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UNITED STATES

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 [FEE REQUIRED]

 

For the fiscal year ended: September 27, 2003

 

or

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]

 

For the transition period from                          to                         .

 

Commission file number: 0-18741

 

LESLIE’S POOLMART, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   95-4620298
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

3925 E. Broadway Road, Suite 100

Phoenix, Arizona 85040

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (602) 366-3999

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) 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. x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act) Yes ¨ No x

 

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS:

 

The Number of Shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 12, 2003 was 7,369,502.

 



Table of Contents

LESLIE’S POOLMART, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended September 27, 2003

 

     Page

PART I     

Item 1.

  Business    3

Item 2.

  Properties    7

Item 3.

  Legal Proceedings    8

Item 4.

  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    8
PART II     

Item 5.

  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters    8

Item 6.

  Selected Financial Data    9

Item 7.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    11

Item 7a.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    17

Item 8.

  Financial Statements and Supplemental Data    18

Item 9.

  Changes and Disagreements with Accountants On Accounting and Financial Disclosure    36

Item 9a.

  Controls and Procedures    36
PART III     

Item 10.

  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant    37

Item 11.

  Executive Compensation    39

Item 12.

  Principal Shareholders and Stock Ownership of Management    42

Item 13.

  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions    43
PART IV     

Item 15.

  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K    45


Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM  1.   BUSINESS

 

Leslie’s Poolmart, Inc. (“Leslie’s” or the “Company”) is the leading national specialty retailer of swimming pool supplies and related products. These products primarily consist of regularly purchased, non-discretionary pool maintenance items such as chemicals, equipment, cleaning accessories and parts, and also include fun, safety and fitness-oriented recreational items. The Company currently markets its products under the trade name Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies through 437 company-owned retail stores in 36 states and through mail order catalogs sent to selected pool owners nationwide.

 

The Company provides its customers a comprehensive selection of high quality products, competitive every day low prices and superior customer service through knowledgeable and responsive sales personnel who offer a high level of technical assistance at convenient store locations. The typical Leslie’s store contains 3,931 square feet of space, is located either in a strip center or on a freestanding site in an area of heavy retail activity, and draws its customers primarily from an approximately three-mile trade area. The Company maintains a proprietary mailing list of approximately 5.4 million addresses, including approximately 85% of the residential in-ground pools in the U.S. This highly focused list of target customers is central to the Company’s direct mail marketing efforts, which support both its retail store and mail order operations.

 

Swimming Pool Supply Industry

 

Regardless of the type or size of a swimming pool, there are numerous ongoing maintenance and repair requirements associated with pool ownership. In order to keep a pool safe and sanitized, chemical treatment is required to maintain proper chemical balance, particularly in response to variables such as pool usage, precipitation and temperature. A swimming pool is chemically balanced when the disinfectant, pH, alkalinity, hardness and dissolved solids are at the desired levels. The majority of swimming pool owners use chlorine to disinfect their pools. When the pool is chemically balanced, problems such as algae, mineral and salt saturation, corrosive water, staining, eye irritation and strong chlorine smell are less likely to occur. A regular testing and maintenance routine will result in a stable and more easily maintained pool. However, regardless of how well appropriate levels of chlorine are maintained, “shocking” is periodically required to break up the contaminants which invariably build up in the pool water. To accomplish this, the pool owner can either superchlorinate the pool or use a nonchlorinated oxidizing compound. The maintenance of proper chemical balance and the related upkeep and repair of swimming pool equipment, such as pumps, heaters, and filters, create a non-discretionary demand for pool chemicals and other swimming pool supplies and services. Further, non-usage considerations such as a pool’s appearance and the overall look of a household and yard create an ongoing demand for these maintenance related supplies. In addition, pool usage creates demand for discretionary items such as floats, games and accessories.

 

The swimming pool supply industry can be divided into four major segments by pool type: residential in-ground swimming pools, residential above-ground swimming pools (usually 12 to 24 feet in diameter), commercial swimming pools and spas or hot tubs. The Company’s historical strategy was to focus primarily on the residential in-ground pool owner. In recent years, the Company has expanded its activities to more aggressively address the commercial and above-ground markets as well. In the residential categories, the Company markets its products primarily to the “do-it-yourself” market as opposed to those pool owners who hire pool servicers. Through its commercial business, products and services are offered to all non-residential pool installers as well as to pool service companies which maintain either residential or commercial pools.

 

Seasonality

 

The Company’s business exhibits substantial seasonality, which the Company believes is typical of the swimming pool supply industry. In general, sales and net income are highest during the quarters ended June and September which represent the peak months of swimming pool use. Sales are substantially lower during the quarters ended December and March when the Company typically incurs net losses. The principal external factor affecting the Company’s business is weather. Hot weather and the higher frequency of pool usage in such weather create a need for more pool chemicals and supplies. Unseasonably early or late warming trends can increase or decrease the length of the pool season. In addition, unseasonably cool weather and/or extraordinary amounts of rainfall in the peak season will tend to decrease swimming pool use. The likelihood that unusual weather patterns will severely impact the Company’s results is lessened by the

 

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geographical diversification of the Company’s store locations. The Company also expects that its quarterly results of operations will fluctuate depending on the timing and amount of revenue contributed by new stores and, to a lesser degree, the timing of costs associated with the opening of new stores. The Company attempts to open its new stores primarily in the quarter ending March in order to position itself for the following peak season.

 

Products

 

Leslie’s offers its customers a comprehensive selection of products necessary to satisfy their swimming pool supply needs. During 2003, the Company stocked approximately 2,200 items in each store, with more than 15,000 additional items available through its Xpress Parts program and special order processes. In 2003, approximately 560 items were displayed in the Company’s residential mail order catalogs and 1,000 items were in the commercial catalog, although special order procedures make nearly all Leslie’s products available to mail order customers as well.

 

The Company’s major product categories are pool chemicals; major equipment; cleaning and testing equipment; pool covers, reels, and liners; above-ground pools in a limited number of stores; and recreational items (which include swimming pool floats, games, lounges, masks, fins, snorkels and other “impulse” items).

 

Non-discretionary and regularly consumed products such as pool chemicals, major equipment and parts represented approximately 80% of total sales in fiscal 2003. The Company’s non-discretionary products typically have long shelf lives and are generally not prone to either obsolescence or shrinkage which could occur from changing technology or consumer buying patterns.

 

The Company believes that product quality and availability are key attributes considered by consumers when shopping for pool supplies and that the Company’s ability to provide a high quality, in-stock product offering is fundamental to its concept of value leadership. In addition to third-party brand names, Leslie’s carries a broad selection of products under the Leslie’s brand name. The Company believes that the Leslie’s brand name is one of the three most recognized brands in pool supplies and represents an image of quality to consumers. In fiscal 2003, Leslie’s brand name products accounted for approximately 40% of the Company’s total sales.

 

Channels of Distribution

 

Retail Store Operations. At the end of fiscal 2003, Leslie’s marketed its products through 437 retail stores in 36 states under the trade name Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies. California represents its single largest concentration of stores with 106, while 74 stores are located in Texas, and 96 stores are in the northeast/mid-Atlantic area. Leslie’s retail stores are located in areas with high concentrations of swimming pools and typically are approximately 3,900 square feet in size. In addition to the store manager, the typical Leslie’s store employs one assistant manager, who is generally a full-time employee. Additionally, Leslie’s makes frequent use of part-time and temporary employees to support its full-time employees during peak seasons. During 2003, the Company had 29 district managers, each of whom was responsible for approximately 15 stores.

 

Mail Order Catalog. Leslie’s mail order catalogs provide an extension of its service philosophies and products to those areas not currently served by a retail store and allow the scope of the Company’s business to be truly nationwide. The Company believes that its mail order catalogs build awareness of the Leslie’s name, provide it with buying efficiencies and, when coupled with information from its retail stores, are instrumental in determining site selection for new stores.

 

Customer Service

 

Due to the complicated nature of pool chemistry and equipment maintenance and consistent with its philosophy of being a full service swimming pool supply retailer, Leslie’s offers a high level of technical assistance to support its customers. The Company considers its training of store personnel to be an integral part of its service philosophy. Leslie’s extensive training program for all full-time and part-time store employees includes courses in water chemistry, water testing, trouble shooting on equipment, equipment sizing and parts replacement.

 

A significant number of Leslie’s stores are supported by the Leslie’s Service Department, which offers poolside equipment installation and repair, leak detection and repair, and seasonal opening and closing services. The Service Department utilizes both Company employees and subcontractors to perform these services.

 

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Marketing

 

The Majority of the Company’s marketing is done on a direct mail basis through its proprietary mailing list of approximately 5.4 million addresses at which, primarily, residential pools are located. Leslie’s has found that its ability to mail directly to this highly focused group is an effective and efficient way to conduct its marketing activities to both retail store and mail order customers. The Company constantly updates its address list through proprietary research techniques and in-store customer sign-ups.

 

Addresses on the Company’s proprietary list that are located within a specified service area of a retail store receive circulars once or twice per month from late March or early April through September or, selectively, through October. As a regular part of Leslie’s promotional activities, each mailer highlights specific items which are intended to increase store traffic, and reinforces to the customer the advantages of shopping at Leslie’s, which include everyday low pricing, a high level of customer service, and the broad selection of high quality products. Addresses outside the Company’s store service areas, and recently active mail order customers within those service areas, receive the Company’s mail order catalogs. Occasionally, the Company will utilize local print media when it enters a new market, and is doing so in connection with its above-ground pool sales test markets. New store openings typically involve additional advertising in the first two to three months of operation.

 

Purchasing

 

Leslie’s management believes that because it is one of the largest purchasers of swimming pool supplies for retail sales in the United States, the Company is able to obtain very favorable pricing on its purchases from outside suppliers. Nearly all raw materials and those products not repackaged by the Company are purchased directly from manufacturers. It is common in the swimming pool supply industry for certain manufacturers to offer extended dating terms on certain products to quantity purchasers such as Leslie’s. These dating terms are typically available to the Company for pre-season or early season purchases.

 

The Company’s principal chemical raw materials and granular chlorine compounds are purchased primarily from three suppliers. At the end of fiscal 1997, the Company entered into a multi-year product purchase agreement with a major producer of one of the principal chlorine compounds, the chlorinated isocyanurates. The Company believes there are several other reliable suppliers of chlorine products in the marketplace today. Although the Company has one sole source supplier for a nonchlorine shocking compound, termination of supply would not pose any significant problems for the Company because substitute chemicals and alternate shocking techniques are available. The Company believes that reliable alternative sources of supply are available for all of its raw materials and finished products.

 

Vertical Integration

 

Leslie’s operates a plant in the Los Angeles area where it converts dry granular chlorine into tablet form and repackages a variety of bulk chemicals into various sized containers suitable for retail sales. Leslie’s also formulates a variety of specialty liquids, including water clarifiers, tile cleaners, algaecides and stain preventives. The chemicals the Company processes have a relatively long shelf life. Leslie’s believes that supplying its stores with chemicals from its own repackaging plant provides it with cost savings, as well as greater control over product availability and quality, as compared to non-integrated pool supply retailers. It also offers the Company greater flexibility of product sourcing and acquiring vital information when negotiating with third-party repackagers and chemical providers. The Leslie’s brand name appears on all products processed at its repackaging plant, and on the majority of all its chemical products. The Company believes it is among the largest processors of chlorine products for the swimming pool supply industry.

 

In connection with the operation of its three distribution centers outside of California, the Company has expanded its use of third-party chemical repackagers and its purchase of products already in end-use configurations. These products are also generally packaged under the Leslie’s brand name. The Company continually evaluates the cost effectiveness of third-party sourcing versus internal manufacturing in order to minimize its cost of goods. During 2003, the Company expanded its packaging operation of specialty items to its Hebron, Kentucky distribution facility. In addition to chemicals, a variety of the Company’s other products are packaged under the Leslie’s brand name.

 

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Distribution

 

In 2003, the Company distributed all of its products to its retail stores and to its catalog customers through its leased distribution facilities in Ontario, California; Dallas, Texas; Swedesboro, New Jersey and Hebron, Kentucky.

 

The Company purchases the majority of the chemicals to be distributed from the Dallas, Swedesboro and Hebron distribution centers from outside manufacturers rather than obtaining them through its repackaging facility in Southern California. During the height of its seasonal activities, each of the Company’s retail stores is generally replenished every 5 to 7 days.

 

The Company utilizes a variety of leased and owned equipment, supplemented by additional equipment leased during the busy season, to transport its goods to stores.

 

Competition

 

Primary elements of competition in the retail swimming pool supply industry are price, technical assistance, customer service, product selection and product availability. Most of the Company’s competition comes from local stores or regional chains which do not repackage or manufacture products and which generally buy products in smaller quantities. The chain store competitors include a large franchise operator of approximately 140 retail outlets in the Florida market and a limited number of other retail chains of approximately 15 to 30 stores.

 

The Company competes on selected principal products such as chlorine with large volume, mass merchant and home center retailers. While the ability of these merchants to accept low margins on the limited number of items they offer makes them aggressive price competitors of the Company, they are not generally priced below Leslie’s and do not offer the level of customer service or wide selection of swimming pool supplies available at Leslie’s.

 

Employees

 

As of September 27, 2003, Leslie’s employed 2,006 persons. During the height of the Company’s seasonal activities in 2003, it employed 2,743 persons, including seasonal and part-time store employees who generally are not employed during the off season. The Company is not subject to any collective bargaining agreements and believes its relationships with its employees are good.

 

Trademarks

 

In the course of its business, Leslie’s employs various trademarks, trade names and service marks as well as its logo in packaging and advertising its products. The Company has registered trademarks and trade names for several of its major products on the Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Company distinguishes the products produced in its chemical repackaging operation or by third party repackagers at its direction through the use of the Leslie’s brand name and logo and the trademarks and trade names of the individual items, none of which is patented, licensed, or otherwise restricted to or by the Company. The Company believes the strength of its trademarks and trade names has been beneficial to its business and intends to continue to protect and promote its trademarks in appropriate circumstances.

 

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ITEM  2.   PROPERTIES

 

As of September 27, 2003, the Company operated 437 stores in 36 states. The following table sets forth information concerning the Company’s stores:

 

State


  

Number of

Stores


  

State


  

Number of

Stores


Alabama    5    Mississippi    1
Arizona    34    Missouri    8
Arkansas    1    Nebraska    1
California    106    Nevada    12
Colorado    1    New Hampshire    2
Connecticut    9    New Jersey    21
Delaware    2    New Mexico    2
Florida    17    New York    21
Georgia    17    North Carolina    4
Illinois    6    Ohio    10
Indiana    6    Oklahoma    7
Iowa    1    Pennsylvania    18
Kansas    1    Rhode Island    1
Kentucky    4    South Carolina    3
Louisiana    6    Tennessee    7
Maryland    5    Texas    74
Massachusetts    9    Utah    1
Michigan    7    Virginia    7
              
          Total Stores    437
              

 

Except for 26 owned stores, the Company has leases on the remaining retail stores with lease terms expiring between 2003 and 2013. The Company’s typical lease term is five years, and in the majority of instances, the Company has renewal options at increased rents. Five leases provide for rent contingent on sales exceeding specific amounts. No other leases require payment of percentage rent.

 

The Company’s corporate office is located in Phoenix, Arizona. The 38,000 square foot office building was leased for five years and had one five-year renewal option. During 2002, the Company renegotiated its existing lease adding approximately 16,000 square feet of space. The new lease extends the maturity until June 2009, and has one five-year renewal option.

 

The Company’s Southern California distribution center is located in a 183,000 square foot facility Ontario, California. The Ontario facility was leased for 10 years, expiring in 2007 and the lease has two five-year renewal options. The Company’s distribution facility in Dallas, Texas contains 100,000 square feet of space. The lease of this facility expires in 2005. The 119,000 square foot distribution facility in Bridgeport, New Jersey is leased for a 10-year term, expiring in 2008. The lease includes options to renew for two five-year periods. A new 146,000 square foot distribution center in Covington, Kentucky was opened in January 1999. This facility was leased for a 12 year term and provides for two five-year renewal options.

 

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ITEM  3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company is routinely involved in legal proceedings related to the ordinary course of its business. Management does not believe any such other matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

ITEM  4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

None.

 

PART II

 

ITEM  5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

There is no public trading market for the Company’s common stock. There are 11 holders of the Company’s common stock. The Company has not paid any dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future.

