10-K 1 v11935e10vk.htm FORM 10-K e10vk
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549-1004
Form 10-K
 
þ Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2005

or
 
 
o Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
for the transition period from            to
Commission File No. 1-13146
THE GREENBRIER COMPANIES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Delaware   3742   93-0816972
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
  (Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
CO-REGISTRANTS AND SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
             
Autostack Company, LLC   Oregon   3743   93-0981840
Greenbrier-Concarril, LLC   Oregon   3743   93-1262344
Greenbrier Leasing Company, LLC   Oregon   3743   31-0789836
Greenbrier Leasing, L.P.    Oregon   3743   91-1960693
Greenbrier Leasing Limited Partner, LLC   Oregon   3743   93-1266038
Greenbrier Management Services, LLC   Oregon   3743   93-1266040
Greenbrier Railcar, LLC   Oregon   3743   93-0971066
Gunderson, LLC   Oregon   3743   93-0180205
Gunderson Marine, LLC   Oregon   3743   93-1127982
Gunderson Rail Services, LLC   Oregon   3743   93-1123815
Gunderson Specialty Products, LLC   Oregon   3743   93-0180205
             
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 200
Lake Oswego Oregon
97035-8612
(503) 684-7000
  Autostack Company, LLC
One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 200
Lake Oswego Oregon
97035-8612
(503) 684-7000
  Greenbrier-Concarril, LLC
One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 200
Lake Oswego Oregon
97035-8612
(503) 684-7000
  Greenbrier Leasing Company, LLC
One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 200
Lake Oswego Oregon
97035-8612
(503) 684-7000
 
Greenbrier Leasing, L.P.
One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 200
Lake Oswego, Oregon
97035-8612
(503) 684-7000
  Greenbrier Leasing
Limited Partner, LLC
One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 200
Lake Oswego, Oregon
97035-8612
(503) 684-7000
  Greenbrier Management
Services, LLC
One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 200
Lake Oswego, Oregon
97035-8612
(503) 684-7000
  Greenbrier Railcar, LLC
One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 200
Lake Oswego, Oregon
97035-8612
(503) 684-7000
 
Gunderson, LLC
4350 NW Front Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97210
(503) 972-5700
  Gunderson Marine, LLC
4350 NW Front Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97210
(503) 972-5700
  Gunderson Rail Services, LLC
One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 200
Lake Oswego, Oregon
97035-8612
(503) 684-7000
  Gunderson Specialty
Products, LLC
4350 NW Front Avenue
Portland, Oregon
(503) 972-5700
(Address, including zip code and telephone number
including area code of registrant’ principal executive offices)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
     
(Title of Each Class)
  (Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered)
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
  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 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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes  X     No    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
Yes        No  X 
Aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates as of February 28, 2005 (based on the closing price of such shares on such date) was $192,962,196.
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock on October 26, 2005 was 15,506,891, par value $0.001 per share.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Parts of Registrant’s Proxy Statement dated November 22, 2005 prepared in connection with the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on January 10, 2006 are incorporated by reference into Parts II and III of this Report.
 
 


The Greenbrier Companies, Inc.
Form 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
             
        PAGE
           
   BUSINESS     4  
   PROPERTIES     10  
   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS     11  
   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS     11  
           
   MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS     11  
   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA     13  
   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS     14  
   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK     20  
   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA     21  
   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE     56  
   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES     56  
           
   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT     57  
   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION     57  
   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS     57  
   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS     57  
   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES     57  
           
   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES     58  
     SIGNATURES     62  
 EXHIBIT 10.36
 EXHIBIT 12.1
 EXHIBIT 21.1
 EXHIBIT 23
 EXHIBIT 31.1(a)
 EXHIBIT 31.2(b)
 EXHIBIT 32.1(c)
 EXHIBIT 32.2(d)
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PART I
Forward-Looking Statements
From time to time, Greenbrier or its representatives have made or may make forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements as to expectations, beliefs and strategies regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements may be included in, but not limited to, press releases, oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer or in various filings made by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and include statements relating to:
availability of financing sources and borrowing base for working capital, other business development activities, capital spending and railcar warehousing activities;
 
ability to renew or obtain sufficient lines of credit and performance guarantees on acceptable terms;
 
ability to utilize beneficial tax strategies;
 
ability to grow our railcar services, lease fleet and management services business;
 
ability to obtain sales contracts which contain provisions for the escalation of prices due to increased costs of materials and components;
 
ability to obtain adequate certification and licensing of products; and
 
short- and long-term revenue and earnings effects of the above items.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors outside Greenbrier’s control. The following are among the factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the forward-looking statements:
a delay or failure of acquired businesses, products or services to compete successfully;
 
decreases in carrying value of assets due to impairment;
 
severance or other costs or charges associated with lay-offs, shutdowns, or reducing the size and scope of operations;
 
changes in future maintenance requirements;
 
effects of local statutory accounting conventions on compliance with covenants in certain loan agreements;
 
domestic and global business conditions and growth or reduction in the surface transportation industry;
 
actual future costs and the availability of materials and a trained workforce;
 
ability to maintain good relationships with third party labor providers or collective bargaining units;
 
availability of subcontractors;
 
steel price increases, scrap surcharges and other commodity price fluctuations and their impact on railcar demand and margin;
 
changes in product mix and the mix between the manufacturing and leasing & services segments;
 
labor disputes, energy shortages or operating difficulties that might disrupt manufacturing operations or the flow of cargo;
 
production difficulties and product delivery delays as a result of, among other matters, changing technologies or non-performance of alliance partners, subcontractors or suppliers;
 
ability to obtain suitable contracts for railcars held for sale;
 
lower than anticipated residual values for leased equipment;
 
discovery of defects in railcars resulting in increased warranty costs or litigation;
 
resolution or outcome of investigations and pending or future litigation;
 
the ability to consummate expected sales;
 
delays in receipt of orders, risks that contracts may be canceled during their term or not renewed and that customers may not purchase as much equipment under the contracts as anticipated;
 
financial condition of principal customers;
 
market acceptance of products;
 
ability to determine and obtain adequate levels of insurance at acceptable rates;
 
competitive factors, including introduction of competitive products, price pressures, limited customer base and competitiveness of our manufacturing facilities and products;
 
industry over-capacity and our manufacturing capacity utilization;
 
continued industry demand at current and anticipated levels for railcar products;
 
domestic and global political, regulatory or economic conditions including such matters as terrorism, war, embargoes or quotas;
 
ability to adjust to the cyclical nature of the railcar industry;
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the effects of car hire deprescription on leasing revenue;
 
changes in interest rates;
 
actions by various regulatory agencies;
 
changes in fuel and/or energy prices;
 
availability and price of essential raw materials, specialties or components, including steel castings, to permit manufacture of units on order;
 
ability to replace lease revenue and earnings from maturing and terminating leases with revenue and earnings from additions to the lease fleet, lease renewals and management services; and
 
financial impacts from currency fluctuations in our worldwide operations.
Any forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these factors. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking statements or if we later become aware that these assumptions are not likely to be achieved, except as required under securities laws.
Item 1. BUSINESS
Introduction
We are one of the leading designers, manufacturers and marketers of railroad freight car equipment in North America and Europe and a leading provider of leasing and other services to the railroad and related transportation industries in North America. Our mission is to provide complete freight car solutions to our customers through a comprehensive set of high quality freight car products and related services.
In North America, we operate an integrated business model that combines freight car manufacturing, repair and refurbishment, leasing and fleet management services to provide customers with a comprehensive set of freight car solutions. This model allows us to utilize synergies between our various business activities and to generate enhanced returns by providing creative solutions to a customer’s freight car needs, while generating profits from multiple elements of the transaction.
We operate in two primary business segments: manufacturing and leasing & services. Financial information about our business segments for the years ended August 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 is located in Note 23 of our Consolidated Financial Statements.
We are a Delaware corporation formed in 1981. Our principal executive offices are located at One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 200, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035, our telephone number is (503) 684-7000 and our internet website is located at http://www.gbrx.com.
Significant Developments in 2005
In September 1998 we entered into a joint venture with Bombardier Transportation (Bombardier) to build railroad freight cars at a portion of Bombardier’s existing manufacturing facility in Sahagun, Mexico.
Each party held a 50% non-controlling interest in the joint venture. In December 2004, we acquired Bombardier’s interest for $9.0 million payable over five years. We lease a portion of the plant from Bombardier and have entered into a service agreement under which Bombardier provides labor and manufacturing support. These operations, previously accounted for under the equity method, are consolidated for financial reporting purposes beginning in December 2004.
In April 2005, we entered into an agreement with Babcock & Brown Rail Management LLC (BBRM) to jointly acquire and lease railcars for the North American market, some of which may have been produced by us. We, along with BBRM, intend to sell the railcars to third party investors and to manage the railcars for these investors. This arrangement may be expanded to include additional railcars some of which may be sold from our own lease fleet.
On May 11, 2005, we issued 5,175,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $26.50 per share, less underwriting commissions, discounts and expenses. We used the proceeds to purchase 3,504,167 shares from the estate of Alan James, former member of our board of directors, and 1,837,500 shares from William Furman, President and Chief Executive Officer. After the offering, the estate of Alan James owned 2.8% and William Furman owned 13.9% of our outstanding common stock. Concurrent with the purchase of the stock owned by the estate of Alan James outstanding litigation with the estate was dismissed.
On May 11, 2005, we issued, through a private placement, $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of 83/8% senior unsecured notes due 2015 (the Notes). Payment of the Notes is guaranteed by
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certain of our domestic subsidiaries. Interest will be paid semiannually in arrears commencing November 15, 2005. We used portions of the proceeds from the Notes to repay certain outstanding revolving notes and notes payable. Subsequent to year end, all the Notes were exchanged for an equal principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2015, with the same terms, which are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Products and Services
Manufacturing
North American Railcar Manufacturing - We are the leading North American manufacturer of intermodal railcars with an average market share of approximately 60% over the last five years. In addition to our strength in intermodal railcars, we build a broad array of other railcar types in North America and have demonstrated an ability to capture high market shares in the car types we build. We have commanded an average market share of approximately 40% in flat cars and 30% in boxcars over the last five years. We also may manufacture new railcars through the use of subcontractors. The primary products produced for the North American market are:
Intermodal Railcars - We manufacture a comprehensive range of intermodal railcars. Our most important product is our articulated double stack railcars. The double stack railcar is designed to transport containers stacked two-high on a single platform.
An articulated double stack railcar is comprised of up to five platforms each of which is linked by a common set of wheels and axles.
Our comprehensive line of articulated and non-articulated double stack intermodal railcars offers varying load capacities and configurations. The double stack railcar provides significant operating and capital savings over other types of intermodal railcars. These savings are the result of:
increased train density (two containers are carried within the same longitudinal space conventionally used to carry one trailer or container);
 
reduced railcar weight of up to 50% per container;
 
easier terminal handling characteristics;
 
reduced equipment costs of up to 40% less than the cost of providing the same carrying capacity with conventional equipment;
 
superior ride quality compared to conventional equipment, leading to reduced damage claims; and
 
increased fuel efficiency resulting from weight reduction and improved aerodynamics.
Our current double-stack products include:
                                                                                           
                        Unit sizes carried(1)
        Number of   Well   Cargo        
Product   Type   wells   size   type       20’   40’   45’   48’   53’   Trailer
 
Maxi-Stack
  Articulated       5       40’       Container       Top               x       x       x       x          
                                      Bottom       x       x                                  
Maxi-Stack
  Articulated       3       53’       Container       Top               x       x       x       x          
                                      Bottom       x       x       x       x       x          
All Purpose Husky
  Stand-alone or                                                                                  
 
Stack 53’
  Drawbar       1 or 3  unit       53’       Container       Top               x       x       x       x          
    connected       drawbar       53’       Trailer       Bottom       x       x       x       x       x       x  
Husky Stack 53’
  Stand-alone or Drawbar     1 or 3  unit                                                                          
    connected         drawbar       53’       Container       Top               x       x       x       x          
                                      Bottom       x       x       x       x       x          
(1)  Carrying capability may be dependant on unit size being carried in the adjoining well.
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Conventional Railcars - We produce a wide range of boxcars, which are used in forest products, automotive, perishables and general merchandise applications. Our flat car products include center partition cars for the forest products industry, bulkhead flat cars, flat cars for automotive transportation and solid waste service flat cars. We also produce a variety of covered hopper cars for the grain, cement and plastics industries as well as gondolas and coil cars for the steel and metals markets and various other conventional railcar types.
European Railcar Manufacturing - Our European manufacturing operation produces a variety of railcar types, including a comprehensive line of pressurized tank cars for liquid petroleum gas and ammonia and non-pressurized tank cars for light oil, chemicals and other products as well as flat cars, coil cars for the steel and metals market, coal cars for both the continental European and United Kingdom markets, gondolas, sliding wall cars and rolling highway cars. Although no formal statistics are available for the European market, we believe we are the second largest new freight car manufacturer with an estimated 20% market share.
Railcar Repair and Refurbishing - We believe we operate one of the largest repair and refurbishment networks in North America with 17 operating locations nationwide. Our network of railcar repair and refurbishment shops competes in three primary markets: heavy railcar repair and refurbishment, routine railcar maintenance and railcar wheel and axle servicing. We are actively engaged in the repair and refurbishment of railcars for third parties, as well as of our own leased and managed fleet.
Marine Vessel Fabrication - Our Portland, Oregon manufacturing facility, located on a deep-water port on the Willamette River, includes marine facilities with the largest side-launch ways on the West Coast. The marine facilities also enhance steel plate burning and fabrication capacity providing flexibility for railcar production. We manufacture ocean going conventional deck barges, double-hull tank barges, railcar/deck barges, barges for aggregates and other heavy industrial products and ocean going dump barges.
Leasing & Services
Leasing - Our network of relationships with financial institutions, combined with our ownership of a lease fleet of approximately 10,000 railcars, enables us to offer flexible financing programs including traditional direct finance leases, operating leases and “by the mile” leases to our customers. Frequently, we originate leases with railroads or shippers, remarket them to financial institutions and subsequently provide management services under multi-year agreements.
As equipment owner, we participate in both the finance and the operating lease segments of the market. Lease payments received under the noncancelable lease terms of direct finance leases generally cover substantially all of the equipment cost. Most of our leases are “full service” leases whereby we are responsible for maintenance, taxes and administration. Maintenance of the fleet is provided, in part, through our own facilities and engineering and technical staff.
Assets from our owned lease fleet are periodically sold to take advantage of market conditions, manage risk and maintain liquidity.
                           
    Fleet Profile(1)
    As of August 31, 2005
     
    Owned   Managed   Total
    Units(2)   Units   Units
 
Customer Profile:
                       
 
 
Class I Railroads
    4,697       106,267       110,964  
 
 
Non-Class I Railroads
    2,021       12,864       14,885  
 
 
Shipping Companies
    2,200       2,088       4,288  
 
 
Leasing Companies
    320       7,411       7,731  
 
 
Enroute to Customer Location
    550       3       553  
 
 
Off-Lease
    170       12       182  
 
Total Units
    9,958       128,645       138,603  
 
(1)  Each platform of a railcar is treated as a separate unit.
 
(2)  Percent of owned units on lease is 98.3%; average age of owned units is 22 years; average remaining lease term is 2.7 years.
Approximately 20% of the owned equipment in our lease fleet was acquired through an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company (Union Pacific) which contains a fixed price purchase option exercisable upon lease expiration. Union Pacific has notified us of its intention to exercise this option as leases expire over the next two years through 2007 on all remaining rail-cars in this program.
Management Services - Our management services business offers a broad range of services that
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enhance our ability to generate lease transactions. These services include railcar maintenance management, railcar accounting services such as billing and revenue collection, car hire receivable and payable administration and railcar remarketing. We currently own or provide management services for a fleet of approximately 139,000 railcars in North America for railroads, shippers, carriers and other leasing and transportation companies.
Backlog
The following table depicts our reported railcar backlog in number of railcars and estimated future sales value attributable to such backlog, at the end of the periods shown:
                         
    August 31,
     
    2005   2004   2003
 
New railcar backlog units(1)
    9,600       13,100       10,700  
 
Estimated value (in millions)
  $ 550     $ 760     $ 580  
(1)  Each platform of a railcar is treated as a separate unit.
The backlog is based on customer purchase or lease orders that we believe are firm. Customer orders, however, may be subject to cancellation and other customary industry terms and conditions. Historically, little variation has been experienced between the number of railcars ordered and the number of railcars actually delivered. The backlog is not necessarily indicative of future results of operations.
Customers
Our manufacturing and leasing and services customers include Class I railroads, regional and short-line railroads, other leasing companies, shippers, carriers and other transportation companies. We have strong, long-term relationships with many of our customers. We believe that our customers’ preference for high quality products, our technological leadership in developing innovative products and pricing of our railcars have helped us maintain our long standing relationships with our customers.
In 2005, revenue from one customer, TTX Company (TTX), accounted for approximately 44% of total revenue and 48% of manufacturing revenue. Approximately 31% of leasing & services revenue was from Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF). No other customers accounted for more than 10% of total, manufacturing or leasing & services revenue.
Raw Materials and Components
Our products require a supply of materials including steel and specialty components such as brakes, wheels and axles. Specialty components purchased from third parties represent approximately half of the cost of an average freight car. Our customers often specify particular components and suppliers of such components. Although the number of alternative suppliers of certain specialty components has declined in recent years, there are at least two suppliers for most such components and we are not reliant on any one supplier for any component. Inventory levels are continually monitored to ensure adequate support of production. We periodically make advance purchases to avoid possible shortages of material due to capacity limitations of component suppliers and possible price increases. We do not typically enter into binding long-term contracts with suppliers because we rely on established relationships with major suppliers to ensure the availability of raw materials and specialty items. We have entered into strategic alliances to obtain parts and reduce supply chain costs and will continue to explore other material and component sources both domestically and internationally.
In December 2004, we formed a strategic alliance with Zhuzhou Rolling Stock Works in China to source parts and to collaborate on commercial opportunities for new railcar products and services in North America, China and other global markets.
Prices for steel, the primary component in railcars, railcar specialty components and barges, rose sharply in 2004 and remained volatile in 2005 as a result of strong demand, limited availability of scrap metal for steel processing, reduced capacity and import trade barriers. Availability of scrap metal has been further limited by exports to China. We believe substantially all of the current backlog has been priced to cover anticipated material price increases and surcharges. There is still risk that material prices could increase beyond amounts used to develop our sale contracts which would adversely impact margins realized on the sale of railcars in our backlog.
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The available supply of rail castings to the industry continues to be adversely affected as a result of reorganization and consolidation of domestic suppliers. Our investment in a joint venture that operates castings production facilities has helped us maintain production despite industry-wide casting shortages. Shortages of other railcar components such as wheels, axles and couplers impact production rates at our new railcar and repair and refurbishment facilities.
Competition
There are currently six major railcar manufacturers competing in North America. We believe one of these producers builds railcars principally for its own fleet and the other producers compete with us principally in the general railcar market. We compete on the basis of reputation, quality, price, reliability of delivery and customer service and support.
In Europe the top five manufacturers, including us, control over 80% market share. European freight car manufacturers are largely located in central and eastern Europe where labor rates are lower and work rules are more flexible.
In railcar leasing and services, there are less than ten principal competitors in North America, approximately half of which are larger than us. We compete primarily on the basis of reputation, quality, price, delivery, service offerings and deal structuring ability. We believe our strong servicing capability, integrated with our manufacturing, repair shops, railcar specialization and expertise in particular lease structures provide a strong competitive position.
Marketing and Product Development
In North America, we utilize an integrated marketing and sales effort to coordinate relationships in our manufacturing and leasing & services operations. We provide our customers with a diverse range of equipment and financing alternatives designed to satisfy each customer’s unique needs, whether the customer is buying new equipment, refurbishing existing equipment or seeking to outsource the maintenance or management of equipment. These custom programs may involve a combination of railcar products, leasing, refurbishing and remarketing services. In addition, we provide customized maintenance management, equipment management and accounting services.
In Europe, we maintain relationships with customers through a network of country specific sales representatives. Our engineering and technical staff work closely with their customer counterparts on the design and certification of railcars. Many European railroads are state owned and are subject to EU regulations covering tendering of government contracts.
Through our customer relationships, insights are derived into the potential need for new products and services. Marketing and engineering personnel collaborate to evaluate opportunities and identify and develop new products. Research and development costs incurred for new product development during 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $1.9 million, $3.0 million and $2.7 million.
Patents and Trademarks
We have a number of U.S. and non-U.S. patents of varying duration and pending applications, registered trademarks, copyrights and trade names that are important to our products and product development efforts. The protection of our intellectual property is important to our business. We have implemented a proactive program aimed at protecting our intellectual property and the results from our research and development.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to national, state, provincial and local environmental laws and regulations concerning, among other matters, air emissions, wastewater discharge, solid and hazardous waste disposal and employee health and safety. Prior to acquiring manufacturing facilities, we usually conduct investigations to evaluate the environmental condition of subject properties and may negotiate contractual terms for allocation of environmental exposure arising from prior uses. We endeavor to maintain compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Environmental studies have been conducted of our owned and leased properties that indicate additional investigation and some remediation on certain properties may be necessary. Our Portland, Oregon manufacturing facility is located on the Willamette River. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified portions of the river bed, including the portion fronting our facility, as a federal “National Priority List” or “Superfund” site due to sediment contamination (the Portland Harbor Site).
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We, and more than 60 other parties, have received a “General Notice” of potential liability from the EPA relating to the Portland Harbor Site. The letter advised us that we may be liable for the costs of investigation and remediation (which liability may be joint and several with other potentially responsible parties) as well as for natural resource damages resulting from releases of hazardous substances to the site. At this time, ten private and public entities have signed an Administrative Order on Consent to perform a remedial investigation/feasibility study of the Portland Harbor Site under EPA oversight, and five additional entities have not signed such consent, but are nevertheless contributing money to the effort. The study is expected to be completed in 2007. In addition, we have entered into a Voluntary Clean-Up Agreement with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in which we agreed to conduct an investigation of whether, and to what extent, past or present operations at our Portland property may have released hazardous substances to the environment. Under this oversight, we also are conducting groundwater remediation relating to a historical spill on our property.
Because these investigations are still underway, we are unable to determine the amount of our ultimate liability relating to these matters. Based on the results of the pending investigations and future assessments of natural resource damages, we may be required to incur costs associated with additional phases of investigation or remedial action, and we may be liable for damages to natural resources. In addition, we may be required to perform periodic maintenance dredging in order to continue to launch vessels from our launch ways on the river, and the river’s classification as a Superfund site could result in some limitations on future dredging and launch activities. Any of these matters could adversely affect our business and results of operations, or the value of our Portland property.
Regulation
The Federal Railroad Administration in the United States and Transport Canada in Canada administer and enforce laws and regulations relating to railroad safety. These regulations govern equipment and safety appliance standards for freight cars and other rail equipment used in interstate commerce. The AAR promulgates a wide variety of rules and regulations governing the safety and design of equipment, relationships among railroads and other railcar owners with respect to railcars in interchange, and other matters. The AAR also certifies railcar builders and component manufacturers that provide equipment for use on North American railroads. These regulations require us to maintain our certifications with the AAR as a rail-car builder and component manufacturer, and products sold and leased by us in North America must meet AAR, Transport Canada, and Federal Railroad Administration standards.
Harmonization of the EU regulatory framework is an ongoing process. The regulatory environment in Europe consists of a combination of EU regulations and country specific regulations.
Employees
As of August 31, 2005, we had 3,972 full-time employees, consisting of 3,859 employees in manufacturing and 113 employees in leasing & services. At our manufacturing facility in Trenton, Nova Scotia, Canada, 965 employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements that expire in October 2006. At the manufacturing facility in Swidnica, Poland, 415 employees are represented by unions. In addition, under our services agreement with Bombardier, 950 union employees work at our Mexico facility. A discretionary bonus program is maintained for salaried and most hourly employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements. A stock incentive plan and a stock purchase plan are available for certain North American employees. We believe that our relations with our employees are generally good.
Additional Information
We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly, and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Committee (SEC). You may read and copy these materials at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at Room 1580, 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the operation of the public reference room. The SEC maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Copies of our annual, quarterly and special reports, Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Nominating/ Corporate Governance Committee Charter and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines are available on our web site at http://www.gbrx.com or free of charge by contacting our Investor Relations Department at The Greenbrier Companies, Inc., One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 200, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035.
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Item 2.          PROPERTIES
We currently operate at the following primary facilities:
             
