SF SERVICES INC
10-Q, 1998-06-15
MISCELLANEOUS NONDURABLE GOODS
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                                UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                  FORM  10-Q

        (X)       QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                  OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the quarterly period ended April 30, 1998.

                                   OR

        ( )       TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR
                  15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

           For the transition period from ------ to ------

        Commission file number 33-38051

                                SF SERVICES, INC.
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                   ARKANSAS                          71-0220282
                (State or other                    (IRS Employer
         jurisdiction of incorporation         Identification Number)
               or organization)   

               120 MAIN STREET
           NORTH LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS                  72114
     (Address of principal executive offices)        (Zip Code)

                            (501) 945-2371
        (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

        Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has
filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

                            Yes   X             No

        Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the
issuer's classes of common stock as of June 9, 1998:

                Common Stock 119 shares

<PAGE>

Part I. Financial Information
        Item 1.  Financial Statements


                             SF SERVICES, INC.
                             AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

                                April 30, 1998    October 31, 1997
CURRENT ASSETS                    (Unaudited)
        Cash                      $  1,281,204       $  4,809,079
        Accounts and notes
         receivable, net            90,748,390         55,591,458
        Inventory                   48,752,912         62,903,882
        Prepaid expenses 
         and other current assets    2,204,597          1,526,754
                                   -----------        -----------
    Total Current Assets           142,987,103        124,831,173
                                   -----------        -----------

INVESTMENTS AND LONG-TERM RECEIVABLES
        Investments in
         other cooperatives         14,170,201         13,549,277
        Notes receivable             5,698,024          2,921,728
                                    ----------         ----------
        Total Investments and
         Long-Term Receivables      19,868,225         16,471,005
                                    ----------         ----------

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, at cost     67,101,461         71,671,064
  Less accumulated depreciation     26,249,531         24,909,488
                                    ----------         ----------
  Net Property and Equipment        40,851,930         46,761,576
                                    ----------         ----------

OTHER ASSETS                           703,583            731,662

TOTAL ASSETS                      $204,410,841       $188,795,416
                                   ===========        ============

<PAGE>
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
        Notes payable             $ 78,019,799       $ 76,518,530
        Current maturities of 
         Long-term debt              4,644,223          4,801,464
        Accounts payable            48,567,738         28,130,453
        Patrons deposits             4,843,233          4,010,610
        Accrued expenses and
         other current liabilities  12,375,776          8,775,023
                                   -----------        -----------
        Total Current Liabilities  148,450,769        122,236,080
                                   -----------        -----------

LONG-TERM DEBT, 
     LESS CURRENT MATURITIES        26,790,807         33,031,344

OTHER LIABILITIES                      168,934            168,934

MEMBERS' EQUITY                     29,000,331         33,359,058
                                   -----------        -----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
    MEMBERS' EQUITY               $204,410,841       $188,795,416
                                   ===========        ===========

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


<PAGE>

                         SF SERVICES, INC.
                          AND SUBSIDIARIES
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                           (UNAUDITED)


                         Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended
                            April 30, 1998         April 30, 1997

NET SALES                    $ 141,332,183         $ 181,244,529

COST OF GOODS SOLD             130,256,831           167,571,032
                               -----------           -----------
GROSS PROFIT                    11,075,352            13,673,497

OPERATING EXPENSES               9,962,234            10,222,364
                                ----------            ----------
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS    1,113,118            3,451,133
                                ----------            ----------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)
   Interest, net                (1,364,160)           (1,181,253)
   Miscellaneous                 1,243,729               172,784
                                ----------            ----------
                                  (120,431)           (1,008,469)
                                ----------            ----------

SAVINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES        992,687             2,442,664

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)             0                82,801
                                ----------            ----------
NET SAVINGS (LOSS)           $     992,687         $   2,359,863
                                ==========            ==========

NET SAVINGS (LOSS) APPLIED TO:
      ALLOCATED EQUITIES
        Cash                                                    
        Capital Equity Credits 
          (Deficit)-               817,008             1,537,334
RETAINED EARNINGS (DEFICIT)        175,679               822,529
                                ----------            ----------
                                   992,687             2,359,863
                                ==========            ==========

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


<PAGE>

                         SF SERVICES, INC.
                          AND SUBSIDIARIES
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                           (UNAUDITED)


                           Six Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                            April 30, 1998        April 30, 1997

NET SALES                    $ 216,913,035         $ 270,615,380

COST OF GOODS SOLD             199,003,295           251,532,789
                               -----------           -----------
GROSS PROFIT                    17,909,740            19,082,591

OPERATING EXPENSES              20,753,073            20,182,879
                                ----------            ----------
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS   (2,843,333)           (1,100,288)
                                ----------            ----------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)
   Interest, net                (3,024,045)           (2,624,301)
   Miscellaneous                 1,570,652               354,964
                                ----------            ----------
                                (1,453,393)           (2,269,337)
                                ----------            ----------

SAVINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES     (4,296,726)           (3,369,625)

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)             0              (888,354)
                                ----------            ----------
NET SAVINGS (LOSS)           $  (4,296,726)        $  (2,481,271)
                                ==========            ==========

NET SAVINGS (LOSS) APPLIED TO:
      ALLOCATED EQUITIES
        Cash                                                    
        Capital Equity Credits 
          (Deficit)-            (1,862,427)           (1,350,018)
RETAINED EARNINGS (DEFICIT)     (2,434,299)           (1,131,253)
                                ----------            ----------
                                (4,296,726)           (2,481,271)
                                ==========            ==========

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

<PAGE>

                               SF SERVICES, INC.
                               AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (UNAUDITED)

                                       Six Months         Six Months
                                         Ended              Ended
                                     April 30, 1998    April 30, 1997
Cash flows from
  operating activities:
    Net Margin for the period          $ (4,296,727)     $ (2,481,271)
    Items not requiring
     (providing) cash:
        Depreciation and amortization     2,266,636         1,329,209
        Non-cash portion of patronage
          dividends from other co-ops      (620,924)         (102,106)
        Gain on sale of property
          and equipment                  (1,390,862)         (275,296)
     Changes in operating assets and
      liabilities:
         Accounts and notes receivable  (37,933,228)      (44,708,634)
         Inventory                       14,150,970        (6,047,006)
         Prepaid expenses and
           other assets                    (649,764)       (1,401,193)
         Accounts payable                20,437,285        33,534,019
         Accrued expenses and
           other liabilities              3,600,753         6,922,035
                                         ----------        ----------
      Net cash (used in)
       operating activities              (4,435,861)      (13,230,243)
                                         ----------        ----------
    Cash flows from investing
     activities:
      Purchase of property
        and equipment                    (1,568,869)      (12,185,325)
      Proceeds from sale of property
        and equipment                     6,602,741           383,662
                                         ----------        ----------
      Net cash provided by (used in)
     investing activities                 5,033,872       (11,801,663)
                                         ----------        ----------

<PAGE>

    Cash flows from financing
     activities:
      Proceeds from borrowings           53,664,557       109,565,745
      Repayment of borrowings           (58,561,066)      (86,423,262)
      Redemption of common stock             (2,000)                0
      Retirement of preferred stock         (60,000)          (58,605)
      Net change in patron deposits         832,623           362,183
                                         ----------        ----------
      Net cash provided by (used in)
        financing activities             (4,125,886)       23,446,061
                                         ----------        ----------
    Net increase (decrease) in cash      (3,527,875)       (1,585,845)

    Cash, beginning of period             4,809,079         3,214,419
                                         ----------        ----------
    Cash, end of period                 $ 1,281,204       $ 1,628,574
                                         ==========        ==========

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


<PAGE>
                        SF SERVICES, INC.
                        AND SUBSIDIARIES
      NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE    1:      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                The condensed consolidated balance sheet as
of April 30, 1998, the condensed consolidated statements of
cash flows for the six months ended April 30, 1998 and 
1997, and the condensed consolidated statements of operations
for the three months and six months ended April 30, 1998 and 
1997 have been prepared by the Company, without audit.  
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only 
of normal recurring items) necessary to present fairly the 
financial position, results of operations, and cash flows at 
April 30, 1998 and for all periods presented have been made.

                Certain information and footnote disclosures
normally included in financial statements prepared in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles 
have been omitted.  It is suggested that these condensed 
consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction 
with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto
included in the Company's October 31, 1997 audited financial 
statements.  The results of operations for the six months
ended April 30, 1998 and 1997 are not necessarily indicative
of the operating results for the full year.

<PAGE>


Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
             Financial Condition and Results of Operations

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION
REFORM ACT OF 1995 ("PSLRA")

Certain forward-looking information contained in this report
is being provided in reliance upon the "safe harbor" provisions
of the PSLRA as set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.  Such information includes, without
limitation, discussions as to estimates, expectations, beliefs,
plans, strategies and objectives concerning the Company's future
financial and operating performance.  Such forward-looking
information is subject to assumptions and beliefs based on
current information known to the Company and factors that could
yield actual results differing materially from those
anticipated.  Such factors include, without limitation, costs of
feed ingredients and other products sold by the Company, prices
received for products sold by the Company, extreme weather 
conditions in the Company's trade area, significant economic
changes within the agriculture industry, and effects of the
Company's restructuring efforts.

Results of Operations

SF Services, Inc. is a basic manufacturer of agricultural
and pet feeds, a production contractor and distributor of
seeds in the rice, cotton, soybean and wheat production 
areas of the mid-south and a basic wholesaler of a wide 
variety of farm and ranch supplies, tires, batteries and 
automotive accessories ("TBA"), chemical, petroleum,
fertilizer products, and engages in catfish processing and
marketing.  These products are sold primarily to 119 local
cooperative retail stores serving the individual farmer 
producer and to other non-cooperative accounts.  Weather, 
federal farm programs, and commodity prices impact the unit
demand for the products sold by SF Services, Inc. Primarily 
the seed, fertilizer, chemical and feed sales may be 
impacted by seasonal changes.  Additionally, variations 
in ingredient prices precipitate changes in the feed 
sales volume.  The Company's business cycle is highly 
seasonal and can be advanced or delayed by weather
conditions. Results of operations for the six months ended
April 30, 1998 and 1997 reflect the seasonality of the 
Company's business and are not indicative of results expected
for a full fiscal year.

<PAGE>

Sales decreased approximately $53.7 million for the
six months ended April 30, 1998 compared to the prior 
year period.  Gross profit decreased approximately $1.2 million
for the six months ended April 30, 1998 compared to the prior
year period.  


Comparative Analysis of the Six Months Ended April 30, 1998
to the Six Months Ended April 30, 1997

Wholesale/Retail Operations:

During the six month reporting period the Company reorganized
its wholesale operations into three major areas - livestock 
production, crop production and petroleum.  The livestock 
production area includes feed, animal health, and farm & ranch.
The crop production area includes fertilizer, chemicals, and 
seed.  The petroleum area includes fuel and TBA.

Sales of livestock production products declined $13.6 million 
due to lower commodity prices, exiting certain farm & ranch 
product lines and lower demand because of mild winter weather.  
Unit gross margins were unchanged from the prior year.

Sales of crop production products declined $34.5 million due 
to lost market share in chemicals and lower nitrogen prices, 
partially offset by higher seed sales.  Unit gross margins for 
crop production increased from the prior year.

Sales of petroleum products decreased $34.7 million due to 
exiting fuel brokerage sales programs, lower energy prices and 
exiting certain TBA product lines.  Unit gross margins declined 
due to a shift from warehouse to direct ship TBA products.

Catfish Processing Operations:


Unit sales in the fish processing and marketing operation 
increased approximately 277,000 pounds.  The unit average
selling price remained at approximately the same level as
experienced during the prior year period.  Gross profit 
decreased slightly due to higher prices paid for live fish.

Retail and Wholesale Fuel Subsidiary Operations:

The retail and wholesale fuel subsidiary was not in 
operation during much of the prior year period, therefore no 
analysis of changes in operations can be made.  For the six
months ended April 30, 1998, sales for this operation were 
approximately $28.7 million, and gross profit was approximately
$3.14 million.
<PAGE>

Operating Expenses


Operating expenses, excluding new operations, declined $1.0
million for the six month periods ended April 30, 1998 and 1997.
This decline was due to restructuring the wholesale product lines
and company owned stores.

Operating expenses, including new operations, increased $570,000
for the six month period ended April 30, 1998.  This increase was
due to the addition of the retail and wholesale fuel subsidiary,
which operated during only part of the prior year period, and was
expanded with new locations during the current year period.


Comparative Analysis of the Three Months Ended April 30, 1998
to the Three Months Ended April 30, 1997

Sales of livestock production products declined $6.5 million
due to lower commodity prices, exiting certain farm & ranch
product lines and lower demand for beef and dairy feeds resulting
from the mild winter weather.  Unit gross margins were unchanged
from the prior year.

Sales of crop production products declined $26.7 million due to
lost market share in chemicals and lower nitrogen prices, 
partially offset by higher seed sales.  Unit gross margin for
crop production increased from the prior year period.

Sales of petroleum products decreased $24.8 million due to 
exiting fuel brokerage sales programs, lower energy prices
and exiting certain TBA product lines.  Unit gross margins 
declined due to a shift from warehouse to direct ship TBA 
products, partially offset by higher fuel margins resulting
from favorable supply contracts.

Catfish Processing Operations:


Unit sales in the fish processing and marketing operation 
increased approximately 173,000 pounds.  The unit average
selling price remained at approximately the same level as
experienced during the prior year period.  Gross profit 
increased approximately $250,000 due to lower processing costs.

Retail and Wholesale Fuel Subsidiary Operations:

The retail and wholesale fuel subsidiary was not in 
operation during much of the prior year period, therefore no 
analysis of changes in operations can be made.  For the three
months ended April 30, 1998, sales for this operation were 
approximately $17 million, and gross profit was approximately
$1.9 million.

<PAGE>

Operating Expenses


Operating expenses , excluding new operations, declined 
$776,000 for the three month periods ended April 30, 1998 and 
1997.  This decline was due to restructuring the wholesale
product lines and company owned stores.

Operating expenses, including new operations, decreased $260,000
for the three months ended April 30, 1998.  The increase in 
subsidiary operating expenses, including the addition of new 
locations during the current fiscal year, was more than offset
by the restructuring of wholesale operations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash used in operating activities decreased to $4.4
million due primarily to lower inventory levels as a result
of supply alliances with vendors.  Cash provided by investing 
activities increased to $5.0 million due to the sale of fixed 
assets.  Cash used in financing activities increased to $4.1 
million due to the repayment of debt.

Historically, most of the Company's financing has been with
CoBank, ACB ("CoBank").  The Company has an $80 million 

seasonal line of credit and $23.8 million in term loans with 
CoBank.  During the first quarter of 1998, the Company obtained 
a formal waiver from CoBank with respect to covenant violations 
concerning working capital.  The Company is currently
implementing plans to improve operations and return to 
profitability.  These plans include creating joint ventures
and distribution alliances with other supply companies, and
increasing direct shipment sales, which will reduce warehouse
inventory levels.  Management believes that as these plans
are realized, the current line of credit will provide
sufficient liquidity for current and future operating levels.
For further discussion see Item 5 "Other Information."

During the first quarter of 1998, the Company sold seven 
convenience store locations through a sale/leaseback
transaction.  No material gain or loss resulted from this
transaction.  Proceeds of $2.7 million were used to pay down
term debt with CoBank.

<PAGE>
Part II.        Other Information

     Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote
                of Security Holders

An annual meeting was held on February 20, 1998, at which the
following directors were elected to terms expiring 2001.

                           FOR              AGAINST
                           ---              -------
     Jim Gibson             53                 0
     Steven Henderson       53                 0
     John Jay, Jr.          53                 0
     Alex Lewis             53                 0
     Robert Little          53                 0
     Danny Naegle           53                 0
     George Owens, Sr.      53                 0
     Ronnie Raigins         53                 0
     Mike Strudivant, Jr.   53                 0
     Johnny Wilson          53                 0

Other directors of the Company and their term expirations are
presented below.

       Director                  Term Expiration
       --------                  ---------------
     Gene Bruick                      1999
     Michael Pierce                   1999
     Charlie Starks                   1999
     Daniel Viator                    1999
     Joe Wilder                       1999
     Travis Burchfield                2000
     Jerry Connerly                   2000
     John Evans                       2000
     Thomas Gist                      2000
     W.B. Madden                      2000
     W.S. Patrick                     2000


     Item 5.    Other Information

During the first quarter of 1998, the Company signed a Letter 
of Intent with Wilfarm, LLC ("Wilfarm") in connection with a 
proposed transaction whereby Wilfarm will acquire the Company's 
chemical distribution business and related assets, and 
will operate that business subject to a continuing royalty 
interest on the part of the Company.  The purchase price shall
be an amount equal to the cost basis of the chemical inventory
in existence as of the closing date, less the amount of trade 
payables related to the inventory, which will be assumed by Wilfarm,
and the amount of all related chemical prepayments in existence
as of the closing date, the obligations under which will be 
assumed by Wilfarm.  Details of this transaction will be reported
in a Current Report on Form 8-K if the transaction is consummated.

<PAGE>

Subsequent Event

On June 9, 1998 the Company and Farmland Industries, Inc. 
("Farmland") of Kansas City, Missouri entered into a definitive
agreement pursuant to the terms of which the Company will be
merged into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Farmland.  Stockholders
will be asked to approve the transaction at a meeting scheduled 
for June 30, 1998.  Pending such approval by stockholders,
the parties anticipate closing this transaction on or about
July 1, 1998.



     Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

                          (a) Exhibits:

                              27  Financial Data Schedule

                          (b) Reports on Form 8-K:

                              None



           SF SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                       SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.
                                   SF SERVICES, INC.

      Date: June 15, 1998        /s/ Michael P. Sadler
                                 ---------------------
                                     Michael P. Sadler
                                        President

 
      Date: June 15, 1998        /s/ John A. Gaston
                                 -------------------
                                     John A. Gaston
                                  Senior Vice President
                              (Principal Financial Officer)

<PAGE>
                     EXHIBIT INDEX

                Exhibits to Form 10-Q

    Exhibit Number              Exhibit

         27               Financial Data Schedule


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS  SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXTRACTED FROM THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

</LEGEND>

<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                            OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                 APR-30-1998
<CASH>                                             1,281
<SECURITIES>                                           0
<RECEIVABLES>                                     90,748
<ALLOWANCES>                                           0
<INVENTORY>                                       48,753
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 142,987
<PP&E>                                            67,101
<DEPRECIATION>                                    26,250
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   204,411
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            148,451
<BONDS>                                                0
                                  0
                                        2,664
<COMMON>                                             123
<OTHER-SE>                                        26,213
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     204,411
<SALES>                                          216,581
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                       0
<CGS>                                            199,003
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                          0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   1,453
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 3,024
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   (4,297)
<INCOME-TAX>                                           0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               (4,297)
<DISCONTINUED>                                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                        0
<CHANGES>                                              0
<NET-INCOME>                                      (4,297)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          0

        

</TABLE>


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