-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, D0SBx+yj7bfVjw+nt2xEaUMtgVAl3BC8akilypXNKFWAN9WsX6kLNqeqw/3COce3 8gwR6xqwLejFbk8kxXes1g== 0000950144-99-002796.txt : 19990318 0000950144-99-002796.hdr.sgml : 19990318 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950144-99-002796 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19981226 FILED AS OF DATE: 19990317 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: TRACTOR SUPPLY CO /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000916365 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-BUILDING MATERIALS, HARDWARE, GARDEN SUPPLY [5200] IRS NUMBER: 133139732 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-23314 FILM NUMBER: 99567378 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 320 PLUS PARK BLVD CITY: NASHVILLE STATE: TN ZIP: 37217 BUSINESS PHONE: 6153664600 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 320 PLUS PARK BOULEVARD CITY: NASHVILLE STATE: TN ZIP: 37217 10-K 1 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY 1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) /X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 26, 1998 OR / / TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission file number 000-23314 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) Delaware 13-3139732 (State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) Incorporation or Organization) 320 Plus Park Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee 37217 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (615) 366-4600 Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $.008 par value (Title of Class) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES X NO Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ] The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the closing price of the Common Stock on The Nasdaq National Market on January 31, 1999 was $88,437,993. For purposes of this response, the registrant has assumed that its directors, executive officers, and beneficial owners of 5% or more of its Common Stock are the affiliates of the registrant. Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date. Class Outstanding at January 31, 1999 Common Stock, $.008 par value 8,751,129 DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 22, 1999 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K. Portions of the Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 26, 1998 are incorporated by reference into Parts II and IV of this Form 10-K. 2 PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS Overview Tractor Supply Company, a Delaware corporation ("TSC" or the "Company"), is a specialty retailer which supplies the daily farming and maintenance needs of its target customers: hobby, part-time and full-time farmers and ranchers, as well as rural customers, contractors and tradesmen. The Company operates one of the largest retail farm store chains in the United States. TSC's 243 stores, located in 26 states, typically range in size from 12,000 to 14,000 square feet of inside selling space and utilize at least as many square feet of outside selling space. Stores are located in rural communities and in the outlying areas of large cities where farming is a significant factor in the local economy. The Company meets the daily farming and maintenance needs of its target customers with a comprehensive selection of farm maintenance products (fencing, tractor parts and accessories, agricultural spraying equipment and tillage parts); animal products (specialty feeds, supplements, equine supplies, medicines, veterinary supplies and livestock feeders); general maintenance products (air compressors, welders, generators, pumps, plumbing and tools); lawn and garden products (riding mowers, tillers and fertilizers); light truck equipment; work clothing and other products. The Company does not sell large tractors, combines, bulk chemicals or bulk fertilizers. The Company's merchandising strategy combines this comprehensive product selection with strong inventory support. The Company was founded in 1938 as a catalog mail order tractor parts supplier. In 1978, Fuqua Industries, Inc. acquired the Company, and in 1982 Fuqua, in turn, sold the Company to a group of investors, including two members of the Company's current senior management team, both of whom are principal stockholders. Between the acquisition in 1982 and 1998, the Company's sales have increased from $122.5 million to $600.7 million and the Company has opened 138 stores and closed 19 stores. Seasonality and Weather The Company's business is highly seasonal. Historically, the Company's sales and profits have been the highest in the second and fourth fiscal quarters of each year due to the farming industry's planting and harvesting seasons and the sale of seasonal products. The Company has typically operated at a net loss in the first fiscal quarter of each year. Unseasonable weather and excessive rain, drought, or early or late frosts may also affect the Company's sales. The Company believes, however, that the impact of adverse weather conditions is somewhat mitigated by the geographic dispersion of its stores. Business Strategy The Company believes its sales and earnings growth has resulted from the focused execution of its business strategy, which includes the following key components: Market Niche. The Company has identified a specialized market niche -- supplying the daily farming and maintenance needs of hobby, part-time and full-time farmers and ranchers. By focusing its product mix on these core customers, the Company believes it has differentiated itself from general merchandise, home center and other specialty retailers. Customer Service. The Company's number one priority is customer service. It offers its customers a high level of in-store service through motivated, well-trained, technically proficient Store Associates. The Company believes the ability of its Store Associates to provide friendly, responsive, technical assistance is valued by its customers and helps to promote strong customer loyalty and repeat shopping. TSC's commitment to customer service is further enhanced by its "satisfaction guaranteed" policy and its special order program. Technology. Management strives to improve operating efficiencies and reduce costs through the use of modern technologies. The Company utilizes an integrated computerized inventory management and point-of- 2 3 sale system that permits the entire store network to communicate with the Company's distribution centers and its management headquarters. The Company believes that this integrated system results in lower inventory carrying costs, improved in-stock positions and enhanced inventory control, as well as management and purchasing efficiencies. The Company believes that its ongoing commitment to utilize modern technologies creates a competitive advantage. Store Locations. The Company's strategy is to locate its stores in rural communities and outlying areas of large cities where farming is a significant factor in the local economy. The Company believes it has developed a sophisticated, proven methodology to select its new store sites. Product Selection. The Company offers a comprehensive selection of high quality, nationally recognized brand name and private label products, focused principally on the needs of the hobby, part-time and full-time farmer and rancher. The Company seeks to offer an extensive assortment of merchandise in specialized products. The Company's full line of product offerings is supported by a strong in-stock inventory position. An average store displays approximately 12,000 different products. Pricing. The Company utilizes a "low prices everyday" strategy to consistently offer its products at competitive prices. The Company monitors prices at competing stores and adjusts its prices as necessary. The Company believes that by avoiding a "sale" oriented marketing strategy, it is attracting customers on a regular basis rather than only in response to sales. Vendor Partnering. The Company has established close working relationships with many of its principal vendors to manage stock levels, develop new products, plan promotions and design merchandise displays. The Company intends to continue to expand its vendor partnering strategy to include most of its other key vendors. Advertising. To generate store traffic and position TSC as a destination store, the Company promotes broad selections of merchandise with color circulars distributed by direct mail and as newspaper inserts. The Company also runs periodic special events promoted through local flyers, circulars and radio advertising. In fiscal 1998, the Company enhanced its marketing and advertising programs through the expanded use of radio and, for the first time, through the use of a national television campaign. In connection with these new programs, the Company signed John Lyons, a renowned equine specialist, as its national equine spokesman, and George Strait, a renowned country music entertainer, as its national spokesman. Store Environment. TSC's stores are open, clean, bright and offer a pleasant atmosphere with disciplined product presentation, attractive displays, both inside and outside the store, and efficient check-out procedures. The Company endeavors to staff its stores with courteous, highly motivated, knowledgeable Store Associates in order to provide a friendly, enjoyable shopping experience. Growth Strategy The Company's growth strategy is to increase sales and profitability at existing stores through continuing improvements in product mix and operating efficiencies and through new store openings and relocations. Since the beginning of fiscal 1992, the Company has opened 100 new stores and relocated 17. Of these 117 stores, 101 have been open more than one year and have generated average net sales that are approximately 21.7% per annum greater than those of existing stores. During this period, the Company has also closed eight stores (excluding relocations). Management believes that substantial opportunities exist for the opening of new stores to achieve greater penetration in existing markets and to expand into new markets. In June 1997, the Company slowed down its new store unit growth rate for a period of approximately 18 months (opening 22 new stores in fiscal 1997 rather than the 25 originally contemplated, and opening 15 new stores in fiscal 1998 rather than the 28 originally contemplated) in order to focus its efforts on rejuvenating the merchandise mix and improving comparable store sales. The Company intends to resume its approximate 12% overall new store unit growth rate each year beginning in fiscal 1999, with current plans calling for the opening of 30 new stores in fiscal 1999, 33 in fiscal 2000, and additional stores thereafter (the Company has presently identified over 200 potential new markets). 3 4 The Company's strategy is to lease its new stores. Assuming that new stores are leased, the estimated cash required to open a new store is approximately $800,000 to $1,000,000, the majority of which is for initial inventory and capital expenditures, principally leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment, and the balance of which is for store opening expenses. The Company may selectively purchase individual store locations or small chains of stores if opportunities arise and management believes the store sites are located in prime real estate locations. The Company plans to relocate approximately one store in fiscal 1999 and an average of one or two additional stores each year over the next several years. Store relocations are typically undertaken to move small, older stores to full-size formats in prime retail areas. The cash required to complete a store relocation typically ranges from $250,000 to $500,000 depending on whether the Company is responsible for any renovation or remodeling costs. The Company has experienced average sales increases in excess of 16% in the year subsequent to relocation for stores relocated over the past five years. The Company plans to extensively remodel an average of one or two of its strong performing stores each year over the next several years, one of which is scheduled for fiscal 1999. The estimated cash required to complete a major remodeling typically ranges from $150,000 to $400,000. The Company also plans to perform minor remodelings of its stores on an on-going basis to ensure overall Company physical facility standards are maintained. The estimated cash required to complete a minor remodeling typically ranges from $25,000 to $75,000. Store Environment and Merchandising The Company's stores are designed and managed to create a pleasant environment, maximize sales and operating efficiencies and make shopping an enjoyable experience. The Company's stores are clean, open and bright. The average Company store has approximately 12,300 square feet of inside selling space. The Company typically utilizes at least 12,000 square feet of outside space from which it merchandises certain farm-related and lawn and garden products. Visual displays inside and outside can be changed easily for seasonal products and promotions and space can be reallocated easily among departments. The following chart indicates the average percentages of sales represented by each of the major product categories during fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996:
Percent of Total Sales -------------------------- Product Category 1998 1997 1996 ---------------- ---- ---- ---- Farm maintenance....................... 16% 19% 19% Animal care............................ 19 17 16 General maintenance.................... 18 16 17 Lawn and garden........................ 18 19 18 Light truck maintenance................ 13 13 14 Work clothing and other................ 16 16 16 ---- --- --- 100% 100% 100% ==== === ===
The Company's stores carry a consistent merchandise mix, tailored to some extent to specific regional needs and store size, and stock an average of 12,000 products. The Company's stores carry a wide selection of quality, nationally recognized name brand merchandise. The Company also markets private label merchandise under the Huskee, Traveller, Harvest Supreme, Retriever and Dumor registered trademarks. Management believes that selling these nationally recognized brands next to the Company's own high quality, private label merchandise offers its customers a range of products at various price points and helps build customer loyalty. The Company believes that it has also increased sales by distributing to in-store customers an easy-reference "blue book" catalog containing the descriptions and prices for thousands of its products. The Company uses a "power merchandising" selling strategy. Under this strategy, selected merchandise is given special emphasis through prominent displays, a comprehensive product line and strong inventory support. 4 5 Customer Service The Company's number one priority is customer service. Store Associates are the key to quality customer service, and the Company seeks to provide them with decision-making authority and training to enable them to meet customer needs. Store Associates are authorized to special order virtually any non-stocked item a customer may need. The Company's refund policy is "hassle free" if within 30 days of date of purchase and accompanied by a receipt. However, the Company also has a "satisfaction guaranteed" policy, such that if customers are not satisfied, Store Associates are authorized, at their discretion, to offer to repair or exchange the product, or offer store credits or refunds, irrespective of when the product was purchased. The Company believes that by providing these services it improves customer satisfaction, builds customer loyalty and generates repeat business. The Company devotes considerable resources to training its Store Associates, often in cooperation with its vendors. The Company's training programs include (i) a full management training program for manager trainees which covers all aspects of the Company's operations, (ii) product knowledge video tapes produced in conjunction with over 100 of its vendors, (iii) semi-annual retail training skills classes, (iv) semi-annual store managers meetings with vendor product presentations, (v) vendor sponsored in-store training programs and (vi) ongoing product information updates from the Company's management headquarters. The Company seeks to hire and train Store Associates with farming backgrounds. The Company provides financial incentives to its district managers, store managers, manager trainees, sales managers and sales clerks through incentive compensation programs based on the achievement of sales and/or profitability goals. The Company believes that its incentive compensation programs increase the motivation and overall performance of its Store Associates and the Company's ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. Purchasing and Distribution The Company offers an extensive selection of farm maintenance and other specialty products. The Company has established arrangements with certain of its principal vendors to develop new products, plan promotions, review marketing strategies, manage stock levels and develop merchandise displays. The Company is pursuing similar arrangements with other key vendors. The Company's business is not dependent upon any one vendor or particular group of vendors. The Company purchases its products from approximately 2,000 vendors, the five largest of which accounted for less than 25% of the Company's total purchases in fiscal 1998 and one of which (MTD Products, Inc.) accounted for more than 10% of the Company's purchases during such year. The Company has no material long-term contractual commitments with any of its vendors, has not experienced difficulty in obtaining satisfactory alternative sources of supply for its products and believes that adequate sources of supply exist at substantially similar costs for substantially all of its products. Approximately 765 vendors participate in the Company's electronic data interchanges ("EDI") system, which makes it possible for the Company to place purchase orders electronically. The Company is working to expand the number of vendors who transmit invoices to the Company and increase the amount of sales history transmitted from the Company, all through EDI. The Company's merchandise purchasing is centrally managed. The Company operates a 340,000 square foot distribution center in Indianapolis, Indiana and a 144,000 square foot distribution center in Omaha, Nebraska, from which it serviced approximately 150 stores and 93 stores, respectively, at December 26, 1998. The Company also intends to utilize smaller, strategically located "cross-dock" facilities to support the main distribution centers and transportation system network. The first such cross-dock facility, a 50,000 square foot distribution center located in Waco, Texas, was opened in the fall of 1996 and supports the Company's stores located in the Southwest region of the country. The Company also opened a similar cross-dock facility, a 28,000 square foot distribution center located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in March 1997 which will support the Company's growth and expansion plans in the Southeast region of the country. In fiscal 1998, the Company received approximately 65% of its merchandise through these distribution facilities, with the balance delivered directly to the Company's stores. The main distribution centers ship to each store at least twice a week during peak periods through a dedicated contract carrier. The Company is continuously evaluating its long-term strategic plan with respect to its distribution centers and transportation operations. 5 6 Management Information and Control Systems The Company has invested considerable resources in sophisticated management information and control systems to ensure superior customer service, support the purchase and distribution of merchandise and improve operating efficiencies. The management information and control systems include a point-of-sale system, a purchase order management system, a replenishment system, a merchandise planning system and full sales, inventory and gross margin management reporting systems. These systems are fully integrated and track merchandise from order through sale. All operational data from these systems is also fully integrated with the Company's financial systems. The Company is constantly assessing and upgrading its management information and control systems to support its growth, reduce and control costs, improve internal controls and operating efficiencies and facilitate better decision-making. In 1996, the Company completed the installation of an advanced point-of-sale store information system which has reduced customer check-out time, improved inventory control and enhanced overall productivity. In February 1999, the Company completed the initial installation of its new, "world-class" merchandise and warehouse management systems which will enable the Company to further improve its inventory management and control, allow for better decision making, enhance overall productivity and provide the flexibility to support the Company's growth plans while at the same time ensuring it is Year 2000 compliant. Competition The Company operates in a highly competitive market. While the Company believes it has successfully differentiated itself from general merchandise, home center and other specialty retailers, the Company faces select competition from these entities, as well as competition from independently owned retail farm stores, several privately-held regional farm store chains and farm cooperatives. Some of these competitors are units of large national or regional chains that have substantially greater financial and other resources than the Company. Management and Employees As of December 26, 1998, the Company employed approximately 1,600 full-time and approximately 1,500 part-time employees. The Company also employs additional part-time employees during peak periods. As of such date, approximately 120 employees of the Company's two main distribution centers were covered by collective bargaining agreements. These collective bargaining agreements at the Indianapolis, Indiana and Omaha, Nebraska distribution centers expire in April 2000 and August 1999, respectively. Management believes its district managers, store managers and other supervisory personnel have contributed significantly to the Company's performance. Management encourages the participation of all Store Associates in decision making, regularly solicits input and suggestions from Store Associates and responds to the suggestions expressed by Company employees. Management believes it has good relationships with its employees. Two of the four members of the Company's senior management, most of the Company's district managers and a significant portion of the Company's store managers were promoted to their positions from within the Company. All members of senior management have at least 15 years of experience in the retail industry and two members of senior management have at least 20 years of experience with the Company. District managers and store managers have an average length of service with the Company of approximately 6.8 years and 5.7 years, respectively. Management believes internal promotions, coupled with recruitment of college graduates and hiring of individuals with previous retail experience, will provide the management structure necessary to support expected store growth. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES As of December 26, 1998, the Company leased its four distribution facilities and its management headquarters, owned 73 stores (23 of which are subject to mortgages) and leased 170 stores. The store leases typically have initial terms of between 10 and 15 years, with one to three renewal periods of five years each, exercisable at the Company's option. None of the store leases or mortgages individually is material to the Company's operations. The leases at its Indianapolis, Indiana; Omaha, Nebraska; Waco, Texas and Winston-Salem, North Carolina distribution 6 7 facilities expire in 2000, 1999, 2000 and 1999 respectively, and the lease for its management headquarters expires in 2007. Seven of the Company's stores and its management headquarters are leased from affiliated parties. See Item 13. "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions". As of December 26, 1998, the Company operated 243 stores in 26 states as follows:
Number Number State of Stores State of Stores - ----- --------- ----- --------- Texas 41 Missouri 6 Ohio 33 Nebraska 6 Michigan 21 Virginia 6 Tennessee 21 Pennsylvania 5 Indiana 18 South Dakota 4 Kentucky 12 Alabama 3 Illinois 11 Maryland 2 North Carolina 10 Oklahoma 2 Iowa 9 South Carolina 2 North Dakota 8 Mississippi 1 Kansas 7 Montana 1 Arkansas 6 New York 1 Minnesota 6 Wisconsin 1
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company is not a party to any legal proceedings, other than routine claims and lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of its business. The Company does not believe that such claims and lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. Compliance with federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations pertaining to the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, has not had, and is not anticipated to have, a material effect upon the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the Company. State and local regulations in the United States that are designed to protect consumers or the environment have an increasing influence on product claims, contents and packaging. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY-HOLDERS No matter was submitted to a vote of the Company's security-holders during the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal year ended December 26, 1998. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the following list is included as an unnumbered item in Part I of this Report in lieu of being included in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 22, 1999. The following is a list of the names and ages of all of the executive officers of the registrant indicating all positions and offices with the registrant held by each such person and each person's principal occupations and employment during at least the past five years: 7 8
Name Position Age ---- -------- --- Joseph H. Scarlett, Jr....... Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director 56 Gerald W. Brase ............. Senior Vice President - Merchandising and Marketing 45 Michael E. Brown............. Senior Vice President - Operations 41 Thomas O. Flood.............. Senior Vice President-Administration and Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Director 52 John W. Atkins............... Vice President-Farm Merchandising 36 John E. Corbin............... Vice President-Operations (Region III) 40 Blake A. Fohl................ Vice President-Marketing 39 Lawrence Goldberg............ Vice President-Logistics 56 Leo H. Haberer............... Vice President-Real Estate 58 Stephen E. Hull.............. Vice President-Real Estate 41 Michael J. Kincaid........... Vice President-Controller, Treasurer and Secretary 41 Gary M. Magoni............... Vice President-Operations (Region I) 52 Stanley L. Ruta.............. Vice President-Operations (Region II) 47 Daisy L. Vanderlinde......... Vice President-Human Resources 47
- ------------------ Joseph H. Scarlett, Jr. became Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in July 1998, after having served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since February 1993 and as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from 1987 to February 1993. Between 1979 and 1987, Mr. Scarlett served as Vice President-Personnel, Senior Vice President-Administration and Executive Vice President-Operations of the Company. Prior to 1979, Mr. Scarlett held operational positions, including District Supervisor and Personnel Director, with Two Guys Discount Stores in New Jersey over a 15 year period. Mr. Scarlett has served as a director of the Company since 1982. Mr. Scarlett is currently a member of the International Mass Retail Association Board. Gerald W. Brase became Senior Vice President - Merchandising and Marketing of the Company in September 1997. Mr. Brase previously served as Divisional Vice President for Builders Square, a subsidiary of Kmart Corporation from 1993 to 1997. From 1985 to 1993, Mr. Brase served as Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager with the Hechinger Company. From 1969 to 1985, Mr. Brase held various merchandising and operational positions with the Hechinger Company and Sears, Roebuck & Company. Michael E. Brown became Senior Vice President - Operations of the Company in January 1998. Mr. Brown previously served as Executive Vice President of Store Operations with House of Fabrics, Inc. from 1994 to 1997. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Brown served as Vice President of Retail Sales, Regional Manager and District Manager with House of Fabrics, Inc. In November 1994, House of Fabrics, Inc. filed for bankruptcy reorganization, emerging in August 1996. From 1977 to 1991, Mr. Brown held various management and operational positions with the Rock Island County Council on Addictions, the 7 Eleven Food Stores of Iowa and the Prairie State Food Corporation. Thomas O. Flood became Senior Vice President - Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer of the Company in July 1998, after having served as Senior Vice President-Administration and Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since January 1996 and as Vice President of Administration and Finance of the Company since 1984 and as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since June 1993. Mr. Flood previously served as Vice President of Finance of the Company from 1982 to 1984, as Controller from 1981 to 1982 and in various financial and management information systems capacities between 1969 and 1981. Mr. Flood has served as a director of the Company since 1985. 8 9 John W. Atkins became Vice President - Farm Merchandising of the Company in December 1996 after having served as Division Merchandise Manager of Farm Products of the Company since July 1995 and as a Buyer of the Company since July 1992. From 1986 to 1992, Mr. Atkins held various positions, including most recently Division Manager-Field & Stream with Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. From 1983 to 1986, Mr. Atkins held various retail management positions with Kmart Corporation. John E. Corbin became Vice President - Operations of the Company in June 1997 after having served as Director of Real Estate of the Company since January 1997, as Special Projects Manager of the Company since July 1996 and as District Manager of the Company since October 1991. From 1988 to 1991, Mr. Corbin served as a store manager and area manager of the Company. Blake A. Fohl became Vice President - Marketing of the Company in December 1996 after having served as Director of Marketing of the Company since June 1995 and as a Buyer of the Company since August 1992. Mr. Fohl previously served as Divisional Manager of Green Seed Company from 1989 to 1992, as a Dairy Specialist with Purina Mills from 1986 to 1989 and as a store manager for Southern States Cooperative from 1981 to 1986. Lawrence Goldberg became Vice President - Logistics of the Company in October 1993 after having served as Director of Distribution of the Company since October 1992. Mr. Goldberg previously served as the Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing of Paccar Automotive Inc. from 1991 to 1992, the General Manager of Al's Auto Supply (a subsidiary of Paccar Automotive Inc.) from 1990 to 1991, the Director of Stores Division of Fuller O'Brien Paint Corporation from 1988 to 1990 and the Director of Stores of Saxon Paint & Home Care Centers from 1980 to 1988. Leo H. Haberer has served as Vice President - Real Estate of the Company since 1989. Prior to 1989, Mr. Haberer served as a Regional Vice President of the Company from 1975 to 1989 and as a store manager and zone manager from 1970 to 1975. Stephen E. Hull became Vice President - Real Estate of the Company in January 1999 after having served as Director of Real Estate of the Company since April 1998. Mr. Hull previously served as Vice President of Real Estate of Heilig-Myers Corporation from 1990 to 1998, and Development Partner for the Robinson & Wetmore Development Group from 1988 to 1990. Michael J. Kincaid became Vice President - Controller, Treasurer and Secretary of the Company in July 1998 after having served as Vice President - Controller and Secretary of the Company since January 1996, as the Controller of the Company since June 1991 and as the Secretary of the Company since May 1993. From 1981 to 1991, Mr. Kincaid held various management and staff accounting positions with Cole National Corporation, Revco D.S., Inc. and Price Waterhouse. Gary M. Magoni has served as a Vice President - Operations of the Company since 1989. Mr. Magoni previously served as a District Manager for Gold Circle Stores (a subsidiary of Federated Department Stores) from 1982 to 1988. Stanley L. Ruta has served as a Vice President - Operations of the Company since March 1994. Mr. Ruta previously served as Vice President of Store Planning and Development and Vice President of Store Operations of Central Tractor Farm and Family Center, Inc. from 1988 to 1994. From 1976 to 1988, Mr. Ruta held various other operational positions with Central Tractor Farm and Family Center, Inc., including District Manager from 1985 to 1988. Daisy L. Vanderlinde became Vice President - Human Resources of the Company in April 1996. Ms. Vanderlinde previously served as Vice President - Human Resources for Marshalls, Inc. from 1990 to 1996. From 1979 to 1990, Ms. Vanderlinde held various management and human resources positions, including most recently Divisional Vice President - Human Resources with The Broadway Stores, Inc., a division of Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc. 9 10 PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The Company's Common Stock began trading on The Nasdaq National Market on February 18, 1994 under the symbol "TSCO". The table below sets forth the high and low sales prices of the Company's Common Stock as reported by The Nasdaq National Market for each fiscal quarter of the periods indicated:
Price Range ----------------------------------------- Fiscal 1998 Fiscal 1997 ----------------- ----------------- High Low High Low ------- ------- ------- ------- First Quarter $23-1/4 $13-3/4 $21 $18-1/4 Second Quarter $26-1/2 $20-5/8 $21-1/2 $17-1/4 Third Quarter $26 $18 $20-5/8 $16-1/4 Fourth Quarter $27 $18-1/2 $22 $13-3/4
As of January 31, 1999, the approximate number of record holders of the Company's Common Stock was 65 (excluding individual participants in nominee security position listings) and the approximate number of beneficial holders of the Company's Common Stock was 2,200. The Company has not declared any cash dividends on its Common Stock during the two most recent fiscal years. The Company currently intends to retain all earnings for future operation and expansion of its business and, therefore, does not anticipate that any dividends will be declared on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Any future declaration of dividends will be subject to the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and subject to the Company's results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. The Company is also restricted from paying cash dividends by the terms of the note agreement which relates to mortgage notes on certain of its properties. ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The information set forth under the caption "Five Year Selected Financial and Operating Highlights" on page 8 of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 26, 1998 is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The information set forth under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" on pages 9 through 15 of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 26, 1998 is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK The Company had no holdings of derivative financial or commodity instruments at December 26, 1998. The Company is exposed to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. All borrowings under the Company's credit agreement bear interest at a variable rate based on the prime rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate. An increase in interest rates of 100 basis points would not significantly affect the Company's net income. All of the Company's business is transacted in U.S. dollars and, accordingly, foreign exchange rate fluctuations have never had a significant impact on the Company, and they are not expected to in the foreseeable future. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The information set forth under the captions "Report of Independent Accountants", "Balance Sheets", "Statements of Income", "Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity", "Statements of Cash Flows", and "Notes to Financial 10 11 Statements" on pages 16 through 30 of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 26, 1998 is incorporated herein by reference. The Company's unaudited operating results for each fiscal quarter within the two most recent fiscal years, as set forth under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" on page 10 of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 26, 1998, is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT The information set forth under the captions "Election of Class II Directors and Information Regarding Directors" and "Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934" on pages 2 through 4 and 14, respectively, of the Company's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 22, 1999 is incorporated herein by reference. The information set forth under the caption "Executive Officers of the Registrant" in Part I of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The information set forth under the captions "Board of Directors and Committees of the Board Compensation of Directors", "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation", "Executive Compensation", "Summary Compensation Table", "Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year", "Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values", "Compensation Committee's Report on Executive Compensation", and "Performance Graph" on pages 4 through 11 of the Company's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 22, 1999 is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The information set forth under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" on pages 14 and 15 of the Company's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 22, 1999 is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS The information set forth under the caption "Interests of Management in Certain Transactions" on pages 12 through 14 of the Company's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 22, 1999 is incorporated herein by reference. 11 12 PART IV ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) (1) Financial Statements Page -------------------- ---- The following financial statements and related notes of the Company contained on pages 16 through 30 of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 26, 1998 are incorporated herein by reference: Report of Independent Accountants .............................................................. Balance Sheets - December 26, 1998 and December 27, 1997 ....................................... Statements of Income - Fiscal Years Ended December 26, 1998, December 27, 1997 and December 28, 1996 .............................................................................. Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - Fiscal Years Ended December 26, 1998, December 27, 1997 and December 28, 1996 ........................................................ Statements of Cash Flows - Fiscal Years Ended December 26, 1998, December 27, 1997 and December 28, 1996 .............................................................................. Notes to Financial Statements ..................................................................
(a) (2) Financial Statement Schedules ----------------------------- None Financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or because the required information is otherwise furnished. (a) (3) Exhibits -------- The exhibits listed in the Index to Exhibits, which appears on pages 14 through 19 of this Form 10-K, are incorporated herein by reference or filed as part of this Form 10-K. (b) Reports on Form 8-K ------------------- No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Registrant during the last quarter of the fiscal year ended December 26, 1998. 12 13 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY Date: March 17, 1999 By: / s / Thomas O. Flood --------------------- Thomas O. Flood Senior Vice President - Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date --------- ----- ---- /s/ Joseph H. Scarlett, Jr.* Chairman of the Board, President, March 17, 1999 ------------------------------- Chief Executive Officer and Director Joseph H. Scarlett, Jr. (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ Thomas O. Flood Senior Vice President - Administration March 17, 1999 ------------------------------- and Finance, Chief Financial Officer Thomas O. Flood and Director (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) /s/ Thomas J. Hennesy, III* Director March 17, 1999 ------------------------------- Thomas J. Hennesy, III /s/ Joseph D. Maxwell* Director March 17, 1999 ------------------------------- Joseph D. Maxwell /s/ S.P. Braud* Director March 17, 1999 ------------------------------- S.P. Braud /s/ Joseph M. Rodgers* Director March 17, 1999 ------------------------------- Joseph M. Rodgers *By: /s/ Thomas O. Flood ---------------------- Thomas O. Flood Attorney-in-fact by authority of Power of Attorney
13 14 INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Page Number Exhibit by Sequential Number Description Numbering System - ------ ----------- ---------------- 2.1 Plan of Reorganization and Exchange Agreement, dated as of May 1, 1991, between the Company and Thomas J. Hennesy, III (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on February 14, 1994 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 8, 1997, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 3.2 Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 28, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 8, 1997, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 3.3 Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company, filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 13, 1997 (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 8, 1997, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 3.4 Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company as currently in effect (filed as Exhibit 3.7 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 4.1 Form of Specimen Certificate representing the Company's Common Stock, par value $.008 per share (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on January 31, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.1 Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 31, 1994, among the Company, The First National Bank of Boston, as agent and for itself, and First American National Bank (filed as Exhibit 1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on November 9, 1994, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.2 Revolving Credit Note, dated as of August 31, 1994, issued by the Company to The First National Bank of Boston in the aggregate principal amount of $25 million (filed as Exhibit 2 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on November 9, 1994, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.3 Revolving Credit Note, dated as of August 31, 1994, issued by the Company to First American National Bank in the aggregate principal amount of $5 million (filed as Exhibit 3 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on November 9, 1994, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).
