Form 10-K

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

Form 10-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003

 

Commission File Number 1-10741

 


 

PROVENA FOODS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

California   95-2782215
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. employer identification number)

 

5010 Eucalyptus Avenue, Chino, California   91710
(Address of principal executive offices)   (ZIP Code)

 

(909) 627-1082

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

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

 

Title of each class


  

Name of each exchange on which registered


COMMON STOCK    AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the act:

 

None

 


 

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    ¨

 

The aggregate market value of Provena Foods Inc. Common Stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2003 was $3,977,954.

 

The number of shares of Provena Foods Inc. Common Stock outstanding on February 26, 2004 was 3,359,706.

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes    ¨  No    x


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

2003 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

 

Table of Contents

 

Item

        Page

     PART I     
1.    Business    1
2.    Properties    4
3.    Legal Proceedings    5
4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    5
     PART II     
5.    Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters    5
6.    Selected Financial Data    7
7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation    8
7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk    13
8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    13
9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    13
9A.    Controls and Procedures    13
     PART III     
10.    Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant    14
11.    Executive Compensation    15
12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    16
13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions    17
14.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services    17
     PART IV     
15.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K    18
     Signatures    20

 

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PART I

 

ITEM  1. BUSINESS

 

General

 

Provena Foods Inc. (the “Company”) is a California-based specialty food processor engaged in the supply of food products to other food processors, distributors and canners. Its primary products are pepperoni and Italian-style sausage sold to frozen pizza processors, pizza restaurant chains and food distributors and dry pasta sold to food processors and canners, private label producers and food distributors. The Company’s products are sold throughout the United States but primarily in the Western United States.

 

The Company’s meat processing business is conducted through the Swiss American Sausage Co. Division (“Swiss American” or “Swiss”), and its pasta business is conducted through the Royal-Angelus Macaroni Company Division (“Royal-Angelus” or “Royal”). The Company acquired its present businesses between 1972 and 1975. The predecessor of Swiss was founded in 1922 and the two predecessors to Royal, Royal Macaroni Company and Angelus Macaroni Mfg. Co., were founded in 1878 and 1946, respectively. The Company was incorporated in 1972 in California with an initial capitalization of approximately $12,000.

 

The Company’s competitive strategy is to emphasize providing products of predictable quality and consistency at competitive prices as well as prompt and reliable service. The Company attempts to establish, refine and maintain procedures to assure that the Company’s products comply with its customers’ specifications and are delivered in a manner that will satisfy their delivery and production requirements.

 

For financial information about each of the Company’s two divisions, see the segment data contained in Note 12 of Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Swiss American Sausage Co. Meat Division

 

During the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, sales by Swiss accounted for 86.79% and 85.07%, respectively, of the Company’s net sales. Swiss’s slightly higher proportion of Company sales in 2003 resulted from a modest increase in sales at Swiss and essentially flat sales at Royal. The Company’s processed meat products are sold primarily to pizza restaurant chains, pizza processors and food service distributors. Pizza processors produce prepared pizza which is sold primarily as frozen pizza in food markets. Food service distributors supply food to delicatessens, restaurants and other retail businesses offering prepared food. The Company’s meat products are sold nationally, but most of its sales are made to customers located in the Western United States. The Company also sells processed meat products to the U. S. Government. The Company does not have supply agreements with its major customers, many of whom purchase some of their meat products from other suppliers.

 

Swiss competes with numerous producers of processed meats, many of which are larger and have greater financial resources than the Company. Swiss’s competitors include large national meat packers such as Hormel Foods Corporation, as well as smaller regional meat processors. Pizza processors that manufacture their own meat products diminish the market for Swiss’s products. The Company competes in the meat processing business by emphasizing predictable quality and consistency.

 

The meat processing activities of the Company are conducted at its meat plant in Lathrop, California. The meat plant has an estimated theoretical production capacity of 46,000,000 pounds per year. The Company also owns 2 acres of land adjacent to the plant to ensure a capability of expansion. See Item 2. Properties.

 

The meat processing activities of Swiss are typified by its processing of pepperoni, its principal product, which consists of the following steps: (i) the purchase of beef and pork trimmings with a guaranteed lean content; (ii) the blending of the meat into the Company’s meat product while carefully controlling the consistency and content of the product; (iii) the addition of spices and preservatives to the product; (iv) the extrusion of the product into sausage casings; (v) the oven cooking of the product in the casings; and (vi) the drying of the cooked product. Throughout the production process, the Company subjects its meat products to quality control inspection for the purposes of satisfying U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, meeting customer specifications and assuring a consistent quality of the products to the Company’s customers.

 

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In addition to pepperoni and sausage, the Company processes moderate amounts of other meat products, including meatballs, breaded meat patties and crumbles. Crumbles are quick-frozen nuggets of a pre-cooked meat product, such as the sausage on a sausage pizza. The crumbles line extrudes the ground and blended ingredients into nuggets which are cooked and quick-frozen in one continuous operation. Breaded meat patties are produced on a line added in 2002, which forms, breads and cooks the patties.

 

Royal-Angelus Macaroni Company Pasta Division

 

During the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, sales by Royal-Angelus accounted for 13.21% and 14.93%, respectively, of the Company’s net sales. Royal’s lower proportion of Company sales in 2003 resulted from increased sales at Swiss and basically unchanged sales at Royal. The Company sells its pasta products primarily to food processors and canners, private label customers, food service distributors, and specialty food distributors.

 

Royal’s food processor and canner customers use the Company’s pasta to produce retail products in which pasta is an ingredient, such as pasta salads, soups and entrees. Royal’s private label customers are regional and national food suppliers that sell pasta under their own labels, purchased in bulk from the Company or packaged by the Company. Royal’s food service distributor customers supply pasta to restaurants, institutional purchasers, and some retail establishments. The Company also sells its pasta products to government agencies, the military, schools and other pasta manufacturers.

 

The Company’s pasta products are produced at its production plant in Chino, California. The Company also owns a building adjacent to the pasta plant and currently occupies 40% of the building as part of its pasta plant and leases 60% to a tenant through February 2005. The pasta plant has a theoretical production capacity estimated at 30,000,000 pounds per year.

 

In the basic pasta production process, durum semolina flour is mixed with water and the mixture is extruded into one of many shapes, cut to the proper length, dried, packaged and shipped to the Company’s customers. If required by the particular variety of pasta, a different flour is used or flour is blended with egg powder, vegetable powder or other ingredients before the water is added. No preservatives are used in making pasta.

 

Royal-Angelus competes with several national and regional pasta manufacturers, many of which have greater financial resources than the Company. The Company competes in the pasta business by emphasizing predictable quality and consistency and by its capability of producing a larger variety of pastas with shorter lead times and production runs than most of its larger competitors.

 

Suppliers

 

The primary ingredients used by the Company in processed meat products are beef, pork, spices and casings and in pasta products are flour, egg powder and vegetable powder. The ingredients are purchased from suppliers at prevailing market prices. The Company has not recently experienced any shortages in the supply of ingredients and generally expects the ingredients to continue to be available for the foreseeable future.

 

Patents, Trademarks and Licenses

 

The Company owns no patents. It owns the United States registered trademarks “Royal” with the crown design, “Vegeroni” and “Fortune” for use on pasta products and licenses from the Del Monte Company until 2009 the United States registered trademark “Capo di Monte” for use on meat products. Registrations of the trademarks owned by the Company must be and are renewed from time to time. These trademarks are used primarily on products intended for processors and restaurant chains rather than consumers. No substantial portion of the Company’s sales is dependent upon any Company trademark.

 

Commodity Price Fluctuations and Availability

 

The Company contracts to sell its products at a fixed price for production and delivery in the future (generally four to six months or less). The Company is, therefore, subject to the risk of price fluctuations with respect to its product ingredients from the time the Company contracts with its customers until the time the Company purchases the commodities used to fill the orders. Prices for meat and flour, the Company’s major product ingredients, fluctuate widely based upon supply, market speculation, governmental trade and agricultural policies, and other unpredictable factors.

 

-2-


The Company is able to contract at fixed prices for delivery of domestic beef and pork up to 30 days in advance, imported beef and sometimes pork up to 90 days in advance, and flour up to 90 days or more in advance. The Company generally covers its committed sales by purchasing commodities at fixed prices for future delivery, but is subject to the risk of commodity price fluctuations when it contracts for sales beyond the period it can cover or when it orders commodities in anticipation of sales.

 

Effects of Inflation

 

It is the Company’s general policy, subject to current competitive conditions, to pass on increases in costs of commodities used in production by increasing prices of the products it sells to its customers. However, because the Company agrees on the price of its products to its customers in advance of purchasing the product ingredients, there may be a delay in passing on increasing commodity costs to customers, temporarily decreasing profit margins. Competitive conditions may limit the Company’s ability to pass on commodity price increases to its customers, prolonging or increasing the adverse effect on profit margins.

 

Marketing and Distribution

 

The Company’s processed meat and pasta products have been marketed primarily by the Company’s management personnel, food brokers, and three full-time salaried sales people. Because the Company sells most of its processed meat and pasta products to customers who either further process the products before they reach the consumer or sell the products under private labels, the Company does not advertise its products in a manner designed to reach the ultimate consumer.

 

Dependency on a Limited Number of Large Customers

 

A substantial portion of the Company’s net sales has in recent years resulted from sales to a few customers. See Note 12 of Notes to Financial Statements. The Company does not enter into continuing sales contracts with its customers, and has different major customers from time to time. The following table shows, by division and for the Company, the percentage of sales represented by the Company’s largest customers for the year ended December 31, 2003:

 

    Division


  

Number of

Customers


  

Division

Sales %


   

Company

Sales %


 

Swiss American

   3    50 %   45 %

Royal-Angelus

   1    11 %   1 %
    
        

Totals

   4          46 %

 

The Company fills orders as they are received from its customers, normally within a few weeks or less, and does not have a meaningful backlog of orders for its products. The Company carries significant inventories of its products for only a few major customers, and does not provide extended payment terms to customers.

 

Food Industry Risks

 

The business of the Company is subject to the risks inherent in the food industry, including the risk that a food product or ingredient may be banned or its use limited or declared unhealthful, that product tampering or contamination will require a recall or reduce sales of a product, or that a product’s acceptability will diminish because of generally perceived health concerns or changes in consumer tastes.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31, 2003, the Company employed 233 full-time employees, 173 in production at Swiss in Lathrop, California, 44 in production at Royal-Angelus in Chino, California, 8 in clerical and office functions, 3 in sales activities, and 5 in management activities.

 

-3-


Swiss’s plant employees are represented by the United Food and Commercial Workers Union,Local 588, AFL-CIO, CLC under a collective bargaining agreement dated April 1, 2002 which expires April 2, 2006. Royal’s plant employees are represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1428, AFL-CIO, CLC under a collective bargaining agreement dated October 2, 2002 which expires September 30, 2006. There has been no significant labor unrest at the division’s plants and the Company believes it has a satisfactory relationship with its employees.

 

Health Benefits

 

The Company provides health insurance benefits to all of its employees and their dependents. Its union and non-union employees are covered by a union-sponsored health insurance plan.

 

Workers’ Compensation

 

In 2002, the Company’s workers’ compensation cost was $710,277, and the Company was fully insured. The Company chose a modified workers’ compensation insurance for 2003 because the cost had approximately tripled. In 2003, the Company’s workers’ compensation expense was $1,324,473 and through the date of this report the cost of claims settled plus administrative costs for 2003 was $835,632. The remaining amount of $488,841, already paid to the insurance company, is the estimated cost to cover pending claims for 2003. As the claims for 2003 are ultimately settled, the Company will pay the excess over the $488,841 or receive a refund of the unused portion of the $488,841.

 

The Company remains on the modified workers’ compensation insurance for 2004, and will pay an insurance company $704,460 for administration of its workers’ compensation claims, and pay for claims settled and post deposits as reserves against claims pending. The insurance company requires a $300,000 deposit at the end of each quarter, aggregating $1,200,000 for 2004, or a letter of credit, supporting the Company’s obligations to pay claims and post reserves. The Company is seeking letters of credit from Comerica Bank-California in lieu of the deposits and is advised that the bank will charge 2% per annum on the amounts of the letters of credit. The modified workers’ compensation insurance does not provide stop loss coverage and consequently the Company is at risk for the cost in excess of $488,841 of settlement of pending claims for 2003 and the cost of settlement of all claims for 2004. Total settled claims for a year have never exceeded $500,000.

 

Regulation

 

Food products purchased, processed and sold by the Company are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations, including the federal Meat Inspection Act and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Since January 25, 1999, the Company has complied with the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Hazardous and Analysis Critical Control Points Program which enables the Company to self-inspect its meat products and production conditions and techniques. As required by law, U.S. Department of Agriculture employees visit the Company’s plant to inspect meat products processed by the Company and to review the Company’s compliance with the program. The Company is also subject to various federal, state and local regulations regarding workplace health and safety, environmental protection, equal employment opportunity and other matters. The Company maintains quality control departments at both its Lathrop and Chino facilities for purposes of testing product ingredients and finished products to ensure the production of products of predictable quality and consistency, as well as compliance with applicable regulations and standards.

 

ITEM  2. PROPERTIES

 

The Company’s meat processing plant is an approximately 85,000 square foot facility located in Lathrop, California, constructed by the Company in 1999. The estimated theoretical production capacity of the meat plant is 46,000,000 pounds per year. The Company purchased an additional 2 acres of land adjacent to the new plant in 1999 to ensure a capability of expansion.

 

The Company’s pasta production plant is an approximately 41,000 square foot facility located in Chino, California, occupied by the Company since 1987. In 1995, the Company purchased an approximately 44,000 square foot building adjacent to the pasta plant and currently occupies 40% of the building for pasta warehousing and leases 60% to a cold storage manufacturer through February 2005. The Chino plant has a theoretical production capacity estimated at 30,000,000 pounds annually.

 

-4-


ITEM  3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Company, from time to time, is involved in routine claims and litigation incidental to its business. Management believes that none will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or liquidity.

 

ITEM  4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

None

 

PART II

 

ITEM  5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The Company’s common stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “PZA”. The following table sets forth high and low prices as traded on the American Stock Exchange:

 

          Quarter of Fiscal Year Ended December 31

          First

   Second

   Third

   Fourth

2002

   High    $ 1.60    1.75    1.45    1.39
     Low      1.00    1.22    1.05    1.00

2003

   High      1.24    1.35    1.55    1.45
     Low      1.01    1.10    1.23    1.25

 

The closing price on December 31, 2003 was $1.28.

 

Common Stock

 

The Company’s Articles of Incorporation as amended authorize the Company to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock, without par value. The Company is not authorized to issue any class or series of shares except shares of common stock. At December 31, 2003 the Company had issued and outstanding 3,209,706 shares held by approximately 240 shareholders of record. In addition, the Company estimates that there are approximately 800 shareholders holding shares in street or nominee names.

 

Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. The Company commenced paying quarterly cash dividends in March 1988 and paid a dividend every quarter through the second quarter of 2001. A covenant under the Company’s credit facility with Comerica Bank-California currently prohibits dividends without the bank’s consent. The declaration and timing of future dividends, if any, will depend on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, the bank’s consent and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

 

All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable and are not subject to redemption. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record and have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Holders of common stock do not have preemptive rights and have no right to convert their shares into any other security. Upon liquidation of the Company, the holders of common stock would share ratably in all assets of the Company after the payment of all liabilities.

 

Shareholder communications regarding transfers, changes of address, missing dividends, lost certificates or similar matters should be directed to the Company’s transfer agent and registrar, Registrar and Transfer Company, 10 Commerce Drive, Cranford, NJ 07016-3572, (800) 368-5948, www.rtco.com.

 

-5-


Common Stock Repurchase and Sales

 

The Company has had a program since January 11, 1988 authorizing the repurchase of shares of its common stock up to the number of shares issued under the Company’s 1988 employee stock purchase plan, but the Company has not repurchased any shares under this program since 1995.

 

In addition, the Company must accept outstanding shares at fair market value in payment of the exercise price of options under the Company’s 1987 Incentive Stock Option Plan. The Company has received no shares in payment of the exercise price of options since 1998.

 

Under the 1988 employee stock purchase plan, in 2003 employees purchased 62,619 newly issued shares at an average price of $1.27 per share. Employees have purchased a total of 731,252 shares under the plan through December 31, 2003, at an average price of $2.58 per share. Under the plan, non-union employees employed at least 6 months, other than officers and directors, may authorize weekly payroll deductions which are matched by the Company and used monthly to purchase shares from the Company at the market price. The weekly payroll deduction is from $5 to $50 for each participant. The plan has been suspended while additional shares are being registered under a Form S-8 Registration Statement and listed on the American Stock Exchange. When the plan is operating, employee contributions plus Company matching funds are used monthly to purchase shares at the market price under the plan and accumulate at a rate of about $90,000 per year.

 

See Stock Grant Plan under Item 11. Executive Compensation for information on the Company’s Stock Grant Plan.

 

No shares were purchased by exercise of Incentive Stock Options in 2003.

 

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ITEM  6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The selected financial data presented below under the headings Statement of operations data and Balance sheet data as of and for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2003 is derived from the financial statements of the Company, which financial statements have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent auditors. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the balance sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the statements of operations, shareholder’s equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, included in a separate section at the end of this report beginning on Page F-1. Financial reports are the responsibility of management, and are based on corporate records maintained by management, which maintains an internal control system, the sophistication of which is considered in relation to the benefits received.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 
     (Amounts in thousands except per share data)  

Statement of operations data:

                                

Net Sales

   $ 43,188     37,977     36,007     27,309     20,628  

Cost of sales

     39,348     33,571     33,295     25,535     20,371  
    


 

 

 

 

Gross profit

     3,840     4,406     2,712     1,774     257  

Distribution, general and administrative expenses

     3,463     3,239     2,897     2,638     2,651  
    


 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     377     1,167     (185 )   (864 )   (2,394 )

Interest income (expense), net

     (618 )   (522 )   (690 )   (746 )   (175 )

Other income, net

     258     266     292     155     2,637  
    


 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     17     911     (583 )   (1,455 )   68  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (1 )   353     (313 )   (577 )   30  
    


 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 18     558     (270 )   (878 )   38  
    


 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

     Basic    $ .01     .18     (.09 )   (.29 )   .01  
    


 

 

 

 

       Diluted    $ .01     .18     (.09 )   (.29 )   .01  
    


 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid per share

   $ —       —       .06     .12     .12  

Weighted average number of shares outstanding (1):

    

Basic

     3,184     3,120     3,064     3,006     2,946  
      

Diluted

     3,184     3,120     3,064     3,006     2,961  

Balance sheet data (end of period):

                                

Working capital (deficit)

   $ 2,115     253     (491 )   307     1,878  

Property and equipment (net)

     16,464     15,587     16,129     16,101     16,119  

Total assets

     25,187     22,021     22,394     22,357     22,745  

Long-term debt and capital lease obligation, including current oprtion

     9,715     6,885     6,850     6,885     7,330  

Shareholders’ equity

     9,613     9,515     8,881     9,238     10,338  

 


 

(1) The Company sold shares under its employee stock purchase plan and its incentive stock option plan in the years as shown:

 

     2003

   2002

   2001

   2000

   1999

Purchase Plan Shares Sold

   62,619    57,571    54,507    62,980    56,293

Incentive Option Shares Sold

   —      —      —      —      2,638

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

General

 

The Company is a specialty food processor operating two well-established divisions, the Swiss meat division and the Royal pasta division. Both divisions have their operations in California. Both operate Company-owned plants that are capital intensive, requiring heavy investments in property and equipment. Both are in competitive industries, often experiencing long periods of intense competition when their industry develops an over-capacity. Both have many competitors that are larger and have greater financial resources than the Company. Both can be affected by contemporary health considerations, such as mad cow disease and the Atkins diet.

 

Company sales increased in 2003 from 2002 but its net income dwindled, both because of higher sales and lower profitability at Swiss. Swiss’s operating profit fell by over half from 2002 to 2003 because of an extraordinary increase in workers’ compensation costs and because meat costs increased throughout 2003 and selling prices failed to keep up. The U.S. case of mad cow disease discovered in December 2003 is causing reduced domestic and foreign demand for products containing beef and will have a negative impact on Swiss. Royal has been experiencing a long period of operating losses from intense competition. Its annual losses have been decreasing but increased workers’ compensation costs and perhaps the Atkins diet limited the improvement in 2003. There are indications that the over-capacity and intense competition in the pasta industry may begin to diminish, and Royal’s ability to compete is expected to be enhanced when its second long-goods line, acquired in 2003, becomes operational in 2004. At the end of 2003, the Company increased its liquidity and working capital by restructuring part of its debt, increasing its long term debt and reducing its borrowings under its bank line of credit.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth operating data for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001:

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net sales

   $ 43,188      100.0 %   $ 37,977      100.0 %   $ 36,007     100.0 %

Cost of sales

     39,348      91.1       33,571      88.4       33,295     92.5  
    


  

 


  

 


 

Gross profit

     3,840      8.9       4,406      11.6       2,712     7.5  

Distribution, general and administrative expenses

     3,463      8.0       3,239      8.5       2,897     8.0  
    


  

 


  

 


 

Operating income (loss)

     377      0.9       1,167      3.1       (185 )   (0.5 )

Interest expense, net

     (618 )    (1.4 )     (522 )    (1.4 )     (690 )   (1.9 )

Other income, net

     258      0.6       266      0.7       292     0.8  
    


  

 


  

 


 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     17      0.0       911      2.4       (583 )   (1.6 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (1 )    (0.0 )     353      0.9       (313 )   (0.9 )
    


  

 


  

 


 

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 18      0.0 %   $ 558      1.5 %   $ (270 )   (0.7 )%
    


  

 


  

 


 

Sales in thousands of pounds by division

                        

Swiss American

     24,461       22,257       19,959  

Royal-Angelus

     10,898       11,052       11,921  

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The discussions throughout this report may contain “forward-looking statements” that express or imply expectations of future performance, developments or occurrences. Actual events may differ materially from these expectations due to uncertainties relating to the economy, competition, demand, commodities, credit markets, energy supplies and other factors.

 

8


Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

In 2003, Company net sales of $43,188,000 were up 13.7% from 2002 sales of $37,977,000. The increase in sales was attributable to the meat division, with pasta division sales essentially unchanged. The trend of increased Company sales, caused by demand for Swiss products, is expected to continue with smaller sales increases at Swiss augmented by sales increases at Royal. Net income of $18,000 for 2003 was down materially from 2002 net income of $558,000. The decline in net income resulted from a reduced operating profit at Swiss and the failure of Royal to significantly reduce its operating loss. The single most significant cause of the decline in net earnings was an over $600,000 increase in workers’ compensation expense.

 

The meat division’s sales were up about 16% in dollars and 10% in pounds and it operated at a $680,000 profit for 2003 compared to a $1,547,000 profit for 2002. Swiss’s sales for the 4th quarter of 2003 were up 45% in dollars and 28% in pounds from the 4th quarter of 2002. The percentage increases were greater in dollars than in pounds because of increases in selling prices reflecting higher meat costs. The 4th quarter increases in part reflect an abnormal decrease in sales in the 4th quarter of 2002.

 

Swiss’s sales in dollars and in pounds have increased each year since its meat plant was completed in 1999. Its reduced profits in 2003 compared to 2002 were caused primarily by increased plant labor costs, higher workers’ compensation costs, increased health insurance costs, higher freight costs from greater shipping volume and distances, and meat cost increases outpacing increases in selling prices. Swiss’s margins decreased from 11.8% to 8.8% for the year and 12.0% to 7.0% for the 4th quarter. The principal causes of Swiss’s decreased margins were the workers’ compensation cost increase and the lag of price increases as meat costs increased. No further decline in Swiss margins is expected because workers’ compensation costs are not expected to increase and Swiss will endeavor to adjust selling prices to more accurately reflect meat costs. Although the decline in operating profit at Swiss is disappointing, Swiss operated at a substantial profit in 2003 despite an approximately $500,000 increase in workers’ compensation expense and continued its trend of increasing sales.

 

The pasta division’s sales increased about 0.6% in dollars but decreased 1.4% in pounds and it operated at a $512,000 loss in 2003 compared to a $525,000 loss in 2002. The pasta division’s sales for the 4th quarter of 2003 were up 7% in dollars but down 12% in pounds from the same quarter of 2002. The declines in sales in pounds reflect continued intense competition resulting from excess industry capacity. Sales in dollars increased in spite of decreased sales in pounds because of the production of a much higher proportion of premium packaged goods in the 4th quarter of 2003. Royal’s margins for the year and 4th quarter of 2003 were 9.6% and 12.6%, respectively, compared to 10.4% and 10.0% a year ago. Royal continued its trend of decreasing operating losses despite an increase of about $100,000 in workers’ compensation expense, and that trend is expected to continue because Royal’s second long-goods line is expected to become operational in the 1st quarter of 2004 and is expected to produce high quality goods faster and more efficiently than Royal’s existing line (see Liquidity and Capital Resources, below).

 

The Company’s gross profit for 2003 was $3,840,000 or 8.9% of net sales compared to $4,406,000 or 11.6% of net sales in 2002. Gross profit decreased in dollars and as a percent of net sales primarily because of higher production costs, principally plant labor at Swiss, and workers’ compensation expense. These decreases in gross profit in dollars and as a percent of net sales are not expected to continue as workers’ compensation expense is expected to remain at present levels, Swiss intends to more accurately prices its sales and Royal continues the trend of increased margins that began in the 4th quarter of 2003. Distribution, general and administrative expenses for 2003 were up about 7% from 2002 on a 13.7% increase in sales. Distribution expenses were up about $332,000, or 26%, due to increased freight costs at Swiss and increased workers’ compensation costs. General and administrative expenses were down about $107,000 primarily due to decreased bad debt expense, health insurance cost and officer compensation, partially offset by increased legal expense. Further increases in distribution expenses are not expected because workers’ compensation expense is not expected to increase and Swiss intends to remedy the increased freight costs by avoiding the sales that were causing them.

 

Net interest expense increased in 2003 from 2002 because the pre-payment of the industrial development bonds required that unamortized bond fees be expensed. Otherwise net interest expense was lower in 2003 because of lower interest rates. The $866,750 new equipment loan for the second long-goods line will increase interest expense in 2004, but the additional borrowing of about $2,000,000 under the new bonds will bear a lower interest rate than the same amount of borrowing would bear under the bank line of credit. (See Liquidity and Capital Resources, below.) Other income decreased slightly in 2003 from 2002 because of reduced waste product sales at Swiss. Income tax expense decreased because of the reduced earnings before income taxes and was changed from an expense to a benefit primarily because of a state income tax credit.

 

 

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Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2002 and 2001

 

In 2002, Company net sales of $37,977,000 were up 5.5% from 2001 sales of $36,007,000. The increase in sales was attributable to the meat division, with pasta division sales essentially unchanged.

 

The meat division’s sales were up about 7% in dollars and 12% in pounds and it operated at a $1,547,000 profit for 2002 compared to a $436,000 profit for 2001. Swiss’s sales for the 4th quarter of 2002 were down 8% in both dollars and pounds from the 4th quarter of 2001, with no apparent cause. The percentage increases for the year were less in dollars than in pounds because of decreases in selling prices reflecting lower meat costs.

 

The year 2002 was Swiss’s third full year of operating its meat plant and Swiss has continued to increase its sales and improve its operating results since the plant was completed in 1999. The 7% increase in sales dollars in 2002 is not as much of a leveling off as might first appear, because Swiss actually sold 12% more pounds of product in 2002 than in 2001 and sold it more profitably notwithstanding a weak economy.

 

The pasta division’s sales decreased about 0.5% in dollars and 7% in pounds and it operated at a $525,000 loss in 2002 compared to a $616,000 loss in 2001. The pasta division’s sales for the 4th quarter of 2002 were down 21% in dollars and 19% in pounds from the same quarter of 2001. The percentage decreases for the year were lower in dollars than in pounds because of higher selling prices reflecting higher flour costs, but were slightly higher in dollars than in pounds for the 4th quarter because flour costs were marginally lower in the 4th quarter of 2002 compared to the 4th quarter of 2001. The decline in sales in the 4th quarter of 2002 followed a surge in sales in the 4th quarter of 2001 and sales in pounds in the 4th quarter of 2002 were up 13% over the 4th quarter of 2000 although sales in dollars were down 3% because of lower flour costs. Royal’s margins for the year and 4th quarter of 2002 were higher than a year ago, but Royal continues to struggle as sales and operating results are adversely affected by competition resulting from excess industry capacity.

 

The Company’s gross profit for 2002 was $4,406,000 or 11.6% of net sales compared to $2,712,000 or 7.5% of net sales 2001. Gross profit increased in dollars and as a percent of net sales primarily because of Swiss’s increased sales and efficiency, aided by Royal’s improved margins. Distribution, general and administrative expenses for 2002 were up about 12% from 2001 on a 5.5% increase in sales. Distribution expenses were up about $63,000, or only 5.2%, despite the 5.5% increase in Company sales and the 12% increase in Swiss’s sales in pounds, primarily because of increased freight and insurance offset by lower salesmen expense. General and administrative expenses were up about $280,000 primarily due to increased officer and clerical compensation and profit sharing expense, increased expense for outside services and increased bad debt expense, partially offset by lower health benefit costs.

 

Net interest expense decreased in 2002 from 2001 because of lower interest rates on lower borrowings. Other income decreased in 2002 from 2001 because of reduced waste product sales at Swiss. The income tax benefit changed to an income tax expense because of the change from a loss before income taxes to earnings before income taxes.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company has generally satisfied its normal working capital requirements with funds derived from operations and borrowings under its bank line of credit, which is part of a credit facility with Comerica Bank California. The line of credit is payable on demand, is subject to annual review, and bears interest at a variable annual rate which is 0.75% over the bank’s “Base Rate.” The maximum amount of the line of credit is the lesser of $4,000,000, or 30% of eligible inventories plus 80% of eligible receivables, with a limit of $1,000,000 for inventories, determined monthly. At December 31, 2003 the Base Rate was 4.0% per annum, the maximum amount of the line of credit was $4,000,000 and the Company had $382,717 of borrowings outstanding under the line of credit, resulting in $3,617,283 of borrowings available under the line of credit at December 31, 2003. The amounts of any letters of credit from Comerica supporting the Company’s obligations to pay workers’ compensation claims and post reserves will be applied in reduction of the borrowings available under the line of credit (see Workers’ Compensation under Item 1. Business).

 

As part of the credit facility, in 1998 the Company borrowed $4,000,000 by the issuance of industrial development bonds repayable in installments through 2022 and supported by a letter of credit issued by Comerica. On December 30, 2003, the Company increased its liquidity by borrowing $6,300,000 by the issuance of variable rate demand bonds under an indenture supported by a $6,378,750 letter of credit issued by Comerica. Net proceeds of the new bonds of about $6,100,000 were used to retire the then existing industrial development bonds, pay down the bank line of credit and provide additional working capital. The new bonds are demand obligations remarketed upon repayment and bear a variable rate of interest payable monthly and

 

-10-


set weekly at a market rate—1.24% per annum at December 31, 2003. The Company must make monthly interest payments on the new bonds and monthly principal payments into a sinking fund used annually to reduce the aggregate outstanding principal of the new bonds. The principal payments for the first 5 years are about $12,900 per month with annual increases calculated to amortize the new bonds over 20 years. The monthly principal payments and amortization after the first 5 years are subject to agreement between the Company and Comerica. The Company pays a 1.5% per annum fee on the amount of the letter of credit and fees of the bond indenture trustee estimated at 0.5% of the bond principal per year. Bonds may be issued under the indenture for 30 years. The $6,378,750 letter of credit expires December 30, 2008 and Comerica is not obligated to renew it. If an agreement to renew a letter of credit is not reached prior to expiration, the Company is obligated to pay all outstanding bonds.

 

Also as part of the credit facility, the bank made four loans to the Company in 1999 for the meat plant, a $1,280,000 real estate loan and three equipment loans totalling $2,614,788. The real estate loan was made in December 1999, bears a fixed rate of interest of 9.1% per annum and is payable in equal monthly payments of principal and interest over its 25 year term. Each equipment loan bears a variable rate of interest and is payable in equal monthly payments of principal plus interest over its term, with issue date, initial amount, term and rate as follows: July 1999, $1,000,000, 7 year, bank’s “Base Rate”; September 1999, $1,200,000, 7 year, bank’s “Base Rate” plus 0.25%; and December 1999, $414,788, 5 year, bank’s “Base Rate” plus 0.75%.

 

All parts of the credit facility are secured by substantially all of the Company’s assets, including accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and fixtures, the Company’s two pasta buildings and the meat plant, none of which is otherwise encumbered. The credit facility prohibits, without the bank’s consent, dividends, mergers, acquisitions, purchase or disposal of assets, borrowing, granting security interests, and changes of management and requires a tangible net worth greater than $9,300,000; a debt to tangible net worth ratio of not more than 2 to 1; cash flow coverage not less than 1.06 to 1 until December 31, 2004, increasing to 1.25 to 1 thereafter; and a quick ratio of cash and account receivables to current liabilities of 0.5 to 1. The Company was in compliance with the covenants at December 31, 2003.

 

In 1999, the Company completed the construction of a 85,000 square foot meat plant on a 5.3 acre parcel of land in Lathrop, California, and purchased an adjacent 2 acres for possible future expansion, for a total cost of about $13,225,000. The meat plant has adequate production capacity to meet the foreseeable demand for its products.

 

The pasta plant has three short-good lines and two long-goods lines, including a second used long-goods line purchased in 2003 and expected to be operational in the 1st quarter of 2004. The second line is more modern and is expected to produce high quality goods faster and more efficiently than Royal’s existing line. The addition of a second line will enable Royal to produce two long-goods products at the same time and reduce production interruptions for product changes. The total cost of the second long-goods line is estimated at $1,250,000, part of which was financed on October 28, 2003 by an $866,750 five-year term equipment loan from General Electric Capital Corporation bearing interest at 3.65% over a Federal Reserve rate and payable in equal monthly payments of principal plus interest. With the second long-goods line, the plant has adequate production capacity to meet the foreseeable demand for its products. The two pasta buildings provide ample capacity for possible future expansion.

 

Additions to property and equipment were about $1,700,000 in 2003 and are expected to be about $565,000 plus any final costs to complete the second long-goods line in 2004.

 

In 2003, cash decreased about $267,000. Net cash provided by operating activities was about $1,285,000 consisting of net income, depreciation and amortization and increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, partially offset by increases in accounts receivable and inventories. Accounts receivable and inventories increased from December 31, 2002 but did not increase from September 30, 2003. Accounts receivable increased because of the increase in sales and customers taking slightly longer to pay, without a material change in the aging of accounts receivable. Inventories increased because of increased sales, because both meat and flour costs are up, and because Swiss has increased the inventories it carries in anticipation of customers’ needs. Investing activities used about $1,694,000 for additions to property and equipment, primarily the second long-goods line. Financing activities provided about $141,000, primarily from net proceeds from the bond refinancing, reduced by repayments of the bank line of credit.

 

In 2002, cash increased about $144,000. Operating activities provided about $1,969,000 of cash from net earnings, depreciation and amortization, decreases in accounts receivable and inventories and a change in deferred income taxes, partially offset by increases in prepaid expenses, other assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Accounts receivable and inventories decreased 14% and 8%, respectively, despite a 5.5% increase in sales. Investing activities used about $252,000 for additions to property and equipment, primarily at Swiss. Financing activities used about $1,574,000 for payments on long term debt and the capital lease obligation and repayments of the bank line of credit.

 

 

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No quarterly dividends were paid in 2002 or 2003. The declaration and timing of future dividends, if any, will depend on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations, the bank’s consent under the credit facility covenant, cash flow adequate to satisfy the Company’s obligations and working capital requirements and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

 

The Company adopted an employee stock purchase plan in 1988 to provide employees with the incentive of participation in the performance of the Company and to retain their services. Under the plan, employees other than officers and directors may authorize weekly payroll deductions which are matched by the Company and used monthly to purchase shares from the Company at the market price. The weekly payroll deduction is from $5 to $50 for each participant. The matching funds are an expense incurred by the Company, but the plan results in net cash flow to the Company because amounts equal to twice the matching funds are used to purchase shares from the Company. Cash flow to the Company from the plan was $79,785 in 2003. The plan has been suspended while additional shares are being registered under a Form S-8 Registration Statement and listed on the American Stock Exchange. When the plan is operating, employee contributions plus Company matching funds are used monthly to purchase shares at the market price under the plan and accumulate at a rate of about $90,000 per year.

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

The following table shows the long-term debt principal and capital lease obligation payments due in the specified periods as of December 31, 2003. The lease payments are estimates because they are proportional to pounds of a product sold.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

(amounts in thousands)    Totals

   2004

   2005

   2006

   2007

   2008

   Thereafter

Long-Term Debt

   $ 9,280    727    673    590    398    394    6,498

Capital Lease Obligation

     434    48    48    48    48    48    194
    

  
  
  
  
  
  

Totals

   $ 9,714    775    721    638    446    442    6,692

 

The Company expects that its operations and bank line of credit will provide adequate working capital to satisfy the normal needs of its operations for the foreseeable future, including cash flow to service its debt.

 

The Company believes that it has a good relationship with Comerica Bank-California, as evidenced by the bank’s previous over-advances under the line of credit, waivers in prior years of defaults under the financial covenants and modifications of the financial covenants. That relationship is crucial to the Company, because the line of credit is payable on demand, the Company could not make an immediate repayment of the line of credit, and a failure to repay the line after demand would render the entire credit facility in default. As a result, the bank has the power to require that the credit facility be restructured or refinanced.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission defines a critical accounting policy as one which is both important to the portrayal of the registrant’s financial condition and results of operations and requires management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Critical for the Company are determining the allowance for doubtful accounts and valuing inventory.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. The Company sells to its customers on credit and grants credit to those who are deemed credit worthy based on the Company’s analysis of their credit history. The Company’s standard payment terms are net 30 days. The Company reviews its accounts receivable balances and the collectibility of those balances on a periodic basis. Based on the Company’s analysis of the length of time that the balances have been outstanding, the pattern of customer payments, its understanding of the general business conditions of its customers and its communications with its customers, the Company estimates the recoverability of those balances. When recoverability is uncertain and the unrecoverable amounts can be reasonably estimated, the Company records bad debt expense and increases the allowance for accounts receivable by the amounts estimated to be unrecoverable. If the data the Company uses to assist in the calculation of the allowance for doubtful accounts does not reflect its future ability to collect outstanding receivables, additional provisions for doubtful accounts may be needed and the Company’s future results of operations could be materially affected. At December 31, 2003, the Company had no allowance for doubtful accounts based on the factors stated above. Additionally, based on the Company’s analysis, there is no indication that a material amount of receivables are uncollectible.

 

 

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Inventory. Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market, where market is generally the fair value less the cost to sell. The Company reviews the carrying value of its inventory on a periodic basis by determining the market value for the items in inventory and comparing the market value to the carrying value. In instances where the market value is lower than the carrying value, the Company writes down the inventory accordingly. If circumstances change (e.g. unexpected shifts in market demand) there could be a material impact on the net realizable value of the inventory.

 

Estimates involving critical accounting policies are based on historical data and anticipated future events, and actual results may differ from the Company’s estimates.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

New accounting standards and interpretations are adopted by the Company as they become effective. In the opinion of management, recently released standards and interpretations not effective at December 31, 2003, will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The variable rate demand bonds, the bank line of credit, and the equipment loans bear variable rates of interest (see Liquidity and Capital Resources under Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and see Notes 4 and 5 of Notes to Financial Statements) which tend to follow market interest rates and change the Company’s interest expense in the same direction as changes in interest rates. A 1% per annum change in the rate borne by the variable rate demand bonds would change annual interest expense by almost $63,000. Assuming an average bank line of credit balance of $2,000,000 plus $1,640,000 average of equipment loans, a 1% per annum change in the rate borne by those borrowings would change annual interest expense by $36,400. The Company believes that the carrying values of the amounts owed under the variable rate demand bonds, the bank line of credit and the equipment loans approximate the fair values.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

The Financial Statements and Supplementary Data are submitted in a separate section at the end of this report beginning with the Index to Financial Statements and Schedule on Page F-1.

 

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and l5d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.

 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, also conducted an evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that there have been no such changes during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter.

 

-13-


PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

 

The name, age, principal position for the past five years and other relevant information for each of the current directors and executive officers of the Company is as follows:

 

John D. Determan, age 71, has been a vice president and director of the Company since 1972, General Counsel from 1986 to 1992, Chief Executive Officer from 1992 to 1998 and Chairman of the Board since 1992. He is a member of the option committee.

 

Theodore L. Arena, age 61, has been the General Manager of the Company’s Swiss American Sausage Co. meat division since 1976, the President and a director of the Company since 1985 and the Chief Executive Officer since 1998. He is the nephew of Louis A. Arena, a director of the Company.

 

Ronald A. Provera, age 66, has been the secretary and a director of the Company since 1972 and was the General Manager of Sav-On Food Co., the Company’s distribution business, from its formation in 1960 until its liquidation in 1991. He is currently providing sales support to the Company’s Royal-Angelus Macaroni Company pasta division. He is a member of the option committee.

 

Santo Zito, age 67, has been the Company’s plant engineer since 1976, and a vice president and director of the Company since 1972. He is currently the General Manager of the pasta division. He is a member of the option committee.

 

Thomas J. Mulroney, age 59, has been the Company’s chief accountant since 1976, the Chief Financial Officer since 1987, a vice president since 1991, and a director since 1992.

 

Louis A. Arena, age 81, has been a director of the Company since 1972, a vice president from 1972 to 1989, and General Manager of the pasta division from 1975 until his retirement in 1989. He is Chairman of the audit committee.

