MSM MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

For transition period from           to           

 

Commission File No.: 1-14130

MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

(516) 812-2000

(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 ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a “smaller reporting company.” See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

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

As of April 2, 2015, 48,398,854 shares of Class A common stock and 13,295,747 shares of Class B common stock of the registrant were outstanding.

 

 

 

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SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (the “Report”) contains forward‑looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Discussions containing such forward‑looking statements may be found in Items 2 and 3 of Part I and Item 1 of Part II of this Report, as well as within this Report generally. The words “believes,” “anticipates,” “thinks,” “expects,” “estimates,” “plans,” “intends,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward‑looking statements. In addition, any statements which refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward‑looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly disclose any revisions to these forward‑looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring subsequent to filing this Report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These forward‑looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, those discussed in this section and Items 2 and 3 of Part I, as well as in Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of this Report, and in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and in Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 2014. In addition, new risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risk factors on our business. Accordingly, future results may differ materially from historical results or from those discussed or implied by these forward‑looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, the reader should not place undue reliance on these forward‑looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

 

 

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MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.

INDEX

 

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income 

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 (In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity

Twenty-Six Weeks Ended February 28, 2015

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

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Note 1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (“MSC”) and all of its subsidiaries (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Company”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been included. Operating results for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending August 29, 2015. For further information, refer to the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 2014.

 

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to August 31 of each year. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to years contained herein pertain to the Company’s fiscal year. The Company’s 2015 fiscal year will be a 52-week accounting period that will end on August 29, 2015 and its 2014 fiscal year was a 52-week accounting period that ended on August 30, 2014.

Note 2. Net Income per Share

The Company’s non-vested restricted stock awards contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and meet the criteria of a participating security as defined by Accounting Standards Codification™ ("ASC") Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Under the two-class method, net income per share is computed by dividing net income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  In applying the two-class method, net income is allocated to both common shares and participating securities based on their respective weighted average shares outstanding for the period. 

 

 

 

Antidilutive stock options of 748 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the thirteen and twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015. There were no antidilutive stock options included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the thirteen week period ended March 1, 2014. Antidilutive stock options of 392 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the twenty-six week period ended March 1, 2014.

Note 3. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for all share-based payments in accordance with ASC Topic 718, "Compensation—Stock Compensation" ("ASC 718"). The stock‑based compensation expense related to the stock option plans and the Associate Stock Purchase Plan included in operating expenses was $1,116 and $1,741 for the thirteen week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, respectively, and $2,848 and $3,196, respectively, for the twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014. Tax benefits related to these expenses for the thirteen week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014 were $388 and $637, respectively, and for the twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014 were $1,015 and $1,163, respectively.     

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black‑Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

 

 

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015 is as follows:

The unrecognized share‑based compensation cost related to stock option expense at February 28, 2015 was $9,778 and will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years. The total intrinsic value of options exercised, which represents the difference between the exercise price and market value of common stock measured at each individual exercise date, during the twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014 was $2,330 and $9,113, respectively.

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A summary of the non‑vested restricted share award activity under the Company’s 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan and 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan for the twenty-six weeks ended February 28, 2015 is as follows:

 

 

 

Stock‑based compensation expense recognized for the restricted share awards was $1,762 and $2,753 for the thirteen week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, respectively, and $4,529 and $4,990 for the twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, respectively.    The unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted share awards at February 28, 2015 was $19,857 and will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years. 

A summary of the Company’s non-vested restricted stock unit award activity, including dividend equivalent units, for the twenty-six weeks ended February 28, 2015 is as follows:

 

 

Stock‑based compensation expense recognized for the restricted stock units was $285 and $542 for the thirteen week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, respectively, and $825 and $1,081 for the twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, respectively.  The unrecognized compensation cost related to the restricted stock units at February 28, 2015 was $1,062 and is expected to be recognized over a period of 1.9 years.

Note 4. Fair Value

Fair value accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The following fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels, with Level 1 being of the highest priority. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.

Level 3—Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

In connection with the construction of the Company’s new customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio, the Company entered into an arrangement with the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority (“Finance Authority”) which provides savings on state and local sales taxes imposed on construction materials to entities that finance the transactions

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through them. Under this arrangement, the Finance Authority has issued taxable bonds to finance the structure and site improvements of the Company’s customer fulfillment center. The taxable bonds were approximately $27,023 at February 28, 2015 and August 30, 2014, respectively. The taxable bonds are classified as available for sale securities in accordance with ASC Topic 320. The securities are recorded at fair value in Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The fair values of these securities are based on observable inputs in non-active markets, which are therefore classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy. The Company did not record any significant gains or losses on these securities during the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015. The outstanding principal amount of each bond bears interest at the rate of 2.4% per year. Interest is payable on a semiannual basis in arrears on each interest payment date.

