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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended Commission File Number
September 30, 1998 0-15045
BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
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(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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<S> <C>
Delaware 43-1416730
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
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<S> <C>
8800 East 63rd Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64133
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
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Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (816) 356-8400
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Name of Each Exchange
Title of each class on Which Registered
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None - - - - -
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share
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(Title of class)
Indicate by checkmark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days:
Yes X No
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Indicate by checkmark 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
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As of December 1, 1998, the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's
Common Stock was 7,156,426 shares.
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The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates* of the
Registrant's Common Stock was $88,659,480, computed by reference to the closing
price of $14.00 as reported to Registrant at which such stock was quoted by the
NASDAQ National Market on December 1, 1998.
The Registrant's definitive proxy statement for the annual meeting of
stockholders to be held on February 23, 1999 (which will be filed within 120
days after the end of the fiscal year covered by the Form 10-K) is incorporated
to Part III, items 10, 11, 12 and 13, by reference.
*Excludes value of shares held by present officers, directors and principal
stockholders of the Registrant. The determination of "affiliate" status for
purposes of this Annual Report on Form 10-K shall not be deemed a determination
as to whether a person is an affiliate of the Registrant for any other purpose.
The statements contained in this Report on Form 10-K that are not purely
historical are forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21 E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, including statements regarding the Company's expectations, hopes,
intentions or strategies regarding the future. Forward-looking statements are
included in the "Factors Affecting Earnings and Stock Price" section,
"Management's Discussion and Analysis," and may be included in other sections
throughout the report. The statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
historical results or those anticipated. The words "should," "believe,"
"anticipate," "expect," "see," and other expressions that indicate future events
and trends identify forward-looking statements. Actual future results and trends
may differ materially from historical results or those anticipated depending on
a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the performance of newly
established domestic and international operations, demand and price for the
Company's products and services, and other factors. Certain of these factors are
discussed throughout this report on Form 10-K.
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PART I
ITEM 1 - BUSINESS
BHA Group Holdings, Inc. (together with its domestic and international
subsidiaries, the "Company" or "BHA") is a global filtration company. Its
principal business is the design, manufacture and sale of replacement parts and
the performance of rehabilitation conversion services for the types of
industrial air pollution control ("APC") equipment known as "baghouses",
"cartridge collectors" and "electrostatic precipitators". This equipment is used
to eliminate particulate from the air by passing particulate laden gases through
fabric filters or filter bags, in the case of baghouses, pleated media filter
elements, in the case of cartridge collectors and between electrically charged
collector plates, in the case of electrostatic precipitators. The Company's
business also includes the maintenance, conversion and rebuilding of this
equipment through a network of employees and independent contractors. The
Company's products and services are marketed throughout North America, South
America, Europe, the Near East, the Pacific Rim and China. While definitive
industry statistics are not available, based upon Dun & Bradstreet reports and
other financial information available to it, the Company believes it is a leader
in worldwide sales of air pollution control replacement parts and services.
The Company has also established BHA Technologies, Inc. ("BHA Technologies") as
a wholly-owned subsidiary that supplies expanded polytetrafluoroethylene
("ePTFE") membrane products for use in its APC product lines. Through BHA
Technologies, the Company plans to supply ePTFE membrane products to a new base
of customers for use outside of air pollution control.
DOMESTIC BUSINESS AND CORPORATE STRUCTURE
The following outlines a chronology relating to the establishment of the
Company's various domestic business units. The Company's international business
units are described below in the section entitled "International Business."
The Company was organized as an unincorporated division of Standard Havens, Inc.
("Standard Havens") in 1975 and was incorporated in Delaware as a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Standard Havens in 1986. The Company became publicly-owned when it
completed its initial public offering of common stock in November 1986. Net
proceeds from this public offering amounted to approximately $3.6 million, which
was applied to outstanding bank debt. The Company completed a second public
offering of common stock in February 1989. Net proceeds from that public
offering (approximately $8.3 million) were used for working capital purposes and
to finance several acquisitions. In 1996, the shareholders approved an increase
in common stock authorized from 10 million to 20 million shares.
In April 1989, the Company formed PrecipTech, Inc. ("PrecipTech"), a Delaware
corporation, as a wholly-owned subsidiary. PrecipTech, which had previously been
a division of BHA, was formed for the purpose of conducting and expanding the
Company's business as it relates to replacement parts, accessories and services
for electrostatic precipitators.
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During 1989, BHA and PrecipTech completed several acquisitions in efforts to
expand their product lines and services. In June 1989, BHA acquired the business
of developing and manufacturing acoustic horns for use in both baghouses and
electrostatic precipitators from Saracco Acoustic Sciences Corporation.
PrecipTech completed three acquisitions of privately held companies or their
operating assets. In April 1989, PrecipTech acquired ESP Specialties, Inc., a
company that manufactured and sold replacement parts for electrostatic
precipitators. In July 1989, PrecipTech acquired Kinetic Controls, Inc., a
company that manufactured and sold automatic voltage controllers for
electrostatic precipitators. And in October 1989, PrecipTech acquired Midwest
Power Corporation, a company that also manufactured and sold replacement parts
and accessories and provided services for electrostatic precipitators.
During 1994, the Company established BHA Technologies as a Delaware Corporation.
This wholly-owned subsidiary was formed for the purpose of developing ePTFE
membranes. BHA Technologies successfully developed its own ePTFE membrane, which
it manufactures and markets for various applications both within and outside the
Company's traditional air pollution control equipment markets. In the air
pollution control market, ePTFE membrane is laminated to a fabric substrate,
which is then converted into a replacement filter and marketed under the trade
name BHA-TEX'r'. The benefits of this product line to the customer include
improved collection efficiency, increased throughput and lower operating costs.
The ePTFE membranes are widely used outside of air pollution control
applications. These applications include, but are not limited to, wet
filtration, industrial, electrical insulation, medical and apparel. Some of the
products and processes in these applications are currently under patent
protection. In addition to supplying the Company's air pollution control
businesses with ePTFE membranes for use on filter elements, BHA Technologies
will evaluate the market niches and product opportunities available to pursue
and develop custom products and services to meet the needs of this new base of
customers.
In November 1996, the Board of Directors approved certain changes to the
Company's corporate structure. The Board determined that servicing the customers
of its corporate business through one company, instead of through various
subsidiaries, would yield the greatest sales, marketing and operational
efficiencies. To achieve this objective, three wholly-owned subsidiaries of the
Company that were involved in various air pollution control businesses were
merged into PrecipTech to form one company. On February 18, 1997, the
shareholders of the Company approved an amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company to change PrecipTech's name to BHA Group, Inc. and
the Company's name to BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
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The company has been doing business internationally since 1982 and has expanded
its presence throughout the world as seen in the chart below:
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Date Company Name Location
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September 1982 BHA Group GmbH (1) Ahlen, Germany
June 1994 BHA Liaison Office (2) Bombay, India
August 1994 BHA Group AG (1) Klus/Balsthal, Switzerland
October 1995 BHA Group Int'l., Inc. - Taiwan Branch (3) Taipei, Taiwan
March 1997 BHA Group, Inc. Representative Office (4) Manila, Philippines
March 1997 BHA Environmental Technology Co. Ltd. (1) Shanghai, China
April 1997 BHA Group International Pvt. Ltd. (1) Pune, India
August 1997 BHA U.K. Limited (1) Birmingham, United Kingdom
November 1997 BHA Purfilter S.L. (1) Barcelona, Spain
March 1998 BHA Technologies AG (1) Klus/Balsthal, Switzerland
May 1998 Industrias Filtrantes Purfilter C.A. (1) Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela
August 1998 BHA Group International Holdings B.V. (1) Amsterdam, Netherlands
November 1998 BHA do Brazil Ltda. (1) Sao Paulo, Brazil
December 1998 BHA Group Philippines, Inc. (1) Manila, Philippines
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1) Wholly-owned subsidiary of BHA Group Holdings, Inc. or one of its
subsidiaries
2) Incorporated in April 1997 as wholly-owned subsidiary
3) Branch office closed in January 1998 and operations consolidated in the
Philippines to form the Asia-Pacific regional office
4) Incorporated in December 1998 as wholly-owned subsidiary
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESSES
The Company sells products and services in several geographical areas.
Operations of the domestic business are based in the United States (U.S.). The
domestic business provides products and services to the U.S. markets and exports
to Canada, Latin America, the Near East, the Pacific Rim and China. The foreign
business operations manufacture and sell products and services in Europe and
surrounding regions. The financial data for the Company's domestic and foreign
businesses is disclosed in note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.
EUROPE
BHA GROUP GMBH
BHA Group GmbH ("GmbH"), formerly Filtra GmbH, is a German corporation that
operates as an air pollution control replacement parts manufacturer and
marketer. GmbH manufactures the air pollution control replacement parts in
Ahlen, Germany and sells the products throughout Europe, the Middle East, and
Northern Africa.
BHA GROUP AG
BHA Group AG, formerly SF Air Filtration AG, is a Swiss corporation that designs
and produces high efficiency replacement cartridge filter elements. This
wholly-owned subsidiary manufactures the pleated media filter elements in
Klus/Balsthal, Switzerland and sells these products throughout Europe.
BHA UK LIMITED
BHA UK Limited sells industrial air pollution control parts and services to
customers throughout the United Kingdom and supports product sales from the
manufacturers in Germany and Switzerland helping the Company to expand its
presence in Europe.
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BHA PURFILTER S.L.
BHA Purfilter S.L. ("Purfilter") is a Spanish corporation that manufactures
replacement filters for industrial air pollution equipment. Purfilter
manufactures air pollution control replacement parts in Barcelona, Spain and
provides the Company with a distribution presence in Southern Europe. Purfilter
sells these products throughout Spain and surrounding countries.
BHA TECHNOLOGIES AG
BHA Technologies AG, a Swiss corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BHA
Technologies, Inc. that markets ePTFE membrane products for a wide variety of
applications both within and outside of the air pollution control industry. BHA
Technologies AG sells ePTFE membrane products throughout Europe.
BHA GROUP INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS B.V.
BHA Group International Holdings B.V. is a holding corporation for the Company's
international businesses. It is based in the Netherlands, which maintains an
extensive tax treaty network throughout the world.
LATIN AMERICA
INDUSTRIAS FILTRANTES PURFILTER C.A.
