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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
| For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 |
Commission
File
No.:
1-13573-01
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1-13573
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INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC
FIBER FINANCE CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| DELAWARE | 91-1217136 |
| DELAWARE | 91-1851612 |
| (State
or
other
jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.) |
| 6400
Highway
66,
Klamath Falls, Oregon |
97601 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 541-884-2240
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class: | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered: |
| 9-5/8% Senior Notes | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during then 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 requirement for the past 90 days.
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to be the best of registrant’ knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to the Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes o No x
Documents incorporated by reference: None
INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC
FIBER FINANCE CORP.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC AND SUBSIDIARY
(dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted)
PART I
The business of Inland Fiber Group, LLC (formerly U.S. Timberlands Klamath Falls, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company formed in 1996 (the "Company"), consists of the growing of trees, the sale of logs and standing timber and the sale of timberland. The Company owns approximately 167,000 fee acres of timberland and cutting rights on approximately 68,000 acres of timberland (collectively, the "Timberlands") containing total merchantable timber volume estimated as of January 1, 2005 to be approximately 0.4 billion board feet ("BBF") in Oregon east of the Cascade Range. Logs harvested from the Timberlands are sold to unaffiliated domestic conversion facilities. These logs are processed for sale as lumber, plywood and other wood products, primarily for use in new residential home construction, home remodeling and repair and general industrial applications. The Company also owns and operates its own seed orchard and produces approximately four million conifer seedlings annually from its nursery, approximately 50% of which are used for its own internal reforestation programs, 20% are sold to affiliates, with the balance sold to other forest products companies.
The Timberlands' merchantable timber consists of Ponderosa Pine (approximately 46%) and Douglas Fir (approximately 19%), species which have historically commanded premium prices over other softwood species, with the balance consisting of Lodgepole Pine, White Fir and other softwood species. The Timberlands have stands of varying ages and are unique in the forests east of the Cascade Range in Oregon in that approximately 86,000 acres are actively managed tree farms (the "Plantations"). The Plantations were first established by Weyerhaeuser Company ("Weyerhaeuser") in the early 1960s and acreage has been planted each year since then. Currently, the Plantations contain age classes ranging generally from one to 44 years old. Initial thinning or harvesting of the Plantation stands is expected to begin within the next two years. The balance of the Timberlands is comprised of natural stands. For a more complete description of the Company's properties, see "Properties."
The Company does not currently own any conversion facilities nor does it presently intend to own any such facilities on a long-term basis; consequently the Company's log sales are made to unaffiliated third parties. There are currently more than 19 primary conversion facilities located within a 150-mile radius of the Company's Timberlands.
In August 1996, the Company and an affiliate acquired approximately 604,000 fee acres of timberland (the "Klamath Falls Timberlands"), containing an estimated merchantable timber volume of approximately 1.9 BBF and related assets from Weyerhaeuser (the "Weyerhaeuser Acquisition"). In November 1997, the affiliates portion of the Klamath Falls timberlands were transferred to the Company in a series of transactions. In July 1997, the Company acquired approximately 42,000 fee acres of timberland and cutting rights on approximately 3,000 acres of timberland (the "Ochoco Timberlands"), containing an estimated merchantable timber volume of approximately 280 million board feet ("MMBF") from Ochoco Lumber Company ("Ochoco")
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(the "Ochoco Acquisition"). At the date of acquisition, over 40% of the merchantable timber on the Ochoco Timberlands was at least 80 years old. As of December 31, 2000, the Company had harvested substantially all of the old growth timber on the Ochoco Timberlands. During the fourth quarter of 2002, the Company sold the Ochoco Timberlands to an affiliate. During October 1999, the first and second quarters of 2001, the third quarter of 2002 and the first quarter of 2003, the Company contributed primarily non-income producing, pre-merchantable pine plantation timberlands in exchange for an investment in the affiliate (see Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Notes 3 and 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). There were no contributions in 2004.
Formation of the CompanyOn November 19, 1997, U.S. Timberlands Company, LP (now known as Pacific Fiber Company, LP), a limited partnership (the MLP), acquired substantially all of the equity interests in the Company and completed its initial public offering (the "MLP Offering") of common units representing limited partner interests ("Common Units"). Upon the closing of the acquisition, U.S. Timberlands Services Company, LLC (now known as Timber Resource Services, LLC) became the Company's managing member (the Manager).
As a result of a series of transactions between the MLP and the Manager, the Company became the operating company for the MLP and the Manager owned an aggregate 2% interest in the MLP and the Company on a combined basis.
Concurrent with the closing of the MLP Offering, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, U.S. Timberlands Finance Corp. (Finance Corp., now known as Fiber Finance Corp.), consummated the public offering (the "Public Note Offering") of $225.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9-5/8% unsecured senior notes due 2007 (the "Notes). See Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation, was formed on August 18, 1997, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Finance Corp serves as the co-obligor for the Notes. It has nominal assets and does not conduct any operations. Accordingly, a discussion of operations, liquidity and capital resources of Finance Corp. is not presented.
On October 17, 2002, the MLP announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by an acquisition company formed by a group led by senior management (the Privatization Transaction). The definitive agreement contemplated a cash tender offer for 100% of the outstanding Common Units not already owned by the acquiring entity or its affiliates for $3.00 per unit in cash, followed by a merger of the acquisition company with and into the MLP, pursuant to which each Common Unit not already owned by the acquiring entity or its affiliates would be converted into the right to receive $3.00 per unit in cash. The tender offer commenced on November 19, 2002 and was completed on March 6, 2003. In connection with the tender offer, approximately 71% of the Companys Common Units were tendered. The remaining Common Units held by non-affiliates that were not purchased in the tender offer were
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converted into the right to receive $3.00 per Common Unit, in the merger that was completed on June 26, 2003.
