UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2006.

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

Commission File Number 333-131536


MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

 

20-3547095

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

identification No.)

 

1200 Abernathy Road
Atlanta, GA 30328

(Address of principal executive offices)

(770) 206-4200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer    o

Accelerated Filer    o

Non-accelerated Filer  x

 

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

The Registrant’s voting stock was privately held as of March 31, 2006. There were 114,626,155 shares of common stock of the Registrant outstanding as of February 9, 2007, composed of 28,781,235 shares of Series A common stock and 85,844,920 shares of Series B common stock.

 




PART I.                   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.                FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)

 

 

December 31,
2006

 

September 30,
2006

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

$

71.5

 

 

 

$

81.4

 

 

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4.8 million at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2006.

 

 

252.2

 

 

 

322.9

 

 

Inventories

 

 

491.5

 

 

 

454.6

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

42.5

 

 

 

42.6

 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

35.8

 

 

 

33.7

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

893.5

 

 

 

935.2

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

338.8

 

 

 

337.0

 

 

Deferred financing fees

 

 

13.9

 

 

 

14.6

 

 

Identifiable intangible assets, net

 

 

828.3

 

 

 

835.4

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

865.1

 

 

 

865.5

 

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

Total assets

 

 

$

2,942.0

 

 

 

$

2,989.9

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

$

9.0

 

 

 

$

9.0

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

91.7

 

 

 

129.9

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

92.6

 

 

 

116.3

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

193.3

 

 

 

255.2

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,118.8

 

 

 

1,118.3

 

 

Accrued pension liability, net

 

 

45.2

 

 

 

43.7

 

 

Accumulated postretirement benefits obligation

 

 

45.5

 

 

 

46.3

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

276.5

 

 

 

278.5

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

20.9

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,700.1

 

 

 

1,762.9

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A—400,000,000 shares authorized. 28,781,235 and 28,750,000 shares issued at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2006

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

Class B—200,000,000 shares authorized and 85,844,920 shares issued at December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2006

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

Capital in excess of par value

 

 

1,418.0

 

 

 

1,417.5

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(156.0

)

 

 

(173.0

)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(21.2

)

 

 

(18.6

)

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

1,241.9

 

 

 

1,227.0

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

 

$

2,942.0

 

 

 

$

2,989.9

 

 

 

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

1




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

 

Three months ended December 31,

 

 

 

          2006          

 

          2005          

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Net sales

 

 

$

411.9

 

 

 

$

480.4

 

 

Cost of sales

 

 

304.2

 

 

 

436.9

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

107.7

 

 

 

43.5

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

57.1

 

 

 

57.1

 

 

Related party corporate charges

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

Facility rationalization, restructuring and related costs

 

 

 

 

 

24.1

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

58.7

 

 

 

83.0

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

49.0

 

 

 

(39.5

)

 

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

 

20.4

 

 

 

32.2

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

28.6

 

 

 

(71.7

)

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

(22.9

)

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

$

17.0

 

 

 

$

(48.8

)

 

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share

 

 

$

0.15

 

 

 

$

(0.57

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

2




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Common 
Stock

 

Capital in
Excess of 
Par Value

 

Accumulated
Deficit

 

Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

 

Total

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Balance at September 30, 2006

 

 

$

1.1

 

 

$

1,417.5

 

 

$

(173.0

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

(18.6

)

 

$

1,227.0

 

Dividend paid, $0.0175 per share

 

 

 

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.0

)

Share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.5

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.0

 

 

 

17.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.0

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

(2.6

)

 

(2.6

)

Comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

14.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2006

 

 

$

1.1

 

 

$

1,418.0

 

 

$

(156.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(21.2

)

 

$

1,241.9

 

 

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

3




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

 

 

Three months ended
December 31,

 

 

 

  2006  

 

  2005  

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

$

17.0

 

 

$

(48.8

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

17.3

 

 

17.2

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

7.1

 

 

6.6

 

Amortization of deferred financing fees

 

 

0.7

 

 

1.2

 

Accretion on debt

 

 

2.7

 

 

3.3

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

Impairments of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

19.2

 

Credit for deferred income taxes

 

 

(1.8

)

 

(25.8

)

Other, net

 

 

(1.5

)

 

(0.8

)

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

 

72.2

 

 

28.9

 

Inventories

 

 

(38.0

)

 

91.2

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

(2.2

)

 

1.0

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

Pension and other long-term liabilities

 

 

 

 

(4.4

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(28.6

)

 

(0.8

)

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

(23.8

)

 

(13.1

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

23.9

 

 

74.9

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

(20.0

)

 

(16.0

)

Decrease in amounts due to Walter

 

 

 

 

(20.0

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(20.0

)

 

(36.0

)

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Decrease) increase in dollar value of bank checks outstanding

 

 

(10.0

)

 

0.6

 

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

 

 

 

 

55.9

 

Retirement of short-term debt

 

 

 

 

(55.9

)

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

 

 

 

1,050.0

 

Retirement of long-term debt

 

 

(2.2

)

 

(615.3

)

Payment of deferred financing fees

 

 

 

 

(21.6

)

Dividend to shareholders

 

 

(2.0

)

 

(444.5

)

Dividend to Walter for acquisition costs

 

 

 

 

(12.0

)

Walter contribution of Predecessor Mueller’s cash

 

 

 

 

76.3

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(14.2

)

 

33.5

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(9.9

)

 

72.4

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

81.4

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

 

$

71.5

 

 

$

72.4

 

 

Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:

On October 3, 2005, the Company’s former parent, Walter Industries, Inc., purchased all the outstanding common stock of Predecessor Mueller.

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Contribution of Predecessor Mueller by Walter

 

 

$

932.9

 

 

Less: Cash of Predecessor Mueller received

 

 

(76.3

)

 

Total net assets received excluding cash

 

 

$

856.6

 

 

 

Subsequent to the Acquisition, the Company’s former parent, Walter Industries, Inc., forgave an intercompany receivable with U.S. Pipe of $443.6 million.

