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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

(Mark One)  

ý

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003
OR

o

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: 0-26786

APAC Customer Services, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Illinois
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
  36-2777140
(I.R.S. employer
identification no.)

Six Parkway North Center, Suite 400, Deerfield, Illinois 60015
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (847) 374-4980

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Shares, $0.01 Par Value

        Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (l) 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 ý        No o

        Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

Yes ý        No o

        The aggregate market value of the Registrant's Common Shares held by non-affiliates was approximately $70,543,000, based on the last sale price as of June 29, 2003.

        As of March 10, 2004, 49,448,102 Common Shares were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

        Certain portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for The Annual Meeting
of Shareholders to be held on June 4, 2004, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.





TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I   3
  Item 1.   Business   3
  Item 2.   Properties   8
  Item 3.   Legal Proceedings   9
  Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders   9
      Executive Officers of the Registrant   9

PART II

 

11
  Item 5.   Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters   11
  Item 6.   Selected Financial Data   12
  Item 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   14
  Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   25
  Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data   26
  Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure   50
  Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures   50
  Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant   50

PART III

 

51
  Item 11.   Executive Compensation   51
  Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management   51
      Equity Compensation Plan Information   51
  Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions   52
  Item 14.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services   52

PART IV

 

53
  Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K   53

Signatures

 

54

Section 302 CEO/CFO Certifications are Filed as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 and Section 906 CEO/CFO Certification is Filed as Exhibit 32.1

 

 

Report of Independent Public Accountants

 

55

Exhibit Index

 

58

2



PART I


Item 1. Business

General

        APAC Customer Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively "APAC Customer Services", "APAC" or the "Company") was founded in 1973 and is a leading provider of customer interaction solutions for market leaders in communications, financial services, insurance, health care, logistics and travel and hospitality. To help its clients better manage their customer relationships, APAC Customer Services develops and delivers customer care and customer acquisition programs. The Company operates and manages approximately 7,000 workstations in 28 Customer Interaction Centers. (See Item 2. "Properties"). The Customer Interaction Centers are managed centrally through the application of telecommunications and computer technology to promote the consistent delivery of quality service.

Services

        Customer care.    Customer care services include customer relationship management solutions, including inbound customer services, customer retention, direct mail response, "help" line support, and customer order processing. Certain customer care services utilize specialized customer service representatives, such as licensed insurance agents and licensed pharmacists, capable of responding to inquiries requiring subject matter expertise.

        Customer care services involve the receipt, identification and routing of calls from a client's customers or prospects to the appropriate APAC customer service representatives. The caller typically uses a toll-free number to request product or service information, place an order for a product or service or obtain assistance regarding a client's products or services. APAC utilizes automated call distributors and digital switches to identify each inbound call by number and route the call to an APAC customer service representative trained for the client's specific program. Simultaneously with receipt of the call, the customer service representative's computer screen displays customer, product and service information relevant to the call. The Company reports information and results captured during the call to its client for order processing, customer service and database management.

        Customer acquisition.    Customer acquisition services involve an APAC sales representative's calling a consumer or business prospect to offer the client's products or services. APAC receives prospect information electronically from its clients. APAC's data management system sorts the prospect information and delivers it to one or more of its Customer Interaction Centers. Computerized call-management systems utilizing predictive dialers automatically dial the telephone numbers, determine if a live connection is made, and present connected calls to sales representatives who have been specifically trained for the client's program. When a call is presented, the prospect's name, other information about the prospect and the program script simultaneously appear on the sales representative's computer screen. The sales representative then uses the script to solicit an order for the client's product or service or to request information, which will be added to the client's customer database.

Clients

        APAC directs its business development efforts primarily towards large companies with substantial customer care and/or customer acquisition needs. APAC often targets those companies that operate in high cost metropolitan areas, that are currently utilizing inefficient or expensive technology in their

3



customer service and/or acquisition operations, or that have the greatest need for increased efficiencies. APAC develops and delivers customer care and acquisition solutions primarily in the following industries:

  Communications     Health Care
  Financial Services     Logistics
  Insurance     Travel and Hospitality

        The Company's ten largest clients collectively accounted for 65.7% of the Company's net revenue in fiscal 2003. Two of the Company's clients were each responsible for over 10% of the Company's net revenues: Comcast Corporation provided 12.7% of the Company's net revenues in 2003 and T-Mobile USA, Inc. accounted for 10.4% of the Company's net revenues. Comcast is expected to account for less than 10% of net revenues in 2004. See "Client Concentration; Contract Terms; Client Industries" in "Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Part II.

