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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 29, 2018

 

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number:  1-14222

 

SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

22-3410353

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

240 Route 10 West

Whippany, NJ 07981

(973)  887-5300

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

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       No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes       No  

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

 

Large accelerated filer

 

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

 

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

 

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

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

At February 4, 2019, there were 61,663,627 Common Units of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. outstanding.

 

 

 

 


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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 29, 2018 and September 29, 2018  

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and
     December 30, 2017

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1A.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

 

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

 

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

 

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 5.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

 

EXHIBITS

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

SignaturEs

 

32

 

 


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DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements (“Forward-Looking Statements”) as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, relating to future business expectations and predictions and financial condition and results of operations of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”).  Some of these statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “prospects,” “outlook,” “believes,” “estimates,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” “expects” or “plans” or the negative or other variation of these or similar words, or by discussion of trends and conditions, strategies or risks and uncertainties.  These Forward-Looking Statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied in such Forward-Looking Statements (statements contained in this Quarterly Report identifying such risks and uncertainties are referred to as “Cautionary Statements”).  The risks and uncertainties and their impact on the Partnership’s results include, but are not limited to, the following risks:

The impact of weather conditions on the demand for propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels, natural gas and electricity;

Volatility in the unit cost of propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels, natural gas and electricity, the impact of the Partnership’s hedging and risk management activities, and the adverse impact of price increases on volumes sold as a result of customer conservation;

The ability of the Partnership to compete with other suppliers of propane, fuel oil and other energy sources;

The impact on the price and supply of propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels from the political, military or economic instability of the oil producing nations, global terrorism and other general economic conditions;

The ability of the Partnership to acquire sufficient volumes of, and the costs to the Partnership of acquiring, transporting and storing, propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels;

The ability of the Partnership to acquire and maintain reliable transportation for its propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels;

The ability of the Partnership to retain customers or acquire new customers;

The impact of customer conservation, energy efficiency and technology advances on the demand for propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels, natural gas and electricity;

The ability of management to continue to control expenses;

The impact of changes in applicable statutes and government regulations, or their interpretations, including those relating to the environment and climate change, derivative instruments and other regulatory developments on the Partnership’s business;

The impact of changes in tax laws that could adversely affect the tax treatment of the Partnership for income tax purposes;

The impact of legal proceedings on the Partnership’s business;

The impact of operating hazards that could adversely affect the Partnership’s operating results to the extent not covered by insurance;

The Partnership’s ability to make strategic acquisitions and successfully integrate them;

The impact of current conditions in the global capital and credit markets, and general economic pressures;

The operating, legal and regulatory risks the Partnership may face; and

Other risks referenced from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and those factors listed or incorporated by reference into the Partnership’s most recent Annual Report under “Risk Factors.”

Some of these Forward-Looking Statements are discussed in more detail in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Quarterly Report.  Reference is also made to the risk factors discussed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2018.  On different occasions, the Partnership or its representatives have made or may make Forward-Looking Statements in other filings with the SEC, press releases or oral statements made by or with the approval of one of the Partnership’s authorized executive officers.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Statements, which reflect management’s view only as of the date made.  The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update any Forward-Looking Statement or Cautionary Statement, except as required by law.  All subsequent written and oral Forward-Looking Statements attributable to the Partnership or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements in this Quarterly Report and in future SEC reports.

 

 

 

 


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PART I. FINANC IAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

September 29,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,588

 

 

$

5,164

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,779 and

   $3,629, respectively

 

 

136,019

 

 

 

71,298

 

Inventories

 

 

55,343

 

 

 

59,112

 

Other current assets

 

 

34,186

 

 

 

22,194

 

Total current assets

 

 

232,136

 

 

 

157,768

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

639,919

 

 

 

649,218

 

Goodwill

 

 

1,093,470

 

 

 

1,093,470

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

 

161,041

 

 

 

175,183

 

Other assets

 

 

25,335

 

 

 

25,560

 

Total assets

 

$

2,151,901

 

 

$

2,101,199

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

77,997

 

 

$

38,264

 

Accrued employment and benefit costs

 

 

21,905

 

 

 

32,402

 

Customer deposits and advances

 

 

78,783

 

 

 

95,483

 

Accrued interest

 

 

16,162

 

 

 

13,223

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

42,727

 

 

 

39,666

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

237,574

 

 

 

219,038

 

Long-term borrowings

 

 

1,294,843

 

 

 

1,255,138

 

Accrued insurance

 

 

56,610

 

 

 

54,797

 

Other liabilities

 

 

75,950

 

 

 

78,402

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,664,977

 

 

 

1,607,375

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Unitholders (61,664 and 61,405 units issued and outstanding at

   December 29, 2018 and September 29, 2018, respectively)

 

 

511,042

 

 

 

518,494

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(24,118

)

 

 

(24,670

)

Total partners’ capital

 

 

486,924

 

 

 

493,824

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

 

$

2,151,901

 

 

$

2,101,199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per unit amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane

 

$

321,360

 

 

$

322,130

 

Fuel oil and refined fuels

 

 

28,909

 

 

 

25,315

 

Natural gas and electricity

 

 

13,404

 

 

 

13,147

 

All other

 

 

13,431

 

 

 

12,685

 

 

 

 

377,104

 

 

 

373,277

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of products sold

 

 

182,585

 

 

 

165,189

 

Operating

 

 

99,409

 

 

 

98,439

 

General and administrative

 

 

16,505

 

 

 

16,775

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

30,071

 

 

 

31,131

 

 

 

 

328,570

 

 

 

311,534

 

Loss on sale of business

 

 

 

 

 

4,823

 

Operating income

 

 

48,534

 

 

 

56,920

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

19,488

 

 

 

19,514

 

Other, net

 

 

1,176

 

 

 

1,172

 

Income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

 

27,870

 

 

 

36,234

 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

 

151

 

 

 

(934

)

Net income

 

$

27,719

 

 

$

37,168

 

Net income per Common Unit - basic

 

$

0.45

 

 

$

0.61

 

Weighted average number of Common Units outstanding - basic

 

 

61,637

 

 

 

61,333

 

Net income per Common Unit - diluted

 

$

0.45

 

 

$

0.60

 

Weighted average number of Common Units outstanding - diluted

 

 

61,903

 

 

 

61,525

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net income

 

$

27,719

 

 

$

37,168

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service

   credits into earnings

 

 

552

 

 

 

757

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

552

 

 

 

757

 

Total comprehensive income

 

$

28,271

 

 

$

37,925

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

27,719

 

 

$

37,168

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

30,071

 

 

 

31,131

 

Loss on sale of business

 

 

 

 

 

4,823

 

Compensation costs recognized under Restricted Unit Plans

 

 

3,021

 

 

 

2,649

 

Other, net

 

 

(317

)

 

 

(217

)

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(64,721

)

 

 

(73,005

)

Inventories

 

 

3,769

 

 

 

(8,511

)

Other current and noncurrent assets

 

 

(12,041

)

 

 

(7,779

)

Accounts payable

 

 

40,028

 

 

 

36,316

 

Accrued employment and benefit costs

 

 

(10,499

)

 

 

(5,776

)

Customer deposits and advances

 

 

(16,700

)

 

 

(17,925

)

Other current and noncurrent liabilities

 

 

7,013

 

 

 

3,842

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

7,343

 

 

 

2,716

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(7,705

)

 

 

(8,499

)

Acquisition of businesses

 

 

 

 

 

(4,051

)

Proceeds from sale of business

 

 

 

 

 

2,800

 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

 

1,876

 

 

 

1,372

 

Net cash (used in) investing activities

 

 

(5,829

)

 

 

(8,378

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility

 

 

113,900

 

 

 

113,800

 

Repayments of borrowings under revolving credit facility

 

 

(74,700

)

 

 

(66,500

)

Partnership distributions

 

 

(36,843

)

 

 

(36,663

)

Other, net

 

 

(2,447

)

 

 

(1,857

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(90

)

 

 

8,780

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

1,424

 

 

 

3,118

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

5,164

 

 

 

2,789

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

6,588

 

 

$

5,907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Common

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Partners’

 

 

 

Common Units

 

 

Unitholders

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

Capital

 

Balance at September 29, 2018

 

 

61,405

 

 

$

518,494

 

 

$

(24,670

)

 

$

493,824

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,719

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,719

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

552

 

 

 

552

 

Partnership distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

(36,843

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(36,843

)

Common Units issued under Restricted Unit Plans, net of units withheld

   for income tax withholding purposes

 

 

259

 

 

 

(1,349

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,349

)

Compensation costs recognized under Restricted Unit Plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,021

 

Balance at December 29, 2018

 

 

61,664

 

 

$

511,042

 

 

$

(24,118

)

 

$

486,924

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Common

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Partners’

 

 

 

Common Units

 

 

Unitholders

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

Capital

 

Balance at September 30, 2017

 

 

61,105

 

 

$

581,794

 

 

$

(28,812

)

 

$

552,982

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,168

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,168

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

757

 

 

 

757

 

Partnership distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

(36,663

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(36,663

)

Common Units issued under Restricted Unit Plans, net of units withheld

   for income tax withholding purposes

 

 

284

 

 

 

(846

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(846

)

Compensation costs recognized under Restricted Unit Plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,649

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,649

 

Balance at December 30, 2017

 

 

61,389

 

 

$

584,102

 

 

$

(28,055

)

 

$

556,047

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts)

(unaudited)

1.

Partnership Organization and Formation

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership principally engaged, through its operating partnership and subsidiaries, in the retail marketing and distribution of propane, fuel oil and refined fuels, as well as the marketing of natural gas and electricity in deregulated markets.  In addition, to complement its core marketing and distribution businesses, the Partnership services a wide variety of home comfort equipment, particularly for heating and ventilation.  The publicly traded limited partner interests in the Partnership are evidenced by common units traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“Common Units”), with 61,663,627 Common Units outstanding at December 29, 2018.  The holders of Common Units are entitled to participate in distributions and exercise the rights and privileges available to limited partners under the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”), as amended.  Rights and privileges under the Partnership Agreement include, among other things, the election of all members of the Board of Supervisors and voting on the removal of the general partner.

Suburban Propane, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership, is the Partnership’s operating subsidiary formed to operate the propane business and assets.  In addition, Suburban Sales & Service, Inc. (the “Service Company”), a subsidiary of the Operating Partnership, was formed to operate the service work and appliance and parts businesses of the Partnership.  The Operating Partnership, together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, accounts for substantially all of the Partnership’s assets, revenues and earnings.  The Partnership, the Operating Partnership and the Service Company commenced operations in March 1996 in connection with the Partnership’s initial public offering.

The general partner of both the Partnership and the Operating Partnership is Suburban Energy Services Group LLC (the “General Partner”), a Delaware limited liability company, the sole member of which is the Partnership’s Chief Executive Officer.  Other than as a holder of 784 Common Units that will remain in the General Partner, the General Partner does not have any economic interest in the Partnership or the Operating Partnership.

The Partnership’s fuel oil and refined fuels, natural gas and electricity and services businesses are structured as either limited liability companies that are treated as corporations or corporate entities (collectively referred to as the “Corporate Entities”) and, as such, are subject to corporate level U.S. income tax.

Suburban Energy Finance Corp., a direct 100%-owned subsidiary of the Partnership, was formed on November 26, 2003 to serve as co-issuer, jointly and severally with the Partnership, of the Partnership’s senior notes.

 

2.

Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation.   The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership, the Operating Partnership and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated.  The Partnership consolidates the results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of the Operating Partnership as a result of the Partnership’s 100% limited partner interest in the Operating Partnership.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  They include all adjustments that the Partnership considers necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2018.  Due to the seasonal nature of the Partnership’s operations, the results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

 

Fiscal Period.   The Partnership uses a 52/53 week fiscal year which ends on the last Saturday in September.  The Partnership’s fiscal quarters are generally thirteen weeks in duration.  When the Partnership’s fiscal year is 53 weeks long, the corresponding fourth quarter is fourteen weeks in duration.

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Revenue Recognition.    On September 30, 2018, the first day of fis cal 2019, the Partnership adopted the new accounting guidance regarding revenue recognition under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”) and all related amendments using the full retrospective method .  ASU 2014-09 provides a five-step model to be applied to all contracts with customers.  The five steps are to identify the contract(s) with the customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and recognize revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied.  The adoption of this standard had no impact on the Partner ship’s condensed consolidated statements of financial position, operations or cash flows.

Revenue is recognized by the Partnership when goods or services promised in a contract with a customer have been transferred, and no further performance obligation on that transfer is required, in an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received.   Performance obligations are determined and evaluated based on the specific terms of the arrangements and the distinct products and services offered.  Due to the nature of the retail business of the Partnership, there are no remaining or unsatisfied performance obligations as of the end of the reporting period, except for tank rental agreements, maintenance service contracts, fixed price contracts and budgetary programs, as described below.  The performance obligation associated with sales of propane, fuel oil and refined fuels is met at the time product is delivered to the customer.  Revenue from the sale of appliances and equipment is recognized at the time of sale or when installation is complete, as defined by the performance obligations included within the related customer contract.  Revenue from repairs, maintenance and other service activities is recognized upon completion of the service.  Revenue from the natural gas and electricity business is recognized based on customer usage as determined by meter readings for amounts delivered, an immaterial amount of which may be unbilled at the end of each accounting period.

The Partnership defers the recognition of revenue for annually billed tank rent, maintenance service contracts, fixed price contracts and budgetary programs where customer consideration is received at the start of the contract period, establishing contract liabilities which are disclosed as customer deposits and advances on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  Deliveries to customers enrolled in budgetary programs that exceed billings to those customers establish contract assets which are included in accounts receivable on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  The Partnership ratably recognizes revenue over the applicable term for tank rent and maintenance service agreements, which is generally one year, and at the time of delivery for fixed price contracts and budgetary programs .  

The Partnership incurs incremental direct costs to obtain certain contracts when it pays commissions to its salesforce.  These costs are expensed as incurred, consistent with the practical expedients issued by the FASB, since the expected amortization period is one year or less.  The Partnership generally determines selling prices based on, among other things, current weighted average costs of the product and the current replacement cost at the time of delivery, plus an applicable margin.  Customer p ayments for the satisfaction of a performance obligation are due upon receipt.

Fair Value Measurements.   The Partnership measures certain of its assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants – in either the principal market or the most advantageous market.  The principal market is the market with the greatest level of activity and volume for the asset or liability.

The common framework for measuring fair value utilizes a three-level hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in the valuation techniques to derive fair values.  The basis for fair value measurements for each level within the hierarchy is described below with Level 1 having the highest priority and Level 3 having the lowest.

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.

Level 3: Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.

Business Combinations.   The Partnership accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entities are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date.  Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets.  The primary drivers that generate goodwill are the value of synergies between the acquired entities and the Partnership, and the acquired assembled workforce, neither of which qualifies as an identifiable intangible asset.  Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives.  The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.  The Partnership expenses all acquisition-related costs as incurred.

Use of Estimates.   The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Estimates have been made by management in the areas of self-insurance and litigation reserves, pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities and costs, valuation of derivative instruments, depreciation and

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amortization of long-lived assets, asset imp airment assessments, tax valuation allowances, allowances for doubtful accounts, and purchase price allocation for acquired businesses.  The Partnership uses Society of Actuaries life expectancy information when developing the annual mortality assumptions for the pension and postretirement benefit plans, which are used to measure net periodic benefit costs and the obligation under these plans.  Actual results could differ from those estimates, making it reasonably possible that a material change in these es timates could occur in the near term.

Reclassifications.   Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.  See Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements, below.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”).  This update eliminates the second of the two-step goodwill impairment test, as described in Note 6, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  Instead, an entity should perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.  ASU 2017-04 is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, which will be the Partnership’s first quarter of fiscal 2021.  Early adoption of ASU 2017-04 is permitted.  The Partnership does not expect that the adoption of ASU 2017-04 will have a material impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”). The standard amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting.  ASU 2016-02 is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which will be the Partnership’s first quarter of fiscal 2020.  Early adoption of ASU 2016-02 is permitted.  The new leases standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief.  The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-02 on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Partnership adopted new accounting guidance under ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost” (“ASU 2017-07”), which has been applied retrospectively.  This update required separate disclosure below Operating income on the face of the condensed consolidated statements of operations for certain components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement cost. The adoption of this standard had no material impact on the Partnership’s condensed consolidated financial statements other than to classify certain components of net periodic benefit costs on the condensed consolidated statements of operations from Operating expenses to Other, net.   Refer to Note 13, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits.”.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”).  This update addresses eight specific cash flow issues and is intended to reduce diversity in practice on how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows.  The adoption of this standard had no material impact on the Partnership’s condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

See also Revenue Recognition, above.

 

3.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table disaggregates revenue for each customer type.  See Note 16 for more information on segment reporting wherein it is disclosed that the Partnership’s Propane, Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels and Natural Gas and Electricity reportable segments generated 85%, 8% and 4% of the Partnership’s revenue, respectively, during the first quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to 86%, 7% and 4%, respectively, during the first quarter of fiscal 2018.  The propane segment contributes the majority of the Partnership’s revenue and the concentration of revenue by customer type for the propane segment is not materially different from the consolidated revenue.

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Retail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

$

221,714

 

 

$

214,208

 

Commercial

 

96,578

 

 

 

93,942

 

Industrial

 

29,191

 

 

 

28,631

 

Agricultural

 

13,664

 

 

 

15,492

 

Government

 

15,934

 

 

 

15,126

 

Wholesale

 

23

 

 

 

5,878

 

Total revenues

$

377,104

 

 

$

373,277

 

 

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The Partnership recognized $33,158 and $31,083 of revenue during the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively, which was included in contract liabilities as of the beginning of each respective period. C ontract assets of $ 15,88 0 and $ 11,448 were included in accounts rece ivable as of December 29, 2018 and September 29, 2018, respectivel y.

 

4 .

Financial Instruments and Risk Management

Cash and Cash Equivalents.   The Partnership considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Commodity Price Risk .  Given the retail nature of its operations, the Partnership maintains a certain level of priced physical inventory to help ensure its field operations have adequate supply commensurate with the time of year.  The Partnership’s strategy is to keep its physical inventory priced relatively close to market for its field operations.  The Partnership enters into a combination of exchange-traded futures and option contracts and, in certain instances, over-the-counter options and swap contracts (collectively, “derivative instruments”) to hedge price risk associated with propane and fuel oil physical inventories, as well as future purchases of propane or fuel oil used in its operations and to help ensure adequate supply during periods of high demand.  In addition, the Partnership sells propane and fuel oil to customers at fixed prices, and enters into derivative instruments to hedge a portion of its exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices as a result of selling the fixed price contracts.  Under this risk management strategy, realized gains or losses on derivative instruments will typically offset losses or gains on the physical inventory once the product is sold or delivered as it pertains to fixed price contracts.  All of the Partnership’s derivative instruments are reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheet at their fair values.  In addition, in the course of normal operations, the Partnership routinely enters into contracts such as forward priced physical contracts for the purchase or sale of propane and fuel oil that qualify for and are designated as normal purchase or normal sale contracts.  Such contracts are exempted from the fair value accounting requirements and are accounted for at the time product is purchased or sold under the related contract.  The Partnership does not use derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.  Market risks associated with derivative instruments are monitored daily for compliance with the Partnership’s Hedging and Risk Management Policy which includes volume limits for open positions.  Priced on-hand inventory is also reviewed and managed daily as to exposures to changing market prices.

On the date that derivative instruments are entered into, other than those designated as normal purchases or normal sales, the Partnership makes a determination as to whether the derivative instrument qualifies for designation as a hedge.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recorded each period in current period earnings or other comprehensive income (“OCI”), depending on whether the derivative instrument is designated as a hedge and, if so, the type of hedge.  For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the Partnership formally assesses, both at the hedge contract’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedge contract is highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are reported in OCI to the extent effective and reclassified into earnings during the same period in which the hedged item affects earnings.  The mark-to-market gains or losses on ineffective portions of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings immediately.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges, and that do not meet the normal purchase and normal sale exemption, are recorded within earnings as they occur.  Cash flows associated with derivative instruments are reported as operating activities within the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Interest Rate Risk .  A portion of the Partnership’s borrowings bear interest at prevailing interest rates based upon, at the Operating Partnership’s option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin or the base rate, defined as the higher of the Federal Funds Rate plus ½ of 1% or the agent bank’s prime rate, or LIBOR plus 1%, plus the applicable margin.  The applicable margin is dependent on the level of the Partnership’s total leverage (the ratio of total debt to income before deducting interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”)).  Therefore, the Partnership is subject to interest rate risk on the variable component of the interest rate.  From time to time, the Partnership manages part of its variable interest rate risk by entering into interest rate swap agreements.  The interest rate swaps have been designated as, and are accounted for as, cash flow hedges.  The fair value of the interest rate swaps are determined using an income approach, whereby future settlements under the swaps are converted into a single present value, with fair value being based on the value of current market expectations about those future amounts.  Changes in the fair value are recognized in OCI until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.  However, due to changes in the underlying interest rate environment, the corresponding value in OCI is subject to change prior to its impact on earnings.

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Valuation of Derivative Instruments .  The Partnership measures the fair value of its exchange-traded options and futures contracts using quoted market prices found on the New York Mercantile Exchange (the “NYMEX”) (Level 1 inputs); the fair value of its swap contracts using quoted forward prices, and the fair value of its interest rate swaps using model-derived valuations driven by ob servable projected movements of the 3-month LIBOR (Level 2 inputs); and the fair value of its over-the-counter options contracts using Level 3 inputs.  The Partnership’s over-the-counter options contracts are valued based on an internal option model.  The inputs utilized in the model are based on publicly available information as well as broker quotes.  The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of the Partnership’s over-the-counter options contracts are interest rate and market volatility.

The following summarizes the fair value of the Partnership’s derivative instruments and their location in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 29, 2018 and September 29, 2018, respectively:

 

 

 

As of December 29, 2018

 

 

As of September 29, 2018

 

Asset Derivatives

 

Location

 

Fair Value

 

 

Location

 

Fair Value

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity-related derivatives

 

Other current assets

 

$

5,924

 

 

Other current assets

 

$

14,875

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

75

 

 

Other assets

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

$

5,999

 

 

 

 

$

14,888

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liability Derivatives

 

Location

 

Fair Value

 

 

Location

 

Fair Value

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity-related derivatives

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

12,117

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

6,122

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

167

 

 

 

 

 

$

12,117

 

 

 

 

$

6,289

 

 

The following summarizes the reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs:

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurement Using Significant

Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 29, 2018

 

 

December 30, 2017

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

Assets

 

 

Liabilities

 

Beginning balance of over-the-counter options

 

$

1,546

 

 

$

361

 

 

$

4,108

 

 

$

737

 

Beginning balance realized during the period

 

 

(393

)

 

 

(46

)

 

 

(313

)

 

 

 

Contracts purchased during the period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in the fair value of outstanding contracts

 

 

2,157

 

 

 

(315

)

 

 

122

 

 

 

(305

)

Ending balance of over-the-counter options

 

$

3,310

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,917

 

 

$

432

 

 

As of December 29, 2018 and September 29, 2018, the Partnership’s outstanding commodity-related derivatives had a weighted average maturity of approximately three and four months, respectively.

The effect of the Partnership’s derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income, as applicable, for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended               December 29, 2018

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended                         December 30, 2017

 

Derivatives Not Designated

as Hedging Instruments

 

 

 

Unrealized Gains (Losses)

Recognized in Income

 

 

 

 

Unrealized Gains (Losses)

Recognized in Income

 

 

 

 

 

Location

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

Location

 

Amount

 

Commodity-related

   derivatives

 

 

 

Cost of

products sold

 

$

(15,911

)

 

 

 

Cost of

products sold

 

$

(1,531

)

 

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The following table presents the fair value of the Partnership’s recognized derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis and amounts offset on the condensed consolidated balance sheets subje ct to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements:

 

 

 

As of December 29, 2018

 

 

As of September 29, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

presented in the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

presented in the

 

 

 

Gross amounts

 

 

Effects of netting

 

 

balance sheet

 

 

Gross amounts

 

 

Effects of netting

 

 

balance sheet

 

Asset Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity-related derivatives

 

$

7,386

 

 

$

(1,387

)

 

$

5,999

 

 

$

23,181

 

 

$

(8,293

)

 

$

14,888

 

Liability Derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity-related derivatives

 

$

13,504

 

 

$

(1,387

)

 

$

12,117

 

 

$

14,582

 

 

$

(8,293

)

 

$

6,289

 

 

The Partnership had $12,557 and $-0- posted cash collateral as of December 29, 2018 and September 29, 2018 with its brokers for outstanding commodity-related derivatives.

Bank Debt and Senior Notes.   The fair value of the borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (defined below in Note 8) approximates the carrying value since the interest rates are adjusted quarterly to reflect market conditions.  Based upon quoted market prices (a Level 1 input), the fair value of the Senior Notes (also defined below in Note 8) of the Partnership are as follows:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

September 29,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

5.5% senior notes due June 1, 2024

 

$

486,680

 

 

$

518,112

 

5.75% senior notes due March 1, 2025

 

 

232,500

 

 

 

242,500

 

5.875% senior notes due March 1, 2027

 

 

308,658

 

 

 

334,250

 

 

 

$

1,027,838

 

 

$

1,094,862

 

 

5.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined using a weighted average method for propane, fuel oil and refined fuels and natural gas, and a standard cost basis for appliances, which approximates average cost. Inventories consist of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

September 29,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

Propane, fuel oil and refined fuels and natural gas

 

$

53,623

 

 

$

57,834

 

Appliances

 

 

1,720

 

 

 

1,278

 

 

 

$

55,343

 

 

$

59,112

 

 

6.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired.  Goodwill is subject to an impairment review at a reporting unit level, on an annual basis as of the end of fiscal July of each year, or when an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate potential impairment.

The Partnership has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary.  However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test.

Under the two-step impairment test, the Partnership assesses the carrying value of goodwill at a reporting unit level based on an estimate of the fair value of the respective reporting unit.  Fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses taking into consideration estimated cash flows in a ten-year projection period and a terminal value calculation at the end of the projection period.  If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill associated with the reporting unit is not considered to be impaired.  If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of the associated goodwill, if any, exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill.

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The carrying val ues of goodwill assigned to the Partnership’s operating segments are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fuel oil and

 

 

Natural gas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane

 

 

refined fuels

 

 

and electricity

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 29, 2018 and      September 29, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

1,081,132

 

 

$

10,900

 

 

$

7,900

 

 

$

1,099,932

 

Accumulated adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

(6,462

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6,462

)

 

 

$

1,081,132

 

 

$

4,438

 

 

$

7,900

 

 

$

1,093,470

 

 

Other intangible assets consist of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

September 29,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

Customer relationships

 

$

499,432

 

 

$

499,432

 

Non-compete agreements

 

 

33,540

 

 

 

33,540

 

Other

 

 

1,967

 

 

 

1,967

 

 

 

 

534,939

 

 

 

534,939

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: accumulated amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      Customer relationships

 

 

(344,117

)

 

 

(330,571

)

Non-compete agreements

 

 

(28,409

)

 

 

(27,836

)

Other

 

 

(1,372

)

 

 

(1,349

)

 

 

 

(373,898

)

 

 

(359,756

)

 

 

$

161,041

 

 

$

175,183

 

 

7.

Net Income Per Common Unit

Computations of basic income per Common Unit are performed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of outstanding Common Units, and vested (and unissued) restricted units granted under the Partnership’s Restricted Unit Plans, as defined below, to retirement-eligible grantees.  Computations of diluted income per Common Unit are performed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of outstanding Common Units and unissued restricted units granted under the Restricted Unit Plans.  In computing diluted net income per Common Unit, weighted average units outstanding used to compute basic net income per Common Unit were increased by 266,175 and 191,893 units for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively, to reflect the potential dilutive effect of the unvested restricted units outstanding using the treasury stock method.     

 

8.

Long-Term Borrowings

Long-term borrowings consist of the following:

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

September 29,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

5.5% senior notes, due June 1, 2024

 

$

525,000

 

 

$

525,000

 

5.75% senior notes, due March 1, 2025

 

 

250,000

 

 

 

250,000

 

5.875% senior notes due March 1, 2027

 

 

350,000

 

 

 

350,000

 

Revolving Credit Facility, due March 3, 2021

 

 

182,800

 

 

 

143,600

 

    Subtotal

 

 

1,307,800

 

 

 

1,268,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: unamortized debt issuance costs

 

 

(12,957

)

 

 

(13,462

)

 

 

$

1,294,843

 

 

$

1,255,138

 

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Senior Notes

2024 Senior Notes.   On May 27, 2014, the Partnership and its 100%-owned subsidiary, Suburban Energy Finance Corp., completed a public offering of $525,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.5% senior notes due June 1, 2024 (the “2024 Senior Notes”).  The 2024 Senior Notes were issued at 100% of the principal amount and require semi-annual interest payments in June and December.  The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 Senior Notes, along with cash on hand, were used to repurchase, satisfy and discharge all of the Partnership’s then-outstanding 7.5% senior notes due in 2018.

2025 Senior Notes.   On February 25, 2015, the Partnership and its 100%-owned subsidiary, Suburban Energy Finance Corp., completed a public offering of $250,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior notes due March 1, 2025 (the “2025 Senior Notes”).  The 2025 Senior Notes were issued at 100% of the principal amount and require semi-annual interest payments in March and September.  The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2025 Senior Notes, along with cash on hand, were used to repurchase, satisfy and discharge all of the Partnership’s then-outstanding 7.375% senior notes due in 2020.  

2027 Senior Notes.   On February 14, 2017, the Partnership and its 100%-owned subsidiary, Suburban Energy Finance Corp., completed a public offering of $350,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due March 1, 2027 (the “2027 Senior Notes”).  The 2027 Senior Notes were issued at 100% of the principal amount and require semi-annual interest payments in March and September.  The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes, along with borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, were used to repurchase, satisfy and discharge all of the Partnership’s then-outstanding 7.375% senior notes due in 2021.

