Item 1. Financial Statements
HINES HORTICULTURE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
------
June 30, December 31,
2004 2003
------------- -------------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash $ 4,855 $ --
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $521 and $601 82,091 23,724
Inventories 159,234 173,090
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,781 3,157
------------- -------------
Total current assets 248,961 199,971
------------- -------------
FIXED ASSETS, net of accumulated depreciation
of $52,831 and $47,566 133,129 136,435
DEFERRED FINANCING EXPENSES, net of
accumulated amortization of $1,337 and $443 9,764 10,589
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 12,234 12,234
GOODWILL 42,979 42,979
------------- -------------
$ 447,067 $ 402,208
============= =============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 17,701 $ 10,104
Accrued liabilities 13,930 9,234
Accrued payroll and benefits 10,904 6,971
Accrued interest 4,936 5,073
Interest rate swap agreement, current portion 2,996 5,320
Long-term debt, current portion 5,745 5,789
Borrowings on revolving credit facility 33,661 30,318
Deferred income taxes 77,420 65,186
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 167,293 137,995
------------- -------------
LONG-TERM DEBT 207,381 209,287
OTHER LIABILITIES 2,058 2,196
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock
Authorized - 60,000,000 shares, $.01 par value;
Issued and outstanding - 22,072,549 shares
at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 221 221
Additional paid-in capital 128,781 128,781
Accumulated deficit (58,667) (76,272)
------------- -------------
Total shareholders' equity 70,335 52,730
------------- -------------
$ 447,067 $ 402,208
============= =============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
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HINES HORTICULTURE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2004 2003 2004 2003
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Sales, net $ 181,081 $ 189,351 $ 241,471 $ 248,604
Cost of goods sold 87,392 90,622 118,516 119,222
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Gross profit 93,689 98,729 122,955 129,382
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Selling and distribution expenses 49,196 50,109 68,394 69,156
General and administrative expenses 6,409 6,211 12,020 11,797
Other operating expenses 547 190 547 1,432
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Total operating expenses 56,152 56,510 80,961 82,385
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Operating income 37,537 42,219 41,994 46,997
Other expenses (income)
Interest expense 6,884 6,445 13,584 12,736
Interest rate swap agreement income (1,454) (320) (2,323) (644)
Amortization of deferred financing expenses 449 1,138 894 2,188
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
5,879 7,263 12,155 14,280
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Income before income tax provision 31,658 34,956 29,839 32,717
Income tax provision 12,980 14,360 12,234 13,443
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Net income $ 18,678 $ 20,596 $ 17,605 $ 19,274
============= ============= ============= =============
Basic earnings per share: $ 0.85 $ 0.93 $ 0.80 $ 0.87
============= ============= ============= =============
Diluted earnings per share: $ 0.84 $ 0.93 $ 0.79 $ 0.87
============= ============= ============= =============
Weighted average shares outstanding--Basic 22,072,549 22,072,549 22,072,549 22,072,549
============= ============= ============= =============
Weighted average shares outstanding--Diluted 22,154,141 22,072,549 22,168,978 22,072,549
============= ============= ============= =============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
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HINES HORTICULTURE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 and 2003
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
2004 2003
--------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income $ 17,605 $ 19,274
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation 5,272 4,670
Accretion of asset retirement obligations 61 --
Amortization of deferred financing expenses 894 2,188
Interest rate swap agreement income (2,323) (644)
Loss on sale of assets 71 73
Deferred income taxes 12,234 13,443
--------- ---------
33,814 39,004
Change in working capital accounts:
Accounts receivable (58,368) (53,796)
Inventories 13,719 18,391
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 376 (526)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 16,086 9,127
--------- ---------
Change in working capital accounts (28,187) (26,804)
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 5,627 12,200
--------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of fixed assets (2,096) (2,853)
Payments to sale of discontinued operations -- (500)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets -- 50
--------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities (2,096) (3,303)
--------- ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net borrowing (repayments) on revolving line of credit 3,343 (7,750)
Repayments of long-term debt (1,950) (42)
Deferred financing expenses incurred (69) (642)
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 1,324 (8,434)
--------- ---------
NET CHANGE IN CASH 4,855 463
CASH, beginning of period -- --
--------- ---------
CASH, end of period $ 4,855 $ 463
========= =========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest $ 13,522 $ 12,021
Cash paid for income taxes $ 7 $ 277
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
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HINES HORTICULTURE, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)
1. Description of Business:
Hines Horticulture, Inc. ("Hines" or the "Company"), a
Delaware corporation, produces and distributes horticultural products
through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Hines Nurseries, Inc. ("Hines
Nurseries") and Enviro-Safe Laboratories, Inc. Unless otherwise
specified, references to "Hines" or the "Company" refer to Hines
Horticulture, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Hines is a leading national supplier of ornamental shrubs,
color plants and container-grown plants with commercial nursery
facilities located in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, New York,
Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas. Hines markets its
products to retail and commercial customers throughout the United
States and Canada.
On March 27, 2002, the Company sold the assets of Sun Gro-U.S.
and the stock of Sun Gro-Canada, its growing media business, to the Sun
Gro Horticulture Income Fund, a newly established Canadian income fund.
The assets sold included 14 facilities located across Canada and the
United States and control of approximately 50,000 acres of peat bogs in
Canada. Hines no longer harvests, produces or sells peat moss or other
growing media soil mixes. Hines received net proceeds of approximately
$125,000 from the sale, which were used to pay down outstanding bank
debt.
In connection with the sale of Sun Gro, the Canadian Customs &
Revenue Authority ("CCRA") required that approximately $13,136 Canadian
of the gross proceeds from the sale be withheld in an escrow account
pending the determination of whether certain aspects of the sale were
taxable for Canadian purposes. The proceeds withheld were not included
in the initial measurement of the loss on the sale of Sun Gro. In 2002,
the Company filed a tax return, submitted a tax payment of $8,219
Canadian from the escrow funds and submitted a claim for refund on the
basis that the transaction is exempt from tax for Canadian purposes.
The balance of the escrow funds of $4,917 Canadian was then remitted to
us and was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2002 as an adjustment to
the loss on the sale of Sun Gro. On September 30, 2003, the CCRA
completed its assessment of our tax return in which it determined that
the transaction was exempt from tax for Canadian purposes and issued a
refund to us of all tax paid, plus accrued interest. We received the
refund check of $8,663 Canadian on October 2, 2003 and recorded it in
the third quarter of 2003 as an adjustment to the loss on the sale of
Sun Gro.
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the
accounts of Hines and its wholly owned subsidiaries after elimination
of intercompany accounts and transactions.
6
2. Unaudited Financial Information:
The unaudited financial information furnished herein, in the
opinion of management, reflects all adjustments (consisting of only
normal recurring adjustments), which are necessary to state fairly the
consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows
of the Company as of and for the periods indicated. The Company
presumes that users of the interim financial information herein have
read or have access to the Company's audited consolidated financial
statements for the preceding fiscal year and that the adequacy of
additional disclosure needed for a fair presentation, may be determined
in that context.
Accordingly, footnote and other disclosures, which would
substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the Company's Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed on March 30, 2004 by
Hines Horticulture, Inc. under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, have been omitted. The financial information herein is not
necessarily representative of a full year's operations.
3. Reclassifications:
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform
to current year presentations.
4. Earnings Per Share:
Earnings per share are calculated in accordance with Statement
of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings per
Share," which requires the Company to report both basic earnings per
share, based on the weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding, and diluted earnings per share, based on the
weighted-average number of common shares outstanding adjusted to
include the potentially dilutive effect of outstanding stock options
and warrants using the treasury method. For the three and six months
ended June 30, 2004, the incremental shares related to 440,000 warrants
outstanding increased fully diluted shares by 81,592 and 96,429,
respectively. Additionally, for the three and six months ended June 30,
2004, shares related to the underlying employee stock options in the
amount of 1,071,240 were excluded from the computation of diluted
earnings per share because they would have been anti-dilutive.
