We are a leading provider of comprehensive corporate
visual image solutions through the combination of extensive screen and digital graphics capabilities, a wide variety of high quality indoor and outdoor lighting products, and related professional services. We also provide graphics and lighting
products and professional services on a stand-alone basis. Our company is the leading provider of corporate visual image solutions to the petroleum/convenience store industry. We use this leadership position to penetrate national retailers and
multi-site retailers, including quick service and casual restaurants, video rental and eyewear chains, retail chain stores and automobile dealerships located primarily in the United States.
Our focus on product development and innovation creates products that are
essential components of our customers corporate visual image strategy. We develop and manufacture lighting and graphics products and distribute them through an extensive multi-channel distribution network that allows us to effectively service
our target markets. Representative customers include British Petroleum/Amoco/Arco, Chevron Texaco, Conoco Phillips, ExxonMobil, Shell, Burger King, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Wendys, Best Buy, Target Stores, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan,
Saturn, and Toyota. We service our customers at the corporate, franchise and local levels.
We believe that national retailers and niche market companies are increasingly seeking single-source suppliers with the project management skills and service expertise necessary to execute a comprehensive visual image
program. The integration of our graphics, lighting and professional services capabilities allows our customers to outsource to us the development of an entire visual image program from the planning and design stage through installation. Our approach
is to bundle standard, high-production lighting products, custom graphics applications and professional services to create complete customer-focused visual image solutions. We also offer products and services on a stand-alone basis to service our
existing image solutions customers, to establish a presence in a new market or to create a relationship with a new customer. We believe that our ability to combine graphics and lighting products and professional services into a comprehensive visual
image solution differentiates us from our competitors who offer only stand-alone products for lighting or graphics and who lack professional services offerings. During the past several years, we have continued to enhance our ability to provide
comprehensive corporate visual image solutions by adding additional graphics capabilities, lighting products and professional services through acquisitions and internal development.
Our business is organized in two segments: the Lighting Segment, which represented 66% of our fiscal 2004 net sales, and the
Graphics Segment, which represented 34% of our fiscal 2004 net sales. Our most significant market, which includes sales of both the Lighting Segment and the Graphics Segment, is the petroleum / convenience store market with approximately 28%, 29%,
and 34% of total net sales concentrated in this market in the fiscal years ended June 30, 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page S-19 of this Form 10-K for additional
information on business segments. Net sales by segment are as follows (in thousands):
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2004
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2003
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2002
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Lighting Segment
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$
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159,748
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$
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133,076
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$
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147,930
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Graphics Segment
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81,657
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77,057
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111,331
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Total Net Sales
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$
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241,405
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$
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213,133
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$
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259,261
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Lighting Segment
Our lighting segment manufactures and markets outdoor, indoor, and landscape lighting for the commercial, industrial and multi-site retail markets,
including the petroleum / convenience store market. Our products are designed and manufactured to provide maximum value and meet the high-quality, competitively-priced product requirements of our niche markets. We generally avoid specialty or
custom-designed, low-volume products for single order opportunities. We do, however, design proprietary products used by our national account customers in large volume, and occasionally also provide custom products for large, specified projects. Our
concentration is on our high-volume, standard product lines that meet our customers needs. By focusing our product offerings, we achieve significant manufacturing and cost efficiencies.
Our lighting fixtures, poles and brackets are produced in a variety of
designs, styles and finishes. Important functional variations include types of mounting, such as pole, bracket and surface, and the nature of the light requirement, such as down-lighting, wall-wash lighting, canopy lighting, flood-lighting, area
lighting and security lighting. Our engineering staff performs photometric analyses, wind load safety studies for all light fixtures and also designs our fixtures and lighting systems. Our lighting products utilize a wide variety of different lamps,
including high-intensity discharge metal-halide lamps. All of our products are designed for energy efficiency, performance, reliability, ease of installation and service, as well as attractive appearance.
The major products and services offered within our lighting segment include:
exterior area lighting, interior lighting, canopy lighting, landscape lighting, L.E.D. lighting (light emitting diodes), light poles, lighting analysis and photometric layouts.
The Lighting Segment includes the operations of LSI Lighting Systems, LSI Petroleum Lighting, LSI Automotive, Courtsider
Sports Lighting, LSI Metal Fabrication, Greenlee Lighting, LSI Marcole, LSI MidWest Lighting and LSI Lightron.
The increase in Lighting Segment net sales in fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003 is attributed primarily to increased sales to our national account
(including to the largest national retailer in the U.S.) and niche market business, as well as to increased sales to the commercial and industrial markets (due in part to the improving economy and in part to increased volume coming in from our
improved independent commercial sales representatives).
The
decrease in Lighting Segment net sales in fiscal 2003 as compared to fiscal 2002 is attributed to economic weakness in the commercial / industrial market, and, to an unknown degree, to several independent sales representative agency changes made by
the Company during fiscal 2003. The Company believes these changes, which are now complete, will have a long term effect of increasing net sales through utilization of a more experienced and effective representative sales force.
Graphics Segment
The Graphics Segment manufactures and sells exterior and interior visual image elements related to graphics, and menu board
systems. These products are used in visual image programs in several markets, including the petroleum/convenience store market and multi-site retail operations. Our extensive lighting and graphics expertise, product offering, visual image solution
implementation capabilities and other professional services represent significant competitive advantages. We work with corporations and design firms to establish and implement cost effective corporate visual image programs. Increasingly, we become
the primary supplier of exterior and interior graphics for our customers. We also offer installation or installation management (utilizing pre-qualified independent subcontractors throughout the United States) services for those customers who desire
that we become involved in the installation of either menu board systems, or interior or exterior graphics products.
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Our business can be significantly impacted by participation in a customers image conversion
program, especially if it were to involve a roll out of that new image to a significant number of that customers and its franchisees retail sites. The impact to our business can be very positive with growth in net sales
and profitability when we are engaged in an image conversion program. This can be followed in subsequent periods by lesser amounts of business or negative comparisons following completion of an image conversion program, unless we are successful in
replacing that completed business with participation in a new image conversion program of similar size with one or more customers. An image conversion program can potentially involve any or all of the following improvements, changes or
refurbishments at a customers retail site: interior or exterior lighting, (see discussion above about our lighting segment) interior or exterior store signage and graphics, interior or exterior menu board systems, exterior pre-sell menu
boards, and installation of these products in both the prototype and roll out phases of their program. We believe our retail customers are implementing image conversions on a more frequent basis than in the past, say approximately every five to
seven years versus ten to fifteen years in the past, in order to maintain a safe, fresh look or new image on their site in order to continue to attract customers to their site, and maintain or grow their market share.
The major products and services offered within our Graphics Segment include
the following: signage and canopy graphics, pump dispenser graphics, building fascia graphics, decals, interior signage and marketing graphics, aisle markets, wall mural graphics, fleet graphics, prototype program graphics, installation services for
graphics products, exterior and interior menu board systems, site surveying and permitting, site specific engineering services, and installation management services.
The Graphics Segment includes the operations of Grady McCauley, LSI Retail Graphics, LSI Integrated Graphic Systems, LSI
Images and LSI Adapt.
The increase in Graphics net sales in
fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2003 is primarily attributed to increased sales to a retail store customer and increased sales to the petroleum / convenience store market, partially offset by reduced menu board system sales (one quick service
restaurant customer).
The decrease in Graphics Segment net
sales in fiscal 2003 as compared to fiscal 2002 primarily reflects three factors: 1) the Burger King menu board program in North America was very large in fiscal 2002 and much lower in fiscal 2003 as the program neared completion; 2) the image
conversion program of a major petroleum / convenience store customer slowed down significantly in fiscal 2003; and 3) the petroleum / convenience store market in general was off significantly in fiscal 2003, due in part to the Iraq war in the Middle
East.
Our Competitive Strengths
Single Source Comprehensive Visual Image Solution Provider.
We
believe that we are the only company serving our target markets that combines significant graphics capabilities, lighting products and professional services to create comprehensive image solutions. We believe that our position as a single-source
provider creates a competitive advantage over competitors who can only address either the lighting or the graphics component of a customers corporate visual image program. Using our broad visual image solutions capabilities, our customers can
maintain complete control over the creation of their visual image programs while avoiding the added complexity of coordinating separate lighting and graphics suppliers and service providers among multiple suppliers. We can use high technology
software to produce computer-generated virtual prototypes of a customers new or improved retail site image. We believe that these capabilities are unique to our target markets and they allow our customers to make educated, cost-effective
decisions quickly.
Proven Ability to Penetrate Target
Markets.
We have grown our business by establishing a leadership position in the majority, as defined by our revenues, of our target markets, including petroleum/convenience stores, automobile dealerships and specialty retailers. Although our
relationship with our customers may begin with the need for a single product or service, we leverage
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our broad product and service offering to identify additional products and solutions. We combine existing graphics,
lighting and image element offerings, develop products and add services to create comprehensive solutions for our customers.
Product Development Focus.
We believe that our ability to successfully identify and develop new products has allowed us to expand our market
opportunity and enhance our market position. Our product development initiatives are designed to increase the value of our product offering by addressing the needs of our customers and target markets through innovative retrofit enhancements to
existing products or the development of new products. In addition, we believe our product development process creates value for our customers by producing products that offer energy efficiency, low maintenance requirements and long-term operating
performance at a competitive price.
Strong Relationship
with our Customers.
We have used our innovative products and high-quality services to develop close, long-standing relationships with a large number of our customers. Many of our customers are recognized among the leaders in their respective
markets; including customers such as BP, Chrysler and Burger King. Their use of our products and services raises the visibility of our capabilities and facilitates the acceptance of our products and services in their markets. Within each of these
markets, our ability to be a single source provider of image solutions often creates repeat business opportunities through corporate reimaging programs. We have served some of our customers since our inception in 1976.
Well-capitalized Balance Sheet
. As part of our long-term operating
strategy, we maintain a conservative capital structure. With a strong equity base, we are able to preserve operating flexibility in times of industry expansion and contraction. In the current business environment, a strong balance sheet demonstrates
financial viability to our existing and targeted customers. In addition, a strong balance sheet enables us to continue important R&D and capital spending.
Aggressive Use of Our Image Center Capabilities.
Our image center capabilities in Cincinnati, North Canton and Houston provide us with a
distinct competitive advantage to demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating graphics and lighting into a complete corporate visual image program. Our technologically advanced image centers, which demonstrate the depth and breadth of our product
and service offerings, have become an effective component of our sales process.
Maintain our vertically integrated business model.
We consider our company to be a vertically integrated manufacturer rather than a product assembler. We focus on developing unique customer-oriented products
and solutions and outsource certain non-core processes and product components as necessary.
Sales, Marketing and Customers
Our lighting products are sold primarily throughout the United States, but also in Canada and Latin America (about 3% of total net sales are outside the United States) using a combination of regional sales managers,
independent sales representatives and distributors. Although in some cases we sell directly to national firms, more frequently we are designated as a preferred vendor for product sales to customer-owned as well as franchised, licensed and dealer
operations. Our graphics products and services are sold through our own sales force and select manufacturers representatives. Our marketing approach and means of distribution vary by product line and by type of market. For the Graphics
Segment, our engineering staff provides recommendations and full technical support for site studies, photometric engineering, and environmental factors.
Sales are developed by contacts with national retail marketers, franchise and dealer operations. In addition, sales are also achieved through
recommendations from local architects, engineers, petroleum and electrical distributors and contractors. Our sales are partially seasonal as installation of outdoor lighting and graphic systems in the northern states decreases during the winter
months.
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Our image center capabilities are an important part of our sales process. The image center, unique within
the lighting and graphics industry, is a facility that can produce a computer-generated virtual prototype of a customers facility on a large screen through the combination of high technology software and audio/visual presentation. With these
capabilities, our customers can instantly explore a wide variety of lighting and graphics alternatives to develop consistent day and nighttime images. Our image centers give our customers more options, greater control, and more effective time
utilization in the development of lighting, graphics and visual image solutions, all with much less expense than traditional prototyping. In addition to being cost and time effective for our customers, we believe that our image center capabilities
result in the best solution for our customers needs.
The
image centers also contain comprehensive indoor and outdoor product display areas that allow our customers to see many of our products and services in one setting. This aids our customers in making quick and effective lighting and graphic design
decisions through hands-on product demonstrations and side-by-side comparisons. More importantly, our image center capabilities allow us to expand our customers interest from just a single product into other products and solutions. We believe
that our image center capabilities have further enhanced our position as a highly qualified outsourcing partner capable of guiding a customer through image alternatives utilizing our lighting and graphics products and services. We believe this
capability distinguishes us from our competitors and will become increasingly beneficial in attracting additional customers. We currently have image centers in Cincinnati, Ohio, Houston, Texas and North Canton, Ohio.
Manufacturing and Operations
We design, engineer and manufacture substantially all of our lighting and
graphics products through a vertically integrated business model. By emphasizing high-volume production of standard product lines, we achieve significant manufacturing efficiencies. When appropriate, we utilize alliances with vendors to outsource
certain products and assemblies. We are not dependent on any one supplier for any of our component parts.
The principal raw materials and purchased components used in the manufacturing of our products are steel, aluminum, wire, sockets, lamps, certain fixture
housings, acrylic and glass lenses, lighting ballasts, inks and various graphics substrates such as decal material and vinyls. We source these materials and components from a variety of suppliers. Although an interruption of these supplies and
components could disrupt our operations, we believe generally that alternative sources of supply exist and could be readily arranged. With the sharp price increase of steel (pole shafts as well as steel for fixture housings) in the second half of
fiscal 2004, there is a possibility that users of this steel, including our Company, could be faced with allocations of the supply of steel in the future. No allocations have been in effect to date. We strive to reduce price volatility in our
purchases of raw materials and components through quarterly or annual contracts with certain of our suppliers. Our lighting operations generally carry relatively small amounts of finished goods inventory, except for certain products that are stocked
to meet quick delivery requirements. Most often lighting products are made to order and shipped shortly after they are manufactured. Our graphics operations manufacture custom graphics products for customers who frequently require us to stock
certain amounts of finished goods in exchange for their commitment to that inventory. In some of these programs, customers also give us a cash advance for the inventory that we stock for them.
We believe we are a low-cost producer for our types of products, and as such,
are in a position to promote our product lines with substantial marketing and sales activities.
Our manufacturing operations are subject to various federal, state and local regulatory requirements relating to environmental protection and occupational
health and safety. We do not expect to incur material capital expenditures with regard to these matters and believe our facilities are in compliance with such regulations.
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Competition
We experience strong competition in both segments of our business, and in all markets served by our product lines. We have many competitors, some of which
have greater financial and other resources, however we do not compete with the same companies across our entire product and service offerings. We believe product quality and performance, price, customer service, prompt delivery, and reputation to be
important competitive factors.
We have several product and
process patents which have been obtained in the normal course of business. In general, we do not believe that patent protection is critical to our business, however we do believe that patent protection is important for a few select products.
Additional Information
Our sales are partially seasonal as installation of outdoor lighting and
graphic systems in the northern states lessens during the harshest winter months. We had a backlog of orders, which we believe to be firm, of $24.3 million and $19.0 million at June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. All orders are believed to be
shippable within twelve months.
We have approximately 1,540
full-time and 200 temporary employees as of June 30, 2004. We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefit program to most employees, including competitive wages, a discretionary bonus plan, a profit-sharing plan and retirement plan, a 401(k)
savings plan, a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (for certain employees), an equity compensation plan, and medical and dental insurance.
We file reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. You may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at its
public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain that information by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other
information regarding us. The address of that site is
http://www.sec.gov
. Our internet address is
http://www.lsi-industries.com
. We make available free of charge through our internet web site our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file them with the SEC.
LSI Industries Inc. is an Ohio corporation, incorporated in
1976.