Client Contracts

        APAC provides services to its clients pursuant to written contracts, which generally provide for engagements of one to five years. Most contracts permit clients to terminate for convenience. Contracts for customer care services require adherence to a termination schedule allowing for the gradual reduction of services over a three to six month period in the event of termination. Contracts for customer acquisition services may generally be terminated or modified on short notice. The Company has, however, historically established long-term relationships with many of the clients for which it provides such services.

        Client contracts generally require that the Company bill for its services on the basis of time spent by the Company representatives providing services. The Company is experiencing an increase in requests that the unit of time billed be minutes rather than hours. This billing method requires greater Company representative productivity to achieve an equivalent hourly rate. The Company is also experiencing an increase in the number of requests from current and potential clients to price services on a per call or per transaction basis, thereby shifting additional operational risk to the Company. The Company is often subject to client performance standards, such as average handle time, occupancy rate, abandonment rate and sales per hour. The Company's performance against such standards may provide bonus opportunities or conversely may subject the Company to penalties. The Company's customer acquisition services are occasionally priced on a pay-for-performance basis, where the Company typically receives fees that are a combination of base-rate plus fee per sale. See "Client Concentration; Contract Terms; Client Industries" in "Information Regarding Forward- Looking Statements" in Part II.

Capacity and Capacity Utilization

        The Company provides customer interaction solutions through the operation of 28 Customer Interaction Centers. The Company's Customer Interaction Centers are located in communities conducive to the successful operation of large-scale customer interaction facilities in a cost-effective manner. The Company's Customer Interaction Centers can be configured to specific customer needs. In addition to its 27 domestic centers, the Company operates an approximately 38,000 square foot Customer Interaction Center in Muntinlupa City, Philippines. The Company's Philippine center receives or initiates calls only from or to customers in the United States in accordance with the Company's contracts with domestic companies. These contracts are denominated in U.S. dollars.

        The Company's profitability is influenced significantly by its Customer Interaction Center capacity utilization. Customer care services tend to be utilized primarily during normal business hours on weekdays and to a limited extent on weekends. Customer acquisition services tend to be utilized primarily in the early evening hours on weekdays and to a limited extent on weekends. To maximize capacity utilization, the Company is increasingly operating its centers as "blended"—primarily through the introduction of customer acquisition programs into centers formerly dedicated to customer care services, but also by

4



enabling customer acquisition centers to perform customer care services through the use of Voice Over Internet Protocol ("VOIP") technology. The Company closely monitors the capacity utilization of its Customer Interaction Centers and balances the costs associated with maintaining excess capacity with the flexibility needed to quickly respond to incremental client demands when determining whether to maintain presently unutilized capacity.

Technology and Telecommunications

        APAC integrates call interaction management, database marketing and management information systems within its Customer Interaction Centers.

        The Company has developed a UNIX-based computer system, which utilizes a "hub and spoke" configuration to electronically link each Customer Interaction Center's systems to the Company's data center. This architecture system provides the Company with the flexibility to integrate its client server and mid-range systems with the variety of systems maintained by its clients. By integrating with its clients' systems, APAC is able to receive calls and data directly from its clients' in-house systems, forward calls to its clients' in-house telephone representatives when appropriate, and report the status and results of the Company's services. APAC also utilizes VOIP technology, which enables calls to be forwarded to centers through the internet. APAC's custom software is built on Oracle's relational database technology, which enables the Company to design tailored software applications.

        The Company utilizes a workforce management and scheduling system. This system enables the Company to maximize the utilization of its Customer Interaction Centers and to increase the efficiency of its service representatives. The Company continues to invest in the development and implementation of emerging customer management and technical support technologies.