 

Joseph W. Wolbers, age 74, has been a director of the Company since 1990. He retired in 1989 as a vice president of First Interstate Bank where he had been employed since 1950. He is a member of the audit committee.

 

John M. Boukather, age 67, is a management consultant. He was the Director of Operations of PW Supermarkets from 1993 to 1994, Vice President, Retail Sales, of Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. from 1992 to 1993 and president of Pantry Food Markets from 1983 to 1987. He has been a director of the Company since 1987. He is a member of the audit committee.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance. Based on copies of filed forms and written representations, the Company believes that all officers, directors and 10% shareholders have timely filed all Forms 3, 4 and 5 required for 2003 and (except as previously disclosed) prior years by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act.

 

Code of Ethics. The Company adopted a code of ethics applicable to all directors, officers and employees in 1989, a copy of which is Exhibit 14.1 “1989 Ethics Policy” to this report.

 

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The following table sets forth for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, all compensation of all executive officers of the Company serving at December 31, 2003.

 

Name and Position


   Year

   Annual
Salary


   SEP-IRA
Contributions


   Cash
Bonus


John D. Determan,
Chairman of the Board

   2003
2002
2001
   $
 
 
76,442
75,000
83,810
   $
 
 
11,466
11,250
12,572
      

Theodore L. Arena,
President and
Chief Executive Officer

   2003
2002
2001
    
 
 
129,628
125,961
127,307
    
 
 
25,076
27,579
19,096
   $
 
37,542
57,900

Ronald A. Provera,
Secretary

   2003
2002
2001
    
 
 
130,536
127,832
127,766
    
 
 
19,580
19,175
19,165
      

Santo Zito,
Vice President

   2003
2002
2001
    
 
 
133,415
130,188
130,532
    
 
 
20,012
19,528
19,580
      

Thomas J. Mulroney,
Chief Financial Officer

   2003
2002
2001
    
 
 
127,807
125,000
125,431
    
 
 
19,171
23,526
18,815
     31,838

 

See Incentive Stock Option Plan below for information on Incentive Stock Options. See Simplified Employee Pension Plan below for information on SEP-IRA Contributions. The cash bonuses were paid in anticipation of the adoption of a Stock Grant Plan. See Stock Grant Plan below for information on the Stock Grant Plan.

 

Except as authorized by the approval of the Stock Grant Plan, the Company does not currently pay bonuses or deferred compensation to executive officers. The Company does not provide executive officers with automobiles, employment contracts or “golden parachute” arrangements.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

The Company has no compensation committee. All executive officers are members of the Board and participate in the Board’s deliberations concerning executive compensation.

 

Simplified Employee Pension Plan

 

In 1988, the Company adopted a Simplified Employee Pension-Individual Retirement Accounts (“SEP-IRA”) plan and executed SEP-IRA Agreements with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Dean Witter Reynolds Inc., covering all employees at least 18 years old who have worked at least six months and earned at least $300 during the year, except certain union employees. Union plant employees at both divisions do not participate in the SEP-IRA plan under the terms of their current collective bargaining agreements.

 

The Company makes contributions under the plan in the discretion of the Board, allocated in proportion to compensation, to an Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”) established by each eligible employee.

 

Contributions, up to 15% of eligible compensation, are deductible by the Company and not taxable to the employee. An employee may withdraw SEP-IRA funds from the employee’s IRA. Withdrawals are taxable as ordinary income, and withdrawals before age 59-1/2 may be subject to tax penalties.

 

For 2003, the Company contributed $405,151 to IRA’s under the plan.

 

-15-


Incentive Stock Option Plan

 

In April 1987, the Company adopted an Incentive Stock Option Plan under Section 422A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Under the plan, as amended in 1988, for a period of 10 years from the date of adoption, an Option Committee appointed by the Board of Directors was authorized in its discretion to grant to key management employees options to purchase up to an aggregate of 261,704 shares of common stock of the Company. The purchase price of shares covered by an option could not be less than the market value of the shares on the date of grant and the term of an option could not exceed 10 years.

 

Options may no longer be granted under the plan. No options were exercised in 2003. At December 31, 2003, outstanding options to purchase shares at $2-9/16 per share were held 91,458 by Theodore L. Arena and 15,653 by Thomas J. Mulroney. All outstanding options are exercisable at a price which exceeds the 2003 year end stock market closing price of $1.28 per share.

 

Stock Grant Plan

 

In 2002, the Board of Directors of the Company conditionally authorized the adoption of a Stock Grant Plan to grant shares of the Company’s common stock to two executive officers of the Company, 180,000 shares to Theodore L. Arena and 100,000 shares to Thomas J. Mulroney and to pay them cash bonuses over three years beginning in 2002 to cover the income taxes they incur from receipt of the grants. In October 2003, the Board of Directors revised the Plan to limit the stock grant to 150,000 shares to Mr. Arena and to provide for only cash bonuses of $31,838 each in 2002, 2003 and 2004 to Mr. Mulroney. The conditions under which the shares were to be granted under the revised Plan were not met in 2003, and accordingly the Company did not issue the grant shares in 2003. Mr. Mulroney’s cash bonus for 2003 was also deferred.

 

On February 26, 2004, the Company granted and issued the 150,000 shares to Mr. Arena when the market price of the Company’s shares was $1.36 per share. The shares have full voting power and participate in dividends, but only 1/6 of the shares vested immediately and the balance will vest ratably over the next five years, contingent on Mr. Arena’s continued employment with the Company. The shares have been listed on the American Stock Exchange but have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, relying on the exemption under Section 4(2) of the act for transactions not involving any public offering. The $204,000 market value of the 150,000 shares on the date of grant is taxable income to Mr. Arena and an income tax deduction to the Company in 2004 and will be compensation expense recognized by the Company ratably over the vesting period. Mr. Arena was paid $57,900 in 2002 and $37,542 in 2003 and will be paid $64,844 on or before April 15, 2005 as cash bonuses to cover the income taxes he incurs from receipt of the shares. The Company intends to pay a cash bonus of $31,838 to Mr. Mulroney in 2004.

 

The issuance of the grant shares dilutes the outstanding shares. On February 26, 2004, prior to the grant, the Company had outstanding 3,209,706 shares.

 

Compensation of Directors

 

Directors who are not officers or employees are paid a fee of $1,000 for each board meeting, shareholders’ meeting or board committee meeting attended in person and $250 for each meeting other than a shareholders’ meeting attended by telephonic conference call. In addition, the Chairman of the Audit Committee is paid a retainer of $1,000 per month.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Management Stock Ownership

 

The following table sets forth, for each officer, director and 5% shareholder of the Company and for all officers and directors as a group (8 persons), the number and percent of outstanding shares of common stock of the Company owned on December 31, 2003.

 

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     Shares Beneficially Owned

 
     Without Options(5)

   

Options Exercised(6)


 

Name or Category(1)


   Number

   Percent

    Number

   Percent

 

John D. Determan

   335,327    10.4 %   335,327    10.1 %

The Salvation Army (2)

   189,231    5.9 %   189,231    5.7 %

Orangewood Children’s Foundation (2)

   189,232    5.9 %   189,232    5.7 %

Theodore L. Arena

   140,994    4.4 %   232,452    7.0 %

Ronald A. Provera (3)

   322,330    10.0 %   322,330    9.7 %

Santo Zito

   369,830    11.5 %   369,830    11.2 %

Thomas J. Mulroney (4)

   18,338    6 %   33,991    1.0 %

Louis A. Arena

   288,030    9.0 %   288,030    8.7 %
John M. Boukather    3,173    1 %   3,173    1 %

Joseph W. Wolbers

   12,250    4 %   12,250    4 %

Officers and Directors

   1,490,272    46.4 %   1,597,383    48.2 %

Shares Outstanding

   3,209,706    100 %   3,316,817    100 %

 

(1) The address for each person is c/o Provena Foods Inc., 5010 Eucalyptus Avenue, Chino, Ca. 91710.
(2) Bequests from Penny S. Bolton, the widow of James H. Bolton, former chairman of the Company. These shares are not included in the group’s shares.
(3) Includes 320,930 shares held by the family trust of Ronald A. Provera and his wife, Madelyn M. Provera.
(4) Includes 3,800 shares owned by Marsha Mulroney, wife of Thomas J. Mulroney.
(5) Excludes options under the Company’s Incentive Stock Option Plan to Theodore L. Arena to purchase 91,458 shares, to Thomas J. Mulroney to purchase 15,653 shares and to all officers and directors as a group to purchase 107,111 shares.
(6) The options of Messrs. Arena, Mulroney and the group are deemed exercised.

 

No other person is known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company.

 

Management Stock Transactions

 

No purchases or sales of the Company’s common stock by officers or directors were reported during the year 2003.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

There are no transactions with related parties required to be disclosed under the above caption in this report.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

KPMG LLP is the Company’s independent auditors and is expected to continue in this capacity for the current year. The aggregate fees billed for services rendered by KPMG LLP to the Company for 2002 and 2003 are as follows:

 

Audit Fees. KPMG LLP’s audit and quarterly review fees for 2002 were $51,000 and for 2003 were $78,750.

 

Audit-Related Fees. No audit-related fees were billed by KPMG LLP for 2002 or 2003.

 

Tax Fees. KPMG LLP’ fees for tax advice for 2002 were $1,850 and none for 2003.

 

All Other Fees. No other fees were billed by KPMG LLP for 2002 or 2003 for products or services.

 

The policies and procedures of the Audit Committee with respect to the engagement of the Company’s independent auditors to render audit or non-audit services are that the services are not performed until after the Audit Committee has met with the auditors and discussed the services to be rendered and received estimates of the fees for the services.

 

-17-


PART IV

 

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

Financial Statements and Schedules

 

The Financial Statements and Schedule filed with this report are in a separate section at the end of this report beginning with the Index to Financial Statements and Schedule on page F-1.

 

Exhibits

    
  3.7    Bylaws of the Company, as in effect on January 16, 1989 (1), (3)
  3.8    Amended and restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company as filed with the California Secretary of State on June 17, 1987 (2)
  3.9    Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the Company re Liability of Directors and Indemnification as filed with the California Secretary of State on January 17, 1989 (6)
  3.10    Amendment to Bylaws of the Company re Liability of Directors and Indemnification effective January 17, 1989 (6)
  3.11    Amendment to Bylaws of the Company re Annual Meeting in April (7)
  3.12    Amendment to Bylaws of the Company re relocating Principal Executive Office to Chino, California (8)
  3.13    Amendment to Bylaws of the Company re President as Chief Executive Officer (10)
  4.3    Form of Certificate evidencing common stock (8)
10.2    1987 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended to date (1)
10.20    1988 Stock Purchase Plan of the Company (4)
10.22    Dean Witter Simplified Employee Pension Plan Employer Agreement dated August 8, 1988 (5)
10.23    Wells Fargo Bank Simplified Employee Pension Plan Adoption Agreement dated July 18, 1988 (5)
10.36    Standard Industrial/Commercial Single-Tenant Lease—Gross dated December 18, 1995 between the Company, as Lessor, and R-Cold, Inc. and Therma-Lok, Inc., as Lessee of a portion of 5060 Eucalyptus Avenue, Chino, CA (9)
10.48    Variable Rate-Installment Note for $1,000,000 dated July 28, 1999 between the Company and Comerica Bank-California for equipment—two other notes differ only as to date, amount, rate and maturity as follows: 9/29/99, $1,200,000, “Base Rate” + 0.25%, 10/1/06; and 12/6/99, $414,788, “Base Rate” + 0.75%, 12/6/04 (11)
10.54    Collective Bargaining Agreement dated April 1, 2002 between Swiss and United Food and Commercial Workers Union,Local 588, AFL-CIO, CLC (12)
10.55    Collective Bargaining Agreement dated October 2, 2002 between Royal and United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 1428, AFL-CIO, CLC (12)
10.57    Loan and Security Agreement dated August 5, 2003 between the Company and Comerica Bank-California
10.58    Promissory Note for $866,750 dated October 28, 2003 between the Company and General Electric Capital Corporation
10.59    Fifth Amendment to Lease dated December 18, 1995 between Company and R-Cold, Inc. and Therma-Lok, Inc.
10.60    Indenture of Trust dated December 1, 2003 between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association
10.61    Series 2003A Supplement dated December 1, 2003 between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association
10.62    Offering and Remarketing Agreement dated December 1, 2003 between the Company and RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc.
10.63    Reimbursement Agreement dated December 1, 2003 between the Company and Comerica Bank
10.64    Notice of Restricted Stock Award and Restricted Stock Agreement dated February 26, 2004 between the Company and Theodore L. Arena
14.1    1989 Ethics Policy
23.1    Independent Auditors’ Consent
31    Section 302 Certifications
32    Section 906 Certifications

 

-18-



(1) Exhibit to Form S-1 Registration Statement filed May 11, 1987
(2) Exhibit to Amendment No. 2 to Form S-1 Registration Statement filed June 17, 1987
(3) Exhibit to Amendment No. 3 to Form S-1 Registration Statement filed July 29, 1987
(4) Exhibit to 1987 Form 10-K Annual Report
(5) Exhibit to 1988 Form 10-K Annual Report
(6) Exhibit to 1989 Form 10-K Annual Report
(7) Exhibit to 1990 Form 10-K Annual Report
(8) Exhibit to 1991 Form 10-K Annual Report
(9) Exhibit to 1995 Form 10-K Annual Report
(10) Exhibit to 1998 Form 10-K Annual Report
(11) Exhibit to 1999 Form 10-K Annual Report
(12) Exhibit to 2002 Form 10-K Annual Report

 

Reports on Form 8-K

 

During the year ended December 31, 2003 the Company filed no reports on Form 8-K.

 

-19-


SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: February 26, 2004

      PROVENA FOODS INC.
            By:   /s/    John D. Determan        
               
               

John D. Determan

Chairman of the Board

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/s/    John D. Determan        


John D. Determan

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

  February 26, 2004

/s/    Theodore L. Arena        


Theodore L. Arena

  

President (Principal Executive Officer) and Director

  February 26, 2004

/s/    Ronald A. Provera        


Ronald A. Provera

  

Vice President, Sales, Secretary and Director

  February 26, 2004

/s/    Santo Zito        


Santo Zito

  

Vice President and Director

  February 26, 2004

/s/    Thomas J. Mulroney        


Thomas J. Mulroney

  

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  February 26, 2004

/s/    Louis A. Arena        


Louis A. Arena

  

Director

  February 26, 2004

/s/    Joseph W. Wolbers        


Joseph W. Wolbers

  

Director

  February 26, 2004

/s/    John M. Boukather        


John M. Boukather

  

Director

  February 26, 2004

 

 

-20-


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Financial Statements and Schedule

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

(With Independent Auditors’ Report Thereon)


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Index to Financial Statements and Schedule

 

     Page

Independent Auditors’ Report

   F-2

Balance Sheets – December 31, 2003 and 2002

   F-3

Statements of Operations – Years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001

   F-4

Statements of Shareholders’ Equity – Years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001

   F-5

Statements of Cash Flows – Years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001

   F-6

Notes to Financial Statements

   F-7

Schedule

    

II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

   F-22

 

 

F-1


Independent Auditors’ Report

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Provena Foods Inc.:

 

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Provena Foods Inc. as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003. In connection with our audits of the financial statements, we also have audited the accompanying financial statement schedule, as listed in the accompanying index. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Provena Foods Inc. as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

/s/    KPMG

 

Costa Mesa, California

February 6, 2004, except as to Note 7,

which is as of February 26, 2004

 

F-2


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Balance Sheets

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

     2003

   2002

Assets

           

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 83,094    350,433

Accounts receivable

     4,002,477    2,772,039

Inventories

     4,023,118    2,944,123

Prepaid expenses

     157,795    41,829

Income tax receivable

     13,631    —  

Deferred tax assets

     148,486    92,736
    

  

Total current assets

     8,428,601    6,201,160

Property and equipment, net

     16,464,176    15,587,363

Other assets

     294,682    232,095
    

  
     $ 25,187,459    22,020,618
    

  

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

           

Current liabilities:

           

Line of credit

   $ 382,717    2,922,729

Current portion of long-term debt

     726,628    495,285

Current portion of capital lease obligation

     48,000    113,200

Accounts payable

     3,798,481    1,293,481

Accrued liabilities

     1,357,786    1,123,138
    

  

Total current liabilities

     6,313,612    5,947,833
    

  

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     8,553,803    5,903,883

Capital lease obligation, net of current portion

     386,302    372,625

Deferred tax liabilities

     320,801    281,354

Shareholders’ equity:

           

Common stock, no par value; Authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 3,209,706 and 3,147,087 shares at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively

     5,139,019    5,059,234

Retained earnings

     4,473,922    4,455,689
    

  

Total shareholders’ equity

     9,612,941    9,514,923

Commitments and contingencies (notes 4, 5, 9, and 13)

           
    

  
     $ 25,187,459    22,020,618
    

  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-3


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Statements of Operations

 

Years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Net sales

   $ 43,188,367     37,976,958     36,007,139  

Cost of sales

     39,347,880     33,570,600     33,295,452  
    


 

 

Gross profit

     3,840,487     4,406,358     2,711,687  
    


 

 

Operating expenses:

                    

Distribution

     1,608,802     1,276,928     1,214,011  

General and administrative

     1,855,180     1,962,492     1,682,876  
    


 

 

       3,463,982     3,239,420     2,896,887  
    


 

 

Operating income (loss)

     376,505     1,166,938     (185,200 )

Other income (expense):

                    

Interest expense

     (618,263 )   (521,966 )   (690,203 )

Other, net

     258,487     266,479     292,451  
    


 

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     16,729     911,451     (582,952 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (1,504 )   353,709     (312,635 )
    


 

 

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 18,233     557,742     (270,317 )
    


 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share:

                    

Basic

   $ 0.01     0.18     (0.09 )

Diluted

     0.01     0.18     (0.09 )

Shares used in computing per common share amounts:

                    

Basic

     3,183,842     3,120,380     3,064,033  

Diluted

     3,183,842     3,120,380     3,064,033  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-4


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

 

Years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001

 

     Common stock

  

Retained

earnings


    Total
shareholders’
equity


 
     Shares issued

   Amount

    

Balance at December 31, 2000

   3,035,009      4,886,874    4,351,569     9,238,443  

Sale of common stock

   54,507      96,465    —       96,465  

Cash dividends paid, $0.06 per share

   —        —      (183,305 )   (183,305 )

Net loss

   —        —      (270,317 )   (270,317 )
    
  

  

 

Balance at December 31, 2001

   3,089,516      4,983,339    3,897,947     8,881,286  

Sale of common stock

   57,571      75,895    —       75,895  

Net earnings

   —        —      557,742     557,742  
    
  

  

 

Balance at December 31, 2002

   3,147,087      5,059,234    4,455,689     9,514,923  

Sale of common stock

   62,619      79,785    —       79,785  

Net earnings

   —        —      18,233     18,233  
    
  

  

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

   3,209,706    $ 5,139,019    4,473,922     9,612,941  
    
  

  

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-5


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Statements of Cash Flows

 

Years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                    

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 18,233     557,742     (270,317 )

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

                    

Depreciation and amortization

     828,519     792,707     735,611  

Provision for bad debts

     —       82,224     —    

Deferred income taxes

     (16,303 )   160,509     (343,881 )

Write off of deferred financing fees

     153,852     —       —    

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                    

Accounts receivable

     (1,230,438 )   384,672     (706,916 )

Inventories

     (1,078,995 )   246,537     (309,174 )

Prepaid expenses

     (115,966 )   (29,386 )   41,165  

Income taxes receivable

     (13,631 )   —       407,843  

Other assets

     —       (50,827 )   8,657  

Accounts payable

     2,505,000     (68,577 )   182,497  

Accrued liabilities

     234,648     (106,135 )   (149,323 )
    


 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     1,284,919     1,969,466     (403,838 )
    


 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

                    

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     —       76,679     —    

Additions to property and equipment

     (1,693,971 )   (328,087 )   (196,484 )
    


 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (1,693,971 )   (251,408 )   (196,484 )
    


 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

                    

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     7,139,711     —       —    

Payments on long-term debt

     (4,258,448 )   (492,023 )   (485,725 )

Proceeds (payments) under line of credit

     (2,540,012 )   (1,077,271 )   1,291,079  

Proceeds from sale of common stock

     79,785     75,895     96,465  

Payment of deferred financing fees

     (227,800 )   —       —    

Cash dividends paid

     —       —       (183,305 )

Payments on capital lease

     (51,523 )   (81,003 )   —    
    


 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     141,713     (1,574,402 )   718,514  
    


 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (267,339 )   143,656     118,192  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     350,433     206,777     88,585  
    


 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 83,094     350,433     206,777  
    


 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

                    

Cash paid (received) during the year for:

                    

Interest

   $ 617,870     514,344     690,203  

Income taxes

     60,600     161,030     800  

Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities:

                    

Property and equipment acquired under capital leases

   $ —       —       566,828  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

F-6


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

  (a) Description of Business

 

Provena Foods Inc. (the “Company”) is a California-based specialty food processor. The Company grants credit to its customers in the normal course of business. The Company’s meat processing business is conducted through its Swiss American Sausage Division (the “Swiss American Division”), and the Company’s pasta business is conducted through its Royal-Angelus Macaroni Division (the “Royal-Angelus Division”).