5. Adoption Of Accounting Pronouncements:
In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146 "Accounting for
Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities" ("SFAS No. 146").
SFAS No. 146 addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs
associated with exit or disposal activities and nullifies Emerging
Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for
Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an
Activity, including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring." The
provisions of this statement are effective for exit or disposal
activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. In accordance
with SFAS No. 146, the Company recorded $1,242 of severance expenses
primarily related to the resignation of Stephen P. Thigpen, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, for the six months ended June 30, 2003.
7
In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting
for Stock-Based-Compensation-Transition and Disclosure-an Amendment of
FASB Statement No. 123" ("SFAS No. 148"). SFAS No. 148 amends SFAS No.
123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS No. 123") to
provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the
fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee
compensation. In addition, SFAS No. 148 amends the disclosure
requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both
annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting
for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used
on reported results. As permitted under both SFAS No. 123 and SFAS No.
148, the Company continues to follow the intrinsic value method of
accounting under Accounting Principles Board No. 25 "Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees."
Six months ended
June 30,
2004 2003
Net income, as reported $ 17,605 $ 19,274
Stock option expense (226) (16)
Pro forma net income $ 17,379 $ 19,258
Net income per share:
Basic - as reported $ 0.80 $ 0.87
Basic - pro forma $ 0.79 $ 0.87
Diluted - as reported $ 0.79 $ 0.87
Diluted - pro forma $ 0.78 $ 0.87
The Company estimates the weighted average fair value of each
stock option on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing
model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
June 30,
2004 2003
Dividend Yield 0% 0%
Expected volatility 60.69% 81.68%
Risk-free interest rate 4.33% 3.18%
Expected life Six years Six years
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46,
"Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of
Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51" ("FIN 46"). The primary objectives
of FIN 46 are to provide guidance on the identification of entities for
which control is achieved through means other than through voting
rights ("variable interest entities") and to determine when and which
business enterprise ("primary beneficiary") should consolidate the
variable interest entity. FIN 46 requires existing unconsolidated
variable interest entities to be consolidated by their primary
beneficiaries if the entities do not effectively disperse risks among
8
the parties involved. Variable interest entities that effectively
disperse risks will not be consolidated unless a single party holds an
interest or combination of interests that effectively recombines risks
that were previously dispersed. In addition, FIN 46 requires that the
primary beneficiary, as well as all other enterprises with a
significant variable interest in a variable interest entity, make
additional disclosures. Certain disclosure requirements of FIN 46 were
effective for financial statements issued after January 31, 2003. In
December 2003, the FASB revised FIN 46 ("FIN 46R") to address certain
FIN 46 implementation issues. The revised provisions are applicable no
later than the first reporting period ending after March 15, 2004. The
adoption of FIN 46 and FIN 46R did not have an impact on the Company's
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
6. Inventories:
Inventories consisted of the following:
June 30, December 31,
2004 2003
Nursery stock $ 146,870 $ 162,861
Material and supplies 12,364 10,229
$ 159,234 $ 173,090
7. Revolving Lines of Credit:
On September 30, 2003, the Company amended and restated its
Senior Credit Facility. Hines Nurseries and its domestic operating
subsidiaries are borrowers under the Senior Credit Facility. The Senior
Credit Facility consists of (i) a revolving facility with availability
of up to $145,000 (subject to borrowing base limits) and (ii) a term
loan facility of up to $40,000. The revolving facility also permits the
Company to obtain letters of credit up to a sub-limit.
SENIOR CREDIT FACILITY. The Company entered into the amended and
restated Senior Credit Facility on September 30, 2003. The Senior
Credit Facility matures on September 30, 2008.
GUARANTEES; COLLATERAL. Obligations under the Senior Credit
Facility are guaranteed by Hines and any of its domestic subsidiaries
that are not borrowers under the Senior Credit Facility. Borrowings
under the Senior Credit Facility are collateralized by substantially
all of the Company's assets.
RESTRICTIONS; COVENANTS. The Senior Credit Facility places
various restrictions on Hines Nurseries and its subsidiaries,
including, but not limited to, limitations on the Company's ability to
incur additional debt, pay dividends or make distributions, sell assets
or make investments. The Senior Credit Facility specifically restricts
Hines Nurseries and its subsidiaries from making distributions to Hines
9
Horticulture. Distributions to Hines Horticulture are limited to (i)
payments covering customary general and administrative expenses, not to
exceed $500 in any fiscal year, (ii) payments to discharge any
consolidated tax liabilities, (iii) and payments, not to exceed as much
as $8,300 in any fiscal year or $9,300 over the term of the Senior
Credit Facility, to enable Hines Horticulture to repurchase its own
outstanding common stock from holders other than its majority
shareholder. Dividends to Hines Horticulture are disallowed under the
Senior Credit Facility.
The Senior Credit Facility requires Hines Nurseries and its
subsidiaries to meet specific covenants and financial ratios, including
a minimum fixed charge coverage test, a maximum leverage test and a
maximum capital expenditure test. The Senior Credit Facility contains
customary representations and warranties and customary events of
default and other covenants. As of June 30, 2004, the Company was in
compliance with all covenants.
INTEREST RATE; FEES. The interest rate on the loans under the
Senior Credit Facility may be, at the Company's option, Prime rate
loans or London Inter Bank Offering Rate ("LIBOR") rate loans. Prime
rate loans under the revolving loan facility bear interest at the Prime
lending rate plus an additional amount that ranges from 0.75% to 1.75%,
depending on its consolidated leverage ratio. Prime rate loans under
the term loan bear interest at the Prime lending rate plus an
additional amount that ranges from 1.25% to 2.25%, depending on its
consolidated leverage ratio. Currently, the applicable margin for Prime
rate loans is (i) 1.75% for the revolving loan facility and (ii) 2.25%
for the term loan. LIBOR rate loans under the revolving loan facility
bear interest at the LIBOR rate plus an additional amount that ranges
from 1.75% to 2.75%, depending on its consolidated leverage ratio.
LIBOR rate loans under the term loan bear interest at the LIBOR rate
plus an additional amount that ranges from 2.25% to 3.25%, depending on
its consolidated leverage ratio. Currently, the applicable margin for
LIBOR rate loans is (i) 2.75% for the revolving loan facility and (ii)
3.25% for the term loan. In addition to paying interest on outstanding
principal, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee on the daily
average unused portion of the revolving facility that will accrue from
the closing date based on the utilization of the revolving facility.
BORROWING BASE. Availability of borrowings under the revolving
facility are subject to a borrowing base consisting of the sum of (i)
85% of eligible accounts receivable plus (ii) the lesser of (x) up to
55% of eligible inventory or (y) 85% of the appraised net orderly
liquidation value of eligible inventory. The Company must deliver
borrowing base certificates and reports at least monthly. The borrowing
base also may be subject to certain other adjustments and reserves to
be determined by the agent. Eligible accounts receivable of both The
Home Depot, the Company's largest customer, and Lowe's Companies, Inc.,
its second largest customer, may not exceed 30% of total eligible
accounts receivable at any time. At June 30, 2004, the Company had
$72,234 of available credit.
10
REPAYMENT. Under the terms of the Senior Credit Facility,
amortization payments of $1,905 on the term loan will be required at
the end of each of its second, third and fourth fiscal quarters
beginning with June 30, 2004 and through the end of the term, with the
full remaining balance payable on the last installment date. Subject to
certain exceptions, 100% of the net cash proceeds the Company receives
from certain asset dispositions and issuances of debt, 50% of the net
cash proceeds the Company receives from issuances of equity and 25% of
excess cash flow are required to be applied to repay the term loan
facility and are to be applied on a pro rata basis to all remaining
scheduled installments of the term loan facility. The Senior Credit
Facility may also be voluntarily prepaid at any time without premium or
penalty.
