UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

Form 10-K

 

 

Commission File No. 1-5842

Bowne & Co., Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(212) 924-5500

 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

(Title of class)

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Yes o     No þ

 

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 o     No þ

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).  Yes o     No þ

 

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock issued and outstanding and held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was approximately $324.5 million. For purposes of the foregoing calculation, the registrant’s 401(K) Savings Plan and its Global Employees Stock Purchase Plan are deemed to be affiliates of the registrant.

 

The registrant had 27,310,604 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 1, 2009.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Certain portions of the documents of the registrant listed below have been incorporated by reference into the indicated parts of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

 

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement anticipated to be dated April 15, 2009. Part III, Items 10-12

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Bowne & Co., Inc. (Bowne and its subsidiaries are hereinafter collectively referred to as “Bowne,” the “Company,” “We” or “Our” unless otherwise noted), established in 1775, is a global leader in providing business services that help companies produce and manage their shareholder, investor, marketing and business communications. These communications include, but are not limited to, regulatory and compliance documents; personalized financial statements; enrollment kits; and sales and marketing collateral. Its services span the entire document life cycle and involve both electronic and printed media. Bowne helps clients create, edit and compose their documents, manage the content, translate the documents when necessary, personalize the documents, prepare the documents and in many cases perform the filing, and print and distribute the documents, both through the mail and electronically.

 

During 2008, the Company made several significant changes to its organizational structure and manufacturing capabilities to support the consolidation of its business units into a unified model that supports and markets Bowne’s full range of service offerings, from transactional services to corporate compliance reporting to investment management solutions and personalized digital marketing communications. These modifications were made in response to the evolving needs of our clients, who are increasingly asking for services that span Bowne’s full range of offerings. As a result of these changes, the Company evaluated the impact on segment reporting and made certain changes to its segment reporting in the first quarter of 2008. As such, the Company now has one reportable segment, which is consistent with how the Company is structured and managed. The Company previously conducted its business in two distinct operating segments: Financial Communications and Marketing & Business Communications. Prior to these changes, each segment had its own sales force, marketing and customer service organizations as well as research and development, product development, technology support and manufacturing. However, the fundamentals behind these two segments have converged. Clients for all of the services increasingly overlap; the technology for serving them and the marketing and channel requirements for reaching them are now similar or virtually identical. No longer is there a parallel set of distinct customers, services and channels; rather, there is an increasing cross-over between clients, application needs and sales and marketing requirements.

 

The Company made several significant internal changes during 2008 in order to more effectively address these market dynamics. Essentially, the Company has integrated its customer-facing resources to provide all Bowne services to all clients and prospects; the Company has unified its manufacturing footprint to provide the best quality and cost-effective technology regardless of timing and location; and has consolidated its administrative and support functions so that best practices and economic advantages are being leveraged across the enterprise. These changes have reduced costs during 2008 and the Company expects to realize the benefits of these changes in 2009 and beyond.

 

During 2008, the Company completed three strategic acquisitions to expand its customer base, gain access to new vertical and geographic markets, and expand technology-based offerings. As such, in 2008, the Company acquired the following businesses:

 

In February 2008, the Company acquired GCom² Solutions, Inc. (“GCom”). This acquisition expands the Company’s shareholder reporting services offerings within the investment management marketplace in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Luxembourg.

 

In April 2008, the Company acquired the digital print business of Rapid Solutions Group (“RSG”), a subsidiary of Janus Capital Group Inc. RSG is a provider of end-to-end solutions for marketing communications clients in the financial services and health care industries, which enables the Company to further expand its presence in those markets.

 

In July 2008, the Company acquired the U.S.-based assets and operating business of Capital Systems, Inc. (“Capital”), a leading provider of shareholder communications based in midtown New York City. Capital’s former office in midtown New York City complements the Company’s existing facility in the downtown New York City financial district. Capital enables Bowne to further extend its reach into key existing verticals: investment management, compliance reporting and capital markets services. Capital provides mutual fund quarterly and

annual reporting and disclosure documents, such as SEC filings, including proxy statements and 10-Ks, as well as capital markets services for equity offerings, debt deals, securitizations, and mergers and acquisitions.

 

The acquisitions of these businesses are discussed in more detail in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Overall, the Company generated revenue of approximately $766.6 million in 2008, $850.6 million in 2007, and $833.7 million in 2006, with segment profit of $33.2 million in 2008, $77.3 million in 2007, and $66.2 million in 2006. The Company’s segment profit is defined as gross profit (revenue less cost of revenue) less selling and administrative expenses.

 

Further information regarding revenue, operating results, identifiable assets and capital spending attributable to the Company’s operations for the calendar years 2008, 2007 and 2006, as well as a reconciliation of segment profit to pre-tax (loss) income from continuing operations, are shown in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company’s previous year’s segment information has been restated to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

Industry Overview

 

The business services industry is highly fragmented, with hundreds of independent service companies that provide a full range of document management services and with a wide range of technology and software providers. Specific to capital markets services and compliance reporting, there are many companies, including Bowne, that participate in a material way. Demand for capital markets services tends to be cyclically related to new debt and equity issuances and public mergers and acquisitions activity. Demand for compliance reporting is less sensitive to capital market changes and represents a recurring periodic activity, with seasonality linked to significant filing deadlines imposed by law on public reporting companies and mutual funds. Demand is also impacted by changing regulatory and corporate disclosure requirements.

 

The market for digital, personalized communications is currently fragmented with a large number of active participants providing a wide range of services. The primary competitors provide end-to-end, digital services ranging from message design services, to technical solutions design and implementation, to printing and distribution via mail or on-line delivery. Bowne is focused on providing the full range of services required to support clients with data integration, document creation, production, distribution and management solutions that address the growing variable personalized communications needs of many industries. Companies are increasingly looking to digital, variable, data-driven solutions to help streamline their communications and increase their competitive edge. For example, a firm’s ability to create relevant, engaging, and targeted communications to both customers and prospective customers can help increase customer retention and sales, as well as protect brand integrity. Bowne’s depth of experience in digital variable document production coupled with the technologies that provide clients with an end-to-end solution for business and marketing communications, supported by Bowne’s reputation for quality, integrity, and overall production experience in a number of industries, uniquely position Bowne in this emerging marketplace.

 

The Company

 

The Company provides a full-range of services consisting of the following: capital markets services, formerly referred to as “transactional services,” shareholder reporting services, marketing communications and commercial printing.

 

Capital markets services

 

Capital markets services includes a comprehensive array of services to create, manage, translate, file and distribute shareholder and investor-related documents. Bowne provides these services to its clients in connection with capital market transactions, such as equity and debt issuances and mergers and acquisitions. The Company’s capital markets services apply to registration statements, prospectuses, bankruptcy solicitation materials, special proxy statements, offering circulars, tender offer materials and other documents related to corporate financings, acquisitions and mergers. The Company also offers Bowne Virtual Dataroom^tm, (“VDR”) a hosted online data room

capability, which provides a secure and convenient means for clients to permit due diligence of documents in connection with securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. This service is offered through an alliance with BMC Group Inc., an information management and technology service provider to corporate, legal and financial professionals. During 2008, the Company rolled out a major expansion of its virtual data room offering, with enhanced product features and an expanded sales force. Historically, capital markets transactional services have been the single largest contributor to the Company’s total revenue and in 2008 represented approximately 25% of Bowne’s total revenue.

 

Shareholder reporting services

 

Shareholder reporting services include compliance reporting, investment management services and translations services revenue. Bowne provides services to public corporations in connection with their compliance obligations to produce, file and deliver periodic and other reports under applicable laws and regulations, which the Company calls “compliance reporting services.”

 

The Company’s compliance reporting services apply to annual and interim reports, regular proxy materials and other periodic reports that public companies are required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or other regulatory bodies around the world. Bowne is also a leading filing agent for EDGAR, the SEC’s electronic filing system. The Company provides both full-service and self-service filing options, the latter through Internet-based filing products: BowneFile16^®, 8-K Express^tm, and 6-K Express^tm. In 2006, the Company expanded its compliance service offerings to include Pure Compliance^tm, an EDGAR-only filing service that offers clients a balance of fixed pricing, rapid turnaround, and high quality HTML output to meet their regulatory filing requirements. In 2007, the Company launched its electronic Proxy service, Bowne ePod^tm, to assist public companies in responding to the SEC’s rule enabling issuers to furnish proxy materials to shareholders through an electronic Notice and Access delivery model and in 2008 the Company launched Bowne Compliance Driver^sm, an automated financial statement reporting tool, through a strategic alliance with Clarity Systems, Inc. The Company is also an active member of XBRL International, a not-for-profit steering group of over 500 firms dedicated to the development and advancement of XBRL. In December 2008, the SEC issued a requirement that would require companies to submit financial disclosures in XBRL beginning in June 2009. As an ongoing effort to position the Company at the forefront of this emerging technology, the Company announced enhancements to its suite of XBRL solutions during 2008, which will assist clients in meeting the SEC filing requirement.

 

Investment management services apply to regulatory and shareholder communications such as annual or interim reports, prospectuses, information statements and marketing-related documents. The Company offers Customized Investor Books, which empowers investment managers to tailor the information they provide to their shareholders and contract holders, reducing costs and creating a better customer experience.

 

In addition, the Company provides customized translation services to financial, legal, advertising, consulting and corporate communications professionals.

 

Marketing communications

 

Marketing communications include a portfolio of services to create, manage and distribute personalized communications, including financial statements, enrollment kits and sales and marketing collateral, to help companies communicate with their customers. Bowne provides these services primarily to the financial services, commercial banking, health care, insurance, gaming, and travel and leisure industries.

 

The marketing communications services offered by the Company use advanced database technology, coupled with high-speed digital printing, to help clients reach their customers with targeted customized and personalized communications. Using a model that begins with extensive consultation to ascertain clients’ communications challenges, Bowne delivers quality technology-based applications that integrate document creation, content management, digital printing, and electronic and physical delivery.

 

Bowne has developed unique technology solutions that provide the framework to customize each document to meet a client’s unique needs, while maintaining the controls and standards to ensure each personalized

communication produced and delivered on the client’s behalf is consistently accurate and of the highest quality, from creation to delivery.

 

 

Bowne services help clients create, manage and distribute critical information, such as statements, trade confirmations, welcome and enrollment kits, sales kits and marketing collateral. With the ability to provide personalized and targeted communications, rather than the conventionally printed generic information, clients are able to achieve higher returns on their marketing dollars and reduce waste. Because of the integration of systems between Bowne and its clients, these services tend to involve longer-term relationships. The primary clients for these services include mutual funds, stock brokerage firms, defined contribution providers, investment banks, insurance companies, commercial banks, health care providers, and educational services.

 

Commercial printing

 

Bowne also provides commercial printing, which consists of annual reports, sales and marketing literature, point of purchase materials, research reports, newsletters and other custom-printed matter.

