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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003                        Commission file number 0-13292

 

McGRATH RENTCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

California   94-2579843

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

5700 Las Positas Road, Livermore, CA 94551-7800

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number: (925) 606-9200

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class


 

Name of each exchange on which registered


None   None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

Title of Class


Common Stock

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

 

Yes     X       No         

 

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

 

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

 

Aggregate market value of voting stock, held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2003: $242,297,506.

 

As of March 8, 2004, 12,127,086 shares of Registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

McGrath RentCorp’s definitive proxy statement with respect to its Annual Shareholders’ Meeting to be held June 2, 2004, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of its fiscal year, is incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, and 13.

 

Exhibit index appears on page 46

 



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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements which constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding the Company’s business strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues or losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. These statements appear in a number of places and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “estimates”, “will”, “should”, “intends”, “plans” or “anticipates” or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. These forward-looking statements include any statements the Company makes, or implications suggested by statements the Company makes, as to:

 

    the future prospects for and growth of the Company and the industries in which it operates, including (i) the extent and duration of weakness in the telecommunications industry and the impact of such weakness on the Company and its and financial conditions, (ii) RenTelco’s ability to increase its earnings contribution to the Company upon recovery of the telecommunications industry;

 

    the level of the Company’s future rentals and sales and customer demand;

 

    the Company’s ability to effectively compete against its competitors;

 

    the Company’s strategies for the future and its ability to implement and maintain such strategies, including its strategies (i) to actively maintain and repair rental equipment cost effectively and to maximize the level of proceeds from the sale of such products and (ii) to create internal facilities and infrastructure capabilities that can provide prompt and efficient customer service, experienced assistance, rapid delivery and timely maintenance of the Company’s equipment;

 

    the effect of any future loss of primary manufacturers or suppliers on the Company’s products;

 

    the Company’s ability to maintain and upgrade modular equipment to comply with changes in applicable legislation;

 

    the significance of warranty costs to the Company’s operations;

 

    the effect of changes in legislation on the Company’s modular rental and sales revenues, including legislation with respect to policies regarding class size, the level of state funding to public schools and the use of classrooms that meet the Department of Housing requirements;

 

    interruptions in the passage of statewide and local facility bond measures and the effect of such interruptions on the Company’s operations;

 

    the effect of shifting trends in school populations and the need for temporary classroom space during the construction of new schools or new school facilities or during the reconstruction of older schools;

 

    the Company’s ability to leverage its costs and expenses over a large installed customer base and improve its operating margins;

 

    any future effects on the Company’s costs of operation and liquidity resulting from the use of alternative building materials in modular buildings;

 

    the timing and amounts of future capital expenditures and the Company’s ability to meet its needs for working capital and capital expenditures through 2004 and beyond;

 

    the effect of changes to the Company’s accounting policies (including our critical accounting policies) and future implementation of these policies, including policies with respect to depreciation, maintenance and refurbishment and impairment; and

 

    the Company’s ability to pass on increases in its costs of rental equipment, including manufacturing costs, operating expenses and interest expense through increases in rental rates and selling prices.

 

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All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may vary materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors which are identified in “Item 1. Business” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this document. These factors include: the effectiveness of management’s strategies and decisions; changes in demand by public schools for the Company’s modular classrooms associated with significant reductions or expected reductions in funding of public schools from the State of California; general economic and business conditions and in particular the continuing weakness in the telecommunications industry; new or modified statutory or regulatory requirements relating to the Company’s modular operations; changing prices and market conditions; changes in equipment specifications, equipment condition or maintenance policies; changes in technology applicable to the Company’s operations; changes in manufacturer’s selling prices; changes in school populations, the level of state funding to public schools and policies regarding class size which affect customer demand; the potential effect of a general decline in the demand in the educational market for the Company’s modular classroom products, a market upon which the Company relies for a substantial portion of its revenue; additional impairment charges on the Company’s equipment; competition in the modular and electronics business; the loss of major suppliers and manufacturers; increases in the general interest rates which can result in higher interest expense associated with the companies variable rate debt; the Company’s inability to pass increased costs on to its customers; and fluctuations in the Company’s rentals and sales of modular or telecommunications equipment. No assurance can be given that these are all of the factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking statements.

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS.

 

General

 

McGrath RentCorp (the “Company”) is a California corporation organized in 1979. The Company is comprised of three business segments: “Mobile Modular Management Corporation” (“MMMC”), its modular building rental division, “RenTelco,” its electronic test equipment rental division, and “Enviroplex, Inc.” (“Enviroplex”), its majority-owned subsidiary classroom manufacturing business. The Company’s corporate offices are located in Livermore, California. In addition, branch operations for both rental divisions are conducted from this facility.

 

MMMC rents and sells modular buildings and accessories to fulfill customers’ temporary and permanent space needs in California and Texas. These units are used as temporary offices adjacent to existing facilities, and are used as classrooms, sales offices, construction field offices, health care clinics, child care facilities and for a variety of other purposes. MMMC purchases the relocatable modular buildings, or modulars, from various manufacturers who build them to MMMC’s design specifications. MMMC operates from two branch offices in California and one in Texas. Although MMMC’s primary emphasis is on rentals, sales of modulars routinely occur and can fluctuate quarter to quarter and year to year depending on customer demands and requirements.

 

The educational market is the largest segment of the modular business. MMMC provides classroom and specialty space needs serving schools from pre-school to post secondary grade levels. Fueled by increasing student population, insufficient funding for new school construction and aging school facilities, demand continues to be very strong in California. Within the educational market, rentals and sales to California public school districts by MMMC represent a significant portion of MMMC’s total revenues.

 

RenTelco rents and sells electronic test equipment nationally from two locations. The Plano, Texas location houses the Company’s communications and fiber optic test equipment inventory, calibration laboratory and eastern U.S. sales engineer and operations staffs. The Livermore, California location houses the Company’s general-purpose test equipment inventory, calibration laboratory and western U.S. sales engineer and operations staffs. Significant portions of RenTelco’s rental and sales revenues are derived from the telecommunications industry. RenTelco continues to be affected by the severe and prolonged broad-based weakness in the telecommunications industry, which has significantly impacted the Company’s overall revenues.

 

Communications and fiber optic test equipment is utilized by field technicians, engineers and installer contractors in evaluating voice, data and multimedia communications networks, installing optical fiber cabling and in the development of switch, network and

 

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wireless products. RenTelco rents this test equipment primarily to network systems companies, electrical contractors, local & long distance carriers and manufacturers of communications transmission equipment. RenTelco’s communications equipment includes a broad spectrum of products from over 40 different manufacturers domestically and abroad.

 

Engineers, scientists and technicians utilize general-purpose test equipment in evaluating the performance of their own electrical and electronic equipment, developing products, controlling manufacturing processes and in field service applications. These instruments are rented primarily to electronics, industrial, research and aerospace companies. The majority of RenTelco’s general-purpose equipment is manufactured by Agilent (formerly Hewlett Packard) and Tektronix.

 

McGrath RentCorp owns 81% of Enviroplex, a California corporation organized in 1991. Enviroplex manufactures portable classrooms built to the requirements of the California Division of the State Architect (“DSA”) and sells directly to California public school districts. Enviroplex conducts its sales and manufacturing operations from its facility located in Stockton, California. Since inception, McGrath RentCorp has assisted Enviroplex in a variety of corporate functions such as accounting, human resources, facility improvements and insurance. McGrath RentCorp has not purchased significant quantities of manufactured product from Enviroplex.

 

A significant portion of the Company’s total revenues is derived from the educational market. Within the educational market, the rental (by MMMC) and sale (by Enviroplex and MMMC) of modulars to California public school districts for use as portable classrooms, restroom buildings and administrative offices for kindergarten through grade twelve (K–12) comprised approximately 41%, 40% and 34%, of the Company’s consolidated rental and sales revenues for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

Please see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page 39 for more information on the Company’s business segments.

 

As of December 31, 2003, the Company had 475 employees, of whom 46 are primarily administrative and executive personnel, and the remaining 429 are engaged in manufacturing or rental operations. The operations of the Company share common facilities, financing, senior management, and operating and accounting systems, which results in the efficient use of overhead. Each product line has its own sales and technical personnel.

 

No single customer has accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total revenues generated in any given year. The Company’s business is not seasonal, except for the rental and sale of classrooms, which is heaviest in the several months prior to the opening of school each fall.

 

The Company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol “MGRC.”

 

RELOCATABLE MODULAR BUILDINGS

 

Description

 

Modulars are designed for use as temporary office space and may be moved from one location to another. Modulars vary from simple single-unit construction site offices to multi-modular facilities, complete with wood exteriors and mansard roofs. The rental fleet includes a full range of styles and sizes. MMMC considers its modulars to be among the most attractive and well designed available. The units are constructed with wood siding, sturdily built and physically capable of a long useful life. Units are provided with installed heat, air conditioning, lighting, electricity and floor covering, and may have customized interiors including partitioning, carpeting, cabinetwork and plumbing facilities.

 

MMMC purchases new modulars from various manufacturers who build to MMMC’s design specifications. With the exception of Enviroplex, none of the principal suppliers are affiliated with the Company. During 2003, MMMC purchased 24% of its modular product from one manufacturer. MMMC believes that the loss of its primary manufacturer of modulars could have an effect on its operations since MMMC could experience higher prices and longer lead times for modular product until other manufacturers increased their capacity.

 

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The modular product is manufactured to state building codes, has a low risk of obsolescence, and can be modified or reconfigured to accommodate a wide variety of customer needs. Historically, as state building codes have changed over the years, MMMC has continued to be able to use existing modular equipment, with minimal required upgrades, if any. MMMC has no assurance that it will continue to be able to use existing modular equipment with minimal upgrades as building codes change in the future.

 

MMMC operates from three regional inventory centers serving large geographic areas in California and Texas with in-house infrastructure and operational capabilities to support quick and efficient repair, modification, and refurbishment of equipment for the next rental opportunity. MMMC believes operating from large regional inventory centers results in better operating margins as operating costs are spread over a large installed customer base. MMMC actively maintains and repairs its rental equipment, and management believes this insures the continued use of the modular product over its long life and, when sold, generates high sale proceeds relative to its capitalized cost. When rental equipment returns from a customer, the necessary repairs and preventative maintenance are performed prior to its next rental. Making these expenditures for repair and maintenance throughout the equipment’s life results in older equipment renting for similar rates as newer equipment. Management believes the condition of the equipment is a more significant factor in determining the rental rate and sale price than its age. Over the last three years, used equipment sold each year represented less than 3% of rental equipment, and has been, on average, 10 years old with sale proceeds recovering a high percentage of the equipment’s capitalized cost. MMMC depreciates its rental equipment over 18 years using a 50% residual value effective January 1, 2002. Prior to 2002, MMMC used an 18% residual value.

 

Marketing

 

MMMC’s largest single demand is for temporary classroom and other educational space needs of public and private schools, colleges and universities. Management believes the demand for classrooms is caused by shifting and fluctuating school populations, the lack of state funds for new construction, the need for temporary classroom space during reconstruction of older schools and, several years ago, class size reduction (see “Classroom Rentals and Sales to California Public Schools (K-12)” below). Other customer applications include sales offices, construction field offices, health care facilities, sanctuaries and child care services. Industrial, manufacturing, entertainment and utility companies, as well as governmental agencies commonly use large multi-modular complexes to serve their interim administrative and operational space needs. The modular product offers customers quick, cost-effective space solutions while conserving their capital. The Company’s branch and corporate offices, with the exception of RenTelco’s Plano facility and Enviroplex’s facility, are housed in various sizes of modulars.

 

Since most of MMMC’s customer requirements are to fill temporary space needs, MMMC’s marketing emphasis is on rentals rather than sales. MMMC attracts customers through its website at www.mobilemodularrents.com, extensive yellow page advertising, telemarketing and direct mail. Customers are encouraged to visit an inventory center to view different models on display and to see a branch office, which is a working example of a modular application.

 

Because service is a major competitive factor in the rental of modulars, MMMC offers quick response to requests for information, assistance in the choice of a suitable size and floor plan, in-house customization services, rapid delivery, timely installation and maintenance of its units. Customers are able to view and select inventory for quote on MMMC’s website.

 

Rentals

 

Rental periods range from one month to ten years with a typical rental period of eighteen months. Most rental agreements are operating leases that provide no purchase options, and when a rental agreement does provide the customer with a purchase option, it is generally on terms attractive to MMMC.

 

The customer is responsible for obtaining the necessary use permits and the costs of insuring the unit, transporting the unit to the site, preparation of the site, installation of the unit, dismantle and return delivery of the unit to one of MMMC’s three inventory centers, and certain costs for customization. MMMC maintains the units in good working condition while on rent. Upon return, the units are inspected for damage and customers are billed for items considered beyond normal wear and tear. Generally, the units are then repaired for subsequent use. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred and can include floor tile repairs, roof maintenance, cleaning, painting and other cosmetic repairs. The costs of major refurbishment of equipment are capitalized to the extent the refurbishment significantly improves the quality and adds value or life to the equipment.

 

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At December 31, 2003, MMMC had 19,713 new or previously rented modulars in its rental fleet with an aggregate original cost including accessories of $304.9 million or an average cost per unit of $15,500. Utilization is calculated each month by dividing the cost of rental equipment on rent by the total cost of rental equipment, excluding new equipment inventory and accessory equipment. At December 31, 2003, fleet utilization was 84.6% and average fleet utilization during 2003 was 84.2%.

 

Sales

 

In addition to operating its rental fleet, MMMC sells modulars to customers. These sales typically arise out of its marketing efforts for the rental fleet. Such sales can be of either new or used units from the rental fleet, which permits an orderly turnover of older units. During 2003, MMMC’s largest sale of modulars was for new buildings to a medical facility for approximately $1.6 million. This sale represented approximately 9% of MMMC’s sales, 4% of the Company’s consolidated sales, and 1% of the Company’s consolidated revenues.

 

MMMC provides limited 90-day warranties on used modulars and passes through the manufacturers’ one-year warranty on new units to its customers. Warranty costs have not been significant to MMMC’s operations to date, and MMMC attributes this to its commitment to high quality standards and regular maintenance programs. However, there can be no assurance that warranty costs will continue to be insignificant to MMMC’s operations in the future.

 

In addition to MMMC’s sales, the Company’s subsidiary, Enviroplex, manufactures and sells DSA portable classrooms to school districts in California (see “Classroom Sales by Enviroplex” below).

 

Competition

 

Management estimates the business of renting relocatable modular buildings is an industry that today has equipment on rent or available for rent in the United States with an aggregate original cost in excess of $4.0 billion. Competition in the rental and sale of relocatable modular buildings is intense. Two national firms are engaged in the rental of modulars, have many offices throughout the country and may have substantially greater financial resources than MMMC. Several hundred other companies are estimated to operate regionally throughout the country. MMMC operates primarily in California and Texas. Significant competitive factors in the rental business include availability, price, service, reliability, appearance and functionality of the product. MMMC markets high quality, well-constructed and attractive modulars. MMMC believes that part of the strategy for modulars should be to create facilities and infrastructure capabilities that its competitors cannot easily duplicate. The Company’s facilities and related infrastructure enable it to modify modulars efficiently and cost effectively to meet its customers’ needs. Management’s goal is to be more responsive at less expense. Management believes this strategy, together with its emphasis on prompt and efficient customer service, gives MMMC a competitive advantage. MMMC is determined to offer quick response to requests for information, experienced assistance for the first-time user, rapid delivery and timely maintenance of its units. MMMC’s efficiency and responsiveness continues to improve as procedures, processes and computer systems that control its internal operations are enhanced. MMMC anticipates strong competition in the future and believes its process of improving its products and services is ongoing.

