Summary of LKQ CORP - Yahoo! Finance

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

Overview

We provide replacement systems, components, and parts needed to repair vehicles (cars and trucks). Buyers of vehicle replacement products have the option to purchase from primarily four sources: new products produced by original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"), which are commonly known as OEM products; new products produced by companies other than the OEMs, which are sometimes referred to as "aftermarket" products; recycled products originally produced by OEMs, which we refer to as recycled OEM products; and OEM products that have been refurbished. We participate in the markets for recycled OEM products, as well as the market for collision repair aftermarket products. We obtain aftermarket products and salvage vehicles from a variety of sources, and we dismantle the salvage vehicles to obtain a comprehensive range of vehicle products that we distribute into the vehicle repair market. We also refurbish and sell bumpers, wheels, head lamps and tail lamps.

We are the largest nationwide provider of recycled OEM products and related services, with sales, processing, and distribution facilities that reach most major markets in the United States. In October 2007, we acquired Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc., the nation's leading distributor of aftermarket collision parts. As a result, we are the largest nationwide provider of aftermarket collision replacement products, and refurbished bumper covers and wheels. We believe there are opportunities for growth in both product lines through acquisitions and internal development.

Our revenue, cost of goods sold, and operating results have fluctuated on a quarterly and annual basis in the past and can be expected to continue to fluctuate in the future as a result of a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control. Please refer to the risk factors enumerated in Item 1A in our 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2008, and the updates to Item 1A included in Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed subsequently. Due to these risk factors, our operating results in future periods can be expected to fluctuate. Accordingly, our historical results of operations may not be indicative of future performance.

Acquisitions

Since our inception in 1998 we have pursued a growth strategy of both organic growth and acquisitions. We have pursued acquisitions that we believe will help drive profitability, cash flow and stockholder value. Our principal focus for acquisitions is companies that will expand our geographic presence and our ability to provide a wider choice of alternative vehicle replacement products and services to our customers.

In the first nine months of 2008, we acquired four businesses (three in the recycled OEM parts business and one wheel polishing business). In October 2008, we acquired two additional recycled OEM heavy truck parts businesses. The 2008 business acquisitions enabled us to expand our presence in an existing market and become a provider of recycled OEM heavy truck parts.

Sources of Revenue

Since 2005, our revenue from the sale of vehicle replacement products and related services, and since February 2008, heavy truck parts, has ranged between 81% and 89% of our total revenue, of which between 5% and 13% of our total revenue has come from our self-service facilities. We sell the majority of our vehicle replacement products to collision repair shops and mechanical repair shops. Our vehicle replacement products include engines, transmissions, front-ends, doors, trunk lids, bumpers, hoods, fenders, grilles, valances, wheels, head lamps, and tail lamps. We sell extended warranty contracts for certain mechanical products. These contracts cover the cost of parts and labor and are sold for periods of six months, one year, or two years. We defer the revenue from such contracts and recognize it ratably over the term of the contracts. We also sell damaged vehicles to vehicle repairers. The demand for our products and services is influenced by several factors, including the number of vehicles in operation, the number of miles being driven, the frequency and severity of vehicle accidents, availability and pricing of new parts, seasonal weather patterns, and local weather conditions. Additionally, automobile insurers exert significant influence over collision repair shops as to how an insured vehicle is repaired and the cost level of the products used in the repair process. Accordingly, we consider automobile insurers to be key demand drivers of our products. While they are not our direct customers, we do provide insurance companies services in an effort to promote the increased usage of alternative replacement products in the repair process. Such services include the review of vehicle repair order estimates, as well as direct quotation services to their adjusters. There is no standard price for recycled OEM products, but rather a pricing structure that varies from day to day based upon such factors as product availability, quality, demand, new OEM replacement product prices, the age of the vehicle being repaired, and competitor pricing. The pricing for aftermarket and refurbished products is determined based on a number of factors, including availability, quality, demand, new OEM replacement product prices, and competitor pricing.

Since 2005, approximately 11% to 19% of our revenue has been obtained from other sources. These include bulk sales to mechanical remanufacturers, scrap sales, and sales of aluminum ingots and sows. We derive scrap metal from several sources, including OEM's and other companies that contract with us to dismantle and scrap certain vehicles (which we refer to as "crush only" vehicles) and from vehicles that have been used in both our wholesale and self service recycling operations. Our revenue from other sources has increased since 2004 primarily due to our obtaining an aluminum smelter through a business acquisition in 2006, higher

scrap sales from our recycle and wheel operations, and higher bulk sales of certain products. Subsequent to September 30, 2008, scrap metal prices have fallen significantly, which will have a negative effect on our revenue (Item 3 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q provides further description of this price risk).

When we obtain mechanical products from dismantled vehicles and determine they are damaged, or when we have a surplus of a certain mechanical product type, we sell them in bulk to mechanical remanufacturers. The majority of these products are sorted by product type and model type. Examples of such products are engine blocks and heads, transmissions, starters, alternators, and air conditioner compressors. After we have recovered all the products we intend to resell, the remaining materials are crushed and sold to scrap processors.

Cost of Goods Sold

Our cost of goods sold for recycled OEM products includes the price we pay for the salvage vehicle and, where applicable, auction, storage, and towing fees. We are facing increasing competition in the purchase of salvage vehicles from shredders and scrap recyclers, internet-based buyers, and others. Our cost of goods sold also includes labor and other costs we incur to acquire and dismantle such vehicles. The acquisition and dismantling of salvage vehicles is a manual process and, as a result, energy costs are not material.

Our cost of goods sold for aftermarket products includes the price we pay for the parts, freight, and other inventoried costs such as import fees and duties, where applicable. Our aftermarket products are acquired from a number of vendors. Our cost of goods sold for refurbished wheels, bumpers and lights includes the price we pay for inventory, freight, and costs to refurbish the parts, including direct and indirect labor, rent, depreciation and other overhead costs related to refurbishing operations.

In the event we do not have a recycled OEM product or suitable aftermarket product in our inventory to fill a customer order, we attempt to purchase the part from a competitor. We refer to these parts as brokered products. Since 2005, the revenue from brokered products that we sell to our customers has ranged from 2% to 6% of our total revenue. The gross margin on brokered product sales as a percentage of revenue is generally less than half of what we achieve from sales of our own inventory because we must pay higher prices for these products.

Some of our mechanical products are sold with a standard six-month warranty against defects. We record the estimated warranty costs at the time of sale using historical warranty claim information to project future warranty claims activity and related expenses. We also sell separately priced extended warranty contracts for certain mechanical products. The expense related to extended warranty claims is recognized when the claim is made.

Expenses

Our facility and warehouse expenses primarily include our costs to operate our distribution, self-service, and warehouse facilities. These costs include labor for both plant management and facility and warehouse personnel, stock-based compensation, facility rent, property and liability insurance, utilities, and other occupancy costs.

Our distribution expenses primarily include our costs to deliver our products to our customers. Included in our distribution expense category are labor costs for drivers, local delivery and transfer truck rentals and subcontractor costs, vehicle repairs and maintenance, insurance, and fuel.

Our selling and marketing expenses primarily include our advertising, promotion, and marketing costs; salary and commission expenses for sales personnel; sales training; telephone and other communication expenses; and bad debt expense. Since 2005, personnel costs have accounted for approximately 77% to 80% of our selling and marketing expenses. Most of our recycled OEM product sales personnel are paid on a commission basis. The number and quality of our sales force is critical to our ability to respond to our customers' needs and increase our sales volume. Our objective is to continually evaluate our sales force, develop and implement training programs, and utilize appropriate measurements to assess our selling effectiveness.

Our general and administrative expenses include primarily the costs of our corporate and regional offices that provide corporate and field management, treasury, accounting, legal, payroll, business development, human resources, and information systems functions. These costs include wages and benefits for corporate, regional and administrative personnel, stock-based compensation, long term incentive compensation, accounting, legal and other professional fees, office supplies, telephone and other communication costs, insurance and rent.

Seasonality

Our operating results are subject to quarterly variations based on a variety of factors, influenced primarily by seasonal changes in weather patterns. During the winter months we tend to have higher demand for our products because there are more weather related accidents. In addition, the cost of salvage vehicles tends to be lower as more weather related accidents occur generating a larger supply of total loss vehicles.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP"). The

preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, assumptions, and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, inventory valuation, allowance for doubtful accounts, goodwill impairments, self-insurance programs, contingencies, stock-based compensation, and accounting for income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and our recognition of revenue. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize and report revenue from the sale of vehicle replacement products when they are shipped and title has transferred, subject to a reserve for returns, discounts, and allowances that management estimates based upon historical information. A replacement product would ordinarily be returned within a few days of shipment. Our customers may earn discounts based upon sales volumes or sales volumes coupled with prompt payment. Allowances are normally given within a few days following product shipment. We analyze historical returns and allowances activity by comparing the items to the original invoice amounts and dates. We use this information to project future returns and allowances on products sold.

We also sell separately priced extended warranty contracts for certain mechanical products. Revenue from these contracts is deferred and recognized ratably over the term of the contracts.

Inventory Accounting

Salvage Inventory. Salvage inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market. Our salvage inventory cost is established based upon the price we pay for a vehicle, and includes buying; dismantling; and, where applicable, auction, storage, and towing fees. Inventory carrying value is determined using the average cost to sales percentage at each of our facilities and applying that percentage to the facility's inventory at expected selling prices. The average cost to sales percentage is derived from each facility's historical vehicle profitability for salvage vehicles purchased at auction or from contracted rates for salvage vehicles acquired under direct procurement arrangements.

Aftermarket and Refurbished Product Inventory. Aftermarket and refurbished product inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market. Our aftermarket inventory cost is based on the average price we pay for parts, and includes expenses incurred for freight and buying, where applicable. For items purchased from foreign sources, import fees and duties and transportation insurance are also included. Our refurbished product inventory cost is based on the average price we pay for wheel and bumper cores, and includes expenses incurred for freight, buying, and refurbishing overhead.

For all inventory, our carrying value is reduced regularly to reflect the age and current anticipated demand for our products. If actual demand differs from our estimates, additional reductions to our inventory carrying value would be necessary in the period such determination is made.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on our assessment of the collectibility of specific customer accounts, the aging of the accounts receivable, and our historical experience. Our allowance for doubtful accounts at September 30, 2008 was approximately $5.5 million, which represents 3.9% of gross receivables. If actual defaults are higher than our historical experience, our allowance for doubtful accounts may be insufficient to cover the uncollectible receivables, which would have an adverse impact on our operating results in the period of occurrence. A 10% change in the 2007 annual write-off rate would result in a change in the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $0.2 million. For our vehicle replacement parts operations, our exposure to uncollectible accounts receivable is generally limited because the majority of our sales are to a large number of small customers that are geographically dispersed. We also have certain customers in our vehicle replacement parts operations that pay for products at the time of delivery. The aluminum smelter and our mechanical core operation sell in larger quantities to a small number of distributors, foundry customers and remanufacturers. As a result, our exposure to uncollectible accounts receivable is greater in these operations. We control credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits, and monitoring policies.

Goodwill Impairment

We record goodwill as a result of our acquisitions. SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142"), requires us to analyze our goodwill for impairment at least annually. The determination of the value of goodwill requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect our consolidated financial statements. In assessing the recoverability of our goodwill, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets. We perform goodwill impairment tests annually in the fourth quarter and between annual tests whenever events may indicate that an impairment exists. In response to changes in industry and market conditions, we may be required to strategically realign our resources and consider restructuring, disposing of, or otherwise exiting businesses, which could result in an impairment of goodwill.

Our goodwill would be considered impaired if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeded its estimated fair value. The fair value estimates are primarily established using a discounted cash flow methodology, supported by comparative market multiples where appropriate. As of September 30, 2008, we had $910.2 million in goodwill subject to future impairment tests. If we were

required to recognize goodwill impairments in future periods, we would report those impairment losses as part of our operating results. We determined that no adjustments were necessary when we performed our annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2007. A 10% decrease in the fair value estimates used in the fourth quarter of 2007 impairment test would not have changed this determination.

Self-Insurance Programs

We self-insure a portion of employee medical benefits under the terms of our employee health insurance program. We also self-insure a portion of automobile, general liability, and workers' compensation claims. We have purchased both aggregate (in some cases) and specific (in all cases) stop-loss insurance coverage from third party insurers in order to limit our total liability exposure. The cost of the stop-loss insurance is expensed over the contract periods.

We record an accrual for the claims expense related to our employee medical benefits, automobile, general liability, and workers' compensation claims based upon the expected amount of all such claims. If actual claims are higher than what we anticipated, our accrual might be insufficient to cover our claims costs, which would have an adverse impact on our operating results in that period.

Contingencies

We are subject to the possibility of various loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of business resulting from litigation, claims and other commitments, and from a variety of environmental and pollution control laws and regulations. We consider the likelihood of loss or the incurrence of a liability, as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss, in determining loss contingencies. We accrue an estimated loss contingency when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We determine the amount of reserves, if any, with the assistance of our outside legal counsel. We regularly evaluate current information available to us to determine whether the accruals should be adjusted. If the amount of an actual loss were greater than the amount we have accrued, the excess loss would have an adverse impact on our operating results in the period that the loss occurred. If the loss contingency is subsequently determined to no longer be probable, the amount of loss contingency previously accrued would be included in our operating results in the period such determination was made.

Accounting for Income Taxes

All income tax amounts reflect the use of the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and income tax reporting purposes. We operate in multiple tax jurisdictions with different tax rates, and we determine the allocation of income to each of these jurisdictions based upon various estimates and assumptions.

We record a provision for taxes based upon our effective income tax rate. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that we expect is more likely than not to be realized. We consider historical taxable income, expectations, and risks associated with our estimates of future taxable income and ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. We had a valuation allowance of $1.2 million and $0.7 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively, against our deferred tax assets. Should we determine that it is more likely than not that we would be able to realize all of our deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the net deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Conversely, should we determine that it is more likely than not that we would not be able to realize all of our deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the net deferred tax assets would decrease income in the period such determination was made.

We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" ("FIN 48"). FIN 48 establishes a threshold for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns. Only those positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold may be recognized in the financial statements. We recognize interest accrued relating to unrecognized tax benefits in our income tax expense. In the normal course of business we will undergo tax audits by various tax jurisdictions. Such audits often require an extended period of time to complete and may result in income tax adjustments if changes to the allocation are required between jurisdictions with different tax rates. Under existing GAAP, changes in accruals for uncertainties arising from the resolution of pre-acquisition contingencies of acquired businesses are charged or credited to goodwill. Adjustments to other tax accruals we make are generally recognized in the period they are determined. Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), "Business Combinations" ("SFAS 141R"), changes in accruals for uncertainties arising from the resolution of pre-acquisition contingencies and income taxes of acquired businesses will be recorded in earnings in the period the changes are determined after the effective date of SFAS 141R. See "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" for further discussion of SFAS 141R.

Stock-Based Compensation

We measure compensation cost for all share-based payments (including employee stock options) at fair value and recognize compensation expense for all awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS 123R").

Several key factors and assumptions affect the valuation models currently utilized for valuing our stock option awards under SFAS 123R. We have been in existence since early 1998 and have been a public company since October 2003. As a result, we do not have the historical data necessary to consider using a lattice valuation model at this time. We have therefore elected to use the Black-Scholes valuation model. In December 2007, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 110 ("SAB 110") to amend the SEC's views discussed in SAB 107 regarding the use of the simplified method in developing an estimate of expected life of share options in accordance with SFAS No. 123R. We will continue to use the simplified method until we have the historical data necessary to provide a reasonable estimate of expected life in accordance with SAB 107, as amended by SAB 110. Key assumptions used in determining the fair value of stock options granted in 2008 were: expected term of 6.4 years; risk-free interest rate of 3.27%; dividend yield of 0%; forfeiture rate of 6.7%; and volatility of 39.3%.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the SEC issued SAB 110 to amend the SEC's views discussed in SAB 107 regarding the use of the simplified method in developing an estimate of expected life of share options in accordance with SFAS No. 123R. We will continue to use the simplified method until we have the historical data necessary to provide a reasonable estimate of expected life in accordance with SAB 107, as amended by SAB 110.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, which requires companies to, among other things, recognize the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, including contractual contingencies, and contingent consideration at fair value on the date of acquisition. SFAS 141R also requires that acquisition-related expenses be expensed as incurred, restructuring costs be expensed in periods subsequent to the acquisition date, and changes in accounting for deferred income tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties after the measurement period be included in income tax expense. SFAS 141R will be effective on January 1, 2009 and will change our accounting for business combinations upon adoption. We are currently assessing the impact that the adoption of SFAS 141R will have on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - an amendment of SFAS No. 133" ("SFAS 161"). SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about derivative and hedging activities and is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. As SFAS 161 specifically relates to disclosures regarding derivative and hedging activities, it will not impact our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Segment Reporting

Over 95% of our operations are conducted in the U.S. During 2004, we acquired a recycled OEM products business with locations in Guatemala and Costa Rica. In May and July 2007, we acquired two recycled OEM products businesses located in Canada. Keystone has bumper refurbishing operations in Mexico and two aftermarket products businesses in Canada. Revenue generated and properties located outside of the U.S. are not material. We manage our operations geographically. During the third quarter of 2008, we commenced a reorganization of our vehicle replacement products operations into ten operating segments, combining our wholesale recycled OEM products and aftermarket products on a geographic basis, with a separate operating segment for our self-service retail OEM products and one for our refurbishing operations. These segments are aggregated into one reportable segment because they possess similar economic characteristics and have common products and services, customers, and methods of distribution. Our vehicle replacement products operations account for over 94% of our revenue, earnings, and assets.

. . .