 

Operations

 

Over the last several years, the Company has focused on improving its cost structure and operating efficiencies by reducing fixed costs and increasing flexibility to better respond to market fluctuations. The Company has reorganized its regional operations and closed or consolidated a portion of its U.S. offices and facilities. While the Company maintains its own printing capabilities in North America, Bowne also outsources some printing to independent printers, especially during times of peak demand. This outsourcing allows the Company to preserve flexibility while reducing the staffing, maintenance and operating expense associated with underutilized facilities, and is in line with industry practice. The Company also has arrangements with companies in India to perform some of its composition processing and related functions. Importantly, in preceding years the Company invested significantly in new technologies that it now leverages to perform the same volume of high-quality service for its clients despite the reductions in its workforce. This has allowed the Company to significantly reduce its fixed and direct labor costs. As a result of the increased flexibility Bowne has achieved in the last few years, the Company expects that its cost savings will be long-term and that it will not need to add back most of the personnel and related costs as the business expands.

 

The Company believes that its technology investments have produced one of the most flexible and efficient composition, printing and distribution systems in the industry, for example:

 

 

 

Other Information

 

For each of the past three fiscal years, the Company’s capital markets transactional services revenue has accounted for the largest share of consolidated total revenue, as shown below:

 

 

The Company has facilities to serve customers throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Central America, South America and Asia.

 

Although investment in equipment and facilities is required, the Company’s business is principally service-oriented. In all of its activities, speed, accuracy, quality of customer service, and the need to preserve the confidentiality of the customers’ information is paramount.

 

The Company’s composing and its manufacturing platforms are operated as centralized and fully distributive models. This provides Bowne with the ability to maximize efficiency, increase utilization and better service its customers’ needs.

 

During 2008, the Company reduced the number of conference rooms it maintains for use by clients while transactions are in progress. This reduction was in response to decreased client demand; however, these amenities are still provided in high density markets. On-site customer service professionals work directly with clients, which promotes speed and ease of editorial changes and otherwise facilitates the completion of clients’ documents. In addition, the Company uses an extensive electronic communications network, which facilitates data handling and makes collaboration practicable among clients at different sites.

 

The Company was established in 1775, incorporated in 1909, reincorporated in 1968 in the State of New York, and reincorporated again in 1998 in the State of Delaware. The Company’s corporate offices are located at 55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041, telephone (212) 924-5500. The Company’s website is www.bowne.com, and contains electronic copies of Bowne news releases and SEC filings, as well as descriptions of Bowne’s corporate governance structure, products and services, and other information about the Company. This information is available free of charge. References to the Company’s website address do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on the website, and the information contained on the website is not part of this document.

 

Competition

 

The Company believes that it offers a unique array of services and solutions for its clients. However, competition in the various individual services described above is intense. Factors in this competition include not only the speed and accuracy with which the Company can meet customer needs, but also the price of the services, quality of the product, historical experience with the client and complementary services.

In capital market services and shareholder reporting services, the Company competes primarily with several global competitors and regional service providers having similar degrees of specialization. Some of these organizations operate at multiple locations and some are subsidiaries or divisions of companies having greater financial resources than those of the Company. Based upon the most recently available published information, the Company is a market leader in capital markets services. In addition to its customer base, the Company has experienced competition for sales, customer service and production personnel in financial printing.

 

In commercial printing the Company competes with general commercial printers, which are far more numerous than those in the financial communications market and some of these printers have far greater financial resources than those of the Company.

 

In the digital personalized communications market Bowne competes with diverse competition from a variety of companies, including commercial printers, in-house departments, direct marketing agencies, facilities management companies, software providers and other consultants.

 

Cyclical, Seasonal and Other Factors Affecting the Company’s Business

 

Revenue from capital markets services accounted for approximately 27% of the Company’s revenue in 2008. This revenue stream is driven by a transactional or financing event and is affected by various factors including conditions in the world’s capital markets. Transactional revenue and net income depends upon the volume of public financings, particularly equity offerings, as well as merger and acquisitions activity. Activity in the capital markets is influenced by corporate funding needs, stock market fluctuations, credit availability and prevailing interest rates, and general economic and political conditions. During 2008, the Company experienced a significant decline in revenue from capital markets services primarily resulting from the current economic conditions. If these conditions persist or further deteriorate, they could potentially have a more significant impact on customers’ demand for the Company’s capital market services, which could result in a decrease in revenue in future periods.

 

Revenue from all other lines of service besides capital markets accounted for approximately 73% of Bowne’s revenue and tends to be more recurring in nature and includes revenue from shareholder reporting services as well as revenue from marketing communications product offerings.

 

Revenue derived from shareholder reporting services is seasonal, with the greatest number of proxy statements and regulatory reports required during the Company’s first fiscal quarter ending March 31 and the early part of the Company’s second quarter ending June 30. Because of these cyclical and seasonal factors, coupled with the general need to complete certain printing jobs quickly after delivery of copy by the customers, the Company must maintain physical plant and customer service staff sufficient to meet peak work loads. Shareholder reporting services, commercial and digital printing are not considered to be as cyclical as capital markets transactional services, and help to diversify the Company’s revenue streams.

 

A small portion of revenue originates in the insurance industry related to statutory reporting which is seasonal, with most of this business occurring during the first quarter ending March 31. In addition, the portion of revenue from marketing communications services relating to enrollment kits is seasonal, as it relates to employee benefits open enrollment activity which typically occurs during the fourth quarter ending December 31.

 

Research and Development

 

The Company evaluates, on an ongoing basis, advances in computer software, hardware and peripherals, computer networking, telecommunications systems and Internet-related technologies as they relate to the Company’s business and to the development and deployment of enhancements to the Company’s proprietary systems.

 

The Company utilizes a computerized composition and telecommunications system in the process of preparing documents. The Company continues to research and develop its digital print technology, enhancing its service offerings as there are advances in software, hardware, and other related technologies.

 

As the oldest and one of the largest shareholder and marketing communication companies in the world, Bowne’s extensive experience allows it to proactively identify clients’ needs. Bowne understands the ever-changing

aspect of technology in this business, and continues to be on the cutting edge in researching, developing and implementing technological breakthroughs to better serve clients. Capital investments are made as needed, and technology and equipment is updated as necessary.

 

Bowne works with industry-leading hardware and software vendors to support the technology infrastructure. Various software tools and programming languages are used within the technical development environment. The Company invests in the latest technologies and equipment to constantly improve services and remain on the leading edge. With a technology team comprised of over 200 professionals as of December 31, 2008 (in solutions management, application development and technology operations departments), Bowne is constantly engaged in numerous and valuable systems enhancements.

 

Bowne has established document management capacity that is flexible and aligned with customer demand. Technology plays a key role in this strategy through the extension of the composition network with vendors in India. This allows the Company to efficiently and seamlessly outsource EDGAR conversions and composition work as needed. In addition, other technology services are outsourced where it can be done at substantial cost savings and added flexibility.

 

The Company strives to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of clients’ data. Bowne developed a secure mechanism that, through software logic, secure gateways, and firewalls provides a system that is designed for security and reliability with substantial disaster recovery capability for clients. The Company continually seeks to improve these systems.

 

Patents and Other Rights

 

The Company has no significant patents, licenses, franchises, concessions or similar rights other than certain trademarks. Except for a proprietary computer composition and telecommunication system, the Company does not have significant specialized machinery, facilities or contracts which are unavailable to other firms providing the same or similar services to customers. The Company and its affiliates utilize many trademarks and service marks worldwide, many of which are registered or pending registration. The most significant of these is the trademark and trade name Bowne^®. The Company also uses the following service marks and trademarks: Bowne Compliance Driver^sm, Bowne Compliance Plus^sm, Bowne ePod^®, Bowne 8-K Express^®, BowneFax^tm, BowneFile16^®, BowneImpressions^®, BowneLink^®, Bowne 6-K Express^®, Bowne Virtual Dataroom^tm, Deal Room Express^®, DealTrans^tm, E2 Express^tm, Express Start^tm, FundAlign^®, FundSmith^®, ProspectusNow^®, Pure Compliance^®, QuickPath^tm, SecuritiesConnect^®, smartapps^tm, smartforum^tm, smartedgar^tm, smartproof^tm, and XMark^tm.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

The Company employs approximately 200 sales and marketing personnel. During 2008, the Company created a unified client-facing sales organization which leverages the Company’s regional field sales management to sell and support all Bowne services. In addition to soliciting business from existing and prospective customers by building relationships and delivering customized solutions, the sales personnel act as a liaison between the customer and the Company’s customer service operations. They also provide advice and assistance to customers. The Company periodically advertises in trade publications and other media, and conducts sales promotions by mail, by presentations at seminars and trade shows and by direct delivery of marketing collateral material to customers.

 

Customers and Backlog of Orders

 

The Company’s customers include a wide variety of corporations, law firms, investment banks, insurance companies, bond dealers, mutual funds and other financial institutions.

 

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s sales. The Company has no backlog, within the common meaning of that term, which is normal throughout the service offerings in which the Company is focused. However, within its Capital Markets Services, the Company usually has a backlog of customers preparing for financial offerings. This backlog is greatly affected by capital market activity.

Employees

 

At December 31, 2008, the Company had approximately 3,200 full-time employees. The Company believes relations with its employees are excellent. Less than one percent of the Company’s employees are members of various unions covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Company provides pension, 401(k), profit-sharing, certain insurance and other benefits to most non-union employees.

 

Suppliers

 

The Company purchases or leases various materials and services from a number of suppliers, of which the most important items are paper, air and ground delivery services, computer hardware, copiers and printing equipment, software and peripherals, communication equipment and services, outsourced printing and composition services and electrical energy. The Company purchases paper from paper mills and paper merchants. The Company has experienced no difficulty to date in obtaining an adequate supply of these materials and services. Alternate sources of supply are presently available.

 

International Sales

 

The Company’s international business offers similar services as those delivered by its domestic operations. International capabilities are delivered primarily by the Company or in some areas through strategic relationships. The Company conducts operations in Canada, Europe, Central America, South America and Asia. In addition, the Company has affiliations with firms providing similar services abroad. Revenues derived from foreign countries, other than Canada, were approximately 11% of the Company’s total revenues in 2008, 13% in 2007 and 12% in 2006. During 2008, 2007 and 2006, revenues derived from foreign countries other than Canada totaled $85 million, $110 million and $97 million, respectively. Canadian revenues were approximately 8%, 10% and 10% of the Company’s total sales in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. During 2008, 2007 and 2006, revenues derived from Canada totaled $63 million, $83 million, and $89 million, respectively.

 

 

The Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial condition and cash flows can be adversely affected by various risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, the principal factors listed below and the other matters set forth in this annual report on Form 10-K. You should carefully consider all of these risks.

 

Current global economic conditions have created turmoil in credit and capital markets that, if they persist or deteriorate, could have a significant adverse impact on the Company’s operations.