 

  (b) Liquidity

 

The Company reported net income of $18,233 and $557,742 during fiscal 2003 and 2002, respectively, and a net loss of $270,317 in fiscal 2001. Borrowings on the line of credit and long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations, decreased from $10,891,191 at December 31, 2001 to $9,321,897 at December 31, 2002, and increased to $9,663,148 at December 31, 2003. The balance at December 31, 2003 includes additional borrowings in the amount of $866,750 relating to the new long good pasta line. The Company had positive working capital and positive cash provided by operating activities at December 31, 2003 and 2002. The net loss in 2001 was primarily the result of the fire that occurred at the former San Francisco manufacturing facility in 1998 as well as a general economic downturn during 2000 and 2001. The Company has built a new manufacturing facility in Lathrop to replace the facility destroyed by fire. The new manufacturing facility has a greater production capacity and as such the Company has increased sales to an even greater level than those achieved prior to the fire. The Company believes that, with respect to its current operations, cash on hand and funds from operations, together with its credit facilities, will be sufficient to cover its reasonable foreseeable working capital, capital expenditure, and debt service requirements in fiscal 2004.

 

  (c) Inventories

 

Inventories consist principally of food products and are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.

 

  (d) Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Equipment acquired under capital lease is recorded at the present value of future minimum lease payments and amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset. Assets acquired prior to 1981 and subsequent to 1986 are depreciated on the straight-line method. For assets acquired during the period from 1981 through 1986, accelerated methods of depreciation are used. Estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Buildings and improvements

   31.5 to 39 years

Machinery and equipment

   5 to 10 years

Delivery equipment

   5 years

Office equipment

   7 years

 

(Continued)

 

F-7


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

  (e) Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers investments with maturities of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

 

  (f) Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

 

Earnings (loss) per common share are calculated under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, Earnings per Share. SFAS No. 128 requires the Company to report both basic earnings (loss) per share, which is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, and diluted earnings (loss) per share, which is based on the weighted average number of common shares plus all potential dilutive common shares outstanding (see note 11).

 

  (g) Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

  (h) Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

  (i) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities are measured at cost which approximates their fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The carrying amount of the Company’s borrowings under the line of credit and long-term debt approximates their fair value because the interest rate on the instruments fluctuate with market interest rates or represents borrowing rates available with similar terms.

 

  (j) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by that asset. If such assets are considered impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amounts of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets.

 

(Continued)

 

F-8


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

  (k) Stock Option Plan

 

The Company applies the intrinsic value-based method of accounting prescribed by APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations, to account for its fixed plan stock options. Under this method, compensation expense is recorded on the date of grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, established accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans. As allowed by SFAS No. 123, the Company has elected to continue to apply the intrinsic value-based method of accounting described above, and has adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure.

 

The Company applies the intrinsic-value based method of APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its Plan and, accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock options in the financial statements. Had the Company determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net earnings (loss) on a pro forma basis would have been as follows:

 

         

2003


  

2002


  

2001


Net earnings (loss)

   As reported    $18,233    557,742    (270,317)
     Pro forma    18,233    557,742    (270,317)

Net earnings (loss) per share

   As reported:               
         Basic    $0.01    0.18    (0.09)
         Diluted    0.01    0.18    (0.09)
     Pro forma:               
         Basic    $0.01    0.18    (0.09)
         Diluted    0.01    0.18    (0.09)

 

  (l) Segment Information

 

The Company operates two reportable segments under criteria established in SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, (see note 12).

 

  (m) Comprehensive Income

 

The Company has adopted SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, which establishes rules for the reporting and display of comprehensive income (loss) and its components. The Company does not have any components of other comprehensive income (loss), and accordingly, the Company’s comprehensive income (loss) is the same as its net earnings (loss).

 

(Continued)

 

F-9


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

  (n) Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue is recognized when the following criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the seller’s price is fixed or determinable; and collectibility is reasonably assured. Generally, for the Company’s revenue transactions, the revenue recognition criteria is met upon shipment of goods to customers.

 

  (o) Deferred Financing Fees

 

The Company defers certain fees relating to the obtaining of new financings and amortizes those deferred fees to interest expense over the life of the financing.

 

  (p) Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts in the prior year’s financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the 2003 presentation.

 

(2) Inventories

 

A summary of inventories follows:

 

     2003

   2002

Raw materials

   $ 1,515,118    1,128,576

Work in process

     951,388    705,993

Finished goods

     1,556,612    1,109,554
    

  
     $ 4,023,118    2,944,123
    

  

 

(3) Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment, at cost, consists of the following:

 

     2003

    2002

 

Land

   $ 1,296,803     1,296,803  

Buildings and improvements

     13,468,426     13,318,740  

Machinery and equipment

     7,007,360     6,536,793  

Delivery equipment

     3,500     6,700  

Office equipment

     193,585     184,283  

Construction in progress

     1,154,359     90,258  
    


 

       23,124,033     21,433,577  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (6,659,857 )   (5,846,214 )
    


 

     $ 16,464,176     15,587,363  
    


 

 

((Continued)

 

F-10


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

The Company leases certain real property to outside parties under noncancelable operating leases. Rental income, included in other income, totaled approximately $136,000, $129,000, and $122,000 in 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

 

(4) Line of Credit

 

The Company has a $4,000,000 secured bank line of credit, due on demand with no stated expiration date, at an interest rate of bank prime (4.00% at December 31, 2003) plus 0.75%. The line of credit is secured by accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment. At December 31, 2003 and 2002 short-term borrowings under this line of credit were $382,717 and $2,922,729, respectively. Amounts available under this line of credit are limited based on a formula that considers accounts receivable and inventory balances. The Company had approximately $3,617,000 available under this line of credit at December 31, 2003. The bank line of credit agreement is subject to certain covenants with which the Company was in compliance as of December 31, 2003.

 

(Continued)

 

F-11


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

(5) Long-Term Debt

 

Long-term debt at December 31, 2003 and 2002 consists of the following:

 

     2003

   2002

Equipment loan at federal reserve rate plus 3.65% (4.67% at December 31, 2003), secured by certain equipment, monthly principal and interest payments of $16,222 through the year 2008.

   $ 839,711    —  

Equipment loans at variable interest rates from prime (4.00% at December 31, 2003) to prime plus 0.75%, secured by all Company assets. Maturity dates range from 2004 through 2006

     916,557    1,313,792

Real estate loan at fixed rate of 9.1%, secured by all Company assets, monthly principal and interest payments of $10,830, due and payable in 2024

     1,224,163    1,240,376

Variable/Fixed Rate Demand Bonds Series 2003A (Demand Bonds) at a variable rate (1.24% at December 31, 2003), secured by an irrevocable letter of credit, monthly principal payments ranging from $12,900 to $45,800. Interest payments due monthly and vary according to prevailing rates.

     6,300,000    —  

Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (IDRB) at variable interest rate (1.55% at December 31, 2002), secured by an irrevocable letter of credit, monthly principal and interest payments ranging from $6,400 to $45,200 beginning in 2001 through the year 2023. The IDBR were paid in full in 2003.

     —      3,845,000
    

  
       9,280,431    6,399,168

Less current portion

     726,628    495,285
    

  
     $ 8,553,803    5,903,883
    

  

 

The Company has a $6,378,750 irrevocable letter of credit securing the Demand Bonds, which is collateralized by accounts receivable, inventories, equipment, and certain real property. The commitment fee is 1.5% per annum, due at the beginning of each quarter. This letter of credit expires in December 2008.

 

The installments of long-term debt maturing in each of the next five years and thereafter are: 2004 – $726,628, 2005 – $672,139, 2006 – $589,806, 2007 – $398,416, 2008 – $394,226 and thereafter – $6,499,216.

 

(Continued)

 

F-12


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

(6) Accrued Liabilities

 

A summary of accrued liabilities follows:

 

     2003

   2002

Accrued profit sharing

   $ 406,045    372,222

Accrued retirement

     345,662    311,078

Accrued compensation

     194,303    243,254

Other

     411,776    196,584
    

  
     $ 1,357,786    1,123,138
    

  

 

(7) Shareholders’ Equity

 

The Company sold shares to employees under its stock purchase plan (see note 9) in 2003, 2002, and 2001.

 

In 2002, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the adoption of a Stock Grant Plan to grant a total of 280,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to two executive officers of the Company at the Board of Directors’ discretion. In 2003, the Company adopted a revised plan to issue common stock to one executive officer and give a cash bonus to the other. The conditions under which the common stock would have been granted and the cash bonus given were not met, and accordingly the Company did not issue common stock or pay a cash bonus under the revised plan in 2003.

 

On February 26, 2004, the Company granted and issued 150,000 shares to one executive officer at the market price of $1.36 per share. 1/6th of the shares were vested at the grant date, and the remaining shares vest ratably over the next five years, contingent on the continued employment of the executive officer. The Company intends to grant a cash bonus of $32,000 to another executive officer of the Company in 2004.

 

(8) Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001 consist of the following:

 

     2003

    2002

   2001

 

Current:

                   

Federal

   $ 13,999     192,400    30,446  

State

     800     800    800  

Deferred:

                   

Federal

     (3,337 )   122,287    (228,511 )

State

     (12,966 )   38,222    (115,370 )
    


 
  

     $ (1,504 )   353,709    (312,635 )
    


 
  

 

(Continued)

 

F-13


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

The sources and tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis of assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

     2003

   2002

Deferred tax assets:

           

Inventory

   $ 168,616    139,130

Net operating loss

     50,186    50,186

State taxes

     40,730    38,868
    

  

Total deferred tax assets

     259,532    228,184

Less valuation allowance

     —      —  
    

  

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 259,532    228,184
    

  

Deferred tax liabilities:

           

Gain on destroyed equipment

   $ 370,410    416,802

Property and equipment

     61,437    —  
    

  

Total deferred tax liabilities

   $ 431,847    416,802
    

  

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of the deferred tax assets and liabilities presented in the table above to the accompanying balance sheets at December 31, 2003 and 2002:

 

     2003
Current


   2003
Noncurrent


    2003
Total


 

Deferred tax assets:

                   

Inventory

   $ 168,616    —       168,616  

Net operating loss

     —      50,186     50,186  

State taxes

     26,264    14,466     40,730  
    

  

 

Total deferred tax assets

     194,880    64,652     259,532  
    

  

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

                   

Gain on destroyed equipment

     46,394    324,016     370,410  

Property and equipment

     —      61,437     61,437  
    

  

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     46,394    385,453     431,847  
    

  

 

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

   $ 148,486    (320,801 )   (172,315 )
    

  

 

 

(Continued)

 

F-14


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

    

2002

Current


  

2002

Noncurrent


   

2002

Total


 

Deferred tax assets:

                   

Inventory

   $ 139,130    —       139,130  

Net operating loss

     —      50,186     50,186  

State taxes

     —      38,868     38,868  
    

  

 

Total deferred tax assets

     139,130    89,054     228,184  
    

  

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

                   

Gain on destroyed equipment

     46,394    370,408     416,802  

Property and equipment

     —      —       —    
    

  

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     46,394    370,408     416,802  
    

  

 

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

   $ 92,736    (281,354 )   (188,618 )
    

  

 

 

As of December 31, 2003 the Company had net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards of approximately $860,818 for state tax purposes. The state NOL is available to offset future state taxable income through 2011. The utilization of these NOL carryforwards could be limited due to restrictions imposed under federal and state laws upon a change in ownership.

 

Management believes that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets.

 

(Continued)

 

F-15


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

Actual income tax expense (benefit) differs from “expected” income tax, computed by applying the U.S. federal corporate tax rate of 34% to earnings (loss) from operations before income taxes, as follows:

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 
     Amount

    %

    Amount

    %

    Amount

    %

 

Computed “expected” income taxes

   $ 5,688     34.0 %   $ 309,893     34.0 %   $ (198,204 )   34.0 %

State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit

     970     5.8       42,166     4.6       (21,944 )   3.8  

State manufacturing investment credit

     (13,358 )   (79.9 )     —       —         (92,487 )   8.6  

Non deductible expenses

     5,237     31.3       5,066     0.6       —       —    

Other

     (41 )   (0.2 )     (3,416 )   (0.4 )     —       —    
    


 

 


 

 


 

     $ (1,504 )   (9.0 %)   $ 353,709     38.8 %   $ (312,635 )   46.4 %
    


 

 


 

 


 

 

(9) Employee Benefit Plans

 

In 1988, the Company adopted a Simplified Employee Pension – Individual Retirement Account (SEP IRA) plan covering all full-time, nonunion employees. The Company makes contributions under the plan at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Company’s contributions to the SEP IRA for 2003, 2002, and 2001 were approximately $406,000, $364,000, and $332,000, respectively.

 

In 1988, the Company adopted a stock purchase plan, enabling substantially all nonunion employees except officers and directors to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock through periodic payroll deductions. Employees may contribute up to $50 per week and all contributions are 100% matched by the Company; the combined funds are used in the subsequent month to purchase whole shares of common stock at current market prices. Stock purchases under this plan result in net cash flow to the Company as the contributions and employer-matching contributions are used to acquire newly issued common shares from the Company. The Company matching contributions to the stock purchase plan for 2003, 2002, and 2001 were $42,981, $37,569, and $48,288, respectively.

 

(Continued)

 

F-16


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

(10) Incentive Stock Option Plan

 

Under a stock option plan (the Plan) adopted in 1987, the Company has awarded options to certain of its key employees to purchase common stock at prices which approximate fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. The Plan provides for a maximum grant of 261,704 shares. All stock options have a maximum ten-year term and become fully exercisable in accordance with a predetermined vesting schedule that varies by employee.

 

There were no options granted in 2003, 2002, or 2001.

 

Stock option activity under the Plan during the periods indicated is as follows:

 

     Number of
shares


   Weighted
average
exercise price


Balance at December 31, 2000

   107,111    $ 2.56

Exercised

   —        —  
    
      

Balance at December 31, 2001

   107,111      2.56

Exercised

   —        —  
    
      

Balance at December 31, 2002

   107,111      2.56

Exercised

   —        —  
    
      

Balance at December 31, 2003

   107,111      2.56
    
      

 

At December 31, 2003 the exercise price and remaining contractual life of outstanding options was $2.56 and three years, respectively.

 

At December 31, 2003 the number of options exercisable was 107,111, and the weighted average exercise price of those options was $2.56.

 

(Continued)

 

F-17


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

(11) Earnings (Loss) Per Share

 

The following table illustrates the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

 

     2003

   2002

   2001

 

Numerator:

                  

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share — net earnings (loss)

   $ 18,233    557,742    (270,317 )

Denominator:

                  

Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share — weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period

     3,183,482    3,120,380    3,064,033  

Incremental common shares attributable to exercise of outstanding options

     —      —      —    
    

  
  

Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share

     3,183,482    3,120,380    3,064,033  
    

  
  

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.01    0.18    (0.09 )

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

     0.01    0.18    (0.09 )

 

In 2003, 2002, and 2001, all 107,111 stock options were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share due to their antidilutive effect.

 

(12) Segment Data and Major Customers

 

The Company’s reportable business segments are strategic business units that offer distinctive products that are marketed through different channels. The Company has two reportable segments; the meat processing division (Swiss American) and the pasta division (Royal-Angelus). The Swiss American Division produces meat products that are sold primarily to pizza restaurant chains, pizza processors, and food service distributors. The Royal-Angelus Division produces pasta that is sold primarily to food processors, private label customers, food service distributors, and specialty food distributors.

 

(Continued)

 

F-18


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

The following table represents financial information about the Company’s business segments as of and for the three years ended December 31, 2003:

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

 

Net sales to unaffiliated customers:

                    

Swiss American Division

   $ 37,483,300     32,308,055     30,310,182  

Royal-Angelus Division

     5,705,067     5,668,903     5,696,957  
    


 

 

Total sales

   $ 43,188,367     37,976,958     36,007,139  
    


 

 

Operating income (loss):

                    

Swiss American Division

   $ 679,703     1,546,685     435,580  

Royal-Angelus Division

     (512,370 )   (525,248 )   (616,381 )

Corporate

     209,172     145,501     (4,399 )
    


 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 376,505     1,166,938     (185,200 )
    


 

 

Identifiable assets:

                    

Swiss American Division

   $ 19,901,183     17,709,638     18,428,801  

Royal-Angelus Division

     4,908,453     3,842,313     4,328,435  

Corporate

     377,823     468,667     636,596  
    


 

 

Total assets

   $ 25,187,459     22,020,618     23,393,832  
    


 

 

Capital expenditures:

                    

Swiss American Division

   $ 520,884     287,018     128,515  

Royal-Angelus Division

     1,165,642     40,318     65,809  

Corporate

     7,445     751     2,160  
    


 

 

Total capital expenditures

   $ 1,693,971     328,087     196,484  
    


 

 

Depreciation and amortization:

                    

Swiss American Division

   $ 618,299     575,364     503,234  

Royal-Angelus Division

     208,083     214,790     227,901  

Corporate

     2,137     2,553     4,476  
    


 

 

Total depreciation and amortization

   $ 828,519     792,707     735,611  
    


 

 

 

The Company had major customers during 2003, 2002, and 2001 that accounted for more than 10% of consolidated sales, as follows:

 

     2003

    2002

    2001

   

Accounts receivable

balance at December 31


Customer


   Sales

   %

    Sales

   %

    Sales

   %

    2003

   2002

A

   $ 5,399,186    13 %   $ 4,720,618    12 %   $ 4,695,600    13 %   $ 1,173,905    617,322

B

     9,813,134    23       6,334,433    17       4,443,520    12       —      —  

C

     3,896,575    9       3,304,842    9       3,955,478    11       240,944    130,680

 

(Continued)

 

F-19


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

(13) Commitments and Contingencies

 

In December 2001, the Company entered into a capital lease for certain production equipment totaling $566,828, which is included in property and equipment in the accompanying balance sheets. The lease has a term of five years and requires minimum payments based on certain production volumes. Future minimum lease payments on the capital lease at December 31, 2003 are as follows:

 

2004

   $ 69,638

2005

     69,638

2006

     343,372
    

Total minimum lease payments

     482,648

Less amount representing interest

     48,076
    

Present value of net minimum lease payments

     434,302

Less current portion

     48,000
    

Long-term portion

   $ 386,302
    

 

As of December 31, 2003 approximately 71% of the Company’s employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement which expires in 2006. In addition, another 13% of the Company’s employees are covered by another collective bargaining agreement which expires in 2006.

 

The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur, the Company believes the final disposition of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

 

(Continued)

 

F-20


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2003 and 2002

 

(14) Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

The following summarizes certain unaudited quarterly financial information for 2003, 2002, and 2001:

 

     Quarter

       

Fiscal 2003


   1st

   2nd

    3rd

    4th

    Total

 

Net sales

   $ 9,082,341    9,228,643     11,636,275     13,241,108     43,188,367  

Operating income

     132,894    64,333     46,717     132,561     376,505  

Net earnings (loss)

     66,682    7,883     (13,560 )   (42,722 )   18,233  

Net earnings (loss) per basic share

     0.02    0.00     (0.00 )   (0.01 )   0.01  

Net earnings (loss) per diluted share

     0.02    0.00     (0.00 )   (0.01 )   0.01  

Fiscal 2002


   1st

   2nd

    3rd

    4th

    Total

 

Net sales

   $ 9,772,060    8,903,207     9,725,909     9,575,782     37,976,958  

Operating income

     159,163    228,493     474,767     304,515     1,166,938  

Net earnings

     55,706    92,767     228,666     180,603     557,742  

Net earnings per basic share

     0.02    0.03     0.07     0.06     0.18  

Net earnings per diluted share

     0.02    0.03     0.07     0.06     0.18  

Fiscal 2001


   1st

   2nd

    3rd

    4th

    Total

 

Net sales

   $ 7,738,681    7,905,495     9,757,489     10,605,474     36,007,139  

Operating income (loss)

     152,888    (15,453 )   (284,676 )   (37,959 )   (185,200 )

Net earnings (loss)

     9,866    (98,634 )   (238,504 )   56,955     (270,317 )

Net loss per basic share

     0.00    (0.03 )   (0.08 )   0.02     (0.09 )

Net loss per diluted share

     0.00    (0.03 )   (0.08 )   0.02     (0.09 )

 

F-21


PROVENA FOODS INC.

 

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

Years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001

 

Description


  

Balance at

beginning of
period


   Provision, net
of recoveries


  

Deductions-

uncollectible
accounts


   Balance at end
of period


Allowance for doubtful receivables:

                     

2003

   $ —      15,163    15,163    —  

2002

   $ —      82,224    82,224    —  

2001

   $  59,843    —      59,843    —  

 

See accompanying independent auditors’ report.

 

F-22