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

4




MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006 AND 2005
(UNAUDITED)

Note 1.   Organization

The registrant is Mueller Water Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Mueller Water” or the “Company”). The Company is the surviving corporation of the merger on February 2, 2006 of Mueller Water Products, LLC (Commission File Number: 333-116590) and Mueller Water Products Co-Issuer, Inc. with and into Mueller Holding Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation. On June 1, 2006, Mueller Water completed its initial public offering of its Series A common stock (NYSE: MWA). On December 14, 2006, Walter Industries, Inc. (“Walter”), a diversified New York Stock Exchange traded company (NYSE:WLT), distributed all of the Company’s outstanding Series B common stock (NYSE: MWA.B) to its shareholders.

On October 3, 2005, through a series of transactions (the “Acquisition”), Walter, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired all outstanding shares of capital stock of Mueller Water Products, Inc. (“Predecessor Mueller”), which immediately was converted into Mueller Water Products, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and contributed United States Pipe and Foundry Company, LLC, (“U.S. Pipe”), owned by Walter since 1969, to the acquired company. The results of operations of Predecessor Mueller are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations beginning October 3, 2005.

The Company was originally organized as United States Pipe and Foundry Company, Inc. (“Inc.”) and was a wholly– owned subsidiary of Walter. On September 23, 2005, Inc. was dissolved and United States Pipe and Foundry Company, LLC was organized in the state of Alabama, and the operations of Inc. were conducted under the form of a limited liability company. The Company has three operating segments, which are named after its leading brands in each segment: Mueller Co., U.S. Pipe, and Anvil.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses for the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments that are considered necessary for a fair financial statement presentation have been made. The condensed balance sheet data as of September 30, 2006 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Note 2.   Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions—The Company purchases foundry coke from Sloss Industries, Inc., which was an affiliate until December 14, 2006, for an amount that approximates the market value of comparable transactions. Costs included in cost of sales related to purchases from Sloss Industries, Inc. were $4.5 million and $5.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Other services that Sloss Industries, Inc. provides to the Company include the delivery of electrical power to one of the Company’s facilities, rail car switching and the leasing of a distribution facility. The total of these other services included in the Company’s operating expenses were $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

5




Related Party AllocationsCertain costs incurred by Walter such as insurance, executive salaries, professional service fees, human resources, transportation, healthcare and other centralized business functions were allocated to its subsidiaries. Certain costs that were considered directly related to the U.S. Pipe segment were charged to the Company and included in selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs were approximately $0.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006 and 2005. Costs incurred by Walter that cannot be directly attributed to its subsidiaries were allocated to them based on estimated annual revenues. Such costs were allocated to the Company and are recorded in the caption related party corporate charges in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and were approximately $1.6 million and $1.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. While the Company considers the allocation of such costs to be reasonable, the cost of performing such services on its own behalf may be higher or lower than historically allocated amounts.

Certain of the Company’s employees had been granted Walter restricted stock units and stock options under Walter’s share-based compensation plans. See Note 5 for additional information. The Company has expensed $0.5 million related to the share-based compensation costs allocated from Walter for the three months ended December 31, 2006, and had no such expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2005.

Note 3.   Acquisition of Predecessor Mueller by Walter

On October 3, 2005, pursuant to the agreement dated June 17, 2005, Walter acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Predecessor Mueller for $944.0 million and assumed $1.05 billion of indebtedness. Predecessor Mueller was converted into a limited liability company on October 3, 2005 and was merged with and into the Company on February 2, 2006. In conjunction with the acquisition, U.S. Pipe was contributed in a series of transactions to Mueller Group, LLC (“Mueller Group” or “Group”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, on October 3, 2005. On February 23, 2006, Walter received $10.5 million based on the final closing cash and working capital, adjusting the purchase price to $933.5 million.

Walter’s acquisition of Predecessor Mueller has been accounted for as a business combination with U.S. Pipe considered the acquirer for accounting purposes. The total purchase price is comprised of (dollars in millions):

Acquisition of the outstanding common stock of Predecessor Mueller

 

$

918.1

 

Acquisition-related transaction costs

 

15.4

 

Total purchase price

 

$

933.5

 

 

Acquisition-related transaction costs include investment banking, legal and accounting fees and other external costs directly related to the Acquisition.

6




The excess of the purchase price over the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets is recorded as goodwill. Based on current fair values, the purchase price was allocated as follows (dollars in millions):

Receivables, net

 

$

177.4

 

Inventory

 

373.2

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

214.2

 

Identifiable intangible assets

 

856.9

 

Goodwill

 

801.7

 

Net other assets

 

350.7

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

 

(267.9

)

Debt

 

(1,572.7

)

Total purchase price allocation

 

$

933.5

 

 

Note 4.   Facility Rationalization, Restructuring and Related Costs

On October 26, 2005, Walter announced plans to close U.S. Pipe’s Chattanooga, Tennessee plant and transfer the valve and hydrant production of that plant to Mueller Co.’s Chattanooga, Tennessee and Albertville, Alabama plants. The plant closed in 2006, resulting in the termination of approximately 340 employees. Exit costs totaled $49.9 million of which approximately $28.6 million was related to severance and fixed asset write-offs and qualified as restructuring and impairment charges. The remaining exit costs of $21.3 million were comprised of an inventory write-down totaling $11.4 million, a $9.0 million write-off of unabsorbed overhead costs, and $0.9 million of other related costs, which were recognized in cost of sales during the year ended September 30, 2006. During the quarter ended December 31, 2006, the Company paid $0.3 million of the above-mentioned severance.

On January 26, 2006, the Company announced the closure of the Henry Pratt valve manufacturing facility in Dixon, Illinois, which is included in the Company’s Mueller Co. segment. The eventual closure of the facility is expected to occur in fiscal year 2007, resulting in the termination of approximately 100 employees. Total estimated costs related to this closure are $3.7 million, including termination benefits of $1.0 million and property impairment charges of $1.7 million, which were recorded as adjustments to goodwill in the year ended September 30, 2006. These restructuring costs were recorded to goodwill as the overall plan to close the facility was identified prior to the Acquisition. The remaining estimated costs of $1.0 million are for the transfer and installation of equipment and temporary outsourcing of manufacturing and will be expensed when incurred. During the quarter ended December 31, 2006, the Company paid $0.4 million of the above-mentioned severance.