Industrias Filtrantes Purfilter C.A. ("Purfilter C.A.), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Purfilter, is a Venezuelan corporation that manufactures
replacement filters for industrial air pollution equipment. Purfilter C.A.
currently manufactures the air pollution control equipment in Puerto Ordaz,
Venezuela. Purfilter C.A. sells these products to surrounding countries of Latin
America.
BHA DO BRAZIL LTDA.
BHA do Brazil Ltda. ("BHA Brazil") is a Brazilian corporation that warehouses
and markets industrial air pollution control parts and services. BHA Brazil
stores the air pollution control parts in Sao Paulo, Brazil and sells them to
customers in Brazil and surrounding countries.
ASIA
BHA GROUP, INC. REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE
BHA Group, Inc. Representative Office ("BHA Philippines") operates as a
representative office located in Manila, Philippines to support the export sales
from the United States to Asia and surrounding regions. In December 1998, BHA
Philippines was incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BHA Group, Inc. as
BHA Group Philippines, Inc. The office continues to provide sales support for
U.S. exports to customers throughout the Asia-Pacific region and Australia.
BHA ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, LTD.
BHA Environmental Technology Company, Ltd. ("BHA China") is a corporation
established in the People's Republic of China. BHA China assembles and sells APC
products and provides after-sale services and relevant technical support to
customers throughout China and surrounding regions.
BHA GROUP INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE LIMITED
BHA Group International Private Limited ("BHA India") is an Indian corporation
that provides sales and service assistance to customers in India including
support for exported product sales from the Company's manufacturing units in the
United States. BHA India also develops software for use in the Company's
electronic product lines that are sold throughout the world.
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FACTORS AFFECTING EARNINGS AND STOCK PRICE
COMPETITION - Based upon Dun & Bradstreet reports and other publicly available
financial information, the Company believes that it is a global leader in the
APC equipment aftermarket. Regional offices have been established in China, the
Philippines, Brazil, Venezuela and India. As a result of this movement into the
international market, the Company is facing increased competition from
competitors in those specific markets, as well as existing competitors from the
U.S. and Europe. Several of the Company's competitors are, or are part of, large
integrated companies, which have much greater resources than the Company. The
competition also includes several dozen small to mid-size filter bag
manufacturers that compete in local and regional geographic markets. Generally,
original equipment manufacturers in the U.S. have not effectively competed in
the aftermarket for baghouses, but have been a significant factor in the
aftermarket for electrostatic precipitators. The domestic utility market for
electrostatic precipitators has been competitive, as this industry has been
restructuring in response to deregulation. Over the last several years,
competition has had a negative impact on the profitability of orders executed
within this industry group. This overall slowdown has increased competition for
industrial replacement parts and services. The Company's domestic electrostatic
precipitator replacement parts and services business had declined from $35
million in fiscal 1994 to $21 million in fiscal 1997. During 1998, this business
rebounded and sales increased to $26 million. Although encouraged by the 1998
results, the Company believes that a downturn could have a material adverse
effect on its business. Outside of the U.S., it is important to note that
electrostatic precipitators are currently more prevalent than baghouses for use
in air pollution control systems. The Company continues to position itself for
additional growth in the international marketplace.
ASIA - During 1997, the Asian region was hit with an economic crisis. Prior to
the crisis, BHA had established a sales, marketing, and technical support
infrastructure in anticipation of continued economic expansion in the region.
Fiscal 1998 sales of $6 million fell short of the target established prior to
the economic crisis, and as a result, the Company lost approximately $.10 in
earnings per share compared to a smaller profit during 1997. The Company
believes that maintaining a meaningful presence in Asia until business
conditions improve is an important part of its long-term growth strategy. For
fiscal 1999, the Company expects to reduce somewhat its losses in Asia by
maintaining sales at the 1998 level while reducing expenses in certain markets.
Any further deterioration in these markets, which results in a decrease in
sales from the 1998 level, could have a material, adverse effect on the
Company's fiscal 1999 operating results.
LATIN AMERICA - The markets of Latin America have provided the Company with
solid growth over the last several years. Media published reports indicate that
the Asian economic crisis may spread to certain countries in Latin America,
which could negatively impact the region. BHA's current selling efforts are to
customers with either strong export potential from their markets or which
operate in profitable niches of their economies. BHA believes that these
customers would not be as greatly impacted by a widespread deterioration of the
region. To date, customer interest in BHA's products and services remains
strong. Failure of the Company to successfully execute its strategy could have a
material adverse effect on its fiscal 1999 operating results.
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BHA TECHNOLOGIES - Through BHA Technologies, the Company has established a
business to supply ePTFE membrane products for use in applications outside of
air pollution control. During fiscal 1998, BHA Technologies invested in plant
and capital equipment and established a selling and product development
infrastructure necessary to meet the anticipated demands of these new potential
markets. During fiscal 1998, sales to customers of ePTFE membrane products for
use in applications outside of air pollution control fell short of target, which
resulted in a fiscal 1998 net loss of approximately $.05 per share. For fiscal
1999, the Company is targeting a loss similar to fiscal 1998 despite higher sale
volume due to higher manufacturing, selling, and product development costs.
Factors affecting BHA Technologies' ability to achieve its 1999 sales and
earnings targets include product development issues, customer order timelines,
and production schedules. Increased competition could also impact the fiscal
1999 plan. Although the Company believes that it has the resources and programs
in place to meet its 1999 targets, failure to do so could have a material
adverse impact on the fiscal 1999 operating results of the Company.
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
The Company believes it has the broadest product line in the air pollution
control equipment aftermarket. This, combined with its proprietary telemarketing
system, enables it to respond promptly to customer requests, thus providing it
with a competitive advantage.
The Company manufactures and sells a wide variety of filter bags, replacement
parts and accessories for the industrial air pollution control equipment
aftermarket. Filter bags are manufactured by the Company from fabric purchased
in bulk from fabric manufacturers. The Company manufactures industry standard
bags, as well as bags for customer specific applications. Most filter bags are
produced from fiberglass, polyester, aramid, acrylic, and polypropylene fabrics.
A market shift towards higher efficiency filtration has led to increased usage
of filters that have ePTFE membrane applied to the fabric and other more
specialized materials. The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, BHA Technologies,
manufactures the expanded PTFE membrane (BHA-TEX'r') used on its filter bags and
elements. The Company is one of the few filter bag suppliers that manufactures
its own PTFE membrane (see "Business"), which it believes provides it a
competitive advantage as it is able to control availability, raw material costs,
quality and product development. Baghouse replacement parts include support
cages for the filter bags, clamps, spring tensioning systems, continuous
particulate monitoring systems and gaskets. Electrostatic precipitator
replacement parts include collecting plates, wires, discharge electrodes,
transformer/rectifiers, rappers and electronic controls.
In addition to standard replacement parts, the Company continues to aggressively
introduce new products and accessories that enhance the performance of a dust
collection system. These new products include continued enhancements to the
Company's electrical products for both baghouses and precipitators and the
introduction of pleated media filter elements and evaporative gas cooling
product lines. Product profitability varies considerably over different product
groups, with standard products typically providing a lower profit margin than
replacement parts and accessories.
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The Company's business also includes the maintenance, conversion and rebuilding
of industrial air pollution control equipment through a network of independent
contractors and its own service crews. A comprehensive safety program enables
both the Company and customer to control costs from a risk management
perspective. Conversion and rebuilding services involve retrofitting a partial
or entire baghouse or electrostatic precipitator to restore it to original
operating parameters or improve overall performance. BHA is capable of supplying
a variety of other services specifically fitted to its customers' requirements,
including preventive maintenance, system/equipment analysis, inspections,
supervision of customer personnel and training. Information gathered during
preventive maintenance, analysis and inspections is stored in the Company's
database for future reference, and thus is a valuable source of important
customer information. In addition, knowledge gained in solving one customer's
problems is stored in the Company's database and made available on-line to the
Company's salespeople to permit them to respond promptly to similar problems
encountered by other customers. BHA believes it is one of the world leaders in
providing these services.
CUSTOMER BASE
The Company's APC customer base is diverse both industrially and geographically,
and includes customers in virtually all sectors of the industrial economy.
International markets include Canada, Europe, Latin America, the Near East, the
Pacific Rim and China. The Company's products and services are used in major
industrial environments such as cement kilns, asphalt plants, steel and iron
foundries, aluminum and copper smelters, rock and gypsum dryers, chemical
plants, grain and food processing plants, refuse to energy plants, waste and
hazardous waste incinerators and electric utilities, as well as many other
areas.
The vast majority of the Company's baghouse sales represent small transactions
with numerous customers. Precipitator replacement parts sales frequently
accompany conversion or rebuild services. No customer accounted for more than
10% of the Company's annual sales during any of its last three fiscal years. The
Company does not believe that it is dependent upon any single customer or group
of customers and has no unusual geographical or industry concentrations of
business or credit risk.
SALES AND MARKETING
One of the Company's principal competitive APC advantages is its proprietary
telesales system, the core of which is a computer database containing detailed
information on over 120,000 pieces of pollution control equipment (baghouses and
electrostatic precipitators) at over 30,000 plant locations. Because of the
large number of different original equipment manufacturers and varying
maintenance procedures, many pieces of customer equipment have unique features.
Included in the Company's database is information on the location of the
equipment; a phone contact for the individuals responsible for maintaining the
equipment; the type of equipment (by manufacturer, design and unique
attributes); when it was installed; what fabric, size and design filter bags are
used; when the bags were last serviced; additional accessories that were
installed; application and temperature requirements; as well as other detailed
pieces of useful information about the equipment and the customer. This
information has been gathered since the Company was established in 1975, and is
continually updated following customer calls, site inspections and maintenance
jobs.
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The ongoing population of the customer database is an important part of the
Company's sales strategy. In recent years, a substantial portion of the growth
in the customer database relates to the international marketplace and segments
of the U.S. market where the Company's newer products have application.
The Company keeps information in a central computer database that is accessed
on-line by its telesales representatives. The computer tracks customer calls and
pending orders, which helps make efficient use of the representative's time.
Each day, a list of the most important customer calls is provided to the
representative. This list includes contracts and orders in negotiation, as well
as reminders for calls to customers that have not been serviced for some time.
Once an order is taken, the information is routed to the operations area that
uses the computer to generate invoices and contracts. Invoice and technical data
about the filter bags, cages, precipitator replacement parts and accessories is
sent via computer connection to the Company's manufacturing facilities. There
the bags are sewn, the support cages and precipitator replacement parts are
manufactured, and the accessories are consolidated for shipment. The order is
packaged and sent to the customer according to a priority schedule.
Each telesales representative is furnished with data to evaluate their
performance and enable them to focus on high opportunity sales calls. Historical
sales data is made available to each telesales representative showing (i)
performance by the month and year toward targeted goals (broken down by product
category) sales volume and profit margin, (ii) the sales history for each
customer, as well as the sales potential for such customer, and (iii) a summary
of each contact with each customer and its results, including notes of any
useful information for further contacts. The Company believes that the system
provides effective feedback to telesales personnel to meet their sales goals.
In addition to its use on a customer-by-customer basis, the Company's telesales
system and database is used to develop industry statistics and analyze market
trends. Information is also extracted for marketing and advertising campaigns
and new product evaluations.
GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION
Many of the Company's customers worldwide are required to meet air quality
standards established and promulgated by permitting authorities. The Company's
products and services can help customers meet these standards by improving the
operation and efficiency of their air filtration systems. Companies in the U.S.
are required to meet national primary and secondary ambient air quality
standards for specific pollutants, including particulate matter ("PM"), which
have been promulgated under the Clean Air Act (the "Act"), as amended. The
states have primary responsibility for implementing these standards, and in some
cases, have adopted standards that are more stringent than those adopted by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") under the Act.
Several important standards have been developed under sections of the Act.
Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Standards are emissions limitations
for specifically listed toxic pollutants based on the best demonstrated control
technology or practices. The EPA is also promulgating regulations to implement
compliance assurance monitoring (CAM) for major stationary sources of air
pollution that are required to obtain operating permits under title V of the
Act. Although some MACT/CAM standards have already been finalized, a majority of
the standards are expected to be completed during 1999 and 2000, each with a
three-year compliance period from the date finalized. Another important
development is the PM 2.5 monitoring regulations that establish standards and
methods to monitor ambient air for extremely fine particulate matter with an
aerodynamic diameter equal to or less than 2.5 micron.
All of these regulations involve proper filtering of particulate generated by
industry and proper monitoring of emissions. The industries most likely to be
impacted by the changing air quality standards are the utility, automotive,
chemical, petroleum, rock dust, and metals industries. Increasingly strict
enforcement of these regulations have required industry to become more aware and
proactive in regards to their manufacturing process and especially their air
filtration and emissions monitoring systems, which may have a positive impact on
the Company.
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Other U.S. legislation that may have a positive impact on the Company include
the passage of Transportation Equity Act (TEA-21), the six-year, $216 billion
transportation spending plan which became law in June 1998. This legislation
provides federal support for state and local highways, bridges, and other
infrastructure-related projects. Construction-related industries such as cement,
steel, and asphalt are expected to see a rise in demand for their products, as
state and local governments begin spending allocated funds from TEA-21. To meet
this demand, many firms may seek to increase overall production levels by
improving the performance of their air filtration systems (which can be a major
limiting factor for output). Although the Company is not directly impacted by
TEA-21, this legislation could result in an increased demand for the Company's
products and services, and may provide long-term growth potential.
The Company is not subject to direct environmental protection regulations with
respect to the manufacture or sale of its products other than regulations
applicable to manufacturers generally. The Company is not aware of any likely
statutory changes that may have a negative impact on its business.
BACKLOG
On September 30, 1998, the backlog of orders for replacement parts and
industrial services was $51,517,000 compared to $40,806,000 at September 30,
1997 and $40,908,000 at September 30, 1996. The Company believes that more than
75% of its backlog is shippable by September 30, 1999.
EMPLOYEES
As of September 30, 1998, the Company employed approximately 1,025 persons.
Approximately 30 production personnel in Germany are covered by a textile union
contract that is negotiated annually. The Company restricts access to its
database and customarily requires its employees having access to proprietary
systems and information to execute confidentiality agreements and covenants not
to compete. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are good.
PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
The Company owns patents, trademarks, and proprietary information and has
pending applications for patent, trademarks, and copyrights for parts,
accessories, and training materials for industrial air pollution control
equipment and non-air pollution control markets. The Company considers such
patents, trademarks, and proprietary information and applications for patents,
trademarks, and copyrights to be important. The business of the Company;
however, is not dependent on such patents, trademarks, and proprietary
information. Patents owned by the Company are enforceable from 1999 through
2016.
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ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
The Company owns the facility in Kansas City, Missouri, which serves as its
Corporate Headquarters (approximately 66,000 square feet).
The table below provides certain information with respects to the domestic and
foreign properties owned and leased by the company.
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Location Use Owned/Leased Square Feet
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Kansas City, Missouri Corporate Headquarters Owned 66,000
Lee's Summit, Missouri (7) Production Owned 37,500
Slater, Missouri (1) Production Owned 170,000
Slater, Missouri (7) Production Owned 28,000
Slater, Missouri (1) Warehouse Owned 10,000
Slater, Missouri (2) Leased to Supplier Owned 54,000
Salisbury, Missouri (1) Production Owned 20,000
Salisbury, Missouri (1) Production Owned 65,000
Folkston, Georgia (3) Production Owned 105,000
Newport News, Virginia (4) Production Leased 21,000
Baltimore, Maryland (5) Warehouse Leased 3,500
Covington, Kentucky (5) Warehouse Leased 5,000
St. Louis, Missouri (5) Warehouse Leased 4,300
Germany (1) Production Owned 30,000
Switzerland (1) Production Leased 20,000
Philippines (6) Office Space Leased 1,000
China (6) Office Space Leased 17,000
India (6) Office Space Leased 5,000
Brazil (6) Warehouse Leased 5,100
Spain (1) Production Leased 25,000
Venezuela (1) Production Leased 12,000
</TABLE>
1) Operations include the manufacture of traditional and pleated filter
elements, spot welding of metal cages, and warehouse and assembly
operations
2) Leased to a raw material supplier of the Company
3) Operations include the manufacture of parts and accessories for
electrostatic precipitators
4) Operations include the manufacture and assembly of computer based voltage
control systems for electrostatic precipitators
5) Warehouse and office space for the Company's field service crews
6) Warehouse and office space for sales and service support in certain
international markets
7) Operations include the manufacture of ePTFE membranes
The facilities and office space owned and leased by the Company are considered
adequate for its present needs and suitable for any foreseeable expansion
ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is involved in no material legal proceedings other than ordinary
litigation incidental to the Company's business.
ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted during the fourth quarter of fiscal year ended
September 30, 1998 to a vote of security holders through the solicitation of
proxies or otherwise.
-12-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
PART II
ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER
MATTERS
The Company's common stock is traded in the over-the-counter market and quoted
under the symbol "BHAG" on the NASDAQ National Market ("NASDAQ").
The information set forth in response to Item 201 of Regulation S-K is included
in this Form 10-K in Part II Item 8, Financial Statement, and Supplementary Data
as Note 8, Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) ("Note 8"), and is incorporated
by reference in partial response to this Item 5. The prices set forth in Note 8
do not include commissions and do not necessarily represent actual transactions.
The closing price of the Company's common stock on the NASDAQ on September 30,
1998 was $11.75.
HOLDERS
As of December 1, 1998, there were 8,686,723 shares issued and 1,530,297 shares
in treasury. At December 1, 1998, the Company had 7,156,426 shares outstanding
that were owned by approximately 1,550 beneficial owners.
DIVIDENDS
During the years ended September 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, the Company declared
and paid quarterly dividends aggregating $.12 per share to shareholders
(excluding the consideration of stock dividends). The Company's Board of
Directors ("Board of Directors") has since declared a dividend of $.03 per
share, payable on December 1, 1998, to shareholders of record on November 23,
1998.
The Company does not have a formal policy for paying cash dividends on its
stock. Future determinations concerning dividends will be made, at the
discretion of the Board of Directors, based upon the Company's earnings, its
capital requirements, its financial condition, restrictions placed against
payment of dividends under any financing agreements and such other factors as
the Board of Directors, at its discretion, may from time to time deem relevant.
Additionally, the Company's Board of Directors declared a 10% stock dividend,
payable June 11, 1998 to shareholders of record on May 26, 1998. Under the
dividend, shareholders were issued .10 share of common stock for each share of
common stock held as of the record date. A 10% stock dividend was declared also
and paid in fiscal 1996 and 1997. Future determinations concerning stock
dividends will be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
The company has not sold any equity securities during the report period that
were not registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended.
-13-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
TREASURY STOCK
During the period June 1994 through November 1995, the Company's Board of
Directors authorized it to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of
BHA Common Stock. The Board has since increased the number of shares authorized
for repurchase to 2,000,000. Since the program's inception in June 1994, the
Company has repurchased approximately 1.3 million shares of its common stock.
-14-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 6 - SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data set forth in the table below have been
derived from the consolidated financial statements and related notes of the
Company and notes thereto. The consolidated statements of earnings for the years
ended September 30, 1996, 1997 and 1998, and the consolidated balance sheets as
of September 30, 1997 and 1998, are derived from the consolidated financial
statements of the Company and the related notes thereto, which have been audited
by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent auditors and which are included in Item 8
in this Form 10-K. This data should be read in conjunction with and is qualified
by reference to, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" included in Item 7 in this Form 10-K and the
Company's audited consolidated financial statements, including the related notes
and the independent auditors report thereon and the other financial information
included in Item 8 in this Form 10-K.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended September 30,
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
(In Thousands, Except per Share Data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Selected Income Statement Data
Net Sales $100,915 $114,723 $121,308 $130,599 $142,432
Gross Margin 25,270 31,206 34,817 40,786 44,033
Operating Expense 17,743 21,235 24,048 28,196 31,853
Interest Expense/(Income)-Net (47) 367 732 1,009 1,423
Earnings Before Income Taxes 7,574 9,604 10,037 11,581 10,757
Net Earnings $ 4,809 $ 5,954 $ 6,707 $ 8,101 $ 7,332
Basic Earnings per Share* $ .57 $ .79 $ .92 $ 1.12 $ 1.02
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding--Basic* 8,405 7,547 7,275 7,226 7,171
Diluted Earnings per Share* $ .56 $ .77 $ .90 $ 1.06 $ .97
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding--Diluted* 8,499 7,711 7,426 7,676 7,552
Selected Balance Sheet Data
Working Capital $ 24,721 $ 24,887 $ 28,451 $ 32,132 $ 42,223
Total Assets 62,751 71,789 76,035 87,605 107,574
Short-Term Debt Including Current Portion of
Long-Term Debt 56 757 595 62 3,988
Long-Term Debt (Less Current Portion) 351 9,899 8,244 12,415 23,029
Shareholders' Equity 48,863 46,440 51,696 56,918 61,953
Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share* $ .09 $ .09 $ .10 $ .11 $ .12
</TABLE>
*Per share data and weighted average common and common equivalent shares
outstanding information for all periods presented have been adjusted to reflect
the 10% stock dividends in 1998, 1997 and 1996.
-15-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
FISCAL 1998 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1997
Consolidated net sales for BHA during the year ended September 30, 1998 ("fiscal
year 1998") were $142.4 million compared to $130.6 million during the year ended
September 30, 1997 ("fiscal year 1997"), a 9% improvement. "Domestic" sales for
the purpose of this "Management's Discussion and Analysis" are those to
customers in the U.S. and Canada. The overall change included a 26% increase in
domestic sales of electrostatic precipitator replacement parts and services. The
improvement in sales to $26.4 million was due to an increase in major project
work in both the electric utility and industrial markets. Domestic sales of
fabric filter products and services in baghouse applications increased 3% to
$74.1 million during fiscal year 1998 as sales of BHA's fine filtration products
showed continued growth. Fiscal year 1998 sales in Europe were $20.5 million
representing a 25% increase over the prior year. The current year results
included the sales of Purfilter in Spain which was acquired during the current
year. Sales in Europe, exclusive of Purfilter, increased 10% over fiscal year
1997. Fiscal year 1998 export sales from the U.S. were $21.4 million which was
consistent with the prior year.
GROSS MARGIN
Consolidated gross margin as a percentage of sales was 30.9% and 31.2% during
fiscal years 1998 and 1997, respectively. During fiscal year 1998, BHA's
domestic fabric filter business saw an increase in its gross margin percentage
due to a sales mix favoring its fine filtration product lines. The increase was
offset by an overall lower blended gross margin percentage in the rest of its
business caused by the combination of an increase in sales of lower gross margin
domestic electrostatic precipitator replacement parts and services, a decrease
in higher gross margin sales to customers in Asia and a decrease in the
gross margin percentage on sales in Europe.
OPERATING EXPENSE
Selling and advertising expense as a percentage of sales was 12.2% and 11.4% for
fiscal years 1998 and 1997, respectively. The increase during fiscal year 1998
was largely attributable to higher selling expense relating to BHA Technologies'
efforts in pursuing opportunities outside of air pollution control. General and
administrative expense as a percentage of sales was 10.2% in both fiscal years
1998 and 1997.
NET INTEREST EXPENSE
Net interest expense for fiscal years 1998 and 1997 was $1.4 million and $1.0
million, respectively. The increase was attributable to an increase in bank
borrowings during the year to fund acquisitions, capital expenditures and
treasury share repurchase.
INCOME TAXES
The effective income tax rates were 31.8% and 30.1% in fiscal years 1998 and
1997, respectively. The increase was attributable to a decrease in research and
experimentation tax credits earned during the current year as compared to the
prior year.
-16-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
NET EARNINGS
Net earnings were $7.3 million and $8.1 million for fiscal years 1998 and 1997,
respectively. The decrease in net earnings was attributable to a decline in
profits relating to BHA's international air pollution control businesses and
operating losses incurred in BHA Technologies.
OTHER
The U.S. inflation rate grew at a moderate pace during 1998. BHA believes that
its business is not affected by inflation, except to the extent the economy in
general is affected.
FISCAL 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1996
NET SALES
Consolidated net sales during fiscal year 1997 were $130.6 million, which
represented an 8% increase over the year ended September 30, 1996 ("fiscal year
1996"). The increase in overall sales was attributable to a 17% increase to
$71.6 million in BHA's domestic sales of fabric filter products and services for
the APC market. An increase in the sales volume of new products developed for
fine filtration applications contributed to the growth in the domestic business.
International sales of both fabric filter and electrostatic precipitator
products and services increased 10% to $38.0 million during the year. The
increase in international sales was attributable to the higher sales of both
U.S. exports and those originating from BHA's foreign operated businesses. These
sales increases during fiscal year 1997 were offset by lower sales of domestic
electrostatic precipitator replacement parts and services. The 18% decrease in
sales of this business was due to a decrease in the labor portion of project
revenues.
GROSS MARGIN
Consolidated gross margin as a percentage of sales was 31.2% and 28.7% during
fiscal years 1997 and 1996, respectively. The improvement in the consolidated
gross margin percentage was attributable to an increase in international sales
and the successful introduction of newer products for fine filtration
applications in the domestic business. The gross margin percentage for the
domestic electrostatic precipitator business increased during the year due to a
change in the sales mix as more replacement parts were sold compared to services
performed. The gross margin percentage for BHA's operations in Europe were
similar to the prior year.
OPERATING EXPENSES
Selling and advertising expense as a percentage of sales was 11.4% and 10.5% for
fiscal years 1997 and 1996, respectively. The increase was due in part to
expenses associated with establishing BHA's international operations in China
and India. During fiscal year 1997 a sales office was opened in Shanghai, China
and the sales and technical support office in India was moved and expanded. In
addition, higher expenses were incurred to both expand BHA's sales and marketing
efforts in the area of fine filtration products for its traditional base of air
pollution control customers and the new target group of potential ePTFE membrane
customers outside of air pollution control applications. General and
administrative expense as a percentage of sales for 1997 was 10.2% compared to
9.3% in fiscal year 1996. The increase was
-17-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
due in part to higher expenses associated with the enhancement of BHA's
technological capabilities through the purchase of computer and related
equipment.
NET INTEREST EXPENSE
Net interest expense for fiscal years 1997 and 1996 was $1.0 million and
$732,000, respectively. The increase was attributable to $7.5 million in new
borrowings from domestic banks during the year to fund capital expenditures and
to purchase treasury stock.
INCOME TAXES
The effective income tax rates were 30.1% and 33.2% in fiscal years 1997 and
1996, respectively. The decrease was attributable to research and
experimentation tax credits earned and benefits from the increase in BHA's
international business.
NET EARNINGS
Net earnings were $8.1 million and $6.7 million for fiscal years 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The improvement was attributable to higher sales volume and an
increase in gross margin percentage combined with a lower effective income tax
rate.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Net working capital increased from $32.1 million at September 30, 1997 to $42.2
million at September 30, 1998. The current ratio of 3.1 in 1998 remained
consistent with the current ratio in 1997. Cash decreased from $2.6 million to
$193,000 during the year. Cash used in operating activities was $3.9 million
during 1998 while cash provided by operating activities was $10.6 million and
$8.4 million in 1997 and 1996, respectively. The $14.5 million net additional
use in cash from operations was primarily attributable to increases in accounts
receivable and inventories.
Investing activities have resulted in a net use of cash during the past three
years. Capital expenditures were $8.3 million, $10.5 million and $4.2 million in
fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The fiscal year 1998 capital
expenditures included building improvements and equipment to expand the
operations of BHA Technologies and APC business related capital expenditures for
manufacturing and information technology equipment. Investing activities during
fiscal year 1998 included acquisitions in both Spain and Venezuela for which BHA
paid cash of $1.2 million.
During fiscal year 1998, net cash provided by financing activities of $11.3
million included bank borrowings of $14.5 million, which were used to purchase
$1.8 million in treasury stock and to fund BHA's operating requirements and
investing activities. During fiscal year 1997, net cash provided by financing
activities of $270,000 included the proceeds from long-term debt of $7.5 million
which was used to purchase $2.7 million in treasury stock, and repay $2.2
million on lines of credit and $1.7 million of long-term debt. During fiscal
year 1996, net cash used in financing activities of $3.5 million included net
repayments on lines of credit of $1.3 million.
-18-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
At September 30, 1998, BHA had unused domestic bank lines of credit of $13.7
million. In November 1996, BHA borrowed $5 million under a five-year unsecured
term note at a fixed interest rate of 7.02%. Principal and interest payments
begin in November 1998. The proceeds were used to pay down existing variable
interest rate debt. In March 1997, BHA borrowed $2.5 million under a two-year
unsecured term note. The interest rate adjusted to 6.31% during fiscal year
1998. The proceeds were used to purchase the land and building to expand the
operations of BHA Technologies. In July 1997, BHA increased its revolving credit
capacity from $18 million to $23 million. In May 1998, BHA's credit capacity was
increased to $33 million. BHA believes that cash flows from operations and
available credit lines will be sufficient to meet its capital needs for the
foreseeable future.
In October 1998, the Company's foreign subsidiary located in Germany entered
into a credit agreement with a German bank. The credit agreement includes a DEM
5,000,000 (approximately $3,030,000) term loan with a fixed interest rate of
4.75%. The term loan matures in December 2003. The credit agreement also
includes a revolving bank line of credit of DEM 2,500,000 (approximately
$1,515,000) to be used for working capital purposes. This revolving line of
credit bears interest at a variable rate based on the German prime rate. This
revolving line of credit expires in December 2001.
In December 1998, BHA Technologies entered into a sales-leaseback transaction
with the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri for the purpose of issuing Industrial
Development Revenue Bonds ("Bonds") to fund the capital expenditures at the
Lee's Summit manufacturing facility. A combination of tax-exempt and taxable
Bonds were issued with an amount of Bonds not to exceed $25 million in total. As
of December 22, 1998, $8 million in tax-exempt Bonds and $1.5 million in taxable
bonds were issued and outstanding and will be repaid over the next twenty years.
YEAR 2000
BHA has established a task force to address and assess Year 2000 compliance for
BHA's computer system and software applications, facilities throughout the
world, the products that include date-sensitive microprocessors, and suppliers
providing both goods and services.
THE STATE OF READINESS OF THE COMPANY
During the past several years, BHA has replaced its significant computer
software applications through normal system upgrades. These computer systems
include personal computers, mainframe systems, and worldwide network
applications. All of the new systems are, according to the software vendors,
Year 2000 compliant to support the proper processing of date-sensitive
transactions. Internal testing of these computer systems software applications
is expected to be complete by March 31, 1999.
The task force is currently preparing an inventory list of all machinery, office
equipment, and building equipment that utilize microprocessors at the BHA
facilities around the world to determine Year 2000 compliance. An evaluation of
this inventory list by the task force will be used to prioritize the need to
test and correct any Year 2000 compliance issues. BHA plans to identify all Year
2000 compliance issues which could have a material impact on the business by
March of 1999. The plans also call for the completion of final system testing
and any required remediation by September 1999.
-19-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BHA has a number of products that have date-sensitive microprocessors. BHA has
identified those products that have Year 2000 compliance issues and proactively
notified the customers, via certified letter, to whom these products have been
sold. Additional testing of the Year 2000 compliance of BHA's products is being
performed. As additional products with potential Year 2000 issues are
identified, BHA will communicate, via certified letter, directly with those
customers to provide them with additional information. The communication with
customers is expected to continue through March of 1999.
The task force is currently preparing a list of significant suppliers of goods
and services whose Year 2000 compliance could potentially impact BHA's business.
BHA is in the process of proactively addressing Year 2000 compliance with these
suppliers, via certified letter, to obtain information regarding the state of
readiness for Year 2000 compliance. The task force is currently evaluating the
response from these requests for information to determine the impact on BHA's
business and develop necessary contingency plans. The Company expects to
complete this evaluation by March of 1999.
THE COSTS OF YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
The costs incurred to upgrade BHA's computer systems and software applications
were normal, planned system upgrades. In 1996, the Company made the decision to
consolidate its business into one entity for operating purposes. This
consolidation process included an upgrade to BHA's mainframe legacy systems. BHA
believes that all Year 2000 issues were addressed and corrected at this time.
BHA completed its personal computer rollout during 1998. The rollout was part of
an overall strategy to standardize on a single platform using a current level of
technology. Based on representations received from vendors, BHA believes that
all new equipment and software purchased is Year 2000 compliant.
The costs associated with the Year 2000 compliance of BHA's equipment are not
expected to be material based on the preliminary review of the inventory listing
by the task force. Any equipment that is not Year 2000 compliant will be
replaced.
The costs associated with any potential non-compliance of BHA's products for
Year 2000 are mitigated by the terms and conditions under which these products
were sold. BHA's terms and conditions do not include any representations or
warranties regarding Year 2000 compliance and exclude any liability for
incidental or consequential damages including those which could arise out of a
Year 2000 issue. BHA does not anticipate that the costs associated with Year
2000 issues relating to its products will be material.
The costs associated with the Year 2000 compliance of BHA's suppliers of goods
and services are not expected to be material. BHA will continue to evaluate each
supplier's state of readiness to determine if alternative plans need to be
developed prior to January 1, 2000. These plans could include procuring
additional quantities of inventory from certain vendors during the fourth
quarter of calendar 1998.
BHA does not separately track the internal costs incurred relating to Year 2000
compliance since these costs are principally payroll and related costs for the
task force and Management Information Systems department.
-20-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
THE RISKS OF YEAR 2000 NON-COMPLIANCE TO THE COMPANY
The task force believes that the most significant risk that relates to Year 2000
compliance may be the state of readiness of BHA's significant suppliers of goods
and services. Although BHA has taken a proactive approach to communicate with
these suppliers, BHA's relationship with these suppliers cannot impact or ensure
Year 2000 compliance in these suppliers' ability to continue to provide the
necessary goods and services to the Company.
As stated above, the Company has not completed the evaluation and testing of all
of its business systems, products and vendor relationships. The task force does
not believe that there are other significant risks related to Year 2000 that
would have a material negative impact on the Company. The costs and timetables
in which the Company plans to complete the Year 2000 readiness activities are
based on management's best estimates, which were derived using numerous
assumptions of future events including the continued availability of certain
resources, third party readiness plans and other factors. The Company can make
no guarantee that these estimates will be achieved, and actual results could
differ from such plans.
THE YEAR 2000 CONTINGENCY PLANS OF THE COMPANY
The task force will make an assessment of the Year 2000 compliance of the
Company's significant suppliers of goods and services by March 1999. The Company
will then determine if additional quantities of inventory or services need to be
provided prior to January 1, 2000 to allow the Company to maintain its own
production schedule. The Company will also evaluate whether alternative
suppliers should be found. The Company will continue to evaluate alternatives
for other contingency plans for mission critical issues involving utility and
telephone service based on proactive communication with these service providers.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income", is effective for BHA's fiscal year 1999. This standard
will expand disclosures and will have no impact on BHA's results of operations.
Also effective for fiscal year 1999 is SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information." This standard will expand and modify
current segment disclosures.
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
This report contains forward-looking statements that reflect BHA's current views
with respect to future events and financial performance. The statements are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. The words
"should," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," and other expressions that indicate
future events and trends identify forward-looking statements. Actual future
results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those
anticipated depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to,
competition, the performance of newly established domestic and international
operations, demand and price for BHA's products and services, and other factors.
You should consult the section entitled "Factors Affecting Earnings and Stock
Price".
-21-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 7A - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
BHA periodically enters into forward exchange contracts in order to fix the
currency exchange rate related to intercompany transactions with its foreign
subsidiaries. Changes in the value of these instruments due to currency
movements offset the foreign exchange gains and losses of the corresponding
intercompany transactions. At September 30, 1998 and 1997, the aggregate amount
of such forward exchange contracts was approximately $1,950,000 and $1,700,000,
respectively. The fair value of the outstanding forward exchange contracts
approximates the aggregate amount outstanding at September 30, 1998.
-22-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors of BHA Group Holdings, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of BHA Group
Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the
related consolidated statements of earnings, shareholders' equity, and cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 1998.
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of BHA's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of BHA Group Holdings,
Inc., and subsidiaries at September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended September 30, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
November 11, 1998
Kansas City, Missouri
-23-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1997
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 193 $ 2,590
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
receivables of $1,139 in 1998 and $965 in 1997 31,338 21,947
Inventories (note 1) 27,363 19,936
Income taxes receivable -- 518
Prepaid expenses 1,828 1,250
Deferred Income taxes (note 4) 1,850 1,216
------- -------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 62,572 47,457
------- -------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
Land and improvements 1,344 1,262
Buildings and improvements 24,241 20,356
Machinery and equipment 35,947 31,616
Office furniture, fixtures and equipment 4,149 3,514
------ ------
65,681 56,748
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 29,125 24,537
------ ------
NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 36,556 32,211
------ ------
Intangible and other assets, less accumulated amortization 2,699 3,001
Excess of cost over net assets of businesses acquired,
less accumulated amortization 5,747 4,936
-------- --------
$107,574 $ 87,605
======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-24-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1997
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term (note 3) $ 3,988 $ 62
Accounts payable 8,896 8,341
Accrued compensation and employee benefit costs 3,695 4,371
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 2,271 1,636
Reserve for warranty and product service 1,140 915
Income taxes payable 359 --
-------- --------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 20,349 15,325
-------- --------
Deferred income taxes (note 4) 2,116 2,947
Long-term debt, excluding current installments (note 3) 23,029 12,415
Other Long-Term Liabilities 127 --
Shareholders' equity (notes 3 and 5):
Common Stock $.01 par value.
Authorized 20,000,000 shares:
Issued 8,666,353 and 7,837,789 shares, respectively 87 78
Additional paid-in capital 61,310 47,607
Retained earnings 22,983 27,773
Foreign currency translation adjustment (293) (148)
Unearned compensation (note 5) (108) (211)
Less cost of 1,527,856 and 1,335,210 shares,
respectively, of common stock in treasury (22,026) (18,181)
-------- --------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 61,953 56,918
-------- --------
Commitments and contingent liabilities (note 6)
$107,574 $ 87,605
======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-25-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $142,432 $130,599 $121,308
Cost of sales 98,399 89,813 86,491
--------- --------- ---------
GROSS MARGIN 44,033 40,786 34,817
--------- --------- ---------
Operating expenses:
Selling and advertising expense 17,385 14,888 12,744
General and administrative expense 14,468 13,308 11,304
--------- --------- ---------
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 31,853 28,196 24,048
--------- --------- ---------
OPERATING INCOME 12,180 12,590 10,769
Interest expense (1,449) (1,048) (757)
Interest income 26 39 25
--------- --------- ---------
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES 10,757 11,581 10,037
--------- --------- ---------
Income taxes (note 4):
Current 4,419 3,214 3,369
Deferred (994) 266 (39)
--------- --------- ---------
TOTAL INCOME TAXES 3,425 3,480 3,330
--------- --------- ---------
NET EARNINGS $ 7,332 $ 8,101 $ 6,707
========= ========= =========
Basic earnings per common share* 1.02 1.12 .92
Diluted earnings per common share* .97 1.06 .90
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
*Earnings per share for all periods presented have been adjusted to reflect the
1998, 1997, and 1996 stock dividends of 10%.
-26-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
COMMON STOCK:
Balance at beginning of year $ 78 $ 71 $ 64
Issuance of 41,008 shares of common stock in 1998,
34,490 shares in 1997 and 21,100 shares in 1996 1 -- --
Issuance of 787,556 shares in 1998, 712,088 shares in 1997
and 643,809 shares in 1996 for 10% stock dividend 8 7 7
-------- -------- --------
BALANCE AT END OF YEAR 87 78 71
-------- -------- --------
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL:
Balance at beginning of year 47,607 33,392 24,923
Excess over par value of common stock issued 588 433 160
Common stock issued from treasury for stock option
exercises (1,189) (165) (616)
Income tax benefit from stock option exercise 628 157 401
Issuance of 10% stock dividend 13,676 13,790 8,524
-------- -------- --------
BALANCE AT END OF YEAR 61,310 47,607 33,392
-------- -------- --------
RETAINED EARNINGS:
Balance at beginning of year 27,773 31,963 33,194
Net earnings 7,332 8,101 6,707
Payment of cash dividends on common stock
($0.12, $0.11* and $0.10* per share in 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively) (806) (740) (675)
Issuance of 10% stock dividend (11,316) (11,551) (7,263)
-------- -------- --------
BALANCE AT END OF YEAR 22,983 27,773 31,963
-------- -------- --------
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT:
Balance at beginning of year (148) (138) 281
Equity adjustment from foreign currency translation (145) (10) (419)
-------- -------- --------
BALANCE AT END OF YEAR (293) (148) (138)
-------- -------- --------
UNEARNED COMPENSATION (NOTE 5):
Balance at beginning of year (211) (315) (418)
Recognition of compensation expense 103 104 103
-------- -------- --------
BALANCE AT END OF YEAR (108) (211) (315)
-------- -------- --------
TREASURY STOCK:
Balance at beginning of year (18,181) (13,277) (11,604)
Acquisition of 113,770, 149,990 and 42,198 shares of
common stock at cost in 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively (1,783) (2,669) (601)
Issuance of 57,399 shares in 1998, 8,534 shares in 1997
and 31,878 shares in 1996 from treasury for stock
option exercises, net 306 11 195
Issuance of 136,275 treasury shares in 1998,
115,967 treasury shares in 1997 and 95,867 treasury
shares in 1996 for 10% stock dividend (2,368) (2,246) (1,267)
-------- -------- --------
BALANCE AT END OF YEAR (22,026) (18,181) (13,277)
-------- -------- --------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 61,953 $ 56,918 $ 51,696
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
*Dividends per share for all periods presented have been adjusted to reflect the
1998, 1997, and 1996 stock dividends of 10%.
-27-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1997 1996
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings $ 7,332 $ 8,101 $ 6,707
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
(used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 5,478 4,490 4,461
Provision for deferred income taxes (1,469) 266 (39)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (8,590) (2,583) (289)
Inventories (7,003) (1,578) (3,493)
Prepaid expenses (568) (145) (249)
Income taxes 1,505 (926) 240
Accounts payable (86) 2,577 (535)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (470) 429 1,553
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES (3,871) 10,631 8,356
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to property, plant and equipment (8,313) (10,523) (4,195)
Net assets of businesses acquired, excluding cash (1,221)
Acquisition of product rights and additions to other
intangible assets (104) (82) (274)
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (9,638) (10,605) (4,469)
-------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 317 195 32
Payment of cash dividends on common stock (806) (740) (675)
Purchase of treasury stock (1,783) (2,669) (601)
Stock option exercise - net payments (883) (154) (421)
Proceeds from long-term debt -- 7,500 --
Repayments of long-term debt (88) (1,708) (564)
Borrowings (repayments) on lines of credit, net 14,500 (2,154) (1,252)
-------- -------- --------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING
ACTIVITIES 11,257 270 (3,481)
-------- -------- --------
Effect of exchange rate changes (145) (10) (419)
-------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (2,397) 286 (13)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 2,590 2,304 2,317
-------- -------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $ 193 $ 2,590 $ 2,304
======== ======== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest 1,530 $ 1,025 $ 708
-------- -------- --------
Income taxes $ 3,543 $ 4,297 $ 3,863
-------- -------- --------
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and
activities:
Issuance of common stock to directors, officers and
employees $ 272 $ 238 $ 128
------- -------- --------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-28-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRESENTATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of BHA Group
Holdings, Inc. (BHA) and its wholly-owned foreign and domestic
subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have
been eliminated in consolidation.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
BHA recognizes revenue at the time products are shipped or services are
performed.
USES OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
INVENTORIES
BHA values its inventory at the lower of cost or market. Cost is
determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Components of
inventories at September 30, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
($ IN THOUSANDS) 1998 1997
----------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Raw materials $ 17,036 $ 11,697
Work-in-process 1,174 1,015
Finished goods 9,153 7,224
----------------- ----------------
TOTAL $ 27,363 $ 19,936
================= ================
</TABLE>
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Major renewals and
betterments are charged to the property accounts; replacements,
maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the
respective assets are charged to expense as incurred.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment are
computed on the straight-line method using estimated useful lives by
major asset class as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Buildings and improvements 30 years
Machinery and equipment 4-8 years
Office furniture, fixtures and equipment 3-10 years
</TABLE>
INCOME TAXES
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective
tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted
tax rates expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on
-29-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is
recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.
No provision is made for income taxes on undistributed earnings of the
foreign subsidiaries because such earnings have been indefinitely
invested in the foreign subsidiaries.
WARRANTY AND PRODUCT SERVICE
BHA provides a reserve for estimated warranty and product service claims
based on historical experience and consideration of changes in products
and technology.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
Financial statements of BHA's foreign subsidiaries are translated into
U.S. dollars at current and average exchange rates. Translation gains and
losses are included in shareholders' equity. Transaction gains and losses
resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates between the functional
currency (U.S. dollars) and the currency in which a foreign currency
transaction is denominated are included in net earnings. Transaction
gains included in the consolidated statements of earnings for 1998, 1997
and 1996 amounted to $141,000, $93,000 and $24,000, respectively.
FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
BHA periodically enters into forward exchange contracts in order to fix
the currency exchange rate related to intercompany transactions with its
foreign subsidiaries. Changes in the value of these instruments due to
currency movements offset the foreign exchange gains and losses of the
corresponding intercompany transactions. At September 30, 1998 and 1997,
the aggregate amount of such forward exchange contracts was approximately
$1,950,000 and $1,700,000, respectively. The fair value of the
outstanding forward exchange contracts approximates the aggregate amount
outstanding at September 30, 1998.
TREASURY STOCK
Since June 1994, the Board of Directors of BHA have periodically approved
the purchase of up to 2,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The
purchases of common stock are recorded at cost on the date of purchase.
Issuance of common stock from the treasury is recorded at the average
cost of common stock held in the treasury.
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" that requires earnings per share
to show both a "basic" and "diluted" earnings per share number. Statement
No. 128 has been adopted in the accompanying financial statements with
retroactive application. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing
net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per
share is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares
and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding. Stock options, which
are common stock equivalents, have a dilutive effect on earnings per
share in all periods presented and are therefore included in the
computation of diluted earnings per share. Stock options are described in
Note 5. A reconciliation of the numerators and the denominators of the
basic and diluted per-share computations is as follows:
-30-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA.)
1998 1997 1996
------------------------------- ------------------------------ -------------------------------
Net Shares Per-Share Net Shares Per-Share Net Shares Per-Share
Earnings (Denom.) Amt. Earnings (Denom.) Amt. Earnings (Denom.) Amt.
(Numerator) (Numerator) (Numerator)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings available to
common shareholders $7,332 7,171 $ 1.02 $8,101 7,226 $ 1.12 $6,707 7,275 $ 0.92
Effect of dilutive
securities--stock options -- 381 -- 450 -- 151
Diluted earnings per
share: Earnings
available to common
shareholders and assumed
conversion $7,332 7,552 $ 0.97 $8,101 7,676 $ 1.06 $6,707 7,426 $ 0.90
=============================== ============================== ===============================
</TABLE>
Options to purchase 8,800 shares of common stock at prices ranging from
$16.42 to $16.82 per share were outstanding at the end of 1998 but were
not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the
options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the
common shares.
A 10% stock dividend was distributed in June 1998, June 1997 and July
1996. All per share and weighted average number of common shares and
common share equivalents outstanding data in the consolidated financial
statements and related notes have been restated to reflect the stock
dividends for all periods presented.
COST IN EXCESS OF NET ASSETS ACQUIRED AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Cost in excess of net assets acquired is being amortized over periods
ranging from thirty to forty years, and is presented in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets net of accumulated amortization of $1,165,000
and $979,000 at September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Intangible assets are being amortized over periods ranging from five to
seventeen years and are presented in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets net of accumulated amortization of $5,482,000 and
$4,944,000 at September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
BHA assesses the recoverability and measures any impairment of cost in
excess of net assets acquired and intangible assets by determining
whether the amortization of such balances over the remaining life can be
recovered through undiscounted future operating cash flows.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, BHA considers
overnight invested cash and investments in marketable securities, with
maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable
approximate fair value because of the short maturities of these
instruments. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated by discounting
future cash flows using current market rates. The carrying amount of
long-term debt approximates fair value at September 30, 1998.
-31-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
2. ACQUISITIONS
In November 1997, the Company acquired Purificacion y Filtracion, S.L.
(BHA Purfilter) located in Barcelona, Spain for $1,275,000. The name of
the company was subsequently changed to BHA Purfilter, S.L. The
acquisition was accounted for as a purchase, with the purchase price
allocated to the assets acquired based upon the estimated fair values as
of the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the
net assets acquired is being amortized on a straight-line basis over
thirty years.
In May 1998, the Company acquired the remaining interest in Industrias
Filtrantes Purfilter C.A. (BHA Venezuela), located in Puerto Ordaz,
Venezuela. The Company acquired a minority interest in BHA Venezuela with
the acquisition of BHA Purfilter. The purchase price of the remaining
interest in BHA Venezuela was $120,000. The acquisition was accounted for
as a purchase, with the purchase price allocated to the assets acquired
based upon the estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition.
The excess of the purchase price over the net assets acquired is being
amortized on a straight-line basis over thirty years.
The pro forma effect of these acquisitions are not material to the
Company for the year ended September 30, 1998.
3. NOTES PAYABLE TO BANKS AND LONG-TERM DEBT
A summary of notes payable to banks and long-term debt at September 30,
1998 and 1997 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
($ IN THOUSANDS) 1998 1997
---------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unsecured lines of credit with variable interest rates $ 19,300 $ 4,800
Notes payable to domestic banks bearing interest
at 6.31% to 7.02% 7,500 7,500
Other notes payable 217 177
Less current installments 3,988 62
---------------- -----------------
LONG-TERM DEBT, EXCLUDING CURRENT INSTALLMENTS $ 23,029 $ 12,415
================ =================
</TABLE>
BHA has domestic unsecured bank lines of credit of $33,000,000 for
working capital purposes and other corporate matters. These lines bear
interest at variable rates based on either the prime rate or LIBOR. These
lines expire in the following fiscal years: 1999 - $10,000,000; 2000 -
$9,000,000; 2001 - $4,000,000; 2002 - $10,000,000. The facilities include
revolving credit agreements of $19,000,000 in which BHA pays a 0.25%
commitment fee on the unused portion. At September 30, 1998, $19,300,000
was outstanding under all domestic bank lines of credit at a weighted
average interest rate of 6.48%.
In November 1996, BHA entered into a $5,000,000 unsecured term loan, the
proceeds of which were used to repay existing long-term debt and provide
for general corporate matters. This term loan has a fixed interest rate
of 7.02% and matures in October 2001. Principal and interest payments of
$154,000 are due in monthly installments starting in November 1998. In
March 1997, BHA entered into a $2,500,000 unsecured term loan to fund
capital expenditures. This term loan has an interest rate of 6.31% and
matures in March 1999 with principal due upon maturity.
-32-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BHA's foreign subsidiary located in Germany maintains a line of credit
with a foreign bank in the amount of DEM 1,800,000 (approximately
$1,091,000). BHA's foreign subsidiary located in Switzerland also
maintains a line of credit with a foreign bank in the amount of CHF
200,000 (approximately $148,000). As of September 30, 1998 and 1997,
there were no amounts outstanding under these lines of credit.
The term loans and domestic bank lines of credit require BHA, among other
things, to maintain minimum levels of net worth, minimum fixed charge
coverage, minimum current ratio and maximum leverage ratio. BHA was in
compliance with all covenants at September 30, 1998. At September 30,
1998, $13,900,000 of retained earnings were available for cash dividends.
Scheduled payments on long-term debt for the next five fiscal years are
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
$ IN THOUSANDS
------------------
<S> <C>
1999 $ 3,988
2000 10,659
2001 5,764
2002 6,606
------------------
$27,017
==================
</TABLE>
4. INCOME TAXES
The components of total income tax expense for the years ended September
30, 1998, 1997 and 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
($ IN THOUSANDS) 1998 1997 1996
------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current income tax expense:
Federal $ 3,716 $ 2,260 $ 2,433
Foreign 160 548 606
State and local 543 406 330
Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
Federal (893) 250 (19)
State (101) 16 (20)
------------- ------------- -------------
$ 3,425 $ 3,480 $ 3,330
============= ============= =============
</TABLE>
The effective tax rate differs from the expected tax rate for the
respective years as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Expected income tax expense 34.0% 34.0% 34.0%
State income taxes, net 2.7 2.3 2.2
Difference in tax rates of foreign
subsidiaries (2.2) (3.6) (2.9)
Research and experimentation credits (1.7) (3.4) (2.0)
Other, net (1.0) .8 1.9
------------- ------------- -------------
EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE 31.8% 30.1% 33.2%
============= ============= =============
</TABLE>
-33-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at
September 30, 1998 and 1997 are presented as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
($ IN THOUSANDS) 1998 1997
---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Reserves and accruals not
currently deductible $ 1,641 $ 1,114
Inventories 234 153
Other, net 165 316
---------------- ----------------
Total gross deferred tax assets 2,040 1,583
---------------- ----------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible and other assets 621 374
Property, plant and equipment 813 941
Prepaid expenses 244 193
Deferred compensation 92 145
Other, net 536 1,661
---------------- ----------------
Total gross deferred tax liabilities 2,306 3,314
---------------- ----------------
NET DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY $ 266 $ 1,731
================ ================
</TABLE>
At September 30, 1998 and 1997, deferred tax assets and liabilities are
classified in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
($ IN THOUSANDS) 1998 1997
----------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Current deferred income tax asset $ 1,850 $ 1,216
Non-current deferred income tax liability (2,116) (2,947)
----------------- ----------------
NET DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITY $ (266) $ (1,731)
================= ================
</TABLE>
BHA has not recorded a valuation allowance relating to deferred tax
assets, as taxable temporary differences are expected to be offset by
deductible temporary differences.
BHA has not provided deferred taxes on the cumulative undistributed
earnings of its foreign subsidiaries, which approximate $2,702,000,
$2,142,000 and $1,084,000 at September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively, as management considers these earnings to be permanently
invested. Net earnings (losses) of these foreign subsidiaries were
approximately $359,000, $1,058,000 and $670,000 for the years ended
September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
5. INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN
BHA has an incentive stock plan for key employees, officers and
directors. The plan originally provided for 1,280,000 shares of common
stock available for issuance of stock options, restricted stock and
payment to outside directors in lieu of cash. Stock options are granted
at a price equal to the fair market value of BHA Common Stock at the date
of grant for terms of up to ten years. During 1998, the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors, which administers the plan, approved
an amendment to the incentive stock plan. This amendment approved an
additional 580,000 shares of common stock available for the issuance of
stock options.
-34-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
In accordance with the terms of the incentive stock plan, the
Compensation Committee made adjustments to the plan and the outstanding
options to take into account the dilutive effect of the previous stock
dividends. The number of shares available for issuance under the plan was
increased to 2,221,084 as of September 30, 1998.
During 1995, BHA awarded 45,000 shares of restricted stock, under the
incentive stock plan, to certain employees. The market value of the
awards at the date of issuance is being recognized as compensation
expense ratably over the five-year vesting period.
On October 1, 1996, BHA adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" (SFAS 123).
SFAS 123 establishes a fair value-based method of accounting for
stock-based employee compensation plans. BHA has chosen to adopt the
pro-forma disclosure requirements of SFAS 123, and continue to record
stock compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25) which is
permitted under SFAS 123. Under APB 25 compensation expense is recorded
on the date of grant for stock options granted only if the current market
price of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price.
A summary of transactions in the incentive stock plan is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
WEIGHTED- WEIGHTED- WEIGHTED-
NUMBER AVERAGE NUMBER AVERAGE NUMBER AVERAGE
OF SHARES EXERCISE PRICE OF SHARES EXERCISE PRICE OF SHARES EXERCISE PRICE
---------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Outstanding at beginning 1,099,431 $ 8.83 1,158,193 $ 8.71 1,284,888 $ 8.22
of year
Granted 251,140 16.02 6,050 15.23 6,655 9.58
Canceled -- (11,647) 9.58 (29,286) 9.86
Exercised (263,514) 8.26 (53,165) 6.84 (104,064) 2.34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at end of
year 1,087,057 $ 10.63 1,099,431 $ 8.83 1,158,193 $ 8.71
---------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Exercisable at end of yr. 773,045 $ 8.93 891,935 $ 8.85 588,116 $ 8.85
============================ ============================== ==============================
</TABLE>
*All share and exercise price information has been adjusted to reflect all
previous stock dividends of 10%.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
NUMBER WEIGHTED- WEIGHTED- NUMBER WEIGHTED-
RANGE OF EXERCISE OUTSTANDING AVG. CONTRACTED AVG. EXERCISE EXERCISABLE AVERAGE
PRICES AT 9/30/98 LIFE IN YRS. PRICE AT 9/30/98 EXERCISE PRICE
------------------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------------- ------------------ -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$5.76 - 9.58 678,838 4.9 $ 8.14 620,503 $ 8.00
$10.77 - 16.82 408,219 7.4 $14.77 152,542 $ 12.70
----------------- ------------------
1,087,057 773,045
================= ==================
</TABLE>
The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during
1998, 1997 and 1996 was $5.20, $5.44 and $3.91, respectively, on the date
of grant using the Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following
assumptions: expected dividend yield of .80% for 1998, and 1.00% for 1997
and 1996; weighted average risk-free interest rate of 4.73% for 1998 and
6.10% for 1997 and 1996; expected volatility factor of 19.0%, 18.9% and
21.1% for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively; and a weighted-average
expected life of eight years.
-35-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Since BHA applies APB 25 in accounting for its incentive stock plan, no
compensation expense has been recognized for stock options in net
earnings. Stock-based compensation expense, if recorded under SFAS 123
would have reduced net earnings by $470,000 or $0.06 per diluted share in
1998, $12,000 in 1997 and $8,000 in 1996, with no effect on earnings per
share in 1997 or 1996.
Compensation expense for options granted prior to October 1, 1995 is not
considered. The full impact of calculating compensation expense for stock
options under SFAS 123 is not reflected in the proforma net earnings
amounts above since compensation expense is reflected over the option's
vesting period of four years for all options.
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
BHA has a noncontributory Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) which
includes substantially all domestic employees who are not covered by
collective bargaining agreements. BHA, with approval of its Board of
Directors, makes discretionary contributions to the ESOP. Benefits become
vested according to years of service. Contributions charged to operating
expense were $884,000, $1,175,000 and $983,000 for the years ended
September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
BHA's eligible domestic employees participate in a voluntary 401(k)
employee benefit plan (401(k) Plan). The 401(k) Plan covers eligible
employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The 401(k)
Plan provides that 100% of a participant's contribution will be matched
by BHA subject to a maximum contribution which is determined annually at
the discretion of the Board of Directors. BHA matching contributions
become vested based on years of service. BHA made matching contributions
of $270,000, $253,000 and $232,000 for the years ended September 30,
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
LEASES
A summary of noncancelable, long-term operating lease commitments on
office facilities and equipment follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, $ IN THOUSANDS
-------------------------- --------------
<S> <C>
1999 $ 1,938
2000 767
2001 192
2002 25
</TABLE>
It is expected that in the normal course of business, expiring leases
will be renewed or replaced by similar leases on other properties. Total
rental expense on noncancelable, long-term operating leases amounted to
approximately $2,210,000, $1,036,000 and $652,000 for the years ended
September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
LETTERS OF CREDIT
The terms of certain contracts require that BHA issue standby letters of
credit to assure performance. A portion of one of the $5 million lines
of credit more fully described in Note 3 was established to cover the
issuance of these letters of credit. Open standby letters of credit
amounted to $57,000 and $578,000 at September 30, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
-36-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
LITIGATION
In the normal course of business, BHA is party to certain actions arising
out of various allegations of product or professional liability. BHA has
insurance coverage for substantially all such actions, subject to
coverage limitations and deductibles for each claim. In the opinion of
management, the amount of loss, if any, from the final outcome of these
actions will not have a material adverse impact on the consolidated
financial statements.
7. SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company sells products and services in several geographic areas.
Operations of the domestic business are based in the United States
(U.S.). The domestic business provides products and services to the U.S.
markets and exports to Canada, Latin America, the Near East, the Pacific
Rim and China. The foreign business operations manufacture and sell in
Europe. Set forth below is information regarding the Company's domestic
and foreign businesses for each of the years in the three-year period
ended September 30, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
($ IN THOUSANDS) 1998 1997 1996
--------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Domestic assets $ 88,267 $ 76,976 $ 68,089
Foreign assets (Europe) 19,307 10,629 7,946
--------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
TOTAL $ 107,574 $ 87,605 $ 76,035
===================== ======================= =======================
Domestic sales $ 121,924 $ 114,168 $ 105,962
Foreign sales (Europe) 20,508 16,431 15,346
--------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
TOTAL $ 142,432 $ 130,599 $ 121,308
===================== ======================= =======================
Domestic operating income $ 11,309 $ 10,911 $ 9,703
Foreign operating income (Europe) 871 1,679 1,066
--------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
TOTAL $ 12,180 $ 12,590 $ 10,769
===================== ======================= =======================
</TABLE>
U.S. export sales to unaffiliated customers in Canada, Latin America, the
Near East, the Pacific Rim and China were $23,230,000, $24,966,000 and
$22,410,000 for the years ended September 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. These revenues are included in "Domestic sales" in the
table above.
-37-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
8. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
Summarized quarterly financial data are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED DEC. 31 MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPT. 30
--------------- ------------------ --------------- ----------------
($ IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1998
Net sales 30,022 38,881 35,917 37,612
Gross margin 9,710 11,672 11,179 11,472
Net earnings 1,390 2,100 1,895 1,947
Diluted earnings per share* .18 .28 .25 .26
Common Stock Price Range, High* $17.96 $17.96 $19.00 $16.50
Low* $15.68 $15.78 $15.25 $11.75
1997
Net sales $31,116 $33,646 $33,054 $32,783
Gross margin 9,347 10,274 10,574 10,591
Net earnings 1,795 1,972 2,006 2,328
Diluted earnings per share* .24 .25 .26 .30
Common Stock Price Range, High* $14.67 $15.29 $17.73 $17.73
Low* $11.98 $13.23 $14.67 $15.23
</TABLE>
*Earnings per share and common stock price for all periods presented have
been adjusted to reflect the 1998 stock dividend of 10%
The quarter ended September 30, 1997 reflects recognition of research and
experimentation credits of $132,000 ($.02 per share).
-38-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BHA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Charged to
Beginning Costs and Ending
Balance Expenses Deductions Balance
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Allowance for doubtful receivables:
Year ended September 30, 1998 $ 965 254 80 1,139
=============== =============== =============== ==============
Year ended September 30, 1997 $ 932 385 352 965
=============== =============== =============== ==============
Year ended September 30, 1996 $ 830 382 280 932
=============== =============== =============== ==============
Reserve for Warranty and Product Service
Year ended September 30, 1998 $ 915 1,629 1,404 1,140
=============== =============== =============== ==============
Year ended September 30, 1997 $ 970 1,715 1,770 915
=============== =============== =============== ==============
Year ended September 30, 1996 $ 849 1,481 1,360 970
=============== =============== =============== ==============
</TABLE>
-39-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 9 - DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
There were no disagreements with the Company's principal accountants, which
require disclosure pursuant to this item.
PART III
Part III (Items 10, 11, 12 and 13) is omitted by the Company in accordance with
General Instruction G to Form 10-K. The Company intends to file with the
Commission a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A not later
than 120 days following the close of its fiscal year ending September 30, 1998,
which is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14 - EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(a)(1) Financial Statements: See accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial
Statements and Schedules.
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules: See accompanying Index to
Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules. All schedules not
listed have been omitted because they are not applicable or the
information has been otherwise supplied in the Registrant's Financial
Statements and Schedules.
(a) (3) Exhibits:
(3a) Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (9).
(3b) By-Laws, as amended (8).
(10a) BHA Group, Inc. 1986 Stock Option Plan as amended, including form
of Option Agreement (3).
(10b) Second Amendment to the BHA Group, Inc. 1986 Stock Option
Plan (5).
(10c) Lease Agreement dated September 30, 1991, with SH Properties,
Inc. (4).
(10d) Loan Agreement between Standard Havens, Inc. and certain
insurance companies (1), and assumption agreement pursuant to
which the company became the sole obligor under the loan (2).
(10e) Employee Stock Ownership Plan of BHA (1).
(10f) 401(K) Plan of BHA (1).
(10g) Loan Agreement between BHA Group, Inc. and Boatmen's First
National Bank of Kansas City, N.A. (2).
</TABLE>
-40-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
(10h) Directors and Officers Insurance and Company Reimbursement Policy
issued by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania (2).
(10i) Employment Agreement dated September 1, 1993 between BHA Group,
Inc. and Lamson Rheinfrank, Jr. (6).
(10j) Employment Agreement dated September 1, 1993 between BHA Group,
Inc. and Michael T. Zak (6).
(10k) Employment Agreement dated September 1, 1993 between BHA Group,
Inc. and James E. Lund (6).
(10l) Employment Agreement dated September 1, 1993 between BHA Group,
Inc. and James J. Thome (6).
(10m) Employment Agreement dated September 1, 1993 between BHA Group,
Inc. and James C. King (6).
(10n) Employment Agreement dated January 1, 1995 between BHA Group,
Inc. and James C. Shay (8).
(10o) Rights Agreement dated as of December 13, 1995, between BHA
Group, Inc., and Boatmen's Trust Company, including Form of
Rights Certificate (Exhibit A) and Summary of Rights to Purchase
Common Stock (Exhibit B) (7).
(11) Computation of earnings per common share (11).
(21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant (11).
(23) Independent Auditors' Consent (11).
(27) Financial Data Schedule - Article 5 (11).
(b) Reports on Form 8-K: No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company
during the quarter ended September 30, 1998.
(c) Exhibits: See (a) (3) above.
(d) Financial Statement Schedules: See (a) (2) above.
</TABLE>
NOTES TO INDEX
(1) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, as
amended (Registration No. 33-8644) which is incorporated herein by
reference.
(2) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1988, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
(3) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1990, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
-41-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
(4) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1991, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
(5) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1992, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
(6) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1993, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
(7) Filed as an exhibit to the Company Current Report on Form 8-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 15, 1995, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
(8) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1995 ,which is incorporated herein by
reference.
(9) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
(10) Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, which is incorporated herein by
reference.
(11) Filed as an exhibit hereto.
-42-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
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.
BHA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Dated: December 29, 1998 By: /s/ James E. Lund
-------------------------- -----------------------------------------
James E. Lund, President
</TABLE>
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following person on behalf of the Registrant and in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Dated: December 29, 1998 By: /s/ James E. Lund
-------------------------- ----------------------------------------
James E. Lund, President
Principal Executive Officer and Director
Dated: December 29, 1998 By: /s/ Lamson Rheinfrank, Jr.
-------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Lamson Rheinfrank, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
Dated: December 29, 1998 By: /s/ Michael T. Zak
-------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Michael T. Zak
Vice Chairman and Director
Dated: December 29, 1998 By: /s/ Don H. Alexander
-------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Don H. Alexander
Director
Dated: December 29, 1998 By: /s/ Robert Freeland
-------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Robert Freeland
Director
Dated: December 29, 1998 By: /s/ Thomas A. McDonnell
-------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Thomas A. McDonnell
Director
Dated: December 29, 1998 By: /s/ James J. Thome
-------------------------- ----------------------------------------
James J. Thome
Executive Vice President,
Principal Operating Officer and Director
Dated: December 29, 1998 By: /s/ Richard C. Green, Jr.
-------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Richard C. Green, Jr.
Director
Dated: December 29, 1998 By: /s/ James C. Shay
-------------------------- ----------------------------------------
James C. Shay
Principal Financial & Accounting Officer,
Secretary and Treasurer
</TABLE>
-43-
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
Exhibit Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION PAGE
<S> <C> <C>
11 Computation of Per Share Earnings 45
21 Subsidiaries of BHA Group Holdings, Inc. 46
23 Independent Auditors' Consent 47
27 Financial Data Schedule - Article 5 48
</TABLE>
-44-
STATEMENT OF DIFFERENCES
The registered trademark symbol shall be expressed as.....................'r'
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Exhibit 11
BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
Computation of Per Share Earnings
(in thousands of dollars, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
-------------------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
Net Net Net
Earnings Shares Per-Share Earnings Shares Per-Share Earnings Shares Per Share
(Numerator) (Denom.) Amt. (Numerator) (Denom.) Amt. (Numerator) (Denom.) Amt.
----------- -------- --------- ----------- -------- --------- ----------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings available to
common shareholders $7,332 7,171 $ 1.02 $8,101 7,226 $ 1.12 $6,707 7,275 $ 0.92
Effect of dilutive
securities--stock options -- 381 -- 450 -- 151
Diluted earnings per
share: Earnings
available to common
shareholders and assumed
conversion $7,332 7,552 $ 0.97 $8,101 7,676 $ 1.06 $6,707 7,426 $ 0.90
================================ ================================ ================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Exhibit 21
Subsidiaries of BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
BHA Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation; PrecipTech, Ltd., a Canadian
corporation; BHA Group, Ltd., a Canadian corporation; BHA International, Inc., a
U.S. Virgin Islands corporation; BHA Group GmbH, a German corporation; BHA Group
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation; and BHA Technologies, Inc., a
Delaware corporation; and BHA Group International Holdings B.V., a Dutch
corporation, are the only subsidiaries of the Company, each of which are
wholly-owned. Tool Rental and Supply Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation;
Midwest Precipitator Corporation, an Illinois corporation (DBA Midwest Power
Corporation); BHA Group AG, a Swiss corporation; BHA Environmental Technology
Company, Ltd., a China corporation; BHA UK, Ltd., a United Kingdom corporation;
and BHA Purfilter S.L., a Spanish corporation, are wholly-owned subsidiaries of
BHA Group, Inc. BHA Group International Pvt. Ltd., an India corporation, is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of BHA Group International, Inc.; BHA Technologies AG, a
Swiss corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BHA Technologies, Inc.;
Industrias Filtrantes Purfilter C.A., a Venezuelan corporation, is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of BHA Purfilter S.L.; BHA do Brazil Ltda, a Brazilian
corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BHA Group International Holdings
B.V.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT ON FINANCIAL
STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND CONSENT
The Board of Directors
BHA Group Holdings, Inc.:
The audits referred to in our report dated November 11, 1998 included the
related financial statement schedule as of September 30, 1998 and for each of
the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 1998, included in the
1998 annual report on Form 10-K. This financial statement schedule is the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits. In our
opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the
basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in
all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement (No.
33-58782) on Form S-8 of BHA Group Holdings, Inc. of our reports dated November
11, 1998 relating to the consolidated balance sheets of BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated
statements of earnings, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the
years in the three-year period ended September 30, 1998, and the related
schedule, which reports are included in the September 30, 1998 annual report on
Form 10-K of BHA Group Holdings, Inc.
/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Kansas City Missouri
December 29, 1998
<PAGE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30,
1998 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-30-1998
<PERIOD-START> OCT-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998
<CASH> 193
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 32,477
<ALLOWANCES> 1,139
<INVENTORY> 27,363
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 62,572
<PP&E> 65,681
<DEPRECIATION> 29,125
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 107,574
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 20,349
<BONDS> 23,029
<COMMON> 87
0
0
<OTHER-SE> 61,866
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 107,574
<SALES> 31,737
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 142,432
<CGS> 21,247
<TOTAL-COSTS> 98,399
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 31,853
<LOSS-PROVISION> 118
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 1,423
<INCOME-PRETAX> 10,757
<INCOME-TAX> 3,425
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 7,332
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 7,332
<EPS-PRIMARY> 1.02
<EPS-DILUTED> .97
</TABLE>
