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NAFC Nash-Finch Company (MM)

28.29
0.00 (0.00%)
31 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type
Nash-Finch Company (MM) NASDAQ:NAFC NASDAQ Common Stock
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 28.29 0 01:00:00

Quarterly Report (10-q)

12/11/2013 11:28am

Edgar (US Regulatory)


  UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

X

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

For the quarterly period (16 weeks) ended October 5, 2013

 

or

 

¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 For the transition period from ______ to ________

 

 

Commission File No. 0-785

 

NASH-FINCH COMPANY

 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

DELAWARE

41-0431960

(State or other jurisdiction of

(IRS Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

 

7600 France Avenue South,

P.O. Box 355

Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

55440-0355

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(952) 832-0534

(Registrant's telephone number including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes _X_ No ___

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the proceeding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes _X_ No ___

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer_____ Accelerated filer __X__ Non-accelerated filer ____ Smaller reporting company ____

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes ___   No _X_

 

As of October 29, 2013, 12,336,984 shares of Common Stock of the Registrant were outstanding.

 


 

 

 

Index

 

 

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1. Financial Statements   

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

2

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

3

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

4

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

5

 

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

24

 

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

25

 

 

 

Part II –OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings 

25

 

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

26

 

 

 

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

26

 

 

 

Item 3.Defaults upon Senior Securities

26

 

 

 

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

26

 

 

 

Item 5.Other Information

26

 

 

 

Item 6.Exhibits

27

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

28

 

 


 

PART I. – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements

 

NASH-FINCH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) (unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

16 Weeks Ended

 

40 Weeks Ended

 

October 5,

2013

 

October 6,

2012

 

October 5,

2013

 

October 6,

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

$

1,563,428

 

1,511,090

 

3,862,421

 

3,685,177

Cost of sales

 

1,436,044

 

1,383,445

 

3,542,619

 

3,388,015

Gross profit

 

127,384

 

127,645

 

319,802

 

297,162

Other costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

100,146

 

84,692

 

247,480

 

205,904

Gain on acquisition of a business

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(6,639)

Goodwill impairment

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

131,991

Depreciation and amortization

 

11,910

 

11,924

 

29,480

 

28,510

Interest expense

 

5,614

 

8,074

 

15,571

 

18,672

Total other costs and expenses

 

117,670

 

104,690

 

292,531

 

378,438

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

9,714

 

22,955

 

27,271

 

(81,276)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

3,691

 

8,351

 

10,259

 

(16,366)

Net earnings (loss)

$

6,023

 

14,604

 

17,012

 

(64,910)

Net earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.46

 

1.13

 

1.31

 

(5.01)

Diluted

$

0.46

 

1.12

 

1.30

 

(5.01)

Declared dividends per common share

$

0.18

 

0.18

 

0.54

 

0.54

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding and common equivalent shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

12,992

 

12,962

 

12,996

 

12,963

Diluted

 

13,132

 

13,040

 

13,093

 

12,963

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 


 

 

NASH-FINCH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 5,

2013

 

December 29,

2012

Assets

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash

$

1,203

 

1,291

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

227,379

 

239,925

Inventories

 

436,140

 

362,526

Prepaid expenses and other

 

14,198

 

18,569

Deferred tax assets, net

 

4,378

 

3,724

Total current assets

 

683,298

 

626,035

Notes receivable, net

 

27,544

 

21,360

Property, plant and equipment:

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

752,935

 

738,857

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

(456,825)

 

(436,572)

Net property, plant and equipment

 

296,110

 

302,285

Goodwill

 

28,590

 

22,877

Customer contracts and relationships, net

 

5,863

 

6,649

Investment in direct financing leases

 

1,796

 

1,923

Deferred tax assets, net

 

31,246

 

2,780

Other assets

 

19,237

 

19,708

Total assets

$

1,093,684

 

1,003,617

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

$

4,550

 

2,265

Accounts payable

 

274,255

 

247,392

Accrued expenses

 

63,606

 

52,326

Income taxes payable

 

7,661

 

429

Total current liabilities

 

350,072

 

302,412

Long-term debt

 

383,015

 

356,251

Capital lease obligations

 

13,328

 

14,807

Other liabilities

 

38,956

 

33,758

Commitments and contingencies

 

-

 

-

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock - no par value. Authorized 500 shares; none issued

 

-

 

-

Common stock - $1.66 2/3 par value. Authorized 50,000 shares; issued 13,815 and 13,799 shares, respectively

 

23,026

 

22,998

Additional paid-in capital

 

114,762

 

113,641

Common stock held in trust

 

(1,317)

 

(1,295)

Deferred compensation obligations

 

1,317 

 

1,295

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(15,705)

 

(15,705)

Retained earnings

 

237,091

 

227,161

Common stock in treasury; 1,500 and 1,525 shares, respectively

 

(50,861)

 

(51,706)

Total stockholders' equity

 

308,313

 

296,389

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

1,093,684

 

1,003,617

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

3

 


 

 

NASH-FINCH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

40 Weeks Ended

 

 

October 5,

2013

 

October 6,

2012

 

 

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

$

17,012

 

(64,910)

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Gain on acquisition of a business

 

-

 

(6,639)

Depreciation and amortization

 

29,480

 

28,510

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

844

 

962

Non-cash convertible debt interest

 

1,363

 

4,736

Rebateable loans

 

1,964

 

3,111

Provision for (recovery of) bad debts

 

487

 

(274)

Provision for (recovery of) lease reserves

 

327

 

(33)

Deferred income tax benefit

 

(29,119)

 

(32,783)

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment

 

(111)

 

(1,506)

LIFO charge (credit)

 

(2,265)

 

2,040

Asset impairments

 

-

 

62

Impairments of goodwill

 

-

 

131,991

Share-based compensation expense (reversal of)

 

1,887

 

(1,295)

Deferred compensation

 

908

 

984

Other

 

(149)

 

(187)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

Accounts and notes receivable

 

11,579

 

(10,541)

Inventories

 

(70,487)

 

(70,609)

Prepaid expenses

 

(3,512)

 

(1,051)

Accounts payable

 

11,984

 

33,450

Accrued expenses

 

11,707

 

(14,182)

Income taxes payable

 

15,146

 

6,975

Other assets and liabilities

 

3,203

 

(3,542)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

2,248

 

5,269

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

589

 

8,690

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(19,485)

 

(23,736)

Businesses acquired, net of cash

 

(7,040)

 

(78,259)

Loans to customers

 

(12,983)

 

(8,715)

Payments from customers on loans

 

5,450

 

7,765

Corporate-owned life insurance, net

 

(972)

 

(837)

Other

-

(151) 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(34,441)

 

(95,243)

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from revolving debt

 

139,457

 

69,800

Dividends paid

 

(6,637)

 

(6,607)

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

39,533

 

18,702

Payments of long-term debt

 

(151,365)

 

(1,260)

Payments of capitalized lease obligations

 

(1,418)

 

(1,924)

Increase in outstanding checks

 

13,126

 

13,204

Payments of deferred financing costs

 

(253)

 

(211)

Tax benefit from share-based compensation

 

-

 

66

Other

(338)

(1,373) 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

32,105

 

90,397

Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

(88)

 

423

Cash at beginning of year

 

1,291

 

773

Cash at end of period

$

1,203

 

1,196

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

4

 


 

Nash-Finch Company and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

October 5, 2013

 

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation

 

                The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012.

 

                The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the financial position of Nash-Finch Company and our subsidiaries (“Nash Finch” or “the Company”) at October 5, 2013, and December 29, 2012, the results of operations for the 16 and 40 weeks ended October 5, 2013 (“third quarter 2013” and “year-to-date 2013”, respectively), and October 6, 2012 (“third quarter 2012” and “year-to-date 2012”, respectively), and cash flows for the 40 weeks ended October 5, 2013 and October 6, 2012.  Adjustments consist only of normal recurring items, except for any items discussed in the notes below.  All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the unaudited consolidated financial statements.  Results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.


                The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

                During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company revised its presentation of fees received from customers for shipping, handling, and the performance of certain other services, which primarily impacted its Food Distribution and Military business segments.  The Company historically presented these items, such as freight fees, fuel surcharges, and fees for advertising services as a reduction to cost of sales.  In accordance with the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605, the Company revised its presentation to classify amounts billed to a customer related to shipping and handling in a sale transaction as revenue.  The Company also revised its presentation to classify fees received for the performance of certain other services as revenue.  The revisions had the effect of increasing both sales and cost of sales, but did not have an impact on gross profit, earnings before income taxes, net earnings, cash flows, or financial position for any period, or their respective trends.  Management determined that the change in presentation was not material to any period.  Certain prior year amounts shown below related to the third quarter and year-to-date 2012 have been revised to conform to the current presentation.

 

(in 000's)

16 Weeks Ended
October 6, 2012

As Originally

Reported

 

% of Sales

 

Adjustments

16 Weeks Ended
October 6, 2012

As Revised

 

% of Sales

Sales

$

 1,496,343

 

100.0%

 

14,747

$

 1,511,090

 

100.0%

Cost of Sales

 

1,368,698

 

91.5%

 

14,747

 

1,383,445

 

91.6%

Gross Profit

$

 127,645

 

8.5%

 

-

$

127,645

 

8.4%

 

(in 000's)

40 Weeks Ended
October 6, 2012

As Originally

Reported

 

% of Sales

 

Adjustments

40 Weeks Ended
October 6, 2012

As Revised

 

% of Sales

Sales

$

 3,647,775

 

100.0%

 

37,402

$

 3,685,177

 

100.0%

Cost of Sales

 

3,350,613

 

91.9%

 

37,402

 

3,388,015

 

91.9%

Gross Profit

$

297,162

 

8.1%

 

-

$

 297,162

 

8.1%

 

5

 


 

 

 
Note 2 – Inventories

 

                We use the LIFO method for valuation of a substantial portion of our inventories. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs.  Because these estimates are subject to many factors beyond management’s control, interim results are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation.  If the FIFO method had been used, inventories would have been approximately $88.4 million higher on October 5, 2013 and $90.7 million higher on December 29, 2012. We recorded a LIFO credit of $1.3 million during the third quarter 2013 as compared to a LIFO charge of $1.4 million during the third quarter 2012. During year-to-date 2013, we recorded a LIFO credit of $2.3 million as compared to a LIFO charge of $2.0 million during year-to-date 2012.

 

Note 3 – Share-Based Compensation

 

The Company is required to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model.  The value of the portion of the awards ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. We recognized share-based compensation expense as a component of selling, general and administrative expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) in the amount of $0.7 million during the third quarter 2013 as compared to a $2.9 million net credit related to share-based compensation during the third quarter 2012.  During year-to-date 2013, share-based compensation expense was $1.9 million as compared to a $1.3 million net credit related to share-based compensation during year-to-date 2012.  The net credit during 2012 related to share-based compensation is due to reductions in estimated payouts for unvested performance units outstanding under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”).

 

We have four equity compensation plans under which incentive performance units, stock appreciation rights, and other forms of share-based compensation have been or may be granted, primarily to key employees and non-employee members of the Board of Directors.  These plans include the Amended 2009 Incentive Award Plan (“2009 Plan”), the Amended 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (“2000 Plan”), the Director Deferred Compensation Plan, and the 1997 Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan. These plans are more fully described in Part II, Item 8 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 under the caption “Footnote 10 – Share-based Compensation Plans” and in our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on March 11, 2013.

 

Since 2009, awards have taken the form of performance units (including share units pursuant to our LTIP) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”). 

 

Performance units pursuant to our LTIP were granted during each of fiscal years 2010 through 2013 under the 2009 Plan.  These units vest at the end of a three-year period.  On December 29, 2012, 101,739 units outstanding from the LTIP grants made during fiscal 2010 vested and were cancelled without conversion to shares of common stock because the Company did not achieve the minimum performance metrics of the LTIP for the related performance period required for a payout of common shares.

 

During the year-to-date 2013, a total of 300,099 units were granted pursuant to our LTIP.  For these awards, depending on a comparison of the Company’s actual Fiscal 2013 results for Consolidated EBITDA and sales to the Company’s Fiscal 2013 budget for Consolidated EBITDA and sales, a participant could receive a number of shares ranging from zero to 200% of the number of performance units granted.  Compensation expense equal to the grant date fair value (for shares expected to vest) is recorded through equity over the three-year vesting period as the units can only be settled in stock.

 

During fiscal 2008 through 2010, RSUs were awarded to certain executives of the Company. Awards vest in increments over the term of the grant or cliff vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date, as designated in the award documents.  In addition to the time vesting criteria, awards granted in 2008 and 2009 to two of the Company’s executives include performance vesting conditions. The Company records expense for such awards over the service vesting period if the Company anticipates the performance vesting conditions will be satisfied.

 

6

 


 

 

 

The following table summarizes activity in our share-based compensation plans during year-to-date 2013:

 

 

(in thousands, except vesting periods)

 

Service Based Grants (Board Units and RSUs)

 

Weighted Average Remaining Restriction/ Vesting Period (Years)

 

Performance Based Grants (LTIP & Performance RSUs)

 

Weighted Average Remaining Restriction/ Vesting Period (Years)

Outstanding at December 29, 2012

 

512.2

 

0.1

 

641.7

 

0.9

Granted

 

13.4

 

 

 

300.6

 

 

Forfeited/cancelled

 

-

 

 

 

(30.1)

 

 

Restrictions lapsed/ units settled

 

(9.1)

 

 

 

(48.5)

 

 

Shares deferred upon vesting/settlement & dividend equivalents on deferred shares (1)

12.3

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

Outstanding at October 5, 2013

 

528.8

 

0.1

 

870.7

 

1.1

Vested at December 29, 2012

 

475.4

 

 

 

303.1

 

 

Vested at October 5, 2013

 

479.1

 

 

 

261.7

 

 

 

(1)        “Shares deferred upon vesting/settlement” above are net of the performance adjustment factor applied to the “units settled” for the participants that deferred shares as provided in the plan.

 

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of time vesting equity units and performance vesting units granted during year-to-date 2013 was $21.18 and $20.85, respectively. 

 

Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements

 

We account for instruments recorded at fair value under the established fair value framework.  The framework also applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.  

 

The fair value hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements is as follows:

Level 1:  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:  Quoted prices, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, which are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3:  Inputs that are unobservable for the assets or liabilities.

 

As of October 5, 2013 and December 29, 2012, we are not a party to any financial instruments that would be subject to a fair value measurement. 

 

Other Financial Assets and Liabilities  

 

 Financial assets with carrying values approximating fair value include cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.  Financial liabilities with carrying values approximating fair value include accounts payable and outstanding checks. The carrying value of these financial assets and liabilities approximates fair value due to their short maturities.

 

The fair value of notes receivable approximates the carrying value, which includes a reserve for estimated uncollectible amounts, at October 5, 2013 and December 29, 2012.  Substantially all notes receivable are based on floating interest rates which adjust to changes in market rates.

 

Long-term debt, which includes any current maturities of long-term debt, at October 5, 2013, had a carrying value of $385.7 million and a fair value of $385.8 million, and at December 29, 2012, had a carrying value and fair value of $356.3 million.  The fair value is based on interest rates that are currently available to us for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

 

Non-Financial Assets  

 

For year-to-date 2013, we recognized no asset impairments as compared to asset impairments of $132.1 million during the prior year period.  We utilize a discounted cash flow model and market approach that incorporates unobservable level 3 inputs to test for goodwill and long-lived asset impairments. 

 

7

 


 

Table of Contents

Note 5 – Long-term Debt and Bank Credit Facilities

 

Total debt outstanding was comprised of the following:

 

(In thousands)

 

October 5,

2013

 

December 29,

2012

Asset-backed credit agreement:

 

 

 

 

Revolving credit

$

328,282

 

188,825

Senior subordinated convertible debt, 3.50% due in 2035

 

-

 

148,724

Notes payable and mortgage notes, variable rate due in various installments through 2019

 

50,630

 

18,702

Equipment note, 2.61% due in various installments through 2018

 

6,807

 

-

Total debt

 

385,719

 

356,251

Less current maturities

 

(2,704)

 

-

Long-term debt

$

383,015

 

356,251

 

Asset-backed Credit Agreement

 

                On December 21, 2011, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into a credit agreement and related security and other agreements with Wells Fargo and the Lenders party thereto (the "Credit Agreement"), providing for a $520.0 million revolving asset-backed credit facility, which included a $50.0 million Swing Line sub-facility and a $75.0 million letter of credit sub-facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility").  At the inception of the agreement, we were required to maintain a reserve of $100.0 million with respect to the Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt, which reserve increased to $150.0 million commencing on December 15, 2012, and was eliminated upon redemption of the Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt on March 15, 2013.  Provided no event of default is then existing or would arise, the Company may from time-to-time request that the Revolving Credit Facility be increased by an aggregate amount (for all such requests) not to exceed $250.0 million.

 

                On November 27, 2012, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement.

 

                Among other things, the Amendment (i) increased the commitments under the Credit Agreement by $70.0 million to $590.0 million, including within the increase a first-in last-out tranche (“FILO Tranche Loans”) of $30.0 million which amortizes by $2.5 million on the first day of each fiscal quarter beginning March 24, 2013, (ii) extended the maturity of the Credit Agreement by one year to December 21, 2017, and (iii) provided for increases to advance rates of certain components of the borrowing base as well as permitting the inclusion of asset classes in the borrowing base that were previously excluded.

 

                The principal amount outstanding under the amended Revolving Credit Facility, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, will be due and payable in full at maturity on December 21, 2017.  The Company can elect, at the time of borrowing, for loans to bear interest at a rate equal to either the base rate or LIBOR plus a margin.  The LIBOR interest rate margin can vary quarterly in 0.25% increments between three pricing levels ranging from 1.50% to 2.00%, except for FILO Tranche Loans which bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75%.  The pricing levels for the non-FILO Tranche Loans are based on the Excess Availability, which is defined in the Credit Agreement as (a) the lesser of (i) the borrowing base; or (ii) the aggregate commitments; minus (b) the aggregate of the outstanding credit extensions. The LIBOR interest rate margin was 1.75% as of October 5, 2013.

  

                At October 5, 2013, $248.0 million was available under the Revolving Credit Facility after giving effect to outstanding borrowings and to $13.7 million of outstanding letters of credit primarily supporting workers’ compensation obligations.

 

                The Credit Agreement contains no financial covenants unless and until (i) the continuance of an event of default thereunder, or (ii) the failure of the Company to maintain Excess Availability equal to or greater than 10% of the borrowing base at any time, in which event, the Company must comply with a trailing 12-month basis consolidated fixed charge covenant ratio of 1.0 : 1.0, which ratio shall continue to be tested each period thereafter until Excess Availability exceeds 10% of the borrowing base for three consecutive fiscal periods.

