-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, WeQ8oKSPn519pvnjUrxHCRgKnqMMxisL/xrb9PKyOcMOD5VmEFE7Lzbj0gC88Sdx JmrR35xY1X664Dnn2VT+AA== 0001193125-04-134306.txt : 20040806 0001193125-04-134306.hdr.sgml : 20040806 20040806155600 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-04-134306 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20040630 FILED AS OF DATE: 20040806 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000101063 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION - CROPS [0100] IRS NUMBER: 041923360 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NJ FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-01550 FILM NUMBER: 04958152 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 250 E FIFTH ST CITY: CINCINNATI STATE: OH ZIP: 45202 BUSINESS PHONE: 5137848880 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC. STREET 2: 250 EAST FIFTH STREET CITY: CINCINNATI STATE: OH ZIP: 45202 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: UNITED BRANDS CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19900403 10-Q 1 d10q.htm QUARTERLY REPORT Quarterly Report
Table of Contents

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission file number 1-1550

 

CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

New Jersey   04-1923360
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

250 East Fifth Street

Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (513) 784-8000

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes x. No ¨.

 

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

 

Yes x. No ¨.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

 

Yes x. No ¨.

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. As of July 31, 2004, there were 40,845,646 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

 

CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

PART I - Financial Information

    

Item 1 - Financial Statements

    

Consolidated Statement of Income for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

   3

Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2004, December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2003

   4

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

   5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

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

   16

Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   24

Item 4 - Controls and Procedures

   24

PART II - Other Information

    

Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   24

Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   25

Signature

   26

 

2


Table of Contents

 

Part I - Financial Information

 

Item 1 - Financial Statements

 

CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,

    Six Months Ended June 30,

 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net sales

   $ 848,386     $ 829,173     $ 1,641,554     $ 1,300,502  
    


 


 


 


Operating expenses

                                

Cost of sales

     713,722       718,304       1,391,441       1,099,811  

Selling, general and administrative

     78,184       61,345       151,003       106,315  

Depreciation

     10,672       9,258       21,507       16,433  

Loss on sale of Colombian division

     9,289       —         9,289       —    

Gain on sale of Armuelles division

     —         (20,658 )     —         (20,658 )
    


 


 


 


       811,867       768,249       1,573,240       1,201,901  
    


 


 


 


Operating income

     36,519       60,924       68,314       98,601  

Interest income

     577       645       1,363       1,037  

Interest expense

     (9,858 )     (11,556 )     (20,027 )     (21,121 )
    


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     27,238       50,013       49,650       78,517  

Income tax benefit (expense)

     3,000       (1,500 )     500       (3,500 )
    


 


 


 


Income from continuing operations

     30,238       48,513       50,150       75,017  

Discontinued operations

                                

Loss from operations

     —         (1,862 )     —         (5,390 )

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations

     —         9,904       —         11,809  
    


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 30,238     $ 56,555     $ 50,150     $ 81,436  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per common share:

                                

- Continuing operations

   $ 0.74     $ 1.21     $ 1.23     $ 1.88  

- Discontinued operations

     —         0.20       —         0.16  
    


 


 


 


- Net income

   $ 0.74     $ 1.41     $ 1.23     $ 2.04  
    


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per common share:

                                

- Continuing operations

   $ 0.73     $ 1.21     $ 1.18     $ 1.88  

- Discontinued operations

     —         0.20       —         0.16  
    


 


 


 


- Net income

   $ 0.73     $ 1.41     $ 1.18     $ 2.04  
    


 


 


 


 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3


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CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

     June 30,
2004


   December 31,
2003


   June 30,
2003


ASSETS

                    

Current assets

                    

Cash and equivalents

   $ 198,066    $ 134,296    $ 173,588

Trade receivables (less allowances of $8,520, $13,066, and $13,997)

     353,593      292,522      321,619

Other receivables, net

     85,746      84,289      91,304

Inventories

     164,220      193,968      181,001

Prepaid expenses

     18,243      17,528      16,765

Other current assets

     30,319      15,347      12,024
    

  

  

Total current assets

     850,187      737,950      796,301

Property, plant and equipment, net

     403,147      440,978      407,758

Investments and other assets, net

     130,853      93,377      128,243

Trademark

     387,585      387,585      387,585

Goodwill

     42,199      43,219      39,948

Assets of discontinued operations

     —        3,610      17,807
    

  

  

Total assets

   $ 1,813,971    $ 1,706,719    $ 1,777,642
    

  

  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                    

Current liabilities

                    

Notes and loans payable

   $ 8,658    $ 9,195    $ 21,324

Long-term debt of subsidiaries due within one year

     26,659      38,875      115,742

Accounts payable

     329,308      264,373      289,020

Accrued liabilities

     112,291      144,230      122,297
    

  

  

Total current liabilities

     476,916      456,673      548,383

Long-term debt of parent company

     250,000      250,000      250,000

Long-term debt of subsidiaries

     86,754      96,490      94,481

Accrued pension and other employee benefits

     73,440      81,899      82,118

Other liabilities

     84,784      62,414      63,115

Liabilities of discontinued operations

     —        1,897      9,489
    

  

  

Total liabilities

     971,894      949,373      1,047,586
    

  

  

Shareholders’ equity

                    

Common stock, $.01 par value (40,828,654, 40,037,281 and 39,920,942 shares outstanding, respectively)

     408      400      399

Capital surplus

     648,797      630,868      626,056

Retained earnings

     162,551      112,401      94,631

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     30,321      13,677      8,970
    

  

  

Total shareholders’ equity

     842,077      757,346      730,056
    

  

  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 1,813,971    $ 1,706,719    $ 1,777,642
    

  

  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,

 
     2004

    2003

 

Cash provided (used) by:

                

Operations

                

Income from continuing operations

   $ 50,150     $ 75,017  

Depreciation

     21,507       16,433  

Loss on sale of Colombian division

     3,589       —    

Gain on sale of Armuelles division

     —         (20,658 )

Severance payments for Armuelles division

     —         (16,713 )

Changes in current assets and liabilities and other

     (13,169 )     (6,543 )
    


 


Cash flow from operations

     62,077       47,536  
    


 


Investing

                

Capital expenditures

     (17,364 )     (27,246 )

Proceeds from sale of:

                

Colombian division

     28,500       —    

Armuelles division

     571       14,507  

Other property, plant and equipment

     4,551       666  

Other

     (2,362 )     1,359  
    


 


Cash flow from investing

     13,896       (10,714 )
    


 


Financing

                

Issuances of long-term debt

     13,688       79,042  

Repayments of long-term debt

     (36,924 )     (127,311 )

CBL credit facility amendment and other fees

     (537 )     (3,869 )

Increase (decrease) in notes and loans payable

     (537 )     12,835  

Proceeds from exercise of stock options/warrants

     10,768       —    
    


 


Cash flow from financing

     (13,542 )     (39,303 )
    


 


Discontinued operations

     1,339       123,184  
    


 


Increase in cash and equivalents

     63,770       120,703  

Balance at beginning of period

     134,296       52,885  
    


 


Balance at end of period

   $ 198,066     $ 173,588  
    


 


 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

Interim results for Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) are subject to significant seasonal variations and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full fiscal year. The Company’s results during the third and fourth quarters are generally weaker than in the first half of the year due to increased availability of competing fruits and resulting lower prices. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods shown have been made. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information relating to the Company’s financial statements.

 

Note 1 - Earnings Per Share

 

Basic and diluted earnings per common share (“EPS”) are calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,

   Six Months Ended June 30,

     2004

   2003

   2004

   2003

Income from continuing operations

   $ 30,238    $ 48,513    $ 50,150    $ 75,017

Discontinued operations

     —        8,042      —        6,419
    

  

  

  

Net income

   $ 30,238    $ 56,555    $ 50,150    $ 81,436
    

  

  

  

Weighted average common shares outstanding (used to calculate basic EPS)

     40,771      39,965      40,634      39,974

Warrants, stock options and other stock awards

     509      76      1,780      44
    

  

  

  

Shares used to calculate diluted EPS

     41,280      40,041      42,414      40,018
    

  

  

  

Basic earnings per common share:

                           

- Continuing operations

   $ 0.74    $ 1.21    $ 1.23    $ 1.88

- Discontinued operations

     —        0.20      —        0.16
    

  

  

  

- Net income

   $ 0.74    $ 1.41    $ 1.23    $ 2.04
    

  

  

  

Diluted earnings per common share:

                           

- Continuing operations

   $ 0.73    $ 1.21    $ 1.18    $ 1.88

- Discontinued operations

     —        0.20      —        0.16
    

  

  

  

- Net income

   $ 0.73    $ 1.41    $ 1.18    $ 2.04
    

  

  

  

 

The assumed conversions to common stock of the Company’s outstanding warrants, stock options and other stock awards are excluded from the diluted EPS computations for periods in which these items, on an individual basis, have an anti-dilutive effect on diluted EPS.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Note 2 - Sale of Colombian Division

 

In June 2004, the Company sold its banana-producing and port operations in Colombia to Invesmar Ltd. (“Invesmar”), the holding company of C.I. Banacol S.A. Banacol is a Colombian-based producer and exporter of bananas and other fruit products.

 

In exchange for these operations, the Company received, subject to certain post-closing adjustments, $28.5 million in cash; $15 million face amount of notes and deferred payments (of which $3 million is due by September 2004); and the assumption by the buyer of approximately $7 million of pension liabilities.

 

In connection with the sale, Chiquita entered into eight-year agreements to purchase bananas and pineapples from affiliates of the buyer. Under the banana purchase agreement, Chiquita will purchase approximately 11 million boxes of Colombian bananas per year at above-market prices. This resulted in a liability of $33 million at the sale date, which represents the estimated net present value of the above-market premium to be paid for the purchase of bananas over the term of the contract. Substantially all of this liability is included in “Other liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Under the pineapple purchase agreement, Chiquita will purchase approximately 2 million boxes of Costa Rican golden pineapples during the first year of the contract and 2.5 million boxes per year thereafter at below-market prices. This resulted in a receivable of $25 million at the sale date which represents the estimated net present value of the discount to be received for the purchase of pineapples over the term of the contract. Substantially all of this receivable is included in “Investments and other assets, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

Also in connection with the sale, Chiquita agreed that, in the event that it becomes unable to perform its obligations under the banana purchase agreement due to a conflict with U.S. law, Chiquita will indemnify Invesmar primarily for the lost premium on the banana purchases or, alternatively, rescind the sale transaction and allow Invesmar to retain certain port assets in Colombia which had a carrying value of approximately $7 million at the sale date.

 

The net book value of the assets and liabilities transferred in the transaction was $36 million, primarily comprised of $25 million of property, plant and equipment, $19 million of growing crop inventory, $5 million of materials and supplies inventory, $6 million of deferred tax liabilities, and $7 million of pension liabilities. The Company recognized a before-tax loss of $9 million and an after-tax loss of $4 million on the transaction, which takes into account the net $8 million loss from the two long-term fruit purchase agreements.

 

Note 3 - Contingency

 

In April 2003, the Company’s management and audit committee, in consultation with the board of directors, voluntarily disclosed to the U.S. Department of Justice that the Company’s banana-producing subsidiary in Colombia, which was sold in June 2004, had been forced to make “protection” payments to certain groups in that country that have been designated under United States law as foreign terrorist organizations. The Company’s sole reason for submitting to these payment demands was to protect its employees from the risks to their safety if the payments were not made.

 

The voluntary disclosure to the Justice Department was made because the Company’s management became aware that these groups had been designated as foreign terrorist organizations under a U.S. statute that makes it a crime to support such an organization. The Company requested the Justice Department’s guidance. Following the voluntary disclosure, the Department undertook an investigation. The Company has cooperated with that investigation.

 

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Table of Contents

 

In late March 2004, the Department advised that, as part of the investigation, it will be evaluating the role and conduct of the Company and some of its officers. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the investigation or its possible effect on the Company.

 

For a discussion of risks the Company encounters in its international operations, including this matter, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Risks of International Operations.”

 

Note 4 - Sale of Armuelles Division

 

On June 30, 2003, the Company sold the assets of its Armuelles, Panama banana production division for $20 million to a worker cooperative. In connection with this transaction, the cooperative signed a 10-year contract to supply Chiquita with fruit at market prices. Sales proceeds included $15 million in cash financed by a Panamanian bank and $5 million from a loan provided by Chiquita. This loan is being repaid to the Company through an agreed-upon discount to the price per box during the initial years of the contract. As part of the transaction, Chiquita paid $20 million in workers’ severance and certain other liabilities of the Armuelles division, which were previously accrued. The Company recognized a gain of $21 million in the 2003 second quarter on the sale of Armuelles assets and settlement of its severance liabilities.

 

Note 5 - Acquisition of German Distributor

 

On March 27, 2003, the Company acquired the remaining equity interests in Scipio GmbH & Co., a German limited partnership that owns Atlanta AG and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Atlanta”). Atlanta is the primary distributor of Chiquita products in Germany and Austria and had been the Company’s largest customer in Europe for many years. Prior to the acquisition, Atlanta was an investment accounted for under the equity method. Starting with the second quarter of 2003, Atlanta’s operating results were fully consolidated in Chiquita’s financial statements. The acquisition resulted in higher 2004 first quarter sales of $283 million, cost of sales of $262 million, and selling, general and administrative costs of $15 million, all compared to the first quarter 2003.

 

Note 6 - Discontinued Operations

 

The results of Chiquita Processed Foods (“CPF”), several former Atlanta subsidiaries and Progressive Produce Corporation (“Progressive”), all of which have been sold, are included as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Financial Statements for all periods presented in which they were owned.

 

In May 2003, the Company sold CPF to Seneca Foods Corporation for $110 million in cash and approximately 968,000 shares of Seneca preferred stock convertible into an equal number of shares of Seneca Common Stock Class A, which was recorded at its estimated fair value of $13 million on the sale date. Seneca also assumed CPF debt, which was $61 million on the sale date. The Company recognized a $9 million gain on the transaction.

 

In April 2003, the Company sold a port operation of Atlanta for approximately $10 million in cash, resulting in a gain of $3 million. Also in 2003, the Company sold or agreed to sell certain other Atlanta operations, including fresh produce operations in Italy and France, for losses totaling $4 million. Goodwill write-offs included in these amounts were $5 million.

 

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Table of Contents

 

In January 2003, the Company sold Progressive, a California-based distributor of potatoes and onions, for approximately $7 million in cash. A $2 million gain on this sale was recognized in the 2003 first quarter.

 

Beginning with the 2003 third quarter, the Company revised its business segments. The financial information of CPF was previously included in the old Processed Foods business segment, and the Atlanta operations and Progressive were previously included in the old Fresh Produce business segment.

 

The income from discontinued operations presented below includes interest expense of $1 million and $2 million, respectively, on debt assumed by the buyers for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

In the financial information presented below, each of the discontinued operations is included through the date of its sale (in thousands):

 

     Quarter Ended
June 30,


    Six Months Ended
June 30,


 
     2004

   2003

    2004

   2003

 

Net sales

   $ —      $ 65,453     $ —      $ 157,963  
    

  


 

  


Loss from operations

   $ —      $ (1,862 )   $ —      $ (5,390 )

Gain on sale

     —        9,904       —        11,809  
    

  


 

  


Income from discontinued operations

   $ —      $ 8,042     $ —      $ 6,419  
    

  


 

  


 

     June 30,
2004


   December 31,
2003


   June 30,
2003


Assets of discontinued operations:

                    

Current assets

   $ —      $ 2,696    $ 15,231

Property, plant and equipment

     —        868      1,819

Investments and other long-term assets

     —        46      757
    

  

  

     $ —      $ 3,610    $ 17,807
    

  

  

Liabilities of discontinued operations:

                    

Current liabilities

   $ —      $ 1,897    $ 9,489
    

  

  

 

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Note 7 - Pension and Severance Benefits

 

Net periodic benefit cost consists of the following (in thousands):

 

     Quarter Ended
June 30,


    Six Months Ended
June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Defined benefit and severance plans

                                

Service cost

   $ 1,532     $ 865     $ 2,448     $ 1,837  

Interest on projected benefit obligation

     1,327       1,158       3,145       3,042  

Expected return on plan assets

     (605 )     (554 )     (1,192 )     (1,008 )

Recognized actuarial (gain) loss

     161       (137 )     254       (273 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     161       60       274       119  
    


 


 


 


       2,576       1,392       4,929       3,717  

Curtailment gain from Armuelles sale

     —         (4,943 )     —         (4,943 )

Settlement gain from Armuelles sale

     —         (2,456 )     —         (2,456 )
    


 


 


 


     $ 2,576     $ (6,007 )   $ 4,929     $ (3,682 )
    


 


 


 


 

Note 8 - Inventories (in thousands)

 

     June 30,
2004


   December 31,
2003


   June 30,
2003


Bananas

   $ 34,448    $ 41,635    $ 31,547

Other fresh produce

     16,415      10,135      7,476

Processed food products

     5,921      7,592      7,681

Growing crops

     70,766      91,456      92,271

Materials, supplies and other

     36,670      43,150      42,026
    

  

  

     $ 164,220    $ 193,968    $ 181,001
    

  

  

 

Note 9 - Segment Information

 

The Company’s Banana segment includes the sourcing (production and purchase), transportation, marketing and distribution of bananas, including those marketed by Atlanta. The Company’s Other Fresh Produce segment includes the sourcing, marketing and distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables other than bananas. In almost all cases, Chiquita does not grow the other fresh produce sold, but rather sources it from independent growers. Chiquita’s Other Fresh Produce business increased substantially with the March 2003 acquisition of Atlanta, which has annual sales of approximately $900 million in non-banana fresh produce. The Other Fresh Produce segment also includes Chiquita’s new fresh-cut fruit business. Remaining operations from the old Processed Foods segment consist of processed fruit ingredient products, which are produced in Latin America and sold in other parts of the world, and other consumer packaged goods. These operations are reported in “Other.” The Company evaluates the performance of its business segments based on operating income. Intercompany transactions between segments are eliminated.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Financial information for each segment follows (in thousands):

 

     Quarter Ended June 30,

    Six Months Ended June 30,

 
     2004

    2003

    2004

   2003

 

Net sales

                               

Bananas

   $  458,660     $ 454,418     $ 877,922    $ 832,798  

Other Fresh Produce

     372,203       357,968       732,578      439,459  

Other

     17,523       16,787       31,054      28,245  
    


 


 

  


     $ 848,386     $ 829,173     $ 1,641,554    $ 1,300,502  
    


 


 

  


Operating income (loss)

                               

Bananas

   $ 37,222     $ 60,819     $ 64,926    $ 96,015  

Other Fresh Produce

     (1,590 )     (2,575 )     1,806      (861 )

Other

     887       2,680       1,582      3,447  
    


 


 

  


     $ 36,519     $ 60,924     $ 68,314    $ 98,601  
    


 


 

  


 

Note 10 - Debt

 

The Company allowed the bank credit facility of Chiquita Brands, Inc., now known as Chiquita Brands L.L.C. (“CBL”), to expire in June 2004. There had been no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit line since May 2003, and all term loans under the facility had been repaid in full in March 2004. The Company expects to replace the expired facility with a new multi-year revolving credit facility later in 2004.

 

Upon expiration of the CBL credit facility, the Company entered into an agreement with Wells Fargo Bank to provide up to $15 million of letters of credit. At June 30, 2004, letters of credit for $9 million were outstanding.

 

In June 2004, the Company refinanced the debt of its Chiquita Chile subsidiary in the amount of $13 million. Interest is variable based on LIBOR, and principal is due in installments over 5 years. Under the terms of the agreement, which is secured by liens on certain of Chiquita Chile’s assets, the subsidiary is subject to financial covenants, including minimum tangible net worth and limitations on liabilities.

 

In June 2004, a subsidiary of the Company entered into a 17 million euro committed credit line for bank guarantees to be used primarily to guarantee the Company’s payments for licenses used to import bananas into European Union countries. This line is in addition to the Company’s existing 25 million euro uncommitted credit line for bank guarantees.

 

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Note 11 - Comprehensive Income (in thousands)

 

    

Quarter Ended

June 30,


   

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net income

   $ 30,238     $ 56,555     $ 50,150     $ 81,436  

Other comprehensive income

Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)

     1,203       13,648       (4,036 )     16,494  

Change in minimum pension liability

     1,077       4,383       1,077       4,383  

Change in fair value of cost investment

     (1,453 )     —         (3,180 )     —    

Changes in fair value of currency and fuel hedges

     (1,995 )     (8,549 )     3,755       (15,564 )

Losses reclassified from OCI into net income

     7,358       7,320       19,028       13,550  
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive income

   $ 36,428     $ 73,357     $ 66,794     $ 100,299  
    


 


 


 


 

Note 12 - Hedging

 

The Company enters into contracts to hedge its risks associated with euro exchange rate movements, primarily to reduce the negative earnings impact that any significant decline in the value of the euro would have on the conversion of euro-based revenue into U.S. dollars. In late 2003, the Company began to purchase solely put options instead of entering into new forward and zero-cost collar contracts. Purchased put options, which require an upfront premium payment, can reduce the negative earnings impact on the Company of a significant future decline in the value of the euro, without limiting the benefit received from a stronger euro. The Company also enters into hedge contracts for fuel oil for its shipping operations, which permit it to lock in fuel purchase prices for up to two years and thereby minimize the volatility that changes in fuel prices could have on its operating results.

 

Currency hedging costs charged to the Consolidated Statement of Income were $7 million and $18 million for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to $13 million and $22 million for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2003. These costs reduced the favorable impact of the exchange rate on U.S. dollar realizations of euro-denominated sales. At June 30, 2004, unrealized losses of $8 million on the Company’s option and zero-cost collar contracts were included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income”, and substantially all of these losses are expected to be reclassified to net income during the next 12 months.

 

At June 30, 2004, the Company had euro-denominated put options which allow for conversion of approximately €135 million of sales in 2004 at rates ranging from $1.10 per euro to $1.20 per euro, approximately €185 million of sales in the first half of 2005 at rates ranging from $1.15 per euro to $1.23 per euro, and approximately €130 million of sales in the first half of 2006 at rates ranging from $1.17 per euro to $1.20 per euro. Additionally, the Company had zero-cost collar contracts which ensure conversion of approximately €60 million of sales in 2004 at average rates between $1.08 and $1.13 per euro. The Company had 3.5% Rotterdam barge fuel oil forward contracts at June 30, 2004 that require conversion of approximately 100,000 metric tons of fuel oil in 2004 and 90,000 metric tons in 2005 at prices ranging from $130 to $170 per metric ton, and a combination of Singapore and New York Harbor fuel oil forward contracts that require conversion of approximately 20,000 metric tons of fuel oil in 2004 and 20,000 metric tons in 2005 at prices ranging from $145 to $195 per metric ton. At June 30, 2004, the fair value of the foreign currency option and fuel oil forward contracts was $15 million, $9 million of which was included in “Other current assets” and $6 million in “Investments and other assets, net.” The

 

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fair value of the foreign currency zero-cost collar contracts at June 30, 2004 was a loss of approximately $5 million, which was included in “Accrued liabilities.” During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004, the change in the fair value of these contracts relating to hedge ineffectiveness was not significant.

 

Note 13 - Income Taxes

 

The Company’s effective tax rate is affected by the level and mix of income among various domestic and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates. In the 2004 second quarter, income tax expense reflects a $5.7 million benefit from the sale of the Company’s Colombian banana production division. A deferred tax liability of $5.7 million related to Colombia growing crops had been previously recorded; this tax liability was released to income upon sale of the Colombian division.

 

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Note 14 - Stock-Based Compensation

 

Effective January 1, 2003, the Company began using the fair value method to recognize stock option expense in its results of operations for new stock options granted after December 31, 2002. Prior to January 1, 2003, the Company accounted for stock options in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.”

 

The table below illustrates the effect of stock compensation expense on the periods presented as if the Company had always applied the fair value method under SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.”

 

    

Quarter Ended

June 30,


   

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)    2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Income before stock compensation expense

   $ 32,367     $ 56,759     $ 57,732     $ 81,925  

Stock compensation expense included in net income*

     (2,129 )     (204 )     (7,582 )     (489 )
    


 


 


 


Net income

     30,238       56,555       50,150       81,436  

Pro forma stock compensation expense**

     (1,725 )     (1,864 )     (3,450 )     (3,728 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 28,513     $ 54,691     $ 46,700     $ 77,708  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per common share:

                                

Income before stock compensation expense

   $ 0.79     $ 1.42     $ 1.42     $ 2.05  

Stock compensation expense included in net income*

     (0.05 )     (0.01 )     (0.19 )     (0.01 )
    


 


 


 


Net income

     0.74       1.41       1.23       2.04  

Pro forma stock compensation expense**

     (0.04 )     (0.04 )     (0.08 )     (0.10 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 0.70     $ 1.37     $ 1.15     $ 1.94  
    


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per common share:

                                

Income before stock compensation expense

   $ 0.78     $ 1.42     $ 1.36     $ 2.05  

Stock compensation expense included in net income*

     (0.05 )     (0.01 )     (0.18 )     (0.01 )
    


 


 


 


Net income

     0.73       1.41       1.18       2.04  

Pro forma stock compensation expense**

     (0.04 )     (0.04 )     (0.08 )     (0.10 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income

   $ 0.69     $ 1.37     $ 1.10     $ 1.94  
    


 


 


 


 

* Represents expense from stock options and restricted stock awards. Expense for the six months ended June 30, 2004 includes a charge of $3.6 million for awards granted to the Company’s former chairman and chief executive officer that vested upon his retirement as chairman on May 25, 2004. The charge was recorded in the 2004 first quarter.

 

** Represents the additional amount of stock compensation expense that would have been included in net income had the Company applied the fair value method under SFAS No. 123 for awards issued prior to 2003, when the Company first began expensing options.

 

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Options for 325,000 shares were granted during the first quarter of 2004, and no options were granted during the second quarter. During the 2003 first and second quarters, options were granted for 260,000 and 75,000 shares, respectively. The estimated weighted average fair value per option share granted was $12.47 during the first quarter of 2004, $6.58 during the first quarter of 2003 and $6.34 during the second quarter of 2003 using a Black-Scholes option pricing model based on market prices and the following assumptions at the dates of option grant: weighted average risk-free interest rate of 3.0% in the first quarter of 2004, 2.8% in the first quarter of 2003 and 2.9% in the second quarter of 2003; dividend yield of 0%; volatility factor for the Company’s common stock price of 60%; and a weighted average expected life of five years for options not forfeited. Approximately 640,000 options were exercised during the first six months of 2004, resulting in a cash inflow of $11 million.

 

Restricted stock awards for 124,000 shares and 579,000 shares were granted to employees and directors during the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2004. These awards generally vest over 1-4 years, and the fair value of the awards at the grant date is expensed over the vesting periods. The shares are issued at the end of the applicable vesting period.

 

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Item 2

 

CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Overview

 

The most significant factors affecting year-over-year comparisons of the Company’s second quarter 2004 operating income were the gains and losses from the sales of the Colombian and Armuelles banana production divisions. These sales negatively influenced year-over-year operating income comparisons by $30 million. The Company reported a before-tax loss of $9 million on the sale of its Colombian banana production division in the 2004 second quarter and a $21 million gain on the sale of the Armuelles, Panama division in the 2003 second quarter.

 

Apart from these sales, the benefit received from favorable European currency exchange rates for the quarter was mostly offset by lower local banana prices in Europe and by an increase in marketing costs to build brand equity in several European countries, including those that became E.U. member states in May 2004.

