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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
/X/ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-7951
WICOR, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin 39-1346701
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
626 East Wisconsin Avenue
P. O. Box 334
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 414-291-7026
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Title of Each Class Name of Exchange on Which Registered
- ------------------------------ ------------------------------------
Common Stock, $1 par value New York Stock Exchange
Associated Common Stock Purchase Rights New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. /X/ Yes No.
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]
Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant: $1,164,152,215 at February 29, 2000.
Number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common
stock, as of February 29, 2000:
Common Stock, $1 par value 37,880,041 shares
----- Documents Incorporated by Reference -----
Certain portions of the Company's proxy statement for its 2000 annual meeting
of shareholders to be filed with the Commission under Regulation 14A are
incorporated by reference into Part III hereof
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
PART I. 1
Item 1. Business 1
(a) General Development of Business 1
(b) Financial Information about Industry Segments 2
(c) Forward-Looking Statements 2
(d) Narrative Description of Business 3
1. Energy 3
A. General 3
B. Gas Markets and Competition 4
C. Gas Supply, Pipeline Capacity and Storage 5
(1) Pipeline Capacity and Storage 5
(2) Term Gas Supply 6
(3) Secondary Market Transactions 6
(4) Spot Market Gas Supply 6
(5) Proposed New Pipeline 6
D. Wisconsin Regulatory Matters 7
(1) Rate Matters 7
(2) Gas Cost Recovery Mechanism 7
(3) Transition Cost Recovery Policy 8
(4) Changing Regulatory Environment 8
(5) Customer Choice Pilot Program 8
E. Employees 8
2. Manufacturing of Pumps, Fluid
Processing and Filtration Equipment 8
A. General 8
B. U.S. Operations 8
C. International Operations 9
D. Raw Materials and Patents 9
E. Employees 10
Item 2. Properties 10
(a) Capital Expenditures 10
(b) Energy 10
(c) Manufacturing of Pumps, Fluid Processing and
Filtration Equipment 10
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 10
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 11
Executive Officers of the Registrant 11
PART II. 12
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity
and Related Stockholder Matters 12
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 13
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
PAGE
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results
of Operations and Financial Condition 14
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 24
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 25
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure 45
PART III. 46
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 46
Item 11. Executive Compensation 46
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management 46
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 46
PART IV 46
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K 46
(a) Documents Filed as Part of the Report 46
1. All Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules 46
2. Financial Statement Schedules 46
3. Exhibits 47
(b) Reports on Form 8-K 49
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PART I
Item 1. BUSINESS
(a) General Development of Business
WICOR, Inc. (the "Company" or "WICOR") is a diversified holding company
with two principal business groups: energy services and pump manufacturing.
The Company has the following subsidiaries engaged in the indicated principal
businesses. Wisconsin Gas Company ("Wisconsin Gas") engages in retail sales and
distribution of natural gas and water. WICOR Energy Services Company ("WICOR
Energy") engages in natural gas purchasing, and energy and price risk
management. FieldTech, Inc. ("FieldTech") provides meter reading and technology
services for gas, electric and water utilities. Sta-Rite Industries, Inc.
("Sta-Rite"), SHURflo Pump Manufacturing Co. ("SHURflo") and Hypro Corporation
("Hypro") are manufacturers of pumps, fluid processing and filtration
equipment. WICOR Industries, Inc. ("WICOR Industries") is an intermediate
holding company which holds the stock of the manufacturing subsidiaries. The
Company is a Wisconsin corporation and maintains its principal executive
offices in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Company was incorporated in 1980, when it acquired all the outstanding
common stock of Wisconsin Gas through a merger. The Company acquired all of
the outstanding common stock of Sta-Rite, SHURflo and Hypro through
acquisitions in 1982, 1993, and 1995, respectively.
In November, 1998, Wisconsin Gas entered the water utility business by
acquiring the water distribution system of a Milwaukee suburb serving about 500
customers. Wisconsin Gas acquired another small water utility in November,
1999, and served approximately 1,500 customers by the end of 1999.
In May, 1999, WICOR acquired Omni Corporation ("Omni"), a privately-held
manufacturer of water filtration products primarily for residential use which
has its manufacturing operations in Hammond, Indiana. The Omni operations
have been integrated into Sta-Rite. In June, 1999, WICOR acquired CUMA, S.A.
of Monterrey, Mexico("CUMA"), a privately-held manufacturer of pumps for
irrigation, industrial and residential applications with its manufacturing
operations in Monterrey, Mexico. CUMA has been integrated into Sta-Rite's
Mexican subsidiary.
In October, 1999, WICOR acquired two pump manufacturing companies: Simer
Pump, a division of the Rival Company of Kansas City, and Western Dispensing
Technologies, Inc. ("Western Dispensing"), a privately-held company with its
manufacturing operations in Santa Barbara, California. Simer Pump manufactures
sump, utility, water well and emergency back-up pumps and accessories. The
Simer Pump operations will be integrated into Sta-Rite. Western Dispensing
designs and manufactures chemical dispensing systems used in commercial
laundry, janitorial and institutional applications. The Western Dispensing
operations will be integrated into SHURflo.
In December, 1999, the Company acquired Precision Fitting & Valve
Company and Lurmark Ltd., two privately held companies that manufacture and
distribute fittings, valves, nozzles, gauges and other equipment for the
agricultural and industrial markets. Precision is located in Farmington,
Minnesota, about 20 miles southeast of Minneapolis, and Lurmark is located in
Cambridge, England. The companies will be integrated into Hypro.
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In January, 2000, the Company also purchased Portland, Oregon-based
Edwards Manufacturing, Inc., a privately held maker of pumps and pumping
systems for the firefighting and industrial markets. Edwards manufactures
pumps for fire suppression systems that are used in facilities which house
high-risk, high-value property, such as aircraft hangars, communications or
computer centers. The company also makes and distributes pumps for industrial
and high-purity chemical processing and semiconductor applications. Edwards
will be integrated into Hypro.
WICOR is a co-owner of Guardian Pipeline, L.L.C. ("Guardian"). Guardian
is a limited liability corporation formed in 1999 to construct, own and
operate an interstate natural gas pipeline extending approximately 150 miles
from the Chicago market hub near Joliet, Illinois to near the Town of Ixonia,
Jefferson County, in southeastern Wisconsin. Subsidiaries of CMS Energy
Corporation and Northern States Power Company are equal one-third partners in
the project with WICOR.
On June 27, 1999, WICOR entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with
Wisconsin Energy Corporation ("Wisconsin Energy-), pursuant to which all of the
outstanding common stock of WICOR would be acquired by Wisconsin Energy and
WICOR would become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy. The
shareholders of each company approved the merger in October, 1999. The merger
requires approval from several federal and State of Wisconsin regulatory
bodies, the last of which approvals is expected to be received in April, 2000.
The merger is expected to close on April 26, 2000. For additional information
regarding the merger with Wisconsin Energy Corporation, see "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition".
At December 31, 1999, the Company (including subsidiaries) had 3,972
employees.
(b) Financial Information About Industry Segments
Refer to Note 13 of "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" for
information on industry segments.
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(c) Forward-Looking Statements
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report and other material to which the Company refers or
incorporates by reference contains forward-looking statements made by or on
behalf of WICOR. These are statements of opinion, intention or belief about
future events or conditions, rather than historical facts. The forward-looking
statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to
risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of WICOR to differ
materially from those contemplated in the statements. You should not place
undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. The terms "anticipate,"
"believe," "estimate," "expect," "objective," "plan," "possible," "potential,"
"project" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. In addition to the assumptions and other factors mentioned
specifically in connection with the forward-looking statements, factors that
could cause WICOR's actual results to differ materially from those
contemplated in any forward-looking statements include, among others, the
following:
>> Unanticipated difficulties related to completing the merger with
Wisconsin Energy Corporation, regulatory delays or conditions imposed by
regulatory bodies in approving the merger, or adverse regulatory treatment of
the merger.
>> Risks associated with non-utility diversification such as: competition;
operating risks; dependence upon certain suppliers and customers;
unanticipated changes in environmental or energy regulations; risks associated
with international investments, including foreign currency valuations; risks
associated with minority investments, where there is a limited ability to
control the development, management or operation of the project; and the risk
of higher interest costs associated with potentially reduced securities
ratings by independent rating agencies as a result of these and other factors.
>> Factors affecting foreign non-utility operations including foreign
governmental actions; foreign economic and currency risks; political
instability; and unanticipated changes in foreign environmental or energy
regulations.
>> Factors affecting utility operations such as unusual weather
conditions; unanticipated changes in gas supply or water supply costs or
availability due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other
developments; nonperformance by natural gas suppliers under existing power
purchase or gas supply contracts; environmental incidents; gas pipeline system
constraints; unanticipated organizational structure or key personnel changes;
collective bargaining agreements with union employees or work stoppages;
inflation rates; or demographic and economic factors affecting utility service
territories or operating environment.
>> Regulatory factors such as unanticipated changes in rate-setting
policies or procedures; unanticipated changes in regulatory accounting
policies and practices; industry restructuring initiatives; transmission
system operation and/or administration initiatives; recovery of costs of
previous investments made under traditional regulation; required approvals for
new construction;
>> The rapidly changing and increasingly competitive and gas utility
environment as market-based forces replace strict industry regulation and
other competitors enter the gas markets resulting in increased wholesale and
retail competition
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>> Consolidation of the industry as a result of the combination and
acquisition of utilities in the Midwest, nationally and globally.
>> Restrictions imposed by various financing arrangements and regulatory
requirements on the ability of the utility and other subsidiaries to transfer
funds to their parent companies in the form of cash dividends, loans or
advances.
>> Changes in social attitudes regarding the utility industry.
>> Customer business conditions including demand for their products and
services and supply of labor and material used in creating their products and
services.
>> The cost and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings,
settlements, and investigations, claims and changes in those matters.
>> Factors affecting the availability or cost of capital such as changes
in interest rates; market perceptions of the utility industry, WICOR or any of
its subsidiaries; or security ratings.
>> Federal, state or local legislative factors such as changes in tax laws
or rates; changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies, laws and
regulations; gas industry restructuring initiatives; or changes in
environmental laws and regulations.
>> Authoritative generally accepted accounting principle or policy changes
from such standard setting bodies as the Financial Accounting Standards Board
and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
>> Unanticipated technological developments that result in competitive
disadvantages and create the potential for impairment of existing assets.
>> Other business or investment considerations that may be disclosed from
time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in
other publicly disseminated written documents.
The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or
otherwise.
(d) Narrative Description of Business
1. ENERGY
A. General
Wisconsin Gas is the largest natural gas distribution public utility in
Wisconsin. At December 31, 1999, Wisconsin Gas distributed gas to approximately
538,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 529 communities
throughout Wisconsin. Wisconsin Gas' service area has an estimated population
of approximately 2,000,000 based on State of Wisconsin's estimates for 1999.
Wisconsin Gas is subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission
of Wisconsin ("PSCW") as to various phases of its operations, including rates,
service and issuance of securities.
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WICOR Energy and FieldTech are in their fourth year of operations, and
their results are not material to the Company's financial position or results
of operations.
B. Gas Markets and Competition
Wisconsin Gas' business is highly seasonal, particularly as to residential
and commercial sales for space heating purposes, with a substantial portion of
its gas deliveries occurring during the winter heating season. Competition in
varying degrees exists between natural gas and other forms of energy available
to consumers. Most of Wisconsin Gas' large commercial and industrial customers
are dual-fuel customers that are equipped to switch between natural gas and
alternate fuels. Wisconsin Gas offers lower-priced interruptible rates and
transportation services for these customers to enable them to reduce their
energy costs and use gas rather than other fuels. Under gas transportation
agreements, customers purchase gas directly from gas marketers and arrange with
interstate pipelines and Wisconsin Gas to have the gas transported to the
facilities where it is used. Wisconsin Gas also offers to sell gas at prices
that are competitive with third-party sellers. Wisconsin Gas earns
substantially the same margin (difference between revenue and cost of gas),
whether it sells and transports gas to customers or only transports their gas.
The following table sets forth the volumes of natural gas delivered by
Wisconsin Gas to its customers. The sales volumes represent quantities sold
and delivered to customers by Wisconsin Gas. The volumes shown as transported
represent third-party gas that was delivered by Wisconsin Gas to its customers.
Customer Class Year Ended
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December 31, 1999 December 31, 1998
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Thousands Thousands
Sales of Therms* Percent of Therms* Percent
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Residential 440,390 36.0 408,550 35.7
Commercial 205,470 16.8 193,000 16.8
Large Volume Commercial
and Industrial Firm 45,180 3.7 47,620 4.2
Commercial and
Industrial Interruptible 28,830 2.4 36,580 3.2
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Total Sales 719,870 58.9 685,750 59.9
Transportation
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Transported 502,600 41.1 460,170 40.1
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Total Gas Throughput 1,222,470 100.0 1,145,920 100.0
========== ======= ========== =======
*One therm equals 100,000 BTU's.
Wisconsin Gas continues to secure approximately 98% of all new residential
heating, 88% of existing residential and commercial retrofit and 70% of all new
commercial construction customers in its service territory. Although ANR
Pipeline Company ("ANR") is the predominant supplier of interstate pipeline
capacity to meet Wisconsin Gas' Milwaukee area market requirements,
approximately 25% of its annual requirements can be supplied through the
interstate pipelines of either ANR or Northern Natural Gas Company ("NNG").
This capability enhances competition between ANR and NNG for services to
Wisconsin Gas and its customers, and management believes that such competition
provides overall lower gas costs to all customers than otherwise would exist.
See "Gas Supply, Pipeline Capacity and Storage - Proposed New Pipeline" for
further information on potential new pipeline competition.
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Federal and state regulators continue to implement policies to bring more
competition to the gas industry. The PSCW has instituted proceedings to
consider how its regulation of gas distribution utilities should change to
reflect the changing competitive environment in the gas industry. While the
gas utility distribution function is expected to remain a heavily regulated,
monopoly function, the sales of the natural gas commodity and related services,
which are currently utility monopoly functions, are expected to become
increasingly subject to competition from third parties. However, it remains
uncertain if and when Wisconsin Gas may face competition for selling gas to its
smaller firm customers. Consequently, Wisconsin Gas is positioning itself to
react quickly if and when regulation changes to permit customers to choose
their suppliers.
With PSCW approval, Wisconsin Gas implemented a small-customer gas-supplier
choice pilot program that is designed to test (1) market acceptance of third-
party gas marketers, (2) third-party seller interest in selling gas in
different market segments, and (3) Wisconsin Gas' capabilities to administer a
distribution-only business. The pilot program, which began on November 1,
1996, has about 3,300 small commercial and residential participants. Wisconsin
Gas expects to continue the pilot program, with certain modifications.
Wisconsin Gas also has taken steps to enable its large firm commercial and
industrial customers to transfer from sales and distribution to distribution-
only service. As a consequence, the volume of gas sold by third parties and
distributed by Wisconsin Gas has increased steadily since 1994 and now
constitutes 41% of the gas distributed by Wisconsin Gas. See "Wisconsin
Regulatory Matters".
WICOR Energy sells gas on a for-profit basis and supplies gas to many large
interruptible customers that formerly purchased gas from Wisconsin Gas. WICOR
Energy is positioning to supply smaller firm customers if and when regulation
changes to permit customer choice. FieldTech, among other things, provides
meter reading and billing services to utilities. FieldTech is positioning to
provide services to customers if and when regulation changes to open those
services to competition.
Wisconsin Gas' future ability to maintain its present share of the industrial
dual-fuel market (the market that is equipped to use gas or other fuels)
depends on the success of Wisconsin Gas and third-party gas marketers in
obtaining long-term and short-term supplies of natural gas at marketable prices
and their success in arranging or facilitating competitively-priced
transportation service for those customers that desire to buy their own gas
supplies. Although the dual-fuel market comprises more than 33% of Wisconsin
Gas' annual deliveries, it contributes less than 10% of Wisconsin Gas' margin.
C. Gas Supply, Pipeline Capacity and Storage
Wisconsin Gas has been able to meet its contractual obligations with both its
suppliers and its customers despite periods of severe cold and unseasonably
warm weather.
(1) Pipeline Capacity and Storage
Interstate pipelines serving Wisconsin originate in three major gas producing
areas of North America: the Oklahoma and Texas basins, the Gulf of Mexico and
western Canada. Wisconsin Gas has contracted for long-term firm capacity on a
relatively equal basis from each of these areas. This strategy reflects
management's belief that overall supply security is enhanced by geographic
diversification of Wisconsin Gas' supply portfolio and that Canada represents
an important long-term source of reliable, competitively-priced gas
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Because of the daily and seasonal variations in gas usage in Wisconsin,
Wisconsin Gas has also contracted with ANR for substantial underground storage
capacity, primarily in Michigan. There are no known underground storage
formations in Wisconsin capable of commercialization. Storage enables
Wisconsin Gas to manage significant changes in daily demand and to optimize its
overall gas supply and capacity costs. In summer, gas in excess of market
demand is transported into the storage fields, and in winter, gas is withdrawn
from storage and combined with gas purchased in or near the production areas
("flowing gas") to meet the increased winter market demand. As a result,
Wisconsin Gas can contract for less long-line pipeline capacity than would
otherwise be necessary, and it can purchase gas on a more uniform daily basis
from suppliers year-round. Each of these capabilities enables Wisconsin Gas to
reduce its overall costs.
Wisconsin Gas also maintains high deliverability storage in the mid-continent
and Southeast production areas, as well as in its market area. This storage
capacity is designed to deliver gas when other supplies cannot be delivered
during extremely cold weather in the producing areas, which can reduce long-
line supply.
Wisconsin Gas holds firm daily transportation and storage capacity
entitlements from pipelines and other service providers under long-term
contracts. In combination, these entitlements provide a level of firm winter
city gate deliverability set forth below.
Maximum Daily
Pipeline (Thousands of Therms*)
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ANR
Mainline 2,968
Storage 4,849
NNG
Mainline 1,006
Viking
Mainline 68
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Total 8,891
======================
*One therm equals 100,000 BTU's.
(2) Term Gas Supply
Wisconsin Gas has contracts for firm supplies with terms in excess of 30 days
with 20 gas suppliers for gas produced in each of the three producing areas
discussed above. The term contracts have varying durations so that only a
portion of Wisconsin Gas' gas supply expires in any year. Management believes
the volume of gas under contract is sufficient to meet its forecasted firm peak
day demand. The following table sets forth Wisconsin Gas' 1999-2000 winter
maximum daily total firm gas deliverability.
Maximum Daily
(Thousandsof Therms*)
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Domestic flowing gas 2,232
Canadian flowing gas 1,378
Storage withdrawals 4,849
Peaker withdrawals 76
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Total 8,535
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*One therm equals 100,000 BTU's.
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(3) Secondary Market Transactions
Capacity release is a mechanism by which pipeline long-line and storage
capacity and gas supplies under contract can be resold in the secondary market.
Local distribution companies, such as Wisconsin Gas, must contract for
capacity and supply sufficient to meet the firm peak day demand of their
customers. Peak or near peak demand days generally occur only a few times each
year. Capacity release facilitates higher utilization of contracted capacity
and supply during those times when the full contracted capacity and supply are
not needed by the utility, helping to mitigate the fixed costs associated with
maintaining peak levels of capacity and gas supply. Through pre-arranged
agreements and day-to-day electronic bulletin board postings, interested
parties can purchase this excess capacity and supply. The proceeds from these
transactions are passed through to ratepayers, subject to the incentive gas
cost mechanism pursuant to which Wisconsin Gas has an opportunity to share in
the cost savings. See "Wisconsin Regulatory Matters - Gas Cost Recovery" for
information on the incentive gas cost recovery mechanism. During 1999,
Wisconsin Gas continued its active participation in the capacity release
market.
(4) Spot Market Gas Supply
Wisconsin Gas expects to continue to make gas purchases in the 30-day spot
market as price and other circumstances dictate. Wisconsin Gas has purchased
spot market gas since 1985 and has supply relationships with a number of
sellers from whom it purchases spot gas.
(5) Proposed New Pipeline
On March 10, 1999, a joint venture, Guardian Pipeline, L.L.C., was formed to
construct the Guardian interstate natural gas pipeline from the Chicago market
hub near Joliet, Illinois to southeastern Wisconsin ("Guardian Pipeline").
Subsidiaries of CMS Energy, a Dearborn, Michigan-based international energy
company, and Northern States Power Company, a Minneapolis-based diversified
energy company, are the sponsors of the project with WICOR. The three partners
have equal ownership interests in the project. On November 30, 1999, Guardian
Pipeline filed an application with the FERC to construct, place in service and
operate the pipeline.
The Guardian Pipeline will consist of approximately 150 miles of 36-inch pipe
and related compression equipment and will be designed to carry about 750,000
Dekatherms per day of gas. The total cost of the project is approximately $234
million. The pipeline is scheduled to be in service by November 1, 2002.
Wisconsin Gas has committed to purchase 650,000 Dekatherms per day of capacity
on the pipeline and will construct a 35-mile lateral at a cost of approximately
$54 million to connect its distribution system to the Guardian Pipeline.
The project, if approved by FERC and placed in service, is expected to
increase the availability and reliability of gas transportation service in
Northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin as well as introduce or increase
competition among pipelines serving the area.
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D. Wisconsin Regulatory Matters
Wisconsin Gas is subject to the jurisdiction of the PSCW as to various phases
of its operations, including rates, customer service and issuance of
securities.
Wisconsin Gas complies with the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS No. 71") "Accounting for the Effects of Certain
Types of Regulation," which provides that rate-regulated public utilities such
as Wisconsin Gas record certain costs and credits allowed in the ratemaking
process in different periods than would be required for unregulated
businesses. In the event Wisconsin Gas determines that it no longer meets the
criteria for following SFAS 71, the accounting impact would be an
extraordinary, non-cash charge to operations of an amount that could be
material. Criteria that give rise to the discontinuance of SFAS 71 include (1)
increasing competition that restricts Wisconsin Gas' ability to establish
prices to recover specific costs and (2) a significant change in the manner in
which rates are set by regulators from cost-based regulation to another form
of regulation. SFAS 71 continues to be applicable to Wisconsin Gas in that its
rates are approved by a third party regulator and are designed to recover its
cost of service. Wisconsin Gas believes its current cost-based rates are
competitive in the open market.
(1) Rate Matters
Wisconsin Gas rates are set within the framework of the Productivity-based
Alternative Ratemaking Mechanism ("PARM"), which was established in 1994 and
has been extended through October 31, 2001. Under PARM, Wisconsin Gas has the
ability to raise or lower margin rates within a specified range on a quarterly
basis. The PARM order also specifies margin rate floors for each rate class.
Currently, Wisconsin Gas' rates recover $1.5 million per year less than the
maximum amount allowed by the PSCW's rate order. PARM has certain criteria,
including significant deterioration in safety, failures to meet conservation
goals, significant changes in interest rates and "extraordinary items", which
if not met, permit the PSCW to reopen the rate proceeding. To date, none of
the criteria has been triggered.
(2) Gas Cost Recovery
Wisconsin Gas' rates traditionally contained clauses providing for periodic
rate adjustments, with PSCW approval, to reflect changes in purchased gas
costs, including the recovery of transition costs passed through by pipeline
suppliers. See "Wisconsin Regulatory Matters - Transition Cost Recovery
Policy".
The PSCW approved a gas cost incentive mechanism ("GCIM") which became
effective on November 1, 1997, for each of the three years ending October 31,
1998, 1999 and 2000. Under the GCIM, Wisconsin Gas' gas commodity and capacity
costs are compared to monthly benchmarks. If, at the end of each GCIM year,
such costs deviate by more than 1.5% from the benchmark cost of gas, the
utility shares such excess or reduced costs on a 50-50 basis with customers.
The sharing mechanism applies only to costs between 1.5% and 4% above or below
the benchmark. The GCIM provides an opportunity for Wisconsin Gas' earnings to
increase or decrease as a result of gas and capacity acquisition activities.
Reduced gas costs under the GCIM have been shared between Wisconsin Gas and
its customers. Wisconsin Gas intends to file with the PSCW to modify and
extend the GCIM beyond October 31, 2000
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(3) Transition Cost Recovery Policy
Interstate pipeline companies have been allowed to pass through to local gas
distributors various costs incurred in the transition to FERC Order No. 636.
The PSCW has authorized the recovery through rates of costs that have been
passed through to Wisconsin Gas. Although complete assurance cannot be given,
it is believed that any additional future transition costs incurred by
Wisconsin Gas will also be recoverable from its customers.
(4) Changing Regulatory Environment
The PSCW has instituted generic proceedings to consider how its regulation
of gas distribution utilities should change to reflect the changing
competitive environment in the natural gas industry. To date, the PSCW has
made a policy decision to deregulate the sale of natural gas in customer
segments with workably competitive market choices. It has also adopted
standards for transactions between a utility and its gas marketing affiliates.
The PSCW has established working groups to study and make recommendations on
major deregulation issues. These working groups are scheduled to complete
their work at various times through the year 2000. The PSCW may use the work
group reports as the basis for instituting regulatory changes to enable
customer choice or for recommending such changes to the state legislature. The
impact of these proceedings on Wisconsin Gas' future operations is uncertain
at this time. See "Gas Markets and Competition".
(5) Customer Choice Pilot Program
On November 1, 1996, with PSCW approval, Wisconsin Gas began a one-year
pilot supplier choice program for firm gas customers located in a small
geographic area of the Company's service territory. The program was modified
and extended for the 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 program years. The Company
intends to file with the PSCW to further modify and extend the program for the
2000-2001 program year, and expects to continue the program from year to year
until it is superseded by a generic PSCW order or state legislative mandate.
The pilot program was designed to test market acceptance of supplier choice,
the interest of third-party marketers in serving firm markets, including
residential, and Wisconsin Gas' capabilities to administer transportation-only
services. WICOR Energy Services is one of the gas suppliers participating in
the pilot program. It is unclear how long it will take for customer choice to
become generally available in Wisconsin, and it is unknown what the impacts of
customer choice may be on the Company.
E. Employees
At December 31, 1999, the energy group had 1,308 full-time equivalent
employees.
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2. MANUFACTURING OF PUMPS AND FLUID PROCESSING AND FILTRATION EQUIPMENT
A. General
The Company's manufacturing subsidiaries manufacture pumps and fluid
processing equipment, including filtration equipment for residential,
agricultural and industrial markets world-wide. Manufacturing and assembly
activities are conducted in plants in the United States, Australia, China,
England, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico and New Zealand.
B. U.S. Operations
Water products include jet, centrifugal, sump, submersible and submersible
turbine water pumps, water storage and pressure tanks, residential and in-line
water filters, pool and spa filters, pool heaters and pump and tank systems.
These products pump, filter and store water used for drinking, cooking, washing
and livestock watering, and are used in private and public swimming pools,
spas, "hot tubs", jetted bathtubs, and fountains. The manufacturing businesses
also produce large higher pressure and capacity water pumps used in
agricultural and turf irrigation systems and in a wide variety of commercial,
industrial and municipal fluids-handling applications.
High performance pumps, related fluids-handling products, accessories and
pumping systems have applications in a variety of markets, including (1) the
food service industry, where gas-operated pumps are used for pumping soft
drinks made from syrups, and electric motor driven pumps are used for water
boost and drink dispensing; (2) the recreational vehicle and marine markets,
where electric motor driven pumps are used for multiple applications including
pumping potable water in travel trailers, motor homes, camping trailers and
boats, and for other purposes including marine engine cooling, marine washdown,
bilge and livewell pumping; (3) agricultural markets, including spraying
fertilizers and pesticides on crops; (4) industrial markets, where applications
include carpet cleaning machines for soil extraction, firefighting and pressure
cleaning applications and general industrial uses requiring fluid handling; and
(5) the water purification industry, where electric motor driven pumps are used
to pressure reverse osmosis systems for water transfer.
Sales of pumps and water processing equipment are somewhat related to the
season of the year as well as the level of activity in the housing construction
industry and are sensitive to weather, interest rates, discretionary income,
and leisure and recreation spending. The markets for most water and industrial
products are highly competitive, with price, service and product performance
all being important competitive factors. The Company believes it is a leading
producer of pumps for private water systems and swimming pools and spas, and
for the food service, recreational vehicle, agricultural spraying, marine
engine cooling, and foam proportioning systems for the firefighting markets.
Management believes the Company also ranks among the larger producers of pool
and spa filters and submersible turbine pumps. Major trademarked brand names
include "Sta-Rite", "Berkeley", "SHURflo", "Flotec", "AquaTools", "Hydro-Flow",
"FoamPro", "Onga", "Hypro", "Sherwood", "SherTech", "Nocchi", "Omni", "Simer"
and "Rivaflo".
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 15
Domestic pumps and water products are sold and serviced primarily through a
network of independent distributors, dealers, retailers and manufacturers'
representatives serving the well drilling, hardware, plumbing, filtration, pump
installing, irrigation, pool and spa, food service, recreational vehicle,
marine, industrial, commercial and do-it-yourself markets. Sales are also made
on a private brand basis to large customers in various water products markets
and to original equipment manufacturers.
Backlog of orders for pumps and water products is not a significant indicator
of future sales.
C. International Operations
International operations are conducted primarily by international
subsidiaries and export operations from the United States. Products are sold to
markets in approximately 100 countries on six continents. Foreign
manufacturing is carried out by Australian, Chinese, German, Indian, Italian,
Mexican and New Zealand operations. The products sold in international markets
in some cases are similar to those sold in the United States, but in many
instances have distinct features required for those markets. Product
distribution channels are similar to those for domestic markets. Non-domestic
operating revenues, including exports, were 27% of 1999 manufacturing group
sales.
D. Raw Materials and Patents
Raw materials essential to the manufacturing operations are available from
various established sources in the United States and overseas. The principal
raw materials needed for production of the Company's primary lines of products
include cast iron, aluminum and bronze castings for pumps; copper wire, steel
and aluminum for motors; stainless and carbon sheet steel, bar steel and
tubing; plastic resins for injection molded components; and powdered metal
components. The manufacturing units also purchase from third party suppliers
completely assembled electric motors, plastic molded parts, elastomers for
valves and diaphragms, components for electric motors, stamped and die-cast
metal parts, and hardware and electrical components. Although the
manufacturing subsidiaries own a number of patents and hold licenses for
manufacturing rights under other patents, no one patent or group of patents is
material to the success of the manufacturing businesses as a whole.
E. Employees
At December 31, 1999, the manufacturing group had 2,664 full time equivalent
employees.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 16
Item 2. PROPERTIES
(a) Capital Expenditures
The Company's capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 1999,
totaled $54.7 million. Retirements during this period totaled $20.4 million.
Except as discussed under "Legal Proceedings", the Company does not expect to
make any material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities in
2000.
(b) Energy
Wisconsin Gas owns a distribution system which, on December 31, 1999,
included approximately 9,300 miles of distribution and transmission mains,
455,000 service laterals and 535,000 active meters. Wisconsin Gas'
distribution system consists almost entirely of plastic and coated steel pipe.
Wisconsin Gas owns its main office building in Milwaukee, office buildings in
certain other communities in which it serves, gas regulating and metering
stations, peaking facilities and its major service centers, including garage
and warehouse facilities.
Where distribution mains and services occupy private property, Wisconsin Gas
in some, but not all, instances has obtained consents, permits or easements for
such installations from the apparent owners or those in possession, generally
without an examination of title.
(c) Manufacturing of Pumps, Fluid Processing and Filtration Equipment
The manufacturing group has manufacturing or assembly facilities located in
California (3), Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, Wisconsin,
Australia, China, Germany, India, Italy (2), Mexico (2) and New Zealand. These
plants contain more than 1,300,000 square feet of floor space. In addition,
through its manufacturing business, the Company owns or leases seven
sales/distribution facilities in the United States, five in Australia, one each
in Mexico, Canada, China, France, Italy, Kazakhstan, Russia and the United
Kingdom.
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no material legal proceedings pending, other than ordinary routine
litigation incidental to the Company's businesses, to which the Company or any
of its subsidiaries is a party, except as discussed below. There are no
material legal proceedings to which any officer or director of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries is a party or has a material interest adverse to the
Company. There are no material administrative or judicial proceedings arising
under environmental quality or civil rights statutes pending or known to be
contemplated by governmental agencies to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is or would be a party.
Wisconsin Gas has identified two previously owned sites on which it operated
manufactured gas plants. Such plants ceased operations prior to the mid-
1950's. Environmental remediation work for one of the sites was completed
during the third quarter of 1999. Wisconsin Gas is evaluating potential
remedial options at the second site. Wisconsin Gas has established a reserve
of approximately $2.1 million at December 31, 1999, to cover the remediation
and maintenance costs of the remaining site.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 17
The Company's manufacturing subsidiaries are involved in various
environmental matters, including matters in which the subsidiaries or alleged
predecessors have been named as potentially responsible parties under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
The Company has established reserves for all environmental contingencies of
which management is currently aware in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
The Company periodically reviews its reserves for such remediation costs as
evidence becomes available indicating that its remediation liability has
changed. Based on the foregoing and given current information, management
believes that future costs in excess of the amounts accrued on all presently
known and quantifiable environmental contingencies will not be material to the
Company's financial position or results of operations. See Note 8c of "Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements".
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
At a special meeting of shareholders held on October 27, 1999, WICOR
shareholders voted to approve the proposed merger of the Company with a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, with 27,474,624 shares voting
in favor of the merger, 1,220,772 shares voting against the merger, and 282,779
shares abstaining.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 18
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The following sets forth the names and ages of, and the offices held by, the
executive officers of the Company. The officers serve one-year terms
commencing with their election at the meeting of the Board of Directors
following the annual meeting of shareholders typically in April each year.
Name Age Offices Held
- ----------------------- ----- -------------------------------------------
George E. Wardeberg 64 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company and its subsidiaries
Thomas F. Schrader 50 President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Company and Vice Chairman of its
subsidiaries
Joseph P. Wenzler 58 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company, WICOR Industries,
and Wisconsin Gas; Treasurer and Secretary
of SHURflo and Hypro; and Vice President
and Treasurer of WICOR Energy and FieldTech
James C. Donnelly 54 Vice President of the Company and President
and Chief Executive Officer of Sta-Rite
Bronson J. Haase 55 Vice President of the Company and President
and Chief Executive Officer of Wisconsin Gas,
WICOR Energy and FieldTech
James J. Monnat 44 Treasurer of the Company, Wisconsin Gas,
WICOR Industries and Sta-Rite
Robert A. Nuernberg 60 Secretary of the Company, WICOR Energy Services
and FieldTech; and Vice President-Corporate
Relations and Secretary of Wisconsin Gas
Gregory Kirste 38 Vice President of the Company
Each of the executive officers has held his position for more than five
years, except as follows:
Mr. Wardeberg was elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
effective July 23, 1997. Prior thereto, he was President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company from 1994 to 1997, and held executive positions with the
Company's subsidiaries from 1989 to 1994. He continues in his position as
Chairman of the Company's subsidiaries.
Mr. Schrader was elected to his current positions in 1997. Prior thereto, he
was Vice President of the Company from 1988 to 1997 and President and Chief
Executive Officer of Wisconsin Gas from 1990 to 1997, WICOR Energy from 1995 to
1997 and FieldTech from 1996 to 1997.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 19
Mr. Wenzler was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
the Company and Wisconsin Gas Company on May 1, 1998. Prior thereto, he served
as Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and
Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Wisconsin Gas.
He continues as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of WICOR
Industries; Vice President and Treasurer of WICOR Energy and FieldTech; and
Treasurer and Secretary of SHURflo and Hypro.
Mr. Haase was elected Vice President of the Company and President and Chief
Executive Officer of Wisconsin Gas, WICOR Energy and FieldTech on December 31,
1997. Prior thereto, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Ameritech Wisconsin for more than five years.
Mr. Monnat was elected Treasurer of the Company on May 1, 1998. Previously,
he was Assistant Treasurer of the Company. He continues as Treasurer of
Wisconsin Gas, WICOR Industries and Sta-Rite.
Mr. Kirste was elected Vice President of the Company on November 11, 1999.
Previously he served as Manager of Business Development and as General Manager
of the Metering and Dispense Division of SHURflo from 1996 to 1999 and as
Manager of Business Development and as Engineering Specialist of Northrop
Grumman Corporation from 1991 to 1996.
PART II
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's common stock and the associated common stock purchase rights
(which do not currently trade independently of the common stock) are traded on
the New York Stock Exchange. The high and low sales prices for the Company's
common stock and dividends paid per share in each quarter of 1999 and 1998 are
set out in the following tables.
Common Stock Price Range Per Share
----------------------------------
1998 1999
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr 1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
High $24.34 $24.75 $24.31 $25.50 $22.06 $28.19 $29.63 $30.31
Low $21.44 $21.25 $20.13 $19.63 $18.75 $20.13 $27.75 $28.81
Common Stock Dividends
----------------------
Quarter 1999 1998
---------- ----------
First $ .220 $ .215
Second $ .220 $ .215
Third $ .225 $ .220
Fourth $ .225 $ .220
At December 31, 1999, there were 20,147 holders of record of WICOR common
stock
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 20
The Company's ability to pay dividends is dependent to a great extent on the
ability of its subsidiaries to pay dividends. The Wisconsin Business
Corporation Law and the indentures and agreements under which debt of the
Company and its subsidiaries is outstanding each contain certain restrictions
on the payment of dividends on common stock by the Company's subsidiaries. See
Note 7 of "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements".
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 21
Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
WICOR, Inc.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CONSOLIDATED
Operating Data:
Operating revenues $1,010,113 $ 944,183 $1,021,041 $1,012,601 $ 860,594
Net earnings $ 53,833 $ 45,495 $ 49,523 $ 46,771 $ 39,527
Per Share of Common Stock (1):
Basic earnings (1) $ 1.43 $ 1.22 $ 1.34 $ 1.27 $ 1.16
Diluted earnings (1) $ 1.42 $ 1.21 $ 1.33 $ 1.27 $ 1.16
Cash dividends (1) $ 0.890 $ 0.870 $ 0.850 $ 0.830 $ 0.810
Book value (1) $ 11.47 $ 10.80 $ 10.47 $ 9.96 $ 9.42
Balance Sheet Data:
Long-term debt $ 205,444 $ 188,470 $ 149,110 $ 169,169 $ 174,713
Common equity 433,666 403,440 389,620 366,499 343,673
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Capitalization at year-end $ 639,110 $ 591,910 $ 538,730 $ 535,668 $ 518,386
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Total assets at year-end(2) $1,089,923 $1,015,196 $1,031,332 $1,057,652 $1,008,514
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Other General Data:
Market-to-book ratio
at year-end (%) 255 202 222 179 170
Dividend payout ratio (%)(2) 62.0 71.4 63.4 65.2 69.5
Yield at year-end (%) 3.1 4.0 3.7 4.7 5.1
Return on average
common equity (%)(2) 12.8 11.3 13.0 12.9 13.1
Price/earnings ratio
at year-end(2) 20.6 17.8 17.3 14.1 13.9
Price range(1) $ 18-3/4- $ 19-5/8 - $16-11/16 - $15-1/16 - $13-5/16 -
$ 30-5/16 $ 25-1/2 $ 23-15/16 $ 18-7/8 $ 16-7/16
Registered shareholders
at year-end 20,147 21,373 22,312 23,339 27,379
Cash flow from operations $ 94,798 $ 97,000 $ 49,324 $ 75,416 $ 69,918
Capital expenditures $ 54,729 $ 49,279 $ 51,572 $ 51,744 $ 56,241
Employees at year-end 3,972 3,524 3,625 3,475 3,368
Debt/equity ratio at year-end 32/68 32/68 28/72 32/68 34/66
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 22
WICOR, Inc.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Energy Operations:
Operating revenues $ 499,093 $ 481,489 $ 596,262 $ 602,685 $ 522,840
Net earnings $ 24,194 $ 21,656 $ 29,443 $ 32,141 $ 27,701
Capital expenditures $ 43,165 $ 35,165 $ 35,148 $ 36,617 $ 42,852
Utility throughput (MDth)
Residential 44,039 40,856 48,433 52,991 49,425
Commercial 19,197 17,967 21,922 24,257 21,157
Industrial firm 5,852 6,095 8,724 11,078 13,496
Industrial interruptible 2,899 3,657 7,277 19,624 31,353
Transported 50,260 46,017 42,883 27,578 14,549
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
122,247 114,592 129,239 135,528 129,980
=========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Utility customers at year-end 537,977 528,963 520,975 512,868 504,746
Utility customers
served per employee 527 549 534 516 471
Average cost of gas
per utility Dth purchased $ 3.40 $ 3.62 $ 3.99 $ 3.47 $ 2.79
Average annual residential
utility bill $ 599 $ 561 $ 701 $ 725 $ 686
Average use per utility
residential customer (Dth) 95 90 108 120 114
Degree days 6,318 5,865 7,094 7,458 6,836
% (warmer) colder
than 20-year average (9.1) (16.4) 1.0 6.8 (2.8)
Manufacturing Operations (2):
Operating revenues $ 511,020 $ 462,694 $ 424,779 $ 409,916 $ 337,754
International and export
sales as a % of total sales 27 30 34 34 39
Net earnings $ 29,639 $ 23,839 $ 20,080 $ 14,630 $ 11,826
Capital expenditures $ 11,564 $ 14,115 $ 16,424 $ 15,127 $ 13,389
</TABLE>
(1) Adjusted for a two-for-one stock split effected in May 1998.
(2) Includes continuing operations and discontinued operations up to the
year disposition was authorized.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 23
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
Proposed Merger with Wisconsin Energy Corporation
- -------------------------------------------------
WICOR and Wisconsin Energy Corporation have entered into an agreement and
plan of merger, dated as of June 27, 1999, as amended (the Merger Agreement),
providing for a strategic business combination of WICOR and Wisconsin Energy.
Subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the time of the merger, each
outstanding share of WICOR common stock, par value $1.00 per share (together
with the associated common stock purchase rights issued pursuant to WICOR's
Rights Agreement) will be converted into the right to receive cash, common
stock, par value $.01 per share, of Wisconsin Energy, or a combination of cash
and shares of Wisconsin Energy common stock having a value of $31.50 per share
of WICOR common stock. In the event the closing of the merger occurs after
July 1, 2000, the $31.50 value per share will be increased by an amount
equivalent to six per cent per annum daily simple interest for each day after
July 1, 2000 through the closing date. The transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement have been approved by the boards of directors and the
shareholders of WICOR and Wisconsin Energy and by the Public Service
Commission of Wisconsin. The waiting period under that Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 has also expired. Consummation of the
merger remains subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions,
including approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The parties
currently expect those conditions to be satisfied and the merger to close on
April 26, 2000. Assuming the merger is effected, it is expected that WICOR
will no longer file periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. Further information concerning the Merger Agreement and the proposed
transactions is included in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements
included herein, which information is incorporated herein by reference.
General Overview
- ----------------
In 1999, WICOR's net earnings rose 18% to a record $53.8 million, or $1.42
per diluted share. Manufacturing Group earnings grew 24%, to a record $29.6
million, while Energy Group earnings increased 27% to $27.5 million before
merger costs. Merger costs of approximately $3.3 million, or nine cents per
share, were charged against Energy Group earnings for the year for segment
reporting purposes.
WICOR's 1998 financial results fell short of 1997's record performance as
net earnings decreased by 8% to $45.5 million. Diluted earnings per share in
1998 decreased 9% to $1.21 compared to a record $1.33 per share in 1997.
Continued strength in and contributions from the Manufacturing Group partially
offset the impact of extremely unfavorable weather on Energy Group earnings.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 24
Results of Operations
- ---------------------
Energy Group - 1999 Compared with 1998
- --------------------------------------
The Energy Group's primary business is the distribution of natural gas
through Wisconsin Gas Company (Wisconsin Gas), the oldest and largest natural
gas distribution utility in Wisconsin, which represented 88% of Energy Group
revenues in 1999. The Energy Group also includes WICOR Energy Services (WES),
an energy marketer, and FieldTech, a utility services company. Costs
identified with the proposed merger between WICOR and Wisconsin Energy have
been included in Energy Group earnings for segment reporting purposes.
Margin, defined as revenues less cost of gas sold, is a better comparative
performance indicator than revenues because changes in the cost of gas sold
are flowed through to revenue under a gas adjustment clause that does not
impact margin. The Company operates under a gas cost incentive mechanism
(GCIM) which allows it to share in the risk and rewards of purchasing gas. The
GCIM favorably impacted margins by $3.3 million and $3.8 million in 1999 and
1998, respectively.
Net earnings for the Energy Group, before merger costs for 1999 increased by
$5.8 million, or 27%, to $27.5 million compared to $21.7 million for the same
period last year. The Energy Group's earnings are heavily dependent upon cold
weather, which is measured by heating degree days (HDD). Rates have been set
based on 20-year HDD averages. In 1999 and 1998, Wisconsin Gas experienced
significantly warmer than normal weather which had a negative impact on
earnings. The improvement in earnings in 1999 was driven by increased sales
caused by more favorable weather compared to 1998 and a $7.5 million annual
rate increase effective August 1, 1998. These items were offset in part by
higher operating expenses.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 25
The following tables set forth financial data for the Energy Group and sales
volumes for Wisconsin Gas for each of the years ended December 31.
Energy Group
- ------------
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS 1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
Revenues $ 475,637 $ 458,970 $ 573,743
Cost of gas sold 297,222 295,601 394,101
---------- ---------- ----------
Sales margin 178,415 163,369 179,642
Gas transportation margin 23,456 22,519 22,519
---------- ---------- ----------
Gross margin 201,871 185,888 202,161
---------- ---------- ----------
Operation and maintenance 103,866 100,059 101,766
Depreciation and amortization 35,727 33,674 31,809
Taxes, other than income taxes 7,851 9,038 9,600
---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income 54,427 43,117 58,986
---------- ---------- ----------
Interest expense 12,625 12,471 12,288
Other (income), net (1,723) (3,529) (556)
---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income taxes 43,525 34,175 47,254
Income taxes 16,031 12,519 17,811
---------- ---------- ----------
Net earnings before merger costs 27,494 21,656 29,443
Merger costs, after-tax 3,300 - -
---------- ---------- ----------
Net earnings $ 24,194 $ 21,656 $ 29,443
========== ========== ==========
MILLIONS OF THERMS
- ------------------
Sales volumes
Firm 690.9 649.2 790.8
Interruptible 29.0 36.5 72.8
Transport volumes 502.6 460.2 428.8
---------- ---------- ----------
Total throughput 1,222.5 1,145.9 1,292.4
========== ========== ==========
Heating degree days 6,318 5,865 7,094
========== ========== ==========
% (warmer) colder
than 20-year average (9.1) (16.4) 1.0
========== ========== ==========
The increase in firm sales volumes in 1999 was driven by colder weather
during the heating season in 1999 compared to 1998. However, the weather in
1999 was warmer than the 20-year average. During the year, transportation
volumes increased, compared to the same period in 1998, mainly because more
customers purchased gas from sources other than Wisconsin Gas and transported
the volumes over the Wisconsin Gas distribution system.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 26
In 1999, non-regulated energy operating revenues increased $6.7 million, or
13%, to $59.6 million from $52.9 million in 1998. This increase in non-
regulated energy revenues was due to improved operations from FieldTech and
increased gas sales volumes at WICOR Energy Services. The WES gas supply
strategy is to match purchase commitments with customer requirements so that
the Company is not exposed to significant commodity price risk.
Operating and maintenance expenses increased $3.8 million, or 4%, in 1999,
compared with the prior year. The increase reflects the impact of an
annualized $7.5 million charge relating to PSCW-approved additional
uncollectible accounts receivable expense, which became effective November 1,
1998. The increase during the year was partially offset by lower benefit
expenses at Wisconsin Gas due to changes in various benefit plans and
favorable plan experience.
Depreciation expense in 1999, increased by $2.1 million, or 6%, compared
with 1998 due to increases in depreciable plant balances. Depreciation expense
in 2000 is expected to increase due to planned capital investments.
Taxes, other than income taxes decreased by $1.2 million, or 13%, to $7.9
million due to lower gross receipts tax for Wisconsin Gas. Gross receipt
taxes are based on the previous year's operating revenues.
Other income decreased by $1.8 million in 1999 compared to 1998. During
1999, the Company recorded gains in connection with weather derivative
agreements of $0.4 million compared with $1.2 million in 1998. The Company
entered into the weather derivative agreements to partially mitigate the risk
that warmer than average weather has on Energy Group earnings. No such
derivative agreements have been entered into for the 1999-2000 heating season.
Other income in 1998 was positively impacted by a $1.2 million pretax gain
associated with the sales of non-utility property.
During 1999, the Company's Energy Group recorded $3.3 million of expenses
(approximately $0.9 per share after tax) relating to the proposed merger with
Wisconsin Energy.
Energy Group - 1998 Compared with 1997
- --------------------------------------
Energy Group net earnings declined by $7.8 million, or 26%, in 1998 as
compared with 1997. During 1998, heating degree days were 17% lower than 1997
and 16% lower than the 20-year average. This decline in heating degree days
negatively impacted Wisconsin Gas margins from heating customers. The lower
gas margins were driven by unseasonably warm weather in the first quarter,
combined with extremely mild weather in November and early December. Net
earnings were positively affected by a gain from a weather derivatives
agreement, revenues derived from the GCIM and gains realized on the sale of
non-utility land.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 27
The decrease in firm sales volumes in 1998 was caused principally by the
extremely mild heating season, lower average use per customer and firm
customers switching from sales to transportation service. Transportation
volumes increased mainly because more customers purchased gas from sources
other than Wisconsin Gas and transported volumes through the Wisconsin Gas
distribution system. During 1998, Wisconsin Gas realized $3.8 million of
margin under a GCIM. In August 1998, Wisconsin Gas raised its rates $7.5
million on an annual basis. This rate increase offset increased operating
expenses.
Non-regulated energy operating revenues in 1998 decreased to $52.9 million
from $59.5 million in 1997. This decrease in non-regulated energy revenues
consisted largely of decreased gas sales volumes and lower prices.
Total operating and maintenance expenses of $100.1 million for 1998 were
$1.7 million lower than the prior year. The decrease resulted primarily from
lower labor and benefit expenses and weather related spending reductions at
Wisconsin Gas.
Depreciation and amortization expense for 1998 increased by $1.9 million, or
6%, compared with 1997, due to additions to depreciable plant balances.
Interest expense in 1998 increased $0.2 million compared to 1997. The
increase reflects slightly higher average borrowing levels offset partially by
lower interest rates.
Other income, net of expenses, increased by $3.0 million in 1998 compared to
1997. Other income was positively impacted by a $1.2 million gain relating to
a weather derivatives agreement and $1.2 million in gains realized on the
sales of non-utility property.
Income tax expense decreased $5.3 million in 1998 compared to 1997,
reflecting lower pre-tax income. The effective income tax rate remained
relatively unchanged between 1998 and 1997.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 28
Manufacturing Group - 1999 Compared with 1998
- ---------------------------------------------
Manufacturing Group net revenues increased 10% to a record $511.0 million in
1999, surpassing 1998 sales of $462.7 million. Net earnings grew by 24%
compared to last year, setting a new record of $29.6 million during 1999.
Financial data regarding the Manufacturing Group is set forth in the table
below.
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS 1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
Revenues
Domestic $ 372,622 $ 323,243 $ 281,019
International 138,398 139,451 143,760
---------- ---------- ----------
511,020 462,694 424,779
Cost of sales 357,704 329,248 307,160
---------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit 153,316 133,446 117,619
Operating expenses 101,789 91,980 82,576
---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income 51,527 41,466 35,043
Interest expense 4,106 4,422 5,138
Other (income), net (163) (324) (691)
---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income taxes 47,584 37,368 30,596
Income taxes 17,945 13,529 10,516
---------- ---------- ----------
Net earnings $ 29,639 $ 23,839 $ 20,080
========== ========== ==========
In 1999, domestic manufacturing sales increased by 15% to $372.6 million as
compared with 1998. Aggregate shipments within the filtration, pool/spa, water
systems, industrial and the RV-marine markets in North America were up from
last year due primarily to customer base growth, new product market
penetration, and generally favorable economic and weather conditions in the
United States. During 1999, the Company completed five acquisitions, within
the Manufacturing Group, with post acquisition sales of $19.8 million (See
Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company's
consolidated financial statements include the operating results of the
acquired companies from the date of acquisition. Pro forma results of
operations have not been presented because the effect of these acquisitions
was not significant.
International sales of $138.4 million represented a decrease of 1% compared
to 1998. The decrease in International sales was due primarily to greater
competition in the European water systems market. International sales
accounted for 27% of total manufacturing net sales in 1999 as compared with
30% in 1998.
Gross profit margins improved to 30% in 1999, as compared to 29% in the
previous year. The improvement in operating margins is directly correlated to
ongoing cost improvement programs and productivity gains in manufacturing
processes.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 29
Operating expenses for 1999 increased $9.8 million, or 11%, compared to last
year, but remained at 20% as a percentage of net sales. The operating expense
increase relative to 1998 was attributable to higher support spending for
product line acquisitions, market introductions of new products, and customer
development.
Interest expense in 1999 decreased $0.3 million, or 7%, compared to 1998.
The decrease was a result of lower average borrowing levels to fund working
capital requirements and lower interest rates.
Income tax expense increased $4.4 million in 1999 compared to 1998 due to
higher pre-tax income. The effective income tax rate remained relatively
unchanged between 1999 and 1998.
Manufacturing Group - 1998 Compared with 1997
- ---------------------------------------------
The Manufacturing Group net sales increased 9% to a record $462.7 million
during 1998, outpacing sales of $424.8 million in 1997. In addition, net
earnings increased 18% to a record $23.8 million during the year.
Domestic manufacturing sales in 1998 increased by 15% to $323.2 million as
compared with 1997. Overall shipments within the water systems, pool/spa,
filtration, industrial and the food and beverage markets in North America were
up from last year due mainly to customer growth and new product introductions.
International sales of $139.5 million decreased by 3% compared to 1997.
International sales were negatively impacted by currency translation related
to the strengthening U.S. dollar and continued weakness in the Asian economy.
International sales accounted for 30% and 34% of total manufacturing net sales
in 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Gross profit margins improved to 29% in 1998, as compared to 28% in the
previous year, due primarily to improved manufacturing productivity.
Operating expenses, as a percentage of sales, increased slightly compared to
1997. Operating expenses in total increased by $9.4 million, or 11%, due in
part to the impact of higher support spending for acquisitions, introductions
of new products and customer development.
Interest expense in 1998 decreased $0.7 million, or 14%, compared to 1997.
The decrease reflects lower borrowing levels to fund working capital
requirements and lower interest rates.
Income tax expense increased $3.1 million in 1998 compared to 1997,
reflecting higher pre-tax income. The effective income tax rate remained
relatively unchanged between 1998 and 1997.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 30
New Accounting Standards
- ------------------------
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting For
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS No. 133)". In June 1999,
the FASB issued Statement No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No.
133". SFAS 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards requiring that
every derivative instrument (including certain derivative instruments embedded
in other contracts) be recorded in the balance sheet as either an asset or
liability measured at its fair value. SFAS 133 requires that changes in the
derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific
hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying hedges
allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related results on the hedged
item in the income statement, and requires that a company must formally
document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive
hedge accounting.
SFAS 133, as amended, is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15,
2000. A company may also implement SFAS 133 as of the beginning of any fiscal
quarter after issuance. SFAS 133 cannot be applied retroactively. SFAS 133
must be applied to (a) derivative instruments and (b) certain derivative
instruments embedded in hybrid contracts. With respect to hybrid instruments,
a company may elect to apply SFAS 133, as amended, to (1) all hybrid
contracts, (2) only those hybrid instruments that were issued, acquired, or
substantially modified after December 31, 1997, or (3) only those hybrid
instruments that were issued, acquired, or substantially modified after
December 31, 1998.
The fair value of our freestanding held or issued derivatives is presented
in Note 1(j) to the financial statements included herein, "Derivative
Financial Instruments". SFAS 133 would require that those derivative
instruments be recognized in our balance sheet as assets or liabilities at
their fair value. The Company has not yet quantified the other effects of
adopting SFAS 133 on our financial statements. However, the Statement could
increase volatility in earnings and other comprehensive income.
Effects of Changing Prices
- --------------------------
In management's opinion, changes in the rate of inflation have not had a
significant effect on WICOR's income over the past three years. Inflationary
increases in recent years have been recovered through productivity
improvements and/or product price increases. The Company continues to monitor
the impact of inflation in order to minimize its effects in future years
through pricing strategies, productivity improvements and cost reductions.
Wisconsin Gas rates are set under an alternative method of rate making (see
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results 0f Operations and Financial
Condition - Regulatory Matters"). After reviewing the impact of the margin
rate cap and other factors, management believes that Wisconsin Gas's
productivity improvements have offset the impact of inflationary cost
increases.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 31
Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------
Cash flows from operations during 1999 decreased slightly from the
comparable period in 1998. Due to the seasonal nature of the energy business,
accrued revenues, accounts receivable and accounts payable amounts are higher
in the heating season as compared with the summer months. Cash flows from
operations exceeded capital expenditures and dividend requirements in both
1999 and 1998, however, the Company incurred net borrowings to finance the
1999 acquisitions.
The Company has access to outside capital markets and has been able to
generate funds internally and externally to meet its investment needs. WICOR's
ability to attract the necessary financial capital at reasonable terms is
critical to the Company's overall strategic plan. Acquisitions and investments
have been initially financed with short-term debt and later permanently funded
with various long-term debt securities or common equity, depending on market
conditions. Working capital was $99.8 million at the end of 1999 compared to
$109.5 million and $77.0 million at the end of 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The Company's current ratio at December 31 was 1.3, 1.4 and 1.2 in 1999, 1998
and 1997, respectively.
The Company believes that cash provided from operating activities over the
next three years will satisfy normal ongoing cash requirements. The Company
may need external capital for the Guardian Pipeline project, financing
acquisitions and scheduled debt retirement.
Investment Activities
- ---------------------
Consolidated capital expenditures in 1999 increased by $5.5 million, or 11%,
compared to 1998. Consolidated capital expenditures are expected to increase
modestly in 2000 and are expected to be funded from operations. Consolidated
capital expenditures in 1998 decreased slightly to $49.3 million compared to
1997.
During 1999, WICOR and its subsidiaries consummated six acquisitions with a
total cost of approximately $50 million using a combination of cash and the
issuance of short-term notes. Five of the acquisitions were pump, fluid
processing and filtration equipment companies. The sixth acquisition was a
small municipal water utility. Each of the acquisitions was accounted for as
a purchase and the results of operations of the acquired companies were
included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company from their
respective acquisition dates.
On March 10, 1999, the Company announced the formation of a joint venture,
Guardian Pipeline, L.L.C., to construct the Guardian interstate natural gas
pipeline from the Chicago market hub near Joliet, Illinois to southeastern
Wisconsin (Guardian Pipeline). Subsidiaries of CMS Energy, a Dearborn, Michigan
based international energy company, and Northern States Power Company, a
Minneapolis based diversified energy company, are the sponsors of the project
with WICOR. The three partners will have equal ownership interests in the
project. On November 30, 1999, Guardian Pipeline filed an application with the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct, place in service and
operate the pipeline.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 32
The Guardian Pipeline will consist of approximately 150 miles of 36-inch pipe
and related compression equipment and will be designed to carry about 750,000
Dekatherms per day of gas. The total cost of the project, which requires FERC
approval, is approximately $234 million. The joint venture intends to finance
this project using $75 million of capital contributions from the three co-
owners and issuing long-term debt for the balance of the construction costs.
The pipeline is scheduled to be in service by November 1, 2002. Wisconsin Gas
has committed to purchase 650,000 Dekatherms per day of capacity on the
pipeline and will construct a 35-mile lateral at a cost of approximately $54
million to connect its distribution system to the Guardian Pipeline. The
construction of the lateral will require PSCW approval. On November 30, 1999,
Wisconsin Gas filed an application with the PSCW to construct, place in service
and operate the lateral.
The Guardian Pipeline, if approved by FERC and placed in service, is expected
to increase the availability and reliability of gas transportation service in
Northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin as well as introduce or increase
competition among pipelines serving the area. Wisconsin Gas expects to fund
the lateral project using long-term debt financing.
In 1998, the PSCW approved an increase in the amount the Company may invest
in nonutility businesses. The new investment limitation permits nonutility
investments to constitute up to 60% of the Company's total capitalization.
Under these new restrictions, the amount available to WICOR for future
nonutility investment at December 31, 1999 is $346.5 million. (See Note 7 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)
Financing Activities
- --------------------
In November 1998, Wisconsin Gas used its existing lines of credit to issue
commercial paper, the proceeds of which were used to redeem, at par, $40
million of 7.5% Notes due in 1998. In January 1999, Wisconsin Gas issued $50
million of 5.5% Notes due in 2009, to replace the commercial paper.
The Company's ratio of long-term debt to capitalization was 32% in 1999 and
1998 and 28% in 1997. The utility's embedded cost of long-term debt was 6.4%,
6.9% and 7.1% for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
WICOR raised its dividend on common stock by 2.3% in both 1999 and 1998 and
by 2.4% in 1997. The current annual dividend rate is $0.90 per share. At
December 31, 1999, the Company had $151.1 million of unrestricted retained
earnings available for dividend payments to shareholders.
The WICOR Plan, established in 1992, allows investors to purchase WICOR
common stock directly and through dividend reinvestment without paying fees or
service charges. Since February 1, 1995, share requirements for the WICOR Plan
have been met through open market purchases of WICOR common stock.
As described in Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, a 1993
PSCW rate order retained certain limitations with respect to equity levels of
and dividend payments by Wisconsin Gas. Restrictions imposed by the PSCW are
not expected to have any material effect on WICOR's ability to meet its cash
obligations.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 33
Wisconsin Gas's ratio of pre-tax earnings to fixed charges increased to 4.2
in 1999 from 3.8 in 1998, as a result of increased net earnings.
Access to capital markets at a reasonable cost is determined in large part
by credit quality. Moody's Investors Service and Standard and Poor's
Corporation reaffirmed the rating of Wisconsin Gas' long-term debt at Aa2 and
AA-, respectively. These rating actions follow the June 28, 1999 announcement
that Wisconsin Energy will acquire WICOR for approximately $1.3 billion.
These ratings provide a high degree of flexibility in obtaining funds on
competitive terms and reflect the views of such organizations. An explanation
of the significance of these ratings may be obtained from each agency. Such
ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, but rather
an indication of creditworthiness.
The Company and its subsidiaries maintain lines of credit worldwide. The
Company's primary domestic line of credit is a $115 million unsecured
revolving credit facility with several banks which expires August 6, 2002.
Financial covenants under these facilities include leverage and interest
coverage ratios. In addition, the Company arranges domestic seasonal lines of
credit to support its commercial paper borrowing program. The Company also has
arranged lines of credit from foreign lenders which allow it to borrow in the
applicable local currency. These lines of credit total $24.0 million and are
concentrated in Australia, Canada and Italy. The Company's lines of credit
generally provide borrowing at the bank reference rate or better, which varies
depending on the country where the funds are borrowed. The Company was in
compliance with all financial covenants at December 31, 1999. Wisconsin Gas
and WICOR Industries finance working capital needs by issuing commercial paper
in the open market. Commercial paper outstanding, on a consolidated basis, at
December 31, 1999 and 1998 was $142.9 million and $158.7 million,
respectively.
The Company believes that it has adequate capacity to fund its operations
for the foreseeable future through its borrowing arrangements and internally
generated cash.
Regulatory Matters
- ------------------
Wisconsin Gas is subject to the jurisdiction of the PSCW as to various phases
of its operations, including rates, customer service and issuance of
securities.
Wisconsin Gas complies with the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS No. 71) "Accounting for the Effects of Certain
Types of Regulation," which provides that rate-regulated public utilities such
as Wisconsin Gas record certain costs and credits allowed in the ratemaking
process in different periods than would be required for unregulated
businesses. In the event Wisconsin Gas determines that it no longer meets the
criteria for following SFAS 71, the accounting impact would be an
extraordinary, non-cash charge to operations of an amount that could be
material. Criteria that give rise to the discontinuance of SFAS 71 include (1)
increasing competition that restricts Wisconsin Gas's ability to establish
prices to recover specific costs and (2) a significant change in the manner in
which rates are set by regulators from cost-based regulation to another form
of regulation. SFAS 71 continues to be applicable to Wisconsin Gas in that its
rates are approved by a third party regulator and are designed to recover its
cost of service. Wisconsin Gas believes its current cost-based rates are
competitive in the open market.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 34
Wisconsin Gas rates are set within the framework of the Productivity-based
Alternative Ratemaking Mechanism (PARM), which was established in 1994 and has
been extended through October 31, 2001. Under PARM Wisconsin Gas has the
ability to raise or lower margin rates within a specified range on a quarterly
basis. In 1997, 1996 and 1995, Wisconsin Gas reduced its base rates by $1.5
million, $3.0 million and $4.5 million on an annualized basis, respectively.
Effective August 1, 1998, Wisconsin Gas increased its base rates by $7.5
million on an annualized basis. With this increase, Wisconsin Gas's rates
recover $1.5 million per year less than the maximum amount allowed by the
PSCW's rate order. The rate increase has offset increased operating costs. The
PARM has certain criteria that allow it to be reopened at any time for
significant deterioration in safety, failures to meet conservation goals,
significant changes in interest rates and "extraordinary items." To date, none
of the criteria has been triggered.
Wisconsin Gas' rates traditionally contained clauses providing for periodic
rate adjustments, with PSCW approval, to reflect changes in purchased gas
costs, including the recovery of transition costs passed through by pipeline
suppliers.
Interstate pipeline companies have been allowed to pass through to local gas
distributors various costs incurred in the transition to FERC Order No. 636.
The PSCW has authorized the recovery through rates of costs that have been
passed through to Wisconsin Gas. Although complete assurance cannot be given,
it is believed that any additional future transition costs incurred by
Wisconsin Gas will also be recoverable from its customers.
The PSCW approved a gas cost incentive mechanism (GCIM) which became
effective on November 1, 1997, for each of the three years ending October 31,
1998, 1999 and 2000. Under the GCIM, Wisconsin Gas's gas commodity and
capacity costs are compared to monthly benchmarks. If, at the end of each GCIM
year, such costs deviate by more than 1.5% from the benchmark cost of gas, the
utility shares such excess or reduced costs on a 50-50 basis with customers.
The sharing mechanism applies only to costs between 1.5% and 4% above or below
the benchmark. The GCIM provides an opportunity for Wisconsin Gas's earnings
to increase or decrease as a result of gas acquisition activities and
transportation costs. PSCW rules mandate that utilities within a holding
company use a uniform gas cost recovery mechanism. Under the proposed merger,
Wisconsin Gas may need to make changes to its GCIM.
The PSCW has instituted generic proceedings to consider how its regulation
of gas distribution utilities should change to reflect the changing
competitive environment in the natural gas industry. To date, the PSCW has
made a policy decision to deregulate the sale of natural gas in customer
segments with workably competitive market choices. It has also adopted
standards for transactions between a utility and its gas marketing affiliates.
The PSCW has established working groups to study and make recommendations on
major deregulation issues. These working groups are scheduled to complete
their work at various times through the year 2000. Presumably, the PSCW will
use the work group reports as the basis for recommendations to the state
legislature. The impact of these proceedings on Wisconsin Gas's future
operations is uncertain at this time.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 35
On November 1, 1996, with PSCW approval, Wisconsin Gas began a one-year
pilot supplier choice program for firm gas customers located in a small
geographic area of the Company's service territory. The program was modified
and extended for the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 program years. The Company intends
to file with the PSCW to further modify and extend the program for the 2000-01
program year, and expects to continue the program from year to year until it
is superseded by a generic PSCW order or state legislative mandate. The pilot
program was designed to test market acceptance of supplier choice, the
interest of third-party marketers in serving firm markets, including
residential, and Wisconsin Gas's capabilities to administer transportation-
only services. WICOR Energy Services is one of the gas suppliers participating
in the pilot program. It is unclear how long it will take for customer choice
to become available in Wisconsin, and it is unknown what the impacts of
customer choice may be on the Company.
Environmental Matters
- ---------------------
Wisconsin Gas has identified two previously owned manufactured gas plant
sites where it is responsible for environmental remediation. Remediation at
one site was completed during the third quarter of 1999. Wisconsin Gas is
currently evaluating potential remedial options at the second site and
anticipates that the costs incurred in the remediation effort will be
recoverable from insurers or through rates and will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's liquidity or results of operations.
The manufacturing segment has provided reserves sufficient to cover its
estimated costs related to known contamination associated with its
manufacturing facilities.
For additional disclosure regarding environmental matters, see Note 8 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Year 2000 Date Conversion
- -------------------------
The Company developed a formal plan to ensure that its significant date-
sensitive computer software and hardware systems (Information Technology) and
other equipment utilized in its various activities (Operating Equipment) were
Year 2000 compliant and operational on a timely basis. The plan addressed all
of the Company's locations throughout the world, and included a review of
computer applications that connect elements of the Company's business directly
to its customers and suppliers. The plan also included an assessment process
to determine if the Company's significant customers and suppliers were Year
2000 compliant.
The Company's plan to resolve issues relating to Year 2000 conversion
included four major phases - assessment, remediation, testing, and
implementation. To assist the Company in reaching Year 2000 compliance, the
Company retained third party consultants. The Company completed the assessment
phase of its plan for all of its significant Information Technology and
Operating Equipment that it believes could be affected by the Year 2000
conversion. Based upon its assessment, the Company concluded that it would be
necessary to reprogram and/or replace certain of its Information Technology.
The Company also determined that certain of its Operating Equipment would also
require modification to ensure it remains operational.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 36
Substantially all of the Company's Information Technology applications and
Operating Equipment were compliant at December 31, 1999. During the
transition weekend of December 31, 1999, through January 3, 2000, the Company
had personnel on-site to monitor its gas distribution network and
manufacturing operations and to verify that the Company's computer systems did
not experience any Year 2000 impacts. The Company did not experience any
failures that resulted in the loss of gas service to its customers,
manufacturing problems or problems that posed any safety-related issues to the
public or its employees.
With respect to operations that involve third parties, the Company made
inquiries of its significant customers and suppliers regarding Year 2000
issues facing these third parties that would materially impact the Company's
operations. The Company did not experience any Year 2000 failures from its
significant customers or suppliers.
The Company will continue to monitor the readiness status of its systems
during 2000 for other potential date related failures.
The Company developed contingency plans addressing Year 2000 concerns in
mission critical areas of the Company, and for other areas as deemed
practicable and advisable by the Company. The Company also developed a Year
2000 event plan that outlined the staffing requirements and the system
verification procedures that were utilized during the transition weekend. The
plan included a Command and Control Center that was managed by one of the
Company's senior executives. Personnel in the center monitored the system
verification activities and coordinated the communication of the Company's
status to state regulatory agencies, the American Gas Association and the
media.
In an effort to reduce risk from staff shortages, the Company established a
policy which limited employee vacations during December 1999 and January 2000.
The policy provided for certain exceptions and reserved the right for
management to determine final work or vacation schedules based on the needs of
the Company's business and customers.
During the past three years, the Company spent approximately $5.1 million
for Year 2000 remediation. Total costs associated with Year 2000 readiness did
not significantly impact WICOR's financial position or results of operations.
Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company's market risk includes the potential loss arising from adverse
changes in the price of natural gas and in foreign currency exchange rates.
The Company's objective in managing these risks is to reduce fluctuations in
earnings and cash flows associated with changes in natural gas prices and
foreign currency exchange rates. The Company's policy prohibits the use of
derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 37
Wisconsin Gas has a commodity risk management program that has been approved
by the PSCW. This program allows Wisconsin Gas to utilize purchased call and
put option contracts to reduce market risk associated with fluctuations in the
price of natural gas purchases and gas in storage. Under this program,
Wisconsin Gas has the ability to hedge up to 50% of its planned gas deliveries
for the heating season. The PSCW has also allowed Wisconsin Gas to hedge gas
purchased for storage during non-heating months. The cost of the call and put
option contracts, as well as gains or losses realized under the contracts do
not affect net income as they are recovered dollar for dollar under the
purchased gas adjustment clause.
WICOR Energy Services Company utilizes gas futures contracts to manage
commodity price risk associated with firm customer sales commitments.
Unrealized gains or losses on these instruments are deferred and recognized in
earnings in the period the sales occur. Substantially all of the futures
contracts expire prior to December 31, 2000. The notional amount of these
contracts is not significant to the Company.
The Company manages foreign currency market risk through the use of a
variety of financial and derivative instruments. The Company uses forward
exchange contracts and other activities to hedge the U.S. dollar value
resulting from anticipated foreign currency transactions. The notional amount
of these contracts is not significant to the Company.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 38
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of WICOR, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and statements of
capitalization of WICOR, Inc. (a Wisconsin corporation) and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of
earnings, common equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1999. These financial statements are the
responsibility of WICOR, Inc.'s management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of WICOR, Inc. and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1999, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Arthur Andersen LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin,
January 24, 2000.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 39
WICOR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating Revenues
Energy $ 499,093 $ 481,489 $ 596,262
Manufacturing 511,020 462,694 424,779
---------- ---------- ----------
1,010,113 944,183 1,021,041
---------- ---------- ----------
Operating Costs and Expenses
Cost of gas sold 297,222 295,601 394,101
Manufacturing cost of sales 357,704 329,248 307,160
Operations and maintenance 204,290 190,674 182,976
Depreciation and amortization 37,091 35,038 33,173
Taxes, other than income taxes 7,852 9,039 9,602
---------- ---------- ----------
904,159 859,600 927,012
---------- ---------- ----------
Operating Income 105,954 84,583 94,029
---------- ---------- ----------
Interest expense (16,555) (16,746) (17,404)
Other income, net 1,711 3,706 1,222
Merger costs (3,300) - -
---------- ---------- ----------
Income before income taxes 87,810 71,543 77,847
Income tax provision 33,977 26,048 28,324
---------- ---------- ----------
Net earnings $ 53,833 $ 45,495 $ 49,523
========== ========== ==========
Per Share of Common Stock
Basic earnings $ 1.43 $ 1.22 $ 1.34
Diluted earnings $ 1.42 $ 1.21 $ 1.33
Cash dividends paid $ 0.89 $ 0.87 $ 0.85
Average common shares outstanding 37,523 37,311 36,950
Average diluted shares outstanding 37,973 37,608 37,239
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 40
WICOR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 1999 1998
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,859 $ 13,383
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
accounts of $13,166 and $12,511, respectively 152,127 137,321
Accrued revenues 50,462 47,483
Manufacturing inventories 89,963 86,312
Gas in storage 42,754 36,919
Deferred income taxes 19,902 17,195
Prepayments and other 18,514 15,542
------------ ------------
386,581 354,155
------------ ------------
Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost
Energy 865,822 829,286
Manufacturing 162,887 153,381
------------ ------------
1,028,709 982,667
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 565,641 535,002
------------ ------------
463,068 447,665
------------ ------------
Deferred Charges and Other
Goodwill 93,928 67,552
Regulatory assets 51,686 59,319
Prepaid pension costs 58,833 50,011
Other 35,827 36,494
------------ ------------
240,274 213,376
------------ ------------
$ 1,089,923 $ 1,015,196
============ ============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 41
WICOR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 1999 1998
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
Current Liabilities
Short-term borrowings $ 116,602 $ 107,653
Current portion of long-term debt 11,017 3,528
Accounts payable 78,258 70,000
Refundable gas costs 24,043 18,570
Accrued payroll and benefits 25,799 20,490
Accrued taxes 5,786 7,885
Other 25,288 16,526
------------ ------------
286,793 244,652
------------ ------------
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
Postretirement benefit obligation 53,864 60,627
Regulatory liabilities 27,742 32,153
Deferred income taxes 55,650 49,065
Accrued environmental remediation costs 3,372 11,215
Unamortized investment tax credit 5,909 6,357
Other 17,483 19,217
------------ ------------
164,020 178,634
------------ ------------
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)
Capitalization (See accompanying statement)
Long-term debt 205,444 188,470
Redeemable preferred stock - -
Common equity 433,666 403,440
------------ ------------
639,110 591,910
------------ ------------
$ 1,089,923 $ 1,015,196
============ ============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 42
WICOR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operations
Net earnings $ 53,833 $ 45,495 $ 49,523
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
cash flow from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 57,682 54,531 53,740
Deferred income taxes 3,878 9,425 4,530
Net pension and other postretirement
benefit income (10,713) (6,955) (1,725)
Changes in:
Accounts receivable (12,320) 14,292 2,046
Manufacturing inventories 8,317 (2,881) (7,463)
Gas in storage (5,835) 4,968 (8,424)
Accounts payable 4,436 (5,033) (25,975)
Refundable gas costs 5,473 (6,206) (6,769)
Accrued taxes (2,099) (1,039) 8,561
Other (7,854) (9,597) (18,720)
---------- ---------- ----------
Cash provided by operating activities 94,798 97,000 49,324
---------- ---------- ----------
Investment Activities
Capital expenditures (54,729) (49,279) (51,572)
Proceeds from sale of assets 40 1,762 3,362
Acquisitions (40,995) (7,288) (2,065)
Other, net 146 301 293
---------- ---------- ----------
Cash used in investing activities (95,538) (54,504) (49,982)
---------- ---------- ----------
Financing Activities
Change in short-term borrowings (974) (14,284) 6,115
Issuance of long-term debt 27,600 52,828 27,000
Reduction of long-term debt (3,097) (50,368) (11,157)
Issuance of common stock 9,277 2,878 2,684
Dividends paid on common stock (33,394) (32,461) (31,397)
Other 804 484 439
---------- ---------- ----------
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities 216 (40,923) (6,316)
---------- ---------- ----------
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents (524) 1,573 (6,974)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 13,383 11,810 18,784
---------- ---------- ----------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year $ 12,859 $ 13,383 $ 11,810
========== ========== ==========
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes, net of refunds $ 33,924 $ 17,847 $ 17,315
Interest $ 13,849 $ 16,590 $ 16,352
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 43
WICOR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION
[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, DECEMBER 31,
----------------------
1999 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Long-Term Debt
Wisconsin Gas:
6.375% Notes due 2005 $ 65,000 $ 65,000
5.5% Notes due 2009 50,000 -
6.6% Notes due 2013 45,000 45,000
Commercial paper (See Note 6 of Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements) - 50,000
First mortgage bonds
Adjustable rate series 8.1% due 1999 - 2,000
WICOR Industries, Inc.:
Commercial paper/foreign bank loans
under multi-year credit agreements 53,175 43,677
Securities loan agreement, 11.75% due
semi-annually through 2000 (includes
unamortized bond premium of $286
and $550, respectively) 6,486 6,750
First mortgage notes, adjustable rate, 4.3% due
semi-annually through 2009 5,255 3,256
Other 2,469 1,346
ESOP loan guarantee 2,007 2,807
Unamortized (discount), net (1,756) (1,161)
---------- ----------
227,636 218,675
Less:
Commercial paper included in short-term borrowings 11,175 26,677
Current maturities of long-term debt 11,017 3,528
---------- ----------
Long-term debt 205,444 188,470
---------- ----------
Redeemable Preferred Stock
WICOR:
$1.00 par value; authorized 1,500,000 shares - -
Wisconsin Gas:
Without par value, cumulative;
authorized 1,500,000 shares - -
---------- ----------
- -
---------- ----------
Common Equity
Common stock, $1.00 par value, authorized
120,000,000 shares; outstanding 37,819,000
and 37,359,000 shares, respectively 37,819 37,359
Other paid-in capital 225,638 216,821
Retained earnings 181,376 160,937
Accumulated other comprehensive income (8,220) (7,905)
Unearned compensation (2,947) (3,772)
---------- ----------
433,666 403,440
---------- ----------
Total Capitalization $ 639,110 $ 591,910
========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 44
WICOR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON EQUITY
[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
Accumulated
Other Other
Common Paid-in Retained Comprehensive Unearned
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS Stock Capital Earnings Income Compensation
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance December 31, 1996 $ 18,407 $224,041 $ 129,777 $ (604) $ (5,122)
Net earnings - - 49,523 - -
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation - - - (4,375) -
Minimum pension liability - - - (398) -
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
Comprehensive income - - 49,523 (4,773) -
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
Issued in connection with em-
ployee benefit plans and other 194 8,661 - - -
Dividends on common stock - - (31,397) - -
ESOP loan payments - - - - 800
Issuance of restricted stock - - - - (145)
Amortization and forfeiture
of restricted stock - - - - 258
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
Balance December 31, 1997 18,601 232,702 147,903 (5,377) (4,209)
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
Net earnings - - 45,495 - -
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation - - - (1,405) -
Minimum pension liability - - - (1,123) -
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
Comprehensive income - - 45,495 (2,528) -
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
Issued in connection with em-
ployee benefit plans and other 96 2,781 - - -
Two-for-one common stock split 18,662 (18,662) - - -
Dividends on common stock - - (32,461) - -
ESOP loan payments - - - - 800
Issuance of restricted stock - - - - (884)
Amortization and forfeiture
of restricted stock - - - - 521
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
Balance December 31, 1998 37,359 216,821 160,937 (7,905) (3,772)
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 45
WICOR, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON EQUITY
(Continued)
[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
Accumulated
Other Other
Common Paid-in Retained Comprehensive Unearned
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS Stock Capital Earnings Income Compensation
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance December 31, 1998 37,359 216,821 160,937 (7,905) (3,772)
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
Net earnings - - 53,833 - -
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation - - - (1,398) -
Minimum pension liability - - - 1,083 -
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
Comprehensive income - - 53,833 (315) -
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
Issued in connection with em-
ployee benefit plans and other 460 8,817 - - -
Dividends on common stock - - (33,394) - -
ESOP loan payments - - - - 800
Issuance of restricted stock - - - - (1,056)
Amortization and forfeiture
of restricted stock - - - - 1,081
--------- --------- ---------- ------------- ------------
Balance December 31, 1999 $ 37,819 $225,638 $ 181,376 $ (8,220) $ (2,947)
========= ========= ========== ============= ============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 46
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 Accounting Policies
- -----------------------------
A Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include
the accounts of WICOR, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Wisconsin Gas,
WICOR Energy Services Company (WES), FieldTech and WICOR Industries, Inc.
(WICOR Industries), an intermediate holding company for various manufacturing
subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in
consolidation.
B Business. The Company is a diversified holding company with two principal
business groups: energy services and pump manufacturing. Energy services
consists primarily of natural gas distribution through Wisconsin Gas, the
oldest and largest natural gas distribution utility in Wisconsin. Wisconsin
Gas is subject to regulation by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
(PSCW) and gives recognition to ratemaking policies substantially in
accordance with the FERC System of Accounts. At December 31, 1999, Wisconsin
Gas served approximately 538,000 customers in 529 communities. The Energy
Group accounted for 49% and 51% of the Company's 1999 operating revenues and
operating income, respectively. Through its subsidiary, WICOR Industries, the
Company engages in the manufacture and sale of pumps and processing equipment
used to pump, control, transfer, hold and filter water and other fluids. The
Company's products are used primarily in water system, pool and spa,
agriculture, filtration, RV/marine and beverage/food service applications. The
Company markets its manufactured products in over 100 countries.
C Gas Distribution Revenues and Purchased Gas Costs. Utility billings are
rendered on a cycle basis. Revenues include estimated amounts accrued for
service provided but not yet billed.
Wisconsin Gas's rate schedules contain provisions which permit, subject to
the sharing mechanism discussed below, the recovery of actual purchased gas
costs incurred. The difference between actual gas costs incurred (adjusted for
the sharing mechanism) and costs recovered through rates is deferred as a
current asset or liability. The deferred balance is returned to or recovered
from customers at intervals throughout the year and any residual balance at
the annual October 31 reconciliation date is subsequently refunded to or
recovered from customers.
A Gas Cost Incentive Mechanism (GCIM) approved by the PSCW in October 1997
became effective on November 1, 1997, for each of the three years ending
October 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000. Under the GCIM, Wisconsin Gas's gas
commodity and capacity costs are compared to monthly benchmarks. If, at the
end of each GCIM year, such costs deviate by more than 1.5% from the benchmark
cost of gas, the utility shares such excess or reduced costs on a 50-50 basis
with customers. The sharing mechanism applies only to costs between 1.5% and
4% above or below the benchmark. The GCIM provides an opportunity for
Wisconsin Gas's earnings to increase or decrease as a result of gas and
capacity acquisition activities. Reduced gas costs under the GCIM have been
shared between the Company and its customers.
D Income taxes. The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return
and allocates Federal current tax expense or credits to each domestic
subsidiary based on its respective separate tax computation. For Wisconsin
Gas, investment tax credits are amortized to income over the applicable
service lives of the related properties consistent with regulatory treatment.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 47
E Earnings per common share. Basic earnings per common share has been
computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common
shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share has been computed by dividing
net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding,
including the dilutive effects of stock options.
F Inventories.
ENERGY - Substantially all gas in storage inventory is priced using the
weighted average method of accounting.
MANUFACTURING - Approximately 70% and 61% of manufacturing inventories, in
1999 and 1998, respectively, are priced using the last-in, first-out (LIFO)
method (not in excess of market), with the remaining inventories priced using
the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. If the FIFO method had been used
exclusively, manufacturing inventories would have been $7.3 million and $7.7
million higher at December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
G Plant and Depreciation. Gas distribution property, plant and equipment is
stated at original cost, including overhead allocations. Upon ordinary
retirement of utility plant assets, original cost plus cost of removal, net of
salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation, and no gain or loss is
recognized.
The depreciation of Wisconsin Gas's assets is computed using straight-line
rates over estimated useful lives and considers estimated removal costs and
salvage value. These rates have been consistently used for ratemaking
purposes. The composite rates were 4.4% for 1999 and 1998 and 4.3% for 1997.
Depreciation of manufacturing property is calculated under the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (3 to 10 years for
equipment and 30 years for buildings) and is primarily included in cost of
sales.
H Regulatory Accounting. Wisconsin Gas accounts for its regulated operations
in accordance with SFAS 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of
Regulation." This statement sets forth the application of generally accepted
accounting principles to those companies whose rates are determined by an
independent third-party regulator. The economic effects of regulation can
result in regulated companies recording costs that have been or are expected
to be allowed in the ratemaking process in a period different from the period
in which the costs would be charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise.
When this occurs, costs are deferred as assets in the balance sheet
(regulatory assets) and recorded as expenses in the periods when those same
amounts are reflected in rates. Additionally, regulators can impose
liabilities upon a regulated company for amounts previously collected from
customers and for amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers
(regulatory liabilities).
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 48
The amounts recorded as regulatory assets and regulatory liabilities in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31 are as follows:
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
1999 1998
---------- ----------
Regulatory assets:
Postretirement benefit costs (Note 10) $ 33,941 $ 36,720
Deferred uncollectible expenses 15,364 19,960
Income tax-related amounts due from customers 1,941 2,295
Other 440 344
---------- ----------
$ 51,686 $ 59,319
========== ==========
Regulatory liabilities:
Income tax-related amounts due to customers $ 16,293 $ 18,058
Unrecognized pension income (Note 10) 8,078 10,929
Other 3,371 3,166
---------- ----------
$ 27,742 $ 32,153
========== ==========
Wisconsin Gas is precluded from discontinuing service to residential
customers within its service area during the heating season. Any differences
between doubtful account provisions based on actual experience and provisions
allowed for ratemaking purposes by the PSCW are deferred and recovered in
future rates.
I Cash Flows. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments which
are readily convertible into cash and have maturities of three months or less.
Due to the short maturity of these instruments, market value approximates
cost.
The Company, through an agent, purchases common stock in the open market for
shareholders who elected to reinvest their dividends in common stock.
J Derivative Financial Instruments. The Company uses derivative financial
instruments to manage commodity risks associated with the price of natural gas
and to manage foreign exchange risks. The Company's policy prohibits the use
of derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
Wisconsin Gas has a commodity risk management program that has been approved
by the PSCW. This program allows Wisconsin Gas to utilize call and put option
contracts to reduce market risk associated with fluctuations in the price of
natural gas purchases and gas in storage. Under this program, Wisconsin Gas
has the ability to hedge up to 50% of its planned gas deliveries for the
heating season. The PSCW has also allowed Wisconsin Gas to hedge gas purchased
for storage during non-heating months. The cost of the call and put option
contracts, as well as gains or losses realized under the contracts do not
affect net income as they are fully recovered under the purchased gas
adjustment clause. In addition, under the GCIM, Wisconsin Gas uses derivative
financial instruments to reduce the cost of gas. The cost of these financial
instruments, as well as any gains or losses on the contracts are subject to
the GCIM sharing mechanism. As of December 31, 1999, Wisconsin Gas had put
options covering approximately 34% of the volumes of gas in storage, and call
options covering 27% of the expected natural gas purchases for the remainder
of the 1999-2000 heating season
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 49
WES utilizes gas futures contracts to manage commodity price risk associated
with firm customer sales commitments. Unrealized gains or losses on these
instruments are deferred and recognized in earnings in the period the sales
occurs. As of December 31, 1999, WES had natural gas futures contracts with a
notional value of $8.6 million. Approximately 64% of the futures contracts
expire in 2000.
Certain manufacturing subsidiaries use foreign exchange futures and forward
contracts to hedge foreign exchange exposure resulting from international
purchases or sales of products. Gains and losses from open contracts are
deferred until recognized as part of the transaction. These contracts were not
material.
During 1998 and 1997, WICOR entered into weather derivative agreements to
hedge a portion of the impact weather has on Energy Group earnings. Under the
agreements, payments were made or received when the heating degree days during
the heating season fell outside a specific range. The payments were limited to
a maximum of $2.0 million per year. At December 31, 1998, the fair value of
the agreement entered into for the 1998-1999 heating season was not
significant. During 1999 and 1998, the Company recorded income of $0.4 million
and $1.2 million, respectively, in connection with the agreements entered into
for the 1998-1999 and 1997-1998 heating seasons. WICOR did not enter into a
weather derivative agreement for the 1999-2000 heating season.
K 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 amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
L Reclassifications. Certain prior year financial statement amounts have
been reclassified to conform to their current year presentation.
Note 2 Proposed Merger with Wisconsin Energy Corporation
- ----------------------------------------------------------
WICOR and Wisconsin Energy Corporation (WEC)entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of June 27, 1999, as amended (the Merger Agreement),
providing for a strategic business combination of WICOR and WEC through a
merger of WICOR and a wholly-owned subsidiary of WEC (the Merger).
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 50
Subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the time of the Merger,
each outstanding share of WICOR common stock, par value $1.00 per share (WICOR
common stock) (together with the associated common stock purchase rights
issued pursuant to WICOR's Rights Agreement) will be converted into the right
to receive cash, common stock, par value $.01 per share, of WEC (WEC common
stock), or a combination of cash and shares of WEC common stock (the Merger
consideration) having a value of $31.50 per share of WICOR common stock. In
the event the closing of the Merger occurs after July 1, 2000, the $31.50
value per share will be increased by an amount equivalent to six percent per
annum daily simple interest for each day after July 1, 2000 through the
closing date. Prior to the closing date, WEC will select the percentage of the
Merger consideration to be paid in WEC common stock, which may be not less
than 40% or more than 60%. The balance of the Merger consideration will be
paid in cash. The exchange ratio for each share of WICOR common stock
converted into WEC common stock will be determined by dividing $31.50 (as
adjusted if the closing occurs after July 1, 2000) by the average of the
closing prices of the WEC common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the
10 trading days ending with the fifth trading day prior to the closing date
(the average WEC price). If the average WEC price is less than $22.00 per
share, WEC may elect to pay the entire Merger consideration in cash. As of
January 24, 2000, the closing price of WEC common stock was $20.3125. Each
WICOR shareholder will be entitled to elect to receive cash, WEC common stock
or a combination thereof, subject to proration if the cash or stock elections
exceed the maximum amounts permitted. Cash will be paid in lieu of any
fractional shares of WEC common stock which holders of WICOR common stock
would otherwise receive.
Consummation of the Merger is subject to satisfaction of certain closing
conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, including approval by the
shareholders of WICOR and WEC, approval by the Public Service Commission of
Wisconsin (PSCW), approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, and expiration or
termination of the waiting period applicable to the Merger under the Hart-
Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. The Merger
Agreement was approved by the shareholders of both WICOR and WEC on October
27, 1999. The PSCW approved WEC's application to acquire WICOR on January 20,
2000The federal regulatory approval process is expected to be completed in the
second quarter of 2000.
The Merger is intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to the extent that shares of WICOR
common stock are exchanged for shares of WEC common stock, and will be
accounted for as a purchase transaction. The Merger Agreement provides that if
the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances and WICOR
enters into a competing transaction with another party within 21 months after
the termination, WICOR will pay a termination fee of $25 million to WEC. The
Merger Agreement may be terminated if the Merger has not occurred on or before
July 1, 2000. However, the deadline is automatically extended to January 1,
2001, if required governmental approvals have not been obtained.
The accompanying financial statements do not reflect any adjustments which
may occur in the future as a result of the proposed Merger with Wisconsin
Energy.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 51
Note 3 Mergers and Acquisitions
- ----------------------------------
During 1999, WICOR and its subsidiaries completed six acquisitions. The
aggregate purchase price for these transactions was approximately $50 million
and was financed using cash and short-term notes. Five of the acquisitions
were pump, fluid processing and filtration equipment companies. The sixth
acquisition was a small municipal water utility.
During 1998, WICOR and its subsidiaries acquired a small municipal water
utility, made an additional equity investment in an Italian subsidiary and
entered into a joint venture arrangement with an existing Chinese pump
manufacturer. Total funds invested as a result of these activities amounted to
$7.3 million during 1998.
Each of the acquisitions was accounted for as a purchase and the results of
operations of the acquired companies were included in the consolidated
financial statements from their respective acquisition dates. The excess of
the purchase price over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired was
approximately $29 million and $3 million in 1999 and 1998, respectively.
These amounts have been recorded as goodwill and are being amortized over
periods ranging up to 40 years.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 52
Note 4 Income Taxes
- ----------------------
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax
determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory federal income tax rate
to pretax income as a result of the following differences:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 1999 1998 1997
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statutory U.S. tax rates $ 30,734 35.0% $ 25,064 35.0% $ 27,327 35.0%
Non-deductible merger costs 1,155 1.3 - - - -
State income taxes, net 3,799 4.3 3,151 4.4 3,383 4.3
Other, net (1,711) (1.9) (2,167) (3.0) (2,386) (3.0)
---------------- ---------------- ----------------
Effective Tax Rates $ 33,977 38.7% $ 26,048 36.4% $ 28,324 36.3%
================ ================ ================
</TABLE>
The current and deferred components of income tax expense for each of the
years ended December 31 are as follows:
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
Current
Federal $ 24,107 $ 15,960 $ 19,229
State 5,043 3,640 4,146
Foreign 2,650 1,432 808
---------- ---------- ----------
Total Current 31,800 21,032 24,183
---------- ---------- ----------
Deferred
Federal 274 3,698 1,836
State 770 1,262 926
Foreign 1,133 56 1,379
---------- ---------- ----------
Total Deferred 2,177 5,016 4,141
---------- ---------- ----------
Total Provision $ 33,977 $ 26,048 $ 28,324
========== ========== ==========
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 53
The components of deferred income tax classified as current assets and long-
term liabilities at December 31 are as follows:
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 1999 1998
---------- ----------
Current deferred income tax assets
Recoverable gas costs $ 5,987 $ 7,176
Deferred compensation 3,774 3,246
Inventory 2,115 2,398
Uncollectible account expense 2,077 (2,488)
Product related/warranty 1,464 1,123
Other 4,485 5,740
---------- ----------
$ 19,902 $ 17,195
========== ==========
Long-term deferred income tax liabilities
Property related $ 49,621 $ 49,427
Pension benefits 19,378 14,798
Systems development costs 3,452 5,178
Investment tax credit (3,909) (4,205)
Postretirement benefits (6,467) (8,064)
Deferred compensation (4,020) (4,019)
Environmental (1,313) (3,180)
Other (1,092) (870)
---------- ----------
$ 55,650 $ 49,065
========== ==========
Note 5 Short-term Borrowings and Lines of Credit
- ---------------------------------------------------
As of December 31, 1999 and 1998, the Company had total unsecured lines of
credit available from banks of $244.0 million and $266.6 million,
respectively. These borrowing arrangements may require the maintenance of
average compensating balances, which are generally satisfied by balances
maintained for normal business operations, and may be withdrawn at any time.
Financial covenants under the Company's five-year $115 million credit
facilities, which expire in August, 2002, include leverage and interest
coverage ratios.
The components of short-term borrowings at December 31 are as follows:
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 1999 1998
---------- ----------
Notes payable to banks
Domestic subsidiaries $ 10,280 $ -
Foreign subsidiaries 5,388 15,976
Commercial paper - Domestic 100,934 91,677
---------- ----------
$ 116,602 $ 107,653
========== ==========
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 54
Weighted average interest rates on debt outstanding at end of year:
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 1999 1998
---------- ----------
Notes payable to banks
Domestic subsidiaries 6.0% -
Foreign subsidiaries 4.9% 4.6%
Commercial paper - U.S. 6.2% 5.7%
Highest month-end balance $ 116,602 $ 107,653
Average month-end balance $ 60,336 $ 63,480
Note 6 Long-term Debt
- ------------------------
In January 1999, Wisconsin Gas issued $50 million of 5.5% Unsecured Notes
due 2009. The proceeds of this offering were used in part to reduce commercial
paper issued in November 1998, in connection with the maturity of $40 million
of 7.5% Notes of Wisconsin Gas.
Maturities and sinking fund requirements during the succeeding five years on
all long-term debt total $11.0 million, $0.6 million, $42.6 million, $0.6
million and $0.6 million in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Note 7 Restrictions
- ----------------------
During 1998, the PSCW approved an increase in the amount the Company may
invest in nonutility businesses. The new investment limitation permits
nonutility investments to constitute up to 60% of the Company's total
capitalization. The PSCW also found that the utility does not have to be
WICOR's predominant business. The PSCW conditioned the change on the utility
maintaining at least a single A bond rating and its continued compliance with
the customer service and safety standards included in the PARM order. Failure
to comply with these conditions could trigger a reopening of the investment
limitation. Under the new investment limitation, the amount available for
future nonutility investments at December 31, 1999, was $346.5 million.
The PSCW has established a 13-month average equity ratio range of 43% to 50%
for Wisconsin Gas and also requires Wisconsin Gas to request PSCW approval
prior to the payment of dividends on its common stock to the Company if the
payment would reduce its common equity (net assets) below 43% of total
capitalization (including short-term debt). Under this requirement, $38.3
million of Wisconsin Gas's net assets at December 31, 1999, plus future
earnings, were available for such dividends without PSCW approval. In
addition, the PSCW must also approve any dividends in excess of $16 million
for any 12-month period beginning November 1 if such dividends would reduce
Wisconsin Gas's 13-month average equity below 48.43% of its total
capitalization. Wisconsin Gas paid $6.5 million in dividends in November 1999
and expects to pay $26.0 million in dividends for the 12 months ending October
2000. At December 31, 1999, Wisconsin Gas's equity ratio was 52.3%.
Combined restricted common equity of the Company's subsidiaries totaled
$282.3 million under the most restrictive provisions as of December 31, 1999;
accordingly, $151.1 million of consolidated retained earnings is available for
payment of dividends.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 55
Note 8 Commitments and Contingencies
- ---------------------------------------
A Gas Supply. Wisconsin Gas has agreements for firm pipeline and storage
capacity that expire at various dates through 2008. The aggregate amount of
required payments under such agreements totals approximately $389.0 million,
with annual required payments of $98.4 million in 2000, $93.7 million in 2001,
$86.9 million in 2002, $71.6 million in 2003 and $9.6 million in 2004.
Wisconsin Gas's total payments for firm pipeline and storage capacity prior to
recovery from sales of excess capacity were $108.4 million in 1999, $113.9
million in 1998 and $126.6 million in 1997. The purchased gas adjustment
provisions of Wisconsin Gas's rate schedules permit the recovery of gas costs
from its customers subject to the GCIM sharing mechanism.
The FERC has allowed ANR Pipeline Company (ANR) to recover capacity and
"above market" supply costs associated with quantities purchased from Dakota
Gasification Company (Dakota) under a long-term contract expiring in year
2009. Consistent with guidelines set forth in Order No. 636, ANR has allocated
90% of Dakota costs to firm transportation service. Based on its contracted
quantities with ANR, Wisconsin Gas is currently paying approximately $100,000
per month of Dakota costs. Transition costs billed to Wisconsin Gas are being
recovered from customers under the purchased gas provisions within its rate
schedules.
B Capital Expenditures. Certain commitments have been made in connection
with 2000 capital expenditures. The Energy Group's capital expenditures for
2000 are estimated at $51.4 million. The Manufacturing Group's capital
expenditures for 2000 are estimated at $24.2 million.
During 1999, the Company announced its participation in the formation of a
joint venture to construct the Guardian interstate natural gas pipeline from
the Chicago market hub near Joliet, Illinois to southeastern Wisconsin.
Subsidiaries of CMS Energy, a Dearborn, Michigan based international energy
company, and Northern States Power Company, a Minneapolis based diversified
energy company, are the sponsors of the project with WICOR. The three partners
will have equal ownership interests in the project.
The total cost of the project, which requires FERC approval, is approximately
$230 million. The joint venture intends to finance this project using $75
million of capital contributions from the three co-owners and issuing long-term
debt for the balance of construction costs. The pipeline is scheduled to be in
service by November 1, 2002. Wisconsin Gas has committed to purchase 650,000
Dekatherms per day of capacity on the pipeline and will construct a 35-mile
lateral at a cost of approximately $54 million to connect its distribution
system to the Guardian Pipeline. The Company expects to finance this lateral
project using long-term debt.
The Guardian Pipeline, if approved by FERC and placed in service, is expected
to increase the availability and reliability of gas transportation service in
Northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin as well as introduce or increase
competition among pipelines serving the area.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 56
C Environmental Matters. Wisconsin Gas has identified two previously owned
sites on which it operated manufactured gas plants. Such plants ceased
operations prior to the mid-1950's. Environmental remediation work for one of
the sites was completed during the third quarter of 1999. Wisconsin Gas is
evaluating potential remedial options at the second site. Wisconsin Gas has
established a reserve of approximately $2.1 million at December 31, 1999, to
cover the remediation and maintenance costs of the remaining site.
The Company's manufacturing subsidiaries are involved in various
environmental matters, including matters in which the subsidiaries or alleged
predecessors have been named as potentially responsible parties under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
The Company has established reserves for all environmental contingencies of
which management is currently aware in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
The Company periodically reviews its reserves for such remediation costs as
evidence becomes available indicating that its remediation liability has
changed. Based on the foregoing and given current information, management
believes that future costs in excess of the amounts accrued on all presently
known and quantifiable environmental contingencies will not be material to the
Company's financial position or results of operations.
D Other. The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the
ordinary course of business which are not expected to have a material effect
on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
Note 9 Common Stock and Other Paid-in Capital
- ------------------------------------------------
The Company's articles of incorporation authorize 120,000,000 shares of
common stock of which 37,819,408 shares and 37,359,413 shares were outstanding
at December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Common stock totaling 7,521,747
shares is reserved for issuance under the Company's dividend reinvestment,
stock option and incentive savings plans. In addition 22,670,578 shares are
reserved pursuant to the Company's shareholder rights agreement, as amended.
WICOR has waived its rights under the plan as it relates to the proposed
Merger with Wisconsin Energy.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 57
Under the terms of the shareholder rights agreement, each outstanding share
of common stock has attributed thereto one common share purchase right. Under
certain circumstances, each right entitles the shareholder to purchase one-
half of one common share at an exercise price of $75 per full share
(equivalent to $37.50 for each one-half share), subject to adjustment. The
rights are not exercisable until 10 business days after a person or group
announces a tender offer or exchange offer which would result in their
acquiring ownership of 20% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock,
or after a person or group acquires at least 20% of the Company's outstanding
common shares. Under certain circumstances, including the existence of a 20%
acquiring party, each holder of a right, other than the acquiring party, will
have the right to purchase at the exercise price WICOR common stock having a
value of two times the exercise price. If, after 20% or more of the
outstanding shares of WICOR common stock is acquired by a person or group and
the Company is then acquired by that person or group, rights holders would be
entitled to purchase shares of common stock of the acquiring person or group
having a market value of two times the exercise price of the rights. The WICOR
board of directors is authorized to reduce the 20% threshold, referred to
above, to not less than 10%. The rights do not have any voting rights and may
be redeemed at a price of $0.001 per right. The rights expire on August 29,
2009, subject to extension.
Note 10 Benefit Plans
- ------------------------
A Pension and other Postretirement Benefit Plans. The Company provides
defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans to certain employees.
Under the Merger Agreement, the Company's existing pension and other
postretirement benefit plans or plans substantially comparable in the
aggregate will be maintained for the benefit of Company employees or former
employees for at least one year following completion of the Merger
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 58
The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets
and funded status of the plans, at December 31, 1999 and 1998.
[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
OTHER POSTRETIREMENT
PENSION BENEFITS BENEFITS
--------------------- ---------------------
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 1999 1998 1999 1998
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at January 1 $ 198,629 $ 181,018 $ 78,300 $ 105,863
Service cost 4,302 4,014 601 1,176
Interest cost 12,676 12,782 4,474 5,822
Amendments and settlements 124 (943) (5,491) (14,382)
Actuarial (gain) loss (26,504) 15,733 (9,677) (15,913)
Benefits paid (16,674) (13,975) (3,876) (4,266)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Benefit obligation at December 31 172,553 198,629 64,331 78,300
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at January 1 275,405 273,871 58,451 54,958
Actual return on plan assets 49,501 14,804 8,994 2,732
Employer contributions - - 1,919 3,948
Benefits paid from plan assets (15,905) (13,270) (2,118) (3,187)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Fair value of plan
assets at December 31 309,001 275,405 67,246 58,451
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Funded status of the plans 136,448 76,776 2,915 (19,849)
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) (80,054) (26,734) (28,203) (16,223)
Unrecognized prior service
cost (benefit) 2,531 2,762 (29,752) (26,474)
Unrecognized net transition
(asset) liability (7,577) (9,253) 1,176 1,919
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net amount recognized $ 51,348 $ 43,551 $ (53,864) $ (60,627)
========== ========== ========== ==========
Amounts recognized in the
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Prepaid benefit cost $ 58,833 $ 50,011 $ - $ -
Accrued benefit liability (7,485) (6,460) (53,864) (60,627)
Additional minimum liability (2,395) (3,474) - -
Accumulated other comprehensive income 2,395 3,474 - -
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net amount recognized $ 51,348 $ 43,551 $ (53,864) $ (60,627)
========== ========== ========== ==========
Assumptions as of December 31
Discount rate (weighted average) 7.50% 6.50% 7.50% 6.50%
Expected return on plan assets 9.00% 9.00% 9.00% 9.00%
Rate of compensation increase 4.50% 4.50% 4.50% 4.50%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 59
Net pension (income) costs and other postretirement benefit costs for each of
the years ended December 31, include the following components:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OTHER POSTRETIREMENT
PENSION BENEFITS BENEFITS
-------------------------- --------------------------
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 1999 1998 1997 1999 1998 1997
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Service costs $ 4,304 $ 4,014 $ 4,042 $ 601 $ 1,176 $ 2,102
Interest costs on projected
benefit obligations 12,678 12,782 12,742 4,474 5,822 6,731
Expected (return) on assets (22,625) (21,443) (19,884) (5,246) (5,168) (4,053)
Amortization of:
Transition obligation (asset) (1,694) (1,693) (1,693) - - -
Prior service cost (gain) 251 195 389 (2,212) (1,384) (957)
Actuarial loss (gain) 107 (40) (352) (1,278) (1,143) (719)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(6,979) (6,185) (4,756) (3,661) (697) 3,104
Amortization of regulatory
(liability) asset (2,851) (2,851) (2,851) 2,778 2,778 2,778
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net benefit (income) expense $(9,830) $(9,036) $(7,607) $ (883) $ 2,081 $ 5,882
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Pension plans
- -------------
Employer contributions and funding policies are consistent with funding
requirements of Federal law and regulations. Commencing November 1, 1992,
Wisconsin Gas pension costs or credits have been calculated in accordance with
SFAS 87 and are recoverable from customers. Prior to this date, pension costs
were recoverable in rates as funded. The cumulative difference between the
amounts funded and the amounts based on SFAS 87 through November 1, 1992, is
recorded as a regulatory liability and is being amortized as a reduction of
pension expense over an eight-year period effective November 1, 1994.
Postretirement health care and life insurance
- ---------------------------------------------
In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company provides certain health
care and life insurance benefits for retired employees when they reach normal
retirement age while working for the Company. Wisconsin Gas funds the accrual
annually based on the maximum tax deductible amount. Commencing January 1,
1992, Wisconsin Gas postretirement benefit costs have been calculated in
accordance with SFAS 106 and are recoverable from customers. The cumulative
difference between the amounts funded and the amounts based on SFAS 106
through January 1, 1992, is recorded as a regulatory asset and is being
amortized over a twenty-year period effective January 1, 1992.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 60
The postretirement benefit cost components for 1999 were calculated assuming
health care cost trend rates ranging up to 10% for 2000 and decreasing to 5%
in 2004. An increase of one percentage point in the assumed health care cost
trend rate in each year would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation as of December 31, 1999, by $3.0 million and the aggregate of the
service and interest cost components of postretirement expense by $0.2
million. A corresponding decrease of one percentage point would decrease the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation by $1.8 million and the
aggregate of the service and interest cost components of postretirement
expense by $0.2 million.
Plan assets are primarily invested in equities and fixed income securities.
B Retirement Savings Plans. Certain of the Company's operating subsidiaries
maintain various employee savings plans, which provide employees a mechanism
to contribute amounts up to 16% of their compensation for the year. Company
matching contributions may be made for up to 5% of eligible compensation
including 1% for the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Total contributions
were valued at $2.3 million in 1999, $1.9 million in 1998 and $1.8 million in
1997.
C Employee Stock Ownership Plan. In November 1991, WICOR established an ESOP
covering non-union employees of Wisconsin Gas. The ESOP funds employee
benefits of up to 1% of compensation with Company common stock distributed
through the ESOP. The ESOP used the proceeds from a $10 million, adjustable
rate loan (6.5% interest rate at December 31, 1999), guaranteed by WICOR, to
purchase 862,532 shares of WICOR common stock. The Company has extended the
adjustable rate loan, with similar terms, until May 31, 2002. The unpaid
balance ($2.0 million) is shown as long-term debt with a like amount of
unearned compensation reported as a reduction of common equity on the
Company's balance sheet.
The ESOP trustee is repaying the loan with dividends on shares of the
Company's common stock held in the ESOP and with Wisconsin Gas contributions
to the ESOP. As of December 31, 1999, the value of the unallocated shares of
stock exceeded the loan balance by $3.6 million.
On November 22, 1999 Wisconsin Gas Company filed a request for determination
with respect to termination of the ESOP as called for in the Merger Agreement.
The WICOR common stock held by the plan will be exchanged for cash or shares
of Wisconsin Energy common stock, or both, on the same terms as for other
WICOR shareholders. The cash or Wisconsin Energy common stock received by the
plan will then be distributed to the participants of the plan.
D Stock Option Plans and Restricted Stock. The Company has a total of 145
employees participating in one or more of its common stock option plans. All
options were granted at prices not less than the fair market value on the date
of grant and expire no later than eleven years from the date of grant.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 61
Under the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each
outstanding option to purchase shares of WICOR common stock and each
outstanding WICOR equity-based award or account will be assumed by Wisconsin
Energy and converted into an award or account of Wisconsin Energy or an option
to purchase shares of Wisconsin Energy common stock on terms adjusted to
reflect the terms of the Merger. However, all options granted on or before
June 27, 1999 (the date of the Merger Agreement), will automatically become
fully vested when the Merger becomes effective.
[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
1999 1998 1997
------------------- ------------------- -------------------
WTD AVG WTD AVG WTD AVG
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SHARES PRICE SHARES PRICE SHARES PRICE
---------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at January 1 2,561,563 $ 17.70 1,959,716 $ 15.22 1,560,298 $ 13.38
Granted 537,800 $ 19.47 744,200 $ 23.61 538,400 $ 19.75
Exercised (440,727) $ 13.62 (120,749) $ 13.23 (137,382) $ 12.11
Canceled (57,442) $ 20.89 (21,604) $ 21.13 (1,600) $ 15.66
---------- ---------- ----------
Outstanding at 12/31 2,601,194 $ 18.69 2,561,563 $ 17.70 1,959,716 $ 15.22
========== ========== ==========
Exercisable at 12/31 1,486,292 $ 16.73 1,423,174 $ 14.30 1,246,550 $ 13.54
========== ========== ==========
Available for future
grant at year-end 1,019,926 1,437,984 347,980
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in
accounting for its stock option plans. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model
was used with the following assumptions for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively:
dividend yields of 4.5%, 3.6% and 4.8%, risk-free interest rates of 4.7%, 5.3%
and 5.1%, expected volatility of 19.3%, 15.1% and 15.9%, and an expected
option life of 5.64 years for all periods. The weighted average fair value of
options granted in 1999, 1998 and 1997 was $2.79, $3.59 and $4.22 per share,
respectively. Had compensation cost for the Company's 1999, 1998 and 1997
grants for stock-based compensation plans been determined consistent with SFAS
123 "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation", the Company's net income and
diluted earnings per common share would have been reduced to the pro forma
amounts indicated below:
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
Net earnings:
As reported $ 53,833 $ 45,495 $ 49,523
Pro forma $ 52,750 $ 44,594 $ 49,167
Diluted earnings per common share
As reported $ 1.42 $ 1.21 $ 1.33
Pro forma $ 1.39 $ 1.19 $ 1.32
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 62
Under the Company's 1994 Long-Term Performance Plan (1994 Plan), awards
covering up to 3,490,000 shares of common stock may be granted to certain key
employees as compensation. The types of awards that may be granted under the
1994 Plan include incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock
appreciation rights and restricted stock.
Awards of restricted stock subject to performance vesting criteria have been
granted under the 1994 Plan. These awards will vest only if the Company
achieves certain financial goals over a three-year performance period
beginning in the year of grant. Recipients of restricted stock awards are not
required to provide consideration to the Company other than rendering service
and have the right to vote the shares and the right to receive dividends
thereon. Restricted shares that are forfeited revert to the Company at no
cost.
As of December 31, 1999, a total of 154,449 restricted shares were issued
but not yet vested. Initially, the total market value of the shares is treated
as unearned compensation and is charged to expense over the vesting periods.
For both restricted stock and performance option shares, adjustments are made
to expense for changes in market value and progress towards achievement of
financial goals. All options granted on or before June 27, 1999 (the date of
the Merger Agreement), will automatically become fully vested when the Merger
becomes effective and the restrictions applicable to awards of restricted
stock made on or before June 27, 1999, will terminate. The unrestricted stock
will be converted into cash, shares of WEC common stock, or both, in the
Merger.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 63
Note 11 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
- -----------------------------------------------
Because seasonal factors significantly affect the Company's operations
(particularly at Wisconsin Gas), the following data may not be comparable
between quarters:
[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS
QUARTERS:
---------------------------------------------
First Second Third Fourth
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1999
- ----
Operating revenues $ 304,241 $ 225,332 $ 196,956 $ 283,584
Operating income $ 50,092 $ 15,178 $ 5,961 $ 34,723
Earnings available for
common stock $ 28,866 $ 5,992 $ 642 $ 18,333
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.77 $ 0.16 $ 0.02 $ 0.49
Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.77 $ 0.16 $ 0.02 $ 0.48
1998
- ----
Operating revenues $ 303,327 $ 219,879 $ 172,746 $ 248,231
Operating income $ 42,985 $ 13,904 $ 797 $ 26,897
Earnings (loss) available
for common stock $ 24,963 $ 6,024 $ (1,211) $ 15,719
Basic earnings (loss) per
common share $ 0.67 $ 0.16 $ (0.03) $ 0.42
Diluted earnings (loss)
per common share $ 0.66 $ 0.16 $ (0.03) $ 0.42
</TABLE>
Quarterly earnings per share may not total to the amounts reported for the
year since the computation is based on weighted average common shares
outstanding during each quarter.
Note 12 Fair Value of Financial Instruments
- ----------------------------------------------
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and
short-term borrowings approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities
of these instruments.
The fair value of the Company's long-term debt is estimated based on the
market prices of quoted market prices of U.S. Treasury issues having a similar
term to maturity, adjusted for the Company's bond rating and present value of
future cash flows.
Because Wisconsin Gas operates in a regulated environment, shareholders
probably would not be affected by realization of gains or losses on
extinguishment of its outstanding fixed-rate debt. Realized gains would be
refunded to and losses would be recovered from customers through gas rates.
Likewise, any gains or losses on gas commodity instruments used by Wisconsin
Gas are refunded to or recovered from customers under the GCIM.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 64
The estimated fair value of WICOR's financial instruments at December 31, is
as follows:
1999 1998
------------------------ ------------------------
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
------------ ----------- ------------ -----------
Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,859 $ 12,859 $ 13,383 $ 13,383
Accounts receivable $ 152,127 $ 152,127 $ 137,321 $ 137,321
Short-term debt $ 116,602 $ 116,602 $ 107,653 $ 107,633
Long-term debt $ 205,444 $ 196,098 $ 188,470 $ 192,412
Note 13 Business Segment Information
- ---------------------------------------
The Company is a diversified holding company with two principal business
segments: an Energy Group responsible for natural gas distribution and related
services, and a Manufacturing Group responsible for the manufacture of pumps
and processing equipment used to pump, control, transfer, hold and filter
water and other fluids.
The Company's reportable segments are managed separately because each
business requires different technology and marketing strategies. The
accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described
in Note 1 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company
evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on income from
continuing operations. Intersegment sales and transfers are not significant.
Information regarding products and services and geographic areas are not
presented as they are not included in measures that are reviewed by the
Company.
Summarized financial information concerning the Company's reportable
segments is shown in the following table. The other category includes the
results of the parent company only and non-regulated energy operations
involved in energy and risk management services, automated meter reading and
other related services. Other Energy net earnings in 1999 include $3.3
million of merger related costs.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 65
[CAPTION]
<TABLE>
ENERGY
---------------------------------
THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS REGULATED OTHER TOTAL MANUFACTURING CONSOLIDATED
----------- --------- ----------- ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1999
- ----
Revenues $ 439,477 $ 59,616 $ 499,093 $ 511,020 $ 1,010,113
Depreciation
and amortization $ 42,291 $ 110 $ 42,401 $ 15,281 $ 57,682
Net earnings (loss) $ 26,434 $ (2,240) $ 24,194 $ 29,639 $ 53,833
Total assets $ 672,225 $ 16,451 $ 688,676 $ 401,247 $ 1,089,923
Capital expenditures $ 42,970 $ 196 $ 43,166 $ 11,563 $ 54,729
1998
- ----
Revenues $ 428,562 $ 52,927 $ 481,489 $ 462,694 $ 944,183
Depreciation
and amortization $ 40,336 $ 134 $ 40,470 $ 14,061 $ 54,531
Net earnings (loss) $ 22,668 $ (1,012) $ 21,656 $ 23,839 $ 45,495
Total assets $ 651,492 $ 14,284 $ 665,776 $ 349,420 $ 1,015,196
Capital expenditures $ 34,995 $ 170 $ 35,165 $ 14,114 $ 49,279
1997
- ----
Revenues $ 536,720 $ 59,542 $ 596,262 $ 424,779 $ 1,021,041
Depreciation
and amortization $ 39,820 $ 139 $ 39,959 $ 13,781 $ 53,740
Net earnings $ 29,335 $ 108 $ 29,443 $ 20,080 $ 49,523
Total assets $ 683,888 $ 13,780 $ 697,668 $ 333,664 $ 1,031,332
Capital expenditures $ 35,017 $ 131 $ 35,148 $ 16,424 $ 51,572
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
There has been no change in or disagreement with the Company's independent
public accountants on any matter of accounting principles or practices or
financial statement disclosure required to be reported pursuant to this item.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 66
PART III
Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information required by this item will be included in and is incorporated
by reference to the Company's proxy statement for its 2000 annual meeting of
shareholders to be filed with the Commission under Regulation 14A or will be
filed by amendment to this Form 10-K within 120 days after the end of the
fiscal year covered by this report, as provided in General Instruction G(3)to
Form 10-K.
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item will be included in and is incorporated
by reference to the Company's proxy statement for its 2000 annual meeting of
shareholders to be filed with the Commission under Regulation 14A or will be
filed by amendment to this Form 10-K within 120 days after the end of the
fiscal year covered by this report, as provided in General Instruction G(3)to
Form 10-K.
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The information required by this item will be included in and is incorporated
by reference to the Company's proxy statement for its 2000 annual meeting of
shareholders to be filed with the Commission under Regulation 14A or will be
filed by amendment to this Form 10-K within 120 days after the end of the
fiscal year covered by this report, as provided in General Instruction G(3)to
Form 10-K.
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this item will be included in and is incorporated
by reference to the Company's proxy statement for its 2000 annual meeting of
shareholders to be filed with the Commission under Regulation 14A or will be
filed by amendment to this Form 10-K within 120 days after the end of the
fiscal year covered by this report, as provided in General Instruction G(3)to
Form 10-K.
PART IV
Item 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form
10-K:
1. All Financial Statements. The Company's consolidated balance sheets and
statements of capitalization as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related
consolidated statements of income, common equity and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1999, together with the report of
independent public accountants dated January 24, 2000.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 67
2. Financial statement schedules.
Schedule I - Condensed Statements of Income, Retained Earnings and Cash
Flows (Parent Company Only) for the Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and
1997; Condensed Balance Sheets (Parent Company Only) as of December 31, 1999
and 1998; Notes to Parent Company Only Financial Statements.
Financial statement schedules other than those referred to above have been
omitted as not applicable or not required.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 68
3. Exhibits
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 27, 1999, by and among
Wisconsin Energy Corporation, WICOR, Inc., and CEW Acquisition, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K dated June 27, 1999).
2.2 Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 9, 1999,
by and among Wisconsin Energy Corporation, WICOR, Inc., and CEW Acquisition,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report
on Form 8-K dated September 9, 1999).
3.1 WICOR, Inc. Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
dated July 31, 1998).
3.2 WICOR, Inc. By-laws, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1
to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November 12, 1999).
4.1 Indenture, dated as of September 1, 1990, between Wisconsin Gas Company
and Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A., Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.11 to Wisconsin Gas Company's Form S-3 Registration Statement No. 33-36639).
4.2 Officers' Certificate, dated as of September 15, 1993, setting forth the
terms of Wisconsin Gas Company's 6.60% Debentures due 2013 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Wisconsin Gas Company's Form 8-K Current Report for
September, 1993).
4.3 Officers' Certificate, dated as of November 7, 1995, setting forth the
terms of Wisconsin Gas Company's 6-3/8% Notes due 2005(incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4 to Wisconsin Gas Company's Form 8-K Current Report dated
November 7, 1995).
4.4 Officers Certificate, dated as of January 21, 1999, setting forth the
terms of Wisconsin Gas Company's 5.5% notes due 2009 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4 to Wisconsin Gas Company's Form 8-K Current Report dated January
15, 1999).
4.5 Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 6, 1997, among WICOR, Inc.
and Citibank, N.A., as Agent, Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A., Harris Trust and
Savings Bank and M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated October 31,
1997).
4.6 Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 6, 1997, among Wisconsin
Gas Company and Citibank, N.A., as Agent, Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A., Harris
Trust and Savings Bank and M&I Marshall & Illsley Bank (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated
October 31, 1997).
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 69
4.7 Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 6, 1997, among WICOR
Industries, Inc. and Citibank, N.A., as Agent, Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A.,
Harris Trust and Savings Bank and M&I Marshall & Illsley Bank (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated
October 31, 1997).
4.8 Rights Agreement, dated as of July 27, 1999, between WICOR, Inc. and
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, LLC, as rights agent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated
November 12, 1999.)
4.9 Amendment No. 1, dated as of September 9. 1999, to Rights Agreement, dated
as of July 27, 1999, between WICOR, Inc. and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services,
LLC, as rights agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November 12, 1999.)
4.10 Loan Agreement, dated as of March 29, 1996, by and among ABN AMRO Bank,
N.V., Wisconsin Gas Company Employees' Savings Plans Trust and WICOR, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q dated April 26, 1996).
4.11 Guarantee, dated as of March 29, 1996, from WICOR, Inc. to and for the
benefit of ABN AMRO Bank, N.V. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1996).
4.12 First Amendment, dated as of November 27, 1996, to Loan Agreement, dated
as of March 29, 1996, by and among WICOR, Inc. Master Savings Trust (formerly
the Wisconsin Gas Company Employees' Savings Plans Trust), WICOR, Inc. and ABN
AMRO Bank, N.V. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1996).
4.13 Securities Loan Agreement, effective June 22, 1996, among Citibank, N.A.
and Sta-Rite Industries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated July 30, 1996).
10.1 Service Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1994, among WICOR, Inc., Wisconsin
Gas Company, Sta-Rite Industries, Inc., WEXCO of Delaware, Inc. and SHURflo
Pump Manufacturing Co. (incorporated by reference Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1995).
10.2 Endorsement of Hypro Corporation, dated as of July 19, 1995, to Service
Agreement among WICOR, Inc., Wisconsin Gas Company, Sta-Rite Industries, Inc.
and WEXCO of Delaware, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
Company's Annual Report Form 10-K for 1995).
10.3# WICOR, Inc. 1992 Director Stock Option Plan, as amended (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Annual Report Form 10-K for 1998).
10.4# Form of nonstatutory stock option agreement used in connection with the
WICOR, Inc. 1992 Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-67132).
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 70
10.5# WICOR, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Performance Plan (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-55755).
10.6# Form of nonstatutory stock option agreement used in connection with the
WICOR, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Performance Plan (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-55755).
10.7# Form of restricted stock agreement used in connection with the WICOR,
Inc. 1994 Long-Term Performance Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3
to the Company's Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-55755).
10.8# Form of Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreement between the
Company and certain of its executive officers (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated July 31,
1997).
10.9# WICOR, Inc. 2000 Officers' Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.10# Wisconsin Gas Company Supplemental Retirement Income Program
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for 1998).
10.11# Wisconsin Gas Company 2000 Officers' Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.12# Wisconsin Gas Company Group Travel Accident Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company's Annual Report Form 10-K for 1992).
10.13# Form of Deferred Compensation Agreements between Wisconsin Gas Company
and certain of its executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.30 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1990).
10.14# Form of amendment to the Deferred Compensation Agreement between
Wisconsin Gas Company and Thomas F. Schrader (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November 12,
1999.)
10.15# Sta-Rite Industries, Inc. 2000 Officers' Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.16# Sta-Rite Industries, Inc. Group Travel Accident Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
1992).
21 Subsidiaries of WICOR, Inc.
23 Consent of independent public accountants.
27 Financial Data Schedule. (EDGAR version only)
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
The Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 22, 1999,
reporting third quarter 1999 financial results.
# Indicates a plan under which compensation is paid or payable to directors or
executive officers of the Company.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 71
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
WICOR, Inc.
Date: March 28, 2000 By \s\ JOSEPH P. WENZLER
Joseph P. Wenzler
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 72
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
- --------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------
GEORGE E. WARDEBERG
George E. Wardeberg Chairman, Chief Executive March 28, 2000
Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
THOMAS F. SCHRADER
Thomas F. Schrader President, Chief Operating March 28, 2000
Officer and Director
JOSEPH P. WENZLER
Joseph P. Wenzler Senior Vice President and March 28, 2000
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer)
WENDELL F. BUECHE
Wendell F. Bueche Director March 28, 2000
WILLIE D. DAVIS
Willie D. Davis Director March 28, 2000
JERE D. MCGAFFEY
Jere D. McGaffey Director March 28, 2000
DANIEL F. MCKEITHAN, JR.
Daniel F. McKeithan, Jr. Director March 28, 2000
GUY A. OSBORN
Guy A. Osborn Director March 28, 2000
ESSIE M. WHITELAW
Essie M. Whitelaw Director March 28, 2000
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 73
Schedule I - Condensed
Parent Company Financial Statements
WICOR, Inc.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors of WICOR, Inc.
We have audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
the consolidated financial statements of WICOR, Inc. and have issued our
report thereon dated January 24, 2000.
Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole. Supplemental Schedule I
is the responsibility of the Company's management and is presented for
purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules
and is not a required part of the basic consolidated financial statements.
This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the
audit of the basic consolidated financial statements and, in our opinion,
fairly states in all material respects, the financial data required to be
set forth therein in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements
taken as a whole.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
January 24, 2000.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 74
Schedule I - Condensed
Parent Company Financial Statements
WICOR, INC.
(Parent Company Only)
Statement of Income
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
(Thousands of Dollars)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income:
Equity in income of subsidiaries after dividends $ 21,960 $ 13,343 $ 19,048
Cash dividends from subsidiaries 34,500 32,000 30,000
Merger costs (3,300) - -
Interest income and other 1,229 1,862 747
---------- ---------- ----------
54,389 47,205 49,795
---------- ---------- ----------
Expenses:
Operating (Supplemental Note C) 375 1,769 96
Interest 25 26 36
---------- ---------- ----------
400 1,795 132
---------- ---------- ----------
Income Before Income Taxes 53,989 45,410 49,663
Income Taxes 156 (85) 140
---------- ---------- ----------
Net Income $ 53,833 $ 45,495 $ 49,523
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 75
Schedule I - Condensed
Parent Company Financial Statements (continued)
WICOR, INC.
(Parent Company Only)
Balance Sheet
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of December 31,
----------------------
(Thousands of Dollars) 1999 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
- ------
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 374 $ 63
Intercompany receivable, net (Supplemental Note B) 18,602 11,531
Other 402 22
---------- ----------
19,378 11,616
---------- ----------
Investment in Subsidiaries, at equity 419,739 395,832
---------- ----------
Deferred Income Taxes 225 142
Deferred Charges and Other 2,153 1,096
---------- ----------
$ 441,495 $ 408,686
========== ==========
Liabilities and Capitalization
- ------------------------------
Current Liabilities:
Income taxes payable $ 3,038 $ 877
ESOP loan guarantee (Supplemental Note D) 2,007 -
Other 1,613 314
---------- ----------
6,658 1,191
---------- ----------
Deferred Credits 1,171 1,248
---------- ----------
Capitalization:
ESOP loan guarantee (Supplemental Note D) - 2,807
---------- ----------
Common equity:
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 120,000,000
shares; outstanding 37,819,000 and 18,359,000
shares, respectively 37,819 37,359
Other paid-in-capital 225,638 216,821
Retained earnings 181,376 160,937
Accumulated other comprehensive income (8,220) (7,905)
Unearned compensation (Supplemental Note D) (2,947) (3,772)
---------- ----------
Total common equity 433,666 403,440
---------- ----------
$ 441,495 $ 408,686
========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 76
Schedule I - Condensed
Parent Company Only Financial Statements (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WICOR, INC.
Statement of Cash Flows
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
Year Ended December 31,
(Thousands of Dollars) ----------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operations-
Net income $ 53,833 $ 45,495 $ 49,523
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash flows:
Equity in (income) losses of subsidiaries (21,960) (13,343) (19,048)
Change in deferred income taxes (83) 9 35
Change in intercompany receivables (7,071) (3,058) 3,539
Change in income taxes payable 2,161 845 (479)
Change in other current assets (380) 101 (72)
Change in other current liabilities 1,299 (133) (203)
Change in other non-current assets
and liabilities (3,371) (477) (5,833)
---------- ---------- ----------
24,428 29,439 27,462
---------- ---------- ----------
Investment Activities- - - -
---------- ---------- ----------
Financing Activities-
Issuance of common stock 9,277 2,878 2,684
Dividends paid on common stock (33,394) (32,461) (31,397)
---------- ---------- ----------
(24,117) (29,583) (28,713)
---------- ---------- ----------
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents 311 (144) (1,251)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year 63 207 1,458
---------- ---------- ----------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year $ 374 $ 63 $ 207
========== ========== ==========
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
Cash paid (received) during the year for:
Interest paid $ 25 $ 68 $ 88
Income taxes paid $ (1,987) $ (1,025) $ (1,149)
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 77
Schedule I - Condensed
Parent Company Financial Statements
WICOR, INC.
(Parent Company Only)
Statement of Retained Earnings
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
----------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
(Thousands of Dollars)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance - Beginning of Year $ 160,937 $ 147,903 $ 129,777
Add:
Net income 53,833 45,495 49,523
---------- ---------- ----------
214,770 193,398 179,300
Deduct:
Cash dividends on common stock 33,394 32,461 31,397
---------- ---------- ----------
Balance - End of Year $ 181,376 $ 160,937 $ 147,903
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 78
Schedule I - Condensed
Parent Company Financial Statements (continued)
WICOR, Inc.
Notes to Parent Company Only Financial Statements
The following are supplemental notes to the WICOR, Inc. (Parent Company
Only) financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the
WICOR, Inc. Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included
herein under Item 8:
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES
- ------------------
A. The parent company files a consolidated Federal income tax return with
its subsidiaries.
B. Net amounts due from subsidiaries result from intercompany transactions
including advances less payments of expenses by subsidiaries on behalf of
the parent company.
C. During 1999, 1998 and 1997, the parent company allocated certain
administrative and operating expenses to its subsidiaries using an
allocation method approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin:
1999 1998 1997
------------ ------------ ------------
Administrative and operating
expenses allocated
to subsidiaries $ 2,998,744 $ 3,073,597 $ 2,880,000
============ ============ ============
D. In November 1991, the parent established an Employee Stock Ownership
Plan (ESOP) covering non-union employees of Wisconsin Gas Company. Because
the parent company has guaranteed the loan, the unpaid balance is shown as
a liability on the balance sheet with a like amount of unearned
compensation recorded as a reduction of stockholders' equity.
The ESOP trustee is repaying the $10 million loan with dividends paid on
the shares of the parent company common stock in the ESOP and with
Wisconsin Gas Company contributions to the ESOP.
On November 22, 1999 Wisconsin Gas Company filed a request for
determination with respect to termination of the ESOP as called for in the
Merger Agreement. The WICOR common stock held by the plan will be
exchanged for cash or shares of Wisconsin Energy common stock, or both, on
the same terms as for other WICOR shareholders. The cash or Wisconsin
Energy common stock received by the plan will then be distributed to the
participants of the plan. Accordingly, the unpaid balance of the ESOP loan
has been classified as a current liability at December 31, 1999.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 79
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TO EXHIBITS
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 27, 1999, by and among
Wisconsin Energy Corporation, WICOR, Inc., and CEW Acquisition, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K dated June 27, 1999).
2.2 Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 9,
1999, by and among Wisconsin Energy Corporation, WICOR, Inc., and CEW
Acquisition, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 9, 1999).
3.1 WICOR, Inc. Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q dated July 31, 1998).
3.2 WICOR, Inc. By-laws, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November 12, 1999).
4.1 Indenture, dated as of September 1, 1990, between Wisconsin Gas Company
and Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A., Trustee (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.11 to Wisconsin Gas Company's Form S-3 Registration Statement No.
33-36639).
4.2 Officers' Certificate, dated as of September 15, 1993, setting forth
the terms of Wisconsin Gas Company's 6.60% Debentures due 2013 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Wisconsin Gas Company's Form 8-K Current
Report for September, 1993).
4.3 Officers' Certificate, dated as of November 7, 1995, setting forth the
terms of Wisconsin Gas Company's 6-3/8% Notes due 2005(incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4 to Wisconsin Gas Company's Form 8-K Current Report
dated November 7, 1995).
4.4 Officers Certificate, dated as of January 21, 1999, setting forth the
terms of Wisconsin Gas Company's 5.5% notes due 2009 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4 to Wisconsin Gas Company's Form 8-K Current Report
dated January 15, 1999).
4.5 Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 6, 1997, among WICOR,
Inc. and Citibank, N.A., as Agent, Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A., Harris
Trust and Savings Bank and M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
dated October 31, 1997).
4.6 Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 6, 1997, among Wisconsin
Gas Company and Citibank, N.A., as Agent, Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A.,
Harris Trust and Savings Bank and M&I Marshall & Illsley Bank (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.2 the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
dated October 31, 1997).
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 80
4.7 Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 6, 1997, among WICOR
Industries, Inc. and Citibank, N.A., as Agent, Firstar Bank Milwaukee, N.A.,
Harris Trust and Savings Bank and M&I Marshall & Illsley Bank (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
dated October 31, 1997).
4.8 Rights Agreement, dated as of July 27, 1999, between WICOR, Inc. and
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, LLC, as rights agent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
dated November 12, 1999.)
4.9 Amendment No. 1, dated as of September 9. 1999, to Rights Agreement,
dated as of July 27, 1999, between WICOR, Inc. and ChaseMellon Shareholder
Services, LLC, as rights agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November 12, 1999.)
4.10 Loan Agreement, dated as of March 29, 1996, by and among ABN AMRO
Bank, N.V., Wisconsin Gas Company Employees' Savings Plans Trust and WICOR,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q dated April 26, 1996).
4.11 Guarantee, dated as of March 29, 1996, from WICOR, Inc. to and for the
benefit of ABN AMRO Bank, N.V. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1996).
4.12 First Amendment, dated as of November 27, 1996, to Loan Agreement,
dated as of March 29, 1996, by and among WICOR, Inc. Master Savings Trust
(formerly the Wisconsin Gas Company Employees' Savings Plans Trust), WICOR,
Inc. and ABN AMRO Bank, N.V. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1996).
4.13 Securities Loan Agreement, effective June 22, 1996, among Citibank,
N.A. and Sta-Rite Industries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated July 30, 1996).
10.1 Service Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1994, among WICOR, Inc.,
Wisconsin Gas Company, Sta-Rite Industries, Inc., WEXCO of Delaware, Inc.
and SHURflo Pump Manufacturing Co. (incorporated by reference Exhibit 10.1
to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1995).
10.2 Endorsement of Hypro Corporation, dated as of July 19, 1995, to
Service Agreement among WICOR, Inc., Wisconsin Gas Company, Sta-Rite
Industries, Inc. and WEXCO of Delaware, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Annual Report Form 10-K for 1995).
10.3# WICOR, Inc. 1992 Director Stock Option Plan, as amended (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Annual Report Form 10-K for
1998).
10.4# Form of nonstatutory stock option agreement used in connection with
the WICOR, Inc. 1992 Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-
67132).
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 81
10.5# WICOR, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Performance Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form S-8 Registration Statement
No. 33-55755).
10.6# Form of nonstatutory stock option agreement used in connection with
the WICOR, Inc. 1994 Long-Term Performance Plan (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-
55755).
10.7# Form of restricted stock agreement used in connection with the WICOR,
Inc. 1994 Long-Term Performance Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.3 to the Company's Form S-8 Registration Statement No. 33-55755).
10.8# Form of Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreement between the
Company and certain of its executive officers (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated July 31,
1997).
10.9#* WICOR, Inc. 2000 Officers' Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.10# Wisconsin Gas Company Supplemental Retirement Income Program
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for 1998).
10.11#* Wisconsin Gas Company 2000 Officers' Incentive Compensation Plan.
10.12# Wisconsin Gas Company Group Travel Accident Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company's Annual Report Form 10-K for
1992).
10.13# Form of Deferred Compensation Agreements between Wisconsin Gas
Company and certain of its executive officers (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.30 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1990).
10.14# Form of amendment to the Deferred Compensation Agreement between
Wisconsin Gas Company and Thomas F. Schrader (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q dated November
12, 1999.)
10.15#* Sta-Rite Industries, Inc. 2000 Officers' Incentive Compensation
Plan.
10.16# Sta-Rite Industries, Inc. Group Travel Accident Plan (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for 1992).
21* Subsidiaries of WICOR, Inc.
23* Consent of independent public accountants.
27* Financial Data Schedule. (EDGAR version only)
* Indicates document filed herewith.
# Indicates a plan under which compensation is paid or payable to directors
or executive officers of the Company.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10-9
WICOR, Inc.
2000 Corporate Officer's Incentive Compensation Plan
I. Objectives
----------
The principle objectives of the Plan are:
A. To motivate and to provide incentive for officers of WICOR to create
economic value.
B. To ensure a focus on earning a return on capital in excess of the cost
of capital while also making a positive contribution to earnings.
C. To assist in the retention of quality senior management.
D. To yield competitive total compensation levels when performance goals
meet the cost of capital requirement.
II. Eligibility
-----------
Participation in the Plan is limited to designated WICOR corporate officers.
The Chief Executive Officer will be responsible for recommending eligibility
changes to the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of WICOR, Inc.
III. Amount of Potential Award
-------------------------
A. The minimum, target and maximum award opportunities for each executive,
as a percentage of base salary (W-2 base salary calendar earnings), are as
follows:
Award as Percent of Salary
------------------------------------------
Position Minimum Target Maximum
- ------------------ ------- ---------- -----------
Chairman & CEO 0% 60% 130.50%
President & COO 0% 50% 108.75
Sr. V.P. & CFO 0% 45% 97.875%
Treasurer 0% 30% 65.25%
V.P Corporate
Development and
Planning 0% 30% 65.25%
B. Each executive's award will be determined based on a combination of
WICOR and individual performance, with WICOR performance accounting for 75% of
the award and individual performance weighted at 25%.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 2
IV. Performance Criteria and Objective Setting
------------------------------------------
A. Financial Component (75% Weight)
1.) Overall WICOR performance will be measured by Return on Capital
(ROC), which is defined as NOPAT (Net Operating Profit After Tax) divided by
Total Capital Employed (NOPAT and Total Capital Employed are defined in
Appendix I). Threshold, Target, and Maximum ROC performance levels, and their
corresponding incentive awards are as follows:
Performance Level 2000 Return on Capital Award as a % of Target
----------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
Below Threshold Less than 7.2% 0%
Threshold 7.2% 1%
Target 8.5% 100%
Maximum or Above 11.1% 200%
* WICOR Cost of Capital = 8.5%
For performance at levels between Threshold and Target or between Target and
Maximum, award calculations will be interpolated on a linear basis.
2.) ROC payout will be further modified by performance against EPS
Growth (the modifier). As seen below, EPS growth performance can modify the
award by +/- 20%.
Award modification
Performance Level 2000 EPS Growth as a % of Target
- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Threshold < or = to 5% 80%
Target 10% 100%
Maximum > or = to 15% 120%
For performance at levels between Threshold and Target or between Target and
Maximum award calculations will be interpolated on a linear basis.
B. Discretionary/Individual Component (25% Weight)
The individual component of total incentive compensation will be determined by
the WICOR Compensation Committee on recommendations from the CEO reflecting the
individual's overall performance as measured against previously identified and
agreed upon goals and objectives. The award may vary between 0% and 150% of
the individual performance portion of the target award, and will be determined
and paid independently of Corporate financial performance.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 3
Combining the previously mentioned components yields the following formula for
determining annual incentive payout:
Step 1 [ Base Salary x Eligible Target % ]
Multiplied by the sum of Step 2 and Step 3
Step 2 [(ROC Award % x EPS Growth Modifier %) x 75%]
Plus
Step 3 [Discretionary % x 25%]
Equals
Annual Incentive Award
C. If the Compensation Committee of WICOR, Inc. determines that corporate
performance was inadequate, it may exercise discretion to reduce or eliminate
any or all bonus payments.
D. The performance criteria in this Section IV have been established on the
basis of WICOR remaining an independent, publicly-traded corporation. Pursuant
to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 27, 1999 and amended as
of September 9, 1999, WICOR will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wisconsin
Energy Corporation and no longer will be an independent, publicly-traded
corporation. It is contemplated that the merger will close in the Spring of
2000. If the merger closes in 2000, the ways in which various WICOR business
functions are integrated into Wisconsin Energy in 2000 may make it necessary or
appropriate to change one or more of the performance criteria on which awards
under the Plan will be based. The Board of Directors reserves the right to
make such changes at any time before December 31, 2000.
V. Performance
-----------
Company performance goals will be for the 2000 calendar year.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 4
VI. Treatment of Acquisitions and Investments
-----------------------------------------
A. Acquisitions
The capitalized value (NOPAT/Target's Cost of Capital) of the acquired entity's
last full year's NOPAT will be added to the capital base of the acquiring
business unit in the month of acquisition. The acquisition premium (defined as
the excess of the purchase price over the capitalized value ) will be
incorporated into the capital base at a rate of 20% per year starting at the
beginning of the first calendar year after the acquisition.
B. Investments
The entire value of investments of an operating nature (capital expenditures)
will be added to the capital base. However, investments of a significant
dollar amount, whose project life extends beyond ten years, will be reviewed by
management for potential adjustments to the capital base (similar to the
treatment for acquisitions).
VII. Form and Timing of Award Payments
---------------------------------
A. Awards will be determined and paid as soon as practicable after the
close of the Plan year.
B. At each participant's discretion and with the concurrence of the
Compensation committee of WICOR, Inc., awards may be paid in one of two ways:
1. Lump sum.
2. Partly in lump sum and the remainder in deferred payments.
C. The Company offers a deferred payment option as part of the WICOR, Inc.
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan to those officers who prefer not to
receive their awards in current cash. Deferral elections must be made in
accordance with the provisions of the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan.
D. Additionally, if performance significantly exceeds the maximum standard
established, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to provide an
incentive payout in excess of the maximum allowable payout. However, any
exceptional performance which qualifies for this award, must be a direct result
of management efforts and not due to external factors beyond management's
control. Any awards in excess of the maximum payout opportunity would be paid
in WICOR restricted stock which would vest ratably over five years. However, if
a participant terminates employment due to death, retirement, or disability,
any prior restricted stock awards made under this provision would become
immediately vested.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 5
E. In the event the company's overall ROC is negatively impacted by the
inclusion of a newly acquired company's results, the compensation committee has
the discretion to make a supplemental incentive payment. The supplemental
payment will be considered if the acquired company is meeting the financial
projections established at the time of the acquisition and the officers of the
acquiring entity would have otherwise received a higher incentive payment had
it not been for the inclusion of the acquired entity's results. The purpose of
this supplemental incentive provision is to motivate officers to invest in
value building projects. The duration of the supplemental incentive period
will be no more than three years.
VIII. Implementation
--------------
A. The effective date of the Plan is January 1, 2000.
IX. Plan Administration
-------------------
A. Compensation Committee
1. The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors of WICOR, Inc.
2. The Committee's administration is subject to approval of the Board of
Directors of WICOR, Inc.
3. The decisions of the Board are final and binding on all Plan
participants.
4. The Board retains the right to terminate or amend the Plan as it may
deem advisable.
B. Partial Year Participation
1. Participants must be employed by the Company on the last day of the
Plan year in order to receive a bonus for that year. However, once earned, a
bonus will be paid to a participant regardless of whether he/she is employed by
the company on the date payment is made.
2. Awards for part year participants will be pro-rated based on the
proportion of the year that the participant was in the Plan. This includes
participants who terminate employment due to death, disability or retirement
3. Participants who terminate employment with the Company prior to the
last day of the plan year shall forfeit all rights to an incentive award
payment under the Plan except for terminations due to death, retirement or
disability.
4. A participant is deemed to be disabled if he/she becomes eligible for
benefits under the Company's Long Term Disability Plan.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 6 Appendix I
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS
Corporate Consolidated
NOPAT - Net operating profits after tax is calculated as follows:
Sum of the individual Subsidiaries NOPAT, including Energy PCO, WICOR
Industries PCO, WEXCO, Fieldtech, and WESCO.
CAPITAL-Total capital employed is calculated as follows:
Sum of the individual Subsidiaries Average Capital employed, including Energy
PCO, WICOR Industries PCO, WEXCO, Fieldtech and WESCO.
Measurement for all capital employed items is determined using 13 month rolling
average
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10-11
Wisconsin Gas Company
2000 Officer's Incentive Compensation Plan
I. Objectives
----------
The principle objectives of the Plan are:
A. To motivate and to provide incentive for officers and the General
Manager - Water of Wisconsin Gas Company to create economic value.
B. To ensure a focus on earning a return on capital in excess of the cost
of capital while also achieving the performance plus goals.
C. To assist in the retention of quality senior management.
D. To yield competitive total compensation levels when performance goals
meet the cost of capital requirement.
II. Eligibility
-----------
Participation in the Plan is limited to designated officers and the General
Manager - Water of Wisconsin Gas. The Chief Executive Officer of WICOR will be
responsible for recommending eligibility changes to the Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors of WICOR, Inc.
III. Amount of Potential Award
-------------------------
A. The minimum, target and maximum award opportunities for each
participant, as a percentage of base salary (calendar year earnings), are as
follows:
Award as Percent of Salary
--------------------------------
Position Minimum Target Maximum
- ---------------- ------- ------ -------
President & CEO 0% 40% 87%
Senior VP 0% 35% 76.125%
VP and Direct Reports 0% 20% 43.5%
B. Each executive's award will be determined based on a combination of WEG
and individual performance, with WEG performance accounting for 75% of the
award and individual performance weighted at 25%.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 2
IV. Performance Criteria and Objective Setting
------------------------------------------
A. Financial Component (75% Weight)
1.) Overall WEG performance will be measured by Return on Capital (ROC),
which is defined as NOPAT (Net Operating Profit After Tax) divided by Total
Capital Employed (NOPAT and Total Capital Employed are defined in Appendix I).
Threshold, Target, and Maximum ROC performance levels, and their corresponding
incentive awards are as follows:
Performance Level 2000 Return on Capital Award as a % of Target
----------------- ---------------------- ----------------------
Below Threshold Less than 6.0% 0%
Threshold 6.0% 1%
Target 7.0%* 100%
Maximum or Above 9.1% 200%
* WGC Cost of Capital = 7.0%
For performance at levels between Threshold and Target or between Target and
Maximum, award calculations will be interpolated on a linear basis.
1. ROC payouts will be further modified by performance against budgeted
criteria denoted as "Performance Plus" (the modifier). Performance Plus
consists of Rate Comparison, Customer Service, Safety, and Cost Effectiveness.
Each year management will recommend specific goals for the aforementioned
criteria. Associated with various levels of performance for each goal will be
a certain number of award points. The cumulative total of these points will
determine the modification factor. As seen below, achievement of Performance
Plus can modify the award by +/- 20%, or eliminate the award if the threshold
number of points is not achieved.
Performance Plus Performance Plus Award modification
Achievement Points as a % of Target
---------------- ---------------- ------------------
Below Threshold < 12 points 0%
Threshold 12 points 80%
Target 24 points 100%
Maximum 40 points 120%
For performance at levels between Threshold and Target or between Target and
Maximum award calculations will be interpolated on a linear basis.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 3
B. Discretionary/Individual Component (25% Weight)
The individual component of total incentive compensation will be based on the
individual's overall performance as measured against previously identified and
agreed upon goals and objectives. The award may vary between 0% and 150% of
the individual performance portion of the target award, and will be determined
and paid independently of Company financial performance.
Combining the previously mentioned components yields the following formula for
determining annual incentive payouts:
Step 1 [ Base Salary x Eligible Target % ]
Multiplied by sum of step 2 and step 3
Step 2 [(ROC Award % x Performance Plus Modifier %) x 75%]
Plus
Step 3 [Discretionary % x 25%]
Equals
Annual Incentive Award
C. If the Compensation Committee of WICOR, Inc. determines that corporate
performance was inadequate, it may exercise discretion to reduce or eliminate
any or all bonus payments.
D. The performance criteria in this Section IV have been established on the
basis of WICOR remaining an independent, publicly-traded corporation. Pursuant
to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 27, 1999 and amended as
of September 9, 1999, WICOR will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wisconsin
Energy Corporation and no longer will be an independent, publicly-traded
corporation. It is contemplated that the merger will close in the Spring of
2000. If the merger closes in 2000, the ways in which various WICOR business
functions are integrated into Wisconsin Energy in 2000 may make it necessary or
appropriate to change one or more of the performance criteria on which awards
under the Plan will be based. The Board of Directors reserves the right to
make such changes at any time before December 31, 2000.
V. Performance
-----------
Company performance goals will be for the 2000 calendar year.
VI. Treatment of Acquisitions and Investments
-----------------------------------------
A. Acquisitions
The capitalized value (NOPAT/Target's Cost of Capital) of the acquired entity's
last full year's NOPAT will be added to the capital base of the acquiring
business unit in the month of acquisition. The acquisition premium (defined as
the excess of the purchase price over the capitalized value ) will be
incorporated into the capital base at a rate of 20% per year starting at the
beginning of the first calendar year after the acquisition.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 4
B. Investments
The entire value of investments of an operating nature (capital expenditures)
will be added to the capital base. However, investments of a significant
dollar amount, whose project life extends beyond ten years, will be reviewed by
management for potential adjustments to the capital base (similar to the
treatment for acquisitions).
VII. Form and Timing of Award Payments
---------------------------------
A. Awards will be determined and paid as soon as practicable after the
close of the Plan year.
B. At each participant's discretion and with the concurrence of the
Compensation committee of WICOR, Inc., awards may be paid in one of two ways:
1. Lump sum.
2. Partly in lump sum and the remainder in deferred payments.
C. The Company offers a deferred payment option as part of the WICOR, Inc.
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan to those officers who prefer not to
receive their awards in current cash. Deferral elections must be made in
accordance with the provisions of the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan.
D. Additionally, if performance significantly exceeds the maximum standard
established, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to provide an
incentive payout in excess of the maximum allowable payout. However, any
exceptional performance which qualifies for this award, must be a direct result
of management efforts and not due to external factors beyond management's
control. Any awards in excess of the maximum payout opportunity would be paid
in WICOR restricted stock which would vest ratably over five years. However, if
a participant terminates employment due to death, retirement, or disability,
any prior restricted stock awards made under this provision would become
immediately vested.
E. In the event the company's overall ROC is negatively impacted by the
inclusion of a newly acquired company's results, the compensation committee has
the discretion to make a supplemental incentive payment. The supplemental
payment will be considered if the acquired company is meeting the financial
projections established at the time of the acquisition and the officers of the
acquiring entity would have otherwise received a higher incentive payment had
it not been for the inclusion of the acquired entity's results. The purpose of
this supplemental incentive provision is to motivate officers to invest in
value building projects. The duration of the supplemental incentive period
will be no more than three years.
VIII. Implementation
--------------
A. The effective date of the Plan is January 1, 2000.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 5
IX. Plan Administration
-------------------
A. Compensation Committee
1. The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors of WICOR, Inc.
2. The Committee's administration is subject to approval of the Board of
Directors of WICOR, Inc.
3. The decisions of the Board are final and binding on all Plan
participants.
4. The Board retains the right to terminate or amend the Plan as it may
deem advisable.
B. Partial Year Participation
1. Participants must be employed by the Company on the last day of the
Plan year in order to receive a bonus for that year. However, once earned, a
bonus will be paid to a participant regardless of whether he/she is employed by
the company on the date payment is made.
2. Awards for part year participants will be pro-rated based on the
proportion of the year that the participant was in the Plan. This includes
participants who terminate employment due to death, disability or retirement
3. Participants who terminate employment with the Company prior to the
last day of the plan year shall forfeit all rights to an incentive award
payment under the Plan except for terminations due to death, retirement or
disability.
4. A participant is deemed to be disabled if he/she becomes eligible for
benefits under the Company's Long Term Disability Plan.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 6
Appendix 1
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Wisconsin Gas Company
NOPAT-Net Operating Profit After Taxes-is calculated as follows:
>> Net Income per financial statements
Plus: bad debt expense (net of tax)
Less: bad debt write-offs (net of tax)
>> Plus the change in specific equity equivalents (net of tax):
Less: pension and OPEB income (net of tax)
Plus: funding of pension and OPEB plans (net of tax)
>> Regulatory Tax Assets and Liabilities
>> Injuries and Damage Reserve
>> Assets or Liabilities for Deferred Compensation Plans
>> Plus interest expense (net of tax)
Definition: Capital-An approximation of the economic book value of cash
invested. Capital is the sum of:
>> Shareholders equity
>> Long and short term debt
>> Capital Equivalents (net of tax)
Measurement of capital employed is determined using a 13 month rolling average
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 10-15
Sta-Rite Industries, Inc.
2000 Officer's Incentive Compensation Plan
I. Objectives
----------
The principle objectives of the Plan are:
A. To motivate and to provide incentive for officers of Sta-Rite to create
economic value.
B. To ensure a focus on earning a return on capital in excess of the cost
of capital while also making a positive contribution to sales growth.
C. To assist in the retention of quality senior management.
D. To yield competitive total compensation levels when performance goals
meet the cost of capital requirement.
II. Eligibility
-----------
Participation in the Plan is limited to designated officers of Sta-Rite
Industries, Inc. The Chief Executive Officer, WICOR, will be responsible for
recommending eligibility changes to the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of WICOR, Inc.
III. Amount of Potential Award
-------------------------
A. The minimum, target and maximum award opportunities for each executive, as
a percentage of base salary (W-2 base salary calendar earnings), are as
follows:
Award as Percent of Salary
------------------------------
Position Minimum Target Maximum
------------------- ------- ------ -----------
President & CEO 0% 45% 97.875%
VP 0% 30% 65.25%
B. Each executive's award will be determined based on a combination of Sta-
Rite and individual performance, with Sta-Rite performance accounting for 75%
of the award and individual performance weighted at 25%.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 2
IV. Performance Criteria and Objective Setting
------------------------------------------
A. Financial Component (75% Weight)
1.) Overall Sta-Rite performance will be measured by Return on Capital
(ROC), which is defined as NOPAT (Net Operating Profit After Tax) divided by
Total Capital Employed (NOPAT and Total Capital Employed are defined in
Appendix I). Threshold, Target, and Maximum ROC performance levels, and their
corresponding incentive awards are as follows:
Award as a
Performance Level 2000 Return on Capital % of Target
------------------ ---------------------- -----------
Below Threshold less than 9.3% 0%
Threshold 9.3% 1%
Target 10.9% 100%
Maximum or Above 14.2% 200%
* Sta-Rite Cost of Capital = 10.9%
For performance at levels between Threshold and Target or between Target and
Maximum, award calculations will be interpolated on a linear basis.
2.) ROC payouts will be further modified by performance against Sales
Growth (the modifier). As seen below, Sales growth performance can modify the
award by +/- 20%.
Award modification
Performance Level 2000 Sales Growth as a % of Target
- ------------------- ----------------- -------------------
Threshold < or = to 5% 80%
Target 10% 100%
Maximum > or = to 15% 120%
For performance at levels between Threshold and Target or between Target and
Maximum award calculations will be interpolated on a linear basis.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 3
B. Discretionary/Individual Component (25% Weight)
The individual component of total incentive compensation will be based on the
individual's overall performance as measured against previously identified and
agreed upon goals and objectives. The award may vary between 0% and 150% of
the individual performance portion of the target award, and will be determined
and paid independently of Company financial performance.
Combining the previously mentioned components yields the following formula for
determining annual incentive payouts:
Step 1 [ Base Salary x Eligible Target % ]
Multiplied by sum of step 2 and step 3
Step 2 [(ROC Award % x Sales Growth Modifier) x 75%]
Plus
Step 3 [Discretionary % x 25%]
Equals
Annual Incentive Award
C. If the Compensation Committee of WICOR, Inc. determines that corporate
performance was inadequate, it may exercise discretion to reduce or eliminate
any or all bonus payments.
D. The performance criteria in this Section IV have been established on the
basis of WICOR remaining an independent, publicly-traded corporation. Pursuant
to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 27, 1999 and amended as
of September 9, 1999, WICOR will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wisconsin
Energy Corporation and no longer will be an independent, publicly-traded
corporation. It is contemplated that the merger will close in the Spring of
2000. If the merger closes in 2000, the ways in which various WICOR business
functions are integrated into Wisconsin Energy in 2000 may make it necessary or
appropriate to change one or more of the performance criteria on which awards
under the Plan will be based. The Board of Directors reserves the right to
make such changes at any time before December 31, 2000.
V. Performance
-----------
Company performance goals will be for the 2000 calendar year.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 4
VI. Treatment of Acquisitions and Investments
-----------------------------------------
A. Acquisitions
The capitalized value (NOPAT/Target's Cost of Capital) of the acquired entity's
last full year's NOPAT will be added to the capital base of the acquiring
business unit in the month of acquisition. The acquisition premium (defined as
the excess of the purchase price over the capitalized value ) will be
incorporated into the capital base at a rate of 20% per year starting at the
beginning of the first calendar year after the acquisition.
B. Investments
The entire value of investments of an operating nature (capital expenditures)
will be added to the capital base. However, investments of a significant
dollar amount, whose project life extends beyond ten years, will be reviewed by
management for potential adjustments to the capital base (similar to the
treatment for acquisitions).
VII. Form and Timing of Award Payments
---------------------------------
A. Awards will be determined and paid as soon as practicable after the
close of the Plan year.
B. At each participant's discretion and with the concurrence of the
Compensation committee of WICOR, Inc., awards may be paid in one of two ways:
1. Lump sum.
2. Partly in lump sum and the remainder in deferred payments.
C. The Company offers a deferred payment option as part of the WICOR, Inc.
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan to those officers who prefer not to
receive their awards in current cash. Deferral elections must be made in
accordance with the provisions of the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan.
D. Additionally, if performance significantly exceeds the maximum standard
established, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to provide an
incentive payout in excess of the maximum allowable payout. However, any
exceptional performance which qualifies for this award, must be a direct result
of management efforts and not due to external factors beyond management's
control. Any awards in excess of the maximum payout opportunity would be paid
in WICOR restricted stock which would vest ratably over five years. However, if
a participant terminates employment due to death, retirement, or disability,
any prior restricted stock awards made under this provision would become
immediately vested.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 5
E. In the event the company's overall ROC is negatively impacted by the
inclusion of a newly acquired company's results, the compensation committee has
the discretion to make a supplemental incentive payment. The supplemental
payment will be considered if the acquired company is meeting the financial
projections established at the time of the acquisition and the officers of the
acquiring entity would have otherwise received a higher incentive payment had
it not been for the inclusion of the acquired entity's results. The purpose of
this supplemental incentive provision is to motivate officers to invest in
value building projects. The duration of the supplemental incentive period
will be no more than three years.
VIII. Implementation
--------------
A. The effective date of the Plan is January 1, 2000.
IX. Plan Administration
-------------------
A. Compensation Committee
1. The Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors of WICOR, Inc.
2. The Committee's administration is subject to approval of the Board of
Directors of WICOR, Inc.
3. The decisions of the Board are final and binding on all Plan
participants.
4. The Board retains the right to terminate or amend the Plan as it may
deem advisable.
B. Partial Year Participation
1. Participants must be employed by the Company on the last day of the
Plan year in order to receive a bonus for that year. However, once earned, a
bonus will be paid to a participant regardless of whether he/she is employed by
the company on the date payment is made.
2. Awards for part year participants will be pro-rated based on the
proportion of the year that the participant was in the Plan. This includes
participants who terminate employment due to death, disability or retirement
3. Participants who terminate employment with the Company prior to the
last day of the plan year shall forfeit all rights to an incentive award
payment under the Plan except for terminations due to death, retirement or
disability.
4. A participant is deemed to be disabled if he/she becomes eligible for
benefits under the Company's Long Term Disability Plan.
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 6
Appendix 1
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Sta-Rite
NOPAT- Net operating profits after tax is calculated as follows:
>> Operating Income Per Financial Statements
>> Plus (minus) the change in specific equity equivalent adjustments:
>> Goodwill amortization
>> increase/(decrease) in LIFO reserve
>> increase/(decrease) in product liability reserve
>> increase/(decrease) in "operating" environmental reserve
>> increase/(decrease) in retiree health benefit liability
>> increase/(decrease) in deferred compensation
>> Book environmental provisions for abandoned facilities
>> Minus cash income tax expense.
Capital- An approximation of the economic book value of all cash invested in
going-concern business activities, capital is essentially a company's net
assets (total assets less non-interest-bearing current liabilities), but with
three adjustments:
1. Marketable securities are subtracted
2. The present value of non-capitalized leases is added to net property,
plant and equipment. (Adjustment determined immaterial for Sta-Rite at this
time. Adjustment will be monitored in the future for potential inclusion
should circumstances change)
3. Certain equity equivalent reserves are added to assets:
>> Cumulative amortization of Goodwill
>> LIFO reserve is added to inventories
>> Bad debt reserve is added to receivables (adjustment not made for Sta-
Rite due to immateriality. Adjustment will be monitored for potential
inclusion should it become material)
Sta-Rite's capital calculation for 2000 is:
>> Current assets (excluding marketable securities, if any)
>> Plus Net property, plant & equipment
>> Plus Goodwill
>> Plus Other assets
>> Plus Equity equivalent reserves:
>> Cumulative goodwill amortization
>> LIFO reserve
>> Minus Non-interest bearing current liabilities (incl. warranty reserve)
Measurement for all capital employed items is determined using a 13 month
rolling average
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 21
WICOR, Inc.
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
State or Country Percent Voting
Subsidiaries of WICOR, Inc. in Which Incorporated Stock Owned
- --------------------------- --------------------- --------------
Wisconsin Gas Company Wisconsin 100%
WICOR Energy Services, Inc. Wisconsin 100%
FieldTech, Inc. Wisconsin 100%
WICOR Industries, Inc. Wisconsin 100%
Subsidiaries of State or Country Percent Voting
WICOR Industries, Inc. in Which Incorporated Stock Owned
- ------------------------------ --------------------- --------------
Sta-Rite Industries, Inc. Wisconsin 100%
SHURflo Pump Manufacturing Co. California 100%
Hypro Corporation Minnesota 100%
WEXCO of Delaware Delaware 100%
WICOR Foreign Sales Corp. Barbados 100%
Subsidiaries of Sta-Rite State or Country Percent Voting
Industries, Inc. in Which Incorporated Stock Owned
- ------------------------ --------------------- --------------
WICOR Canada Company Canada 79%
Sta-Rite de Mexico S.A. de C.V. Mexico 80%
Sta-Rite Industries GmbH Germany 0.95%
Europa
WICOR Industries
(Australia) Pty. Ltd. Australia 100%
Fibredyne, Inc. New Hampshire 100%
Sta-Rite Holdings, B.V. Netherlands 100%
Webster Electric Company, LLC Delaware 100%
Nocchi Pompe S.p.A. Italy 23%
Subsidiaries of WICOR Country in Which Percent Voting
(Australia) Pty. Ltd. Incorporated Stock Owned
- ----------------------------- ---------------------- --------------
Onga Pty. Ltd. Australia 100%
WICOR, Canada Inc. Canada 21%
Subsidiaries of Sta-Rite Country in Which Percent Voting
Holdings, B.V. Incorporated Stock Owned
- ---------------------------- ---------------------- --------------
Sta-Rite Industries Germany 99.05%
GmbH Europa
Onga (New Zealand) Pty. Ltd. New Zealand 100%
Nocchi Pompe S.p.A. Italy 77%
<PAGE>
<PAGE> 2
WICOR, Inc.
Subsidiaries of the Registrant
Subsidiaries of Nocchi Pompe, Country in Which Percent Voting
S.p.A. Incorporated Stock Owned
- ----------------------------- ---------------------- --------------
Nocchi Pompes S.a.r.l. France 100%
Nocchi Pompe Moscow Russia 100%
NOKKI Kazakstan Kazakstan 100%
Subsidiaries of SHURflo Pump Country in Which Percent Voting
Manufacturing Company Incorporated Stock Owned
- ---------------------------- ---------------------- --------------
SHURflo Ltd. United Kingdom 100%
Western Dispensing Technologies, Inc. California 100%
Subsidiaries of Hypro Country in Which Percent Voting
Corporation Incorporated Stock Owned
- ----------------------------- ---------------------- --------------
Edwards Manufacturing, Inc. Oregon 100%
Precision Fitting and Valve, Inc. Minnesota 100%
Lurmark Limited United Kingdom 100%
EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
-----------------------------------------
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation of our reports included in this Form 10-K, into
the Company's previously filed Registration Statements on Form
S-8 (Nos. 2-93964, 2-93963, 2-87076, 2-72454, 33-16489, 33-
36457, 33-43645, 33-67132, 33-67134, 33-55755, 333-13029, 333-
43257 and 333-51735) and Form S-3 (Nos. 33-50682 and 333-27415).
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
March 28, 2000.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> UT
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the WICOR,
Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements and the related footnotes.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1999
<BOOK-VALUE> PER-BOOK
<TOTAL-NET-UTILITY-PLANT> 387,616
<OTHER-PROPERTY-AND-INVEST> 75,452
<TOTAL-CURRENT-ASSETS> 386,581
<TOTAL-DEFERRED-CHARGES> 240,274
<OTHER-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,089,923
<COMMON> 37,819
<CAPITAL-SURPLUS-PAID-IN> 225,638
<RETAINED-EARNINGS> 181,376
<TOTAL-COMMON-STOCKHOLDERS-EQ> 433,666
0
0
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-NET> 205,444
<SHORT-TERM-NOTES> 9,923
<LONG-TERM-NOTES-PAYABLE> 160,000
<COMMERCIAL-PAPER-OBLIGATIONS> 100,934
<LONG-TERM-DEBT-CURRENT-PORT> 11,017
0
<CAPITAL-LEASE-OBLIGATIONS> 0
<LEASES-CURRENT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-CAPITAL-AND-LIAB> 328,939
<TOT-CAPITALIZATION-AND-LIAB> 1,089,923
<GROSS-OPERATING-REVENUE> 1,010,113
<INCOME-TAX-EXPENSE> 33,977
<OTHER-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 904,159
<TOTAL-OPERATING-EXPENSES> 938,136
<OPERATING-INCOME-LOSS> 71,977
<OTHER-INCOME-NET> (1,589)
<INCOME-BEFORE-INTEREST-EXPEN> 70,388
<TOTAL-INTEREST-EXPENSE> 16,555
<NET-INCOME> 53,833
0
<EARNINGS-AVAILABLE-FOR-COMM> 53,833
<COMMON-STOCK-DIVIDENDS> 33,394
<TOTAL-INTEREST-ON-BONDS> 639
<CASH-FLOW-OPERATIONS> 94,798
<EPS-BASIC> 1.43
<EPS-DILUTED> 1.42
</TABLE>