Description   Size   Location   Status
 
Manufacturing Segment            
 
Railcar and marine manufacturing facility and wheel reconditioning shop   63 acres including 908,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space and a 750-ft. side-launch ways for launching ocean going vessels   Portland, Oregon   Owned
 
Railcar manufacturing facility   100 acres with 778,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space   Trenton, Nova Scotia Canada   Owned
 
Railcar manufacturing facility   88 acres with 676,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space   Swidnica, Poland   Owned
 
Railcar manufacturing and wheel reconditioning shop   462,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space, which includes a 152,000 sq. ft. wheel reconditioning shop   Sahagun, Mexico   Leased
 
Railcar repair facility   70 acres   Cleburne, Texas   Leased with purchase option
 
Railcar repair facility   51.7 acres   Kansas City, Missouri   Leased
 
Railcar repair facility   40 acres   Finley, Washington   Leased with purchase option
 
Railcar repair facility   32 acres   Dothan, Alabama   Owned
 
Railcar repair facility   18 acres   Atchison, Kansas   Owned
 
Railcar repair facility   11.6 acres   Hodge, Louisiana   Owned
 
Railcar repair facility   5.4 acres   Springfield, Oregon   Leased
 
Railcar repair facility   0.9 acres   Modesto, California   Leased
 
Railcar repair facility   3.3 acres   Golden, Colorado   Leased
 
Wheel reconditioning shop   5.6 acres   Tacoma, Washington   Leased
 
Wheel reconditioning shop   0.5 acres   Pine Bluff, Arkansas   Leased
 
Leasing & Services Segment            
 
Executive offices, railcar marketing and leasing activities   37,000 sq. ft.   Lake Oswego, Oregon   Leased
We believe that our facilities are in good condition and that the facilities, together with anticipated capital improvements and additions, are adequate to meet our operating needs for the foreseeable future. We continually evaluate the need for expansion and upgrading of our railcar manufacturing and refurbishment facilities in order to remain competitive and to take advantage of market opportunities.
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Item 3.          LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On April 20, 2004, BC Rail Partnership initiated litigation against us in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, alleging breach of contract and negligent manufacture and design of railcars which were involved in a derailment. No trial date has been set.
On November 3, 2004, and November 4, 2004, in the District Court of Tarrant County, Texas, and in the District Court of Lancaster County, Nebraska, respectively, litigation was initiated against us by BNSF. BNSF alleges the failure of a component part on a railcar manufactured by us in 1988, resulted in a derailment and a chemical spill. The complaint alleges in excess of $14.0 million in damages. Answers have been filed in both cases and the parties have agreed to stay the Nebraska action and proceed with the litigation in Texas. No trial date has been set.
On September 23, 2004, two current employees and one former employee of ours filed a civil complaint in Multnomah County Circuit Court, State of Oregon, alleging that we failed to comply with Oregon wage and hour laws. Plaintiffs seek injunctive relief and unspecified unpaid wages, penalty wages, costs, disbursements and attorneys’ fees. The parties have participated in mediation proceedings and are in settlement negotiations. No trial date has been set.
On June 27, 2005, an individual, initiated litigation against Union Pacific alleging general and economic damages in the amount of $0.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, for personal injuries incurred while operating a handbrake on a railcar operating on Union Pacific’s lines. On September 16, 2005 Union Pacific initiated litigation against us claiming indemnity and contribution. Discovery is continuing and no trial date has been set.
Management intends to vigorously defend its position in each of the foregoing cases and believes that any ultimate liability resulting from the above litigation will not materially affect our financial condition or results of operations.
From time to time, we are involved as a defendant in other litigation in the ordinary course of business. While the ultimate outcome of such legal proceedings cannot be determined at this time, management believes that the resolution of these actions will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operation.
On July 26, 2004, Alan James, a former member of our board of directors, filed an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against us and all of our directors serving on July 26, 2004, other than Mr. James, seeking rescission of the stockholder’s rights agreement, alleging, among other things, that directors breached their fiduciary duties in adopting the rights agreements. Mr. James passed away on January 28, 2005. On April 20, 2005, all of the estate’s litigation claims and allegations against us were dismissed with prejudice.
Item 4.          SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
PART II
Item 5.          MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Our common stock has been traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GBX since July 14, 1994. There were approximately 449 holders of record of common stock as of October 26, 2005. The following table shows the reported high and low sales price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange.
                 
    High   Low
 
2005
               
Fourth quarter
  $ 30.70     $ 25.80  
Third quarter
  $ 37.15     $ 25.40  
Second quarter
  $ 36.99     $ 25.56  
First quarter
  $ 29.85     $ 19.69  
2004
               
Fourth quarter
  $ 24.12     $ 16.25  
Third quarter
  $ 18.55     $ 14.01  
Second quarter
  $ 20.25     $ 14.40  
First quarter
  $ 15.85     $ 12.25  
Dividends of $.08 per share were declared in the fourth quarter of 2005. Quarterly dividends of $.06 per share were declared from the fourth quarter of 2004 through the third quarter of 2005. No dividends were declared in 2003. There is no assurance as to the payment of future dividends as they are dependent upon future earnings, capital requirements and our financial condition.
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Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides certain information as of August 31, 2005 with respect to our equity compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance.
                         
    Number of securities       Number of securities
    to be issued   Weighted average   remaining available
    upon exercise of   exercise price of   for future issuance
    outstanding options,   outstanding options,   under equity
Plan Category   warrants and rights   warrants and rights   compensation plans
 
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)
    472,820     $ 7.24       948,636  
 
 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
    None       None       None  
 
(1)  Includes the Stock Incentive Plan 2000 (The 2000 Plan) and the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan.
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Item 6.          SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                                           
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)   2005   2004   2003   2002   2001
 
Statement of Operations Data
                                       
Revenue:
                                       
 
Manufacturing
  $ 941,161     $ 653,234     $ 461,882     $ 295,074     $ 513,012  
 
Leasing & services
    83,061       76,217       70,443       72,250       80,986  
 
    $ 1,024,222     $ 729,451     $ 532,325     $ 367,324     $ 593,998  
 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 29,822     $ 20,039     $ 4,317     $ (26,094 )   $ 1,119  
Earnings from discontinued operations
          739 (1)                  
 
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 29,822     $ 20,778     $ 4,317     $ (26,094 ) (2)   $ 1,119  
 
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
                                       
 
Continuing operations
  $ 1.99     $ 1.38     $ .31     $ (1.85 )   $ .08  
 
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 1.99     $ 1.43     $ .31     $ (1.85 )   $ .08  
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
                                       
 
Continuing operations
  $ 1.92     $ 1.32     $ .30     $ (1.85 )   $ .08  
 
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 1.92     $ 1.37     $ .30     $ (1.85 )   $ .08  
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                                       
 
Basic
    15,000       14,569       14,138       14,121       14,151  
 
Diluted
    15,560       15,199       14,325       14,121       14,170  
Cash dividends paid per share
  $ .26     $ .06     $     $ .06     $ .36  
 
Balance Sheet Data
                                       
Total assets
  $ 671,207     $ 508,753     $ 538,948     $ 527,446     $ 606,180  
Notes payable
  $ 214,635     $ 97,513     $ 117,989     $ 144,131     $ 177,575  
Subordinated debt
  $ 8,617     $ 14,942     $ 20,921     $ 27,069     $ 37,491  
Stockholders’ equity
  $ 176,059     $ 139,289     $ 111,142     $ 103,139     $ 134,109  
 
Other Operating Data
                                       
New railcar units delivered
    13,200       10,800       6,500       4,100       8,600  
New railcar units backlog
    9,600       13,100       10,700       5,200       3,700  
Lease fleet:
                                       
 
Units managed
    128,645       122,676       114,701       35,562       26,306  
 
Units owned
    9,958       10,683       12,015       14,317       16,319  
 
Cash Flow Data
                                       
Capital expenditures
                                       
 
Manufacturing
  $ 16,318     $ 7,161     $ 7,390     $ 4,294     $ 10,761  
 
Leasing & services
    52,805       35,798       4,505       18,365       62,575  
 
    $ 69,123     $ 42,959     $ 11,895     $ 22,659     $ 73,336  
 
Depreciation and amortization
                                       
 
Manufacturing
  $ 12,205     $ 9,399     $ 9,081     $ 13,903     $ 12,631  
 
Leasing & services
    10,734       11,441       9,630       9,594       9,765  
 
    $ 22,939     $ 20,840     $ 18,711     $ 23,497     $ 22,396  
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (3)
    3.55       2.84       1.52       (0.86 )     1.29  
(1)  Consists of a reduction in loss contingency associated with the settlement of litigation relating to the logistics business that was discontinued in 1998. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2)  Includes $11.5 million (net of tax) of special charges, which principally relate to restructuring and write-down of European operations.
(3)  The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing earnings before fixed charges by fixed charges. Earnings before fixed charges consist of earnings (loss) before income tax, minority interest and equity in unconsolidated subsidiaries, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed, amortization of debt issuance costs and the portion of rental expense that we believe is representative of the interest component of lease expense. For the year ended August 31, 2002, there was a deficiency of earnings to fixed charges of $47.2 million.
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Item 7.       MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Executive Summary
We currently operate two primary business segments: manufacturing and leasing & services. These two business segments are operationally integrated. With operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe the manufacturing segment produces double stack intermodal railcars, conventional railcars, tank cars, marine vessels and performs railcar repair, refurbishment and maintenance activities. We produce rail castings through an unconsolidated joint venture and also manufacture new freight cars through the use of unaffiliated subcontractors. At August 31, 2005, the leasing & services segment owned approximately 10,000 railcars and provided management services for approximately 129,000 railcars for railroads, shippers, carriers and other leasing and transportation companies. Segment performance is evaluated based on margins.
In 2005, we continued to benefit from growth in demand for railroad freight cars in North America. Improvements in the North American economy have created increased rail traffic, which combined with the aging of the industry’s railcar fleet, has resulted in an increased demand for railcars. Although the North American railcar market has improved, the European market is experiencing a decline in demand for railcars.
Prices for steel, a primary component of railcars and barges, have risen significantly over the past several years and remain volatile as a result of increased costs of raw materials, strong demand, limited availability of scrap metal for steel processing and reduced capacity. As a result, steel providers are charging scrap surcharges. In addition, the price and availability of other railcar components, which are a product of steel, were adversely affected by these steel issues. We have been aggressively managing steel and scrap surcharge issues with customers and suppliers through negotiation and pass-through of costs where possible.
Our manufacturing backlog of railcars for sale and lease as of August 31, 2005 was approximately 9,600 railcars with an estimated value of $550.0 million compared to 13,100 railcars valued at $760.0 million as of August 31, 2004. We believe substantially all our current backlog is priced to cover anticipated material price increases and surcharges. As these sales price increases are an anticipated pass-through of vendor material price increases and surcharges, they are not necessarily indicative of increased margins on future production.
There is still risk that material prices could increase beyond amounts included in our sale contracts which would adversely impact margins realized on the sale of railcars in our backlog.
The available supply of rail castings to the industry continues to be adversely affected as a result of reorganization and consolidation of domestic suppliers. Our investment in a joint venture that operates castings production facilities has helped us maintain production despite industry-wide casting shortages. Shortages of other railcar components such as wheels, axles and couplers impact production at our new railcar and refurbishment facilities. In an effort to mitigate shortages and reduce supply chain costs, we are working to identify strategic alliances and global sourcing of components.
In September 1998, we entered into a joint venture with Bombardier Transportation (Bombardier) to build railroad freight cars at a portion of Bombardier’s existing manufacturing facility in Sahagun, Mexico. Each party held a 50% non-controlling interest in the joint venture. In December 2004, we acquired Bombardier’s interest for $9.0 million payable over five years. We lease a portion of the plant from Bombardier and have entered into a service agreement under which Bombardier provides labor and manufacturing support. The Mexican operations, previously accounted for under the equity method, are consolidated for financial reporting purposes beginning in December 2004.
In April 2005, we entered into an agreement with Babcock & Brown Rail Management LLC (BBRM) to jointly acquire and lease railcars for the North American market, some of which may have been produced by us. We, along with BBRM, intend to sell the railcars to third party investors and to manage the railcars for these investors. This arrangement may be expanded to
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include additional railcars some of which may be sold from our own lease fleet.
On May 11, 2005, we issued 5,175,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $26.50 per share, less underwriting commissions, discounts and expenses. We used the proceeds to purchase 3,504,167 shares from the estate of Alan James, former member of our board of directors, and 1,837,500 shares from William Furman, President and Chief Executive Officer. After the offering, the estate of Alan James owned 2.8% and William Furman owned 13.9% of our outstanding common stock. Concurrent with the purchase of the stock owned by the estate of Alan James outstanding litigation with the estate was dismissed.
On May 11, 2005, we issued, through a private placement, $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of 83/8% senior unsecured notes due 2015 (the Notes). Payment of the Notes is guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. Interest will be paid semiannually in arrears commencing November 15, 2005. Portions of the proceeds from the Notes were used to payoff a portion of our outstanding revolving notes and notes payable. Subsequent to year end, all the Notes were exchanged for an equal principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2015, with the same terms, which are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
In December 2004, we formed a strategic alliance with Zhuzhou Rolling Stock Works in China to source parts and to collaborate on commercial opportunities for new railcar products and services in North America, China and other global markets.
Results of Operations
Overview
Total revenue was $1.0 billion, $729.5 million and $532.3 million for the years ended August 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003. Net earnings for 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $29.8 million or $1.92 per diluted common share, $20.8 million or $1.37 per diluted common share and $4.3 million or $0.30 per diluted common share.
Manufacturing Segment
Manufacturing revenue includes new railcar, marine, refurbishment and maintenance activities. New railcar delivery and backlog information disclosed herein includes all facilities and orders that may be manufactured by unaffiliated subcontractors.
Our purchase on December 1, 2004 of Bombardier’s equity interest in the railcar manufacturing joint venture located in Mexico brought our ownership percentage to 100%. As a result, the financial results of the subsidiary, formerly accounted for under the equity method, are consolidated beginning December 1, 2004.
Manufacturing revenue was $941.2 million, $653.2 million and $461.9 million for the years ended 2005, 2004 and 2003. Railcar deliveries, which are the primary source of manufacturing revenue, were approximately 13,200 units in 2005 compared to 10,800 units in 2004 and 6,500 units in 2003. Manufacturing revenue increased $288.0 million or 44.1% in 2005 as compared to 2004 primarily due to $147.6 million of revenue from our Mexican operation that was accounted for under the equity method in the prior comparable period and the first quarter of 2005. The balance of the increase was principally due to increased deliveries, a higher average railcar sales price associated with scrap and material surcharges and greater volumes of subcontracted production. Manufacturing revenue increased $191.3 million, or 41.4%, in 2004 from 2003 principally due to increased new railcar deliveries offset by units with a lower average sales value. Deliveries in 2005 consisted of 68% intermodal railcars and 32% conventional railcars. Deliveries in 2004 consisted of 63% intermodal railcars and 37% conventional railcars compared to 48% intermodal railcars and 52% conventional railcars in 2003. Intermodal railcars generally have selling prices that average 65% to 75% of that of conventional railcars.
Manufacturing margin percentage was 8.8% in 2005 compared to 8.9% in 2004. As sales prices and costs increase by the same amount to cover surcharges, margins as a percentage of revenue decline. In addition, the benefits of higher margin railcar types, efficiencies of long production runs and increased volumes were offset by production issues in Europe, in particular issues surrounding component parts on one railcar type. The primary factors for the increase in margin from 8.1% in 2003 to 8.9% in 2004 were efficiencies associated with higher volumes and long production runs and an improved pricing environment, offset partially by steel price increases and steel scrap surcharges. The factors influencing cost of revenue and gross margin in a given period include order size (which affects economies of plant utilization), production rates, product mix, changes in
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manufacturing costs, product pricing and currency exchange rates.
Leasing & Services Segment
Leasing & services revenue was $83.1 million, $76.2 million and $70.4 million for the years ended 2005, 2004 and 2003. The $6.9 million increase in revenue in 2005 from 2004 was primarily the result of a $6.2 million increase in gains on sale of assets from the lease fleet, higher utilization on managed equipment, the growth of the operating lease portfolio, partially offset by the maturation of the direct finance lease portfolio and reduced car hire revenue associated with lease terminations. The $5.8 million increase in revenue in 2004 from 2003 was primarily the result of margin realized on the sale of new railcars produced by an unconsolidated subsidiary, growth of the operating lease portfolio, increased utilization of the lease fleet and reductions in rental assistance guarantees, offset partially by the effects of the maturation of the direct finance lease portfolio.
During 2005, we realized $6.8 million in pre-tax earnings on the disposition of leased equipment compared to $0.6 million in 2004 and $0.5 million in 2003. Assets from our lease fleet are periodically sold in the normal course of business in order to take advantage of market conditions, manage risk and maintain liquidity.
Approximately 20% of the owned equipment in our lease fleet was acquired through an agreement with Union Pacific, which contains a fixed price purchase option exercisable upon lease expiration. Union Pacific has notified us of their intention to exercise this option on all remaining railcars in this program. As these leases mature over the next two years through 2007, related leasing revenue will continue to decline but may be replaced by growth of the lease fleet and management services.
Approximately one-third of our leasing & services revenue is derived from “car hire” which is a fee that a railroad pays for the use of railcars owned by other railroads or third parties. There is some risk that car hire rates could be negotiated or arbitrated to lower levels in the future. This could reduce our future car hire revenue. Car hire revenue amounted to $25.3 million, $27.2 million and $24.3 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003.
Leasing & services operating margin percentage was 50.5% in 2005 compared to 44.6% in 2004 and 38.1% in 2003. The increase was primarily a result of gains on sales from the lease fleet and rate adjustments due to increased utilization on certain agreements.
Margins increased in 2004 as a result of margins realized on the sale of railcars produced by an unconsolidated subsidiary, increased utilization of the owned lease fleet, growth of the operating lease fleet with leases that are higher margin than maturing direct finance leases and reductions in rental assistance guarantee costs.
Other costs
Selling and administrative expense was $57.4 million, $48.3 million and $40.0 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003. The $9.1 million increase from 2004 to 2005 is primarily the result of the inclusion of $1.7 million in expenses for our Mexican operation which was accounted for under the equity method in the prior comparable period, higher employee related costs including incentive compensation and increases in professional fees associated with litigation, compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley legislation and strategic initiatives. Current period costs include $2.5 million in legal and professional expenses associated with litigation and responses related to actions by Alan James, a former member of the board of directors. The $8.3 million increase from 2003 to 2004 is primarily the result of fees associated with strategic initiatives, compliance with Sarbanes Oxley legislation, increases in incentive compensation and other employee costs. Selling and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue in 2005 was 5.6% compared to 6.6% in 2004 and 7.5% in 2003.
Interest and foreign exchange expense was $14.8 million, $11.5 million and $13.6 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003. Interest increased $2.4 million as a result of increased borrowings from 2004 to 2005. In addition, foreign exchange losses of $0.8 million were recognized in 2005 compared to foreign exchange gains of $0.1 million in 2004. Decreases from 2003 to 2004 were primarily the result of lower outstanding debt balances due to scheduled repayments of debt, partially offset by a $0.8 million reduction in foreign exchange gains.
During 2005, we incurred special charges of $2.9 million consisting of debt prepayment penalties and costs associated with settlement of interest rate swap agreements on certain debt that was refinanced with senior unsecured notes. The year ended August 31, 2004 includes special charges totaling $1.2 million which consist of a $7.5 million write-off
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of the remaining balance of European designs and patents partially offset by a $6.3 million reduction of purchase price liabilities associated with the settlement of arbitration regarding the acquisition of European designs and patents.
Income Tax
Income tax expense for all periods presented represents a statutory tax rate of 42.0% on United States operations and varying effective tax rates on foreign operations. The effective tax rate was 39.8%, 29.2% and 42.2% for 2005, 2004 and 2003. The fluctuations in effective tax rates are due to the geographical mix of pre-tax earnings and losses. In addition, special charges in 2004 include a $6.3 million non-taxable purchase price adjustment relating to the purchase of European designs and patents.
Equity in Loss of Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
Equity in loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries was $0.3 million, $2.0 million and $1.9 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003. Equity in earnings of the castings joint venture was $0.4 million in 2005 compared to a loss of $0.8 million in the prior comparable period. The loss in the prior period was primarily due to start-up costs and temporary plant shutdowns associated with equipment issues at the castings joint venture which began operation in September 2003. The Mexican railcar manufacturing joint venture contributed approximately $0.7 million, $1.2 million and $1.9 million to loss from unconsolidated subsidiaries in 2005, 2004 and 2003. As a result of purchasing our joint venture partner’s interest in the venture, the financial results of the entity were consolidated beginning on December 1, 2004. Accordingly, 2005 loss from unconsolidated subsidiaries only includes results of the Mexican operation through November 30, 2004 and is not comparable to the twelve months of results reflected in 2004. The improvement in results for 2004 as compared to 2003 is the result of higher production levels as the plant was operating for an entire year. The plant resumed deliveries in May 2003 after a shutdown that began in 2002.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have been financed through cash generated from operations and borrowings. At August 31, 2005, cash increased $60.1 million to $73.3 million from $13.2 million at the prior year end. Cash increases were primarily the result of the issuance of $175.0 million of senior unsecured notes, in May 2005, of which a portion of the proceeds were used to payoff certain revolving notes and notes payable.
Cash used in operations for the year ended August 31, 2005, was $21.9 million compared to $16.0 million in the prior year. The increased utilization was primarily due to increases in railcars held for sale that are expected to be sold in 2006 and changes in timing of working capital including longer payment terms on the sale of certain railcars in August 2005. The increase in usage from 2003 to 2004 is primarily due to a $20.4 million participation payment in accordance with the defined payment schedule under an agreement with Union Pacific, changes in timing of working capital and increases in inventory associated with higher production levels and certification issues on certain European cars.
Inventories at August 31, 2005 increased from August 31, 2004 levels primarily as a result of the consolidation of Mexican operations, effective December 1, 2004, previously accounted for under the equity method.
Cash used in investing activities for the year ended August 31, 2005 of $21.3 million compared to $14.8 million in 2004 and cash provided by investing activities of $17.9 million in 2003. The increased usage in 2005 and 2004 was primarily the result of increases in capital expenditures and reduced principle payments received on finance leases due to the maturation of the portfolio, offset partially by proceeds from equipment sales of $32.5 million in 2005, $16.2 million in 2004 and $24.0 million in 2003 and $8.4 million of net cash acquired in 2005 in the acquisition of the remaining joint venture interest in Mexico.
Capital expenditures totaled $69.1 million, $43.0 million and $11.9 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003. Of these capital expenditures, approximately $52.8 million, $35.8 million and $4.5 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003 were attributable to leasing & services operations. Capital expenditures have increased over the past several years as a result of purchases of railcars to replace the maturing direct finance lease portfolio. Leasing & services capital expenditures for 2006 are expected to be approximately $42.0 million. We regularly sell assets from our lease fleet, some of which may have been purchased within the current year and included in capital expenditures.
Approximately $16.3 million, $7.2 million and $7.4 million of capital expenditures for 2005, 2004
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and 2003 were attributable to manufacturing operations. Capital expenditures for manufacturing are expected to be approximately $15.0 million in 2006, a portion of which is associated with expansion and improvement of our marine facilities.
Cash provided by financing activities of $102.8 million for the year ended August 31, 2005 compared to cash used in financing activities of $37.6 million and $37.8 million in 2004 and 2003. During 2005, we received $175.0 million in proceeds from a senior unsecured debt offering, repaid $74.0 million in term debt and subordinated debt and paid dividends of $3.9 million. Cash usage during 2004 and 2003 was primarily for scheduled repayments of borrowings, as $27.5 million and $40.2 million in term debt and subordinated debt was repaid in 2004 and 2003.
During 2005, we replaced our various North American credit facilities with a senior secured credit facility. All amounts originating in foreign currency have been translated at the August 31, 2005 exchange rate for the following discussion. Credit facilities aggregated $171.4 million as of August 31, 2005. Available borrowings are based on defined levels of inventory, receivables, leased equipment and property, plant and equipment, as well as certain consolidated capitalization, tangible net worth and fixed coverage ratios which at August 31, 2005 levels would provide for maximum borrowing of $143.0 million of which $12.5 million is outstanding. A $125.0 million revolving line of credit is available through June 2010 to provide working capital and interim financing of equipment for the United States and Mexican operations. A $25.3 million line of credit is available through June 2010 for working capital for Canadian manufacturing operations. Lines of credit totaling $21.1 million are available principally through June 2006 for working capital for the European manufacturing operation. Advances bear interest at rates that depend on the type of borrowing and the ratio of debt to total capitalization, as defined. At August 31, 2005, there were no borrowings outstanding under the North American credit facilities. The European manufacturing credit lines had $12.5 million outstanding.
In accordance with customary business practices in Europe, we have $10.8 million in bank and third party performance, advance payment and warranty guarantee facilities, all of which has been utilized as of August 31, 2005. To date no amounts have been drawn under these performance, advance payment and warranty guarantees.
We have advanced $2.2 million in long term advances to an unconsolidated subsidiary which are secured by accounts receivable and inventory. As of August 31, 2005, this same unconsolidated subsidiary had $8.0 million in third party debt for which we have guaranteed 33% or approximately $2.7 million.
We have outstanding letters of credit aggregating $1.8 million associated with material purchases and facility leases.
Foreign operations give rise to risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We utilize foreign currency forward exchange contracts with established financial institutions to hedge a portion of that risk. No provision has been made for credit loss due to counterparty non-performance.
A dividend of $.08 per common share was declared in June 2005. Dividends of $.06 per common share have been paid quarterly from the fourth quarter of 2004 through the third quarter of 2005. No dividends were paid during 2003, consistent with our policy to manage for cash flow and liquidity during the downturn in the railcar industry.
We regularly monitor and evaluate conditions in the capital markets and may issue additional debt or equity from time to time. We expect existing funds and cash generated from operations, together with proceeds from financing activities, including borrowings under existing credit facilities and long term financing, to be sufficient to fund dividends, if any, working capital needs, planned capital expenditures and expected debt repayments for the foreseeable future.
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The following table shows our estimated future contractual cash obligations as of August 31, 2005(1):
                                                         
