SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
| x |
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2003 | |
| or | ||
| ¨ |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the transition period from to |
Commission File Number 0-6365
APOGEE ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Minnesota |
41-0919654 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of |
IRS Employer Identification Number | |
| incorporation or organization) |
||
| 7900 Xerxes Avenue South Suite 1800 |
||
| Minneapolis, Minnesota |
55431 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (952) 835-1874
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
| Title of each class |
Name of each exchange on which registered | |
| Common Stock $0.33 1/3 Par Value |
NASDAQ National Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.) Yes x No ¨
As of August 30, 2002, the last business day of the registrants most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the approximate aggregate market value of voting and non-voting stock of the registrant was $332,693,136 (based on the closing price of $11.99 per share as reported by Nasdaq as of that date.)
As of March 31, 2003, there were approximately 27,194,000 shares of the registrants Common Stock, $0.33 1/3 par value per share, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain information required in Part III hereof is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement for the Registrants Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
APOGEE ENTERPRISES, INC.
Annual Report on Form 10-K
For the fiscal year ended March 1, 2003
| PART I |
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| Item 4. |
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| PART II |
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| Item 5. |
Market for the Registrants Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters |
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| Item 7. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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| Item 7A. |
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| Item 8. |
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| Item 9. |
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
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| PART III |
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| Item 10. |
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| Item 11. |
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| Item 12. |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
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| Item 13. |
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| Item 14. |
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| PART IV |
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| Item 15. |
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K |
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
The Company
Apogee Enterprises, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota in 1949. Through its subsidiaries, the Company believes it is a world leader in technologies involving the design and development of value-added glass products, services and systems. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms Company, Apogee, we, us and our as used herein refer to Apogee Enterprises, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
The Company is comprised of three reporting segments to match the markets they serve:
| · | The Architectural Products and Services segment designs, engineers, fabricates, installs and renovates walls of glass and windows comprising the outside skin of commercial and institutional buildings. |
| · | The Automotive Replacement Glass and Services segment fabricates, repairs and replaces automobile windshields and windows. |
| · | The Large-Scale Optical Technologies segment develops and produces high technology glass that enhances visual performance of products for the display, imaging and picture-framing industries. |
Financial information about the Companys segments can be found in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company contained elsewhere in this report.
Products
The following tables describe our products, the business unit to which the product pertains, and the key features and applications of our various products.
Architectural Products and Services (Architectural)
Businesses in the Architectural segment include: Viracon, Inc. (Viracon), the leading fabricator of coated, high-performance architectural glass for global commercial markets; Harmon, Inc., the largest U.S. full-service building glass installation, maintenance and renovation company; Wausau Window & Wall Systems, a division of the Apogee Wausau Group, Inc. (Wausau), a manufacturer of custom aluminum window systems and curtainwall; and Linetec, a division of the Apogee Wausau Group, Inc. (Linetec), a paint and anodizing finisher of window frames and PVC shutters.
| Business Unit |
Product/ Service |
Description |
Key Features/ Applications | |||
| Viracon |
Insulating Glass |
Increases a windows thermal performance; constructed with two or more pieces of glass separated by a desiccant-filled spacer and sealed with an organic sealant. The desiccant absorbs the insulating glass units internal moisture. |
Light efficiency, Comfort, Sound control, Aesthetic options | |||
| Laminated Glass |