 

Current United States and worldwide economic conditions have resulted in an extraordinary tightening of credit markets and contractions in the capital markets. These economic conditions have resulted in negative impacts on businesses and financial institutions and financial services entities in particular. They have also resulted in unprecedented intervention in financial institutions and markets by governments throughout the world, including the enactment in the United States of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. These economic conditions have been characterized in news reports as a global economic crisis, and have also had a significant negative impact on the Company’s operations during the second half of 2008. If these conditions persist or deteriorate, they could potentially have a more significant impact on operations in future periods by:

 

 

An inability to repay or refinance the $150 million five-year senior, unsecured revolving credit facility, which matures in May 2010, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

 

The $150 million five-year senior, unsecured revolving credit facility, under which the Company had $79.5 million outstanding at December 31, 2008, matures in May 2010. The Company’s ability to repay or refinance this credit facility will depend on, among other things, its financial condition at the time, credit market conditions and the availability of financing. The credit markets have tightened significantly since the second quarter of 2008. While the Company believes that it could obtain requisite replacement financing, it cannot predict whether capital will be available at reasonable interest rates and on acceptable terms, if at all, when these obligations mature in 2010.

 

The Company is in discussions with the members of its bank group to amend and extend its existing revolving credit facility. Such amendment and extension is expected to be completed in the near future. However, there is no assurance that the full amount of this facility will be amended and extended.

 

Continued economic crisis and stock market declines could reduce future potential earnings and could result in future goodwill impairments.

 

The current global economic crisis has impacted the stock prices of many companies. If the price of Bowne common stock remains depressed, it could result in an impairment of the Company’s goodwill. Bowne’s stock value is dependent upon continued future growth in demand for the Company’s services and products. If such growth does not materialize or the Company’s forecasts are significantly reduced, the Company could be required to recognize an impairment of its goodwill. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment assessment as of December 31, 2008. Based on the analysis, it concluded that the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit exceeds the carrying amount and therefore goodwill is not considered impaired. When the assessment was performed, market capitalization, which is an indicator of fair value, was below the carrying value of the reporting unit due to significant declines in stock price during the year. However, an estimated control premium was also used in the Company’s determination of fair value. The control premium represents the amount an investor would pay, over and above market capitalization, in order to obtain a controlling interest in a company. The control premium used in the determination of fair value is subject to management judgment, including the interpretation of economic indicators and market valuations at the time of the analysis as well as Bowne’s strategic plans with regard to its operations. To the extent additional information arises, Bowne’s stock price remains depressed, or its strategies change, it is possible that the conclusion regarding goodwill impairment could change, which could have an adverse effect on Bowne’s financial position and results of operations.

 

The Company’s strategy to increase revenue through introducing new products and services and acquiring businesses that complement its existing businesses may not be successful, which could adversely affect results and may negatively affect earnings.

 

Approximately 27% of the Company’s revenue was derived from capital market services in 2008, which are dependent upon capital markets transactional activity. Bowne is pursuing strategies designed to improve our capital markets service offerings and grow non-capital markets businesses (which represented about 73% of Bowne’s revenue in 2008), including compliance reporting services, investment management services and the Company’s digital and personalization business. At the same time Bowne has pursued a strategy of acquisitions and strategic alliances for complementary products and service offerings. The Company also believes that pursuing complementary acquisition opportunities will lead to more stable and diverse recurring revenue. This strategy has many risks, including the following:

 

 

If the Company is unsuccessful in continuing to enhance its non-transactional products and services and acquire complementary products and services, it will not be able to continue to diversify its revenues and will remain subject to the sometimes volatile swings in the capital markets that directly impact the demand for transactional capital markets services. Furthermore, if the Company is unable to provide value-added services in areas of document management other than traditional composition and printing, its results may be adversely affected if an increasing number of clients handle this process in-house, to the extent that new technologies allow this process to be conducted internally. The Company believes that if it is not successful in achieving its strategic objectives within transactional capital markets services, growing its other business lines and acquiring complementary product and service offerings, Bowne may experience decreases in profitability and volume. If this decline in profitability were to continue, without offsetting increases in revenues from other products and services, the Company’s business and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

 

Revenue from printed shareholder documents is subject to regulatory changes and volatility in demand, which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results.

 

The market for these services depends in part on the demand for printed shareholder and investor documents, which is driven largely by capital markets activity and the requirements of the SEC and other regulatory bodies. Any rulemaking substantially affecting the content of documents to be filed and the method of their delivery could have an adverse effect on Bowne’s business. In addition, evolving market practices in light of regulatory developments, such as postings of documents on Internet web pages and electronic delivery of offering documents, may adversely affect the demand for printed financial documents and reports.

 

Recent regulatory developments in the United States and abroad have sought to change the method of dissemination of financial documents to investors and shareholders through electronic delivery rather than through delivery of paper documents. The SEC’s “access equals delivery” rules which eliminate the requirement to deliver a printed final prospectus unless requested by the investor, its rules for the dissemination of proxy materials to shareholders electronically and for the dissemination of mutual fund prospectuses electronically, unless a printed prospectus is requested by the investor, are reflective of these regulatory developments. Regulatory developments which decrease the delivery of printed transactional or compliance documents could harm Bowne’s business and adversely affect its operating results.

 

Regulatory developments in the United States have also accelerated the timing for filing periodic compliance reports, such as public company annual reports and interim quarterly reports, and also have changed some of the content requirements requiring greater disclosure in those reports. The combination of shorter deadlines for public company reports and more content may adversely affect the Company’s ability to meet client’s needs in times of peak demand, or may cause clients to try to exercise more control over their filings by performing those functions in-house.

 

The Company’s revenue may be adversely affected as clients implement technologies enabling them to produce and disseminate documents on their own. For example, clients and their financial advisors have increasingly relied on web-based distributions for prospectuses and other printed materials. Also, the migration from an ASCII-based EDGAR system to an HTML format for SEC public filings eventually may enable more clients to handle all or a portion of their periodic filings without the need for Bowne’s services.

 

The environment in which Bowne competes is highly competitive, which creates adverse pricing pressures and may harm the Company’s business and operating results if it cannot compete effectively.

 

Competition in this business is intense. The speed and accuracy with which Bowne can meet client needs, the price of its services and the quality of its products and supporting services are factors in this competition. In the capital markets, shareholder reporting and commercial printing lines of service, the Company competes directly with several other service providers having similar degrees of specialization. One of these service providers is a division of a company that has greater financial resources than those of Bowne.

 

The Company’s marketing communications services face diverse competition from a variety of companies including commercial printers, in-house print operations, direct marketing agencies, facilities management

companies, software providers and other consultants. In commercial printing services, the Company competes with general commercial printers, which are far more numerous than those in the financial printing market.

 

These competitive pressures could reduce Bowne’s revenue and earnings.

 

The market for marketing communications services is relatively new and the Company may not realize the anticipated benefits of its investment.

 

The personalized communications market is loosely defined with a wide variety of different types of services and product offerings. Moreover, customer acceptance of the diverse solutions for these services and products remains to be proven in the long-term, and demand for discrete services and products remains difficult to predict.

 

Bowne has made significant investments in developing its capabilities through the purchase of the marketing and business communications division of Vestcom, which was completed in January 2006; the acquisition of Alliance Data Mail Services, which was completed in November 2007; and the acquisition of RSG, which was completed in April 2008.

 

If the Company is unable to adequately implement its solutions, generate sufficient customer interest in those solutions or capitalize on sales opportunities, it may not be able to realize the return on its investments that were anticipated. Failure to recover an investment or the inability to realize sufficient return on its investment may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations as well as its efforts to diversify the Company’s businesses.

 

Bowne’s business could be harmed if it does not successfully manage the integration of businesses that are acquired.

 

As part of its business strategy, Bowne has and may continue to acquire other businesses that complement its core capabilities. Recent acquisitions are reflective of that strategy. The benefits of an acquisition may often take considerable time to develop and may not be realized. Acquisitions involve a number of risks, including:

 

 

As a result of the aforementioned and other risks, the Company may not realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions, which could adversely affect its business.

The Company is exposed to risks associated with operations outside of the United States.

 

Bowne derived approximately 19% of its revenues in 2008 from various foreign sources, and a significant part of its current operations are outside of the United States. The Company conducts operations in Canada, Europe, Central America, South America and Asia. In addition, Bowne has affiliations with certain firms providing similar services abroad. As a result, the Company’s business is subject to political and economic instability and currency fluctuations in various countries. The maintenance of Bowne’s international operations and entry into additional international markets require significant management attention and financial resources. In addition, there are many barriers to competing successfully in the international arena, including:

 

 

The Company cannot assure that its investments in other countries will produce desired levels of revenue or that one or more of the factors listed above will not harm its business.

 

The Company does not have long-term service agreements in the capital markets services business, which may make it difficult to achieve steady earnings growth on a quarterly basis and lead to adverse movements in the price of its common stock.

 

A majority of Bowne’s revenue from its capital markets services is derived from individual projects rather than long-term service agreements. Therefore, the Company cannot assure that a client will engage Bowne for further services once a project is completed or that a client will not unilaterally reduce the scope of, or terminate, existing projects. The absence of long-term service agreements makes it difficult to predict the Company’s future revenue. As a result, Bowne’s financial results may fluctuate from period to period based on the timing and scope of the engagement with its clients which could, in turn, lead to adverse movements in the price of the Company’s common stock or increased volatility in its stock price generally. Bowne has no backlog, within the common meaning of that term; however, within its capital markets services, it usually has a backlog of clients preparing for initial public offerings, or IPOs. This IPO backlog is highly dependent on the capital markets for new issues, which can be volatile. During 2008, the IPO market experienced a severe reduction in activity.

 

If the Company is unable to retain key employees and attract and retain other qualified personnel, its business could suffer.

 

Bowne’s ability to grow and its future success will depend to a significant extent on the continued contributions of key executives, managers and employees. In addition, many of Bowne’s individual technical and sales personnel have extensive experience in the Company’s business operations and/or have valuable client relationships that would be difficult to replace. Their departure from the Company, if unexpected and unplanned for, could cause a disruption to Bowne’s business. The Company’s future success also depends in large part on its ability to identify,

attract and retain other highly qualified managerial, technical, sales and marketing and customer service personnel. Competition for these individuals is intense, especially in the markets in which Bowne operates. The Company may not succeed in identifying, attracting and retaining these personnel. Further, competitors and other entities have in the past recruited and may in the future attempt to recruit Bowne employees, particularly its sales personnel. The loss of the services of the Company’s key personnel, the inability to identify, attract and retain qualified personnel in the future or delays in hiring qualified personnel, particularly technical and sales personnel, could make it difficult for Bowne to manage its business and meet key objectives, such as the timely introduction of new technology-based products and services, which could harm Bowne’s business, financial condition and operating results.

 

If the Company fails to keep clients’ information confidential or if it handles their information improperly, Bowne’s business and reputation could be significantly and adversely affected.