    Year Ending
     
(In thousands)   Total   2006   2007   2008   2009   2010   Thereafter
 
Notes payable
  $ 214,635     $ 13,144     $ 4,467     $ 3,925     $ 4,113     $ 5,243     $ 183,743  
Interest
    154,314       17,119       16,130       15,871       15,615       15,315       74,264  
Purchase commitments (2)
    93,965       68,005       25,960                          
Operating leases
    12,469       3,672       2,887       2,181       1,814       790       1,125  
Participation
    24,833       12,074       9,060       3,380       226       46       47  
Railcar leases
    13,875       5,598       3,631       2,409       1,580       607       50  
Revolving notes
    12,453       12,453                                
 
    $ 526,544     $ 132,065     $ 62,135     $ 27,766     $ 23,348     $ 22,001     $ 259,229  
 
(1)  Subordinated debt is not included as any amounts due are retired from the sales proceeds of the related railcars.
(2)  Purchase commitments consist of obligations for railcar purchases.
In 1990, we entered into an agreement for the purchase and refurbishment of over 10,000 used railcars between 1990 and 1997. The agreement provides that, under certain conditions, the seller will receive a percentage of defined earnings of a subsidiary, and further defines the period when such payments are to be made. Such amounts, referred to as participation, are accrued when earned, charged to leasing & services cost of revenue, and unpaid amounts are included as participation in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Participation expense was $1.6 million, $1.7 million and $2.7 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003. Payment of participation was $16.8 million in 2005.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not currently have off balance sheet arrangements that have or are likely to have a material current or future effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires judgment on the part of management to arrive at estimates and assumptions on matters that are inherently uncertain. These estimates may affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in a given period. Estimates and assumptions are periodically evaluated and may be adjusted in future periods.
Income taxes - For financial reporting purposes, income tax expense is estimated based on planned tax return filings. The amounts anticipated to be reported in those filings may change between the time the financial statements are prepared and the time the tax returns are filed. Further, because tax filings are subject to review by taxing authorities, there is also the risk that a position taken on a tax return may be challenged by a taxing authority. If the taxing authority is successful in asserting a position different than that taken by us, differences in tax expense or between current and deferred tax items may arise in future periods. Such differences, which could have a material impact on our financial statements, would be reflected in the financial statements when management considers them probable of occurring and the amount reasonably estimable. Valuation allowances reduce deferred assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized. Our estimates of the realization of deferred tax assets is based on the information available at the time the financial statements are prepared and may include estimates of future income and other assumptions that are inherently uncertain.
Maintenance obligations - We are responsible for maintenance on a portion of the managed and owned lease fleet under the terms of maintenance obligations defined in the underlying lease or management agreement. The estimated maintenance liability is based on maintenance histories for each type and age of railcar. These estimates involve judgment as to the future costs of repairs and the types and timing of repairs needed over the lease term. As we cannot predict with certainty the prices, timing and volume of maintenance needed in the future on railcars under long-term leases, this estimate is uncertain and could be materially different from maintenance requirements. The liability is periodically reviewed and updated based on maintenance trends and known future repair or refurbishment requirements. Historically, we have not had material adjustments to these estimates as they are reviewed frequently and cover long-term contracts. However, these adjustments could be material in the future due to the inability to predict future maintenance requirements.
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Warranty accruals - Warranty costs are estimated and charged to operations to cover a defined warranty period. The estimated warranty cost is based on historical warranty claims for each particular product type. For new product types without a warranty history, preliminary estimates are based on historical information for similar product types.
These estimates are inherently uncertain as they are based on historical data for existing products and judgment for new products. If warranty claims are made in the current period for issues that have not historically been the subject of warranty claims and were not taken into consideration in establishing the accrual or if claims for issues already considered in establishing the accrual exceed expectations, warranty expense may exceed the accrual for that particular product. Conversely, there is the possibility that claims may be lower than estimates. The warranty accrual is periodically reviewed and updated based on warranty trends. In aggregate, warranty costs have not been materially different from the estimates. However, as we cannot predict future claims, the potential exists for the difference to be material.
Prospective Accounting Changes
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123R, Share Based Payment. This statement requires all entities to recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of share-based payments (stock options and restricted stock) granted to employees. We are required to implement SFAS No. 123R as of September 1, 2005 and have determined the implementation will not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements as all options were vested as of August 31, 2005 and no further options are expected to be issued under existing plans. Restricted stock grants are currently being recorded as compensation expense over the vesting period.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections which replaces Accounting Principles Board (APB) opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements. This statement requires retrospective application, unless impracticable, for changes in accounting principles in the absence of transition requirements specific to newly adopted accounting principles. This statement is effective for any accounting changes and corrections of errors made beginning September 1, 2006.
Item 7a.       QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
We have operations in Canada, Mexico, Germany and Poland that conduct business in their local currencies as well as other regional currencies. To mitigate our exposure to transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of each entity, we enter into forward exchange contracts to protect our margin on a portion of our forecast foreign currency sales. At August 31, 2005, $86.8 million of forecast sales were hedged by foreign exchange contracts. Because of the variety of currencies in which purchases and sales are transacted and the interaction between currency rates, it is not possible to predict the impact a movement in a single foreign currency exchange rate would have on future operating results. We believe the exposure to foreign exchange risk is not material.
In addition to exposure to transaction gains or losses, we are also exposed to foreign currency exchange risk related to the net asset position of our foreign subsidiaries. At August 31, 2005, net assets of foreign subsidiaries aggregated $33.1 million and a uniform 10% strengthening of the United States dollar relative to the foreign currencies would result in a decrease in stockholders’ equity of $3.3 million, less than 1.9% of total stockholders’ equity. This calculation assumes that each exchange rate would change in the same direction relative to the United States dollar.
Interest Rate Risk
We have managed our floating rate debt with interest rate swap agreements, effectively converting $24.7 million of variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. At August 31, 2005, the exposure to interest rate risk is limited since 91% of our debt has fixed rates. As a result, we are only exposed to interest rate risk relating to our revolving debt and a portion of term debt. At August 31, 2005, a uniform 10% increase in interest rates would result in approximately $0.1 million of additional annual interest expense.
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Item 8.          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Consolidated Balance Sheets
AUGUST 31,
                   
(In thousands, except per share amounts)   2005   2004
 
Assets
               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 73,204     $ 12,110  
 
Restricted cash
    93       1,085  
 
Accounts and notes receivable
    122,957       120,007  
 
Inventories
    121,698       92,969  
 
Railcars held for sale
    59,421       20,153  
 
Investment in direct finance leases
    9,974       21,244  
 
Equipment on operating leases
    183,155       162,258  
 
Property, plant and equipment
    73,203       56,415  
 
Other
    27,502       22,512  
 
    $ 671,207     $ 508,753  
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
 
Revolving notes
  $ 12,453     $ 8,947  
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    195,258       178,550  
 
Participation
    21,900       37,107  
 
Deferred income tax
    31,629       26,109  
 
Deferred revenue
    6,910       2,550  
 
Notes payable
    214,635       97,513  
 
Subordinated debt
    8,617       14,942  
 
Subsidiary shares subject to mandatory redemption
    3,746       3,746  
 
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 25 & 26)
           
 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
 
Preferred stock - $0.001 par value; 25,000 shares authorized; none outstanding
           
 
Common stock - $0.001 par value; 50,000 shares authorized; 15,479 and 14,884 outstanding at August 31, 2005 and 2004
    15       15  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    62,768       57,165  
 
Retained earnings
    113,987       88,054  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (711 )     (5,945 )
 
      176,059       139,289  
 
    $ 671,207     $ 508,753  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Operations
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31,
                           
(In thousands, except per share amounts)   2005   2004   2003
 
Revenue
                       
 
Manufacturing
  $ 941,161     $ 653,234     $ 461,882  
 
Leasing & services
    83,061       76,217       70,443  
 
      1,024,222       729,451       532,325  
Cost of revenue
                       
 
Manufacturing
    857,950       595,026       424,378  
 
Leasing & services
    41,099       42,241       43,609  
 
      899,049       637,267       467,987  
Margin
    125,173       92,184       64,338  
Other costs
                       
 
Selling and administrative expense
    57,425       48,288       39,962  
 
Interest and foreign exchange
    14,835       11,468       13,618  
 
Special charges
    2,913       1,234        
 
      75,173       60,990       53,580  
Earnings before income tax and equity in unconsolidated subsidiaries
    50,000       31,194       10,758  
Income tax expense
    (19,911 )     (9,119 )     (4,543 )
 
Earnings before equity in unconsolidated subsidiaries
    30,089       22,075       6,215  
Equity in loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries
    (267 )     (2,036 )     (1,898 )
 
Earnings from continuing operations
    29,822       20,039       4,317  
 
Earnings from discontinued operations (net of tax)
          739        
 
Net earnings
  $ 29,822     $ 20,778     $ 4,317  
 
Basic earnings per common share:
                       
 
Continuing operations
  $ 1.99     $ 1.38     $ 0.31  
 
Discontinued operations
          0.05        
 
    $ 1.99     $ 1.43     $ 0.31  
 
Diluted earnings per common share:
                       
 
Continuing operations
  $ 1.92     $ 1.32     $ 0.30  
 
Discontinued operations
          0.05        
 
    $ 1.92     $ 1.37     $ 0.30  
 
Weighted average common shares:
                       
 
Basic
    15,000       14,569       14,138  
 
Diluted
    15,560       15,199       14,325  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
                                                 