Consists of two or more pieces of glass fused with a vinyl interlayer and is used primarily for skylights and security and hurricane-resistant applications. |
Safety, Protection, Comfort, Sound control | ||||
| High-Performance Coated Glass |
Provides solar control, both minimizing heat gain and controlling thermal transfer, by adding coatings to glass. In addition, coatings add color and varying levels of reflectivity to glass. Each coating, whether metal, solarscreen or low-emissivity, provides different aesthetic and performance criteria and offers a range of light and thermal transmission levels. Low-emissivity coatings, which may be used alone or with other coatings, are layers of metals, invisible to the naked eye, deposited on glass through a vacuum sputter process that selectively limits the transfer of heat through the glass, while allowing a high percentage of visible light through the glass. |
Controls light and thermal transmission, Reduces energy costs, Comfort, Aesthetic options | ||||
| Spandrel |
The use of full coverage paint on insulated glass or polyester opacifier film backing on high performance coated glass for use on the non-vision areas of the building. |
Concealment, Color balance, Aesthetics | ||||
| Silk-screened Glass |
Glass which has been painted to create custom patterns in a wide array of colors. Silkscreening improves the solar control performance of the glass. |
Aesthetics, Comfort |
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| Tempered Glass |
Heat-strengthened glass. |
Safety | ||||
| Harmon, Inc. |
New Construction |
Comprehensive design, engineering, procurement, fabrication and installation of curtainwall and window projects for commercial and institutional buildings. |
Custom design | |||
| Service |
24-hour complete replacement glass services damaged glass. |
Commercial and residential glass replacement, Repair of doors, custom mirror work and security glass | ||||
| Renovation |
Revitalizing and updating the building façade and helping extend the life of a building. In-house engineering capabilities allow Harmon, Inc. to duplicate the original design or create a completely new appearance for renovated buildings. |
Aesthetic enhancements, Correct system failures, Upgrade the building façade to improve energy efficiency, health and safety | ||||
| Wausau Window & Wall Systems (Wausau) |
Curtainwall Systems |
Highly engineered wall system consisting of glass panels and aluminum window frame designs engineered to be thermally efficient through the utilization of high-strength polyurethane to limit the transfer of heat or cold through the window frame. |
Energy-efficient | |||
| Projected Windows |
Windows that project out or in from the plane of the wall and are side hinged or pivoted at the jambs. |
Egress, Ventilation | ||||
| Rolling & Hung Windows |
Rolling windows consist of an operable sash that slides horizontally along a master frame. Hung windows are vertically operated windows in which the weight of the sash is offset by a balance mounted in the window frame. |
Egress, Ventilation, Ease of cleaning | ||||
| Linetec |
Fluorpolymer Coatings (paint) |
Electrostatic applications of high quality, solvent-based paints which are applied to window, curtainwall, and other metal and plastic components. These paints are sometimes preferred over anodizing because of the wider color selection. |
Aesthetics | |||
| Anodize |
The immersion of a light metal, typically aluminum, into a series of electrically charged baths to create a very strong, weather resistant film of aluminum oxide, often colored, at the surface. |
Durable, Weather resistant | ||||
| PVC Shutters |
Applications of UV protection and durable paint applied to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) parts. |
Durable, Aesthetics |
Automotive Replacement Glass and Services (Auto Glass)
Businesses in the Auto Glass segment include: Harmon Glass Company d/b/a Harmon AutoGlass (Harmon AutoGlass), a U.S. chain of retail automotive replacement, glass installation and repair shops; and Viracon/Curvlite, Inc. (Curvlite), a U.S. fabricator of aftermarket foreign and domestic car windshields and original equipment windshields for recreational vehicles and buses.
| Business Unit |
Product/ Service |
Description |
Key Features/ Applications | |||
| Harmon AutoGlass |
After-market Windshield Installation |
Installation of automotive replacement glass is conducted by certified specialists to meet all factory safety standards and guidelines |
Safety | |||
| Windshield Repair |
Repair of cracked or chipped windshields utilizing advanced resin technology and highly trained repair specialists to restore the structural integrity and appearance of the windshield. |
Safety | ||||
| Viracon/ Curvlite (Curvlite) |
Automotive Replacement Glass (ARG) |
Fabrication of after-market automotive replacement windshields for foreign and domestic cars. |
Safety |
4
| RV/Bus OEM & Replacement Glass |
Fabrication of windshields for original equipment manufacturers of recreational vehicles and buses, as well as replacement glass for these vehicles. |
Safety, Custom designed |
Large-Scale Optical Technologies (LSO)
Businesses in the LSO segment include: Tru Vue, Inc. (Tru Vue), a value-added glass and matboard manufacturer for the North American custom framing and pre-framed art markets; and Viratec Thin Films, Inc., (Viratec) a producer of optical thin film coatings for the global display and imaging markets.