The Partnership’s obligations under the 2024 Senior Notes, 2025 Senior Notes and 2027 Senior Notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”) are unsecured and rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness and equally in right of payment with any future senior indebtedness.  The Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to, which means they rank effectively behind, any debt and other liabilities of the Operating Partnership.  The Partnership is permitted to redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at redemption prices and times as specified in the indentures governing the Senior Notes.  The Senior Notes each have a change of control provision that would require the Partnership to offer to repurchase the notes at 101% of the principal amount repurchased, if a change of control, as defined in the indenture, occurs and is followed by a rating decline (a decrease in the rating of the notes by either Moody’s Investors Service or Standard and Poor’s Rating Group by one or more gradations) within 90 days of the consummation of the change of control.

Credit Agreement.   The Operating Partnership has an amended and restated credit agreement, dated March 3, 2016 and further amended on May 1, 2017 (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) that provides for a five-year $500,000 revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with a maturity date of March 3, 2021, of which $182,800 and $143,600 was outstanding as of December 29, 2018 and September 29, 2018, respectively.  Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions.  The Operating Partnership has the right to prepay any borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, in whole or in part, without penalty at any time prior to maturity.  

The Amended Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive and affirmative covenants applicable to the Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries and the Partnership, as well as certain financial covenants, including (a) requiring the Partnership’s Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement, to be not less than 2.5 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter, (b) prohibiting the Total Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement, of the Partnership from being greater than 5.5 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending in December 2018 and for each fiscal quarter thereafter, and (c) prohibiting the Senior Secured Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement, of the Operating Partnership from being greater than 3.0 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter.  

The Partnership and certain subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership act as guarantors with respect to the obligations of the Operating Partnership under the Amended Credit Agreement pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth therein.  The obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement are secured by liens on substantially all of the personal property of the Partnership, the Operating Partnership and their subsidiaries, as well as mortgages on certain real property.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at prevailing interest rates based upon, at the Operating Partnership’s option, LIBOR plus the Applicable Rate, or the base rate, defined as the higher of the Federal Funds Rate plus ½ of 1%, the administrative agent bank’s prime rate, or LIBOR plus 1%, plus in each case the Applicable Rate.  The Applicable Rate is dependent upon the Partnership’s Total Consolidated Leverage Ratio.  As of December 29, 2018, the interest rate for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility was approximately 4.8%.  The interest rate and the Applicable Rate will be reset following the end of each calendar quarter.

As of December 29, 2018, the Partnership had standby letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility of $62,426 which expire periodically through April 30, 2019.

The Amended Credit Agreement and the Senior Notes both contain various restrictive and affirmative covenants applicable to the Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries and the Partnership, respectively, including (i) restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, and (ii) restrictions on certain liens, investments, guarantees, loans, advances, payments, mergers, consolidations,

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distributions, sales of assets and other transactions.  Under the Amended Credit Agreement and the indentures governing the Senior Notes, the Operating Partnership and the Partnership are generally permitted to make cash distributions equal to available cash, as defined, as of the end of the immediately preceding quarter, if no event of default exists or would exist upon making such distributions, and with respect to the indentures governing the Senior Notes, the Partnership’s Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as defined, is greater than 1.75 to 1.  The Partnership and the Operating Partnership were in compliance with al l covenants and terms of the Senior Notes and the Amended Credit Agreement as of December 29, 2018 .

The aggregate amounts of long-term debt maturities subsequent to December 29, 2018 are as follows: fiscal 2019: $-0-; fiscal 2020: $-0-; fiscal 2021: $182,800; fiscal 2022: $-0-; fiscal 2023: $-0-; and thereafter: $1,125,000.

 

9.

Distributions of Available Cash

The Partnership makes distributions to its partners no later than 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter in an aggregate amount equal to its Available Cash for such quarter.  Available Cash, as defined in the Partnership Agreement, generally means all cash on hand at the end of the respective fiscal quarter less the amount of cash reserves established by the Board of Supervisors in its reasonable discretion for future cash requirements.  These reserves are retained for the proper conduct of the Partnership’s business, the payment of debt principal and interest and for distributions during the next four quarters.

On January 24, 2019, the Partnership announced a quarterly distribution of $0.60 per Common Unit, or $2.40 per Common Unit on an annualized basis, in respect of the first quarter of fiscal 2019, payable on February 12, 2019 to holders of record on February 5, 2019.

 

10.

Unit-Based Compensation Arrangements

The Partnership recognizes compensation cost over the respective service period for employee services received in exchange for an award of equity, or equity-based compensation, based on the grant date fair value of the award.  The Partnership measures liability awards under an equity-based payment arrangement based on remeasurement of the award’s fair value at the conclusion of each interim and annual reporting period until the date of settlement, taking into consideration the probability that the performance conditions will be satisfied.

Restricted Unit Plans.   On July 22, 2009, the Partnership adopted the Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. 2009 Restricted Unit Plan, as amended (the “2009 Restricted Unit Plan”), which authorizes the issuance of Common Units to executives, managers and other employees and members of the Board of Supervisors of the Partnership.  The total number of Common Units authorized for issuance under the 2009 Restricted Unit Plan was 2,400,000 as of December 29, 2018.  As of this date, there were no further units available for future awards under the 2009 Restricted Unit Plan.  At the Partnership’s Tri-Annual Meeting held on May 15, 2018, the Unitholders approved the Partnership's 2018 Restricted Unit Plan (the “2018 Restricted Unit Plan” and together with the 2009 Restricted Unit Plan, the “Restricted Unit Plans”) authorizing the issuance of up to 1,800,000 Common Units. Unless otherwise stipulated by the Compensation Committee of the Partnership’s Board of Supervisors on or before the grant date, all currently outstanding restricted unit awards will vest 33.33% on each of the first three anniversaries of the award grant date.  The Restricted Unit Plans participants are not eligible to receive quarterly distributions on, or vote, their respective restricted units until vested.  Restricted units cannot be sold or transferred prior to vesting. The value of the restricted unit is established by the market price of the Common Unit on the date of grant, net of estimated future distributions during the vesting period.  Restricted units are subject to forfeiture in certain circumstances as defined in the Restricted Unit Plans documents. Compensation expense for the unvested awards is recognized ratably over the vesting periods and is net of estimated forfeitures.

During the three months ended December 29, 2018, the Partnership awarded 604,090 restricted units under the Restricted Unit Plans at an aggregate grant date fair value of $10,961.  The following is a summary of activity for the Restricted Unit Plans for the three months ended December 29, 2018:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted   Average

 

 

 

Restricted

 

 

Grant Date Fair

 

 

 

Units

 

 

Value Per Unit

 

Outstanding September 29, 2018

 

 

696,131

 

 

$

19.47

 

Awarded

 

 

604,090

 

 

 

18.14

 

Forfeited

 

 

(2,533

)

 

 

(18.63

)

Vested

 

 

(317,445

)

 

 

(21.10

)

Outstanding December 29, 2018

 

 

980,243

 

 

$

18.13

 

 

As of December 29, 2018, unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted units awarded under the Restricted Unit Plans amounted to $10,969.  Compensation cost associated with unvested awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted-

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average period of 1.1 years.  Compensation expense for the Restricted Uni t Plans, net of forfeitures, for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 was $3,021 and $2,649, respectively.

Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan.   On January 17, 2017, the Partnership adopted the Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan (the “DER Plan”), which gives the Compensation Committee of the Partnership’s Board of Supervisors discretion to award distribution equivalent rights (“DERs”) to executive officers of the Partnership.  Once awarded, DERs entitle the grantee to a cash payment each time the Board of Supervisors declares a cash distribution on the Partnership’s Common Units, which cash payment will be equal to an amount calculated by multiplying the number of unvested restricted units which are held by the grantee on the record date of the distribution, by the amount of the declared distribution per Common Unit.  Compensation expense recognized under the DER Plan for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 was $256 and $207, respectively.

Long-Term Incentive Plan.   On August 6, 2013, the Partnership adopted the 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”).  The LTIP is a non-qualified, unfunded, long-term incentive plan for officers and key employees that provides for payment, in the form of cash, of an award of equity-based compensation at the end of a three-year performance period.  The level of compensation earned under the LTIP is based on the Partnership’s average distribution coverage ratio over the three-year measurement period.  The Partnership’s average distribution coverage ratio is calculated as the Partnership’s average distributable cash flow, as defined by the LTIP, for each of the three years in the measurement period, subject to certain adjustments as set forth in the LTIP, divided by the amount of annualized cash distributions to be paid by the Partnership.

As a result of the quarterly remeasurement of the liability for awards under the LTIP, compensation expense for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 was $1,838 and $1,632, respectively.  As of December 29, 2018 and September 29, 2018, the Partnership had a liability included within accrued employment and benefit costs (or other liabilities, as applicable) of $6,655 and $4,817, respectively, related to estimated future payments under the LTIP.

 

11.

Commitments and Contingencies

Self-Insurance.   The Partnership is self-insured for general and product, workers’ compensation and automobile liabilities up to predetermined thresholds above which third party insurance applies.  As of December 29, 2018 and September 29, 2018, the Partnership had accrued insurance liabilities of $70,510 and $70,567, respectively, representing the total estimated losses under these self-insurance programs.  For the portion of the estimated liability that exceeds insurance deductibles, the Partnership records an asset within other assets (or prepaid expenses and other current assets, as applicable) related to the amount of the liability expected to be covered by insurance which amounted to $20,837 as of December 29, 2018 and September 29, 2018.

Legal Matters.   The Partnership’s operations are subject to operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing and delivering combustible liquids such as propane. The Partnership has been, and will continue to be, a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation as a result of these operating hazards and risks, and as a result of other aspects of its business.  In this regard, the Partnership’s natural gas and electricity business is currently a defendant in two putative class action suits in the federal district courts of New York and Pennsylvania.  The complaints allege a number of claims regarding pricing to its electricity customers in those states under various consumer statutes and common law.  The complaint in the Pennsylvania action was dismissed in its entirety by the district court, which dismissal is being appealed by plaintiff.  Plaintiff also filed a motion to amend its complaint and reverse the dismissal order, which motion was also denied by the court. The complaint in the New York action was dismissed in part by the district court, but causes of action based on the NY consumer statute and breach of contract were allowed to proceed.  The Partnership has filed a motion for reconsideration seeking the dismissal of the entire New York complaint.  Based on the nature of the allegations under these suits, the Partnership believes that the suits are without merit and is defending each of these suits vigorously.  With respect to these pending suits, the Partnership has determined, based on the allegations and discovery to date, that no reserve for a loss contingency is required.  The Partnership is unable to reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss, if any, arising from either of these two actions.  Although any litigation is inherently uncertain, based on past experience, the information currently available to the Partnership, and the amount of its accrued insurance liabilities, the Partnership does not believe that currently pending or threatened litigation matters, or known claims or known contingent claims, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.

 

12.

Guarantees

The Partnership has residual value guarantees associated with certain of its operating leases, related primarily to transportation equipment, with remaining lease periods scheduled to expire periodically through fiscal 2028.  Upon completion of the lease period, the Partnership guarantees that the fair value of the equipment will equal or exceed the guaranteed amount, or the Partnership will pay the lessor the difference.  Although the fair value of equipment at the end of its lease term has historically exceeded the guaranteed amounts, the maximum potential amount of aggregate future payments the Partnership could be required to make under these leasing arrangements, assuming the equipment is deemed worthless at the end of the lease term, was $18,981 as of December 29, 2018.  The

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fair value of residual value guarantees for outstanding operating leases was de mini mis as of December 29, 2018 and September 29, 2018 .

 

13.

Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit costs:

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Interest cost

 

$

986

 

 

$

944

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(431

)

 

 

(474

)

Amortization of net loss

 

 

866

 

 

 

921

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

1,421

 

 

$

1,391

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Interest cost

 

$

69

 

 

$

69

 

Amortization of prior service credits

 

 

(124

)

 

 

(124

)

Amortization of net (gain)

 

 

(190

)

 

 

(164

)

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

(245

)

 

$

(219

)

 

The Partnership expects to contribute approximately $4,800  to the defined benefit pension plan during fiscal 2019, of which $925 was contributed during the three months ended December 29, 2018.  The projected annual contribution requirements related to the Partnership’s postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plan for fiscal 2019 is $1,129, of which $240 was contributed during the three months ended December 29, 2018.  The components of net periodic benefit cost are included in the line item Other, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Partnership contributes to multi-employer pension plans (“MEPPs”) in accordance with various collective bargaining agreements covering union employees.  As one of the many participating employers in these MEPPs, the Partnership is responsible with the other participating employers for any plan underfunding.  As of December 29, 2018 and September 29, 2018, the Partnership’s estimated obligation to these MEPPs was $22,245 and $22,509, respectively, as a result of its voluntary full withdrawal from certain MEPPs.

 

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14.

Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table summarizes amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 :

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

$

(33,180

)

 

$

(37,311

)

Reclassifications to earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Amortization of net loss (1)

 

 

866

 

 

 

921

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

866

 

 

 

921

 

Balance, end of period

 

$

(32,314

)

 

$

(36,390

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

$

8,510

 

 

$

8,499

 

Reclassifications to earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Amortization of net gain and prior service credits (1)

 

 

(314

)

 

 

(164

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

(314

)

 

 

(164

)

Balance, end of period

 

$

8,196

 

 

$

8,335

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

$

(24,670

)

 

$

(28,812

)

     Reclassifications to earnings

 

 

552

 

 

 

757

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

552

 

 

 

757

 

Balance, end of period

 

$

(24,118

)

 

$

(28,055

)

 

  ( 1 )

These amounts are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost.  See Note 13, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits.”

 

15.

Income Taxes

For federal income tax purposes, as well as for state income tax purposes in the majority of the states in which the Partnership operates, the earnings attributable to the Partnership and the Operating Partnership are not subject to income tax at the partnership level.  With the exception of those states that impose an entity-level income tax on partnerships, the taxable income or loss attributable to the Partnership and to the Operating Partnership, which may vary substantially from the income (loss) before income taxes reported by the Partnership in the condensed consolidated statement of operations, are includable in the federal and state income tax returns of the Common Unitholders.  The aggregate difference in the basis of the Partnership’s net assets for financial and tax reporting purposes cannot be readily determined as the Partnership does not have access to each Common Unitholder’s basis in the Partnership.

As described in Note 1, the earnings of the Corporate Entities are subject to corporate level federal and state income tax.  However, based upon past performance, the Corporate Entities are currently reporting an income tax provision composed primarily of minimum state income taxes.  A full valuation allowance has been provided against the deferred tax assets (with the exception of the AMT credit carryforward; see below) based upon an analysis of all available evidence, both negative and positive at the balance sheet date, which, taken as a whole, indicates that it is more likely than not that sufficient future taxable income will not be available to utilize the assets.  Management’s periodic reviews include, among other things, the nature and amount of the taxable income and expense items, the expected timing of when assets will be used or liabilities will be required to be reported and the reliability of historical profitability of businesses expected to provide future earnings.  Furthermore, management considered tax-planning strategies it could use to increase the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be realized.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“2017 Act”) was signed into law, which enacted significant changes to U.S. tax and related laws.  Some of the provisions of the 2017 Act that could affect the Partnership, the Operating Partnership and their subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, a reduction of the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, limitations on the deductibility of net business interest expense, restrictions on the use of net operating loss carryforwards arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and full expensing for certain qualified property.

In the case of a corporation, the 2017 Act made Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credit carryforwards fully refundable without regard to future taxable income. Accordingly, the Partnership concluded that the existing valuation allowance on the AMT credit

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carryforwards of the Corporate Entities should be released as part of accounting for tax reform.  The reversal of the valuation allowa nce resulted in a $1,086 discrete deferred tax benefit being recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2018.  The Partnership remeasured all other federal net deferred tax assets of the Corporate Entities using the new 21% federal income tax rate and cor respondingly adjusted the full valuation allowance.  The blended corporate tax federal rate requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 15 do not apply because the Corporate Entities are calendar-year tax filers.

 

16.

Segment Information

The Partnership manages and evaluates its operations in four operating segments, three of which are reportable segments: Propane, Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels, and Natural Gas and Electricity. The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance of the operating segments using a number of performance measures, including gross margins and income before interest expense and provision for income taxes (operating profit). Costs excluded from these profit measures are captured in Corporate and include corporate overhead expenses not allocated to the operating segments.  Unallocated corporate overhead expenses include all costs of back office support functions that are reported as general and administrative expenses within the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  In addition, certain costs associated with field operations support that are reported in operating expenses within the condensed consolidated statements of operations, including purchasing, training and safety, are not allocated to the individual operating segments.  Thus, operating profit for each operating segment includes only the costs that are directly attributable to the operations of the individual segment.  The accounting policies of the operating segments are otherwise the same as those described in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2018.

The propane segment is primarily engaged in the retail distribution of propane to residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers and, to a lesser extent, wholesale distribution to large industrial end users.  In the residential and commercial markets, propane is used primarily for space heating, water heating, cooking and clothes drying.  Industrial customers use propane generally as a motor fuel burned in internal combustion engines that power over-the-road vehicles, forklifts and stationary engines, to fire furnaces and as a cutting gas.  In the agricultural markets, propane is primarily used for tobacco curing, crop drying, poultry brooding and weed control.

The fuel oil and refined fuels segment is primarily engaged in the retail distribution of fuel oil, diesel, kerosene and gasoline to residential and commercial customers for use primarily as a source of heat in homes and buildings.

The natural gas and electricity segment is engaged in the marketing of natural gas and electricity to residential and commercial customers in the deregulated energy markets of New York and Pennsylvania.  Under this operating segment, the Partnership owns the relationship with the end consumer and has agreements with the local distribution companies to deliver the natural gas or electricity from the Partnership’s suppliers to the customer.

Activities in the “all other” category include the Partnership’s service business, which is primarily engaged in the sale, installation and servicing of a wide variety of home comfort equipment, particularly in the areas of heating and ventilation.

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The following table presents cert ain data by reportable segment and provides a reconciliation of total operating segment information to the corresponding consolidated amounts for the periods presented:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane

 

$

321,360

 

 

$

322,130

 

Fuel oil and refined fuels

 

 

28,909

 

 

 

25,315

 

Natural gas and electricity

 

 

13,404

 

 

 

13,147

 

All other

 

 

13,431

 

 

 

12,685

 

Total revenues

 

$

377,104

 

 

$

373,277

 

Operating income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane

 

$

70,471

 

 

$

75,723

 

Fuel oil and refined fuels

 

 

3,470

 

 

 

3,824

 

Natural gas and electricity

 

 

2,828

 

 

 

3,485

 

All other

 

 

(4,644

)

 

 

(5,233

)

Corporate

 

 

(23,591

)

 

 

(20,879

)

Total operating income

 

 

48,534

 

 

 

56,920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Reconciliation to net income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

19,488

 

 

 

19,514

 

Other, net

 

 

1,176

 

 

 

1,172

 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

 

151

 

 

 

(934

)

Net income

 

$

27,719

 

 

$

37,168

 

Depreciation and amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane

 

$

26,955

 

 

$

27,781

 

Fuel oil and refined fuels

 

 

522

 

 

 

579

 

Natural gas and electricity

 

 

 

 

 

 

All other

 

 

52

 

 

 

50

 

Corporate

 

 

2,542

 

 

 

2,721

 

Total depreciation and amortization

 

$

30,071

 

 

$

31,131

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

September  29 ,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane

 

$

2,029,238

 

 

$

1,995,060

 

Fuel oil and refined fuels

 

 

53,401

 

 

 

47,911

 

Natural gas and electricity

 

 

15,844

 

 

 

13,067

 

All other

 

 

3,930

 

 

 

3,363

 

Corporate

 

 

49,488

 

 

 

41,798

 

Total assets

 

$

2,151,901

 

 

$

2,101,199

 

 

17. Subsequent Event

On February 6, 2019, the Operating Partnership acquired the propane assets and operations of a propane retailer operating in strategic markets on the west coast for $12,000, including $800 for non-compete consideration, plus working capital acquired. The acquisition was consummated pursuant to the Partnership’s strategic growth initiatives.

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ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following is a discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership as of and for the three months ended December 29, 2018.  The discussion should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the historical consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2018.

Executive Overview

The following are factors that regularly affect our operating results and financial condition.  In addition, our business is subject to the risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2018.

Product Costs and Supply

The level of profitability in the retail propane, fuel oil, natural gas and electricity businesses is largely dependent on the difference between retail sales price and our costs to acquire and transport products.  The unit cost of our products, particularly propane, fuel oil and natural gas, is subject to volatility as a result of supply and demand dynamics or other market conditions, including, but not limited to, economic and political factors impacting crude oil and natural gas supply or pricing.  We enter into product supply contracts that are generally one-year agreements subject to annual renewal, and also purchase product on the open market.  We attempt to reduce price risk by pricing product on a short-term basis.  Our propane supply contracts typically provide for pricing based upon index formulas using the posted prices established at major supply points such as Mont Belvieu, Texas, or Conway, Kansas (plus transportation costs) at the time of delivery.

To supplement our annual purchase requirements, we may utilize forward fixed price purchase contracts to acquire a portion of the propane that we resell to our customers, which allows us to manage our exposure to unfavorable changes in commodity prices and to assure adequate physical supply.  The percentage of contract purchases, and the amount of supply contracted for under forward contracts at fixed prices, will vary from year to year based on market conditions.

Changes in our costs to acquire and transport products can occur rapidly over a short period of time and can impact profitability.  There is no assurance that we will be able to pass on product acquisition and transportation cost increases fully or immediately, particularly when such costs increase rapidly.  Therefore, average retail sales prices can vary significantly from year to year as our costs fluctuate with the propane, fuel oil, crude oil and natural gas commodity markets and infrastructure conditions.  In addition, periods of sustained higher commodity and/or transportation prices can lead to customer conservation, resulting in reduced demand for our product.

Seasonality

The retail propane and fuel oil distribution businesses, as well as the natural gas marketing business, are seasonal because these fuels are primarily used for heating in residential and commercial buildings.  Historically, approximately two‑thirds of our retail propane volume is sold during the six-month peak heating season from October through March.  The fuel oil business tends to experience greater seasonality given its more limited use for space heating and approximately three-fourths of our fuel oil volumes are sold between October and March. Consequently, sales and operating profits are concentrated in our first and second fiscal quarters.  Cash flows from operations, therefore, are greatest during the second and third fiscal quarters when customers pay for product purchased during the winter heating season.  We expect lower operating profits and either net losses or lower net income during the period from April through September (our third and fourth fiscal quarters).  To the extent necessary, we will reserve cash from the second and third quarters for distribution to holders of our Common Units in the fourth quarter and the following fiscal year first quarter.

Weather

Weather conditions have a significant impact on the demand for our products, in particular propane, fuel oil and natural gas, for both heating and agricultural purposes.  Many of our customers rely heavily on propane, fuel oil or natural gas as a heating source.  Accordingly, the volume sold is directly affected by the severity of the winter weather in our service areas, which can vary substantially from year to year.  In any given area, sustained warmer than normal temperatures will tend to result in reduced propane, fuel oil and natural gas consumption, while sustained colder than normal temperatures will tend to result in greater consumption.

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Hedging and Risk Management Activities

We engage in hedging and risk management activities to reduce the effect of price volatility on our product costs and to ensure the availability of product during periods of short supply.  We enter into propane forward, options and swap agreements with third parties, and use futures and options contracts traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) to purchase and sell propane, fuel oil and crude oil at fixed prices in the future.  The majority of the futures, forward and options agreements are used to hedge price risk associated with propane and fuel oil physical inventory, as well as, in certain instances, forecasted purchases of propane or fuel oil.  In addition, we sell propane and fuel oil to customers at fixed prices, and enter into derivative instruments to hedge a portion of our exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices as a result of selling the fixed price contracts.  Forward contracts are generally settled physically at the expiration of the contract whereas futures, options and swap contracts are generally settled at the expiration of the contract through a net settlement mechanism.  Although we use derivative instruments to reduce the effect of price volatility associated with priced physical inventory and forecasted transactions, we do not use derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.  Risk management activities are monitored by an internal Commodity Risk Management Committee, made up of six members of management and reporting to the Audit Committee, through enforcement of our Hedging and Risk Management Policy.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” included within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2018.

Certain amounts included in or affecting our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated, requiring management to make certain assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time the financial statements are prepared.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  We are also subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from estimated results.  Estimates are used when accounting for depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets, employee benefit plans, self-insurance and litigation reserves, environmental reserves, allowances for doubtful accounts, asset valuation assessments and valuation of derivative instruments.  We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Any effects on our business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known to us.  Management has reviewed these critical accounting estimates and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of our Board of Supervisors.

Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was $27.7 million, or $0.45 per Common Unit, compared to net income of $37.2 million, or $0.61 per Common Unit, in the prior year first quarter.  

Net income and EBITDA for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 included a $4.8 million loss from the sale of certain assets and operations in a non-strategic market of the propane segment.  Excluding the effect of the foregoing item and unrealized (non-cash) mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments in both years, Adjusted EBITDA (as defined and reconciled below) of $93.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was essentially flat to the prior year first quarter.

Retail propane gallons sold in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 of 124.1 million gallons decreased 0.7% compared to the prior year first quarter.  According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, average temperatures (as measured by heating degree days) across all of the Partnership’s service territories for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 were 3% warmer than normal and 5% cooler than the prior year first quarter.  While average temperatures for the quarter were reported as cooler than the prior year, the majority of the cooler temperatures occurred during October and November, which generally has less of an impact on customer demand than heating degree days in December.  Cooler weather in the early part of the quarter was followed by significantly warmer temperatures during December 2018, which had a slight negative impact on volumes when compared to the prior year.

Revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 of $377.1 million increased $3.8 million, or 1.0%, compared to the prior year first quarter, primarily due to higher average retail selling prices. Cost of products sold for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 of $182.6 million increased $17.4 million, or 10.5%, compared to the prior year first quarter, primarily due to the impact of mark-to-market adjustments on our derivative instruments which contributed to a $15.9 million unrealized (non-cash) loss in the fiscal 2019 first quarter, compared to a $1.5 million unrealized (non-cash) loss in the prior year first quarter. These unrealized mark-to-market adjustments are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA for both periods in the table below. Average posted propane prices (basis Mont Belvieu, Texas) for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 were 17.2% lower than the prior year first quarter.  

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Combined operating and general and administrative expenses of $115.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 increased a modest $0.7 million, or 0.6%, compared to the prior year first quarter, primarily due to higher vehicle maintenance and fuel costs.  

As previously announced on January 24, 2019, the Partnership’s Board of Supervisors had declared a quarterly distribution of $0.60 per Common Unit for the three months ended December 29, 2018. On an annualized basis, this distribution rate equates to $2.40 per Common Unit. The distribution is payable on February 12, 2019 to Common Unitholders of record as of February 5, 2019.

Our anticipated cash requirements for the remainder of fiscal 2019 include: (i) maintenance and growth capital expenditures of approximately $27.3 million; (ii) interest and income tax payments of approximately $57.8 million; and (iii) cash distributions of approximately $111.1 million to our Common Unitholders based on the current quarterly distribution rate of $0.60 per Common Unit.  Based on our liquidity position, which includes cash on hand, availability of funds under our Revolving Credit Facility and expected cash flow from operating activities, we expect to have sufficient funds to meet our current and future obligations.

Three Months Ended December 29, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended December 30, 2017

Revenues

 

(Dollars and gallons in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane

 

$

321,360

 

 

$

322,130

 

 

$

(770

)

 

 

(0.2

)%

Fuel oil and refined fuels

 

 

28,909

 

 

 

25,315

 

 

 

3,594

 

 

 

14.2

%

Natural gas and electricity

 

 

13,404

 

 

 

13,147

 

 

 

257

 

 

 

2.0

%

All other

 

 

13,431

 

 

 

12,685

 

 

 

746

 

 

 

5.9

%

Total revenues

 

$

377,104

 

 

$

373,277

 

 

$

3,827

 

 

 

1.0

%

Retail gallons sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane

 

 

124,053

 

 

 

124,986

 

 

 

(933

)

 

 

(0.7

)%

Fuel oil and refined fuels

 

 

9,136

 

 

 

9,122

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

0.2

%

Total revenues of $377.1 million increased $3.8 million, or 1.0%, compared to the prior year first quarter primarily due to higher average selling prices, partially offset by lower propane volumes sold.  As discussed above, average temperatures (as measured in heating degrees days) across all of our service territories during the first quarter of fiscal 2019 were 3% warmer than normal and 5% cooler than the prior year first quarter.  The increase in heating degree days compared to the prior year was concentrated in October and November, when heating degree days generally have less of an impact on customer demand than heating degree days in December.  The cooler weather in the early part of the quarter was followed by unseasonably warm weather in December as average temperatures for the month were 8% warmer than normal and 4% warmer than December 2017.

Revenues from the distribution of propane and related activities of $321.4 million decreased $0.8 million, or 0.2%, compared to the prior year primarily due to lower volumes sold, partially offset by higher average retail selling prices.  As a result of the aforementioned impact of inconsistent weather on customer demand, retail propane gallons sold decreased 0.9 million gallons, or 0.7%, compared to the prior year, resulting in a $2.4 million decrease in revenues. Average propane selling prices increased 2.4% compared to the prior year, resulting in a $7.4 million increase in revenues.  Included within the propane segment are revenues from other propane activities, which decreased $5.8 million primarily due to a lower notional amount of hedging contracts used in risk management that were settled physically.

Revenues from the distribution of fuel oil and refined fuels of $28.9 million increased $3.6 million, or 14.2%, compared to the prior year first quarter, primarily due to higher average selling prices associated with higher average wholesale costs.  Fuel oil and refined fuels gallons sold were essentially flat compared to the prior year first quarter.  

Revenues in our natural gas and electricity segment of $13.4 million were $0.3 million, or 2.0%, higher than the prior year, mainly due to an increase in average selling prices for natural gas and electricity associated with higher average wholesale costs.

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Cost of Products Sold

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

Cost of products sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propane

 

$

150,021

 

 

$

136,728

 

 

$

13,293

 

 

 

9.7

%

Fuel oil and refined fuels

 

 

20,388

 

 

 

17,182

 

 

 

3,206

 

 

 

18.7

%

Natural gas and electricity

 

 

8,449

 

 

 

7,648

 

 

 

801

 

 

 

10.5

%

All other

 

 

3,727

 

 

 

3,631

 

 

 

96

 

 

 

2.6

%

Total cost of products sold

 

$

182,585

 

 

$

165,189

 

 

$

17,396

 

 

 

10.5

%

As a percent of total revenues

 

 

48.4

%

 

 

44.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cost of products sold reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations represents the weighted average unit cost of propane, fuel oil and refined fuels, and natural gas and electricity sold, including transportation costs to deliver product from our supply points to storage or to our customer service centers.  Cost of products sold also includes the cost of appliances and related parts sold or installed by our customer service centers computed on a basis that approximates the average cost of the products.  

Given the retail nature of our operations, we maintain a certain level of priced physical inventory to help ensure that our field operations have adequate supply commensurate with the time of year.  Our strategy has been, and will continue to be, to keep our physical inventory priced relatively close to market for our field operations.  Consistent with past practices, we principally utilize futures and/or options contracts traded on the NYMEX to mitigate the price risk associated with our priced physical inventory.  In addition, we sell propane and fuel oil to customers at fixed prices, and enter into derivative instruments to hedge a portion of our exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices as a result of selling the fixed price contracts.  At expiration, the derivative contracts are settled by the delivery of the product to the respective party or are settled by the payment of a net amount equal to the difference between the then market price and the fixed contract price or option exercise price.  Under this risk management strategy, realized gains or losses on futures or options contracts, which are reported in cost of products sold, will typically offset losses or gains on the physical inventory once the product is sold (which may or may not occur in the same accounting period).  We do not use futures or options contracts, or other derivative instruments, for speculative trading purposes.  Unrealized (non-cash) gains or losses from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges are recorded within cost of products sold.  Cost of products sold excludes depreciation and amortization; these amounts are reported separately within the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

In the commodities markets, average posted propane prices (basis Mont Belvieu, Texas) and fuel oil prices were 17.2% lower and 9.1% higher than the prior year first quarter, respectively.   The net change in the fair value of derivative instruments resulted in a $15.9 million unrealized (non-cash) loss in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to an unrealized (non-cash) loss of $1.5 million in the prior year first quarter, resulting in an increase of $14.4 million in cost of products sold year-over-year, all of which was reported within the propane segment.  These unrealized mark-to-market adjustments are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA for both periods.

Cost of products sold associated with the distribution of propane and related activities of $150.0 million increased $13.3 million, or 9.7%, compared to the prior year first quarter, primarily due to a $14.4 million increase in unrealized (non-cash) losses from mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments mentioned above, higher average wholesale costs, partially offset by lower volumes sold.  Average wholesale costs increased primarily due to the higher weighted average cost of inventory at the beginning of the quarter, which contributed to an increase in cost of products sold of $4.9 million compared to the prior year.  The decrease in volumes sold contributed to a $1.0 million decrease in cost of products sold.  Included within the propane segment are costs from other propane activities, which decreased $5.0 million primarily due to a lower notional amount of hedging contracts used in risk management that were settled physically.

Cost of products sold associated with our fuel oil and refined fuels segment of $20.4 million increased $3.2 million, or 18.7%, compared to the prior year first quarter, primarily due to higher average fuel oil and refined fuels wholesale costs.

Cost of products sold in our natural gas and electricity segment of $8.4 million increased $0.8 million, or 10.5%, compared to the prior year primarily due to higher average wholesale costs.

Total cost of products sold as a percent of total revenues increased 4.1 percentage points to 48.4% from 44.3% primarily due to an increase in propane costs resulting from higher unrealized losses from the impact of mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments.

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Operating Expenses

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

Increase

 

 

Increase

 

Operating expenses

 

$

99,409

 

 

$

98,439

 

 

$

970

 

 

 

1.0

%

As a percent of total revenues

 

 

26.4

%

 

 

26.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All costs of operating our retail distribution and appliance sales and service operations are reported within operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  These operating expenses include the compensation and benefits of field and direct operating support personnel, costs of operating and maintaining our vehicle fleet, overhead and other costs of our purchasing, training and safety departments and other direct and indirect costs of operating our customer service centers.

Operating expenses of $99.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 increased $1.0 million, or 1.0%, compared to $98.4 million in the prior year first quarter.  The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to higher payroll and benefit-related costs and higher vehicle fuel costs, which was substantially offset by lower general insurance costs and continued savings from operating efficiencies.

General and Administrative Expenses

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

Decrease

 

 

Decrease

 

General and administrative expenses

 

$

16,505

 

 

$

16,775

 

 

$

(270

)

 

 

(1.6

)%

As a percent of total revenues

 

 

4.4

%

 

 

4.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All costs of our back office support functions, including compensation and benefits for executives and other support functions, as well as other costs and expenses to maintain finance and accounting, treasury, legal, human resources, corporate development and the information systems functions are reported within general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

General and administrative expenses of $16.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 decreased $0.3 million, or 1.6%, compared to the prior year first quarter primarily due to lower professional services fees.  

Depreciation and Amortization

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

Decrease

 

 

Decrease

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

$

30,071

 

 

$

31,131

 

 

$

(1,060

)

 

 

(3.4

)%

As a percent of total revenues

 

 

8.0

%

 

 

8.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense of $30.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 decreased $1.1 million, or 3.4%, primarily as a result of accelerated depreciation recorded in the prior year for assets taken out of service.

Interest Expense, net

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

Percent

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

Decrease

 

 

Decrease

 

Interest expense, net

 

$

19,488

 

 

$

19,514

 

 

$

(26

)

 

 

(0.1

)%

As a percent of total revenues

 

 

5.2

%

 

 

5.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net interest expense of $19.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 was down slightly compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to a lower average level of outstanding borrowings, which was substantially offset by an increase in benchmark interest rates on outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.  See Liquidity and Capital Resources below for additional discussion.

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Loss on Sale of Business

On December 8, 2017, we sold certain assets and operations in a non-strategic market of our propane segment for $2.8 million plus working capital consideration, resulting in a loss of $4.8 million.  The corresponding net assets and results of operations were not material to our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA represents net income before deducting interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.  Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA excluding the unrealized net gain or loss on mark-to-market activity for derivative instruments and other items, as applicable, as provided in the table below. Our management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental measures of operating performance and we are including them because we believe that they provide our investors and industry analysts with additional information that we determined is useful to evaluate our operating results.  EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under US GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or net cash provided by operating activities determined in accordance with US GAAP.  Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as determined by us excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income, they may not be comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA or similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The following table sets forth our calculations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

December 29,

 

 

December 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net income

 

$

27,719

 

 

$

37,168

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

 

 

151

 

 

 

(934

)

Interest expense, net

 

 

19,488

 

 

 

19,514

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

30,071

 

 

 

31,131

 

EBITDA

 

 

77,429

 

 

 

86,879

 

Unrealized (non-cash) losses on changes in fair value of derivatives

 

 

15,911

 

 

 

1,531

 

Loss on sale of business

 

 

 

 

 

4,823

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

93,340

 

 

$

93,233

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Analysis of Cash Flows

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 was $7.3 million and $2.7 million, respectively. The $4.6 million year-over-year increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to a smaller increase in working capital in the fiscal 2019 first quarter compared to the prior year first quarter, stemming from the decline in average posted propane prices, offset to an extent by lower earnings (discussed above).  Given the seasonal nature of the propane and fuel oil businesses, working capital requirements typically peak towards the end of the heating season, after which accounts receivable becomes a significant source of cash from operating activities.

Investing Activities.   Net cash used in investing activities of $5.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 consisted of capital expenditures of $7.7 million (including approximately $4.7 million to support the growth of operations and $3.0 million for maintenance expenditures), partially offset by $1.9 million in proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment.

Net cash used in investing activities of $8.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 consisted of capital expenditures of $8.5 million (including approximately $4.5 million to support the growth of operations and $4.0 million for maintenance expenditures) and $4.1 million used in the acquisition of a business; partially offset by $2.8 million in proceeds from the sale of assets and operations in a non-strategic market and $1.4 million in proceeds from the sale of other property, plant and equipment.

Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 reflected $36.8 million paid for the quarterly distributions to Common Unitholders at a rate of $0.60 per Common Unit paid in respect of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 and other financing activities of $2.4 million, offset by $39.2 million of net borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, which were used to fund a portion of our seasonal working capital.

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Net cash provided by financing activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 of $ 8 .8 million reflect ed total net borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility of $47.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2018, which were used to fund a portion of our working capital requirements , offset to an extent by $36.7 million paid for the quarterly distributions to Common Unitholders at a rate of $0.60 per Common Unit paid in respect of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 and other financing activities of $ 1 .8 million .  

Summary of Long-Term Debt Obligations and Revolving Credit Lines

As of December 29, 2018, our long-term debt consisted of $525.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.5% senior notes due June 1, 2024, $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior notes due March 1, 2025, $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due March 1, 2027 and $182.8 million outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility.  See Item 1, Note 8 of this Quarterly Report.

The aggregate amounts of long-term debt maturities subsequent to December 29, 2018 are as follows: fiscal 2019: $-0-; fiscal 2020: $-0-; fiscal 2021: $182.8 million; fiscal 2022: $-0-; fiscal 2023: $-0-; and thereafter: $1,125.0 million.

Partnership Distributions

We are required to make distributions in an amount equal to all of our Available Cash, as defined in our Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, as amended (the “Partnership Agreement”), no more than 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter to holders of record on the applicable record dates.  Available Cash, as defined in the Partnership Agreement, generally means all cash on hand at the end of the respective fiscal quarter less the amount of cash reserves established by the Board of Supervisors in its reasonable discretion for future cash requirements.  These reserves are retained for the proper conduct of our business, the payment of debt principal and interest and for distributions during the next four quarters.  The Board of Supervisors reviews the level of Available Cash on a quarterly basis based upon information provided by management.

On January 24, 2019, we announced a quarterly distribution of $0.60 per Common Unit, or $2.40 on an annualized basis, in respect of the first quarter of fiscal 2019, payable on February 12, 2019 to holders of record on February 5, 2019.

Other Commitments

We have a noncontributory, cash balance format, defined benefit pension plan which was frozen to new participants effective January 1, 2000.  Effective January 1, 2003, the defined benefit pension plan was amended such that future service credits ceased and eligible employees would receive interest credits only toward their ultimate retirement benefit.  We also provide postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for certain retired employees under a plan that was frozen to new participants effective March 31, 1998.  At December 29, 2018, we had a liability for the defined benefit pension plan and accrued retiree health and life benefits of $33.3 million and $10.3 million, respectively.

We are self-insured for general and product, workers’ compensation and automobile liabilities up to predetermined thresholds above which third party insurance applies.  At December 29, 2018, we had accrued insurance liabilities of $70.5 million, and a receivable of $20.8 million related to the amount of the liability expected to be covered by insurance.

Legal Matters

See Item 1, Note 11, Legal Matters subsection of this Quarterly Report.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Guarantees

See Item 1, Note 12 of this Quarterly Report.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See Item 1, Note 2, Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements subsection of this Quarterly Report.

 

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Table of Contents

 

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITAT IVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Commodity Price Risk

We enter into product supply contracts that are generally one-year agreements subject to annual renewal, and also purchase product on the open market.  Our propane supply contracts typically provide for pricing based upon index formulas using the posted prices established at major supply points such as Mont Belvieu, Texas, or Conway, Kansas (plus transportation costs) at the time of delivery. In addition, to supplement our annual purchase requirements, we may utilize forward fixed price purchase contracts to acquire a portion of the propane that we resell to our customers, which allows us to manage our exposure to unfavorable changes in commodity prices and to ensure adequate physical supply.  The percentage of contract purchases, and the amount of supply contracted for under forward contracts at fixed prices, will vary from year to year based on market conditions.  In certain instances, and when market conditions are favorable, we are able to purchase product under our supply arrangements at a discount to the market.

Product cost changes can occur rapidly over a short period of time and can impact profitability. We attempt to reduce commodity price risk by pricing product on a short-term basis.  The level of priced, physical product maintained in storage facilities and at our customer service centers for immediate sale to our customers will vary depending on several factors, including, but not limited to, price, supply and demand dynamics for a given time of the year.  Typically, our on hand priced position does not exceed more than four to eight weeks of our supply needs, depending on the time of the year.  In the course of normal operations, we routinely enter into contracts such as forward priced physical contracts for the purchase or sale of propane and fuel oil that, under accounting rules for derivative instruments and hedging activities, qualify for and are designated as normal purchase or normal sale contracts.  Such contracts are exempted from fair value accounting and are accounted for at the time product is purchased or sold under the related contract.

Under our hedging and risk management strategies, we enter into a combination of exchange-traded futures and options contracts and, in certain instances, over-the-counter options and swap contracts (collectively, “derivative instruments”) to manage the price risk associated with physical product and with future purchases of the commodities used in our operations, principally propane and fuel oil, as well as to help ensure the availability of product during periods of high demand.  In addition, we sell propane and fuel oil to customers at fixed prices, and enter into derivative instruments to hedge a portion of our exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices as a result of selling the fixed price contracts.  We do not use derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.  Futures and swap contracts require that we sell or acquire propane or fuel oil at a fixed price for delivery at fixed future dates.  An option contract allows, but does not require, its holder to buy or sell propane or fuel oil at a specified price during a specified time period.  However, the writer of an option contract must fulfill the obligation of the option contract, should the holder choose to exercise the option.  At expiration, the contracts are settled by the delivery of the product to the respective party or are settled by the payment of a net amount equal to the difference between the then market price and the fixed contract price or option exercise price.  To the extent that we utilize derivative instruments to manage exposure to commodity price risk and commodity prices move adversely in relation to the contracts, we could suffer losses on those derivative instruments when settled.  Conversely, if prices move favorably, we could realize gains.  Under our hedging and risk management strategy, realized gains or losses on derivative instruments will typically offset losses or gains on the physical inventory once the product is sold to customers at market prices, or delivered to customers as it pertains to fixed price contracts.

Futures are traded with brokers of the NYMEX and require daily cash settlements in margin accounts.  Forward contracts are generally settled at the expiration of the contract term by physical delivery, and swap and options contracts are generally settled at expiration through a net settlement mechanism.  Market risks associated with our derivative instruments are monitored daily for compliance with our Hedging and Risk Management Policy which includes volume limits for open positions. Open inventory positions are reviewed and managed daily as to exposures to changing market prices.

