-----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, IdS+P2VMWVskuGiEjpV8/nNscIyaxG3Uzxyg6mrR8ZLcZ6xyD4t/AuJuLNlNLioo vtZH9therFPe5HuttOBvag== 0001193125-05-199059.txt : 20051011 0001193125-05-199059.hdr.sgml : 20051010 20051011080425 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-05-199059 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050828 FILED AS OF DATE: 20051011 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20051011 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: LEVI STRAUSS & CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000094845 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: APPAREL & OTHER FINISHED PRODS OF FABRICS & SIMILAR MATERIAL [2300] IRS NUMBER: 940905160 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1124 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 002-90139 FILM NUMBER: 051130783 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1155 BATTERY ST CITY: SAN FRANCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94111 BUSINESS PHONE: 4155446000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1155 BATTERY STREET CITY: SAN FRAINCISCO STATE: CA ZIP: 94111 10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

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 August 28, 2005

 

OR

 

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

 

Commission file number: 002-90139

 


 

LEVI STRAUSS & CO.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

DELAWARE   94-0905160

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1155 Battery Street, San Francisco, California 94111

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(415) 501-6000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

None

(Former Name, Former Address, and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 


 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

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

 

Common Stock $.01 par value—37,278,238 shares outstanding on October 5, 2005

 



Table of Contents

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

         

Page

Number


PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION     
Item 1.   

Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited):

    
    

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 28, 2005 and November 28, 2004

   3
    

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004

   4
    

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004

   5
    

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6
Item 2.   

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

   30
Item 3.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   55
Item 4.   

Controls and Procedures

   56
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION     
Item 1.   

Legal Proceedings

   57
Item 2.   

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

   57
Item 3.   

Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

   57
Item 4.   

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

   57
Item 5.   

Other Information.

   57
Item 6.   

Exhibits.

   57
SIGNATURE    58

 

2


Table of Contents

Item 1.    Consolidated Financial Statements

 

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     August 28,
2005


    November 28,
2004


 
ASSETS                 

Current Assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 210,193     $ 299,596  

Restricted cash

     2,883       1,885  

Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $33,030 and $29,002

     543,616       607,679  

Inventories:

                

Raw materials

     18,417       45,271  

Work-in-process

     14,538       22,950  

Finished goods

     620,808       486,633  
    


 


Total inventories

     653,763       554,854  

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance of $26,364

     131,491       131,491  

Other current assets

     87,648       83,599  
    


 


Total current assets

     1,629,594       1,679,104  

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $478,731 and $486,439

     383,219       416,277  

Goodwill

     199,905       199,905  

Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,063 and $720

     46,204       46,779  

Non-current deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance of $360,319

     455,303       455,303  

Other assets

     92,839       88,634  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 2,807,064     $ 2,886,002  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT                 

Current Liabilities:

                

Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings

   $ 15,152     $ 75,165  

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

     1,533       1,587  

Accounts payable

     199,024       279,406  

Restructuring reserves

     20,873       41,995  

Accrued liabilities

     202,500       253,322  

Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits

     226,054       293,762  

Accrued income taxes

     144,437       124,795  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     809,573       1,070,032  

Long-term debt, less current maturities

     2,333,227       2,248,723  

Long-term capital lease obligations, less current maturities

     4,404       5,854  

Post-retirement medical benefits

     468,838       493,110  

Pension liability

     203,820       217,459  

Long-term employee related benefits

     154,167       154,495  

Long-term income tax liabilities

     23,413       —    

Other long-term liabilities

     42,475       43,205  

Minority interest

     18,825       24,048  
    


 


Total liabilities

     4,058,742       4,256,926  
    


 


Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

                

Stockholders’ deficit:

                

Common stock—$.01 par value; 270,000,000 shares authorized; 37,278,238 shares issued and outstanding

     373       373  

Additional paid-in capital

     88,808       88,808  

Accumulated deficit

     (1,242,096 )     (1,354,428 )

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (98,763 )     (105,677 )
    


 


Stockholders’ deficit

     (1,251,678 )     (1,370,924 )
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 2,807,064     $ 2,886,002  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3


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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
    

August 28,

2005


   

August 29,

2004


   

August 28,

2005


   

August 29,

2004


 

Net sales

   $ 1,018,816     $ 994,626     $ 2,968,358     $ 2,915,763  

Cost of goods sold

     564,870       538,179       1,590,328       1,638,377  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     453,946       456,447       1,378,030       1,277,386  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     319,872       300,540       930,950       894,964  

Long-term incentive compensation expense

     9,629       10,735       18,949       37,067  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

     (2,936 )     476       (5,788 )     (612 )

Other operating income

     (16,804 )     (11,593 )     (47,311 )     (29,626 )

Restructuring charges, net of reversals

     5,022       28,117       13,436       108,158  
    


 


 


 


Operating income

     139,163       128,172       467,794       267,435  

Interest expense

     63,918       64,252       198,625       197,687  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     39       —         66,064       —    

Other (income) expense, net

     (2,805 )     (466 )     (7,358 )     3,070  
    


 


 


 


Income before taxes

     78,011       64,386       210,463       66,678  

Income tax expense

     39,765       17,821       98,131       16,857  
    


 


 


 


Net income

   $ 38,246     $ 46,565     $ 112,332     $ 49,821  
    


 


 


 


 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

4


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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended

 
    

August 28,

2005


   

August 29,

2004


 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

                

Net income

   $ 112,332     $ 49,821  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used for) provided by operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     44,608       45,237  

Non-cash asset write-offs associated with reorganization initiatives

     —         34,997  

Gain on disposal of assets

     (5,788 )     (612 )

Unrealized foreign exchange gains

     (3,922 )     (13,643 )

Write-off of unamortized costs associated with early extinguishment of debt

     12,473       —    

Decrease (increase) in trade receivables

     58,508       (11,699 )

(Increase) decrease in inventories

     (107,300 )     133,621  

(Increase) decrease in other current assets

     (11,724 )     13,154  

Decrease in other non-current assets

     12,658       11,617  

Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (130,852 )     (46,204 )

Decrease in restructuring reserves

     (19,587 )     (28,877 )

(Decrease) increase in accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits

     (64,956 )     68,447  

Increase (decrease) in income tax liabilities

     43,075       (13,345 )

Decrease in long-term employee related benefits

     (36,939 )     (95,919 )

(Decrease) increase in other long-term liabilities

     (902 )     1,034  

Other, net

     (366 )     1,572  
    


 


Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities

     (98,682 )     149,201  
    


 


Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

                

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (22,005 )     (10,866 )

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     11,163       6,672  

Cash inflow from net investment hedges

     2,163       1,544  

Acquisition of Turkey minority interest

     (3,835 )     —    
    


 


Net cash used for investing activities

     (12,514 )     (2,650 )
    


 


Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

                

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     1,031,255       —    

Repayments of long-term debt

     (979,112 )     (10,069 )

Net decrease in short-term borrowings

     (4,240 )     (2,678 )

Debt issuance costs

     (24,552 )     (2,069 )

Increase in restricted cash

     (1,067 )     (2,053 )

Other, net

     —         (996 )
    


 


Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     22,284       (17,865 )
    


 


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (491 )     22  
    


 


Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (89,403 )     128,708  

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

     299,596       143,445  
    


 


Ending cash and cash equivalents

   $ 210,193     $ 272,153  
    


 


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

                

Cash paid during the period for:

                

Interest

   $ 201,092     $ 198,807  

Income taxes

     74,137       35,564  

Restructuring initiatives

     34,924       102,188  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

5


Table of Contents

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

 

NOTE 1:    PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Levi Strauss & Co. and its foreign and domestic subsidiaries (“LS&CO.” or the “Company”) are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S.”) for interim financial information. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented have been included. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of LS&CO. for the year ended November 28, 2004 included in the annual report on Form 10-K filed by LS&CO. with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 17, 2005.

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Levi Strauss & Co. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented herein not misleading. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 may not be indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or the year ending November 27, 2005.

 

The Company’s fiscal year consists of 52 or 53 weeks, ending on the last Sunday of November in each year. The 2005 fiscal year consists of 52 weeks ending November 27, 2005. Each quarter of fiscal year 2005 consists of 13 weeks. The 2004 fiscal year consisted of 52 weeks ended November 28, 2004 with all four quarters consisting of 13 weeks.

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash as of August 28, 2005 and November 28, 2004 was $2.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively, and primarily relates to required cash deposits for customs and rental guarantees to support the Company’s international operations.

 

Reclassification of Outstanding Checks

 

The Company included approximately $14.0 million of outstanding checks in “accounts payable” in its previously filed consolidated balance sheet as of August 29, 2004. Outstanding checks represent checks that have been issued by the Company but have not been processed against the Company’s bank accounts as of the balance sheet date. As of November 28, 2004, the Company reported outstanding checks as a reduction in “cash and cash equivalents” in the consolidated balance sheet and statement of cash flows, and the prior year amount in the statement of cash flows, for the nine months ended August 29, 2004, has been reclassified to reflect this presentation.

 

Long-lived Assets Held for Sale

 

At August 28, 2005 and November 28, 2004, the Company had approximately $0.07 million and $2.3 million, respectively, of long-lived assets held for sale. Such assets are recorded in “Property, plant and equipment.” Long-lived assets held for sale as of August 28, 2005 primarily relate to a closed manufacturing plant in Spain.

 

6


Table of Contents

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

During the three months ended August 28, 2005, the Company sold its idle manufacturing plant in San Francisco, California, for approximately $3.5 million, and recognized a $3.0 million gain on the disposal. The carrying value of the manufacturing plant was included in the November 28, 2004 assets held for sale balance discussed above. The Company has pledged to contribute $2.0 million of the proceeds from the sale to the Levi Strauss Foundation, a Company-sponsored charitable foundation that supports various global giving programs. As of August 28, 2005, approximately $0.7 million in cash was contributed to the Foundation with approximately $1.3 million recorded as a liability. The charge for the contribution was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Acquisition of Retail Stores

 

On August 26, 2005, the Company’s U.K. subsidiary signed an agreement to purchase seven Levi’s® stores and five factory outlets from one of its retail customers in the U.K. for approximately $4.1 million. The sale is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2005. The acquisition is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or its results of operations.

 

Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt

 

During the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, the Company recorded a $0.04 million and $66.1 million loss, respectively, on early extinguishment of debt as a result of its debt refinancing activities during the periods. The loss for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 was comprised of tender offer and redemption premiums and other fees and expenses approximating $53.6 million and the write-off of approximately $12.5 million of unamortized debt discount and capitalized costs. Such costs were incurred in conjunction with the Company’s completion in January 2005 of a tender offer to repurchase $372.1 million of its $450.0 million principal amount 2006 notes, and completion in March and April 2005 of the tender offers and redemptions of its $380.0 million and €125.0 million 2008 notes. (See also Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

New Accounting Standards

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”). Under this standard, all forms of share-based payment to employees, including stock options, would be treated as compensation and recognized in the income statement. This statement applies to all awards granted after the required effective date and to awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after that date. For nonpublic entities, this statement is effective as of the beginning of the first annual reporting period that begins after December 15, 2005, which for the Company will be as of the beginning of fiscal 2007. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS 123(R) will have on its financial statements.

 

In May 2005, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections—A Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3.” SFAS 154 provides guidance on the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error corrections. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005.

 

In June 2005, the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus on Issue No. 05-6, “Determining the Amortization Period for Leasehold Improvements” (“EITF 05-6”). The guidance requires that leasehold improvements acquired in a business combination or purchased subsequent to the inception of a lease be amortized over the lesser of the useful life of the assets or a term that includes renewals that are reasonably

 

7


Table of Contents

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

assured at the date of the business combination or purchase. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after June 29, 2005. The Company does not believe that the adoption of EITF 05-6 will have a significant effect on its financial statements.

 

NOTE 2:    RESTRUCTURING RESERVES

 

Summary

 

The following describes the activities associated with the Company’s business transformation initiatives, including manufacturing plant closures and organizational changes. Severance and employee benefits relate to items such as severance packages, out-placement services and career counseling for employees affected by the plant closures and other reorganization initiatives. Other restructuring costs primarily relate to lease liability and facility closure costs. Reductions consist of payments for severance, employee benefits, and other restructuring costs, and foreign exchange differences.

 

The total balance of the reserves at August 28, 2005 and November 28, 2004 was $29.4 million and $50.8 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, the Company recognized restructuring charges, net of reversals, of $5.0 million and $13.4 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended August 29, 2004, the Company recognized restructuring charges, net of reversals, of $28.1 million and $108.2 million, respectively. Charges in the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 relate primarily to additional severance and benefit expenses and lease liability costs related to the 2004 U.S. and European organizational changes described below. Charges in the three and nine months ended August 29, 2004 relate primarily to the indefinite suspension of an enterprise resource planning system installation in December 2003, the 2004 organizational changes commenced in the three months ended August 29, 2004 and additional charges related to the Company’s 2003 organizational changes and plant closures described below. The Company expects to utilize a significant portion of its restructuring reserves during the next 12 months.

 

The following table summarizes the 2005 activity, and the reserve balances as of November 28, 2004 and as of August 28, 2005, associated with the Company’s reorganization initiatives:

 

   

November 28,

2004


 

Restructuring

Charges


 

Restructuring

Reductions


   

Restructuring

Reversals


   

August 28,

2005


2004 Reorganization Initiatives

  $ 36,904   $ 16,877   $ (24,456 )   $ (2,066 )   $ 27,259

2003 and 2002 Reorganization Initiatives

    13,935     783     (10,468 )     (2,158 )     2,092
   

 

 


 


 

Total

  $ 50,839   $ 17,660   $ (34,924 )   $ (4,224 )   $ 29,351
   

 

 


 


 

Current portion of restructuring reserves

  $ 41,995                         $ 20,873

Non-current portion of restructuring reserves (1)

    8,844                           8,478
   

                       

Total

  $ 50,839                         $ 29,351
   

                       


(1) Non-current portion of restructuring reserves represents the Company’s long-term portion of its lease loss liabilities and is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheet.

 

2004 Reorganization Initiatives

 

The table below displays, for the 2004 reorganization initiatives, the restructuring activity for the nine months ended August 28, 2005, the balance of the restructuring reserves as of August 28, 2005 and cumulative charges to date.

 

8


Table of Contents

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

   

November 28,

2004


 

Restructuring

Charges


 

Restructuring

Reductions (7)


   

Restructuring

Reversals (8)


   

August 28,

2005


 

Cumulative

Charges

to date (9)


    (Dollars in Thousands)

2004 Spain Plant Closures (1)

                                       

Severance and employee benefits

  $ 2,425   $ 305   $ (2,730 )   $ —       $ —     $ 26,380

Other restructuring costs

    3     406     (371 )     —         38     1,609
   

 

 


 


 

 

Total

    2,428     711     (3,101 )     —         38     27,989
   

 

 


 


 

 

2004 Australia Plant Closure (2)

                                       

Severance and employee benefits

    751     —       (652 )     —         99     2,562

Other restructuring costs

    —       —       —         —         —       —  
   

 

 


 


 

 

Total

    751     —       (652 )     —         99     2,562
   

 

 


 


 

 

2004 U.S. Organizational
Changes (3)

                                       

Severance and employee benefits

    4,852     1,683     (4,307 )     (613 )     1,615     11,563

Other restructuring costs

    14,543     2,969     (2,966 )     (71 )     14,475     18,556

Asset write-off

    —       —       —         —         —       543
   

 

 


 


 

 

Total

    19,395     4,652     (7,273 )     (684 )     16,090     30,662
   

 

 


 


 

 

2004 Europe Organizational Changes (4)

                                       

Severance and employee benefits

    9,702     5,985     (9,819 )     (852 )     5,016     19,206

Other restructuring costs

    1,098     523     (354 )     (269 )     998     1,427
   

 

 


 


 

 

Total

    10,800     6,508     (10,173 )     (1,121 )     6,014     20,633
   

 

 


 


 

 

2004 Dockers ® Europe Organizational Changes (5)

                                       

Severance and employee benefits

    1,349     2,360     (2,440 )     (206 )     1,063     3,605

Other restructuring costs

    —       2,549     (168 )     (32 )     2,349     2,517
   

 

 


 


 

 

Total

    1,349     4,909     (2,608 )     (238 )     3,412     6,122
   

 

 


 


 

 

2004 Indefinite Suspension of ERP Installation (6)

                                       

Severance and employee benefits

    520     97     (594 )     (23 )     —       2,675

Other restructuring costs

    1,661     —       (55 )     —         1,606     6,668

Asset write-off

    —       —       —         —         —       33,417
   

 

 


 


 

 

Total

    2,181     97     (649 )     (23 )     1,606     42,760
   

 

 


 


 

 

Total—2004 Reorganization

                                       

Initiatives

  $ 36,904   $ 16,877   $ (24,456 )   $ (2,066 )   $ 27,259   $ 130,728
   

 

 


 


 

 

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 


(1) During the year ended November 28, 2004, the Company closed its two owned and operated manufacturing plants in Spain. A portion of the property, plant and equipment was sold in March 2005 for a gain of approximately $3.6 million. The Company has entered into an agreement to sell the remaining property, plant and equipment in October, 2005 for approximately $0.4 million. Current period charges represent additional severance and employee benefits and facility closure costs. The Company expects to incur no additional restructuring costs in connection with this action.
(2) During the year ended November 28, 2004, the Company closed its owned and operated manufacturing plant in Adelaide, Australia. In September, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to sell the manufacturing plant, along with its Adelaide distribution center and business office, for approximately $2.1 million. The Company plans to lease back the distribution center and business office. The Company expects to incur no additional restructuring costs in connection with this action.
(3) During the year ended November 28, 2004, the Company reduced resources associated with the Company’s corporate support functions by eliminating staff, not filling certain open positions and outsourcing most of the transaction activities in the U.S. human resources function. Current period charges represent additional severance and employee benefits and costs associated with remaining lease liabilities. The Company estimates that it will incur future additional restructuring charges principally related to costs associated with remaining lease liabilities of approximately $1.8 million.
(4) During the year ended November 28, 2004, the Company commenced additional reorganization actions in its overall European operations which resulted in the displacement of approximately 145 employees. Current period charges represent additional severance and employee benefits related to headcount reductions at the Company’s distribution center in Germany. The Company estimates that it will incur additional restructuring charges of approximately $1.5 million relating to these actions, principally in the form of severance and employee benefits payments and facility closure costs, all of which will be recorded as they become probable and estimable.
(5) During the year ended November 28, 2004, the Company commenced reorganization actions in its Dockers® business in Europe which resulted in the displacement of approximately 60 employees. During the quarter ended August 28, 2005, the Company transferred and consolidated its Dockers® operations into the Company’s European headquarters in Brussels. Current period charges represent additional severance and employee benefits and facility closure costs. The Company estimates that it will incur additional restructuring charges of approximately $1.3 million related to a facility closure.
(6) In December 2003, the Company indefinitely suspended the installation of a worldwide enterprise resource planning system in order to reduce costs and prioritize work and resource use. The reserve balance as of August 28, 2005 relates to the final payment related to the license termination agreement, which was paid in September, 2005. The Company expects to incur no additional restructuring costs in connection with this action.
(7) Reductions consist primarily of payments for severance, employee benefits and other restructuring costs, and foreign exchange differences.
(8) Net reversals of approximately $2.1 million recorded by the Company in the nine-month period ended August 28, 2005 related primarily to lower than anticipated severance and employee benefit costs.
(9) Amounts represent cumulative restructuring charges, net of reversals, from the initiative’s inception through August 28, 2005.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

2003 and 2002 Reorganization Initiatives

 

The table below displays, for the 2003 and 2002 reorganization initiatives, the restructuring activity for the nine months ended August 28, 2005, the balance of the restructuring reserves as of August 28, 2005 and the cumulative charges to date.

 

    November 28,
2004


  Restructuring
Charges


  Restructuring
Reductions (5)


    Restructuring
Reversals


   

August 28,

2005


     

Restructuring
Charges

to date (6)


    (Dollars in thousands)    

2003 U.S. Organizational Changes (1)

                                           

Severance and employee benefits

  $ 3,033   $ 28   $ (2,079 )   $ (881 )   $ 101       $ 28,808

Other restructuring costs

    66     —       (13 )     (53 )     —           970
   

 

 


 


 

     

Total

    3,099     28     (2,092 )     (934 )     101         29,778
   

 

 


 


 

     

2003 North America Plant Closures (2)

                                           

Severance and employee benefits

    6,624     251     (5,498 )     (423 )     954         45,478

Other restructuring costs

    1,800     370     (1,704 )     (466 )     —           7,985

Asset write-off

    —       —       —         —         —           12,212
   

 

 


 


 

     

Total

    8,424     621     (7,202 )     (889 )     954         65,675
   

 

 


 


 

     

2003 Europe Organizational Changes (3)

                                           

Severance and employee benefits

    1,827     116     (847 )     (314 )     782         27,268

Other restructuring costs

    291     18     (121 )     (21 )     167         1,623
   

 

 


 


 

     

Total

    2,118     134     (968 )     (335 )     949         28,891
   

 

 


 


 

     

2002 Europe Reorganization Initiatives (4)

                                           

Severance and employee benefits

    275     —       (188 )     —         87         1,114

Other restructuring costs

    19     —       (18 )     —         1         61
   

 

 


 


 

     

Total

    294     —       (206 )     —         88         1,175
   

 

 


 


 

     

Total 2003 and Prior Reorganization Initiatives

  $ 13,935   $ 783   $ (10,468 )   $ (2,158 )   $ 2,092       $ 125,519
   

 

 


 


 

     


(1) In September 2003, the Company commenced a reorganization of its U.S. business to further reduce the time it takes from initial product concept to placement of the product on the retailer’s shelf and to reduce costs. During the nine-month period ended August 28, 2005, the Company reversed approximately $0.9 million of charges primarily related to revised COBRA and annual incentive plan liabilities. The Company expects to incur no significant additional restructuring charges in connection with this initiative.
(2) In January 2004, the Company closed its sewing and finishing operations in San Antonio, Texas and in March 2004, the Company closed three Canadian facilities, two sewing plants in Edmonton, Alberta and Stoney Creek, Ontario, and a finishing center in Brantford, Ontario. During the nine-month period ended August 28, 2005, the Company reversed approximately $0.4 million of charges related to lower than anticipated severance and employee benefit costs and $0.5 million related to facility closure costs. Current period charges represent additional severance, employee benefits and facility closure costs. The remaining liability of approximately $1.0 million primarily relates to anticipated salary and benefit payments. The Company expects to incur no significant additional restructuring charges in connection with this initiative.
(3)

During the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company commenced reorganization actions to consolidate and streamline operations in its European headquarters in Belgium and in various field offices. Charges in the current period relate primarily to additional severance and employee benefit costs. During the nine-month

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

 

period ended August 28, 2005, the Company reversed approximately $0.3 million of charges related to severance agreements that had been finalized during the period. The remaining liability of $0.9 million relates primarily to salary and benefit payments. The Company expects to incur no additional restructuring charges in connection with this action.

(4) In November 2002, the Company initiated the first of a series of reorganization initiatives affecting several countries to realign its resources with its European sales strategy to improve customer service, reduce operating costs and streamline product distribution activities. These actions included the closures of the leased distribution centers in Belgium, France and Holland during the first half of 2004. The Company expects to incur no additional restructuring charges in connection with these initiatives.
(5) Reductions consist primarily of payments for severance, employee benefits and other restructuring costs, and foreign exchange differences.
(6) Amounts represent cumulative restructuring charges, net of reversals, from the initiative’s inception through August 28, 2005.

 

NOTE 3:    GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Goodwill was $199.9 million as of both August 28, 2005 and November 28, 2004. Other intangible assets were as follows:

 

    

August 28, 2005


   November 28, 2004

    

Gross

Carrying Value


  

Accumulated

Amortization


    Total

  

Gross

Carrying Value


  

Accumulated

Amortization


    Total

     (Dollars in thousands)

Amortized intangible assets:

                                           

Other intangible assets

   $ 4,379    $ (1,063 )   $ 3,316    $ 4,590    $ (720 )   $ 3,870

Unamortized intangible assets:

                                           

Trademarks

     42,888      —         42,888      42,909      —         42,909
    

  


 

  

  


 

Total

   $ 47,267    $ (1,063 )   $ 46,204    $ 47,499    $ (720 )   $ 46,779
    

  


 

  

  


 

 

On March 31, 2005, the Company acquired the remaining 49% minority interest of its joint venture in Turkey for approximately $3.8 million in cash and obtained 100% ownership of the venture. The Company accounted for the acquisition using the purchase method, as prescribed by Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 141, “Business Combinations”. As a result of the purchase, the Company recognized approximately $0.3 million related to acquired sales backlog, which is included in other intangible assets at August 28, 2005.

 

The Company had previously consolidated the results of operations and financial position of the joint venture. As a result, the acquisition did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition as of August 28, 2005 or its results of operations for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005. The order backlog is being amortized over a six-month period.

 

Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 was $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended August 29, 2004 was $0.03 million and $0.09 million, respectively. Future amortization expense for the next five fiscal years with respect to the Company’s finite lived intangible assets is estimated at approximately $0.5 million per year.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

NOTE 4:    INCOME TAXES

 

The Company’s income tax provision for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 was approximately $39.8 million and $98.1 million, respectively. Those amounts include approximately $41.1 million and $106.6 million, respectively, of expense relating to current year operations, reduced by approximately $1.3 million and $8.5 million, respectively, of discrete benefits relating primarily to a decrease in the Company’s contingent tax liabilities.

 

The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 was 46.6%. This differs from the Company’s estimated annual effective income tax rate described below, due primarily to losses in certain foreign jurisdictions for which no tax benefit can be recognized for the full year. In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 18, the Company adjusts its annual estimated effective tax rate to exclude the impact of these foreign losses. The adjusted estimated annual effective income tax rate is applied to the year-to-date pre-tax operating results, exclusive of the results in these foreign jurisdictions, and then adjusted by discrete items to compute income tax expense for the nine month period ended August 28, 2005.

 

Estimated Annual Effective Income Tax Rate.    The estimated annual effective income tax rate for the full year 2005 and 2004 differs from the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% as follows:

 

    

Fiscal Year

2005 (1)


   

Fiscal Year

2004 (2)


 

Income tax expense at U.S. federal statutory rate

   35.0 %   35.0 %

State income taxes, net of U.S. federal impact

   1.1     0.1  

Impact of foreign operations

   13.5     (22.5 )

Reassessment of reserves due to change in estimate

   (2.0 )   10.2  

Provision to return reconciliation

   0.5     10.6  

Other, including non-deductible expenses

   0.3     2.5  
    

 

     48.4 %   35.9 %
    

 


(1) Estimated annual effective income tax rate for fiscal year 2005.
(2) Projected annual effective income tax rate used for the nine months ended August 29, 2004.

 

The “State income taxes, net of U.S. federal impact” item above primarily reflects changes in state apportionment ratios and franchise tax and minimum tax expense, net of related federal benefit, which the Company expects for the year. The Company currently has a full valuation allowance against state net operating loss carryforwards. The annual estimated effective tax rate for the periods presented does not include any anticipated benefit from additional current year state tax losses.

 

The “Impact of foreign operations” item above reflects changes in the residual U.S. tax on unremitted foreign earnings and the Company’s expectation that foreign income taxes will be deducted rather than claimed as a credit for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, this item includes the impact of foreign income and losses incurred in jurisdictions with tax rates that are different from the U.S. federal statutory rate and foreign losses for which no tax benefit can be recognized. For 2004, the 22.5% decrease reflects additional benefit generated by foreign losses incurred in jurisdictions with rates in excess of the U.S. federal statutory rate. Additionally, changes in the mix of our cumulative earnings and profits by jurisdiction resulted in a reduction in the residual U.S. tax on unremitted foreign earnings.

 

The “Reassessment of reserves due to change in estimate” item above relates primarily to changes in the Company’s estimate of its contingent tax liabilities. The 2.0 percentage point decrease in the annual estimated

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

effective tax rate for 2005 relates primarily to the reversal of prior year tax liabilities of approximately $10.7 million, partially offset by additional interest for the 2005 fiscal year of approximately $5.4 million. Approximately $8.3 million of the $10.7 million reversal of prior year tax liabilities is attributable to the Company’s settlements with the Internal Revenue Service (inclusive of the state tax effects of such settlements) for the years 1986 – 1999 as described more fully below. The remaining $2.4 million reversal reflects changes in estimates attributable to foreign and state income tax exposures not related to the Company’s settlements with the Internal Revenue Service. For 2004, the 10.2 percentage point increase in the effective tax rate relates to a $3.0 million increase in the Company’s accrual for contingent tax losses and the related accrual of interest expense on the Company’s contingent income tax liabilities.

 

The “Provision to return reconciliation” item above relates primarily to the reconciliation of the Company’s annual tax provision to its annual U.S. federal and foreign corporate income tax returns. The projection of taxable income relied upon in connection with the preparation of the 2004 financial statements was refined during the preparation of the fiscal year 2004 income tax returns filed during the three months ended August 28, 2005. The net impact of the reconciliation of taxable income is an increase to income tax expense of approximately $1.2 million, which has been recorded during the three months ended August 28, 2005. For 2004, this item related to the reconciliation of the Company’s fiscal year 2003 tax provision to its fiscal year 2003 U.S. Federal corporate income tax return. The net impact of the reconciliation of taxable income was an increase to income tax expense of approximately $6.2 million for the three months ended August 29, 2004.

 

The “Other, including non-deductible expenses” item above relates primarily to items that are expensed for determining book income but that will not be deductible in determining U.S. federal taxable income. In 2004, a lower pre-tax operating result coupled with increased non-deductible expenses accounted for the greater relative percentage of the reconciling items from the U.S. federal statutory rate.

 

Examination of Tax Returns.    During the nine months ended August 28, 2005, the Company reached agreement with the Internal Revenue Service to close a total of 14 open tax years.

 

In June 2005, the Company reached an agreement with the Appeals division of the Internal Revenue Service regarding the examination of the Company’s consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 1986-1989. As a result of that agreement, the examination of the Company’s income tax returns for those periods is now closed and the Company reduced its contingent tax liabilities by approximately $4.2 million during the three months ended May 29, 2005.

 

In August 2005, the Company completed settlement discussions with the Internal Revenue Service relating to the Company’s consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 1990-1999. As a result of this settlement agreement, the examination of the Company’s income tax returns for those periods is now closed and the Company reduced income tax expense by approximately $4.1 million during the three months ended August 28, 2005. This $4.1 million reduction in income tax expense reflects a net decrease in federal income tax expense of approximately $6.5 million and an increase to state income tax expense, net of federal tax benefits, of approximately $2.4 million. The net decrease to federal income tax expense of $6.5 million relates primarily to a decrease in the Company’s liability associated with its unremitted foreign earnings of approximately $12.3 million, partially offset by $5.8 million of additional net federal income tax expense relating to an increase in taxes payable and changes in other tax attributes.

 

In connection with the 1990 – 1999 settlement, the Company expects to make total payments to the Internal Revenue Service of approximately $100.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. These projected payments are included in the Company’s accrued income taxes as of August 28, 2005.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

The Internal Revenue Service has not yet begun an examination of the Company’s 2000-2004 U.S. federal corporate income tax returns.

 

Certain state and foreign tax returns are under examination by various regulatory authorities. The Company continuously reviews issues raised in connection with all on-going examinations and open tax years to evaluate the adequacy of its reserves. The Company believes that its accrued tax liabilities are adequate to cover all probable U.S. federal, state, and foreign income tax loss contingencies at August 28, 2005. However, it is possible the Company may also incur additional income tax liabilities related to prior years. The Company estimates this additional potential exposure to be approximately $18.9 million. Should the Company’s view as to the likelihood of incurring these additional liabilities change, additional income tax expense may be accrued in future periods. This $18.9 million amount has not been accrued because it currently does not meet the recognition criteria for liabilities under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

 

Reclassifications.    During fiscal 2005, the Company reclassified approximately $23.4 million of contingent tax liabilities from current to non-current. The reclassification is due in part to a decision to appeal a foreign tax ruling the Company previously expected to settle during 2005.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

NOTE 5:    LONG-TERM DEBT

 

Long-term debt is summarized below:

 

     August 28,
2005


    November 28,
2004


 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Long-term debt

                

Secured:

                

Term loan

   $ 491,250     $ 495,000  

Revolving credit facility

     —         —    

Customer service center equipment financing (1)

     —         55,936  

Notes payable, at various rates

     206       408  
    


 


Subtotal

     491,456       551,344  
    


 


Unsecured:

                

Notes:

                

7.00%, due 2006 (2)

     77,762       449,095  

11.625% Dollar denominated, due 2008 (3)

     —         378,022  

11.625% Euro denominated, due 2008 (3)

     —         165,260  

12.25% Senior Notes, due 2012

     571,858       571,671  

9.75% Senior Notes, due 2015 (2)

     450,000       —    

Floating rate notes due 2012 (3)

     380,000       —    

8.625% Euro notes, due 2013 (3)

     184,770       —    

Yen-denominated Eurobond 4.25%, due 2016

     182,473       194,534  
    


 


Subtotal

     1,846,863       1,758,582  

Current maturities

     (5,092 )     (61,203 )
    


 


Total long-term debt

   $ 2,333,227     $ 2,248,723  
    


 


Short-term debt:

                

Short-term borrowings

   $ 10,060     $ 13,962  

Current maturities of long-term debt

     5,092       61,203  
    


 


Total short-term debt

   $ 15,152     $ 75,165  
    


 


Total long-term and short-term debt

   $ 2,348,379     $ 2,323,888  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 210,193     $ 299,596  
    


 


Restricted cash

   $ 2,883     $ 1,885  
    


 



(1) In December 1999, the Company entered into a secured financing transaction consisting of a five-year credit facility secured by owned equipment at customer service centers (distribution centers) located in Nevada, Mississippi and Kentucky. On December 7, 2004, the Company paid at maturity the remaining principal outstanding under this facility of $55.9 million.
(2) In December 2004, the Company issued $450.0 million in Senior Notes due 2015 and in January 2005 subsequently repurchased $372.1 million of the outstanding notes due 2006.
(3) In March 2005, the Company issued $380.0 million in Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2012, which are referred to as the 2012 floating rate notes, and €150.0 million in Euro Senior Notes due 2013, which are referred to as the 2013 Euro notes, and in March and April 2005 subsequently repurchased or redeemed all of the outstanding notes due 2008.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

Issuance of Senior Notes Due 2015 and Partial Repurchase of Senior Notes due 2006

 

Principal, Interest and Maturity.    On December 22, 2004, the Company issued $450.0 million in notes to qualified institutional buyers. These notes are unsecured obligations that rank equally with all of the Company’s other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt. They are 10-year notes maturing on January 15, 2015 and bear interest at 9.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15, commencing on July 15, 2005. The Company may redeem some or all of the notes prior to January 15, 2010 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and a “make-whole” premium. Thereafter, the Company may redeem all or any portion of the notes, at once or over time, at redemption prices specified in the indenture governing the notes, after giving the required notice under the indenture. In addition, at any time prior to January 15, 2008, the Company may redeem up to a maximum of 33 1/3% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of one or more public equity offerings at a redemption price of 109.75% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. Costs representing underwriting fees and other expenses of approximately $10.3 million are amortized over the term of the notes to interest expense.

 

Use of Proceeds—Tender Offer and Repurchase of Senior Notes Due 2006.    In December 2004, the Company commenced a cash tender offer for the outstanding principal amount of all of its senior unsecured notes due 2006. The tender offer expired January 12, 2005. The Company purchased pursuant to the tender offer $372.1 million in principal amount of its $450.0 million principal amount 2006 notes, using $372.1 million of the gross proceeds of the issuance of the 2015 notes. As a result, the Company has not yet met its 2006 notes refinancing condition contained in its senior secured term loan and senior secured revolving credit facility. The Company intends to use the remaining proceeds to repay outstanding debt (which may include any remaining 2006 notes). The Company may also elect to use these remaining proceeds for other corporate purposes consistent with the requirements of the Company’s credit agreements, indentures and other agreements. The Company paid approximately $19.7 million in tender premiums and other fees and expenses with the Company’s existing cash and cash equivalents and wrote off approximately $3.3 million of unamortized debt discount and issuance costs related to this tender offer.

 

Exchange Offer.    In June 2005, after a required exchange offer, all but $50,000 of the $450.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes were exchanged for new notes on identical terms, except that the new notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”).

 

Covenants.    The indenture governing these notes contains covenants that limit the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional debt; pay dividends or make other restricted payments; consummate specified asset sales; enter into transactions with affiliates; incur liens; impose restrictions on the ability of a subsidiary to pay dividends or make payments to the Company and its subsidiaries; merge or consolidate with any other person; and sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or its subsidiaries’ assets. Subsidiaries of the Company that are not wholly-owned subsidiaries (for example, Japan) are permitted to pay dividends to all stockholders under these credit agreements and indentures either on a pro rata basis or on a basis that results in the receipt by the Company of dividends or distributions of greater value than it would receive on a pro rata basis.

 

Asset Sales.    The indenture governing these notes provides that the Company’s asset sales must be at fair market value and the consideration must consist of at least 75% cash or cash equivalents or the assumption of liabilities. The Company must use the net proceeds from the asset sale within 360 days after receipt either to repay bank debt, with an equivalent permanent reduction in the available commitment in the case of a repayment under its revolving credit facility, or to invest in additional assets in a business related to its business. To the

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

extent proceeds not so used within the time period exceed $10.0 million, the Company is required to make an offer to purchase outstanding notes at par plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. Any purchase or prepayment of these notes requires consent of the lenders under the Company’s senior secured term loan and senior secured revolving credit facility.

 

Change in Control.    If the Company experiences a change in control as defined in the indenture governing the notes, then it will be required under the indenture to make an offer to repurchase the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. Any purchase or prepayment of these notes requires consent of the lenders under the Company’s senior secured term loan and senior secured revolving credit facility.

 

Events of Default.    The indenture governing these notes contains customary events of default, including failure to pay principal, failure to pay interest after a 30-day grace period, failure to comply with the merger, consolidation and sale of property covenant, failure to comply with other covenants in the indenture for a period of 30 days after notice given to the Company, failure to satisfy certain judgments in excess of $25.0 million after a 30-day grace period, and certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. The indenture also contains a cross-acceleration event of default that applies if debt of Levi Strauss & Co. or any restricted subsidiary in excess of $25.0 million is accelerated or is not paid when due at final maturity.

 

Covenant Suspension.    If these notes receive and maintain an investment grade rating by both Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s and the Company and its subsidiaries are and remain in compliance with the indenture, then the Company and its subsidiaries will not be required to comply with specified covenants contained in the indenture.

 

The covenants, events of default, asset sale, change of control, covenant suspension and other terms of the notes are comparable to those contained in the indentures governing the Company’s 2012 notes, 2012 floating rate notes and 2013 Euro notes.

 

Issuance of 2012 Floating Rate Notes and 2013 Euro Notes and Repurchase and Redemption of Senior Notes due 2008

 

Floating Rate Notes Due 2012.    On March 11, 2005, the Company issued $380.0 million in notes to qualified institutional buyers. These notes are unsecured obligations that rank equally with all of the Company’s other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt. They are 7-year notes maturing on April 1, 2012 and bear interest at a rate per annum, reset quarterly, equal to LIBOR plus 4.75%, payable quarterly in arrears on January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1, commencing on July 1, 2005. Starting on April 1, 2007, the Company may redeem all or any portion of the notes, at once or over time, at redemption prices specified in the indenture governing the notes, after giving the required notice under the indenture. In addition, at any time prior to April 1, 2007, the Company may redeem up to and including 100% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of one or more public equity offerings at a redemption price of 104% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, provided that after giving effect to any redemption of less than 100% of the notes then outstanding, at least $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes remains outstanding. These notes were offered at par. Costs representing underwriting fees and other expenses of approximately $8.6 million are amortized over the term of the notes to interest expense.

 

Exchange Offer.    In June 2005, after a required exchange offer, all of the $380.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes were exchanged for new notes on identical terms, except that the new notes are registered under the Securities Act.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

The covenants, events of default, asset sale, change of control, covenant suspension and other terms of the notes are comparable to those contained in the indentures governing the Company’s 2012 notes, 2013 Euro notes and 2015 notes.

 

Euro Notes Due 2013.    On March 11, 2005, the Company issued €150.0 million in notes to qualified institutional buyers. These notes are unsecured obligations that rank equally with all of the Company’s other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt. They are 8-year notes maturing on April 1, 2013 and bear interest at 8.625% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1, commencing on October 1, 2005. Starting on April 1, 2009, the Company may redeem all or any portion of the notes, at once or over time, at redemption prices specified in the indenture governing the notes, after giving the required notice under the indenture. In addition, at any time prior to April 1, 2008, the Company may redeem up to a maximum of 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of one or more public equity offerings at a redemption price of 108.625% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. These notes were offered at par. Costs representing underwriting fees and other expenses of approximately $5.3 million are amortized over the term of the notes to interest expense.

 

Exchange Offer.    In June 2005, after a required exchange offer, all but €2.0 million of the €150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes were exchanged for new notes on identical terms, except that the new notes are registered under the Securities Act.

 

The covenants, events of default, asset sale, change of control, covenant suspension and other terms of the notes are comparable to those contained in the indentures governing the Company’s 2012 notes, 2012 floating rate notes and 2015 notes.

 

Use of Proceeds—Tender Offer and Redemption of 2008 Notes.    In February 2005, the Company commenced a cash tender offer for the outstanding principal amount of its senior unsecured notes due 2008. The tender offer expired March 23, 2005. The Company purchased pursuant to the tender offer $270.0 million and €89.0 million in principal amount tendered of the 2008 notes. The Company subsequently redeemed all remaining 2008 notes in April 2005. Both the tender offer and redemption were funded with the proceeds from the issuance of the 2012 floating rate notes and the 2013 Euro notes. As a result, the Company believes it has met its 2008 notes refinancing condition contained in its senior secured term loan. The remaining proceeds of approximately $35.2 million and use of $12.6 million of the Company’s existing cash and cash equivalents were used to pay the fees, expenses and premiums payable in connection with the March 2005 offering, the tender offer and the redemption. The Company paid approximately $33.9 million in tender premiums and other fees and expenses and wrote off approximately $9.2 million of unamortized debt discount and issuance costs related to this tender offer and redemption.

 

Credit Agreement Ratios

 

Term Loan Leverage Ratio.    The Company’s senior secured term loan contains a consolidated senior secured leverage ratio of 3.5 to 1.0, which is measured as of the end of the fiscal quarter. At August 28, 2005, the Company was in compliance with this ratio.

 

Revolving Credit Facility Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.    The Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility contains a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0. The ratio is measured only if certain availability thresholds are not met. At August 28, 2005, the Company was not required to perform this calculation.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

Other Debt Matters

 

Debt Issuance Costs.    The Company capitalizes debt issuance costs, which are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. These costs were amortized using the straight-line method of amortization for all debt issuances prior to 2005, which approximates the effective interest method. New debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method. Unamortized debt issuance costs at August 28, 2005 and November 28, 2004 were $62.1 million and $54.8 million, respectively. Amortization of debt issuance costs, which is included in interest expense, was $3.0 million and $2.7 million for the three months ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004, respectively, and $9.1 million and $7.9 million for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004, respectively.

 

Accrued Interest.    At August 28, 2005 and November 28, 2004, accrued interest was $41.9 million and $65.6 million, respectively, and is included in accrued liabilities.

 

Principal Short-term and Long-term Debt Payments

 

The table below sets forth, as of August 28, 2005, the Company’s required aggregate short-term and long-term debt principal payments for the next five fiscal years and thereafter. The table also gives effect to the satisfaction of the 2008 notes refinancing condition and gives effect to the two different 2006 notes refinancing condition scenarios under the senior secured term loan:

 

     Principal payments as of August 28, 2005

Fiscal year


   Assuming 2006 notes
refinancing condition not met


   Assuming 2006 notes
refinancing condition met


     (Dollars in thousands)

2005 (remaining three months) (1)

   $ 11,379    $ 11,379

2006(2)(3)

     567,785      82,785

2007

     —        5,000

2008

     —        5,000

2009

     —        475,000

Thereafter

     1,769,215      1,769,215
    

  

Total

   $ 2,348,379    $ 2,348,379
    

  


(1) Includes required payments of approximately $1.3 million under the Company’s senior secured term loan and payments relating to short-term borrowings of approximately $10.1 million.
(2) Under the Company’s senior secured term loan, the Company must refinance, repay or otherwise irrevocably set aside funds for all of the Company’s senior unsecured notes due 2006 by May 1, 2006, or its senior secured term loan will mature on August 1, 2006. In that case, coupled with the scheduled maturity of the remaining balance of the Company’s 2006 notes, the Company will have to repay or otherwise satisfy approximately $567.8 million of debt in fiscal 2006. If the Company meets the 2006 notes refinancing condition, the senior secured term loan will mature on September 29, 2009 and the Company will have to repay or otherwise satisfy approximately $82.8 million of debt in 2006.
(3) The Company intends to use the remaining proceeds of the issuance of senior notes due 2015 to repay outstanding debt (which may include any remaining 2006 notes). The Company may also elect to use these remaining proceeds for other corporate purposes consistent with the requirements of the Company’s credit agreements, indentures and other agreements.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

Short-term Credit Lines and Stand-by Letters of Credit

 

The Company’s total unused lines of credit were approximately $387.3 million at August 28, 2005.

 

At August 28, 2005, the Company had unsecured and uncommitted short-term credit lines available totaling approximately $10.5 million at various rates. These credit arrangements may be canceled by the bank lenders upon notice and generally have no compensating balance requirements or commitment fees.

 

As of August 28, 2005, the Company’s total availability of $480.8 million under its senior secured revolving credit facility was reduced by $104.0 million of letters of credit and other credit usage allocated under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility, yielding a net availability of $376.8 million. Included in the $104.0 million of letters of credit and other credit usage at August 28, 2005 were $14.6 million of trade letters of credit, $7.8 million of other credit usage and $81.6 million of stand-by letters of credit with various international banks, of which $63.2 million serve as guarantees by the creditor banks to cover U.S. workers compensation claims and customs bonds. The Company pays fees on the standby letters of credit, and borrowings against the letters of credit are subject to interest at various rates.

 

Interest Rates on Borrowings

 

The Company’s weighted average interest rate on average borrowings outstanding during the three months ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004, including the amortization of capitalized bank fees, underwriting fees and interest rate swap cancellations was 10.30% and 10.54%, respectively. The Company’s weighted average interest rate on average borrowings outstanding during the nine months ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004, including the amortization of capitalized bank fees, underwriting fees and interest rate swap cancellations was 10.47% and 10.61%, respectively. The weighted average interest rate on average borrowings outstanding excludes interest payable to participants under deferred compensation plans and other miscellaneous items.

 

Dividends and Restrictions

 

Under the terms of the Company’s senior secured term loan and senior secured revolving credit facility, the Company is prohibited from paying dividends to its stockholders. In addition, the terms of certain of the indentures relating to the Company’s unsecured senior notes limit the Company’s ability to pay dividends. Subsidiaries of the Company that are not wholly-owned subsidiaries (for example, Japan) are permitted under these credit agreements and indentures to pay dividends to all stockholders either on a pro rata basis or on a basis that results in the receipt by the Company of dividends or distributions of greater value than it would receive on a pro rata basis. There are no restrictions under the Company’s term loan and revolving credit facility or its indentures on the transfer of the assets of the Company’s subsidiaries to the Company in the form of loans, advances or cash dividends without the consent of a third party.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

NOTE 6:    FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The carrying amount and estimated fair value (in each case including accrued interest) of the Company’s financial instrument assets and liabilities at August 28, 2005 and November 28, 2004 are as follows:

 

     August 28, 2005

    November 28, 2004

 
     Carrying
Value (1)


    Estimated
Fair Value (1)


    Carrying
Value (2)


    Estimated
Fair Value (2)


 
     Assets (Liabilities)  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Debt Instruments:

                                

U.S. dollar notes offerings

   $ (1,505,984 )   $ (1,606,967 )   $ (1,449,410 )   $ (1,495,072 )

Euro notes offering

     (192,213 )     (197,756 )     (172,381 )     (177,817 )

Yen-denominated Eurobond placement

     (185,002 )     (179,528 )     (195,173 )     (173,774 )

Term loan

     (496,581 )     (513,038 )     (500,527 )     (545,077 )

Customer service center equipment financing

     —         —         (57,297 )     (56,654 )

Short-term and other borrowings

     (10,459 )     (10,459 )     (14,724 )     (14,724 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ (2,390,239 )   $ (2,507,748 )   $ (2,389,512 )   $ (2,463,118 )
    


 


 


 


Foreign Exchange Contracts:

                                

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   $ (5,986 )   $ (5,986 )   $ (4,501 )   $ (4,501 )

Foreign exchange option contracts

     157       157       579       579  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ (5,829 )   $ (5,829 )   $ (3,922 )   $ (3,922 )
    


 


 


 



(1) Includes accrued interest of $41.9 million.
(2) Includes accrued interest of $65.6 million

 

The Company’s financial instruments are reflected on its books at the carrying values noted above. The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments reflect the amounts at which the instruments could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation sale (i.e. quoted market prices). The change in the estimated fair value of the Company’s total debt at August 28, 2005 as compared to the estimated fair value at November 28, 2004 was primarily due to the refinancing activities during the first half of 2005 and changes in debt, credit and foreign exchange markets.

 

The Company has determined the estimated fair value of certain financial instruments using available market information and valuation methodologies. However, this determination involves application of judgment in interpreting market data, as such, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The Company uses widely accepted valuation models that incorporate quoted market prices or dealer quotes to determine the estimated fair value of its foreign exchange and option contracts. Dealer quotes and other valuation methods, such as the discounted value of future cash flows, replacement cost and termination cost have been used to determine the estimated fair value for long-term debt and the remaining financial instruments. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and short-term borrowings approximate fair value. The fair value estimates presented herein are based on information available to the Company as of August 28, 2005 and November 28, 2004.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

NOTE 7:    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Foreign Exchange Contracts

 

At August 28, 2005, the Company had U.S. dollar spot and forward currency contracts to buy $299.2 million and to sell $222.9 million against various foreign currencies. These contracts are at various exchange rates and expire at various dates through November 2005.

 

The Company has entered into option contracts to manage its exposure to foreign currencies. At August 28, 2005, the Company had bought U.S. dollar option contracts resulting in a net purchase of $58.2 million against various foreign currencies should the options be exercised. To finance the premium related to bought options, the Company sold U.S. dollar options resulting in a net purchase of $75.9 million against various currencies should the options be exercised. The option contracts are at various strike prices and expire at various dates through February 2006.

 

The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the foreign exchange contracts. However, the Company believes these counterparties are creditworthy financial institutions and does not anticipate nonperformance.

 

Other Contingencies

 

Wrongful Termination Litigation.    There have been no material developments in this litigation since the Company filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 29, 2005. For more information about the litigation, see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 12, 2005 and Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 17, 2005.

 

Class Actions Securities Litigation.    There have been no material developments in this litigation since the Company filed its 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K. For information about the litigation, see Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements contained in such Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Comexma Litigation.    There have been no material developments in this litigation since the Company filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 29, 2005. For more information about the litigation, see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 12, 2005.

 

Other Litigation.    In the ordinary course of business, the Company has various other pending cases involving contractual matters, employee-related matters, distribution questions, product liability claims, patent and trademark infringement and other matters. The Company does not believe there are any pending legal proceedings that will have a material impact on its financial condition or results of operations.

 

NOTE 8:    DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

The global scope of the Company’s business operations exposes it to the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency markets. The Company’s exposure results from certain product sourcing activities, some inter-company sales, foreign subsidiaries’ royalty payments, net investment in foreign operations and funding activities. The Company’s foreign currency management objective is to mitigate the potential impact of currency fluctuations on the value of its U.S. dollar cash flows. The Company typically takes a long-term view of managing exposures, using forecasts to develop exposure positions and engaging in their active management.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

The Company operates a centralized currency management operation to take advantage of potential opportunities to naturally offset exposures against each other. For any residual exposures under management, the Company enters into spot exchange, forward exchange, cross-currency swaps and option contracts to hedge certain anticipated transactions as well as certain firm commitments, including third party and inter-company transactions. The Company manages the currency risk as of the inception of the exposure. The Company does not currently manage the timing mismatch between its forecasted exposures and the related financial instruments used to mitigate the currency risk.

 

The Company has not applied hedge accounting to its foreign currency derivative transactions, except for certain net investment hedging activities. During the nine months ended August 28, 2005, the Company used foreign exchange currency swaps to hedge the net investment in its foreign operations. For the contracts that qualify for hedge accounting, the related gains and losses are consequently included as cumulative translation adjustments in the “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” section of Stockholders’ Deficit. For the nine months ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004, realized losses of $0.5 million and $4.2 million, respectively, have been excluded from hedge effectiveness testing and therefore were included in “Other (income) expense, net” in the Company’s statement of operations. For the three months ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004, such amounts were immaterial. As of August 28, 2005, the Company had no foreign currency derivatives outstanding hedging the net investment in its foreign operations.

 

The Company designates a portion of its outstanding yen-denominated Eurobond as a net investment hedge. As of August 28, 2005 and November 28, 2004, unrealized losses of $4.2 million and $10.1 million related to the translation effects of the yen-denominated Eurobond were recorded as cumulative translation adjustments in the “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” section of Stockholders’ Deficit.

 

On May 19, 2005, the Company designated its outstanding euro-denominated Eurobond as a net investment hedge. As of August 28, 2005, a $4.5 million unrealized gain related to the translation effects of the euro-denominated Eurobond was recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment in the “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” section of Stockholders’ Deficit.

 

The table below provides data about the realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with foreign exchange management activities reported in “Other (income) expense, net.”

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
    

August 28, 2005

Other (income)

expense, net


  

August 29, 2004

Other (income)

expense, net


   

August 28, 2005

Other (income)

expense, net


  

August 29, 2004

Other (income)

expense, net


 
     Realized

    Unrealized

   Realized

   Unrealized

    Realized

    Unrealized

   Realized

   Unrealized

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Foreign exchange management

   $ (6,830 )   $ 9,562    $ 9,938    $ (7,843 )   $ (5,999 )   $ 8,634    $ 24,160    $ (7,009 )
    


 

  

  


 


 

  

  


 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

The table below gives an overview of the realized and unrealized gains and losses associated with foreign exchange management activities that are reported as cumulative translation adjustments in the “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” (“Accumulated OCI”) section of Stockholders’ Deficit.

 

     At August 28, 2005

    At November 28, 2004

 
     Accumulated OCI
gain (loss)


    Accumulated OCI
gain (loss)


 
     Realized

    Unrealized

    Realized

    Unrealized

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Foreign exchange management

                                

Net investment hedges

                                

Derivative instruments

   $ 4,637     $ —       $ 2,474     $ (6,728 )

Euro Bond

     —         4,545       —         —    

Yen Bond

     —         (4,244 )     —         (10,050 )

Cumulative income taxes

     (1,234 )     (121 )     (398 )     6,491  
    


 


 


 


     $ 3,403     $ 180     $ 2,076     $ (10,287 )
    


 


 


 


 

The table below gives an overview of the fair values of derivative instruments associated with the Company’s foreign exchange management activities that are reported as an asset or (liability).

 

     At August 28, 2005

    At November 28,2004

 
     Fair value liability

    Fair value liability

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Foreign exchange management

   $ (5,829 )   $ (3,922 )
    


 


 

NOTE 9:    OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE, NET

 

The following table summarizes significant components of other (income) expense, net:

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 
     August 28,
2005


    August 29,
2004


    August 28,
2005


    August 29,
2004


 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Foreign exchange management losses

   $ 2,732     $ 2,095     $ 2,635     $ 17,151  

Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses

     (2,795 )     1,281       (6,611 )     (10,816 )

Interest income

     (1,601 )     (1,139 )     (5,804 )     (2,224 )

Minority interest—Levi Strauss Japan K.K.

     (1,038 )     591       1,169       2,152  

Minority interest—Levi Strauss Istanbul Konfeksiyon (1)

     —         (222 )     1,309       395  

Other

     (103 )     (3,072 )     (56 )     (3,588 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ (2,805 )   $ (466 )   $ (7,358 )   $ 3,070  
    


 


 


 



(1) On March 31, 2005, the Company acquired full ownership of its joint venture in Turkey; subsequent to that date, all income from the joint venture is attributed to the Company. (See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

The Company’s foreign exchange risk management activities include the use of instruments such as forward, swap and option contracts, to manage foreign currency exposures. These derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and the changes in fair value are recorded in other (income) expense, net. At contract maturity, the realized gain or loss related to derivative instruments is also recorded in other (income) expense, net.

 

Foreign currency transactions are transactions denominated in a currency other than the entity’s functional currency. At the date the foreign currency transaction is recognized, each asset, liability, revenue, expense, gain or loss arising from the transaction is measured and recorded in the functional currency of the recording entity using the exchange rate in effect at that date. At each balance sheet date for each entity, recorded balances denominated in a foreign currency are adjusted, or remeasured, to reflect the current exchange rate. The changes in the recorded balances caused by remeasurement at the exchange rate are recorded in other (income) expense, net. In addition, at the settlement date of foreign currency transactions, foreign currency (gains) losses are recorded in “other (income) expense, net” to reflect the difference between the spot rate effective at the settlement date and the historical rate at which the transaction was originally recorded.

 

The Company’s interest income primarily relates to investments in certificates of deposit, time deposits and commercial paper with original maturities of three months or less. The increase in interest income for both periods of 2005, as compared to 2004, was primarily due to higher effective interest rates on the Company’s investments. Also contributing to the increase in the current nine-month period was a higher average investment balance as compared to 2004.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

NOTE 10:    EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

 

Pension and Post-retirement Plans.    The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004:

 

     Pension Benefits

    Post-retirement Benefits

 
    

Three Months

Ended August 28,

2005


   

Three Months

Ended August 29,

2004


   

Three Months

Ended August 28,

2005


   

Three Months

Ended August 29,

2004


 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Service cost

   $ 2,060     $ 4,127     $ 275     $ 263  

Interest cost

     13,657       13,391       4,530       5,312  

Expected return on plan assets

     (13,234 )     (12,477 )     —         —    

Amortization of prior service cost (gain)

     465       (82 )     (14,389 )     (14,409 )

Amortization of transition asset

     100       36       —         —    

Amortization of actuarial loss

     1,265       1,665       4,531       4,811  

Net curtailment gain

     —         (46 )     —         (3,424 )
    


 


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost (income)

   $ 4,313     $ 6,614     $ (5,053 )   $ (7,447 )
    


 


 


 


 

     Pension Benefits

    Post-retirement Benefits

 
     Nine Months     Nine Months     Nine Months     Nine Months  
     Ended August 28,     Ended August 29,     Ended August 28,     Ended August 29,  
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Service cost

   $ 6,324     $ 13,389     $ 824     $ 1,153  

Interest cost

     41,177       40,080       13,590       20,364  

Expected return on plan assets

     (39,818 )     (37,205 )     —         —    

Amortization of prior service cost (gain)

     1,395       (272 )     (43,167 )     (36,382 )

Amortization of transition asset

     314       110       —         —    

Amortization of actuarial loss

     3,785       6,272       13,596       14,963  

Net curtailment loss (gain)

     —         64       —         (27,195 )
    


 


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost (income)

   $ 13,177     $ 22,438     $ (15,157 )   $ (27,097 )
    


 


 


 


 

Reclassification.    The current portion of the Company’s pension liabilities, included in “Accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits” on the consolidated balance sheet, increased by approximately $6.6 million from November 28, 2004 primarily as a result of a change in the Company’s estimate of required cash contributions for the next twelve months to its U.S. Home Office Pension Plan. This change was primarily driven by lower than projected investment returns on the plans’ assets. The revised total cash contributions in fiscal 2005 for the Company’s pension plans are estimated to be approximately $36.0 million, which includes cash contributions of approximately $14.0 million paid through August 28, 2005.

 

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LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

NOTE 11:    COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

The following is a summary of the components of total comprehensive income, net of related income taxes:

 

     Three months ended

    Nine months ended

 
     August 28,     August 29,     August 28,     August 29,  
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 38,246     $ 46,565     $ 112,332     $ 49,821  
    


 


 


 


Other comprehensive income (loss):

                                

Net investment hedge gains

     2,866       540       11,794       1,289  

Foreign currency translation losses

     (319 )     (965 )     (5,086 )     (1,353 )

Decrease in minimum pension liability

     135       —         206       15,858  
    


 


 


 


       2,682       (425 )     6,914       15,794  
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ 40,928     $ 46,140     $ 119,246     $ 65,615  
    


 


 


 


 

The following is a summary of the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related income taxes:

 

     August 28,
2005


    November 28,
2004


 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net investment hedge gains (losses)

   $ 3,583     $ (8,211 )

Foreign currency translation losses

     (26,530 )     (21,444 )

Additional minimum pension liability

     (75,816 )     (76,022 )
    


 


Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes

   $ (98,763 )   $ (105,677 )
    


 


 

NOTE 12:    BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

During 2004, the Company changed the structure of its U.S. business operations as a result of its reorganization initiatives. The Company’s business operations in the United States are now organized and managed principally through Levi’s®, Dockers® and Levi Strauss Signature® commercial business units. The Company’s operations in Canada and Mexico are included in its North America region along with its U.S. commercial business units. The structure of its international business operations did not change. They are organized and managed through the Company’s Europe and Asia Pacific regions. The Company’s Europe region includes Eastern and Western Europe; Asia Pacific includes Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Central and South America. Each of the business segments is managed by a senior executive who reports directly to the Company’s chief executive officer. The Company manages its business operations, evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the operating income of its segments, excluding restructuring charges, net of reversals, and excluding depreciation and amortization. Corporate expense is comprised of long-term incentive compensation expense, restructuring charges, net of reversals, and other corporate expenses, including corporate staff costs.