Subsequent to the Privatization Transaction, the interests in the Company originally held by the MLP were transferred in a series of transactions to a newly formed limited liability company, IFG Holdings, LLC. IFG Holdings, LLC is 99% owned by American Forest Resources, LLC (formerly known as U.S. Timberlands Yakima, LLC), in which the Company holds a preferred equity interest. As part of this reorganization of the ownership structure of the Company, a Board of Directors was formed for the Company to supervise its operations and a new management arrangement was established under which the Manager provides comprehensive timber management services to the Company pursuant to a fee-based management agreement.
Company Structure and ManagementIFG Holdings, LLC owns a 98.9899% member interest in the Company and the Manager owns a 1.0101% non-voting member interest in the Company.
The Company's operations are managed by the Manager. Until September 1, 2003, the Manager did not receive any management fee or other compensation in connection with its management of the Company, but was reimbursed for all direct and indirect expenses incurred on behalf of the Company (including wages and salaries of employees, officers and directors of the Manager) and all other necessary or appropriate expenses allocable to the Company or otherwise reasonably incurred by the Manager in connection with the operation of the Company's business. Expenses reimbursed to the Manager totaled $2,083 for the eight months ended August 31, 2003.
Effective September 1, 2003, the Company entered into a new management agreement with the Manager. The management agreement replaced the prior arrangement under which the Company reimbursed the Manager for expenses incurred on the Companys behalf, as described in the preceding paragraph. The management agreement provides for an annual fee of 2% of the agreed upon valuation of total timber and timberland assets under management, payable monthly and is comparable to other management agreements used in the industry where the manager receives a monthly fee based upon assets under management. In addition, the Company established its own Board of Directors to supervise the management of the Company. Management fees incurred by the Company totaled $1,338 for the four months ended December 31, 2003 and $4,014 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004. Expenses not covered under the management agreement totaling $108 for the four months ended December 31, 2004, and $290 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 were reimbursed to the Manager.
Conflicts of interest may arise between the Company and its affiliates, including conflicts relating to the purchase and sale of timber and/or timber deeds. The Companys audit committee (the "Audit Committee"), consisting of three independent members of its Board of Directors, is available at the Board's discretion to review matters involving conflicts of interest.
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 6400 Highway 66, Klamath Falls, Oregon, 97601. The telephone number at such offices is (541) 884-2240.
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The Timberlands
Timber Growth
Timber growth rates reflect timberland productivity and the rate of return on a timber investment. Growth rate is an important factor in determining when to harvest timber and the harvest potential of timberlands over the long term. Merchantable timber is economically mature for harvesting when its current growth rate falls below the desired rate of return on the investment in the standing trees. The average growth rate from regeneration to economic maturity measures the capacity of the land for timber production. The Company's older and natural stands on the Timberlands that are expected to provide the near term harvest have a current average growth rate of approximately 150 board feet per acre per annum. The younger plantations, that presently have less merchantable volume, are growing at a rate that is expected to average at least 315 board feet per acre per annum to economic maturity in 50 to 60 years.
This growth rate is based on calculated volumes at the time of maturity. The Company has achieved higher growth rates on the Plantations by planting high quality seedlings, by eliminating competing non-timber growth from the Timberlands and by applying modern forestry practices to assist the growth of the timber. Currently, nearly all of the seedlings planted are grown from superior seed produced in the Company's seed orchard. Management does take action to enhance the growth rate in the natural stands as well. For example, selective harvesting in the slower growing natural stands opens up the timber stand allowing for more vigorous growth of the remaining trees. When it is no longer possible to maintain acceptable growth rates in these stands they will be harvested entirely and converted to faster growing plantations.
Harvest PlansThe Company strives to manage all of its Timberlands, including the Plantations, in an economically prudent and environmentally sensitive manner in order to maximize their value over time. Integral to this management process are the Company's long-term harvest plans. The Company prepares its harvest plans annually based on analyses of the size, age, and class distribution of the Timberlands and the economic maturity of each harvest tract. The factors the Company considers in determining its long-term harvest plans include, among other things, current and expected market conditions, competition, customer requirements, the age, size and species distribution of the Company's timber, assumptions about timber growth rates (which are improving over time as a result of technological and biological advances that improve forest management practices), expected acquisitions and dispositions, access to the Timberlands, availability of contractors, sales contracts and environmental and regulatory constraints. The Company's harvest plans reflect the Company's expectations for each year's harvest, including the sites to be harvested, the manner of harvesting such sites, the volume of each species to be harvested, the prices expected to be received for the Company's timber, the amount of stumpage sales, logging and other costs, thinning operations and other relevant information. The Company has the flexibility to update its harvest plans during the year to take into consideration changes in these factors. The Company harvested or committed to harvest from log, stumpage and timber
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deed sales 61 million board feet (MMBF) in 2004 and plans to harvest, or commit to harvest, approximately 55 MMBF in 2005. The Company sold 210 MMBF through property sales in 2004. If current market conditions do not improve, the Company will be required to harvest its current Timberlands more aggressively over the next year. If market conditions improve future harvests could be expected to decline to a level which the Company considers to be more sustainable over the long term.
Because harvest plans are based on certain assumptions, many of which are beyond the Company's control, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to harvest the volumes projected in its harvest plans. Although the Company's Notes place certain limitations on the harvest plans which may limit the cash flow available for unrestricted use in the future, the Company believes that it generally has sufficient flexibility to permit modifications in response to fluctuations in the market for logs and lumber and the other factors described above. In 2002, because of accelerated harvesting during the fourth quarter of salvage timber resulting from the Toolbox Fire, the Company exceeded the allowable four year harvest levels by 6.9 MMBF and, as required under the indenture governing the Notes (the Indenture), had placed $662 in a restricted account only to be used in ways prescribed in the Indenture. A balance of $0 remained in the restricted account as of December 31, 2004. As of December 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with the covenants contained in the Notes. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings for a discussion of certain litigation initiated against the Company, among others, with respect to the Notes and the decision of the Delaware Court of Chancery with respect to the Companys compliance with such covenants and Item 7 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." If the Company's current harvest plans are pursued unaltered for the next ten years, if it consummates the land sales contemplated by its strategic plan and if its other strategic assumptions prove to be accurate, the Company expects that its timber inventory will decline through 2010 and Ponderosa Pine volume will increase as a percentage of its total timber inventory by such date. The Company expects that its inventory would remain relatively stable thereafter. Long-term harvest plans, growth rates and forest inventory levels were reviewed during 2003. Such harvest plans, land sales and other strategic assumptions do not take into account any acquisition that the Company may consummate during such period.