 

In addition, based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for borrowings with similar terms, the carrying values of the Company’s capital lease obligations also approximate fair value. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, is estimated based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities. The carrying amount of the Company’s debt at February 28, 2015, approximates its fair value.

 

The Company’s financial instruments, other than those presented in the disclosure above, include cash, receivables, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities. Management believes the carrying amount of the aforementioned financial instruments is a reasonable estimate of fair value as of February 28, 2015 and August 30, 2014 due to the short-term maturity of these items.

During the twenty-six weeks ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, the Company had no measurements of non-financial assets or liabilities at fair value on a non-recurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition.

 

Note 5. Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Debt at February 28, 2015 and August 30, 2014 consisted of the following:

 

Credit Facility

In April 2013, in connection with the acquisition of the Class C Solutions Group (“CCSG”), the Company entered into a $650,000 credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility, which matures in April 2018, provides for a five-year unsecured revolving loan facility in the aggregate amount of $400,000 and a five-year unsecured term loan facility in the aggregate amount of $250,000.  

 

The Credit Facility also permits the Company, at its request, and upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, to add one or more incremental term loan facilities and/or increase the revolving loan commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $200,000. Subject to certain limitations, each such incremental term loan facility or revolving commitment increase will be on terms as agreed to by the Company, the Administrative Agent and the lenders providing such financing.

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Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, either at (i) the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) rate plus the applicable margin for LIBOR loans ranging from 1.00% to 1.375%, based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio; or (ii) the greatest of (a) the Administrative Agent’s prime rate in effect on such day, (b) the federal funds effective rate in effect on such day, plus 0.50% and (c) the LIBOR rate that would be calculated as of such day in respect of a proposed LIBOR loan with a one-month interest period, plus 1.00%, plus, in the case of each of clauses (a) through (c), an applicable margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.375%, based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The Company is required to pay a quarterly undrawn fee ranging from 0.10% to 0.20% per annum on the unutilized portion of the Credit Facility based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The Company is also required to pay quarterly letter of credit usage fees ranging between 1.00% to 1.375% (based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio) on the amount of the daily average outstanding letters of credit, and a quarterly fronting fee of 0.125% per annum on the undrawn and unexpired amount of each letter of credit. The applicable borrowing rate for the Company for any borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility at February 28, 2015 was 1.31% which represents LIBOR plus 1.125%. Based on the interest period the Company selects, interest may be payable every one, two, three or six months. Interest is reset at the end of each interest period. The Company currently elects to have loans under the Credit Facility bear interest based on LIBOR with one-month interest periods.

 

The Credit Facility contains several restrictive covenants including the requirement that the Company maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock based compensation) of no more than 3.00 to 1.00, and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of EBITDA to total interest expense of at least 3.00 to 1.00, during the term of the Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 

During the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, the Company borrowed $298,000 under the revolving loan facility and repaid $80,000 and $12,500 of the revolving loan facility and the term loan facility, respectively. At February 28, 2015 and August 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with the operating and financial covenants of the Credit Facility.

 

Capital Lease and Financing Obligations

In connection with the construction of the Company’s new customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio, the Finance Authority holds the title to the building and entered into a long-term lease with the Company. The lease has a 20-year term with a prepayment option without penalty between 7 and 20 years. At the end of the lease term, the building’s title is transferred to the Company for a nominal amount when the principal of and interest on the bonds have been fully paid. The lease has been classified as a capital lease in accordance with ASC Topic 840. At February 28, 2015 and August 30, 2014, the capital lease obligation was approximately $27,023. 

 

From time to time, the Company enters into capital leases and financing arrangements to purchase certain equipment. The equipment acquired from these vendors is paid over a specified period of time based on the terms agreed upon. During the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, the Company entered into a financing obligation for certain information technology equipment totaling $530. During the fiscal year ended August 30, 2014, the Company entered into various financing obligations for certain information technology equipment totaling $1,353. The gross amount of property and equipment acquired under these capital leases and financing agreements at February 28, 2015 and August 30, 2014 was approximately $33,853 and $33,505 respectively. Related accumulated amortization totaled $4,246 and $3,339 as of February 28, 2015 and August 30, 2014, respectively. 

 

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Note 6. Shareholders’ Equity

The Company paid cash dividends of $234,871 for the twenty-six weeks ended February 28, 2015 which consisted of a special and regular cash dividend of approximately $185,403 and $49,468, respectively. For the twenty-six weeks ended March 1, 2014, the Company paid cash dividends of $41,430. On April 2, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share payable on April 28, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 2015. The dividend will result in a payout of approximately $24,678, based on the number of shares outstanding at April 2, 2015.

 

The Board of Directors established the MSC Stock Repurchase Plan (the “Repurchase Plan”) which allows the Company to repurchase shares at any time and in any increments it deems appropriate in accordance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. During the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, the Company repurchased 342 shares of its Class A common stock for $26,298, which is reflected at cost as treasury stock in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Approximately 110 shares were repurchased by the Company to satisfy the Company’s associates’ tax withholding liability associated with its share-based compensation program. As of February 28, 2015, the maximum number of shares that can be repurchased under the Repurchase Plan was 1,843 shares.

 

Note 7. Product Warranties

The Company generally offers a maximum one-year warranty, including parts and labor, for some of its machinery products. The specific terms and conditions of those warranties vary depending upon the product sold. The Company may be able to recoup some of these costs through product warranties it holds with its original equipment manufacturers, which typically range from thirty to ninety days. In general, many of the Company’s general merchandise products are covered by third party original equipment manufacturers’ warranties. The Company’s warranty expense for the twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014 was minimal.

Note 8. Income Taxes

During the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, there were no material changes in unrecognized tax benefits. 

Note 9. Legal Proceedings

There are various claims, lawsuits, and pending actions against the Company incidental to the operation of its business. Although the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Note 10. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

Recognizing Assets and Liabilities Arising from Lease Contracts on the Balance Sheet

In May 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued a proposed Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”), Leases (Topic 842) that would require entities to recognize assets and liabilities arising from lease contracts on the balance sheet. The Company has not yet determined the impact the adoption of this proposed standard, as currently drafted, will have on its consolidated financial statements. As of February 28, 2015, the Company leases all of its branch offices and certain of its customer fulfillment centers and office space.

Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant, and Equipment

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360). This update changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations for all public and nonpublic entities as well as requiring new disclosures about discontinued operations and disposals of components of an entity that do not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. Under the standard, public business entities should apply the amendments in this update prospectively to all disposals of components of an entity and all business or nonprofit activities

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that, on acquisition, are classified as held-for-sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of the guidance will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company for its fiscal 2018 first quarter. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has neither selected a transition method, nor determined the impact that the adoption of the pronouncement may have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This guidance is intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU No. 2014-15 provides guidance to an organization's management, with principles and definitions that are intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of disclosures that are commonly provided by organizations today in footnote disclosures. This guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for interim and annual periods thereafter, with early application permitted. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of the guidance will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Consolidation

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810), which amends certain requirements for determining whether a variable interest entity must be consolidated. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of the guidance will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 

 

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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following is intended to update the information contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 2014 and presumes that readers have access to, and will have read, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in such Annual Report on Form 10-K.

General

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “MSC,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is a leading North American distributor of a broad range of metalworking and maintenance, repair, and operations (“MRO”) products and services. Our goal is to help our customers throughout North America drive greater productivity, profitability and growth with our product offerings, inventory management and other supply chain solutions, and deep expertise from more than 70 years of working with customers across industries. We continue to implement our strategies to gain market share against other suppliers, generate new customers, increase sales to existing customers, and diversify our customer base.

 

Our experienced team of more than 6,500 associates works with our customers to help drive results for their businesses, from keeping operations running efficiently today to continuously rethinking, retooling, and optimizing for a more productive tomorrow. We offer approximately 900,000 stock-keeping units (“SKUs”) through our master catalogs; weekly, monthly and quarterly specialty and promotional catalogs; brochures; and the Internet, including our websites, mscdirect.com, and use-enco.com (the “MSC Websites”). We service our customers from 12 customer fulfillment centers and 101 branch offices. Many of our products are carried in stock, and orders for these in-stock products are typically fulfilled the day on which the order is received.

 

Overview

Net sales increased by 6.8% and 7.3% for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015, as compared to the same periods in the prior fiscal year. We have invested in our business by increasing our sales force and making various productivity and infrastructure investments. Additionally, by increasing our investments in vending solutions and electronic procurement tools, we have strengthened our strategic position with our customers. We believe these investments, combined with our strong balance sheet, extensive product assortment, high in-stock levels, same-day shipping, and high levels of execution, have increased our competitive advantage over smaller distributors.