8. Long-Term Debt:
June 30, December 31,
2004 2003
------------ ------------
Term loan at the bank's reference rate plus 2.25%
or the LIBOR rate plus 3.25%. Interest rates were
4.63% and 4.44% at June 30, 2004 and December 31,
2003, respectively. $ 38,095 $ 40,000
Senior Notes, interest at 10.25% payable semi-
annually on each April 1 and October 1, maturing
on October 1, 2011. 175,000 175,000
Other obligations due at various dates through
2004. 31 76
------------ ------------
213,126 215,076
Less current portion 5,745 5,789
------------ ------------
Total long-term debt $ 207,381 $ 209,287
============ ============
SENIOR CREDIT FACILITY - TERM LOAN. Please see Note 7 above for the
terms.
SENIOR NOTES. On September 30, 2003, Hines Nurseries issued $175,000 of
Senior Notes that mature on October 1, 2011. The Senior Notes bear
interest at the rate of 10.25% per annum and will be payable
semi-annually in arrears on each April 1 and October 1, commencing
April 1, 2004.
GUARANTEES. Hines Horticulture and each of its domestic
subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, has, jointly and
severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a senior unsecured
basis, the obligations of Hines Nurseries under the Senior Notes.
REDEMPTION. Prior to October 1, 2006, up to 35% of the
aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes may be redeemed with the
net cash proceeds from one or more public equity offerings, at the
Company's option, at a redemption price of 110.250% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, to the date of
redemption. On or after October 1, 2007, the Company is entitled, at
its option, to redeem all or a portion of the Senior Notes at
redemption prices ranging from 100.000% to 105.125%, depending on the
redemption date plus accrued and unpaid interest.
RESTRICTIONS. The indenture pursuant to which the Senior Notes
were issued imposes a number of restrictions on Hines Nurseries and its
other subsidiaries. Subject to certain exceptions, the Company may not
incur additional indebtedness, make certain restricted payments, make
certain asset dispositions, incur additional liens or enter into
significant transactions. A breach of a material term of the indenture
or other material indebtedness that results in acceleration of the
indebtedness under the Senior Notes also constitutes an event of
default under its Senior Credit Facility.
11
REPURCHASE OR A CHANGE OF CONTROL. The Senior Notes contain a
put option whereby the holders have the right to put the Senior Notes
back to Hines at 101.000% of the principal amount thereof on the date
of purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest if a change of control
occurs.
9. Interest Rate Swap Agreement:
In May 2000, the Company entered into an interest rate swap
agreement to hedge $75,000 of debt. The interest rate swap agreement
effectively changes the Company's exposure on its variable-rate
interest payments to fixed-rate interest payments (7.13%) based on the
3-month LIBOR rate in effect at the beginning of each quarterly period.
Despite the debt refinancing, the interest rate swap agreement remains
outstanding and matures in February 2005. The estimated fair value of
the Company's obligation under the interest rate swap agreement was
$2,996 at June 30, 2004.
10. Comprehensive Income:
Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a
period except those resulting from investments by and distributions to
the Company's shareholders. The Company's comprehensive income includes
the amortization of the fair value of the interest rate agreement
recognized upon adoption of SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." The components of comprehensive
income during the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003,
were as follows:
Three months ended Six months ended
June 30, June 30,
2004 2003 2004 2003
------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
Net income $ 18,678 $ 20,596 $ 17,605 $ 19,274
Amortization of interest rate swap agreement,
net of tax of $0, $97, $0 and $194, respectively - 141 - 281
------------ ------------- ------------ -------------
Comprehensive income $ 18,678 $ 20,737 $ 17,605 $ 19,555
============ ============= ============ =============
12
11. Subsequent Event:
In connection with the Company's acquisition of Lovell Farms,
the Company agreed, subject to various provisions in the purchase
agreement, to make earn-out payments to the sellers of up to
approximately $5,000 for fiscal 2001 if the purchased operations
achieved certain performance thresholds. The Company determined that
the thresholds were not met and that no earn-out payment was earned. In
response to this decision, arbitration proceedings were initiated.
Going into the hearings, the sellers demanded that the arbitrator award
$5,000 and payment of their attorney's fees and costs. A final
determination was made on July 26, 2004 awarding $947 and denied their
request for attorney's fees and costs. In accordance with SFAS No. 141
"Business Combinations", the award will increase the Company's goodwill
during the third quarter. Legal defense fees and other costs in
connection with the arbitration have been expensed as incurred.
12. Guarantor/Non-guarantor Disclosures:
The 10.25% Senior Subordinated Notes issued by Hines Nurseries
(the "issuer") have been guaranteed by Hines Horticulture (the "parent
guarantor") and by both Hines SGUS, Inc. ("Hines SGUS") and Enviro-Safe
Laboratories, Inc. ("Enviro-Safe") (collectively Hines SGUS and
Enviro-Safe are the "subsidiary guarantors"). The issuer and the
subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned subsidiaries of the parent
guarantor and the parent and subsidiary guaranties are full,
unconditional and joint and several. Separate financial statements of
Hines Nurseries, Hines SGUS and Enviro-Safe are not presented in
accordance with the exceptions provided by Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X.
The following condensed consolidating information shows (a)
Hines Horticulture on a parent company basis only as the parent
guarantor (carrying its investment in its subsidiaries under the equity
method), (b) Hines Nurseries as the issuer, (c) Hines SGUS and
Enviro-Safe as subsidiary guarantors, (d) eliminations necessary to
arrive at the information for the parent guarantor and its direct and
indirect subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and (e) the parent
guarantor on a consolidated basis as follows:
o Condensed consolidating balance sheets as of June 30, 2004 and
December 31, 2003;
o Condensed consolidating statements of operations for the six
and three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003; and
o Condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the six
months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003.
13
Guarantor / Non-guarantor Disclosures
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of June 30, 2004
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Hines
Horticulture Hines
(Parent Nurseries Subsidiary Consolidated
Guarantor) (Issuer) Guarantors Eliminations Total
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
ASSETS
------
Current assets:
Cash $ -- $ 4,855 $ -- $ -- $ 4,855
Accounts receivable, net -- 81,652 439 -- 82,091
Inventories -- 158,724 510 -- 159,234
Prepaid expenses and other current assets -- 2,395 386 -- 2,781
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Total current assets -- 247,626 1,335 -- 248,961
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Fixed assets, net -- 133,096 33 -- 133,129
Deferred financing expenses, net -- 9,764 -- -- 9,764
Deferred income taxes 2,921 28,462 -- (19,149) 12,234
Goodwill -- 42,979 -- -- 42,979
Investments in subsidiaries 75,246 -- -- (75,246) --
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
$ 78,167 $ 461,927 $ 1,368 $ (94,395) $ 447,067
============== ============== ============== ============== =============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
------------------------------------
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ -- $ 17,595 $ 106 $ -- $ 17,701
Accrued liabilities -- 13,928 2 -- 13,930
Accrued payroll and benefits -- 10,904 -- -- 10,904
Accrued interest -- 4,936 -- -- 4,936
Interest rate swap agreement, current portion -- 2,996 -- -- 2,996
Long-term debt, current portion -- 5,745 -- -- 5,745
Borrowings on revolving credit facility -- 33,661 -- -- 33,661
Deferred income taxes -- 81,206 -- (3,786) 77,420
Intercompany accounts 7,832 (7,832) -- -- --
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Total current liabilities 7,832 163,139 108 (3,786) 167,293
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Long-term debt -- 207,381 -- -- 207,381
Deferred income taxes -- 15,363 -- (15,363) --
Other liabilties -- 2,058 -- -- 2,058
Shareholders' equity
Common stock 221 16,981 990 (17,971) 221
Additional paid-in capital 128,781 21,362 -- (21,362) 128,781
Retained earnings (deficit) (58,667) 35,643 270 (35,913) (58,667)
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Total shareholders' equity 70,335 73,986 1,260 (75,246) 70,335
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
$ 78,167 $ 461,927 $ 1,368 $ (94,395) $ 447,067
============== ============== ============== ============== ==============
14
Guarantor / Non-guarantor Disclosures - (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2003
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Hines
Horticulture Hines
(Parent Nurseries Subsidiary Consolidated
Guarantor) (Issuer) Guarantors Eliminations Total
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash $ -- $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
Accounts receivable, net -- 23,361 363 -- 23,724
Inventories -- 172,626 464 -- 173,090
Prepaid expenses and other current assets -- 2,640 517 -- 3,157
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Total current assets -- 198,627 1,344 -- 199,971
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Fixed assets, net -- 136,399 36 -- 136,435
Deferred financing expenses, net -- 10,589 -- -- 10,589
Deferred income taxes 2,922 28,461 -- (19,149) 12,234
Goodwill -- 42,979 -- -- 42,979
Investments in subsidiaries 57,641 -- -- (57,641) --
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
$ 60,563 $ 417,055 $ 1,380 $ (76,790) $ 402,208
============== ============== ============== ============== ==============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ -- $ 10,099 $ 5 $ -- $ 10,104
Accrued liabilities -- 9,061 173 -- 9,234
Accrued payroll and benefits -- 6,971 -- -- 6,971
Accrued interest -- 5,073 -- -- 5,073
Interest rate swap agreement -- 5,320 -- -- 5,320
Long-term debt, current portion -- 5,789 -- -- 5,789
Borrowings on revolving credit facility -- 30,318 -- -- 30,318
Deferred income taxes -- 68,972 -- (3,786) 65,186
Intercompany accounts 7,832 (7,832) -- -- --
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Total current liabilities 7,832 133,771 178 (3,786) 137,995
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Long-term debt -- 209,287 -- -- 209,287
Deferred income taxes -- 15,363 -- (15,363) --
Other liabilities -- 2,196 -- -- 2,196
Shareholders' equity
Common stock 221 16,981 990 (17,971) 221
Additional paid-in capital 128,781 21,362 -- (21,362) 128,781
Retained earnings (deficit) (76,271) 18,095 212 (18,308) (76,272)
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Total shareholders' equity 52,731 56,438 1,202 (57,641) 52,730
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
$ 60,563 $ 417,055 $ 1,380 $ (76,790) $ 402,208
============== ============== ============== ============== =============
15
Guarantor / Non-guarantor Disclosures - Continued
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the six months ended June 30, 2004
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Hines
Horticulture Hines
(Parent Nurseries Subsidary Consolidated
Guarantor) (Issuer) Guarantors Eliminations Total
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Sales, net $ -- $ 240,454 $ 1,017 $ -- $ 241,471
Cost of goods sold -- 117,855 661 -- 118,516
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Gross Profit -- 122,599 356 -- 122,955
Operating expenses -- 80,703 258 -- 80,961
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Operating income -- 41,896 98 -- 41,994
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Other expenses:
Interest expense -- 13,584 -- -- 13,584
Interest rate swap agreement income -- (2,323) -- -- (2,323)
Amortization of deferred financing expenses, other (17,605) 894 -- 17,605 894
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
(17,605) 12,155 -- 17,605 12,155
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 17,605 29,741 98 (17,605) 29,839
Income tax provision -- 12,194 40 -- 12,234
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net income (loss) $ 17,605 $ 17,547 $ 58 $ (17,605) $ 17,605
============== ============== ============== ============== ==============
Guarantor / Non-guarantor Disclosures - Continued
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the six months ended June 30, 2003
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Hines
Horticulture Hines
(Parent Nurseries Subsidiary Consolidated
Guarantor) (Issuer) Guarantor Eliminations Total
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Sales, net $ -- $ 247,649 $ 955 $ -- $ 248,604
Cost of goods sold -- 118,607 615 -- 119,222
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Gross Profit -- 129,042 340 -- 129,382
Operating expenses -- 82,141 244 -- 82,385
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Operating income -- 46,901 96 -- 46,997
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Other expenses:
Interest expense -- 12,736 -- -- 12,736
Interest rate swap agreement income -- (644) -- -- (644)
Amortization of deferred financing expenses, other (19,274) 2,188 -- 19,274 2,188
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
(19,274) 14,280 -- 19,274 14,280
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 19,274 32,621 96 (19,274) 32,717
Income tax provision -- 13,406 37 -- 13,443
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net income (loss) $ 19,274 $ 19,215 $ 59 $ (19,274) $ 19,274
============== ============== ============== ============== ==============
16
Guarantor / Non-guarantor Disclosures - Continued
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the three months ended June 30, 2004
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Hines
Horticulture Hines
(Parent Nurseries Subsidiary Consolidated
Guarantor) (Issuer) Guarantor Eliminations Total
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Sales, net $ -- $ 180,295 $ 786 $ -- $ 181,081
Cost of goods sold -- 86,881 511 -- 87,392
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Gross Profit -- 93,414 275 -- 93,689
Operating expenses -- 55,932 220 -- 56,152
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Operating income -- 37,482 55 -- 37,537
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Other expenses:
Interest expense -- 6,884 -- -- 6,884
Interest rate swap agreement income -- (1,454) -- -- (1,454)
Amortization of deferred financing expenses, other (18,678) 449 -- 18,678 449
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
(18,678) 5,879 -- 18,678 5,879
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 18,678 31,603 55 (18,678) 31,658
Income tax provision -- 12,958 22 -- 12,980
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net income (loss) $ 18,678 $ 18,645 $ 33 $ (18,678) $ 18,678
============== ============== ============== ============== ==============
Guarantor / Non-guarantor Disclosures - Continued
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the three months ended June 30, 2003
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Hines
Horticulture Hines
(Parent Nurseries Subsidiary Consolidated
Guarantor) (Issuer) Guarantor Eliminations Total
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Sales, net $ -- $ 188,968 $ 383 $ -- $ 189,351
Cost of goods sold -- 90,379 243 -- 90,622
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Gross Profit -- 98,589 140 -- 98,729
Operating expenses -- 56,400 110 -- 56,510
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Operating income -- 42,189 30 -- 42,219
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Other expenses:
Interest expense -- 6,445 -- -- 6,445
Interest rate swap agreement income -- (320) -- -- (320)
Amortization of deferred financing expenses, other (20,595) 1,138 -- 20,595 1,138
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
(20,595) 7,263 -- 20,595 7,263
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 20,595 34,926 30 (20,595) 34,956
Income tax provision -- 14,350 10 -- 14,360
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net income (loss) $ 20,595 $ 20,576 $ 20 $ (20,595) $ 20,596
============== ============== ============== ============== ==============
17
GUARANTOR / NON-GUARANTOR DISCLOSURES - CONTINUED
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2004
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
Hines
Horticulture Hines
(Parent Nurseries Subsidiary Consolidated
Guarantor) (Issuer) Guarantors Eliminations Total
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Cash provided by operating activities $ -- $ 5,627 $ -- $ -- $ 5,627
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of fixed assets -- (2,096) -- -- (2,096)
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net cash used in investing activities -- (2,096) -- -- (2,096)
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit -- 3,343 -- -- 3,343
Repayments of long-term debt -- (1,950) -- -- (1,950)
Deferred financing costs -- (69) -- -- (69)
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net cash provided by financing activities -- 1,324 -- -- 1,324
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net change in cash -- 4,855 -- -- 4,855
Cash, beginning of year -- -- -- -- --
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Cash, end of year $ -- $ 4,855 $ -- $ -- $ 4,855
============== ============== ============== ============== ==============
18
GUARANTOR / NON-GUARANTOR DISCLOSURES - CONTINUED
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2003
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
Hines
Horticulture Hines
(Parent Nurseries Subsidiary Consolidated
Guarantor) (Issuer) Guarantors Eliminations Total
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
Cash provided by operating activities $ -- $ 12,200 $ -- $ -- $ 12,200
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of fixed assets -- (2,853) -- -- (2,853)
Payments from sale of discontinued operations -- (500) -- -- (500)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets -- 50 -- -- 50
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
Net cash used in investing activities -- (3,303) -- -- (3,303)
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit -- (7,750) -- -- (7,750)
Repayments of long-term debt -- (42) -- -- (42)
Deferred financing costs -- (642) -- -- (642)
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
Net cash used in financing activities -- (8,434) -- -- (8,434)
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
Net change in cash -- 463 -- -- 463
Cash, beginning of year -- -- -- -- --
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
Cash, end of year $ -- $ 463 $ -- $ -- $ 463
============== ============== ============= ============ =============
19
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the term (1) "Hines
Horticulture" means Hines Horticulture, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (2) the
term "Hines Nurseries" means Hines Nurseries, Inc., a California corporation,
and a wholly owned subsidiary of Hines Horticulture and (3) the terms "we," "us"
and "our" mean, collectively, the combined entity of Hines Horticulture and its
wholly owned subsidiaries.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS
Except for historical information contained herein, this quarterly
report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which involve certain risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking statements are included with respect to, among other things, the
company's current business plan and strategy and strategic operating plan. These
forward-looking statements are identified by their use of such terms and phrases
as "intends," "intend," "intended," "goal," "estimate," "estimates," "expects,"
"expect," "expected," "project," "projected," "projections," "plans,"
"anticipates," "anticipated," "should," "designed to," "foreseeable future,"
"believe," "believes" and "scheduled" and similar expressions. Our actual
results or outcomes may differ materially from those anticipated. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which
speak only as of the date the statement was made. We undertake no obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
Important factors that we believe might cause actual results to differ
from any results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements are
discussed in the cautionary statements contained in Exhibit 99.1 to this Form
10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference. In assessing forward-looking
statements contained herein, readers are urged to read carefully all cautionary
statements contained in this Form 10-Q and in Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10-Q.
