FORM 10-Q SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------------------------ [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004 OR [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ___ to ___ Commission file number 1-12733 TOWER AUTOMOTIVE, INC. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 41-1746238 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 27175 HAGGERTY ROAD 48377 NOVI, MICHIGAN (Zip Code) (Address of principal executive offices) (248) 675-6000 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) NOT APPLICABLE (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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ] Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [X] No [ ] The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock, par value $.01 per share, at May 3, 2004 was 58,035,678 shares. TOWER AUTOMOTIVE, INC. FORM 10-Q TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION Page ----- Item 1. Financial Statements: Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 2 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 3 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 4 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) 5 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 18 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk See "Market Risk" section of Item 2 Item 4. Controls and Procedures 22 PART II OTHER INFORMATION Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 23 Signature 24 1 PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TOWER AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS - UNAUDITED) MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, 2004 2003 ------------ ------------ ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 78,346 $ 160,899 Accounts receivable 374,089 325,599 Inventories 127,089 130,004 Deferred income taxes, net 15,295 20,116 Prepaid tooling and other 160,110 91,662 ------------ ------------ Total current assets 754,929 728,280 ------------ ------------ Property, plant and equipment, net 1,117,322 1,055,873 Investments in joint ventures 204,257 248,133 Deferred income taxes, net 144,512 146,944 Goodwill 495,209 498,663 Other assets, net 151,086 168,516 ------------ ------------ $ 2,867,315 $ 2,846,409 ============ ============ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations $ 120,595 $ 99,597 Convertible Subordinated Notes 199,984 199,984 Accounts payable 579,311 556,036 Accrued liabilities 243,996 249,984 ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities 1,143,886 1,105,601 ------------ ------------ Long-term debt, net of current maturities 1,042,570 1,060,859 Obligations under capital leases, net of current maturities 39,551 42,798 Other noncurrent liabilities 220,979 223,641 ------------ ------------ Total noncurrent liabilities 1,303,100 1,327,298 ------------ ------------ Stockholders' investment: Preferred stock -- -- Common stock 661 661 Additional paid-in capital 680,759 680,608 Retained deficit (169,831) (181,849) Deferred compensation plans (8,027) (9,609) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (29,683) (22,751) Treasury stock, at cost (53,550) (53,550) ------------ ------------ Total stockholders' investment 420,329 413,510 ------------ ------------ $ 2,867,315 $ 2,846,409 ============ ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 2 TOWER AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS - UNAUDITED) THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ----------------------------- 2004 2003 ------------ ------------ Revenues $ 781,236 $ 732,578 Cost of sales 720,591 658,054 ------------ ------------ Gross profit 60,645 74,524 Selling, general and administrative expenses 34,154 34,676 Restructuring charge reversal, net (5,607) -- ------------ ------------ Operating income 32,098 39,848 Interest expense, net 31,470 16,769 ------------ ------------ Income before provision for income taxes 628 23,079 Provision for income taxes 478 7,847 ------------ ------------ Income before equity in earnings of joint ventures, gain on sale of joint venture and minority interest 150 15,232 Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net 3,447 644 Gain on sale of joint venture 9,732 -- Minority interest, net (1,311) (4,304) ------------ ------------ Net income $ 12,018 $ 11,572 ============ ============ Basic earnings per common share $ 0.21 $ 0.21 ============ ============ Weighted average basic shares outstanding 57,342 56,194 ============ ============ Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.21 $ 0.21 ============ ============ Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 58,110 56,210 ============ ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 3 TOWER AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS - UNAUDITED) THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ----------------------------- 2004 2003 ------------ ------------ OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 12,018 $ 11,572 Adjustments required to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - Non-cash restructuring charge reversal (6,276) -- Depreciation 38,357 39,051 Deferred income tax provision (benefit) (4,104) 8,274 Gain on sale of joint venture investment (9,732) -- Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net (3,447) (644) Change in working capital and other operating items (89,700) (57,030) ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (62,884) 1,223 ------------ ------------ INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures, net (53,186) (41,200) Divestitures and other 54,595 3,232 Acquisitions (21,299) -- ------------ ------------ Net cash used in investing activities (19,890) (37,968) ------------ ------------ FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from borrowings 14,630 699,646 Repayments of debt (14,409) (658,131) Net proceeds from issuance of stock -- 303 ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by financing activities 221 41,818 ------------ ------------ NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (82,553) 5,073 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: Beginning of period 160,899 13,699 ------------ ------------ End of period $ 78,346 $ 18,772 ============ ============ Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized $ 29,118 $ 22,626 Income taxes paid (refunded) $ (863) $ 70 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. 4 TOWER AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Tower Automotive, Inc. (the "Company"), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information furnished in the condensed consolidated financial statements includes primarily normal recurring adjustments and reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, it is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Revenues and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any future period. 2. INVENTORIES Inventories are valued at the lower of first-in-first-out ("FIFO") cost or market, and consisted of the following (in thousands): MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, 2004 2003 ------------ ------------ Raw materials $ 61,146 $ 56,100 Work in process 25,731 23,288 Finished goods 40,212 50,616 ------------ ------------ $ 127,089 $ 130,004 ============ ============ 3. STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT EARNINGS PER SHARE: Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2004 was determined based on the assumption that the stock options were exercised at the beginning of the period. Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2003 were determined based on the assumption that the Edgewood notes were converted at the beginning of the period. The Convertible Subordinated Notes and the Convertible Preferred Securities issued by Tower Automotive Capital Trust, totaling approximately 16.2 million shares, are not included in the computation of earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 due to their anti-dilutive effect (in thousands, except for per share data): THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ----------------------------- 2004 2003 ------------ ------------ Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 57,342 56,194 Dilutive effect of stock options 768 - Dilutive effect of Edgewood notes, assuming conversion - 16 ------------ ------------ Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding 58,110 56,210 ============ ============ 5 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION: The Company accounts for stock options under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No. 25, under which no compensation expense is recognized when the stock options are granted to colleagues and directors at fair market value as of the grant date. The Company may also grant stock options to outside consultants. The fair value of these option grants are expensed over the period services are rendered based on the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company has three stock option plans: the 1994 Key Employee Stock Option Plan, the Long Term Incentive Plan and the Independent Director Stock Option Plan and three stock purchase plans: the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Key Leadership Deferred Income Stock Purchase Plan and the Director Deferred Income Stock Purchase Plan. Had compensation cost for these plans been determined as required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," amended by SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation -- Transition and Disclosure," the Company's pro forma net income and pro forma income per share would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share data): THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004 2003 ------------ ------------ Net income As Reported $ 12,018 $ 11,572 Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects 299 249 Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects (595) (1,218) ------------ ------------ Pro Forma $ 11,722 $ 10,603 ============ ============ Basic earnings per share As Reported $ 0.21 $ 0.21 Pro Forma 0.20 0.19 Diluted earnings per share As Reported $ 0.21 $ 0.21 Pro Forma 0.20 0.19 The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: Risk free interest rates of 3.92% in the 2004 period and risk free interest rates of 2.91% and 4.17% in the 2003 period; expected life of seven years for the 2004 and 2003 periods; expected volatility of 58% in the 2004 and 2003 periods; and expected dividends of zero in both years. 4. LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands): MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, 2004 2003 ------------ ------------ Senior Euro notes $ 184,635 $ 188,640 Term credit facility 239,512 239,512 Industrial development revenue bonds 43,765 43,765 Senior notes (net of discount of $6,893 and $6,955, respectively) 251,107 251,005 Due to Tower Automotive Capital Trust 258,750 258,750 Other foreign subsidiary indebtedness 152,712 145,373 Other 24,869 25,749 ------------ ------------ 1,155,350 1,152,794 Less-current maturities (112,780) (91,935) ------------ ------------ Total long-term debt $ 1,042,570 $ 1,060,859 ============ ============ 6 As of March 31, 2004, the Company's senior credit facility (the "Credit Agreement") consists of a $240 million Term credit facility and a $360 million revolving credit facility. The amount available to borrow under the revolver portion of the credit facility is restricted by $137.0 million of letters of credit and $200 million to provide flexibility for the Company to redeem its $200 million convertible subordinated notes (due August 1, 2004), in the event it elects to do so without refinancing the convertible notes in another manner. The Credit Agreement also includes a multi-currency borrowing feature that allows the Company to borrow up to $316 million in certain freely tradable offshore currencies, and letters of credit sublimits of $250 million. As of March 31, 2004, there were no revolver borrowings outstanding. Interest on the Credit Agreement is at the financial institutions' reference rate, LIBOR, or the Eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 100 to 325 basis points depending on the ratio of the consolidated funded debt for restricted subsidiaries of the Company to its total EBITDA. The weighted average interest rate for such borrowings was 9.94% for the three months ended March 31, 2004 (including the effect of the interest rate swap contract discussed below). The Credit Agreement has a final maturity of 2006. The Credit Agreement requires the Company to meet certain financial tests, including but not limited to a minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratio. The Credit Agreement limits the Company's ability to pay dividends. As of March 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants and anticipates achieving covenant compliance for the remainder of 2004. During the third quarter of 2003, the Company elected to adopt the current provisions of FASB Interpretation Number (FIN) 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51" as it relates to its mandatorily redeemable convertible trust preferred securities prior to the required effective date. Under FIN 46, the Tower Automotive Capital Trust, which was previously consolidated by the Company, is no longer consolidated. As a result, the Company no longer presents the mandatorily redeemable convertible trust preferred securities as mezzanine financing, but instead records a debt obligation for the proceeds which are owed to the Trust by the Company. Interest is recorded at 6 3/4 % on the amount owed by the Company to the Trust, which is equal to the amount that was previously presented as minority interest (net of tax) for the dividends on the preferred stock. Interest expense increased by $4.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2004 related to this reclassification. Pursuant to the guidance in FIN 46, the Company has elected not to reclassify the presentation in prior periods. The $258.8 million trust convertible preferred securities held by the Trust were issued in June 1998 at a dividend rate of 6 3/4 % and are redeemable, in whole or in part, after June 30, 2001 but before June 30, 2018. The preferred securities are also convertible at the option of the holder into common stock of Tower at an equivalent conversion price of $30.713 per share. As of December 31, 2003, the Company consolidated the variable interest entity related to its Lansing, Michigan building and equipment leasing arrangement and, therefore, recorded property, plant and equipment of $25.7 million and related indebtedness of $25.7 million. At March 31, 2004, this indebtedness amounted to $24.8 million. The Company utilizes a rate swap contract to manage its interest rate exposure on approximately $160 million of its floating rate indebtedness under its Credit Agreement. The contracts have the effect of converting the floating rate interest to a fixed rate of approximately 6.9%, plus any applicable margin required under the revolving credit facility. The interest rate swap contract was executed to balance the Company's fixed-rate and floating-rate debt portfolios and expires in September 2005. The Company has designated the swap as a cash flow hedge. Accordingly, gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes. As of March 31, 2004, $ 7.5 million (net of tax) is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the cash flow hedge. Derivative liabilities relating to the interest rate swap agreement totaling $12.8 million have been recorded in accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2004. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement is based upon the difference between the contractual rates and the present value of the expected future cash flows on the hedged interest rate. 7 5. ACQUISITIONS Effective February 27, 2004, the Company acquired the remaining 34% ownership interest in Seojin Industrial Company Limited ("Seojin") for consideration of approximately $21.3 million. Such consideration consisted of cash of $21.3 million offset by the repayment of $11.0 million of loans to Seojin's minority shareholder, resulting in a net cash outflow of $10.3 million. Seojin is a supplier of frames, modules and structural components to the Korean automotive industry with primary customers of Hyundai and Kia. The Company financed the acquisition through Korean debt facilities, which are not covered under the Company's Credit Agreement (Note 4). The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed have been recorded at the Company's preliminary estimate of fair value as of the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, if any, will be recorded as goodwill. The purchase price and related allocation may be revised up to one year from the date of the acquisition. The Company can provide no assurances as to whether any revisions to the original purchase price allocation will be significant. Adjustments to the purchase price and related allocation may occur as a result of obtaining more information regarding property valuations, liabilities assumed and revisions of preliminary estimates of fair values made at the date of purchase. As the Company previously consolidated Seojin, its results of operations have been included in all periods presented and, as a result, no pro forma information is presented. In conjunction with previous acquisitions, reserves have been established for certain costs associated with facility shutdown and consolidation activities, for general and payroll related costs primarily for planned employee termination activities, and for provisions for acquired loss contracts. A rollforward of these reserves is as follows (in millions): FACILITY SHUTDOWN COSTS LOSS CONTRACTS -------------- -------------- December 31, 2003 $ 2.0 $ 2.9 Utilization (0.1) (0.7) ------------ ------------ March 31, 2004 $ 1.9 $ 2.2 ============ ============ As of March 31, 2004, all of the identified facilities have been shutdown, but the Company continues to incur costs related to maintenance, taxes and other costs related to the buildings. The Company's acquisition reserves have been utilized as originally intended and management believes that the liabilities recorded for shutdown and consolidation activities are adequate as of March 31, 2004. 6. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION In June 2001, the Company entered into a financing agreement whereby its domestic operating units sold eligible customer receivables on an ongoing basis to a fully consolidated financing entity. In February 2004, the financing agreement was terminated. During the first quarter of 2004, no customer receivables were sold. 7. INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES In March 2004, the Company sold its 30.76% ownership interest in Yorozu Corporation ("Yorozu") to Yorozu, through a share buy-back transaction on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Yorozu is a supplier of suspension modules and structural parts to the Asian and North American automotive markets. The Company received proceeds of approximately $51.7 million through this sale. The consideration for the sale was based on the prevailing price of Yorozu, as traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The Company recognized a gain on the sale of $9.7 million. The proceeds of this divestiture were utilized for tooling purchases and other capital expenditures. 8 On February 10, 2004, the Company announced that a decision had been finalized by DaimlerChrysler to move the current production of the frame assembly for the Dodge Ram light truck from the Company's Milwaukee, Wisconsin facility to the Company's 40% owned joint venture partner, Metalsa, located in Monterrey, Mexico. The current Dodge Ram frame program produced in the Milwaukee facility was expected to run through 2009. The production move to Mexico is planned for mid-2005. The Company is in the process of determining the expected net economic impact, if any, of DaimlerChrysler's decision to move the Dodge Ram frame line on its future consolidated results. The Company is also currently in negotiations with DaimlerChrysler regarding a settlement pertaining to costs associated with the move and/or replacement programs. 8. INCOME TAXES The Company recognized income tax expense of approximately $0.5 million and $7.8 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003. The associated effective tax rates were 76.1% and 34.0%, respectively. The relatively high effective tax rate for the 2004 period was due to the high proportion of non-deductible items in relation to pre-tax income. 9. RETIREMENT PLANS The following table provides the components of net periodic pension benefit cost and other post retirement benefit cost for the quarters ended March 31, (in thousands): PENSION BENEFITS OTHER BENEFITS 2004 2003 2004 2003 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Service cost $ 2,140 $ 1,629 $ 94 $ 167 Interest cost 3,626 3,487 1,935 2,078 Expected return on plan assets (3,045) (2,438) - - Amortization of transition assets (1) (8) - - Amortization of prior service cost 1,054 595 - - Amortization of net losses 941 1,109 1,495 892 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Net periodic benefit cost $ 4,715 $ 4,374 $ 3,524 $ 3,137 ========== ========== ========== ========== The reversal of the pension curtailment loss of $6.3 million associated with the Company's decision to not move the Ford Ranger frame assembly is not reflected in the table above but is reflected in the Company's statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 as a restructuring charge reversal. (See Note 11 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company previously disclosed in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003 that it expects its minimum pension funding requirements to be $38 million during 2004. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company made contributions of $5.9 million to its pension plans. The Company presently anticipates contributing an additional $25.8 million to fund its pension plans in 2004 for a total of $31.7 million based upon the Company's most recent estimate. The Company contributed $6.8 million and $6.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, to its defined contribution employee savings plans. The Company presently anticipates that the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 will not have a material impact on net periodic benefit cost. 10. SEGMENT INFORMATION The Company produces a broad range of assemblies and modules for vehicle body structures and suspension systems for the global automotive industry. These operations have similar characteristics including the nature of products, production processes and customers, and produce lower vehicle structures, body structures (including Class A 9 surfaces), suspension components, and suspension and powertrain modules for the automotive industry. Management reviews the operating results of the Company and makes decisions based upon two operating segments: United States/Canada and International. Financial information by segment is as follows (in thousands): UNITED STATES/ CANADA INTERNATIONAL TOTAL -------------- ------------- ------------ THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004: Revenues $ 533,881 $ 247,355 $ 781,236 Operating income 15,357 16,741 32,098 Total assets $ 1,886,526 $ 980,789 $ 2,867,315 THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2003: Revenues $ 532,062 $ 200,516 $ 732,578 Operating income 21,839 18,009 39,848 Total assets $ 1,883,351 $ 765,634 $ 2,648,985 The change in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2004, by operating segment, is as follows (in thousands): UNITED STATES/ CANADA INTERNATIONAL TOTAL -------------- ------------- ------------ Balance at December 31, 2003 $ 336,468 $ 162,195 $ 498,663 Currency translation adjustment (131) (3,323) (3,454) ------------ ------------ ------------ Balance at March 31, 2004 $ 336,337 $ 158,872 $ 495,209 ============ ============ ============ 11. RESTRUCTURING AND ASSET IMPAIRMENT CHARGES MILWAUKEE RANGER AND NORTH AMERICA/CORPORATE OFFICE CONSOLIDATION ACTIVITIES (2003 PLAN): In October 2003, the Company announced plans to consolidate its Novi, Michigan North America oversight and Grand Rapids, Michigan corporate office activities and close its Rochester Hills, Michigan prototype tooling and technical center facility. Qualifying exit costs (in accordance with SFAS No. 146 "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities") relating to these activities were recognized by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2003 totaling $3.7 million, comprised of cash charges of $2.1 million and non-cash asset impairment charges of $1.6 million. These costs incurred to date as well as any additional costs expected to be incurred relating to these activities are within the United States/ Canada segment. The Company does not anticipate any significant additional expenses related to this restructuring activity. On May 27, 2003, the Company announced that it would transfer the production of high-volume frame assemblies for the Ford Ranger from its Milwaukee, Wisconsin facility to its Bellevue, Ohio facility. During 2003, the Company recorded $25.0 million pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges relating to this event. These charges reflect estimated qualifying "exit costs" comprising cash charges of $6.1 million, pension and other post-retirement benefit plan curtailment costs of $6.3 million and non-cash asset impairment charges of $12.6 million, all within the United States/Canada segment. These charges did not cover certain aspects of the 2003 Plan, including movement of equipment and colleague relocation and training, which are recognized in future periods as incurred. On December 5, 2003, the Company announced that it had decided not to proceed with the relocation of the Ford Ranger line based on revised economic factors from the original May 2003 decision principally due to concessions received from the Milwaukee labor unions and a need for management to focus on its 2004 new product launch schedule. Because the Company's measurement date for pension and post-retirement benefits is September 30, the decision to continue Ranger frame production in Milwaukee made in December 2003 resulted in a reversal of the curtailment loss on a three-month lag in the first quarter of 2004. The remaining charges related to the original decision to move the Ranger frame production have been incurred. 10 During the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company recognized restructuring charges pertaining to previously announced plans of $0.7 million. The accrual for the 2003 Plan is included in accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003. The table below summarizes the accrual for the 2003 Plan through March 31, 2004 (in millions): SEVERANCE AND OUTPLACEMENT COSTS ------------------ Balance at December 31, 2003 $ 2.0 Cash usage (0.4) ------------------ Balance at March 31, 2004 $ 1.6 ================== 12. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME The following table presents comprehensive income (in thousands): THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ------------------------------ 2004 2003 ------------ ------------ Net income $ 12,018 $ 11,572 Change in cumulative translation adjustment (7,678) 2,373 Unrealized gain on qualifying cash flow hedges, net of tax 746 511 ------------ ------------ Comprehensive income $ 5,086 $ 14,456 ============ ============ 13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES LITIGATION: The Company is party to certain claims arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based upon the advice of legal counsel, the outcomes of such claims are impossible to ascertain or are not expected to be material to the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 14. CONSOLIDATING GUARANTOR AND NON-GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION: The following consolidating financial information presents balance sheets, statements of operations and cash flow information related to the Company's business. Each Guarantor, as defined, is a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 9.25% senior unsecured Euro notes issued by R. J. Tower Corporation in 2000 and the 12% senior unsecured notes issued by R.J. Tower Corporation in 2003, on a joint and several basis. Tower Automotive, Inc. (the parent company) has also fully and unconditionally guaranteed the notes and is reflected as the Parent Guarantor in the consolidating financial information. The Non-Guarantor Restricted Companies are the Company's foreign subsidiaries except for Seojin Industrial Company Limited, which is reflected as the Non-Guarantor Unrestricted Company in the consolidating financial information. Separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning the Guarantors have not been presented because management believes that such information is not material to investors. 11 TOWER AUTOMOTIVE INC. CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS AT MARCH 31, 2004 (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS - UNAUDITED) NON-GUARANTOR R. J. TOWER PARENT GUARANTOR RESTRICTED CORPORATION GUARANTOR COMPANIES COMPANIES ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 40,113 $ - $ 501 $ 37,529 Accounts receivable 2,871 - 181,197 172,817 Inventories - - 66,277 48,186 Deferred income taxes, net 14,249 - - 1,578 Prepaid tooling and other 4,182 - 109,714 36,745 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total current assets 61,415 - 357,689 296,855 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Property, plant and equipment, net 1,380 - 650,361 294,276 Investments in joint ventures 204,257 - - - Investment in subsidiaries 514,907 420,329 - - Deferred income taxes, net 94,619 21,716 27,351 2,740 Goodwill - - 326,310 168,899 Other assets, net 21,268 6,772 75,633 29,187 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- $ 897,846 $ 448,817 $ 1,437,344 $ 791,957 ============= ============= ============= ============= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations $ 12,500 $ - $ 3,621 $ 29,785 Convertible subordinated notes - 199,984 - - Accounts payable 2,327 - 384,920 149,642 Accrued liabilities 50,307 1,667 123,357 60,454 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total current liabilities 65,134 201,651 511,898 239,881 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Long-term debt, net of current maturities 662,754 258,750 65,015 14,483 Obligations under capital leases, net of current maturities - - - 37,380 Due to/(from) affiliates (356,699) (431,913) 605,216 186,449 Other noncurrent liabilities 89,646 - 89,600 33,602 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total noncurrent liabilities 395,701 (173,163) 759,831 271,914 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Stockholders' investment 437,011 420,329 165,615 280,162 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- $ 897,846 $ 448,817 $ 1,437,344 $ 791,957 ============= ============= ============= ============= NON-GUARANTOR UNRESTRICTED COMPANIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED ------------- ------------- ------------- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 203 $ - $ 78,346 Accounts receivable 17,204 - 374,089 Inventories 12,626 - 127,089 Deferred income taxes, net (532) - 15,295 Prepaid tooling and other 9,469 - 160,110 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total current assets 38,970 - 754,929 ------------- ------------- ------------- Property, plant and equipment, net 171,305 - 1,117,322 Investments in joint ventures - - 204,257 Investment in subsidiaries - (935,236) - Deferred income taxes, net (1,914) - 144,512 Goodwill - - 495,209 Other assets, net 18,226 - 151,086 ------------- ------------- ------------- $ 226,587 $ (935,236) $ 2,867,315 ============= ============= ============= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations $ 74,689 $ - $ 120,595 Convertible subordinated notes - - 199,984 Accounts payable 42,422 - 579,311 Accrued liabilities 8,211 - 243,996 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total current liabilities 125,322 - 1,143,886 ------------- ------------- ------------- Long-term debt, net of current maturities 41,568 - 1,042,570 Obligations under capital leases, net of current maturities 2,171 - 39,551 Due to/(from) affiliates (3,053) - - Other noncurrent liabilities 8,131 - 220,979 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total noncurrent liabilities 48,817 - 1,303,100 ------------- ------------- ------------- Stockholders' investment 52,448 (935,236) 420,329 ------------- ------------- ------------- $ 226,587 $ (935,236) $ 2,867,315 ============= ============= ============= 12 TOWER AUTOMOTIVE INC. CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004 (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS - UNAUDITED) NON-GUARANTOR R. J. TOWER PARENT GUARANTOR RESTRICTED CORPORATION GUARANTOR COMPANIES COMPANIES ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Revenues $ - $ - $ 524,823 $ 189,125 Cost of sales (2,739) - 495,377 166,503 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Gross profit 2,739 - 29,446 22,622 Selling, general and administrative expenses (8,415) - 30,382 9,595 Restructuring charge reversal 217 - (5,824) - ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Operating income 10,937 - 4,888 13,027 Interest expense (income), net 21,250 7,191 (519) 1,581 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Income (loss) before provision for income taxes (10,313) (7,191) 5,407 11,446 Provision (benefit) for income taxes (3,242) (2,445) 1,838 3,892 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Income (loss) before equity in earnings of joint ventures, gain on sale of joint venture and minority interest (7,071) (4,746) 3,569 7,554 Equity earnings in joint ventures and subsidiaries, net 14,103 16,764 - - Gain on sale of joint venture investment, net 9,732 - - - Minority interest, net - - - (1,311) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net income (loss) $ 16,764 $ 12,018 $ 3,569 $ 6,243 ============= ============= ============= ============= NON-GUARANTOR UNRESTRICTED COMPANIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED ------------- ------------- ------------- Revenues $ 67,288 $ - $ 781,236 Cost of sales 61,450 - 720,591 ------------- ------------- ------------- Gross profit 5,838 - 60,645 Selling, general and administrative expenses 2,592 - 34,154 Restructuring charge reversal - - (5,607) ------------- ------------- ------------- Operating income 3,246 - 32,098 Interest expense (income), net 1,967 - 31,470 ------------- ------------- ------------- Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 1,279 - 628 Provision (benefit) for income taxes 435 - 478 ------------- ------------- ------------- Income (loss) before equity in earnings of joint ventures, gain on sale of joint venture and minority interest 844 - 150 Equity earnings in joint ventures and subsidiaries, net - (27,420) 3,447 Gain on sale of joint venture investment, net - - 9,732 Minority interest, net - - (1,311) ------------- ------------- ------------- Net income (loss) $ 844 $ (27,420) $ 12,018 ============= ============= ============= 13 TOWER AUTOMOTIVE INC. CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004 (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS - UNAUDITED) NON-GUARANTOR R. J. TOWER PARENT GUARANTOR RESTRICTED CORPORATION GUARANTOR COMPANIES COMPANIES ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income (loss) $ 16,764 $ 12,018 $ 3,569 $ 6,243 Adjustments required to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Non-cash restructuring charge reversal - - (6,276) - Depreciation 65 - 23,917 10,185 Deferred income tax provision (benefit) (2,217) - (279) (1,858) Gain on sale of joint venture investment (9,732) - - - Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net (3,447) - - - Changes in working capital and other operating items (5,338) (2,499) (105,026) 4,381 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (3,905) 9,519 (84,095) 18,951 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures, net (608) - (32,875) (16,031) Divestitures and Other 44,626 (9,519) - - Acquisitions - - - - ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 44,018 (9,519) (32,875) (16,031) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from borrowings - - - 3,378 Repayment of debt - - (881) (9,188) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities - - (881) (5,810) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 40,113 - (117,851) (2,890) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD - - 118,352 40,419 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 40,113 $ - $ 501 $ 37,529 ============= ============= ============= ============= NON-GUARANTOR UNRESTRICTED COMPANIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED ------------- ------------- ------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income (loss) $ 844 $ (27,420) $ 12,018 Adjustments required to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Non-cash restructuring charge reversal - - (6,276) Depreciation 4,190 - 38,357 Deferred income tax provision (benefit) 250 - (4,104) Gain on sale of joint venture investment - - (9,732) Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net - - (3,447) Changes in working capital and other operating items 10,850 7,932 (89,700) ------------- ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 16,134 (19,488) (62,884) ------------- ------------- ------------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures, net (3,672) - (53,186) Divestitures and Other - 19,488 54,595 Acquisitions (21,299) - (21,299) ------------- ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (24,971) 19,488 (19,890) ------------- ------------- ------------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from borrowings 11,252 - 14,630 Repayment of debt (4,340) - (14,409) ------------- ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities 6,912 - 221 ------------- ------------- ------------- NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (1,925) - (82,553) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 2,128 - 160,899 ------------- ------------- ------------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 203 $ - $ 78,346 ============= ============= ============= 14 TOWER AUTOMOTIVE INC. CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS AT DECEMBER 31, 2003 (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS - UNAUDITED) NON-GUARANTOR R. J. TOWER PARENT GUARANTOR RESTRICTED CORPORATION GUARANTOR COMPANIES COMPANIES ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ - $ - $ 118,352 $ 40,419 Accounts receivable - - 177,177 129,633 Inventories - - 73,760 44,876 Deferred income taxes, net - - 14,250 5,866 Prepaid tooling and other - - 39,849 41,445 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total current assets - - 423,388 262,239 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Property, plant and equipment, net - - 642,240 288,430 Investments in joint ventures 247,756 - - 377 Investment in subsidiaries 411,267 413,510 - - Deferred income taxes, net - 21,716 119,857 (3,406) Goodwill - - 326,309 172,354 Other assets, net 14,881 7,096 82,162 37,574 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- $ 673,904 $ 442,322 $ 1,593,956 $ 757,568 ============= ============= ============= ============= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations $ - $ - $ 3,622 $ 32,916 Convertible subordinated notes - 199,984 - - Accounts payable - - 399,319 114,333 Accrued liabilities 11,124 4,166 161,788 64,044 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total current liabilities 11,124 204,150 564,729 211,293 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Long-term debt, net of current maturities 679,177 258,750 65,871 16,202 Obligations under capital leases, net of current maturities - - - 40,054 Due to/(from) affiliates (479,789) (434,088) 758,417 147,123 Other noncurrent liabilities - - 180,827 34,431 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Total noncurrent liabilities 199,388 (175,338) 1,005,115 237,810 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Stockholders' investment 463,392 413,510 24,112 308,465 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- $ 673,904 $ 442,322 $ 1,593,956 $ 757,568 ============= ============= ============= ============= NON-GUARANTOR UNRESTRICTED COMPANIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED ------------- ------------- ------------- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,128 $ - $ 160,899 Accounts receivable 18,789 - 325,599 Inventories 11,368 - 130,004 Deferred income taxes, net - - 20,116 Prepaid tooling and other 10,368 - 91,662 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total current assets 42,653 - 728,280 ------------- ------------- ------------- Property, plant and equipment, net 125,203 - 1,055,873 Investments in joint ventures - - 248,133 Investment in subsidiaries - (824,777) - Deferred income taxes, net 8,777 - 146,944 Goodwill - - 498,663 Other assets, net 26,803 - 168,516 ------------- ------------- ------------- $ 203,436 $ (824,777) $ 2,846,409 ============= ============= ============= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT Current liabilities: Current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations $ 63,059 $ - $ 99,597 Convertible subordinated notes - - 199,984 Accounts payable 42,384 - 556,036 Accrued liabilities 8,862 - 249,984 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total current liabilities 114,305 - 1,105,601 ------------- ------------- ------------- Long-term debt, net of current maturities 40,859 - 1,060,859 Obligations under capital leases, net of current maturities 2,744 - 42,798 Due to/(from) affiliates 8,337 - - Other noncurrent liabilities 8,383 - 223,641 ------------- ------------- ------------- Total noncurrent liabilities 60,323 - 1,327,298 ------------- ------------- ------------- Stockholders' investment 28,808 (824,777) 413,510 ------------- ------------- ------------- $ 203,436 $ (824,777) $ 2,846,409 ============= ============= ============= 15 TOWER AUTOMOTIVE INC. CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2003 (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS - UNAUDITED) NON-GUARANTOR R. J. TOWER PARENT GUARANTOR RESTRICTED CORPORATION GUARANTOR COMPANIES COMPANIES ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Revenues $ - $ - $ 500,763 $ 154,825 Cost of sales - - 456,979 131,054 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Gross profit - - 43,784 23,771 Selling, general and administrative expenses - - 24,245 8,892 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Operating income - - 19,539 14,879 Interest expense (income), net 12,026 6,866 (5,401) 1,421 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Income (loss) before provision for income taxes (12,026) (6,866) 24,940 13,458 Provision (benefit) for income taxes (4,089) (2,334) 8,480 4,575 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Income (loss) before equity in earnings of joint ventures and minority interest (7,937) (4,532) 16,460 8,883 Equity earnings in joint ventures and subsidiaries, net 26,923 18,986 - - Minority interest, net - (2,882) - (1,422) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net income $ 18,986 $ 11,572 $ 16,460 $ 7,461 ============= ============= ============= ============= NON-GUARANTOR UNRESTRICTED COMPANIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED ------------- ------------- ------------- Revenues $ 76,990 $ - $ 732,578 Cost of sales 70,021 - 658,054 ------------- ------------- ------------- Gross profit 6,969 - 74,524 Selling, general and administrative expenses 1,539 - 34,676 ------------- ------------- ------------- Operating income 5,430 - 39,848 Interest expense (income), net 1,857 - 16,769 ------------- ------------- ------------- Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 3,573 - 23,079 Provision (benefit) for income taxes 1,215 - 7,847 ------------- ------------- ------------- Income (loss) before equity in earnings of joint ventures and minority interest 2,358 - 15,232 Equity earnings in joint ventures and subsidiaries, net - (45,265) 644 Minority interest, net - - (4,304) ------------- ------------- ------------- Net income $ 2,358 $ (45,265) $ 11,572 ============= ============= ============= 16 TOWER AUTOMOTIVE INC. CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2003 (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS - UNAUDITED) NON-GUARANTOR R. J. TOWER PARENT GUARANTOR RESTRICTED CORPORATION GUARANTOR COMPANIES COMPANIES ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income (loss) $ 18,986 $ 11,572 $ 16,460 $ 7,461 Adjustments required to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Depreciation - - 28,173 6,771 Deferred income tax provision (benefit) - - 7,328 897 Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net (644) - - - Changes in working capital and other operating items 6,967 (3,984) (93,169) 18,552 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 25,309 7,588 (41,208) 33,681 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures, net - - (34,409) (4,491) Divestitures and other, net (93,897) (7,891) 76,329 2,398 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (93,897) (7,891) 41,920 (2,093) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from borrowings 690,726 - 6 2,599 Repayment of debt (622,138) - (718) (28,054) Net proceeds from issuance of stock - 303 - - ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities 68,588 303 (712) (25,455) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - - - 6,133 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD - - - 9,191 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ - $ - $ - $ 15,324 ============= ============= ============= ============= NON-GUARANTOR UNRESTRICTED COMPANIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED ------------- ------------- ------------- OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income (loss) $ 2,358 $ (45,265) $ 11,572 Adjustments required to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Depreciation 4,107 - 39,051 Deferred income tax provision (benefit) 49 - 8,274 Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net - - (644) Changes in working capital and other operating items (4,368) 18,972 (57,030) ------------- ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 2,146 (26,293) 1,223 ------------- ------------- ------------- INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Capital expenditures, net (2,300) - (41,200) Divestitures and other, net - 26,293 3,232 ------------- ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (2,300) 26,293 (37,968) ------------- ------------- ------------- FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from borrowings 6,315 - 699,646 Repayment of debt (7,221) - (658,131) Net proceeds from issuance of stock - - 303 ------------- ------------- ------------- Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities (906) - 41,818 ------------- ------------- ------------- NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (1,060) - 5,073 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 4,508 - 13,699 ------------- ------------- ------------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 3,448 $ - $ 18,772 ============= ============= ============= 17 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OVERVIEW The Company produces a broad range of assemblies and modules for vehicle frames, upper body structures and suspension systems for the global automotive industry. Including wholly owned subsidiaries and investments in joint ventures, the Company has production and engineering facilities in the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany Belgium, Poland, France, Spain, Brazil, India, Slovakia, Korea, Japan, China and Mexico. The Company's products are manufactured utilizing steel and various purchased assemblies, primarily manufactured utilizing steel. The price of steel has increased significantly during the first quarter of 2004 compared to recent historical periods due to a shortage of certain raw materials necessary to produce steel and increased global demand, primarily in China. The Company purchases a substantial portion of its steel from its customers through the customers' resale programs. For these purchases, the Company has not been impacted by increased steel prices. The remainder of the Company's steel purchasing requirements is met through contracts with steel producers and market purchases. The Company's purchase price under such steel contracts and market purchases have rapidly increased during the first quarter of 2004 as compared to historical periods. We expect the effect of the increase in steel prices will be more pronounced in the second and third quarters of this year as the steel utilized in the first quarter was principally purchased prior to the recent heights of steel prices. The Company's agreements with its customers generally do not permit the Company to increase selling prices for increases in prices of raw material inputs. The Company is pursuing several initiatives to mitigate the impact of such raw material price increases on its results of operations. Such initiatives include pursuing selling price increases from customers and reducing other operating costs, among other initiatives. The Company can provide no assurances that it will not be materially impacted in the future by such raw material price increases. On February 10, 2004, the Company announced that a decision had been finalized by DaimlerChrysler to move the current production of the frame assembly for the Dodge Ram light truck from the Company's Milwaukee, Wisconsin facility to the Company's 40% owned joint venture partner, Metalsa located in Monterrey, Mexico. The current Dodge Ram frame program produced in the Milwaukee facility was expected to run through 2009. The production move to Mexico is planned for mid-2005. The Company is in the process of determining the expected net economic impact, if any, of DaimlerChrysler's decision to move the Dodge Ram frame line on its future consolidated results. The Company is also currently in negotiations with DaimlerChrysler regarding a settlement pertaining to costs associated with the move and/or replacement programs. For a more detailed description of other factors that have had or may in the future have, a significant impact on the Company's business, please refer to "Forward Looking Statements", "Market Risks" and "Opportunities" contained in this Management's Discussion and Analysis for insight on opportunities, challenges and risks, such as those presented by known material trends and uncertainties, on which the Company's management is most focused for both the short term and long term, as well as the actions they are taking to address these opportunities, challenges and risks. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2004 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2003 REVENUES. Revenues for the first quarter of 2004 increased by $48.6 million, or 6.6%, to $781.2 million from $732.6 million during the first quarter of 2003. Increased volume and product mix increased revenue by $34.4 million and foreign exchange effects increased revenues by $19.5 million. These increases were partially offset by net selling price reductions of $5.3 million. GROSS PROFIT AND GROSS MARGIN. Gross margin for the first quarter of 2004 was 7.8% compared to 10.2% for the first quarter of 2003. Gross profit declined by $13.9 million, or 18.6%, to $60.6 million during the 2004 period compared to $74.5 million during the 2003 period. The decrease in gross margin and gross profit were primarily attributable to increased costs associated with the Company's product launch activities during the 2004 quarter of $10.8 million, customer selling price reductions of $5.6 million and higher operating expenses of $8.5 million, which includes the effects of higher health care costs ($1.6 million), higher material costs, primarily steel ($0.7 million) and general economic conditions (i.e. general labor rate increases, higher energy costs, etc.) pertaining to the Company ($6.8 million). These declines were partially offset by operating efficiencies of $6.0 million, favorable foreign currency effects of $1.0 million and volume and product mix effects of $4.6 million. 18 SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and administrative expenses declined by $0.5 million, or 1.5%, to $34.2 million during the first quarter of 2004 from $34.7 million during the first quarter of 2003. Selling, general and administrative expenses represented 4.4% of revenues during the 2004 period compared to 4.7% during the 2003 period. The decline is attributable to lower expenses resulting from the Company's 2003 Restructuring Plan involving the Company's corporate consolidation activities. OPERATING INCOME. Operating income declined by $7.8 million, or 19.4%, to $32.1 million during the first quarter of 2004 from $39.9 million during the first quarter of 2003. This decline was caused by the decrease in gross profit mentioned above. This decline was partially offset by net restructuring income of $5.6 million. Such net restructuring income consists of the reversal of the pension curtailment loss of $6.3 million associated with the Company's decision to not move the Ford Ranger frame assembly, as previously disclosed, offset by $0.7 million of cash restructuring costs associated with the Company's corporate and North American operations consolidation (See Note 11 to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). INTEREST EXPENSE. Interest expense, net increased by $14.7 million, or 87.7%, to $31.5 million for the first quarter of 2004 from $16.8 million for the first quarter of 2003. The increase was attributable to: (i) increased interest of $7.9 million related to the senior notes issued in June 2003; (ii) $4.4 million related to the Trust Preferred Securities which was recorded as minority interest in the first quarter of 2003; and (iii) $2.4 million pertaining to increased borrowings and interest rates. PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. The Company's effective income tax rate was 76.1% for the first quarter of 2004, compared to 34.0% for the first quarter of 2003. The relatively high effective tax rate for the 2004 period was due to the high proportion of non-deductible items in relation to pre-tax income. EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF JOINT VENTURES, NET. Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net of tax increased by $2.8 million to $3.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2004 from $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2003. The increase primarily resulted form improved performance at Yorozu in 2004, prior to the date of sale of Yorozu (March 11, 2004), compared to 2003. GAIN ON SALE OF JOINT VENTURE. The gain on sale of joint venture in the amount of $9.7 million for the first quarter of 2004 represents the Company's sale of its 30.76% ownership interest in Yorozu (See Note 7 to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). MINORITY INTEREST, NET. Minority interest, net declined by $3.0 million during the first quarter of 2004 to $1.3 million from $4.3 million during the first quarter of 2003. The 2003 period included dividends, net of income tax benefits, on the Trust Preferred Securities in the amount of $2.9 million, which are now classified as interest expense (See Note 4 to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). NET INCOME. Net income for the first quarter of 2004, amounted to $12.0 million, or $0.21 per basic and diluted share, compared to $11.6 million, or $0.21 per basic and diluted share, for the first quarter of 2003. Net income for 2004 reflected a restructuring charge reversal, net of tax of $3.7 million and a divestiture gain, net of tax of $9.7 million. RESTRUCTURING AND ASSET IMPAIRMENT In October 2003, the Company announced plans to consolidate its Novi, Michigan North America oversight and Grand Rapids, Michigan corporate office activities and close its Rochester Hills, Michigan prototype tooling and technical center facility. In the fourth quarter of 2003, charges relating to these activities were recognized by the Company totaling $3.7 million, comprised of cash charges of $2.1 million and non-cash asset impairment charges of $1.6 million. These costs incurred to date as well as any additional costs expected to be incurred relating to these activities are within the United States/ Canada segment. The Company does not anticipate any significant additional expenses related to this restructuring activity. On May 27, 2003, the Company announced that it would transfer the production of high-volume frame assemblies for the Ford Ranger from its Milwaukee facility to its Bellevue, Ohio facility. During 2003, the Company recorded 19 $25.0 million pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges relating to this event. These charges reflect estimated qualifying "exit costs" comprising cash charges of $6.1 million, pension and other post-retirement benefit plan curtailment costs of $6.3 million and non-cash asset impairment charges of $12.6 million, all within the United States/Canada segment. These charges did not cover certain aspects of the 2003 Plan, including movement of equipment and colleague relocation and training, which are being recognized as incurred. On December 5, 2003, the Company announced that it had decided not to proceed with the relocation of the Ford Ranger line based on revised economic factors from the original May 2003 decision principally due to concessions received from the Milwaukee labor unions and a need for management to focus on its 2004 new product launch schedule. Because the Company's measurement date for pension and post-retirement benefits is September 30, the decision to continue Ranger frame production in Milwaukee made in December 2003 resulted in a reversal of the curtailment loss on a three-month lag in the first quarter of 2004, as discussed above. The remaining charges related to the original decision to move the Ranger frame production have been incurred. The Company anticipates cash restructuring costs of $1.0 to $2.0 million per quarter for the remainder of 2004 relating to previously announced plans. The Company has historically executed various restructuring plans and may execute additional plans in the future to respond to customer sourcing decisions, to realign manufacturing capacity to prevailing global automotive production and to improve the utilization of remaining facilities. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES During the first quarter of 2004, the Company's cash requirements were met through operations and commercial borrowings. At March 31, 2004, the Company had available liquidity in the amount of $101.3 million, which consisted of cash on hand of $78.3 million and $23.0 million available through its revolving credit facility. Net cash utilized in operating activities amounted to $62.9 million during the first quarter of 2004 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $1.2 million during the first quarter of 2003. The amount utilized during the 2004 period primarily resulted from higher accounts receivable and prepaid tooling. Accounts receivable and prepaid tooling increased $48.5 million and $67.2 million, respectively, from December 31, 2003. This impact was partially offset by an increase in accounts payable and other accruals aggregating $17.3 million. The increase in accounts receivable resulted from higher revenues during the 2004 quarter. The increase in prepaid tooling primarily resulted from the Company's significant launch activities. The increase in accounts payable and other accruals reflected the Company's higher business activity level. Net cash utilized in investing activities amounted to $19.9 million during the first quarter of 2004 compared to net cash utilized of $38.0 million in the first quarter of 2003. The utilization for the 2004 period resulted from capital expenditures, net amounting to $53.2 million and the acquisition of the remaining 34% interest in Seojin from the Company's joint venture partner for $21.3 million. The impact of these items were partially offset by proceeds of $51.7 million from the sale of Yorozu. Capital expenditures for 2004 are expected to be approximately $240.0 million ($195 million net of anticipated lease proceeds). Net cash provided by financing activities amounted to $0.2 million during the first quarter of 2004 compared to net cash provided of $41.8 million for the first quarter of 2003. The 2004 period reflected significantly lower borrowing activity in comparison to the 2003 period. During the first quarter of 2004, the Company had proceeds from borrowings amounting to $14.6 million compared to borrowings of $699.6 million during the corresponding period of 2003. At March 31, 2004, the Company had negative working capital of $389.0 million, as a result of its continuing focus on minimizing the cash flow cycle. The Company believes that funds generated by operations, together with cash on hand and available borrowing capacity should provide sufficient liquidity and capital resources to pursue its business strategy for the foreseeable future with respect to working capital, capital expenditures and other operating needs. The Company anticipates that it will meet its liquidity requirements through the prudent use of its cash resources, effective management of working capital and capital expenditures and also employing other potential financing and strategic alternatives, as required. Certain assumptions underlie this belief, including among others, that there will be no material adverse developments in the Company's business, the automotive market in general, or the Company's anticipated activities and costs associated with its new program launches scheduled for the next twelve months. The Company is pursuing a refinancing plan with financial institutions that, if consummated, would improve the Company's financial flexibility by extending debt maturities and increasing available liquidity. As currently 20 envisioned by the Company, the refinancing plan would include a new senior secured credit facility as well as a private offering of convertible senior debentures which, when taken together, would provide sufficient proceeds to repay the Company's existing credit facilities; refinance the Company's 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due August 1, 2004; and build additional liquidity for the Company. The primary objectives of this refinancing are to reduce the Company's near term debt service requirements and to provide the financial flexibility appropriate for the Company's operations and upcoming product launch activities. The Company expects that the refinancing will be completed prior to the end of the second quarter of 2004. However, there are no assurances that the refinancing plan will be consummated. MARKET RISK The Company is exposed to various market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as foreign currency exchange and interest rates. The Company's policy is to not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company periodically enters into financial instruments to manage and reduce the impact of changes in interest rates. Interest rate swaps are entered into as a hedge of underlying debt instruments to change the effective characteristics of the interest rate without actually changing the debt instrument. Therefore, these interest rate swap agreements convert outstanding floating rate debt to fixed rate debt for a period of time. For fixed rate debt, interest rate changes affect the fair market value but do not impact earnings or cash flows. Conversely for floating rate debt, interest rate changes generally do not affect the fair market value but do impact future earnings and cash flows, assuming other factors are held constant. At March 31, 2004, the Company had total debt and obligations under capital leases of $1,402.7 million. The debt is composed of fixed rate debt of $1,054.5 million and floating rate debt of $348.2 million. The pre-tax earnings and cash flow impact for the next year resulting from a one percentage point increase in interest rates on variable rate debt would be approximately $3.5 million, holding other variables constant. A one percentage point increase in interest rates would not materially impact the fair value of the fixed rate debt. A portion of the Company's revenues were derived from manufacturing operations in Europe, Asia and South America. The results of operations and financial position of the Company's foreign operations are principally measured in their respective currency and translated into U.S. dollars. The effects of foreign currency fluctuations in Europe, Asia and South America are somewhat mitigated by the fact that expenses are generally incurred in the same currency in which revenues are generated. The reported income of these subsidiaries will be higher or lower depending on a weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the respective foreign currency. A portion of the Company's assets are based in its foreign operations and are translated into U.S. dollars at foreign currency exchange rates in effect as of the end of each period, with the effect of such translation reflected as a separate component of stockholders' investment. Accordingly, the Company's consolidated stockholders' investment will fluctuate depending upon the weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the respective foreign currency. The Company's strategy for management of currency risk relies primarily upon conducting its operations in a country's respective currency and may, from time to time, also involve hedging programs intended to reduce the Company's exposure to currency fluctuations. Management believes the effect of a 100 basis point movement in foreign currency rates versus the dollar would not have materially affected the Company's financial position or results of operations for the periods presented. OPPORTUNITIES The Company's recent growth in Europe and Asia along with foreign transplant operations in the U.S. has reduced its reliance on Ford and DaimlerChrysler, increased penetration into certain existing customers and added new customers such as Fiat, BMW, Volkswagen, Nissan and Hyundai/Kia. The Company expects this trend to continue as a result of its anticipated organic growth outside the U.S., from recent awards to supply foreign transplant operations in the U.S. and its efforts to diversify its customer base. 21 DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this Form 10-Q or incorporated by reference herein, are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). When used in this Form 10-Q, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intends", "project", "plan" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Company's management as well as on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company at the time such statements were made. Various economic and competitive factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements, including factors which are outside the control of the Company, such as risks relating to: (i) the degree to which the Company is leveraged and the ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations to meet future liquidity needs; (ii) the Company's reliance on major customers and selected vehicle platforms; (iii) the cyclicality and seasonality of the automotive market; (iv) the failure to realize the benefits of recent acquisitions and joint ventures; (v) the Company's ability to obtain new business on new and redesigned models; (vi) the Company's ability to achieve the anticipated volume of production from new and planned supply programs; (vii) the general economic or business conditions affecting the automotive industry (which is dependent on consumer spending), either nationally or regionally, being less favorable than expected; (viii) the Company's failure to develop or successfully introduce new products; (ix) increased competition in the automotive components supply market; (x) unforeseen problems associated with international sales, including gains and losses from foreign currency exchange; (xi) implementation of or changes in the laws, regulations or policies governing the automotive industry that could negatively affect the automotive components supply industry; (xii) changes in general economic conditions in the United States and Europe; and (xiii) various other factors beyond the Company's control. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on behalf of the Company are expressly qualified in their entirety by such cautionary statements. ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. The Company's Chief Executive Officer and the Company's Chief Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-14( c ) as of March 31, 2004 and have concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the periodic reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and regulations. CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROLS. No changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2004 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal controls over financial reporting. 22 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits: Exhibit 31.1 - Rule 15d-14(a) certification of the Chief Executive Officer. Exhibit 31.2 - Rule 15d-14(a) certification of the Chief Financial Officer. Exhibit 32.1 - Section 1350 certification of the Chief Executive Officer. Exhibit 32.2 - Section 1350 certification of the Chief Financial Officer. (b) During the quarter for which this report is filed, the Company filed the following Form 8-K Current Reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission: 1. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 10, 2004, under Items 5 and 7 (Commission File No. 1-12733). 2. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 12, 2004, under Items 7 and 12 (Commission File No. 1-12733). 3. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 1, 2004, under Items 5 and 7 (Commission File No. 1-12733). 4. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 8, 2004, under Items 5 and 7 (Commission File No. 1-12733). 5. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 11, 2004, under Items 5 and 7 (Commission File No. 1-12733). 6. The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 26, 2004, under Items 2 and 7 (Commission File No. 1-12733). 23 SIGNATURE 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. TOWER AUTOMOTIVE, INC. Date: May 10, 2004 By /s/ James A. Mallak -------------------------------------------- James A. Mallak Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (principal accounting and financial officer) 24 EXHIBIT INDEX 31.1 Rule 15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer 31.2 Rule 15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer 32.1 Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer 32.2 Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer