The decrease is primarily due to
increased utilization of the Company's leased railcar fleet. CCRR and MNR
equipment rental expenses decreased by 78.8% and 137.4% respectively due to
increased earnings offsetting equipment rental expense on their railcar fleets.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately
$0.6 million, or 26.0%, to $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1998
from $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1997. MNR had selling, general
and administrative expenses of approximately $0.5 million in 1998 compared to
$0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, an increase of approximately
$0.2 million. OTVR had selling, general and administrative expenses of
approximately $0.3 million in 1998 compared to $0.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997, an increase of approximately $0.1 million. SCXY had selling,
general and administrative expenses of $0.1 million for the year ended December
31, 1998, an increase of $0.1 million from $15,000 in 1997.
Depreciation and amortization increased approximately $0.3 million, or
17.4%, to $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $1.3 million
for the year ended December 31, 1997.
INTEREST AND OTHER EXPENSES. Interest and other expenses remained
fairly constant at approximately $2.9 million for the years ended December 31,
1998 and 1997.
COMPARISON OF DOMESTIC RAILROAD OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
OPERATING REVENUES. Transportation revenues increased $5.0 million, or
50.6%, to $14.7 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $9.8 million
for the year ended December 31, 1996. CCRR, which was acquired in September
1996, had transportation revenue of approximately $2.6 million for 1997 and
approximately $0.7 million for the four months ended December 31, 1996, an
increase of $1.9 million. MNR, which was acquired in December 1996, had
transportation revenue of approximately $2.2 million for the year ended December
31, 1997. OTVR, which was
29
30
acquired in September 1996, had transportation revenue of approximately $1.8
million for the year ended December 31, 1997, compared to $0.6 million for the
four month period ended December 31, 1996, an increase of $1.2 million.
Gettysburg Railway, which was acquired in November 1996, had transportation
revenue of approximately $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1997.
These increases in transportation revenue were partially offset by a decrease of
approximately $0.2 million in revenue from HESR resulting from decreased
agricultural shipments in early 1997 compared to early 1996. Additionally,
transportation revenue from SCTR decreased approximately $0.4 million due to a
decrease in demurrage revenue charged to a shipper. The domestic transportation
revenue per carload decreased to $308 from $378 per car primarily due to the
acquisitions during 1996 of railroads with lower rates per carload than the
Company's existing railroads. Domestic carloads handled totaled 46,207 for the
year ended December 31, 1997, an increase of 20,336, or 78.6%, compared to
25,871 for the year ended December 31, 1996. The increase was primarily the
result of the Company's acquisitions of MNR, which handled 10,477 carloads in
1997, CCRR, which handled 7,631 carloads in 1997, OTVR, which handled 5,776
carloads in 1997, and Gettysburg Railway, which handled 1,206 carloads in 1997.
These increased car loadings were partially offset by a decrease of 541 carloads
from HESR.
Other revenues decreased by approximately $0.6 million, or 33.5%, to
$1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $1.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 1996. Other revenues for 1997 and 1996 consisted of gain on
sales of railroad assets, easement sales, railroad lease and rental income and
other miscellaneous income.
OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses increased by $4.4 million, or
64.7%, to $11.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $6.7 million
for the year ended December 31, 1996. Operating expenses, as a percentage of
transportation revenue, were 75.3% and 68.9% for 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The change was primarily due to higher maintenance of way expenses caused by an
unusually harsh winter in Minnesota and Michigan in the first quarter of 1997
and higher operating ratios for certain of the recent acquisitions as compared
to the Company's existing railroads.
Maintenance of way expenses increased approximately $0.9 million, or
70.3%, to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $1.3 million
for the year ended December 31, 1996 primarily due to certain acquisitions which
occurred in 1996. MNR had maintenance of way expenses of approximately $0.5
million for the year ended December 31, 1997. CCRR had maintenance of way
expenses of approximately $0.2 million for 1997, compared to maintenance of way
expenses of approximately $57,000 for the four months ended December 31, 1996,
an increase of $0.2 million. Gettysburg Railway had maintenance of way expenses
of approximately $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, compared to
$10,000 for the four months ended December 31, 1996. In addition to the above
acquisitions, WTLR's and HESR's maintenance of way expenses increased
approximately $74,000 and $0.1 million, respectively, from 1996 to 1997 due to
increased track work being performed as part of scheduled maintenance programs.
Maintenance of equipment expenses increased by approximately $53,000,
or 8.5%, to $0.68
30
31
million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $0.63 million for the year
ended December 31, 1996 primarily due to certain acquisitions which occurred in
the second half of 1996.