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Credit Risk

Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are guaranteed by the NYMEX and, as a result, have minimal credit risk.  We are subject to credit risk with over-the-counter forward, swap and options contracts to the extent the counterparties do not perform. We evaluate the financial condition of each counterparty with which we conduct business and establish credit limits to reduce exposure to the risk of non-performance by our counterparties.

Interest Rate Risk

A portion of our borrowings bear interest at prevailing interest rates based upon, at the Operating Partnership’s option, LIBOR, plus an applicable margin or the base rate, defined as the higher of the Federal Funds Rate plus ½ of 1% or the agent bank’s prime rate, or LIBOR plus 1%, plus the applicable margin.  The applicable margin is dependent on the level of our total consolidated leverage (the total ratio of debt to consolidated EBITDA).  Therefore, we are subject to interest rate risk on the variable component of the interest rate.  From time to time, we enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage a part of our variable interest rate risk.  The interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.  At December 29, 2018, we were not party to an interest rate swap agreement.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

All of our derivative instruments are reported on the balance sheet at their fair values.  On the date that derivative instruments are entered into, we make a determination as to whether the derivative instrument qualifies for designation as a hedge.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recorded each period in current period earnings or OCI, depending on whether a derivative instrument is designated as a hedge and, if so, the type of hedge.  For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, we formally assess, both at the hedge contract’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedge contract is highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are reported in OCI to the extent effective and reclassified into earnings during the same period in which the hedged item affects earnings.  The mark-to-market gains or losses on ineffective portions of cash flow hedges are immediately recognized in earnings.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges, and that do not meet the normal purchase and normal sale exemption, are recorded in earnings as they occur.  Cash flows associated with derivative instruments are reported as operating activities within the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Sensitivity Analysis

In an effort to estimate our exposure to unfavorable market price changes in commodities related to our open positions under derivative instruments, we developed a model that incorporates the following data and assumptions:

 

A.

The fair value of open positions as of December 29, 2018.

 

B.

The market prices for the underlying commodities used to determine A. above were adjusted adversely by a hypothetical 10% change and compared to the fair value amounts in A. above to project the potential negative impact on earnings that would be recognized for the respective scenario.

Based on the sensitivity analysis described above, the hypothetical 10% adverse change in market prices for open derivative instruments as of December 29, 2018 indicates an increase in potential future net losses of $1.9 million.  See also Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2018.  The above hypothetical change does not reflect the worst case scenario. Actual results may be significantly different depending on market conditions and the composition of the open position portfolio.

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Partnership maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Partnership’s filings and submissions under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Partnership’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The Partnership completed an evaluation under the supervision and with participation of the Partnership’s management, including the Partnership’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation

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of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and proce dures as of December 29, 2018.  Based on this evaluation, the Partnership’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that as of December 29, 2018, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide the reaso nable assurance described above.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 29, 2018 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect its internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHE R INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2018.

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(c)

The following table provides information about deemed purchases by the Partnership during the three months ended December 29, 2018 of its Common Units:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Shares

 

Approximate Dollar Value

 

 

Total Number

 

 

Average

 

 

Purchased as Part of

 

of Shares that May

 

 

of Shares

 

 

Price Paid

 

 

Publicly Announced

 

Yet be Purchased

Period

 

Purchased (1)

 

 

per Share

 

 

Program

 

under the Program

September 30, 2018 through October 27, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

October 28, 2018 through November 24, 2018

 

 

59,227

 

 

$

22.75

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

November 25, 2018 through December 29, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

Total

 

 

59,227

 

 

$

22.75

 

 

N/A

 

N/A

(1)

This represents the number of Common Units withheld from participants for income tax withholding purposes for those executive officers of the Partnership whose shares of restricted units vested during the period.  Such restricted units were issued to participants pursuant to the Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. 2009 Restricted Unit Plan that was adopted by the Partnership on July 22, 2009.

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6.

E XHIBITS

(a)

Exhibits

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

The exhibits listed on this Exhibit Index are filed as part of this Quarterly Report.  Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K, which are not listed below, are not applicable.

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

 

 

 

  10.1

 

Suburban Propane, L.P. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, effective October 1, 2013, as amended on November 14, 2016 and on January 22, 2019 (Filed herewith).

 

 

 

  10.2

 

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan, effective January 17, 2017, as amended January 22, 2019 (Filed herewith).

 

 

 

  10.3

 

Fourth Amendment to the Pension Plan for Eligible Employees of Suburban Propane, L.P. and Subsidiaries (effective January 1, 2019). (Filed herewith).

 

 

 

  31.1

 

Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith).

 

 

 

  31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Filed herewith).

 

 

 

  32.1

 

Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Furnished herewith).

 

 

 

  32.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (Furnished herewith).

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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SIGNA TURES

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

 

 

SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P.

 

 

 

 

February 7, 2019

By:

 

/s/ MICHAEL A. KUGLIN

Date

 

 

Michael A. Kuglin

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

 

 

February 7, 2019

By:

 

/s/ DANIEL S. BLOOMSTEIN

Date

 

 

Daniel S. Bloomstein

 

 

 

Vice President and Controller

 

32

 

EXHIBIT 10.1

SUBURBAN PROPANE, L.P.

2014 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2013

(AS AMENDED ON NOVEMBER 14, 2016 AND ON JANUARY 22, 2019)

ARTICLE I

PURPOSE AND APPROVAL

The purpose of this Plan is to strengthen Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., Suburban Propane, L.P., and their affiliates, by providing an incentive to certain Participants (as hereinafter defined), and thereby encouraging them to devote their abilities and experience to the success of the Partnership’s business enterprise in such a manner as to enhance the distributable cash flow of the Partnership in order to support the current level of the annualized cash distribution to its Unitholders and to provide Participants with an incentive to increase distributable cash flow in order to support future distribution growth. It is intended that this purpose be achieved by extending to certain Participants added long-term incentive compensation for continued service to the Partnership and achieving certain Performance Measures (as hereinafter defined) which enhance the distribution coverage ratio of the Partnership. This Plan is hereby adopted effective October 1, 2013.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Plan, capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

2.1 “Baseline Cash Flow” shall be calculated for each Measurement Period by multiplying the per-Common Unit annualized distribution rate at the beginning of the Measurement Period, as declared by the Board, by the total number of Common Units outstanding at the beginning of the Measurement Period. For purposes of calculating the annualized distribution rate at the beginning of the Measurement Period, the quarterly distribution rate declared and to be paid in respect of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the commencement of the three-year Measurement Period will be multiplied by four (4).

2.2 “Base Salary” shall mean the salary paid by the Partnership to a Participant for services rendered, excluding bonuses, fringe benefits, unused sick/personal days or vacation days, any profit realized upon the acquisition or sale of any Common Units acquired under any equity award, payments under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan, income imputed on below market loans, severance pay, any amounts paid or accrued as a contribution to a profit-sharing plan, pension plan, welfare plan or group insurance plan, or non-elective contributions to a deferred compensation plan or any other employee benefit plan maintained by the Partnership, except that Base Salary shall include reduction contributions to a plan established by the Partnership under Code Section 401(k), 125 or 132(f).

2.3 “Beneficial Ownership” shall have the same meaning as that term is used within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

2.4 “Beneficiary” shall mean a Participant’s Beneficiary pursuant to Article VIII.

2.5 “Board” shall mean the Board of Supervisors of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.

2.6 “Cash Distribution Adjustment” shall mean the sum of the annual differences between the per-Common Unit annualized distribution rate at the beginning of the Measurement Period and the actual per-Common Unit distributions paid during each of the three fiscal years in the Measurement Period, multiplied by the total number of Common Units outstanding at the beginning of the Measurement Period.

2.7 “Cause” shall mean (a) a Participant’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties, (b) a Participant’s willful or grossly negligent failure to perform his duties, (c) the breach by a Participant of any written covenants to the Partnership, (d) dishonest, fraudulent or unlawful behavior by a Participant (whether or not in conjunction with employment) or a Participant being subject to a judgment, order or decree (by consent or otherwise) by any governmental or regulatory authority which restricts his ability to engage in the business

 


 

conducted by the Partnership, or any of its affiliates, or (e) willful or reckless breach by a Participant of any policy adopted by the Partnership concerning conflicts of interest, standards of business conduct or fair employment practices or procedures with respect to compliance with applicable laws.

 

2.8 “Change in Capitalization” means any increase or reduction in the number of Common Units, or any change in the Common Units, change in the percentage ownership interest of the Partnership attributable to the Common Units or exchange of Common Units for a different number or kind of units or other securities of the Partnership by reason of a reclassification, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, spin-off, split-up, issuance of warrants or rights or other convertible securities, unit distribution, unit split or reverse unit split, cash dividends, property dividend, combination or exchange of units, repurchase of units, change in corporate structure or otherwise.

2.9 “Change of Control” shall mean:

(a) the date (which must be a date subsequent to the Effective Date) on which any Person (including the Partnership’s general partner) or More than One Person Acting as a Group (other than the Partnership and/or its Subsidiaries) acquires, during the 12 month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition, Common Units or other voting equity interests eligible to vote for the election of Supervisors (or of any entity, including the Partnership’s general partner, that has the same authority as the Board to manage the affairs of the Partnership) (“Voting Securities”) representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the Partnership’s then outstanding Voting Securities; provided, however, that in determining whether a Change of Control has occurred, Voting Securities which have been acquired in a “Non-Control Acquisition” shall be excluded from the numerator. A “Non-Control Acquisition” shall mean an acquisition of Voting Securities (x) by the Partnership, any of its Subsidiaries and/or an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof) maintained by any one or more of them, or (y) in connection with a “Non-Control Transaction”; or

(b) the date of approval by the limited partners of the Partnership, of (w) a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Partnership, unless (A) the holders of the Voting Securities of the Partnership immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization own, directly or indirectly, immediately following such merger, consolidation or reorganization, at least fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding Voting Securities of the entity resulting from such merger, consolidation or reorganization (the “Surviving Entity”) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities of the Partnership immediately before such merger, consolidation or reorganization, and (B) no person or entity (other than the Partnership, any Subsidiary, any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) maintained by the Partnership, any Subsidiary, the Surviving Entity, or any Person who, immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, had Beneficial Ownership of more than twenty five percent (25%) of then outstanding Voting Securities of the Partnership), has Beneficial Ownership of more than twenty five percent (25%) of the combined voting power of the Surviving Entity’s then outstanding Voting Securities; (x) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Partnership; or (y) the sale or other disposition of forty percent (40%) of the total gross fair market value of all the assets of the Partnership to any Person or More than One Person Acting as a Group (other than a transfer to a Subsidiary). For this purpose, gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Partnership, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liability associated with such assets. A transaction described in clause (A) or (B) of subsection (w) hereof shall be referred to as a “Non-Control Transaction;” or

(c) the date a majority of the members of the Board is replaced during any twelve-month period by the action of the Board taken when a majority of the Supervisors who are then members of the Board are not Continuing Supervisors (for purposes of this section, the term “Continuing Supervisor” means a Supervisor who was either (A) first elected or appointed as a Supervisor prior to the Effective Date; or (B) subsequently elected or appointed as a Supervisor if such Supervisor was nominated or appointed by at least a majority of the then Continuing Supervisors).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the outstanding Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Partnership which, by reducing the number of Voting Securities outstanding, increased the proportional number of Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, provided that if a Change of Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result

 


 

of the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Partnership, and after such acquisition of Voting Securities by the Partnership, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional Voting Securities which increases the percentage of the then outstanding Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change of Control shall occur.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any payment pursuant to any Vested Phantom Unit granted under the Plan that constitutes “non-qualified deferred compensation” pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) that is triggered upon a Change of Control, a transaction shall not be deemed to be a Change of Control unless such transaction constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

2.10 “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

2.11 “Common Unit” means each of the common units representing publicly traded limited partnership interests of the Partnership.

2.12 “Disability” shall have the same meaning that such term (or similar term) has under the long-term disability plan in which the Participant is eligible to be covered.

2.13 “Distributable Cash Flow” for any Fiscal Year shall be calculated as the Adjusted EBITDA for the respective Fiscal Year, as used in the measurement of the amount earned by the Participants under the Partnership’s annual incentive compensation plan for that Fiscal Year, less maintenance capital expenditures, cash interest expense and the provision for income taxes, each as reported by the Partnership in its annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the respective Fiscal Year. “Average Distributable Cash Flow” shall be the sum of the average of the Distributable Cash Flow for each of the three-years in the Measurement Period, plus the Cash Distribution Adjustment.

2.14 “Distribution Coverage Ratio” shall be calculated by dividing the Average Distributable Cash Flow during the Measurement Period by the Baseline Cash Flow.

2.15 “Effective Date” shall mean October 1, 2013.

2.16 “Fair Market Value of Partnership’s Common Units” as of a specific date shall be equal to the twenty-day average of the closing prices preceding that date.

2.17 “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year adopted by the Partnership.

2.18 “General Partner” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.

2.19 “Good Reason” means (a) any failure by the Partnership to comply in any material respect with the compensation provisions of a written employment agreement between a Participant and the Partnership, (b) a material adverse change in a Participant’s title without his consent, or (c) the assignment to a Participant, without his consent, of duties and responsibilities materially inconsistent with his position’s level of responsibility.

2.20 “Measurement Period” has the same meaning as set forth in Article 5.2.

2.21 “More than one Person Acting as a Group” has the same meaning as set forth in Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B).

2.22 “Participant” means an employee of Suburban Propane, L.P. or of a Subsidiary designated by the Committee to participate in the Plan.

2.23 “Partnership” means collectively Suburban Propane, L.P. and Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., Delaware limited partnerships, and their successors.

2.24 “Partnership Agreement” means the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., as amended, or any succeeding agreements of limited partnership of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.

2.25 “Performance Measures” has the same meaning as set forth in Article 5.3.

 


 

2.26 “Person” shall have the same meaning as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

2.27 “Phantom Unit Distributions” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Article 5.4.

2.28 “Plan” means this Suburban Propane, L.P. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan.

2.29 “Retirement” shall mean voluntary termination of employment by a Participant who has attained age 55 and who has completed 10 years of “eligible service” to the Partnership or its predecessors, in connection with a bona fide intent by the Participant to no longer seek full time employment in the industries in which the Partnership then participates. Retirement shall not include voluntary termination of employment by a Participant in response to, or anticipation of, a termination of employment for Cause by the Partnership or one of its affiliates. The term “eligible service” shall have the same meaning as the term is used in the Pension Plan for eligible Employees of Suburban Propane L.P. and Subsidiaries.

2.30 “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation, partnership, or other Person of which a majority of its voting power or its voting equity securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Partnership.

2.31 “Supervisor” means a member of the Board.

2.32 “Target Grant” shall have the same meaning as set forth in Article 5.1.

2.33 “Unitholders” means the Persons holding Common Units.

2.34 “Unvested Phantom Units” means a hypothetical number of units arrived at by dividing the Target Grant established upon commencement of the Measurement Period by the Fair Market Value of Partnership Common Units on the first day of the Measurement Period. If the market is closed on the first day of the Measurement Period then the Fair Market Value on the next business day shall be used.

2.35 “Vested Phantom Units” means the quantity of a Participant’s Unvested Phantom Units which are earned upon culmination of the Measurement Period.

ARTICLE III

PARTICIPATION

Only those Participants designated from time to time by the Committee shall participate in the Plan and receive Target Grants hereunder.

ARTICLE IV

ADMINISTRATION

4.1 Administration by the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall hold meetings at such times as may be necessary for the proper administration of the Plan. The Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings. A quorum shall consist of not less than two members of the Committee and a majority of a quorum may authorize any action. Any decision or determination reduced to writing and signed by a majority of all of the members of the Committee shall be as fully effective as if made by a majority vote at a meeting duly called and held. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action, failure to act, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any transaction hereunder, except for liability arising from his own willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties. The Partnership hereby agrees to indemnify each member of the Committee for all costs and expenses and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any liability incurred in connection with defending against, responding to, negotiating for the settlement of or otherwise dealing with any claim, cause of action or dispute of any kind arising in connection with any actions in administering this Plan or in authorizing or denying authorization for any transaction hereunder.

4.2 Powers of the Committee. Subject to the express terms and conditions set forth herein, the Committee shall have the power, from time to time to:

(a) select those Participants for whom Target Grants shall be established;

 


 

(b) construe and interpret the Plan, the Target Grants, the Unvested and Vested Phantom Units and corresponding Phantom Unit Distributions, and establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, including, but not limited to, correcting any defect or supplying any omission, or reconciling any inconsistency in the Plan, in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or advisable so that the Plan complies with applicable law and otherwise to make the Plan fully effective.

(c) exercise its discretion with respect to the powers and rights granted to it as set forth in the Plan; and

 

(d) generally, exercise such powers and perform such acts as it deems necessary or advisable to promote the best interests of the Partnership with respect to the Plan.

4.3 Decisions of the Committee are Final and Binding. The Committee’s decisions, actions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding upon the Partnership, all Participants, Beneficiaries, equity holders of the Partnership and any other Person.

4.4 Change in Capitalization. In the event of any Change in Capitalization, any special distribution to the Common Unitholders or any other event which, in the opinion of the Committee, has a significant impact on the Average Distributable Cash Flow for any Measurement Period not anticipated by the Committee at the commencement of such Measurement Period, the Committee may, but shall not be obligated to, make such adjustments in the Performance Measures, the Phantom Unit Distributions or other aspects of the Plan, as the Committee determines are necessary and appropriate.

ARTICLE V

GRANTS

5.1 Target Grant. The Committee shall establish a Target Grant for each Participant at the beginning of each Fiscal Year equal to a designated percentage of such Participant’s Base Salary at the start of the Fiscal Year. Each Participant’s designated percentage shall be recorded in resolutions of the Committee. In the event a Participant’s Base Salary for the respective Fiscal Year is adjusted within 120 days after the start of the Fiscal Year, the Target Grant will be computed using such adjusted Base Salary.

5.2 Measurement Period. This is a three-year period commencing on the first day of the Fiscal Year during which the Target Grant was established and ending on the last day of the third Fiscal Year.

5.3 Performance Measures. The percentage of the Unvested Phantom Units that shall be earned and immediately converted to Vested Phantom Units at the end of the Measurement Period shall be determined by the Committee based upon the level of the Distribution Coverage Ratio at the end of the Measurement Period in relation to the chart below. If, at the end of the Measurement Period, the Committee determines that any portion of the Unvested Phantom Units has not been earned, the unearned portion of said Unvested Phantom Units shall be forfeited.

The following chart illustrates the percentage of the Unvested Phantom Units that shall be converted to Vested Phantom Units based upon the Partnership’s Distribution Coverage Ratio computed at the end of the Measurement Period for grants made prior to September 24, 2016.

 

 

 

Distribution Coverage Ratio

 

% of Unvested Phantom Units That Will Vest

Less than 1.00

 

00.0%

1.00 (Threshold Performance)

 

50.0%

1.01

 

52.5%

1.02

 

55.0%

1.03

 

57.5%

1.04

 

60.0%

1.05

 

62.5%

1.06

 

65.0%

1.07

 

67.5%

1.08

 

70.0%

1.09

 

72.5%

1.10

 

75.0%

1.11

 

77.5%

 


 

1.12

 

80.0%

1.13

 

82.5%

1.14

 

85.0%

1.15

 

87.5%

1.16

 

90.0%

1.17

 

92.5%

1.18

 

95.0%

1.19

 

97.5%

1.20 (Target Performance)

 

100.0%

1.21

 

101.7%

1.22

 

103.3%

1.23

 

105.0%

1.24

 

106.7%

1.25

 

108.4%

1.26

 

110.0%

1.27

 

111.7%

1.28

 

113.4%

1.29

 

115.0%

1.30

 

116.7%

1.31

 

118.4%

1.32

 

120.0%

1.33

 

121.7%

1.34

 

123.4%

1.35

 

125.1%

1.36

 

126.7%

1.37

 

128.4%

1.38

 

130.1%

1.39

 

131.7%

1.40

 

133.4%

1.41

 

135.1%

1.42

 

136.7%

1.43

 

138.4%

1.44

 

140.1%

1.45

 

141.8%

1.46

 

143.4%

1.47

 

145.1%

1.48

 

146.8%

1.49

 

148.4%

1.50 and Higher (Maximum Performance)

 

150.0%

The following chart illustrates the percentage of the Unvested Phantom Units that shall be converted to Vested Phantom Units based upon the Partnership’s Distribution Coverage Ratio computed at the end of the Measurement Period for grants made subsequent to September 24, 2016.

Distribution Coverage Ratio

 

% of Unvested Phantom Units That Will Vest

Less than 1.00

  

00.00%

1.00 (Threshold Performance)

 

50.00%

1.01

 

55.00%

1.02

 

60.00%

1.03

 

65.00%

1.04

 

70.00%

1.05

 

75.00%

1.06

 

80.00%

1.07

 

85.00 %

1.08

 

90.00%

1.09

 

  95.00%

1.10 (Target Performance)

 

100.00%

 


 

1.11

 

103.33%

1.12

 

106.67%

1.13

 

110.00%

1.14

 

113.33%

1.15

 

116.67%

1.16

 

120.00%

1.17

 

123.33%

1.18

 

126.67%

1.19

 

130.00%

1.20 (Target Performance)

 

133.33%

1.21

 

136.67%

1.22

 

140.00%

1.23

 

143.33%

1.24

 

146.67%

1.25 and Higher (Maximum Performance)

 

150.00%

 

5.4 Plan Distributions. Upon vesting, each Participant will receive a cash payment equal to the quantity of his Vested Phantom Units multiplied by the Fair Market Value of the Partnership’s Common Units on the last date of the Measurement Period plus the Participant’s Phantom Unit Distributions. For this purpose, “Phantom Unit Distributions” means the Participant’s Vested Phantom Units multiplied by the cumulative per-Common Unit distribution declared and paid by the Partnership for each quarter over the course of the Measurement Period. In no event shall any payments be made hereunder in Common Units.

ARTICLE VI

VESTING

6.1 Vesting Schedule. Subject to Articles 6.2 and 6.3, vesting is in accordance with Article 5.3. Notwithstanding anything in this Article VI to the contrary, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of Unvested Phantom Units and all accrued Phantom Unit Distributions at any time for any reason, but may not accelerate payment of any Phantom Units except as expressly authorized hereunder.

6.2 Change of Control. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, upon a Change of Control, the cash value of 150% of all Unvested Phantom Units and a sum equal to 150% of the Unvested Phantom Units multiplied by an amount equal to the cumulative, per-Common Unit distribution from the beginning of the Measurement Period through the date on which a Change of Control occurred shall become fully vested and non-forfeitable and shall be paid to a Participant within thirty (30) days after the Change of Control.

6.3 Forfeiture. Subject to Articles 6.2, 6.4 and 6.5, Unvested Phantom Units shall lapse and be forfeited upon the occurrence of either of the following events: (a) termination of the Participant’s employment or participation in the Plan for any reason, except under the circumstances provided in Articles 6.4 and 6.5; (b) any attempted or completed transfer, sale, pledge, hypothecation, or assignment by the Participant of the Unvested Phantom Units.

 

6.4 Disability or Death. Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 6.3, if a Participant’s employment terminates as a result of Disability or death, all Unvested Phantom Units and the Phantom Unit Distributions associated with said Unvested Phantom Units for such Participant shall vest in accordance with Articles 6.1 and 6.2, as applicable, and shall be paid in accordance with Article VII and VIII.

6.5 Termination without Cause or for Good Reason. In the event a Participant’s employment by the Partnership is terminated by the Partnership without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason, all Unvested Phantom Units and all Phantom Unit Distributions associated with said Unvested Phantom Units shall vest upon the next succeeding scheduled vesting date pursuant to Articles 6.1 or 6.2, as applicable, and shall be paid in accordance with Article VII and VIII.

6.6 Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, Target Grants shall be deemed ‘‘Incentive Compensation’’ covered by the terms of the Partnership’s Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy (the

 


 

‘‘Policy’’) adopted by the Board on April 25, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference. In accordance with the Policy, in the event of a significant restatement of the Partnership’s published financial results, where the percentage of the Unvested Phantom Units derived from Target Grants subject to this Section 6.6 that are converted to Vested Phantom Units pursuant to Section 5.3 herein would have been lower had the vesting percentage been calculated based on the restated financial results, the Committee may review the circumstances surrounding the restatement and shall have the sole and absolute discretion and authority to determine whether to seek reimbursement of the amount, or some lesser portion thereof (without interest), by which certain Participants’ distributions under Section 5.5 of the Plan exceeded the lower payment that would have been made based on the restated financial results, regardless of the fault, misconduct or responsibility of any such Participants in the restatement. If the Committee determines that any fraud or intentional misconduct by a Participant was a contributing factor to the Partnership having to make a significant restatement, then, in addition to other disciplinary action, the Committee may require reimbursement of all, or any part, of the compensation paid to that executive in excess of that executive’s Base Salary, plus interest, including distributions made under the Plan, for the period of such restatement. This Section 6.6 shall be interpreted and administered in accordance with the Policy as in effect from time to time. In the case of any inconsistency between the Policy and this Section 6.6, the Policy shall control.

ARTICLE VII

PAYMENTS

The Plan Distributions associated with Vested Phantom Units earned by a Participant under the Plan shall be paid to the Participant as soon as reasonably possible following the culmination of the Measurement Period, but in no event later than the end of the calendar year in which the Measurement Period concluded, other than as provided in Section 6.2.

ARTICLE VIII

BENEFICIARIES

A Participant may at any time and from time to time prior to death designate one or more Beneficiaries to receive any payments to be made following the Participant’s death. If no such designation is on file with the Partnership at the time of a Participant’s death, the Participant’s Beneficiary shall be the beneficiary or beneficiaries named in the Beneficiary designation most recently filed by the Participant with the Partnership. If the Participant has not effectively designated a Beneficiary, or if no Beneficiary so designated has survived the Participant, the Participant’s Beneficiary shall be the Participant’s surviving spouse, or, if no spouse has survived the Participant, the estate of the deceased Participant. If an individual Beneficiary cannot be located for a period of one year following the Participant’s death, despite mail notification to the Beneficiary’s last known address, and if the Beneficiary has not made a written claim for benefits within such period to the Committee, the Beneficiary shall be deemed to have predeceased the Participant. The Committee may require such proof of death and such evidence of the right of any person to receive all or part of the benefit of a deceased Participant as the Committee may consider to be appropriate. The Committee may rely upon any direction by the legal representatives of the estate of a deceased Participant, without liability to any other person. If a Participant has designated his spouse as Beneficiary, upon entry of a judgment of divorce (or other evidence of formal dissolution of the marriage) the designation of the spouse as Beneficiary will be deemed to have been revoked unless the Participant reaffirms such designation thereafter.

ARTICLE IX

TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

The Plan shall terminate by its terms on the day preceding the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date of this Plan as originally adopted and no Target Grant may be established thereafter. The previous sentence notwithstanding, the Board may, at any time and from time to time, amend, terminate, modify or suspend the Plan; provided, however, that no such amendment, modification, suspension or termination shall impair or adversely affect any Target Grants established for a Participant under the Plan, except with the consent of the Participant. Any amounts payable under the Plan in connection with a termination of the Plan shall either be made at the time otherwise provided herein or, in the Committee’s sole discretion, upon an earlier date to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code.

 

ARTICLE X

 


 

NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF THE PLAN

The adoption of the Plan by the Board shall not be construed as amending, modifying or rescinding any previously approved incentive arrangement or as creating any limitations on the power of the Board to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of options to acquire Common Units, and such arrangements may be either applicable generally or only in specific cases.

ARTICLE XI

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

As illustrative of the limitation of liability of the Partnership, but not intended to be exhaustive thereof, nothing in the Plan shall be construed to:

(a) give any person any right to the establishment of a Target Grant other than at the sole discretion of the Committee;

(b) give any person any rights whatsoever with respect to a Target Grant or Unvested Phantom Units except as specifically provided in the Plan.

(c) limit in any way the right of the Partnership to terminate the employment of any person at any time; or

(d) be evidence of any agreement or understanding, express or implied, that the Partnership will employ any person at any particular rate of compensation or for any particular period of time.

ARTICLE XII

REGULATIONS AND OTHER APPROVALS; GOVERNING LAW

12.1 Except as to matters of federal law, this Plan and the rights of all persons claiming hereunder shall be construed and determined in accordance with laws of the State of New Jersey without giving effect to conflicts of law principles.

12.2 Except as provided in Article IX hereof, the Board may make such changes to the Plan as may be necessary or appropriate to comply with the rules and regulations of any government authority.

ARTICLE XIII

WITHHOLDING OF TAXES

At such time(s) as a Participant recognizes income for purposes of income, employment, or other tax liability, the Partnership shall withhold an amount equal to the federal, state and local taxes and other amounts as may be required by law to be withheld by the Partnership.

ARTICLE XIV

NO REQUIRED SEGREGATION OF ASSETS

Neither the Partnership nor any Subsidiary shall be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be represented by Phantom Units or Phantom Unit Distributions made pursuant to the Plan.

ARTICLE XV

RIGHT OF DISCHARGE RESERVED

Neither the Plan nor the establishment of any Target Grant shall guarantee any Participant continued employment with the Partnership, or a Subsidiary, or guarantee the establishment of future Target Grants.

ARTICLE XVI

NATURE OF PAYMENTS

All Phantom Units awarded and Phantom Unit Distributions made pursuant to the Plan are in consideration of services for the Partnership or its Subsidiaries. The Phantom Units and Phantom Unit Distributions constitute a special incentive payment to the Participant and shall not be taken into account as compensation for purposes of any of the employee benefit plans of the Partnership or any Subsidiary except as may be determined by the Committee.

 


 

 

ARTICLE XVII

CONSTRUCTION OF PLAN

The captions used in this Plan are for convenience only and shall not be construed in interpreting the Plan. Whenever the context so requires, the masculine shall include the feminine and neuter, and the singular shall also include the plural, and vice versa.