| Business Unit |
Product/ Service |
Description |
Key Features/ Applications | |||
| Tru Vue |
Reflection Control Glass |
Unique single-sided etch glass that reduces most of the glare of regular glass while providing clarity. |
Diminishes reflections, Enhances clarity | |||
| Anti-Reflective Glass |
Significantly reduced reflection (glare) and significantly increased transmission (clarity). Using a process exclusive to the Company, highly energized metals (or oxides) are deposited onto the glass in precisely controlled thicknesses. This ensures the most consistent, durable quality and the highest brightness and contrast levels available. |
Diminishes reflections, Clarity, Color transmission | ||||
| Conservation Glass |
The product of a unique coating process which blocks 97 percent of the ultraviolet rays in the 300-380 nanometer range of the light spectrum, as well as protecting pictures and art against the suns damaging rays. |
>97% UV protection | ||||
| Viratec |
Anti-Reflective Glass |
See description above. Supplies anti-reflective glass solely to Tru Vue. |
Diminishes reflections, Clarity, Color transmission | |||
| Front Surface Mirrors |
Result of Viratecs patented multi-layer aluminum mirror coatings which are sputter deposited onto float glass and certified flat float glass substrates. |
Reflects 94 to 97% of the visible light, Superior adhesion, Increased abrasion resistance | ||||
| Anti-Reflective Acrylic |
Utilizes anti-reflective coatings on acrylic to reduce glare and static charge on the surface. |
Reduced reflections, Protection |
Markets and Distribution Channels
Architectural Segment. The markets served by the businesses within the Architectural segment are very competitive, price and lead-time sensitive and affected by changes in the commercial construction industry as well as changes in general economic conditions. The businesses in this segment primarily serve customers requiring custom, made-to-order products or contract glazing.
We are well positioned as the leader in North America in the supply of a wide range of high performance architectural glass products to the commercial building industry and other institutions. We market our products nationally and internationally to glass distributors, contractors, curtainwall subcontractors and commercial glass fabricators, including our own window manufacturing and installation businesses.
We offer complete design, engineering, installation and replacement or glazing services for commercial, institutional and other buildings in 14 metropolitan areas in the United States through Harmon, Inc. We bid and negotiate these curtainwall and window projects with owners, architects, general contractors and property managers. While the installation of building glass in new construction projects is the primary market for our installation business, we are broadening our offerings for glass services and retrofitting of the outside skin of older commercial and institutional buildings. We offer 24-hour replacement service for storm or vandalism damage. Our in-house engineering capabilities allow us to duplicate the original design or create a completely new appearance for renovated buildings.
Our window and wall systems business (Wausau) designs and manufactures high-quality window and curtainwall systems, engineered to be thermally efficient, utilizing high-strength polyurethane to limit the transfer of heat or cold through the window frame, for commercial and institutional buildings in the United States. These products meet high standards of wind
5
load capacity and resistance to air and moisture infiltration. Products are marketed primarily in the United States through a nationwide network of trained distributors and a direct sales staff. Wausau typically provides window or wall quotations to glazing subcontractors, including our own installation business, which in-turn bids more inclusive glass and glazing packages to general contractors for projects in the United States. At all levels, the low-bid is an advantageous competitive position, if specified performance, warranty, aesthetic and operational characteristics are met. On complex work, engineering capability and ease of installation also become qualifying factors for window and wall manufacturers.
Our finishing business serves the architectural, industrial and commercial metal fabricator markets (including Wausau), as well as building product manufacturers and interior window covering businesses in the Unites States and Canada.
Auto Glass Segment. The markets served by the businesses in the Auto Glass segment tend to be seasonal in nature and are influenced by a variety of factors, including weather, new car sales, speed limits, road conditions, the economy and average annual number of miles driven. Harmon AutoGlass opened its first shop over 50 years ago in downtown Minneapolis and as of April 30, 2003 had 652 retail service centers, including co-branded facilities, in over 40 states. In addition to its own shops, Harmon AutoGlass participates in a network of more than 5,000 affiliated auto glass retailers across the country. While Harmon AutoGlass primary business is windshield repair and replacement, some Harmon AutoGlass retail stores also offer an inventory of flat glass for home window and storefront repair. Harmon AutoGlass markets its products to consumers, insurance companies, insurance policyholders, agents, commercial fleets, body shops, automotive dealers and automobile auctions. Harmon AutoGlass has a long-term contract with APAC Customer Services, Inc., which expires in fiscal 2006, to provide call center insurance claims processing for Harmon AutoGlass insurance customers.
