2nd Quarter Report
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarter ended June 30, 2007
Commission File Number: 001-13425
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated
6500 River Road
Richmond, BC, Canada
V6X 4G5
(604) 273 7564
(Address of principal executive offices)
indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F
Form 20-F o Form 40-F þ
indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): o
indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): o
indicate by check mark whether by furnishing information contained in this Form,
the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to
Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Yes o No þ
If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements do not include all information and
footnotes required by Canadian or United States generally accepted accounting principles for a
complete set of annual financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, all
adjustments (which consist only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation
of the results of operations for the relevant periods have been made. Results for the interim
periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year or any other
period. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the summary of accounting
policies and the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Companys Annual
Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, a copy of which has been filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These policies have been applied on a consistent
basis.
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Retained Earnings
(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
Six months ended |
|
|
June 30, |
|
June 30, |
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
Auction revenues |
|
$ |
94,543 |
|
|
$ |
78,680 |
|
|
$ |
163,905 |
|
|
$ |
134,653 |
|
Direct expenses |
|
|
12,938 |
|
|
|
11,365 |
|
|
|
20,009 |
|
|
|
17,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
81,605 |
|
|
|
67,315 |
|
|
|
143,896 |
|
|
|
116,862 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
4,783 |
|
|
|
3,060 |
|
|
|
9,008 |
|
|
|
6,314 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
34,333 |
|
|
|
26,551 |
|
|
|
65,062 |
|
|
|
52,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
39,116 |
|
|
|
29,611 |
|
|
|
74,070 |
|
|
|
59,018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings from operations |
|
|
42,489 |
|
|
|
37,704 |
|
|
|
69,826 |
|
|
|
57,844 |
|
Other income (expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(380 |
) |
|
|
(435 |
) |
|
|
(706 |
) |
|
|
(720 |
) |
Gain on disposition of capital assets |
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
1,821 |
|
|
|
156 |
|
|
|
1,917 |
|
Other |
|
|
568 |
|
|
|
182 |
|
|
|
920 |
|
|
|
471 |
|
|
|
|
|
281 |
|
|
|
1,568 |
|
|
|
370 |
|
|
|
1,668 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings before income taxes |
|
|
42,770 |
|
|
|
39,272 |
|
|
|
70,196 |
|
|
|
59,512 |
|
Income tax expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
14,520 |
|
|
|
14,738 |
|
|
|
23,999 |
|
|
|
21,350 |
|
Future |
|
|
1,695 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
2,083 |
|
|
|
438 |
|
|
|
|
|
16,215 |
|
|
|
14,746 |
|
|
|
26,082 |
|
|
|
21,788 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Earnings |
|
$ |
26,555 |
|
|
$ |
24,526 |
|
|
$ |
44,114 |
|
|
$ |
37,724 |
|
|
|
Net earnings per share (in accordance with
Canadian and United States GAAP) (note 7 (d)): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
$ |
0.71 |
|
|
$ |
1.27 |
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
$ |
0.70 |
|
|
$ |
1.26 |
|
|
$ |
1.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained earnings, beginning of period |
|
$ |
257,625 |
|
|
$ |
224,079 |
|
|
$ |
247,349 |
|
|
$ |
217,080 |
|
Net earnings |
|
|
26,555 |
|
|
|
24,526 |
|
|
|
44,114 |
|
|
|
37,724 |
|
Cash dividends paid |
|
|
(7,297 |
) |
|
|
(6,219 |
) |
|
|
(14,580 |
) |
|
|
(12,418 |
) |
|
Retained earnings, end of period |
|
$ |
276,883 |
|
|
$ |
242,386 |
|
|
$ |
276,883 |
|
|
$ |
242,386 |
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- 3 -
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
219,800 |
|
|
$ |
172,021 |
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
116,001 |
|
|
|
36,682 |
|
Inventory |
|
|
15,690 |
|
|
|
5,614 |
|
Advances against auction contracts |
|
|
3,161 |
|
|
|
1,474 |
|
Prepaid expenses and deposits |
|
|
5,790 |
|
|
|
5,267 |
|
Other assets |
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
2,723 |
|
Income taxes receivable |
|
|
888 |
|
|
|
3,212 |
|
Future income tax asset |
|
|
786 |
|
|
|
1,074 |
|
|
|
|
|
362,292 |
|
|
|
228,067 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital assets (note 4) |
|
|
315,728 |
|
|
|
285,091 |
|
Other assets |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
343 |
|
Goodwill |
|
|
41,738 |
|
|
|
39,537 |
|
Future income tax asset |
|
|
968 |
|
|
|
1,189 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
721,726 |
|
|
$ |
554,227 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auction proceeds payable |
|
$ |
164,780 |
|
|
$ |
65,114 |
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
|
78,207 |
|
|
|
67,496 |
|
Short-term debt (note 5) |
|
|
11,361 |
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt (note 6) |
|
|
254 |
|
|
|
237 |
|
Future income tax liability |
|
|
813 |
|
|
|
851 |
|
|
|
|
|
255,415 |
|
|
|
133,698 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt (note 6) |
|
|
43,896 |
|
|
|
43,081 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
354 |
|
|
|
|
|
Future income tax liability |
|
|
12,012 |
|
|
|
8,811 |
|
|
|
|
|
311,677 |
|
|
|
185,590 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital (note 7) |
|
|
89,261 |
|
|
|
85,910 |
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
11,539 |
|
|
|
10,459 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
276,883 |
|
|
|
247,349 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income |
|
|
32,366 |
|
|
|
24,919 |
|
|
|
|
|
410,049 |
|
|
|
368,637 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
721,726 |
|
|
$ |
554,227 |
|
|
Commitments and contingencies (note 8)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- 4 -
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders Equity
(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
Share |
|
|
Paid-In |
|
|
Retained |
|
|
Comprehensive |
|
|
Shareholders |
|
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
Income |
|
|
Equity |
|
|
Balance, December 31, 2006 |
|
$ |
85,910 |
|
|
$ |
10,459 |
|
|
$ |
247,349 |
|
|
$ |
24,919 |
|
|
$ |
368,637 |
|
Exercise of stock options |
|
|
403 |
|
|
|
(71 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
332 |
|
Stock compensation
tax adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36 |
|
Stock compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
325 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
325 |
|
Cash dividends paid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,283 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,283 |
) |
Net earnings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,559 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,559 |
|
Foreign currency
translation adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,949 |
|
|
|
1,949 |
|
|
Balance, March 31, 2007 |
|
|
86,313 |
|
|
|
10,749 |
|
|
|
257,625 |
|
|
|
26,868 |
|
|
|
381,555 |
|
Exercise of stock options |
|
|
2,948 |
|
|
|
(444 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,504 |
|
Stock compensation
tax adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
687 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
687 |
|
Stock compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
547 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
547 |
|
Cash dividends paid |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,297 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,297 |
) |
Net earnings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,555 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,555 |
|
Foreign currency
translation adjustment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,498 |
|
|
|
5,498 |
|
|
Balance, June 30, 2007 |
|
$ |
89,261 |
|
|
$ |
11,539 |
|
|
$ |
276,883 |
|
|
$ |
32,366 |
|
|
$ |
410,049 |
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Six months ended |
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
Net earnings |
|
$ |
26,555 |
|
|
$ |
24,526 |
|
|
$ |
44,114 |
|
|
$ |
37,724 |
|
Other comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustment |
|
|
5,498 |
|
|
|
4,963 |
|
|
|
7,447 |
|
|
|
5,486 |
|
|
|
Comprehensive income |
|
$ |
32,053 |
|
|
$ |
29,489 |
|
|
$ |
51,561 |
|
|
$ |
43,210 |
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
- 5 -
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, |
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
Cash provided by (used in): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net earnings |
|
$ |
26,555 |
|
|
$ |
24,526 |
|
|
$ |
44,114 |
|
|
$ |
37,724 |
|
Items not involving cash: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
4,783 |
|
|
|
3,060 |
|
|
|
9,008 |
|
|
|
6,314 |
|
Stock compensation expense |
|
|
547 |
|
|
|
513 |
|
|
|
872 |
|
|
|
982 |
|
Future income taxes |
|
|
1,695 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
2,083 |
|
|
|
438 |
|
Net gain on disposition of capital assets |
|
|
(93 |
) |
|
|
(1,821 |
) |
|
|
(156 |
) |
|
|
(1,917 |
) |
Changes in non-cash working capital: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
33,982 |
|
|
|
29,659 |
|
|
|
(79,319 |
) |
|
|
(47,495 |
) |
Inventory |
|
|
(829 |
) |
|
|
17,733 |
|
|
|
(10,076 |
) |
|
|
7,212 |
|
Advances against auction contracts |
|
|
(2,901 |
) |
|
|
632 |
|
|
|
(1,687 |
) |
|
|
(2,653 |
) |
Prepaid expenses and deposits |
|
|
3,289 |
|
|
|
(2,568 |
) |
|
|
(523 |
) |
|
|
(3,551 |
) |
Income taxes recoverable |
|
|
(888 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,324 |
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes payable |
|
|
(1,671 |
) |
|
|
(5,487 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,027 |
) |
Auction proceeds payable |
|
|
(54,767 |
) |
|
|
(26,021 |
) |
|
|
99,666 |
|
|
|
106,399 |
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
|
(2,354 |
) |
|
|
13,092 |
|
|
|
10,448 |
|
|
|
7,475 |
|
Other |
|
|
(3,953 |
) |
|
|
(4,173 |
) |
|
|
(3,997 |
) |
|
|
(4,072 |
) |
|
|
|
|
3,395 |
|
|
|
49,153 |
|
|
|
72,757 |
|
|
|
96,829 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of business |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(200 |
) |
|
|
(597 |
) |
|
|
(2,300 |
) |
Capital asset additions |
|
|
(18,738 |
) |
|
|
(11,791 |
) |
|
|
(32,302 |
) |
|
|
(22,640 |
) |
Proceeds on disposition of capital assets |
|
|
1,025 |
|
|
|
3,505 |
|
|
|
3,629 |
|
|
|
4,126 |
|
Decrease (increase) in other assets |
|
|
(123 |
) |
|
|
1,271 |
|
|
|
(540 |
) |
|
|
1,433 |
|
|
|
|
|
(17,836 |
) |
|
|
(7,215 |
) |
|
|
(29,810 |
) |
|
|
(19,381 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of share capital |
|
|
2,504 |
|
|
|
809 |
|
|
|
2,836 |
|
|
|
2,838 |
|
Dividends on common shares |
|
|
(7,297 |
) |
|
|
(6,219 |
) |
|
|
(14,580 |
) |
|
|
(12,418 |
) |
Issuance of short-term debt |
|
|
11,146 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,146 |
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of short-term debt |
|
|
(10,000 |
) |
|
|
(717 |
) |
|
|
(10,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Repayment of long-term debt |
|
|
(62 |
) |
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
(120 |
) |
|
|
(112 |
) |
Other |
|
|
656 |
|
|
|
136 |
|
|
|
692 |
|
|
|
235 |
|
|
|
|
|
(3,053 |
) |
|
|
(6,047 |
) |
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
(9,457 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of changes in foreign currency rates on cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
3,886 |
|
|
|
4,553 |
|
|
|
4,858 |
|
|
|
5,124 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(13,608 |
) |
|
|
40,444 |
|
|
|
47,779 |
|
|
|
73,115 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
|
|
233,408 |
|
|
|
201,920 |
|
|
|
172,021 |
|
|
|
169,249 |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
|
$ |
219,800 |
|
|
$ |
242,364 |
|
|
$ |
219,800 |
|
|
$ |
242,364 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid |
|
$ |
692 |
|
|
$ |
614 |
|
|
$ |
1,346 |
|
|
$ |
978 |
|
Income taxes paid |
|
$ |
15,949 |
|
|
$ |
20,225 |
|
|
$ |
19,551 |
|
|
$ |
31,197 |
|
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-6-
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and
per share amounts)
(Information as at June 30, 2007 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and
2006 is unaudited)
1. |
|
Significant accounting policies: |
|
(a) |
|
Basis of presentation: |
|
|
|
|
These unaudited consolidated financial statements present the financial position, results
of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows of
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (the Company) and its subsidiaries. All
significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. |
|
|
|
|
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) applicable to interim financial
information and are based on accounting principles and practices consistent with those used
in the preparation of the annual consolidated financial statements, except as described in
note 2. These consolidated financial statements are not materially different from those
that would be presented in accordance with United States GAAP (see note 9). The interim
consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2006
audited consolidated financial statements. |
|
|
(b) |
|
Revenue recognition: |
|
|
|
|
Auction revenues are comprised mostly of auction commissions, which are earned by the
Company acting as an agent for consignors of equipment and other assets, but also include
net profits on the sale of inventory, incidental interest income, internet and proxy
purchase fees, and handling fees on the sale of certain lots. All revenue is recognized
when the auction sale is complete and the Company has determined that the auction proceeds
are collectible. |
|
|
|
|
Auction commissions represent the percentage earned by the Company on the gross proceeds
from equipment and other assets sold at auction. The majority of auction commissions is
earned as a pre-negotiated fixed rate of the gross selling price. Other commissions are
earned when the Company guarantees a certain level of proceeds to a consignor. This type
of commission typically includes a pre-negotiated percentage of the guaranteed gross
proceeds plus a percentage of proceeds in excess of the guaranteed amount. If actual
auction proceeds are less than the guaranteed amount, commission is reduced; if proceeds
are sufficiently lower, the Company can incur a loss on the sale. Losses, if any,
resulting from guarantee contracts are recorded in the period in which the relevant auction
is completed. If a loss relating to a guarantee contract to be sold after a period end is
known at the financial statement reporting date, the loss is accrued in the financial
statements for that period. The Companys exposure from these guarantee contracts
fluctuates over time (see note 8). |
-7-
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and
per share amounts)
(Information as at June 30, 2007 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and
2006 is unaudited)
1. |
|
Significant accounting policies (continued): |
|
(b) |
|
Revenue recognition (continued): |
|
|
|
|
Auction revenues also include net profit on the sale of inventory items. In some cases,
incidental to its regular commission business, the Company temporarily acquires title to
items for a short time prior to a particular auction sale. The auction revenue recorded is
the net gain or loss on the sale of the items. |
|
|
(c) |
|
Comparative figures: |
|
|
|
|
Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with the presentation adopted
in the current period. |
2. |
|
Change in accounting policies: |
|
|
|
On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants
Handbook Section 1530, Comprehensive Income, Section 3251, Equity, Section 3855, Financial
Instruments Recognition and Measurement, Section 3861, Financial Instruments Disclosure and
Presentation and Section 3865, Hedges. Section 1530 establishes standards for reporting and
presenting comprehensive income, which represents the change in equity from transactions and
other events from non-owner sources. Other comprehensive income refers to items recognized in
comprehensive income that are excluded from net income calculated in accordance with Canadian
GAAP. Other comprehensive income has been included in the Consolidated Statements of
Comprehensive Income. |
|
|
|
Section 3861 establishes standards for disclosure and presentation of financial instruments and
non-financial derivatives. Section 3865 describes when and how hedge accounting can be applied
as well as disclosure requirements. Section 3855 prescribes when a financial asset, financial
liability or non-financial derivative is to be recognized on the balance sheet, and the amount
at which these items should be recorded. Under the new standard, financial instruments must be
classified into one of these five categories: held-for-trading, held-to-maturity, loans and
receivables, available-for-sale or other financial liabilities. |
|
|
|
All financial instruments, including derivatives, are measured in the balance sheet at fair
value except for loans and receivables, held-to-maturity investments and other financial
liabilities, which are measured at amortized costs. Subsequent measurement and the accounting
for changes in fair value will depend on their initial classification. |
|
|
|
Upon the adoption of these new standards, the Company designated its cash and cash equivalents
as held-for-trading, which is measured at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized
in net earnings. Accounts receivable are classified as loans and receivables, which are
measured at amortized cost. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, auction |
-8-
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and
per share amounts)
(Information as at June 30, 2007 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and
2006 is unaudited)
2. |
|
Change in accounting policies (continued): |
|
|
|
proceeds payable, short-term debt and long-term debt are classified as other financial
liabilities, which are measured at amortized cost. |
|
|
|
Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the issuance of financial assets or
liabilities are accounted for as part of the carrying value at inception, and are recognized
over the term of the assets or liabilities using the effective interest method. As at January
1, 2007, the Company decreased the carrying value of its long-term debt by $312,000 (see note
6) to reflect this change. |
|
|
|
All derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, are recorded in the financial
statements at fair value unless exempted from derivative treatment as a normal purchase and
sale. All changes in their fair value are recorded in income unless cash flow hedge accounting
is applied, in which case changes in fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income.
The Company has elected to apply this accounting treatment for all embedded derivatives in host
contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2003. |
|
|
|
The adoption of these standards did not result in any material impact on the Companys
financial statements. |
|
3. |
|
Seasonality of operations: |
|
|
|
The Companys operations are both seasonal and event driven. Auction revenues tend to be
highest during the second and fourth calendar quarters. The Company generally conducts more
auctions during these quarters than during the first and third calendar quarters. Mid-December
through mid-February and July through August are traditionally less active periods. |
|
|
|
In addition, the Companys revenue is dependent upon the timing of such events as fleet
upgrades and realignments, contractor retirements, and the completion of major projects, among
other things. These events are not predictable and are usually unrelated to fiscal quarters,
making quarter-to-quarter comparability difficult. |
-9-
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and
per share amounts)
(Information as at June 30, 2007 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and
2006 is unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Net book |
|
June 30, 2007 |
|
Cost |
|
|
depreciation |
|
|
value |
|
|
|
Buildings |
|
$ |
150,906 |
|
|
$ |
29,926 |
|
|
$ |
120,980 |
|
Land and improvements |
|
|
150,045 |
|
|
|
8,139 |
|
|
|
141,906 |
|
Land and buildings under development |
|
|
15,514 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,514 |
|
Automotive equipment |
|
|
16,558 |
|
|
|
6,067 |
|
|
|
10,491 |
|
Yard equipment |
|
|
16,770 |
|
|
|
8,344 |
|
|
|
8,426 |
|
Office equipment |
|
|
10,351 |
|
|
|
5,282 |
|
|
|
5,069 |
|
Computer equipment |
|
|
6,039 |
|
|
|
4,274 |
|
|
|
1,765 |
|
Computer software |
|
|
13,739 |
|
|
|
3,646 |
|
|
|
10,093 |
|
Leasehold improvements |
|
|
2,895 |
|
|
|
1,411 |
|
|
|
1,484 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
382,817 |
|
|
$ |
67,089 |
|
|
$ |
315,728 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
Net book |
|
December 31, 2006 |
|
Cost |
|
|
depreciation |
|
|
value |
|
|
|
Buildings |
|
$ |
129,489 |
|
|
$ |
26,319 |
|
|
$ |
103,170 |
|
Land and improvements |
|
|
131,856 |
|
|
|
6,689 |
|
|
|
125,167 |
|
Land and buildings under development |
|
|
25,782 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,782 |
|
Automotive equipment |
|
|
14,675 |
|
|
|
5,677 |
|
|
|
8,998 |
|
Yard equipment |
|
|
15,083 |
|
|
|
7,284 |
|
|
|
7,799 |
|
Office equipment |
|
|
8,174 |
|
|
|
5,075 |
|
|
|
3,099 |
|
Computer equipment |
|
|
5,207 |
|
|
|
3,333 |
|
|
|
1,874 |
|
Computer software |
|
|
10,187 |
|
|
|
2,298 |
|
|
|
7,889 |
|
Leasehold improvements |
|
|
2,387 |
|
|
|
1,074 |
|
|
|
1,313 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
342,840 |
|
|
$ |
57,749 |
|
|
$ |
285,091 |
|
|
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company capitalized interest of $672,000 (six
months ended June 30, 2006 $635,000) to the cost of land and buildings under development.
-10-
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and
per share amounts)
(Information as at June 30, 2007 and for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and
2006 is unaudited)
5. |
|
Short-term debt: |
|
|
|
Short-term debt at June 30, 2007 consisted of draws on the Companys revolving credit
facilities with a weighted average interest rate of 7.43% per annum. |
|
6. |
|
Long-term debt: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
Term loan, unsecured, bearing interest at 5.61%, due
in quarterly installments of interest only, with full
amount of the principal due in 2011. |
|
$ |
29,890 |
|
|
$ |
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term loan, denominated in Canadian dollars, secured by
a general security agreement, bearing interest at
4.429%, due in monthly installments of interest only,
with the full amount of the principal due in 2010. |
|
|
13,900 |
|
|
|
12,864 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Term loan, denominated in Australian dollars, secured
by deeds of trust on specific property, bearing
interest between the prime rate and 6.5%, due in
quarterly installments of AUD75, plus interest, with
final payments of AUD275 occurring in 2008. |
|
|
360 |
|
|
|
454 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,150 |
|
|
|
43,318 |
|
Current portion |
|
|
(254 |
) |
|
|
(237 |
) |
|
Non-current portion |
|
$ |
43,896 |
|
|
$ |
43,081 |
|
|
As at January 1, 2007, the carrying values of the term debt due in 2011 and 2010 were adjusted
by $124,000 and $188,000, respectively, to reflect the adoption of new accounting policies, as
described in note 2.
-11-
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except share and
per share amounts)
(Information as at June 30, 2007 and for the six-month periods
ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 is unaudited)
7. |
|
Share capital: |
|
|
|
(a) Shares issued: |
|
|
|
Common shares issued and outstanding are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
Issued and outstanding, December 31, 2006 |
|
|
34,673,100 |
|
Issued for cash, pursuant to stock options exercised |
|
|
119,550 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued and outstanding, June 30, 2007 |
|
|
34,792,650 |
|
|
(b) Stock option plan:
Stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2007 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
|
Weighted Average |
|
|
|
Under Option |
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
|
Outstanding, December 31, 2006 |
|
|
804,348 |
|
|
$ |
27.92 |
|
Granted |
|
|
163,100 |
|
|
|
56.01 |
|
Exercised |
|
|
(119,550 |
) |
|
|
23.73 |
|
Cancelled |
|
|
(1,200 |
) |
|
|
56.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding, June 30, 2007 |
|
|
846,698 |
|
|
$ |
33.89 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable, June 30, 2007 |
|
|
675,798 |
|
|
$ |
28.47 |
|
|
The options outstanding at June 30, 2007 expire on dates ranging to March 1, 2017.
The following is a summary of stock options outstanding and exercisable at June 30, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding |
|
|
Options Exercisable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
Range of |
|
Number |
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
Number |
|
|
Exercise |
|
Exercise Prices |
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Life (years) |
|
|
Price |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
|
Price |
|
|
|
$11.675 - $13.050 |
|
|
104,900 |
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
$ |
12.34 |
|
|
|
104,900 |
|
|
$ |
12.34 |
|
$13.344 - $15.525 |
|
|
114,098 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
15.15 |
|
|
|
114,098 |
|
|
|
15.15 |
|
$26.460 - $32.410 |
|
|
268,350 |
|
|
|
7.1 |
|
|
|
29.48 |
|
|
|
268,350 |
|
|
|
29.48 |
|
$42.690 - $44.090 |
|
|
197,450 |
|
|
|
8.6 |
|
|
|
44.00 |
|
|
|
188,450 |
|
|
|
44.07 |
|
$56.010 |
|
|
161,900 |
|
|
|
9.7 |
|
|
|
56.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
846,698 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
675,798 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
-12-
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States
dollars, except share and per share amounts)
(Information as at June 30, 2007 and for the six-month periods
ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 is unaudited)
7. |
|
Share capital (continued): |
|
|
|
(c) Stock-based compensation: |
|
|
|
The Company uses the fair value based method to account for employee stock-based compensation
awards. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2007, the Company recognized compensation
cost of $872,000 (2006 $982,000) in respect of options granted in 2007 and 2006 under its
stock option plan. |
|
|
|
For the purposes described above, the fair value of the stock option grants was estimated on
the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following
assumptions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
Risk free interest rate |
|
|
4.5 |
% |
|
|
4.3 |
% |
Dividend yield |
|
|
1.50 |
% |
|
|
1.63 |
% |
Expected lives |
|
5 years |
|
5 years |
Volatility |
|
|
21.8 |
% |
|
|
21.0 |
% |
|
The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the period ended June 30,
2007 was $13.29 per option (2006 $9.86). The fair value method requires that this amount be
amortized over the relevant vesting periods of the underlying options.
-13-
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States
dollars, except share and per share amounts)
(Information as at June 30, 2007 and for the six-month periods
ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 is unaudited)
7. |
|
Share capital (continued): |
|
|
|
(d) Net earnings per share: |
|
|
|
The computations for basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, 2007 |
|
|
Six months ended June 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per share |
|
|
|
Net earnings |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
amount |
|
|
Net earnings |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
amount |
|
|
|
Basic net earnings per share |
|
$ |
26,555 |
|
|
|
34,735,613 |
|
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
$ |
44,114 |
|
|
|
34,707,719 |
|
|
$ |
1.27 |
|
Effect of dilutive securities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
335,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
303,004 |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net earnings per share |
|
$ |
26,555 |
|
|
|
35,071,331 |
|
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
$ |
44,114 |
|
|
|
35,010,723 |
|
|
$ |
1.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, 2006 |
|
|
Six months ended June 30, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per share |
|
|
|
Net earnings |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
amount |
|
|
Net earnings |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
amount |
|
|
|
Basic net earnings per share |
|
$ |
24,526 |
|
|
|
34,540,270 |
|
|
$ |
0.71 |
|
|
$ |
37,724 |
|
|
|
34,497,761 |
|
|
$ |
1.09 |
|
Effect of dilutive securities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
409,483 |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
337,813 |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net earnings per share |
|
$ |
24,526 |
|
|
|
34,949,753 |
|
|
$ |
0.70 |
|
|
$ |
37,724 |
|
|
|
34,835,574 |
|
|
$ |
1.08 |
|
|
8. |
|
Commitments and contingencies: |
|
|
|
The Company is subject to legal and other claims that arise in the ordinary course of its
business. The Company does not believe that the results of these claims will have a material
effect on its financial position or results of operations. |
|
|
|
In the normal course of its business, the Company will in certain situations guarantee to a
consignor a minimum level of proceeds in connection with the sale at auction of that
consignors equipment. At June 30, 2007, outstanding guarantees under contract for industrial
equipment to be sold prior to the end of the fourth quarter of 2007 totaled $9,542,000
(December 31, 2006 $14,581,000 sold prior to the end of the first quarter of 2007)
(undiscounted and before estimated proceeds from sale at auction). The Company also had
guarantees under contract totaling $7,856,000 relating to agricultural auctions to be held
prior to the end of the fourth quarter of 2007 (December 31, 2006 $25,128,000 sold prior to
the end of the second quarter of 2007). No liability has been recorded with respect to these
guarantee contracts. |
-14-
RITCHIE BROS. AUCTIONEERS INCORPORATED
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006
(Tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of United States
dollars, except share and per share amounts)
(Information as at June 30, 2007 and for the six-month periods
ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 is unaudited)
9. |
|
United States generally accepted accounting principles: |
|
|
|
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP) in Canada which differ, in certain respects, from accounting
practices generally accepted in the United States and from requirements promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission. However, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006,
net earnings in accordance with Canadian GAAP were not significantly different from net
earnings had they been presented in accordance with United States GAAP. |
-15-
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
The following discussion summarizes significant factors affecting the consolidated operating
results and financial condition of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated (Ritchie Bros., the
Company, we or us) for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 compared to the
three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006. This discussion should be read in conjunction
with our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the periods
ended June 30, 2007, and with the disclosures below regarding forward-looking statements and risk
factors. You should also consider our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto
and our Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for
the year ended December 31, 2006, which are included in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 40-F.
The date of this discussion is as of July 25, 2007. Additional information relating to our
company, including our Annual Information Form, is available by accessing the SEDAR website at
www.sedar.com. Our Annual Report on Form 40-F is available on the SECs EDGAR system at
www.sec.gov. None of the information on the SEDAR or EDGAR websites is incorporated by reference
into this document by this or any other reference.
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in Canada, or Canadian GAAP. There are no material measurement differences between
those financial statements and the financial position and results of operations that would be
reported under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP.
Amounts discussed below are based on our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance
with Canadian GAAP and are presented in United States dollars. Unless indicated otherwise, all
dollar amounts discussed below are expressed in thousands of dollars, except per share amounts.
Ritchie Bros. is the worlds largest auctioneer of industrial equipment. Our world headquarters
are located in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada, and as of the date of this discussion, we
operated from over 110 locations, including 37 auction sites, in more than 25 countries around the
world. We sell, through unreserved public auctions, a broad range of industrial assets, including
equipment, trucks and other assets used in the construction, transportation, mining, forestry,
petroleum, material handling, marine, real estate and agricultural industries. Our mission is to
use unreserved auctions to create a global marketplace for our customers.
We operate mainly in the auction segment of the global industrial equipment marketplace. Our
primary target markets within that marketplace are the used truck and equipment sectors, which are
large and fragmented. The world market for used trucks and equipment continues to grow, primarily
as a result of the increasing, cumulative supply of used trucks and equipment, which is driven by
the ongoing production of new trucks and equipment. Industry analysts estimate that the world-wide
value of used equipment transactions (of the type of equipment we sell at our auctions) is
approximately $100 billion per year. Although we sell more used equipment than any other
organization in the world, our share of this fragmented market is less than 3%. Our secondary
target markets include agricultural and industrial real estate, which are related and complimentary
markets to our primary markets and are also large and fragmented.
In recent periods, approximately 80% of the buyers at our auctions have been end users of equipment
(retail buyers), such as contractors, with the remainder being primarily truck and equipment
dealers and brokers (wholesale buyers). Consignors to our auctions represent a broad mix of
equipment owners, the majority being end users of equipment. Consignment volumes at our auctions
are affected by a number of factors, including regular fleet upgrades and reconfigurations,
financial pressure, retirements, and inventory reductions, as well as by the timing of the
completion of major construction and other projects.
-16-
We compete directly for potential purchasers of industrial assets with other auction companies.
Our indirect competitors include truck and equipment manufacturers, distributors and dealers that
sell new or used industrial assets, and equipment rental companies. When sourcing equipment to
sell at our auctions, we compete with other auction companies, truck and equipment dealers and
brokers, and equipment owners that have traditionally disposed of equipment through private sales.
We believe that we have several key strengths that will enable us to continue to attract increasing
numbers of consignors and bidders to our auctions. Our principal strengths are our reputation for
conducting only unreserved auctions and our widely recognized commitment to fair dealing. Other
important strengths include our size, the international scope of our operations, our extensive
network of auction sites, our marketing skills, our internet tools and our in-depth experience in
the marketplace.
Strict adherence to the unreserved auction process is one of our founding principles and, we
believe, one of our most significant competitive advantages. When we say unreserved we mean that
there are no minimum or reserve prices on anything sold at a Ritchie Bros. auction each item
sells to the highest bidder on sale day, regardless of the price. In addition, consignors (or
their agents) are not allowed to bid on, buy back or in any way influence the selling price of
their own equipment. We maintain this commitment to the unreserved auction process because we
believe that an unreserved auction is a fair auction.
We attract a broad base of bidders from around the world to our auctions. Our worldwide marketing
efforts help to attract bidders, and they are willing to travel long distances or participate
online in part because of our reputation for conducting fair auctions. These multinational bidding
audiences provide a global marketplace that allows our auctions to transcend local market
conditions, which we believe is a significant competitive advantage. Evidence of this is the fact
that in recent periods an average of over 50% of the value of equipment sold at any particular
auction has left the region of the sale.
We believe that our ability to consistently draw significant numbers of local and international
bidders to our auctions, most of whom are end users rather than resellers, is appealing to sellers
of used trucks and equipment and helps us to attract consigned equipment to our auctions. Higher
consignment volumes attract more bidders, which in turn attract more consignments, and so on.
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, we had over 129,000 bidder registrations at our
industrial auctions, compared to more than 118,000 in the first half of 2006. We received in
excess of 17,000 industrial asset consignments in the six months ended June 30, 2007, compared to
over 15,000 in the first half of 2006. A consignment is typically comprised of multiple lots.
Growth Strategies
Our principal goals are to grow our earnings per share at a manageable pace and to maintain the
Ritchie Bros. culture. Our preference is to pursue sustainable growth with a consistently high
level of customer service, rather than targeting aggressive growth and risking erosion of our
customer service, which we believe differentiates us from our competitors. To grow our business,
we are focusing simultaneously on three different fronts, and we believe these three key components
of our strategy work in unison. Although we have been pursuing this strategy for some time, our
articulation of this strategy has been updated and changed somewhat from our previous discussions
to reflect the ongoing evolution of our business.
1. |
|
Our people |
|
|
|
One of our key strategies is to build the team that will help us achieve our goals. This
includes recruiting, training and developing the right people, as well as enhancing the
productivity of our sales force and our administrative support teams by giving them the tools
and training they need to be effective. This component of our strategy also includes active
succession planning and leadership development, with a focus on promoting from within our
company. |
|
|
Our ability to recruit and train capable new members for our sales team has a significant
influence on our rate of growth. Ours is a relationship business and our Territory Managers
are the main point of contact with our customers. We look for bright, hard-working individuals
with positive attitudes, and we are committed to providing our people with a great workplace
and opportunities to grow with the company and become future leaders of our global team. |
|
2. |
|
Our places |
|
|
|
We intend to continue to expand our presence in existing markets and enter new markets, and to
expand our international auction site network to handle the expected growth in our business. |
|
|
|
Although we expect that most of our growth over the next five years will come from expanding
our business and increasing our penetration in regions where we already have a presence, such
as the United States and Western Europe, we anticipate that emerging markets in developing
countries will be important in the longer term. |
|
|
|
We aim to increase our market share in our core markets of construction, transportation and
agricultural equipment, and to sell more assets in categories that are complimentary to these
core markets. Examples of these complimentary categories include mining, forestry, industrial
marine, real estate and others. |
|
|
|
We also plan to expand our international network of auction sites, opening an average of two to
three sites per year. Our shorter-term focus for this expansion is the United States and
Western Europe. In addition, we intend to continue to hold offsite auctions in new regions to
expand the scope of our operations. |
|
3. |
|
Our processes |
|
|
|
We are committed to developing and continually refining the processes and systems that we use
to conduct our business, and we expect that this continuous improvement process will allow us
to grow our revenues faster than our operating costs. We believe that our M07 strategic
initiative is helping us to develop business processes and systems that are efficient,
consistent and scalable, and a continuous improvement mindset in our company. Part of our M07
initiatives includes the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (or ERP) system,
which we commenced in 2006 and expect to substantially complete in 2007. We also intend to use
technology to facilitate our growth and enhance the quality and service level of our auctions. |
We believe that these three components work together because our people help us to achieve our
goals, our places give us focus areas for and the capacity to handle growth, and our processes help
to facilitate revenue growth at a quicker pace than our operating cost increases.
Operations
The majority of our industrial auctions are held at our permanent auction sites, where we own the
land and facilities, or at regional auction units, where we lease the land. We also hold off-site
auctions at temporary locations, often on land owned by one of the main consignors to the
particular auction. Most of our agricultural auctions are off-site auctions that take place on the
consignors farm. During the first six months of 2007, 85% of our total gross auction proceeds was
attributable to auctions held at our permanent auction sites and regional auction units (first six
months of 2006 89%). Gross auction proceeds represent the total proceeds from all items sold at
our auctions (please see further discussion below).
We are also using the internet to increase our level of service and to expand the geographic scope
of our bidding audience and the appeal of our auctions. Approximately 26% of the bidder
registrations at our industrial auctions during the six months ended June 30, 2007 were over the
internet (first six months of 2006 23%).
During the first half of 2007, we conducted 87 unreserved industrial auctions at locations in North
America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Mexico (first half of 2006 85). We also held 146
unreserved agricultural auctions during the six months ended June 30, 2007, primarily in Canada and
the United States (first six months of 2006 115). Although our auctions have varied in size over
the last 12 months, our average industrial auction during the 12 month period ended June 30, 2007
attracted over 1,400 bidder registrations (12 months ended June 30, 2006 1,300) and featured over
1,400 lots (12 months ended June 30, 2006 1,300) consigned by 188 consignors (12 months ended
June 30, 2006 182), generating average gross auction proceeds of approximately $15.9 million per
auction (12 months ended June 30, 2006 $13.9 million). Our agricultural auctions over the last
12 months averaged approximately $0.7 million in size, compared to $0.9 million over the same
period in 2006.
Approximately 59% of our auction revenues in the first half of 2007 was earned from operations in
the United States (first half of 2006 63%), 22% was generated from auctions in Canada (first half
of 2006 20%) and the remaining 19% was earned from auctions in countries other than the United
States and Canada, primarily in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Mexico and Singapore (first
half of 2006 17%). We had 891 full-time employees at June 30, 2007, including 259 sales
representatives, compared to 748 and 226, respectively, as at June 30, 2006.
We are a public company and our common shares are listed under the symbol RBA on the New York
Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange (or the TSX). On
July 25, 2007, we had 34,794,500 common shares issued and outstanding and stock options outstanding to
purchase a total of 844,848
common shares.
Sources of Revenue and Revenue Recognition
Gross auction proceeds, which until recently we referred to as gross auction sales, represent the
total proceeds from all items sold at our auctions. Our definition of gross auction proceeds may
differ from those used by other participants in our industry. Gross auction proceeds is an
important measure we use in comparing and assessing our operating performance. It is not a measure
of our financial performance, liquidity or revenue and is not presented in our consolidated
financial statements. We believe that auction revenues, which is the most directly comparable
measure in our Statement of Operations, and certain other line items, are best understood by
considering their relationship to gross auction proceeds. Auction revenues represent the revenues
we earn in the course of conducting our auctions. The portion of our gross auction proceeds that
we do not retain is remitted to our customers who consign items to our auctions.
Auction revenues are comprised of auction commissions earned from consignors through straight
commission and guarantee contracts, net profits on the sale of inventory items, interest income,
handling fees on the sale of certain lots, and the fees applicable to purchases made through our
internet and proxy bidding systems. All revenue is recognized when the auction sale is complete
and we have determined that the auction proceeds are collectible.
Straight commissions are our most common type of auction revenues and are generated by us when we
act as agent for consignors and earn a pre-negotiated, fixed commission rate on the gross sales
price of the consigned equipment at auction. In recent periods, straight commission sales have
represented approximately 75% of our gross auction proceeds volume on an annual basis.
In some situations we guarantee minimum sales proceeds to the consignor and earn a commission based
on the actual results of the auction, typically including a pre-negotiated percentage of any sales
proceeds in excess of the guaranteed amount. The consigned equipment is sold on an unreserved
basis in the same manner as other consignments. If the actual auction proceeds are less than the
guaranteed amount, our commission is reduced, and if the proceeds are sufficiently less, we can
incur a loss on the sale. We factor in a higher rate of commission on these sales to compensate
for the increased risk we assume.
Our financial exposure from guarantee contracts fluctuates over time, but industrial auction
guarantees are usually outstanding for less than 45 days. Agricultural auction guarantees are
generally outstanding for a longer period of time; a common practice is for these contracts to be
signed in the fall of one year for auctions to be held in the spring of the next year.
The combined exposure at any time from all outstanding guarantee contracts can fluctuate
significantly from period to period, but the quarter-end balances averaged approximately $45
million over the last 12 months. Losses, if any, resulting from guarantee contracts are recorded
in the period in which the relevant auction is completed, unless the loss is incurred after the
period end and before the financial reporting date, in which case the loss is accrued in the
financial statements for the period end. In recent periods, guarantee contracts have represented
approximately 15% of gross auction proceeds on an annual basis.
Auction revenues also include the net profit or loss on the sale of inventory in cases where we
acquire ownership of equipment for a short time prior to an auction sale. Following our purchase
of the equipment, we assign it to a specific auction and sell it at that auction in the same manner
as consigned equipment. During the period that we retain ownership, the cost of the equipment is
recorded as inventory on our balance sheet. The net gain or loss on the sale is recorded as
auction revenues. In recent periods, sales of inventory have represented approximately 10% of
gross auction proceeds on an annual basis. We generally refer to our guarantee and outright
purchase business as our underwritten or at-risk business.
The choice by consignors between straight commission, guarantee, or outright purchase arrangements
depends on many factors, including the consignors risk tolerance and sale objectives. In
addition, we do not have a target for the relative mix of contracts. As a result, the mix of
contracts in a particular quarter or year fluctuates and is not necessarily indicative of the mix
in future periods. The composition of our auction revenues and our auction revenue rate (i.e.
auction revenues as a percentage of gross auction proceeds) are affected by the mix and performance
of contracts entered into with consignors in the particular period and fluctuate from period to
period. Our auction revenue rate performance is presented in the table below.
Prior to 2002, our long-term expected average annual auction revenue rate was approximately 8.80%.
With the introduction of a handling fee in 2002 and proxy and internet purchase fees in 2003, our
long-term expected average annual auction revenue rate increased to approximately 9.30%. In 2003,
we determined that we were achieving a sustainably higher average auction revenue rate and we
increased our long-term expected average annual auction revenue rate to 9.50%. At the end of 2003
we increased our expected
average annual auction revenue rate to the range of 9.50% to 10.00%, and our expectation has
remained in this range since then. We achieved an auction revenue rate of 9.96% for the six months
ended June 30, 2007 and we believe that our sustainable average annual auction revenue rate
continues to be in the range of 9.50% to 10.00%, though our actual auction revenue rate may be
above or below this range.
The largest contributor to the variability in our auction revenue rate is the performance, rather
than the amount, of our underwritten business. In a period when our underwritten business performs
better than average, our auction revenue rate typically exceeds the expected average rate.
Conversely, if our underwritten business performs below average, our auction revenue rate will
typically be below the expected average rate.
Our gross auction proceeds and auction revenues are influenced by the seasonal nature of the
auction business, which is determined mainly by the seasonal nature of the construction and natural
resources industries. Our gross auction proceeds and auction revenues tend to be higher during the
second and fourth calendar quarters, during which time we generally conduct more business than in
the first and third calendar quarters.
Our gross auction proceeds and auction revenues are also affected on a period-to-period basis by
the timing of major auctions. In newer markets where we are developing operations, the number and
size of auctions and, as a result, the level of gross auction proceeds and auction revenues, are
likely to vary more dramatically from period to period than in our established markets where the
number, size and frequency of our auctions are more consistent. In addition, economies of scale
are achieved as our operations in a region evolve from conducting intermittent auctions,
establishing a regional auction unit, and ultimately to developing a permanent auction site.
Economies of scale are also achieved when our auctions increase in size, as has occurred in recent
periods.
Because of these seasonal and period-to-period variations, we believe that our gross auction
proceeds and auction revenues are best compared on an annual basis, rather than on a quarterly
basis.
Developments in 2007
Highlights of the first half of 2007 included:
|
|
|
We held the largest auction in our history, at our permanent auction site in Orlando,
Florida, with gross auction proceeds of $172 million. |
|
|
|
|
We broke regional gross auction proceeds records in Fort Worth, Texas, Houston, Texas,
Atlanta, Georgia, Northeast, Maryland, Denver, Colorado, Columbus, Ohio, Edmonton,
Alberta, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Singapore. |
|
|
|
|
We completed our acquisition of the business and assets of Clarke Auctioneers Ltd., a
Rouleau, Saskatchewan-based auctioneer of agricultural equipment. This added to our
network a new auction site. We have not disclosed the terms of this acquisition because
we do not believe they are material to our financial condition or results of operations. |
|
|
|
|
We held our first auctions at our replacement permanent auction site in Denver,
Colorado and at our new permanent auction site in Columbus, Ohio. |
|
|
|
|
We established a regional auction unit near Paris, France, and completed the
acquisition of an approximately 50-acre property nearby on which we are building a new
permanent auction facility. |
|
|
|
|
We completed the purchase of approximately 140 acres of land near Kansas City,
Missouri, on which we expect to commence the construction of a new permanent auction
facility to replace the regional auction unit in that region. We expect to be holding
auctions on this property by the end of 2007 and to open the permanent auction site in
2008. |
|
|
|
We completed the purchase of approximately 160 acres of land in Grande Prairie,
Alberta, on which we expect to build a new permanent auction site to replace our current
permanent facility in that region. The timing of our development of this property has not
yet been determined. |
|
|
|
|
We established a regional auction unit on leased land in Hartford, Connecticut. |
|
|
|
|
As part of our ongoing succession plans, we announced our intention to re-establish the
role of Chief Operating Officer in early 2008 and to appoint Robert Armstrong, our Chief
Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, to this position. We have commenced a search
for a new Chief Financial Officer to succeed Mr. Armstrong. |
|
|
|
|
Randall Wall, our current President, Canada, Europe and Middle East, announced his
intention to change his role in the first half of 2008. Mr. Wall will continue to work
with our company, focusing his efforts on our property development and training
initiatives, but will no longer be one of our Executive Officers. Rather than appointing
a new President, we intend to assign other executives to perform these duties, which is
part of our ongoing succession plans. |
|
|
|
|
We adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan, which is designed to ensure the fair treatment of
shareholders in the event of any take-over offer for our common shares. |
Overall Performance
During the first six months of 2007, we recorded auction revenues of $163.9 million and net
earnings of $44.1 million, or $1.26 per diluted common share. This performance compares to auction
revenues of $134.7 million and net earnings of $36.6 million, or $1.05 per diluted share, during
the first half of 2006, excluding the effect of after-tax gains of $1.1 million ($1.8 million
before tax) on the sale of excess property in Tampa, Florida. Financial statement net earnings
during the first six months ended June 30, 2006 were $37.7 million, or $1.08 per diluted common
share. We have highlighted this gain on the disposal of capital assets because we do not believe
that the sale of excess property is part of our normal operations. Our financial performance in
the first half of 2007 was stronger than the equivalent period in 2006 primarily as a result of
increased gross auction proceeds offset in part by higher operating costs. We ended the first half
of 2007 with working capital of $106.9 million, compared to $94.4 million at December 31, 2006.
Results of Operations
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2006
We conduct operations around the world in a number of different currencies, but our reporting
currency is the United States dollar. In the first half of 2007, approximately 35% of our revenues
and approximately 50% of our operating costs were denominated in currencies other than the United
States dollar, which is roughly consistent with the rates we expect to experience on a full year
basis and with the relative proportions in recent periods. The proportion of revenues denominated
in currencies other than the United States dollar in a given period will differ from the annual
proportion depending on the size and location of auctions held during the period.
The main currencies other than the United States dollar in which our revenues and operating costs
are denominated are the Canadian dollar and the Euro. In recent periods there have been
significant fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar and Euro relative to the United States
dollar. These fluctuations affect our reported auction revenues and operating expenses when
non-United States dollar amounts are converted into United States dollars for financial statement
reporting purposes. However, in recent periods, the effect on reported auction revenues and
operating expenses in our consolidated financial statements has largely offset, making the impact
of the currency fluctuation on our annual net earnings essentially neutral.
United States Dollar Exchange Rate Comparison
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change in U.S.$ |
|
Average value of one U.S. dollar: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canadian dollar |
|
$ |
1.1349 |
|
|
$ |
1.1385 |
|
|
|
|
% |
Euro |
|
|
0.7523 |
|
|
|
0.8136 |
|
|
|
-8 |
% |
Auction Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
Auction revenues |
|
$ |
163,905 |
|
|
$ |
134,653 |
|
|
|
22 |
% |
|
|
Gross auction proceeds |
|
$ |
1,645,624 |
|
|
$ |
1,402,021 |
|
|
|
17 |
% |
Auction revenue rate |
|
|
9.96 |
% |
|
|
9.60 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Our auction revenues increased in the first half of 2007 compared to the equivalent period in 2006
primarily as a result of higher gross auction proceeds in most of our markets around the world, in
particular the United States, Canada and Europe, and a higher auction revenue rate. Our
underwritten business (guarantee and inventory contracts) represented 23% of our total gross
auction proceeds in the first half of 2007 (first half of 2006 27%), which is in a similar range
to the proportions experienced in recent periods.
Our agricultural division generated gross auction proceeds of $94.1 million during the first half
of 2007, compared to $98.9 million in the corresponding period in 2006. We believe that the
decrease in this division between the first half of 2007 and the first half of 2006 is an example
of the variability of our sales from period to period resulting from the timing and size of
individual auctions, and not necessarily an indication of a trend in this business.
Our auction revenue rate for the first half of 2007 was within our expected range of 9.50% to
10.00%. The increase compared to our performance in the equivalent period in 2006 related
primarily to the performance of our underwritten business, which performed better in 2007 than in
2006. We continue to believe that our sustainable average auction revenue rate will be within our
expected range. However, our experience has shown that our auction revenue rate is difficult to
estimate precisely, which means our actual auction revenue rate in future periods may be above or
below our expected range.
Our auction revenues and our net earnings are influenced to a great extent by small changes in our
auction revenue rate. For example, a 10 basis point (0.1%) increase or decrease in our auction
revenue rate during the first half of 2007 would have impacted auction revenues by approximately
$1.6 million, of which approximately $1.0 million or $0.03 per common share would have flowed
through to net earnings after tax in our statement of operations, assuming no other changes. This
factor is important to consider when evaluating our current and past performance, as well as when
judging future prospects.
Direct Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
Direct expenses |
|
$ |
20,009 |
|
|
$ |
17,791 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
Direct expenses as a percentage of
gross auction proceeds |
|
|
1.22 |
% |
|
|
1.27 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Direct expenses are the costs we incur specifically to conduct an auction. Direct expenses include
the costs of hiring temporary personnel to work at the auction, advertising directly related to the
auction, travel costs
for employees to attend and work at the auction, security hired to safeguard equipment at the
auction site and rental expenses for temporary auction sites. At each quarter end, we estimate the
direct expenses incurred with respect to auctions completed near the end of the period. In the
subsequent quarter, these accruals are adjusted, to the extent necessary, to reflect actual costs
incurred.
Our direct expense rate, which represents direct expenses as a percentage of gross auction
proceeds, fluctuates from period to period based in part on the size and location of the auctions
we hold during a particular period. The direct expense rate generally decreases as the average
size of our auctions increases. In addition, we usually experience lower direct expense rates for
auctions held at permanent auction sites compared to auctions held at offsite locations, mainly as
a result of the economies of scale and other efficiencies that we typically experience at permanent
auction sites. Our direct expense rate for the first half of 2007 was roughly consistent with the
rate we achieved in the comparable period in 2006.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
$ |
9,008 |
|
|
$ |
6,314 |
|
|
|
43 |
% |
Depreciation is calculated on either a straight line or a declining balance basis on capital assets
employed in our business, including buildings, computer hardware and software, automobiles and yard
equipment. Depreciation increased in the first half of 2007 compared to the first half of 2006 as
a result of depreciation relating to new assets that we have put into service in recent periods,
such as new auction facilities and our ERP system implementation. We expect our depreciation in
future periods to increase in line with our on-going capital expenditures.
General and Administrative Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
$ |
65,062 |
|
|
$ |
52,704 |
|
|
|
23 |
% |
General and administrative expenses, or G&A, include such expenditures as personnel (salaries,
wages, bonuses and benefits), non-auction related travel, information technology, repairs and
maintenance, advertising and utilities.
Our infrastructure and workforce have continued to grow to support our growth objectives, and this,
combined with other factors such as costs associated with our ERP implementation and business
process improvement projects, and currency fluctuations, has resulted in an increase in our G&A.
Personnel costs are the largest component of our G&A, and our workforce increased 19% between June
30, 2006 and June 30, 2007. We expect ongoing expansion of our infrastructure and workforce to
support our growth objectives, and this will continue to influence future levels of G&A.
Gain on Disposition of Capital Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
Gain on disposition of capital assets |
|
$ |
156 |
|
|
$ |
1,917 |
|
|
|
-92 |
% |
The gain on disposition of capital assets recorded in the first half of 2006 included a $1.8
million gain recorded on the sale of excess property in Tampa, Florida. There was no disposition
of excess property during the first six months of 2007.
Income Taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
Income taxes |
|
$ |
26,082 |
|
|
$ |
21,788 |
|
|
|
20 |
% |
Effective income tax rate |
|
|
37.2 |
% |
|
|
36.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Income taxes have been calculated using the tax rates in effect in each of the tax jurisdictions in
which we earn our income. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2007 was higher
than the rate we experienced in the comparable period of the preceding year as a result of
differences in earnings within the various tax jurisdictions in which we earn our income. Income
tax rates in future periods will fluctuate depending upon the impact of unusual items and the level
of earnings in the different tax jurisdictions in which we earn our income.
Net Earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
|
Net earnings |
|
$ |
44,114 |
|
|
$ |
37,724 |
|
|
|
17 |
% |
Net earnings per share basic |
|
|
1.27 |
|
|
|
1.09 |
|
|
|
17 |
% |
Net earnings per share diluted |
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
1.08 |
|
|
|
17 |
% |
Our net earnings in the first half of 2007 were higher than our earnings for the equivalent period
in 2006, primarily as a result of increased gross auction proceeds and a higher auction revenue
rate, partially offset by higher operating costs and income taxes. Net earnings for the first half
of 2006 would have been $36.6 million, or $1.06 and $1.05 per basic and diluted share,
respectively, if we excluded the $1.1 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, after-tax ($1.8 million
before tax) effect of gains recorded on the sale of excess property in Florida during the period.
Excluding the impact of this gain recorded in the first six months of 2006, our net earnings
increased by 20% during the first half of 2007.
Quarter Ended June 30, 2007 Compared to Quarter Ended June 30, 2006
United States Dollar Exchange Rate Comparison
The proportion of revenues and expenses denominated in currencies other than the United States
dollars in a given period will differ from the annual proportion depending on the size and location
of auctions held during the period, but is roughly consistent with the rates we expect to
experience on a full year basis and from period to period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change in U.S. $ |
|
|
Average value of one U.S. dollar: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canadian dollar |
|
$ |
1.0981 |
|
|
$ |
1.1224 |
|
|
|
-2 |
% |
Euro |
|
|
0.7523 |
|
|
|
0.7945 |
|
|
|
-5 |
% |
Auction Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
|
Auction revenues |
|
$ |
94,543 |
|
|
$ |
78,680 |
|
|
|
20 |
% |
|
|
Gross auction proceeds |
|
$ |
945,256 |
|
|
$ |
830,493 |
|
|
|
14 |
% |
Auction revenue rate |
|
|
10.00 |
% |
|
|
9.47 |
% |
|
|
|
|
The increase in auction revenues in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the equivalent period in
2006 was primarily attributable to higher gross auction proceeds, especially in the United States,
Canada and Europe, and a higher auction revenue rate applicable to those sales. Our agricultural
division generated gross auction proceeds of $82.1 million during the second quarter of 2007,
compared to $68.5 million in the equivalent period in 2006. The increase in the second quarter of
2007 related almost entirely to the timing of sales between periods. Our underwritten business
represented 23% of gross auction proceeds in the second quarter of 2007 (2006 31%), which is
within the range we have experienced in recent periods.
Direct Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
Direct expenses |
|
$ |
12,938 |
|
|
$ |
11,365 |
|
|
|
14 |
% |
Direct expenses as a percentage of
gross auction proceeds |
|
|
1.37 |
% |
|
|
1.37 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Our direct expense rate fluctuates from period to period based in part on the size and location of
the auctions we hold during a particular period. Our direct expense rate in the second quarter of
2007 was comparable to the rate experienced in the corresponding quarter in 2006.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
$ |
4,783 |
|
|
$ |
3,060 |
|
|
|
56 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization in the second quarter of 2007 increased compared to the second
quarter of 2006 as a result of depreciation relating to new assets that we have put into service in
recent periods, such as new auction facilities and our ERP system.
General and Administrative Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
$ |
34,333 |
|
|
$ |
26,551 |
|
|
|
29 |
% |
The increase in our G&A was consistent with the growth in our business and also reflected costs
associated with our ERP implementation and business process improvement projects, and currency
fluctuations. The main contributor to our G&A growth for the second quarter of 2007 compared to
the second quarter of 2006 was our increased headcount. Our workforce grew by 20%, which resulted
in higher personnel costs for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.
Gain on Disposition of Capital Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
Gain on disposition of capital assets |
|
$ |
93 |
|
|
$ |
1,812 |
|
|
|
-95 |
% |
We recorded a gain on the sale of excess property in Tampa, Florida in the second quarter of 2006.
There was no disposition of excess property in the second quarter of 2007.
Income Taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
Income taxes |
|
$ |
16,215 |
|
|
$ |
14,746 |
|
|
|
10 |
% |
Effective income tax rate |
|
|
37.9 |
% |
|
|
37.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Income taxes have been calculated using the tax rates in effect in each of the tax jurisdictions in
which we earn our income. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 was roughly
consistent with the rate we experienced in the same quarter in 2006. Income tax rates in future
periods will fluctuate depending upon the impact of any unusual items and the level of earnings in
the different tax jurisdictions in which we earn our income.
Net Earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
|
Net earnings |
|
$ |
26,555 |
|
|
$ |
24,526 |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
Net earnings per share basic |
|
|
0.76 |
|
|
|
0.71 |
|
|
|
7 |
% |
Net earnings per share diluted |
|
|
0.76 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
Net earnings in the second quarter of 2007 were higher than our net earnings in the comparable
period in 2006 primarily as a result of increased gross auction proceeds and a higher auction
revenue rate, partially offset by higher operating costs and income taxes. Net earnings in the
second quarter of 2006 would have been $23.4 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, excluding the
$1.1 million after-tax ($1.8 million before tax) effect of gains recorded on the sale of excess
property in Florida. Excluding the impact of this gain recorded in 2006, our net earnings
increased by 13% in 2007.
Summary of Quarterly Results
The following tables present our unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations for each of
our last eight fiscal quarters. This data has been derived from our unaudited consolidated
financial statements, which were prepared on the same basis as our annual audited consolidated
financial statements and, in our opinion, include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for
the fair presentation of such information. These unaudited quarterly results should be read in
conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31,
2006 and 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q2 2007 |
|
Q1 2007 |
|
Q4 2006 |
|
Q3 2006 |
|
|
Gross auction proceeds (1) |
|
$ |
945,256 |
|
|
$ |
700,368 |
|
|
$ |
738,731 |
|
|
$ |
580,271 |
|
|
|
|
Auction revenues |
|
$ |
94,543 |
|
|
$ |
69,362 |
|
|
$ |
70,699 |
|
|
$ |
55,688 |
|
Net earnings |
|
|
26,555 |
|
|
|
17,559 |
|
|
|
9,790 |
(2) |
|
|
9,704 |
|
|
Net earnings per share basic |
|
$ |
0.76 |
|
|
$ |
0.51 |
|
|
$ |
0.28 |
(2) |
|
$ |
0.28 |
|
Net earnings per share diluted |
|
|
0.76 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
0.28 |
(2) |
|
|
0.28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q2 2006 |
|
Q1 2006 |
|
Q4 2005 |
|
Q3 2005 |
|
|
Gross auction proceeds (1) |
|
$ |
830,493 |
|
|
$ |
571,528 |
|
|
$ |
589,865 |
|
|
$ |
364,005 |
|
|
|
|
Auction revenues |
|
$ |
78,680 |
|
|
$ |
55,973 |
|
|
$ |
59,933 |
|
|
$ |
38,430 |
|
Net earnings |
|
|
24,526 |
(3) |
|
|
13,198 |
|
|
|
14,203 |
|
|
|
4,568 |
|
|
Net earnings per share basic |
|
$ |
0.71 |
(3) |
|
$ |
0.38 |
|
|
$ |
0.41 |
|
|
$ |
0.13 |
|
Net earnings per share diluted |
|
|
0.70 |
(3) |
|
|
0.38 |
|
|
|
0.41 |
|
|
|
0.13 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Gross auction proceeds represents the total proceeds from all items sold at our
auctions. Gross auction proceeds is not a measure of revenue and is not presented in our
consolidated financial statements. See further discussion above under Sources of Revenue
and Revenue Recognition. |
|
(2) |
|
Net earnings in the fourth quarter of 2006 included a write-down of $223 ($134 after
tax) on land held for resale in Texas. Excluding this amount, net earnings would have
been $9,924, or $0.28 per basic and diluted share, respectively. |
|
(3) |
|
Net earnings in the second quarter of 2006 included a gain of $1,812 recorded on the
sale of excess property in Florida ($1,087, or $ 0.03 per diluted share, after
tax). Excluding this amount, net earnings would have been $23,439, or $0.68 and $0.67 per
basic and diluted share, respectively. |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
Working capital |
|
$ |
106,877 |
|
|
$ |
94,369 |
|
|
|
13 |
% |
Our cash position can fluctuate significantly from period to period, largely as a result of
differences in the timing, size and number of auctions, the timing of the receipt of auction
proceeds from buyers, and the timing of the payment of net amounts due to consignors. We generally
collect auction proceeds from buyers within seven days of the auction and pay out auction proceeds
to consignors approximately 21 days following an auction. If auctions are conducted near a period
end, we may hold cash in respect of those auctions that will not be paid to consignors until after
the period end. Accordingly, we believe that working capital, including cash, is a more meaningful
measure of our liquidity than cash alone. In our opinion, our working capital balance at June 30,
2007 is adequate to satisfy our present operating requirements.
Cash Flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended June 30, |
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
|
Cash provided by (used in): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operations |
|
$ |
72,757 |
|
|
$ |
96,829 |
|
|
|
-25 |
% |
Investing |
|
|
(29,810 |
) |
|
|
(19,381 |
) |
|
|
-54 |
% |
Financing |
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
(9,457 |
) |
|
|
|
% |
Similar to the discussion above about our cash position, our cash provided by operations can
fluctuate significantly from period to period, largely as a result of differences in the timing,
size and number of auctions, the timing of the receipt of auction proceeds from buyers, and the
timing of the payment of net amounts due to consignors. Therefore, we do not believe that the
change in our cash provided by operations during the period ended June 30, 2007 is indicative of a
trend.
Capital asset additions were $32.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to $22.6
million in the equivalent period of 2006. Our capital expenditures in the first half of 2007
related primarily to the construction of our new permanent auction sites in Houston, Texas, Kansas
City, Missouri, and Paris, France, to the acquisition of land in Grande Prairie, Alberta, and to
investments in computer software and equipment as part of our M07 initiatives. Exchange rate
changes relating to capital assets held in currencies other than the United States dollar resulted
in an increase of $8.6 million in the capital assets reported on our consolidated balance sheet as
at June 30, 2007, compared to an increase of $5.8 million in 2006. Cash used in investing
activities during the first half of 2006 included the acquisition of the business and certain
assets of Dennis Biliske Auctioneers.
We intend to enhance our network of auction sites by adding facilities in selected locations around
the world as appropriate opportunities arise, either to replace existing auction facilities or to
establish new sites. Our actual expenditure levels in future periods will depend largely on our
ability to identify, acquire and develop suitable auction sites. Over the next four years we
intend to add or replace an average of two to three auction sites per year, and possibly up to four
sites per year.
From 2007 through 2010, we expect that our average annual capital expenditures will be in the range
of $50 million to $100 million per year, as we continue to invest in the expansion of our network
of auction facilities and fund our process improvement initiatives. Actual expenditures will vary,
depending on the availability and cost of suitable expansion opportunities and prevailing business
and economic conditions, and could be higher or lower than this range. Depending on the scope of
the required system improvements, the M07 expenditures will likely be primarily for software,
hardware and related systems. We expect to fund future capital expenditures primarily from working
capital or draws on available credit facilities.
We paid regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.21 per share during each of the quarters ended June
30, 2007 and March 31, 2007. Total dividend payments were $14.6 million for the first half of
2007, compared to total dividend payments of $12.4 million in the equivalent period of 2006. These
dividends were considered eligible dividends for Canadian income tax purposes.
We borrowed $11.4 million on our revolving credit facilities during June 2007 to fund inventory
purchases in a jurisdiction where our cash balances were not sufficient to cover the needs of these
particular contracts. This amount was recorded as short-term debt at June 30, 2007 and carried a
weighted-average interest rate of 7.43% per annum.
Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities
Our long-term debt and available credit facilities at June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
% Change |
|
|
Long-term debt (including current portion of
long-term debt) |
|
$ |
44,150 |
|
|
$ |
43,318
|
|
|
|
2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revolving credit facilities total available: |
|
$ |
129,965 |
|
|
$ |
118,995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revolving credit facilities total unused: |
|
$ |
118,604 |
|
|
$ |
118,995 |
|
|
|
|
|
Our credit facilities are with financial institutions in the United States, Canada, The
Netherlands, The United Kingdom and Australia. Certain of the facilities include commitment fees
applicable to the unused credit amount. During the quarter ended June 30, 2007, we increased our
revolving credit facilities in
Australia by AU$10 million. As at June 30 2007, we had no floating rate long-term debt and were in
compliance with all financial covenants applicable to our long-term debt. Our long-term debt at
June 30, 2007 carried interest rates ranging from 4.429% to 6.5%.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
Although we cannot accurately anticipate the future effect of inflation on our financial condition
or results of operations, inflation historically has not had a material impact on our operations.
Because we conduct operations in local currencies in countries around the world, yet have the
United States dollar as our reporting currency, we are exposed to currency fluctuations and
exchange rate risk on all operations conducted in currencies other than the United States dollar.
We cannot accurately predict the future effects of foreign currency fluctuations on our financial
condition or results of operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, approximately 35% of
our revenues were earned in currencies other than the United States dollar and approximately 50% of
our operating costs were denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar, and we
believe this ratio generally acts as a natural hedge against exposure to fluctuations in the value
of the United States dollar. As a result, we have not adopted a long-term hedging strategy to
protect against foreign currency fluctuations associated with our operations denominated in
currencies other than the United States dollar, but we will consider hedging specific transactions
when appropriate.
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, we recorded an increase in our foreign currency
translation adjustment balance of $7.4 million, compared to an increase of $5.5 million in the
first half of 2006. Our foreign currency translation adjustment arises from the translation of our
net assets denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar into our reporting
currency. Changes in this balance arise primarily from the strengthening or weakening of
non-United States currencies against the United States dollar.
Legal and Other Proceedings
From time to time we have been, and expect to continue to be, subject to legal proceedings and
claims in the ordinary course of our business. Such claims, even if lacking merit, could result in
the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. We are not aware of any legal
proceedings or claims that we believe will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material
adverse effect on us or on our financial condition or results of operations or that involve a claim
for damages, excluding interest and costs, in excess of 10% of our current assets.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
On January 1, 2007, we adopted The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Handbook Section
1530, Comprehensive Income, Section 3251, Equity, Section 3855, Financial Instruments
Recognition and Measurement, Section 3861, Financial Instruments Disclosure and Presentation
and Section 3865, Hedges.
Section 1530 establishes standards for disclosure and presentation of comprehensive income, which
represents the change in equity from transactions and other events from non-owner sources. Other
comprehensive income refers to items recognized in comprehensive income that are excluded from net
earnings calculated in accordance with Canadian GAAP. Other comprehensive income has been included
in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the six-month periods ended June 30,
2007 and 2006.
Section 3861 establishes standards for disclosure and presentation of financial instruments and
non-financial derivatives. Under the new standards, policies followed for periods prior to the
effective date generally are not reversed and therefore, comparative figures are not restated,
except for the requirement to restate our foreign currency translation adjustment as part of other
comprehensive income.
Section 3865 describes when and how hedge accounting can be applied as well as disclosure
requirements. Section 3855 prescribes when a financial asset, financial liability or non-financial
derivative is to be recognized on the balance sheet, and the amount at which these items should be
recorded. Under the new standard, financial instruments must be classified into one of five
categories: held-for-trading; held-to-maturity; loans and receivables; available-for-sale; or other
financial liabilities.
All financial instruments, including derivatives, are measured in the balance sheet at fair value,
except loans and receivables, held-to-maturity investments and other financial liabilities, which
are measured at amortized costs. The subsequent measurement and accounting for changes in fair
value will depend on their initial classification, as follows: held-for-trading financial assets
are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings; and
available-for-sale financial instruments are measured at fair value with changes in fair value
recorded in other comprehensive income until the investment is derecognized or impaired, at which
time the amounts are recognized in net earnings.
Upon the adoption of these new standards, we designated our cash and cash equivalents as
held-for-trading, which are measured at fair value and changes in fair value are recognized in net
earnings. Accounts receivable are classified as loans and receivables, which are measured at
amortized cost. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, auction proceeds payable, short-term
debt and long-term debt are classified as other financial liabilities, which are measured at
amortized cost. These changes did not have a material effect on our financial statements.
Under the new pronouncements, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the issuance of
financial assets or liabilities are accounted for as part of the carrying value of the associated
instrument at inception, and are recognized over the term of the assets or liabilities using the
effective interest method. As at January 1, 2007, we decreased the carrying value of our long-term
debt by $0.3 million to reflect the new accounting standard.
All derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, are now recorded in the financial
statements at fair value, unless exempted from derivative treatment as a normal purchase and sale.
All changes in their fair value are recorded in income unless cash flow hedge accounting is
applied, in which case changes in fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income. We have
elected in accordance with the new rules to apply this accounting treatment for all embedded
derivatives in host contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2003. However, the adoption of
this standard did not result in a material change to our financial statements.
Other than our adoption of the new standards described above, there have been no significant
changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates since our Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as at and for the year ended December 31,
2006, which is included in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 40-F.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the six months
ended June 30, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our
internal control over financial reporting.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on
current expectations and estimates about our business, and include, among others, statements
relating to:
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our future performance; |
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growth of our operations; |
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growth of the world market for used trucks and equipment; |
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increases in the number of consignors and bidders participating in our auctions; |
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our principal strengths and competitive advantages; |
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our ability to draw consistently significant numbers of local and international
end-user bidders to our auctions; |
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our people, including our ability to recruit, train and develop the right people to
help us achieve our goals; |
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our places, including: our ability to add the capacity necessary to accommodate our
growth; our ability to increase our market share in our core markets and regions and our
ability to expand into complimentary market sectors and new geographic markets; the
acquisition and development of auction facilities and the related impact on our capital
expenditures; |
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our processes, including our M07 initiatives and the effect on our business, results of
operations and capital expenditures, particularly our ability to grow revenues faster than
operating costs; |
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the relative percentage of our gross auction proceeds represented by straight
commission, guarantee and inventory contracts; |
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our auction revenue rates and the sustainability of those rates, and the seasonality of
gross auction proceeds and auction revenues; |
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the performance of our agricultural division, and the variability on our agricultural
sales from period to period; |
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our direct expense rates, depreciation expenses and general and administrative expenses; |
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our future capital expenditures; |
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our internet initiatives and the level of participation in our auctions by internet bidders; |
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the proportion of our revenues and operating costs denominated in currencies other than
the U.S. dollar or the effect of any currency exchange fluctuations on our results of
operations; and |
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financing available to us and the sufficiency of our working capital to meet our
financial needs. |
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as anticipate,
believe, could, continue, estimate, expect, intend, may, might, ongoing, plan,
potential, predict, project, should, will, would, or the negative of these terms, and
similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and
assumptions that are difficult to predict. While we have not described all potential risks related
to our business and owning our common shares, the important factors listed under Risk Factors are
among those that may affect our performance and could cause our actual financial and operational
results to differ significantly from our predictions. We do not intend to update publicly any
forward-looking statements, even if our predictions have been affected by new information, future
events or other developments. You should consider our forward-looking statements in light of these
and other relevant factors.
Risk Factors
Our business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and our past performance is no
guarantee of our performance in future periods. Some of the more important risks that we face are
outlined below and holders of our common shares should consider these risks. The risks and
uncertainties described below are not the only risks and uncertainties we face. Additional risks
and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair
our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, results of
operations and financial condition would suffer.
We may incur losses as a result of our guarantee and outright purchase contracts and advances to
consignors.
Approximately 75% of our business is conducted on a straight commission basis. In certain other
situations we will either offer to:
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guarantee a minimum level of sale proceeds to the consignor, regardless of the ultimate
selling price of the consignment at the auction; or |
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purchase the equipment outright from the consignor for sale in a particular auction. |
If auction proceeds are less than the guaranteed amount, our commission will be reduced or, if
sufficiently lower, we will incur a loss. If auction proceeds are less than the purchase price we
paid for equipment that we take into inventory temporarily, we will incur a loss. Because all of
our auctions are unreserved, there is no way for us to protect against these types of losses by
bidding on or acquiring any of the items at the auction. In recent periods, guarantee and inventory
contracts have generally represented approximately 25% of our annual gross auction proceeds.
Occasionally we advance to consignors a portion of the estimated auction proceeds prior to the
auction. We generally make these advances only after taking possession of the assets to be
auctioned and upon receipt of a security interest in the assets to secure the obligation. If we
were unable to auction the assets or if auction proceeds were less than amounts advanced, we could
incur a loss.
We may incur losses in the event that we are required to make payments to buyers if we are not able
to deliver clear title on the assets sold at our auctions.
Where title registries are commercially available, we guarantee to our buyers that each item
purchased at our auctions is free of liens and other encumbrances, up to the purchase price paid at
our auction. If we are unable to deliver clear title, we provide the buyer with a full refund.
While we exercise considerable effort to ensure that all liens have been identified and, if
necessary, discharged prior to the auction, we occasionally do not properly identify or discharge
liens and have had to make payments to the relevant lienholders or purchasers. We will incur a loss
if we are unable to recover sufficient funds from the consignors to offset these payments;
aggregate losses from these payments could be material.
We may have difficulties sustaining and managing our growth.
One of the main elements of our strategy is to continue to grow our business, primarily by
increasing earnings from operations in markets in which we already operate and by expanding into
new geographic markets and into market segments in which we have not had a significant presence in
the past. As part of this strategy, we may from time to time acquire additional assets or
businesses from third parties. We may not be successful in growing our business or in managing this
growth. For us to grow our business successfully, we need to accomplish a number of objectives,
including:
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recruiting and retaining suitable sales personnel; |
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identifying and developing new geographic markets and market segments; |
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identifying and acquiring, on terms favourable to us, suitable land on which to build
new auction facilities and, potentially, businesses that might be appropriate acquisition
targets; |
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successfully managing expansion; |
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obtaining necessary financing; |
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receiving necessary authorizations and approvals from governments for proposed
development or expansion; |
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successfully integrating new facilities and acquired businesses into our existing
operations; |
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achieving acceptance of the auction process in general by potential consignors, bidders
and buyers; |
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establishing and maintaining favourable relationships with consignors, bidders and
buyers in new markets and market segments, and maintaining these relationships in our
existing markets; |
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capitalizing on changes in the supply of and demand for industrial assets, in our
existing and in new markets; and |
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designing and implementing business processes that are able to support profitable
growth. |
We will likely need to hire additional employees to manage our growth. In addition, growth may
increase the geographic scope of our operations and increase demands on both our operating and
financial systems. These factors will increase our operating complexity and the level of
responsibility of existing and new management personnel. It may be difficult for us to attract and
retain qualified managers and employees, and our existing operating and financial systems and
controls may not be adequate to support our growth. We may not be able to improve our systems and
controls as a result of increased costs, technological challenges, or lack of qualified employees.
Our past results and growth may not be indicative of our future prospects or our ability to expand
into new markets, many of which may have different competitive conditions and demographic
characteristics than our existing markets.
Damage to our reputation for fairness, honesty and conducting only unreserved auctions could harm
our business.
Strict adherence to the unreserved auction process is one of our founding principles and, we
believe, one of our most significant competitive advantages. Closely related to this is our
reputation for fairness and honesty in our dealings with our customers. Our ability to attract new
customers and continue to do business with existing customers could be harmed if our reputation for
fairness, honesty and conducting only unreserved auctions was damaged. If we are unable to maintain
our reputation and police and enforce our policy of conducting unreserved auctions, we could lose
business and our results of operations would suffer.
Decreases in the supply of, demand for, or market values of industrial assets, primarily used
industrial equipment, could harm our business.
Our auction revenues could be reduced if there was significant erosion in the supply of, demand
for, or market values of used industrial equipment, which would affect our financial condition and
results of operations. We have no control over any of the factors that affect the supply of, and
demand for, used industrial equipment, and the circumstances that cause market values for
industrial equipment to fluctuate are beyond our control. In addition, price competition and
availability of industrial equipment directly affect the supply of, demand for, and market value of
used industrial equipment.
Our operating results are subject to quarterly variations.
Historically, our revenues and operating results have fluctuated from quarter to quarter. We expect
to continue to experience these fluctuations as a result of the following factors, among others:
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the size, timing and frequency of our auctions; |
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the seasonal nature of the auction business in general, with peak activity typically
occurring in the second and fourth calendar quarters, mainly as a result of the seasonal
nature of the construction and natural resources industries; |
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the performance of our underwritten business (guarantee and outright purchase contracts); |
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general economic conditions in our markets; and |
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the timing of acquisitions and development of auction facilities and related costs. |
In addition, we usually incur substantial costs when entering new markets, and the profitability of
operations at new locations is uncertain as a result of the increased variability in the number and
size of auctions at new sites. These and other factors may cause our future results to fall short
of investor expectations or not to compare favourably to our past results.
We may incur losses as a result of legal and other claims.
We are subject to legal and other claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. While
the results of these claims have not historically had a material effect on our business, financial
condition or results of operations, we may not be able to defend ourselves adequately against these
claims in the future and we may incur losses. Aggregate losses from and the legal fees associated
with these claims could be material.
We are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations and political and economic instability as a
result of our substantial international operations, which could harm our results of operations.
We conduct business in many countries around the world and intend to continue to expand our
presence in international markets, including emerging markets. Fluctuating currency exchange rates,
acts of terrorism or war, and changing social, economic and political conditions and regulations,
including income tax regulations and political interference, may negatively affect our business in
international markets and our related results of operations. Currency exchange rate fluctuations
between the different countries in which we conduct our operations impact the purchasing power of
buyers, the motivation of consignors, asset values and asset flows between various countries,
including those in which we do not have operations. These factors and other global economic
conditions may harm our business and our operating results.
Although we report our financial results in United States dollars, a significant portion of our
auction revenues is generated at auctions held outside the United States, mostly in currencies
other than the United States dollar. Currency exchange rate changes against the United States
dollar, particularly for the Canadian dollar and the Euro, could affect the presentation of our
results in our financial statements and cause our earnings to fluctuate.
Competition in our core markets could result in reductions in our revenues and profitability.
The used truck and equipment sectors of the global industrial equipment market, and the auction
segment of those markets, are highly fragmented. We compete directly for potential purchasers of
industrial equipment with other auction companies. Our indirect competitors include equipment
manufacturers, distributors and dealers that sell new or used equipment, and equipment rental
companies. When sourcing equipment to sell at our auctions, we compete with other auction
companies, equipment dealers and brokers, and equipment owners that have traditionally disposed of
equipment in private sales.
Our direct competitors are primarily regional auction companies. Some of our indirect competitors
have significantly greater financial and marketing resources and name recognition than we do. New
competitors with greater financial and other resources may enter the industrial equipment auction
market in the future. Additionally, existing or future competitors may succeed in entering and
establishing successful operations in new geographic markets prior to our entry into those markets.
They may also compete against us through internet-based services. If existing or future competitors
seek to gain or retain market share by reducing commission rates, we may also be required to reduce
commission rates, which may reduce our revenue and harm our operating results and financial
condition.
Our internet-related initiatives, which are subject to technological obsolescence and potential
service interruptions, may not contribute to improved operating results over the long-term; in
addition, we may not be able to compete with technologies implemented by our competitors.
We have invested significant resources in the development of our internet platform, including our
rbauctionBid-Live internet bidding service. We use and rely on intellectual property owned by third
parties, which we license for use in providing our rbauctionBid-Live service. Our internet
technologies may not
result in any material long-term improvement in our results of operations or financial condition
and may require further significant investment to help avoid obsolescence. We may also not be able
to continue to adapt our business to internet commerce and we may not be able to compete
effectively against internet auction services offered by our competitors.
The success of our rbauctionBid-Live service and other services that we offer over the internet,
including equipment-searching capabilities and historical price information, will continue to
depend largely on our ability to use suitable intellectual property licensed from third parties,
further development and maintenance of our infrastructure and the internet in general. Our ability
to offer online services depends on the performance of the internet, as well as some of our
internal hardware and software systems.
Viruses, worms and other similar programs, which have in the past caused periodic outages and
other internet access delays, may in the future interfere with the performance of the internet and
some of our internal systems. These outages and delays could reduce the level of service we are
able to offer over the internet. We could lose customers and our reputation could be harmed if we
were unable to provide services over the internet at an acceptable level of performance or
reliability.
The availability and performance of our internal technology infrastructure, as well as the
implementation of an enterprise resource planning system, are critical to our business.
The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our website, processing systems and
network infrastructure are important to our reputation and our business. We will need to continue
to expand and upgrade our technology, transaction processing systems and network infrastructure
both to meet increased usage of our rbauctionBid-Live service and other services offered on our
website and to implement new features and functions. Our business and results of operations could
be harmed if we were unable to expand and upgrade in a timely manner our systems and infrastructure
to accommodate any increases in the use of our internet services, or if we were to lose access to
or the functionality of our internet systems for any reason.
We use both internally developed and licensed systems for transaction processing and accounting,
including billings and collections processing. We are in the process of improving these systems to
accommodate growth in our business. If we are not successful upgrading our technology, transaction
processing systems or network infrastructure to accommodate increased transaction volumes, it could
harm our operations and interfere with our ability to expand our business.
We have embarked on a program to redesign our business processes and to upgrade our information
systems, including implementing an enterprise resource planning system. Our business and results of
operations could be harmed if this ongoing implementation, which is expected to continue during
2007, is not successful. In addition, any difficulties with our systems implementation could have
an adverse effect on our operations and also our ability to evaluate the effectiveness of our
internal control over financial reporting, which could negatively affect our internal control
reporting in accordance with the provisions of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and applicable
securities law in Canada, and of our disclosure controls and procedures, which could negatively
affect our reporting in accordance with the provisions of Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and
applicable securities law in Canada.
We do not currently have a formal disaster recovery plan. If we were subject to a serious security
breach or a threat to business continuity, it could materially damage our business, results of
operations and financial condition.
Our business is subject to risks relating to our ability to safeguard the security and privacy of
our customers confidential information.
We maintain proprietary databases containing confidential personal information about our customers
and the results of our auctions, and we must safeguard the security and privacy of this
information. Despite our efforts to protect this information, we face the risk of inadvertent
disclosure of this sensitive information or an intentional breach of our security measures.
Security breaches could damage our reputation and expose us to a risk of loss or litigation and
possible liability. We may be required to make significant expenditures to protect against security
breaches or to alleviate problems caused by any breaches. Our insurance policies may not be
adequate to reimburse us for losses caused by security breaches.
Our expenses may increase significantly or our operations and ability to expand may be limited as a
result of environmental and other regulations.
A variety of federal, provincial, state and local laws, rules and regulations apply to our
business. These relate to, among other things, the auction business, imports and exports of
equipment, worker safety, privacy of customer information, and the use, storage, discharge and
disposal of environmentally sensitive materials. Failure to comply with applicable laws, rules and
regulations could result in substantial liability to us, suspension or cessation of some or all of
our operations, restrictions on our ability to expand at present locations or into new locations,
requirements for the acquisition of additional equipment or other significant expenses or
restrictions.
The development or expansion of auction sites depends upon receipt of required licenses, permits
and other governmental authorizations. Our inability to obtain these required items could harm our
business. Additionally, changes or concessions required by regulatory authorities could result in
significant delays in, or prevent completion of, such development or expansion.
Under some environmental laws, an owner or lessee of, or other person involved in, real estate may
be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous or toxic substances located on or
in, or emanating from, the real estate, and related costs of investigation and property damage.
These laws often impose liability without regard to whether the owner, lessee or other person knew
of, or was responsible for, the presence of the hazardous or toxic substances. Environmental
contamination may exist at our owned or leased auction sites, or at other sites on which we may
conduct auctions, or properties that we may be selling by auction, from prior activities at these
locations or from neighbouring properties. In addition, auction sites that we acquire or lease in
the future may be contaminated, and future use of or conditions on any of our properties or sites
could result in contamination. The costs related to claims arising from environmental contamination
of any of these properties could harm our financial condition and results of operations.
There are restrictions in the United States and Europe that may affect the ability of equipment
owners to transport certain equipment between specified jurisdictions. One example of these
restrictions is environmental certification requirements in the United States, which prevent
non-certified equipment from entering into commerce in the United States. If these restrictions, or
changes to environmental laws, were to inhibit materially the ability of customers to ship
equipment to or from our auction sites, they could reduce our gross auction proceeds and harm our
business.
International bidders and consignors could be deterred from participating in our auctions if
governmental bodies impose additional export or import regulations or additional duties, taxes or
other charges on exports or imports. Reduced participation by international bidders and consignors
could reduce our gross auction proceeds and harm our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
We depend on the services of a number of key personnel, and our business could be harmed if we lost
one or more of them.
The growth and performance of our business depends to a significant extent on the efforts and
abilities of our executive officers and senior managers. Our business could be harmed if we lost
the services of one or more of these individuals. We do not maintain key man insurance on the lives
of any of our executive officers. Our future success largely depends on our ability to attract,
develop and retain skilled employees in all areas of our business.
Our insurance may be insufficient to cover losses that may occur as a result of our operations.
We maintain property and general liability insurance. This insurance may not remain available to us
at commercially reasonable rates, and the amount of our coverage may not be adequate to cover all
liability that we may incur. Our auctions generally involve the operation of large equipment close
to a large number of people, and despite our focus on safe work practices, an accident could damage
our facilities or injure auction attendees. Any major accident could harm our reputation and our
business. In addition, if we were held liable for amounts exceeding the limits of our insurance
coverage or for claims outside the scope of our coverage, the resulting costs could harm our
results of operations and financial condition.
Certain global conditions may affect our ability to conduct successful auctions.
Like most businesses with global operations, we are subject to the risk of certain global
conditions, such as pandemics or other disease outbreaks, that would restrict our customers travel
patterns. If this situation were to occur, we may not be able to generate sufficient equipment
consignments to sustain our business or to attract enough bidders to our auctions to achieve world
fair market values for the items we sell. This could harm our results of operations and financial
condition.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated
(Registrant) |
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Date: July 30, 2007
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By:
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/s/ Robert S. Armstrong
Robert S. Armstrong,
Corporate Secretary
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