 

The Company manages private and confidential information and documentation related to its clients’ finances and transactions, often prior to public dissemination. The use of insider information is highly regulated in the United States and abroad, and violations of securities laws and regulations may result in civil and criminal penalties. If Bowne, or its vendors and subcontractors, fail to keep clients’ proprietary information and documentation confidential, the Company may lose existing clients and potential new clients and may expose them to significant loss of revenue based on the premature release of confidential information. The Company may also become subject to civil claims by its clients or other third parties or criminal investigations by appropriate authorities.

 

The Company has indebtedness and this indebtedness and its costs may increase.

 

As of December 31, 2008, Bowne had approximately $89.8 million of total debt outstanding. In the future, it may incur additional debt to finance its business operations. If the Company’s level of indebtedness increases, there may be an increased risk of a credit rating downgrade or a default on its obligations that could adversely affect Bowne’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

Downgrades of the Company’s debt rating could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

 

In December 2008, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services lowered its corporate credit rating on the Company to ‘B’ from ‘BB-’, and also lowered its issue-level rating on the Company’s convertible subordinated debentures to ‘CCC+’ from ‘B’. In February 2009, Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) lowered its corporate credit rating on the Company to ‘B1’ from ‘Ba3’, and also lowered its rating on the Company’s convertible subordinated debentures to ‘B3’ from ‘B2’. If these credit rating agencies further downgrade the Company’s credit rating, it may increase the Company’s cost of capital and make it more difficult for the Company to obtain new financing, which could adversely affect the Company’s business. In addition, if the Company’s credit rating on its convertible subordinated debentures is downgraded to Moody’s Caa3 or Standard & Poor’s ‘CCC’, the holders of the Company’s convertible subordinated debentures would be entitled to convert their debentures into common stock of the Company at the applicable conversion rate (the conversion price is $16.00 until October 1, 2010) prior to the stated maturity date of the debentures. As of December 31, 2008, approximately $8.3 million of the Company’s convertible subordinated debentures were outstanding.

 

Covenants in the Company’s credit facility could adversely affect its financial condition.

 

Bowne’s credit facility contains customary restrictions, requirements and other limitations on its ability to incur indebtedness. The Company’s ability to borrow under its facility is subject to compliance with certain financial and other covenants. In addition, failure to comply with covenants could cause a default under the facility, and Bowne may then be required to repay such debt, or negotiate an amendment. Under those circumstances, other sources of capital may not be available to us, or be available only on unattractive terms.

 

The Company relies on debt financing, including borrowings under its credit facility to finance working capital and acquisitions. If Bowne is unable to obtain debt financing from these or other sources, or refinance existing indebtedness upon maturity, its financial condition and results of operations would likely be adversely affected. If

Bowne breaches covenants in debt agreements, the lenders can declare a default and adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial condition.

 

Seasonality and credit crises may decrease Bowne’s available cash.

 

The Company’s cash flow requirements are impacted by the seasonal nature of operations, especially its compliance services business. Ordinarily, Bowne’s cash flow needs are highest during the first half of the year and decrease during the remainder of the year as a result of the collection of receivables for services rendered. This seasonality, together with recent economic conditions including a general unavailability of credit, have increased the Company’s draw on its existing credit facilities. If the Company’s cash flow requirements increase, or if it is unable to receive timely payment of a substantial portion of its receivables, or if it is unable to obtain additional credit to meet cash flow requirements, Bowne’s operations would likely be materially adversely affected.

 

The current market conditions could adversely affect the funded status of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan.

 

The funded status of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan (the “Plan”) is dependent upon many factors, including returns on invested assets and the level of certain market interest rates. The current global economic crisis has impacted the prices of many investments. During 2008, the Plan investments experienced a significant decline in market value, which resulted in a significant reduction of the Plan’s funded status, and the related increases in the pension plan liabilities as of December 31, 2008. Further declines in the market value of the Company’s Plan investments could adversely affect the level of pension expense, and may require the Company to make additional contributions in future years. In addition, current market conditions may lead to changes in the discount rate used to value the year-end benefit obligations of the plans, which could partially mitigate the effects of the lower asset returns.

 

The Company’s services depend on the reliability of its computer systems and its ability to implement and maintain information technology and security measures.

 

Bowne’s global platform of services depends on the ability of its computer systems to operate efficiently and reliably at all times. Certain emergencies or contingencies could occur, such as a computer virus attack, a natural disaster, a significant power outage covering multiple cities or a terrorist attack, which could temporarily shut down the Company’s facilities and computer systems. Maintaining up to date and effective security measures requires extensive capital expenditures. In addition, the ability to implement further technological advances and to maintain effective information technology and security measures is important to the Company’s business. If Bowne’s technological and operations platforms become outdated, it will be at a disadvantage when competing in its industry. Furthermore, if the security measures protecting the Company’s computer systems and operating platforms are breached, it may lose business and become subject to civil claims by clients or other third parties.

 

Bowne’s services depend on third-parties to provide or support some of its services and its business and reputation could suffer if these third-parties fail to perform satisfactorily.

 

The Company outsources a portion of its services to third parties, both domestically and internationally. For example, its EDGAR document conversion services of SEC filings substantially rely on independent contractors to provide an increasing portion of this work. If these third parties do not perform their services satisfactorily or confidentially, if they decide not to continue to provide such services to Bowne on commercially reasonable terms or if they decide to service competitors, or compete directly with Bowne, the Company’s business could be adversely affected. The Company could also experience delays in providing products and services, which could negatively affect Bowne’s business until comparable third-party service providers, if available, were identified and obtained. Any service interruptions experienced by clients could negatively impact Bowne’s reputation, resulting in lost clients and limited ability to attract new clients and the Company may become subject to civil claims by its clients or other third parties. In addition, the Company could face increased costs by using substitute third-party service providers.

The Company must adapt to rapid changes in technology and client requirements to remain competitive.

 

The market and demand for Bowne’s products and services, to a varying extent, have been characterized by:

 

 

The Company believes that these trends will continue into the foreseeable future, and its success will depend, in part, upon its ability to:

 

 

To achieve these goals, the Company will need to continue to make substantial investments in development and marketing. The Company may not:

 

 

Further, the Company’s products and services may be rendered obsolete or uncompetitive by new industry standards or changing technology.

 

The inability to identify, obtain and retain important intellectual property rights to technology could harm the Company’s business.

 

Bowne’s success depends in part upon the development, acquisition, licensing and enhancement of document composition, creation, production and job management systems, applications, tools and other information technology software to conduct its business. These systems, applications, and tools are generally “off the shelf” software that are generally available and may be obtained on competitive terms and conditions, or are developed by employees, or are available from a limited number of vendors or licensors on negotiated terms and conditions. The Company’s technologies or service offerings may become subject to intellectual property claims by others, which even if unfounded, could be costly, or harm the Company’s business. The Company’s future success will increasingly depend in part on its ability to identify, obtain and retain intellectual property rights to technology, both for its internal use as well as for its clients’ direct use, either through internal development, acquisition or licensing from others, or alliances with others. The inability to identify, obtain and retain rights to certain technology on favorable terms and conditions would make it difficult for Bowne to conduct business, or to timely introduce new and innovative technology-based products and services, which could harm the Company’s business, financial condition and operating results.

 

Fluctuations in the costs of paper, ink, energy, and other raw materials may adversely impact the Company.

 

Bowne’s business is subject to risks associated with the cost and availability of paper, ink, other raw materials, and energy. Consolidation of supplier markets or increases in the costs of these items may increase the Company’s costs, and the Company may not be able to pass these costs on to customers through higher prices. Increases in the costs of materials may adversely impact customers’ demand for printing and related services. A severe paper, multi-market energy shortage or delivery delays could have an adverse effect upon many of the Company’s operations.

 

 

As of the filing of this annual report on Form 10-K, there were no unresolved comments from the staff of the SEC.

 

Information regarding the significant facilities of the Company, as of December 31, 2008, twelve of which were leased and seven of which were owned, is set forth below.

 

All of the properties described above are well maintained, in good condition and suitable for all presently anticipated requirements of the Company. The majority of the Company’s equipment is owned outright.

 

The Company expects to close its digital printing and general office space located at 2130-2134 French Settlement, Dallas, TX, during the second quarter of 2009. In addition, the Company entered into a new lease agreement, and will be relocating its facility located in Atlanta, GA, in May 2009. The new facility in Atlanta, GA will have approximately 20,000 square feet and will consist of a customer service center and general office space.

 

Refer to Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding property and equipment leases.

 

 

The Company is not involved in any material pending legal proceedings other than routine litigation incidental to the conduct of its business.

 

 

No matters were submitted to a vote of stockholders during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008.

 

The following information is included in accordance with the provisions of Part III, Item 10 of Form 10-K. The executive officers of the Company and their recent business experience are as follows:

 

 

There are no family relationships among any of the executive officers, and there are no arrangements or understandings between any of the executive officers and any other person pursuant to which any of such officers was selected. The executive officers are normally elected by the Board of Directors at its first meeting following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders for a one-year term or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualify.

 

 

Share Prices

 

The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BNE.” The following are the high and low share prices as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, and dividends paid per share for calendar 2008 and 2007 by year and quarters.

 

 

The number of holders on record as of December 31, 2008 was 1,010.

 

In February 2009, the Company issued a stock dividend to its shareholders equivalent to $0.055 per share, which was based on the average sales price of the Company’s common stock for the 30-day trading period prior to the dividend record date, and equated to 0.012 shares of the Company’s common stock held as of the dividend record date. In addition, the dividends on any fractional shares were paid in cash. The payment of dividends in cash has been suspended until economic conditions improve.

 

Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Return

 

The following graph shows yearly changes in the total return on investment in Bowne common stock on a cumulative basis for the Company’s last five fiscal years. The graph also shows two other measures of performance: total return on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, and total return on the Standard & Poor’s 1500 Commercial Printing Index. For convenience, we refer to these two comparison measures as “S&P 500” and “S&P 1500”, respectively.

 

In the prior years, the Company used the Standard & Poor’s Diversified Commercial and Professional Services Index (“S&P Services Index”) as its peer group. During 2008, the S&P Services Index was discontinued, and is no longer available to use as of December 31, 2008. As such, we selected the S&P 1500 to replace the S&P Services Index as our peer group. We believe that the S&P 1500 is an appropriate published industry index that measures the performance of other companies within our industry. In addition, Bowne is included in the companies represented in the S&P 1500. The Company chose the S&P 500 because it is a broad index of the equity markets.

 

We calculated the yearly change in Bowne’s return in the same way that both the S&P 500 and the S&P 1500 calculate change. In each case, we assumed an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2003. In order to measure the cumulative yearly change in that investment over the next five years, we first calculated the difference between, on one hand, the price per share of the respective securities on December 31, 2003 and, on the other hand, the price per share at the end of each succeeding fiscal year. Throughout the five years we assumed that all dividends paid were reinvested into the same securities. Finally, we turned the result into a percentage of change by dividing that result by the difference between the price per share on December 31, 2003 and the price per share at the end of each later fiscal year.

 

 

 

A listing of the companies included in the S&P 1500 is available through publications from Standard & Poor’s and other licensed providers.

 

Stock Repurchase

 

Since inception of the Company’s share repurchase program in December 2004 through December 31, 2007, the Company effected the repurchase of approximately 12.9 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $15.18 per share for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $196.3 million, which is described in more detail in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company repurchased approximately 3.1 million shares of its common stock for approximately $51.7 million (an average price of $16.52 per share). This program was completed in December 2007, and there were no repurchases of the Company’s common stock by the Company during 2008.

 

Five-Year Financial Summary

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2008, the remaining portion of the Company’s $75.0 million convertible subordinated debentures (the “Notes” — approximately $8.3 million) are classified as noncurrent liabilities. The Notes were included in current liabilities as of December 31, 2007 as a result of the redemption and repurchase features that were able to occur on October 1, 2008, as discussed in more detail in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Excluding this classification in 2007, working capital would have been $183,949, and the current ratio would have been 2.46 to 1. This amount is classified as a noncurrent liability for 2004 through 2006. The classification of the debentures is discussed in more detail in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Also refer to Items Affecting Comparability in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for other items affecting the comparability of the financial information presented above.

 

 

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements

 

The Company desires to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “1995 Act”). The 1995 Act provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide information without fear of litigation so long as those statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.

 

This report includes and incorporates by reference forward-looking statements within the meaning of the 1995 Act. These statements are included throughout this report, and in the documents incorporated by reference in this report, and relate to, among other things, projections of revenues, earnings, earnings per share, cash flows, capital expenditures, working capital or other financial items, output, expectations regarding acquisitions, discussions of estimated future revenue enhancements, potential dispositions and cost savings. These statements also relate to the Company’s business strategy, goals and expectations concerning the Company’s market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity and capital resources. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will” and similar terms and phrases identify forward-looking statements in this report and in the documents incorporated by reference in this report.

 

Although the Company believes the assumptions upon which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of these assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and the forward-looking statements based on these assumptions could be incorrect. The Company’s operations involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are

outside the Company’s control, and any one of which, or a combination of which, could materially affect the Company’s results of operations and whether the forward-looking statements ultimately prove to be correct.

 

Actual results and trends in the future may differ materially from those suggested or implied by the forward-looking statements depending on a variety of factors including, but not limited to:

 

 

Many of these factors are described in greater detail in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including those discussed elsewhere in this report or incorporated by reference in this report. All future written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on behalf of the Company are expressly qualified in their entirety by the previous statements. Refer also to the Risk Factors included in Item 1A.

 

Overview

 

The Company’s results for the year ended December 31, 2008 reflect the unfavorable economic conditions in 2008, including the significant decline in overall capital markets activity. Total revenue declined approximately $84.0 million, or 10%, for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007. Capital markets services revenue, which historically has been the Company’s most profitable service offering, decreased $110.2 million, or 35%, for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007. Shareholder reporting services revenue, which includes revenue from compliance reporting, investment management services and translation services, decreased $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to the same period in 2007. Marketing communications services revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased by approximately $35.9 million, or 27%, as compared to the same periods in 2007, primarily as a result of the addition of revenue associated with the Company’s recent acquisitions. The Company reported diluted loss per

share from continuing operations of ($1.05) for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.90 for the same period in 2007.

 

As discussed in further detail in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, in early 2008 the Company implemented several significant changes to its organizational structure to support the consolidation of its divisions into a unified model that supports Bowne’s full range of service offerings, from services related to capital markets and compliance reporting to investment management solutions and personalized, digital marketing communications. These modifications were made in response to the evolving needs of clients, who are increasingly asking for services that span Bowne’s full range of offerings. As a result of these changes, the Company evaluated the impact on segment reporting and made certain changes to its segment reporting in the first quarter of 2008. As such, the Company now has one reportable segment, which is consistent with how the Company is structured and managed. The Company had previously reported two reportable segments: Financial Communications and Marketing & Business Communications. The consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 have been presented to reflect one reportable segment in accordance with SFAS No. 131.

 

Acquisition Activity

 

During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company acquired the following businesses:

 

In February 2008, the Company acquired GCom² Solutions, Inc. (“GCom”) for $46.3 million in cash. The acquisition included working capital valued at approximately $3.8 million. This acquisition expanded the Company’s shareholder reporting services offerings in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Luxembourg.

 

In April 2008, the Company acquired the digital print business of Rapid Solutions Group (“RSG”), a subsidiary of Janus Capital Group Inc., for $14.5 million in cash, which included preliminary working capital estimated at $5.0 million. Pursuant to the asset purchase agreement, actual working capital greater than $5.0 million was for the benefit of the seller. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company paid an additional $3.0 million related to the settlement of the working capital in excess of the $5.0 million that was included as part of the purchase price. RSG is a provider of end-to-end solutions for marketing and business communications clients in the financial services and healthcare industries, which enables the Company to further expand its presence in those markets.

 

In July 2008, the Company acquired the U.S.-based assets and operating business of Capital Systems, Inc. (“Capital”), a leading provider of financial communications based in midtown New York City for approximately $14.6 million, which included working capital estimated at $0.9 million. Capital’s former office in midtown New York City complements the Company’s existing facility in the downtown New York City financial district. Capital enables Bowne to further extend its reach into key existing verticals: investment management, compliance reporting and capital markets services. Capital provides mutual fund quarterly and annual reporting and disclosure documents, such as SEC filings, including proxy statements and 10-Ks, as well as capital markets services for equity offerings, debt deals, securitizations, and mergers and acquisitions.

 

Cost Reduction Initiatives

 

In light of the significant decline in overall capital markets activity experienced in 2008 and the uncertainty surrounding the current economic conditions, the Company reduced its workforce by approximately 900 positions (excluding acquisitions) since December 31, 2007, or approximately 25% of the Company’s total headcount. These workforce reductions included a broad range of functions and were enterprise-wide. The impact of these headcount reductions and the cost reduction initiatives described below are expected to result in annualized savings of approximately $70.0 million to $75.0 million. In 2008, the Company realized approximately $15.0 million in cost savings. In 2009, the Company expects that these initiatives will result in incremental cost savings estimated at $55.0 million to $60.0 million. These initiatives are part of the Company’s continued focus on improving its cost structure and realizing operating efficiencies, and in response to the downturn in overall capital markets activity. These cost reductions consisted of the following:

 

 

 

These cost savings initiatives are further detailed below:

 

During the second quarter of 2008, the Company reduced its headcount by approximately 270 positions, excluding the impact of headcount reductions associated with recent acquisitions. The reduction in workforce included a broad range of functions and was enterprise-wide. The Company also has closed its digital print facilities in Wilmington, MA and Sacramento, CA and its manufacturing and composition operations in Atlanta, GA. Work that was produced in these facilities has been transferred to the Company’s other facilities or moved to outsourcing providers. The Company expects that these actions will result in annualized savings of approximately $23.0 million, including approximately $12.0 million in 2008 and $11.0 million expected in 2009. The related restructuring charges resulting from these actions resulted in a pre-tax charge of approximately $15.1 million recognized primarily during the second and third quarters of 2008.

 

The Company reduced its workforce by approximately 400 positions in the fourth quarter of 2008. This initiative included a broad range of functions and was enterprise-wide. The reduction is expected to result in annualized cost savings of approximately $22.0 million, including $20.0 million expected in 2009, and resulted in a fourth quarter pre-tax restructuring charge of approximately $7.8 million. Included in these actions were headcount reductions related to the outsourcing of the Company’s domestic information technology support services.

 

In January 2009, the Company reduced its workforce by an additional 200 positions, or 6% of the Company’s total headcount. The reduction in workforce included a broad range of functions and was enterprise-wide. The Company estimates that the related restructuring charges, primarily severance and other employee-related costs, resulting from these actions will result in a first quarter 2009 pre-tax charge of $4.0 million, and will result in cost savings of $12.0 million in 2009.

 

In 2006 and 2007, the Company implemented cost savings measures which were designed to eliminate $35.0 million in costs over a three-year period. In the first two years of the three-year program, a total of $28.0 million in annual cost reductions was achieved. In 2008, Bowne eliminated an additional $9.0 million in costs, which are estimated to result in annual aggregate savings of approximately $37.0 million over the three-year period, exceeding the original target. These actions are a continuation of initiatives put into place in 2007, including the full year benefit of the conversion to a cash balance pension plan, the reduction in the Company’s annual lease cost at its corporate headquarters related to the downsizing of space occupied, and the integration of certain manufacturing facilities completed in the second half of 2007.

 

The Company also completed the following actions related to the integration of recent acquisitions:

 

 

The closure of these facilities was completed primarily during the third and fourth quarters of 2008, and approximately 400 positions were eliminated as part of the synergies of these acquisitions. The Company believes

that these actions will result in combined annualized cost savings from pre-acquisition levels of spending of approximately $23.0 million, including approximately $9.0 million realized in 2008. The shut down and integration of these operations are expected to result in costs of approximately $23.0 million, of which approximately $6.0 million was accrued as part of the cost of these acquisitions. Through December 31, 2008, approximately $14.1 million has been included in integration expense for these acquisitions and approximately $2.4 million has been capitalized as a component of the Company’s property, plant and equipment. The remaining $0.5 million will be capitalized as a component of the Company’s property, plant and equipment in 2009.

 

In addition, the Company also anticipates costs of approximately $1.5 million to $2.0 million related to the integration of Capital, which will primarily be recorded as integration expense (approximately $1.0 million has been recorded as integration expense for this acquisition through December 31, 2008).

 

Items Affecting Comparability

 

The following table summarizes the expenses incurred for restructuring, integration and asset impairment charges for the last three years:

 

 

The charges recorded in 2008 primarily represent the following: (i) costs related to the Company’s headcount reductions, as previously discussed; (ii) integration costs of approximately $14.1 million, primarily related to the Company’s recent acquisitions; (iii) costs related to the closure of the Company’s digital print facilities in Wilmington, MA and Sacramento, CA and its manufacturing and composition operations in Atlanta, GA; and (iv) costs associated with the consolidation of the Company’s digital print facility in Milwaukee, WI with its existing facility in South Bend, IN. The amounts above include certain non-cash asset impairments amounting to $631, $6,588 and $2,550 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Further discussion of the restructuring, integration and asset impairment activities is included in the results of operations, which follows, as well as in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The following non-recurring transactions also affect the comparability of results from year to year:

 

During 2008, the Company recognized non-cash compensation expense of $1.1 million (approximately $0.7 million after tax), or $0.02 per share, related to its Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (“LTEIP”) that went into effect in 2006. This amount represents the remaining compensation to be vested through the settlement of the awards in March 2008, which was based on the level of performance achieved in 2007. The plan had a three-year performance cycle with an acceleration clause that was met as of December 31, 2007 based on the 2007 operating results. During 2007, the Company recognized non-cash compensation expense of $11.2 million (approximately $6.9 million after tax), or $0.21 per share, related to the LTEIP. In 2006, the Company recognized $1.5 million (approximately $0.9 million after tax), or $0.03 per share, of expense under this plan. This plan is described further in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company recorded a curtailment gain on its defined benefit pension plan of approximately $1.8 million (approximately $1.1 million after tax) or $0.04 per share, resulting from reductions in the Company’s workforce during 2008, which is described in more detail in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

During 2007, the Company sold its shares of an equity investment and recognized a gain on the sale of $9.2 million (approximately $5.7 million after tax), or $0.17 per share, which is described further in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

During 2007, the Company recorded a curtailment gain of approximately $1.7 million (approximately $1.1 million after tax), or $0.03 per share, related to plan modifications associated with its postretirement benefit plan for its Canadian subsidiary, which is described further in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

During 2007, the Company recognized tax benefits of approximately $6.7 million, or $0.20 per share, related to the completion of audits of the 2001 through 2004 federal income tax returns and recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits, which is described further in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

During 2006, the Company recorded a charge of $958 (approximately $584 after tax), or $0.02 per share, related to purchased in-process research and development which is based on an allocation of the purchase price related to the Company’s acquisition of certain technology assets of PLUM Computer Consulting, Inc. (“PLUM”).

 

Results of Operations

 

As previously discussed, the Company has been realigned to operate as a unified company in 2008, and no longer operates as two separate business units. As such, the Company now has one reportable segment, which is consistent with how the Company is structured and managed. The results of operations for all periods presented reflect this current presentation.

 

Management uses segment profit to evaluate Company performance. Segment profit is defined as gross profit (revenue less cost of revenue) less selling and administrative expenses. Segment performance is evaluated exclusive of interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, restructuring, integration and asset impairment charges, and other expenses and other income. Segment profit is measured because management believes that such information is useful in evaluating the Company’s results relative to other entities that operate within the same industry. Segment profit is also used as the primary financial measure for purposes of evaluating financial performance under the Company’s annual incentive plan.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2008 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007

 

 

Revenue

 

Total revenue decreased $83,972 , or 10%, to $766,645 for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007. The decline in revenue is primarily attributed to the decrease in capital markets services revenue which reflects a reduction in overall capital market activity in 2008 as compared to 2007. Overall capital market activity in 2008 reflects a decrease in overall filing activity of approximately 25% and a 78% decrease in the number of IPOs that were completed and priced in 2008 as compared to 2007. The number of market-wide priced IPOs decreased from 264 in 2007 to 59 in 2008, with only one priced IPO occurring during the fourth quarter of 2008. This overall

market decline significantly impacted Bowne’s capital markets services revenue. As such, revenue from capital markets services decreased $110,165, or 35%, during the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007. The Company’s transactional revenue from capital markets activity in 2008 ($189.7 million) was at its lowest level since the mid 1990’s. In addition, transactional revenue from capital markets activity in the third and fourth quarters of 2008 also represents some of the lowest quarterly levels the Company has experienced since the mid 1990’s. Included in capital markets services revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 is $13,714 of revenue related to the Company’s VDR services, which increased 49% as compared to 2007. The increase in VDR revenue is a direct result of the Company’s focus on the sales and marketing of its new products, including an increase in the VDR services sales force in 2008. Included in capital markets services revenue was $2,915 of revenue related to the acquisition of Capital.

 

Shareholder reporting services revenue decreased slightly to $361,629 during the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007. Shareholder reporting services includes revenue from compliance reporting, investment management and translation services. Compliance reporting revenue decreased approximately 8% for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007. The decrease was partially offset by increases in investment management services revenue and translation services revenue of $12,236, or 8%, and $2,378, or 16%, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007. The decrease in compliance reporting revenue is due to several factors, including: (i) non-recurring jobs in 2007, (ii) fewer filings and (iii) competitive pricing pressure. Compliance reporting revenue in 2007 benefited from new SEC regulations regarding executive compensation proxy disclosures, resulting in more extensive disclosure requirements and an increased amount of work related to the initial preparation of these new disclosures. Compliance reporting revenue in 2007 also benefited from larger non-recurring special notice and proxy jobs in 2007 as compared to 2008. In addition, compliance reporting revenue in 2008 was partially impacted by electronic delivery of compliance documents, resulting in lower print volumes and activity levels for certain clients in 2008 as compared to 2007. Included in compliance revenue was $2,041 of revenue related to the acquisition of Capital. The increase in investment management revenue is primarily a result of the addition of $18,126 of revenue from the acquisitions of GCom and Capital. The increase in translation services revenue is due to the addition of new clients and increased work from existing clients, primarily in the European market during 2008.

 

Marketing communications services revenue increased $35,861, or 27%, during the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007, primarily due to the addition of $56,215 of combined revenue from the Company’s recent acquisitions, including: Alliance Data Mail Services (acquired in 2007), GCom and RSG. The increase in revenue from these acquisitions was partially offset by a decline in revenue generated by the legacy business due to lower activity levels from existing customers and the loss of certain accounts in 2008 as compared to 2007.

 

Commercial printing and other revenue decreased approximately 21% for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007, primarily due to lower activity levels in 2008 as a result of the general downturn in the economy and competitive pricing pressure.

 

 

Revenue from the domestic market decreased 6% to $618,709 for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to $658,158 for the year ended December 31, 2007. This decrease is primarily due to a substantial reduction in capital markets services revenue, and was partially offset by revenue associated with the Company’s recent acquisitions, as discussed above.

 

Revenue from the international markets decreased 23% to $147,936 for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to $192,459 for the year ended December 31, 2007. Revenue from the international markets primarily reflects a reduction in capital markets services revenue, primarily due to lower overall capital markets activity in 2008 and a large non-recurring job in Europe that occurred in 2007. These decreases were partially offset by an

increase in translation services revenue in Europe as a result of the addition of new clients and the addition of revenue resulting from the acquisition of GCom. The change in exchange rate did not significantly impact total revenue from international markets for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the prior year.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit decreased $77,789, or 24%, for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007 and the gross margin percentage decreased to approximately 31% for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to a gross margin percentage of 38% for the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease in gross profit was primarily due to the decrease in capital markets services revenue, which historically is the Company’s most profitable class of service. Also contributing to the decrease in gross margin percentage was the margin contribution from its recently acquired businesses, which generated lower gross margin percentages in 2008 than the Company’s historical revenue streams. Combined revenue for these acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2008 was $80,639 with a gross profit contribution of $11,270, resulting in a gross margin percentage of approximately 14%. The lower gross profit contribution from these acquired businesses includes a high cost structure that remained in place for part of 2008, as the Company was in the process of completing the integration of these acquired businesses. These integrations have been substantially completed in the latter part of 2008, and the Company expects its gross margin percentage to improve as it realizes the full benefit of the recent consolidation of its facilities and operations and the completion of its integrated manufacturing platform including the integration of its recent acquisitions. Excluding the results of the recent acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2008, gross margin percentage would have been approximately 34%, a decrease of four percentage points as compared to 2007.

 

Selling and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $33,744, or 14%, for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007. The decrease is primarily due to decreases in incentive compensation and expenses directly associated with sales, such as bonuses and commissions, and the favorable impact of recent cost savings measures, including the Company’s headcount reductions that occurred during 2008, the reduction of leased space at the Company’s New York City facility, and cost savings related to the decrease in pension costs. The Company will not pay bonuses for 2008 under its annual incentive plan based on the 2008 results of operations. Also contributing to the decrease in selling and administrative expenses is a decrease in stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007, primarily related to the reduction in compensation expense recognized under the Company’s equity incentive compensation plans, which is discussed further in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, selling and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 was reduced by a curtailment gain of approximately $1.8 million recognized by the Company related to its defined benefit pension plan, which resulted from reductions in the Company’s workforce during 2008. This is discussed further in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Partially offsetting the decrease in selling and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007 was an increase in costs associated with increasing the VDR and translation services sales force during 2008 and increased labor costs as a result of the Company’s recent acquisitions. In addition, bad debt expense for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased by approximately $3.3 million, primarily a result of the current economic conditions. As a percentage of revenue, overall selling and administrative expenses improved to 27% for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 29% in 2007.

 

While the Company experienced costs savings in 2008 related to the changes to its pension plan as discussed further in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company expects that pension expense will increase by approximately $6.0 million in 2009, as a result of declines in the value of plan assets. This increase in pension expense will be offset by the savings resulting from the suspension of the matching contribution to the 401(k) Savings Plan for the 2009 plan year (expected to result in approximately $6.0 million of savings) and by additional headcount reductions that occurred in January 2009 (expected to result in annualized savings of approximately $12.0 million).

 

Segment Profit

 

As a result of the foregoing, segment profit of $33,224 (as defined in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) decreased 57% for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007 and segment profit as a percentage of revenue decreased to approximately 4% for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 9% in

2007. The decrease in segment profit is primarily a result of the substantial reduction in capital markets services revenue due to the unfavorable market conditions in 2008, which historically is the Company’s most profitable class of service. Segment profit for the year ended December 31, 2008 includes a profit of approximately $4.3 million on revenue of $80.6 million related to the operation of the Company’s recent acquisitions, which were substantially integrated into the Company’s operations during the fourth quarter of 2008. Refer to Note 19 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional segment financial information and reconciliation of segment profit to (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes.

 

Other Factors Affecting Net Income

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 primarily due to depreciation and amortization expense recognized in 2008 related to the Company’s recent acquisitions. The increases in depreciation expense were partially offset by decreases in depreciation expense recognized for the year ended December 31, 2007 for facilities that were subsequently closed in connection with the consolidation of the Company’s manufacturing platform.

 

Restructuring, integration and asset impairment charges for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $39,329 as compared to $17,001 in 2007. The charges incurred during the year ended December 31, 2008 consisted of: (i) costs related to the Company’s workforce reductions that were implemented during 2008; (ii) integration costs of approximately $14.1 million primarily related to the Company’s recent acquisitions; (iii) costs related to the closure of the Company’s digital print facilities in Wilmington, MA and Sacramento, CA and its manufacturing and composition operations in Atlanta, GA; and (iv) costs associated with the consolidation of the Company’s digital print facility in Milwaukee, WI with its existing facility in South Bend, IN. The charges incurred for the year ended December 31, 2007 primarily consisted of: (i) severance and integration costs related to the integration of the St Ives Financial Business; (ii) facility exit costs and asset impairment charges related to the reduction of leased space at the Company’s New York City facility; (iii) facility exit costs related to leased warehouse space; (iv) Company-wide workforce reductions; and (v) an asset impairment charge of $2.1 million related to the goodwill associated with the Company’s JFS Litigators Notebook^® (“JFS”) business. The JFS business was sold in September 2008 for approximately $400, and the Company recognized a pre tax loss on the sale of approximately $132 in 2008.

