UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q/A

Amendment No. 1 to Form 10-Q

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended July 2, 2005.

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

Commission File Number 333-116590

 


MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

20-3547095

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or

(I.R.S. Employer identification No.)

organization)

 

 

4211 W. Boy Scout Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33607

(Address of principal executive offices)

(813) 871-4811
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Mueller Water Products, LLC
500 West Eldorado Street
Decatur, IL 62522-1808

(Former Name and Former Address
if Changed Since Last Reported)

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 o  No x

 

Common Stock

 

Shares Outstanding
As of August 5, 2005

 

Class A

 

$

0.01 Par Value

 

 

131,208,998

 

 

Class B

 

$

0.01 Par Value

 

 

89,343,699

 

 

 

 

 




Explanatory Note

Organizational Change

Mueller Water Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), was formerly known as Mueller Holding Company, Inc., and, effective February 2, 2006, is the “successor issuer” to Mueller Water Products, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to Rule 15d-5 promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Purpose of Amendment to Quarterly Report

The purpose of this Amendment No. 1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company is to restate the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended July 2, 2005. On December 14, 2005, the Company’s management and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors determined that the financial statements of the Company for the two years ended September 30, 2004 and interim periods of fiscal years 2005 and 2004 required restatement.

The 2005 Restatements reflect adjustments to correct cash flow statement errors related to foreign currency translation and book cash overdrafts, the misclassification of deferred income tax assets between current and non-current classifications in the balance sheet and the misclassification of depreciation expense between selling, general and administrative expense and cost of sales. The 2005 Restatements had no impact on the Company’s consolidated net income or the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Deficit. The nature and impact of these adjustments are described in Note 2: “Restatements” in this Form 10-Q/A.

For the convenience of the reader, this Form 10-Q/A sets forth the original Form 10-Q filed by the Company in its entirety. Except for the revision of management’s conclusion regarding the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of July 2, 2005 presented under Part1, Item 4, the Company has not modified or updated other disclosures presented in the original report on Form 10-Q except for the required effects of the 2005 Restatements. Accordingly, other than the items indicated above, this Form 10-Q/A does not reflect events occurring after the filing of the original Form 10-Q or modify or update those disclosures. Information not affected by the restatement is unchanged and reflects the disclosure made at the time of the original filing of the Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2005. Accordingly, this Form 10-Q/A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission subsequent to the filing of the original Form 10-Q. The following items have been amended as a result of the 2005 Restatements:

·       Part I—Item 1. Unaudited Financial Statements

·       Part I—Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

·       Part I—Item 4. Controls and Procedures; and

·       Part II—Item 6. Exhibits




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JULY 2, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

3

Item 1. 

Unaudited Financial Statements

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

5

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

6

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

26

Item 3. 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

40

Item 4. 

Controls and Procedures

 

40

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

43

Item 6. 

Exhibits

 

43

Signatures

 

44

 

2




PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.                FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

September 30,
2004
(restated)

 

July 2,
2005
(restated)

 

 

 

(unaudited)
(dollars in millions)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

$

60.5

 

 

$

74.3

 

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5.1 and $5.3, respectively 

 

 

162.0

 

 

160.9

 

Inventories

 

 

260.2

 

 

309.7

 

Income taxes receivable

 

 

4.1

 

 

0.7

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

21.8

 

 

23.9

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

28.9

 

 

26.3

 

Total current assets

 

 

537.5

 

 

595.8

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

186.8

 

 

173.5

 

Goodwill, net

 

 

163.2

 

 

163.2

 

Identifiable intangibles, net

 

 

55.2

 

 

53.1

 

Pension intangible

 

 

0.8

 

 

0.8

 

Deferred financing fees, net

 

 

37.4

 

 

33.5

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

8.3

 

 

14.8

 

Total assets

 

 

$

989.2

 

 

$

1,034.7

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

$

57.6

 

 

$

58.7

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

3.2

 

 

3.9

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

85.9

 

 

83.6

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

146.7

 

 

146.2

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

 

 

1,036.2

 

 

1,047.8

 

Accrued pension liability

 

 

29.2

 

 

33.7

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

7.8

 

 

3.6

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,219.9

 

 

1,231.3

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable common stock

 

 

1.7

 

 

1.7

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A, $0.01 par value (400,000,000 shares authorized and 131,208,998 issued) 

 

 

1.3

 

 

1.3

 

Class B, $0.01 par value, convertible, non-voting (150,000,000 shares authorized and 89,343,699 shares issued)

 

 

0.9

 

 

0.9

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(218.6

)

 

(186.7

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(16.0

)

 

(13.8

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

(232.4

)

 

(198.3

)

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

$

989.2

 

 

$

1,034.7

 

 

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

3




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

June 26, 2004

 

July 2, 2005

 

 

 

(restated)

 

(restated)

 

 

 

(unaudited)
(dollars in millions)

 

Net sales

 

 

$

289.1

 

 

 

$

296.9

 

 

Cost of sales

 

 

206.3

 

 

 

202.1

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

82.8

 

 

 

94.8

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense, including stock compensation expense

 

 

65.9

 

 

 

45.9

 

 

Facility rationalization, restructuring and related costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

48.9

 

 

Interest expense and early repayment costs

 

 

(21.7

)

 

 

(23.4

)

 

Interest income

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

(4.7

)

 

 

25.9

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

(5.3

)

 

 

9.9

 

 

Net income

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

 

$

16.0

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

June 26, 2004

 

July 2, 2005

 

 

 

(restated)

 

(restated)

 

 

 

(unaudited)
(dollars in millions)

 

Net sales

 

 

$

745.6

 

 

 

$

838.2

 

 

Cost of sales

 

 

541.0

 

 

 

583.0

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

204.6

 

 

 

255.2

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense, including stock compensation expense

 

 

141.3

 

 

 

133.8

 

 

Facility rationalization, restructuring and related costs

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

Operating income

 

 

62.4

 

 

 

119.8

 

 

Interest expense and early repayment costs

 

 

(42.1

)

 

 

(68.0

)

 

Interest income

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

52.8

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

20.9

 

 

Net income

 

 

$

15.9

 

 

 

$

31.9

 

 

 

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

4




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

June 26,
2004

 

July 2,
2005

 

 

 

(restated)

 

(restated)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

15.9

 

 

$

31.9

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

34.3

 

 

32.7

 

 

Amortization of intangibles and tooling

 

15.2

 

 

4.1

 

 

Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps

 

(10.4

)

 

(4.2

)

 

Accretion on senior discount notes and amortization of bond discount

 

2.4

 

 

14.1

 

 

Write-off of deferred financing fees

 

7.0

 

 

 

 

All other adjustments

 

7.2

 

 

(3.8

)

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

(16.8

)

 

1.6

 

 

Inventories

 

(9.2

)

 

(48.8

)

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(3.7

)

 

(5.2

)

 

All other changes, net

 

9.1

 

 

10.7

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

51.0

 

 

33.1

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

(17.4

)

 

(20.8

)

 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

(19.8

)

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(37.2

)

 

(20.8

)

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book cash overdrafts

 

7.9

 

 

3.6

 

 

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

 

9.2

 

 

 

 

Payment of short-term borrowings

 

(9.2

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

1,070.1

 

 

 

 

Payment of long-term debt, including capital lease obligations

 

(604.4

)

 

(2.4

)

 

Redemption of preferred stock

 

(106.5

)

 

 

 

Payment of deferred financing fees

 

(34.5

)

 

 

 

Dividends paid (excluding amounts paid to optionholders)

 

(386.6

)

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(54.0

)

 

1.2

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(40.2

)

 

13.8

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

73.0

 

 

60.5

 

 

End of period

 

$

32.8

 

 

$

74.3

 

 

 

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

5




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

1.   Basis of Presentation

Mueller Water Products, Inc. (formerly Mueller Holdings (N.A.), Inc.) (“Mueller Water” or the “Company”) is the parent company of Mueller Group, Inc. (“Group”). The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Mueller Water have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes do not contain certain information included in the Company’s annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments that are considered necessary for a fair financial statement presentation have been made. Operating results for the three and nine months ended July 2, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2004 as found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

2.   Restatements

This note is comprised of two sections: 2005 Restatements and 2004 Restatements.   The 2004 Restatements were previously reported in the original Form 10-Q.

2005 Restatements

In the course of finalizing the September 30, 2005 financial statements, the Company determined that certain items included in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows, the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Consolidated Balance Sheets were not properly classified in annual and interim periods. The interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended June 26, 2004 and July 2, 2005, respectively, were restated for the following items:

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

In interim periods during fiscal 2004 and 2005, the Company presented the entire change related to foreign currency translation in the “Effect of exchange rate changes on cash” line item in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows. The portion of cash flow changes related to increases or decreases in assets and liabilities associated with operating, investing and financing activities did not consider the amount of the change related to foreign currency translation.

Book cash overdrafts

In interim periods during fiscal 2004 and 2005, cash accounts in book cash overdraft positions were netted with accounts where legal right of offset did not exist. On the Consolidated Balance Sheets, cash and cash equivalents should have increased and a liability recorded with respect to such book cash overdrafts by comparable amounts. The change in the book cash overdraft should have been reflected as a financing activity in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows and should have been included in accounts payable and as an increase in cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of July 2, 2005.

6




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

2.   Restatements (Continued)

Current and Non-current deferred income taxes

In interim periods during fiscal 2004 and 2005, the Company should have classified certain deferred income tax assets as current in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, based on the nature of the underlying temporary difference, but included such temporary differences incorrectly as non-current.

Misclassification of depreciation expense

In interim periods during fiscal 2004 and 2005, the Company incorrectly classified certain depreciation expense amounts as selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when it should have been reported as cost of sales.

The 2005 Restatements had no impact on the Company’s consolidated net income or the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Deficit for any of the prior periods presented.

2004 Restatements

In November 2004, the Company’s Audit Committee was notified of alleged potential accounting improprieties concerning the Company’s accounting for inventory reserves and certain questions concerning revenue recognition. The Audit Committee appointed an independent law firm to investigate the allegations. The law firm delivered a report that identified several areas requiring financial review by the Company principally concerning accounting for excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory, the capitalization of costs relating to a project that should have been expensed in prior periods, the accrual of reserves for this project without identifying support for such accruals and the timing of recognition of revenue with regard to full truckload shipments that were not immediately dispatched to customers by certain freight carriers used by the Company. The Company also identified some additional annual and interim items recorded in incorrect periods in the course of finalizing the 2004 financial statements. In addition, the Company determined that the value it assigned to stock compensation in connection with its April 2004 recapitalization should be revised. As a result of these findings, the Company restated its annual and interim financial statements.

The interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended June 26, 2004 were restated for the following items:

Inventory valuation adjustments

The Company determined that certain reports utilized in the assessment and establishment of excess and obsolete provisions were inaccurate and that certain items were erroneously eliminated from the provision. The interim financial statements were restated to reflect the decrease in inventory value and increase in cost of goods sold to reflect an adjustment to properly record the provision for excess and obsolete inventory reserves.

Stock-based compensation

The Company determined that the compensation expense recorded in April 2004 in connection with the Company’s recapitalization did not properly reflect the current fair value of the Company’s common

7




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

2.   Restatements (Continued)

stock. The financial statements for the three months and nine months ended June 26, 2004 were restated to record stock compensation expense based on the fair value of the common stock issued.

Warrants

The Company determined that the fair value of the Company’s common stock used to measure the consideration for warrants attached to the Company’s 14 ¾% senior discount notes due 2014 did not reflect the stock’s current fair value. The financial statements for the three months and nine months ended June 26, 2004 were restated to reflect the appropriate fair value of the common stock which resulted in an increase in additional paid-in capital and a decrease in amounts ascribed to long-term debt for the warrants issued as a unit with the senior discount notes. The adjusted value of the warrants was recorded as debt discount, and resulted in an increase in interest expense associated with amortization of this debt discount over the life of the senior discount notes.

Research and development costs

The Company purchased certain inventory and tooling for a development project that was initially recorded in inventory and capitalized to the extent such cost related to tooling. Since there were no alternative future uses for these items, they should have been recorded as an expense as they were incurred, and no expense should have been recorded in 2004 interim periods. The interim financial statements were restated to reflect this as a research and development expense (Selling, General & Administrative) in the proper periods.

Revenue recognition adjustments

Revenues related to certain full-truckload customer shipments that were not immediately dispatched to customers by certain freight carriers used by the Company originally recognized should have been deferred until such time as the trucks were dispatched and the products delivered to the customers. The interim financial statements were restated to reflect the recognition of revenue in the proper periods.

Inventory journal entries

Unauthorized journal entries were recorded, which increased the value of inventory inappropriately. The interim financial statements were restated to reduce the inventory value and increase cost of goods sold.

Intercompany profit elimination

There was an error, which initially arose in the first quarter of 2004, in the estimated amount of intercompany profit elimination recorded during the interim periods in the year ended September 30, 2004.

Deferred financing fees

Previously expensed financing fees associated with an amendment to our senior credit facility in the first quarter of 2004 should have been capitalized and amortized over the remaining term of the facility.

8




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

2.   Restatements (Continued)

Income tax effect of adjustments

As a result of the aforementioned adjustments, the income tax provisions in the interim financial statements for fiscal 2004 were also revised. Additionally, the Company changed the classification of $3.7 million of tax obligations previously presented as part of non-current deferred tax assets as other long-term liabilities on the June 26, 2004 balance sheet.

The following tables set forth the effects of the 2005 and 2004 Restatements discussed above on the financial statements as of July 2, 2005 and for the three and nine months ended June 26, 2004 and July 2, 2005 as follows:

Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

June 26, 2004

 

June 26, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

as restated

 

as restated

 

 

 

as restated

 

as restated

 

 

 

as originally

 

for 2004

 

for 2005

 

as originally

 

for 2004

 

for 2005

 

 

 

reported(A)

 

Restatements(B)

 

Restatements

 

reported(A)

 

Restatements(B)

 

Restatements

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Net sales

 

 

$

288.7

 

 

 

$

289.1

 

 

 

$

289.1

 

 

 

$

743.6

 

 

 

$

745.6

 

 

 

$

745.6

 

 

Cost of sales

 

 

205.7

 

 

 

204.5

 

 

 

206.3

 

 

 

533.7

 

 

 

535.7

 

 

 

541.0

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

83.0

 

 

 

84.6

 

 

 

82.8

 

 

 

209.9

 

 

 

209.9

 

 

 

204.6

 

 

Selling, general and
administrative expense,
including stock
compensation expense 

 

 

63.1

 

 

 

67.7

 

 

 

65.9

 

 

 

142.4

 

 

 

146.6

 

 

 

141.3

 

 

Facility rationalization and related costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

Operating income

 

 

19.9

 

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

66.6

 

 

 

62.4

 

 

 

62.4

 

 

Interest expense and early repayment costs

 

 

(20.8

)

 

 

(21.7

)

 

 

(21.7

)

 

 

(42.0

)

 

 

(42.1

)

 

 

(42.1

)

 

Interest income

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

Income before income
taxes

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(4.7

)

 

 

(4.7

)

 

 

25.1

 

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

20.8

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

(3.8

)

 

 

(5.3

)

 

 

(5.3

)

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

Net income

 

 

$

3.0

 

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

 

$

18.5

 

 

 

$

15.9

 

 

 

$

15.9

 

 

 

9




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

2.   Restatements (Continued)

The following table shows the effects of the various 2004 Restatement on net income. The 2005 Restatements had no impact on the Company’s consolidated net income.

 

Three months

 

Nine months

 

 

 

ended

 

ended

 

 

 

June 26, 2004

 

June 26, 2004

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Net income, as originally reported(A)

 

 

$

3.0

 

 

 

$

18.5

 

 

Increased (decreased) pretax earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventory valuation adjustments

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

Research & development costs

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

Revenue recognition adjustments

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

Inventory journal entries

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

(5.4

)

 

 

(5.4

)

 

Warrants

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

Intercompany profit elimination

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

(1.3

)

 

Deferred financing fees

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

 

 

Total pre-tax adjustments

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

(4.3

)

 

Income tax effect of adjustments

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

Net income, as restated(B)

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

 

$

15.9

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

July 2, 2005

 

July 2, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

as restated

 

 

 

as restated

 

 

 

as originally

 

for 2005

 

as originally

 

for 2005

 

 

 

reported(C)

 

Restatements

 

reported(C)

 

Restatements

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Cost of sales

 

 

$

200.2

 

 

 

$

202.1

 

 

 

$

577.7

 

 

 

$

583.0

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

96.7

 

 

 

94.8

 

 

 

260.5

 

 

 

255.2

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expense,
including stock compensation expense 

 

 

47.8

 

 

 

45.9

 

 

 

139.1

 

 

 

133.8

 

 

 

10




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

September 30, 2004

 

July 2, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

as restated

 

 

 

as restated

 

 

 

as originally

 

for 2005

 

as originally

 

for 2005

 

 

 

reported(C)

 

Restatements

 

reported(C)

 

Restatements

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

$

55.6

 

 

 

$

60.5

 

 

 

$

65.8

 

 

 

$

74.3

 

 

Deferred income taxes—current

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

21.8

 

 

 

10.1

 

 

 

23.9

 

 

Current assets

 

 

519.8

 

 

 

537.5

 

 

 

573.5

 

 

 

595.8

 

 

Deferred income taxes—non-current

 

 

21.1

 

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

28.6

 

 

 

14.8

 

 

Total assets

 

 

984.3

 

 

 

989.2

 

 

 

1,026.2

 

 

 

1,034.7

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

52.7

 

 

 

57.6

 

 

 

50.2

 

 

 

58.7

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

141.8

 

 

 

146.7

 

 

 

137.7

 

 

 

146.2

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,215.0

 

 

 

1,219.9

 

 

 

1,222.8

 

 

 

1,231.3

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit

 

 

984.3

 

 

 

989.2

 

 

 

1,026.2

 

 

 

1,034.7

 

 

 

Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows

 

Nine months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

June 26, 2004

 

July 2, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

as restated

 

as restated

 

 

 

as restated

 

 

 

as originally

 

for 2004

 

for 2005

 

as originally

 

for 2005

 

 

 

reported(A)

 

Restatements(B)

 

Restatements

 

reported(C)

 

Restatements

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

 

$

(14.7

)

 

 

$

(16.7

)

 

 

$

(16.8

)

 

 

$

1.1

 

 

 

$

1.6

 

 

Inventories

 

 

(9.9

)

 

 

(9.1

)

 

 

(9.2

)

 

 

(49.5

)

 

 

(48.8

)

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses
and other current liabilities 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(4.8

)

 

 

(5.2

)

 

Other, net

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

10.7

 

 

Cash flows provided by operating
activities

 

 

50.2

 

 

 

50.8

 

 

 

51.0

 

 

 

31.2

 

 

 

33.1

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book cash overdrafts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

Cash flows used in financing
activities

 

 

(61.9

)

 

 

(61.9

)

 

 

(54.0

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

1.2

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents

 

 

(48.1

)

 

 

(48.1

)

 

 

(40.2

)

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

13.8

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents—beginning
of period

 

 

71.4

 

 

 

71.4

 

 

 

73.0

 

 

 

55.6

 

 

 

60.5

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents—end of
period

 

 

23.3

 

 

 

23.3

 

 

 

32.8

 

 

 

65.8

 

 

 

74.3

 

 

 

11




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

 

Segment Information

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

June 26, 2004

 

June 26, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

as restated

 

 

 

as restated

 

 

 

as originally

 

for 2004

 

as originally

 

for 2004

 

 

 

reported(A)

 

Restatements(B)

 

reported(A)

 

Restatements(B)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

$

172.4

 

 

 

$

172.8

 

 

 

$

432.7

 

 

 

$

434.7

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

116.3

 

 

 

116.3

 

 

 

310.9

 

 

 

310.9

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

288.7

 

 

 

289.1

 

 

 

743.6

 

 

 

745.6

 

 

Segment EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

45.2

 

 

 

46.0

 

 

 

111.4

 

 

 

113.0

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

12.4

 

 

 

28.8

 

 

 

28.4

 

 

Total segment EBITDA

 

 

56.0

 

 

 

58.4

 

 

 

140.2

 

 

 

141.4

 

 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

39.5

 

 

 

40.3

 

 

 

93.5

 

 

 

95.1

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

16.1

 

 

 

15.7

 

 

Corporate

 

 

(26.1

)

 

 

(31.5

)

 

 

(43.0

)

 

 

(48.4

)

 

Consolidated

 

 

19.9

 

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

66.6

 

 

 

62.4

 

 

 

 

At September 30, 2004

 

At July 2, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

as restated

 

 

 

as restated

 

 

 

as originally

 

for 2005

 

as originally

 

for 2005

 

 

 

reported(C)

 

Restatements

 

reported(C)

 

Restatements

 

(dollars in millions)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

(unaudited)

 

Total assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

$

500.0

 

 

 

$

500.0

 

 

 

$

507.4

 

 

 

$

507.4

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

307.9

 

 

 

307.9

 

 

 

336.2

 

 

 

336.2

 

 

Corporate

 

 

176.4

 

 

 

181.3

 

 

 

182.6

 

 

 

191.1

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

$

984.3

 

 

 

$

989.2

 

 

 

$

1,026.2

 

 

 

$

1,034.7

 

 

 


(A)       Represents the amounts originally reported before the 2004 and 2005 Restatements described herein.

(B)        The 2004 Restatements were initially presented in the original fiscal year 2005 Form 10-Q filings. No previous Form 10-Q/A’s were filed for the 2004 Restatements.

(C)        Represents the amounts originally reported in the Form 10-Q in fiscal year 2005.

 

12




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

3.   Segment Information

Our operations consist of two operating segments: water infrastructure and piping systems. Water infrastructure products consist primarily of hydrants, water and gas valves and related products used in water, power and gas distribution. Piping systems products consist primarily of pipe fittings and couplings, pipe nipples and hangers and purchased products related to piping systems used in a variety of applications.

Intersegment sales and transfers are made at established intersegment selling prices generally intended to cover costs. Our determination of segment earnings does not reflect allocations of certain corporate expenses not attributable to segment operations and intersegment eliminations, which we designate as Corporate in the segment presentation, and is before interest expense and early debt repayment costs, interest income and income taxes. Corporate expenses include costs related to financial and administrative matters, treasury, risk management, human resources, legal counsel, and tax functions. Corporate assets include items booked at the date of the Company’s inception in 1999 related to purchase accounting valuation adjustments associated with property, plant and equipment and non-compete agreements with the predecessor parent company, as well as intangibles associated with intellectual property. These assets and any related depreciation or amortization expense were not pushed down to our water infrastructure products and piping systems products segments and are maintained as Corporate items. Therefore, segment earnings are not reflective of results on a stand-alone basis.

13




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

3.   Segment Information (Continued)

The Company evaluates segment performance based on segment EBITDA. Segment EBITDA is defined as net income plus income tax expense, interest expense (not net of interest income), depreciation and amortization expense. Segment assets consist primarily of accounts receivable, inventories, property, plant and equipment—net, goodwill, and identifiable intangibles. Summarized financial information for our segments follows:

 

 

Three months
ended
June 26, 2004

 

Three months
ended
July 2, 2005

 

Nine months
ended
June 26, 2004

 

Nine months
ended
July 2, 2005

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

Net Sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

$

172.8

 

 

 

$

172.1

 

 

 

$

434.7

 

 

 

$

480.8

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

116.3

 

 

 

124.8

 

 

 

310.9

 

 

 

357.4

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

289.1

 

 

 

296.9

 

 

 

745.6

 

 

 

838.2

 

 

Intersegment sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

10.1

 

 

 

10.6

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

10.6

 

 

 

11.2

 

 

Segment EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

46.0

 

 

 

52.7

 

 

 

113.0

 

 

 

131.9

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

12.4

 

 

 

17.2

 

 

 

28.4

 

 

 

47.5

 

 

Total segment EBITDA

 

 

58.4

 

 

 

69.9

 

 

 

141.4

 

 

 

179.4

 

 

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

17.9

 

 

 

16.9

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

12.7

 

 

 

12.9

 

 

Corporate

 

 

6.3

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

18.9

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

16.3

 

 

 

11.4

 

 

 

49.5

 

 

 

36.8

 

 

Impairment charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

9.3

 

 

 

13.0

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

6.8

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

17.4

 

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

14




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

3.   Segment Information (Continued)

 

 

At September 30, 2004
(restated)

 

At July 2, 2005
(restated)

 

Total assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

$

500.0

 

 

 

$

507.4

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

307.9

 

 

 

336.2

 

 

Corporate

 

 

181.3

 

 

 

191.1

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

989.2

 

 

 

1,034.7

 

 

Goodwill:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

149.1

 

 

 

149.1

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

14.1

 

 

 

14.1

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

163.2

 

 

 

163.2

 

 

Identifiable intangibles:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

Corporate

 

 

42.7

 

 

 

42.7

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

55.2

 

 

 

53.1

 

 

 

The Company evaluates segment performance based on segment EBITDA. A reconciliation of segment EBITDA to consolidated income before income taxes follows:

 

 

 

Three months
ended
June 26, 2004

 

Three months
ended
July 2, 2005

 

Nine months
ended
June  26, 2004

 

Nine months
ended
July 2, 2005

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

Total segment EBITDA

 

 

$

58.4

 

 

 

$

69.9

 

 

 

$

141.4

 

 

 

$

179.4

 

 

Unallocated corporate costs

 

 

(25.1

)

 

 

(9.2

)

 

 

(29.0

)

 

 

(21.8

)

 

Interest expense and early repayment costs

 

 

(21.7

)

 

 

(23.4

)

 

 

(42.1

)

 

 

(68.0

)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(16.3

)

 

 

(11.4

)

 

 

(49.5

)

 

 

(36.8

)

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

$

(4.7

)

 

 

$

25.9

 

 

 

$

20.8

 

 

 

$

52.8

 

 

 

15




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

3.   Segment Information (Continued)

Geographical area information with respect to net sales, as determined by the location of the customer invoiced, and property, plant and equipment—net, as determined by the physical location of the assets, were as follows for the three and nine months ended June 26, 2004 and July 2, 2005:

 

 

Three months
ended
June 26, 2004

 

Three months
ended
July 2, 2005

 

Nine months
ended
June 26, 2004

 

Nine months
ended
July 2, 2005

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

$

238.6

 

 

 

$

238.2

 

 

 

$

620.6

 

 

 

$

686.3

 

 

Canada

 

 

46.5

 

 

 

55.2

 

 

 

116.7

 

 

 

144.5

 

 

Other Countries

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

7.4

 

 

 

 

 

$

289.1

 

 

 

$

296.9

 

 

 

$

745.6

 

 

 

$

838.2

 

 

 

 

 

At September 30, 2004

 

At July 2, 2005

 

Property, plant and equipment, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

$

173.7

 

 

 

$

160.3

 

 

Canada

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

11.7

 

 

Other Countries

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

$

186.8

 

 

 

$

173.5

 

 

 

4.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Fiscal Year—The Company’s fiscal year ends on September 30. The Company’s third quarter ends on the Saturday closest to June 30.

Inventory—Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market value. Additionally, the Company evaluates its inventory reserves in terms of excess and obsolete exposures. This evaluation includes such factors as anticipated usage, inventory turnover, inventory levels and ultimate product sales value. These factors may change over time causing the reserve level to adjust accordingly.

Warranty Costs—The Company accrues for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time of product sale based on historical experience. Adjustments to obligations for warranties are made as changes in the obligations become reasonably estimable. The following table summarizes information concerning the Company’s product warranty obligations:

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

June 26, 2004

 

July 2, 2005

 

June 26, 2004

 

July 2, 2005

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

 

$

0.9

 

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

 

$

0.9

 

 

 

$

1.6

 

 

Accruals for warranties

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

Settlement of warranty claims

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(1.5

)

 

Balance at end of period

 

 

$

2.0

 

 

 

$

1.7

 

 

 

$

2.0

 

 

 

$

1.7

 

 

 

16




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

4.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Continued)

Comprehensive Income—The Company’s comprehensive income for the three months ended June 26, 2004, and July 2, 2005 includes foreign currency translation losses of $(1.1) million and $(1.2) million, respectively and minimum pension liability adjustment of $(0.4) million for the three months ended June 26, 2004. The Company’s comprehensive income for the nine months ended June 26, 2004 and July 2, 2005 includes foreign currency translation gains of $0.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively, and minimum pension liability adjustment of $(0.4) million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004.

Related Party Transactions—Substantially all of the outstanding shares of our common stock are held by DLJ Merchant Banking Partners II, L.P. and its affiliates (the “DLJ Funds”). On July 23, 1999, the Company and its subsidiary, Mueller Group, Inc., entered into a financial advisory agreement with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (“DLJ”) whereby the Company committed to pay DLJ for financial advisory services provided by DLJ. On April 27, 2004, Credit Suisse, as successor to DLJ, assigned its rights under the financial advisory agreement to DLJ Merchant Banking II, Inc. (“DLJ Merchant Banking”), other than the right to provide services to the Company and receive customary compensation for such services in connection with a “Transaction”, generally defined in the financial advisory agreement to be a sale or disposition of the Company, a significant acquisition by the Company or a refinancing or restructuring of the Company’s debt or equity. Credit Suisse and DLJ Merchant Banking are affiliates of the DLJ Funds.

The aggregate amount of all fees incurred by the Company with DLJ Merchant Banking and Credit Suisse under the financial advisory agreement was approximately $24.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively, for each of the three-month periods ended June 26, 2004 and July 2, 2005 and $25.1 million and $0.4 million for the nine-month periods ended June 26, 2004 and July 2, 2005, respectively. Included in fees paid during the three- and nine-month periods ended June 26, 2004 was $24.4 million related to the Company’s April 2004 recapitalization. Under the financial advisory agreement, Credit Suisse will be entitled to receive fees in connection with the closing of the pending merger of the Company and Walter Industries. See Note 5—Merger Announcement and Acquisitions.

5.   Merger Announcement and Acquisitions

Merger Announcement

As previously announced, on June 17, 2005, the Company entered into a definitive merger agreement with Walter Industries, Inc. (“Walter Industries”) whereby Walter Industries will acquire the Company for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.91 billion, consisting of approximately $860 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $1.05 billion in Company debt, based on the Company’s balance sheet as of April 2, 2005, subject to the post-closing adjustments specified in the merger agreement based on the Company’s working capital upon the closing of the transaction. As a result of the merger, the Company’s shares of common stock will be converted into the right to receive the applicable merger consideration in cash at the closing, subject to the post-closing adjustments. Upon closing of the transaction, the outstanding warrants of the Company will become rights to receive cash upon exercise of the warrants based on the number of shares underlying the warrants.

17




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

5.   Merger Announcement and Acquisitions (Continued)

Also, as previously disclosed, the Company will cause its subsidiary, Mueller Group, Inc. (“Group”), to commence a tender offer and consent solicitation for Group’s second priority senior secured floating rate notes due 2011, and the closing of the tender offer and consent solicitation would be simultaneous with the merger closing but is not a condition to the merger closing. Group’s senior credit facility will be refinanced at merger closing. In addition, the holders of the Company’s 14 ¾% senior discount notes due 2014 and Group’s 10% senior subordinated notes due 2012 will have the right to put these notes to their respective issuers following the change of control resulting from the consummation of the merger transaction in accordance with the respective indentures. See Note 7—Long Term Debt.

The merger is subject to customary conditions to closing, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and the funding of Walter Industries’ committed financing, and there can be no assurance that the transaction will be consummated.

Acquisitions

Effective January 15, 2004, the Company acquired certain assets of Star Pipe, Inc. (“Star”). The acquisition was accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 141 and the operating results were included in the consolidated results since the date of acquisition. Star is a leading distributor of cast and grooved fittings and couplings sourced outside of the United States. The Star acquisition provided an entry into the marketplace for these foreign-sourced products. The acquisition’s purchase price was $17 million, paid in cash at closing, plus possible deferred purchase price payments, as discussed below.

The following summary presents the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities assumed as of January 15, 2004:

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Current assets

 

 

$

13.1

 

 

Property, plant & equipment

 

 

0.4

 

 

Intangible assets

 

 

6.7

 

 

Total assets

 

 

$

20.2

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

3.2

 

 

Net assets acquired

 

 

$

17.0

 

 

 

As part of the acquisition, the Company agreed to a future payment to be made to the seller to the extent that the gross profit of the acquired business exceeds a targeted gross profit. The maximum potential deferred payment amount is $23 million. Management currently estimates the deferred payment could total approximately $3 to $6 million for the three-year deferred payment period which began February 1, 2004 and ends January 31, 2007. This estimated deferred payment amount is based on management’s best estimate, but the actual deferred payment could be materially different. The liability for such deferred payment will be recorded at the end of each twelve-month period ending January 31, 2005, 2006 or 2007, in accordance with the purchase agreement. No deferred payment was earned for the twelve months ended January 31, 2005.

18




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

5.   Merger Announcement and Acquisitions (Continued)

The intangible assets acquired include trademarks, customer relationships and a non-compete agreement with the former owners. These intangibles are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of ten years, three years and five years, respectively.

Also effective January 15, 2004, the Company acquired certain assets of Modern Molded Products (“Modern Molded”). The acquisition was accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 141 and the operating results were included in the consolidated results since the date of acquisition. The purchase of the assets and technology of Modern Molded has enabled the Company to internally produce parts that were previously purchased, thereby reducing spending and increasing product supply line predictability. The acquisition’s purchase price was $2.8 million, and was paid in cash.

The following summary presents the estimated fair values of the assets and liabilities assumed as of January 15, 2004:

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Current assets

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

Property, plant & equipment

 

 

0.7

 

 

Intangible assets

 

 

1.9

 

 

Net assets acquired

 

 

$

2.8

 

 

 

The intangible assets acquired include a non-compete agreement with the former owners and purchased technology. These intangibles are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of five years.

The following unaudited pro forma summary presents the consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 26, 2004 as if the acquisitions of Star and Modern Molded had occurred as of October 1, 2003:

 

 

Three months
ended

 

Nine months
ended

 

 

 

June 26, 2004

 

June 26, 2004

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Net Sales

 

 

$

289.1

 

 

 

$

753.0

 

 

Net income

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

16.1

 

 

 

The unaudited consolidated pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the combined results that would have occurred had the acquisitions occurred on that date, nor is it indicative of the results that may occur in the future.

6.   New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.” SFAS No. 123(R) replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” SFAS No. 123(R) requires compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award.

19




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

6.   New Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)

Public companies are required to adopt the new standard using a modified prospective method and may elect to restate prior periods using the modified retrospective method. Under the modified prospective method, companies are required to record compensation cost for new and modified awards over the related vesting period of such awards prospectively and record compensation cost prospectively for the unvested portion, at the date of adoption, of previously issued and outstanding awards over the remaining vesting period of such awards. No change to prior periods presented is permitted under the modified prospective method. Under the modified retrospective method, companies record compensation costs for prior periods retroactively through restatement of such periods using the exact pro forma amounts disclosed in the companies’ footnotes. Also, in the period of adoption and after, companies record compensation based on the modified prospective method. SFAS No. 123(R), as amended in April 2005 for compliance dates, allows companies to implement the standard at the beginning of their next fiscal year. The Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) as of October 1, 2005, the beginning of its next fiscal year and to use the modified prospective method. The adoption of SFAS 123(R) is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements, as all options previously outstanding have been cancelled as part of the April 2004 recapitalization.

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs.” SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material. This Statement requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal.” In addition, this Statement requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS No. 151 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company intends to adopt SFAS No. 151 on October 1, 2005, the beginning of its 2006 fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its financial statements.

FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 109-1 and 109-2 were issued in December 2004, providing guidance on foreign earnings repatriation and qualified production activities of the American Jobs Creation Act (AJCA) that was enacted on October 22, 2004. The AJCA created a temporary incentive for United States multinationals to repatriate accumulated earnings outside the United States by providing an 85 percent dividends received deduction for certain qualifying earnings repatriations in either fiscal 2005 or in fiscal 2006. As of July 2, 2005, the Company has not provided deferred taxes on foreign earnings because any taxes on dividends would be substantially offset by foreign tax credits or because the Company intends to reinvest those earnings indefinitely. Due to the complexity of the repatriation provision, the Company is still evaluating the effects of this provision on its plan for repatriation of foreign earnings and does not expect to be able to complete this evaluation until after the Treasury Department has issued all of its guidance, including the expected passage of a Technical Corrections Bill by Congress.

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47 (“FIN 47”), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations.” FIN 47 provides clarification of certain sections of FASB Statement No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.” Specifically, FIN 47 clarifies the meaning of the term “conditional asset retirement obligation” as used in SFAS 143 and also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement

20




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

6.   New Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)

obligation. FIN 47 is effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its financial statements.

7.   Long-Term Debt

 

 

September 30, 2004

 

July 2, 2005

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Senior credit facility term loans

 

 

$

515.0

 

 

 

$

513.5

 

 

Second Priority Senior Secured Notes

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

10% Senior Subordinated Notes

 

 

315.0

 

 

 

315.0

 

 

14 3¤4% Senior discount notes(1)

 

 

106.8

 

 

 

120.9

 

 

Capital lease obligations

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

 

 

1,039.4

 

 

 

1,051.7

 

 

Less current portion

 

 

(3.2

)

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

 

 

$

1,036.2

 

 

 

$

1,047.8

 

 


(1)          At September 30, 2004 and July 2, 2005, the accreted value of the 14 3¤4% senior discount notes is reduced by $10.1 million (net of $0.4 million of amortization) and $9.3 million (net of $1.2 million of amortization), respectively, to reflect the fair market value assigned to the warrants sold as units with these notes. The fair market value assigned to the warrants is reflected in stockholders’ equity. Accretion on the 14 3¤4% senior discount notes for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 was $13.3 million. Amortization of the bond discount for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 was $0.8 million.

Treatment of Long-Term Debt in Connection with Walter Industries Merger - Under the Walter Industries merger agreement and prior to merger closing, the Company will cause its subsidiary, Mueller Group, Inc. (“Group”), to commence a tender offer and consent solicitation for Group’s second priority senior secured floating rate notes due 2011. The consummation of the tender offer and consent solicitation is expected to occur simultaneously with the consummation of the merger, but it is not a condition to merger closing. Group’s senior credit facility will be refinanced at merger closing. The Company’s 14 3/4% senior discount notes due 2014 and Group’s 10% senior subordinated notes due 2012 will remain outstanding after the merger is completed. However, holders of these notes will have the right to put them to their respective issuers following the change of control resulting from the consummation of the merger transaction in accordance with the respective indentures. The Company anticipates that, in connection with the merger, the Company will incur additional debt. As a result, the Company’s leverage will increase, thereby increasing its debt service obligations. The increased leverage could adversely affect the outstanding notes of the Company and Group going forward.

As a result of the pending acquisition by Walter Industries, it is expected that Walter Industries’ US Pipe subsidiary will be contributed to the Company, which will have an impact on the Company’s financial statements by, for example, lowering the margins of the consolidated company. In addition, we expect that our reporting segments may be changed after the merger. We also expect that purchase accounting adjustments could increase non-cash deprecation and amortization expense.

21




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

7.   Long-Term Debt (Continued)

Interest Rate Swaps—Group has entered into interest rate swap agreements in order to reduce interest rate risks and manage interest expense. As of July 2, 2005, a notional principal amount of $100.0 million in swap agreements was outstanding and scheduled to mature in July 2005 and May 2007. The swap agreements effectively convert floating-rate debt into fixed-rate debt and carried an average fixed interest rate of 5.77% at July 2, 2005. Interest differentials to be paid or received because of swap agreements are reflected as an adjustment to interest expense over the related debt period. At July 2, 2005 and September 30, 2004, the fair value of interest rate swaps was a liability of $0.5 million and $4.7 million, respectively, and has been recorded in Other Long-Term Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

On July 27, 2005, Group executed a new interest rate swap agreement—notional principal amount of $50.0 million, maturing in April 2007—to replace the swap agreement which expired in July 2005. Interest differentials to be paid or received because of swap agreements will be reflected as an adjustment to interest expense over the related debt period.

8.      Redeemable Common Stock

Group has entered into an employment agreement with Dale B. Smith, the Company’s and Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer. This agreement, in certain circumstances, gives Mr. Smith the right to sell to the Company, at a price equal to the fair market value of his equity interests as of the date of such sale or purchase, his shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company has classified an amount representing the initial fair value of the redeemable shares of its common stock owned by Mr. Smith outside of permanent equity. At September 30, 2004 and July 2, 2005, Mr. Smith beneficially owned approximately 9.2 million Class A common shares. These shares of common stock have not been marked-to-market as the circumstances that would give rise to Mr. Smith’s right to sell, and the Company’s obligation to purchase Mr. Smith’s shares of common stock, are currently considered remote.

9.   Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is subject to retention on certain contracts, with the retention portion of the amount receivable paid upon project completion.

In the normal course of business, the Company incurs claims with respect to product liability. Such claims are insured up to certain limits, with such policies containing certain self-insured retention limits. Product liability claims for product manufactured or sold prior to August 1999, and environmental claims relating to property owned at or before August 1999 or arising out of events occurring prior to that date, are subject to indemnification by Tyco International, based on the provisions of the August 1999 acquisition agreement whereby the Company was acquired from Tyco International.

Certain of our products contain lead. Environmental advocacy groups, relying on standards established by California’s Proposition 65, are seeking to eliminate or reduce the content of lead in some of our products offered for sale in California. In certain cases, we have entered into settlement agreements with these environmental advocacy groups to modify our products or offer substitutes. Further, similar issues may be raised by other advocacy groups in other jurisdictions.

22




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

9.   Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

Over the next two to three years, the Company expects to incur between $2.0 million and $6.0 million of capital costs at its U.S. iron foundries to comply with the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (“NESHAP”) for Iron and Steel Foundries and the NESHAP for Miscellaneous Metal Parts Coating Operations.

The Company’s subsidiary, James Jones Company, and its former parent company are defendants in a false claims lawsuit in which a former James Jones Company employee is suing on behalf of cities, water districts and municipalities. The employee alleges that the defendants sold allegedly non-conforming public water system parts to various government entities. The lawsuit seeks consequential damages, penalties and punitive damages. The Company’s subsidiary, Mueller Co., which had also been named as a defendant, brought a summary judgment motion and was dismissed from this litigation in January 2004. Any liability associated with the lawsuit is covered by an indemnification from Tyco International, our previous owner.

On March 31, 2004, the Company’s subsidiary, Anvil International, entered into a consent order with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources regarding various alleged hazardous waste violations at the Statesboro, Georgia site owned by Anvil. Pursuant to the consent order, Anvil paid a settlement amount of $100,000, comprised of a $50,000 monetary fine and $50,000 towards a supplemental environmental project. Anvil has also agreed to perform various investigatory and remedial actions at the site and its landfill. During the second quarter of 2005, investigatory procedures were performed that resulted in management’s decision to perform additional remediation and book an additional $0.4 million to the reserve relating to this remediation. While the ultimate investigatory and remedial costs are currently unknown, the total costs are estimated to be between $1.2 million and $1.4 million. The Company believes that it maintains an adequate reserve to cover these estimated costs.

In November 2003, Beck Manufacturing, a division of Anvil International, closed its manufacturing facility in Kearny, NJ, and withdrew from the Teamsters Local 11 Pension Fund (“Teamsters” or “Fund”). Anvil has established an accrual of $0.2 million for any withdrawal liability. On July 19, 2004, the Fund Trustees issued notice to Anvil that, pursuant to ERISA Sections 4202 and 4219(b)(1), Anvil owed approximately $1.2 million in withdrawal liability to the Fund. On October 5, 2004, Anvil sent notice to the Teamsters appealing the amount of the withdrawal liability. The Teamsters denied Anvil’s appeal, and Anvil has filed an arbitration demand. However, prior to the arbitration proceeding, the parties have agreed to mediate the dispute some time in the fall of 2005.

As part of the Star acquisition, the Company agreed to a future payment to be made to the seller to the extent that the gross profit of the acquired business exceeds a targeted gross profit. The maximum potential deferred payment amount is $23 million. Management currently estimates the deferred payment could total approximately $3 to $6 million for the three-year deferred payment period which began February 1, 2004 and ends January 31, 2007. This estimated deferred payment amount is based on management’s best estimate, but the actual deferred payment could be materially different. The liability for such deferred payment will be recorded at the end of each twelve-month period ending January 31, 2005, 2006 or 2007, in accordance with the purchase agreement. No deferred payment was earned for the twelve months ended January 31, 2005.

23




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

9.   Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

In the opinion of management, accruals associated with contingencies incurred in the normal course of business are sufficient. Resolution of existing known contingencies is not expected to significantly affect the Company’s financial position and result of operations.

10.   Net Periodic Benefit Cost—Defined Benefit Plans

For a detailed disclosure on the Company’s pension and employee benefits plans, please refer to Note 13 of the Company’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended September 30, 2004, as found on Form 10-K (File No. 333-116590).

The following sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost of the domestic non-contributory defined benefit plans for the three months and the nine months ended June 26, 2004 and July 2, 2005:

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

June 26,
2004

 

July 2,
2005

 

June 26,
2004

 

July 2,
2005

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Service cost

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

 

$

0.8

 

 

 

$

1.5

 

 

 

$

2.3

 

 

Interest cost

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(3.8

)

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

Amortization of net actuarial loss

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

 

$

1.6

 

 

 

$

4.3

 

 

 

$

4.7

 

 

 

The Company previously disclosed in its financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2004, that it was required to contribute $0.1 million to its pension plans in 2005. As of July 2, 2005, no contributions have been made. The Company presently anticipates contributing $0.1 million to fund its pension plans in 2005 and may make further discretionary payments.

11.   Supplementary Balance Sheet Information

Selected supplementary balance sheet information is presented below:

 

 

September 30,
2004

 

July 2,
2005

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Inventories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased materials and manufactured parts

 

 

$

41.1

 

 

$

37.0

 

Work in process

 

 

67.3

 

 

90.3

 

Finished goods

 

 

151.8

 

 

182.4

 

 

 

 

$

260.2

 

 

$

309.7

 

 

24




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 26, 2004 AND JULY 2, 2005
(UNAUDITED)

12.   Supplementary Income Statement Information

The components of interest expense are presented below:

 

 

Three months
 ended

 

Nine months
 ended

 

 

 

June 26,
2004

 

July 2,
2005

 

June 26,
2004

 

July 2,
2005

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Interest expense and early repayment costs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractual interest expense

 

 

$

18.4

 

 

$

23.4

 

 

$

36.4

 

 

$

68.3

 

Deferred financing fee amortization

 

 

0.8

 

 

1.3

 

 

2.1

 

 

3.9

 

Senior subordinated debt early redemption penalty

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

Write off of deferred financing fees

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

Interest rate swap gains

 

 

(4.1

)

 

(1.3

)

 

(10.4

)

 

(4.2

)

Total interest expense and early repayment costs

 

 

$

21.7

 

 

$

23.4

 

 

$

42.1

 

 

$

68.0

 

 

A reconciliation of net income available to common shareholders is as follows:

 

 

Three months
ended

 

Nine months
ended

 

 

 

June 26,
2004

 

July 2,
2005

 

June 26,
2004

 

July 2,
2005

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Net income

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

$

16.0

 

 

$

15.9

 

 

$

31.9

 

Less preferred share accretion related to redeemable preferred stock retired in April 2004

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

 

(9.3

)

 

 

Net income available to common shareholders

 

 

$

(0.7

)

 

$

16.0

 

 

$

6.6

 

 

$

31.9

 

 

13.   Facility Rationalization, Restructuring and Related Costs

In the first quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company announced that it would cease manufacturing and begin outsourcing a product line it produced at its water infrastructure plant in Colorado. A restructuring charge of $0.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 related to severance payments. An additional charge of $1.5 million, related primarily to the termination of operating leases for the plant building and machinery, was reflected in the second quarter of fiscal 2005.

For the three months ended June 26, 2004, the Company recorded no charges. For the nine months ended June 26, 2004, the Company recorded a charge of $0.1 million related to asset impairment for write-offs at piping systems facilities that were closed in Norcross, Georgia and Kearny, New Jersey, $0.3 million related to environmental issues at the piping systems closed facility in Statesboro, Georgia (see Note 9), and $0.5 million related to future lease obligations at the closed and vacated Kearny, New Jersey facility.

25




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

In this report, each of the terms “Mueller Water,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Mueller Water Products, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where the context makes clear that the reference is only to Mueller Water Products, Inc. itself, and is not inclusive of its subsidiaries.

Except as otherwise noted, we present all financial and operating data on a fiscal quarter basis. Our fiscal year ends on September 30, and our third fiscal quarter ends on the Saturday closest to June 30.

Certain information included or incorporated by reference in this document may be deemed to be “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward looking statements. In this context, forward looking statements often address our future business and financial performance, and may be characterized by terminology such as “believe”, “anticipate”, “should”, “intend”, “plan”, “will”, “expects”, “estimates”, “projects”, “positioned”, “strategy”, and similar expressions. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by the Company’s management in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes to be appropriate.

These forward looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: the possibility that the Company and Walter Industries may not be able to obtain regulatory approvals required for the proposed acquisition of the Company by Walter Industries; the Company’s businesses may suffer as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the Walter Industries acquisition; upon consummation of the acquisition, the combined company will have significant debt; integrating the businesses after the acquisition may not be successfully accomplished as anticipated; the acquisition may involve unexpected costs; the Company’s ability to continue long-standing relationships with major customers; increased competition; demand for and market acceptance of new and existing products in the markets we serve; adverse changes in currency exchange rates or raw material prices, specifically steel scrap, steel pipe and brass ingot; unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation, product liability exposures and environmental matters; the Company’s ability to integrate acquired businesses into its operations; and other risks and uncertainties that affect the manufacturing sector generally including, but not limited to, economic, political, governmental and technological factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products, services and prices.

Any such forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performances and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those contemplated by such forward looking statements. These forward looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. The Company disclaims any duty to update any forward looking statement, all of which are expressly qualified by the foregoing.

Overview

We are a leading North American manufacturer of a broad range of flow control products for use in water distribution, water and wastewater treatment facilities, gas distribution systems and piping systems and maintain a large installed base of products. We are comprised of two segments: water infrastructure, a leading manufacturer of hydrants, valves and other products for use in water and gas distribution systems; and piping systems, a leading manufacturer of fittings, pipe hangers and other products for use in piping system applications. Our business strategy continues to be focused on sustaining our market leadership and competitive differentiation, while growing revenues and enhancing profitability.

Results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 reflected continued strong performance in the residential construction market, as well as the full effect of the pricing increases implemented in the

26




second half of 2004 and early 2005. Both our water infrastructure and piping systems segments reported improvements in gross profit and operating income in the three months and the nine months ended July 2, 2005 as compared to the three months and nine months ended June 26, 2004.

The Company incurred a significant amount of additional indebtedness in connection with its recapitalization in April 2004. New debt associated with the recapitalization added $5.5 million and $33.7 million of interest expense in the three and nine month periods ended July 2, 2005 as compared to the similar fiscal periods in 2004.

As previously announced, on June 17, 2005, the Company entered into a definitive merger agreement with Walter Industries, Inc. (“Walter Industries”) whereby Walter Industries will acquire the Company for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.91 billion, consisting of approximately $860 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $1.05 billion in Company debt, based on the Company’s balance sheet as of April 2, 2005, subject to the post-closing adjustments specified in the merger agreement based on the Company’s working capital upon the closing of the transaction. As a result of the merger, the Company’s shares of common stock will be converted into the right to receive the applicable merger consideration in cash at the closing, subject to the post-closing adjustments. Upon closing of the transaction, the outstanding warrants of the Company will become rights to receive cash upon exercise of the warrants based on the number of shares underlying the warrants.

Under the merger agreement and prior to merger closing the Company will cause its subsidiary, Mueller Group, Inc. (“Group”), to commence a tender offer and consent solicitation for Group’s second priority senior secured floating rate notes due 2011. The consummation of the tender offer and consent solicitation is expected to occur simultaneously with the consummation of the merger, but is not a condition to the merger closing. Group’s senior credit facility will be refinanced at merger closing. The Company’s 14 ¾% senior discount notes due 2014 and Group’s 10% senior subordinated notes due 2012 will remain outstanding after the merger is completed. However, holders of these notes will have the right to put them to their respective issuers following the change of control resulting from the consummation of the merger transaction in accordance with the respective indentures. The Company anticipates that, in connection with the merger, the Company will incur additional debt. As a result, the Company’s leverage will increase, thereby increasing its debt service obligations. The increased leverage could adversely affect the outstanding notes of the Company and Group going forward.

The merger is subject to customary conditions to closing, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and the funding of Walter Industries’ committed financing, and there can be no assurance that the transaction will be consummated.

Restatements

This section is comprised of two parts: 2005 Restatements and 2004 Restatements. The 2004 Restatements were previously reported in the original Form 10-Q. The previous Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations has been appropriately updated to reflect the 2005 and 2004 Restatements.

2005 Restatements

In the course of finalizing the September 30, 2005 financial statements, the Company determined that certain items included in the Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows, the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Consolidated Balance Sheets were not properly classified in annual and interim periods. As a result of these findings, the Company has restated its financial statements in this Form 10-Q/A. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The 2005 Restatements had no impact on the Company’s consolidated net income or the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Deficit for any of the prior periods presented.

27




2004 Restatements

In November 2004, our Audit Committee was notified of alleged potential accounting improprieties concerning our accounting for inventory reserves and certain questions concerning revenue recognition. The Audit Committee appointed an independent law firm to investigate the allegations. In January 2005, the independent law firm issued an investigative report that identified several areas requiring financial review by the Company. These areas principally concerned accounting for excess and obsolete (E&O) inventory, the capitalization of costs relating to a project that should have been expensed in prior periods, the accrual of reserves for this project without identifying support for such accruals and the timing of recognition of revenue with regard to full truckload shipments that were not immediately dispatched to customers by certain freight carriers used by the Company. The Company also identified some additional annual and interim items recorded in incorrect periods in the course of finalizing the 2004 financial statements. In addition, the Company determined that the value it assigned to stock compensation in connection with its April 2004 recapitalization should be revised. As a result of these findings, the Company restated its annual financial statements for its 2002 and 2003 fiscal years and its interim financial statements for its 2004 fiscal year.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended July 2, 2005 As Compared to the Three Months Ended June 26, 2004

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

FY05 Q3 vs. FY04 Q3

 

 

 

July 2,
2005

 

Percentage
of net sales
(2)

 

June 26,
2004

 

Percentage
of net sales
(2)

 

Increase/
(decrease)

 

Change in
percentage
of
net sales

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

$

172.1

 

 

 

58.0

%

 

 

$

172.8

 

 

 

59.8

%

 

 

$

(0.7

)

 

 

(1.8

%)

 

Piping systems

 

 

124.8

 

 

 

42.0

 

 

 

116.3

 

 

 

40.2

 

 

 

8.5

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

296.9

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

289.1

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

64.5

 

 

 

37.5

 

 

 

56.6

 

 

 

32.8

 

 

 

7.9

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

32.2

 

 

 

25.8

 

 

 

28.0

 

 

 

24.1

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

Depreciation expense not allocated to segments

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

94.8

 

 

 

31.9

 

 

 

82.8

 

 

 

28.6

 

 

 

12.0

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses, including stock compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

16.7

 

 

 

9.7

 

 

 

16.3

 

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

19.3

 

 

 

15.5

 

 

 

19.9

 

 

 

17.1

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(1.6

)

 

Corporate

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

29.7

 

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

(19.8

)

 

 

(7.0

)

 

Consolidated

 

 

45.9

 

 

 

15.5

 

 

 

65.9

 

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

(20.0

)

 

 

(7.3

)

 

Facility rationalization, restructuring and related costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28




 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

FY05 Q3 vs. FY04 Q3

 

 

 

July 2,
2005

 

Percentage
of net sales
(2)

 

June 26,
2004

 

Percentage
of net sales
(2)

 

Increase/
(decrease)

 

Change in
percentage
of
net sales

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

47.8

 

 

 

27.8

 

 

 

40.3

 

 

 

23.3

 

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

12.9

 

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

Corporate

 

 

(11.8

)

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

(31.5

)

 

 

(10.9

)

 

 

19.7

 

 

 

6.9

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

48.9

 

 

 

16.5

 

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

32.0

 

 

 

10.7

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(23.4

)

 

 

(7.9

)

 

 

(21.7

)

 

 

(7.5

)

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

Interest income

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

25.9

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

 

(4.7

)

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

30.6

 

 

 

10.3

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

(5.3

)

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

15.2

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

Net income

 

 

$

16.0

 

 

 

5.4

%

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

$

15.4

 

 

 

5.2

%

 

Segment EBITDA(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

52.7

 

 

 

30.6

 

 

 

46.0

 

 

 

26.6

 

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

17.2

 

 

 

13.8

 

 

 

12.4

 

 

 

10.7

 

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

Total segment EBITDA

 

 

$

69.9

 

 

 

23.5

 

 

 

$

58.4

 

 

 

20.2

 

 

 

$

11.5

 

 

 

3.3

 

 


(1)          Segment EBITDA is defined as segment operating income plus depreciation and amortization expense and excludes unallocated corporate expenses. This performance measure may not be comparable to EBITDA as reported by other companies.

The Company evaluates segment performance based on segment EBITDA. A reconciliation of segment EBITDA to consolidated income before income taxes follows:

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

July 2, 2005

 

June 26, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

(as restated)(3)

 

Total segment EBITDA

 

 

$

69.9

 

 

 

$

58.4

 

 

Unallocated corporate costs

 

 

(9.2

)

 

 

(25.1

)

 

Interest expense and early repayment costs

 

 

(23.4

)

 

 

(21.7

)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(11.4

)

 

 

(16.3

)

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

$

25.9

 

 

 

$

(4.7

)

 

 


(2)          Percentages are by segment, if applicable.

(3)          See Note 2 for a discussion of the restatement.

Net Sales.   Net sales for the three months ended July 2, 2005 were $296.9 million, or a 2.7% increase as compared to $289.1 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004.

Water infrastructure net sales for the three months ended July 2, 2005 were $172.1 million, or a 0.4% decrease as compared to $172.8 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004. The sales volume for hydrants and valves decreased for our third quarter of 2005 as compared to our third quarter of 2004. There was a price increase in May 2004 that we believe resulted in customers placing a larger-than-usual amount of orders ahead of that date in order to get the benefit of lower pricing, which subsequently resulted in higher shipments during the third quarter of 2004. There was no similar price increase announced during the third quarter of 2005. The impact of the decrease in hydrant and valve volumes was offset by the effects of price increases on those same products.

29




Piping systems net sales for the three months ended July 2, 2005 were $124.8 million, or a 7.3% increase as compared to $116.3 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004. This increase was driven primarily by price increases which were implemented in the second half of 2004 and in the first half of 2005, and also by an additional $2.1 million of Star product sales.

Gross Profit.   Gross profit for the three months ended July 2, 2005 was $94.8 million, or a 14.5% increase as compared to $82.8 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, or gross margin, increased from 28.6% for our third quarter of 2004 to 31.9% for our third quarter of 2005.

Water infrastructure gross profit for the three months ended July 2, 2005 was $64.5 million, or a 14.0% increase as compared to $56.6 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, increased from 32.8% for our third quarter of 2004 to 37.5% for our third quarter of 2005. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by price increases and the continued strong performance of the residential construction market. Partially offsetting the effects of higher prices were higher raw material costs (most notably brass ingot and scrap steel) due to worldwide supply and demand issues. We cannot provide assurances that any future increases in raw material costs can be passed on to our customers.

Piping systems gross profit for the three months ended July 2, 2005 was $32.2 million, or a 15.0% increase as compared to $28.0 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, increased from 24.1% to 25.8%. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by price increases. Increased raw material costs partially offset the effects of the higher prices. We cannot provide assurances that we can continue to pass on cost increases to our customers.

Selling, General & Administrative Expense.   Selling, General and Administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for the three months ended July 2, 2005 were $45.9 million, or a 30.3% decrease as compared to $65.9 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased from 22.8% for our third quarter of 2004 to 15.5% for our third quarter of 2005.

Water infrastructure SG&A for the three months ended July 2, 2005 was $16.7 million, or a 2.5% increase as compared to $16.3 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A increased slightly from 9.4% for our third quarter of 2004 to 9.7% for our third quarter of 2005. The increase was primarily due to compensation and benefit costs for additional personnel.

Piping systems SG&A for the three months ended July 2, 2005 was $19.3 million, or a 3.0% decrease as compared to $19.9 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased from 17.1% for our third quarter of 2004 to 15.5% for our third quarter of 2005. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in legal expenses and foreign currency losses for Canadian transactions recognized in the third quarter of 2004. There were no similar foreign currency losses in the third quarter of 2005. These decreases were partially offset by a moderate increase in selling costs of $0.6 million, primarily due to higher sales commissions.

Corporate expenses for the three months ended July 2, 2005 were $9.9 million as compared to $29.7 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004. The decrease was primarily due to a $4.0 million reduction in amortization expense for 2005 as compared to 2004 as a result of an intangible asset becoming fully amortized during the fourth quarter of 2004 and a $20.9 million reduction in corporate stock compensation charges for 2005 as compared to 2004 primarily related to charges for employee optionholders made in connection with the recapitalization of the Company during the third quarter of 2004. All options were cancelled at that time. These items were partially offset in 2005 by: consulting fees of $1.1 million related to efforts to become compliant with public company reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley internal control requirements, $1.4 million related to compensation payments to current employees and directors to offset additional taxes owed by them as a result of the Company’s revaluation of stock compensation paid to them in 2004, $1.6 million of professional fees related to efforts to sell the Company (see Note 5), increased board of director fees of $0.2 million, increased legal, audit and other consulting fees of $0.7 million, and increased salary and benefit costs of $0.4 million associated with additional

30




accounting and legal staffing. Corporate expenses consist primarily of corporate staff, benefits, legal and facility costs.

Interest Expense.   Interest expense for the three months ended July 2, 2005 was $23.4 million, or a $1.7 million increase from $21.7 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004. Interest expense for the three months ended July 2, 2005, included $5.5 million of additional interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees on $518.0 million of net additional debt resulting from the Company’s recapitalization in April 2004. This increase was offset by a $6.6 million write-off of term debt deferred financing fees during the three months ended June 26, 2004 in connection with the April 2004 recapitalization. Also, gains recorded on interest rate swaps were $2.8 million lower in 2005 than in 2004 as more swap agreements expired and were not renewed.

Income Tax Expense.   The effective tax rates (excluding discrete third quarter items) for three months ended July 2, 2005 and June 26, 2004 were 41% and 26%, respectively. For the third quarter of 2005, the Company adjusted its tax accruals downward by approximately $0.7 million due to the expiration of statutes of limitation. Discrete third quarter events in 2004 included the conclusion of the federal and certain state tax examinations and the expiration of certain state statutes of limitation which allowed the Company to adjust tax accruals downward by approximately $6.4 million. Partially offsetting these items in the third quarter of 2004 were $2.3 million of charges related to Foreign Tax Credits and the effects of other items, including changes in the effective rate on prior period deferred tax balances.

Segment EBITDA.   Segment EBITDA for the three months ended July 2, 2005 was $69.9 million, or a 19.7% increase as compared to $58.4 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004.

Water infrastructure EBITDA for the three months ended July 2, 2005 was $52.7 million, which was $6.7 million or 14.6% higher than the $46.0 million for the three months ended June 26, 2004. The increased EBITDA resulted primarily from increased prices, partially offset by additional SG&A spending as discussed above.

Piping systems EBITDA was $17.2 million for the three months ended July 2, 2005, which was $4.8 million or 38.7% higher than the $12.4 million reported for the three months ended June 26, 2004. The increased EBITDA resulted primarily from increased prices.

31




Results of Operations

Nine Months Ended July 2, 2005 As Compared to the Nine Months Ended June 26, 2004

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

2005 vs. 2004

 

 

 

July 2,
2005

 

Percentage
of net sales
(2)

 

June 26,
2004

 

Percentage
of net sales
(2)

 

Increase/
(decrease)

 

Change in
percentage
of
net sales

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

(restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

$

480.8

 

 

 

57.4

%

 

 

$

434.7

 

 

 

58.3

%

 

 

$

46.1

 

 

 

(0.9

%)

 

Piping systems

 

 

357.4

 

 

 

42.6

 

 

 

310.9

 

 

 

41.7

 

 

 

46.5

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

838.2

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

745.6

 

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

92.6

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

166.1

 

 

 

34.5

 

 

 

139.9

 

 

 

32.2

 

 

 

26.2

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

94.4

 

 

 

26.4

 

 

 

70.0

 

 

 

22.5

 

 

 

24.4

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

Depreciation expense not allocated to segments

 

 

(5.3

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(5.3

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

255.2

 

 

 

30.4

 

 

 

204.6

 

 

 

27.4

 

 

 

50.6

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses, including stock compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

49.5

 

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

44.8

 

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

59.8

 

 

 

16.7

 

 

 

53.4

 

 

 

17.2

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

Corporate

 

 

24.5

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

43.1

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

(18.6

)

 

 

(2.9

)

 

Consolidated

 

 

133.8

 

 

 

16.0

 

 

 

141.3

 

 

 

19.0

 

 

 

(7.5

)

 

 

(3.0

)

 

Facility rationalization, restructuring and related costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

Consolidated

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

115.0

 

 

 

23.9

 

 

 

95.1

 

 

 

21.9

 

 

 

19.9

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

34.6

 

 

 

9.7

 

 

 

15.7

 

 

 

5.0

 

 

 

18.9

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

Corporate

 

 

(29.8

)

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

(48.4

)

 

 

(6.5

)

 

 

18.6

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

119.8

 

 

 

14.3

 

 

 

62.4

 

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

57.4

 

 

 

5.9

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(68.0

)

 

 

(8.1

)

 

 

(42.1

)

 

 

(5.6

)

 

 

(25.9

)

 

 

(2.5

)

 

Interest income

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

52.8

 

 

 

6.3

 

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

32.0

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

20.9

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

16.0

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

Net income

 

 

$

31.9

 

 

 

3.8

%

 

 

$

15.9

 

 

 

2.1

%

 

 

$

16.0

 

 

 

1.7

%

 

Segment EBITDA(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water infrastructure

 

 

131.9

 

 

 

27.4

 

 

 

113.0

 

 

 

26.0

 

 

 

18.9

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

Piping systems

 

 

47.5

 

 

 

13.3

 

 

 

28.4

 

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

Total segment EBITDA

 

 

$

179.4

 

 

 

21.4

 

 

 

$

141.4

 

 

 

19.0

 

 

 

$

38.0

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 


(1)          Segment EBITDA is defined as segment operating income plus depreciation and amortization expense and excludes unallocated corporate expenses. This performance measure may not be comparable to EBITDA as reported by other companies.

32




The Company evaluates segment performance based on segment EBITDA. A reconciliation of segment EBITDA to consolidated income before income taxes follows:

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

July 2, 2005

 

June 26, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

(as restated)(3)

 

Total segment EBITDA

 

 

$

179.4

 

 

 

$

141.4

 

 

Unallocated corporate costs

 

 

(21.8

)

 

 

(29.0

)

 

Interest expense and early repayment costs

 

 

(68.0

)

 

 

(42.1

)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(36.8

)

 

 

(49.5

)

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

$

52.8

 

 

 

$

20.8

 

 

 


(2)          Percentages are by segment, if applicable.

(3)          See Note 2 for a discussion of the restatement.

Net Sales.   Net sales for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 were $838.2 million, or a 12.4% increase as compared to $745.6 million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004.

Water infrastructure net sales for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 were $480.8 million, or a 10.6% increase as compared to $434.7 million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004. This increase was driven primarily by price increases implemented in the second half of 2004 and during the second quarter of 2005, as well as increased volumes due to the continued strong performance of the residential construction market.

Piping systems net sales for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 were $357.4 million, or a 15.0% increase as compared to $310.9 million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004. This increase was driven primarily by price increases implemented in the second half of 2004 and the first half of 2005, as well as $9.5 million of additional Star product sales. We acquired the Star business in January 2004 (see Note 5).

Gross Profit.   Gross profit for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 was $255.2 million, or a 24.7% increase as compared to $204.6 million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, or gross margin, increased from 27.4% for our first nine months of 2004 to 30.4% for our first nine months of 2005.

Water infrastructure gross profit for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 was $166.1 million, or an 18.7% increase as compared to $139.9 million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, increased from 32.2% for our first nine months of 2004 to 34.5% for our first nine months of 2005. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by price increases and the continued strong performance of the residential construction market. Partially offsetting the effects of higher prices were higher raw material costs (most notably brass ingot and scrap steel) due to worldwide supply and demand issues. We cannot provide assurances that any future increases in raw material costs can be passed on to our customers.

Piping systems gross profit for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 was $94.4 million, or a 34.9% increase as compared to $70.0 million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, increased from 22.5% to 26.4%. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by price increases. Increased raw material costs partially offset the effects of the higher prices. We cannot provide assurances that we can continue to pass on cost increases to our customers.

Selling, General & Administrative Expense.   Selling, General and Administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 were $133.8 million, or a 5.3% decrease as compared to

33




$141.3 million for the six months ended June 26, 2004. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased from 19.0% for our first nine months of 2004 to 16.0% for our first nine months of 2005.

Water infrastructure SG&A for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 was $49.5 million, or a 10.5% increase as compared to $44.8 million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A remained steady at 10.3% for both our first nine months of 2004 and 2005. Significant factors contributing to the higher costs include increased management incentive compensation costs of $1.3 million related to higher earnings, increased sales commissions of $0.3 million related to higher sales, and increased wages and benefit costs of $1.2 million.

Piping systems SG&A for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 was $59.8 million, or a 12.0% increase as compared to $53.4 million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A decreased from 17.2% for our first nine months of 2004 to 16.7% for our first nine months of 2005. Significant factors contributing to the higher costs include increased selling costs of $3.7 million primarily due to higher sales commissions, increased warehousing costs of $1.1 million primarily related to the Star product line and increased management incentive compensation cost of $1.1 million due to higher earnings.

Corporate expenses for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 were $24.5 million as compared to $43.1 million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004. The decrease was primarily due to a $12.0 million reduction in amortization expense for 2005 as compared to 2004 as a result of an intangible asset becoming fully amortized during the fourth quarter of 2004 and a $21.2 million reduction in corporate stock compensation charges for 2005 as compared to 2004 primarily related to charges for employee optionholders made in connection with the recapitalization of the Company during the third quarter of 2004. All options were cancelled at that time. These items were partially offset by legal and audit fees of $3.0 million related to an internal investigation (see Note 2), accounting and legal fees of $1.1 million related to SEC filing matters, consulting fees of $2.6 million related to efforts to become compliant with public company reporting and Sarbanes-Oxley internal control requirements, $1.4 million related to compensation payments to current employees and directors to offset additional taxes owed by them as a result of the Company’s revaluation of stock compensation paid to them in 2004, $1.6 million of professional fees related to efforts to sell the Company (see Note 5), increased board of director fees of $0.2 million, increased incentive compensation costs of $1.6 million, increased legal, audit and other consulting fees of $1.4 million, and increased salary, benefit, recruiting and relocation costs of $1.2 million associated with additional accounting and legal staffing. Corporate expenses consist primarily of corporate staff, benefits, legal and facility costs.

Facility Rationalization, Restructuring and Related Costs.   There was $1.6 million of restructuring costs for the nine months ended July 2, 2005, related primarily to severance payments and to the termination of operating leases for the building and machinery at a water infrastructure plant in Colorado that ceased manufacturing and began outsourcing a product line in February 2005.

There was $0.9 million of facility rationalization costs for the nine months ended June 26, 2004, related primarily to future lease obligations at a closed piping systems facility in New Jersey and environmental issues at a closed piping systems plant in Georgia.

Interest Expense.   Interest expense for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 was $68.0 million, or a $25.9 million increase from $42.1 million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004. Interest expense for the nine months ended July 2, 2005, includes $33.7 million of additional interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees on $518.0 million of net additional debt resulting from the Company’s recapitalization in April 2004. In the nine months ended June 26, 2004, interest expense included a $6.6 million write-off of term debt deferred financing fees related to the April 2004 recapitalization, and a $7.0 million early redemption penalty and a write-off of $0.4 million in deferred financing fees related to the early redemption of $50.0 million of senior subordinated debt in November 2003. Also, gains recorded

34




on interest rate swaps were $6.2 million lower in 2005 than in 2004 as more swap agreements expired and were not renewed.

Income Tax Expense.   The effective tax rates (excluding discrete third quarter items) for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 and June 26, 2004 were 41% and 43%, respectively. Discrete third quarter events in 2005 and 2004 allowed the Company to adjust tax accruals, as described in the quarterly comparison section.

Segment EBITDA.   Segment EBITDA for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 was $179.4 million, or a 26.9% increase as compared to $141.4 million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004.

Water infrastructure EBITDA for the nine months ended July 2, 2005 was $131.9 million, which was $18.9 million or 16.7% higher than the $113.0 million for the nine months ended June 26, 2004. The increased EBITDA resulted primarily from increased prices and volumes, partially offset by additional SG&A spending as discussed above.

Piping systems EBITDA was $47.5 million for the nine months ended July 2, 2005, which was $19.1 million or 67.3% higher than the $28.4 million reported for the nine months ended June 26, 2004. The increased EBITDA resulted primarily from increased prices and additional Star gross profit, partially offset by additional SG&A spending as discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We are a holding company and have no direct material operations. Our only material asset is our ownership of Group, and our only material liabilities are the senior discount notes, our guarantee of Group’s senior credit facility and our potential obligation to repurchase Dale B. Smith’s equity interest (see Note 8). Our principal source of liquidity has been and is expected to be dividends from Group and our principal use of cash will be for debt service beginning in 2009.

Group is the borrower under the senior credit facility and the issuer of $100 million principal amount of senior secured notes due 2011 and $315 million senior subordinated notes due 2012. The senior credit facility, secured notes and subordinated notes impose limitations on Group’s ability to pay dividends to us. Group’s ability to generate net income will depend upon various factors that may be beyond our control. Accordingly, Group may not generate sufficient cash flow or be permitted by the terms of its debt instruments to pay dividends or distributions to us in amounts sufficient to allow us to pay cash interest on the senior discount notes. We would then be required to secure alternate financing, which may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all.

Group’s principal sources of liquidity have been and are expected to be cash flow from operations and borrowings under the senior credit facility. Its principal uses of cash will be debt service requirements as described below, capital expenditures, working capital requirements, dividends to us to finance our cash needs and possible acquisitions.

Debt Service

As of July 2, 2005 we had: (a) total consolidated indebtedness of approximately $1,051.7 million; and (b) approximately $58.5 million of borrowings available under Group’s senior revolving credit facility, subject to customary conditions. As of July 2, 2005, Group had obtained $21.5 million in letters of credit under the senior revolving credit facility, which reduced availability for borrowings thereunder. Our significant debt service obligations could have material consequences to our security holders. Our key financial covenants are dependent on attaining certain levels of EBITDA, as defined in the respective debt arrangements. The most restrictive covenant in effect at July 2, 2005 related to Group’s leverage ratio, as defined in the debt arrangements, which required approximately $162 million of EBITDA over the trailing twelve months, based on Group’s net debt outstanding. Group’s EBITDA, as defined in the debt agreement, exceeded $230 million over the trailing twelve months ended July 2, 2005.

35




Capital Expenditures

The senior credit facility contains restrictions on our and Group’s ability to make capital expenditures. Based on current estimates, management believes that the amount of capital expenditures permitted to be made under the senior credit facility will be adequate to maintain the properties and business of our continuing operations.

Sources of Funds

We anticipate that our operating cash flow, together with permitted borrowings under the senior credit facility, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated future operating expenses, capital expenditures and debt service obligations as they become due for at least the next twelve months. However, the ability to make scheduled payments of principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance indebtedness and to satisfy other debt obligations will depend upon future operating performance, which will be affected by general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, business, environmental and other factors beyond our control.

From time to time we may explore additional financing methods and other means to lower our cost of capital, which could include stock issuance or debt financing and the application of the proceeds therefrom to the repayment of bank debt or other indebtedness. In addition, in connection with any future acquisitions, we may require additional funding which may be provided in the form of additional debt or equity financing or a combination thereof. There can be no assurance that any additional financing will be available to us on acceptable terms.

Walter Industries Merger

Under the merger agreement between Walter Industries and the Company and prior to merger closing, the Company will cause its subsidiary, Mueller Group, Inc. (“Group”), to commence a tender offer and consent solicitation for Group’s second priority senior secured floating rate notes due 2011. The consummation of the tender offer and consent solicitation is expected to occur simultaneously with the consummation of the merger, but it is not a condition to the merger closing. Group’s senior credit facility will be refinanced at merger closing. The Company’s 14 ¾% senior discount notes due 2014 and Group’s 10% senior subordinated notes due 2012 will remain outstanding after the merger is completed.  However, holders of these notes will have the right to put them to their respective issuers following the change of control resulting from the consummation of the merger transaction in accordance with the respective indentures. The Company anticipates that, in connection with the merger, the Company will incur additional debt. As a result, the Company’s leverage will increase, increasing its debt service obligations. The increased leverage could adversely affect the outstanding notes of the Company and Group going forward.

As a result of the pending acquisition by Walter Industries, it is expected that Walter Industries’ US Pipe subsidiary will be contributed to the Company, which will have an impact on the Company’s financial statements by, for example, lowering the margins of the consolidated company. In addition, we expect that our reporting segments may be changed after the merger. We also expect that purchase accounting adjustments could increase non-cash deprecation and amortization expense.

The merger transaction is subject to customary conditions to closing, and there can be no assurance that the transaction will be consummated.

Historical

Historically, our financing requirements have been funded primarily through cash generated by operating activities and borrowings under the revolving credit facility. From time to time, we have also raised additional funds through term debt offerings.

36




Cash flows from operating activities.   Net cash provided by operations was $33.1 million for the first nine months of 2005, compared to net cash provided of $51.0 million for the first nine months of 2004. Significant changes in working capital balances in the first nine months of 2005 included a $48.8 million increase in inventories. Water infrastructure inventories increased $25.9 million during the nine months ended July 2, 2005. Significant contributing factors to the increase include higher raw material costs of approximately $7 million, as well as a seasonal build of approximately $10 million to meet anticipated fourth quarter demand. Other contributing factors include $1.8 million of increased on-hand quantities of raw material due to larger purchases to achieve lower prices, $1.8 million of inventory costs associated with a large, highly-engineered project scheduled to ship late in the fourth quarter of 2005, and $1.2 million in Canadian product inventories (purchased from other water infrastructure locations) required to service Canadian customer requirements. Piping systems inventories increased $23.6 million during the nine months ended July 2, 2005. Increased material and labor costs accounted for approximately $7 million of the increase. Approximately $14 million was due to increased foreign product inventories required to service North American and European customer requirements. Of this $14 million, approximately $2 million is related to the start-up of European export efforts, while the remaining $12 million is related to ongoing efforts to make available a full line of foreign-sourced products to our North American customers.

Cash flows used in investing activities.   In the first nine months of 2005 we had net cash used in investing activities of $20.8 million compared to net cash used in the first nine months of 2004 of $37.2 million. This decrease was primarily due to $19.8 million spent during the second quarter of 2004 for the acquisitions of Star and Modern Molded (see Note 5).

Cash flows from financing activities.   Cash flows used in financing activities was $54.0 million in the first nine months of 2004 compared to cash flows provided by financing activities of $1.2 million in the first nine months of 2005. This was primarily due to early payment of $50 million of subordinated notes due 2009 in the first quarter of 2004.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. In addition, we do not have any undisclosed borrowings or debt, and we have not entered into any derivative contracts (other than those described in “—Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosure About Market Risk”) or synthetic leases. We are, therefore, not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

Group utilizes letters of credit and surety bonds in the ordinary course of business to ensure performance of contractual obligations. As of July 2, 2005, Group had $21.5 million of letters of credit and $16.3 million of surety bonds outstanding.

37




Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations as of July 2, 2005:

Payments Due by Period

Contractual Obligations

 

 

 

Less than
1 Year

 

1-3 Years

 

4-5 Years

 

After 5 Years

 

Total

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal on long-term debt

 

 

$

2.9

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

5.8

 

 

 

1,024.1

 

 

1,038.6

 

Interest on long-term debt(1)

 

 

72.4

 

 

 

143.9

 

 

 

182.9

 

 

 

354.9

 

 

754.1

 

Capital lease obligations

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

2.3

 

Operating leases

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

11.3

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

26.0

 

Unconditional purchase obligations(2)

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.5

 

Other long-term obligations(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total contractual cash obligations

 

 

$

91.6

 

 

 

162.2

 

 

 

191.8

 

 

 

1,381.9

 

 

1,827.5

 

 


(1)          Interest on the senior credit facility and secured notes is calculated using LIBOR of 3.54% and 3.21% respectively, the rates applicable under these debt instruments and in effect on July 2, 2005. Each increase or decrease in LIBOR of 0.125% would result in an increase or decrease in annual interest on the senior credit facility and secured notes of $0.8 million. Because the interest rates under the senior credit facility and secured notes will be variable, actual payments may differ. Interest does not include payments that could be required under our interest-rate swap agreements, which payments will depend upon movements in interest rates and could vary significantly. The payments due on the existing interest rate swaps expiring in July 2005 and May 2007 are estimated to be approximately $0.5 million, net of LIBOR interest of 3.54% received from counterparties.

(2)          Includes contractual obligations for purchases of raw materials and capital expenditures.

(3)          Excludes the deferred payment portion of the purchase price for Star. The Star purchase price is subject to adjustment to reflect, among other things, a deferred payment to be made by us to the extent that the gross profit of the business exceeds the target gross profit from February 1, 2004 to January 31, 2007. Although the maximum amount payable is $23 million, we estimate that the total deferred payment will be approximately $3.0 to $6.0 million. This calculation of the potential Star purchase price adjustment is based on management’s best estimate; however, the actual adjustment may be materially different.

Effect of Inflation; Seasonality

We do not believe that general inflation has had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations, with the exception of recent increases in the cost of our raw materials.

Our business is largely dependent upon the North American construction industry, which is very seasonal due to the impact of winter or wet weather conditions. Our net sales and operating income have historically been lowest, and our working capital needs have been highest, in the three month periods ending around December 31 and March 31, when the northern United States and all of Canada generally face weather that restricts significant construction activity and we build working capital in anticipation of the peak construction season, during which time our working capital tends to be reduced.

38




Critical Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are described in our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2004 as found on Form 10-K (File No. 333-116590). While all significant accounting policies are important to our consolidated financial statements, some of these policies may be viewed as being critical. Such policies are those that are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and require our most difficult, subjective and complex estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. These estimates are based upon our historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.” SFAS No. 123(R) replaces SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” SFAS No. 123(R) requires compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. Public companies are required to adopt the new standard using a modified prospective method and may elect to restate prior periods using the modified retrospective method. Under the modified prospective method, companies are required to record compensation cost for new and modified awards over the related vesting period of such awards prospectively and record compensation cost prospectively for the unvested portion, at the date of adoption, of previously issued and outstanding awards over the remaining vesting period of such awards. No change to prior periods presented is permitted under the modified prospective method. Under the modified retrospective method, companies record compensation costs for prior periods retroactively through restatement of such periods using the exact pro forma amounts disclosed in the companies’ footnotes. Also, in the period of adoption and after, companies record compensation based on the modified prospective method. SFAS No. 123(R), as amended in April 2005 for compliance dates, allows companies to implement the standard at the beginning of their next fiscal year. The Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 123(R) as of October 1, 2005, the beginning of its next fiscal year and to use the modified prospective method. The adoption of SFAS 123(R) is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2005.

In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs.” SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material. This Statement requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal.” In addition, this Statement requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS No. 151 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company intends to adopt SFAS No. 151 on October 1, 2005, the beginning of its 2006 fiscal year. The adoption of SFAS No. 151 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 109-1 and 109-2 were issued in December 2004, providing guidance on foreign earnings repatriation and qualified production activities of the American Jobs Creation Act (AJCA) that was enacted on October 22, 2004. The AJCA created a temporary incentive for United States multinationals to repatriate accumulated earnings outside the United States by providing an 85 percent dividends received deduction for certain qualifying earnings repatriations in either fiscal 2005 or in fiscal 2006. As of July 2, 2005, the Company has not provided deferred taxes on foreign earnings because any taxes on dividends would be substantially offset by foreign tax credits or because the Company intends to reinvest those earnings indefinitely. Due to the complexity of the repatriation provision, the

39




Company is still evaluating the effects of this provision on its plan for repatriation of foreign earnings and does not expect to be able to complete this evaluation until after the Treasury Department has issued all of its guidance, including the expected passage of a Technical Corrections Bill by Congress.

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47 (“FIN 47”), “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations.” FIN 47 provides clarification of certain sections of FASB Statement No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.” Specifically, FIN 47 clarifies the meaning of the term “conditional asset retirement obligation” as used in SFAS 143 and also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. FIN 47 is effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its financial statements.

ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The nature of market risks faced by the Company at July 2, 2005 were the same as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004. We are exposed to various market risks, which are potential losses arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates, foreign exchange fluctuations and raw materials. We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

At July 2, 2005 we had fixed rate debt of $438.2 million and variable rate debt of $613.5 million. The pre-tax earnings and cash flows impact resulting from a 100 basis point increase in interest rates on variable rate debt, holding other variables constant and excluding the impact of the hedging agreements described below, would be approximately $6.1 million per year.

Group has entered into interest rate swap agreements with a notional principal amount of $100.0 million in order to reduce interest rate risks and manage interest expense. The swap agreements, which mature in July 2005 and May 2007, effectively convert floating rate debt under Group’s credit facility into fixed-rate debt and carried an average fixed interest rate of 5.77% at July 2, 2005.

On July 27, 2005, Group executed a new interest rate swap agreement—notional principal amount of $50.0 million, maturing in April 2007—to replace the swap agreement which expired in July 2005. With this new swap agreement, floating rate debt under Group’s credit facility is effectively converted into fixed-rate debt at an average fixed interest rate of 4.09% at July 27, 2005.

Our strategy for management of currency risk relies primarily on conducting our operations in a country’s respective currency and may, from time to time, involve currency derivatives, primarily forward foreign exchange contracts, to reduce our exposure to currency fluctuations. As of July 2, 2005, we had foreign exchange contracts outstanding with a notional principal amount of $3.2 million to hedge our Canadian operations’ exposure to currency fluctuations on products purchased from United States suppliers and purchases of equipment from European suppliers.

ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

This Item 4 disclosure has been updated from what was originally reported for the quarter ended July 2, 2005 to reflect the results of the Company’s evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2005, which identified a material weakness that effectively led to the restatement of the previously issued financial statements for the years ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, the first three quarters of fiscal 2005 and all interim periods of fiscal 2004.

40




Restatement of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements

As described in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company identified errors in the presentation in the Company’s previously issued consolidated financial statements: (i) the effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash balances; (ii) book cash overdrafts; (iii) the misclassification of deferred income tax assets between the current and non-current classifications in the balance sheet and (iv) the misclassification of depreciation expense. As a result of these errors, the Company has restated its consolidated financial statements for the years ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, the first three quarters of fiscal 2005 and all interim periods of fiscal 2004.

The 2005 Restatement had no effect on the Company’s consolidated net income or the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Deficit for the two fiscal years ended September 30, 2004 and the first three quarters of fiscal 2005 and all interim periods of fiscal 2004, including our quarter ended July 2, 2005.

Evaluation of our Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). This evaluation was done under the supervision and with the participation of management, including Dale B. Smith, Chief Operating Officer(“COO”), and Jeffery W. Sprick, Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). It should be noted that any  system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met.

Based on this evaluation and because of the material weakness described below, our COO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective, at the reasonable assurance level, to enable us to record, process, summarize, and report information required to be included in our periodic SEC filings within the required time period or to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Notwithstanding this material weakness, our management has concluded that the financial statements included in this Form 10-Q/A fairly present in all material respects the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A material weakness is a control deficiency or a combination of control deficiencies that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected. As of July 2, 2005, the Company did not maintain effective controls over the preparation, review and presentation and disclosure of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Specifically, the Company’s controls failed to prevent or detect the incorrect presentation of the following: (i) cash flows from the effect of exchange rate changes on cash balances; (ii) cash flows and balance sheet presentation of book cash overdrafts; (iii) the presentation of current and non-current deferred income tax assets in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets; and (iv) classification of certain depreciation expense as selling, general and administrative expense instead of cost of sales in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of our annual consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2004 and 2003 and our interim consolidated financial statements for the first three quarters of fiscal 2005, all interim periods of fiscal 2004 and audit adjustments to our 2005 annual consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement of the presentation and disclosure of the Company’s consolidated financial statements that would result in a material misstatement in the annual or interim financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, management has determined that this control deficiency constitutes a material weakness.

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Previous Disclosure About Our Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

As of September 30, 2004, and all interim periods through July 2, 2005 including our quarter ended July 2, 2005, we reported the following control deficiencies that, in the aggregate, constituted a material weakness in internal control over preparation, review and presentation and disclosure of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Specifically our control deficiencies included: (i) a lack of personnel with experience in financial reporting and control procedures necessary for SEC registrants; (ii) a lack of sufficient controls to prevent or detect, on a timely basis, unauthorized journal entries; (iii) a lack of sufficient controls over information technology data conversion and program changes; (iv) a lack of sufficient controls over the development and communication of income tax provisions; (v) a lack of effective controls surrounding “whistleblower” hotline complaints and internal certifications to ensure that issues were communicated on a more timely basis by management to the audit committee and the independent registered public accounting firm; (vi) a lack of effective controls over revenue recognition associated with full truckload shipments not immediately dispatched by freight carriers; and (vii) a lack of formal controls and procedures regarding assessment of financial exposures and transactions, including consideration of accounting implications under generally accepted accounting principles. These control deficiencies resulted in audit adjustments to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2004. Additionally, these control deficiencies, in the aggregate, could result in a misstatement to accounts and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, management determined that these control deficiencies in the aggregate constituted a material weakness.

We reported in our Form 10-Q for all interim periods in fiscal 2005 that we had taken steps to remediate this material weakness. We: (i) reassigned our Chief Financial Officer, appointed an Interim Chief Financial Officer and hired additional accounting and finance staff; (ii) introduced increased training for our existing financial and accounting and other staff; (iii) retained third-party consultants with significant SEC financial reporting experience to provide assistance in complying with SEC reporting requirements; (iv) formed a disclosure committee to supervise the preparation of our Exchange Act Reports and other public communications; (v) improved our controls over, and began developing written policies and procedures that cover all of our significant accounting processes, including journal entries, the development and communication of income tax provisions, information data conversion issues and program changes, revenue recognition and assessing financial exposures; (vi) improved and centralized our controls over our information technology; and (vii) implemented global compliance initiatives under the direction of our Chief Compliance Officer. These improvement efforts continued to progress during our third quarter ended July 2, 2005. While significant improvements have been implemented throughout the year, management believes that additional remediation is needed and will require changes in personnel, processes and procedures to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting on a sustainable basis.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended July 2, 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting other than as described above.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Subsequent to September 30, 2005

Subsequent to September 30, 2005, management has taken steps to remediate the material weakness described above. These steps include a thorough review, on a quarterly basis, of foreign currency translation cash flow statement effects, book overdrafts and transactions related to property, plant and equipment and an additional review, on a quarterly basis, of the classification requirements of each component line item and the individual elements that comprise each line item of the statement of cash flows, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” Additionally, the classification of deferred income tax items in the balance sheet and cash flow statement, as well as depreciation in the statement of operations, will be evaluated quarterly. Management

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believes the additional control procedures designed, when implemented, will fully remediate this material weakness.

In addition, subsequent to September 30, 2005, the Company has made the following changes in internal controls to improve financial reporting accuracy:

·       Hired a full time Chief Financial Officer, Jeffery W. Sprick, and a Corporate Controller with SEC financial reporting experience;

·       Hired additional finance and accounting personnel at the Company’s Pratt and Mueller Chattanooga facilities;

·       Designated the Walter Industries Inc. Audit Committee, which is fully independent under New York Stock Exchange listing rules and the rules of the SEC, as its audit committee; and

·       Began to develop an internal quarterly review plan to review higher risk areas in financial reporting, such as revenue recognition and inventory valuation.

Another significant remedial action underway or planned to commence in fiscal year 2006, not specifically related to the previously identified material weakness, includes the issuance of a code of conduct to all employees. In fiscal 2006, we will be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley internal control reporting requirements and in 2006 we will be testing key internal controls for all significant business units and business processes.

The Company continues to upgrade the knowledge of our finance staff by implementing on-going United States generally accepted accounting principles training programs, consisting of providing appropriate technical resources to our finance team and training on the use of such resources, conducting a series of training sessions for plant controllers, periodic distribution of information regarding changes in accounting and reporting standards, and issuance of Company accounting policy statements. Additionally, the Company terminated the prior Chief Compliance Officer and reassigned those duties to the Director of Internal Audit.

PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.   Exhibits.

3.1

 

Certificate of Incorporation of Mueller Water Products, Inc. (formerly known as Mueller Holdings (N.A.), Inc., formerly known as Hydrant Acquisition Corp.)(1)

3.1.1

 

Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation(2)

3.2

 

By-Laws of Mueller Water Products, Inc.(1)

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Operating Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Operating Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

32.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

 


(1)          Previously filed as an Exhibit to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed with the SEC on June 17, 2004.

(2)          Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2005.

*                    Filed herewith.

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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.

 

MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: February 3, 2006

 

By:

/s/ DALE B. SMITH

 

 

 

Dale B. Smith

 

 

 

Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: February 3, 2006

 

By:

/s/ JEFFERY W. SPRICK

 

 

 

Jeffery W. Sprick

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

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