UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q/A

 

ý

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

 

 

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 26, 2005

 

 

o

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

 

 

 

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM             TO            

 

Commission File No. 1-12879

 

GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

06-0868496

(state or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification Number)

 

 

 

One Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York

 

10020

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number including Area Code     (212) 218-7910

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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        o

 

No    ý

 

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

 

Yes        o

 

No    ý

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes        o

 

No    ý

 

Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at October 17, 2005:  4,999,604

 

 



 

GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

Form 10-Q/A

Explanatory Note

 

Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (“Griffin”) has restated its consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2002, November 29, 2003 and November 27, 2004 and for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005.  The restatement reflects changes to Griffin’s financial statements to correct: (a) rental revenue and depreciation and amortization expense of its real estate business as a result of an incorrect allocation of the purchase price for Griffin’s fiscal 2003 acquisition of a controlling interest in a joint venture that owned two office buildings in Windsor, Connecticut (Griffin had previously held a 30% interest in the joint venture), (b) depreciation expense of its real estate business for tenant improvements related to certain leases in other of Griffin Land’s buildings as a result of the incorrect recording of the useful lives of certain tenant improvements and the misclassification of certain improvements as tenant improvements rather than as building improvements, (c) rental revenue and depreciation expense of its real estate business due to the misclassification of a payment received in fiscal 2004 from a tenant for tenant improvements made by Griffin in accordance with the lease agreement and (d) the classification of the amortization of debt issuance costs related to Griffin’s financing agreements from selling, general and administrative expenses to interest expense.  This amendment includes in Item 1 such restated financial statements for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004 and other information relating to such restated consolidated financial statements, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Item 2).  Information regarding the reasons for and the effects of the restatement on Griffin’s financial condition at February 26, 2005 and its results of operations for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004 is provided in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this amendment.  An updated evaluation of Griffin’s disclosure controls and procedures is included in Item 4 of this amendment.

 



 

PART I -

 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

ITEM 1 -

 

 

 

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

 

13 Weeks Ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

13 Weeks Ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

13 Weeks Ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2 -

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 4 -

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

 

PART II -

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1 -

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 6 -

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

3



 

PART I                               FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.                             FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

For the 13 Weeks Ended,

 

 

 

Feb. 26, 2005

 

Feb. 28, 2004

 

 

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

Landscape nursery net sales

 

$

464

 

$

422

 

Rental revenue and property sales

 

2,865

 

2,487

 

Total revenue

 

3,329

 

2,909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of landscape nursery sales

 

597

 

442

 

Costs related to rental revenue and property sales

 

2,258

 

1,909

 

Total costs of goods sold

 

2,855

 

2,351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

474

 

558

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

2,318

 

1,923

 

Operating loss

 

(1,844

)

(1,365

)

Interest expense

 

(536

)

(771

)

Interest income, dividend income and gains on short-term investments

 

186

 

6

 

Loss before income tax benefit and equity investment

 

(2,194

)

(2,130

)

Income tax benefit

 

(753

)

(793

)

Loss before equity investment

 

(1,441

)

(1,337

)

Equity loss from Centaur Communications, Ltd.

 

 

(89

)

Net loss

 

$

(1,441

)

$

(1,426

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net loss per common share

 

$

(0.29

)

$

(0.29

)

Diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(0.29

)

$

(0.29

)

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4



 

GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Feb. 26, 2005

 

Nov. 27, 2004

 

 

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

508

 

$

8,827

 

Short-term investments, net

 

30,336

 

30,173

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance of $159 and $188

 

908

 

2,162

 

Inventories, net

 

37,556

 

32,184

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,772

 

1,572

 

Other current assets

 

3,969

 

3,423

 

Total current assets

 

75,049

 

78,341

 

Real estate held for sale or lease, net

 

67,270

 

65,675

 

Property and equipment, net

 

11,164

 

11,310

 

Investment in Centaur Holdings, plc

 

12,800

 

11,290

 

Other assets

 

10,018

 

10,274

 

Total assets

 

$

176,301

 

$

176,890

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

855

 

$

855

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

5,419

 

 

6,044

 

Total current liabilities

 

6,274

 

6,899

 

Long-term debt

 

31,259

 

31,479

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,394

 

1,758

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

2,662

 

2,624

 

Total liabilities

 

42,589

 

42,760

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 4,963,438 and 4,959,162 shares issued and outstanding, respectively

 

50

 

50

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

94,741

 

94,699

 

Retained earnings

 

32,736

 

34,177

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

6,185

 

5,204

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

133,712

 

134,130

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

176,301

 

$

176,890

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5



 

GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Shares of
Common
Stock

 

Common
Stock

 

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

 

Retained
Earnings
(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income

 

Total
(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

Total
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at Nov. 29, 2003 (as restated)

 

4,876,916

 

$

49

 

$

93,392

 

$

3,189

 

$

271

 

$

96,901

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options

 

11,212

 

 

122

 

 

 

122

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss (as restated)

 

 

 

 

(1,426

)

 

(1,426

)

(1,426

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

351

 

351

 

351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at Feb. 28, 2004 (as restated)

 

4,888,128

 

$

49

 

$

93,514

 

$

1,763

 

$

622

 

$

95,948

 

$

(1,075

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at Nov. 27, 2004 (as restated)

 

4,959,162

 

$

50

 

$

94,699

 

$

34,177

 

$

5,204

 

$

134,130

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options including tax benefit of $10

 

4,276

 

 

42

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss (as restated)

 

 

 

 

(1,441

)

 

(1,441

)

(1,441

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

981

 

981

 

981

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at Feb. 26, 2005 (as restated)

 

4,963,438

 

$

50

 

$

94,741

 

$

32,736

 

$

6,185

 

$

133,712

 

$

(460

)

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6



 

GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

For the 13 Weeks Ended,

 

 

 

Feb. 26, 2005

 

Feb. 28, 2004

 

 

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(1,441

)

$

(1,426

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,124

 

1,093

 

Real estate asset write-offs

 

169

 

90

 

Provision for inventory losses

 

140

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(93

)

(1,046

)

Provision for bad debts

 

67

 

 

Unrealized gains on trading securities

 

1

 

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

14

 

64

 

Loss from equity investment

 

 

89

 

Other

 

(17

)

(20

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in trading securities

 

(164

)

 

Accounts receivable

 

1,283

 

1,028

 

Inventories

 

(5,512

)

(4,760

)

Other current assets

 

(568

)

(436

)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

191

 

1,586

 

Other noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net

 

(62

)

16

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

(4,868

)

(3,722

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to real estate held for sale or lease

 

(3,141

)

(1,632

)

Additions to property and equipment

 

(213

)

(224

)

Proceeds from sale of properties, net of expenses

 

91

 

 

Investment in Shemin Acquisition Corp.

 

 

(143

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(3,263

)

(1,999

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Payments of debt

 

(220

)

(196

)

Exercise of stock options

 

32

 

122

 

Increase in debt

 

 

5,925

 

Other, net

 

 

(129

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(188

)

5,722

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(8,319

)

1

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

8,827

 

18

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

508

 

$

19

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

7



 

GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

1.                    Basis of Presentation

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (“Griffin”) include the accounts of Griffin’s real estate division (“Griffin Land”) and Griffin’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Imperial Nurseries, Inc. (“Imperial”), and have been prepared in conformity with the standards of accounting measurement set forth in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28 and amendments thereto adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). Also, the accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies stated in Griffin’s audited financial statements for the year ended November 27, 2004 included in the Report on Form 10-K/A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Financial Statements appearing in that report. All adjustments, comprising only normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods have been reflected.  The year end consolidated balance sheet data as of November 27, 2004 was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Griffin has restated its consolidated financial statements for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, and for the fiscal years ended November 27, 2004, November 29, 2003 and November 30, 2002, including the financial information of the interim periods in fiscal years 2004 and 2003 to correct:  (a) rental revenue and depreciation and amortization expense of its real estate business as a result of an incorrect allocation of the purchase price for Griffin’s fiscal 2003 acquisition of a controlling interest in a joint venture that owned two office buildings in Windsor, Connecticut (Griffin had previously held a 30% interest in the joint venture), (b) depreciation expense of its real estate business for tenant improvements related to certain leases in other of Griffin Land’s buildings as a result of the incorrect recording of the useful lives of certain tenant improvements and the misclassification of certain improvements as tenant improvements rather than as building improvements, (c) rental revenue and depreciation expense of its real estate business due to the misclassification of a payment received in the 2004 second quarter from a tenant for tenant improvements made by Griffin in accordance with the lease agreement and (d) the classification of the amortization expense of debt issuance costs related to Griffin’s financing agreements from selling, general and administrative expenses to interest expense.

 

The corrected allocation of the purchase price increased by $1.5 million the amount of intangible assets related to the value of in-place leases and tenant relationships and reduced by $1.5 million the amount previously allocated to Griffin’s tangible real estate assets.  The effect of this correction to the purchase price allocation was to increase Griffin’s operating losses by $47 and $66 in the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively, as a result of an increase in depreciation and amortization expense because of the shorter time period over which the intangible assets are amortized as compared to the depreciable lives of the tangible real estate assets.

 

The adjustment to depreciation expense related to the correction of the useful lives used to determine the amount of depreciation for tenant improvements related to certain leases and the change in classification of certain improvements from tenant improvements to building improvements decreased Griffin’s operating losses by $67 and $34 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively.

 

8



 

Griffin determined that a payment received from a tenant in the 2004 second quarter for tenant improvements made by Griffin in accordance with the lease agreement should have been recorded as deferred rental revenue and amortized into rental revenue over the term of the lease.  Griffin had recorded the payment received as a reduction of tenant improvements.  The effect of this adjustment was to increase Griffin’s rental revenue and increase depreciation expense by $31 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005.  There was no effect on Griffin’s operating losses because the depreciable lives of the tenant improvements were the same as the lease term over which the amount received from the tenant will be recognized as rental revenue.

 

The effect of the correction to the classification of the amortization of debt issuance costs was to decrease Griffin’s operating loss and increase interest expense by $64 for the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004.  The amortization of debt issuance costs was included in interest expense as originally reported for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005.

 

In aggregate, the above adjustments resulted in a decrease to Griffin’s net loss of  $13 and an increase to Griffin’s net loss of  $22 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively.  The adjustments described herein affected only noncash credits and charges and did not affect Griffin’s cash position.  In addition, the adjustments related to the amortization of debt issuance costs did not affect Griffin’s pretax loss, net loss or net loss per share in any period.  The above adjustments did not affect originally reported net cash provided by or used in operating, investing or financing activities for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004.  Griffin’s consolidated balance sheets as of February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004 were restated for the effects of the above adjustments, but such adjustments were not material to Griffin’s consolidated balance sheets (see Note 11).

 

As reported in its Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended November 27, 2004, Griffin revised the amounts reported on the quarterly data from those originally reported in its Report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004 for rental revenue and costs related to rental revenue because Griffin determined that it had inadvertently reported certain intercompany revenue and expenses of the same amount in each period related to property management activities at Griffin’s real estate business.  The revisions decreased both revenue and related costs in the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004 by $189 to eliminate those offsetting intercompany amounts that were inadvertently included in the prior period. The revisions had no effect on previously reported gross profit, operating profit (loss), net income (loss) or net income (loss) per share in any of Griffin’s previously issued consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the revisions had no effect on any of Griffin’s previously issued consolidated balance sheets or consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

The results of operations for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.  Certain amounts from the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

 

Griffin accounts for stock options under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and has adopted SFAS No. 123, which requires disclosure of the pro forma effect on earnings and earnings per share of the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation, and SFAS No. 148, which prescribes a method of disclosure.  Griffin’s results would have been the following pro forma amounts under the method prescribed by SFAS No. 123:

 

9



 

 

 

For the 13 Weeks Ended,

 

 

 

Feb 26, 2005

 

Feb. 28, 2004

 

 

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

Net loss, as reported

 

$

(1,441

)

$

(1,426

)

Total stock based employee compensation expense determined under fair value method for all awards, net of tax effects

 

(3

)

(28

)

Net loss, pro forma

 

$

(1,444

)

$

(1,454

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net loss per common share, as reported

 

$

(0.29

)

$

(0.29

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net loss per common share, pro forma

 

$

(0.29

)

$

(0.30

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net loss per common share, as reported

 

$

(0.29

)

$

(0.29

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net loss per common share, pro forma

 

$

(0.29

)

$

(0.30

)

 

There were no stock options granted during the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004.

 

2.                    Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs (an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4).”  This new standard requires the recognition of abnormal inventory costs related to idle facility expenses, freight, handling costs and spoilage as period costs.  SFAS No. 151 will be effective for Griffin in fiscal 2006 and is not expected to have a material impact on Griffin’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets (an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29).”  This new standard requires an issuer to measure and recognize nonmonetary exchanges which are anticipated to have an impact on future cash flows.  SFAS No. 153 will be effective for Griffin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 and is not expected to have any impact on Griffin’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment.”  This new standard supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and its related implementation guidance.  SFAS No. 123R requires an issuer to recognize the compensation cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments.  Therefore, the cost of rewarding individuals with equity instruments will be recognized in Griffin’s financial statements rather than disclosed in a pro forma statement in the financial statement footnotes.  SFAS No. 123R will be effective for Griffin in the first quarter of fiscal 2006.  Management expects to adopt SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective application method, and expects that the adoption of SFAS No. 123R will decrease Griffin’s annual basic and diluted per share results by $0.01 to $0.04 per share.

 

10



 

3.                    Industry Segment Information

 

Griffin’s reportable segments are defined by their products and services, and are comprised of the landscape nursery and real estate segments.  Management operates and receives reporting based upon these segments.  Griffin has no operations outside the United States.  Griffin’s export sales and transactions between segments are not material.

 

 

 

For the 13 Weeks Ended,

 

 

 

February 26,
2005

 

February 28,
2004

 

 

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

Total revenue

 

 

 

 

 

Landscape nursery net sales

 

$

464

 

$

422

 

Rental revenue and property sales

 

2,865

 

2,487

 

 

 

$

3,329

 

$

2,909

 

Operating loss:

 

 

 

 

 

Landscape nursery

 

$

(1,013

)

$

(873

)

Real estate

 

(48

)

 

Industry segment totals

 

(1,061

)

(873

)

General corporate expense

 

(783

)

(492

)

Operating loss

 

(1,844

)

(1,365

)

Interest expense, net of interest income, dividend income and gains on short-term investments

 

(350

)

(765

)

Loss before income tax benefit

 

$

(2,194

)

$

(2,130

)

 

 

 

Feb. 26, 2005

 

Nov. 27, 2004

 

 

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

Identifiable assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Landscape nursery

 

$

54,286

 

$

50,330

 

Real estate

 

73,910

 

73,451

 

Industry segment totals

 

128,196

 

123,781

 

General corporate (consists primarily of investments)

 

48,105

 

53,109

 

Total assets

 

$

176,301

 

$

176,890

 

 

Griffin restated its consolidated financial statements for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004 and for the fiscal years ended November 27, 2004, November 29, 2003 and November 30, 2002 (see Note 11).

 

Griffin revised previously reported rental revenue and costs related to rental revenue in the same amount to eliminate certain duplicated amounts included in the prior year (see Note 1). The effect of these revisions, which Griffin believes were not material, was to decrease both revenue and related costs of the real estate segment in the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004 by $189. The revisions had no effect on previously reported real estate segment operating profit or previously reported identifiable assets of the real estate segment.

 

11



 

Revenue for the real estate segment in the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 includes property sales revenue of $107. There were no property sales in the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004.

 

See Note 4 for information on Griffin’s previously held equity investment in Centaur.

 

4.                    Equity Investment

 

On March 10, 2004, Griffin completed the sale of its investment in Centaur Communications, Ltd. (“Centaur”).  Prior to the sale, Griffin accounted for its investment in Centaur under the equity method of accounting for investments.  The unaudited summarized financial data of Centaur presented below were derived from consolidated financial information of Centaur for the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004.  Griffin’s equity loss for the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004 included $92 for amortization of publishing rights and reflected adjustments necessary to present Centaur’s results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended,
Feb. 28, 2004

 

Net sales

 

$

25,410

 

Costs and expenses

 

25,664

 

Operating loss

 

(254

)

Nonoperating income

 

169

 

Pretax loss

 

(85

)

Income tax benefit

 

(94

)

Net income

 

$

9

 

 

5.                    Long-Term Debt

 

Long-term debt includes:

 

 

 

Feb. 26, 2005

 

Nov. 27, 2004

 

Nonrecourse mortgages:

 

 

 

 

 

8.54% due July 1, 2009

 

$

7,820

 

$

7,842

 

6.08% due January 1, 2013

 

9,388

 

9,433

 

6.30% due May 1, 2014

 

1,408

 

1,436

 

8.13% due April 1, 2016

 

5,810

 

5,853

 

7.0% due October 1, 2017

 

7,376

 

7,410

 

Total nonrecourse mortgages

 

31,802

 

31,974

 

Capital leases

 

312

 

360

 

Total

 

32,114

 

32,334

 

Less: current portion

 

(855

)

(855

)

Total long-term debt

 

$

31,259

 

$

31,479

 

 

12



 

In March 2004, as a result of the proceeds received from the sale of Centaur (see Note 4), Griffin repaid the entire amount then outstanding ($18.4 million) under its Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Fleet National Bank and subsequently terminated the Credit Agreement, which was scheduled to expire in February 2005.

 

At February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004, the fair values of Griffin’s mortgages were $34.8 million and $33.2 million, respectively. Fair value is based on the present value of future cash flows discounted at estimated borrowing rates for comparable risks, maturities and collateral.

 

6.                    Stock Options

 

Activity under the Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “Griffin Stock Option Plan”) is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

For the thirteen weeks ended,

 

 

 

Feb. 26, 2005

 

Feb. 28, 2004

 

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted Avg.
Exercise Price

 

Number
of Shares

 

Weighted Avg.
Exercise Price

 

Outstanding at beginning of year

 

584,514

 

$

12.78

 

659,542

 

$

12.57

 

Exercised

 

(4,276

)

7.53

 

(11,212

)

10.94

 

Cancelled

 

(9,667

)

13.70

 

 

 

Outstanding at end of first quarter

 

570,571

 

$

12.80

 

648,330

 

$

12.60

 

 

Number of option holders at February 26, 2005

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

Range of Exercise Prices

 

Outstanding at
Feb. 26, 2005

 

Weighted Avg.
Exercise Price

 

Weighted Avg.
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)

 

Under $3.00

 

6,000

 

$

2.07

 

0.2

 

$3.00-$11.00

 

98,172

 

7.53

 

1.0

 

Over $11.00

 

466,399

 

14.05

 

4.0

 

 

 

570,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

At February 26, 2005, 508,296 options outstanding under the Griffin Stock Option Plan were exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of $12.60 per share.

 

13



 

7.                    Per Share Results

 

Basic and diluted per share results were based on the following:

 

 

 

For the 13 Weeks Ended,

 

 

 

Feb. 26, 2005

 

Feb. 28, 2004

 

 

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss as reported for computation of basic and diluted per share results

 

$

(1,441

)

$

(1,426

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding for computation of basic and diluted per share results (a)

 

4,961,000

 

4,879,000

 

 


(a)                     Incremental shares from the exercise of Griffin stock options were not included in periods where the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive.  For the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004 the incremental shares from the assumed exercise of stock options would have been 205,000 and 148,000, respectively.

 

8.                    Supplemental Financial Statement Information

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Griffin’s short-term investments are comprised of equity and debt securities and are accounted for as trading securities under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.”   Accordingly, the securities are carried at their fair values based upon the quoted market prices of those investments at the balance sheet date, and net realized and unrealized gains and losses on those investments are included in pretax income (loss).  The composition of short-term investments at February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004 is as follows:

 

14



 

 

 

As of Feb. 26, 2005

 

As of Nov. 27, 2004

 

 

 

Cost

 

Market Value

 

Cost

 

Market Value

 

Commercial Paper

 

$

6,242

 

$

6,244

 

$

15,015

 

$

15,032

 

Certificates of Deposit

 

3,249

 

3,266

 

7,368

 

7,415

 

Auction Rate Fixed Income Securities

 

4,500

 

4,507

 

4,500

 

4,506

 

Federal Agency Coupon Notes

 

16,275

 

16,319

 

3,219

 

3,220

 

Total short-term investments

 

$

30,266

 

$

30,336

 

$

30,102

 

$

30,173

 

 

Income from cash equivalents and short-term investments for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004 consists of:

 

 

 

For the 13 Weeks Ended,

 

 

 

Feb. 26, 2005

 

Feb. 28, 2004

 

Interest and dividend income

 

$

33

 

$

6

 

Net realized gains on the sales of short-term investments

 

154

 

 

Change in net unrealized loss on short-term investments

 

(1

)

 

 

 

$

186

 

$

6

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004 consist of the following:

 

 

 

For the 13 Weeks Ended,

 

 

 

Feb. 26, 2005

 

Feb. 28, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

5,204

 

$

271

 

Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes related to equity investment in Centaur Communications, Ltd.

 

 

351

 

Increase in fair market value at end of period of Centaur Holdings, plc, net of tax of $473

 

877

 

 

Increase in value of Centaur Holdings, plc, due to foreign currency exchange rate changes, net of tax of $56

 

104

 

 

Balance at end of period

 

$

6,185

 

$

622

 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

15



 

Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004 were $1,393 and $2,209, respectively, for additions to real estate held for sale or lease.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories consist of:

 

 

 

Feb. 26,
2005

 

Nov. 27,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nursery stock

 

$

35,724

 

$

31,737

 

Materials and supplies

 

2,618

 

1,096

 

 

 

38,342

 

32,833

 

Reserves

 

(786

)

(649

)

 

 

$

37,556

 

$

32,184

 

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment consist of:

 

 

 

Estimated
Useful Lives

 

Feb. 26,
2005

 

Nov. 27,
2004

 

Land

 

 

 

$

1,283

 

$

1,283

 

Land improvements

 

10 to 20 years

 

5,316

 

5,274

 

Buildings and improvements

 

10 to 40 years

 

3,043

 

3,033

 

Machinery and equipment

 

3 to 20 years

 

16,199

 

16,054

 

 

 

 

 

25,841

 

25,644

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

(14,677

)

(14,334

)

 

 

 

 

$

11,164

 

$

11,310

 

 

Griffin did not incur any capital lease obligations in the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005.  Griffin incurred capital lease obligations of $92 in the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004.

 

16



 

Real Estate Held for Sale or Lease

 

Real estate held for sale or lease consists of:

 

 

 

 

 

February 26, 2005

 

 

 

Estimated
Useful Lives

 

Held for
Sale

 

Held for Lease
(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

Total
(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

 

 

$

1,250

 

$

4,288

 

$

5,538

 

Land improvements

 

15 years

 

 

4,951

 

4,951

 

Buildings and improvements

 

10 to 40 years

 

 

54,596

 

54,596

 

Tenant improvements

 

Shorter of
useful life or
terms of
related lease

 

 

 

6,242

 

6,242

 

Development costs

 

 

 

5,064

 

9,073

 

14,137

 

 

 

 

 

6,314

 

79,150

 

85,464

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

(18,194

)

(18,194

)

 

 

 

 

$

6,314

 

$

60,956

 

$

67,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 27, 2004

 

 

 

Estimated
Useful Lives

 

Held for
Sale

 

Held for Lease
(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

Total
(As Restated)
(Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

 

 

$

1,252

 

$

4,287

 

$

5,539

 

Land improvements

 

15 years

 

 

4,951

 

4,951

 

Buildings and improvements

 

10 to 40 years

 

 

54,185

 

54,185

 

Tenant improvements

 

Shorter of
useful life or
terms of
related lease

 

 

6,627

 

6,627

 

Development costs

 

 

 

4,939

 

6,998

 

11,937

 

 

 

 

 

6,191

 

77,048

 

83,239

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

 

 

(17,564

)

(17,564

)

 

 

 

 

$

6,191

 

$

59,484

 

$

65,675

 

 

Deferred Income Taxes

 

A deferred tax liability of $529 was included as a charge to other comprehensive income in the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 related to the mark to market adjustment on the investment in Centaur Holdings.

 

17



 

Postretirement Benefits

 

Griffin maintains a postretirement benefits program which provides principally health and life insurance benefits to certain of its retirees. The liability for postretirement benefits is included in other noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Because Griffin’s obligation for retiree medical benefits is fixed under the terms of Griffin’s postretirement benefits program, any increase in the medical cost trend would have no effect on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, service cost or interest cost. Griffin’s postretirement benefits are unfunded, with benefits to be paid from Griffin’s general assets.  Griffin’s contributions for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004 were $2 and $1 respectively, with an expected contribution of $10 for the fiscal 2005 full year.  The components of Griffin’s postretirement benefits expense are as follows:

 

 

 

For the 13 Weeks Ended,

 

 

 

Feb. 26,
2005

 

Feb. 28,
2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

9

 

$

8

 

Interest

 

13

 

12

 

Amortization of unrecognized loss

 

2

 

2

 

 

 

$

24

 

$

22

 

 

9.                    Subsequent Event

 

As of February 26, 2005, Griffin held an approximate 14% equity interest in Shemin Acquisition Corporation (“Shemin Acquisition”) at a carrying value of $4.7 million, which Griffin accounted for under the cost method of accounting for investments.  On May 31, 2005, Griffin received initial cash proceeds of $5.9 million from the sale of its remaining common stock of Shemin Acquisition.  Immediately prior to that sale, Griffin exchanged a portion of its holdings in Shemin Acquisition for an approximate 14% equity interest in Shemin Nurseries Holdings Corp. (“Shemin Nurseries”), which operates a landscape nursery distribution business through its subsidiary that previously was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shemin Acquisition.  On June 29, 2005, Griffin received a cash distribution of $1.5 million from Shemin Nurseries.  Subsequent to these transactions, Shemin Nurseries paid $0.2 million to the buyer of Shemin Acquisition, on behalf of Griffin, for Griffin’s share of the purchase price adjustment related to the determination of Shemin Acquisition’s working capital as of the closing date.  The sale of its investment in Shemin Acquisition resulted in a gain to Griffin that will be reflected in Griffin’s results of operations, for the thirteen weeks ended August 27, 2005.  Griffin continues to hold its investment in Shemin Nurseries.

 

10.              Commitments and Contingencies

 

As of February 26, 2005, Griffin had committed purchase obligations of $3.2 million, principally for construction of the shell of a new industrial building at Griffin Land and for the purchase of raw materials by Imperial.

 

Griffin is involved, as a defendant, in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, based on the advice of counsel, the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these matters will not be material to Griffin’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

18



 

11.           Restatement

 

Griffin has restated its consolidated financial statements for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004 to correct:  (a) rental revenue and depreciation and amortization expense of its real estate business as a result of an incorrect allocation of the purchase price for Griffin’s fiscal 2003 acquisition of a controlling interest in a joint venture that owned two office buildings in Windsor, Connecticut (Griffin had previously held a 30% interest in the joint venture), (b) depreciation expense of its real estate business for tenant improvements related to certain leases in other of Griffin Land’s buildings as a result of the incorrect recording of the useful lives of certain tenant improvements and the misclassification of certain improvements as tenant improvements rather than as building improvements, (c) rental revenue and depreciation expense of its real estate business due to the misclassification of a payment received in the 2004 second quarter from a tenant for tenant improvements made by Griffin in accordance with the lease agreement and (d) the classification of the amortization expense of debt issuance costs related to Griffin’s financing agreements from selling, general and administrative expenses to interest expense.

 

The corrected allocation of the purchase price increased by $1.5 million the amount of intangible assets related to the value of in-place leases and tenant relationships and reduced by $1.5 million the amount previously allocated to Griffin’s tangible real estate assets.  The effect of this correction to the purchase price allocation was to increase Griffin’s operating losses by $47 and $66 in the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively, and to decrease per share results by $0.01 in each of the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004 as a result of an increase in depreciation and amortization expense because of the shorter time period over which the intangible assets are amortized as compared to the depreciable lives of the tangible real estate assets.

 

The adjustment to depreciation expense related to the correction of the useful lives used to determine the amount of depreciation for tenant improvements related to certain leases and the change in classification of certain improvements from tenant improvements to building improvements decreased Griffin’s operating losses by $67 and $34 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively, and increased per share results by $0.01 in each of the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004.

 

Griffin determined that a payment received from a tenant in the 2004 second quarter for tenant improvements made by Griffin in accordance with the lease agreement should have been recorded as deferred rental revenue and amortized into rental revenue over the term of the lease.  Griffin had recorded the payment received as a reduction of tenant improvements.  The effect of this adjustment was to increase Griffin’s rental revenue and increase depreciation expense by $31 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005.  There was no effect on Griffin’s operating loss and no effect on per share results because the depreciable lives of the tenant improvements were the same as the lease term over which the amount received from the tenant will be recognized as rental revenue.

 

The effect of the correction to the classification of the amortization of debt issuance costs was to decrease Griffin’s operating loss and increase interest expense by $64 for the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004.  For the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005, the amortization of deferred financing costs included interest expense as originally reported.

 

In aggregate, the above adjustments resulted in a decrease to Griffin’s net loss of $13 and an increase to Griffin’s net loss of $22 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively.  The adjustments described herein affected only noncash credits and charges and did not affect Griffin’s cash position.  In addition, the adjustments related to the amortization of debt issuance costs did not affect Griffin’s pretax loss, net loss or net loss per share in any period.  The above

 

19



 

adjustments did not affect originally reported net cash provided by or used in operating, investing or financing activities for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004.  Griffin’s consolidated balance sheets as of February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004 were restated for the effects of the above adjustments, but such adjustments were not material to Griffin’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

The following table sets forth additional detail regarding the effects of the restatement on Griffin’s consolidated financial statements for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004:

 

20



 

Statement of Operations Data

 

 

 

For the thirteen weeks ended,

 

 

 

February 26, 2005

 

February 28, 2004

 

 

 

As
Reported

 

Adjustments

 

As
Restated

 

As
Reported

 

Adjustments

 

As
Restated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Landscape nursery net sales

 

$

464

 

$

 

$

464

 

$

422

 

$

 

$

422

 

Rental revenue and property sales

 

2,840

 

25

(a)

2,865

 

2,484

 

3

(a)

2,487

 

Total revenue

 

3,304

 

25

 

3,329

 

2,906

 

3

 

2,909

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of landscape nursery sales

 

597

 

 

597

 

442

 

 

442

 

Costs related to rental revenue and property sales

 

2,259

 

(1

)(b)

2,258

 

1,892

 

17

(b)

1,909

 

Total costs of goods sold

 

2,856

 

(1

)

2,855

 

2,334

 

17

 

2,351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

448

 

26

 

474

 

572

 

(14

)

558

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

2,312

 

6

(c)

2,318

 

1,969

 

(46

)(c)

1,923

 

Operating loss

 

(1,864

)

20

 

(1,844

)

(1,397

)

32

 

(1,365

)

Interest expense

 

(536

)

 

(536

)

(707

)

(64

)(d)

(771

)

Interest income, dividend income and gains on short-term investments

 

186

 

 

186

 

6

 

 

6

 

Loss before income tax benefit and equity investment

 

(2,214

)

20

 

(2,194

)

(2,098

)

(32

)

(2,130

)

Income tax benefit

 

(760

)

7

(e)

(753

)

(783

)

(10

)(e)

(793

)

Loss before equity investment

 

(1,454

)

13

 

(1,441

)

(1,315

)

(22

)

(1,337

)

Equity loss from Centaur Communications, Ltd.

 

 

 

 

(89

)

 

(89

)

Net loss

 

$

(1,454

)

$

13

 

$

(1,441

)

$

(1,404

)

$

(22

)

$

(1,426

)

Basic net loss per common share

 

$

(0.29

)

$

 

$

(0.29

)

$

(0.29

)

$

 

$

(0.29

)

Diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(0.29

)

$

 

$

(0.29

)

$

(0.29

)

$

 

$

(0.29

)

 

Balance Sheet Data

 

 

 

February 26, 2005

 

November 27, 2004

 

 

 

As
Reported

 

Adjustments

 

As
Restated

 

As
Reported

 

Adjustments

 

As
Restated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

$

75,049

 

$

 

$

75,049

 

$

78,341

 

$

 

$

78,341

 

Real estate held for sale or lease, net

 

67,587

 

(317

)(f)

67,270

 

66,043

 

(368

)(f)

65,675

 

Property and equipment, net

 

11,164

 

 

11,164

 

11,310

 

 

11,310

 

Investment in Centaur Holdings, plc

 

12,800

 

 

12,800

 

11,290

 

 

11,290

 

Other assets

 

9,219

 

799

(g)

10,018

 

9,413

 

861

(g)

10,274

 

Total assets

 

$

175,819

 

$

482

 

$

176,301

 

$

176,397

 

$

493

 

$

176,890

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

$

6,151

 

$

123

(h)

$

6,274

 

$

6,776

 

$

123

(h)

$

6,899

 

Long-term debt

 

31,259

 

 

31,259

 

31,479

 

 

31,479

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,608

 

(214

)(i)

2,394

 

1,979

 

(221

)(i)

1,758

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

1,669

 

993

(j)

2,662

 

1,600

 

1,024

(j)

2,624

 

Total liabilities

 

41,687

 

902

 

42,589

 

41,834

 

926

 

42,760

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

134,132

 

(420

)(k)

133,712

 

134,563

 

(433

)(k)

134,130

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

175,819

 

$

482

 

$

176,301

 

$

176,397

 

$

493

 

$

176,890

 

 

21



 


(a)     Reflects an increase in rental revenue of $31 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005, to reflect the amortization of deferred rental revenue as a result of a payment received from a tenant for a portion of tenant improvements made by Griffin.  Also reflects a decrease to rental revenue of $6 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and an increase to rental revenue of $3 for the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004 for amortization of above-market and below-market leases reflecting a change in the value of above-market and below-market leases as a result of the reallocation of a portion of the purchase price of a fiscal 2003 acquisition as described in Note (b)(i) below.

 

(b)     Reflects: (i) net increases in depreciation and amortization expense of intangible assets of $41 and $69 in the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively, as a result of the reallocation of $1.5 million of the purchase price from real estate held for sale or lease to the value of in-place leases and tenant relationships with respect to Griffin’s fiscal 2003 acquisition of a controlling interest in a joint venture that owned two office buildings; (ii) decreases in depreciation expense of $67 and $34 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively, to correct the depreciation related to certain tenant improvements as a result of using incorrect useful lives to determine the amount of depreciation and the change in classification of certain improvements from tenant improvements to building improvements; (iii) an increase in depreciation expense of $31 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005  as a result of recording a payment received from a tenant for tenant improvements made by Griffin as deferred rental revenue instead of as a reduction to tenant improvements as originally recorded; and (iv) decreases in costs related to rental revenue of $6 and $18 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively, to reclassify $6 and $5 of depreciation expense to selling, general and administrative expenses and to correct the classification of $13 for the amortization of debt issuance costs to interest expense.

 

(c)     Reflects a decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses of $51 in the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004 as a result of the correction to the classification of the amortization of debt issuance costs to interest expense.  Also reflects increases in selling, general and administrative expenses of $6 and $5 in the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively, for the reclassification of depreciation expense from costs related to rental revenue to selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

(d)     Reflects an increase in interest expense of $64 in the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004 for the correction to the classification of amortization of debt issuance costs of $51 from selling, general and administrative expenses to interest expense and for the correction to the classification of amortization of debt issuance costs of $13 from costs related to rental revenue to interest expense.  The amortization of debt issuance costs was included in interest expense for the thirteen weeks ended February 27, 2005, therefore, no adjustment was necessary.

 

(e)     Reflects a decrease in the income tax benefit as a result of the decrease in loss before income tax benefit in the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and an increase in the income tax benefit as a result of the increase in the loss before income tax benefit in the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004 as a result of the adjustments described above.

 

(f)      Reflects: (i) decreases in real estate held for sale or lease of $1,349 and $1,364 as of February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004, respectively, as a result of the correction to the allocation of the

 

22



 

purchase price of the fiscal 2003 acquisition as described in Note (b)(i) above; (ii) increases in real estate held for sale or lease of $1,116 and $1,147 as of February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004, respectively, for recording the payment received from a tenant for tenant improvements as deferred rental revenue instead of as a reduction of tenant improvements as originally recorded; and (iii) decreases in real estate held for sale or lease of $84 and $151 as of February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004, respectively, to correct the depreciation related to certain tenant improvements as a result of the incorrect useful lives of these assets being used to determine the amount of depreciation partially offset by the effect of the change in classification of certain improvements from tenant improvements to building improvements.

 

(g)     Reflects increases in the values of in-place leases and tenant relationships, which are included in other assets on Griffin’s consolidated balance sheet, of $799 and $861 as of February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004, respectively, as a result of the reallocation of a portion of the purchase price of a fiscal 2003 acquisition as described in Note (b)(i) above.

 

(h)     Reflects increases to current liabilities of $123 as of February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004 for the current portion of deferred rental revenue reflecting a payment received from a tenant for tenant improvements made by Griffin as described in Note (b)(iii) above.  The deferred rental revenue is being amortized to rental revenue over the term of the lease.

 

(i)      Reflects the cumulative tax effect related to the adjustments to rental revenue and costs of rental revenue as discussed above.

 

(j)      Reflects increases in other noncurrent liabilities of $993 and $1,024 as of February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004, respectively, for deferred rental revenue reflecting a payment received from a tenant for tenant improvements made by Griffin as described in Note (b)(iii) above.  The deferred rental revenue is being amortized to rental revenue over the term of the lease.

 

(k)     Reflects the cumulative effect of the above adjustments on stockholders’ equity.

 

23



 

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

 

Restatement

 

Griffin has restated its consolidated financial statements for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004 to correct:  (a) rental revenue and depreciation and amortization expense of its real estate business as a result of an incorrect allocation of the purchase price for Griffin’s fiscal 2003 acquisition of a controlling interest in a joint venture that owned two office buildings in Windsor, Connecticut (Griffin had previously held a 30% interest in the joint venture), (b) depreciation expense of its real estate business for tenant improvements related to certain leases in other of Griffin Land’s buildings as a result of the incorrect recording of the useful lives of certain tenant improvements and the misclassification of certain improvements as tenant improvements rather than as building improvements, (c) rental revenue and depreciation expense of its real estate business due to the misclassification of a payment received in the 2004 second quarter from a tenant for tenant improvements made by Griffin in accordance with the lease agreement and (d) the classification of the amortization expense of debt issuance costs related to Griffin’s financing agreements from selling, general and administrative expenses to interest expense.

 

The corrected allocation of the purchase price increased by $1.5 million the amount of intangible assets related to the value of in-place leases and tenant relationships and reduced by $1.5 million the amount previously allocated to Griffin’s tangible real estate assets.  The effect of this correction to the purchase price allocation was to increase Griffin’s operating losses by $47,000 and $66,000 in the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively, as a result of an increase in depreciation and amortization expense because of the shorter time period over which the intangible assets are amortized as compared to the depreciable lives of the tangible real estate assets.

 

The adjustment to depreciation expense related to the correction of the useful lives used to calculate the amount of depreciation for tenant improvements related to certain leases and the change in classification of certain improvements from tenant improvements to building improvements decreased Griffin’s operating losses by $67,000 and $34,000 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively.

 

Griffin determined that a payment received from a tenant in the 2004 second quarter for tenant improvements made by Griffin in accordance with the lease agreement should have been recorded as deferred rental revenue and amortized into rental revenue over the term of the lease.  Griffin had recorded the payment received as a reduction of tenant improvements.  The effect of this adjustment was to increase Griffin’s rental revenue and increase depreciation expense by $31,000 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005.  There was no effect on Griffin’s operating profit because the depreciable lives of the tenant improvements were the same as the lease term over which the amount received from the tenant will be recognized as rental revenue.

 

The effect of the correction to the classification of the amortization of debt issuance costs was to decrease Griffin’s operating loss and increase interest expense by $64,000 for the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004.  For the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005, the amortization of deferred financing costs was included in interest expense as originally reported.

 

In aggregate, the above adjustments resulted in a decrease to Griffin’s net loss by $13,000 and an increase to Griffin’s net loss by $22,000 for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004, respectively.  The adjustments described herein affected only noncash credits and charges and did

 

24



 

not affect Griffin’s cash position.  In addition, the adjustments related to the amortization of debt issuance costs did not affect Griffin’s pretax loss, net loss or net loss per share in any period.  The above adjustments did not affect originally reported net cash provided by or used in operating, investing or financing activities for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 and February 28, 2004.  Griffin’s consolidated balance sheets as of February 26, 2005 and November 27, 2004 were restated for the effects of the above adjustments, but such adjustments were not material to Griffin’s consolidated balance sheets.  See Note 11 to Griffin’s consolidated financial statements in Item 1 for additional information regarding the effects of the restatement on previously issued financial statements.

 

Overview

 

The consolidated financial statements of Griffin include the accounts of Griffin’s subsidiary in the landscape nursery business, Imperial Nurseries, Inc. (“Imperial”), and Griffin’s Connecticut and Massachusetts based real estate business (“Griffin Land”).  Through March 9, 2004, Griffin had an equity investment in Centaur Communications, Ltd. (“Centaur”), a privately held magazine publishing business based in the United Kingdom.  On March 10, 2004, Griffin completed the sale of its investment in Centaur, receiving cash proceeds of $68.9 million after transaction expenses of $1.5 million but before income tax payments, and 6,477,150 shares of common stock of Centaur Holdings, plc. (“Centaur Holdings”), the newly formed acquiring company.  Griffin has retained its ownership interest in Centaur Holdings and accounts for that investment as an available-for-sale security under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting For Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.”

 

The significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of Griffin’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 are consistent with those used in the preparation of Griffin’s audited financial statements for the year ended November 27, 2004 included in Griffin’s Report on Form 10-K/A as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The preparation of Griffin’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and revenue and expenses during the periods reported.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  The significant accounting estimates used by Griffin in preparation of its financial statements for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 are consistent with those used by Griffin in preparation of its fiscal 2004 financial statements.

 

Summary

 

Griffin’s net loss for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 (the “2005 first quarter”) was substantially unchanged from the net loss for the thirteen weeks ended February 28, 2004 (the “2004 first quarter”).  An increase in Griffin’s operating loss in the 2005 first quarter as compared to the 2004 first quarter was substantially offset by lower interest expense and higher interest income, dividend income and gains on short-term investments in the 2005 first quarter.  Griffin Land’s operating results were essentially break even in the 2005 and 2004 first quarters, as higher rental revenue in the current year’s quarter was offset by a charge of $0.2 million to write off capitalized costs related to a lease termination (a new lease with a new tenant became effective upon the termination of the existing lease) and higher operating expenses of its buildings.  The 2005 first quarter operating loss at Imperial was higher than Imperial’s operating loss in the 2004 first quarter due principally to a charge for inventory losses in the 2005 first quarter.  Imperial historically incurs a first quarter operating loss due to the highly seasonal nature of the landscape nursery business.

 

25



 

Results of Operations

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended February 26, 2005 Compared to the Thirteen Weeks Ended February 28, 2004

 

Griffin’s consolidated total revenue increased from $2.9 million in the 2004 first quarter to $3.3 million in the 2005 first quarter.  The increase of $0.4 million reflects an increase in revenue of $0.4 million at Griffin Land as net sales at Imperial were substantially unchanged.

 

Revenue at Griffin Land increased from $2.5 million in the 2004 first quarter to $2.9 million in the 2005 first quarter.  The increase of $0.4 million reflects an increase of $0.3 million in revenue from its leasing operations and revenue of $0.1 million from a property sale.  There were no property sales in the 2004 first quarter.  The increase in revenue from leasing operations principally reflects a net increase in space leased in the 2005 first quarter as compared to the 2004 first quarter.  At February 26, 2005, Griffin Land owned 1,130,000 square feet of industrial, flex and office space, with 934,000 square feet (83%) leased.  At the end of the 2004 first quarter, Griffin Land had 1,130,000 square feet of industrial, flex and office space, with 870,000 square feet (77%) leased.  The increase in space leased at the end of the 2005 first quarter versus the comparable time last year principally reflects the start of rental payments on new leases subsequent to the 2004 first quarter.  These include two leases for an aggregate of 54,000 square feet of the 117,000 square foot industrial building in the New England Tradeport in Windsor, Connecticut that was completed near the end of fiscal 2003 and a lease for 16,000 square feet of Griffin’s 50,000 square foot single story office building in Griffin Center in Windsor, Connecticut.  Rental revenue from new leases of previously vacant space covering approximately 20,000 square feet in one of Griffin Land’s older industrial buildings in the New England Tradeport, was substantially offset by approximately 25,000 square feet, primarily flex space, that was leased in the 2004 first quarter, but vacant in the 2005 first quarter.

 

There was a significant increase in real estate market activity particularly by users of industrial and warehouse space in the latter part of fiscal 2004 which continued through the 2005 first quarter.  The increased market activity was evidenced by the increases in requests for proposals to Griffin Land by prospective users for that type of space and interest by certain current tenants seeking to increase the amount of warehouse and industrial space they currently lease.  However, market activity appears to have softened in the second half of fiscal 2005, as evidenced by a decline in inquiries from prospective tenants.  Subsequent to the end of the 2005 first quarter, Griffin Land completed leases for an additional approximately 63,000 square feet of its 117,000 square foot industrial building, resulting in that building now being fully leased.  Also, subsequent to the 2005 first quarter, Griffin Land signed a lease for approximately 31,300 square feet for its 137,000 square foot industrial building that was completed at the end of the 2005 second quarter.  This new lease, which became effective in the 2005 third quarter, is with a tenant from one of Griffin Land’s other industrial buildings that required additional space and vacated the 25,000 square feet it had leased in one of Griffin Land’s other industrial buildings.  The vacated space was leased to that building’s other tenant which was also seeking to increase the amount of space it leases.  A lease for 39,100 square feet for the new industrial building completed at the end of the 2005 second quarter had been signed earlier.  Also subsequent to the 2005 first quarter, Griffin Land agreed to a lease termination with a tenant that had leased 22,500 square feet in one of Griffin Land’s buildings in Griffin Center South.  The lease that was terminated was scheduled to extend through January 2008.  Griffin Land received $0.3 million in connection with this lease termination.

 

Net sales and other revenue at Imperial were substantially unchanged in the 2005 first quarter as compared to the 2004 first quarter.  Imperial’s landscape nursery business is highly seasonal, with sales peaking in the spring.  Sales in the winter months that comprise the first quarter (December through

 

26



 

February) are not significant when compared to the full year’s net sales.  Over the past three years, Imperial’s first quarter net sales accounted for less than 3% of the full year net sales in each of those years.

 

Griffin incurred a consolidated operating loss of $1.8 million in the 2005 first quarter as compared to a consolidated operating loss of $1.4 million in the 2004 first quarter.  The higher operating loss principally reflects an increase of $0.1 million in the operating loss at Imperial and an increase of $0.3 million of general corporate expense.  Griffin Land’s operating results were essentially break even in the 2004 and 2005 first quarters, reflecting the following:

 

 

 

2005
First Qtr.

 

2004
First Qtr.

 

 

 

(As Restated)

 

(As Restated)

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Rental revenue

 

$

2,758

 

$

2,487

 

Revenue from land sales

 

107

 

 

Total revenue

 

2,865

 

2,487

 

Costs related to rental revenue excluding depreciation and amortization (a)

 

1,360

 

1,050

 

Costs related to land sales

 

118

 

70

 

Total costs excluding depreciation and amortization

 

1,478

 

1,120

 

Profit from leasing activities before general and administrative expenses and before depreciation and amortization expense (a)

 

1,398

 

1,437

 

Loss from land sales

 

(11

)

(70

)

General and administrative expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense (a)

 

(649

)

(573

)

Profit before depreciation and amortization expense

 

738

 

794

 

Depreciation and amortization expense related to costs of rental revenue

 

(780

)

(789

)

Depreciation and amortization expense - other

 

(6

)

(5

)

Operating loss

 

$

(48

)

$

 

 


(a)   The costs related to rental revenue excluding depreciation and amortization, profit from leasing activities before general and administrative expenses and before depreciation and amortization expense and general and administrative expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense are disclosures not in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  They are presented because Griffin believes they are useful financial indicators for measuring the results in its real estate division.  However, they should not be considered as an alternative to operating profit as a measure of operating results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Profit from leasing activities before general and administrative expenses and before depreciation and amortization expense was slightly lower in the 2005 first quarter as compared to the 2004 first quarter, as the increase in rental revenue was more than offset by a charge of $0.2 million to write off capitalized costs related to a lease that was terminated in the 2005 first quarter and higher building operating expenses, due to seasonal cost of snow plowing during the winter months.  The lease

 

27



 

termination was related to a new longer-term lease with a new tenant for that building.  The new lease rental rates were equal to the rental rates under the terminated lease over the remaining term of the terminated lease.  The sale of a residential lot generated proceeds of $0.1 million but was essentially at the break even profit level.  Although there were no property sales in the 2004 first quarter, Griffin Land wrote off costs related to a proposed property sale that did not take place.  Griffin Land’s general and administrative expenses were higher in the 2005 first quarter than the 2004 first quarter due principally to higher bad debt expense and higher insurance expenses.

 

The operating loss at Imperial increased from $0.9 million in the 2004 first quarter to $1.0 million in the 2005 first quarter, as follows:

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

 

 

First Qtr.

 

First Qtr.

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Net sales and other revenue

 

$

464

 

$

422

 

Cost of goods sold

 

597

 

442

 

Gross loss

 

(133

)

(20

)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

(880

)

(853

)

Operating loss

 

$

(1,013

)

$

(873

)

 

Due to the seasonality of the landscape nursery business, Imperial historically incurs a first quarter operating loss.  The increase in cost of goods sold in the 2005 first quarter as compared to the 2004 first quarter reflects a charge of $0.1 million for unsalable inventory.  The unsalable inventory charge was due to the inventory of one plant variety, which is no longer in production, at Imperial’s northern Florida operation that became diseased over the winter.

 

Griffin’s general corporate expense increased from $0.5 million in the 2004 first quarter to $0.8 million in the 2005 first quarter due principally to increased audit expenses and higher donation expenses.

 

Griffin’s consolidated interest expense decreased from $0.8 million in the 2004 first quarter to $0.5 million in the 2005 first quarter.  The lower interest expense reflects the termination of Griffin’s revolving credit agreement in the 2004 second quarter and a portion of the 2005 first quarter interest being capitalized as compared to no capitalized interest in the 2004 first quarter.  Griffin’s average outstanding debt in the 2005 first quarter was $32.2 million as compared to average outstanding debt of $45.5 million in the 2004 first quarter.

 

Griffin reported higher interest income, dividend income and gains on short-term investments of $0.2 million in the 2005 first quarter, reflecting earnings on investment of the remaining proceeds from the sale of Centaur.

 

Griffin’s effective income tax benefit rate was 34.3% in the 2005 first quarter as compared to 37.2% in the 2004 first quarter.  The lower income tax benefit rate principally reflects the effect of state and local income taxes.

 

There was no equity income in the 2005 first quarter as a result of the sale of Centaur on March 10, 2004.  Griffin incurred an equity loss of $0.1 million from Centaur in the 2004 first quarter.

 

28



 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Net cash used in operating activities increased from $3.7 million in the 2004 first quarter period to $4.9 million in the 2005 first quarter period.  The $1.2 million increase in net cash used in operating activities principally reflects an increase of $0.2 million in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the 2005 first quarter as compared to an increase of $1.6 million in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the 2004 first quarter and an increase of $5.5 million in inventories in the 2005 first quarter as compared to an increase of $4.8 million in the 2004 first quarter.  The change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities principally reflects timing of payments. The higher increase in inventories reflects the timing of raw material purchases at Imperial. The unfavorable changes of inventories and accounts payable were partially offset by non-cash adjustments to the net loss being higher in the 2005 first quarter as compared to the 2004 first quarter.

 

Net cash used in investing activities increased from $2.0 million in the 2004 first quarter to $3.3 million in the 2005 first quarter.  Additions to real estate held for sale or lease increased from $1.6 million in the 2004 first quarter to $3.1 million in the 2005 first quarter.  The higher amount of additions to Griffin Land’s real estate assets principally reflects the ongoing construction of the shell of a 137,000 square foot industrial building in the New England Tradeport, which was substantially completed at the end of the 2005 second quarter.  This building was built on speculation, however leases for 70,400 square feet have been signed.  Additions to property and equipment, principally for Imperial, were $0.2 million in both the 2005 and 2004 first quarters.  The current year expenditures were principally to purchase additional portable shelving units that are used on trucks in delivering product to customers.  The prior year additions at Imperial were principally for completion of the expansion of its Florida operations.

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $0.2 million in the 2005 first quarter as compared to net cash of $5.7 million provided by financing activities in the 2004 first quarter.  The net cash used in financing activities in the 2005 first quarter reflects payments of principal on Griffin Land’s mortgages.  The net cash provided by financing activities in the 2004 first quarter included borrowings under the Credit Agreement to finance Griffin’s operations during that period.  The balance outstanding under the Credit Agreement was subsequently repaid with a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Centaur and the Credit Agreement was then terminated.

 

In the balance of fiscal 2005, Griffin plans to continue to invest in its real estate business.  As a result of the recent completion of new leases for industrial space and expressions of interest by potential users of that type of space, Griffin Land started construction in the 2005 second quarter on the shell of an additional 137,000 square foot industrial building in the Tradeport.  This new construction is also being done on speculation.  Griffin Land has recently entered into leases for approximately 69,000 square feet in this building for delivery at the end of this year.  This new building will be at least 50% leased when it comes on line at the end of this year.  Griffin Land also expects to incur expenditures to build out the interiors of its new buildings as leases are completed, and to continue to invest in infrastructure improvements required for present and future development in its office and industrial parks.

 

Last year, Griffin Land received approval for its proposed residential development, Stratton Farms, in Suffield, Connecticut.  An owner of certain land adjacent to Stratton Farms filed an appeal of the approval issued by the town’s land use commission.  A recent court ruling has denied that appeal, however, the owner of the adjacent land has requested a rehearing.  Infrastructure work on this residential development may begin later this year as all required permits have been received.  Griffin Land is continuing development activities to obtain approvals for its proposed residential development in Simsbury, Connecticut.  Griffin Land intends to proceed with residential development plans on other of its lands that are also appropriate for that use.  Thus far in fiscal 2005, Griffin Land has completed sales of commercial and residential land which generated total cash proceeds of $2.4 million.

 

29



 

On May 31, 2005, Griffin received initial cash proceeds of $5.9 million from the sale of its remaining common stock of Shemin Acquisition Corporation (“Shemin Acquisition”).  Immediately prior to that sale, Griffin exchanged a portion of its holdings in Shemin Acquisition for common stock in Shemin Nurseries Holding Corp. (“Shemin Nurseries”), which operates a landscape nursery distribution business through its subsidiary that previously was a subsidiary of Shemin Acquisition.  On June 29, 2005, Griffin received a cash distribution of $1.5 million from Shemin Nurseries.  Subsequent to these transactions, Shemin Nurseries paid $0.2 million to the buyer of Shemin Acquisition, on behalf of Griffin, for Griffin’s share of the purchase price adjustment related to the determination of Shemin Acquisition’s working capital as of the closing date.  Griffin continues to hold its investment in Shemin Nurseries.

 

On July 7, 2005, a subsidiary of Griffin Land completed a $12.7 million mortgage on two of its Tradeport industrial buildings, the 137,000 square foot building completed at the end of the 2005 second quarter and the 117,000 square foot building completed in 2003.  The new mortgage has an interest rate of 5.46% and a ten-year term with payments based on a thirty-year amortization schedule.  The new mortgage is nonrecourse, however, Griffin entered into a master lease with its subsidiary for the space in the buildings that was not leased to third-party tenants at the inception of the mortgage (the “Initial Vacant Space”).  As Griffin Land enters into approved leases for the Initial Vacant Space, the master lease between Griffin and its subsidiary on that portion of the Initial Vacant Space will be terminated.  Mortgage payments under this new mortgage will be $0.9 million per year.

 

Griffin’s payments (including principal and interest) under contractual obligations as of February 26, 2005 are as follows:

 

 

 

Total

 

Due Within
One Year

 

Due From
1-3 Years

 

Due From
3-5 Years

 

Due in More
Than 5 Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Mortgages

 

$

48.8

 

$

3.0

 

$

6.0

 

$

13.0

 

$

26.8

 

Capital Lease Obligations

 

0.4

 

0.1

 

0.2

 

0.1

 

 

Operating Lease Obligations

 

0.6

 

0.2

 

0.3

 

0.1

 

 

Purchase Obligations (1)

 

3.2

 

3.2

 

 

 

 

Other (2)

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

$

54.4

 

$

6.5

 

$

6.5

 

$

13.2

 

$

28.2

 

 


(1)     Includes obligations for the construction of the shell of a new industrial building at Griffin Land and for the purchase of raw materials by Imperial.

 

(2)     Includes Griffin’s deferred compensation plan and other postretirement benefit liabilities.

 

Management believes that the significant amount of cash and short-term investments held by Griffin will be sufficient to finance the working capital requirements of Griffin’s businesses and fund

 

30



 

continued investment in Griffin’s real estate assets for the foreseeable future.  Griffin Land may also continue to seek nonrecourse mortgage placements on selected properties.  Griffin also anticipates seeking to purchase either or both land and buildings with a substantial portion of its cash and short-term investment balances.  There are no specific real estate acquisitions planned at this time.  Such acquisitions may or may not occur based on many factors, including real estate pricing.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs (an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4).”  This new standard requires the recognition of abnormal inventory costs related to idle facility expenses, freight, handling costs and spoilage as period costs.  SFAS No. 151 will be effective for Griffin in fiscal 2006 and is not expected to have a material impact on Griffin’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets (an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29).”  This new standard requires an issuer to measure and recognize nonmonetary exchanges which are anticipated to have an impact on future cash flows.  SFAS No. 153 will be effective for Griffin in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 and is not expected to have any impact on Griffin’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment.”  This new standard supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and its related implementation guidance.  SFAS No. 123R requires an issuer to recognize the compensation cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments.  Therefore, the cost of rewarding individuals with equity instruments will be recognized in Griffin’s financial statements rather than disclosed in a pro forma statement in the financial statement footnotes.  SFAS No. 123R will be effective for Griffin in fiscal 2006.  Management expects to adopt SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective application method, and expects that the adoption of SFAS No. 123R will decrease Griffin’s annual basic and diluted per share results by $0.01 to $0.04 per share.

 

Forward-Looking Information

 

The above information in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  Although Griffin believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved, particularly with respect to improvement in operating results of Imperial, leasing currently vacant space, construction of additional facilities in the real estate business, completion of land sales that are currently under contract and approval of currently proposed residential subdivisions.  The projected information disclosed herein is based on assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Griffin as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of Griffin.

 

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ITEM 4.          CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Griffin maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Griffin’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), Griffin carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of Griffin’s management, including Griffin’s Chief Executive Officer and Griffin’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Griffin’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal period covered by this report.  Based on the evaluation reported in Griffin’s original filing of its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005, Griffin’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer originally concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by that report.

 

On July 25, 2005, subsequent to the original evaluation, Griffin concluded that it would restate financial results for the fiscal years ended November 29, 2003 and November 27, 2004 and the unaudited quarterly financial information for fiscal 2003, fiscal 2004 and the first quarter consolidated financial statements of fiscal 2005 to correct the previously reported accounting for an acquisition of real estate assets that took place in fiscal 2003 and was reported upon in its 2003 and 2004 consolidated financial statements.  In analyzing the effect of a lease termination in one of its office buildings on its consolidated financial statements for the thirteen weeks ended May 28, 2005, Griffin determined that the allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition in fiscal 2003 of a controlling interest in a joint venture that owned two office buildings was incorrect.  Griffin previously held a 30% interest in the joint venture.  As described in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 1, Griffin determined that a greater portion of the purchase price should have been allocated to intangible assets rather than to Griffin’s tangible real estate assets and has restated its financial results to reflect the correct allocation.  The effect of this change is to increase depreciation and amortization expense for the fiscal years ended November 29, 2003 and November 27, 2004, the related interim periods, and the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 because of the shorter time period over which the intangible assets are amortized as compared to the depreciable lives of the tangible real estate assets.

 

In the process of preparing the restatement of its consolidated financial statements, Griffin determined that the useful lives of certain tenant improvements were not adjusted at the time a lease was extended in fiscal 2003, the useful lives of tenant improvements related to certain other leases were incorrectly recorded in its fixed asset system, there was a misclassification of certain improvements as tenant improvements rather than as building improvements and the recording of a reimbursement from a tenant for tenant improvements made by Griffin in accordance with the lease agreement should have been recorded as deferred rental revenue instead of reducing the amount of Griffin’s tenant improvements.  These issues resulted in errors in reported rental revenue and depreciation and amortization expense related to certain of Griffin’s properties prior to fiscal 2002, during fiscal 2003, fiscal 2004, related interim periods and the thirteen weeks ended February 26, 2005 (the effect of this issue on previously reported results for fiscal 2002 was immaterial).  Accordingly, Griffin adjusted its rental revenue and depreciation and amortization expense for those respective periods.  Griffin also determined that amortization of debt issuance costs for the periods covered by the restatement had been misclassified in selling, general and administrative expenses rather than being included in interest expense.

 

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As a result of the error in allocation of the purchase price for the controlling interest in the joint venture, the incorrect useful lives used to determine depreciation expense of certain tenant improvements, the misclassification of certain improvements as tenant improvements rather than as building improvements, the incorrect recording of a payment received from a tenant for tenant improvements made by Griffin, and the misclassification of the amortization of debt issuance costs, Griffin’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer re-evaluated Griffin’s disclosure controls and procedures and concluded that such controls and procedures were not effective at a reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report because these errors resulted from material weaknesses in Griffin’s internal control over financial reporting, which are described below.

 

A material weakness is a control deficiency, or combination of control deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected.  As of February 26, 2005, Griffin did not maintain effective controls over (i) the accounting for acquisitions;  (ii) the recording of depreciation and amortization expense and the recording of deferred rental revenue from tenants and (iii) accounting for amortization of debt issuance costs.  Specifically, controls over the allocation of the purchase price and the recording of tenant improvement information into Griffin’s fixed asset system were ineffective.  The purchase price was incorrectly allocated between intangible and tangible real estate assets, the useful lives of certain tenant improvements were incorrect, certain improvements were misclassified as tenant improvements rather than as building improvements and a payment received from a tenant for tenant improvements made by Griffin was not properly recorded as deferred rental revenue, resulting in misstatements to rental revenue and depreciation and amortization expense.  Finally, Griffin’s accounting for the amortization of debt issuance costs was incorrect.  These control deficiencies resulted in the restatement of Griffin’s 2002, 2003 and 2004 consolidated financial statements, for each of the unaudited quarterly interim financial information of 2003 and 2004, as well as the 2005 first quarter consolidated financial statements.  Additionally, these control deficiencies could result in a misstatement of the aforementioned accounts that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.  Accordingly, management has concluded that each of these internal control deficiencies constitutes a material weakness.  Because of these material weaknesses, management has concluded that Griffin did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 26, 2005, based on criteria established in the Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).

 

Although Griffin has not entered into any transactions similar to the acquisition of real estate assets in fiscal 2003, Griffin’s management has educated its accounting staff regarding the proper methodology of allocating the purchase price of future acquisitions.  In addition, Griffin has changed its procedures for the recording, reviewing, approving and documenting of information entered into its real estate asset depreciation system to ensure that the correct information is used in calculating depreciation and amortization expense.  Griffin has also educated its accounting staff regarding the proper procedures for the recording of payments received from tenants for tenant improvements made by Griffin and the proper recording of the amortization expense of debt issuance costs.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Each of the changes to Griffin’s internal control over financial reporting discussed above occurred subsequent to the fiscal 2005 first quarter.  There was no change in Griffin’s internal control over financial reporting during the 2005 first quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Griffin’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

 

In 1999, Griffin Land filed land use applications with the land use commissions of Simsbury, Connecticut for Meadowood, a proposed residential development on approximately 363 acres of land. In 2000, Simsbury’s land use commissions issued denials of Griffin Land’s Meadowood application. As a result of those denials, Griffin Land brought several separate, but related, suits appealing those decisions. In 2002, the trial court upheld two of Griffin Land’s appeals and ordered the town’s Planning and Zoning Commissions to approve the Meadowood application. The town appealed those decisions. In 2004, the Connecticut Supreme Court ordered the Zoning Commission to approve the zoning regulations proposed by Griffin Land for Meadowood. The Connecticut Supreme Court also ruled that the denial of the Meadowood application by the Planning Commission can be upheld because Griffin Land had not obtained the required sewer usage permits at the time the application was made to the Planning Commission. The required sewer usage permits for Meadowood have been subsequently obtained. Also in 2004, the Connecticut Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision that had denied Griffin Land a wetlands permit, and remanded the case to Superior Court for further proceedings to determine if a wetlands permit must be issued. On June 6, 2005, the Superior Court ruled that Griffin Land must again apply to the town’s Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission for a wetlands permit for its proposed Meadowood development. This ruling is not final as of this date, because Griffin Land has petitioned the Appellate Court to review and reverse this decision.

 

 

 

 

 

In 2004, the Planning and Zoning Commission of Suffield, Connecticut approved Griffin Land’s proposed residential development known as Stratton Farms. An owner of certain land adjacent to Stratton Farms then filed an appeal of the approval issued by the town’s land use commission. On September 26, 2005, the Superior Court of Hartford, Connecticut denied the appeal by the adjoining landowner, however, the landowner has requested a rehearing.

 

 

 

ITEMS 2 - 5.

 

Not
Applicable

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C

 

34



 

 

 

 

 

Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

35



 

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.

 

 

 

 

GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ FREDERICK M. DANZIGER

DATE: November 1, 2005

 

Frederick M. Danziger

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ ANTHONY J. GALICI

DATE: November 1, 2005

 

Anthony J. Galici

 

 

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

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