 

On a year-to-date basis, the acquisition of Atlanta in late March 2003 resulted in significant increases to the Company’s sales, cost of sales and selling, general and administrative costs in the first quarter of 2004 compared to 2003.

 

Operations

 

Net sales

 

Net sales for the second quarter of 2004 were $848 million, an increase of $19 million from last year’s second quarter. The increase resulted from favorable European currency exchange rates and increased other fresh produce sales, partially offset by lower local banana pricing and volume in Europe.

 

Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2004 were $1.642 billion, compared to $1.301 billion in 2003. The acquisition of Atlanta, a fresh produce distributor the Company acquired in late March 2003, accounted for $283 million of the $341 million increase.

 

Operating income – Second Quarter

 

Operating income for the second quarter of 2004 was $37 million, compared to $61 million in the second quarter of 2003.

 

Banana Segment. In the Company’s Banana segment, operating income was $37 million, compared to $61 million last year.

 

Banana segment operating results were favorably affected by:

 

  $9 million net European currency and pricing benefit, comprised of a $14 million net increase from currency exchange rates, partially offset by $5 million in lower local European pricing;

 

  $4 million of cost savings from improved farm productivity;

 

  $3 million from the Company’s continued volume growth and improvement in local prices in Asia;

 

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  $3 million decline in charges related to severance and Atlanta restructuring ($1 million of charges in the 2004 second quarter compared to $4 million of such charges in the year-ago quarter); and

 

  $2 million reduction in purchased fruit costs.

 

These items were offset by:

 

  $30 million adverse effect from asset sales year-over-year, comprised of a before-tax loss of $9 million on the sale of the Colombian banana production division in the second quarter of 2004 and a $21 million gain on the sale of the Armuelles, Panama division in the 2003 second quarter;

 

  $9 million of selling, general and administrative expenses associated with investment spending, including a $7 million increase in marketing expenses, primarily to build brand equity in several European countries, including new E.U. member states in Central and Eastern Europe; and

 

  $3 million of legal and other costs associated with the U.S. Department of Justice investigation of the Company’s recently sold Colombian operations. These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

The 2004 percentage change compared to 2003 for the Company’s banana prices follows:

 

     Q2

    Q1

 

North America

   -1 %   -6 %

European Core Markets

            

U.S. Dollar basis

   3 %   7 %

Local Currency

   -4 %   -8 %

Central and Eastern Europe/Mediterranean

            

U.S. Dollar basis

   18 %   5 %

Local Currency

   11 %   -11 %

Asia

            

U.S. Dollar basis

   8 %   8 %

Local Currency

   3 %   3 %

 

The Company’s banana sales volumes of 40-pound boxes were as follows:

 

(In millions, except percentages)    Q2
2004


   Q2
2003


   %
Change


    YTD
2004


   YTD
2003


   %
Change


 

European Core Markets

   13.1    13.1    0.0 %   25.2    25.5    (1.2 %)

Central and Eastern Europe/Mediterranean

   2.6    4.5    (42.2 %)   5.8    7.8    (25.6 %)

North America

   14.8    14.1    5.0 %   28.4    27.4    3.6 %
    
  
  

 
  
  

Total

   30.5    31.7    (3.8 %)   59.4    60.7    (2.1 %)

 

The Company owns 50% of a joint venture serving the Far East and Middle East, which had banana sales volume of 4.2 million and 3.6 million boxes during the second quarters of 2004 and 2003, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, this joint venture had volume of 8.0 million and 6.6 million boxes, respectively. The Company’s share of the net income or loss associated with this equity method investment is included in cost of sales.

 

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Foreign currency hedging costs charged to the Consolidated Statement of Income were $7 million in the 2004 second quarter, compared to $13 million in the second quarter of 2003. These costs relate primarily to hedging the Company’s net cash flow exposure to fluctuations in the U.S. dollar value of its euro-denominated sales. At June 30, 2004, unrealized losses of $8 million on the Company’s option and zero-cost collar contracts were included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income”, and substantially all of these losses are expected to be reclassified to net income during the next 12 months. In late 2003, the Company began to purchase solely put options instead of entering into new forward and zero-cost collar contracts. Purchased put options, which require an upfront premium payment, can reduce the negative earnings impact on the Company of a significant future decline in the value of the euro, without limiting the benefit the Company would receive from a stronger euro. In June 2004, the Company began purchasing put options to hedge a majority of its anticipated 2006 euro net cash receipts. The Company plans to substantially complete its purchases of 2006 put options by the end of the 2004 third quarter.

 

Other Fresh Produce Segment. For the Other Fresh Produce segment, the operating loss in the 2004 second quarter was $2 million, compared to an operating loss of $3 million in the 2003 second quarter. The segment benefited from a $5 million decline in charges related to the Atlanta restructuring and joint venture write-downs ($1 million in the 2004 second quarter, compared to $6 million of such charges in the year-ago quarter). This benefit was mostly offset by $4 million of losses associated with the start-up of Chiquita Fresh Cut Fruit and lower pricing in the North American melon business in 2004.

 

Operating income – Year-to-Date

 

Operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was $68 million, compared to $99 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Banana Segment. In the Company’s Banana segment, operating income was $65 million year-to-date, compared to $96 million last year.

 

Banana segment operating results were favorably affected by:

 

  $14 million net European currency and pricing benefit, comprised of a $36 million net increase from currency exchange rates, partially offset by $22 million in lower local European pricing;

 

  $5 million reduction in purchased fruit costs;

 

  $4 million of cost savings from improved farm productivity;

 

  $4 million from the Company’s continued volume growth and improvement in local prices in Asia; and

 

  $4 million decline in charges related to severance and Atlanta restructuring ($2 million of charges in 2004 compared to $6 million of such charges a year ago).

 

These items were offset by:

 

  $30 million adverse effect from asset sales year-over-year, comprised of a before-tax loss of $9 million on the sale of the Colombian banana production division in the second quarter of 2004 and a $21 million gain on the sale of the Armuelles, Panama division in the 2003 second quarter;

 

  $10 million of selling, general and administrative expenses associated with investment spending, including a $7 million increase in marketing expenses, primarily to build brand equity in several European countries, including new E.U. member states in Central and Eastern Europe;

 

  $8 million adverse effect of North American banana pricing;

 

  $5 million of legal and other costs associated with the U.S. Department of Justice investigation of the Company’s recently sold Colombian operations. These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses;

 

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  $4 million charge in selling, general and administrative expenses related to stock options and restricted stock that were previously granted to the Company’s former chairman and chief executive officer and vested upon his retirement in May 2004; and

 

  $2 million from lower banana volume in Europe.

 

Information on the Company’s banana pricing and volume is included in the Operating Income – Second Quarter section above.

 

Foreign currency hedging costs charged to the Consolidated Statement of Income were $18 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to $22 million for the same period in 2003.

 

Other Fresh Produce Segment. For the Other Fresh Produce segment, operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2004 was $2 million, compared to an operating loss of $1 million a year ago. The segment benefited from an $8 million decline in charges related to the Atlanta restructuring and joint venture write-downs ($2 million in 2004, compared to $10 million a year ago). This benefit was mostly offset by $7 million of losses associated with the start-up of Chiquita Fresh Cut Fruit.

 

Interim results for the Company are subject to significant seasonal variations and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full fiscal year. The Company’s results during the third and fourth quarters are generally weaker than in the first half of the year due to increased availability of competing fruits and resulting lower prices.

 

Interest and Taxes

 

Interest expense in the 2004 second quarter was $10 million, down $2 million versus the year-ago quarter, due to the significant reduction in debt during the past year.

 

The Company’s effective tax rate is affected by the level and mix of income among various domestic and foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates. In the 2004 second quarter, income tax expense reflects a $5.7 million benefit from the sale of the Company’s Colombian banana production division. A deferred tax liability of $5.7 million related to Colombia growing crops had been previously recorded; this tax liability was released to income upon sale of the Colombian division.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

For all periods presented in which they were owned, discontinued operations include the operating results of Progressive Produce Corporation (“Progressive”), a California-based distributor of potatoes and onions sold in January 2003; certain operations owned by Atlanta, including a port operation sold in April 2003; and Chiquita Processed Foods (“CPF”), the Company’s vegetable canning business sold in May 2003. Discontinued operations also include any gains or losses from disposition of these businesses, including a $2 million gain from the sale of Progressive and a $9 million gain from the sale of CPF.

 

Sale of Colombian Division

 

In June 2004, the Company sold its banana-producing and port operations in Colombia to Invesmar Ltd., (“Invesmar”) the holding company of C.I. Banacol S.A. Banacol is a Colombian-based producer and exporter of bananas and other fruit products.

 

In exchange for these operations, the Company received, subject to certain post-closing adjustments, $28.5 million in cash; $15 million face amount of notes and deferred payments (of which $3 million is due by September 2004); and the assumption by the buyer of approximately $7 million of pension liabilities.

 

In connection with the sale, Chiquita entered into eight-year agreements to purchase bananas and pineapples from affiliates of the buyer. Under the banana purchase agreement, Chiquita will purchase

 

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approximately 11 million boxes of Colombian bananas per year at above-market prices. This resulted in a liability of $33 million at the sale date, which represents the estimated net present value of the above-market premium to be paid for the purchase of bananas over the term of the contract. Substantially all of this liability is included in “Other liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Under the pineapple purchase agreement, Chiquita will purchase approximately 2 million boxes of Costa Rican golden pineapples during the first year of the contract and 2.5 million boxes per year thereafter at below-market prices. This resulted in a receivable of $25 million at the sale date which represents the estimated net present value of the discount to be received for the purchase of pineapples over the term of the contract. Substantially all of this receivable is included in “Investments and other assets, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Together, the two long-term fruit purchase agreements commit Chiquita to approximately $80 million in annual purchases.

 

Also in connection with the sale, Chiquita agreed that, in the event that it becomes unable to perform its obligations under the banana purchase agreement due to a conflict with U.S. law, Chiquita will indemnify Invesmar primarily for the lost premium on the banana purchases or, alternatively, rescind the sale transaction and allow Invesmar to retain certain port assets in Colombia which had a carrying value of approximately $7 million at the sale date.

 

The net book value of the assets and liabilities transferred in the transaction was $36 million. The Company recognized a before-tax loss of $9 million and an after-tax loss of $4 million on the transaction, which takes into account the net $8 million loss from the two long-term fruit purchase agreements.

 

Financial Condition – Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company’s cash balance has increased to $198 million at June 30, 2004, compared to $134 million at December 31, 2003 and $174 million at June 30, 2003.

 

Operating cash flow was $62 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to $48 million for the same period in 2003. Operating cash flow in the 2003 second quarter reflects $17 million in severance payments made upon completion of the Armuelles sale in June 2003.

 

Capital expenditures were $17 million year-to-date 2004 and $27 million during the comparable period in 2003. Capital expenditures in 2003 included $14 million to purchase a ship that had previously been under operating lease to the Company.

 

The Company allowed the CBL bank credit facility to expire in June 2004. There had been no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit line since May 2003, and all term loans under the facility had been repaid in full in March 2004. The Company expects to replace the expired facility with a new multi-year revolving credit facility later in 2004.

 

Upon expiration of the CBL credit facility, the Company entered into an agreement with Wells Fargo Bank to provide up to $15 million of letters of credit. At June 30, 2004, letters of credit for $9 million were outstanding.

 

In June 2004, the Company refinanced the debt of its Chiquita Chile subsidiary in the amount of $13 million. Interest is variable based on LIBOR, and principal is due in installments over 5 years. Under the terms of the new agreement, which is secured by liens on certain of Chiquita Chile’s assets, the subsidiary is subject to financial covenants, including minimum tangible net worth and limitations on liabilities.

 

In June 2004, a subsidiary of the Company entered into a 17 million euro committed credit line for bank guarantees to be used primarily to guarantee the Company’s payments for licenses used to import

 

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bananas into European Union countries. This line is in addition to the Company’s existing 25 million euro uncommitted credit line for bank guarantees.

 

Chiquita sold CPF to Seneca Foods Corporation in May 2003. The sale of CPF resulted in the receipt of $110 million of cash and approximately 968,000 shares of Seneca preferred stock convertible into an equal number of shares of Seneca Common Stock Class A, which was recorded at its estimated fair value on the sale date of $13 million. Seneca also assumed CPF’s debt, which was $61 million at the sale date.

 

Total debt at June 30, 2004 was $372 million versus $395 million at December 31, 2003. The reduction in debt resulted primarily from the repayment of the CBL credit facility and normal ship loan maturities. The change is illustrated in the following table:

 

(in millions)    June 30,
2004


   December 31,
2003


   June 30,
2003


Parent Company

                    

10.56% Senior Notes

   $  250.0    $ 250.0    $ 250.0

Subsidiaries

                    

CBL credit facility (allowed to expire June 2004)

                    

Revolver

     —        —        —  

Term loan

     —        —        36.3

Term loan for Atlanta

     —        9.8      55.0

Shipping

     95.2      108.4      116.7

Chiquita-Chile

     14.6      16.1      —  

Other

     12.3      10.3      23.5
    

  

  

Total debt

   $ 372.1    $ 394.6    $ 481.5
    

  

  

 

Chiquita has authorized a new common stock and warrant repurchase program. Under the program, over the next 12-18 months the Company may make up to $20 million of purchases of shares of its common stock and its warrants to subscribe for common stock. The securities may be purchased on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The amounts and times of purchases will be based on prevailing market conditions.

 

The Company believes that its current cash level, cash flow generated by operating subsidiaries and borrowing capacity provide sufficient cash reserves and liquidity to fund the Company’s working capital needs, capital expenditures and debt service requirements, as well as the stock and warrant repurchase program.

 

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Risks of International Operations

 

The Company conducts operations in many foreign countries. The Company’s foreign operations are subject to a variety of risks inherent in doing business abroad.

 

In 2001, the European Commission agreed to amend the quota and licensing regime for the importation of bananas into the European Union (“EU”). The agreement led to a partial redistribution of licenses for the import of Latin American bananas under a tariff rate quota system for historical operators. As a result, the Company has not needed to purchase as many import licenses as had been required prior to the 2001 agreement in order to meet its customer demand.

 

On May 1, 2004, ten Central and Eastern European countries joined the EU. The European Commission specified the size of the increase in the banana quota for the remainder of 2004 that will result from this EU enlargement. The amount of the increase was lower than historical imports into those countries. The Commission also established rules for allocating additional import licenses for the increased quota volume, which are in most, but not all, respects consistent with the 2001 agreement. As those rules are now being applied, Chiquita is receiving a significant share of the new licenses.

 

Under the 2001 agreement, the EU banana tariff rate quota system is scheduled to be followed by a tariff-only system no later than 2006. The EU has previously indicated to the World Trade Organization (the “WTO”) that under a tariff-only system, African and Caribbean bananas would need a tariff preference of 300 euro per metric ton relative to Latin American bananas to remain competitive in the EU marketplace. A 300 euro per metric ton tariff on Latin American bananas would represent a substantial increase over the EU’s 75 euro per metric ton tariff now applicable to Latin American bananas entering within the tariff rate quota system. In order to remain consistent with WTO principles, any new EU banana tariff is required under a 2001 WTO decision to “at least maintain total market access” for Latin American suppliers. That decision establishes consultation and arbitration procedures for determining whether Latin American market access would be maintained and requires that those procedures be completed before any new EU tariff-only system takes effect. There can be no assurance that the tariff levels established under a tariff-only system would not be materially adverse to marketers of Latin American bananas such as the Company.

 

The Company has international operations in many foreign countries, including those in Central and South America, the Philippines and La Côte d’Ivoire. The Company’s activities are subject to risks inherent in operating in these countries, including government regulation, currency restrictions and other restraints, burdensome taxes, expropriation, threats to employees, political instability, terrorist activities, including extortion, and risks of U.S. and foreign governmental action in relation to the Company. Should such circumstances occur, the Company might need to curtail, cease or alter its activities in a particular region or country. Chiquita’s ability to deal with these issues may be affected by applicable U.S. laws and, in particular, potential conflicts between the requirements of U.S. law and the need to protect the Company’s employees and assets. The Company is currently dealing with one such issue involving payments that its Colombian banana producing subsidiary (sold in June 2004) had been forced to make to certain local groups that have been designated under United States law as foreign terrorist organizations. The Company’s management and its audit committee, in consultation with the board of directors, voluntarily disclosed this issue to the U.S. Department of Justice in April 2003 and requested its guidance. In late March 2004, the Department advised that, as part of its investigation, it will be evaluating the role and conduct of the Company and some of its officers. While the Company intends to continue its cooperation with this investigation, the Company cannot predict its outcome or possible effect on the Company.

 

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* * * * *

 

This quarterly report contains certain information that may be deemed to be statements that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect management’s current views and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions and Company performance. They are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Chiquita, including: the impact of changes in the European Union banana import regime as a result of the recent enlargement of the EU and the anticipated conversion to a tariff-only regime not later than 2006; the outcome of the Department of Justice investigation involving the Company’s recently sold Colombian subsidiary; prices for Chiquita products; availability and costs of products and raw materials; currency exchange rate fluctuations; natural disasters and unusual weather conditions; operating efficiencies; labor relations; actions of governmental bodies; the continuing availability of financing; the Company’s ability to realize its announced cost-reduction goals; risks inherent in operating in foreign countries, including government regulation, currency restrictions and other restraints, burdensome taxes, expropriation, threats to employees, political instability and terrorist activities, including extortion, and risks of U.S. and foreign governmental action in relation to the Company; and other market and competitive conditions. See “Risks of International Operations” for further information.

 

The forward-looking statements speak as of the date made and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results or developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any such statements.

 

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Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Reference is made to the discussion under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Market Risk Management” in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K. As of June 30, 2004, there were no material changes to the information presented.

 

Item 4 - Controls and Procedures

 

Chiquita maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its periodic filings with the SEC is (a) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management in a timely manner and (b) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Based on an evaluation, as of June 30, 2004, of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of these controls and procedures are effective. Chiquita also maintains a system of internal accounting controls that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that its books and records accurately reflect its transactions and that its policies and procedures are followed. During the quarter ended June 30, 2004, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part II - Other Information

 

Item 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

In connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 25, 2004, proxies were solicited pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The following votes (representing approximately 79% of the shares eligible to vote) were cast at that meeting:

 

Election of Eight Directors

 

     Votes

Name


   For

   Withheld

Fernando Aguirre

   32,117,547    144,310

Morten Arntzen

   31,791,145    470,712

Jeffrey D. Benjamin

   31,440,335    821,522

Robert W. Fisher

   32,121,314    140,543

Roderick M. Hills

   31,372,617    889,240

Durk I. Jager

   32,123,798    138,059

Jaime Serra

   32,123,554    138,303

Steven P. Stanbrook

   31,791,092    470,765

 

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Item 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

  (a) Exhibit 10.1 - Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Capital Accumulation Plan, conformed to include amendments through January 1, 2004

 

Exhibit 31 - Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications

 

Exhibit 32 - Section 1350 Certifications

 

  (b) The Company has filed the following Current Reports on Form 8-K since the beginning of the 2004 second quarter:

 

May 10, 2004 (filed May 10, 2004), reporting under Item 12 - to furnish first quarter 2004 results and related matters

 

June 10, 2004 (filed June 14, 2004), reporting under Items 5 and 7 - to announce a definitive agreement for the sale of Chiquita’s banana-producing and port operations in Colombia to Invesmar Limited, the holding company of C.I. Banacol S.A.

 

August 5, 2004 (filed August 5, 2004), reporting under Item 12 - to furnish second quarter 2004 results and related matters

 

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SIGNATURE

 

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

 

CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By:   /S/    WILLIAM A. TSACALIS        
    William A. Tsacalis
    Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

 

August 6, 2004

 

26

EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC. CAPITAL ACCUMULATION PLAN Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Capital Accumulation Plan

Exhibit 10.1

 

CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CAPITAL ACCUMULATION PLAN

 

(As Amended Through the Fourth Amendment)

 

CONFORMED TO INCLUDE AMENDMENTS THROUGH JANUARY 1, 2004.


CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

CAPITAL ACCUMULATION PLAN

 

(As Amended Through the Fourth Amendment)

 

Effective as of January 1, 2000, Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (the “Sponsoring Company”) has established the Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Capital Accumulation Plan (the “Plan”) on behalf of selected employees of the Sponsoring Company and any Affiliated Companies which adopt the Plan with the permission of the Sponsoring Company, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below.

 

SECTION ONE

 

PURPOSE OF PLAN

 

A. Designation. The Plan is designated the “Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Capital Accumulation Plan.”

 

B. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide retirement, disability, death and employment termination benefits for a select group of management and highly compensated employees of the Participating Companies and for the beneficiaries of those employees. The Plan is intended to be a non-qualified plan of executive deferred compensation, exempt from the requirements of Title I of ERISA.

 

C. Voluntary Participation. An Employee who completes the eligibility requirements set forth in Section Three of the Plan may voluntarily elect to participate in the Plan by notifying the Administrative Committee as described in Paragraph A of Section Seven.

 

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SECTION TWO

 

DEFINITIONS

 

As used in the Plan:

 

“Accounts” shall mean a Participant’s Basic Match Contribution Account, his Deferral Contribution Account, his Incremental Match Contribution Account, his Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution Account, his Predecessor Account, and, if applicable, his Deemed Participation Contribution Account. The term “Accounts” shall also include any additional accounts established by the Administrative Committee, in its sole discretion.

 

“Administrative Committee” shall mean the Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Employee Benefits Committee which has been appointed to administer the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Section Five of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Administrative Committee” may also include any individual or committee to which the Administrative Committee has delegated authority to act with respect to a specific activity. The Administrative Committee shall be the “named fiduciary,” as referred to in Section 402(a) of ERISA, with respect to the management, operation and administration of the Plan.

 

“Affiliated Company” or “Affiliated Companies” shall mean (i) a member of a controlled group of corporations of which the Sponsoring Company is a member, as determined in accordance with

 

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Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder, (ii) a trade or business which is under common control with the Sponsoring Company, as determined in accordance with Section 414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder, or (iii) a member of an affiliated service group of which the Sponsoring Company is a member, as determined in accordance with Section 414(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, “Affiliated Company” shall also include any other entity designated by the Board of Directors of the Sponsoring Company in its sole discretion.

 

“Basic Match Contribution” shall mean the cumulative amount the Participating Company contributes to the Trust each Plan Year on behalf of a Participant, as described in Paragraph B of Section Seven of the Plan.

 

“Basic Match Contribution Account” shall mean the account maintained for a Participant reflecting the Basic Match Contributions allocated to such Participant pursuant to Paragraph B of Section Seven, as adjusted by earnings or losses thereon in accordance with the provisions of Section Six.

 

“Beneficiary” shall mean any person entitled to receive benefits which are payable upon or after a Participant’s death pursuant to Section Ten of the Plan.

 

“Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Sponsoring Company or the Board of Directors of a

 

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Participating Company, as the case may be, or any individual or committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated authority to act with respect to a specific activity.

 

“Bonus” shall mean any amount payable as a bonus in the Plan Year to an Employee, other than severance bonuses, to the extent that such amount is classified as a “Bonus” for purposes of this Plan and is payable pursuant to a program which has been specifically identified by an authorized representative of the Sponsoring Company as eligible for consideration as a Bonus hereunder. The Bonus amount will be increased by any amounts with respect to which the Employee has elected to defer or reduce such Bonus for federal income tax purposes (i) under this Plan, (ii) under a Savings Plan or (iii) under any “cafeteria plan,” dependent care assistance program or qualified transportation fringe benefit program (as described in Sections 125, 129 and 132 of the Internal Revenue Code) maintained by the Participating Companies. Bonus shall not include any amounts paid to the Employee pursuant to a program which has not been identified as eligible for consideration as the source of a Bonus for purposes of this Plan.

 

“Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than an Exempt Holder or Exempt

 

- 5 -


Entity, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of 30% or more of the total voting power of all of the Sponsoring Company’s voting securities then outstanding (“Voting Shares”), provided, that Exempt Holders “beneficially own” (as so defined), on a combined basis, a lesser percentage of the Voting Shares than such other person and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company;

 

(ii) on any date, the individuals who constituted the Sponsoring Company’s Board of Directors at the beginning of the two-year period immediately preceding such date (together with any new directors whose election by the Sponsoring Company’s Board of Directors, or whose nomination for election by the Sponsoring Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the directors then in office; or

 

- 6 -


(iii) immediately after a merger or consolidation of the Sponsoring Company or any subsidiary of the Sponsoring Company with or into, or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Sponsoring Company’s assets to, any other corporation, (a) the Voting Shares of the Sponsoring Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction do not represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving or acquiring entity or any parent thereof) more than 50% of the total voting power of the voting securities of the Sponsoring Company or surviving or acquiring entity or any parent thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; and (b) either (x) a person or group (other than an Exempt Entity) beneficially owns a percentage of the total voting power of the Sponsoring Company or surviving or acquiring entity or any parent thereof which exceeds both 20% and the percentage owned, on a combined basis, by the Exempt Holders or (y) the Exempt Holders beneficially own, on a combined basis, less than 2% of such voting power. In the case of a Participating Company other than the Sponsoring Company, “Change of Control” shall mean (i) such Participating Company ceasing to be a direct or indirect subsidiary of the Sponsoring Company (or its successor entity) or (ii) a sale of substantially all of such Participating Company’s assets to an entity other than the Sponsoring Company (or its successor entity) or one or more of its subsidiaries.

 

- 7 -


“Company Contribution Account” shall mean the account maintained for a Participant reflecting contributions made by a Participating Company which are allocated to such Participant pursuant to Section Seven of the Plan, as adjusted for earnings or losses thereon in accordance with the provisions of Section Six of the Plan. A Participant’s Company Contribution Account shall consist of the following subaccounts where applicable: (i) a Basic Match Contribution Account, (ii) a Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account, (iii) a Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution Account and (iv) an Incremental Match Contribution Account. All references in the Plan or Trust Agreement to “Company Contribution Account” shall, where appropriate, be deemed to constitute a reference to the above-referenced subaccounts.

 

“Compensation” shall mean an Employee’s Salary and Bonus payable by a Participating Company during a Plan Year.

 

“Deemed Participation Match Contribution” shall mean the credit made to the ledger account maintained by a Participating Company on behalf of a Participant who had attained age forty-five (45) prior to the Effective Date which reflects the hypothetical Basic Match Contributions and Incremental Match Contributions which would have been made to the Trust on behalf

 

- 8 -


of the Participant between the Participant’s Index Date and the Effective Date, had the Plan been in effect during such period of time, subject to the further limitations described in Paragraph E of Section Seven of the Plan.

 

“Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account” shall mean the ledger account maintained by a Participating Company on behalf of a Participant reflecting the Deemed Participation Match Contributions allocated to such Participant pursuant to Paragraph E of Section Seven.

 

“Deferral Contribution” shall mean the cumulative amount the Participating Company contributes to the Trust each Plan Year on behalf of a Participant equal to the amount by which a Participant elected to reduce his Compensation for such Plan Year pursuant to Paragraph A of Section Seven.

 

“Deferral Contribution Account” shall mean the account maintained for a Participant reflecting the Deferral Contributions allocated to such Participant pursuant to Paragraph A of Section Seven, as adjusted by earnings or losses thereon in accordance with the provisions of Section Six of the Plan.

 

“Effective Date” of the Plan shall mean January 1, 2000.

 

“Eligible Participant” shall be used in the context of determining which Participants are eligible to receive Incremental Match Contributions and Savings Plan Restoration Match Contributions and shall mean any Participant who (i) was

 

- 9 -


employed by a Participating Company or an Affiliated Company on the last day of the Plan Year, and (ii) elected, pursuant to Paragraph A of Section Seven, to reduce his Compensation with respect to such Plan Year.

 

“Employee” shall mean any person employed by a Participating Company (i) who is a “Highly Compensated Employee” determined by applying the principles of Section 414(q) of the Internal Revenue Code, but applied as if the person’s Salary was the only compensation received from the Participating Company, and (ii) who has either been designated as an “Executive Officer” by the Board of Directors for purposes of Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act or has been designated by the Administrative Committee as eligible to participate in the Plan. For purposes of (i), above, an individual will be treated as satisfying such condition with respect to the first day of a Plan Year if the individual’s current Salary equals or exceeds the indexed dollar amount of compensation under Section 414(q)(1)(B)(i) as in effect on the October 1 of the immediately preceding Plan Year. In addition, if an individual is hired during a Plan Year, such individual will be deemed to have met the requirement of (i), above, as of his date of hire if his current Salary equals or exceeds the indexed dollar amount of compensation under Section 414(q)(1)(B) (i) as in effect on the first day of such Plan Year.

 

- 10 -


“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time. References in the Plan to any Section of ERISA shall include any successor provision thereto.

 

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

“Exempt Holder” shall mean American Financial Group, Inc., each of its subsidiaries and affiliates, Carl H. Lindner, his spouse, his children and their spouses and his grandchildren (or the legal representative of any such person) and each trust for the benefit of each such person.

 

“Exempt Entity” means (i) an institution that is entitled under Rule 13(d)-1 of the Exchange Act (or any successor rule or regulation) to report its ownership of equity securities of the Sponsoring Company through the filing of a statement on Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act, in lieu of Schedule 13D, for so long as such institution remains so entitled, (ii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (iii) the Sponsoring Company, any of its subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Sponsoring Company or any of its subsidiaries, and (iv) the surviving or acquiring entity (and the direct and indirect wholly owning parents thereof) in a merger, consolidation, sale or disposition transaction of the type

 

- 11 -


referred to in clause (iii) of the definition of a Change of Control provided such transaction has not resulted in a Change in Control due to failure to satisfy the conditions of subclause (a) or subclause (b) of said clause (iii).

 

“Incremental Match Contribution” shall mean the cumulative amount the Participating Company contributes to the Trust each Plan Year on behalf of an Eligible Participant described in Paragraph C of Section Seven of the Plan.

 

“Incremental Match Contribution Account” shall mean the account maintained for a Participant reflecting the Incremental Match Contribution allocated to such Participant pursuant to Paragraph C of Section Seven, as adjusted by earnings or losses thereon in accordance with the provisions of Section Six of the Plan.

 

“Incremental Years” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, the whole number of Plan Years in the sequence which begins with the Participant’s Index Year and ends with the then-current Plan Year, inclusive.

 

“Index Date” shall mean, in the case of Participant who is employed on the Effective Date and who has attained 45 on or before the Effective Date, the first day of the Calendar Year in which such Participant attained age 45. In the case of a Participant who is employed on the Effective Date and has not yet attained age 45 as of the Effective Date, the term Index Date

 

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means the first day of the Calendar Year in which the Participant attains the age of 45 plus “n” where “n” equals the number of years from the beginning of the Participant’s first year of participation in this Plan prior to the year in which the Participant attains age 45. In the case of a Participant who is hired after the Effective Date, and who attains age 45 prior to becoming a Participant in the Plan, the Index Date shall be the first day of the Calendar Year in which the Participant attained age 45. In the case of a Participant who is hired after the Effective Date and who has not attained age 45 prior to commencing participation in the Plan, the Index Date shall be the first day of the Calendar Year in which the executive attains age 45 plus “n” where “n” equals the number of years, if any, from the beginning of the Participant’s first year of participation in this Plan prior to the year in which the Participant attains age 45.

 

“Index Year” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, the Plan Year that includes such Participant’s Index Date.

 

“Internal Revenue Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. References in the Plan to any Section of the Internal Revenue Code shall include any successor provision thereto.

 

“Investment Election” shall mean the form, filed with the Administrative Committee, or its delegate, or such other

 

- 13 -


procedure as may be specified by the Administrative Committee at any time, and from time to time, through which a Participant may designate the manner in which his Accounts shall be allocated among the Investment Funds.

 

“Investment Election Date” shall mean the first business day of each month.

 

“Investment Fund” shall mean each fund, contract, or other arrangement designated by the Administrative Committee as an Investment Fund in which Participants may direct their Accounts to be invested.

 

“Participant” shall mean an Employee who becomes a Participant in the Plan as provided in Section Four of the Plan.

 

“Participating Company” shall mean the Sponsoring Company, or any Affiliated Company which the Sponsoring Company designates as having adopted the Plan and Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section Twenty of the Plan.

 

“Plan” shall mean the Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Capital Accumulation Plan as set forth in this document, and as hereafter amended.

 

“Plan Year” shall mean the twelve (12) -consecutive month period ending on December 31.

 

“Predecessor Account” shall mean the amount in a Participant’s 1999 Plan Year deferred compensation account under the Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Deferred Compensation

 

- 14 -


Plan or the American Produce Company Deferred Compensation Plan, as applicable, which such Participant elected to transfer to this Plan as of January 1, 2000, as adjusted for earnings or losses thereon in accordance with the provisions of Section Six of the Plan. The amounts allocated to a Participant’s Predecessor Account shall be subject to all of the rules and procedures in this Plan which apply to a Participant’s Deferral Contribution Account, except that all prior elections regarding the term of deferral and form of distribution of such 1999 Plan Year deferred compensation account shall remain in effect for purposes of this Plan. This amount shall not be considered a Deferral Contribution for purposes of the Basic Match Contribution, the Incremental Match Contribution, the Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution or the Deemed Participation Match Contribution.

 

“Retirement Date” of a Participant shall mean the later of (i) Participant’s fifty-fifth (55th) birthday, or (ii) the date upon which a Participant completes ten (10) Years of Service commencing with the calendar year in which the Participant attains his forty-fifth (45th) birthday.

 

“Salary” shall mean basic cash compensation before any payroll deductions for taxes or any other purposes, payable by a Participating Company to an Employee in respect of such Employee’s service for a Participating Company during the Plan

 

- 15 -


Year increased by any amounts with respect to which the Employee has elected to defer or reduce remuneration for federal income tax purposes (i) under this Plan, (ii) under a Savings Plan or (iii) under any “cafeteria plan”, dependent care assistance program or qualified transportation fringe benefit program (as described in Sections 125, 129 and 132 of the Internal Revenue Code) maintained by the Participating Companies. Salary shall not include any amounts paid to the Employee as (i) overtime pay, (ii) any imputed income, severance pay and special allowances or other amounts not considered as a part of base salary for time actually worked, (iii) any amounts paid during a Plan Year on account of the Employee under this Plan or under any other employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), and (iv) except as otherwise provided in the preceding sentence, any amounts which are not includible in the Employee’s income for applicable income tax purposes.

 

“Savings Plan” shall mean the Chiquita Savings and Investment Plan and any other qualified or nonqualified retirement program maintained by any Participating Company into which employee contributions and employer matching contributions may be made.

 

“Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution” shall mean the cumulative amount the Participating Company contributes to the Trust each Plan Year as described in Paragraph D of Section Seven of the Plan.

 

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“Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution Account” shall mean the account maintained for a Participant reflecting the Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution allocated to such Participant pursuant to Paragraph D of Section Seven, as adjusted by earnings or losses thereon in accordance with the provisions of Section Six of the Plan.

 

“Sponsoring Company” shall mean Chiquita Brands International, Inc.

 

“Total and Permanent Disability” shall mean physical and/or mental incapacity of such a nature that it prevents a Participant from engaging in or performing the principal duties of his customary employment or occupation on a continuing or sustained basis.

 

“Trust” shall mean the entity established pursuant to a Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Capital Accumulation Plan Trust Agreement between the Sponsoring Company and a trustee selected by the Administrative Committee from time to time.

 

“Valuation Date” shall mean the last day of each month or any other date the Administrative Committee, in its sole discretion, shall select as a Valuation Date.

 

“Year of Service” shall mean a twelve (12) month period beginning on a Participant’s initial date of hire and on

 

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successive anniversaries of such date during which the Participant is treated by the Sponsoring Company or any Affiliated Company as continuously employed.

 

Wherever appropriate, words used in the Plan in the singular may mean the plural, the plural may mean the singular, and the masculine may mean the feminine.

 

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SECTION THREE

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY

 

Any Employee shall be eligible to elect to have Deferral Contributions made on his behalf under the Plan and to share in the allocations of Basic Match Contributions and, if applicable, Deemed Participation Match Contributions, Savings Plan Restoration Match Contributions and Incremental Match Contributions under the Plan. Any Participant who has made an election to make Deferral Contributions under this Plan, who incurs a termination of employment, and who is subsequently rehired by a Participating Company, shall automatically become eligible to elect to have Deferral Contributions made on his behalf under the Plan effective as of the date of his rehire. In such case the Participant’s Incremental Years for purposes of computing Incremental Match Contributions and the post-date of hire service for purposes of computing the portion of any Deemed Participation Match Contributions earned by the Participant will be adjusted to exclude the years of the break in service and Years of Service for vesting purposes will be adjusted in accordance with the principles applying to qualified plans under the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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SECTION FOUR

 

PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN

 

Within thirty (30) days after meeting the eligibility requirements of Section Three, each Employee shall be notified that he is eligible to participate in the Plan and shall be provided with such election forms as may be required to initiate such participation and any other applicable information. In addition, an Employee who enrolls in the Plan as of the Effective Date may elect, pursuant to such procedures as the Administrative Committee may determine, to have a Predecessor Account established on his behalf with respect to the 1999 Plan Year deferred compensation attributable to the Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan or the American Produce Company Deferred Compensation Plan. Finally, each Employee who becomes a Participant shall be provided with a designation of beneficiary form with which he may designate one or more Beneficiaries to receive benefits in the event of his death.

 

Prior to October 22, 2001, elections to participate in the Plan by individuals who qualify as Employees as of the first day of any Plan Year must be made no later than November 15 of the immediately preceding Plan Year except (i) with respect to the Plan Year which begins January 1, 2000, such election must be made no later than December 15, 1999, and (ii) with respect to

 

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the Plan Year in which an individual is initially hired and first qualifies as an Employee and therefore becomes eligible to participate in the Plan, such election must be made within sixty (60) days of the date on which such individual was notified of his eligibility and such election shall be effective as of the first payroll period following its receipt and processing by the Administrative Committee.

 

On and after October 22, 2001, the rules set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph shall continue to apply with respect to any election to defer any portion of a Bonus payable by a Participating Company with respect to a Plan Year by an eligible Employee.

 

On or after October 22, 2001, any election by an eligible Employee to defer Salary pursuant to this Plan must be made no less than thirty (30) days prior to the first pay period with respect to which such Salary deferral election is intended to be effective.

 

The Administrative Committee may, in its sole discretion, establish any time procedures to effectuate the enrollment during a Plan Year of an individual who is promoted during the Plan Year into a position which qualifies the individual as an Employee with respect to such Plan Year.

 

Any Employee who does not elect to have Deferral Contributions made with respect to any Bonuses otherwise payable

 

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to him as of the first date on which he is first eligible shall be allowed to make a subsequent election to have Deferral Contributions made with respect to Bonuses otherwise payable to him as of the January 1 of any subsequent Plan Year, provided that such individual notifies the Administrative Committee no later than November 15 of the immediately preceding Plan Year, pursuant to such notification procedures as the Administrative Committee may establish, from time to time.

 

Effective October 22, 2001, any Employee who does not elect to have Deferral Contributions made with respect to Salary otherwise payable to him as of the first day on which he is first eligible shall be allowed to make a subsequent election to have Deferral Contributions made with respect to Salary otherwise payable to him as of the first day of any future pay period provided that a written election to have such Salary Deferral Contributions made to the Plan is received and processed by the Administrative Committee no less than thirty (30) days before the first day of the payroll period with respect to which such election is intended to be effective.

 

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SECTION FIVE

 

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

A. Responsibility for Administration of the Plan. The Administrative Committee shall be responsible for the management, operation and administration of the Plan.

 

B. Appointment of Administrative Committee. The Board of Directors of the Sponsoring Company has appointed the Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Employee Benefits Committee to be the Administrative Committee hereunder. The Administrative Committee shall be responsible for the management, operation and administration of the Plan. Any member of the Administrative Committee may resign by delivering written notice to the Board of Directors of the Sponsoring Company. The Board of Directors of the Sponsoring Company shall be authorized to remove any member of the Administrative Committee at any time and in its sole discretion to appoint a successor whenever a vacancy on the Administrative Committee occurs.

 

C. Delegation of Powers. The Administrative Committee may appoint such assistants or representatives as it deems necessary for the effective exercise of its duties in administering the Plan. The Administrative Committee may delegate to such assistants and representatives any powers and duties, both ministerial and discretionary, as it deems expedient or appropriate.

 

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D. Records. All acts and determinations with respect to the administration of the Plan made by the Administrative Committee and any assistants or representatives appointed by it shall be duly recorded by the Administrative Committee or by the assistant or representative appointed by it to keep such records. All records, together with such other documents as may be necessary for the administration of the Plan, shall be preserved in the custody of the Administrative Committee or the assistants or representatives appointed by it.

 

E. General Administrative Powers. The Administrative Committee shall have all powers necessary to administer the Plan in accordance with its terms, including the power to construe the Plan and to determine all questions that may arise thereunder. In the exercise of such powers under the Plan, the Administrative Committee shall have discretionary authority to interpret the terms of the Plan and to determine eligibility for and entitlement to Plan benefits in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Any interpretation or determination made pursuant to such discretionary authority shall be given full force and effect, unless such interpretation or determination is made after a Change in Control and is shown to be unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious.

 

F. Appointment of Professional Assistance and Investment Manager. The Administrative Committee may engage accountants,

 

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attorneys, physicians and such other personnel as it deems necessary or advisable. The functions of any such persons engaged by the Administrative Committee shall be limited to the specific services and duties for which they are engaged, and such persons shall have no other duties, obligations or responsibilities under the Plan. Such persons shall exercise no discretionary authority or discretionary control respecting the management of the Plan. The fees and costs of such services shall be paid by the Participating Companies.

 

G. Actions by the Administrative Committee. All actions of the Administrative Committee shall be taken pursuant to the decision of a majority of the then members of the Administrative Committee.

 

H. Discretionary Acts. In the event the Administrative Committee exercises any discretionary authority under the Plan with respect to a Participant who is a member of the Administrative Committee, such discretionary authority shall be exercised solely and exclusively by those members of the Administrative Committee other than such Participant, or, if such Participant is the sole member of the Administrative Committee, such discretionary authority shall be exercised solely and exclusively by the Board of Directors of the Sponsoring Company.

 

I. Payment of Fees and Expenses. The members of the Administrative Committee and their assistants and representatives

 

- 25 -


shall be entitled to payment from the Participating Companies for all reasonable costs, charges and expenses incurred in the administration of the Plan, including, but not limited to, reasonable fees for accounting, legal and other services rendered, to the extent incurred by the members of the Administrative Committee or their assistants and representatives in the course of performance of their duties under the Plan.

 

J. Plan Administrator. The Sponsoring Company shall be the “administrator” (as defined in Section 3(16)(A) of ERISA) of the Plan. The Vice President of Human Resources of the Sponsoring Company shall be the designated agent for service of legal process.

 

K. Allocation and Delegation of Administrative Committee Responsibilities. The Administrative Committee may upon approval of a majority of the members of the Administrative Committee, (i) allocate among any of the members of the Administrative Committee any of the responsibilities of the Administrative Committee under the Plan or (ii) designate any person, firm or corporation that is not a member of the Administrative Committee to carry out any of the responsibilities of the Administrative Committee under the Plan. Any such allocation or designation shall be made pursuant to a written instrument executed by a majority of the members of the Administrative Committee.

 

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SECTION SIX

 

PARTICIPANTS’ ACCOUNTS

 

A. Maintenance of Accounts. There shall be maintained on behalf of each Participant a Basic Match Contribution Account, an Incremental Match Contribution Account, a Deferral Contribution Account, a Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution Account, a Predecessor Account and, if applicable, a Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account. The Participant’s interest in his Company Contribution Accounts shall be subject to the vesting schedule set forth in Paragraph A of Section Eleven. The Participant’s interest in his Deferral Contribution Account and Predecessor Account shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested at all times. All payments to a Participant or his Beneficiaries shall be charged against the respective Accounts of such Participant.

 

B. Accounts of Participant Transferred to an Affiliated Company. If a Participant is transferred to an Affiliated Company which has not adopted the Plan, the amounts which are credited to his Accounts shall continue to be governed by the provisions of the Plan.

 

C. Adjustment of Participants’ Accounts. Promptly after the last day of each Plan Year or such other dates no less frequently than annually as the Administrative Committee shall decide, the Administrative Committee or its delegate shall adjust

 

- 27 -


the Accounts of each Participant (other than a Participant’s Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account) so that the amount of net income, loss, appreciation or depreciation in the value of the amount invested in an Investment Fund shall be allocated equitably and exclusively to the Accounts of the Participants invested in such Investment Fund. Promptly after the last day of each Plan Year, the Administrative Committee shall adjust the Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account of each Participant by the amount of interest specified in Paragraph E of Section Seven.

 

D. Investment of Contributions.

 

(i) Participant-Directed Investments. In accordance with procedures established by the Administrative Committee, each Participant shall have the opportunity, at the time of enrollment for a Plan Year and subsequently on or before each Investment Election Date, to make an Investment Election with the Administrative Committee or its delegate, which shall apply to all of the Participant’s Accounts for all or any specified Plan Year or Plan Years other than his Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account which will be credited with interest as specified in Paragraph E of Section Seven. This election shall be effective beginning on the Investment Election Date following its receipt by the Administrative Committee, or its delegate, and shall continue in effect until revoked or modified as of a

 

- 28 -


subsequent Investment Election Date. The following restrictions shall apply to such investment elections:

 

(a) No election may be made in violation of any applicable investment contract or other agreement establishing an Investment Fund, and

 

(b) Transfers among the available Investment Funds may be made daily in whole percentage multiples of one percent (1%) of the balances therein.

 

In addition, the Administrative Committee, in its sole discretion, may from time to time establish special Investment Election Dates to provide the Participants with additional opportunities to designate the manner in which their Accounts shall be allocated among the then-available Investment Funds.

 

(ii) Other Investments. All Accounts not subject to an Investment Election filed with the Administrative Committee pursuant to subparagraph (i) above shall be invested in a money market fund or other liquid or pooled fund investment vehicle selected by the Administrative Committee.

 

E. No Right to Specific Assets. The fact that for administrative purposes Accounts are maintained for each Participant under the Plan shall not be deemed to segregate for such Participant, or to give such Participant any direct interest in, any specific assets of the Participating Companies except as otherwise provided in Section Eighteen below.

 

- 29 -


F. Participant Statements. Promptly after the end of each Plan Year the Administrative Committee shall issue statements of account to each Participant.

 

- 30 -


SECTION SEVEN

 

ALLOCATIONS TO PARTICIPANT’S ACCOUNTS

 

A. Deferral Contributions. Each Plan Year, the Participating Company employing a Participant who has elected to reduce his Compensation pursuant to subparagraph (i) of this Paragraph A shall withhold from such Participant’s Compensation the Deferral Contributions, as elected by such Participant.

 

(i) Deferral Elections. A Participant may elect to reduce his Compensation by an amount of up to eighty percent (80%) of his Salary and up to eighty percent (80%) of his Bonus provided, however, that the aggregate amount by which a Participant may elect to reduce his Compensation under this subparagraph (i) of Paragraph A of Section Seven of the Plan shall not cause such Participant’s Compensation to be reduced below the amount necessary to satisfy the following obligations:

 

(a) Applicable employment taxes (e.g. FICA/Medicare) on amounts of Compensation which have been deferred;

 

(b) Any Federal or state tax withholding requirements relating to any employee benefit plan and

 

(c) Any Federal or state tax withholding requirements relating to any taxable remuneration payable to the Participant.

 

Such contributions shall be made through regular payroll deductions by notifying the Administrative Committee, no later than the November 15 of the year preceding the Plan Year for

 

- 31 -


which such election is intended to become effective pursuant to such notification procedures as the Administrative Committee may establish, from time to time. In addition, any and all of the dates referenced in the preceding sentence may be modified by the Administrative Committee at any time and from time to time. Effective as of October 22, 2001, a Participant may elect to increase, but not decrease, the percentage of his Salary which is covered under a Deferral Contribution Election by notifying the Administrative Committee no less than thirty days prior to the first day of the payroll period with respect to which such increased percentage is to be applied. A Participant may make separate elections with respect to his Salary and his Bonus. However, no election may be made with respect to a Bonus subsequent to November 15 of the Plan Year preceding the Plan Year for which the Bonus would otherwise be paid. The most recent election shall remain in effect for the entire Plan Year unless increased (in the case of an election to defer Salary) in accordance with the provisions of this subparagraph (i) of this Paragraph A or until suspended or revoked pursuant to this subparagraph (ii) of this Paragraph A and, unless revoked, shall remain in effect for subsequent Plan Years unless a new election is made for any such subsequent Plan Year.

 

(ii) Suspension of Reductions. A Participant may not elect to suspend any Deferral Contributions which relate to an eligible

 

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Bonus which is subject to any existing deferral election. A Participant may, however, elect to suspend his Deferral Contributions which relate to his Salary for a Plan Year within such Plan Year by notifying the Administrative Committee no later than thirty (30) days prior to the first applicable payroll period as of which such election is intended to become effective, pursuant to such notification procedures as the Administrative Committee may establish, from time to time. Any such suspension shall remain in effect for the remainder of the Plan Year in which such suspension election is made and the Participant will be further suspended from making any new Deferral Contributions with respect to his Salary during the following Plan Year. During such period of suspension, the Deferral Contributions of such Participant relating to Salary shall be suspended. A Participant may not make up suspended Deferral Contributions. The Deferral Contributions of a Participant shall be suspended automatically for any payroll period in which such Participant does not receive any Compensation.

 

(iii) Method of Allocating Deferral Contributions. Each Participant who elected to reduce his Compensation during a Plan Year pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph A shall receive an allocation of Deferral Contributions to his Deferral Contribution Account for such Plan Year equal to the amount by which he elected to reduce and has in fact reduced his

 

- 33 -


Compensation for such Plan Year pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph A. Such allocations shall be credited to the Participant’s Deferral Contribution Account and made to the Trust as soon as practicable but in no event more than 30 days after they are deducted from Participant’s Salary or Bonus.

 

B. Basic Match Contributions. Each Participant shall receive an allocation to his Basic Match Contribution Account in accordance with the following:

 

(i) Plan Years Beginning Prior to January 1, 2004. For each Plan Year beginning prior to January 1, 2004, each Participant shall receive an allocation to his Basic Match Contribution Account for such Plan Year in an amount such that when added to his Incremental Match Contribution under paragraph C of this Section Seven shall equal fifty percent (50%) of the amount of Deferral Contributions allocated to such Participant under Paragraph A above for such Plan Year. The aggregate amount of the Basic Match Contributions which may be allocated to each Participant’s Basic Match Contribution Account for such Plan Year under this Plan shall not exceed six percent (6%) of his Compensation reduced by six percent (6%) of such amount of his Salary as does not exceed the dollar limitation then in effect under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code (which reduction amount is a deemed contribution made on behalf of such Participant under any Savings Plan). In no event will such a deemed contribution exceed the annual limit on elective deferrals then in effect under Section 402(g) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

- 34 -


(ii) Plan Years Beginning On or After January 1, 2004. For each Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 2004, each Participant shall receive allocations to his Basic Match Contribution Account for such Plan Year in accordance with Paragraphs (a) and (b) below:

 

(a) For each Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 2004, each Participant shall receive an allocation to his Basic Match Contribution Account for such Plan Year in an amount equal to one-hundred percent (100%) of the amount of Deferral Contributions allocated to such Participant under Paragraph A above for such Plan Year. The aggregate amount of the Basic Match Contributions under this Paragraph B(ii)(a) which may be allocated to each Participant’s Basic Match Contribution Account for such Plan Year shall not exceed the percent of the Participant’s Compensation determined in accordance with the chart below:

 

Participant’s Highest Attained

Age During Plan Year


 

Percent of Compensation


Age 44 and Below

  1%

45

  2%

46

  3%

47

  4%

48

  5%

49

  6%

50

  7%

51

  8%

52

  9%

53

  10%

54

  11%

55

  12%

56

  13%

57

  14%

58

  15%

59

  16%

Age 60 and Above

  17%

 

- 35 -


(b) For each Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 2004, each Participant shall receive an allocation to his Basic Match Contribution Account for such Plan Year in an amount equal to one-hundred percent (100%) of the amount of Deferral Contributions allocated to such Participant under Paragraph A above for such Plan Year, provided that the aggregate amount of the Basic Match Contribution under this Paragraph B(ii)(b) which may be allocated to each Participant’s Basic Match

 

- 36 -


Contribution Account for such Plan Year under this Plan shall not exceed four percent (4%) of the portion of the Participant’s Compensation for such Plan Year that exceeds the dollar limitation on compensation set forth under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

(iii) The Basic Match Contribution shall be credited to the Participant’s Basic Match Contribution Account and made to the Trust throughout the Plan Year at the same time as the Participant’s Deferral Contributions, to which such Basic Match Contributions relate, are made to the Trust.

 

(iv) The Basic Match Contribution Account shall be subject to the vesting schedule set forth in Paragraph A(iii) of Section Eleven.

 

(v) Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 2004, the Basic Match Contribution with respect to any Plan Year may not exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000).

 

- 37 -


C. Incremental Match Contributions. For Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 2004, no Participant shall receive an allocation to his Incremental Match Contribution Account. For Plan Years beginning prior to January 1, 2004, each Participant shall receive an allocation to his Incremental Match Contribution Account in accordance with the following:

 

(i) For each Plan Year beginning prior to January 1, 2004, each Eligible Participant whose Index Date has occurred during such Plan Year or during a prior Plan Year shall receive an allocation to his Incremental Match Contribution Account for such Plan Year in an amount such that when added to his Basic Match Contribution under paragraph B(i) of this Section Seven shall equal fifty percent (50%) of the amount of Deferral Contributions allocated to such Eligible Participant under Paragraph A above for such Plan Year. Notwithstanding the above, the aggregate amount of Incremental Match Contributions which may be allocated to an Eligible Participant’s Incremental Match Contribution Account with respect to a Plan Year may not exceed the multiple of (a) one percent (1%) of the Eligible Participant’s Compensation for such Plan Year, times (b) the number of the Eligible Participant’s Incremental Years as of the last day of the current Plan Year.

 

(ii) As a further limitation to the amount of an Eligible Participant’s Basic Match Contributions set forth in Paragraph B(i) and Incremental Match Contributions, the sum of the Basic Match Contributions set forth in Paragraph B(i)and the Incremental Match Contributions with respect to any Plan Year may not exceed the lesser of (i) Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) or (ii) Fifteen Percent (15%) of the Eligible Participant’s Compensation with respect to such Plan Year.

 

- 38 -


If the application of these limitations would otherwise result in the reduction of the Incremental Match Contributions to an amount less than zero, such excess reduction shall instead be applied to reduce the Participant’s Basic Match Contributions set forth in Paragraph B(i).

 

(iii) The Incremental Match Contributions with respect to a Plan Year shall be credited to the Eligible Participant’s Incremental Match Contribution Account and made to the Trust as soon as practicable after the end of such Plan Year.

 

(iv) The Incremental Match Contribution Account shall be subject to the vesting schedule set forth in Paragraph A (iv) of Section Eleven.

 

D. Savings Plan Restoration Match Contributions. For Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 2004, no Participant shall receive an allocation to his Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution Account. For Plan Years beginning prior to January 1, 2004, each Participant shall receive an allocation to his Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution Account in accordance with the following:

 

(i) For Plan Years beginning prior to January 1, 2004, each Eligible Participant whose Salary for such Plan Year is less than the dollar limitation on compensation set forth under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code but only after taking into account the Eligible Participant’s Deferral

 

- 39 -


Contributions with respect to Salary pursuant to Paragraph A of this Section 7, shall receive an allocation to his Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution Account for such Plan Year in an amount equal to six percent (6%) of the positive difference, if any, between the amount of his Salary which does not exceed the dollar limitation then in effect under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code and his Salary after reduction by the amount of his Deferral Contributions with respect to Salary pursuant to Paragraph A of this Section Seven.

 

(ii) The Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution Account shall be credited to the Eligible Participant’s Savings Plan Restoration Account and made to the Trust as soon as practicable after the end of such Plan Year.

 

(iii) The Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution Account shall be subject to the vesting schedule set forth in Paragraph A(v) of Section Eleven.

 

- 40 -


E. Deemed Participation Match Contribution. On the Effective Date, each Eligible Participant whose Index Date occurred prior to the Effective Date and who elects to make a Deferral Contribution for the Plan Year 2000 will receive a ledger account credit for a constructive Deemed Participation Match Contribution with respect to each Plan Year occurring between such Eligible Participant’s Index Date and the Effective Date computed as follows:

 

(i) A determination will be made of the amount of the Basic Match Contributions and the Incremental Match Contributions which would have been allocated to such Eligible Participant’s Accounts with respect to each Plan Year had the Plan been in effect during such Plan Year and had the individual elected the maximum amount of permissible Deferral Contributions with respect to such Plan Year based on the Eligible Participant’s annualized Salary and target Bonus in effect on December 1, 1999. Such determination will include all limitations set forth above in connection with the amount of the Basic Match Contributions and Incremental Match Contributions.

 

(ii) The above amount will be reduced by an amount equal to the actuarial equivalent computed lump-sum value of the annual accrued benefit which the individual has earned as of the time of the computation of such ledger credit under the terms of any defined benefit retirement-type plan (whether tax-qualified or nonqualified) maintained by any Participating Company. Such computation shall be made by the Administrative Committee utilizing such reasonable methodology as it may develop from time to time in its discretion.

 

(iii) The above-referenced amount will be considered earned over a fifteen (15) year period in equal portions and each portion will be deemed to accrue on each of the first fifteen (15) anniversaries of the Eligible Participant’s date of hire by the Sponsoring Company or any Affiliated Company beginning with the Plan Year in which the Eligible Participant was first hired by

 

- 41 -


the Sponsoring Company or any Affiliated Company. For the portions of the Deemed Participation Match Contribution which are deemed to have accrued in years prior to the Effective Date, all such portions shall be deemed to have accrued in a lump-sum on the Effective Date without interest. After the Effective Date, the remaining portions of the Deemed Participation Match Contribution, if any, shall be earned as of successive anniversaries of the Eligible Participant’s date of hire throughout the remainder of such fifteen (15)-year period in equal annual amounts computed as periodic payments, discounted at at 10% per annum, and such amounts, as earned, shall be credited to the ledger account on December 31 of each such year.

 

(iv) The accrued balance in the Eligible Participant’s ledger account shall be credited with interest on December 31 of each year at a rate to be determined prospectively and published by the Administrative Committee, in its discretion.

 

(v) The Deemed Match Contribution shall not actually be made to the Trust but the cumulative amount credited to the Deemed Participation Match Contribution ledger account shall instead be paid directly to the Eligible Participant in a lump sum by the applicable Participating Company if the Eligible Participant terminates employment after attaining his Retirement Date and after having become vested in accordance with Paragraph A(vi) of Section Eleven.

 

- 42 -


(vi) The entitlement of the Eligible Participant to the Deemed Participation Match Contribution shall be subject to the vesting schedule set forth in Paragraph A(vi) of Section Eleven.

 

F. Prospective Exclusion. From time to time, the Administrative Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine that the inclusion of an Employee in the Plan jeopardizes the ability of the Plan to continue to satisfy the requirements under Section 201(2) of ERISA. In such an instance, the Administrative Committee may direct the immediate distribution to such Employee of any vested amount in his Company Contribution Accounts and Deferral Contribution Account.

 

- 43 -


SECTION EIGHT

 

DISABILITY BENEFITS

 

A. Disability Retirement Benefits. If a Participant’s employment terminates by reason of Total and Permanent Disability while in the employ of the Sponsoring Company or an Affiliated Company, his Company Contribution Accounts shall fully vest (except for his Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account which will only be paid if the Participant has terminated employment after satisfying the conditions described in Section Eleven A(vi)), and he shall be entitled to receive benefits equal to the total amount in his Accounts in the Plan (except for his Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account which will only be paid if the Participant has terminated employment after satisfying the conditions described in Section Eleven A(vi)), as determined in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph A of Section Twelve hereof. Such benefits shall be paid at the time and in the manner specified in Section Twelve of the Plan.

 

B. Determination of Disability. The Administrative Committee shall determine whether a Participant has suffered a Total and Permanent Disability and its determination in that respect shall be binding upon the Participant. In making its determination, the Administrative Committee may (i) require the Participant to submit to medical examinations by doctors selected by the Administrative Committee or (ii) rely upon a determination

 

- 44 -


that the Participant is entitled to disability benefits payable under Title II of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 301 et. seq., or similar subsequent section, as evidenced by a certificate of Social Security Insurance Award. The provisions of this Section Eight shall be uniformly and consistently applied to all Participants.

 

- 45 -


SECTION NINE

 

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

 

If a Participant is employed by the Sponsoring Company or an Affiliated Company on his Retirement Date, his Company Contribution Accounts shall fully vest at that time (except for his Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account which will only be paid if the Participant terminates employment after satisfying the conditions described in Section Eleven A(vi)). If the Participant continues in a Participating Company’s employ after his Retirement Date, he shall continue to be eligible to reduce his Compensation under the Plan and to share in the allocations of Company Contributions under the Plan until his actual retirement. Upon retirement on or after attaining his Retirement Date, a Participant shall be entitled to receive benefits equal to the total amount in his Accounts in the Plan (except for his Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account which will only be paid if the Participant terminates employment after satisfying the conditions described in Section Eleven A(vi)) as determined in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph A of Section Twelve hereof. Such benefits shall be paid at the time and in the manner specified in Section Twelve of the Plan.

 

- 46 -


SECTION TEN

 

DEATH BENEFITS

 

A. Death Benefits. Upon the death of a Participant who is employed by the Sponsoring Company or an Affiliated Company at the time of his death, such deceased Participant’s Company Contribution Accounts shall fully vest, (except for his Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account which will only be paid if the Participant dies after having satisfied the conditions described in Section Eleven A(vi)) and his Beneficiary shall be entitled to receive benefits equal to the total amount in the deceased Participant’s Accounts in the Plan (except for his Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account which will only be paid if the Participant dies after having satisfied the conditions described in Section Eleven A(vi)) as determined in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph A of Section Twelve hereof. Upon the death of a Participant who is not employed by the Sponsoring Company or an Affiliated Company at the time of his death, such deceased Participant’s Beneficiary shall be entitled to receive benefits equal to the vested amount in the deceased Participant’s Accounts in the Plan as determined in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph A of Section Eleven. In either event, such benefits shall be paid at the time and in the manner specified in Section Twelve of the Plan.

 

- 47 -


B. Designation of Beneficiaries. Each Participant may designate one or more Beneficiaries and contingent Beneficiaries by delivering a written designation thereof over his signature to the Administrative Committee. A Participant may designate different Beneficiaries at any time by delivering a new written designation over his signature to the Administrative Committee. Any such designation shall become effective only upon its receipt by the Administrative Committee. The last effective designation received by the Administrative Committee shall supersede all prior designations. A designation of a Beneficiary shall be effective only if the designated Beneficiary survives the Participant.

 

C. Failure of Participant to Designate. If a Participant fails to designate a Beneficiary, or if no designated Beneficiary survives the Participant, the Participant shall be deemed to have designated the Beneficiaries then in effect under the Group Term Life Insurance Plan of the Sponsoring Company or an Affiliated Company, or, in the absence of any such valid designation, his estate.

 

D. Beneficiaries’ Rights. Whenever the rights of a Participant are stated or limited in the Plan, his Beneficiaries shall be bound thereby.

 

- 48 -


SECTION ELEVEN

 

EMPLOYMENT TERMINATION BENEFITS

 

A. Vesting Rules.

 

(i) Vesting of Deferral Contribution Account. A Participant is always vested one hundred percent (100%) in his Deferral Contribution Account.

 

(ii) Vesting in Company Contribution Accounts in special cases. In the event of the termination of employment of a Participant due to death, incurrence of Total and Permanent Disability or after attainment of his Retirement Date or a Change in Control, such Participant shall be entitled to receive one hundred percent (100%) of the amount in his Company Contribution Accounts (other than the Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account which will only be payable if the Participant terminates employment after having satisfied the conditions described in Section Eleven A(vi)).

 

(iii) Vesting of Basic Match Contribution Account. In the event that the Participant terminates employment for reasons or under circumstances other than those set forth in subparagraph (ii) above, the vested status of the Participant’s Basic Match Contribution Account will be based upon a five-year vesting schedule wherein 20% of the balance of the Account will become vested for each Year of Service commencing with the Participant’s initial date of hire with the Sponsoring Company or an Affiliated Company.

 

- 49 -


(iv) Vesting of Incremental Match Contribution Account. In the event that the Participant terminates employment for reasons or under circumstances other than those set forth in subparagraph (ii) above, the vested status of the Participant’s Incremental Match Contribution Account will be based upon a schedule wherein 10% of the balance of the Account will become vested for each Year of Service commencing with the later of (i) the Participant’s initial date of hire with the Sponsoring Company or an Affiliated Company or (ii) the Participant’s Index Date.

 

(v) Vesting of Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution Account. In the event the Participant terminates employment for reasons or under circumstances other than those set forth in subparagraph (ii) above, the vested status of Participant’s Savings Plan Restoration Match Contribution Account will be based upon a five-year vesting schedule wherein 20% of the balance of the Account will become vested for each Year of Service commencing with the Participant’s initial date of hire with the Sponsoring Company or an Affiliated Company.

 

(vi) Vesting of Deemed Participation Match Contribution Account. A Participant will become vested in his Deemed Participation Match Contribution ledger account on the

 

50


later of (i) his attainment of his Retirement Date or (ii) the fifth (5th) anniversary of the date of such Participant’s initial participation in the Plan. If the Participant terminates employment for any reason prior to such Retirement Date or prior to such fifth (5th) anniversary, the individual will have no entitlement to receive any payments with respect to his Deemed Participation Match Contribution.

 

(vii) Termination for Cause. Notwithstanding the above, in the event a Participant’s employment is terminated “for cause” other than a termination which occurs subsequent to a Change in Control, the Participant will not be entitled to receive any payments from the Plan other than a payment relating to his Deferral Contribution Account. For these purposes, the term “for cause” shall mean any of the following in the judgement of the Administrative Committee:

 

(a) any type of disloyalty to the Company, including, without limitation, fraud, embezzlement, theft, or dishonesty in the course of a Participant’s employment or business relationship with the Company; or

 

(b) conviction of a felony or other crime involving a breach of trust or fiduciary duty owed to the Company; or

 

(c) unauthorized disclosure of trade secrets or confidential information of the Company; or

 

- 51 -


(d) a material breach of any agreement with the Company in respect of confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-competition or otherwise; or

 

(e) any serious violation of Company policy that is materially damaging to the Company’s interests.

 

B. Counting Years of Service. For purposes of this Section Eleven, all Years of Service (whether or not continuous) shall be taken into account.

 

C. Forfeiture of Non-Vested Amount. The excess of (i) the amount in the Company Contribution Accounts of a Participant whose termination of employment has occurred, over (ii) the vested amount in such Company Contribution Accounts as determined in accordance with the vesting schedules set forth in Paragraph A of this Section Eleven (such difference being referred to herein as the “Non-Vested Amount”) shall be forfeited upon the earlier of (i) the Participant’s receipt of a distribution of his total vested Accounts under the Plan or (ii) the second (2nd) anniversary following his termination of employment.

 

- 52 -


SECTION TWELVE

 

PAYMENT OF BENEFITS

 

A. General. The Administrative Committee shall distribute the benefits payable to a Participant (or, if applicable, his Beneficiary), pursuant to Paragraph B of this Section Twelve upon such Participant’s termination of employment. The amount of such distribution shall be equal to the vested balance (as provided in Paragraph A of Section Eleven) in such Participant’s Accounts as of the Valuation Date coincident with or immediately preceding the date on which the distribution is made, supplemented, where applicable, by an amount representing any amounts withheld from such Participant’s Compensation under Paragraph A of Section Seven subsequent to such Valuation Date.

 

B. Distribution of Benefits. Upon a Participant’s death or his termination of employment on or after a Change in Control, the Participating Company which employed such Participant at such time shall pay such Participant (or, if applicable, his Beneficiary) the benefits payable to him under Paragraph A of this Section Twelve in one lump sum payment as soon as administratively practicable after such event. In the event of a Total and Permanent Disability, such lump-sum payment will be made at the earliest of (i) recovery from the disability, (ii) death or (iii) attainment of age sixty-five (65).

 

- 53 -


In the event of a termination of employment prior to January 1, 2001 for reasons other than death, Change in Control or Total and Permanent Disability, such lump-sum payment will be made in the month of January following the Plan Year in which such termination of employment takes place. In the event of a termination of employment on or after January 1, 2001, for any reason other than death, Change in Control or Total and Permanent Disability, such lump-sum payment shall be made as soon as administratively practicable after such event. However, if at least one (1) year prior to his termination of employment for any reason other than a Change of Control or Total and Permanent Disability, the Participant made an irrevocable election in the manner specified by the Administrative Committee or its delegate to receive his benefits under the Plan which are attributable to Deferral Contributions, Basic Match Contributions and Incremental Match Contributions with respect to one or more designated Plan Years in the form of installment payments and such Participant had attained age forty-five (45) prior to his termination of employment, such distribution shall instead be made in the form of annual installment payments. The first payment shall be made as soon as administratively practicable after such termination of employment and subsequent payments shall be made in the month of February of each subsequent Plan Year.

 

- 54 -


If a Participant elects distribution in the form of annual installment payments, he shall further designate the period of time (either five (5) years or ten (10) years) over which the installment payments are to be made. However, if the Participant’s Accounts have an aggregate balance of less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) at the time any payment is to be made, the full remaining vested balance in the Accounts will be paid to the Participant in a single lump sum distribution. During the period such installment payments are being made, the remaining balances in the Participant’s vested Accounts shall continue to be invested at the direction of the Participant and credited with earnings or losses in accordance with the provisions of Section Six of the Plan. If a Participant incurs a Total and Permanent Disability after having commenced receipt of benefits in installment form, payment of future installments shall be suspended until the earlier of (i) recovery from the disability or (ii) attainment of age sixty-five (65) at which time all suspended payments shall be made in a lump sum.

 

If a Participant dies after having made an election to receive his distribution in the form of installment payments but before the receipt of all of the installment payments payable thereunder, the remaining installment payments shall be paid to his Beneficiary for the remaining duration of the elected installment period unless the Beneficiary requests payment in a lump-sum and the Administrative Committee, in its sole discretion, grants such request.

 

- 55 -


If a Participant dies after having elected to receive his distribution in the form of installment payments but prior to receipt of any installment payments payable thereunder, the benefits payable under Paragraph A of this Section Twelve to such Participant’s Beneficiary shall be paid in one lump sum payment as soon as administratively feasible following such Participant’s death.

 

The computation of the amount of any lump sum payment or the amount of any installment payment shall be made by reference to the balances of the Participant’s vested Accounts as of the date of the distribution. A Participating Company making any distribution hereunder shall withhold from the distribution any applicable payroll taxes or required income taxes.

 

C. In-Service Withdrawal. A Participant may elect to receive a distribution from the Plan while still employed by the Sponsoring Company or an Affiliated Company from the individual’s Deferral Contribution Account, vested Basic Match Contribution Account or vested Incremental Match Contribution Account. Any such in-service distribution must be made pursuant to an election initially made prior to the Plan Year of the deferral to which the Deferral Contribution or Matching Contributions relate. The distribution must be scheduled to commence no less than two years

 

- 56 -


after the end of the Plan Year in which such Deferral Contributions and/or Matching Contributions are made. A separate distribution election can be made each Plan Year with respect to all but not less than all of the combination of all Deferral Contributions, Basic Match Contributions and Incremental Match Contributions relating to such Plan Year.

 

The form and timing of the distribution of an in-service withdrawal for any Plan Year may be amended or postponed one time only by giving the Administrative Committee or its delegate written notice of such modified distribution date no less than one year prior to the originally elected distribution date. Any such deferred distribution must take place at least two Plan Years after the originally scheduled distribution date.

 

Any distribution which is requested in the form of a lump-sum distribution will be paid in the month of January of the year specified in the election form. Alternatively, an in-service withdrawal can be paid in annual installments over a two, three, four or five year period as specified in the election form. The amount of the annual installment payment will be determined by dividing the identified vested account balance components by the remaining installments immediately prior to the payment.

 

In the event that the remaining amounts to be distributed in connection with the installment form have an aggregate balance of less than $25,000 at the time any payment is to be made, the

 

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full remaining amounts scheduled to be distributed to the Participant from the Accounts will be paid to the Participant in a single lump sum distribution. Scheduled annual installment payments will commence in the January of the year specified in the election form.

 

If a Participant terminates employment due to death, a Change of Control or Total and Permanent Disability prior to the scheduled withdrawal date, that portion of the Participant’s Accounts which were scheduled to be paid in the form of an in-service distribution will instead be paid in accordance with the applicable provisions of Paragraph B above.

 

If a Participant terminates employment for any reason other than death, a Change of Control or Total and Permanent Disability prior to the scheduled withdrawal date, that portion of the Participant’s Accounts which were scheduled to be paid in the form of an in-service distribution will instead be paid in January of the Plan Year following the termination of employment in the form and in the manner previously elected by the Participant.

 

D. Hardship Withdrawals. A Participant may request the Administrative Committee to allow a hardship withdrawal from the Plan in the event of an unforeseeable severe financial emergency. For these purposes, an unforeseeable severe financial emergency must be a financial need arising from:

 

(i) The illness or accident of a Participant or a dependent of the Participant;

 

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(ii) A significant loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty; or

 

(iii) Any similar circumstances involving an immediate financial need which arises out of events beyond the control of the participant and which may not be relieved through other available resources of the Participant. The Administrative Committee can grant or deny a Participant’s request for a hardship withdrawal in its sole discretion and need not be consistent with respect to similarly situated requests.

 

E. Benefits of Persons Who Cannot Be Located. If the Administrative Committee determines in good faith that a Participant or Beneficiary entitled to receive a benefit payment hereunder cannot be located, the Administrative Committee shall nevertheless give written notice to such person of the fact that such benefit payment is payable to him under the Plan. Such written notice shall be given by United States mail to the person entitled to the benefit payment (according to the records of the Plan) at the last known address of such person. In addition, the Administrative Committee shall use such other means as are reasonably available to it in order to ascertain the location of such person. If such Participant or Beneficiary makes no claim for such benefit payment before the earlier of (i) a period of

 

- 59 -


two (2) years after the giving of such written notice or (ii) the termination of the Plan, then the Administrative Committee shall declare a forfeiture of the benefits otherwise payable to such person, provided such person has not yet been located.

 

F. Distribution for Minor Beneficiary. In the event a distribution is to be made to a minor, then the Administrative Committee may, in its sole discretion, direct that such distribution be paid to the legal guardian, or if none, to a parent of such Beneficiary or a responsible adult with whom the Beneficiary maintains his residence, or to the custodian for such Beneficiary under the Uniform Gift to Minors Act or Gift to Minors Act, if such is permitted by the laws of the state in which said Beneficiary resides. Such a payment to the legal guardian or parent of a minor Beneficiary shall fully discharge the Participating Company and Plan from further liability on account thereof.

 

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SECTION THIRTEEN

 

BENEFIT CLAIMS PROCEDURE

 

A. Claims for Benefits. Any claim for benefits under the Plan shall be made in writing to the Administrative Committee. If such claim for benefits is wholly or partially denied, the Administrative Committee shall, within ninety (90) days after receipt of the claim, notify the Participant or Beneficiary of the denial of the claim. Such notice of denial shall (i) be in writing, (ii) be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Participant or Beneficiary, and (iii) contain (a) the specific reason or reasons for denial of the claim, (b) a specific reference to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the denial is based, (c) a description of any additional material or information necessary to perfect the claim, along with an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and (d) an explanation of the claim review procedure as set forth in this Section Thirteen.

 

B. Request for Review of Denial. Within sixty (60) days after the receipt by a Participant or Beneficiary of a written notice of denial of the claim, or such later time as shall be deemed reasonable taking into account the nature of the benefit subject to the claim and any other attendant circumstances, the Participant or Beneficiary may file a written request with the Administrative Committee that it conduct a full and fair review of the denial of the claim for benefits.

 

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C. Decision on Review of Denial. The Administrative Committee shall deliver to the Participant or Beneficiary a written decision on the claim within sixty (60) days after the receipt of the aforesaid request for review. Such decision shall (i) be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Participant or Beneficiary, (ii) include the specific reason or reasons for the decision, and (iii) contain a specific reference to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the decision is based.

 

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SECTION FOURTEEN

 

INALIENABILITY OF BENEFITS

 

The right of any Participant or Beneficiary to any benefit or payment under the Plan shall not be subject to voluntary or involuntary transfer, alienation, or assignment, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be subject to attachment, execution, garnishment, sequestration, or other legal or equitable process. In the event a Participant or Beneficiary who is receiving or is entitled to receive benefits under the Plan attempts to assign, transfer or dispose of such right, or if an attempt is made to subject said right to such process, such assignment, transfer or disposition shall be null and void.

 

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SECTION FIFTEEN

 

AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

 

The Sponsoring Company may amend the Plan at any time, and from time to time, with respect to both Participants who are employed by the Sponsoring Company and Participants who are employed by any Participating Company, pursuant to written resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Sponsoring Company or, to the extent it has delegated such authority, pursuant to written resolutions of the Administrative Committee. No such amendment, however, shall have the effect of reducing any then nonforfeitable percentage of benefits of any Participant as computed in accordance with the vesting schedule under Paragraph A of Section Eleven of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Plan, the Sponsoring Company may provide for distribution of some or all of the Accounts established in connection with the Plan if legal counsel for the Sponsoring Company renders a written opinion that such distribution is required to enable the Plan to qualify for exemption from the requirements of Parts 2-4 of Title I of ERISA or as otherwise required by applicable law.

 

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SECTION SIXTEEN

 

PERMANENCY OF THE PLAN

 

The Sponsoring Company reserves the right to terminate the Plan with respect to any and all the Participating Companies.

 

If the Board of Directors of the Sponsoring Company determines to terminate the Plan completely with respect to any or all Participating Companies, the Plan shall be terminated with respect to such Participating Company as of the date specified in resolutions of such Board of Directors of the Sponsoring Company delivered to the Administrative Committee. Upon such termination or partial termination of the Plan, after payment of all expenses and proportional adjustment of the Accounts of the Participants affected by such termination to reflect expenses, profits or losses, and allocations of any previously unallocated amounts to the date of termination, the Participants affected by such termination shall be entitled to receive the vested amounts then credited to their respective Accounts in the Plan. The Administrative Committee shall make payment of such amounts in cash.

 

Upon the termination or partial termination of the Plan, the right of each Participant affected by such termination to the vested amount credited to his Accounts at such time shall be nonforfeitable without reference to any formal action on the part of the Administrative Committee or the Participating Company employing such Participant.

 

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SECTION SEVENTEEN

 

STATUS OF EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS

 

The adoption and maintenance of the Plan shall not be deemed to constitute a contract between any Participating Company and its Employees or to be consideration for, or an inducement or condition of, the employment of any person. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed (i) to give to any Employee the right to be retained in the employ of a Participating Company; (ii) to affect the right of a Participating Company to discipline or discharge any Employee at any time; (iii) to give a Participating Company the right to require any Employee to remain in its employ; (iv) to affect any Employee’s right to terminate his employment at any time; or (v) to confer the right to receive any Compensation in any form.

 

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SECTION EIGHTEEN

 

FUNDING

 

No assets of the Participating Companies shall be set aside, earmarked or placed in trust or escrow for the benefit of any Participant to fund any obligation of any Participating Company which may exist under this Plan; provided, however, that the Sponsoring Company shall establish a grantor trust designated as the “Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Capital Accumulation Plan Trust” to hold assets to secure the obligations to the Participants under this Plan (except for Deemed Participation Match Contribution) provided that neither the establishment nor the maintenance of the Trust results in the Plan being “funded” for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code. Except to the extent provided through the Trust, all payments to a Participant or Beneficiary under this Plan shall be made out of the general revenue of the Sponsoring Company or the Participating Company which employed the Participant to which such benefits were attributable, and the right to such payments by the Participant or Beneficiary shall be solely that of an unsecured general creditor of the Sponsoring Company and the relevant Participating Company. If the Sponsoring Company or other Participating Company makes a direct payment of a benefit to a Participant or Beneficiary, it shall be entitled to reimbursement for such amount from the Trust.

 

- 67 -


SECTION NINETEEN

 

APPLICABLE LAW

 

The Plan shall be construed, regulated, interpreted and administered under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio, to the extent not preempted by ERISA.

 

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SECTION TWENTY

 

ADOPTION OF PLAN BY AFFILIATED COMPANIES

 

Any Affiliated Company, whether or not presently existing, may be designated by the Administrative Committee of the Sponsoring Company as a Participating Company under this Plan and a party to any trust established in connection with the Plan. Any such Affiliated Company which is deemed to have adopted the Plan pursuant to action taken by the Administrative Committee of the Sponsoring Company as provided above shall thereafter be included within the meaning of the term “Participating Company” when used in the Plan.

 

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EX-31 3 dex31.htm SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION--CEO Section 302 Certification--CEO

Exhibit 31

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

 

I, Fernando Aguirre, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Chiquita Brands International, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 6, 2004

 

    /s/    FERNANDO AGUIRRE        

Title:

  Chief Executive Officer

 

EX-31 4 dex311.htm SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION--CFO Section 302 Certification--CFO

Certification Of Chief Financial Officer

 

I, James B. Riley, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Chiquita Brands International, Inc.;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(c) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 6, 2004

 

    /s/    JAMES B. RILEY        

Title:

  Chief Financial Officer

 

EX-32 5 dex32.htm SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION--CEO AND CFO Section 906 Certification--CEO and CFO

Exhibit 32

 

Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

 

The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004 of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Dated: August 6, 2004

 

    /s/    FERNANDO AGUIRRE        

Name:

  Fernando Aguirre

Title:

  Chief Executive Officer

 

Dated: August 6, 2004

 

    /s/    JAMES B. RILEY        

Name:

  James B. Riley

Title:

  Chief Financial Officer

 

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