AccessThe Timberlands are accessible by a system of approximately 4,200 miles of established roadways or low maintenance roads owned by the Company or its affiliates. The Company uses third party road crews to conduct construction and maintenance on the Timberlands. The Company regularly enters into reciprocal road use agreements with the United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service ("USFS") and the United States Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") and cooperates with such agencies in numerous cost sharing arrangements regarding jointly used roads.
Sales and MarketsThe Company sells its timber through log sales, stumpage sales and deed sales. Under a log sale, the Company identifies a block of timberland that is ready to be harvested and solicits
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offers from potential customers for delivery of logs. After a price and volume have been agreed among the parties, the Company contracts a third party to harvest the acreage and deliver to a roadside site on the Timberlands, where a contracted trucking company picks up the logs and delivers them to the customer. A stumpage sale is similar to a log sale in that the Company solicits offers from its customers for timber on a block of timberland that is ready to be harvested. However, under a stumpage contract, the Company sells the customer the right to harvest the timber, or stumpage, and the customer arranges to harvest and deliver the logs. Under a stumpage contract, revenue recognition occurs as the timber is harvested by the customer, as the Company retains the risk of loss until the timber is harvested. A timber deed sale is similar to a stumpage sale, except revenue recognition occurs when the contract is executed, as the Company passes the risk of loss to the customer when the contract is executed.
The Company currently sells its sawlogs or stumpage principally to unaffiliated wood products manufacturers and sells its chips to unaffiliated pulp mills or hardboard plants. The percentage of logs which are sold as sawlogs/stumpage or pulp logs is dependent upon, among other things, the species mix and quality of the inventory harvested and the market dynamics affecting the region. Most of the timber on the Timberlands is softwood, which, due to its long fiber, strength, flexibility and other characteristics, is generally preferred over hardwood for construction lumber and plywood. Once processed, sawlogs are suitable for use as structural grade lumber, appearance grade boards, plywood and laminated veneer and can also be manufactured for such end uses as window trim, molding and door jambs. During 2004, sawlogs, stumpage sales and timber deed sales accounted for approximately 24%, 0%, and 7%, respectively, of the Company's revenue. Chips, which can be used to make hardboard or pulp, and seedlings combined accounted for 5% of the Company's revenues in 2004. There were property sales in 2004 of $28.1 million, compared to 2003 property sales of $10.1 million.
The Company's customers include numerous unaffiliated operators of conversion facilities. Since its acquisition of the Klamath Falls Timberlands in August 1996, the Company has sold logs and chips from such timberlands to over 25 different customers. In 2004, sales to Boise Cascade, BC Timber Properties, Murphy Veneer, and Columbia Plywood accounted for approximately 71% of the Company's revenue from log and timber deed sales. No other single non-affiliated customer accounted for more than 8% of the Company's net revenues for 2004. Although the loss of one or more of such customers or other significant customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, the Company believes that the capacity for processing wood fiber in the Company's markets currently is in balance with the supply and that, therefore, such customers could be replaced with some additional freight costs. There are currently more than 19 primary conversion facilities located within a 150-mile radius of the Company's Timberlands.
SeasonalityLog and stumpage sales volumes are generally at their lowest levels in the first and second quarters of each year. Heavy snowfalls in higher elevations prevent access to many areas of the Company's timberlands in the first quarter. This limited access, along with spring break-up conditions in March or April (when warming weather thaws and softens roadbeds), restricts logging operations to lower elevations and areas with rockier soil types. The result of these
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INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC AND SUBSIDIARY
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constraints is that log sales volumes are typically at their lowest in the first quarter, improving in the second quarter and at their high during the third and fourth quarters. Most customers in the region react to this seasonality by carrying high log inventories at the end of the calendar year at a level that provides sufficient inventory to carry them to the second quarter of the following year.
Contributing to this seasonality of log volumes is the market demand for lumber and related products which is typically lower in the first or winter quarter when activity in the construction industry is slower, but increasing during the spring, summer and fall quarters. Log and stumpage prices generally increase in the spring with this build up of construction activity matching the timing of re-entry to all forested areas and increased logging activity.
CompetitionDue to transportation costs, domestic conversion facilities in the Pacific Northwest tend to purchase raw materials within relatively confined geographic areas, generally within a 200-mile radius. It is generally recognized that log suppliers such as the Company provide their market with a commodity product. The Company and its competitors all benefit from the same competitive advantages in the region--namely, close proximity to numerous mills, and positive demographic trends of the Pacific Northwest and the West Coast. Therefore, the Company and its competitors are currently able to sell all the logs they are able to produce at a market clearing price, although this price has been adversely affected by international competition. Additional competitive factors within a market area generally will include species and grade, quality, ability to supply logs which consistently meet the customers' specifications and ability to meet delivery requirements. The Company believes that it has a reputation as a stable and consistent supplier of well merchandised, high-quality logs. The Company has no conversion facilities and therefore does not compete with its customers for logs. The Company believes that this gives it an advantage over certain of its competitors that also own conversion facilities.