 

Classroom Sales by Enviroplex

 

Enviroplex manufactures moment-resistant, rigid steel framed portable classrooms built to the requirements of the DSA and sells directly to California public school districts. The moment-resistant, rigid steel-framed classroom is engineered to have the structural columns support the weight of the building. This offers the customer greater design flexibility as to overall classroom size and the placement of doors and windows. Enviroplex fabricates most of the structural steel component parts using only mill certified sheet steel. Enviroplex’s standard designs have been engineered for strength and durability using lighter weight steel. Customers are offered a wide variety of DSA pre-approved classroom sizes and features with market established pricing, saving them valuable time on their classroom project. Customization features include restrooms, computer lab setups, interior offices, cabinetwork and kitchen facilities.

 

During 2003, Enviroplex’s largest sale was for $4.0 million of new classrooms to a school district. This sale represented 36% of Enviroplex’s sales, 11% of the Company’s consolidated sales and 3% of the Company’s consolidated revenues. All of Enviroplex’s sales occur in California, with most sales occurring directly with California public school districts.

 

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Since Enviroplex’s customers are predominantly California public school districts, Enviroplex markets directly to these schools through telemarketing, targeted mailings and participation in the annual CASH (Coalition for Adequate School Housing) tradeshow. Enviroplex also attracts customers through its website at www.enviroplexinc.com where customers are able to view a variety of DSA approved floor plans. Customers are encouraged to tour the manufacturing facility to experience the production process and examine the quality product built.

 

Competition in the manufacture of DSA classrooms is broad, intense, and highly competitive. Several manufacturers have greater capacity for production and have been in business longer than Enviroplex. Larger manufacturers with greater capacity have a larger appetite for the standard classroom while Enviroplex caters to schools’ requirements for more customized classrooms. The remaining manufacturers are of a similar size or smaller and do not have the production capacity nor the financial resources of Enviroplex.

 

Enviroplex has simplified its manufacturing process through value engineering by changing materials, determining which components are made in-house versus purchased, reducing the number of components and increasing the production efficiency at an overall lower cost without sacrificing quality. Enviroplex’s strategy is to improve the quality and flexibility of its product. Enviroplex understands that in addition to quality classrooms that are competitively priced and delivered on time, its customers want choices in design flexibility and customization. Management believes Enviroplex’s niche in providing these additional features in its products gives it a competitive edge. However, there can be no assurance that Enviroplex will be able to continue to provide design flexibility and customization that can effectively compete in the market.

 

Enviroplex provides a one-year warranty on manufactured equipment. Warranty costs have not been significant to Enviroplex’s operations to date, which can be attributed to Enviroplex’s dedication to manufacturing and delivering a quality, problem-free product. However, there can be no assurance that warranty costs will continue to be insignificant to Enviroplex’s operations in the future.

 

Enviroplex purchases raw materials from a variety of suppliers. Each component part has multiple suppliers. Enviroplex believes the loss of any one of these suppliers would not have a material adverse affect on its operations.

 

Classroom Rentals and Sales to California Public Schools (K-12)

 

The rental and sales of modulars to California public school districts for use as portable classrooms, restroom buildings and administrative offices for kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) are a significant portion of the Company’s revenues. The following table shows the approximate percentages of the Company’s modular rental and sales revenues, and of its consolidated rental and sales revenues for the past five years, that rentals and sales to these schools constitute:

 

Rentals and Sales to California Public Schools (K-12) as a

Percentage of Total Rental and Sales Revenues

                             

 

Percentage of:


  2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 

Modular Rental Revenues (MMMC)

  49 %   49 %   49 %   47 %   48 %

Modular Sales Revenues (MMMC & Enviroplex)

  50 %   54 %   54 %   61 %   52 %

Consolidated Rental and Sales Revenues1

  41 %   40 %   34 %   35 %   34 %

 

1    Consolidated Rental and Sales Revenue percentage is calculated by dividing Modular rental and sales revenues by the Company’s consolidated rental and sales revenues.

 

The great majority of funding for facility requirements in California’s public schools (K-12) and community colleges is derived from the passage of both statewide and local facility bond measures. Historically, the Company has benefited from the passage of these types of facility bonds and believes these are essential to its business. Looking forward, the Company believes that any interruption in the passage of these types of facility bonds, contraction of the Class Size Reduction Program, a lack of fiscal funding, or a significant reduction of funding from the State of California to public schools may have a material adverse effect on both rental and sales revenues of the Company.

 

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Legislation

 

In California (where most of the Company’s educational rentals have occurred), school districts are permitted to purchase only portable classrooms built to the requirements of the DSA. However, school districts may rent classrooms that meet either the Department of Housing (“DOH”) or DSA requirements. In 1988, California adopted a law which limited the term for which school districts may rent portable classrooms built to DOH standards for up to three years (under a waiver process), and also required the school board to indemnify the State against any claims arising out of the use of such classrooms. Prior to 1988 the majority of the classrooms in the Company’s rental fleet were built to the DOH requirements, and since 1988 almost all new classrooms have been built to the DSA requirements. During the 1990’s additional legislation was passed extending the use of these DOH classroom buildings under the waiver process through September 30, 2000.

 

In 2000, new California legislation was passed allowing for DOH classroom buildings already in use for classroom purposes as of May 1, 2000 to be utilized until September 30, 2007, provided various upgrades were made to their foundation and ceiling systems. Currently, regulations and policies are in place that allow for the ongoing use of DOH classrooms from the Company’s inventory to meet shorter term space needs of school districts for periods up to 24 months, provided they receive a “Temporary Certification” or “Temporary Exemption” from the DSA. As a consequence, the tendency is for school districts to rent the DOH classrooms for shorter periods and to rent the DSA classrooms for longer periods. At December 31, 2003, the net book value of DOH classrooms represented less than 2.5% of the net book value of the Company’s modular rental equipment and 1.7% of the total assets of the Company, and the utilization of these DOH classrooms was 79.3%.

 

ELECTRONIC TEST AND MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS

 

Description

 

RenTelco’s communications and fiber optics rental inventory includes fiber, telecom, SONET, ATM, broadcast, copper, line simulator, microwave, network and transmission test equipment. The general-purpose inventory includes oscilloscopes, amplifiers, spectrum, network and logic analyzers, CATV, component measurement, industrial, signal source, microprocessor development and power source test equipment. RenTelco’s communications inventory includes equipment from over 40 manufacturers and the majority of the general-purpose inventory is manufactured by Agilent and Tektronix. RenTelco also rents electronic instruments from other rental companies and re-rents the instruments to customers.

 

During the first six months of 2002, RenTelco recorded noncash impairment charges of $24.1 million resulting from the depressed and low projected demand for its rental products coupled with high inventory levels, especially communications equipment. RenTelco’s business activity levels are directly attributable to the severe and prolonged broad-based weakness in the telecommunications industry. As the telecommunications industry continues to recover, RenTelco anticipates increasing business levels. However, RenTelco has limited visibility as to when the full recovery in this sector will occur, and there can be no assurance as to the effect of such recovery on RenTelco’s operations.

 

At December 31, 2003, RenTelco had an aggregate cost of electronics rental inventory and accessories of $34.4 million. Utilization is calculated each month by dividing the cost of the rental equipment on rent by the total cost of the rental equipment, excluding accessory equipment. Utilization was 45.2% as of December 31, 2003 and averaged 45.3% during the year. Generally, RenTelco targets utilization levels in a range between 50% and 55%. There can be no assurance that in the future RenTelco’s utilization levels will reach RenTelco’s target utilization levels or even remain at their 2003 average. RenTelco rents electronic test equipment for a typical rental period of one to six months at monthly rental rates ranging from approximately 3% to 10% of the current manufacturers’ list price. RenTelco depreciates its equipment over 2 to 8 years with no residual value.

 

RenTelco endeavors to maintain an inventory of equipment meeting more current technological standards and attempts to sell equipment so that the majority of the inventory is less than five years old. RenTelco generally sells used equipment after approximately four years of service to permit an orderly turnover and replenishment of the electronics inventory. With weak market demand and lower than target utilization levels, RenTelco will continue to sell rental equipment determined to be in excess of the required levels to meet projected customer rental demand. There can be no assurance that RenTelco will be successful in these efforts. In 2003, approximately 35% of the electronics revenues were derived from sales. The largest electronics sale during 2003 represented 7% of electronics sales and less than 1% of the Company’s consolidated sales and consolidated revenues.

 

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Market

 

The business of renting electronic test and measurement instruments is an industry which today has equipment on rent or available for rent in the United States with an aggregate original cost in excess of a half billion dollars. While there is a broad customer base for the rental of such instruments, most rentals are to electronics, communications, network systems, electrical contractor, installer contractor, industrial, research and aerospace companies.

 

RenTelco markets its electronic equipment throughout the United States. RenTelco attracts customers through its website at www.rentelco.com, an extensive telemarketing program, trade show participation and direct mail campaigns.

 

RenTelco believes that customers rent electronic test and measurement instruments for many reasons. Customers frequently need equipment for short-term projects, for backup to avoid costly downtime and to evaluate new products. Delivery times for the purchase of such equipment can be lengthy; thus, renting allows the customer to obtain the equipment expeditiously. RenTelco also believes that a substantial portion of electronic test and measurement instruments are used for research and development projects where the relative certainty of rental costs can facilitate cost control and be useful in bidding for government contracts. Finally, as is true with the rental of any equipment, renting rather than purchasing may better satisfy the customer’s budgetary constraints.

 

The industry consists primarily of three major companies. RenTelco competes with these major companies on the basis of product availability, price, service, and reliability. However, all three companies are much larger than RenTelco, may have substantially greater financial resources and are well established in the industry with a large inventory of equipment, several branch offices and experienced personnel, and there can be no assurance that RenTelco will be able to compete effectively with these major companies in the future.

 

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PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

 

The following table shows the revenue components, percentage of rental and total revenues, rental equipment (at cost), rental equipment (net book value), number of relocatable modular buildings, year-end and average utilization, average rental equipment (at cost), annual yield on average rental equipment (at cost) and gross margin on rental revenues and sales by product line for the past five years.

 

Product Highlights         

(dollar amounts in thousands)    Year Ended December 31,  
     2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 

Relocatable Modular Buildings (operating under MMMC and Enviroplex)

 

                       

Revenues

                                        

Rental

   $ 63,948     $ 66,214     $ 63,542     $ 56,779     $ 51,622  

Rental Related Services

     16,203       16,936       17,117       16,462       12,542  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Modular Rental Operations

     80,151       83,150       80,659       73,241       64,164  
    


 


 


 


 


Sales—MMMC

     18,478       20,124       15,758       23,831       16,100  

Sales—Enviroplex

     11,007       12,488       14,993       16,992       11,150  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Modular Sales

     29,485       32,612       30,751       40,823       27,250  
    


 


 


 


 


Other

     495       678       644       423       500  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Modular Revenues

   $ 110,131     $ 116,440     $ 112,054     $ 114,487     $ 91,914  
    


 


 


 


 


Percentage of Rental Revenues

     83.4 %     80.8  %     63.1 %     59.8 %     65.5 %

Percentage of Total Revenues

     84.1 %     80.3  %     70.3 %     69.7 %     70.7 %

Rental Equipment, at cost (year-end)

   $ 304,905     $ 285,901     $ 281,203     $ 261,081     $ 238,449  

Rental Equipment, net book value (year-end)

   $ 215,589     $ 200,593     $ 197,764     $ 187,059     $ 171,166  

Number of Units (year-end)

     19,713       18,707       18,554       17,555       16,230  

Utilization (year-end)1

     84.6 %     85.2  %     86.2 %     84.9 %     80.2 %

Average Utilization1

     84.2 %     85.9  %     85.4 %     82.3 %     81.6 %

Average Rental Equipment, at cost2

   $ 283,297     $ 274,912     $ 260,760     $ 238,408     $ 213,571  

Annual Yield on Average Rental Equipment, at cost

     22.6 %     24.1  %     24.4 %     23.8 %     24.2 %

Gross Margin on Rental Revenues

     63.0 %     65.3  %     55.2 %     50.2 %     55.3 %

Gross Margin on Sales

     28.2 %     27.3  %     30.9 %     28.0 %     29.5 %

Electronic Test and Measurement Instruments (operating under RenTelco)

 

                       

Revenues

                                        

Rental

   $ 12,730     $ 15,777     $ 37,180     $ 38,152     $ 27,132  

Rental Related Services

     543       561       710       723       501  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Electronics Rental Operations

     13,273       16,338       37,890       38,875       27,633  

Sales

     7,260       9,645       8,784       10,201       9,789  

Other

     307       508       666       595       626  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Electronics Revenues

   $ 20,840     $ 26,491     $ 47,340     $ 49,671     $ 38,048  
    


 


 


 


 


Percentage of Rental Revenues

     16.6 %     19.2  %     36.9 %     40.2 %     34.5 %

Percentage of Total Revenues

     15.9 %     18.3  %     29.7 %     30.3 %     29.3 %

Rental Equipment, at cost (year-end)

   $ 34,448     $ 39,786     $ 95,419     $ 92,404     $ 72,832  

Rental Equipment, net book value (year-end)

   $ 16,457     $ 21,306     $ 57,758     $ 60,343     $ 46,012  

Utilization (year-end)1

     45.2 %     41.6  %     34.4 %     63.5 %     54.4 %

Average Utilization1

     45.3 %     38.2  %     50.4 %     61.4 %     53.8 %

Average Rental Equipment, at cost3

   $ 37,105     $ 58,952     $ 97,715     $ 82,401     $ 68,420  

Annual Yield on Average Rental Equipment, at cost

     34.3 %     26.8  %     38.0 %     46.3 %     39.7 %

Gross Margin on Rental Revenues3

     39.5 %     (120.3 )%     56.6 %     63.8 %     59.5 %

Gross Margin on Sales

     34.7 %     29.1  %     32.7 %     32.6 %     29.7 %

Total Revenues4

     $130,971       $145,086       $159,394       $164,158       $129,962  

 
1   Utilization is calculated each month by dividing the cost of rental equipment on rent by the total cost of rental equipment, excluding new equipment inventory and accessory equipment. Average Utilization is calculated using the average costs for the year.
2   Average rental equipment, at cost for modulars excludes new equipment inventory and accessory equipment.
3   In 2002, RenTelco’s Average Rental Equipment, at cost, and Gross Margin on Rental Revenues were significantly impacted by impairment charges of $24.1 million recorded in the first half of 2002.
4   In 2002, in addition to the revenues from modulars and electronics products, 1.4% of Total Revenues resulted from a $1.25 million nonrecurring reimbursement of merger related costs and expenses and $0.9 million gain on land sales not allocated to the specific products.

 

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TERMINATED MERGER AGREEMENT

 

On July 1, 2002, McGrath RentCorp exercised its right to terminate a merger agreement, dated as of December 20, 2001, between McGrath RentCorp and Tyco Acquisition Corp. 33 (“Tyco”), a subsidiary of Tyco International Ltd. During 2001 and 2002, the Company incurred merger related expenses of $1.9 million and $0.6 million, respectively. In August 2002, Tyco paid $1.25 million to McGrath RentCorp as reimbursement of certain costs and expenses incurred in connection with the proposed merger. In connection with the payment, McGrath RentCorp and Tyco have agreed that neither of them will have any claims against the other or their affiliates in connection with the merger agreement.

 

ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES.

 

The Company currently conducts its operations from five locations. Inventory centers, at which relocatable modular buildings are displayed, refurbished and stored are located in Livermore, California (San Francisco Bay Area), Mira Loma, California (Los Angeles Area) and Pasadena, Texas (Houston Area). These three branches conduct rental and sales operations from multi-modular buildings, serving as working models of the Company’s product. Electronic test and measurement instrument rental and sales operations are conducted from the Livermore facility and from a facility in Plano, Texas (Dallas Area). The Company’s majority owned subsidiary, Enviroplex, manufactures portable classrooms from its facility in Stockton, California (San Francisco Bay Area).

 

The following table sets forth for each property the total acres, square footage of office space, square footage of warehouse space and total square footage at December 31, 2003. The Company owns all properties, except as noted in footnote 4 of the Facilities table below.

 

Facilities                    

          Square Footage

     Total Acres

   Office

   Warehouse

   Total

Corporate Offices

                   

Livermore, California1

   —      9,840    —      9,840

Relocatable Modular Buildings

                   

Livermore, California1, 2

   139.7    7,680    53,440    61,120

Mira Loma, California

   78.5    7,920    45,440    53,360

Pasadena, Texas

   50.0    3,868    24,000    27,868

Electronic Test and Measurement Instruments

                   

Livermore, California1

   —      8,400    7,920    16,320

Plano, Texas3

   2.6    28,337    10,773    39,110

Enviroplex

                   

Stockton, California4

   16.9    5,825    120,080    125,905
    
  
  
  
     287.7    71,870    261,653    333,523
    
  
  
  
                     

  1   The modular building complex in Livermore, California is 33,840 square feet and includes the corporate offices and both modulars and electronics branch operations.
  2   Of the 139.7 acres, 2.2 acres with an 8,000 square foot warehouse facility is rented out to a third party through March 2008, 2.2 acres are rented to a third party through October 2005 and 35.8 acres are undeveloped.
  3   Of the 28,337 square feet of office space, 19,152 square feet are rented to a third party through February 2006.
  4   Of the 16.9 acres, 6 acres are rented through June 2004. The leased facility includes 2,460 square feet of office space and 18,030 square feet of warehouse space.

 

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Table of Contents
ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

None.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

PART II

 

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

 

The Company’s common stock is traded in the NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol “MGRC”.

 

The market price (as quoted by NASDAQ) and cash dividends declared, per share of the Company’s common stock, by calendar quarter for the past two years were as follows:

 

Stock Activity                                                        

     2003    2002
     4Q

   3Q

   2Q

   1Q

   4Q

   3Q

   2Q

   1Q

High

   $ 29.90    $ 28.90    $ 27.99    $ 24.20    $ 23.60    $ 25.62    $ 31.15    $ 37.92

Low

   $ 26.99    $ 25.80    $ 21.93    $ 21.50    $ 20.08    $ 17.21    $ 24.53    $ 27.90

Close

   $ 27.25    $ 28.00    $ 26.73    $ 22.60    $ 23.15    $ 20.37    $ 25.92    $ 30.75

Dividends Declared

   $ 0.20    $ 0.20    $ 0.20    $ 0.20    $ 0.18    $ 0.18    $ 0.18    $ 0.16

 

As of March 8, 2004, the Company’s common stock was held by approximately 82 shareholders of record, which does not include shareholders whose shares are held in street or nominee name. The Company believes that when holders in street or nominee name are added, the number of holders of the Company’s common stock exceeds 500.

 

The Company has declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock every quarter since 1990. The total amount of cash dividends paid by the Company in 2003 and 2002 is discussed under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.” Subject to its continued profitability and favorable cash flow, the Company intends to continue the payment of quarterly dividends.

 

The Company’s Long-Term Stock Bonus Plans provide for stock bonuses to be granted to officers and key employees dependent upon achievement of certain financial goals covering specified performance periods. The Company issued to Dennis C. Kakures and Thomas J. Sauer, both officers of the Company, an aggregate of 6,736 shares of common stock in March 2002. This issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 by virtue of section 4(2) thereof.

 

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Table of Contents
ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s selected financial data for the five years ended December 31, 2003 and should be read in conjunction with the more detailed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes reported in Item 8 below.

 

Selected Consolidated Financial Data                                     

 
(dollar and share amounts in thousands, except per share data)    Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

   2002

   2001

   2000

   1999

 

Operations Data

                                    

Revenues

                                    

Rental

   $ 76,678    $ 81,991    $ 100,722    $ 94,931    $ 78,754  

Rental Related Services

     16,746      17,497      17,827      17,185      13,043  
    

  

  

  

  


Rental Operations

     93,424      99,488      118,549      112,116      91,797  

Sales

     36,745      42,257      39,535      51,024      37,039  

Other

     802      3,341      1,310      1,018      1,126  
    

  

  

  

  


Total Revenues

     130,971      145,086      159,394      164,158      129,962  
    

  

  

  

  


Costs and Expenses

                                    

Direct Costs of Rental Operations

                                    

Depreciation of Rental Equipment

     12,745      15,792      27,270      23,850      19,780  

Rental Related Services

     10,356      9,497      10,654      9,304      7,153  

Impairment of Rental Equipment

     —        24,083      —        1,927      —    

Other

     18,623      17,839      17,298      16,323      14,284  
    

  

  

  

  


Total Direct Costs of Rental Operations

     41,724      67,211      55,222      51,404      41,217  

Cost of Sales

     25,913      30,541      27,172      36,256      26,078  
    

  

  

  

  


Total Costs

     67,637      97,752      82,394      87,660      67,295  
    

  

  

  

  


Gross Margin

     63,334      47,334      77,000      76,498      62,667  

Selling and Administrative

     22,626      22,099      24,955      19,982      17,103  
    

  

  

  

  


Income from Operations

     40,708      25,235      52,045      56,516      45,564  

Interest

     2,668      3,982      7,078      8,840      6,606  
    

  

  

  

  


Income before Provision for Income Taxes

     38,040      21,253      44,967      47,676      38,958  

Provision for Income Taxes

     15,178      8,459      17,807      19,762      14,874  
    

  

  

  

  


Income before Minority Interest

     22,862      12,794      27,160      27,914      24,084  

Minority Interest in Income of Subsidiary

     170      161      482      670      251  
    

  

  

  

  


Income before Effect of Accounting Change

     22,692      12,633      26,678      27,244      23,833  

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change, net of tax1

     —        —        —        —        (1,367 )
    

  

  

  

  


Net Income

   $ 22,692    $ 12,633    $ 26,678    $ 27,244    $ 22,466  
    

  

  

  

  


Earnings Per Share:

                                    

Basic

                                    

Income before Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change

   $ 1.87    $ 1.01    $ 2.18    $ 2.21    $ 1.80  

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change, net of tax1

     —        —        —        —        (0.10 )
    

  

  

  

  


Net Income

   $ 1.87    $ 1.01    $ 2.18    $ 2.21    $ 1.70  
    

  

  

  

  


Diluted

                                    

Income before Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change

   $ 1.85    $ 1.00    $ 2.14    $ 2.19    $ 1.78  

Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change, net of tax1

     —        —        —        —        (0.10 )
    

  

  

  

  


Net Income

   $ 1.85    $ 1.00    $ 2.14    $ 2.19    $ 1.68  
    

  

  

  

  


Shares Used in Per Share Calculations:

                                    

Basic

     12,125      12,468      12,232      12,334      13,235  

Diluted

     12,259      12,619      12,495      12,428      13,383  

Cash Dividends Declared Per Common Share

   $ 0.80    $ 0.70    $ 0.64    $ 0.56    $ 0.48  

 

 

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Selected Consolidated Financial Data (continued)  

(dollar and share amounts in thousands, except per share data)   Year Ended December 31,

 
    2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 

Balance Sheet Data (at period end)

                                       

Rental Equipment, at cost

  $ 339,353     $ 325,687     $ 376,622     $ 353,485     $ 311,281  

Rental Equipment, net

  $ 232,046     $ 221,899     $ 255,522     $ 247,402     $ 217,178  

Total Assets

  $ 323,858     $ 313,134     $ 354,884     $ 357,246     $ 297,722  

Notes Payable

  $ 47,266     $ 55,523     $ 104,140     $ 126,876     $ 110,300  

Shareholders’ Equity

  $ 143,978     $ 139,019     $ 131,595     $ 108,958     $ 95,403  

Shares Issued and Outstanding

    12,122       12,490       12,335       12,125       12,546  

Book Value Per Share

  $ 11.88     $ 11.13     $ 10.67     $ 8.99     $ 7.60  

Debt (Total Liabilities) to Equity

    1.25       1.25       1.70       2.28       2.12  

Debt (Notes Payable) to Equity

    0.33       0.40       0.79       1.16       1.16  

Return on Average Equity

    16.5 %     9.5 %     22.0 %     26.7 %     22.7 %

 
1   Effective January 1, 1999, rental revenue is recognized ratably over the month on a daily basis. Rental billings for periods extending beyond the month end are recorded as deferred income. In prior years, only rental billings extending beyond a one-month billing period were recorded as deferred income (i.e. partial month billings for days beyond month end were not deferred). The new method of recognizing rental revenue was adopted after the Company undertook a review of its revenue recognition policies after the Securities and Exchange Commission issued its Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 101, “Revenue Recognition.” The effect is reported as a change in accounting method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 20, “Accounting Changes”. In 1999, the cumulative effect of changing to a new method of accounting effective January 1, 1999 was a decrease in net income by $1.4 million (net of taxes of $0.9 million) or $0.10 per diluted share.

 

ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those set forth in this section as well as those discussed under the preamble to Part I, “Forward Looking Statements” and elsewhere in this document. This discussion should be read together with the financial statements and the related notes thereto set forth in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

 

Results of Operations

 

General

 

The Company generates the majority of its revenue from the rental of relocatable modular buildings and electronic test and measurement instruments on operating leases with sales of equipment occurring in the normal course of business. The Company requires significant capital outlay to purchase its rental inventory and recovers its investment through rental and sales revenues. Rental revenue and other services negotiated as part of the lease agreement with the customer and related costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Sales revenue and related costs are recognized upon delivery and installation of the equipment to the customer. The Company’s growth in rental assets has been primarily funded through internal cash flow and conventional bank financing. Generally, rents recover the equipment’s capitalized cost in a short period of time relative to the equipment’s rental life and when sold, sale proceeds recover a high percentage of its capitalized cost. Significant risks of rental equipment ownership are borne by the Company, which include, but are not limited to, uncertainties in the market for its products over the equipment’s useful life, use limitations for modular equipment related to updated building codes or legislative changes, technological obsolescence of electronics equipment, and rental equipment deterioration. The Company believes it mitigates these risks by continued advocacy and collaboration with governing agencies and legislative bodies for ongoing use of its modular product, staying abreast of technology trends in order to make good buy-sell decisions of electronics equipment, and ongoing investment in repair and maintenance programs to insure both types of rental equipment are in good operating condition.

 

The Company’s modular revenues are primarily affected by demand for classrooms which in turn is affected by shifting and fluctuating school populations, the level of state funding to public schools, the need for temporary classroom space during

 

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Table of Contents

reconstruction of older schools and changes in policies regarding class size. In particular, public schools in the State of California are currently experiencing, or are expected to experience in the near term, a significant reduction of funding from the state associated with the state’s general reductions in its budget. As a result of the reduced funding, lower expenditures by these schools may result in certain planned programs, including the increase in the number of classrooms such as the Company provides to be postponed or terminated; however, there can be no assurance that such events will occur. Reduced expenditures may in fact result in schools reducing their long-term facility construction projects in favor of using the Company’s modular classroom solutions. At this time the Company can make no assurances as to whether public schools will either reduce or increase their demand for the Company’s modular classrooms as a result of the reduced or expected reduction in funding of public schools in the State of California. Looking forward, the Company believes that any interruption in the passage of facility bonds or contraction of the Class Size Reduction Program by the State of California to public schools may have a material adverse effect on both rental and sales revenues of the Company. (For more information, see “Item 1. Business—Relocatable Modular Buildings—Classroom Rentals and Sales to California Public Schools (K-12)” above.)

 

The Company’s rental operations include rental and rental related service revenues which comprised approximately 72% of consolidated revenues in 2003 and for the three years ended December 31, 2003. Over the past three years, modulars comprised 78% and electronics comprised 22% of the cumulative rental operations revenues. The Company’s direct costs of rental operations include depreciation of rental equipment, rental related service costs, impairment of rental equipment, and other direct costs of rental operations which include direct labor, supplies, repairs, insurance, property taxes, license fees and amortization of certain lease costs.

 

The Company also sells both modular and electronic test equipment that is new, previously available for rent, or manufactured by its majority owned subsidiary, Enviroplex. The renting and selling of some modular equipment requires a dealer’s license, which the Company has obtained from governmental agencies in California and Texas. Sales and other revenues of both modular and electronic test equipment have comprised approximately 28% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in 2003 and 28% of the Company’s consolidated revenues over the last three years. During these three years, modulars comprised 76%, electronics represented 22%, and items not allocated to these product segments represented 2% of sales and other revenues. The Company’s cost of sales include the carrying value of the equipment sold and all the direct costs associated with the sale.

 

The rental and sale of modulars to California public school districts comprised 41%, 40% and 34% of the Company’s consolidated rental and sales revenues for 2003, 2002 and 2001. (For more information, see “Item 1. Business—Relocatable Modular Buildings—Classroom Rentals and Sales to California Public Schools (K-12)” above.)

 

Selling and administrative expenses primarily include personnel and benefit costs, depreciation and amortization, bad debt expense, advertising costs, and professional service fees. The Company believes that sharing of common facilities, financing, senior management, and operating and accounting systems by all of the Company’s operations, results in an efficient use of overhead. Historically, the Company’s operating margins have been impacted favorably to the extent its costs and expenses are leveraged over a large installed customer base. However, there can be no assurance as to the Company’s ability to maintain a large installed customer base or ability to sustain its historical operating margins.

 

The Company’s RenTelco division continues to be affected by the severe and prolonged broad-based weakness in the telecommunications industry, which significantly impacted the Company’s overall results in 2002 and 2003. In 2002, RenTelco’s rental revenues declined 58% to $15.8 million from $37.2 million in 2001. In 2003, although rental revenues further declined 19% to $12.7 million, on a sequential basis, RenTelco’s quarterly rental revenues trended up the last three-quarters of 2003. During 2002, RenTelco recorded noncash impairment charges of $24.1 million resulting from the depressed and low projected demand for RenTelco’s rental products coupled with high inventory levels, particularly communications equipment. RenTelco’s pretax contribution increased to $3.3 million in 2003 from a pretax loss of $22.0 million in 2002 primarily as a result of the impairment charges. The impairment charges in 2002 primarily reduced the net carrying value of the RenTelco’s communications equipment, which had a carrying value at December 31, 2003 and 2002, of $7.1 million and $8.1 million respectively, or 43% and 38% of the electronics inventory. There were no impairment charges in 2003, although, there can be no assurance that future impairment charges on RenTelco’s remaining equipment will not occur.

 

Looking forward for the foreseeable future, the Company expects RenTelco’s business activity levels to improve as the telecommunications industry recovers. However, while management has limited visibility as to the timing and extent of the recovery

 

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in this sector, management believes the ongoing efforts to reduce rental equipment inventory and overhead expense levels to meet projected business activity levels for the near term, positions RenTelco to increase its earnings contribution. However, there can be no assurance as to the occurrence of such recovery or the impact of such a recovery on RenTelco’s operations and financial results. If business levels were to decline further, the Company is subject to the risk that additional equipment may become impaired which would adversely impact the Company’s future reported results. The Company will continue to sell rental equipment determined to be in excess of the required levels to meet projected customer rental demand. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in these efforts.

 

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the results of operations as a percentage of revenues and the percentage of changes in such items as compared to the indicated prior period:

 


     Percent of Revenues     Percent Change  
     Three
Years
2003–
     Year Ended December 31,     2003 over
2002


    2002 over
2001


 
   2001

         2003  

        2002  

        2001  

     

Revenues

                                     

Rental

     60%      59 %   57 %   63 %   (6 )%   (19 )%

Rental Related Services

     12      13     12     11     (4 )   (2 )
    
    

 

 

           

Rental Operations

     72      72     69     74     (6 )   (16 )

Sales

     27      28     29     25     (13 )   7  

Other

       1      nm     2     1     (76 )   155  
    
    

 

 

           

Total Revenues

   100%      100 %   100 %   100 %   (10 )%   (9 )%
    
    

 

 

           

Costs and Expenses

                                     

Direct Costs of Rental Operations

                                     

Depreciation of Rental Equipment

     13      10     11     17     (19 )   (42 )

Rental Related Services

       7      8     7     7     9     (11 )

Impairment of Rental Equipment

       6      0     17     0     (100 )   100  

Other

     12      14     11     11     4     3  
    
    

 

 

           

Total Direct Costs of Rental Operations

     38      32     46     35     (38 )   22  

Cost of Sales

     19      20     21     17     (15 )   12  
    
    

 

 

           

Total Costs

     57      52     67     52     (31 )   19  
    
    

 

 

           

Gross Margin

     43      48     33     48     34     (39 )

Selling and Administrative

     16      17     16     15     2     (11 )
    
    

 

 

           

Income from Operations

     27      31     17     33     61     (52 )

Interest

       3      2     2     5     (33 )   (44 )
    
    

 

 

           

Income before Provision for Income Taxes

     24      29     15     28     79     (53 )

Provision for Income Taxes

     10      12     6     11     79     (52 )
    
    

 

 

           

Income before Minority Interest

     14      17     9     17     79     (53 )

Minority Interest in Income of Subsidiary

     nm      nm     nm     nm     6     (66 )
    
    

 

 

           

Net Income

     14%      17 %   9 %   17 %   80  %   (53 )%

 

nm = not meaningful

 

Fiscal Years 2003 and 2002

 

In 2003, rental revenues decreased $5.3 million (6%) from 2002, with MMMC’s rental revenue decreasing $2.3 million (3%) and RenTelco’s rental revenue decreasing $3.0 million (19%). MMMC’s rental revenues decreased primarily due to unexpected project delays by customers, lower average rental rates and an increased number of equipment returns during 2003, while RenTelco’s rental revenues continued to be affected by the severe and prolonged broad-based weakness in the telecommunications industry, as

 

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described above. For MMMC, modular utilization, or the cost of rental equipment on rent divided by the total cost of rental equipment, as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 was 84.6% and 85.2%, respectively. In 2003, average modular equipment on rent, valued at cost, increased by $2.5 million compared to a year earlier. Average utilization for modulars decreased from 85.9% in 2002 to 84.2% in 2003 while the annual yield, or rental revenues divided by the average rental equipment cost, declined from 24.1% to 22.6%. For RenTelco, electronics utilization, was 45.2% as of December 31, 2003 as compared to 41.6% as of December 31, 2002, both of which were below RenTelco’s target range of between 50% and 55%. Although rental rates steadily improved during 2003, electronics average equipment on rent, valued at cost, decreased by $5.7 million compared to a year earlier. Average utilization for electronics increased from 38.2% in 2002 to 45.3% in 2003 with the annual yield increasing from 26.8% in 2002 to 34.3% in 2003.

 

Depreciation of rental equipment in 2003 decreased $3.0 million (19%) from 2002 primarily as a result of RenTelco’s write-downs in 2002, which lowered the monthly depreciation expense on written down rental equipment, offset in part by depreciation related to rental equipment additions during 2003.

 

For MMMC, as rental revenues declined 3%, depreciation as a percentage of rental revenues increased from 11% to 12%. For RenTelco, despite a rental revenue decline of 19%, depreciation as a percentage of revenues decreased from 55% in 2002 to 42% in 2003 due to 38% lower depreciation as a result of the sale of underutilized rental equipment during the year.

 

Other direct costs of rental operations increased $0.8 million (4%) from 2002 primarily due to increased maintenance and repair expenses of the modular fleet. Consolidated gross margin on rents increased from 29.6% in 2002 to 59.1% in 2003 due primarily to the RenTelco impairment charges of $24.1 million in 2002.

 

Rental related services revenues in 2003 decreased $0.8 million (4%) from 2002 as a result of lower modular revenues for services negotiated as an integral part of the lease, which are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Gross margin on these services decreased from 45.7% in 2002 to 38.2% in 2003.

 

Sales in 2003 decreased $5.5 million (13%) from 2002 primarily as a result of lower sales volume by each segment. MMMC’s sales volume decreased $1.6 million due to fewer significant sales in 2003, RenTelco’s sales volume decreased $2.4 million due to lower sales of underutilized equipment, which began during 2002, and Enviroplex’s sales decreased $1.5 million due to lower order volume. Sales continue to occur routinely as a normal part of the Company’s rental business; however, these sales can fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year depending on customer requirements and funding. Consolidated gross margin on sales increased from 27.7% in 2002 to 29.5% in 2003.

 

Enviroplex’s backlog of orders as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 was $4.2 million and $3.4 million, respectively. Typically, in the California classroom market, booking activity for the first half of the year provides the most meaningful information towards determining order levels to be produced for the entire year. Backlog is not significant in MMMC’s modular business or in RenTelco’s electronics business.

 

Other revenues decreased $2.5 million (76%) from 2002 primarily as a result of non-recurring items in 2002; a $1.25 million nonrecurring reimbursement of merger related costs and expenses from Tyco (for more information, see “Item 1. Business—Terminated Merger Agreement” above) and a gain on land sales of $0.9 million related to excess property not part of existing operating facilities.

 

Selling and administrative expenses in 2003 increased $0.5 million (2%) from 2002. The increase is primarily due to higher personnel and benefit costs of $1.7 million and higher professional fees of $0.5 million offset by lower bad debt expense of $0.9 million and $0.6 million of merger related costs in 2002 that did not recur in 2003.

 

Interest expense in 2003 decreased $1.3 million (33%) from 2002 as a result of 31% lower debt levels and 1% lower average interest rates over a year earlier.

 

Income before provision for taxes in 2003 increased $16.8 million (79%) from 2002 and net income increased $10.1 million (80%) with earnings per diluted share increasing 85% from $1.00 per diluted share in 2002 to $1.85 per diluted share in 2003. The Company’s effective tax rate increased slightly from 39.8% in 2002 to 39.9% in 2003.

 

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The results for 2002 include the following significant items:

 

    Noncash RenTelco impairment charges of $24.1 million reduced net income by $14.5 million or $1.15 per share.

 

    Lower depreciation expense of $3.5 million resulting from the electronics equipment write-downs occurring in 2002 increased net income by $2.1 million or $0.17 per share.

 

    Gain on land sales of $0.9 million increased net income by $0.5 million or $0.04 per share.

 

    Net nonrecurring income of $0.7 million related to a terminated merger agreement with Tyco increased net income by $0.4 million or $0.03 per share.

 

In 2003, net income was $22.7 million, or $1.85 per share, compared to $12.6 million, or $1.00 per share, in 2002. For comparability, excluding impairment charges, merger-related items, gain on land sales and depreciation impact of the electronics equipment write-downs, net income and earnings per share would have declined from $24.1 million or $1.91 per share in 2002 to $22.7 million or $1.85 per share in 2003, with fewer outstanding shares in 2003. McGrath RentCorp provides these measurements to provide a consistent basis for comparison between years without the effect of one-time events.

 

Fiscal Years 2002 and 2001

 

In 2002, rental revenues decreased $18.7 million (19%) from 2001, with MMMC’s rental revenue increasing $2.7 million (4%) and RenTelco’s rental revenue decreasing $21.4 million (58%). MMMC’s rental revenues increased primarily due to higher equipment levels on rent during 2002, while RenTelco’s rental revenues declined due to continued broad-based weakness in the telecommunications industry, as described above. For MMMC, modular utilization, or the cost of rental equipment on rent divided by the total cost of rental equipment excluding new equipment not previously rented and accessory equipment, as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 was 85.2% and 86.2%, respectively. In 2002, average modular equipment on rent, valued at cost, increased by $13.4 million compared to a year earlier. Average utilization for modulars increased from 85.4% in 2001 to 85.9% in 2002 while the annual yield, or rental revenues divided by the average rental equipment cost, declined slightly from 24.4% to 24.1%. For RenTelco, electronics utilization, was 41.6% as of December 31, 2002 as compared to 34.4% as of December 31, 2001, both of which were below RenTelco’s target range of between 50% and 55%. Electronics average equipment on rent, valued at cost and adjusted for the equipment writedowns occurring in 2002, decreased by $26.6 million compared to a year earlier as demand continued to worsen for communications rental equipment. Average utilization for electronics decreased from 50.4% in 2001 to 38.2% in 2002 with the annual yield decreasing from 38.0% in 2001 to 26.8% in 2002.

 

Depreciation of rental equipment in 2002 decreased $11.5 million (42%) from 2001. For MMMC, depreciation of rental equipment decreased $6.3 million primarily as a result of changing the residual value for modular equipment from 18% to 50% of the original cost effective January 1, 2002. For RenTelco, depreciation of rental equipment decreased $5.2 million primarily as a result of the equipment write-downs, which classified certain equipment as non-depreciable equipment held for sale and lowered the monthly depreciation expense on written down rental equipment. These decreases in depreciation expense were offset in part by depreciation related to rental equipment additions and a reduction in the useful life for certain electronics optical equipment effective January 1, 2002.

 

For MMMC, as rental revenues increased 4%, depreciation as a percentage of rental revenues declined from 21% in 2001 to 11% in 2002 primarily due to the impact of the change in residual value for modular equipment discussed above. For RenTelco, as rental revenues declined 58%, depreciation as a percentage of revenues increased from 37% in 2001 to 55% in 2002 as a result of lower utilization levels and lower rental rates. RenTelco’s increase in depreciation expense as a percentage of rental revenues occurred in spite of the first and second quarter 2002 write-downs of electronics equipment.

 

Other direct costs of rental operations increased $0.5 million (3%) from 2001 primarily due to increased maintenance and repair expenses of the modular fleet. Consolidated gross margin on rents decreased from 55.8% in 2001 to 29.6% in 2002 due primarily to the RenTelco impairment charges of $24.1 million.

 

Rental related services revenues in 2002 decreased $0.3 million (2%) from 2001 as a result of slightly lower volume of modular equipment movements and site requirements in 2002. Gross margin on these services increased from 40.2% in 2001 to 45.7% in 2002.

 

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Sales in 2002 increased $2.7 million (7%) from 2001 primarily as a result of higher sales volume by both MMMC and RenTelco, offset by lower sales volume at Enviroplex. MMMC’s sales volume increased $4.4 million due to the occurrence of several significant sales in 2002, RenTelco’s sales volume increased $0.8 million due to the increased efforts to sell underutilized equipment, and Enviroplex’s sales decreased $2.5 million due to lower order volume. Sales continue to occur routinely as a normal part of the Company’s rental business; however, these sales can fluctuate from quarter to quarter and year to year depending on customer requirements and funding. Consolidated gross margin on sales decreased from 31.3% in 2001 to 27.7% in 2002 as a result of lower margins on new equipment sales and more competitive pricing on electronic test equipment sales.

 

Enviroplex’s backlog of orders as of December 31, 2002 and 2001 was $3.4 million and $4.9 million, respectively. Typically, in the California classroom market, booking activity for the first half of the year provides the most meaningful information towards determining order levels to be produced for the entire year. Backlog is not significant in MMMC’s modular business or in RenTelco’s electronics business.

 

Other revenue increased $2.0 million (155%) over 2001 as a result of a $1.25 million nonrecurring reimbursement of merger related costs and expenses from Tyco (for more information, see “Item 1. Business—Terminated Merger Agreement” above) and a gain on land sales of $0.9 million related to excess property not part of existing operating facilities.

 

Selling and administrative expenses in 2002 decreased $2.9 million (11%) from 2001. The decrease is primarily due to lower costs and expenses related to a merger agreement with Tyco of $1.3 million, lower personnel and benefit costs of $0.9 million, lower web maintenance and development costs of $0.6 million and lower depreciation and amortization expense of $0.3 million.

 

Interest expense in 2002 decreased $3.1 million (44%) from 2001 as a result of 29% lower debt levels and 21% lower average interest rates over a year earlier.

 

Income before provision for taxes in 2002 decreased $23.7 million (53%) from 2001 and net income decreased $14.0 million (53%) with earnings per diluted share decreasing 53% from $2.14 per diluted share in 2001 to $1.00 per diluted share in 2002. The Company’s effective tax rate remained consistent from year to year with a slight increase from 39.6% in 2001 to 39.8% in 2002.

 

The results for 2002 include the following significant items:

 

    Noncash RenTelco impairment charges of $24.1 million reduced net income by $14.5 million or $1.15 per share.

 

    Lower depreciation expense resulting from both the January 1, 2002 revision in the estimated modular equipment residual values from 18% to 50% of original cost and the electronics equipment write-downs occurring in the first half of 2002 increased net income by $6.5 million or $0.51 per share.

 

    Gain on land sales of $0.9 million increased net income by $0.5 million or $0.04 per share.

 

    Net nonrecurring income of $0.7 million related to a terminated merger agreement with Tyco increased net income by $0.4 million or $0.03 per share.

 

The results for 2001 included the following significant item:

 

    Nonrecurring expenses of $1.9 million related to a terminated merger agreement with Tyco decreased net income by $1.1 million, or $0.09 per share.

