Skyline Champion Corp - Annual Report: 2008 (Form 10-K)

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-K

 

 

Commission file number: 1-4714

SKYLINE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(574) 294-6521

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to section 12 (g) of the Act:

None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

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 þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or an amendment to this Form 10-K.  o

 

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. (Check one):

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o     No þ

 

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant (6,823,062 shares) based on the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on November 30, 2007 was $231,301,802.

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Certain information required to be included in Part III of this Form 10-K is also included in the registrant’s Proxy Statement used in connection with its 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on September 18, 2008 (“2008 Proxy Statement”).

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

General Development of Business

 

Skyline Corporation was originally incorporated in Indiana in 1959, as successor to a business founded in 1951. Skyline Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Corporation”) design, produce and distribute manufactured housing (single section homes, multi-section homes and modular homes) and towable recreational vehicles (travel trailers, fifth wheels and park models).

 

The Corporation, which is one of the largest producers of manufactured homes in the United States, sold 4,608 manufactured homes in fiscal year 2008.

 

The Corporation’s manufactured homes are marketed under a number of trademarks. They are available in lengths ranging from 30’ to 76’ and in singlewide widths from 12’ to 18’, doublewide widths from 18’ to 32’, triplewide widths from 30’ to 46’, and quadruple widths from 56’ to 60’. The area of a singlewide ranges from approximately 400 to 1,200 square feet, a doublewide from approximately 700 to 2,400 square feet, a triplewide from approximately 1,600 to 2,900 square feet, and a quadruple at approximately 1,600 square feet.

 

The Corporation also sold 5,797 recreational vehicles in fiscal 2008, which are sold under a number of trademarks for travel trailers, fifth wheels and park models.

 

Financial Information about Segments

 

Sales, operating results and total assets for the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle segments are included in Note 5, Industry Segment Information, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this document under Item 8.

 

Narrative Description of Business

 

Principal Products and Markets

 

The Corporation designs, produces and distributes manufactured housing and towable recreational vehicles. Popular floor plans, virtual product tours and virtual factory tours are available at the Corporation’s internet website, http://www.skylinecorp.com.

 

The principal markets for manufactured homes are the suburban and rural areas of the continental United States. The principal buyers continue to be individuals over the age of fifty, but the market tends to broaden when conventional housing becomes more difficult to purchase and finance.

 

The recreational vehicle market is made up of primarily vacationing families, retired couples traveling around the country and sports enthusiasts pursuing four-season hobbies.

 

The Corporation provides the retail purchaser of its manufactured homes with a full fifteen-month warranty against defects in design, materials and workmanship. Recreational vehicles are covered by a one-year warranty. The warranties are backed by service departments located at the Corporation’s manufacturing facilities and an extensive field service system.

 

The amount and percentage of sales contributed by the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle segments is noted in Item 7.

 

Method of Distribution

 

The Corporation’s manufactured homes are distributed by approximately 290 independent dealers at 600 locations throughout the United States, and recreational vehicles are distributed by approximately 190 independent dealers at 270 locations throughout the United States. These are generally not exclusive dealerships and it is believed that most dealers also sell products of other manufacturers.

 

The Corporation’s products are sold to dealers either through floor plan financing with various financial institutions or on a cash basis. Payments to the Corporation are made either directly by the dealer or by financial institutions, which have agreed to finance dealer purchases of the Corporation’s products. In accordance with industry practice, certain financial institutions which finance dealer purchases require the Corporation to execute repurchase agreements in which the Corporation agrees, that in the event a dealer defaults on its repayment of the financing, the Corporation will repurchase its products from the financing institution in accordance with a declining repurchase price schedule established by the Corporation. Any loss under these agreements is the difference between the repurchase cost and the resale value of the units repurchased. Further, the risk of loss is spread over numerous dealers. There have been no material losses related to repurchases in past years. Additional information regarding these repurchase agreements is included in Note 2, Commitments and Contingencies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this document under Item 8.

 

Raw Materials and Supplies

 

The Corporation is basically an assembler of components purchased from outside sources. The major components used by the Corporation are lumber, plywood, shingles, vinyl and wood siding, steel, aluminum, insulation, home appliances, furnaces, plumbing fixtures, hardware, floor coverings and furniture. The suppliers are many and range in size from large national companies to very small local companies. At the present time the Corporation is obtaining sufficient materials to fulfill its needs.

 

Patents, Trademarks, Licenses, Franchises and Concessions

 

The Corporation does not rely upon any terminable or nonrenewable rights such as patents, licenses or franchises under the trademarks or patents of others, in the conduct of any segment of its business.

 

Seasonal Fluctuations

 

While the Corporation maintains production of manufactured homes and recreational vehicles throughout the year, seasonal fluctuations in sales do occur. Sales and production of manufactured homes are affected by winter weather conditions at the Corporation’s northern plants. Recreational vehicle sales are generally higher in the spring and summer months than in the fall and winter months.

 

Inventory

 

The Corporation does not maintain significant inventories of either raw materials or finished goods. In addition, there are no inventories sold on consignment.

 

Dependence Upon Individual Customers

 

The Corporation does not rely upon any single dealer for a significant percentage of its business in any industry segment.

 

Backlog

 

The Corporation does not consider the existence and extent of backlog to be significant in its business. The Corporation’s production is based on a relatively short manufacturing cycle and dealers’ orders, which continuously fluctuate. As such, the existence of backlog is not significant at any given date and does not typically provide a reliable indication of the status of the Corporation’s business.

 

Government Contracts

 

The Corporation has had no government contracts during the past three years.

 

Competitive Conditions

 

The manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries are highly competitive, with particular emphasis on price and features offered. The Corporation’s competitors within its respective industries are numerous, ranging

 

from multi-billion dollar corporations to relatively small and specialized manufacturers. In addition, the manufactured housing segment also competes with companies that provide other forms of housing, such as new and existing site-built homes, apartments, condominiums and townhouses.

 

The manufactured housing industry shipped approximately 96,000 homes in calendar year 2007. In the same period, the Corporation shipped 5,140 homes for a 5.4 percent market share. In calendar year 2006, approximately 118,000 homes were shipped by the industry. In that period, the Corporation shipped 6,938 homes for a 5.9 percent market share.

 

Regarding the recreational vehicle industry, the following tables show the Corporation’s competitive position in the recreational vehicle product lines it sells.

 

 

 

The competitive position for Park Models is not listed because industry data based on the Corporation’s fiscal 2008 is not available.

 

Both the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle segments of the Corporation’s business are dependent upon the availability of financing to dealers and retail financing. Consequently, increases in interest rates and/or tightening of credit through governmental action or otherwise have adversely affected the Corporation’s business in the past and may do so in the future.

 

The Corporation considers it impossible to predict the future occurrence, duration or severity of cost or availability problems in financing either manufactured homes or recreational vehicles. To the extent that they occur, such public concerns will affect sales of the Corporation’s products.

 

Regulation

 

The manufacture, distribution and sale of manufactured homes and recreational vehicles are subject to government regulations in both the United States and Canada, at federal, state or provincial and local levels.

 

Environmental Quality

 

The Corporation believes that compliance with federal, state and local requirements with respect to environmental quality will not require any material capital expenditures for plant or equipment modifications which would adversely affect earnings.

 

Other Regulations

 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has set national manufactured home construction and safety standards and implemented recall and other regulations since 1976. The National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, as amended, under which such standards and regulations are promulgated, prohibits states from establishing or continuing in effect any manufactured home standard that is not identical to the federal standards as to any covered aspect of performance. Implementation of

 

these standards and regulations involves inspection agency approval of manufactured home designs, plant and home inspection by states or other HUD-approved third parties, manufacturer certification that the standards are met, and possible recalls if they are not or if homes contain safety hazards.

 

HUD has promulgated rules requiring producers of manufactured homes to utilize wood products certified by their suppliers to meet HUD’s established limits on formaldehyde emissions, and to place in each home written notice to prospective purchasers of possible adverse reaction from airborne formaldehyde in the homes. These rules are designated as preemptive of state regulation.

 

Some components of manufactured homes may also be subject to Consumer Product Safety Commission standards and recall requirements. In addition, the Corporation has voluntarily subjected itself to third party inspection of all of its recreational vehicle products nationwide in order to further assure the Corporation, its dealers, and customers of compliance with established standards.

 

Manufactured homes and recreational vehicles may be subject to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty — Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act, which regulates warranties on consumer products.

 

The Corporation’s travel trailers continue to be subject to safety standards and recall and other regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Transportation under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 and the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act, as well as state laws and regulations.

 

The Corporation’s operations are subject to the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, and are routinely inspected thereunder.

 

The transportation and placement (in the case of manufactured homes) of the Corporation’s products are subject to state highway use regulations and local ordinances which control the size of units that may be transported, the roads to be used, speed limits, hours of travel, and allowable locations for manufactured homes and communities.

 

The Corporation is also subject to many state manufacturer licensing and bonding requirements, and to dealer day in court requirements in some states.

 

The Corporation believes that it is currently in compliance with the above regulations.

 

Number of Employees

 

The Corporation employs approximately 2,000 people at the present time.

 

Executive Officers of the Corporation

 

Information regarding the Corporation’s executive officers is located in this document under Part III, Item 10.

 

Available Information

 

The Corporation makes available, free of charge, through the Investors section of its internet website its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements and all amendments to those reports as soon as practicable after such material is electronically filed or furnished to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Corporation’s internet site is http://www.skylinecorp.com. A copy of the Corporation’s annual report on Form 10-K will be provided without charge upon written request to Skyline Corporation, Investor Relations Department, Post Office Box 743, Elkhart, Indiana 46515.

 

The public may read and copy any materials the Corporation has filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may also obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an internet website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

 

 

Investors or potential investors should carefully consider the risks described below. Additional risks of which the Corporation is presently unaware or that the Corporation considers immaterial may also impair business operations and hinder financial performance.

 

Retail Financing Availability

 

Customers who purchase the Corporation’s manufactured homes generally obtain retail financing from third party lenders. The availability, terms and cost of retail financing depend on the lending practices of financial institutions, governmental policies and economic and other conditions, all of which are beyond the Corporation’s control. A customer seeking to purchase a manufactured home without land will generally pay a higher interest rate and have a shorter loan maturity versus a customer financing the purchase of land and a home. This difference is due to most states classifying home-only manufactured housing loans as personal property rather than real property for purposes of taxation and lien perfection.

 

In recent years many lenders of home-only financing have tightened credit underwriting standards, with some deciding to exit the industry. These actions resulted in decreased availability of retail financing, causing a negative effect on sales and operating results. If retail financing were to be further curtailed, sales, operating results and cash flows could be adversely affected.

 

Wholesale Financing Availability

 

Independent dealers of the Corporation’s products generally finance their inventory purchases with wholesale floor plan financing provided by lending institutions. A dealer’s ability to obtain financing is significantly affected by the number of lending institutions offering floor planning, and by an institution’s lending limits. In recent years the manufactured housing industry experienced a reduction in both the number of lenders offering floor planning, and the amount of money available for financing. These events could have a negative impact on a dealer’s ability to purchase manufactured housing products, resulting in lower sales, operating results and cash flows.

 

Dependence on Independent Dealers

 

The Corporation sells its manufactured homes and recreational vehicles to independent dealers. These dealers are not obligated to exclusively sell the Corporation’s products, and may choose to sell competitor’s products. In addition, a dealer may become financially insolvent and be forced to close its business. Both scenarios could have an adverse effect on sales, operating results and cash flows.

 

Dealer Inventories

 

As wholesale shipments of manufactured homes and recreational vehicles within each respective industry exceed retail sales, dealer inventories increase to a level where dealers decrease orders from manufacturers. As manufacturers respond to reduced demand, many either offer discounts to maintain production volumes or curtail production levels. Both outcomes could have a negative impact on sales, operating results and cash flows.

 

Contingent Repurchase Agreements

 

As referenced in Note 2 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, the Corporation is contingently liable under repurchase agreements with certain financial institutions providing inventory financing for retailers of its products. The Corporation could be required to fulfill some or all of the repurchase agreements, resulting in increased expense and reduced cash flows.

 

Cost and Availability of Raw Materials

 

Prices and availability of raw materials used to manufacture the Corporation’s products can change significantly due to fluctuations in supply and demand. In addition, the cost of raw materials is also influenced by increased transportation costs. The Corporation has historically been able to have an adequate supply of raw materials by maintaining good relations with its vendors. Increased prices have historically been passed on to dealers by raising the price of manufactured homes and recreational vehicles. There is no certainty that the Corporation will be able to pass on future price increases and maintain an adequate supply of raw materials. The

 

inability to raise the price of its products and to maintain a proper supply of materials could have a negative impact on sales, operating results and cash flows.

 

Competition

 

As noted in Item 1, the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries are highly competitive with particular emphasis on price and features offered. Some of the Corporation’s competitors are vertically integrated by owning retail, consumer finance and insurance operations. This integration may provide competitors with an advantage. In addition, the Corporation’s manufactured homes compete with other forms of housing, such as new and existing site-built homes, apartments, condominiums and townhouses. The inability to effectively compete in this environment could result in lower sales, operating results and cash flows.

 

Cyclical and Seasonal Nature of Business

 

The industries in which the Corporation operates are highly cyclical, and are impacted by the following conditions:

 

 

The recreational vehicle industry is currently experiencing declining sales primarily as the result of increasing fuel prices and decreasing consumer confidence. The manufactured housing industry is experiencing a protracted period of weakening sales influenced primarily by restrictive retail financing and a recession in the site-built housing market. Ongoing weakness in both industries could have an adverse effect in demand for the Corporation’s products.

 

Sales in both industries are also seasonal in nature with sales being weakest in the winter months. Seasonal changes, in addition to continued weakness in demand in one or both of the Corporation’s market segments, could materially impact the Corporation’s sales, operating results and cash flows.

 

Changing Consumer Preferences

 

Changes in consumer preferences for manufactured housing and recreational vehicles occur over time, and consequently the Corporation responds to changing demand by evaluating the market acceptability of its products. Delays in responding to changing consumer preferences could have an adverse effect on sales, operating results and cash flows.

 

Increased Fuel Prices

 

The Corporation’s recreational vehicle products depend on the use of vehicles that operate on gasoline or diesel fuel. In the Corporation’s history there have been periods where the price of gasoline and diesel fuel dramatically increased. These increases resulted in greater cost associated with recreational vehicle travel. This trend is presently occurring, and could result in decreased sales, operating results and cash flows.

 

Governmental Regulations

 

As noted in Item 1, the Corporation is subject to various governmental regulations. Implementation of new regulations or amendments to existing regulations could significantly increase the cost of the Corporation’s products. In addition, failure to comply with present or future regulations could result in fines or potential civil or criminal liability. Both scenarios could negatively impact sales, operating results and cash flows.

 

Dependence on Executive Officers and Other Key Personnel

 

The Corporation depends on the efforts of its executive officers and certain key employees. The loss of the service of one or more of these individuals could have an adverse effect on the sales, operating results and cash flows of the Corporation.

 

None.

 

 

The Corporation owns its corporate offices and design facility, which are located in Elkhart, Indiana.

 

The Corporation’s 18 manufacturing facilities, all of which are owned, are as follows:

 

 

The above facilities range in size from approximately 50,000 square feet to approximately 160,000 square feet. In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Corporation sold an idle manufactured housing facility located in Goshen, Indiana. The sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of $670,000. In light of the declining market, a manufactured housing facility in Ocala, Florida was consolidated into two existing manufactured housing facilities located in the same city. The consolidation also occurred in the third quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the Corporation announced the closure of a manufactured housing facility in Bossier City, Louisiana, and a recreational vehicle facility in McMinnville, Oregon. The closures were in response to the declining market. Operations ceased for both facilities in June 2008. Bossier City’s market is now being serviced by the Corporation’s Kansas facilities. Likewise, McMinnville’s market is now being serviced by the Corporation’s California recreational vehicle facilities.

 

It is extremely difficult to determine the unit productive capacity of the Corporation because of the ever-changing product mix.

 

The Corporation believes that its plant facilities, machinery and equipment are well maintained and are in good operating condition.

 

 

The Corporation is a party to various pending legal proceedings in the normal course of business. Management believes that any losses resulting from such proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s results of operations or financial position.

 

 

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal year ended May 31, 2008.

 

 

Skyline Corporation (SKY) is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. A quarterly cash dividend of 18 cents ($0.18) per share was paid in fiscal 2008 and 2007. On June 15, 2006, the Corporation declared a special cash dividend of two dollars ($2.00) per share on the outstanding shares of the Corporation’s common stock payable August 1, 2006, to shareholders of record at the close of business July 14, 2006. This special one time dividend was declared at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and is separate from and has no relationship to the regular quarterly dividends. At May 31, 2008, there were approximately 910 holders of record of Skyline Corporation common stock. A quarterly summary of the market price is listed for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2008 and 2007.

 

 

The name, address and phone number of our stock transfer agent and registrar is:

 

Computershare Investor Services

Shareholder Services Division

Two North LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60602

312-588-4237

 

 

Performance

 

The graph below compares the cumulative, five-year shareholder returns on Skyline Common Stock to the cumulative, five-year shareholder returns on (a) the S&P 500 Stock Index, and (b) an index of peer companies selected by Skyline. The Peer Group is composed of four publicly-held companies which were selected based on similarities in their products and their competitive position in the industry. The companies comprising the Peer Group are weighted by their respective market capitalization and include the following: Cavalier Homes, Inc., Champion Enterprises, Inc., Coachmen Industries, Inc. and Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on May 31, 2003 in Skyline common stock and in each of the foregoing indices, including reinvestment of dividends (although Skyline has no dividend reinvestment plan).

 

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*

Among Skyline Corporation, The S&P 500 Index

And A Peer Group

 

 

 

 

Copyright ^© 2008, Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.researchdatagroup.com/S&P.htm

 

Dollars in thousands except per share data

 

 

 

Overview

 

The Corporation designs, produces and distributes manufactured housing (single-section, multi-section and modular homes) and towable recreational vehicles (travel trailers, fifth wheels and park models) to independent dealers and manufactured housing communities located throughout the United States (U.S.). To better serve the needs of its dealers and communities, the Corporation has eighteen manufacturing facilities in ten states. Manufactured housing and recreational vehicles are sold to dealers and communities either through floor plan financing with various financial institutions or on a cash basis. While the Corporation maintains production of manufactured homes and recreational vehicles throughout the year, seasonal fluctuations in sales do occur. Sales and production of manufactured homes are affected by winter weather conditions at the Corporation’s northern plants. Recreational vehicle sales are generally higher in the spring and summer months than in the fall and winter months.

 

Sales in both business segments are affected by the strength of the U.S. economy, interest rate levels, consumer confidence and the availability of wholesale and retail financing. The manufactured housing segment is currently affected by a protracted downturn. This downturn, caused primarily by restrictive retail financing and economic uncertainty, resulted in calendar 2007 industry sales of approximately 96,000 units, the lowest since 1961. Manufactured housing sales are also negatively impacted by a recession in the site-built housing industry. For example, a potential buyer of a manufactured home may be prevented from purchasing due to an inability to sell his or her existing home. Likewise, a potential buyer of a manufactured home may be attracted to declining prices of both new and existing site-built homes. Throughout 2007, the site-built industry experienced declines in existing home sales, housing starts and home prices, and was negatively impacted by dislocations in the subprime mortgage market. In addition, the number of homes in foreclosure increased.

 

Overview — (Continued)

 

In fiscal 2008, the Corporation’s manufactured housing sales declined consistent with the experience of the industry as a whole. Within this segment’s sales, demand remains stronger for multi-section versus single-section homes. Multi-section homes are often sold as part of a land-home package and are financed with a conventional mortgage. These homes have an appearance similar to site-built homes and are usually less expensive. The Corporation has eleven manufactured housing facilities that have obtained approval from applicable state and local governmental entities to produce modular homes, which will help meet the demand for multi-section homes.

 

In the recreational vehicle segment, the Corporation sells travel trailers, fifth wheels and park models. Sales of recreational vehicles are influenced by changes in consumer confidence and gasoline prices. Industry sales of travel trailers, fifth wheels and park models declined from approximately 291,000 units in calendar 2006 to approximately 268,000 units in calendar 2007. During this same period, the price of gasoline rose and consumer confidence fell. For the Corporation’s first two quarters of fiscal 2008, the recreational vehicle segment also experienced declining sales. In the last two quarters, however, sales increased as well as market share for travel trailers and fifth wheels.

 

In light of the declining market, a manufactured housing facility in Ocala, Florida was consolidated into two existing manufactured housing facilities located in the same city. The consolidation occurred in the third quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

The Corporation announced in the fourth quarter the closure of a recreational vehicle facility in McMinnville, Oregon, and a manufacturing housing facility in Bossier City, Louisiana. Both facilities ceased operations in June 2008. Bossier City’s market is now being serviced by the Corporation’s Kansas facilities. Likewise, McMinnville’s market is now being serviced by the Corporation’s California recreational vehicle facilities.

 

In the recreational vehicle segment, an existing facility in Hemet, California was renovated to solely produce recreational vehicles with fiberglass bonded wall construction. The exclusive production of this product occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

The Corporation is working to reduce expenses, communicating with dealers and communities to take advantage of sales opportunities, and positioning its products to be competitive in the marketplace. With a healthy position in cash and U.S. Treasury Bills, no debt and experienced employees, the Corporation is prepared to meet the challenges ahead.

 

Results of Operations — Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007

 

Sales and Unit Shipments

 

 

Manufactured housing sales decreased due to continued weakness in demand, which is consistent with the experience of the manufactured housing industry as a whole.

 

Results of Operations — Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007 — (Continued)

 

Recreational vehicle sales were negatively impacted in the first half of fiscal 2008 by an increase in demand for product with fiberglass bonded wall construction, and by metal-sided models being priced higher relative to products of other recreational vehicle manufacturers. As a result, sales for this period were $42,881,000 as compared to $53,491,000 for the first half of fiscal 2007.

 

The Corporation worked throughout fiscal 2008 to address these issues. An existing recreational vehicle facility in Hemet, California was renovated to exclusively produce models with fiberglass bonded wall construction. Production of these units occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. This facility is in addition to the Elkhart, Indiana facility that opened in the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to solely produce fiberglass bonded models. Regarding metal-sided product, changes were made to make it more competitively priced, and to better meet consumer tastes. These combined actions resulted in sales of $44,090,000 in the last half of fiscal 2008 as compared to $39,599,000 in the last half of fiscal 2007. In addition, the market share for travel trailers and fifth wheels increased from 2 percent in the last half of fiscal 2007 to 2.3 percent in last half of fiscal 2008.

 

Cost of Sales

 

 

Manufactured housing cost of sales decreased due to less sales volume and the variable nature of many of the direct manufacturing costs. As a percentage of sales, cost of sales increased as a result of certain manufacturing overhead costs remaining relatively constant despite lower sales. In addition, this segment incurred a one-time cost of approximately $400,000 associated with the consolidation of the Ocala, Florida facility and the closure of the Bossier City, Louisiana facility.

 

Recreational vehicle cost of sales decreased due to less sales volume and the variable nature of many of direct manufacturing costs. As a percentage of sales, cost of sales increased due to the introduction of various option packages. These packages, designed to meet competition in the marketplace, are aggressively priced relative to option packages sold in the previous year. Certain manufacturing overhead costs also remained relatively constant despite lower sales. This segment includes a one-time cost of approximately $400,000 associated with the closure of the McMinnville, Oregon facility. In addition, non-recurring costs of approximately $170,000 were incurred in the conversion of the Hemet, California facility. In fiscal year 2007, the Corporation incurred approximately $300,000 in one-time costs associated with the opening of the Elkhart, Indiana facility dedicated to producing fiberglass bonded product.

 

Selling and Administrative Expenses

 

 

Selling and administrative expenses decreased due to a decrease in salaries, performance based compensation, a continuing effort to control costs and a change in the valuation of the Corporation’s liability for retirement and death benefits offered to certain employees. Additional information regarding the change in valuation is included in

 

Results of Operations — Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007 — (Continued)

 

Note 4 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this document under Item 8. As a percentage of sales, selling and administrative expenses increased due to certain costs being fixed.

 

Operating (Loss) Earnings

 

 

 

The operating loss for manufactured housing was primarily due to the impact of decreased sales on the components of earnings as noted above. This segment was also negatively affected by the cost of consolidating and closing two facilities, and single-section unit sales increasing from 23 percent in fiscal 2007 to 26 percent in fiscal 2008. Single-section homes have lower margins as compared to multi-section homes.

 

The operating loss for recreational vehicles increased primarily due to the impact of decreased sales on the components of earnings as noted above. In addition, the operating loss was negatively impacted by this segment receiving a larger proportion of certain operating expenses allocated to industry segments based on a percentage of sales. Recreational vehicle sales were approximately 29 percent in fiscal 2008 as compared to 25 percent in fiscal 2007. The cost of closing one facility and the renovation of another also had a negative effect on operating results. Although the operating loss increased from fiscal 2007 to 2008, the operating loss for the last half of the current year was $3,641,000, which included non-recurring costs of approximately $570,000, as compared to $4,109,000 in the first half.

 

The decrease in general corporate expenses occurred primarily due to a change in valuation of the Corporation’s liability for retirement and death benefits offered to certain employees as noted above.

 

Interest Income

 

 

Interest income is directly related to the amount available for investment and the prevailing yields of U.S. Government Securities. In fiscal 2008, the weighted average amount available for investment was approximately $101 million with a weighted average yield of 4.1 percent. In fiscal 2007, the weighted average amount available for investment was approximately $120 million with a weighted average yield of 4.9 percent.

 

Gain on Sale of Idle Property, Plant and Equipment

 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Corporation sold an idle manufactured housing facility located in Goshen, Indiana. The sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of $670,000.

 

Results of Operations — Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007 — (Continued)

 

(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

The (benefit) provision for federal income taxes approximates the statutory rate and for state income taxes reflects current state rates effective for the period based upon activities within the taxable entities. The benefit for federal income taxes increased due to the pretax loss that occurred in fiscal 2008. Additional information regarding incomes taxes is located in Note 1 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this document under Item 8.

 

Results of Operations — Fiscal 2007 Compared to Fiscal 2006

 

Sales and Unit Shipments

 

 

Manufactured housing sales decreased due to an overall decline in demand, which is consistent with the experience of the manufactured housing industry as a whole.

 

Recreational vehicle sales decreased due to an overall softening of demand. Furthermore, sales were negatively impacted by an increase in consumer demand for fiberglass bonded wall construction. The Corporation addressed this shift in demand by opening a previously idled facility which is dedicated to producing travel trailers with fiberglass bonded wall construction. This facility commenced operations in the third fiscal quarter. In addition, prior year sales included approximately 1,500 units related to hurricane relief sold to independent dealers for approximately $15 million.

 

Cost of Sales

 

 

 

Results of Operations — Fiscal 2007 Compared to Fiscal 2006 — (Continued)

 

 

Manufactured housing cost of sales decreased due to declining sales volumes and the variable nature of many of the direct manufacturing costs. As a percentage of sales, however, cost of sales increased due to warranty costs and workers’ compensation expenses declining at a slower rate than the reduction in sales. In addition, certain manufacturing overhead costs remained relatively constant despite lower sales.

 

Recreational vehicle cost of sales decreased due to declining sales volumes and the variable nature of many of the direct manufacturing costs. As a percentage of sales, cost of sales increased due to the positive impact of hurricane relief related sales on gross margins in the prior year, as well as warranty costs declining at a slower rate than the reduction in the current year’s sales. In addition, certain manufacturing overhead costs remained relatively constant despite lower sales.

 

As noted above, this business segment also experienced the commencement of operations in the third fiscal quarter of a previously idled facility. This facility, which produces travel trailers with fiberglass bonded wall construction, incurred approximately $300,000 in manufacturing costs associated with the start up of operations.

 

Selling and Administrative Expenses

 

 

Selling and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to a decrease in performance based compensation. As a percentage of sales, selling and administrative expenses increased due to certain costs being relatively fixed.

 

Operating (Loss) Earnings

 

 

 

Operating earnings for manufactured housing dropped primarily due to the impact of decreased sales on the components of earnings as noted above. In addition, unit sales of single-section homes increased from 19 percent in 2006 to 23 percent in 2007. Single-section homes have lower margins as compared to multi-section homes.

 

The recreational vehicle segment changed from an operating profit a year ago to an operating loss driven primarily by the impact of decreased sales on the components of earnings as noted above.

 

Decreases in general corporate expenses occurred in costs associated with performance based compensation and product liability.

 

Interest Income

 

 

Results of Operations — Fiscal 2007 Compared to Fiscal 2006 — (Continued)

 

Interest income is directly related to the amount available for investment and the prevailing yields of U.S. Government Securities. In fiscal 2007, the weighted average amount available for investment was approximately $120 million with a weighted average yield of 4.9 percent. In fiscal 2006, the weighted average amount available for investment was approximately $135 million with a weighted average yield of 3.7 percent.

 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

 

 

The provision (benefit) for federal income taxes approximates the statutory rate and for state income taxes reflects current state rates effective for the period based upon activities within the taxable entities. The provision for federal and state income taxes decreased due to the decrease in earnings before income taxes. Additional information regarding incomes taxes is located in Note 1 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this document under Item 8.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

 

The Corporation’s policy is to invest its excess cash, which exceeds its operating needs, in U.S. Government Securities. Cash and U.S. Treasury Bills decreased due to a net loss of $5,556,000, and payment of approximately $6,041,000 in dividends. Current assets, exclusive of cash and U.S. Treasury Bills, declined primarily due to a decrease in accounts receivable of $4,516,000. This decrease is attributed to lower sales in May 2008 as compared to May 2007. Other current assets increased $2,853,000 primarily due to an increase in the amount receivable for federal income taxes.

 

Current liabilities decreased primarily due to a decline in accrued salaries and wages of $1,743,000, accounts payable of $1,195,000 and accrued profit sharing of $1,684,000. Accrued salaries and wages decreased due to the timing of payroll payments at May 31, 2008 as compared to May 31, 2007. In addition, the Corporation’s employee headcount was lower at May 31, 2008 as compared to May 31, 2007. Accounts payable, trade declined due to decreased sales activity. Accrued profit sharing declined as a result of no contribution being made to the Corporation’s two profit sharing plans based on the financial results of fiscal 2008.

 

Capital expenditures totaled $2,092,000 for fiscal 2008 as compared to $4,968,000 for fiscal 2007. Capital expenditures were made primarily to replace or refurbish machinery and equipment in addition to improving manufacturing efficiencies. In addition, total proceeds from the sale of idle property, plant and equipment totaled $2,676,000 for fiscal 2008.

 

The cash provided by operating activities, along with current cash and other short-term investments, is expected to be adequate to fund any capital expenditures and treasury stock purchases during the year. Historically, the Corporation’s financing needs have been met through funds generated internally.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

The following table summarizes the Corporation’s contractual obligation for operating lease agreements as of May 31, 2008:

 

 

The following table summarizes the Corporation’s commitments for repurchase agreements as of May 31, 2008:

 

 

Additional information regarding the nature of the repurchase agreements and the operating leases is in Note 2 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. During fiscal year 2008, the Corporation experienced a $6,000 loss on the sale of repurchased units. No losses on the sales of repurchased units were incurred in fiscal 2007 or 2006.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires the Corporation to make certain estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. Estimates are periodically evaluated using historical experience and various other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

The following accounting policies are considered to require a significant estimate:

 

Product Warranties

 

As referenced in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, manufactured homes are sold with a fifteen-month warranty and recreational vehicles are sold with a one-year warranty. Estimated warranty costs are accrued at the time of sale based upon sales, historical claims experience and management’s judgment regarding anticipated rates of warranty claims. Significant changes in these factors could have a material impact on future results of operations.

 

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

 

The Corporation is partially insured for expenses associated with workers’ compensation. Costs are accrued based on management’s estimates of future medical claims developed by consulting actuaries at the carrier that insures the Corporation. Accruals are made up to a specified limit per individual injured and for an aggregate limit.

 

Health Insurance

 

The Corporation utilizes a combination of insurance companies and self-insurance in offering health insurance coverage to its employees. Costs of claims incurred but not paid are accrued based on past claims experience and relevant trend factors provided by the insurance companies.

 

Newly Issued Accounting Standards

 

The effect of newly issued accounting standards on the Corporation is addressed in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Other Matters

 

The consolidated financial statements included in this report reflect transactions in the dollar values in which they were incurred and, therefore, do not attempt to measure the impact of inflation. On a long-term basis, the Corporation has demonstrated an ability to adjust selling prices in reaction to changing costs due to inflation. The Corporation believes that inflation has not had a material effect on its operations during fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006.

 

Forward Looking Information

 

Certain statements in this report are considered forward looking as indicated by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve uncertainties that may cause actual results to materially differ from expectations as of the report date. These uncertainties include but are not limited to:

 

 

 

The Corporation invests in United States Government Securities. These securities are typically held until maturity and are therefore classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost. Changes in interest rates do not have a significant effect on the fair value of these investments.

 

 

All other supplementary data is omitted because it is not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Skyline Corporation:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Skyline Corporation and subsidiary companies (the “Corporation”) as of May 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of earnings and retained earnings, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2008. We also have audited the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Corporation’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in this Form 10-K Item 9A as Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Corporation as of May 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

 

Crowe Chizek and Company LLC

 

South Bend, Indiana

July 14, 2008

Skyline Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

May 31, 2008 and 2007

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

Skyline Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Retained Earnings

For the Years Ended May 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

Skyline Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended May 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Increase (Decrease) in Cash

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

Skyline Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

Nature of operations — Skyline Corporation designs, manufactures and distributes manufactured housing (single section homes, multi-section homes and modular homes) and towable recreational vehicles (travel trailers, fifth wheels and park models) to independent dealers and manufactured housing communities throughout the United States. These dealers and communities often utilize floor plan financing arrangements with lending institutions.

 

The following is a summary of the accounting policies that have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

Basis of presentation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Skyline Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Corporation”). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Revenue recognition — Substantially all of the Corporation’s products are made to order. Revenue is recognized upon completion of the following: an order for a unit is received from a dealer or community (customer); written or verbal approval for payment is received from a customer’s financing institution or payment is received; a common carrier signs documentation accepting responsibility for the unit as agent for the customer; and the unit is removed from the Corporation’s premises for delivery to a customer.

 

Freight billed to customers is considered sales revenue, and the related freight costs are cost of sales. Volume based rebates paid to dealers are classified as a reduction of sales revenue. Sales of parts are classified as revenue.

 

Consolidated statements of cash flows — For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, investments in U.S. Treasury Bills and Notes are included as investing activities. The Corporation’s cash flows from operating activities were increased by income taxes received of $1,443,000 in fiscal 2008, and reduced by income taxes paid of $3,466,000 and $8,973,000 in fiscal 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

Investments  — The Corporation invests in United States Government Securities. These securities are typically held until maturity and are therefore classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost.

 

The cost and accrued interest of U.S. Treasury Bills, which approximates fair market value, totaled $101,022,000 and $115,864,000 at May 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The fair market value is determined by a secondary market for U.S. Treasury Securities. The Corporation does not have any other financial instruments which have market values differing from recorded values.

 

Accounts receivable — Trade receivables are based on the amounts billed to customers. The Corporation does not accrue interest on any of its trade receivables.

 

Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined under the first-in, first-out method. Physical inventory counts are taken at the end of each reporting quarter.

 

Skyline Corporation and Subsidiary Companies

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Total inventories consist of the following:

 

 

At May 31, 2008, Finished Goods inventory consisted of a display home, in addition to manufactured homes and recreational vehicles awaiting shipment at the end of the fiscal year.

 

Property, plant and equipment — Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method for financial statement reporting and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. Estimated useful lives for significant classes of property, plant and equipment are as follows: Building and improvements 10 to 30 years; machinery and equipment 5 to 8 years.

 

Warranty — The Corporation provides the retail purchaser of its manufactured homes with a full fifteen-month warranty against defects in design, materials and workmanship. Recreational vehicles are covered by a one-year warranty. The warranties are backed by service departments located at the Corporation’s manufacturing facilities and an extensive field service system.

 

Estimated warranty costs are accrued at the time of sale based upon current sales, historical experience and management’s judgment regarding anticipated rates of warranty claims. The adequacy of the recorded warranty liability is periodically assessed and the amount is adjusted as necessary.

 

A reconciliation of accrued warranty and related expenses is as follows:

 

 

Other deferred liabilities — Other deferred liabilities consist of the following: