10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

 

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

 

For the transition period from                             to                             

 

Commission File No. 1-14387

 

United Rentals, Inc.

 

Commission File No. 1-13663

 

United Rentals (North America), Inc.

(Exact names of registrants as specified in their charters)

 

Delaware   06-1522496
Delaware   06-1493538
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Nos.)

Five Greenwich Office Park,

Greenwich, Connecticut

  06830
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(203) 622-3131

(Registrants’ telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have 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 registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  x  Yes  ¨  No

 

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

 

As of November 4, 2004, there were 77,842,802 shares of the United Rentals, Inc. common stock, $.01 par value, outstanding. There is no market for the common stock of United Rentals (North America), Inc., all outstanding shares of which are owned by United Rentals, Inc.

 

This combined Form 10-Q is separately filed by (i) United Rentals, Inc. and (ii) United Rentals (North America), Inc. (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Rentals, Inc.). United Rentals (North America), Inc. meets the conditions set forth in general instruction H(1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format permitted by such instruction.

 



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UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

 

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2004

 

INDEX

 

          Page

PART I

  

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

Item 1

  

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

    
    

United Rentals, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 (unaudited)

   4
    

United Rentals, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Nine and Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)

   5
    

United Rentals, Inc. Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 (unaudited)

   6
    

United Rentals, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)

   7
    

United Rentals (North America), Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003 (unaudited)

   8
    

United Rentals (North America), Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Nine and Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)

   9
    

United Rentals (North America), Inc. Consolidated Statement of Stockholder’s Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 (unaudited)

   10
    

United Rentals (North America), Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)

   11
    

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

   12

Item 2

  

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

   31

Item 3

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   54

Item 4

  

Controls and Procedures

   55

PART II

  

OTHER INFORMATION

    

Item 1

  

Legal Proceedings

   56

Item 2

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   56

Item 6

  

Exhibits

   57
    

Signatures

   59


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Certain statements contained in this Report are forward-looking in nature. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seek,” “on-track,” “plan,” “intend” or “anticipate,” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. You are cautioned that our business and operations are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and, consequently, our actual results may materially differ from those projected by any forward-looking statements. Certain of these factors are discussed in Item 2 of Part I of this Report under the caption “—Factors that May Influence Future Results and Accuracy of Forward-Looking Statements.” We make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date any such statement is made.

 

We make available on our internet website free of charge our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to such reports as soon as practicable after we electronically file such reports with the SEC. Our website address is www.unitedrentals.com. The information contained in our website is not incorporated by reference in this Report.

 

UNITED RENTALS

 

United Rentals is the largest equipment rental company in the world with a network of more than 730 rental locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. We offer for rent over 600 types of equipment, everything from heavy machines to hand tools, to customers that include construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities, homeowners and others.

 

Our fleet of rental equipment includes over 500,000 units having an original purchase price of approximately $3.7 billion. The fleet includes:

 

    General construction and industrial equipment, such as backhoes, skid-steer loaders, forklifts, earthmoving equipment, material handling equipment, compressors, pumps and generators;

 

    Aerial work platforms, such as scissor lifts and boom lifts;

 

    General tools and light equipment, such as pressure washers, water pumps, heaters and hand tools;

 

    Trench safety equipment for underground work, such as trench shields, aluminum hydraulic shoring systems, slide rails, crossing plates, construction lasers and line testing equipment; and

 

    Traffic control equipment, such as barricades, cones, warning lights, message boards and pavement marking systems.

 

In addition to renting equipment, we sell used rental equipment, act as a dealer for new equipment and sell related contractor supplies, parts and service.

 

Industry Background

 

We estimate that the U.S. equipment rental industry has grown from approximately $6.6 billion in annual rental revenues in 1990 to about $23.5 billion in 2003. This represents a compound annual growth rate of approximately 10.3%, although in 2002 and 2003 industry rental revenues decreased by about $1.3 billion from the level reached in 2001. This decrease reflected significant weakness in private non-residential construction activity, which declined 13% in 2002 and 7% in 2003 according to Department of Commerce data. Our industry is particularly sensitive to changes in private non-residential construction activity because to date the principal end market for rental equipment has been private non-residential construction.

 

We have recently begun to see early signs of a rebound in private non-residential construction. According to Department of Commerce data, private non-residential construction activity was up 3.7% in the first nine months of 2004 compared with the same period last year. With a sustained rebound in private non-residential construction, we would expect to see our industry resume its long-term growth trend.

 

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We believe that long-term industry growth, in addition to reflecting general economic expansion, is driven by an end-user market that increasingly recognizes the many advantages of renting equipment rather than owning. Customers recognize that by renting they can:

 

    avoid the large capital investment required for many equipment purchases;

 

    access a broad selection of equipment and select the equipment best suited for each particular job;

 

    reduce storage and maintenance costs; and

 

    access the latest technologies without investing in new equipment.

 

While the construction industry has to date been the principal user of rental equipment, industrial companies, utilities and others are increasingly using rental equipment for plant maintenance, plant turnarounds and other operations requiring the periodic use of equipment. We believe that over the long term, increasing rentals by the industrial sector could become a more significant factor in driving our industry’s growth.

 

Competitive Advantages

 

We believe that we benefit from the following competitive advantages:

 

Large and Diverse Rental Fleet.    Our rental fleet is the largest and most comprehensive in the industry, which allows us to

 

    attract customers by providing “one-stop” shopping;

 

    serve a diverse customer base and reduce our dependence on any particular customer or group of customers; and

 

    serve customers who require substantial quantities and/or wide varieties of equipment.

 

Significant Purchasing Power.    We purchase large amounts of equipment, contractor supplies and other items, which enables us to negotiate favorable pricing, warranty and other terms with our vendors.

 

Operating Efficiencies.    We benefit from the following operating efficiencies:

 

Equipment Sharing Among Branches.    We generally group our branches into clusters of 10 to 30 locations that are in the same geographic area. Each branch within a cluster can access all available equipment in the cluster area. This increases equipment utilization because equipment that is idle at one branch can be marketed and rented through other branches. In the third quarter of 2004, the sharing of equipment among branches accounted for approximately 12.6%, or $74 million, of the total rental revenues of our general rentals segment.

 

Ability to Transfer Equipment Among Branches.    The size of our branch network gives us the ability to take advantage of strength at a particular branch or in a particular region by permanently transferring underutilized equipment from weaker to stronger areas.

 

Consolidation of Common Functions.    We reduce costs through the consolidation of functions that are common to our more than 730 branches, such as payroll, accounts payable, benefits and risk management, information technology, legal, and credit and collection.

 

State-of-the-Art Information Technology Systems.    We have state-of-the-art information technology systems that facilitate our ability to make rapid and informed decisions, respond quickly to changing market conditions, and share equipment among branches. We have an in-house team of information technology specialists that supports our systems.

 

Strong Brand Recognition.    We have strong brand recognition, which helps us to attract new customers and build customer loyalty.

 

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Geographic and Customer Diversity.    We have more than 730 branches in 47 states, ten Canadian provinces and Mexico and serve customers that range from Fortune 500 companies to small companies and homeowners. In 2003, our top ten customers accounted for less than 3% of our revenues. We believe that our geographic and customer diversity provide us with many advantages including: (1) enabling us to better serve National Account customers with multiple locations, (2) helping us achieve favorable resale prices by allowing us to access used equipment resale markets across the country, (3) reducing our dependence on any particular customer and (4) reducing the impact that fluctuations in regional economic conditions have on our overall financial performance.

 

National Account Program.    Our National Account sales force is dedicated to establishing and expanding relationships with large companies, particularly those with a national or multi-regional presence. We offer our National Account customers the benefits of a consistent level of service across North America, a wide selection of equipment and a single point of contact for all their equipment needs. We currently serve approximately 1,800 National Account customers.

 

Strong and Motivated Branch Management.    Each of our branches has a full-time branch manager who is supervised by a district manager from one of our 60 districts and a vice president from one of our nine regions. We believe that our managers are among the most knowledgeable and experienced in the industry, and we empower them, within budgetary guidelines, to make day-to-day decisions concerning branch matters. Senior management closely tracks branch, district and regional performance with extensive systems and controls, including performance benchmarks and detailed monthly operating reviews. The compensation of branch managers and certain other branch personnel is linked to their branch’s financial performance and return on assets. This incentivizes branch personnel to control costs, optimize pricing, share equipment with other branches and manage fleet efficiently.

 

Risk Management and Safety Programs.    We believe that we have one of the most comprehensive risk management and safety programs in the industry. Our risk management department is staffed by experienced professionals and is responsible for implementing our safety programs and procedures, developing our employee and customer training programs and managing any claims against us.

 

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UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

    

September 30,

2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (In thousands,
except share data)
 

ASSETS

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 149,167     $ 79,449  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $48,304 in 2004 and $47,439 in 2003

     547,450       499,433  

Inventory

     123,242       105,987  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     114,515       118,145  

Rental equipment, net

     2,163,200       2,071,492  

Property and equipment, net

     423,564       406,601  

Goodwill, net

     1,325,462       1,437,809  

Other intangible assets, net

     2,135       3,225  
    


 


     $ 4,848,735     $ 4,722,141  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 262,128     $ 150,796  

Debt

     2,921,170       2,817,088  

Subordinated convertible debentures

     221,550       221,550  

Deferred taxes

     138,999       165,052  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     279,082       226,780  
    


 


Total liabilities

     3,822,929       3,581,266  

Commitments and contingencies

                

Stockholders’ equity:

                

Preferred stock—$.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized:

                

Series C perpetual convertible preferred stock—$300,000 liquidation preference, 300,000 shares issued and outstanding

     3       3  

Series D perpetual convertible preferred stock—$150,000 liquidation preference, 150,000 shares issued and outstanding

     2       2  

Common stock—$.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 77,879,864 shares issued and outstanding in 2004 and 77,150,277 in 2003

     779       771  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,345,812       1,329,946  

Deferred compensation

     (22,458 )     (25,646 )

Accumulated deficit

     (325,322 )     (189,300 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     26,990       25,099  
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     1,025,806       1,140,875  
    


 


     $ 4,848,735     $ 4,722,141  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30


   

Three Months Ended

September 30


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 
     (In thousands, except per share data)  

Revenues:

                                

Equipment rentals

   $ 1,692,103     $ 1,619,783     $ 655,186     $ 625,748  

Sales of rental equipment

     159,321       120,977       48,424       44,391  

Sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues

     419,047       384,281       146,108       134,995  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     2,270,471       2,125,041       849,718       805,134  

Cost of revenues:

                                

Cost of equipment rentals, excluding depreciation

     895,770       880,435       337,319       330,978  

Depreciation of rental equipment

     278,577       248,888       95,124       85,722  

Cost of rental equipment sales

     111,254       79,665       34,032       28,717  

Cost of equipment and contractor supplies sales and other operating costs

     302,750       280,439       105,625       101,158  
    


 


 


 


Total cost of revenues

     1,588,351       1,489,427       572,100       546,575  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     682,120       635,614       277,618       258,559  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     361,146       335,814       128,769       127,490  

Goodwill impairment

     139,306               139,306          

Non-rental depreciation and amortization

     47,537       51,510       15,416       17,663  
    


 


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     134,131       248,290       (5,873 )     113,406  

Interest expense

     115,881       158,796       35,562       53,420  

Interest expense—subordinated convertible debentures

     10,827               3,600          

Preferred dividends of a subsidiary trust

             10,989               3,627  

Other (income) expense, net

     174,966       (1,831 )     1,503       (223 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (167,543 )     80,336       (46,538 )     56,582  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (31,521 )     33,784       17,843       24,698  
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ (136,022 )   $ 46,552     $ (64,381 )   $ 31,884  
    


 


 


 


Earnings (loss) per share:

                                

Basic

   $ (1.75 )   $ 0.62     $ (0.83 )   $ 0.43  
    


 


 


 


Diluted

   $ (1.75 )   $ 0.50     $ (0.83 )   $ 0.34  
    


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

   

Series C

Perpetual

Convertible

Preferred

Stock


 

Series D

Perpetual

Convertible

Preferred

Stock


  Common Stock

   

Additional

Paid-in

Capital


   

Deferred

Compensation


    Accumulated
Deficit


   

Comprehensive

Loss


   

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income


 
     

Number

of Shares


    Amount

           
    (In thousands)  

Balance, December 31, 2003

  $ 3   $ 2   77,150     $ 771     $ 1,329,946     $ (25,646 )   $ (189,300 )           $ 25,099  

Comprehensive income (loss):

                                                                 

Net loss

                                              (136,022 )   $ (136,022 )        

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                                                                 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

                                                      6,126       6,126  

Derivatives qualifying as hedges

                                                      (4,235 )     (4,235 )
                                                     


       

Comprehensive loss

                                                    $ (134,131 )        
                                                     


       

Issuance of common stock under deferred compensation plans, net of forfeitures

              695       7       13,304       (13,310 )                        

Exercise of common stock options and warrants

              295       3       5,070                                  

Amortization of stock compensation

                              1,611       16,498                          

Tax benefit related to vesting
of restricted stock

                              712                                  

Shares repurchased and retired

              (260 )     (2 )     (4,831 )                                
   

 

 

 


 


 


 


         


Balance, September 30, 2004

  $ 3   $ 2   77,880     $ 779     $ 1,345,812     $ (22,458 )   $ (325,322 )           $ 26,990  
   

 

 

 


 


 


 


         


 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30


 
     2004

    2003

 
     (In thousands)  

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

                

Net income (loss)

   $ (136,022 )   $ 46,552  

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

                

Depreciation and amortization

     326,114       300,398  

Gain on sales of rental equipment

     (48,067 )     (41,312 )

Deferred taxes

     (31,521 )     25,920  

Amortization of deferred compensation

     18,109       23,902  

Goodwill impairment

     139,306          

Repurchase premiums for debt refinancing

     150,255          

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     (44,850 )     (69,180 )

Inventory

     2,409       (7,659 )

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     43,177       (5,515 )

Accounts payable

     110,976       5,065  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     34,283       48,298  
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     564,169       326,469  

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

                

Purchases of rental equipment

     (465,209 )     (320,578 )

Purchases of property and equipment

     (58,916 )     (26,501 )

Proceeds from sales of rental equipment

     159,321       120,977  

Deposits on rental equipment purchases

             (10,929 )

Buy-outs of operating leases

             (56,529 )

Purchases of other companies

     (61,026 )     (5,001 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (425,830 )     (298,561 )

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

                

Proceeds from debt

     2,195,940       247,191  

Payments of debt

     (2,213,801 )     (215,175 )

Payments of financing costs

     (36,820 )     (10,763 )

Purchases of interest rate caps

     (13,646 )        

Shares repurchased and retired

     (4,833 )        

Proceeds from the exercise of common stock options and warrants

     4,069       237  

Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred securities of a subsidiary trust repurchased and retired

             (3,575 )
    


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (69,091 )     17,915  

Effect of foreign exchange rates

     470       11,294  
    


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     69,718       57,117  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     79,449       19,231  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 149,167     $ 76,348  
    


 


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

                

Cash paid for interest

   $ 143,888     $ 145,118  

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

   $ 1,337     $ (342 )

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

                

The Company acquired the net assets and assumed certain liabilities of other companies as follows:

                

Assets, net of cash acquired

   $ 66,126     $ 3,314  

Liabilities assumed

     (5,788 )     (50 )
    


 


       60,338       3,264  

Due to seller and other payments

     688       1,737  
    


 


Net cash paid

   $ 61,026     $ 5,001  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

    

September 30,

2004


   

December 31,

2003


 
    

(In thousands,

except share data)

 

ASSETS

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 149,167     $ 79,449  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $48,304 in 2004 and $47,439 in 2003

     547,450       499,433  

Inventory

     123,242       105,987  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     106,612       109,992  

Rental equipment, net

     2,163,200       2,071,492  

Property and equipment, net

     399,196       381,345  

Goodwill, net

     1,325,462       1,437,809  

Other intangible assets, net

     2,135       3,225  
    


 


     $ 4,816,464     $ 4,688,732  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

                

Liabilities:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 262,128     $ 150,796  

Debt

     2,921,170       2,817,088  

Deferred taxes

     138,999       165,052  

Due to parent

     58,869       37,287  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     279,082       226,780  
    


 


Total liabilities

     3,660,248       3,397,003  

Commitments and contingencies

                

Stockholder’s equity:

                

Common stock—$.01 par value, 3,000 shares authorized, 1,000 shares issued and outstanding

                

Additional paid-in capital

     1,587,004       1,582,935  

Accumulated deficit

     (457,778 )     (316,305 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     26,990       25,099  
    


 


Total stockholder’s equity

     1,156,216       1,291,729  
    


 


     $ 4,816,464     $ 4,688,732  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

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UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30


   

Three Months Ended

September 30


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 
     (In thousands)  

Revenues:

                                

Equipment rentals

   $ 1,692,103     $ 1,619,783     $ 655,186     $ 625,748  

Sales of rental equipment

     159,321       120,977       48,424       44,391  

Sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues

     419,047       384,281       146,108       134,995  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     2,270,471       2,125,041       849,718       805,134  

Cost of revenues:

                                

Cost of equipment rentals, excluding depreciation

     895,770       880,435       337,319       330,978  

Depreciation of rental equipment

     278,577       248,888       95,124       85,722  

Cost of rental equipment sales

     111,254       79,665       34,032       28,717  

Cost of equipment and contractor supplies sales and other operating costs

     302,750       280,439       105,625       101,158  
    


 


 


 


Total cost of revenues

     1,588,351       1,489,427       572,100       546,575  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     682,120       635,614       277,618       258,559  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     361,146       335,814       128,769       127,490  

Goodwill impairment

     139,306               139,306          

Non-rental depreciation and amortization

     41,820       44,772       13,600       15,443  
    


 


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     139,848       255,028       (4,057 )     115,626  

Interest expense

     115,881       158,796       35,562       53,420  

Other (income) expense, net

     174,966       (1,831 )     1,503       (223 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (150,999 )     98,063       (41,122 )     62,429  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (25,187 )     40,926       19,899       27,250  
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ (125,812 )   $ 57,137     $ (61,021 )   $ 35,179  
    


 


 


 


 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

9


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

    Common Stock

 

Additional

Paid-In

Capital


 

Accumulated

Deficit


   

Comprehensive

Loss


   

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income


 
   

Number of

Shares


  Amount

       
    (In thousands, except share data)  

Balance, December 31, 2003

  1,000       $ 1,582,935   $ (316,305 )           $ 25,099  

Comprehensive income (loss):

                                     

Net loss

                  (125,812 )   $ (125,812 )        

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                                     

Foreign currency translation adjustments

                          6,126       6,126  

Derivatives qualifying as hedges

                          (4,235 )     (4,235 )
                         


       

Comprehensive loss

                        $ (123,921 )        
                         


       

Contributed capital from parent

            4,069                        

Dividend distributions to parent

                  (15,661 )                
   
 
 

 


         


Balance, September 30, 2004

  1,000       $ 1,587,004   $ (457,778 )           $ 26,990  
   
 
 

 


         


 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

10


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30


 
     2004

    2003

 
     (In thousands)  

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

                

Net income (loss)

   $ (125,812 )   $ 57,137  

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

                

Depreciation and amortization

     320,397       293,660  

Gain on sales of rental equipment

     (48,067 )     (41,312 )

Deferred taxes

     (25,208 )     25,920  

Goodwill impairment

     139,306          

Repurchase premiums for debt refinancing

     150,255          

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     (44,850 )     (69,180 )

Inventory

     2,409       (7,659 )

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     41,831       (599 )

Accounts payable

     110,976       5,065  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     47,836       74,743  
    


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

     569,073       337,775  
    


 


Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

                

Purchases of rental equipment

     (465,209 )     (320,578 )

Purchases of property and equipment

     (52,992 )     (26,818 )

Proceeds from sales of rental equipment

     159,321       120,977  

Deposits on rental equipment purchases

             (10,929 )

Buy-outs of operating leases

             (56,529 )

Purchases of other companies

     (61,026 )     (5,001 )
    


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (419,906 )     (298,878 )
    


 


Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

                

Proceeds from debt

     2,195,940       247,191  

Payments of debt

     (2,213,801 )     (215,175 )

Payments of financing costs

     (36,820 )     (10,763 )

Purchases of interest rate caps

     (13,646 )        

Capital contributions by parent

     4,069       237  

Dividend distributions to parent

     (15,661 )     (14,564 )
    


 


Net cash provided by financing activities

     (79,919 )     6,926  

Effect of foreign exchange rates

     470       11,294  
    


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     69,718       57,117  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     79,449       19,231  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 149,167     $ 76,348  
    


 


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

                

Cash paid for interest

   $ 133,060     $ 134,075  

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

   $ 1,337     $ (342 )

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

                

The Company acquired the net assets and assumed certain liabilities of other companies as follows:

                

Assets, net of cash acquired

   $ 66,126     $ 3,314  

Liabilities assumed

     (5,788 )     (50 )
    


 


       60,338       3,264  

Due to seller and other payments

     688       1,737  
    


 


Net cash paid

   $ 61,026     $ 5,001  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes.

 

11


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.    Basis of Presentation

 

General

 

United Rentals, Inc., (“Holdings” or the “Company”) is principally a holding company and conducts its operations primarily through its wholly owned subsidiary United Rentals (North America), Inc. (“URI”) and subsidiaries of URI. Separate footnote information is not presented for the financial statements of URI and subsidiaries as that information is substantially equivalent to that presented below. Earnings per share data is not provided for the operating results of URI and its subsidiaries as they are wholly owned subsidiaries of Holdings.

 

The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included herein are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, such financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the results of the interim periods presented. Interim financial statements do not require all disclosures normally presented in year-end financial statements, and, accordingly, certain disclosures have been omitted. Results of operations for the nine and three month periods ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2004. The Consolidated Financial Statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation arrangements using the intrinsic value method under the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” At September 30, 2004, the Company had six stock-based compensation plans. Since stock options are granted by the Company with exercise prices at or greater than the fair value of the shares at the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized. Restricted stock awards granted by the Company are recognized as deferred compensation. The Company recognizes compensation expense related to these restricted stock awards over their vesting periods or earlier upon acceleration of vesting. During the second quarter of 2003, the Company accelerated the vesting of approximately 230,000 shares of restricted stock and in the first quarter of 2004 accelerated the vesting of approximately 400,000 shares of restricted stock. The following table provides additional information related to the Company’s stock-based compensation arrangements for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30


   

Three Months Ended

September 30


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Net income (loss), as reported

   $ (136,022 )   $ 46,552     $ (64,381 )   $ 31,884  

Plus: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income (loss), net of tax

     12,375       17,486       3,471       11,710  

Less: Stock-based compensation expense determined using the fair value method, net of tax

     (13,501 )     (19,372 )     (3,848 )     (12,322 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma net income (loss)

   $ (137,148 )   $ 44,666     $ (64,758 )   $ 31,272  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings (loss) per share:

                                

As reported

   $ (1.75 )   $ 0.62     $ (0.83 )   $ 0.43  

Pro forma

   $ (1.77 )   $ 0.59     $ (0.83 )   $ 0.42  

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

                                

As reported

   $ (1.75 )   $ 0.50     $ (0.83 )   $ 0.34  

Pro forma

   $ (1.77 )   $ 0.48     $ (0.83 )   $ 0.33  

 

12


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46”, revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” which addresses consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). FIN 46 requires a VIE to be consolidated by a parent company if that company is subject to the majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. A VIE is a corporation, partnership, trust or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either does not have equity investors with voting rights or has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. The consolidation requirements of FIN 46 apply immediately to VIEs created after January 31, 2003. For entities created prior to February 1, 2003 the effective date of these requirements, which originally was July 1, 2003, was deferred so as not to apply until the first period ending after December 15, 2003. Upon adoption of this standard, as of December 31, 2003, the Company deconsolidated a subsidiary trust that had issued trust preferred securities. As a result of such deconsolidation (i) the trust preferred securities issued by the Company’s subsidiary trust, which had previously been reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, were removed from its consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2003, (ii) the subordinated convertible debentures that the Company issued to the subsidiary trust, which previously had been eliminated in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, were no longer eliminated in its consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2003 and (iii) commencing January 1, 2004, the interest on the subordinated convertible debentures is reflected as interest expense on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations instead of the dividends on the trust preferred securities. The carrying amount of the trust preferred securities removed from the consolidated balance sheets was the same as the carrying amount of the subordinated convertible debentures added to the consolidated balance sheets; however, the subordinated convertible debentures are reflected as a component of liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, whereas the trust preferred securities were reflected as a separate category prior to December 31, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not otherwise have an effect on the Company’s statements of financial position or results of operations.

 

In October 2004, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 04-8, “The Effect of Contingently Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings Per Share.” Their conclusion was that beginning with reporting periods ending after December 15, 2004 (i) contingently convertible debt instruments are subject to the if-converted method under SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” regardless of the contingent features included in the instrument, and (ii) prior period earnings per share would have to be restated. The Company’s 1 7/8% convertible notes are contingently convertible debt instruments that are potentially convertible into approximately 5.6 million shares of common stock. Under accounting rules that were in effect prior to the ratification of EITF Issue No. 04-8, such potentially issuable shares were not required to be included in the Company’s diluted earnings per share calculation. With the ratification of EITF Issue No. 04-8, the Company will be required to include such potentially issuable shares, if dilutive, in its diluted earnings per share calculation beginning with the fourth quarter 2004 reporting period.

 

2.    Acquisitions

 

The Company completed one acquisition in each of (i) the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004, and (ii) the year ended December 31, 2003. The results of operations of the businesses acquired in these acquisitions have been included in the Company’s results of operations from their respective acquisition dates.

 

In February 2004, the Company acquired 843504 Alberta Ltd. (formerly known as Skyreach Equipment, Ltd.) with annual revenues of approximately $40 million for approximately $60 million.

 

13


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The purchase prices for acquisitions have been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at their respective acquisition dates. Purchase price allocations are subject to change when additional information concerning asset and liability valuations are completed. The preliminary purchase price allocations that are subject to change primarily consist of rental and non-rental equipment valuations. These allocations are finalized within 12 months of the acquisition date and are not expected to result in significant differences between the preliminary and final allocations.

 

The following table summarizes, on an unaudited pro forma basis, the results of operations of the Company for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 as though each acquisition which was consummated during the period January 1, 2003 to September 30, 2004 as mentioned above and in note 3 to the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K was made on January 1, 2003 (in thousands, except per share data):

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30


  

Three Months Ended

September 30


     2004

    2003

   2004

    2003

Revenues

   $ 2,277,444     $ 2,157,398    $ 849,718     $ 815,745

Net income (loss)

   $ (138,164 )   $ 42,797    $ (64,381 )   $ 30,980

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ (1.77 )   $ 0.57    $ (0.83 )   $ 0.41
    


 

  


 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ (1.77 )   $ 0.46    $ (0.83 )   $ 0.33
    


 

  


 

 

The unaudited pro forma results are based upon certain assumptions and estimates which are subject to change. These results are not necessarily indicative of the actual results of operations that might have occurred, nor are they necessarily indicative of expected results in the future.

 

In October 2004, the Company acquired Atlantic Rentals Ltd. with annual revenues of approximately $35 million for approximately $29 million.

 

3.    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Changes in the Company’s carrying amount of goodwill for the first nine months of 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

 

Balance at December 31, 2003

   $ 1,437,809  

Impairment charges

     (139,306 )

Goodwill related to acquisitions

     37,347  

Foreign currency translation and other adjustments

     (10,388 )
    


Balance at September 30, 2004

   $ 1,325,462  
    


 

The Company is required to periodically review its goodwill for impairment. In general this means that the Company must determine whether the fair value of the goodwill, calculated in accordance with applicable accounting standards, is at least equal to the recorded value shown on its balance sheet. If the fair value of the goodwill is less than the recorded value, the Company is required to write off the excess goodwill as expense.

 

The Company generally is required to review its goodwill for impairment annually as of a scheduled review date; however, if events or circumstances suggest that its goodwill could be impaired, the Company may be required to

 

14


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

conduct an earlier review. The scheduled review date is October 1 of each year; however, the Company reviewed its traffic control segment goodwill as of September 30, 2004 because continued weakness in this segment suggested that the goodwill associated with this segment could be impaired. Based on this review, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $139.3 million ($121.9 million, net of tax at a rate of 12.5%) to write off the remaining goodwill balance that was associated with its traffic control segment. This charge is reflected on the Company’s statement of operations as “goodwill impairment” and is included in the operating loss of the traffic control segment.

 

Other intangible assets consist of non-compete agreements and are amortized over periods ranging from three to eight years. The cost of other intangible assets and the related accumulated amortization as of September 30, 2004 were $18.5 million and $16.4 million, respectively ($2.1 million, net). Amortization expense of other intangible assets was $1.8 million for the first nine months of 2004 and $3.0 million for the first nine months of 2003.

 

As of September 30, 2004, estimated amortization expense of other intangible assets for the remainder of 2004 and for each of the next five years is as follows (in thousands):

 

Remainder of 2004

   $ 297

2005

     916

2006

     581

2007

     151

2008

     141

2009

     49
    

     $ 2,135
    

 

4.    Restructuring Charges

 

The Company adopted a restructuring plan in 2001 and a second restructuring plan in 2002 as described below. In connection with these plans, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $28.9 million in 2001 (including a non-cash component of approximately $10.9 million) and $28.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2002 (including a non-cash component of approximately $2.5 million).

 

The 2001 plan involved the following principal elements: (i) 31 underperforming branches were closed or consolidated with other locations, (ii) five administrative offices were closed or consolidated with other locations; (iii) the reduction of the Company’s workforce by 489 through the termination of branch and administrative personnel and (iv) certain information technology hardware and software was no longer used.

 

The 2002 plan involved the following key elements: (i) 40 underperforming branches and five administrative offices were closed or consolidated with other locations; (ii) reduction of the Company’s workforce by 412 through the termination of branch and administrative personnel, and (iii) a certain information technology project was abandoned.

 

The costs to vacate facilities primarily represent the payment of obligations under leases offset by estimated sublease opportunities, the write-off of capital improvements made to such facilities and the write-off of related goodwill (only in 2001). The workforce reduction costs primarily represent severance. The information technology costs represent the payment of obligations under equipment leases relating to the abandonment of certain information technology projects.

 

15


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The aggregate balance of the 2001 and 2002 charges was $14.2 million as of September 30, 2004 consisting of $0.7 million for the 2001 charge and $13.5 million for the 2002 charge. The Company estimates that approximately $0.8 million of the aggregate amount will be incurred by December 31, 2004 and approximately $13.4 million will be paid in future periods.

 

Components of the restructuring charges are as follows (in thousands):

 

    

Balance
December 31,

2003


  

Activity in

2004


  

Balance
September 30,

2004


Costs to vacate facilities

   $ 14,960    $ 2,574    $ 12,386

Workforce reduction costs

     1,756      199      1,557

Information technology costs

     613      406      207
    

  

  

     $ 17,329    $ 3,179    $ 14,150
    

  

  

 

5.    Earnings Per Share

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30


   Three Months Ended
September 30


     2004

    2003

   2004

    2003

Numerator:

                             

Net income (loss)

   $ (136,022 )   $ 46,552    $ (64,381 )   $ 31,884

Plus: Liquidation preference in excess of amounts paid for convertible preferred securities

             896              896
    


 

  


 

Income (loss) available to common stockholders

   $ (136,022 )   $ 47,448    $ (64,381 )   $ 32,780

Denominator:

                             

Denominator for basic earnings per share—weighted-average shares

     77,505       76,920      77,844       76,956

Effect of dilutive securities:

                             

Stock options and warrants

             1,411              3,060

Series C perpetual convertible preferred stock

             12,000              12,000

Series D perpetual convertible preferred stock

             5,000              5,000
    


 

  


 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share—adjusted weighted-average shares

     77,505       95,331      77,844       97,016
    


 

  


 

Earnings (loss) per share—basic

   $ (1.75 )   $ 0.62    $ (0.83 )   $ 0.43
    


 

  


 

Earnings (loss) per share—diluted

   $ (1.75 )   $ 0.50    $ (0.83 )   $ 0.34
    


 

  


 

 

The diluted share base for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2004, where the numerator represents a loss, excludes incremental weighted shares for the effect of dilutive securities due to their antidilutive effect.

 

16


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

6.    Comprehensive Income

 

The following table sets forth the Company’s comprehensive income (loss) (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30


   Three Months Ended
September 30


     2004

    2003

   2004

    2003

Net income (loss)

   $ (136,022 )   $ 46,552    $ (64,381 )   $ 31,884

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                             

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     6,126       34,448      12,446       955

Derivatives qualifying as hedges

     (4,235 )     4,625      (4,080 )     2,014
    


 

  


 

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (134,131 )   $ 85,625    $ (56,015 )   $ 34,853
    


 

  


 

 

7.    Segment Information

 

Commencing in the first quarter of 2004, the Company began to report data for two operating segments: general rentals and traffic control. The general rentals segment includes the rental of construction, aerial, industrial and homeowner equipment and related services and activities. The general rentals segment’s customers include construction and industrial companies, manufacturers, utilities, municipalities and homeowners. The general rentals segment operates throughout the United States and Canada and has one location in Mexico. The traffic control segment includes the rental of equipment for controlling traffic and related services and activities. The traffic control segment’s customers include construction companies involved in infrastructure projects and municipalities. The traffic control segment operates in the United States. In the tables below, the Company has restated its segment information for prior periods to reflect the change in operating segments. The new segments align the Company’s external segment reporting to how management evaluates and allocates resources and provide more transparent disclosure to the Company’s investors. The Company evaluates segment performance based on segment operating results. The change in segments was attributable to a change in the role of the chief operating decision maker as defined in accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”.

 

The accounting policies of the Company’s segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in note 2 to the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain corporate costs, including those related to selling, finance, legal, risk management, human resources, corporate management and information technology systems, are deemed to be of an operating nature and are allocated to each of the operating segments. The charge for the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001 has not been allocated to either segment. The charge for goodwill impairment is related entirely to the traffic control segment and is therefore reflected in that segment’s operating results.

 

17


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table sets forth financial information by operating segment (in thousands):

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30


  

Three Months Ended

September 30


     2004

    2003

   2004

    2003

Total Revenues

                             

General rentals

   $ 2,080,242     $ 1,869,727    $ 771,516     $ 696,929

Traffic control

     190,229       255,314      78,202       108,205
    


 

  


 

Total revenues

   $ 2,270,471     $ 2,125,041    $ 849,718     $ 805,134
    


 

  


 

Total Depreciation and Amortization Expense

                             

General rentals

   $ 306,347     $ 280,098    $ 103,803     $ 96,299

Traffic control

     19,767       20,300      6,737       7,086
    


 

  


 

Total depreciation and amortization expense

   $ 326,114     $ 300,398    $ 110,540     $ 103,385
    


 

  


 

Segment Operating Income (Loss)

                             

General rentals

   $ 314,496     $ 247,376    $ 142,551     $ 110,130

Traffic control(1)

     (173,384 )     12,660      (148,424 )     15,022
    


 

  


 

Segment operating income (loss)

   $ 141,112     $ 260,036    $ (5,873 )   $ 125,152
    


 

  


 

Total Capital Expenditures

                             

General rentals

   $ 507,979     $ 329,583    $ 159,385     $ 53,519

Traffic control

     16,146       17,496      5,209       3,925
    


 

  


 

Total capital expenditures

   $ 524,125     $ 347,079    $ 164,594     $ 57,444
    


 

  


 

 

    

September 30,

2004


  

December 31,

2003


Total Assets

             

General rentals

   $ 4,645,455    $ 4,348,012

Traffic control

     203,280      374,129
    

  

Total assets

   $ 4,848,735    $ 4,722,141
    

  

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation between segment operating income and loss before income taxes (in thousands):

 

    

Nine Months Ended

September 30


   

Three Months Ended

September 30


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

Segment operating income (loss)

   $ 141,112     $ 260,036     $ (5,873 )   $ 125,152  

Vesting of restricted shares granted to executives in 2001 (included in selling, general and administrative expenses)

     6,981       11,746               11,746  
    


 


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     134,131       248,290       (5,873 )     113,406  

Interest expense

     115,881       158,796       35,562       53,420  

Interest expense—subordinated convertible debentures

     10,827               3,600          

Preferred dividends of a subsidiary trust

             10,989               3,627  

Other (income) expense, net

     174,966       (1,831 )     1,503       (223 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes

   $ (167,543 )   $ 80,336     $ (46,538 )   $ 56,582  
    


 


 


 



(1)   The operating results for traffic control reflect the impact of a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $139.3 million.

 

18


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

8.    Financing Transactions

 

The Company refinanced approximately $2.1 billion of its debt in 2004. As part of this refinancing, the Company:

 

    obtained a new senior secured credit facility to replace the senior secured credit facility the Company previously had in place;

 

    sold $1 billion of 6 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2012;

 

    sold $375 million of 7% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2014;

 

    repaid $639 million of term loans and $52 million of borrowings that were outstanding under the old credit facility;

 

    repurchased $845 million principal amount of the Company’s 10 3/4% Senior Notes Due 2008 (the “10 3/4% Notes”), pursuant to a tender offer;

 

    redeemed $300 million principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2009 (the “9 1/4% Notes”); and

 

    redeemed $250 million principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 9% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2009 (the “9% Notes”).

 

The refinancing described above was completed during the first quarter of 2004, except that (i) the redemption of the 9% Notes was completed April 1, 2004 and (ii) a portion of the term loan that is part of the new senior secured credit facility was drawn on such date.

 

In connection with the refinancings in 2004, the Company incurred aggregate pre-tax charges of approximately $161 million in the first quarter and incurred additional charges of approximately $11 million in the second quarter. These charges are attributable primarily to (i) the redemption and tender premiums for notes redeemed or repurchased as part of the refinancing and (ii) the write-off of previously capitalized costs relating to the debt refinanced. These charges were recorded in other (income) expense, net.

 

7% Senior Subordinated Notes.    In January 2004, as part of the refinancing in 2004 described above, URI issued $375 million aggregate principal amount of 7% Senior Subordinated Notes (the “7% Notes”) which are due February 15, 2014. The net proceeds from the sale of the 7% Notes were approximately $369 million (after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and offering expenses). The 7% Notes are unsecured and are guaranteed by Holdings and, subject to limited exceptions, URI’s domestic subsidiaries. The 7% Notes mature on February 15, 2014 and may be redeemed by URI on or after February 15, 2009, at specified redemption prices that range from 103.5% in 2009 to 100.0% in 2012 and thereafter. In addition, on or prior to February 15, 2007, URI may, at its option, use the proceeds of a public equity offering to redeem up to 35% of the outstanding 7% Notes at a redemption price of 107.0%. The indenture governing the 7% Notes contains certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on (i) additional indebtedness, (ii) restricted payments, (iii) liens, (iv) dividends and other payments, (v) preferred stock of certain subsidiaries, (vi) transactions with affiliates, (vii) the disposition of proceeds of asset sales and (viii) the Company’s ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its assets.

 

6 1/2% Senior Notes.    In February 2004, as part of the refinancing in 2004 described above, URI issued $1 billion aggregate principal amount of 6 1/2% Senior Notes (the “6 1/2% Notes”) which are due February 15, 2012. The net proceeds from the sale of the 6 1/2% Notes were approximately $984 million (after deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and offering expenses). The 6 1/2% Notes are unsecured and are guaranteed by Holdings and, subject to limited exceptions, URI’s domestic subsidiaries. The 6 1/2% Notes mature on February 15, 2012 and may be redeemed by URI on or after February 15, 2008, at specified redemption prices that range from 103.25% in 2008 to 100.0% in 2010 and thereafter. In addition, on or prior to February 15, 2007, URI may, at its

 

19


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

option, use the proceeds of a public equity offering to redeem up to 35% of the outstanding 6 1/2% Notes at a redemption price of 106.5%. The indenture governing the 6 1/2% Notes contains certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on (i) additional indebtedness, (ii) restricted payments, (iii) liens, (iv) dividends and other payments, (v) preferred stock of certain subsidiaries, (vi) transactions with affiliates, (vii) the disposition of proceeds of asset sales, (viii) the Company’s ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its assets and (ix) sale-leaseback transactions.

 

New Credit Facility.    In the first quarter of 2004, as part of the refinancing in 2004 described above, the Company obtained a new senior secured credit facility. The new facility includes (i) a $650 million revolving credit facility, (ii) a $150 million institutional letter of credit facility and (iii) a $750 million term loan. The revolving credit facility, institutional letter of credit facility and term loan are governed by the same credit agreement. Set forth below is certain additional information concerning the revolving credit facility, institutional letter of credit facility and term loan.

 

Revolving Credit Facility.    The revolving credit facility enables URI to borrow up to $650 million on a revolving basis and enables certain of the Company’s Canadian subsidiaries to borrow up to $150 million (provided that the aggregate borrowings of URI and the Canadian subsidiaries may not exceed $650 million). A portion of the revolving credit facility, up to $250 million, is available in the form of letters of credit. The revolving credit facility is scheduled to mature and terminate in February 2009. As of September 30, 2004, the outstanding borrowings under this facility were approximately $97 million and the face amount of undrawn letters of credit obtained under this facility was approximately $55 million.

 

Institutional Letter of Credit Facility (“ILCF”).    The ILCF provides for up to $150 million in letters of credit. The ILCF is in addition to the letter of credit capacity under the revolving credit facility. The total combined letter of credit capacity under the revolving credit facility and the ILCF is $400 million. Subject to certain conditions, all or part of the ILCF may be converted into term loans. The ILCF is scheduled to terminate in February 2011.

 

Term Loan.    The term loan was obtained in two draws. An initial draw of $550 million was obtained upon the closing of the credit facility in February 2004 and an additional $200 million was obtained on April 1, 2004. Amounts repaid in respect of the term loan may not be reborrowed.

 

The term loan must be repaid in installments as follows: (i) during the period from and including June 30, 2004 to and including March 31, 2010, URI must repay on each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year an amount equal to one-fourth of 1% of the original aggregate principal amount of the term loan and (ii) URI must repay on each of June 30, 2010, September 30, 2010, December 31, 2010, and February 14, 2011 an amount equal to 23.5% of the original aggregate principal amount of the term loan.

 

Interest.    Borrowings by URI under the revolving credit facility accrue interest, at URI’s option, at either (A) the ABR rate (which is equal to the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (ii) JPMorgan Chase Bank’s prime rate) plus a margin of 1.25%, or (B) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus a margin of 2.25%. The above interest rate margins are adjusted quarterly based on the Company’s Funded Debt to Cash Flow Ratio, up to the maximum margins described in the preceding sentence and down to minimum margins of 0.75% and 1.75% for revolving loans based on the ABR rate and the adjusted LIBOR rate, respectively.

 

Canadian dollar borrowings under the revolving credit facility accrue interest, at the borrower’s option, at either (A) the Canadian prime rate (which is equal to the greater of (i) the CDOR rate plus 1% and (ii) JPMorgan Chase Bank, Toronto Branch’s prime rate) plus a margin of 1.25%, or (B) the B/A rate (which is equal to JPMorgan Chase Bank, Toronto Branch’s B/A rate) plus a margin of 2.25%. These above interest rate margins

 

20


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

are adjusted quarterly based on the Company’s Funded Debt to Cash Flow Ratio, up to the maximum margins described in the preceding sentence and down to minimum margins of 0.75% and 1.75% for revolving loans based on the Canadian prime rate and the B/A rate, respectively.

 

URI is also required to pay the lenders a commitment fee equal to 0.5% per annum in respect of undrawn commitments under the revolving credit facility.

 

Borrowings under the term loan accrue interest, at URI’s option, at either (a) the ABR rate (which is equal to the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (ii) JPMorgan Chase Bank’s prime rate) plus a margin of 1.25%, or (b) an adjusted LIBOR rate plus a margin of 2.25% (which margins may be reduced to 1.00% and 2.00%, respectively, for certain periods based on our Funded Debt to Cash Flow Ratio).

 

If at any time an event of default under the credit agreement exists, the interest rate applicable to each revolving loan and term loan will be based on the highest margins described above plus 2%. URI is required to pay a fee which accrues at the rate of 0.10% per annum on the amount of the ILCF. In addition, URI is required to pay participation fees and fronting fees in respect of letters of credit. For letters of credit obtained under the ILCF, these fees accrue at the rate of 2.25% and 0.25% per annum, respectively.

 

Covenants.    Under the agreement governing the Company’s senior secured credit facility, the Company is required to, among other things, satisfy certain financial tests relating to: (a) interest coverage ratio, (b) the ratio of funded debt to cash flow, (c) the ratio of senior secured debt to tangible assets and (d) the ratio of senior secured debt to cash flow. If the Company is unable to satisfy any of these covenants, the lenders could elect to terminate the credit facility and require the Company to repay the outstanding borrowings under the credit facility. The Company is also subject to various other covenants under the agreements governing its credit facility and other indebtedness. These covenants limit or prohibit, among other things, the Company’s ability to incur indebtedness, make prepayments of certain indebtedness, pay dividends, make investments, create liens, make acquisitions, sell assets and engage in mergers and acquisitions.

 

Interest Rate Swap and Cap Agreements.    As of September 30, 2004, the Company had swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $1,345 million. The effect of these agreements was to convert $1,345 million of the Company’s fixed rate notes to floating rate instruments. The fixed rate notes converted consist of: (i) $445 million of the Company’s 6 1/2% senior notes through 2012, (ii) $525 million of the Company’s 7 3/4% senior subordinated notes through 2013 and (iii) $375 million of the Company’s 7% senior subordinated notes through 2014. The Company’s swap agreements that convert its fixed rate notes to floating rate instruments are designated as fair value hedges. Changes in the fair values of the Company’s fair value hedges, as well as the offsetting fair value changes in the hedged items, are recorded on the statement of operations. There was no ineffectiveness related to the Company’s fair value hedges. As of September 30, 2004, the Company had an unrealized loss of $24.3 million based upon the fair value of its fair value hedges.

 

As of September 30, 2004, the Company had interest rate cap agreements that effectively limit the interest rate on $725 million of its term loan. One cap agreement limits $75 million of its term loan to a maximum of 6.25% through June 2007. Additional interest rate cap agreements effectively limit the interest rate on an additional $650 million of its term loan to a maximum of 4.25% through June 2005, 5.25% through June 2006 and 6.25% through June 2007. The foregoing cap agreements would apply whenever the interest rate on the term loan (including the applicable margin spread) exceeds the applicable maximum interest rate specified by the relevant cap agreement. The Company’s cap agreements are designated as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair values of the Company’s cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. There was no ineffectiveness related to the Company’s cash flow hedges. As of September 30, 2004, the Company had an unrealized loss of $4.2 million based upon the fair value of its cash flow hedges.

 

21


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

9.    Restricted Stock and Operating Leases

 

Restricted Stock

 

The Company has granted to employees other than executive officers and directors approximately 900,000 shares of restricted stock that contain the following provisions. The shares vest in 2005, 2006 or 2007 or earlier upon a change in control of the Company, death, disability, retirement or certain terminations of employment, and are subject to forfeiture prior to vesting on certain other terminations of employment, the violation of non-compete provisions and certain other events. If a holder of restricted stock sells his stock and receives sales proceeds that are less than a specified guaranteed amount set forth in the grant instrument, the Company has agreed to pay the holder the shortfall between the amount received and such specified amount; however, the foregoing only applies to sales that are made within five trading days of the vesting date. The specified guaranteed amount is (i) $27.26 per share with respect to approximately 300,000 shares scheduled to vest in 2005, (ii) $9.18 per share with respect to approximately 400,000 shares scheduled to vest in 2006 and (iii) $17.20 per share with respect to approximately 200,000 shares scheduled to vest in 2007.

 

Operating Leases

 

As part of certain of its equipment operating leases, the Company guarantees that the value of the equipment at the end of the lease term will not be less than a specified projected residual value. If the actual residual value for all equipment subject to such guarantees were to be zero, then the Company’s maximum potential liability under these guarantees would be approximately $33.9 million. Under current circumstances, the Company does not anticipate paying significant amounts under these guarantees; however, it cannot be certain that changes in market conditions or other factors will not cause the actual residual values to be lower than those currently anticipated. In accordance with FIN 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others,” this potential liability was not reflected on the Company’s balance sheet as of September 30, 2004, or any prior date because the leases associated with such guarantees were entered into prior to January 1, 2003.

 

10.     SEC Non-public Fact Finding Inquiry and Class Action Lawsuit

 

SEC Non-public Fact Finding Inquiry

 

As previously reported, the Company was notified by the SEC that it is conducting a non-public, fact-finding inquiry of the Company and has subpoenaed documents relating to certain of its accounting records. The notice from the SEC states that the inquiry does not mean that the SEC has concluded that the Company or anyone else has broken the law or that the SEC has a negative opinion of any person, entity or security. The Company is cooperating with the SEC; however, it cannot predict the outcome of the SEC inquiry, whether the SEC will bring any proceeding relating to the Company or when this matter might be resolved.

 

Class Action Lawsuit

 

A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Company. The lawsuit names as the defendants the Company and certain officers and/or directors of the Company. The complaint alleges, among other things, that (i) certain of the Company’s SEC filings and other public statements contained false and misleading statements which resulted in damages to the plaintiff and the members of the purported class when they purchased the Company’s securities and (ii) the conduct in connection therewith violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and, in the case of the individual defendants, Section 20(a) of such Act. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory damages, costs and expenses. The Company intends to defend against this action vigorously.

 

22


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

11.    Condensed Consolidating Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries

 

URI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings (the “Parent”), has outstanding (i) certain indebtedness that is guaranteed by the Parent and (ii) certain indebtedness that is guaranteed by both Parent and substantially all of URI’s United States subsidiaries (the “guarantor subsidiaries”); however, this indebtedness is not guaranteed by URI’s foreign subsidiaries (the “non-guarantor subsidiaries”) and certain of its United States subsidiaries. The guarantor subsidiaries are all 100%-owned and the guarantees are made on a joint and several basis and are full and unconditional (subject to subordination provisions and subject to a standard limitation which provides that the maximum amount guaranteed by each guarantor will not exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed without making the guarantee void under fraudulent conveyance laws). Separate consolidated financial statements of the guarantor subsidiaries have not been presented because management believes that such information would not be material to investors; however, condensed consolidating financial information as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, and for each of the nine and three month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, are presented. The condensed consolidating financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries is as follows:

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

 

September 30, 2004

 

    Parent

    URI

   

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Other &

Eliminations


   

Consolidated

Total


 

ASSETS

                                               

Cash and cash equivalents

                  $ 143,003     $ 6,164             $ 149,167  

Accounts receivable, net

          $ 55,186       446,330       45,934               547,450  

Intercompany receivable (payable)

            516,746       (379,730 )     (137,016 )                

Inventory

            45,826       70,025       7,391               123,242  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

            46,395       58,729       1,488               106,612  

Rental equipment, net

            1,188,481       789,249       185,470               2,163,200  

Property and equipment, net

  $ 24,368       120,680       256,689       21,827               423,564  

Investment in subsidiaries

    1,222,988       2,018,884                     $ (3,233,969 )     7,903  

Intangible assets, net

            195,914       1,012,932       118,751               1,327,597  
   


 


 


 


 


 


    $ 1,247,356     $ 4,188,112     $ 2,397,227     $ 250,009     $ (3,233,969 )   $ 4,848,735  
   


 


 


 


 


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                                               

Liabilities:

                                               

Accounts payable

                  $ 246,038     $ 16,090             $ 262,128  

Debt

          $ 2,823,952       33       97,185               2,921,170  

Subordinated convertible debentures

  $ 221,550                                       221,550  

Deferred taxes

            113,526       (805 )     26,278               138,999  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

            121,408       211,877       4,666     $ (58,869 )     279,082  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Total liabilities

    221,550       3,058,886       457,143       144,219       (58,869 )     3,822,929  

Commitments and contingencies

                                               

Stockholders’ equity:

                                               

Preferred stock

    5                                       5  

Common stock

    779                                       779  

Additional paid-in capital

    1,345,812       1,587,004       1,907,073       68,395       (3,562,472 )     1,345,812  

Deferred compensation

    (22,458 )                                     (22,458 )

(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings

    (325,322 )     (457,778 )     37,139       6,277       414,362       (325,322 )

Accumulated translation adjustments

    26,990               (4,128 )     31,118       (26,990 )     26,990  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Total stockholders’ equity

    1,025,806       1,129,226       1,940,084       105,790       (3,175,100 )     1,025,806  
   


 


 


 


 


 


    $ 1,247,356     $ 4,188,112     $ 2,397,227     $ 250,009     $ (3,233,969 )   $ 4,848,735  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 

23


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

 

December 31, 2003

 

     Parent

    URI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Other and
Eliminations


    Consolidated
Total


 
     (In thousands)  

ASSETS

                                                

Cash and cash equivalents

           $ 42,066     $ 32,339     $ 5,044             $ 79,449  

Accounts receivable, net

             14,198       445,984       39,251               499,433  

Intercompany receivable (payable)

             434,759       (303,585 )     (131,174 )                

Inventory

             43,683       55,910       6,394               105,987  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

             32,981       73,648       3,363               109,992  

Rental equipment, net

             1,242,652       672,497       156,343               2,071,492  

Property and equipment, net

   $ 25,256       109,831       253,814       17,700               406,601  

Investment in subsidiaries

     1,337,169       2,066,111                     $ (3,395,127 )     8,153  

Intangible assets, net

             315,419       1,045,990       79,625               1,441,034  
    


 


 


 


 


 


     $ 1,362,425     $ 4,301,700     $ 2,276,597     $ 176,546     $ (3,395,127 )   $ 4,722,141  
    


 


 


 


 


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                                                

Liabilities:

                                                

Accounts payable

           $ 32,529     $ 106,814     $ 11,453             $ 150,796  

Debt

             2,758,417       6,079       52,592               2,817,088  

Subordinated convertible debentures

   $ 221,550                                       221,550  

Deferred taxes

             151,410       (805 )     14,447               165,052  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

             112,137       145,200       6,730     $ (37,287 )     226,780  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total liabilities

     221,550       3,054,493       257,288       85,222       (37,287 )     3,581,266  

Commitments and contingencies

                                                

Stockholders’ equity:

                                                

Preferred stock

     5                                       5  

Common stock

     771                                       771  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,329,946       1,563,512       1,903,038       68,395       (3,534,945 )     1,329,946  

Deferred compensation

     (25,646 )                                     (25,646 )

(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings

     (189,300 )     (316,305 )     116,271       (2,170 )     202,204       (189,300 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     25,099                       25,099       (25,099 )     25,099  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     1,140,875       1,247,207       2,019,309       91,324       (3,357,840 )     1,140,875  
    


 


 


 


 


 


     $ 1,362,425     $ 4,301,700     $ 2,276,597     $ 176,546     $ (3,395,127 )   $ 4,722,141  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

24


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

 
     Parent

    URI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Other and
Eliminations


    Consolidated
Total


 
     (In thousands)  

Revenues:

                                               

Equipment rentals

           $ 767,211     $ 809,481     $ 115,411            $ 1,692,103  

Sales of rental equipment

             67,595       74,641       17,085              159,321  

Sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues

             204,613       178,347       36,087              419,047  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Total revenues

             1,039,419       1,062,469       168,583              2,270,471  

Cost of revenues:

                                               

Cost of equipment rentals, excluding depreciation

             347,107       491,694       56,969              895,770  

Depreciation of rental equipment

             135,297       118,483       24,797              278,577  

Cost of rental equipment sales

             47,502       52,772       10,980              111,254  

Cost of equipment and contractor supplies sales and other operating costs

             145,474       130,995       26,281              302,750  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Total cost of revenues

             675,380       793,944       119,027              1,588,351  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Gross profit

             364,039       268,525       49,556              682,120  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

             153,762       180,379       27,005              361,146  

Goodwill impairment

                     139,306                      139,306  

Non-rental depreciation and amortization

   $ 5,717       19,503       19,640       2,677              47,537  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Operating income (loss)

     (5,717 )     190,774       (70,800 )     19,874              134,131  

Interest expense

     10,827       111,252       1,536       3,093    $ (10,827 )     115,881  

Interest expense—subordinated convertible debentures

                                    10,827       10,827  

Other (income) expense, net

             173,623       (1,667 )     3,010              174,966  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (16,544 )     (94,101 )     (70,669 )     13,771              (167,543 )

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (6,368 )     (38,940 )     8,463       5,324              (31,521 )
    


 


 


 

  


 


Income (loss) before equity in net earnings of subsidiaries

     (10,176 )     (55,161 )     (79,132 )     8,447              (136,022 )

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries

     (125,846 )     (70,685 )                    196,531          
    


 


 


 

  


 


Net income (loss)

   $ (136,022 )   $ (125,846 )   $ (79,132 )   $ 8,447    $ 196,531     $ (136,022 )
    


 


 


 

  


 


 

25


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

 
     Parent

    URI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Other and
Eliminations


    Consolidated
Total


 
     (In thousands)  

Revenues:

                                               

Equipment rentals

           $ 693,212     $ 825,354     $ 101,217            $ 1,619,783  

Sales of rental equipment

             54,976       54,935       11,066              120,977  

Sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues

             185,380       170,003       28,898              384,281  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Total revenues

             933,568       1,050,292       141,181              2,125,041  

Cost of revenues:

                                               

Cost of equipment rentals, excluding depreciation

             339,191       492,901       48,343              880,435  

Depreciation of rental equipment

             118,640       109,846       20,402              248,888  

Cost of rental equipment sales

             36,065       36,868       6,732              79,665  

Cost of equipment and contractor supplies sales and other operating costs

             135,326       123,598       21,515              280,439  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Total cost of revenues

             629,222       763,213       96,992              1,489,427  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Gross profit

             304,346       287,079       44,189              635,614  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

             149,650       164,848       21,316              335,814  

Non-rental depreciation and amortization

   $ 6,488       22,865       19,664       2,244    $ 249       51,510  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Operating income (loss)

     (6,488 )     131,831       102,567       20,629      (249 )     248,290  

Interest expense

     10,989       153,625       2,477       2,694      (10,989 )     158,796  

Preferred dividends of a subsidiary trust

                                    10,989       10,989  

Other (income) expense, net

             7,929       (11,050 )     1,290              (1,831 )
    


 


 


 

  


 


Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (17,477 )     (29,723 )     111,140       16,645      (249 )     80,336  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (7,041 )     (11,243 )     46,220       5,948      (100 )     33,784  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Income (loss) before equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries

     (10,436 )     (18,480 )     64,920       10,697      (149 )     46,552  

Equity in net income (loss) of subsidiaries

     56,988       75,617                      (132,605 )        
    


 


 


 

  


 


Net income

   $ 46,552     $ 57,137     $ 64,920     $ 10,697    $ (132,754 )   $ 46,552  
    


 


 


 

  


 


 

26


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2004

 
     Parent

    URI

   

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries


  

Other and

Eliminations


   

Consolidated

Total


 
     (In thousands)  

Revenues:

                                               

Equipment rentals

           $ 291,641     $ 317,042     $ 46,503            $ 655,186  

Sales of rental equipment

             17,368       25,058       5,998              48,424  

Sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues

             71,554       62,460       12,094              146,108  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Total revenues

             380,563       404,560       64,595              849,718  

Cost of revenues:

                                               

Cost of equipment rentals, excluding depreciation

             124,374       192,313       20,632              337,319  

Depreciation of rental equipment

             45,998       40,457       8,669              95,124  

Cost of rental equipment sales

             12,335       17,995       3,702              34,032  

Cost of equipment and contractor supplies sales and other operating costs

             51,446       45,329       8,850              105,625  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Total cost of revenues

             234,153       296,094       41,853              572,100  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Gross profit

             146,410       108,466       22,742              277,618  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

             53,561       65,564       9,644              128,769  

Goodwill impairment

                     139,306                      139,306  

Non-rental depreciation and amortization

   $ 1,816       6,434       6,212       954              15,416  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Operating income (loss)

     (1,816 )     86,415       (102,616 )     12,144              (5,873 )

Interest expense

     3,600       33,939       495       1,128    $ (3,600 )     35,562  

Interest expense—subordinated convertible debentures

                                    3,600       3,600  

Other (income) expense, net

             2,038       (562 )     27              1,503  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (5,416 )     50,438       (102,549 )     10,989              (46,538 )

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (2,090 )     19,152       (3,429 )     4,210              17,843  
    


 


 


 

  


 


Income (loss) before equity in net earnings of subsidiaries

     (3,326 )     31,286       (99,120 )     6,779              (64,381 )

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries

     (61,055 )     (92,341 )                    153,396          
    


 


 


 

  


 


Net income

   $ (64,381 )   $ (61,055 )   $ (99,120 )   $ 6,779    $ 153,396     $ (64,381 )
    


 


 


 

  


 


 

27


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2003

 
     Parent

    URI

   Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


   Other and
Eliminations


    Consolidated
Total


 
     (In thousands)  

Revenues:

                                              

Equipment rentals

           $ 258,228    $ 326,459     $ 41,061            $ 625,748  

Sales of rental equipment

             20,816      19,297       4,278              44,391  

Sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues

             67,126      57,944       9,925              134,995  
    


 

  


 

  


 


Total revenues

             346,170      403,700       55,264              805,134  

Cost of revenues:

                                              

Cost of equipment rentals, excluding depreciation

             122,437      191,785       16,756              330,978  

Depreciation of rental equipment

             40,692      37,749       7,281              85,722  

Cost of rental equipment sales

             13,386      12,549       2,782              28,717  

Cost of equipment and contractor supplies sales and other operating costs

             49,544      44,222       7,392              101,158  
    


 

  


 

  


 


Total cost of revenues

             226,059      286,305       34,211              546,575  
    


 

  


 

  


 


Gross profit

             120,111      117,395       21,053              258,559  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

             52,583      67,664       7,243              127,490  

Non-rental depreciation and amortization

   $ 2,136       7,728      6,934       782    $ 83       17,663  
    


 

  


 

  


 


Operating income (loss)

     (2,136 )     59,800      42,797       13,028      (83 )     113,406  

Interest expense

     3,627       51,380      1,189       851      (3,627 )     53,420  

Preferred dividends of a subsidiary trust

                                   3,627       3,627  

Other (income) expense, net

             2,145      (3,284 )     916              (223 )
    


 

  


 

  


 


Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (5,763 )     6,275      44,892       11,261      (83 )     56,582  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (2,515 )     2,739      20,727       3,783      (36 )     24,698  
    


 

  


 

  


 


Income (loss) before equity in net earnings of subsidiaries

     (3,248 )     3,536      24,165       7,478      (47 )     31,884  

Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries

     35,132       31,643                     (66,775 )        
    


 

  


 

  


 


Net income

   $ 31,884     $ 35,179    $ 24,165     $ 7,478    $ (66,822 )   $ 31,884  
    


 

  


 

  


 


 

28


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

     For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

 
     Parent

    URI

    Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries


    Other and
Eliminations


    Consolidated

 
     (In thousands)  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (5,325 )   $ 277,523     $ 250,468     $ 41,503             $ 564,169  

Cash flows from investing activities:

                                                

Purchases of rental equipment

             (239,117 )     (188,242 )     (37,850 )             (465,209 )

Purchases of property and equipment

     (5,503 )     (26,663 )     (25,046 )     (1,704 )             (58,916 )

Proceeds from sales of rental equipment

             67,595       74,641       17,085               159,321  

Capital contributed to subsidiary

     (4,069 )                           $ 4,069          

Purchases of other companies

             (688 )             (60,338 )             (61,026 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

     (9,572 )     (198,873 )     (138,647 )     (82,807 )     4,069       (425,830 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

                                                

Proceeds from debt

             2,153,954               41,986               2,195,940  

Payments of debt

             (2,213,539 )     (262 )                     (2,213,801 )

Payments of financing costs

             (35,893 )     (895 )     (32 )             (36,820 )

Purchases of interest rate caps

             (13,646 )                             (13,646 )

Shares repurchased and retired

     (4,833 )                                     (4,833 )

Capital contributions by parent

             4,069                       (4,069 )        

Dividend distributions to parent

             (15,661 )                     15,661          

Proceeds from the exercise of common stock options and warrants

     4,069                                       4,069  

Proceeds from dividends from subsidiary

     15,661                               (15,661 )        
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     14,897       (120,716 )     (1,157 )     41,954       (4,069 )     (69,091 )

Effect of foreign exchange rates

                             470               470  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

             (42,066 )     110,664       1,120               69,718  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

             42,066       32,339       5,044               79,449  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

                   $ 143,003     $ 6,164             $ 149,167  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

                                                

Cash paid for interest

   $ 10,828     $ 128,406     $ 1,564     $ 3,090             $ 143,888  

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

           $ 3             $ 1,334             $ 1,337  

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

                                                

The Company acquired the net assets and assumed certain liabilities of other companies as follows:

                                                

Assets, net of cash acquired

                           $ 66,126             $ 66,126  

Liabilities assumed

                             (5,788 )             (5,788 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


                               60,338               60,338  

Due to seller and other payments

           $ 688                               688  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash paid

           $ 688             $ 60,338             $ 61,026  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

29


Table of Contents

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

    For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003

 
    Parent

    URI

   

Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries


   

Other and

Eliminations


    Consolidated

 
    (In thousands)  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  $ (8,234 )   $ 154,026     $ 123,674     $ 57,003             $ 326,469  

Cash flows from investing activities:

                                               

Purchases of rental equipment

            (214,071 )     (135,539 )     (27,497 )             (377,107 )

Purchases of property and equipment

    (2,755 )     (1,710 )     (20,653 )     (1,383 )             (26,501 )

Proceeds from sales of rental equipment

            54,976       54,935       11,066               120,977  

Capital contributed to subsidiary

    (237 )                           $ 237          

Purchases of other companies

            (5,001 )                             (5,001 )

Deposits on rental equipment purchases

            (10,929 )                             (10,929 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

    (2,992 )     (176,735 )     (101,257 )     (17,814 )     237       (298,561 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

                                               

Proceeds from debt

            247,191                               247,191  

Payments of debt

            (199,392 )     (738 )     (15,045 )             (215,175 )

Payments of financing costs

            (10,763 )                             (10,763 )

Capital contributions by parent

            237                       (237 )        

Company-obligated mandatorily redeemable convertible preferred securities of a subsidiary trust repurchased and retired

                                    (3,575 )     (3,575 )

Proceeds from the exercise of common stock options

    237                                       237  

Dividend distributions to parent

            (14,564 )                     14,564          

Proceeds from dividends from subsidiary

    10,989                               (10,989 )        
   


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    11,226       22,709       (738 )     (15,045 )     (237 )     17,915  

Effect of foreign exchange rates

                            11,294               11,294  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

                    21,679       35,438               57,117  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

                    16,908       2,323               19,231  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

                  $ 38,587     $ 37,761             $ 76,348  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

                                               

Cash paid for interest

  $ 11,043     $ 128,509     $ 2,788     $ 2,778             $ 145,118  

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

          $ (1,208 )           $ 866             $ (342 )

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

                                               

The Company acquired the net assets and assumed certain liabilities of other companies as follows:

                                               

Assets, net of cash acquired

          $ 3,314                             $ 3,314  

Liabilities assumed

            (50 )                             (50 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


              3,264                               3,264  

Due to seller and other payments

            1,737                               1,737  
   


 


 


 


 


 


Net cash paid

          $ 5,001                             $ 5,001  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 

30


Table of Contents

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

 

The following discussion reviews our operations for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included herein and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

General

 

We are the largest equipment rental company in the world. Our revenues are divided into three categories:

 

    Equipment rentals—This category principally includes our revenues from the following sources: (i) equipment rental, (ii) fees related to equipment rental such as those for equipment delivery, fuel and rental protection plans and (iii) specialized services that we provide in connection with the rental of traffic control equipment.

 

    Sales of rental equipment—This category includes our revenues from the sale of used rental equipment.

 

    Sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues—This category principally includes our revenues from the following sources: (i) the sale of equipment held for sale, (ii) the sale of contractor supplies, (iii) repair services and the sale of parts for equipment owned by customers and (iv) the operations of our subsidiary that develops and markets software for use by equipment rental companies in managing and operating multiple branch locations.

 

Our cost of operations consists primarily of: (i) depreciation costs relating to the rental equipment that we own and lease payments for the rental equipment that we hold under operating leases, (ii) the cost of repairing and maintaining rental equipment, (iii) the cost of the items that we sell including new and used equipment and related parts, and contractor supplies and (iv) personnel costs, occupancy costs and supply costs.

 

We record rental equipment expenditures at cost and depreciate equipment using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life (which ranges from two to ten years), after giving effect to an estimated salvage value of 0% to 10% of cost.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include sales commissions and salaries and benefits, bad debt expense, advertising and marketing expenses, management salaries and benefits, and clerical and administrative overhead.

 

Non-rental depreciation and amortization includes (i) depreciation expense associated with equipment that is not offered for rent (such as vehicles, computers and office equipment) and amortization expense associated with leasehold improvements, (ii) the amortization of deferred financing costs and (iii) the amortization of other intangible assets. Our other intangible assets consist of non-compete agreements.

 

We completed acquisitions in each of 2004 and 2003. See note 2 to our notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Report. In view of the fact that our operating results for these years were affected by acquisitions, we believe that our results for these periods are not directly comparable.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Pursuant to an accounting standard adopted in 2002, we no longer amortize goodwill. Instead, we are required to periodically review our goodwill for impairment. In general, this means that we must determine whether the fair value of the goodwill, calculated in accordance with applicable accounting standards, is at least equal to the recorded value shown on our balance sheet. If the fair value of the goodwill is less than the recorded value, we are required to write off the excess goodwill as an expense. Our other intangible assets continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives.

 

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We generally are required to review our goodwill for impairment annually as of a scheduled review date; however, if events or circumstances suggest that our goodwill could be impaired, we may be required to conduct an earlier review. Our scheduled review date is October 1 of each year; however, we reviewed our traffic control segment goodwill as of September 30, 2004 because continued weakness in this segment suggested that the goodwill associated with this segment could be impaired. Based on this review, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $139.3 million to write off the remaining goodwill balance that was associated with our traffic control segment.

 

As of September 30, 2004, after giving effect to such write-off, we had on our balance sheet net goodwill in the amount of $1,325.5 million. All of this goodwill is associated with our general rentals segment. Based on the current performance of our general rentals segment and current market valuations, we do not currently foresee any additional goodwill write-offs; however, we cannot be certain that a future downturn in the business or changes in market valuations will not necessitate additional write-offs in future periods.

 

Restructuring Plans in 2001 and 2002

 

We adopted a restructuring plan in April 2001 and a second restructuring plan in October 2002 as described below. In connection with these plans, we recorded a restructuring charge of $28.9 million in 2001 and $28.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2002.

 

The 2001 plan involved the following principal elements: (i) 31 underperforming branches and five administrative offices were closed or consolidated with other locations, (ii) the reduction of our workforce by 489 through the termination of branch and administrative personnel, and (iii) certain information technology hardware and software was no longer used.

 

The 2002 plan involved the following principal elements: (i) 40 underperforming branches and five administrative offices were closed or consolidated with other locations; (ii) the reduction of our workforce by 412 through the termination of branch and administrative personnel, and (iii) a certain information technology project was abandoned.

 

Components of the restructuring charges are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Balance
December 31,
2003(1)


   Activity in
2004(2)


   Balance
September 30,
2004(3)


Costs to vacate facilities(4)

   $ 14,960    $ 2,574    $ 12,386

Workforce reduction costs(5)

     1,756      199      1,557

Information technology costs(6)

     613      406      207
    

  

  

     $ 17,329    $ 3,179    $ 14,150
    

  

  


(1)   Represents the aggregate balance of the 2001 and 2002 charges that had not been utilized as of December 31, 2003.
(2)   Activity in 2004 represents primarily cash payments.
(3)   Represents the aggregate balance of the 2001 and 2002 charges that had not been utilized as of September 30, 2004.
(4)   Represents primarily (i) payment of obligations under leases offset by estimated sublease opportunities and (ii) the write-off of capital improvements made to such facilities.
(5)   Represents primarily severance.
(6)   Represents primarily the abandonment of certain information technology projects and the payment of obligations under equipment leases relating to such projects.

 

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As indicated in the table above, the aggregate balance of the 2001 and 2002 charges was $14.2 million as of September 30, 2004 consisting of $0.7 million for the 2001 charge and $13.5 million for the 2002 charge. We estimate that approximately $0.8 million of the remaining 2001 and 2002 charges will be paid by December 31, 2004 and approximately $13.4 million in future periods. These payments will not affect our future earnings because the charges associated with these payments have already been recorded in our 2001 or 2002 results. We expect to make these payments with cash from our operations.

 

Charges Related to Debt Refinancings and Vesting of Restricted Stock

 

During 2004, we refinanced approximately $2.1 billion of our debt. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Recent Financing Transactions.” In connection with the refinancing, we recorded: (i) aggregate pre-tax charges of $161.1 million ($95.2 million, net of tax) in the first quarter of 2004 and (ii) aggregate pre-tax charges of $11.1 million ($6.5 million, net of tax) in the second quarter of 2004. These charges were primarily attributable to (a) the redemption and tender premiums for notes redeemed and tendered as part of the refinancing and (b) the write-off of previously capitalized costs relating to the debt refinanced. These charges were recorded in other (income) expense, net.

 

We incurred a pre-tax, non-cash charge of $11.7 million ($10.2 million, net of tax) in the third quarter of 2003 and $7.0 million ($5.5 million, net of tax) in the first quarter of 2004 due to the vesting in each such period of restricted shares granted to executives in 2001. The charge in each period represented the portion of the deferred compensation charge associated with these shares that was unamortized at the time of vesting.

 

Certain Information Concerning Reserve for Claims

 

We are exposed to various claims relating to our business. We establish reserves for reported claims that are asserted against us and for claims that we believe have been incurred but not reported. These reserves reflect our estimate of the ultimate amounts that we will be required to pay in connection with these claims net of expected insurance recoveries. These estimates may change based on, among other things, changes in our claims experience, actuarial studies or expert opinions and receipt of additional information relevant to assessing the claims. We refer to our reserve for claims as our “insurance reserve.” Any increase in the insurance reserve results in a corresponding expense being recorded on our income statement.

 

Our insurance reserve increased from $46.2 million on December 31, 2003 to $68.7 million on September 30, 2004 (including $10.9 million of reserve added in the third quarter of 2004). This increase primarily reflected a change in our assessment of the potential ultimate losses typically associated with the following types of claims that arise in the ordinary course of business: (i) personal injury or death caused by equipment rented or sold by us, (ii) motor vehicle accidents involving our personnel and (iii) job-related injuries sustained by our personnel. This increase was principally driven by additional actuarial information received during 2004. The expense associated with the increase in our insurance reserve is reflected on our income statement primarily in cost of rental revenues and, to a lesser extent, in selling, general and administrative expense.

 

Information Concerning Segments

 

We currently have two business segments: general rentals and traffic control. The general rentals segment includes all aspects of our business, other than the rental of traffic control equipment and related services and activities. That portion of our business forms the separate traffic control segment. Data for periods prior to 2004 have been reclassified to conform to the current organization of our segments. See note 7 to our notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Report.

 

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The following table shows certain results of our segments for the nine and three months periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (in millions):

 

     Nine Months
Ended
September 30


    Three Months
Ended
September 30


 
     2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

 

General Rentals Segment

                                

Revenues

                                

Equipment rentals

   $ 1,523.1     $ 1,389.3     $ 584.3     $ 526.2  

Sales of rental equipment

     157.3       120.9       47.9       44.3  

Sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues

     399.8       359.5       139.3       126.4  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     2,080.2       1,869.7       771.5       696.9  

Cost of revenues

                                

Cost of equipment rentals, excluding depreciation

     744.0       712.2       276.3       266.4  

Depreciation of rental equipment

     259.8       229.8       88.7       79.0  

Cost of rental equipment sales

     110.3       79.6       33.8       28.7  

Cost of equipment and contractor supplies sales and other operating expenses

     290.6       266.0       101.3       96.3  
    


 


 


 


Total cost of revenues

     1,404.7       1,287.6       500.1       470.5  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     675.6       582.1       271.4       226.4  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     314.5       284.5       113.8       99.1  

Non-rental depreciation and amortization

     46.6       50.3       15.1       17.3  
    


 


 


 


Segment operating income

   $ 314.5     $ 247.4     $ 142.5     $ 110.1  

Traffic Control Segment

                                

Revenues

                                

Equipment rentals

   $ 169.0     $ 230.5     $ 70.9     $ 99.5  

Sales of rental equipment

     2.0       0.1       0.5       0.1  

Sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues

     19.2       24.8       6.8       8.6  
    


 


 


 


Total revenues

     190.2       255.3       78.2       108.2  

Cost of revenues

                                

Cost of equipment rentals, excluding depreciation

     151.8       168.3       61.0       64.6  

Depreciation of rental equipment

     18.8       19.1       6.4       6.7  

Cost of rental equipment sales

     0.9       0.1       0.2          

Cost of equipment and contractor supplies sales and other operating expenses

     12.2       14.4       4.4       4.8  
    


 


 


 


Total cost of revenues

     183.7       201.8       72.0       76.0  
    


 


 


 


Gross profit

     6.5       53.5       6.2       32.2  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     39.6       39.6       15.0       16.7  

Goodwill impairment

     139.3               139.3          

Non-rental depreciation and amortization

     1.0       1.2       0.3       0.4  
    


 


 


 


Segment operating income (loss)(1)

   $ (173.4 )   $ 12.7     $ (148.4 )   $ 15.0  

Consolidated Results

                                

General rentals segment operating income

   $ 314.5     $ 247.4     $ 142.5     $ 110.1  

Traffic control segment operating income (loss)(1)

     (173.4 )     12.7       (148.4 )     15.0  

Vesting of restricted shares granted to executives in 2001(2)

     (7.0 )     (11.7 )             (11.7 )
    


 


 


 


Operating income (loss)

     134.1       248.3       (5.9 )     113.4  

Interest expense

     115.9       158.8       35.6       53.4  

Interest expense—subordinated convertible debentures

     10.8               3.6          

Preferred dividends of a subsidiary trust

             11.0               3.6  

Other (income) expense, net(3)

     175.0       (1.8 )     1.5       (0.2 )
    


 


 


 


Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (167.5 )     80.3       (46.5 )     56.6  

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (31.5 )     33.8       17.8       24.7  
    


 


 


 


Net income (loss)

   $ (136.0 )   $ 46.6     $ (64.4 )   $ 31.9  
    


 


 


 



(1)   The operating results for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2004 reflect the impact of a goodwill impairment charge of $139.3 million recorded in the third quarter of 2004. Excluding this charge, the adjusted operating loss for the traffic control segment was $34.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and $9.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004.
(2)   Represents the vesting of restricted shares granted to executives in 2001. See “—Charges Relating to Debt Refinancings and Vesting of Restricted Stock.” This charge has not been allocated to either segment.
(3)   Other (income) expense, net, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 reflects charges relating to debt refinancings of $172.2 million.

 

Columns may not add due to rounding

 

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Discussion of Results

 

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) Results and Adjusted Results

 

Our results for the three month period ended September 30, 2004, were impacted by a goodwill impairment charge for $139.3 million ($121.9 million, net of tax). See “—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Our results for the nine month period ended September 30, 2004 were impacted by such charge and by the following additional charges: (i) $172.2 million ($101.7 million, net of tax) related to debt refinancings that we completed in 2004 and (ii) $7.0 million ($5.5 million, net of tax) related to the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001. Our results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 were impacted by an $11.7 million ($10.2 million, net of tax) charge related to the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001. See “—Charges Related to Debt Refinancings and Vesting of Restricted Stock.”

 

The table below shows (i) our operating income and results in accordance with GAAP and (ii) our operating income and results adjusted to exclude the foregoing charges. We provide this adjusted data because we believe that this data may be useful to investors in analyzing the period-to-period changes in our results that are due to changes in business conditions and that are not due to the write off of goodwill.

 

    

Nine Months

Ended

September 30


  

Three Months

Ended

September 30


     2004

    2003

   2004

    2003

Operating income (loss) (GAAP)

   $ 134.1     $ 248.3    $ (5.9 )   $ 113.4

Goodwill impairment

     139.3              139.3        

Vesting of restricted shares granted to executives in 2001

     7.0       11.7              11.7
    


 

  


 

Operating income, as adjusted

   $ 280.4     $ 260.0    $ 133.4     $ 125.1
    


 

  


 

Net income (loss) (GAAP)

   $ (136.0 )   $ 46.6    $ (64.4 )   $ 31.9

Goodwill impairment, net of tax

     121.9              121.9        

Refinancing costs, net of tax

     101.7                       

Vesting of restricted shares granted to executives in 2001, net of tax

     5.5       10.2              10.2
    


 

  


 

Net income (loss), as adjusted

   $ 93.2     $ 56.7    $ 57.5     $ 42.0
    


 

  


 

 

Columns may not add due to rounding

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

 

Revenues

 

1.    General Rentals Segment Revenues.    Our general rentals segment had total revenues of $2,080.2 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of 11.3% compared with $1,869.7 million in the first nine months of 2003. The revenues from this segment accounted for 91.6% of our total revenues in the first nine months of 2004 and 88.0% during the first nine months of 2003. The components of this segment’s revenues are discussed below.

 

A.    Equipment Rentals.    Revenues from equipment rentals at the general rentals segment were $1,523.1 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of 9.6% compared with revenues of $1,389.3 million in the first nine months of 2003. These revenues accounted for 73.2% of the segment’s total revenues in the first nine months of 2004 compared with 74.3% in the same period last year. Rental rates for this segment increased 7.5% during the first nine months of 2004 compared with the same period last year.

 

The increase in rental revenues at this segment during the first nine months of 2004 principally reflected the following:

 

    We increased rental revenues at locations open more than one year, or same store rental revenues, by approximately 10.2%. This increase primarily reflected the increase in rental rates discussed above.

 

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    We lost revenues due to the closing of branches and added revenues through acquisitions and start-ups. The net effect of these two factors was a loss of revenues that partially offset the increase in same store rental revenues.

 

B.    Sales of Rental Equipment.    Revenues from the sale of rental equipment at the general rentals segment were $157.3 million in the first nine months of 2004, representing a 30.1% increase from $120.9 million in the first nine months of 2003. These revenues accounted for 7.6% of the segment’s total revenues in the first nine months of 2004 compared with 6.5% in the same period last year. The increase in these revenues in 2004 primarily reflected an increase in the volume of equipment sold.

 

C.    Sales of Equipment and Contractor Supplies and Other Revenues.    Revenues from “sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues” at the general rentals segment were $399.8 million in the first nine months of 2004, representing an 11.2% increase from $359.5 million in the first nine months of 2003. These revenues accounted for 19.2% of the segment’s total revenues in the first nine months of 2004 and 2003. The increase in these revenues in 2004 principally reflected a 26.5% increase in contractor supplies sales.

 

2.    Traffic Control Segment Revenues.    Our traffic control segment had total revenues of $190.2 million in the first nine months of 2004, representing a decrease of 25.5% from $255.3 million in the first nine months of 2003. The revenues from this segment accounted for 8.4% of our total revenues in the first nine months of 2004 and 12.0% during the first nine months of 2003. The components of this segment’s revenues are discussed below.

 

A.    Equipment Rentals.    Revenues from equipment rentals at the traffic control segment were $169.0 million in the first nine months of 2004, representing a decrease of 26.7% from $230.5 million in the first nine months of 2003. These revenues accounted for 88.8% of the segment’s total revenues in the first nine months of 2004 and 90.3% in the same period last year. The decrease in rental revenues at this segment principally reflected a 27.2% decrease in same store revenues.

 

B.    Sales of Rental Equipment.    Revenues from the sale of rental equipment at the traffic control segment were $2.0 million in the first nine months of 2004 and $0.1 million in the first nine months of 2003. These revenues accounted for 1.0% of the segment’s total revenues in the first nine months of 2004 compared with 0% in the same period last year.

 

C.    Sales of Equipment and Contractor Supplies and Other Revenues.    Revenues from “sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues” at the traffic control segment were $19.2 million in the first nine months of 2004, representing a 22.2% decrease from $24.8 million in the first nine months of 2003. These revenues accounted for 10.1% of the segment’s total revenues in the first nine months of 2004 and 9.7% in the same period last year. The decrease in these revenues in 2004 principally reflected a decrease in this segment’s sales of traffic control related supplies.

 

3.    Total Consolidated Revenues.    We had total revenues of $2,270.5 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of 6.8% compared with total revenues of $2,125.0 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase reflected the higher revenues at our general rentals segment partially offset by the lower revenues at our traffic control segment. Dollar equipment utilization for the first nine months of 2004 was 59.2%, an increase of 2.5 percentage points from the first nine months of 2003.

 

Gross Profit

 

1.    General Rentals Segment Gross Profit.    Our general rentals segment had total gross profit of $675.6 million in the first nine months of 2004, an increase of 16.1% compared with $582.1 million in the first nine months of 2003. This increase primarily reflected the increase in revenues described above partially offset by the

 

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decrease in gross profit margin described below from the sale of rental equipment. Information concerning the gross profit margin of the general rentals segment by source of revenue is set forth below:

 

A.    Equipment Rentals.    The gross profit margin from equipment rental revenues was 34.1% in the first nine months of 2004 and 32.2% in the first nine months of 2003. The increase in 2004 principally reflected the increase in rental revenues described above partially offset by cost increases. The cost increases impacted several areas including employee wages and benefits, reserves for claims and repairs and maintenance.

 

B.    Sales of Rental Equipment.    The gross profit margin from the sale of rental equipment was 29.9% in the first nine months of 2004 and 34.2% in the first nine months of 2003. The decrease in 2004 primarily reflected a shift in mix in the 2004 period to the sale of more under-utilized equipment and equipment with relatively lower resale values.

 

C.    Sales of Equipment and Contractor Supplies and Other Revenues.    The gross profit margin from “sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues” was 27.3% in the first nine months of 2004 and 26.0% in the first nine months of 2003. The increase in 2004 primarily reflected an increase in contractor supplies margins and the volume of contractor supplies sold.

 

2.    Traffic Control Segment Gross Profit.    Our traffic control segment had total gross profit of $6.5 million in the first nine months of 2004 compared with gross profit of $53.5 million in the first nine months of 2003. The decrease in 2004 was the result of the substantial decrease in rental revenues described above partially offset by a decrease in costs.

 

3.    Total Consolidated Gross Profit.    We had total gross profit of $682.1 million in the first nine months of 2004, representing an increase of 7.3% from $635.6 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase reflected the higher gross profit at our general rentals segment partially offset by the lower gross profit at our traffic control segment.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expense (“SG&A”)

 

1.    General Rentals Segment SG&A.    SG&A at our general rentals segment was $314.5 million, or 15.1% of total segment revenues, during the first nine months of 2004 and $284.5 million, or 15.2% of total segment revenues, during the first nine months of 2003. The decrease in SG&A as a percentage of revenues in the 2004 period reflected the increase in revenues described above without a commensurate increase in SG&A expense. The increase in the dollar amount of SG&A in the 2004 period primarily reflected higher costs related to selling commissions, professional fees, employee benefits and reserves for claims.

 

2.    Traffic Control Segment SG&A.    SG&A at our traffic control segment was $39.6 million, or 20.8% of total segment revenues, during the first nine months of 2004 and $39.6 million, or 15.5% of total segment revenues, during the first nine months of 2003. The increase in SG&A as a percentage of revenues during the 2004 period primarily reflected the reduction in revenues described above.

 

3.    Total Consolidated SG&A.    Total SG&A expense was $361.1 million, or 15.9% of total revenues, during the first nine months of 2004 and $335.8 million, or 15.8% of total revenues, during the first nine months of 2003. Total SG&A expense in both 2004 and 2003 include charges for the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001. The charge in 2004 was $7.0 million and the charge in 2003 was $11.7 million. These charges have not been allocated to either of our segments.

 

Excluding the aforementioned charges, SG&A would have been $354.2 million, or 15.6% of total revenues, in the first nine months of 2004 compared with $324.1 million, or 15.2% of total revenues, during the first nine months of 2003. The increase in the dollar amount of SG&A, excluding the aforementioned charges, in the 2004

 

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period reflected higher SG&A expenses at our general rentals segment as described above. The increase in SG&A, excluding the aforementioned charges, as a percentage of revenues during the 2004 period reflected the foregoing and the decrease in revenues at our traffic control segment as described above.

 

Goodwill Impairment

 

We recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $139.3 million in the third quarter of 2004 attributable to the write-off of the goodwill that was associated with our traffic control segment. See “—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

 

Non-rental Depreciation and Amortization

 

1.    General Rentals Segment Non-rental Depreciation and Amortization.    Non-rental depreciation and amortization for the general rentals segment was $46.6 million, or 2.2% of total segment revenues, in the first nine months of 2004 and $50.3 million, or 2.7% of total segment revenues, in the first nine months of 2003. The decrease in the dollar amount of this expense in 2004 was primarily due to a reduction in the aggregate amount of our deferred financing fees as a result of the debt refinancing transactions that we completed in the fourth quarter of 2003 and in 2004. The decrease in such expense as percentage of revenues primarily reflected the foregoing and the increase in revenues described above.

 

2.    Traffic Control Segment Non-rental Depreciation and Amortization.    Non-rental depreciation and amortization for the traffic control segment was $1.0 million in the first nine months of 2004 and $1.2 million in the first nine months of 2003.

 

3.    Total Consolidated Non-rental Depreciation and Amortization.    Total non-rental depreciation and amortization was $47.5 million, or 2.1% of total revenues, in the first nine months of 2004 and $51.5 million, or 2.4% of total revenues, in the first nine months of 2003. The decrease in 2004 primarily reflected the decrease at the general rentals segment discussed above.

 

Operating Income (Loss)

 

1.    General Rentals Operating Income.    Our general rentals segment had operating income of $314.5 million in the first nine months of 2004 and $247.4 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase in 2004 reflected the higher revenues and gross profit at this segment described above.

 

2.    Traffic Control Segment Operating Income (Loss).    Our traffic control segment had an operating loss of $173.4 million in the first nine months of 2004 and operating income of $12.7 million in the first nine months of 2003. The operating loss in 2004 includes the non-cash, goodwill impairment charge of $139.3 million discussed above. If the segment operating loss is adjusted to exclude this charge, the adjusted operating loss at the traffic control segment was $34.1 million in the first nine months of 2004. The adjusted operating loss in 2004 reflected the decrease in revenues and gross profit at this segment.

 

3.    Total Consolidated Operating Income.    Total operating income was $134.1 million in the first nine months of 2004 and $248.3 million in the first nine months of 2003. Total operating income in 2004 was impacted by the $139.3 million charge for goodwill impairment discussed above and a $7.0 million charge for the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001. Total operating income in 2003 was impacted by an $11.7 million charge for the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001. If our operating income is adjusted to exclude such charges, we had total adjusted operating income of $280.4 million in the first nine months of 2004 and total adjusted operating income of $260.0 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase in total adjusted operating income in 2004 reflected the increase in operating income at the general

 

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rentals segment partially offset by the adjusted operating loss at the traffic control segment. For a reconciliation of the adjusted results to our GAAP results, see “—Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) Results and Adjusted Results.”

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense was $115.9 million in the first nine months of 2004 and $158.8 million in the first nine months of 2003. The decrease in interest expense was attributable to lower interest rates on our debt primarily due to (i) the debt refinancings that we completed in the fourth quarter of 2003 and in 2004 and (ii) the positive impact of interest rate swaps that increased the portion of our interest expense that is based on floating interest rates.

 

Interest Expense—Subordinated Convertible Debentures and Preferred Dividends of a Subsidiary Trust

 

In August 1998, a subsidiary trust of United Rentals, Inc. (“Holdings”) sold certain trust preferred securities and used the proceeds from such sale to purchase certain convertible subordinated debentures from Holdings. See “—Certain Information Concerning Trust Preferred Securities.” The subsidiary trust that issued the trust preferred securities was consolidated with Holdings until December 31, 2003, when it was deconsolidated following the adoption of a new accounting principle. See “—Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards.”

 

For periods prior to the deconsolidation, the dividends on the trust preferred securities were reflected as an expense on our consolidated statement of operations and the interest on the subordinated convertible debentures was eliminated in consolidation and thus was not reflected as an expense on our consolidated statement of operations. For periods after the deconsolidation, the dividends on the trust preferred securities are no longer reflected as an expense on our consolidated statement of operations and the interest on the subordinated convertible debentures is no longer eliminated in consolidation and thus is now reflected as an expense on our consolidated statement of operations. Because the interest on the subordinated convertible debentures corresponds to the dividends on the trust preferred securities, this change does not alter the total amount of expense required to be recorded.

 

The expense recorded in connection with the foregoing securities was $10.8 million in the first nine months of 2004 and $11.0 million in the first nine months of 2003. The expense in the 2004 period is recorded on the statement of operations as “Interest Expense—Subordinated Convertible Debentures” and the expense in the 2003 period is recorded as “Preferred Dividends of a Subsidiary Trust.”

 

Other (Income) Expense, net

 

Other expense was $175.0 million in the first nine months of 2004 compared with other income of $1.8 million in the first nine months of 2003. The other expense in the first nine months of 2004 was primarily attributable to the charges related to debt refinancings described under “—Charges Related to Debt Refinancings and Vesting of Restricted Stock.” Excluding these charges, we would have had other expense of $2.8 million in the 2004 period. The other expense, excluding such charges, in the 2004 period was primarily due to the write off of a note receivable and the write off of certain assets in connection with the settlement of a legal matter.

 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

 

Income taxes were a benefit of $31.5 million, or an effective rate of 18.8%, in the first nine months of 2004 and an expense of $33.8 million, or an effective rate of 42.1%, in the first nine months of 2003. Excluding the effects on our 2004 results of (i) the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001, (ii) the goodwill impairment charge and (iii) the refinancing charges discussed above, we would have had an effective rate of 38.3% in the first nine months of 2004. Excluding the effect on our 2003 results of the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001, we would have had an effective rate of 38.4% in the first nine months of 2003.

 

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Net Income (Loss)

 

We had a net loss of $136.0 million in the first nine months of 2004 compared with net income of $46.6 million in the first nine months of 2003. The loss in 2004 reflected the charges described above relating to our debt refinancings, goodwill impairment and the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001. If our results are adjusted to exclude these charges, we had adjusted net income of $93.2 million in the first nine months of 2004. Net income in 2003 included a charge relating to the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001. If our results are adjusted to exclude this charge, we had adjusted net income of $56.7 million in the first nine months of 2003. The increase in adjusted net income in the first nine months of 2004 relative to adjusted net income in the first nine months of 2003 primarily reflected the increase in adjusted operating income and the reduction in interest expense described above. For a reconciliation of the adjusted results to our GAAP results, see “—Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) Results and Adjusted Results.”

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003

 

Revenues

 

1.    General Rentals Segment Revenues.    Our general rentals segment had total revenues of $771.5 million in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of 10.7% compared with $696.9 million in the third quarter of 2003. The revenues from this segment accounted for 90.8% of our total revenues in the third quarter of 2004 and 86.6% during the third quarter of 2003. The components of this segment’s revenues are discussed below.

 

A.    Equipment Rentals.    Revenues from equipment rentals at the general rentals segment were $584.3 million in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of 11.0% compared with revenues of $526.2 million in the third quarter of 2003. These revenues accounted for 75.7% of the segment’s total revenues in the third quarter of 2004 compared with 75.5% in the same period last year. Rental rates for this segment increased 8.5% during the third quarter of 2004 compared with the same period last year.

 

The increase in rental revenues at this segment during the third quarter of 2004 principally reflected the following:

 

    We increased rental revenues at locations open more than one year, or same store rental revenues, by approximately 12.0%. This increase primarily reflected the increase in rental rates discussed above.

 

    We lost revenues due to the closing of branches and added revenues through acquisitions and start-ups. The net effect of these two factors was a loss of revenues that partially offset the increase in same store rental revenues.

 

B.    Sales of Rental Equipment.    Revenues from the sale of rental equipment at the general rentals segment were $47.9 million in the third quarter of 2004, representing an 8.0% increase from $44.3 million in the third quarter of 2003. These revenues accounted for 6.2% of the segment’s total revenues in the third quarter of 2004 compared with 6.4% in the same period last year. The increase in these revenues in 2004 primarily reflected an increase in the volume of equipment sold.

 

C.    Sales of Equipment and Contractor Supplies and Other Revenues.    Revenues from “sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues” at the general rentals segment were $139.3 million in the third quarter of 2004, representing a 10.2% increase from $126.4 million in the third quarter of 2003. These revenues accounted for 18.1% of the segment’s total revenues in the third quarter of 2004 compared with 18.1% in the same period last year. The increase in these revenues in 2004 principally reflected a 25.1% increase in contractor supplies sales.

 

2.    Traffic Control Segment Revenues.    Our traffic control segment had total revenues of $78.2 million in the third quarter of 2004, representing a decrease of 27.7% from $108.2 million in the third quarter of 2003. The

 

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revenues from this segment accounted for 9.2% of our total revenues in the third quarter of 2004 and 13.4% during the third quarter of 2003. The components of this segment’s revenues are discussed below.

 

A.    Equipment Rentals.    Revenues from equipment rentals at the traffic control segment were $70.9 million in the third quarter of 2004, representing a decrease of 28.8% from $99.5 million in the third quarter of 2003. These revenues accounted for 90.7% of the segment’s total revenues in the third quarter of 2004 and 92.0% in the same period last year. The decrease in rental revenues at this segment principally reflected a 29.5% decrease in same store revenues.

 

B.    Sales of Rental Equipment.    Revenues from the sale of rental equipment at the traffic control segment were $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2004 and $0.1 million in the third quarter of 2003. These revenues accounted for 0.7% of the segment’s total revenues in the third quarter of 2004 compared with 0% in the same period last year.

 

C.    Sales of Equipment and Contractor Supplies and Other Revenues.    Revenues from “sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues” at the traffic control segment were $6.8 million in the third quarter of 2004, representing a 21.3% decrease from $8.6 million in the third quarter of 2003. These revenues accounted for 8.7% of the segment’s total revenues in the third quarter of 2004 and 8.0% in the same period last year. The decrease in these revenues in 2004 principally reflected a decrease in this segment’s sales of traffic control related supplies.

 

3.    Total Consolidated Revenues.    We had total revenues of $849.7 million in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of 5.5% compared with total revenues of $805.1 million in the third quarter of 2003. The increase reflected the higher revenues at our general rentals segment partially offset by the lower revenues at our traffic control segment. Dollar equipment utilization for the third quarter of 2004 was 67.4%, an increase of 2.3 percentage points from the third quarter of 2003.

 

Gross Profit

 

1.    General Rentals Segment Gross Profit.    Our general rentals segment had total gross profit of $271.4 million in the third quarter of 2004, an increase of 19.9% compared with $226.4 million in the third quarter of 2003. This increase primarily reflected the increase in revenues described above partially offset by the decrease in gross profit margin described below from the sale of rental equipment. Information concerning the gross profit margin of the general rentals segment by source of revenue is set forth below:

 

A.    Equipment Rentals.    The gross profit margin from equipment rental revenues was 37.5% in the third quarter of 2004 and 34.3% in the third quarter of 2003. The increase in 2004 principally reflected the increase in rental revenues described above partially offset by cost increases. The cost increases primarily impacted employee wages and benefits and reserves for claims.

 

B.    Sales of Rental Equipment.    The gross profit margin from the sale of rental equipment was 29.4% in the third quarter of 2004 and 35.3% in the third quarter of 2003. The decrease in 2004 primarily reflected a shift in mix in the 2004 period to the sale of more under-utilized equipment and equipment with relatively lower resale values.

 

C.    Sales of Equipment and Contractor Supplies and Other Revenues.    The gross profit margin from “sales of equipment and contractor supplies and other revenues” was 27.3% in the third quarter of 2004 and 23.8% in the third quarter of 2003. The increase in 2004 primarily reflected an increase in contractor supplies margins and the volume of contractor supplies sold.

 

2.    Traffic Control Segment Gross Profit.    Our traffic control segment had gross profit of $6.2 million in the third quarter of 2004 compared with gross profit of $32.2 million in the third quarter of 2003. The decrease in 2004 was the result of the substantial decrease in rental revenues described above partially offset by a decrease in costs.

 

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3.    Total Consolidated Gross Profit.    We had total gross profit of $277.6 million in the third quarter of 2004, representing an increase of 7.4% from $258.6 million in the third quarter of 2003. The increase reflected the higher gross profit at our general rentals segment partially offset by the lower gross profit at our traffic control segment.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

 

1.    General Rentals Segment SG&A.    SG&A at our general rentals segment was $113.8 million, or 14.7% of total segment revenues, during the third quarter of 2004 and $99.1 million, or 14.2% of total segment revenues, during the third quarter of 2003. The dollar and percentage increases in SG&A in the 2004 period primarily reflected higher costs related to selling commissions, professional fees, employee benefits and reserves for claims.

 

2.    Traffic Control Segment SG&A.    SG&A at our traffic control segment was $15.0 million, or 19.2% of total segment revenues, during the third quarter of 2004 and $16.7 million, or 15.4% of total segment revenues, during the third quarter of 2003. The increase in SG&A as a percentage of revenues during the 2004 period primarily reflected the reduction in revenues described above.

 

3.    Total Consolidated SG&A.    Total SG&A expense was $128.8 million, or 15.2% of total revenues, during the third quarter of 2004 and $127.5 million, or 15.8% of total revenues, during the third quarter of 2003. Total SG&A expense in 2003 included a charge of $11.7 million for the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001. This charge has not been allocated to either of our segments.

 

If the aforementioned charge is excluded in 2003, adjusted SG&A in the third quarter of 2003 was $115.7 million, or 14.4% of revenues. The increase in the dollar amount of SG&A in 2004 relative to adjusted SG&A in 2003 reflected higher SG&A expenses in our general rentals segment as described above. The increase in SG&A as a percentage of revenue in 2004 relative to adjusted SG&A as a percentage of revenues in 2003 primarily reflected the decrease in revenues at our traffic control segment as described above.

 

Goodwill Impairment

 

We recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $139.3 million in the third quarter of 2004 attributable to the write-off of the goodwill that was associated with our traffic control segment. See “—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

 

Non-rental Depreciation and Amortization

 

1.    General Rentals Segment Non-rental Depreciation and Amortization.    Non-rental depreciation and amortization for the general rentals segment was $15.1 million, or 2.0% of total segment revenues, in the third quarter of 2004 and $17.3 million, or 2.5% of total segment revenues, in the third quarter of 2003. The decrease in the dollar amount of this expense in 2004 was primarily due to a reduction in the aggregate amount of our deferred financing fees as a result of the debt refinancing transactions that we completed in the fourth quarter of 2003 and in 2004. The decrease in such expense as a percentage of revenues primarily reflected the foregoing and the increase in revenues described above.

 

2.    Traffic Control Segment Non-rental Depreciation and Amortization.    Non-rental depreciation and amortization for the traffic control segment was $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2004 and $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2003.

 

3.    Total Consolidated Non-rental Depreciation and Amortization.    Total non-rental depreciation and amortization was $15.4 million, or 1.8% of total revenues, in the third quarter of 2004 and $17.7 million, or 2.2% of total revenues, in the third quarter of 2003. The decrease in 2004 primarily reflected the decrease at the general rentals segment discussed above.

 

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Operating Income (Loss)

 

1.    General Rentals Segment Operating Income.    Our general rentals segment had operating income of $142.5 million in third quarter of 2004 and $110.1 million in the third quarter of 2003. The increase in 2004 reflected the higher revenues and gross profit at this segment described above partially offset by increased SG&A costs.

 

2.    Traffic Control Segment Operating Income (Loss).    Our traffic control segment had an operating loss of $148.4 million in the third quarter of 2004 and operating income of $15.0 million in the third quarter of 2003. The operating loss in 2004 includes the non-cash, goodwill impairment charge of $139.3 million discussed above. If the segment operating loss is adjusted to exclude this charge, the adjusted operating loss at the traffic control segment was $9.1 million in the third quarter of 2004. The adjusted operating loss in 2004 reflected the decrease in revenues and gross profit at this segment.

 

3.    Total Consolidated Operating Income (Loss).    Total operating loss was $5.9 million in the third quarter of 2004 compared to total operating income of $113.4 million in the third quarter of 2003. Total operating results in 2004 were impacted by the non-cash, goodwill impairment charge of $139.3 million discussed above. Total operating results in 2003 were impacted by an $11.7 million charge for the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001. If our operating results are adjusted to exclude these charges, we had total adjusted operating income of $133.4 million in the third quarter of 2004 and $125.1 million in the third quarter of 2003. The increase in our adjusted operating income in 2004 reflected the increase in operating income at the general rentals segment partially offset by the operating loss at the traffic control segment. For a reconciliation of the adjusted results to our GAAP results, see “—Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) Results and Adjusted Results.”

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense was $35.6 million in the third quarter of 2004 and $53.4 million in the third quarter of 2003. The decrease in interest expense was attributable to lower interest rates on our debt primarily due to the debt refinancings that we completed in the fourth quarter of 2003.

 

Interest Expense—Subordinated Convertible Debentures and Preferred Dividends of a Subsidiary Trust.

 

The expense recorded in connection with these securities was $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2004 and $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2003. The expense in the 2004 period is recorded on the statement of operations as “Interest Expense—Subordinated Convertible Debentures” and the expense in the 2003 period is recorded as “Preferred Dividends of a Subsidiary Trust.”

 

Other (Income) Expense, net

 

Other expense was $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2004 compared with other income of $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2003. The other expense in the 2004 period was primarily due to the write off of a note receivable.

 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

 

Income taxes were an expense of $17.8 million in the third quarter of 2004 and $24.7 million in the third quarter of 2003. Excluding the effect on our 2004 results of the goodwill impairment charge discussed above, we would have had an effective rate of 38.0% in the third quarter of 2004. Excluding the effect on our 2003 results of the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001, we would have had an effective rate of 38.5% in the third quarter of 2003. The decline in the effective rate in 2004 primarily reflected a decrease in the deferred tax rate related to our Canadian operations.

 

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Net Income (Loss)

 

We had a net loss of $64.4 million in the third quarter of 2004 compared with net income of $31.9 million in the third quarter of 2003. Our results in the third quarter of 2004 were impacted by the goodwill impairment charge of $139.3 million described above. Our results in the third quarter of 2003 were impacted by the $11.7 million charge for the vesting of restricted stock granted to executives in 2001 described above. If our results are adjusted to exclude these charges, we had adjusted net income of $57.5 million in the third quarter of 2004 and $42.0 million in the third quarter of 2003. The increase in adjusted net income in the third quarter of 2004 relative to adjusted net income in the third quarter of 2003 primarily reflected the increase in operating income and the reduction in interest expense described above. For a reconciliation of the adjusted results to our GAAP results see “—Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) Results and Adjusted Results”.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Recent Financing Transactions

 

We refinanced approximately $2.1 billion of our debt in 2004. This refinancing was completed in the first quarter of 2004, except as described below. The purpose of this refinancing was to reduce our interest expense and extend the maturities on a substantial amount of our debt. As part of this refinancing, we:

 

    obtained a new senior secured credit facility to replace the senior secured credit facility we previously had in place;

 

    sold $1 billion of 6 1/2% Senior Notes Due 2012;

 

    sold $375 million of 7% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2014;

 

    repaid $639 million of term loans and $52 million of borrowings that were outstanding under our old credit facility;

 

    repurchased $845 million principal amount of our 10 3/4% Senior Notes Due 2008, pursuant to a tender offer, for aggregate consideration of $970 million;

 

    redeemed $300 million principal amount of our outstanding 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2009 at an aggregate redemption price of $314 million; and

 

    redeemed $250 million principal amount of our outstanding 9% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2009 at an aggregate redemption price of $261 million.

 

The refinancing described above was completed during the first quarter of 2004, except that (i) the redemption of the 9% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2009 was completed April 1, 2004 and (ii) a portion of the term loan that is part of the new senior secured credit facility was drawn on such date.

 

For further information concerning our debt, see note 8 to our notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein and note 9 to our notes to consolidated financial statements included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Sources and Uses of Cash

 

During the first nine months of 2004, we (i) generated cash from operations of $564.2 million and (ii) generated cash from the sale of rental equipment of $159.3 million. We used cash during this period principally to (i) pay consideration for acquisitions of $61.0 million, (ii) purchase rental equipment of $465.2 million, (iii) purchase other property and equipment of $58.9 million, (iv) repay borrowings of $17.9 million, (v) pay financing costs of $36.8 million and (vi) purchase interest rate caps for $13.6 million.

 

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Cash Requirements Related to Operations

 

Our principal existing sources of cash are cash generated from operations and from the sale of rental equipment and borrowings available under our revolving credit facility and receivables securitization facility. As of November 1, 2004, we had (i) $468.7 million of borrowing capacity available under our $650 million revolving credit facility (reflecting outstanding loans of approximately $131.0 million and outstanding letters of credit in the amount of approximately $50.3 million) and (ii) $244.0 million of borrowing capacity available under our receivables securitization facility (reflecting the size of the eligible collateral pool as of such date and no loans being outstanding). We believe that our existing sources of cash will be sufficient to support our existing operations over the next twelve months.

 

We expect that our principal needs for cash relating to our existing operations over the next twelve months will be to fund (i) operating activities and working capital, (ii) the purchase of rental equipment and inventory items offered for sale, (iii) payments due under operating leases, (iv) debt service, (v) costs relating to our restructuring plans and (vi) acquisitions. We plan to fund such cash requirements relating to our existing operations from our existing sources of cash described above. In addition, we may seek additional financing through the securitization of some of our equipment or real estate or through the use of additional operating leases. For information on the scheduled principal payments coming due on our outstanding debt and on the payments coming due under our existing operating leases, see “—Certain Information Concerning Contractual Obligations.”

 

Our capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2004 amounted to $524.1 million. These expenditures are comprised of (i) approximately $465.2 million of expenditures for the purchase of rental equipment and (ii) $58.9 million of expenditures for the purchase of property and equipment. Our capital expenditures in future periods will depend on a number of factors, including general economic conditions and growth prospects. Based on current conditions, we estimate that capital expenditures for the balance of 2004 will be approximately $65 million to $95 million for our existing operations. These expenditures are comprised of approximately: (i) $60 million to $90 million of expenditures for the purchase of rental equipment and (ii) $5.0 million of expenditures for the purchase of property and equipment. We expect that we will fund such expenditures from proceeds from the sale of used equipment, cash generated from operations and, if required, borrowings available under our revolving credit facility and receivables securitization facility.

 

While emphasizing internal growth, we may also continue to expand through a disciplined acquisition program. We will consider potential transactions of varying sizes and may, on a selective basis, pursue acquisition or consolidation opportunities involving other public companies or large privately-held companies. We expect to pay for future acquisitions using cash, capital stock, notes and/or assumption of indebtedness. To the extent that our existing sources of cash described above are not sufficient to fund such future acquisitions, we will require additional debt or equity financing and, consequently, our indebtedness may increase or the ownership of existing stockholders may be diluted as we implement our growth strategy.

 

In October 2004, we acquired Atlantic Rentals Ltd. for approximately $29 million in cash. Atlantic Rentals provides construction equipment rentals in Canada’s Maritime Provinces through 16 locations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

 

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Certain Information Concerning Contractual Obligations

 

The table below provides certain information concerning the payments coming due under certain categories of our existing contractual obligations:

 

    Remainder
of 2004


  2005

  2006

  2007

  2008

  Thereafter

  Total

    (in thousands)

Debt excluding capital leases(1)

  $ 6,220   $ 7,720   $ 7,500   $ 7,500   $ 19,162   $ 2,835,274   $ 2,883,376

Capital leases (1)

    3,640     11,853     11,171     7,555     3,263     312     37,794

Operating leases(1):

                                         

Real estate

    17,352     65,838     60,363     55,767     46,240     117,857     363,417

Rental equipment

    26,068     60,479     63,386     37,551     31,542     9,527     228,553

Other equipment

    5,402     15,055     12,475     6,839     3,642     608     44,021

Purchase obligations

                                         

Other liabilities reflected on balance sheet in accordance with GAAP(2)

                                  221,550     221,550
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 58,682   $ 160,945   $ 154,895   $ 115,212   $ 103,849   $ 3,185,128   $ 3,778,711
   

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1)   The payments due with respect to a period represent (i) in the case of debt and capital leases, the scheduled principal payments due in such period, and (ii) in the case of operating leases, the minimum lease payments due in such period under non-cancelable operating leases plus the maximum potential guarantee amounts discussed below under “—Certain Information Concerning Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.”
(2)   Represents our subordinated convertible debentures.

 

Certain Information Concerning Related Party

 

We have from time to time purchased equipment from Terex Corporation (“Terex”) and expect to do so in the future. One of the directors of our company is chief executive officer and a director of Terex. We purchased approximately $81 million of equipment from Terex during the first nine months of 2004.

 

Certain Information Concerning Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Restricted Stock.    We have granted to employees other than executive officers and directors approximately 900,000 shares of restricted stock that contain the following provisions. The shares vest in 2005, 2006 or 2007 or earlier upon a change in control of the Company, death, disability, retirement or certain terminations of employment, and are subject to forfeiture prior to vesting on certain other terminations of employment, the violation of non-compete provisions and certain other events. If a holder of restricted stock sells his stock and receives sales proceeds that are less than a specified guaranteed amount set forth in the grant instrument, we have agreed to pay the holder the shortfall between the amount received and such specified amount; however, the foregoing only applies to sales that are made within five trading days of the vesting date. The specified guaranteed amount is (i) $27.26 per share with respect to approximately 300,000 shares scheduled to vest in 2005, (ii) $9.18 per share with respect to approximately 400,000 shares scheduled to vest in 2006 and (iii) $17.20 per share with respect to approximately 200,000 shares scheduled to vest in 2007.

 

Operating Leases.    We lease real estate, rental equipment and non-rental equipment under operating leases as a regular business activity. As part of some of our equipment operating leases, we guarantee that the value of the equipment at the end of the term will not be less than a specified projected residual value. If the actual residual value for all equipment subject to such guarantees were to be zero, then our maximum potential liability under these guarantees would be approximately $33.9 million. Under current circumstances we do not anticipate paying significant amounts under these guarantees; however, we cannot be certain that changes in market conditions or other factors will not cause the actual residual values to be lower than those currently anticipated. In accordance with FIN 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including

 

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Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others,” this potential liability was not reflected on our balance sheet as of September 30, 2004 or any prior date because the leases associated with such guarantees were entered into prior to January 1, 2003. For additional information concerning lease payment obligations under our operating leases, see “—Certain Information Concerning Contractual Obligations” above.

 

Certain Information Concerning Trust Preferred Securities

 

In August 1998, a subsidiary trust of United Rentals, Inc. (“Holdings”) sold six million shares of 6 1/2% Convertible Quarterly Income Preferred Securities (“trust preferred securities”) for aggregate consideration of $300 million. The trust used the proceeds from the sale of these securities to purchase 6 1/2% subordinated convertible debentures due 2028 from Holdings which resulted in Holdings receiving all of the net proceeds of the sale. The subsidiary trust that issued the trust preferred securities was consolidated with Holdings until December 31, 2003, when it was deconsolidated following the adoption of a new accounting principle. See “—Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards.”

 

For periods prior to the deconsolidation, the dividends on the trust preferred securities were reflected as an expense on our consolidated statement of operations and the interest on the subordinated convertible debentures was eliminated in consolidation and thus was not reflected as an expense on our consolidated statement of operations. For periods after the deconsolidation, the dividends on the trust preferred securities are no longer reflected as an expense on our consolidated statement of operations and the interest on the subordinated convertible debentures is no longer eliminated in consolidation and thus is now reflected as an expense on our consolidated statement of operations. Because the interest on the subordinated convertible debentures corresponds to the dividends on the trust preferred securities, this change does not alter the total amount of expense required to be recorded.

 

Relationship Between Holdings and URI

 

Holdings is principally a holding company and primarily conducts its operations through its wholly owned subsidiary United Rentals (North America), Inc. (“URI”) and subsidiaries of URI. Holdings provides certain services to URI in connection with its operations. These services principally include: (i) senior management services, (ii) finance and tax related services and support, (iii) information technology systems and support, (iv) acquisition related services, (v) legal services, and (vi) human resource support. In addition, Holdings leases certain equipment and real property that are made available for use by URI and its subsidiaries. URI has made, and expects to continue to make, certain payments to Holdings in respect of the services provided by Holdings to URI. The expenses relating to URI’s payments to Holdings are reflected on URI’s financial statements as selling, general and administrative expenses. In addition, although not legally obligated to do so, URI has in the past made, and expects that it will in the future make, distributions to Holdings to, among other things, enable Holdings to pay interest on the convertible debentures that were issued to a subsidiary trust of Holdings as described above.

 

As discussed above, our consolidated financial statements reflect (i) for periods prior to January 1, 2004, expenses related to dividends on certain trust preferred securities issued by a subsidiary trust of Holdings and (ii) for periods after January 1, 2004, expenses related to certain subordinated convertible debentures issued by Holdings to such subsidiary trust; however, the foregoing expenses are not reflected on the consolidated financial statements of URI because URI is not obligated with respect to the foregoing securities. This is the principal reason for the difference in the historical net income (loss) reported on the consolidated financial statements of URI and the net income (loss) reported on the consolidated financial statements of Holdings.

 

Seasonality

 

Our business is seasonal with demand for our rental equipment tending to be lower in the winter months. The seasonality of our business is heightened because we offer for rent traffic control equipment. Branches that rent a significant amount of this type of equipment tend to generate most of their revenues and profits in the

 

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second and third quarters of the year, slow down during the fourth quarter and operate at a loss during the first quarter.

 

Inflation

 

Although we cannot accurately anticipate the effect of inflation on our operations, we believe that inflation has not had, and is not likely in the foreseeable future to have, a material impact on our results of operations; however, as described above, cost increases have, from time to time, impacted our results and may continue to do so in the future.

 

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46”, revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” which addresses consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). FIN 46 requires a VIE to be consolidated by a parent company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. A VIE is a corporation, partnership, trust or any other legal structure used for business purposes that either does not have equity investors with voting rights or has equity investors that do not provide sufficient financial resources for the entity to support its activities. The consolidation requirements of FIN 46 apply immediately to VIEs created after January 31, 2003. For entities created prior to February 1, 2003, the effective date of these requirements, which originally was July 1, 2003, was deferred so as not to apply until the first period ending after December 15, 2003. Upon adoption of this standard, as of December 31, 2003, we deconsolidated a subsidiary trust that had issued trust preferred securities as described above. As a result of such deconsolidation, (i) the trust preferred securities issued by our subsidiary trust, which had previously been reflected on our consolidated balance sheets, were removed from our consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2003, (ii) the subordinated convertible debentures that we issued to the subsidiary trust, which previously had been eliminated in our consolidated balance sheets, were no longer eliminated in our consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2003 and (iii) commencing January 1, 2004, the interest on the subordinated convertible debentures is reflected as interest expense on our consolidated statement of operations instead of the dividends on the trust preferred securities. The carrying amount of the trust preferred securities removed from the consolidated balance sheets was the same as the carrying amount of the subordinated convertible debentures added to the consolidated balance sheets; however, the subordinated convertible debentures are reflected as a component of liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, whereas the trust preferred securities were reflected as a separate category prior to December 31, 2003. The adoption of this standard did not otherwise have an effect on our statements of financial position or results of operations.

 

In October 2004, the FASB ratified Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 04-8, “The Effect of Contingently Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings Per Share.” Their conclusion was that beginning with reporting periods ending after December 15, 2004 (i) contingently convertible debt instruments are subject to the if-converted method under SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” regardless of the contingent features included in the instrument, and (ii) prior period earnings per share would have to be restated. Our 1 7/8% convertible notes are contingently convertible debt instruments that are potentially convertible into approximately 5.6 million shares of common stock. Under accounting rules that were in effect prior to the ratification of EITF Issue No. 04-8, such potentially issuable shares were not required to be included in our diluted earnings per share calculation. With the ratification of EITF Issue No. 04-8, we will be required to include such potentially issuable shares in our diluted earnings per share calculation beginning with our fourth quarter 2004 reporting period. We estimate that this change, when the effect is dilutive, will decrease our diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.05 per share for full-year 2004 and approximately $0.01 per share for the fourth quarter of 2004.

 

Factors that May Influence Future Results and Accuracy of Forward-Looking Statements

 

Sensitivity to Changes in Construction and Industrial Activities

 

Our general rental equipment is principally used in connection with construction and industrial activities and our traffic control equipment is principally used in connection with the construction or repair of roads and

 

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bridges and similar infrastructure projects. Weakness in our end markets, such as a decline in construction or industrial activity or a reduction in infrastructure projects, may lead to a decrease in the demand for our equipment or the prices that we can charge. Any such decrease could adversely affect our operating results by decreasing revenues and gross profit margins. For example, there were significant declines in non-residential construction activity in 2002 and 2003 and reductions in government spending on infrastructure projects in several key states. This weakness in our end markets adversely affected our results in 2002 and 2003 as discussed in our 2003 Report on Form 10-K.

 

We have identified below certain factors that may cause weakness in our end markets, either temporarily or long-term:

 

    weakness in the economy or the onset of a recession;

 

    an increase in the cost of construction materials;

 

    continued sluggishness in government spending for roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects;

 

    an increase in interest rates;

 

    adverse weather conditions which may temporarily affect a particular region; or

 

    terrorism or hostilities involving the United States.

 

Fluctuations of Operating Results

 

We expect that our revenues and operating results may fluctuate from quarter to quarter or over the longer term due to a number of factors. These factors include:

 

    seasonal rental patterns of our customers, with rental activity tending to be lower in the winter;

 

    completion of acquisitions;

 

    changes in the amount of revenue relating to renting traffic control equipment, since revenues from this equipment category tend to be more seasonal than the rest of our business;

 

    changes in the size of our rental fleet or in the rate at which we sell our used equipment;

 

    changes in government spending for infrastructure projects and other non-residential construction such as hospitals and schools;

 

    changes in demand for our equipment or the prices therefor due to changes in economic conditions, competition or other factors;

 

    changes in the interest rates applicable to our floating rate debt;

 

    cost fluctuations (such as the recent increases in the cost of oil, steel and benefits);

 

    if we determine that a potential acquisition will not be consummated, the need to charge against earnings any expenditures relating to such transaction (such as financing commitment fees, merger and acquisition advisory fees and professional fees) previously capitalized; or

 

    the possible need, from time to time, to take goodwill write-offs as described below or other write-offs or special charges due to a variety of occurrences such as the adoption of new accounting standards, store divestitures, consolidations or closings, the refinancing of existing indebtedness, the impairment of assets or the buy-out of equipment leases.

 

Substantial Goodwill

 

At September 30, 2004, we had on our balance sheet net goodwill in the amount of $1,325.5 million, which represented approximately 27% of our total assets at such date. This goodwill is an intangible asset and represents the excess of the purchase price that we paid for acquired businesses over the estimated fair value of the net assets of those businesses. All of the goodwill currently on our balance sheet is associated with our

 

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general rentals segment. We are required to test our goodwill for impairment at least annually. In general, this means that we must determine whether the fair value of the goodwill, calculated in accordance with applicable accounting standards, is at least equal to the recorded value shown on our balance sheet. If the fair value of the goodwill is less than the recorded value, we are required to write off the excess goodwill as an expense. Our results in the third quarter of 2004 were adversely affected by the write-off of approximately $139.3 million of goodwill related to our traffic control segment as described above in this Report, and our results in the preceding two years were adversely affected by significant goodwill write-offs as described in our 2003 Report on Form 10-K. Based on the current performance of our general rentals segment and current market valuations, we do not currently foresee any additional goodwill write-offs; however, we cannot be certain that a future downturn in the business or changes in market valuations will not necessitate additional write-offs in future periods.

 

Substantial Indebtedness

 

At September 30, 2004, our total indebtedness was approximately $3,142.7 million, which includes $221.6 million in subordinated convertible debentures. Our substantial indebtedness has the potential to affect us adversely in a number of ways. For example, it will or could:

 

    require us to devote a substantial portion of our cash flow to debt service, reducing the funds available for other purposes;

 

    constrain our ability to obtain additional financing, particularly since substantially all of our assets are subject to security interests relating to existing indebtedness; or

 

    make it difficult for us to cope with a downturn in our business or a decrease in our cash flow.

 

Furthermore, if we are unable to service our indebtedness and fund our business, we will be forced to adopt an alternative strategy that may include:

 

    reducing or delaying capital expenditures;

 

    limiting our growth;

 

    seeking additional capital;

 

    selling assets; or

 

    restructuring or refinancing our indebtedness.

 

Even if we adopt an alternative strategy, the strategy may not be successful and we may continue to be unable to service our indebtedness and fund our business.

 

A portion of our indebtedness bears interest at variable rates that are linked to changing market interest rates. As a result, an increase in market interest rates would increase our interest expense and our debt service obligations. At September 30, 2004, taking into account our interest rate swap agreements, we had $2,188.4 million of variable rate indebtedness; however, we have interest rate caps that limit $725 million of our variable rate indebtedness to certain maximum rates. See “Part I—Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.”

 

Need to Satisfy Financial and Other Covenants in Debt Agreements

 

Under the agreement governing our senior secured credit facility, we are required to, among other things, satisfy certain financial tests relating to: (a) the interest coverage ratio, (b) the ratio of funded debt to cash flow, (c) the ratio of senior secured debt to tangible assets and (d) the ratio of senior secured debt to cash flow. If we are unable to satisfy any of these covenants, the lenders could elect to terminate the credit facility and require us to repay the outstanding borrowings under the credit facility. In such event, unless we are able to refinance the indebtedness coming due and replace the credit facility, we would likely not have sufficient liquidity for our

 

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business needs and be forced to adopt an alternative strategy as described above. Even if we adopt an alternative strategy, the strategy may not be successful and we may not have sufficient liquidity for our business.

 

We are also subject to various other covenants under the agreements governing our credit facility and other indebtedness. These covenants limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability to incur indebtedness, make prepayments of certain indebtedness, pay dividends, make investments, create liens, make acquisitions, sell assets and engage in mergers and acquisitions. These covenants could adversely affect our operating results by significantly limiting our operating and financial flexibility.

 

Dependence on Additional Capital

 

If the cash that we generate from our business, together with cash that we may borrow under our credit facility, is not sufficient to fund our capital requirements, we will require additional debt and/or equity financing; however, we may not succeed in obtaining the requisite additional financing on terms that are satisfactory to us or at all. If we are unable to obtain sufficient additional capital in the future, we may be unable to fund the capital outlays required for the success of our business, including those relating to purchasing equipment, making acquisitions, opening new rental locations and refinancing existing indebtedness.

 

Certain Risks Relating to Acquisitions

 

We have grown in part through acquisitions and may continue to do so. We will consider potential acquisitions of varying sizes and may, on a selective basis, pursue acquisitions or consolidation opportunities involving other public companies or large privately-held companies. We expect to pay for future acquisitions using cash, capital stock, notes and/or assumption of indebtedness. To the extent that our existing sources of cash are not sufficient to fund future acquisitions, we will require additional debt or equity financing and, consequently, our indebtedness may increase as we implement our growth strategy. The making of acquisitions entails certain risks, including:

 

    unrecorded liabilities of acquired companies that we fail to discover during our due diligence investigations;

 

    difficulty in assimilating the operations and personnel of the acquired company with our existing operations or in maintaining uniform standards; and

 

    loss of key employees of the acquired company.

 

It is possible that we will not realize the expected benefits from our acquisitions or that our existing operations will be harmed as a result of acquisitions.

 

Dependence on Management

 

Our success is highly dependent on the experience and skills of our senior management team. If we lose the services of any member of this team and are unable to find a suitable replacement, we may not have the depth of senior management resources required to efficiently manage our business and execute our strategy. We do not maintain “key man” life insurance on the lives of members of senior management.

 

Competition

 

The equipment rental industry is highly fragmented and competitive. Our competitors primarily include small, independent businesses with one or two rental locations, regional competitors which operate in one or more states, public companies or divisions of public companies, and equipment vendors and dealers who both sell and rent equipment directly to customers. We may in the future encounter increased competition from our existing competitors or from new companies. Competitive pressures could adversely affect our revenues and operating results by decreasing our market share or depressing the prices that we can charge.

 

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Dependence on Information Technology Systems

 

Our information technology systems facilitate our ability to monitor and control our operations and adjust to changing market conditions. Any disruptions in these systems or the failure of these systems to operate as expected could, depending on the magnitude of the problem, adversely affect our operating results by limiting our capacity to effectively monitor and control our operations and adjust to changing market conditions.

 

Requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

 

Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we will be required to include in our 2004 annual report on Form 10-K our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004. We will also be required to include a report by our independent auditors which, among other things, contains the auditors’ opinion on: (i) whether such assessment by management is fairly stated in all material respects and (ii) whether our company maintained in all material respects effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004. Under SEC rules, the existence of any “material weaknesses” in such internal control would require us to conclude that the control was ineffective.

 

In anticipation of these requirements, we have been reviewing our internal control over financial reporting, improving the documentation relating thereto, identifying and remediating deficiencies and developing and implementing a testing process to assess effectiveness. Based on our review to date, we believe that, as of December 31, 2004, we will have effective internal control over financial reporting and should be able to obtain an unqualified opinion from our auditors. However, we cannot be certain of a different outcome as a result of several uncertainties, including the following:

 

    We are currently in the process of remediating an identified material weakness relating to our financial statement close process as described under “Item 4—Controls and Procedures.” While we expect that we can complete this process in sufficient time to allow the evaluation and testing process to be completed prior to year-end, we cannot be certain that we will not encounter unanticipated delays. Furthermore, the ongoing review and testing process could reveal unanticipated problems or that our remediation of previously identified deficiencies was not fully adequate.

 

    The process for assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting requires subjective judgments and the application of standards that are relatively new and subject to questions of interpretation. Accordingly, we cannot be certain that the auditors will agree with our assessment.

 

If either we or our auditors ultimately conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, the perception of our company may be adversely affected which could adversely affect the price of our securities, our access to the capital markets and/or our borrowing costs.

 

SEC Non-public Fact Finding Inquiry

 

As previously reported, the SEC has notified us that it is conducting a non-public, fact-finding inquiry of our company and has subpoenaed documents relating to certain of our accounting records. The notice from the SEC states that the inquiry does not mean that the SEC has concluded that the company or anyone else has broken the law or that the SEC has a negative opinion of any person, entity or security. We are cooperating with the SEC; however, we cannot predict the outcome of the SEC inquiry, whether the SEC will bring any proceeding relating to us or when this matter might be resolved. This matter has the potential to adversely affect us in a number of ways including:

 

    we may incur significant expenses in connection with responding to the inquiry regardless of its outcome;

 

    responding to the inquiry may divert the time and attention of our management from normal business operations; and

 

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    if the SEC does determine to bring a proceeding involving us, depending on its outcome, we may be required to pay fines and/or take corrective actions that would increase our costs or otherwise adversely affect our operations.

 

If we are ultimately required to pay significant amounts and/or take significant corrective actions, such outcome could materially and adversely affect our results and liquidity. In addition, regardless of the outcome, the publicity surrounding the inquiry and the potential risks associated with the inquiry could negatively impact the perception of our company by investors and others which could adversely affect the price of our securities, our access to the capital markets or our borrowing costs.

 

Class Action Lawsuit

 

A class action lawsuit has been filed against us as described under “Part II—Item 1—Legal Proceedings.” We intend to defend against this action vigorously; however, we do not know what the outcome of this proceeding will be and, if we do not prevail, we may be required to pay substantial damages or settlement amounts. Furthermore, regardless of the outcome, we may incur significant defense costs, and the time and attention of our management may be diverted from normal business operations. If we are ultimately required to pay significant defense costs, damages or settlement amounts, such payments could materially and adversely affect our results to the extent not covered by our D&O insurance.

 

Liability and Insurance

 

We are exposed to various possible claims relating to our business. These possible claims include those relating to (1) personal injury or death caused by equipment rented or sold by us, (2) motor vehicle accidents involving our delivery and service personnel and (3) employment related claims. Furthermore, as described elsewhere in this Report, a class action lawsuit was recently filed against us. We carry a broad range of insurance for the protection of our assets and operations; however, such insurance may not fully protect us for a number of reasons, including:

 

    the insurance policies relating to our operations are subject to deductibles per occurrence of $2 million for general liability, $2 million for workers’ compensation and $3 million for automobile liability and limited to a maximum of $100 million per occurrence;

 

    our D&O insurance policy is subject to a $1 million deductible, limited to an aggregate of $100 million for all claims made during the policy year, and subject to specified exclusions;

 

    we do not maintain coverage for environmental liability (other than legally required fuel storage tank coverage), since we believe that the cost for such coverage is high relative to the benefit that it provides; and

 

    certain types of claims, such as claims for punitive damages or for damages arising from intentional misconduct, which are often alleged in third party lawsuits, might not be covered by our insurance.

 

If we are found liable for any significant claims that are not covered by insurance, our operating results could be adversely affected because our expenses related to claims would increase. It is possible that some or all of the insurance that is currently available to us will not be available in the future on economically reasonable terms or at all.

 

Environmental and Safety Regulations

 

Our operations are subject to numerous laws governing environmental protection and occupational health and safety matters. These laws regulate such issues as wastewater, stormwater, solid and hazardous wastes and materials, and air quality. Under these laws, we may be liable for, among other things, (1) the costs of investigating and remediating contamination at our sites as well as sites to which we sent hazardous wastes for disposal or treatment regardless of fault and (2) fines and penalties for non-compliance. Our operations generally

 

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do not raise significant environmental risks, but we use hazardous materials to clean and maintain equipment, and dispose of solid and hazardous waste and wastewater from equipment washing, and store and dispense petroleum products from underground and above-ground storage tanks located at certain of our locations.

 

Based on the conditions currently known to us, we do not believe that any pending or likely remediation and compliance costs will have a material adverse effect on our business. We cannot be certain, however, as to the potential financial impact on our business if new adverse environmental conditions are discovered or environmental and safety requirements become more stringent. If we are required to incur environmental compliance or remediation costs that are not currently anticipated by us, our operating results could be adversely affected depending on the magnitude of the cost.

 

Labor Matters

 

We currently have approximately 1,300 employees that are represented by unions and covered by collective bargaining agreements and approximately 11,900 employees that are not represented by unions; however, various unions periodically seek to organize certain of our non-union employees. Union organizing efforts or collective bargaining negotiations could potentially lead to work stoppages, slowdowns or strikes by certain of our employees, which could adversely affect our ability to serve our customers. In addition, these efforts could negatively affect our relationship with certain customers. Furthermore, our labor costs could increase as a result of the settlement of actual or threatened labor disputes or an increase in the number of our employees covered by collective bargaining agreements.

 

Operations Outside the United States

 

Our operations in Canada and Mexico are subject to the risks normally associated with international operations. These include (1) the need to convert currencies, which could result in a gain or loss depending on fluctuations in exchange rates, (2) the need to comply with foreign laws and (3) the possibility of political or economic instability in foreign countries.

 

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We periodically utilize interest rate swap agreements and interest rate cap agreements to manage our interest costs and exposure to changes in interest rates. At September 30, 2004, we had swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $1,345 million. The effect of these agreements was to convert $1,345 million of our fixed rate notes to floating rate instruments. The fixed rate notes being converted consisted of: (i) $445 million of our 6 1/2% senior notes through 2012, (ii) $375 million of our 7% senior subordinated notes through 2014, and (iii) $525 million of our 7 3/4% senior subordinated notes through 2013. As of September 30, 2004, we also had two interest rate cap agreements covering $725 million of debt. The first effectively limits the interest rate on $75 million of our term loan to a maximum of 6.25% through June 2007. The second agreement effectively limits the interest rate on an additional $650 million of our term loan to a maximum of 4.25% through June 2005, 5.25% through June 2006 and 6.25% through June 2007. The foregoing cap agreements would apply whenever the interest rate on the term loan (including the applicable margin spread) exceeds the applicable maximum interest rate specified by the relevant cap agreement.

 

As of November 1, 2004, after giving effect to our interest rate swap agreements, we had an aggregate of $2,222 million of indebtedness that bears interest at variable rates. This debt includes, in addition to the $1,345 million of debt subject to the swap agreements described above, (i) all borrowings under our $650 million revolving credit facility ($131 million outstanding) and (ii) our term loan ($746 million outstanding). As described above, $725 million of our term loan is subject to cap agreements. The weighted average interest rates applicable to our variable rate debt on November 1, 2004 were (i) 4.88% for the revolving credit facility (represents the Canadian rate since the amount outstanding was Canadian borrowings), (ii) 4.17% for the term loan and (iii) 4.64% for the debt subject to our swap agreements. As of November 1, 2004, based upon the

 

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amount of our variable rate debt outstanding, after giving effect to our interest rate swap and cap agreements, our annual earnings would decrease by approximately $9.0 million for each one percentage point increase in the interest rates applicable to our variable rate debt. The amount of our variable rate indebtedness may fluctuate significantly as a result of changes in the amount of indebtedness outstanding under our revolving credit facility and receivables securitization facility from time to time. For additional information concerning the terms of our variable rate debt, see note 9 to our notes to consolidated financial statements included in our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Market risk relating to changes in foreign currency exchanges rates were reported in Item 7A of our 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There has been no material change in this market risk since the end of the fiscal year 2003.

 

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

 

An evaluation has been carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and the operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of September 30, 2004. Based on such evaluation, except for the matters described below, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2004, the disclosure controls and procedures were reasonably designed and effective at the reasonable assurance level to ensure that (i) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) 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.

 

In connection with the preparation and review of our consolidated financial statements included in this Report, we identified the following significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting: (i) instances when the accounting department did not receive timely information regarding stock compensation or vesting events, (ii) insufficient documentation of certain steps in the financial statement close process including those relating to resolution of any unreconciled differences that may arise in the close process, (iii) certain reconciliations needed to be redone outside the normal financial statement close process, and (iv) insufficient documentation to support the estimation process for our self insurance reserve. These deficiencies are indicators that the controls throughout the financial statement close process may not be designed effectively and in the aggregate constituted a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2004. We are in the process of remediating this problem and believe that we can complete this process prior to the end of 2004. See “Managements’ Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Factors that May Influence Results and Accuracy of Forward-Looking Statements—Requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.”

 

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PART II    OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

 

As previously reported, the SEC has notified us that it is conducting a non-public, fact-finding inquiry of our company and has subpoenaed documents relating to certain of our accounting records. The notice from the SEC states that the inquiry does not mean that the SEC has concluded that the company or anyone else has broken the law or that the SEC has a negative opinion of any person, entity or security.

 

On September 27, 2004, following our public announcement of the SEC subpoena, a purported class action lawsuit was filed against us in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. The lawsuit names as the plaintiff Barry Schimmel, individually and on behalf of a purported class comprised of purchasers of our securities from October 23, 2003 to August 30, 2004. The lawsuit names as the defendants our company and the following officers and/or directors of our company: Wayland Hicks (vice chairman and chief executive officer), Bradley Jacobs (chairman), John Milne (president and chief financial officer and a director) and Joseph Sherk (vice president and corporate controller). The complaint alleges, among other things, that (i) certain of our SEC filings and other public statements contained false and misleading statements which resulted in damages to the plaintiff and the members of the purported class when they purchased our securities and (ii) the defendants’ conduct in connection therewith violated Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and, in the case of the individual defendants, Section 20(a) of such Act. The complaint seeks unspecified compensatory damages, costs and expenses. We intend to defend against this action vigorously.

 

We and our subsidiaries are also parties to various litigation matters involving ordinary and routine claims incidental to our business. Our ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to such pending litigation cannot be estimated with certainty but we believe, based on our examination of such matters, that such ultimate liability will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

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

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period


  

Total Number of

Shares

Purchased


   

Average Price

Paid

per Share


  

Total Number of

Shares Purchased as

Part of Publicly

Announced Plans or

Programs


  

Approximate

Dollar Value of Shares

That May Yet Be

Purchased Under the

Plans or Programs


 

7/1/04 through 7/31/04

   —         —      —           

8/1/04 through 8/31/04

   3,523 (1)   $ 19.91    —           

9/1/04 through 9/30/04

   8,785 (1)   $ 16.06    —           
    

 

             

Total

   12,308     $ 17.16         $ 196,425,000 (2)

(1)   The shares were surrendered to the Company by employees in order to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock. These shares were not acquired pursuant to any repurchase plan or program.
(2)   The board in 2003 authorized the Company to repurchase up to $200 million of its common stock (or securities convertible into common stock) during the period from May 2003 to March 2005. The table indicates the amount of shares that may yet be purchased under this authorization.

 

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Item 6.    Exhibits

 

(a)  Exhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number


   

Description of Exhibit


3 (a)   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of United Rentals, Inc., in effect as of the date hereof (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.1 of United Rentals, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998)
3 (b)   Certificate of Amendment to the United Rentals, Inc. Certificate of Incorporation dated September 29, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the United Rentals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3, No. 333-70151)
3 (c)   By-laws of United Rentals, Inc., in effect as of the date hereof (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3.2 of United Rentals, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998)
3 (d)   Form of Certificate of Designation for Series C Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3(f) of United Rentals, Inc. Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001)
3 (e)   Form of Certificate of Designation for Series D Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to exhibit 3(g) of United Rentals, Inc. Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001)
3 (f)   Form of Certificate of Designation for Series E Junior Participating Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A of Exhibit 4 of the United Rentals, Inc. Current report on Form 8-K filed October 5, 2001)
3 (g)   Rights Agreement dated September 28, 2001 between United Rentals, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Co., as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the United Rentals, Inc. Report on Form 8-K filed on October 5, 2001)
3 (h)   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of United Rentals (North America), Inc., in effect as of the date hereof (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the United Rentals (North America), Inc. Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998)
3 (i)   By-laws of United Rentals (North America), Inc., in effect as of the date hereof (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the United Rentals (North America), Inc. Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998)
10 (a)   Employment Agreement dated July 20, 2004, between United Rentals, Inc. and Joseph Ehrenreich (having attached as Exhibit A thereto a form of Restricted Stock Agreement between United Rentals, Inc. and Joseph Ehrenreich) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) of the United Rentals, Inc. Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004)†
10 (b)*   Form of agreement dated as of July 21, 2004, between United Rentals, Inc. and John S. McKinney†
10 (c)   Indemnification Agreement dated as of September 22, 2004, between United Rentals, Inc. and Mark A. Suwyn (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the United Rentals, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 28, 2004)†
10 (d)   Option Agreement dated September 22, 2004, between United Rentals, Inc. and Mark A. Suwyn (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the United Rentals, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 28, 2004)†

 

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Exhibit
Number


   

Description of Exhibit


10 (e)   Form of Amendment to United Rentals, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan dated September 22, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 of the United Rentals, Inc. Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 28, 2004)†
31 (a)*   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Chief Executive Officer
31 (b)*   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification by Chief Financial Officer
32 (a)*   Section 1350 Certification by Chief Executive Officer
32 (b)*   Section 1350 Certification by Chief Financial Officer

  This document is a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
*   Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

   

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

Dated: November 9, 2004

 

By:

 

/s/    JOHN N. MILNE        


       

John N. Milne

President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

   

UNITED RENTALS, INC.

Dated: November 9, 2004

 

By:

 

/s/    JOSEPH B. SHERK        


       

Joseph B. Sherk

Vice President, Corporate Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

   

UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

Dated: November 9, 2004

 

By:

 

/s/    JOHN N. MILNE        


       

John N. Milne

President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

   

UNITED RENTALS (NORTH AMERICA), INC.

Dated: November 9, 2004

 

By:

 

/s/    JOSEPH B. SHERK        


       

Joseph B. Sherk

Vice President, Corporate Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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