BLUE BIRD BODY CO
10-Q, 1998-03-17
TRUCK & BUS BODIES
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<PAGE>                                                                         

                                                                               

                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        Washington, D.C. 20549
                                       
                                FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)

/x/  JOINT QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE 
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the period ended January 31, 1998

/ /  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 33-49544-01      Commission File Number 33-49544

    Blue Bird Corporation                   Blue Bird Body Company            
(Exact name of registrant as            (Exact name of registrant as           
 specified in its charter)               specified in its charter)  

       Delaware                                 Georgia                        
(State or other jurisdiction of         (State or other jurisdiction of        
 incorporation or organization)          incorporation or organization)        

       13-3638126                               58-0813156                     
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)   
      3920 Arkwright Road                    3920 Arkwright Road              
      Macon, Georgia 31210                   Macon, Georgia 31210        
(Address of principal executive         (Address of principal executive        
 offices, including zip code)            offices, including zip code)

       (912) 757-7100                          (912) 757-7100                  
(Registrant's telephone number,        (Registrant's telephone number,         
 including area code)                    including area code)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have 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 registrants were required to file such reports),
and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 
days.     Yes  /X/   No  / /  

     As of March 1, 1998, 8,434,778 shares of Blue Bird Corporation's 
common stock and 10 shares of Blue Bird Body Company's common stock 
were outstanding.

     BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY ("BLUE BIRD" OR THE "COMPANY") IS A WHOLLY-
OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF BLUE BIRD CORPORATION ("BBC").  BLUE BIRD MEETS 
THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1) (a) AND (b) OF 
FORM 10-Q AND IS THEREFORE FILING CERTAIN PORTIONS OF THIS FORM 10-Q 
APPLICABLE TO IT WITH THE REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT PERMITTED BY SUCH 
GENERAL INSTRUCTION.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                            BLUE BIRD CORPORATION
                           BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY

                        Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                         For the Three-Month Period
                            Ended January 31, 1998

                             Table of Contents


                                                                  Page
PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements:

          Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
             as of January 31, 1998 and
             November 1, 1997 ..................................... 1

          Condensed Consolidated Statements of 
             Income for the three-month periods
             ended January 31, 1998 and 
             February 1, 1997 ..................................... 2          

  
          Condensed Consolidated Statements of
             Cash Flows for the three-month
             periods ended January 31, 1998
             and February 1, 1997 ................................. 3

          Notes to Condensed Consolidated
             Financial Statements ................................. 4


Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis
             of Financial Condition and Results of
             Operations ........................................... 6

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures 
             about Market Risk .................................... 7


PART II.       OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings ......................................  8

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K .......................  8

          Signatures .............................................  9

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                  BLUE BIRD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                  JANUARY 31, 1998 AND NOVEMBER 1, 1997
                            ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       JANUARY 31,     NOVEMBER 1,
                                          1998            1997
                                       ---------      ----------
                                      (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                    <C>           <C>
                   ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS
 Cash and cash equivalents             $    4,659    $   31,031
 Trade receivables                         16,143        16,515
 Leases receivable                         44,669        43,116
 Inventories                              105,471        76,385   
 Prepaid expenses                           2,702         1,611
 Other current assets                       1,792         1,703
                                         --------      --------
     Total current assets                 175,436       170,361

LEASES RECEIVABLE, NONCURRENT              57,431        59,207

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT             69,045        68,604
 Less accumulated depreciation            (31,939)      (30,503) 
                                         --------      --------
  Property, plant, and equipment, net      37,106        38,101

GOODWILL AND DEBT ISSUE COSTS             162,463       162,463
 Less accumulated amortization            (23,770)      (22,494)  
                                         --------      --------
   Goodwill & debt issue costs, net       138,693       139,969
                                         --------      --------
OTHER ASSETS                                4,775         4,862
                                         --------      --------
    Total assets                       $  413,441    $  412,500
                                         ========      ========

  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 Revolving credit facilities           $    5,500    $        0
 Current portion of long-term debt         13,750        12,750
 Accounts payable                          24,465        21,708
 Income taxes payable                          39            42 
 Deferred income taxes                      2,340         4,474
 Other current liabilities                 28,808        32,116
                                         --------      --------
   Total current liabilities               74,902        71,090  

LONG-TERM DEBT                            336,881       339,563 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                       5,974         4,612

OTHER LIABILITIES                          21,842        21,678

REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK, NET               19,131        20,676
                                         --------      --------
   Total liabilities                      458,730       457,619 
                                         --------      -------- 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 Common stock, $.01 par value;
   25,000,000 shares authorized;
   7,704,778 shares outstanding                77            77
 Additional paid-in capital                77,023        77,023  
 Retained (deficit) earnings             (119,164)     (119,206)
 Other stockholders' (deficit) equity      (3,225)       (3,013)
                                         --------      --------
    Total stockholders' (deficit) equity  (45,289)      (45,119)
                                         --------      --------
    Total liabilities and                
    stockholders' (deficit) equity     $  413,441    $  412,500
                                         ========      ========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed
consolidated statements.  
 