 

8

 


 

 

 

                The Credit Agreement contains usual and customary covenants for a facility of this type requiring the Company and its subsidiaries, among other things, to maintain collateral, comply with applicable laws, keep proper books and records, preserve corporate existence, maintain insurance and pay taxes in a timely manner. Events of default under the Credit Agreement are usual and customary for transactions of this type, subject to, in specific instances, materiality and cure periods including, among other things: (a) any failure to pay principal thereunder when due or to pay interest or fees on the due date; (b) material misrepresentations; (c) default under other agreements governing material indebtedness of the Company; (d) default in the performance or observation of any covenants; (e) any event of insolvency or bankruptcy; (f) any final judgments or orders to pay more than $15.0 million that remain unsecured or unpaid; (g) change of control, as defined in the Credit Agreement; and (h) any failure of a collateral document, after delivery thereof, to create a valid mortgage or first-priority lien.

 

                We are currently in compliance with all covenants contained within the Credit Agreement.

 

Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt

 

To finance a portion of the acquisition of two distribution centers in 2005, we sold $150.1 million in aggregate issue price (or $322.0 million aggregate principal amount at maturity) of senior subordinated convertible notes due in 2035. The notes were unsecured senior subordinated obligations and ranked junior to our existing and future senior indebtedness, including borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.  On March 15, 2013, the Company completed the redemption of the notes at a price equal to $466.11 per $1,000 in principal amount at maturity, which resulted in a total payment of $150.1 million.  See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), for additional information regarding the notes.

Notes Payable and Mortgage Notes

 

On May 18, 2012, the Company, as guarantor for U Save Foods, Inc., a Nebraska corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Nash Finch Company, entered into a seven year $16.9 million term loan facility with First National Bank of Omaha. This loan agreement is secured by seven corporate-owned retail locations in Nebraska.

 

                On June 26, 2013, the Company entered into a six-year $32.25 million term loan facility (“the Agreement”) with First National Bank of Omaha.  This loan facility is intended to provide working capital to be used for general corporate purposes. The Agreement is secured by our executive office building in Minneapolis, Minnesota and our distribution centers in St. Cloud, Minnesota and Omaha, Nebraska.

 

Note 6 – Guarantees

                 

We have guaranteed lease obligations of certain food distribution customers.  In the event these retailers are unable to meet their lease payments or otherwise experience an event of default, we would be unconditionally liable for the outstanding balance of their lease obligations ($1.1 million as of October 5, 2013, as compared to $1.4 million as of December 29, 2012), which would be due in accordance with the underlying agreements.

 

For guarantees issued after December 31, 2002, we are required to recognize an initial liability for the fair value of the obligation assumed under the guarantee.  The maximum undiscounted payments we would be required to make in the event of default under these guarantees is $1.1 million, which is referenced above.  These guarantees are secured by certain business assets and personal guarantees of the respective customers.  We believe these customers will be able to perform under the lease agreements and that no payments will be required and no loss will be incurred under the guarantees.  A liability representing the fair value of the obligations assumed under the guarantees is included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  The amount of this liability is currently not significant.

 

We have also assigned various leases to other entities.  If the assignees become unable to continue making payments under the assigned leases, we estimate our maximum potential obligation with respect to the assigned leases to be $7.9 million as of October 5, 2013 as compared to $8.3 million as of December 29, 2012.

 

9

 


 


Table of Contents

Note 7 – Income Taxes

For the third quarter of 2013 and 2012, our income tax expense was $3.7 million and $8.4 million, respectively.  For year-to-date 2013, our income tax expense was $10.3 million as compared to an income tax benefit of $16.4 million for year-to-date 2012.

 

                The provision for income taxes reflects the Company’s estimate of the effective rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year, adjusted for any discrete events, which are reported in the period that they occur.  This estimate is re-evaluated each quarter based on the Company’s estimated tax expense for the full fiscal year.  For the third quarter of 2013, our effective tax rate was 38.0% as compared to 36.4% for the third quarter of 2012.  For year-to-date 2013, our effective tax rate was 37.6% as compared to 20.1% for year-to-date 2012.

 

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of the end of the third quarter of 2013 was $1.7 million.  The net decrease in unrecognized tax benefits of $0.6 million since June 15, 2013 is due to the decrease in unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the expiration of statute of limitations related to tax positions taken in prior periods.  The total amount of tax benefits that if recognized would impact the effective tax rate was $0.2 million at the end of the third quarter of 2013.  We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.  At the end of the third quarter of 2013, we had less than $0.1 million for the payment of interest and penalties accrued.

 

We do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months.

 

                The Company or its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and local jurisdictions.  With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local examinations by tax authorities for years 2009 and prior.  We are currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service for our fiscal years 2010 and 2011.

 

Note 8 – Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

 

                The following tables present the components of our pension and postretirement net periodic benefit cost:

 

16 Weeks Ended October 5, 2013 and October 6, 2012:

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Benefits

(In thousands)

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

Interest cost

$

564

 

629

 

6

 

9

Expected return on plan assets

 

(635)

 

(620)

 

-

 

-

Amortization of prior service cost

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Recognized actuarial loss (gain)

 

283

 

262

 

(12)

 

(7)

Net periodic benefit cost

$

212

 

271

 

(6)

 

2

40 Weeks Ended October 5, 2013 and October 6, 2012:

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Benefits

(In thousands)

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

Interest cost

$

1,410

 

1,571

 

15

 

22

Expected return on plan assets

 

(1,588)

 

(1,549)

 

-

 

-

Amortization of prior service cost

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Recognized actuarial loss (gain)

 

707

 

655

 

(30)

 

(17)

Net periodic benefit cost

$

529

 

677

 

(15)

 

5


Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the third quarter and year-to-date periods of 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Benefits

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

Weighted-average assumptions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

3.70%

 

4.35%

 

3.70%

 

4.35%

Expected return on plan assets

6.00%

 

6.00%

 

N/A

 

N/A

Rate of compensation increase

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Total contributions to our pension plan in fiscal 2013 are expected to be $0.4 million.

10

 


 

 

 

Multi-employer pension plan

 

Certain of our unionized employees are covered by the Central States Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Funds (“the Plan”), a multi-employer pension plan. Contributions are determined in accordance with the provisions of negotiated union contracts and are generally based on the number of hours worked.  In fiscal 2012, the Company contributed $2.9 million to the Plan.  Based on the most recent information available, we believe the present value of actuarial accrued liabilities of the Plan substantially exceeds the value of the assets held in trust to pay benefits.  The underfunding is not a direct obligation or liability of the Company. However, if the Company were to exit certain markets or otherwise cease making contributions to the Plan, the Company could trigger a substantial withdrawal liability. The amount of any increase in contributions would depend upon several factors, including the number of employers contributing to the Plan, results of the Company’s collective bargaining efforts, investment returns on assets held by the Plan, actions taken by the trustees of the Plan, and actions that the Federal government may take.  The Company does not believe it is likely that events requiring recognition of a withdrawal liability will occur. Any adjustment for withdrawal liability will be recorded when it is probable that a liability exists and can be reasonably estimated.

 

A more detailed discussion of the risks associated with the Plan are contained in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.

 

Note 9 – Earnings (Loss) Per Share

 

                The following table reflects the calculation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:

 

 

 

Third Quarter
Ended

 

Year-to-Date
Ended

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

October 5,

2013

October 6,

2012

October 5,

 2013

October 6,

2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

$

6,023

 

14,604

 

17,012

 

(64,910)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss) per share-basic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

 

12,992

 

12,962

 

12,996

 

12,963

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss) per share-basic

$

0.46

 

1.13

 

1.31

 

(5.01)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss) per share-diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

 

12,992

 

12,962

 

12,996

 

12,963

Shares contingently issuable

 

140

 

78

 

97

 

-

Weighted-average shares and potential dilutive shares outstanding

 

13,132

 

13,040

 

13,093

 

12,963

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss) per share-diluted

$

0.46

 

1.12

 

1.30

 

(5.01)

                 

The senior subordinated convertible notes due in 2035, which were redeemed on March 15, 2013, were convertible at the option of the holder, only upon the occurrence of certain events.  The notes were not dilutive to earnings per share for any of the periods presented.

 

              


 

Table of Contents

 

Vested shares deferred by executives and board members are included in the calculation of basic earnings per share.  Other performance units and RSUs granted between 2008 and 2013 pursuant to the 2000 Plan and 2009 Plan will be settled in shares of Nash Finch common stock.  Unvested performance units and RSUs are not included in basic earnings per share until vested. 

 

All shares of time-restricted stock are included in diluted earnings per share using the treasury stock method, if dilutive.  Performance units granted for the LTIP are only issuable if certain performance criteria are met, making these shares contingently issuable.  Therefore, the performance units were included in diluted earnings per share at the payout percentage based on performance criteria results as of the end of the respective reporting period and then accounted for using the treasury stock method, if dilutive.  For the third quarter of 2013, approximately 82,000 shares related to the LTIP and 58,000 shares related to RSUs were included under “shares contingently issuable” in the calculation of diluted EPS as compared to approximately 31,000 shares related to the LTIP and 47,000 shares related to RSUs during the third quarter of 2012.  For year-to-date 2013, approximately 45,000 shares related to the LTIP and 52,000 shares related to RSUs were included under “shares contingently issuable” in the calculation of diluted EPS.  Due to the net loss for the year-to-date period of 2012, the calculation of diluted earnings per share was the same as the calculation of basic earnings per share.