 

In 2002, net income was $12.6 million, or $1.00 per share, compared to $26.7 million, or $2.14 per share, in 2001. For comparability, excluding impairment charges, merger-related items, gain on land sales and depreciation impact of both increasing the modular residual values and the electronics equipment write-downs, net income and earnings per share would have declined from a pro forma amount of $27.8 million or $2.23 per share in 2001 to $19.7 million or $1.57 per share in 2002. McGrath RentCorp provides these measurements to provide a consistent basis for comparison between years without the effect of one-time events. While there can be no assurance, looking forward, management expects 2003 results to continue to benefit from lower depreciation expense resulting from the increase in modular residual value and lower carrying values of electronics written-down equipment with an estimated benefit in 2003 of $7.6 million or $0.60 per share.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company’s rental businesses are capital intensive, with significant capital expenditures required to maintain and grow the rental assets. During the last three years, the Company has financed its working capital and capital expenditure requirements through cash flow from operations, proceeds from the sale of rental equipment and from bank borrowings. As the following table indicates, cash flow provided by operating activities and proceeds from sales of rental equipment have been sufficient to fund the rental equipment purchases and to pay down debt over the past three years.

 

Funding of Rental Asset Growth                                 

 
(amounts in thousands)    Year Ended December 31,

    Three Year
Totals


 
     2003

    2002

    2001

   

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

   $ 47,944     $ 51,018     $ 63,573     $ 162,535  

Proceeds from the Sale of Rental Equipment

     14,956       18,984       18,015       51,955  
    


 


 


 


Cash Available for Purchase of Rental Equipment

   $ 62,900     $ 70,002     $ 81,588     $ 214,490  

Purchases of Rental Equipment

   $ (35,797 )   $ (17,685 )   $ (51,512 )   $ (104,994 )

Notes Payable Increase (Decrease)

   $ (8,257 )   $ (48,617 )   $ (22,736 )   $ (79,610 )

 

 

Sales occur routinely as a normal part of the Company’s rental business. However, these sales can fluctuate from year to year depending on customer requirements and funding. Although the net proceeds received from sales may fluctuate from year to year, the Company believes its liquidity will not be adversely impacted from lower sales in any given year because it believes it has the ability to increase its bank borrowings and/ or conserve its cash in the future by reducing the amount of cash it uses to purchase rental equipment, dividend payments or the repurchasing of its common stock.

 

In addition to increasing its rental assets, the Company had other capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment of $0.8 million in 2003, $0.5 million in 2002 and $1.6 million in 2001, and has used cash to provide returns to its shareholders, both in the form of cash dividends and by stock repurchases. The Company has made purchases of shares of its common stock from time to time in market transactions (NASDAQ) and/or through privately negotiated, large block transactions under an authorization from the Board of Directors. Shares repurchased by the Company are canceled and returned to the status of authorized but unissued stock. As of March 8, 2004, 1,000,000 shares remain authorized for repurchase. The following table summarizes the dividends paid and the repurchases of the Company’s common stock during the past three years.

 

Dividend and Repurchase Summary

                           

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)    Year Ended December 31,

   Three Year
Totals


     2003

   2002

   2001

  

Cash Dividends Paid

   $ 9,491    $ 8,468    $ 7,582    $ 25,541

Shares Repurchased

     465      —        —        465

Average Price Per Share

   $ 22.07    $ —      $ —      $ 22.07

Aggregate Purchase Price

   $ 10,254    $ —      $ —      $ 10,254

Total Cash Returned to Shareholders

   $ 19,745    $ 8,468    $ 7,582    $ 35,795

 

As the Company’s assets have grown, it has been able to negotiate increases in the borrowing limit under its general bank line of credit, which limit is $120.0 million and expires June 30, 2004. The Company decreased its borrowings under this line by $3.0 million during the year, and at December 31, 2003, the outstanding borrowings under this line were $27.5 million. In addition to the $120.0 million line of credit, the Company has a $5.0 million committed line of credit facility, related to its cash management services expiring June 30, 2004, of which $3.8 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2003. The Company’s credit facility related to its cash management services, facilitate automatic borrowings and repayments with the bank on a daily basis depending on the Company’s cash position and allows the Company to maintain minimal cash balances. At December 31, 2003, the Company had capacity to borrow up to an additional $93.7 million under its existing lines of credit beyond its then existing debt. The Company had total liabilities to equity ratio of 1.25 to 1 as of December 31, 2003 and 2002. The debt (notes payable) to equity ratio was 0.33 to 1

 

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and 0.40 to 1 at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Although no assurance can be given, the Company believes it will continue to be able to negotiate general bank lines of credit adequate to meet capital requirements not otherwise met by operational cash flows and proceeds from sales of rental equipment.

 

In July 1998, the Company completed a private placement of $40.0 million of 6.44% Senior Notes due in 2005. Interest on the notes is due semi-annually in arrears and the principal is due in five equal installments, which commenced on July 15, 2001. The outstanding balance at December 31, 2003, was $16.0 million. The Company expects to make principal and interest payments on these notes of $9.0 million in 2004.

 

The Company does not have any material commitments or obligations for 2004 requiring the expenditure of cash in the future inconsistent with its expenditures in the periods reported herein. The Company believes that its needs for working capital and capital expenditures through 2004 and beyond will be adequately met by operational cash flow, proceeds from sale of rental equipment, and bank borrowings.

 

Please see the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows on page 28 for a more detailed presentation of the sources and uses of the Company’s cash.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

In response to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Release No. 33-8040, “Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies,” the Company has identified the most critical accounting principles upon which its financial status depends. The Company determined the critical principles by considering accounting policies that involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments. The Company has identified its most critical accounting policies as depreciation, maintenance and repair, and impairment of rental equipment. Descriptions of these accounting policies are found in both the notes to the consolidated financial statements and at relevant sections in this management’s discussion and analysis.

 

Depreciation—The estimated useful lives and estimated residual values used for rental equipment are based on the Company’s experience as to the economic useful life and sale value of its products. Additionally, to the extent information is publicly available, the Company also compares its depreciation policies to other companies with similar rental products for reasonableness.

 

The lives and residual values of rental equipment are subject to periodic evaluation. For modular equipment, external factors to consider may include, but are not limited to, changes in legislation, regulations, building codes, local permitting, and supply or demand. Internal factors for modulars may include, but are not limited to, change in equipment specifications, condition of equipment, or maintenance policies. For electronics equipment, external factors to consider may include, but are not limited to, technological advances, changes in manufacturers’ selling prices, and supply or demand. Internal factors for electronics may include, but are not limited to, change in equipment specifications, condition of equipment or maintenance policies.

 

Changes in useful lives or residual values will impact depreciation expense and any gain or loss from the sale of used equipment. Depending on the magnitude of such changes, the impact on the financial statements could be significant.

 

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company prospectively revised the estimated residual value of its relocatable modular buildings from 18% to 50% of original cost. The change in estimate is based on actual used equipment sales experience and management believes that this change better reflects the future expected residual values of the modular equipment. Historical results demonstrate that upon sale, the Company recovers a higher percentage of its modular equipment cost than previously estimated. The Company’s proactive repair and maintenance program is a key factor contributing to the high recovery of its equipment’s cost upon sale. If this residual value were in effect for 2001, depreciation expense would have decreased by $6.7 million and net income would have increased by $4.1 million or $0.33 per diluted share.

 

Maintenance and Refurbishment—Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The direct material and labor costs of value-added additions or major refurbishment of modular buildings are capitalized to the extent the refurbishment significantly improves the quality and adds value or life to the equipment. Judgement is involved as to when these costs should be capitalized. The Company’s policies narrowly limit the capitalization of value-added items to specific additions such as restrooms, 40 and 60-foot

 

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sidewalls and ventilation up-grades. In addition, only major refurbishment costs incurred near the end of the estimated useful life of the rental equipment, which extend its useful life, and are subject to certain limitations, are capitalized. Changes in these policies could impact the Company’s financial results.

 

Impairment—The carrying value of the Company’s rental equipment is its capitalized cost less accumulated depreciation. To the extent events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value cannot be recovered, an impairment loss is recognized to reduce the carrying value to fair value. The Company determines fair value based upon the condition of the equipment and the projected net cash flows from its sale considering current market conditions. Additionally, if the Company decides to sell or otherwise dispose of the rental equipment, it is carried at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell or dispose. Due to uncertainties inherent in the valuation process and market conditions, it is reasonably possible that actual results of operating and disposing of rental equipment could be materially different than current expectations.

 

In 2002, the Company’s RenTelco segment recorded impairment charges of $24.1 million (For more information, see “Item 7. Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations— Results of Operations—General” above).

 

Impact of Inflation

 

Although the Company cannot precisely determine the effect of inflation, from time to time it has experienced increases in costs of rental equipment, manufacturing costs, operating expenses and interest. Because most of its rentals are relatively short term, the Company has generally been able to pass on such increased costs through increases in rental rates and selling prices, but there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue to pass on increased costs to customers in the future.

 

ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

The Company currently has no material derivative financial instruments that expose the Company to significant market risk. The Company is exposed to cash flow and fair value risk due to changes in interest rates with respect to its notes payable. Weighted average variable rates are based on implied forward rates in the yield curve at December 31, 2003. The estimate of fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt is based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities. The table below presents principal cash flows by expected annual maturities, related weighted average interest rates and estimated fair value of the Company’s notes payable as of December 31, 2003.

 

Expected Annual Maturities of Notes Payable as of December 31, 2003               

(dollar amounts in thousands)   2004

    2005

    Thereafter

   Total

    Estimated
Fair Value


Fixed Rate Loan

  $ 8,000     $ 8,000     $ —      $ 16,000     $ 16,617

Average Interest Rate

    6.44 %     6.44 %         —        6.44 %      

Variable Rate Loans

  $ 31,266     $ —       $ —      $ 31,266     $ 31,266

Average Interest Rate

    2.38 %     —         —        2.38 %      

 

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Table of Contents
ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

 

Index


   Page

Report of Independent Public Accountants dated February 6, 2004

   23

Prior Report of Independent Public Accountants dated February 8, 2002

   24

Consolidated Financial Statements

    

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002

   25

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   26

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   27

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   28

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   29

 

22


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of McGrath RentCorp:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of McGrath RentCorp (a California corporation) and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. The consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2001 were audited by other auditors who have ceased operations. Those auditors expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements in their report dated February 8, 2002.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatements. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of McGrath RentCorp and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

GRANT THORNTON LLP

 

San Francisco, California

February 6, 2004

 

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Note: This is a copy of a report previously issued by Arthur Andersen LLP, our former independent accountants. This report has not been reissued by Arthur Andersen LLP in connection with the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of McGrath RentCorp:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of McGrath RentCorp (a California corporation) and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatements. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of McGrath RentCorp and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 

As explained in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for rental revenue effective January 1, 1999 whereby all rental revenues are recognized ratably over the month on a daily basis.

 

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

 

San Francisco, California

February 8, 2002

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 


     December 31,

 

(in thousands)

     2003       2002  

 

Assets

                

Cash

   $ 4     $ 4  

Accounts Receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
of $650 in 2003 and $1,000 in 2002

     32,199       33,249  

Rental Equipment, at cost:

                

Relocatable Modular Buildings

     304,905       285,901  

Electronic Test Instruments

     34,448       39,786  
    


 


       339,353       325,687  

Less Accumulated Depreciation

     (107,307 )     (103,788 )
    


 


Rental Equipment, net

     232,046       221,899  
    


 


Property, Plant and Equipment, net

     47,250       48,379  

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

     12,359       9,603  
    


 


Total Assets

   $ 323,858     $ 313,134  
    


 


Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

                

Liabilities:

                

Notes Payable

   $ 47,266     $ 55,523  

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

     28,695       29,889  

Deferred Income

     21,970       17,337  

Minority Interest in Subsidiary

     2,890       3,107  

Deferred Income Taxes, net

     79,059       68,259  
    


 


Total Liabilities

     179,880       174,115  
    


 


Shareholders’ Equity:

                

Common Stock, no par value—

                

Authorized—40,000 shares

                

Issued and Outstanding—12,122 shares in 2003
and 12,490 shares in 2002

     17,900       16,320  

Retained Earnings

     126,078       122,699  
    


 


Total Shareholders’ Equity

     143,978       139,019  
    


 


Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 323,858     $ 313,134  
    


 


              

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 


     Year Ended December 31,

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

     2003      2002      2001

Revenues

                    

Rental

   $ 76,678    $ 81,991    $ 100,722

Rental Related Services

     16,746      17,497      17,827
    

  

  

Rental Operations

     93,424      99,488      118,549

Sales

     36,745      42,257      39,535

Other

     802      3,341      1,310
    

  

  

Total Revenues

     130,971      145,086      159,394
    

  

  

Costs and Expenses

                    

Direct Costs of Rental Operations

                    

Depreciation of Rental Equipment

     12,745      15,792      27,270

Rental Related Services

     10,356      9,497      10,654

Impairment of Rental Equipment

     —        24,083      —  

Other

     18,623      17,839      17,298
    

  

  

Total Direct Costs of Rental Operations

     41,724      67,211      55,222

Cost of Sales

     25,913      30,541      27,172
    

  

  

Total Costs

     67,637      97,752      82,394
    

  

  

Gross Margin

     63,334      47,334      77,000

Selling and Administrative

     22,626      22,099      24,955
    

  

  

Income from Operations

     40,708      25,235      52,045

Interest

     2,668      3,982      7,078
    

  

  

Income before Provision for Income Taxes

     38,040      21,253      44,967

Provision for Income Taxes

     15,178      8,459      17,807
    

  

  

Income before Minority Interest

     22,862      12,794      27,160

Minority Interest in Income of Subsidiary

     170      161      482
    

  

  

Net Income

   $ 22,692    $ 12,633    $ 26,678
    

  

  

Earnings Per Share:

                    

Basic

   $ 1.87    $ 1.01    $ 2.18

Diluted

   $ 1.85    $ 1.00    $ 2.14

Shares Used in Per Share Calculations:

                    

Basic

     12,125      12,468      12,232

Diluted

     12,259      12,619      12,495
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 


 
     Common Stock

    Retained
Earnings
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

   Shares       Amount      

 

Balance at December 31, 2000

   12,125     $ 8,971     $ 99,987     $ 108,958  

Net Income

   —         —         26,678       26,678  

Issuance of Common Stock to Increase Interest In Subsidiary

   85       2,061       —         2,061  

Noncash Compensation

   6       551       —         551  

Exercise of Stock Options

   119       1,211       —         1,211  

Dividends Declared of $0.64 Per Share

   —         —         (7,864 )     (7,864 )

 

Balance at December 31, 2001

   12,335       12,794       118,801       131,595  

Net Income

   —         —         12,633       12,633  

Noncash Compensation

   7       37       —         37  

Exercise of Stock Options, including income tax benefit of $950

   148       3,489       —         3,489  

Dividends Declared of $0.70 Per Share

   —         —         (8,735 )     (8,735 )

 

Balance at December 31, 2002

   12,490       16,320       122,699       139,019  

Net Income

   —         —         22,692       22,692  

Repurchase of Common Stock

   (465 )     (608 )     (9,646 )     (10,254 )