 

As a result of the changes in the Company’s reportable segments, the information for prior year has been revised to conform to the current presentation. No single country other than the United States had net sales exceeding 10.0% of consolidated net sales for any of the periods presented. The Company does not report assets by segment because assets are not allocated to its segments for purposes of measurement by the Company’s chief operating decision maker.

 

28


Table of Contents

LEVI STRAUSS & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 28, 2005

 

Business segment information for the Company is as follows:

 

     Three months ended

    Nine months ended

 
     August 28,     August 29,     August 28,     August 29,  
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net sales:

                                

U.S. Levi’s® brand

   $ 344,741     $ 330,358     $ 868,400     $ 882,575  

U.S. Dockers® brand

     162,796       166,839       462,746       480,549  

U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand

     103,314       87,684       266,368       247,892  

Canada and Mexico

     46,061       45,974       131,708       124,465  
    


 


 


 


Total North America

     656,912       630,855       1,729,222       1,735,481  

Europe

     215,223       238,015       745,842       759,977  

Asia Pacific

     146,681       125,756       493,294       420,305  
    


 


 


 


Consolidated net sales

   $ 1,018,816     $ 994,626     $ 2,968,358     $ 2,915,763  
    


 


 


 


Operating income:

                                

U.S. Levi’s® brand

   $ 78,210     $ 92,252     $ 206,361     $ 216,099  

U.S. Dockers® brand

     34,661       46,243       99,492       106,891  

U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand

     11,558       14,311       22,387       31,186  

Canada and Mexico

     11,545       10,509       34,272       25,507  
    


 


 


 


Total North America

     135,974       163,315       362,512       379,683  

Europe

     47,464       47,987       187,905       141,134  

Asia Pacific

     27,878       23,039       114,400       88,486  
    


 


 


 


Regional operating income

     211,316       234,341       664,817       609,303  

Corporate:

                                

Long-term incentive compensation expense

     (9,629 )     (10,735 )     (18,949 )     (37,067 )

Restructuring charges, net of reversals

     (5,022 )     (28,117 )     (13,436 )     (108,158 )

Depreciation and amortization

     (14,783 )     (15,109 )     (44,608 )     (45,237 )

Other corporate expense

     (42,719 )     (52,208 )     (120,030 )     (151,406 )
    


 


 


 


Total corporate expense

     (72,153 )     (106,169 )     (197,023 )     (341,868 )
    


 


 


 


Consolidated operating income

     139,163       128,172       467,794       267,435  

Interest expense

     63,918       64,252       198,625       197,687  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     39       —         66,064       —    

Other (income) expense, net

     (2,805 )     (466 )     (7,358 )     3,070  
    


 


 


 


Income before income taxes

   $ 78,011     $ 64,386     $ 210,463     $ 66,678  
    


 


 


 


 

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

 

Introduction

 

Overview.    We are one of the world’s leading branded apparel companies, with sales in more than 110 countries. We design and market jeans and jeans-related pants, casual and dress pants, tops, jackets and related accessories for men, women and children under our Levi’s®, Dockers® and Levi Strauss Signature® brands. We also license our trademarks in various countries throughout the world for accessories, pants, tops, footwear, home and other products.

 

We distribute our Levi’s® and Dockers® products primarily through chain retailers and department stores in the United States and primarily through department stores, specialty stores and franchised stores abroad. We also distribute Levi’s® and Dockers® products through company-owned stores located in the United States, Europe and Japan. We distribute our Levi Strauss Signature® products through mass channel retailers in the United States and abroad.

 

The following tables provide net sales and operating income for our business segments and for our corporate group for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005:

 

     Three Months Ended
August 28, 2005


 

Region and Geographies


   Net Sales

   Operating
Income


 
     (Dollars in millions)  

U.S. Levi’s® brand

   $ 344.7    $ 78.2  

U.S. Dockers® brand

     162.8      34.7  

U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand

     103.3      11.6  

Canada and Mexico (all brands)

     46.1      11.5  
    

  


Total North America

     656.9      136.0  

Europe (all brands)

     215.2      47.5  

Asia Pacific (all brands)

     146.7      27.9  

Corporate

     —        (72.2 )
    

  


Total

   $ 1,018.8    $ 139.2  
    

  


 

     Nine Months Ended
August 28, 2005


 

Region and Geographies


   Net Sales

   Operating
Income


 
     (Dollars in millions)  

U.S. Levi’s® brand

   $ 868.4    $ 206.3  

U.S. Dockers® brand

     462.7      99.5  

U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand

     266.4      22.4  

Canada and Mexico (all brands)

     131.7      34.3  
    

  


Total North America

     1,729.2      362.5  

Europe (all brands)

     745.9      187.9  

Asia Pacific (all brands)

     493.3      114.4  

Corporate

     —        (197.0 )
    

  


Total

   $ 2,968.4    $ 467.8  
    

  


 

Our Results.    Key financial results for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 were as follows:

 

   

Our consolidated net sales for the three months ended August 28, 2005 were $1.0 billion, an increase of 2.4% compared to the same period in the prior year, and an increase of 1.8% on a constant currency

 

30


Table of Contents
 

basis. Our consolidated net sales for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 were $3.0 billion, an increase of 1.8% compared to the same period in the prior year, and relatively flat on a constant currency basis. Our net sales increase for the three-month period was primarily driven by increased net sales in our Asia Pacific region, our U.S. Levi’s® brand and our U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand, partially offset by decreased net sales in our Europe region and our U.S. Dockers® business. Our net sales increase for the nine-month period was primarily driven by increased net sales in our Asia Pacific region, our U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand business and our Mexico business. These increases were partially offset by decreased net sales in our Europe region and our U.S. Levi’s® and U.S. Dockers® brands.

 

    Our gross profit decreased 0.5% and increased 7.9% for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Our gross margin decreased 1.3 and increased 2.6 percentage points for the three and nine months, respectively. The gross profit decline for the three-month period was primarily driven by lower net sales in our Europe region, a greater proportion of sales of seasonal items in our U.S. Dockers® business and of products with higher cost fabrics and finishes, particularly in our U.S. Levi’s® business; and higher volume of discount sales in our U.S. Levi’s® business resulting from our proactive approach to identifying and managing our slow moving and past season inventory. Partially offsetting these factors was an increase in net sales of our Levi’s® brand in the United States and of net sales in our Asia Pacific region, more premium positioning of our Levi’s® brand in our Europe region, lower sourcing and overhead costs and lower inventory markdowns, particularly in Europe.

 

Our gross profit improvement for the nine-month period was primarily driven by net sales growth in our Asia Pacific region, improved profitability of our Levi’s® brand in our Europe region, a favorable mix of more profitable first-quality products, improved management of returns, allowances and product transition costs, particularly in our U.S. Dockers® business, lower sourcing costs, lower inventory markdowns, particularly in Europe and the favorable translation impact of foreign currencies. These factors were partially offset by the impact on our gross profit of the decrease in net sales in our U.S. Levi’s® and U.S. Dockers® brands and the decrease in net sales in our Europe region.

 

    We had operating income of $139.2 million and $467.8 million for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, respectively, compared to operating income of $128.2 million and $267.4 million for the same periods in 2004. The increase in the three-month period was primarily driven by lower restructuring charges, net of reversals, partially offset by increased selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase for the nine-month period was primarily driven by increased gross profit, lower long-term incentive compensation expense, increased royalty income and lower restructuring charges, net of reversals. The increase for the nine-month period was partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

    We had net income of $38.2 million and $112.3 million in the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, respectively, compared to net income of $46.6 million and $49.8 million for the same periods in 2004. The decrease in the three-month period was primarily due to higher income tax expense, partially offset by higher operating income. The increase in the nine-month period was due primarily to higher operating income, partially offset by the loss on early extinguishment of debt related to our refinancing activities and higher income tax expense.

 

Our third quarter performance reflected continuing improvement in our business. Our net sales and operating income increased compared with the same period in the prior year. We had net sales growth in our U.S. Levi’s® brand, our U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® business and our Asia Pacific business, we grew our royalty income by 39.6%, we increased our operating margin to 13.7% from 12.9% in the comparable period of 2004 and we again delivered a solid gross margin of 44.6%, although slightly lower than during the second quarter of 2005. We also increased our advertising and promotion as part of our efforts to build our brands. We had lower restructuring expenses and we reached an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service to close our open 1990—1999 tax years.

 

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Table of Contents

We are cautious about our sales outlook in the United States and Europe going forward in view of:

 

    the retail environment in both regions;

 

    the pace of our turnaround in Europe, which is slower than we expected;

 

    the impact of increasing energy prices on consumer discretionary income and demand for apparel;

 

    the potential impact of continuing retailer consolidation in the United States including store closings, strategic shifts and changes in bargaining power; and

 

    the continuing emergence and success of competitive brands and retail formats targeted for specific consumer segments.

 

We remain focused on our key priorities of driving growth in the Levi’s® and Levi Strauss Signature® businesses, revitalizing our Dockers® brand, including our Dockers® women’s business, and delivering solid and sustainable profitability by continuing to improve our performance and contain costs.

 

Our Financing Arrangements.    During the first nine months of fiscal 2005, we made several significant changes in our financing arrangements:

 

    In December 2004, we repaid at maturity all remaining amounts (approximately $55.9 million in principal amount) owed under a credit facility we entered into in 1999 secured by most of the equipment located at our customer service centers in Kentucky, Mississippi and Nevada.

 

    In December 2004, we issued $450.0 million in unsecured notes through a private placement. The notes mature in 2015 and bear interest at 9.75% per annum. In January 2005, we used $372.1 million of the $450.0 million of gross proceeds from the notes offering to purchase $372.1 million in aggregate principal amount of our outstanding senior notes due 2006 through a tender offer. As a result of the notes issuance and tender offer, we have reduced the principal amount owing at maturity of our 2006 notes from $450.0 million to $77.9 million. As a result, we have not yet met the 2006 notes refinancing condition contained in our senior secured term loan agreement. We intend to use the remaining proceeds of the issuance of senior notes due 2015 to repay outstanding debt (which may include any remaining 2006 notes). We may also elect to use these remaining proceeds for other corporate purposes consistent with the requirements of our credit agreements, indentures and other agreements.

 

    In March 2005, we issued $380.0 million of unsecured floating rate notes and €150.0 million of Euro-denominated unsecured notes through a private placement. The floating rate notes mature in 2012 and bear interest at LIBOR plus 4.75% per annum. The Euro-denominated notes mature in 2013 and bear interest at 8.625% per annum. We used all of the proceeds from this offering to refinance all of our outstanding $380.0 million Dollar denominated 11.625% senior notes due 2008 and €125.0 million Euro-denominated 11.625% senior notes due 2008 through a tender offer and redemption in March and April 2005, respectively. As a result of this notes issuance and subsequent retirement of the 2008 notes, we believe we have met the 2008 notes refinancing condition contained in our senior secured term loan.

 

For more information regarding our financing activities, please see “Indebtedness.”

 

32


Table of Contents

Results of Operations

 

Three and Nine Months Ended August 28, 2005 as Compared to Same Periods in 2004

 

The following tables summarize, for the periods indicated, items in our consolidated statements of operations, the changes in these items from period to period and these items expressed as a percentage of net sales.

 

     Three months ended

   

$

Increase
(Decrease)


    %
Increase
(Decrease)


    Three months ended

 
          

August 28,
2005

% of Net
Sales


   

August 29,
2004

% of Net
Sales


 
     August 28,
2005


    August 29,
2004


         
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net sales

   $ 1,018,816     $ 994,626     $ 24,190     2.4 %   100.0 %   100.0 %

Cost of goods sold

     564,870       538,179       26,691     5.0 %   55.4 %   54.1 %
    


 


                         

Gross profit

     453,946       456,447       (2,501 )   (0.5 )%   44.6 %   45.9 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     319,872       300,540       19,332     6.4 %   31.4 %   30.2 %

Long-term incentive compensation expense

     9,629       10,735       (1,106 )   10.3 %   0.9 %   1.1 %

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

     (2,936 )     476       3,412     (716.8 )%   (0.3 )%   0.0 %

Other operating income

     (16,804 )     (11,593 )     5,211     44.9 %   (1.6 )%   (1.2 )%

Restructuring charges, net of reversals

     5,022       28,117       (23,095 )   (82.1 )%   0.5 %   2.8 %
    


 


                         

Operating income

     139,163       128,172       10,991     8.6 %   13.7 %   12.9 %

Interest expense

     63,918       64,252       (334 )   (0.5 )%   6.3 %   6.5 %

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     39       —         39     N/A     0.0 %   0.0 %

Other (income) expense, net

     (2,805 )     (466 )     2,339     (501.9 )%   (0.3 )%   0.0 %
    


 


                         

Income before taxes

     78,011       64,386       13,625     21.2 %   7.7 %   6.5 %

Income tax expense

     39,765       17,821       21,944     123.1 %   3.9 %   1.8 %
    


 


                         

Net income

   $ 38,246     $ 46,565       (8,319 )   (17.9 )%   3.8 %   4.7 %
    


 


                         
     Nine months ended

   

$

Increase
(Decrease)


   

%

Increase
(Decrease)


    Nine months ended

 
          

August 28,
2005

% of Net
Sales


   

August 29,
2004

% of Net
Sales


 
     August 28,
2005


    August 29,
2004


         
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Net sales

   $ 2,968,358     $ 2,915,763     $ 52,595     1.8 %   100.0 %   100.0 %

Cost of goods sold

     1,590,328       1,638,377       (48,049 )   (2.9 )%   53.6 %   56.2 %
    


 


                         

Gross profit

     1,378,030       1,277,386       100,644     7.9 %   46.4 %   43.8 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     930,950       894,964       35,986     4.0 %   31.4 %   30.7 %

Long-term incentive compensation expense

     18,949       37,067       (18,118 )   48.9 %   0.6 %   1.3 %

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

     (5,788 )     (612 )     5,176     845.8 %   (0.2 )%   0.0 %

Other operating income

     (47,311 )     (29,626 )     17,685     59.7 %   (1.6 )%   (1.0 )%

Restructuring charges, net of reversals

     13,436       108,158       (94,722 )   (87.6 )%   0.5 %   3.7 %
    


 


                         

Operating income

     467,794       267,435       200,359     74.9 %   15.8 %   9.2 %

Interest expense

     198,625       197,687       938     0.5 %   6.7 %   6.8 %

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

     66,064       —         66,064     N/A     2.2 %   0.0 %

Other (income) expense, net

     (7,358 )     3,070       10,428     339.7 %   (0.2 )%   0.1 %
    


 


                         

Income before taxes

     210,463       66,678       143,785     215.6 %   7.1 %   2.3 %

Income tax expense

     98,131       16,857       81,274     482.1 %   3.3 %   0.6 %
    


 


                         

Net income

   $ 112,332     $ 49,821       62,511     125.5 %   3.8 %   1.7 %
    


 


                         

 

33


Table of Contents

Consolidated net sales

 

The following tables present our net sales for our North America, Europe and Asia Pacific businesses and the changes in these results period to period.

 

     Three months ended

   $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase (Decrease)

 
     August 28,    August 29,      As     Constant  

(Dollars in thousands)


   2005

   2004

     Reported

    Currency

 

North America

   $ 656,912    $ 630,855    $ 26,057     4.1 %   3.6 %

Europe

     215,223      238,015      (22,792 )   (9.6 )%   (9.4 )%

Asia Pacific

     146,681      125,756      20,925     16.6 %   14.2 %
    

  

  


           

Total consolidated net sales

   $ 1,018,816    $ 994,626    $ 24,190     2.4 %   1.8 %
    

  

  


           

 

     Nine months ended

   $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase (Decrease)

 
     August 28,    August 29,      As     Constant  

(Dollars in thousands)


   2005

   2004

     Reported

    Currency

 

North America

   $ 1,729,222    $ 1,735,481    $ (6,259 )   (0.4 )%   (0.7 )%

Europe

     745,842      759,977      (14,135 )   (1.9 )%   (5.9 )%

Asia Pacific

     493,294      420,305      72,989     17.4 %   13.2 %
    

  

  


           

Total consolidated net sales

   $ 2,968,358    $ 2,915,763    $ 52,595     1.8 %   (0.1 )%
    

  

  


           

 

North America net sales

 

The following tables present our net sales in our North America region broken out for our U.S. brands and for Canada and Mexico, including changes in these results period to period.

 

     Three months ended

   $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase (Decrease)

 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


   August 29,
2004


     As
Reported


    Constant
Currency


 

U.S. Levi’s® brand

   $ 344,741    $ 330,358    $ 14,383     4.4 %   N/A  

U.S. Dockers® brand

     162,796      166,839      (4,043 )   (2.4 )%   N/A  

U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand

     103,314      87,684      15,630     17.8 %   N/A  

Canada and Mexico

     46,061      45,974      87     0.2 %   (6.9 )%
    

  

  


           

Total North America net sales

   $ 656,912    $ 630,855    $ 26,057     4.1 %   3.6 %
    

  

  


           
     Nine months ended

   $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase (Decrease)

 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


   August 29,
2004


     As
Reported


    Constant
Currency


 

U.S. Levi’s® brand

   $ 868,400    $ 882,575    $ (14,175 )   (1.6 )%   N/A  

U.S. Dockers® brand

     462,746      480,549      (17,803 )   (3.7 )%   N/A  

U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand

     266,368      247,892      18,476     7.5 %   N/A  

Canada and Mexico

     131,708      124,465      7,243     5.8 %   0.6 %
    

  

  


           

Total North America net sales

   $ 1,729,222    $ 1,735,481    $ (6,259 )   (0.4 )%   (0.7 )%
    

  

  


           

 

The following discussion summarizes net sales performance during the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 for our U.S. brands. In these sections, the tables showing net sales for the Levi’s® and Dockers® brands break out net sales between “Licensed Categories” and “Continuing Categories.”

 

    By “categories,” we mean broad product groupings like men’s jeans, women’s tops and men’s jackets.

 

   

The “Licensed Categories” line shows our net sales attributable to product categories that we marketed and sold ourselves during the relevant period for which we have also entered into licensing agreements

 

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Table of Contents
 

as of August 28, 2005. Royalty payments received from licensees appear in the “Other operating income” line item in our statement of operations.

 

    The “Continuing Categories” line shows our net sales for all other product categories and reflects sales of both continuing products within a category, such as 501® jeans for men, as well as those products that we may have replaced or discontinued as part of our product assortment and rationalization activities.

 

We believe this presentation is useful to the reader because it shows the impact of product category licensing on our net sales. We present this data only for our U.S. Levi’s® and Dockers® brands because there has been no significant licensing of product categories that we have marketed and sold ourselves in our U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand or in our Europe and Asia Pacific businesses.

 

Levi’s® Brand.    The following tables present net sales of our U.S. Levi’s® brand, including changes in these results for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 compared to the same periods in 2004.

 

     Three months ended

   $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase
(Decrease)


 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


   August 29,
2004


    

U.S. Levi’s® brand—Continuing categories

   $ 344,741    $ 322,362    $ 22,379     6.9 %

U.S. Levi’s® brand—Licensed categories

     —        7,996      (7,996 )   N/A  
    

  

  


     

Total U.S. Levi’s® brand net sales

   $ 344,741    $ 330,358    $ 14,383     4.4 %
    

  

  


     
     Nine months ended

   $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase
(Decrease)


 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


   August 29,
2004


    

U.S. Levi’s® brand—Continuing categories

   $ 868,400    $ 845,012    $ 23,388     2.8 %

U.S. Levi’s® brand—Licensed categories

     —        37,563      (37,563 )   N/A  
    

  

  


     

Total U.S. Levi’s® brand net sales

   $ 868,400    $ 882,575    $ (14,175 )   (1.6 )%
    

  

  


     

 

Net sales in our U.S. Levi’s® brand increased 4.4% in the three months ended August 28, 2005 as compared to the same period in 2004. The increase in the three-month period was primarily driven by increased sales unit volume. Long bottoms with premium finishing and destructed looks contributed to the increase. In addition, in the current year we have not experienced the supply constraints that we had in the second half of 2004 that resulted in our missing orders and losing sales during that period.

 

The net sales increase in our continuing categories was partially offset by our product rationalization actions and the related decisions to license certain product categories and discontinue underperforming categories. These actions were initiated in fiscal 2004 in line with our strategy to focus the brand on more category competitive products in our core channels of distribution and improve our profitability. Our decision to license certain products resulted in an approximately $8.0 million decrease in our net sales for the three months ended August 28, 2005.

 

Net sales in our U.S. Levi’s® brand for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 were down 1.6% as compared to the same period in 2004. This decrease was driven by our product rationalization actions and the related decisions to license certain product categories and discontinue underperforming categories as described above. Our decision to license certain products resulted in an approximately $37.6 million decrease in our net sales for the nine months ended August 28, 2005.

 

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Table of Contents

Dockers® Brand.    The following tables present net sales of our U.S. Dockers® brand, including changes in these results for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, compared to the same periods in 2004.

 

     Three months ended

   $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase
(Decrease)


 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


   August 29,
2004


    

U.S. Dockers® brand—Continuing categories

   $ 162,796    $ 165,071    $ (2,275 )   (1.4 )%

U.S. Dockers® brand—Licensed categories

     —        107      (107 )   N/A  

U.S. Dockers® brand—Discontinued Slates® pants

     —        1,661      (1,661 )   N/A  
    

  

  


     

Total U.S. Dockers® brand net sales

   $ 162,796    $ 166,839    $ (4,043 )   (2.4 )%
    

  

  


     
     Nine months ended

   $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase
(Decrease)


 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


   August 29,
2004


    

U.S. Dockers® brand—Continuing categories

   $ 462,746    $ 470,927    $ (8,181 )   (1.7 )%

U.S. Dockers® brand—Licensed categories

     —        2,664      (2,664 )   N/A  

U.S. Dockers® brand—Discontinued Slates® pants

     —        6,958      (6,958 )   N/A  
    

  

  


     

Total U.S. Dockers® brand net sales

   $ 462,746    $ 480,549    $ (17,803 )   (3.7 )%
    

  

  


     

 

Net sales in our U.S. Dockers® brand for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 decreased 2.4% and 3.7%, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2004. The decrease for the three months ended August 28, 2005 was primarily driven by the following:

 

    lower sales volume in our women’s business, which we attribute to a consumer shift away from basics like our pants to more fashion products;

 

    the impact of our product rationalization efforts initiated in early 2004, which included a decrease of $1.7 million as a result of exiting our Slates® dress pants business; and

 

    a change in our sales mix, with a lower percentage of total unit sales being derived from pants and a higher percentage being derived from shorts and tops, which typically sell at lower prices.

 

Partially offsetting the decrease was the net sales growth in our men’s premium pants business, led by our Never Iron Cotton Khaki pant and our Essential Dress pant. We also had net sales growth in our shorts and tops businesses, and experienced lower returns and allowances as compared to the same period in the prior year. The lower returns and allowances were driven by improved product performance at retail and fewer sales at discounted prices that occurred in the prior year as a result of our decision in 2004 to discontinue certain product lines.

 

The decrease in our U.S. Dockers® net sales for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 resulted primarily from weakness in our women’s business, our product rationalization efforts, lower volume of close-out products and our decision to downsize our women’s shorts business. The decrease was partially offset by lower returns and allowances (including the reversal during the period of approximately $4.0 million in unclaimed deductions which had been previously accrued during fiscal 2004), sales growth of our men’s premium pants and shorts businesses, and an improvement in our sales mix.

 

Levi Strauss Signature® Brand.    Net sales in our U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 increased 17.8% and 7.5%, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2004. The increase for the three months ended August 28, 2005 was primarily driven by expansion into additional Kmart stores. In addition, we had increased net sales to Wal-Mart and Target resulting from new product introductions, product line extensions and an increase in the number of stores that carry our product.

 

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Table of Contents

The increase in our U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand net sales for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 resulted primarily from the factors noted above and lower returns and allowances as compared to the same period in the prior year, partially offset by the impact of increased sales for the initial retail fixture fill in connection with our launch into Target stores and other new accounts in the first quarter of 2004.

 

Europe net sales

 

The following tables present our net sales in our Europe region broken out for our brands including changes in these results for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 compared to the same periods in 2004.

 

     Three months ended

   $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase (Decrease)

 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


   August 29,
2004


     As
Reported


    Constant
Currency


 

Europe Levi’s® brand

   $ 189,522    $ 207,069    $ (17,547 )   (8.5 )%   (8.3 )%

Europe Dockers® brand

     18,423      22,770      (4,347 )   (19.1 )%   (18.9 )%

Europe Levi Strauss Signature® brand

     7,278      8,176      (898 )   (11.0 )%   (10.1 )%
    

  

  


           

Total Europe net sales

   $ 215,223    $ 238,015    $ (22,792 )   (9.6 )%   (9.4 )%
    

  

  


           
     Nine months ended

   $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase (Decrease)

 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


   August 29,
2004


     As
Reported


    Constant
Currency


 

Europe Levi’s® brand

   $ 666,298    $ 664,982    $ 1,316     0.2 %   (4.0 )%

Europe Dockers® brand

     59,483      72,163      (12,680 )   (17.6 )%   (20.6 )%

Europe Levi Strauss Signature® brand

     20,061      22,832      (2,771 )   (12.1 )%   (14.4 )%
    

  

  


           

Total Europe net sales

   $ 745,842    $ 759,977    $ (14,135 )   (1.9 )%   (5.9 )%
    

  

  


           

 

Levi’s® Brand.    Net sales for our Levi’s® brand in Europe for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 decreased 8.3% and 4.0%, respectively, on a constant currency basis. The decrease in net sales for both periods was driven by a decrease in volume, resulting from soft consumer demand in a challenging retail environment throughout Europe, which has unfavorably impacted our replenishment business. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in average selling price as a result of our ongoing repositioning of the Levi’s® brand in Europe as a premium product.

 

Dockers® Brand.    Net sales for our Dockers® brand in Europe for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 decreased 18.9% and 20.6%, respectively, on a constant currency basis. The decrease for both the three and nine month periods was driven by the combination of soft consumer demand and the impact of changes we are implementing in our Dockers® business in Europe. We have developed a new business model and marketing program for the brand. We are also rationalizing our product lines, focusing on improving the profitability of the brand and working to improve our customer service performance.

 

Levi Strauss Signature® Brand.    Net sales for our Levi Strauss Signature® brand in Europe for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 decreased 10.1% and 14.4%, respectively, on a constant currency basis. The decrease in both periods is primarily attributable to the weak economic environment discussed above.

 

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Table of Contents

Asia Pacific net sales

 

The following tables present our net sales in our Asia Pacific region broken out for our brands, including changes in these results for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 compared to the same periods in 2004.

 

     Three months ended

         % Increase (Decrease)

 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


   August 29,
2004


   $ Increase
(Decrease)


    As
Reported


    Constant
Currency


 

Asia Pacific Levi’s® brand

   $ 140,372    $ 117,355    $ 23,017     19.6 %   17.0 %

Asia Pacific Dockers® brand

     4,279      4,247      32     0.8 %   (0.2 )%

Asia Pacific Levi Strauss Signature™ brand

     2,030      4,154      (2,124 )   (51.1 )%   (52.9 )%
    

  

  


           

Total Asia Pacific net sales

   $ 146,681    $ 125,756    $ 20,925     16.6 %   14.2 %
    

  

  


           
     Nine months ended

         % Increase (Decrease)

 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


   August 29,
2004


   $ Increase
(Decrease)


    As
Reported


    Constant
Currency


 

Asia Pacific Levi’s® brand

   $ 471,200    $ 393,319    $ 77,881     19.8 %   15.4 %

Asia Pacific Dockers® brand

     13,919      15,428      (1,509 )   (9.8 )%   (11.0 )%

Asia Pacific Levi Strauss Signature™ brand

     8,175      11,558      (3,383 )   (29.3 )%   (31.3 )%
    

  

  


           

Total Asia Pacific net sales

   $ 493,294    $ 420,305    $ 72,989     17.4 %   13.2 %
    

  

  


           

 

We had a 14.2% and 13.2% increase in net sales for our Asia Pacific region on a constant currency basis for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, respectively, compared with the same periods in 2004. The net sales increase was driven by a 17.0% and 15.4% increase for the three and nine months, respectively, in net sales on a constant currency basis for our Levi’s® brand products, which represent approximately 96% of our business in the region. Net sales increased in most countries during the three and nine month periods. Japan, which represents our largest business in Asia Pacific with approximately 46% and 43%, respectively, of regional net sales for the three and nine month periods, had a 13% and 8% increase in net sales, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2004 on a constant currency basis.

 

Key drivers of our operational results in our Asia Pacific region for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 were as follows:

 

    an improved sales mix, with first quality sales comprising a higher percentage of sales and increased sales of super premium and premium priced Levi’s® brand products;

 

    the introduction of new fits and finishes for both our Levi’s® men’s and women’s businesses and the continued strong performance of our Levi’s® LadyStyle products; and

 

    the continued expansion of our retail presence through additional store openings and upgrading existing stores to more current retail formats.

 

Gross profit

 

Gross profit decreased 0.5% for the three months ended August 28, 2005. Gross margin was 44.6% for the three-month period, reflecting a decrease of 1.3 percentage points. Factors that decreased our gross profit in the three month period included:

 

    decreased net sales on a constant currency basis in our Europe region;

 

    a greater proportion of sales of seasonal items that have lower margins, particularly in our U.S. Dockers® business;

 

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Table of Contents
    a greater mix of sales of products with higher cost fabrics and finishes, particularly in our U.S. Levi’s® business; and

 

    a higher volume of discount sales in our U.S Levi’s® business resulting from our proactive approach to identifying and managing our slow moving and past season inventory.

 

Partially offsetting these factors was an increase in net sales of our Levi’s® brand in the United States and of net sales in our Asia Pacific region, more premium positioning of our Levi’s® brand in our Europe region and lower sourcing and overhead costs. In addition, we experienced lower inventory markdowns, particularly in Europe.

 

Our gross profit increased 7.9% for the nine months ended August 28, 2005. Our gross margin was 46.4% for the nine-month period, reflecting an increase of 2.6 percentage points. Factors that increased our gross profit in the nine months ended August 28, 2005 included:

 

    increased net sales in our Asia Pacific region;

 

    more premium positioning of our Levi’s® brand in our Europe region;

 

    improved management of returns, allowances and product transition costs, particularly in our U.S. Dockers® business;

 

    lower sourcing costs;

 

    a favorable mix of more profitable first-quality products and sales in our core channels of distribution;

 

    lower inventory markdowns, particularly in Europe; and

 

    the translation impact of stronger foreign currencies.

 

These factors were partially offset by the impact on our gross profit of the decrease in net sales in our U.S. Levi’s® and U.S. Dockers® businesses and the decrease in net sales on a constant currency basis in our Europe region.

 

Our cost of goods sold is primarily comprised of cost of materials, labor and manufacturing overhead and also includes the cost of inbound freight, internal transfers, and receiving and inspection at manufacturing facilities as these costs vary with product volume. We include substantially all the costs related to receiving and inspection at distribution centers, warehousing and other activities associated with our distribution network in selling, general and administrative expenses. Our gross margins may not be comparable to those of other companies in our industry, since some companies may include costs related to their distribution network in cost of goods sold.

 

Our gross margin percentage for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 is not necessarily indicative of our expected gross margin percentage for the year. We currently expect our full-year gross margin to be in the mid-40% range.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 6.4% in the three months ended August 28, 2005 and increased 4.0% in the nine months ended August 28, 2005 compared to the same periods in 2004. On a constant currency basis, selling, general and administrative expenses would have been approximately $1.8 million and $19.0 million lower in the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, respectively. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 31.4% in both the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, as compared to 30.2% and 30.7%, respectively, for the same periods in 2004.

 

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Table of Contents

Key factors impacting selling, general and administrative expenses in the three and nine month periods ended August 28, 2005 were as follows:

 

    Our advertising and promotion expense increased by 18.0% to $66.8 million in the three months ended August 28, 2005 and 19.9% to $209.8 million in the nine months ended August 28, 2005, as compared to the same periods in 2004. Advertising and promotion expense as a percentage of net sales was 6.6% and 7.1% in the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, compared to 5.7% and 6.0% in the same periods in 2004, respectively. The increase in both periods reflected higher media spending in Europe and Asia Pacific and increased advertising spending for our U.S. brands, consistent with our marketing strategy. Recent campaigns have included a continuation of our “A Style for Every Story™” campaign promoting our U.S. Levi’s® brand and a series of new TV ads in the “Dress to Live™” campaign promoting our Dockers® brand.

 

    We recorded $23.4 million and $48.6 million of expense related to our annual and other short-term incentive compensation plans in the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, respectively, compared to $16.3 million and $43.8 million in the same periods in 2004. The increase in both periods is primarily due to the fact that we accrued at a higher rate relative to expected company performance in the current year periods as compared to the same periods in the prior year.

 

    We recorded net reductions to our workers’ compensation reserves of approximately $6.0 million and $12.1 million in the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, respectively, compared to a net reduction of $0.3 million and net expense of $5.9 million in the three and nine month periods ended August 29, 2004, respectively. The net reductions were driven primarily by changes in our estimated future claims payments as a result of more favorable than projected claims development during the periods.

 

    We recorded approximately $2.1 million and $4.3 million of expense in the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, respectively, related to third-party costs associated with our activities in respect of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

    We recorded curtailment gains of $3.4 million and $27.2 million in the three and nine months ended August 29, 2004, respectively, related to changes in our post-retirement medical plan.

 

Partially offsetting the increased selling, general and administrative expenses were lower salaries and wages and related expenses due to the impact of reduced headcount resulting from our reorganization initiatives in the United States and Europe and the effect of general cost controls.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses also include distribution costs, such as costs related to receiving and inspection at distribution centers, warehousing, shipping, handling and certain other activities associated with our distribution network. These expenses totaled $50.1 million and $155.3 million, or 4.9% and 5.2% of net sales in the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, respectively, as compared to $53.3 million and $158.6 million or 5.4% of net sales, in the three and nine months ended August 29, 2004.

 

Long-term incentive compensation expense

 

Long-term incentive compensation expense was $9.6 million and $18.9 million for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, respectively, as compared to $10.7 million and $37.1 million for the same periods in the prior year. The decrease in our long-term incentive compensation expense relates primarily to the adoption in 2005 of new long-term incentive compensation plans for which the performance measurement period is three years as compared to eighteen months for our 2004 interim plan.

 

Other operating income

 

Other operating income increased 44.9% and 59.7% for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Other operating income is comprised primarily of royalty income we generate through licensing our trademarks in connection with the manufacturing, advertising, distribution and sale of products by third-party licensees. During the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, royalty

 

40


Table of Contents

income increased $4.6 million and $15.7 million as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase was attributable primarily to our licensing additional Levi’s® and Dockers® brand product categories, and our starting Levi Strauss Signature® brand licensing programs for several product categories, during 2005. In addition, in the three months ended August 28, 2005, we recognized approximately $1.7 million of royalty income related to the termination of a Dockers® license agreement.

 

Restructuring charges

 

Restructuring charges, net of reversals of $5.0 million and $13.4 million in the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 related primarily to current period activities associated with our 2004 U.S., Europe and Dockers® Europe reorganization initiatives. Restructuring charges, net of reversals, in the 2004 comparable periods of $28.1 million and $108.2 million primarily related to the indefinite suspension of an enterprise resource planning system installation and charges related to our 2004 U.S. organizational changes, 2004 Spanish plant closures and our organizational changes initiated in 2003 as part of our business transformation.

 

Operating income

 

Operating income increased 8.6% and 74.9% in the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005. Operating margin was 13.7% and 15.8%, reflecting an increase of 0.8 and 6.6 percentage points for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, respectively.

 

The following tables show our operating income by brand in the United States and in total for our North America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions, the changes in results from the three and nine month periods ended August 28, 2005 to the three and nine month periods ended August 29, 2004 and results presented as a percentage of net sales:

 

     Three months ended

   

$ Increase

(Decrease)


   

% Increase

(Decrease)


    August 28,
2005


    August 29,
2004


 
           % of Net
Region
Sales


    % of Net
Region
Sales


 
     August 28,
2005


    August 29,
2004


         

(Dollars in thousands)


                                    

U.S. Levi’s® brand

   $ 78,210     $ 92,252     (14,042 )   (15.2 )%   11.9 %   14.6 %

U.S. Dockers® brand

     34,661       46,243     (11,582 )   (25.0 )%   5.3 %   7.3 %

U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand

     11,558       14,311     (2,753 )   (19.2 )%   1.8 %   2.3 %

Canada and Mexico (all brands)

     11,545       10,509     1,036     9.9 %   1.8 %   1.7 %
    


 


                       

North America (all brands)

     135,974       163,315     (27,341 )   (16.7 )%   20.7 %   25.9 %

Europe (all brands)

     47,464       47,987     (523 )   (1.1 )%   22.1 %   20.2 %

Asia Pacific (all brands)

     27,878       23,039     4,839     21.0 %   19.0 %   18.3 %
    


 


                       

Regional operating income

     211,316       234,341     (23,025 )   (9.8 )%   20.7 %*   23.6 %*
    


 


                       

Corporate:

                                        

Long-term incentive compensation expense

     (9,629 )     (10,735 )   (1,106 )   (10.3 )%   (0.9 )%*   (1.1 )%*

Restructuring charges, net of reversals

     (5,022 )     (28,117 )   (23,095 )   (82.1 )%   (0.5 )%*   (2.8 )%*

Depreciation and amortization expense

     (14,783 )     (15,109 )   (326 )   (2.2 )%   (1.5 )%*   (1.5 )%*

Other corporate expense

     (42,719 )     (52,208 )   (9,489 )   (18.2 )%   (4.2 )%*   (5.2 )%*
    


 


                       

Total corporate expense

     (72,153 )     (106,169 )   (34,016 )   (32.0 )%   (7.1 )%*   (10.7 )%*
    


 


                       

Total operating income

   $ 139,163     $ 128,172     10,991     8.6 %   13.7 %*   12.9 %*
    


 


                       

* Percentage of consolidated net sales

 

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Table of Contents
     Nine months ended

    $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase
(Decrease)


    2005

    2004

 
           % of Net
Region
Sales


    % of Net
Region
Sales


 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


    August 29,
2004


         

U.S. Levi’s® brand

   $ 206,361     $ 216,099     (9,738 )   (4.5 )%   11.9 %   12.5 %

U.S. Dockers® brand

     99,492       106,891     (7,399 )   (6.9 )%   5.8 %   6.2 %

U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® brand

     22,387       31,186     (8,799 )   (28.2 )%   1.3 %   1.8 %

Canada and Mexico (all brands)

     34,272       25,507     8,765     34.4 %   2.0 %   1.5 %
    


 


                       

North America (all brands)

     362,512       379,683     (17,171 )   (4.5 )%   21.0 %   21.9 %

Europe (all brands)

     187,905       141,134     46,771     33.1 %   25.2 %   18.6 %

Asia Pacific (all brands)

     114,400       88,486     25,914     29.3 %   23.2 %   21.1 %
    


 


                       

Regional operating income

     664,817       609,303     55,514     9.1 %   22.4 %*   20.9 %*
    


 


                       

Corporate:

                                        

Long-term incentive compensation expense

     (18,949 )     (37,067 )   (18,118 )   (48.9 )%   (0.6 )%*   (1.3 )%*

Restructuring charges, net of reversals

     (13,436 )     (108,158 )   (94,722 )   (87.6 )%   (0.5 )%*   (3.7 )%*

Depreciation and amortization expense

     (44,608 )     (45,237 )   (629 )   (1.4 )%   (1.5 )%*   (1.6 )%*

Other corporate expense

     (120,030 )     (151,406 )   (31,376 )   (20.7 )%   (4.0 )%*   (5.2 )%*
    


 


                       

Total corporate expense

     (197,023 )     (341,868 )   (144,845 )   (42.4 )%   (6.6 )%*   (11.7 )%*
    


 


                       

Total operating income

   $ 467,794     $ 267,435     200,359     74.9 %   15.8 %*   9.2 %*
    


 


                       

* Percentage of consolidated net sales

 

For the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, the increase in total operating income period to period is primarily attributable to lower restructuring charges, net of reversals, and lower other corporate expense.

 

Regional Summaries.    The following summarizes the changes in operating income by region:

 

    North America.    The decrease in operating income for the three months ended August 28, 2005 was primarily attributable to higher advertising and promotion expenses, lower gross profit in our U.S. Levi’s® and U.S. Dockers® businesses and lower net sales in our U.S. Dockers® and Canada businesses. Partially offsetting the decrease were higher net sales in our U.S. Levi Strauss Signature® and U.S. Levi’s® businesses, as well as increased operating income in our Mexico business.

 

The decrease in operating income for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 was primarily attributable to increased advertising and promotion expenses and lower net sales in our U.S. Levi’s® and U.S. Dockers® businesses. Partially offsetting the decline were higher net sales in our Levi Strauss Signature® business, higher royalty income, higher operating income in our Mexico business and lower returns, allowances and product transition and sourcing costs in the United States.

 

    Europe.    The increase in operating income for the nine-month period was primarily attributable to sales of a greater proportion of higher-priced products resulting from our more premium positioning of the Levi’s® brand, lower product sourcing costs and lower inventory markdowns. Also contributing to the increase was the favorable impact of foreign currencies. Partly offsetting the increase were lower net sales due to soft consumer demand in a difficult retail environment in Europe.

 

    Asia Pacific.    The increase in operating income was driven by higher sales volume, favorable product mix within the super-premium and premium segments and stronger margins resulting from sourcing initiatives. Also contributing to the increase was the impact of stronger foreign currencies and an increase in royalty income. Continued investment in growing our Asia Pacific business resulted in higher selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offsetting increased operating income.

 

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Other corporate expense

 

The following tables summarize significant components of other corporate expense:

 

     Three months ended

    $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase
(Decrease)


 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


   August 29,
2004


     

Annual incentive compensation plans—corporate employees

   $ 9,965    $ 5,166     $ 4,799     92.9 %

Post-retirement medical benefit plan curtailment gain

     —        (3,424 )     (3,424 )   N/A  

Corporate staff costs and other expense

     32,754      50,466       (17,712 )   (35.1 )%
    

  


             

Total other corporate expense

   $ 42,719    $ 52,208       (9,489 )   (18.2 )%
    

  


             
     Nine months ended

    $ Increase
(Decrease)


    % Increase
(Decrease)


 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


   August 29,
2004


     

Annual incentive compensation plans—corporate employees

   $ 22,011    $ 15,759     $ 6,252     39.7 %

Post-retirement medical benefit plan curtailment gain

     —        (27,195 )     (27,195 )   N/A  

Corporate staff costs and other expense

     98,019      162,842       (64,823 )   (39.8 )%
    

  


             

Total other corporate expense

   $ 120,030    $ 151,406       (31,376 )   (20.7 )%
    

  


             

 

We reflect annual incentive compensation plan costs for corporate employees, post-retirement medical benefit plan curtailment gains and corporate staff costs, including workers’ compensation costs, in other corporate expense. The decrease of $9.5 million and $31.4 million in the three and nine month periods ended August 28, 2005, respectively, was primarily attributable to our reorganization and cost cutting initiatives, changes made to our benefit plans that have resulted in lower net expense and workers’ compensation reversals realized during the periods. Partially offsetting the period-over-period decrease were the $3.4 million and $27.2 million curtailment gains related to our post-retirement medical plan in 2004, higher costs with respect to our activities associated with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and higher annual incentive compensation plan expenses in the 2005 periods. The increase in our annual incentive costs in both periods is primarily due to the implementation of an additional employee incentive plan in the current period as well as the fact that we accrued at a higher rate relative to expected company performance in the current year compared to the same periods in the prior year.

 

Interest expense

 

Interest expense for the three months ended August 28, 2005 decreased 0.5% to $63.9 million compared to $64.3 million for the same period in 2004. Interest expense for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 increased 0.5% to $198.6 million compared to $197.7 million for the same period in 2004. The third quarter decrease was primarily attributable to lower average borrowing rates. The increase for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 was primarily due to higher average debt balances, mostly related to the timing differences between our debt issuances and the related tender and redemption of a portion of our 2006 and all of our 2008 notes during the first half of 2005.

 

The weighted average interest rate on average borrowings outstanding during the three months ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004, including the amortization of capitalized bank fees, underwriting fees and interest rate swap cancellations, was 10.30% and 10.54%, respectively. The weighted average interest rate on average borrowings outstanding during the nine months ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004, including the amortization of capitalized bank fees, underwriting fees and interest rate swap cancellations, was 10.47% and 10.61%, respectively. The weighted average interest rate on average borrowings outstanding excludes interest payable to participants under deferred compensation plans and other miscellaneous items.

 

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Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

During the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005, we recorded a $0.04 million and $66.1 million loss, respectively, on early extinguishment of debt as a result of our debt refinancing activities during the periods. The loss for the nine month period ended August 28, 2005 consisted of tender offer and redemption premiums and other fees and expenses approximating $53.6 million and the write-off of approximately $12.5 million of unamortized debt discount and capitalized costs. These costs were incurred in conjunction with our completion in January 2005 of a repurchase of $372.1 million of our $450.0 million principal amount 2006 notes and in March and April 2005 of a repurchase and redemption of all our 2008 notes.

 

Other (income) expense

 

The following table summarizes significant components of other (income) expense, net:

 

     Three Months Ended

    Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


    August 29,
2004


    August 28,
2005


    August 29,
2004


 

Foreign exchange management losses

   $ 2,732     $ 2,095     $ 2,635     $ 17,151  

Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses

     (2,795 )     1,281       (6,611 )     (10,816 )

Interest income

     (1,601 )     (1,139 )     (5,804 )     (2,224 )

Minority interest—Levi Strauss Japan K.K.

     (1,038 )     591       1,169       2,152  

Minority interest—Levi Strauss Istanbul Konfeksiyon (1)

     —         (222 )     1,309       395  

Other

     (103 )     (3,072 )     (56 )     (3,588 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   $ (2,805 )   $ (466 )   $ (7,358 )   $ 3,070  
    


 


 


 



(1) On March 31, 2005, we acquired full ownership of our joint venture in Turkey.

 

Our foreign exchange risk management activities include the use of instruments such as forward, swap and option contracts, to manage foreign currency exposures. Outstanding derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and the changes in fair value are recorded in “other (income) expense, net”. At contract maturity, the realized gain or loss related to derivative instruments is also recorded in “other (income) expense, net”. The changes in foreign exchange management losses recorded for the three and nine month periods ending August 28, 2005 compared to the same periods in 2004 were due to different conditions in foreign exchange markets and changes in the foreign currency exposures being managed. For more information, see “Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”.

 

Foreign currency transactions are transactions denominated in a currency other than the recording entity’s functional currency. At the date the foreign currency transaction is recognized, each asset, liability, revenue, expense, gain or loss arising from the transaction is measured and recorded in the functional currency of the recording entity using the exchange rate in effect at that date. At each balance sheet date for each entity, recorded balances denominated in a foreign currency are adjusted, or remeasured, to reflect the current exchange rate. The changes in the recorded balances caused by remeasurement at the exchange rate are recorded in “other (income) expense, net”. In addition, at the settlement date of foreign currency transactions, foreign currency (gains) losses are recorded in “other (income) expense, net” to reflect the difference between the spot rate effective at settlement date and the historical rate at which the transaction was originally recorded.

 

The increase in interest income for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 was primarily due to higher effective interest rates on our investments. Also contributing to the increase was a higher average investment balance for the nine month period ended August 28, 2005 as compared to the same period in the prior year.

 

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Income tax expense

 

Our income tax expense was $39.8 million and $98.1 million for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 as compared to income tax expense of $17.8 million and $16.9 million for the same periods in the prior year. The increase for both periods in 2005 was driven by higher effective tax rates and an increase in our income before taxes as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Our income before taxes for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 was $78.0 million and $210.5 million, respectively, as compared to $64.4 million and $66.7 million for the same periods in the prior year.

 

Our effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended August 28, 2005 were higher than those in the prior year periods due to the fact that the our prior year rates benefited from the impact of a revision in our estimates of annual earnings for our domestic and foreign subsidiaries. Due to our inability to benefit losses in certain jurisdictions, the mix of income and loss by jurisdiction is a key driver in determining the ultimate effective tax rate. In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 18, we adjust our annual estimated effective tax rate to eliminate the impact of foreign losses for which no tax benefit can be recognized for the full year. We then apply our adjusted estimated annual effective tax rate to our year-to-date pre-tax operating results, exclusive of the results in these foreign jurisdictions, to compute our tax expense for the period. As a result of the changes we made in our annual earnings forecast by jurisdiction as of the three months ended August 29, 2004, our 2004 effective tax rate decreased.

 

Our estimated effective tax rate for fiscal 2005 is based on current full-year forecasts of income or losses in domestic and foreign jurisdictions. To the extent the forecasts change in total, or by taxing jurisdiction, the effective tax rate may be subject to change.

 

Examination of Tax Returns.    During the nine months ended August 28, 2005, we reached agreement with the Internal Revenue Service to close a total of 14 open tax years:

 

    In June 2005, we reached an agreement with the Appeals division of the Internal Revenue Service regarding the examination of our consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 1986 – 1989. As a result of that agreement, the examination of our income tax returns for those periods is now closed and we reduced our contingent tax liabilities by approximately $4.2 million during the three months ended May 29, 2005.

 

    In August 2005, we completed settlement discussions with the Internal Revenue Service relating to our consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 1990 – 1999. As a result of this settlement agreement, the examination of our income tax returns for those periods is now closed and we reduced income tax expense by approximately $4.1 million during the three months ended August 28, 2005. This $4.1 million reduction in income tax expense reflects a net decrease in federal income tax expense of approximately $6.5 million and an increase to state income tax expense, net of federal income tax benefits, of approximately $2.4 million. The net decrease to federal income tax expense of $6.5 million relates primarily to a decrease in our liability associated with our unremitted foreign earnings of approximately $12.3 million, partially offset by $5.8 million of additional net federal income tax expense relating to an increase in taxes payable and changes in other tax attributes.

 

In connection with the 1990 – 1999 settlement, we expect to make total payments to the Internal Revenue Service of approximately $100.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. These projected payments are included in our accrued income taxes as of August 28, 2005.

 

The Internal Revenue Service has not yet begun an examination of our 2000-2004 U.S. federal corporate income tax returns.

 

Certain other state and foreign tax returns are under examination by various regulatory authorities. We regularly review issues raised in connection with all ongoing examinations and open tax years to evaluate the

 

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adequacy of our reserves. We believe that our accrued tax liabilities are adequate to cover all probable U.S. federal, state, and foreign income tax loss contingencies at August 28, 2005. However, it is possible we may also incur additional income tax liabilities related to prior years. We estimate this additional potential exposure to be approximately $18.9 million. Should our view as to the likelihood of incurring these additional liabilities change, additional income tax expense may be accrued in future periods. This $18.9 million amount has not been accrued because it currently does not meet the recognition criteria for liabilities under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

 

Net income

 

Net income was $38.2 million for the three months ended August 28, 2005, compared to net income of $46.6 million for the same period in 2004. Net income was $112.3 million for the nine months ended August 28, 2005, compared to net income of $49.8 million for the same period in 2004. The decrease in the three-month period was primarily due to higher income tax expense, partially offset by higher operating income and other income. The increase in the nine-month period was due primarily to higher operating income and other income, partially offset by the loss on early extinguishment of debt, slightly higher interest expense and higher income tax expense.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity Outlook

 

We believe we will have adequate liquidity in the remainder of 2005 and in 2006 to operate our business and to meet our cash requirements. We believe that we will be in compliance with the financial covenants contained in our senior secured term loan and our senior secured revolving credit facility.

 

Cash Sources

 

Our key sources of cash include earnings from operations and borrowing availability under our senior secured revolving credit facility. As of August 28, 2005, we had total cash and cash equivalents of $210.2 million, an $89.4 million decrease from the $299.6 million cash balance as of November 28, 2004. The decrease was primarily driven by a planned build up of inventory in preparation for the fall/holiday season, reduced trade and employee payables, payments made in connection with our reorganization initiatives, partially offset by higher operating income, reduced trade receivables and the impact of our refinancing actions.

 

As of August 28, 2005, our total availability under our amended senior secured revolving credit facility was approximately $480.8 million. We had no outstanding borrowings under this facility, but had utilization of other credit-related instruments such as documentary and standby letters of credit. Our unused availability was approximately $376.8 million. In addition, we had liquid short-term investments in the United States totaling approximately $80.5 million, resulting in a net liquidity position (availability and liquid short-term investments) of $457.3 million in the United States.

 

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Cash Uses

 

Our principal cash requirements include working capital, payments of interest on our debt, payments of taxes, payments for U.S. pension and post-retirement health benefit plans, capital expenditures and cash restructuring costs. We expect to have the following selected cash requirements in the remainder of fiscal 2005 and the first nine months of fiscal 2006:

 

Selected Cash Requirements


   Paid in nine
months ended
August 28, 2005


   Projected for
remaining three
months of fiscal 2005


   Total projected
for fiscal 2005


  

Projected for

nine months ending
August 27, 2006


(Dollars in millions)


                   

Restructuring activities

   $ 35    $ 12    $ 47    $ 11

Interest

     201      38      239      198

Federal, foreign and state taxes (net of refunds) (1)

     51      13      64      44

Prior years’ income tax liabilities, net (2)

     23      101      124      31

Post-retirement health benefit plans

     20      7      27      20

Capital expenditures

     22      29      51      33

Pension plans (3)

     14      22      36      10
    

  

  

  

Total selected cash requirements

   $ 366    $ 222    $ 588    $ 347
    

  

  

  


(1) Relate primarily to estimated cash payments with respect to 2005 income taxes.
(2) Our projection for cash tax payments for prior years’ contingent income tax liabilities primarily reflects payments of foreign tax liabilities and payments related to our settlement with the Internal Revenue Service relating to our consolidated U.S. federal corporate income tax returns for the years 1986-1999 and projected payments to certain state and foreign tax authorities. These projected payments are included in our accrued income taxes as of August 28, 2005.
(3) We increased our projection for total cash contributions to our pension plans during the nine months ended August 28, 2005 to reflect changes in our estimated required cash contributions for our U.S. Home Office Pension Plan and our U.S. Employee Retirement Plan as a result of lower than projected investment returns on plan assets. We now project total cash contributions in fiscal 2005 of $36 million, compared with our projection as of November 28, 2004 of $19 million as contained in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The information in the table above reflects our estimates of future cash payments. These estimates and projections are based upon assumptions that are inherently subject to significant economic, competitive, legislative and other uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our actual expenditures and liabilities may be materially higher or lower than the estimates and projections reflected in this table. The inclusion of these projections and estimates should not be regarded as a representation by us that the estimates will prove to be correct.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Guarantees and Other Contingent Obligations

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.    We have no material off-balance sheet debt obligations or unconditional purchase commitments other than operating lease commitments.

 

Indemnification Agreements.    In the ordinary course of our business, we enter into agreements containing indemnification provisions under which we agree to indemnify the other party for specified claims and losses. For example, our trademark license agreements, real estate leases, consulting agreements, logistics outsourcing agreements, securities purchase agreements and credit agreements typically contain these provisions. This type of indemnification provision obligates us to pay certain amounts associated with claims brought against the other party as the result of trademark infringement, negligence or willful misconduct of our employees, breach of

 

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contract by us including inaccuracy of representations and warranties, specified lawsuits in which we and the other party are co-defendants, product claims and other matters. These amounts are generally not readily quantifiable: the maximum possible liability or amount of potential payments that could arise out of an indemnification claim depends entirely on the specific facts and circumstances associated with the claim. We have insurance coverage that minimizes the potential exposure to certain of these claims. We also believe that the likelihood of substantial payment obligations under these agreements to third parties is low and that any such amounts would be immaterial.

 

Cash Flows

 

The following table summarizes, for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 and August 29, 2004, selected items in our consolidated statements of cash flows:

 

     Nine months ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)


   August 28,
2005


    August 29,
2004


 

Cash (used for) provided by operating activities

   $ (98,682 )   $ 149,201  

Cash used for investing activities

     (12,514 )     (2,650 )

Cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     22,284       (17,865 )

Cash and cash equivalents

     210,193       272,153  

 

Cash used for operating activities was $98.7 million for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $149.2 million for the same period in 2004.

 

The increase in cash used for operating activities was primarily due to the following factors:

 

    During the nine months ended August 28, 2005, increased inventory levels resulted in a use of cash of approximately $107.3 million. The increase in the current period is primarily due to a build up of inventory in preparation for the 2005 fall/holiday season and inventory management actions taken with contractors to avoid inventory shortages and to maintain consistent order flow. In the prior comparable period, decreased inventory levels resulted in a cash inflow of approximately $133.6 million. The decrease in inventory for the nine months ended August 29, 2004 resulted primarily from production shortfalls by our third party contract manufacturers and our effort to reduce excess and obsolete inventory.

 

    During the nine months ended August 28, 2005, accrued salary, wages and benefits decreased $65.0 million as compared to an increase of $68.4 million during the same period in 2004. The decrease in accruals in the current period was primarily attributable to the payment of approximately $111.3 million under our annual and long-term incentive plans, compared to approximately $10.0 million in the prior year period. The current period decrease was partially offset by incentive compensation accruals during the period of approximately $67.7 million.

 

    During the nine months ended August 28, 2005, accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased by $130.9 million compared to a $46.2 million decrease in the same period last year. The decrease in the current period is primarily due to the impact of decreased operating expenses from the three months ended November 28, 2004 as compared to the three months ended August 28, 2005 and shorter payment cycles driven by our increased use of package sourcing and the related shorter payment term demands from our contract manufacturers. The prior period decrease is primarily due to a decrease in inventory purchases as well as a reduction in operating expenses from the three months ended November 30, 2003 as compared to the three months ended August 29, 2004.

 

Factors that partially offset these increases were as follows:

 

    During the nine months ended August 28, 2005, we had net income of $112.3 million as compared to net income of $49.8 million during the same period in 2004.

 

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    During the nine months ended August 28, 2005, trade accounts receivable decreased by $58.5 million compared to an increase of $11.7 million in the same period in 2004. The decrease in the current period is primarily due to lower sales in the three months ended August 28, 2005 as compared to the three months ended November 28, 2004, primarily as a result of the seasonality of the business. The increase in the prior comparable period was primarily due to lower bad debt reserves and sales allowances of approximately $14.3 million at August 29, 2004 as compared to November 30, 2003.

 

    During the nine months ended August 28, 2005, our income tax liabilities increased by $43.1 million, compared to a $13.3 million decrease in the same period last year. The increase results from our recording of a $98.1 million income tax provision in the current year as compared to a $16.9 million income tax provision in the prior year, partially offset by a $38.6 million increase in income tax payments during the current period as compared to 2004.

 

Cash used for investing activities was $12.5 million for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 compared to $2.7 million for the same period in 2004.

 

Cash used in both periods primarily related to investments made in information technology systems, and in 2005, to build an internal infrastructure in Asia through the installation of an enterprise resource planning system in the region. In the current period, this amount was partially offset by gains on net investment hedges and proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment primarily related to our restructuring.

 

Cash provided by financing activities was $22.3 million for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 compared to cash used for financing activities of $17.9 million for the same period in 2004.

 

Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended August 28, 2005 primarily reflected our issuance of approximately $1.0 billion in unsecured notes during the period. The increase was largely offset by the repurchases and redemptions of $918.2 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2006 and 2008 notes, the payment of debt issuance costs of approximately $24.6 million and the full repayment of the remaining principal outstanding under our customer service center equipment financing agreement of $55.9 million. Cash used for financing activities in the 2004 comparable period primarily reflected required payments on the equipment financing and senior secured term loan as well as repayments on short-term borrowings.

 

Indebtedness

 

As of August 28, 2005, we had fixed rate debt of approximately $1.6 billion (71% of total debt) and variable rate debt of approximately $0.7 billion (29% of total debt). The borrower of substantially all of our debt is Levi Strauss & Co., our parent and U.S. operating company.

 

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Principal Payments

 

The table below sets forth, as of August 28, 2005, our required aggregate short-term and long-term debt principal payments for the next five fiscal years and thereafter. The table also gives effect to the satisfaction of the 2008 notes refinancing condition and the different 2006 notes refinancing condition scenarios under our senior secured term loan.

 

     Principal Payments as of August 28, 2005

     Assuming 2006
notes refinancing
condition not met


   Assuming 2006
notes refinancing
condition met


     (Dollars in thousands)

2005 (remaining three months) (1)

   $ 11,379    $ 11,379

2006(2)(3)

     567,785      82,785

2007

     —        5,000

2008

     —        5,000

2009

     —        475,000

Thereafter

     1,769,215      1,769,215
    

  

Total

   $ 2,348,379    $ 2,348,379
    

  


(1) Includes required payments of approximately $1.3 million under our senior secured term loan and payments relating to short-term borrowings of approximately $10.1 million.
(2) Under our senior secured term loan, we must refinance, repay or otherwise irrevocably set aside funds for all of our senior unsecured notes due 2006 by May 1, 2006, or our senior secured term loan will mature on August 1, 2006. In that case, coupled with the scheduled maturity of the remaining balance of our 2006 notes, we will have to repay or otherwise satisfy approximately $567.8 million of debt in fiscal 2006. If we meet the 2006 notes refinancing condition, the senior secured term loan will mature on September 29, 2009 and we will have to repay or otherwise satisfy approximately $82.8 million of debt in 2006.
(3) We intend to use the remaining proceeds of the issuance of senior notes due 2015 to repay outstanding debt (which may include any remaining 2006 notes). We may also elect to use these remaining proceeds for other corporate purposes consistent with the requirements of our credit agreements, indentures and other agreements.

 

See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our indebtedness, including information about our senior notes issuances and our senior note repurchases and redemptions during the nine months ended August 28, 2005.

 

Credit Agreement Ratios

 

Term Loan Leverage Ratio.    Our senior secured term loan requires us to maintain a consolidated senior secured leverage ratio of 3.5 to 1.0, which is measured as of the end of each fiscal quarter. As of August 28, 2005, we were in compliance with this ratio.

 

Revolving Credit Facility Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.    Our senior secured revolving credit facility requires us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0. The ratio is measured only if certain availability thresholds are not met. As of August 28, 2005, we were not required to perform this calculation.

 

Other Sources of Financing

 

We are a privately held corporation. Historically, we have primarily relied on cash flow from operations, borrowings under our credit facilities, issuances of notes and other forms of debt financing. We regularly explore our financing and debt reduction alternatives, including new credit agreements, equity financing, equipment and real estate financing, securitizations and unsecured and secured note issuances.

 

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Effects of Inflation

 

We believe that inflation in the regions where most of our sales occur has not had a significant effect on our net sales or profitability.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The functional currency for most of our foreign operations is the applicable local currency. For those operations, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates and income and expense accounts are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Net changes resulting from such translations are recorded as a separate component of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the consolidated financial statements.

 

The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for foreign operations in countries with highly inflationary economies and certain other subsidiaries. The translation adjustments for these entities are included in “Other (income) expense, net.”

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the related notes. We believe that the following discussion addresses our critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Changes in these estimates, based on more accurate future information, or different assumptions or conditions, may affect amounts reported in future periods.

 

We summarize our critical accounting policies below.

 

Revenue recognition.    We recognize revenue on sale of product when the goods are shipped and title passes to the customer provided that: there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance; persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; the sales price is fixed or determinable; and collectibility is probable. Revenue is recognized when the sale is recorded net of an allowance for estimated returns, discounts and retailer promotions and incentives.

 

We recognize allowances for estimated returns, discounts and retailer promotions and incentives in the period when the sale is recorded. Allowances principally relate to U.S. operations and primarily reflect price discounts, non-volume-based incentives and other returns and discounts. We estimate non-volume-based allowances by considering customer and product-specific circumstances and commitments, as well as historical customer claim rates. Actual allowances may differ from estimates due to changes in sales volume based on retailer or consumer demand and changes in customer and product-specific circumstances.

 

Inventory valuation.    We value inventories at the lower of cost or market value. Inventory costs are based on standard costs on a first-in first-out basis, which are updated periodically and supported by actual cost data. We include materials, labor and manufacturing overhead in the cost of inventories. In determining inventory market values, we give substantial consideration to the expected product selling price. We consider various factors, including estimated quantities of slow-moving and obsolete inventory, by reviewing on-hand quantities, outstanding purchase obligations and forecasted sales. We then estimate expected selling prices based on our historical recovery rates for sale of slow-moving and obsolete inventory and other factors, such as market conditions and current consumer preferences. Estimates may differ from actual results due to the quantity, quality and mix of products in inventory, consumer and retailer preferences and economic conditions.

 

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Restructuring reserves.    Upon approval of a restructuring plan by management with the appropriate level of authority, we record restructuring reserves for certain costs associated with plant closures and business reorganization activities as they are incurred or when they become probable and estimable. Restructuring costs associated with initiatives commenced prior to January 1, 2003 were recorded in compliance with Emerging Issues Task Force No. 94-3 and primarily include employee severance, certain employee termination benefits, such as outplacement services and career counseling, and resolution of contractual obligations.

 

For initiatives commenced after December 31, 2002, we recorded restructuring reserves in compliance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 112, “Employers’ Accounting for Postemployment Benefits,” and SFAS 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,” resulting in the recognition of employee severance and related termination benefits for recurring arrangements when they become probable and estimable and on the accrual basis for one-time benefit arrangements. We record other costs associated with exit activities as they are incurred. Employee severance and termination benefit costs reflect estimates based on agreements with the relevant union representatives or plans adopted by us that are applicable to employees not affiliated with unions. These costs are not associated with nor do they benefit continuing activities. Changing business conditions may affect the assumptions related to the timing and extent of facility closure activities. We review the status of restructuring activities on a quarterly basis and, if appropriate, record changes based on updated estimates.

 

Income tax assets and liabilities.    We provide for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“SFAS 109”). SFAS 109 requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. We maintain valuation allowances where it is more likely than not all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in our tax provision in the period of change. In determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted, we take into account such factors as prior earnings history, expected future earnings, carryback and carryforward periods, and tax strategies that could potentially enhance the likelihood of realization of a deferred tax asset. We periodically assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the impact on our deferred taxes and income tax liabilities and the adequacy of our provision for income taxes.

 

Derivative and foreign exchange management activities.    We recognize all derivatives as assets and liabilities at their fair values. The fair values are determined using widely accepted valuation models that incorporate quoted market prices and dealer quotes and reflect assumptions about currency fluctuations based on current market conditions. The aggregate fair values of derivative instruments used to manage currency exposures are sensitive to changes in market conditions and to changes in the timing and amounts of forecasted exposures.

 

Not all exposure management activities and foreign currency derivative instruments will qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Changes in the fair values of those derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in “Other (income) expense, net” in the statements of operations. As a result, net income may be subject to volatility. The instruments that qualify for hedge accounting currently hedge our net investment position in certain of our subsidiaries. For these instruments, we document the hedge designation by identifying the hedging instrument, the nature of the risk being hedged and the approach for measuring hedge effectiveness. Changes in fair values of instruments that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded as cumulative translation adjustments in the “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” section of Stockholders’ Deficit.

 

Employee benefits

 

Pension and Post-retirement Benefits.    We have several non-contributory defined benefit retirement plans covering substantially all employees. We also provide certain health care benefits for employees who meet age, participation and length of service requirements at retirement. In addition, we sponsor other retirement plans for

 

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our foreign employees in accordance with local government programs and requirements. We retain the right to amend, curtail or discontinue any aspect of the plans at any time. Any of these actions (including changes in actuarial assumptions and estimates), either individually or in combination, could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and on our future financial performance.

 

We account for our U.S. and certain foreign defined benefit pension plans and our post-retirement benefit plans using actuarial models in accordance with SFAS 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pension Plans,” and SFAS 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions.” These models use an attribution approach that generally spreads individual events over the estimated service lives of the employees in the plan. The attribution approach assumes that employees render service over their service lives on a relatively smooth basis and as such, presumes that the income statement effects of pension or post-retirement benefit plans should follow the same pattern. Our policy is to fund our retirement plans based upon actuarial recommendations and in accordance with applicable laws and income tax regulations, as well as in accordance with our credit agreements.

 

Net pension income or expense is determined using assumptions as of the beginning of each fiscal year. These assumptions are established at the end of the prior fiscal year and include expected long-term rates of return on plan assets, discount rates, compensation rate increases and medical trend rates. We use a mix of actual historical rates, expected rates and external data to determine the assumptions used in the actuarial models.

 

Employee Incentive Compensation.    We maintain short-term and long-term employee incentive compensation plans. These plans are intended to reward eligible employees for their contributions to our short-term and long-term success. Provisions for employee incentive compensation are recorded in accrued salaries, wages and employee benefits and long-term employee related benefits. Changes in the liabilities for these incentive plans generally correlate with our financial results and projected future financial performance and could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and on future financial performance.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS 123(R)”). Under this standard, all forms of share-based payment to employees, including stock options, will be treated as compensation and recognized in the income statement. This statement applies to all awards granted after the required effective date and to awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after that date. For nonpublic entities, this statement is effective as of the beginning of the first annual reporting period that begins after December 15, 2005, which for us will be as of the beginning of fiscal 2007. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS 123(R) will have on our financial statements.

 

In May 2005, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections—A Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3.” SFAS 154 provides guidance on the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error corrections. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005.

 

In June 2005, the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force reached a consensus on Issue No. 05-6, “Determining the Amortization Period for Leasehold Improvements” (“EITF 05-6”). The guidance requires that leasehold improvements acquired in a business combination or purchased subsequent to the inception of a lease be amortized over the lesser of the useful life of the assets or a term that includes renewals that are reasonably assured at the date of the business combination or purchase. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after June 29, 2005. We do not believe that the adoption of EITF 05-6 will have a significant effect on our financial statements.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Except for the historical information contained in this report, certain matters discussed in this report, including (without limitation) statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Although we believe that, in making any such statements, our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such statement may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected.

 

These forward-looking statements include statements relating to our anticipated financial performance and business prospects and/or statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “could,” “plans,” “seeks” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date stated and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements will not be realized. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these expectations may not prove to be correct or we may not achieve the financial results, savings or other benefits anticipated in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the best judgment of our senior management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, some of which may be beyond our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:

 

    changing domestic and international retail environments;

 

    changes in the level of consumer spending or preferences in apparel;

 

    mergers and acquisitions involving our top customers;

 

    our dependence on key distribution channels, customers and suppliers;

 

    price, innovation and other competitive pressures in the apparel industry and on our key customers;

 

    changing fashion trends;

 

    our ability to expand controlled distribution of our products;

 

    our go-to-market executional performance;

 

    the impact of ongoing and potential future restructuring and financing activities;

 

    ongoing litigation matters and disputes and regulatory developments;

 

    the investment performance of our defined benefit pension plans;

 

    our ability to utilize our tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards;

 

    our ability to remain in compliance with our financial covenants;

 

    changes in credit ratings;

 

    changes in employee compensation and benefit plans;

 

    changes in trade laws including the recent elimination of quotas under the WTO Agreement on textiles and clothing; and

 

    political or financial instability in countries where our products are manufactured.

 

Our actual results might differ materially from historical performance or current expectations. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

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Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

We are exposed to market risk primarily related to foreign currencies and interest rates. We actively manage foreign currency risks with the objective of maximizing our U.S. dollar value. We hold derivative positions only in currencies to which we have exposure. We currently do not hold any interest rate derivatives.

 

We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the foreign exchange contracts. However, we believe these counterparties are creditworthy financial institutions and do not anticipate nonperformance. We monitor the creditworthiness of our counterparties in accordance with our foreign exchange and investment policies. In addition, we have International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) master agreements in place with our counterparties to mitigate the credit risk related to the outstanding derivatives. These agreements provide the legal basis for over-the-counter transactions in many of the world’s commodity and financial markets.

 

Foreign Exchange Risk

 

The global scope of our business operations exposes us to the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency markets. This exposure is the result of certain product sourcing activities, some inter-company sales, foreign subsidiaries’ royalty payments, net investment in foreign operations and funding activities. Our foreign currency management objective is to mitigate the potential impact of currency fluctuations on the value of our cash flows. We typically take a long-term view of managing exposures, using forecasts to develop exposure positions and engaging in their active management.

 

We operate a centralized currency management operation to take advantage of potential opportunities to naturally offset exposures against each other. For any residual exposures under management, we enter into spot exchange, forward exchange, cross-currency swaps and option contracts to hedge certain anticipated transactions as well as certain firm commitments, including third party and inter-company transactions. We manage the currency risk as of the inception of the exposure. We do not currently manage the timing mismatch between our forecasted exposures and the related financial instruments used to mitigate the currency risk.

 

Our foreign exchange risk management activities are governed by a foreign exchange risk management policy approved by our board of directors. Our foreign exchange committee, comprised of a group of our senior financial executives, reviews our foreign exchange activities to ensure compliance with our policies. The operating policies and guidelines outlined in the foreign exchange risk management policy provide a framework that allows for an active approach to the management of currency exposures while ensuring the activities are conducted within established parameters. Our policy includes guidelines for the organizational structure of our risk management function and for internal controls over foreign exchange risk management activities, including various measurements for monitoring compliance. We monitor foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk and related derivatives using different techniques including a review of market value, sensitivity analysis and a value-at-risk model.

 

At August 28, 2005, we had U.S. dollar spot and forward currency contracts to buy $299.2 million and to sell $222.9 million against various foreign currencies. These contracts are at various exchange rates and expire at various dates through November 2005.

 

We have entered into option contracts to manage our exposure to foreign currencies. At August 28, 2005, we bought U.S. dollar option contracts resulting in a net purchase of $58.2 million against various foreign currencies should the options be exercised. To finance the premium related to bought options, we sold U.S. dollar options resulting in a net purchase of $75.9 million against various currencies should the options be exercised. The option contracts are at various strike prices and expire at various dates through February 2006.

 

At the respective maturity dates of the outstanding spot, forward and option currency contracts, we expect to enter into various derivative transactions in accordance with our currency risk management policy.

 

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Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

 

In conjunction with their audit of our financial statements for the year ended November 28, 2004, our independent registered public accounting firm identified three significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. These significant deficiencies and the actions we have taken to address them during the first nine months of fiscal 2005 are summarized as follows:

 

    The first matter pertained to our accruals for claims processing expenses related to our U.S. workers compensation program. During the first quarter of fiscal 2005, we revised the process for estimating these expenses and moved the responsibility for this activity to our corporate controller. We believe these actions have substantially remediated this issue and have improved our workers compensation accounting and reporting process.

 

    The second matter relates to our process for estimating one type of allowance that we provide to our U.S. retail customers. In response, we refined our estimation methodology in the first quarter of 2005 by better utilizing internal retail planning applications in order to develop more robust and objectively verifiable data to support our accruals.

 

    The third matter relates to the financial reporting process and general control environment in our U.K. subsidiary. In response, starting in mid-2004, we replaced the top members of our U.K. finance management team in 2004 with personnel who have substantial GAAP experience. In addition, we redesigned the organization structure to increase focus on internal controls. During the first nine months of fiscal 2005, we took additional actions and believe we have made progress in strengthening our financial reporting process and general control environment in our U.K. subsidiary.

 

As of August 28, 2005, we updated our evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures for purposes of filing reports under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. This controls evaluation was done under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, and took into account the actions we have taken during 2005 in response to the communication of the significant deficiencies from our independent registered public accounting firm in conjunction with their 2004 audit. Our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule13(a)-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information relating to us and our subsidiaries that we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit to the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported with the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

 

As a result of the SEC’s deferral of the deadline for foreign and non-accelerated filers’ compliance with the internal control requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as a non-accelerated filer, we will not be subject to the requirements until our annual report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2007.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

 

Wrongful Termination Litigation.    There have been no material developments in this litigation since we filed our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 29, 2005. For more information about the litigation, see Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 17, 2005.

 

Class Actions Securities Litigation.    There have been no material developments in this litigation since we filed our 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K. For information about the litigation, see Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Comexma Litigation.    There have been no material developments in this litigation since we filed our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 29, 2005. For more information about the litigation, see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 12, 2005.

 

Other Litigation.    In the ordinary course of business, we have various other pending cases involving contractual matters, employee-related matters, distribution questions, product liability claims, patent and trademark infringement and other matters. We do not believe there are any pending legal proceedings that will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None.

 

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

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

 

None.

 

Item 5.    Other Information.

 

None.

 

Item 6.    Exhibits

 

10.1    Levi Strauss & Co. Management Incentive Plan, effective November 29, 2004. Filed herewith.
31.1    Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
31.2    Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Filed herewith.
32      Section 906 certification. Furnished herewith.

 

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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.

 

Date: October 11, 2005

 

LEVI STRAUSS & CO.

   

(Registrant)

    By:  

/s/    GARY W. GRELLMAN        


       

Gary W. Grellman

Vice President and Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

58

EX-10.1 2 dex101.htm MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN Management Incentive Plan

Exhibit 10.1

 

LEVI STRAUSS & CO.

MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

—CONFIDENTIAL—


CONTENTS

 

          Page

1.   

Introduction

   1
2.   

Purpose of the Plan

   1
3.   

Defined Terms

   1
4.   

Effective Date and Termination Date

   5
5.   

Eligibility and Participation

   5
6.   

Performance Measures For 2005 Award Payout

   7
7.   

2005 Award Payouts

   7
8.   

Performance Measures for 2006 Award Payout

   7
9.   

2006 Award Payouts

   8
10.   

Exchange Rates

   8
11.   

Tax Withholding

   8
12.   

No Tax, Financial, Legal or Other Advice

   8
13.   

Employment Rights

   9
14.   

Other Benefits

   9
15.   

Unfunded Status

   9
16.   

No Limit on Capital Structure Changes

   10
17.   

Plan Administration

   10
18.   

Claims Procedure

   11
19.   

Amendment, Modification or Termination of Plan

   12
20.   

Severability

   12
21.   

No Waiver

   13
22.   

Governing Law

   13
23.   

All Provisions

   13
24.   

Adoption

   13


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Introduction

 

This is the official document for the Levi Strauss & Co. Management Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which contains the exclusive and complete description of the terms of this Plan. The Company reserves the right to amend the Plan from time to time or to terminate the Plan at any time.

 

The purpose of the Plan is to ensure that participating employees are provided with a competitive compensation opportunity for the 2005 and 2006 Fiscal Years. To achieve this goal, the Plan offers participating employees the opportunity to earn incentive compensation that is dependent upon achievement of the Company’s long-term measures related to total Company earnings. The Plan is a special, one-time incentive plan designed to bridge the payment opportunity gap between existing Company long-term incentive plans.

 

2. Purpose of the Plan

 

The purpose of the Plan is to:

 

    Align Eligible Employees’ and shareholders’ interests;

 

    Recognize and reward Eligible Employees who make substantial contributions to the Company;

 

    Tie incentive opportunity to external competitive pay practices, and internally to the Company’s total compensation objectives;

 

    Bridge the payment opportunity gap between existing Company long-term incentive plans; and

 

    Encourage continuation of excellent service.

 

3. Defined Terms

 

  A. 2005 Award Payout means the cash payable to a Participant under the Plan as described in Section 7 of the Plan. The amount of the 2005 Award Payout is in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Company.

 

  B. 2005 EBITDA means the Company’s actual EBITDA for the 2005 Fiscal Year.

 

  C. 2005 Plan EBITDA means the target EBITDA for the 2005 Fiscal Year, as established by the Company at the beginning of the Performance Cycle.


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

  D. 2005 Plan Payout means a dollar amount established by the Company for each Eligible Employee as the basis for the 2005 Award Payout for achieving the 2005 Plan EBITDA. The 2005 Plan Payout will be established by salary band and may vary, depending on the Eligible Employee’s location and/or job title.

 

  E. 2006 Award Payout means the cash payable to a Participant under the Plan as described in Section 9 of the Plan. The amount of the 2006 Award Payout is in the sole and exclusive discretion of the Company.

 

  F. 2006 Plan Payout means a dollar amount established by the Company for each Eligible Employee as the basis for the 2006 Award Payout for achieving the Plan Performance Cycle EBITDA and the Plan Performance Cycle EBITDA CAGR. The 2006 Plan Payout will be established by salary band and may vary, depending on the Eligible Employee’s location and/or job title.

 

  G. Active Employment means the Eligible Employee is on the active payroll of the Company and has not experienced a voluntary or involuntary termination of employment with the Company, including discharge for any reason, resignation, layoff, death, Retirement or Long-Term Disability. An approved short-term leave of absence is considered Active Employment.

 

  H. Award Percentage means the percentage shown in the table in Appendix A determined by applying the percentages produced under Sections 8.A. and 8.B. to the table.

 

  I. Cause means a finding by the Plan Administrator that the Participant has:

 

  1) committed any willful, intentional or grossly negligent act materially injuring the interest, business or reputation of the Company;

 

  2) engaged in any willful misconduct, including insubordination, in respect of his or her duties or obligations to the Company;

 

  3) violated or failed to comply in any material respect with the Company’s published rules, regulations or policies, as in effect from time to time;

 

  4)

committed a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, fraud, theft or dishonesty (including entry of a nolo contendere plea resulting

 

2


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

in conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, fraud, theft or dishonesty);

 

  5) misappropriated or embezzled any property of the Company (whether or not a misdemeanor or felony);

 

  6) failed, neglected or refused to perform the employment duties related to his or her position as from time to time assigned to him or her (including, without limitation, the Participant’s inability to perform such duties as a result of alcohol or drug abuse, chronic alcoholism or drug addiction); or

 

  7) breached any applicable employment agreement.

 

“Willful” means an act or omission in bad faith and without reasonable belief that such act or omission was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company.

 

  J. Committee means the Human Resource Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

  K. Company means Levi Strauss & Co. and its participating Subsidiaries.

 

  L. EBITDA means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as determined under the Company’s audited financial statements.

 

  M. Eligible Employee means each employee of the Company who (i) is in the Executive, Leader or Management Band worldwide, and (ii) is in Active Employment as of August 31, 2005. The term “Eligible Employee” excludes anyone (i) not classified by the Company as an employee in the Executive, Leader or Management Bands, (ii) classified as an independent contractor or consultant, and (iii) who provides services to the Company pursuant to a contract between the Company and a third party organization.

 

  N. Fiscal Year means the Company’s fiscal year ending on the last Sunday of November.

 

  O.

Long-Term Disability means the Eligible Employee is disabled within the meaning of, and eligible for benefits under, a long-term disability program or

 

3


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

equivalent program maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary employing the Eligible Employee.

 

  P. Participant means an Eligible Employee who meets the participation requirements under Section 5.

 

  Q. Performance Cycle means the two-year performance period beginning on November 29, 2004 and ending November 26, 2006.

 

  R. Performance Cycle EBITDA means the Company’s actual cumulative EBITDA for the Fiscal Years in the Performance Cycle.

 

  S. Performance Cycle EBITDA Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) means the compounded annual growth percentage rate in the EBITDA for the Fiscal Years in the Performance Cycle starting with the EBITDA at the beginning of the 2005 Fiscal Year and ending with the EBITDA at the end of the 2006 Fiscal Year.

 

  T. Performance Cycle EBITDA Percentage means the percentage produced by dividing the Performance Cycle EBITDA by the Plan Performance Cycle EBITDA.

 

  U. Plan means the Levi Strauss & Co. Management Incentive Plan, as set forth herein and as amended from time to time.

 

  V. Plan Administrator means the Committee.

 

  W. Plan Performance Cycle EBITDA means the target cumulative EBITDA for the Fiscal Years in the Performance Cycle, as established by the Company at the beginning of the Performance Cycle.

 

  X. Plan Performance Cycle EBITDA CAGR means the target cumulative EBITDA CAGR for the Fiscal Years in the Performance Cycle, as established by the Company at the beginning of the Performance Cycle.

 

  Y. Retirement or Retire means termination of employment by an Eligible Employee who has met the age and service requirements as defined and determined under the Company retirement plan applicable to the Eligible Employee.

 

4


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

  Z. Subsidiary means any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding shares having ordinary voting power are owned or controlled by the Company, and any other entity that the Board of Directors of the Company, in its sole discretion, deems to be a Subsidiary.

 

4. Effective Date and Termination Date

 

The Plan is effective beginning with the 2005 Fiscal Year, which begins on November 29, 2004, and ending with the 2006 Fiscal Year, which ends on November 26, 2006.

 

5. Eligibility and Participation

 

Each individual who is an Eligible Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Performance Cycle. The following paragraphs address changes in status that occur after the first day of the Performance Cycle.

 

  A. New Hires and Rehires. If an individual becomes an Eligible Employee after the first day of the Performance Cycle but on or before August 31, 2005, the Eligible Employee will be entitled to participate in the Performance Cycle. If an individual becomes an Eligible Employee after August 31, 2005, the Eligible Employee will not be entitled to participate in the Performance Cycle. An Eligible Employee who is rehired will not be entitled to be reinstated as an Eligible Employee for the Performance Cycle unless the rehire occurs on or before August 31, 2005. Rehired individuals are not entitled to receive credit for prior periods of employment.

 

  B. Promotions or Demotions. If an Eligible Employee experiences a salary band increase or decrease after the first day of the Performance Cycle, but on or before August 31, 2005, the Eligible Employee will participate in the Performance Cycle at the 2005 and 2006 Plan Payout levels for the new salary band. If an Eligible Employee experiences a salary band increase or decrease after August 31, 2005, the Eligible Employee will participate in the Performance Cycle at the 2005 and 2006 Plan Payout levels for the prior salary band.

 

  C. Terminations.

 

  1)

2005 Award Payout. If an Eligible Employee terminates employment voluntarily or involuntarily before the last day of the 2005 Fiscal Year, he or she will not be eligible for a 2005 Award Payout. If the Eligible

 

5


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

Employee Retires, is terminated without Cause, terminates voluntarily or dies after the end of the 2005 Fiscal Year, the Eligible Employee is entitled to the full 2005 Award Payout for the Performance Cycle. If the Eligible Employee is terminated for Cause after the end of the 2005 Fiscal Year but before the 2005 Award Payout is made, he or she will not be eligible for the 2005 Award Payout.

 

  2) 2006 Award Payout. If an Eligible Employee terminates employment voluntarily or involuntarily before the last day of the 2006 Fiscal Year, he or she will not be eligible for a 2006 Award Payout. If the Eligible Employee Retires, is terminated without Cause, terminates voluntarily or dies after the end of the 2006 Fiscal Year, the Eligible Employee is entitled to the full 2006 Award Payout for the Performance Cycle. If the Eligible Employee is terminated for Cause after the end of the 2006 Fiscal Year but before the 2006 Award Payout is made, he or she will not be eligible for the 2006 Award Payout.

 

  D. Schedule Changes. If an Eligible Employee is scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week on the first day of the Performance Cycle, he or she is entitled to participate in the Performance Cycle at the full 2005 and 2006 Plan Payout levels. If the Eligible Employee is scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week on the first day of the Performance Cycle, he or she will participate in the Performance Cycle at 50% of the 2005 and 2006 Plan Payout levels.

 

  E. Long-Term Disability.

 

  1) 2005 Award Payout. If an Eligible Employee goes on Long-Term Disability before the last day of the 2005 Fiscal Year, he or she will not be eligible for a 2005 Award Payout for the Performance Cycle. If an Eligible Employee goes on Long-Term Disability after the last day of the 2005 Fiscal Year, he or she will be eligible for a 2005 Award Payout.

 

  2) 2006 Award Payout. If an Eligible Employee goes on Long-Term Disability before the last day of the 2006 Fiscal Year, he or she will not be eligible for a 2006 Award Payout for the Performance Cycle. If an Eligible Employee goes on Long-Term Disability after the last day of the 2006 Fiscal Year, he or she will be eligible for a 2006 Award Payout.

 

6


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

6. Performance Measures For 2005 Award Payout

 

At the beginning of the Performance Cycle, the Company will establish the 2005 Plan EBITDA.

 

After the Company completes its audited financial statements for the 2005 Fiscal Year, it will determine the 2005 EBITDA. If the 2005 EBITDA meets or exceeds the 2005 Plan EBITDA, the Eligible Employees will be entitled to a 2005 Award Payout.

 

7. 2005 Award Payouts

 

The 2005 Award Payout is determined by multiplying the Eligible Employee’s 2005 Plan Payout by 35%. The formula is as follows:

 

2005 Award Payout = 2005 Plan Payout x 35%

 

The 2005 Award Payout will be paid in February, 2006, subject to the eligibility rules in Section 5.

 

8. Performance Measures for 2006 Award Payout

 

The 2006 Award Payout is determined based on two measures of Company performance: (1) Performance Cycle EBITDA; and (2) Performance Cycle EBITDA CAGR. These cumulative plan measures are based on 2005 actual performance and 2006 plan. These factors are then used to determine the Award Percentage.

 

  A. Performance Cycle EBITDA Percentage. After the Company completes its audited financial statements for the 2006 Fiscal Year, it will determine the Performance Cycle EBITDA. The Performance Cycle EBITDA is then divided by the Plan Performance Cycle EBITDA to produce the Performance Cycle EBITDA Percentage. This percentage corresponds to the vertical axis of the matrix in Appendix A. The corresponding Award Percentage determined under paragraph C., below, is subject to interpolation based on the actual Performance Cycle EBITDA Percentage. The formula is stated as follows:

 

Performance Cycle EBITDA Percentage =

Performance Cycle EBITDA ÷ Plan Performance Cycle EBITDA

 

  B.

Performance Cycle EBITDA CAGR. After the Company completes its audited financial statements for the 2006 Fiscal Year, it will determine the Performance Cycle EBITDA CAGR. The resulting percentage is compared to

 

7


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

the Company’s Plan Performance Cycle EBITDA CAGR to determine the percentage by which actual performance is over or under target. That percentage corresponds to the horizontal axis of the matrix in Appendix A.

 

  C. Award Percentage. After completing items A. and B., above, the Company determines the Award Percentage for each Eligible Employee by applying the percentages produced under A. and B. to the table in Appendix A. The final Award Percentage is subject to interpolation based on the actual Performance Cycle EBITDA Percentage on the vertical axis.

 

9. 2006 Award Payouts

 

The 2006 Award Payout is determined by multiplying 65% of the Eligible Employee’s 2006 Plan Payout by the Award Percentage. The formula is as follows:

 

2006 Award Payout = (65% x 2006 Plan Payout) x Award Percentage

 

The 2006 Award Payout will be paid in February, 2007, subject to the eligibility rules in Section 5.

 

10. Exchange Rates

 

The 2005 and 2006 Award Payouts will be paid in local currency. For 2005 Award Payouts outside the U.S., the exchange rate will be determined using the Bloomberg exchange rate as of the last business day of the 2005 Fiscal Year. For 2006 Award Payouts outside the U.S., the exchange rate will be determined using the Bloomberg exchange rate as of the last business day of the Performance Cycle.

 

11. Tax Withholding

 

The Company or Subsidiary, as applicable, will deduct from all 2005 and 2006 Award Payouts any and all applicable taxes (e.g., federal, state, local or other taxes of any kind) required by law to be withheld with respect to such Award Payouts.

 

12. No Tax, Financial, Legal or Other Advice

 

The Company or any Subsidiary has not provided, and will not provide, any tax, financial, legal or other advice related to participation in the Plan, including, but not limited to, tax or financial consequences of participating in the Plan. No provision of the Plan, or any document or presentation about the Plan given to Eligible Employees, will be interpreted as reflecting such advice.

 

8


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

13. Employment Rights

 

Neither this document nor the existence of the Plan is intended to, or do they imply, any promise of continued employment by the Company. Employment may be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, for any reason, at the option of the Company or the employee. No one other than the Board of Directors of the Company, Chief Executive Officer, President or a Senior Vice President of LS&CO. may approve any agreement with an employee that guarantees his or her employment. Such an agreement must be in writing and signed by such an authorized individual.

 

14. Other Benefits

 

No creation of interests, or payment of cash, under this Plan will be taken into account in determining any benefits under any compensation, pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary. However, an Eligible Employee may be eligible to elect to defer the 2006 Award Payout under the terms of the Levi Strauss & Co. Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives. Please refer to the terms of such plan for information regarding possible deferral elections.

 

15. Unfunded Status

 

The Plan is unfunded. An Eligible Employee’s right to receive Award Payouts under the Plan is an unsecured claim against the general assets of the Company, or Subsidiary, as applicable. Although the Company or a Subsidiary may establish a bookkeeping reserve to meet its obligations, any rights acquired by any Eligible Employee are no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

The Company or any Subsidiary is not required to segregate any assets for Award Payouts, and neither the Company, any Subsidiary, Board of Directors, Committee nor the Administrator is deemed to be a trustee as to any Award Payout under this Plan. Any liability of the Company or Subsidiary to any Eligible Employee under this Plan is based solely upon any contractual obligations that may be created by this Plan. No provision of the Plan, under any circumstances, gives an Eligible Employee or other person any interest in any particular property or assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries. No Award Payout is deemed to be secured by any pledge of, or other encumbrance or security interest in, any property of the Company, or any Subsidiary. Neither the Company, any Subsidiary, the Board of Directors, the Committee, nor the Administrator is required to give any security or bond for the performance of any obligation that may be created under this Plan.

 

9


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

16. No Limit on Capital Structure Changes

 

The establishment and operation of this Plan, including the granting of eligibility for an Award Payout, will not limit the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary to reclassify, recapitalize or otherwise change its capital or debt structure; to merge, consolidate, convey any or all of its assets, dissolve, liquidate, windup, or otherwise reorganize; to pay dividends or make other distributions to stockholders; to repurchase stock or to issue stock; or to take any action in respect of its manufacturing, marketing, distribution, merchandising, operations, management or any other aspect of its business.

 

Eligible Employees under the Plan are not entitled to anything (other than as may be reflected through the Plan performance measures) if the Company completes any transaction or takes any action contemplated by the preceding paragraph.

 

Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may, in its discretion, adjust the manner in which the performance measures are calculated at any time or from time to time to take into account changes in the Company’s business that the Committee believes affect the relationship between the Company’s performance and such value.

 

17. Plan Administration

 

The Plan is administered by the Committee. The Committee may delegate its authority as Plan Administrator to such other person or persons as the Committee designates from time to time. In administering the Plan, the Committee may, at its option, employ compensation consultants, accountants and counsel and other persons to assist or render advice and other services, all at the expense of the Company.

 

The Committee has the power, in its sole discretion, to interpret the Plan and to adopt rules and procedures it deems appropriate for the administration and implementation of the Plan. Such rules and procedures include, without limitation, procedures for making required calculations and applying formulas.

 

All determinations and interpretations under the Plan for all matters including, without limitation, amounts due under the Plan, are conclusive and binding on all affected individuals.

 

10


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

18. Claims Procedure.

 

A Participant or beneficiary shall have the right to file a claim, inquire if he or she has any right to benefits and amounts thereof, or appeal the denial of a claim.

 

  A. A claim will be considered as having been filed when a written communication is made by the Participant, beneficiary or his or her authorized representative (the “claimant”) to the attention of the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall notify the claimant in writing within 90 days after receipt of the claim if the claim is wholly or partially denied. If an extension of time beyond the initial 90-day period for processing the claim is required, written notice of the extension shall be provided to the claimant prior to the expiration of the initial 90-day period. In no event shall the period, as extended, exceed 180 days. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Plan Administrator expects to render a final decision.

 

  B. Notice of a wholly or partially denied claim for benefits will be made in writing in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant and shall include:

 

  1) the reason or reasons for denial;

 

  2) specific reference to the Plan provisions on which the denial is based;

 

  3) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and

 

  4) an explanation of the Plan’s claim appeal procedure.

 

  C.

If a claim is wholly or partially denied, the claimant may file an appeal requesting the Plan Administrator to conduct a full and fair review of his or her claim. For purposes of this review, the Plan Administrator may appoint an individual or committee (other than the individual or committee that heard the initial claim) to act on its behalf. An appeal must be made in writing no more than 60 days after the claimant receives written notice of the denial. The claimant may review any documents that apply to the case and may also submit points of disagreement and other comments in writing along with the appeal. The decision of the Plan Administrator regarding the appeal shall be

 

11


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

given to the claimant in writing no later than 60 days following receipt of the appeal. However, if the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, grants a hearing, or there are special circumstances involved, the decision will be given no later than 120 days after receiving the appeal. If such an extension of time for review is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the commencement of the extension. The decision shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant and shall include specific reasons for the decision, as well as specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based.

 

  D. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, no employee, Eligible Employee, Participant, beneficiary or other person may bring any legal or administrative claim or cause of action against the Plan, the Plan Administrator or the Company in court or any other venue until such person has exhausted the administrative remedies under this Section 18.

 

  E. If the Plan Administrator is in doubt concerning the entitlement of any person to any payment claimed under the Plan, the Plan Administrator may instruct the Company to suspend payment until satisfied as to the person’s entitlement to the payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no person may bring a claim for Plan benefits to arbitration, court or through any other legal action or process until the administrative claims process of this Section 18 has been exhausted.

 

19. Amendment, Modification or Termination of Plan

 

The Committee may modify, amend or terminate any and all provisions of the Plan at any time during its existence, and establish rules and procedures for its administration, at its discretion and without notice.

 

Notwithstanding the provision above, the Plan Administrator may amend and modify the Plan to comply with or conform to local law, regulation or custom. Such amendments and modifications can have limited application to a specific Subsidiary, division or jurisdiction, and need not apply to all Eligible Employees.

 

20. Severability

 

If any provision of this Plan is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of the Plan, and the Plan will be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision were not part of the Plan.

 

12


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

21. No Waiver

 

Failure of the Company to enforce at any time any provision of this Plan shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provision or any other provision of the Plan.

 

22. Governing Law

 

The Plan and all Award Payouts hereunder will be governed by the laws of the State of California. In applying the laws of the State of California, its rules on choice of law will be disregarded.

 

23. All Provisions

 

This official Plan document represents the exclusive and complete statement of the terms of the Plan, and supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous understandings, representations, documents and communications between the Company or any Subsidiary and any Eligible Employee, whether oral or written, relating to its subject matters. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this official Plan document, as amended from time to time, and any other document or presentation describing or otherwise relating to the Plan, this official document shall control.

 

24. Adoption

 

To record the adoption of the Management Incentive Plan, the Company has caused its duly authorized officer to execute this document on the date indicated herein.

 

Levi Strauss & Co.
By:    
   

Fred Paulenich

Date:    

 

13


LEVI STRAUSS & CO. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN

 

 

APPENDIX A

 

     MIP Funding Matrix

2-Year

Cumulative

EBITDA

Performance

   >=125%       75%   100%   145%   165%   180%   200%
   120%   65%   90%   130%   145%   160%   175%
   115%   60%   85%   120%   130%   145%   155%
   110%   55%   80%   110%   120%   130%   140%
   105%   50%   75%   100%   110%   115%   125%
   100%   45%   70%   90%   100%   105%   115%
   95%   30%   55%   75%   80%   85%   95%
   90%   20%   35%   55%   60%   65%   70%
   <90%   0%   0%   0%   0%   0%   0%
         Below Plan
more than 8%
  Below Plan
by 5% to 8%
  Below Plan
by 3% to 5%
  Plan
+ or –2%
  Above Plan
by 3% to 7%
  Above Plan
more than 7%
     2-Year EBITDA Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)
EX-31.1 3 dex311.htm CERTIFICATION OF CEO Certification of CEO

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATIONS OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

 

I, Philip A. Marineau, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Levi Strauss & Co.;

 

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(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15e and 15d-15e) 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) [Paragraph omitted pursuant to SEC Release Nos. 33-8238; 34-47986];

 

c) 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

 

d) 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;

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers 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: October 11, 2005

 

/S/    PHILIP A. MARINEAU        

Philip A. Marineau

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2 4 dex312.htm CERTIFICATION OF CFO Certification of CFO

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

 

I, Hans Ploos van Amstel, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Levi Strauss & Co.;

 

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(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15e and 15d-15e) 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) [Paragraph omitted pursuant to SEC Release Nos. 33-8238; 34-47986];

 

c) 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

 

d) 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;

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officers 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: October 11, 2005

 

/S/    HANS PLOOS VAN AMSTEL        

Hans Ploos van Amstel

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32 5 dex32.htm SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION Section 906 Certification

Exhibit 32

 

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

This certification is not to be deemed filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and does not constitute a part of the Quarterly Report of Levi Strauss & Co., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 28, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”).

 

In connection with the Report, each of the undersigned officers of the Company does hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in the Report.

 

/s/ Philip A. Marineau

Philip A. Marineau

President and Chief Executive Officer

October 11, 2005

 

/s/ Hans Ploos van Amstel

Hans Ploos van Amstel

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

October 11, 2005

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