                    Accumulated    
        Additional       Other   Total
(In thousands, except per share   Common Stock   Paid-in   Retained   Comprehensive   Stockholders’
amounts)   Shares   Amount   Capital   Earnings   Income (Loss)   Equity
 
Balance September 1, 2002
    14,121     $ 14     $ 49,276     $ 63,848     $ (9,999 )   $ 103,139  
Translation adjustment (net of tax effect)
                            (699 )     (699 )
Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (net of tax effect)
                            (2,071 )     (2,071 )
Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments (net of tax effect)
                            4,659       4,659  
                                       
Comprehensive income
                                            6,206  
Stock options exercised
    191             1,797                   1,797  
 
Balance August 31, 2003
    14,312       14       51,073       68,165       (8,110 )     111,142  
Net earnings
                      20,778             20,778  
Translation adjustment (net of tax effect)
                            444       444  
Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (net of tax effect)
                            (3,865 )     (3,865 )
Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments (net of tax effect)
                            5,586       5,586  
                                       
Comprehensive income
                                            22,943  
Cash dividends ($0.06 per share)
                      (889 )           (889 )
Stock options exercised
    572       1       6,092                   6,093  
 
Balance August 31, 2004
    14,884       15       57,165       88,054       (5,945 )     139,289  
Net earnings
                      29,822             29,822  
Translation adjustment (net of tax effect)
                            2,653       2,653  
Reclassification of derivative financial instruments recognized in net earnings (net of tax effect)
                            (2,355 )     (2,355 )
Unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments (net of tax effect)
                            4,936       4,936  
                                       
Comprehensive income
                                            35,056  
Net proceeds from equity offering
    5,175       5       127,457                   127,462  
Shares repurchased
    (5,342 )     (5 )     (127,533 )                 (127,538 )
Cash dividends ($0.26 per share)
                      (3,889 )           (3,889 )
Restricted stock awards
    353             10,221                   10,221  
Unamortized restricted stock
                (9,980 )                 (9,980 )
Stock options exercised
    409             3,045                   3,045  
Tax benefit of stock options exercised
                2,393                   2,393  
 
Balance August 31, 2005
    15,479     $ 15     $ 62,768     $ 113,987     $ (711 )   $ 176,059  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31,
                               
(In thousands)   2005   2004   2003
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
 
Net earnings
  $ 29,822     $ 20,778     $ 4,317  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                       
   
Earnings from discontinued operations
          (739 )      
   
Deferred income taxes
    5,807       9,646       2,620  
   
Tax benefit of stock options exercised
    2,393              
   
Depreciation and amortization
    22,939       20,840       18,711  
   
Gain on sales of equipment
    (6,797 )     (629 )     (454 )
   
Special charges
          1,234        
   
Other
    651       1,332       661  
   
Decrease (increase) in assets:
                       
     
Accounts and notes receivable
    (32,328 )     (37,786 )     (24,786 )
     
Inventories
    15,403       (22,355 )     (10,275 )
     
Railcars held for sale
    (38,495 )     14,097       3,377  
     
Other
    (10,415 )     2,940       1,148  
   
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
                       
     
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    3       30,956       30,843  
     
Participation
    (15,207 )     (18,794 )     (5,094 )
     
Deferred revenue
    4,285       (37,495 )     6,371  
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (21,939 )     (15,975 )     27,439  
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
 
Principal payments received under direct finance leases
    5,733       9,461       14,294  
 
Proceeds from sales of equipment
    32,528       16,217       23,954  
 
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated subsidiaries
    92       (2,240 )     (3,126 )
 
Acquisition of joint venture
    8,435              
 
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash
    1,007       4,757       (5,300 )
 
Capital expenditures
    (69,123 )     (42,959 )     (11,895 )
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (21,328 )     (14,764 )     17,927  
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
 
Changes in revolving notes
    2,514       (14,030 )     (5,754 )
 
Proceeds from notes payable
    175,000             6,348  
 
Repayments of notes payable
    (67,691 )     (21,539 )     (34,058 )
 
Repayments of subordinated debt
    (6,325 )     (5,979 )     (6,148 )
 
Dividends
    (3,889 )     (889 )      
 
Net proceeds from equity offering
    127,462              
 
Re-purchase and retirement of stock
    (127,538 )            
 
Stock options exercised and restricted stock awards
    3,286       6,093       1,797  
 
Purchase subsidiary’s shares subject to mandatory redemption
          (1,277 )      
 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    102,819       (37,621 )     (37,815 )
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes
    1,542       3,172       2,151  
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    61,094       (65,188 )     9,702  
Cash and cash equivalents
                       
Beginning of period
    12,110       77,298       67,596  
 
End of period
  $ 73,204     $ 12,110     $ 77,298  
 
Cash paid during the period for:
                       
Interest
  $ 10,187     $ 11,376     $ 13,789  
Income taxes
  $ 12,287     $ 5,892     $ 3,723  
Supplemental disclosure of subsidiary acquired:
                       
 
Assets acquired, net of cash
  $ (19,051 )   $     $  
 
Liabilities assumed
    19,529              
 
Investment previously booked for unconsolidated joint venture
    7,957              
 
 
Cash acquired
  $ 8,435     $     $  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 - Nature of Operations
The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries (Greenbrier or the Company) currently operates in two primary business segments: manufacturing and leasing & services. The two business segments are operationally integrated. With operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe, the manufacturing segment produces double-stack intermodal railcars, conventional railcars, tank cars, marine vessels and performs railcar repair, refurbishment and maintenance activities. The Company also produces rail castings through an unconsolidated joint venture and also manufactures new freight cars through the use of unaffiliated subcontractors. The leasing & services segment owns approximately 10,000 railcars and provides management services for approximately 129,000 railcars for railroads, shippers and other leasing and transportation companies.
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of consolidation - The financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation. Investments in and long-term advances to joint ventures in which the Company has a 50% or less ownership interest are accounted for by the equity method and included in other assets.
Unclassified Balance Sheet - The balance sheets of the Company are presented in an unclassified format as a result of significant leasing activities for which the current or noncurrent distinction is not relevant. In addition, the activities of the leasing & services and manufacturing segments are so intertwined that, in the opinion of management, any attempt to separate the respective balance sheet categories would not be meaningful and may lead to the development of misleading conclusions by the reader.
Foreign currency translation - Operations outside the United States prepare financial statements in currencies other than the United States dollar. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for the year, while assets and liabilities are translated at year-end exchange rates. Translation adjustments are accumulated as a separate component of stockholders’ equity in other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax.
Cash and cash equivalents - Cash is temporarily invested primarily in bankers’ acceptances, United States Treasury bills, commercial paper and money market funds. All highly-liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition are considered cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable - Accounts receivable are stated net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2.5 million and $1.9 million as of August 31, 2005 and 2004.
Inventories - Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Work-in-process includes material, labor and overhead.
Railcars held for sale - Railcars held for sale consist of new railcars in transit to delivery point or on lease with the intent to sell and used railcars that will either be sold or refurbished, placed on lease and then sold.
Equipment on operating leases - Equipment on operating leases is stated at cost. Depreciation to estimated salvage value is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of up to thirty-five years.
Property, plant and equipment - Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives which are as follows:
         
    Depreciable Life
     
Buildings and improvements:
    10-25 years  
Machinery and equipment
    3-15 years  
Other
    3-7 years  
Intangible assets - Loan fees are capitalized and amortized as interest expense over the life of the related borrowings. Goodwill is not significant and is included in other assets. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually and more frequently if material changes in events or circumstances arise. Impairment would result in a write down to fair market value as necessary.
Impairment of long-lived assets - When changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of certain long-lived assets may not be recoverable, the assets will be evaluated for impairment. If the forecast undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment charge
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to reduce the carrying value of the assets to fair value will be recognized in the current period.
Maintenance obligations - The Company is responsible for maintenance on a portion of the managed and owned lease fleet under the terms of maintenance obligations defined in the underlying lease or management agreement. The estimated liability is based on maintenance histories for each type and age of the railcar. The liability, included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, is reviewed periodically and updated based on maintenance trends and known future repair or refurbishment requirements.
Warranty accruals - Warranty accruals are estimated and charged to operations to cover a defined warranty period. The estimated warranty cost is based on history of warranty claims for each particular product type. For new product types without a warranty history, preliminary estimates are based on historical information for similar product types. The warranty accruals, included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, are reviewed periodically and updated based on warranty trends.
Contingent rental assistance - The Company has entered into contingent rental assistance agreements on certain railcars, subject to leases, that have been sold to third parties. These agreements guarantee the purchasers a minimum lease rental, subject to a maximum defined rental assistance amount, over remaining periods that range from one to seven years. A liability is established when management believes that it is probable that a rental shortfall will occur and the amount can be estimated. All existing rental assistance agreements were entered into prior to December 31, 2002. Any future contracts would use the guidance required by Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation (FIN) 45.
Income taxes - The liability method is used to account for income taxes. Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary effects of differences between assets and liabilities recognized for financial statement and income tax reporting purposes. Valuation allowances reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized. The Company also provides for income tax contingencies when management considers them probable of occurring and reasonably estimable.
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) - Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) represents net earnings (loss) plus all other changes in net assets from non-owner sources.
Revenue recognition - Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured.
Railcars are generally manufactured, repaired or refurbished under firm orders from third parties. Revenue is recognized when railcars are completed, accepted by an unaffiliated customer and contractual contingencies removed. Marine revenues are either recognized on the percentage of completion method during the construction period or on the completed contract method based on the terms of the contract. Direct finance lease revenue is recognized over the lease term in a manner that produces a constant rate of return on the net investment in the lease. Operating lease revenue is recognized as earned under the lease terms. Certain leases are operated under car hire arrangements whereby revenue is earned based on utilization, car hire rates and terms specified in the lease agreement. Car hire revenue is reported from a third party source two months in arrears, however, such revenue is accrued in the month earned based on estimates of use from historical activity and is adjusted to actual as reported. Such adjustments historically have not been significant from the estimate.
Research and development - Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs incurred for new product development during 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $1.9 million, $3.0 million and $2.7 million.
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Forward exchange contracts - Foreign operations give rise to risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Forward exchange contracts with established financial institutions are utilized to hedge a portion of such risk. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are deferred in other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in earnings concurrent with the hedged transaction or when the occurrence of the hedged transaction is no longer considered probable. Even though forward exchange contracts are entered into to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations, certain exposure remains which may affect operating results.
Interest rate instruments - Interest rate swap agreements are utilized to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on certain debt. The net cash amounts paid or received under the agreements are accrued and recognized as an adjustment to interest expense.
Net earnings per share - Basic earnings per common share (EPS) excludes the potential dilution that would occur if additional shares were issued upon exercise of outstanding stock options, while diluted EPS takes this potential dilution into account using the treasury stock method.
Stock-based compensation - Compensation expense for stock-based employee compensation continues to be measured using the method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.
In accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, Greenbrier does not recognize compensation expense relating to employee stock options because it only grants options with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the stock on the effective date of grant. If the Company had elected to recognize compensation expense using a fair value approach, the pro forma net earnings and earnings per share would have been as follows:
                           
(In thousands, except per share amounts)   2005   2004   2003
 
Net earnings, as reported
  $ 29,822     $ 20,778     $ 4,317  
Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of tax(1)
    (235 )     (319 )     (690 )
 
Net earnings, pro forma
  $ 29,587     $ 20,459     $ 3,627  
 
Basic earnings per share
                       
 
As reported
  $ 1.99     $ 1.43     $ 0.31  
 
 
Pro forma
  $ 1.97     $ 1.40     $ 0.26  
 
Diluted earnings per share
                       
 
As reported
  $ 1.92     $ 1.37     $ 0.30  
 
 
Pro forma
  $ 1.90     $ 1.35     $ 0.25  
 
(1)  Compensation expense was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model which was developed to estimate value of independently traded options. Greenbrier’s options are not independently traded.
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The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for the grants for the year ending August 31, 2003. No options were granted for the years ended August 31, 2004 and 2005.
         