In an effort to enhance efficiency, geographic coverage and customer service in the distribution of auto replacement glass, the Company and PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG) combined their U.S. automotive replacement glass distribution businesses in July 2000 to create a new entity, PPG Auto Glass, LLC (PPG Auto Glass), of which the Company has a 34 percent interest. As part of the arrangements with this joint venture, Harmon Auto Glass has committed, under a multi-year contract expiring in June 2005, to purchase at least 75 percent of its replacement windshield needs from PPG Auto Glass.
The Companys manufacturing business within the Auto Glass segment, Curvlite, serves primarily two windshield markets, domestic and foreign automotive replacement glass (ARG) and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) windshields for recreational vehicles and buses. Under a multi-year agreement with PPG expiring in June 2005, Curvlites automotive replacement glass production is primarily dedicated to supplying PPG. Curvlite is now fabricating approximately 600 different parts, about half the number manufactured prior to entering into the agreement with PPG.
LSO Segment. The markets served by the businesses within the LSO segment are very competitive, highly responsive to new products and price-sensitive. The customer base that the LSO segment serves consists of customers with specific made-to-order requests as well as those needing standard inventoried products.
The Companys Tru Vue brand is one of the largest domestically manufactured brands produced for the value-added picture-framing glass market. Under this brand, we provide our customers with a full array of picture-framing glass products, including clear, reflection control, anti-reflective and conservation glass. We compliment our glass product offering with sales of conservation picture-framing matboard. The products are distributed primarily in North America, with additional distribution in Europe and Australia, through independent distributors, which, in turn, supply local picture-framing markets. We continue to convert the framing industry to our proprietary value-added glass, TruGuard, which preserves pictures and art. For the third consecutive year, we have converted more than 1,000 independent framers to our TruGuard product.
Viratec, develops advanced, optical coatings for glass and acrylic for display and imaging applications. These products are used in projection televisions, picture-framing glazing, as well as imaging devices such as scanners and copiers. Viratec markets optical coatings to both domestic and foreign customers. These customers provide further assembly, marketing and distribution to end-users.
Warranties
We offer warranties on our products which we believe are competitive for the markets in which those products are sold. The nature and extent of these warranties depend upon the product, the market and in some cases the customer being served. Viracon and Wausau generally offer warranties up to 10 years, while our other businesses offer warranties of 2 years or less. We carry liability insurance and a reserve for warranty exposures. However, our insurance does not cover warranty claims and there can be no assurance that our insurance will be sufficient to cover all liability claims in the future, that the costs of this insurance or the related deductibles will not increase materially or that liability insurance will be available on terms acceptable to the Company in the future.
6
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
Materials used within the Architectural segment include raw glass, vinyl, insulated glass spacer frames, silicone desiccant, metal targets, aluminum extrusions, chemicals, paints, urethane and plastic extrusions. All of these materials are readily available from a number of sources and no supplier delays or shortages are anticipated. While certain glass products may only be available at certain times of the year, all standard glass colors are available throughout the year in abundant quantities. Chemicals purchased range from commodity to specifically formulated types of chemistries.
Within the AutoGlass segment, raw materials consist of flat glass, vinyl, urethane and polyvinyl butyral, which are available from a number of sources, and auto glass windshields, which Harmon AutoGlass is contractually obligated to buy at least 75 percent from PPG Auto Glass.
Materials used within the LSO segment include glass, hard-coated acrylic, acrylic substrates, coating materials, chemicals, facing paper and coreboard. Currently, the chemicals used for the UV resistant coating used at Tru Vue are readily available from only one supplier who meets the Companys specifications for this proprietary technology. Tru Vue is currently seeking to qualify other suppliers and alternate technologies.
The Company believes a majority of its raw materials are available from a variety of domestic sources.
Trademarks and Patents
The Company has several trademarks and trade names which it believes have significant value in the marketing of its products. Within the Architectural segment, Linetec® is a registered trademark of the Company. AdVantage is a listed trademark of the Company.