Transportation expense increased approximately $1.7 million, or 83.1%,
to $3.8 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $2.1 million for the
year ended December 31, 1996 primarily due to certain acquisitions in the second
half of 1996. MNR had transportation expenses of approximately $0.7 million in
1997. CCRR had transportation expenses of approximately $0.5 million for the
year ended December 31, 1997, compared to $0.1 million for the four months ended
December 31, 1996, an increase of $0.3 million. OTVR had transportation expenses
of approximately $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, compared to
$59,000 in the three months ended December 31, 1996, an increase of
approximately $0.3 million. Gettysburg Railway and GSRT combined had
transportation expenses of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1997.
Equipment rental increased approximately $0.2 million, or 54.4%, to
$0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1997, from $0.4 million for the
year ended December 31, 1996.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately
$1.1 million, or 77.9%, to $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1997,
from $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 primarily due to certain
acquisitions in the second half of 1996. MNR had selling, general and
administrative expenses of approximately $0.3 million in 1997. CCRR had selling,
general and administrative expenses of approximately $0.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 1997, compared to $0.1 million for the four months ended
December 31, 1996, an increase of $0.3 million. OTVR had selling, general and
administrative expenses of approximately $0.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997, compared to $44,000 in the three months ended December 31,
1996, an increase of approximately $0.1 million. Gettysburg Railway had selling,
general and administrative expenses of $0.1 million for the year ended December
31, 1997.
Depreciation and amortization increased approximately $0.4 million, or
39.1%, to $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $1.0 million
for the year ended December 31, 1996 primarily due to certain acquisitions in
the second half of 1996.
INTEREST AND OTHER EXPENSES. Interest and other expenses increased by
approximately $1.5 million, or 117.3%, to $2.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997 from $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. Such
increase was primarily due to the financing of the acquisitions of CCRR, MNR,
OTVR and Gettysburg Railway. The increase in interest expense from the year
ended December 31, 1996 to the year ended December 31, 1997 attributable to
these four acquisitions was $0.5 million, $0.5 million, $0.4 million and $0.1
million, respectively.
RESULTS OF INTERNATIONAL RAILROAD OPERATIONS
FERRONOR. On February 19, 1997, the Company acquired a 55% equity
interest in Ferronor, a 1,400 mile regional railroad in the Republic of Chile.
The operations of Ferronor have been
31
32
included in the consolidated operations of the Company from March 1, 1997. As a
result, the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 1998 are not
comparable to the corresponding prior year in certain material respects.
The following table sets forth the operating revenues and expenses for
the Company's international railroad operations, which consist of Ferronor and
RDC, for the periods indicated. All results of operations discussed in this
section are for the Company's international railroads only, unless otherwise
indicated. (In thousands)
For the Year Ended
Ended December 31,
1998 1997
-------- --------
Revenue:
Transportation revenue $ 14,915 $ 7,287
Other revenue 1,009 775
-------- --------
Total revenue 15,924 8,062
-------- --------
Operating Expenses:
Transportation 8,982 5,113
General and administrative 1,724 1,137
Depreciation and amortization 706 267
-------- --------
Total operating expenses 11,412 6,517
-------- --------
Operating income 4,512 1,545
Other income (expense) (1,257) 319
Minority interest in earnings (1,672) (851)
-------- --------
Income before income taxes $ 1,583 $ 1,013
======== ========
COMPARISON OF INTERNATIONAL RAILROAD OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997.
OPERATING REVENUES. Transportation revenue increased by $7.6 million, or 104.7%,
to $14.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $7.3 million for the
year ended December 31, 1997. Ferronor's carloads handled totaled 68,016 for the
year ended December 31, 1998, an increase of 45,083, or 196.6%, compared to
22,933 carloads for the year ended December 31, 1997. The increase was partially
due to the prior year period including only ten months of operations. In
addition, Ferronor began moving iron ore out of the El Algarrabo mine in late
March 1998 and the Los Colorados mine in July 1998. These moves have
significantly increased Ferronor's car loadings and operating revenue.
OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses increased by approximately $4.9
million, or 75.1%, to $11.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from
$6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1997. The increase was partially
due to the prior year period including only ten months of operations in addition
to Ferronor commencing movement of iron ore out of the El Algarrabo mine in late
March 1998 and the Los Colorados mine in July 1998. Operating expenses, as a
percentage of transportation revenue, were 76.5% and 89.4% for the years ended
December 31,
32
33
1998 and 1997, respectively. The improvement is primarily due to cost reductions
implemented by the Company including a reduction in employees.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE). Other income (expense) decreased by approximately
$1.6 million to $(1.3) million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $0.3
million for the year ended December 31, 1997. The primary reasons for the
decrease are the interest expense on the capital project financings and certain
gains on sale of assets recognized in 1997 with no corresponding gains in 1998.
RESULTS OF TRAILER MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS
The discussion of results of operations that follows reflects the
results of KSI for the periods indicated and KSC from January 1, 1998, the
effective date of the Company's acquisition of Fabrex, Inc. and its affiliate.