    2003
 
Weighted average fair value of options granted
  $ 1.97  
Volatility
    31.68 %
Risk-free rate of return
    3.69 %
Dividend yield
    None  
Number of years to exercise options
    8  
The value of stock awarded under restricted stock grants is amortized as compensation expense over the vesting period of two to five years.
Management estimates - The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires judgment on the part of management to arrive at estimates and assumptions on matters that are inherently uncertain, including evaluating the remaining life and recoverability of long-lived assets. These estimates may affect the amount of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates and assumptions are periodically evaluated and may be adjusted in future periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Reclassifications - Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years’ Consolidated Financial Statements to conform with the 2005 presentation.
Prospective Accounting Changes - In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123R, Share Based Payment. This statement requires all entities to recognize compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of share-based payments (stock options and restricted stock) granted to employees. The Company is required to implement SFAS No. 123R as of September 1, 2005 and has determined the implementation will not have a material effect on its Consolidated Financial Statements as all options were vested as of August 31, 2005 and no further options are expected to be issued. Restricted stock grants are currently being recorded as compensation expense over the vesting period.
In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections which replaces Accounting Principles Board (APB) opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements. This statement requires retrospective application, unless impracticable, for changes in accounting principles in the absence of transition requirements specific to newly adopted accounting principles. This statement is effective for any accounting changes and corrections of errors made beginning September 1, 2006.
Note 3 - Acquisitions
In September 1998 Greenbrier entered into a joint venture with Bombardier Transportation (Bombardier) to build railroad freight cars at a portion of Bombardier’s existing manufacturing facility in Sahagun, Mexico. Each party held a 50% non-controlling interest in the joint venture. In December 2004, Greenbrier acquired Bombardier’s interest and will pay Bombardier a purchase price of $9.0 million over five years and as a result of the allocation of the purchase price among assets and liabilities, recorded $1.3 million in goodwill. Greenbrier leases a portion of the plant from Bombardier and has entered into a service agreement under which Bombardier provides labor and manufacturing support. These operations, previously accounted for under the equity method, are consolidated for financial reporting purposes beginning in December 2004.
The balance sheet of the acquired entity at December 1, 2004 was as follows:
           
(In thousands)    
 
Assets
       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 8,435  
 
Amounts and notes receivable
    12,712  
 
Inventories
    38,593  
 
Property, plant and equipment
    11,515  
 
Goodwill and other
    1,421  
 
    $ 72,676  
 
Liabilities and Stockholder’s Equity
       
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 10,530  
 
Payable to Greenbrier
    45,053  
 
Notes payable
    9,000  
 
Stockholder’s equity
    8,093  
 
    $ 72,676  
 
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The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the years ended August 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 was prepared as if the transaction to acquire Bombardier’s equity in the Mexican operations had occurred at the beginning of each period presented:
                         
(In thousands)   2005   2004   2003
 
Revenue
  $ 1,052,914     $ 793,775     $ 557,943  
Net earnings
  $ 28,633     $ 18,119     $ 1,656  
Basic earnings per share
  $ 1.91     $ 1.24     $ 0.12  
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 1.84     $ 1.19     $ 0.12  
The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of what actual results would have been had the transaction occurred at the beginning of each period presented.
Note 4 - Discontinued Operations
In August 2004, the Company reached a settlement agreement on litigation initiated in 1998 by the former shareholders of InterAmerican Logistics, Inc. (InterAmerican) which was acquired in 1996 as part of the Company’s transportation logistics segment. The litigation alleged that Greenbrier violated the agreements pursuant to which it acquired ownership of InterAmerican. A plan to dispose of the transportation logistics segment, which included InterAmerican, was adopted in 1997 and completed in 1998 and accordingly, results of operations for InterAmerican were reclassified to discontinued operations at that time. Upon final disposition in 1998, the balance of the liability for loss on discontinued operations remained pending resolution of this litigation. In August 2004, the litigation was settled resulting in the recognition of a $1.3 million pre-tax gain on discontinued operations ($0.7 million, net of tax) as a result of reversal of the remaining contingent liability.
Note 5 - Special Charges
The results of operations for the year ended August 31, 2005 include special charges of $2.9 million for debt prepayment penalties and costs associated with settlement of interest rate swap agreements on $55.7 million in notes payable that were refinanced through a $175.0 million senior unsecured note offering.
The results of operations for the year ended August 31, 2004 include special charges totaling $1.2 million which consist of a $7.5 million write-off of the remaining balance of European designs and patents partially offset by a $6.3 million reduction of purchase price liabilities associated with the settlement of arbitration on the acquisition of European designs and patents.
Note 6 - Accounts and Notes Receivable
                 
(In thousands)   2005   2004
 
Trade receivables
  $ 123,294     $ 80,475  
 
Receivables from unconsolidated subsidiaries
          35,739  
 
Long-term receivable from unconsolidated subsidiaries
    2,202       5,739  
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    (2,539 )     (1,946 )
 
    $ 122,957     $ 120,007  
 
Receivables from an unconsolidated subsidiary represent advances to the Mexican operations for inventory purchases. In December 2004, the Company acquired 100% ownership of this entity, which is now consolidated.
Note 7 - Inventories
                 
(In thousands)   2005   2004
 
Manufacturing supplies and raw materials
  $ 33,653     $ 31,282  
 
Work-in process
    91,637       65,498  
 
Lower of cost or market adjustment
    (3,592 )     (3,811 )
 
    $ 121,698     $ 92,969  
 
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(In thousands)   2005   2004   2003
 
Lower of cost or market adjustment
                       
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 3,811     $ 3,268     $ 2,226  
Charged to cost of revenue
    1,398       1,617       3,143  
Usage
    (2,055 )     (1,238 )     (2,403 )
Currency translation effect
    258       164       302  
Acquisition
    180              
 
Balance at end of period
  $ 3,592     $ 3,811     $ 3,268  
 
Note 8 - Investment in Direct Finance Leases
                 
    2005   2004
(In thousands)        
 
Future minimum receipts on lease contracts
  $ 8,394     $ 14,869  
Maintenance, insurance and taxes
    (1,037 )     (3,763 )
 
Net minimum lease receipts
    7,357       11,106  
Estimated residual values
    5,899       13,213  
Unearned finance charges
    (3,282 )     (3,075 )
 
    $ 9,974     $ 21,244  
 
Future minimum receipts on the direct finance lease contracts are as follows:
         
(In thousands)    
 
Year ending August 31,
       
2006
  $ 3,939  
2007
    987  
2008
    424  
2009
    318  
2010
    303  
Thereafter
    2,423  
 
    $ 8,394  
 
Note 9 - Equipment on Operating Leases
Equipment on operating leases is reported net of accumulated depreciation of $79.6 million and $78.9 million as of August 31, 2005 and 2004. In addition, certain railcar equipment leased-in by the Company (see Note 25) is subleased to customers under non-cancelable operating leases. Aggregate minimum future amounts receivable under all non-cancelable operating leases and subleases are as follows:
         
(In thousands)    
 
Year ending August 31,
       
2006
  $ 21,578  
2007
    17,351  
2008
    15,059  
2009
    9,379  
2010
    7,832  
Thereafter
    31,103  
 
    $ 102,302  
 
Certain equipment is also operated under daily, monthly or car hire arrangements. Associated revenues amounted to $28.0 million, $30.2 million and $26.9 million for the years ended August 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
Note 10 - Property, Plant and Equipment
                 
(In thousands)   2005   2004
 
Land and improvements
  $ 9,824     $ 9,522  
Machinery and equipment
    105,910       84,563  
Buildings and improvements
    55,973       42,606  
Other
    16,430       11,828  
 
      188,137       148,519  
Accumulated depreciation
    (114,934 )     (92,104 )
 
    $ 73,203     $ 56,415  
 
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Note 11 - Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
In June 2003, the Company acquired a minority ownership interest in a joint venture which produces castings for freight cars. The joint venture leases and operates a foundry in Cicero, Illinois and owns and operates a foundry in Alliance, Ohio. This joint venture is accounted for under the equity method and the investment is included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Summarized financial data for the castings joint venture is as follows:
                 
(In thousands)   2005   2004
 
Current assets
  $ 17,135     $ 19,036  
Total assets
  $ 33,632     $ 32,946  
Current liabilities
  $ 14,742     $ 19,994  
Equity
  $ 6,862     $ 4,919  
                         
(In thousands)   2005   2004   2003
 
Revenue
  $ 109,801     $ 55,722     $ 5,039  
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 1,942     $ (4,154 )   $ (224 )
As discussed in Note 3, in December 2004, Greenbrier acquired Bombardier’s interest in our Mexican railcar manufacturing joint venture previously accounted for under the equity method. Greenbrier’s share of the operating results through November 2004 are included as equity in loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Financial results of the Mexican operations are consolidated for financial reporting purposes beginning December 1, 2004.
Summarized financial data for the joint venture is as follows:
         
(In thousands)   2004
 
Current assets
  $ 56,823  
Total assets
  $ 68,964  
Current liabilities
  $ 51,203  
Equity
  $ 17,761  
                         
    Three Months   Years Ended
    Ended   August 31,
    November 30,    
    2004   2004   2003
     
Revenue
  $ 30,067     $ 75,565     $ 25,550  
Net loss
  $ (1,576 )   $ (2,956 )   $ (4,728 )
Greenbrier has purchased railcars from the joint venture for subsequent sale or for its lease fleet for which the Company’s portion of margin is eliminated upon consolidation. In addition, the joint venture paid a management fee to each owner, of which 50% of the fee earned by Greenbrier was eliminated upon consolidation.
Note 12 - Revolving Notes
All amounts originating in foreign currency have been translated at the August 31, 2005 exchange rate for the following discussion. Credit facilities aggregated $171.4 million as of August 31, 2005. Available borrowings are based on defined levels of inventory, receivables, leased equipment and property, plant and equipment, as well as certain consolidated capitalization, tangible net worth and fixed coverage ratios which at August 31, 2005 levels would provide for maximum borrowing of $143.0 million of which $12.5 million is outstanding. A $125.0 million revolving line of credit is available through June 2010 to provide working capital and interim financing of equipment for the United States and Mexican operations. A $25.3 million line of credit is available through June 2010 for working capital for Canadian manufacturing operations. Lines of credit totaling $21.1 million are available principally through June 2006 for working capital for the European manufacturing operation. Advances bear interest at rates that depend on the type of borrowing and the ratio of debt to total capitalization, as defined. At August 31, 2005, there were no borrowings outstanding under the North American credit facilities. The European manufacturing credit line had $12.5 million outstanding at interest rates of 5.8% and 5.9%.
Note 13 - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
                 
(In thousands)   2005   2004
 
Trade payables and accrued liabilities
  $ 129,499     $ 127,268  
Accrued maintenance
    25,464       21,264  
Accrued payroll and related liabilities
    17,292       14,011  
Accrued warranty
    15,037       12,691  
Other
    7,966       3,316  
 
    $ 195,258     $ 178,550  
 
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Note 14 - Maintenance and Warranty Accruals
                         
(In thousands)   2005   2004   2003
 
Accrued maintenance
                       
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 21,264     $ 18,155     $ 12,508  
Charged to cost of revenue
    20,152       19,968       20,941  
Payments
    (15,952 )     (16,859 )     (15,294 )
 
Balance at end of period
  $ 25,464     $ 21,264     $ 18,155  
 
Accrued warranty
                       
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 12,691     $ 9,511     $ 9,556  
Charged to cost of revenue
    4,664       4,895       2,584  
Payments
    (3,297 )     (2,186 )     (3,263 )
Currency translation effect
    811       471       634  
Acquisition
    168              
 
Balance at end of period
  $ 15,037     $ 12,691     $ 9,511  
 
Note 15 - Notes Payable
                 
(In thousands)   2005   2004
 
Senior unsecured notes
  $ 175,000     $  
Term loans
    39,479       45,943  
Equipment notes payable
          51,199  
Other notes payable
    156       371  
 