        APAC integrates call interaction management, database marketing and management information systems within its Customer Interaction Centers. APAC's multichannel customer relationship management platform, known as e.PAC®, leverages off-the-shelf applications, in-house developed software, and integrated reporting to provide a 360-degree view of the customer through the use of an integrated routing layer and a contact management application layer. Multiple communications channels are linked into the contact management layer to allow clients' customers to contact APAC using any communication medium they choose, including voice, e-mail, internet chat and web collaboration.

        The Company contracts with multiple providers of nationwide long distance networks and services and has the ability to allocate call volumes among these providers to ensure optimal utilization of long distance services. The Company obtains pricing based on its volume commitments, which include "take or pay" features obligating the Company to pay for a minimum usage regardless of whether such minimum services are utilized. The Company's management believes that it structures the volume guarantees and timing of its contracts so as to minimize any potential payment resulting from the take-or-pay aspect of its commitments.

Sales and Marketing

        The Company utilizes a targeted approach to identifying new clients and additional needs of existing clients. The Company markets its services by targeting companies for proactive development of industry specific solutions, expanding relationships with existing clients, responding to requests for proposals, pursuing client referrals, participating in trade shows and advertising in business publications.

Human Resources

        The Company believes a key component of APAC's success is the quality of the services provided by its employees. Therefore, the Company continually refines its approach to hiring, training and managing qualified personnel. APAC Customer Services locates Customer Interaction Centers primarily in small to

5



mid-sized communities in an effort to lower its operating costs and attract employees. The Company's goal is to hire employees who can be trained to provide the best quality services at the lowest cost to the Company. At each Customer Interaction Center, the Company utilizes a management structure designed to ensure that its sales and service representatives are properly supervised, managed and trained.

        The Company offers classroom and on-the-job training programs for its employees, including instruction about the client and its product and service offerings as well as telephone-based sales or customer service techniques. Once hired, each new sales and service representative receives on-site training lasting from two to over twenty days. The amount of initial training each employee receives varies depending upon the nature of the services being offered for the client to which the representative will be assigned. In addition, the Company offers one and two week courses to its sales and service representatives who are preparing for the insurance agent license exam.

        The Company had approximately 8,100 full-time and 2,200 part-time employees for a total of approximately 10,300 employees on March 10, 2004. None of APAC's employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement. The Company considers its relations with its employees to be satisfactory.

Quality Assurance

        Since APAC's services involve direct contact with its clients' customers, the Company's reputation for quality service is critical to acquiring and retaining clients. Therefore, the Company and its clients monitor the Company's sales and service representatives for strict compliance with the client's scripts, and also to maintain quality and efficiency. The Company also regularly measures the quality of its services by benchmarking such factors as client satisfaction, customer service levels, average handle times, first call resolutions, sales per hour and average speed of answer. The Company is able to provide clients with status reports on a real-time basis and can transmit summary data and captured information electronically to clients. This data enables APAC and its clients to modify or enhance ongoing services to improve quality and effectiveness.

Competition

        The industry in which the Company operates is competitive and highly fragmented. APAC's competitors range in size from very small firms offering specialized applications or short-term projects, to large independent public firms and the in-house operations of many clients and potential clients. A number of competitors have capabilities and resources equal to, or greater than, the Company's, including large multinational business outsourcing providers. In-house telemarketing, customer relationship management and customer service organizations comprise by far the largest segment of the industry. Customer care and acquisition services are also being provided offshore, in India, the Philippines, the Caribbean and other locations. Such services are being offered by certain of the competitors described earlier and by locally owned operators providing services directly into the U.S. market as well.

        In addition, some of the Company's services also compete with other forms of direct marketing such as mail, e-mail, television and radio. The Company believes that the principal competitive distinctions in the industry are reputation for quality, performance against client metrics, price, technological expertise, scalability and the ability to provide clients with customized solutions quickly.

Financial Information About Industry Segments

        In 2001, the Company combined its operations into one unit, utilizing many of its Customer Interaction Centers to provide both customer care and customer acquisition services. It therefore became impracticable to continue to separate results of these two service offerings as was done in prior years. Accordingly, the Company no longer presents operating results in reportable segments.