 

Note 10 – Segment Reporting

 

We sell and distribute products that are typically found in supermarkets and operate three reportable operating segments.  The Military segment consists of eight distribution centers that distribute products primarily to military commissaries and exchanges. Our Food Distribution segment consists of 13 distribution centers that sell to independently operated retail grocery stores, our corporate owned stores and other customers.  As of October 5, 2013, the Retail segment consists of 76 corporate-owned stores that sell directly to the consumer. 

 

A summary of the major segments of the business is as follows:

 

 

 

Third Quarter Ended

 

October 5, 2013

 

October 6, 2012

(In thousands)

Sales to external customers

 

Inter-segment sales

 

Segment profit

 

Sales to external customers

 

Inter-segment sales

 

Segment profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Military

$

665,508

 

-

 

3,063

 

712,093

 

-

 

10,322

Food Distribution

 

656,359

 

126,236

 

8,206

 

556,808

 

126,050

 

11,191

Retail

 

241,561

 

-

 

2,090

 

242,189

 

-

 

7,725

Eliminations

 

-

 

(126,236)

 

 

 

-

 

(126,050)

 

-

Total

$

1,563,428

 

-

 

13,359

 

1,511,090

 

-

 

29,238

 

 

 

Year-to-Date Ended

 

October 5, 2013

 

October 6, 2012

(In thousands)

Sales to external customers

 

Inter-segment sales

 

Segment profit

 

Sales to external customers

 

Inter-segment sales

 

Segment profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Military

$

1,735,080

 

-

 

11,722

 

1,772,622

 

-

 

29,366

Food Distribution

 

1,528,840

 

313,736

 

17,227

 

1,431,153

 

249,713

 

19,046

Retail

 

598,501

 

-

 

9,185

 

481,402

 

-

 

10,776

Eliminations

 

-

 

(313,736)

 

 

 

-

 

(249,713)

 

-

Total

$

3,862,421

 

-

 

38,134

 

3,685,177

 

-

 

59,188

 

12

 


 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Income:

 

Third Quarter Ended

 

Year-to-Date Ended

 

October 5,

2013

 

October 6,

2012

 

October 5,

2013

 

October 6,

2012

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total segment profit

$

13,359

 

29,238

 

38,134

 

59,188

Unallocated amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on acquisition of a business

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

6,639

Goodwill impairment

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(131,991)

Interest

 

(3,645)

 

(6,283)

 

(10,863)

 

(15,112)

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

$

9,714

 

22,955

 

27,271

 

(81,276)

 

Note 11 – Legal Proceedings

 

Shareholder Litigation

 

On or about July 24, 2013, a putative class action complaint (the “State Court Action”) was filed in the District Court for the Fourth Judicial District, State of Minnesota, County of Hennepin (the “State Court”), by a stockholder of Nash-Finch in connection with the pending transaction. The State Court Action is styled Greenblatt v. Nash-Finch Co. et al. , Case No. 27-cv-13-13710. That complaint was amended on August 28, 2013 after Spartan Stores filed a registration statement with the SEC containing a preliminary version of the joint proxy statement/prospectus. On September 9, 2013, the defendants filed motions to dismiss the State Court Action. On or about September 19, 2013, a second putative class action complaint (the “Federal Court Action” and, together with the State Court Action, the “Putative Class Actions”) was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota (the “Federal Court”), by a stockholder of Nash-Finch. The Federal Class Action is styled Benson v. Covington et al. , Case No. 0:13-cv-02574.

 

The Putative Class Actions alleged that the directors of Nash-Finch breached their fiduciary duties by, among other things, approving a merger that provides for inadequate consideration under circumstances involving certain alleged conflicts of interest; that the Merger Agreement (as defined in Note 12) includes allegedly preclusive deal protection provisions; and that Nash-Finch and Spartan Stores allegedly aided and abetted the directors in breaching their duties to Nash-Finch’s stockholders. Both Putative Class Actions also alleged that the preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus was false and misleading due to the omission of a variety of allegedly material information. The complaint in the Federal Court Action also asserts additional claims individually on behalf of the plaintiff under the federal securities laws. The Putative Class Actions sought, on behalf of their putative classes, various remedies, including enjoining the merger from being consummated in accordance with its agreed-upon terms, damages, and costs and disbursements relating to the lawsuit.

  

Nash-Finch believes that these lawsuits are without merit and that no further disclosure is required to supplement the joint proxy statement/prospectus under applicable laws; however, to eliminate the burden, expense and uncertainties inherent in such litigation, Nash-Finch and Spartan Stores agreed, as part of settlement discussions, to make certain supplemental disclosures requested by the Putative Class Actions in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus.  On October 30, 2013, the defendants entered into the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the settlement of the Putative Class Actions. The Memorandum of Understanding outlines the terms of the parties’ agreement in principle to settle and release all claims which were or could have been asserted in the Putative Class Actions. In consideration for such settlement and release, Nash-Finch and Spartan Stores acknowledged that the supplemental disclosures in the joint proxy statement/prospectus were made in response to the Putative Class Actions. The Memorandum of Understanding contemplates that the parties will use their best efforts to agree upon, execute and present to the State Court for approval a stipulation of settlement within thirty days after the later of the date that the Merger is consummated or the date that plaintiffs and their counsel have confirmed the fairness, adequacy, and reasonableness of the settlement.    Upon execution of such stipulation, and as a condition to final approval of the settlement, the plaintiff in the Federal Action shall withdraw the claims in and cause to be dismissed the Federal Action, with any individual claims being dismissed with prejudice.  The Memorandum of Understanding provides that Nash-Finch will pay, on behalf of all defendants, the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and expenses, subject to approval by the State Court, in an amount not to exceed $550,000. The stipulation of settlement will be subject to customary conditions, including approval by the State Court, which will consider the fairness, reasonableness and adequacy of such settlement.  There can be no assurance that the parties will ultimately enter into a stipulation of settlement or that the State Court will approve the settlement even if the parties were to enter into such stipulation. In such event, or if the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are not consummated for any reason, the proposed settlement will be null and void and of no force and effect.


 

13

 


 

 

 

Other

 

                We are also engaged from time-to-time in routine legal proceedings incidental to our business.  We do not believe that these routine legal proceedings, taken as a whole, will have a material impact on our business or financial condition.

 

 

Note 12 – Merger

 

                On July 21, 2013, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Spartan Stores, Inc., a Michigan corporation (“Spartan”), and SS Delaware, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Spartan (the “Merger”).  The Merger A greement, upon closing, will result in an all-stock merger valued at approximately $1.3 billion, including existing net debt of each company, and was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

                At the effective time of the Merger, (a) each share of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time (other than shares owned by the Company, Spartan or Merger Sub) will be automatically cancelled and converted into the right to receive 1.2 (the “ Exchange Ratio ”) fully paid and nonassessable shares of Spartan’s common stock and (b) the Company’s stock options and other equity awards will be generally converted into stock options and equity awards with respect to Spartan’s common stock, after giving effect to the Exchange Ratio.  Consummation of the Merger Agreement is subject to various conditions, including, among other things, the approval by Nash-Finch Company shareholders and Spartan Stores shareholders which will be submitted for consideration by proxy vote on November 18, 2013.  Upon closing, which is expected shortly after the shareholder vote, Spartan Stores shareholders will own approximately 57.7% of the equity of the combined company and the former Nash-Finch shareholders will own approximately 42.3%.  It is expected that the Merger will qualify as a tax-free reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  Additional information regarding this merger can be found in Nash-Finch Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on October 15, 2013.

 

                 

14

 


 

 

 

I TEM 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Forward Looking Information and Cautionary Factors

 

                This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Such statements relate to trends and events that may affect our future financial position and operating results.  Any statement contained in this report that is not a statement of historical fact may be deemed a forward-looking statement.  For example, words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend, ” “potential” or “plan,” or comparable terminology, are intended to identify forward‑looking statements.  Such statements are based upon current expectations, estimates and assumptions, and entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward‑looking statements.  Important factors known to us that could cause or contribute to material differences include, but are not limited to the following:

 

•   the effect of traditional and alternative format competition on our food distribution, military and retail businesses;

•   general sensitivity to economic conditions, including the uncertainty related to the current state of the economy in the U.S. and worldwide economic slowdown; disruptions to the credit and financial markets in the U.S. and worldwide; changes in market interest rates; continued volatility in energy prices and food commodities;

   macroeconomic and geopolitical events affecting commerce generally;

•   changes in consumer buying and spending patterns including a shift to non-traditional retail channels;

•   our ability to identify and execute plans to expand our food distribution, military and retail operations;

•   possible changes in the military commissary system, including those stemming from the redeployment of forces, congressional action, changes in funding levels, or the effects of mandated reductions in or sequestration of government expenditures;

•   our ability to identify and execute plans to maintain the competitive position of our retail operations;

•   the success or failure of strategic plans, new business ventures or initiatives;

•   our ability to successfully integrate and manage current or future businesses we acquire, including the ability to manage credit risks and retain the customers of those operations;

   changes in credit risk from financial accommodations extended to new or existing customers;

   significant changes in the nature of vendor promotional programs and the allocation of funds among the programs;

•   limitations on financial and operating flexibility due to debt levels and debt instrument covenants and ability to access capital to support capital spending and growth opportunities;

•   legal, governmental, legislative or administrative proceedings, disputes, or actions that result in adverse outcomes;

•   our ability to identify and remediate any material weakness in our internal controls that could affect our ability to detect and prevent fraud, expose us to litigation, or prepare financial statements and reports in a timely manner;

•   changes in accounting standards;

•   technology failures that may have a material adverse effect on our business;

•   severe weather and natural disasters that may impact our supply chain;

•   unionization of a significant portion of our workforce;

•   costs related to a multi-employer pension plan which has liabilities in excess of plan assets;

•   changes in health care, pension and wage costs and labor relations issues;

   product liability claims, including claims concerning food and prepared food products;

   changes in food safety regulations and other regulations applicable to the products we sell;

   threats or potential threats to security;

•   unanticipated problems with product procurement; and

•   maintaining our reputation and corporate image.

 


 

 

 

A more detailed discussion of many of these factors, as well as other factors, that could affect the Company’s results is contained in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.  You should carefully consider each of these factors and all of the other information in this report.  We believe that all forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions when made.  However, we caution that it is impossible to predict actual results or outcomes and that accordingly you should not place undue reliance on these statements.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made and we undertake no obligation to revise or update these statements in light of subsequent events or developments.  Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from anticipated results or outcomes discussed in forward-looking statements.  You are advised, however, to consult any future disclosures we make on related subjects in future reports to the SEC.

 

Overview

 

In terms of revenue, we are the largest food distributor serving military commissaries and exchanges in the United States.  Our core businesses include distributing food to military commissaries and independent grocery retailers and distributing to and operating our corporate-owned retail stores.  Our business consists of three primary operating segments: Military Food Distribution (“Military”), Food Distribution and Retail.

 

                Our strategic plan is built upon extensive knowledge of current industry, consumer and market trends, and is formulated to differentiate the Company.  The strategic plan includes long-term initiatives to increase revenues and earnings, improve productivity and cost efficiencies of our Military, Food Distribution and Retail business segments, and leverage our corporate support services.  The Company has strategic initiatives to improve working capital, manage debt, and increase shareholder value through capital expenditures with acceptable returns on investment.  Several important elements of the strategic plan include:

                 

·          Supply chain services focused on supporting our business segments with warehouse management, inbound and outbound transportation management and customized solutions for each business segment;

·          Growing the Military segment through acquisition and expansion of our distribution network, as well as creating warehousing and transportation cost efficiencies;

·          Providing our independent retail customers with a high level of order fulfillment, broad product selection  including leveraging the Our Family ® and Nash Brothers Trading Company™ brands, support services emphasizing best-in-class offerings in marketing, advertising, merchandising, store design and construction, market research, retail store support, retail pricing and license agreement opportunities; and

·          Retail formats designed to appeal to the needs of today’s consumers.

 

Our Military segment contracts with manufacturers to distribute a wide variety of food products to military commissaries and exchanges located in the United States and the District of Columbia, and in Europe, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Azores, Egypt and Bahrain.  We have over 30 years of experience acting as a distributor to U.S. military commissaries and exchanges.  During the third quarter of fiscal 2010, we purchased a facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for expansion of our Military business.  This facility became operational during the first quarter of fiscal 2012.  During the third quarter of 2012, we transferred the operations of our Military distribution center in Jessup, Maryland to a larger facility in Landover, Maryland.

 

Our Food Distribution segment sells and distributes a wide variety of nationally branded and private label grocery products and perishable food products from 13 distribution centers to customers located in 41 states.

 

Our Retail segment operated 76 corporate-owned grocery stores primarily in the Upper Midwest as of October 5, 2013.  During the second quarter of 2012, we acquired twelve Bag ‘N Save® supermarkets located in Omaha and York, Nebraska.  During the third quarter of 2012, we acquired eighteen No Frills® supermarkets located in Nebraska and western Iowa.  This expansion of the Retail segment, including the addition of one store in the fourth quarter of 2012 and two stores in the third quarter of 2013, was offset by the sale of two stores and the closure of one store since the end of fiscal 2011.  We are also implementing initiatives of varying scope and duration with a view toward improving our financial performance under the highly competitive conditions the Retail segment of our business faces.  These initiatives include designing and reformatting some of our retail stores into alternative formats to increase overall retail sales performance.  We converted two of our existing retail stores to our Family Fresh Market® format during the third quarter of 2012, and converted one additional store to this format during the third quarter of 2013.  As we continue to assess the impact of performance improvement initiatives and the operating results of individual stores, we may need to recognize impairments of long-lived assets and goodwill associated with our Retail segment, and may incur restructuring or other charges in connection with closure or sales activities.  The Retail segment yields a higher gross profit percent of sales and higher selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses as a percent of sales compared to our Food Distribution and Military segments.  Thus, changes in sales of the Retail segment can have a disproportionate impact on consolidated gross profit and SG&A as compared to similar changes in sales in our Food Distribution and Military segments.

 


 

 

 

Results of Operations

 

Sales

 

The following tables summarize our sales activity for the 16 weeks ended October 5, 2013 (“third quarter 2013”) compared to the 16 weeks ended October 6, 2012 (“third quarter 2012”) and the 40 weeks ended October 5, 2013 (“year-to-date 2013”) compared to the 40 weeks ended October 6, 2012 (“year-to-date 2012”):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Third quarter 2013

 

Third quarter 2012

 

Increase/(Decrease)

(In thousands)

Sales

Percent of Sales

 

Sales

Percent of Sales

 

$

%

Segment Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Military

$

665,508

42.6%

 

712,093

47.1%

 

(46,585)

(6.5%)

Food Distribution

 

656,359

42.0%

 

556,808

36.8%

 

99,551

17.9%

Retail

 

241,561

15.5%

 

242,189

16.0%

 

(628)

(0.3%)

Total Sales

$

1,563,428

100.0%

 

1,511,090

100.0%

 

52,338

3.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year-to-date 2013

 

Year-to-date 2012

 

Increase/(Decrease)

(In thousands)

Sales

Percent of Sales

 

Sales

Percent of Sales

 

$

%

Segment Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Military

$

1,735,080

44.9%

 

1,772,622

48.1%

 

(37,542)

(2.1%)

Food Distribution

 

1,528,840

39.6%

 

1,431,153

38.8%

 

97,687

6.8%

Retail

 

598,501

15.5%

 

481,402

13.1%

 

117,099

24.3%

Total Sales

$

3,862,421

100.0%

 

3,685,177

100.0%

 

177,244

4.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Company sales increased 3.5% during the third quarter of 2013 as compared to the prior year quarter.  The increase was primarily attributable to sales to new customers in our Food Distribution segment.  The increase in Food Distribution sales was partially offset by negative sales trends in our Military segment related to the ongoing impacts of sequestration on the military commissaries and the impact of the government shutdown, which occurred prior to the end of our third quarter.  The closure of commissaries and other interruptions in service related to the government shutdown and sequestration had the effect of reducing Military segment sales by approximately $60.2 million in the third quarter.

 

Total Company sales increased 4.8% during year-to-date 2013 as compared to the prior year period.  The increase was primarily attributable to sales to new customers in our Food Distribution segment.  Also contributing to the increase in sales, our acquisition of eighteen No Frills® supermarkets during the third quarter of 2012 and the acquisition of twelve Bag ‘N Save® supermarkets during the second quarter of 2012 resulted in a $132.1 million increase in Retail segment sales, partially offset by a $72.8 million decrease in Food Distribution segment sales due to the sales to those former Food Distribution customers now being reported in the Retail segment.  Offsetting the items which had the effect of increasing sales in the year-to-date period, the government shutdown and sequestration had the effect of reducing our Military segment sales by approximately $60.2 million. 

 

Military segment sales decreased 6.5% during the third quarter of 2013 as compared to the prior year quarter.  Domestic sales decreased 3.9% and export sales decreased 17.8% as compared to the prior year quarter.  The decrease in both domestic and export sales was primarily driven by the impacts of sequestration and the government shutdown, which occurred during the third quarter.  These items had the effect of reducing sales by approximately $60.2 million in the quarter.  Excluding the impact of these items, Military segment sales increased by 1.9% compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to sales to new customers.

 

Military segment sales decreased 2.1% during year-to-date 2013 as compared to the prior year period.  Domestic sales decreased 0.4% and export sales decreased 10.0% as compared to the prior year period.  The primary driver of the decrease in year-to-date sales was the impact of sequestration and the government shutdown on third quarter Military segment sales.  Excluding the impact of these items, Military segment sales increased by 1.3% compared to the prior year period, primarily due to sales to new customers.

 

17

 


 

 

Domestic and overseas sales represented the following percentages of Military segment sales: 

 

 

 

Third Quarter

 

Year-to-date

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

Domestic

83.1%

 

80.8%

 

83.7%

 

82.3%

Overseas

16.9%

 

19.2%

 

16.3%

 

17.7%

 

Food Distribution sales increased 17.9% during the third quarter of 2013 as compared to the prior year quarter.  Excluding the impact of our retail store acquisitions from No Frills, Food Distribution sales increased 18.4% compared to the prior year quarter.  This increase was primarily attributable to sales to new customers.  Our retail store acquisitions resulted in a $2.7 million decrease in Food Distribution segment sales, since those locations were previously customers of the Food Distribution segment.

 

Food Distribution sales increased 6.8% during year-to-date 2013 as compared to the prior year period.  Excluding the impact of our retail store acquisitions, Food Distribution sales increased 11.9% compared to the prior year period.  This increase was primarily attributable to sales to new customers.  Our retail store acquisitions resulted in a $72.8 million decrease in Food Distribution segment sales, since those locations were previously customers of the Food Distribution segment.

 

Retail sales decreased 0.3% during the third quarter of 2013 as compared to the prior year quarter.  Same store sales decreased 3.9% during the third quarter of 2013.  Same store sales compare retail sales for stores which were in operation for the same number of weeks in the comparative periods.  The decrease in our same store sales was primarily due to new competition from supercenters in two of our core markets.

 

Retail sales increased 24.3% during year-to-date 2013 as compared to the prior year period.  The increase in Retail sales was primarily attributable to our retail store acquisitions, which were responsible for a $132.1 million increase in sales as compared to the prior year period.  Same store sales decreased 3.2% during year-to-date 2013.  The decrease in our same store sales was primarily due to new competition from supercenters in two of our core markets.

 

 

During the third quarters of 2013 and 2012, our corporate store count changed as follows:

 

 

Third quarter

2013

 

Third quarter

 2012

Number of stores at beginning of period

 

75

 

56

Acquired stores

 

2

 

18

Sold stores

 

-

 

-

Closed stores

 

(1)

 

-

Number of stores at end of period

 

76

 

74

 

 

 

 

 

During year-to-date 2013 and 2012, our corporate store count changed as follows:

 

 

Year-to-date

2013

 

Year-to-date

2012

Number of stores at beginning of period

 

75

 

46

Acquired stores

 

2

 

30

Sold stores

 

-

 

(2)

Closed stores

 

(1)

 

-

Number of stores at end of period

 

76

 

74

 

The tables exclude corporate-owned stand-alone pharmacies and convenience stores.

 

Consolidated Gross Profit

 

Consolidated gross profit was 8.1% of sales for the third quarter of 2013 as compared to 8.4% of sales for the third quarter of 2012.  Our consolidated gross margin was negatively impacted by 0.3% of sales in comparison to the prior year quarter due to the impact of lower food price inflation in the current period as compared to the prior year quarter, as well as decreased drayage rates resulting from competitive bids in our Military segment.

 

18

 


 

 

Consolidated gross profit was 8.3% of sales for year-to-date 2013 as compared to 8.1% of sales for year-to-date 2012.  Our gross margins were favorably impacted by 0.6% of sales during year-to-date 2012 due to a sales mix shift between our business segments between the years.  This was primarily due to our retail store acquisitions, which were responsible for a significant increase in Retail segment sales during year-to-date 2012.  Our consolidated gross margin was negatively impacted by 0.3% of sales in comparison to the prior year period by lower gross margins in our Military segment, which were primarily due to decreased drayage rates resulting from competitive bids.  In addition to this, our consolidated gross margin was negatively impacted by 0.2% of sales in comparison to the prior year period due to lower margins in our Food Distribution segment, which were primarily the result of increased sales of lower margin product categories as compared to the prior year period.

 

Gain on Acquisition of a Business

 

                A pre-tax gain on the acquisition of a business of $6.6 million was recognized during the second quarter 2012 related to the acquisition of twelve Bag ‘N Save® supermarkets located in Omaha and York, Nebraska.  The fair value of the identifiable assets acquired net of liabilities assumed of $36.3 million exceeded the purchase price paid for the business of $29.7 million.  Consequently, we reassessed the recognition and measurement of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed and concluded that the valuation procedures and resulting measures were appropriate.  As a result, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $6.6 million in the second quarter 2012 associated with the acquisition of the business.  The gain is included in the line item “Gain on acquisition of a business” in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).

 

Goodwill Impairment

 

                During the second quarter of 2012, we performed an impairment test of goodwill due to market conditions as of the end of our fifth fiscal period.  The Company’s market capitalization, as calculated using the share price multiplied by the shares outstanding, had declined in the second quarter and from fiscal year end 2011 resulting in a market value significantly lower than the fair value of the business segments.  We recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $132.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, of which $113.0 million related to our Food Distribution segment and $19.0 million related to our Retail segment.

 

Consolidated Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Consolidated SG&A was 6.4% of sales for the third quarter of 2013 as compared to 5.6% of sales for the third quarter of 2012.  Our SG&A margin was negatively impacted by 0.8% of sales in comparison to the prior year quarter due to lower incentive plan expenses in the prior year quarter.  Our SG&A margin was also negatively impacted by 0.2% of sales in comparison to the prior year quarter due to merger related costs incurred during the current year quarter.

 

Consolidated SG&A was 6.4% of sales for year-to-date 2013 as compared to 5.6% of sales for year-to-date 2012.  Our SG&A margin was negatively impacted by 0.5% of sales in comparison to the prior year period due to a sales mix shift between our business segments between the years.  This was primarily due to our retail store acquisitions, which were responsible for a significant increase in Retail segment sales during year-to-date 2013.  The Retail segment has higher SG&A expenses as a percent of sales compared to our other business segments.  Our SG&A margin was also negatively impacted by 0.4% of sales in comparison to the prior year period due to lower incentive plan expenses in the prior year period.

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

 

Depreciation and amortization expense was $11.9 million for the third quarter of 2013 as compared to $11.9 million for the third quarter of 2012.  Depreciation and amortization expense during the third quarter of 2013 for our Food Distribution segment decreased by $0.3 million as compared to the prior year quarter.  Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $0.2 million and $0.1 million for our Retail and Military segments, respectively.

 

19

 


 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense was $29.5 million for year-to-date 2013 as compared to $28.5 million for year-to-date 2012. Depreciation and amortization expense during year-to-date 2013 for our Retail segment increased by $1.9 million as compared to the prior year period, which was primarily the result of our acquisitions of retail stores in the second and third quarters of 2012.  Depreciation and amortization expense for our Military segment increased by $0.5 million as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the transfer of the operations of our Jessup, Maryland facility to a larger facility in Landover, Maryland during the third quarter of 2012.  This was partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease for our Food Distribution segment as compared to the prior year period.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense was $5.6 million for the third quarter of 2013 as compared to $8.1 million for the third quarter of 2012.  Average borrowing levels increased to $432.4 million during the third quarter of 2013 from $399.9 million during the third quarter of 2012, primarily due to an increase in working capital requirements to support the addition of new customers.  The effective interest rate was 2.8% for the third quarter of 2013 as compared to 3.6% for the third quarter of 2012.  The decrease in the effective interest rate was primarily due to the redemption of our Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt in the first quarter of 2013, which was financed by an increase in the debt outstanding under our revolving credit facility.  During the third quarter of 2013, the effective interest rate on our revolving credit facility was lower than the effective interest rate on the Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt in the prior year quarter.

 

Interest expense was $15.6 million for year-to-date 2013 as compared to $18.7 million for year-to-date 2012.  Average borrowing levels increased to $423.9 million during year-to-date 2013 from $365.7 million during year-to-date 2012, primarily due to our acquisitions in the second and third quarters of 2012 and an increase in working capital requirements to support the addition of new customers.  The effective interest rate was 3.1% for year-to-date 2013 as compared to 3.8% for year-to-date 2012.  The decrease in the effective interest rate was primarily due to the redemption of our Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt in the first quarter of 2013, which was financed by an increase in the debt outstanding under our revolving credit facility.  During year-to-date 2013, the effective interest rate on our revolving credit facility was lower than the effective interest rate on the Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt in the prior year period.  Certain components of our interest expense are excluded from the calculation of our effective interest rate as the costs are not directly attributable to our long-term borrowing rates.

 

The calculation of our effective interest rate excludes non-cash interest required to be recognized on our Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt .  Non-cash interest expense recognized was zero and $1.9 million for the third quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Non-cash interest expense recognized was $1.4 million and $4.7 million for the year-to-date periods of 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Additionally, the calculation of our average borrowing levels includes any unamortized equity component of our Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt that is required to be recognized .  The inclusion of the unamortized equity component brings the basis in our Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt to $150.1 million for purposes of calculating our average borrowing levels, or their aggregate issue price, on which we were required to pay semi-annual cash interest at a rate of 3.50% until March 15, 2013.  

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense is provided on an interim basis using management’s estimate of the annual effective rate.  Our effective tax rate for the full fiscal year is subject to change and may be impacted by changes to nondeductible items and tax reserve requirements in relation to our forecasts of operations, sales mix by taxing jurisdictions, or changes in tax laws and regulations.  The effective income tax rate was 38.0% and 36.4% for the third quarters of 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The effective income tax rate was 37.6% and 20.1% for year-to-date 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The difference between the 2013 and 2012 effective income tax rates was primarily due to the goodwill impairment and the related non-deductible portion thereof taken in 2012.

 

The effective rate for the third quarter differed from statutory rates due to the amount of permanent book tax differences relative to the Company’s pre-tax book income.  We estimate the full year effective tax rate for 2013 will be approximately 38.0%, which excludes the potential impact of any additional discrete events.

 

Net Earnings

 

During the third quarter of 2013, we recorded net earnings of $6.0 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, as compared to net earnings of $14.6 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, during the third quarter of 2012.  During  year-to-date 2013, we recorded net earnings of $17.0 million, or $1.30 per diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $64.9 million, or $5.01 per diluted share, during year-to-date 2012.  Net earnings in the periods presented in this report were affected by the items included in the discussion above.

 


 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The following table summarizes our cash flow activity and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

 

 

 

40 Weeks Ended

 

 

October 5,

2013

 

October 6,

2012

 

Increase/

(Decrease)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

2,248

 

5,269

 

(3,021 )

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(34,441)

 

(95,243)

 

60,802

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

32,105

 

90,397

 

(58,292)

Net change in cash

$

(88)

 

423

 

(511)

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities decreased by $3.0 million during year-to-date 2013 as compared to the prior year.

 

Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $60.8 million during year-to-date 2013 as compared to the prior year.  Net cash used in investing activities during year-to-date 2013 consisted primarily of $19.5 million in additions to property, plant, and equipment, $13.0 million in loans to customers and $8.8 million in additions to property, plant, and equipment, and $7.0 million for the acquisitions of retail stores, partially offset by $5.5 million in payments received from customers on loans.  Net cash used in investing activities during year-to-date 2012 consisted primarily of $49.3 million to purchase the eighteen No Frills® supermarkets, $29.7 million to purchase the twelve Bag ‘N Save® supermarkets, $23.7 million in other additions to property, plant, and equipment, and $8.7 million in loans to customers, partially offset by $8.7 million in proceeds from the sale of assets and $7.8 million in payments received from customers on loans.

 

Cash provided by financing activities decreased by $58.3 million during year-to-date 2013 as compared to the prior year.  During year-to-date 2013, we received $39.5 million in cash proceeds from mortgage and equipment financing.  In addition to this additional cash was provided by a $13.1 million increase in outstanding checks.  Payments of long-term debt, primarily our Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt, net of proceeds from the revolving credit facility, were $11.9 million.  In addition to these payments, we made dividend payments of $6.6 million.  During year-to-date 2012, cash provided by financing activities consisted primarily of proceeds of revolving debt of $69.8 million, proceeds of $18.7 million from mortgage financing and increased outstanding checks of $13.2 million partially offset by dividend payments of $6.6 million.

 

During the remainder of fiscal 2013, we expect that cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our working capital needs, with temporary draws on our credit facility during the year to build inventories for certain holidays.  Longer term, we believe that cash flows from operations, short-term bank borrowing, various types of long-term debt and lease and equity financing will be adequate to meet our working capital needs, planned capital expenditures and debt service obligations.  There can be no assurance, however, that we will continue to generate cash flows at current levels as our business is sensitive to trends in consumer spending at our customer locations and our owned retail food stores, as well as certain factors outside of our control, including, but not limited to, the current and future state of the U.S. and global economy, competition, recent and potential future disruptions to the credit and financial markets in the U.S. and worldwide and continued volatility in food and energy commodities.  Please see Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, for a more detailed discussion of potential factors that may have an impact on our liquidity and capital resources.

 

Asset-backed Credit Agreement 

 

                On December 21, 2011, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into a credit agreement and related security and other agreements with Wells Fargo and the Lenders party thereto (the "Credit Agreement"), providing for a $520.0 million revolving asset-backed credit facility, which included a $50.0 million Swing Line sub-facility and a $75.0 million letter of credit sub-facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility").  At the inception of the agreement, we were required to maintain a reserve of $100.0 million with respect to the Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt, which reserve increased to $150.0 million commencing on December 15, 2012, and was eliminated upon redemption of the Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt on March 15, 2013.  Provided no event of default is then existing or would arise, the Company may from time-to-time request that the Revolving Credit Facility be increased by an aggregate amount (for all such requests) not to exceed $250.0 million.

 


 

 

 

                On November 27, 2012, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement.

 

                Among other things, the Amendment (i) increased the commitments under the Credit Agreement by $70.0 million to $590.0 million, including within the increase a first-in last-out tranche (“FILO Tranche Loans”) of $30.0 million which amortizes by $2.5 million on the first day of each fiscal quarter beginning March 24, 2013, (ii) extended the maturity of the Credit Agreement by one year to December 21, 2017, and (iii) provided for increases to advance rates of certain components of the borrowing base as well as permitting the inclusion of asset classes in the borrowing base that were previously excluded.

 

                The principal amount outstanding under the amended Revolving Credit Facility, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, will be due and payable in full at maturity on December 21, 2017.  The Company can elect, at the time of borrowing, for loans to bear interest at a rate equal to either the base rate or LIBOR plus a margin.  The LIBOR interest rate margin can vary quarterly in 0.25% increments between three pricing levels ranging from 1.50% to 2.00%, except for FILO Tranche Loans which bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 2.75%.  The pricing levels for the non-FILO Tranche Loans are based on the Excess Availability, which is defined in the Credit Agreement as (a) the lesser of (i) the borrowing base; or (ii) the aggregate commitments; minus (b) the aggregate of the outstanding credit extensions.  The LIBOR interest rate margin was 1.75% as of October 5, 2013.

  

                At October 5, 2013, $248.0 million was available under the Revolving Credit Facility after giving effect to outstanding borrowings and to $13.7 million of outstanding letters of credit primarily supporting workers’ compensation obligations.

 

                The Credit Agreement contains no financial covenants unless and until (i) the continuance of an event of default under the Credit Agreement, or (ii) the failure of the Company to maintain Excess Availability equal to or greater than 10% of the borrowing base at any time, in which event, the Company must comply with a trailing 12-month basis consolidated fixed charge covenant ratio of 1.0 : 1.0, which ratio shall continue to be tested each period thereafter until Excess Availability exceeds 10% of the borrowing base for three consecutive fiscal periods.

 

                The Credit Agreement contains usual and customary covenants for a facility of this type requiring the Company and its subsidiaries, among other things, to maintain collateral, comply with applicable laws, keep proper books and records, preserve corporate existence, maintain insurance and pay taxes in a timely manner. Events of default under the Credit Agreement are usual and customary for transactions of this type, subject to, in specific instances, materiality and cure periods including, among other things: (a) any failure to pay principal thereunder when due or to pay interest or fees on the due date; (b) material misrepresentations; (c) default under other agreements governing material indebtedness of the Company; (d) default in the performance or observation of any covenants; (e) any event of insolvency or bankruptcy; (f) any final judgments or orders to pay more than $15.0 million that remain unsecured or unpaid; (g) change of control, as defined in the Credit Agreement; and (h) any failure of a collateral document, after delivery thereof, to create a valid mortgage or first-priority lien.

 

                We are currently in compliance with all covenants contained within the Credit Agreement.

 

                Our Revolving Credit Facility represents one of our primary sources of liquidity, both short-term and long-term, and the continued availability of credit under that agreement is of material importance to our ability to fund our capital and working capital needs.

 

Senior Subordinated Convertible Debt

 

To finance a portion of the acquisition of two distribution centers in 2005, we sold $150.1 million in aggregate issue price (or $322.0 million aggregate principal amount at maturity) of senior subordinated convertible notes due in 2035.  The notes were unsecured senior subordinated obligations and ranked junior to our existing and future senior indebtedness, including borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.  Cash interest at the rate of 3.50% per year was payable semi-annually on the issue price of the notes until March 15, 2013.  On March 15, 2013, the Company completed the redemption of the notes at a price equal to $466.11 per $1,000 in principal amount at maturity, which resulted in a total payment of $150.1 million.  See our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, for additional information.

22

 


 
 
Notes Payable and Mortgage Notes

 

On May 18, 2012, the Company, as guarantor for U Save Foods, Inc., a Nebraska corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Nash Finch Company, entered into a seven year $16.9 million term loan facility with First National Bank of Omaha.  This loan agreement is secured by seven corporate-owned retail locations in Nebraska.          

 

On June 26, 2013, the Company entered into a sixyear $32.25 million term loan facility (“the Agreement”) with First National Bank of Omaha.  This loan facility is intended to provide working capital to be used for general corporate purposes.  The Agreement is secured by our executive office building in Minneapolis, Minnesota and our distribution centers in St. Cloud, Minnesota and Omaha, Nebraska.

 

Consolidated EBITDA (Non-GAAP Measurement)

 

 The following is a reconciliation of EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA to net earnings (loss) for the third quarters and year-to-date periods of 2013 and 2012 (amounts in thousands):  

 

 

 

2013

Third quarter

 

2012

Third quarter

2013

Year-to-Date

 

2012

Year-to-Date

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

$

6,023

 

14,604

$

17,012

 

(64,910)

Income tax expense (benefit)

3,691

 

8,351

 

10,259

 

(16,366)

Interest expense

5,614

 

8,074

 

15,571

 

18,672 

Depreciation and amortization

 

11,910

 

11,924

 

29,480

 

28,510 

EBITDA

 

27,238

 

42,953

 

72,322

 

(34,094)

LIFO charge (credit)

(1,251)

 

1,438

 

(2,265)

 

2,040 

Gain on acquisition of a business

-

 

-

 

-

 

(6,639)

Goodwill impairment

-

 

-

 

-

 

131,991 

Provision for (recovery of) lease reserves

81

 

-

 

327

 

(33)

Asset impairments

-

 

-

 

-

 

62 

Net loss (gain) on sale of real estate and other assets

(68)

 

(1,119)

 

(111)

 

(1,506)

Share-based compensation expense (reversal of)

725

 

(2,935)

 

1,887

 

(1,295)

Subsequent cash payments on non-cash charges

(492)

 

(616)

 

(1,325)

 

(1,788)

Merger related costs

2,475

 

-

 

2,777

*

-

Losses due to government shutdown and sequestration

 

2,759

 

-

 

2,759

 

-

Consolidated EBITDA

$

31,467

 

39,721

$

 76,371

 

88,738 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* 2013 year-to-date Consolidated EBITDA includes $302,000 in merger related costs that were incurred in the second quarter of 2013 but were not included in the Consolidated EBITDA reconciliation for that quarter.  The year-to-date totals have been revised to conform to the current presentation.

 

EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA are measures used by management to measure operating performance.  EBITDA is defined as net earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.  Consolidated EBITDA excludes certain non-cash charges and other items that management does not utilize in assessing operating performance and is a metric used to determine payout of performance units pursuant to our Short-Term and Long-Term Incentive Plans.  The above table reconciles net earnings to EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA.  Not all companies utilize identical calculations; therefore, the presentation of EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA may not be comparable to other identically titled measures of other companies.  Neither EBITDA or Consolidated EBITDA are recognized terms under GAAP and do not purport to be an alternative to net earnings as an indicator of operating performance or any other GAAP measure.  In addition, EBITDA and Consolidated EBITDA are not intended to be measures of free cash flow for management’s discretionary use since they do not consider certain cash requirements, such as interest payments, tax payments and capital expenditures.

 

23

 


 

 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

                As of the date of this report, we do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which are generally established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. 

 

Recoverability of Goodwill

 

                We test goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if we believe indicators of impairment exist.  Such indicators include a decline in expected future cash flows, unanticipated competition, slower growth rates, increase in discount rates, or a sustained significant decline in our share price and market capitalization, among others.  Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of our goodwill and could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

                Our most recent annual impairment test of goodwill was completed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 based on conditions as of the end of our third quarter of fiscal 2012.  We determined that an indication of impairment existed in our Military reporting segment in the first step of the fiscal 2012 annual impairment analysis, which required us to calculate the implied fair value of our Military segment in the second step of the impairment analysis.  As a result of this analysis, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $34.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 to fully impair the goodwill associated with the Military reporting segment.  The carrying value of the Food Distribution segment exceeded its fair value as determined in the first step of our analysis; however, due to the impairment charge recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, there was no longer any goodwill associated with that reporting segment.  The fair value of the Retail segment was approximately 14% higher than its carrying value.  At October 5, 2013, there is $28.6 million of goodwill associated with the Retail segment.

 

                The fair value for each reporting unit is determined based on an income approach which incorporates a discounted cash flow analysis which uses significant unobservable inputs, or level 3 inputs, as defined by the fair value hierarchy, and a market approach that utilizes current earnings multiples of comparable publicly-traded companies.  The Company has weighted the valuation of its reporting units at 75% based on the income approach and 25% based on the market approach.  The Company believes that this weighting is appropriate since it is often difficult to find other comparable publicly-traded companies that are similar to our reporting units and it is our view that future discounted cash flows are more reflective of the value of the reporting units.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

                Our critical accounting policies are discussed in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies.”  There have been no material changes to these policies or the estimates used in connection therewith during the 40 weeks ended October 5, 2013.

 

Recently Adopted and Proposed Accounting Standards

 

There have been no recently adopted accounting standards that would be expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

ITEM 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

                Our exposure in the financial markets consists of changes in interest rates relative to our investment in notes receivable and the balance of our debt obligations outstanding.  (See Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 and Part I, Item 2 of this report under the caption “Liquidity and Capital Resources”).

 


 

 

 

ITEM 4.  Controls and Procedures

                 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer/Controller, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer/Controller have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Except as set forth below, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

                On April 3, 2012, U Save Foods, Inc., a Nash Finch wholly-owned subsidiary, completed the purchase from Bag ‘N Save, Inc. of the inventory and equipment assets related to twelve stores which are located in Nebraska, primarily in the Greater Omaha market.  In addition to this acquisition, on June 25, 2012, U Save Foods, Inc. completed an asset purchase from NF Foods, LLC of its eighteen No Frills supermarkets which are located in Nebraska and western Iowa.  The integration of these businesses represented a material change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s most recent assessment of internal control  did not include the internal controls related to these acquisitions.  We have now integrated policies, processes, people, technology and operations in relation to these businesses.  Management will continue to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting and will include the acquired businesses as a part of management’s next assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings

                 

Shareholder Litigation

 

On July 21, 2013, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among the Company, Spartan Stores, Inc., a Michigan corporation ("Spartan"), and SS Delaware, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Spartan (the "Merger").

 

On or about July 24, 2013, a putative class action complaint (the “State Court Action”) was filed in the District Court for the Fourth Judicial District, State of Minnesota, County of Hennepin (the “State Court”), by a stockholder of Nash-Finch in connection with the pending transaction. The State Court Action is styled Greenblatt v. Nash-Finch Co. et al. , Case No. 27-cv-13-13710. That complaint was amended on August 28, 2013 after Spartan Stores filed a registration statement with the SEC containing a preliminary version of the joint proxy statement/prospectus. On September 9, 2013, the defendants filed motions to dismiss the State Court Action. On or about September 19, 2013, a second putative class action complaint (the “Federal Court Action” and, together with the State Court Action, the “Putative Class Actions”) was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota (the “Federal Court”), by a stockholder of Nash-Finch. The Federal Class Action is styled Benson v. Covington et al. , Case No. 0:13-cv-02574.

 

The Putative Class Actions alleged that the directors of Nash-Finch breached their fiduciary duties by, among other things, approving a merger that provides for inadequate consideration under circumstances involving certain alleged conflicts of interest; that the Merger Agreement includes allegedly preclusive deal protection provisions; and that Nash-Finch and Spartan Stores allegedly aided and abetted the directors in breaching their duties to Nash-Finch’s stockholders. Both Putative Class Actions also alleged that the preliminary joint proxy statement/prospectus was false and misleading due to the omission of a variety of allegedly material information. The complaint in the Federal Court Action also asserts additional claims individually on behalf of the plaintiff under the federal securities laws. The Putative Class Actions sought, on behalf of their putative classes, various remedies, including enjoining the merger from being consummated in accordance with its agreed-upon terms, damages, and costs and disbursements relating to the lawsuit.

  

 


 

 

 

Nash-Finch believes that these lawsuits are without merit and that no further disclosure is required to supplement the joint proxy statement/prospectus under applicable laws; however, to eliminate the burden, expense and uncertainties inherent in such litigation, Nash-Finch and Spartan Stores agreed, as part of settlement discussions, to make certain supplemental disclosures requested by the Putative Class Actions in the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus.  On October 30, 2013, the defendants entered into the Memorandum of Understanding regarding the settlement of the Putative Class Actions. The Memorandum of Understanding outlines the terms of the parties’ agreement in principle to settle and release all claims which were or could have been asserted in the Putative Class Actions. In consideration for such settlement and release, Nash-Finch and Spartan Stores acknowledged that the supplemental disclosures in the joint proxy statement/prospectus were made in response to the Putative Class Actions. The Memorandum of Understanding contemplates that the parties will use their best efforts to agree upon, execute and present to the State Court for approval a stipulation of settlement within thirty days after the later of the date that the Merger is consummated or the date that plaintiffs and their counsel have confirmed the fairness, adequacy, and reasonableness of the settlement.    Upon execution of such stipulation, and as a condition to final approval of the settlement, the plaintiff in the Federal Action shall withdraw the claims in and cause to be dismissed the Federal Action, with any individual claims being dismissed with prejudice.  The Memorandum of Understanding provides that Nash-Finch will pay, on behalf of all defendants, the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and expenses, subject to approval by the State Court, in an amount not to exceed $550,000. The stipulation of settlement will be subject to customary conditions, including approval by the State Court, which will consider the fairness, reasonableness and adequacy of such settlement.  There can be no assurance that the parties will ultimately enter into a stipulation of settlement or that the State Court will approve the settlement even if the parties were to enter into such stipulation. In such event, or if the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are not consummated for any reason, the proposed settlement will be null and void and of no force and effect.

 

Other

 

                We are also engaged from time-to-time in routine legal proceedings incidental to our business.  We do not believe that these routine legal proceedings, taken as a whole, will have a material impact on our business or financial condition.

 

ITEM 1A.  Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes to our risk factors contained in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.

 

ITEM 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

        None

         

ITEM 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

                None

 

ITEM 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

 

None

 

ITEM 5.  Other Information  

 

None


 

 

 

ITEM 6.  Exhibits

 

Exhibits filed or furnished with this Form 10-Q:

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

12.1

Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

 

 

31.1

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer

 

 

31.2

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer

 

 

31.3

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Accounting Officer/Controller

 

 

32.1

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer/Controller

 

 

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

 

 

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation

 

 

101.DEF

XBRL Extension Definitions

 

 

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels

 

 

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

 

27

 


 

 

 

 

NASH FINCH COMPANY

EXHIBIT INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT

ON FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended October 5, 2013

 

 

Exhibit No.

Item

Method of Filing

 

 

 

12.1

Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Filed herewith

 

 

 

31.1

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer

Filed herewith

 

 

 

31.2

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer

Filed herewith

 

 

 

31.3

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Accounting Officer/Controller

Filed herewith

 

 

 

32.1

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer/Controller

Filed herewith

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

Filed herewith

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

Filed herewith

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation

Filed herewith

101.DEF

XBRL Extension Definitions

Filed herewith

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels

Filed herewith

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

Filed herewith

 

29


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