                                   1
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 BLUE BIRD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY AND SUBIDIARIES
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                   FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED
                 JANUARY 31, 1998 AND FEBRUARY 1, 1997

                             ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              THREE MONTHS ENDED       

                            JANUARY 31,   FEBRUARY 1,
                               1998          1997   
                            ----------    ---------- 
                            (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED) 

   
<S>                        <C>           <C>        

Net sales                    $   90,901    $   84,107

Cost of goods sold               74,615        69,560
                               --------      --------

   Gross profit                  16,286        14,547 

Selling, general and
  administrative expense         11,227        10,790 

Amortization of goodwill
  and other intangibles             960           960 

Nonrecurring items                    0        16,506 
                               --------      -------- 
Operating income (loss)           4,099       (13,709)

Interest income                   1,939         1,534 

Interest and debt issue  
  expense                        (8,462)       (7,554)

Other income (expense)              298           237 
                               --------      -------- 
(Loss) income before
 income taxes                    (2,126)      (19,492)

(Benefit) provision
 from income taxes                 (622)      (12,992)
                               --------      -------- 

Net (loss) income before
 extraordinary items             (1,504)       (6,500)

Extraordinary item - loss on
 early extinguishment of debt         0        (2,986)
                               --------      -------- 
Net (loss) income             $  (1,504)    $  (9,486)
                               ========      ======== 
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated 
statements.
                                   2 
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                   BLUE BIRD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
     FOR THE THREE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998 AND FEBRUARY 1, 1997
                           ($ IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED         

                                                JANUARY 31,   FEBRUARY 1,      
                                                   1998          1997
                                                 ---------     ---------
                                                (UNAUDITED)   (UNAUDITED)     
<S>                                             <C>            <C> 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)                                $ (1,504)      $ (9,486)
                                                  -------        -------
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
 to net cash provided by (used in) 
 operating activities:
   Extraordinary loss on extinguishment of debt         0          4,755       
   Depreciation and amortization                    2,834          2,824       
   Increase (decrease) in cash surrender value
      of life insurance                                 1             (9)      
   Deferred income taxes                             (772)            98  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
   (Increase) decrease in trade receivables           372           (633)      
   (Increase) decrease in inventories             (29,086)       (19,017)      
   (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses         (1,091)        (3,197)      
   Increase (decrease) in accounts payable          2,757         (7,365)      
   Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable         (3)        (9,270)      

   Other                                           (3,111)        (9,474)      
                                                  -------        -------
     Total adjustments                            (28,099)       (41,288)      
                                                  -------        -------
   Net cash used in operating activities          (29,603)       (50,774)      
                                                  -------        -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Property, plant, and equipment acquisitions       (593)          (855)      
   (Increase) decrease in leases receivable           223         (1,576)      
                                                  -------        -------
   Net cash used in investing activities             (370)        (2,431)      
                                                  -------        -------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Net borrowing on working capital revolvers       6,000         14,400       
   Borrowing on long-term debt                          0        274,699       
   Repayment of long-term debt                     (2,188)       (86,000)      
   Dividends paid                                       0       (185,345)
   Debt prepayment premium                              0         (3,369)      
   Debt issuance costs                                  0         (9,416)
   Proceeds from management notes                       0          3,800
                                                  -------        -------
   Net cash provided by 
     financing activities                           3,812          8,769       
                                                  -------        -------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS                 (211)           (66)      
                                                  -------        -------
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS         (26,372)       (44,502)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD   31,031         46,253       
                                                  -------        -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD      $   4,659      $   1,751       
                                                  =======        =======
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

    Cash interest paid                          $  11,039      $   5,142       
                                                  =======        =======       
    Cash income taxes paid                      $     162      $   9,620       
                                                  =======        =======
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed 
statements.

