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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-49118
UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.
1,818,181 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. is distributing non-transferable
subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock in this rights offering
to persons who owned shares of our common stock on December 26, 2000.
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PROCEEDS TO
SUBSCRIPTION EXERCISE UNITED STATES LIME &
PRICE MINERALS, INC.(1)
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Per Share................................................. $ 5.50 $ 5.50
Total..................................................... $10,000,000 $10,000,000
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(1) Before deducting expenses payable by us, estimated to be $340,000.
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THE EXERCISE OF THE SUBSCRIPTIONS RIGHTS INVOLVES SUBSTANTIAL RISK. FOR A
DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN EVALUATING AN
INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY, SEE "RISK FACTORS," BEGINNING ON
PAGE 6 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
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You will receive 0.4566 subscription rights for each share of common stock
that you owned on December 26, 2000. You will not receive any fractional rights.
Each subscription right entitles you to purchase one share of common stock at
the purchase price of $5.50 per share. If you exercise all of your subscription
rights, you may also have the opportunity to purchase additional shares at the
same purchase price.
The subscription rights are exercisable beginning on the date of this
prospectus and continuing until 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on February 5,
2001. If you want to participate in the rights offering, we recommend that you
submit your subscription documents to the subscription agent before that
deadline or to your broker or bank at least 10 days before that deadline. Please
see page 15 for further instructions on submitting subscriptions. All
subscriptions will be held in escrow by our subscription agent, Computershare
Trust Company of New York, through the expiration date of the rights offering.
We reserve the right to cancel the rights offering at any time before the
expiration. There is no minimum number of shares that we must sell in order to
complete the rights offering. Shareholders who do not participate in the rights
offering will continue to own the same number of shares, but will own a smaller
percentage of the total shares outstanding to the extent that other shareholders
participate in the rights offering.
The subscription rights may not be sold or transferred. The subscription
rights will not be listed for trading on Nasdaq or any stock exchange.
Inberdon Enterprises Ltd., the majority shareholder of United States Lime &
Minerals, has stated its intention to fully exercise its basic subscription
rights, thereby purchasing 926,862 shares. Additionally, Inberdon has indicated
its intention to backstop the rights offering by purchasing additional shares
that are not subscribed for by other shareholders in the rights offering, to the
extent such shares are available, until its investment has reached a total
amount between $8,000,000 and $10,000,000.
Shares of our common stock are quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol "USLM." The last sale price of our common stock on December 22, 2000
was $4.5625.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS
ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
This prospectus is not an offer to sell, and it is not soliciting an offer
to buy, these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
The date of this Prospectus is December 27, 2000.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PAGE
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Prospectus Summary.......................................... 1
Questions and Answers About United States Lime &
Minerals............................................... 1
Questions and Answers About the Rights Offering........... 1
Risk Factors................................................ 6
Risks Associated with the Offering of Subscription
Rights................................................. 6
Risk Factors Relating to United States Lime & Minerals.... 7
Recent Developments......................................... 9
Banking Facilities.......................................... 10
About United States Lime & Minerals......................... 10
About the Lime Industry..................................... 13
About the Rights Offering................................... 14
The Subscription Rights................................... 14
Basic Subscription Privilege.............................. 14
Over-Subscription Privilege............................... 14
Purchase Commitments...................................... 15
No Recommendations........................................ 15
Expiration Date........................................... 15
Cancellation Right........................................ 15
Non-Transferability of Subscription Rights................ 15
Exercise of Subscription Rights........................... 15
Method of Payment......................................... 16
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures............................ 16
Signature Guarantees...................................... 17
Shares Held for Others.................................... 17
Ambiguities in Exercise of Subscription Rights............ 17
Regulatory Limitation..................................... 17
Our Decision Binding...................................... 18
No Revocation............................................. 18
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding After the Rights
Offering............................................... 18
Capitalization Table...................................... 18
Fees and Expenses......................................... 19
Subscription Agent........................................ 19
Information Agent......................................... 19
If You Have Questions....................................... 20
Description of Common Stock................................. 20
Use of Proceeds............................................. 20
Determination of Offering Price............................. 20
Plan of Distribution........................................ 21
Federal Income Tax Considerations........................... 21
Taxation of Shareholders.................................. 21
Taxation of United States Lime & Minerals................. 22
State and Foreign Securities Laws........................... 22
Legal Matters............................................... 22
Experts..................................................... 22
If You Would Like More Information.......................... 22
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This section answers in summary form some questions you may have about
United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. and this rights offering. The information in
this section is a summary and therefore does not contain all of the information
that you should consider before exercising your subscription rights. You should
read the entire prospectus carefully, including the "Risk Factors" section and
the documents listed under "If You Would Like More Information."
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS
WHAT IS UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.?
United States Lime & Minerals was incorporated in 1950. Our business is the
production and sale of lime and limestone products. We extract high-quality
limestone from our quarries and process it for sale as pulverized limestone,
quicklime, and hydrated lime. We conduct our operations through three wholly-
owned subsidiaries: Arkansas Lime Company, Texas Lime Company, and Colorado Lime
Company.
WHERE ARE WE LOCATED?
Our principal executive office is located at:
United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.
13800 Montfort Drive, Suite 330
Dallas, Texas 75240
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE RIGHTS OFFERING
WHAT IS A RIGHTS OFFERING?
A rights offering is an opportunity for you to purchase additional shares
of common stock at a fixed price and in an amount at least proportional to your
existing interest, which enables you to maintain and possibly increase your
current percentage ownership.
WHAT IS A SUBSCRIPTION RIGHT?
We are distributing to you, at no charge, 0.4566 subscription rights for
every share of our common stock that you owned either as a holder of record or,
in the case of shares held in our 401(k) plan (formerly the ESOP) (the "Plan"),
as a beneficial owner of shares held by the Plan, on December 26, 2000. We will
not distribute any fractional subscription rights, but will round the number of
subscription rights you receive down to the nearest whole number. Each
subscription right entitles you to purchase one share of our common stock for
$5.50. When you "exercise" a subscription right, that means that you choose to
purchase the number of shares of common stock that the subscription right
entitles you to purchase. You may exercise any number of your subscription
rights, or you may choose not to exercise any subscription rights. You cannot
give or sell your subscription rights to anybody else -- only you can exercise
them. See "About the Rights Offering -- The Subscription Rights."
WHAT IS THE BASIC SUBSCRIPTION PRIVILEGE?
The basic subscription privilege of each subscription right entitles you to
purchase one share of our common stock at a subscription price of $5.50. See
"About the Rights Offering -- Basic Subscription Privilege."
WHAT IS THE OVER-SUBSCRIPTION PRIVILEGE?
We do not expect that all of our shareholders will exercise all of their
basic subscription privileges. By extending over-subscription privileges to our
shareholders, we are providing for the purchase of those shares which are not
purchased through exercise of basic subscription privileges. The
over-subscription privilege of each subscription right entitles you, if and when
you fully exercise your basic subscription
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privilege, to subscribe for additional shares of common stock at a subscription
price of $5.50 per share. See "About the Rights Offering -- Over-Subscription
Privilege."
WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS ON THE OVER-SUBSCRIPTION PRIVILEGE?
If sufficient shares are available in the rights offering, we will honor
all over-subscription requests in full. If over-subscription requests exceed the
number of shares available, we will allocate all or a portion of the available
shares among shareholders who over-subscribed in proportion to the number of
shares purchased by those over-subscribing shareholders through the exercise of
their basic subscription privilege. Inberdon Enterprises has stated its
intention not to subscribe for shares pursuant to the over-subscription
privilege. See "About the Rights Offering -- Over-Subscription Privilege."
WHY ARE WE ENGAGING IN A RIGHTS OFFERING?
We are making this rights offering in order to raise $10,000,000. During
the last quarter of this fiscal year (i) we completed the pulverized limestone
production line for our Texas plant at a cost of $500,000 more than last
anticipated, (ii) we substantially completed the Phase I project in Arkansas at
a cost of $4,000,000 more than last anticipated, and (iii) our cash flow and
operating profits were less than we had expected. Additionally, the first and
fourth quarters of the fiscal year are typically less profitable for us than the
second and third quarters. For these reasons, we determined that additional
capital was needed to fund short-term liquidity demands.
We intend to use the net proceeds of the offering, assuming we sell all the
shares being offered at a per share price of $5.50, for working capital and to
repay short-term indebtedness, including a $5,000,000 bridge loan from Inberdon
and all or a portion of our $4,000,000 revolving credit facility. Assuming
normal weather conditions in the first half of 2001 and additional sales as a
result of our increased capacity, we expect that the proceeds of the rights
offering will provide us with sufficient liquidity to complete all necessary
work on Phase I and to fund short-term working capital requirements. We expect
that the completion of Phase I and the pulverized limestone line will allow us
to more efficiently produce higher quality lime in larger quantities and that,
consequently, we will realize improvements in cash flow and operating profits.
HOW MANY SHARES MAY I PURCHASE?
You will receive 0.4566 subscription rights for each share of common stock
that you owned on December 26, 2000. We will not distribute fractional
subscription rights, but will round the number of subscription rights you are to
receive down to the nearest whole number. Each subscription right entitles you
to purchase one share of common stock for $5.50. See "About the Rights
Offering -- Basic Subscription Privilege." If you exercise all of the
subscription rights that you receive, you may have the opportunity to purchase
additional shares of common stock. On your subscription certificate, you may
request to purchase as many additional shares as you wish for $5.50 per share.
We may honor all of these over-subscription requests, but if not, you may not be
able to purchase as many shares as you requested on your subscription
certificate. Subject to state securities laws and regulations, we have the
discretion to issue less than the total number of shares that may be available
for over-subscription requests in order to comply with state securities laws.
See "About the Rights Offering -- Over-Subscription Privilege."
HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT THE $5.50 PER SHARE SUBSCRIPTION PRICE?
Our Board of Directors, excluding the director affiliated with Inberdon,
set all of the terms and conditions of the rights offering, including the
subscription price. The Board of Directors advised Inberdon of its determination
of the subscription price to confirm Inberdon's willingness to pay a
higher-than-market price for shares in the rights offering. The $5.50
subscription price was based on the historical trading prices of our common
stock, our book value per share, and Inberdon's willingness to pay an
above-market price. See "Determination of Offering Price."
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HOW DO I EXERCISE MY SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS?
You must properly complete the attached subscription certificate and
deliver it to the Subscription Agent before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on
February 5, 2001. The address for the Subscription Agent is on page 19. See
"About the Rights Offering -- Exercise of Subscription Rights."
HOW DO I PAY FOR MY SHARES?
Your subscription certificate must be accompanied by proper payment for
each share that you wish to purchase pursuant to both your basic and
over-subscription privileges. See "About the Rights Offering -- Method of
Payment."
HOW LONG WILL THE RIGHTS OFFERING LAST?
You will be able to exercise your subscription rights only during a limited
period. IF YOU DO NOT EXERCISE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS BEFORE 5:00 P.M.,
EASTERN STANDARD TIME, ON FEBRUARY 5, 2001, THE SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE.
We may, in our discretion, decide to extend the rights offering. In addition, if
the commencement of the rights offering is delayed, the expiration date will
similarly be extended. See "About the Rights Offering -- Expiration Date."
WHAT IF MY SHARES ARE NOT HELD IN MY NAME?
If you are a beneficial owner of common stock held by a holder of record,
such as a broker, trustee or a depository for securities, you should contact the
holder and ask him or her to effect transactions in accordance with your
instructions. Notwithstanding the above, if you are a current or former employee
of ours who beneficially owns shares of our common stock which are held in our
Plan, we will treat those shares as part of your record ownership for purposes
of calculating your subscription rights, and you will receive a subscription
certificate representing those rights directly from the Subscription Agent. See
"About the Rights Offering -- Shares Held for Others."
AFTER I EXERCISE MY SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS, CAN I CHANGE MY MIND AND CANCEL MY
PURCHASE?
No. Once you send in your subscription certificate and payment, you cannot
revoke the exercise of your subscription rights, even if you later learn
information about us that you consider to be unfavorable and even if the market
price of our common stock is below the $5.50 per share purchase price. You
should not exercise your subscription rights unless you are certain that you
wish to purchase additional shares of our common stock at a price of $5.50 per
share. See "About the Rights Offering -- No Revocation."
IS EXERCISING MY SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS RISKY?
The exercise of your subscription rights involves risks. Exercising your
subscription rights means buying additional shares of our common stock and
should be considered as carefully as you would consider any other equity
investment. Among other things, you should carefully consider the risks
described under the heading "Risk Factors," beginning on page 6.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I CHOOSE NOT TO EXERCISE MY SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS?
You will retain your current number of shares of common stock even if you
do not exercise your subscription rights. However, if other shareholders
exercise their subscription rights and you do not, the percentage of United
States Lime & Minerals that you own will diminish, and your voting and other
rights will be diluted. See "Risk Factors -- Dilution of your percentage
ownership of United States Lime & Minerals."
CAN I SELL OR GIVE AWAY MY SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS?
No.
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MUST I EXERCISE ANY SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS?
No.
WHAT ARE THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF EXERCISING MY SUBSCRIPTION
RIGHTS?
The receipt and exercise of your subscription rights are intended to be
nontaxable events. You should seek specific tax advice from your personal tax
advisor. See "Federal Income Tax Considerations -- Taxation of Shareholders."
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY NEW SHARES?
If you purchase shares of common stock through the rights offering, you
will receive certificates representing those shares as soon as practicable after
February 5, 2001.
CAN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANCEL THE RIGHTS OFFERING?
Yes. The Board of Directors, excluding the director affiliated with
Inberdon, may decide to cancel the rights offering at any time, on or before
February 5, 2001, for any reason. If we cancel the rights offering, any money
received from subscribing shareholders will be refunded promptly. See "About the
Rights Offering -- Cancellation Right."
HOW MUCH MONEY WILL UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS RECEIVE FROM THE RIGHTS
OFFERING?
If we sell all the shares being offered, we will receive gross proceeds of
$10,000,000. We are offering shares in the rights offering with no minimum
purchase requirement. As a result, there is no assurance we will be able to sell
all or any of the shares being offered. However, our majority shareholder,
Inberdon, has indicated a willingness to fully exercise its basic subscription
rights and to purchase all or a portion of the shares that are not subscribed
for in the rights offering by other shareholders. Accordingly, even if Inberdon
is the only shareholder who participates in the rights offering, we should
receive gross proceeds of between $8,000,000 and $10,000,000. See "About the
Rights Offering -- Purchase Commitments."
HOW WILL WE USE THE PROCEEDS FROM THE RIGHTS OFFERING?
We intend to use the net proceeds of the rights offering to repay
short-term borrowings, which currently consist of the $5,000,000 bridge loan
provided to us by Inberdon on December 27, 2000, which we intend to repay fully
and promptly upon the closing of the rights offering, and $4,000,000 under our
revolving credit facility. We intend to use the balance of the proceeds, if any,
for working capital and general corporate purposes. If we receive proceeds of
less than $9,000,000, we intend to fully and promptly repay the bridge loan and
partially repay the amount borrowed under our revolving credit facility. See
"Use of Proceeds."
HOW MANY SHARES WILL BE OUTSTANDING AFTER THE RIGHTS OFFERING?
The number of shares of common stock that will be outstanding after the
rights offering will depend on the number of shares that are purchased in the
rights offering. If we sell all of the shares being offered, then we will issue
1,818,181 new shares of common stock. In that case, we will have approximately
5,799,845 shares of common stock outstanding after the rights offering.
WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
If you have more questions about the rights offering, please contact our
information agent, Corporate Investor Communications, Inc., toll free by
telephone at (866) 745-6678 or our Vice President of Finance, Corporate
Controller and Secretary, Larry T. Ohms at 13800 Montfort Drive, Suite 330,
Dallas, Texas, 75240, or by telephone at (972) 991-8400. See "If You Have
Questions."
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A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Any statements contained in this prospectus that are not statements of
historical fact are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this
prospectus, including, without limitation, statements relating to our plans,
strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources, are
identified by such words as "will," "could," "should," "believe," "expect,"
"intend," "plan," "anticipate," "schedule," "estimate," and "project." We
undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements. You are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
expectations, including, without limitation, the following: (i) our plans,
strategies, objectives, expectations, and intentions are subject to change at
any time at our discretion; (ii) our plans and results of operations will be
affected by our ability to manage our growth and modernization; (iii) inclement
weather conditions; (iv) increased fuel costs; (v) unanticipated delays or
additional cost overruns in completing current construction projects; and (vi)
other risks and uncertainties set forth below or in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves risks. You should be able to bear a
complete loss of your investment. You should carefully consider the following
factors and other information in this Prospectus before deciding to purchase our
common stock.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OFFERING OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
Risks associated with exercising subscription rights. We cannot assure you
that the public trading market price of our common stock will not either
increase or decline before the subscription rights expire. If you exercise your
subscription rights and the market price of the common stock subsequently does
not increase to more than $5.50, then you will have committed to buy shares of
common stock in the rights offering at a price that is higher than the price at
which our shares could be purchased in the market. Moreover, we cannot assure
you that you will ever be able to sell shares of common stock that you purchased
in the rights offering at a price equal to or greater than the subscription
price. Until certificates are delivered upon expiration of the rights offering,
you may not be able to sell the shares of our common stock that you purchase in
the rights offering. Certificates representing shares of our common stock that
you purchased will be delivered as soon as practicable after expiration of the
rights offering. We will not pay you interest on funds delivered to the
Subscription Agent pursuant to the exercise of rights.