ARTICLE XVIII

SEVERABILITY

If any provision of the Plan shall be held unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, the unlawfulness, invalidity or unenforceability of said provision shall not affect any other provision of the Plan or part thereof, each of which shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE XIX

DEFERRAL

Payments under the Plan may not be deferred by the Participants.

ARTICLE XX

RETIREMENT OF PARTICIPANT

Upon Retirement, a Participant shall not be eligible for any additional grants under the Plan; however, all Unvested Phantom Units and all Phantom Unit Distributions associated with said Unvested Phantom Units shall vest upon their normal scheduled vesting dates pursuant to Articles 6.1 or 6.2, as applicable, and shall be paid in accordance with Article VII and VIII.

ARTICLE XXI

CODE SECTION 409A

Although the Partnership makes no guarantee with respect to the tax treatment of payments hereunder, the Plan is intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code and to the maximum extent permitted the Plan shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Whenever a payment hereunder specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days, the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Partnership.

 

 

EXHIBIT 10.2

SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P.

DISTRIBUTION EQUIVALENT RIGHTS PLAN

ADOPTED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON  JANUARY 17, 2017 AND ON JANUARY 22, 2019

 

ARTICLE 1.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan (as it may be amended or restated from time to time, the “ Plan ”) is to promote the success and enhance the value of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), by linking the individual interests of eligible Executive Officers to those of the Partnership’s unitholders. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Partnership in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of eligible Executive Officers whose skills and experience are required to achieve the Partnership’s short-term and long-term strategic goals.

ARTICLE 2.

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates.

2.1 Award ” shall mean a DER granted under the Plan.  

2.2 Award Agreement ” shall mean any written agreement between the Partnership and a Grantee evidencing the grant of an Award and setting forth the terms and conditions thereof.

2.3 Board ” shall mean the Board of Supervisors of the Partnership.

2.4 Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder.

2.5 Committee ” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board , or any successor committee of the Board responsible for administering executive compensation. The powers of the Committee under the Plan may be exercised by the Board, consistent with the applicable provisions of the Code, the Exchange Act and the Committee’s charter, if any.

2.6 Common Units ” shall mean the common units representing limited partnership interests of the Partnership.

2.7 Distribution Equivalent Right ” or “ DER ” shall mean a right granted to a Grantee to receive the equivalent value, in cash, of cash distributions paid on Common Units, as more completely described in Article 4 below.

 

 

 


 

2.8 Effective Date ” shall mean the date on which the Committee adopts the Plan.  

2.9 Executive Officer ” shall mean any officer of the Partnership who is appointed to his or her position by the Board on an annual basis.

2.10 Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

2.11 Grantee ” shall mean an Executive Officer to whom an Award has been granted under the Plan.

2.12 Person ” shall mean a natural person or any entity and shall include two or more Persons acting as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or other group.

2.13 Restricted Units ” shall mean unvested restricted Common Units that have been awarded under any of the restricted unit plans of the Partnership, whether before or after the Effective Date.  For the avoidance of doubt, once a Restricted Unit vests and becomes a Common Unit, it is no longer a Restricted Unit for purposes of the Plan.

2.14 Section 409A ” shall mean Section 409A of the Code and the Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder.

2.15 Subsidiary ” shall mean any corporation, partnership, or other Person of which a majority of its voting equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Partnership.

ARTICLE 3.

PARTICIPATION

3.1 Participation . The Committee may, from time to time, select from among all Executive Officers, those to whom Awards shall be granted. No Executive Officer or other Person shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.

ARTICLE 4.

TERMS OF DISTRIBUTION EQUIVALENT RIGHTS

4.1 DERs . Each DER awarded hereunder, until terminated or forfeited as provided in Section 4.3 below, shall provide the applicable Grantee with the right to receive a payment, in cash in accordance with Section 4.2 below, whenever the Board declares a cash distribution on the outstanding Common Units, of an amount calculated by multiplying (A) the number of Restricted Units held by the Grantee at the close of business on the record date of the distribution by (B) the amount of the declared distribution per Common Unit.

4.2 Form and Timing of Payment .  Payments under any DER shall be made only in cash, and not in Common Units or any other form of non-cash consideration.  Payments will be made in connection with the first normal bi-weekly payroll cycle following the payment date for the applicable cash distribution on the Common Units.

 

 

 


 

4.3 Termination; Forfeiture .  In addition to any cancellation provisions that may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, DERs awarded hereunder shall , automatically and without further action , terminate and cease to be of any force or effect, immediately upon the first to occur of the date (a) that Grantee remains employed by the Partnership or its Subsidiary but ceases to be an Executive Officer, (b) of termination of Grantee’s employment by the Partnership or its Subsidiary, other than (i) by reason of Disability, Death or Retirement (as such terms are defined in the Partnership’s 2018 Restricted Unit Plan) or (ii) in the circumstances set forth in Section 5.2 of the Partnership’s 2018 Restricted Unit Plan providing for the non-forfeiture of Restricted Units as a result of certain terminations of employment within six months prior to a change of control, or ( c ) of vesting, termination or forfeiture of all Restricted Units then held by the Grantee.

4.4 Award Agreements .  Each DER shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for such DER as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion (consistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan).

4.5 Non-Transferability .  Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, DERs shall not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise encumbered by any Grantee, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

4.6 Tax Withholding .   The Partnership or any Subsidiary shall have the authority to, and shall, deduct or withhold any amount necessary to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Grantee arising as a result of the Plan, any Award or any payment made with respect to a DER.

ARTICLE 5.

ADMINISTRATION

5.1 Duties and Powers of Committee . It shall be the duty of the Committee to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan and Award Agreements, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are not inconsistent with the Plan, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend the Plan or any Award Agreement; provided that the rights or obligations of the Grantee of the Award that is the subject of any such Award Agreement are not materially and adversely affected by such amendment without the consent of the Grantee, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides.

5.2 Authority of Committee . Subject to the terms of the Plan and all applicable laws, the Committee has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to:

(a) Designate Executive Officers to receive Awards under the Plan;

(b) Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan;

(c) Determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be canceled or forfeited;

(d) Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement;

 

 

 


 

(e) Establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

(f) Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan or any Award Agreement; and

(g) Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan.

5.3 Decisions Binding . The Committee’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan or any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Committee with respect to the Plan are final, binding and conclusive on all Persons.

5.4 Delegation of Authority . The Committee may from time to time delegate to one or more of its members the authority to take administrative actions pursuant to this Article 5. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Committee specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Committee may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 5.4 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Committee, and t he Committee may abolish any such subcommittee at any time and re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority .

ARTICLE 6.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

6.1 At-Will Service . Nothing in the Plan or in any Award Agreement shall confer upon any Grantee any right to continue in the employ of the Partnership or any Subsidiary, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Partnership and any Subsidiary, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Grantee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, and with or without notice, or to terminate or change all other terms and conditions of employment or engagement, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Grantee and the Partnership or any Subsidiary. For the avoidance of doubt, no Grantee shall have the right to claim entitlement to any payment under the Plan or any DER awarded hereunder with respect to any cash distribution on Common Units with a record date that falls after the date of that Grantee’s termination of employment, except when such termination of employment is expressly covered by subclause (i) or (ii) of Section 4.3(b) above.

6.2 Recoupment Policy . Awards granted under the Plan shall be deemed “Incentive Compensation” covered by the terms of the Partnership’s Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy (the “ Policy ”) adopted by the Board on April 25, 2007, as thereafter amended, which is incorporated herein by reference. In accordance with the Policy, in the event of a significant restatement of the Partnership’s published financial results and the Committee determines that fraud or intentional misconduct by a Grantee was a contributing factor to such restatement, then, in addition to other disciplinary action, the Committee may require forfeiture of all or any part of the DER awarded under the Plan to that Grantee. This Section 6.2 shall be interpreted and administered in accordance with the Policy as in effect from time to time. In the case of any inconsistency between the Policy and this Section 6.2, the Policy shall control.  

6.3 Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan .

 

 

 


 

(a) The Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Committee; provided that, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Grantee, materially and adversely affect any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides.   

(b) No Awards may be granted or awarded during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan. Any Awards that are outstanding on the termination of the Plan shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

6.4 No Unitholder Rights . Grantees shall have none of the rights of a unitholder with respect to any Award granted hereunder.

6.5 Effect of Plan upon Other Compensation Plans . The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Partnership or any Subsidiary. The Plan shall be treated as a separate and distinct compensatory plan of the Partnership and shall not constitute or be deemed to be a part or subplan of, or supplement to, any other plan or compensatory arrangement of the Partnership or any Subsidiary.

6.6 Compliance with Laws . The Plan, the granting of Awards under the Plan and the payment of money under DERs awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all applicable laws, and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Partnership, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate to effect compliance with applicable law.

6.7 Titles and Headings, References to the Code or Exchange Act . The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control. References to the Code or the Exchange Act, or to specific sections thereof, shall include any amendment or successor thereto, and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

6.8 Governing Law . The Plan and any Award Agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws thereof or of any other jurisdiction.

6.9 Section 409A . To the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A, the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A. In that regard, to the extent any Award under the Plan or any other compensatory plan or arrangement of the Partnership or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to Section 409A, and such Award or other amount is payable on account of a Grantee’s t ermination of employment (or any similarly defined term), then, (a) such Award or amount shall only be paid to the extent such termination of employment qualifies as a “separation from service” as defined in Section 409A, and (b) if such Award or amount is payable to a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A then to the extent required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A, such Award or other compensatory payment shall not be payable prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of the Grantee’s termination, or (ii) the date of the Grantee’s death.   To the extent applicable, the Plan and any Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date the Committee determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A, the Committee may (but

 

 

 


 

is not obligated to), without a Grantee’s consent, adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate to (A) exempt the Award from Section 409A and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award , or (B) comply with the requirements of Section 409A and thereby avoid the application of any penalty taxes under Section 409A. The Partnership makes no representations or warranties as to the tax treatment of any Award under Section 409A or otherwise.  The Partnership shall have no obligation under this Section 6 .9 or otherwise to take any action (whether or not described herein) to avoid the imposition of taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A with respect to any Award and shall have no liability to any Grantee or any other Person if any compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute non-compliant, “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to the imposition of taxes, penalties and/or interest under Section 409A.

6.10 Unfunded Status of Awards . The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Grantee pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall give the Grantee any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Partnership or any Subsidiary.

6.11 Expenses . The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Partnership and its Subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 10.3

 

FOURTH AMENDMENT

TO

PENSION PLAN FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES OF

SUBURBAN PROPANE L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(as Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2013)

 

In accordance with the authorization of Article XI of the Pension Plan for Eligible Employees of Suburban Propane L.P. and Subsidiaries, said Plan is amended, as set forth herein, effective as of January 1, 2019:

FIRST : Section 6.01 of the Plan is amended to read as follows:

6.01 Automatic Form of Payment

(a) If the Member is not married on his Annuity Starting Date, his Retirement Benefit shall be payable as an immediate Single Life Annuity, as defined in Section 6.02(a)(i), unless the Member has elected an optional benefit as provided in Section 6.02.  The amount payable as a single life annuity shall be determined as follows:

(i)For a Member who terminated prior to 1998, the single life annuity shall equal the Member’s Pension, adjusted for timing of payment in accordance with Section 4.02, 4.03, or 4.04, if applicable.

(ii) For a Member whose membership in the Plan commenced after 1997, the single life annuity shall equal the Actuarial Equivalent of the sum of the Member’s Basic Account and Supplemental Account.

(iii) For a Member whose membership in the Plan commenced prior to 1997, whose Retirement Benefit includes more than a Pension, and who terminates employment after having attained age 55 with at least ten years of Eligibility Service, the single life annuity shall equal the greater of  

(A)the sum of (I) the Actuarial Equivalent of the Member’s Supplemental Account payable as a single life annuity, plus (II) the single life annuity amount based solely on the Pension as adjusted for timing of payment in accordance with Section 4.02, 4.03, or 4.04, if applicable, or

(B)the Actuarial Equivalent of the sum of the Member’s Basic Account and Supplemental Account payable as a single life annuity.

 

 


 

 

(iv)For a Member whose membership is the Plan commenced prior to 1997, whose Retirement Benefit includes more than a Pension, and who terminates employment prior to attaining age 55 or with fewer than ten years of Eligibility Service, the single life annuity shall equal the greater of  

(A)the Actuarial Equivalent of the sum of (I) the Member’s Supplemental Account, plus (II) the Actuarial Equivalent present value of the Pension payable at Normal Retirement Date, or

(B)the Actuarial Equivalent of the sum of the Member’s Basic Account and Supplemental Account payable as a single life annuity.

(b) If the Member is married on his Annuity Starting Date, and if he has not elected an optional form of benefit as provided in Section 6.02, the Retirement Benefit payable shall be a 50% joint and survivor annuity described in Section 6.02(a)(ii) with the Member’s spouse as his designated Beneficiary.

(c) In any case, if the Actuarial Equivalent of the Retirement Benefit payable to or on behalf of a Member, determined as of the Member's Annuity Starting Date, is $5,000 or less, such Actuarial Equivalent amount shall be payable only in the form of a single lump sum, subject to the Member’s right to elect to have all or any portion of such Actuarial Equivalent amount transferred by direct rollover to an eligible retirement plan, in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.07.  

(d) I f the Actuarial Equivalent of the Retirement Benefit payable to or on behalf of a Member, determined as of his termination of employment, is $5,000 or less, such Actuarial Equivalent amount shall be transferred, for the benefit of the Member, by direct rollover to an individual retirement account designated by the Committee, unless the Member expressly elects, on a timely basis, to have such Actuarial Equivalent amount transferred, by direct rollover, to an eligible retirement plan (as defined in Section 6.07) specified by the Member or to receive the distribution in a single lump sum payment.

SECOND : In all other respects, the Plan is ratified and approved.

 

 


 

Intending to be legally bound by the provisions of this Fourth Amendment to the Plan , as set forth herein , the duly authorized Members of the Benefits Administration Committee have signed it this ______ day of , 20 1 8 .

 

 

 

Daniel S. Bloomstein

 

 

 

Steven C. Boyd

 

 

 

A. Davin D’Ambrosio

 

 

 

Michael A. Kuglin

 

 

 

Sandra N. Zwickel

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 31.1

Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Michael A. Stivala, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Supervisors:

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

February 7, 2019

By:

 

/s/ MICHAEL A. STIVALA

 

 

 

Michael A. Stivala

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Michael A. Kuglin, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s Board of Supervisors:

 

(a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

February 7, 2019

By:

 

/s/ MICHAEL A. KUGLIN

 

 

 

Michael A. Kuglin

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.1

Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906

of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 29, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Michael A. Stivala, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.

 

By:

 

/s/ MICHAEL A. STIVALA

 

 

Michael A. Stivala

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

February 7, 2019

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 32.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906

of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 29, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Michael A. Kuglin, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of the Partnership, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

 

(1)

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.

 

By:

 

/s/ MICHAEL A. KUGLIN

 

 

Michael A. Kuglin

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

February 7, 2019