Annual Report (Form 10-K), fiscal year 1994

ITEM 1. BUSINESS ------ ------ -------- GENERAL. The Davey Tree Expert Company, which was incorporated in 1909, and its subsidiaries (the "Registrant") are in the business of providing horticultural services to a variety of residential, corporate, institutional and governmental customers. Horticultural services include the treatment, preservation, maintenance, cultivation, planting and removal of trees, shrubs and other plant life and also include the practices of landscaping, tree surgery, tree feeding, tree spraying, interior plant installation and maintenance, line clearing for public utilities, and related consultation services. Horticultural services also involve the application of scientifically formulated fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides with hydraulic spray equipment on residential and commercial lawns.
COMPETITION AND CUSTOMERS. The Registrant is one of the largest national organizations in the private horticultural services industry. The Registrant competes with other national and local firms with respect to its services, although the Registrant believes that no other firm, whether national or local, offers the range of services that it offers.
Competition in private horticultural services is generally localized but very active and widespread. The principal methods of competition are advertising, customer service, image, performance and reputation. The Registrant's program to meet its competition stresses the necessity for its employees to have and project to the customers a thorough knowledge of horticulture and utilization of modern, well-maintained equipment. Pricing is not always a critical factor in a customer's decision. Pricing is, however, the principal method of competition in providing horticultural services to utility customers, although in most instances consideration is given to reputation and past production performance.
The Registrant provides a wide range of horticultural services to private companies, public utilities, local, state and Federal agencies, and a variety of industrial, commercial and residential customers. During 1994, the Registrant had sales of approximately $27,000,000 (13% of total sales) to Pacific Gas & Electric Company, and approximately $24,000,000 (11% of total sales) to Allegheny Power Company.
REGULATION AND ENVIRONMENT. The Registrant's facilities and operations, in common with those of the industry generally, are subject to governmental regulations designed to protect the environment. This is particularly important with respect to the Registrant's services regarding insect and disease control, because these services involve to a considerable degree the blending and application of spray materials, which require formal licensing in most areas. The constant changes in environmental conditions, environmental awareness, technology and social attitudes make it necessary for the Registrant to maintain a high degree of awareness of the impact such changes have on the market for its services. The Registrant believes that it is in compliance with existing Federal, state and local laws regulating the use of materials in its spraying operations as well as the other aspects of its business that are subject to any such regulation. Sequential page 3 of 38
MARKETING. The Registrant solicits business from residential and commercial customers principally through direct mail programs and to a lesser extent through the placement of advertisements in national magazines and trade journals and in local newspapers and "yellow pages" telephone directories. Business from utility customers is obtained principally through negotiated contracts and competitive bidding. All sales and services are carried out through personnel who are direct employees. The Registrant does not use agents and does not franchise its name or business.
SEASONALITY. The Registrant's business is highly seasonal, primarily due to extreme fluctuations in horticultural services provided to residential and commercial customers. Because of this seasonality, the Registrant has historically incurred losses in the first quarter, while sales and earnings are generally highest in the second and third quarters of the calendar year. Consequently, this has created heavy demands for additional working capital at various times throughout the year. The Registrant borrows primarily against bank commitments in the form of lines of credit and a revolving credit agreement, as well as several term notes, to provide the necessary funds.
OTHER FACTORS. Rapid changes in equipment technology require a constant updating of equipment and processes to ensure competitive services to the Registrant's clients. Also, the Registrant must continue to assure its compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act. In keeping with these requirements, and to equip the Registrant for continued growth, capital expenditures in 1994 and 1993 were approximately $8,598,000 and $15,887,000, respectively.
The Registrant owns several trademarks including "Davey", "Davey and design", "Arbor Green", "Davey Tree and design", "Davey Expert Co. and design" and "Davey and design (Canada)". Through substantial advertising and use, the Registrant is of the opinion that these trademarks have become of value in the identification and acceptance of its products and services.
EMPLOYEES. The Registrant employs between 4,800 and 5,200 persons, depending upon the season, and considers its employee relations to be good.
FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS. The Registrant and its Canadian subsidiaries sell the Registrant's service to customers in the United States and Canada.
The Registrant does not consider its foreign operations to be material and considers the risks attendant to its business with foreign customers, other than currency exchange risks, to be not materially different from those attendant to business with its domestic customers.
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ITEM 2.



ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The following table lists certain information with respect to major properties owned by the Registrant and used in connection with its operations.
The Registrant also rents approximately 40 other premises for office, warehouse and storage use. The Registrant believes that all of these properties have been adequately maintained and are suitable and adequate for its business as presently conducted.
ITEM 3.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. ------ ----------------- There are no legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which the Registrant or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is the subject. This routine litigation is not material to the Registrant. Sequential page 5 of 38
ITEM 4.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. ------ --------------------------------------------------- No matter was submitted during the fourth quarter of 1994 to a vote of security holders, through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise.
Executive Officers of the Registrant (included pursuant to Instruction 3 to paragraph (b) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K). The executive officers of the Registrant and their present positions and ages are as follows:
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Mr. Cowan was elected President and Chief Executive Officer in May 1988 and prior to that time served as President and Chief Operating Officer.
Mr. Adante was elected Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary-Treasurer in May 1993. He served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary-Treasurer from July 1992 to June 1993. Prior to that time, he served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since before 1990.
Mr. Warnke was elected Executive Vice President and General Manager-Utility Services in May 1993. Prior to that time, he served as Vice President and General Manager-Utility Services since before 1990.
Mr. Bowles was elected Vice President and General Manager of Davey Tree Surgery Company in January 1992. From that date and since before 1990, he served as Vice President and Co-General Manager.
Mr. Celmer was elected Vice President and General Manager - Residential Services in January, 1995. He served as Vice President-Eastern Operations, Residential and Commercial Services from January 1992 to January 1995. Prior to that time, he served as Vice President-Operations, Residential and Commercial Services since before 1990.
Mr. Comport was elected Corporate Controller in May 1990. Prior to that time and since before 1990, he served as Vice President-Finance and Administration for G & R Felpauch Company, a comparable-size retail supermarket chain.
Dr. Funk was elected Vice President-Human Technical Resources in January 1984.
Ms. Nicholas was elected Assistant Secretary in May 1982.
Mr. Ober was elected Vice President-New Ventures in March 1986.
Mr. Ramsey was elected Vice President and General Manager-Commercial Services in January, 1995. He served as Vice President-Western Operations, Residential and Commercial Services from January 1992 to January 1995. Prior to that time, he served as Vice President and Co- General Manager of Davey Tree Surgery Company since before 1990.
Mr. Shope was elected Vice President and General Manager-Residential and Commercial Services in January 1984. He retired effective December 24, 1994.
Mr. Parker was elected Vice President - Northern Operations, Utility Services in May, 1994. Prior to that time and since before 1990, he served in several positions in utility operations.
Officers of the Registrant serve for a term of office from the date of their election to the next organizational meeting of the Board of Directors and until their respective successors are elected. Sequential page 7 of 38
PART II ------- ITEM 5.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS. ------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
At December 31, 1994, 1993, and 1992 the number of Common Shares issued were 4,364,220 for each date. At those respective dates, the number of shares in the treasury were 1,921,217, 1,852,050 and 1,816,307.
The Registrant's Common Shares are not listed or traded on an established public trading market and market prices are, therefore, not available. Semi-annually, for purposes of the Registrant's Employee Stock Ownership Trust ("ESOT"), the fair market value of the Registrant's Common Shares, based upon the Registrant's performance and financial condition, is determined by an independent financial consulting firm.
As of March 22, 1995, there were 1,632 record holders of the Registrant's Common Shares. During the years ended December 31, 1994, December 31, 1993 and December 31, 1992, the Registrant paid dividends of $.13, $.12, and $.11, respectively, per share in each of the four quarters. The Registrant's agreements with its lenders provide that the payment of cash dividends during any year may not exceed the lesser of (a) 30% of the average of annual net earnings (as defined) for the prior three years or (b) 10% of consolidated net worth (as defined) as at the first day of that year. (See Note 4 to the Financial Statements on page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.)
Item 6.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data. ------- -----------------------
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Net earnings and net earnings per common share presented for 1991 include both the cumulative effect on prior years of changing to the new standard of accounting for income taxes and the change to the 150% declining balance method of depreciation. The cumulative effect increased net earnings by $606,000 and net earnings per common share by $.22. The change in depreciation method increased net earnings by $253,000 and net earnings per share by $.09.
ITEM 7.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND ------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. ---------------------
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES ------------------------------- In fiscal 1994, operating activities generated $16,205,000 in cash, a decrease of $1,897,000 when compared with the $18,102,000 generated in 1993. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower net earnings.
Net earnings declined $2,017,000 to $4,039,000 mainly due to budget reductions on existing utility operations and discontinued utility operations experienced in the ordinary course of competitive bidding. The decrease in utility revenues was partially recovered through revenue increases in Residential, Commercial and other services. Despite these partial recoveries in revenues, the Registrant's profit margins on several utility contracts retained during the competitive bidding process have narrowed in comparison to previous contracts. Accordingly, revenues and earnings were lower than in 1993. Subsequent to December 31, 1994, the Registrant was successful in renewing an expiring three year contract with a major utility customer. The new four year contract is anticipated to generate $15,400,000 in revenues on an annualized basis.
Accounts receivable increased $1,025,000, which was $2,178,000 lower than the $3,203,000 increase experienced in 1993. The increase in accounts receivable, coupled with the decline in revenues, caused average days outstanding to rise 2.3 days to 54.5 days. Efforts by the Registrant to reduce both days and dollars to a more acceptable level were hindered in part due to organizational and administrative changes which commenced in 1993 at several utility customers, as well as slower payment cycles initiated by some commercial and residential customers. At February 28, 1995, the Registrant's accounts receivable declined $3,058,000 to $26,255,000 and days outstanding dropped slightly to 53.7 days, still 1.4 days higher than in February, 1994, but .8 days lower than the level at December 31, 1994. The Registrant is not concerned as to the collectibility of accounts, and therefore, considers no allowance necessary; however, it will continue to focus its efforts to attain permanent reductions in both days and dollars outstanding. Sequential page 9 of 38
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased $962,000, a $1,584,000 change from last year's decrease of $622,000. This was primarily due to an increase in the current portion of self-insured workers' compensation reserves, partially offset by a reduction in accounts payable. Overall, workers' compensation reserves increased as a result of changes in estimated claims costs, and the Registrant's continued movement into self insurance in most states. These factors, as well as accruals related to the Registrant's retrospectively rated policies, also contributed to the $1,839,000 increase in insurance liabilities in 1994. (See Note 1 to the Financial Statements on page of the Annual Report on Form 10-K.) The decrease in accounts payable was primarily attributable to equipment purchases entered into during the fourth quarter of 1993 which, due to capital budget reductions, did not occur in the current year.
Other liabilities declined $879,000, a change of $1,236,000 when compared to the increase of $357,000 in 1993. This change was primarily due to a decrease in income taxes payable, the result of lower earnings.
Investing activities used $9,408,000, a decrease of $6,188,000 when compared to the $15,596,000 used in the prior year. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $7,289,000 reduction in the Registrant's 1994 capital expenditures, due to the changes experienced on some of its utility contracts. This reduction was partially offset by a deposit paid for the acquisition of the B. D. Wilhelm Company, a residential and commercial tree and lawn care company in Denver, Colorado. The Registrant expects that this acquisition will be consummated during 1995. Despite the reduction in 1994 capital expenditures, the Registrant believes the budget of approximately $12,000,000 for 1995 remains consistent with its plan to expand other services, maintain equipment on existing operations, and provide for the ongoing purchase of land and branch office facilities.
During 1994, the Registrant's financing activities used $6,846,000, an increase of $4,675,000 over 1993. The major item contributing to this change was a net reduction of the Registrant's long-term debt, principally the amount due under its revolving credit agreement. To a lesser extent, the increase in cash used in financing activities was impacted by additional funds required to repurchase common shares of the Registrant.
At December 31, 1994, the Registrant's principal source of liquidity consisted of $973,000 in cash and cash equivalents; short term lines of credit and amounts available to be borrowed from banks via notes payable totaling $12,285,000, of which $9,000,000 had been drawn at December 31, 1994; and a revolving credit agreement with a bank in the amount of $15,000,000, of which $2,700,000 had been drawn at December 31, 1994. Including the term note agreement of $12,000,000, the Registrant's credit facilities now total $39,285,000. The Registrant believes its available credit will exceed credit requirements, and that its liquidity is adequate.
Liquidity Measurements
Management uses these measurements to gauge the Registrant's ability to meet current working capital requirements and the extent by which capital expenditures are funded by internally generated "cash flow". Sequential page 10 of 38
Leverage Measurements ---------------------
These ratios measure the extent to which the Registrant has been financed by debt, or, put another way, the proportion of the total assets employed in the business that have been provided by creditors as compared to shareholders. Debt is defined as total liabilities.
At the end of 1994 these measurements improved slightly relative to 1993 and 1992. Those two years were affected by the additional borrowings incurred in 1992 to fund capital expenditures required by new utility contracts, in contrast with lower long-term debt resulting from reductions in those expenditures in 1994.
Common Share Measurements -------------------------
These measurements assist shareholders in assessing the Registrant's earnings performance, dividend payout and equity position as related to their shareholdings.
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Earnings per share measurements are shown as if all outstanding stock options had been exercised at December 31 of the years presented. Dividends were again increased in 1994. In 1994, they were increased $.04 per share or 8% over 1993, compared to an increase in 1993 of $.04 per share and 9% over 1992. It is the Registrant's objective to provide a fair return on investment to its shareholders through improved dividends as long as the Registrant can financially justify this policy. The fact that dividends have increased each year since 1979 reflects that objective.
Asset Utilization Measurements ------------------------------
Management uses these measurements to evaluate its efficiency in employing assets to generate revenues and returns.
Asset turnover decreased slightly to 2.1 from 2.3 in 1993 and 2.5 in 1992. Although Management anticipated that the return on average assets would remain lower than desired in the intermediate term because of a continuing commitment to acquire facilities for its Residental/Commercial operations, discontinued utility operations and particularly due to the investment required in 1992 for the new utility contracts, the Registrant's long term goal remains that of achieving an asset turnover rate of at least 3.0 and improving the net earnings percentage to provide a return on assets of between 12% and 15%.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ---------------------
Revenues of $212,669,000 in 1994 decreased $8,949,000 or 4.0%, compared to a 6.1% and 11.5% increase in revenues in 1993 and 1992, respectively. Utility revenues decreased $16,788,000, offset by a $7,839,000 sales increase in Residential, Commercial and other services. Utility revenues were affected primarily by the contracts lost in the ordinary course of competitive bidding, and other discontinued contracts cited earlier in this discussion. Residential, Commercial, and other revenues improved as a result of heightened sales efforts and improved economic conditions generally. The Registrant anticipates that 1995 revenues will approximate levels attained in 1993.
Operating costs of $145,108,000 declined $5,311,000 when compared to 1993, but as a percentage of revenues increased .3% to 68.2%. The percentage increase in operating costs was driven in part by equipment transportation and repair costs incurred in relocating equipment to alternate utility customer sites. Also, an increase in materials costs associated with additional commercial landscape contracts, as well as pricing concessions without commensurate labor concessions on certain utility contracts, contributed to the higher percentage costs. The Registrant does not anticipate that these costs will reoccur in 1995; accordingly, it expects that 1995 operating costs will be slightly lower as a percentage of sales then in 1994. Sequential page 12 of 38
Selling costs increased 1.3% as a percentage of revenues to 12.9%, or $1,783,000 to $27,431,000. The increase was primarily attributable to higher branch office, relocation, and supervision expenses.
General and Administrative expenses of $17,436,000 declined $1,748,000 or .4% to 8.2% as a percentage of revenues. The decrease was accomplished primarily through corporate cost reductions, and to a lesser extent lower administrative incentives, the result of lower earnings.
Depreciation and amortization expense of $13,354,000 was $398,000 lower than last year, but as a percentage of revenues increased .1% to 6.3%. The year-to-date percentage increase is primarily attributable to equipment idled during the interim period between the loss of certain utility contracts and the start of replacement contracts. The Registrant anticipates that depreciation expense will approximate $13,500,000 in 1995.
Interest expense increased $205,000 to $2,752,000, or .1% to 1.3% as a percentage of sales. The increase is primarily a function of higher overall effective interest rates.
As a result of the above factors, earnings before income taxes were $6,788,000 or 3.2% of revenues, compared to $10,031,000 or 4.5%, and $8,302,000 or 4.0%, in 1993 and 1992, respectively.
Effective income tax rates of 40.5%, 39.6%, and 39.2% were used to compute tax provisions for 1994, 1993, and 1992, respectively.
Accordingly, net earnings for the year of $4,039,000 were $2,017,000 lower than in 1993, and as a percentage of revenues declined to 1.9% compared to 2.7% in the previous year.
ITEM 8.


ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA. ------- ---------------------------------------------------------
The independent auditors' report, the audited consolidated financial statements, and the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements required by this Item 8 appear on pages through of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND ------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE. ---------------------
Not Applicable
PART III --------
ITEM 10.



ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT. -------- --------------------------------------------------
Reference is made to Part I of this Report for information as to executive officers of the Registrant.
The information regarding directors of the Registrant appearing under the heading "Election of Directors" in the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is hereby incorporated by reference. Sequential page 13 of 38
ITEM 11.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. ------- ----------------------
The information regarding compensation of the Registrant's executive officers appearing under the heading "Remuneration of Executive Officers" in the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is hereby incorporated by reference.
ITEM 12.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT. -------- --------------------------------------------------------------
The information regarding the security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management appearing under the heading "Ownership of Common Shares" in the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is hereby incorporated by reference.
ITEM 13.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS. -------- -----------------------------------------------
The information regarding certain relationships and related transactions appearing under the headings "Election of Directors" and "Indebtedness of Management" in the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its 1995 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is hereby incorporated by reference.
PART IV ------- ITEM 14.

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. -------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(a) (1) and (a) (2) Financial Statements and Schedules. See the Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules on page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(a) (3) Exhibits. See the Index to Exhibits on sequentially numbered page 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K. No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Sequential page 14 of 38
SIGNATURES ----------
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY
By:/s/ R. D. Cowan --------------------------- R. D. Cowan, President and Chief Executive Officer
March 30, 1995
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 30, 1995.
/s/ J. W. JOY /s/ JAMES H. MILLER -------------------------------- ------------------------------- J. W. JOY, Director and JAMES H. MILLER, Director Chairman of the Board
/s/ R. DOUGLAS COWAN /s/ THOMAS G. MURDOUGH, JR. -------------------------------- ------------------------------- R. DOUGLAS COWAN, Director; THOMAS G. MURDOUGH, JR., Director President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive /s/ JAMES H. POHL, Director and Operating Officer) ------------------------------- JAMES H. POHL, Director
/s/ R. CARY BLAIR /s/ J MAURICE STRUCHEN -------------------------------- ------------------------------- R. CARY BLAIR, Director J MAURICE STRUCHEN, Director
/s/ RICHARD E. DUNN /s/ DAVID E. ADANTE -------------------------------- ------------------------------- RICHARD E. DUNN, Director DAVID E. ADANTE, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary-Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ WILLIAM D. GINN -------------------------------- WILLIAM D. GINN, Director
/s/ RICHARD S. GRAY /s/ BRADLEY L COMPORT -------------------------------- ------------------------------- RICHARD S. GRAY, Director BRADLEY L COMPORT, Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) /s/ EUGENE W. HAUPT -------------------------------- EUGENE W. HAUPT, Director Sequential page 15 of 38
INDEX OF EXHIBITS ----------------- [ITEM 14(a) (3)]
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The documents listed as Exhibits 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c) constitute management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements. Sequential page 17 of 38
EXHIBIT 21
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
The Registrant has three wholly-owned subsidiaries, Davey Tree Surgery Company (incorporated in California), Plantasia, Inc., (incorporated in Ohio), and Davey Tree Expert Co. of Canada, Limited (incorporated in Canada), each of which does business under its corporate name.
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Exhibit 23 ----------
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 2-73052, as amended, 2-77353, 33-5755 and 33-21072 on Forms S-8 relating to The Davey Tree Expert Company 1980 Employee Stock Option Plan, The Davey Tree Expert Company 1982 Employee Stock Option Plan, The Davey Tree Expert Company 1985 Incentive Stock Option Plan and The Davey Tree Expert Company 1987 Incentive Stock Option Plan and in Registration Statement No. 33-30970 on Form S-2 relating to The Davey Tree Expert Company 1989 Stock Subscription Plan and in the related Prospectuses, of our report dated February 17, 1995, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Davey Tree Expert Company for the year ended December 31, 1994.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Akron, Ohio March 27, 1995 Sequential page 19 of 38
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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors The Davey Tree Expert Company Kent, Ohio
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Davey Tree Expert Company and subsidiary companies as of December 31, 1994, 1993, and 1992, and the related consolidated statements of net earnings, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based upon our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Davey Tree Expert Company and subsidiary companies as of December 31, 1994, 1993, and 1992, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Deloitte & Touche LLP Akron, Ohio February 17, 1995
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THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Sequential page 23 of 38
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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See notes to consolidated financial statements.
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THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,1994 ________________________________________________________________________________
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Davey Tree Expert Company and its wholly owned subsidiary companies.
FISCAL YEAR - The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31; 1994 and 1993 were fiscal years comprised of 52 weeks ended December 31, 1994 and January 1, 1994, respectively, while 1992 was a 53 week year ended January 2, 1993. For presentation purposes, all years were presumed to have ended on December 31.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE - Carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE - No allowance was considered necessary for any of the years presented.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS represent goodwill, employment contracts, client lists and similar assets resulting from business acquisitions and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 20 years.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - The Company records property and equipment at cost. Generally, land improvements, leasehold improvements and buildings are depreciated by the straight-line method while the declining balance method is used for equipment. The estimated useful lives used in computing depreciation are: land improvements, 5-20 years; buildings and leasehold improvements, 5-40 years; equipment, 3-10 years.
INSURANCE - The Company manages its casualty liability exposures primarily by utilizing two funding methods. For workers' compensation it is substantially self-insured. For auto, general liability, and some workers' compensation it is insured under policies which require payment of premiums that are subject to retrospective adjustment by the insurance company. The premiums are affected by several factors, including the safety record and experience of both the Company and the industry, and economic conditions. Under both methods, the Company generally retains the first $350,000 in loss per occurrence and carries excess insurance above that amount. With respect to workers' compensation, the Company's risk of exposure to loss per occurrence may be less than $350,000 depending on the nature of the claim and the statutes in effect by state.
Under both funding methods, insurance liabilities are determined using actuarial methods and assumptions to estimate ultimate costs. These liabilities include a large number of claims for which the ultimate costs will develop over a period of several years. Accordingly, the estimates can change as claims mature. Changes in estimates of claim costs resulting from new information received will be recognized in income in the period in which the estimates are changed. Expenses that are unallocable to specific claims are recognized as costs in the year incurred.
