The
following discussion and analysis is provided to increase
understanding of, and should be read in conjunction
with, the consolidated financial statements and accompanying
notes. For purposes of reviewing this document operating
profit is calculated as revenues less cost of
revenues excluding: corporate administrative and general
expense; interest expense; interest income; domestic
and foreign income taxes; gain or loss on discontinued
operations; the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles; and certain other miscellaneous non-operating
income and expense items which are immaterial.
Results
of Operations
As
a result of a strategic reorganization, during 1999
the company realigned its operating units into four
business segments (which the company refers to as Strategic
Business Enterprises): Fluor Daniel, Fluor Global Services,
Coal and Fluor Signature Services. The Fluor Daniel
segment provides design, engineering, procurement and
construction services on a worldwide basis to an extensive
range of industrial, commercial, utility, natural resources
and energy clients. The Fluor Global Services segment,
which includes American Equipment Company, TRS Staffing
Solutions, Fluor Federal Services, Telecommunications,
Operations & Maintenance and Consulting Services,
provides outsourcing and asset management solutions
to its customers. The Coal segment produces, processes
and sells high-quality, low-sulfur steam coal for the
utility industry as well as industrial customers, and
metallurgical coal for the steel industry. Fluor Signature
Services, which commenced operations on November 1,
1999, was created to provide business administration
and support services for the benefit of the company
and ultimately, to unaffiliated customers.
To
implement the reorganization, the company recorded a
special provision of $117.2 million see Strategic
Reorganization Costs elsewhere in Managements
Discussion and Analysis. The provision was not allocated
to the business segments.
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Fluor
Daniel Segment
Total
1999 new awards were $4.8 billion compared with $8.2
billion in 1998 and $10.4 billion in 1997. The following
table sets forth new awards for each of the segments
business units:
| Year
ended October 31, |
|
1999 |
|
|
1998 |
|
|
1997 |
|
|
|
(in
millions)
Chemicals & Life Sciences
Oil, Gas & Power
Mining
Manufacturing
Infrastructure
|
$
|
1,211
25
2,599
55
26
1
785
16
136
3 |
%
%
%
%
% |
$
|
3,053
37
2,302
28
464
6
1,856
23
498
6 |
%
%
%
%
% |
$
|
4,166
40
2,814
27
1,595
15
1,741
17
50
1 |
%
%
%
%
% |
|
|
| Total
new awards |
$
|
4,757
100 |
% |
$
|
8,173
100 |
% |
$
|
10,366
100 |
% |
|
|
|
United
States
International |
$
|
2,267
47
2,490
53 |
%
% |
$
|
4,112
50
4,061
50 |
%
% |
$
|
3,885
37
6,481
63 |
%
% |
|
|
| Total
new awards |
$
|
4,757
100 |
% |
$
|
8,173
100 |
% |
$
|
10,366
100 |
% |
|
|
|
New
awards in 1999 were lower compared with 1998, reflecting
both the lingering impact of deferred capital spending
by clients, primarily in the petrochemical and mining
industries, and the companys continuing emphasis
on greater project selectivity. The large size and uncertain
timing of complex, international projects can create
variability in the companys award pattern; consequently,
future award trends are difficult to predict with certainty.
However, given the improving global economic conditions,
including significantly higher oil prices and the recent
stabilizing of commodity prices, the company is optimistic
about the level of new awards in 2000.
Since
1997 the trend in new awards activity within each business
unit reflects the impact of the economic conditions
and operating strategies noted above. There were no
individual new awards in excess of $550 million in either
1999 or 1998. New awards for the Chemicals & Life
Sciences business unit in 1997 included the $1.9 billion
Yanpet project, a petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia.
The Mining business units new awards are down
significantly from 1997 primarily due to depressed commodity
prices, thereby limiting new projects, as well as this
units focus on project selectivity. The decrease
in new awards in 1999 compared with 1998 and 1997 for
the Manufacturing business unit is primarily the result
of an increased focus on projects electivity.
Backlog
at October 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 was $6.8 billion,
$10.4 billion and $12.3 billion, respectively. (See
Operating Statistics
for information relating to backlog by business unit.)
The decrease in total backlog is consistent with the
downward trend in new awards. Work performed on existing
projects has exceeded new awards in both 1999 and 1998.
The decrease in backlog from projects located outside
the United States at October 31, 1999, resulted from
work performed on international projects such as a copper
and gold mine in Indonesia and the aforementioned petrochemical
project in Saudi Arabia, in addition to a 39 percent
decrease in international-related new awards. Although
backlog reflects business which is considered to be
firm, cancellations or scope adjustments may occur.
Backlog is adjusted to reflect any known project cancellations,
deferrals and revised project scope and cost, both upward
and downward.
Fluor
Daniel revenues decreased to $8.4 billion in 1999 compared
with $9.4 billion in 1998 and $10.2 billion in 1997,
primarily due to a continuing decline in the volume
of work performed. The decline in revenues is consistent
with the downward trend in new awards, reflecting both
deferred capital spending by clients as well as the
companys emphasis on project selectivity. Fluor
Daniel operating profit was $160 million in 1999, $161
million in 1998 and $70 million in 1997. Despite a 14
percent decline in revenues, operating margins for the
year ended October 31, 1999 improved over the same period
in 1998, primarily due to improved project execution.
Operating results for the year ended October 31, 1997,
reflect provisions totaling $118.2 million recorded
for estimated losses on certain contracts and adjustments
to project-related investments and accounts receivable.
Results for 1997 also included charges totaling $25.4
million related to implementation of certain cost reduction
initiatives.
Results
for the year ended October 31, 1999 for Fluor Daniel
include a provision totaling $84 million for process
design problems which arose on its Murrin Murrin Nickel
Cobalt project in Western Australia. The company anticipates
recovering a portion of this amount and, accordingly,
has recorded $64 million in expected insurance recoveries.
The result on operating profit was a negative $20 million
impact which reflects costs in excess of contract maximums
and which are not otherwise recoverable from any insurance
coverage. During the fourth quarter of 1999, Fluor Daniel
completed a more definitive estimate of costs required
to address the design problems and potential insurance
recoveries. As a result of this effort, both the estimated
cost and expected insurance recovery amounts discussed
above include an upward revision of $20 million.
The
majority of Fluor Daniels engineering and construction
contracts provide for reimbursement of costs plus a
fixed or percentage fee. In the highly competitive markets
served by this segment, there is an increasing trend
for cost-reimbursable contracts with incentive-fee arrangements
and fixed or unit price contracts. In certain instances,
Fluor Daniel has provided guaranteed completion dates
and/or achievement of other performance criteria. Failure
to meet schedule or performance guarantees or increases
in contract costs can result in non-recoverable costs,
which could exceed revenues realized from the project.
Fluor Daniel continues to focus on improving operating
margins by enhancing selectivity in the projects it
pursues, lowering overhead costs and improving project
execution.
The
Fluor Daniel segment made no significant business acquisitions
during 1999, 1998 or 1997.
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Fluor
Global Services Segment
Total
1999 new awards were $2.0 billion compared with $1.8
billion in both 1998 and 1997. The following table sets
forth new awards for each of the segments business
units:
| Year
ended October 31, |
|
1999 |
|
|
1998 |
|
|
1997 |
|
|
|
(in
millions)
Fluor Federal Services
Telecommunications
Operations & Maintenance
Consulting Services and Other
|
$
|
582
29
646
32
772
38
32
1 |
%
%
%
% |
$
|
451
25
30
2
1,106
61
232
12 |
%
%
%
% |
$
|
497
28
277
16
713
41
269
15 |
%
%
%
% |
|
|
| Total
new awards |
$
|
2,032
100 |
% |
$
|
1,189
100 |
% |
$
|
1,756
100 |
% |
|
|
|
United
States
International |
$
|
1,928
95
104
5 |
%
% |
$
|
1,524
84
295
16 |
%
% |
$
|
1,558
89
198
11 |
%
% |
|
|
| Total
new awards |
$
|
2,032
100 |
% |
$
|
1,189
100 |
% |
$
|
1,756
100 |
% |
|
|
|
New
awards in 1999 were higher compared with 1998, as a
result of an increase in telecommunications projects.
New awards in 1998 were slightly higher than 1997 primarily
due to the renewal of facility management service contracts
for IBM at various facilities located throughout the
United States. Because of the nature of the services
performed by Fluor Global Services, primarily related
to American Equipment Company (AMECO) and TRS Staffing
Solutions, a significant portion of this segments
activities are not includable in backlog.
Backlog
at October 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 was $2.4 billion,
$2.2 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively. (See Operating
Statistics for information relating to backlog by
business unit.) The increase in total backlog is consistent
with the increasing trend in new awards. The backlog
of Fluor Global Services is concentrated in the United
States, representing approximately 90 percent, 88 percent
and 92 percent of the total backlog at the end of 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively. Although backlog reflects
business that is considered to be firm, cancellations
or scope adjustments may occur. Backlog is adjusted
to reflect any known project cancellations, deferrals
and revised project scope and cost, both upward and
downward.
Fluor
Global Services revenues increased to $2.9 billion in
1999 compared with $2.6 billion in 1998, as the result
of higher revenues in its AMECO, Fluor Federal Services
and Telecommunications business units. The decline in
Fluor Global Services revenues from $3.0 billion in
1997 to $2.6 billion in 1998 was primarily due to a
reduction in revenues related to its environmental strategies
business which was phased out during 1998. Operating
profit for the segment was $92 million in 1999, $81
million in 1998 and $52 million in 1997. Gross margin
in 1999 declined to 9.4 percent from 11.2 percent in
1998 primarily due to the AMECO business unit, which
is being adversely impacted by the increasingly competitive
equipment sale and rental industry. Despite the lower
gross margin, operating profit increased in 1999 compared
with 1998 primarily due to the elimination of certain
unprofitable operations which negatively impacted 1998.
The improvement in operating results in 1998 as compared
with 1997 is due primarily to losses incurred during
1997 by various unprofitable business units that were
eliminated in 1998.
The
majority of Fluor Global Services contracts provide
for reimbursement of costs plus a fixed or percentage
fee. Due to intense competitive market conditions, there
is an increasing trend for contracts with incentive-fee
arrangements or fixed or unit price contracts. In certain
instances, contracts provide guaranteed completion dates
and/or achievement of other performance criteria. Failure
to meet schedule or performance guarantees or increases
in contract costs can result in non-recoverable costs,
which could exceed revenues realized from the project.
In
December 1996, TRS Staffing Solutions, the segments
temporary personnel services business unit, acquired
the ConSol Group; in May 1997, AMECO acquired the SMA
Companies; and, in June 1997, AMECO acquired J.W. Burress,
Inc. These businesses, in addition to other smaller
acquisitions, were purchased for a total of $142 million.
All
acquisitions have been accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting and their results of operations
have been included in the companys consolidated
financial statements from the respective acquisition
dates. If these acquisitions had been made at the beginning
of 1997, pro forma consolidated results of operations
would not have differed materially from actual results.
In
October 1998, the company entered into an agreement
to sell its ownership interest in Fluor Daniel GTI,
Inc. (FD/GTI), an environmental services
company. Under terms of the agreement, the company sold
its 4,400,000 shares in FD/GTI for $8.25 per share,
or $36.3 million in cash, on December 3, 1998. This
transaction did not have a material impact on the companys
results of operations or financial position. In August
1997, the company completed the sale of ACQUION, a global
provider of supply chain management services, for $12
million in cash, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $7 million.
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Coal
Segment
Revenues
and operating profit from Coal operations in 1999 were
$1.08 billion and $147 million, respectively, compared
with $1.13 billion and $173 million in 1998. Revenues
and operating profit in 1997 were $1.08 billion and
$155 million, respectively.
Revenues
decreased $44 million in 1999 compared with 1998 primarily
due to the combination of a reduction in volume of the
higher priced metallurgical coal and a decline in prices.
Metallurgical coal volume decreased nearly 18 percent
during 1999 compared with 1998. This decrease was more
than offset by an increase in lower priced steam coal
volume. Also contributing to the decline in coal revenues
were lowered realized prices for both steam and metallurgical
coal. Steam coal prices declined 4 percent while metallurgical
coal prices declined 2 percent. The metallurgical coal
market continues to be adversely affected by steel imports
from outside the United States and a weak U.S. coal
export market. The imports have reduced demand for steel
produced in the U.S. and thereby reduced U.S. demand
for metallurgical coal, which is used in steel production.
Demand is weak for U.S. coal exported to foreign markets
as the U.S. Dollar remains strong and the Asian economies
slowly recover from their financial crises. Additionally,
the market for steam coal, which is used to fire electric-generating
plants, continues to be impacted by high customer inventory
levels resulting from last years mild winter and
competition from western coals, which continue to penetrate
the traditional eastern coal market areas. Gross profit
for the year ended October 31, 1999 is down slightly
from the same period in 1998 as a result of lower metallurgical
coal sales volume and lower prices for both metallurgical
and steam coal. Operating profit for 1999 is lower than
1998 due to higher fixed costs, primarily depreciation,
depletion and amortization, as volume levels have remained
relatively flat.
The
market conditions described above have placed pressure
on both the sales volume and pricing outlook for 2000.
The company continues to focus on reducing mining production
costs through expansion of its surface mining capabilities
and utilization of longwall mining.
Revenues
increased $46 million in 1998 compared with 1997 primarily
due to increased sales volume of metallurgical coal,
partially offset by lower steam coal prices. Metallurgical
coal revenues increased 11 percent primarily due to
higher demand by steel producers. Steam coal revenues
were flat on steady volume in 1998 as compared with
1997, while steam coal prices declined approximately
3 percent as overall demand was down due to both a mild
winter and summer in 1998. Gross profit increased by
15 percent and operating profit increased by 12 percent
in 1998 compared with 1997, primarily due to reduced
production costs and an increased proportion of higher
margin metallurgical coal sales, partially offset by
lower steam coal prices.
Coal
segment acquisitions during the three years ended October
31, 1999 were primarily focused on the purchase of additional
low-sulfur coal reserves in areas adjacent to existing
mine and mill operations. All acquisitions have been
accounted for under the purchase method of accounting
and their results of operations have been included in
the companys consolidated financial statements
from the respective acquisition dates. If these acquisitions
had been made at the beginning of the respective year
acquired, pro forma consolidated results of operations
would not have differed materially from actual results.
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Strategic
Reorganization Costs
As
noted above, during 1999 the company reorganized its
engineering and construction operations. The company
recorded a special provision of $117.2 million ($100.5
million after-tax) to cover direct and other reorganization
related costs, primarily for personnel, facilities and
asset impairment adjustments. The provision was initially
recorded during the second quarter at the then estimated
amount of $136.5 million ($119.8 million after-tax).
Total estimated personnel costs associated with the
reorganization were reduced during the fourth quarter
as both the actual number of employee terminations as
well as the cost per employee termination were lower
than originally estimated.
Under
the reorganization plan, approximately 5,000 jobs are
expected to be eliminated. The provision includes amounts
for personnel costs for certain affected employees that
are entitled to receive severance benefits under established
severance policies or by government regulations. Additionally,
outplacement services may be provided on a limited basis
to some affected employees. The provision also reflects
amounts for asset impairment, primarily for property,
plant and equipment; intangible assets (goodwill); and
certain investments. The asset impairments were recorded
primarily because of the companys decision to
exit certain non-strategic geographic locations and
businesses. The carrying values of impaired assets were
adjusted to their current market values based on estimated
sale proceeds, using either discounted cash flows or
contractual amounts. Lease termination costs were also
included in the special provision. The company anticipates
closing 15 non-strategic offices worldwide as well as
consolidating and downsizing other office locations.
The closure or rationalization of these facilities is
expected to be substantially complete by the end of
fiscal year 2000.
As
of October 31, 1999, the company has reduced headcount
by approximately 5,000 employees and has closed 13 offices.
The company anticipates closing two additional offices
within the next six months. The special provision liability
as of October 31, 1999 totaled $58.5 million. The remaining
liability for personnel costs ($25.2 million) and asset
impairments ($23.3 million) will be substantially utilized
by April 30, 2000. The remaining liability associated
with abandoned lease space ($9.7 million) will be amortized
as an offset to lease expense over the remaining life
of the respective leases starting on the date of abandonment.
Overhead
beginning in 2000 is expected to be reduced by approximately
$100 to $120 million annually as a result of the personnel
reductions and office closures.
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Other
Net
interest expense for 1999 increased by $8.4 million
compared with 1998 primarily due to an increase in interest
expense resulting from higher average outstanding short-term
borrowings used to fund the companys share repurchase
program, which was completed in 1998. In addition, interest
income declined as a result of lower average cash balances
outstanding during the year. Net interest expense for
1998 increased compared with 1997 primarily due to an
increase in short-term borrowings required to fund the
companys share repurchase program and a full year
of interest related to the $300 million in long-term
debt issued in March 1997.
Corporate
administrative and general expense for the year ended
October 31, 1999 was $55.4 million compared with $22.6
million for the same period in 1998. The increase is
due to higher stock-based compensation plan expense
and an increase in consulting costs related to the development
and implementation of the companys new strategic
direction. Also included in corporate administrative
and general expense for 1999 is approximately $8 million
for the development of the companys Enterprise
Resource Management system, Knowledge@Work. In
addition, the year ended October 31, 1998 included a
credit of approximately $10 million related to a long-term
incentive compensation plan. The company accrues for
certain long-term incentive awards whose ultimate cost
is dependent on attainment of various performance targets
set by the Organization and Compensation Committee (the
Committee) of the Board of Directors. Under
the long-term incentive compensation plan referred to
above, the performance target expired, without amendment
or extension by the Committee, on December 31, 1997.
Corporate administrative and general expense for the
year ended October 31, 1998, increased as compared with
1997 due to costs associated with the companys
strategic business planning effort, executive severance
and recruiting costs. Also included was the $10 million
credit noted above.
The
effective tax rate for year ended October 31, 1999 is
significantly higher than the amount reported for the
same period in 1998 primarily due to certain non-U.S.
items included in the special provision which did not
receive full tax benefit. The effective tax rate for
the year ended October 31, 1998 was essentially the
same as the U.S. federal statutory rate. In 1997, the
effective tax rate was materially higher than the U.S.
federal statutory tax rate primarily due to foreign-based
project losses, other project-related investment losses
and certain implementation costs for cost reduction
initiatives incurred during the year which did not receive
full tax benefit.
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Discontinued
Operations
In
October 1997, the company received $60 million representing
a negotiated prepayment of the remaining amounts outstanding
stemming from the 1994 sale of its Lead business. The
amount received slightly exceeded the recorded discounted
value of the receivable.
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Financial
Position and Liquidity
The
decrease in cash provided by operating activities in
1999, compared with 1998, is primarily due to lower
net earnings (adjusted for the non-cash and unexpended
amounts of the special provision in 1999) and an increase
in project-related operating assets and liabilities.
Also contributing to the decline was an increase in
inventories, for both equipment for sale/rental and
coal. The increase in inventories is the result of slowing
markets. The receipt of a $30 million tax refund also
positively impacted operating cash flow in 1998. The
increase in cash provided by operating activities in
1998, compared with 1997, is primarily due to a net
decrease in operating assets and liabilities (excluding
the effects of business acquisitions and dispositions),
primarily related to a decrease in the volume of work
performed on engineering and construction contracts,
and the aforementioned tax refund. Changes in operating
assets and liabilities vary from year to year and are
affected by the mix, stage of completion and commercial
terms of engineering and construction projects.
Cash
utilized by investing activities totaled $375.2 million
in 1999 compared with $563.3 million in 1998. The decrease
resulted primarily from lower capital expenditures and
acquisitions, net of proceeds from the sale of property,
plant and equipment. Capital expenditures in 1999 were
primarily for the Fluor Global Services segment, specifically
for AMECO and directed toward acquiring machinery and
equipment for its rental business, and for the Coal
segment, which were directed toward developing existing
reserves. In addition, capital expenditures in 1999
include approximately $26 million of costs associated
with Knowledge@Work. The company also completed
the sale of its ownership interest in FD/GTI during
1999 and received proceeds totaling $36.3 million. The
increase in cash utilized by investing activities in
1998 compared with 1997, is primarily attributable to
monies received in 1997 from notes receivable related
to the ongoing collection of deferred amounts associated
with the companys 1994 sale of its Lead business.
Capital expenditures, net of proceeds from the sale
of property, plant and equipment, increased in 1998
compared with 1997, primarily in the Fluor Global Services
and Coal segments. Offsetting this increase was a significant
decline in acquisitions, again primarily in the Fluor
Global Services and Coal segments.
Cash
utilized by financing activities totaled $220.6 million
in 1999 compared with $98.0 million in 1998. During
1999 the company reduced commercial paper and loan notes
by $299.2 million partially offset by the issuance of
a $113.4 million note payable to an affiliate. In addition,
the company became obligated with respect to $17.6 million
in long-term municipal bonds. Cash utilized from financing
activities totaled $98.0 million in 1998 compared with
1997 during which time the company provided cash by
financing activities of $235.7 million. In 1998, the
company had short-term borrowings of $341.8 million
to fund its 1997/1998 share repurchase program. Under
this program, the company repurchased 8.3 million shares
of its common stock for a total of $379.0 million. In
1997, the company issued $300 million of 6.95 percent
senior notes due March 1, 2007. Proceeds were used to
fund operating working capital, capital expenditures
and the companys share repurchase program. During
1997, the company purchased .6 million shares of its
common stock for a total of $34 million.
Cash
dividends decreased in 1999 to $60.7 million ($.80 per
share) from $63.5 million ($.80 per share) in 1998 and
$63.8 million ($.76 per share) in 1997 as a consequence
of the reduced number of shares outstanding that resulted
from the companys share repurchase program. In
December 1999, the company announced an increase in
its quarterly cash dividend from $.20 per share to $.25
per share in 2000.
The
total debt to capitalization ratio at October 31, 1999,
was 26.3 percent compared with 32.4 percent at October
31, 1998.
The
company has on hand and access to sufficient sources
of funds to meet its anticipated operating needs. Significant
short- and long-term lines of credit are maintained
with banks which, along with cash on hand, provide adequate
operating liquidity. Liquidity is also provided by the
companys commercial paper program under which
there was $113.7 million outstanding at October 31,
1999, compared with $245.5 million at October 31, 1998.
In December 1998, the company expanded both its revolving
credit facility and its commercial paper program from
$400 million to $600 million. During January 1999, the
company filed a shelf registration statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for the sale of up
to $500 million in debt securities.
Although
the company is affected by inflation and the cyclical
nature of the industry, its engineering and construction
operations are generally protected by the ability to
fix costs at the time of bidding or to recover cost
increases in most contracts. Coal operations produce
a commodity that is internationally traded at prices
established by market factors outside the control of
the company. However, commodity prices generally tend
over the long term to correlate with inflationary trends,
and the companys substantial coal reserves provide
a hedge against the long-term effects of inflation.
Although the company has taken actions to reduce its
dependence on external economic conditions, management
is unable to predict with certainty the amount and mix
of future business.
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Financial
Instruments
In
connection with its 1997/1998 share repurchase program,
the company entered into a forward purchase contract
for 1,850,000 shares of its common stock at a price
of $49 per share. The contract matures in October 2000
and gives the company the ultimate choice of settlement
option, either physical settlement or net share settlement.
As of October 31, 1999, the contract settlement cost
per share exceeded the current market price per share
by $11.44.
Although
the ultimate choice of settlement option resides with
the company, if the price of the companys common
stock falls to certain levels, as defined in the contract,
the holder of the contract has the right to require
the company to settle the contract.
The
companys investment securities and substantially
all of its debt instruments carry fixed rates of interest
over their respective maturity terms. The company does
not currently use derivatives, such as swaps, to alter
the interest characteristics of its investment securities
or its debt instruments. The companys exposure
to interest rate risk on its $300 million senior notes,
due in 2007, is not material given the companys
strong balance sheet and creditworthiness which provides
the ability to refinance.
The
company utilizes forward exchange contracts to hedge
foreign currency transactions entered into in the ordinary
course of business and not to engage in currency speculation.
At October 31, 1999 and 1998, the company had forward
foreign exchange contracts of less than eighteen months
duration, to exchange principally Australian Dollars,
Canadian Dollars, Korean Won, Dutch Guilders and German
Marks for U.S. Dollars. In addition, the company has
a forward foreign currency contract to exchange U.S.
Dollars for British Pounds Sterling to hedge annual
lease commitments which expired December 1999. The total
gross notional amount of these contracts at October
31, 1999 and 1998 was $124 million and $106 million,
respectively. Forward contracts to purchase foreign
currency represented $122 million and $102 million and
forward contracts to sell foreign currency represented
$2 million and $4 million, at October 31, 1999 and 1998,
respectively.
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The
Year 2000 Issue Readiness Disclosure
The
Year 2000 issue is the result of computer systems and
other equipment with processors that use only two digits
to identify a year rather than four. If not corrected,
many computer applications and date sensitive equipment
could fail or create erroneous results before, during
and after the Year 2000. The company utilizes information
technology (IT) systems, such as computer
networking systems and non-IT devices, which may contain
embedded circuits, such as those which may be found
in building security equipment. Both IT systems and
non-IT devices are subject to potential failure due
to the Year 2000 issue.
The
company has developed and implemented a plan to achieve
Year 2000 readiness (the Y2K Program). Progress
reports on the Y2K Program are presented regularly to
the companys senior management and periodically
to the Audit Committee of the companys Board of
Directors.
The
company identified and assigned priority to certain
mission critical systems. The company defines mission
critical systems as those that might have a significant
adverse effect in one or more of the following areas:
safety, environmental, legal or financial exposure and
company credibility and image.
The
companys Y2K Program has been implemented in the
following three phases: (1) Identification Phase
includes the identification and assessment of Year 2000
problems requiring systems modifications or replacements;
(2) Remediation Phase includes the remediation
and testing of systems having Year 2000 problems and
the identification of compliant systems installation
scheduled during 1999; and (3) Contingency Planning
Phase includes the development of contingency
and business continuity plans to mitigate the effect
of any system or equipment failure. The timeframe for
each phase of the Y2K Program are represented in the
following table:
|
Start
Date |
End
Date |
|
| Identification
Phase |
Early
1996 |
December
31, 1998 |
| Remediation
Phase |
Late
1996 |
October
31, 1999 |
| Contingency
Planning Phase |
Late
1998 |
Ongoing
into 2000 |
As
of October 31, 1999, the companys software applications
are Year 2000 compliant, although a small number of
systems have a November installation date to accommodate
user system schedules. As of October 31, 1999, the companys
hardware is Year 2000 compliant with the exception of
the phone system at one business unit where a compliant
system is scheduled for installation in early December.
Transitioning into Year 2000, the company did not experience
any material issues and all of its computer systems
are operating normally. The company will continue to
monitor its systems on an ongoing basis for the immediate
future. As of January 13, 2000, the company has not
been made aware of any Year 2000 disruptions for which
it is responsible at any of its various project sites
throughout the world.
With
respect to systems acquired by the company for its own
account or the account of customers, the company uses
standard compliance processes to certify Year 2000 compliance.
The company requires that all suppliers certify and,
where appropriate, guarantee that the systems and equipment
they provide to the company for its own account and
the account of its customers are Year 2000 compliant.
In addition to requiring such certifications, the company
also has completed a process of reviewing the Year 2000
compliance of critical suppliers. Actions included the
review of remediation and testing of specific equipment,
review of suppliers corporate Year 2000 progress
and confirmation of electronic exchange formats. Where
appropriate, the company has followed up its review
of supplier information with telephone interviews and
on-site visits. Where a supplier has not, or cannot,
satisfy the companys Year 2000 requirements, the
company has sought alternate suppliers, subject to customer
requirements and contract specifications. Although initial
reviews and the results following the companys
transition into Year 2000 indicate that Year 2000 compliance
by the companys suppliers should not have a material
adverse affect on the companys operations, there
can be no assurance that all Year 2000 issues have been
resolved in a timely manner.
With
respect to Engineering Systems, the company has retired
approximately 38 percent of its engineering applications
software to streamline its operations, reduce support
costs and avoid costs of Year 2000 remediation. The
cost of such software, to the extent originally capitalized,
has been fully amortized and the company does not expect
any significant write off as the result of such retirement.
The implementation of compliant versions of all remaining
Engineering Systems is complete, with the remediation
of those remaining applications largely being addressed
via upgrades.
All
Project Site Specific Systems are Year 2000 ready, including
the Department of Energys projects and the control
systems in use at the companys coal plants.
With
respect to Customer Systems and current customer projects
generally, the company has evaluated those systems and
projects to determine whether or not any action is required
to ensure Year 2000 readiness. The company has reviewed
projects where it has ongoing warranty or performance
obligations for Year 2000 issues. It targeted approximately
1,600 projects for additional Year 2000 assessment,
all of which have been reviewed. At those projects where
Year 2000 issues may exist, the company has evaluated
what further action is required and any required remediation
and contingency planning is complete. The company relies
directly and indirectly on external systems utilized
by its suppliers and on equipment and materials provided
by those suppliers and used for the companys business.
As discussed above, the company has implemented a procedure
for reviewing Year 2000 compliance by its suppliers,
which will be ongoing into year 2000.
With
respect to systems and equipment provided to clients,
the company does not control the upgrades, additions
and/or changes made by its clients, or by others for
its clients, to those systems and equipment. Accordingly,
the company does not provide any assurances, nor current
information about Year 2000 capabilities, nor potential
Year 2000 problems, with respect to past projects. Each
project is performed under an agreement with the companys
client. Those agreements specifically outline the extent
of the companys obligations and warranties and
the limitations that may apply.
The
company has investments in various joint ventures and
has monitored the Year 2000 efforts of such joint ventures.
Based on available information, the company believes
business systems used in such joint ventures are Year
2000 ready.
The
company uses both internal and external resources in
its Y2K Program. The company estimates that, from 1996
to date, it has spent approximately $25 million on the
Year 2000 issue. It anticipates spending an additional
$.6 million during the first quarter of fiscal year
2000. The estimate of additional spending was derived
utilizing numerous assumptions, including the assumption
that the company has already identified and completed
its most significant Year 2000 issues and that plans
of its third party suppliers will be fulfilled in a
timely manner without cost to the company.
The
company estimates that 44 percent of the total costs
incurred for the Y2K Program have been incurred to remediate
systems (including software upgrades); the remaining
56 percent of the total costs incurred have been incurred
to replace systems and equipment. The company estimates
its direct costs for the Y2K Program (costs necessary
to assess and remediate existing systems) are approximately
$14 million. In addition to the direct costs of the
Y2K Program, the company has accelerated its program
of replacing out-of-date personal computers and operating
systems, regardless of whether or not such computers
and systems were Year 2000 compliant. All replacement
equipment and systems are Y2K compliant. The costs associated
with those replacements are estimated at $11 million.
The company estimates it has spent $14 million to date
and will spend an additional $.3 million in connection
with replacing equipment and systems.
The
Y2K Program has been funded under the companys
general IT and operating budgets. In 1999, Y2K Program
costs were 11 percent of the IT budget. The Year 2000
expenditures have been and will continue to be expensed
and deducted from income when incurred, except for costs
incurred to acquire new software developed or obtained
to replace old software which may be capitalized and
amortized under generally accepted accounting principles.
No significant internal systems projects were deferred
due to the Y2K Program efforts. The above amounts are
the companys best estimate given other systems
initiatives that were ongoing irrespective of the Y2K
Program (such as the migration to Windows NT and related
hardware upgrades). However, there can be no guarantee
that these assumptions are accurate, and actual results
could differ materially from those anticipated.
The
company has developed contingency plans to address the
Year 2000 issues that may pose a significant risk to
its ongoing operations and existing projects, including
an early warning system developed for the millennium
transition. Such plans include the implementation of
alternate procedures to compensate for any system and
equipment malfunctions or deficiencies with the companys
internal systems and equipment, with systems and equipment
utilized at the companys project sites, with systems
and equipment provided to clients and with systems and
equipment supplied by third parties. Due to the large
number of variables involved with estimating resultant
lost revenues should there be a third party failure,
the company cannot provide an estimate of damage if
any of the scenarios were to occur. There can be no
assurance that any contingency plans implemented by
the company would be adequate to meet the companys
needs without materially impacting its operations, that
any such plan would be successful or that the companys
results of operations would not be materially and adversely
affected by the delays and inefficiencies inherent in
conducting operations in an alternative manner.
The
companys Y2K Program is subject to a variety of
risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the
companys control. Those risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to, the Year 2000 readiness
of third parties and the Year 2000 compliance of systems
and equipment provided by suppliers.
The
company believes that its most reasonably likely worst
case Year 2000 scenarios would relate to problems with
the systems of third parties, rather than with the companys
internal systems. At this time, the company believes
that risks are greatest in the area of third party system
and equipment suppliers. Each of the companys
locations relies on suppliers for basic utility service
as well as the timely provision of project services
and equipment. If the supply of such necessary services
and equipment were to fail at any location, the companys
operations at that location, whether consisting of engineering,
design or construction activities, maintenance services
or coal mining and processing, would essentially be
shut down or disrupted until such services and equipment
deliveries were restored. Depending on the location,
the company could suffer delays in performing contracts
and in otherwise fulfilling its commitments. Such delays
could materially adversely impact the companys
receipt of payments due from customers upon its tender
of contract deliverables or upon achievement of contract
milestones. The company believes that the geographical
dispersion of the companys facilities mitigates
the risk that such failures in any locale or at any
project site will result in the simultaneous closure
of, or sustained suspension of operations at, multiple
company facilities or at project sites. Consequently,
to the extent practical, the company expects to mitigate
any interruption in its business operations in one location
by shifting the performance of the constrained activity
to a functioning office or facility. There may be instances,
however, where the activity cannot be performed elsewhere
or on a timely basis given the disruption caused by
the Year 2000 problems in any location. In such instances,
the company will assess the relevant provisions of its
contracts and, where it deems appropriate, work with
its customers to resolve performance and schedule delays
and any resulting financial consequences on a mutually
satisfactory basis to the extent possible under then
prevailing circumstances.
No
assurance can be given that the company will achieve
all aspects of Year 2000 readiness. Further, there is
the possibility that significant litigation may occur
due to business and equipment failures caused by the
Year 2000 issue. It is uncertain whether, or to what
extent, the company may be affected by such litigation.
The failure of the company, its clients (including governmental
agencies), suppliers of computer systems and equipment,
joint venture partners and other third parties upon
whom the company relies, to achieve Year 2000 readiness
could materially and adversely affect the companys
results from operations.
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Euro
Conversion
Given
the nature and size of the companys European operations,
the company does not perceive the conversion to the
Euro as a significant risk. The companys businesses
operate under long-term contracts, typically denominated
in U.S. Dollars, compared with more traditional retail
or manufacturing environments. If required, the company
is currently able to bid, price and negotiate contracts
using the Euro. The companys treasury function
is also capable of operating with the Euro. Specifically,
the company is able to: establish bank accounts; obtain
financing; obtain bank guarantees or letters of credit;
trade foreign currency; and hedge transactions. The
companys ongoing Euro conversion effort will be
primarily concentrated in the systems area.
Conversion
to the Euro impacts the companys subsidiaries
in The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Spain. All
subsidiaries use a standard accounting system and all
reside in the same database. The companys conversion
plan is to maintain the legacy database for historical
reference and to create a new database with the Euro
as the base currency. The new database will permit transactions
to take place in both legacy currencies and the Euro
as well as perform prescribed rounding calculations.
The new Euro-based database is available and testing
is in progress. Full conversion is anticipated to be
complete by the start of fiscal year 2001.
The
company has not incurred and it does not expect to incur
any significant costs from the continued conversion
to the Euro, including any currency risk, which could
significantly affect the companys business, financial
condition and results of operations.
The
company has not experienced any significant operational
disruptions to date and does not currently expect the
continued conversion to the Euro to cause any significant
operational disruptions, including the impact of systems
operated by others.
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New
Accounting Pronouncements
In
June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities (SFAS No. 133). SFAS No. 133
establishes new standards for recording derivatives
in interim and annual financial statements. This statement,
as amended, is effective for the companys fiscal
year 2001. Management does not anticipate that the adoption
of the new statement will have a significant impact
on the results of operations or the financial position
of the company.
|