-----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, HCjufnWqViodj4LoVORtwkQ2bgi3nM6qlCdMu7u3arjdveRrXs90lbuS7MyGDyAp 0US57ZzZTWgbnwIm0sNXPA== 0001193125-07-057059.txt : 20070316 0001193125-07-057059.hdr.sgml : 20070316 20070316155559 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-07-057059 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20061231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20070316 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20070316 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WASTE INDUSTRIES USA INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001125845 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: REFUSE SYSTEMS [4953] IRS NUMBER: 560954929 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NC FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-31050 FILM NUMBER: 07700140 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3301 BENSON DR STREET 2: STE 601 CITY: RALEIGH STATE: NC ZIP: 27609 BUSINESS PHONE: 9193254000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3301 BENSON DR STREET 2: STE 601 CITY: RALEIGH STATE: NC ZIP: 27609 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: WASTE HOLDINGS INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20001004 10-K 1 d10k.htm FORM 10-K Form 10-K
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 


FORM 10-K

 


(Mark One)

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

for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006

OR

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 0-31050

 


WASTE INDUSTRIES USA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


NORTH CAROLINA   56-0954929

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

3301 BENSON DRIVE, SUITE 601

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA

  27609
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (919) 325-3000

 


SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT: None

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:

Common Stock (no par value per share)

 


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨     No  x

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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x    Non accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant based upon the closing price of the common stock on February 28, 2007, on the NASDAQ National Market System was approximately $166,664,612 as of such date. Shares of common stock held by each executive officer and director and by each person who owns 10% or more of the outstanding common stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status may not be conclusive for other purposes.

As of March 14, 2007, the registrant had outstanding 14,036,331 shares of common stock.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated herein by reference into Part III.

 



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NOTE RELATING TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not descriptions of historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements and other statements made elsewhere by us or our representatives, which are identified or qualified by words such as “likely,” “will,” “suggests,” “expects,” “may,” “believe,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “anticipates,” “plans” or similar expressions, are based on a number of assumptions. Actual events or results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including those set forth herein and in our other SEC filings and including, in particular: fuel prices, the regulation, development and operation of landfills, our ability to manage growth, the availability and integration of acquisition targets, regulatory permitting processes, the cost of complying with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, general economic conditions, impairment of goodwill, competition, geographic concentration, weather conditions, and government regulation. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this report and we undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
     PART I     

Item 1.

   Business    3

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    16

Item 1B.

   Unresolved Staff Comments    20

Item 2.

   Properties    20

Item 3.

   Legal Proceedings    21

Item 4.

   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    22
   PART II   

Item 5.

   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    24

Item 6.

   Selected Financial Data    25

Item 7.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    28

Item 7A.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk    42

Item 8.

   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    43

Item 9.

   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    43

Item 9A.

   Controls and Procedures    44

Item 9B.

   Other Information    46
   PART III   

Item 10.

   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant    46

Item 11.

   Executive Compensation    46

Item 12.

   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    46

Item 13.

   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions    47

Item 14.

   Principal Accounting Fees and Services    47
   PART IV   

Item 15.

   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules    47

 

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PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

INTRODUCTION

Our website address is www.wasteindustries.com. We make available free of charge through our website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Waste Industries USA, Inc. is a regional, vertically integrated solid waste services company. We provide solid waste collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services to commercial, industrial and residential customer locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia. Our principal operations as of December 31, 2006 consisted of 35 collection operations, 28 transfer stations, approximately 72 county convenience drop-off centers, 12 recycling facilities and nine landfills, serving more than 700,000 municipal, residential, commercial and industrial service locations.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors who founded our company in 1970 and our Chief Executive Officer are recognized for their leadership roles throughout the solid waste management industry and trade organizations. Our management team collectively has over 213 years of experience in the solid waste industry and over 145 years with our company.

Industry Overview

In the last 15 years, the solid waste collection and disposal industry has undergone a period of significant consolidation and integration. We believe that this consolidation and integration has been caused primarily by:

 

   

increasingly stringent environmental regulation and enforcement resulting in increased capital requirements for collection companies and landfill operators;

 

   

the ability of larger integrated operators to achieve certain economies of scale;

 

   

the increased integration of collection, transfer, disposal and recycling capabilities; and

 

   

the continued privatization of solid waste collection and disposal services by municipalities and other governmental bodies and authorities.

Despite the considerable consolidation and integration that has occurred in the solid waste industry in recent years, we believe, based on our experience in the industry, that the industry remains primarily regional in nature due to the localized nature of collecting and disposing of waste and highly fragmented due to the many small competitors in many markets.

The increasingly stringent industry regulations, such as the Subtitle D regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, have resulted in rising operating and capital costs and have caused the consolidation and acquisition activities in the solid waste collection and disposal industry in the last 15 years. Many of the smaller industry participants have found these costs difficult to bear and have decided to either close their operations or sell them to larger operators. In addition, Subtitle D requires more stringent engineering of solid waste landfills including liners, leachate collection and monitoring and gas collection and monitoring. These ongoing costs are coupled with increased financial reserves from solid waste landfill operators for closure and post-closure monitoring. As a result, we believe, based on our market research, the number of solid waste landfills is declining while the size of solid waste landfills is increasing.

In many markets in which we operate or intend to expand, competitive pressures are forcing operators to become more efficient by establishing an integrated network of solid waste collection operations and transfer stations, through which they secure solid waste streams for disposal. Operators have adopted a variety of disposal strategies, including owning landfills, establishing strategic relationships to secure access to landfills, or by otherwise capturing significant waste stream volumes to gain leverage in negotiating lower landfill fees and securing long-term contracts with high capacity landfills on most favored pricing terms.

In the Southeastern U.S. solid waste market, which is our market, city and county governments have historically provided a variety of solid waste services using their own personnel. Over time, many municipalities have opted to privatize or contract out their collection and disposal services to the private sector. Landfills, transfer stations and incinerators located in our market area are predominantly municipally owned. The Southeastern market has been and is currently undergoing significant economic and population growth. Several states in the Southeastern U.S. exceed the national average in terms of economic growth as measured by gains in jobs, personal income and population.

 

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There is an increasing trend at the state and local levels to encourage waste reduction at the source and to prohibit the disposal of certain types of wastes, such as yard wastes and recyclable materials, at landfills. For example, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia have each established quantifiable goals and time frames to reduce the solid waste disposed of in their respective landfills. We believe, based on our experience in the industry, that these trends and laws have created significant opportunities for solid waste services companies to provide additional recycling services to generators of solid waste who are not otherwise able to dispose of such waste.

Strategy

Our objective is to build the premier solid waste services company in the Southeastern U.S. by expanding our operations and capitalizing on our strong market presence. Our strategy for achieving this objective is:

 

   

to generate internal growth by adding customers and services to our existing operations;

 

   

to acquire solid waste collection companies, customers and, under appropriate circumstances, landfills in existing and new areas of our target market; and

 

   

to increase operating efficiencies and enhance profitability in our existing and acquired operations.

We intend to implement this strategy primarily through internal growth supplemented by tuck-in acquisitions in our existing markets. We continue to examine opportunities to expand our presence in new and existing markets in the Southeastern U.S. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates or, if identified, successfully negotiate their acquisition. If we fail to implement successfully our acquisition strategy, our growth potential will be limited.

Internal Growth

In order to continue to achieve internal growth, we will focus on increasing sales penetration in current and adjacent market areas, marketing upgrades or additional services (such as on-site solid waste compaction) to existing customers and implementing selective price increases. We strive to be the first or second largest provider, in terms of market share, of waste services in the majority of the markets in which we operate. Current levels of population growth and economic development in the Southeastern U.S. and our strong market presence should provide an opportunity for us to increase revenues and market share in our region. As customers are added in existing markets, our density is improved, which should increase our collection efficiencies and profitability. At December 31, 2006, we had an approximately 50-person sales force dedicated to maintaining and increasing our sales to new and existing commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers.

An important part of our internal growth strategy is to operate transfer stations strategically located throughout our geographic area to improve our consolidation of collected solid waste and permit us to deliver the collected solid waste to landfills where we have negotiated favorable volume rates with landfill operators or to dispose of it at sites we own. At December 31, 2006, we operated 28 transfer stations, 10 of which we own. By operating transfer stations, we engage in direct communication with municipalities that own the transfer stations regarding waste disposal services, better positioning us to gain additional business in our markets in the event any of these municipalities privatize their solid waste operations. To the extent we are unable to operate existing transfer stations owned by municipalities, we would consider constructing our own transfer station.

Expansion Through Acquisitions

Our strategy for growth includes:

 

   

“tuck-in” and other acquisitions of solid waste collection companies and customers in existing and adjacent markets;

 

   

the acquisition of solid waste collection companies and customers in new markets; and

 

   

the acquisition of landfills in certain circumstances.

 

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We seek to acquire companies with a significant market presence, high service standards and an experienced management team willing to remain with our company.

Based on our market research, we believe that numerous “tuck-in” acquisition opportunities exist within our current market area. A “tuck-in” acquisition refers to an acquisition in which we acquire a solid waste collection company, a division of a company or customers of a company located in our existing market area, and integrate the acquired operations or customers into the operations of one of our existing branch facilities. These acquisitions have become an integral part of the industry competitive model due to the efficiencies involved. Such acquisitions, if consummated, provide us with opportunities to improve market share and route density.

As we enter new markets through acquisitions, we intend to continue to implement a regional expansion strategy. The regional expansion strategy provides us with a base of operations to grow internally through price increases, providing additional services to existing customers, adding new private and public customers as well as tuck-in acquisitions. We can then expand our presence in the targeted region by adding solid waste collection and transfer operations in regional markets adjacent to or contiguous with the new location. Because our goal is to increase the scale of our operations through internal growth and through the acquisition of other solid waste businesses, we might experience periods of rapid growth with significantly increased staffing requirements. Such growth, if it were to occur, could place a significant strain on our management and on our operational, financial and other resources. Our ability to maintain and manage our growth effectively will require us to expand our management information systems capabilities and improve our operational and financial systems and controls. Moreover, we will need to attract, train, motivate, retain and manage our senior managers, technical professionals and other employees. Any failure to expand our management information systems capabilities and our operational and financial systems and controls or to recruit appropriate additional personnel in an efficient manner at a pace consistent with any business growth we may experience would have a material adverse effect on our operations.

The consolidation and integration activity in the solid waste industry, which peaked in the 1990’s, as well as the difficulties, uncertainties and expenses relating to the development and permitting of solid waste landfills and transfer stations, has increased competition for the acquisition of existing solid waste collection, transfer and disposal operations. Increased competition for acquisition candidates as well as less advantageous acquisition terms, including increased purchase prices, might result in fewer acquisition opportunities being available to us. These circumstances might increase acquisition costs to levels beyond our financial capability or pricing parameters. Such circumstances might have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Many of our competitors for acquisitions are larger, better known companies that possess significantly greater resources than we have. We also believe, based on our experience, that a significant factor in our ability to consummate acquisitions will be the relative attractiveness of shares of our common stock as an investment instrument to potential acquisition candidates. This attractiveness will, in large part, be dependent upon the relative market price and capital appreciation prospects of our common stock compared to the equity securities of our competitors.

In the past several years, we have been and expect to continue to be actively engaged in identifying solid waste landfill acquisition candidates in the Southeastern U.S., although the number of candidates is limited in our current market area. Based on our experience in the industry, we believe that the successful acquisition of landfills will provide us with opportunities to integrate vertically our collection, transfer and disposal operations while improving operating margins. Generally, we will evaluate a landfill target by determining, among other things, whether access to the landfill is economically feasible from our existing market areas either directly or through strategically located transfer stations, expected landfill life, the potential for landfill expansion, and current disposal costs compared with the cost to acquire the landfill. In addition, where the acquisition of a landfill site is either not available or not economically feasible, we seek to enter into long-term disposal contracts with facilities that are located in proximity to our market areas.

Acquisition Program

From 1990 through December 31, 2006, we acquired, either by merger or asset purchase, 106 solid waste collection or disposal operations, with eight being acquired in 2006, fourteen being acquired in 2005 and nine being acquired in 2004. We have developed a set of financial, geographic and management criteria designed to assist management in the evaluation of acquisition candidates engaged in solid waste collection and disposal. These criteria evaluate a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:

 

   

historical and projected financial performance;

 

   

internal rate of return, return on assets and return on revenue;

 

   

experience and reputation of the candidate’s management and customer service reputation and relationships with the local communities;

 

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composition and size of the candidate’s customer base;

 

   

whether the geographic location of the candidate will enhance or expand our market area or ability to attract other acquisition candidates;

 

   

whether the acquisition will augment or increase our market share or help protect our existing customer base;

 

   

any synergies anticipated to be gained by combining the acquisition candidate with our existing operations; and

 

   

actual and contingent liabilities of the candidate.

We have an established integration procedure for newly acquired companies designed to effect a prompt and efficient integration of the acquired business while minimizing disruption to our ongoing business and that of the acquired business. Once a solid waste collection operation is acquired, programs designed to improve collection and disposal routing, equipment maintenance and utilization, employee productivity, operating efficiencies and overall profitability are implemented. To improve an acquired business’ operational productivity, administrative efficiency and profitability, we apply the same benchmarking programs and systems to the acquired business as are employed at our existing operations. We also solicit new commercial, industrial and residential customers in areas within and surrounding the markets served by the acquired collection operations as a means of further improving operating efficiencies and increasing the volumes of solid waste collected by the acquired operation. We typically attempt to retain the acquired company’s management and key employees and consolidate administrative and management information systems through our corporate offices.

Prior to completing an acquisition, we perform extensive environmental, operational, engineering, legal, human resource and financial due diligence. All acquisitions are subject to initial evaluation and approval by our management before being recommended to our Board of Directors.

2006 Acquisitions

 

Company

   Principle
Business
   Market Area    Cash Paid in
2006
   Effective Date

Collection Operations from Advanced Disposal Service Atlanta, LLC

   Commercial
Collection
   Atlanta, GA    $ 2.2 million    March 2007

Collection Operations from Upstate Waste, Inc.

   Residential
Collection
   Greenville, SC    $ 1.5 million    May 2006

Other miscellaneous

   Various    Atlanta, GA    $ 1.0 million    Various

Other miscellaneous

   Various    North Carolina    $ 1.5 million    Various
               

Total

         $ 6.2 million   
               

In the year ended December 31, 2006, we made three acquisitions totaling $3.2 million to increase our presence in the Atlanta, Georgia market. In addition, we made five acquisitions totaling approximately $3.0 million to increase our presence in the North Carolina and South Carolina markets. Approximately $0.3 million in additional purchase price has been accrued as a current liability related to these 2006 acquisitions.

The results of these operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date and are consistent with our strategy to improve internalization of waste into existing landfills and expand our presence in certain markets.

 

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Business Dispositions

In the second and fourth quarters of 2005, we disposed of certain hauling and transfer operations in the Atlanta, Georgia market for approximately $8.0 million. In the second quarter of 2006, we sold a landfill operation in Jacksonville, Florida to Advanced Disposal, Inc. for approximately $16.2 million. In the second quarter of 2006, we disposed of certain hauling operations in the Atlanta, Georgia market for approximately $0.2 million. The operations were disposed of to allow us to purchase operations more consistent with our overall strategy to internalize waste, reduce administrative costs, and gain route efficiencies wherever available.

Operating Enhancements

We have implemented advanced management information systems, financial controls, shared support services and benchmarking systems designed to improve the productivity, efficiency and profitability of our existing and acquired operations. Each branch facility has on-line real time access to our financial, operating, cost and customer information. This access enables our managers to evaluate continuously our performance record and to establish benchmarks in all phases of our operations. Management utilizes these systems to:

 

   

improve collection and transportation efficiencies;

 

   

enhance equipment and personnel utilization;

 

   

reduce equipment acquisition and maintenance costs;

 

   

reduce disposal costs by maximizing waste streams directed to lower cost landfills;

 

   

monitor and collect customer accounts on a timely basis; and

 

   

provide current information to our sales force to ensure properly structured pricing for new customers.

Through the utilization of our systems and controls, we will continue to manage our landfill disposal costs and to negotiate long-term disposal contracts with Subtitle D landfill operators. In addition, we have developed an extensive network of transfer stations that we use to consolidate waste streams to gain greater leverage in negotiating landfill disposal fees. As of December 31, 2006, 41% of our waste volume was directed through transfer stations owned or operated by us.

Contracts Program

We currently have 245 municipal contracts that represent approximately $95.0 million of revenue on an annualized basis. In most cases, only larger disposal services companies such as us are financially acceptable to the municipality. Historically, in the Southeastern U.S., city and county governments have provided a variety of solid waste services using their own personnel. Over time, many municipalities have opted to privatize or contract out their collection and disposal services to the private sector. Typically, these contracts are competitively bid and have initial terms of one to five years. In bidding for large contracts, our management team draws on its experience in the waste industry and its knowledge of local service areas in existing and target markets. We engage in extensive due diligence using our advanced management information systems and productivity and cost modeling analyses to respond to requests for proposals to provide services. Our regional managers are responsible for managing the relationships with local governmental officials within their respective service area and sales representatives may be assigned specific municipalities for coverage. We may be required to bid for renewal of a contract previously awarded to us, or in certain cases to renegotiate the contract as a result of changed market conditions. While longer-term contracts can provide more consistent cash flow, increases in the cost of fuel and other operating costs during the contract’s term could reduce the contract’s profitability. To minimize this risk, we generally include price increases in our longer-term contracts. However, our ability to pass on price increases is sometimes limited by the terms of our contracts. Long-term solid waste collection contracts typically contain a formula, generally based on a predetermined published price index such as the Consumer Price Index, for automatic adjustment of fees, generally, on an annual basis, to cover increases in some, but not all, operating costs. These fee increases are recognized as revenue when earned (as the service is provided).

During 2006, we retained approximately 71% of our municipal contracts that were up for bid or renewal. No single customer of ours accounted for more than 4% of our revenues in 2004, 2005, or 2006. We do not believe that the loss of any single customer would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

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Services

Commercial, Industrial and Residential Waste Services

We provide commercial and industrial collection and disposal services under one-year to five-year service agreements, typically. Fees are determined by such factors as collection frequency, level of service, route density, the type, volume and weight of the waste collected, the type of equipment and containers furnished, the distance to the disposal or processing facility, the cost of disposal or processing and prices charged in our markets for similar service. Collection of larger volumes associated with commercial and industrial waste streams generally helps improve our operating efficiencies and, through consolidation of these volumes, we generally can negotiate more favorable disposal prices. Our commercial and industrial customers utilize portable containers for storage thereby enabling us to service many customers with fewer collection vehicles. Commercial and industrial collection vehicles normally require one operator. We provide two to eight cubic yard containers to commercial customers and 10 to 42 cubic yard containers to industrial customers. As a part of the services we provide under our waste services contract, we install, for an additional fee, stationary compactors that compact waste prior to collection on the premises of a substantial number of large volume customers. We do not believe that any single commercial or industrial contract is individually material to our results of operations.

Our residential solid waste collection and disposal services are performed either on a subscription basis with individual households, or under contracts with municipalities, homeowners associations, apartment owners or mobile home park operators. Municipal contracts grant us the right to service all or a portion of the residences in a specified community or to provide a central repository for residential waste drop-off. Municipal contracts in our market areas are typically awarded on a competitive bid basis and thereafter on a bid or negotiated basis and usually range in duration from one to five years. Residential contract fees are based primarily on route density, the frequency and level of service, the distance to the disposal or processing facility, the cost of disposal or processing and prices charged in that market for similar service. Municipal collection fees are paid either by the municipalities from tax revenues or through direct service charges to the residents receiving the service. We had approximately 245 municipal contracts in place as of December 31, 2006. We do not believe that any single municipal or other residential contract is individually material to our results of operations.

Transfer Station Services

The 28 transfer stations we operated at December 31, 2006 receive, compact and transfer solid waste to larger vehicles for transport to landfills. We believe that transfer stations benefit us by:

 

   

providing access to multiple landfills;

 

   

improving utilization of collection personnel and equipment;

 

   

concentrating the waste stream to gain leverage in negotiating more favorable disposal rates; and

 

   

building relationships with municipalities that can lead to opportunities for additional business in the future.

Depending on the location, size and local regulatory environment, transfer stations can be constructed for as little as $150,000 for a small rural facility or as much as $1.5 million for larger sites. We believe that we have obtained all permits and authorizations necessary to operate our existing transfer stations and that each of our existing transfer stations has been operated in compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental regulations.

At December 31, 2006, we owned 10 of the transfer stations we operate, and operate the remaining 18 transfer stations pursuant to operating agreements. We generally receive a fixed monthly operating fee for our services under these agreements, together with a variable fee based upon the number of hauls made by us from the station. At December 31, 2006, approximately 41% of waste directed to the transfer stations we operated was delivered by third parties, who pay us a fee based on the tonnage delivered. Control of these third-party waste streams coupled with our waste stream adds to our bargaining power in our negotiations for favorable solid waste disposal rates with landfill operators.

In 2006, we outsourced the majority of our transportation services related to transfer station operations. We believe outsourcing these operations will reduce capital expenditures, improve maintenance capacity for other core services, reduce ownership costs, such as insurance, fuel, labor and maintenance costs, and improve the aging of our remaining transfer fleet.

 

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Landfills

At December 31, 2006, we owned eight solid waste landfills, and operated, but did not own, one landfill under a life-of-site operating contract. We are responsible for all final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities for these nine landfills. Additionally, in June 2006 we signed an agreement with Wake County, North Carolina to design, construct and operate a solid waste landfill under a 25- year operating agreement. Wake County is the owner of the property and permit and is responsible for all final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities. Wake County will be responsible for billing and collecting from customers and will pay us an operating fee based on tonnage received at the landfill, once operational. We expect the landfill to become operational in early 2008. The costs incurred to date related to this contract have been insignificant, although we expect to incur approximately $12 million in capital expenditures in 2007.

Our landfill facilities are designed and operated to meet federal, state and local regulations in all material respects and we believe each of our landfill sites is in compliance with current applicable state and federal Subtitle D regulations in all material respects. None of our landfills are permitted to accept hazardous waste.

Recycling Services

Recycling involves the removal of reusable materials from the waste stream for processing and sale in various applications. Based on our experience in the industry, we believe that recycling will continue to be an important component of local and state solid waste management plans as a result of the public’s increasing environmental awareness and expanding regulations mandating or encouraging waste recycling. We offer commercial, industrial and residential customers recycling for office paper, cardboard, newspaper, aluminum and steel cans, plastic, glass, pallets and yard waste. At December 31, 2006, we operated approximately 72 convenience sites where residents can dispose of recyclables. In 2006, less than 2.0% of our revenues represented recycling services. We do not believe that our recycling services revenue is material, nor do we currently expect this revenue stream to be material to our results from operations, cash flows or capital expenditures in the foreseeable future.

Through a centralized effort, we resell recycled waste products using commercially reasonable practices and seek to manage commodity-pricing risk by spreading the risk among our customers. These commodities are delivered either to third-party processing facilities in exchange for a fee or to one of five facilities operated by us for processing prior to resale. The resale prices of, and demand for, recyclable commodities, particularly wastepaper, can be volatile and subject to changing market conditions.

Convenience Sites and Other Specialized Services

In 1982, we developed the concept of a convenience site in response to increasing volumes of waste dumped randomly in rural areas. Each site typically consists of a ramp for easy disposal access, a trash compactor and trash and recycling containers. Most sites have posted operating hours during which our personnel assist residents with the deposit of waste and recyclables while monitoring the types of waste deposited at the sites. Because these convenience sites reduce the amount of trash dumped along roads and in recreational areas, we believe that county and local governments will contract for these sites to be strategically located. At December 31, 2006, we operated approximately 72 convenience sites located in nine counties in our market area.

In addition, we have increased our efforts to win additional contracts to manage comprehensive disposal services for large corporations and municipalities. For example, after thorough review and evaluation, we may provide a lump sum quote for handling all the waste in a company’s facility. This would include separating at the source various wastes into commodities for resale and non-recyclables for disposal. The process of sorting at the source, processing through a compaction system and scheduling waste and recyclable removals only when the containers are full reduces our cost and increases our operating efficiency. Furthermore, confidential documents can be controlled throughout the process and destroyed to the customer’s satisfaction.

Operations

Branch Facility Structure

Based on our experience in the industry, we believe that a branch facilities structure retains some decision-making authority close to the customer, which enables us to identify customers’ needs quickly and implement cost-effective solutions. Furthermore, we believe that it provides a low-overhead, highly efficient operational structure that allows us to branch into geographically contiguous markets and operate in small communities that larger competitors might not find attractive. Based on our experience in the industry, we believe that branch facilities and somewhat decentralized management of operations provide us with a strategic competitive advantage given the relatively rural nature of the Southeastern U.S.

 

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We deliver our waste services from branch locations in contiguous service areas, which permits our branch facilities to provide back-up services and support to one another. Each manager of a branch facility has some decision-making authority for the local market area, primarily with pricing, although monitored by corporate management to ensure that company-wide goals are attained.

Our managerial philosophy centers on the principle that customers’ needs can best be served at the local level by a staff of well-trained personnel led by a branch manager. Each branch manager is responsible for implementing sales programs, maintaining service quality, promoting safety in the branch’s operations and overseeing the day-to-day operations for the branch, including contract administration. Branch managers also assist division managers in identifying potential acquisition candidates. Frequently, the branch manager is also the branch facility’s sales manager; but in larger market areas, branch facilities will have one or more sales persons. Branch managers are compensated based on the performance of their branch. Each branch manager reports to a division vice president, who reports to our chief operating officer.

In addition to delivering our services, branch staff responsibilities include setting up customer accounts, answering customer questions, processing accounts payable and maintaining payroll and personnel information. Maintenance support for collection equipment is also provided at the branch facility. The facility size, number of maintenance personnel and capabilities are determined by the number of vehicles operated and the type of services provided within the branch facility’s market area.

On a monthly basis, the corporate and/or division officers meet with each branch manager to discuss and evaluate the branch operations. This evaluation is conducted through the use of flash reports on a weekly basis at the branch and division levels. Flash reports highlight key operating data such as employee-hours, overtime hours, truck hours, revenues and extraordinary costs. These meetings are oriented to identifying trends, opportunities and strategies in the branch facility’s proximate geographic area. Using a decentralized approach, but with strong division and corporate monitoring and strict budgetary and operating guidelines and quality control standards, each branch manager has the authority to exercise some discretion in business decisions. Our management information systems provide corporate management timely oversight of branch performance.

Information Technologies

A cornerstone of our desire to deliver responsive and cost-effective waste services is our management information systems network. Many of our information systems, controls and services are designed to assist branch facilities’ personnel in making decisions based upon centralized information. Financial control is maintained through personnel, fiscal and accounting policies that are established at the corporate level for implementation at the branch locations. Our systems allow for centralized billing and collection through a lock-box system, thus enhancing cash management. This information system links our IBM AS/400 computer to each branch using the Internet that allows each branch on-line, real-time financial, productivity, maintenance and customer information.

Support Services

Our Support Services Teams provide our branch operations with significant assistance in maintaining existing customers, winning new customers and integrating newly acquired operations. These services consist of:

Risk Management Services:

 

   

Claims Management

 

   

Safety Policy and Procedures Manual

 

   

Safety Training Programs

 

   

Facility Inspection

 

   

Accident Investigation

 

   

Safety Award Programs

 

   

Site Specific Safety Awareness Programs

 

   

Heads up the Corporate Safety Committee

 

   

Emergency Task Force for Natural Disaster Response

Productivity Improvement Services:

 

   

Route Optimization Tools

 

   

Global Information System Routing Tools

 

   

Route Planning Protocol that maximize truck utilization

 

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Centralized Purchasing and Asset Control for:

 

   

Collection and Support Vehicles

 

   

Containers

 

   

Licensing

Centralized Purchasing Negotiations for:

 

   

Tires

 

   

Lubricants

 

   

High Volume Parts and Supplies

 

   

Office and Shop Supplies

Acquisition Due Diligence and Integration Support:

 

   

Data Management and Customer Account Data Integration

 

   

Maintenance and Corporate Identity Program Implementation

 

   

Route Integration

 

   

Employee Benefits and Related Human Resource Services

 

   

Customer Account Profitability Analysis

Centralized Maintenance Support in order to:

 

   

Standardize vehicle and heavy equipment maintenance procedure

 

   

Establish standards for truck and heavy equipment rebuilds

 

   

Provide guidance and approval for truck and heavy equipment rebuilds

 

   

Manage our compactor rebuild facility

 

   

Head up the Corporate Maintenance Council that establishes and rolls out “Best Maintenance Practices”.

Disposal Management

We manage our disposal cost by maximizing the use of our own disposal sites whenever economically viable, by negotiating favorable disposal rates with third parties based on volume commitments, by a network of transfer stations that provide us with more final disposal options and a disciplined transfer station and landfill development program designed to improve our future internalization rates and reduce our cost of disposal.

We use our network of transfer stations to consolidate waste from local collection vehicles and ship the consolidated waste in tractor/trailer loads to our landfills, thereby internalizing the waste. In some markets, our transfer stations ship to third party disposal facilities, but generally only when we have either negotiated favorable long-term disposal rates with these facilities or the disposal rates generally are the same for all users.

In general, there is no shortage of landfill space in the Southeast. There is, however, a need for additional landfill disposal capacity in some very specific Southeast markets. To address these opportunities, we may acquire existing landfills, we may develop landfills, or we may partner with an experienced landfill operator for the acquisition, development or assumption of the operation of additional landfills. Generally, we would pursue such arrangements in our market area if we believe that ownership or operation of a landfill would provide cost benefits and create shareholder value.

Most Southeast markets have surplus landfill capacity. In these markets, landfill operators are aggressively soliciting solid waste volumes to ensure cash flows sufficient to support ongoing landfill operating and construction cost. In these markets, we will continue to use our traditional system of consolidating waste and negotiating favorable disposal rates unless we believe that ownership or operation of a landfill would provide cost benefits and create shareholder value.

In some of our markets, we rely on municipally owned waste-to-energy plants for the disposal of our solid waste. In these markets, disposal cost is the same for all users; as a result, no one has a competitive edge when it comes to the cost of disposal.

Recycling, composting and waste reduction continue to play a role as alternate disposal methods. State and local governments have mandated specific rules and regulations for the recycling of construction and demolition waste, residential recyclables, used tires

 

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and yard waste. In some jurisdictions, materials such as yard waste and cardboard have been banned for landfill disposal, and yard waste must be disposed of at a composting or yard waste facility and cardboard at a recycling center. Where applicable, we have adjusted our collection and disposal operations to be in compliance.

Landfill Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Costs

We have financial obligations relating to capping, closure and post-closure costs for the landfill sites we own and operate. Our obligations for these costs will increase if we decide to develop or acquire additional landfill sites in the future.

Landfill capping, closure and post-closure costs include estimated costs to be incurred for final closure of landfills and estimated costs for providing required post-closure monitoring and maintenance of landfills. We estimate these future cost requirements based on our interpretation of the technical standards of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Subtitle D Regulations. Our estimate of these costs considers when the costs would actually be paid and factor in inflation and discount rates. We provide accruals for these future costs (generally for a term of 30 years after final closure of any landfill), and will provide additional accruals for these and other landfills we might acquire or develop in the future, based on engineering estimates of consumption of airspace over the useful lives of such facilities. While the precise amounts of these future obligations cannot be determined, we paid $1.5 million in 2006 and at December 31, 2006, we estimate total landfill closure and post-closure costs of approximately $7.1 million for the airspace consumed to date. There can be no assurance that our ultimate financial obligations for actual closure or post-closure costs will not exceed the amount accrued and reserved or amounts otherwise receivable pursuant to insurance policies or trust funds. Such a circumstance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Marketing and Sales

We market our services locally through our regional and branch managers and approximately 50 direct sales representatives who focus on commercial, industrial and residential customers. In addition to traditional methods of obtaining customers through cold calls, referrals, yellow page and other local market print advertising and overall market reputation, we focus on new account sales through an integrated prospect data base system which targets new account development. Some branch locations have dedicated sales representatives that market residential services. We engage in direct mail campaigns and door-to-door marketing and work with real estate agents and developers to sell services to new developments. Additionally, we attend and make presentations at municipal and state conferences and advertise in governmental associations’ membership publications.

Our sales representatives visit customers on a regular basis and make sales calls to potential new customers. These sales representatives receive a significant portion of their compensation based upon certain incentive formulas. We emphasize providing quality services, customer satisfaction and retention, and believe that this focus on quality service will help retain existing customers as well as attract additional customers. Maintenance of a local presence and identity is an important aspect of our marketing plan. In order to accomplish these objectives, many of our managers are involved in local governmental, civic and business organizations.

Competition

The solid waste management industry is highly competitive, very fragmented and requires substantial labor and capital resources. Intense competition exists within the industry not only for collection, transportation and disposal volume, but also for acquisition candidates. The industry includes three large national waste companies: Waste Management, Inc.; Allied Waste Industries, Inc.; and Republic Services, Inc. There are several other public companies in the industry with annual revenue in excess of $100 million, including Casella Waste Systems, Inc. and Waste Connections, Inc. We compete with a number of these and other regional and local companies, including publicly or privately owned providers of incineration services.

We also compete with certain municipalities that operate their own solid waste collection and disposal facilities. These municipalities may have certain advantages over us due to the availability of tax revenues and tax-exempt financing.

We compete for collection and recycling accounts primarily on the basis of price and quality of our services. From time to time, competitors may reduce the price of their services in an effort to expand market share or to win a competitively bid municipal contract. These practices may also lead to reduced pricing for our services or the loss of business.

 

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Competitive Bid Contracts

We provide a substantial portion of our residential collection services under municipal contracts and, at December 31, 2006, approximately 29% of our revenues came from municipal contracts. As is generally the case in the industry, municipal contracts are subject to periodic competitive bidding. The balance of our residential services is provided on a subscription basis. At December 31, 2006, we had not lost, nor do we reasonably expect to lose, a contract that would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations because the contract either was or is not material. Our inability to compete with larger and better capitalized companies, or to replace a significant number of municipal contracts lost through the competitive bidding process with comparable contracts or other revenue sources within a reasonable time period, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Employees

At December 31, 2006, we employed approximately 1,600 full-time employees. None of our employees are represented by unions and we believe that our employee relations are good. We are highly dependent upon the services of the members of our management team, the loss of any of whom might have an adverse effect on our operations.

Risk Management, Insurance and Performance Bonds

We actively maintain environmental and other risk management programs appropriate for our business. Our environmental risk management program includes evaluating both existing facilities, as well as potential acquisitions, for environmental law compliance and operating procedures. We also maintain a worker safety program that encourages safe practices in the workplace. Operating practices at all of our existing operations stress minimizing the possibility of environmental contamination and litigation.

We carry a range of insurance intended to protect our assets and operations, including a commercial general liability policy and a property damage policy. If a partially or completely uninsured claim were made against us (including liabilities associated with cleanup or remediation at our own facilities) and it was successful and of sufficient magnitude, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition. Any future difficulty in obtaining insurance could also impair our ability to secure future contracts, which might be conditioned upon the availability of adequate insurance coverage.

Municipal solid waste collection contracts may require performance bonds or other means of financial assurance to secure contractual performance. We have not experienced difficulty in obtaining performance bonds or letters of credit for our current operations. At December 31, 2006, we had provided customers and various regulatory authorities with bonds and letters of credit of approximately $52.2 million to secure our obligations. If we were unable to obtain surety bonds or letters of credit in sufficient amounts or at acceptable rates, we may be precluded from entering into additional municipal solid waste collection contracts or obtaining or retaining landfill operating permits.

Regulation

Introduction

We are subject to extensive and evolving federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that have been enacted in response to technological advances and increased concern over environmental issues. These regulations not only strictly regulate the conduct of our operations but also are related directly to the demand for many of the services we offer.

The regulations affecting us are administered by the EPA and various other federal, state and local environmental, zoning, health and safety agencies. We believe that we are currently in compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, permits, orders and regulations, and we do not currently anticipate any material environmental costs although there can be no assurance in this regard. We anticipate there will continue to be increased regulation, legislation and regulatory enforcement actions related to the solid waste services industry. As a result, we attempt to anticipate future regulatory requirements and to plan accordingly to remain in compliance with the regulatory framework.

In order to transport waste, we must have one or more permits from state or local agencies. These permits also must be periodically renewed and are subject to modification and revocation by the issuing agency. None of our permits has ever been revoked. Similarly, we often are required to have a local government franchise, which franchise may expire and be subject to modification or revocation.

In order to develop, own or operate a landfill, a transfer station or other solid waste facilities, we are required to go through several governmental review processes and obtain one or more permits and often zoning or other land use and local government

 

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approvals. Obtaining these permits and zoning, land use and local government approvals is difficult, time consuming and expensive. In addition, this process is often opposed by various local elected officials and citizens’ groups. Once obtained, operating permits generally must be periodically renewed and are subject to modification and revocation by the issuing agency.

Our facilities are subject to a variety of operational, monitoring, site maintenance, closure, post-closure and financial assurance obligations that change from time to time and which could give rise to increased capital expenditures and operating costs. In connection with any such landfills, it is often necessary to expend considerable time, effort and money in complying with the governmental review and permitting process necessary to maintain or increase the capacity of these landfills. Governmental authorities have broad power to enforce compliance with these laws and regulations and to obtain injunctions or impose civil or criminal penalties in the case of violations.

The principal federal, state and local statutes and regulations applicable to our various operations are as follows:

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, also known as RCRA, regulates the generation, treatment, storage, handling, transportation and disposal of solid waste and requires states to develop programs to ensure the safe disposal of solid waste. RCRA divides solid waste into two groups, hazardous and non-hazardous. Wastes are generally classified as hazardous if they either are specifically included on a list of hazardous wastes or exhibit certain hazardous characteristics and are not specifically designated as non-hazardous. Wastes classified as hazardous under RCRA are subject to much stricter regulation than wastes classified as non-hazardous. Among the wastes that are specifically designated as non-hazardous waste are household waste and “special” waste, including items such as petroleum contaminated soils, asbestos, foundry sand, shredder fluff and most non-hazardous industrial waste products.

Although we currently are not involved with transportation or disposal of hazardous substances, we transported hazardous substances in the past and might become involved with hazardous substance transportation and disposal in the future. The EPA regulations issued under Subtitle C of RCRA impose a comprehensive “cradle to grave” system for tracking the generation, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes. The Subtitle C Regulations provide standards for generators, transporters and disposers of hazardous wastes, and for the issuance of permits for sites where such material is treated, stored or disposed. Subtitle C imposes detailed operating, inspection, training and emergency preparedness and response standards, as well as requirements for manifesting, record keeping and reporting, facility closure, post-closure and financial responsibilities.

In October 1991, the EPA adopted the Subtitle D Regulations governing solid waste landfills. Because we own and operate landfills, we must comply with these regulations.

The Subtitle D Regulations, which generally became effective in October 1993, include location restrictions, facility design standards, operating criteria, closure and post-closure requirements, financial assurance requirements, groundwater monitoring requirements, groundwater remediation standards and corrective action requirements. In addition, the Subtitle D Regulations require that new landfill sites meet more stringent liner design criteria (typically, composite soil and synthetic liners or two or more synthetic liners) designed to keep leachate out of groundwater and have extensive collection systems to carry away leachate for treatment prior to disposal. Groundwater monitoring wells must also be installed at virtually all landfills to monitor groundwater quality and, indirectly, the leachate collection system operation. The Subtitle D Regulations also require, where threshold test levels are present, that methane gas generated at landfills be controlled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. We are not aware of any problem with methane gas at any of our facilities. Each state is required to revise its landfill regulations to meet these requirements or such requirements will be automatically imposed upon it by the EPA. Each state is also required to adopt and implement a permit program or other appropriate system to ensure that landfills within the state comply with the Subtitle D Regulations criteria. Various states in which we operate now or might in the future have adopted regulations or programs as stringent as, or more stringent than, the Subtitle D Regulations. Failure to comply with these regulations could require us to undertake investigatory or remedial activities, to curtail operations or to close a landfill temporarily or permanently. Future changes in these regulations might require us to modify, supplement or replace equipment or facilities at costs that might be substantial. The failure of regulatory agencies to enforce these regulations vigorously or consistently might give an advantage to our competitors whose facilities do not comply with the Subtitle D Regulations or its state counterparts. Our ultimate financial obligations related to any failure to comply with these regulations could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, known as the Clean Water Act, establishes rules regulating the discharge of pollutants from a variety of sources, including solid waste disposal sites and transfer stations, into waters of the U.S. Because we own

 

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and operate landfills and transfer stations, we must comply with this Act. For example, if run-off or collected leachate from our transfer stations or from our owned or operated landfills is discharged into streams, rivers or other surface waters, the Clean Water Act would require us to apply for and obtain a discharge permit, conduct sampling and monitoring and possibly reduce the quantity of pollutants in such discharge. Also, virtually all landfills are required to comply with the EPA’s storm water regulations issued in November 1990. Such regulations are designed to prevent possibly contaminated landfill storm water runoff from flowing into surface waters. We believe that our facilities are in compliance in all material respects with Clean Water Act requirements, including these state requirements. Various states in which we operate now or might in the future have delegated authority to implement the Clean Water Act permitting requirements, and some of these states have adopted regulations that are more stringent than the federal requirements. Further, under certain circumstances, the Act authorizes the institution of lawsuits by private citizens to enforce provisions of the Act.

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, also known as CERCLA, established a regulatory and remedial program intended to provide for the investigation and cleanup of facilities from which there has been, or is threatened, a release of any hazardous substance into the environment. CERCLA’s primary mechanism for remedying such problems is to impose strict joint and several liability for cleanup of facilities on current owners and operators of the site and former owners and operators of the site at the time of the disposal of the hazardous substances, as well as the generators of the hazardous substances and the transporters who arranged for disposal or transportation of the hazardous substances. The costs of CERCLA investigation and cleanup can be very substantial. Liability under CERCLA does not depend upon the existence or disposal of “hazardous waste” as defined by RCRA, but can also be founded upon the existence of even very small amounts of the more than 700 “hazardous substances” listed by the EPA, many of which can be found in household waste.

We currently do not handle hazardous waste as defined by RCRA, but because we own and operate landfills and transfer stations, we might be subject to CERCLA. If we were to be found to be a responsible party for a CERCLA cleanup, the enforcing agency could hold us, or any other generator, transporter or the owner or operator of the facility, completely responsible for all investigative and remedial costs even if others might also be liable. CERCLA also authorizes the imposition of a lien in favor of the U.S. upon all real property subject to, or affected by, a remedial action for all costs for which a party is liable. CERCLA provides a responsible party with the right to bring legal action against other responsible parties for their allocable share of investigative and remedial costs. Our ability to get others to reimburse us for their allocable share of such costs would be limited by our ability to find other responsible parties and prove the extent of their responsibility and by the financial resources of such other parties.

The Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act provides for regulation, through state implementation of federal requirements, of the emission of air pollutants from certain landfills based upon the date of the landfill construction and volume per year of emissions of regulated pollutants. Because we own and operate landfills, we must comply with this Act. We believe we are in compliance with this Act. The EPA has adopted new source performance standards regulating air emissions of certain regulated pollutants (methane and non-methane organic compounds) from municipal solid waste landfills. Landfills located in areas with air pollution problems might be subject to even more extensive air pollution controls and emission limitations. In addition, the EPA has issued standards regulating the disposal of asbestos-containing materials. Some of the federal statutes described above contain provisions authorizing the institution of lawsuits by private citizens to enforce the provisions of the statutes.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, also known as OSHA, establishes employer responsibilities and authorizes the promulgation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of occupational health and safety standards, including the obligation to maintain a workplace free of recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious injury, to comply with worker protection standards established by OSHA, to maintain records, to provide workers with required disclosures and to implement health and safety training programs. Various of those promulgated standards might apply to our operations, including those standards concerning notices of hazards, safety in excavation and demolition work, the handling of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, and worker training and emergency response programs. Our employees are trained to respond appropriately in the event there is an accidental spill or release of packaged asbestos-containing materials or other regulated substances during transportation or landfill disposal.

 

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State and Local Regulations

Each state in which we now operate or might operate in the future has laws and regulations, as well as common law doctrines, governing the generation, storage, treatment, handling, transportation and disposal of solid waste, water and air pollution and, in most cases, the siting, design, operation, maintenance, closure and post-closure maintenance of landfills and transfer stations. Because of our business, we must comply with these laws and regulations. In addition, many states have adopted Superfund statutes comparable to, and in some cases more stringent than, CERCLA. These statutes impose requirements for investigation and cleanup of contaminated sites and liability for costs and damages associated with such sites, and some provide for the imposition of liens on property owned by responsible parties. Furthermore, many municipalities also have ordinances, local laws and regulations affecting our operations. These include zoning and health measures that limit solid waste management activities to specified sites or activities, flow control provisions that direct the delivery of solid wastes to specific facilities, laws that grant the right to establish franchises for collection services and then put out for bid the right to provide collection services, and bans or other restrictions on the movement of solid wastes into a municipality.

Permits and approvals may limit the types of waste that may be accepted at a landfill or the quantity of waste that may be accepted at a landfill during a given time period. In addition, permits and approvals, as well as some state and local regulations, might limit a landfill to accepting waste that originates from specified geographic areas or seek to restrict the importation of out-of-state waste or otherwise discriminate against out-of-state waste. Generally, restrictions on the importation of out-of-state waste have not withstood judicial challenge. However, from time to time federal legislation is proposed which would allow individual states to prohibit the disposal of out-of-state waste or to limit the amount of out-of-state waste that could be imported for disposal and would require states to reduce the amounts of waste exported to other states. Although Congress has not yet passed such legislation, if this or similar legislation were enacted, states in which we operate landfills could act to limit or prohibit the importation of out-of-state waste. Such state actions could materially adversely affect landfills within those states that receive a significant portion of waste originating from out-of-state.

In addition, some states and localities may for economic or other reasons restrict the exportation of waste from their jurisdiction or require that a specified amount of waste be disposed of at facilities within their jurisdiction. In 1994, the U.S. Supreme Court held unconstitutional, and therefore invalid, a local ordinance that sought to impose flow controls on taking waste out of the locality. However, some state and local jurisdictions continue to seek to adopt and enforce such restrictions and, in certain cases, we might elect not to challenge such restrictions based upon various considerations. In addition, the aforementioned proposed federal legislation would allow states and localities to impose certain flow control restrictions.

These restrictions could result in the volume of waste going to landfills being reduced in some areas, which might materially adversely affect our ability to operate our landfills at their full capacity and/or affect the prices that can be charged for landfill disposal services. These restrictions might also result in higher disposal costs for our collection operations. If we were unable to pass such higher costs through to our customers, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

There has been an increasing trend at the state and local level to mandate and encourage waste reduction at the source and waste recycling, and to prohibit or restrict the disposal of some types of solid wastes, such as yard wastes, leaves and tires, in landfills. The enactment of regulations reducing the volume and types of wastes available for transport to and disposal in landfills could affect our ability to operate our facilities at their full capacity.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

RISK FACTORS

As previously mentioned in our Note Relating to Forward- Looking Statements, there are numerous risks and uncertainties associated with our business and the ownership of our stock. We have included below a brief discussion of these risks that are known to us as of the date of this report.

State legislation or rulemaking could disrupt, delay and change the permitting process for landfills.

The permitting process for landfills is established and governed by the state in which the landfill is to be located. This process is subject to change at both the agency and the legislative levels in each state. In July 2006, the North Carolina legislature enacted a one-year moratorium on permits for new landfills. The moratorium will run from August 1, 2006 to August 1, 2007. The legislation requires the Environmental Review Commission, with the assistance of the Division of Waste Management of the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, to study measures concerning, among other things, financial responsibility requirements, franchise and local government requirements, and siting, design and operational requirements for solid waste landfills in the state. The legislation also establishes a committee to study, among other things, the impact of landfills on minority and low-income

 

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communities. The moratorium could lead to delays and greater expense in the development of landfills in North Carolina, including landfills for which we are currently seeking approval. The results of the moratorium on the current permitting process in general cannot be predicted. New statutes or rules could be adopted that are more onerous than those currently in effect. Other states in which we operate could adopt similar moratoriums or change their current landfill permitting processes. Any moratorium or statutory or rule change that increases the time and cost to develop landfills could negatively affect our operations.

The North Carolina legislation also requires the Environmental Review Commission to study ways to reduce the amount of solid waste disposed of in North Carolina landfills. Any resulting recommendation by the Commission, if enacted in a statute or rule, could make the landfill permitting process in North Carolina, as well as the construction and operation of landfills, more difficult, lengthy and expensive, or reduce the number or size of landfills that can be built and operated in the state. This could have a negative impact on current projects and our business strategy as well as on our operations due to possible reductions in operating margin and charges to earnings of capitalized expenditures for the development of landfills. Other states could adopt similar measures.

If we are unable to maintain and obtain required permits for our existing and any future landfills, our business could be harmed and our results of operations negatively affected.

We currently own and/or operate a number of landfills. Our ability to meet financial and operating objectives may depend, in part, on our ability to renew landfill operating permits, acquire, lease and expand landfills and develop new landfill sites. It has become increasingly difficult and expensive to obtain required permits and approvals to build, operate and expand solid waste management facilities, including landfills and transfer stations. Operating permits for landfills in states where we operate must generally be renewed every five to ten years. These operating permits often must be renewed several times during the permitted life of a landfill. The permit and approval process is often time consuming, requires numerous hearings and compliance with zoning, environmental and other requirements, is frequently challenged by citizens, public interest and other groups, and may result in burdensome terms and conditions being imposed on our operations. We may not be able to obtain new landfill sites or expand the permitted capacity of our landfills when necessary. Obtaining new landfill sites is important to our expansion into new, non-exclusive markets. If we do not believe that we can obtain a landfill site in a non-exclusive market, we may choose not to enter that market. Expanding existing landfill sites is important in those markets where the remaining lives of our landfills are relatively short. We may choose to forego acquisitions and internal growth in these markets because increased volumes would further shorten the lives of these landfills. Any of these circumstances could adversely affect our results.

Increases in the cost of fuel for any extended period of time would increase our operating expenses, which could negatively affect our earnings.

The price and supply of fuel are unpredictable, and can fluctuate significantly based on international political and economic circumstances, as well as other events outside our control, such as actions by OPEC and other oil and gas producers, regional production patterns and environmental concerns. We need fuel to run our collection and transfer trucks and equipment used in our landfill operations, and price escalations or reductions in the supply will likely increase our operating expenses and have a negative impact on income from operations and cash flows. We have in place a fuel surcharge program, designed to offset increased fuel expenses; however, we are not able to pass through all of the increased costs and some customers’ contracts prohibit any pass through of the increased costs. Additionally, as fuel prices increase, many of our vendors raise their prices as a means to offset their own rising costs.

The waste industry is highly competitive and if we fail to compete successfully our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

We encounter intense competition from governmental, quasi-governmental and private sources in all aspects of our operations. The waste industry currently consists of large national waste management companies, and local and regional companies of varying sizes and financial resources. We compete with these companies as well as with counties and municipalities that maintain their own waste collection and disposal operations. These counties and municipalities may have financial competitive advantages because tax revenues and tax-exempt financing are available to them. Also, such governmental units may attempt to impose flow control or other restrictions that would give them a competitive advantage.

In addition, competitors may reduce their prices to expand sales volume or to win competitively bid contracts. When this happens, we may rollback prices or offer lower pricing to attract or retain our customers, resulting in a negative impact to our yield on base business.

 

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We may not be able to continue our strategy of growth through acquisitions, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our growth strategy includes expanding through acquisitions, acquiring additional exclusive arrangements and generating internal growth. Most of our growth has been through acquisitions. Although we have identified numerous acquisition candidates that we believe are suitable, we may not be able to acquire them at prices or on terms and conditions favorable to us. Our ability to grow also depends on several other factors, including:

 

   

the availability of capital to support our growth;

 

   

our ability to compete with existing and emerging companies;

 

   

our ability to maintain profit margins in the face of competitive pressures;

 

   

our ability to continue to recruit, train and retain qualified employees; and

 

   

continued strong demand for our services.

Difficulties in any of these areas could hinder our growth and negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Economic conditions may have an adverse impact on our operating performance and results of operations.

Weaknesses in the overall U.S. economy or Southeast, where we conduct business, could have a negative effect on our operating results, including decreases in revenues and operating cash flows. Additionally, in a down-cycle economic environment, we may experience the negative effects of increased competitive pricing pressure and customer turnover. If economic conditions deteriorate, we will experience pressure on the pricing that we are able to achieve for our services. In addition, worsening economic conditions may lead to further negative effects of customer turnover. There can be no assurance that current economic conditions or worsening economic conditions or a prolonged or recurring recession will not have a significant adverse impact on our operating results. Additionally, there can be no assurance that an improvement in economic conditions will result in an immediate, if at all, positive improvement in our operating results.

We are subject to costly environmental regulations and environmental litigation that could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our equipment, facilities, and operations are subject to extensive and changing federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and occupational health and safety. These include, among other things, laws and regulations governing the use, treatment, storage, and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and materials, air quality, water quality and the remediation of contamination associated with the release of hazardous substances.

Our compliance with these regulatory requirements is costly. Government laws and regulations often require us to enhance or replace our equipment and to modify landfill operations or initiate final closure of a landfill. We cannot assure you that we will be able to implement price increases sufficient to offset the cost of complying with these laws and regulations. In addition, environmental regulatory changes could accelerate or increase expenditures for closure and post-closure monitoring at solid waste facilities and obligate us to spend sums in addition to those presently accrued for such purposes.

In addition to the costs of complying with environmental regulations, we incur costs to defend against litigation brought by government agencies and private parties who allege we are in violation of our permits and applicable environmental laws and regulations. As a result, we may be required to pay fines, implement corrective measures or may have our permits and licenses modified or revoked. We are, and also may be in the future, defendants in lawsuits brought by governmental agencies and surrounding landowners who assert claims alleging environmental damage, personal injury, property damage and/or violations of permits and licenses by us. A significant judgment against us, the loss of a significant permit or license or the imposition of a significant fine could have a material negative effect on our financial condition.

Certain of our waste disposal operations traverse state and county boundaries. In the future, our collection, transfer and landfill operations may also be affected by proposed federal legislation that authorizes the states to enact legislation governing interstate shipments of waste. Such proposed federal legislation may allow individual states to prohibit the disposal of out-of-state waste or to limit the amount of out-of-state waste that could be imported for disposal and may require states, under some circumstances, to reduce the amount of waste exported to other states. If this or similar legislation is enacted in states in which we operate landfills that receive a significant portion of waste originating from out-of-state, our operations could be negatively affected. We believe that several states have proposed or have considered adopting legislation that would regulate the interstate transportation and disposal of waste in the states’ landfills. Our collection, transfer and landfill operations may also be affected by “flow control” legislation which may be proposed in the United States Congress. This proposed federal legislation may allow states and local governments to direct waste generated within their jurisdictions to a specific facility for disposal or processing. If this or similar legislation is enacted, state or local governments with jurisdiction over our landfills could act to limit or prohibit disposal or processing of waste in our landfills.

 

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Adverse weather could hamper our operations, which could increase our operating costs and negatively impact our results of operations.

Our collection and landfill operations could be adversely affected by long periods of inclement weather, which interfere with collection and landfill operations, delay the development of landfill capacity and/or reduce the volume of waste generated by our customers. In addition, certain of our operations may be temporarily suspended as a result of particularly harsh weather conditions. Severe weather can negatively affect the costs of collection and disposal. Long periods of inclement weather could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our business is seasonal, which causes our quarterly results to fluctuate.

Our results of operations tend to vary seasonally, with the first quarter typically generating the least amount of revenues, higher revenues in the second and third quarters, and a decline in the fourth quarter. This seasonality reflects the lower volume of waste during the fall and winter months primarily due to lower construction activities. Also, certain operating and selling, general, and administrative costs remain relatively constant throughout the calendar year, which, when offset by these revenues, results in a similar seasonality of operating income.

Our significant leverage exposes us to increased expense and operational restrictions which could make it difficult to operate our business.

We have a significant amount of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2006, we had consolidated debt, including capital lease obligations, of approximately $157.6 million. As of December 31, 2006, our availability under our senior credit facility was approximately $41.1 million.

We are vulnerable to increases in interest rates because the debt under our senior credit facility is at a variable interest rate. Although in the past we have on occasion entered into certain hedging instruments in an effort to manage our interest rate risk, there is no assurance that we will continue to do so, on favorable terms or at all, in the future.

Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:

 

   

make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our debt and our leases;

 

   

increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

   

require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt and lease obligations, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;

 

   

limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

 

   

place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less indebtedness or better access to capital by, for example, limiting our ability to enter into new markets or acquire new or renovate our existing facilities and equipment; and

 

   

limit our ability to borrow additional funds in the future.

If we are unable to meet our debt and lease obligations, we could be forced to restructure or refinance our obligations, seek additional equity financing or sell assets, which we may not be able to do on satisfactory terms or at all. As a result, we could default on those obligations. In addition, our credit facilities contain financial and other restrictive covenants that limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interests. Any new facility likely will contain similar covenants and restrictions. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all of our indebtedness, which could adversely affect our financial health and could prevent us from fulfilling our obligations.

 

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We are required to make accounting and tax-related estimates and judgments in preparing our financial statements.

In preparing our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, we make several estimates and assumptions that affect the accounting for and recognition of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates and assumptions must be made because certain information that is used in the preparation of our financial statements is dependent on future events, cannot be calculated with a high degree of precision from data available or is not capable of being readily calculated based on generally accepted methodologies. In some cases, these estimates are particularly difficult to determine and we must exercise significant judgment. The estimates and the assumptions having the greatest amount of uncertainty, subjectivity and complexity are related to our accounting for landfills, self-insurance, intangibles, allocation of acquisition purchase price, deferred income taxes, asset impairments, litigation, claims and assessments. Actual results for all estimates could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that we use, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our stock is thinly traded, which can cause volatility in its price.

There currently is a public market for our common stock, but there is no assurance that there will always be such a market. Due in part to the high level of insider ownership of our company, our stock is thinly traded, which can affect market volatility. This market volatility could significantly affect the market price of our common stock without regard to our operating performance. Securities markets worldwide experience significant price and volume fluctuations. In addition, the price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to the following factors, among others:

 

   

a deviation in our results from the expectations of public market analysts and investors;

 

   

statements by research analysts about our common stock, our company or our industry;

 

   

changes in market valuations of companies in our industry and market evaluations of our industry generally;

 

   

actions taken by our competitors;

 

   

sales or other issuances of common stock by us, our senior officers or other affiliates; or

 

   

other general economic, political or market conditions, many of which are beyond our control.

The market price of our common stock will also be impacted by our quarterly operating results which may be expected to fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Factors that may impact our quarterly results include, among others, failure to obtain required permits, costs of regulatory compliance, fuel prices, general regional and national economic conditions, competition, unexpected costs and changes in pricing, consumer trends, costs of compliance with corporate governance and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, and other factors discussed in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 16 and throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our principal executive offices are located at 3301 Benson Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina, where we currently lease approximately 33,730 square feet of office space. Our principal property and equipment consists of land (primarily transfer stations, bases for collection operations and landfill sites), buildings, and vehicles and equipment. Our land and buildings are located in North

 

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Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi. We also lease real property in the states in which we do business. At December 31, 2006, we operated 35 collection operations, 28 transfer stations, 12 recycling facilities and nine landfills. All our property and equipment are used in our one industry segment, which includes collection, transfer, recycling, processing and disposal of municipal solid and industrial waste.

Landfills

As of December 31, 2006, we owned or operated under life-of-site operating agreements nine landfills with total available disposal capacity of approximately 116.5 million cubic yards. Total available disposal capacity includes estimated permitted airspace plus an estimate of the expansion airspace that we believe has a probable likelihood of being permitted.

Containers

Some type of container is used in almost every service we provide, and we therefore have an extensive inventory on-hand or on-site at customers’ locations throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia. We own all of our containers and centrally manage our inventory located at the branch facility level. We also own a significant number of on-site compaction containers, which provide efficiency for high-volume solid waste generators. Container life is dependent on the location of the container, the type of waste that is deposited into the container and how the container is maintained. Proper maintenance of commercial and industrial front loader and roll-off containers consists of regular repainting, scheduled repairs and switch-outs, quality cleaning, sanding and priming and monitoring of the container by our employees to check for needed repairs. Residential collection containers require minor maintenance.

Collection Vehicles

We use a fleet of specialized collection vehicles to collect and transport waste and to provide recycling and convenience site services. We have implemented an aggressive maintenance program to maximize the life of our equipment. Preventative and long-term maintenance is performed on regularly scheduled cycles that are more frequent than most manufacturers’ suggested schedules. Preventative maintenance is performed on collection vehicles after every 150 to 250 hours of operation depending on their class, and long-term maintenance (reconstruction of engines, transmissions, etc.) is performed every four to six years. Additionally, cosmetic repairs (painting, interior upholstery repairs) are performed as needed. The majority of the maintenance program is performed by our personnel located in branch facilities.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Except as disclosed below, we are not a party to any material pending legal proceedings. In the normal course of our business and as a result of the extensive governmental regulation of the waste industry, we might periodically become subject to various judicial and administrative proceedings involving federal, state or local agencies. In these proceedings, an agency might seek to impose fines on us or to revoke, or to deny renewal of, an operating permit held by us. In addition, we might become party to various claims and suits pending for alleged damages to persons and property, alleged violation of certain laws and for alleged liabilities arising out of matters occurring during the normal operation of the waste management business.

The City of Chesapeake, et al v. Camden County, et al, Superior Court of Camden County, Docket No. 05 CVS 95

Black Bear Disposal, LLC (“Black Bear”), one of our wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Franchise Agreement with Camden County, North Carolina, effective November 4, 2002. The Franchise Agreement gives Black Bear the exclusive right to build and operate a municipal solid waste landfill in the County, on a tract of approximately 1,000 acres. On November 3, 2005, the City of Chesapeake, Virginia, 13 individuals and a limited partnership alleging to own property in the vicinity of the proposed landfill, and the Camden Citizens Action League, Inc. filed suit in Camden County Superior Court against Camden County, the Board of Commissioners of Camden County, the five Camden County Commissioners and the County Manager in both their official and individual capacities, and Black Bear. In their complaint, the plaintiffs seek a number of judicial determinations, including a declaration that the Franchise Agreement and underlying Franchise Ordinance are void, that certain prerequisites to the approval of the Franchise Ordinance and execution of the Franchise Agreement were not met, and that certain prerequisites to Black Bear’s permit application to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (“DENR”) were not met. The defendants, including Black Bear, filed a Motion to Dismiss, Answer, Affirmative Defenses and Counterclaims on January 19, 2006, moving to dismiss the plaintiffs’ complaint on the basis of the applicable statutes of limitation, the failure to join a necessary party, lack of subject matter and personal jurisdiction, sovereign and governmental immunity, lack of standing,and the failure to exhaust administrative remedies, denying many of the factual

 

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allegations of the plaintiffs’ complaint, and raising as affirmative defenses the applicable statutes of limitation, the terms of a November 22, 2004 Nondisclosure Agreement between the Company and the Southeastern Public Service Authority of Virginia (“SPSA”), in which SPSA, for itself and its members (Chesapeake is a member of SPSA), had agreed not to interfere with or oppose our plans for a landfill in Camden County, and the doctrines of estoppel, waiver, release, sovereign, governmental and legislative immunities, laches, and the failure to exhaust administrative remedies. The defendants’ counterclaims included claims that the plaintiffs had tortiously interfered with Black Bear’s Franchise Agreement, that Chesapeake had breached the Nondisclosure Agreement, and that Chesapeake had misused Black Bear’s confidential information in violation of the Nondisclosure Agreement and the North Carolina Trade Secrets Protection Act. In the counterclaims, the defendants, including Black Bear, sought the damages suffered as a result of plaintiffs’ tortious interference, and Chesapeake’s breach of the Nondisclosure Agreement and misuse of confidential information, including damages in excess of $3,000,000 per year for any delay in the opening of the proposed landfill. The plaintiffs filed Motions to Dismiss, Strike, Separate Claims, Answer, Affirmative Defenses and Motion to Amend Complaint in response to defendants’ counterclaims, arguing that the counterclaims should be dismissed or stricken, or, in the alternative, separated for trial, and that plaintiffs should be given leave to amend their complaint to add Waste Industries USA, Inc. as a party, given Waste’s agreement to be considered a co-permittee on the landfill, with Black Bear.

Black Bear’s and the County defendants’ Motion to Dismiss the plaintiffs’ claims came on for hearing on April 24, 2006, as did Chesapeake’s and the other plaintiffs’ Motions to Dismiss the defendants’ counterclaims. The Court denied Black Bear’s, the County defendants’ and Chesapeake’s Motions to Dismiss, while granting the remaining plaintiffs’ Motion to Dismiss Black Bear’s and the County defendants’ counterclaims. As a result, the plaintiffs’ challenges to the Franchise Ordinance and Franchise Agreement remain pending, as do Black Bear’s and the County defendants’ counterclaims against Chesapeake. Plaintiff’s Motions to Strike, Separate and Amend were not reached by the Court and remain pending.

The matter is now in discovery on the plaintiffs’ claims and the defendants’ counterclaims, including written discovery and the depositions of the various party and third-party witnesses. The defendants anticipate renewing the defenses underlying their Motion to Dismiss in a Motion for Summary Judgment at the close of discovery.

If the plaintiffs succeed in this matter, Black Bear would have to re-negotiate the Franchise Agreement or re-apply for a franchise with the County and/or re-submit and/or amend its request for a site suitability determination to DENR in order to develop the landfill. This outcome would not have a material adverse impact on our cash flows. However, if the landfill is not developed, we may not recover all of its $12.0 million of capitalized costs, resulting in an impairment charge that could have a material adverse impact on our earnings. We intend to vigorously defend this matter and pursue these and any other potential counterclaims against the plaintiffs.

Pursuant to the Franchise Agreement, Black Bear has agreed to indemnify the County, its officers, employees and agents, which would include the County Commissioners, against all claims arising out of the Franchise Agreement. As a result, Black Bear is liable for the expenses of, and any damages or other awards ultimately determined against, those defendants.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2006.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

As of December 31, 2006, our executive officers were as follows:

 

Name

   Age   

Position(s)

Jim W. Perry    62    President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Harry M. Habets    57    Chief Operating Officer
D. Stephen Grissom    54    Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
Harrell J. Auten    58    Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Lonnie C. Poole, III    45    Vice President, Corporate Development
Michael J. Durham    53    Vice President, Administration and Support Services

JIM W. PERRY joined our company in 1971 and was named Chief Executive Officer in 2002 and has served as President since 1987 and as a director since 1974. Prior to that, Mr. Perry served as Chief Operating Officer from 1987 until 2002. Mr. Perry holds a B.S. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from North Carolina State University and an M.S. in Systems Management from the

 

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University of Southern California. Mr. Perry has received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Solid Waste Management Association, or NSWMA and currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Governors for the 2007 year term. In addition, Mr. Perry has served in the Carolinas Chapter of NSWMA as Chairman and on the Membership Committee. Mr. Perry was inducted into the Environmental Industry Associations, or EIA, Hall of Fame in 1997. Mr. Perry has more than 35 years experience in the solid waste industry.

HARRY M. HABETS joined our company in 2002 as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. From 1985 to 1999, Mr. Habets held various management positions with Waste Management, Inc., including Vice President of International Operations and Regional Vice President/Manager for collection, recycling and landfill disposal services in the Southeast. Mr. Habets holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology. Mr. Habets has 18 years of experience in the solid waste industry.

D. STEPHEN GRISSOM joined our company in 2001 as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance. Prior to that, Mr. Grissom was Chief Financial Officer for Austin Quality Foods from 1982 to 2000 and has more than 28 years of controllership and CFO experience. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.A. in Accounting from North Carolina State University.

HARRELL J. AUTEN was named Vice President, Sales and Marketing in 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Auten served as Vice President, South Division of our company since 1998 and served as our South Division Manager since 1993. Prior to that, Mr. Auten owned and operated his own company. Mr. Auten holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has more than 35 years experience in the solid waste industry.

LONNIE C. POOLE, III was named Vice President of Corporate Development in 2002. Prior to that, Mr. Poole served as our Vice President, Director of Support Services since 1995. From 1990 to 1995, he served as our Risk Management Director. Mr. Poole holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from North Carolina State University. Mr. Poole is the son of Lonnie C. Poole, Jr., Chairman of the Board. Mr. Poole has more than 16 years experience in the solid waste industry.

MICHAEL J. DURHAM was named Vice President of Administration and Support Services effective January 1, 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Durham held various management and controllership positions with Stantec Consulting Services Inc./DSATLANTIC Corporation and prior to that with Waste Management, Inc. Mr. Durham is a Certified Public Account and holds a B. S. in Accounting from Florida State University. Mr. Durham has more than 18 years experience in the solid waste industry.

OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our other key employees as of December 31, 2006:

 

Name

   Age  

Position(s)

E. Franklin Lorick    52   Vice President—Central Division
Thomas A. Winstead    51   Vice President—East Division
Michael T. Ingle    41   Vice President—South Division
Jerry W. Johnson    55   Vice President—Landfill Division

E. FRANKLIN LORICK was named Vice President of our company in 2002. Mr. Lorick joined us in 1989 and has held various positions including Operations Manager and Branch Manager. He attended Midlands Community College in Columbia, South Carolina and has over 18 years experience in the solid waste industry.

THOMAS A. WINSTEAD has served as a Vice President of our company since March 1998. He joined us in 1985 as a Branch Manager and has also served as East Regional Operations Manager from 1990 to 1997. He is a graduate of Atlantic Christian College with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education. Mr. Winstead has more than 22 years of experience in the solid waste industry.

MICHAEL T. INGLE was named Vice President of our company in 2005. After joining the Company in 1991, Mr. Ingle served as branch manager in various locations. Mr. Ingle is a graduate of Methodist College in Fayetteville, North Carolina and holds a B.A. in Business Administration. Mr. Ingle has over 16 years experience in the solid waste industry.

JERRY W. JOHNSON joined our company in 1991 and has served in various capacities that included developing our first Recycling Division and managing Field Support Services until his departure in 1995. Mr. Johnson then joined Atlantic Waste Disposal and served in various roles from transportation to General Management of Atlantic Waste of Virginia and New York until 1999. At that time, he rejoined our company as the North Carolina Landfill Division Manager. Mr. Johnson currently serves as Vice President of our Landfill Division and oversees all of our landfill operations. Mr. Johnson attended Wake Community College and has over 28 years in the solid waste industry.

 

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None of our executive officers, directors or other key employees is related to any other executive officer, director or other key employee, except that Lonnie C. Poole, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Lonnie C. Poole, III are father and son.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market information. Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “WWIN”. The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low bid prices for the years indicated as reported by Nasdaq. These prices are based on quotations between dealers, which do not reflect retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and might not reflect actual transactions.

 

          High    Low
2005         
   First quarter    $15.18    $11.96
   Second quarter    $15.00    $12.20
   Third quarter    $15.00    $11.59
   Fourth quarter    $14.94    $12.19
          High    Low
2006         
   First quarter    $21.67    $12.80
   Second quarter    $22.78    $17.44
   Third quarter    $28.67    $18.81
   Fourth quarter    $31.89    $26.41

As of December 31, 2006, the number of shareholders of record of our common stock was 120 and we believe that the number of beneficial owners was approximately 2,700.

Dividends. Our Board of Directors declared a dividend of approximately $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2006 that was paid in April 2006. We declared and paid dividends of approximately $1.3 million, $1.4 million and $1.4 million in the second, third and fourth quarters of 2006, respectively. Under our amended revolving bank facility, payment of cash dividends is limited to 50% of the trailing 12 months’ net income. Additionally, we must meet financial covenants contained in the facility, including covenants relating to minimum net worth and maximum levels of capital expenditures and indebtedness. If we are not in compliance with these covenants, or otherwise in default under the facility, we would not be able to pay cash dividends.

Equity Compensation Plan. The following table provides information as of December 31, 2006 for our one equity-based compensation plan, which is our 1997 Stock Plan.

 

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Plan Category

   Number of
securities to be issued
upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
  

Number of
securities remaining
available for

future issuance
under equity
compensation plans

Equity compensation plans approved by our shareholders:

        

1997 Stock Plan

   418,909    $ 14.24    308,714

Equity compensation plans not approved by our shareholders:

        

None

   —        —      —  
                

Total

   418,909    $ 14.24    308,714
                

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. The consolidated statement of operations data set forth below with respect to the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 are derived from, and are referenced to, our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The consolidated statement of operations data set forth below with respect to the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 are derived from financial statements not included in this report. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results. All periods presented include the impact of operations discontinued in 2005 and 2006.

 

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YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,

 
     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006  
   (In thousands, except per share data)  

Statement of Operations Data:

          

Service revenues

   $ 239,558     $ 259,631     $ 280,709     $ 304,466     $ 326,447  

Equipment sales

     1,263       1,240       861       641       1,098  
                                        

Total revenues

     240,821       260,871       281,570       305,107       327,545  

Cost of service operations (1)

     154,420       169,454       190,911       205,133       212,394  

Cost (benefit) of equipment and other asset sales

     626       1,115       (804 )     (990 )     (523 )
                                        

Total cost of operations

     155,046       170,569       190,107       204,143       211,871  

Selling, general and administrative (2) (6)

     33,164       37,439       39,167       42,208       43,167  

Depreciation and amortization

     26,874       29,122       28,442       29,908       32,093  

Loss (gain) on sale of collection and hauling operations (3)

     121       (720 )     (3,482 )     —         —    
                                        

Operating income

     25,616       24,461       27,336       28,848       40,414  

Interest expense

     11,377       9,891       9,931       9,833       9,608  

Interest income

     (213 )     (141 )     (128 )     (96 )     (181 )

Other income

     (588 )     (96 )     (304 )     (231 )     (418 )
                                        

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

     15,040       14,807       17,837       19,342       31,405  

Income tax expense

     5,498       6,077       6,588       7,792       14,416  
                                        

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

     9,542       8,730       11,249       11,550       16,989  

Discontinued operations: (3)

          

Income from discontinued operations prior to sale (net of income taxes)

     1,420       160       548       454       10  

Gain on sale of operations (net of income taxes) (4)

     —         —         —         185       2,282  
                                        

Income from discontinued operations

     1,420       160       548       639       2,292  

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, net of income tax benefit of $614 (5)

     —         (1,067 )     —         —         —    
                                        

Net Income

   $ 10,962     $ 7,823     $ 11,797     $ 12,189     $ 19,281  
                                        

Earnings per share

          

Basic:

          

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

   $ 0.72     $ 0.65     $ 0.83     $ 0.85     $ 1.22  

Income from discontinued operations

     0.10       0.01       0.04       0.04       0.17  

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (5)

     —         (0.08 )     —         —         —    
                                        

Net Income

   $ 0.82     $ 0.58     $ 0.87     $ 0.89     $ 1.39  
                                        

Diluted:

          

Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

   $ 0.71     $ 0.64     $ 0.82     $ 0.84     $ 1.21  

Income from discontinued operations

     0.11       0.02       0.04       0.04       0.16  

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (5)

     —         (0.08 )     —         —         —    
                                        

Net Income

   $ 0.82     $ 0.58     $ 0.86     $ 0.88     $ 1.37  
                                        

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

          

Basic

     13,336       13,439       13,497       13,661       13,871  
                                        

Diluted

     13,351       13,558       13,665       13,821       14,043  
                                        

Cash dividend paid per common share

   $ —       $ 0.08     $ 0.16     $ 0.24     $ 0.38  

 

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(1) Includes asset impairments. The 2004 results include a $1.4 million charge (or $0.07 per diluted share, net of income tax) related to our determination that certain landfill permitting efforts had a less than probable chance of success. The 2006 results include a $0.2 million charge (or $.01 per diluted share, net of income tax) related to our determination that certain landfill permitting efforts had a less than probable chance of success.
(2) 2004 includes a charge of approximately $2.5 million to bad debt expense to write off or reserve for accounts receivable of a major customer.
(3) The 2004 results include a gain of approximately $3.5 million (or $0.16 per diluted share, net of income tax) related to the sale of certain collection and hauling operations. Business dispositions occurring after January 1, 2005 have been reflected as discontinued operations pursuant to our adoption of current accounting guidance. See Note 1 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(4) The 2006 results include a gain of approximately $2.2 million (or $0.16 per diluted share, net of income tax) related to the sale of a landfill operation in Jacksonville, Florida. See Note 1 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(5) As required, we adopted SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, on January 1, 2003. In connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 143, we recorded a charge of approximately $1.1 million (net of income taxes of $614,000), or $0.08 per share, for the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.
(6) As required, we adopted SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, on January 1, 2006. In connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, we recorded expense of approximately $0.5 million or $0.04 per share for 2006.

 

     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31  
     2002     2003     2004     2005     2006  
     (In thousands)  

Other Operating Data:

  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 40,893     $ 39,076     $ 46,484     $ 46,370     $ 45,066  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (22,298 )     (48,924 )     (34,210 )     (54,980 )     (29,688 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (18,748 )     12,241       (13,956 )     7,740       (15,297 )

Balance Sheet Data:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,734     $ 4,127     $ 2,445     $ 1,575     $ 1,656  

Working capital (deficit)

     1,470       (305 )     (6,855 )     (14,647 )     (109 )

Property and equipment, net

     190,417       191,309       198,551       216,390       218,039  

Total assets

     298,573       330,528       337,048       368,155       370,279  

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current maturities

     140,875       157,657       146,136       155,530       150,249  

Shareholders’ equity

   $ 96,970     $ 106,959     $ 117,711     $ 129,499     $ 145,871  

Cash dividend paid per share

   $ —       $ 0.08     $ 0.16     $ 0.24     $ 0.38  

 

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ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and notes thereto included in this report.

Overview

We are a regional, vertically integrated provider of solid waste services. We were founded by our Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1970. We operate primarily in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia, providing solid waste collection, transfer, recycling, processing and disposal services for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. At December 31, 2006, we operated 35 collection operations, 28 transfer stations, approximately 72 county convenience drop-off centers, 12 recycling facilities and nine landfills in the Southeastern U.S. We had revenues of $305.1 million and operating income of $28.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2005, and revenues of $327.5 million and operating income of $40.4 million in the year ended December 31, 2006.

Total revenues attributable to services provided are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,
     2004    2005    2006

Collection:

        

Residential

   $ 56,581    $ 66,907    $ 74,933

Commercial

     76,721      83,882      91,555

Industrial

     86,645      86,194      89,933

Disposal and transfer

     40,416      44,297      46,285

Recycling service

     4,605      4,820      4,719

Recycled commodity sales

     4,815      4,997      3,941

Other

     10,926      13,369      15,081
                    

Total service revenues

   $ 280,709    $ 304,466    $ 326,447
                    

From 1990 through December 31, 2006, we acquired, either by merger or asset purchase, 106 solid waste collection or disposal operations, with eight being acquired in 2006, 14 being acquired in 2005 and nine being acquired in 2004. All but four of these acquisitions were accounted for as asset purchases. Accordingly, the results of operations of these acquired businesses have been included in our financial statements only from the respective dates of acquisition and have affected period-to-period comparisons of our operating results. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we did not have any significant acquisitions requiring the presentation of the acquired company’s historical or the combined company’s pro forma financial statements. We anticipate that a significant part of our future growth will come from acquiring additional solid waste collection, transfer and disposal businesses and, therefore, we expect that additional acquisitions could continue to affect period-to-period comparisons of our operating results. Current levels of population growth and economic development in the Southeastern U.S. and our strong market presence in the region should provide an opportunity to increase our revenues and market share. As we add customers in existing markets, our density should improve, which we expect will increase our collection efficiencies and profitability.

 

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Executive Summary

In 2006 we continued to focus on our initiatives for achieving positive results and improving our performance. They are:

 

   

Strengthening our competitive position in desired markets;

 

   

Internalizing more of our waste volume;

 

   

Increasing revenues from our landfill operations; and

 

   

Employing best practices to deliver exceptional service.

Our performance for 2006 was impacted by the business climate we operate within, which saw:

 

   

Increased service delivery costs primarily due to higher fuel prices and costs to transfer waste; and

 

   

Increased compliance costs primarily related to compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Despite these challenges, our revenues increased 7.4% to $327.5 million and our revenues per man-hour improved by nearly 9.4%. We have continued to look for and find ways to improve our efficiency and productivity. In 2006, we rerouted for efficiency over 1,400 route days, or about 50 percent of our commercial and residential work, and improved productivity on these routes in the range of 5% to 10%. In addition, we have increased employee training and centered our efforts on fleet maintenance, data management, and customer pricing. We believe these efforts will better position our company for growth in 2007.

Service revenue growth of 7.2% was primarily comprised of 2.9% internal growth and 4.7% of net acquisition growth. Of that internal growth, approximately 4.1% was due to pricing. We implemented a pricing strategy to adjust pricing on accounts that were not meeting standards, and in some cases, we chose to give up accounts that refused reasonable price increases, resulting in a negative 2.3% volume component of internal growth for 2006. Energy surcharges contributed additional growth of 1.1% in 2006 as we continued to adjust pricing to cover certain inflationary costs, as discussed below.

Acquisition growth was 4.7% during 2006, impacted by 22 business acquisitions and six business dispositions over the two-year period ended December 31, 2006. Revenues from acquisition activity are considered in acquisition growth until the first anniversary date of the acquisition. All acquisitions in 2005 and 2006 were tuck-ins and a continuation of our plan to expand in selected markets in order to achieve better route density and leverage our overhead cost structure.

We have experienced, as have others in our industry sector, increased operating costs which include higher fuel costs, third party disposal fees, and transfer costs. Most significantly, our average fuel cost per gallon increased approximately 11% in 2006. We implemented a fuel surcharge program based upon a regional fuel index, which is designed to recover most of the fuel cost increases.

Our 2006 capital expenditures of approximately $41.2 million increased by $6.9 million over the prior year. These capital expenditures included $11.7 million primarily related to cell construction at our landfills.

In 2006, we paid $5.3 million in dividends compared to $3.3 million in 2005.

Despite higher capital spending and increased dividend payments, our debt to total capitalization ratio of 51.9% at December 31, 2006 improved over the prior year ratio of 56.3%. We believe our $200 million revolving credit facility, which matures in October 2009, provides sufficient capital in combination with our cash flow from operating activities to fund our near term growth strategy, capital expenditures and dividends.

General

Our branch waste collection operations generate revenues from fees collected from commercial, industrial and residential collection and transfer station customers. We derive a substantial portion of our collection revenues from commercial and industrial services that are performed under one-year to five-year service agreements. Our residential collection services are performed either on a subscription basis with individual households, or under contracts with municipalities, apartment owners, homeowners associations or mobile home park operators. Residential customers on a subscription basis are billed quarterly in advance and provide us with a stable source of revenues. A liability for future service is recorded upon billing and revenues are recognized during the month in which services are actually provided. Municipal contracts in our existing markets are typically awarded, at least initially, on a competitive bid basis and thereafter on a bid or negotiated basis and usually range in duration from one to five years. Municipal contracts provide consistent cash flow during the terms of the contracts.

 

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Our prices for our solid waste services are typically determined by the collection frequency and level of service, route density, volume, weight and type of waste collected, type of equipment and containers furnished, the distance to the disposal or processing facility, the cost of disposal or processing, and prices charged in our markets for similar services.

Our ability to pass on cost increases is sometimes limited by the terms of our contracts. Long-term solid waste collection contracts typically contain a formula, generally based on a predetermined published price index, for automatic adjustment of fees to cover increases in some, but not all, operating costs.

At December 31, 2006, we operated approximately 72 convenience sites under contract with nine counties in order to consolidate waste in rural areas. These contracts, which are usually competitively bid, generally have terms of one to five years and provide consistent cash flow during the term of the contract since we are paid regularly by the local government. At December 31, 2006, we also operated 12 recycling processing facilities as part of our collection and transfer operations where we collect, process, sort and recycle paper products, aluminum and steel cans, pallets, plastics, glass and other items. Our recycling facilities generate revenues from the collection, processing and resale of recycled commodities, particularly recycled wastepaper. Through a centralized effort, we resell recycled commodities using commercially reasonable practices and seek to manage commodity-pricing risk by spreading the risk among our customers. We also operate curbside residential recycling programs in connection with our residential collection operations in most of the communities we serve.

Operating expenses for our collection operations include labor, fuel, equipment maintenance and tipping fees paid to landfills. At December 31, 2006, we operated or transferred from 28 transfer stations that reduce our costs by improving our utilization of collection personnel and equipment and by consolidating the waste stream to gain more favorable disposal rates. At December 31, 2006, we owned or operated nine landfills. Operating expenses for these landfill operations include labor, equipment, legal and administrative, ongoing environmental compliance, host community fees, site maintenance and accruals for closure and post-closure maintenance. Cost of equipment sales primarily consists of our cost to purchase the disposal compactors and containers that we resell.

We capitalize certain expenditures related to pending acquisitions or development projects that meet stringent capitalization criteria. Indirect acquisition and project development costs, such as executive and corporate overhead, public relations and other corporate services, are expensed as incurred. Our policy is to charge against net income any unamortized capitalized expenditures and advances (net of any portion thereof that we estimate to be recoverable, through sale or otherwise) relating to any operation that is permanently shut down, any acquisition that is not consummated and any landfill development project that is not expected to be successfully completed. Engineering, legal, permitting, construction and other costs directly associated with the acquisition or development of a landfill, together with associated interest, are capitalized.

Selling, general and administrative, or SG&A, expenses include management salaries, clerical and administrative overhead, professional services, costs associated with our marketing and sales force and community relations expense.

Property and equipment are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the assets using the straight-line method.

Other income has not historically been material to our results of operations.

To date, inflation has not had a significant impact on our operations.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the individual line items reflected in our consolidated statements of operations (some items have been condensed for presentation purposes only):

 

     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,  
     (In thousands)  
     2004     2005     2006  

Service revenues

   $ 280,709     $ 304,466     $ 326,447  

Equipment sales

     861       641       1,098  
                        

Total revenues

     281,570       305,107       327,545  

Operations

     189,204       204,990       212,171  

Equipment sales

     470       384       666  

Selling, general and administrative

     39,167       42,208       43,167  

Depreciation and amortization

     28,442       29,908       32,093  

Gain on sale of property and equipment and other assets

     (1,274 )     (1,374 )     (1,189 )

Gain on sale of collection and hauling operations

     (3,482 )     —         —    

Impairment of property and equipment and other assets

     1,707       143       223  
                        

Operating income

     27,336       28,848       40,414  

Interest expense, net of interest income

     9,803       9,738       9,427  

Other income

     (304 )     (232 )     (418 )
                        

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense

     17,837       19,342       31,405  

Income tax expense

     6,588       7,792       14,416  
                        

Income from continuing operations

     11,249       11,550       16,989  

Income from discontinued operations

     548       639       2,292  
                        

Net Income

   $ 11,797     $ 12,189     $ 19,281  
                        

 

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The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the percentage of revenues represented by the individual line items reflected in our statements of operations (some items have been condensed for presentation purposes only):

 

     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,  
     2004     2005     2006  

Service revenues

   99.7 %   99.8 %   99.7 %

Equipment sales

   0.3     0.2     0.3  
                  

Total revenues

   100.0     100.0     100.0  

Operations

   67.2     67.2     64.8  

Equipment sales

   0.2     0.1     0.2  

Selling, general and administrative

   13.9     13.8     13.2  

Depreciation and amortization

   10.1     9.8     9.8  

Gain on sale of property and equipment and other assets

   (0.5 )   (0.4 )   (0.4 )

Gain on sale of collection and hauling operations

   (1.2 )   —       —    

Impairment of property and equipment and other assets

   0.6     —       0.1  
                  

Operating income

   9.7     9.5     12.3  

Interest expense, net of interest income

   3.5     3.2     2.9  

Other income

   (0.1 )   —       (0.2 )
                  

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense

   6.3     6.3     9.6  

Income tax expense

   2.3     2.5     4.4  
                  

Income from continuing operations

   4.0     3.8     5.2  
                  

Income from discontinued operations

   0.2     0.2     0.7  
                  

Net Income

   4.2 %   4.0 %   5.9 %
                  

Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2005

Revenues. Total revenues increased $22.4 million, or 7.4%, to $327.5 million in 2006 from $305.1 million in 2005. This increase was attributable primarily to increases in residential collection revenue of $8.0 million; commercial collection revenue of $7.7 million, and industrial revenue of $3.7 million.

The following table provides the components of service revenue growth:

 

SERVICE REVENUE GROWTH

   2006  

Price

   4.1 %

Volume

   (2.3 )%

Energy surcharge

   1.1 %
      

Total Internal Growth

   2.9 %

Commodities

   (0.4 )%

Acquisitions, net of dispositions

   4.7 %
      

Total Service Revenue Growth

   7.2 %
      

 

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Service revenue growth of 7.2% was comprised of 2.9% internal growth and 4.7% of net acquisition growth. Of that internal growth, approximately 4.1% was due to pricing. We implemented a pricing strategy to adjust pricing on accounts that were not meeting standards and. In some cases; we chose to give up accounts that refused reasonable price increases, resulting in a negative 2.3% volume component of internal growth for 2006. Energy surcharges contributed additional growth of 1.1% in 2006 as we continued to adjust pricing to cover certain inflationary costs.

Cost of Operations. Costs of operations (including equipment sales) increased $7.5 million, or 3.6%, to $212.8 million in 2006 from $205.4 million in 2005. Cost of operations as a percentage of revenue decreased in 2006 to 65.0% from 67.3% in the prior year period.

The following table summarizes the components of cost of operations as a percentage of revenue:

 

     2005     2006     Change  

Labor and related benefits

   16.9 %   18.8 %   1.9 %

Landfill fees, transfer and disposal

   28.2 %   25.4 %   -2.8 %

Fuel

   5.5 %   5.8 %   0.3 %

Repairs and maintenance - fleet

   5.8 %   6.4 %   0.6 %

Insurance

   6.9 %   6.0 %   -0.9 %

Other

   3.9 %   2.4 %   -1.5 %
                  

Total cost of service operations

   67.2 %   64.8 %   -2.4 %

Cost of equipment sales

   0.1 %   0.2 %   0.1 %
                  

Cost of operations including equipment sales

   67.3 %   65.0 %   -2.3 %
                  

Disposal costs continue to decrease as a percentage of revenue as more of the waste we collect is disposed into our landfills. Casualty and workers compensation insurance costs were lower due to favorable insurance pricing as well as an improved experience rating. Fuel costs increased 11% on a per-gallon basis for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared with the same period in 2005.

Selling, General & Administrative Expenses. SG&A increased $1.0 million, or 2.3%, to $43.2 million in 2006 from $42.2 million in 2005. SG&A as a percentage of revenues decreased to 13.2% in 2006 from 13.8% in 2005.

The following table summarizes the components of SG&A expenses (amounts in thousands):

 

     2005    2006    Change  

Labor and related benefits

   $ 20,642    $ 23,378    $ 2,736  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     2,033      569      (1,464 )

Professional fees

     6,402      5,246      (1,156 )

Insurance

     2,132      2,183      51  

Rent

     1,974      2,122      148  

Travel and entertainment

     1,736      1,592      (144 )

Utilities

     1,667      1,403      (264 )

Other

     5,622      6,674      1,052  
                      

Total SG&A

   $ 42,208    $ 43,167    $ 959  
                      

 

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Labor and related benefits increased as we increased our administrative headcount, incentive-based compensation, stock option expense and our provision for unvested earned leave benefits. The decrease in our provision for doubtful accounts was primarily due to the collection in 2006 of an approximately $0.8 million receivable previously included in the allowance for doubtful accounts. The decrease in professional fees is primarily attributable to reduced reliance on external resources for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense includes:

 

 

depreciation of property and equipment on a straight-line basis from 3 to 30 years;

 

 

amortization of landfill costs on a units-of-consumption basis as the landfill airspace is consumed;

 

 

amortization of landfill asset retirement costs as the landfill airspace is consumed; and

 

 

amortization of intangible assets with a definite life over 5 to 10 years, using either a 200% declining balance approach or straight-line basis, based on the economic benefit we expect to receive.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $2.2 million, or 7.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to the same period in 2005 as a result of fixed asset and intangible asset additions. Included in depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 was a favorable adjustment related to change in estimated lives and salvage values of certain collection vehicles and approximately $0.4 million in additional landfill amortization resulting from our annual SFAS No. 143 landfill review.

Gain on Sale of Property and Equipment and Other Assets. The amounts reflected for 2005 and 2006 represent gains on sale of operating assets, typically facilities and collection vehicles.

Asset Impairment. The amounts represented in 2005 represent impairment of fixed assets temporarily taken out of service. The 2006 amounts primarily represent impairment of capitalized landfill development costs as we determined the likelihood of successful completion was less than probable.

Interest Expense (net of interest income). Interest expense (net of interest income) decreased in 2006 primarily due to repayment of debt with proceeds from the sale of a landfill operation.

Income Tax Expense. The effective income tax rate increased to 45.9% in 2006 from a rate of 40.3% in 2005 primarily due to revaluing our deferred tax liabilities at a higher estimated deferred tax rate of 39.3%, resulting from apportionment and re-assessment of state tax planning strategies.

Discontinued Operations. Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes increased $1.6 million from 2005. In 2005, we disposed of certain operations in the Atlanta market area. In 2006, we disposed of a landfill operation (effective April 1, 2006) in the Jacksonville, Florida market, resulting in a cumulative after-tax gain of $2.2 million. These dispositions are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as if they had occurred on January 1, 2004.

Net Income. Net income increased $7.1 million, or 58.2%, to $19.3 million in 2006 from $12.2 million in 2005. This increase was primarily due to overall higher gross margin and the gain on the sale of discontinued operations, partially offset by increased depreciation and amortization, SG&A costs, and income tax expense.

 

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Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2004

Revenues. Total revenues increased $23.5 million, or 8.4%, to $305.1 million in 2005 from $281.6 million in 2004. This increase was primarily attributable to increases in the residential, commercial, disposal and transfer, and convenience site product lines.

The following table provides the components of service revenue growth:

 

SERVICE REVENUE GROWTH

   2005  

Price

   1.2 %

Volume

   1.2 %

Energy surcharge

   1.0 %
      

Total Internal Growth

   3.4 %

Commodities

   0.0 %

Acquisitions, net of dispositions

   5.1 %
      

Total Service Revenue Growth

   8.5 %
      

Our service revenue growth of 8.5% was comprised of 5.1% of acquisition growth and 3.4% of internal growth. We were more effective in initiating price increases in 2005 due to a disciplined approach towards customer profitability analysis and utilizing our pricing optimization software. Pricing increased 1.2%, or $3.2 million, and energy related surcharges increased 1.0%, or $2.7 million, versus 2004. We implemented a fuel surcharge program based upon a regional fuel index, which is designed to recover most of the increase in fuel costs. Internal volume was up 1.2%, primarily in the areas of residential, commercial, and disposal/transfer.

Cost of Operations. Cost of operations (including equipment sales) increased $15.7 million, or 8.3%, to $205.4 million in 2005 from $189.7 million in 2004. Cost of operations as a percentage of revenues decreased from 67.4% to 67.3% for 2004 and 2005, respectively.

The following table summarizes the components of cost of operations as a percentage of revenue:

 

     2004     2005     Change  

Labor and related benefits

   17.3 %   16.9 %   -0.4 %

Landfill fees, transfer and disposal (1)

   28.9 %   28.2 %   -0.7 %

Fuel (2)

   4.1 %   5.5 %   1.4 %

Repairs and maintenance - fleet

   5.8 %   5.8 %   0.0 %

Insurance (3)

   7.7 %   6.9 %   -0.8 %

Other

   3.4 %   3.9 %   0.5 %
                  

Total cost of service operations

   67.2 %   67.2 %   0.0 %

Cost of equipment sales

   0.2 %   0.1 %   -0.1 %
                  

Cost of operations including equipment sales

   67.4 %   67.3 %   -0.1 %
                  

(1) Reduced disposal fees due to greater internalization of waste into our landfills.
(2) Fuel costs per gallon increased 34% over 2004.
(3) Insurance costs were lower in 2005 due to reduced insurance premiums resulting from assumption of higher deductibles versus 2004. We also experienced reduced severity and frequency of auto and worker’s compensation claims.

 

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Selling, General & Administrative Expenses. SG&A increased $3.0 million, or 7.8%, to $42.2 million in 2005 from $39.2 million in 2004. SG&A as a percentage of revenues decreased to 13.8% in 2005 from 13.9% in 2004.

The following table summarizes the components of SG&A expenses (amounts in thousands):

 

     2004    2005    Change  

Labor and related benefits (1)

   $ 19,371    $ 20,642    $ 1,271  

Provision for doubtful accounts (2)

     3,617      2,033      (1,584 )

Professional fees (3)

     2,704      6,402      3,698  

Insurance

     2,302      2,132      (170 )

Rent

     2,211      1,974      (237 )

Travel and entertainment

     1,613      1,736      123  

Utilities

     1,524      1,667      143  

Other

     5,825      5,622      (203 )
                      

Total SG&A

   $ 39,167    $ 42,208    $ 3,041  
                      

(1) Additional headcount to meet increased compliance needs.
(2) 2004 includes a charge of approximately $2.5 million to write off or reserve for accounts receivable of a major customer.
(3) Increased compliance costs, primarily related to Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404 compliance of $2.7 million and $0.8 million for settlement of a legal matter.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization increased $1.5 million, or 5.2%, to $29.9 million in 2005 from $28.4 million in 2004. Depreciation and amortization, as a percentage of revenues, decreased to 9.8% in 2005 from 10.1% in 2004. Landfill site and cell amortization expense was $0.4 million higher due to increased landfill tonnage. Other intangible asset amortization expense increased approximately $1.0 million due to amortization of customer lists.

Gain on Sale of Collection and Hauling Operations. We recognized a gain on sale of collection and hauling operations totaling approximately $3.5 million in 2004 from the sale of operations in Mississippi and Tennessee.

Asset Impairment. We recognized a $1.4 million impairment charge in 2004 related to our determination that certain landfill permitting efforts had a less than probable chance of success. The remaining $0.3 million in 2004 and $0.1 million in 2005 related to impairment of fixed assets temporarily taken out of service.

Interest Expense (net of interest income). Interest expense (net of interest income) decreased in 2005 primarily due to interest capitalized in relation to ongoing construction projects, partially offset by increased borrowings to fund acquisitions as well as a higher average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense increased $1.2 million to $7.8 million in 2005 from $6.6 million in 2004 primarily due to higher pre-tax income. The effective tax rate increased to 40.2% in 2005 from a rate of 36.9% in 2004 primarily due to an increase in our estimated deferred income tax liabilities.

Discontinued Operations. Income from discontinued operations increased in 2005 primarily due to the gain recognized upon disposition of the assets of the discontinued operations.

Net Income. Net income increased $0.4 million, or 3.3%, to $12.2 million in 2005 from $11.8 million in 2004. This increase was attributable to the changes explained above, most notably, increased sales revenue.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our working capital at December 31, 2006 was a negative $0.1 million and a negative $14.6 million at December 31, 2005. The negative amounts were primarily the result of using cash generated from operations for capital expenditures and acquisitions, both long-term assets. Our strategy in managing our working capital has been to apply the cash generated from operations that remains available after satisfying our working capital and capital expenditure requirements to reduce indebtedness under our bank revolving credit facility and to minimize our cash balances. We generally finance our working capital requirements from internally generated funds and bank borrowings. In addition to internally generated funds, we have in place financing arrangements to satisfy our currently anticipated working capital needs in 2007.

We have a revolving credit agreement with a syndicate of lending institutions for which Bank of America acts as agent. This $200 million credit facility provides expansion capacity up to $300 million through October 2009.

Virtually all of our assets and those of our subsidiaries, including our interest in the equity securities of our subsidiaries, secure our obligations under the revolver. Pursuant to an intercreditor agreement with Bank of America, Prudential Insurance shares in the collateral pledged under the revolver. In addition, our subsidiaries have guaranteed our obligations under the Prudential term loan facilities. The revolver bears interest at a rate per annum equal to, at our option, either a Bank of America base rate or at the Eurodollar rate (LIBOR) plus, in each case, a percentage rate that fluctuates, based on our leverage ratio, from 0% to 1.0% for base rate borrowings and 1.25% to 2.5% for LIBOR rate borrowings. The revolver requires us to maintain financial covenants and satisfy other requirements, such as minimum net worth, net income, and limits on our capital expenditures and indebtedness. It also requires the lenders’ approval of acquisitions in some circumstances. We were in compliance with these financial covenants as of December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006. As of December 31, 2006, an aggregate of approximately $99.0 million was outstanding under the revolver, with an average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of approximately 6.9%. Availability under this facility was approximately $41.1 million as of December 31, 2006 after consideration of outstanding letters of credit.

We have two $25.0 million term facilities with Prudential, of which $17.9 million in the aggregate was outstanding as of December 31, 2006. Principal repayments are due annually on each of the facilities. The Prudential facilities require us to maintain financial covenants, such as minimum net worth, net income, and limit our capital expenditures and indebtedness. We were in compliance with these financial covenants as of December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006. Interest on the two Prudential facilities is paid quarterly, based on fixed rates for the two facilities of 7.21% and 7.09%, respectively.

On September 10, 2003, we entered into a $9.5 million income tax exempt variable rate bond with Sampson County, North Carolina for the funding of expansion at our landfill in that county. This bond payable was in addition to our existing $30.9 million Sampson facility. Both bonds are backed by a letter of credit issued by Wachovia Bank N.A. as a participating lender under our Bank of America syndication. The average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under both Sampson facilities was approximately 5.6% and 5.5% at December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

As of December 31, 2006, we had the following contractual obligations and commercial commitments (in thousands):

 

     PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD

Contractual Obligations

   Total    Less Than
1 Year
   1 to 3 Years    4 to 5 Years    Over 5 Years

Long-term debt (1) (2)

   $ 209,241    $ 17,058    $ 126,442    $ 4,415    $ 61,326

Expected landfill liabilities (3)

     7,102      755      6,347      —        —  

Disposal agreemements (4)

     1,660      835      825      —        —  

Purchase commitments (5)

     775      775      —        —        —  

Operating leases (6)

     7,128      2,272      2,494      220      2,142

Capital leases (7)

     411      214      189      8      —  
                                  

Total contractual cash obligations

   $ 226,317    $ 21,909    $ 136,297    $ 4,643    $ 63,468
                                  

 

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(1) Includes recorded principal amounts outstanding as December 31, 2006 of $99.0 million under our revolver, $17.9 million under the Prudential term facilities, and $40.4 million under the Sampson bond facilities. Our revolver allows us to borrow up to $200.0 million, with further expansion capacity available upon lenders’ approval, provided we are in compliance with the facility’s loan covenants. Includes projected interest assuming the various debt facilities are held to maturity at current rates.
(2) As disclosed in Note 10 of our consolidated financial statements, we have entered into various interest rate swaps, which fixed the interest rate for a portion of our debt through 2007. As of December 31, 2006, the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements recorded on our consolidated balance sheet was an asset of approximately $0.3 million. Additionally, we have entered into commodity contracts to hedge our recycling revenue received for old corrugated cardboard. The commodity contracts have a term of three years. The fair values of the cardboard commodity contracts are recorded on our consolidated balance sheets as a liability of approximately $0.2 million as of December 31, 2006. We also use heating oil option agreements to manage a portion of our exposure to fluctuations in diesel fuel oil prices. The fair value of the fuel commodity contract was recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as an asset of approximately $2,000 as of December 31, 2006. The above table does not include any obligations for these arrangements.
(3) Liabilities are based on current costs and include capping, closure, post-closure and environmental remediation costs. These costs represent the expected landfill liabilities we will incur for final capping, closure and post-closure for the airspace consumed to date. We will recognize additional liabilities for these types of costs as airspace is consumed in each landfill. These obligations are recorded in our consolidated balance sheets.
(4) Agreements whereby we agree to deliver a minimum amount of waste at a set rate. These obligations are recorded in our consolidated balance sheets based on actual volume.
(5) Represents purchase obligations not yet recorded on our consolidated balance sheets.
(6) Represents future minimum lease payments under our existing operating leases. These payments are not recorded as obligations in our consolidated balance sheets with the exception of any deferred rental credits due to lease escalation clauses.
(7) Includes recorded principal amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2006 of $0.3 million under capital lease agreements as well as anticipated interest payments.

We use financial surety bonds for a variety of corporate guarantees. The two largest uses of financial surety bonds are for municipal contract performance guarantees and landfill closure and post-closure financial assurance required under applicable environmental regulations. Environmental regulations require demonstrated financial assurance to meet closure and post-closure requirements for landfills. In addition to surety bonds, these requirements may also be met through alternative financial assurance instruments, including insurance and letters of credit.

AMOUNT OF COMMITMENT EXPIRATION PER PERIOD

 

Commercial Commitments

   Total Amounts
Committed
   Less Than
1 Year
   1 to 3 Years    Over 3 Years
     (in thousands)

Standby letters of credit

   $ 18,036    $ 18,036    $ —      $ —  

Performance bonds

     34,193      34,193      —        —  
                           

Total commercial Commitments

   $ 52,229    $ 52,229    $ —      $ —  
                           

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $45.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 and consisted of net income of $19.3 million plus non-cash adjustments (e.g. depreciation and amortization, etc.) of $35.5 million and net changes in assets/liabilities of $9.7 million.

 

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For the year ended December 31, 2006, net cash used in investing activities was $29.7 million. Of this, $6.2 million was used to fund the cash portion of acquisitions, offset by $16.4 million provided from the sale of collection and hauling operations, and $41.2 million was used for capital expenditures, of which $11.7 million was for landfill expansion, with the balance primarily for investments in equipment, consisting primarily of trucks and containers. Cash inflows from investing activities included $2.2 million received from the sale of property and equipment and other assets.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, capital expenditures were $41.2 million, compared to $34.3 million in 2005. We currently expect capital expenditures for 2007 to be approximately $39.0 million. In 2007, $16.0 million of the expected capital expenditures are earmarked for landfill site and cell construction and equipment. We have funded and expect to fund our 2007 capital expenditures principally through internally generated funds and borrowings under existing credit facilities. As an owner and potential acquirer of additional new landfill disposal facilities, we might also be required to make significant expenditures to bring newly acquired disposal facilities into compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, obtain permits for newly acquired disposal facilities or expand the available disposal capacity at any such newly acquired disposal facilities. The amount of these expenditures cannot be currently determined because they will depend on the nature and extent of any acquired landfill disposal facilities, the condition of any facilities acquired and the permitting status of any acquired sites. We expect we would fund any capital expenditures to acquire solid waste collection and disposal businesses, to the extent we could not fund such acquisitions with our common stock, and any regulatory expenses for newly acquired disposal facilities through borrowings under our existing credit facilities.

We have financial obligations relating to closure and post-closure costs, or long-term care of disposal facilities that we operate or for which we are or might become responsible. Landfill closure and post-closure costs include estimated costs to be incurred for final closure of landfills and estimated costs for providing required post-closure monitoring and maintenance of landfills. We estimate these future cost requirements based on our interpretation of the technical standards of the EPA’s Subtitle D Regulations.

Our estimate of capping, final closure of our operating facilities, and post-closure monitoring costs considers when the costs would actually be paid and factor in inflation and discount rates. We provide accruals for these future costs (generally for a term of 30 years after final closure of any landfill), and will provide additional accruals for these and other landfills we might acquire or develop in the future, based on engineering estimates of consumption of airspace over the useful lives of such facilities. Due to the inherent uncertainties related to the total costs for capping, final closure of our operating facilities and post-closure monitoring costs, there can be no assurance that our ultimate financial obligations for actual closure or post-closure costs will not exceed the amount accrued and reserved or amounts otherwise receivable pursuant to insurance policies or trust funds. Such a circumstance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

For the year ended December 31, 2006, net cash used in financing activities was $15.3 million, which primarily included net repayments of long-term debt (including capital leases) of $11.7 million and dividends paid of $5.3 million. Additionally, we received approximately $1.9 million from stock option exercises.

Cash flows from operations discontinued in 2005 and 2006 have not been presented separately in our consolidated statements of cash flows. The impact of these dispositions on prior year operating, financing, and investing activities is insignificant, with the exception of the $16.4 million cash proceeds from the sale of the discontinued operations in 2006.

At December 31, 2006, we had approximately $157.6 million of long-term and short-term borrowings outstanding (including capital leases) and approximately $52.2 million in letters of credit including performance bonds. The ratio of our total debt (including capital leases) to total capitalization was 51.9% at December 31, 2006, compared to 56.3% as of December 31, 2005.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At December 31, 2006, we had the following off-balance sheet arrangements:

One of our wholly-owned subsidiaries entered into a Franchise Agreement with Camden County, North Carolina, effective November 4, 2002 (see Item 3 – Legal Proceedings). Pursuant to the Franchise Agreement, we have agreed to indemnify the County, its officers, employees and agents, which would include the County Commissioners, against all claims arising out of the Franchise Agreement. As a result, we are liable for the expenses of, and any damages or other awards ultimately determined against, those defendants. This arrangement has not materially affected our financial position, results of operations or liquidity during the year ended December 31, 2006 nor is it expected to have a material impact on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

For discussion of the new accounting standards that affect us, see Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K.

 

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Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have established various accounting policies that govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in the preparation of our financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements. We consider our critical accounting policies to be those accounting policies that require us to make significant estimates and assumptions that have a material impact on the carrying value of our assets and liabilities. The estimates and assumptions we use are based on historical experience and other factors, which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions that could have a material impact on the carrying value of our assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates and our results of operations for the reporting periods.

We believe the following are critical accounting policies that require the most significant estimates and assumptions that are particularly susceptible to a significant change in the future:

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. Our estimated allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon historical collection trends, type of customer, such as municipal or non-municipal, the age of the outstanding receivables and existing economic conditions. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $2.4 million and $1.7 million at December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Self-Insurance Reserves

We assume the risks for medical, dental, workers compensation, and casualty insurance exposures up to certain loss thresholds set forth in separate insurance contracts. Our insurance accruals are based on claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported and are developed by our management with assistance from third-party experts. The insurance accruals are influenced by our past claims experience factors, which have a limited history. If we experience insurance claims or costs above or below our historically evaluated levels, our estimates could be materially affected. The frequency and amount of claims or incidents could vary significantly over time, which could materially affect our self-insurance liabilities. Additionally, the actual costs to settle the self-insurance liabilities could materially differ from the original estimates and cause us to incur additional costs in future periods associated with prior year claims.

Landfills

We have material financial commitments for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations with respect to our landfills. We develop our estimates of final capping, closure and post-closure obligations using input from our third-party engineers and internal accounting. Our estimates are based on our interpretation of current requirements and proposed regulatory changes and are intended to approximate fair value. Absent quoted market prices, the estimate of fair value should be based on the best available information, including the results of present value techniques in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts, or SFAC, No. 7, Using Cash Flow and Present Value in Accounting Measurements. In general, we rely on third parties to fulfill most of our obligations for final capping, closure and post-closure. Accordingly, the fair market value of these obligations is based upon quoted and actual prices paid for similar work. We intend to perform some of these capping, closure and post-closure obligations using internal resources. Where internal resources are expected to be used to fulfill an asset retirement obligation, we have added a profit margin onto the estimated cost of such services to better reflect their fair market value as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. When we then perform these services internally, the added profit margin is recognized as a component of operating income in the period earned. SFAC No. 7 further states that an estimate of fair value should include the price that marketplace participants are able to receive for bearing the uncertainties in cash flows. However, when utilizing discounted cash flow techniques, reliable estimates of market premiums may not be obtainable. In this situation, SFAC No. 7 indicates that it is not necessary to consider a market risk premium in the determination of expected cash flows. In the waste industry, there is not an active market that can be utilized to determine the fair value of these activities as there is no market that exists for selling the responsibility for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations independent of selling the landfill in its entirety. Accordingly, we believe that it is not possible to develop a methodology to reliably estimate a market risk premium and have excluded a market risk premium from our determination of expected cash flows for landfill asset retirement obligations in accordance with SFAC No. 7.

Once we have determined the estimates of final capping, closure and post-closure obligations, we then inflate those costs to the expected time of payment and discount those expected future costs back to present value. We are currently inflating these costs in current dollars until the expected time of payment using an inflation rate of 2.5% and are discounting these costs to present value using a credit-adjusted, risk-free discount rate between 7.25% and 8.0%. The credit-adjusted, risk-free rate is based on the risk-free interest rate adjusted for our credit standing. Management reviews these estimates at least once per year. Significant changes in future final capping, closure and post-closure cost estimates and inflation rates typically result in both (1) a current adjustment to the

 

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recorded liability (and corresponding adjustment to the landfill asset), based on the landfill’s capacity that has been consumed, and (2) a change in liability and asset amounts to be recorded prospectively over the remaining capacity of the landfill. Any change related to the capitalized and future cost of the landfill asset is then recognized in amortization expense prospectively over the remaining capacity of the landfill. Changes in our credit-adjusted, risk-free rate do not change recorded liabilities, but subsequently recognized obligations are measured using the revised credit-adjusted risk-free rate.

We record the estimated fair value of final capping, closure and post-closure obligations for our landfills based on the landfills’ capacity that has been consumed through the current period. This liability and corresponding asset is accrued on a per-ton basis. The estimated fair value of each final capping event will be fully accrued when the tons associated with such capping event have been disposed in the landfill. Additionally, the estimated fair value of total final capping, closure and post-closure costs will be fully accrued for each landfill at the time the site discontinues accepting waste and is closed. Capping accruals generally consider the installation of flexible membrane and geosynthetic clay liners, drainage and compacted soil layers, and topsoil over portions of the landfill where total airspace has been consumed. Closure and post-closure accruals consider estimates for methane gas control, leachate management and ground-water monitoring and other operational and maintenance costs to be incurred after the site discontinues accepting waste, which is generally expected to be for a period of up to 30 years after final site closure. Daily maintenance activities, which include many of these costs, are incurred during the operating life of the landfill and are expensed as incurred. Daily maintenance activities include leachate disposal; surface water, groundwater, and methane gas monitoring and maintenance; other pollution control activities; mowing and fertilizing the landfill cap; fence and road maintenance; and third party inspection and reporting costs. For purchased disposal sites, we assess and record present value-based final capping, closure and post-closure obligations at the time we assume such responsibilities. Such liabilities are based on the estimated final capping, closure and post-closure costs and the percentage of airspace consumed related to such obligations as of the date we assumed the responsibility. Thereafter, we account for the landfill and related final capping, closure and post-closure obligations consistent with the policy described above.

Interest accretion on final capping, closure and post-closure obligations is recorded using the effective interest method and is recorded as final capping, closure and post-closure expense, which is included in operating costs on the statement of operations.

In the United States, the closure and post-closure obligations are established by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Subtitles C and D Regulations, as implemented and applied on a state-by-state basis. The costs to comply with these obligations could increase in the future as a result of legislation or regulation.

We routinely review our investment in operating landfills to determine whether the costs of these investments are realizable. Judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on regulatory factors, market conditions and operational performance of our landfills. Future events could cause us to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that our landfill carrying costs are impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

While the precise amounts of these future obligations cannot be determined, at December 31, 2006, we estimate total landfill closure and post-closure costs of approximately $7.1 million for the airspace consumed to date. Our estimate of these costs considers when the costs would actually be paid and factor in inflation and discount rates. We had accrued approximately $6.8 million for such projected costs as of December 31, 2005 and subsequently paid approximately $1.5 million in 2006. We provide accruals for these future costs (generally for a term of 30 years after final closure of any landfill), and will provide additional accruals for these and other landfills we might acquire or develop in the future, based on engineering estimates of consumption of airspace over the useful lives of such facilities. There can be no assurance that our ultimate financial obligations for actual closure or post-closure costs will not exceed the amount accrued and reserved or amounts otherwise receivable pursuant to insurance policies or trust funds. Such a circumstance could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We utilize cash flow hedge agreements to manage a portion of our risks related to fluctuation in interest rates and certain commodity prices. The fair values of all derivative instruments are recorded as assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. We formally document our hedge relationships, including identifying the hedge instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives and strategies for entering into the hedge transaction. Our interest rate swap derivative instruments qualify for hedge accounting treatment under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. In order to qualify for hedge accounting, criteria must be met, including a requirement that both at inception of the hedge, and on an ongoing basis, the hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to the hedged risk during the term of the hedge. When it is determined that a derivative ceases to be a highly effective hedge, we discontinue hedge accounting, and any gains or losses on the derivative instrument are recognized in earnings.

 

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Acquisitions and Dispositions

Acquisition purchase price is allocated to identified intangible assets and tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on our estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition, with any residual amounts allocated to goodwill. The purchase price allocations are considered preliminary until we are no longer waiting for information that we have arranged to obtain and that is known to be available or obtainable. Although the time required to obtain the necessary information will vary with circumstances specific to an individual acquisition, the “allocation period” for finalizing purchase price allocations generally does not exceed one year from the consummation of a business combination.

We often consummate single acquisitions of multiple solid waste collection or disposal operations. For each separately identified solid waste collection or disposal operation acquired in a single acquisition, we perform an initial allocation of total purchase price to the acquired operation based on our relative fair value. Following this initial allocation of total purchase price to the acquired operation, we further allocate the identified intangible assets and tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed for each solid waste collection or disposal operation based on our estimated fair value at the dates of acquisition, with any residual amounts allocated to either goodwill or landfill site costs.

From time to time, we consummate acquisitions in which we exchange operations we own for operations owned by another solid waste company. These exchange transactions require us to estimate the fair market value of either the operations we receive or the operations we dispose of, whichever is more clearly evident. To the extent that the fair market value of the operations we dispose of differs from the fair market value of the operations we obtain, cash is either remitted or received to offset the difference in fair market values.

From time to time, we dispose of certain operations that no longer fit our strategy. The tangible assets and certain intangible assets sold are removed at book value. Goodwill is removed based on the relative fair value of the business being sold to the fair value of the reporting unit. We accrue additional consideration when it is probable the funds will be received, generally at the time of receipt.

Intangible Assets

On an ongoing basis, we perform an annual impairment test. At least quarterly, we also analyze whether an event has occurred that would more likely than not reduce its enterprise fair value below its carrying amount and, if necessary, will perform a goodwill impairment test between annual dates. Impairment charges are recognized as operating expenses. We adopted July 31 as our annual assessment date. We completed our annual impairment test as of July 31, 2006 and determined that there was no goodwill impairment.

Intangible assets with a definite life are amortized over their expected lives, typically five to ten years (see Note 4 to our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) on a straight-line or accelerated basis to match the economic benefit received.

Asset Impairment

We review long-lived assets for impairment on a market-by-market basis whenever events or changes in the circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset might not be recoverable. If an evaluation is required, the projected future net cash flows on an undiscounted basis attributable to each market would be compared to the carrying value of the long-lived assets (including an allocation of goodwill, if appropriate) of that market. If an impairment is indicated, the amount of the impairment is measured based on the fair value of the asset. We also evaluate the remaining useful lives to determine whether events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of such lives. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE OF MARKET RISK

Quantitative Disclosures. We entered into interest rate swap agreements in March 2004 to modify the interest characteristics of our outstanding long-term debt and designated the qualifying instrument as a cash flow hedge. Under the terms of the agreements, the interest rate swaps hedged notional debt value of $40.0 million. These swaps are in effect for the period November 2004 through February 9, 2007 with fixed rates of 2.7%.

 

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Our cash flows are impacted by fluctuations in commodity pricing. To reduce our risk to market fluctuations, we enter into commodity swap contracts to hedge our cash flows from the sale of old corrugated cardboard, or OCC. The notional amounts hedged under these agreements represent approximately 43% of our current OCC volume.

We have used heating oil option agreements to manage a portion of our exposure to fluctuation in diesel fuel oil prices. To date, such agreements have not been significant to our financial condition and results of operations. On December 28, 2004, we entered into a heating oil hedge contract, effective January 1, 2005, to cap our exposure on 1.2 million gallons of diesel fuel at $1.90 per gallon. The hedge coverage represented approximately 80% of our first quarter 2005 diesel fuel requirements, and expired on March 31, 2005. In November 2005, we entered into a heating oil hedge contract, effective December 1, 2005, to cap our exposure on 2.5 million gallons of diesel fuel at $2.53 per gallon through April 2006. In May 2006, we entered into a heating oil hedge contract, effective June 1, 2006, to cap our exposure on approximately 0.9 million gallons of diesel fuel at $2.93 per gallon through May 2007. In August 2006, we entered into a heating oil contract, effective September 1, 2006, to cap our exposure on approximately 1.0 million gallons of diesel fuel at $3.05 per gallon through June 2007.

We currently use approximately 6.9 million gallons of fuel per year. At this rate of consumption, a cost change of $0.10 per gallon would have a $690,000 impact on our annual operating income, prior to any recoveries from fuel surcharges.

The following table below presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates of our long-term debt at December 31, 2006 by expected maturity dates. Fair values have been determined based on our incremental borrowing rate of 6.9% as of December 31, 2006:

 

     2007    2008    2009        2010            2011        Thereafter    Total
Carrying
Value
  

Total

Fair Value

               (In thousands)                    

Fixed Rate

                       

7.21%

   $ 3,571    $ 3,571    $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 7,142    $ 7,180

7.09%

     3,572      3,572      3,571      —        —        —        10,715      10,765

Variable Rate

                       

6.86%

     —        —        99,000      —        —        —        99,000      99,000

5.47%

     —        —        —        —        —        40,355      40,355      40,355
                                                       
   $ 7,143    $ 7,143    $ 102,571    $ —      $ —      $ 40,355    $ 157,212    $ 157,300
                                                       

Qualitative Disclosures. Our primary exposure relates to:

 

   

interest rate risk on long-term and short-term borrowings;

 

   

the impact of interest rate movements on our ability to meet interest expense payments and not exceed financial covenants; and

 

   

the impact of interest rate movements on our ability to obtain adequate financing to fund future acquisitions.

We manage interest rate risk on outstanding long-term and short-term debt through the use of fixed and variable rate debt. While we cannot predict the impact interest rate movements will have on existing debt, we continue to evaluate our financial position on an ongoing basis.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See the Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this report.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information that we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. It should be noted that, because of inherent limitations, our disclosure controls and procedures, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met.

As required by paragraph (b) of Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Based on an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, there has been no change to our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three-month period ended December 31, 2006 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our internal control over financial reporting is a process that is designed under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and effected by our board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

 

i. Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

 

ii. Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures recorded by us are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and board of directors; and

 

iii. Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met and must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints that require management to consider the benefits of internal controls relative to their costs. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all errors, fraud or misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.

We carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 based upon the framework set forth in the report titled “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Committee, or COSO. Through this evaluation, we did not identify any material weaknesses in our internal controls and our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2006.

 

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Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on our management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting within this Item.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Waste Industries USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Raleigh, North Carolina

We have audited management's assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that Waste Industries USA, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management's assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management's assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management's assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 of the Company and our report dated March 16, 2007, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, effective January 1, 2006.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina

March 16, 2007

 

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

PART III

Some information required by Part III is omitted from this report because we will file a definitive proxy statement for our 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the information included therein is incorporated herein by reference to the extent provided below.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Some of the information required by Item 10 of Form 10-K concerning our executive officers is set forth under the heading “Executive Officers” located at the end of Part I of this Form 10-K.

The other information required by Item 10 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the information under the headings Proposal No. 1 – “Election of Directors,” “Report of the Audit Committee”, “Director Nominations” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement.

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer or Controller or other persons performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics is an appendix to our Code of Business Conduct, which is applicable to all of our directors and employees and that has been adopted by our Board of Directors. The Code of Business Conduct, including the Code of Ethics, is posted on our website at www.wasteindustries.com.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Item 11 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the information under the headings “Proposal No. 1 – Election of Directors – Information Concerning the Board of Directors and Its Committees”, “Other Information – Executive Compensation”, “ – Compensation of Non-Employee Directors” and “ – Compensation Discussion & Analysis”, “ – Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.”.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by Item 12 of Form 10-K regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock is incorporated by reference to the information under the heading “Other Information – Principal Shareholders” in the Proxy Statement. The information required by Item 12 of Form 10-K regarding our one equity compensation plan is found in Item 5 of this report under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan.”

 

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required by Item 13 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the information under the heading “Other Information – Certain Transactions” in the Proxy Statement.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by Item 14 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the information under the heading “Principal Accountant Fees and Services” in the Proxy Statement.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

  (a) The following Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedules and Exhibits are filed as part of this report or incorporated herein by reference:

 

  1. Financial Statements. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page F-1.

 

  2. Financial Statement Schedule.

    Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts on page S-1.

The financial statement schedule should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements. The financial statement schedules not included in this annual report on Form 10-K have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or included in the notes thereto.

 

  (b) Exhibits.

The exhibits filed as part of this Report are listed.

 

EXHIBIT NO.  

DESCRIPTION

  3.1(a)   Articles of Incorporation, as currently in effect.
  3.2(a)   Bylaws.
10.1(b)   1997 Stock Plan, as amended on August 4, 2004.
10.2(a)   Credit Agreement with Branch Banking and Trust Company dated April 3, 1996.
10.3(a)   Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated April 3, 1996.
10.4(c)   Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement with The Prudential Insurance Company of America dated as of June 30, 1998.
10.5(d)   Senior Subordinated Loan and Security Agreement dated February 2, 1999 between Liberty Waste Lending Company, LLC, a subsidiary of the Registrant, and Liberty Waste Services, LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
10.6(d)   Option Agreement dated February 2, 1999 between the Registrant and Liberty Waste Services, LLC.
10.7(e)   Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of November 9, 1999 by and among the Registrant and its subsidiaries, the lending institutions party thereto, BancBoston, N.A., as Administrative Agent, BancBoston Robertson Stephens Inc., as Arranger, and Branch Banking and Trust Company, as Documentation Agent.

 

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10.8(f)   First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated February 10, 2000.
10.9(f)   Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated June 14, 2000.
10.10(f)   Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated October 31, 2000.
10.11(f)   Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 2000.
10.12(g)   Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated March 31, 2001.
10.13(g)   Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated March 29, 2002.
10.14(h)   Change in Control Agreement dated October 30, 2001 between the Registrant and D. Stephen Grissom.
10.15 (i)   Amended and Restated Note Purchase Agreement dated March 31, 2001 among the Company and The Prudential Insurance Company of America and Affiliates.
10.16 (i)   Amended and Restated Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated March 31, 2001 among the Company and The Prudential Insurance Company of America and Affiliates.
10.17 (i)   Amendment and Consent dated August 27, 2004 among the Company and Prudential Insurance Company and Affiliates, amending the Amended and Restated Note Agreement and the Amended and Restated Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated March 31, 2001.
10.18 (i)   Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated August 27, 2004 among the Company and Fleet National Bank, Wachovia Bank, Branch Banking and Trust Company and other lenders.
10.19 (j)   Amendment and Consent effective March 31, 2005 among the Company and Prudential Insurance Company and Affiliates, amending the Amended and Restated Note Agreement and the Amended and Restated Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated March 31, 2001.
10.20 (j)   Amendment and Consent effective March 31, 2005, amending the Revolving Credit Agreement dated August 27, 2004 among the Company and Fleet National Bank, Wachovia Bank, Branch Banking and Trust Company and other lenders.
10.21 (k)  

Amendment and Consent effective March 24, 2006 among the Company and Prudential Insurance Company and Affiliates, amending the Amended and Restated Note Agreement and the Amended and Restated Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated March 31, 2001.

Bank of America, N.A., Wachovia Bank, N.A., Branch Banking and Trust Company and other lenders.

10.22 (k)   Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated March 24, 2006 among the Company Bank of America, N.A., Wachovia Bank, N.A., Branch Banking and Trust Company and other lenders.
10.23 (l)   Form of Amendment to Change in Control Agreement dated January 15, 2007 between the Company and certain officers.
10.24 (l)   Change in Control Agreement dated January 15, 2007 between the Registrant and Harrell J. Auten, III.
21   List of Subsidiaries.
23.1   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
31.1   Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to rule 15d-14 (a) under the Securities Exchange Act . of 1934.
31.2   Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to rule 15d-14 (a) under the Securities Exchange Act . of 1934.
32.1   Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2   Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(a) Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered Exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-25631).

 

(b) Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004.

 

(c) Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998.

 

(d) Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

 

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(e) Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.

 

(f) Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000.

 

(g) Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.

 

(h) Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

(i) Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered Exhibit to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

(j) Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered Exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.

 

(k) Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2006.

 

(l) Incorporated by reference to the similarly numbered Exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 18, 2007.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

   WASTE INDUSTRIES USA, INC.
Date: March 16, 2007    By:  

/s/ Jim W. Perry

     JIM W. PERRY
     PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

SIGNATURE

  

CAPACITY

 

DATE

/s/ Jim W. Perry

JIM W. PERRY

   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   March 16, 2007

/s/ D. Stephen Grissom

D. STEPHEN GRISSOM

   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   March 16, 2007

/s/ Lonnie C. Poole, Jr.

LONNIE C. POOLE, JR.

   Chairman   March 16, 2007

/s/ James R. Talton

JAMES R. TALTON

   Director   March 16, 2007

/s/ Paul F. Hardiman

PAUL F. HARDIMAN

   Director   March 16, 2007

/s/ Glenn E. Futrell

GLENN E. FUTRELL

   Director   March 16, 2007

/s/ James A. Walker

JAMES A. WALKER

   Director   March 16, 2007

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2005 and 2006

   F-3

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006

   F-4

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006

   F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006

   F-7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   F-9

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Waste Industries USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Raleigh, North Carolina

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Waste Industries USA, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2005 and 2006, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, No. 123R, Share-Based Payment.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 16, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina

March 16, 2007

 

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands, Except Share Data)

 

     December 31,
2005
   December 31,
2006
ASSETS      

CURRENT ASSETS:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,575    $ 1,656

Accounts receivable - trade, net

     34,541      35,573

Accounts receivable - other

     1,376      835

Receivables from employees

     276      —  

Spare parts, supplies, and fuel inventories

     1,547      1,083

Deferred income taxes

     1,524      1,787

Prepaid insurance

     180      401

Other current assets

     869      1,742
             

Total current assets

     41,888      43,077
             

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

     216,390      218,039

GOODWILL, net

     97,115      97,562

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net

     8,810      7,388

RESTRICTED CASH

     552      731

OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS

     3,400      3,482
             

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 368,155    $ 370,279
             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY      

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

     

Accounts payable - trade

   $ 16,579    $ 13,318

Acquisition related liabilities

     658      273

Accrued liabilities and other payables

     6,065      3,626

Current maturities of long-term debt

     10,733      7,143

Accrued wages and benefits

     4,258      5,317

Closure/post-closure liabilities

     3,030      755

Income taxes payable

     3,844      268

Reserve for self-insurance

     4,661      5,490

Deferred revenue

     6,707      6,996
             

Total current liabilities

     56,535      43,186
             

LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT MATURITIES

     155,212      150,069

NONCURRENT DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     22,339      23,513

CLOSURE/POST-CLOSURE LIABILITIES

     3,750      6,347

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

     820      1,293

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 13)

     —        —  

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

     

Common stock, no par value, shares authorized 80,000,000 shares issued and outstanding: 2005 - 13,736,178; 2006 - 13,962,609

     41,196      43,179

Paid-in capital

     7,744      8,624

Retained earnings

     79,905      93,903

Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of income taxes

     654      165
             

Total shareholders’ equity

     129,499      145,871
             

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 368,155    $ 370,279
             

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

     2004     2005     2006  

REVENUES:

      

Service revenues

   $ 280,709     $ 304,466     $ 326,447  

Equipment sales

     861       641       1,098  
                        

Total revenues

     281,570       305,107       327,545  
                        

OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:

      

Operating (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)

     189,204       204,990       212,171  

Cost of equipment sales

     470       384       666  

Selling, general and administrative

     39,167       42,208       43,167  

Depreciation and amortization

     28,442       29,908       32,093  

Gain on sale of property, equipment and other assets

     (1,274 )     (1,374 )     (1,189 )

Gain on sale of collection and hauling operations

     (3,482 )     —         —    

Impairment of property, equipment and other assets

     1,707       143       223  
                        

Total operating costs and expenses

     254,234       276,259       287,131  
                        

OPERATING INCOME

     27,336       28,848       40,414  
                        

Interest expense

     9,931       9,833       9,608  

Interest income

     (128 )     (96 )     (181 )

Other

     (304 )     (231 )     (418 )
                        

Total other expense, net

     9,499       9,506       9,009  
                        

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     17,837       19,342       31,405  

INCOME TAX EXPENSE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     6,588       7,792       14,416  
                        

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     11,249       11,550       16,989  

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:

      

Income from discontinued operations prior to sale (net of income taxes)

     548       454       10  

Gain on sale of operations (net of income taxes)

     —         185       2,282  
                        

INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

     548       639       2,292  
                        

NET INCOME

   $ 11,797     $ 12,189     $ 19,281  
                        

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - continued

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

     2004    2005    2006

EARNINGS PER SHARE

        

Basic:

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.83    $ 0.85    $ 1.22

Income from discontinued operations

     0.04      0.04      0.17
                    

NET INCOME

   $ 0.87    $ 0.89    $ 1.39
                    

Diluted:

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.82    $ 0.84    $ 1.21

Income from discontinued operations

     0.04      0.04      0.16
                    

NET INCOME

   $ 0.86    $ 0.88    $ 1.37
                    

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING

        

Basic

     13,497      13,661      13,871
                    

Diluted

     13,665      13,821      14,043
                    

CASH DIVIDENDS PAID

   $ 2,161    $ 3,289    $ 5,283
                    

CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED AND PAID PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

   $ 0.16    $ 0.24    $ 0.38
                    

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006

(In Thousands)

 

    SHARES    

COMMON

STOCK

   

PAID-IN

CAPITAL

 

RETAINED

EARNINGS

   

UNREALIZED GAINS

(LOSSES) ON CASH

FLOW HEDGES

   

TOTAL

SHAREHOLDERS’

EQUITY

 
    AUTHORIZED   OUTSTANDING            

Balance, January 1, 2004

  80,000   13,492     $ 39,139     $ 7,342   $ 61,369     $ (891 )   $ 106,959  

Net income

  —     —         —         —       11,797       —         11,797  
                   

Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes of ($554)

             

Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of reclassification adjustment

  —     —         —         —       —         947       947  
                   

Other comprehensive income

                947  
                   

Comprehensive income

                12,744  

Issuances of stock

  —     4       48       —       —         —         48  

Exercise of stock options

  —     19       121       —       —         —         121  

Cancellation of shares

  —     (20 )     —         —       —         —         —    

Cash dividends paid

  —     —         —         —       (2,161 )     —         (2,161 )
                                               

Balance, December 31, 2004

  80,000   13,495       39,308       7,342     71,005       56       117,711  

Net income

  —     —         —         —       12,189       —         12,189  
                   

Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes of ($309)

             

Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of reclassification adjustment

  —     —         —         —       —         598       598  
                   

Other comprehensive income

                598  
                   

Comprehensive income

                12,787  

Income tax benefit from stock options

  —     —         —         402     —         —         402  

Issuances of stock

  —     6       79       —       —         —         79  

Exercise of stock options

  —     253       2,028       —       —         —         2,028  

Cancellation of shares

  —     (18 )     (219 )     —       —         —         (219 )

Cash dividends paid

  —     —         —         —       (3,289 )     —         (3,289 )
                                               

Balance, December 31, 2005

  80,000   13,736       41,196       7,744     79,905       654       129,499  

Net income

  —     —         —         —       19,281       —         19,281  
                   

Other comprehensive income, net of income taxes of $343

             

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges, net of reclassification adjustment

  —     —         —         —       —         (489 )     (489 )
                   

Other comprehensive income

                (489 )
                   

Comprehensive income

                18,792  

Income tax benefit from stock options

  —     —         —         346     —         —         346  

Issuances of stock

  —     4       78       —       —         —         78  

Exercise of stock options

  —     223       1,905       —       —         —         1,905  

Stock option expense

  —     —         —         534     —         —         534  

Cash dividends paid

  —     —         —         —       (5,283 )     —         (5,283 )
                                               

Balance, December 31, 2006

  80,000   13,963     $ 43,179     $ 8,624   $ 93,903     $ 165     $ 145,871  
                                               

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006

(In Thousands)

 

     2004     2005     2006  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:       

Net income

   $ 11,797     $ 12,189     $ 19,281  

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

      

Depreciation and amortization

     29,450       30,720       32,220  

Landfill accretion expense

     636       414       824  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     744       967       513  

Asset impairment

     1,707       143       223  

Gain on sale of property and equipment and other assets

     (1,274 )     (1,374 )     (1,189 )

Gain on sale of collection and disposal operations

     (3,482 )     (184 )     (2,282 )

Stock compensation expense

     48       79       612  

Deferred income taxes

     2,525       332       2,381  

Change in fair value of commodity hedges

     —         (397 )     644  

Provision for doubtful accounts

     3,687       2,091       1,557  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisition and disposition of related businesses:

      

Receivables

     (2,508 )     (7,452 )     (2,326 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     110       1,317       2,074  

Other assets

     (815 )     1,151       (305 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     4,378       4,530       (6,245 )

Deferred revenue and other liabilities

     (519 )     1,844       (2,916 )
                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

     46,484       46,370       45,066  
                        
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:       

Acquisitions of related business, net of cash acquired

     (21,785 )     (31,937 )     (6,190 )

Purchases of property and equipment

     (32,199 )     (34,264 )     (41,154 )

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment and other assets

     3,220       3,415       2,209  

Proceeds from sale of collection and disposal operations

     17,694       7,988       16,354  

Other

     (1,140 )     (182 )     (907 )
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (34,210 )     (54,980 )     (29,688 )
                        
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:       

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     19,010       47,697       44,000  

Principal payments of long-term debt

     (30,727 )     (38,416 )     (55,245 )

Payment of dividends

     (2,161 )     (3,289 )     (5,283 )

Principal payments of capital lease obligations

     (160 )     (212 )     (441 )

Financing costs

     (39 )     (68 )     (579 )

Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises

     —         —         346  

Net proceeds from exercise of stock options

     121       2,028       1,905  
                        

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (13,956 )     7,740       (15,297 )
                        

(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (1,682 )     (870 )     81  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

     4,127       2,445       1,575  
                        

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR

   $ 2,445     $ 1,575     $ 1,656  
                        

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

WASTE INDUSTRIES USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006

(Dollars In Thousands)

 

     2004    2005    2006

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

        

Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest

   $ 9,203    $ 9,517    $ 9,042
                    

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 5,309    $ 3,863    $ 18,383
                    

Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Transactions—

During 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Company acquired approximately $383, $561 and $55, respectively, of fixed assets by entering into capital lease arrangements.

As of December 31, 2005 and 2006, approximately $4,245 and $1,011 of fixed asset additions were included in accounts payable, respectively.

During 2005, the Company sold an insurance policy in exchange for 17,617 shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair value of approximately $219 (See Note 11).

During 2006, the Company financed insurance premiums of approximately $3,915 and recorded prepaid insurance with an offsetting note payable for that amount.

 

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Table of Contents

WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business Operations—Waste Industries USA, Inc. (the “Company”) is a regional solid waste services company providing solid waste collection, transfer, recycling, processing and disposal services to customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Basis of Presentation—The Company’s consolidated financial statements include its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Significant Accounting Policies —The significant accounting policies are summarized below:

a. Use of Estimates— The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for uncollectible accounts, self-insurance reserves, fair value of derivative financial instruments, closure/post closure liabilities and assumptions used in testing the recoverability of goodwill, intangible assets and fixed assets. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

b. Cash and Cash Equivalents— For the purposes of presentation in the financial statements, cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

c. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts— The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The estimated allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon historical collection trends, type of customer, such as municipal or non-municipal, the age of the outstanding receivables and existing economic conditions. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $1.6 million and $1.8 million at December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. In addition, the Company reserved approximately $1.2 million and $0.4 million related to one customer at December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

If the financial condition of the Company’s customers was to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances might be required.

d. Concentrations of Credit Risk—Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risks consist primarily of accounts receivable. Credit risk on accounts receivable is minimized as a result of the large and diverse nature of the Company’s customer base. No single customer accounted for more than 4.0% of revenues in 2004, 2005 and 2006. One customer accounted for approximately 5% and 6% of the net accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. The Company does not believe that the loss of any single customer would have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial position.

e. Spare parts, supplies, and fuel inventories— Inventories consist of operating materials and supplies held for use and are stated at the lower of cost or market.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

f. Property and Equipment—Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization expense are calculated on the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Land improvements

   7 years

Machinery and equipment

   5 to 10 years

Rolling stock

   5 to 12 years

Containers

   10 years

Furniture and fixtures

   5 to 7 years

Computers and software

   3 to 5 years

Buildings

   30 years

Landfill permitting, acquisition and preparation costs are amortized using a units-of-consumption method as permitted airspace of the landfill is consumed. In some circumstances, the Company includes airspace that is not currently permitted but is part of an expansion effort in its estimate of available airspace. To do so, the following criteria must be met:

 

   

the land where the expansion is being sought is contiguous to the current disposal site, and is either owned by the Company or the property is under an option, purchase, operating or other agreement;

 

   

total development costs, final capping costs, and closure/post-closure costs have been determined;

 

   

internal personnel have performed a financial analysis of the proposed expansion site and have determined that it has a positive financial operational impact;

 

   

internal or external personnel are actively working to obtain the necessary approvals to obtain the landfill expansion permit;

 

   

obtaining the expansion is considered probable. For a pursued expansion to be considered probable, there must be no significant, known technical, legal, community, business, or political restrictions or similar issues existing that could impair the success of the expansion; and,

 

   

the land where the expansion is being sought has the proper zoning or proper zoning can readily be obtained.

Landfill permitting and preparation costs represent only direct costs related to these activities, including legal, engineering and construction. Landfill preparation costs include the costs of construction associated with excavation, liners, site berms and the installation of leak detection and leachate collection systems. Interest is capitalized on landfill permitting and construction projects and other projects under development while the assets are undergoing activities to ready them for their intended use. The interest capitalization rate is based on the Company’s weighted average cost of indebtedness. Interest capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 was $125,000, $759,000, and $968,000, respectively. In determining the amortization rate for a landfill, preparation costs include the total estimated costs to complete construction of the landfills permitted and probable to be permitted capacity. Units-of-consumption amortization rates are determined annually. The rates are determined by management based on estimates provided by the Company’s internal and third party engineers, and consider the information provided by surveys which are performed at least annually.

Direct costs related to the development of specific landfill sites are capitalized if the land on which the site is being developed is either owned by the Company or is under an option, purchase, operating or other agreement and it is probable that the Company will obtain the required permits to operate the landfill. Indirect costs are expensed as incurred.

Management routinely reviews its investment in operating landfills to determine whether the costs of these investments are realizable. Judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on regulatory factors, market conditions and operational performance of the Company’s landfills.

The costs of maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Improvements and betterments that add new functionality or extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized.

g. Intangible Assets— Intangible assets primarily consist of goodwill (indefinite life), customer lists (definite life) and noncompete agreements (definite life) acquired in business combinations.

The Company operates as one reporting unit based on its current reporting structure. The Company performs an annual goodwill impairment test. At least quarterly, the Company analyzes whether an event has occurred that would more likely than not reduce its enterprise fair value below its carrying amount and, if necessary, will perform a goodwill impairment test between annual dates. Impairment charges are recognized as operating expenses. The Company’s annual assessment date is July 31. The Company completed its annual impairment test as of July 31, 2006 and determined that there was no goodwill impairment.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Intangible assets with a definite life are amortized over their expected lives, typically five to ten years (see Note 4) on a straight-line or accelerated basis to match the economic benefit received.

h. Restricted Cash— Restricted cash consists principally of funds held in trust for the payments of closure and post-closure obligations related to a landfill.

i. Deferred Financing Costs— Included in other noncurrent assets are debt issue costs relating to borrowings (see Note 5). Debt issue costs are amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt.

j. Derivative Financial Instruments and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)— The Company utilizes cash flow hedge agreements to manage a portion of its risks related to fluctuations in interest rates. The Company measures effectiveness of the interest rate swaps by its ability to offset cash flows associated with changes in the variable LIBOR rate associated with the Company’s credit facility using the change in variable cash flow method. To the extent the interest rate swap is considered to be effective, changes in fair value are recorded, net of income tax, in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). To the extent the instrument is considered ineffective, any changes in fair value relating to the ineffective portion are immediately recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as interest expense.

The Company enters into commodity contracts to hedge its cash received from the sale of old corrugated cardboard (“OCC”). The OCC contracts are not currently designated as accounting hedges so the Company is required to recognize changes in the fair value of the commodity contracts within its consolidated statements of operations.

The Company has used heating oil option agreements to manage a portion of its exposure to fluctuations in diesel fuel oil prices. The fuel contracts are not currently designated as accounting hedges so the Company is required to recognize changes in the fair value of the commodity contracts within its consolidated statements of operations.

k. Asset Impairment— The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment on a market-by-market basis whenever events or changes in the circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset might not be recoverable. If an evaluation is required, the projected future net cash flows on an undiscounted basis attributable to each market would be compared to the carrying value of the long-lived assets (including an allocation of goodwill, if appropriate) of that market. If an impairment is indicated, the amount of the impairment is measured based on the fair value of the asset. The remaining useful lives are also evaluated to determine whether events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of such lives. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Impairment of certain intangible assets and operating equipment resulted in charges of approximately $0.3 million, $0.1 million, and $31,000 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. The 2004 and 2006 results also include asset impairment charges of $1.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, related to the Company’s determination that certain landfill permitting efforts had a less than probable chance of success.

l. SelfInsurance Reserves— The Company assumes the risks for medical, dental, workers compensation and casualty insurance exposures up to certain loss thresholds set forth in separate insurance contracts. The Company’s insurance accruals are based on claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported. The insurance accruals are influenced by the Company’s actuarially determined past claims experience factors.

m. Earnings Per Share—Basic earnings per share computations are based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effect of stock options using the treasury stock method. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is based on the combined weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding that include, where appropriate, the assumed exercise of stock options.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 is calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     2004    2005    2006

Numerator:

        

Net income

   $ 11,797    $ 12,189    $ 19,281
                    

Denominator:

        

Denominator for basic earnings per share

     13,497      13,661      13,871

Effect of dilutive securities - options to purchase common stock

     168      160      172
                    

Denominator for diluted earnings per share

     13,665      13,821      14,043
                    

Basic earnings per share

   $ 0.87    $ 0.89    $ 1.39
                    

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.86    $ 0.88    $ 1.37
                    

Antidilutive options to purchase common stock not included in the earnings per share calculation

     111      192      34
                    

n. DividendsThe Company paid semi-annual cash dividends in 2004, three dividends in 2005, and quarterly dividends in 2006. The Company intends to pay dividends when sufficient cash is available to effect the dividend without impeding the Company’s ability to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business. See Note 9 for restrictions on payment of dividends.

o. Stock-Based Compensation— Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”) requiring that compensation costs relating to share-based payment awards made to employees and directors be recognized in the financial statements. The principal awards issued under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans, which are described in Note 14, “Stock-Based Compensation Plans” include incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and common stock. The cost for such awards is measured at the grant date based on the calculated fair value of the award. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods (generally the vesting period of the equity award) in the company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The Company adopted this standard as of the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2006 using the modified prospective method. Under this transition method, compensation cost recognized includes compensation costs for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of December 31, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and compensation cost for share-based payments granted subsequent to December 31, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R. Results for prior periods have not been restated.

Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for its stock options under the recognition and measurement provision of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. The Company did not generally recognize stock option expense in its consolidated statements of operations.

As a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R on January 1, 2006, the Company’s results for the year ended December 31, 2006 include stock-based compensation expense relating to stock options of approximately $0.5 million (earnings per share of $.02 basic and diluted). This expense is included within selling, general, and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations and relates primarily to unvested options granted prior to the January 1, 2006 date of adoption of SFAS No. 123R. These pre-adoption stock options are primarily incentive stock options and typically vest over a period of four years with a five-year contractual life. Cash dividends are not paid on unexercised options.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table illustrates the effect on net income per share if the Company had adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 in the years prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     2004    2005

Net Income:

     

As reported

   $ 11,797    $ 12,189

Deduct - total stock-based compensation determined under fair value based method for all awards

     467      555
             

Pro forma

   $ 11,330    $ 11,634
             

Earnings Per Share:

     

Basic:

     

As reported

   $ 0.87    $ 0.89

Pro forma

   $ 0.84    $ 0.85

Diluted:

     

As reported

   $ 0.86    $ 0.88

Pro forma

   $ 0.83    $ 0.84

The per share fair value of options granted under the Stock Option Plan during 2004, 2005 and 2006 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the following assumptions:

 

     2004     2005     2006  

Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted

   $ 3.90     $ 4.50     $ 5.78  

Weighted-average expected lives (years)

     5.00       5.00       3.50  

Risk-free interest rate

     3.74 %     3.91 %     4.84 %

Expected dividend yield

     1.49 %     2.30 %     2.00 %

Volatility

     42.19 %     39.78 %     37.00 %

Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock price. For grants prior to adoption of SFAS 123R, the expected term was based on the contractual life of the option. For the 2006 grant, the expected term was derived using the simplified method as allowed by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The expected dividend yield is based upon the current annual dividend rate as computed using the stock price at the option grant date (for grants prior to 2006), adjusted for future expected dividend increases (for 2006 grants).

p. Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue—The Company recognizes collection, transfer, recycling and disposal revenues when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the service has been provided, the price is fixed or determinable and collection is reasonably assured. Certain customers are billed in advance and, accordingly, recognition of the related revenues is deferred until the services are provided. Commercial and industrial services and certain residential services are provided under 1 to 5 year contracts. Revenue under these contracts is recognized when services are provided, as the Company believes this is the best indicator of performance of the contractual obligation. The Company recognizes revenue related to contractual price increases based on fluctuations in CPI or other indices when the price increases become effective. Certain contracts limit the Company’s ability to pass on price increases to its customers. If circumstances arise that may impact the profitability of a contract, the contract is examined at that time. If the Company determines that a loss will result from the performance of such a contract, the entire amount of the estimated loss is charged against income in the period in which such determination is made. Revenues from the sale of recycled materials and equipment are recognized upon delivery.

 

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Table of Contents

WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Components of revenue are as follows (in millions):

 

     2004    2005    2006

Collection:

        

Residential

   $ 56.6    $ 66.9    $ 74.9

Commercial

     76.7      83.9      91.6

Industrial

     86.6      86.2      89.9

Disposal and transfer

     40.4      44.3      46.3

Other

     21.3      23.8      24.8
                    

Total revenue

   $ 281.6    $ 305.1    $ 327.5
                    

q. Segment Information—The Company has determined that it operates in one reportable segment representing the collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal of non-hazardous solid waste in the Southeastern United States as the Company’s chief operating decision maker regularly reviews operating results on a consolidated basis in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing operating performance.

r. Income Taxes—Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future income tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between financial statement carrying values and the income tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in income tax rates is recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations in the period that includes the enactment date.

s. New Accounting Pronouncements— In September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (SAB 108). In practice, some companies currently use the “rollover” method, which focuses on the impact of a misstatement on the income statement. Other companies use the “iron curtain” method, which focuses on the impact of a misstatement on the balance sheet. SAB 108 requires companies to use a “dual approach” in quantifying financial statement misstatements. If an error is determined to be material under either approach, the financial statements must be adjusted. SAB 108 also provides transition guidance for correcting errors existing in prior years. SAB 108 is effective for the Company at December 31, 2006. The implementation of SAB 108 did not have an effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations, and did not require an adjustment to beginning retained earnings as permitted by SAB 108.

t. New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted- In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.” FIN 48 requires that management determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Once it is determined that a position meets this recognition threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the financial statements. The provisions of this interpretation are required to be adopted for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company will be required to apply the provisions of FIN 48 to all tax positions upon initial adoption with any cumulative effect adjustment to be recognized as an adjustment to retained earnings. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its financial position and results of operations.

In June 2006, the FASB ratified the consensus on Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, No. 06-3, “How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should be Presented in the Income Statement.” The scope of EITF 06-3 includes any tax assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer and may include, but is not limited to, sales, use, value added and excise taxes. The Task Force affirmed its conclusion that entities should present these taxes in the income statement on either a gross or a net basis, based on their accounting policy, which should be disclosed pursuant to APB No. 22, “Disclosure of Accounting Policies.” If such taxes are significant, and are presented on a gross basis, the amounts of those taxes should be disclosed. The consensus on EITF 06-3 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company believes that adoption of EITF 06-3 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Currently, sales taxes are shown on a net basis and other taxes and fees are shown on a gross basis.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The statement does not require new fair value measurements, but is applied to the extent that other accounting pronouncements require or permit fair value measurements. The statement emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. Companies will be required to disclose the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the inputs used to develop the measurements, and the effect of certain of the measurements on earnings (or changes in net assets) for the period. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is assessing SFAS No. 157 and has not determined the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have on its financial statements.

u. Presentation— Certain 2004 and 2005 financial statement amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentation. The years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005 have been restated to reflect the results of operations classified as discontinued in 2006.

v. Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s two fixed rate term facilities with Prudential Insurance Company of America, using an estimate of interest rates currently available to the Company, was $18.0 million at December 31, 2006. The carrying value of these two term facilities was $17.9 million at December 31, 2006. Carrying amounts of the Company’s revolving credit facility, bonds and other installment notes payable approximate fair value because interest rates are primarily variable and, accordingly, approximate current market rates.

w. Allocation of Acquisition Purchase Price – Acquisition purchase price is allocated to identified intangible assets and tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition, with any residual amounts allocated to goodwill. The purchase price allocations are considered preliminary until the Company is no longer waiting for information that it has arranged to obtain and that is known to be available or obtainable. Although the time required to obtain the necessary information will vary with circumstances specific to an individual acquisition, the “allocation period” for finalizing purchase price allocations generally does not exceed one year from the consummation of a business combination.

The Company often consummates acquisitions of multiple solid waste collection or disposal operations in a single transaction. For each separately identified solid waste collection or disposal operation acquired in a single acquisition, the Company performs an initial allocation of total purchase price to the acquired operation based on its relative fair value. Following this initial allocation of total purchase price to the acquired operation, the Company further allocates the identified intangible assets and tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed for each solid waste collection or disposal operation based on its estimated fair value at the dates of acquisition, with any residual amounts allocated to either goodwill or landfill site costs, as discussed above.

From time to time, the Company consummates acquisitions in which it exchanges operations it owns for operations owned by another solid waste company. These exchange transactions require the Company to estimate the fair market value of either the operations it receives or the operations it disposes of, whichever is more clearly evident. To the extent that the fair market value of the operations it disposes of differs from the fair market value of the operations it obtains, cash is either remitted or received to offset the difference in fair market values. In 2004, the Company completed an exchange transaction in which it acquired operations of another solid waste company in Georgia for operations in Tennessee and Mississippi, resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $3.5 million. In 2005, the Company completed a simultaneous purchase and sale transaction in which the Company acquired operations of another solid waste company in Georgia and sold some of its operations in Georgia, resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $0.6 million. In 2006, the Company did not execute any purchase and sale transactions.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

2. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

Acquisitions

The Company’s growth strategy is to seek out accretive acquisitions of solid waste collection and disposal companies and customers in existing and adjacent markets to “tuck in” and integrate into already established branch facilities. In addition, the Company continues to pursue solid waste collection companies and customers in new markets and landfill opportunities in appropriate circumstances.

During 2005, the Company completed 14 acquisitions for a total of $31.9 million, net of cash acquired, funded primarily with cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility and with $8.0 million in proceeds received from the simultaneous sale of a portion of the Company’s operations to the same party. During 2006, the Company completed 8 acquisitions for a total of $6.2 million, net of cash acquired, funded primarily with cash received from the sale of discontinued operations.

The results of these operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date and are consistent with the Company’s strategy to improve internalization of waste into existing landfills and expand its presence in certain markets.

In accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, the purchase price of each acquisition has been allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities based on their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. Certain of these purchase price allocations pertaining to 2006 acquisitions are preliminary estimates, based on available information and certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable. Accordingly, these purchase price allocations are subject to finalization. In determining the purchase price allocation, the Company considered, among other factors, its intention to use the acquired assets, historical demand and estimates of future demand for its services.

As of December 31, 2006, the recorded purchase price allocation for these acquisitions was as follows (in thousands):

 

     2005     2006  

Tangible assets (liabilities) acquired at fair value:

    

Accounts receivable

   $ 1,851     $ 318  

Property and equipment

     10,036       1,581  

Deferred revenue and other liabilities

     (1,624 )     (469 )
                

Total net tangible assets acquired

     10,263       1,430  

Intangible assets acquired at fair value:

    

Customer lists

     5,892       919  

Noncompete agreements

     211       42  

Goodwill

     16,445       4,071  
                

Total net assets, acquired at fair value

     32,811       6,462  
                

Amount of purchase price withheld

     (874 )     (272 )
                

Cash paid for acquisitions

   $ 31,937     $ 6,190  
                

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following unaudited pro forma results of operations assume the transactions described above occurred as the beginning of the period presented (in thousands except per share data):

 

     2004    2005    2006

Total revenues

   $ 315,775    $ 320,990    $ 328,873

Operating income

     32,853      31,601      40,724

Income from continuing operations

     13,367      12,569      17,088

Income from discontinued operations

     548      639      2,292
                    

Net income

   $ 13,915    $ 13,208    $ 19,380
                    

Earnings per common share:

        

Basic:

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.99    $ 0.92    $ 1.23

Income from discontinued operations

     0.04      0.05      0.17
                    

Net income

   $ 1.03    $ 0.97    $ 1.40
                    

Diluted:

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.98    $ 0.91    $ 1.22

Income from discontinued operations

     0.04      0.05      0.16
                    

Net income

   $ 1.02    $ 0.96    $ 1.38
                    

The pro forma financial information does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred had the transactions taken place at the beginning of the periods presented or of future operating results.

As of December 31, 2006, the Company had two acquisitions for which purchase price allocations were not yet finalized. The Company believes that the potential changes to the purchase price allocations would not have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Dispositions

In the second and fourth quarters of 2005, the Company disposed of certain hauling and transfer operations in the Atlanta, Georgia market for approximately $8.0 million. The operations were disposed of to allow the Company to purchase operations in our existing markets which is more consistent with its overall strategy to internalize waste, reduce administrative costs, and gain route efficiencies wherever available.

In the second quarter of 2006, the Company sold a landfill operation in Jacksonville, Florida for approximately $16.2 million. In the second quarter of 2006, the Company disposed of certain hauling operations in the Atlanta, Georgia market for approximately $0.2 million. The operations were disposed of to allow the Company to purchase operations in its existing markets which is more consistent with its overall strategy to internalize waste, reduce administrative costs, and gain route efficiencies where available.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, the net assets and liabilities disposed of were as follows (in thousands):

 

     2005     2006  

Disposed assets:

    

Accounts receivable

   $ 184     $ 561  

Property and equipment

     1,969       8,653  

Inventories and other assets

     27       41  

Goodwill, net

     5,894       3,762  

Other intangibles, net

     280       —    
                

Total net assets disposed of

     8,354       13,017  

Disposed liabilities:

    

Deferred revenue

     (981 )     (50 )

Other liabilities

     70       (523 )
                

Total net assets and liabilities disposed of

   $ 7,443     $ 12,444  
                

Portions of these disposed operations were in operation during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006, and, consequently, the results of those operations less applicable income taxes were reported as a separate component of income from discontinued operations (in thousands):

 

     2004    2005    2006

Revenues

   $ 10,155    $ 10,144    $ 1,520

Operating expenses:

        

Cost of operations

     7,582      7,787      1,277

Selling, general and administrative

     696      772      100

Depreciation and amortization

     1,008      813      127
                    

Income before income taxes

     869      772      16

Income tax provision

     321      318      6
                    

Income from discontinued operations prior to sale (net of income taxes)

   $ 548    $ 454    $ 10
                    

In conjunction with its 2005 dispositions, the Company recognized gains on disposal of the assets and operations totaling approximately $0.2 million, net of income taxes of $0.3 million. In conjunction with its 2006 dispositions, the Company recognized gains on disposal of the assets and operations totaling approximately $2.3 million, net of income taxes of $1.6 million. These gains are shown as a separate component of income from discontinued operations.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, 2005 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

     2005     2006  

Land, land improvements and buildings

   $ 44,801     $ 44,613  

Landfills and associated land

     123,570       129,928  

Machinery and equipment

     18,140       15,838  

Containers

     102,047       106,994  

Collection vehicles

     107,783       111,520  

Furniture, fixtures, and office equipment

     7,460       6,100  

Construction in progress

     501       421  
                

Total property and equipment

     404,302       415,414  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (187,912 )     (197,375 )
                

Property and equipment, net

   $ 216,390     $ 218,039  
                

Construction in progress includes equipment not placed in service at year-end. Landfills and associated land includes land held for development, representing various landfill properties under development with an aggregate cost of approximately $19.0 million and $14.9 million for the periods ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively, which will not be amortized until placed in service.

Depreciation expense (including software amortization) for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 was approximately $23.7 million, $23.8 million and $22.9 million, respectively. Depreciation expense includes depreciation on assets under capital leases. Landfill amortization expense was approximately $5.0 million, $5.0 million, and $7.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Included in depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2006 were favorable adjustments of approximately $0.9 million, or $0.04 per share, related to a change in estimated lives and salvage values of certain collection vehicles and approximately $0.4 million, or $0.02 per share, in additional landfill amortization resulting from the Company’s periodic evaluation of asset retirement obligations.

 

4. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets consist of goodwill, customer lists, transfer station permits and noncompete agreements acquired in business combinations. Intangible assets are presented net of accumulated amortization, if applicable.

The following table summarizes the activity related to goodwill as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

     2005     2006  

Beginning balance as of January 1,

   $ 87,902     $ 97,115  

Acquisitions

     16,445       4,071  

Adjustments to prior purchase price allocations

     (1,338 )     138  

Dispositions

     (5,894 )     (3,762 )
                

Ending balance as of December 31,

   $ 97,115     $ 97,562  
                

The Company performs an annual impairment test. At least quarterly, the Company also analyzes whether an event has occurred that would more likely than not reduce its enterprise fair value below its carrying amount and, if necessary, performs a goodwill impairment test between annual dates. Impairment adjustments are recognized as an operating expense. The Company’s annual assessment date is July 31. The Company completed its annual impairment test as of July 31, 2006 and determined that there was no goodwill impairment.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Other intangible assets consisted of the following as of December 31, 2005 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

     2005
     Gross Carrying
Value
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net Carrying
Value

Customer lists

   $ 11,070    $ 2,730    $ 8,340

Noncompete agreements

     540      138      402

Transfer station permits

     78      10      68
                    
   $ 11,688    $ 2,878    $ 8,810
                    
     2006
     Gross Carrying
Value
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net Carrying
Value

Customer lists

   $ 11,933    $ 4,931    $ 7,002

Noncompete agreements

     582      253      329

Transfer station permits

     78      21      57
                    
   $ 12,593    $ 5,205    $ 7,388
                    

Amortization expense for other intangible assets was $0.8 million, $1.8 million and $2.3 million for 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. The amortization period for customer lists and noncompete agreements is 5 to 10 years. The weighted average amortization period for customer lists and noncompete agreements is 7.5 years and 5.0 years, respectively.

Estimated future amortization expense associated with other intangible assets at December 31, 2006 is as follows (in thousands):

 

Year

   Amortization Expense

    2007

   $ 2,035

    2008

     1,553

    2009

     1,326

    2010

     1,004

    2011

     685

Thereafter

     785
      

Total

   $ 7,388
      

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31, 2005 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

     2005     2006  

Credit Facilities:

    

Term facilities

   $ 28,571     $ 17,857  

Revolving credit facility

     97,000       99,000  

Bonds

     40,355       40,355  

Other

     19       —    
                

Total long-term debt

     165,945       157,212  

Less current maturities

     (10,733 )     (7,143 )
                

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

   $ 155,212     $ 150,069  
                

Revolving Credit Facility

The Company and all of its subsidiaries are co-borrowers on a $200 million revolving credit agreement with a syndicate of lending institutions for which Bank of America, N.A. (“Bank of America”) acts as agent. On March 24, 2006, the Company completed the amendment and restatement of this credit facility to extend the maturity to October 2009 and to allow the Company to increase the facility up to $300 million at any time prior to the maturity date. In addition, the borrowing rates and some of the financial covenants were amended on March 24, 2006.

Virtually all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the Company’s ownership interest in the equity securities of its subsidiaries, secure the Company’s obligations under the revolver. Pursuant to an intercreditor agreement with Bank of America, Prudential Insurance Company of America (“Prudential”) shares in the collateral pledged under the revolver. The amended revolver bears interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s option, either a Bank of America base rate or at the Eurodollar rate (based on Eurodollar interbank market rates) plus, in each case, a percentage rate that fluctuates, based on the ratio of the Company’s funded debt to EBITDA (income before income taxes plus interest expense and depreciation and amortization), from 0% to 1.0% for base rate borrowings and 1.25% to 2.5% for Eurodollar rate borrowings. The revolver, before and after amendment, requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios and satisfy other predetermined requirements, such as minimum net worth, and limits on capital expenditures and indebtedness. The Company was in compliance with these financial covenants as of December 31, 2005 and 2006. The revolver also requires the lenders’ approval of acquisitions in some circumstances.

The average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the revolver was approximately 6.4% and 6.9% at December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Availability was approximately $41.1 million under the revolver as of December 31, 2006 after consideration of outstanding letters of credit.

The Company utilizes cash flow hedge agreements to manage a portion of its risks related to fluctuations in interest rates for the revolving credit facility. In March 2004, the Company entered into interest rate swaps to hedge notional debt value of $40.0 million. These swaps are in effect for the period November 2004 through February 9, 2007 with fixed interest rates of 2.7%.

Term Facility

The Company has two $25.0 million term facilities with Prudential, of which $17.9 million in the aggregate was outstanding as of December 31, 2006. Principal repayments are due annually on each of the facilities. The Prudential facilities require the Company to maintain financial covenants, such as minimum net worth, and limit its capital expenditures and indebtedness. The Company was in compliance with these financial covenants as of December 31, 2005 and 2006. Interest on the two Prudential facilities is paid quarterly, based on fixed rates for the two facilities of 7.21% and 7.09%, respectively. Prior to the final scheduled payment in April 2006, the Company had a third $25 million term facility at 7.53% with Prudential.

Bonds

The Company entered into a $9.5 million variable rate bond with Sampson County, North Carolina on September 10, 2003 for the funding of expansion at its landfill in that county. This bond expires in 2023 and is in addition to the Company’s pre-existing $30.9 million Sampson facility, which expires in 2020. Both facilities are backed by a letter of credit issued by Wachovia Bank N.A. as a participating lender under the revolver. The average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under both Sampson facilities was approximately 5.6% and 5.5% at December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Annual aggregate principal maturities at December 31, 2006 were as follows (in thousands):

 

2007

   $ 7,143

2008

     7,143

2009

     102,571

2010

     —  

2011

     —  

Thereafter

     40,355
      

Total

   $ 157,212
      

Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities, the fair value of long-term debt was $166.5 million and $157.3 million at December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

6. LEASES

The Company leases certain property and equipment under both capital and operating leases. Gross property and equipment recorded under capital leases was approximately $1.0 million at December 31, 2005 and 2006. The related accumulated amortization was approximately $72,000 and $155,000 at December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2006 for capital and operating leases that have initial or remaining terms in excess of one year were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Capital
Leases
    Operating
Leases
   Total

2007

   $ 214     $ 2,272    $ 2,486

2008

     181       1,600      1,781

2009

     8       894      902

2010

     8       133      141

2011

     —         87      87

Thereafter

     —         2,142      2,142
                     

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 411     $ 7,128    $ 7,539
                     

Less amount representing interest

     (63 )     
             

Less current portion

     (168 )     
             

Long term capital lease obligation

   $ 180       
             

The total rental expense for all operating leases and short-term rental agreements for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 is as follows (in thousands):

 

     2004    2005    2006

Buildings and sites

   $ 2,019    $ 2,037    $ 1,583

Trucks and equipment

     1,945      1,724      1,820
                    

Total

   $ 3,964    $ 3,761    $ 3,403
                    

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

7. LANDFILLS

As of December 31, 2006, the Company owned or operated under life-of-site operating agreements 9 landfills with total available disposal capacity of approximately 116.5 million cubic yards. Total available disposal capacity includes estimated permitted airspace plus an estimate of the expansion airspace that the Company believes has a probable likelihood of being permitted.

The Company has material financial commitments for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations with respect to its landfills. The Company developed its estimates of final capping, closure and post-closure obligations using input from its third party engineers and internal accounting staff. The Company’s estimates are based on its interpretation of current requirements and proposed regulatory changes and are intended to approximate fair value. Absent quoted market prices, the estimate of fair value should be based on the best available information, including the results of present value techniques in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts, or SFAC, No. 7, Using Cash Flow and Present Value in Accounting Measurements. In general, the Company relies on third parties to fulfill most of its obligations for final capping, closure and post-closure. Accordingly, the fair market value of these obligations is based upon quoted and actual prices paid for similar work. The Company intends to perform some of these capping, closure and post-closure obligations using internal resources. Where internal resources are expected to be used to fulfill an asset retirement obligation, the Company has added a profit margin onto the estimated cost of such services to better reflect its fair market value as required by SFAS No. 143. When the Company then performs these services internally, the added profit margin is recognized as a component of operating income in the period earned. SFAC No. 7 further states that an estimate of fair value should include the price that marketplace participants are able to receive for bearing the uncertainties in cash flows. However, when utilizing discounted cash flow techniques, reliable estimates of market premiums may not be obtainable. In this situation, SFAC No. 7 indicates that it is not necessary to consider a market risk premium in the determination of expected cash flows. In the waste industry, there is not an active market that can be utilized to determine the fair value of these activities, as there is no market that exists for selling the responsibility for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations independent of selling the landfill in its entirety. Accordingly, the Company believes that it is not possible to develop a methodology to reliably estimate a market risk premium and has excluded a market risk premium from the Company’s determination of expected cash flows for landfill asset retirement obligations in accordance with SFAC No. 7.

Once the Company has determined the estimates of final capping, closure and post-closure obligations, the Company then inflates those costs to the expected time of payment and discounts those expected future costs back to present value. The Company is currently inflating these costs in current dollars until expected time of payment using an inflation rate of 2.5% and is discounting these costs to present value using a credit-adjusted, risk-free discount rate between 7.25% and 8%. The credit-adjusted, risk-free rate is based on the risk-free interest rate adjusted for the Company’s credit standing. Management reviews these estimates at least once a year. Significant changes in future final capping, closure and post-closure cost estimates and inflation rates typically result in both (1) a current adjustment to the recorded liability (and corresponding adjustment to the landfill asset), based on the landfill’s capacity that has been consumed, and (2) a change in liability and asset amounts to be recorded prospectively over the remaining capacity of the landfill. Any change related to the capitalized and future cost of the landfill asset is then recognized in amortization expense prospectively over the remaining capacity of the landfill. Changes in the Company’s credit-adjusted, risk-free rate do not change recorded liabilities, but subsequently recognized obligations are measured using the revised credit-adjusted risk-free rate.

The Company records the estimated fair value of final capping, closure and post-closure obligations for its landfills based on each landfill’s capacity that has been consumed through the current period. This liability and corresponding asset is accrued on a per-ton basis. Capping obligations generally involve the installation of flexible membrane and geosynthetic clay liners, drainage and compacted soil layers, and topsoil over portions of the landfill where total airspace has been consumed. The estimated fair value of each final capping event will be fully accrued when the tons associated with such capping event have been disposed in the landfill. Additionally, the estimated fair value of total final capping, closure and post-closure costs will be fully accrued for each landfill at the time the site discontinues accepting waste and is closed. Closure and post-closure accruals consider estimates for methane gas control, leachate management and ground-water monitoring and other operational and maintenance costs to be incurred after the site discontinues accepting waste, which is generally expected to be for a period of up to 30 years after final site closure. Daily maintenance activities, which include many of these costs, are incurred during the operating life of the landfill and are expensed as incurred. Daily maintenance activities include leachate disposal; surface water, groundwater, and methane gas monitoring and maintenance; other pollution control activities; mowing and fertilizing the landfill cap; fence and road maintenance; and third party inspection and reporting costs. For purchased disposal sites, the Company assesses and records present value-based final capping, closure and post-closure obligations at the time the Company assumes such responsibilities. Such liabilities are based on the estimated final capping, closure and post-closure costs and the percentage of airspace consumed related to such obligations as of the date the Company assumed the responsibility. Thereafter, the Company accounts for the landfill and related final capping, closure and post-closure obligations consistent with the policy described above.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Interest accretion on final capping, closure and post-closure obligations is recorded using the effective interest method and is recorded as final capping, closure and post-closure expense, which is included as a component of operating costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

In the United States, the closure and post-closure obligations are established by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Subtitles C and D regulations, as implemented and applied on a state-by-state basis. The costs to comply with these obligations could increase in the future as a result of legislation or regulation.

Assets and liabilities associated with final capping, closure and post-closure costs consisted of the following at December 31, 2005 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

     2005     2006  

Landfill assets

   $ 123,570     $ 129,928  

Accumulated landfill airspace amortization

     (25,459 )     (30,146 )
                

Net landfill assets

   $ 98,111     $ 99,782  
                
     2005     2006  

Final capping

   $ 6,181     $ 6,556  

Closure/post-closure

     599       546  
                

Total liabilities

   $ 6,780     $ 7,102  
                

Current portion

   $ 3,030     $ 755  

Long term

     3,750       6,347  
                

Total liabilities

   $ 6,780     $ 7,102  
                

The changes to landfill liabilities were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

     2005     2006  

Beginning balance

   $ 5,272     $ 6,780  

Obligations incurred

     1,036       983  

Obligations settled

     (682 )     (1,491 )

Interest accretion

     414       824  

Change in estimate

     740       529  

Discontinued operations (see Note 2)

     —         (523 )
                

Ending balance

   $ 6,780     $ 7,102  
                

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

8. INCOME TAXES

The balances of deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2005 and 2006 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     2005     2006  

Current deferred income tax assets (liabilities) relate to:

    

Allowance for bad debts

   $ 1,209     $ 1,057  

Accrued vacation

     377       441  

Interest rate swap agreements

     (502 )     (32 )

Other accruals not currently deductible

     343       739  

Prepaid expenses

     (127 )     (418 )

State operating loss carryforwards

     224       —    
                

Net current deferred income tax assets

   $ 1,524     $ 1,787  
                

Noncurrent deferred income tax assets (liabilities) relate to:

    

Basis and depreciation differences - fixed assets

   $ (17,859 )   $ (18,650 )

Basis and depreciation differences - intangibles

     (4,480 )     (5,271 )

State operating loss carryforwards

     —         278  

Deferred compensation and other

     —         130  
                

Net noncurrent deferred tax liabilities

   $ (22,339 )   $ (23,513 )
                

At December 31, 2006, the Company had unused state NOL carryforwards of approximately $5.6 million for which $5,000 will expire in 2007, $17,000 will expire in 2008, and $5.5 million will expire in 2010 and beyond. The Company has established a valuation allowance in the amount $1,000 for certain state NOL carryforwards expiring in 2007 and 2008.

The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     2004    2005    2006

Income tax expense attributable to continuing operations:

        

Federal

   $ 3,055    $ 6,883    $ 10,311

State

     1,008      410      1,724
                    

Total current income taxes

     4,063      7,293      12,035

Provision for deferred income taxes

     2,525      499      2,381

Total

   $ 6,588    $ 7,792    $ 14,416
                    

The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the Federal statutory rate (34% for 2004, 35% for 2005, 35% for 2006) to actual income tax expense attributable to continuing operations recorded for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 (in thousands):

 

     2004     2005     2006

Federal tax at the statutory rate

   $ 6,007     $ 6,749     $ 10,992

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

     690       537       3,114

Change in valuation allowance

     —         —         1

Other

     —         660       106

Other permanent items, net

     (109 )     (154 )     203
                      

Total

   $ 6,588     $ 7,792     $ 14,416
                      

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company accrued an additional current state tax liability of $0.4 million in 2004 related to tax credits taken in prior years. The State of North Carolina disallowed certain credits that were approved by the State Department of Commerce in prior years. The Company paid these amounts in 2005. In 2005 and 2006, the Company increased its current state tax liability by approximately $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, related to uncertain tax positions.

 

9. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

During 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Company issued 4,266 shares, 5,649 shares and 3,698 shares, respectively, of Company common stock with a fair value of approximately $48,000, $79,000 and $78,000, respectively, as partial compensation paid to directors.

During 2004, 2005 and 2006, stock options totaling 18,201, 253,277 and 222,733 shares were exercised with net proceeds of approximately $0.1 million, $2.0 million, and $1.9 million, respectively. In connection with the exercise of the options in 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $0, $0.4 million and $0.3 million respectively, as an increase to paid in capital.

In 2005, the Company’s Chairman, Lonnie C. Poole, Jr., purchased two life insurance policies which were previously assigned to the Company in connection with the settlement of prior loans. To purchase one of the policies, Mr. Poole transferred to the Company 17,617 shares of the Company’s common stock with an approximate value of $0.2 and the Company subsequently cancelled such shares.

The Company paid dividends of $0.08 per share in June 2004 and December 2004. The Company paid dividends of $0.08 per share in June 2005, August 2005 and December 2005. The Company paid dividends of $0.09 per share in April 2006 and May 2006. The Company paid dividends of $0.10 per share in August 2006 and December 2006.

Under the Company’s amended revolving bank facility, the payment of cash dividends is limited to 50% of the trailing 12 months’ net income. Additionally, the Company must meet financial covenants contained in the facility, including covenants relating to minimum net worth and maximum levels of capital expenditures and indebtedness. If the Company is not in compliance with these covenants, or otherwise is in default under the facility, it would not be able to pay cash dividends.

 

10. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Interest Rate Swaps

The Company utilizes cash flow hedge agreements to manage a portion of its risks related to fluctuations in interest rates. In March 2004, the Company entered into interest rate swaps to hedge notional debt values of $30.0 million and $10.0 million, respectively. These swaps are in effect for the period November 2004 through February 9, 2007 with fixed interest rates of 2.7%.

The Company measures effectiveness of the interest rate swaps by its ability to offset cash flows associated with changes in the variable LIBOR rate associated with the Company’s credit facility using the change in variable cash flow method. To the

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

extent the interest rate swap is considered to be effective, changes in fair value are recorded, net of income tax, in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). To the extent the instrument is considered ineffective, any changes in fair value relating to the ineffective portion are immediately recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as interest expense. The interest rate swaps were fully effective during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements represents the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate the interest rate swap agreements taking into consideration the difference between the contract rate of interest and rates currently quoted for an agreement of similar term and maturity. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements represented an asset of approximately $1.0 million and $0.3 million at December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. In 2004, 2005, and 2006, the Company had no reclassification adjustments for net charges included in net income, as all changes in the fair value of the contracts were reflected as adjustments to other comprehensive income, net of taxes.

In 2004, the Company recognized $1.5 million in additional interest expense related to the interest rate swap agreements within its consolidated statements of operations. In 2005 and 2006, the Company recognized approximately $0.1 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in reduced interest expense related to the interest rate swap agreements within its consolidated statements of income. The current interest rate swap agreements expire on February 9, 2007 and the Company estimates that it will reclassify approximately $0.3 million in gains on cash flow hedges within net operating results in its 2007 consolidated statements of operations.

Commodity Contracts

The Company enters into commodity contracts to hedge its cash received from the sale of old corrugated cardboard (“OCC”). The notional amounts hedged under these agreements represent approximately 43% of the Company’s expected volume for 2007. The fair value of the Company’s commodity contracts was obtained from a dealer quote. This value represents the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate the commodity contracts, taking into consideration the difference between the contract value of the OCC volume and values currently quoted for agreements of similar term and maturity. The fair value of the commodity agreements represented an asset of approximately $0.4 million and a liability of $0.2 million at December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The Company recognized $0.1 million of expense for changes in the fair value of the OCC contracts within other comprehensive income in the year ended December 31, 2004. In 2005 and 2006, the OCC contracts were not designated as accounting hedges. The Company recognized $0.3 million of gain and $0.6 million of loss as service revenue for changes in the fair value of the OCC contracts within its consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

The Company has used heating oil option agreements to manage a portion of its exposure to fluctuations in diesel fuel oil prices. To date, such agreements have not been significant to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. The fair value of the Company’s fuel commodity contract was obtained from a dealer quote. This value represents the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate the commodity contracts, taking into consideration the difference between the contract value of the fuel volume and values currently quoted for agreements of similar term and maturity. The fair value of the agreement represented an asset of approximately $54,000 and $2,000 at December 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. The Company recognized $0, $0.2 million and $0.3 million in income for changes in the fair value of the fuel contract within its consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006 respectively.

 

11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Lonnie C. Poole, III, the Company’s Vice President, Corporate Development, is a member of a limited liability company that owns the building in Raleigh, North Carolina in which the Company leases its headquarters office space. The lease was entered into in June 1999 with a term of 10 years. Rental expense related to this lease was approximately $509,000, $587,000, and $675,000 for the years ended 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Management believes that the lease is on terms comparable to those with unrelated third parties.

Prior to June 2005, the Company provided office space and administrative services to a company owned by Lonnie C. Poole, Jr., the Company’s founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors. The amount billed for such services was $6,000 for the year ended 2004 and $2,000 for the year ended 2005. As of June 1, 2005, the Company no longer provides office space and administrative services to Mr. Poole’s company.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company leases aircraft from time to time from two companies, one owned by Lonnie C. Poole, Jr., the Company’s Chairman, and one owned in part by Lonnie C. Poole, III, the Company’s Vice President, Corporate Development. The amounts paid to these companies for rental of such aircraft for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were approximately $700, $1,400 and $5,300, respectively, to the company owned by Lonnie C. Poole, Jr., and $6,600, $50,000 and $16,000, respectively, to the company partly owned by Lonnie C. Poole, III. Management believes that the lease terms are comparable to those with unrelated third parties.

Lonnie C. Poole, III, the Company’s Vice President, Corporate Development, Carole Poole, the wife of the Company’s Chairman, Lonnie C. Poole Jr., and Scott J. Poole, the son of Lonnie C. Poole, Jr., are members of a limited liability company that operates a fuel and convenience retail operation from which the Company from time to time has purchased fuel. The amount paid to this company for fuel for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 was approximately $15,600, $600 and $0, respectively. Management believes the Company paid the same prices for the fuel as was paid to third parties. In 2006, the fuel and convenience retail operations were sold to various unrelated third parties.

In January 2005, the Company purchased approximately 3.8 acres of property adjacent to its Newport, North Carolina operation from Property Management Group Partnership (“PMG Partnership”) for approximately $140,000 for the purpose of expansion. PMG Partnership is comprised of three partners, two of whom are Lonnie C. Poole, Jr., Chairman of the Board of the Company, and Jim W. Perry, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company obtained a third party appraisal prior to the purchase. Management believes that the transaction was executed on terms comparable to those with unrelated third parties.

In January 2005, the Company’s Chairman, Lonnie C. Poole, Jr., purchased from the Company two life insurance policies which he previously assigned to the Company in connection with the settlement of prior loans. To purchase one of the policies, Mr. Poole transferred to the Company 17,617 shares of the Company’s common stock with an approximate value of $219,500 and the Company subsequently cancelled such shares. The purchase of the other policy was settled in cash for $166,405. The aggregate consideration value of $385,905 was the cash value of the policies on September 30, 2004, the valuation date determined in accordance with the Board’s approval of the transaction. The Company recognized a loss of approximately $40,400 related to the sale of these policies.

In 1998, the Company was offered the opportunity to purchase two tracts of land that had potential as a regional solid waste disposal facility. The Company had been looking for a landfill site and this land was one of several sites the Company was considering. The owners of the land were unwilling to extend a purchase option for a period long enough to enable the Company to determine the feasibility of the site as a regional solid waste disposal facility and to obtain the necessary franchise from the county in which the landfill would be located and permits from the state in which the landfill would be located. The Company’s general practice is not to acquire property for which it does not have a plan for development in the short-term and for which it has not obtained, to the extent practicable, a site suitability determination and the necessary franchise and permits. Rather than forego this potential opportunity, management determined that it was in the Company’s best interest for an unrelated third party to purchase and hold the land until such time as the Company was able to develop a plan and obtain a site suitability determination and a franchise and permits for the landfill. After management was unable to identify a third party willing to undertake this endeavor in the very little time available, a limited liability company (“LLC”) owned by a trust controlled by Lonnie C. Poole, III, the Company’s Vice President, and Scott J. Poole, sons of Lonnie C. Poole, Jr., the Company’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, purchased the land in December 1998. This LLC was purchased by Lonnie C. Poole, Jr. in 2005. As is customary for the Company when evaluating disposal sites, the Company incurred normal engineering, legal, marketing, consulting and other due diligence expenses to determine site feasibility, but the Company had no obligation to purchase the site. These costs of acquiring and carrying the site were borne entirely by the LLC. The Company incurred no costs in 2005 or 2006. In June 2006, the Company entered into a 25-year contract with Wake County to build and operate a regional landfill in Holly Springs, North Carolina that is scheduled to open in late 2007. As a result, the Company does not need another location for a landfill in the greater Raleigh, North Carolina area for the foreseeable future and has informed the LLC that it is not interested in purchasing the property.

From 2000 through 2005, the Company sponsored a split dollar life insurance plan that was available to key employees, which plan is discussed in Note 12, Benefit Plans. Lonnie C. Poole, III, the Company’s Vice President, Corporate Development, and Harrell J. Auten, the Company’s Vice President, Sales and Marketing, participated in the plan. Under the plan, the Company paid all of the premiums on life insurance policies owned by Mr. Poole and Mr. Auten. Because each executive was taxed on a portion of each year’s premium, the executive was required to repay only the premium amount that was not taxed. Each

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

executive officer collaterally assigned his policy to the Company to secure the repayment of this portion of the premium payments. The Company’s payment of the premiums on the split dollar life insurance policies could be viewed as loans to the executives. Beginning in July 2002, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act prohibits loans to directors and executive officers of the Company, but the premium payments on the policies owned by Mr. Poole and Mr. Auten were inadvertently continued by the Company after July 2002. Mr. Poole has been an executive officer of the Company since the arrangement began, and Mr. Auten has been an executive officer since 2005. Upon identification of the loan issue in December 2005, the Company discontinued the premium payments effective December 31, 2005 and requested repayment of the portion of the premiums due the Company. The Company also discontinued the split dollar life insurance plan effective December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2005, the sum of the premium payments owed by Mr. Poole to the Company was approximately $121,000 and the sum of the premium payments owed by Mr. Auten to the Company was approximately $52,000. In exchange for rights and benefits surrendered by the executives under the discontinued split dollar life insurance plan, the Company paid Mr. Poole approximately $130,000 and Mr. Auten approximately $44,000 in June 2006. As of June 30, 2006, Mr. Poole and Mr. Auten had repaid the Company all amounts due the Company for the life insurance policies. After receiving these payments, the Company released its collateral assignment rights under the policies to Mr. Poole and Mr. Auten.

 

12. BENEFIT PLANS

401(k) Profit Sharing And Retirement Plan—The Company has a 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan and Trust for the benefit of its full-time employees who have more than one year of service and are over 21 years of age. Employee contributions made under this 401(k) pre-tax contribution plan are matched by the Company with certain restrictions. The Company’s matching contributions to the 401(k) plan were approximately $727,000, $867,000, and $906,000 for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Contributions by the Company are included in operating costs and expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Self-insured Medical and Dental Plan—The Company has a self-insured plan for employee medical and dental benefits. The plan covers all full-time employees of the Company beginning on the 91st day of employment. The Company pays a portion of the expenses for its employees and their dependents and withholds from employees’ wages additional amounts to offset a portion of the cost of these benefits. As claims are processed, the third-party plan administrator requests reimbursement funds from the Company. The Company maintains stop loss coverage for the plan at $150,000 per claim, per year. The Company’s total costs relating to the plan (including premiums paid, claims paid, and fees) for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 was approximately $5.9 million, $5.5 million and $5.2, respectively.

Deferred Compensation Plan – The Company has a deferred compensation plan available to key employees. For the period from 2000 to 2005, a participant could elect to defer up to $20,000 of annual cash compensation under the plan. Beginning in 2006, a participant may elect to defer up to 100% of annual cash compensation. The Company may increase the amount of the deferral credited under the plan by an amount that is based upon the deferral amount (the “matching amount”) and by an amount that is a percentage of compensation established by the Company (the “nonelective amount”). The combined Company match of 65% for compensation deferred into the deferred compensation plan and 401K plan may not exceed 6% of the participants’ compensation. The Company has not awarded a nonelective amount. Amounts deferred prior to 2006 are credited with a fixed rate of increase of 6% per year. Amounts deferred in 2006 and thereafter will be credited with a rate of increase at the same rate as the rate of earnings credited under a “rabbi trust” established by the Company. The amounts deferred by the participants are fully vested. The Company’s matching and nonelective amounts are vested at 20% after two years of service, with vesting of 20% each year thereafter. Payments will be made in an amount equal to the participant’s deferrals, matching amounts, and increases at a time elected by the participant in accordance with rules set by Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

The Company recorded a deferred compensation liability of approximately $328,000 and $777,000 at December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

Split Dollar Life Insurance Plan – From 2000 through 2005, the Company sponsored a split dollar life insurance plan available to key employees. The split dollar life insurance plan was discontinued effective December 31, 2005. Under the plan, the Company paid the premiums on the life insurance policies of the participating employees. The untaxed portions of the premium payments made by the Company were subject to repayment by the employees, which repayment was secured by a collateral assignment of the life insurance policies to the Company. No premiums were paid by the Company after 2005. At December 31, 2005, approximately $276,000 of untaxed advanced premiums relating to key employees were reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as current receivables. The $276,000 was repaid in 2006.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Certain claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business have been filed or are pending against the Company. In the opinion of management, all such matters have been adequately provided for, are adequately covered by insurance, or are of a nature that if disposed of unfavorably, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In addition, the Company has identified the following matters which could have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations:

The City of Chesapeake, et al v. Camden County, et al, Superior Court of Camden County, Docket No. 05 CVS 95

Black Bear Disposal, LLC (“Black Bear”), one of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Franchise Agreement with Camden County, North Carolina, effective November 4, 2002. The Franchise Agreement gives Black Bear the exclusive right to build and operate a municipal solid waste landfill in the County, on a tract of approximately 1,000 acres. On November 3, 2005, the City of Chesapeake, Virginia, 13 individuals and a limited partnership alleging to own property in the vicinity of the proposed landfill, and the Camden Citizens Action League, Inc. filed suit in Camden County Superior Court against Camden County, the Board of Commissioners of Camden County, the five Camden County Commissioners and the County Manager in both their official and individual capacities, and Black Bear. In their complaint, the plaintiffs seek a number of judicial determinations, including a declaration that the Franchise Agreement and underlying Franchise Ordinance are void, that certain prerequisites to the approval of the Franchise Ordinance and execution of the Franchise Agreement were not met, and that certain prerequisites to Black Bear’s permit application to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (“DENR”) were not met. The defendants, including Black Bear, filed a Motion to Dismiss, Answer, Affirmative Defenses and Counterclaims on January 19, 2006, moving to dismiss the plaintiffs’ complaint on the basis of the applicable statutes of limitation, the failure to join a necessary party, lack of subject matter and personal jurisdiction, sovereign and governmental immunity, lack of standing, and the failure to exhaust administrative remedies, denying many of the factual allegations of the plaintiffs’ complaint, and raising as affirmative defenses the applicable statutes of limitation, the terms of a November 22, 2004 Nondisclosure Agreement between the Company and the Southeastern Public Service Authority of Virginia (“SPSA”), in which SPSA, for itself and its members (Chesapeake is a member of SPSA), had agreed not to interfere with or oppose the Company’s plans for a landfill in Camden County, and the doctrines of estoppel, waiver, release, sovereign, governmental and legislative immunities, laches, and the failure to exhaust administrative remedies. The defendants’ counterclaims included claims that the plaintiffs had tortiously interfered with Black Bear’s Franchise Agreement, that Chesapeake had breached the Nondisclosure Agreement, and that Chesapeake had misused Black Bear’s confidential information in violation of the Nondisclosure Agreement and the North Carolina Trade Secrets Protection Act. In the counterclaims, the defendants, including Black Bear, sought the damages suffered as a result of plaintiffs’ tortious interference, and Chesapeake’s breach of the Nondisclosure Agreement and misuse of confidential information, including damages in excess of $3,000,000 per year for any delay in the opening of the proposed landfill. The plaintiffs filed Motions to Dismiss, Strike, Separate Claims, Answer, Affirmative Defenses and Motion to Amend Complaint in response to defendants’ counterclaims, arguing that the counterclaims should be dismissed or stricken, or, in the alternative, separated for trial, and that plaintiffs should be given leave to amend their complaint to add Waste Industries USA, Inc. as a party, given Waste’s agreement to be considered a co-permittee on the landfill, with Black Bear.

Black Bear’s and the County defendants’ Motion to Dismiss the plaintiffs’ claims came on for hearing on April 24, 2006, as did Chesapeake’s and the other plaintiffs’ Motions to Dismiss the defendants’ counterclaims. The Court denied Black Bear’s, the County defendants’ and Chesapeake’s Motions to Dismiss, while granting the remaining plaintiffs’ Motion to Dismiss Black Bear’s and the County defendants’ counterclaims. As a result, the plaintiffs’ challenges to the Franchise Ordinance and Franchise Agreement remain pending, as do Black Bear’s and the County defendants’ counterclaims against Chesapeake. Plaintiff’s Motions to Strike, Separate and Amend were not reached by the Court and remain pending.

The matter is now in discovery on the plaintiffs’ claims and the defendants’ counterclaims, including written discovery and the depositions of the various party and third-party witnesses. The defendants anticipate renewing the defenses underlying their Motion to Dismiss in a Motion for Summary Judgment at the close of discovery.

If the plaintiffs succeed in this matter, Black Bear would have to re-negotiate the Franchise Agreement or re-apply for a franchise with the County and/or re-submit and/or amend its request for a site suitability determination to DENR in order to develop the landfill. The Company intends to vigorously defend this matter and pursue these and any other potential counterclaims against the plaintiffs.

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Pursuant to the Franchise Agreement, Black Bear has agreed to indemnify the County, its officers, employees and agents, which would include the County Commissioners, against all claims arising out of the Franchise Agreement. As a result, Black Bear is liable for the expenses of, and any damages or other awards ultimately determined against, those defendants. This arrangement has not materially affected our financial position, results of operations or liquidity during the year ended December 31, 2006 nor is it expected to have a material impact on our future financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

In July 2006, the North Carolina legislature enacted a one-year moratorium on permits for new landfills. The moratorium runs from August 1, 2006 to August 1, 2007. The legislation requires the Environmental Review Commission, with the assistance of the Division of Waste Management of the DENR, to study measures concerning, among other things, financial responsibility requirements, franchise and local government requirements, and siting, design and operational requirements for solid waste landfills in the state. The legislation also establishes a committee to study, among other things, the impact of landfills on minority and low-income communities. The moratorium could lead to delays and greater expense in the development of landfills in North Carolina, including Black Bear.

The Franchise Agreement currently gives Black Bear until November 4, 2007 to open the landfill. Given the litigation brought by Chesapeake and passage of the moratorium, Black Bear recently sought a five-year extension on the November 4, 2007 date from the Camden County Board of Commissioners, in return for consideration to the County totaling $450,000. At its November 6, 2006 regular meeting, the Camden County Board of Commissioners voted to delay consideration of Black Bear’s requested extension. In February 2007, the Camden County Board of Commissioners voted against a motion to seek approval from the North Carolina General Assembly to put the extension request up for decision by a voter referendum. Black Bear intends to continue to seek an extension of the November 4, 2007 date. Should Black Bear fail to secure an extension and not have the landfill open by November 4, 2007, Camden County could take action to enforce its rights under the Franchise Agreement, including, without limitation, termination of the Franchise Agreement, curing the default or suing for damages, subject in all cases to Black Bear’s right to cure under the Franchise Agreement and other defenses available to it in law or equity. In the alternative, Black Bear and Camden County could re-negotiate the Franchise Agreement.

If the landfill is not developed, it would not have a material adverse impact on our cash flows; however, the Company may not recover all of its $12.0 million of capitalized costs (including approximately $8.2 million in land purchase costs), resulting in an impairment charge that could have a material adverse impact on our earnings. The landfill project and/or the Franchise Agreement may need to be modified to address issues raised in the Chesapeake litigation and legal and regulatory changes. The Company is continuing its efforts to develop the landfill and believes it is probable that the landfill project, as modified, will be permitted.

Other

The Company has unconditional purchase obligations for 2007 of approximately $0.8 million.

At December 31, 2005 and 2006, the Company had irrevocable letters of credit totaling approximately $58.1 million and $59.9 million, respectively. According to the terms of the $200 million Bank of America facility, the availability of funds on that facility is reduced by the outstanding borrowings and letters of credit. At December 31, 2005 and 2006, no amounts were drawn under the outstanding letters of credit.

 

14. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company has two types of stock-based compensation arrangements.

Stock Options

The Company has the 1997 Stock Plan (the “Stock Plan”) whereby a total of 1,800,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance under the Stock Plan. The Stock Plan provides for grants of “incentive stock options,” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to employees (including officers and employee directors), and the Stock Plan provides for grants of non-statutory stock options to non-employee directors and consultants. The Stock Plan also allows for the grant of stock purchase rights. The Stock Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Stock options granted under the Stock Plan may be incentive stock options or non-statutory stock options and generally have a term of five years from the date of grant and vest over periods determined at the date of grant, typically

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

straight-line over four years. The exercise prices of the options are determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and will be at least 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Stock Plan will terminate in April 2007, unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors.

The per share fair value of options granted under the Stock Plan during 2006 was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes model using the following weighted average assumptions consistent with the requirements of SFAS No. 123R.

 

     2006  

Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted

   $ 5.78  

Weighted-average expected lives (years)

     3.5  

Risk-free interest rate

     4.84 %

Expected dividend yield

     2.00 %

Volatility

     37.00 %

A summary of the status of the Stock Plan as of December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 and changes during the years ending on those dates is as follows:

 

     Shares    

Weighted Average
Exercise

Price

Balance, January 1, 2004

   615,136     $ 11.51

Granted

   207,999       10.94

Forfeitures

   (76,309 )     13.74

Exercised

   (18,201 )     6.66
            

Balance, December 31 2004

   728,625       9.09

Granted

   136,380       14.19

Forfeitures

   (27,330 )     9.22

Exercised

   (253,277 )     8.01
            

Balance, December 31, 2005

   584,398       10.74

Granted

   90,468       21.82

Forfeitures

   (26,939 )     11.65

Expired

   (6,285 )     10.22

Exercised

   (222,733 )     8.55
            

Balance, December 31, 2006

   418,909     $ 14.24
            

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Options
Outstanding
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)

Outstanding as of December 31, 2006

   418,909    2.8    $ 14.24    $ 6,820
                       

Vested and unvested expected to vest as of December 31, 2006

   407,308    2.8    $ 14.28    $ 6,616
                       

Exercisable at December 31, 2006

   189,875    2.2    $ 12.43    $ 3,435
                       

The following table summarizes certain information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2006:

 

     Options Outstanding

Range of

Exercise Prices

   Number of
Options
Outstanding
   Weighted
Average
Life (1)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

$6.30-$10.72

   144,378    1.7    $ 8.75    $ 3,143

$11.79-$16.78

   134,063    3.1      13.68      2,257

$17.88-$23.12

   140,468    3.6      20.41      1,420
                 
   418,909    2.8      14.24    $ 6,820
                 
     Options Exercisable

Range of

Exercise Prices

   Number of
Options
Outstanding
   Weighted
Average
Life (1)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

$6.30-$10.72

   87,229    1.5    $ 8.21    $ 1,946

$11.79-$16.78

   47,178    2.9      13.45      805

$17.88-$23.12

   55,468    2.7      18.19      684
                 
   189,875    2.2      12.43    $ 3,435
                 

(1) In years

As of December 31, 2006, there existed approximately $0.9 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, and 2006 was approximately $0.1 million, $1.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

The Company primarily grants incentive stock options, which do not result in an income tax deduction to the Company unless a disqualifying disposition takes place. Consequently, no income tax benefit is recorded on incentive stock options as the options vest or are exercised unless the exercise is a disqualifying disposition. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the

 

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WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Company presented all income tax benefits resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in its consolidated statements of cash flows. SFAS No. 123R requires cash flows resulting from excess income tax benefits to be shown as part of cash flows from financing activities. The Company has elected to calculate its initial pool of excess tax benefits pursuant to the method described in FASB Staff Position No. SFAS 123R-3, Transition Election Related to Accounting for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards.

Cash received from option exercises for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 was approximately $0.1 million, $2.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively, and is shown as financing cash inflows in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.

As of December 31, 2006, the Company had approximately 0.3 million options available for future issuance under the Stock Plan. The Stock Plan will terminate in April 2007 for new grants.

Stock

The Company pays a portion of its directors’ fees with stock. Directors’ fees settled with stock are expensed as the service is performed. The number of shares available for settlement is based upon the closing price of the stock on the date of payment and the cash price of the services. For the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Company recognized approximately $48,000, $79,000 and $78,000, respectively, for the portion of directors’ fees settled in stock.

 

15. MARKETABLE SECURITIES

Beginning in 2006, the Company purchased marketable securities and placed them in a “rabbi trust” for its deferred compensation plan (see Note 12). The marketable securities are classified as trading securities and their fair value is included in “Other noncurrent assets” in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2006. Changes in the fair value of the assets are recorded as investment income or loss. Cash flows from purchases, sales and maturities of trading securities are reported within cash flows from operating activities. The Company recognized approximately $58,000 in unrealized gains within its consolidated statement of operations for 2006 for changes in fair value of these securities.

 

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In January 2007, the Company acquired a hauling company in Georgia for approximately $5.0 million in cash to expand its presence in the Atlanta, GA market. Approximately $2.0 million of the $7.0 million purchase price was withheld at the time of closing to allow for asset and working capital valuations. The Company is in the process of allocating the purchase price to the assets acquired.

 

F-34


Table of Contents

WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

17. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

The following table summarizes the unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations as reported and restated for the effect of the discontinued operations (see Note 2):

 

     FIRST
QUARTER
   SECOND
QUARTER
   THIRD
QUARTER
   FOURTH
QUARTER
     (In thousands, except per share data)

Total revenues:

           

2005 as reported

   $ 72,027    $ 77,259    $ 82,877    $ 81,150

2005 as restated

     68,227    $ 75,931    $ 81,348    $ 79,601

Gross profit:

           

2005 as reported

   $ 23,557    $ 24,517    $ 26,382    $ 28,880

2005 as restated

     22,868    $ 23,883    $ 26,021    $ 28,335

Income from continuing operations:

           

2005 as reported

   $ 2,772    $ 2,142    $ 3,040    $ 4,170

2005 as restated

     2,743    $ 1,906    $ 2,954    $ 3,947

Earnings from continuing operations per share:

           

Basic:

           

2005 as reported

   $ 0.20    $ 0.16    $ 0.22    $ 0.30

2005 as restated

     0.20    $ 0.14    $ 0.22    $ 0.29

Diluted:

           

2005 as reported

   $ 0.20    $ 0.15    $ 0.22    $ 0.30

2005 as restated

     0.20    $ 0.14    $ 0.21    $ 0.29

Net income:

           

2005 as reported

   $ 2,772    $ 2,421    $ 3,040    $ 3,956

2005 as restated

     2,772    $ 2,421    $ 3,040    $ 3,956

Earnings per share:

           

Basic:

           

2005 as reported

   $ 0.20    $ 0.18    $ 0.22    $ 0.29

2005 as restated

     0.20    $ 0.18    $ 0.22    $ 0.29

Diluted:

           

2005 as reported

   $ 0.20    $ 0.17    $ 0.22    $ 0.29

2005 as restated

     0.20    $ 0.17    $ 0.22    $ 0.29

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

           

Basic

           

2005

     13,538      13,675      13,706      13,723

Diluted

           

2005

     13,774      13,853      13,852      13,871

 

F-35


Table of Contents

WASTE INDUSTRIES USA. INC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table summarizes the unaudited consolidated quarterly results of operations as reported and restated for the effect of the discontinued operations (see Note 2):

 

     FIRST
QUARTER
   SECOND
QUARTER
   THIRD
QUARTER
   FOURTH
QUARTER
     (In thousands, except per share data)
Total revenues:            

2006 as reported

   $ 79,227    $ 82,599    $ 84,681    $ 81,119

2006 as restated

     79,146    $ 82,599    $ 84,681    $ 81,119

Gross profit:

           

2006 as reported

   $ 27,435    $ 28,127    $ 29,161    $ 31,124

2006 as restated

     27,418      28,127      29,161      31,124

Income from continuing operations:

           

2006 as reported

   $ 3,371    $ 4,512    $ 3,887    $ 5,229

2006 as restated

     3,361    $ 4,512    $ 3,887    $ 5,229

Earnings from continuing operations per share:

           

Basic:

           

2006 as reported

   $ 0.25    $ 0.33    $ 0.28    $ 0.37

2006 as restated

     0.24      0.33      0.28      0.37

Diluted:

           

2006 as reported

   $ 0.24    $ 0.32    $ 0.28    $ 0.37

2006 as restated

     0.24      0.32      0.28      0.37

Net income:

           

2006 as reported

   $ 3,390    $ 6,762    $ 3,753    $ 5,376

2006 as restated

     3,390    $ 6,762    $ 3,753    $ 5,376

Earnings per share:

           

Basic:

           

2006 as reported

   $ 0.25    $ 0.49    $ 0.27    $ 0.39

2006 as restated

     0.25      0.49      0.27      0.39

Diluted:

           

2006 as reported

   $ 0.24    $ 0.48    $ 0.27    $ 0.38

2006 as restated

     0.24      0.48      0.27      0.38

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

           

Basic

           

2006

     13,761      13,857      13,910      13,951

Diluted

           

2006

     13,911      14,029      14,072      14,145

 

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Table of Contents

SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(In Thousands)

 

     Balance
12/31/2003
   Charges to
Expense
   Write-offs/
Payments
    Balance
12/31/2004

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 2,608    $ 3,687    $ (4,036 )   $ 2,259

Reserve for note receivable from customer

     960      —        —         960

Reserve for self-insurance

     2,620      10,949      (10,163 )     3,406
     Balance
12/31/2004
   Charges to
Expense
   Write-offs/
Payments
    Balance
12/31/2005

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 2,259    $ 2,091    $ (1,579 )   $ 2,771

Reserve for note receivable from customer

     960      —        —         960

Reserve for self-insurance

     3,406      11,482      (10,227 )     4,661
     Balance
12/31/2005
   Charges to
Expense
   Write-offs/
Payments
    Balance
12/31/2006

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 2,771    $ 1,557    $ (2,147 )   $ 2,181

Reserve for note receivable from customer

     960      —        —         960

Reserve for self-insurance

     4,661      12,052      (11,223 )     5,490

 

S-1

EX-21 2 dex21.htm LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES List of Subsidiaries

Exhibit 21

Direct and Indirect Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Waste Industries USA, Inc.

Black Bear Disposal, LLC

CLD of Nashville, LLC

Douglasville Transfer, LLC

Duplin County Disposal, LLC

ETC of Georgia, LLC

Laurens County Landfill, LLC

Ponderosa Landco, LLC

Red Rock Disposal, LLC

Reliable Trash Service, LLC

S & S Enterprises of Mississippi, LLC

Safeguard Landfill Management, LLC

Sampson County Disposal, LLC

Shamrock Environmental Services, LLC

TransWaste Services, LLC

Wake County Disposal, LLC

WasteCo, LLC

Waste Industries, LLC

Waste Industries Atlanta, LLC

Waste Industries LandCo, LLC

Waste Industries of Tennessee, LLC

Waste Industries Property Co., LLC

Waste Services of Decatur, LLC

Waste Services of Memphis, LLC

Waste Services of Tennessee, LLC

EX-23.1 3 dex231.htm CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-48609 on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 16, 2007 relating to (i) the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Waste Industries USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph related to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, Share-Based Payment, effective January 1, 2006), and (ii) management’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Waste Industries USA, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2006.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina

March 16, 2007

EX-31.1 4 dex311.htm CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Certification of Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Jim W. Perry, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Waste Industries USA, Inc.;

 

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

 

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

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) 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. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  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; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the 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 that 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: March 16, 2007   By:  

/s/ Jim W. Perry

    Jim W. Perry
    President and Chief Executive Officer
EX-31.2 5 dex312.htm CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Certification of Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, D. Stephen Grissom, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Waste Industries USA, Inc.;

 

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

 

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

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) 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;

 

  d. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  e. 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; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the 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 that 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: March 16, 2007   By:  

/s/ D. Stephen Grissom

    D. Stephen Grissom
    Chief Financial Officer
EX-32.1 6 dex321.htm CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 1350 Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Waste Industries USA, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to his knowledge:

 

  (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 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/ Jim W. Perry

President and Chief Executive Officer
March 16, 2007
EX-32.2 7 dex322.htm CERTIFICATION BY THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 1350 Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Waste Industries USA, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to his knowledge:

 

  (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 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/ D. Stephen Grissom

Chief Financial Officer
March 16, 2007
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