A GLOBAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS COMPANY
Transcription
A GLOBAL CONSUMER PRODUCTS COMPANY
A G L O B A L C O N S U M E R P R O D U C T S C O M PA N Y DOREL INDUSTRIES INC. 2003 ANNUAL REPORT A G L O B A L C O N S U M E R P R O D U C T S C O M PA N Y DOREL INDUSTRIES INC. 2003 ANNUAL REPORT Did you know? Dorel is the world’s largest juvenile products company in its categories. Dorel sells more bicycles than anyone else in North America. Dorel is among the top two ready-to-assemble furniture manufacturers in North America. Dorel’s brands are some of the most powerful in juvenile products, RTA furniture and the sporting goods industry. Table of Contents Message to Shareholders 2 | The Dorel Business Model 6 | The Power of Dorel’s Brands 8 | Pacific Cycle 10 | A Proven Business Model 12 A Growing Portfolio of Strong Brands 12 | Dorel’s Brand Drive Gears up with Schwinn 13 | Corporate Governance 14 Dorel Industries Inc. 1255 Greene Avenue, Suite 300, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3Z 2A4 T: 514.934.3034 F: 514.934.9379 www.dorel.com Message from our Chief Operating Officer 16 | 11-year Financial Retrospective 18 | Management’s Discussion and Analysis 20 Management’s and Auditors’ Reports 35 | Financial Statements 36 | Corporate Information 63 Financial Highlights Sales 1,200,000 17.3% Change 1,000,000 Recreational/Leisure 600,000 DIVISIONS DIVISION Dorel Juvenile Group USA Dorel Juvenile Group Europe Ampafrance Cosco Home & Office Ameriwood Dorel Asia Pacific Cycle PRODUCT RANGE PRODUCT RANGE Infant car seats; Strollers; High chairs; Playpens; Toddler beds; Early learning/infant health/safety aids Metal folding furniture; Step stools; Ladders; Futons; Imported furniture items Office/home office furniture; Entertainment units DESIGN/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRES 20,000 Madison, Wisconsin Lake Forest, California Longmont, Colorado 10,000 SHOWROOMS Mississauga, Ontario 03 Earnings per diluted share Madison, Wisconsin Vacaville, California Olney, Illinois 2.5 16.0% Change 2.0 OPERATING FACILITIES Columbus, Indiana Cornwall, Ontario Dowagiac, Michigan Greenwood, Indiana 02 0,000 St. Louis, Missouri OPERATING FACILITIES Montreal, Quebec Ontario, California Sabadell, Spain Telgate, Italy Vila do Conde, Portugal Cologne, Germany 40,000 30,000 OPERATING FACILITIES Mississauga, Ontario High Point, North Carolina Columbus, Indiana Greenwood, Indiana Cholet, France Helmond, Holland Lausanne, Switzerland Borehamwood, United Kingdom 50,000 ($'000) Mass merchants; Furniture stores; Hardware/home centres; Office superstores; Department stores SHOWROOMS High Point, North Carolina 60,000 CUSTOMERS Columbus, Indiana 21.8% Change 70,000 CUSTOMERS Mass merchants; Sporting goods stores; Independent bicycle dealers; Specialty retailers DESIGN/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRES 80,000 75.0 Columbus, Indiana Helmond, Holland Bicycles; Ride-on toys; Licensed products (including safety equipment, electric scooters, apparel, skateboards and more); Other recreational products Montreal, Quebec Ontario, California Tiffin, Ohio Wright City, Missouri 1.5 ($) Canton, Massachusetts Cholet, France 03 Net income 1.0 0.5 2.32 DESIGN/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRES 02 0 PRODUCT RANGE CUSTOMERS Mass merchants; Department stores; Hardware/home centres; Specialty boutiques 200,000 1,163.8 DIVISIONS 992.1 400,000 As of February 2004 61.6 Home Furnishings 2.00 Juvenile ($'000) 800,000 02 03 0.0 Other key financial measures (IN MILLIONS OF US DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED) 2003 2002 % CHANGE 1,110.6 290.9 614.7 93.2 80.7 212.2 Gross margin (%) Return on shareholders’ equity (%) Debt to equity ratio 26.3 15.2 0.59 23.4 17.4 0.26 Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding (000s) 32,407 30,739 Total assets Total debt 5.4 Financial Highlights Sales 1,200,000 17.3% Change 1,000,000 Recreational/Leisure 600,000 DIVISIONS DIVISION Dorel Juvenile Group USA Dorel Juvenile Group Europe Ampafrance Cosco Home & Office Ameriwood Dorel Asia Pacific Cycle PRODUCT RANGE PRODUCT RANGE Infant car seats; Strollers; High chairs; Playpens; Toddler beds; Early learning/infant health/safety aids Metal folding furniture; Step stools; Ladders; Futons; Imported furniture items Office/home office furniture; Entertainment units DESIGN/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRES 20,000 Madison, Wisconsin Lake Forest, California Longmont, Colorado 10,000 SHOWROOMS Mississauga, Ontario 03 Earnings per diluted share Madison, Wisconsin Vacaville, California Olney, Illinois 2.5 16.0% Change 2.0 OPERATING FACILITIES Columbus, Indiana Cornwall, Ontario Dowagiac, Michigan Greenwood, Indiana 02 0,000 St. Louis, Missouri OPERATING FACILITIES Montreal, Quebec Ontario, California Sabadell, Spain Telgate, Italy Vila do Conde, Portugal Cologne, Germany 40,000 30,000 OPERATING FACILITIES Mississauga, Ontario High Point, North Carolina Columbus, Indiana Greenwood, Indiana Cholet, France Helmond, Holland Lausanne, Switzerland Borehamwood, United Kingdom 50,000 ($'000) Mass merchants; Furniture stores; Hardware/home centres; Office superstores; Department stores SHOWROOMS High Point, North Carolina 60,000 CUSTOMERS Columbus, Indiana 21.8% Change 70,000 CUSTOMERS Mass merchants; Sporting goods stores; Independent bicycle dealers; Specialty retailers DESIGN/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRES 80,000 75.0 Columbus, Indiana Helmond, Holland Bicycles; Ride-on toys; Licensed products (including safety equipment, electric scooters, apparel, skateboards and more); Other recreational products Montreal, Quebec Ontario, California Tiffin, Ohio Wright City, Missouri 1.5 ($) Canton, Massachusetts Cholet, France 03 Net income 1.0 0.5 2.32 DESIGN/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRES 02 0 PRODUCT RANGE CUSTOMERS Mass merchants; Department stores; Hardware/home centres; Specialty boutiques 200,000 1,163.8 DIVISIONS 992.1 400,000 As of February 2004 61.6 Home Furnishings 2.00 Juvenile ($'000) 800,000 02 03 0.0 Other key financial measures (IN MILLIONS OF US DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED) 2003 2002 % CHANGE 1,110.6 290.9 614.7 93.2 80.7 212.2 Gross margin (%) Return on shareholders’ equity (%) Debt to equity ratio 26.3 15.2 0.59 23.4 17.4 0.26 Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding (000s) 32,407 30,739 Total assets Total debt 5.4 1 2003 Annual Report 2003 Milestones First Quarter • Dorel announces and concludes acquisition of juvenile products Profile Dorel is a global consumer products company which designs, manufactures or sources, markets and distributes a diverse portfolio of powerful product brands, marketed through its Juvenile, Home Furnishings, and Recreational/Leisure segments. US operations include the Dorel Juvenile Group USA, which incorporates the Cosco and Safety 1st brands; Ameriwood Industries, Cosco Home & Office; and Pacific Cycle, which includes the Schwinn, Mongoose, GT, InSTEP and Roadmaster brands. In Canada, Dorel operates Dorel Juvenile Group Canada; Ridgewood Industries and Dorel Home Products. The Dorel Juvenile Group Europe carries out activities throughout Europe, under the Maxi-Cosi, Quinny, Safety 1st, Bébé Confort, Babidéal, MonBébé and Baby Relax brands. Dorel Asia sources and imports home furnishings. Dorel employs approximately 5,000 people in fourteen countries. 2003 sales were US$1.2 billion. 2004 sales are expected to be between US$1.6 – US$1.8 billion. manufacturer Ampafrance, positioning the Company as the global leader in the industry. • Dorel secures new long-term financing with the sale of US$110.0 million of Senior Guaranteed Notes. The funds were used to finance the purchase of Ampafrance. • Dorel posts fiscal 2002 year end revenue of US$992.0 million and net income of US$61.6 million; US$2.05 EPS, fully diluted. • Harold (Sonny) Gordon, Q.C., appointed to Board of Directors. Mr. Gordon has a diverse background of governmental, legal and business experience. Second Quarter • Q1 (ended March 31, 2003) results announced: revenues of US$276.9 million, up 8.6%, and a 22.4% increase in net income of US$19.2 million; EPS of US$0.61. • Dorel Juvenile Group USA unveils exciting line-up of new products at International Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) show, including revolutionary neat! Diaper Disposal System. • CEO Martin Schwartz tells annual general meeting audience that Dorel is launching a global initiative strategy with China continuing to play a growing factor in all operations. Third Quarter • Q2 (ended June 30, 2003) results announced: a 10.3% increase in revenues to US$264.7 million and a 9.2% increase in net income to US$16.3 million or EPS of US$0.50. Six month revenue reaches US$541.7 million; net income at $35.5 million or US$1.13 per share. • Dorel acquires North America’s fastest growing RTA furniture manufacturer, Carina Furniture Industries Ltd. of Toronto. Purchase ranks Dorel as among the top two in North American RTA furniture industry. Fourth Quarter • Q3 (ended September 30, 2003) results announced: revenues up 16.5% to US$298.5 million; net income up 14.8% to US$18.8 million or US$0.59 per share. Nine month revenue reaches US$840.1 million; net income at $54.3 million or US$1.72 per share. Dorel is the parent corporation of a number of independently operated subsidiaries incorporated in various countries throughout the world, including, without limitation, Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation and Ameriwood Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation, each operating in the United States, as well as operating subsidiaries in Europe and Asia. In some instances, references in this Annual Report to “Dorel” may include the operations of those subsidiaries. 2 2003 Annual Report Message to Shareholders WE ACHIEVED MAJOR PROGRESS IN OUR GROWTH STRATEGY BY COMPLETING TWO ACQUISITIONS, BOTH IMMEDIATELY ACCRETIVE TO EARNINGS, WHILE PREPARING FOR A THIRD. 2003 was a milestone year for Dorel as we became a billion dollar corporation, a world leader in juvenile products and North America’s number two ready-toassemble (RTA) furniture producer. Immediately subsequent to year-end we also became the largest player in the US bicycle industry. These events will steadily drive your Company toward its second billion dollars in revenue. 2004 sales are expected to be between US$1.6 and US$1.8 billion. We achieved major progress in our growth strategy by completing two acquisitions, both immediately accretive to earnings, while preparing for a third. This included Ampafrance, Carina Furniture Industries in Canada and, US-based Pacific Cycle, our largest purchase ever. While we are cautious for 2004, we are confident the year will set new records in profitability. The addition of the new Recreational/Leisure Segment through Pacific Cycle provides exciting opportunities. Acquisitions reinforce growth The US economy and by extension, the retail environment, has been choppy during the past couple of years and remains somewhat uncertain. Retailers, principally in the United States, were highly prudent in their buying patterns through much of 2003 as consumers were selective in their purchases. This was particularly the case in our Juvenile Segment as 2003 sales levels in the US were somewhat disappointing, a trend that was reversed in the fourth quarter. While year-over-year sales of RTA furniture in our Home Furnishings Segment were up, margins were lower due to aggressive pricing and some higher raw material prices. The purchase of Ampafrance and its four highly dominant juvenile brands during the first quarter of fiscal 2003 compensated for the weaker US climate. Overall Juvenile Segment sales rose almost 28 % for the year, while earnings from operations grew over 53 %. Similarly, the acquisition of Carina in the third quarter, has allowed the Company to strengthen its presence in retail RTA furniture sectors where it has previously not had a solid share of certain markets. These acquisitions are fundamental to Dorel’s proven growth strategy that dates back to 1988 when we bought Cosco in the US. Our record is clear. We buy companies that fit our specific business model and that provide consistent future internal growth. While we will continue to seek out profitable new companies, we will tirelessly work to ensure efficiencies that lead to profitability in all of our businesses. 3 2003 Annual Report Martin Schwartz President & CEO 2003 highlights Juvenile To this end, a number of important issues were addressed throughout 2003 to correct certain situations. For example, we had fallen behind in the 12-18 month product development cycle in juvenile, resulting in a lack of sufficient new products in 2002. This translated into weak US sales through the first half of 2003. We moved decisively to fix the problem with a major reorientation of our product development process. As a result, fourth quarter year-over-year juvenile sales in the US increased more than 10% while earnings from operations rose significantly. Several new products were launched incorporating innovation, quality, convenience and, above all, safety. These included new stroller platforms featuring European styling; an Eddie Bauer collection of wood high chairs, step stools and basinets; the Safety 1st neat! Diaper Disposal System, truly superior to others on the market, as well as additions to the line of Safety 1st nursery monitors. Reaction to these and other introductions presented at the two major juvenile shows in the United States and Germany was enthusiastic. Gross margins improved year-over-year as a result of lower material costs, improvements in distribution expenses and significantly less customer reductions at Dorel Juvenile Group USA. In Europe, the addition of Ampafrance has made Dorel significantly stronger. Market share in France is now fifteen times greater than it was through Dorel Juvenile Group Europe. As well, Ampafrance’s more comprehensive range of products has made it one of the top players in Spain, Italy and Portugal and it is also the market leader in Switzerland and Belgium. Our geographic breakdown of sales which was 91% North American and 9% European/other in 2002 shifted to 76% North American and 24% European/other this past year. We are also leveraging Ampafrance’s management strength with a new structure. All European juvenile operations report to Ampafrance’s CEO, under an expanded Dorel Juvenile Group Europe. New Managing Directors were appointed for MaxiMiliaan B.V. and Ampafrance, both of whom report to the CEO. While senior responsibility for Europe has been centralized, the operations of Ampafrance and Maxi-Miliaan B.V. have not been completely merged. Rather, the strengths of each Company are being better utilized by applying one consistent vision for all of Europe. IN EUROPE, THE ADDITION OF AMPAFRANCE HAS MADE DOREL SIGNIFICANTLY STRONGER. MARKET SHARE IN FRANCE IS NOW FIFTEEN TIMES GREATER THAN IT WAS THROUGH DOREL JUVENILE GROUP EUROPE. 4 2003 Annual Report Home Furnishings Dorel’s home furnishings businesses—Ameriwood, Cosco Home & Office and Dorel Asia—were all profitable in 2003. While the ready-to-assemble furniture component was flat, this was a standout performance when compared to others in the industry. CARINA WAS PURCHASED FOR ITS BROADER PRODUCT LINE AND CUSTOMER BASE AND ADDS EXCITING NEW OPPORTUNITIES. IT HAS BEEN NORTH AMERICA’S FASTEST GROWING RTA FURNITURE MANUFACTURER FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, AND ITS ADDITION RANKS DOREL SECOND AMONG THE RTA FURNITURE PRODUCERS IN NORTH AMERICA. Concerted efforts by the RTA furniture divisions in seeking opportunities for growth and in product development, both with domestic and imported products, mitigated the top line impact. However, aggressive pricing, higher board prices and the strong Canadian dollar lowered margins. New designs with solid wood fronts as well as imported products to complement domestic production, offered a unique look and value to consumers. The division increased its market share and expanded its presence with mass merchants. As conditions improve, we are confident Dorel’s RTA furniture unit will continue to lead the industry. Carina was purchased for its broader product line and customer base and adds exciting new opportunities. It has been North America’s fastest growing RTA furniture manufacturer for the past two years, and its addition ranks Dorel second among the RTA furniture producers in North America. Carina provides important added access to office superstore and do-it-yourself retail chains in the United States and Canada. Cosco Home & Office, which produces step stools, ladders, folding furniture and chairs, introduced a number of new items including some under the Samsonite label. The Samsonite brand has opened many doors as customers are expressing a strong desire for their products. The division also secured several incremental step stool listings in Europe, where the product line is gaining momentum. Dorel Asia is expected to contribute an improved performance in 2004 with several new accounts. A track record of growth Over the past five years, Dorel has recorded a compound annual growth rate of 32% in earnings and 19% in sales. This continuing success results from a combination of factors underpinned by a corporate culture of continuous improvement. We consistently attempt to raise the bar in everything we do, from purchasing and new product development to the quality of the acquisitions we make. Our brands are strong and have been getting stronger through acquisitions. The purchase of Pacific Cycle in 2004, with its powerful platform of brands, provides significant potential for growth both domestically and internationally. This increased basket of Dorel products, generally sold at popular, opening price points, will serve the Company well as we are solidly entrenched with all mass merchants, creating strong distribution channels, and opening numerous opportunities. 5 2003 Annual Report Outlook The ability to see things through a crystal ball is far from a perfect science. This has never been more the case than over the past two years as the result of the unforeseen events which have affected all of us. Clarity remains elusive and leads us to be conservative looking forward. While we did see improvement in the US retail climate through the second half of 2003, the consumer is not yet back in force. New juvenile products launched during the second half of 2003 provide the momentum for new sales. The potential for growth in Europe is significant. There are approximately four million births each year in Europe, roughly the same number as in the US, and the industry is very fragmented. With our new focused approach in Europe, we feel we can attain a presence and size abroad similar to that of our North American juvenile operations. Due to raw material price increases, the readyto-assemble furniture industry is likely to face challenges during 2004, but we are taking measures to counteract these pressures. As a result, margins will improve progressively through the year. Pacific Cycle is a new business for us, and we are being prudent in our expectations. Along with this exciting new company comes an excellent management team and a powerful portfolio of brands, truly a winning combination with great potential. OUR BRANDS ARE STRONG AND HAVE BEEN GETTING STRONGER THROUGH ACQUISITIONS. THE PURCHASE OF PACIFIC CYCLE, WITH ITS POWERFUL PLATFORM OF BRANDS, PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH BOTH DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. Overall, we are maintaining a cautious, conservative outlook for 2004. We have made many changes over the past year in our on-going drive of continuous improvement and profitable growth. We have added significantly to Dorel’s operations. This, clearly, is a much larger Company. 2004 will be a year of integration where all energies will be focused on identifying and implementing efficiencies. Despite recent high borrowings to finance acquisitions, we are confident that we will be able to rapidly pay down debt in the year ahead as free cash flow is expected to be in excess of US$100 million in 2004. I wish to thank our employees and suppliers around the world for their role in making Dorel a respected global consumer products company. They help design, manufacture and distribute the products that consumers are increasingly using in their daily lives. Our relationships with our customers continue to strengthen as we introduce more exciting products. And our commitment to our shareholders for continued profitability remains unwavering. We thank you all for your support. Martin Schwartz President and Chief Executive Officer February 23, 2004 6 2003 Annual Report The Dorel Business Model 7 2003 Annual Report Global vision that provokes growth Dorel’s vision for growth as a global consumer products company is built upon its ability to adhere to a highly-disciplined program of organic growth and strategic acquisitions, a culture of low-cost production and management’s skill of continuous improvement across all Company businesses. Dorel’s proven program combines the in-house design of exciting, quality consumer products; a balance of domestic and off-shore production and the development of strong customer relationships. It is this model which serves both Dorel’s traditional divisions and is the formula the Company seeks when acquiring new, growth operations. 