6



Government Regulation

        Telephone sales practices are regulated at both the Federal and state levels. On the Federal level, both the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") and the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") regulate the initiation of telephone solicitations to residential telephone subscribers. The FTC maintains a "Do Not Call Registry" (the "Registry"). Consumers may sign on to the Registry by telephone or through the Registry's website. Telephone solicitations may not be initiated with respect to those numbers entered on the Registry. There are some exceptions to this, including the "existing business relationship" exemption, which permits calls to be made to consumers on the Registry if such consumers were existing customers or made inquiry of the company whose products or services are offered within eighteen or three months, respectively.    In addition, the FCC requires companies to maintain "company specific" do not call lists for consumers who have requested that such particular company not call them.

        The FTC and FCC regulate the use of predictive dialers by requiring that companies limit the percentage of calls abandoned to 3% in the event that no customer service representative is available to take the call at the time the consumer becomes available. This regulation also requires that receiving telephones be permitted to ring for a specified duration and that callers leave a recorded message identifying the caller and the purpose of the call, among other things.

        The FTC and FCC also require that a company initiating telephone solicitations transmit company identifying and number information for recognition by consumers' caller identification systems. The FCC precludes the initiation of telephone solicitations to residential telephone subscribers before 8:00 am or after 9:00 pm. The FTC imposes restrictions on the use of pre-acquired account information when such information is to be used for billing purposes and requires that various disclosures be made in the context of certain sales.

        States have also continued to enact legislation governing telephone solicitations, including state do not call registries, restrictions on methods and timing of calls, restrictions on the percentage of abandoned calls, mandated disclosures, caller identification requirements, registration requirements and other regulation of sales by telephone. In addition states and the Federal government are considering legislation mandating disclosure regarding the location of the service representative placing or answering the calls.

        Companies that violate Federal or state regulations may be subject to enforcement action, civil action or private causes of action initiated by the consumer.

        The Company has policies, procedures and technology in place intended to meet the requirements of the applicable regulations pertaining to telephone solicitations.

        In addition to the laws regulating telephone sales activity, federal and state laws and regulations govern consumer privacy and the collection and use of consumer data. Key federal laws include the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. There is increasing federal and state interest in privacy protections, some aspects of which could impose additional regulatory pressure on the business of the Company's clients and, less directly, on the Company's business.

        The industries served by the Company are also subject to varying degrees of government regulation. The Company and its employees who are involved in certain types of sales activities, such as the sale of insurance products, are required to be licensed by various state commissions or regulatory bodies and to comply with regulations enacted by those entities. Other examples of activities requiring licensing include gaming, pharmaceutical and mortgage banking activities.

Available Information

        The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). These filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/. The documents APAC files with the SEC may also

7



be read and copied at the SEC's public reference room located at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. Information regarding the SEC's public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

        The Company maintains a website with the address www.apaccustomerservices.com. The Company is not including the information contained on its website as a part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company makes available free of charge (other than an investor's own Internet access charges) through its website the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes such material to, the SEC.


Item 2. Properties

        The Company leases approximately 91,000 square feet of office space in Deerfield, Illinois. The term of this lease expires in August 2008. This space houses corporate headquarters, a technology demonstration center and a Customer Interaction Center. The Company has approximately 79,000 square feet of office space in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This office space is located on all or part of six floors, which are owned by the Company, and is part of an office condominium. The Company also leases approximately 87,000 square feet of office space in Omaha, Nebraska. The lease for the Omaha office space expires in August 2007. Approximately 49,000 square feet of this space is sublet. The Company leases 22,000 square feet of office space in Atlanta, Georgia. The lease for the Atlanta space expires in December 2004. The Atlanta space has been sublet.