 

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ITEM  6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following table presents selected consolidated financial data of the Company as of and for the fiscal years ended September 27, 2003, September 28, 2002, September 29, 2001, September 30, 2000 and October 2, 1999. This financial data was derived from the audited historical consolidated financial statements of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

     Fiscal Years Ended

 

(Amounts in Thousands, except Employees and store information)


  

September 27,

2003


   

September 28,

2002


   

September 29,

2001


   

September 30,

2000


   

October 2,

1999


 

Operating Results:

                                        

Sales

   $ 327,165     $ 313,311     $ 301,700     $ 303,163     $ 282,349  

Gross Profit

     155,946       146,971       135,298       131,195       122,416  

Gross Margin (1)

     47.7 %     46.9 %     44.8 %     43.3 %     43.4 %

Loss on Disposition of Fixed Assets

     497       1,332       919       1,477       1,006  

Depreciation and Amortization

     9,586       9,044       8,623       8,579       7,952  

Income from Operations(1)

     27,656       20,073       15,559       6,479       11,417  

Interest Expense, net

     9,566       10,690       12,320       12,536       11,380  

Net Income/(Loss) (1)

     10,343       4,693       1,218       (4,713 )     (878 )

Balance Sheet Data:

                                        

Working Capital

     15,410       34,634       28,548       31,257       37,079  

Total Assets

     128,936       141,764       132,310       137,577       138,204  

Long-term Debt

     59,495       90,000       90,867       90,988       91,095  

Preferred Stock

     45,915       45,517       42,314       37,526       33,225  

Stockholders’ Deficit

     (48,177 )     (52,899 )     (52,284 )     (47,764 )     (39,657 )

Selected Operating Data:

                                        

Capital Expenditures

     8,107       8,040       7,371       9,129       16,042  

Unusual and Restructuring Charges(1,2)

     —         1,500       1,466       3,173       —    

Adjusted EBITDA(1,2)

     37,242       30,617       25,648       18,655       19,369  

Adjusted EBITDA Margin(1,3)

     11.4 %     9.8 %     8.5 %     6.1 %     6.9 %

Cash flow from (used in) Operating Activities

     32,236       20,205       15,149       11,723       (2,280 )

Cash flow used in Investing Activities

     (8,098 )     (8,020 )     (7,233 )     (8,656 )     (15,806 )

Cash flow from (used in) Financing Activities

     (32,112 )     (957 )     (6,400 )     (3,432 )     8,475  

Number of Employees

     2,006       1,843       1,805       1,813       2,437  

Number of Stores

     437       410       391       383       364  

Comparable Store Sales Growth(4)

     2.3 %     1.9 %     (0.8 %)     3.8 %     6.6 %

(1) During the second quarter of 2002, the Company recorded an unusual charge of $1.5 million for expenses associated with defending a purported class action lawsuit that was settled. The Company recorded a restructuring charge of $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2001 for expenses associated with the relocation of its corporate office to Phoenix, Arizona. In the fourth quarter of 2000, the Company recognized an unusual charge consisting of $2.1 million for expenses principally associated with its decision to write-off nonproductive aged inventory, $0.8 million in restructuring costs for expenses associated with the relocation of its corporate office, and an additional $0.2 million in accrued expenses for other corporate office move related expenses.

 

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(2) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, loss/(gain) on disposition of fixed assets, stock compensation expense, write-off of debt issuance costs and unusual charges. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), but is used by some investors to determine a company’s ability to service or incur indebtedness. Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated in the same manner by all companies and accordingly is not necessarily comparable to similarly entitled measures of other companies and may not be an appropriate measure for performance relative to other companies. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an indicator of a company’s operating performance or liquidity, and should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for net income (loss), cash flows from operations or cash flow data which are all prepared in accordance with GAAP. We have presented Adjusted EBITDA solely as supplemental disclosure because we believe it allows for a more complete analysis of results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to represent and should not be considered more meaningful than, or as an alternative to, measures of operating performance as determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

(3) Adjusted EBITDA Margin represents Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of sales.

 

The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is shown as follows:

 

     Fiscal Years Ended

 

(Amounts in Thousands)


  

September 27,

2003


  

September 28,

2002


  

September 29,

2001


  

September 30,

2000


   

October 2,

1999


 

Net income/(loss)

   $ 10,343    $ 4,693    $