Noncash Compensation

   —         112       —         112  

Exercise of Stock Options, including income tax benefit of $360

   97       2,076       —         2,076  

Dividends Declared of $0.80 Per Share

   —         —         (9,667 )     (9,667 )

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

   12,122     $ 17,900     $ 126,078     $ 143,978  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 


     Year Ended December 31,

 
(in thousands)    2003     2002     2001  

 

Cash Flow from Operating Activities:

                        

Net Income

   $ 22,692     $ 12,633     $ 26,678  

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

                        

Depreciation and Amortization

     14,692       17,872       29,632  

Impairment of Rental Equipment

     —         24,083       —    

Provision for Doubtful Accounts

     365       1,333       1,282  

Noncash Compensation

     112       37       551  

Gain on Sale of Rental Equipment

     (5,421 )     (6,318 )     (6,528 )

Gain on Sale of Land

     —         (905 )     —    

Change In:

                        

Accounts Receivable

     685       2,314       7,509  

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

     (2,756 )     1,077       1,315  

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

     1,781       (2,195 )     (1,430 )

Deferred Income

     4,633       (1,136 )     (768 )

Deferred Income Taxes

     11,161       2,223       5,332  
    


 


 


Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     47,944       51,018       63,573  
    


 


 


Cash Flow from Investing Activities:

                        

Purchase of Rental Equipment

     (35,797 )     (17,685 )     (51,512 )

Purchase of Property, Plant and Equipment

     (817 )     (490 )     (1,608 )

Proceeds from Sale of Rental Equipment

     14,956       18,984       18,015  

Proceeds from Sale of Land

     —         2,719       —    
    


 


 


Net Cash Provided By (Used in) Investing Activities

     (21,658 )     3,528       (35,105 )
    


 


 


Cash Flow from Financing Activities:

                        

Net Repayments under Bank Lines of Credit

     (8,257 )     (48,617 )     (22,736 )

Net Proceeds from the Exercise of Stock Options

     1,716       2,539       1,211  

Repurchase of Common Stock

     (10,254 )     —         —    

Payment of Dividends

     (9,491 )     (8,468 )     (7,582 )
    


 


 


Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

     (26,286 )     (54,546 )     (29,107 )
    


 


 


Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash

     —         —         (639 )

Cash Balance, beginning of period

     4       4       643  
    


 


 


Cash Balance, end of period

   $ 4     $ 4     $ 4  
    


 


 


Interest Paid, during the period

   $ 2,899     $ 4,283     $ 7,629  
    


 


 


Income Taxes Paid, during the period

   $ 4,016     $ 7,186     $ 12,475  
    


 


 


Dividends Declared, not yet paid

   $ 2,424     $ 2,248     $ 1,981  
    


 


 


Rental Equipment Acquisitions, not yet paid

   $ 1,917     $ 5,285     $ 4,051  
    


 


 


                    

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1.   ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

 

McGrath RentCorp (the Company) is a California corporation organized in 1979. The Company is comprised of three business segments: “Mobile Modular Management Corporation” (“MMMC”), its modular building division, “RenTelco,” its electronic test equipment division, and “Enviroplex, Inc.” (“Enviroplex”), its majority-owned subsidiary classroom manufacturing business. Although the Company’s primary emphasis is on equipment rentals, sales of equipment occur in the normal course of business.

 

MMMC rents and sells modular buildings and accessories to fulfill customers’ temporary and permanent space needs in California and Texas. These units are used as temporary offices adjacent to existing facilities, and are used as classrooms, sales offices, construction field offices, health care clinics, child care facilities and for a variety of other purposes. Significant portions of MMMC’s rental and sales revenues are derived from the educational market and are primarily affected by demand for classrooms, which in turn is affected by shifting and fluctuating school populations, the level of state funding to public schools, the need for temporary classroom space during reconstruction of older schools and changes in policies regarding class size. Looking forward, the Company believes that any interruption in the passage of facility bonds, contraction of the Class Size Reduction Program in California, a lack of fiscal funding, or a significant reduction of funding from the State of California to public schools may have a material adverse effect on both rental and sales revenues of the Company.

 

RenTelco rents and sells electronic test equipment nationally, providing communications and fiber optic test equipment primarily to network systems companies, electrical contractors, local & long distance carriers and manufacturers of communications transmission equipment. RenTelco also provides general-purpose test equipment to electronics, industrial, research and aerospace companies. Significant portions of RenTelco’s rental and sales revenues are derived from the telecommunications industry. RenTelco continues to be affected by the severe and prolonged broad-based weakness in the telecommunications industry, which has significantly impacted the Company’s overall results for 2003 and 2002.

 

McGrath RentCorp owns 81% of Enviroplex, a California corporation organized in 1991. Enviroplex manufactures portable classrooms built to the requirements of the California Division of the State Architect (“DSA”) and sells directly to California public school districts.

 

Significant risks of rental equipment ownership are borne by the Company, which include, but are not limited to, uncertainties in the market for its products over the equipment’s useful life, use limitations for modular equipment related to updated building codes or legislative changes, technological obsolescence of electronics equipment, and rental equipment deterioration. The Company believes it mitigates these risks by continuing advocacy and collaboration with governing agencies and legislative bodies for continuing use of its modular product, staying abreast of technology trends in order to make good buy-sell decisions of electronics equipment, and ongoing investment in repair and maintenance programs to insure both types of rental equipment are in good operating condition.

 

NOTE 2.   SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of McGrath RentCorp and Enviroplex. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Rental revenue from operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease in accordance with Statement of Financial Standards (“SFAS”) No. 13, “Accounting for Leases”. Rental billings for periods extending beyond month end are recorded as deferred income and are recognized as earned. Rental related services revenue is primarily associated with relocatable modular building leases and consists of billings to customers for delivery, installation, modifications, skirting, additional site related work, and dismantle and return delivery. Revenue from these services is an integral part of the negotiated lease agreement with the customer and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Sales revenue is recognized upon delivery and installation of the equipment to the customer. Certain financed sales meeting the requirements of SFAS No. 13 are accounted for as sales-type leases. For these leases, sales revenue and the related accounts receivable are recognized upon delivery and installation of the equipment and the unearned interest is recognized over the lease term on a basis which results in a constant rate of return on the unrecovered lease investment.

 

Other revenue is recognized when earned and primarily includes interest income on sales-type leases and rental income on facility rentals. In 2002, other revenue also includes a $1,250,000 reimbursement of costs and expenses associated with a terminated merger agreement (see Note 9) and a $905,000 gain on land sales related to excess property not part of existing operating facilities.

 

Depreciation of Rental Equipment

 

Rental equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis for financial reporting purposes and on an accelerated basis for income tax purposes. The costs of major refurbishment of relocatable modular buildings are capitalized to the extent the refurbishment significantly adds value or extends the life to the equipment. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

 

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company prospectively revised the estimated residual value of its relocatable modular buildings from 18% to 50% of original cost, except for accessories and refurbishments which have no residual value. The change in estimate was based on actual used equipment sales experience, and management believes that this change better reflects the future expected residual values of the modular equipment. Historical results demonstrate that upon sale, the Company recovers a higher percentage of its modular equipment cost than previously estimated. The Company’s proactive repair and maintenance program is a key factor contributing to the high recovery of its equipment’s cost upon sale. If this residual value change was in effect for 2001, depreciation expense would have decreased $6,723,000 increasing net income $4,061,000, or $0.33 per diluted share.

 

The estimated useful lives and residual values of the Company’s rental equipment used for financial reporting purposes are as follows:

 

Relocatable modular buildings and accessories

  

3 to 18 years, 0% to 50% residual value

Electronic test instruments and accessories

  

2 to 8 years, no residual value

 

Costs of Rental Related Services

 

Costs of rental related services are primarily associated with relocatable modular building leases and consist of costs for services to be provided under the negotiated lease agreement for delivery, installation, modifications, skirting, additional site related work, and return delivery and dismantle. Costs related to these services are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

 

Impairment of Rental Equipment

 

Prior to 2002, the Company evaluated the carrying value of rental equipment in accordance with SFAS No. 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets”. Beginning in 2002, the evaluation was completed in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” which superceded SFAS No. 121. There was no significant impact resulting from the application of SFAS No. 144 when compared to the application under SFAS No. 121. Under SFAS No. 144, rental equipment is reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances have occurred that would indicate the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. A key element in determining the recoverability of the rental equipment’s carrying value is the Company’s outlook as to the future market conditions for its equipment. If the carrying amount is not fully recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized to reduce the carrying amount to fair value. The Company determines fair value based upon the condition of the equipment and the projected net cash flows from its sale considering current market conditions. Additionally, if the Company decides to sell or otherwise dispose of the rental equipment, it is classified as held for sale in “Rental Equipment, at cost:” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less costs to sell or dispose, and depreciation expense is no longer recorded. Impairment charges are separately captioned on the Consolidated Statements of Income within Direct Costs of Rental Operations.

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

In 2002, the Company’s RenTelco segment recorded noncash impairment charges of $24,083,000 resulting from the depressed and low projected demand for RenTelco’s rental products coupled with high inventory levels, especially communications equipment. RenTelco’s business activity levels are directly attributable to the severe and prolonged broad-based weakness in the telecommunications industry. RenTelco has limited visibility as to when the full recovery in this sector will occur. As of December 31, 2003, the net carrying value of RenTelco’s rental equipment was $16,457,000 of which $7,055,000 was communications equipment. There can be no assurance that future impairment charges on rental equipment will not occur.

 

Other Direct Costs of Rental Operations

 

Other direct costs of rental operations primarily relate to costs associated with modular operations and include direct labor, supplies, repairs, insurance, property taxes, and license fees. Other direct costs of rental operations also include certain modular lease costs charged to the customer in the negotiated rental rate, which are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

 

Cost of Sales

 

Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income includes the carrying value of the equipment sold and all direct costs associated with the sale.

 

Warranty Reserves

 

Sales of new relocatable modular buildings, electronic test equipment and related accessories not manufactured by the Company are typically covered by warranties provided by the manufacturer of the products sold. The Company provides limited 90-day warranties for certain sales of used rental equipment and a one-year warranty on equipment manufactured by Enviroplex. Although the Company’s policy is to provide reserves for warranties when required for specific circumstances, the Company has not found it necessary to establish such reserves to date as warranty costs have not been significant.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recognized on a straight-line basis for financial reporting purposes and on an accelerated basis for income tax purposes with no residual values. Depreciation expense is included in “Selling and Administrative” expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

 

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

 


(dollar amounts in thousands)

   Estimated
Useful Life
In Years

    

December 31,

 

      2003

    2002

 

Land

        $ 17,703     $ 17,703  

Land improvements

   20 – 50      21,640       21,640  

Buildings

   30      11,639       11,477  

Furniture, Office and Computer Equipment

   5 – 10      3,934       4,781  

Machinery and Service Equipment

   5 – 20      2,414       2,288  
         


 


            57,330       57,889  

Less Accumulated Depreciation

          (10,080 )     (9,510 )
         


 


          $ 47,250     $ 48,379  

 

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded based on the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities at the tax rates in effect when these differences are expected to reverse.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding of common stock and common stock equivalents for the period, including the dilutive effects of stock options and other potentially dilutive securities. Common stock equivalents result from dilutive stock options computed using the treasury stock method and the average share price for the reported period. The weighted average number of dilutive options outstanding at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 were 133,886, 150,267, and 263,054, respectively. Stock options to purchase 21,000 shares in 2003 and 17,000 shares in 2001 of the Company’s common stock were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the exercise price exceeded the average market price for that year and the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

 

Accounts Receivable and Concentration of Credit Risk

 

The Company’s accounts receivable consist of amounts due from customers for rentals, sales, financed sales and unbilled MMMC amounts for the portion of end-of-lease services earned, which were negotiated as part of the lease agreement. The Company sells primarily on 30-day terms, individually performs credit evaluation procedures on its customers on each transaction and will require security deposits or personal guarantees from its customers when a significant credit risk is identified. The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts by charging operations in amounts equal to the estimated losses expected to be incurred in the collection of the accounts. The estimated losses are based on historical collection experience in conjunction with an evaluation of the current status of the existing accounts. Customer accounts are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when an account is determined to be uncollectable. In 2003 and 2002, write-offs incurred were primarily related to RenTelco’s receivables, attributed to the severe and prolonged broad-based weakness in the telecommunications industry. The allowance for doubtful accounts activity was as follows:

 


 
(in thousands)    2003

    2002

 

Beginning Balance, January 1

   $ 1,000     $ 1,250  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     365       1,333  

Write-offs, net of recoveries

     (715 )     (1,583 )
    


 


Ending Balance, December 31

   $ 650     $ 1,000  

 

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts receivable. A significant portion of the Company’s total revenues is derived from the educational market. Within the educational market, modular rentals and sales to California public school districts comprised approximately 41%, 40% and 34% of the Company’s consolidated rental and sales revenues for 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, with no one customer accounting for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues in any single year. A lack of fiscal funding or a significant reduction of funding from the State of California to public schools could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The Company believes that the carrying amounts for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and notes payable approximate their fair value except for fixed rate debt included in notes payable which have an estimated fair value of $16,617,000 and $25,320,000 compared to the recorded value of $16,000,000 and $24,000,000 as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The estimates of fair value of the

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Company’s fixed rate debt are based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities.

 

Stock Options

 

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation plans in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” under which compensation cost is recorded as the difference between the fair value and the exercise price at the date of grant, and is recorded on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the underlying options. The Company has adopted the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation”. No compensation expense has been recognized in the accompanying financial statements as the option terms are fixed and the exercise price equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant for all options granted by the Company.

 

Had compensation cost for the stock-based compensation plans been determined based upon the fair value at grant dates for awards under those plans consistent with the method prescribed by SFAS No. 123, net income would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

 


(in thousands, except per share amounts)    Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Net Income, as reported

   $ 22,692     $ 12,633     $ 26,678  

Pro Forma Compensation Charge

     (531 )     (633 )     (584 )
    


 


 


Pro Forma Net Income

   $ 22,161     $ 12,000     $ 26,094  
    


 


 


Earnings Per Share:

                        

Basic—as reported

   $ 1.87     $ 1.01     $ 2.18  

Basic—pro forma

     1.83       0.96       2.13  

Diluted—as reported

     1.85       1.00       2.14  

Diluted—pro forma

     1.81       0.95       2.09  

 

 

The fair value of each option granted was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions:

 


     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Risk-free interest rates

   3.6 %   3.8 %   5.0 %

Expected dividend yields

   3.1 %   3.1 %   1.7 %

Expected volatility

   34.6 %   36.7 %   36.0 %

Expected option life (in years)

   7.5     7.5     7.5  

 

 

The weighted average fair value of grants at grant dates were $7.31, $7.17 and $8.31 during the year ended 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill and intangible assets are reviewed annually for impairment and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. These assets are assessed for impairment based on estimated undiscounted future cash flows from these assets. If the carrying value of the assets exceeds the estimated future undiscounted cash flows, a loss is recorded for the excess of the asset’s carrying value over the fair value. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, goodwill is no longer being amortized.

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions in determining reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each period presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant estimates included in the financial statements are the future cash flows and fair values used to determine the recoverability of the rental equipment’s carrying value, the various assets’ useful lives and residual values, and the allowance for doubtful accounts.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

 

NOTE 3.   FINANCED LEASE RECEIVABLES

 

The Company has entered into sales type leases to finance equipment sales. The lease agreements have a bargain purchase option at the end of the lease term. The minimum lease payments receivable and the net investment included in accounts receivable for such leases are as follows:

 


(in thousands)    December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

 

Gross minimum lease payments receivable

   $ 3,016     $ 3,295  

Less—unearned interest

     (568 )     (682 )
    


 


Net investment in sales type lease receivables

     $2,448       $2,613  

 

 

As of December 31, 2003, the future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable leases to be received in 2004 and thereafter are as follows:

 


(in thousands)     

Year Ended December 31,

      

2004

   $ 1,734

2005

     644

2006

     399

2007

     166

2008

     47

2009 and thereafter

     26
    

Total minimum future lease payments

     $3,016

 

NOTE 4.   NOTES PAYABLE

 

Notes Payable consist of the following:

 


(in thousands)    December 31,

     2003

   2002

Senior Notes

   $ 16,000    $ 24,000

Unsecured Revolving Lines of Credit

     31,266      31,523
    

  

       $47,266      $55,523

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

On July 31, 1998, the Company completed a private placement of $40,000,000 of 6.44% Senior Notes due in 2005. Interest on the notes is due semi-annually in arrears and the principal is due in 5 equal installments commencing on July 15, 2001. Among other restrictions, the agreement requires (i) the Company to maintain a minimum net worth of $80,000,000 plus 25% of all net income generated subsequent to June 30, 1998, less an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,000,000 paid by the Company to repurchase its common stock after June 30, 1998, (restricted equity at December 31, 2003 was $97,059,367), (ii) a fixed coverage charge of not less than 2.0 to 1.0, (iii) a rolling fixed charges coverage ratio of not less than 1.5 to 1.0, and (iv) senior debt not to exceed 275% of consolidated net worth and consolidated total debt not to exceed 300% of consolidated net worth. As of December 31, 2003, the Company was in compliance with all covenants related to these notes.

 

The Company has an unsecured line of credit agreement (the “Agreement”) expiring June 30, 2004 that permits it to borrow up to $120,000,000. The Agreement requires the Company to pay interest at prime or, at the Company’s election, at other rate options available under the Agreement. In addition, the Company pays a commitment fee on the daily average unused portion of the available line. Among other restrictions, the Agreement requires (i) the Company to maintain shareholders’ equity of not less than $100,000,000 plus 50% of all net income generated subsequent to June 30, 2001 plus 90% of any new stock issuance proceeds (restricted equity at December 31, 2003 was $128,226,626), (ii) a debt-to-equity ratio (excluding deferred income taxes) of not more than 3 to 1, (iii) interest coverage (income from operations compared to interest expense) of not less than 2 to 1 and (iv) debt service coverage (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization compared to the following year’s principal payments plus the most recent twelve months interest expense) of not less than 1.15 to 1. As of December 31, 2003, the Company was in compliance with all covenants related to this Agreement. In addition to the $120,000,000 unsecured line of credit, the Company has a $5,000,000 revolving line of credit (at prime rate) related to its cash management services which will expire on June 30, 2004. At December 31, 2003, the Company has capacity to borrow up to an additional $93,734,000 under existing bank lines of credit.

 

The following information relates to the lines of credit for each of the following periods:

 


(dollar amounts in thousands)      Year Ended December 31,

 
       2003

       2002

 

Maximum amount outstanding

     $ 48,866        $ 72,140  

Average amount outstanding

     $ 36,423        $ 55,137  

Weighted average interest rate, during the period

       3.28 %        3.57 %

Weighted average interest rate, end of period

       2.38 %        2.72 %

Prime interest rate, end of period

       4.00 %        4.25 %

 

 

NOTE 5.   INCOME TAXES

 

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

 


(in thousands)    Year Ended December 31,

     2003   2002   2001

Current

   $ 5,480   $ 6,236   $ 12,475

Deferred

     9,698     2,223     5,332
    

 

 

       $15,178     $8,459     $17,807

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:

 


       Year Ended December 31,

 
       2003

    2002

    2001

 

Federal statutory rate

     35.00 %   35.00 %   35.00 %

State taxes, net of federal benefit

     5.33     5.19     5.23  

Other

     (0.43 )   (0.39 )   (0.63 )
      

 

 

       39.90 %   39.80 %   39.60 %

 

 

The following table shows the deferred income taxes related to the temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and the respective amounts included in “Deferred Income Taxes, net” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 


(in thousands)    December 31,

     2003

   2002

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

             

Accelerated Depreciation

   $ 80,537    $ 71,205

Prepaid Costs Currently Deductible

     3,150      2,307

Other

     2,175      717
    

  

Total Deferred Tax Liabilities

     85,862      74,229

Deferred Tax Assets:

             

Accrued Costs Not Yet Deductible

     4,131      4,237

Deferred Revenues

     2,411      1,331

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

     262      402
    

  

Total Deferred Tax Assets

     6,804      5,970
    

  

Deferred Income Taxes, net

   $ 79,058    $ 68,259

 

In 2003 and 2002, the Company obtained a tax benefit of $360,000 and $950,000, respectively, primarily from the early disposition of stock obtained through the exercise of incentive stock options by employees. The tax benefit was recorded as common stock in conjunction with the proceeds received from the exercise of the stock options.

 

NOTE 6.   BENEFIT PLANS

 

Stock Option Plans

 

McGrath RentCorp adopted a 1998 Stock Option Plan (the “1998 Plan”), effective March 9, 1998, as amended, under which 2,000,000 shares are reserved for the grant of options to purchase common stock to directors, officers, key employees and advisors of McGrath RentCorp. The plan provides for the award of options at a price not less than the fair market value of the stock as determined by the Board of Directors on the date the options are granted. As of December 31, 2003, 914,000 options have been granted with exercise prices ranging from $15.63 to $28.28, options have been exercised for the purchase of 220,205 shares, options for 128,975 shares have been terminated, and options for 564,820 remain outstanding under the 1998 Plan. Most of these options vest over 5 years and expire 10 years after grant. To date, no options have been issued to any of McGrath RentCorp’s advisors. As of December 31, 2003, 1,214,975 options remained available to issue under the 1998 plan.

 

McGrath RentCorp adopted a 1987 Incentive Stock Option Plan (the “1987 Plan”), effective December 14, 1987, under which options to purchase common stock may be granted to officers and key employees of McGrath RentCorp. The plan provides for the award of options at a price not less than the fair market value of the stock as determined by the Board of Directors on the date the options are granted. The options vest over 9.3 years and expire 10 years after grant. The 1987 Plan expired in December 1997 and no

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

further options can be issued under this plan. As of December 31, 2003, options for 35,920 shares with an exercise price of $10.75 per share remain outstanding.

 

Option activity and options exercisable including the weighted average exercise price for the three years ended December 31, 2003 are as follows:

 


    Year Ended December 31,

    2003

  2002

  2001

    Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price


  Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price


  Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price


Options outstanding at January 1,

  491,598     $ 18.73   628,493     $ 17.64   659,610     $ 15.87

Options granted during the year

  206,000       23.95   79,000       22.52   96,500       19.55

Options exercised during the year

  (96,858 )     17.71   (148,015 )     17.15   (119,117 )     10.17

Options terminated during the year

  —         —     (67,880 )     16.45   (8,500 )     20.25
   

       

       

     

Options outstanding at December 31,

  600,740       20.68   491,598       18.73   628,493       17.64
   

       

       

     

Options exercisable at December 31,

  224,355       19.16   214,003       18.67   234,458       17.67
   

       

       

     

 

The following table indicates the options outstanding and options exercisable by exercise price with the weighted average remaining contractual life for the options outstanding and the weighted average exercise price at December 31, 2003:

 


    Options Outstanding

  Options Exercisable

Exercise Price

 

Number

Outstanding

at 12/31/03


 

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life (Years)


 

Weighted

Average
Exercise
Price


 

Number

Exercisable

at 12/31/03


 

Weighted

Average

Exercise
Price


$10 – 15   35,920   2.50   $ 10.75   20,935   $ 10.75
15 – 20   208,570   6.61     18.14   103,570     18.22
20 – 25   323,250   8.26     22.77   87,850     21.40
25 – 30   33,000   9.16     27.09   12,000     25.55
   
           
     
$10 – 30   600,740   7.39     20.68   224,355     19.16

 

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

 

In 1985, McGrath RentCorp established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Under the terms of the plan, as amended, McGrath RentCorp makes annual contributions in the form of cash or common stock of McGrath RentCorp to a trust for the benefit of eligible employees. The amount of the contribution is determined annually by the Board of Directors. Cash contributions of $750,000 for 2003 and $400,000 for 2002 and 2001 were approved and expensed.

 

Long Term Bonus Plans

 

In 1991, the Board of Directors adopted a Long-Term Stock Bonus Plan (the “1990 LTB Plan”) under which shares of common stock may be granted to officers and key employees. The stock bonuses granted under the 1990 LTB Plan are evidenced by written Stock Bonus Agreements covering specified performance periods. The 1990 LTB Plan provides for the grant of stock bonuses upon achievement of certain financial goals during a specified period. Stock bonuses earned under the 1990 LTB Plan vest over four years

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

from the grant date contingent on the employee’s continued employment with the Company. As of December 31, 2003, 210,243 shares of common stock had been granted, of which 206,563 shares are vested. The 1990 LTB Plan expired in December 1999 and no further grants of common stock can occur under the 1990 LTB Plan. In 2000, the Board of Directors adopted a Long-Term Stock Bonus Plan (the “2000 LTB Plan”) under which 400,000 shares of common stock are reserved for grant to officers and key employees. The terms of the 2000 LTB Plan are the same as the 1990 Plan described above. Estimated future grants of 30,954 shares of common stock are authorized by the Board of Directors to be issued under the 2000 LTB Plan in the event the Company reaches its highest level of achievement. As of December 31, 2003, no shares of common stock had yet been granted or vested under the 2000 LTB Plan. Compensation expense for 2003, 2002 and 2001 under the plans was $112,000, $37,000 and $551,000, respectively, and is based on a combination of the anticipated number of shares to be granted, the amount of vested shares previously issued and fluctuations in market price of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the unvested shares were 3,680, 11,248 and 25,512, respectively, with the related weighted average grant-date fair value of these unvested shares of $32.65, $25.02 and $23.13 per share, respectively.

 

401(k) Plans

 

In 1995, McGrath RentCorp established a contributory retirement plan, the McGrath RentCorp 401(k) Plan, as amended, covering eligible employees of McGrath RentCorp with at least three months of service. The McGrath RentCorp 401(k) Plan provides that each participant may annually contribute an elected percentage of his or her salary, not to exceed the statutory limit. McGrath RentCorp, at its discretion, may make matching contributions; however, no contributions have been made to date under this plan.

 

In 1997, Enviroplex established a contributory retirement plan, the Enviroplex 401(k) Plan, as amended, covering eligible employees of Enviroplex with at least three months of service. The Enviroplex 401(k) Plan provides that each participant may annually contribute an elected percentage of his or her salary, not to exceed the statutory limit. Enviroplex at its discretion may make a matching contribution. Enviroplex made contributions of $26,000, $32,000, and $40,000 in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

 

NOTE 7.   SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

On July 2, 2001, McGrath RentCorp entered into a Stock Exchange Agreement with the minority shareholders of Enviroplex to increase its ownership in Enviroplex from 73% to 81%. McGrath RentCorp exchanged 85,366 shares of its common stock for 8% of Enviroplex. The transaction was recorded using purchase accounting and was valued at $2,061,000 based on McGrath RentCorp’s closing price of $24.14 per share on June 29, 2001, the last trading day immediately preceding the effective date of the transaction. Prior to the transaction, the cost basis of Enviroplex’s assets and liabilities approximated the fair value of those assets and liabilities. The excess paid over fair value of $1,065,000 was allocated to intangible assets of $88,000, which were amortized in full during the remainder of 2001, and goodwill of $977,000. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, goodwill is not being amortized and is evaluated for impairment annually. The Company does not have any other goodwill or intangible assets.

 

From time to time, the Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock. These purchases are to be made in the over-the-counter market and/or through large block transactions at such repurchase price as the officers shall deem appropriate and desirable on behalf of the Company. All shares repurchased by the Company are to be canceled and returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of common stock. During 2003, the Company repurchased 464,627 shares of common stock for an aggregate repurchase price of $10,254,000 or an average price of $22.07 per share. During 2001 and 2002, there were no repurchases of common stock. As of December 31, 2003, 1,000,000 shares remain authorized for repurchase.

 

NOTE 8.   CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is involved in various lawsuits and routine claims arising out of the normal course of its business. The Company maintains insurance coverage for its operations and employees with appropriate aggregate, per occurrence and deductible limits as the Company reasonably determines necessary or prudent with current operations and historical experience. The major policies include coverage for property, general liability, auto, directors and officers, health, and workers’ compensation insurances. In the opinion of

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

management, the ultimate amount of liability not covered by insurance, if any, under any pending litigation and claims, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or operating results of the Company.

