10-Q 1 file001.txt FORM 10-Q SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 --------------------------------------- FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Quarter Ended Commission File Number December 31, 2003 0-15045 BHA Group Holdings, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) Delaware 43-1416730 ------------------------------- ------------------------------- (State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Incorporation or Organization) Identification Number) 8800 East 63rd Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64133 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (816) 356-8400 -------------- Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve 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 by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X] -------- -------- As of January 15, 2004, the number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock was 6,145,059. PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION BHA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. -2- BHA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002 (UNAUDITED)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. -3- BHA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002 (UNAUDITED)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. -4- BHA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002 (UNAUDITED)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. -5- BHA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002 (UNAUDITED)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. -6- BHA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND REVENUE RECOGNITION These condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applied on a consistent basis. In order to present the financial statements on a consistent basis, certain reclassification entries were made relative to the previously reported condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the period ended December 31, 2002. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in BHA Group Holdings, Inc.'s (the "Company" or "BHA") Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, and with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition appearing within this quarterly report. Sales of electrostatic precipitator ("ESP") parts and services tend to be seasonal, with the majority of the revenues being generated in advance of spring outages scheduled by operators of coal-fired utilities. The results of operations for interim periods are not indicative of results to be expected for a full year. Sales of products are recognized when goods are shipped "free on board" (FOB) from their shipping point and when all obligations of the Company have been met. The Company recognizes sales and gross profits on its services using the percentage of completion method based on total costs incurred as compared to the total estimated cost of the service contract. Substantially, all projects are completed in less than 60 days from the date of commencement and the Company does not engage in any long-term contracts. The Company's service revenues generally result in gross margins as a percentage of sales that are lower than the consolidated gross margins by approximately 5% to 7%. Such revenues often represent the installation of the products that are also sold by the Company. Revenues generated by products and services were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended December 31, 2003 December 31, 2002 ----------------- ----------------- Products $36,943 $42,901 Services 5,724 7,164 ------------------------- ------------------------- Total $42,667 $50,065 ========================= ========================= In some instances, arrangements with customers involve multiple elements which are delivered at different points in time. These situations typically arise when the Company has delivered parts, but is also obligated to perform installation services or parts are delivered over time, rather than on a single delivery date. In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized, the Company evaluates whether the delivered elements have standalone value to the customer, whether the fair value of the undelivered elements is reliably determinable and whether delivery of the remaining elements is probable and within the Company's control. In instances where all of these conditions are satisfied, the Company recognizes revenue for the -7- elements that have been delivered to the customer. In instances where one or more of these conditions have not been satisfied, the Company defers the recognition of revenue until all these conditions are satisfied or all elements have been delivered. The Company provides a reserve for estimated warranty and product service claims based on historical loss experience and consideration of changes in products, technology and warranty terms. A summary of the activity related to the warranty reserve is as follows (in thousands):

(2) INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN The Company has an incentive stock plan for key employees, officers, and directors. The Company accounts for this plan under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under the plan had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," to its stock-based employee compensation (in thousands except per share data).

During the three months ended December 31, 2003, the Company did not grant any options to purchase shares of its common stock. The pro forma adjustments reflected in the table above reflect the impact of options that were granted in prior years which vest over multiple fiscal periods. -8- (3) ACQUISITION OF ASSETS In November 2003, the Company acquired certain assets including inventory, equipment, customer lists, and other intangible assets related to Analytec Corporation's acoustic cleaner product line. The purchase price consisted of cash payments totaling $520,000. The pro forma effect of this transaction is not material to the Company. (4) DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES The Company has entered into forward exchange contracts with commercial banks in order to fix the currency exchange rate related to intercompany transactions with its foreign subsidiaries. Changes in the value of these instruments due to currency movements offset the foreign exchange gains and losses of the corresponding intercompany transactions, which primarily relate to the purchases by the Company's European subsidiaries of inventory from their U.S. affiliates. In accordance with SFAS 133, these transactions have been determined to be effective hedges. The fair value of these contracts has been recognized in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. The related gains and losses are deferred in shareholders' equity (as a component of comprehensive income). These deferred gains and losses are recognized in income in the period in which the related purchases being hedged are acquired. The notional amount of such contracts at December 31, 2003 was $5.2 million, and the Company has incurred an unrealized loss of $635,000 thereon. Approximately 78% of the deferred losses under these contracts will be reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months. (5) EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE AND TREASURY SHARE PURCHASES Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding. Stock options, which are common stock equivalents, have a dilutive effect on earnings per share in all periods presented and are therefore included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. A reconciliation of the numerators and the denominators of the basic and diluted per-share computations is as follows:

-9- The following table summarizes repurchases of the Company's common stock during the quarters ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. In the aggregate, as of December 31, 2003, the Company had acquired 2,662,000 of the 4,000,000 shares of BHA common stock authorized by the Board of Directors for repurchase.