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1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
The gross liability for the self-insured workers' compensation reserves and the net accrual for retrospectively rated premiums was approximately $9,785,000 at December 31, 1994, and $6,635,000 at December 31, 1993. The change in funding methods was the principal factor contributing to the increase. The present value of those liabilities, which is discounted at 5 1/2% and 4% respectively, was $8,393,000 and $6,046,000. The change in the discount rate reduced insurance costs by $300,000 in 1994. The discounted self-insurance reserves and accruals related to the retrospectively rated policies have been combined and are classified as current and noncurrent liabilities and assets in the accompanying balance sheets based on the timing of future estimated cash payments and receipts.
RECLASSIFICATIONS have been made to the prior-year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.
2. COMMON AND PREFERRED SHARES
The Company has authorized a class of 4,000,000 preferred shares, no par value, of which none were issued.
The number of common shares authorized is 12,000,000, par value $1.00. At December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, the number of common shares issued was 4,364,220, and the number of shares in the treasury were 1,921,217, 1,852,050 and 1,816,307, respectively.
The Company's stock is not listed or traded on an active stock market and market prices are, therefore, not available. Semi-annually, an independent financial consulting firm determines the fair market value based upon the Company's performance and financial condition.
Since 1979, the Company has provided an "internal market" for all shareholders through its' purchase of their common shares. In 1991, shareholders approved uniform restrictions on the transfer of the Company's common shares. These restrictions generally give the Company or the trust of the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan the right to purchase the common shares whenever a shareholder proposes to transfer the shares to anyone, other than transfers to a current employee of the Company or transfers by a current or former employee to members of their immediate family.
OMNIBUS STOCK PLAN - On May 17, 1994, shareholders approved adoption of the 1994 Omnibus Stock Plan, which consolidates into a single plan provisions for the grant of stock options and other stock based incentives and maintenance of the employee stock purchase plan. Other than director options, the grant of awards is at the discretion of the compensation committee of the board of directors. The aggregate number of common shares available for grant and the maximum number of shares granted annually are based on formulas defined in the plan. Each non-employee director elected or appointed, and re-elected or re-appointed, will receive a director option that gives the right to purchase, for six years, 1,000 common shares at the fair market value per share at date of grant. The maximum number of shares that may be issued upon exercise of stock options, other than director options, is 400,000 during the ten year term of the plan.
Shares available for grant at December 31, 1994 were 63,941, which were based on the number available upon ratification of the plan less the director options granted and shares purchased in 1994 under the stock purchase plan. On May 17, 1994 the non-employee directors were granted options to purchase 10,000 common shares at $29.63 per share, expiring in 2000.
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2. COMMON AND PREFERRED SHARES (Continued)
STOCK PURCHASE PLAN - The Company has an employee stock purchase plan that provides the opportunity for all full-time employees with one year of service to purchase shares through payroll deductions. The purchase price for the shares offered under the plan is 85% of the fair value of the shares. The Company had reserved 760,000 shares prior to adopting the 1994 Omnibus Stock Plan. Availability of shares is determined in accordance with provisions of the Omnibus Stock Plan.
Purchases under the plan have been as follows:
STOCK OPTION PLANS - Prior to adoption of the 1994 Omnibus Stock Plan, the Company had two qualified stock option plans available for officers and management employees. The status of these plans are as follows at December 31, 1994:
STOCK SUBSCRIPTION OFFERING - In 1989, the Company made a stock subscription offering to employees and directors whereby they could subscribe to purchase stock for $15.86 per share. Employees could purchase the Company's common shares by making a 10% cash down payment and financing the remainder of the balance with seven-year promissory notes payable to the Company through monthly payroll deductions or annual installments commencing in September, 1989. The notes bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum and are reflected as subscriptions receivable in shareholders' equity. A total of 141 participants subscribed for 228,876 common shares of the Company.
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3. ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accrued liabilities consisted of:
4. NOTES PAYABLE, BANK AND LONG-TERM DEBT
Notes Payable, Bank ------------------- The Company has a bank operating loan which is repayable on demand and charges interest at the bank's prime rate. Additionally, the Company has unused short-term lines of credit with five banks totaling $3,285,000, generally at the banks' prime rate, which was 7.75% at December 31, 1994.
Long-term Debt --------------
The total annual installments required to be paid on long-term debt in years 1995 to 1999 are as follows: 1995, $3,844,000; 1996, $2,673,000; 1997, $2,525,000; 1998, $2,446,000; 1999, $2,780,000. Excluded from these installments are the revolving credit agreement and notes payable which are classified as long-term debt since it is expected that these amounts will be outstanding throughout the ensuing year.
Revolving Credit Agreement -------------------------- The Revolving Credit Agreement ("Revolver") permits the Company to borrow up to $15,000,000. The Revolver provides for interest on any borrowings at prime, plus a commitment fee of 3/16 of 1% on the unborrowed commitment. Borrowings under the Revolver may be converted, at the Company's option, to five-year loans.
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4. NOTES PAYABLE, BANK AND LONG-TERM DEBT (Continued)
Under the most restrictive covenants of the Revolver and the Term Note Agreement ("Term Note") below, dividend payments could not exceed $1,697,000 in 1994, and the Company is obligated to maintain a minimum shareholders' equity, as defined, of $28,000,000 plus 25% of annual consolidated earnings from December 31, 1992; a minimum ratio of shareholders' equity to total liabilities, as defined, of .70 to 1 at December 31, 1993 and .75 to 1 at December 31 of each year thereafter; a minimum current ratio of 1 to 1; and a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 2.25 to 1.0.
Term Note Agreement ------------------- In 1992 the Company borrowed $12,000,000 under the Term Note which provides for twenty consecutive quarterly principal installments of $600,000 commencing January 1, 1995 plus interest at either the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1-5/16% or prime plus 1/4%. The average adjusted LIBOR rate during 1994 was 4.42%; LIBOR was 6.50%, 3.375% and 3.4375% at December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively.
Notes Payable ------------- Notes payable totaling $8,000,000 consist of borrowings from banks for periods of up to six months at rates based either on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or at a money market option rate, which are generally less than U.S. prime rate. The Company intends to refinance these obligations either through continued uninterrupted renewal of the notes or borrowing under the Revolver.
Corporate Center Financing -------------------------- Corporate Center financing consisted of industrial development bonds which were repaid on February 1, 1994, and a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant, at 3% interest, which was repaid on August 1, 1994.
Long-Term Debt of ESOT ---------------------- Commencing March 31, 1992, the agreement provided for twenty equal quarterly installments of $24,098 plus interest of 8.4% with the final installment due December 31, 1996. Prior to a refinancing on March 20, 1992, the quarterly installments were $15,061 plus interest of 8.4%.
Subordinated Notes ------------------ In 1992, 1990 and 1988 the Company redeemed shares of its common stock from shareholders for cash and five-year subordinated promissory notes bearing interest at a rate equal to the average of the prime rate and the prevailing local bank basic savings rate. There were 16,800 shares redeemed in 1992 for cash of $223,830 and notes of $193,986. In 1990, 32,937 shares were redeemed for cash of $179,730 and notes of $478,022. In 1988, 40,744 shares were redeemed for cash of $274,320 and notes of $346,619.
Term Loans and Other -------------------- The weighted average interest on the term loans approximates 8.9% and the amounts outstanding are being repaid primarily in equal monthly installments through 1999.
Interest on Debt ---------------- The Company made cash payments for interest on all debt of $2,487,000, $2,579,000, and $2,056,000 in 1994, 1993, and 1992, respectively.
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5. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company uses interest rate swap agreements (swaps) with its principal bank to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on its borrowings under the Term Note. Management's authority to utilize these agreements is restricted by the Board of Directors, and they are not used for trading purposes. At December 31, 1994 and 1993, two of the outstanding swaps had a total notional amount of $12,000,000, which effectively changed the interest rate exposure on the Term Note to a fixed 7.22% over the same maturity period. On December 16, 1993, a "reverse" swap was entered into on a notional amount of $6,000,000, which effectively changed this fixed interest rate on one- half of the term note to a variable rate for two years.
Amounts receivable or payable under the swaps are settled by the parties on a quarterly basis, and are accrued over the related periods of the swaps. These amounts are included in the consolidated balance sheets on a net basis as accrued liabilities and are treated either as an increase or decrease in interest expense. Interest expense was increased by $216,000, $295,000, and $25,000 in 1994, 1993 and 1992 respectively from these accruals.
The fair value of the swaps is the quoted amount that the Company would receive or pay to terminate the swap agreements as provided by the bank, taking into account current interest rates. Had these agreements been terminated as of December 31, 1994, the Company would have received $345,000. Had the same agreements been terminated at December 31, 1993, the Company would have paid $432,000.
The fair value of the Company's long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for similar issues or by discounting expected cash flows at the rates currently offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities, as advised by the Company's principal bank. At December 31, 1994 and 1993, the carrying value of the Company's long-term debt was $24,968,000 and $28,428,000 respectively. At those dates, the fair value was $24,488,000 and $27,993,000 respectively.
6. EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
On March 15, 1979, the Company consummated a plan which transferred control of the Company to its employees. As a part of this plan, the Company sold 1,440,000 Common Shares to the Company's new Employee Stock Ownership Trust (ESOT) for $2,700,000.
The Employee Stock Ownership Plan, in conjunction with the related trust (ESOT), provides for the grant to certain employees of certain ownership rights in, but not possession of, the Common Shares held by the trustee of the Trust. Annual allocations of shares are made to individual accounts established for the benefit of the participants.
The Employee Stock Ownership Plan includes as participants, all nonbargaining employees of the parent company and its domestic subsidiaries who have attained age 21 and completed one year of service.
SOP 93-6 "Employers Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans" requires the employer to recognize compensation expense equal to the fair value of the shares committed to be released; however, it allows an employer with an ESOP holding shares purchased prior to December 31, 1992 to continue their existing accounting treatment. Accordingly, the Company has elected to maintain its existing accounting treatment.
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6. EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN (Continued)
The number of shares released from collateral and available for allocation to ESOP participants is determined by dividing the sum of the current year loan principal and interest payments by the sum of the current and future years' loan principal and interest payments. The Company makes annual cash contributions to the ESOP, net of dividends paid on the shares held as collateral, sufficient to pay the principal and interest on the ESOT debt; such contributions are reflected as an expense of the Company. Dividends on allocated shares are credited to participants' accounts and charged against retained earnings. ESOP shares that have been released and committed to be released are considered outstanding for purposes of computing earnings per share.
The contributions to the ESOT were:
7. PENSION PLANS
Description of Plans -------------------- Substantially all of the Company's employees are covered by two defined benefit pension plans. One of these plans is for non-bargaining unit employees and is non-contributory with respect to annual compensation up to a defined level with voluntary contributions beyond the specified compensation levels, and employee contributions. The other plan is for bargaining unit employees not covered by union pension plans, is non-contributory, and provides benefits at a fixed monthly amount based upon length of service.
Funding Policy -------------- The Company's funding policy is to make the annual contributions necessary to fund the plans within the range permitted by applicable regulations. The plans' assets are invested by outside asset managers in marketable debt and equity securities.
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7. PENSION PLANS (Continued)
Expense Recognition ------------------- Pension expense (income) was calculated as follows:
The funded status of pension plans at December 31 were as follows:
The projected benefit obligation was determined using an assumed discount rate of 8.25% in 1994, 7.5% in 1993, and 8% in 1992. The assumed long-term compensation rate increase was 5.0% in 1994 and 1993, and 5.5% in 1992. The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets was 7.5% in 1994 and 1993, and 8% in 1992.
The projected benefit obligation, which includes the effect of annual compensation rate increases, is based on an accumulated benefit obligation of $9,411,000, $8,837,000, and $8,329,000 at December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. It includes vested benefits of $9,231,000, $8,666,000, and $8,194,000, respectively.
Multiemployer Plans ------------------- The Company also contributes to several multiemployer plans which provide defined benefits to unionized workers who do not participate in the Company sponsored bargaining unit plan. Amounts charged to pension cost and contributed to the plans in 1994, 1993 and 1992 totaled $380,000, $567,000, and $664,000, respectively.
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8. INCOME TAXES
The approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference that gave rise to the Company's deferred tax assets (no valuation allowance was considered necessary) and liabilities at December 31, were as follows:
Significant components of income tax expense includes:
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8. INCOME TAXES (Continued)
The differences between the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate are as follows:
Earnings before income taxes by country are as follows:
The Company made cash payments for income taxes of $3,638,000, $2,635,000, and $3,729,000 in 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively.
9. CUSTOMERS
The Company provides a broad line of horticultural services to corporate, institutional and residential customers throughout most of the United States and Canada. The Company's major service line, utility line clearance, represented approximately 64% of the outstanding accounts receivable at December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992. The Company had revenues from one utility customer under multiple long-term contracts aggregating approximately $27,000,000 in 1994, $36,000,000 in 1993, and $33,000,000 in 1992. The Company had revenues from a second utility customer under multiple year contracts of approximately $24,000,000 in 1994, $23,000,000 in 1993, and $19,000,000 in 1992. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial conditions and generally requires no collateral.
10. OPERATING LEASES
The Company primarily leases facilities which are used for district office and warehouse operations. These leases extend for varying periods of time up to four years and, in some cases, contain renewal options. Total rental expenses under such operating leases amounted to approximately $1,394,000, $1,245,000, and $1,030,000 for 1994, 1993 and 1992, respectively. As of December 31, 1994, future minimum rental payments, including taxes and other operating costs, for all operating leases having noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year, totaled $2,464,000, and are expendable as follows: 1995, $1,098,000; 1996, $668,000; 1997, $513,000; 1998, $156,000 and 1999, $29,000.
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11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is party to a number of lawsuits, threatened lawsuits and other claims arising out of the normal course of business. Management is of the opinion that liabilities which may result are adequately covered by insurance, or to the extent not covered by insurance or accrued, would not be material in relation to the financial statements.
At December 31, 1994, the Company was contingently liable to its principal bank in the amount of $7,197,000 for outstanding letters of credit for insurance coverage and guarantees of debt for one of its subsidiaries.