As a result, the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 1998 are
not comparable to the corresponding prior years in certain material respects.
The following table sets forth the income and expense items of the Company's
trailer manufacturing operations for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996 and the percentage relationship of income and expense items to net sales
(in thousands):
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997 1996
------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Net sales $39,887 100% $22,941 100% $13,638 100%
Cost of goods sold 28,583 71.7% 16,544 72.1% 10,448 76.6%
------- ------- -------
Gross profit 11,304 28.3% 6,397 27.9% 3,190 23.4%
Selling, general and
administrative 3,324 8.3% 1,969 8.6% 1,400 10.3%
Depreciation and amortization 835 2.1% 473 2.1% 433 3.2%
------- ------- -------
Income from operations 7,145 17.9% 3,955 17.2% 1,357 10.0%
Other expenses (net) 222 0.6% 230 1.0% 348 2.6%
------- ------- -------
Income before income taxes $ 6,923 17.4% $ 3,725 16.2% $ 1,009 7.4%
======= ======= =======
COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS OF TRAILER MANUFACTURING FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
NET SALES. Net sales increased approximately $17.0 million, or 73.9%,
to $39.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $22.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 1997. The net sales increase consisted of $10.2 million
in sales from KSC in 1998 and an increase of $6.8 million in KSI's sales. KSI
sold 895 trailers for the year ended December 31, 1998 and 730 trailers for the
year ended December 31, 1997. The increase in KSI's sales volume increased net
sales by
33
34
approximately $5.0 million. KSC sold 234 trailers for the year ended December
31, 1998. KSI's average price per trailer sold was approximately $34,700 for the
year ended December 31, 1998 and approximately $30,500 for the year ended
December 31, 1997. The increase in average price per trailer increased KSI's
sales by approximately $1.8 million. Sales to governmental agencies represented
48% and 37% of KSI's net sales for 1998 and 1997, respectively. KSI's backlog as
of December 31, 1997 was approximately $18.3 million compared to $19.7 million
at December 31, 1997. KSC's backlog as of December 31, 1998 was approximately
$3.7 million.
COST OF GOODS SOLD. Cost of goods sold increased by approximately $12.0
million, or 72.8%, to $28.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from
$16.6 million for the year ended December 31, 1997. The cost of goods sold
increase consisted of $8.4 million from KSC in 1998 and an increase of $3.6
million in KSI's cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold was 71.7% for the year
ended December 31, 1998 compared to 72.1% for the year ended December 31, 1997.
KSI's and KSC's cost of goods sold were 68.2% and 81.7%, respectively, for 1998.
Management anticipates gross profit as a percentage of net revenue to remain
fairly constant over the next twelve months.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased by approximately $1.3 million, or 68.8%, to
$3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $2.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 1997. KSC's selling, general and administrative expenses were
$0.9 million for 1998, while KSI's selling, general and administrative expenses
increased $0.4 million for 1998. The increase was primarily related to KSI's
increased sales during the year as discussed above.
COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS OF TRAILER MANUFACTURING FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996
NET SALES. Net sales increased approximately $9.3 million, or 68.2%, to
$22.9 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $13.6 million for the
year ended December 31, 1996. Net sales consist of trailer sales, part sales and
repair income. Trailer sales represented approximately 96% of the net sales in
both 1997 and 1996. KSI sold 730 trailers for the year ended December 31, 1997
and 547 trailers for the year ended December 31, 1996. The increase in sales
volume increased net sales by approximately $4.4 million. The average price per
trailer sold was approximately $30,500 for the year ended December 31, 1997 and
approximately $24,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996. The increase in
average price per trailer increased net sales by approximately $4.8 million.
Sales to governmental agencies represented 37% and 20% of KSI's net sales for
1997 and 1996, respectively. During the first half of 1996, KSI was in the
process of building five prototype trailers in connection with the $27 million
October 1995 TACOM contract. Full production under the contract began during the
first quarter of 1997. The increase in sales for 1997 compared to 1996 was
principally production under such contract. KSI produced 105 Tactical Vans under
the TACOM contract during 1997. KSI's backlog as of December 31, 1997 was
approximately $19.7 million compared to $8.6 million at December 31, 1996.
34
35
COST OF GOODS SOLD. Cost of goods sold increased by approximately $6.1
million, or 58.2%, to $16.5 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from
$10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1996. Cost of goods sold was 72.1%
for the year ended December 31, 1997 compared to 76.6% for the year ended
December 31, 1996. The decrease was partially due to certain fixed costs of
manufacturing being spread over a larger revenue base in 1997. Additionally,
government orders represented a higher percentage of sales in 1997 than in 1996.
Commercial trailers have more variations in design which generally require
greater expertise in the manufacturing process. Government contracts are
typically for larger quantities of similar style trailers. This creates greater
economies of scale in the production process which translates into a relatively
lower cost per unit produced. Historically, commercial sales have had a higher
cost of goods sold and lower gross profit margins than government sales.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased by approximately $0.6 million, or 40.9%, from
$1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 to $2.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 1997. The increase was primarily related to KSI's increased
sales during the year as discussed above.
RESULTS OF MOTOR CARRIER OPERATIONS
The discussion of results of operations that follows reflects the
results of Steel City Carriers and RIS for the years ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996. Since the Company's acquisition of Steel City Carriers in
February 1995, its performance and development have not met the Company's
expectations. Accordingly, in March 1997 the Company adopted a formal plan to
discontinue its motor carrier operations and refocus the Company's efforts on
expanding its core railroad operations. The Company's Board of Directors
approved the plan of discontinuance on March 20, 1997. Motor Carrier operations
are included as discontinued operations for the first quarter of 1998 and for
all of 1997 and 1996. Motor Carrier operations are included in continuing
operations from April 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998.
Effective December 1, 1998, the Company ceased all motor carrier
operations and leased substantially all of the operating assets of Steel City
Carriers, Ltd. to Laidlaw Carriers, Inc., an operating subsidiary of Ontario,
Canada-based Contrans Corporation. The leases are for a period of 18 to 24
months. In addition, the Company has entered into an agreement to sell its
Ontario real estate that was previously used in the motor carrier operations.
35
36
The following table sets forth the operating revenues and expenses for
the Company's motor carrier operations for the years ended December 31, 1998 and
1997.
For the Year Ended
December 31,
1998 1997
------- -------
Transportation revenue $ 6,080 $ 7,133
Operating expenses:
Transportation 5,279 6,348
General and administrative 620 599
Depreciation and amortization 401 1,120
------- -------
Total operating expenses 6,300 8,067
------- -------
Operating income (expense) (220) (934)
Other expense (317) (187)
------- -------
Loss before income taxes ($ 537) ($1,121)
======= =======
COMPARISON OF MOTOR CARRIER OPERATIONS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND
1997
The results of motor carrier operations have been included in continuing
operations commencing April 1, 1998, as disposal of the segment was not
completed within twelve months. The results of motor carrier operations have
been included as discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 1997,
as previously reported.
OPERATING REVENUE. Operating revenue decreased $1.0 million, or 14.8%, to
$6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $7.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 1997. The decrease was primarily due to Steel City ceasing
motor carrier operations effective November 30, 1998 and due to a temporary shut
down at one of Steel City's largest customers during the third quarter of 1998.
OPERATING EXPENSES. Operating expenses decreased $1.8 million, or 21.9%,
to $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $8.1 million for the
year ended December 31, 1997. Operating expenses, as a percentage of operating
revenue, were 103.6% and 113.1% for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
Transportation expense decreased $1.0 million, or 16.8%, to $5.3 million
for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $6.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 1997. The decrease was primarily due to variable costs related to
the decreased level of operating revenue.
General and administrative expenses remained fairly constant at $0.6
million for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997.
Depreciation and amortization decreased $0.7 million, or 64.2%, to $0.4
million for the year ended December 31, 1998 from $1.1 million for the year
ended December 31, 1997. During 1997, the Company wrote off goodwill of
approximately $0.7 million.
Other expense increased $0.1 million, or 69.5%, to $0.3 million for the
year ended December 31, 1998 from $0.2 million for the year ended December 31,
1997.
36
37
Loss from discontinued operations increased by $0.1 million to $0.7
million for the year ended December 31, 1997 from $0.6 million for the year
ended December 31, 1996.
CORPORATE OVERHEAD
Corporate overhead, which benefits all of the Company's business
segments, has not been allocated to the business segments for this analysis.
Corporate overhead services performed for the Company's subsidiaries include
overall strategic planning, marketing, accounting, finance, cash management,
payroll, engineering and tax return preparation. The Company believes that this
presentation will facilitate a better understanding of the changes in the
results of the Company's operations. Corporate overhead, which is included in
selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of
income, increased $0.9 million, or 28.0%, to $4.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998 from $3.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1997.
Corporate overhead increased $0.7 million, or 28.2%, to $3.2 million for the
year ended December 31, 1997 from $2.5 million for the year ended December 31,
1996. The increases in each of the specified periods were related to the
additional costs incurred to manage the acquired subsidiaries and to establish a
strong management team to handle the Company's continued growth.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES - COMBINED OPERATIONS
The discussion of liquidity and capital resources that follows reflects
the consolidated results of the Company, including all subsidiaries.
The Company's cash provided by operating activities was $5.7 million for
the year ended December 31, 1998.
Cash used in investing activities was $30.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 1998. The primary use of cash during 1998 was for the purchase of
property, plant and equipment with an aggregate cost of approximately $28.1
million. Over $12.7 million of these purchases were by Ferronor to u