 

NOTE 9.   TERMINATED MERGER AGREEMENT

 

On July 1, 2002, McGrath RentCorp exercised its right to terminate the merger agreement, dated as of December 20, 2001, between McGrath RentCorp and Tyco Acquisition Corp. 33 (“Tyco”), a subsidiary of Tyco International Ltd. In August 2002, Tyco paid $1.25 million to McGrath RentCorp as reimbursement of certain costs and expenses incurred in connection with the proposed merger. In connection with the payment, McGrath RentCorp and Tyco have agreed that neither of them will have any claims against the other or their affiliates in connection with the merger agreement. The $1.25 million payment was recorded in “Other” revenues, merger-related costs of $593,000 in 2002 and $1,893,000 in 2001, are included in “Selling and Administrative” expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

NOTE 10.   BUSINESS SEGMENTS

 

The Company defines its business segments based on the nature of operations for the purpose of reporting under SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” The Company’s three reportable segments are MMMC (Modulars), RenTelco (Electronics), and Enviroplex. The operations of each of these segments are described in Note 1. Organization and Business, and the accounting policies of the segments are described in Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies. The Corporate segment in the table below is for merger related items and gain on land sales both of which were not specifically allocated to a reportable segment. As a separate corporate entity, Enviroplex revenues and expenses are separately maintained from Modulars and Electronics. Excluding interest expense, allocations of revenues and expenses not directly associated with Modulars or Electronics are generally allocated to these segments based on their pro-rata share of direct revenues. Interest expense is allocated between Modulars and Electronics based on their pro-rata share of average rental equipment, accounts receivable, deferred income and customer security deposits. The Company does not report total assets by business segment. Summarized financial information for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 for the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table:

 


SEGMENT DATA    Modulars

    Electronics

    Enviroplex

    Corporate1

   Consolidated

(in thousands)                            

Year Ended December 31,


                           

2003

                                     

Rental Revenues

   $ 63,948     $ 12,730     $ —       $ —      $ 76,678

Rental Related Services Revenues

     16,203       543       —          —        16,746

Sales and Other Revenues

     18,973       7,567       11,007       —        37,547

Total Revenues

     99,124       20,840       11,007       —        130,971

Depreciation of Rental Equipment

     7,377       5,368       —         —        12,745

Impairment of Rental Equipment

     —         —         —         —        —  

Interest Expense (Income) Allocation

     2,505       343       (180 )     —        2,668

Income before Provision for Income Taxes

     33,357       3,290       1,393       —        38,040

Rental Equipment Acquisitions

     27,637       4,790       —         —        32,427

Accounts Receivable, net (period end)

     26,616       3,664       1,919       —        32,199

Rental Equipment, at cost (period end)

     304,905       34,448       —         —        339,353

Rental Equipment, net book value (period end)

     215,589       16,457       —         —        232,046

Utilization (period end)4

     84.6 %     45.2 %                     

Average Utilization4

     84.2 %     45.3 %                     

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 


SEGMENT DATA (Continued)    Modulars

    Electronics

    Enviroplex

    Corporate1

    Consolidated

(in thousands)                             

Year Ended December 31,


                            

2002

                                      

Rental Revenues

   $ 66,214     $ 15,777     $ —       $ —       $ 81,991

Rental Related Services Revenues

     16,936       561       —         —         17,497

Sales and Other Revenues2

     20,802       10,153       12,488       2,155       45,598

Total Revenues

     103,952       26,491       12,488       2,155       145,086

Depreciation of Rental Equipment

     7,169       8,623       —         —         15,792

Impairment of Rental Equipment

     —         24,083       —         —         24,083

Interest Expense (Income) Allocation

     3,451       749       (218 )     —         3,982

Income (Loss) before Provision for Income Taxes3

     40,412       (22,023 )     1,302       1,562       21,253

Rental Equipment Acquisitions

     15,895       3,023       —         —         18,918

Accounts Receivable, net (period end)

     27,368       3,896       1,985       —         33,249

Rental Equipment, at cost (period end)

     285,901       39,786       —         —         325,687

Rental Equipment, net book value (period end)

     200,593       21,306       —         —         221,899

Utilization (period end)4

     85.2 %     41.6  %                      

Average Utilization4

     85.9 %     38.2  %                      

2001

                                      

Rental Revenues

   $ 63,542     $ 37,180     $ —       $ —       $ 100,722

Rental Related Services Revenues

     17,117       710       —         —         17,827

Sales and Other Revenues

     16,402       9,450       14,993       —         40,845

Total Revenues

     97,061       47,340       14,993       —         159,394

Depreciation of Rental Equipment

     13,489       13,781       —         —         27,270

Impairment of Rental Equipment

     —         —         —         —         —  

Interest Expense (Income) Allocation

     5,321       2,135       (378 )     —         7,078

Income (Loss) before Provision for Income Taxes3

     28,216       15,963       2,681       (1,893 )     44,967

Rental Equipment Acquisitions

     30,323       16,554       —         —         46,877

Accounts Receivable, net (period end)

     22,969       8,957       4,970       —         36,896

Rental Equipment, at cost (period end)

     281,203       95,419       —         —         376,622

Rental Equipment, net book value (period end)

     197,764       57,758       —         —         255,522

Utilization (period end)4

     86.2 %     34.4  %                      

Average Utilization4

     85.4 %     50.4  %                      

1   Corporate includes the impact of nonrecurring merger related items in 2002 and 2001 and the gain on land sales in 2002, which are not allocated to a specific segment.
2   For 2002, Corporate Sales and Other Revenues includes a $1,250,000 nonrecurring reimbursement of merger related costs and expenses and $905,000 gain on land sales.
3   In addition to the items in Note 2 above, Corporate Income before Provision for Income Taxes for 2002 and 2001 also includes nonrecurring merger related costs and expenses of $593,000 and $1,893,000, respectively.
4   Utilization is calculated each month by dividing the cost of rental equipment on rent by the total cost of rental equipment excluding new equipment inventory and accessory equipment. The average utilization for the period is calculated using the average costs of rental equipment.

 

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MCGRATH RENTCORP

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NOTE 11.   QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (unaudited)

 

Quarterly financial information for each of the two years ended December 31, 2003 is summarized below:

 


(in thousands, except per share amounts)    2003

     First

    Second

    Third

   Fourth

   Year

Operations Data

                                    

Rental revenues

   $ 18,441     $ 18,219     $ 19,592    $ 20,426    $ 76,678

Total revenues

     27,461       31,584       34,855      37,071      130,971

Gross margin

     14,088       14,575       16,521      18,150      63,334

Income from operations

     8,748       8,665       10,898      12,397      40,708

Income before income taxes

     8,058       7,917       10,251      11,814      38,040

Net income

     4,889       4,718       6,066      7,019      22,692

Earnings per share:

                                    

Basic

   $ 0.40     $ 0.39     $ 0.50    $ 0.58    $ 1.87

Diluted

   $ 0.40     $ 0.39     $ 0.50    $ 0.57    $ 1.85

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.20     $ 0.20     $ 0.20    $ 0.20    $ 0.80

Shares used in per share calculations:

                                    

Basic

     12,261       12,039       12,080      12,119      12,125

Diluted

     12,350       12,169       12,242      12,274      12,259

Balance Sheet Data

                                    

Rental equipment, net

   $ 220,159     $ 224,667     $ 232,443    $ 232,046    $ 232,046

Total assets

     304,773       312,859       337,087      323,858      323,858

Notes payable

     58,698       58,173       55,961      47,266      47,266

Shareholders’ equity

     131,383       133,967       138,684      143,978      143,978
     2002

     First

    Second

    Third

   Fourth

   Year

Operations Data

                                    

Rental revenues

   $ 21,292     $ 20,658     $ 20,202    $ 19,839    $ 81,991

Total revenues

     31,764       36,476       41,950      34,896      145,086

Gross margin

     3,079       5,271       20,406      18,578      47,334

Income (loss) from operations

     (2,900 )     (769 )     15,322      13,582      25,235

Income (loss) before income taxes

     (4,047 )     (1,846 )     14,371      12,775      21,253

Net income (loss)

     (2,366 )     (1,205 )     8,493      7,711      12,633

Earnings (loss) per share:

                                    

Basic

   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 0.68    $ 0.62    $ 1.01

Diluted

   $ (0.19 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 0.68    $ 0.61    $ 1.00

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.16     $ 0.18     $ 0.18    $ 0.18    $ 0.70

Shares used in per share calculations:

                                    

Basic

     12,427       12,475       12,483      12,488      12,468

Diluted

     12,674       12,648       12,556      12,572      12,619

Balance Sheet Data

                                    

Rental equipment, net

   $ 241,870     $ 228,199     $ 225,322    $ 221,899    $ 221,899

Total assets

     336,273       324,117       327,956      313,134      313,134

Notes payable

     92,257       88,848       72,698      55,523      55,523

Shareholders’ equity

     131,766       128,419       132,469      139,019      139,019

 

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ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

 

On July 9, 2002, the Board of Directors of the Company determined in consultation with and recommendation of its Audit Committee, to appoint Grant Thornton LLP to serve as the Company’s independent public accountants, replacing Arthur Andersen LLP (“Andersen”). The Company dismissed Andersen on the same date. This determination followed the Company’s decision to seek proposals from independent public accounts to audit the financial statements of the Company.

 

The audit reports of Andersen on the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 did not contain an adverse or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles.

 

For the two years ended December 31, 2001 and through July 9, 2002, there were no disagreements between the Company and Andersen on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if not resolved to Andersen’s satisfaction, would have caused Andersen to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its reports on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for such years.

 

None of the reportable events described under Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K occurred during the Company’s two years ended December 31, 2001, or through July 9, 2002.

 

The Company provided Andersen a copy of the foregoing disclosures. While the Company had received no information from Andersen that Andersen had a basis for disagreement with such statements, the Company was informed that, in light of recent developments at Andersen at that time, Andersen had ceased providing written representations concerning changes in a registrant’s certifying accountant.

 

For the two years ended December 31, 2001 and through July 9, 2002, the Company did not consult Grant Thornton LLP with respect to any of the matters set forth in Item 304(a)(2)(i) and (ii) of Regulation S-K.

 

ITEM 9A.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

The Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2003. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART III

 

ITEM 10.   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to McGrath RentCorp’s definitive Proxy Statement with respect to its Annual Shareholders’ Meeting to be held June 2, 2004, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by not later than April 29, 2004.

 

ITEM 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to McGrath RentCorp’s definitive Proxy Statement with respect to its Annual Shareholders’ Meeting to be held June 2, 2004, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by not later than April 29, 2004.

 

ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to McGrath RentCorp’s definitive Proxy Statement with respect to its Annual Shareholders’ Meeting to be held June 2, 2004, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by not later than April 29, 2004.

 

ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to McGrath RentCorp’s definitive Proxy Statement with respect to its Annual Shareholders’ Meeting to be held June 2, 2004, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by not later than April 29, 2004.

 

ITEM 14.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to McGrath RentCorp’s definitive Proxy Statement with respect to its Annual Shareholders’ Meeting to be held June 2, 2004, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by not later than April 29, 2004.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS,   FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

 

(a)

   Index of documents filed as part of this report:     
       1.   The following Consolidated Financial Statements of McGrath RentCorp are included in Item 8.
              Page of this report

        Report of Independent Public Accountants dated February 6, 2004    23
        Prior Report of Independent Public Accountants dated February 8, 2002    24
       Consolidated Financial Statements     
        

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002

   25
        

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   26
        

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   27
        

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

   28
        

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   29
       2.   Financial Statement Schedules. None     
       3.   Exhibits. See Index of Exhibits on page 46 of this report.     

(b)

   Reports on Form 8-K.     
     The Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on October 30, 2003 regarding the 3rd Quarter 2003 earnings
press release.

 

Schedules and exhibits required by Article 5 of Regulation S-X other than those listed are omitted because they are not required, are not applicable, or equivalent information has been included in the consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, or elsewhere herein.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date:  March 8, 2004

  MCGRATH RENTCORP
   

by:

 

/s/    Dennis C. Kakures


       

DENNIS C. KAKURES

       

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates as indicated.

 

Name

  

Title


 

Date


        /s/    William J. Dawson


        WILLIAM J. DAWSON

  

Director

  March 8, 2004

        /s/    Robert C. Hood


        ROBERT C. HOOD

  

Director

  March 8, 2004

        /s/    Dennis C. Kakures


        DENNIS C. KAKURES

  

Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)

  March 8, 2004

        /s/    Joan M. McGrath


        JOAN M. McGRATH

  

Director

  March 8, 2004

        /s/    Robert P. McGrath


        ROBERT P. McGRATH

  

Chairman of the Board

  March 8, 2004

        /s/    Thomas J. Sauer


        THOMAS J. SAUER

  

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

  March 8, 2004

        /s/    Dennis P. Stradford


        DENNIS P. STRADFORD

  

Director

  March 8, 2004

        /s/    Ronald H. Zech


        RONALD H. ZECH

  

Director

  March 8, 2004

 

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McGRATH RENTCORP

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Number


  

Description


  

Method of Filing


3.1

   Articles of Incorporation of McGrath RentCorp    Filed as exhibit 19.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1988 (filed August 14, 1988), and incorporated herein by reference.

3.1.1

   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of McGrath RentCorp    Filed as exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (filed March 28, 1991 Registration No. 33-39633), and incorporated herein by reference.

3.1.2

   Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of McGrath RentCorp    Filed as exhibit 3.1.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 (filed March 31, 1998), incorporated herein by reference.

3.2

   Amended and Restated By-Laws of McGrath RentCorp, as amended and restated on April 1, 2003    Filed as exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 (filed April 30, 2003), incorporated herein by reference.

4.1

   Note Purchase Agreement    Filed as exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998 (filed November 12, 1998), and incorporated herein by reference.

4.1.1

   Schedule of Notes with Sample Note    Filed as exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998 (filed August 11, 1998), and incorporated herein by reference.

4.2

   Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement June 2001    Filed as exhibit 4.1 to the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001 (filed August 8, 2001), and incorporated herein by reference.

4.3

   $5,000,000 Committed Credit Facility June 2001    Filed as exhibit 4.2 to the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001 (filed August 8, 2001), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.1

   McGrath RentCorp 1987 Incentive Stock Option Plan    Filed as exhibit 19.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1988 (filed August 14, 1988), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.1.1

   Exemplar Form of the Incentive Stock Option Agreement    Filed as exhibit 19.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1988 (filed August 14, 1988), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.2

   McGrath RentCorp 1998 Stock Option Plan as amended and restated on November 22, 2002    Filed as exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (filed March 20, 2003), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.2.1

   Exemplar Incentive Stock Option for Employees Under the 1998 Stock Option Plan    Filed as exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998 (filed November 12, 1998), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.2.2

   Exemplar Non-Qualified Stock Option for Directors under the 1998 Stock Option Plan    Filed as exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998 (filed November 12, 1998), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.3

   Exemplar Form of the Directors, Officers and Other Agents Indemnification Agreements    Filed as exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (filed March 18, 2002), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.4

   Long-Term Stock Bonus Plan    Filed as exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990 (filed March 28, 1991), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.4.1

   Exemplar Long-Term Stock Bonus Agreement under Long-Term Stock Bonus Plan    Filed as exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990 (filed March 28, 1991), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.5

   2000 Long-Term Stock Bonus Plan    Filed as exhibit 10.4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 (filed March 30, 2001), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.5.1

   Exemplar Long-Term Stock Bonus Agreement under 2000 Long-Term Stock Bonus Plan utilized for the 2000-2002 Programs    Filed as exhibit 10.4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 (filed March 30, 2001), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.5.2

   Exemplar Long-Term Stock Bonus Agreement under 2000 Long-Term Stock Bonus Plan utilized for Programs starting in 2001    Filed as exhibit 10.5.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (filed March 18, 2002), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.6

   Enviroplex Stock Exchange Agreement dated June 2, 2001, by and between McGrath RentCorp, Joe G. Sublett and Donald M. Curtis    Filed as exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 (filed March 18, 2002), and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Number


  

Description


  

Method of Filing


10.10

   McGrath RentCorp Employee Stock Ownership Plan, as amended and restated on September 12, 2003    Filed as exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 (filed October 30, 2003), and incorporated herein by reference.

10.11

   McGrath RentCorp Employee Stock Ownership Trust Agreement, as amended and restated on September 12, 2003    Filed as exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 (filed October 30, 2003), and incorporated herein by reference.

16

   Change in Certifying Accountant    Filed as the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (filed July 15, 2002), and incorporated herein by reference.

21.1

   List of Subsidiaries    Filed herewith.

23

   Written Consent of Grant Thornton LLP    Filed herewith.

31.1

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    Filed herewith.

31.2

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    Filed herewith.

32.1

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    Filed herewith.

32.2

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    Filed herewith.

 

See the Investor Relations section of Corporate Information at http://www.mgrc.com for the Company’s most recent SEC filings, which are available as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes such material to, the SEC. Furthermore, all reports the Company files with the SEC are available free of charge via EDGAR through the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, the public may read and copy materials filed by the Company at the SEC’s public reference room located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may also obtain additional information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

47