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Page Number Exhibit by Sequential Number Description Numbering System - ------ ----------- ---------------- 10.4 First Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of July 31, 1996, among the Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as agent and for itself and First American National Bank (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Commission File No. 000-23314, filed with the Commission on November 6, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.5 Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Note, dated as of July 31, 1996, issued by the Company to First American National Bank in the aggregate principal amount of $20 million (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Commission File No. 000-23314, filed with the Commission on November 6, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.6 Second Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 23, 1998, among the Company and BankBoston, N.A. (successor to The First National Bank of Boston) as agent and for itself, First American National Bank, and SunTrust Bank Nashville, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on May 1, 1998, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.7 Revolving Credit Note, dated as of March 23, 1998, issued by the Company to SunTrust Bank Nashville, N.A. in the aggregate principal amount of $15 million (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on May 1, 1998, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.8 Loan Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1998 between the Company and SunTrust Bank, Nashville, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 10.37 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on October 30, 1998, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.9 Term Note, dated as of June 30, 1998, issued by the Company to SunTrust Bank, Nashville, N.A. in the aggregate amount of $15 million (filed as Exhibit 10.38 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on October 30, 1998, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.10 Note Agreement (the "Note Agreement"), dated as of April 1, 1988, among the Company, The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York and MONY Life Insurance Company of America (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.11 First Amendment to Note Agreement, dated April 1, 1991, among the Company, The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York and MONY Life Insurance Company of America (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.12 Second Amendment to Note Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1992, among the Company, The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York and MONY Life Insurance Company of America (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Registrant's Registration
15 16
Page Number Exhibit by Sequential Number Description Numbering System - ------ ----------- ---------------- Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.13 Third Amendment to Note Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1993, among the Company, The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York and MONY Life Insurance Company of America (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.14 Form of Adjustable Rate First Mortgage Notes due January 1, 2004 issued by the Company to The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York and MONY Life Insurance Company of America pursuant to the Note Agreement, as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.15 Form of Mortgage, dated as of May 10, 1988, from the Company to The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York pursuant to the Note Agreement, as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.16 Ground Lease Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1991, between the Company and GOF Indiana Corp. (relating to Plainfield, Indiana store) (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.17 Indenture of Lease, dated as of September 1, 1991, between the Company and GOF Indiana Corp. (relating to Plainfield, Indiana store) (filed as Exhibit 10.11 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.18 Indenture of Lease, dated as of January 1, 1986, between the Company and Thomas J., III and Cheryl D. Hennesy (relating to Corpus Christi, Texas store) (filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.19 Indenture of Lease, dated as of August 1, 1994, between the Company and Thomas J., III and Cheryl D. Hennesy (relating to Paris, Texas store) (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 15, 1995, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.20 Indenture of Lease, dated as of January 1, 1986, between the Company and Joseph H., Jr. and Dorothy F. Scarlett (relating to Omaha, Nebraska store) (filed as Exhibit 10.14 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference).
16 17
Page Number Exhibit by Sequential Number Description Numbering System - ------ ----------- ---------------- 10.21 Indenture of Lease, dated as of January 1, 1986, between the Company and Gerald E. and Gail E. Newkirk (relating to Waterloo, Iowa store) (filed as Exhibit 10.15 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.22 Amendment No. 1 to Lease Agreement, dated July 1, 1992, between the Company and Gerald E. and Gail E. Newkirk (relating to Waterloo, Iowa store) (filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.23 Indenture of Lease, dated as of January 1, 1986, between the Company and Gerald E. and Gail E. Newkirk (relating to Sioux Falls, South Dakota store) (filed as Exhibit 10.17 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.24 Indenture of Lease, dated as of January 1, 1986, between the Company and Joseph D. and Juliann K. Maxwell (relating to Nashville, Tennessee store) (filed as Exhibit 10.18 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.25 Indenture of Lease, dated as of January 1, 1986, between the Company and Thomas O. and Vickie Flood (relating to Mandan, North Dakota store) (filed as Exhibit 10.19 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.26 Indenture of Lease, dated as of September 15, 1986, between the Company and GOF Partners (relating to Nashville, Tennessee management headquarters) (filed as Exhibit 10.20 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.27 Consulting and Noncompetition Agreement, dated as of May 1, 1991, between the Company and Thomas J. Hennesy, III (filed as Exhibit 10.21 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.28 Tractor Supply Company 1994 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.29 Amendment to the Tractor Supply Company 1994 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.25 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on August 8, 1997, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference).
17 18
Page Number Exhibit by Sequential Number Description Numbering System - ------ ----------- ---------------- 10.30 TSC Industries, Inc. Employee 401(k) Retirement Plan (including the Notices of the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Amendments thereto and the Trust Agreement forming a part thereof) (filed as Exhibit 10.29 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.31 Form of Notice of the Revised Sixth Amendment to the TSC Industries, Inc. Employee 401(k) Retirement Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.30 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on January 31, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.32 Senior Executive Incentive Plan of the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.28 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 18, 1998, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.33 Other Executive Incentive Plan of the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.29 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 18, 1998, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.34 Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement constituting the Deferred Compensation Plan of the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.30 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 18, 1998, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.35 Certificate of Insurance relating to the Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan of the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.33 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.36 Summary plan description of the Executive Life Insurance Plan of the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.34 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on December 17, 1993, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.37 Agreement, effective August 1, 1996, between the Company and General Drivers & Helpers Union, Local # 554 (filed as Exhibit 10.31 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 21, 1997, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.38 Agreement, effective April 1, 1996, between the Company and Chauffeurs, Teamsters, Warehousemen and Helpers, Local Union No. 135 (filed as Exhibit 10.32 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 21, 1997, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.39 Tractor Supply Company 1996 Associate Stock Purchase Plan (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-10699, filed with the Commission on August 23, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference).
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Page Number Exhibit by Sequential Number Description Numbering System - ------ ----------- ---------------- 10.40 Indemnification Agreement, dated January 27, 1994, between the Company and Thomas O. Flood (filed as Exhibit 10.38 to Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-73028, filed with the Commission on January 31, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.41 Tractor Supply Company Restated 401(k) Retirement Plan (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-35317, filed with the Commission on September 10, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.42 Trust Agreement (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-35317, filed with the Commission on September 10, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.43 Noncompetition Agreement, dated as of June 30, 1996, between the Company and Joseph D. Maxwell (filed as Exhibit 10.35 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on October 31, 1997, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 10.44 Noncompetition Agreement, dated as of June 9, 1997, between the Company and Gerald E. Newkirk (filed as Exhibit 10.36 to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the Commission on October 31, 1997, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). *10.45 Split-Dollar Agreement, dated January 27, 1998, between the Company and Joseph H. Scarlett, Jr., Tara Anne Scarlett and Andrew Sinclair Scarlett. *10.46 Split-Dollar Agreement, dated January 2, 1998, between the Company and Thomas O. Flood and Terry Mainiero, as Trustee of the Flood 1997 Irrevocable Trust under Agreement dated November 10, 1997. *13.1 Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 26, 1998. *23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. *23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. 24.1 Power of Attorney (filed as Exhibit 24.1 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 15, 1995, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). 24.2 Power of Attorney (filed as Exhibit 24.2 to Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on March 20, 1996, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). *27.1 Financial Data Schedule (only submitted to SEC in electronic format).
- ------------- * Filed herewith. 19 EX-10.45 2 SPLIT-DOLLAR AGREEMENT 1 Exhibit 10.45 SPLIT-DOLLAR AGREEMENT TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY, INC. THIS AGREEMENT, the "Agreement," made and entered into effective as of the date of January 27, 1998, by and between TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, the "Corporation", and JOSEPH H. SCARLETT, JR., the "Employee", and TARA ANNE SCARLETT AND ANDREW SINCLAIR SCARLETT, as Co-Trustees of the Scarlett 1997 Irrevocable Trust under Agreement dated December 20, 1997, the "Trust", WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, the Employee is a valued employee of the Corporation and has rendered competent and faithful efforts on behalf of the Corporation resulting in substantial benefit to the Corporation; and, WHEREAS, the Corporation values the efforts, abilities, and accomplishments of the Employee and his contributions as an important member of management, wishes to continue his employment, and is willing to assist the Employee with his personal life insurance program by providing for payment of the premiums on certain life insurance as an additional employment benefit for Employee; and, WHEREAS, the Trust is the owner of certain life insurance on the life of Employee and Employee's wife as issued by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, 2 Policy Number 14530140, the "Policy," and the Trust alone holds and may exercise any and all rights in and to the Policy; and, WHEREAS, the Trust has agreed to assign the Policy to the Corporation as collateral for the purpose of securing to the Corporation repayment of the Corporation's Policy Interest as defined herein; and, WHEREAS, the arrangement set forth in this Agreement among the Corporation, the Employee, and the Trust is intended to constitute a split dollar life insurance employee benefit plan as described in Revenue Ruling 64-328, NOW, THEREFORE, premises considered, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set out herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: 1. Indebtedness. The "Indebtedness" is defined as the greater of (i) the cumulative amounts paid by the Corporation, including amounts paid under Article 5 of this Agreement, on the Policy, or (ii) the cash surrender value of the Policy, including the cash surrender value of paid up additions. 2. Policy Interest. The Corporation's "Policy Interest" is defined as an amount equal to the Indebtedness. The Trust's "Policy Interest" is defined as all other interests in and to the Policy. 2 3 3. Policy of Insurance. The Trust has previously acquired the Policy as issued by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company on the lives of the Employee and the Employee's wife. The Trust is the sole owner of the policy. 4. Ownership of Policy. (a) Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, the Trust shall execute and deliver to the Corporation an assignment of the Policy to the Corporation as collateral security for the repayment of the Corporation's Policy Interest, the "Collateral Assignment"; such assignment shall be made using a standard form collateral assignment agreement and shall be for the sole purpose of securing repayment to the Corporation of its Policy Interest. (b) The Trust shall continue to be the owner of the Policy and alone may exercise all ownership rights granted to the owner thereof by the terms of the Policy as the Trustee may determine, subject only to the rights and interests of the Corporation under the Collateral Assignment. (c) Except for the Corporation's Policy Interest and the security therefor under the Collateral Assignment, the Trust alone shall have and be entitled to exercise all rights as the owner of the Policy. Specifically, the Corporation shall not take any action beyond its rights as the assignee under the Collateral Assignment which would impair or defeat the Trust's rights in the Policy. 3 4 5. Application of Dividends. Any dividends declared by Insurer on the Policy shall, at the election of the Trust: (a) Be applied to purchase paid-up additional insurance; or (b) Be applied to reduce the premiums payable on the Policy. 6. Trust Undertaking To Pay Indebtedness. The Trust promises and undertakes to pay to the Corporation an amount equal to the Indebtedness, determined as of the time of such event, promptly at the earlier of: (a) The termination of this Agreement; (b) The surrender or cancellation of the Policy; or, (c) The death of the survivor of Employee and Employee's wife. The Trust shall have the option to terminate this Agreement at any time by payment to the Corporation of an amount equal to the indebtedness as provided in Section 9. 7. Premium Payment. (a) Unless Employee is terminated for cause by the Corporation or voluntarily terminates his employment with the Corporation prior to his having attained the age of Fifty-five (55) years, the Corporation shall pay all premiums necessary to keep the Policy in full force and effect for so long as Employee or Employee's wife shall live. (b) The Corporation shall notify Employee each year of the exact amount due of such premium payment as shall constitute additional compensation to Employee, from Corporation, which amount shall be the lesser of (i) the PS-38 rate, while 4 5 Employee and Employee's wife are both living, or (ii) the Insurer's current published premium rate for annually renewable term insurance for standard risks as insured under the Policy. 8. Collateral Assignment. In order to secure to the Corporation the payment of its Policy Interest, the Trustee has assigned the Policy to the Corporation as collateral using the form provided therefor by the Insurer. Payment to the Corporation of its Policy Interest shall be made from the cash surrender value of the Policy, as defined therein, in the event this Agreement is terminated or in the event of the surrender or cancellation of the Policy, or from the death proceeds of the Policy upon the death of both Employee and Employee's wife. In no event shall the Corporation have any right or authority to borrow against or otherwise encumber the Policy or exercise any other rights of an owner thereunder. The Collateral Assignment shall conform to the provisions of this Agreement. 9. Release of Collateral Assignment. (a) The Trust shall have the right and option to obtain the release of the Collateral Assignment at any time by payment to the Corporation of an amount equal to the Corporation's Policy Interest. Upon payment to the Corporation of such amount, the Corporation shall promptly release the Collateral Assignment and shall have no further interests in the Policy. (b) In the event of a termination of this Agreement other than on account of the death of Employee and Employee's wife, unless the Trust shall pay the 5 6 Corporation an amount equal to the Corporation's Policy Interest, the Trust shall execute and deliver such documents and instruments as may reasonably be required in order to transfer the Policy to the Corporation. Should the Trust elect to surrender the Policy to the Corporation, then the Corporation may hold, maintain, surrender, or otherwise dispose of the Policy as it may desire and the Trust shall have no further interests in the Policy. 10. Trust's Right in Policy. (a) The Trust shall take no action with respect to the policy which would in any way impair or compromise the Corporation's Policy Interest without the prior written consent of the Corporation. (b) The Trust may pledge or assign the Policy, subject to the Collateral Assignment in favor of the Corporation, in order to secure a loan from the Insurer or from a third party not in excess of the then cash surrender value of the Policy. Interest charges and other costs of any such borrowings shall be the responsibility of the Trust. (c) The Trust shall have the sole right to surrender or cancel the Policy and to make any elections allowed under the Policy, subject always to the rights of the Corporation under the Collateral Assignment. Upon the surrender or cancellation of the Policy, however, the Corporation shall have the unqualified right to be paid its Policy Interest. 6 7 (d) The Trust shall have the right at any time to terminate this Agreement and obtain the release of the Collateral Assignment as provided in Section 9 hereof. 11. Death of Employee. (a) Upon the death of the survivor of the Employee and Employee's wife, the Trust shall promptly take all action necessary to obtain the death benefit provided under the Policy. (b) The Corporation shall have the unqualified right to be paid an amount equal to its Policy Interest. (c) The balance of any death benefit provided under the Policy shall be paid to the Trust in the manner and in the amount or amounts provided in the beneficiary designation provision of the Policy. 12. Release of Insurer. Insurer shall be fully discharged from its obligations under the Policy by payment of the Policy death benefit to the beneficiary or beneficiaries named in the Policy and the Collateral Assignment. In no event shall Insurer be considered a party to this Agreement or to any modification or amendment hereof. No provision of this Agreement, nor of any modification or amendment hereof, shall in any way be construed as enlarging, changing, varying, or in any other way modifying the obligations of Insurer as expressly provided in the Policy, except as and to the extent the provisions of the Collateral Assignment. 7 8 13. Special Provision. The following provisions are intended to meet the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. (a) The Secretary of the Corporation shall be the named fiduciary. (b) The funding policy is that all premiums on the Policy shall be remitted to the issuer when due. (c) Direct payment by the insurer is the basis of payment of benefits, such benefits being in turn based upon the payment of premiums as provided herein. (d) For claims purposes, the "Claims Manager" shall be an officer of the Corporation. (i) If for any reason a claim for benefits hereunder is denied by the Corporation, the Claims Manager shall provide a written explanation setting forth the reasons for the denial, pertinent references to this Agreement on which such denial is based, and such other data and materials as may be pertinent, together with information of the procedures to be followed in obtaining a review of the claim, written in a manner calculated to be understood by claimant. For this purpose, (a) a claim shall be deemed filed when presented orally or in writing to the Claims Manager, and (B) the explanation of the Claims Manager shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the claimant within Ninety (90) days of the date the claim was filed. (ii) The claimant shall have Sixty (60) days following receipt of a denial of his claim to file with the Claims Manager a written request for review of the 8 9 denial. For such review, the claimant may submit pertinent documents and written issues and comments. 14. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended, altered, or modified except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto, or their respective successors or assigns, and may not be otherwise terminated except as provided herein. 15. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and insure to the benefit of the Corporation, the Employee, and the Trustee, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, and beneficiaries. 16. Notice. Any notice, consent, or demand required or permitted to be given under the provisions of this Agreement shall be in a writing signed by the party giving or making the same. Such notice, consent, or demand may be delivered by hand or may be mailed by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such party's last known address. Such notice, consent, or demand shall be effective upon receipt. 17. Captions. The captions appearing in this Agreement are for convenience only, and do not in any way define, limit, or describe the scope of this Agreement, or the intent or content of any provision hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement, in duplicate, as of the day and year first above written. CORPORATION: 9 10 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY, INC. BY: /s/ Michael J. Kincaid --------------------------------- its: Vice President ------------------------------- EMPLOYEE: /s/ Joseph H. Scarlett, Jr. ------------------------------------ JOSEPH H. SCARLETT, JR. TRUST: SCARLETT 1997 IRREVOCABLE TRUST UNDER AGREEMENT DATED 12/__/97 By: /s/ Tara Anne Scarlett ------------------------------ Tara Anne Scarlett, Co-Trustee By: /s/ Andrew Sinclair Scarlett ------------------------------ Andrew Sinclair Scarlett, Co-Trustee 10 EX-10.46 3 SPLIT-DOLLAR AGREEMENT 1 Exhibit 10.46 SPLIT-DOLLAR AGREEMENT TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY, INC. THIS AGREEMENT, the "Agreement," made and entered into effective as of the date of January 2, 1998, by and between TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, the "Corporation", and THOMAS O. FLOOD, the "Employee", and TERRY MAINIERO, as Trustee of the Flood 1997 Irrevocable Trust under Agreement dated November 10, 1997, the "Trust", WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, the Employee is a valued employee of the Corporation and has rendered competent and faithful efforts on behalf of the Corporation resulting in substantial benefit to the Corporation; and, WHEREAS, the Corporation values the efforts, abilities, and accomplishments of the Employee and his contributions as an important member of management, wishes to continue his employment, and is willing to assist the Employee with his personal life insurance program by providing for payment of the premiums on certain life insurance as an additional employment benefit for Employee; and, WHEREAS, the Trust is the owner of certain life insurance on the life of Employee and Employee's wife as issued by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Policy Number 1 2 14-515-028, the "Policy," and the Trust alone holds and may exercise any and all rights in and to the Policy; and, WHEREAS, the Trust has agreed to assign the Policy to the Corporation as collateral for the purpose of securing to the Corporation repayment of the Corporation's Policy Interest as defined herein; and, WHEREAS, the arrangement set forth in this Agreement among the Corporation, the Employee, and the Trust is intended to constitute a split dollar life insurance employee benefit plan as described in Revenue Ruling 64-328, NOW, THEREFORE, premises considered, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits set out herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: 1. Indebtedness. The "Indebtedness" is defined as the greater of (i) the cumulative amounts paid by the Corporation, including amounts paid under Article 5 of this Agreement, on the Policy, or (ii) the cash surrender value of the Policy, including the cash surrender value of paid up additions. 2. Policy Interest. The Corporation's "Policy Interest" is defined as an amount equal to the Indebtedness. The Trust's "Policy Interest" is defined as all other interests in and to the Policy. 2 3 3. Policy of Insurance. The Trust has previously acquired the Policy as issued by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company on the lives of the Employee and the Employee's wife. The Trust is the sole owner of the policy. 4. Ownership of Policy. (a) Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, the Trust shall execute and deliver to the Corporation an assignment of the Policy to the Corporation as collateral security for the repayment of the Corporation's Policy Interest, the "Collateral Assignment"; such assignment shall be made using a standard form collateral assignment agreement and shall be for the sole purpose of securing repayment to the Corporation of its Policy Interest. (b) The Trust shall continue to be the owner of the Policy and alone may exercise all ownership rights granted to the owner thereof by the terms of the Policy as the Trustee may determine, subject only to the rights and interests of the Corporation under the Collateral Assignment. (c) Except for the Corporation's Policy Interest and the security therefor under the Collateral Assignment, the Trust alone shall have and be entitled to exercise all rights as the owner of the Policy. Specifically, the Corporation shall not take any action beyond its rights as the assignee under the Collateral Assignment which would impair or defeat the Trust's rights in the Policy. 3 4 5. Application of Dividends. Any dividends declared by Insurer on the Policy shall, at the election of the Trust: (a) Be applied to purchase paid-up additional insurance; or (b) Be applied to reduce the premiums payable on the Policy. 6. Trust Undertaking To Pay Indebtedness. The Trust promises and undertakes to pay to the Corporation an amount equal to the Indebtedness, determined as of the time of such event, promptly at the earlier of: (a) The termination of this Agreement; (b) The surrender or cancellation of the Policy; or, (c) The death of the survivor of Employee and Employee's wife. The Trust shall have the option to terminate this Agreement at any time by payment to the Corporation of an amount equal to the indebtedness as provided in Section 9. 7. Premium Payment. (a) Unless Employee is terminated for cause by the Corporation or voluntarily terminates his employment with the Corporation prior to his having attained the age of Fifty-five (55) years, the Corporation shall pay all premiums necessary to keep the Policy in full force and effect for so long as Employee or Employee's wife shall live. (b) The Corporation shall notify Employee each year of the exact amount due of such premium payment as shall constitute additional compensation to Employee, from Corporation, which amount shall be the lesser of (i) the PS-38 rate, while 4 5 Employee and Employee's wife are both living, or (ii) the Insurer's current published premium rate for annually renewable term insurance for standard risks as insured under the Policy. 8. Collateral Assignment. In order to secure to the Corporation the payment of its Policy Interest, the Trustee has assigned the Policy to the Corporation as collateral using the form provided therefor by the Insurer. Payment to the Corporation of its Policy Interest shall be made from the cash surrender value of the Policy, as defined therein, in the event this Agreement is terminated or in the event of the surrender or cancellation of the Policy, or from the death proceeds of the Policy upon the death of both Employee and Employee's wife. In no event shall the Corporation have any right or authority to borrow against or otherwise encumber the Policy or exercise any other rights of an owner thereunder. The Collateral Assignment shall conform to the provisions of this Agreement. 9. Release of Collateral Assignment. (a) The Trust shall have the right and option to obtain the release of the Collateral Assignment at any time by payment to the Corporation of an amount equal to the Corporation's Policy Interest. Upon payment to the Corporation of such amount, the Corporation shall promptly release the Collateral Assignment and shall have no further interests in the Policy. (b) In the event of a termination of this Agreement other than on account of the death of Employee and Employee's wife, unless the Trust shall pay the 5 6 Corporation an amount equal to the Corporation's Policy Interest, the Trust shall execute and deliver such documents and instruments as may reasonably be required in order to transfer the Policy to the Corporation. Should the Trust elect to surrender the Policy to the Corporation, then the Corporation may hold, maintain, surrender, or otherwise dispose of the Policy as it may desire and the Trust shall have no further interests in the Policy. 10. Trust's Right in Policy. (a) The Trust shall take no action with respect to the policy which would in any way impair or compromise the Corporation's Policy Interest without the prior written consent of the Corporation. (b) The Trust may pledge or assign the Policy, subject to the Collateral Assignment in favor of the Corporation, in order to secure a loan from the Insurer or from a third party not in excess of the then cash surrender value of the Policy. Interest charges and other costs of any such borrowings shall be the responsibility of the Trust. (c) The Trust shall have the sole right to surrender or cancel the Policy and to make any elections allowed under the Policy, subject always to the rights of the Corporation under the Collateral Assignment. Upon the surrender or cancellation of the Policy, however, the Corporation shall have the unqualified right to be paid its Policy Interest. 6 7 (d) The Trust shall have the right at any time to terminate this Agreement and obtain the release of the Collateral Assignment as provided in Section 9 hereof. 11. Death of Employee. (a) Upon the death of the survivor of the Employee and Employee's wife, the Trust shall promptly take all action necessary to obtain the death benefit provided under the Policy. (b) The Corporation shall have the unqualified right to be paid an amount equal to its Policy Interest. (c) The balance of any death benefit provided under the Policy shall be paid to the Trust in the manner and in the amount or amounts provided in the beneficiary designation provision of the Policy. 12. Release of Insurer. Insurer shall be fully discharged from its obligations under the Policy by payment of the Policy death benefit to the beneficiary or beneficiaries named in the Policy and the Collateral Assignment. In no event shall Insurer be considered a party to this Agreement or to any modification or amendment hereof. No provision of this Agreement, nor of any modification or amendment hereof, shall in any way be construed as enlarging, changing, varying, or in any other way modifying the obligations of Insurer as expressly provided in the Policy, except as and to the extent the provisions of the Collateral Assignment. 7 8 13. Special Provision. The following provisions are intended to meet the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. (a) The Secretary of the Corporation shall be the named fiduciary. (b) The funding policy is that all premiums on the Policy shall be remitted to the issuer when due. (c) Direct payment by the insurer is the basis of payment of benefits, such benefits being in turn based upon the payment of premiums as provided herein. (d) For claims purposes, the "Claims Manager" shall be an officer of the Corporation. (i) If for any reason a claim for benefits hereunder is denied by the Corporation, the Claims Manager shall provide a written explanation setting forth the reasons for the denial, pertinent references to this Agreement on which such denial is based, and such other data and materials as may be pertinent, together with information of the procedures to be followed in obtaining a review of the claim, written in a manner calculated to be understood by claimant. For this purpose, (a) a claim shall be deemed filed when presented orally or in writing to the Claims Manager, and (B) the explanation of the Claims Manager shall be in writing and shall be delivered to the claimant within Ninety (90) days of the date the claim was filed. (ii) The claimant shall have Sixty (60) days following receipt of a denial of his claim to file with the Claims Manager a written request for review of the 8 9 denial. For such review, the claimant may submit pertinent documents and written issues and comments. 14. Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended, altered, or modified except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto, or their respective successors or assigns, and may not be otherwise terminated except as provided herein. 15. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and insure to the benefit of the Corporation, the Employee, and the Trustee, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, and beneficiaries. 16. Notice. Any notice, consent, or demand required or permitted to be given under the provisions of this Agreement shall be in a writing signed by the party giving or making the same. Such notice, consent, or demand may be delivered by hand or may be mailed by United States certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such party's last known address. Such notice, consent, or demand shall be effective upon receipt. 17. Captions. The captions appearing in this Agreement are for conve nience only, and do not in any way define, limit, or describe the scope of this Agreement, or the intent or content of any provision hereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement, in duplicate, as of the day and year first above written. CORPORATION: 9 10 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY, INC. BY: /s/ Michael J. Kincaid --------------------------------- its: Vice President EMPLOYEE: /s/ Thomas O. Flood --------------------------------- Thomas O. Flood TRUST: FLOOD 1997 IRREVOCABLE TRUST UNDER AGREEMENT DATED 11/10/97 By: /s/ Terry Mainiero --------------------------------- Terry Mainiero, Trustee 10 EX-13.1 4 ANNUAL REPORT 1 Exhibit 13.1 [Photo] Cover Page [TSC] TRACTOR SUPPLY CO Where America's Farmers Shop Record Financial Performance Aggressive Growth Plans Customer-Driven Merchandise Initiatives Spreading the Word-New Marketing Initiatives 1998 ANNUAL REPORT 2 [Photo] -- Store Front COMPANY PROFILE Since its founding as a mail order tractor parts business in 1938, Tractor Supply Company has grown to be one of the largest operators of retail farm stores in America. The Company supplies the daily farming and maintenance needs of its target customers: hobby, part-time and full-time farmers and ranchers, as well as rural customers, contractors and tradesmen. At the close of fiscal 1998, the Company operated 243 retail farm stores in 26 states. Tractor Supply Company stores typically range in size from 12,000 to 14,000 square feet of inside space and utilize at least as many square feet of outside selling space. An average store displays a comprehensive selection of over 12,000 different products, including farm maintenance products (fencing, tractor parts and accessories, agricultural spraying equipment and tillage parts); animal products (specialty feeds, supplements, medicines, veterinary supplies and livestock feeders); general maintenance products (air compressors, welders, generators, pumps, plumbing and tools); lawn and garden products (riding mowers, tillers and fertilizers); light truck equipment; and work clothing. The stores are located in rural communities and in the outlying areas of large cities where farming is a significant factor in the local economy. The Company employs approximately 3,100 people. Tractor Supply Company has been a public company since February 1994. Its stock is traded on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "TSCO". NUMBER OF STORES BY STATE [Map] Texas 41 Kansas 7 Oklahoma 2 Ohio 33 Arkansas 6 South Carolina 2 Michigan 21 Minnesota 6 Mississippi 1 Tennessee 21 Missouri 6 Montana 1 Indiana 18 Nebraska 6 New York 1 Kentucky 12 Virginia 6 Wisconsin 1 --- Illinois 11 Pennsylvania 5 Total 243 === North Carolina 10 South Dakota 4 Iowa 9 Alabama 3 North Dakota 8 Maryland 2
Visit us on the Web at www.tractorsupplyco.com 3 1 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (in thousands, except where noted)
Fiscal Year Percent ----------------------- Increase 1998 1997 (Decrease) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating Results: Net sales $ 600,677 $ 509,052 18.0% Income before income taxes 25,292 19,933 26.9 Net income 14,800 11,761 25.8 Net income per share - basic ($) 1.69 1.34 26.1 Net income per share - assuming dilution ($) 1.68 1.34 25.4 Financial Position: Total assets 264,649 224,080 18.1 Cash and short-term investments 18,201 8,477 114.7 Stockholders' equity 119,976 104,889 14.4 Long-term debt to equity (%) 30.9 29.7 4.0 Statistics: Number of stores (#) 243 228 6.6 Square footage at year end 3,014 2,807 7.4 Average sales per store 2,472 2,233 10.7 Net sales per square foot ($) 206 191 7.9
[Bar Graph] [Bar Graph] [Bar Graph] Net Sales Total number of 5-year compound 1994/1998 stores 1994/1998 growth rate 4 2 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY Letter To Stockholders Last year marked a tremendous milestone for Tractor Supply Company. Sales exceeded the magic six hundred million-dollar mark and profits set a new record. In addition I can confidently say that our leadership team is the strongest ever. The future for our company and for our special niche in the retail market looks very bright. [Joe Scarlett] [Picture] FINANCIAL RESULTS - annual sales increased 18% and the more important measure of comparable store sales grew by a very strong 10.9%. Net income was $14.8 million, up 26% for the year. On a per-share basis Tractor Supply earned $1.68 compared to $1.34 in 1997. Sales and profit growth out-paced most other retail companies last year. MARKET NICHE - we have a very special and unique niche in the retail market serving the basic maintenance needs of farm, ranch and rural customers. Staying very close to our customers is the way we so effectively respond to their changing needs. We continually define and re-define our merchandising, marketing and operations. Tractor Supply Company is the leader in the farm and ranch business because we take the best care of our customer. SALES GROWTH - driving comparable store sales is our principal focus at Tractor Supply. We start by providing the very best customer service. Then product assortments are continually changed and improved to best respond to customer needs. Diligent attention to staying in stock in the basic maintenance products is another essential element in our sales growth. When we talk about sales at Tractor Supply Company "we only talk about comparable store sales growth" because that is the key component that drives profit improvement. MARKETING - 1998 marked the first year of the new Tractor Supply Company marketing program. Print advertising was the most aggressive ever and we aired over 200,000 commercials in our first serious radio effort. We also advertised nationally on three cable television networks for the first time. Our spokesmen country music superstar George Strait and renowned horse trainer John Lyons were both featured in radio and TV commercials. 5 3 NEW STORE GROWTH - Tractor Supply successfully opened 15 new stores last year that are meeting or exceeding our expectations. In 1999 we will return to 12% unit growth by opening 30 additional stores. INFRASTRUCTURE - Tractor Supply is committed to infrastructure investment that supports future growth. We are now operating SAP retail systems, which are considered the most advanced retail systems in the world. We are proud to say the project was completed under budget and in record time. Logistics operations will easily meet future needs through both capacity growth and efficiency improvements. We will progressively and prudently expand all aspects of infrastructure capacity to support growth. LEADERSHIP TEAM - the organization is making major strides forward with the added leadership from our two new senior vice-presidents. Jerry Brase has driven major product assortment changes and spearheaded new marketing initiatives. Mike Brown's influence on systems, processes, shrinkage reduction and development of the field management team is making a positive difference. The Executive team today is more focused, aligned and committed than ever before. OUR PEOPLE - Tractor Supply Company is fortunate to have over 3,000 dedicated hard-working associates who all contribute to our success. People make the difference in business. Our people are the best. OUTLOOK - we expect 6% to 8% same store sales growth, 12% new store unit growth and consistent annual 20% net income improvement. Our niche is clearly defined, our management team is in place and focused, and there is a positive spirit throughout the organization. The outlook for Tractor Supply Company is the best ever! I am more confident about the future of our company today than at any time in my 20 years with Tractor Supply Company. I am confident because of the strength of our current Executive and Management team. We are the farm store leader in every respect. /s/ Joe Scarlett Joe Scarlett Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer As with any business, all phases of the Company's operations are subject to influences outside its control. This report contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements include reference to certain factors, any one, or a combination, of which could materially affect the results of the Company's operations. These factors include general economic cycles affecting consumer spending, weather factors, pricing and other competitive factors, the timing and acceptance of new products in the stores, the mix of goods sold, capital market conditions in general, the impact of the Year 2000 issue and the seasonality of the Company's business. Forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company are based on a knowledge of its business and the environment in which it operates, but because of the factors listed above, actual results could differ materially from those reflected by any forward-looking statements. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on the Company or its business and operations. 6 [Picture] Products In order to build on the success of our 1998 efforts, we have remerchandised our Hardware, Plumbing, Electrical, Paint, Truck Accessories, Towing Accessories and Lubricant Departments in the first quarter of 1999. 7 5 CUSTOMER-DRIVEN MERCHANDISE INITIATIVES In 1998, Tractor Supply undertook an aggressive remerchandising program designed to better satisfy the needs of our target customer--the hobby, part-time and full-time farmer. By soliciting and listening to feedback from our customers and our store associates, we developed a remerchandising strategy that is exciting our customers and driving sales. Each year, we will use the first quarter to complete that year's major new merchandising initiatives. In 1998, we rolled out new merchandising initiatives by expanding our Equine, Pet Supplies, Animal Health and Feed Departments. In addition, we refined our product offering in our Apparel Department and our Agricultural Supplies Department. The Lawn & Garden Departments were remerchandised in the "center court" of our stores to better take advantage of high-margin, add-on sales opportunities. By focusing on these key categories, we have begun to attract more female shoppers while better serving the needs of our existing customers. These departments all experienced high double-digit comparable store sales growth. In order to build on the success of our 1998 efforts, we have remerchandised our Hardware, Plumbing, Electrical, Paint, Truck Accessories, Towing Accessories and Lubricant Departments in the first quarter of 1999. The product mix and merchandising techniques in these departments have been refined to better focus on the needs of our core customer. In addition, we have expanded Electrical Fencing, added a brand new Tractor Parts program, and have remerchandised our Equine Department to maintain the growth begun last year. These departments represent above-average gross margins, which will help improve our margin, as well as driving comparable store sales. In the future, we will continue to evolve our merchandising mix and presentation by listening even more closely to our target customer, and changing to better satisfy their expressed needs. Being customer-driven and willing to change is part of the unique culture of Tractor Supply. It is also one of the reasons we say Tractor Supply is a "60 YEAR OLD NEW COMPANY"! [Photo] [Photo] [Photo] [Photo] Products Products Products Products 8 [Photo] George Strait & John Lyons The highlight of our 1998 marketing program was the addition of two Company spokesmen: country music legend George Strait and nationally recognized horse trainer John Lyons. 9 7 SPREADING THE WORD- NEW MARKETING INITIATIVES In retail, change only matters if your customer gets the message. In 1998, Tractor Supply embarked on changing the perception of Tractor Supply as "AMERICA'S BEST KEPT RETAIL SECRET." With the support of our key vendor partners, the Company implemented a "world-class" marketing program in 1998. The goals of our marketing and advertising programs were to increase top-of-mind awareness of Tractor Supply among our potential customer base and attract new customers to Tractor Supply. To accomplish these objectives, we built a marketing program designed to appeal to our customer's lifestyle. The 1998 marketing program was carefully crafted to reach our target audience in the most cost effective and efficient means. Our media program included the following: - - EXPANDED PRINT ADVERTISING PROGRAM - Featuring 21 circulars and four quarterly Blue Book catalogs aimed at our core customer - - RADIO ADVERTISING IN ALL MARKETS - Over 225,000 radio spots on the most listened to country music radio station in each market - - TELEVISION ADVERTISING ON NATIONAL NETWORK CABLE - Over 1,250 television spots on TNN (The Nashville Network), CMT (Country Music Television) and The Weather Channel. The highlight of our 1998 marketing program was the addition of two Company spokesmen: country music legend GEORGE STRAIT and nationally recognized horse trainer JOHN LYONS. George Strait helped Tractor Supply "connect" with our target customer and their lifestyle, and John Lyons gave instant credibility to the Company's new merchandising initiative in the Equine Department. If comparable store sales increases, increased transaction counts, and national recognition are measures of a marketing program's success, then, based on Tractor Supply's record performance in 1998, our new marketing programs were truly "world-class." In 1999, the Company plans to build on the success of its 1998 program. We will further expand our print advertising program with an all new "event marketing" campaign and the largest ever Blue Book reference catalog. For the first time, this 384-page reference catalog will also be available over the Internet on the Company's very active Web site. The Company's relationship with George Strait and John Lyons will be taken to the next level as they "discover" the unique selling proposition that is Tractor Supply! Tractor Supply's marketing program is all about building a long-term relationship with its customer. The Company's marketing programs are all designed to "personalize" the Tractor Supply shopping experience and strengthen our bond with our customer. [Photo] [Photo] [Photo] [Photo] Commercial Commercial Commercial Commercial screen shot screen shot screen shot screen shot 10 8 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY FIVE YEAR SELECTED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
Fiscal Year Ended ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- (in thousands, except per share and operating data) DECEMBER 26, DECEMBER 27, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPERATING RESULTS: Net sales $ 600,677 $ 509,052 $ 449,029 $ 383,903 $ 329,967 Gross margin 154,638 131,542 116,651 98,656 88,187 Selling, general and administrative expenses 120,734 104,661 88,827 73,587 65,790 Depreciation and amortization 5,342 4,509 3,385 2,524 1,845 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from operations 28,562 22,372 24,439 22,545 20,552 Interest expense, net 3,270 2,439 2,358 1,730 1,798 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes 25,292 19,933 22,081 20,815 18,754 Income tax provision 10,492 8,172 8,845 8,293 7,496 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income $ 14,800 $ 11,761 $ 13,236 $ 12,522 $ 11,258 ============================================================================= Net income applicable to common stockholders $ 14,800 $ 11,705 $ 13,039 $ 12,165 $ 10,788 ============================================================================= Net income per share - basic (a) $ 1.69 $ 1.34 $ 1.50 $ 1.40 $ 1.28 ============================================================================= Weighted average common shares outstanding 8,742,187 8,724,915 8,718,000 8,718,000 8,433,934 OPERATING DATA: Gross margin 25.7% 25.8% 26.0% 25.7% 26.7% Selling, general and administrative expenses 20.1% 20.5% 19.8% 19.2% 19.9% Income from operations 4.7% 4.4% 5.4% 5.9% 6.2% Net income 2.5% 2.3% 2.9% 3.3% 3.4% Number of stores: Beginning of year 228 208 185 165 152 New stores 15 22 23 20 13 Closed stores -- (2) -- -- -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of year 243 228 208 185 165 ============================================================================= Number of relocated stores 1 1 4 2 4 Number of remodeled stores (b) -- -- 1 6 2 Total selling square footage at period end (c) 3,014,196 2,806,864 2,543,575 2,237,755 1,929,396 Average sales per store (in thousands) $ 2,472 $ 2,233 $ 2,159 $ 2,075 $ 2,000 Net sales per square foot of selling space $ 206 $ 191 $ 185 $ 178 $ 178 Comparable store sales increase (d) 10.9% 3.1% 2.5% 3.1% 11.7% BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF PERIOD): Working capital $ 95,530 $ 82,869 $ 65,954 $ 63,850 $ 46,184 Total assets 264,649 224,080 195,582 174,129 146,248 Long-term debt, less current portion (e) 37,132 31,134 21,166 25,858 12,266 Redeemable preferred stock -- -- 1,763 3,525 5,875 Stockholders' equity 119,976 104,889 92,966 79,951 67,817
- -------------- (a) Basic net income per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding applied to net income applicable to common stockholders. (b) Includes remodelings costing more than $150,000. (c) Total selling square footage includes normal selling space and excludes office, stockroom, receiving space and outside selling space. (d) Comparable store sales increases are calculated on a 52-week basis, excluding relocations, using all stores open at least one year. (e) Long-term debt includes borrowings under the Company's principal revolving credit agreements, term loan agreements and amounts outstanding under its capital lease obligations, excluding the current portions of each. 11 9 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY MANAGEMENTS' DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion and analysis describes certain factors affecting Tractor Supply Company's (the "Company") results of operations for the three fiscal years ended December 26, 1998 and its liquidity and capital resources. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following discussion and analysis also contains certain historical and forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("the Act"). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things as future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), business strategy, expansion and growth of the Company's business operations and other such matters are forward-looking statements. To take advantage of the safe harbor provided by the Act, the Company is identifying certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements, whether oral or written, made by or on behalf of the Company. All phases of the Company's operations are subject to influences outside its control. Any one, or a combination, of these factors could materially affect the results of the Company's operations. These factors include general economic cycles affecting consumer spending, weather factors, operating factors affecting customer satisfaction, consumer debt levels, pricing and other competitive factors, the ability to identify suitable locations and negotiate favorable lease agreements on new and relocated stores, the timing and acceptance of new products in the stores, the mix of goods sold, the continued availability of favorable credit sources and other capital market conditions, the impact of the Year 2000 issue, and the seasonality of the Company's business. Forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company are based on a knowledge of its business and the environment in which it operates, but because of the factors listed above, actual results could differ materially from those reflected by any forward-looking statements. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on the Company or its business and operations. The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996 consisted of 52 weeks. OVERVIEW Since its founding as a mail order tractor parts business in 1938, the Company has grown to be one of the largest operators of retail farm stores in America. The Company supplies the daily farming and maintenance needs of its target customers: hobby, part-time and full-time farmers and ranchers, as well as rural customers, contractors and tradesmen. The Company's stores typically range in size from 12,000 to 14,000 square feet of inside selling space and utilize at least as many square feet of outside selling space. An average store displays a comprehensive selection of over 12,000 different products, including farm maintenance products (fencing, tractor parts and accessories, agricultural spraying equipment and tillage parts); animal products (specialty feeds, supplements, medicines, veterinary supplies and livestock feeders); general maintenance products (air compressors, welders, generators, pumps, plumbing and tools); lawn and garden products (riding mowers, tillers and fertilizers); light truck equipment; and work clothing. The stores are located in rural communities and in the outlying areas of large cities where farming is a significant factor in the local economy. The Company does not sell large tractors, combines, bulk chemicals or bulk fertilizers. Over the past five fiscal years since the Company's initial public offering in February 1994 (the "Offering"), the Company has opened 93 new retail farm stores: 13 in fiscal 1994, 20 in fiscal 1995, 23 in fiscal 1996, 22 in fiscal 1997 and 15 in fiscal 1998. These new stores have increased the Company's market presence in the Southwest, primarily in Texas, and in the Southeast, primarily in Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina. This expansion brings the Company's total store count to 243 (in 26 states) as of December 26, 1998. The Company plans to open an additional 30 stores in fiscal 1999, approximately six of which are scheduled to open in the first quarter of fiscal 1999, 33 in fiscal 2000 and additional stores thereafter. Over the past five fiscal years since the Offering, the Company has also relocated twelve stores (four in fiscal 1994, two in fiscal 1995, four in fiscal 1996, one in fiscal 1997 and one in fiscal 1998) and completed major remodelings on nine of its existing stores. In total over the past five fiscal years since the Offering, the Company has opened, relocated or remodeled 114 stores. 12 10 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY MANAGEMENTS' DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Between fiscal year 1994 and fiscal year 1998, net sales increased from $330.0 million to $600.7 million and net income increased from $11.3 million to $14.8 million, reflecting a four-year compound annual growth rate of 16.2% and 7.1%, respectively. Between fiscal year 1993 and fiscal year 1998, net sales increased from $279.2 million to $600.7 million and net income increased from $6.9 million to $14.8 million, reflecting a five-year compound annual growth rate of 16.6% and 16.4%, respectively. The Company generated these growth rates primarily from increases in comparable store sales and through new store openings and relocations of existing stores. Comparable stores sales increased 10.9%, 3.1%, and 2.5% in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Since 1993, the 99 new or relocated stores that have been open more than one year have generated average net sales that are approximately 21.7% per annum greater than those of existing stores. SEASONALITY AND WEATHER The Company's business is highly seasonal. Historically, the Company's sales and profits have been the highest in the second and fourth fiscal quarters of each year due to the farming industry's planting and harvesting seasons and the sale of seasonal products. The Company has typically operated at a net loss in the first fiscal quarter of each year. Unseasonable weather, excessive rain, drought, and early or late frosts may also affect the Company's sales. The Company believes, however, that the impact of adverse weather conditions is somewhat mitigated by the geographic dispersion of its stores. The Company experiences a buildup of inventory and accounts payable during its first fiscal quarter each year for purchases of seasonal product in anticipation of the April through June selling season and again during its third fiscal quarter in anticipation of the October through December selling season. The Company's unaudited quarterly operating results for each fiscal quarter of 1998 and 1997 are shown below (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER TOTAL - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1998 Net sales $ 105,587 $196,081 $140,628 $158,381 $600,677 Gross margin 26,489 49,248 36,433 42,468 154,638 Income (loss) from operations (1,710) 16,273 4,486 9,513 28,562 Net income (loss) (1,502) 9,168 2,137 4,997 14,800 Net income (loss) per share - basic (.17) 1.05 .24 .57 1.69 Net income (loss) per share - assuming dilution (.17) 1.04 .24 .56 1.68 1997 Net sales $ 96,409 $159,493 $118,438 $134,712 $509,052 Gross margin 24,153 41,259 30,273 35,857 131,542 Income (loss) from operations (964) 12,149 3,221 7,966 22,372 Net income (loss) (926) 6,988 1,552 4,147 11,761 Net income (loss) per share - basic (.11) .80 .18 .47 1.34 Net income (loss) per share - assuming dilution (.11) .80 .18 .47 1.34
13 11 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY MANAGEMENTS' DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain items in the Company's Statements of Income expressed as a percentage of net sales:
FISCAL YEAR ENDED --------------------------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 26, DECEMBER 27, DECEMBER 28, DECEMBER 30, DECEMBER 31, 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Cost of merchandise sold 74.3 74.2 74.0 74.3 73.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Gross margin 25.7 25.8 26.0 25.7 26.7 Selling, general and administrative expenses 20.1 20.5 19.8 19.2 19.9 Depreciation and amortization 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.6 0.6 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Income from operations 4.7 4.4 5.4 5.9 6.2 Interest expense, net 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes 4.2 3.9 4.9 5.5 5.7 Income tax provision 1.7 1.6 2.0 2.2 2.3 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income 2.5% 2.3% 2.9% 3.3% 3.4% =====================================================================
FISCAL 1998 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1997 Net sales increased 18.0% to $600.7 million in fiscal 1998 from $509.1 million in fiscal 1997. This increase resulted primarily from a comparable store sales increase of 10.9% (calculated on a 52-week basis, excluding relocations, using all stores open at least one year) and, to a lesser extent, new store openings and relocations. Comparable store sales for fiscal 1998 benefited from the "remerchandising" of the "right-side" (including expanding the Equine, Pet Supplies, Animal Health and Feed Departments and refining the Apparel and Agricultural Supplies Departments) and portions of the "center aisle" (mainly enhancing the Lawn and Garden Departments) of all stores early in fiscal 1998, the new and more aggressive marketing programs, an improved inventory in-stock position and favorable spring season and later winter weather conditions. The Company opened 15 new stores and relocated one store during fiscal 1998. The Company opened 22 new stores, closed two stores and relocated one store in fiscal 1997. At December 26, 1998, the Company operated 243 retail farm stores versus 228 stores at the end of the prior fiscal year. The Company plans to remerchandise the remaining approximately 60% of the inside of all stores, consisting of the entire "left-side" of the store (including Tools, Hardware, Plumbing, Electrical, Paint, Truck Accessories, Towing Accessories and Lubricant Departments) and portions of the center aisle (mainly Electrical Fencing) and "agricultural sections" (including Tractor Parts and the Equine Department), in 1999. The Company believes that these remerchandising efforts rejuvenate the stores, create excitement with the customers and store associates and build stronger comparable store sales. The gross margin rate decreased .1 percentage point to 25.7% of sales in fiscal 1998 from 25.8% in fiscal 1997. This decrease resulted primarily from lower gross margin rates in certain product categories (mainly due to additional seasonal markdowns and more aggressive promotional activities, principally additional discounting of select items in the Company's print advertising and additional discounting associated with the new stores' grand openings), offset, in part, by leverage improvements in both freight and shrinkage expense. As a percent of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased .4 percentage points to 20.1% for fiscal 1998 from 20.5% for fiscal 1997. On an absolute basis, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 15.4% to $120.7 million for fiscal 1998 from $104.7 million in fiscal 1997. The decrease in expenses on a percentage of sales basis resulted primarily from the Company's on-going efforts to control increases in its operating expenses as well as from the leverage gain attributable to the strong comparable store sales performance. The increase in absolute dollars was primarily attributable to costs associated with new store openings (new stores have considerably higher occupancy costs, primarily rent, than the existing store base), as well as higher incentive accurals. During fiscal 1998, the Company implemented new marketing and advertising programs including (i) increased print advertising (ii) significantly expanded radio advertising, and (iii) for the first time, a national television advertising campaign featuring John Lyons, renowned horse trainer and national equine spokesman for the Company, and George Strait, renowned country music entertainer and national spokesman for the Company. The Company received marketing support funds totalling approximately $8.5 million from certain of its vendors to cover a portion of the costs of these new programs. 14 12 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY MANAGEMENTS' DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Depreciation and amortization expense increased 18.5% over the prior year due mainly to costs associated with new and relocated stores. Net interest expense increased 34.1% in fiscal 1998 from fiscal 1997. The increase in interest expense reflects additional borrowings to fund the Company's growth and expansion plans, resulting in a higher average outstanding debt balance in fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal 1997. The Company's effective tax rate increased 0.5 percentage points to 41.5% in fiscal 1998 from 41.0% in fiscal 1997 primarily due to a higher effective state income tax rate in fiscal 1998. As a result of the foregoing factors, net income increased 25.8% to $14.8 million in fiscal 1998 from $11.8 million in fiscal 1997. As a percent of sales, net income increased 0.2 percentage points to 2.5% of sales in fiscal 1998 from 2.3% of sales in fiscal 1997. FISCAL 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1996 Net sales increased 13.4% to $509.1 million in fiscal 1997 from $449.0 million in fiscal 1996. This increase resulted primarily from new store openings and relocations, and, to a lesser extent, a comparable store sales increase of 3.1% (calculated on a 52 week basis, excluding relocations, using all stores open at least one year). Comparable store sales for fiscal 1997, benefitting from an aggressive inventory in-stock position as well as from several significant merchandising "relays" (a new economy feed line, a significantly enhanced animal health product line, a completely revamped equine product line, and a new ladies workwear line of clothing were rolled out to approximately 150 stores during fiscal 1997), were up 3.1% despite unseasonably cool and excessively rainy spring weather conditions and unseasonably warm winter weather conditions in November and December. The Company opened 22 new stores, closed two stores and relocated one store in fiscal 1997. The Company opened 23 new stores and relocated four stores during fiscal 1996. At December 27, 1997, the Company operated 228 retail farm stores versus 208 stores at the end of the prior fiscal year. In June 1997, the Company slowed down its new store unit growth rate for a period of approximately 18 months (opening 22 new stores in the fiscal 1997 rather than the 25 originally contemplated, with plans calling for the opening of 15 new stores in fiscal 1998 rather than the 28 originally contemplated) in order to focus its efforts on rejuvenating the merchandise mix and improving comparable store sales. The Company anticipates resuming its approximate 12% overall new store unit growth rate each year beginning in fiscal 1999 (the Company has presently identified over 200 potential new markets). The Company undertook major steps to build a stronger foundation to better support the Company's growth plans going forward. Some of the major steps taken included (i) strengthening the executive management team with the hiring of Gerald W. Brase, Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing, and Michael E. Brown, Senior Vice President of Store Operations, (ii) rejuvenating the merchandising mix by "relaying" a significant portion of over 150 stores in a relatively short period of time (several additional major "Spring 1998 Merchandising Initiatives" were completed in the first quarter of 1998, of which the new lawn and garden merchandising relay was probably the most powerful new merchandising presentation the Company had implemented to date), (iii) investing in the infrastructure, both in people (the Company increased its commitment to store payroll in 1998) and in technology to create competitive advantage (in addition to continually enhancing the new point-of-sale system, aggressively pursuing "electronic data interchange" (EDI) with the Company's vendor partners, and introducing lap-top computers with full "intranet" capabilities to all field operators, the Company selected SAP America, Inc. ("SAP") to be its "world-class long-term solution" with respect to merchandising and distribution systems), (iv) improving internal processes (which range from tightening shrinkage control programs to implementing a new grand opening process for all new stores); and (v) improving the marketing and advertising programs (the Company signed John Lyons, a renowned equine specialist, as its Company's national equine spokesman and, with the support of its vendor partners, the Company further improved the "reach" and "frequency" of its advertising mainly through the expanded use of radio and, for the first time, through the use of a national television campaign which featured George Strait, a renowned country music entertainer, as national spokesman for the Company). The gross margin rate decreased .2 percentage points to 25.8% of sales in fiscal 1997 from 26.0% in fiscal 1996 mainly due to higher shinkage expense. As a percent of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased .7 percentage points to 20.5% for fiscal 1997 from 19.8% for fiscal 1996. On an absolute basis, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 17.8% to $104.7 million for fiscal 1997 15 13 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY MANAGEMENTS' DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS from $88.8 million in fiscal 1996. The increase in expenses on a percentage of sales basis was primarily due to costs associated with new stores, the incremental costs of certain planned infrastructure investments (such as the new point-of-sale system and related "frame relay costs") as well as the leverage loss attributable to the soft comparable store sales performance. The increase in absolute dollars was primarily due to costs associated with new store openings and relocations (new and relocated stores have considerably higher occupancy costs, primarily rent, than the existing store base), and, to a lesser extent, from a reserve for management reorganization costs totaling approximately $1.2 million pretax (or approximately $.7 million net of tax). Depreciation and amortization expense increased 33.2% over the prior year due mainly to costs associated with new and relocated stores. Net interest expense increased 3.4% in fiscal 1997 from fiscal 1996. The increase in interest expense reflects additional borrowings under the Credit Agreement to fund the Company's growth and expansion plans, resulting in a higher average outstanding balance under the revolving credit loan in fiscal 1997 compared to fiscal 1996. The Company's effective tax rate increased 0.9 percentage points to 41.0% in fiscal 1997 from 40.1% in fiscal 1996 primarily due to a higher effective state income tax rate in fiscal 1997. As a result of the foregoing factors, net income decreased 11.1% to $11.8 million in fiscal 1997 from $13.2 million in fiscal 1996. As a percent of sales, net income decreased 0.6 percentage points to 2.3% of sales in fiscal 1997 from 2.9% of sales in fiscal 1996. Excluding the effect of the reserve for management reorganization costs, net income for fiscal 1997 would have been approximately $12.5 million, a decrease of 5.8% from fiscal 1996 or, as a percentage of sales, 2.4% for fiscal 1997. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES In addition to normal operating expenses, the Company's primary ongoing cash requirements are those necessary for the Company's expansion, remodeling and relocation programs, including inventory purchases and capital expenditures. The Company's primary ongoing sources of liquidity are funds provided from operations, commitments available under its credit agreement and short-term trade credit. The Company's inventory and accounts payable levels typically build in the first and again in the third fiscal quarters in anticipation of the spring and fall selling seasons. At December 26, 1998, the Company's inventories had increased $20.0 million to $171.7 million from $151.7 million at December 27, 1997. The increase was primarily attributable to development of new products and expanded product lines, an aggressive inventory in-stock position in basic products and, to a lesser extent, additional inventory for new stores. Short-term trade credit, which represents a source of financing for inventory, increased $8.2 million to $60.9 million at December 26, 1998 from $52.7 million at December 27, 1997. Trade credit arises from the Company's vendors granting extended payment terms for inventory purchases. Payment terms vary from 30 days to 180 days depending on the inventory product. At December 26, 1998, the Company had working capital of $95.5 million, which represented a $12.6 million increase from December 27, 1997. This increase resulted primarily from an increase in inventory (attributable mainly to the factors described above) without a corresponding increase in accounts payable, an increase in cash and cash equivalents and an increase in prepaid expenses (mainly construction-in-progress costs pertaining to planned sale/leaseback transactions respecting certain 1999 new stores) offset, in part, by an increase in accrued expenses (mainly incremental costs relating to new stores and incentives) and an increase in current debt maturities (attributable mainly to the Company's new fixed-rate term loan agreement). The Company's working capital increased $16.9 million in fiscal 1997 to $82.9 million from $66.0 million in fiscal 1996. This increase resulted primarily from an increase in inventory without a corresponding increase in accounts payable and from an increase in prepaid expenses (mainly certain prepaid rent payments and construction-in-progress costs pertaining to planned sale/leaseback transactions) offset, in part, by an increase in accrued expenses (mainly incremental costs relating to new stores) and a decrease in cash and cash equivalents. In August 1994, the Company entered into a new revolving credit agreement with The First National Bank of Boston, as agent and for itself (the "Agent") and First American National Bank (the "Credit Agreement"). Under the Credit Agreement, the Company originally had available total commitments aggregating at any one time up to a maximum of $30 million. In July 1996, the Company entered into an amendment (the "First Amendment") to its Credit Agreement with the Agent and First American National Bank whereby the Company (i) increased the maximum total commitments available under the Credit Agreement 16 14 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY MANAGEMENTS' DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS from $30 million to $45 million and (ii) extended the expiration date of the Credit Agreement from August 31, 1997 to August 31, 1999 (the date upon which any remaining borrowings must be repaid). In March 1998, the Company entered into an amendment (the "Second Amendment") to its Credit Agreement with BankBoston, N.A. (successor to First National Bank of Boston), a national banking association, as agent, and for itself, in its capacity as a lender thereunder, First American National Bank, a national banking association, and SunTrust Bank Nashville, N.A. ("SunTrust"), a national banking association, whereby the Company (i) increased the maximum total commitments available under the Credit Agreement from $45 million to $60 million and (ii) extended the expiration date of the Credit Agreement from August 31, 1999 to August 31, 2002 (the date upon which any remaining borrowings must be repaid). At December 26, 1998, the Company had $19.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement. The Company expects to continue borrowing amounts under the Credit Agreement from time to time to fund its growth and expansion programs and as a source of additional working capital. In June 1998, the Company entered into a new loan agreement (the "Loan Agreement") and term note (the "Term Note") with SunTrust pursuant to which the Company borrowed $15 million. The Term Note bears interest at the rate of 6.75% per annum until its maturity in June 2005. The Term Note requires monthly payments equal to $178,572, plus accrued interest, through June 2005. There are no compensating balance requirements associated with the Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement is unsecured. The Loan Agreement contains certain restrictions regarding additional indebtedness; employee loans; business operations; guarantees; investments; mergers, consolidations and sales of assets; transactions with subsidiaries; and liens. In addition, the Company must comply with certain quarterly restrictions regarding net worth, working capital, ratios of total liabilities to net worth and interest coverage and current ratio requirements. Operations provided net cash of $15.5 million in fiscal 1998, used $5.1 million in fiscal 1997 and provided net cash of $21.2 million in fiscal 1996. The generation of cash in fiscal 1998 resulted primarily from an increase in accrued expenses (mainly due to higher incentive accruals), an increase in net income and, to a lesser extent, an increase in income taxes currently payable compared to fiscal 1997 due to timing of payments, offset, in part, by inventories increasing at a slower rate than accounts payable compared to the prior year. The use of cash in fiscal 1997 resulted primarily from inventories increasing at a faster rate than accounts payable compared to the prior year and, to a lesser extent, from higher prepaid expenses (mainly certain rent payments and construction-in-progress costs) and a decrease in income taxes currently payable compared to fiscal 1996 due to timing of payments. Cash used in investing activities of $14.3 million, $7.5 million and $6.8 million for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, resulted primarily from capital expenditures for the new merchandise and warehouse management systems (in 1998) as well as, from new, relocated and remodeled stores, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of certain properties (primarily land and buildings). Financing activities in fiscal 1998 provided $8.5 million in cash which represented a $.3 million increase over the $8.2 million in cash provided in fiscal 1997. This increase resulted primarily from borrowings of $15.0 million under the Loan Agreement in fiscal 1998 compared to net borrowings of approximately $11.4 million under the Credit Agreement in fiscal 1997 offset, in part, by net repayments of approximately $4.4 million under the Credit Agreement and scheduled repayments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations totaling approximately $2.4 million in fiscal 1998 versus approximately $1.7 million in fiscal 1997. Financing activities in fiscal 1997 provided $8.2 million in cash which represented a $14.8 million increase over the $6.6 million in cash used in fiscal 1996. This increase resulted primarily from net borrowings of approximately $11.4 million under the Credit Agreement in fiscal 1997 compared to net repayments of approximately $3.1 million in fiscal 1996 offset in part, by scheduled repayments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations totaling approximately $1.8 million in fiscal 1997 versus approximately $1.5 million in fiscal 1996 and the repurchase of 1,763 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for approximately $1.8 million (including accrued dividends) compared to the repurchase of 1,762 shares of Series B Preferred Stock for approximately $1.8 million (including accrued dividends) in fiscal 1996. The Company's capital additions were $14.5 million, $9.1 million and $9.6 million in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The majority of the capital additions were for the new merchandise and warehouse management systems and, to a lesser extent, store fixtures, equipment and leasehold improvements for new stores and remodeling of existing stores. The Company expects that its capital expenditures for fiscal 1999 will be approximately $13.0 million to $15.0 million, consisting primarily of leasehold improvements and, to a lesser extent, fixtures and equipment, assuming successful implementation of its growth strategy through 30 planned new store openings. However, the Company cannot predict with certainty the amount of such expenditures because such new stores may be 17 15 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY MANAGEMENTS' DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS constructed, leased or acquired from others. The estimated cash required to open a new store is approximately $.8 to $1.0 million, the majority of which is for the initial acquisition of inventory and capital expenditures, principally leasehold improvements, fixtures and equipment, and the balance of which is for store opening expenses. The Company believes that its cash flow from operations, borrowings available under the Credit Agreement and short-term trade credit will be sufficient to fund the Company's operations and its growth and expansion plans over the next several years. The Company does not believe its operations have been materially affected by inflation. The Company has been successful, in many cases, in reducing or mitigating the effects of inflation principally by taking advantage of vendor incentive programs, economies of scale from increased volume of purchases and selective buying from the most competitive vendors without sacrificing quality. YEAR 2000 READINESS PLANS During fiscal 1998, the Company made substantial progress in its planned installation of a new merchandise and warehouse management system. In February 1999, the Company concluded the remaining conversion effort and completed the system installation, thus achieving full Year 2000 compliance for its remaining processing systems. This installation was the one remaining significant requirement for the Company to achieve Year 2000 compliance prior to the need to execute transactions with Year 2000 implications (the processing concern created by the change in the century and the traditional two-digit year fields embedded in most data processing systems is commonly referred to as the "Year 2000" issue). The total estimated cost of the Company's Year 2000 remediation efforts, of which the full installation of this system was the major component, is approximately $10.0 million. The Company's information systems interface with third party software that is heavily dependent on date fields. These "sub-systems" primarily involve electronic data interchange (EDI) and outside payroll processing services. During fiscal 1998, the vendors supplying the critical translation routines supplied upgraded versions and made other modifications to remedy the Year 2000 compliance issues surrounding these applications. In fiscal 1997, the Company completed the installation of an advanced point-of-sale system which is fully Year 2000 compliant. This new point-of-sale system was designed and installed with Year 2000 compliance in mind and contains provisions for full four-digit year fields, thus enabling processing to take place for transactions which go beyond the year 1999. As a fundamental business consideration, the Company depends heavily on its vendors to meet the purchasing requirements dictated by the Company's business needs. To that end, the Company continues to work with each of its critical vendors to determine the impact the Year 2000 issue will have on their ability to source products for the Company and process purchase orders with delivery requirements and terms involving the Year 2000. The Company continues to expect each of these vendors will likewise take measures to address the risks imposed by the Year 2000 and adequately prepare their own processing systems so that their businesses will not be interrupted as a result of this issue. Accordingly, the Company does not expect any significant interruption in its ability to source its product needs with existing vendors. As an ongoing measure, the Company will continue to address this risk with each new vendor to ensure similar safeguards. Finally, the Company further recognizes the potential impact the Year 2000 issue may have relative to its customers, creditors and other service providers. The Company has reviewed its exposure to business interruption or substantial loss in these areas and believes no risk of material adverse consequences presently exists or that any risks previously identified will be resolved before the end of fiscal 1999. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 133 in June 1998 and Statement No. 134 in October 1998. These statements respectively address accounting issues surrounding (a) derivative instruments and hedging activities and (b) mortgage-backed securities. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of these statements to have a significant impact on the reporting of results of operations or financial position. 18 16 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Tractor Supply Company In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets and the related statements of income, of changes in stockholders' equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Tractor Supply Company at December 26, 1998 and December 27, 1997, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 26, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Nashville, Tennessee January 20, 1999 19 17 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share amounts)
DECEMBER 26, DECEMBER 27, 1998 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 18,201 $ 8,477 Accounts receivable, net 5,578 5,180 Inventories 171,749 151,749 Prepaid expenses 6,301 4,201 ------------------------- Total current assets 201,829 169,607 ------------------------- Land 6,871 6,851 Buildings and improvements 49,437 45,903 Machinery and equipment 23,121 22,362 Construction in progress 8,818 843 ------------------------- 88,247 75,959 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (28,339) (23,551) ------------------------- Property and equipment, net 59,908 52,408 ------------------------- Deferred income taxes 1,426 710 Other assets 1,486 1,355 ------------------------- Total assets $ 264,649 $ 224,080 ========================= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 60,900 $ 52,708 Accrued expenses 29,610 21,188 Current maturities of long-term debt 3,138 737 Current portion of capital lease obligations 553 731 Income taxes currently payable 4,134 2,310 Deferred income taxes 7,964 9,064 ------------------------- Total current liabilities 106,299 86,738 ------------------------- Revolving credit loan 19,000 23,419 Term loan 11,786 -- Other long-term debt 4,361 5,177 Capital lease obligations 1,985 2,538 Other long-term liabilities 527 424 Excess of fair value of assets acquired over cost less accumulated amortization of $2,875 and $2,695, respectively 715 895 Commitments (Note 5) Stockholders' equity: Common stock, 100,000,000 shares authorized; $.008 par value; 8,748,105 and 8,731,218 shares issued and outstanding in 1998 and 1997, respectively 70 70 Additional paid-in capital 42,213 41,926 Retained earnings 77,693 62,893 ------------------------- Total stockholders' equity 119,976 104,889 ------------------------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 264,649 $ 224,080 =========================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement. 20 18 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY STATEMENTS OF INCOME (in thousands, except per share amounts)
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED -------------------------------------- DECEMBER 26, DECEMBER 27, DECEMBER 28, 1998 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Sales $600,677 $509,052 $449,029 Cost of Merchandise Sold 446,039 377,510 332,378 ------------------------------------ Gross Margin 154,638 131,542 116,651 Selling, General and Administrative Expenses 120,734 104,661 88,827 Depreciation and Amortization 5,342 4,509 3,385 ------------------------------------ Income from Operations 28,562 22,372 24,439 Interest Expense, Net 3,270 2,439 2,358 ------------------------------------ Income Before Income Taxes 25,292 19,933 22,081 Income Tax Provision 10,492 8,172 8,845 ------------------------------------ Net Income $ 14,800 $ 11,761 $ 13,236 ==================================== Net Income Per Share - Basic $ 1.69 $ 1.34 $ 1.50 ==================================== Net Income Per Share - Assuming Dilution $ 1.68 $ 1.34 $ 1.49 ====================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement. 21 19 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (in thousands)
ADDITIONAL TOTAL COMMON PAID-IN RETAINED STOCKHOLDERS' STOCK CAPITAL EARNINGS EQUITY - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stockholders' equity at December 30, 1995 $ 70 $ 41,685 $ 38,196 $ 79,951 Preferred stock dividend (221) (221) Net income 13,236 13,236 ---------------------------------------------------- Stockholders' equity at December 28, 1996 70 41,685 51,211 92,966 Preferred stock dividend (79) (79) Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan (13,218 shares) 241 241 Net income 11,761 11,761 ---------------------------------------------------- Stockholders' equity at December 27, 1997 70 41,926 62,893 104,889 Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan (16,887 shares) 287 287 Net income 14,800 14,800 ---------------------------------------------------- Stockholders' equity at December 26, 1998 $ 70 $ 42,213 $ 77,693 $ 119,976 =====================================================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement. 22 20 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED ---------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 26, DECEMBER 27, DECEMBER 28, 1998 1997 1996 ---------------------------------------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 14,800 $ 11,761 $ 13,236 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 5,342 4,509 3,385 Loss (gain) on disposition of property and equipment 1,353 (23) (904) Deferred income taxes (1,816) (99) (261) Change in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (398) (326) (1,200) Inventory (20,000) (27,667) (11,382) Prepaid expenses (2,100) (2,555) 3,360 Accounts payable 8,192 5,117 11,066 Accrued expenses 8,422 5,236 4,336 Income taxes currently payable 1,824 (551) 181 Other (131) (539) (636) -------------------------------------- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 15,488 (5,137) 21,181 -------------------------------------- Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (14,505) (9,120) (9,635) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 233 1,636 2,871 -------------------------------------- Net cash used in investing activities (14,272) (7,484) (6,764) -------------------------------------- Cash flows from financing activities: Net borrowings (repayment) under revolving credit loan (4,419) 11,419 (3,093) Borrowings under term loan agreement 15,000 -- -- Repayments under term loan agreement (893) -- -- Principal payments under capital lease obligations (731) (1,003) (880) Repayment of long-term debt (736) (665) (600) Net proceeds from sale of common stock 287 241 -- Redemption of preferred stock -- (1,763) (1,762) Payment of preferred stock dividend -- (79) (221) -------------------------------------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 8,508 8,150 (6,556) --------------------------------------- Net increase (decrease) in cash 9,724 (4,471) 7,861 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 8,477 12,948 5,087 -------------------------------------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 18,201 $ 8,477 $ 12,948 ====================================== SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION (NOTE 1): Cash paid during the year for: Interest $ 3,231 $ 2,583 $ 2,723 Income taxes 10,310 8,643 9,196
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement. 23 21 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: Nature of Business Tractor Supply Company is a specialty retailer which supplies the daily farming and maintenance needs of its target customers: hobby, part-time and full-time farmers and ranchers, as well as rural customers, contractors and tradesmen. The Company, which was founded in 1938, operated 243 retail farm stores in 26 states as of December 26, 1998. Fiscal Year The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996 consist of 52 weeks. Management Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles inherently requires estimates and assumptions by management that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company has cash and cash equivalents, short-term trade receivables and payables and long-term debt instruments, including capital leases. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade payables equal current fair value. The terms of the Company's revolving credit agreement include variable interest rates which approximate current market rates. The terms of the Company's term loan agreement include a fixed interest rate which approximates current market rates. The Company's fixed rate debt has an approximate current value of $6.0 million, bearing interest at 10.32% which is above current rates available; however, the related debt agreement includes certain pre-payment penalties which make refinancing uneconomical (Notes 2, 3 and 4). Inventories Inventories, which consist primarily of farm maintenance and animal products, general maintenance products, lawn and garden products, light truck equipment and work clothing, are stated at cost, which is less than market value, with cost being determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. If the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of accounting for inventory had been used, inventories would have been approximately $6,497,000 and $6,370,000 higher than reported at December 26, 1998 and December 27, 1997, respectively. Net Income Per Share In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 Earnings per Share ("SFAS 128"). SFAS 128 requires companies with complex capital structures that have publicly held common stock or common stock equivalents to present both basic and diluted earning per share ("EPS") on the face of the income statement. Basic EPS is calculated as income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated using the "if converted" method for convertible securities and the treasury stock method for options and warrants as prescribed by APB 15 (Note 8). Excess of Fair Value of Assets Acquired Over Cost On December 26, 1982, the Company began operations with the acquisition of certain assets and assumption of certain obligations. The unallocated excess of fair value of assets acquired over cost was approximately $3,590,000 and is being amortized over 20 years on a straight-line basis. 24 22 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Property and Equipment The Company owns the land and buildings of 74 of its stores. Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Generally, buildings are depreciated over 31 years and machinery and equipment is depreciated over seven years. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue at the time of customer purchase. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Store Opening Costs Costs incurred in connection with opening new stores are expensed as incurred. Advertising Costs Advertising costs primarily consist of expenses incurred in connection with newspaper circulars and, to a lesser extent, radio and newspaper advertisements and other promotions. Expenses incurred are charged to operations at the time the related advertising first takes place. Advertising expense for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 was approximately $9,239,000, $8,771,000 and $8,157,000, respectively. Stock-based Compensation Plans The Company applies APB Opinion 25 and related Interpretations in accounting for its plans. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its fixed stock option plan and its stock purchase plan (Note 11). Cash Flows The Company considers temporary cash investments, with an original maturity of three months or less, to be cash equivalents. NOTE 2 - REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT: In August 1994, the Company entered into a new revolving credit agreement with The First National Bank of Boston, as agent and for itself (the "Agent") and First American National Bank (the "Credit Agreement"). Under the Credit Agreement, the Company originally had available total commitments aggregating at any one time up to a maximum of $30 million. In July 1996, the Company entered into an amendment (the "First Amendment") to its Credit Agreement with the Agent and First American National Bank whereby the Company (i) increased the maximum total commitments available under the Credit Agreement from $30 million to $45 million and (ii) extended the expiration date of the Credit Agreement from August 31, 1997 to August 31, 1999 (the date upon which any remaining borrowings must be repaid). There were no changes to any of the other material terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement as a result of the First Amendment. In March 1998, the Company entered into an amendment (the "Second Amendment") to its Credit Agreement with BankBoston, N.A. (successor to First National Bank of Boston), a national banking association, as agent, and for itself, in its capacity as a lender thereunder, First American National Bank, a national banking association, and SunTrust Bank Nashville, N.A. ("SunTrust"), a national banking association, whereby the Company (i) increased the maximum total commitments available under the Credit 25 23 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Agreement from $45 million to $60 million and (ii) extended the expiration date of the Credit Agreement from August 31, 1999 to August 31, 2002 (the date upon which any remaining borrowings must be repaid). There were no changes to any of the other material terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement as a result of the Second Amendment, provided, however, that the financial covenants must be tested quarterly as of the end of each fiscal quarter, based on a rolling four-quarters basis, rather than at the end of each fiscal year. All borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company's option, at either the base rate of the Agent (7.75% at December 26, 1998) plus .25% per annum or the LIBOR rate (5.54% at December 26, 1998) plus .75% per annum provided, however, that upon the occurrence of certain events, the interest rate increases to the base rate of the Agent plus .50% per annum or the LIBOR rate plus 1.0% per annum. The Company is also required to pay, quarterly in arrears, a commitment fee of .25% per annum on the average daily unused portion of the credit line. There are no compensating balance requirements associated with the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is unsecured. The Credit Agreement contains certain restrictions regarding additional indebtedness; employee loans; business operations; guarantees; investments; mergers, consolidations and sales of assets; transactions with subsidiaries or affiliates; and liens. In addition, the Company must comply with certain quarterly restrictions (based on a rolling four-quarters basis) regarding net worth, working capital, ratios of total liabilities to net worth and interest coverage and current ratio requirements. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at December 26, 1998. NOTE 3 - TERM LOAN AGREEMENT: In June 1998, the Company entered into a new loan agreement (the "Loan Agreement") and term note (the "Term Note") with SunTrust pursuant to which the Company borrowed $15 million. The Term Note bears interest at the rate of 6.75% per annum until its maturity in June 2005. The Term Note requires monthly payments equal to $178,572, plus accrued interest, through June 2005. There are no compensating balance requirements associated with the Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement is unsecured. The Loan Agreement contains certain restrictions regarding additional indebtedness; employee loans; business operations; guarantees; investments; mergers, consolidations and sales of assets; transactions with subsidiaries; and liens. In addition, the Company must comply with certain quarterly restrictions regarding net worth, working capital, ratios of total liabilities to net worth and interest coverage and current ratio requirements. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at December 26, 1998. NOTE 4 - OTHER LONG-TERM DEBT: Other long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
DECEMBER 26, DECEMBER 27, 1998 1997 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mortgage Notes $ 5,177 $ 5,914 Less: current maturities (816) (737) ---------------------- $ 4,361 $ 5,177 ======================
In April 1988, the Company issued notes (the "Mortgage Notes") to Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York and MONY Life Insurance Company of America pursuant to a Note Agreement which was amended in April 1991, February 1992 and July 1993 (the "Mortgage Loan Agreement"). The Mortgage Notes bear interest at a minimum 10.32% rate until their maturity in January 2004. The Mortgage Notes require monthly payments, including interest, of approximately $109,000 through January 2004. 26 24 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Mortgage Loan Agreement is secured by first mortgages on certain of the Company's existing properties. The Mortgage Loan Agreement contains certain restrictions regarding sales of assets, mergers, consolidations, investments, sales or discounting of receivables, operating leases and, unless the Company satisfies certain net income, indebtedness and tangible net worth tests, cash dividends on and redemptions of capital stock. In addition, the Company must comply with certain restrictions regarding tangible net worth, working capital, funded debt, ratios of indebtedness to capitalization, FIFO inventory to current debt, interest coverage, fixed charge coverage, earnings coverage and current ratio requirements. The Company was in compliance with these restrictions at December 26, 1998. The combined aggregate maturities of the Mortgage Notes are as follows (in thousands): 1999 $ 816 2000 905 2001 1,003 2002 1,112 2003 1,232 2004 109
NOTE 5 - LEASES: The Company leases office, warehouse/distribution and retail space, transportation equipment and other equipment under various noncancelable operating leases. The leases have varying terms and expire at various dates through June 2020. The store leases typically have initial terms of between 10 and 15 years, with one to three renewal periods of five years each, exercisable at the Company's option. Generally, most of the leases require the Company to pay taxes, insurance and maintenance costs. Rent expense for all noncancelable operating leases for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 was approximately $32,421,000, $27,557,000 and $21,358,000 respectively. Future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more consist of the following (in thousands):
CAPITAL OPERATING LEASES LEASES - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1999 $ 787 $ 19,867 2000 464 18,402 2001 464 17,752 2002 464 15,344 2003 462 14,507 Thereafter 799 70,989 ----------------------- Total minimum lease payments 3,440 $ 156,861 Amount representing interest (902) ========== --------- Present values of net minimum lease payments 2,538 Less: current portion (553) --------- Long-term capital lease obligations $ 1,985 =========
27 25 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 6 - INCOME TAXES: The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
1998 1997 1996 - --------------------------------------------------------------- Current tax expense: Federal $ 10,111 $ 6,720 $ 7,442 State 2,197 1,551 1,664 ------------------------------------ Total current 12,308 8,271 9,106 ------------------------------------ Deferred tax expense: Federal (1,671) (116) (229) State (145) 17 (32) ------------------------------------ Total deferred (1,816) (99) (261) ------------------------------------ Total provision $ 10,492 $ 8,172 $ 8,845 ====================================
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
DECEMBER 26, DECEMBER 27, 1998 1997 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current tax assets: Inventory valuation $ 4,367 $ 3,852 Other 2,509 1,543 ------------------------ 6,876 5,395 ------------------------- Current tax liabilities: Inventory basis difference 14,186 13,977 Other 654 482 ------------------------ 14,840 14,459 ------------------------- Net current tax liabilities $ 7,964 $ 9,064 ======================== Non-current tax assets: Capital lease obligation basis difference $ 807 $ 1,017 Fixed assets basis difference 319 338 Other 1,629 1,356 ------------------------ 2,755 2,711 ------------------------ Non-current tax liabilities: Depreciation 954 1,582 Capital lease assets basis difference 375 419 ------------------------ 1,329 2,001 ------------------------ Net non-current tax assets $ 1,426 $ 710 ========================
28 26 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amounts computed at the federal statutory rate is as follows (in thousands):
1998 1997 1996 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tax provision at statutory rate $ 8,852 $ 6,977 $ 7,729 Tax effect of: State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 1,432 1,008 1,082 Amortization of negative goodwill (63) (63) (63) Other 271 250 97 -------------------------------------- $ 10,492 $ 8,172 $ 8,845 ======================================
A substantial portion of the current deferred tax liability of the Company relates to the tax treatment of certain inventory and other assets acquired by the Company in connection with an acquisition in 1982. Recent cases cast some doubt as to whether the Company's tax position with respect to such inventory and other assets would be sustained if challenged. If the Company were challenged on its tax position, no assurance can be given as to the outcome. However, the Company believes, based upon its understanding of the resolution of similar situations by others, that it has established adequate reserves and that, accordingly, resolution of this issue would not have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial position. NOTE 7 - CAPITAL STOCK: The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of common stock and preferred stock. In April 1997, the stockholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 9,500,000 shares to 100,000,000 shares. The Company is also authorized to issue 40,000 shares of Preferred Stock, with such designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. In May 1991, in accordance with a Plan of Reorganization and Exchange Agreement, the Company reacquired 2,890,151 shares of common stock in exchange for 5,875 shares of Series B Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") and cash. The Preferred Stock has a par value of $1 per share and a stated value and liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Dividends on the Preferred Stock are cumulative and payable semiannually on May 1st and November 1st at a rate of 8.0% per annum on the stated value of the outstanding shares, increasing to 10% on May 1, 1999, 11% on May 1, 2000, 12% on May 1, 2001 and 13% thereafter. On May 26, 1995, the Company repurchased 2,350 shares of the Series B Preferred Stock at a total repurchase price of approximately $2,363,000 (including accrued dividends totaling approximately $13,000). On May 24, 1996, the Company repurchased 1,762 shares of the Series B Preferred Stock at a total repurchase price of approximately $1,771,000 (including accrued dividends totaling approximately $9,000). On May 23, 1997, the Company repurchased the remaining 1,763 shares of the Series B Preferred Stock at a total repurchase price of approximately $1,772,000 (including accrued dividends totaling approximately $9,000). 29 27 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 8 - NET INCOME PER SHARE: Net income per share is calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
1998 -------------------------------------- PER SHARE INCOME SHARES AMOUNT - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic net income per share: Net income $ 14,800 8,742 $ 1.69 -------- Stock options outstanding 68 ------------------------ Diluted net income per share $ 14,800 8,810 $ 1.68 ===================================== 1997 -------------------------------------- PER SHARE INCOME SHARES AMOUNT - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic net income per share: Net income $ 11,761 Less: preferred stock dividends (57) ---------- 11,704 8,725 $ 1.34 ========= Stock options outstanding -- ------------------------ Diluted net income per share $ 11,704 8,725 $ 1.34 ====================================== 1996 ----------------------------------------- PER SHARE INCOME SHARES AMOUNT - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic net income per share: Net income $ 13,236 Less: preferred stock dividends (197) ---------- 13,039 8,718 $ 1.50 ========= Stock options outstanding 10 ------------------------ Diluted net income per share $ 13,039 8,728 $ 1.49 ========================================
NOTE 9 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS: In 1986, the Company entered into capitalized sale-leaseback transactions with certain officers of the Company for seven of its stores. The Company sold, leased back and provided the financing for seven of its real properties at estimated fair values totaling $2,575,000. The related gains arising from the sale of these properties have been deferred and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the related leases. Properties under capital leases acquired through sale-leaseback transactions have been reduced by the related deferred gains on the properties and are classified with property and equipment. The leases have basic terms of 20 years with options to renew for two successive five-year terms. The Company has an option to purchase the leased properties after December 31, 1995. Rent payments under these leases were approximately $425,000 in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996. All the 30 28 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS officers have repaid their outstanding obligations under these notes to the Company. The balance of these capitalized lease obligations, included in total capital lease obligations at December 26, 1998, was $1,552,000. The Company leases its management headquarters from a partnership in which certain stockholders of the Company are general partners. The remaining lease term is ten years, with the Company having exercised both remaining five-year renewal options in fiscal 1996, with monthly rent set at $35,000 and $39,000 per month, respectively. Rent payments under this lease were $417,000 in fiscal 1998 and 1997 and $384,000 in fiscal 1996. The Company leased one of its stores from a corporation in which certain executive officers and directors of the Company are the sole shareholders, directors and executive officers. The initial term of the lease is twenty years, commencing in September 1991 and ending in August 2011, subject to renewal at the option of the Company for two successive five-year terms. Monthly rent ranged from $8,437 for the first five years to $9,375 for the final five years of the initial term. The related land was leased by the lessor from the Company pursuant to a ground lease agreement dated July 1, 1994 providing for a fifty-year lease term, commencing in July 1991 and ending in June 2011 and annual rental payments that range from $15,000 to $24,300. In October 1996, the Board approved a proposed transaction to relocate this store to a larger facility. In June 1997, the Company (i) acquired the store building from the lessor for $650,000, (ii) canceled the ground lease agreement with the lessor respecting said property, (iii) sold the store (building and land) to an unrelated real estate developer for $750,000 (which is approximately $650,000 below the appraised value of said property), and (iv) leased a new larger store from the same developer (said new store having been built by the developer on a nearby site owned by them of approximately four acres and in accordance with the Company's specifications), pursuant to which the Company received a discounted rent (approximately $6.30 per square foot initially compared to the market rate of approximately $8.60 per square foot or approximately $750,000 over the fifteen year initial lease) in consideration for the reduced purchase price on the store building and land. The Company also leases one store location from an S corporation owned by certain officers of the Company. Rent payments under this lease were approximately $101,000 in each of the fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996. NOTE 10 - RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS: The Company has a defined contribution benefit plan, the Tractor Supply Company Restated 401(k) Retirement Plan (the "Plan"), which provides retirement and other benefits for the Company's employees. Employees become eligible for participation upon completion of 12 consecutive months of employment and 1,000 hours or more of service. The Company matches 100% of the first 3% of employee's elective contributions plus an additional 50% of any additional elective contribution (limited to 5% of the employee's total compensation). Company contributions to the plan during fiscal 1998 and 1997 were approximately $822,000 and $733,000, respectively. Effective March 26, 1994, the Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") was merged into the Plan (formerly known as the TSC Industries, Inc. Employee 401(k) Retirement Plan). At December 28, 1996 the Plan owned 978,912 shares of the Company's common stock. In 1997, the Company further amended the Plan to, among other things, provide participants, to the extent applicable, with the ability to direct the investment of their ESOP funds (consisting of the Tractor Supply Company common stock and cash) and eliminate the "five-year break in service" payout provision previously continued therein, and simultaneously, filed a Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering the 978,912 shares of the Company's common stock then held by the Plan. Expense for the merged plan for fiscal 1996 was approximately $565,000. 31 29 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 11 - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS: Fixed Stock Option Plan The Company has a stock option plan for officers, directors (including nonemployee directors) and key employees which reserves 1,000,000 shares of common stock for future issuance under the plan. According to the terms of the Plan, the per share exercise price of options granted shall not be less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant and such options will expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. In the case of a stockholder owning more than 10% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company, the exercise price of an incentive stock option may not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant and such options will expire no later than five years from the date of grant. Also, the aggregate fair market value of the stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable on a tax deferred basis for the first time by an individual in any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. Options granted generally vest one-third each year beginning on the third anniversary date of the grant and expire after ten years, provided, however, that options granted to non-employee directors vest one-third each year beginning on the first anniversary of the grant. Plan activity is summarized as follows:
NUMBER OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES EXERCISE PRICE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Outstanding at December 30, 1995 76,000 $ 21.97 Granted 135,500 $ 21.62 Canceled (26,500) $ 21.56 -------- Outstanding at December 28, 1996 185,000 $ 21.77 Granted 350,500 $ 18.44 Canceled (35,500) $ 21.29 Outstanding at December 27, 1997 500,000 $ 19.47 Granted 48,000 $ 16.67 Canceled (33,250) $ 19.49 -------- Outstanding at December 26, 1998 514,750 $ 19.21 ========
The following table summarizes information concerning currently outstanding and exercisable options:
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING ------------------------------------- WEIGHTED AVERAGE RANGE OF NUMBER REMAINING WEIGHTED AVERAGE OPTIONS YEAR EXERCISE PRICE OUTSTANDING CONTRACTUAL LIFE EXERCISE PRICE EXERCISABLE - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1994 $21.50 - $27.00 18,500 5.19 $ 21.80 18,500 1995 $21.31 - $22.13 34,000 6.10 $ 22.10 11,334 1996 $21.38 - $25.13 91,750 7.11 $ 21.74 0 1997 $17.75 - $20.00 322,500 8.51 $ 18.41 0 1998 $14.44 - $24.31 48,000 9.14 $ 16.67 0 ------- ------ 514,750 29,834 ======= ======
32 30 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Had compensation cost for the Company's stock option plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under the plan consistent with the method prescribed by FASB Statement No. 123, the Company's proforma net income and net income per share, for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
1998 1997 1996 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income As reported $ 14,800 $ 11,761 $ 13,236 Proforma $ 14,271 $ 11,437 $ 13,058 Net income per share - basic As reported $ 1.69 $ 1.34 $ 1.50 Proforma $ 1.63 $ 1.30 $ 1.48 Net income per share - diluted As reported $ 1.68 $ 1.34 $ 1.49 Proforma $ 1.62 $ 1.30 $ 1.47
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions.
1998 1997 1996 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Expected volatility 33.3% 30.8% 25.0% Risk-free interest rate 6.0% 6.5% 6.75% Average expected life (years) 9.14 7.25 6.0 Dividend yield 0% 0% 0% Weighted average fair value $ 9.26 $ 8.97 $ 8.92
Employee Stock Purchase Plan In July 1996, the Company adopted the 1996 Associate Stock Purchase Plan (the "ASPP") to allow eligible employees of the Company the opportunity to purchase, through payroll deductions, shares of common stock of the Company at a 15% discount. In August 1996, the Company filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering the shares of common stock to be sold under the ASPP. The ASPP was approved by the Company's stockholders in April 1997, authorizing the sale of up to 1,000,000 shares of common stock under the ASPP. Pursuant to the terms of the ASPP, the Company issued 16,887 and 13,218 shares of common stock in fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. 33 31 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS DIRECTORS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ JOSEPH H. SCARLETT, JR. Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Tractor Supply Company THOMAS O. FLOOD Senior Vice President- Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer Tractor Supply Company THOMAS J. HENNESY, III Retired Vice Chairman of the Board Tractor Supply Company JOSEPH D. MAXWELL Retired Vice President Tractor Supply Company S.P. BRAUD (1)*(2)* Retired Chief Financial Officer Service Merchandise Company, Inc. and President and Director Braud Design/Build, Inc. JOSEPH M. RODGERS (1) (2) Chairman of the Board The JMR Group, an investment firm, and former U.S. Ambassador to France - ---------------- (1) Audit Committee Member (2) Compensation Committee Member (*) Committee Chairman OFFICERS - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ JOSEPH H. SCARLETT, JR. Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer GERALD W. BRASE Senior Vice President- Merchandising and Marketing MICHAEL E. BROWN Senior Vice President- Store Operations THOMAS O. FLOOD Senior Vice President- Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer JOHN W. ATKINS Vice President-Farm Merchandising JOHN E. CORBIN Vice President-Operations (Region III) BLAKE A. FOHL Vice President-Marketing LAWRENCE GOLDBERG Vice President-Logistics LEO H. HABERER Vice President-Real Estate STEPHEN E. HULL Vice President-Real Estate MICHAEL J. KINCAID Vice President-Controller, Treasurer and Secretary GARY M. MAGONI Vice President-Operations (Region I) STANLEY L. RUTA Vice President-Operations (Region II) DAISY L. VANDERLINDE Vice President-Human Resources 34 32 TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY CORPORATE INFORMATION STORE SUPPORT CENTER Tractor Supply Company 320 Plus Park Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37217 (615) 366-4600 TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR BankBoston, N.A. Shareholder Services P.O. Box 644, Mail Stop 45-02-09 Boston, Massachusetts 02102 (781) 575-3400 INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 4400 Harding Road Nashville, Tennessee 37205 STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING The Nasdaq National Market Ticker Symbol: TSCO WORLD WIDE WEB www.tractorsupplyco.com ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held at 10:00 a.m., April 22, 1999 at the Company's Store Support Center, 320 Plus Park Boulevard, Nashville, Tennessee 37217 NUMBER OF STOCKHOLDERS As of January 31, 1999 there were approximately 65 stockholders of record. This number excludes individual stockholders holding stock under nominee security position listings. FORM 10-K A copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, will be sent to any stockholder upon written request to the Company's investor relations firm: Corporate Communications, Inc. 523 Third Avenue South Nashville, Tennessee 37210 (615) 254-3376 QUARTERLY STOCK PRICE RANGE
HIGH LOW - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FISCAL 1998: First Quarter $23 1/4 $13 3/4 Second Quarter $26 1/2 $20 5/8 Third Quarter $26 $18 Fourth Quarter $27 $18 1/2 HIGH LOW - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FISCAL 1997: First Quarter $21 $18 1/4 Second Quarter $21 1/2 $17 1/4 Third Quarter $20 5/8 $16 1/4 Fourth Quarter $22 $13 3/4
35 [TSC] TRACTOR SUPPLY CO Where America's Farmers Shop Tractor Supply Company 320 Plus Park Boulevard Nashville, Tennessee 37217 (615) 366-4600 www.tractorsupplyco.com EX-23.1 5 CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP 1 EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-10699) of Tractor Supply Company of our report dated January 20, 1999 appearing on page 16 of the Annual Report to Stockholders which is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Nashville, Tennessee March 17, 1999 EX-23.2 6 CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP 1 EXHIBIT 23.2 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-35317) of Tractor Supply Company of our report dated January 20, 1999 appearing on page 16 of the Annual Report to Stockholders which is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Nashville, Tennessee March 17, 1999 EX-27 7 FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
5 1,000 YEAR DEC-26-1998 DEC-28-1997 DEC-26-1998 18,201 0 5,678 0 171,749 201,829 88,247 28,339 264,649 106,299 37,132 0 0 70 119,906 264,649 600,677 600,677 446,039 446,039 126,076 0 3,270 25,292 10,492 14,800 0 0 0 14,800 1.69 1.68
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