                                   3<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                 BLUE BIRD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

           NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




1.   BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FORMATION AND ORGANIZATION

     The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial
     statements of Blue Bird Corporation and subsidiaries ("BBC") 
     have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
     accounting principles for interim financial information and with
     the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. 
     Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and
     footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles
     for complete financial statements.  It is suggested that these
     condensed consolidated financial statements be read in
     conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto
     included in the joint annual report of BBC and Blue Bird Body
     Company on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 1, 1997.

     The accompanying unaudited financial statements include, in the
     opinion of management, all adjustments, which are of a normal
     recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation for the
     periods presented.  Results for the interim periods presented are
     not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for a
     full fiscal year.


     FISCAL YEAR

     BBC's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest October 31 of each
     year, generally referred to as a "52-/53-week year."  Fiscal years
     1998 and 1997 both contain 52 weeks.


     
                                   4<PAGE>
<PAGE>

2.   INVENTORIES

     Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, cost being
     determined on the last-in, first-out basis.  If the first-in,
     first-out method had been used, inventories would have been
     approximately $3,200,000 higher at January 31, 1998 and
     approximately $2,900,000 higher at November 1, 1997.

     The components of  inventory consist of the following at January
     31, 1998 and November 1, 1997 (dollars in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
                                1998            1997 
                                ----            ----
<S>                         <C>              <C>
     Raw materials           $ 31,243         $22,251
     Work in process           45,009          26,792
     Finished goods            29,219          27,342
                               ------          ------ 
                             $105,471         $76,385
                             ========         =======

</TABLE>

3.   CONTINGENCIES

     PENDING LITIGATION AND INSURANCE PROGRAM     

     As of January 31, 1998, a number of product liability cases were
     pending against a subsidiary of BBC.   Neither the outcome of
     certain cases nor the amounts of any liabilities related to these
     certain cases are known;  however, management believes that the
     ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material
     adverse impact on BBC's financial position or results of
     operations.    

4.   RECAPITALIZATION
     
     During November 1996, Blue Bird was recapitalized, resulting in
     the repayment of the then-existing $86 million of debt, the issuance
     of new debt in the amount of $275 million and a distribution paid
     to shareholders and holders of options for BBC common stock of
     $185.3 million and $16.5 million, respectively.  The then-existing
     Subordinated Notes were repurchased at a premium of $3.4 million. 
     Debt issuance costs related to the recapitalization were $9.7
     million.  A nonrecurring recapitalization charge was taken in
     November to recognize the $3.4 million premium cost, $1.4 million
     of original debt issue costs written off and $16.5 million
     General and Administrative expenses related to the distribution
     payment to option holders for a total of $21.3 million.

     The Company quarterly records an adjustment to the redeemable
     common stock based on an estimated Company valuation net of
     outstanding debt in accordance with the formula in the
     stockholders' agreement. 
                                   5<PAGE>
<PAGE>

Item 2.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
          CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     THREE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1998 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS
     ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 1997

Net sales for the quarter ended January 31, 1998, were $90.9
million, an increase of $6.8 million or 8.1% compared to the
corresponding period in 1997.   This increase was due to more
deliveries during the current reporting period as compared to the
1997 period.

Gross profit increased to $16.3 million in the first quarter of
1998 from $14.5 million in the first quarter of 1997, an increase
of $1.8 million or 12.4% as a result of higher sales volume.  The
gross margin increased to 17.9% compared to 17.3% in the 1997
period due to increased deliveries of Commercial units and
increased service parts sales.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $11.2
million from $10.8 million in the 1997 period, an increase of $.4
million or 4.0%.  This increase was due primarily to increased
engineering and selling expenses.  Nonrecurring general and 
administrative charges of $16.5 million were taken in the prior
year at the time of the recapitalization.

Interest and debt issue expense increased to $8.5 million in the
current period from $7.6 million in the prior year period due to
the increased average debt in the current period as compared to
the prior period. 

The benefit for income taxes was $.6 million in the current
period compared to $13.0 million in the 1997 period which
reflected the tax effects of the recapitalization.  The higher
effective tax rate for 1997 was a result of the combined effect
of certain tax benefits, in particular, the tax benefit related
to a portion of the dividend paid to shareholders in the
recapitalization being deductible for tax purposes as well as the
tax benefit related to the ordinary loss and the nonrecurring
charge.

The extraordinary loss of $3.0 million, net of a tax benefit of
$1.8 million, occurring in the 1997 period was due to the early
extinguishment of $50 million of Subordinated Notes as part of
the recapitalization. 

                                   6<PAGE>
<PAGE>

FINANCIAL CONDITION

     WORKING CAPITAL

The Company's working capital needs are seasonal.  Working
capital and related bank borrowings are lowest immediately after
heavy school bus deliveries late in the fourth fiscal quarter. 
Beginning in December or January, working capital and related
bank borrowings typically start to increase as parts are
purchased or manufactured and distributed to the assembly plants
for assembly into buses.  Management tries to build buses as
close to expected delivery time as possible.  Inventory is at its
highest during May, June and July prior to heavy seasonal
deliveries.


     LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net cash used in operating activities during the three month
period of fiscal 1998 was $29.6 million.  This amount reflects
the customary seasonal increase in inventory, slightly offset by
a related increase in accounts payable.  The Company's principal
sources of funds during this period were cash and cash
equivalents on hand at year-end and borrowings on the Bankers
Trust revolving line of credit.

During November 1996, Blue Bird was recapitalized, resulting in
the repayment of the then-existing $86 million of debt, the issuance
of new debt in the amount of $275 million and a distribution paid
to shareholders and holders of options for BBC common stock of
$185.3 million and $16.5 million, respectively. The then-existing
Subordinated Notes were repurchased at a premium of $3.4 million. 
Debt issuance costs related to the recapitalization were $9.7
million.  A nonrecurring recapitalization charge was taken in
November to recognize the $3.4 million premium cost, $1.4 million
of original debt issue costs written off and $16.5 million
General and Administrative expenses related to the distribution
payment to option holders for a total of $21.3 million.


     FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Any statements contained in this Form 10-Q which are not
historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 
The Company cautions readers that there can be no assurance that
the actual results or business conditions will not differ
materially from those projected or suggested in such
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors,
including, but not limited to, the degree to which the Company is
leveraged and the Company's significant debt service obligations,
the restrictive covenants contained in and the asset encumbrances
resulting from certain of the Company's credit agreements,
product liability claims for personal injuries and other matters,
the availability of insurance coverage with respect to such
claims and matters, governmental regulation of the Company's
business, the limited number of chassis suppliers, the control of
the Company by Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc. and the
consequences arising under the Company's credit agreements in the
event of a change of control.


Item 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
          RISK.

Not applicable.

                                   7<PAGE>
Part II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings.

Reference is made to BBC's and the Predecessor's Joint Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 1, 1997
for a description of certain legal proceedings to which BBC or
the Predecessor is a party.


Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)  Exhibits.

27.1 Financial Data Schedule

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K.

There were no reports on Form 8-K filed by the Registrants during
the quarter ended January 31, 1998.

                                   8<PAGE>
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES


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


BLUE BIRD CORPORATION               BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY



By /s/ Paul E. Glaske               By /s/  Paul E. Glaske                     

       Paul E. Glaske                       Paul E. Glaske
   Chairman of the Board and            Chairman of the Board and
      President and Director               President and Director
      (Principal Executive                 (Principal Executive 
           Officer)                              Officer)

Date: March 16, 1998                 Date: March 16, 1998   


By /s/ Bobby G. Wallace              By /s/ Bobby G. Wallace                   

       Bobby G. Wallace                     Bobby G. Wallace
   Vice President, Treasurer and       Vice President - Finance
      Secretary and Director             and Administration,
      (Principal Financial and        Treasurer and Secretary
        Accounting Officer)                and Director
                                          (Principal Financial
                                         and Accounting Officer)

Date: March 16, 1998                Date: March 16, 1998       


                              
                                   9     

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>     5
<CIK>     0000889468
<NAME>     Blue Bird Body Company   
<MULTIPLIER>     1,000
       
<S>                                               <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                             3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                   OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                      NOV-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                        JAN-31-1998
<CASH>                                                    4,659
<SECURITIES>                                                  0
<RECEIVABLES>                                            60,812
<ALLOWANCES>                                                  0
<INVENTORY>                                             105,471
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                        175,436
<PP&E>                                                   69,045
<DEPRECIATION>                                          (31,939)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                          413,441
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                    74,902
<BONDS>                                                 336,881
<COMMON>                                                 19,208
                                         0
                                                   0
<OTHER-SE>                                              (45,366)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                            413,441
<SALES>                                                  90,901
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                         90,901
<CGS>                                                    74,615
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                            12,187
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         (2,237)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                              0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                        8,462
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                          (2,126)
<INCOME-TAX>                                               (622)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                      (1,504)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                               0
<CHANGES>                                                     0
<NET-INCOME>                                             (1,504)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                 0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                 0
        

</TABLE>


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