10-Q 1 j2266_10q.htm 10-Q Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2001

 

OR

 

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

 

Commission File Number: 0-28774

 


 

WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

68-0070656

 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

2320 Marinship Way, Suite 300 Sausalito, CA

 

94965

 (Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

(415) 331-5281

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes ý No o

 

                Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Outstanding at November 1, 2001

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value

 

8,825,953

 

 


WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.
Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets
As of September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Year ended December 31, 2000 and nine months ended September 30, 2001

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 


Item 1:  Consolidated Financial Statements

 

WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash of $18,799 and $16,666 at September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000, respectively

 

31,584

 

25,371

 

Equipment held for operating lease, less accumulated depreciation of $36,432,  and $27,296 at September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000, respectively

 

482,016

 

408,814

 

Net investment in direct finance lease

 

7,418

 

7,910

 

Operating lease related receivable

 

2,969

 

4,143

 

Net assets of discontinued operations

 

1,210

 

3,841

 

Investments

 

1,480

 

780

 

Other assets

 

7,708

 

5,071

 

Total assets

 

$

534,385

 

$

455,930

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

16,861

 

6,353

 

Liabilities under derivative instruments

 

3,547

 

-

 

Deferred income taxes

 

21,627

 

17,076

 

Notes payable

 

350,625

 

301,346

 

Residual share payable

 

32

 

2,630

 

Maintenance reserves

 

32,130

 

24,452

 

Security deposits

 

4,590

 

4,251

 

Unearned lease revenue

 

4,292

 

4,132

 

Total liabilities

 

433,704

 

360,240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock ($0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none outstanding)

 

-

 

-

 

Common stock, ($0.01 par value.  20,000,000 shares authorized; 8,825,953 and 8,704,638 shares issued and outstanding as of  September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000, respectively)

 

88

 

87

 

Paid-in capital in excess of par

 

61,442

 

60,771

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax of  $1,383

 

(2,164

)

-

 

Retained earnings

 

41,315

 

34,832

 

Total shareholders' equity

 

100,681

 

95,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

$

534,385

 

$

455,930

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 


WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

2001

 

2000

 

REVENUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease revenue

 

$

15,806

 

$

12,039

 

$

45,933

 

$

36,244

 

Gain on sale of leased equipment

 

394

 

3,225

 

6,591

 

8,129

 

Total revenue

 

16,200

 

15,264

 

52,524

 

44,373

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

4,255

 

3,078

 

12,316

 

9,160

 

General and administrative

 

3,331

 

2,667

 

10,210

 

8,825

 

Total expenses

 

7,586

 

5,745

 

22,526

 

17,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from operations

 

8,614

 

9,519

 

29,998

 

26,388

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

5,767

 

6,323

 

18,521

 

18,351

 

Interest income

 

(233

)

(259

)

(757

)

(743

)

Residual share

 

204

 

167

 

393

 

508

 

Net interest and finance costs

 

5,738

 

6,231

 

18,157

 

18,116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

2,876

 

3,288

 

11,841

 

8,272

 

Income taxes

 

(1,121

)

(1,278

)

(4,618

)

(3,199

)

Income from continuing operations

 

1,755

 

2,010

 

7,223

 

5,073

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income/(loss) from discontinued operations (net of income tax expense of $29, $55, $19 and $396 for three and nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively)

 

45

 

61

 

30

 

534

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (net of income tax benefit of $493 for nine months ended September 30, 2001)

 

-

 

-

 

(770

)

-

 

 

 

45

 

61

 

(740

)

534

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1,800

 

$

2,071

 

$

6,483

 

$

5,607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.83

 

$

0.69

 

Discontinued operations

 

-

 

0.01

 

(0.09

)

0.07

 

Net income

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.28

 

$

0.74

 

$

0.76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.27

 

$

0.81

 

$

0.68

 

Discontinued operations

 

-

 

0.01

 

(0.08

)

0.07

 

Net income

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.28

 

$

0.73

 

$

0.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average common shares outstanding

 

8,812

 

7,403

 

8,752

 

7,401

 

Diluted average common shares outstanding

 

8,954

 

7,496

 

8,915

 

7,489

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 


WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity

Year Ended December 31, 2000 and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2001

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Issued and outstanding shares of common stock

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-in Capital in Excess of par

 

Retained earnings

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

Total shareholders equity

 

Balances at

December 31, 1999

 

7,398

 

$

74

 

$

42,446

 

$

27,018

 

-

 

$

69,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

7,814

 

-

 

7,814

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued

 

1,307

 

13

 

15,004

 

-

 

-

 

15,017

 

Options Granted

 

-

 

-

 

3,321

 

-

 

-

 

3,321

 

Balances at December 31, 2000

 

8,705

 

87

 

60,771

 

34,832

 

-

 

95,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

6,483

 

-

 

6,483

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transition adjustment as of January 1, 2001 (net of tax of $290)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(453

)

(453

)

Net loss on cashflow hedging instruments, (net of tax of $1,093)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(1,711

)

(1,711

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

4,319

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued

 

121

 

1

 

671

 

-

 

-

 

672

 

Balances at

September 30, 2001

 

8,826

 

$

88

 

$

61,442

 

$

41,315

 

($2,164

)

$

100,681

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 


WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

6,483

 

$

5,607

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

12,864

 

10,639

 

Stock option compensation

 

162

 

-

 

Gain on sale of leased equipment

 

(6,591

)

(8,129

)

Loss on sale of discontinued operations

 

613

 

-

 

Loss from unconsolidated affiliate

 

-

 

1,116

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

1,850

 

(5,582

)

Other assets

 

(2,012

)

5,198

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

10,508

 

1,432

 

Deferred income taxes

 

5,934

 

3,585

 

Residual share payable

 

(2,598

)

(965

)

Unearned lease revenue

 

20

 

307

 