Determination of the subscription price. Our Board of Directors, excluding
the director affiliated with Inberdon, set all of the terms and conditions of
the rights offering, including the subscription price. The Board of Directors
advised Inberdon of its determination of the subscription price to confirm
Inberdon's willingness to pay an above-market price for shares in the rights
offering. The $5.50 subscription price was based on the historical trading
prices of our common stock, our book value per share, and Inberdon's willingness
to pay an above-market price. The subscription price does not necessarily bear
any relationship to our past or expected future operations, cash flows,
financial condition, or any other established criteria for value. You should not
consider the subscription price as an indication of the value of United States
Lime & Minerals or our common stock. See "Determination of Offering Price."
No revocation of exercise of subscription rights. Once you exercise your
subscription rights, you may not revoke the exercise.
Dilution of your percentage ownership of United States Lime & Minerals. If
you do not exercise all of your basic subscription rights, you may suffer
significant dilution of your percentage ownership of United States Lime &
Minerals relative to shareholders who fully exercise their subscription rights.
For example, if you own 500,000 shares of common stock before the rights
offering, or 12.6% of the equity of United States Lime & Minerals, and you
exercise none of your subscription rights while all other subscription rights
are exercised through the basic subscription privilege or over-subscription
privilege, then the percentage ownership represented by your 500,000 shares will
be reduced to 8.6%.
Cancellation of rights offering. If we elect to cancel the rights
offering, neither we nor the Subscription Agent will have any obligation with
respect to the subscription rights except to return, without interest, any
subscription payments.
Volatility of stock price. Certain factors may cause the market price of
our stock to fluctuate significantly. These factors include, without limitation:
- inclement weather;
- quarterly fluctuations in our financial results;
- general economic conditions and the impact of government programs such as
the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century;
- market conditions in the lime industry, and in the industries that
purchase our products;
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- changes in relationships with our customers; and
- the size of the public float of our common stock (which, in the case of
the rights offering, will depend on the number of shares of common stock
purchased in the rights offering).
Control by major shareholder. As of December 26, 2000, Inberdon owned
approximately 51% of our voting stock. The rights offering could, and in fact is
likely to, result in Inberdon's owning an even greater percentage (up to 67% if
Inberdon purchases all of the shares being offered) of our common stock.
Inberdon has enough votes to approve or disapprove any matters that are
determined by a majority vote of our shareholders, and accordingly your ability
to influence United States Lime & Minerals through voting your shares is
limited.
RISK FACTORS RELATING TO UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS
Short-term liquidity demands. We are making the rights offering to raise
cash to meet immediate liquidity demands. If we sell all the shares being
offered, we will receive gross proceeds of $10,000,000. We will use most of
these proceeds to repay short-term indebtedness, including the $5,000,000 bridge
loan from Inberdon and all or a portion of our $4,000,000 revolving credit
facility, which we have fully drawn down. To the extent we repay the revolving
credit facility, we will have access to funds available thereunder. Accordingly,
we believe that the proceeds of the rights offering will allow us to meet
immediate liquidity demands and to pay for all necessary work on Phase I of the
Arkansas project. We have not, however, established any minimum purchase
requirement for shareholder participation in the rights offering. And, although
Inberdon, our majority shareholder, has indicated a willingness to purchase
shares in the rights offering for a total investment of between $8,000,000 and
$10,000,000 (see "About the Rights Offering -- Purchase Commitments"), there is
no guarantee that Inberdon will do so. Accordingly, there can be no assurance
that we will be able to sell all or any of the shares we are offering, and the
amount of proceeds we receive may be substantially less than we anticipate and
need.
If we do not raise at least $8,000,000 in the rights offering and if our
results of operations do not significantly improve in the short term, it may be
difficult for us to meet our short-term obligations or to achieve our business
goals. We likely would have to obtain additional financing, and there is no
assurance we will be able to do so given our current levels of indebtedness.
Even if we do raise $10,000,000 in the rights offering, until we begin to
generate the level of cash flow and operating profits that we believe we are
capable of, given the significant investments that we recently have made to our
facilities, we may need to explore new sources of financing or other
alternatives to maximize shareholder value.
Factors that could affect our operations. In the normal course of our
business, we face risks that could have a material adverse impact on our results
of operations, liquidity, financial position and prospects. Not all risks are
foreseeable or within our ability to control. These risks arise from factors
including, but not limited to:
- fluctuating demand for lime and limestone products;
- our ability to produce and store quantities of lime and limestone
products sufficient to meet customer demand;
- our modernization and expansion strategies, including our ability to
execute our strategies and complete our projects on time and within
budget;
- our access to capital;
- energy costs;
- inclement weather; and
- the effects of seasonal trends in the lime industry.
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Our success depends on our ability to manage risks affecting our business and
the industry. If we are not able to do so, our business will suffer, which could
have a negative impact on the price of our common stock.
Existing and future adverse effects of leverage and restrictions imposed by
terms of our indebtedness. Following the closing of this offering, our debt
ratio is expected to have improved (see "About the Rights
Offering -- Capitalization Table"). Even with our improved debt ratio, a
substantial portion of our cash flow from operations will be dedicated to the
payment of principal and interest on indebtedness. Our ability to service our
debt and to comply with the financial and restrictive covenants contained in our
loan agreements will depend upon our future performance and business growth. Our
performance and growth are subject to financial, economic, competitive, and
other factors. Many of these factors are beyond our control. In particular, our
ability to service our indebtedness will depend upon our ability to generate
higher levels of revenues and cash flow as a result of the modernization and
expansion of the Texas and Arkansas plants. While we believe that we will be
able to generate sufficient cash flow to cover our current and anticipated
future debt service payments, we cannot provide any assurance to that effect.
Compliance with environments laws and regulations. Our operations are
subject to various federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations,
including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act, as well as the Toxic Substances Control Act. The rate of change
of such legislation has been rapid over the last decade, and compliance can
require significant expenditures. For example, recent federal legislation
required Texas Lime Company and Arkansas Lime Company to apply for "Title V"
renewable operating permits ("Operating Air Permits") which have significant
on-going compliance monitoring costs. While we cannot be certain that we will
always be able to comply with changing requirements without a material impact on
our business, we are not aware of any such impending change with which we cannot
comply.
In September 1999, we received an Operating Air Permit for Phase I of the
modernization and expansion project for the Arkansas facility. In June 2000, we
received a second Operating Air Permit for Arkansas Phase II. These permits
cover air emissions generated at the facility and contain stringent emission
limits and performance criteria that the new rotary lime kilns and plant must
meet. Until both kilns are fully operational and have demonstrated their ability
to comply with the permit conditions, there can be no assurance that additional
capital will not be required, or operating conditions imposed, in order to
achieve compliance.
Completion of Phase II of the Arkansas project. We have discussed our
desire to complete Phase II of the Arkansas project. However, due to our lower
than expected cash flow and operating profits generated this year, as well as
the increased costs of both Arkansas Phase I and the second pulverized limestone
facility at Texas Lime, we are delaying the construction of Arkansas Phase II at
this time. We still intend to proceed with the project and will continue to
review the optimum start-up time based on our operating results, market demand,
ability to secure competitive bids for the construction and the availability of
financing. The future construction of Arkansas Phase II could also have a
material adverse effect on our business or financial results due to the impact
of start-up costs and the potential for under-utilization, especially in the
start-up phase. No assurance can be given that the Phase II expansion of the
Arkansas facility will be completed on time or within budgeted projections, and
it may be abandoned due to these or other issues. Further, notwithstanding
current demand for lime and limestone products, we cannot guarantee that we will
be able to sell our products, or reestablish accounts with those customers that
previously purchased products from Arkansas Lime, once increased production has
commenced, or that any such sales will be profitable. We may decide to incur
additional debt or issue additional equity securities to pay for construction or
other expansion costs, which could have a further material adverse dilutive
effect on the ownership interests of our current shareholders.
