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THOR INDUSTRIES INC - Quarter Report: 2004 October (Form 10-Q)

Thor Industries, Inc. 10-Q
Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     
FOR QUARTER ENDED October 31, 2004   COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-9235

THOR INDUSTRIES, INC.


(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   93-0768752

 
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
419 West Pike Street, Jackson Center, OH   45334-0629

 
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (937) 596-6849

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x                    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes x                    No o

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

     
Class   Outstanding at 10/31/2004

 
 
 
Common stock, par value
$.10 per share
  56,827,626 shares

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I — Financial Information
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
PART II — Other Information
ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6. Exhibits
SIGNATURES
EX-31.1 302 Certification for CEO
EX-31.2 302 Certification for CFO
EX-32.1 906 Certification for CEO
EX-32.2 906 Certification for CFO


Table of Contents

PART I - Financial Information

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

THOR INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                 
    October 31, 2004
  July 31, 2004
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 101,929,234     $ 136,120,530  
Investments – short term
    51,110,337       63,045,616  
Accounts receivable:
               
Trade
    154,533,397       132,615,992  
Other
    5,403,603       4,304,573  
Inventories
    161,272,189       147,588,254  
Deferred income taxes and other
    24,292,781       14,291,395  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current assets
    498,541,541       497,966,360  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Property:
               
Land
    19,644,371       17,263,271  
Buildings and improvements
    89,068,618       74,436,370  
Machinery and equipment
    41,753,932       40,046,081  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total cost
    150,466,921       131,745,722  
Accumulated depreciation
    (35,384,171 )     (32,982,694 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Property, net
    115,082,750       98,763,028  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Investments:
               
Joint ventures
    2,708,442       2,514,449  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Other assets:
               
Goodwill
    140,857,162       140,857,162  
Non-compete agreements
    3,379,400       3,580,962  
Trademarks
    12,269,642       12,269,642  
Other
    6,746,612       6,635,161  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total other assets
    163,252,816       163,342,927  
 
   
 
     
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 779,585,549     $ 762,586,764  
 
   
 
     
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 104,860,606     $ 125,574,124  
Accrued liabilities:
               
Taxes
    36,138,920       20,890,901  
Compensation and related items
    23,148,666       25,712,538  
Product warranties
    48,163,870       45,829,471  
Other
    20,054,433       23,761,296  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current liabilities
    232,366,495       241,768,330  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Deferred income taxes and other liabilities
    9,765,663       9,214,698  
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock - authorized 250,000,000 shares; issued 56,827,626 shares @ 10/31/04 and 57,146,160 shares @ 7/31/04; par value of $.10 per share
    5,682,763       5,714,616  
Additional paid-in capital
    80,620,182       81,018,989  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    912,731       63,722  
Retained earnings
    451,292,506       425,933,821  
Restricted stock plan
    (1,054,791 )     (1,127,412 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    537,453,391       511,603,736  
 
   
 
     
 
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 779,585,549     $ 762,586,764  
 
   
 
     
 
 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 


Table of Contents

THOR INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2004 AND 2003

                 
    2004
  2003
Net sales
  $ 632,726,092     $ 490,427,112  
Cost of products sold
    541,951,673       424,218,576  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Gross profit
    90,774,419       66,208,536  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    36,280,503       28,208,711  
Interest income
    804,063       480,250  
Interest expense
    42,441       51,605  
Other income
    760,612       652,278  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Income before income taxes
    56,016,150       39,080,748  
Provision for income taxes
    20,943,420       15,376,895  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 35,072,730     $ 23,703,853  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Average common shares outstanding:
               
Basic
    57,096,044       57,224,850  
Diluted
    57,356,181       57,641,876  
Earnings per common share:
               
Basic
  $ .61     $ .41  
Diluted
  $ .61     $ .41  
Dividends paid per common share:
  $ .03     $ .015  