On November 18, 2006, the Company announced the relocation of pipe nipple and merchant coupling production in the Canvil manufacturing facility in Ontario, Canada to the Beck facility in Pennsylvania, both of which are included in the Company’s Anvil segment. The eventual closure of the lines is expected to occur in fiscal year 2007, resulting in the termination of approximately 60 employees. Termination benefits of $1.8 million were recorded as adjustments to goodwill in the year ended September 30, 2006. These restructuring costs were recorded to goodwill as the overall plan to close the facility was identified prior to the Acquisition. During the quarter ended December 31, 2006, the Company revised its severance estimate, and decreased the goodwill balance and accrued severance by $0.4 million.

7




Activity in accrued restructuring for the three months ended December 31, 2006 was as follows (dollars in millions):

Beginning balance

 

$

5.3

 

Adjustment to accruals allocated to goodwill for plant closures identified prior to the Acquisition

 

(0.4

)

Payments

 

(0.7

)

Ending balance

 

$

4.2

 

 

Note 5.   Share-Based Compensation Plans

Certain of the Company’s employees had been granted Walter restricted stock units and stock options under Walter’s share-based compensation plans. The Company has expensed $0.5 million related to the share-based compensation costs allocated from Walter for the three months ended December 31, 2006. In connection with Walter’s distribution of all of the Company’s Series B common stock to its shareholders on December 14, 2006, Walter cancelled these instruments and the Company replaced them with restricted stock units and options to acquire the Company’s Series A common shares. These equity awards were designed to provide intrinsic value and terms equal to the Walter cancelled instruments as follows:

 

 

Number of
instruments

 

Range of exercise
prices

 

Weighted
average
exercise price

 

Total
compensation

 

 

 

(millions)

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Restricted stock units

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

14.95

 

 

 

$

2.2

 

 

Traditional stock options

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

$

2.05 – 20.56

 

 

 

13.45

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2.7

 

 

 

The Company also granted stock options and restricted stock units separately during the three months ended December 31, 2006 as follows:

 

 

Number of
instruments

 

Weighted
average fair
value per
instrument

 

Total
compensation

 

 

 

(millions)

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Restricted stock units

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

$

15.09

 

 

 

$

6.7

 

 

Traditional stock options

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

5.90

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

Employee stock purchase plan options

 

 

 

 

 

3.75

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

8.5

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2006, there was approximately $26.5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the 2006 Plan, including the Walter replacement instruments described above.

8




Note 6.   Borrowing Arrangements

Long-Term Debt—Long-term debt consists of the following obligations:

 

 

December 31,
2006

 

September 30,
2006

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2005 Mueller credit agreement

 

 

$

791.8

 

 

 

$

793.8

 

 

Senior subordinated notes

 

 

214.6

 

 

 

215.1

 

 

Senior discount notes

 

 

119.4

 

 

 

116.3

 

 

Capital lease obligations

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

 

 

1,127.8

 

 

 

1,127.3

 

 

Less current portion

 

 

(9.0

)

 

 

(9.0

)

 

 

 

 

$

1,118.8

 

 

 

$

1,118.3

 

 

 

2005 Mueller Credit Agreement:   On October 3, 2005, Group entered into a credit agreement (the “2005 Mueller Credit Agreement”) consisting of a $145 million senior secured revolving credit facility maturing in October 2010 (the “2005 Mueller Revolving Credit Facility”) and a $1,050 million senior secured term loan maturing in October 2012 (the “2005 Mueller Term Loan”). The commitment fee on the unused portion of the 2005 Mueller Revolving Credit Facility is 0.375% and the interest rate is a floating interest rate of 1.75% over LIBOR. The 2005 Mueller Term Loan carries a floating interest rate of 2.0% over LIBOR.

Senior Subordinated Notes:   In April 2004, Group issued $315.0 million principal face amount of senior subordinated notes due 2012. The notes were recorded at fair value in connection with the Acquisition, resulting in an effective interest rate of 9.2%.

Senior Discount Notes:   In April 2004, Predecessor Mueller issued $223.0 million principal face amount of senior discount notes due 2014. The notes were recorded at fair value in connection with the Acquisition, resulting in an effective interest rate of 12.1%.

Note 7.   Derivative Financial Instruments

Interest Rate Swaps—The Company uses interest rate swap contracts with a cumulative total notional amount of $425 million to hedge against cash-flow variability arising from changes in LIBOR rates in conjunction with its LIBOR-indexed variable rate borrowings. The Company recorded an unrealized gain from its swap contracts, net of tax, of $0.9 million at December 31, 2006 in accumulated other comprehensive income. These swaps have a fair value of $1.5 million at December 31, 2006, which is included in other long-term assets in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts—The Company uses Canadian dollar forward exchange contracts with a cumulative notional amount of $29.4 million to hedge against cash-flow variability arising from changes in the Canadian dollar-U.S. dollar exchange rate in connection with anticipated transactions, primarily inventory purchases denominated in Canadian dollars. The Company recorded an unrealized gain of $0.4 million, net of tax, from its forward exchange contracts at December 31, 2006. These forwards have a fair value of $0.7 million at December 31, 2006, which is included in other long-term assets in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Natural Gas Swaps—The Company uses natural gas swap contracts with a cumulative total notional amount of approximately 600,000 mmbtu to hedge against cash-flow variability arising from changes in natural gas prices on the NYMEX exchange in conjunction with its anticipated purchases of natural gas. The Company recorded an unrealized loss from its swap contracts, net of tax, of $0.3 million at December 31, 2006 in accumulated other comprehensive income.  These swaps have a negative fair value

9




of $0.6 million at December 31, 2006, which is included in other liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

On January 8, 2007, the Company entered into additional natural gas swap contracts. These contracts fix the Company’s purchase price for natural gas at prices ranging from $6.67 to $7.10 per mmbtu for a total purchased volume approximately 300,000 mmbtu over the eight months ending September 30, 2007.