    $ 214,635     $ 97,513  
 
On May 11, 2005, the Company issued through a private placement, $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of 83/8% senior unsecured notes due 2015 (the Notes). In August 2005, the Company filed a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the Notes for a new issue of identical notes registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Subsequent to August 31, 2005, the exchange for the registered notes was completed. Payment on the Notes is guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. Interest will be paid semiannually in arrears commencing November 15, 2005.
At any time prior to May 15, 2008, Greenbrier may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price of 108.4% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings. On or after May 15, 2010, Greenbrier has the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) of 104.2% in 2010, 102.8% in 2011, 101.4% in 2012, and 100.0% in 2013 and thereafter plus accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on May 15th. Upon a change of control, Greenbrier is required to offer to purchase all of the Notes then outstanding for cash at 101.0% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages, if any, to the purchase date.
Term loans are due in varying installments through August 2017 and are collateralized by certain property, plant and equipment. The weighted average remaining contractual life and weighted average interest rate of the term loans as of August 31, 2005 and 2004 were approximately 65 and 59 months and 6.2% in 2005 and 6.8% in 2004.
The revolving and operating lines of credit, along with certain notes payable, contain covenants with respect to the Company and various subsidiaries, the most restrictive of which, among other things, limit the ability to incur additional indebtedness or guarantees; pay dividends; enter into sale leaseback transactions; create liens; sell assets; engage in transactions with affiliates; enter into mergers, consolidations or sales of substantially all the Company’s assets; and enter into new lines of business. The covenants also require certain minimum levels of tangible net worth, maximum ratios of debt to equity and minimum levels of interest coverage.
Interest rate swap agreements are utilized to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on certain debt. At August 31, 2005, such agreements had a
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notional amount of $24.7 million and mature between August 2006 and March 2011.
Principal payments on the notes payable are as follows:
         
(In thousands)    
 
Year ending August 31,
       
2006
  $ 13,144  
2007
    4,467  
2008
    3,925  
2009
    4,113  
2010
    5,243  
Thereafter
    183,743  
 
    $ 214,635  
 
Note 16 - Subordinated Debt
Subordinated notes, amounting to $8.6 million and $14.9 million at August 31, 2005 and 2004, were issued to the seller of railcars purchased from 1990 to 1997 as part of an agreement described in Note 26. The notes bear interest at 9.0%, with the principal due ten years from the date of issuance of the notes, and are subordinated to all other liabilities of a subsidiary. The agreement includes an option that, under certain conditions, provides for the seller to repurchase the railcars for the original acquisition cost to the Company at the date the underlying subordinated notes are due. The Company has received notice from the seller that the purchase options will be exercised, and amounts due under the subordinated notes will be retired from the repurchase proceeds.
Note 17 - Derivative Instruments
Foreign operations give rise to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Foreign currency forward exchange contracts with established financial institutions are utilized to hedge a portion of that risk. Interest rate swap agreements are utilized to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on certain debt. The Company’s foreign currency forward exchange contracts and interest rate swap agreements are designated as cash flow hedges, and therefore the unrealized gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
At August 31, 2005 exchange rates, forward exchange contracts for the sale of United States dollars aggregated $66.6 million, Pound Sterling aggregated $5.7 million and Euro aggregated $14.5 million. Adjusting these contracts to the fair value of these cash flow hedges at August 31, 2005 resulted in an unrealized pre-tax gain of $3.4 million that was recorded in the line item accumulated other comprehensive loss. As these contracts mature at various dates through March 2006, any such gain or loss remaining will be recognized in manufacturing revenue along with the related transactions. In the event that the underlying sales transaction does not occur or does not occur in the period designated at the inception of the hedge, the amount classified in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) would be reclassified to the current year’s results of operations.
At August 31, 2005 exchange rates, interest rate swap agreements had a notional amount of $24.7 million and mature between August 2006 and March 2011. The fair value of these cash flow hedges at August 31, 2005 resulted in an unrealized pre-tax loss of $1.5 million. The loss is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss and the fair value of the contracts is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As interest expense on the underlying debt is recognized, amounts corresponding to the interest rate swaps are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and charged or credited to interest expense. At August 31, 2005 interest rates, approximately $0.5 million would be reclassified to interest expense in the next 12 months.
Note 18 - Stockholders’ Equity
On May 11, 2005, the Company issued 5,175,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $26.50 per share, less underwriting commissions, discounts and expenses. Proceeds were used to purchase 3,504,167 shares from the estate of Alan James, former member of the board of directors, and 1,837,500 shares from William Furman, President and Chief Executive Officer. After the offering, the estate of Alan James owned 2.8% and William Furman owned 13.9% of the outstanding common stock of the Company.
A stock incentive plan was adopted July 1, 1994 (the 1994 Plan) that provides for granting compensatory and non-compensatory options to employees and others. No further grants will be awarded under this plan.
On April 6, 1999, the Company adopted the Stock Incentive Plan 2000 (the 2000 Plan), under which 1,000,000 shares of common stock were made available for issuance with respect to options granted to employees, non-employee directors and consultants
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of the Company. The 2000 Plan authorized the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, and restricted stock awards, or any combination of the foregoing. Under the 2000 Plan, the exercise price for incentive stock options could not be less than the market value of the Company’s common stock at the time the option is granted. Grants for 2,500 shares remain available under this plan. In 2005, vesting was accelerated on all outstanding options on this plan in an effort to reduce administrative expenses associated with the implementation of FASB 123R as the remaining unvested portion of options was immaterial and no further options were expected to be issued. If the vesting of the options had not been accelerated, the impact to the Company’s Statement of Operations would be an additional expense of $0.1 million in 2006 with an after-tax impact of $0.004 per share. The effect would be minimal for periods after 2006.
In January 2005, the stockholders approved the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. The plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, restricted shares, stock units and stock appreciation rights. The maximum aggregate number of the Company’s common shares available for issuance under the plan is 1,300,000. During 2005, the Company awarded restricted stock grants totaling 353,864 shares under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan.
The following table summarizes stock option transactions for shares under option and the related weighted average option price:
                 
        Weighted
        Average
        Option
    Shares   Price
 
Balance at September 1, 2002
    1,273,500     $ 10.26  
Granted
    429,500       4.45  
Exercised
    (190,800 )     9.42  
Expired
    (3,000 )     17.34  
Canceled
    (28,750 )     10.44  
       
Balance at August 31, 2003
    1,480,450       8.66  
Exercised
    (592,200 )     10.58  
Expired
    (4,000 )     13.63  
       
Balance at August 31, 2004
    884,250       7.35  
Exercised
    (408,930 )     7.48  
Expired
    (2,500 )     8.75  
       
Balance at August 31, 2005
    472,820     $ 7.24  
       
At August 31, 2005 options outstanding have exercise prices ranging from $4.36 to $13.66 per share, have a remaining average contractual life of 3.72 years and options to purchase 472,820 shares were exercisable and 948,636 shares were available for grant at August 31, 2005. No shares were available for grant as of August 31, 2003 or 2004.
Note 19 - Earnings Per Share
The shares used in the computation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per common share are reconciled as follows:
                         
(In thousands)   2005   2004   2003
 
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding
    15,000       14,569       14,138  
 
Dilutive effect of employee stock options
    560       630       187  
 
 
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding
    15,560       15,199       14,325  
 
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding includes the incremental shares that would be issued upon the assumed exercise of stock options. Stock options for 0.5 million shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended August 31, 2003 as these options were anti-dilutive. No options were anti-dilutive the years ended August 31, 2005 and 2004.
Note 20 - Related Party Transactions
James-Furman & Company Partnership. Alan James, former member of the Board of Directors, and William Furman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company were partners in a general partnership, James-Furman & Company (the Partnership), that, among other things, engaged in the ownership, leasing and marketing of railcars and programs for refurbishing and marketing of used railcars. As a result of Mr. James’ death, the Partnership was dissolved as of January 28, 2005. In 1989, the Company entered into presently existing agreements with the Partnership pursuant to which the Company manages and maintains railcars owned by the Partnership in exchange for a fixed monthly fee that is no less favorable to the Company than the fee the Company could obtain for similar services
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rendered to unrelated parties. The maintenance and management fees paid to the Company under such agreements for the years ended August 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 aggregated $0.1 million per year. In addition, the Partnership paid the Company fees of $0.1 million in each of the years ended August 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 for administrative and other services. The management and maintenance agreements presently in effect between the Company and the Partnership provide that in remarketing railcars owned by the Partnership and the Company, as well as by unaffiliated lessors, the Company will, subject to the business requirements of prospective lessees and railroad regulatory requirements, grant priority to that equipment which has been off-lease and available for the longest period of time. Such agreements also provide that the Partnership will grant to the Company a right of first refusal with respect to any opportunity originated by the Partnership in which the Company may be interested involving the manufacture, purchase, sale, lease, management, refurbishing or repair of railcars. The right of first refusal provides that prior to undertaking any such transaction the Partnership must offer the opportunity to the Company and must provide the disinterested, independent members of the Board of Directors a period of not less than 30 days in which to determine whether the Company desires to pursue the opportunity. The right of first refusal in favor of the Company continues for a period of 12 months after the date that both of Messrs. James and Furman cease to be officers or directors of the Company. Prior to Mr. James’ death, the Partnership had advised the Company that it did not expect to pursue acquisitions of additional railcars. It has not yet been determined how the agreements between the Company and the Partnership will be addressed due to the Partnership’s dissolution.
Indebtedness of Management - Since the beginning of the Company’s last fiscal year, no director or executive officer of the Company has been indebted to the Company for an amount in excess of $60 thousand except that the President of the Company’s manufacturing operations is indebted in the amount of $0.2 million under the terms of a promissory note payable upon demand and secured by a mortgage. The note does not bear interest and has not been amended since issuance of the note.
Policy - Greenbrier’s policy is that all proposed transactions by the Company with directors, officers, five percent stockholders and their affiliates be entered into only if such transactions are on terms no less favorable to Greenbrier than could be obtained from unaffiliated parties, are reasonably expected to benefit the Company and are approved by a majority of the disinterested, independent members of the Company’s board of directors.
Litigation - On July 26, 2004, Mr. James, then-Chairman of Greenbrier’s board of directors, filed an action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against the Company and all of its then existing directors other than Mr. James. The action sought rescission of the stockholder rights agreement, alleging, among other things, that directors breached their fiduciary duties in adopting the rights agreement and that adopting the rights agreement breached the right-of-first refusal provisions of the Stockholders’ Agreement among Mr. James, William A. Furman and the Company. Subsequently, the action was amended to remove the claims regarding the stockholders’ agreement. The lawsuit did not seek monetary damages. On April 19, 2005, the Estate was substituted as a plaintiff in this litigation. The settlement agreement required the Estate to cause the dismissal, with prejudice, of all claims in this litigation. On April 20, 2005, the parties to the litigation filed with the Delaware court the order approving the stipulation and dismissal of the Delaware litigation. The Delaware court granted that order on April 21, 2005.
Purchases from unconsolidated subsidiaries - The Company purchased railcars totaling $1.0 million for the three months ended November 30, 2004 and $31.8 million for the year ended August 31, 2004 from a 50%-owned joint venture for subsequent sale or for its own lease fleet. No cars were purchased from the joint venture for the year ended August 31, 2003. As a result of the acquisition of the Company’s joint venture partner’s interest on December 1, 2004, the financial results of the entity were consolidated for the last three quarters of 2005. See Note 3 for discussion of the acquisition.
Note 21 - Employee Benefit Plans
Defined contribution plans are available to substantially all United States employees. Contributions are based on a percentage of employee contributions and amounted to $1.2 million, $1.2 million and $1.0 million for the years ended August 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
Defined benefit pension plans are provided for Canadian employees covered by collective bargaining agreements. The plans provide pension benefits based on years of credited service. Contributions to the plan are actuarially determined and are intended
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to fund the net periodic pension cost. Expenses resulting from contributions to the plans were $2.1 million, $1.9 million and $1.3 million for the years ended August 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
Nonqualified deferred benefit plans exist for certain employees. Expenses resulting from contributions to the plans were $1.6 million, $1.6 million and $1.3 million for the years ended August 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
Note 22 - Income Taxes
Components of income tax expense (benefit) of continuing operations are as follows:
                           
(In thousands)   2005   2004   2003
 
Current:
                       
 
Federal
  $ 15,587     $ (35 )   $ 2,810  
 
State
    1,213       215       167  
 
Foreign
    328       (347 )     (738 )
 
      17,128       (167 )     2,239  
Deferred:
                       
 
Federal