8 2003 Annual Report The Power of Dorel’s Brands 9 2003 Annual Report Global brands that provoke growth Dorel’s growth as a global consumer products company has been accelerated by the addition of several recognized brands. Criteria for the Company’s acquisitions include immediate profitability and existing strong brands. This can be traced back to 1988 when Dorel bought Cosco, well-known in the US for its line of car seats and strollers. Subsequent purchases have included Maxi-Cosi, Quinny and Ampafrance’s four solid brands including Bébé Confort, Babidéal, MonBébé and Baby Relax in Europe as well as Safety 1st and most recently Schwinn, Mongoose, GT, InSTEP and Roadmaster in the US. Ameriwood, Carina and SystemBuild have also been added to Ridgewood, Dorel’s original RTA furniture operation. In addition, Dorel has entered into several successful licenses with well-known brand names such as Eddie Bauer and Samsonite. 10 2003 Annual Report Pacific Cycle BACK ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): JEFF FREHNER, VP HR, General Counsel | BRUNO MAIER, VP New Business Dev. & Licensing | BOB HABERSAAT, VP Sales, Sporting Goods BOB IPPOLITO, Executive VP, Product Development & Customer Service | ALICE TILLET, VP Sales FRONT ROW: BYRON SMITH, Chief Operating Officer & President | CHRIS HORNUNG, Chairman & CEO | ROB GOOZE, Executive VP, Supply Chair | PAUL SILVER, VP Marketing MISSING: JIM CONINX, Executive VP, Finance & Chief Finance Officer | NICK ABDRADE, VP, Independent Bicycle Dealer Sales 11 2003 Annual Report Global opportunities that provoke growth In February 2004 Dorel added a significant new dimension to its businesses with the acquisition of Pacific Cycle. Best known for its Schwinn, Mongoose and GT bicycle brands, Pacific Cycle is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of high quality, branded bicycles and other recreational products. Pacific Cycle sells more bicycles than anyone in the US. Its portfolio of powerful brands is one of the strongest in the sporting goods industry. Its business model parallels Dorel’s and provides opportunities to strengthen Dorel’s position as a global consumer products company. Existing Pacific Cycle management is remaining and the unit will be run as a stand-alone business. 12 2003 Annual Report A Proven Business Model DOREL HAS PRACTICED A HIGHLY DISCIPLINED GROWTH STRATEGY SINCE ITS 1987 IPO. A COMBINATION OF INTERNAL GROWTH AND PRUDENT ACQUISITIONS HAS PROVIDED A TEN YEAR CAGR RATE OF 20.5% IN SALES AND 30.6% IN EARNINGS. MANAGEMENT HAS CONSISTENTLY MAINTAINED ITS FOCUS ON THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS MODEL -- CLEARLY EVIDENT WITH THE 2004 PURCHASE OF PACIFIC CYCLE. IT IS THIS STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE OVERALL PLAN PLUS THE PROGRESSIVE REINFORCEMENT OF DOREL’S PORTFOLIO OF POWERFUL BRANDS THAT CONTINUES TO DRIVE PROFITABILITY. A catalyst to Dorel’s evolution as a global consumer products company has been its ability to develop and continuously improve key strengths which are consistently applied across all Company businesses. The strategy combines the in-house design of exciting, quality consumer products; a balance of domestic production and off-shore sourcing, and the development of strong customer relationships. It is this model which has not only served Dorel’s traditional divisions but is the formula the Company seeks when acquiring new, growth operations. It starts with the right products at the right price. Product development is a highly integral component. Each segment has the required resources to create the necessary pipeline of new products. The Dorel Juvenile Group’s Design and Development Centre in Canton, Massachusetts is augmented by Ampafrance’s talented team in Cholet, France. While continents apart, the two groups interact to ensure that consumer concerns for safety, quality and convenience are fully addressed and in a manner that respects the diverse market tastes. Ameriwood’s RTA furniture designs are created and perfected at the division’s Wright City, Missouri facility, while Cosco Home & Office delivers the latest in ladders, folding furniture and step stools from its base in Columbus, Indiana. Added to this growing pool of creative minds is Pacific Cycle’s R&D department, turning out the bicycle models most Americans are buying. Dorel has analyzed what to produce at its own facilities and what to outsource. This is vital to the Company’s success. For example, the Dorel Juvenile Group’s Columbus, Indiana factory, which produces car seats, was completely revamped and enlarged to 1.3 million square feet in 2003. Construction of the “Factory of the Future” commenced shortly after the Company determined that the local Columbus option provided significant cost savings and increased efficiencies. Conversely, strollers are made in Asia. It is this highly flexible and successful manufacturing model that led Dorel to investigate Pacific Cycle, which long ago, perfected the concept of domestic design and off-shore production. Strict quality control is uncompromising to the point that Dorel has offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen to oversee all Asian production. Dorel’s strong relationships with its customers and its proven capacity of serving the largest mass merchants has earned it many Vendor of the Year awards as well as the prestigious distinction of Category Captain in many of the sectors it serves. It is this trust and loyalty of its wide base of customers that enables to Dorel to grow its businesses through new product offerings. The Company pays considerable attention to ensuring that its customer service is second to none. It maintains individual offices in close proximity to key retailers, with staff totally dedicated to these important merchants. A Growing Portfolio of Strong Brands Dorel’s growth as a global consumer products company has been accelerated in recent years by the addition of several recognized brands. In 2000, Dorel purchased Safety 1st. Who hasn’t seen the “Baby on Board” sign? Numerous new Safety 1st products have been developed by Dorel’s design teams. Others are being marketed under the well-known brand. In Europe, Maxi-Cosi and Quinny, two names associated with quality juvenile products, formed the base of the Corporation’s growth abroad. That platform was given a major boost with the 2003 purchase of Ampafrance. Ampafrance’s products under the Bébé Confort, Babidéal, MonBébé and Baby Relax brands, are universally 13 2003 Annual Report known in France. Through them, Ampafrance is one of the top three players in Spain, Italy and Portugal and is also a market leader in Switzerland and Belgium. Few European competitors match the comprehensive range of products offered. There is also strong cross marketing. A line of Safety 1st products has been introduced in Europe. The RTA furniture division, already strong with the Ameriwood, Charleswood and Ridgewood names, was further strengthened with last year’s purchase of the Carina and SystemBuild brands. Dorel also has licensing arrangements with well-known brands such as Eddie Bauer, a highly successful juvenile label, Disney and Samsonite. Most recently, in February 2004, Dorel inherited one of the best known sporting goods brands, Schwinn bicycles, through its acquisition of Pacific Cycle. Dorel’s Brand Drive Gears up with Schwinn The addition of Pacific Cycle, a designer and supplier of bicycles and other recreational products, adds a significant additional dimension to Dorel, classified under a new reporting segment, Recreational/Leisure. Pacific Cycle is best known for its Schwinn, Mongoose and GT bicycle brands. With an 88% market awareness, Schwinn is an American icon and is one of the most widely recognized brands in the sporting goods industry with a long-established reputation for high quality bicycles. Mongoose has a 73% market awareness and is particularly well known in the aggressive, performance-oriented BMX bicycle and freestyle riding market. Pacific Cycle also markets products under the Roadmaster, InSTEP and Pacific labels. Pacific Cycle sells more bicycles than anyone else in the US bicycle industry and its portfolio of powerful brands allows it to license them domestically and internationally, providing additional revenues. Pacific’s brand portfolio enables it to serve virtually all consumer demographics, price categories and bicycling tastes. Pacific Cycle’s business model is very similar to Dorel’s and provides numerous growth opportunities. Pacific Cycle designs its bicycles domestically and manufactures off-shore through long and solidly established Asian sourcing. It distributes its brands through strong relationships with high volume retailers, particularly in the mass merchant channel as well as sporting goods chains and specialty independent dealers. This broad distribution and intensive marketing have enabled Pacific Cycle to garner an industry-leading 27% share of total US bicycle sales, including 44% in the mass merchant sector. Dorel intends to leverage Pacific’s powerful brands to create a platform for future growth in leisure and fitness products, including natural extensions in its juvenile segment. 14 2003 Annual Report Corporate Governance The Board of Directors of Dorel Industries Inc. and its management are committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance identified in Canada, United States and Europe. The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the business and affairs of the Company, and providing guidance and direction to management in order to attain corporate objectives and to maximize shareholder value. These stewardship functions are carried out directly by the Board and its Committees. In 2003, the Board met six times with a 98% attendance record. At each meeting, the Independent Directors meet without management or the related Directors. In 2003, the position of Lead Director was created, and Mr. Maurice Tousson, a long-standing independent board member was appointed to the post. During the year, an original board member, Mr. Bruce Kaufman, stepped down and was replaced by a new independent director, Mr. Harold P. (Sonny) Gordon, Q.C. Dorel has two Committees of the Board, the Audit Committee and the Human Resources and Corporate Governance Committee. Both are composed solely of independent board members. These committees are each responsible for certain corporate governance functions in accordance with their respective Terms of Reference. The Audit Committee Terms of Reference were revised to ensure conformity with all Canadian and United States regulatory requirements. In total there were five meetings of the Audit Committee and the Human Resources and Corporate Governance Committee. Attendance at these meetings averaged 93%. Over the past two years, the Audit Committee has been central to the creation or modification of certain of the Company’s policies: there is now an amended policy of financial reporting to be adhered to by applicable personnel; procedures for “whistle blowing” and “incident reporting” to be followed throughout the Company; a policy on consulting services, including non-audit services provided by the Company’s auditors; a trading restriction and blackout period policy with respect to the trading of Dorel shares for all employees; a policy governing all press releases issued by the Company and a disclosure policy to be adhered to by all management and other employees with access to confidential information about the Company. An expanded code of business conduct for all Dorel employees was also created. 15 2003 Annual Report A more detailed description of corporate governance practices is contained in the Management Proxy Circular of the Company issued in connection with this annual report. The Directors of the Company, and their related biographies, principal occupations and Committee appointments are listed in this report. It has been one of Dorel’s long standing objectives to have a majority independent board. In 2004, the Company intends to add two additional Board members, bringing the number of Directors to nine, of which a majority will be independent. Certification of Disclosure Controls and Procedures The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” have concluded such controls and procedures are adequate and effective and are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries is made known to them. Subsequent to the Evaluation Date, there were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or, to their knowledge, in other factors that could significantly affect the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. These certifications can be found in the Company’s December 30, 2003 Form 40-F filed with the SEC. 16 2003 Annual Report Message from our Chief Operating Officer Pierre Dupuis Vice-President, Chief Operating Officer Dorel made solid progress through 2003, a year of intensive activity that saw the Company complete two acquisitions and prepare for a third. Two of these purchases, Ampafrance and US-based Pacific Cycle, were the largest ever made by Dorel, while the third, Carina Furniture Industries, was highly strategic to our readyto-assemble furniture business. All were immediately accretive to earnings and have presented exciting opportunities. Ampafrance’s integration into our juvenile activities in Europe has been exceedingly smooth, given the extent of its operations. In its first year with Dorel, Ampafrance has performed as anticipated. Not only has it provided the Company with important market share in southern Europe, but it has rounded out the juvenile product offerings and has provided added stature throughout Europe. While Ampafrance contributed to juvenile’s results through 2003, our northern Europe operations did not perform to expectations. This was due to a combination of poor economic conditions and some internal shor tcomings. The situation has been addressed with the naming of Ampafrance’s President, Dominique Favario, as President and CEO of the Dorel Juvenile Group Europe, which now encompasses all operations including those of Maxi-Miliaan and Ampafrance. DOREL MADE SOLID PROGRESS THROUGH 2003, A YEAR OF INTENSIVE ACTIVITY THAT SAW THE COMPANY COMPLETE TWO ACQUISITIONS AND PREPARE FOR A THIRD. TWO OF THESE PURCHASES, AMPAFRANCE AND US-BASED PACIFIC CYCLE, WERE THE LARGEST EVER MADE BY DOREL, WHILE THE THIRD, CARINA FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, WAS HIGHLY STRATEGIC TO OUR READY-TO-ASSEMBLE FURNITURE BUSINESS. ALL WERE IMMEDIATELY ACCRETIVE TO EARNINGS AND HAVE PRESENTED EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES. Carina has been fully incorporated into the RTA furniture businesses. Carina, with its well-known Carina and SystemBuild brands, was purchased in September 2003, primarily for its sales, customer base and new distribution channels, such as office superstores and do-it-yourself retail chains, areas where Dorel was not well represented. Consolidation in the first quarter of 2004 of Dorel’s RTA furniture facilities will result in significant cost synergies. Carina’s Brampton, Ontario factory was closed as it could not meet Dorel’s stringent efficiency targets. A large part of the production has been transferred to the division’s highly efficient Cornwall, Ontario plant. Sourcing and purchasing Dorel has continued to refine its global sourcing operations to maintain its low-cost production advantage. Attentive cost and productivity management throughout the company is essential. To this end, all divisions work in close concert to ensure that the Company’s global presence and buying force are fully leveraged. Just one example is the uniform procurement of buckles and harnesses for car seats in both Europe and America. This type of control on manufacturing and sourcing, coupled with an increased elimination of waste and a marked decrease in customer deductions for performance issues, helped boost juvenile margins. To further this important initiative and to maximize growing opportunities in the Orient, Dorel has also strengthened its office in China. While Dorel has been a factor in the Orient for many years, the Company continues to further develop its on-site presence there. This past year the majority of the quality assurance and quality control operations were moved in-house, reducing costs and ensuring a higher degree of control over all manufacturing in China. Notwithstanding the discipline of Dorel’s global purchasing programs, certain raw material increases, such as particle board, are inevitable and must be closely monitored. As discussed elsewhere in this report, these costs must be controlled to ensure that margins are respected. As always, while Dorel seeks growth, this growth must be profitable. 17 2003 Annual Report Product development remains a top priority. Development teams have been strengthened across all Dorel businesses. Special concentration through 2003 was placed on the development of new juvenile products, including a totally new line of strollers in North America. Exciting new car seats were also introduced in Europe and North America. One example which has been particularly well received by retailers is the Safety 1st neat! Diaper Disposal System, which provides superior odor elimination and simple operation for caregivers. New, improved RTA furniture items were also introduced incorporating decorative solid wood components. Reaction to the high-quality look of these units has been excellent, not only setting them apart from the competition, but resulting in additional market share as well. Cosco Home & Office also launched a number of new items including a molded banquet table line as well as stackable chairs in the commercial/office channel under the Samsonite label. The Samsonite brand has opened many doors as commercial customers are expressing a strong desire for its products. Dorel Asia continued to gain in importance through the year with its development and sourcing of upscale furniture lines such as bedroom suites and leather furniture. People and teams Dorel divisions were successful in attracting high quality new talent in many key positions. An increasing amount of time and effort is being devoted to continually assessing and developing Company managers. Representation at major accounts was enhanced with the recruitment of additional experienced Dorel sales professionals. Labor peace was again guaranteed for the next few years with the successful renegotiation of collective agreements. This was accomplished smoothly without any labour disruptions. Special Projects Dorel Juvenile Group USA’s new US$26 million juvenile Factory of the Future and new distribution centre in Columbus, Indiana will be completed this year. The new state-of-the-art complex, to be used for the manufacture of all car seats and other large plastic components, is replacing the current plant and is consolidating a distribution centre located over 50 kilometers away. While various other scenarios were considered, extensive analysis concluded that the Columbus location provided the best scenario for significant cost savings, increased efficiencies and an improved response to customers. An inventive program has been completed at the Dorel Home Product’s factory in Montreal, Quebec. A new technology has been researched and developed in-house for the production of mattresses used in Ameriwood’s highly popular futons. The process uses the “airlaid” concept and significantly improves the product while greatly reducing manufacturing costs. The US$4 million investment is the first of its type in North America and promises to generate excellent returns in the very near future. Yet another project was the implementation of an ERP system in the juvenile divisions in Europe and North America. This is already improving service and streamlining internal processes. 2003 has been a highly active and exciting year with several major projects being coordinated, many on a simultaneous basis. The efficient and professional manner in which all files and projects have been handled is a tribute to the thousands who work for Dorel. It is my privilege to be associated with this organization. Pierre Dupuis Vice-President, Chief Operating Officer 18 2003 Annual Report 11-year Financial Retrospective Operating Results (IN THOUSANDS OF US DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) 2003 Sales 2002 2001 1,163,766 992,073 916,769 Cost of sales 857,606 760,423 718,123 Gross profit 306,160 231,650 198,646 as percent of sales 26.3% 23.4% 21.7% 205,534 145,956 147,353 – – 20,000 100,626 85,694 31,293 8.6% 8.6% 3.4% Income taxes 25,600 24,099 4,731 Net earnings from continuing operations 75,026 61,595 26,562 6.4% 6.2% 2.9% – – 75,026 61,595 25,504 6.4% 6.2% 2.8% Basic* 2.36 2.05 0.94 Fully diluted* 2.32 2.00 0.93 Operating expenses Restructuring costs and other one-time charges Pre-tax earnings as percent of sales as percent of sales Income (loss) from discontinued operations Net earnings as percent of sales ( 1,058 ) Earnings per share from continuing operations Earnings per share * Adjusted to account for the weighted daily average number of shares outstanding. Basic* 2.36 2.05 0.91 Fully diluted* 2.32 2.00 0.89 15.54 11.31 7.52 ** Based on the number of shares outstanding at year end. All per share amounts have been adjusted to give retroactive recognition to the two-for-one stock split that took place in 1998. Figures for 1995 and prior have not been restated for discontinued operations. Book value per share at end of year** 19 2003 Annual Report 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 757,540 596,702 492,554 351,989 283,913 268,682 231,278 180,119 582,741 452,974 381,826 264,789 212,078 205,417 179,805 143,680 174,799 143,728 110,729 87,200 71,835 63,265 51,473 36,439 23.1% 24.1% 22.5% 24.8% 25.3% 23.5% 22.3% 20.2% 127,356 85,996 74,635 61,024 55,161 52,081 42,537 28,556 12,037 – 10,066 – – – – – 35,406 57,732 26,027 26,176 16,674 11,184 8,935 7,883 4.7% 9.7% 5.3% 7.4% 5.9% 4.2% 3.9% 4.4% 5,432 17,756 8,330 8,862 5,991 3,716 3,345 2,690 29,974 39,977 17,697 17,314 10,683 7,468 5,590 5,194 4.0% 6.7% 3.6% 4.9% 3.8% 2.8% 2.4% 2.9% ( 12,668 ) ( 1,401 ) 1,000 225 85 – – – 17,306 38,576 18,697 17,539 10,768 7,468 5,590 5,194 2.3% 6.5% 3.8% 5.0% 3.8% 2.8% 2.4% 2.9% 1.07 1.43 0.65 0.69 0.45 0.32 0.24 0.22 1.05 1.41 0.65 0.69 0.43 0.30 0.24 0.22 0.62 1.38 0.69 0.71 0.46 0.32 0.24 0.22 0.61 1.36 0.69 0.70 0.44 0.30 0.24 0.22 6.75 6.55 5.63 4.26 5.77 2.48 2.19 1.86 20 2003 Annual Report Management’s Discussion and Analysis of financial position and results of operations THIS MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL POSITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (“MD&A”) SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY’S FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2003, 2002 AND 2001 AS WELL AS THE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL FIGURES ARE IN US DOLLARS. THIS MD&A IS CURRENT AS OF MARCH 26, 2004. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATING TO THE COMPANY, INCLUDING THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM (“AIF”), ARE AVAILABLE ON-LINE AT WWW.SEDAR.COM. Corporate Objectives, Core Businesses and Strategies Overview Dorel Industries’ goal is to be one of the premier consumer products companies in North America and Europe. The Company carries out its business in two distinct product areas; juvenile products and home furnishings. Subsequent to year end, the Company announced the acquisition of Pacific Cycle, a designer and supplier of bicycles and other recreational products. As such, a new reporting segment, Recreational/Leisure has been created for fiscal 2004. These segments consist of several operating divisions or subsidiaries. Each is managed independently by a separate group of managers. Management of the Company coordinates the businesses of each segment and maximizes cross-selling, cross-marketing, procurement and other complementary business opportunities. The Juvenile Segment operates in both North America and Europe. The North American operations are headquartered from Columbus, Indiana and consist of the Dorel Juvenile Group USA and Dorel Juvenile Group Canada. Facilities are also located in California, Massachusetts and Quebec. The principal brand names in North America are Cosco and Safety 1st. In addition, both have a licensing agreement with the well-recognized Eddie Bauer brand name. In Europe, the Juvenile group is headquartered from Cholet, France and includes Ampafrance, and Maxi-Miliaan, based in Helmond, Holland. In addition, major production facilities are located in Telgate, Italy and Vila do Conde, Portugal with sales and/or distribution units in Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland. In Europe, products are marketed under the brand names Bébé Confort, MaxiCosi, Quinny, Babidéal, MonBébé, Baby Relax and Safety 1st. The Home Furnishings Segment consists of the Ameriwood Industries group as well as Cosco Home & Office Products and Dorel Asia. The Ameriwood group specializes in ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture and is headquartered in Wright City, Missouri. In addition to Missouri, significant manufacturing and distribution facilities are located in Michigan, Ohio, Ontario and Quebec. Brand names used by the Ameriwood group are Ameriwood, Ridgewood, Charleswood, Carina and SystemBuild. Cosco Home & Of fice is located in Columbus, Indiana and in addition to selling under the Cosco brand has a licensing agreement with the Samsonite luggage company. Dorel Asia specializes in sourcing finished goods from the Orient for sale in North America. The Company’s head office is based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. In addition to the facilities above, the Company’s subsidiaries have North American showrooms in Toronto, Ontario and High Point, North Carolina. In total, the Company operates in fourteen countries with sales made throughout the world and employs approximately 5,000 people. Dorel’s ultimate goal is to satisfy consumer needs while achieving maximum financial results for its shareholders. This is accomplished by emphasizing high quality products that are accessible to all consumers and by continually investing in new product development. The Company’s growth has resulted from both increasing sales of existing businesses and by acquiring businesses that Management believes add value to the Company. 21 2003 Annual Report Sales Philosophy and Channels of Distribution Dorel conducts its business through a variety of sales and distribution arrangements. These consist of salaried employees; individual agents who carry the Company's products on either an exclusive or non-exclusive basis; individual specialized agents who sell products, including Dorel's, exclusively to one customer such as a major discount chain; and sales agencies which themselves employ their own sales force. While retailers carry out the bulk of the advertising of Dorel’s products, the Juvenile Segment does advertise and promote its products through the use of advertisements in specific magazines and multi-product brochures. Dorel believes that its commitment to providing a high quality, industry-leading level of service has allowed it to develop particularly successful and mutually beneficial relationships with major retailers. As an example of this commitment to service, the Company has been awarded more than 40 Awards of Excellence from its major customers since 1992. This level of customer satisfaction has been achieved by fostering particularly close contacts between Dorel’s sales representatives and the customers. To this end, permanent, full-service agency account teams dedicated exclusively to certain major accounts have been established. These dedicated account teams provide these customers with the assurance that inventory and supply requirements will be met and that any problems will be immediately addressed. Geographic Distribution of Sales 2003 Europe and elsewhere 24% North America 76% 2002 Europe and elsewhere 9% Operating Segments Juvenile Segment The Juvenile Segment manufactures and imports products such as infant car seats, strollers, high chairs, toddler beds, playpens, swings and infant health and safety aids. Dorel is among the three largest juvenile products companies in North America along with Graco (a part of the Newell Group of companies) and Evenflo Company Inc., and when combined with its European operations, is the largest juvenile products company in the world, within its categories. Although Dorel manufactures and sells juvenile products at all price levels—entry level to high-end price points—Dorel's products are designed for consumers whose priorities are safety and quality at reasonable prices. Its products are sold principally through mass merchants, department stores and hardware/home centres. In recent years, licensing agreements with well-recognized brand names have accelerated the entry into the higher priced juvenile products market. In Europe, Dorel also sells higher-end juvenile products to boutiques and smaller stores along with major European chains. Home Furnishings Segment The Home Furnishings Segment produces ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture, metal folding furniture, futons, step stools, ladders and other impor ted furniture items. RTA furniture is manufactured and packaged as component parts and is assembled by the consumer and consists of office furniture, metal and wood home office furniture, computer tables, microwave stands, entertainment and home theater units. RTA furniture, by its nature, is a reasonably priced alternative to traditional wooden furniture. Home furnishings are sold mainly to mass merchants, office superstores and hardware/home centres. With the acquisition of Carina Furniture Industries Ltd. (Carina), Dorel is now the second largest producer of RTA furniture in North America. The Company’s competitors include Bush Industries, O’Sullivan Industries and Sauder. Besides these large RTA furniture manufacturers, the home furnishings industry segment that Dorel competes in is characterized by a large number of smaller competitors. As such, there is little market share information available that would determine the Company’s size or performance in relation to these competitors. North America 91% 22 2003 Annual Report Business Acquisitions Part of Dorel’s growth strategy is through strategic acquisitions. In 2003 Dorel made two business acquisitions. In February 2003 Dorel acquired Ampa Development SAS (Ampafrance) of Cholet, France, a developer, manufacturer, marketer and distributor of juvenile products including strollers, car seats and other juvenile products for a total consideration of $247.2 million, including all related acquisition costs. Founded in 1875, Ampafrance was a privately-held organization universally known in France through its major brands: Bébé Confor t, Babidéal, MonBébé and Baby Relax. The Company’s brands are extremely well-recognized and have gained wide acceptance from consumers for their high quality, broad and innovative product lines that incorporate state-of-the-art features and up-to-date fashion. Ampafrance or Bébé Confort, as it is widely known throughout much of Europe, is a leading force in the French market with long-established distribution channels through independent retailers and mass merchants. Products, in all price categories, include prams, strollers, car seats, high chairs, beds, play yards, safety aids, apparel as well as feeding accessories. Prior to being acquired, Ampafrance’s sales in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2002 were approximately $187.0 million. It has manufacturing facilities in France, Italy and Por tugal and employs over 1,000 people. They are an ideal addition to Dorel’s existing European operations. Dorel’s traditional strength in Europe is in the North in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and Belgium. On the other hand, Ampafrance is strong mainly in France, Spain, Italy and Portugal. A large portion of Ampafrance’s products are currently manufactured in their own European factories, backed by lines of imported products. In September 2003, the Company acquired all the outstanding common shares of Carina, a developer, manufacturer, marketer and distributor of ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture for a total consideration of $39.9 million, including all related acquisition costs. The addition of Carina, and its SystemBuild brand is expected to make Dorel second among the RTA furniture producers in North America and will allow the Company to strengthen retail sectors where it has not had a solid share of the market. It is a highly strategic complement to Dorel’s current RTA furniture operations in that Carina has excellent relationships in the office superstore and do-it-yourself retail chains in both the US and Canada. It opens markets where traditionally the Company has not been strong with retailers such as Lowe’s, Menards, OfficeMax, Staples, Home Depot, Home Hardware, and Wal-Mart Canada. Subsequent to year-end and therefore not included in any of the figures contained herein, the Company signed a purchase agreement to acquire Wisconsin-based Pacific Cycle, a designer and supplier of bicycles and other recreational products. The total value of the all-cash transaction was $310.0 million and is being financed through amended debt facilities. Pacific Cycle’s annual sales are in excess of $325.0 million. Founded in 1977, Pacific Cycle is a leader in the design, marketing and distribution of high quality, branded bicycles and other recreational products. Best known for its Schwinn, Mongoose and GT bicycle brands, the Company also markets products under the Roadmaster, InSTEP and Pacific labels. Pacific Cycle combines these well-known brands with long-established, efficient Asian sourcing. It distributes its brands through its strong relationships with high volume retailers, particularly in the mass channel as well as sporting goods chains and specialty independent dealers. This broad distribution has enabled Pacific Cycle to garner an industry-leading 27% share of total US bicycle sales including 44% of the bicycle sales in the mass merchant sector. Pacific’s brand portfolio enables it to serve virtually all consumer demographics, price categories and bicycling styles. Pacific will be run as a stand-alone Dorel division and will be repor ted under a third segment to be known as Recreational/Leisure. 23 2003 Annual Report Selected Financial Information (ALL FIGURES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEARS ENDED December 30, 2003 December 30, 2002 December 30, 2001 % OF % OF % % OF $ SALES $ SALES CHANGE $ SALES SALES EXPENSES Cost of sales Operating Amortization Amortization of goodwill Research and development costs Product liability Interest on long-term debt Other interest 1,163,766 100.0% 992,073 100.0% 17.3% 916,769 100.0% 857,606 153,741 29,251 – 6,465 – 15,512 565 73.7% 13.2% 2.5% – 0.6% – 1.4% 0.0% 760,423 106,969 24,850 – 3,698 – 9,987 452 76.7% 10.8% 2.5% – 0.4% – 1.0% 0.0% 12.8% 43.7% 17.7% – 74.8% – 55.3% 25.0% 718,123 97,164 21,168 7,990 2,569 20,000 17,643 819 78.3% 10.6% 2.3% 0.9% 0.3% 2.2% 1.9% 0.1% 1,063,140 Income from continuing operations before income taxes 906,379 885,476 100,626 8.6% 85,694 8.6% 17.4% 31,293 3.4% Income taxes 25,600 2.2% 24,099 2.4% 6.2% 4,731 0.5% Income from continuing operations 75,026 6.4% 61,595 6.2% 21.8% 26,562 2.9% Loss from discontinued operations – NET INCOME 75,026 – 6.4% – 61,595 – 6.2% – 21.8% ( 1,058 ) 25,504 ( 0.1 %) 2.8% EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic Income from continuing operations 2.36 2.05 0.94 Net income 2.36 2.05 0.91 Income from continuing operations 2.32 2.00 0.93 Net income 2.32 2.00 0.89 Diluted Dec. 30, 2003 Total assets SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA AS AT Dec. 30, Dec. 30, 2002 2001 1,110,557 614,742 610,123 Long-term financial liabilities Long-term debt 290,179 84,846 227,389 Other long-term liabilities 10,580 516 537 24 2003 Annual Report 2003 versus 2002 Income Statement Sales growth in the year was driven by the Ampafrance acquisition in February 2003 and Carina in September 2003. The acquisitions of Ampafrance in Europe and Carina in Canada allowed the Company to expand its business and diversify both its customer base and product range. With the exception of Dorel Juvenile Group USA, all divisions posted either sales increases or relatively flat results when compared to 2002. Despite the sales decrease and higher product liability costs at Dorel Juvenile Group USA, net income for that subsidiary was similar to that of last year. The Ameriwood RTA furniture group suffered margin pressure throughout the year, but effectively offset this with the continued turn around of the Dorel Home Products futon business. Total Sales 5 year CAGR – 19% 1,200,000 ($'000) 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 757,540 916,769 992,073 1,163,766 200,000 596,702 400,000 99 00 01 02 03 0 The gross margin improvement of 290 basis points can be attributed not only to the higher margins at Ampafrance, but also to substantial improvements at Dorel Juvenile Group USA and Dorel Juvenile Group Canada. These improvements were offset somewhat by a slight decrease within the Home Furnishings Segment. The above two factors were the principal drivers behind the Company’s ability to deliver a 22% increase in net income for the year. More detailed expense and earnings analysis can be found within the segmented results discussion that follows. Foreign exchange rates were a negative issue in 2003 for many multi-national Canadian corporations as the US dollar weakened against its Canadian counterpart. In Dorel’s case, this negative was felt in the Home Furnishings Segment where three Canadian plants manufactured and exported products to the US. Fortunately, with the Juvenile Segment the increased proportion of European business within the Dorel group provided an offset against this negative impact. In addition Dorel Juvenile Group Canada, an importer of US dollar denominated goods benefited on sales to its Canadian customers. Therefore, the overall impact of exchange rates on the Company’s earnings was not material. EBITDA from Continuing Operations 5 year CAGR – 21% 150,000 Balance Sheet The Company’s balance sheet changed significantly in the year due to both business acquisitions and foreign exchange rates. Financial leverage increased in the year as both of the acquisitions were financed with debt. 120,000 90,000 The increase in total assets of $496.0 million can be summarized as follows: 60,000 88,733 98,914 120,983 145,954 30,000 79,421 ($'000) Interest expenses in 2003 were up from 2002 as a direct result of borrowings for the Ampafrance and Carina acquisitions. Income taxes increased slightly to $25.6 million from $24.1 million in 2002. However, Dorel’s tax rate decreased in 2003 from 28.1% to 25.4%. This change in the tax rate is attributable to the proportionate change in pre-tax profits in the different tax jurisdictions in which Dorel operates. 99 00 01 02 03 0 Acquisition of Ampafrance and Carina Conversion of Euro denominated assets Other $408.0 69.0 19.0 Total $496.0 The reasons for the increase in long-term debt of $205.0 million can be summarized as follows: Acquisition of Ampafrance and Carina Repurchase of securitized receivables Reduction of bank indebtedness and in cash at year-end Free cash flow generated in the year Received from stock issuance Other $228.0 28.0 26.0 ( 60.0 ) ( 18.0 ) 1.0 Total $205.0 Two of the most significant changes in the assets were in goodwill and other intangibles. The Ampafrance acquisition created $160.5 million of goodwill and $65.8 million of other intangibles. Additional details regarding this acquisition may be found in Note 3 to the financial statements. The intangibles were recognized for the strength of the Ampafrance trademarks, principally the Bébé Confort name. The acquisition of Carina also created goodwill in the amount of $34.6 million. Over and above these acquisitions, the foreign exchange conversion of the European companies within Dorel at the end of 2003 increased the overall value of goodwill by approximately $30.0 million and of intangibles by $11.0 million respectively. 25 2003 Annual Report The long-term future (previously referred to as deferred) income tax liability on the balance sheet was also affected by the Ampafrance acquisition. Increases in the values of capital assets and other intangibles at the time of acquisition resulted in the creation of a long-term future tax liability of $32.0 million. This accounts for the majority of the increase over last year’s figure of $10.3 million to the 2003 year-end figure of $45.1 million. Working capital at the end of 2003 was $195.2 million compared to $173.8 million in 2002. Equity increased to $494.9 million from $354.0 million. The Company’s subsidiaries are considered as self-sustaining. As such, any foreign exchange fluctuations on conversion of non-US functional currency subsidiaries to the US dollar are included in the Cumulative Translation Adjustment (CTA) account as opposed to the income statement. In 2004, exchange rates had a positive impact on the balance sheet as the CTA account increased from $2.9 million to $51.0 million. 2002 versus 2001 Earnings per Share (diluted) 5 year CAGR – 27% 2.5 2.0 ($) 1.0 Total asset levels were consistent year-to-year. Long-term debt repayments of $142.0 million was made with the free cash flow generated by the Company in 2002, as well as the net proceeds of a share offering in the amount of $72.4 million. The Company had issued 2,929,200 shares from treasury for gross proceeds of CAN$112.8 million. 1.36 0.61 0.89 2.00 2.32 0.5 99 00 01 02 03 0.0 Though slightly higher over the prior year, operating costs, amortization and research and development expenses were not materially different between the two years. Two exceptions were the amortization of goodwill, which was eliminated in 2002 in conjunction with the new accounting standards adopted at that time and a one-time product liability cost of $20.0 million that was incurred in 2001 in connection with the establishment of a new self-insurance program for a portion of Dorel's insurance coverage. Due to drastic increases in insurance costs, Dorel made a strategic decision to become less reliant on traditional insurance by increasing its self-insurance product liability program and lessening its dependence on third-party insurers. The one-time charge was based on the Company’s latest actuarial reports and was not related to specific cases. It was a general provision required as part of increased self-insurance to address the potential liability risks and associated costs of the Company’s products currently in the market place. Earnings 5 year CAGR – 32% 80,000 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 61,595 75,026 10,000 25,504 20,000 17,306 ($'000) Interest expenses in 2002 were down from 2001 as improved cash flow and the funds received from a stock issuance in May 2002 reduced debt levels significantly throughout the year. Income taxes jumped to $24.1 million from $4.7 million based on the Company’s much improved pre-tax income. Dorel’s tax rate increased in 2002 from 12% to 28%. The increase in the tax rate is attributable to the proportionate change in pre-tax profits in the different tax jurisdictions in which Dorel operates. Due to the fact pre-tax earnings were much lower in 2001 and that certain fixed costs are tax deductible regardless of the pre-tax earnings levels within a given jurisdiction, the rate was significantly reduced in that year. Finally, an amount of $1.0 million was expensed in 2001 in connection with the final closure of the Fort Smith crib manufacturing facility that was included in the discontinued operations figure in the 2000 year-end results. 1.5 38,576 Unlike in 2003, sales growth in 2002 versus 2001 was driven substantially by organic growth. The only acquisition in 2001 was that of Quint B.V. (also known as Quinny), located in the Netherlands. It was a strategic acquisition as it opened up the stroller market for Dorel’s other Dutch company, Maxi-Miliaan. The sales of Quinny strollers in Europe, car seat sales in North America and success in Dorel’s imported home furnishings businesses accounted for the 8% sales increase in 2002. The 130 basis point improvement in gross margins came from both business segments. In Juvenile, a great deal of emphasis was placed on controlling customer deductions for such things as returns and other allowances. In both North America and Europe, duplicate expenses incurred in 2001 in connection with revamped distribution networks were eliminated. In Home Furnishings, lower material costs and improved efficiencies within the RTA furniture group and in the futon business accounted for the bulk of the improvement. 99 00 01 02 03 0 26 2003 Annual Report Quarterly Results (ALL FIGURES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) MARCH 31 2003 Sales Cost of sales Gross profit as percent of sales QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30 SEPT. 30 2003 2003 DEC. 30 2003 TOTAL 276,885 202,465 264,740 188,404 298,464 223,629 323,677 243,108 1,163,766 857,606 74,420 76,336 74,835 80,569 306,160 26.9% 28.8% 25.1% 24.9% 26.3% Expenses Operating Amortization Research and development costs Interest on long-term debt Other interest 34,741 7,263 1,793 3,111 (4) 39,972 7,039 2,089 4,202 264 36,457 7,459 2,872 4,159 238 42,571 7,490 ( 289 ) 4,040 67 153,741 29,251 6,465 15,512 565 Total expenses 46,904 53,566 51,185 53,879 205,534 Income before taxes as percent of sales Income taxes 27,516 9.9% 8,267 22,770 8.6% 6,509 23,650 7.9% 4,883 26,690 8.2% 5,941 100,626 8.6% 25,600 Net income 19,249 16,261 18,767 20,749 as percent of sales Earnings per share Basic Diluted 7.0% 0.61 0.60 MARCH 31 2002 Sales Cost of sales Gross profit as percent of sales 6.1% 0.51 0.50 6.3% 0.59 0.58 QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30 SEPT. 30 2002 2002 6.4% 75,026 6.4% 0.64 0.64 DEC. 30 2002 TOTAL 254,983 195,220 239,992 184,370 256,110 196,637 240,988 184,196 992,073 760,423 59,763 55,622 59,473 56,792 231,650 23.4% 23.2% 23.2% 23.6% 23.4% Expenses Operating Amortization Research and development costs Interest on long-term debt Other interest 26,750 5,979 1,086 3,239 ( 24) 24,725 6,045 1,585 2,228 151 26,324 6,119 1,503 2,492 212 29,170 6,707 ( 476) 2,028 113 106,969 24,850 3,698 9,987 452 Total expenses 37,030 34,734 36,650 37,542 145,956 Income before taxes as percent of sales Income taxes 22,733 8.9% 7,005 20,888 8.7% 5,992 22,823 8.9% 6,478 19,250 8.0% 4,624 85,694 8.6% 24,099 Net income 15,728 14,896 16,345 14,626 61,595 as percent of sales Earnings per share Basic Diluted 6.2% 0.56 0.55 6.2% 0.50 0.49 6.4% 0.52 0.51 6.1% 0.47 0.46 6.2% 27 2003 Annual Report There were no significant events that materially affected the Company’s operating results in the fourth quarter of either 2003 or 2002. One expense line item that is inconsistent with the first three quarters is research and development (R & D). The expense in the fourth quarter of both years was lower when compared to the other three quarters. This is due to the fact that within the Juvenile segment, it is the Company’s policy to capitalize and amortize over a period of two years those costs that meet specific criteria as identified under Canadian GAAP. Only when successful new products are identified can costs pertaining to those products be capitalized. As was the case in the fourth quarter, this can have the impact of costs being capitalized that were previously expensed. Dorel’s seasonality of sales can vary from year to year. In 2003, the fourth quarter was the strongest of the year, even when removing the impact of the two acquisitions in the year. The seasonality excluding acquisitions is shown below. One trend that is consistent is that sales tend to be their lowest during the second quarter of the year. The acquisition of Pacific Cycle in 2004 will have an impact on the Company’s overall seasonality of sales as the second quarter for the bicycle industry is its strongest. This will have the effect of further reducing the sales variations by quarter in 2004. Sales Seasonality Sales By Quarter – 2001 to 2003 (Adjusted for acquisitions in 2003) (Not adjusted for acquisitions in 2003) 1.2 350,000 2001 2002 2003 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Sales ($'000) 300,000 1.0 250,000 200,000 150,000 0.8 323,677 298,464 264,740 276,885 240,988 256,110 239,992 254,983 219,472 233,528 218,619 50,000 245,150 100,000 0 Q1 Q2 Q3 2001 Q4 2002 2003 Segmented Results DOREL’S SEGMENTED RESULTS ARE SUMMARIZED BELOW (ALL FIGURES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS) $ 2003 % OF SALES JUVENILE Sales Gross profit Operating expenses Amortization Research and development Earnings from operations 670,106 200,879 108,020 22,157 4,777 65,925 100.0% 30.0% 16.1% 3.3% 0.7% 9.8% 528,446 129,541 68,146 16,291 2,115 42,989 100.0% 24.5% 12.9% 3.1% 0.4% 8.1% HOME FURNISHINGS Sales Gross profit Operating expenses Amortization Research and development Earnings from operations 493,660 105,281 30,752 6,009 1,688 66,832 100.0% 21.3% 6.2% 1.2% 0.3% 13.5% 463,627 102,109 28,701 7,294 1,583 64,531 100.0% 22.0% 6.2% 1.6% 0.3% 13.9% $ 2002 % OF SALES CHANGE $ % 141,660 71,338 39,874 5,866 2,662 22,936 26.8% 55.1% 58.5% 36.0% 125.9% 53.4% Note: Effective January 1, 2003, the Ready-to-Assemble furniture and Home Furnishings segments as previously reported, were combined into one operating segment referred to as Home Furnishings. This change reflects the similar nature of customers, products, production processes and distribution channels employed by the business units that make up these operating segments. The prior years have been restated to reflect the combination of these segments. 30,033 3,172 2,051 ( 1,285 ) 105 2,301 6.5% 3.1% 7.1% ( 17.6% ) 6.6% 3.6% 28 2003 Annual Report Juvenile Segment The acquisition of Ampafrance in February 2003 was the single largest event in the Juvenile Segment. As can be seen in the segmented information contained in Note 25, sales originating in Europe jumped to 23% of Dorel’s overall sales in 2003 versus only 9% in 2002 and all of this increase was in the Juvenile Segment. Dorel’s European operations as a whole helped compensate for what was a disappointing sales year in the US. However as a positive, margins in the USA climbed by over 300 basis points. When Dorel Juvenile Group USA is combined with the Company’s Canadian operations, North America as whole managed to maintain the same level of profitability as last year on approximately $50.0 million dollars less of sales. Juvenile Sales 5 year CAGR – 32% 800,000 700,000 ($'000) 600,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 369,582 503,892 528,446 670,106 100,000 231,094 200,000 99 00 01 02 03 0 Operating expenses in the Juvenile Segment were also impacted by Ampafrance. Approximately two-thirds of the increase in dollar terms was due to the inclusion of the new acquisition. The remaining increase in costs was at both Dorel Juvenile Group USA and in Dorel’s other European operations. In the US, higher product liability costs, offset by a reduction in selling expenses, accounted for approximately one half of the increase. It should be noted that product liability costs were higher than the prior year, but were as anticipated. In Europe, the stronger Euro and certain one-time costs in association with the integration of Ampafrance, accounted for the other half of the increase. Amortization was higher in 2003, again due to the inclusion of Ampafrance (approximately one-half of the increase), but also due to higher amortization at Dorel Juvenile Group Europe where the amortization of R & D costs were higher than the prior year. R & D costs, other than amortization, increased over last year due to the inclusion of Ampafrance. This segment benefited from the weakness of the US dollar at an operational level in both North America at Dorel Juvenile Group Canada and in Europe at Ampafrance. Dorel Juvenile Group Europe was less able to capitalize on the situation as they had hedged their purchases at rates similar to last year’s. Translation of the European results themselves also benefited the Company this year. It should be noted that these positives helped offset the negative impact of exchange felt in the Home Furnishings Segment whose Canadian production facilities were hurt by the rising costs associated of a US functional company operating in Canada and shipping to the US. At the beginning of 2003, the Company had provided guidance for 2003 sales to reach between $710.0 and $750.0 million with earnings from operations to range from between 10% to 11% of sales. During the year, the sales guidance was lowered to $675.0 to $715.0 million while earnings from operations were maintained at the same percentage of sales. The final actual sales figure was $670.1 million and earnings from operations was 9.8% of sales. This was just below the guidance issued, due principally to lower sales in the US as a result of the lack of timely new product introductions. This trend was reversed in the fourth quarter of 2003 and Juvenile sales reached their highest levels ever. Home Furnishings Segment Home Furnishings Sales 5 year CAGR – 9% 500,000 300,000 412,877 463,627 493,660 100,000 387,958 200,000 365,609 ($'000) 400,000 99 00 01 02 03 0 The Home Furnishings Segment acquired Carina in September 2003. Therefore, their results are included for only four months of the year. Cosco Home & Office and Dorel Asia continue to grow but only accounted for one-third of the segment’s sales. The real driver of this segment remains the RTA furmiture business. Consisting of Ameriwood, Dorel Home Products and now Carina, RTA furntirue sales increased over the prior year, though organic sales growth was relatively flat. When compared to others in the RTA furniture industry this is a standout performance. Margins were eroded by pricing pressure, some cost increases and the weak US dollar which affected the Company’s Canadian plants. The addition of Carina and its sales channels and the strong performance of the futon business allowed the RTA furniture group as a whole to match last year’s earnings levels. The Dorel Home Products futon plant in particular has become one of the most cost effective in the Dorel group. In 2001 this plant was losing money, whereas in 2003 it contributed positively to earnings. Gross margins for the segment decreased slightly in 2003. This decrease was due mainly to both some cost increases in raw materials, mainly board prices, and price reductions given to the Company’s customers on RTA furniture products. Operating costs for the segment as a whole were well contained. Costs did, however, increase disproportionately at Cosco Home & Office, as this division continues to incur “infrastructure” costs in order to transform itself into a standalone unit, separate from the Dorel Juvenile Group USA unit within the Juvenile Segment. Additional operating costs also came along with the Carina acquisition, however they are expected to decrease in 2004 with the anticipated plant closure. 29 2003 Annual Report For the year, the segment met earnings expectations despite some sales disappointments. In 2003 preliminary guidance called for sales of between $500.0 and $550.0 million with earnings from operations of between 13% and 14% of sales. Actual results were sales of $494.0 million with earnings of 13.5% of sales. The slight shortfall in actual sales versus the guidance was in the RTA furniture group as both Cosco Home & Office and Dorel Asia met and or exceeded expectations. Liquidity and Capital Resources Cash Flow Free cash flow, defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures was $60.2 million in 2003 versus $101.7 million in 2002, detailed as follows (figures in thousands of dollars): 112,924 80,716 32,208 ( 20,356 ) 34,809 ( 12,098 ) ( 4,833 ) 12,831 24,931 15,208 ( 6,748 ) ( 33,187 ) 9,878 ( 27,306 ) 1,915 ( 2,478 ) 46,222 ( 48,700 ) 110,447 126.938 ( 16,491 ) ( 34,076 ) ( 11,659 ) ( 4,491 ) ( 15,840 ) ( 5,818 ) ( 3,571 ) ( 18,236 ) ( 5,841 ) ( 920 ) ( 50,226 ) ( 25,229 ) ( 24,997 ) 60,220 101,709 ( 41,489 ) Cash Flow from Operations vs. Sales 150,000 In 2001, the Company had entered into an agreement with a third party to sell eligible accounts receivable at a discount. Under this agreement, the Company acted as the servicer of the receivable and was permitted to sell, on a revolving basis, additional eligible accounts receivable to the extent amounts were collected on previously sold receivables. This agreement was terminated in 2003 with the repurchase of accounts receivable in the amount of $27.8 million. Finally, a total of $16.2 million was capitalized in reference to deferred research and development costs, costs in connection with new borrowings and other patents, trademarks and licences. 750,000 110,447 250,000 126,938 30,000 47,152 500,000 49,313 60,000 99 00 01 02 03 0 0 Cash Flow from Operations Sales Sales ($'000) 596,702 90,000 1,250,000 1,000,000 31,981 Cash Flow ($'000) 120,000 Also a new process for futon mattress production, unique in North America, was being installed at Dorel Home Products. This $4.0 million project will allow for more efficient, environmentally friendly production going forward. This will provide the Company with an edge in both quality and manufacturing cost. The first mattresses using the new machinery were produced during the first quarter of 2004. In addition, there are two major computer implementations in progress at Dorel Juvenile Group USA and at Dorel Juvenile Group Europe. These four projects make up the great majority of the $26.2 million listed as construction-in-progress in Note 6. The increase in deferred charges in 2003 can be attributed to additional spending on new product development, including spending at Ampafrance, as well as costs associated with new debt facilities that were put into place in the year. 1,163,766 During 2003, cash flow from operations declined $16.5 million. The main reasons for the decrease were higher inventory levels at the end of 2003 as well as the timing of accounts payable disbursements and income tax payments in 2003 versus the prior year. In the year, $34.1 million was spent on capital assets, a significant increase over the prior year. Newly acquired Ampafrance accounted for approximately $4.5 million of this amount, with existing businesses accounting for the difference. The “Factory of the Future” project at Columbus, Indiana facility was started and as of December 30, 2003 was approximately one-third complete. When originally announced, this project was budgeted to cost approximately $26.0 million and was scheduled to be completed in mid-2004. The project’s timeline and cost remains on plan. 992,073 FREE CASHFLOW CHANGE 916,769 Cash flow from operations Less: Additions to capital assets – net Deferred charges Intangible assets 2002 757,540 Cash flow from operations before changes in non-cash working capital Change in: Inventories Accounts payable and other liabilities Income taxes payable Other 2003 30 2003 Annual Report Effective February 10, 2003, the Company issued $55.0 million of Series "A" Senior Guaranteed Notes and $55.0 million of Series "B" Senior Guaranteed Notes, bearing interest at 5.09% and 5.63%, respectively, with principal repayments due on February 11, 2008 and February 10, 2010. These notes were in addition to notes already issued by the Company. Effective March 31, 2003 the Company obtained a $250.0 million unsecured credit facility. This facility replaced the Company’s previous facility. As of December 30, 2003 the Company was compliant with all covenants under this facility. Subsequent to year, this facility was amended to allow for borrowings up to $470.0 million to allow for the acquisition of Pacific Cycle. In connection with the new higher borrowing levels, certain covenants were amended. The Company expects to remain compliant with all covenant requirements going forward. Contractual Obligations THE FOLLOWING IS A TABLE OF ALL CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AS OF DECEMBER 30, 2003 (FIGURES IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS): TOTAL LESS THAN 1 YEAR 1-3 YEARS 4-5 YEARS AFTER 5 YEARS Lease commitments Long-term debt 70,231 290,179 17,186 7,758 25,159 112,135 14,668 70,092 13,218 100,194 Total contractual obligations 360,410 24,944 137,294 84,760 113,412 CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS As detailed previously, the Company is in the midst of a significant plant expansion at Dorel Juvenile Group USA. As such, it has commitments to various contractors and suppliers of equipment to complete the expansion. It is expected that these funds will be disbursed in 2004. Over and above long-term debt in the contractual obligation table, included in the Company’s longterm liabilities are the following amounts: Post-retirement benefit obligation: As detailed in Note 15, this amount of $13.8 million pertains to one of the Company's subsidiaries defined benefit post-retirement plan for specific employees. Funding of the plan in 2004 is expected to range from $0 to $1.9 million. Other long-term liabilities, which consists of (in millions of dollars): – Government mandated employee savings plans in Europe, the majority of which are due after five years $6.5 – A balance of sale in reference to the Carina acquisition, due in 2005 2.3 – Environmental liability, due over an indeterminable period 0.5 – Other, due throughout the next five years 1.3 $10.6 Risks and Uncertainties Product Liability As with all manufacturers of products designed for use by consumers, Dorel is subject to numerous product liability claims, particularly in the US. At Dorel, there is an ongoing effort to improve quality control and to ensure the safety of its products. Dorel has made a strategic decision to become less reliant on traditional insurance by increasing its self-insurance product liability program and lessening its dependence on third-party insurers. Although Dorel believes its product liability insurance structure is sufficient, no assurance can be given that a judgment will not be rendered against it in an amount exceeding the amount of insurance coverage or in respect of a claim for which Dorel is not insured. Credit Risk Most of Dorel’s sales are to major retail chains. In recent years, the retail environment has been highly competitive. If major retailers cease operations, there could be a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations. It should be noted that the Company conducts ongoing credit reviews and maintains credit insurance on selected accounts to minimize these types of risks. 31 2003 Annual Report Concentration of Sales For the year ended December 30, 2003, approximately 49% of Dorel’s sales were made to its two largest customers. This compares to 69% of Dorel’s sales made to its three largest customers in 2002. Dorel does not have long-term contracts with its customers, and as such sales are dependent upon Dorel’s continuing ability to deliver attractive products at a reasonable price, combined with high levels of service. There can be no assurance that Dorel will be able to sell to such customers on an economically advantageous basis in the future or that such customers will continue to buy from Dorel. Foreign Currency Effective January 1, 2003, as a result of the increasing proportion of operating, financing and investing activities denominated in the US dollar, the Company’s principal Canadian operations changed their functional currency from the Canadian dollar to the US dollar. As a result of this change, all monetary assets and liabilities of the Company’s non-European operations denominated in currencies other than the US dollar are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the US dollar are translated at historical exchange rates. Resulting income and expenses are translated at the approximate exchange rates in effect when the transaction occurred. Dorel’s operating units outside of the US assume the majority of the Company’s foreign exchange risk with respect to both its purchases and sales. Dorel’s Canadian operations tend to benefit from a stronger US dollar as large portions of its sales are to the US and the majority of its costs are in Canadian dollars. Dorel’s European operations tend to suffer from a stronger US dollar as large portions of its purchases are in US dollars while its sales are not. Where advantageous, the Company uses futures and forward contracts to hedge against these adverse fluctuations in currency. The Company’s subsidiaries are considered self-sustaining. As such any foreign exchange fluctuations that occur upon the translation of their local currency financial statements are reflected in the CTA account on the balance sheet as opposed to the consolidated income statement. Environmental All Dorel segments currently operate within existing environmental regulations. Dorel made nominal capital expenditures with respect to environmental protection matters in 2003. Dorel assumed certain environmental liabilities and contingencies associated with the Michigan plant acquired with the purchase of Ameriwood in 1998. A provision at December 30, 2003 of $0.5 million has been set-up in connection with this liability. Any amounts incurred in excess of the provision are not expected to have a material adverse affect on the Company. Raw Material Costs Dorel purchases both raw materials and finished goods. The main commodity items purchased for production include particle board, plastic resins, linerboard, and textiles. Particle board prices were generally lower in 2003 than 2002, reaching very low levels for the first part of the year with prices starting to increase towards year end. Plastic resin prices also increased in 2003. Linerboard prices remained relatively constant throughout 2003. Textile prices fluctuated in 2003, with cotton prices increasing significantly towards year-end and polyester staple fiber costs also rising towards year end. The largest commodities in the Company’s purchased finished goods are steel, aluminum and wood. In addition, Dorel is among the world’s largest 50 purchasers of ocean freight container transport from the Orient. Container freight costs were higher in 2003 relative to 2002 as supply was tight in both eastbound trans-pacific and Asia-Europe lanes. As a result, the Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in the prices of these commodity items. 32 2003 Annual Report Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates These statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. A complete list of all relevant account policies is listed in Note 2 to the financial statements. The Company believes the following are the most critical accounting policies that affect Dorel’s results as presented herein and that would have the most material effect on the financial statements should these policies change or be applied in a different manner: • Goodwill: Under the new rules it is required that goodwill with an indefinite life will no longer be amortized to income. Instead, the Company must determine at least once annually whether the fair value of each reporting unit to which goodwill has been attributed is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit’s net assets including goodwill, thus indicating impairment. The fair value of a reporting unit and assets and liabilities within a reporting unit may be determined using alternative methods for market valuation, including quoted market prices, discounted cash flows and net realizable values. In estimating the fair value of a reporting unit, the Company chose a valuation method and made assumptions and estimates in a number of areas, including future cash flows and discount rates. • Product Liability: The Company is insured for product liability by the use of both traditional and self-funded insurance to mitigate its product liability exposure. The estimated product liability exposure was calculated by an independent actuarial firm based on historical sales volumes, past claims history and management and actuarial assumptions. The estimated exposure includes incidents that have occurred, as well as incidents anticipated to occur on units sold prior to December 30, 2003. Significant assumptions used in the actuarial model include management’s estimates for pending claims, product life cycle, discount rates, and the frequency and severity of product incidents. • Pension Plans and Post Retirement Benefits: The costs of pension and other postretirement benefits are calculated based on assumptions determined by management, with the assistance of independent actuarial firms and consultants. These assumptions include the long-term rate of return on pension assets, discount rates for pension and other post-retirement benefits obligations, expected service period, salary increases, retirement ages of employees and health care cost trend rates. • Allowances for Sales Returns and other Customer Programs: At the time revenue is recognized certain provisions may also be recorded, including returns and allowances, which involve estimates based on current discussions with applicable customers, historical experience with a particular customer and/or product, and other relevant factors. Historical sales returns, allowances, write-offs, changes in our internal credit policies and customer concentrations are used when evaluating the adequacy of our allowance for sales returns. In addition, the Company records estimated reductions to revenue for customer programs and incentive offerings, including special pricing agreements, promotions, advertising allowances and other volumebased incentives. Historical sales data, written and verbal agreements, customer vendor agreements, changes in our internal credit policies and customer concentrations are analyzed when evaluating the adequacy of our allowances. • Foreign Currency Translation: The financial statements of the Company’s self-sustaining operations whose functional currency is other than the US dollar are translated from such functional currency to the US dollar using the current rate method. Resulting unrealized gains or losses are accumulated as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. If any of the Company’s foreign currency subsidiaries were to be deemed as integrated as opposed to self-sustaining, these gains or losses would be included in the income statement as opposed to the balance sheet and could materially affect the results for the year. 33 2003 Annual Report Future Accounting Changes As a result of accounting pronouncements by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, the following two accounting changes are required beginning in 2004: • Stock Based Compensation: The Company will adopt, on a prospective basis, effective for fiscal years beginning before January 1, 2004, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Section 3870 “Stock Based Compensation and other Stock Based Payments” which will require the Company to recognize as an expense to income, all stock options granted, modified or settled using the fair value based method. As the Company has elected for prospective treatment of this section, only option grants issued in 2003 or later will have an impact on Dorel’s operating results. Given the volume of stock options issued by the Company, this accounting change is not expected to have a material impact in 2004. • Hedging Relationships: Effective January 1, 2004, the Company will adopt the recommendations of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Guideline 13 “Hedging Relationships”, which establishes certain conditions for when hedge accounting may be applied. The Company is studying the new guideline and is preparing for the implementation of the hedging provisions. Any derivative instrument that does not qualify for hedge accounting will be reported on a mark-to-market basis in income. Outlook Guidance for 2004 was issued on January 14, 2004 and it was announced that Dorel expects to earn from $3.25 to $3.35 per diluted share for the fiscal year ending December 30. This guidance includes the announced acquisition of US-based bicycle designer and supplier, Pacific Cycle. With the acquisition of Pacific Cycle, Dorel will now have a third reporting segment, “Recreational/Leisure”, in addition to its current Juvenile and Home Furnishings segments. Juvenile Segment For 2004, the Juvenile Segment is expected to record sales of between $750.0 million and $800.0 million, with earnings from operations of between 10% and 11% of sales. Growth will come both from Dorel’s traditional juvenile businesses as well as from Ampafrance, acquired a year ago. As Ampafrance was acquired in February of 2003, the majority of the sales increase in this segment will be internally generated. With the acquisition of Ampafrance and its powerful juvenile brands, Dorel significantly strengthened its market share throughout Europe in 2003. In 2004 this solid position should benefit from an even more cohesive plan that is evolving under the recently expanded Dorel Juvenile Group Europe, headed by Ampafrance President Dominique Favario. In North America several new juvenile products were launched during the second half of 2003 last year and Dorel is expecting that these new products will drive new sales. The strong Canadian dollar and the strong Euro should help both the segment’s European and Canadian operations in 2004. Home Furnishings Segments For 2004, the Home Furnishings Segments should record sales of between $540.0 million and $590.0 million, with earnings from operations of between 11% and 12% of sales. Growth will be derived both organically and from the recently acquired Carina. Of the three business units within the segment, RTA furniture provides the dominant portion of Home Furnishings revenues and earnings. The acquisition of Carina has provided a broader product line and customer base. This along with aggressive sales efforts means that RTA furniture revenues are expected to increase as market share continues to grow. 34 2003 Annual Report However, several issues are expected to lower margins. Some of the new business that is expected will be at lesser margins than historically achieved. In addition board prices have increased quite dramatically since the fall of 2003 and with capacity reductions in the board industry, prices are expected to continue to rise into the foreseeable future. This will negatively effect margins in the short term, but the Company is hopeful that it will be able to counteract some of these pressures during the second half of the year. The continued strength of the Canadian dollar also affects RTA furniture’s profitability. A portion of Dorel’s RTA furniture sales in the US are generated from Canadian factories. As the Canadian dollar compared to the US dollar is expected to remain stronger in 2004 versus 2003, this will put pressure on earnings. The segment’s other two units, Cosco Home & Office and Dorel Asia, are both import businesses and are unaffected by the strength of the Canadian dollar. Both continue to grow and are expected to contribute improved performances in 2004. Cosco Home & Office will be broadening its product line in 2004 and Dorel Asia is expected to add several new accounts. Recreational/Leisure Segment The Pacific Cycle transaction was closed in early in February of 2004. Sales in the new Recreational/Leisure Segment are expected to be in the range of $335.0 million to $375.0 million for the 11 months of 2004. Earnings from operations as a percentage of sales are expected to be between 11.5% and 12.5%. As this is a new business for Dorel, the Company is being prudent in its expectations. As was announced in January 2004, the management team at Pacific is remaining with Dorel. Forward Looking Statements Certain sections of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis may contain forward looking statements. Such statements, based on the current expectations of management, inherently involve numerous risks and uncertainties, known and unknown. Actual future results may differ. The risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results are described in the "Risks and Uncertainties" section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis and in the Corporation’s Annual Information Form. 35 2003 Annual Report Management’s Report Dorel Industries Inc.’s Annual Report for the year ended December 30, 2003, and the financial statements included herein, were prepared by the Corporation’s Management and approved by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee of the Board is responsible for reviewing the financial statements in detail and for ensuring that the Corporation’s internal control systems, management policies and accounting practices are adhered to. The financial statements contained in this Annual Report have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies which are enunciated in said report and which Management believes to be appropriate for the activities of the Corporation. The external auditors appointed by the Corporation’s shareholders, Martin Schwartz President and Chief Executive Officer Goldsmith Hersh, have audited these financial statements and their report appears below. All information given in this Annual Report is consistent with the financial statements included herein. Jeffrey Schwartz Chief Financial Officer Auditors’ Report To the Shareholders of Dorel Industries Inc. We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of DOREL INDUSTRIES INC. as at December 30, 2003 and 2002 and the consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 30, 2003. 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 audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at December 30, 2003 and 2002 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 30, 2003, in accordance Chartered Accountants with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. Montreal, Quebec February 23, 2004 36 2003 Annual Report Consolidated Balance Sheet AS AT DECEMBER 30, 2003 (IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS) 2003 2002 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable (Note 4) Inventories (Note 5) Prepaid expenses Funds held by ceding insurer (Note 21) Future income taxes (Note 22) CAPITAL ASSETS (Note 6) DEFERRED CHARGES (Note 7) GOODWILL (Note 8) INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Note 9) FUTURE INCOME TAXES (Note 22) OTHER ASSETS (Note 15) $ 13,877 210,905 207,371 10,719 6,803 9,184 $ 54,450 98,267 142,157 10,465 11,298 11,114 458,859 327,751 147,837 95,374 18,501 14,111 380,535 155,669 85,448 5,818 8,382 4,619 10,995 11,400 $ 1,110,557 $ 614,742 37 2003 Annual Report 2003 2002 LIABILITIES CURRENT LIABILITIES Bank indebtedness (Note 10) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 11) Income taxes payable Current portion of long-term debt $ 764 253,145 2,037 7,758 $ 8,346 131,805 11,721 2,061 263,704 153,933 282,421 82,785 OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES (Note 13) 10,580 516 POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATION (Note 15) 13,818 13,213 FUTURE INCOME TAXES (Note 22) 45,148 10,289 CAPITAL STOCK (Note 16) 156,274 138,446 RETAINED EARNINGS 287,583 212,660 51,029 2,900 494,886 354,006 LONG-TERM DEBT (Note 12) SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY CUMULATIVE TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT (Note 18) $ 1,110,557 COMMITMENTS (Note 19) CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Note 20) PRODUCT LIABILITY (Note 21) APPROVED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Martin Schwartz Director See accompanying notes. Jeffrey Schwartz Director $ 614,742 38 2003 Annual Report Consolidated Statement of Retained Earnings FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2003 (IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS) 2003 Balance, beginning of year $ Net income $ 75,026 Share issue expenses (net of income taxes $1,072) ( 103 ) $ 287,583 153,223 2001 $ 61,595 – Premium paid on repurchase of shares (Note 16) BALANCE, END OF YEAR 212,660 2002 $ 127,719 25,504 ( 1,990 ) – ( 168 ) – 212,660 $ 153,223 See accompanying notes. Consolidated Statement of Income FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2003 (IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) 2003 SALES $ 1,163,766 2002 $ 992,073 2001 $ 916,769 EXPENSES Cost of sales Operating Amortization Research and development costs Product liability (Note 21) Interest on long-term debt Other interest 857,606 153,741 29,251 6,465 – 15,512 565 760,423 106,969 24,850 3,698 – 9,987 452 718,123 97,164 21,168 2,569 20,000 17,643 819 1,063,140 906,379 877,486 100,626 85,694 39,298 21,014 4,586 19,388 4,711 ( 973 ) 5,704 25,600 24,099 4,731 75,026 61,595 34,552 – – 7,990 INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 75,026 61,595 LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS – – INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL Income taxes (Note 22) Current Future INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL Amortization of goodwill NET INCOME 26,562 ( 1,058 ) $ 75,026 $ 61,595 $ 25,504 $ $ $ – – 2.36 $ $ $ – – 2.05 $ $ $ 1.23 0.94 0.91 $ $ $ – – 2.32 $ $ $ – – 2.00 $ $ $ 1.21 0.93 0.89 EARNINGS PER SHARE (Note 23) Basic Income from continuing operations before amortization of goodwill Income from continuing operations Net income Fully diluted Income from continuing operations before amortization of goodwill Income from continuing operations Net income See accompanying notes. 39 2003 Annual Report Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2003 (IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS) 2003 2002 2001 CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN): OPERATING ACTIVITIES Income from continuing operations $ Adjustments for: Amortization Amortization of goodwill Future income taxes Loss (gain) on disposal of capital assets Funds held by ceding insurer Changes in non-cash working capital (Note 24) 75,026 $ 61,595 $ 26,562 29,251 – 4,586 ( 433 ) 4,495 24,850 – 4,711 858 ( 11,298 ) 21,168 7,990 5,704 ( 146 ) – 112,925 ( 2,478 ) 80,716 46,222 61,278 ( 14,126 ) CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 110,447 126,938 47,152 FINANCING ACTIVITIES Bank indebtedness Long-term debt Balance of sale and other amounts payable Issuance of capital stock Repurchase of capital stock Share issue expenses ( 12,551 ) 198,228 3,853 17,854 ( 129 ) – ( 902 ) ( 142,704 ) – 75,472 ( 218 ) ( 3,062 ) 3,258 ( 31,712 ) – 528 – – CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES 207,255 ( 71,414 ) ( 27,926 ) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Acquisition of subsidiary companies Cash acquired ( 287,060 ) 7,207 Sale (repurchase) of accounts receivable Additions to capital assets – net Deferred charges Intangible assets Other assets CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES NET CASH USED IN DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year See accompanying notes. $ ( 9,156 ) 548 ( 279,853 ) ( 27,750 ) ( 34,076 ) ( 11,659 ) ( 4,491 ) – – – ( 15,840 ) ( 5,818 ) ( 3,571 ) 2,120 ( 8,608 ) 27,750 ( 11,199 ) ( 7,050 ) ( 4,424 ) ( 1,000 ) ( 357,829 ) ( 23,109 ) ( 4,531 ) – OTHER Effect of exchange rate changes on cash CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR – – – ( 3,675 ) ( 446 ) 3,395 950 ( 40,573 ) 35,810 11,970 54,450 18,640 6,670 13,877 $ 54,450 $ 18,640 40 2003 Annual Report Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements AS AT DECEMBER 30, 2003 (IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) Note 1 – Nature of Operations Dorel Industries Inc. is a consumer products manufacturer and importer of juvenile products and home furnishings. The Company’s business segments are juvenile furniture and accessories, and home furnishings. The principal markets for the Company’s products are the United States, Canada and Europe. Note 2 – Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) using the U.S. dollar as the reporting currency. The material differences between Canadian GAAP and United States GAAP are described and reconciled in Note 27. Basis of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries from the date of their acquisition. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenue and expenses during the period reported. Significant estimates and assumptions were used to evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets, valuation allowances for accounts receivable and inventories, restructuring reserves, liabilities for potential litigation claims and settlements including product liability and assets and obligations related to employee pension and post-retirement benefits. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenue Recognition Revenues are recognized upon shipment of product and transfer of ownership to the customer. Provisions for customer sales allowances and incentives are made at the time of product shipment. Cash and Cash Equivalents All highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Accounts Receivable The retained interest recorded upon the sale of accounts receivable is calculated based on the estimated fair value at the date of sale. To obtain fair values, management uses its best estimate of the future expected cash flows based on historical deductions for returns and allowances. Gains or losses on the sale of accounts receivable are recorded to the extent actual collections differ from the estimated fair value at the date of sale. Inventories Raw material inventories are valued at the lower of cost and replacement cost. Finished goods inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined on a first-in; first-out basis, and on a last-in; first-out basis for one of the Company’s subsidiaries. Amortization Capital assets are amortized as follows: Buildings Machinery and equipment Moulds Furniture and fixtures Vehicles Computer equipment Leasehold improvements METHOD Straight-line Declining balance Straight-line Declining balance Declining balance Declining balance Straight-line RATE 40 years 15% 3 to 5 years 20% 30% 30% 5 years Deferred charges Deferred charges are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Research and Development Costs The Company incurred costs on activities which relate to research and development of new products. Research costs are expensed as they are incurred. Development costs are also expensed as incurred unless they meet specific criteria related to technical, market and financial feasibility. The Company incurred $16,855 (2002 – $9,109, 2001 – $9,940) of research and development costs of which $6,465 (2002 – $3,698, 2001 – $2,569) were expensed and $10,390 (2002 – $5,411, 2001 – $6,921) were deferred and are being amortized to operations on a straight-line basis over a period of two years. Related amortization amounted to $7,404 (2002 – $3,754, 2001 – $2,734). Financing Costs The Company incurred certain costs related to the issue of long-term debt. These amounts are amortized to operations on a straightline basis over the terms of the related long-term debt. 41 2003 Annual Report Note 2 – Accounting Policies (cont.) Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair values assigned to identifiable net assets acquired of subsidiary companies. Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants new recommendations under Section 3062, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. The new rules require that goodwill with an indefinite life will no longer be amortized to income. Instead, the Company must determine at least once annually whether the fair value of each reporting unit to which goodwill has been attributed is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit’s net assets including goodwill, thus indicating impairment. Any impairments are then recorded as a separate charge against income and a reduction of the carrying value of goodwill. An impairment adjustment in the carrying value of goodwill was not required for the years ended December 30, 2003 and 2002. Intangible Assets Intangible assets are valued at cost: Trademarks Trademarks acquired during the year as part of the acquisition of Ampa Development SAS, as described in Note 3, have an indefinite life and are therefore not subject to amortization. They are tested annually for impairment or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the trademarks might be impaired. The impairment test compares the carrying amount of the trademarks with its fair value. Patents Patents are amortized by the straight-line method over their expected useful lives. Licences Certain licences are amortized in line with sales of products for which the licences have been acquired, while others are amortized by the straight line method over their expected useful lives. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company evaluates the carrying value of its long-lived assets for potential impairment on an ongoing basis. The Company considers projected future operating results, trends and other circumstances in making such evaluations. Impaired assets are written down to estimated fair value, being determined based on the present value of future cash flows. Foreign Currency The financial statements of self-sustaining operations whose functional currency is other than the United States dollar are translated from such functional currency to the United States dollar using the current rate method. Under this method, assets and liabilities are translated at the rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange for the year. Resulting unrealized gains or losses are accumulated as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Foreign currency transactions and balances are translated using the temporal method. Under this method all monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical exchange rates. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates for the year, except for amortization which is translated on the same basis as the related assets. Translation gains and losses are reflected in net income. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company uses a number of derivative financial instruments, mainly foreign exchange contracts and interest-rate swap agreements to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. These derivative financial instruments are used as a method for meeting the risk reduction objectives of the Company by generating offsetting cash flows related to the underlying position in respect of amount and timing and are measured for effectiveness on an ongoing basis. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The foreign currency gains and losses on these contracts are not recognized in the consolidated financial statements until the underlying transaction is recorded in net income. Payments and receipts under interest-rate swap agreements are recognized as adjustments to interest expense. Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits Pension Plans The Company's subsidiaries maintain defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans for their employees. Pension benefit obligations under the defined benefit plans are determined annually by independent actuaries using management's assumptions and the accrued benefit method. The plans provide benefits based on a defined benefit amount and length of service. Pension expense consists of the following: • the cost of pension benefits provided in exchange for employees' services rendered in the period. • interest on the actuarial present value of accrued pension benefits less earnings on pension fund assets. • amounts which represent the amortization of the unrecognized net pension assets that arose when accounting policies were first applied and subsequent gains or losses arising from changes in actuarial assumptions, and experience gains or losses related to return on assets on the straight-line basis, over the expected average remaining service life of the employee group. Post-Retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions Post-retirement benefits other than pensions, include health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees. The costs of providing these benefits are accrued over the working lives of employees in a manner similar to pension costs. Significant elements in determining the assets or liabilities and related income or expense for these plans are the expected return on plan assets, the discount rate used to value future payment streams, expected trends in health care costs, and other actuarial assumptions. Annually, the Company evaluates the significant assumptions to be used to value its pension and post-retirement plan assets and liabilities based on current market conditions and expectations of future costs. 42 2003 Annual Report Note 2 – Accounting Policies (cont.) Future Income Taxes Future income taxes relate to the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amount of balance sheet items and their corresponding tax values using the enacted income tax rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Future income tax assets are recognized only to the extent that, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the future income tax assets will be realized. Future income tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment or substantive enactment. Environmental Liabilities Liabilities are recorded when environmental claims or remedial efforts are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Environmental expenditures related to current operations are generally expensed as incurred. Stock-Based Compensation Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the recommendations of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Section 3870, “Stock-Based Compensation and Other Stock-Based Payments”. This standard applies to awards granted after January 1, 2002, and is to be applied prospectively. The Company will not change the method currently used to account for stock options granted to employees, but will provide the required pro-forma disclosures on the impact of the fair value method, which produces estimated compensation charges. The Company’s stock option plan and other disclosures are outlined in Note 17. Reclassifications Certain of the prior years’ accounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2003 financial statement presentation. Effective January 1, 2003, the Ready-to-Assemble and Home Furnishings segments as previously reported, were combined into one operating segment referred to as Home Furnishings. This change reflects the similar nature of customers, products, production processes and distribution channels employed by the business units that make up these operating segments. The prior years have been restated to reflect the combination of these segments. Accounting Changes Effective January 1, 2003, as result of the increasing proportion of operating, financing and investing activities denominated in the U.S. dollar, the Company’s principal Canadian operations changed their functional currency from the Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar. As a result of this change, all monetary assets and liabilities of the Company’s non-European operations denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated at historical exchange rates. Resulting income and expenses are translated at the approximate exchange rates in effect when the transaction occurred. For the period January 1, 2000 to December 30, 2002 the U.S. dollar had been adopted as the Company’s reporting currency and accordingly the financial statements of the Canadian operations were translated to the U.S. dollar using the current rate method, with any resulting unrealized gains or losses accumulated as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The Company’s European operations continue to maintain the Euro as their functional currency. Future Accounting Changes Stock Based Compensation The Company will adopt, on a prospective basis, effective for fiscal years beginning before January 1, 2004, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Section 3870 “Stock Based Compensation and other Stock Based Payments” which will require the Company to recognize as an expense to income, all stock options granted, modified or settled using the fair value based method. Hedging Relationships Effective January 1, 2004, the Company will adopt the recommendations of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Guideline 13 “Hedging Relationships”, which establishes certain conditions for when hedge accounting may be applied. The Company is studying the new guideline and is preparing for the implementation of the hedging provisions. Any derivative instrument that does not qualify for hedge accounting will be reported on a mark-to-market basis in income. 43 2003 Annual Report Note 3 – Business Acquisitions On February 14, 2003, the Company acquired all the outstanding common shares of Ampa Development SAS (Ampafrance) a developer, manufacturer, marketer and distributor of juvenile products including strollers, car seats and other juvenile products for a total consideration of $247,198, including all related acquisition costs. The cost of the acquisition was financed through long-term debt with the balance being paid in cash. The assets and liabilities assumed consist of the following: Assets Cash Accounts receivable Inventories Capital assets Trademarks Other Goodwill $ 7,207 56,662 29,396 25,288 65,823 1,371 160,459 346,206 Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Future income taxes Long-term debt and other long-term liabilities 64,819 27,217 6,972 99,008 Total purchase price $ 247,198 Goodwill in the amount of $160,459 is not deductible for income tax purposes and is included in the Company’s Juvenile segment as reported in Note 25 of the financial statements. The following unaudited pro-forma financial information assumes the acquisition had occurred on January 1, of each year: Net sales Net income 2003 2002 $ 1,185,511 $ 75,596 $ 1,168,862 $ 69,428 On September 5, 2003, the Company acquired all the outstanding common shares of Carina Furniture Industries Ltd., a developer, manufacturer, marketer and distributor of ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture for a total consideration of $39,862, including all related acquisition costs. The cost of the acquisition was financed through long-term debt with a balance of sale of $2,314 which is included in the Company’s other long-term liabilities. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed consist of the following: Assets Accounts receivable Inventories Capital assets Future income taxes Other assets Goodwill $ 9,551 7,319 5,461 3,263 1,293 34,628 61,515 Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Bank indebtedness 18,097 3,556 21,653 Total purchase price $ 39,862 Included as part of the acquisition cost, the Company provided for $9,980 of restructuring costs in connection with the closure of the Carina manufacturing facility. This amount is included in the accounts payable and accrued liabilities figure of $18,097 above. Of this, $7,994 is being provided for the lease cancellation and other related exit costs while $1,986 is for severance and other employee-related expenses. It is anticipated that the closure will occur within the first half of the year with all related costs resolved by September 2004. Goodwill in the amount of $34,628 is not deductible for income tax purposes and is included in the Company’s Home Furnishings operating segment as reported in Note 25 of the financial statements. 44 2003 Annual Report Note 3 – Business Acquisitions (cont.) The following unaudited pro-forma financial information assumes the acquisition had occurred on January 1 of each year: Net sales Net income 2003 2002 $ 1,221,623 $ 76,722 $ 1,212,620 $ 71,569 On April 27, 2001, the Company acquired all the outstanding shares of Quint B.V., a developer and distributor of juvenile products including strollers and furniture for a total consideration of $9,156, which was financed through long-term debt. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed consist of the following: Assets Cash Accounts receivable Inventories Capital assets Goodwill $ 548 1,995 3,117 276 7,924 13,860 Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Long-term debt 3,915 789 4,704 Total purchase price $ 9,156 These combinations have been recorded under the purchase method of accounting with the results of operations of the acquired business being included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. Note 4 – Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable consists of the following: 2003 Accounts receivable Allowance for anticipated credits Allowance for doubtful accounts 2002 $ 256,195 ( 40,005 ) ( 5,285 ) $ 158,006 ( 54,711 ) ( 5,028 ) $ 210,905 $ 98,267 In 2001, the Company had entered into an agreement with a third party to sell $30 million of eligible accounts receivable at a discount. Under this agreement, the Company acted as the servicer of the receivable and was permitted to sell, on a revolving basis, additional eligible accounts receivable to the extent amounts were collected on previously sold receivables. This agreement was terminated in 2003. As at December 30, 2002, the Company had sold $30,000 of accounts receivable under this agreement and excluded this amount from the balance of accounts receivable as at December 30, 2002. The Company also recorded a retained interest in the sold receivables representing the estimated fair value retained at the date of sale. At December 30, 2002 the retained interest totalled $750 and was included in prepaid expenses. On January 22, 2002, one of the Company’s larger customers, K-Mart Corporation (“K-Mart”) and 37 of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. As at December 30, 2002, the Company had included in accounts receivable, gross pre-petition receivables from K-Mart totalling approximately $22,918. In addition, the Company had provided for its allowance for anticipated credits certain reserves for returns and allowances, advertising and other anticipated deductions related specifically to the gross pre-petition receivables. Management asserted that it would be granted the right of offset for these anticipated deductions through the bankruptcy claims administration process. Insurance claims were filed representing a significant portion of its net pre-petition receivables from K-Mart. During the year, the Company received from K-Mart and its insurance carriers amounts which resulted in no further losses being recognized from this related receivable. 45 2003 Annual Report Note 5 – Inventories Inventories consist of the following: 2003 Raw materials Work in process Finished goods 2002 $ 56,540 9,073 141,758 $ 32,508 7,107 102,542 $ 207,371 $ 142,157 Note 6 – Capital Assets COST Land Buildings Machinery and equipment Moulds Furniture and fixtures Vehicles Computer equipment Leasehold improvements Construction in progress Assets under capital lease ACCUMULATED AMORTIZATION NET 2003 2002 $ 10,805 54,474 77,578 76,219 5,616 762 10,732 3,736 26,154 5,504 $ – 12,699 43,236 55,035 3,372 592 6,455 2,228 – 126 $ 10,805 41,775 34,342 21,184 2,244 170 4,277 1,508 26,154 5,378 $ 1,799 33,195 27,714 17,640 2,088 107 4,476 1,215 7,140 – $ 271,580 $ 123,743 $ 147,837 $ 95,374 Construction in progress consists of the following major categories: 2003 Buildings and leasehold improvements Machinery and equipment Moulds Computer equipment 2002 $ 7,919 6,497 7,875 3,863 $ 87 936 6,117 – $ 26,154 $ 7,140 Note 7 – Deferred Charges 2003 Development costs Financing costs Other 2002 $ 15,117 1,996 1,388 $ 11,002 1,125 2,984 $ 18,501 $ 14,111 Amor tization of deferred development costs and all other deferred charges amounted to $7,404 (2002 – $3,754, 2001 – $2,734) and $1,023 (2002 – $1,633, 2001 – $1,297), respectively. Upon the acquisition of Safety 1st, Inc., the Company capitalized a fixed rate interest swap acquired as part of the transaction, based on its fair value at the date of acquisition. The notional amount of the swap agreement totals $35,000. The agreement requires the Company to pay a fixed rate of 6.38% in exchange for 3-month LIBOR and matures on December 1, 2004. The capitalized swap is amortized using the straight-line method from the acquisition date over the remaining term of the agreement. Periodic interest settlements are recorded in interest expense, net. As at December 30, 2003, the net book value of the swap included in other deferred charges is $311 (2002 – $623). 46 2003 Annual Report Note 8 – Goodwill The following table summarizes the impact of adopting the new standard: 2003 2002 2001 Net income Amortization of goodwill $ 75,026 – $ 61,595 – $ 25,504 7,990 Adjusted net income $ 75,026 $ 61,595 $ 33,494 Adjusted basic earnings per share $ 2.36 $ 2.05 $ 1.20 Adjusted fully diluted earnings per share $ 2.32 $ 2.00 $ 1.17 Note 9 – Intangible Assets COST Trademarks Patents Licences ACCUMULATED AMORTIZATION NET 2003 2002 $ 77,025 9,569 2,962 $ – 2,746 1,362 $ 77,025 6,823 1,600 $ – 4,354 1,463 $ 89,556 $ 4,108 $ 85,448 $ 5,818 Note 10 – Bank Indebtedness The average interest rates on the outstanding borrowings for 2003 and 2002 were 2.99% and 4.89%, respectively. As at December 30, 2003, the Company had unused and available bank lines of credit amounting to approximately $39,395 (2002 – $26,109), renegotiated annually. Note 11 – Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities 2003 Accounts payable Salaries payable Product liability 2002 $ 198,873 19,565 34,707 $ 91,178 13,405 27,222 $ 253,145 $ 131,805 47 2003 Annual Report Note 12 – Long-Term Debt 2003 2002 Series “A” Senior Guaranteed Notes Bearing interest at 6.80 % per annum with principal repayments commencing in 2004 as follows: • • • • 5 1 2 1 annual instalments of $1,000 ending in July 2008 instalment of $8,500 in July 2009 annual instalments of $10,000 ending in July 2011 final instalment of $16,500 ending in July 2012 $ Bearing interest at 5.09% per annum in February 2008 50,000 $ 50,000 55,000 – 55,000 – Bearing interest at 7.50% per annum with principal repayments in 5 annual instalments of $4,800 ending in April 2008 24,000 25,500 Bearing interest at 7.63% per annum with principal repayments in 5 annual instalments of $1,600 ending in June 2008 8,000 8,500 Series “B” Senior Guaranteed Notes Bearing interest at 5.63% per annum repayable in February 2010 Term Notes Revolving Bank Loans Bearing interest at various rates per annum, averaging 2.30% based on LIBOR or U.S. bank rates, total availability of $245,000 (2002 – $250,000). 97,000 – Other 268 846 Obligations under capital lease 911 – 290,179 84,846 7,758 2,061 Current portion $ 282,421 $ 82,785 The aggregate repayments in subsequent years of existing long-term debt will be: FISCAL YEAR ENDING AMOUNT 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 $ 7,758 7,564 104,571 7,565 62,527 $ 189,985 Note 13 – Other Long-Term Liabilities 2003 Employee compensation Balance of sale Other 2002 $ 6,521 2,314 1,745 $ – – 516 $ 10,580 $ 516 48 2003 Annual Report Note 14 – Financial Instruments In the normal course of business, the Company uses various financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, for purposes other than trading. The Company uses derivative financial instruments as outlined in Note 2, to reduce exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. The derivative financial instruments include foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swaps. The nonderivative financial instruments include those as outlined below. By their nature, all such instruments involve risk, including market risk and the credit risk of non performance by counterparties. These financial instruments are subject to normal credit standards, financial controls, risk management as well as monitoring procedures. Fair Value of Recognized Financial Instruments Following is a table which sets out the fair values of recognized financial instruments using the valuation methods and assumptions described below: December 30, 2003 CARRYING FAIR VALUE VALUE December 30, 2002 CARRYING FAIR VALUE VALUE Financial Assets Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable Interest rate swap $ 13,877 210,905 311 $ 13,877 210,905 (1,772) $ 54,450 98,267 623 $ 54,450 98,267 (3,191) Financial Liabilities Bank indebtedness Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Long-term debt Other long-term debt liabilities 764 253,145 290,179 10,580 764 253,145 294,220 10,580 8,346 131,805 84,846 516 8,346 131,805 88,388 516 The carrying amounts shown in the table above are those which are included in the balance sheet and/or notes to the financial statements. Determination of Fair Value The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of each class of financial instruments: Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, bank indebtedness, accounts payable and accrued liabilities – The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those financial instruments. Interest rate swap – The fair value is computed based on the difference between mid-market levels and the fixed swap rate as at December 30, 2003. Long-term debt – The fair value is estimated based on discounting expected future cash flows at the discount rates which represent borrowing rates presently available to the Company for loans with similar terms and maturity. Letters of credit – As described in Note 19, the Company has certain letter of credit facilities of which management does not expect any material losses to result from these instruments. Other long-term liabilities – The carrying amounts approximate their fair value. Foreign Exchange Risk Management The Company enters into various types of foreign exchange contracts to manage its exposure to foreign currency risk as indicated in the following table: December 30, 2003 NOTIONAL FAIR AMOUNT VALUE Future contracts Forward exchange contracts Options $ 32,404 9,120 7,250 $ 33,352 8,696 6,595 December 30, 2002 NOTIONAL FAIR AMOUNT VALUE $ 9,318 5.000 – $ 9,508 5,355 – December 30, 2001 NOTIONAL FAIR AMOUNT VALUE $ 20,820 301 – $ 20,780 298 – The term of the currency derivatives ranges from three to twelve months. The Company’s market risk with respect to foreign exchange contracts is limited to the exchange rate differential. Deferred unrealized gains (losses) on these contracts are presented in the following table, showing the periods in which they are expected to be recognized in income. 2003 2002 2001 To be recognized within Three months Six months Nine months Twelve months $ ( 650 ) ( 45 ) 269 295 $ 370 31 67 75 $ ( 18 ) ( 10 ) (7) (8) $ ( 131 ) $ 545 $ ( 43 ) 49 2003 Annual Report Note 14 – Financial Instruments (cont.) Concentrations of Credit Risk Substantially all accounts receivable arise from sales to the retail industry. Sales to two major customers represented 49.0% of total sales. In 2002 and 2001, there were three major customers representing 68.6% and 66.4% of total sales respectively. Accounts receivable from these customers comprised 42.7% and 50.8% of the total at December 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Note 15 – Benefit Plans Pension Benefits One of the Company's subsidiaries maintain defined benefit pension plans for specific employees. Obligations under the defined benefit plans are determined annually by independent actuaries using management’s assumptions and the accrued benefit method. The plans provide benefits based on a defined benefit amount and length of service. Information regarding the Company’s defined benefit plans is as follows: 2003 2002 Accrued benefit obligation: Balance, beginning of year Current service cost Interest cost Plan amendments Benefits paid Actuarial losses $ Balance, end of year 18,117 389 1,222 – ( 1,130 ) 1,392 $ 16,835 353 1,204 ( 144 ) ( 1,139 ) 1,008 19,990 18,117 Fair value, beginning of year Actual return on plan assets Employer contributions Benefits paid 17,885 3,236 500 ( 1,130 ) 17,041 ( 2,717 ) 4,700 ( 1,139 ) Fair value, end of year 20,491 17,885 501 9,109 1,385 ( 232 ) 10,101 1,531 Plan assets: Funded status-plan surplus (deficit) Unamortized actuarial loss Unamortized prior service cost Accrued benefit asset $ 10,995 $ 11,400 The accrued benefit asset relating to pension benefits is included in other assets. Net pension costs for the defined benefit plan comprise the following: 2003 Current service cost, net of employee contributions Interest cost Expected return on assets Amortization of prior service costs Amortization of net actuarial (gain)/loss Amortization of transition obligation $ Pension expense (benefit): $ 390 1,222 ( 1,560 ) 146 708 – 906 Total expense under the defined contribution plans was $2,285 (2002 – $2,197, 2001 – $1,416). 2002 $ $ 353 1,204 ( 1,617 ) 146 173 ( 24 ) 235 2001 $ 327 1,176 ( 1,635 ) 110 – ( 63 ) $ ( 85 ) 50 2003 Annual Report Note 15 – Benefit Plans (cont.) Post-Retirement Benefits One of the Company’s subsidiaries maintains a defined benefit post-retirement benefit plan for substantially all its employees. Information regarding this Company’s post-retirement benefit plan is as follows: 2003 2002 Accrued benefit obligation: Balance, beginning of year Current service cost Interest cost Plan amendments Benefits paid Actuarial (gains)/losses $ 11,167 770 777 145 ( 940 ) 38 Balance, end of year $ 11,881 9,076 392 731 – ( 555 ) 1,523 11,167 Plan assets: Employer contributions Benefits paid 940 ( 940 ) Fair value, end of year 555 ( 555 ) – Funded status-plan deficit Unamortized actuarial (gain)/loss Unamortized prior service costs – ( 11,881 ) ( 787 ) ( 1,150 ) Accrued benefit liability $ ( 13,818 ) ( 11,167 ) ( 749 ) ( 1,297 ) $ ( 13,213 ) Net costs for the post-retirement benefit plan comprise the following: 2003 2002 2001 Current service cost, net of employee contributions Interest cost Amortization of net actuarial (gain)/loss Amortization of prior service costs $ 504 777 ( 147 ) – $ 392 732 ( 147 ) ( 66 ) $ 306 807 ( 92 ) ( 37 ) Net benefit plan expense $ 1,134 $ 911 $ 984 Assumptions Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as at December 30: PENSION BENEFITS 2003 Discount rate Rate of compensation increase 6.25% n/a 2002 6.75% n/a POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS 2003 6.25% n/a 2002 6.75% n/a Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic cost for the years ended December 30: PENSION BENEFITS 2003 Discount rate Expected long-term return on plan assets Rate of compensation increase 6.75% 9.00% n/a 2002 7.50% 9.50% n/a 2001 7.50% 9.50% n/a POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS 2003 6.75% n/a n/a 2002 7.50% n/a n/a 2001 7.50% n/a n/a Plan assets are measured using the fair value method. Unamortized actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs are recognized over the expected average remaining service period. The measurement date used for pension benefits was December 30 for both 2003 and 2002. For post-retirement benefits, the measurement dates were December 30 and September 30 respectively. 51 2003 Annual Report Note 15 – Benefit Plans (cont.) The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets reflected the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligation. In estimating that rate, appropriate considerations were given to the returns being earned by the plan assets in the fund and rates of return expected to be available to reinvestment. More specifically, the Company determined that based on the plan's policy and asset allocation, the benchmarking indices showed a 9.81% historical return on a 30-year look back basis. Combined with the actively managed investment options to outper form the indices, 9% was selected as an appropriate and conservatively reasonable rate for the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. As at December 30, 2003, plan assets consisted of the following major categories: 2003 Equity securities Debt securities Fixed income securities $ 2002 11,996 5,785 2,710 $ 9,160 8,407 318 $20,491 $ 17,885 In 2004 the Company expects to make contributions to its pension plan in the range of $0 to $1,944. The Company’s health benefit costs were estimated to increase with an annual rate of 10% during 2003 (2002 – 9%) decreasing to an annual growth rate of 5% in 2009 and thereafter. Assumed health care cost trends have a significant effect on the amounts reported for health care plans. A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost rates would have the following effects: 1 PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE Effect on total of service and interest cost Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation $ $ 205 1,409 1 PERCENTAGE POINT DECREASE $ $ ( 175 ) ( 1,319 ) Other Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have elected to act as self-insurer for certain costs related to all active employee health and accident programs. The expense for the year ended December 30, 2003 was $7,941 (2002 – $9,388, 2001 – $9,007) under this self-insured benefit program. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries maintain a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain highly compensated employees, which provides for employer contributions, and are held in a trust. The total contributions made under these plans for the year ended December 30, 2003 was $46 (2002 – $65, 2001 – $15). 52 2003 Annual Report Note 16 – Capital Stock The capital stock of the Company is as follows: Authorized An unlimited number of preferred shares without nominal or par value, issuable in series. An unlimited number of Class "A" Multiple Voting Shares without nominal or par value, convertible at any time at the option of the holder into Class "B" Subordinate Voting Shares on a one-for-one basis. An unlimited number of Class "B" Subordinate Voting Shares without nominal or par value, convertible into Class "A" Multiple Voting Shares, under certain circumstances, if an offer is made to purchase the Class "A" shares. Details of the issued and outstanding shares are as follows: 2003 NUMBER 2002 AMOUNT NUMBER 2,156 4,940,360 AMOUNT Class “A” Multiple Voting Shares Balance, beginning of year 4,909,460 Converted from Class “A” to Class “B” (1) Balance, end of year $ ( 36,900 ) ( 17 ) $ ( 30,900 ) 2,168 ( 12 ) 4,872,560 2,139 4,909,460 2,156 26,396,232 136,290 23,230,132 60,855 36,900 17 30,900 12 200,000 3,974 2,929,200 72,435 1,118,250 13,880 216,000 3,037 Class “B” Subordinate Voting Shares Balance, beginning of year Converted from Class “A” to Class “B” Issuance of capital stock (2) Issued under stock option plan Repurchase of capital stock Balance, end of year TOTAL CAPITAL STOCK (3) (1) ( 5,000 ) ( 26 ) 27,746,382 154,135 $ 156,274 ( 10,000 ) ( 49 ) 26,396,232 136,290 $ 138,446 1. During the year, the Company converted 36,900 (2002 – 30,900) Class “A” Multiple Voting Shares into Class “B” Subordinate Voting Shares at an average rate of $0.46 per share (2002 – $0.40 per share). 2. Under an agreement dated April 26, 2002 between the Company and a syndicate of underwriters led by CIBC World Markets Inc., the Company agreed to sell and the underwriters agreed to purchase 2,929,200 Class “B” Subordinate Voting Shares at a price of $24.73 ($CAN 38.50) for an aggregate consideration of $72,435 ($CAN 112,774) all pursuant to a prospectus dated May 8, 2002. On September 21, 2000, the Company granted to Hasbro, Inc. as partial consideration for the licence agreement, 200,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 200,000 Class “B” Subordinate Voting Shares at an exercise price of $19.87 ($CAN 30.00) expiring no later than September 21, 2005. In January 2003, Hasbro, Inc. exercised the 200,000 share purchase warrants 3. Under a Normal Course Issuer Bid effective August 11, 2003, the Company indicated its intention to purchase up to 200,000 Class “B” Subordinate Voting Shares at the prevailing market price. The program expires on August 10, 2004. During the year, the Company purchased for cancellation by way of a Normal Course Issuer Bid on the Toronto Stock Exchange 5,000 (2002 – 10,000) Class “B” Subordinate Voting shares for the total consideration of $129 (2002 – $217). 53 2003 Annual Report Note 17 – Stock Options Under various plans, the Company may grant stock options on the Class "B" Subordinate Voting Shares at the discretion of the board of directors, to senior executives and certain key employees. The exercise price is the market price of the securities at the date the options may be granted. The maximum number of Class “B” Subordinate Voting Shares which may be issued under the plans is 4,500,000. No option granted may be exercised during the first year following its granting and is exercisable, on a cumulative basis, at the rate of 25% in each of the following four years, and will expire no later than the year 2008. The Company’s stock option plan is as follows: 2003 WEIGHTED AVERAGE OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE Options outstanding, beginning of year Granted Exercised Cancelled Options outstanding, end of year 2002 WEIGHTED AVERAGE OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICE 2,079,000 151,000 ( 1,118,250 ) ( 12,000 ) $ 16.55 24.67 12.39 21.75 1,414,000 884,000 ( 216,000 ) ( 3,000 ) $ 13.69 20.80 15.24 18.53 1,099,750 $ 21.52 2,079,000 $ 16.55 A summary of options outstanding at December 30, 2003 is as follows: TOTAL OUTSTANDING TOTAL EXERCISABLE RANGE OF EXERCISE PRICES OPTIONS WEIGHTED AVERAGE EXERCISE PRICE WEIGHTED AVERAGE CONTRACTUAL REMAINING LIFE $ 16.00 – $ 18.00 110,000 $ 17.61 1.32 76,750 $ 17.87 $ 20.41 – $ 27.47 989,750 $ 21.95 3.41 203,500 $ 21.28 $ 16.00 – $ 27.47 1,099,750 $ 21.52 3.20 280,250 $ 20.34 OPTIONS WEIGHTED AVERAGE EXERCISE PRICE If the Company had elected to recognize compensation costs based on the fair value at the date of grant, consistent with the provisions of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants Section 3870, the Company’s net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the following pro-forma amounts: 2003 2002 Net income As reported Pro forma $ $ 75,026 73,796 $ $ 61,595 61,595 Basic earnings per share As reported Pro forma $ $ 2.36 2.32 $ $ 2.05 2.05 Fully diluted earnings per share As reported Pro forma $ $ 2.32 2.28 $ $ 2.00 2.00 $ 8.64 $ 7.70 Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year The above pro-forma net income and earnings per share were computed using the fair value of granted options as at the date of grant as calculated by the Black-Scholes option method. In order to perform the calculation, the following weighted average assumptions were made: 2003 Risk-free interest rate 2002 3.99% 4.33% Nil Nil Volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company’s share capital 33.5% 34.9% Term to maturity 3.60 2.38 Dividend yield 54 2003 Annual Report Note 18 – Cumulative Translation Adjustment An analysis of the cumulative translation adjustment included in shareholders' equity is as follows: 2003 Balance, beginning of year $ Translation of self-sustaining foreign operations Balance, end of year 2,900 2002 $ 48,129 $ 51,029 ( 4,334 ) 2001 $ 7,234 $ 2,900 ( 410 ) ( 3,924 ) $ ( 4,334 ) Note 19 – Commitments a) The Company has entered into long-term lease agreements bearing various expiry dates to the year 2012. The minimum annual rentals exclusive of additional charges will be as follows: FISCAL YEAR ENDING 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 AMOUNT $ 17,186 14,634 10,525 8,296 6,372 $ 57,013 b) The Company has letter of credit facilities totalling $30,944 (2002 – $33,000) of which unaccepted letters of credit outstanding as at December 30, 2003 and 2002 amount to $18,916 and $22,152, respectively. Note 20 – Contingent Liabilities The Company is involved in various legal actions and party to a number of other claims or potential claims that have arisen in the normal course of business, the outcome of which is not yet determinable. In the opinion of management, based on information presently available, any monetary liability or financial impact of such lawsuits, claims or potential claims to which the Company might be subject would not be material to the consolidated financial position of the Company and the consolidated results of operations. Note 21 – Product Liability The Company is insured for product liability, by the use of both traditional insurance and by the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Dorel Insurance Corporation, which functions as a captive insurance company, providing a self funded insurance program to mitigate its product liability exposure. The self funded insurance program includes third party insurance coverage which is limited to the fair value of the assets held by the captive insurance company. The Company also has various excess insurance policies for product liability incidents which occurred prior to December 30, 2003. The estimated product liability exposure was calculated by an independent actuary based on historical sales volumes, past claims history and management and actuarial assumptions. The estimated exposure includes incidents that have occurred, as well as incidents anticipated to occur on units sold prior to December 30, 2003. Significant assumptions used in the actuarial model include management’s estimates for pending claims, product life cycle, discount rates, and the frequency and severity of product incidents. As at December 30, 2003, the Company’s total exposure related to current and future product liability incidents was estimated to range from $34,138 to $38,867. The Company’s recorded liability of $34,707 and $27,222 as at December 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively, represents the Company’s total estimated exposure after considering the excess insurance coverage available. Funds Held by Ceding Insurer Dorel Insurance Corporation, the captive insurance company, has entered into a reinsurance agreement whereby funds are withheld by the ceding insurer, for the purpose of payment of net losses related to product liability claims. These funds bear interest at a rate of 1.64% per annum. 55 2003 Annual Report Note 22 – Income Taxes Variations of income tax expense from the basic Canadian Federal and Provincial combined tax rates applicable to income from operations before income taxes are as follows: 2003 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES ADD (DEDUCT) EFFECT OF: Non-deductible amortization Difference in effective tax rates of foreign subsidiaries Recovery of income taxes arising from the use of unrecorded tax benefits Other – net ACTUAL PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES $ 35,219 – 2002 35.0% $ 29,993 – 2001 35.0% – $ 10,952 – 35.0% 2,640 8.4 ( 8.5 ) ( 6,234 ) ( 6.2 ) ( 2,761 ) ( 3.2 ) ( 2,648 ) ( 2,998 ) ( 387 ) ( 3.0 ) ( 0.4 ) ( 2,979 ) ( 154 ) ( 3.5 ) ( 0.2 ) ( 6.127 ) ( 19.6 ) ( 86 ) ( 0.2 ) $ 25,600 25.4% $ 24,099 28.1% $ 4,731 15.1% The following presents the Canadian and foreign components of income from operations before income taxes and income tax expense for the years ended December 30: 2003 2002 2001 Details of income from operations: Domestic Foreign Income from operations before income taxes $ 13,513 87,113 $ 14,868 70,826 $ ( 59 ) 31,352 $ 100,626 $ 85,694 $ 31,293 $ 5,773 15,241 $ 4,907 14,481 $ ( 1,208 ) 235 Details of income tax expense: Current Domestic Foreign 21,014 19,388 ( 973 ) Future Domestic Foreign Total income taxes $ 402 4,184 ( 208 ) 4,919 319 5,385 4,586 4,711 5,704 25,600 $ 24,099 $ 4,731 56 2003 Annual Report Note 22 – Income Taxes (cont.) The components of future taxes are as follows: 2003 2002 Current future income tax assets Reserves and allowances Operating loss carry forwards Other Net current future income tax assets $ 8,057 1,029 98 $ 11,081 – 33 $ 9,184 $ 11,114 $ 773 3,878 1,401 2,330 $ 773 3,074 772 – $ 8,382 $ 4,619 $ 17,052 27,648 448 $ 7,255 2,775 259 $ 45,148 $ 10,289 Long-term future income tax assets Share issue costs Operating loss carry forwards Employee pensions Other Total long-term future income tax assets Long-term future income tax liabilities Capital assets Intangible assets Other Total long-term future income tax liabilities Note 23 – Earnings Per Share The following table provides a reconciliation between the number of basic and fully diluted shares outstanding: Weighted daily average number of Class “A” Multiple and Class “B” Subordinate Voting Shares Dilutive effect of stock options and share purchase warrants Weighted average number of diluted shares Number of anti-dilutive stock options or share purchase warrants excluded from fully diluted earnings per share calculation 2003 2002 2001 31,837,343 30,097,165 28,159,026 569,381 642,073 409,504 32,406,724 30,739,238 28,568,566 136,000 100,000 200,000 2002 2001 Note 24 – Statement of Cash Flows Net changes in non-cash working capital balances relating to continuing operations are as follows: 2003 Accounts receivable Inventories Prepaid expenses and other assets Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Income taxes $ ( 8,062 ) ( 20,356 ) 3,229 34,809 ( 12,098 ) $ ( 950 ) 12,831 ( 5,798 ) 24,931 15,208 $ 2,320 ( 10,646 ) 245 2,042 ( 8,087 ) Total $ ( 2,478 ) $ 46,222 $ ( 14,126 ) Supplementary disclosure: 2003 Interest paid Income taxes paid Income taxes received $ 10,749 36,792 9,810 2002 $ 9,342 12,983 5,400 2001 $ 17,556 1,456 – 57 2003 Annual Report Note 25 – Segmented Information The Company’s significant business segments include: • Juvenile Products Segment: Engaged in the design, manufacture and distribution of children’s furniture and accessories which include infant car seats, strollers, high chairs, toddler beds, cribs and infant health and safety aids. • Home Furnishings Segment: Engaged in the design, manufacture and distribution of ready-to-assemble furniture and home furnishings which includes metal folding furniture, futons, step stools, ladders and other imported furniture items. The accounting policies used to prepare the information by business segment are the same as those used to prepare the consolidated financial statements of the Company as described in Note 2. The Company evaluates financial performance based on measures of income from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, amortization of goodwill and special items. Inter-segment sales were immaterial for the years ended December 30, 2003, 2002, and 2001. Geographic Segments SALES CAPITAL ASSETS AND GOODWILL 2003 2002 2001 2003 2002 2001 Canada United States Europe Other foreign countries $ 174,262 670,109 266,719 52,676 $ 157,153 708,850 84,693 41,377 $ 145,672 682,417 77,624 11,056 $ 53,753 225,583 248,979 57 $ 11,152 214,224 25,652 15 $ 11,800 219,429 18,750 11 Total $1,163,766 $ 992,073 $ 916,769 $ 528,372 $ 251,043 $ 249,990 Industry Segments TOTAL 2003 SALES 2002 JUVENILE 2001 $ 1,163,766 $ 992,073 $ 916,769 Cost of sales and operating expenses Amortization 1,002,843 28,166 860,968 23,585 810,516 20,031 132,757 107,520 86,222 Interest Income taxes Corporate expenses Product liability 16,077 25,600 16,054 – 10,439 24,099 11,387 – 18,462 4,731 8,477 20,000 Income from continuing operations before amortization of goodwill $ 75,026 $ 61,595 $ 34,552 Income from segment operations 2003 2002 HOME FURNISHINGS 2001 $ 670,106 $ 528,446 $503,892 582,024 22,157 $ 469,166 16,291 2003 2001 $ 493,660 $463,627 $ 412,877 452,226 13,326 65,925 $ 42,989 $ 38,340 2002 420,819 6,009 $ 391,802 7,294 358,290 6,705 66,832 $ 64,531 $ 47,882 Total assets $ 1,087,714 $ 543,483 $ 542,609 $ 876,164 $ 366,838 $378,211 $ 211,550 $176,645 $ 164,398 Additions to capital assets $ $ $ 6,059 $ 5,557 $ 2,970 33,779 $ 15,817 $ 11,454 27,720 $ 10,260 $ 8,484 Goodwill The continuity of goodwill by business is as follows: Balance, beginning of year Additions Amortization Foreign exchange and other $ 155,669 $ 151,624 $ 148,896 195,087 – 7,924 – – ( 7,990 ) 29,779 4,045 2,794 $ 151,247 $ 147,202 $144,199 $ 160,459 – 7,924 – – ( 7,715 ) 29,779 4,045 2,794 4,422 $ 34,628 – – 4,422 $ – – – 4,697 – ( 275 ) – Balance, end of year $ 380,535 $ 155,669 $ 151,624 $ 341,485 $ 151,247 $147,202 39,050 $ 4,422 $ 4,422 $ 58 2003 Annual Report Note 25 – Segmented Information (cont.) TOTAL 2003 2002 2001 Reconciliations: Net Income Total income from continuing operations before amortization of goodwill $ 75,026 $ 61,595 $ 34,552 Amortization of goodwill – – 7,990 Loss from discontinued operations – – 1,058 Net income $ 75,026 $ 61,595 $ 25,504 Total assets for reportable segments Corporate assets $ 1,087,714 22,843 $ 543,483 71,259 $ 542,609 25,965 Total assets $ 1,110,557 $ 614,742 $ 568,574 Total Assets Concentration of Credit Risk Sales to major customers were concentrated as follows: CANADA 2003 2002 UNITED STATES 2001 2003 2002 FOREIGN 2001 2003 2002 2001 Juvenile 1.7% 1.2% 1.3% 19.2% 30.8% 29.4% 0.3% – – Home furnishings 7.8% 10.2% 10.8% 15.8% 22.7% 24.4% 4.2% 3.7% 0.5% Note 26 – Subsequent Event On January 12, 2004, the Company signed a purchase agreement to acquire the shares of Pacific Cycle LLC, a designer, marketer and supplier of bicycles and other recreational products located in Madison, Wisconsin, for a total consideration of approximately $310,000, excluding acquisition costs. This acquisition will be financed through additional debt facilities and cash. The Company is presently in the process of allocating the cost of the purchase to the net assets acquired. Note 27 – United States Accounting Principles The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada (Canadian GAAP) which, in the case of the Company, conform in all material respects with those in the United States (U.S. GAAP) and with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), except as follows: Deferred Charges Canadian GAAP allows for the deferral and amortization of development costs if specific criteria are met. Under U.S. GAAP all costs classified as development costs are expensed as incurred. Pension Plans and Post Retirement Benefits Other than Pensions Under U.S. GAAP, if the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the market value of plan assets, a minimum liability for the excess is recognized to the extent that the liability recorded in the balance sheet is less than the minimum liability. Any portion of this additional liability that relates to unrecognized past service cost is recognized as an intangible asset which the remainder is charged to other comprehensive income. Canadian GAAP has no such requirement to record a minimum liability. Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities SFAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” requires that all derivative instruments, including those embedded in other contracts, be recorded on the balance sheet at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in income from operations or other comprehensive income depending on the intended use of the derivative, its resulting designation and its effectiveness. If a derivative instrument is designated as a hedge and meets the criteria for hedge effectiveness, an offset to income from operations is available but only to the extent that the hedge is effective. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a derivative instrument that meets the hedge criteria is recognized in current income from operations. Goodwill Under Canadian GAAP, certain incremental costs incurred in connection with an acquisition were allowed to be included in either the allocation of the purchase price to the acquired assets and liabilities, or in the results of the Consolidated Statement of Income. U.S. GAAP requires that certain incremental costs be included as part of the purchase price allocation and resulting goodwill. 59 2003 Annual Report Note 27 – United States Accounting Principles (cont.) Income Before Amortization of Goodwill Under Canadian GAAP, Section 1581 “Business Combinations” permits amortization of goodwill to be presented net-of-tax on a separate line in the Consolidated Statement of Income. This presentation is not currently permitted under U.S. GAAP. Stock Options The United States Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued standard SFAS No. 123 for accounting for stock based compensation. The Company has elected to continue to account for its stock-based compensation plan under the guidelines of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 for purposes of reconciliation to U.S. GAAP; however, additional disclosure as required by the guidelines of SFAS No. 123 is included below. In accordance with Company policy, the exercise price of the Company’s employee stock option equals the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. Accordingly, under the rules of APB 25, no related compensation expense was recorded in the Company’s results of operations for U.S. GAAP purposes. If the Company had elected to recognize compensation costs based on the fair value at the date of grant, consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the following pro-forma amounts: 2003 Pro-forma income from continuing operations for U.S. GAAP Loss from discontinued operations $ Pro-forma net income for U.S. GAAP $ 72,199 2002 2001 $ 59,723 – $ 20,165 ( 1,058 ) 72,199 $ 59,723 $ 19,107 $ $ 2.27 2.27 $ $ 1.99 1.99 $ $ 0.72 0.68 $ $ 2.23 2.23 $ $ 1.94 1.94 $ $ 0.71 0.67 – Pro-forma earnings per share: Basic Pro-forma income from continuing operations Pro-forma net income Fully Diluted Pro-forma income from continuing operations Pro-forma net income The above pro-forma net income and earnings per share were computed using the fair value of granted options as at the date of grant as calculated by the Black-Scholes option method. In order to perform the calculation the following weighted average assumptions were made for fiscal years 2003, 2002 and 2001: 2003 Risk-free interest rate Dividend yield Volatility factor of the expected market price of the Company’s share capital Term to maturity 2002 2001 3.99% Nil 4.33% Nil 5.81% Nil 33.50% 3.60 34.9% 2.38 35.40% 1.67 Retained Earnings Under Canadian GAAP, stock issue costs are shown as an adjustment to retained earnings. Under U.S. GAAP, the carr ying amount of capital stock is shown net of issue costs. 60 2003 Annual Report Note 27 – United States Accounting Principles (cont.) The following table reconciles the net income as reported on the consolidated statement of income to the net income that would have been reported had the financial statements been prepared in accordance with the United States Accounting Principles and the requirements of the SEC: 2003 Income from continuing operations in accordance with Canadian GAAP Adjustments to reconcile financial statements to U.S. GAAP: Deferred product development costs Accounting for derivatives Goodwill amortization Interest expense Income taxes $ 75,026 2002 $ ( 3,002 ) 1,057 26,562 – – – – 709 467 ( 3,964 ) ( 2,264 ) ( 402 ) ( 675 ) 2,583 ( 849 ) ( 4,722 ) – ( 655 ) – ( 1,236 ) ( 849 ) Income from continuing operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP 73,790 60,746 Loss from discontinued operations – – Net income in accordance with U.S. GAAP $ ( 1,648 ) 332 ( 1,236 ) Cumulative effect of change in adopting SFAS No. 133. “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, net of income taxes 61,595 2001 ( 5,387 ) 21,175 ( 1,058 ) $ 73,790 $ 60,746 $ 20,117 Basic Income from continuing operations Net income $ $ 2.32 2.32 $ $ 2.02 2.02 $ $ 0.75 0.71 Fully Diluted Income from continuing operations Net income $ $ 2.28 2.28 $ $ 1.98 1.98 $ $ 0.74 0.70 Earnings per share: 61 2003 Annual Report Note 27 – United States Accounting Principles (cont.) The following summarizes the balance sheet amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP where different from the amounts reported under Canadian GAAP: 2003 Inventories Deferred charges Goodwill Other assets Deferred income tax asset – net long-term Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Deferred income tax liability – net long-term Other long-term liabilities Capital stock Retained earnings Minimum pension adjustment Cumulative translation adjustment $ 206,867 3,701 382,167 2002 $ – – 253,311 32,811 1,772 152,495 280,337 – 2,743 157,370 12,931 1,182 143,248 – 3,191 134,667 207,118 ( 6,263 ) 2,565 – 50,402 2003 2002 The components of deferred taxes are as follows: Current deferred income tax assets Reserves and allowances Operating loss carry forwards Other Net Current Deferred Income Tax Assets $ 8,057 1,029 98 $ 11,081 $ 9,184 $ 11,114 $ 1,401 773 3,213 3,878 998 2,634 $ 4,610 773 1,773 3,074 1,393 438 – 33 Long-term deferred income tax assets Employee pensions Share issue costs Development costs Operating loss carry forwards Derivatives Other Total long-term deferred income tax assets 12,897 12,061 Long-term deferred income tax liabilitie Employee pensions Capital assets Intangible assets 169 17,891 27,648 154 7,950 2,775 Total long-term deferred income tax liabilities 45,708 10,879 Net Long-Term Deferred Income Tax Asset (Liabilities) $ ( 32,811 ) $ 1,182 62 2003 Annual Report Note 27 – United States Accounting Principles (cont.) The Company’s Statement of Cash Flows determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP would be as follows: 2003 2002 2001 Operating activities Financing activities Investing activities Net cash used in discontinued operations Effect of exchange rates on cash $ 100,172 207,254 ( 347,553 ) – ( 446 ) $ 121,592 ( 71,414 ) ( 17,763 ) – 3,395 $ 40,451 ( 36,534 ) 10,778 ( 3,675 ) 950 Increase (decrease) in cash $ ( 40,573 ) $ 35,810 $ 11,970 Comprehensive Income The United States Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued, SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income”. For the Company, the principal difference between net income, as historically reported in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income, is foreign currency translation recorded in shareholders’ equity and minimum pension liability not yet recognized as a net periodic pension cost. Comprehensive income is as follows: 2003 Net income in accordance with U.S. GAAP $ Foreign currency translation adjustments 73,790 2002 $ 31,284 60,746 2001 $ 4,702 20,117 ( 2,623 ) ( 6,263 ) Minimum pension liability adjustments – Cumulative effect of change in adopting SFAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, net of income taxes – – ( 413 ) Realization of deferred amounts net of income taxes – – 413 Comprehensive income $ 105,074 $ 59,185 – $ 17,494 63 2003 Annual Report Corporate Information Directors Officers Martin Schwartz Martin Schwartz President and Chief Executive Officer Dorel Industries Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Pierre Dupuis Vice-President, Chief Operating Officer Jeff Segel Executive Vice-President, Sales and Marketing Dorel Industries Inc. Alan Schwartz Alan Schwartz Executive Vice-President, Sales and Marketing Executive Vice-President, Operations Dorel Industries Inc. Jeffrey Schwartz Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary Dorel Industries Inc. Executive Vice-President, Operations Jeff Segel Jeffrey Schwartz Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary Frank Rana Vice-President, Finance and Assistant-Secretary Hani Basile Vice-President, Corporate Management Maurice Tousson* Ed Wyse Lead Director Vice-President, Global Procurement Dr. Laurent Picard* C.C. Harold P. “Sonny” Gordon*, Q.C. * Members of the Audit and Human Resources and Corporate Governance Committees Annual Meeting of Shareholders Friday, May 28, 2004 at 11:00 AM Omni Hotel, Salon Pierre de Coubertin 1050 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada 64 2003 Annual Report Major Operations Home Furnishings Head Office Juvenile Ameriwood Industries Robert Klassen, President Dorel Industries Inc. 1255 Greene Avenue, Suite 300 Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3Z 2A4 2525 State Street Columbus, Indiana, USA 47201 Canton Commerce Centre 45 Dan Road Canton, Massachusetts, USA 02021 Dorel Juvenile Group Canada 12345 Albert-Hudon Blvd., Suite 100 Montreal, Quebec, Canada H1G 3K9 Dorel Juvenile Group Europe Dominique Favario, President AMPAFRANCE 9 Boulevard du Poitou, Zone Industriel 49309 Cholet Cedex France Via verdi, 14 24060 Telgate (Bergamo) Italy Lugar de Varziela Arvore 4480 Vila do Conde, Portugal C/Pare Rodés no 26 Edificio Del Lac Center Torre A 4o 2a 08208 Sabadell (Barcelona) Spain Rue de Genève 77 bis 1004 Lausanne Switzerland MAXI-MILIAAN Grasbeemd 28 5705 DG Helmond, Holland Augustinusstrasse 11b D-50226 Frechen – Konigsdorf Germany DOREL U.K. Hertsmere House, Shenley Road Borehamwood, Hertfordshire WD6 1TE United Kingdom 305 East South First Street Wright City, Missouri, USA 63390 202 Spaulding Street Dowagiac, Michigan, USA 49047 458 Second Avenue Tiffin, Ohio, USA 44883 3305 Loyalist Street Cornwall, Ontario, Canada K6H 6W6 12345 Albert-Hudon Blvd., Suite 100 Montreal, Quebec, Canada H1G 3K9 Lawyers Heenan Blaikie LLP 1250 René-Lévesque Blvd. West Suite 2500 Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3B 4Y1 Auditors Canada: Goldsmith Hersh 1411 Fort Street, Suite 200 Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3H 2N6 Cosco Home & Office Tom Szczurek, President 2525 State Street Columbus, Indiana, USA 47201 USA: Deloitte & Touche LLP 111 Monument Circle Bank One Tower, Suite 2000 Indianapolis, Indiana, USA 46204-5120 Dorel Asia SRL South Ramp Grantley Adams International Airport Christ Church, Barbados Europe: KPMG LLP 18, rue du Pin 4300 Nantes France Showrooms 1365 Midway Blvd., Unit 27, Suite 100 Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5T 2J5 Transfer Agent & Registrar Commerce and Design Building 201 West Commerce Street, 9th Floor High Point, North Carolina, USA 27260 Computershare Investor Services Inc. 100 University Avenue, 9th Floor Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2Y1 [email protected] Investor Relations Recreational/Leisure Pacific Cycle 4902 Hammersley Road Madison, Wisconsin, USA 53711 4730 E. Radio Tower Lane P.O. Box 344 Olney, Illinois, USA 62450-0344 2041 Cessna Drive Vacaville, California, USA 95688-8712 Dorel – Asian Office 31F, Jinzhong Square, No. 98 Huai Hai Zhong Road, Shanghai 200021 P.R. China Maison Brison Rick Leckner 3201 Graham Blvd. T.M.R., Quebec, Canada H3R 1K1 Tel.: (514) 731-0000 Fax: (514) 731-4525 email: [email protected] Stock Exchange Listing Share Symbols TSE – DII.A; DII.B NASDAQ – DIIB Written, designed and produced : Maison Brison Inc. Dorel Juvenile Group USA Bruce Cazenave, President Financial Highlights Sales 1,200,000 17.3% Change 1,000,000 Recreational/Leisure 600,000 DIVISIONS DIVISION Dorel Juvenile Group USA Dorel Juvenile Group Europe Ampafrance Cosco Home & Office Ameriwood Dorel Asia Pacific Cycle PRODUCT RANGE PRODUCT RANGE Infant car seats; Strollers; High chairs; Playpens; Toddler beds; Early learning/infant health/safety aids Metal folding furniture; Step stools; Ladders; Futons; Imported furniture items Office/home office furniture; Entertainment units DESIGN/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRES 20,000 Madison, Wisconsin Lake Forest, California Longmont, Colorado 10,000 SHOWROOMS Mississauga, Ontario 03 Earnings per diluted share Madison, Wisconsin Vacaville, California Olney, Illinois 2.5 16.0% Change 2.0 OPERATING FACILITIES Columbus, Indiana Cornwall, Ontario Dowagiac, Michigan Greenwood, Indiana 02 0,000 St. Louis, Missouri OPERATING FACILITIES Montreal, Quebec Ontario, California Sabadell, Spain Telgate, Italy Vila do Conde, Portugal Cologne, Germany 40,000 30,000 OPERATING FACILITIES Mississauga, Ontario High Point, North Carolina Columbus, Indiana Greenwood, Indiana Cholet, France Helmond, Holland Lausanne, Switzerland Borehamwood, United Kingdom 50,000 ($'000) Mass merchants; Furniture stores; Hardware/home centres; Office superstores; Department stores SHOWROOMS High Point, North Carolina 60,000 CUSTOMERS Columbus, Indiana 21.8% Change 70,000 CUSTOMERS Mass merchants; Sporting goods stores; Independent bicycle dealers; Specialty retailers DESIGN/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRES 80,000 75.0 Columbus, Indiana Helmond, Holland Bicycles; Ride-on toys; Licensed products (including safety equipment, electric scooters, apparel, skateboards and more); Other recreational products Montreal, Quebec Ontario, California Tiffin, Ohio Wright City, Missouri 1.5 ($) Canton, Massachusetts Cholet, France 03 Net income 1.0 0.5 2.32 DESIGN/PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CENTRES 02 0 PRODUCT RANGE CUSTOMERS Mass merchants; Department stores; Hardware/home centres; Specialty boutiques 200,000 1,163.8 DIVISIONS 992.1 400,000 As of February 2004 61.6 Home Furnishings 2.00 Juvenile ($'000) 800,000 02 03 0.0 Other key financial measures (IN MILLIONS OF US DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED) 2003 2002 % CHANGE 1,110.6 290.9 614.7 93.2 80.7 212.2 Gross margin (%) Return on shareholders’ equity (%) Debt to equity ratio 26.3 15.2 0.59 23.4 17.4 0.26 Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding (000s) 32,407 30,739 Total assets Total debt 5.4 A G L O B A L C O N S U M E R P R O D U C T S C O M PA N Y DOREL INDUSTRIES INC. 2003 ANNUAL REPORT Did you know? Dorel is the world’s largest juvenile products company in its categories. Dorel sells more bicycles than anyone else in North America. Dorel is among the top two ready-to-assemble furniture manufacturers in North America. Dorel’s brands are some of the most powerful in juvenile products, RTA furniture and the sporting goods industry. Table of Contents Message to Shareholders 2 | The Dorel Business Model 6 | The Power of Dorel’s Brands 8 | Pacific Cycle 10 | A Proven Business Model 12 A Growing Portfolio of Strong Brands 12 | Dorel’s Brand Drive Gears up with Schwinn 13 | Corporate Governance 14 Dorel Industries Inc. 1255 Greene Avenue, Suite 300, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3Z 2A4 T: 514.934.3034 F: 514.934.9379 www.dorel.com Message from our Chief Operating Officer 16 | 11-year Financial Retrospective 18 | Management’s Discussion and Analysis 20 Management’s and Auditors’ Reports 35 | Financial Statements 36 | Corporate Information 63
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