THE ANDERSONS, INC.
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)   October 22, 2003

THE ANDERSONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
OHIO
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  34-1562374
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
480 W. Dussel Drive, Maumee, Ohio
(Address of principal executive offices)
  43537
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (419) 893-5050

 


 

Item 12:

The following press release was issued on October 22, 2003:

     
    The Andersons, Inc.
480 W. Dussel Drive
Maumee, Ohio 43537

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AT THE COMPANY: GARY SMITH (419) 891 - 6417

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2003

THE ANDERSONS, INC. REPORTS HIGHER REVENUE
EPS $0.33 LOSS VS. $0.09 LOSS LAST YEAR

MAUMEE, OHIO, OCTOBER 22, 2003—The Andersons, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDE), today announced a third-quarter operating loss of $2.3 million, or $0.33 per diluted share. In the same three-month period of 2002, the loss was $0.6 million, or $0.09 per diluted share. Total revenues of $253 million for the period were $48 million higher than the third quarter of 2002. Net income for the first nine months of this year was $5.0 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, with revenues of $804 million. In comparison, net income for the first nine months of 2002 totaled $11.9 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, on revenues of $721 million. These 2002 results and 2003 year-to-date performance reflect a restatement that was announced previously.

The Agriculture Group’s grain business reported increased revenues for the third quarter as a result of volume growth and higher average prices, but continued to experience an operating income decline during the period. As the company has noted previously, poor growing conditions a year ago lowered U.S. stocks of corn and soybeans, thereby reducing demand for grain storage space. The 2003 harvest is currently underway, and some industry analysts are predicting record corn production. The group’s plant nutrient business achieved volume, revenue and income growth in the most recent quarter. Continued growth in industrial and specialty agricultural products along with volume and margin strength in traditional product categories contributed to these positive results. In total, the Agriculture Group experienced a $2.8 million loss for the quarter, $3 million below the $0.2 million operating income it achieved in the third quarter of 2002. Operating income through the first nine months of 2003 was $4.0 million, down $6.2 million from the prior year. The group also indicated that the previously announced negotiations to acquire the shares of Agrico Canada, Ltd. have been discontinued.

 


 

The Rail Group’s operating income of $0.7 million in the third quarter was essentially unchanged from the same three-month period in 2002. The number of railcars and locomotives that it owns or manages continues to increase from year-earlier levels. At this time, the fleet consists of 74 locomotives and more than 6,000 rail cars. During the third quarter, the railcar repair and fabrication shops continued to contribute significantly to the group’s operating income. The Rail Group’s total operating income for the first nine months of 2003 amounted to $2.4 million, almost double its year-earlier performance.

The Processing Group incurred a loss of $1.1 million for the third quarter, improving slightly on its prior year performance for the period. Year-to-date operating income was $2.6 million, or $1.6 million better than the first nine months of 2002. Through September, turf-care product volumes were up approximately 14 percent in professional markets and 24 percent in consumer/industrial markets. However, because of product and customer mix changes and increased raw material costs, gross margins were somewhat lower. Sales growth in the group’s cob-based products business also contributed to the group’s third quarter and year-to-date income improvement.

The Retail Group achieved a 2.8 percent increase in same-store sales in the third quarter compared to the same three-month period in 2002. Average margins were down slightly, however, and expenses were somewhat higher than a year ago. As a result, the group matched its year-earlier $0.1 million operating loss for the period. Through nine months, the group’s operating income was $1.6 million. This was $0.9 million below the $2.5 million it reported for the same period of 2002.

“Our third quarter results reflect the roller-coaster nature of the grain business,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Anderson. “While grain storage earnings have been declining since 2002’s poor crop harvests, I’m hopeful that we’ll see stocks begin to rebuild this fall. Our overall performance in the third quarter was right in line with our expectations and consistent with the full-year projections we’ve mentioned previously. A few months ago, I indicated that we expected 2003 full-year earnings per diluted share (EPS) to come in `near the upper end of the $1.15 to $1.30 range.’ Despite the restatement that raised 2002 EPS by 13 cents and reduced 2003 EPS by an equivalent amount, we’re not reducing our projection for this year. We’re really saying that the outlook has improved, and our expectation for total 2002 — 2003 earnings has increased.”

The company will host a webcast on Thursday, October 23, 2003 at 11:00 A.M. EDT, to discuss its third quarter performance and full-year outlook. This can be accessed under “Financial Information” on its website at www.andersonsinc.com or at www.firstcallevents.com/service/ajwz390953513gf12.html.

The Andersons, Inc. is a respected leader and dominant regional player in grain merchandising and agricultural plant nutrients distribution. Its strong position in these basic businesses has allowed the company to diversify into the production of turf care

 


 

products, rail equipment leasing, and general merchandise retailing. The company has been in operation since 1947.

This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Without limitation, these risks include economic, weather and regulatory conditions, competition, and the risk factors set forth from time to time in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 
The Andersons, Inc. is located on the Internet at  www.andersonsinc.com

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW . . .

 


 

The Andersons, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                     
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30   September 30
(in thousands, except for per share amounts)   2003   2002   2003   2002
        (as restated)       (as restated)
       
 
 
 
Sales and merchandising revenues
  $ 253,027     $ 204,868     $ 803,828     $ 721,430  
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues
    222,789       171,089       692,978       603,717  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Gross profit
    30,238       33,779       110,850       117,713  
Operating, administrative and general expenses
    33,748       34,188       101,055       101,523  
Interest expense
    1,603       2,042       6,119       7,328  
Other income / Gains:
                               
     Other income
      1,519       734       3,816       2,364  
     Gain on involuntary conversion
                       
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
    (3,594 )     (1,717 )     7,492       11,226  
Income taxes
    (1,245 )     (1,087 )     2,529       2,847  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change
    (2,349 )     (630 )     4,963       8,379  
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of income tax benefit
                      3,480  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (2,349 )   $ (630 )   $ 4,963     $ 11,859  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Per common share:
                               
          Basic earnings (loss)
  $ (0.33 )   $ (0.09 )   $ 0.70     $ 1.62  
 
   
     
     
     
 
          Diluted earnings (loss)
  $ (0.33 )   $ (0.09 )   $ 0.68     $ 1.58  
 
   
     
     
     
 
          Dividends paid
  $ 0.065     $ 0.065     $ 0.195     $ 0.195  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic
    7,106       7,319       7,139       7,302  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted
    7,106       7,319       7,311       7,499  
 
   
     
     
     
 

 


 

The Andersons, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)

                           
      September 30   December 31   September 30
(In Thousands)   2003   2002   2002
        (as restated)   (as restated)
     
 
 
Assets
                       
Current assets:
                       
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 3,964     $ 6,095     $ 7,835  
 
Accounts receivable (net) and margin deposits
    71,092       59,800       64,159  
 
Inventories
    184,049       256,275       201,247  
 
Other current assets
    16,794       15,119       13,401  
 
   
     
     
 
Total current assets
    275,899       337,289       286,642  
Other assets
    14,915       12,591       11,709  
Railcar assets leased to others (net)
    26,979       26,399       25,435  
Property, plant and equipment (net)
    91,716       92,939       93,039  
 
   
     
     
 
 
  $ 409,509     $ 469,218     $ 416,825  
 
   
     
     
 
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
                       
Current liabilities:
                       
 
Notes payable
  $ 80,000     $ 70,000     $ 80,000  
 
Other current liabilities
    113,273       185,534       125,791  
 
   
     
     
 
Total current liabilities
    193,273       255,534       205,791  
Deferred items and other long-term liabilities
    24,105       23,647       20,812  
Long-term debt
    83,241       84,272       84,961  
Shareholders’ equity
    108,890       105,765       105,261  
 
   
     
     
 
 
  $ 409,509     $ 469,218     $ 416,825  
 
   
     
     
 

 


 

Segment Data

                                                           
Quarter Ended September 30, 2003   Agriculture   Processing   Rail   Retail   Other   Total
   
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues from external customers
  $ 178,376     $ 23,522     $ 9,252     $ 41,877     $     $ 253,027  
Other income
    647       464       128       156       124       1,519  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
  $ 179,023     $ 23,986     $ 9,380     $ 42,033     $ 124     $ 254,546  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Operating income (loss)
  $ (2,828 )   $ (1,139 )   $ 693     $ (65 )   $ (255 )   $ (3,594 )
 
Quarter Ended September 30, 2002 (As Restated)
                                   
Revenues from external customers
  $ 138,531     $ 20,466     $ 5,119     $ 40,752     $     $ 204,868  
Other income
    340       63       24       173       134       734  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
  $ 138,871     $ 20,529     $ 5,143     $ 40,925     $ 134     $ 205,602  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Operating income (loss)
  $ 188     $ (1,358 )   $ 733     $ (60 )   $ (1,220 )   $ (1,717 )
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003
                                     
Revenues from external customers
  $ 536,044     $ 113,072     $ 26,315     $ 128,397     $     $ 803,828  
Other income
    1,705       782       213       689       427       3,816  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
  $ 537,749     $ 113,854     $ 26,528     $ 129,086     $ 427     $ 807,644  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
Operating income (loss)
  $ 4,034     $ 2,567     $ 2,373     $ 1,574     $ (3,056 )   $ 7,492  
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 (As Restated)
                                     
Revenues from external customers
  $ 483,201     $ 93,730     $ 13,335     $ 131,164     $     $ 721,430  
Other income
    827       352       57       547       581       2,364  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
  $ 484,028     $ 94,082     $ 13,392     $ 131,711     $ 581     $ 723,794  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
Operating income (loss)
  $ 10,278     $ 947     $ 1,253     $ 2,508     $ (3,760 )   $ 11,226  

 


 

SIGNATURES

     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 hereunto duly authorized.

     
    The Andersons, Inc.
 
 
Date:  October 22, 2003   By:  /s/Michael J. Anderson
Michael J. Anderson
President and Chief Executive Officer