Form 10Q


FORM 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)


[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the period ended March 31, 2001


[_] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File No. 1-9973

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware   36-3352497                        
(State or Other Jurisdiction of  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)  
Incorporation or Organization) 
  
1400 Toastmaster Drive, Elgin, Illinois  60120  
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)  (Zip Code)  
  
Registrant’s Telephone No., including Area Code  (847) 741-3300  

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 twelve (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 __

As of May 8, 2001, there were 8,980,000 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.




THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2001

INDEX


DESCRIPTION
PAGE
PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
  
         Item 1.  Consolidated Financial Statements  
  
                 BALANCE SHEETS  1  
                    March 31, 2001 and December 30, 2000 
  
                 STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS  2  
                    March 31, 2001 and April 1, 2000  
  
                 STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  3  
                    March 31, 2001 and April 1, 2000  
  
                 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   4  
  
         Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis  7  
                     of Financial Condition and Results of 
                     Operations 
  
         Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures 
                     About Market Risk  11  
  
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION  12  



PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands, Except Share Amounts)


(Unaudited)
Mar. 31, 2001

Dec. 30, 2000
ASSETS      
Cash and cash equivalents  $   2,328   $   2,094  
Accounts receivable, net  16,758   18,879  
Inventories, net  19,108   18,372  
Prepaid expenses and other  1,227   976  
Current deferred taxes  4,117   4,141  

     Total current assets  43,538   44,462  
Property, plant and equipment, net of 
  accumulated depreciation of 
  $20,849 and $20,189  18,528   18,968  
Excess purchase price over net assets 
  acquired, net of accumulated 
  amortization of $7,617 and $7,391  12,830   13,056  
Deferred taxes  809   1,224  
Other assets  532   600  

            Total assets  $ 76,237   $ 78,310  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
Current maturities of long-term debt  11   $      249  
Accounts payable  4,964   7,211  
Accrued expenses  12,967   17,918  

     Total current liabilities  17,942   25,378  
Long-term debt  13,081   8,290  
Retirement benefits and other 
  non-current liabilities  7,308   7,181  
Shareholders’ equity: 
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 
    nonvoting; 2,000,000 shares 
    authorized; none issued     
  Common stock, $.01 par value; 
    20,000,000 shares authorized; 
    11,021,896 issued in 2001 and 
    2000  110   110  
  Paid-in capital  53,588   53,585  
  Treasury stock at cost; 2,042,974 
    and 2,015,409 shares in 2001 and 
    2000, respectively  (11,950 ) (11,777 )
  Accumulated deficit  (2,118 ) (2,665 )
  Accumulated other comprehensive 
    income  (1,724 ) (1,792 )

     Total shareholders’ equity  37,906   37,461  

            Total liabilities and 
              shareholders’ equity  $ 76,237   $ 78,310  


See accompanying notes

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THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)


Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2001
Apr. 1, 2000
Net sales   $24,747   $32,474  
Cost of sales  16,576   21,260  

    Gross profit  8,171   11,214  
Selling and distribution expenses  3,617   4,029  
General and administrative expenses  2,717   4,541  

    Income from operations  1,837   2,644  
Interest expense and deferred 
  financing amortization  155   477  
Other expense, net  198   286  

  
    Earnings before income taxes  1,484   1,881  
Provision for income taxes  935   1,391  

  
    Net earnings  $     549   $     490  

  
Net earnings per share: 
    Basic  $    0.06   $    0.05  
    Diluted  $    0.06   $    0.05  
  
Weighted average number of shares: 
    Basic  8,996   10,184  
    Diluted  9,036   10,350  

See accompanying notes

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THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)


Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2001
Apr. 1, 2000
Cash flows from operating activities-      
    Net earnings  $    549   $      490  
  
    Adjustments to reconcile net earnings 
      to cash provided by operating 
      activities: 
      Depreciation and amortization  886   948  
      Utilization of NOL’s  439   820  
  
    Changes in assets and liabilities- 
      Accounts receivable  1,996   226  
      Inventories  (918 ) (123 )
      Prepaid expenses and other assets  (183 ) 63  
      Accounts payable  (2,196 ) (126 )
      Accrued expenses and other 
        liabilities  (4,645 ) (2,690 )

    Net cash (used in) operating 
      activities  (4,072 ) (392 )

  
  Cash flows from investing activities- 
  Net additions to property and equipment  (220 ) (123 )

    Net cash (used in) investing activities  (220 ) (123 )

  
  Cash flows from financing activities- 
    Proceeds (repayments) under 
      intellectual property lease    (1,953 )
    Increase (decrease) in revolving 
      credit line, net  4,772   (445 )
    Repurchase of treasury stock  (170 ) 70  

      Net cash provided by (used in) 
      financing activities  4,602   (2,328 )

  Effect of exchange rates on cash  (76 ) 400  

  
  Changes in cash and cash equivalents- 
    Net increase (decrease) in cash and 
      cash equivalents  234   (2,443 )
    Cash and cash equivalents at 
      beginning of year  2,094   14,536  

    Cash and cash equivalents at end 
      of quarter  $ 2,328   $ 12,093  

  Interest paid  $    107   $      647  

  Income taxes paid  $    264   $        91  


See accompanying notes

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THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MARCH 31, 2001

(Unaudited)


1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

  The financial statements have been prepared by The Middleby Corporation (the “company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes contained in the company’s 2000 Annual Report. Other than as indicated herein, there have been no significant changes from the data presented in said Report.

  In the opinion of management, the financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the company as of March 31, 2001 and December 30, 2000, and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and April 1, 2000 and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2001 and April 1, 2000.

2) New Accounting Pronouncements

  In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133 “Accounting for Deriative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” This standard requires that an entity recognize deriatives as either assets or liabilities on its balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. SFAS No. 137 amended the effective date of SFAS No. 133 to being effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000. As a result, the company has adopted the requirements of SFAS No. 133 in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2001. Based on current circumstances, the adoption of SFAS No. 133 did not have a material effect on the financial position or results of operations for the company in the first quarter of 2001.

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3) Comprehensive Income

  The company reports changes in equity during a period, except those resulting from investment by owners and distribution to owners, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (SFAS No. 130).

  Components of comprehensive income were as follows (in thousands):

Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2001
Apr. 1, 2000
Net earnings   $549   $490  
Cumulative translation adjustment   68   398  

   Comprehensive income  $617   $888  


4) Inventories

  Inventories are valued using the first-in, first-out method.

  Inventories consist of the following:

Mar. 31, 2001
Dec. 30, 2000
(In thousands)
     
Raw materials and Parts   $  5,138   $  5,515  
Work-in-process  3,144   3,985  
Finished goods  10,826   8,872  

   $19,108   $18,372  


5) Accrued Expenses

  Accrued expenses consist of the following:

Mar. 31, 2001
Dec. 30, 2000
(In thousands)
     
Accrued payroll and related expenses  $  2,754   $  6,253  
Accrued customer rebates  1,625   3,479  
Accrued commissions  854   925  
Accrued warranty  1,127   1,449  
Other accrued expenses  6,607   5,812  

   $12,967   $17,918  


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6) Segment Information

  The company operates in two reportable business segments defined by management reporting structure and operating activities.

  The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The company evaluates individual segment performance based on operating income. Intersegment sales are made at established arms-length transfer prices.

  The following table summarizes the results of operations for the company’s business segments:

Cooking
Systems
Group

International
Distribution

Corporate
and
Other(1)

Eliminations(2)
Total
      Three months ended March 31, 2001            
      Net sales  $24,412   $   5,365   $        —   $(5,030 ) $24,747  
      Operating income (loss)  2,564   (195 ) (632 ) 100   1,837  
      Depreciation expense  608   39   48     695  
      Capital expenditures  69   8   143     220  
  
      Total assets  56,259   15,851   15,109   (10,982 ) 76,237  
      Long-lived assets  18,797   584   13,318     32,699  
  
      Three months ended April 1, 2000 
      Net sales  $28,945   $   8,775   $        —   $(5,246 ) $32,474  
      Operating income (loss)  4,486   88   (1,664 ) (266 ) 2,644  
      Depreciation expense  624   40   58     722  
      Capital expenditures  103   15   5     123  
  
      Total assets  59,369   18,263   28,144   (10,982 ) 94,794  
      Long-lived assets  20,564   627   15,744     36,935  

(1) Includes corporate and other general company assets and operations

(2) Includes elimination of intercompany sales, profit in inventory and intercompany receivables. Intercompany sale transactions are predominantly from the Cooking Systems Group to the International Distribution Division.

  Net sales by major geographic region including those sales from the Cooking Systems Group direct to international customers, were as follows (in thousands):

Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2001
Apr. 1, 2000
         United States   $15,961   $22,846  

  
         Asia  3,951   2,229  
         Europe and Middle East  2,537   3,661  
         Latin America  1,187   2,853  
         Canada  1,111   885  

              Total International  8,786   9,628  

  
         Net Sales  $24,747   $32,474  


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

Informational Note

This report contains forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions readers that these projections are based upon future results or events and are highly dependent upon a variety of important factors which could cause such results or events to differ materially from any forward-looking statements which may be deemed to have been made in this report, or which are otherwise made by or on behalf of the company. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changing market conditions; the availability and cost of raw materials; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the timely development and market acceptance of the company’s products; foreign exchange and political risks affecting international sales; and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in the company’s Registration Statement on Form S-2 (Reg. No. 333-35397). Any forward looking statements contained in this report speak only as of the date of this filing. The company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Net Sales Summary


Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2001
Apr. 1, 2000
Sales
Percent
Sales
Percent
Business Divisions          
  
Conveyor oven 
  equipment  $   9,178   37.1   $ 13,444   41.4  
Counterline cooking 
  equipment  2,815   11.3   3,275   10.1  
Core cooking 
  equipment  10,167   41.1   11,373   35.0  
International specialty 
  equipment  2,252   9.1   853   2.7  

  
Total Cooking Systems 
  Group  24,412   98.6   28,945   89.2  
  
International 
  Distribution (1)  5,365   21.7   8,775   27.0  
  
Intercompany 
  sales (2)  (5,030 ) (20.3 ) (5,246 ) (16.2 )

Total  $ 24,747   100.0   $ 32,474   100.0  



(1) Consists of sales of products manufactured by Middleby and products manufactured by third parties.

(2) Consists primarily of the elimination of sales to the company’s International Distribution Division from Cooking Systems Group.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain consolidated statements of earnings items as a percentage of net sales for the periods.


Three Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2001
Apr. 1, 2000
Net sales   100.0 % 100.0 %
Cost of sales  67.0 % 65.5 %

   Gross profit  33.0 % 34.5 %
Selling, general and administrative 
   expenses  25.6 % 26.4 %

   Income from operations  7.4 % 8.1 %
Interest expense and deferred 
   financing amortization, net  0.6 % 1.4 %
Other expense, net  0.8 % 0.9 %

   Earnings before income taxes  6.0 % 5.8 %
Provision for income taxes  3.8 % 4.3 %

Net earnings  2.2 % 1.5 %


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Three Months Ended March 31, 2001 Compared to Three Months Ended April 1, 2000

NET SALES. Net sales in the three-month period ended March 31, 2001 decreased 24% to $24.7 million as compared to $32.5 million in the three-month period ended April 1, 2000.

Sales of the Cooking Systems Group for the three-month period ended March 31, 2001 decreased 16% to $24.4 million from $28.9 million in the prior year. Within the Cooking Systems Group, sales of conveyor oven equipment declined by 32%, sales of core cooking equipment declined by 11% and sales of counterline equipment declined by 14%. Sales of all product lines were impacted by the slowdown in the U.S. and international economies. Additionally, sales of conveyor oven equipment were adversely impacted by the temporary slowdown in store openings of certain major restaurant chain customers. Sales of international specialty equipment increased 164% due to increased sales to a new major restaurant chain customer and the development of new products for the Asian market.

Sales of the International Distribution Division decreased 39% to $5.4 million from $8.8 million in the previous year period. The lower sales level reflects the slowdown of international expansion of major restaurant chains, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar and the slowdown of certain international economies affected by the U.S. market.

GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit decreased to $8.2 million from $11.2 million in the prior year period. As a percentage of sales, gross margins decreased from 34.5% in the prior year to 33.0 due to the net sales decline resulting in lower production efficiencies.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 26% to $6.3 million as compared to $8.6 million in the prior year period. The reduction in expenses reflects a combination of savings from a lower cost structure resulting from prior year restructuring efforts, tightened controls on discretionary spending implemented during the slowdown, and lower variable expenses related to sales such as commissions and incentive compensation.

INTEREST AND DEFERRED FINANCING AMORTIZATION. Net financing costs decreased to $0.2 million from $0.5 million in the prior year as a result of reduced interest expense on lower outstanding debt.

OTHER EXPENSE. Other expenses were $0.2 million in the current year and $0.3 million in the prior year. The decrease from the prior year largely relates to reduced exchange losses at the company’s operations in Asia and Europe.


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INCOME TAXES. A tax provision of $0.9 million, at an effective rate of 63%, was recorded during the quarter, primarily associated with taxable income reported at the company’s operations in the United States and Europe. No benefit was recognized for losses at international subsidiaries within Asia.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

During the three months ended March 31, 2001, cash and cash equivalents increased by $0.2 million to $2.3 million at March 31, 2001 from $2.1 million at December 30, 2000. Net borrowings increased from $8.5 million at December 30, 2000 to $13.1 million at March 31, 2001.

OPERATING ACTIVITIES. Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in assets and liabilities was $1.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2001 as compared to $2.3 million in the prior year period. Net cash used by operating activities after changes in assets and liabilities was $4.1 million as compared to $0.4 million in the prior year period.

During the three months ended March 31, 2001, accounts receivable decreased $2.0 million due to lower sales and improvements in receivable collections. Accounts payable decreased $2.2 million due lower inventory purchases. Accrued expenses and other liabilities decreased $4.6 million primarily as a result of payments under annual customer rebate programs and the funding of annual incentive compensation obligations.

INVESTING ACTIVITIES. During the three months ending March 31, 2001, the company had capital expenditures of $0.2 million.

FINANCING ACTIVITIES. Net borrowings under the revolving line of credit increased by $4.8 million during the three months ending March 31, 2001. The net borrowings during the first quarter were used primarily to fund operating activities.

At March 31, 2001, the company was in compliance with covenants pursuant to its revolving credit facility. Management believes that the company will have sufficient financial resources available to meet its anticipated requirements for working capital, growth strategies, capital expenditures and debt amortization for the foreseeable future.

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

International Exposure

The company has manufacturing operations located in Asia and distribution operations in Asia, Europe and Latin America. The company’s operations are subject to the impact of economic downturns, political instability, and foreign trade restrictions, which may adversely affect the financial results. The company anticipates that international sales will continue to account for a significant portion of consolidated net sales in the foreseeable future. Some sales by the foreign operations are in local currency and an increase in the relative value of the U.S. dollar against such currencies would lead to the reduction in consolidated U.S. dollar sales and earnings. Additionally, foreign currency exposures are not fully hedged and there can be no assurances that the company’s future results of operations will not be adversely affected by currency fluctuations.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The company uses derivative financial instruments, principally foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts with terms of less than one year, to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The company’s primary exposure to changes in foreign currency rates results from intercompany loans made between Middleby affiliates to minimize the need for borrowings from third parties. The company does not currently enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. In managing its foreign currency exposures, the company identifies and aggregates naturally occurring offsetting positions and then hedges residual exposures. The following table summarizes the forward purchase contracts outstanding at March 31, 2001 entered into to hedge the aforementioned exposures:


Sell
Purchase
Maturity
    1,300,000   Euro   $1,185,210 U.S. Dollars   June 15, 2001  
    1,200,000   Euro  $1,106,640 U.S. Dollars   June 12, 2001 
600,000,000   South Korean Won  $459,242 U.S. Dollars   June 22, 2001 
  25,000,000  Taiwan Dollar  $750,525 U.S. Dollars   June 22, 2001 

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Interest Rate Risk

The company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. The following table summarizes the maturity of the company’s debt obligations.


Twelve Month
Period Ending

Fixed
Rate
Debt

Variable
Rate
Debt

(In thousands)
March 31, 2002   $       11   $       —  
March 31, 2003  6    
March 31, 2004    13,075  

   $       17   $13,075  


Variable rate debt is comprised of borrowings under the company’s $20.0 million revolving credit line, which includes a $2.2 million Yen denominated loan and a $10.9 million U.S. dollar denominated loan. Interest under the unsecured revolving credit facility is assessed based upon the bank’s reference rate in each respective country. The interest rate assessed to the Yen and U.S. denominated loans at March 31, 2001 were 1.0% and 5.8%, respectively.

PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

The company was not required to report the information pursuant to Items 1 through 6 of Part II of Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2001, except as follows:

Item 2.  Changes in Securities


c) During the first quarter of fiscal 2001, the company issued 1,250 shares of the company’s common stock to division executives, pursuant to the exercise of stock options, for $5,625.00. Such options were granted at an exercise price of $4.50 per share. As certificates for the shares were legended and stock transfer instructions were given to the transfer agent, the issuance of such shares was exempt under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof, as transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering.

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

b) There were no reports filed on Form 8-K during the first quarter of 2001.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
                  (Registrant)


Date May 11, 2001   By:/s/ David B. Baker
      ———————————
 
        David B. Baker 
        Vice President, 
        Chief Financial Officer 
        and Secretary 



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