 

The table below shows the change in our fiscal quarterly average daily sales by total company and by customer type from the same period in the prior fiscal year:

 

 

 

 

 

Excluding U.K. operations, our manufacturing customers currently represent approximately 70% of our business and our non-manufacturing customers currently represent approximately 30% of our business.  

 

Exclusive of customers in the U.K., average order size increased to approximately $410 for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015 as compared to $406 for the same period in the prior fiscal year.  

 

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We believe that our ability to transact business with our customers through various electronic portals and directly through the MSC Websites gives us a competitive advantage over smaller suppliers. Sales made through our eCommerce platforms, including sales made through Electronic Data Interchange systems, VMI systems, Extensible Markup Language ordering based systems, vending machine systems, hosted systems and other electronic portals, represented 54.9% of consolidated net sales for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, compared to 51.3% of consolidated net sales for the same period in the prior fiscal year.  

 

We grew our field sales associate headcount to 1,955 at February 28, 2015, an increase of 5.4% from field sales associates of 1,855 at March 1, 2014. We plan to continue to increase our field sales associate headcount through fiscal 2015. We will continue to manage the timing of our sales force expansion based on economic conditions and our selected mix of growth investments.

 

Customers continue to drive more of their fulfillment needs electronically. To support this trend, we believe that increasing the breadth and depth of our online product offering and removing non-value-added SKUs is critical to our continued success. In addition, we are focused on providing our customers with new product alternatives that will help them achieve their cost savings objectives while meeting their demands for higher quality products. In the first two quarters of fiscal 2015, we added approximately 63,000 SKUs to our searchable database on www.mscdirect.com, bringing the total to approximately 900,000 SKUs, net of SKU removals. This increase in SKUs translated to our full ordering database, bringing MSC’s total, active, saleable SKU count to approximately 1,270,000 SKUs. We expect this SKU expansion plan driven by our eCommerce strategy to continue through the remainder of fiscal 2015. 

 

The most recent MSC catalog issued in September 2014 merchandises approximately 505,000 core metalworking and MRO products, which are included in the SKU totals above. Approximately 16% of these SKUs are MSC exclusive brands. We have also begun to leverage the depth and breadth of MSC’s product portfolio within our CCSG sales channel and have extended full access of MSC catalog SKUs to the CCSG sales team.

 

We also continue to focus on expanding our Large Account Customer business, which consists of our national account customers and government accounts, and continues to be an important component of our overall customer mix, revenue base, and planned business expansion. Servicing our Large Account Customer business is more complex as we look to provide customer specific solutions as our Large Account Customers continue to focus on ways to drive costs out of their businesses.  By expanding this business, which involves customers with multiple locations and high volume MRO needs, we have diversified our customer base beyond small and mid-sized customers. Sales to our government accounts represented approximately 9% of our total sales during the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015 compared to 7% for the twenty-six week period ended March 1, 2014.  

 

The Institute for Supply Management (“ISM”) index, which measures the economic activity of the U.S. manufacturing sector, is important to our planning because it historically has been an indicator of our manufacturing customers’ activity. In addition to this key manufacturing metric, we also utilize metalworking related indices. A substantial portion of our revenues came from sales in the manufacturing sector during the first two quarters of fiscal 2015, including certain national account customers. An ISM index reading below 50.0% generally indicates that the manufacturing sector is expected to contract. Conversely, an ISM index reading above 50.0% generally indicates that the manufacturing sector is expected to expand. The ISM index evidenced an expanding manufacturing sector environment throughout most of our fiscal year 2014 and this trend has continued through the first half of our fiscal year 2015, however, at a declining pace. The ISM index was 51.5% for the month of March 2015 and averaged 55.5% for the past twelve months. The rapid drop in oil prices along with reduced export demand, contributed to the declining index. Details released with the most recent index indicate that economic activity in the manufacturing sector related to new orders, production, and inventories are growing, while employment is unchanged and supplier deliveries have slowed from the previous month. Pricing continues to be constrained due to the lack of commodities inflation and the most recent index has indicated a decrease in raw materials prices for the fifth consecutive month. We will continue to monitor the current economic conditions for its impact on our customers and markets and continue to assess both risks and opportunities that may affect our business.

Our gross profit margin was 45.4% and 45.3% for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015, as compared to 46.4% for the same periods in the prior fiscal year. The decreases were primarily a result of increases in product costs, changes in customer and product mix and growth in our vending program sales.  