Maintenance deposits

 

7,678

 

(64

)

Security deposits

 

351

 

(1,323

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

35,262

 

11,821

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of equipment held for operating lease (net of selling expenses)

 

28,692

 

47,024

 

Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

 

771

 

-

 

Purchase of equipment held for operating lease

 

(107,461

)

(48,855

)

Purchase of property, equipment and furnishings

 

(632

)

(558

)

Investments in joint ventures

 

(700

)

(1,758

)

Principal payments received on direct finance lease

 

492

 

554

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(78,838

)

(3,593

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of notes payable

 

129,801

 

66,777

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

 

510

 

39

 

Principal payments on notes payable

 

(80,522

)

(73,720

)

Principal payments on capital lease obligation

 

-

 

(2,489

)

Net cash provided (used in) by financing activities

 

49,789

 

(9,393

)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

6,213

 

(1,165

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period including restricted cash of $16,666 and $15,992 at December 31, 2000 and 1999 respectively

 

25,371

 

25,468

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period including restricted cash of $18,799 and $14,051 at September 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively

 

$

31,584

 

$

24,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental information:

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash paid for:

Interest

 

$

17,661

 

$

20,416

 

 

Income Taxes

 

$

59

 

$

-

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 


WILLIS LEASE FINANCE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.     Basis of Presentation

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Willis Lease Finance Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for reporting on Form 10-Q.  Pursuant to such rules and regulations, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, have been condensed or omitted.  The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, together with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.  In addition, certain amounts in the prior period’s financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal and recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2001 (unaudited), and December 31, 2000, and the unaudited results of its operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2001 and 2000 and its cash flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2001 and 2000.  The results of operations and cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2001 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations or cash flows which may be reported for the remainder of 2001.

 

Management considers the continuing operations of the Company to operate in one reportable segment.

 

2.     Management Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

3.     Commitments

 

The Company has one lease for its office space.  The annual lease rental commitment is approximately $365,000 and the lease expires on May 31, 2003.  The Company also leases, on a month-to-month basis, office space from its former parts subsidiary in San Diego.

 

The Company has committed to purchase, during the remainder of 2001, one additional used engine for its operations, for  approximately $4.8 million.

 

Under the terms of the Sichuan Snecma joint venture (see note 4 below), the Company is committed to fund up to an additional $1.5 million to the joint venture over the next three years.

4.     Investments

 

In July 1999, the Company entered into an agreement to participate in a joint venture formed as a limited company – Sichuan Snecma Aero-engine Maintenance Co. Ltd.  Sichuan Snecma will focus on providing maintenance services for CFM56 series engines.  Other participants in the joint venture are China Southwest Airlines, Snecma Services and Beijing Kailan Aviation Technology Development and Services Corporation.  The Company’s investment in Sichuan Snecma at September 30, 2001 is $1.5 million having contributed an additional $0.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2001.  This investment represents approximately a 7% interest in the venture.  The investment is recorded at cost and reviewed for impairment quarterly.  No adjustment to the carrying value is required at September 30, 2001.

 

5.     Discontinued Operations

 

On November 7, 2000, the Company entered into agreements for a series of strategic transactions, each of which closed on November 30, 2000, with Flightlease AG, a corporation organized under the laws of Switzerland ("Flightlease"), SR Technics Group, a corporation organized under the laws of Switzerland ("SRT"), FlightTechnics, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("FlightTechnics") and SR Technics Group America, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("SRT Group America"), each of which are affiliated companies.

 

The Company sold its membership interests in its engine maintenance, repair and testing joint venture with Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation, Pacific Gas Turbine Center LLC ("PGTC"), to SRT Group America.  Also, the Company sold its aircraft parts and components subsidiary, Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. ("WASI"), to SRT Group America.

 

As part of the transaction, the Company agreed to retain the lease portfolio of engines maintained and managed by WASI.  Certain of these engines will not be retained in the lease portfolio and either will be sold or are subject to put option arrangements where, at the option of the Company, these engines can be sold to SRT Group America for part-out.

 

To the extent that the engines in the portfolio retained are subject to put options or are identified as likely to be sold, the assets and the related results of operation are included in discontinued operations. At September 30, 2001, 4 engines were remaining, 3 of which are subject to put options exercisable within the next 12 months.

 


 

Net earnings from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000 are as follows (in thousands of dollars):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended  September 30,

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

2001

 

2000

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease income

 

$

91

 

$

513

 

$

525

 

$

1,988

 

Spare parts sales

 

-

 

6,022

 

-

 

21,331

 

Sale of equipment acquired for resale

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Revenue

 

$

91

 

$

6,535

 

$

525

 

$

25,819

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

$

12

 

$

565

 

$

282

 

$

1,561

 

Cost of spare parts sales

 

-

 

4,283

 

150

 

16,270

 

Cost of equipment acquired for resale

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,150

 

General and administrative

 

-

 

988

 

-

 

2,681

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

$

12

 

$

5,836

 

$

432

 

$

22,662

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from operations:

 

$

79

 

$

699

 

$

93

 

$

3,157

 

Net interest and finance cost

 

5

 

258

 

44

 

1,111

 

Loss from unconsolidated affiliate

 

-

 

325

 

-

 

1,116

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

$

74

 

$

116

 

$

49

 

$

930

 

Income taxes

 

(29

)

(55

)

(19

)

(396

)

Net earnings from discontinued operations

 

$

45

 

$

61

 

$

30

 

$

534

 

 

In addition to the net earnings from discontinued operations, the Company incurred the following losses on disposal of discontinued operations:

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2001, proceeds from the sale of the Company’s interest in Pacific Gas Turbine Center LLC (“PGTC”) were adjusted after audit by the buyer and a loss (net of tax) of $234,000 was recorded. No adjustments were made in the current quarter.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2001, 6 engines were sold to avioserv, a subsidiary of SRT Group America, for a loss (net of tax) of $374,000.  In addition a further 2 engines were revalued resulting in a write-down (net of tax) of $162,000. No adjustments were made in the current quarter.

 

Net assets of discontinued operations on the balance sheet as of September 30, 2001 and December 31, 2000 are as follows (in thousands of dollars):

 

 

 

2001

 

2000

 

Receivables (net)

 

$

18

 

$

694

 

Equipment held for operating lease (net of accumulated depreciation of $465 and $2,457)

 

1,273

 

3,205

 

Inventory

 

-

 

150

 

Unearned lease revenue

 

(81

)

(208

)

Net assets of discontinued operations

 

$

1,210

 

$

3,841

 

 


 

6.     Notes Payable

 

At September 30, 2001 notes payable consisted of bank loans totaling $350.6 million payable over periods of 1 to 8 years with current interest rates varying between approximately 4.6% and 8.6%.

 

At September 30, 2001, the Company had a $125.0 million revolving credit facility to finance the acquisition of aircraft engines, aircraft and spare parts for lease as well as for general working capital purposes.  As of September 30, 2001, $21.3 million was available under this facility. The facility has a revolving period that expires on May 31, 2004, at which point the amount borrowed will be due and payable. The interest rate on this facility at September 30, 2001 was LIBOR plus 1.75%.

 

On September 21, 2001 the Company completed a $35.0 million revolving credit facility with a financial institution. Borrowings under the facility accrue interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum and are secured by specific engines and leases pledged to the lender.  The facility has a 12 month revolving period which may be renewed annually by agreement between the Company and the lender.  Borrowings under the facility have maturities that coincide with the maturities of the individual leases serving as collateral. At September 30, 2001, the Company had $12.1 million available under this facility.

 

At September 30, 2001, the Company had a $190.0 million debt warehouse facility (increased from $180.0 million at March 31, 2001 and $125.0 million at December 31, 2000). The facility is available to a wholly-owned special purpose finance subsidiary of the Company, WLFC Funding Corporation, for the financing of  aircraft engines acquired by or transferred to such finance subsidiary by the Company.  The facility is renewable annually.  This facility’s structure facilitates public or private securitized note issuances by the special purpose finance subsidiary.  The subsidiary is consolidated for financial statement presentation purposes.  The facility has an eight-year initial term with a revolving period to February 2002 followed by a seven-year amortization period.  At September 30, 2001, the interest rate was a commercial paper based rate plus a spread of 1.55%.  The Company has guaranteed the obligations under the facility on a limited basis, up to an amount equal to the greater of: (i) the lesser of $5.0 million and 20% of the outstanding obligations or (ii) 10% of the outstanding obligations.  As of September 30, 2001, $14.2 million was available under this facility.

 

At September 30, 2001, the Company had a $27.2 million term loan facility available to a wholly-owned consolidated special purpose subsidiary of the Company, WLFC AC1 Corporation, for the financing of  aircraft engines transferred by the Company to such subsidiary.  The facility is a five-year term loan with final maturity of September 30, 2005.  At September 30, 2001 the interest rate was LIBOR plus 2.05%.  At September 30, 2001, the facility was fully drawn.

 

The following is a summary of the aggregate maturities of notes payable on September 30, 2001 (dollars in thousands).

 

Year Ending December 31,

 

 

 

 

2001

 

$

1,372

 

2002

 

33,397

 

2003

 

31,617

 

2004

 

144,266

 

2005

 

60,219

 

2006 and thereafter

 

79,754

 

 

 

$

350,625

 

 


 

7.     Derivative Instruments

 

The Company holds a number of interest rate swaps to mitigate its exposure to changes in interest rates, in particular LIBOR, as a large portion of the Company’s borrowings are at variable rates.  In addition, WLFC Funding Corporation is required under its credit agreements to hedge a portion of its borrowings.

 

The Company adopted SFAS 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (as amended by SFAS 137 and 138) in the first quarter of 2001.  Under these Statements the Company’s interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges.

 

The Company reviews the effectiveness of these hedges on a quarterly basis and adjusts the fair value of the swaps through either Other Comprehensive Income and/or Income for the period.  On January 1, 2001 upon adoption of the standard, the Company recorded a transition adjustment of $453,000 (net of tax of $290,000).  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2001, the change in fair value of the swaps recorded to Other Comprehensive Income was $910,000 (net of tax of $582,000) and $1,711,000 (net of tax of $1,093,000), respectively, and there was no change in fair value recognized in Income. Interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2001 was increased by the Company’s interest rate hedges by approximately $597,000 and $1,024,000, respectively. Reclassification into Income in future periods may occur if the effectiveness of the interest rate swaps is reduced or they are terminated ahead of their maturity.  It is not possible to ascertain the effect on Income for the remainder of 2001 of a reduction in effectiveness at this time.

 

8.     Equipment Held for Operating Lease

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be disposed of” (SFAS 121) requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles to be held and used by an entity be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.

 

The Company regularly reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2001, such reviews of the Stage II engine portfolio resulted in write-downs of $443,000 in continuing operations (disclosed under depreciation in the Income Statement) and $267,000 in discontinued operations (disclosed under Losses on Disposal of Discontinued Operations in the Income Statement).  No adjustment was made in the three months to September 30, 2001.

 


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

 

Overview

 

The Company’s core business is acquiring and leasing, primarily pursuant to operating leases, commercial aircraft spare engines and related aircraft equipment.  In addition, the Company engages in the selective purchase, sale and resale of commercial aircraft engines.

 

Revenue consists primarily of lease revenue and gains from the sale of engines and equipment.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three months ended September 30, 2001 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2000:

 

Leasing Related Activities.  Lease related revenue for continuing operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 increased 31% to $15.8 million from $12.0 million for the comparable period in 2000.  This increase reflects an increase in the lease portfolio.  The aggregate of net book value of leased equipment and net investment in direct finance lease at September 30, 2001 and 2000 was $489.4 million and $331.6 million, respectively.

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2001, 2 engines were added to the Company’s lease portfolio at a total cost of $22.5 million, which includes additional capitalized costs.  One engine from the lease portfolio was sold.  The engine sold from the lease portfolio had a net book value of $2.1 million and was sold for a gain of $0.4 million.

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2000, 2 engines were added to the Company’s lease portfolio at a cost of $2.7 million.  The Company sold, or transferred to its former parts subsidiary, 7 engines from the lease portfolio.  The engines sold from the lease portfolio had a net book value of $20.6 million and were sold for a gain of $3.2 million.

 

Depreciation Expense.  Depreciation expense for continuing operations increased 38% to $4.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 from the comparable period in 2000 mainly due to the increase in the lease portfolio.

 

General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses increased 25% to $3.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2001, from the comparable period in 2000 mainly due to higher personnel, legal and consulting costs related in part to the expanded lease portfolio.

 

Interest Expense and Finance Costs.  Interest expense related to continuing operations decreased 9% to $5.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 from the comparable period in 2000, due to lower interest rates offset by an increase in the amount of average debt. Residual sharing expense related to debt was $0.2 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2001 and 2000.  Residual sharing arrangements apply to one of the Company’s engines as of September 30, 2001 (two engines in 2000) and is a function of the difference between the debt associated with the residual sharing arrangement and estimated residual proceeds.  The Company accrues for its residual sharing obligations using net book value as an estimate for residual proceeds.  Interest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 decreased 10% to $0.2 million from the comparable period in 2000.  Interest is earned on cash, deposits held and notes receivable.

 


Income Taxes.  Income tax expense for continuing operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 was $1.1 million compared to $1.3 million for the comparable period in 2000 due to lower earnings. The effective tax rate for the quarters ended September 30, 2001 and 2000 was 39%.

 

Recent Developments That May Affect Future Results

 

On November 11, 2001, Canada 3000 Inc., a lessee that leases engines and parts packages with a total net book value of $36.0 million and lease terms of up to 10 years, was placed into bankruptcy and all of its executive officers and directors resigned. Canada 3000 is currently past due in the amount of $318,000 for rent due on or prior to November 12, 2001 (at September 30, 2001 Canada 3000 was current on all rent due). A bankruptcy hearing has been set for November 13, 2001 in Toronto. The Company has retained Canadian counsel and intends to petition the Canadian courts to allow it to repossess the equipment at the hearing.

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2001 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2000:

 

Leasing Related Activities. Lease related revenue for continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 increased 27% to $45.9 million from $36.2 million for the comparable period in 2000.  This increase reflects an increase in the lease portfolio.  The aggregate of net book value of leased equipment and net investment in direct finance lease at September 30, 2001 and 2000 was $489.4 million and $331.6 million respectively.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2001, 17 engines were added to the Company’s lease portfolio at a total cost of $107.5 million, which includes additional capitalized costs.  Five engines from the lease portfolio were sold.  The engines sold from the lease portfolio had a total net book value of $22.1 million and were sold for a gain of $6.6 million.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2000, 15 engines were added to the Company’s lease portfolio at a total cost of $48.9 million.  Nineteen engines from the lease portfolio were sold or transferred to the Company’s former parts subsidiary.  The engines sold from the lease portfolio had a net book value of $38.9 million and were sold for a gain of $8.1 million.

 

Depreciation Expense.  Depreciation expense for continuing operations increased 34% to $12.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001, from the comparable period in 2000 mainly due to the increase in the lease portfolio and write-down of Stage II engines.

 

General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses increased 16% to $10.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 from the comparable period in 2000 mainly due to higher personnel, legal and consulting costs related in part to the expanded lease portfolio.

 

Interest Expense and Finance Costs.  Interest expense related to continuing operations increased 1% to $18.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 from the comparable period in 2000, due to an increase in the amount of average debt offset by significantly reduced interest rates.  Residual sharing expense related to debt decreased 23% to $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 from $0.5 million for the comparable period in 2000.  Residual sharing arrangements apply to one of the Company’s engines as of September 30, 2001 (two engines in 2000) and is a function of the difference between the debt associated with the residual sharing arrangement and estimated residual proceeds.  The Company accrues for its residual sharing obligation using net book value as an estimate for residual proceeds.  Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 and 2000 was $0.8 and $0.7 million, respectively.  Interest is earned on cash, deposits held and notes receivable.

 

Income Tax.  Income tax expense for continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 was $4.6 million compared to $3.2 million for the comparable period in 2000 due to higher earnings.  The effective tax rate for both periods was 39%.

 


Discontinued Operations.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2001, proceeds from the sale of PGTC were adjusted after audit by the buyer and a loss (net of tax) of $234,000 was recorded.  In addition, 6 engines were sold to avioserv, a subsidiary of SRT Group America, for a loss (net of tax) of $374,000 and a further 2 engines were revalued resulting in a loss (net of tax) of $162,000.

 

Recent Developments That May Affect Future Results

 

On November 11, 2001, Canada 3000 Inc., a lessee that leases engines and parts packages with a total net book value of $36.0 million and lease terms of up to 10 years, was placed into bankruptcy and all of its executive officers and directors resigned. Canada 3000 is currently past due in the amount of $318,000 for rent due on or prior to November 12, 2001 (at September 30, 2001 Canada 3000 was current on all rent due). A bankruptcy hearing has been set for November 13, 2001 in Toronto. The Company has retained Canadian counsel and intends to petition the Canadian courts to allow it to repossess the equipment at the hearing.

 

Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2000, FASB issued SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishment of liabilities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 125.”  Statement 140 provides guidance on the following topics: securitization transactions involving financial assets, sales of financial assets such as receivables, loans and securities, collateralized borrowing arrangements, repurchase agreements, and extinguishments of liabilities.  The provisions of Statement 140 became effective for transactions entered into after March 31, 2001.  Statement 140 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements during the quarter ended September 30, 2001.

 

In June 2001, FASB issued SFAS 141, “Business Combinations,” SFAS 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and SFAS 143 “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.”  Statement 141 addresses financial accounting and reporting for business combinations and supercedes APB Opinion No. 16, “Business Combinations,” and SFAS 38, “Accounting for Preacquisition Contingencies of Purchased Enterprises.”  Under Statement 141, all business combinations are to be accounted for using one method, the purchase method.  The provisions of Statement 141 apply to all business combinations instituted after June 30, 2001.

 

Statement 142 addresses financial accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets and supercedes APB Opinion No. 17, “Intangible Assets.”  Statement 142 addresses how intangible assets that are acquired individually or with a group of other assets (excluding those acquired in a business combination) should be accounted for on their acquisition and also how they should be accounted for after they have been initially recognized.  The provisions of Statement 142 will become effective the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2001, except for goodwill and intangible assets acquired after June 30, 2001 which became immediately subject to the non-amortization and amortization provisions of the Statement. Statement 142 will require that goodwill and all identifiable intangible assets that have an indeterminable life be recognized as assets but not amortized. These assets will be assessed for impairment annually.

 

Statement 143 addresses the financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and associated retirement costs.  The Statement requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made.  The Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002.

 

In August 2001, FASB issued SFAS 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”  This Statement supercedes SFAS 121 “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of” and elements of APB 30 “Reporting the Results of Operations-Reporting the Effects on Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual or Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions.”

 


Statement 144 establishes a single-accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of while maintaining many of the provisions relating to impairment testing and valuation.  The Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.

 

The Company did not undertake any transactions during the period nor has any assets that are affected by any of these Statements.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Historically, the Company has financed its growth through borrowings secured by its equipment lease portfolio, operating cash flow and the issuance of stock.  Cash of approximately $129.8 million and $66.8 million, in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively, was derived from borrowings.  Cash flow from operating activities provided $35.3 million and $11.8 million in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively.  In these same time periods, $80.5 million and $73.7 million, respectively, of cash was used to repay debt.

 

The Company’s primary use of funds is for the purchase of equipment for lease.  Approximately $107.5 million and $48.9 million of funds were used for this purpose in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2001 and 2000, respectively.

 

At September 30, 2001, the Company had a $125.0 million revolving credit facility to finance the acquisition of aircraft engines, aircraft and spare parts for lease as well as for general working capital purposes.  As of September 30, 2001, $21.3 million was available under this facility. The interest rate on this facility at September 30, 2001 was LIBOR plus 1.75%.

 

On September 21, 2001 the Company completed a $35.0 million revolving credit facility with a financial institution. Borrowings under the facility accrue interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.00% per annum and are secured by specific engines and leases pledged to the lender.  The facility has a 12 month revolving period which may be renewed annually by agreement between the Company and the lender.  Borrowings under the facility have maturities that coincide with the maturities of the individual leases serving as collateral. At September 30, 2001, the Company had $12.1 million available under this facility.

 

At September 30, 2001, the Company had a $190.0 million debt warehouse facility (increased from $180.0 million at March 31, 2001 and $125.0 million at December 31, 2000). The facility is available to a wholly-owned special purpose finance subsidiary of the Company, WLFC Funding Corporation, for the financing of aircraft engines acquired by or transferred to such finance subsidiary by the Company.  The facility is renewable annually.  This facility’s structure facilitates public or private securitized note issuances by the special purpose finance subsidiary.  The subsidiary is consolidated for financial statement presentation purposes.  The facility has an eight-year initial term with a revolving period to February 2002 followed by a seven-year amortization period.  At September 30, 2001, the interest rate was a commercial paper based rate plus a spread of 1.55%.  The Company has guaranteed the obligations under the facility on a limited basis, up to an amount equal to the greater of: (i) the lesser of $5.0 million and 20% of the outstanding obligations or (ii) 10% of the outstanding obligations.  As of September 30, 2001, $14.2 million was available under this facility.

 

At September 30, 2001 the Company had a $27.2 million term loan facility available to a wholly-owned consolidated special purpose subsidiary of the Company, WLFC AC1 Corporation, for the financing of  aircraft engines transferred by the Company to such subsidiary.  The facility is a five year term loan with final maturity of September 30, 2005.  At September 30, 2001 the  interest rate was LIBOR plus 2.05%.  At September 30, 2001, the facility was fully drawn.

 


The Company believes that its current equity base, internally generated funds and existing debt facilities are sufficient to maintain the Company’s current level of operations.  A decline in the level of internally generated funds or the availability under the Company’s existing debt facilities would impair the Company’s ability to sustain its current level of operations.  The Company is currently discussing additions to its debt base with its commercial banks.  If the Company is not able to access additional debt and equity capital, its ability to continue to grow its asset base consistent with historical trends will be impaired and its future growth limited to that which can be funded from internally generated capital.

 

Certain of the Company’s engines have been financed under floating rate facilities.  Accordingly, the Company is subject to interest rate risk, since the underlying lease revenue is fixed.  See “Management of Interest Rate Exposure” below.

 

The Company has committed to purchase, during the remainder of 2001, one additional used engine for its operations for approximately $4.8 million. Under the terms of the Sichuan Snecma joint venture (see note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), the Company is committed to fund up to an additional $1.5 million to the joint venture over the next three years.

 

Management of Interest Rate Exposure

 

At September 30, 2001, $330.3 million of the Company’s borrowings were on a variable rate basis at various interest rates tied to LIBOR, the commercial paper rate, or the prime rate.  The Company’s equipment leases are generally structured at fixed rental rates for specified terms.  Increases in interest rates could narrow or eliminate the spread, or result in a negative spread, between the rental revenue the Company realizes under its leases and the interest rate that the Company pays under its borrowings.

 

To mitigate exposure to interest rate changes, the Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements which have notional outstanding amounts of $95.0 million, with average remaining terms of 1 to 32 months and average fixed rates of 5.8% to 6.67%.

 

Interest expense for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2001 was increased by the Company’s interest rate hedges by approximately $597,000 and $1,024,000, respectively.  The Company will be exposed to risk in the event of non-performance of the interest rate hedge counter parties.  The Company anticipates that it will hedge additional amounts of its floating rate debt during the next several months.

 


Factors That May Affect Future Results

 

Except for historical information contained herein, the discussion in this report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of the Company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions.  The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed herein.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those discussed below as well as those discussed elsewhere herein and in the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.  The cautionary statements made in this report should be read as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this report or in other written or oral statements by the Company.

 

The business in which the Company is engaged is a capital intensive business.  Accordingly, the Company’s ability to successfully execute its business strategy and to sustain its operations is dependent, in large part, on the availability of debt and equity capital.  There can be no assurance that the necessary amount of such capital will continue to be available to the Company on favorable terms or at all.  If the Company is not successful in obtaining sufficient capital, the Company’s ability to: (i) add new aircraft engines, aircraft and spare parts packages to its portfolio, (ii) fund its working capital needs and (iii) finance possible future acquisitions, would be impaired.  The Company’s inability to obtain sufficient capital would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

 

The Company retains title to the aircraft engines, aircraft and parts packages that it leases to third parties.  Upon termination of a lease, the Company will seek to re-lease or sell the aircraft equipment.  The Company also engages in the selective purchase and resale of commercial aircraft engines.  On occasion, the Company purchases engines without having a firm commitment for their sale.  Numerous factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, may have an impact on the Company’s ability to re-lease or sell aircraft equipment on a timely basis, including the following: (i) general market conditions, (ii) the condition of the aircraft equipment upon termination of the lease, (iii) the maintenance services performed during the lease term and, as applicable, the number of hours remaining until the next major maintenance is required, (iv) regulatory changes (particularly those imposing environmental, maintenance and other requirements on the operation of aircraft engines), (v) changes in the supply of, demand for or cost of aircraft engines, and (vi) technological developments.  There is no assurance that the Company will be able to re-lease or sell aircraft equipment on a timely basis or on favorable terms.  The failure to re-lease or sell aircraft equipment on a timely basis or on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

 

The Company experiences fluctuations in its operating results.  Such fluctuations may be due to a number of factors, including: (i) general economic conditions, (ii) the timing of sales of engines, (iii) financial difficulties experienced by airlines, (iv) interest rates, (v) downturns in the air transportation industry,  (vi) decreases in growth of or decline in air traffic, (vii) unanticipated early lease termination or a default by a lessee, (viii) the timing of engine acquisitions, (ix) engine marketing activities or (x) fluctuations in market prices for the Company’s assets.  The Company anticipates that fluctuations from period to period will continue in the future.  As a result, the Company believes that comparisons to results of operations for preceding periods are not necessarily meaningful and that results of prior periods should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.

 

The Company's future operating results may be adversely impacted by the unparalleled challenges faced by the airline industry due to a combination of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C. on September 11, 2001 and the current worldwide economic slowdown that has occurred both before and after the attacks.  Airlines are facing various increased costs, including insurance premiums and security costs, while at the same time suffering from reduction in demand by air travelers.  Financially weaker airlines are likely to be subject to the greatest negative impacts, but many airlines will likely take some of their aircraft out of service in response to the falloff in air travel.  Older aircraft are likely to be grounded first since they usually have higher operating costs.  Some airlines may be forced to take more drastic measures that could include debt rescheduling, deferral of lease payments or even filing for protection from creditors.  The airlines various cutbacks have had some trickle-down effects on the Company, and may have increasingly negative effects on the Company.  The ultimate effects will, in part, depend upon the ability of individual airlines to meet their obligations when due.  Some of the negative impacts on the Company's business may include the following: (i) financing sources may be less willing to lend additional money to the Company because of the uncertainty currently surrounding the airline industry, (ii) the Company's current decrease in equipment utilization levels may continue because it takes more time for the Company to remarket "off lease" engines when airlines demand for spare engines decreases, (iii) the Company may be subject to payment delays if the Company grants airlines' requests that the Company allow payment deferrals and offer other forms of payment relief, (iv) prices that the Company receives for sales of engines could be negatively impacted, or the Company may be unable to sell engines at prices that it deems acceptable, as the demand for certain spare engines decreases and (v) values of engines retained in the portfolio may be negatively impacted.  Because of the foregoing risks and the uncertainties surrounding the airline industry the Company cannot forecast with any degree of accuracy what the future impacts on it will be.

 


SR Technics, the Company’s largest customer, has recently stated that it will need increased funding in order to continue operations.  SR Technics, unlike its parent SAirGroup and certain other SAirGroup entities, is not presently under protection from creditors.  SR Technics, the government of Zurich and a consortium of banks have stated that they have signed a term sheet for up to 100 million Swiss francs of financing for SR Technics.  In addition, SR Technics is presently attempting to locate additional investors to ensure its long term future through a new ownership structure.  If SR Technics’ financial condition deteriorates, this will increase the likelihood of defaults by SR Technics on its obligations to the Company.  SR Technics has leased five engines with a value of approximately $42 million from the Company with lease terms expiring in up to nine years.  If  SR Technics becomes insolvent or otherwise stops making its rent payments, the Company’s leases allow the Company to repossess the engines.  If such a situation were to occur, the Company faces a variety of risks and uncertainties, including the following:  (a) the Company may experience delays imposed by Swiss bankruptcy courts as it seeks to repossess the engines, (b) the Company’s percentage of “off-lease” may increase if the Company attempts to re-lease or remarket the SR Technics engines, (c) the other risks discussed in this section with respect to off-lease equipment and (d) the Company may not be able to exercise its put options with SR Technics affiliates.  All of the foregoing risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations.

 

On November 11, 2001, Canada 3000 Inc., a lessee that leases engines and parts packages with a total net book value of $36.0 million and lease terms of up to 10 years, was placed into bankruptcy and all of its executive officers and directors resigned. Canada 3000 is currently past due in the amount of $318,000 for rent due on or prior to November 12, 2001 (at September 30, 2001 Canada 3000 was current on all rent due). A bankruptcy hearing has been set for November 13, 2001 in Toronto. The Company has retained Canadian counsel and intends to petition the Canadian courts to allow it to repossess the equipment at the hearing. In connection with Canada 3000's bankruptcy, the Company faces a variety of risks and uncertainties, including the following: (a) the Company may experience delays imposed by Canadian bankruptcy courts as it seeks to repossess the equipment, (b) the Company's percentage of "off-lease" equipment may increase while the Company attempts to re-lease or remarket the Canada 3000 equipment, (c) the Company could incur transportation and storage expenses in connection with retrieving the equipment and may not be able to lease the Canada 3000 equipment at the same lease rates as are presently being paid by Canada 3000, and (d) the other risks discussed in this section with respect to off-lease equipment.

 

A lessee may default in performance of its lease obligations and the Company may be unable to enforce its remedies under a lease.  The Company’s inability to collect receivables due under a lease or to repossess aircraft equipment in the event of a default by a lessee could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations.  Various airlines have experienced financial difficulties in the past, certain airlines have filed for bankruptcy and a number of such airlines have ceased operations.  In most cases where a debtor seeks protection under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, creditors are automatically stayed from enforcing their rights.  In the case of United States certified airlines, Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code provides certain relief to lessors of aircraft equipment.  The scope of Section 1110 has been the subject of significant litigation and there is no assurance that the provisions of Section 1110 will protect the Company’s investment in an aircraft, aircraft engines or parts in the event of a lessee’s bankruptcy.  In addition, Section 1110 does not apply to lessees located outside of the United States and applicable foreign laws may not provide comparable protection.  Leases of spare parts may involve additional risks.  For example, it is likely to be more difficult to recover parts in the event of a lessee default and the residual value of parts may be less ascertainable than the engine.

 

The Company’s leases are generally structured at fixed rental rates for specified terms while many of the Company’s borrowings are at a floating rate.  Increases in interest rates could narrow or eliminate the spread, or result in a negative spread, between the rental revenue the Company realizes under its leases and the interest rate the Company pays under its borrowings, and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

 

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2001, 79% of the Company’s lease revenue was generated by leases to foreign customers.  Such international leases may present greater risks to the Company because certain foreign laws, regulations and judicial procedures may not be as protective of lessor rights as those which apply in the United States.  The Company is subject to the timing and access to courts and the remedies local laws impose in order to collect its lease payments and recover its assets.  In addition, political instability abroad and changes in international policy also present risk of expropriation of the Company’s leased engines.  Furthermore, many foreign countries have currency and exchange laws regulating the international transfer of currencies.

 


The Company has experienced significant growth in lease revenues recently.  The Company’s growth has placed, and is expected to continue to place, a significant strain on the Company’s managerial, operational and financial resources.  There is no assurance that the Company will be able to effectively manage the expansion of its operations, or that the Company’s systems, procedures or controls will be adequate to support the Company’s operations, in which event the Company’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations could be adversely affected.  The Company may also acquire businesses that would complement or expand the Company’s existing businesses.  Any acquisition or expansion made by the Company may result in one or more of the following events: (i) the incurrence of additional debt, (ii) future charges to earnings related to the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, (iii) difficulties in the assimilation of operations, services, products and personnel, (iv) an inability to sustain or improve historical revenue levels, (v) diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations or (vi) potential loss of key employees.  Any of the foregoing factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

 

The markets for the Company’s products and services are extremely competitive, and the Company faces competition from a number of sources.  These include aircraft and aircraft part manufacturers, aircraft and aircraft engine lessors, airline and aircraft service companies.  Certain of the Company’s competitors have substantially greater resources than the Company, including greater name recognition, a broader range of material, complementary lines of business and greater financial, marketing and other resources.  In addition, equipment manufacturers and other aviation aftermarket suppliers may vertically integrate into the markets that the Company serves, thereby significantly increasing industry competition.  There can be no assurance that competitive pressures will not materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

 

The Company’s leasing activities generate significant depreciation allowances that provide the Company with substantial tax benefits on an ongoing basis.  In addition, the Company’s lessees currently enjoy favorable accounting and tax treatment by entering into operating leases.  Any change to current tax laws or accounting principles that make operating lease financing less attractive or affect the Company’s recognition of revenue or expense would have a material impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and/or results of operations.

 

The Company obtains a substantial portion of its portfolio of aircraft and engines from airlines and other suppliers.  There is no organized market for aircraft and engines, and the Company must rely on field representatives and personnel, advertisements and its reputation as a buyer of surplus inventory in order to generate opportunities to purchase such equipment.  The market for bulk sales of surplus aircraft and engines is highly competitive, in some instances involving a bidding process.  While the Company has been able to purchase surplus inventory in this manner successfully in the past, there is no assurance that surplus aircraft and engines of the type required by the Company’s customers will be available on acceptable terms when needed in the future or that the Company will continue to compete effectively in the purchase of such surplus equipment.

 


Item 3.            Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

The Company’s primary market risk exposure is that of interest rate risk.  A change in the U.S. prime interest rate, LIBOR rate, or cost of funds based on commercial paper market rates, would affect the rate at which the Company could borrow funds under its various borrowing facilities.  Increases in interest rates to the Company, which may cause the Company to raise the implicit rates charged to its customers, could result in a reduction in demand for the Company’s leases.  Certain of the Company’s credit facilities are variable rate debt.  The Company estimates a one percent increase or decrease in the Company’s variable rate debt would result in an increase or decrease (net of hedges), respectively, in interest expense of $3.0 million per annum.  The Company estimates a two percent increase or decrease in the Company’s variable rate debt would result in an increase or decrease (net of hedges), respectively, in interest expense of $6.1 million per annum. The foregoing effect of interest rate changes, net of interest rate hedges, on per annum interest expense is estimated as constant due to the terms of the Company’s variable rate borrowings, which generally provide for the maintenance of borrowing levels given adequacy of collateral and compliance with other loan conditions.

 

The Company hedges a portion of its borrowings, effectively fixing the rate of these borrowings.  The Company is currently required to hedge a portion of debt of the WLFC Funding Corporation facility.  Such hedging activities may limit the Company’s ability to participate in the benefits of any decrease in interest rates, but may also protect the Company from increases in interest rates.  A portion of the Company’s leases provides that lease payments be adjusted based on changes in interest rates.  Furthermore, since lease rates tend to vary with interest rate levels, it is likely that the company can adjust lease rates for the effect of change in interest rates at the termination of leases.  Other financial assets and liabilities are at fixed rates.

 

The Company is also exposed to currency devaluation risk.  During the nine month period ended September 30, 2001, 79% of the Company's total lease revenues came from non-United States domiciled lessees.  All of the leases require payment in United States (U.S.) currency.  If these lessees’ currency devalues against the U.S. dollar, the lessees could potentially encounter difficulty in making the U.S. dollar denominated lease payments.

 


PART II

 

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

 

None.

 

Item 6.            Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a)           Exhibits

 

Exhibit

 

 

 

Number

 

Description

 

3.1

 

Certificate of Incorporation, filed on March 12, 1998 together with Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation filed on May 6, 1998.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.01 and 4.02 of the Company's report on Form 8-K filed on September 23, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

 

Bylaws.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.03 of the Company's report on Form 8-K filed on September 23, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

 

Specimen of Common Stock Certificate.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

 

Rights Agreement dated September 30, 1999, by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as Rights Agent.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s report on Form 8-K filed on October 4, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

4.3

 

First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2000, by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s report on Form 8-K filed December 15, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.1

 

Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between the Company and its directors and officers.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Registration Statement No. 333-5126-LA filed on September 21, 1996.

 

 

 

 

 

10.2

 

Employment Agreement between the Company and Charles F. Willis IV dated November 7, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.3

 

Employment Agreement between the Company and Donald A. Nunemaker dated November 21, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

 

Employment contract for Nicholas J. Novasic dated September 15, 2000. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.5

 

Separation Agreement dated May 24, 2000 between the Company and James D. McBride. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.6

 

Settlement Agreement dated August 10, 2000 between the Company and Robert Rau.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.7*

 

Indenture dated as of September 1, 1997, between WLFC Funding Corporation and The Bank of New York, as Indenture Trustee.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company's Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

10.8

 

Note Purchase Agreement (Series 1997-1 Notes) dated February 11, 1999. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

10.9*

 

Amended and Restated Series 1997-1 Supplement dated February 11, 1999.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

10.10*

 

Administration Agreement dated as of September 1, 1997 between WLFC Funding Corporation, the Company, First Union Capital Markets Corp. and The Bank of New York.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company's Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

10.11

 

The Company’s 1996 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, as amended and restated as of May 23, 2001.  Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated May 1, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

10.12*

 

Operating Agreement of PGTC LLC dated May 28, 1999 among the Company, Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation and Pacific Gas Turbine Center, Incorporated.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

10.13*

 

Contribution and Assumption Agreement dated May 28, 1999 among Pacific Gas Turbine Center Incorporated, the Company and Pacific Gas Turbine Center LLC.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

10.14*

 

Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Series 1997-1 Supplement.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.15*

 

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as of February 10, 2000.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.16

 

Investment Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2000, by and among the Company, FlightTechnics LLC, Flightlease AG, SR Technics Group and SR Technics Group America, Inc.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s report on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.17

 

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2000, by and between the Company and SR Technics Group America, Inc.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s report on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.18

 

Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2000, by and between the Company and SR Technics Group America, Inc.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s report on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.19*

 

Cooperation Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2000, by and among the Company, Flightlease AG and SR Technics Group.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s report on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.20

 

Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2000, by and among the Company, Charles F. Willis, IV, CFW Partners, L.P., Austin Chandler Willis 1995 Irrevocable Trust and FlightTechnics LLC.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

10.21

 

Third Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement dated February 7, 2001.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

10.22*

 

Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Series 1997-1 Supplement dated February 7, 2001. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

10.23

 

Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Series 1997-1 Supplement dated May 31, 2001.  Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

10.24*

 

Credit Agreement dated May 1, 2001 among Willis Lease Finance Corporation, certain banking institutions, National City Bank and Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

10.25*

 

Credit Agreement dated September 21, 2001 between Willis Lease Finance Corporation and ABB Credit Finans AB (publ).

 

 

 

 

 

11.1

 

Statement regarding computation of per share earnings.

 

 

 

 

 


* Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment and the redacted material has been filed separately with the Commission.

 

(b)           Reports on Form 8-K

 

On July 9, 2001, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K disclosing under Item 5 that Director Donald E. Moffitt resigned from the Board of Directors and that Glenn L. Hickerson was appointed to replace him.

 


SIGNATURES

 

      Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

Date:  November 13, 2001

 

Willis Lease Finance Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Nicholas J. Novasic

 

 

 

 

 

Nicholas J. Novasic

 

 

Chief Financial Officer