Competition. The lime industry is highly regionalized and competitive. Our
competitors include both public and private companies. The primary competitive
factors in the lime industry are quality, price, proximity to the customer,
personal relationships, and timeliness of deliveries, with varying emphasis on
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these factors depending upon the specific product application. To the extent
that one or more of our competitors becomes more successful with respect to any
key competitive factor, our business could be materially adversely affected.
Although demand for lime has been relatively strong in recent years, we are
unable to predict future demand and prices, and we cannot provide any assurance
that current levels of demand and pricing will continue or that any future price
increases can be sustained.
Industry consolidation. There is a continuing trend of consolidation in
the lime and limestone industry. Currently, the four largest lime companies in
North America account for approximately 70% of total lime capacity. In addition
to, and often in conjunction with, consolidations, many producers have undergone
modernization and expansion projects to upgrade their processing equipment in an
effort to improve their operating efficiency and competitive position. As
industry consolidation continues, we will continue to evaluate external
opportunities for expansion, as well as pursue our modernization and expansion
projects, in an effort to remain competitive, protect our markets, and position
ourself for the future. We cannot provide any assurance that we will have
sufficient financial and management resources to implement our strategy,
particularly while we are endeavoring to complete the Arkansas project.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
The Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Herbert G.A. Wilson
as President, Chief Executive Officer and Director effective December 8, 2000
and appointed Timothy W. Byrne as its new President and CEO effective that date.
Mr. Byrne has been associated with us for 10 years. In addition to his service
as a Board member since 1991, Mr. Byrne served as our President and CEO during
1997 and 1998 and as our Chief Financial Officer prior to 1997.
On December 27, 2000, the Company obtained a $5,000,000 bridge loan
("Bridge Loan"), under normal commercial terms, from Inberdon. The Bridge Loan
is unsecured, bears interest at 9.75% and must be repaid by March 27, 2001. We
intend to promptly repay the Bridge Loan with a portion of the proceeds of the
rights offering.
During the first nine months of 2000 and continuing in the fourth quarter,
our operating results have been adversely affected by a number of factors, which
include, but are not limited to, rapidly increasing fuel costs, particularly
natural gas, lower sales of pulverized limestone used in roofing products, and
unprecedented flooding at the Texas Lime Company in June. Actions have been
taken to address these adverse factors which, together with the new production
facilities, should improve cash flow and operating profits in 2001.
The recent high cost of natural gas has impacted the results of Arkansas
Lime Company, increasing operating losses because the old vertical kilns, now
retired, could only burn gas. The new Phase I rotary kiln, which produced its
first lime on October 22, 2000, has mitigated this issue because it is permitted
to burn gas, coal or coke. The old gas kilns used for lime production were
permanently closed on October 20, 2000, one month later than originally
estimated. Our pulverized limestone production process in Texas and Arkansas
will continue to run exclusively on gas fuel.
The June flooding in Texas was the result of exceptional rainfall,
subsequently confirmed by the National Weather Service to be the heaviest
monthly total in the area for 113 years. The floods caused a significant loss of
production and the depletion of finished goods inventories, and led to increased
costs through purchasing lime from outside sources to fulfill customer
commitments. There was no long-term damage, and the plant was back in full
production in July. We retained our customer base and have rebuilt the normal
level of finished goods inventories.
During the fourth quarter 2000, we commissioned a new line for the
production of pulverized limestone at Texas Lime Company. This investment will
allow us to pursue new business opportunities and better serve existing
customers. The lack of reliability of a single production line was a restraining
factor on sales to several large customers requiring "round-the-clock"
availability. We believe that certain of these customers will begin taking
additional product in the first quarter of 2001. The production operations at
Texas Lime are highly integrated, and increasing the level of pulverized
limestone production, along
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with the recent increases in lime capacity, allows for a lower level of
production cost to be achieved. We previously estimated the cost of the
pulverized limestone production line to be $1,800,000. We have revised our
estimate to $2,300,000 to reflect additional costs. The line is complete and
fully operational, so we do not anticipate revising further our $2,300,000
estimate.
We now estimate that total capital expenditures for Phase I of the Arkansas
project will be approximately $34,000,000, approximately $4,000,000 over the
estimate last announced by us. The current estimate of $34,000,000 includes
approximately $1,800,000 of costs associated with the pre-building of certain
facilities for Phase II of the Arkansas project and the purchase of, but not all
of the improvements to, the terminal in Shreveport, Louisiana. This estimate is
subject to final completion of some of the material handling infrastructure in
Phase I, as well as a satisfactory resolution of various outstanding matters
with vendors and contractors. The kiln in Phase I produced its first lime on
October 22, 2000, which is of excellent quality and has been well received by
our customers. Currently, our lime is being tested by a number of new customers
that we previously could not serve because of the quality of our lime produced
with our old vertical kilns which have been retired. In addition, the new kiln
is operating efficiently, and has produced volumes in excess of 600 tons per
day. There is some additional work to be completed on Phase I, and at the
present time, we estimate that, except for the terminal in Shreveport,
Louisiana, which we plan to complete in conjunction with Phase II, Phase I will
be completed and fully operational during the first quarter of 2001.
Arkansas Phase II is estimated to cost approximately $12,000,000. We have
expressed our desire to complete Phase II of the Arkansas expansion as soon as
practicable. However, due to our lower than expected cash flow and operating
profits generated this year, as well as the increased costs of both Arkansas
Phase I and the second pulverized limestone line at Texas Lime, we are delaying
the construction of Phase II at this time. We still plan to proceed with the
project and will continue to review the optimum time to start this project based
on our future operating results, market demand, and our ability to secure
competitive construction bids and financing.
BANKING FACILITIES
We have a $50,000,000 Senior Secured Term Loan (the "Loan"), provided by a
consortium of commercial banks (the "Lenders"), which was fully drawn down on
March 30, 2000. The Loan was used to repay all the then-existing bank loans,
with the balance principally used to fund Phase I of the Arkansas project.
Monthly principal payments of $277,778 began on April 30, 2000, and will
terminate on March 30, 2007, when a final payment of $26,944,444 is due. The
interest rate is fixed at a weighted average rate of 9.135%, in addition to
which, we pay a servicing fee of 0.125% of the outstanding principal. The Loan
is secured by a first lien on substantially all of our assets with the exception
of accounts receivable and inventories. On December 27, 2000, we executed with
the Lenders the first amendment to the credit agreement for the Loan for the
purpose of amending certain covenants related to other indebtedness and to
permit us to incur additional indebtedness in the amount of the $5,000,000
Bridge Loan provided by Inberdon.
We also have a $4,000,000 revolving credit facility (the "Revolver")
provided by the lead bank of the Loan consortium and secured by accounts
receivable and inventories. The Revolver bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.40%,
which rate will increase in accordance with a defined rate spread based upon our
then-current rate of total funded debt to earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). The Revolver expires on April 20, 2001,
and as of December 22, 2000, we had fully drawn down all available funds under
this facility.
ABOUT UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS
United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. was incorporated in 1950. Our business
is the production and sale of lime and limestone products. We conduct our
operations through three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Arkansas Lime Company, Texas
Lime Company, and Colorado Lime Company.
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We extract raw, high-quality limestone from our quarries and then processes
it for sale as pulverized limestone, quicklime, and hydrated lime. Pulverized
limestone, also referred to as ground calcium carbonate, is a dried product
ground to granular and finer sizes. Quicklime (calcium oxide) is produced by
heating limestone to very high temperatures in kilns in a process called
calcination. Hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) is produced by reacting quicklime
with water in a controlled process to produce a dry, white powder.
Pulverized limestone is used primarily in the production of construction
materials such as asphalt paving and roofing shingles, as an additive to
agriculture feeds, as a soil enhancement, and for mine safety dust in coal
mining operations. Quicklime is used primarily in the manufacturing of paper
products, in sanitation and water filtering systems, in metal processing, and in
soil stabilization for highway and building construction. Hydrated lime is used
primarily in municipal sanitation and water treatment, in soil stabilization for
highway and building construction, in the production of chemicals, and in the
production of construction materials such as stucco, plaster and mortar.
Our principal customers for lime and limestone products are highway, street
and parking lot contractors, chemical producers, paper manufacturers, roofing
shingle manufacturers, steel producers, glass manufacturers, municipal
sanitation and water treatment facilities, poultry and cattle feed producers,
governmental agencies, and electric utility companies. We transport our lime and
limestone products by rail and truck to customers generally within a radius of
400 miles of each of our processing plants. Substantially all of our sales are
made within the United States, with a majority of our product sales occurring in
the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New
Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas. Approximately 700 customers accounted
for our sales of lime and limestone products during the year ended December 31,
1999. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of such sales. We believe
that we are not subject to significant customer risks because our customers are
considerably diversified as to geographic location and industrial concentration.
However, given the capital intensive nature of the lime and limestone industry,
our profits are very sensitive to changes in sales volume.
Our sales have historically reflected seasonal trends, with the largest
percentage of total annual revenues being realized in the second and third
quarters. Lower seasonal demand normally results in reduced shipments and
revenues in the first and fourth quarters. Inclement weather conditions
generally have a negative impact on the demand for and production of lime and
limestone products.
Two of our subsidiaries currently extract limestone from open-pit quarries:
the Texas Lime Company, which is located 14 miles from Cleburne, Texas; and the
Arkansas Lime Company, which is located near Batesville, Arkansas. A third
subsidiary, the Colorado Lime Company, owns limestone resources at Monarch Pass
located 15 miles west of Salida, Colorado.
Texas Lime Company operates from a tract of land containing approximately
470 acres, including the Cleburne Quarry. In January 1999, we purchased
approximately 400 acres of additional land and now own approximately 2,700 acres
adjacent to the quarry. Both the quarry and the adjacent land contain known
high-quality limestone reserves in a bed averaging 28 feet in thickness, with an
overburden that ranges from 0 to 50 feet. We also have mineral interests in
approximately 560 acres of land adjacent to the northwest boundary of that
property. The calculated reserves, as of January 31, 1999, were approximately
44,000,000 tons of proven reserves and approximately 91,000,000 tons of probable
reserves. Assuming the enhanced level of production following the Texas
modernization and expansion project is maintained, we estimate that these
reserves are sufficient to sustain operations for approximately 100 years.
Arkansas Lime Company operates the Batesville Quarry and its new lime
production facility located at the quarry. The limestone and hydrate production
facilities are located at a second site linked to the quarry by its own standard
railroad. The active quarry operations cover approximately 725 acres of land
containing a known deposit of high-quality limestone. The average thickness of
the high-quality limestone deposit is approximately 70 feet, with an average
overburden thickness of 35 feet. We also own approximately 325 additional acres
containing additional high-quality limestone deposits adjacent to the present
quarry but separated from it by a public highway. The average thickness of this
second high-
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quality limestone deposit is approximately 55 feet, with an average overburden
of 20 feet. The calculated reserves, as of January 31, 1999, were approximately
23,500,000 tons of proven reserves plus an additional 33,500,000 tons of
probable reserves. Assuming the present level of production is maintained, we
estimate that reserves are sufficient to sustain operations for approximately
100 years. However, this estimate is reduced to 50 years assuming that the
Arkansas facility reaches projected production levels after the planned
modernization and expansion.
Colorado Lime Company acquired the Monarch Pass Quarry in November 1995 and
has not carried out any mining on the property. A review of the potential
limestone resources has been completed by independent geologists. However, we do
not consider the cost of a drilling program to be economically feasible at this
time and, consequently, it is not possible to identify and categorize reserves.
The Monarch Pass Quarry, which had been operated for many years until its
closure in the early nineties, contains a mixture of limestone types, including
high-quality calcium limestone and dolomite. We expect to utilize remaining
crushed stone inventories to supply our processing plant in nearby Salida.
Developed quarry benches are available and will be mined if the need arises.
We extract limestone by the open-pit method at the Arkansas and Texas
quarries. Monarch Pass is also an open-pit quarry, but is not being worked at
this time. Open-pit mining is generally less expensive than underground mining.
The principal disadvantage of the open-pit method is that operations are subject
to inclement weather.
After extraction through mining operations, limestone is crushed, screened,
and ground in the case of pulverized limestone, or further processed in kilns
and hydrators in the case of quicklime and hydrated lime, before shipment. We
produce lime and/or limestone products at three plants as described below.
Following the completion of the modernization and expansion of the Texas
plant at the end of 1998, the annual capacity is now 470,000 tons of quicklime
from three rotary kilns. The Texas project included the installation of a new
stone crushing and handling system, the addition of a preheater to one of the
existing kilns, additional storage, screening, and shipping capacity, and a new
support building housing a laboratory and administrative and shop facilities.
The plant has pulverized limestone equipment which has a capacity to produce
approximately 1,000,000 tons of pulverized limestone annually, depending on the
product mix. Construction of a second pulverizing line is now completed and has
provided operational flexibility as well as an increase in capacity. In addition
to the Cleburne plant, we own a dormant plant which is located near Blum, Texas
on a tract of land covering approximately 40 acres. The Blum plant was acquired
in 1989, and its kilns have not been operated since that time; however, the
plant's storage and shipment facilities are currently being utilized.
The Arkansas lime production plant is situated at the quarry. The limestone
and hydrate facilities are situated on a tract of 290 acres located
approximately two miles from the Batesville Quarry to which it is connected by a
company-owned standard railroad. Utilizing one rotary kiln, this plant has an
annual capacity of approximately 200,000 tons of quicklime. The plant has two
grinding systems which, depending on the product mix, have the capacity to
produce 700,000 tons of pulverized limestone annually.
Over the past decade, Arkansas Lime Company has lost various accounts due
to poor product quality and service from the now retired vertical lime kilns
which were installed in the 1920's. We have commenced a modernization and
expansion of the Arkansas facility, to be completed in two phases, which is
designed to expand production and improve quality and service, enabling Arkansas
Lime Company to compete for new accounts and for the accounts of former
customers lost due to the quality and service issues. Phase I, included the
redevelopment of the quarry plant, rebuilding of the railroad to standard United
States gauge, purchase of a facility to establish an out-of-state terminal, and
installation of a rotary kiln with preheater, along with increased product
storage and loading capacity. There is some additional work to be completed on
Phase I, but the project recently met an important milestone in producing its
first lime on October 22. Completion of Phase I will provide us with a modern
quarry and lime manufacturing facilities with an annual production capacity of
approximately 200,000 tons of quicklime. We have plans to refurbish the
distribution terminal in Shreveport, Louisiana, connected to the Kansas City
Southern railroad, to provide lime storage and distribution capacity to service
markets in Louisiana and East Texas.
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However, based on our current plan, this terminal may be completed in
conjunction with Phase II. Phase II of the project, which we have determined to
delay at this time, would further expand lime production capacity at Arkansas to
approximately 400,000 tons of quicklime by the installation of a second rotary
kiln and preheater with additional storage capacity.
We maintain lime hydrating equipment and limestone drying and pulverizing
equipment at both the Texas and Arkansas plants. Storage facilities for lime and
pulverized limestone products at each plant consist primarily of cylindrical
tanks, which we consider to be adequate to protect our lime and limestone
products and to provide an available supply for our customers' needs at the
existing volume of shipments. Equipment is maintained at each plant to load
trucks, and at the Arkansas and Blum plants to load railroad cars.
The Colorado Lime Company operates a limestone drying, grinding and bagging
facility, with an annual capacity of 60,000 tons, on 99 acres of land in Salida,
Colorado. The property is leased from the Union Pacific Railroad for a term of 5
years, commencing June 1999, with renewal options for a further 10 years. A rail
loading spur is available, although we do not currently ship any products by
rail from this facility. This plant's facilities also include a small rotary
lime kiln which is permitted for operation but is presently not being operated.
A mobile stone crushing and screening plant is situated in the Monarch Pass
Quarry, producing agricultural grade limestone, with an annual capacity of up to
40,000 tons.
ABOUT THE LIME INDUSTRY
In recent years, the demand for lime has been relatively strong, and price
levels have gradually increased. However, the industry remains localized and
competitive, with quality, price and proximity to customers being the prime
factors affecting competition.
Our competitors are predominately private companies, and, following a
period of substantial consolidation in the lime and limestone industry, the four
largest lime companies now account for approximately 70% of North American lime
capacity. In addition to the consolidations, and often in conjunction with them,
many lime producers have undergone modernization and expansion projects to
upgrade their processing equipment in an effort to improve operating efficiency.
Our modernization and expansion projects should allow us to continue to remain
competitive, protect our markets, and position ourselves for the future. In
addition, we will continue to evaluate external opportunities for expansion.
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ABOUT THE RIGHTS OFFERING
BEFORE EXERCISING ANY SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS, YOU SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE
INFORMATION SET FORTH UNDER "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6.
THE SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
We are distributing to you, at no cost, non-transferable subscription
rights either as a holder of record of shares of our common stock on December
26, 2000 or, in the case of shares held in our Plan, as a beneficial owner of
shares held by the Plan on that date. We are giving you 0.4566 subscription
rights for each share of common stock that you owned on December 26, 2000. You
will not receive fractional subscription rights during the rights offering, but
instead we have rounded your total number of subscription rights down to the
nearest whole number. Each subscription right entitles you to purchase one share
of common stock for $5.50. If you wish to exercise your subscription rights, you
must do so before 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on February 5, 2001. After
that date, the subscription rights will expire and will no longer be
exercisable.
BASIC SUBSCRIPTION PRIVILEGE
Each subscription right entitles you to receive one share of common stock
upon payment of $5.50 per share. You will receive certificates representing the
shares that you purchase pursuant to your basic subscription privilege as soon
as practicable after February 5, 2001, whether you exercise your subscription
rights immediately prior to that date or earlier.
OVER-SUBSCRIPTION PRIVILEGE
Subject to the allocation described below, each subscription right also
grants each shareholder an over-subscription privilege to purchase additional
shares of common stock that are not purchased by other shareholders pursuant to
their basic subscription privileges. You are entitled to exercise your over-
subscription privilege only if you exercise your basic subscription rights in
full. Inberdon, our majority shareholder, has stated its intention not to
subscribe for additional shares pursuant to its over-subscription privilege,
thus stepping back to allow other fully subscribing shareholders to purchase
additional shares if they wish.
If you wish to exercise your over-subscription privilege, you should
indicate the number of additional shares that you would like to purchase in the
space provided on your subscription certificate. When you send in your
subscription certificate, you must also send the full purchase price for the
number of additional shares that you have requested to purchase (in addition to
the payment due for shares purchased through your basic subscription privilege).
If the number of shares remaining after the exercise of all basic subscription
privileges is not sufficient to satisfy all requests for shares pursuant to
over-subscription privileges, you will be allocated additional shares pro rata
(subject to elimination of fractional shares), based on the number of shares you
purchased through the basic subscription privilege in proportion to the total
number of shares that you and other over-subscribing shareholders purchased
through the basic subscription privilege. However, if your pro rata allocation
exceeds the number of shares you requested on your subscription certificate,
then you will receive only the number of shares that you requested, and the
remaining shares from your pro rata allocation will be divided among other
shareholders exercising their over-subscription privileges. Subject to state
securities laws and regulations, we have the discretion to issue less than the
total number of shares that may be available for over-subscription requests in
order to comply with state securities laws.
As soon as practicable after February 5, 2001, Computershare Trust Company
of New York, acting as our Subscription Agent, will determine the number of
shares of common stock that you may purchase pursuant to the over-subscription
privilege. You will receive certificates representing these shares as soon as
practicable after February 5, 2001. Subject to state securities laws and
regulations, we have the discretion to delay allocation and distribution of any
and all shares to shareholders who are affected by such regulations and elect to
participate in the rights offering, including shares that we issue with respect
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to your basic or over-subscription privilege in order to comply with state
securities laws. If you request and pay for more shares than are allocated to
you, we will refund that overpayment, without interest. In connection with the
exercise of the over-subscription privilege, banks, brokers and other nominee
holders of subscription rights who act on behalf of beneficial owners will be
required to certify to the Subscription Agent and United States Lime & Minerals
as to the aggregate number of subscription rights that have been exercised, and
the number of shares of common stock that are being requested through the over-
subscription privilege, by each beneficial owner on whose behalf such nominee
holder is acting.
PURCHASE COMMITMENTS
As of December 26, 2000, Inberdon owned approximately 51% of the
outstanding shares of our common stock and, therefore, will receive rights to
subscribe with its basic subscription privilege for approximately 926,862 shares
of our common stock in the rights offering. Inberdon has stated its intention to
fully exercise its basic subscription rights and, if the rights offering is
undersubscribed, to purchase additional shares that are not subscribed for by
other shareholders in the rights offering, to the extent such shares are
available, for an investment of at least $8,000,000 and, in its sole discretion,
possibly up to $10,000,000.
NO RECOMMENDATIONS
We are not making any recommendation as to whether or not you should
exercise your subscription rights. You should make your decision based on your
own assessment of your best interests.
EXPIRATION DATE
The rights will expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on February 5,
2001, unless we decide to extend the rights offering. If the commencement of the
rights offering is delayed, the expiration date will be similarly extended. If
you do not exercise your basic subscription privilege and over-subscription
privilege prior to that time, YOUR SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS WILL BE NULL AND VOID. We
will not be required to issue shares of common stock to you if the Subscription
Agent receives your subscription certificate or your payment after that time,
regardless of when you sent the subscription certificate and payment, unless you
send the documents in compliance with the guaranteed delivery procedures
described below.
CANCELLATION RIGHT
Our Board of Directors, excluding the director affiliated with Inberdon,
may cancel the rights offering in its sole discretion at any time prior to or on
February 5, 2001 for any reason (including, without limitation, a change in the
market price of the common stock). If we cancel the rights offering, any funds
you paid will be promptly refunded, without interest.
NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
Only you may exercise the basic subscription privilege and the
over-subscription privilege. You may not sell, give away or otherwise transfer
the basic subscription privilege or the over-subscription privilege.
EXERCISE OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
You may exercise your subscription rights by delivering to the Subscription
Agent on or prior to February 5, 2001:
- A properly completed and duly executed subscription certificate;
- Any required signature guarantees; and
- Payment in full of $5.50 per share of common stock to be purchased
through the basic subscription privilege and the over-subscription
privilege.
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You should deliver your subscription certificate and payment to the
Subscription Agent at the address shown under the heading "Subscription Agent."
We will not pay you interest on funds delivered to the Subscription Agent
pursuant to the exercise of rights.
METHOD OF PAYMENT
Payment for the shares must be made by check or bank draft (cashier's
check) drawn upon a U.S. bank or a money order payable to "Computershare Trust
Company of New York, AS SUBSCRIPTION AGENT" or by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the account maintained by the Subscription Agent at Harris
Trust and Savings Bank, Chicago, Illinois, ABA #071000288, Account No.
227-938-8. Any wire transfer of funds should clearly indicate the identity of
the subscriber who is paying the subscription price by the wire transfer.
Payment will be deemed to have been received by the Subscription Agent only
upon:
(A) receipt and clearance of any uncertified check;
(B) receipt by the Subscription Agent of any certified check or bank
draft drawn upon a U.S. bank, any money order or any funds transferred by
wire transfers; or
(C) receipt of good funds in the Subscription Agent's account
designated above.
Please note that funds paid by uncertified personal check may take at least
five business days to clear. Accordingly, if you wish to pay by means of an
uncertified personal check, we urge you to make payment sufficiently in advance
of February 5, 2001 to ensure that the Subscription Agent receives cleared funds
before that date. We also urge you to consider payment by means of a certified
or cashier's check or money order.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
If you want to exercise your subscription rights, but time will not permit
your subscription certificate to reach the Subscription Agent on or prior to
February 5, 2001, you may exercise your subscription rights if you satisfy the
following guaranteed delivery procedures:
(1) You send, and the Subscription Agent receives, payment in full for
each share of common stock being subscribed for through the basic
subscription privilege and the over-subscription privilege, on or prior to
February 5, 2001;
(2) You send, and the Subscription Agent receives, on or prior to
February 5, 2001, a notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in the
form provided with the attached instructions, from a member firm of a
registered national securities exchange or a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust
company having an office or correspondent in the United States. The notice
of guaranteed delivery must state your name, the number of subscription
rights that you hold, the number of shares of common stock that you wish to
purchase pursuant to the basic subscription privilege and the number of
shares, if any, you wish to purchase pursuant to the over-subscription
privilege. The notice of guaranteed delivery must guarantee the delivery of
your subscription certificate to the Subscription Agent within three OTC
trading days following the date that you executed the notice of guaranteed
delivery; and
(3) You send, and the Subscription Agent receives, your properly
completed and duly executed subscription certificate, including any
required signature guarantees, within three OTC trading days following the
date that you executed the notice of guaranteed delivery.
The notice of guaranteed delivery may be delivered to the Subscription
Agent in the same manner as your subscription certificate at the addresses set
forth under the heading "Subscription Agent," or may be transmitted to the
Subscription Agent by facsimile transmission, to facsimile number (212)
701-7636. You can obtain additional copies of the form of notice of guaranteed
delivery by requesting them from the Subscription Agent at the address or phone
number set forth under the heading "Subscription Agent."
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SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
Signatures on the subscription certificate must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Guarantor Institution, as defined in Rule 17Ad-15 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subject to the standards and procedures
adopted by the Subscription Agent. Eligible Guarantor Institutions include
banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges and
savings associations. Signatures on the subscription certificate do not need to
be guaranteed if either the subscription certificate provides that the shares of
common stock to be purchased are to be delivered directly to the record owner of
such subscription rights, or the subscription certificate is submitted for the
account of a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or a
member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial
bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States.
SHARES HELD FOR OTHERS
If you are a broker, a trustee or a depository for securities, or you
otherwise hold shares of common stock for the account of others as a nominee
holder, you should notify the beneficial owner of such shares as soon as
possible to obtain instructions with respect to their subscription rights, as
set forth in the instructions we have provided to you for your distribution to
beneficial owners. If the beneficial owner so instructs, you should complete the
appropriate subscription certificate and, in the case of the over-subscription
privilege, the related nominee holder certification, and submit them to the
Subscription Agent with the proper payment.
If you are a beneficial owner of common stock held by a nominee holder,
such as a broker, trustee or a depository for securities, we will ask your
broker, dealer or other nominee to notify you of this rights offering. If you
wish to purchase shares through this rights offering, you should contact the
holder and ask him or her to effect transactions in accordance with your
instructions on a form provided by your nominee holder with the other rights
offering materials. Notwithstanding the above, if you are a current or former
employee of ours who beneficially owns shares of our common stock which are held
in our Plan, we will treat those shares as part of your record ownership for
purposes of calculating your subscription rights.
AMBIGUITIES IN EXERCISE OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS
If you do not specify the number of shares of common stock being subscribed
for on your subscription certificate, or if your payment is not sufficient to
pay the total purchase price for all of the shares that you indicated you wished
to purchase, you will be deemed to have subscribed for the maximum number of
shares of common stock that could be subscribed for with the payment that the
Subscription Agent receives from you. If your payment exceeds the total purchase
price for all of the shares of common stock shown on your subscription
certificate, your payment will be applied, until depleted, to subscribe for
shares of common stock in the following order:
(1) to subscribe for the number of shares, if any, that you indicated
on the subscription certificate that you wished to purchase through your
basic subscription privilege;
(2) to subscribe for shares of common stock until your basic
subscription privilege has been fully exercised; and
(3) to subscribe for additional shares of common stock pursuant to the
over-subscription privilege (subject to any applicable proration).
Any excess payment remaining after the foregoing allocation will be returned to
you as soon as practicable by mail, without interest or deduction.
REGULATORY LIMITATION
We will not be required to issue to you shares of common stock pursuant to
the rights offering if, in our opinion, you would be required to obtain prior
clearance or approval from any regulatory authorities to own or control such
shares if, at the time the subscription rights expire, you have not obtained
such clearance or approval.
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<PAGE> 20
OUR DECISION BINDING
All questions concerning the timeliness, validity, form and eligibility of
any exercise of subscription rights will be determined by us, and our
determinations will be final and binding. In our sole discretion, we may waive
any defect or irregularity, or permit a defect or irregularity to be corrected
within such time as we may determine, or reject the purported exercise of any
subscription right by reason of any defect or irregularity in such exercise.
Subscriptions will not be deemed to have been received or accepted until all
irregularities have been waived or cured within such time as we determine in our
sole discretion. Neither United States Lime & Minerals nor the Subscription
Agent will be under any duty to notify you of any defect or irregularity in
connection with the submission of a subscription certificate or incur any
liability for failure to give such notification.
NO REVOCATION
Once you have exercised your basic subscription privilege or
over-subscription privilege, YOU MAY NOT REVOKE THAT EXERCISE EVEN IF THE
SUBSCRIPTION PERIOD HAS NOT YET ENDED. You should not exercise your subscription
rights unless you are certain that you wish to purchase additional shares of
common stock at the subscription price of $5.50 per share.
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING AFTER THE RIGHTS OFFERING
Assuming we issue all of the shares of common stock offered in the rights
offering, approximately 5,799,845 shares of common stock will be issued and
outstanding. This would represent a 46% increase in the number of outstanding
shares of common stock. IF YOU DO NOT FULLY EXERCISE YOUR BASIC SUBSCRIPTION
PRIVILEGE BUT OTHERS DO, THE PERCENTAGE OF COMMON STOCK THAT YOU HOLD WILL
DECREASE.
CAPITALIZATION TABLE
The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents, current
installments of long-term debt and revolving credit facility, long-term debt,
excluding current installments and revolving credit facility, and stockholders'
equity as of September 30, 2000, and as adjusted to reflect $10,000,000 in gross
proceeds from the Rights Offering, as if the Rights Offering had closed as of
September 30, 2000. You should read this table in conjunction with our
consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto which are incorporated
by reference into this prospectus. You should also note that, since the
Capitalization Table is as of September 30, 2000, it does not reflect the fact
that we drew down the entire $4,000,000 Revolver and obtained the $5,000,000
Bridge Loan from Inberdon after that date.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
(UNAUDITED)
------------------------
AS
ACTUAL ADJUSTED
-------- ------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents................................... 2,186 12,186
Current installments of long-term debt and revolving credit
facility.................................................. 3,333 3,333
Long-term debt, excluding current installments and revolving
credit facility........................................... 45,000 45,000
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock.............................................. 529 711
Additional paid-in capital................................ 14,819 24,637
Retained earnings......................................... 27,780 27,780
Less treasury stock at cost:
1,312,401 shares of common stock.......................... (13,927) (13,927)
Total stockholders' equity.................................. 29,201 39,201
======= =======
Debt Ratio (debt : debt plus total equity).................. 62.3% 55.2%
</TABLE>
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FEES AND EXPENSES
We will pay all fees charged by the Subscription Agent and the Information
Agent. You are responsible for paying any other commissions, fees, taxes or
other expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of the subscription
rights. Neither United States Lime & Minerals, the Subscription Agent nor the
Information Agent will pay such expenses.
SUBSCRIPTION AGENT
We have appointed Computershare Trust Company of New York as Subscription
Agent for the rights offering.
The Subscription Agent's address for packages sent by hand or overnight
delivery is:
Computershare Trust Company of New York
88 Pine Street, 19th Floor
New York, New York 10005.
The Subscription Agent's address for packages sent by mail is:
Computershare Trust Company of New York
Wall Street Station
P.O. Box 1023
New York, New York 10268-1023
The Subscription Agent's telephone number is (212) 701-7624, and its
facsimile number is (212) 701-7636. You should deliver your subscription
certificate, payment of the subscription price and notice of guaranteed delivery
(if any) to the Subscription Agent. We will pay the fees and certain expenses of
the Subscription Agent, which we estimate will total $25,000. Under certain
circumstances, we may indemnify the Subscription Agent from certain liabilities
that may arise in connection with the rights offering.
INFORMATION AGENT
We have appointed Corporate Investor Communications, Inc. as Information
Agent for the rights offering. The Information Agent will be responsible for
delivery of rights offering materials to certain nominee holders. The
Information Agent will also operate a toll free telephone number to answer
questions from shareholders relating to the rights offering. The Information
Agent may be contacted toll free by telephone at (866) 745-6678.
We will pay the fees and certain expenses of the Information Agent, which
we estimate will total $10,000. Under certain circumstances, we may indemnify
the Information Agent from certain liabilities that may arise in connection with
the rights offering.
IMPORTANT
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THE SUBSCRIPTION
CERTIFICATE AND FOLLOW THOSE INSTRUCTIONS IN DETAIL. DO NOT SEND SUBSCRIPTION
CERTIFICATES DIRECTLY TO US. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHOOSING THE PAYMENT AND
DELIVERY METHOD FOR YOUR SUBSCRIPTION CERTIFICATE, AND YOU BEAR THE RISKS
ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH DELIVERY. IF YOU CHOOSE TO DELIVER YOUR SUBSCRIPTION
CERTIFICATE AND PAYMENT BY MAIL, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE REGISTERED MAIL,
PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. WE ALSO RECOMMEND THAT YOU
ALLOW A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF DAYS TO ENSURE DELIVERY TO THE SUBSCRIPTION AGENT
AND CLEARANCE OF PAYMENT PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 5, 2001. BECAUSE UNCERTIFIED PERSONAL
CHECKS MAY TAKE AT LEAST FIVE BUSINESS DAYS TO CLEAR, WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO
PAY, OR ARRANGE FOR PAYMENT, BY MEANS OF CERTIFIED OR CASHIER'S CHECK OR MONEY
ORDER.
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<PAGE> 22
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
If you have questions or need assistance concerning the procedure for
exercising subscription rights, or if you would like additional copies of this
prospectus, the Instructions, or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, you should
contact:
Corporate Investor Communications, Inc.
Toll Free Telephone: (866) 745-6678
or
United States Lime & Minerals, Inc.
13800 Montfort Drive, Suite 330
Dallas, Texas 75240
Attention: Larry T. Ohms, Vice President of Finance,
Corporate Controller and Secretary
Telephone: (972) 991-8400
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
As a holder of common stock, you are entitled to one vote for each share
held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of our shareholders. You are
entitled to receive dividends, if any, declared by our Board of Directors. If we
liquidate United States Lime & Minerals, you will be entitled to share ratably
with the other shareholders in the distribution of all assets that we have left
after we pay all of our liabilities and make any necessary distributions to any
holders of preferred stock. You have no preemptive rights to subscribe for
additional shares of common stock and no right to convert your common stock into
any other securities. In addition, you do not have the benefit of a sinking fund
for your shares of common stock. Your common stock is not redeemable by United
States Lime & Minerals.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that we will receive net proceeds of approximately $9,660,000
in the rights offering, assuming that all subscription rights are exercised
(which cannot be assured) at a subscription price of $5.50 per share, and after
deducting expenses of the rights offering of approximately $340,000. We intend
to use the net proceeds of the rights offering to repay short-term borrowings
which currently consist of the $5,000,000 Bridge Loan provided to us by Inberdon
on December 27, 2000 and the $4,000,000 that we have drawn down under our
Revolver. The Bridge Loan bears interest at the rate of 9.75% and matures on
March 27, 2001. We intend to pay the Bridge Loan promptly upon the closing of
the rights offering; however, if the Bridge Loan is not paid at maturity, the
rate of interest will increase to 11.75% and will be payable on demand. We plan
to use the proceeds of the Bridge Loan to pay $4,000,000 in increased capital
costs of the completion of the Phase I project in Arkansas, to pay $500,000 in
increased capital costs in completing the pulverized limestone production line
in Texas and for operating expenses. The Revolver bears interest at the rate of
LIBOR plus 1.40%, which rate is subject to increase under certain circumstances,
and expires on April 20, 2001. We intend to use the balance of the proceeds for
capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. If we receive proceeds of
less than $9,000,000, we intend to fully repay the Bridge Loan and partially
repay the amount borrowed under the Revolver.
DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE
Our Board of Directors, excluding the director affiliated with Inberdon,
set all of the terms and conditions of the rights offering, including the
subscription price. The Board of Directors advised Inberdon of its determination
of the subscription price to confirm Inberdon's willingness to pay an
above-market price for shares in the rights offering. The $5.50 subscription
price was based on the historical trading prices of our common stock, our book
value per share, and Inberdon's willingness to pay an above-market price. The
subscription price does not necessarily bear any relationship to our past or
expected future results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, or any
other established criteria for value. You should not consider the subscription
price as an indication of the value of United States Lime & Minerals or our
common stock.
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<PAGE> 23
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
On or about December 27, 2000, we will distribute the subscription rights
and copies of this prospectus to all holders of record of our common stock on
December 26, 2000, except in the case of shares held through our Plan, in which
case the distribution will be made directly to the beneficial owners of common
stock held by the Plan on the record date. If you wish to exercise your
subscription rights and purchase shares of common stock, you should complete the
subscription certificate and return it, with payment for the shares, to the
Subscription Agent, Computershare Trust Company of New York, at the address on
page 19. See "The Rights Offering -- Exercise of Subscription Rights." If you
have any questions, you should contact Corporate Investor Communications, Inc.
or our Vice President of Finance, Company Secretary and Corporate Controller,
Larry T. Ohms, at the telephone numbers and address on page 20.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following summarizes the material federal income tax considerations of
the rights offering to you and United States Lime & Minerals. This summary is
based on current tax law, which is subject to change at any time, possibly with
retroactive effect. This summary is not a complete discussion of all federal
income tax consequences of the rights offering, and, in particular, may not
address federal income tax consequences applicable to shareholders subject to
special treatment under federal income tax law. In addition, this summary does
not address the tax consequences of the rights offering under applicable state,
local or foreign tax laws. This discussion assumes that your shares of common
stock and the subscription rights and shares issued to you during the rights
offering constitute capital assets.
Receipt and exercise of the subscription rights distributed pursuant to the
rights offering is intended to be nontaxable to shareholders, and the following
summary assumes you will qualify for such nontaxable treatment. If, however, the
rights offering does not qualify as nontaxable, you would be treated as
receiving a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of the
subscription rights on their distribution date. The distribution would be taxed
as a dividend to the extent made out of United States Lime & Minerals' current
or accumulated earnings and profits; any excess would be treated first as a
return of your basis (investment) in your United States Lime & Minerals stock
and then as a capital gain. Expiration of the subscription rights would result
in a capital loss.
THIS DISCUSSION IS INCLUDED FOR YOUR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. YOU SHOULD
CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR TO DETERMINE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO YOU OF THE RIGHTS
OFFERING IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING ANY STATE, LOCAL
AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES.
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
Receipt of a subscription right. You will not recognize any gain or other
income upon receipt of a subscription right.
Tax basis and holding period of subscription rights. Your tax basis in
each subscription right will effectively depend on whether you exercise the
subscription right or allow the subscription right to expire.
If you exercise a subscription right, your tax basis in the subscription
right will be determined by allocating the tax basis of your common stock on
which the subscription right is distributed between the common stock and the
subscription right, in proportion to their relative fair market values on the
date of distribution of the subscription right. However, if the fair market
value of your subscription rights is less than 15 percent of the fair market
value of your existing shares of common stock, then the tax basis of each
subscription right will be deemed to be zero, unless you elect, by attaching an
election statement to your federal income tax return for 2000, to allocate tax
basis to your subscription rights.
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<PAGE> 24
If you allow a subscription right to expire, it will be treated as having
no tax basis. Your holding period for a subscription right will include your
holding period for the shares of common stock upon which the subscription right
is issued.
Expiration of subscription rights. You will not recognize any loss upon
the expiration of a subscription right.
Exercise of subscription rights. You generally will not recognize a gain
or loss on the exercise of a subscription right. The tax basis of any share of
common stock that you purchase through the rights offering will be equal to the
sum of your tax basis (if any) in the subscription right exercised and the price
paid for the share. The holding period of the shares of common stock purchased
through the rights offering will begin on the date that you exercise your
subscription rights.
TAXATION OF UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS
We will not recognize any gain, other income or loss upon the issuance of
the subscription rights, the lapse of the subscription rights, or the receipt of
payment for shares of common stock upon exercise of the subscription rights.
STATE AND FOREIGN SECURITIES LAWS
The rights offering is not being made in any state or other jurisdiction in
which it is unlawful to do so. We may delay the commencement of the rights
offering in certain states or other jurisdictions in order to comply with the
securities law requirements of such states or other jurisdictions. In our sole
discretion, we may decline to make modifications to the terms of the rights
offering requested by certain states or other jurisdictions, in which case
shareholders who live in those states or jurisdictions will not be eligible to
participate in the rights offering.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will
be passed upon for us by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Washington, D.C.
EXPERTS
Our consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference from our
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1999, have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report
thereon included therein and incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference into this
prospectus in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy this information at the SEC's
public reference rooms, which are located at:
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300
New York, NY 10048
500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60661
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<PAGE> 25
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public
reference rooms. This information is also available online through the SEC's
Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval System (EDGAR), located on
the SEC's web site (http://www.sec.gov).
Also, we will provide (free of charge) any of our documents filed with the
SEC, as you reasonably may request. To get your free copies, please call or
write to:
Larry T. Ohms
Vice President of Finance,
Secretary and Corporate Controller
United States Lime & Mineral, Inc.
13800 Montfort Drive, Suite 330
Dallas, Texas 75240
(972) 991-8400
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we have
filed with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you
by referring you to other documents. The documents that are incorporated by
reference are legally considered to be a part of this prospectus. The documents
incorporated by reference are:
(1) our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September
30, 2000, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30,
2000 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31,
2000;
(2) our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed March 20,
2000;
(3) our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1999; and
(4) any filings with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 between the date of this
prospectus and the expiration of the rights offering.
As you read the above documents, you may find some inconsistencies in
information from one document to another. If you find inconsistencies between
the documents, or between a document and this prospectus, you should rely on the
statements made in the most recent document.
You should rely only on the information in this prospectus or incorporated
by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any different
information.
This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it seeking an offer to buy
these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it seeking an offer to buy
securities other than the shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to the
rights offering. The information contained in this prospectus is correct only as
of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of the delivery of this
prospectus or any sale of these securities.
No action is being taken in any jurisdiction outside the United States to
permit a public offering of the common stock or possession or distribution of
this prospectus in any such jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of
this prospectus in jurisdictions outside the United States are required to
inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions as to this offering and
the distribution of this prospectus applicable in the jurisdiction.
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