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 


Table of Contents

THOR INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2004 AND 2003

                 
    2004
  2003
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 35,072,730     $ 23,703,853  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    2,277,070       1,801,969  
Amortization
    201,562       193,942  
Loss on disposition of assets
    7,883        
Loss on sale of trading investments
    470,223       192,765  
Unrealized loss on trading investments
    31,622       93,659  
Changes in non cash assets and liabilities, net of effect from acquisitions:
               
Purchases of trading investments
    (47,414,006 )     (30,403,377 )
Proceeds from sales of trading investments
    58,847,440       17,370,841  
Accounts receivable
    (23,016,435 )     (10,447,250 )
Inventories
    (13,683,935 )     (8,575,531 )
Deferred income taxes and other
    (10,308,493 )     (6,449,819 )
Accounts payable
    (20,713,518 )     (19,054,165 )
Accrued liabilities
    11,311,683       7,636,353  
Other liabilities
    565,320       897,294  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash used in operating activities
    (6,350,854 )     (23,039,466 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of property, plant & equipment
    (18,565,046 )     (5,777,532 )
Proceeds from disposition of assets
    20,300        
Acquisition of Damon
          (29,618,354 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (18,544,746 )     (35,395,886 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Cash dividends
    (1,714,445 )     (858,589 )
Purchase of common stock for retirement
    (8,490,265 )      
Retirement of Damon acquired debt
          (12,972,498 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    60,005       435,588  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
    (10,144,705 )     (13,395,499 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    849,009       699,375  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net decrease in cash and equivalents
    (34,191,296 )     (71,131,476 )
Cash and equivalents, beginning of year
    136,120,530       132,124,452  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash and equivalents, end of period
  $ 101,929,234     $ 60,992,976  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Supplemental cash flow Information:
               
Income taxes paid
  $ 5,758,528     $ 6,165,368  
Interest paid
    42,441       51,605  
Non cash transactions:
               
Retirement of treasury shares
  $ 8,490,265     $  

See notes to consolidated financial statements

 


Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   The July 31, 2004 amounts are from the annual audited financial statements. The interim financial statements are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which consist of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and change in cash flow for the interim periods presented have been made. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and 10-K/A for the year ended July 31, 2004. The results of operations for the three months ended October 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

2.   Major classifications of inventories are:
                 
    October 31, 2004
  July 31, 2004
Raw materials
  $ 74,655,377     $ 72,323,887  
Chassis
    29,184,534       30,161,715  
Work in process
    43,247,621       41,117,720  
Finished goods
    24,544,543       13,604,925  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total
    171,632,075       157,208,247  
Less excess of FIFO costs over LIFO costs
    10,359,886       9,619,993  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total inventories
  $ 161,272,189     $ 147,588,254  
 
   
 
     
 
 

3.   Earnings Per Share
                 
    Three Months   Three Months
    Ended   Ended
    October 31, 2004
  October 31, 2003
Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share
    57,096,044       57,224,850  
Stock options
    260,137       417,026  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total - For diluted shares
    57,356,181       57,641,876  
 
   
 
     
 
 

4.   Comprehensive Income
                 
    Three Months   Three Months
    Ended   Ended
    October 31, 2004
  October 31, 2003
Net income
  $ 35,072,730     $ 23,703,853  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    849,009       699,375  
Unrealized appr. on investments
          1,011,865  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Comprehensive income
  $ 35,921,739     $ 25,415,093  
 
   
 
     
 
 

5.   Segment Information
 
    Effective for the quarter ended April 30, 2004, the Company began presenting three reportable segments: 1.) towable recreation vehicles, 2.) motorized recreation vehicles, and 3.) buses. Previously, the Company was organized into two reportable segments, total recreation vehicles and buses. Previous segment information has been restated to conform to the current reportable segment presentation.