(6) INVENTORIES BHA Group Holdings, Inc. values its inventory at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Components of inventories at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2003 were as follows (in thousands):

(7) BUSINESS SEGMENTS BHA reports its operations as three business segments, Domestic Air Pollution Control (Domestic APC), Europe Air Pollution Control (Europe APC), and BHA Technologies. Domestic APC consists of the air pollution control products and services sold or managed from the United States. Such sales include shipments and services throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific Rim, as such revenues are derived from BHA's U.S. based management group. The Europe APC segment represents sales of products and services managed from BHA's European manufacturing, distribution, and sales offices. BHA Europe generally services customers throughout Europe, as well as in the Middle East and Northern Africa. BHA Technologies supplies ePTFE membrane products to BHA's APC business, and is also developing a market for such products outside of air pollution control. BHA manages these segments as strategic business units. Europe APC represents a distinct business unit as it maintains its own manufacturing, sales, marketing, and project management resources. Sales to other international locations are included in the Domestic APC business segment, as most or all of the key manufacturing, engineering, and sales support functions are performed from the United States. BHA Technologies operates as a distinct entity due to its unique technologies, as well as the marketing of products unrelated to air pollution control. The supply by BHA Technologies of BHA-TEX(R) fabrics to the Company's APC business segments represents a significant portion of its overall revenues. These inter-segment sales are at gross margins which are generally consistent with BHA Technologies' average margins on sales to its third party customers. The sales dollars for the BHA Technologies' segment as reflected in the table below include such inter-segment transfers of BHA-TEX fabrics. Other sales of products and services between the Company's business segments are not material and as such, are excluded from the net sales amounts. -10- Reportable segment data was as follows (in thousands): NET SALES

EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

-11- BHA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS The Company is a world leader in innovative filtration technology. Its two principal operating subsidiaries are BHA Group, Inc., the world's largest supplier of replacement parts and services for industrial air pollution controls systems, and BHA Technologies, Inc., which manufactures and markets expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane products for use in a variety of industrial and consumer products. For purposes of this "Management's Discussion and Analysis," as well as the segment reporting information included in Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Domestic Air Pollution Control ("Domestic APC") segment represents all air pollution control business for which the products or services are sold or managed from the U.S. Generally, this includes sales to customers in the U.S. and exports to customers in Canada, Latin America, and Asia. The Europe APC segment represents all air pollution control business for which the products or services are sold or managed primarily from Europe. Such revenues are typically generated in Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. BHA Technologies, a subsidiary engaged in the production and sale of ePTFE membrane for both APC and non-APC applications, sold worldwide, represents BHA's third business segment. Within the Domestic APC segment, there are three distinct sales groups which include domestic fabric filter, domestic electrostatic precipitator ("ESP") and export sales. The domestic fabric filter group sells parts and services for baghouse equipment throughout the U.S. and Canada. In this market, BHA distinguishes itself from the competition by using a combination of innovative products together with problem solving advice provided by its sales people, product managers and technical advisors. Through the use of its proprietary telesales system, the Company can cost-effectively service a diverse customer base. The vast majority of the Company's baghouse sales represent small transactions with numerous customers. The average order size for this business is approximately $3,500. This sales approach generally results in BHA avoiding competing on the basis of "commodity products". As a result, the Company generates higher gross margins than its direct competitors in this market. This core business is, however, supplemented with certain targeted large transactions in a very competitive environment. Depending upon the mix of business, the gross margins within this sales group can vary significantly between fiscal periods. The domestic ESP sales group uses a sales strategy similar to that of the domestic fabric filter group, however, this business is much more dependent on major projects. The majority of the Company's ESP sales are to the utility industry and the sales staff works closely with customers to plan major project work to coincide with scheduled plant outages, generally during the spring and fall months. The average order size for this sales group is approximately $50,000 and quarterly shipments fluctuate significantly based upon the timing of major project work. The export sales group sells both fabric filter and ESP parts and services to customers throughout Latin America, the Pacific Rim and Asia. Historically, approximately 60% of the sales volume generated by this sales group can be categorized as "day-to-day" small to mid-size orders. This business is supplemented by larger transactions such as ESP project work -12- or orders to supply large quantities of filter bags to support major equipment change-outs. The results of this sales group are significantly impacted by the economic and political situations in its key markets as well as the timing of large shipments. The Europe APC segment also uses the Company's proprietary telesales system and the problem solving approach to distinguish itself from the competition. This segment sells the full line of the Company's products for fabric filter and ESP equipment. In recent years, approximately 80% of the sales within this segment can be characterized as "day-to-day" transactions and approximately 20% have been the result of major projects. Based upon the cost structure and sales volumes, this segment requires a combination of steady daily orders combined with some project work in order to generate profitable operations for a given quarterly period. On average, nearly 30% of the product costs for this segment are raw materials or products imported from the U.S. As a result, the relative value of the Euro and the USD has a significant impact on the Europe APC segment's results of operations. The BHA Technologies segment typically sells its products through strategic alliances with major companies in several markets as opposed to direct sales to end users. Under these relationships, BHA Technologies is the exclusive supplier of ePTFE membrane goods to its partners. These partners incorporate the membrane into their products which are then sold to a third party. Because of this sales structure, approximately two-thirds of the sales by BHA Technologies to third party customers have been to its three largest customers and the operating results of this segment are highly dependent upon these relationships. The production costs of ePTFE membrane products include substantial fixed overhead and BHA Technologies has significant available capacity for future growth. As a result, increases in plant throughput can have a significant favorable impact on gross margins. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION The following table summarizes the Company's revenues from third party sales by segment and, within the Domestic APC segment, by sales group. Amounts are in thousands.

FISCAL 2004 FIRST QUARTER COMPARED TO FISCAL 2003 FIRST QUARTER The Company's net earnings for the three months ended December 31, 2003 ("fiscal 2004 first quarter") were $3.1 million ($0.47 per diluted share) compared to $2.9 million ($0.45 per diluted share) for the first quarter of fiscal 2003. The increase in earnings was achieved despite a 15% decrease in consolidated sales. The sales decline was attributable to significant ESP project work completed in the first quarter of the prior year and was anticipated by management as discussed under "Outlook" in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2003. The improved profitability resulted from higher gross margins as a percentage of sales which were 36.3% in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to 30.4% for the same period in -13- the prior year and 32.0% for all of fiscal 2003. As discussed above, gross margin as a percentage of sales in each of its business segments can be significantly impacted by the mix of business as well as by the volume of ePTFE membrane produced. During the first quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company experienced a favorable product mix and the weak USD relative to the Euro reduced product costs for the Europe APC segment. Favorable warranty results and vendor rebates earned on calendar year purchases also had positive impacts on gross margins. The Company does not believe that the gross margins achieved during the most recent quarter are indicative of the margins anticipated for the balance of the fiscal year. NET SALES Consolidated net sales for the fiscal 2004 first quarter decreased 15% to $42.7 million from $50.1 million for the same period in fiscal 2003. Sales in the Domestic APC segment decreased by 25%. The decline was anticipated, as sales of ESP parts and services returned to historical levels during the fiscal 2004 first quarter after an unusually strong first quarter in fiscal 2003. Sales of ESP parts and services were $9.3 million in the most recent quarter compared to $20.4 million in the first quarter of the prior year. Sales of ESP parts and services during the first quarter of fiscal 2002 were $8.9 million. The lower sales in the ESP product line were partially offset by improvements in this segment's other sales groups. The Company's domestic sales of fabric filter parts and services increased 4% to $17.6 million in the most recent quarter compared to $17.0 million in first quarter of the prior year. Export sales increased 7% over the same period, due to improving business conditions in Latin America. Sales in the Europe APC segment, when expressed in U.S. dollars ("USD"), increased by 29% during the first quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to the same period in the prior year. The sales increase was 9% when reported in Euros. The increase in shipments reflects slightly higher project work together with an overall improvement in the Company's competitive position due to the impact of the strong Euro on the cost of raw materials and parts imported from the U.S. Shipments of ePTFE membrane from BHA Technologies to third party customers increased $1.4 million or 36% during the fiscal 2004 first quarter compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase was attributable to incremental business in non-consumer apparel in North America and Europe. GROSS MARGIN Consolidated gross margin was 36.3% of sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to 30.4% for the same period in the prior year. The higher gross margin was the result of several factors including: 1) increased ePTFE membrane production resulted in a decrease in per unit cost and improved margins in the BHA Technologies segment, 2) an improved sales mix within the Domestic APC business segment that included higher shipments of fine filtration products in the most recent quarter as compared to lower margin ESP project work in the first quarter of the prior year, 3) the strong Euro resulted in a decrease in the relative cost of raw materials and parts purchased from the U.S., 4) vendor rebates earned on calendar year purchases (to the extent such inventory had been sold by the Company prior to December 31, 2003) and 5) favorable adjustments to warranty reserves resulting from resolution of previously identified claims. -14- OPERATING EXPENSES Operating expenses were $10.7 million (25.0% of sales) for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to $10.8 million (21.5% of sales) for the same period in the prior year. Operating expenses remained relatively constant as the Company operated with fewer salaried and clerical personnel in the fiscal 2004 first quarter than during the same period in the prior year. This savings was sufficient to offset the general inflation in wage costs as well as higher corporate insurance and employee health costs. INTEREST EXPENSE, NET Net interest expense was $0.1 million in the fiscal 2004 first quarter and was comparable to the net interest expense in the prior year. All of the Company's borrowings are at variable interest rates. EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES Pre-tax earnings for the Domestic APC segment in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 were $2.9 million compared to $4.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2003. Pre-tax earnings as a percentage of sales for this segment were 9.3% for the fiscal 2004 first quarter compared to 9.7% for the same period in the prior year. The decline in pre-tax profits is consistent with the lower sales volume offset, in part, by the higher gross margins. The Europe APC segment generated pre-tax earnings of $0.3 million in the most recent quarter compared to a pre-tax loss of $0.2 million for the same period in the prior year. Gains on foreign exchange contributed approximately $150,000 of the improvement. The results were also favorably impacted by increases in sales volume and in gross margins as a percentage of sales. BHA Technologies generated pre-tax earnings of $1.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to $0.5 million for the same period in the prior year. Pre-tax earnings as a percentage of sales (third party and inter-company combined) for this segment increased from 8.0% for the first quarter of fiscal 2003 to 18.0% in the most recent quarter. The improvement in operating results is consistent with a 36% increase in shipments to third party customers and a 14% increase in shipments of BHA Tex products to the Company's APC businesses. INCOME TAXES The effective income tax rate was 33.5% for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 compared to 33.0% for the first quarter of the prior year. The rate for the most recent quarter is generally consistent with the actual rate of tax for all of fiscal 2003. NET EARNINGS Net earnings for the most recent quarter were $3.1 million ($0.47 per diluted share) compared to $2.9 million ($0.45 per diluted share) for the first quarter of fiscal 2003. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Net working capital was $52.1 million at December 31, 2003 compared to $50.3 million at September 30, 2003. The current ratio at December 31, 2003 and September 30, 2003 was 3.4 and 2.9, respectively. The Company's cash decreased from $18.8 million at September 30, 2003 to $9.8 million at December 31, 2003. -15- During the quarter ended December 31, 2003, the Company used $4.1 million in cash for operating activities compared to $0.1 million in cash used for operating activities during the same period in the prior year. Traditionally, the first fiscal quarter generates little, if any, cash from operations as the Company funds incentive bonus plans and employee benefit contributions during the quarter which are accrued during the prior fiscal year. Operating cash flow for the most recent quarter also reflected a significant increase in accounts receivable and inventories due to the timing of shipments and collections related to project work. Investing activities resulted in a net use of cash of $0.8 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The investment in property, plant and equipment used $0.8 million in cash in each period. Investing activities during the December 2003 quarter also included $0.5 million related to the acquisition of certain assets of a U.S. company that markets acoustic cleaning equipment. During the December 2003 quarter, the Company's financing activities included $3.1 million used for dividend payments on its common stock and $0.4 million used to repurchase shares of the Company's common stock. During the December 2002 quarter, BHA repurchased $0.5 million of the Company's common stock and did not pay dividends on its common stock. During the first quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company changed the timing of its annual dividend payment to December from January in the previous year. At December 31, 2003, BHA had unused lines of credit of $21.5 million. The debt structure includes commitments for: an $18.0 million revolving credit facility maturing on April 30, 2006; $6.3 million under an amortizing term loan with a final maturity in 2006; a European revolving credit facility of $7.0 million with a maturity on April 30, 2006; and a capital lease related to an industrial revenue bond transaction for $5.8 million with annual sinking fund payments and a final maturity in 2018. The Company believes that cash flows from operations and available credit lines will be sufficient to meet its capital needs for the foreseeable future. MANAGEMENT JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES In preparing the financial statements, a number of assumptions and estimates are determined, that in the judgment of management, are proper in light of existing general economic and Company-specific circumstances. Examples of areas in which judgments and estimates are required include the collectibility of receivables, the value of certain inventories and the evaluation of certain contingent liabilities, including product warranties and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. While the Company has taken reasonable care in preparing these estimates and making these judgments, actual results could and probably will differ from the estimates. Management believes that any difference in the actual results from the estimates will not have a material effect upon the Company's financial position or results of operations. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES The Company's critical accounting policies include the timing of revenue recognition on certain projects, inventory valuation, estimates related to collectibility of receivables and estimation of potential warranty claims. In some instances, arrangements with customers involve multiple elements which are delivered at different points in time. These situations typically arise when the Company has delivered parts, but is also obligated to perform installation services or parts are delivered over time, rather than on a single delivery date. In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized, the Company evaluates whether the delivered elements have standalone value to the customer, whether the fair value of the undelivered elements is reliably determinable, and -16- whether delivery of the remaining elements is probable and within the Company's control. In instances where all of these conditions are satisfied, the Company recognizes revenue for the elements that have been delivered to the customer. In instances where one or more of these conditions have not been satisfied, the Company defers the recognition of revenue until all these conditions are satisfied or all elements have been delivered. The Company values its inventories on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) accounting method using standard costs and provides reserves for estimated losses for slow moving or obsolete items. The reserve requirement is estimated based upon a review of specific inventory items that are identified as slow moving and consideration of potential salvage value and carrying costs. Accounts receivables are reported net of reserves for uncollectible accounts. The Company estimates the amount of the reserve requirement based upon a review of delinquent accounts, the Company's historical loss experience and the current economic factors impacting its customers. The Company provides warranties on the products and services it sells which vary in length and terms based upon the nature of such products and services as well as the customer's industry. A reserve has been established for potential warranty claims. The Company estimates its reserve requirement based upon specific product failures identified as well as historical loss experiences. OUTLOOK One of the Company's primary business goals is to increase compounded earnings per share at a 12% to 15% rate over time. Between fiscal 2000 and 2003, the Company's consolidated earnings per diluted share have increased at a 19% compounded rate. The overall financial condition of the Company has improved as the Company's bank borrowings, net of cash, were been reduced by $30.0 million during that same period. The Company's earnings growth during that period was the result of an increase in ESP parts and service work for electric utility customers in the U.S. and the success of BHA Technologies. These areas of the Company's business provided strength to offset the overall weakness the Company experienced in its worldwide fabric filter replacement parts and service business. Although its financial results have varied by segment, the Company believes it has improved its market position and competitive advantage in each of its major business areas. The following are various factors for consideration as the Company moves into its second quarter: o Publicly available information provides an indication that the U.S. economy is improving. Based on historical trending, the Company continues to believe that improvement in its market for the sale of fabric filter replacement parts and services will likely trail an improvement in overall manufacturing conditions by as much as six months. Although the Company saw some improvement in new orders during the first quarter, it expects that competition will remain intense for at least the next several quarters. The Company believes that it is well positioned with its products, people and approach to servicing this market. These factors, combined with a lower cost structure, are expected to benefit the Company as business conditions improve. o The Company believes that over the past three years it has established itself as the premier supplier for ESP replacement parts, services and rebuilds in the U.S. The Company has also been successful in expanding this business in certain international -17- markets. The Company's overall ESP replacement parts and service results achieved record levels during fiscal 2003. The Company's system for tracking project work to be executed over the next few years provides an indication that this market will continue to provide good opportunity for BHA. This same tracking information led the Company to predict the decline in ESP rebuild work executed by customers during the fall 2003 outage season. The Company believes that work to be executed in the spring 2004 outage season will also be lower than the same period in the prior year. Preliminary information available to the Company provides an indication that business should again start to increase during the fall 2004 and spring 2005 outage seasons. This factor, combined with the Company's existing backlog of business scheduled for the next fiscal year, are early positive indicators of potential results for fiscal 2005. o The Company is pleased with its sales and earnings growth in the BHA Technologies segment. The Company believes this segment is well positioned for additional growth during fiscal 2004. Incremental third party revenues within this segment are likely to be structured under multi-year supply arrangements with new customers. The extent to which this segment will increase its sales and earnings beyond fiscal 2004 will be dependent upon the timing of final product commercialization and order execution in its target markets. Due to the factors discussed above, visibility with respect to future results beyond 90 days remains a challenge. For more information, you should refer to the sections entitled, "Outlook" and "Factors Affecting Earnings and Share Price" included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 11, 2003. The following is specific guidance being provided for the second quarter of fiscal 2004: o For the second quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company anticipates that consolidated net sales will be higher than the same period in the prior year by as much as 10%. o Gross margins and operating margins as a percentage of sales are expected to be lower in the second quarter than in the just completed period. The backlog includes a mix of larger orders of lower margin products and services. o Earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 are expected to be in the range of $.48 to $.58 per diluted share as compared to $.52 reported for the same period in the prior year. BACKLOG On December 31, 2003, the Company's backlog of orders was $68.0 million compared to a backlog of $47.5 million at December 31, 2002 and $60.4 million at September 30, 2003. Approximately $10.1 million of the December 31, 2003 backlog is scheduled to ship after December 31, 2004, whereas substantially all of the December 31, 2002 backlog was scheduled for shipment during calendar 2003. FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION This report contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. The statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. The words "should," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," and other expressions that indicate future events and trends identify forward-looking statements. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those anticipated depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, competition, the performance of newly -18- established domestic and international operations, demand and price for the Company's products and services, general U.S. and international business conditions and other factors. Readers should consult the section entitled "Factors Affecting Earnings and Stock Price" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003. The Company cautions that the foregoing lists of important factors is not exclusive. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK INTEREST RATES All of the Company's indebtedness is at variable rates of interest. The Company has not used derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to interest rate changes. Based upon borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2003, a 1% fluctuation in market rates would impact interest expense by approximately $150,000 annually. EXCHANGE RATES AND FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS The Company views its equity investment in a foreign subsidiary as long-term commitments and does not hedge the translation exposures relative to such equity investments. Certain of the Company's operations, primarily its international subsidiaries, make some of their purchases and sales in currencies other than their functional currencies. This subjects the Company to the risks associated with fluctuations of currency exchange rates. The Company reduces this risk by utilizing natural hedging (offsetting receivables and payables). At December 31, 2003, the amount of unhedged exposures was less than $0.5 million. The Company's U.S. affiliates have outstanding loans to its European subsidiaries which are denominated in Euros. In order to substantially eliminate the foreign exchange risk of these advances, the Company uses forward exchange contracts with maturities comparable to the underlying intercompany loans. As of December 31, 2003, there were Euro 5.4 million (USD 6.8 million) of intercompany loans that were hedged using forward exchange contracts for the same amount. BHA periodically enters into forward exchange contracts with commercial banks in order to fix the currency exchange rate related to intercompany transactions with its foreign subsidiaries. Changes in the value of these instruments due to currency movements offset the foreign exchange gains and losses of the corresponding intercompany transactions. At December 31, 2003, the notional amount of these forward exchange contracts was approximately $5.2 million and the market value of these contracts was $635,000 lower than their face value. -19- ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE The Company's customer base operates in numerous industries in the U.S. and internationally. With the weakness in the global manufacturing economy, the Company is seeing an increasing level of customer bankruptcies and slow payment problems that management believes has been appropriately reserved for. Although there is not a significant concentration of sales in any one industry or with any individual customer, certain of the Company's customers operate in industries such as electric utility, steel, textile and foundry, which were severely impacted by the recent economic uncertainties. Additionally, the Company executes significant projects and fulfills membrane supply contracts that can result in open receivables from individual customers that at times exceed $1 million. It is considered unlikely that the failure of one or more customers would have a material adverse affect on the Company's financial condition. However, near term operating results could be adversely impacted by an increase in bad debt expense in the event that such customers' financial results fail to recover in the near term. ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES CEO and CFO Certifications. Immediately following the "Signatures" section of this quarterly report are the certifications of the CEO and the CFO required by Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Certifications"). This section of the quarterly report contains the information concerning the evaluation of Disclosure Controls and changes to Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting referred to in the Certifications and this information should be read in conjunction with the Certifications for a more complete understanding of the topics presented. Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting. Disclosure Controls are procedures that are designed for the purpose of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the Company's reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (such as this quarterly report), is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting are designed and maintained by management for the purpose of providing reasonable assurance that the Company's transactions are properly authorized, recorded and reported, and that the Company's assets are safeguarded from improper use to permit the preparation of the Company's financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls. The Company's management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that the Company's Disclosure Controls or Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. Further, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of these inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Changes to Internal Controls. In accordance with the SEC's requirements, the CEO and the CFO note that, during the Company's last fiscal quarter, there have been no significant changes in Internal Controls or in other factors that could significantly affect Internal Controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. -20- Conclusions Regarding Disclosure Controls. Based upon the required evaluation of Disclosure Controls, the CEO and CFO have concluded that as of December 31, 2003, subject to the limitations noted above, the Company's disclosure Controls are effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries is made known to management, including the CEO and CFO, particularly during the period when the Company's periodic reports are being prepared. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K: (a) Exhibits: (31.1) Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (31.2) Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (32.1) Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (32.2) Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (b) Reports on Form 8-K: On October 28, 2003, the Company filed a Form 8-K under Item 7 and Item 11. On November 11, 2003, the Company filed a Form 8-K under Item 7 and Item 9 furnished pursuant to Item 12, which included a copy of its press release dated that same day in which the Company announced its earnings for the year ended September 30, 2003. No other reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the quarter ended December 31, 2003. -21- 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. BHA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. (Registrant) January 21, 2004 By: /s/ James C. Shay -------------------------- -------------------------------------------- Date (Signature) James C. Shay Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration, Principal Financial and Accounting Officer By: /s/ James E. Lund -------------------------------------------- (Signature) James E. Lund President and Chief Executive Officer -22- BHA GROUP HOLDINGS, INC. EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION ----------- ----------- (31.1) Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (31.2) Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (32.1) Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (32.2) Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. -23-

BHA GROUP INC 10-Q