The Company competes with numerous private land and timber owners in the northwestern United States and the state agencies of Oregon, as well as of foreign imports, primarily from Canada, Chile, and New Zealand. Until recently, the strength of the U.S. dollar against Pacific Rim and South American currencies made international competition a large factor in competitive pricing. Recent weakness of the U.S. dollar may reopen some export markets and reduce the level of log imports, although it is premature to determine whether this will in fact occur. In addition, the Company competes with the USFS, the BLM and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Certain of the Company's competitors have significantly greater financial resources than the Company.
The Company believes that it is competitive in the timber business for the following reasons: (i) the Company has substantial holdings of timber properties which include approximately 0.4 BBF of merchantable, good quality timber, approximately 86,000 acres of plantation timberland and a full-scale seed orchard and nursery operation located in a region with a large number of conversion facilities; (ii) the Company focuses on owning timberlands rather than operating conversion facilities, which minimizes the Company's cost structure and capital expenditures, allows the Company to seek the most favorable markets for its timber rather than
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being committed to supply its own facilities, and ensures that the Company will not compete with its customers; and (iii) the Company's access to the Managers computerized geographic information system ("GIS") enables the Company to evaluate the optimal timing and patterns of harvest of its Timberlands and evaluate and integrate acquisitions of additional timberlands.
All of the silvicultural activities on the Timberlands and the harvesting and delivery of logs are conducted by independent contractors. The Company's operations involve intensive timber management and harvesting operations, which include road construction and reforestation, as well as wildlife and watershed management, all of which are carefully monitored using the GIS. See "Geographic Information System." The Company employs a number of traditional and recently developed harvesting techniques on its lands based on site-specific characteristics and other resource considerations. The topography of the Timberlands allows over 95% of the Timberlands to be harvested using lower-cost mechanical methods as opposed to higher-cost cable systems.
Harvesting on the Timberlands is conducted using both selective and regeneration harvesting. In selective harvesting, a partial harvest provides merchantable timber and opens up the stand for supplemental growth on the remaining stand. Harvest entries are separated by approximately 1 to 15 years and each entry is prescribed for volume to be removed, spacing to be provided, and diameter limits to be harvested. In regeneration harvesting, which is used to harvest approximately 30% of the Company's timber, all merchantable volume is removed in a single harvest. After an area has been regeneration harvested, the Company employs a reforestation contractor to plant two-year-old seedlings at an optimal density of approximately 300 trees per acre. The Company also attempts to protect and maintain the ecosystem within the Timberlands while providing for a reasonable harvest. For example, the Company typically leaves a mix of green and dead trees at the harvest site, including some large trees, snags and downed logs to provide habitats for a variety of wildlife species while enriching the soil for successive generations of trees.
Particular forestry practices vary by geographic region and depend upon factors such as soil productivity, weather, terrain, tree size, age and stocking. The climate, site and soil conditions on the east side of the Cascade Range, for example, permit management to harvest on an optimal rotation, or harvest cycle, of 50 to 60 years. Forest stands are thinned periodically to improve growth and stand quality until harvested. The Company actively utilizes commercial thinning as a timber management practice. Pre-commercial thinning, which occurs only in the Plantation stands, is utilized when the timber harvested is not merchantable. The Company believes that such thinning improves the overall productivity of the Timberlands by enhancing the growth of the remaining trees. Occasionally, revenues are generated from pre-merchantable thinning due to strong markets for wood chips.
The Company's policy is to ensure that every acre harvested is reforested in order to enhance the long-term value of its timberlands. Based on the geographic and climatic conditions
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of a given harvest site, harvested areas may be regenerated naturally, by leaving mature trees to reseed the area, or replanted with seedlings. Natural regeneration methods are widely used on approximately 70% of the Company's harvested land. Approximately 52% of the Timberlands acreage currently consists of Plantations. The Company expects to convert an average of 9,000 acres of natural stands per year over the next three years to Plantations. The seed orchard produces seed from trees selected because they were the best genotype in their respective environments. During 2004, the Company planted approximately 3.0 million seedlings and expects to plant 1.9 million seedlings in 2005, plus another 0.9 million seedlings on affiliate lands. The Company uses the seed collected from its orchard (representing approximately 90% of seedlings planted) to grow trees with desirable traits such as superior growth characteristics, good form and disease resistance, resulting in greater wood volume over a rotation than that generated by naturally regenerated seedlings. The seedlings are grown in the Company's nursery, which uses seeds from the Company's seed orchard, which was established by Weyerhaeuser in 1973.
Geographic Information System ("GIS")The GIS is a computer software program that was acquired from Weyerhaeuser as part of the Weyerhaeuser Acquisition. The GIS data, which has been compiled over a period of at least five years, includes detailed topographical field maps for every stand within the Timberlands, setting forth the characteristics, including age, species, size and other characteristics for the timber growing on each stand. Using the data in the GIS, the Company can use a computer model to "grow" the timber over time, enabling it to generate long-term harvest plans and to update its inventory annually. To maintain the integrity of the data in the GIS, the Company performs a detailed ground survey of the remaining timber inventory on a tract after each harvest and updates the data in the GIS for that tract. With the aid of the GIS, the Company is able to actively manage the Timberlands, track its inventory and develop site-specific harvest plans on multiple scales, adding additional layers of detail, such as the location of roadways or wildlife nesting areas, as required. The GIS also permits the Company to analyze the impact that new legislation may have on its Timberlands by inputting the proposed constraints imposed by such legislation in light of the particular field characteristics of its Timberlands. The Company believes the GIS may be used to the Company's advantage to evaluate potential acquisition opportunities.