Note 8.   Pension and Other Post-employment Benefits

The components of net periodic benefit cost for pension and post-employment benefits for the three months ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 are as follows:

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Other Benefits

 

 

 

Three months
ended December 31,

 

Three months
ended December 31,

 

 

 

   2006   

 

   2005   

 

   2006   

 

   2005   

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Components of net periodic benefit cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

 

$

1.6

 

 

 

$

2.0

 

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

Interest cost

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(5.9

)

 

 

(4.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

Amortization of net loss (gain)

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

Curtailment settlement loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

 

$

3.8

 

 

 

$

(0.6

)

 

 

$

(0.3

)

 

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2006, the Company had no contributions to its pension plans. The Company presently anticipates contributing approximately $7.7 million to fund its pension plans and $2.0 million to its other post-employment benefit plan in fiscal 2007, and may make further discretionary payments.

Note 9.   Supplementary Balance Sheet Information

Selected supplementary balance sheet information is presented below:

 

 

December 31,
2006

 

September 30,
2006

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Inventories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased materials and manufactured parts

 

 

$

69.6

 

 

 

$

66.7

 

 

Work in process

 

 

134.5

 

 

 

127.7

 

 

Finished goods

 

 

287.4

 

 

 

260.2

 

 

 

 

 

$

491.5

 

 

 

$

454.6

 

 

 

10




 

 

December 31,
2006

 

September 30,
2006

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

 

$

28.6

 

 

 

$

28.4

 

 

Buildings

 

 

84.2

 

 

 

83.4

 

 

Machinery and equipment

 

 

499.2

 

 

 

489.9

 

 

Other

 

 

51.2

 

 

 

46.4

 

 

 

 

 

663.2

 

 

 

648.1

 

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(324.4

)

 

 

(311.1

)

 

 

 

 

$

338.8

 

 

 

$

337.0

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,
2006

 

September 30,
2006

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vacations and holidays

 

 

$

13.4

 

 

 

$

13.6

 

 

Workers compensation

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

6.0

 

 

Accrued payroll and bonus

 

 

7.6

 

 

 

23.5

 

 

Accrued sales commissions

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

5.0

 

 

Accrued other taxes

 

 

5.2

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

Accrued warranty claims

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

Accrued environmental claims

 

 

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

Accrued cash discounts and rebates

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

22.1

 

 

Accrued interest

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

13.6

 

 

Accrued restructuring

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

Accrued medical

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

Other

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

10.6

 

 

 

 

 

$

92.6

 

 

 

$

116.3

 

 

 

Note 10.   Supplementary Income Statement Information

The components of interest expense, net of interest income are presented below:

 

 

Three months ended
December 31,

 

 

 

     2006     

 

     2005     

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractual interest expense

 

 

$

21.8

 

 

 

$

29.2

 

 

Deferred financing fee amortization

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

Write-off of bridge loan commitment fees

 

 

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

Interest rate swap gains

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

Interest expense

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

32.5

 

 

Interest income

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

$

20.4

 

 

 

$

32.2

 

 

 

The bridge loan commitment fees represent fees paid to lenders to make available to the Company a bridge loan facility to repurchase the Senior Discount Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes from the holders of such notes under the terms of the change of control provisions of the indentures. No notes were tendered under the offer and the bridge loan was not used. The related commitment fees were charged to interest expense during the three months ended December 31, 2005.

11




Note 11.   Income Taxes

The Company calculates its effective tax rate using Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28, which requires that an estimated annual effective tax rate be determined and applied to the pre-tax income. During the quarter ended December 31, 2006, the Company determined its annual effective tax rate to be 40.5% based on its latest earnings projection for 2007. The tax rate for the quarter ended December 31, 2005 was a benefit of 31.9%. The difference between the federal, state, and foreign statutory tax rates and the effective tax rate is primarily due to non-deductible interest and the domestic manufacturing deduction.

Note 12.   Segment Information

 

 

Three months ended
December 31,

 

 

 

   2006   

 

   2005   

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mueller Co.

 

 

$

167.1

 

 

 

$

180.4

 

 

U.S. Pipe

 

 

117.4

 

 

 

171.1

 

 

Anvil

 

 

133.6

 

 

 

132.8

 

 

Consolidated eliminations

 

 

(6.2

)

 

 

(3.9

)

 

Consolidated

 

 

$

411.9

 

 

 

$

480.4

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mueller Co.

 

 

$

35.7

 

 

 

$

(3.8

)

 

U.S. Pipe

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

(27.8

)

 

Anvil

 

 

13.0

 

 

 

(1.5

)

 

Corporate expense(1)

 

 

(6.9

)

 

 

(6.4

)

 

Consolidated

 

 

$

49.0

 

 

 

$

(39.5

)

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mueller Co.

 

 

$

12.7

 

 

 

$

12.0

 

 

U.S. Pipe

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

6.3

 

 

Anvil

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

Corporate

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

$

24.4

 

 

 

$

23.8

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mueller Co.

 

 

$

6.7

 

 

 

$

6.0

 

 

U.S. Pipe

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

7.4

 

 

Anvil

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

Corporate

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

$

20.0

 

 

 

$

16.0

 

 


(1)          Includes certain expenses not allocated to segments.

12




Note 13.   Commitments and Contingencies

Income Tax Litigation

A dispute exists with regard to federal income taxes for fiscal years 1980 through 1994 allegedly owed by the Walter consolidated group, which included the U.S. Pipe segment during these periods. It is estimated that the amount of tax presently claimed by the Internal Revenue Service is approximately $34.0 million for issues currently in dispute in bankruptcy court for matters unrelated to the Company. This amount is subject to interest and penalties. In addition, the IRS has issued a Notice of Proposed Deficiency assessing additional tax of $80.4 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2000, December 31, 2000, and December 31, 2001. As a matter of law, the Company is jointly and severally liable for any final tax determination. However, Walter management has indicated to the Company that they believe that Walter’s tax filing positions have substantial merit and that they intend to defend vigorously any claims asserted. Walter management has further indicated to the Company that Walter has an accrual that they believe to be sufficient to cover the estimated probable loss, including interest and penalties. The Company has concluded the risk of loss to the Company is not probable and accordingly, no liability has been recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Environmental Matters

The Company is subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations concerning the protection of the environment, both with respect to the construction and operation of many of its plants and with respect to remediating environmental conditions that may exist at its own and other properties. The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. The Company accrues for environmental expenses resulting from existing conditions that relate to past operations when the costs are probable and reasonably estimable.

Solutia, Inc and Pharmacia Corporation filed suit against U.S. Pipe and Walter on January 5, 2003 for contribution and cost recovery by Solutia with respect to costs incurred and to be incurred by Solutia in performing remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and heavy metals mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency in Anniston, Alabama under an administrative consent order negotiated with the EPA (an “ACO”). The ACO provides protection against contribution claims by third parties, such as Solutia. The Magistrate has entered an Order staying discovery in this matter but has allowed Solutia to proceed with “on-site” sampling discovery. Management believes that the likelihood of liability in the contribution litigation is remote.

The Company and its U.S. Pipe subsidiary have been named in a purported civil class action case originally filed on April 8, 2005 in the Circuit Court of Calhoun County, Alabama, and removed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama under the Class Action Fairness Act. The putative plaintiffs in the case filed an amended complaint with the U.S. District Court on December 15, 2006. The case was filed against U.S. Pipe and other foundries in the Anniston, Alabama area alleging state law tort claims (negligence, failure to warn, wantonness, nuisance, trespass and outrage) arising from creation and disposal of “foundry sand” alleged to contain harmful levels of PCBs and other toxins, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and zinc. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for real and personal property damage and for other unspecified personal injury. Management believes this matter is still in early stages of litigation and no substantial discovery has taken place. In addition, management believes that both procedural and substantive defenses would likely be available should this class action be allowed to proceed. At present, management has no reasonable basis to form a view with respect to the probability of liability in this matter.

Although the Company now produces a small amount of no-lead brass products, most of the Company’s brass valve products contain approximately 5.0% lead. Environmental advocacy groups, relying on standards established by California’s Proposition 65, are seeking to eliminate or reduce the content of

13




lead in water infrastructure products offered for sale in California. Some of the Company’s subsidiaries have entered into settlement agreements with these environmental advocacy groups to modify products or offer substitutes for sale in California. Legislation to substantially restrict lead content in water infrastructure products has been introduced in the United States Congress. Congress or state jurisdictions other than California may enact legislation similar to Proposition 65 to restrict the content of lead in water products, which could require the Company to incur additional capital expenditures to modify production. The Company undertook a capital project to implement a no-lead brass production line that required the Company to incur approximately $8.0 million in incremental capital spending, of which $7.9 million was spent during the year ended September 30, 2006. Also, the Company began implementation of a project to consolidate its two existing brass foundries into one facility that required the Company to incur approximately $11.2 million in incremental spending, of which $5.8 million was spent during the year ended September 30, 2006. The foundry consolidation project is expected to be completed during 2007.

Commitments and Contingencies—Other

As part of the acquisition on January 15, 2004 of the business of Star Pipe, Inc. (“Star”), Anvil has agreed to a future payment to be made to the seller Star to the extent that the gross profit of the acquired business exceeds a targeted gross profit. The maximum potential payment amount is $23 million. Management currently estimates the payment could total approximately $3 million to $6 million for the payment period that began February 1, 2004 and ended January 31, 2007. The payment amount indicated above is based on management’s best estimate, but the actual payment could be materially different. The liability for such payment will be recorded at the end of the payment period, in accordance with the purchase agreement, with a corresponding increase to goodwill.

Note 14.   Subsequent Events

On January 4, 2007, the Company acquired the assets of Fast Fabricators, Inc., a ductile iron pipe fabricator headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut, for $24.5 million in cash, subject to adjustments based on working capital settlements and earn-out provisions.

On January 31, 2007, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.0175 per share of the Company’s Series A and Series B common stock, payable on February 19, 2007 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 9, 2007.

14




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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that appear in the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and with the condensed consolidated financial statements that appear elsewhere in this quarterly report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements reflecting current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events may differ significantly from those projected in such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report filed on Form 10-K.

The registrant is Mueller Water Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Mueller Water” or the “Company”). The Company is the surviving corporation of the merger on February 2, 2006 of Mueller Water Products, LLC (Commission File Number: 333-116590) and Mueller Water Products Co-Issuer, Inc. with and into Mueller Holding Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation. On June 1, 2006, Mueller Water completed its initial public offering of its Series A common stock (NYSE: MWA). On December 14, 2006, Walter Industries, Inc. (“Walter”), a diversified New York Stock Exchange traded company (NYSE:  WLT), distributed all of the Company’s outstanding Series B common stock (NYSE: MWA.B) to Walter’s shareholders.

On October 3, 2005, through a series of transactions (the “Acquisition”), Walter, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired all outstanding shares of capital stock of Mueller Water Products, Inc. (“Predecessor Mueller”), which immediately was converted into Mueller Water Products, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and contributed United States Pipe and Foundry Company, LLC, (“U.S. Pipe”), owned by Walter since 1969, to the acquired company.

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

Except as otherwise noted, we present all financial and operating data on a fiscal year and fiscal quarter basis. Our fiscal year ends on September 30, and our first fiscal quarter ends on December 31.

Overview

The Company’s net income for the three months ended December 31, 2006 was $17.0 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, which compares to a net loss in the prior year period of $48.8 million, or a loss of $0.57 per diluted share. The principal factors impacting the current period results compared to the prior year period included:

·       On October 26, 2005 the Company announced that the U.S. Pipe Chattanooga plant would be closed during fiscal 2006 and that production of the U.S. Pipe valves and hydrants would be transferred to the Mueller Co. manufacturing facilities at Albertville, Alabama and Chattanooga, Tennessee. Related plant closure costs were $40.0 million of pre-tax charges in the fiscal 2006 period.

·       Revenues declined 14% in the current period, related primarily to a decline in the housing market, partially offset by higher pricing. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, housing starts per month have trended downward since January 2006. Housing starts for December 2006 declined 23% compared to the peak month of the prior year quarter.

·       The U.S. Pipe segment net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 includes approximately $30 million of sales from ductile iron pipe that was substituted for PVC pipe as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

15




·       Net cash proceeds received from the initial public offering in June 2006 were used to pay down debt, thereby reducing interest expense in subsequent periods.

·       Cost of sales in the prior year period included $58.4 million relating to the effects of valuing the inventory of the Mueller Co. and Anvil segments acquired in the Acquisition at fair value.

Management has identified the following significant developments, trends and factors that may impact our future results:

·       In December 2006, the Company announced a 5% price increase in valves and hydrants and an 8% increase in brass service products that were effective in February 2007. In November 2006, the Company announced an increase in ductile iron pipe selling prices effective January 2007 of approximately 4%.

·       The dollar value of bookings for water infrastructure products decreased in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 over prior year, but the largest declines occurred in the early part of the quarter. January 2007 bookings increased over the comparable prior year period. This trend may reflect that distributors have worked through an inventory build-up that resulted from price increases the Company announced in the May/June 2006 timeframe and exacerbated by the continued decline in housing starts.

·       Management believes the Company will benefit from projected spending increases in the repair and replacement market as the construction season begins. The American Water Works Association forecasts that project repair and replacement spending will grow 11% in 2007. The Company’s U.S. Pipe public works quotation activity increased 10% during the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

·       Subsequent to the spinoff of the Company from Walter, the Company will no longer be subject to corporate expense allocations from Walter. Such charges totaled $1.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2006. However, the Company’s corporate segment expenses are expected to increase as the Company provides certain services previously provided by Walter. The corporate segment is expected to incur increased expenses in the future, primarily employee-related costs, as staffing levels are increased to replace the functionality previously provided by Walter.

·       The Company’s synergy plan has an annual operating income improvement run rate of $41 million as of December 31, 2006 and is expected to be at the high end of a $40 million to $50 million annual range by early 2008. Significant volume or price declines may impede the Company’s ability to maintain or exceed its current synergy run rates.

·       The Company has historically implemented price increases to alleviate rising raw material costs, and in certain market conditions, these increases may not be sustained.

·       During fiscal 2006, brass ingot costs rose from $1.60 per pound to over $3.00 per pound. Brass ingot costs decreased from that high level during the current quarter.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The forward-looking statements included in this report are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic,

16




competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended December 31, 2006 as Compared to the Three Months Ended December 31, 2005

 

 

Three months ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

FY07 Q1 vs. FY06 Q1

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage
of net
sales(1)

 

 

 

Percentage
of net
sales(1)

 

Increase/
(decrease)

 

Percentage
increase/
(decrease)

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mueller Co.

 

$

162.1

 

 

39.3

%

 

$

176.7

 

 

36.8

%

 

 

$

(14.6

)

 

 

(8.3

)%

 

U.S. Pipe

 

116.4

 

 

28.3

 

 

171.1

 

 

35.6

 

 

 

(54.7

)

 

 

(32.0

)

 

Anvil

 

133.4

 

 

32.4

 

 

132.6

 

 

27.6

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

Consolidated

 

$

411.9

 

 

100.0

 

 

$

480.4

 

 

100.0

 

 

 

$

(68.5

)

 

 

(14.3

)

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mueller Co.

 

$

55.1

 

 

34.0

 

 

$

15.5

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

$

39.6

 

 

 

255.5

 

 

U.S. Pipe

 

16.8

 

 

14.4

 

 

9.1

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

84.6

 

 

Anvil

 

35.8

 

 

26.8

 

 

18.9

 

 

14.3

 

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

89.4

 

 

Consolidated

 

$

107.7

 

 

26.1

 

 

$

43.5

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

$

64.2

 

 

 

147.6

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mueller Co.

 

$

19.4

 

 

12.0

 

 

$

19.3

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

U.S. Pipe

 

8.0

 

 

6.9

 

 

11.0

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

(27.3

)

 

Anvil

 

22.8

 

 

17.1

 

 

20.4

 

 

15.4

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

11.8

 

 

Corporate

 

6.9

 

 

1.7

 

 

6.4

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

Consolidated

 

$

57.1

 

 

13.9

 

 

$

57.1

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

$

0.0

 

 

 

 

 

Related party corporate charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Pipe

 

$

1.6

 

 

1.4

 

 

$

1.8

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

$

(0.2

)

 

 

(11.1

)

 

Consolidated

 

$

1.6

 

 

0.4

 

 

$

1.8

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

$

(0.2

)

 

 

(11.1

)

 

Facility rationalization, restructuring and related costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Pipe

 

$

 

 

 

 

$

24.1

 

 

14.1

 

 

 

$

(24.1

)

 

 

(100.0

)

 

Consolidated

 

$

 

 

 

 

$

24.1

 

 

5.0

 

 

 

$

(24.1

)

 

 

(100.0

)

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mueller Co.

 

$

35.7

 

 

22.0

 

 

$

(3.8

)

 

(2.2

)

 

 

$

39.5

 

 

 

1,039.5

 

 

U.S. Pipe

 

7.2

 

 

6.2

 

 

(27.8

)

 

(16.2

)

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

125.9

 

 

Anvil

 

13.0

 

 

9.7

 

 

(1.5

)

 

(1.1

)

 

 

14.5

 

 

 

966.7

 

 

Corporate

 

(6.9

)

 

(1.7

)

 

(6.4

)

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(7.8

)

 

Consolidated

 

49.0

 

 

11.9

 

 

(39.5

)

 

(8.2

)

 

 

88.5

 

 

 

224.1

 

 

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

20.4

 

 

5.0

 

 

32.2

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

(11.8

)

 

 

(36.6

)

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

28.6

 

 

6.9

 

 

(71.7

)

 

(14.9

)

 

 

100.3

 

 

 

139.9

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

11.6

 

 

2.8

 

 

(22.9

)

 

(4.8

)

 

 

34.5

 

 

 

150.7

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

17.0

 

 

4.1

 

 

$

(48.8

)

 

(10.2

)

 

 

$

65.8

 

 

 

134.8

 

 


(1)          Percentages are by segment, if applicable.

17




Consolidated Analysis

Net Sales.   Consolidated net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2006 were $411.9 million, a decrease of $68.5 million, or 14.3%, from $480.4 million in the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in the housing market, partially offset by higher pricing. In addition, sales in the prior year quarter includes approximately $30 million of ductile iron pipe sales associated with Hurricane Katrina.

Gross Profit.   Consolidated gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2006 was $107.7 million, an increase of $64.2 million,  compared to $43.5 million in the prior year period. Gross margin increased to 26.1% in the current period compared to 9.1% in the prior year period. Cost of sales for the three months ended December 31, 2005 includes $58.4 million of purchase accounting adjustments related to valuing inventory acquired in the Acquisition at fair value. Excluding the impact of this adjustment, gross margin would have been 21.2%. The improvement in gross profit is primarily due to plant cost reductions and efficiencies achieved by our synergy plan.

Selling, General & Administrative.   Consolidated expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $57.1 million. Expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 13.9% in the current period compared to 11.9% in the prior year period. This percentage increase is due to lower sales in the current period.

Related Party Corporate Charges.   Certain costs incurred by Walter such as insurance, executive salaries, professional service fees, human resources, transportation, and other centralized business functions are allocated to its subsidiaries. Costs incurred by Walter that cannot be directly attributed to its subsidiaries are allocated to them based on estimated annual revenues. These charges are recorded in the U.S. Pipe segment.

Facility Rationalization, Restructuring and Related Costs.   The Company expensed $24.1 million of restructuring costs for the three months ended December 31, 2005 related to the closure of the U.S. Pipe Chattanooga, Tennessee valve and hydrant plant.

Interest Expense, Net of Interest Income.   Interest expense, net of interest income for the current period was $20.4 million, compared to $32.2 million in the prior year period. Net cash proceeds received from the initial public offering in June 2006 were used to pay down debt, resulting in lower interest expense in the current period. The prior year period includes $2.5 million of expenses from bridge loan commitment fees incurred as a result of the Acquisition.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit).   Income tax expense for the current period was $11.6 million as compared to a benefit of $22.9 million in the prior year period. The effective tax rate for the first fiscal quarter of 2007 was 40.5%. The effective tax rate for the first fiscal quarter 2006 was a benefit of 31.9%.

Segment Analysis

Mueller Co.

Mueller Co. segment net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2006 were $162.1 million, a decrease of $14.6 million, or 8.3% from $176.7 million in the prior period. This decline is primarily due to lower volumes, partially offset by approximately $11 million of net price increases implemented during fiscal year 2006. Valve and hydrant shipments for the three months ended December 31, 2006 were 15% lower than in the prior year period as a result of the slow housing market. Additionally, the segment had a stronger product mix in the prior year period, driven primarily by a municipal water district project. The current period also includes the revenue from the transfer of the U.S. Pipe hydrant and valve product lines.

Mueller Co. segment gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2006 was $55.1 million, an increase of $39.6 million compared to $15.5 million in the prior year period. Gross margin increased to

18




34.0% in the current period compared to 8.8% in the prior year period. Included in cost of sales for the three months ended December 31, 2005 was $46.2 million of purchase accounting adjustments related to valuing inventory acquired in the Acquisition at fair value. Excluding the impact of these adjustments, gross margins would have been 34.9%.

Mueller Co. segment operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2006 was $35.7 million, an increase of $39.5 million compared to an operating loss of $3.8 million in the prior year period. Excluding $46.2 million of purchase accounting adjustments discussed above, operating income declined primarily due to lower valve and hydrant volumes.

U.S. Pipe

U.S. Pipe segment net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2006 were $116.4 million, a decrease of $54.7 million, or 32.0% from $171.1 million in the prior year period. The prior period includes approximately $30 million of sales from ductile iron pipe that was substituted for PVC pipe as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The prior period also includes approximately $14 million of sales from valves and hydrants manufactured at the U.S. Pipe Chattanooga plant that were transferred to the Mueller Co. segment on January 1, 2006. U.S. Pipe also experienced a decline in volume of approximately $20 million attributed primarily to declines in housing starts during the current period. These declines in volume were partially offset by the effect of sales price increases of approximately $11 million and an improved product mix.

U.S. Pipe segment gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2006 was $16.8 million, an increase of $7.7 million, or 84.6%, compared to $9.1 million in the prior year period. Gross margin increased to 14.4% in the current period compared to 5.3% in the prior year period. The prior year period includes inventory write-offs of $10.7 million in connection with the U.S. Pipe Chattanooga plant closure. In addition, because of the plant closure process, prior period actual production capacity at the U.S. Pipe Chattanooga facility was significantly lower than normal capacity, resulting in facility expenses of $5.2 million charged directly to cost of sales. Excluding these prior year charges for closing the U.S. Pipe Chattanooga plant, gross margins were comparable in each period.

U.S. Pipe segment operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2006 was $7.2 million, an increase of $35.0 million from an operating loss of $27.8 million in the prior year period. The prior year period includes $24.1 million of Chattanooga restructuring costs and $15.9 million of other closure costs described above.

Anvil

Anvil segment net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2006 were $33.4 million an increase of $0.8 million, or 0.6% from $132.6 million in the prior year period. The effects of Anvil’s price increases in the prior year were partially offset by declines in volume.

Anvil segment gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2006 was $35.8 million, an increase of $16.9 million, or 89.4%, compared to $18.9 million in the prior period. Gross margin increased to 26.8% in the current period compared to 14.3% in the prior year period. Excluding $12.2 million of prior year purchase accounting adjustments related to valuing inventory acquired in the Acquisition at fair value, gross margin in the prior year would have been 23.5%. Gross margin improvement in the current period is primarily due to improved pricing.

Anvil segment operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2006 was $13.0 million, an increase of $14.5 million from an operating loss of $1.5 million in the prior year period. This increase is primarily related to the $12.2 million of prior year purchase accounting adjustments discussed above and

19




$1.2 million from dumping duties received from the federal government and included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the current quarter.

Financial Condition

Cash and cash equivalents decreased from $81.4 million at September 30, 2006 to $71.5 million at December 31, 2006, reflecting $20.0 million in cash flows used in investing activities, and $14.2 million in cash flows used in financing activities, offset by $23.9 million in cash flows provided by operations and $0.4 million in cash flows provided by the effect of exchange rate changes on cash.

Accounts receivable were $252.2 million at December 31, 2006, a decrease of $70.7 million from September 30, 2006. The decrease in accounts receivable is due to both the seasonality of the business and lower volumes in the first quarter of fiscal 2007 resulting from the decline in the housing market.

Accounts payable were $91.7 million at December 31, 2006, a decrease of $38.2 million from September 30, 2006. The decrease in accounts payable reflects the seasonality of the business.

Accrued expenses were $92.6 million at December 31, 2006, a decrease of $23.7 million compared to September 30, 2006. The decrease in accrued liabilities is primarily due to payments of employee related liabilities and interest and to a reduction of an environmental claims liability.

Statement of Cash Flows

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

Operating activities.   Net cash provided by operations was $23.9 million for the first three months of fiscal 2007, compared to net cash provided of $74.9 million for the first three months of fiscal 2006.

Investing activities.   In the first three months of fiscal 2007 we had net cash used in investing activities of $20.0 million compared to net cash used in the first three months of fiscal 2006 of $36.0 million.

Financing activities.   Net cash used by financing activities was $14.2 million for the first three months of fiscal 2007, compared to net cash provided in the first three months of fiscal 2006 of $33.5 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The 2005 Mueller Credit Agreement contains restrictions on our ability to make capital expenditures. Based on current estimates, management believes that the amount of capital expenditures permitted to be made under the senior credit facility will be adequate to maintain the properties and business of our continuing operations.

The Company’s long-term debt instruments include certain debt covenants, including maintenance of defined financial ratios. The Company is in compliance with all applicable debt covenants as of December 31, 2006 and anticipates maintaining such compliance.

Letters of Credit and Surety Bonds

We utilize letters of credit and surety bonds in the ordinary course of business to ensure our performance of contractual obligations. As of December 31, 2006, we had $33.2 million of letters of credit and $14.8 million of surety bonds outstanding. These items are not recorded on the Condensed  Consolidated Balance Sheet. Outstanding letters of credit reduce the amount available for borrowing under the 2005 Mueller Revolving Credit Facility.

20




ITEM 3.                QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Swaps—The Company uses interest rate swap contracts with a cumulative total notional amount of $425 million to hedge against cash-flow variability arising from changes in LIBOR rates in conjunction with its LIBOR-indexed variable rate borrowings. The Company recorded an unrealized gain from its swap contracts, net of tax, of $0.9 million at December 31, 2006 in accumulated other comprehensive income. These swaps have a fair value of $1.5 million at December 31, 2006, which is included in other long-term assets in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts—The Company uses Canadian dollar forward exchange contracts with a cumulative notional amount of $29.4 million to hedge against cash-flow variability arising from changes in the Canadian dollar-U.S. dollar exchange rate in connection with anticipated transactions, primarily inventory purchases denominated in Canadian dollars. These forwards have a fair value of $0.7 million at December 31, 2006, which is included in other long-term assets in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Natural Gas Swaps—The Company uses natural gas swap contracts with a cumulative total notional amount of approximately 600,000 mmbtu to hedge against cash-flow variability arising from changes in natural gas prices on the NYMEX exchange in conjunction with its anticipated purchases of natural gas. The Company recorded an unrealized loss from its swap contracts, net of tax, of $0.3 million at December 31, 2006 in accumulated other comprehensive income. These swaps have a negative fair value of $0.6 million at December 31, 2006, which is included in other liabilities in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

On January 8, 2007, the Company entered into additional natural gas swap contracts. These contracts fix the Company’s purchase price for natural gas at prices ranging from $6.67 to $7.10 per mmbtu for a total purchased volume of approximately 300,000  mmbtu over the eight months ending September 30, 2007.

ITEM 4.                CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

There have been no significant changes in our internal procedures that significantly affected, or are reasonably likely to affect, our disclosure controls during the three months ended December 31, 2006.

PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.                Legal Proceedings

Refer to the information provided in Note 13 to the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements presented in Item 1 of Part I of this quarterly report.

ITEM 6.                Exhibits

(a) Exhibits

Exhibit No.

 

Document

10.10*

 

Executive Employment Agreement dated September 9, 2005 between Walter Industries, Inc. and Gregory E. Hyland. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Walter Industries, Inc. Form 8-K (File no. 001-13711) filed on September 12, 2005.

10.10.1*

 

Amendment, dated as of March 2, 2006, to Executive Employment Agreement dated September 9, 2005 between Walter Industries, Inc. and Gregory E. Hyland. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Mueller Water Products, Inc. Form 8-K (File no. 333-131521) filed on March 3, 2006.

21




 

10.10.2*

 

Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated December 14, 2006 between Walter Industries, Inc. and Mueller Water Products, Inc. relating to the September 9, 2005 employment agreement of Gregory E. Hyland. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Mueller Water Products, Inc. Form 8-K (File no. 001-32892) filed on December 15, 2006.

10.15.1*

 

Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated December 14, 2006 between Walter Industries, Inc. and Mueller Water Products, Inc. relating to the July 12, 2004 employment agreement of Raymond P. Torok. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Mueller Water Products, Inc. Form 8-K (File no. 001-32892) filed on December 19, 2006.

10.16*

 

Joint Litigation Agreement dated December 14, 2006 between Walter Industries, Inc. and Mueller Water Products, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Mueller Water Products, Inc. Form 8-K (File no. 001-32892) filed on December 19, 2006.

31.1**

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2**

 

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

32.1**

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2**

 

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


*                    Management compensatory plan, contract or arrangement

**             Filed with this report

22




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

MUELLER WATER PRODUCTS, INC.

 

Date: February 9, 2007

 

By:

 

/s/ GREGORY E. HYLAND

 

 

 

 

Gregory E. Hyland

 

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: February 9, 2007

 

By:

 

/s/ JEFFERY W. SPRICK

 

 

 

 

Jeffery W. Sprick

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Accounting Officer

 

23