Operating expenses increased 4.4% and 6.3% for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015, as compared to the same periods in the prior fiscal year.  The increase in operating expenses for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015 is primarily the result of increased payroll and payroll related costs and increased freight costs to

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support our increased revenues, partially offset by decreases in the incentive compensation accrual, non-recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the CCSG acquisition and executive separation costs.  The increase in operating expenses for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015 is primarily the result of increased payroll and payroll related costs, increased freight costs, and increased advertising costs related to additional advertising activities. This increase was partially offset by decreases in non-recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the CCSG acquisition and relocation expenses associated with the establishment of our co-located headquarters in Davidson, North Carolina, as well as a decrease in the incentive compensation accrual.

We expect operating costs to continue to increase throughout the remainder of fiscal year 2015 as compared to fiscal year 2014 due to increased operating costs associated with the establishment of our new customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio, increased compensation expenses and fringe benefits costs as a result of an increase in our staffing levels primarily related to sales associates, other program development and volume related positions to support our growth initiatives, and increased costs associated with executing on our vending and other investment programs. We will continue to opportunistically seek additional growth opportunities that will help position us for future expansion. We believe that cash flows from operations, available cash and funds available under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to support our operations and growth plans for the next twelve months.

We are continuing to take advantage of our strong balance sheet, which enables us to maintain or extend credit to our credit worthy customers and maintain optimal inventory and service levels to meet customer demands during these challenging economic conditions, while many of our smaller competitors in our fragmented industry continue to have difficulties in offering competitive service levels. We also believe that customers will continue to seek cost reductions and shorter cycle times from their suppliers. Our business model focuses on providing overall procurement cost reduction and just-in-time delivery to meet our customers’ needs. We focus on offering inventory, process and procurement solutions that reduce MRO supply chain costs and improve plant floor productivity for our customers. We will seek to continue to drive cost reduction throughout our business through cost saving strategies and increased leverage from our existing infrastructure, and continue to provide additional procurement cost savings solutions to our customers through technology such as our CMI, VMI, and vending programs.

 

Thirteen Week Period Ended February 28, 2015 Compared to the Thirteen Week Period Ended March 1, 2014

The table below summarizes the Company’s results of operations both in dollars (in thousands) and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

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Net Sales

Net sales increased 6.8% or approximately $44.9 million, for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015. We estimate that this $44.9 million increase in net sales is comprised of approximately $48.2 million of higher sales volume, reduced by approximately $3.3 million from a  net pricing decrease, which includes changes in customer and product mix, discounting and other items. Of the above $44.9 million increase in net sales, our Large Account Customers increased by approximately $31.7 million and there was an increase in our remaining business of approximately $13.2 million.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit margin was 45.4% for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015 as compared to 46.4% for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. The decline in gross profit margin was primarily a result of increases in product costs, changes in customer and product mix and growth in our vending program sales. 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

Operating expenses increased 4.4% to $235.0 million for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to $225.1 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase is primarily the result of increased payroll and payroll related costs and increased freight costs to support increased revenues.  This increase was partially offset by decreases in non-recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the CCSG acquisition and a decrease in the incentive compensation accrual.  Approximately $0.2 million and $4.6 million of expenses related to non-recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the CCSG acquisition were included in operating expenses for the thirteen week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, respectively.  In addition, approximately $3.0 million of executive separation costs was included in the thirteen week period ended March 1, 2014.

 

Operating expenses represented approximately 33.3% of net sales for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to approximately 34.0% for the thirteen week period ended March 1, 2014. This decrease is primarily a result of those non-recurring items discussed above.

 

Payroll and payroll related costs represented approximately 54.0% of total operating expenses for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to approximately 53.3% for the thirteen week period ended March 1, 2014.  Included in these costs are salary, incentive compensation, sales commission and fringe benefit costs.  Salary, incentive compensation and sales commission increased for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in salaries as a result of an increase in our staffing levels primarily related to sales associates, other program development and volume related positions to support our growth initiatives as well as significant investments in vending programs. Fringe benefit costs increased as a result of increased medical costs of our self-insured group health plan.  There was an increase in the number of participants in the plan as a result of the increases in headcount discussed above, which resulted in an increase in the number of medical claims filed. The number of medical claims filed increased 11.9% for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015 compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. In addition, the average cost per claim increased by 12.8% for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the incentive compensation accrual.  

 

Payroll and payroll related costs increased as a percentage of operating expenses for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year primarily as a result of the increases in payroll and payroll related costs discussed above.

 

Freight expense was approximately $30.7 million for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to approximately $28.1 million for the thirteen week period ended March 1, 2014. The primary driver of this increase was increased sales.

 

Income from Operations

Income from operations increased 5.1% to $85.9 million for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to $81.7 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in gross profit, offset in part by an increase in operating expenses described above. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased to 12.2% for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to 12.4% for the same period in the prior fiscal year primarily due to a decrease in gross profit margin as discussed above. 

 

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Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the thirteen week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014 was 38.5%.

 

Net Income

 

 

The factors which affected net income for the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, have been discussed above.

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Twenty-Six Week Period Ended February 28, 2015 Compared to the Twenty-Six Week Period Ended March 1, 2014

The table below summarizes the Company’s results of operations both in dollars (in thousands) and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

Net sales increased 7.3% or approximately $97.5 million, for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015. We estimate that this $97.5 million increase in net sales is comprised of approximately $106.9 million of higher sales volume, reduced by approximately $9.4 million from a net pricing decrease, which includes changes in customer and product mix, discounting and other items. Of the above $97.5 million increase in net sales, our Large Account Customers increased by approximately $68.6 million and there was an increase in our remaining business of approximately $28.9 million.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit margin was 45.3% for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015 as compared to 46.4% for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year. The decline in gross profit margin was primarily a result of the constrained pricing environment, changes in customer and product mix and growth in our vending program sales.

Operating Expenses

 

 

Operating expenses increased 6.3% to $471.2 million for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to $443.2 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase is primarily the result of increased payroll and payroll related costs, increased freight costs to support increased revenues, and increased advertising costs related to additional advertising activities. This increase was partially offset by decreases in non-recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the CCSG acquisition and in relocation expenses associated with the establishment of our co-located headquarters in Davidson, North Carolina in addition to a decrease in the incentive compensation accrual.  Approximately $1.1 million and $8.4 million of expenses related to non-recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the CCSG acquisition were included in operating expenses for the twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, respectively and approximately $2.5 million of non-recurring relocation costs was included in operating expenses for the twenty-six week period ended March 1, 2014.

 

Operating expenses represented approximately 32.8% of net sales for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to approximately 33.1% for the twenty-six week period ended March 1, 2014, respectively. Excluding the reduction in the non-recurring changes discussed above, operating expenses as a percentage of net sales for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015 increased as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.

 

Payroll and payroll related costs represented approximately 52.9% of total operating expenses for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to approximately 53.7% for the twenty-six week period ended March 1, 2014, respectively. Included in these costs are salary, incentive compensation, sales commission and fringe benefit costs.  Salary, incentive compensation and sales commission increased for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, as

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compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in salaries as a result of an increase in our staffing levels.  Fringe benefit costs increased as a result of increased medical costs of our self-insured group health plan. There was an increase in the number of participants in the plan as a result of the increases in headcount discussed above, which resulted in an increase in the number of medical claims filed. The number of medical claims filed increased 6.3% for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015 compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. In addition, the average cost per claim increased by 2.9% for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the incentive compensation accrual.

 

Payroll and payroll related costs decreased as a percentage of operating expenses for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year as a result of increased other operating expenses due to the factors discussed above. 

 

Freight expense was approximately $63.3 million for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to approximately $56.6 million for the twenty-six week period ended March 1, 2014, respectively. The primary driver of this increase was increased sales.

 

Income from Operations

Income from operations increased 0.8% to $179.8 million for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to $178.5 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in gross profit, offset in part by an increase in operating expenses described above. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased to 12.5% for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to 13.3% for the same period in the prior fiscal year primarily due to decreases in gross profit margin as discussed above. 

 

Provision for Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014 was 38.4%. 

 

Net Income

 

 

The factors which affected net income for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, as compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, have been discussed above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of February 28, 2015, we held $27.4 million in cash and cash equivalent funds. We maintain a substantial portion of our cash, and invest our cash equivalents, with well-known financial institutions. Historically, our primary capital needs have been to fund our working capital requirements necessitated by our sales growth, the costs of acquisitions, adding new products, new facilities, facilities expansions, investments in vending solutions, technology investments, and productivity investments. Cash generated from operations, together with borrowings under credit facilities, have been used to fund these needs, to repurchase shares of our Class A common stock, and to pay dividends. At February 28, 2015, total borrowings outstanding, representing amounts due under the Credit Facility (discussed below) and all capital leases and financing arrangements, were approximately $541.8 million. At August 30, 2014, total borrowings outstanding, representing amounts due under the Credit Facility and all capital leases and financing arrangements, were approximately $337.1 million.

 

The table below summarizes information regarding the Company’s liquidity and capital resources:

 

 

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The major component contributing to the source of cash for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015 was borrowings of $298.0 million under the revolving loan facility, partially offset by repayments on the Credit Facility of $92.5 million relating to both the revolving credit note and term loan. The major component of the use of cash for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015 was cash dividends paid of $234.9 million to shareholders of record, which consisted of the regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.40 per share and a special cash dividend of $3.00 per share approved by our Board of Directors on October 27, 2014.    On April 2, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share payable on April 28, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 2015. The dividend will result in a payout of approximately $24.7 million, based on the number of shares outstanding at April 2, 2015.

As a distributor, our use of capital is largely for working capital to support our revenue base. Capital commitments for property, plant and equipment generally are limited to information technology assets, warehouse equipment, office furniture and fixtures, building and leasehold improvements, construction and expansion, and vending machines. Therefore, the amount of cash consumed or generated by operations other than from net earnings will primarily be due to changes in working capital as a result of the rate of increases or decreases in sales. In periods when sales are increasing, as in the first two quarters of our fiscal year 2015, the expanded working capital needs are funded primarily by cash from operations. In addition to our working capital needs, for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, we paid $234.9 million to shareholders in the form of cash dividends and we repurchased approximately 0.3 million shares of our Class A common stock for approximately $26.3 million. 

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for the twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014 was $47.6 million and $151.5 million, respectively. There are various increases and decreases contributing to this change. An increase in inventories to support increased sales volume contributed to the majority of the decrease in net cash provided by operating activities.  

 

 

 

Working capital was $520.6 million,  $652.3 million, and $627.4 million at February 28, 2015,  August 30, 2014 and March 1, 2014, respectively. At these dates, the ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 2.0,  3.1,  and 3.5, respectively. The decrease in working capital and the current ratio at February 28, 2015 compared to August 30, 2014 and March 1, 2014,  is primarily related to the additional borrowings under the revolving loan facility in fiscal 2015, partially offset by the increase in inventories.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for the twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014 was $25.1 million and $56.5 million, respectively. The decrease in net cash used in investing activities resulted primarily from cash used of approximately $24.0 million for investment in available for sale securities during the twenty-six week period ended March 1, 2014, relating to the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority arrangement.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities for the twenty-six week periods ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014 was $42.0 million and $105.6 million, respectively. The major components contributing to the use of cash for the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015 were cash dividends paid of $234.9 million, and repayments on the Credit Facility of $92.5 million related to both the revolving credit note and term loan. This was partially offset by borrowings under the revolving loan facility in the amount of $298.0 million. The major components contributing to the use of cash for the twenty-six week period ended March 1, 2014 were the repurchase of shares of Class A common stock of $115.4 million and cash dividends paid of $41.4 million, partially offset by borrowings under the Credit Facility in the amount of $50.0 million.

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Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities

In April 2013, in connection with the acquisition of CCSG, we entered into a $650.0 million credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility, which matures in April 2018, provides for a five-year unsecured revolving loan facility in the aggregate amount of $400.0 million and a five-year unsecured term loan facility in the aggregate amount of $250.0 million.

 

The Credit Facility also permits us, at our request, and upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, to add one or more incremental term loan facilities and/or increase the revolving loan commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $200.0 million. Subject to certain limitations, each such incremental term loan facility or revolving commitment increase will be on terms as agreed to by us, the Administrative Agent and the lenders providing such financing.

 

Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at our option, either at (i) the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) rate plus the applicable margin for LIBOR loans ranging from 1.00% to 1.375%, based on our consolidated leverage ratio; or (ii) the greatest of (a) the Administrative Agent’s prime rate in effect on such day, (b) the federal funds effective rate in effect on such day, plus 0.50% and (c) the LIBOR rate that would be calculated as of such day in respect of a proposed LIBOR loan with a one-month interest period, plus 1.00%, plus, in the case of each of clauses (a) through (c), an applicable margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.375%, based on our consolidated leverage ratio. Based on the interest period we select, interest may be payable every one, two, three or six months. Interest is reset at the end of each interest period. We currently elect to have loans under the Credit Facility bear interest based on LIBOR with one-month interest periods.

 

We are required to pay a quarterly undrawn fee ranging from 0.10% to 0.20% per annum on the unutilized portion of the Credit Facility based on our consolidated leverage ratio. We are also required to pay quarterly letter of credit usage fees ranging between 1.00% to 1.375% (based on our consolidated leverage ratio) on the amount of the daily average outstanding letters of credit, and a quarterly fronting fee of 0.125% per annum on the undrawn and unexpired amount of each letter of credit.

 

The Credit Facility contains several restrictive covenants including the requirement that the Company maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock based compensation) of no more than 3.00 to 1.00, and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of EBITDA to total interest expense of at least 3.00 to 1.00, during the term of the Credit Facility.

 

During the twenty-six week period ended February 28, 2015, we borrowed $298.0 million under the revolving loan facility and repaid $80.0 million of the revolving loan balance and $12.5 million of the term loan. As of February 28, 2015, there were $225.0 million and $288.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility, respectively, of which $313.0 million represents current maturities. As of August 30, 2014, there were $237.5 million and $70.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility, respectively, of which $95.0 million represents current maturities.

 

At February 28, 2015, we were in compliance with the operating and financial covenants of the Credit Facility. The Company repaid borrowings of $46.0 million under the revolving loan facility in March 2015. The current balance of $158.0 million of the revolving loan facility is available for working capital purposes, if necessary.

 

Infrastructure Investments

In connection with our new customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio, we spent approximately $2.9 million in the first two quarters of fiscal 2015 and $49.9 million in fiscal 2014 for the purchase of the land and costs to construct and outfit the facility. We have completed construction and began operations on September 30, 2014.

   

We believe, based on our current business plan, that our existing cash, cash equivalents, funds available under our revolving credit facility, and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund our planned capital expenditures and operating cash requirements for at least the next 12 months.

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Related Party Transactions

We are affiliated with one real estate entity (the “Affiliate”), which leased property to us as of February 28, 2015. The Affiliate is owned by our principal shareholders (Mitchell Jacobson, our Chairman, and his sister, Marjorie Gershwind Fiverson, and by their family related trusts). We paid rent under an operating lease to the Affiliate for the twenty-six weeks ended February 28, 2015 of approximately $1.2 million, in connection with our occupancy of our Atlanta Customer Fulfillment Center. In the opinion of our management, based on its market research, the lease with the Affiliate is on terms which approximated fair market value when the lease and its amendments were executed.

 

Contractual Obligations

Capital Lease and Financing Arrangements

In connection with the construction of the Company’s new customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio, the Company entered into a long-term lease with the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority. The lease has been classified as a capital lease in accordance with ASC Topic 840. At February 28, 2015, the capital lease obligation was approximately $27.0 million.

 

From time to time, we enter into capital leases and financing arrangements to purchase certain equipment. Excluding the Columbus facility capital lease discussed above, we currently have various capital leases and financing obligations for certain information technology equipment in the amount of $6.8 million, of which $1.8 million remains outstanding at February 28, 2015. Refer to Note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Operating Leases

As of February 28, 2015, certain of our operations are conducted on leased premises, of which one location is leased from an Affiliate (which requires us to provide for the payment of real estate taxes and other operating costs), as noted above. These leases are for varying periods, the longest extending to the year 2030. In addition, we are obligated under certain equipment and automobile operating leases, which expire on varying dates through 2019.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our critical accounting policies and estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, inventory valuation, allowance for doubtful accounts, warranty and self-insured group health plan reserves, contingencies and litigation, income taxes, accounting for goodwill and long-lived assets, stock-based compensation, and business combinations.  We make estimates, judgments and assumptions in determining the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The estimates are used to form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the amount of revenues and expenses reported that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

There have been no material changes in the Company’s Critical Accounting Policies, as disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 2014.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

See Note 10 to the accompanying financial statements.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes to our exposures to market risks since August 30, 2014. Please refer to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 2014 for a complete discussion of our exposures to market risks.

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Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Our senior management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act) designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

In accordance with Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, we carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as other key members of our management, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of the end of the period covered by this report, to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is (i) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and (ii) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 

No change occurred in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act) during the second quarter ended February 28, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

There are various claims, lawsuits, and pending actions against the Company incidental to the operation of its business. Although the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this Report, consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 30, 2014, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in the aforementioned report are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be not material also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. 

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

The following table sets forth repurchases by the Company of its outstanding shares of Class A common stock during the thirteen week period ended February 28, 2015:

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 

Not Applicable.

 

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Item 5. Other Information 

None.

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

*Filed herewith.

**Furnished herewith.

 

 

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