Our business and operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties,
and the cautionary statements contained in this Form 10-Q and in Exhibit 99.1 to
this Form 10-Q should not be considered to be a definitive list of all factors
that might affect our business, financial condition and future results of
operations and should be read in conjunction with the factors, risks and
uncertainties contained in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. For any forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the
safe harbor for forward-looking statements in Section 27A of the Securities Act
of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
OVERVIEW
We are a leading national supplier of ornamental shrubs, color plants
and container-grown plants with 13 commercial nursery facilities located in
Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South
Carolina and Texas. We produce approximately 4,300 varieties of ornamental
shrubs and color plants and we sell to more than 2,000 retail and commercial
customers, representing more than 8,000 outlets throughout the United States.
Hines Horticulture currently produces and distributes horticultural products
through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Hines Nurseries and Enviro-Safe
Laboratories, Inc.
20
On September 30, 2003, we closed a refinancing plan, which we refer to
as the "Refinancing", which included the issuance by our wholly owned
subsidiary, Hines Nurseries, of $175.0 million principal amount of 10.25% Senior
Notes due 2011 and amending and restating our senior credit facility, which, as
amended, we refer to as our Senior Credit Facility. The Senior Credit Facility
has a term of five years and consists of a $145.0 million revolving facility,
with availability subject to a borrowing base, and a $40.0 million term loan
facility. Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility are collateralized by
substantially all of our assets. The net proceeds from the Refinancing were used
to refinance all borrowings under our prior credit facility and to redeem all of
Hines Nurseries' then outstanding 12.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2005.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In March 2002, we completed the sale of Sun Gro Horticulture, which we
refer to as Sun Gro, to a newly established Canadian income fund. We received
net proceeds of approximately $125.0 million from the sale, which includes the
tax refunds from the Canadian Customs & Revenue Authority recorded in the fourth
quarter of 2002 and third quarter of 2003, the majority of which were used to
pay down outstanding indebtedness. As a result of the sale of Sun Gro, we no
longer harvest or produce peat moss or other growing soil mixes.
LOVELL FARMS ARBITRATION SETTLEMENT
In connection with the acquisition of Lovell Farms, we agreed, subject
to various provisions in the purchase agreement, to make earn-out payments to
the sellers ("Claimants") of up to approximately $5.0 million for fiscal 2001 if
certain performance thresholds were met. We determined that the thresholds were
not met and that no earn-out payment be made. In response to this decision, the
Claimants initiated arbitration proceedings, which concluded in May 2004. Going
into the hearings, the Claimants demanded that the arbitrator award $5.0 million
and payment of their attorney's fees and costs. A final determination was made
on July 26, 2004 awarding the Claimants $0.9 million and denying their request
for attorney's fees and costs. Payment of the $0.9 million will increase our
goodwill during the third quarter. Legal defense fees and other costs incurred
in connection with the arbitration of $0.5 million have been expensed during the
six-month period ended June 30, 2004.
UNITED STATES TAX MATTERS
As a result of our business activities, we qualify for a special
exception under the U.S. federal tax code that allows us to use the cash method
of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Under the cash method, sales are
included in taxable income when payments are received and expenses are deducted
as they are paid. We derive significant tax benefits by being able to deduct the
cost of inventory as the cost is incurred. As a result of our ability to utilize
the cash method of accounting, we have historically generated net operating
losses for federal income tax purposes and have not been required to pay cash
income taxes. At December 31, 2003, we had $26.0 million in net operating loss
carryforwards for federal income tax purposes.
21
Based on our current projections, we anticipate that we will incur tax
liability and begin paying cash income taxes for federal purposes in 2006. We
are currently paying cash income taxes for state income tax purposes in certain
states due to the differing rules regarding the utilization of net operating
losses.
Although the use of the cash method of accounting for federal income
taxes defers the payment of federal income taxes, the deferral of such taxes
produces a current liability for accounting purposes. At June 30, 2004, we had a
current liability for deferred income taxes of $77.4 million. The liability is
deemed current for accounting purposes because the majority of the items to
which this liability relates are comprised of current assets and current
liabilities in our balance sheet (such as inventory, accounts receivable and
accounts payable). The classification of this liability as a current item,
however, does not mean that it is required to be paid within the next twelve
months.
SEASONALITY
Our business is highly seasonal. The seasonal nature of our operations
results in a significant increase in our working capital between the growing and
selling cycles. As a result, operating activities in the first and fourth
quarters use significant amounts of cash, and in contrast, operating activities
in the second and third quarters generate substantial cash as we ship inventory
and collect accounts receivable. We have experienced, and expect to continue to
experience, significant variability in net sales, operating income and net
income on a quarterly basis.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2004 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2003
NET SALES. Net sales of $181.1 million for the three months ended June
30, 2004 decreased $8.3 million, or 4.4%, from net sales of $189.4 million for
the comparable period in 2003. The decline in net sales was primarily isolated
in the Midwest and Southeast markets where consumer demand for color products
wavered as a result of excessive rain in May and June. Compounding the effect of
the decline in demand was the inability of two of our production facilities to
transition perennial and annual color plant sales to new customers as part of a
strategic decision to consolidate and realign the customers and customer store
locations that we sell into. Together these factors resulted in a sizable
decline in sales, which has overshadowed the positive performance we experienced
throughout the rest of the country, especially in the West and Northeast
Markets.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit of $93.7 million for the three months ended
June 30, 2004 decreased $5.0 million, or 5.1%, from gross profit of $98.7
million for the comparable period in 2003 as a result of fewer net sales. As a
percentage of net sales, gross profit for the quarter declined to 51.7% from
52.1% in the second quarter of 2003. The decline in sales of higher margin
bedding plants in the Southeast and Midwest pushed down our overall gross profit
margins during the quarter.
22
SELLING AND DISTRIBUTION EXPENSES. Selling and distribution expenses
of $49.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 decreased $0.9
million, or 1.8%, from $50.1 million for the comparable period in 2003. Selling
expense for the quarter increased $0.5 million to $13.5 million as a result of
increased merchandising efforts at our customers' store locations. For the three
months ended June 30, 2004 distribution expense fell to $35.7 million from $37.1
million in the second quarter of 2003 primarily as a result of the decline in
net sales. As a percentage of net sales, distribution expense slightly increased
to 19.7% for the quarter from 19.6% in same period a year ago due to higher fuel
prices and increased carrier charges associated with new federal trucking
regulations.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. General and administrative
expenses of $6.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2004 increased $0.2
million, or 3.2%, from $6.2 million for the comparable period in 2003. There
were no significant changes to report during the period.
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES. Other operating expenses of $0.5 million for
the three months ended June 30, 2004 increased $0.4 million from $0.1 million
for the comparable period in 2003 primarily due to $0.5 million of legal fees
incurred as a result of the Lovell Farms Arbitration Settlement.
OPERATING INCOME. Operating income of $37.5 million for the three
months ended June 30, 2004 decreased by $4.7 million, or 11.1%, from $42.2
million for the comparable period in 2003. The decline in operating income was
mainly due to the decrease in net sales and gross profit margin, as discussed
above.
OTHER EXPENSES. Other expenses of $5.9 million for the three months
ended June 30, 2004 decreased $1.4 million, or 19.1%, from $7.3 million for the
comparable period in 2003. The decrease was due to the impact of the mark to
market adjustment on our interest rate swap partially offset by higher interest
expense. For the three months ended June 30, 2004, the mark to market adjustment
amounted to income of $1.5 million compared with income of $0.3 million for the
same period a year ago. Interest expense increased to $6.9 million from $6.4
million a year ago due to our debt refinancing, which shifted more of our
revolving debt to higher interest rate fixed-term instruments in order to
increase availability under our new revolving credit facility.
INCOME TAX PROVISION. Our effective income tax rate was approximately
41% for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003.
NET INCOME. Net income of $18.7 million for the three months ended
June 30, 2004 decreased by $1.9 million, or 9.3%, from $20.6 million for the
comparable period in 2003 as a result of the decline in operating income, offset
by the improvement in other expenses, as discussed above.
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2004 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2003
NET SALES. Net sales of $241.5 million for the six months ended June
30, 2004 decreased by $7.1 million, or 2.9%, from $248.6 million for the
comparable period in 2003. We began the year with strong sales of color plants
and shrubs in the Sunbelt markets primarily as a result of our new market
strategy and better weather than last spring. The continued trend among
gardening retailers to better manage inventory levels by reducing pre-spring
stocking orders delayed certain sales until the beginning of the second quarter.
23
Net sales during the second quarter started strong as spring arrived throughout
the country and as the gardening retailers began to build their inventory
levels. However, as the quarter progressed net sales began to significantly
decline as a result of lower consumer demand in the Midwest and Southeast and
the customer consolidation and store realignment. Sales in the West were strong
during the first six months of 2004 due to favorable weather in the region and
our new strategic market position in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains.
In addition, sales of shrubs grown in the West and shipped early in spring into
the Midwest and Northeast also improved significantly over the same six month
period a year ago.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit of $123.0 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2004 decreased by $6.4 million, or 5.0%, from $129.4 million for the
comparable period in 2003 mainly as a result of fewer net sales. As a percentage
of net sales, gross profit for the period decreased to 50.9% compared to 52.0%
in 2003. The decline in sales of high margin bedding plants in the Southeast and
Midwest has continued to push down our overall gross profit margins for the
six-month period.
SELLING AND DISTRIBUTION EXPENSE. Selling and distribution expense of
$68.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 decreased by $0.8 million,
or 1.1%, from $69.2 million for the comparable period in 2003. Selling expense
for the six-month period increased $0.9 million to $20.6 million as a result of
increased merchandising efforts at our customers' store locations. Distribution
expense improved to $47.8 million, or 19.8% of net sales, compared to $49.4
million, or 19.9% of net sales, for the comparable period in 2003. Improved
logistics, increased payloads and better carrier relations have partially offset
rising fuel costs and increased common carrier charges resulting from new
trucking regulations.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. General and administrative
expenses of $12.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 increased by
$0.2 million, or 1.9%, from $11.8 million for the comparable period in 2003.
There were no significant changes to report during the period.
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSE. Other operating expenses of $0.5 million for
the six months ended June 30, 2004 decreased $0.9 million from $1.4 million for
the comparable period in 2003. The decline was due to severance costs associated
with the resignation of our former Chief Executive Officer in February of 2003,
offset by legal fees of $0.5 million incurred during the first six months of
2004 as a result of the Lovell Farms Arbitration Settlement.
OPERATING INCOME. Operating income of $42.0 million for the three
months ended June 30, 2004 decreased by $5.0 million, or 10.6%, from $47.0
million for the comparable period in 2003. The decline in operating income was
mainly due to the decrease in net sales and gross profit margin, as discussed
above.
24
OTHER EXPENSE. Other expense of $12.2 million for the six months ended
June 30, 2004 decreased $2.1 million, or 14.9%, from $14.3 million for the
comparable period in 2003. The decrease was due to the impact of the mark to
market adjustment on our interest rate swap and a decline in amortization of
deferred financing expenses, partially offset by higher interest expense. For
the six months ended June 30, 2004, the mark to market adjustment amounted to
income of $2.3 million compared with income of $0.6 million for the same period
a year ago. Interest expense increased to $13.6 million from $12.7 million a
year ago due to our debt refinancing, which shifted more of our revolving debt
to higher interest rate fixed-term instruments in order to increase availability
under our new revolving credit facility.
INCOME TAX PROVISION. Our effective income tax rate was approximately
41% for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003.
NET INCOME. Net income of $17.6 million for the six months ended June
30, 2004 decreased by $1.7 million, or 8.7%, from $19.3 million for the
comparable period in 2003 as a result of the decline in operating income, offset
by the improvement in other expenses, as discussed above.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our primary sources of liquidity are funds generated by operations and
borrowings under our Senior Credit Facility. Our Senior Credit Facility expires
in 2008 and consists of a revolving facility with availability of up to $145.0
million (subject to certain borrowing base limits) and a term loan facility of
up to $40.0 million. At June 30, 2004, we were in compliance with all of our
debt covenants.
The seasonal nature of our operations results in a significant fluctuation
in certain components of working capital (primarily accounts receivable and
inventory) during the growing and selling cycles. As a result, operating
activities during the first and fourth quarters use significant amounts of cash,
and in contrast, operating activities for the second and third quarters generate
substantial cash as we ship inventory and collect accounts receivable.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $5.6 million for the six
months ended June 30, 2004 compared to $12.2 million for the comparable period
in 2003. The decline in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due
to an increase in accounts receivable, which resulted from a system
implementation by one of our customers that caused a delay in the collection of
a significant amount of receivables. We have subsequently worked closely with
our customer to resolve the problem and are collecting these receivables during
the third quarter. Also impacting cash provided by operating activities was the
decline in inventory turnover as a result of lower net sales and an increase in
accounts payable and accrued expenses resulting from the timing of certain
payments.
Net cash used in investing activities was $2.1 million for the six months
ended June 30, 2004 compared to $3.3 million for the same period a year ago due
to a decrease in capital expenditures. Capital expenditures for the six months
ended June 30, 2004 primarily included the purchase of nursery related machinery
and equipment.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.3 million for the six
months ended June 30, 2004 compared to net cash used by financing activities of
$8.4 million for the comparable period in 2003. The increase in cash provided by
financing activities was due to a decline in net sales, the decline in cash
provided by operating activities, as discussed above, and the timing of payments
on the revolver, which resulted in a higher cash balance at June 30, 2004 as
compared to June 30, 2003.
25
We typically draw down our revolving credit facilities in the first and
fourth quarters to fund our seasonal inventory buildup and seasonal operating
expenses. Based upon 2003, approximately 73% of our sales occur in the first
half of the year, generally allowing us to reduce borrowing under our revolving
credit facilities in the second and third quarters. On June 30, 2004, we had
$33.7 million of borrowings under our working capital revolver, resulting in
unused borrowing capacity of approximately $72.2 million after applying the
borrowing base limitations and letters of credits to our available borrowings.
At June 30, 2004, we had total outstanding indebtedness of $246.8 million.