        As of December 28, 2003, the Company operated Customer Interaction Centers and workstations in the following states and foreign country:


Customer Interaction Centers

States

  Number of
Centers

  Number of
Workstations

Arizona   1   629
Iowa   8   1,479
Illinois   6   644
Kansas   1   120
Missouri   1   96
Nebraska   1   323
New York   1   405
Oklahoma   3   504
Texas   1   873
Virginia   1   717
Wisconsin   3   992
   
 
  Total US Based   27   6,782
Philippines   1   200
   
 
  Total   28   6,982
   
 

        The Company closed or combined five Customer Interaction Centers in fiscal 2003 resulting in the elimination of 560 workstations and eliminated an additional 181 seats at its other centers. The leases of the Customer Interaction Centers have terms ranging from one to six years and typically contain renewal options and early termination buyouts.

8



        In 2002, the Company leased 19,000 square feet of space to create its Philippines Customer Interaction Center, which began operations in the second quarter of 2003 and which added 200 seats. In the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company increased the available space in this center by leasing an additional 19,000 square feet, which provides the Company with approximately 38,000 square feet of space scheduled to be available for operations in the first quarter of 2004. In addition, the Company has committed to lease an additional 35,000 square feet of space in this facility in the second quarter of 2004.

        Management believes that APAC's facilities are maintained in good condition and are generally suitable and of sufficient capacity to support APAC's current business operations. APAC's management believes that capacity can be expanded or contracted relatively quickly to accommodate changes in the Company's operations.


Item 3. Legal Proceedings

        The Company is subject to occasional lawsuits, governmental investigations and claims arising out of the normal conduct of its business. Management does not believe the outcome of any pending claims will have a material adverse impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, annual results of operations or liquidity. Although the Company does not believe that any of these proceedings will result in a material adverse effect, no assurance to that effect can be given.


Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

        None.

        The executive officers of the Company are as follows:

Name

  Age
  Position
Theodore G. Schwartz   50   Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer
(Chairman and Director, effective March 15, 2004)
Robert J. Keller   50   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
(effective March 15, 2004)
Kenneth R. Batko   53   Vice President and Controller
Andrew J. Bosko   41   Group Vice President, Sales
Daniel S. Hicks   39   Senior Vice President, Relationship Management
David J. LaBonte   54   Senior Vice President, Operations
George L. Puig   46   Executive Vice President
Marc T. Tanenberg   52   Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Linda R. Witte   51   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

        Theodore G. Schwartz has served as the Company's Chairman since its formation in May 1973 and resumed the position of CEO effective May 2001.

        Robert J. Keller will join the Company as Director, President and Chief Executive Officer as of March 15, 2004. Mr. Keller was President of the Business Services Group, a division of Office Depot from 2002-2003 after starting with Office Depot in a sales management capacity. Previously, Mr. Keller was employed by Dun & Bradstreet and the IBM Corporation.

        Kenneth R. Batko joined the Company in March 2000 as Vice President and Controller. From November 1997 to February 2000, Mr. Batko was Vice President, Corporate Controller of GeoLogistics Corporation. Mr. Batko was employed by Anixter International Inc. from June 1982 through October 1997, where he held various positions, most recently Assistant Controller. Prior to June 1982, Mr. Batko was employed as a manager by Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Batko is a Certified Public Accountant.

9



        Andrew J. Bosko joined the Company in October 2002 as Group Vice President, Sales. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Bosko was Vice President, Worldwide Sales for Clear Communications from November 1999 through September 2002. From July 1995 to October 1999, Mr. Bosko held various positions with Convergys Corporation, most recently Vice President, Sales.

        Daniel S. Hicks, Senior Vice President, Relationship Management, joined the Company in May 1998. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hicks was Vice President of Account Management for ITI Marketing Services from January 1995 to May 1998. From 1993 to 1995, Mr. Hicks was the Director of Vendor Management for Time, Inc.

        David J. LaBonte, Senior Vice President, Operations, joined the Company in April 1997. Mr. LaBonte has served as Director of Client Services, Vice President, Operations and Group Vice President. From September 1993 through March 1997, Mr. LaBonte was employed by Montgomery Ward where he held numerous positions, most recently as Director of Merchandising for the Lechemere Division. Prior to Montgomery Ward, Mr. LaBonte was employed by General Electric from April 1973 through August 1993.