Within the Auto Glass segment, Harmon AutoGlass®, Harmon Glass®, Portland Glass®, Cherrydale® Harmon are registered trademarks of the Company. SmarTech and We Install Confidence are listed trademarks of the Company. PPG Auto Glass is a trademark of PPG.
Within the LSO segment, Viratec®, Tru Vue®, TruGuard®, Conservation Clear®, Conservation Reflection Control®, Museum Glass®, Pricing for Profit®, AR Glass®, Reflection Control®, UltraClear®, UltiMat® and UltiBlack® are registered trademarks. Optium, Reflection Free Acrylic and Museum Security Glass are listed trademarks of the Company. Viratec Thin Films has obtained several patents pertaining to its glass coating methods. Tru Vue holds several patents on its proprietary products, including its UV coating and etch processes for non-reflective glass. Despite being a point of differentiation from its competitors, no single patent is considered to be material to the Company.
The Company had maintained various patents related to TerraSun, the Companys research and development joint venture which the Company discontinued funding in fiscal 2002. During fiscal 2003, the Company donated all of the technology and patents to the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT). Until the TerraSun patents expire, the Company will have a first right of refusal for the purchase of any architectural product applications developed by IIT based on these patents.
Seasonality
Within the Architectural segment, there is a slight seasonal effect following the construction industry with demand in late spring to late autumn that is slightly higher than during the balance of the year. The construction industry is highly cyclical in nature and can be influenced differently by the effects of the localized economy in different geographic markets
The markets that are served by the businesses in the Auto Glass segment tend to be seasonal in nature. The revenues from this segment are historically highest during the first and second quarters, with first and second quarter revenues at 26 percent and 27 percent of full year revenues, respectively, followed by third and fourth quarter revenues at 24 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
The businesses in the LSO segment depend, in part, on sales by manufacturers of products such as rear projection televisions, computer displays and scanners and retail picture-framing products. In particular, the rear projection television market is highly cyclical and can be seasonal, with a significant increase in sales occurring between Thanksgiving and late January. Picture framing also tends to have an increase in the late fall, early winter time-frame.
Working Capital Requirements
Within the Architectural segment, receivables can be extended based on the retention amounts and project durations. Payment terms offered our customers are similar to those offered by others in the industry. However, inventory requirements
7
are not significant to the businesses within this segment since they make-to-order rather than build-to-stock. As a result, inventory levels follow the customer demand for the products produced.
Due to the PPG supply agreement, the Companys manufacturing unit maintains level volumes throughout the year to PPG, which purchases and stores the product at a PPG warehouse. In turn, this provides a just-in-time inventory relationship between PPG, PPG Auto Glass and the Companys windshield replacement and repair unit. Therefore, limited finished goods inventory is maintained within the segment, which causes a limited demand on working capital.
Within the LSO segment, certain raw materials are required to be purchased in minimum order quantities, thus causing larger inventory levels than immediately needed. In some instances, finished goods inventory in this segment are maintained at higher levels to respond to demand spikes and to smooth capacity utilization in a highly seasonal and cyclical market.
Dependence on a Single Customer
We do not have any one customer that exceeds 10 percent of the Companys consolidated revenues, although, because of the supply agreement with PPG in connection with the formation of PPG Auto Glass, the Companys auto glass distribution joint venture with PPG, PPG has become the primary customer of Curvlite. Between ARG and flat glass, PPG accounts for approximately 80 percent of the total volume at Curvlite. The Company believes the amounts received from such transactions represent the amounts that would normally be received from unrelated third parties for similar transactions.
Due to the diversity of the markets, channels of distribution and geographic location of customers, it is managements opinion that the loss of any single customer within any of the segments, other than PPG as a purchaser of windshields from Curvlite, would not have a long-term, material, adverse effect on the Company, as a whole. However, there are important customers whose loss could have a short-term adverse effect on the Company.
Backlog
At March 1, 2003, the Companys total backlog of orders considered to be firm was $153.3 million compared with $196.5 million at March 2, 2002. Of this amount, approximately $147.3 million and $192.7 million of the orders were in the Architectural segment at March 1, 2003 and March 2, 2002, respectively. $138.1 million, or 90 percent, of the Companys backlog is expected to be produced in fiscal 2004. We believe that the Companys backlog of orders is not indicative of future results of the Company.