 


Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

                 
    Three Months   Three Months
    Ended   Ended
    October 31, 2004
  October 31, 2003
Net Sales:
               
Recreation vehicles:
               
Towables
  $ 440,161,301     $ 333,761,630  
Motorized
    142,134,889       99,209,713  
Buses
    50,429,902       57,455,769  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 632,726,092     $ 490,427,112  
 
   
 
     
 
 
                 
    Three Months   Three Months
    Ended   Ended
    October 31, 2004
  October 31, 2003
Income Before Income Taxes:
               
Recreation vehicles:
               
Towables
  $ 47,685,814     $ 31,547,179  
Motorized
    7,908,438       5,996,817  
Buses
    1,125,711       2,732,739  
Corporate
    (703,813 )     (1,195,987 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 56,016,150     $ 39,080,748  
 
   
 
     
 
 
                 
    October 31, 2004
  July 31, 2004
Identifiable Assets:
               
Recreation vehicles:
               
Towables
  $ 374,655,191     $ 324,041,069  
Motorized
    128,214,012       123,607,436  
Buses
    76,883,494       65,054,523  
Corporate
    199,832,852       249,883,736  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 779,585,549     $ 762,586,764  
 
   
 
     
 
 

6.   Treasury Shares
 
    The Company purchased and retired 323,200 shares of treasury stock in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 at an average cost of $26.27/share. This retirement resulted in a reduction of $32,320 in common stock and $458,345 in additional paid-in-capital and $7,999,600 in retained earnings.

7.   Investments
 
    The Company classifies its debt and equity securities as trading or available-for-sale. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. All securities not classified as trading are classified as available-for-sale. During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company decided to begin actively trading its equity securities previously classified as available-for-sale securities.
 
    Trading and available-for-sale investments are recorded at fair market value. Unrealized holding gains and losses on trading investments are included in earnings. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on available-for-sale investments are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes until realized. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale investments are determined on a specific-identification basis. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.
 
    The Company also holds certain corporate debt investments that are classified as trading investments and reported as Investments – short term.

 


Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

8.   Business Combination
 
    On September 2, 2003 Thor acquired 100% of the common stock of Damon Corporation (“Damon”). Damon is engaged in the business of manufacturing Class A motorhomes and park models. The cash price of the acquisition was $29,618,354, which was paid from internal funds. Immediately after the closing, the Company paid off a $12,972,498 bank debt assumed in connection with the acquisition.
 
    The following table summarizes the allocation of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:
         
Current assets
  $ 45,897,168  
Property, plant and equipment
    6,142,073  
Goodwill
    10,302,290  
Trademarks and non-compete agreements
    4,240,000  
Other assets
    450,510  
 
   
 
 
Total assets acquired
    67,032,041  
Current liabilities
    24,441,189  
Other liabilities
    12,972,498  
 
   
 
 
Net assets acquired
  $ 29,618,354  
 
   
 
 

    The purchase price allocation includes $640,000 of non-compete agreements, which will be amortized over seven to ten years, $10,302,290 of goodwill and $3,600,000 for trademarks that are not subject to amortization. The Company has made an election under Section 338 of the Internal Revenue Code allowing it to deduct non-compete, goodwill and trademarks for tax purposes.
 
    The primary reasons for the acquisition include Damon’s future earnings potential, its fit with our existing operations, its market share, and its cash flow. The results of operations for Damon are included in Thor’s operating results beginning September 3, 2003.
 
    Pro forma Information: Pro forma results of operations, as if the acquisition occurred as of the beginning of the period is presented below. These pro forma results may not be indicative of the actual results that would have occurred under the ownership and management of the Company.
                 
    Three Months   Three Months
    Ended   Ended
    October 31, 2004
  October 31, 2003
    (Actual)   (Pro Forma)
Net Sales
  $ 632,726,092     $ 512,428,175  
Net Income
    35,072,730       23,892,466  
Earnings per common share
               
Basic
  $ .61     $ .42  
Diluted
  $ .61     $ .41  

 


Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

9.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
    The components of other intangible assets are as follows:
                                 
    October 31, 2004
  July 31, 2004
            Accumulated           Accumulated
    Cost
  Amortization
  Cost
  Amortization
Amortized Intangible Assets:
                               
Non-compete agreements
  $ 14,713,367     $ 11,333,967     $ 14,713,367     $ 11,132,405  
                 
    Three Months   Three Months
    Ended   Ended
    October 31, 2004
  October 31, 2003
Non-compete Agreement:
               
Amortization Expense
  $ 201,562     $ 193,942  

    Non-compete agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis.
 
    Estimated Amortization Expense:
         
For the year ending July 2005
  $ 762,914  
For the year ending July 2006
  $ 676,247  
For the year ending July 2007
  $ 676,247  
For the year ending July 2008
  $ 676,247  
For the year ending July 2009
  $ 352,761  

    There was no change in the carrying amount of goodwill and trademarks for the three months ended October 31, 2004.
 
    As of October 31, 2004, Goodwill and Trademarks by segments totaled as follows:
                 
    Goodwill
  Trademarks
Recreation Vehicles:
               
Towable
  $ 123,309,631     $ 9,441,674  
Motorized
    17,252,031       2,600,000  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Recreation Vehicles
  $ 140,561,662     $ 12,041,674  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Bus
  $ 295,500     $ 227,968  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 140,857,162     $ 12,269,642  
 
   
 
     
 
 

10.   Warranty
 
    Thor provides customers of our products with a warranty covering defects in material or workmanship for periods generally ranging from one to two years, with longer warranties on certain structural components. We record a liability based on our best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date. Factors we use in estimating the warranty liability include a history of units sold, existing dealer inventory, average cost incurred and a profile of the distribution of warranty expenditures over the warranty period. A significant increase in dealer shop rates, the cost of parts or the frequency of claims could have a material adverse impact on our operating results for the period or periods in which such claims or additional costs materialize. Management believes that the warranty reserve is adequate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserves. Warranty reserves are reviewed and adjusted as necessary on a quarterly basis.

 


Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

                 
    Three Months   Three Months
    Ended   Ended
    October 31, 2004
  October 31, 2003
Beginning Balance
  $ 45,829,471     $ 35,114,825  
Provision
    14,794,839       15,662,900  
Payments
    (12,460,440 )     (11,788,055 )
Acquisitions
          3,725,260  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Ending Balance
  $ 48,163,870     $ 42,714,930  
 
   
 
     
 
 

11.   Stock Split
 
    In the second quarter of 2004, the Company declared a two-for-one common stock split that was distributed to shareholders of record as of January 5, 2004. All share and per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted for the effect of the common stock split.
 
12.   Commercial Commitments
 
    Our principal commercial commitments at October 31, 2004 are summarized in the following chart:
                 
    Total   Term of
Commitment
  Amount Committed
  Guarantee
Guarantee on dealer financing
  $ 3,643,000     less than 1 year
Standby repurchase obligation on dealer financing
  $ 617,503,000     less than 1 year

    The Company records repurchase and guarantee reserves based on prior experience and known current events. The combined repurchase and recourse reserve balances are approximately $562,000 and $546,000 as of October 31, 2004 and July 31, 2004, respectively. The Company incurred losses due to repurchases of approximately $170,000 and $130,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
 
13.   Stock-Based Compensation
 
    In December 2002, The Financial Accounting Standards Board “(FASB)” issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure.” This Statement amends the disclosure requirements of Statement 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” to require disclosure in interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results.
 
    As an alternative to accounting for stock-based compensation under APB No. 25, SFAS No. 123, establishes a fair-value method of accounting for employee stock options. The Company used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the grant date fair value of its option grants. The fair value is recognized over the option vesting period which is three years. Had compensation cost for these grants been determined in accordance with SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income and net earnings per common share would have been:

 


Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

                 
    Three Months   Three Months
    Ended   Ended
    October 31, 2004
  October 31, 2003
Net Income:
               
As reported
  $ 35,072,730     $ 23,703,853  
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value method for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (302,046 )     (97,704 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Pro Forma
  $ 34,770,684     $ 23,606,149  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Earnings Per Common Share – Basic
               
As reported
  $ .61     $ .41  
Pro forma
  $ .61     $ .41  
Earnings Per Common Share – Diluted
               
As reported
  $ .61     $ .41  
Pro forma
  $ .61     $ .41  

    The assumptions used in determining the fair value of options granted during the first quarter of fiscal 2005 are as follows:
         
Expected volatility
    38 %
Expected life of grant
  6 years
Risk free interest rate
    3.73 %
Expected dividend rate
    .29 %

14.   Acquisition
 
    On November 1, 2004, we completed our acquisition of the stock of DS Corp. dba CrossRoads RV, an Indiana corporation (“CrossRoads”), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of October 28, 2004, by and among our company, Thor Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of our company (“Acquisition Subsidiary”), CrossRoads and the securityholders of CrossRoads. CrossRoads is engaged in the business of manufacturing towable recreation vehicles. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Acquisition Subsidiary merged with and into CrossRoads, and CrossRoads continued as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”). In addition, as part of the Merger, certain members of management of CrossRoads entered into non-competition agreements with our company.
 
    The purchase price paid by us for the acquisition of the stock of CrossRoads was approximately $27 million, which was payable in cash and was funded from our cash on hand. The merger consideration paid for the stock of CrossRoads is subject to adjustment following the completion of audited financial statements after the closing of the Merger.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Executive Overview

We were founded in 1980 and have grown to be the largest manufacturer of Recreation Vehicles (“RV’s”) and small and midsize buses in North America. Our position in the travel trailer and fifth wheel segment of the industry, with the acquisition of CrossRoads RV, gives us an approximate 29.6% market share and in the motorized segment of the industry an approximate 11.5% market share. Our market share in small and mid-size buses is approximately 30.1%. We have recently entered the 40-foot bus market with a new facility in Southern California designed for that product as well as our existing 30-foot and 35-foot buses.

 


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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Our growth has been internal and by acquisition. Our strategy has been to increase our profitability in North America in the recreation vehicle industry and in the bus business by improving our facilities, product innovation, opportunistic acquisitions and manufacturing quality products. We have not purchased unrelated businesses and have no plans to do so in the future.

We rely on internally generated cash flows from operations to finance our growth although we may borrow to make an acquisition if we believe the incremental cash flows will assure rapid payback. We have invested significant capital to modernize our plant facilities and have expended approximately $54 million for that purpose in the past two fiscal years.

Our business model includes decentralized operating units and we compensate operating management based upon profitability of the unit which they manage. Our corporate staff provides financial management, centralized purchasing services, insurance, legal and human resources. Senior corporate management interacts regularly with operating management to assure that corporate objectives are understood clearly and are monitored appropriately.

Our RV products are sold to dealers who, in turn, retail those products. Our buses are sold through dealers to municipalities and private purchasers such as rental car companies and hotels. We do not directly finance dealers but do provide repurchase agreements in order to facilitate the dealers obtaining floor plan financing. We have a joint venture, Thor Credit, which provides retail credit to ultimate purchasers of recreation vehicles.

For management and reporting purposes, we segment our business into Recreation Vehicles – Towables and Motorized – and Buses.

Trends and Business Outlook

The most important determinants of demand for Recreation Vehicles are demographics. The baby boomer population is now reaching retirement age and retirees are a large market for our products. The baby boomer population in the United States is expected to grow 48% by 2010, or five times the expected 9% growth in the total United States population. We believe a primary indicator of the strength of the recreation vehicle industry is retail sales, which we closely monitor to determine industry trends.

Government entities are primary users of our buses. Demand in this segment is subject to fluctuations in government spending on transit. In addition, hotel and rental car companies are also major users of our small and mid-size buses and therefore airline travel is an important indicator for this market. The majority of our buses have a 5-year useful life, so that many of the buses we sold in 1999 and 2000 will need to be replaced.

Fuel price fluctuations have not historically influenced our sales materially and we do not anticipate that modest increases in interest rates will have a significant negative effect on such sales. Retail sales in the recreation vehicle industry have been strong due to low inflation, favorable interest rates, population trends and concerns about the safety of international travel.

Economic or industry-wide factors affecting our recreation vehicle business include raw material costs of commodities used in the manufacture of our product. Material cost is the primary factor determining our cost of goods sold. During fiscal 2005, we increased product prices on our RV segments approximately 1% to offset increased raw material costs. Price increases for buses were less than 1% due to continued soft market conditions and competitive pressures. Additional increases in raw material costs would impact our profit margins if we were unable to raise prices for our products by corresponding amounts without negatively affecting sales.

Effective for the quarter ended April 30, 2004, the Company began presenting three reportable segments: 1.) towable recreation vehicles, 2.) motorized recreation vehicles, and 3.) buses. Previously, the Company was organized into two reportable segments, total recreation vehicles and buses. Previous segment information has been restated to conform to the current reportable segment presentation.

 


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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Quarter Ended October 31, 2004 vs.
     Quarter Ended October 31, 2003

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 were up 29.0% to $632,726,092 compared to $490,427,112 for the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Income before income taxes in fiscal 2005 was $56,016,150, a 43.3% increase from $39,080,748 in fiscal 2004. The increase in income before income taxes of $16,935,402 in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 is the result of $18,050,256 of income from increased recreation vehicle revenues and reduced corporate costs of $492,174, due primarily to favorable settlements of certain insurance claims accrued in prior periods. Offsetting these items were reduced income of $1,607,028 by our bus companies.

Recreation vehicle revenues increased in fiscal 2005 by 34.5% to $582,296,190 compared to $432,971,343 in fiscal 2004, and accounted for 92% of total company revenues compared to 88% in fiscal 2004. Recreation vehicle backlogs of $209,622,000 at October 31, 2004, were down 4.2% compared to the same period last year. Bus revenues in fiscal 2005 decreased by 12.2% to $50,429,902 compared to $57,455,769 in fiscal 2004 and accounted for 8% of the total company revenues compared to 12% in fiscal 2004. Bus vehicle order backlog of $134,375,000 at October 31, 2004 was up 33.6% compared to the same period last year.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 increased to 14.3% from 13.5% for the same period last year. The increase in gross profits for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 is due primarily to reduced warranty costs and increased recreation vehicle revenues. Our bus segment gross profits have been affected by discounts offered to achieve bus contracts in a very competitive market place.

Selling, general and administrative expense and amortization of intangibles were $36,280,503 compared to $28,208,711 for the same period in fiscal 2004. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expense was 5.7% in fiscal 2005 and 5.8% in fiscal 2004. Amortization of intangibles was $201,562 in fiscal 2005 compared to $193,942 in fiscal 2004. The additional selling, general and administrative costs are due primarily to the increased costs associated with the 29.0% increase in revenue.

The overall effective tax rate was 37.4% for fiscal 2005 compared to 39.3% for fiscal 2004. The reduction in fiscal 2005 effective tax rate was due primarily to lower state effective rates and continued research and development tax credits.

The following table represents the results of our reporting segments for the quarter ended October 31, 2004 and 2003:

                                                 
    Three Months Ended 10/31/2004
                    Total                   Total
    Towables
  Motorized
  RV
  Buses
  Corporate
  Company
Net Sales
  $ 440,161,301     $ 142,134,889     $ 582,296,190     $ 50,429,902     $     $ 632,726,092  
# Units
    19,848       1,991       21,839       901               22,740  
Gross Profit
  $ 71,563,788     $ 14,435,467     $ 85,999,255     $ 4,775,164     $     $ 90,774,419  
% of net sales
    16.3 %     10.2 %     14.8 %     9.5 %           14.3 %
Income Before Income Tax:
  $ 47,685,814     $ 7,908,438     $ 55,594,252     $ 1,125,711     $ (703,813 )   $ 56,016,150  
% of net sales
    10.8 %     5.6 %     9.5 %     2.2 %             8.9 %

 


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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

                                                 
    Three Months Ended 10/31/2003
                    Total                   Total
    Towables
  Motorized
  RV
  Buses
  Corporate
  Company
Net Sales
  $ 333,761,630     $ 99,209,713     $ 432,971,343     $ 57,455,769     $     $ 490,427,112  
# Units
    17,706       1,498       19,204       1,010             20,214  
Gross Profit
  $ 50,550,618     $ 10,401,492     $ 60,952,110     $ 5,304,221     $ (47,795 )   $ 66,208,536  
% of net sales
    15.1 %     10.5 %     14.1 %     9.2 %             13.5 %
Income Before Income Tax:
  $ 31,547,179     $ 5,996,817     $ 37,543,996     $ 2,732,739     $ (1,195,987 )   $ 39,080,748  
% of net sales
    9.5 %     6.0 %     8.7 %     4.8 %             8.0 %
                 
    Order Backlog
    As of October 31 (000’s)
    2004
  2003
Recreation Vehicles:
               
Towables
  $ 130,063     $ 122,607  
Motorized
    79,559       96,113  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 209,622     $ 218,720  
Buses
  $ 134,375     $ 100,566  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Company
  $ 343,997     $ 319,286  
 
   
 
     
 
 

Financial Condition and Liquidity

As of October 31, 2004, we had $153,039,571 in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, compared to $199,166,146 on July 31, 2004. We classify our debt and equity securities as trading or available-for-sale securities. The former are carried on our consolidated balance sheets as “Cash and cash equivalents” or “Investments – short term”.

Trading securities, principally investment grade securities composed of asset-based notes, mortgage-backed notes and corporate bonds, are generally bought and held for sale in the near term. All other securities are classified as available-for-sale. In each case, securities are carried at fair market value. Unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included in earnings. Unrealized gains and losses on investments classified as available-for-sale, net of related tax effect, are not included in earnings, but appear as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income on our consolidated balance sheets until the gain or loss is realized upon the disposition of the investment or if a decline in the fair market value is determined to be other than temporary.

Due to the relative short-term maturity (average 3 months) of our trading securities, we do not believe that a change in the fair market value of these securities will have a significant impact on our financial position or results of future operations.

Working capital at October 31, 2004 was $266,175,046 compared to $256,198,030 on July 31, 2004. We have no long-term debt. We currently have a $30,000,000 revolving line of credit which bears interest at negotiated rates below prime and expires on November 30, 2005. There were no borrowings on this line of credit at October 31, 2004. The loan agreement executed in connection with the line of credit contains certain covenants, including restrictions on additional indebtedness, and requires us to maintain certain financial ratios. We believe that internally generated funds and the line of credit will be sufficient to meet our current needs and any additional capital requirements. Capital expenditures of approximately $18,565,000 for the three months ended October 31, 2004 were primarily for planned purchases of leased buildings of approximately $9,000,000 and planned capacity expansions of approximately $9,565,000 in our RV companies.

 


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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

The Company anticipates additional capital expenditures in fiscal 2005 of approximately $32,000,000. These expenditures will be made primarily to expand our RV companies and for replacement of machinery and equipment to be used in the ordinary course of business.

Critical Accounting Principles

The consolidated financial statements of Thor are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the use of estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. We believe that of our accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgments, estimates, and complexity:

Impairment of Goodwill, Trademarks and Long-Lived Assets

Thor at least annually reviews the carrying value of its goodwill and trademarks with indefinite useful lives. Long-lived assets, identifiable intangibles that are amortized, goodwill and trademarks with indefinite useful lives are also reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable from undiscounted future cash flows. This review is performed using estimates of future cash flows. If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Management believes that the estimates of future cash flows and fair values are reasonable; however, changes in estimates of such cash flows and fair values could affect the evaluations.

Insurance Reserves

Generally, we are self-insured for workers’ compensation and group medical insurance. Under these plans, liabilities are recognized for claims incurred, including those incurred but not reported, and changes in the reserves. At the time a workers’ compensation claim is filed, a liability is estimated to settle the claim. The liability for workers’ compensation claims is determined by a third party administrator using various state statutes and reserve requirements. Group medical reserves are funded through a Trust and are estimated using historical claims’ experience. We have a self-insured retention for products liability and personal injury matters of $5,000,000 per occurrence. We have established a reserve on our balance sheet for such occurrences based on historical data and actuarial information. We maintain excess liability insurance aggregating $5,000,000 with outside insurance carriers to minimize our risks related to catastrophic claims in excess of all our self-insured positions. Any material change in the aforementioned factors could have an adverse impact on our operating results.

Warranty

Thor provides customers of our products with a warranty covering defects in material or workmanship for periods generally ranging from one to two years, with longer warranties on certain structural components. We record a liability based on our best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date. Factors we use in estimating the warranty liability include a history of units sold, existing dealer inventory, average cost incurred and a profile of the distribution of warranty expenditures over the warranty period. A significant increase in dealer shop rates, the cost of parts or the frequency of claims could have a material adverse impact on our operating results for the period or periods in which such claims or additional costs materialize. Management believes that the warranty reserve is adequate; however, actual claims incurred could differ from estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserves. Warranty reserves are reviewed and adjusted as necessary on a quarterly basis.

 


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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

Forward Looking Statements

This report includes certain statements that are “forward looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. These forward-looking statements involve uncertainties and risks. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from the Company’s expectations. Factors which could cause materially different results include, among others, fuel availability, interest rate increases, increased material costs, the success of new product introductions, the pace of acquisitions and cost structure improvements, competition and general economic conditions. The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any change in expectation of the Company after the date hereof or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based except as required by law.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency related to its operations in Canada. However, because of the size of Canadian operations, a hypothetical 10% change in the Canadian dollar as compared to the U.S. dollar would not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company is also exposed to market risks related to interest rates because of its investments in corporate debt securities. A hypothetical 10% change in interest rates would not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedure, as required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms.

The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors which could significantly affect internal controls over financial reporting subsequent to the date the Company carried out its evaluation.

 


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PART II - Other Information

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

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

                                 
                    (c) Total Number   (d) Maximum Number
                    of Shares   (or Approximate
    (a) Total   (b)   (or Units)   Dollar Value)
    Number   Average   Purchased as   of Shares (or Units)
    of Shares   Price Paid   Part of Publicly   that May Yet Be
    (or Units)   Per Share   Announced Plans   Purchased Under the
Period
  Purchased
  (or Unit)
  or Programs(1)
  Plans or Programs
August 1, 2004 thru August 31, 2004
                       
September 1, 2004 thru September 30, 2004
                       
October 1, 2004 thru October 31, 2004
    323,200     $ 26.27       323,200       1,388,800  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total
    323,200     $ 26.27       323,200       1,388,800  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
(1)   On March 11, 2003, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved a share repurchase program, pursuant to which up to 1,000,000 shares of our common stock may be repurchased. In the second quarter of fiscal 2004, we affected a two-for-one stock split, resulting in 2,000,000 shares authorized for repurchase under the program. At October 31, 2004, 1,388,800 shares of common stock remained authorized for repurchase under the repurchase program. Repurchases may occur periodically within 18 to 24 months of the original announcement of the repurchase program.

Item 6. Exhibits

     a.) Exhibits

31.1   Chief Executive Officer’s Certification, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.
 
31.2   Chief Financial Officer’s Certification, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.1   Chief Executive Officer’s Certification, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002.
 
32.2   Chief Financial Officer’s Certification, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002.

 


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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 thereunto duly authorized.

         
      THOR INDUSTRIES, INC.
           (Registrant)
 
       
DATE: November 30, 2004
  /s/   Wade F. B. Thompson
     
 
      Wade F. B. Thompson
      Chairman of the Board, President
      and Chief Executive Officer
 
       
DATE: November 30, 2004
  /s/   Walter L. Bennett
     
 
      Walter L. Bennett
      Executive Vice President,
      Secretary and Chief Financial Officer