        George L. Puig, Executive Vice President, joined the Company in January 2004. Prior to his joining the Company, Mr. Puig held various positions from 1996 to 2003 with Precision Response Corporation, most recently as the President, COO. From 1978 to 1996, Mr. Puig was employed by Florida Power and Light Company.

        Marc T. Tanenberg joined the Company in August 2001 as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. From November 1993 to August 2001, Mr. Tanenberg was employed by International Jensen Incorporated where he held a variety of positions, most recently as Executive Vice President—Operations and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Tanenberg is a Certified Public Accountant.

        Linda R. Witte, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, joined the Company in June 1999. From July 1997 to May 1999, Ms. Witte was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Beloit Corporation, an 80% owned subsidiary of Joy Global, Inc. Prior to that, Ms. Witte was Vice President and General Counsel of Wheelabrator Water Technologies, Inc. a division of Waste Management, Inc. Before joining Waste Management, Ms. Witte was a partner in Jenner & Block, a national law firm headquartered in Chicago, IL.

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PART II

Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters

        The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol "APAC." The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sale prices of the Common Shares as reported on the NASDAQ National Market during such period.

 
  High
  Low
Fiscal 2003:            
  First Quarter   $ 3.02   $ 2.30
  Second Quarter   $ 3.20   $ 2.41
  Third Quarter   $ 3.06   $ 2.52
  Fourth Quarter   $ 2.90   $ 2.51
 
  High
  Low
Fiscal 2002:            
  First Quarter   $ 3.34   $ 2.17
  Second Quarter   $ 6.18   $ 2.90
  Third Quarter   $ 5.99   $ 2.34
  Fourth Quarter   $ 3.18   $ 2.20

        As of March 10, 2004, there were 274 holders of record of the Common Shares. The Company did not pay any dividends on its Common Shares in fiscal years 2003 or 2002. The Company currently intends to retain future earnings to finance its growth and development and, therefore, does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, the Company's Credit Agreement (defined in the Liquidity Section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) restricts the payment of cash dividends by the Company. Payment of any future dividends will depend upon the future earnings and capital requirements of the Company and other factors the Board of Directors considers appropriate. See "Equity Compensation Plan Information" in Item 12. "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" in Part III.

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Item 6.    Selected Financial Data


APAC CUSTOMER SERVICES, INC.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 
  For the Fiscal Years Ended(1)
 
  December 28,
2003

  December 29,
2002

  December 30,
2001

  December 31,
2000

  January 2,
2000

 
  (In thousands, except per share, statistical data and notes)

OPERATING DATA:                              
  Net revenue   $ 322,852   $ 371,198   $ 428,844   $ 464,355   $ 427,645
  Cost of services(2)     263,153     295,874     356,221     359,669     347,005
  Selling, general and administrative expenses     48,633     50,283     56,967     59,921     50,445
  Restructuring and other charges(3)     3,238     8,139     9,004     8,689     7,600
  Asset impairment charges(4)     420     1,005     8,608        
   
 
 
 
 
    Operating income (loss)     7,408     15,897     (1,956 )   36,076     22,595
  Interest expense, net     1,031     6,485     7,778     9,350     13,365
  Income taxes (benefit)     2,038     3,218     (4,770 )   10,056     3,580
   
 
 
 
 
    Income (loss) from continuing operations     4,339     6,194     (4,964 )   16,670     5,650
  Gain from discontinued operations(5)                 511    
   
 
 
 
 
  Net income (loss)   $ 4,339   $ 6,194   $ (4,964 ) $ 17,181   $ 5,650
   
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share:                              
  Basic:                              
    Continuing operations   $ 0.09   $ 0.13   $ (0.10 ) $ 0.35   $ 0.12
    Discontinued operations                 0.01    
   
 
 
 
 
    Net income (loss)   $ 0.09   $ 0.13   $ (0.10 ) $ 0.36   $ 0.12
   
 
 
 
 
  Diluted:                              
    Continuing operations   $ 0.09   $ 0.13   $ (0.10 ) $ 0.33   $ 0.12
    Discontinued operations                 0.01    
   
 
 
 
 
  Net income (loss)   $ 0.09   $ 0.13   $ (0.10 ) $ 0.34   $ 0.12
   
 
 
 
 
  Weighted average shares outstanding:                              
    Basic:     49,436     49,244     48,780     48,286     47,341
    Diluted:     49,461     49,415     48,780     50,952     47,822
BALANCE SHEET DATA:                              
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 11,428   $ 14,530   $ 21,213   $ 41,192   $ 18,876
  Net assets of discontinued operations(5)                     10,028
  Working capital     15,681     37,367     27,793     51,060     51,957
  Capital expenditures     8,348     6,494     8,971     15,236     7,789
  Total assets     134,593     149,394     183,710     231,795     236,480
  Long-term debt, less current maturities     313     28,872     42,968     84,483     115,987
  Shareholders' equity     80,730     76,427     67,997     73,811     48,622
STATISTICAL DATA: (UNAUDITED)                              
  Number of Customer Interaction Centers(6)     28     32     48     57     59
  Number of workstations(6)     6,982     7,523     10,208     10,522     10,866
  Net Revenue per workstations(7)   $ 42,870   $ 39,479   $ 41,563   $ 43,848   $ 37,300

12



NOTES:

(1)
The Company operates on a 52/53-week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. There are no periods presented that consist of 53 weeks.

        The fiscal years presented are as follows:

Fiscal Year

  Fiscal Year End


1999

 

January 2, 2000
2000   December 31, 2000
2001   December 30, 2001
2002   December 29, 2002
2003   December 28, 2003
(2)
The Company reversed $1.4 million in fiscal 2000 and $4.9 million in fiscal 1999, respectively, of accrued telephone charges originally recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998. This reversal resulted from the Company negotiating favorable dispositions of costs associated with certain guaranteed minimum usage telecommunications contracts. Excluding the reversals in fiscal 2000 and fiscal 1999, costs of services were $361.1 million in 2000 and $351.9 million in fiscal 1999.

(3)
Fiscal 2003 includes restructuring and other charges of $3.4 million related to the closure of five Customer Interaction Centers and the elimination of certain administrative and support positions and the reversal of $0.1 million of prior year restructuring charges not utilized. Restructuring and other charges in fiscal 2002 primarily related to the closing of sixteen Customer Interaction Centers, the transition of one center under a facility management contract and the reversal of $0.3 million related to prior year restructuring charges not utilized. Restructuring and other charges in fiscal 2001 related to the closing of seven Customer Interaction Centers and charges associated with the settlement of litigation and additional bad debt provisions. Fiscal 2000 includes other charges related to costs in the area of people, technology and the move to the new headquarters in Deerfield, Illinois. Fiscal 1999 includes restructuring charges related to a program to close 24 Customer Interaction Centers and to reduce the supporting salaried workforce.

(4)
Fiscal 2003 asset impairment charges related to the write-off of certain software licenses and computer hardware. Asset impairment charges in fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2001 of $1.0 million and $8.6 million, respectively, related to the write-off of certain non-performing IT hardware and software costs and, in 2002, certain telecommunications equipment.

(5)
In January 2000, pursuant to an agreement executed in December 1999, the Company sold the stock of Paragren Technologies, Inc. ("Paragren") (representing substantially all of the assets of Paragren). Accordingly, Paragren was reported as a discontinued operation and the consolidated financial statements were reclassified to segregate the net assets and operating results of the business. Fiscal 2000 includes a gain of $0.5 million, net of $0.3 million of income tax expense related to the sale of Paragren in January 2000. For fiscal 1999, Paragren's net loss from discontinued operations of $5.5 million was offset by the provision for anticipated losses established in fiscal 1998.

(6)
Represents the number of Customer Interaction Centers and workstations in service as of the end of such fiscal year.

(7)
Net revenue per workstation was based on the weighted average number of workstations in service for each of the fiscal years presented.

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Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

        The Company is a leading provider of customer interaction solutions for market leaders in communications, financial services, insurance, health care, logistics and travel and hospitality. To help its clients better manage their customer relationships, APAC Customer Services develops and delivers customer care and customer acquisition programs. The Company operates and manages approximately 7,000 workstations in 28 Customer Interaction Centers. The Customer Interaction Centers are managed centrally through the application of telecommunications and computer technology to promote the consistent delivery of quality service. The Company consists of a single operating segment that offers customer interaction solutions to its clients.

        The following discussion of the Company's results of operations and liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial Data and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

Results of Operations

        The following table sets forth statements of operations data as a percent of net revenue from services performed by the Company for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2003, December 29, 2002, and December 30, 2001 (fiscal 2003, fiscal 2002 and fiscal 2001, respectively).

 
  2003
  2002
  2001
 
Net revenue:   100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Operating expenses:              
  Cost of services   81.5   79.7   83.1  
  Selling, general and administrative expenses   15.1   13.5   13.3  
Restructuring and other charges   1.0   2.2   2.1  
  Asset impairment charges   .1   .3   2.0  
   
 
 
 
    Total operating expenses   97.7   95.7   100.5  
   
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)   2.3   4.3   (0.5 )
Interest expense, net   .3   1.7   1.8  
   
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes   2.0   2.6   (2.3 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   .7   .9   (1.1 )
   
 
 
 
Net income (loss)   1.3%   1.7%   (1.2 )%
   
 
 
 

Fiscal 2003 Compared to Fiscal 2002

        Net revenue decreased 13.0% to $322.9 million in fiscal 2003 from $371.2 million in fiscal 2002, a decrease of $48.3 million. The revenue decline for fiscal 2003 was attributable primarily to the financial services sector, UPS, and Aegon partially offset by increases in the telecommunications sector of $16.0 million. Revenues from the financial services sector decreased $30.8 million primarily due to a reduction in marketing spending by these clients. The reduction in marketing spending resulted from the impact of the national do not call registry rolled out on October 1, 2003, and certain economic trends that impacted the demand for these products. Additionally, mortgage service business was affected by a slowdown in refinancing activity. UPS revenues declined $21.5 million as a result of the closure of one center and transition of another center during the second half of fiscal 2002 in accordance with a new multi-year agreement. Aegon volume decreased $9.2 million due to a gradual ramp down of services provided by the Company. The Company had two clients that each constituted more than 10% of the Company's net revenues in fiscal 2003. One of these clients is expected to account for less than 10% in fiscal 2004.

        Cost of services decreased $32.7 million in fiscal 2003, or 11.1%, to $263.2 million from $295.9 million in fiscal 2002. Approximately 80% of the decrease in cost of services resulted from lower direct costs associated with the decline in revenue, while the remaining reduction related to cutbacks in overhead

14



spending including savings associated with center closings. As a percent of revenue, cost of services increased to 81.5% in fiscal 2003 from 79.7% in fiscal 2002 principally due to the effect of lower volumes on certain fixed costs and lower capacity utilization.

        Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $48.6 million in fiscal 2003 from $50.3 million in fiscal 2002, a decrease of $1.7 million or 3.3%. Expenses declined from the prior year primarily due to lower salary expenses in fiscal 2003 resulting from headcount reductions related to restructuring activities. As a percent of net revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses were 15.1% in fiscal 2003 versus 13.5% in fiscal 2002 due to the effect of lower volumes on certain fixed expenses.

        The Company recorded $3.4 million of restructuring charges in fiscal 2003 related to the closure of five Customer Interaction Centers and the elimination of certain administrative and support positions. These charges included severance costs of $2.8 million resulting from the elimination of 164 salaried positions, $0.1 million for the write down of property and $0.5 million of lease termination and other costs. Cash charges totaling $1.6 million relating to the restructuring have been paid through December 28, 2003. The remaining $1.7 million of cash charges, primarily related to severance costs, is payable over the next two years.

        In fiscal 2002, the Company closed a total of sixteen Customer Interaction Centers and transitioned one center under a facility management contract. As a result, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $8.3 million which included $2.6 million of employee severance costs related to approximately 900 employees, $2.9 million for the write down of property and equipment and $2.8 million of lease termin