Competitive Conditions
The Companys businesses are in industries that are, in general, fairly mature and highly competitive.
Architectural Segment. The companies within the Architectural segment primarily serve the custom portion of the construction market in which the primary competitive factors are product quality, reliable service, warranty and the ability to provide technical engineering and design services. The Companys businesses within the Architectural segment had revenues of approximately $460 million in fiscal 2003, for only a 10.5 percent share of its $4.4 billion target markets. Even though our businesses are generally industry leaders, their shares in this fragmented market are small. Viracon, the largest business in this segment, holds an estimated 11 percent share of the $1.7 billion North American architectural glass fabrication market. Harmon, Inc.s estimated share within the small to mid-size construction projects market is 2 percent; Wausaus share of the non-residential aluminum window and curtainwall market is 2 percent; and Linetecs share of architectural finishing market is 5 percent.
In recent times, there has been a shift in competition within the Architectural segments largest business unit, Viracon. This shift has moved from three glass fabricators in the high-end performance market with less capacity than Viracon to
include additional competition from regional glass fabricators with shorter lead times incorporating high performance, post-temperable glass products, procured from primary glass suppliers, into their insulated glass products. The availability of these products has enabled the regional fabricators to bid on more complex projects than in the past.
Harmon, Inc. largely competes against local and regional construction companies and glazing contractors where the primary competitive factors are quality engineering, service and price. Wausau competes against several major aluminum window manufacturers in various market niches, none of whom are dominant in all market segments. With products at the high end of the performance scale, and one of the industrys best standard warranties for repair or replacement of defective product, Wausau effectively leverages a well-earned reputation for engineering quality and delivery dependability into a position as a preferred provider. Linetec competes against regional paint and anodizing companies.
8
Auto Glass Segment. The Auto Glass segment competes with other auto glass shops, glass warehouses, car dealers, body shops and glass fabrication facilities on the basis of pricing and customer service. Its competition consists of national and regional chains as well as significant local competition. The current annual market is approximately 11 million windshield units and 3.5 million side and back windows. Although we are the third largest company in auto replacement glass retail services, the Companys retail units share of this fragmented market is only approximately 5 percent. The Companys manufacturing unit has approximately 6 percent of the aftermarket windshield manufacturing market.
Primary competitive factors in the Auto Glass segment are convenience of service and price. Product quality and performance are required for all competitors. Pricing through the entire supply chain has been affected by overcapacity in the market and the influx of imported products. In the past fiscal year, the anti-dumping petition filed by the Company and two other petitioners against Chinese manufacturers of automotive replacement glass resulted in additional duties applied to automotive replacement glass manufactured in China, but other importers have since increased their shipments from other countries into the U.S., causing continued pricing pressures.
Certain of our auto replacement glass retail competitors provide insurance companies with claims management services, including computerized referral management, policyholder call management, electronic auditing and billing services and management reporting. While we do provide these services to a limited degree, our most significant competitors, Safelite Glass Corporation and LYNX Services® from PPG, have a combined 95% market share.
The pricing structure in the automotive replacement glass market has also changed significantly in recent years as insurance companies seek volume pricing at discounted rates from historical levels and attempt to enter into preferred or exclusive provider arrangements with a limited number of providers. Consequently, margins have narrowed at the retail and manufacturing levels, in which the Auto Glass segment operates.
LSO Segment. Product pricing, service and quality are the primary competitive factors in the markets within the LSO segment. The Companys competitive strength includes our excellent relationships with its customers. We compete in the value-added and conservation glass and matboard markets in North America based on the product performance afforded by our proprietary, patented processes. Until recently, we have been the only company in the picture-framing industry that has been able to produce UV products in any meaningful supply and at a consistent, high level of quality. While there is significant price sensitivity in regard to sales of clear glass to picture framers, we have been able to capture a price premium on our value-added glass products. We estimate we have a 60 percent share of the sector of this market that has been converted to value-added glass. There is a growing demand in this market sector, and fiscal 2003 saw the entrant of several competitors, which were generally smaller specialty fabricators or large integrated glass manufacturers. All of these new entrants introduced products that will compete directly with our value-added glass products.