Federal and State RegulationThe Federal Endangered Species Act and counterpart state legislation protect species threatened with possible extinction. Protection of endangered species may include restrictions on timber harvesting, road building and other silvicultural activities in areas containing the affected species. A number of species indigenous to the Pacific Northwest have been protected under the Endangered Species Act, including the northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, Columbian white-tail deer, mountain caribou, grizzly bear, bald eagle and various anadromous fish species. Currently, the Company has identified several spotted owl and bald eagle nesting areas affecting the Timberlands and the presence of bull trout in certain of its streams, which may affect
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harvesting on approximately 27,000 acres.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (the "USFWS") listed the American bald eagle in 1976, the northern spotted owl in 1990, and the bull trout in 1993 as threatened species throughout its range in Washington, Oregon and California. The Oregon Forest Practices Act and related regulations also protect endangered species and has specific provisions governing habitat protection for the spotted owl, the bald eagle and other threatened species.
Based on the 2004 survey year, there were approximately 29 bald eagle sites on the Timberlands. The Company observes harvesting restrictions around the eagle sites. Due in part to efforts of the Company and its predecessor, the bald eagle was recently removed from the endangered species list; although the Company continues to observe its past operating practices in the affected areas.
In addition, the Company conducts surveys to determine the presence of northern spotted owls. The surveys have been conducted every year in order to (i) meet the regulatory requirements for timber harvest and other management activities, (ii) monitor existing sites and determine the current status of such sites, (iii) determine if areas identified as containing suitable habitat are supporting owls and (iv) investigate other spotted owl or other species sightings. The most recent of such surveys was completed in August 2004, and identified approximately 25 northern spotted owl sites affecting the Timberlands, two of which are located, totally, on the Timberlands.
The Company believes that it is managing its harvesting operations in the areas affected by protected species in substantial compliance with applicable federal and state regulations. Based on certain consultants' reports, and on management's knowledge of the Timberlands, the Company does not believe that there are any species protected under the Endangered Species Act or similar state laws that, under current regulations and Court interpretation, would have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to harvest the Timberlands in accordance with current harvest plans. There can be no assurance, however, that species within the Timberlands may not subsequently receive protected status under the Endangered Species Act or that currently protected species may not be discovered in significant numbers within the Timberlands. Additionally, there can be no assurance that future legislative, administrative or judicial activities related to protected species will not adversely affect the Company or its ability to continue its activities and operations.
TimberlandsThe operation of the Timberlands is subject to specialized statutes and regulations in the State of Oregon, which has enacted laws which regulate forestry operations, including the Forest Practices Act, which addresses many growing, harvesting and processing activities on forest lands. Among other requirements, these laws restrict the size and spacing of regeneration harvest units, and impose certain reforestation obligations on the owners of forest lands. The State of Oregon requires a company to provide prior notification before beginning harvesting activity. The Forest Practices Act and other state laws and regulations control timber slash burning, operations during fire hazard periods, logging activities which may affect water courses or in
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proximity to certain ocean and inland shore lines, water protection and enhancement and certain grading and road construction activities. The Company believes it is in substantial compliance with these regulations.
Environmental LawsEnvironmental laws and regulations have changed substantially and rapidly over the last 20 years, and the Company anticipates there will be continuing changes. The trend in environmental regulations is to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that may affect the environment, such as emissions of pollutants and the generation and disposal of wastes.
Increasingly strict environmental restrictions and limitations have resulted in increased operating costs for the Company and it is possible that the costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations will continue to increase.
Access to Timberlands May be Limited by Federal Regulation
A substantial portion of the Timberlands consists of sections of land that are intermingled with or adjacent to sections of federal land managed by the USFS and the BLM. Removal of trees from those portions of the Timberlands requires transportation of the logs by truck across logging and general purpose roads. The Company has entered into road use agreements with the USFS and the BLM. The majority of the Company's timberland management activities include the transportation of timber products across federal land and roads and fall under such agreements, which describe the Company's exclusive rights to transport timber products across federal lands and roads without USFWS consultation. In many cases, access is only, or most economically, achieved through a road or roads built across adjacent federal land pursuant to a reciprocal right-of-way ("RROW"). Removal of federal timber often requires similar access across the Timberlands. Recent litigation (not involving the Company) before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that the BLM was not required to consult with the USFWS, which administers the Endangered Species Act, prior to approving a private landowner's proposal to build an access road across federal land pursuant to an existing RROW entered into prior to the enactment of the Endangered Species Act. A reversal on appeal or a rehearing of that case, or future federal law or regulation requiring the BLM to consult with the USFWS in connection with an RROW, could materially adversely affect the Company's ability to harvest the affected portion of the Timberlands. Certain of the Company's RROW agreements contain provisions that require compliance with state and federal environmental laws and regulations. To the extent that the Company acquires new Timberlands that require access through federal lands, the Company may enter into new RROW agreements with the BLM or
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(dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted)
other federal agencies which would require consultation with the USFWS. In addition, the BLM has published advance notice of its intent to revise regulations governing RROW agreements entered into the future to, among other things, expand the BLM's consideration of environmental and cultural factors in granting, issuing or renewing rights-of-way, provide the BLM with regulatory authority to object to the location of roads because of potential effects on threatened or endangered species and allow for the abandonment of rights-of-way under certain circumstances.
Safety and HealthThe operations of the Timberlands are subject to the requirements of the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act ("OSHA") and comparable state statutes relating to the health and safety of employees. The Company believes that it is in compliance with OSHA regulations, including general industry standards, permissible exposure levels for toxic chemicals and record-keeping requirements.
EmployeesAs of March 15, 2005, the Company had no employees, and relies upon the employees of the Manager to manage the operations of the Company. All of the silvicultural activities on the Timberlands and the harvesting and delivery of logs are conducted by independent contractors who are not employees of the Company or the Manager.