We do not have any off balance sheet financing or any financial
arrangements with related parties, other than operating leases. The following
table discloses aggregate information about our contractual obligations and
commercial commitments as of June 30, 2004.
PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD
-----------------------------------------------------
LESS THAN 1 (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS) AFTER
CONTRACTUAL CASH OBLIGATIONS TOTAL YEAR 1-3 YEARS 4-5 YEARS 5 YEARS
------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Term loan.................... 38.1 5.7 17.2 15.2 --
10.25% Senior Notes.......... 175.0 -- -- -- 175.0
Revolving Facility .......... 33.7 33.7 -- -- --
Operating leases............. 18.1 4.3 6.4 1.1 6.3
------------------------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total........................ $ 264.9 $ 43.7 $ 23.6 $ 16.3 $ 181.3
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
We believe that cash generated by operations and from borrowings expected
to be available under our Senior Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our
anticipated working capital, capital expenditures and debt service requirements
for at least the next twelve months.
The following is a summary of certain material terms of our Senior Credit
Facility and Hines Nurseries' 10.25% Senior Notes due 2011.
OUR SENIOR CREDIT FACILITY
We entered into our Senior Credit Facility on September 30, 2003. Hines
Nurseries and its domestic operating subsidiaries are borrowers under the Senior
Credit Facility. The credit facility consists of (i) a revolving facility with
availability of up to $145.0 million (subject to borrowing base limits) and (ii)
a term loan facility of up to $40.0 million. The revolving facility also permits
us to obtain letters of credit up to a sub-limit. The term loan facility was
drawn down in full in connection with our Refinancing. The Senior Credit
Facility matures on September 30, 2008.
GUARANTEES; COLLATERAL. Obligations under the Senior Credit Facility are
guaranteed by us and any of our domestic subsidiaries that are not borrowers
under the new credit facility. Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility are
collateralized by substantially all of our assets.
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RESTRICTIONS; COVENANTS. The Senior Credit Facility places various
restrictions on Hines Nurseries and its subsidiaries, including, but not limited
to, limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, pay dividends or make
distributions, sell assets or make investments. The Senior Credit Facility
specifically restricts Hines Nurseries and its subsidiaries from making
distributions to Hines Horticulture. Distributions to Hines Horticulture are
limited to (i) payments covering customary general and administrative expenses,
not to exceed $0.5 million in any fiscal year, (ii) payments to discharge any
consolidated tax liabilities, (iii) and payments, not to exceed as much as $8.3
million in any fiscal year or $9.3 million over the term of the Senior Credit
Facility, to enable Hines Horticulture to repurchase its own outstanding common
stock from holders other than our majority shareholder. Dividends to Hines
Horticulture are disallowed under the Senior Credit Facility.
The Senior Credit Facility requires Hines Nurseries and its subsidiaries to
meet specific covenants and financial ratios, including a minimum fixed charge
coverage test, a maximum leverage test and a maximum capital expenditure test.
The new Senior Credit Facility contains customary representations and warranties
and customary events of default and other covenants. As of June 30, 2004, we
were in compliance with all covenants.
INTEREST RATE; FEES. The interest rate on the loans under the Senior Credit
Facility may be, at our option, prime rate loans or London Inter Bank Offering
Rate ("LIBOR") rate loans. Prime rate loans under the revolving loan facility
bear interest at the prime lending rate plus an additional amount that ranges
from 0.75% to 1.75%, depending on our consolidated leverage ratio. Prime rate
loans under the term loan bear interest at the prime lending rate plus an
additional amount that ranges from 1.25% to 2.25%, depending on our consolidated
leverage ratio. Currently, the applicable margin for prime rate loans is (i)
1.75% for the new revolving loan facility and (ii) 2.25% for the new term loan.
LIBOR rate loans under the revolving loan facility bear interest at the
LIBOR rate plus an additional amount that ranges from 1.75% to 2.75%, depending
on our consolidated leverage ratio. LIBOR rate loans under the term loan bear
interest at the LIBOR rate plus an additional amount that ranges from 2.25% to
3.25%, depending on our consolidated leverage ratio. Currently, the applicable
margin for LIBOR rate loans is (i) 2.75% for the new revolving loan facility and
(ii) 3.25% for the term loan. In addition to paying interest on outstanding
principal, we are required to pay a commitment fee on the daily average unused
portion of the revolving facility which will accrue from the closing date based
on the utilization of the revolving facility.
BORROWING BASE. Availability of borrowing under the revolving facility are
subject to a borrowing base consisting of the sum of (i) 85% of eligible
accounts receivable plus (ii) the lesser of (x) up to 55% of eligible inventory
or (y) 85% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory.
We must deliver borrowing base certificates and reports at least monthly.
The borrowing base also may be subject to certain other adjustments and reserves
to be determined by the agent. Eligible accounts receivable of both The Home
Depot, our largest customer, and Lowe's Companies, Inc., our second largest
customer, may not exceed 30% of total eligible accounts receivable at any time.
REPAYMENT. Amortization payments of $1.9 million on the term loan will be
required at the end of our second, third and fourth fiscal quarters beginning
with June 30, 2004 and through the end of the term, with the full remaining
balance payable on the last installment date. Subject to certain exceptions,
100% of the net cash proceeds we receive from certain asset dispositions and
issuances of debt, 50% of the net cash proceeds we receive from issuances of
equity and 25% of excess cash flow are required to be applied to repay the term
loan facility and are to be applied on a pro rata basis to all scheduled
installments of the term loan facility. The Senior Credit Facility may also be
voluntarily prepaid at any time without premium or penalty.
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OUR SENIOR NOTES
On September 30, 2003, Hines Nurseries issued $175.0 million of Senior
Notes that mature on October 1, 2011. The Senior Notes bear interest at the rate
of 10.25% per annum and are payable semi-annually in arrears on each April 1 and
October 1, which commenced April 1, 2004.
GUARANTEES. Hines Horticulture and each of its domestic subsidiaries,
subject to certain exceptions, has, jointly and severally, fully and
unconditionally guaranteed, on a senior unsecured basis, the obligations of
Hines Nurseries under the Notes.
REDEMPTION. Prior to October 1, 2006, up to 35% of the aggregate principal
amount of the Notes may be redeemed with the net cash proceeds from one or more
public equity offerings, at our option, at a redemption price of 110.250% of the
principal amount thereof plus accrued interest, if any, to the date of
redemption. On or after October 1, 2007, we are entitled, at our option, to
redeem all or a portion of the Notes at redemption prices ranging from 100.000%
to 105.125%, depending on the redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
RESTRICTIONS. The indenture pursuant to which the Notes were issued imposes
a number of restrictions on Hines Nurseries and our other subsidiaries. Subject
to certain exceptions, we may not incur additional indebtedness, make certain
restricted payments, make certain asset dispositions, incur additional liens or
enter into significant transactions. A breach of a material term of the
indenture or other material indebtedness that results in acceleration of the
indebtedness under the Notes also constitutes an event of default under our
Senior Credit Facility.
REPURCHASE ON A CHANGE IN CONTROL. The Notes contain a put option whereby
the holders have the right to put the Notes back to us at 101.000% of the
principal amount thereof on the date of purchase, plus accrued and unpaid
interest if a change in control occurs.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe that the following
areas represent our most critical accounting policies related to actual results
that may vary from those estimates.
REVENUE RECOGNITION.
We record revenue, net of sales discounts and allowances, when all of
the following have occurred: an agreement of sale exists, product delivery and
acceptance has occurred and collection is reasonably assured.
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SALES RETURNS AND ALLOWANCES.
Amounts accrued for sales returns and allowance are maintained at a
level believed adequate by management to absorb probable losses in the trade
receivable due to sales discounts and allowances. The provision rate is
established by management using the following criteria: past sales returns
experience, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. The rate is
re-evaluated on a quarterly basis. Provisions for sales discounts and allowances
charged against income increase the allowance. We record revenue, net of sales
discounts and allowances, when the risk of ownership is transferred to the
customer. Allowances are provided at the time revenue is recognized in
accordance with SFAS No. 48, "Revenue Recognition When Right of Return Exists."
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS.
The allowance for bad debts is maintained at a level believed by
management to adequately reflect the probable losses in the trade receivable due
to customer defaults, insolvencies or bankruptcies. The provision is established
by management using the following criteria: customer credit history, customer
current credit rating and other relevant factors. The provision is re-evaluated
on a quarterly basis. Provisions to bad debt expense charged against income
increase the allowance. All recoveries on trade receivables previously charged
off are credited to the accounts receivable recovery account charged against
income, while direct charge-offs of trade receivables are deducted from the
allowance.
ACCOUNTING FOR GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT.
On January 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets." In accordance with this standard, goodwill has been
classified as indefinite-lived assets no longer subject to amortization.
Indefinite-lived assets are subject to impairment testing upon adoption of SFAS
No. 142 and at least annually thereafter. In accordance with SFAS No. 142, this
involves a two step process. First, we must determine if the carrying amount of
equity exceeds the fair value based upon the quoted market price of our common
stock. If we determine that goodwill may be impaired, we compare the "implied
fair value" of the goodwill, as defined by SFAS No. 142, to its carrying amount
to determine the impairment loss, if any.
ACCRUED LIABILITIES.
The accrued liabilities include amounts accrued for expected claims
costs relating to our insurance programs for workers compensation and auto
liability. We have large deductibles for these lines of insurance, which means
we must pay the portion of each claim that falls below the deductible amount.
Our expected claims costs are based on an actuarial analysis that considers our
current payroll and automobile profile, recent claims history, insurance
industry loss development factors and the deductible amounts. We accrue our
expected claims costs for each year on a ratable monthly basis with a
corresponding charge against income. Management reviews the adequacy of the
accruals at the end of each quarter. The accruals for the expected costs
relating to our insurance programs for workers compensation and auto liability
are maintained at levels believed by our management to adequately reflect our
probable claims obligations.
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ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS ADOPTED
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation
of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin
No. 51" ("FIN 46"). The primary objectives of FIN 46 are to provide guidance on
the identification of entities for which control is achieved through means other
than through voting rights ("variable interest entities") and to determine when
and which business enterprise ("primary beneficiary") should consolidate the
variable interest entity. FIN 46 requires existing unconsolidated variable
interest entities to be consolidated by their primary beneficiaries if the
entities do not effectively disperse risks among the parties involved. Variable
interest entities that effectively disperse risks will not be consolidated
unless a single party holds an interest or combination of interests that
effectively recombines risks that were previously dispersed. In addition, FIN 46
requires that the primary beneficiary, as well as all other enterprises with a
significant variable interest in a variable interest entity, make additional
disclosures. Certain disclosure requirements of FIN 46 were effective for
financial statements issued after January 31, 2003. In December 2003, the FASB
revised FIN 46 ("FIN 46R") to address certain FIN 46 implementation issues. The
revised provisions are applicable no later than the first reporting period
ending after March 15, 2004. The adoption of FIN 46 and FIN 46R did not have a
material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
EFFECTS OF INFLATION
Management believes our results of operations have not been materially
impacted by inflation over the past three years.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As part of our ongoing business, we are exposed to certain market
risks, including fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates,
commodity prices and Hines Horticulture's common stock price. We do not enter
into transactions designed to mitigate market risks for trading or speculative
purposes.
We have various debt instruments outstanding at June 30, 2004 that are
impacted by changes in interest rates. As a means of managing our interest rate
risk on variable-rate debt, we entered into the interest rate swap agreement
described below to effectively convert certain variable rate debt obligations to
fixed rate obligations.
In May 2000, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge
$75.0 million of debt. The interest rate swap agreement effectively changes our
exposure on the variable-rate interest payments to fixed-rate interest payments
(7.13%) based on the 3-month LIBOR rate in effect at the beginning of each
quarterly period. The estimated fair value of our obligation under the interest
rate swap agreement was $3.0 million at June 30, 2004. The interest rate swap
agreement remains outstanding and matures in February 2005.
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We also manage our interest rate risk by balancing the amount of our
fixed and variable long-term debt. For fixed-rate debt, interest rate changes
affect the fair market value of such debt but do not impact earnings or cash
flows. Conversely, for variable-rate debt, interest rate changes generally do
not affect the fair market value of such debt but do impact future earnings and
cash flows, assuming other factors are held constant. At June 30, 2004 the
carrying amount and estimated fair value of our long-term debt was $246.8
million and $260.8 million, respectively. Given the current balance of our fixed
rate and variable rate debt, we estimate a change in interest costs of
approximately $0.1 million for every one-percentage point change in applicable
interest rates. Without considering the fixed interest rate provided by our swap
agreement, which expires at the end of February of 2005, we estimate a change in
interest costs of approximately $0.7 million for every one-percentage point
change in applicable interest rates.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Based on the evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), our principal executive officer and our
principal financial officer have concluded that such controls and procedures
were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. In connection
with such evaluation, no change in our internal control over financial reporting
occurred during the last fiscal quarter covered by this report that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal
control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, the Company is involved in various disputes and
litigation matters, which arise in the ordinary course of business. The
litigation process is inherently uncertain and it is possible that the
resolution of these disputes and lawsuits may adversely affect the Company's
financial position. Management believes, however, that the ultimate resolution
of such matters will not have a material adverse impact on the Company's
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In connection with the Company's acquisition of Lovell Farms, the
Company agreed, subject to various provisions in the purchase agreement, to make
earn-out payments to the sellers of up to approximately $5.0 million for fiscal
2001 if the purchased operations achieved certain performance thresholds.
Although the Company determined that the thresholds were not met and no earn-out
payment was required, as previously disclosed the sellers of Lovell Farms
disputed the Company's determination and initiated arbitration proceedings
against the Company. Going into the hearings, the sellers demanded that the
arbitrator award $5.0 million and payment of their attorney's fees and costs. An
arbitration hearing regarding this matter was held in May 2004 and final
determination was made by the arbitrator on July 26, 2004 awarding the sellers
$0.9 million and denied their request for reimbursement of attorney's fees and
costs. The amount of this award will be accounted for by the Company as part of
the purchase price associated with the acquisition and will result in an
increase the Company's goodwill in the third quarter of 2004. Legal fees and
other costs in connection with the arbitration have been expensed as incurred.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
We held our Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 27, 2004 at which
meeting our shockholders elected seven directors and ratified the appointment of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent public accountants for the 2004
fiscal year.
The following individuals were elected as directors and received the
number of votes indicated below:
Name of Nominee Votes For Against Abstentions
Douglas D. Allen 18,408,865 3,142,749 0
Stan R. Fallis 18,681,821 2,869,793 0
Robert A. Ferguson 18,408,465 3,143,149 0
G. Ronald Morris 18,681,821 2,869,793 0
Thomas R. Reusche 18,440,901 3,110,713 0
James R. Tenant 18,681,821 2,869,793 0
Paul R. Wood 18,440,901 3,110,713 0
For the ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent public
accountants, 18,857,741 votes were cast in favor, 2,595,748 votes were cast
against and there were 98,125 abstentions.
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits
Exhibit 31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
Exhibit 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18
U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
Exhibit 99.1 Cautionary Statements
* Pursuant to Commission Release No. 33-8238, this certification will be treated
as "accompanying" this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and not "filed" as part of
such report for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of Section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and this certification will not be
deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except
to the extent that the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
We filed the following reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended
June 30, 2004.
1. Current report on Form 8-K dated May 5, 2004 (the date of the
earliest event reported), filed on May 5, 2004, for the
purpose of reporting operating results from continuing
operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.
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SIGNATURE
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REPORT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED.
HINES HORTICULTURE, INC.
(REGISTRANT)
By: /s/ Claudia M. Pieropan
Claudia M. Pieropan
Chief Financial Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer
(Principal financial officer
and duly authorized officer)
Date: August 9, 2004
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