Viratec competes with a few significant coating manufacturers and fabricators and numerous smaller specialty coaters and fabricators in North America and abroad. Competitors in the electronic display market include companies developing new coatings, such as wet coatings for flat panel displays, as well as competitors who supply sputter coated films similar to those produced by us. Customers selection of anti-reflective products is driven by quality, price, service and capacity.
Research and Development
The amount spent on research and development activities over the past three fiscal years was $3.5 million in fiscal 2003, $2.8 million in fiscal 2002 and $3.0 million in fiscal 2001. Our research and development has been focused upon development of new proprietary products and system enhancements.
In fiscal 2002, the Company decided to discontinue funding TerraSun, LLC (TerraSun), its research and development joint venture of which the Company had a 50 percent interest. As a result, TerraSun ceased its operations. TerraSun had been developing holographic optical technologies for lighting and energy systems applications. In connection with the closure of TerraSun, we acquired TerraSuns proprietary technology. We donated the patented technology developed by TerraSun to the Illinois Institute of Technology in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003.
Environment
We use hazardous materials in our manufacturing operations, and have air and water emissions that require controls. As a result, we are subject to stringent federal, state and local regulations governing the storage, use and disposal of wastes. We contract with outside vendors to collect and dispose of waste at our production facilities in compliance with applicable environmental laws. In addition, we have procedures in place that we believe enable us to deal properly with the regulated materials used in our manufacturing processes and wastes created by the production processes, and we have implemented a program to monitor our compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Although we believe we are currently in material compliance with such laws and regulations, current or future laws and regulations could require us to make
9
substantial expenditures for compliance with chemical exposure, waste treatment or disposal regulations. During fiscal 2003, we spent approximately $1.4 million at facilities to reduce wastewater solids and further reduce hazardous air emissions.
Employees
The Company employed 5,341 persons at March 1, 2003, of whom approximately 769 were represented by labor unions. The Company is a party to 47 collective bargaining agreements with several different unions. Approximately 6 percent of the collective bargaining agreements representing 93 employees will expire during fiscal 2004. The number of collective bargaining agreements to which the Company is a party will vary with the number of cities with active nonresidential construction contracts. The Company considers its employee relations to be very good and has not recently experienced any significant loss of workdays due to strike. We are highly dependent upon the continuing services of certain technical and management personnel.
Foreign Operations and Export Sales
During the years ended March 1, 2003, March 2, 2002 and March 3, 2001, the Companys export sales, principally from Architectural operations, amounted to approximately $37.2 million, $35.0 million and $40.0 million, respectively.
Available Information
The Company maintains a website at WWW.APOG.COM. Through a link to a third-party content provider, this corporate website provides free access to the Companys annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after electronic filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The following table lists, by segment, the Companys major facilities as of March 1, 2003, the general use of the facility and whether it is owned or leased by the Company.
| Facility |
Location |
Owned/ Leased |
Size (sq. ft.) |
Function | ||||
| Architectural Segment |
||||||||
| Viracon |
Owatonna, MN |
Owned |
765,500 |
Mfg/Admin | ||||
| Viracon |
Statesboro, GA |
Owned |
340,800 |
Mfg | ||||
| Viracon |
Owatonna, MN |
Leased |
6,400 |
Maintenance | ||||
| Harmon, Inc. Headquarters |
Minneapolis, MN |
Leased |
11,400 |
Admin | ||||
| Wausau Window & Wall Systems |
Wausau, WI |
Owned |
308,800 |
Mfg/Admin | ||||
| Wausau Window & Wall Systems |
Stratford, WI |
Leased |
33,400 |
Mfg | ||||
| Linetec |
Wausau, WI |
Owned |
288,800 |
Mfg/Admin | ||||
| Linetec |
Villa Rica, GA |
Leased |
76,500 |
Mfg | ||||
| Auto Glass Segment |
||||||||
| Harmon AutoGlass Headquarters |
Minneapolis, MN |
Leased |
63,700 |
Admin | ||||
| Viracon/Curvlite |
Owatonna, MN |
Owned |
129,300 |
Mfg/Admin | ||||
| National Distribution Center |
Owatonna, MN |
Owned |
155,000 |
Warehouse/Admin | ||||