12
INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC AND SUBSIDIARY
(dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted)
Timber Inventory
The Company currently owns and manages approximately 167,000 fee acres of timberland and cutting rights on approximately 68,000 acres of timberland containing total merchantable timber volume estimated as of January 1, 2005 to be approximately 0.4 BBF in Oregon east of the Cascade Range. A merchantable tree is a tree of sufficient size that will produce a sound log 16 feet in length and at least 4.6 inches in diameter, inside bark, at the small end. The Company's merchantable timber inventory consists of a substantial percentage of premium species of softwood, consisting of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir, species which have historically commanded premium prices over other softwood species, as well as Lodgepole Pine, White Fir and other species. The Company believes that the Timberlands are suitable for current operations.
The Timberlands have stands of varying sizes and ages and are unique in the forests east of the Cascade Range in Oregon in that approximately 86,000 acres of the 167,000 acre total consist of actively managed Pine Plantations with stands ranging in age from one to 44 years. The Plantations are stocked with high quality Ponderosa Pine (approximately 90%) and Lodgepole Pine (approximately 10%). Initial thinning of the Plantation stands, including the thinning of commercial quantities of merchantable timber, is expected to begin within the next two years. See "Item 1. Business - The Timberlands--Harvest Plans."
Merchantable Timber Inventory by Species
The Company maintains data regarding the estimated merchantable timber inventory by species within the Timberlands. All volume estimates are based on information developed by the Manager. As of January 1, 2005, the total timber inventory amounted to 0.4 BBF. The Company's combined timber inventory by MMBF and percentage is Ponderosa Pine (204 (46%)), Lodgepole Pine (46 (10%)), White Fir (85 (19%)), Douglas Fir (82 (19%)) and other species (25 (6%)). Other species include Cedar, Sugar Pine, Western Larch and Grand Fir.
Size and Species Distribution of Merchantable Timber
The Timberlands are diversified by species mix and, to a lesser extent, by size distribution. Timber on the Timberlands generally reaches merchantable size between 40 and 50 years in natural stands and between 25 and 35 years in the Plantations. The Company maintains data as to the estimated volume distribution of merchantable timber on the Timberlands by species and by diameter at breast-height ("DBH"). As of January 1, 2005, approximately 114 MMBF, or 26%, of the merchantable timber, had a DBH of 16 or more inches.
Acreage Distribution by Age Class on Plantations
The Company also maintains data as to the acreage distribution of timber on the Plantations by age class. As of January 1, 2005, the Plantations totaled 86,000 acres. Of the total
13
INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC AND SUBSIDIARY
(dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted)
acreage, 56,000 acres range from 1 to 15 years of age, 13,000 acres
range from 16 to 25 years of age, and 17,000 acres are 26 years of age or older.
On December 19, 2003, an action was brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County by the Trustee under the Indenture against the Company, Finance Corp., the Manager, American Forest Resources, LLC, Cascade Resource Holdings Group, LLC, and all of the directors of the Manager as of January 1, 2003 (collectively, the Defendants). The complaint alleges that the Company violated the provisions of the Indenture by transferring certain assets to its affiliates, the directors of the Company violated their fiduciary duty to the Company and that the transfers of the assets were fraudulent conveyances and subject to rescission. The Trustee seeks a declaration that the Company has violated the terms of the Indenture, an injunction against the transfer of additional assets out of the ordinary course of business, damages and the imposition of a constructive trust on the assets transferred by the Company to its affiliates. In January 2004, the plaintiffs motion to schedule a preliminary injunction hearing with respect to further transfers to affiliates and for expedited discovery was denied. In connection with the denial of the plaintiffs motion, the Company agreed that, through the earlier of December 31, 2004 and the resolution of the lawsuit, it would provide at least thirty days notice before entering into any transfer of assets to affiliates, other than payment of management fees. Discovery began in January 2004 and is ongoing. On February 6, 2004, the Defendants filed a motion to dismiss. In May 2004, a hearing was held with respect to Defendants motion to dismiss. On May 17, 2004, the Company received a Notice of Default from the Trustee covering certain of the allegations in the complaint. The Defendants responded to the Notice of Default denying the existence of any defaults. On July 29, 2004, the Court of Chancery dismissed the action without prejudice, based on its determination that the Trustee under the Indenture lacked standing under the terms of the Indenture to bring an action against the Defendants because the requisite notice of default and opportunity to cure had not been provided to the Company prior to the time the action was commenced. The Trustee was granted 30 days to file an amended complaint and on August 27, 2004, the Trustee filed its second amended complaint. On October 8, 2004, the Trustee filed a motion for partial summary judgment seeking a declaratory judgment that the Company violated certain provisions of the Indenture by permitting its affiliate to grant security interests in various timberland properties on various dates prior to September 14, 2001. On October 15, 2004, the Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint. On December 23, 2004, the Court of Chancery issued a memorandum opinion granting the Trustees motion for partial summary judgment and declaring that an Event of Default had occurred under the Indenture. On January 13, 2005, the Company received a Notice of Default and Acceleration from the Trustee. On January 21, 2005, the Defendants filed a motion for leave to pursue an interlocutory appeal of the Chancery Court Order granting partial summary judgment. On January 26, 2005, the Court of Chancery granted Defendants motion for leave to appeal. On February 10, 2005, the Supreme Court of the State of Delaware accepted Defendants appeal. Defendants filed their appeal brief on March 23, 2005. The Trustees answering papers are due on or before April 27, 2005. While the interlocutory appeal is heard, the case in the Court of Chancery is proceeding and a trial is expected to take place in June 2005. The Company and its legal counsel believe the litigation
14
INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC AND SUBSIDIARY
(dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted)
and both Notices of Default to be without merit and intend to continue to vigorously defend the litigation.
On December 7, 2004, the Company, Finance Corp. and AFR brought an action against the Trustee based on the Trustees failure to remit $4.8 million of the funds paid by the Company on November 12, 2004 to the Trustee for the benefit of the holders of the Notes. Subsequently, the Trustee reduced its holdback to $2.8 million. On January 13, 2005, the Trustee filed its Answer and Counterclaim, seeking payment of an undetermined amount from the Company and Finance Corp. for its expenses in the litigation described above. The Company believes it has a meritorious claim against the Trustee and intends to pursue its action and vigorously defend against the Trustees counterclaim, which the Company believes to be without merit.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
There were no matters submitted to a vote of the Company's Noteholders during the fourth quarter of 2004.
15
INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC AND SUBSIDIARY
(dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted)
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Security Holder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Companys equity securities are owned 98.99 % by Cascade Resource Holdings Group, LLC, indirectly, and 1.01% by the Manager.
Due to restrictions under the Indenture governing the Companys Notes, the Company may not pay distributions to the holders of its equity at this time.
Item 6. Selected Financial DataThe financial information set forth below for each of the indicated years is derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements. This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included with this report and previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | |||||||||
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| CASH FLOWS AND OTHER DATA | |||||||||||||
| (IN MILLIONS): | |||||||||||||
| Modified EBITDDA (1) | 1.6 | 0.5 | 12.9 | 23.5 | 49.3 | ||||||||
| Additions to timber and timberlands | 2.5 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 5.6 | 2.3 | ||||||||
| Cash flow from operating activities | 1.1 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 9.2 | 28.9 | ||||||||
| Cash flow (used in) investing | |||||||||||||
| activities | (2.4 | ) | (2.0 | ) | (3.3 | ) | (4.7 | ) | (2.3 | ) | |||
| Cash flow from (used in) financing | |||||||||||||
| activities | 0.0 | 1.2 | -- | (6.6 | ) | (26.2 | ) | ||||||
| OPERATING STATEMENT DATA | |||||||||||||
| (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER | |||||||||||||
| UNIT AMOUNTS): | |||||||||||||
| Revenues (2) | 44.3 | 37.1 | 49.5 | 54.6 | 75.6 | ||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and road | |||||||||||||
| amortization | 8.7 | 15.6 | 27.5 | 37.3 | 28.8 | ||||||||
| Fire loss | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | - |
- | ||||||||
| Cost of timber and property sales | 39.0 | 10.0 | 7.3 | - |
2.6 | ||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | (46.1 | ) | (25.1 | ) | (21.9 | ) | (13.8 | ) | 17.9 | ||||
| Net income (loss) | (68.1 | ) | (47.3 | ) | (44.1 | ) | (36.2 | ) | (4.1 | ) | |||
| BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT | |||||||||||||
| PERIOD END, IN MILLIONS): | |||||||||||||
| Working capital (deficiency) | (228.8 | ) | (6.5 | ) | (1.6 | ) | (1.7 | ) | 2.0 | ||||
| Total assets | 96.5 | 168.7 | 211.0 | 255.2 | 300.9 | ||||||||
| Long-term debt (3) | 0.0 | 225.0 | 225.0 | 225.0 | 225.0 | ||||||||
| Equity (deficiency) | (133.6 | ) | (65.5 | ) | (19.4 | ) | 25.5 | 67.1 | |||||
| OPERATING DATA (UNAUDITED): | |||||||||||||
| Log and timber deed sales | |||||||||||||
| volumes (MMBF) (2) | 61.0 | 110.8 | 204.8 | 250.7 | 243.7 | ||||||||
| Property sales volumes (MMBF) (2) | 210.3 | 53.3 | 3.5 | -- | 13.6 | ||||||||
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| (1) | Modified EBITDDA is defined as operating income plus depreciation, depletion, and road amortization and cost of timber and property sales. The Company considers Modified EBITDDA to be a relevant and meaningful indicator of earnings performance commonly used by investors, financial analysts and others in evaluating companies in its industry and, as such, has provided this information in addition to the generally accepted accounting principles-based presentation of net income or loss. |
| In addition, Modified EBITDDA does not necessarily represent funds available for managements discretionary use as it is calculated prior to debt service obligations and capital expenditures. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. | |
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INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC AND SUBSIDIARY
(dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted)
| Reconciliation of modified EBITDDA (in millions) | |||||||||
| 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | |||||
| Operating income (loss) | (46.1 | ) | (25.1 | ) | (21.9 | ) | (13.8 | ) | 17.9 |
| Plus: Depreciation, depletion, | |||||||||
| and road amortization | 8.7 | 15.6 | 27.5 | 37.3 | 28.8 |
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| Plus: Cost of timber and | |||||||||
| property sales | 39.0 | 10.0 | 7.3 | 0.0 | 2.6 |
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| Modified EBITDDA | 1.6 | 0.5 | 12.9 | 23.5 | 49.3 |
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| (2) | Revenues in 2004 consist of $13.8 million of log and deed sales, $28.1 of timber and property sales and $2.4 million of by-products and other sales. Revenues in 2003 consist of $25.0 million of log and deed sales, $10.1 of timber and property sales and $2.0 million of by-products and other sales. Revenues in 2002 consist of $42.3 million of log and deed sales, $5.8 of timber and property sales and $1.5 million of by-products and other sales. |
| Revenues in 2001 consist of $54.2 million of log and deed sales, $0.0 million of timber and property sales and $0.4 million of by-products and other sales. Revenues in 2000 consist of $72.2 million of log, stumpage and deed sales, $2.8 million of timber and property sales and $0.6 million of by-products and other sales. | |
| (3) | See discussion of long-term debt at Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking StatementsCertain information contained in this report may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Although the Company believes that expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks, trends and uncertainties include the highly cyclical nature of the forest products industry, general economic conditions, competition, price conditions or trends for the Company's products, the possibility that timber supply could be affected if governmental, environmental or endangered species policies change, limitations on the Company's ability to harvest its timber due to adverse natural conditions or increased governmental restrictions and the outcome of litigation in which the Company is engaged. The results of the Company's operations depend upon a number of factors, many of which are beyond its control. These factors include general economic and industry conditions, domestic and export prices, supply and demand for logs, seasonality, government regulations affecting the manner in which timber may be harvested, and competition from other supplying regions and substitute products. These and other risks are described in the Company's other reports and registration statements, which are available from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
18
INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC AND SUBSIDIARY
(dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted)
The Company's primary business is the growing, harvesting and selling of timber and timberlands (see Item 1. Business).
The Company's results of operations are affected by various factors, many of which are beyond its control, including general industry conditions, domestic and international prices and supply and demand for logs, lumber and other wood products, seasonality and competition from other domestic and international supplying regions and substitute products.
Supply and Demand Factors
Supply
The supply of logs available for purchase has been most affected
in recent years by significant reductions in timber harvested from public timberlands, principally as a result of efforts to preserve
the habitat of certain endangered species, as well as a change in the emphasis of government policy toward habitat preservation,
conservation and recreation and away from timber management. Since the early 1970s, environmental and other similar concerns and
governmental policies have substantially reduced the volume of timber under contract to be harvested from public lands. The pace
of regulatory activity accelerated in the late 1980s. The resulting supply decrease caused prices for logs to increase significantly,
reaching peak levels during 1993. Prior to 1998, the low supply of timber from public lands, which is expected to continue for the
foreseeable future, benefited private timber holders such as the Company through higher stumpage and log prices. Until recently,
the strength of the U.S. dollar has decreased exports and increased imports, has disrupted the equilibrium of the supply and demand
equation and contributed to the general downward trend of prices. Certain market conditions for finished products have also negatively
impacted stumpage and log prices in 2004.
Industry participants do not expect environmental restrictions to ease materially within any reasonable planning horizon. Consequently, many producers of lumber and wood products are attempting to adapt to the new supply environment by increasing their emphasis on raw material yields, entering into long-term timber supply arrangements and value added manufacturing, and accessing previously untapped supplies (such as private wood lot owners, timber with difficult access, alternative species and imports). These factors have tended to maintain the supply of domestically produced logs and have kept prices from increasing.
In response to an increase in domestic timber prices in the early 1990s and the strengthening US dollar against Pacific Rim currencies, especially, imports of logs and lumber from abroad (from countries such as Canada and New Zealand) increased. These imports, however, only partially offset the lost volume of timber from public timberlands and did not replace the mature, high-quality timber found in greater quantities on public timberlands. Imports did however tend to dampen upward price movements. Imports are likely to remain a factor over the next few years and could significantly affect the raw material supplies and prices in the domestic lumber and wood products industry.
19
INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC AND SUBSIDIARY
(dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted)
Changes in general economic and demographic factors, including the strength of the economy, unemployment rates, interest rates for home mortgages and construction loans have historically caused fluctuations in housing starts and, in turn, demand and prices for lumber and commodity wood products. Until recently, the relative strength of the dollar against the currencies of other wood producing nations has reduced the competitiveness of domestic logs in export markets and increased the competitiveness of imported logs in our domestic markets. United States housing starts for 2004 were down slightly from 2003 levels, and log prices have declined slightly in 2004 over 2003. As a result of the growth of the home center distribution business, the repair and remodeling markets have become a significant factor in the demand for lumber and commodity wood products and have tended to dampen the wide fluctuations that occurred when new housing starts were the primary factor.
Prices for Pine species, primarily Ponderosa Pine, reached a peak in the spring of 1993 and as a result attracted imports of Radiata Pine from New Zealand and Chile. Given the strong growth of the housing market during the past several years, domestic markets have been able to absorb the increasing quantities of imported Radiata Pine lumber and logs which has limited the benefit of the strong housing market. With the continuing strength of the dollar during the 1990s and early 2000s, the level of imports has had a negative impact on pricing for Pine lumber. The Company believes that recent declining value of the dollar should allow the price trend to become more positive. The demand for logs in the United States is also affected by the level of lumber imports. In response to increasing lumber imports from Canada, the United States and Canada signed an agreement in 1996 which restricted the availability of Canadian softwood lumber in the United States. The Company believes that this agreement, which expired on March 31, 2001, has not had a material impact on the price or demand for logs in the United States. The United States and Canada are presently negotiating a new softwood lumber agreement even though a 30% tariff has been imposed on Canadian softwood lumber. The long term effect of not having an agreement or having a new agreement is uncertain.
Due to transportation costs, domestic conversion facilities in the Pacific Northwest tend to purchase raw materials within relatively confined geographic areas, generally within a 200-mile radius. The conversion facilities in the vicinity of the Timberlands need more wood supply to run at capacity than can be produced by nearby timberlands. As a result, the demand from this region is relatively steady, although prices have generally declined with market conditions and increased imports.
Application of Critical Accounting PoliciesThe Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Certain accounting policies have a significant impact on amounts reported in the financial statements. A summary of those significant accounting policies can be found in Note 1 to the Company's financial statements included herein.
20
INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC AND SUBSIDIARY
(dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted)
The Company has not adopted any new accounting policies during the year ended December 31, 2004 that significantly impact its financial statements.
Among the significant judgments made by management in the preparation of the Company's financial statements are the determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts and the rates of depletion applicable to the Company's merchantable timber. These determinations are made periodically in the ordinary course of accounting.
Current Market ConditionsLog prices in the first quarter of 2004 were down 2% from the fourth quarter of 2003. Log prices began moving upward in the first quarter of 2004. They continued to rise in the second and third quarter of 2004. The fourth quarter of 2004 saw log prices move downward slightly.
Results of OperationsThe following table sets forth sales volume for each of 2004, 2003, and 2002 from the sale of logs, stumpage and timber deeds by thousand board feet ("MBF") and price per thousand board feet and the sales of property:
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INLAND FIBER GROUP, LLC AND SUBSIDIARY
(dollar amounts in thousands unless otherwise noted)
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