 

Interest expense increased $586, or 11%, for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007, primarily due to interest resulting from borrowings on the Company’s revolving credit facility during 2008. Offsetting the increase in interest expense was a decrease in the interest expense accrued under the Company’s convertible subordinated debentures (the “Notes”) during the fourth quarter of 2008, as a result of the redemption of approximately $66.7 million of the Notes on October 1, 2008.

 

Other income increased $4,434 for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007, primarily due to foreign currency gains of $2,822 for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to foreign currency losses of $1,526 in 2007, as a result of the improvement in the U.S. dollar compared to other currencies during the second half of 2008. Also contributing to the increase in other income was the reduction of legal reserves in 2008 resulting from

the withdrawal of outstanding legal claims from prior years. Other income in 2008 was negatively impacted by a decrease in interest income for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007, primarily due to a decrease in the average balance of interest bearing cash in 2008 as compared to 2007 and the liquidation of approximately $35.6 million of the Company’s short-term marketable securities during 2008, which is discussed in more detail in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $10,774 on pre-tax loss from continuing operations of ($39,660) compared to income tax expense of $9,002 on pre-tax income from continuing operations of $36,329 in 2007. The effective tax rates for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were 27.2% and 24.8%, respectively.

 

Income from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $5,719 as compared to a loss from discontinued operations of ($223) in 2007. This increase is primarily due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $5.8 million related to the Company’s discontinued outsourcing and globalization businesses during the third quarter of 2008, which is discussed further in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

As a result of the foregoing, net loss for the year ended December 31, 2008 was ($23,167) as compared to net income of $27,104 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Domestic Versus International Results of Operations

 

The Company has operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Central America, South America and Asia. Domestic and international components of (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

 

 

The decrease in domestic and international pre-tax income from continuing operations is primarily due to the substantial reduction in capital markets services revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008, as previously discussed. In addition, the domestic and international results for the year ended December 31, 2008 include approximately $36.8 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of restructuring and integration costs. Domestic results of operations include shared corporate expenses such as: administrative, legal, finance and other support services that primarily are not allocated to the Company’s international operations.

Year Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2006

 

 

Revenue

 

Total revenue increased $16,883, or 2%, for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase in revenue was primarily attributed to the increase in revenue from capital markets services, which reflects increased IPO activity in 2007 as compared to 2006. As such, revenue from capital markets services increased $12,138, or 4%, to $313,616 for the year ended December 3, 2007 as compared to $301,478 in 2006. Included in capital markets services revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $9,185 of revenue related to the Company’s VDR services, which represents a substantial increase as compared to the same period in 2006. Also, contributing to the increase in capital markets services revenue was the addition of approximately $17.0 million of revenue from the acquisition of the St Ives Financial business, which was acquired in January 2007.

 

Shareholder reporting services revenue increased $17,211, or 5%, to $361,928 for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to $344,717 in 2006. Compliance reporting revenue increased 6% for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 2006, and investment management revenue increased 3% for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 2006. Also, there was an increase in translation services revenue of 18% for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 2006. The increase in compliance reporting revenue was partly due to new SEC regulations and more extensive disclosure requirements in 2007, including new executive compensation proxy rules. The increases in revenue from the investment management and translation services were primarily due to the addition of several new clients and additional work from existing clients in 2007 as compared to 2006.

 

Marketing communications services revenue increased slightly for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 2006, primarily due to the increase in revenue generated by the Company’s legacy business in 2007 and the addition of approximately $6.1 million of combined revenue from the acquisitions of St Ives Financial, as discussed above, and Alliance Data Mail Services, which was acquired in November 2007. This increase is partially offset by non-recurring revenue that occurred in 2006, including revenue related to the initial rollout of the Medicare Part D open enrollment program in 2006, revenue from Vestcom’s retail customers that transferred back

to Vestcom as part of the transition services agreement and other Vestcom transition revenue in 2006, which did not occur in 2007.

 

 

Revenue from the international markets increased 3.2% to $192,459 for the year ended December 31, 2007, as compared to $186,469 in 2006, primarily due to the weakness in the U.S. dollar compared to foreign currencies. Revenue from international markets reflects an increase in non-capital markets services in Europe and capital markets services in Brazil during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 2006. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in Canada during 2007 as compared to 2006, primarily due to a decline in revenue from commercial printing and investment management services. In 2006, Canada results benefited from a change in mutual fund disclosure regulations that required all mutual fund companies to include a management report on fund performance in their fund reports. It also allowed the mutual fund companies to request from the fund holders the ability to continue receiving the annual/semi-annual fund reports (including the new management report). As a result, Canada experienced a significant increase in its mutual fund services business in 2006 but experienced a decline in 2007 due to several fund holders electing not to continue to receive the management report. At constant exchange rates, revenue from international markets decreased 2.5% for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2006.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit increased $29,155, or 10%, for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 2006, and the gross margin percentage increased by three percentage points, to 38%, for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to a gross margin percentage of 35% in 2006. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to the favorable impact of strategic initiatives implemented by the Company, including cost savings measures. The results for 2007 also included the favorable impact of the decrease in pension costs and the curtailment gain related to the Canadian postretirement benefit plan, which is discussed in more detail in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Selling and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling and administrative expenses increased by approximately $18,107, or 8%, to $242,118 for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 2006. The increase was primarily the result of expenses that are directly associated with sales, such as selling expenses (including commissions and bonuses) and costs associated with the addition of the St Ives Financial sales staff. As a percentage of revenue, overall selling and administrative expenses increased to 29% for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 27% in 2006. Selling and administrative expenses include the non-cash stock compensation expenses associated with the Company’s long-term equity incentive compensation plan, which went into effect in July 2006. The expenses associated with the long-term equity incentive compensation plan increased approximately $9.8 million to $11.2 million in 2007 due to an increase in the amounts earned under the plan as a result of the improved results of operations in 2007 as compared to 2006. The 2007 expense also includes approximately $5.3 million as a result of the acceleration of the payout of the awards as described in more detail in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Partially offsetting the increase in selling and administrative expenses in 2007 were higher facility costs in 2006 related to higher rental costs, duplicate facility costs resulting from overlapping leases and costs associated with the move of the Company’s corporate office and New York City based operations. In addition, bad debt expense decreased approximately $1.2 million in 2007 as compared to 2006, a direct result of improved billing and collection efforts.

Segment Profit

 

As a result of the foregoing, segment profit (as defined in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) increased 17% for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 2006 and segment profit as a percentage of revenue increased one percentage point to 9% for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to segment profit of 8% in 2006. The increase in segment profit was primarily a result of the increase in revenue and the favorable impact of strategic initiatives implemented by the Company, including cost saving measures. Refer to Note 19 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional segment financial information and reconciliation of segment profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes.

 

Other Factors Affecting Net Income

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to 2006, primarily due to depreciation and amortization expense recognized in 2007 related to the Company’s acquisitions in 2007 and the increase in capital expenditures in recent years.

 

There were approximately $17,001 in restructuring, integration, and asset impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2007, as compared to $14,159 in 2006. The charges incurred in 2007 consisted of: (i) facility exit costs and asset impairment charges related to the reduction of leased space at the Company’s New York City facility; (ii) severance and integration costs related to the integration of the St Ives Financial business; (iii) Company-wide workforce reductions; (iv) facility exit costs and asset impairment charges, including the consolidation of the Company’s digital print facility in Milwaukee, WI with its existing print facility in South Bend, IN, the consolidation of the Company’s former facility in Philadelphia with the newly acquired Philadelphia facility previously occupied by St Ives, and facility exit costs related to leased warehouse space; and (v) an asset impairment charge of $2.1 million related to the goodwill associated with the Company’s JFS business. The charges incurred in 2006 primarily represent costs related to an asset impairment charge related to the consolidation of marketing and communications facilities and severance and integration costs associated with the integration of the workforce, additional workforce reductions in certain locations and the closing of a portion of the Company’s facility in Washington, D.C.

 

The Company recorded a charge of $958 related to purchased in-process research and development during the year ended December 31, 2006 which was based on an allocation of the purchase price related to the Company’s acquisition of certain technology assets of PLUM.

 

The Company recognized a gain of $9,210 in 2007 related to the sale of its shares of an equity investment, as discussed in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Other income decreased $2,213 for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to 2006 primarily due to foreign currency losses in 2007 driven by the weakness in the U.S. dollar compared to other currencies. In addition, there was a decrease in interest income received from the Company’s investments in short-term marketable

securities due to a decrease in the average balance of interest bearing cash and short-term marketable securities in 2007 as compared to 2006.

 

Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $9,002 on pre-tax income from continuing operations of $36,329 compared to $10,800 on pre-tax income from continuing operations of $23,036 in 2006. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2007 was 24.8%, which was significantly lower than the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2006 of 46.9%, primarily due to tax benefits of approximately $6,681 related to the completion of audits of the 2001 through 2004 federal income tax returns and recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits.

 

The 2007 results from discontinued operations primarily include adjustments to accruals related to the Company’s discontinued litigation solutions and globalization businesses. The 2006 results from discontinued operations include: (i) the net gain on the sale of the assets of the Company’s joint venture investment in CaseSoft, (ii) the net loss on the sale of the Company’s DecisionQuest^® business, (iii) the operating results of DecisionQuest until its sale, including an asset impairment charge of approximately $13.3 million related to the impairment of its goodwill, (iv) the exit costs associated with leased facilities formerly occupied by discontinued businesses, and (v) the operating results of the document scanning and coding business until its sale.

 

As a result of the foregoing, net income for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $27,104 as compared to net loss of $1,768 for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

Domestic Versus International Results of Operations

 

Domestic (U.S.) and international components of income from continuing operations before income taxes for 2007 and 2006 were as follows:

 

 

The increase in domestic and international pre-tax income from continuing operations was primarily due to the favorable impact of the cost savings and strategic initiatives implemented by the Company. Also contributing to the increase in domestic pre-tax income was the improvement in segment profit resulting from the synergies obtained from the integration of Vestcom’s marketing and communications business, and the gain of $9.2 million in 2007 related to the Company’s sale of an equity investment, as previously discussed. Domestic results of operations include shared corporate expenses such as: administrative, legal, finance and other support services that primarily are not allocated to the Company’s international operations.

 

2009 Outlook

 

The following statements and certain statements made elsewhere in this document are based upon current expectations. These statements are forward looking and are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested here, including demand for and acceptance of the Company’s services, new technological developments, competition and general economic or market conditions, particularly in the domestic and international capital markets. Refer also to the Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements included at the beginning of this Item 7, and the Risk Factors included in Item 1A.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

 

Overall working capital decreased approximately $16.4 million as of December 31, 2008 as compared to December 31, 2007. Working capital for 2007 reflects the Company’s $75.0 million convertible subordinated debentures (the “Notes”) as a current liability due to the redemption and repurchase features that were able to occur on October 1, 2008. The redemption of the Notes is discussed further below. Excluding this classification in 2007, working capital would have been $183,949, and the current ratio would have been 2.46 to 1. The change in working capital from 2007 to 2008 is primarily attributed to: (i) reduced cash provided by operating activities due to lower revenue in 2008, resulting in additional borrowings under the revolving credit facility, (ii) cash used in the recent acquisitions of Alliance Data Mail Services, GCom, RSG and Capital; (iii) cash used in the partial redemption of the Notes as discussed further below; (iv) cash used to pay restructuring and integration related expenses associated with the Company’s recent acquisitions and the Company’s reorganization, which is discussed in more detail in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements; and (v) cash used for capital expenditures. Also, contributing to the decrease in working capital is the classification of approximately $3.1 million of auction rate securities, at par, as a noncurrent asset as of December 31, 2008, which is discussed in more detail in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. These decreases are partially offset by a decrease in accrued employee compensation and benefits, as a result of the decrease in accrued incentive compensation as of December 31, 2008 based on the 2008 operating results and the cost savings initiatives implemented by the Company, as previously discussed.

 

October 1, 2008 marked the five-year anniversary of the Company’s $75.0 million Notes, and was also the first day on which the “put” and “call” option became exercisable. On this date, holders of approximately $66.7 million of the Notes exercised their right to have the Company repurchase their Notes. As a result, the Company repurchased approximately $66.7 million of the Notes in cash, at par, plus accrued interest, using borrowings under its existing revolving credit facility, and approximately $8.3 million of the Notes remain outstanding. The Company believes that the high incidence of Notes put back to the Company was primarily attributed to the adverse change in the general convertible notes market during September 2008.

 

During the third quarter of 2008, as an inducement to holders to not put their Notes, the Company amended the terms of the Note indenture effective October 1, 2008 for the Notes which remained outstanding on that date. The amendment increases the semi-annual cash interest payable on the Notes from 5.0% to 6.0% per annum for interest accruing for the period from October 1, 2008 to October 1, 2010. The amendment also provides the Note holders with an additional put option on October 1, 2010. In addition, the amendment changes the conversion price applicable to the Notes to $16.00 per share from $18.48 per share for the period from October 1, 2008 to October 1, 2010 and includes a make-whole table in the event of fundamental changes, including but not limited to, certain consolidations or mergers that result in a change of control of the Company during the period from October 1, 2008 until October 1, 2010. These amendments apply to the $8.3 million of Notes which remain outstanding.

 

The Company had $79.5 million of borrowings outstanding under its $150 million five-year senior, unsecured revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2008. The amounts outstanding under this facility are classified as long-term debt since the facility is due to expire in May 2010.

 

Bowne’s revolving credit facility contains customary restrictions, requirements and other limitations on its ability to incur indebtedness, including covenants that limit its ability to incur debt based on the level of its ratio of total debt to EBITDA and its ratio of EBITDA to interest expense. The Company’s ability to borrow under this

facility is subject to compliance with certain financial and other covenants. The Company was in compliance with all financial loan covenants under the revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2008, and based upon its current projections, including the anticipated benefits of the previously mentioned cost savings initiatives and benefits of the acquisitions, the Company believes it will be in compliance with the financial loan covenants in 2009. However, further deterioration of the Company’s operating results coupled with additional borrowings on its remaining capacity under the credit facility may bring the Company much closer to its financial covenant compliance levels than in the past. Failure to comply with covenants could cause a default under the facility, and Bowne may then be required to repay the debt, or negotiate an amendment. Under those circumstances, other sources of capital may not be available to the Company, or be available only on unattractive terms. The Company is not subject to any financial covenants under the Notes other than cross default provisions.

 

As of March 1, 2009, the Company had $105.5 million outstanding under the existing facility, which reflects the normal seasonal increase in borrowing in the first quarter. As of March 1, 2009, the Company has approximately $9.3 million of letters of credit outstanding. As such, total available borrowings under the credit facility as of March 1, 2009 are approximately $35.2 million.

 

The Company is in discussions with the members of its bank group to amend and extend its existing revolving credit facility. Such amendment and extension is expected to be completed in the near future. However, there is no assurance that the full amount of this facility will be amended and extended.

 

Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $22.1 million, which includes approximately $2.4 million related to the integration of the Company’s recent acquisitions. Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2007 were $20.8 million, which includes approximately $3.0 million related to the consolidation and build-out of the existing space at 55 Water Street as a result of the lease modification that occurred in June 2007. Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2006 were $28.7 million, which includes approximately $2.7 million associated with the relocation of the Company’s corporate office and New York City based operations to 55 Water Street, which occurred in January 2006, and approximately $3.3 million related to the relocation of its London facility during the second quarter of 2006. In addition, capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2006 includes approximately $5.6 million related to the integration of the Marketing and Business Communications division of Vestcom. The Company estimates that capital spending in 2009 will approximate $15.0 million to $20.0 million.

 

During 2008, the Company received approximately $39.4 million of cash from its international operations for U.S. working capital purposes. Additionally, as previously discussed, the Company was able to sell, at par, $35.6 million of investments in auction rate securities during 2008.

 

The Company relies upon its cash flow generated from operations (both domestic and foreign), timely collection of accounts receivables and its borrowing capacity to fund its working capital needs, fund capital expenditures, provide for the payment of dividends and meet its debt service requirements. The Company is actively managing its liquidity position which is presently tight given the current difficult economic climate. Some of the actions the Company has taken include: (i) the January 2009 workforce reduction, expected to result in annualized savings of approximately $12.0 million in 2009; (ii) suspension of the matching contribution to the 401(k) Savings Plan for the 2009 plan year, elimination of normal merit increases in 2009 and a targeted reduction in travel and entertainment spending, expected to result in combined savings of approximately $15.0 million in 2009; and (iii) the suspension of the payment of dividends in cash until economic conditions improve.

 

In February 2009, the Company issued stock dividends to its shareholders equivalent to $0.055 per share, which was based on the average sales price of the Company’s common stock for the 30-day trading period prior to the dividend record date, and equates to 0.012 shares of the Company’s common stock held as of the dividend record date. In addition, the dividends on any fractional shares were paid in cash.

 

The Company experiences certain seasonal factors with respect to its working capital; the heaviest demand for utilization of working capital is normally the first and second quarter. The Company’s existing borrowing capacity provides for this seasonal demand. Although the Company believes that the level of cash flow expected from operations and the remaining availability under its credit facility should be adequate to fund its operating needs in the foreseeable future, there are no assurances at this time that this will be the case.

Cash Flows

 

The Company continues to focus on cash management, including managing receivables and inventory. The Company’s average days sales outstanding was 70 days in 2008 as compared to 68 days in 2007. The Company had net cash provided by operating activities of $6,740, $94,889 and $4,110 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily the result of a decrease in operating income of approximately $70.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007, a decrease in the collection of accounts receivable for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007, due to reduced revenue and the current economic environment and an increase in cash used to pay restructuring and integration expenses during the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to 2007. Net cash used to pay income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $1.7 million as compared to $4.5 million during 2007, which included income tax refunds of approximately $9.0 million. Overall, cash provided by operating activities for the twelve month periods decreased by approximately $88.1 million from December 31, 2007 to December 31, 2008. The increase in cash provided by operating activities from 2006 to 2007 was impacted by the improvement in operating results and by the change in accounts receivable resulting from higher collections of receivables during 2007 as compared to 2006, as a result of improved billing and collection efforts. In addition, the increase in cash provided by operations was also attributable to the funding of costs related to the Company’s relocation of its corporate office and New York City based operations in 2006, a decrease in income taxes paid during 2007 as compared to 2006 and a decrease in the funding of the Company’s pension plans in 2007 as compared to 2006.

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities was ($63,242), ($30,224) and $6,128 for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in net cash used in investing activities in 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to the increase in the cash used for acquisitions in 2008 as compared to 2007. Net cash used in acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2008 amounted to $79,495, which consists of the acquisitions of GCom, RSG, Capital and a net working capital adjustment related to the acquisition of Alliance Data Mail Services that was received in June 2008. Net cash used in acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2007 amounted to $25,791, which consisted of the acquisitions of St Ives Financial and Alliance Data Mail Services and an additional $3,000 related to the acquisition of certain technology assets of PLUM. The net proceeds from the sale of marketable securities was $35,459 in 2008 as compared to $3,800 in 2007. In addition, the Company received proceeds of $1,000 during the fourth quarter of 2008 related to the collection of a portion of the amount due from the sale of the Company’s DecisionQuest business that occurred in 2006. The Company also received proceeds of $1,345 during 2008 primarily related to the sale of various equipment that was not being used by the Company. Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $22,119 as compared to $20,756 in 2007. The increase in net cash used in investing activities from 2006 to 2007 was primarily the result of: (i) a decrease in the net proceeds from the sale of marketable securities in 2007 due to less purchases of marketable securities in 2007 as compared to 2006, (ii) a decrease in net cash provided by discontinued operations, primarily due to the proceeds received from the sale of the assets of the Company’s joint venture investment in CaseSoft in 2006, and (iii) the net proceeds received from the sale of its DecisionQuest business in 2006. The change was partially offset by (i) net proceeds of $10,817 received from the sale of an equity investment in 2007, (ii) a decrease in the net cash used to fund acquisitions in 2007 as compared to 2006, which included net cash used in the acquisition of Vestcom’s Marketing and Business Communications division and certain technology assets of PLUM, and (iii) a decrease in capital expenditures in 2007 as compared to 2006.

 

The Company had net cash provided by financing activities of $6,928 for the year ended December 31, 2008, as compared to net cash used in financing activities of $46,220 and $63,555 for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The change from net cash used in financing activities in 2007 to net cash provided by financing activities in 2008 was primarily due to the Company not repurchasing any shares of its common stock in 2008 as a result of the completion of the Company’s stock repurchase program in December 2007. During the year ended December 31, 2007 the Company repurchased approximately 3.1 million shares of its common stock for $51,749. During 2008, the Company received net proceeds of $79.5 million from borrowings under its $150 million revolving credit facility, as compared to no borrowings in 2007. A significant portion of the amounts borrowed under the revolving credit facility were used in the redemption of the $66.7 million of the Notes in October 2008, as previously discussed. Offsetting the increase in cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2008 was a decrease in the cash received from stock option exercises in 2008 as compared to

2007. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities in 2007 as compared to 2006 primarily resulted from a decrease in the repurchase of the Company’s common stock in 2007 as compared to 2006, and a slight decrease in the cash received from stock option exercises in 2007 as compared to 2006.

 

Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments, and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company’s debt as of December 31, 2008 primarily consists of borrowings under its $150 million unsecured revolving credit facility and the $8.3 million remaining outstanding under its convertible subordinated debentures which were amended in October 2008. The Company also leases equipment under leases that are accounted for as capital leases, where the equipment and related lease obligation are recorded on the Company’s balance sheet.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries also occupy premises and utilize equipment under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2026. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the obligations under these operating leases are not recorded on the Company’s balance sheet. Many of these leases provide for payment of certain expenses and contain renewal and purchase options.

 

The Company’s contractual obligations and commercial commitments are summarized in the table below: