UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND
EXCHANGE
COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C.
20549
FORM
10-K
[X]
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
OR
[ ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period from to
Commission
File
Number:
001-34723 (Americold Realty Trust)
AMERICOLD
REALTY
TRUST
AMERICOLD
REALTY
OPERATING
PARTNERSHIP,
L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
(Americold
Realty
Trust)
Delaware
(Americold
Realty
Operating
Partnership,
L.P.)
93-0295215
01-0958815
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
10
Glenlake
Parkway,
Suite
600,
South
Tower
Atlanta,
Georgia
(Address of principal executive offices)
30328
(Zip Code)
(678)
441-1400
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Securities
registered
pursuant
to
Section
12(b)
of
the
Act:
Registrant
Title
of
Each
Class
Name
of
Each
Exchange
on
Which
Registered
Americold Realty Trust
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par value
New York Stock Exchange
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
None
None
Securities
registered
pursuant
to
Section
12(g)
of
the
Act:
NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Americold Realty Trust
Yes x No ¨
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Americold Realty Trust
Yes ¨ No x
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
Yes x
No ¨
Yes x
No ¨
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.
Americold Realty Trust
Yes x
No ¨
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
Yes ¨
No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-
T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Americold Realty Trust
Yes x
No ¨
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
Yes ¨
No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of
registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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):
Americold Realty Trust
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
¨
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
x
Non-accelerated filer
¨
Smaller reporting company
¨
Emerging growth company
¨
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
x
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.
Americold Realty Trust
Yes ¨ No ¨
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
Yes ¨
No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
Americold Realty Trust
Yes ¨ No x
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
Yes ¨
No x
As of June 30, 2018, the aggregate market value of the voting common shares owned by non-affiliates of Americold Realty Trust was $1,418,030,352, computed
by reference to the closing price of the common shares of Americold Realty Trust on the New York Stock Exchange on such date. Such value excludes common
shares held by executive officers, directors, and 10% or greater shareholders as of June 30, 2018. The identification of 10% or greater shareholders is based on
Schedule 13G and amended 13G reports publicly filed before June 30, 2018. This calculation does not reflect a determination that such parties are affiliates for any
other purposes. The number of Americold Realty Trust's common shares outstanding at February 22, 2019, was approximately 148,794,090.
There is no public trading market for the partnership units of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. As a result, the aggregate market value of the
partnership units held by non-affiliates of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. cannot be determined.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED
BY
REFERENCE
Part III incorporates by reference portions of Americold Realty Trust’s Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which the registrants
anticipate will be filed no later than 120 days after the end of its fiscal year pursuant to Regulation 14A.
EXPLANATORY
NOTE
This report combines the annual reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 of Americold Realty Trust and
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. As used in this report, unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our,”
“our Company” and “the Company” refer to Americold Realty Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust, and its consolidated
subsidiaries, including Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and the subsidiary through which we
conduct our business, which we refer to as “our operating partnership” or “the operating partnership.”
The operating partnership is voluntarily co-filing its annual report with the Company because the operating partnership anticipates
that it may register one or more classes of securities in the future and will thus become subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
As of December 31, 2018 and for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the sole general partner, Americold
Realty Trust, held 99% of the partnership units of our operating partnership, and the limited partner, Americold Realty Operations, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Americold Realty Trust, held 1% of the partnership units of our operating partnership.
We believe combining the annual reports on Form 10-K of Americold Realty Trust and Americold Realty Operating Partnership,
L.P., into this single report results in the following benefits:
–
–
–
enhancing investors’ understanding of our Company and our operating partnership by enabling investors to view the business
as a whole in the same manner as management views and operates the business;
eliminating duplicative disclosure and providing a more streamlined and readable presentation since a substantial portion of
the disclosure applies to both our Company and our operating partnership; and
creating time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of one combined report instead of two separate reports.
There are a few differences between our Company and our operating partnership, which are reflected in the disclosure in this report.
We believe it is important to understand the differences between our Company and our operating partnership in the context of how we
operate as an interrelated consolidated company. Americold Realty Trust is a real estate investment trust, or REIT, whose only material asset
is its ownership of partnership interests of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. As a result, Americold Realty Trust does not
conduct business itself, other than acting as the sole general and indirect limited partner of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.,
issuing public equity from time to time and guaranteeing certain unsecured debt of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and certain
of its subsidiaries. Americold Realty Trust itself does not issue any indebtedness but guarantees certain of the debt of Americold Realty
Operating Partnership, L.P. and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, as disclosed in this report. Americold Realty Operating Partnership,
L.P. holds substantially all the assets of the Company and holds the ownership interests in the Company’s joint ventures. Americold Realty
Operating Partnership, L.P. conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a limited partnership with no publicly traded equity.
Except for net proceeds from public equity issuances by Americold Realty Trust, which are generally contributed to Americold Realty
Operating Partnership, L.P. in exchange for partnership units, Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. generates the capital required by
the Company’s business through Americold Realty Operating Partnership L.P.’s operations, or by Americold Realty Operating Partnership
L.P.’s direct or indirect incurrence of indebtedness.
To help investors understand the significant differences between our Company and our operating partnership, this report presents the
following separate sections for each of our Company and our operating partnership:
•
•
consolidated financial statements;
the following notes to the consolidated financial statements:
◦ Debt of the Company and Debt of the Operating Partnership;
◦
◦
Partners' Capital; and
Selected Quarterly Financial Information
• Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities;
•
•
Selected Financial Data; and
Liquidity and Capital Resources in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
This report also includes separate Item 9A. Controls and Procedures sections and separate Exhibit 31 and 32 certifications for each of
the Company and the operating partnership in order to establish that the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of each entity
has made the requisite certification and that the Company and the operating partnership are compliant with Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 of the
Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. §1350.
In order to highlight the differences between the Company and the operating partnership, the separate sections in this report for the
Company and the operating partnership specifically refer to the Company and the operating partnership. In the sections that combine
disclosure of the Company and the operating partnership, this report refers to actions or holdings as being actions or holdings of the
Company. Although the operating partnership is generally the entity that enters into contracts and joint ventures and holds assets and debt,
reference to the Company is appropriate because the business is one enterprise and the Company operates the business through the operating
partnership.
As general and limited partner with control of the operating partnership, Americold Realty Trust consolidates the operating
partnership for financial reporting purposes, and it does not have significant assets other than its investment in the operating partnership.
Therefore, the assets and liabilities of Americold Realty Trust and Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. are the same on their
respective consolidated financial statements. The separate discussions of Americold Realty Trust and Americold Realty Operating
Partnership, L.P. in this report should be read in conjunction with each other to understand the results of the Company on a consolidated basis
and how management operates the Company.
In addition, unless otherwise stated herein, when we refer to “cubic feet” in one of our temperature-controlled facilities, we refer to
refrigerated cubic feet (as opposed to total cubic feet, refrigerated and otherwise) therein.
Item
Page
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
PART
I
PART
II
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information and Holders
Sales of Unregistered Securities
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
Use of Proceeds
Other Shareholder Matters
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
1.
1A.
1B.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Management’s Overview
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Contractual Obligations
Critical Accounting Policies
New Accounting Pronouncements
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
8.
9.
9A.
9B.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
PART
III
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
PART
IV
Exhibits, Financial Statements and Schedules
Form 10-K Summary
3
12
47
47
49
49
50
50
52
52
50
52
53
61
61
68
87
104
108
110
111
112
112
113
114
115
115
115
115
115
116
118
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT
REGADING
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements about future events and expectations that constitute forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future financial and operating
performance and growth plans, taking into account the information currently available to us. These statements are not statements of
historical fact. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the
expectations of future results we express or imply in any forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on such
statements. Factors that could contribute to these differences include the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
adverse economic or real estate developments in our geographic markets or the temperature-controlled warehouse industry;
general economic conditions;
risks associated with the ownership of real estate and temperature-controlled warehouses in particular;
defaults or non-renewals of contracts with customers;
potential bankruptcy or insolvency of our customers;
uncertainty of revenues, given the nature of our customer contracts;
increased interest rates and operating costs;
our failure to obtain necessary outside financing;
risks related to, or restrictions contained in, our debt financing;
decreased storage rates or increased vacancy rates;
risks related to current and potential international operations and properties;
difficulties in identifying properties to be acquired and completing acquisitions;
acquisition risks, including the failure of such acquisitions to perform in accordance with projections;
risks related to expansions of existing properties and developments of new properties, including failure to meet budgeted or stabilized
returns in respect thereof;
difficulties in expanding our operations into new markets, including international markets;
our failure to maintain our status as a REIT;
our operating partnership’s failure to qualify as a partnership for federal income tax purposes;
uncertainties and risks related to natural disasters and global climate change;
possible environmental liabilities, including costs, fines or penalties that may be incurred due to necessary remediation of
contamination of properties presently or previously owned by us;
financial market fluctuations;
actions by our competitors and their increasing ability to compete with us;
labor and power costs;
changes in real estate and zoning laws and increases in real property tax rates;
the competitive environment in which we operate;
our relationship with our employees, including the occurrence of any work stoppages or any disputes under our collective bargaining
agreements;
liabilities as a result of our participation in multi-employer pension plans;
losses in excess of our insurance coverage;
the cost and time requirements as a result of our operation as a publicly traded REIT;
risks related to joint venture investments, including as a result of our lack of control of such investments;
changes in foreign currency exchange rates; and
the impact of anti-takeover provisions in our constituent documents and under Maryland law, which could make an acquisition of us
more difficult, limit attempts by our shareholders to replace our trustees and affect the price of our common shares of beneficial
interest, $0.01 par value per share, or our common shares.
1
The risks included here are not exhaustive, and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance,
including factors and risks included in other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors.
Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “continues,” “estimates,” “expects,” “goal,” “objectives,” “intends,” “may,” “opportunity,”
“plans,” “potential,” “near-term,” “long-term,” “projections,” “assumptions,” “projects,” “guidance,” “forecasts,” “outlook,” “target,”
“trends,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Examples
of forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include, among others, statements about our expected expansion
and development pipeline and our targeted return on invested capital on expansion and development opportunities. We qualify any forward-
looking statements entirely by these cautionary factors. Other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those discussed under “Risk
Factors,” could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make. We assume no
obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially
from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.
2
PART
I
ITEM
1.
Business
The
Company
We are the world’s largest owner and operator of temperature-controlled warehouses. We are the only publicly traded REIT focused on the
temperature-controlled warehouse industry. We are organized as a self-administered and self-managed REIT with proven operating,
development and acquisition expertise. As of December 31, 2018 , we operated a global network of 155 temperature-controlled warehouses
encompassing 918.7 million cubic feet, with 137 warehouses in the United States, six warehouses in Australia, seven warehouses in New
Zealand, two warehouses in Argentina and three warehouses in Canada. We view and manage our business through three primary business
segments: warehouse, third-party managed and transportation. In addition, we hold a minority interest in a joint venture through our operating
partnership, as described in Note 3 of our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which owns or
operates 12 temperature-controlled warehouses located in the People's Republic of China (or the China JV).
We consider our temperature-controlled warehouses to be “mission-critical” real estate in the markets we serve from “farm to fork”
and an integral component of the temperature-controlled food infrastructure supply chain, which we refer to as the “cold chain.” The cold
chain is vital for maintaining the quality of food producers’, distributors’, retailers’ and e-tailers’ temperature-sensitive products, protecting
brand reputation and ensuring consumer safety and satisfaction. Our customers depend upon the location, high-quality, integration and scale
of our portfolio to ensure the integrity and efficient distribution of their products. Many of our warehouses are located in key logistics
corridors in the countries in which we operate, including strategically critical U.S. and international metropolitan statistical areas, or MSAs,
while others are connected or immediately adjacent to customers’ production facilities. We believe our strategic locations and the extensive
geographic presence of our integrated warehouse network are fundamental to our customers’ ability to optimize their distribution networks
while reducing their capital expenditures, operating costs and supply-chain risks. Many of the warehouses in our real estate portfolio have
been modernized to reduce our power costs and increase their competitive position through reliable temperature-control systems and
processes.
We consider ownership of our temperature-controlled warehouses to be fundamental to our business, our ability to attract and retain
customers and our ability to achieve our targeted return on invested capital. We believe that the ownership of our real estate provides us with
cost of capital and balance sheet advantages, stemming from the attractive financing options available to real estate owners and the tax
advantages of being a REIT. We also believe that consolidation of the ownership and operation of our portfolio significantly enhances the
value of our business by allowing us to provide customers with our complementary suite of value-added services across one integrated and
reliable cold chain network. Ownership of our integrated cold chain network enhances our ability to efficiently reposition customers and
undertake capital improvements or other modifications on their behalf without the need to obtain third-party approvals. Our decision to own,
rather than lease, a significant majority of our warehouses provides us with better control over the specialized nature of our assets and greater
influence over our warehouse locations on a long-term basis, which is crucial to meeting our customers’ “mission-critical” cold chain needs.
Initial
Public
Offering
On January 23, 2018, we completed an initial public offering of our common shares, or IPO, in which we issued and
sold 33,350,000 of our common shares, including 4,350,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ option to
purchase additional common shares. The offering generated net proceeds of
3
approximately $493.6 million to us, after deducting underwriting fees and other offering costs of approximately $40.0 million . For more
information on the IPO, please refer to Note 1 of our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Follow-On
Offering
On September 18, 2018, we completed a follow-on public offering of 4,000,000 of our common shares at a public offering price of
$24.50 per share, which generated net proceeds of approximately $92.5 million to us after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated
offering expenses payable by us, and an additional 6,000,000 common shares that are subject to a forward sale agreement to be settled within
one year. We did not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of the common shares subject to the forward sale agreement that were sold
by the forward purchaser or its affiliate. As of December 31, 2018 , we have not settled any portion of the forward sale agreement. In
connection with the the follow-on public offering, YF ART Holdings GP, LLC (YF ART Holdings), a partnership among investment funds
affiliated with The Yucaipa Companies (Yucaipa), sold 16.5 million common shares, affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (the GS
entities) sold approximately 9.1 million common shares, and affiliates of Fortress sold approximately 7.2 million common shares.
Our
Information
Our principal executive office is located at 10 Glenlake Parkway, South Tower, Suite 600, Atlanta, Georgia 30328, and our telephone
number is (678) 441-1400. Our website address is www.americold.com. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our
website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other report or document we file with
or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q,
current reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statement and all amendments to those reports are available free of charge on our website as soon as
reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. In addition, all reports we file with the SEC
are available via EDGAR through the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Copies of our annual report will be made available, free of charge, on
written request.
BUSINESS
STRATEGY
AND
OPERATING
SEGMENTS
We were formed as a Maryland REIT on December 27, 2002. Our operating partnership was formed as a Delaware limited
partnership on April 5, 2010. Our operations are conducted through our operating partnership and its subsidiaries.
Our primary business objective is to increase shareholder value by serving our customers, growing our market share, enhancing our
operating and financial results and increasing cash flows from operations. We also believe that our ability to execute on our business and
growth strategies will enhance the overall value of our real estate. The strategies we intend to execute to achieve these objectives include the
following:
Enhancing Our Operating and Financial Results Through Proactive Asset Management
We seek to enhance our operating and financial results by supporting our customers’ growth initiatives in the cold chain, optimizing
occupancy, underwriting and deploying yield management initiatives and executing operational optimization and cost containment strategies.
We believe that the combination of our ability to execute these and other initiatives and the significant investments we have made in our
business over the last five fiscal years will continue to drive our financial results and position us to expand our warehouse portfolio, grow our
customer base, enhance our market share and create value for our shareholders.
4
Continue to Increase Committed Revenue in Our Warehouse Segment
Historically, providers of temperature-controlled warehouse space have offered storage services to customers on an as-utilized, on-
demand basis. We actively seek to enter into contracts that implement our commercial business rules which contemplate, among other things,
fixed storage commitments in connection with establishing new customer relationships or renewing agreements with existing customers,
particularly with our largest customers, and variable rates for the value-added services we provide. Over the last several years, we have
transitioned a significant portion of our rent and storage revenues generated on an as-utilized, on-demand basis to a fixed storage commitment
basis. We believe the scope and breadth of our network position us favorably to continue to increase our fixed storage commitments as we
believe this structure offers commercial advantages to both our customers and us.
Focused and Disciplined Strategy to Expand Our Portfolio of Temperature-Controlled Warehouses
We believe our operating systems, scalable information technology platform and economies of scale provide us with a significant
advantage over our competitors with respect to expansion, development and acquisition opportunities. Becoming the first publicly traded
REIT focused on the temperature-controlled warehouse industry has given us greater access to the capital markets than our competitors,
which we believe will allow us to strategically enter new locations, fill gaps in existing distribution networks and effectively compete for
expansion, development and acquisition opportunities.
Capitalize on Increased Outsourcing by Leading Global Food Producers, Distributors, Retailers and E-Tailers
Over the last 35 years, frozen food producers, distributors, retailers and e-tailers have increasingly outsourced their temperature-
controlled warehousing needs to increase efficiency, reduce costs and redeploy capital into core businesses. We anticipate that cold chain
participants will continue to make certain of their “in-house” temperature-controlled warehouses available for sale in the future and,
accordingly, will continue to look to third-party providers to meet their temperature-controlled warehouse storage and service needs in related
geographic markets. We believe that our ability to offer the most extensive and integrated network of high-quality temperature-controlled
warehouses globally with value-added services and our long-standing relationships with leading cold chain participants will enable us to
capitalize on this trend.
Well Positioned to Benefit from E-Commerce Growth
Our warehouse portfolio serves as a fundamental bridge between food producers and fulfillment centers - whether for online e-tailers
or traditional brick and mortar retailers. We believe our ability to design, build and operate warehouses across the cold chain makes us an
attractive storage solution for the growing e-tailer segment and positions us well to generate new relationships, drive growth and capture
market share by increasing our presence in the e-commerce channel.
Expand Our Presence by Increasing Market Share for Other Temperature-Sensitive Product Types
Although we focus on providing temperature-controlled warehouse space to the food industry, we also store other forms of
temperature-sensitive products, including pharmaceutical, floral and chemical products. As the rapid growth in e-commerce continues to
increase the flow of products through the global distribution network, we believe our ability to provide comprehensive and consistent quality
warehousing and value-added services at all points in the cold chain put us in a strong position to develop new relationships, drive growth and
enhance market share with producers, distributors, retailers and e-tailers in other temperature-sensitive products. Additionally, we have the
flexibility to store non-temperature-sensitive “dry” goods in our warehouses to the extent desirable.
5
Investments
in
Our
Warehouses
We employ a strategic investment approach to maintain a high-quality portfolio of temperature-controlled warehouses to ensure that
our warehouses meet the “mission-critical” role they serve in the cold chain. We have successfully modernized many of our warehouses to
reduce our power costs and increase their competitive position through reliable temperature-control systems that can implement distinct
temperature zones within the same warehouse. In addition, we use LED lighting, motion-sensor technology, variable frequency drives for our
fans and compressors, third-party efficiency reviews and real-time monitoring of energy consumption, high speed doors and alternative-
power generation technologies to improve the energy efficiency of our warehouses. We believe that our warehouses are well-maintained and
in good operating condition.
Our
Business
Segments
We view and manage our business through three primary business segments—warehouse, third-party managed and transportation.
Our core business is our warehouse segment, where we provide temperature-controlled warehouse storage and related handling and
other warehouse services. In our warehouse segment, we collect rent and storage fees from customers to store their frozen and perishable
food and other products within our real estate portfolio. We also provide our customers with handling and other warehouse services related to
the products stored in our buildings that are designed to optimize their movement through the cold chain, such as the placement of food
products for storage and preservation, the retrieval of products from storage upon customer request, case-picking, blast freezing, kitting and
repackaging and other recurring handling services. We refer to these handling and other services as our value-added services.
Under our third-party managed segment, we manage warehouses on behalf of third parties and provide warehouse management
services to several leading food retailers and manufacturers in customer-owned facilities, including some of our largest and longest-standing
customers. We believe using our third-party management services allows our customers to increase efficiency, reduce costs, reduce supply-
chain risks and focus on their core businesses. We also believe that providing third-party management services to many of our key customers
underscores our ability to offer a complete and integrated suite of services across the cold chain.
In our transportation segment, we broker and manage transportation of frozen and perishable food and other products for our
customers. Our transportation services include consolidation services ( i.e. , consolidating a customer’s products with those of other
customers for more efficient shipment), freight under management services ( i.e. , arranging for and overseeing transportation of customer
inventory) and dedicated transportation services, each designed to improve efficiency and reduce transportation and logistics costs to our
customers. We provide these transportation services at cost plus a service fee or, in the case of our consolidation services, we charge a fixed
fee.
We also operate a limestone quarry on the land we own around our Carthage, Missouri warehouse, which contains substantial
limestone deposits. We do not view the operation of the quarry as an integral part of our business.
6
Customers
Our global footprint enables us to efficiently serve approximately 2,400 customers consisting primarily of producers, distributors,
retailers and e-tailers of frozen and perishable food products, such as fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, novelties, dairy and packaged foods.
We believe the creditworthiness and geographic diversity of our customer base provide us with stable cash flows and a strong platform for
growth. The weighted average length of our relationship with our 25 largest customers in our warehouse segment exceeds 33 years. The total
warehouse segment revenues generated by our 25 largest customers in our warehouse segment have been steady over the last three years,
representing 63% , 61% and 61% of our total warehouse segment revenues for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 ,
respectively. Each of these 25 largest customers has been in our network for the entirety of these periods.
The following table presents summary information concerning our 25 largest customers in our warehouse segment, based on
warehouse segment revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018 :
%
of
Warehouse
Revenue
(1)
#
of
Sites
Credit
Rating
(Moody’s/S&P)(2)
Multi
Location
Dedicated
Sites
Value
Added
Services
Transportation
Consolidation
Technology
Integration
Committed
Contract
or
Lease
(3)
Network
Utilization
Retailer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Retailer
Producer
Producer
Retailer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Retailer
Retailer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Retailer
Retailer
Retailer
Retailer
Total
9.1%
6.5%
4.8%
4.8%
3.9%
3.5%
3.1%
2.5%
2.4%
2.3%
2.1%
1.9%
1.8%
1.7%
1.5%
1.5%
1.4%
1.4%
1.3%
0.9%
0.9%
0.9%
0.8%
0.8%
0.7%
62.5%
10
26
20
20
35
16
3
15
4
2
27
5
6
4
10
10
9
22
7
19
21
4
9
6
6
Baa2/BBB
NR/NR
Baa3/BBB
Baa3/BBB-
Baa2/BBB
Ba1/BB
NR/NR
Ba1/BBB-
NR/NR
NR/BBB+
Ba3/BB-
Baa1/BBB+
A1/A+
NR/NR
Aa2/AA
NR/NR
NR/NR
NR/NR
Baa2/BBB
NR/BBB-
Aa2/AA-
B3/B
NR/NR
NR/NR
Baa1/BBB
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
(1) Based on warehouse revenues for the last twelve months ended December 31, 2018 .
(2) Represents long-term issuer ratings as published in January 2019.
(3) A check mark indicates that the customer had at least one fixed commitment contract or lease with us as of December 31, 2018 .
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
ü
7
Seasonality
We are involved in providing services to food producers, distributors, retailers and e-tailers whose businesses, in some cases, are
seasonal or cyclical. On a portfolio-wide basis, physical occupancy rates and warehouse revenues are generally the lowest during May and
June. Physical occupancy rates and warehouse revenues typically exhibit a gradual increase thereafter as a result of annual harvests and our
customers building inventories in connection with end-of-year holidays and generally peak between mid-September and early December as a
result thereof. In each year since 2015, we have generated higher than average revenues and our warehouses have experienced the highest
occupancy levels in October or November. The involvement of our customers in a cross-section of the food industry mitigates, in part, the
impact of seasonality as peak demand for various products occurs at different times of the year (for example, demand for ice cream is
typically highest in the summer while demand for frozen turkeys usually peaks in the late fall). Our southern hemisphere operations in
Australia, New Zealand and Argentina also help balance the impact of seasonality in our global operations, as their growing and harvesting
cycles are complementary to North America. Each of our warehouses sets its own operating hours based on demand, which is heavily driven
by growing seasons and seasonal consumer demand for certain products.
Competition
In our industry, the principal competitive factors are warehouse location, warehouse size, breadth and interconnectivity of warehouse
networks, quality, type of service and price. For refrigerated food customers, transportation costs are typically significantly greater than
warehousing costs and, accordingly, location and transportation capabilities are major competitive factors. The size of a warehouse is
important in part because large customers generally prefer to have all of their products needed to serve a given market in a single location and
to have the flexibility to increase storage at that single location during seasonal peaks. In areas with direct local competition, customers
generally will select a temperature-controlled warehouse based upon service level, price and the quality of the warehouse. In addition, some
food producers and distributors attend to their own warehousing and distribution needs by either building or leasing warehouses, creating a
private warehousing market which may compete with the public warehouse industry. Many customers, including those for whom private
warehousing is a viable option, will select distribution services based upon service level and price, provided that an appropriate network of
related storage facilities is available. The breadth and quality of information and integrated logistics management services provided are
additional and increasingly important bases upon which we compete in the marketplace. In addition, we compete for the business of
customers and potential customers who may choose to provide temperature-controlled warehousing in-house.
United States
Outside the five largest owners of temperature-controlled warehouses, the United States temperature-controlled warehouse industry is
highly fragmented among numerous owners and operators. We believe our main competitors include Lineage Logistics, LLC, Preferred
Freezer Services, LLC, United States Cold Storage, Inc. (an affiliate of John Swire & Sons), AGRO Merchants Group, Interstate
Warehousing, Cloverleaf Cold Storage, NewCold, and Henningsen Cold Storage Co, in addition to numerous other local, regional and
national temperature-controlled warehouse owners and operators.
Australia
Our main competitors in Australia include Emergent, A.B. Oxford, Montagues (acquired by Emergent Cold during February 2019)
and NewCold, which operate warehouses and service many of the Australian markets. Generally, our other competitors operate in only one
region and do not compete in the retail market that comprises the majority of our revenues.
8
New Zealand
Our main competitors in New Zealand are PolarCold Stores and Halls Transport. Polar Cold operates an estimated seven warehouses
and is the largest public warehouse operator in New Zealand. Polarcold Stores specializes in bulk storage and focuses on the commodity
market with warehouses located near New Zealand’s ports. Halls Transport is primarily a transporter that also operates a network of 3
warehouses. Generally, our other competitors also service the commodity market and operate in only one region.
Argentina
We have several competitors in the Buenos Aires market, which in the past tended to be smaller single-site operations or fragmented
networks. While we are aware some operators are considering consolidating public warehouse facilities in Argentina, the greatest sources of
competition in Argentina are the disproportionate number of producers (compared to the United States) that continue to in-source their
temperature-controlled storage needs.
Employees
As of December 31, 2018 , worldwide we employed approximately 11,000 people, approximately 56% of which were represented by
various local labor unions and associations, and 84 of our 155 warehouses have unionized associates that are governed by 69 different
collective bargaining agreements. We are currently in negotiations for five new agreements. Since January 1, 2016, we have successfully
negotiated 55 collective bargaining agreements without any work stoppages. As of December 31, 2018, we have completed collective
bargaining for an additional three agreement renewals and are awaiting ratification votes. Additionally, we have one agreement that has
expired and the Company and union are operating under the expired agreement while continuing negotiations.
During 2019 , we will engage in negotiations for an additional 12 agreements covering all or parts of 29 operating locations
worldwide. We do not anticipate any workplace disruptions during this renewal process.
REGULATORY
MATTERS
Many laws and governmental regulations are applicable to our properties and changes in these laws and regulations, or
interpretation of such laws and regulations by agencies and the courts, occur frequently.
9
Environmental Matters
Our operations are subject to a wide range of environmental laws and regulations in each of the locations in which we operate, and
compliance with these requirements involves significant capital and operating costs. Failure to comply with these environmental requirements
can result in civil or criminal fines or sanctions, claims for environmental damages, remediation obligations, revocation of environmental
permits or restrictions on our operations. Future changes in environmental laws or in the interpretation of those laws, including stricter
requirements affecting our operations, could result in increased capital and operating costs, which could materially and adversely affect our
business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects and, consequently, amounts available for distribution to our
shareholders.
Food Safety Regulations
Most of our warehouses are subject to compliance with federal regulations regarding food safety. Under the Public Health Security
and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, the United States Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, requires us to
register all warehouses in which food is stored and further requires us to maintain records of sources and recipients of food for purposes of
food recalls.
The Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA significantly expanded the FDA’s authority over food safety, providing the FDA with
new tools to proactively ensure the safety of the entire food system, including new hazard analysis and preventive controls requirements, food
safety planning, requirements for sanitary transportation of food, and increased inspections and mandatory food recalls under certain
circumstances. The most significant rule under the FSMA which impacts our business is the Current Good Manufacturing Practice and
Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food rule. This rule requires a food facility to establish a food safety system
that includes an analysis of hazards and the implementation of risk-based preventive controls, among other steps. This is in addition to
requirements that we satisfy existing Good Manufacturing Practices with respect to the holding of foods, as set forth in FDA regulations. The
USDA also grants to some of our warehouses “ID status,” which entitles us to handle products of the USDA. As a result of the regulatory
framework from the FDA, the USDA and other local regulatory requirements, we subject our warehouses to periodic food safety audits
which are for the most part carried out by ASI Food Safety Consultants, a third-party provider of such audits. In addition to meeting any
applicable food safety, food facility registration and record-keeping requirements, our customers often require us to perform food safety
audits.
To the extent we fail to comply with existing food safety regulations or contractual obligations, or are required to comply with new
regulations or obligations in the future, it could adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and
prospects, as well as the amount of funds available for distribution to our shareholders.
Occupational Safety and Health Act, or OSHA
Our properties are subject to regulation under OSHA, which requires employers to provide employees with an environment free from
hazards, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress and unsanitary conditions. In
addition, due to the amount of ammonia stored at some of our facilities, we are also subject to compliance with OSHA’s Process Safety
Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals standard and OSHA’s ongoing National Emphasis Program related to potential releases of
highly hazardous chemicals. The cost of complying with OSHA and similar laws enacted by states and other jurisdictions in which we
operate can be substantial, and any failure to comply with these regulations could expose us to substantial penalties and potentially to
liabilities to employees who may be injured at our warehouses.
10
International Regulations
Our international facilities are subject to a number of local laws and regulations which govern a wide range of matters, including
building, environmental, health and safety, hazardous substances and new organisms, waste minimization, as well as specific requirements
for the storage of meat, dairy products, fish, poultry, agricultural and other products. Any products destined for export must also satisfy the
applicable export requirements. A failure to comply with, or the cost of complying with, these laws and regulations could materially
adversely affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects and, consequently the amounts available for
distribution to our shareholders.
INSURANCE
COVERAGE
We carry comprehensive general liability, fire, extended coverage, business interruption and umbrella liability coverage on all of our
properties with limits of liability which we deem adequate. Similarly, we are insured against the risk of direct physical damage in amounts we
believe to be adequate to reimburse us on a replacement basis for costs incurred to repair or rebuild each property, including loss of business
profits during the reconstruction period. We also carry coverage for customers’ products in our warehouses that are damaged due to our
negligence. The cost of all such insurance is passed through to customers as part of their regular rates for storage and handling.
We are self-insured for workers’ compensation and health insurance under a large-deductible program, meaning that we have accrued
liabilities in amounts that we consider appropriate to cover losses in these areas. In addition, we maintain excess loss coverage to insure
against losses in excess of the reserves that we have established for these claims in amounts that we consider appropriate. However, in the
unlikely event that our loss experience exceeds our reserves and the limits of our excess loss policies, there could be material adverse effects
on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.
We will not carry insurance for generally uninsured losses such as loss from riots or war; however, we do include coverage for risks
across all programs for acts of terrorism. We carry earthquake insurance on our properties in areas known to be seismically active and flood
insurance on our properties in areas known to be flood zones, in an amount and with deductibles which we believe are commercially
reasonable. We also carry insurance coverage relating to cybersecurity incidents.
11
ITEM
1A.
Risk
Factors
Set forth below are certain risk factors that could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. You should carefully
read the following risk factors, together with the financial statements, related notes and other information contained in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K. Our business, financial condition and operating results may suffer if any of the following risks are realized. If any of these risks
or uncertainties occur, the trading price of our common shares could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment. This Annual
Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that contain risks and uncertainties. Please refer to the discussion of "Cautionary
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."
Risks
Related
to
our
Business
and
Operations
Our investments are concentrated in the temperature-controlled warehouse industry, and our business would be materially and adversely
affected by an economic downturn in that industry or the markets for our customers' products.
Our investments in real estate assets are concentrated in the industrial real estate industry, specifically in temperature-controlled
warehouses. This concentration exposes us to the risk of economic downturns in this industry to a greater extent than if our business activities
included a more significant portion of other sectors of the real estate market. We are also exposed to fluctuations in the markets for the
commodities and finished products that we store in our warehouses. For example, the demand for poultry and poultry products directly
impacts the need for temperature-controlled warehouse space to store poultry and poultry products for our customers. Although our
customers store a diverse product mix in our temperature-controlled warehouses, declines in demand for their products could cause our
customers to reduce their inventory levels at our warehouses, which could reduce the storage and other fees payable to us and materially and
adversely affect us.
Our temperature-controlled warehouses are concentrated in certain geographic areas, some of which are particularly susceptible to
adverse local conditions.
Although we own or hold leasehold interests in warehouses across the United States and globally, many of these warehouses are
concentrated in a few geographic areas. For example, approximately 45.6% of our owned or leased warehouses are located in the states of
Georgia, Pennsylvania, California, Wisconsin, Texas, and Washington with approximately 10.5% in Georgia, 7.8% in California, 8.3% in
Pennsylvania, 6.9% in Texas, 6.5% in Wisconsin, and 5.5% in Washington (in each case, on a refrigerated cubic-foot basis based on
information as of December 31, 2018). We could be materially and adversely affected if conditions in any of the markets in which we have a
concentration of properties become less favorable. Local conditions may include natural disasters, periods of economic slowdown or
recession, localized oversupply in warehousing space or reductions in demand for warehousing space, adverse agricultural events, disruptions
in logistics systems, such as transportation and tracking systems for our customers’ inventory, and power outages. In addition, adverse
weather patterns may affect local harvests, which could have an adverse effect on our customers and cause them to reduce their inventory
levels at our warehouses, which could in turn materially and adversely affect us.
We are exposed to risks associated with expansion and development, which could result in disappointing returns and unforeseen costs
and liabilities.
We have engaged, and expect to continue to engage, in expansion and development activities with respect to certain of our properties.
This will subject us to certain risks not present for acquisitions of existing properties (the risks of which are described below), including,
without limitation, the following:
12
•
•
•
•
our pipeline of expansion and development opportunities are at various stages of discussion and consideration and, based on
historical experiences, many of them may not be pursued or completed as contemplated or at all;
the availability and timing of financing on favorable terms or at all;
the availability and timely receipt of zoning and regulatory approvals, which could result in increased costs and could require us to
abandon our activities entirely with respect to the warehouse for which we are unable to obtain permits or authorizations;
the cost and timely completion within budget of construction due to increased land, materials, labor or other costs (including risks
beyond our control, such as weather or labor conditions, or material shortages), which could make completion of the warehouse or
the expansion thereof uneconomical, and we may not be able to increase revenues to compensate for the increase in construction
costs;
• we may be unable to complete construction of a warehouse or the expansion thereof on schedule, resulting in increased debt
•
•
service expense and construction costs;
the potential that we may expend funds on and devote management time and attention to projects which we do not complete;
a completed expansion project or a newly-developed warehouse may fail to achieve, or take longer than anticipated to achieve,
expected occupancy rates, and may fail to perform as expected;
• we may not be able to successfully integrate expanded or newly-developed properties; and
• we may not be able to achieve targeted returns and budgeted stabilized returns on invested capital on our expansion and
development opportunities due to the risks described above, and an expansion or development may not be profitable and could
lose money.
These risks could create substantial unanticipated delays and expenses and, in certain circumstances, prevent the initiation or
completion of expansion or development as contemplated or at all, any of which could materially and adversely affect us.
In addition, we have grown rapidly over prior years, including by expanding our internal resources, making acquisitions, and entering
new markets. Our growth will place a strain on our management, operational, financial and information systems, and procedures and controls
to expand, train and control our employee base. Our need for working capital will increase as our operations grow. We can provide no
assurance that we will be able to adapt our portfolio management, administrative, accounting, information technology and operational
systems to support any growth we may experience. Failure to oversee our current portfolio of properties and manage our growth effectively,
or to obtain necessary working capital and funds for capital improvements, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations, cash flow, financial condition and stock price.
A portion of our future growth depends upon acquisitions and we may be unable to identify and complete acquisitions of suitable
properties, which may impede our growth, and our future acquisitions may not yield the returns we expect.
Our ability to expand through acquisitions requires us to identify and complete acquisitions that are compatible with our growth
strategy and to successfully integrate and operate these newly-acquired properties. We continually evaluate acquisition opportunities, but
cannot guarantee that suitable opportunities currently exist or will exist in the future. Our ability to identify and acquire suitable properties on
favorable terms and to successfully integrate and operate them may be constrained by the following risks:
13
• we face competition from other real estate investors with significant capital, including REITs and institutional investment funds,
which may be able to accept more risk than we can prudently manage, including risks associated with paying higher acquisition
prices;
• we face competition from other potential acquirers that may significantly increase the purchase price for a property we acquire,
which could reduce our growth prospects;
• we may incur significant costs and divert management’s attention in connection with evaluating and negotiating potential
acquisitions, including ones that we are subsequently unable to complete;
• we may acquire properties that are not accretive to our operating and financial results upon acquisition, and we may be
•
unsuccessful in integrating and operating such properties in accordance with our expectations;
our cash flow from an acquired property may be insufficient to meet our required principal and interest payments with respect to
any debt used to finance the acquisition of such property;
• we may discover unexpected items, such as unknown liabilities, during our due diligence investigation of a potential acquisition or
other customary closing conditions may not be satisfied, causing us to abandon an acquisition opportunity after incurring expenses
related thereto;
• we may face opposition from governmental authorities or third parties alleging that potential acquisition transactions are anti-
competitive, and as a result, we may have to spend a significant amount of time and expense to respond to related inquiries, or
governmental authorities may prohibit the transaction or impose terms or conditions that are unacceptable to us;
• we may fail to obtain financing for an acquisition on favorable terms or at all;
• we may be unable to make, or may spend more than budgeted amounts to make, necessary improvements or renovations to
acquired properties;
• we may spend more than budgeted amounts to meet customer specifications on a newly-acquired warehouse;
• market conditions may result in higher than expected vacancy rates and lower than expected storage charges, rent or fees; or
• we may, without any recourse, or with only limited recourse, acquire properties subject to liabilities, such as liabilities for clean-
up of undisclosed environmental contamination, claims by customers, vendors or other persons dealing with the former owners of
the properties, liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and claims for indemnification by general partners, directors,
officers and others indemnified by the former owners of the properties.
Our inability to identify and complete suitable property acquisitions on favorable terms or at all, or to integrate and operate newly-
acquired properties to meet our financial, operational and strategic expectations, could have a material adverse effect on us.
Competition in our markets may increase over time if our competitors open new warehouses.
We compete with other owners and operators of temperature-controlled warehouses (including our customers or potential customers
who may choose to provide temperature-controlled warehousing in-house), some of which own properties similar to ours in similar
geographic locations. In recent years, our competitors, including Lineage Logistics, LLC, Preferred Freezer Services, LLC, United States
Cold Storage, Inc. (an affiliate of John Swire & Sons), AGRO Merchants Group, Interstate Warehousing, Cloverleaf Cold Storage, NewCold,
Emergent, A.B. Oxford and Polarcold Stores have added, through construction and development, temperature-controlled warehouses in
certain of our markets. In addition, our customers or potential customers may choose to develop new temperature-controlled warehouses,
expand their existing temperature-controlled warehouses or upgrade their equipment. Many of our warehouses are older, and as our
warehouses and equipment age and newer
14
warehouses and equipment come onto the market, we may lose existing or potential customers, and we may be pressured to reduce our rent
and storage and other fees below those we currently charge in order to retain customers. If we lose one or more customers, we cannot assure
you that we would be able to replace those customers on attractive terms or at all. We also may be forced to invest in new construction or
reposition existing warehouses at significant costs in order to remain competitive. Increased capital expenditures or the loss of warehouse
segment revenues resulting from lower occupancy or storage rates could have a material adverse effect on us.
We may be unable to successfully expand our operations into new markets.
If the opportunity arises, we may acquire or develop properties in new markets. In particular, we have determined to strategically
grow our warehouse portfolio in attractive international markets. In addition to the risks described above under “—A portion of our future
growth depends upon acquisitions and we may be unable to identify and complete acquisitions of suitable properties, which may impede our
growth, and our future acquisitions may not yield the returns we expect” and “—We are exposed to risks associated with expansion and
development, which could result in disappointing returns and unforeseen costs and liabilities,” the acquisition or development of properties in
new markets will subject us to the risks associated with a lack of understanding of the related economy and unfamiliarity with government
and permitting procedures. We will also not possess the same level of familiarity with the dynamics and market conditions of any new market
that we may enter, which could adversely affect our ability to successfully expand and operate in such market. We may be unable to build a
significant market share or achieve a desired return on our investments in new markets. If we are unsuccessful in expanding and operating in
new, high-growth markets, it could have a material adverse effect on us.
We depend on certain customers for a substantial amount of our warehouse segment revenues.
During the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, our 25 largest customers in our warehouse segment contributed approximately
63% and 61%, respectively, of our warehouse segment revenues. As of December 31, 2018, we had one customer that accounted for 9.1% of
our warehouse segment revenues and 10 customers that each accounted for at least 2% of our warehouse segment revenues. In addition, as of
December 31, 2018, 39 of our warehouses were predominantly single-customer warehouses. If any of our most significant customers were to
discontinue or otherwise reduce their use of our warehouses or other services, which they are generally free to do at any time unless they are
party to a contract that includes a fixed storage commitment, we would be materially and adversely affected. While we have contracts with
stated terms with certain of our customers, most of our contracts do not obligate our customers to use our warehouses or provide for fixed
storage commitments. Moreover, a decrease in demand for certain commodities or products produced by our significant customers and stored
in our temperature-controlled warehouses would lower our occupancy rates and use of our services, without lowering our fixed costs, which
could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, while some of our warehouses are located in primary markets, others are located in
secondary and tertiary markets that are specifically suited to the particular needs of the customer utilizing these warehouses. For example, our
production advantaged warehouses typically serve one or a small number of customers. These warehouses are also generally located adjacent
to or otherwise in close proximity to customer processing or production facilities and were often build-to-suit at the time of their construction.
If customers who utilize this type of warehouse, which may be located in remote areas, relocate their processing or production plants, default
or otherwise cease to use our warehouses, then we may be unable to find replacement customers for these warehouses on favorable terms or
at all or, if we find replacement customers, we may have to incur significant costs to reposition these warehouses for the replacement
customers’ needs, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.
15
Our customers could experience bankruptcy, insolvency or financial deterioration.
Our customers could experience a downturn in their businesses, which may weaken their financial condition and liquidity and result
in their failure to make timely payments to us or otherwise default under their contracts or a decrease in their inventory levels with us and use
of our services, without lowering our fixed costs, which could materially and adversely affect us.
If our customers are unable to comply with the terms of their contracts with us, we may be forced to modify these contracts on terms
that are not favorable to us. Alternatively, customers may seek to cancel their contracts. Termination provisions in our contracts vary, but
generally permit either party to terminate the contract upon a material breach by the counterparty and otherwise are specifically determined
for each customer based on several factors. These include the volume of business involved, the readiness and quality of available capacity
elsewhere and the customer’s internal constraints affecting its ability to move product. Cancellation of, or the failure of a customer to perform
under, a contract could require us to seek replacement customers. There can be no assurance that we would be able to find suitable
replacements on favorable terms in a timely manner or at all or reposition the warehouses without incurring significant costs.
A bankruptcy filing by or relating to any of our customers could prevent or delay us from collecting pre-bankruptcy obligations. In
addition, to the extent that our customers have continuing obligations under any warehouse contract, the bankruptcy court might authorize the
customer to reject and terminate its warehouse contract with us, or the bankruptcy trustee might pursue preferential payments made to us
prior to a bankruptcy. In such instances, our claim for unpaid charges would likely not be paid in full, even if we have secured
warehouseman’s liens on our customer’s assets. Additionally, any such lien may attach to products that are perishable or otherwise not
readily saleable by us. Although we have in the past been deemed to have “critical vendor” status in certain bankruptcy filings, which resulted
in our customer being able to pay us pre-bankruptcy obligations, there is no guarantee that we will be granted any such status in the future.
The bankruptcy, insolvency or financial deterioration of our customers, particularly our significant customers, could materially and
adversely affect us.
The short-term nature and lack of fixed storage commitments of many of our customer contracts exposes us to certain risks that could
have a material adverse effect on us.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, 44.8% of our warehouse segment revenues were generated from contracts with a fixed
storage commitment or leases with customers. Annualized committed rent and storage revenues attributable to our fixed storage commitment
contracts and leases as of December 31, 2018 equaled 42.8% of our total warehouse segment rent and storage revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2018.
Our customer contracts that do not contain fixed storage commitments typically do not require our customers to utilize a minimum
number of pallet positions or provide for guaranteed fixed payment obligations from any customers to us. As a result, most of our customers
may discontinue or otherwise reduce their use of our warehouses or other services in their discretion at any time, without lowering our fixed
costs, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Additionally, we have discrete pricing for our customers based upon their unique
profiles. Therefore, a shift in the mix of business types or customers could negatively impact our financial results.
The storage and other fees we generate from customers with month-to-month warehouse rate agreements may be adversely affected
by declines in market storage and other fee rates more quickly than with respect to our contracts that contain stated terms. There also can be
no assurance that we will be able to retain any customers upon the expiration of their contracts (whether month-to-month warehouse rate
agreements or contracts) or leases. If we cannot retain our customers, or if our customers that are not party to contracts with
16
fixed storage commitments elect not to store goods in our warehouses, we may be unable to find replacement customers on favorable terms or
at all or on a timely basis and we may incur significant expenses in obtaining replacement customers and repositioning warehouses to meet
their needs. Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect us.
We depend on key personnel and specialty personnel, and the loss of key personnel and limited availability of skilled personnel in our
labor markets could harm our business and operating and financial results.
Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of certain key personnel, each of whom would be
difficult to replace. If any of our key personnel were to cease employment with us, our operating and financial results could suffer. Further,
such a loss could be negatively perceived in the capital markets. We have not obtained and do not expect to obtain key man life insurance on
any of our key personnel. Our ability to retain our management group or to attract suitable replacements should any members of our
management team leave is dependent on the competitive nature of the employment market. The loss of services from key members of our
management team or a limitation of their availability could materially and adversely affect us.
We also believe that our future success, particularly in international markets, will depend in large part upon our ability to hire and
retain highly skilled managerial, investment, financing, operational and marketing personnel. The customer service, marketing skills and
knowledge of local market demand and competitive dynamics of our employees are contributing factors to our ability to maximize our
income and to achieve the highest sustainable storage levels at each of our warehouses. We may be unsuccessful in attracting and retaining
such skilled personnel. In addition, our temperature-controlled warehouse business depends on the continued availability of skilled personnel
with engineering expertise and experience. Competition for such personnel is intense, and we may be unable to hire and retain such
personnel.
Wage increases driven by applicable legislation and competitive pressures on employee wages and benefits could negatively affect our
operating margins and our ability to attract qualified personnel.
Our hourly employees in the U.S. and internationally are typically paid wage rates above the applicable minimum wage. However,
increases in the minimum wage will increase our labor costs if we are to continue paying our hourly employees above the applicable
minimum wage. If we are unable to continue paying our hourly employees above the applicable minimum wage, we may be unable to hire
and retain qualified personnel. The U.S. federal minimum wage has been $7.25 per hour since July 24, 2009. From time to time, various
U.S. federal, state and local legislators have proposed or enacted significant changes to the minimum wage requirements. For example,
certain local or regional governments in places such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Portland and New York have approved
phased-in increases that eventually will take their minimum wage to as high as $15.00 per hour. If similar increases were to occur in
additional markets in which we operate, our operating margins would be negatively affected unless we are able to increase our rent, storage
fees and handling fees in order to pass increased labor costs on to our customers.
Competitive pressures may also require that we enhance our pay and benefits package to compete effectively for such personnel
(including costs associated with health insurance coverage or workers’ compensation insurance). If we fail to attract and retain qualified and
skilled personnel, we could be materially and adversely affected.
We may be subject to work stoppages, which could increase our operating costs and disrupt our operations.
Certain portions of our operations are subject to collective bargaining agreements. As of December 31, 2018, worldwide, we
employed approximately 11,000 people, approximately 56% of which were represented by
17
various local labor unions, and 84 of our 155 warehouses have unionized associates that are governed by 69 different collective bargaining
agreements. Unlike owners of industrial warehouses, we hire our own workforce to handle and store items for our customers. Strikes,
slowdowns, lockouts or other industrial disputes could cause us to experience a significant disruption in our operations, as well as increase
our operating costs, which could materially and adversely affect us. If a greater percentage of our work force becomes unionized, we could be
materially and adversely affected. Since January 1, 2016, we have successfully negotiated 55 collective bargaining agreements without any
work stoppages. To date, one agreement has expired and the Company and union are operating under the expired agreement while continuing
negotiations. If we fail to re-negotiate our expired or expiring collective bargaining agreements on favorable terms in a timely manner or at
all, we could be materially and adversely affected.
We are subject to additional risks with respect to our current and potential international operations and properties.
As of December 31, 2018, we owned or had a leasehold interest in 14 temperature-controlled warehouses outside the United States,
and we managed four warehouses outside the United States on behalf of third parties. We also intend to strategically grow our portfolio
globally through acquisitions of temperature-controlled warehouses in attractive international markets to service demonstrable customer
demand where we believe the anticipated risk-adjusted returns are consistent with our investment objectives. Specifically, we are targeting
attractive growth opportunities for temperature-controlled warehouses in international markets in Australia. However, there is no assurance
that our existing customer relationships will support our international operations in any meaningful way or at all. Our international operations
and properties could be affected by factors peculiar to the laws and business practices of the jurisdictions in which our warehouses are
located. These laws and business practices expose us to risks that are different than or in addition to those commonly found in the United
States. Risks relating to our international operations and properties include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
changing governmental rules and policies, including changes in land use and zoning laws;
enactment of laws relating to the international ownership of real property or mortgages and laws restricting the ability to remove
profits earned from activities within a particular country to a person’s or company’s country of origin;
variations in currency exchange rates;
adverse market conditions caused by terrorism, civil unrest and changes in international, national or local governmental or
economic conditions;
the willingness of U.S. or international lenders to make mortgage loans in certain countries and changes in the availability, cost
and terms of secured and unsecured debt resulting from varying governmental economic policies;
the imposition of unique tax structures and changes in real estate and other tax rates and other operating expenses in particular
countries;
general political and economic instability;
potential liability under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, which generally prohibits U.S. companies and
their intermediaries from bribing or making other prohibited payments to non-U.S. officials for the purpose of obtaining or
retaining business or other benefits;
our limited experience and expertise in foreign countries relative to our experience and expertise in the United States;
provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA, that require the United States parent to include income from certain
international operations into U.S. taxable income, and adverse tax consequences in the applicable jurisdictions; and
18
•
potential liability under, and costs of complying with, more stringent environmental laws or changes in the requirements or
interpretation of existing laws, or environmental consequences of less stringent environmental management practices in foreign
countries relative to the United States.
If any of the foregoing risks were to materialize, they could materially and adversely affect us.
Our warehouse business outside the United States exposes us to losses resulting from currency fluctuations.
Our warehouse business outside the United States exposes us to losses resulting from currency fluctuations, as the revenues
associated with our international operations and properties are generated in the local currency of each of the countries in which the properties
are located. Fluctuations in exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar will therefore give rise to non-U.S. currency
exposure, which could materially and adversely affect us. We may attempt to mitigate any such effects by entering into currency exchange
rate hedging arrangements where it is practical to do so and where such hedging arrangements are available. These hedging arrangements
may bear substantial costs, however, and may not eliminate all related risks. We cannot assure you that our efforts will successfully mitigate
our currency risks. Moreover, if we do engage in currency exchange rate hedging activities, any income recognized with respect to these
hedges (as well as any foreign currency gain recognized with respect to changes in exchange rates) may not qualify under the 75% gross
income test or the 95% gross income test that we must satisfy annually in order to qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, or the Code.
The Argentine foreign exchange market is subject to controls, which may adversely affect our ability to repatriate the revenues we derive
from our Argentine operations.
Since December 2001, different Argentine government administrations have established and implemented various restrictions on
foreign currency transfers, including certain restrictions on the ability to repatriate earnings from Argentina. Although in December 2015, the
Macri administration eliminated or otherwise reduced many of such restrictions, we cannot assure you that such measures will not be
implemented in the future again.
The impact that these current measures will have on the Argentine economy and on us is still uncertain. We cannot assure you that
the current regulations will not be amended, or that no new regulations will be enacted in the future imposing other limitations on funds
flowing into and out of the Argentine foreign exchange market. Any such new measures, as well as any additional regulations and/or
restrictions, could materially and adversely affect our ability to repatriate the revenues we derive from our Argentine operations or transfer
funds abroad.
In the future, we cannot rule out a less favorable international economic environment, lack of stability and competitiveness of the
Argentine currency against other foreign currencies, a lower level of confidence among consumers and foreign and domestic investors, a
higher inflation rate or future political uncertainties, among other factors. In case any such circumstances occur, it could materially and
adversely affect the results of our operations in Argentina.
We may incur liabilities or harm our reputation as a result of quality-control issues associated with our warehouse storage and other
services.
We store frozen and perishable food and other products. Product contamination, spoilage, other adulteration, product tampering or
other quality control issues could occur at any of our temperature-controlled warehouses or during the transportation of these products, which
could cause our customers to lose all or a portion of their inventory. We could be liable for the costs incurred by our customers as a result of
the lost inventory, and we also may be subject to liability, which could be material, if any of the frozen and perishable food products we
19
stored or transported caused injury, illness or death. The occurrence of any of the foregoing may negatively impact our brand and reputation
and otherwise have a material adverse effect on us.
Our temperature-controlled warehouse infrastructure may become obsolete or unmarketable and we may not be able to upgrade our
equipment cost-effectively or at all.
The infrastructure at our temperature-controlled warehouses may become obsolete or unmarketable due to the development of, or
demand for, more advanced equipment or enhanced technologies. In addition, our information technology platform pursuant to which we
provide inventory management and other services to our customers may become outdated. When customers demand new equipment or
technologies, the cost could be significant and we may not be able to upgrade our warehouses on a cost-effective basis in a timely manner, or
at all, due to, among other things, increased expenses to us that cannot be passed on to customers or insufficient resources to fund the
necessary capital expenditures. The obsolescence of our infrastructure or our inability to upgrade our warehouses would likely reduce
warehouse segment revenues, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
A failure of our information technology systems, cybersecurity attacks or a breach of our information security systems, networks or
processes could cause loss of confidential information and other business disruptions and may materially adversely affect our business.
We rely extensively on our computer systems to process transactions and operate and manage our business. Despite efforts to avoid
or mitigate such risks, external and internal risks, such as malware, insecure coding, data leakage and human error pose direct threats to the
stability and effectiveness of our information technology systems. The failure of our information technology systems to perform as
anticipated could adversely affect our business through transaction errors, billing and invoicing errors, processing inefficiencies or errors and
loss of sales, receivables, collections and customers, in each case, which could result in reputational damage and have an ongoing adverse
effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.
We may also be subject to cybersecurity attacks and other intentional hacking. These attacks could include attempts to gain
unauthorized access to our data and computer systems. We employ a number of measures to prevent, detect and mitigate these threats, which
include password protection, frequent password changes, firewall detection systems, frequent backups, a redundant data system for core
applications and annual penetration testing; however, there is no guarantee such efforts will be successful in preventing a cybersecurity
attack. A cybersecurity attack or breach could compromise the confidential information of our employees, customers and vendors. A
successful attack could result in service interruptions, operational difficulties, loss of revenue or market share, liability to our customers or
others, diversion of corporate resources and injury to our reputation and increased costs. Addressing such issues could prove difficult or
impossible and be very costly. Responding to claims or liability could similarly involve substantial costs. Recently, there has been heightened
interest in regulatory and enforcement focus on data protection regulations or standards both in the United States and abroad. Failure to
comply with applicable data protection regulations or standards may expose us to litigation, fines, sanctions or other penalties, which could
damage our reputation and adversely impact our business, results of operation and financial condition. In addition, our customers rely
extensively on computer systems to process transactions and manage their business and thus their businesses are also at risk from, and may be
impacted by, cybersecurity attacks. An interruption in the business operations of our customers or a deterioration in their reputation resulting
from a cybersecurity attack could indirectly impact our business operations. As of December 31, 2018, we have not had a significant cyber
breach or attack that had an adverse material impact on our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
20
Our properties are designed specifically for use as temperature-controlled warehouses, which could make it difficult for us to reposition
or sell these properties.
Our properties are highly specialized temperature-controlled warehouses, many of which are located in secondary or tertiary markets.
Such warehouses are often custom-designed to meet specific customer needs. As a result, our warehouses are not well-suited for uses other
than temperature-controlled storage. Major renovations and expenditures would be required to convert our temperature-controlled
warehouses for most other uses. In the event we experience a significant decline in demand for temperature-controlled storage at any of our
warehouses, it could be difficult to reposition or sell these properties on favorable terms, or at all, and the value of our temperature-controlled
warehouses may be impaired due to the costs of reconfiguring our temperature-controlled warehouses for alternative purposes and the
removal or modification of the specialized systems and equipment, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.
We depend on third-party trucking service providers to provide transportation services to our customers, and any delays or disruptions in
providing these transportation services, or damages caused to products during transportation, could have a material adverse effect on us.
We offer transportation services to our customers primarily on a brokerage basis and do not own meaningful transportation assets,
such as trucks or containers. We depend on third-party trucking service providers to provide refrigerated transportation services to our
customers. We do not have an exclusive or long-term contractual relationship with any of these third-party trucking service providers, and we
can provide no assurance that our customers will have uninterrupted or unlimited access to their transportation assets or services. Any delays
or disruptions in providing these transportation services to our customers could reduce the confidence our customers have in our ability to
provide transportation services and could impair our ability to retain existing customers or attract new customers. Moreover, in connection
with any such delays or disruptions, or if customers’ products are damaged or destroyed during transport, we could incur financial obligations
or be subject to lawsuits by our customers. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on us.
If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately
determine or disclose our financial results. As a result, our shareholders could lose confidence in our financial results.
Effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports. We may in the future
discover areas of our internal control over financial reporting that need improvement. We cannot be certain that we will be successful in
implementing or maintaining an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, or that material weaknesses or significant
deficiencies will not be identified in the future. Furthermore, the existence of a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal
control over financial reporting would require our management to devote significant time and attention and incur significant expense to
remediate any such material weakness or significant deficiency, and management may not be able to remediate any such material weakness
or significant deficiency in a timely manner. The existence of any material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over
financial reporting could also result in errors in our financial statements that could require us to restate our financial statements, cause us to
fail to meet our reporting obligations and cause shareholders to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could materially
and adversely affect us and lead to a significant decline in the market price of our common shares.
We participate in multiemployer pension plans administered by labor unions. To the extent we withdraw from participation in any of these
plans, we could face withdrawal liability from our participation therein.
As of December 31, 2018, we participated in seven multiemployer pension plans under the terms of collective bargaining agreements
with labor unions representing the Company’s associates. Approximately 35%
21
of our employees were participants in such multiemployer pension plans as of December 31, 2018. We make periodic contributions to these
plans pursuant to the terms of our collective bargaining agreements to allow the plans to meet their pension benefit obligations.
In the event that we withdraw from participation in any of the multiemployer pension plans in which we participate or should any of
the pension plans in which we participate fail, the documents governing the applicable plan and applicable law could require us to make an
additional contribution to the applicable plan in the amount of the unfunded vested benefits allocable to our participation in the plan, and we
would have to reflect that as an expense on our consolidated statement of income and as a liability on our consolidated balance sheet. Our
liability for any multiemployer pension plan would depend on the extent of the plan’s funding of vested benefits as of the year in which the
withdrawal or failure occurs, and may vary depending on the funded status of the applicable multiemployer pension plan, whether there is a
mass withdrawal of all participating employers and whether any other participating employer in the applicable plan withdraws from the plan
due to insolvency and is not able to contribute an amount sufficient to fund the unfunded liabilities associated with its participants in the plan.
Based on the latest information available from plan administrators, we estimate our share of the aggregate withdrawal liability for the
multiemployer pension plans in which we participate could have been as much as $511.7 million as of December 31, 2018, of which we
estimate that certain of our customers are contractually obligated to make indemnification payments to us for approximately $455.8 million .
However, there is no guarantee that, to the extent we incurred any such withdrawal liability, we would be successful in obtaining any
indemnification payments therefor.
In the ordinary course of our renegotiation of collective bargaining agreements with labor unions that maintain these plans, we could
agree to discontinue participation in one or more plans, and in that event we could face a withdrawal liability. Additionally, we could be
treated as withdrawing from a plan if the number of our employees participating in the plan is reduced to a certain degree over certain periods
of time.
Some multiemployer pension plans, including ones in which we participate, are reported to have significant underfunded liabilities.
Such underfunding could increase the size of our potential withdrawal liability. Additionally, changes to multiemployer pension plan laws
and regulations could increase our potential cost of withdrawing from one or more multiemployer pension plans.
Power costs may increase or be subject to volatility, which could result in increased costs that we may be unable to recover.
Power is a major operating cost for temperature-controlled warehouses, and the price of power varies substantially between the
markets in which we operate, depending on the power source and supply and demand factors. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and
2017, power costs in our warehouse segment accounted for 9.0% and 9.1%, respectively, of the segment’s operating expenses. We have
implemented programs across our warehouses to reduce overall consumption and to reduce consumption at peak demand periods, when
power prices are typically highest. However, there can be no assurance that these programs will be effective in reducing our power
consumption.
We have entered into, or may in the future enter into, fixed price power purchase agreements in certain deregulated markets whereby
we contract for the right to purchase an amount of electric capacity at a fixed rate per kilowatt. These contracts do not obligate us to purchase
any minimum amounts but would require negotiation if our capacity requirements were to materially differ from historical usage or exceed
the thresholds agreed upon. For example, exceeding these thresholds could have an adverse impact on our incremental power purchase costs
if we were to be unable to obtain favorable rates on the incremental purchases.
22
If the cost of electric power to operate our warehouses increases dramatically or fluctuates widely and we are unable to pass such
costs through to customers, we could be materially and adversely affected.
We could experience power outages or breakdowns of our refrigeration equipment.
Our warehouses are subject to electrical power outages and breakdowns of our refrigeration equipment. We attempt to limit exposure
to such occasions by using backup generators and power supplies, generally at a significantly higher operating cost than we would pay for an
equivalent amount of power from a local utility, and by conducting regular maintenance and upgrades to our refrigeration equipment.
However, we may not be able to limit our exposure entirely even with these protections in place. Power outages that last beyond our backup
and alternative power arrangements and refrigeration equipment breakdowns would harm our customers and our business. During power
outages and refrigeration equipment breakdowns, changes in humidity and temperature could spoil or otherwise contaminate the frozen and
perishable food and other products stored by our customers. We could incur financial obligations to, or be subject to lawsuits by, our
customers in connection with these occurrences, which may not be covered by insurance. Any loss of services or product damage could
reduce the confidence of our customers in our services and could consequently impair our ability to attract and retain customers. Additionally,
in the event of the complete failure of our refrigeration equipment, we would incur significant costs in repairing or replacing our refrigeration
equipment, which may not be covered by insurance. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on us. As of December 31,
2018, we have not had a significant power outage or breakdown of our refrigeration equipment.
We hold leasehold interests in 25 of our warehouses, and we may be forced to vacate our warehouses if we default on our obligations
thereunder and we will be forced to vacate our warehouses if we are unable to renew such leases upon their expiration.
As of December 31, 2018, we held leasehold interests in 25 of our warehouses. These leases expire (taking into account our extension
options) from August 2019 to August 2050, and have a weighted-average remaining term of 21 years. If we default on any of these leases, we
may be liable for damages and could lose our leasehold interest in the applicable property, including all improvements. We would incur
significant costs if we were forced to vacate any of these leased warehouses due to, among other matters, the high costs of relocating the
equipment in our warehouses. If we were forced to vacate any of these leased warehouses, we could lose customers that chose our storage or
other services based on our location, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Our landlords could attempt to evict us for reasons
beyond our control. Further, we may be unable to maintain good working relationships with our landlords, which could adversely affect our
relationship with our customers and could result in the loss of customers. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to renew
these leases prior to their expiration dates on favorable terms or at all. If we are unable to renew our lease agreements, we will lose our right
to operate these warehouses and be unable to derive revenues from these warehouses and, in the case of ground leases, we forfeit all
improvements on the land. We could also lose the customers using these warehouses who are unwilling to relocate to another one of our
warehouses, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Furthermore, unless we purchase the underlying fee interests in these
properties, as to which no assurance can be given, we will not share in any increase in value of the land or improvements beyond the term of
such lease, notwithstanding any capital we have invested in the applicable warehouse, especially warehouses subject to ground leases. Even if
we are able to renew these leases, the terms and other costs of renewal may be less favorable than our existing lease arrangements. Failure to
sufficiently increase revenues from customers at these warehouses to offset these projected higher costs could have a material adverse effect
on us.
23
We have limited experience operating as a publicly traded REIT.
We have limited experience operating as a publicly traded REIT. As a publicly traded REIT, we are required to develop and
implement substantial control systems, policies and procedures in order to maintain our REIT qualification and satisfy our periodic SEC
reporting, SEC compliance and NYSE listing requirements. We cannot assure you that our management’s past experience will be sufficient to
successfully develop and implement these systems, policies and procedures and to operate our company as a publicly traded REIT. Any
difficulty we have in operating as a publicly traded REIT in compliance with these requirements could subject us to significant fines,
sanctions and other liabilities and jeopardize our status as a REIT or as a public company listed on the NYSE, which could materially and
adversely affect us.
24
General
Risks
Related
to
the
Real
Estate
Industry
Our performance and value are subject to economic conditions affecting the real estate market, temperature-controlled warehouses in
particular, as well as the broader economy.
Our performance and value depend on the amount of revenues earned, as well as the expenses incurred, in connection with operating
our warehouses. If our temperature-controlled warehouses do not generate revenues and operating cash flows sufficient to meet our operating
expenses, including debt service and capital expenditures, we could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, there are significant
expenditures associated with our real estate (such as mortgage payments, real estate taxes and maintenance costs) that generally do not
decline when circumstances reduce the revenues from our warehouses. Accordingly, our expenditures may stay constant, or increase, even if
our revenues decline. The real estate market is affected by many factors that are beyond our control, and revenues from, and the value of, our
properties may be materially and adversely affected by:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
changes in the national, international or local economic climate;
availability, cost and terms of financing;
technological changes, such as expansion of e-commerce, reconfiguration of supply chains, automation, robotics or other
technologies;
the attractiveness of our properties to potential customers;
inability to collect storage charges, rent and other fees from customers;
the ongoing need for, and significant expense of, capital improvements and addressing obsolescence in a timely manner,
particularly in older structures;
changes in supply of, or demand for, similar or competing properties in an area;
customer retention and turnover;
excess supply in the market area;
financial difficulties, defaults or bankruptcies by our customers;
changes in operating costs and expenses and our ability to control rates;
changes in or increased costs of compliance with governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including changes in tax, real
estate, environmental and zoning laws, and our potential liability thereunder;
our ability to provide adequate maintenance and insurance;
changes in the cost or availability of insurance, including coverage for mold or asbestos;
unanticipated changes in costs associated with known adverse environmental conditions, newly discovered environmental
conditions and retained liabilities for such conditions;
changes in interest rates or other changes in monetary policy;
disruptions in the global supply-chain caused by political, regulatory or other factors such as terrorism and political instability; and
civil unrest, acts of war, terrorist attacks and natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods, which may result in uninsured
and under-insured losses.
In addition, periods of economic slowdown or recession, rising interest rates or declining demand for real estate, or the public
perception that any of these events may occur, would result in a general decrease in rates or an increased occurrence of defaults under
existing contracts, which could materially and adversely affect us. For these and other reasons, we cannot assure you that we will be able to
achieve our business objectives.
25
We could incur significant costs under environmental laws relating to the presence and management of asbestos, ammonia and other
chemicals and underground storage tanks.
Environmental laws in the United States require that owners or operators of buildings containing asbestos properly manage asbestos,
adequately inform or train those who may come into contact with asbestos and undertake special precautions, including removal or other
abatement, in the event that asbestos is damaged, is decayed, poses a health risk or is disturbed during building renovation or demolition.
These laws impose fines and penalties on building owners or operators who fail to comply with these requirements and may allow third
parties to seek recovery from owners or operators for personal injury associated with exposure to asbestos and other toxic or hazardous
substances. Some of our properties may contain asbestos or asbestos-containing building materials.
Most of our warehouses utilize ammonia as a refrigerant. Ammonia is classified as a hazardous chemical regulated by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or the EPA. Releases of ammonia occur at our warehouses from time to time, and any number of
unplanned events, including severe storms, fires, earthquakes, vandalism, equipment failure, operational errors, accidents, deliberate acts of
employees or third parties, and terrorist acts could result in a significant release of ammonia that could result in injuries, loss of life, property
damage and a significant interruption at affected facilities. For example, in 2015, we identified, and reported when required, ammonia
releases across refrigeration systems in six of our facilities. These releases resulted in no significant property damage. In 2016, we identified,
and reported when required, ammonia releases across refrigeration systems in eight of our facilities. These releases resulted in no significant
property damage. Ammonia exposure can also cause damage to our customers’ goods stored with us. In June 2015, a release of ammonia
occurred at our Dallas, Texas warehouse, resulting in exposure to over 13,000 pallets of customer goods. Although we cannot predict the
extent of our liabilities as a result of these incidents, we expect any related product damage claims to be covered by insurance subject to
applicable deductibles. Although our warehouses have risk management programs required by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970, as amended, or OSHA, the EPA and other regulatory agencies in place, we could incur significant liability in the event of an
unanticipated release of ammonia from one of our refrigeration systems. Releases could occur at locations or at times when trained personnel
may not be available to respond quickly, increasing the risk of injury, loss of life or property damage. Some of our warehouses are not staffed
24 hours a day and, as a result, we may not respond to intentional or accidental events during closed hours as quickly as we could during open
hours, which could exacerbate any injuries, loss of life or property damage. We also could incur liability in the event we fail to report such
ammonia releases in a timely fashion.
Environmental laws and regulations subject us and our customers to liability in connection with the storage, handling and use of
ammonia and other hazardous substances utilized in our operations. Our warehouses also may have under-floor heating systems, some of
which utilize ethylene glycol, petroleum compounds, or other hazardous substances; releases from these systems could potentially
contaminate soil and groundwater.
In addition, some of our properties have been operated for decades and have known or potential environmental impacts. Other than in
connection with financings, we have not historically performed regular environmental assessments on our properties, and we may not do so in
the future. Many of our properties contain, or may in the past have contained, features that pose environmental risks including underground
tanks for the storage of petroleum products and other hazardous substances as well as floor drains and wastewater collection and discharge
systems, hazardous materials storage areas and septic systems. All of these features create a potential for the release of petroleum products or
other hazardous substances. Some of our properties are adjacent to or near properties that have known environmental impacts or have in the
past stored or handled petroleum products or other hazardous substances that could have resulted in environmental impacts to soils or
groundwater that could affect our properties. In addition, former owners, our customers, or third parties outside our control (such as
independent transporters) have engaged, or may in the future engage, in activities that have released or
26
may release petroleum products or other hazardous substances on our properties. Any of these activities or circumstances could materially
and adversely affect us.
We could incur significant costs related to environmental conditions and liabilities.
Our operations are subject to a wide range of environmental laws and regulations in each of the locations in which we operate, and
compliance with these requirements involves significant capital and operating costs. Failure to comply with these environmental requirements
can result in civil or criminal fines or sanctions, claims for environmental damages, remediation obligations, the revocation of environmental
permits or restrictions on our operations. Future changes in environmental laws, or in the interpretation of those laws, including potential
future climate change regulations, such as those affecting electric power providers or regulations related to the control of greenhouse gas
emissions, or stricter requirements affecting our operations could result in increased capital and operating costs, which could materially and
adversely affect us.
Under various U.S. federal, state and local environmental laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, commonly known as CERCLA, or the Superfund law, a current or previous owner or
operator of real property may be liable for the entire cost of investigating, removing or remediating hazardous or toxic substances on such
property. Such laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the contamination. Even if
more than one person may have been responsible for the contamination, each person covered by the environmental laws may be held
responsible for the entire cleanup cost. We may also be subject to environmental liabilities under the regulatory regimes in place in the other
countries in which we operate.
The presence of hazardous or toxic substances on our properties, or the failure to properly remediate contaminated properties, could
give rise to liens in favor of the government for failure to address the contamination, or otherwise adversely affect our ability to sell or lease
properties or borrow using our properties as collateral. Environmental laws also may impose restrictions on the manner in which property
may be used or our businesses may be operated.
Under environmental laws, a property owner or operator is subject to compliance obligations, potential government sanctions for
violations or natural resource damages, claims from private parties for cleanup contribution or other environmental damages and investigation
and remediation costs. In connection with the acquisition, ownership or operation of our properties, we may be exposed to such costs. The
cost of resolving environmental, property damage or personal injury claims, of compliance with environmental regulatory requirements, of
paying fines, or meeting new or stricter environmental requirements or of remediating contaminated properties could materially and adversely
affect us.
Nearly all of our properties have been the subject of environmental assessments conducted by environmental consultants at some
point in the past. Most of these assessments have not included soil sampling or subsurface investigations. Many of our older properties have
not had asbestos surveys. In many instances, we have not conducted further investigations of environmental conditions disclosed in these
environmental assessments nor can we be assured that these environmental assessments have identified all potential environmental liabilities
associated with our properties. Material environmental conditions, liabilities or compliance concerns may have arisen or may arise after the
date of the environmental assessments on our properties. Moreover, there can be no assurance that (i) future laws, ordinances or regulations
will not impose new material environmental obligations or costs, including the potential effects of climate change or new climate change
regulations, (ii) we will not incur material liabilities in connection with both known and undiscovered environmental conditions arising out of
past activities on our properties or (iii) our properties will not be materially and adversely affected by the operations of customers, by
environmental impacts or operations on
27
neighboring properties (such as releases from underground storage tanks), or by the actions of parties unrelated to us.
In the future, our customers may demand lower indirect emissions associated with the storage and transportation of frozen and
perishable foods, which could lead customers to seek temperature-controlled storage from our competitors. Further, such demand could
require us to implement various processes to reduce emissions from our operations in order to remain competitive, which could materially
and adversely affect us.
Our insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover potential environmental liabilities.
We maintain a portfolio environmental insurance policy that provides coverage for sudden and accidental environmental liabilities,
subject to the policy’s coverage conditions, deductibles and limits, for most of our properties. There is no assurance that future environmental
claims will be covered under these policies or that, if covered, the loss will not exceed policy limits. From time to time, we may acquire
properties, or interests in properties, with known adverse environmental conditions where we believe that the environmental liabilities
associated with these conditions are quantifiable and that the acquisition will yield an attractive risk-adjusted return. In such an instance, we
factor the estimated costs of environmental investigation, cleanup and monitoring into the net cost. Further, in connection with property
dispositions, we may agree to remain responsible for, and to bear the cost of, remediating or monitoring certain environmental conditions on
the properties. A failure to accurately estimate these costs, or uninsured environmental liabilities, could materially and adversely affect us.
Our properties may contain or develop harmful molds or have other air quality issues, which could lead to financial liability for adverse
health effects to our employees or third parties, and costs of remediating the problem.
Our properties may contain or develop harmful molds or suffer from other air quality issues, which could lead to liability for adverse
health effects and costs of remediating the problem. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth
may occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or is not addressed over a period of time. Some molds produce airborne
toxins or irritants. Indoor air quality issues can also stem from inadequate ventilation, poor equipment maintenance, chemical contamination
from indoor or outdoor sources and other biological contaminants, such as pollen, viruses and bacteria. Indoor exposure to airborne toxins or
irritants present above certain levels can cause a variety of adverse health effects and symptoms, including allergic or other reactions. As a
result, the presence of significant mold or other airborne contaminants at any of our properties could require us to undertake a costly
remediation program to contain or remove the mold or other airborne contaminants from the affected property, to reduce indoor moisture
levels, or to upgrade ventilation systems to improve indoor air quality. In addition, the presence of significant mold or other airborne
contaminants could expose us to liability from our employees, our customers, employees of our customers and others if property damage or
health concerns arise.
Illiquidity of real estate investments, particularly our specialized temperature-controlled warehouses, could significantly impede our
ability to respond to adverse changes in the performance of our business and properties.
Real estate investments are relatively illiquid, and given the specialized nature of our business, our temperature-controlled
warehouses may be more illiquid than other real estate investments. This illiquidity is driven by a number of factors, including the specialized
and often customer-specific design of our warehouses, the relatively small number of potential purchasers of temperature-controlled
warehouses and the location of many of our warehouses in secondary or tertiary markets. As a result, we may be unable to complete an exit
strategy or quickly sell properties in our portfolio in response to adverse changes in the performance of our properties or in our business
generally. We cannot predict whether we will be able to sell any property for the price or on the
28
terms set by us or whether any price or other terms offered by a prospective buyer would be acceptable to us. We also cannot predict the
length of time it would take to complete the sale of any such property. Such sales might also require us to expend funds to mitigate or correct
defects to the property or make changes or improvements to the property prior to its sale. The ability to sell assets in our portfolio is also
restricted by certain covenants in our mortgage loan agreements and other credit agreements. Code requirements relating to our status as a
REIT may also limit our ability to vary our portfolio promptly in response to changes in economic or other conditions.
We could experience uninsured or under-insured losses relating to our warehouses and other assets, including our real property.
We carry insurance coverage on all of our properties in an amount that we believe adequately covers any potential casualty losses.
However, there are certain losses, including losses from floods, earthquakes, acts of war or riots, that we are not generally insured against or
that we are not generally fully insured against because it is not deemed economically feasible or prudent to do so. In addition, changes in the
cost or availability of insurance could expose us to uninsured casualty losses. In the event that any of our properties incurs a casualty loss that
is not covered by insurance (in part or at all), the value of our assets will be reduced by the amount of any such uninsured loss, and we could
experience a significant loss of capital invested and potential revenues in these properties. Any such losses could materially and adversely
affect us. In addition, we may have no source of funding to repair or reconstruct the damaged property, and we cannot assure you that any
such sources of funding will be available to us for such purposes in the future on favorable terms or at all.
In the event of a fire, flood or other occurrence involving the loss of or damage to stored products held by us but belonging to others,
we may be liable for such loss or damage. Although we have an insurance program in effect, there can be no assurance that such potential
liability will not exceed the applicable coverage limits under our insurance policies. A number of our properties are located in areas that are
known to be subject to earthquake activity, such as California, Washington, Oregon and New Zealand, or in flood zones, such as Appleton,
Wisconsin and Roanoke, Virginia, in each case exposing them to increased risk of casualty.
If we or one or more of our customers experiences a loss for which we are liable and that loss is uninsured or exceeds policy limits,
we could lose the capital invested in the damaged properties as well as the anticipated future cash flows from those properties. In addition, if
the damaged properties are subject to recourse indebtedness, we would continue to be liable for the indebtedness, even if these properties
were irreparably damaged.
We are self-insured for workers’ compensation and health insurance under a large deductible program, meaning that we have accrued
liabilities in amounts that we consider appropriate to cover losses in these areas. In addition, we maintain excess loss coverage to insure
against losses in excess of the reserves that we have established for these claims in amounts that we consider appropriate. However, in the
event that our loss experience exceeds our reserves and the limits of our excess loss policies, we could be materially and adversely affected.
We may not be reimbursed for increases in operating expenses and other real estate costs.
We may be limited in our ability to obtain reimbursement from customers under existing warehouse contracts for any increases in
operating expenses such as electricity charges, maintenance costs, taxes, including real estate and income taxes, or other real estate-related
costs. Unless we are able to offset any unexpected costs with sufficient revenues through new warehouse contracts or customers, increases in
these costs would lower our operating margins and could materially and adversely affect us.
29
Costs of complying with governmental laws and regulations could adversely affect us and our customers.
The food industry in all jurisdictions in which we operate is subject to numerous government standards and regulations. While we
believe that we are currently in compliance with all applicable government standards and regulations, there can be no assurance that all of our
warehouses or our customers’ operations are currently in compliance with, or will be able to comply in the future with, all applicable
standards and regulations or that the costs of compliance will not increase in the future.
All real property and the operations conducted on real property are subject to governmental laws and regulations relating to
environmental protection and human health and safety. Our customers’ ability to operate and to satisfy their contractual obligations, including
those made to us, may be affected by permitting and compliance obligations arising under such laws and regulations. Some of these laws and
regulations could increase their operating costs, result in fines or impose joint and several liability on customers, owners or operators for the
costs to investigate or remediate contamination, regardless of fault or whether the acts causing the contamination were legal.
Some of these laws and regulations have been amended so as to require compliance with new or more stringent standards in the
future. Compliance with new or more stringent laws or regulations or stricter interpretation of existing laws may require that we or our
customers incur material expenditures. In addition, there are various governmental fire, health, safety and similar regulations with which we
and our customers may be required to comply and which may subject us and our customers to liability in the form of fines or damages for
noncompliance. Any material expenditures, fines or damages imposed on our customers or us could directly or indirectly have a material
adverse effect on us. In addition, changes in these governmental laws and regulations, or their interpretation by agencies and courts, could
occur.
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, or the ADA, generally requires that public buildings, including portions of
our warehouses, be made accessible to disabled persons. Noncompliance could result in the imposition of fines by the federal government or
the award of damages to private litigants. If, under the ADA, we are required to make substantial alterations and capital expenditures in one
or more of our warehouses, including the removal of access barriers, it could materially and adversely affect us.
Our properties are subject to regulation under OSHA, which requires employers to protect employees against many workplace
hazards, such as exposure to harmful levels of toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress and unsanitary
conditions. The cost of complying with OSHA and similar laws enacted by other jurisdictions in which we operate is substantial and any
failure to comply with these regulations could expose us to penalties and potentially to liabilities to employees who may be injured at our
warehouses, any of which could be material. Furthermore, any fines or violations that we face under OSHA could expose us to reputational
risk.
We face ongoing litigation risks which could result in material liabilities and harm to our business regardless of whether we prevail in
any particular matter.
We are a large company operating in multiple U.S. and international jurisdictions, with thousands of employees and business
counterparts. As such, there is an ongoing risk that we may become involved in legal disputes or litigation with these parties or others. The
costs and liabilities with respect to such legal disputes may be material and may exceed our amounts, if any, accrued for such liabilities and
costs. In addition, our defense of legal disputes or resulting litigation could result in the diversion of our management’s time and attention
from the operation of our business, each of which could impede our ability to achieve our business objectives. Some or all of the amounts we
may be required to pay to defend or to satisfy a judgment or settlement of any or all of our disputes and litigation may not be covered by
insurance.
30
We face risks stemming from our partial ownership interests in certain properties which could materially and adversely affect the value of
our joint venture investments.
We own an interest in one of our properties indirectly through an investment in a joint venture with a third party. In the future, we
may make additional investments through joint venture investment vehicles. These investments involve risks not present in investments
where a third party is not involved, including the possibility that:
•
•
•
•
•
• we and a co-venturer or partner may reach an impasse on a major decision that requires the approval of both parties;
• we may not have exclusive control over the development, financing, management and other aspects of the property or joint
venture, which may prevent us from taking actions that are in our best interest but opposed by a co-venturer or partner;
a co-venturer or partner may at any time have economic or business interests or goals that are or may become inconsistent with
ours;
a co-venturer or partner may encounter liquidity or insolvency issues or may become bankrupt, which may mean that we and any
other remaining co-venturers or partners generally would remain liable for the joint venture’s liabilities;
a co-venturer or partner may be in a position to take action contrary to our instructions, requests, policies or investment objectives,
including our current policy with respect to maintaining our qualification as a REIT under the Code;
a co-venturer or partner may take actions that subject us to liabilities in excess of, or other than, those contemplated;
in certain circumstances, we may be liable for actions of our co-venturer or partner, and the activities of a co-venturer or partner
could adversely affect our ability to qualify as a REIT, even if we do not control the joint venture;
our joint venture agreements may restrict the transfer of a co-venturer’s or partner’s interest or otherwise restrict our ability to sell
the interest when we desire or on advantageous terms;
our joint venture agreements may contain buy-sell provisions pursuant to which one co-venturer or partner may initiate procedures
requiring the other co-venturer or partner to choose between buying the other co-venturer’s or partner’s interest or selling its
interest to that co-venturer or partner;
if a joint venture agreement is terminated or dissolved, we may not continue to own or operate the interests or investments
underlying the joint venture relationship or may need to purchase such interests or investments at a premium to the market price to
continue ownership; or
disputes between us and a co-venturer or partner may result in litigation or arbitration that could increase our expenses and
prevent our management from focusing their time and attention on our business.
•
•
•
•
Any of the above could materially and adversely affect the value of our current joint venture investment or any future joint venture
investments and potentially have a material adverse effect on us.
31
Risks
Related
to
Our
Debt
Financings
We have a substantial amount of indebtedness that may limit our financial and operating activities.
As of December 31, 2018, we had approximately $1.4 billion of total consolidated indebtedness outstanding and borrowing capacity
under our 2018 Senior Unsecured Credit Facilities of $800 million less approximately $29.6 million for certain outstanding letters of credit.
Our organizational documents contain no limitations regarding the maximum level of indebtedness that we may incur or keep outstanding.
Payments of principal and interest on indebtedness may leave us with insufficient cash resources to operate our properties or to pay
distributions to our shareholders at expected levels. Our substantial outstanding indebtedness could have other material and adverse
consequences, including, without limitation, the following:
our cash flows may be insufficient to meet our required principal and interest payments;
•
• we may use a substantial portion of our cash flows to make principal and interest payments and we may be unable to obtain
additional financing as needed or on favorable terms, which could, among other things, have a material adverse effect on our
ability to capitalize upon acquisition opportunities, fund capital improvements or meet operational needs;
• we may be unable to refinance our indebtedness at maturity or the refinancing terms may be less favorable than the terms of our
original indebtedness;
• we may be forced to dispose of one or more of our properties, possibly on disadvantageous terms or in violation of certain
covenants to which we may be subject;
• we may default on our indebtedness by failing to make required payments or violating covenants, which would entitle holders of
such indebtedness and other indebtedness with a cross-default provision to accelerate the maturity of their indebtedness and, if
such indebtedness is secured, to foreclose on our properties that secure their loans;
• we may be unable to effectively hedge floating rate debt with respect to our Senior Secured Credit Facilities or any successor
facilities thereto;
• we are required to maintain certain debt and coverage and other financial ratios at specified levels, thereby reducing our operating
and financial flexibility;
our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions may be increased; and
•
• we may be subject to greater exposure to increases in interest rates for our variable-rate debt and to higher interest expense on
future fixed rate debt.
If any one of these events were to occur, we could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, any foreclosure on our properties
could create taxable income without accompanying cash proceeds, which could materially and adversely affect our ability to meet the REIT
distribution requirements imposed by the Code.
We are dependent on external sources of capital, the continuing availability of which is uncertain.
In order to qualify as a REIT, we are required each year to distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income
(determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and by excluding capital gains). In addition, we will be subject to income tax at
regular corporate rates to the extent that we distribute less than 100% of our REIT taxable income, including any net capital gains. Because of
these distribution requirements, we may not be able to fund all of our future capital needs, including capital for acquisitions, development
activities and recurring and non-recurring capital improvements, from operating cash flow. Consequently, we intend to rely on third-party
sources of capital to fund a substantial amount of our future capital needs. We may not be able to obtain additional financing on favorable
terms or at all when needed. Any additional debt we incur will increase our leverage, expose us to the risk of default and impose operating
and financial restrictions on us. In addition, any equity financing could be materially dilutive to the equity interests held by our
32
shareholders. Our access to third-party sources of capital depends, in part, on general market conditions, the market’s perception of our
growth potential, our leverage, our current and anticipated results of operations, liquidity, financial condition and cash distributions to
shareholders and the market price of our common shares. If we cannot obtain sufficient capital on favorable terms when needed, we may not
be able to execute our business and growth strategies, satisfy our debt service obligations, make the cash distributions to our shareholders
necessary for us to qualify as a REIT (which would expose us to significant penalties and corporate-level taxation), or fund our other business
needs, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Adverse changes in our credit ratings could negatively impact our financing activity.
Our credit ratings are based on our operating performance, liquidity and leverage ratios, overall financial condition and other factors
utilized by rating agencies in their analysis. Our credit ratings can affect the amount of capital that we can access, as well as the terms and
pricing of any future debt. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to maintain our current credit ratings, and a downgrade of our
credit ratings would likely cause us to incur higher borrowing costs and make additional financing more difficult to obtain. In addition, a
downgrade could trigger higher costs under our existing credit facilities and may have other negative consequences . Adverse changes in our
credit ratings could negatively impact our business, particularly our refinancing and other capital market activities, our future growth,
development and acquisition activity.
At December 31, 2018, our credit ratings were “BBB” from both Fitch Ratings, Inc. and Morningstar, Inc., with stable outlook. A
securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and is subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the rating
organization.
Increases in interest rates could increase the amount of our debt payments.
As of December 31, 2018, we had $475.0 million of our outstanding consolidated indebtedness that is variable-rate debt, and we
may continue to incur variable-rate debt in the future. Increases in interest rates on such debt would raise our interest costs, reduce our cash
flows and reduce our ability to make distributions to our shareholders. Increases in interest rates would also increase our interest expense on
future fixed rate borrowings and have the same collateral effects. In addition, if we need to repay existing debt during periods of rising
interest rates, we could be required to liquidate one or more of our investments in properties at times which may not permit realization of the
maximum return on such investments.
Our existing indebtedness contains, and any future indebtedness is likely to contain, covenants that restrict our ability to engage in
certain activities.
Our indebtedness outstanding requires, and our future indebtedness is likely to require, us to comply with a number of financial
covenants, as well as operational covenants. The financial covenants under our 2018 Senior Unsecured Notes include a maximum leverage
ratio, a minimum borrowing base coverage ratio, a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, a minimum borrowing base debt service coverage
ratio, a minimum tangible net worth requirement and a maximum recourse secured debt ratio and a maximum unsecured indebtedness to
qualified assets ratio. These covenants may limit our ability to engage in certain transactions that may be in our best interests. In order to be
able to make distributions to our shareholders (other than minimum distributions required to maintain our status as a REIT), there may not be
an event of default under such indebtedness. Our failure to meet the covenants could result in an event of default under the applicable
indebtedness, which could result in the acceleration of the applicable indebtedness and other indebtedness with a cross-default provision as
well as foreclosure, in the case of secured indebtedness, upon any of our assets that secure such indebtedness. If we are unable to refinance
our indebtedness at maturity or meet our payment obligations, we would be materially and adversely affected.
33
As of December 31, 2018, a total of 15 of our warehouses were financed under mortgage loans grouped into a single pool. Certain
covenants in the mortgage loan agreement place limits on our use of the cash flows associated with the pool, and place other restrictions on
our use of the assets included within the pool. In particular, if our subsidiaries that are borrowers under the mortgage loan agreement fail to
maintain certain cash flow minimums or a debt service coverage ratio, the cash generated by those subsidiaries will be restricted and
unavailable for us to use, which we refer to as a “cash trap event.” If the pool under our mortgage loan agreement were to fail to maintain the
applicable cash flow minimum or debt service coverage ratio, our ability to make capital expenditures and distributions to our shareholders
could be limited. In addition, as a holder of equity interests in the borrowers under the pool, our claim to the assets contained in the pool is
subordinate to the claims of the holders of the indebtedness under the mortgage loan agreement.
Secured indebtedness exposes us to the possibility of foreclosure, which could result in the loss of our investment in certain of our
subsidiaries or in a property or group of properties or other assets subject to indebtedness.
We have granted certain of our lenders security interests in approximately 14% of our assets, including equity interests in certain of
our subsidiaries and in certain of our real property. Incurring secured indebtedness, including mortgage indebtedness, increases our risk of
asset and property losses because defaults on indebtedness secured by our assets, including equity interests in certain of our subsidiaries and
in certain of our real property, may result in foreclosure actions initiated by lenders and ultimately our loss of the property or other assets
securing any loans for which we are in default. Any foreclosure on a mortgaged property or group of properties could have a material adverse
effect on the overall value of our portfolio of properties and more generally on us. For tax purposes, a foreclosure of any of our properties
would be treated as a sale of the property for a purchase price equal to the outstanding balance of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage.
If the outstanding balance of the indebtedness secured by the mortgage exceeds our tax basis in the property, we would recognize taxable
income on foreclosure, but would not receive any cash proceeds, which could materially and adversely affect us.
Foreign exchange rates and other hedging activity exposes us to risks, including the risks that a counterparty will not perform and that
the hedge will not yield the economic benefits we anticipate.
As of December 31, 2018, we were a party to cross currency swaps on our intercompany loans. In addition, we have entered into
certain forward contracts and other hedging arrangements in order to fix power costs for anticipated electricity requirements. These hedging
transactions expose us to certain risks, such as the risk that counterparties may fail to honor their obligations under these arrangements, and
that these arrangements may not be effective in reducing our exposure to foreign exchange rate and power cost changes. Moreover, there can
be no assurance that our hedging arrangements will qualify for hedge accounting or that our hedging activities will have the desired beneficial
impact on our results of operations or cash flows. Should we desire to terminate a hedging agreement, there could be significant costs and
cash requirements involved to fulfill our obligation under the hedging agreement. Failure to hedge effectively against foreign exchange rates
and power cost changes could have a material adverse effect on us. When a hedging agreement is required under the terms of a mortgage
loan, it is often a condition that the hedge counterparty maintains a specified credit rating. With the current volatility in the financial markets,
there is an increased risk that hedge counterparties could have their credit ratings downgraded to a level that would not be acceptable under
the loan provisions. If we were unable to renegotiate the credit rating condition with the lender or find an alternative counterparty with an
acceptable credit rating, we could be in default under the loan and the lender could seize that property through foreclosure, which could have
a material adverse effect on us.
34
Risks
Related
to
our
Organization
and
Structure
Provisions of Maryland law may limit the ability of a third party to acquire control of our company.
Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, or the MGCL, as applicable to Maryland real estate investment trusts, certain
“business combinations” (including a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in certain circumstances specified under the statute, an asset
transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities) between a Maryland real estate investment trust and any person who beneficially
owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the trust’s then outstanding voting shares or an affiliate or associate of the
trust who, at any time within the two-year period before the date in question, was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or more
of the voting power of the trust’s then outstanding shares, which we refer to as an “interested shareholder,” or an affiliate thereof, are
prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. Thereafter, any
such business combination must be approved by two super-majority shareholder votes unless, among other conditions, the trust’s common
shareholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the MGCL) for their shares and the consideration is received in cash or in the same form
as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its voting shares. In addition, while the GS Entities no longer beneficially own more than
10% of our voting shares, until December 2018, the GS Entities did own more than 10% of our voting shares, and therefore are subject to the
business combination provisions of the MGCL for a period of two years from such date. Yucaipa beneficially owns more than 10% of our
voting shares and would, therefore, be subject to the business combination provisions of the MGCL. However, pursuant to the statute, our
board of trustees, by resolution, elected to opt out of the business combination provisions of the MGCL. This resolution may not be modified
or repealed by our board of trustees without the approval of our shareholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the
matter. Accordingly, the five-year prohibition and the super-majority vote requirements described above do not apply to a business
combination between us and any other person, including Yucaipa. As a result, any person may be able to enter into business combinations
with us, which may not be in your best interest as a shareholder, within five years of becoming an interested shareholder and without
compliance by us with the super-majority vote requirements and other provisions of the MGCL.
The “control share” provisions of the MGCL provide that “control shares” of a Maryland real estate investment trust (defined as
shares which, when aggregated with other shares controlled by the shareholder (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), entitle the
shareholder to exercise one of three increasing ranges of voting power in electing trustees) acquired in a “control share acquisition” (defined
as the direct or indirect acquisition of ownership or control of “control shares”) have no voting rights except to the extent approved by the
trust’s shareholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding votes entitled to
be cast by the acquiror of control shares, the trust’s officers and the trust’s employees who are also the trust’s trustees. Our amended and
restated bylaws, or our bylaws, contain a provision exempting from the control share acquisition provisions of the MGCL any and all
acquisitions by any person of our shares. This provision may not be amended by our board of trustees without the affirmative vote at a duly
called meeting of shareholders of at least a majority of the votes cast on the matter by shareholders entitled to vote generally in the election of
trustees.
Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the MGCL, or Subtitle 8, permits our board of trustees, without shareholder approval, to implement certain
takeover defenses (some of which, such as a classified board, we do not have), if we have a class of equity securities registered under the
Exchange Act and at least three independent trustees. We have elected not to be subject to Subtitle 8 unless approved by the affirmative vote
of at least a majority of the votes cast on the matter by shareholders entitled to vote generally in the election of trustees.
35
On any vote to opt in to the “business combination,” the “control share” or the Subtitle 8 provisions of the MGCL, YF ART Holdings
(including its affiliates) will vote its common shares for and against the matter in the same proportion as the number of votes cast for and
against the proposal to opt in by other shareholders until YF ART Holdings (including its affiliates) ceases to own at least 20% of the
outstanding voting power.
Any of the MGCL provisions, if then applicable to us, may have the effect of inhibiting a third party from making an acquisition
proposal for us or of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or change in control which might involve a premium price for our
common shares or otherwise be in the best interests of our shareholders.
Our board of trustees can take many actions even if you and other shareholders disagree with such actions or if they are otherwise not in
your best interest as a shareholder.
Our board of trustees has overall authority to oversee our operations and determine our major policies. This authority includes
significant flexibility to take certain actions without shareholder approval. For example, our board of trustees can do the following without
shareholder approval:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
issue additional shares, which could dilute your ownership;
amend our declaration of trust to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares or the number of shares of any class or
series that we have authority to issue;
classify or reclassify any unissued shares and set the preferences, rights and other terms of such classified or reclassified shares,
which preferences, rights and terms could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or change in control which might involve a
premium price for our common shares or otherwise be in your best interest as a shareholder;
employ and compensate affiliates;
change major policies, including policies relating to investments, financing, growth and capitalization;
enter into new lines of business or new markets; and
determine that it is no longer in our best interests to attempt to continue to qualify as a REIT.
Any of these actions without shareholder approval could increase our operating expenses, impact our ability to make distributions to
our shareholders, reduce the market value of our real estate assets, negatively impact our share price, or otherwise not be in your best interest
as a shareholder.
Our declaration of trust contains provisions that make removal of our trustees difficult, which could make it difficult for our shareholders
to effect changes to our management.
Our declaration of trust provides that, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred shares to elect or
remove one or more trustees, a trustee may be removed only for “cause” (as defined in our declaration of trust), and then only by the
affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of trustees; provided,
however, pursuant to our shareholders agreement each of affiliates of Yucaipa and the GS Entities has the right to remove a trustee
designated by such party, in each case, from our board of trustees for any reason. The foregoing provision of our declaration of trust, when
coupled with the power of our board of trustees to fill vacant trusteeships and the rights of each of affiliates of Yucaipa and the GS Entities to
designate an individual to fill a vacancy of a trustee designated by such party, will preclude shareholders from removing incumbent trustees
except for cause and by a substantial affirmative vote and filling the vacancies created by such removal with their own nominees. These
requirements make it more difficult to change our management by removing and replacing trustees and may prevent a change in control that
is in the best interests of our shareholders.
36
The REIT ownership limit rules and the related restrictions on ownership and transfer contained in our declaration of trust have an anti-
takeover effect.
In order for us to maintain our qualification as a REIT under the Code, not more than 50% in value of our outstanding shares of
beneficial interest may be owned, directly or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Code to include certain entities) at any
time during the last half of each taxable year (other than the first taxable year for which the election to be treated as a REIT was made). To
ensure that we will not fail to qualify as a REIT under this and other tests under the Code, our declaration of trust, subject to certain
exceptions, authorizes our board of trustees to take such actions as are necessary and desirable to preserve our qualification as a REIT and
does not permit individuals (including certain entities treated as individuals), other than excepted holders approved in accordance with our
declaration of trust, to own, directly or indirectly, more than 9.8% (in value) of our outstanding shares. In addition, our declaration of trust
prohibits: (a) any person from beneficially or constructively owning our shares of beneficial interest that would result in our company being
“closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT; (b) any person from transferring our shares
of beneficial interest of our company if such transfer would result in our shares of beneficial interest being beneficially owned by fewer than
100 persons; and (c) any person from beneficially owning our shares of beneficial interest to the extent such ownership would result in our
failing to qualify as a “domestically controlled qualified investment entity” within the meaning of Section 897(h) of the Code (after taking
into account for such purpose the statutory presumptions set forth in Section 897(h)(4)(E) of the Code). Our board of trustees is required to
exempt a person (prospectively or retrospectively) from the percentage ownership limit described above (but not the other restrictions) if the
person seeking a waiver demonstrates that the waiver would not jeopardize our status as a REIT or violate the other conditions described
above.
These ownership limitations are intended to provide added assurance of compliance with the tax law requirements and to minimize
administrative burdens. Although our declaration of trust requires our board of trustees to grant a waiver of the percentage ownership limit
described above if the person seeking a waiver demonstrates that such ownership would not jeopardize our status as a REIT or violate the
other conditions described above, these limitations might still delay, defer or prevent a transaction or change in control which might involve a
premium price for our common shares or otherwise not be in your best interest as a shareholder or result in the transfer of shares acquired in
excess of the ownership limits to a trust for the benefit of a charitable beneficiary and, as a result, the forfeiture by the acquirer of the benefits
of owning the additional shares.
Our rights and the rights of our shareholders to take action against our trustees and officers are limited.
Our declaration of trust eliminates our trustees’ and officers’ liability to us and our shareholders for money damages except for
liability resulting from actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or active and deliberate dishonesty
established by a final judgment and which is material to the cause of action. Our declaration of trust and our bylaws require us to indemnify
our trustees and officers and any observer to our board of trustees to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law for liability actually
incurred in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party, except to the extent that the act or
omission of the trustee, officer or observer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was either committed in bad faith or
the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, the trustee, officer or observer actually received an improper personal benefit in money,
property or services, or, in the case of any criminal proceeding, the trustee, officer or observer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or
omission was unlawful. As a result, we and our shareholders may have more limited rights against our trustees and officers and any observer
to our board of trustees than might otherwise exist under common law. In addition, we may be obligated to fund the defense costs incurred by
our trustees and officers and any observer to our board of trustees.
37
Our significant shareholders, including Yucaipa, the GS Entities, and their respective affiliates, will continue to have significant
influence over us, and their actions might not be in your best interest as a shareholder.
As of December 31, 2018, investment funds affiliated with Yucaipa and Goldman Sachs control on a fully diluted basis
approximately 25.9% and 5.6% , respectively, of the voting power in us.
Under our shareholders agreement, YF ART Holdings has the right to designate two of the nine members of our board of trustees, so
long as YF ART Holdings beneficially owns 10% or more of our fully diluted outstanding shares (as such term is defined in our new
shareholders agreement). So long as YF ART Holdings beneficially owns 5% or more (but less than 10%) of our fully diluted outstanding
shares it has the right to designate one of the nine members of our board of trustees. The GS Entities have the right to designate one of the
nine members of our board of trustees, so long as the GS Entities beneficially own 5% or more of our fully diluted outstanding shares. Also,
YF ART Holdings is entitled to appoint an observer to our board of trustees, so long as it beneficially owns 5% or more of our fully diluted
outstanding shares.
We, and affiliates of Yucaipa and the GS Entities are parties to a registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the
IPO, pursuant to which each of Yucaipa and the GS Entities remain entitled to registration rights in respect of our common shares held by
them.
We expect that Yucaipa and the GS Entities will continue to exert a significant influence on our business and affairs as a result of the
terms of our shareholders agreement. As a result, we expect these parties to continue to influence the outcome of matters required to be
submitted to shareholders for approval, including the election of our trustees, amendments to our declaration of trust, the removal of our
trustees for cause, and the approval of significant transactions, such as mergers or other sales of our company or our assets.
The influence exerted by these shareholders over our business and affairs might not be consistent with your best interests as a
shareholder. In addition, this concentration of voting control and influence may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a
transaction or change in control which might involve a premium price for our common shares or otherwise be in your best interest as a
shareholder.
Our declaration of trust contains provisions permitting certain of our shareholders to engage in the same businesses as ours and
renouncing our interest and expectancy in certain business opportunities.
Yucaipa, the GS Entities, and their respective affiliates have other investments and business activities in addition to their ownership
of us. Under our declaration of trust, Yucaipa, the GS Entities, and their respective affiliates (and any of their respective officers, trustees,
directors, partners, members, managers, employees or other agents, or related persons), will have the right, and will have no obligation to
abstain from exercising such right, to: (1) engage or invest, directly or indirectly, in the same or similar business activities or lines of business
as us or our affiliates; (2) do business with any of our customers, suppliers or lessors; or (3) employ or otherwise engage any of our officers,
trustees or employees. While we believe that none of Yucaipa or the GS Entities owned and operated any temperature-controlled warehouses
in competition with us as of December 2018, there is no guarantee they will not do so in the future. If Yucaipa, the GS Entities, or any of their
respective affiliates or any of their related persons, acquire knowledge of a potential transaction that could be a business opportunity, we, our
affiliates and our shareholders will have no interest or expectancy in such opportunity, and they will have no obligation to present,
communicate or offer such business opportunity to us, our affiliates or our shareholders. Rather, they will have the right to hold and exploit
such opportunity for their own account or to direct, recommend, sell, assign or otherwise transfer such opportunity to any person or entity.
The only exception to our renunciation of business opportunities described above is in the event that a business opportunity is
expressly offered to a related person solely in, and as a direct result of, his or her capacity
38
as our trustee, officer or employee. In such cases, our declaration of trust provides that we do not renounce any interest or expectancy that we
may have under applicable law in those business opportunities. If our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer or Chief Financial
Officer shall be a related person by virtue of his or her respective relationship with Yucaipa, the GS Entities, or their respective affiliates, then
any business opportunity offered to such officer shall be deemed to have been offered solely in, and as a direct result of, such officer’s
capacity as an officer of our company unless such offer clearly and expressly is presented to such officer solely in, and as a direct result of,
his or her capacity as an officer, trustee, director, partner, member, manager, employee or other agent of Yucaipa, the GS Entities, or their
respective affiliates.
Therefore, a trustee, officer or other employee of our company who also serves as a trustee, director, member, partner, manager,
officer or other employee of Yucaipa, the GS Entities, or their respective affiliates may pursue certain business opportunities that may be
complementary to, or consistent or competing with, our business and, as a result, such opportunities may not be available to us. These
potential conflicts of interest could materially and adversely affect us if attractive business opportunities are allocated by Yucaipa or the GS
Entities or any trustee, director, member, partner, manager, officer or other employee of Yucaipa, the GS Entities, or their respective
affiliates, to themselves or their other affiliates instead of to us.
We may invest in, or co-invest with, our affiliates, which could result in conflicts of interest.
We may in the future make investments in, enter into co-investment or joint venture arrangements with, or otherwise collaborate with
and invest in, other firms or entities, which may include our affiliates, including Yucaipa and the GS Entities. Such activities could create
conflicts of interest that result in actions or consequences that are not in your best interest as a shareholder.
We have fiduciary duties as general partner to our operating partnership, which may result in conflicts of interests in representing your
interests as shareholders of our company.
Conflicts of interest could arise in the future as a result of the relationships between us and our affiliates, and between us and our
operating partnership or any partner thereof. Our trustees and officers have duties to our company under applicable Maryland law in
connection with their management of our company. Additionally, we
have fiduciary duties as the general partner to our operating partnership and to its limited partners under Delaware law in connection with the
management of our operating partnership, although our operating partnership does not currently have any limited partners that are not our
wholly owned subsidiaries. Our duties as a general partner to our operating partnership and any future unaffiliated limited partners may come
into conflict with the duties of our trustees and officers to our company and may be resolved in a manner that is not in your best interest as a
shareholder.
39
Risks
Related
to
our
Common
Shares
Our cash available for distribution to shareholders may not be sufficient to pay distributions at expected levels, or at all, and we may need
to increase our borrowings or otherwise raise capital in order to make such distributions; consequently, we may not be able to make such
distributions in full.
Our current annualized distributions to our shareholders are $0.75 per share. If cash available for distribution generated by our assets
decreases in future periods is less than our estimate or if such cash available for distribution decreases in future periods, we may be unable to
make distributions to our shareholders at expected levels, or at all, or we may need to increase our borrowings or otherwise raise capital in
order to do so, and there can be no assurance that such capital will be available on attractive terms in sufficient amounts, or at all. Any of the
foregoing could result in a decrease in the market price of our common shares. Any distributions made to our shareholders by us will be
authorized and determined by our board of trustees in its sole discretion out of funds legally available therefor and will be dependent upon a
number of factors, including our actual or anticipated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and capital requirements, debt
service requirements, financing covenants, restrictions under applicable law and other factors.
Any future debt, which would rank senior to our common shares upon liquidation, or equity securities, which could dilute our existing
shareholders and may be senior to our common shares for the purposes of distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our
common shares.
In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by incurring additional debt, including term loans, borrowings under
credit facilities, mortgage loans, commercial paper, senior or subordinated notes and secured notes, and making additional offerings of equity
and equity-related securities, including preferred and common shares and convertible or exchangeable securities.
Upon our liquidation, holders of our debt securities and preferred shares and lenders with respect to other borrowings would receive a
distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common shares. Additional offerings of common shares would dilute the
holdings of our existing shareholders or may reduce the market price of our common shares or both. Additionally, any preferred shares or
convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our
common shares and may result in dilution to holders of our common shares. Because our decision to incur debt or issue equity or equity-
related securities in the future will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the
amount, timing, nature or success of our future capital raising. Thus, our shareholders bear the risk that our future capital raising will
materially and adversely affect the market price of our common shares and dilute the value of their holdings in us.
Common shares eligible for future sale may have adverse effects on the market price of our common shares.
The market price of our common shares could decline as a result of sales or resales of a large number of our common shares in the
market, or the perception that such sales or resales could occur. These sales or resales, or the possibility that these sales or resales may occur,
also might make it more difficult for us to sell our common shares in the future at a desired time and at an attractive price. As of
December 31, 2018, 148,234,959 common shares are issued and outstanding, and no Series A preferred shares, Series B preferred shares or
Series C preferred shares are issued and outstanding.
As of December 31, 2018, the 47,883,628 common shares beneficially owned by our trustees, executive officers and other affiliates,
including Yucaipa and the GS Entities, were “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and cannot be
sold in the absence of registration under the Securities Act unless an exemption from registration is available, including the exemptions
contained in Rule 144. The terms of
40
our registration rights agreement include provisions for demand registration rights in favor of affiliates of Yucaipa and the GS Entities.
Pursuant to these registration rights, these shareholders will be entitled to cause us, subject to their consultation with a coordination
committee (as such committee is described under “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions-Shareholders Agreement and
Related Agreements”) and, at our own expense, to file registration statements under the Securities Act covering sales of our common shares
held by them. If any of these shareholders require that we register our common shares held by them, affiliates of Yucaipa and the GS Entities,
as the case may be, may request that their common shares be included in such registration in proportion to the common shares held by the
shareholder requiring the registration that are included in the registration.
In addition, in connection with the IPO, we filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 covering common shares issuable
pursuant to options and restricted stock units outstanding under our equity incentive plans in existence prior to the IPO, and our 2017 Equity
Incentive Plan that was enacted in connection with the IPO.
As of December 31, 2018, 38,422,583 of our common shares held by affiliates of Yucaipa representing approximately 25.9% of our
issued and outstanding common shares, were pledged pursuant to a financing agreement. Affiliates of Yucaipa used the proceeds from the
financing agreement to pay in full the outstanding investment, including the preferred return on an investment vehicle affiliated with Fortress,
which directly beneficially owned 7,235,529 of our common shares at that time. As of December 31, 2018, Fortress no longer owned any of
our common shares.
We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future issuances, sales or resales of our common shares, or the availability of common shares
for future issuances, sales or resales, on the market price of our common shares. The market price of our common shares may decline
significantly when the restrictions on resale by certain of our shareholders lapse. Issuances, sales or resales of substantial amounts of common
shares, or the perception that such issuances, sales or resales could occur, may materially and adversely affect the then prevailing market
price for our common shares.
If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our company, or if they issue unfavorable commentary about us, our
industry or the real estate industry generally or downgrade the outlook of our common shares, the market price of our common shares
could decline.
The trading market for our common shares will depend in part on the research and reports that third-party securities analysts publish
about our company, our industry and the real estate industry generally. One or more analysts could downgrade the outlook for our common
shares or issue other negative commentary about our company, our industry or the real estate industry generally. Furthermore, if one or more
of these analysts cease coverage of our company, we could lose visibility in the market. As a result of one or more of these factors, the market
price of our common shares could decline and cause you to lose all or a portion of your investment.
41
REIT
and
Tax
Related
Risks
Failure to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes would have a material adverse effect on us.
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. Our qualification as a REIT requires us to satisfy numerous requirements,
some on an annual and quarterly basis, established under highly technical and complex Code provisions for which there are only limited
judicial or administrative interpretations, and which involve the determination of various factual matters and circumstances not entirely
within our control. We expect that our current organization and methods of operation will enable us to continue to qualify as a REIT, but we
may not so qualify or we may not be able to remain so qualified in the future. In addition, U.S. federal income tax laws governing REITs and
other corporations and the administrative interpretations of those laws may be amended at any time, potentially with retroactive effect. The
Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act, or PATH Act, was enacted in December 2015, and included numerous changes in the U.S. federal
income tax laws applicable to REITs, and comprehensive tax legislation passed on December 22, 2017, which is commonly known as the Tax
Cuts and Jobs Act, or TCJA and, which is fully described in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K, made fundamental changes to the individual and corporate tax laws that will materially impact us and our shareholders. In
addition, future legislation, new regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions could materially and adversely affect our ability
to qualify as a REIT or materially and adversely affect our company and shareholders.
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our REIT taxable income at
regular corporate rates, and would not be allowed to deduct dividends paid to our shareholders in computing our REIT taxable income. Also,
unless the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, granted us relief under certain statutory provisions, we could not re-elect REIT status until
the fifth calendar year after the year in which we first failed to qualify as a REIT. The additional tax liability from the failure to qualify as a
REIT would reduce or eliminate the amount of cash available for investment or distribution to our shareholders. This would materially and
adversely affect us. In addition, we would no longer be required to make distributions to our shareholders. Even if we continue to qualify as a
REIT, we will continue to be subject to certain U.S. federal, state and local taxes on our income and property.
To qualify as a REIT, we must meet annual distribution requirements, which could result in material harm to our company if
they are not met.
To obtain the favorable tax treatment accorded to REITs, among other requirements, we normally will be required each year to
distribute to our shareholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and by
excluding net capital gains. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on our undistributed REIT taxable income and net capital gains. In
addition, if we fail to distribute to our shareholders during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our ordinary income for such
year; (b) 95% of our capital gain net income for such year; and (c) any undistributed REIT taxable income from prior periods, we will be
subject to a 4% excise tax on the excess of the required distribution over the sum of (i) the amounts actually distributed by us and (ii) retained
amounts on which we pay U.S. federal income tax at the corporate level. We intend to make distributions to our shareholders to comply with
the requirements of the Code for REITs and to minimize or eliminate our U.S. federal income tax obligation. However, differences between
the recognition of REIT taxable income and the actual receipt of cash could require us to sell assets or raise capital on a short-term or long-
term basis to meet the distribution requirements of the Code. Certain types of assets generate substantial mismatches between REIT taxable
income and available cash. Such assets include rental real estate that has been financed through financing structures which require some or all
of available cash flows to be used to service borrowings. Further, under amendments to the Code made by TCJA, income must be accrued for
U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than when such income is taken into account as revenue in
42
our financial statements, subject to certain exceptions, which could also create mismatches between REIT taxable income and the receipt of
cash attributable to such income. As a result, the requirement to distribute a substantial portion of our REIT taxable income could cause us to:
(1) sell assets in adverse market conditions; (2) raise capital on unfavorable terms; or (3) distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested
in future acquisitions, expansions or developments, capital expenditures or repayment of debt, in order to comply with REIT requirements.
Further, amounts distributed will not be available to fund our operations. Under certain circumstances, covenants and provisions in our
existing and future debt instruments may prevent us from making distributions that we deem necessary to comply with REIT requirements.
Our inability to make required distributions as a result of such covenants could threaten our status as a REIT and could result in material
adverse tax consequences for our company and shareholders.
We conduct a portion of our business through TRSs, which are subject to certain tax risks.
We have established taxable REIT subsidiaries, or TRSs, and may establish others in the future. Despite our qualification as a REIT,
our TRSs must pay income tax on their taxable income. As a result of the enactment of the TCJA, effective for taxable years beginning on or
after January 1, 2018, our domestic TRSs are subject to U.S. federal income tax on their taxable income at a flat rate of 21% (as well as
applicable state and local income tax), but net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards of TRS losses arising in taxable years beginning after
December 31, 2017, may be deducted only to the extent of 80% of TRS taxable income in the carryforward year (computed without regard to
the NOL deduction or our dividends paid deduction). In contrast to prior law, which permitted unused NOL carryforwards to be carried back
two years and forward 20 years, TCJA provides that losses arising in taxable years ending after December 31, 2017, can no longer be carried
back but can be carried forward indefinitely. In addition, we must comply with various tests to continue to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, and our income from, and investments in, our TRSs generally do not constitute permissible income and investments for
certain of these tests. No more than 20% of the value of a REIT’s assets may consist of securities of one or more TRSs. Because TRS
securities do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test described herein, and because we own other assets that do not, or may not, qualify
for the 75% asset test, the 75% asset test may effectively limit the value of our TRS securities to less than 20% of our total assets. Our
dealings with our TRSs may materially and adversely affect our REIT qualification. Furthermore, we may be subject to a 100% penalty tax,
or our TRSs may be denied deductions, to the extent our dealings with our TRSs are determined not to be arm’s length in nature or are
otherwise not permitted under the Code.
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities or liquidate certain of our investments.
To qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the
sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts we distribute to our shareholders and the ownership of our
shares. We may be required to make distributions to our shareholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily
available for distribution. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may, for instance, hinder our ability to make certain otherwise
attractive investments or undertake other activities that might otherwise be beneficial to us and our shareholders, or may require us to raise
capital or liquidate investments in unfavorable market conditions and, therefore, may hinder our performance.
As a REIT, at the end of each quarter, at least 75% of the value of our assets must consist of cash, cash items, government securities
and qualified real estate assets. The remainder of our investments in securities (other than cash, cash items, government securities, securities
issued by a TRS and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one
issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the
value of our
43
total assets (other than cash, cash items, government securities, securities issued by a TRS and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the
securities of any one issuer, and no more than 20% of the value of our total securities can be represented by securities of one or more TRSs. If
we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any quarter, we must correct the failure within 30 days after the end of the quarter or
qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our REIT qualification and suffering material adverse tax consequences. The
need to comply with the 75% asset test and 20% TRS securities test on an ongoing basis potentially could require us in the future to limit the
future acquisition of, or to dispose of, nonqualifying assets, limit the future expansion of our TRSs’ assets and operations or dispose of or
curtail TRS assets and operations, which could adversely affect our business and could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts
available for distribution to our shareholders.
Future changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws could have an adverse impact on our business and financial results.
Changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws are proposed regularly. Additionally, the REIT rules are constantly under review by
persons involved in the legislative process and by the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which may result in revisions to
regulations and interpretations in addition to statutory changes. If enacted, certain such changes could have an adverse impact on our business
and financial results. In particular, TCJA, which generally took effect for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018 (subject to
certain exceptions), makes many significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax laws that will profoundly impact the taxation of
individuals, corporations (both regular C corporations as well as corporations that have elected to be taxed as REITs), and the taxation of
taxpayers with overseas assets and operations. A number of changes that affect non-corporate taxpayers will expire at the end of 2025 unless
Congress acts to extend them. These changes will impact us and our shareholders in various ways, some of which are adverse or potentially
adverse compared to prior law. It is highly likely that technical corrections legislation will be needed to clarify certain aspects of the new law
and give proper effect to Congressional intent. There can be no assurance, however, that technical clarifications or changes needed to prevent
unintended or unforeseen tax consequences will be enacted by Congress in the near future.
Other legislative proposals could be enacted in the future that could affect REITs and their shareholders. Prospective investors are
urged to consult their tax advisor regarding the effect of TCJA and any other potential tax law changes on an investment in our common
shares.
Distributions payable by REITs generally do not qualify for the reduced tax rates that apply to certain other corporate distributions,
potentially making an investment in our company less advantageous for certain persons than an investment in an entity with different tax
attributes.
The maximum federal income tax rate applicable to “qualified dividend income” payable by non-REIT corporations to certain non-
corporate U.S. stockholders is generally 20%, and a 3.8% Medicare tax may also apply. Dividends paid by REITs, however, generally are not
eligible for the reduced rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Commencing with taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018
and continuing through 2025, TCJA temporarily reduces the effective tax rate on ordinary REIT dividends (i.e., dividends other than capital
gain dividends and dividends attributable to certain qualified dividend income received by us) for U.S. holders of our common shares that are
individuals, estates or trusts by permitting such holders to claim a deduction in determining their taxable income equal to 20% of any such
dividends they receive. Taking into account TCJA’s reduction in the maximum individual federal income tax rate from 39.6% to 37%, this
results in a maximum effective rate of regular income tax on ordinary REIT dividends of 29.6% through 2025 (as compared to the 20%
maximum federal income tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income received from a non-REIT corporation). Under final regulations
recently issued by the IRS, in order to qualify for this deduction with respect
44
to a dividend on our common shares, a shareholder must hold such shares for more than 45 days during the 91-day period beginning on the
date which is 45 days before the date on which such shares become ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (taking into account certain
special holding period rules that may, among other consequences, reduce a shareholder’s holding period during any period in which the
shareholder has diminished its risk of loss with respect to the shares). Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to their ability to
claim this deduction. The more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate distributions could cause investors who are individuals to
perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay distributions.
This could materially and adversely affect the value of the stock of REITs, including our common shares.
In certain circumstances, we may be subject to U.S. federal, state, local or foreign taxes, which would reduce our funds available for
distribution to our shareholders.
Even if we qualify and maintain our status as a REIT, we may be subject to certain U.S. federal, state, local or foreign taxes. For
example, net income from a “prohibited transaction,” including sales or other dispositions of property, other than foreclosure property, held
primarily for sale in the ordinary course of business, will be subject to a 100% tax. While we do not intend to hold properties that would be
characterized as held for sale in the ordinary course of business, unless a sale or disposition qualifies under statutory safe harbors, there can
be no assurance that the IRS would agree with our characterization of our properties or that we will be able to make use of available safe
harbors. In addition, we may not be able to make sufficient distributions to avoid income and excise taxes. We may also decide to retain
certain gains from the sale or other disposition of our property and pay income tax directly on such gains. In that event, our shareholders
would be required to include such gains in income and would receive a corresponding credit for their share of taxes paid by us. Any net
taxable income earned directly by a TRS will be subject to U.S. federal and state corporate income tax. We may also be subject to state, local,
or foreign taxes on our income or property, either directly or at the level of our operating partnership or the other companies through which
we indirectly own our assets. Any taxes we pay will reduce our funds available for distribution to our shareholders.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.
The REIT provisions of the Code limit our ability to hedge our liabilities. Generally, income from a hedging transaction we enter into
either to manage risk of interest rate changes with respect to borrowings incurred or to be incurred to acquire or carry real estate assets, or to
manage the risk of currency fluctuations with respect to any item of income or gain (or any property which generates such income or gain)
that constitutes “qualifying income” for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests applicable to REITs, does not constitute “gross
income” for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests, provided that we properly identify the hedging transaction pursuant to the
applicable sections of the Code and Treasury Regulations. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions, the income
from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests. As a result of these rules, we
may need to limit our use of otherwise advantageous hedging techniques or implement those hedges through a TRS. The use of a TRS could
increase the cost of our hedging activities (because our TRS would be subject to tax on income or gain resulting from hedges entered into by
it) or expose us to greater risks than we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, net losses in any of our TRSs will generally not provide
any tax benefit except for being carried forward for use against future taxable income of the TRS.
45
If our operating partnership fails to qualify as a disregarded entity or a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would fail to
qualify as a REIT.
Our operating partnership is currently treated as a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Following the admission
of any additional limited partners, we intend that the operating partnership will be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. As a disregarded entity or a partnership, our operating partnership will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its income.
Instead, for all tax periods during which the operating partnership is treated as a disregarded entity, we will be required to take all of the
operating partnership’s income into account in computing our taxable income. For all tax periods during which the operating partnership is
treated as a partnership, each of its partners, including us, will be allocated that partner’s share of the operating partnership’s income.
Following the admission of additional limited partners, no assurance can be provided, however, that the IRS will not challenge the status of
our operating partnership as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. If the IRS
were successful in treating our operating partnership as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we
would fail to meet the gross income tests and certain of the asset tests applicable to REITs and, accordingly, would cease to qualify as a
REIT, which would have a material adverse effect on us and our shareholders. Also, our operating partnership would then be subject to
U.S. federal corporate income tax, which would reduce significantly the amount of its funds available for debt service and for distribution to
its partners, including us.
46
ITEM
1B.
Unresolved
Staff
Comments
None.
ITEM
2.
Properties
Our
Warehouse
Portfolio
As of December 31, 2018 , we operated a global network of 155 warehouses that contained approximately 918.7 million cubic feet
and approximately 3.2 million pallet positions. We believe that the volume of cubic feet in our warehouses and the number of pallets
contained therein provide a more meaningful measure of our storage space than warehouse surface area expressed in square feet as customers
generally contract for storage on a pallet-by-pallet basis, not on a square footage basis. Our warehouses feature customized racking systems
that allow for the storage of products on pallets in horizontal rows across vertically stacked levels. Our racking systems can accommodate a
wide array of different customer storage needs.
The following table provides summary information regarding the warehouses in our portfolio that we owned, leased or managed as of
December 31, 2018 .
#
of
warehouses
Cubic
feet
(in
millions)
%
of
total
cubic
feet
Pallet
positions
(in
thousands)
Average
physical
occupancy
(1)
Revenues
(2)
(in
millions)
Applicable
segment
contribution
(NOI)
(2)(3)
(in
millions)
Total
customers
(4)
33
23
36
37
210.9
170.2
170.9
230.8
24%
20%
20%
27%
870.5
544.0
558.2
984.7
77% $
240.6 $
76%
77%
76%
250.1
216.5
270.0
88.9
75.4
64.0
103.9
781
716
617
685
129
782.8
91%
2,957.4
76% $
977.2 $
332.2
2,129
5
7
2
14
47.6
22.8
9.7
80.1
5%
3%
1%
9%
140.9
72.8
21.6
83% $
159.2 $
90%
78%
31.7
8.8
32.4
8.6
1.3
235.3
85% $
199.7 $
42.3
65
77
40
173
143
862.9
100%
3,192.7
77% $
1,176.9 $
374.5
2,302
8
1
3
41.5
—
14.3
74%
—%
26%
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
228.0 $
12.7
18.3
9.9
2.9
2.0
12
55.8
100%
—
—
$
259.0 $
14.8
4
1
2
6
155
918.7
100%
3,192.7
77% $
1,435.9 $
389.3
2,303
Country
/
Region
Owned
/
Leased
(5)
United States
Central
East
Southeast
West
United
States
Total
/
Average
International
Australia
New Zealand
Argentina
International
Total
/
Average
Owned
/
Leased
Total
/
Average
Third-Party
Managed
United States
Australia (6)
Canada
Third-Party
Managed
Total
/
Average
Portfolio
Total
/
Average
(1) We define average physical occupancy as the average number of occupied pallets divided by the estimated number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses
for the year ended December 31, 2018 . We estimate the number of physical pallet positions by taking into account actual racked space and by estimating unracked space on
an as-if racked basis. We base this estimate on the total cubic feet of each room within the warehouse that is unracked divided by the volume of an assumed rack space that
is consistent with
the characteristics of the relevant warehouse. On a warehouse by warehouse basis, rack space generally ranges from two to three feet depending upon the type of facility
and the nature of the customer goods stored therein. The number of our pallet positions is reviewed and updated quarterly, taking into account changes in racking
configurations and room utilization.
(2) Year ended December 31, 2018 .
(3) We use the term “segment contribution (NOI)” to mean a segment’s revenues less its cost of operations (excluding any depreciation, depletion and amortization,
impairment charges and corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses). The applicable segment contribution (NOI) from our owned and leased warehouses
and our third-party managed warehouses is included in our warehouse segment contribution (NOI) and third-party managed segment contribution (NOI), respectively. See
Item 6. Selected Financial Data for more information.
(4) We serve some of our customers in multiple geographic regions and in multiple facilities within geographic regions. As a result, the total number of customers that we serve
is less than the total number of customers reflected in the table above that we serve in each geographic region.
(5) As of December 31, 2018 , we owned 108 of our U.S. warehouses and ten of our international warehouses, and we leased 21 of our U.S. warehouses and four of our
international warehouses. As of December 31, 2018 , seven of our owned facilities were located on land that we lease pursuant to long-term ground leases.
(6) Constitutes non-refrigerated, or “ambient,” warehouse space. This facility contains 330,527 square feet of ambient space.
We own, develop and manage multiple types of temperature-controlled warehouses, which allows us to service our customers’ needs
across our network. Our warehouse portfolio consists of five distinct property types:
•
•
• Distribution . As of December 31, 2018 , we owned or leased 58 distribution centers with approximately 463.1 million cubic feet of
temperature-controlled capacity and 1.5 million pallet positions. Distribution centers typically house a wide variety of customers’
finished products until future shipment to end users. Each distribution center is located in a key distribution hub that services a
distinct surrounding population center in a major market.
Public . As of December 31, 2018 , we owned or leased 44 public warehouses with approximately 180.1 million cubic feet of
temperature-controlled capacity and 776.7 thousand pallet positions. Public warehouses generally store multiple types of inventory
and cater to small and medium-sized businesses by primarily serving the needs of local and regional customers.
Production Advantaged . As of December 31, 2018 , we owned or leased 37 production advantaged warehouses with approximately
201.9 million cubic feet of temperature-controlled capacity and 883.9 thousand pallet positions. Production advantaged warehouses
are temperature-controlled warehouses that are typically dedicated to one or a small number of customers. Production advantaged
warehouses are generally located adjacent to or otherwise in close proximity to customer processing or production facilities and were
often build-to-suit at the time of their construction.
Facility Leased . As of December 31, 2018 , we had four facility leased warehouses with approximately 17.8 million cubic feet of
temperature-controlled capacity. We charge our customers that are party to these leases rent based on the square footage leased in our
warehouses. Our facility leased warehouses are facilities that are leased to third parties, such as retailers, e-tailers, distributors,
transportation companies and food producers, that desire to manage their own temperature-controlled warehousing or carry on
processing operations generally in warehouses adjacent, or in close proximity, to their retail stores or production facilities. The
majority of our facility leased warehouses are leased to third parties under “triple net lease” arrangements.
Third-Party Managed . As of December 31, 2018 , we managed 12 warehouses on behalf of third parties with approximately 55.8
million cubic feet of temperature-controlled capacity. We manage warehouses on behalf of third parties and provide warehouse
management services to several leading food retailers and manufacturers in customer-owned facilities, including some of our largest
and longest-standing customers. Our third-party managed segment provides a complete outsourcing solution by managing all aspects
of the distribution of our customers’ products, including order management, reverse logistics, inventory control and, in some
instances, dedicated transportation services for temperature-controlled and ambient ( i.e. , non-refrigerated) customers.
•
•
48
ITEM
3.
Legal
Proceedings
From time to time, we may be party to a variety of legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. We are not a party
to, nor is any of our property a subject of, any material litigation or legal proceedings or, to the best of our knowledge, any threatened
litigation or legal proceedings which, in the opinion of management, individually or in the aggregate, would have a material impact on our
business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.
ITEM
4.
Mine
Safety
Disclosures
Information concerning mine safety violations and other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.104) is included in Exhibit 95.1 to this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
49
PART
II
ITEM
5.
Market
for
Registrant’s
Common
Equity,
Related
Stockholder
Matters
and
Issuer
Purchases
of
Equity
Securities
Americold
Realty
Trust
Americold Realty Trust's common shares are listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol “COLD”. Our common shares have been
publicly traded since January 19, 2018. Prior to that time, there was no public market for our common stock.
On February 22, 2019, we had approximately 148,794,090 common shares outstanding. This figure does not include the 6,000,000
common shares that may be issued if we elect to physically settled a forward sale agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as forward
purchaser. The number of holders of record of our common shares was six. This figure does not represent the actual number of beneficial
owners of our common shares because our common shares are frequently held in “street name” by securities dealers and others for the benefit
of beneficial owners who may vote the shares.
Our future common shares dividends, if and as declared, may vary and will be determined by our board of trustees upon the
circumstances prevailing at the time, including our financial condition, operating results, estimated taxable income and REIT distribution
requirements. These dividends, if and as declared, may be adjusted at the discretion of our board of trustees during the year.
Subject to the distribution requirements applicable to REITs under the Code, Americold Realty Trust intends, to the extent
practicable, to invest substantially all of the proceeds from sales and refinancing of its assets in real estate-related assets and other assets.
Americold Realty Trust may, however, under certain circumstances, make a dividend of capital or of assets. Such dividends, if any, will be
made at the discretion of Americold Realty Trust's board of trustees.
Americold
Realty
Operating
Partnership,
L.P.
There is no established trading market for Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.'s partnership units. As of February 26, 2019,
the only holders of record of partnership units are Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.'s general partner, Americold Realty Trust,
and Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.'s sole limited partner bearing a 1% interest, Americold Realty Operations, Inc., a wholly-
owned subsidiary of the REIT.
50
Stock
Performance
Graph
The following graph compares the change in the cumulative total stockholder return on Americold Realty Trust common stock during
the period from January 19, 2018 (the date of our IPO) through December 31, 2018, with the cumulative total returns on the MSCI US REIT
Index (RMZ) and the S&P 500 Market Index. The comparison assumes that $100 was invested on January 19, 2018 in Americold Realty
Trust common stock and in each of these indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends, if any.
Comparison
of
Cumulative
Total
Returns
Among
Americold
Realty
Trust,
S&P
500,
and
RMZ
Index
Assumes $100 invested on January 19, 2018
Assumes dividends reinvested
To fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
Pricing
Date
COLD
($)
S&P
500($)
RMZ($)
1/19/2018
3/29/2018
6/29/2018
9/28/2018
12/31/2018
100.00
109.00
127.97
147.59
151.79
100.00
94.22
97.57
105.03
90.82
100.00
95.84
104.38
104.43
96.30
•
•
•
This graph and the accompanying text are not "soliciting material," are not deemed filed with the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference in any
filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Security Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date
hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing.
The stock price performance shown on the graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.
The hypothetical investment in Americold Realty Trust's common stock presented in the stock performance graph above is based on the closing price of
the common stock on January 19, 2018.
Sales
of
Unregistered
Securities
None.
Purchases
of
Equity
Securities
None.
Securities
Authorized
For
Issuance
Under
Equity
Compensation
Plans
Information relating to compensation plans under which our common shares are authorized for issuance is set forth under Part III,
Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and such information is incorporated by reference herein.
Use
of
Proceeds
On September 18, 2018, we completed a follow-on public offering of 4,000,000 of its common shares at a public offering price of
$24.50 per share, which generated net proceeds of approximately $92.5 million to the Company after deducting the underwriting discount and
estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, and an additional 6,000,000 common shares that are subject to a forward sale
agreement to be settled within one year. The Company did not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of the common shares subject to
the forward sale agreement that were sold by the forward purchaser or its affiliate. As of December 31, 2018 , we have not settled any portion
of the forward sale agreement. In tandem with the follow-on public offering, the Company announced its agreement to be the sole strategic
supply chain partner for a major customer in Australia. The total investment is expected to be staggered over four years, funded by a
combination of proceeds from the follow-on public offering, borrowings from the Revolving Line of Credit and available cash. The funds
will be used to complete at least three highly automated distribution centers across three primary Australian markets.
Other
Shareholder
Matters
None.
ITEM
6.
Selected
Financial
Data
Selected
Company
Financial
and
Other
Data
(Americold
Realty
Trust)
The following tables show our selected consolidated financial data for Americold Realty Trust and the Operating Partnership and
their respective subsidiaries for the periods indicated. This information should be read together with the audited financial statements and
notes thereto of Americold Realty Trust and its subsidiaries and the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries and with “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Consolidated
Statements
of
Operations
Data:
Warehouse segment revenues
Total revenues
Operating income
Net income (loss) attributable to Americold Realty Trust
Total warehouse segment contribution (NOI) (1)
Total segment contribution (NOI) (1)
Consolidated
Statement
of
Cash
Flows
Data:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Per
Share
Data:
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders per common
share
Basic
Diluted
Common share dividends paid
Dividends paid per common share
Weighted
average
common
shares
outstanding:
Basic
Diluted
Selected
Other
Data:
Same store contribution (NOI) (2)
EBITDA (3)
Core EBITDA (3)
Funds from operations (4)
Core funds from operations (4)
Adjusted funds from operations (4)
$
$
$
$
$
$
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Year
ended
December
31,
(In
thousands)
$
1,176,912 $
1,145,662
$
1,080,867
$
1,057,124
$
1,039,005
1,603,635
179,960
47,985
374,534
405,649
1,543,587
136,989
(608)
348,328
374,105
1,489,999
1,481,385
1,509,598
132,124
4,932
314,045
345,645
112,502
(21,176)
307,749
337,020
107,467
(42,434)
294,257
322,519
188,171 $
163,327
$
118,781
$
106,521
$
117,243
(125,703)
84,942
(138,831)
(18,604)
(41,653)
(95,322)
(51,532)
(28,120)
147,410 $
5,892 $
(18,194) $
26,869 $
(51,866)
(58,981)
6,396
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
(In
thousands,
except
per
share
data)
0.31 $
0.31 $
76,523 $
0.54 $
(0.43) $
(0.43) $
20,214 $
0.29 $
(0.35) $
(0.35) $
20,214 $
0.29 $
(0.73) $
(0.73) $
20,214 $
0.29 $
141,415
144,338
70,022
70,022
69,890
69,890
69,758
69,758
$
366,006 $
346,879
$
309,349
$
302,040
$
240,424
287,145
96,483
106,093
94,616
248,934
261,362
90,561
69,207
71,125
230,891
253,638
75,065
55,697
59,754
255,331
306,777
130,644
174,993
170,433
53
(1.03)
(1.03)
20,214
0.29
69,621
69,621
289,428
214,285
244,057
47,111
42,133
81,152
Consolidated
Balance
Sheet
Data:
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets
Total debt
Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)
Ratio
Data:
Net debt to Core EBITDA (6)
As
of
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
(In
thousands)
$
208,078 $
48,873 $
2,532,428
1,510,721
706,755
2,394,897
1,901,090
(186,924)
22,834
2,327,631
1,831,973
(149,455)
As
of
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
4.3x
6.6x
7.1x
(1) We evaluate the performance of our business segments based on their contribution (NOI) to our overall results of operations. We use the term “segment contribution
(NOI)” to mean a segment’s revenues less its cost of operations (excluding any depreciation, depletion and amortization, impairment charges and corporate-level selling,
general and administrative expenses). We use segment contribution (NOI) to evaluate our segments for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing
performance in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 280, Segment Reporting.
We also calculate our total segment contribution (NOI) as the sum of the segment contribution (NOI) for each of our business segments. We believe our total segment
contribution (NOI) is helpful to investors because it gives a picture of our business’s profitability before differences in capital structures, capital investment cycles,
useful life of related assets among otherwise comparable companies and corporate-level overhead which is not immediately and fully correlated with the provision of
services by our business. For a reconciliation of total segment contribution (NOI) to our operating income, which is the most directly comparable financial measure
calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, see footnote (2) below.
(2) We refer to a “same store” as a warehouse we owned or leased for the entirety of two comparable periods and which has reported at least twelve months of consecutive
normalized operations prior to the commencement of the earlier period being considered. We define “normalized operations” as a site open for operation or lease after a
warehouse acquisition, development or significant modification, including the expansion of a warehouse footprint or a warehouse rehabilitation subsequent to an
extraordinary event, such as natural disasters or similar events. In addition, our definition of “normalized operations” takes into account changes in the ownership
structure, which would impact comparability in our warehouse segment contribution (NOI). As an example, the acquisition of a warehouse previously subject to an
operating lease would result in the removal of the warehouse from the same store set because the operating expenses associated with the lease would not be included in
both periods. Warehouses are excluded from the same store population as of the beginning of the fiscal quarter following the occurrence of such events. We evaluate our
same store portfolio on a quarterly basis.
We calculate “same store contribution (NOI)” as revenues for the same store population less its cost of operations (excluding any depreciation, depletion and
amortization, impairment charges and corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses). In order to derive an appropriate measure of period-to-period
operating performance, we also calculate our same store contribution (NOI) on a constant currency basis to remove the effects of foreign currency exchange rate
movements by using the comparable prior period exchange rate to translate from local currency into U.S. dollars for both periods.
We evaluate the performance of the warehouses we own or lease using a “same store” analysis, and we believe that same store contribution (NOI) is helpful to investors
as a supplemental performance measure because it includes the operating performance from the population of properties that is consistent from period to period and also
on a constant currency basis, thereby eliminating the effects of changes in the composition of our portfolio of warehouses and currency fluctuations on performance
measures.
Same store contribution (NOI) is not a measurement of financial performance under U.S. GAAP. In addition, other companies providing temperature-controlled
warehouse storage and handling and other warehouse services may not define same store or calculate same store contribution (NOI) in a manner consistent with our
definition or calculation. Same store contribution (NOI) should be considered as a supplement, but not as an alternative, to our results calculated in accordance with U.S.
GAAP.
54
The following table reconciles same store contribution (NOI) to operating income, which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance
with U.S. GAAP.
Same store contribution (NOI)
Non-same store contribution (loss) (NOI)
Warehouse segment contribution (NOI)
Third-party managed segment contribution (NOI)
Transportation segment contribution (NOI)
Other segment contribution (NOI)
Total segment contribution (NOI)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses
Impairment of long-lived assets
Gain (loss) from sale of real estate, net
U.S. GAAP operating income
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Year
ended
December
31,
366,006
$
346,879
$
309,349
$
302,040
$
(In
thousands)
8,528
1,449
4,696
374,534
$
348,328
$
314,045
$
14,760
15,735
620
12,825
12,950
2
14,814
14,418
2,368
405,649
$
374,105
$
345,645
$
(117,653)
(114,760)
(747)
7,471
(116,741)
(110,945)
(9,473)
43
(118,571)
(96,728)
(9,820)
11,598
179,960
$
136,989
$
132,124
$
5,709
307,749 $
12,581
14,305
2,385
337,020 $
(125,720)
(88,786)
(9,415)
(597)
112,502 $
$
$
$
$
289,428
4,829
294,257
10,353
15,855
2,054
322,519
(132,679)
(82,428)
—
55
107,467
(3) We calculate EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization. EBITDA is a measure commonly used in our industry, and we
present EBITDA to enhance investor understanding of our operating performance. We believe that EBITDA provides investors and analysts with a measure of operating
results unaffected by differences in capital structures, capital investment cycles and useful life of related assets among otherwise comparable companies.
We also calculate our Core EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted for impairment charges on intangible and long-lived assets, gain or loss on depreciable real property asset
disposals, severance and reduction in workforce costs, terminated site operations costs, expenses related to our review of the strategic alternatives for our company prior to
the IPO, litigation settlements, loss on debt extinguishment and modifications, stock-based compensation expense, foreign currency exchange gain or loss, loss on partially
owned entities, impairment of partially owned entities, and multi-employer pension plan withdrawal expense. We believe that the presentation of Core EBITDA provides a
measurement of our operations that is meaningful to investors because it excludes the effects of certain items that are otherwise included in EBITDA but which we do not
believe are indicative of our core business operations. EBITDA and Core EBITDA are not measurements of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, and our EBITDA
and Core EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. You should not consider our EBITDA and Core EBITDA as alternatives to net
income or cash flows from operating activities determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our calculations of EBITDA and Core EBITDA have limitations as analytical
tools, including:
•
•
•
•
•
these measures do not reflect our historical or future cash requirements for recurring maintenance capital expenditures or growth and expansion capital
expenditures;
these measures do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
these measures do not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our indebtedness;
these measures do not reflect our tax expense or the cash requirements to pay our taxes; and
although depreciation, depletion and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated, depleted and amortized will often have to be replaced in the
future and these measures do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.
We use EBITDA and Core EBITDA as measures of our operating performance and not as measures of liquidity. The following table reconciles EBITDA and Core
EBITDA to net income, which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
55
Net income (loss) attributable to Americold Realty Trust
Adjustments:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Interest expense
Income tax (benefit) expense
EBITDA
Adjustments:
Severance and reduction in workforce costs (a)
Terminated site operations cost
Non-offering related equity issuance expenses (b)
Non-recurring public company implementation costs (c)
Acquisition, diligence and other pursuit costs (d)
Strategic alternative costs (e)
Litigation settlements
Loss from partially owned entities
Non-recurring impairment of partially owned entities (f)
Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets and inventory
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss, net
Stock-based compensation expense
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of
derivative instruments
(Gain) loss on real estate and other asset disposals
Multi-Employer pension plan withdrawal expense
$
$
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
47,985
$
(608)
$
4,932
$
(21,176)
$
(42,434)
(In
thousands)
117,653
93,312
(3,619)
116,741
114,898
9,393
118,571
119,552
5,879
125,720
116,710
9,637
255,331 $
240,424 $
248,934 $
230,891 $
11
(1,804)
1,813
1,202
671
—
—
1,069
—
747
(2,882)
10,683
47,559
(7,623)
—
516
2,677
—
—
—
8,136
—
1,363
6,496
11,581
3,591
2,358
986
(150)
9,167
900
6
—
—
—
4,666
89
128
—
9,820
(464)
6,436
1,437
(10,590)
—
886
1,168
—
—
—
(1,372)
900
3,538
—
9,415
3,470
3,108
503
1,131
—
132,679
114,223
9,817
214,285
570
—
—
—
—
712
—
19,990
—
—
5,273
2,827
—
400
—
Core EBITDA
$
306,777 $
287,145 $
261,362 $
253,638 $
244,057
(a) Represents one-time severance from prior management team and reduction in workforce costs associated with exiting or selling non-strategic warehouses.
(b) Represents one-time costs and professional fees associated with our IPO and follow-on equity issuances.
(c) Represents one-time costs associated with the implementation of financial reporting systems and processes needed to convert the organization to a public company.
(d) Represents costs associated with M&A activity.
(e) Represents one-time operating costs associated with our review of strategic alternatives prior to the IPO.
(f) Represents an impairment charge related to our investment in the China JV based on a determination that the recorded investment was no longer recoverable from the
projected future cash distributions we expect to receive from the China JV. We have not received any cash distributions from the China JV since the formation of the
joint venture.
56
(4) We calculate funds from operations, or FFO, in accordance with the standards established by the Board of Governors of the National Association of Real Estate
Investment Trusts, or NAREIT. NAREIT defines FFO as net income or loss determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, excluding extraordinary items as defined under
U.S. GAAP and gains or losses from sales of previously depreciated operating real estate assets, plus specified non-cash items, such as real estate asset depreciation and
amortization, and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures. We believe that FFO is helpful to investors as a supplemental performance
measure because it excludes the effect of depreciation, amortization and gains or losses from sales of real estate, all of which are based on historical costs, which
implicitly assumes that the value of real estate diminishes predictably over time. Since real estate values instead have historically risen or fallen with market conditions,
FFO can facilitate comparisons of operating performance between periods and among other equity REITs.
We calculate core funds from operations, or Core FFO, as FFO adjusted for the effects of gain or loss on the sale of non-real estate assets, severance and reduction in
workforce costs, terminated site operations costs, expenses related to our review of the strategic alternatives for our company prior to the IPO, litigation settlements, non-
recurring impairment charges arising from our joint venture in China, or the China JV, and impairment of partially owned entities, loss on debt extinguishment and
modifications, inventory asset impairment charges, foreign currency exchange gain or loss, excise tax settlement, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act benefit, and multi-employer
pension plan withdrawal expense. We believe that Core FFO is helpful to investors as a supplemental performance measure because it excludes the effects of certain
items which can create significant earnings volatility, but which do not directly relate to our core business operations. We believe Core FFO can facilitate comparisons of
operating performance between periods, while also providing a more meaningful predictor of future earnings potential.
However, because FFO and Core FFO add back real estate depreciation and amortization and do not capture the level of recurring maintenance capital expenditures
necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties, both of which have material economic impacts on our results from operations, we believe the utility of
FFO and Core FFO as a measure of our performance may be limited.
We calculate adjusted funds from operations, or Adjusted FFO, as Core FFO adjusted for the effects of amortization of loan costs, debt discounts and above or below
market leases, straight-line rent, provision or benefit from deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation expense from grants of stock options and restricted stock
units under our equity incentive plans, non-real estate depreciation, depletion or amortization (including in respect of the China JV), and recurring maintenance capital
expenditures. We believe that Adjusted FFO is helpful to investors as a meaningful supplemental comparative performance measure of our ability to make incremental
capital investments in our business and to assess our ability to fund distribution requirements from our operating activities.
FFO, Core FFO and Adjusted FFO are used by management, investors and industry analysts as supplemental measures of operating performance of equity REITs. FFO,
Core FFO and Adjusted FFO should be evaluated along with U.S. GAAP net income and net income per diluted share (the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP
measures) in evaluating our operating performance. FFO, Core FFO and Adjusted FFO do not represent net income or cash flows from operating activities in accordance
with U.S. GAAP and are not indicative of our results of operations or cash flows from operating activities as disclosed in our consolidated statements of operations
included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. FFO, Core FFO and Adjusted FFO should be considered as supplements, but not alternatives, to our net income
or cash flows from operating activities as indicators of our operating performance. Moreover, other REITs may not calculate FFO in accordance with the NAREIT
definition or may interpret the NAREIT definition differently than we do. Accordingly, our FFO may not be comparable to FFO as calculated by other REITs. In
addition, there is no industry definition of Core FFO or Adjusted FFO and, as a result, other REITs may also calculate Core FFO or Adjusted FFO, or other similarly-
captioned metrics, in a manner different than we do. The following table reconciles FFO, Core FFO and Adjusted FFO to net income, which is the most directly
comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
57
Net income (loss) attributable to Americold Realty Trust
$
47,985
$
(608)
(In
thousands)
4,932
$
$
(21,176)
$
(42,434)
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Year
ended
December
31,
Adjustments:
Real estate related depreciation
Net (gain) loss on sale of depreciable real estate
Net (gain) loss on asset disposals
Impairment charges on certain real estate assets
Real estate depreciation on China JV
Funds from operations
Less distributions on preferred shares of beneficial interest
88,246
(7,471)
(65)
747
1,202
86,478
(43)
—
9,473
1,183
130,644
(1,817)
96,483
(28,452)
85,645
(11,104)
—
9,820
1,268
90,561
(28,452)
88,717
597
—
5,711
1,216
75,065
(28,452)
Funds from operations attributable to common shareholders
$
128,827 $
68,031 $
62,109 $
46,613 $
Adjustments:
Net (gain) loss on sale of non-real estate assets
Non-offering related equity issuance expenses (a)
Non-recurring public company implementation costs (b)
Acquisition, diligence and other pursuit costs (c)
Stock-based compensation expense, IPO grants
Severance and reduction in workforce costs (d)
Terminated site operations costs (e)
Strategic alternative costs (f)
Litigation settlements
Impairment of partially owned entities (g)
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative
instruments
Inventory asset impairment
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss, net
Alternative Minimum Tax Receivable from TCJA
Excise tax settlement
Multi-Employer pension plan withdrawal expense
Core FFO applicable to common shareholders
Adjustments:
Amortization of loan costs and debt discounts
Amortization of below/above market leases
Straight-line net rent
Deferred income taxes (benefit) expense
Stock-based compensation expense
Non-real estate depreciation and amortization
Non-real estate depreciation and amortization on China JV
Recurring maintenance capital expenditures (h)
(739)
1,813
1,202
671
4,208
11
(1,804)
—
—
—
47,559
—
(2,882)
(3,745)
(128)
—
(599)
—
—
—
—
516
2,677
8,136
—
6,496
986
2,108
3,591
—
4,984
9,167
464
—
—
—
—
900
6
4,666
89
—
1,437
—
(464)
—
—
—
(175)
—
—
—
—
886
1,168
(1,372)
900
—
503
3,704
3,470
—
—
—
6,176
151
(179)
(3,152)
6,474
29,407
538
(43,975)
8,604
151
101
(3,658)
2,358
30,263
610
(49,906)
7,193
196
(564)
(586)
6,436
32,926
762
6,672
520
(516)
(2,292)
3,108
37,003
1,247
(44,445)
(41,685)
Adjusted FFO applicable to common shareholders
$
170,433 $
94,616 $
71,125 $
59,754 $
58
$
174,993 $
106,093 $
69,207 $
55,697 $
42,133
88,394
(55)
—
—
1,206
47,111
(28,452)
18,659
195
—
—
—
—
570
—
712
—
16,724
—
—
5,273
—
—
—
6,144
630
749
15,604
2,827
44,285
1,588
(32,808)
81,152
(a) Represents one-time costs and professional fees associated with our IPO and follow-on equity issuances.
(b) Represents one-time costs associated with the implementation of financial reporting systems and processes needed to convert the organization to a public company.
(c) Represents costs associated with M&A activity.
(d) Represents one-time severance from prior management team and reduction in workforce costs associated with exiting or selling non-strategic warehouses.
(e) Represents repair expenses incurred to return leased sites to their original physical state at lease inception in connection with the termination of the applicable
underlying lease. These terminations were part of our strategic efforts to exit or sell non-strategic warehouses as opposed to ordinary course lease expirations. Repair
and maintenance expenses associated with our ordinary course operations are reflected as operating expenses on our statement of operations. During Q4 2018, we were
released from liability under a previously exited leased facility, for which we originally recorded in Q3 2017 a charge of $2.1 million repair expense to return the site to
its original condition. As a result, we reversed this charge in Q4 2018. In total, $0.3 million was paid in conjunction with the exit of this facility.
(f) Represents one-time operating costs associated with our review of strategic alternatives prior to the IPO
(g) Represents an impairment charge related to our investment in the China JV based on a determination that the recorded investment was no longer recoverable from the
projected future cash distributions we expect to receive from the China JV. We did not receive any cash distributions from the China JV since the formation of the joint
venture.
(h) Recurring maintenance capital expenditures include capital expenditures made to extend the life of, and provide future economic benefit from, our existing
temperature-controlled warehouse network and its existing supporting personal property and information technology. For additional information regarding these
expenditures, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Recurring Maintenance Capital Expenditures and
Repair and Maintenance Expenses” in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(6)
Net debt to Core EBITDA represents (i) our gross debt (defined as total debt plus discount and deferred financing costs) less cash and cash equivalents divided by
(ii) Core EBITDA. Our management believes that this ratio is useful because it provides investors with information regarding gross debt less cash and cash equivalents,
which could be used to repay debt, compared to our performance as measured using Core EBITDA.
The following table reconciles net debt to total debt, which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP:
Total debt
Discount and deferred financing costs
Gross debt
Adjustments:
Less: cash and cash equivalents
Net debt
As
of
December
31,
2018
2017
Historical
(In
thousands)
$
1,510,721 $
1,901,090
13,943
1,524,664
31,996
1,933,086
208,078
48,873
$
1,316,586 $
1,884,213
59
Selected
Company
Financial
and
Other
Data
(Americold
Realty
Operating
Partnership,
L.P.)
The following tables summarize selected financial data related to our historical financial condition and results of operations for our operating
partnership:
Consolidated
Statements
of
Operations
Data:
Net income (loss) attributable to the Partnership
Per
Share
Data:
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
(In
thousands,
except
per
unit
data)
$
47,985 $
(608) $
4,932 $
(21,176) $
(42,434)
General partners' interest in net income (loss) attributable to unitholders $
47,505 $
(602) $
4,883 $
(20,964) $
(42,010)
Limited partners' interest in net income (loss) attributable to unitholders
General partners' net income (loss) per unit
Limited partners' net income (loss) per unit
Distributions paid
General partners' distributions paid per unit
Limited partners' distributions paid per unit
480
0.34
0.34
(6)
(0.01)
(0.01)
49
0.07
0.07
(212)
(0.31)
(0.31)
86,679
48,666
48,666
48,666
$
0.62
0.62 $
0.70
0.70 $
0.70
0.70 $
0.70
0.70 $
General partners' weighted average units outstanding
Limited partners' weighted average units outstanding
139,394
1,408
68,677
694
68,677
694
68,677
694
(424)
(0.61)
(0.61)
48,666
0.70
0.70
68,677
694
Consolidated
Balance
Sheet
Data:
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets
Total debt
General partners' capital
Limited partners' capital
As
of
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
(In
thousands)
$
208,078 $
48,873 $
2,532,428
1,510,721
712,078
7,192
2,394,897
1,901,090
184,240
1,860
22,834
2,327,631
1,831,973
230,687
2,329
All other selected financial and other data is the same for Americold Realty Trust and Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. except
amounts attributable to common shareholders and unitholders.
60
ITEM
7.
Management’s
Discussion
and
Analysis
of
Financial
Condition
and
Results
of
Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our
consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, the following discussion contains forward-
looking statements, such as statements regarding our expectation for future performance, liquidity and capital resources, that involve risks,
uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. Our actual results may differ
materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include those
identified below and those described under Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Management’s
Overview
We are the world’s largest owner and operator of temperature-controlled warehouses. We are organized as a self-administered and
self-managed REIT with proven operating, development and acquisition expertise. As of December 31, 2018 , we operated a global network
of 155 temperature-controlled warehouses encompassing 918.7 cubic feet, with 137 warehouses in the United States, six warehouses in
Australia, seven warehouses in New Zealand, two warehouses in Argentina and three warehouses in Canada. We also own and operate a
limestone quarry through a separate business segment. We view and manage our business through three primary business segments:
warehouse, third–party managed and transportation. In addition, we hold a minority interest in the China JV, which owns or operates 12
temperature-controlled warehouses located in China.
Components
of
Our
Results
of
Operations
Warehouse . Our primary source of revenues consists of rent, storage and warehouse services fees. Our rent, storage and warehouse
services revenues are the key drivers of our financial performance. Rent and storage revenues consist of recurring, periodic charges related to
the storage of frozen and perishable food and other products in our warehouses by our customers. We also provide these customers with a
wide array of handling and other warehouse services, such as (1) receipt, handling and placement of products into our warehouses for storage
and preservation, (2) retrieval of products from storage upon customer request, (3) blast freezing, which involves the rapid freezing of non-
frozen products, including individual quick freezing for agricultural produce and seafood, (4) case-picking, which involves selecting product
cases to build customized pallets, (5) kitting and repackaging, which involves assembling custom product packages for delivery to retailers
and consumers, and labeling services, (6) order assembly and load consolidation, (7) exporting and importing support services, (8) container
handling, (9) cross-docking, which involves transferring inbound products to outbound trucks utilizing our warehouse docks without storing
them in our warehouses, and (10) government-approved temperature-controlled storage and inspection services. We refer to these handling
and other warehouse services as our value-added services.
Cost of operations for our warehouse segment consists of power, other facilities costs, labor, and other costs. Labor, the largest
component of the cost of operations from our warehouse segment, consists primarily of employee wages, benefits, and workers’
compensation. Trends in our labor expense are influenced by changes in headcount and compensation levels, changes in customer
requirements, workforce productivity, variability in costs associated with medical insurance and the impact of workplace safety programs,
inclusive of the number and severity of workers' compensation claims. Our second largest cost of operations from our warehouse segment is
power utilized in the operation of our temperature-controlled warehouses. As a result, trends in the price for power in the regions where we
operate may have a significant effect on our financial results. We may from time to time hedge our exposure to changes in power prices
through fixed rate agreements or, to the extent possible and appropriate, through rate escalations or power surcharge provisions within our
customer contracts. Other facilities
61
costs include utilities other than power, property insurance, property taxes, sanitation, repairs and maintenance on real estate, rent under
operating leases, where applicable, and other related facilities costs. Other services costs include equipment costs, warehouse consumables
(e.g., shrink-wrap and uniforms), warehouse administration and other related services costs.
Third-Party Managed . We receive a reimbursement of substantially all expenses for warehouses that we manage on behalf of third-
party owners, with all reimbursements recognized as revenues under the relevant accounting guidance. We also earn management fees,
incentive fees upon achieving negotiated performance and cost-savings results, or an applicable mark-up on costs. Cost of operations for our
third-party managed segment is reimbursed on a pass-through basis (typically within two weeks).
Transportation . We charge transportation fees, including fuel surcharges, to our customers for whom we arrange the transportation
of their products. Cost of operations for our transportation segment consists primarily of third-party carrier charges, which are impacted by
factors affecting those carriers.
Other . In addition to our primary business segments, we own and operate a limestone quarry in Carthage, Missouri. Revenues are
generated from the sale of limestone mined at our quarry. Cost of operations for our quarry consists primarily of labor, equipment, fuel and
explosives. We have referred to this segment as Quarry within our Management's Discussion and Analysis.
Other Consolidated Operating Expenses . We also incur depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses and corporate-level
selling, general and administrative expenses.
Our depreciation, depletion and amortization charges result primarily from the capital-intensive nature of our business. The principal
components of depreciation relate to our warehouses, including buildings and improvements, refrigeration equipment, racking, leasehold
improvements, material handling equipment, furniture and fixtures, and our computer hardware and software. Depletion relates to the
reduction of mineral resources resulting from the operation of our limestone quarry. Amortization relates primarily to intangible assets for
customer relationships and below-market leases.
Our corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of wages and benefits for management,
administrative, business development, account management, marketing, engineering, supply-chain solutions, human resources and
information technology personnel, as well as expenses related to equity incentive plans, communications and data processing, travel,
professional fees and public company costs, bad debts, training, office equipment and supplies. Trends in corporate-level selling, general and
administrative expenses are influenced by changes in headcount and compensation levels, achievement of incentive compensation targets,
and variability in costs associated with pension obligations. To position ourselves to meet the challenges of the current business environment,
we have implemented a shared services support structure to better manage costs and enhance the efficiency of our operations.
62
Key
Factors
Affecting
Our
Business
and
Financial
Results
Foreign Currency Translation Impact on Our Operations
Our consolidated revenues and expenses are subject to variations caused by the net effect of foreign currency translation on revenues
and expenses incurred by our operations outside the United States. Future fluctuations of foreign currency exchange rates and their impact on
our consolidated statements of operations are inherently uncertain. As a result of the relative size of our international operations, these
fluctuations may be material on our results of operations. Our revenues and expenses from our international operations are denominated in
the local currency of the country in which they are derived or incurred. Therefore, the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on our results
of operations and margins is partially mitigated.
The following table shows a comparison of underlying average exchange rates of the foreign currencies that impacted our U.S. dollar-
reported revenues and expenses during the periods discussed herein together with a comparison against the exchange rates of such currencies
at the end of the applicable periods presented herein.
December
31,
2018
compared
to
December
31,
2017
December
31,
2017
compared
to
December
31,
2016
Average
foreign
exchange
rate
used
to
adjust
operating
results
for
the
year
ended
December
31,
2018
(1)
Foreign
exchange
rates
as
of
December
31,
2018
Foreign
exchange
rates
as
of
December
31,
2017
Average
foreign
exchange
rate
used
to
adjust
operating
results
for
the
year
ended
December
31,
2017
(1)
Foreign
exchange
rates
as
of
December
31,
2017
Foreign
exchange
rates
as
of
December
31,
2016
0.769
0.710
0.059
0.768
0.705
0.671
0.037
0.733
0.781
0.710
0.054
0.799
0.744
0.697
0.068
0.755
0.781
0.710
0.054
0.799
0.723
0.696
0.063
0.745
Australian dollar
New Zealand dollar
Argentine peso
Canadian dollar
(1) Represents the relevant average foreign exchange rates in effect in the comparable prior period applied to the activity for the current period. The average
foreign currency exchange rates we apply to our operating results are derived from third party reporting sources for the periods indicated.
Focus on Our Operational Effectiveness and Cost Structure
We continuously seek to implement various initiatives aimed at streamlining our business processes and reducing our cost structure
including realigning and centralizing key business processes; implementing standardized operational processes; integrating and launching
new information technology tools and platforms; instituting key health, safety, leadership and training programs; and capitalizing on the
purchasing power of our network. Through the realignment of our business processes, we have improved retention of our key talent and
reduced employee turnover, acquired new talent and strengthened our service offerings. In order to reduce costs in our facilities, we have
invested in energy efficiency projects, including LED lighting, motion-sensor technology, variable frequency drives for our fans and
compressors, third party efficiency reviews and real-time monitoring of energy consumption, rapid open and close doors, and alternative-
power generation technologies to improve the energy efficiency of our warehouses. We have also performed fine-tuning of our refrigeration
systems, deployed efficient energy management practices, such as time-of-use and awareness, and have increased our participation in Power
Demand Response programs with some of our power suppliers. These initiatives have allowed us to reduce our consumption of kilowatt
hours and energy spend.
63
As part of our initiatives to streamline our business processes and to reduce our cost structure, we have evaluated and exited less
strategic and profitable markets or business lines, including the sale of certain warehouse assets and the exit of certain leased facilities.
Through our process of active portfolio management, we continue to evaluate our markets and offerings.
Strategic Shift within Our Transportation Segment
In order to better focus our business on the operation of our temperature-controlled warehouses, we have undertaken a strategic shift
in the solutions we provide in our transportation segment. As a result of this strategic shift, we have gradually exited certain commoditized,
non-scalable, or low margin services we historically offered to our customers, including traditional brokered transportation services. We
continue to offer more profitable and value added programs, such as national and regional cross-dock, regional and multi-vendor
consolidation service, and dedicated transportation services. We designed each of these programs to improve efficiency and reduce
transportation and logistics costs to our warehouse customers, whose transportation spend typically represents the majority of their supply-
chain costs. We believe this efficiency and cost reduction helps to drive increased occupancy in our temperature-controlled warehouses.
Historically Significant Customer
For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , one customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues, with
$212.8 million , $198.6 million and $210.5 million , respectively. The substantial majority of this customer’s business relates to our third-
party managed segment. We are reimbursed for substantially all expenses we incur in managing warehouses on behalf of third-party owners.
We recognize these reimbursements as revenues under applicable accounting guidance, but generally do not affect our financial results
because they are offset by the corresponding expenses that we recognize in our third-party managed segment cost of operations. Of the
revenues received from this customer, $196.3 million , $183.1 million and $196.1 million represented reimbursements for certain expenses
we incurred during the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively, that were offset by matching expenses included in our
third-party managed cost of operations.
Occupancy of our Warehouses
Occupancy in our warehouses is an important driver of our financial results. Physical occupancy of an individual warehouse is
impacted by a number of factors, including the type of warehouse ( i.e. , distribution, public, production advantaged or leased facility),
specific customer needs in the markets served by the warehouse, timing of harvests or protein production for customers of the warehouse, the
existence of leased but unoccupied pallets and the adverse effect of weather or market conditions on the customers of the warehouse. On a
portfolio-wide basis, physical occupancy rates and warehouse revenues generally peak between mid-September and early December in
connection with the holiday season and the peak harvest season in the United States. Physical occupancy rates and warehouse revenues on a
portfolio-wide basis are generally the lowest during May and June. Our target occupancy across our warehouse portfolio varies by warehouse
and warehouse type because our warehouses are configured to accommodate the individual needs of our customers. We generally regard
approximately 85% average physical occupancy across our temperature-controlled warehouse portfolio as optimal, subject to relevant local
market conditions and individual customer needs. We do not believe that a 100% occupancy rate is an ideal target for utilization of our
warehouses because optimizing pallet throughput and efficient delivery of relevant value-added services require a certain amount of free
pallet position capacity at all times in order to be able to efficiently place, store and retrieve products from pallet positions, particularly during
periods of greatest occupancy or highest volume. Our occupancy metrics account for the physical occupancy of our warehouses. As
customers continue to transition to contracts that feature a fixed storage commitment, our
64
financial occupancy may be greater than our physical occupancy, as our customers may have committed to, and be paying for, space that they
are currently not physically occupying, but intend to physically occupy in the future.
Throughput at our Warehouses
The level of throughput at our warehouses is an important factor impacting our warehouse services revenues in our warehouse
segment. Throughput refers to the volume of pallets that enter and exit our warehouses. Higher levels of throughput drive warehouse services
revenues in our warehouse segment as customers are typically billed on a basis that takes into account the level of throughput of the goods
they store in our warehouses.
How
We
Assess
the
Performance
of
Our
Business
Segment Contribution (NOI)
We evaluate the performance of our primary business segments based on their contribution (NOI) to our overall results of operations.
We use the term “segment contribution (NOI)” to mean a segment’s revenues less its cost of operations (excluding any depreciation,
depletion and amortization, impairment charges and corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses). We use segment
contribution (NOI) to evaluate our segments for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance in accordance with FASB
ASC, Topic 280, Segment Reporting .
We also analyze the “segment contribution (NOI) margin” for each of our business segments, which we calculate as segment
contribution (NOI) divided by segment revenues.
In addition to our segment contribution (NOI) and segment contribution (NOI) margin, we analyze the contribution (NOI) of our
warehouse rent and storage operations and our warehouse services operations within our warehouse segment. We calculate the contribution
(NOI) of our warehouse rent and storage operations as rent and storage revenues less power and other facilities cost. We calculate the
contribution (NOI) of our warehouse services operations as warehouse services revenues less labor and other service costs. We calculate the
contribution (NOI) margin for each of these operations as the applicable contribution (NOI) measure divided by the applicable revenue
measure. We believe the presentation of these contribution (NOI) and contribution (NOI) margin measures helps investors understand the
relative revenues, costs and earnings resulting from each of these separate types of services we provide to our customers in the same manner
reviewed by our management in connection with the operation of our business. These contribution (NOI) measures within our warehouse
segment are not measurements of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, and these measures should be considered as supplements, but not
as alternatives, to our results calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We provide reconciliations of these measures in the discussions of
our comparative results of operations below.
65
Same Store Analysis
We refer to a “same store” as a warehouse we owned or leased for the entirety of two comparable periods and which has reported at
least twelve months of consecutive normalized operations prior to the commencement of the earlier period being considered. We define
“normalized operations” as a site open for operation or lease after a warehouse acquisition, development or significant modification,
including the expansion of a warehouse footprint or a warehouse rehabilitation subsequent to an extraordinary event, such as natural disasters
or similar events. In addition, our definition of “normalized operations” takes into account changes in the ownership structure ( e.g. ,
acquisition of a previously leased warehouse would result in different charges in the compared periods), which would impact comparability in
our warehouse segment contribution (NOI). Warehouses are excluded from the same store population as of the beginning of the fiscal quarter
following the occurrence of such events. We evaluate our same store portfolio on a quarterly basis.
We calculate “same store contribution (NOI)” as revenues for the same store population less its cost of operations (excluding any
depreciation, depletion and amortization, impairment charges and corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses). In order to
derive an appropriate measure of period-to-period operating performance, we also calculate our same store contribution (NOI) on a constant
currency basis to remove the effects of foreign currency exchange rate movements by using the comparable prior period exchange rate to
translate from local currency into U.S. dollars for both periods. We evaluate the performance of the warehouses we own or lease using a
“same store” analysis, and we believe that same store contribution (NOI) is helpful to investors as a supplemental performance measure
because it includes the operating performance from the population of properties that is consistent from period to period and also on a constant
currency basis, thereby eliminating the effects of changes in the composition of our warehouse portfolio and currency fluctuations on
performance measures.
The following table shows the number of same-store warehouses in our portfolio and the number of warehouses excluded as same-
store warehouses during the periods discussed herein.
Total Warehouses
Same Store Warehouses (1)
Non-Same Store Warehouses
Managed Warehouses
December
31,
2018
compared
to
December
31,
2017
December
31,
2017
compared
to
December
31,
2016
155
136
7
12
158
139
7
12
(1) During 2018, two of our owned warehouse facilities were sold, one was categorized as same store and one was categorized as non-same store, and one
of our leased facilities was exited that was categorized as same store. In addition, a warehouse that is currently undergoing significant construction due to
expansion was moved from same store to the non-same store category in Q4 2018.
Same store contribution (NOI) is not a measurement of financial performance under U.S. GAAP. In addition, other companies providing
temperature-controlled warehouse storage and handling and other warehouse services may not define same store or calculate same store
contribution (NOI) in a manner consistent with our definition or calculation. Same store contribution (NOI) should be considered as a
supplement, but not as an alternative, to our results calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We provide reconciliations of these measures
in the discussions of our comparative results of operations below.
66
Constant Currency Metrics
As discussed above under “Key Factors Affecting Our Business and Financial Results —Foreign Currency Translation Impact on
Our Operations ,” our consolidated revenues and expenses are subject to variations caused by the net effect of foreign currency translation on
revenues generated and expenses incurred by our operations outside the United States, variations which we cannot control. As a result, in
order to provide a framework for assessing how our underlying businesses performed excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations,
we analyze our business performance based on certain constant currency reporting that represents current period results translated into
U.S. dollars at the relevant average foreign exchange rates applicable in the comparable prior period. We believe that the presentation of
constant currency results provides a measurement of our ongoing operations that is meaningful to investors because it excludes the impact of
these foreign currency movements that we cannot control. Constant currency results are not measurements of financial performance under
U.S. GAAP, and our constant currency results should be considered as a supplement, but not as an alternative, to our results calculated in
accordance with U.S. GAAP. We provide reconciliations of these measures in the discussions of our comparative results of operations below.
Our discussion of the drivers of our performance below are based upon U.S. GAAP.
67
Results
of
Operations
The results of operations discussion is combined for Americold Realty Trust and our operating partnership because there are no material
differences in the results of operations between the two reporting entities.
Comparison
of
Results
for
the
Years
Ended
December
31,
2018
and
2017
Warehouse Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our warehouse segment for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 .
Year
ended
December
31,
Change
2018
actual
2018
constant
currency
(1)
2017
actual
Actual
Constant
currency
Rent and storage
Warehouse services
Total warehouse segment revenues
Power
Other facilities costs (2)
Labor
Other services costs (3)
Total warehouse segment cost of operations
Warehouse segment contribution (NOI)
Warehouse rent and storage contribution (NOI) (4)
Warehouse services contribution (NOI) (5)
Total warehouse segment margin
Rent and storage margin (6)
Warehouse services margin (7)
$
$
$
$
514,755
662,157
1,176,912
72,332
104,618
519,262
106,166
802,378
(Dollars
in
thousands)
$
519,950
$
668,330
1,188,280
73,441
105,898
524,758
107,772
811,869
374,534
$
376,411
$
337,805
36,729
$
$
340,611
35,800
$
$
501,604
644,058
1,145,662
72,408
104,713
510,421
109,792
797,334
348,328
324,483
23,845
2.6 %
2.8 %
2.7 %
(0.1)%
(0.1)%
1.7 %
(3.3)%
0.6 %
7.5 %
4.1 %
54.0 %
3.7 %
3.8 %
3.7 %
1.4 %
1.1 %
2.8 %
(1.8)%
1.8 %
8.1 %
5.0 %
50.1 %
31.8%
65.6%
5.5%
31.7%
65.5%
5.4%
30.4%
64.7%
3.7%
140 bps
90 bps
180 bps
130 bps
80 bps
170 bps
(1) The adjustments from our U.S. GAAP operating results to calculate our operating results on a constant currency basis are the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange
rates relative to the comparable prior period.
Includes real estate rent expense of $ 14.0 million and $15.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Includes non-real estate rent expense (equipment lease and rentals) of $13.8 million and $14.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(2)
(3)
(4) Calculated as rent and storage revenues less power and other facilities costs.
(5) Calculated as warehouse services revenues less labor and other services costs.
(6) Calculated as warehouse rent and storage contribution (NOI) divided by warehouse rent and storage revenues.
(7) Calculated as warehouse services contribution (NOI) divided by warehouse services revenues.
Warehouse segment revenues were $1.18 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $31.3 million , or 2.7% ,
compared to $1.15 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017 . On a constant currency basis, our warehouse segment revenues were $1.19
billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $42.6 million , or 3.7% , compared to the prior year. These increases were
primarily driven by net new business, improvements in our commercial terms and contractual rate escalations, the maturation of the
Clearfield, Utah facility and the opening of the build-to-suit facility in Middleboro, Massachusetts at the end of the third quarter in 2018. The
foreign currency translation of revenues incurred by our foreign operations had an $11.4 million
68
unfavorable impact during the year ended December 31, 2018 , which was mainly driven by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar over the
Australian dollar and to a lesser extent the strengthening of the U.S. dollar over the Argentine peso.
Warehouse segment cost of operations was $802.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $5.0 million , or
0.6% , compared to $797.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . On a constant currency basis, our warehouse segment cost of
operations was $811.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $14.5 million , or 1.8% , compared to the prior year.
Despite increases in our costs of operations related to inflation and incremental revenue, as previously discussed, our ongoing efforts to
improve productivity and energy efficiency initiatives partially offset this increase and are enabling us to leverage our cost of operations. The
foreign currency translation of expenses incurred by our foreign operations had a $9.5 million favorable impact during the year ended
December 31, 2018 .
Warehouse segment contribution (NOI) was $374.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $26.2 million , or
7.5% , compared to $348.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . On a constant currency basis, warehouse segment contribution
was $376.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $28.1 million , or 8.1% , compared to the prior year. The foreign
currency translation of our results of operations had a $1.9 million unfavorable impact to the warehouse segment contribution period-over-
period. Again, a more favorable customer mix, net new business, improvements in our commercial terms and contractual rate escalations, the
contribution from the maturation of the Clearfield, Utah facility and opening of the build-to-suit facility in Middleboro, Massachusetts,
combined with operating efficiency gains driven by labor productivity, and the leveraging of our fixed expenses allowed us to generate higher
contribution margins in our warehouse segment during the year ended December 31, 2018 .
Same Store Analysis
We had 136 same stores for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 139 same stores for the year ended December 31, 2017 . Please
see “How We Assess the Performance of Our Business—Same Store Analysis” above for a reconciliation of the change in the same store
portfolio from year to year.
69
The following table presents revenues, cost of operations, contribution (NOI) and margins for our same stores and non-same stores
with a reconciliation to the total financial metrics of our warehouse segment for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 .
Year
ended
December
31,
Change
2018
actual
2018
constant
currency
(1)
2017
actual
Actual
Constant
currency
Same
store
revenues:
Rent and storage
Warehouse services
Total same store revenues
Same
store
cost
of
operations:
Power
Other facilities costs
Labor
Other services costs
Total same store cost of operations
Same store contribution (NOI)
Same store rent and storage contribution (NOI) (2)
Same store services contribution (NOI) (3)
Total same store margin
Same store rent and storage margin (4)
Same store services margin (5)
Non-same
store
revenues:
Rent and storage
Warehouse services
Total non-same store revenues
Non-same
store
cost
of
operations:
Power
Other facilities costs
Labor
Other services costs
Total non-same store cost of operations
Non-same store contribution (NOI)
Non-same store rent and storage contribution (NOI) (2)
Non-same store services contribution (NOI) (3)
Total warehouse segment revenues
Total warehouse cost of operations
Total warehouse segment contribution
496,860
642,038
1,138,898
69,438
98,615
502,579
102,260
(Dollars
in
thousands)
$
502,055
$
648,211
1,150,266
70,547
99,894
508,076
103,866
772,892
$
782,383
$
366,006
328,807
37,199
$
$
$
367,883
331,614
36,269
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
482,422
624,221
1,106,643
68,250
96,163
494,182
105,626
764,221
342,422
318,009
24,413
3.0 %
2.9 %
2.9 %
1.7 %
2.5 %
1.7 %
(3.2)%
1.1 %
6.9 %
3.4 %
52.4 %
4.1 %
3.8 %
3.9 %
3.4 %
3.9 %
2.8 %
(1.7)%
2.4 %
7.4 %
4.3 %
48.6 %
32.1%
66.2%
5.8%
32.0%
66.1%
5.6%
30.9%
65.9%
3.9%
120 bps
30 bps
190 bps
110 bps
20 bps
170 bps
$
17,895
$
17,895
$
20,119
38,014
2,894
6,003
16,683
3,906
20,119
38,014
2,894
6,003
16,683
3,906
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
29,486
$
29,486
$
8,528
8,998
(470)
1,176,912
802,378
374,534
$
$
$
$
$
$
8,528
8,998
(470)
1,188,280
811,869
376,411
$
$
$
$
$
$
19,182
19,837
39,019
4,158
8,550
16,239
4,166
33,113
5,906
6,474
(568)
1,145,662
797,334
348,328
(6.7)%
1.4 %
(2.6)%
(30.4)%
(29.8)%
2.7 %
(6.2)%
(11.0)%
44.4 %
39.0 %
17.3 %
2.7 %
0.6 %
7.5 %
(6.7)%
1.4 %
(2.6)%
(30.4)%
(29.8)%
2.7 %
(6.2)%
(11.0)%
44.4 %
39.0 %
17.3 %
3.7 %
1.8 %
8.1 %
(1) The adjustments from our U.S. GAAP operating results to calculate our operating results on a constant currency basis is the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange
rates relative to the comparable prior period.
(2) Calculated as rent and storage revenues less power and other facilities costs.
(3) Calculated as warehouse services revenues less labor and other services costs.
(4) Calculated as same store rent and storage contribution (NOI) divided by same store rent and storage revenues.
(5) Calculated as same store warehouse services contribution (NOI) divided by same store warehouse services revenues.
70
The following table provides certain operating metrics to explain the drivers of our same store performance.
Same
store
rent
and
storage:
Occupancy (1)
Average occupied pallets (in thousands)
Average physical pallet positions (in thousands)
Occupancy percentage
Same store rent and storage revenues per occupied pallet
Constant currency same store rent and storage revenues per occupied pallet
Same
store
warehouse
services:
Throughput pallets (in thousands)
Same store warehouse services revenues per throughput pallet
Constant currency same store warehouse services revenues per throughput pallet
Non-same
store
rent
and
storage:
Occupancy
Average occupied pallets (in thousands)
Average physical pallet positions (in thousands)
Occupancy percentage
Non-same
store
warehouse
services:
Throughput pallets (in thousands)
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
2017
Change
2,361
3,059
77.2%
210.49
212.69
$
$
26,084
24.61
24.85
$
$
$
$
$
$
2,407
3,062
(1.9)%
(0.1)%
78.6%
-140 bps
200.43
200.43
26,797
23.29
23.29
5.0 %
6.1 %
(2.7)%
5.7 %
6.7 %
98
133
102
154
(3.9)%
(13.6)%
73.2%
66.1%
861
830
3.7 %
(1) We define average physical occupancy as the average number of occupied pallets divided by the estimated number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses
for the applicable period. We estimate the number of physical pallet positions by taking into account actual racked space and by estimating unracked space on an as-if
racked basis. We base this estimate on a formula utilizing the total cubic feet of each room within the warehouse that is unracked divided by the volume of an assumed rack
space that is consistent with the characteristics of the relevant warehouse. On a warehouse by warehouse basis, rack space generally ranges from three to four feet
depending upon the type of facility and the nature of the customer goods stored therein. The number of our pallet positions is reviewed and updated quarterly, taking into
account changes in racking configurations and room utilization.
Average occupancy at our same stores was 77.2% for the year ended December 31, 2018 , a decrease of 140 basis points compared to
78.6% for the year ended December 31, 2017 . This change was primarily the result of a decrease of 1.9% in average occupied pallets, which
was partially attributable to a decline in the number of occupied pallets in our West region of the United States caused by lower average
inventory in our “harvest sites” that service some of our largest fruit and vegetables suppliers. In addition, certain other regions of our
domestic warehouse segment reported lower storage volume as we continue to focus on profitable growth by optimizing our warehouse
network and improving our customer mix. Finally, in the third quarter of 2017, we exited a leased facility in New Zealand and partially
transferred the storage volume from that facility to other warehouses in that country.
Despite the reduction in average occupied pallets, same store rent and storage revenues per occupied pallet increased 5.0% compared
to the prior year, primarily driven by a more favorable customer mix, net new business, improvements in our commercial terms and
contractual rate escalations. On a constant currency basis, the increase in our same store rent and storage revenues per occupied pallet was
6.1% compared to the prior year largely driven by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar and to a lesser extent the
strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Argentine peso.
71
Throughput pallets at our same stores were 26.1 million pallets for the year ended December 31, 2018 , a decrease of 2.7% from 26.8
million pallets for the year ended December 31, 2017 . This decrease was primarily attributable to a shift in the inbound/outbound profile of
certain domestic customers from higher inventory turn customers to lower inventory turn customers. Same store warehouse services revenues
per throughput pallet increased 5.7% compared to the prior year primarily as a result of an increase in higher priced repackaging, blast
freezing, and case-picking warehouse services. On a constant currency basis, our same store services revenues per throughput pallet increased
6.7% compared to the prior year.
Third-Party Managed Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our third-party managed segment for the years ended December 31, 2018 and
2017 .
Number of managed sites
Third-party managed revenues
Third-party managed cost of operations
Third-party managed segment contribution
$
$
2018
actual
12
259,034
244,274
(Dollars
in
thousands)
$
259,151
$
244,524
14,760
$
14,627
$
12
242,189
229,364
12,825
7.0%
6.5%
15.1%
7.0%
6.6%
14.1%
Year
ended
December
31,
Change
2018
constant
currency
(1)
2017
actual
Actual
Constant
currency
Third-party managed margin
5.7%
5.6%
5.3%
40 bps
30 bps
(1) The adjustments from our U.S. GAAP operating results to calculate our operating results on a constant currency basis are the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange
rates relative to the comparable prior period.
Third-party managed revenues were $259.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $16.8 million , or 7.0% ,
compared to $242.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . On a constant currency basis, third-party managed revenues were $259.2
million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $17.0 million , or 7.0% , compared to the prior year. These increases were
attributable to higher business volume from our largest third-party managed customers in the United States and Australia.
Third-party managed cost of operations was $244.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $14.9 million , or
6.5% , compared to $229.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . On a constant currency basis, third-party managed cost of
operations was $244.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $15.2 million , or 6.6% , compared to the prior year.
The increase was due to higher business volume as indicated in revenue when compared to the prior year.
Third-party managed segment contribution (NOI) was $14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $1.9
million , or 15.1% , compared to $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . On a constant currency basis, third-party managed
segment contribution (NOI) was $14.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $1.8 million , or 14.1% , compared to
the prior year. Improved margins in this segment were primarily driven by increased volume from our largest retail customer in Australia
coupled with increased incentives associated with achieving certain key performance incentive targets.
72
Transportation Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our transportation segment for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 .
Year
ended
December
31,
Change
2018
actual
2018
constant
currency
(1)
2017
actual
Actual
Constant
currency
Transportation revenues
$
158,790
(Dollars
in
thousands)
$
161,560
$
Brokered transportation
Other cost of operations
Total transportation cost of operations
117,639
25,416
143,055
119,643
25,908
145,551
Transportation segment contribution (NOI)
$
15,735
$
16,009
$
146,070
104,981
28,139
133,120
12,950
8.7 %
10.6 %
12.1 %
(9.7)%
7.5 %
21.5 %
14.0 %
(7.9)%
9.3 %
23.6 %
Transportation margin
9.9%
9.9%
8.9%
100 bps
100 bps
(1) The adjustments from our U.S. GAAP operating results to calculate our operating results on a constant currency basis are the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange
rates relative to the comparable prior period.
Our transportation segment continued its strategic shift to focus on more profitable solutions, which create value for our customers
while driving and supporting our warehouse business including multi-vendor consolidation offerings. Transportation revenues were $158.8
million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $12.7 million , or 8.7% , compared to $146.1 million for the year ended
December 31, 2017 . On a constant currency basis, transportation revenues were $161.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an
increase of $15.5 million , or 10.6% , compared to the prior year. The strategic shift in our transportation segment resulted in higher revenue
of $13.8 million on new and incremental business primarily from our domestic operations, which now focus on providing multi-vendor
consolidation programs and dedicated transportation services. Our international operations led to a net revenue decrease of $0.9 million
primarily from decreased volume in Argentina offset by incremental transportation services in Australia.
Transportation cost of operations was $143.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $9.9 million , or 7.5% ,
compared to $133.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . On a constant currency basis, transportation cost of operations was
$145.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 , an increase of $12.4 million , or 9.3% , compared to the prior year. Brokered
transportation costs were higher than a year ago primarily as a result of an increase in domestic consolidation programs, higher volume and
rate escalations. Additionally, the strategic shift referenced above led to a decline in other cost of operations for the segment. Transportation
segment contribution (NOI) was $15.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $2.8 million , or 21.5% , compared to
$13.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . Transportation segment margin increased 100 basis points from the prior year, to 9.9%
from 8.9% . The increase in margin was primarily due to the strategic shift referenced above, which resulted in more profitable business. On a
constant currency basis, transportation segment contribution was $16.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $3.1
million , or 23.6% , compared to the prior year.
73
Quarry Revenues and Cost of Operations
The following table presents the operating results of our quarry segment for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 .
Quarry revenues
Quarry cost of operations
Quarry segment contribution (NOI)
Quarry margin
n/m: not meaningful
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
2017
Change
(Dollars
in
thousands)
$
8,899
8,279
620
$
9,666
9,664
2
$
$
7.0%
—%
(7.9)%
(14.3)%
n/m
n/m
Quarry revenues were $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , a decrease of $0.8 million , or 7.9% , compared to $9.7
million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . Lower revenues in our quarry operations were attributable to lower demand from our
construction and industrial customers. Demand from these customers was higher in the comparable prior period due to inclement weather
driving the demand for roofing materials containing limestone.
Quarry cost of operations was $8.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , a decrease of $1.4 million , or 14.3% , compared
to $9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . This decrease was primarily due to the recording of an impairment charge of $2.1
million in the second quarter of 2017 to write-down certain limestone inventory held at our quarry operations, which we determined to be not
of saleable quality. No such impairment charge was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018 . After excluding the prior year
impact of this impairment charge, quarry costs of operations were approximately $0.7 million higher compared to the prior year. During the
year ended December 31, 2018 , the quarry recognized workers’ compensation expense of approximately $0.5 million related to a current
realized claim. In addition, less of the limestone byproduct has been capitalized compared to 2017 due to excess supply.
Quarry segment contribution (NOI) was $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , as compared to a break even
contribution (NOI) for the year ended December 31, 2017 , largely driven by the factors described above.
Other Consolidated Operating Expenses
Depreciation, depletion and amortization . Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense was $117.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018 , an increase of $0.9 million , or 0.8% , compared to $116.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . This change
was primarily due to placing three new facilities into service.
Selling, general and administrative . Corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses were $114.8 million for the year
ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $3.8 million , or 3.4% , compared to $110.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
Included in these amounts are business development expenses attributable to our customer onboarding, engineering and consulting services to
support our customers in the cold chain. Business development expenses represented approximately 15% of corporate-level selling, general
and administrative expenses for 2018 and 2017 . W e believe these costs are comparable to leasing costs for other publicly traded REITs. The
increase in corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses compared to the prior year was primarily due to higher stock-based
compensation expense we incurred for certain equity
74
incentive awards to certain employees and non-employee directors. Overall, stock-based compensation expense increased $8.0 million
compared to the prior year. In addition, we have hired additional resources within our business development, engineering, and human
resources functions resulting in an increase of $4.7 million compared to the prior year. Included in corporate-level selling, general and
administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 , were also higher professional fees we have, and will continue to incur, in
preparation for our annual assessment of internal control over financial reporting, higher audit fees as a public company, and other
professional fees. These increases were partially offset by non-recurring charges recorded during the third quarter of 2017. We recorded a
one-time charge of $9.2 million representing the present value of a liability associated with our withdrawal obligation under the New England
Teamsters & Trucking Industry Multi-Employer Pension Fund for hourly, unionized associates at four of our domestic warehouse facilities.
No such charge was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018 . Additionally, during the third quarter of 2017, we recorded a one-
time charge of $2.1 million representing expense to repair a leased facility to restore the site to its original condition prior to the lease
expiration. This charge was subsequently reversed during the fourth quarter of 2018, when the Company was released from this liability by
the landlord. After excluding the prior year impact of the pension withdrawal and lease exit charges, as well as the reversal of the lease exit
charge in the fourth quarter of 2018, corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses were $17.0 million higher compared to the
prior year, driven by the reasons previously discussed. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , corporate-level selling, general and
administrative expenses were 7.2% and 7.2% , respectively, of total revenues.
Impairment of long-lived assets . For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 , we recorded impairment charges of $0.7 million
and $9.5 million , respectively, as a result of the planned disposal or exit of certain warehouse facilities, including certain idle facilities, with
a net book value in excess of their estimated fair value based on third-party appraisals or letters of intent executed with prospective buyers.
All of these impaired assets related to the Warehouse segment, and the related impairment charges are included in the “Impairment of long-
lived assets” line item of the consolidated statements of operations for the related periods.
Other Expense
Loss from Partially Owned Entities. For the year ended December 31, 2018 , our partially owned entities reported a loss of $1.1
million , a $0.3 million decrease compared to a loss of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . The prior year loss included a
$1.4 million charge our China JV recorded to write-off a loan receivable from one of its bankrupt customers. While the 2017 charge was non-
recurring, the loss in 2018 is driven by increased professional fees related to public company implementation costs, paired with the
proportionate share of the $0.3 million charge our China JV recorded in 2018 related to a litigation settlement accrual that is in negotiations
and considered probable.
Impairment of Partially Owned Entities. In 2017, we recognized an impairment charge totalling $6.5 million related to our investment
in the China JV accounted for under the equity method as we determined that the recorded investment was no longer recoverable from the
projected future cash flows expected to be received from the China JV. The estimated fair value of this investment was determined based on
an assessment of the proceeds expected to be received from the potential sale of our investment interests to the joint venture partner based on
current negotiations. There were no such impairment charges recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018 .
75
The following table presents other items of income and expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 .
Other (expense) income:
Interest expense
Interest income
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net
Other expense - net
n/m: not meaningful
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
2017
(In
thousands)
Change
%
$
(93,312) $
(114,898)
3,996
(47,559)
2,882
(532)
1,074
(986)
(3,591)
(1,944)
(18.8)%
272.1 %
n/m
n/m
n/m
Interest expense . Interest expense was $93.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , a decrease of $21.6 million , or 18.8% ,
compared to $114.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . In connection with the IPO, we used the net proceeds from the equity
offering and the 2018 Senior Secured Term Loan A Facility to pay in full our 2015 Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility, which had a
weighted average balance of $772.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . Furthermore, in December 2018 we entered into the
2018 Recast Credit Facility, further decreasing our contractual interest rate. The average balance of our term loan facility was $479.2 million
for the year ended December 31, 2018 .
Interest income . Interest income of $4.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 272.1% higher when compared to $1.1
million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . This change was primarily driven by the increase in interest income associated with the
increase in net cash provided by our initial and follow-on offerings which was deposited into interest bearing cash equivalent accounts.
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments . In 2018, we recognized an aggregate $47.6
million loss on debt extinguishment and modifications charge. This was comprised of a write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs in
connection with the refinancing of our pre-IPO Senior Secured Credit Facilities in connection with the IPO for $21.4 million , the defeasance
of our 2010 CMBS debt for $18.5 million and write-off of related unamortized debt issuance costs of $3.4 million , the write-off of
unamortized debt issuance costs in connection with the prepayment of our ANZ Loans for $2.2 million , and the recognition of the remaining
unamortized Accumulated other comprehensive loss resulting from the interest rate swaps terminated in connection with the prepayment of
our ANZ Loans for $1.8 million .
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net . We reported a foreign currency exchange gain of $2.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018 compared to a $3.6 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 . The monthly re-measurement of an
intercompany loan denominated in Australian dollars, issued from our Australian subsidiary to one of our U.S. corporate subsidiaries,
resulted in a foreign currency exchange gain in the year ended December 31, 2018 , as the U.S. dollar strengthened against the Australian
dollar as compared to the year ended December 31, 2017 . This intercompany loan was repaid in December 2018. In tandem with the
repayment, two new intercompany loans were initiated from the U.S. to the Australia and New Zealand entities totaling AUD$153.5 million
and NZD$37.5 million, respectively. The Company also entered into cross-currency swaps to hedge the changes in the cash flows of interest
and principal payment on these intercompany loans, which qualifies for hedge accounting. As such, the remeasurement of these intercompany
loans did not have an impact to earnings in 2018.
Other expense - net . In this line item, which represents income or expense outside our operating segments, we reported other expense
- net, of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of
76
$1.4 million , as compared to $1.9 million other income-net for the year ended December 31, 2017 . This change is attributed primarily to
higher pension expense in 2017 as a result of lump sum participant settlements.
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)
Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $3.6 million , which represented a change of $13.0 million , from an
income tax expense of $9.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . This change was driven by a $3.8 million receivable recorded in
2018 for alternative minimum tax paid and now refundable under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), paired with lower earnings reported by
our taxable REIT foreign subsidiaries which impacted tax expense favorably by $1.7 million. Additionally, a valuation allowance was
favorably adjusted by $2.6 million as indefinite-lived assets created under the TCJA can now be used as a source of income when
determining the amount subject to offset. In addition, the Company incurred a 2017 excise tax settlement liability in the amount of $4.6
million offset by a $2.3 million income tax benefit recognized in 2017 for the tax rate change due to TCJA.
Comparison
of
Results
for
the
Years
Ended
December
31,
2017
and
2016
Warehouse Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our warehouse segment for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Year
ended
December
31,
Change
2017
actual
2016
constant
currency
(1)
2016
actual
Actual
Constant
currency
Rent and storage
Warehouse services
Total warehouse segment revenues
Power
Other facilities costs (2)
Labor
Other services costs (3)
Total warehouse segment cost of operations
Warehouse segment contribution (NOI)
Warehouse rent and storage contribution (NOI) (4)
Warehouse services contribution (NOI) (5)
Total warehouse segment margin
Rent and storage margin (6)
Warehouse services margin (7)
$
$
$
$
$
501,604
644,058
1,145,662
72,408
104,713
509,951
110,262
797,334
348,328
324,483
23,845
(Dollars
in
thousands)
$
501,168
$
640,805
1,141,973
72,376
104,596
507,715
109,898
794,585
347,388
324,196
23,192
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
476,800
604,067
1,080,867
71,999
102,032
484,822
107,969
766,822
314,045
302,769
11,276
5.2%
6.6%
6.0%
0.6%
2.6%
5.2%
2.1%
4.0%
10.9%
7.2%
111.5%
5.1%
6.1%
5.7%
0.5%
2.5%
4.7%
1.8%
3.6%
10.6%
7.1%
105.7%
30.4%
64.7%
3.7%
30.4%
64.7%
3.6%
29.1%
63.5%
1.9%
130 bps
120 bps
180 bps
130 bps
120 bps
170 bps
(1) The adjustments from our U.S. GAAP operating results to calculate our operating results on a constant currency basis are the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange
rates relative to the comparable prior period.
77
Includes real estate rent expense of $15.1 million and $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Includes non-real estate rent expense of $14.0 million and $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
(2)
(3)
(4) Calculated as rent and storage revenues less power and other facilities costs.
(5) Calculated as warehouse services revenues less labor and other services costs.
(6) Calculated as warehouse rent and storage contribution (NOI) divided by warehouse rent and storage revenues.
(7) Calculated as warehouse services contribution (NOI) divided by warehouse services revenues.
Warehouse segment revenues were $1.15 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $64.8 million, or 6.0%,
compared to $1.08 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016. On a constant currency basis, our warehouse segment revenues were $1.14
billion for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $61.1 million, or 5.7%, compared to the prior year. These increases were
primarily driven by a greater proportion of occupancy by customers that paid higher average rates per pallet as well as an increase in
warehouse services volumes. The majority of the change in customer composition and related increase in revenues was generated through our
domestic operations. The foreign currency translation of revenues incurred by our foreign operations had a $3.7 million favorable impact
during the year ended December 31, 2017.
Warehouse segment cost of operations was $797.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $30.5 million, or
4.0%, compared to $766.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. On a constant currency basis, our warehouse segment cost of
operations was $794.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $27.8 million, or 3.6%, compared to $766.8 million for
the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was driven primarily by rising labor costs, partially driven by higher throughput and an
increased amount of more labor-intensive warehouse services relative to the year ended December 31, 2016.
Warehouse segment contribution (NOI) was $348.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $34.3 million, or
10.9%, compared to $314.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. On a constant currency basis, warehouse segment contribution
was $347.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $33.3 million, or 10.6%, compared to the prior year.
Same Store Analysis
We had 139 same stores for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Please see “—How We Assess the Performance of Our
Business—Same Store Analysis” above for a reconciliation of the change in the same store portfolio from year to year.
78
The following table presents revenues, cost of operations, contribution (NOI) and margins for our same stores and non-same stores
with a reconciliation to the total financial metrics of our warehouse segment for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Year
ended
December
31,
Change
2017
actual
2017
constant
currency
(1)
2016
actual
Actual
Constant
currency
Same
store
revenues:
Rent and storage
Warehouse services
Total same store revenues
Same
store
cost
of
operations:
Power
Other facilities costs
Labor
Other services costs
Total same store cost of operations
Same store contribution (NOI)
Same store rent and storage contribution (NOI) (2)
Same store warehouse services contribution (NOI) (3)
Total same store margin
Same store rent and storage margin (4)
Same store warehouse services margin (5)
Non-same
store
revenues:
Rent and storage
Warehouse services
Total non-same store revenues
Non-same
store
cost
of
operations:
Power
Other facilities costs
Labor
Other services costs
Total non-same store cost of operations
Non-same store contribution (NOI)
Non-same store rent and storage contribution (NOI) (2)
Non-same store warehouse services contribution (NOI) (3)
Total warehouse segment revenues
Total warehouse cost of operations
Total warehouse segment contribution (NOI)
491,174
631,287
1,122,461
70,101
99,448
498,978
107,055
(Dollars
in
thousands)
$
490,725
$
627,995
1,118,720
70,076
99,339
496,689
106,679
775,582
$
772,783
$
346,879
321,625
25,254
$
$
$
345,937
321,310
24,627
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
465,528
591,994
1,057,522
68,974
94,153
473,325
105,261
741,713
315,809
302,401
13,408
5.5 %
6.6 %
6.1 %
1.6 %
5.6 %
5.4 %
1.7 %
4.6 %
9.8 %
6.4 %
88.4 %
5.4 %
6.1 %
5.8 %
1.6 %
5.5 %
4.9 %
1.3 %
4.2 %
9.5 %
6.3 %
83.7 %
30.9%
65.5%
4.0%
30.9%
65.5%
3.9%
29.9%
65.0%
2.3%
100 bps
50 bps
170 bps
100 bps
50 bps
160 bps
$
10,430
$
10,443
$
12,771
23,201
2,307
5,265
10,973
3,207
12,810
23,253
2,300
5,257
11,026
3,219
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
21,752
$
21,802
$
1,449
2,858
(1,409)
1,145,662
797,334
348,328
$
$
$
$
$
$
1,451
2,886
(1,435)
1,141,973
794,585
347,388
$
$
$
$
$
$
11,272
12,073
23,345
3,025
7,879
11,497
2,708
25,109
(1,764)
368
(2,132)
1,080,867
766,822
314,045
(7.5)%
5.8 %
(0.6)%
(23.7)%
(33.2)%
(4.6)%
18.4 %
(13.4)%
(182.1)%
676.6 %
(33.9)%
6.0 %
4.0 %
10.9 %
(7.4)%
6.1 %
(0.4)%
(24.0)%
(33.3)%
(4.1)%
18.9 %
(13.2)%
(182.3)%
684.2 %
(32.7)%
5.7 %
3.6 %
10.6 %
(1) The adjustments from our U.S. GAAP operating results to calculate our operating results on a constant currency basis is the effect of changes in foreign currency
exchange rates relative to the comparable prior period.
(2) Calculated as rent and storage revenues less power and other facilities costs.
(3) Calculated as warehouse services revenues less labor and other services costs.
79
(4) Calculated as same store rent and storage contribution (NOI) divided by same store rent and storage revenues.
(5) Calculated as same store warehouse services contribution (NOI) divided by same store warehouse services revenues.
The following table provides certain operating metrics to explain the drivers of our same store performance.
Same
store
rent
and
storage:
Occupancy (1)
Average occupied pallets (in thousands)
Average physical pallet positions (in thousands)
Occupancy percentage
Same store rent and storage revenues per occupied pallet
Constant currency same store rent and storage revenues per occupied pallet
Same
store
warehouse
services:
Throughput pallets (in thousands)
Same store warehouse services revenues per throughput pallet
Constant currency same store warehouse services revenues per throughput pallet
Non-same
store
rent
and
storage:
Occupancy
Average occupied pallets (in thousands)
Average physical pallet positions (in thousands)
Occupancy percentage
Non-same
store
warehouse
services:
Throughput pallets (in thousands)
Year
ended
December
31,
2017
2016
Change
2,447
3,124
78.3%
200.75
200.56
$
$
27,038
23.34
23.22
$
$
$
$
$
$
2,414
3,125
1.4 %
— %
77.2%
110 bps
192.87
192.87
26,562
22.29
22.29
4.1 %
4.0 %
1.8 %
4.7 %
4.2 %
62
91
56
106
9.6 %
(14.3)%
67.8%
53.0%
584
567
2.9 %
(1) We define average physical occupancy as the average number of occupied pallets divided by the estimated number of average physical pallet positions in our warehouses for
the applicable period. We estimate the number of physical pallet positions by taking into account actual racked space and by estimating unracked space on an as-if racked basis.
We base this estimate on a formula utilizing the total cubic feet of each room within the warehouse that is unracked divided by the volume of an assumed rack space that is
consistent with the characteristics of the relevant warehouse. On a warehouse by warehouse basis, rack space generally ranges from two to three feet depending upon the type of
facility and the nature of the customer goods stored therein. The number of our pallet positions is reviewed and updated quarterly, taking into account changes in racking
configurations and room utilization.
Average occupancy at our same stores was 78.3% for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of 110 basis points compared to
77.2% for the year ended December 31, 2016. This growth was primarily the result of an increase of 1.4% in average occupied pallets. The
increase in our average occupied pallets primarily resulted from new business and incremental business with existing customers at our
domestic and Australian operations, partially offset by a slight decline in the average occupied pallets in our New Zealand and Argentina
operations. Same store rent and storage revenues per occupied pallet increased 4.1% compared to the prior year, primarily driven by rate
increases and a greater proportion of occupancy by customers that paid higher average rates per pallet. On a constant currency basis, the
increase in our same store rent and storage revenues per occupied pallet was approximately the same as the change in same store rent and
storage revenues per occupied pallet including the effect of foreign currency fluctuations. This was attributable to the fact that the increase in
same store rent and storage revenues from our domestic operations was substantially higher than the increase in same store rent and storage
revenues from our foreign operations.
80
Throughput pallets at our same stores were 27.0 million pallets for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of 1.8% from 26.6
million pallets for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was largely the result of new and incremental occupancy and throughput
from our domestic and Australian customers. Same store warehouse services revenues per throughput pallet increased 4.7% compared to the
prior year primarily as a result of an increase in higher priced repackaging, blast freezing, and case-picking warehouse services and, in part, a
favorable net effect of foreign currency translation as the increase in warehouse services revenues from our foreign operations was greater
than the increase from the same revenues stream at our domestic operations. On a constant currency basis, our same store services revenues
per throughput pallet increased 4.2% compared to the prior year.
Third-Party Managed Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our third-party managed segment for the years ended December 31, 2017 and
2016.
Number of managed sites
Third-party managed revenues
Third-party managed cost of operations
Third-party managed segment contribution
Third-party managed margin
(1)
2017
actual
12
Year
ended
December
31,
2017
constant
currency
(1)
2016
actual
Actual
Change
Constant
currency
12
(Dollars
in
thousands)
$
$
$
$
242,189
229,364
12,825
$
$
241,674
228,851
12,823
252,411
237,597
14,814
(4.0)%
(3.5)%
(13.4)%
(4.3)%
(3.7)%
(13.4)%
5.3%
5.3%
5.9%
-60 bps
-60 bps
The adjustments from our U.S. GAAP operating results to calculate our operating results on a constant currency basis are the effect of changes in foreign currency
exchange rates relative to the comparable prior period.
Third-party managed revenues were $242.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $10.2 million, or 4.0%,
compared to $252.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. On a constant currency basis, third-party managed revenues were $241.7
million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $10.7 million, or 4.3%, compared to the prior year. These declines were
attributable to lower business volume from our largest third-party managed customer, which led to a decline in incentive fees as compared to
the prior year.
Third-party managed cost of operations was $229.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $8.2 million, or
3.5%, compared to $237.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. On a constant currency basis, third-party managed cost of
operations was $228.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $8.7 million, or 3.7%, compared to the prior year.
Third-party managed segment contribution (NOI) was $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $2.0
million, or 13.4%, compared to $14.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. On a constant currency basis, third-party managed
segment contribution (NOI) was $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 13.4%, compared to the
prior year.
81
Transportation Segment
The following table presents the operating results of our transportation segment for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Year
ended
December
31,
Change
2017
actual
2017
constant
currency
(1)
2016
actual
Actual
Constant
currency
Transportation revenues
$
146,070
(Dollars
in
thousands)
$
145,043
$
147,004
(0.6)%
(1.3)%
Brokered transportation
Other cost of operations
Total transportation cost of operations
Transportation segment contribution (NOI)
Transportation margin
104,981
28,139
133,120
104,532
27,568
132,100
$
12,950
$
12,943
$
102,897
29,689
132,586
14,418
2.0 %
(5.2)%
0.4 %
(10.2)%
1.6 %
(7.1)%
(0.4)%
(10.2)%
8.9%
8.9%
9.8%
-90
bps
-90
bps
(1)
The adjustments from our U.S. GAAP operating results to calculate our operating results on a constant currency basis are the effect of changes in foreign currency
exchange rates relative to the comparable prior period.
Our transportation segment continued its strategic shift to focus on more profitable warehouse services and consolidation solutions by
exiting certain commoditized, non-scalable, or low margin services we have historically offered to our customers. Transportation revenues
were $146.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $0.9 million, or 0.6%, compared to $147.0 million for the year
ended December 31, 2016. On a constant currency basis, transportation revenues were $145.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017,
a decrease of $2.0 million, or 1.3%, compared to the prior year. The strategic shift in our transportation segment resulted in higher revenue of
$3.3 million on higher rates and more profitable transportation services in our domestic operations. Transportation services from our
international operations led to a revenue decline of $4.4 million primarily as a result of lower volume from an Australian customer.
Transportation cost of operations was $133.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $0.5 million, or 0.4%,
compared to $132.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. On a constant currency basis, transportation cost of operations was
$132.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 0.4%, compared to the prior year. Brokered
transportation costs were slightly higher than a year ago primarily as a result of an increase in domestic consolidation programs. However, the
strategic shift referenced above together with lower volume from our international operations led to a decline in other cost of operations for
the segment.
Transportation segment contribution (NOI) was $13.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $1.5 million, or
10.2%, compared to $14.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Transportation segment margin decreased 90 basis points
compared to the prior year, to 8.9% from 9.8%. Despite increased margins and greater efficiencies in our domestic transportation operations,
the overall decrease in margins resulted from slightly lower margins in our international transportation business . On a constant currency
basis, transportation segment contribution was $12.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 10.2%,
compared to the prior year.
82
Quarry Revenues and Cost of Operations
The following table presents the operating results of our quarry segment for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
Quarry revenues
Quarry cost of operations
Quarry segment contribution (NOI)
Quarry margin
Year
ended
December
31,
2017
2016
Change
$
$
(Dollars
in
thousands)
$
9,666
9,664
2
$
—%
9,717
7,349
2,368
24.4%
(0.5)%
31.5 %
(99.9)%
n/m
Quarry revenues were $9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, which were consistent with revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2016.
Quarry cost of operations was $9.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $2.3 million, or 31.5%, compared to
$7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was primarily due to an impairment charge of $2.1 million we recognized
in the second quarter of 2017 to write-down certain limestone inventory held at our quarry operations, which we determined to be not of
saleable quality.
Quarry segment contribution (NOI) was break even for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to a contribution (NOI) of
$2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, largely driven by the write-down of inventory described above.
Other Consolidated Operating Expenses
Depreciation, depletion and amortization . Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense was $116.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 2017, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 1.5%, compared to $118.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This change was
primarily associated with the exit of certain warehouses toward the end of 2016, and the disposal of machinery and equipment no longer in
use.
Selling, general and administrative . Corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses were $110.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $14.2 million, or 14.7%, compared to $96.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Included in these amounts are business development expenses attributable to our customer onboarding, engineering and consulting services to
support our customers in the cold chain. Business development expenses represented approximately 15% of corporate-level selling, general
and administrative expenses for 2017 and 2016. W e believe these costs are comparable to leasing costs for other publicly traded REITs. The
increase in corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to higher professional fees incurred in preparation
for the IPO, and higher bonus and incentive expense resulting from improved operational results. During the year ended December 31, 2017
we recorded a one-time charge of $9.2 million representing the present value of a liability associated with our withdrawal obligation under
the New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Multi-Employer Pension Fund for hourly, unionized associates at four of our domestic
warehouse facilities. No such charge was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2016. In addition, in the third quarter of 2017, we
recorded a $2.1 million expense to repair a leased warehouse facility to restore the site to its original condition prior to the lease. For the years
ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, corporate-level selling, general and administrative expenses were 7.2% and 6.5%, respectively, of total
revenues.
83
Impairment of long-lived assets . For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recorded impairment charges of $9.5 million
and $9.8 million, respectively, as a result of the planned disposal or exit of certain warehouse facilities, including certain idle facilities, with a
net book value in excess of their estimated fair value based on third-party appraisals or letters of intent executed with prospective buyers. All
of these impaired assets related to the Warehouse segment.
Other Expense
Loss from Partially Owned Entities. For the year ended December 31, 2017, our partially owned entities reported a loss of $1.4
million, a $1.2 million increase compared to a loss of $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. This change was primarily
attributable to a $1.4 million charge our China JV recorded to write-off a loan receivable from one of its bankrupt customers.
Impairment of Partially Owned Entities. In 2017, we recognized an impairment charge totalling $6.5 million related to our investment
in the China JV accounted for under the equity method as we determined that the recorded investment was no longer recoverable from the
projected future cash flows expected to be received from the China JV. The estimated fair value of this investment was determined based on
an assessment of the proceeds expected to be received from the potential sale of our investment interests to the joint venture partner based on
current negotiations.
The following table presents other items of income and expense for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 .
Other
(expense)
income:
Interest expense
Interest income
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain
Other expense—net
n/m: not meaningful
Year
ended
December
31,
2017
2016
Change
(Dollars
in
thousands)
(114,898) $
(119,552)
$
1,074
(986)
(3,591)
(1,944)
708
(1,437)
464
(1,368)
(3.9)%
51.7 %
n/m
n/m
42.1 %
Interest expense . Interest expense was $114.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, a decrease of $4.7 million, or 3.9%,
compared to $119.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. In July 2016, we amended the terms of our Senior Secured Term Loan B
Facility to lower the coupon rate on the initial tranche of the Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility from one-month LIBOR plus 5.50% to
one-month LIBOR plus 4.75%, and to secure incremental borrowings of $385.0 million principal amount to pay off $375.0 million on our
2006 Mortgage Loans (as defined elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K), which had coupon rates ranging from 5.43% to 5.55%. In
January 2017, we re-amended the terms of our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility to lower the credit spread from 4.75% to 3.75% on
weighted average balance of $772.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Interest income . Interest income of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 51.7% higher when compared to the year
ended December 31, 2016. This period-over-period change was primarily driven by the collection of interest earned on delinquent billings.
Historically, we have earned interest income primarily from term deposits held by our foreign subsidiaries. Starting in the second half of
2016, we began charging interest on delinquent billings net of a bad debt provision equal to the amount of interest earned for such delinquent
customers until collected.
84
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments . As part of the January 2017 amendment of our
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility, and in connection with the pay-off of certain mortgage notes using incremental borrowings under the
same facility in May of 2017, we recognized a $1.0 million charge to write-off unamortized debt issuance costs on the mortgage notes
extinguished and debt modification costs on the Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility that could not be capitalized. In 2016, we recognized
similar charges totalling $1.4 million related to the extinguishment of other mortgage notes and the refinancing of our Senior Secured Term
Loan B Facility.
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain . We reported a foreign currency exchange loss of $3.6 million for the year ended
December 31, 2017 compared to a $0.5 million gain for the year ended December 31, 2016. The monthly re-measurement of an intercompany
loan denominated in Australian dollars, issued from our Australian subsidiary to one of our U.S. corporate subsidiaries, resulted in a larger
foreign currency exchange loss in the year ended December 31, 2017, as the U.S. dollar weakened against the Australian dollar compared to
the year ended December 31, 2016.
Other expense—net . Other expense-net, which represented income outside our operating segments, was $1.9 million for the year
ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $0.6 million, or 42.1% compared to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Other
expense-net in 2016 included proceeds of $3.1 million from the business interruption claim related to the disruption at our Dallas facility,
whereas proceeds from the same claim were $0.6 million in 2017.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $9.4 million, an increase of $3.5 million, or 59.8% compared to $5.9
million for the year ended December 31, 2016. During 2017, we reached a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service for payment of an
excise tax in the amount of $4.3 million, including interest to resolve the matter for years prior to 2017 with an expected payment of $0.7
million to be made to resolve 2017 year. The settlement was reached with respect to a ruling request for confirmation of certain tax positions
we believed qualified for the treatment we historically applied on the Company’s tax returns.
85
Net
Effect
of
Foreign
Currency
Translation
for
Comparative
Periods
In order to provide a framework for assessing how our underlying businesses performed on an overall basis during the comparison
periods presented above, excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, the table below provides an overview of the aggregate effect of
foreign currency fluctuations by showing the actual and constant currency results of each of the comparison periods translated into U.S.
dollars at the average foreign exchange rates applicable during the year ended December 31, 2016. Constant currency results are not
measurements of financial performance under U.S. GAAP, and our constant currency results should be considered as a supplement, but not as
an alternative, to our results calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Actual
currency
exchange
rates
Year
ended
December
31,
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
actual
currency
2017
actual
currency
2016
actual
currency
2018
constant
currency
(1)
2017
constant
currency
(1)
2016
constant
currency
Compound
annual
growth
rate
2016-2018
Actual
currency
Constant
currency
Warehouse
Segment
(In
thousands)
Rent and storage revenue
$
514,755 $
501,604 $
476,800 $
519,950 $
501,168 $
496,015
3.9 %
Warehouse services
revenue
Total warehouse revenue
Rent and storage
contribution (NOI)
Warehouse services
contribution (NOI)
Total warehouse
contribution (NOI)
Third-Party
Managed
Segment
Revenue
Contribution (NOI)
Transportation
Segment
Revenue
Contribution (NOI)
Quarry
Revenue
Contribution (NOI)
Total
Revenue
Total
Segment
Contribution
(NOI)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
662,157
644,058
604,067
668,330
640,805
632,105
1,176,912 $
1,145,662 $
1,080,867 $
1,188,280 $
1,141,973 $
1,128,120
4.7 %
4.3 %
337,805 $
324,483 $
302,769 $
340,611 $
324,196 $
315,744
5.6 %
36,729
23,845
11,276
35,800
23,192
10,079
80.5 %
88.5 %
374,534 $
348,328 $
314,045 $
376,411 $
347,388 $
325,823
9.2 %
7.5 %
259,034 $
242,189 $
252,411 $
259,151 $
241,674 $
256,745
14,760
12,825
14,814
14,627
12,823
15,340
158,790 $
146,070 $
147,004 $
161,560 $
145,043 $
164,752
15,735
12,950
14,418
16,009
12,943
16,947
8,899 $
9,666 $
620
2
9,717 $
2,368
8,899 $
9,666 $
620
2
9,717
2,368
1,603,635 $
1,543,587 $
1,489,999 $
1,617,890 $
1,538,356 $
1,559,334
1.3 %
(0.2)%
3.9 %
4.5 %
(4.3)%
(48.8)%
3.7 %
0.5 %
(2.4)%
(1.0)%
(2.8)%
(4.3)%
(48.8)%
1.9 %
405,649 $
374,105 $
345,645 $
407,667 $
373,156 $
360,478
8.3 %
6.3 %
2.4 %
2.8 %
2.6 %
3.9 %
(1) The adjustments from our U.S. GAAP operating results to calculate our operating results on a constant currency basis is the effect of changes in foreign currency
exchange rates relative to December 31, 2016.
86
Liquidity
and
Capital
Resources
of
the
Parent
Company
In this section and in the section “Liquidity and Capital Resources of the Operating Partnership” below, the term “Parent Company”
refers to Americold Realty Trust on an unconsolidated basis, excluding our operating partnership.
Analysis of Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our Parent Company’s business is operated primarily through our operating partnership, of which our Parent Company is the sole
general partner and limited partner, and for which it consolidates for financial reporting purposes. Because our Parent Company operates on a
consolidated basis with our operating partnership, the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources of the Operating Partnership” should
be read in conjunction with this section to understand the liquidity and capital resources of our Parent Company on a consolidated basis and
how our Company is operated as a whole.
Our Parent Company issues public equity from time to time, but generally does not otherwise generate any capital itself or conduct
any business itself, other than incurring certain expenses in operating as a public company which are fully reimbursed by the operating
partnership. Our Parent Company itself does not hold any indebtedness other than guarantees of the indebtedness of our operating partnership
and certain of its subsidiaries, and its only material asset is its ownership of partnership interests of our operating partnership. Therefore, the
consolidated assets and liabilities and the consolidated revenues and expenses of our Parent Company and our operating partnership are the
same on their respective financial statements. However, all debt is held directly or indirectly at the operating partnership level. Our Parent
Company’s principal funding requirement is the payment of dividends on its common and preferred stock. Our Parent Company’s principal
source of funding for its dividend payments is distributions it receives from our operating partnership.
As the sole general partner of our operating partnership, our Parent Company has the full, exclusive and complete responsibility for
our operating partnership’s day-to-day management and control. Our Parent Company causes our operating partnership to distribute such
portion of its available cash as our Parent Company may in its discretion determine, in the manner provided in our operating partnership’s
partnership agreement. Our Parent Company receives proceeds from its equity issuances from time to time, but is generally required by our
limited partnership agreement to contribute the proceeds from its equity issuances to our operating partnership in exchange for partnership
units of our operating partnership.
The liquidity of our Parent Company is dependent on our operating partnership’s ability to make sufficient distributions to our Parent
Company. The primary cash requirement of our Parent Company is its payment of dividends to its shareholders. Our Parent Company also
guarantees our operating partnership’s, as well as certain of its subsidiaries’ and affiliates’, unsecured debt. If our operating partnership or
such subsidiaries fail to fulfill their debt requirements, which trigger Parent Company guarantee obligations, then our Parent Company will be
required to fulfill its cash payment commitments under such guarantees. However, our Parent Company’s only material asset is its investment
in our operating partnership.
We believe our Operating Partnership’s sources of working capital, specifically its cash flow from operations, and funds available
under its revolving credit facility are adequate for it to make its distribution payments to our Parent Company and, in turn, for our Parent
Company to make its dividend payments to shareholders. However, we cannot assure you that our operating partnership’s sources of capital
will continue to be available at all or in amounts sufficient to meet its needs, including making distribution payments to our Parent Company.
The lack of availability of capital could adversely affect our operating partnership’s ability to pay its
87
distributions to our Parent Company, which would in turn, adversely affect our Parent Company’s ability to pay cash dividends to its
shareholders.
Dividends and Distributions
Our Parent Company is required to distribute 90% of its taxable income (excluding capital gains) on an annual basis in order for it to
continue to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, our Parent Company intends to make, but is not contractually
bound to make, regular quarterly distributions to shareholders from cash flow from our operating partnership’s operating activities. While
historically our Parent Company has satisfied this distribution requirement by making cash distributions to its shareholders, it may choose to
satisfy this requirement by making distributions of cash or other property. All such distributions are at the discretion of our Parent Company’s
board of trustees. Our Parent Company considers market factors and our operating partnership’s performance in addition to REIT
requirements in determining distribution levels. Our Parent Company has distributed at least 100% of its taxable income annually since
inception to minimize corporate level federal income taxes. Amounts accumulated for distribution to shareholders are invested primarily in
interest-bearing accounts and short-term interest-bearing securities, which are consistent with our intention to maintain our Parent Company’s
status as a REIT.
As a result of this distribution requirement, our operating partnership cannot rely on retained earnings to fund its ongoing operations
to the same extent that other companies whose parent companies are not REITs can. Our Parent Company may need to continue to raise
capital in the debt and equity markets to fund our operating partnership’s working capital needs, as well as potential developments at new or
existing properties, acquisitions or investments in existing or newly created joint ventures. In addition, our Parent Company may be required
to use borrowings under our revolving credit facility, if necessary, to meet REIT distribution requirements and maintain our Parent
Company’s REIT status.
Our Parent Company declared the following dividends on its common and preferred shares during the years ended December 31,
2018 , 2017 and 2016 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
88
Month
Declared/Paid
Dividend
Per
Share
2018
Distributions
Declared
Distributions
Paid
Common
Shares
Series
B
Preferred
Shares
Common
Shares
Series
B
Preferred
Shares
(In
thousands,
except
per
share
amounts)
January (a)
March/April
March (c)
March/April
June/July
June (d)
June/July
$
0.0186 $
1,291 $
619 $
1,291 $
619
0.1396
20,145
—
20,145
(79)
20
Dividend equivalents accrued on unvested
restricted stock units to be paid when the
awards vest.
Dividend equivalents paid on unvested
restricted stock units that are not expected to
vest (recognized as additional compensation).
—
—
0.1875
27,250
—
27,246
—
September/October
0.1875
28,072
—
28,072
October (e)
September/October
December/January 2019
$
0.1875
28,218
—
(114)
—
—
28
—
$
104,976
$
76,523
(114)
28
Dividend equivalents accrued on unvested
restricted stock units to be paid when the
awards vest.
Dividend equivalents paid on unvested
restricted stock units that are not expected to
vest (recognized as additional compensation).
Dividend equivalents accrued on unvested
restricted stock units to be paid when the
awards vest.
Dividend equivalents paid on unvested
restricted stock units that are not expected to
vest (recognized as additional compensation).
—
—
—
—
—
Series B Preferred Shares - Fixed Dividend
January (a)
Total distributions paid to holders of Series B Preferred
Shares (b)
1,198
1,198
$
1,817
$
1,817
(a) Stub period dividend paid to shareholders of record prior to the IPO.
(b) Last participating and fixed dividend paid to holders of Series B Preferred Shares in connection with the conversion to common shares on the IPO date.
(c) Declared in March and included in the $20.1 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(d) Declared in June and included in the $27.3 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
(e) Declared in September and included in the $28.1 million declared, see description to the right regarding timing of payment.
89
Month
Declared
Dividend
Per
Share
Distributions
Paid
Month
Paid
2017
March
June
September
December
$
$
Common
Shares
Series
B
Preferred
Shares
(In
thousands,
except
per
share
amounts)
0.073 $
0.073
0.073
0.073
$
5,053 $
5,054
5,053
5,054
20,214
2,421 April
2,422
July
2,421 October
2,422 December
9,686 (a)
Series B Preferred Shares - Fixed Dividend
Total distributions paid to holders of Series B Preferred Shares
$
18,750 (b)
28,436
(a) Participating dividend.
(b) Paid in equal quarterly amounts along with the participating dividend.
2016
Month
Declared
Dividend
Per
Share
Distributions
Paid
Month
Paid
March
June
September
December
$
$
Common
Shares
Series
B
Preferred
Shares
(In
thousands,
except
per
share
amounts)
0.073 $
0.073
0.073
0.073
$
5,053 $
5,054
5,053
5,054
20,214
2,421 April
2,422
July
2,421 October
2,422 December
9,686 (a)
Series B Preferred Shares - Fixed Dividend
Total distributions paid to holders of Series B Preferred Shares
$
18,750 (b)
28,436
(a) Participating dividend.
(b) Paid in equal quarterly amounts along with the participating dividend.
Liquidity
and
Capital
Resources
of
the
Operating
Partnership
In this section, the terms “we”, “our” and “us” refer to our operating partnership together with its consolidated subsidiaries or our
Operating Partnership and our Parent Company together with their consolidated subsidiaries, as the context requires.
Analysis of Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our Parent Company is our sole general partner and consolidates our results of operations for financial reporting purposes. Because
we operate on a consolidated basis with our Parent Company, the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources of the Parent Company”
should be read in conjunction with this section to understand our liquidity and capital resources on a consolidated basis.
90
We currently expect that our principal sources of funding for working capital, facility acquisitions, expansions, maintenance and
renovation of our properties, developments projects, debt service and distributions to our shareholders will include:
•
•
•
•
current cash balances;
cash flows from operations;
borrowings under our 2018 Senior Unsecured Credit Facilities; and
other forms of unsecured debt financings and equity offerings.
We expect that our funding sources as noted above are adequate and will continue to be adequate to meet our short-term liquidity
requirements and capital commitments. These liquidity requirements and capital commitments include:
•
•
•
•
operating activities and overall working capital;
capital expenditures;
debt service obligations; and
quarterly shareholder distributions.
We expect to utilize the same sources of capital we will rely on to meet our short-term liquidity requirements to also meet our long-
term liquidity requirements, which include funding our operating activities, our debt service obligations and shareholder distributions, and our
future development and acquisition activities.
Security Interests in Customers’ Products
By operation of law and in accordance with our customer contracts (other than leases), we typically receive warehouseman’s liens on
products held in our warehouses to secure customer payments. Such liens permit us to take control of the products and sell them to third
parties in order to recover any monies receivable on a delinquent account, but such products may be perishable or otherwise not readily
saleable by us. Historically, in instances where we have warehouseman’s liens and our customer sought bankruptcy protection, we have been
successful in receiving “critical vendor” status, which has allowed us to fully collect on our accounts receivable during the pendency of the
bankruptcy proceeding.
Our bad debt expense was $2.3 million , $1.2 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016,
respectively. As of December 31, 2018 , we maintained bad debt allowances of approximately $5.7 million , which we believed to be
adequate.
Distributions
All distributions on our units are at the discretion of our Parent Company's board of trustees. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, our operating
partnership declared and paid the following distributions (in thousands):
91
Month
Declared/Paid
Distributions
Declared
Distributions
Paid
2018
January (a)
January (e)
March/April
March (b)
June/July
June (c)
September (e)
September/October
October (d)
December/January
(In
thousands)
$
$
3,242 $
5,750
20,145
27,250
2,455
28,072
28,218
115,132 $
3,242
5,750
20,165
(79)
27,274
(114)
2,455
28,100
(114)
—
86,679
(a) Stub period distribution paid to Parent immediately prior to the IPO.
(b) Distribution equivalents declared in March and included in the $20.1 million , accrued on unvested restricted stock units to be paid when the awards vest.
(c) Distribution equivalents declared in June and included in the $27.3 million , accrued on unvested restricted stock units to be paid when the awards vest.
(d) Distribution equivalents declared in September and included in the $28.1 million , accrued on unvested restricted stock units to be paid when the awards vest.
(e) Distribution was paid to Parent for payment of underwriters' costs in conjunction with the offering completed in the respective quarter, and for conversion of
Series A Preferred shares in connection with the IPO.
2017
Month
Declared/Paid
Distributions
Paid
(In
thousands)
March/April
June/July
September/October
December
Month
Declared/Paid
2016
(In
thousands)
March/April
June/July
September/October
December
$
$
$
$
12,161
12,171
12,162
12,172
48,666
Distributions
Paid
12,161
12,171
12,162
12,172
48,666
92
Outstanding
and
Available
Indebtedness
The following table presents our outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 .
Stated
maturity
date
Contractual
interest
rate
(1)
Effective
interest
rate
(2 )
as
of
December
31,
2018
Outstanding
principal
amount
at
December
31,
2018 December
31,
2017
Indebtedness
2010
Mortgage
Loans
Component A-1
Component A-2-FX
Component A-2-FL
Component B
Component C
Component D
Total
2010
Mortgage
Loans
2013
Mortgage
Loans
Senior note
Mezzanine A
Mezzanine B
Total
2013
Mortgage
Loans
Senior
Unsecured
Notes
Series A 4.68% notes due 2026
Series B 4.86% notes due 2029
Total
Senior
Unsecured
Notes
ANZ
Term
Loans
Australia Term Loan (1)
New Zealand Term Loan (1)
2018
Senior
Unsecured
Term
Loan
A
Facility
(1)
2015
Senior
Secured
Term
Loan
B
Facility
1/2021
1/2021
1/2021
1/2021
1/2021
1/2021
5/2023
5/2023
5/2023
1/2026
1/2029
3.86%
4.96%
L+1.51%
6.04%
6.82%
7.45%
3.81%
7.38%
11.50%
4.68%
4.86%
6/2020
6/2020
1/2023
12/2022
BBSY+1.40%
BKBM+1.40%
L+1.45%
L+3.75%
Total principal amount of mortgage notes, unsecured senior notes and term loans
Less deferred financing costs
Less debt discount
Total
mortgage
notes,
unsecured
senior
notes
and
term
loans,
net
of
deferred
financing
costs
and
debt
discount
2018
Senior
Unsecured
Revolving
Credit
Facility
(1)
2015
Senior
Secured
Revolving
Credit
Facility
(1)
1/2021
12/2018
L+1.45%
L+3.00%
Construction
Loan:
Warehouse Clearfield, UT (1)
Less deferred financing costs
2/2019
L+3.25%
4.40%
5.38%
2.94%
6.48%
7.28%
7.92%
4.14%
7.55%
11.75%
n/a
n/a
4.62%
5.21%
4.23%
5.79%
0.34%
3.92%
5.18%
$
(In
thousands)
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
187,957
70,000
32,000
289,957
200,000
400,000
600,000
—
—
475,000
—
1,364,957
(13,666)
(277)
56,941
150,334
48,654
60,000
62,400
82,600
460,929
194,223
70,000
32,000
296,223
—
—
—
158,645
31,240
—
806,918
1,753,955
(25,712)
(6,285)
$
1,351,014 $
1,721,958
$
$
$
$
— $
— $
— $
—
— $
—
—
19,671
(179)
19,492
(1) References in this table to LIBOR are references to one-month LIBOR and references to BBSY and BKBM are to Australian Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate and New Zealand
Bank Bill Reference Rate, respectively.
93
(2) The effective interest rate includes effects of amortization of the deferred financing costs and debt discount. The weighted average effective interest rate for total debt was
5.04% and 5.68% as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.
Pre-IPO Senior Secured Credit Facilities
In December 2015, we entered into a credit agreement with various lenders providing senior secured credit facilities that consisted of
a $325.0 million senior secured term loan, which we refer to as our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility, and a $135.0 million senior secured
revolving credit facility, which we refer to as our 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, and, collectively with our Senior Secured
Term Loan B Facility, our pre-IPO Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The net proceeds from the Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility of
$314.4 million were used to repay a portion of the 2006 Mortgage Notes - Pool 2 tranche. Borrowings under our Senior Secured Term Loan
B Facility and 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility bore interest, at inception, of 5.50% per year plus one-month LIBOR with a 1%
floor, and 3.25% per year plus one-month LIBOR, respectively.
In April 2016, we upsized the commitments under our 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility by $15.0 million to increase the
aggregate borrowing capacity under that credit facility to $150.0 million.
In July 2016, we issued a $385.0 million incremental term loan under our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility and used the net
proceeds to repay, among other things, the balance of our 2006 Mortgage Loans. In connection with this refinancing, we lowered the credit
spread on the initial tranche of our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility from 5.50% to 4.75% per year plus one-month LIBOR with a 1%
floor.
In January 2017, we lowered the credit spread on the outstanding tranches of the Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility from 4.75% to
3.75% per year plus one month LIBOR with a 1% floor.
In February 2017, we obtained an increase in the size of our 2017 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility of $20.0 million, for a
total commitment of $170.0 million.
In May 2017, we issued a $110.0 million incremental term loan under our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility and used the net
proceeds to release, among other things, three properties from the 2010 Mortgage Loans collateral pool (as described below), and repay$26.2
million of our 2010 Mortgage Loans. Two of these properties were added to the borrowing base supporting our 2015 Senior Secured
Revolving Credit Facility.
Borrowings under our 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility bore interest, at our election, at the then-applicable margin plus
an applicable one-month LIBOR or base rate interest rate. Base rate was defined as the greatest of the bank prime rate, the one-month LIBOR
rate plus one percent or the federal funds rate plus one-half of one percent. The applicable margin varied between (i) in the case of LIBOR-
based loans, 3.00% and 3.50% and (ii) in the case of base rate loans, 2.00% and 2.50%, in each case, based on changes in our credit ratings.
In addition, any unused portion of our 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility was subject to an annual 0.40% commitment fee. As of
December 31, 2017, borrowings under our 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at 3.00% per year plus one-month
LIBOR, or 4.57% per annum. As of that date, we had no amounts outstanding under the 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, but
we applied approximately $33.8 million of that credit facility to backstop certain outstanding letters of credit. In connection with entering into
the original agreement and subsequent amendments for the 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, we capitalized approximately
$3.4 million of debt issuance costs, which we amortize as interest expense under the effective interest method. As of December 31, 2017, the
$1.2 million unamortized balance of these debt issuance costs was included in "Other assets" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
94
After giving effect to the May 2017 amendments described above, the outstanding tranches of term loans under our Senior Secured
Term Loan B Facility bore interest, at our election, at (i) 3.75% per year plus one-month LIBOR with a 1.0% floor or (ii) 2.75% per year plus
a base rate with a 2.0% floor. The principal amount of the term loans outstanding under our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility was subject
to principal amortization in quarterly installments of approximately $2.0 million until the maturity date thereof, with a final payment of the
balance that was due on December 1, 2022. As of December 31, 2017, $806.9 million were outstanding under our Senior Secured Term Loan
B Facility, which was prepayable without premium or penalty. In connection with entering into the agreement and subsequent amendments
for the Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility, we capitalized a total Original Issue Discount (OID) of $8.4 million and incurred debt issuance
costs of approximately $21.6 million, of which $18.8 million were capitalized. The OID and capitalized debt issuance costs are amortized as
interest expense under the effective interest method. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $21.0 million unamortized balance of OID and
debt issuance costs related to the Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility, in the aggregate, was classified as a contra-liability to the "Mortgage
notes, senior unsecured notes and term loans" line item of the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Our pre-IPO Senior Secured Credit Facilities were guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of our operating partnership and were secured
by a pledge in the stock of certain subsidiaries of our operating partnership, and contained certain financial covenants relating to the
maintenance of a specified borrowing base coverage ratio, a total leverage ratio and a fixed charge coverage ratio and other customary
covenants.
Post-IPO Senior Secured Credit Facilities
In January 2018, simultaneously with the IPO, we closed on a five year, $525.0 million Senior Secured Term Loan A Facility and a
three year, $400.0 million Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, which we refer to as the 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities. Our 2018
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility has a one-year extension option subject to certain conditions. We used the net proceeds from the
IPO transactions, together with $517.0 million of net proceeds from our Senior Secured Term Loan A Facility, to repay the entire $806.9
million aggregate principal amount of indebtedness outstanding under our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility plus accrued and unpaid
interest, to repay $20.9 million of indebtedness outstanding under our Clearfield, Utah and Middleboro, Massachusetts construction loans,
and for working capital.
At the completion of the IPO, borrowings under our 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities bore interest at a floating rate of one-
month LIBOR plus 2.50%. In addition, we applied approximately $33.6 million of our 2018 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility to
backstop certain outstanding letters of credit.
On February 6, 2018, we amended the credit agreement with the lenders of our 2018 Senior Revolving Credit Facility to increase the
aggregate revolving credit commitments on this facility by $50.0 million to $450.0 million. Concurrently, we utilized cash on hand to repay
$50.0 million on our Senior Secured Term Loan A facility. As a result of these modifications, our total aggregate commitments under its
2018 Senior Credit Facilities remain unchanged at $925.0 million.
Borrowings under our 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities bear interest, at our election, at the then-applicable margin plus an
applicable LIBOR or base rate interest rate. The base rate was the greatest of the bank prime rate, the one-month LIBOR rate plus one percent
or the federal funds rate plus one-half of one percent. The applicable margin varied between (i) in the case of LIBOR-based loans, 2.35% and
3.00% and (ii) in the case of base rate loans, 1.35% and 2.00%, in each case, based on changes in our total leverage. In addition, any unused
portion of our 2018 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility was subject to an annual 0.30% commitment fee at times that we were utilizing
at least 50% of our outstanding revolving credit commitments or an annual 0.040%
95
commitment fee at times that we were utilizing less than 50% of our revolving credit commitments, in each case, based upon the actual daily
unused portion of our 2018 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility.
During the second quarter of 2018, the applicable margin in the case of LIBOR-based loans was reduced to 2.35% from 2.50% .
During the third quarter of 2018, we reduced our application of the Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility for letters of credit from
$33.6 million to $32.7 million .
Prior to the December 2018 refinancing, borrowings under our 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities bore interest at a floating rate of
one-month LIBOR plus 2.35%. In addition, we applied approximately $29.6 million of our 2018 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility to
backstop certain outstanding letters of credit.
Our 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities were guaranteed by our company and certain eligible subsidiaries of our operating
partnership and secured by a pledge in the stock of certain subsidiaries of our operating partnership. Additionally, it contained certain
representations, covenants and other terms customary for a publicly traded REIT.
2018 Recast Credit Facility
On December 4, 2018, we entered into a recast credit agreement to, among other things, (i) increase the revolver borrowing capacity
from $450 million to $800 million , (ii) convert the credit facility (term loan and revolver) from a secured credit facility to an unsecured
credit facility, and (iii) decrease the applicable interest rate margins from 2.35% to 1.45% and decrease the fee on unused borrowing capacity
by 5 basis points. The terms of the revolver allow for the ability to draw proceeds in multiple currencies, up to $400 million . In connection
with entering into the original agreement and subsequent amendments for the Term Loan A Credit Facility, we capitalized approximately
$8.9 million of debt issuance costs, which we amortize as interest expense under the effective interest method.
As of December 31, 2018, $5.4 million of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the revolving credit facility is included in "Other
assets" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Our 2018 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility is structured to include a borrowing base, which will allow us to borrow against
the lesser of our Senior Secured Term Loan A Facility balance outstanding and $800 million in revolving credit commitments, and the value
of certain owned real estate assets, ground, capital and operating leased assets, with credit given for income from third-party managed
warehouses. At December 31, 2018 , the gross value of our assets included in the calculations under our 2018 Credit Agreement, was in
excess of $3.1 billion, and had an effective borrowing base collateral value (after concentration limits and advance rates as calculated under
the anticipated terms of our 2018 Credit Agreement) in excess of $1.9 billion.
Our 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain representations, covenants and other terms customary for a publicly traded REIT.
In addition, our 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain certain financial covenants, as defined in the credit agreement, including:
•
•
•
•
a maximum leverage ratio of less than or equal to 60% of our total asset value;
a minimum borrowing base coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00;
a minimum pro forma fixed charge coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.40 to 1.00 which increased to 1.50 to 1.00 in the
first quarter of 2018;
a minimum borrowing base debt service coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00;
96
•
•
a minimum tangible net worth requirement of greater than or equal to $900 million plus 70% of any future net equity proceeds
following the completion of the IPO transactions; and
a maximum recourse secured debt ratio of less than or equal to 20% of our total asset value.
Our 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities are fully recourse to our operating partnership. As of December 31, 2018, the Company
was in compliance with all debt covenants.
$400 million Senior Unsecured 4.86% Notes due 2029 and $200 million Senior Unsecured 4.68% Notes due
2026
On November 6, 2018, we priced a debt private placement transaction consisting of (i) $200 million senior unsecured notes with a
coupon of 4.68% due January 8, 2026 (“Series A”) and (ii) $400 million senior unsecured notes with a coupon of 4.86% due January 8, 2029
(“Series B”), collectively referred to as the debt private placement. The transaction closed on December 4, 2018. Interest will be paid on
January 8 and July 8 of each year until maturity, with the first payment occurring July 8, 2019. The initial July 8, 2019 payment will include
interest accrued since December 4, 2018. The notes are our general unsecured senior obligations and are guaranteed by us and our
subsidiaries. We applied a portion of the proceeds of the debt private placement to complete the defeasance of the $600 million Americold
2010 LLC Trust, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2010, ART, or the 2010 Mortgage Loans. We applied the
remaining proceeds to the Australian term loan and the New Zealand term loan, or the ANZ Loans. See below for further detail regarding the
early extinguishment of debt under 2010 Mortgage Loans and ANZ Loans.
The Series A and Series B senior notes and guarantee agreement includes a prepayment option executable at any time during the term
of the loans. The prepayment can be either a partial payment or payment in full, as long as the partial payment is at least 5% of the
outstanding principal. Any prepayment in full must include a make-whole amount, which is the discounted remaining scheduled payments
due to the lender. The discount rate to be used is equal to 0.50% plus the yield to maturity reported for the most recently actively traded U.S.
Treasury Securities with a maturity equal to the remaining average life of the prepaid principal. The Company must give each lender at least
10 day’s written notice whenever it intends to prepay any portion of the debt.
If a change in control occurs for us, we must issue an offer to prepay the remaining portion of the debt to the lenders. The prepayment
amount will be 100% of the principal amount, as well as accrued and unpaid interest.
The Senior Unsecured Notes require compliance with leverage ratios, secured and unsecured indebtedness ratios, and unsecured
indebtedness to qualified assets ratios. In addition, we are required to maintain at all times a credit rating for each series of notes from a
nationally recognized statistical rating organization. The 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities require compliance with other financial
covenants on a quarterly or on occurrence basis.
• a maximum leverage ratio of less than or equal to 60% of our total asset value;
• a maximum unsecured indebtedness to qualified assets ratio of less than 0.60 to 1.00;
• a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00;
• a minimum unsecured debt service ratio of greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00;
• a maximum total secured indebtedness ratio of less than 0.40 to 1.00
97
ANZ Loans
In June 2015, we entered into syndicated facility agreements in each of Australia and New Zealand, which we refer to collectively as
the ANZ Loans, and separately as the Australian term loan and the New Zealand term loan. The ANZ Loans were non-recourse to us and our
U.S. subsidiaries.
The Australian term loan was an AUD$203.0 million five-year syndicated facility. The $151.1 million net proceeds that we borrowed
under this facility were used to repay the AUD$19.0 million mortgage loan on one of our facilities, return AUD$30.0 million of capital to our
domestic subsidiary owning the equity of our Australian subsidiary, repay an intercompany loan totaling CAD$47.6 million, and return
AUD$70.0 million to the United States in the form of a long-term intercompany loan and working capital. This facility was secured by our
owned real property and equity of certain of our Australian subsidiaries and bore interest at a floating rate of Australian Bank Bill Swap Bid
Rate plus 1.4%. The Australian term loan was fully prepayable without penalty.
The New Zealand term loan was a NZD$44.0 million five-year syndicated facility. The $29.3 million net proceeds that we borrowed
under this facility were used to repay an intercompany loan plus interest totaling NZD$28.3 million, make a NZD$14.3 million dividend, and
fund working capital. The facility was secured by our owned real property, leased assets and equity of certain of our New Zealand
subsidiaries, and bore interest at a floating rate of New Zealand Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate plus 1.4%.
The New Zealand term loan was fully prepayable without penalty. In connection with entering into the agreement for the ANZ Loans,
we capitalized direct transaction-related costs and expenses of approximately $6.3 million as debt issuance costs. As part of the ANZ Loans,
we entered into interest rate swaps to effectively fix the interest rates on 75% of the notional balances.
The ANZ Loans were repaid in December 2018 using proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Unsecured Notes. In order to repay
the ANZ Loans, the operating partnership initiated intercompany loans to the Australia and New Zealand subsidiaries, in combination with
the repayment of a pre-existing intercompany loan payable to Australia totaling AUD $49.5 million , and a capital contribution of NZD $7.8
million from the US to New Zealand. We entered into cross-currency swaps to hedge the cash flow variability from the impact of changes in
foreign currency on the periodic interest payments and the final principal repayments of the intercompany loans.
In total, $176 million was paid to extinguish the remaining outstanding principal, and $ 1.8 million was paid to terminate the related
interest rate swaps. As a result of terminating the interest rate swaps and related hedge accounting treatment, the remaining net fair value
recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) was reclassified to loss on debt extinguishment. Additionally, $0.1 million in legal fees and
$2.2 million of unamortized deferred financing costs were expensed to loss on debt extinguishment in conjunction with the loan prepayment.
Construction Loans
In February 2017, certain of our subsidiaries entered into a $24.1 million construction loan with the National Bank of Arizona to
finance the development of an expansion to our Clearfield, Utah distribution facility. The facility was secured by a mortgage on the property
and the repayment of the construction loan was guaranteed by us. This construction loan, which had an outstanding balance of $19.7 million
at December 31, 2017, bore interest, at our election, at a floating rate of one-month LIBOR plus 3.25% or the bank defined prime rate (which
may not be lower than LIBOR) and was scheduled to mature in February 2019.
In August 2017, certain of our subsidiaries entered into a $16.0 million construction loan with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to
finance the development of a production advantaged facility in Middleboro, Massachusetts.
98
The facility was secured by a mortgage on the property and the construction loan was supported by a limited repayment guaranty by us. This
construction loan, which had no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2017, but on which we had drawn approximately $1.1 million in
early January 2018, bore interest at a floating rate of one-month LIBOR plus 2.75% and was scheduled to mature in August 2020.
Both construction loans were repaid in January 2018 in connection with the IPO.
2013 Mortgage Loans
On May 1, 2013, we entered into a mortgage financing in an aggregate principal amount of $322.0 million, which we refer to as the
2013 Mortgage Loans. The debt consists of a senior debt note and two mezzanine notes. The components are cross-collateralized and cross-
defaulted. The senior debt note requires monthly principal payments. The mezzanine notes require no principal payments until the stated
maturity date in May 2023. The interest rates on the notes are fixed and range from 3.81% to 11.50% per annum. The senior debt note and the
two mezzanine notes remain subject to yield maintenance provisions. We used the net proceeds of these loans to refinance certain of the 2006
Mortgage Loans, acquire two warehouses, and fund general corporate purposes.
The 2013 Mortgage Loans are collateralized by 15 warehouses. The terms governing the 2013 Mortgage Loans require us to maintain
certain cash amounts in accounts that are restricted as to their use for the respective warehouses. As of December 31, 2018 , the amount of
restricted cash associated with the 2013 Mortgage Loans was $3.4 million . Additionally, if we do not maintain certain financial thresholds,
including a debt service coverage ratio of 1.10x, the cash generated will further be temporarily restricted and limited to the use for scheduled
debt service and operating costs. The debt service coverage ratio as of December 31, 2018 was 1.70 x. The 2013 Mortgage Loans are non-
recourse to us subject to customary non-recourse carve-outs.
The 2013 Mortgage Loans also require compliance with other financial covenants, including a debt coverage ratio and cash flow
calculation, as defined.
2010 Mortgage Loans
On December 15, 2010, we entered into a mortgage financing in an aggregate principal amount of $600.0 million, which we refer to
as the 2010 Mortgage Loans. The debt included six separate components, which were comprised of independent classes of certificates and
seniority. The components were cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted. No principal payments were required on five of the six components
until the stated maturity date in January 2021, and one component required monthly principal payments of $1.4 million. Interest was payable
monthly in an amount equal to the aggregate interest accrued on each component. The interest rates on five of the six components were fixed,
and ranged from 3.86% to 7.45% per annum. One component had a variable interest rate equal to one-month LIBOR plus 1.51%, with one-
month-LIBOR subject to a floor of 1.00% per annum. In addition, we maintained an interest rate cap on the variable rate tranche that caps
one-month LIBOR at 6.0%. We used the net proceeds of these loans to refinance existing term loans, fund the acquisition of the acquired
Versacold entities, and for general business purposes.
The 2010 Mortgage Loans were initially collateralized by 53 warehouses. In November 2014, we sold one of the warehouses
collateralizing the 2010 Mortgage Loans for $9.5 million, and $6.0 million of the proceeds were used to pay down the 2010 Mortgage Loans.
In 2015, we sold three warehouses for $9.4 million, and $6.1 million of the proceeds were used to pay down the 2010 Mortgage Loans. In
2017, we used a portion of the net proceeds from incremental borrowings under our existing Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility to pay
down $26.2 million of the 2010 Mortgage Loans. As a result, two warehouses were transferred from the collateral base of the 2010 Mortgage
Loans to the existing Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility borrowing base, and one
99
was released and positioned for sale. The terms that governed the 2010 Mortgage Loans required us to maintain certain cash amounts in
accounts that are restricted as to their use for the respective warehouses.
The 2010 Mortgage Loans were extinguished in December 2018 using proceeds from the Senior Unsecured Notes. The Company
paid $416.7 million in consideration to defease the fixed rate component of the 2010 Mortgage Loans, including principal of $394.8 million,
a defeasance fee of $18.5 million and other fees of $0.1 million. The Company paid $48.8 million in consideration to repay the floating rate
component of the 2010 Mortgage Loans. Upon extinguishment of the 2010 Mortgage Loans, the $15.5 million balance of restricted cash was
released for operating purposes. In accordance with the defeasance agreement on the fixed rate component of the 2010 Mortgage Loans, a
successor borrower assumed all responsibilities of the Company under the original loan agreement. The transaction was accounted for as an
extinguishment of debt.
Debt Covenants
Our senior unsecured credit facility, the senior unsecured notes, and mortgage loan require financial statements reporting, periodic
requirements to report compliance with established thresholds and performance measurements, and affirmative and negative covenants that
govern our allowable business practices. The affirmative and negative covenants include continuation of insurance, maintenance of collateral,
the maintenance of REIT status, and our ability to enter into certain types of transactions or exposures in the normal course of business. As of
December 31, 2018 , we were in compliance with all debt covenants.
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
During 2018, we completed multiple refinancing and extinguishment of debt transactions resulting in amount recorded to Loss on
debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments . During the first quarter of 2018, simultaneous with the IPO,
we closed on a Senior Secured Term Loan A and repaid the Term Loan B. Shortly thereafter, we amended the facility by repaying a portion
of the Term Loan A and increasing the capacity on the revolving credit facility. The total amount recorded to Loss on debt extinguishment,
modifications and termination of derivative instruments as a result of these transactions totaled $21.4 million , representing the write-off of
unamortized deferred financing costs and debt discount from Term Loan B. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the 2010 Mortgage Loans
were extinguished. This resulted in an $18.5 million defeasance fee, as well as a $3.4 million write-off of unamortized deferred financing
costs recorded to Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments . Additionally, during the fourth
quarter of 2018, the ANZ Loans were fully prepaid, which resulted in a write-off of $2.2 million in unamortized deferred financing costs and
$1.8 million charge for termination of the related interest rate swaps, both recorded to Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and
termination of derivative instruments .
The aggregate maturities of our total indebtedness as of December 31, 2018 , including amortization of principal amounts due under
the Term Loan A, senior unsecured notes and mortgage notes for each of the next five years and thereafter, are as follows:
100
Years
Ending
December
31:
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Aggregate principal amount of debt
Less unamortized discount and deferred financing costs
Total debt net of discount and deferred financing costs
Credit
Ratings
(In
thousands)
6,513
6,750
7,035
7,312
737,347
600,000
1,364,957
(13,943)
1,351,014
$
$
Our capital structure and financial practices have earned us investment grade credit ratings from two nationally recognized credit
rating agencies. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company received its inaugural investment grade ratings of BBB with a Stable outlook
from both Fitch and Morningstar. These credit ratings are important to our ability to issue debt at favorable rates of interest, among other
terms. Refer to our risk factor " Adverse changes in our credit ratings could negatively impact our financing activity" for further details
regarding the potential impacts from changes to our credit ratings.
Recurring
Maintenance
Capital
Expenditures
and
Repair
and
Maintenance
Expenses
We utilize a strategic approach to recurring maintenance capital expenditures and repair and maintenance expenses to maintain the
high quality and operational efficiency of our warehouses and ensure that our warehouses meet the “mission-critical” role they serve in the
cold chain.
Recurring Maintenance Capital Expenditures
Recurring maintenance capital expenditures are capitalized investments made to extend the life of, and provide future economic
benefit from, our existing temperature-controlled warehouse network and its existing supporting personal property and information
technology systems. Examples of recurring maintenance capital expenditures related to our existing temperature-controlled warehouse
network include replacing roofs and refrigeration equipment, and upgrading our racking systems. Examples of recurring maintenance capital
expenditures related to personal property include expenditures on material handling equipment ( e.g. , fork lifts and pallet jacks) and related
batteries. Examples of recurring maintenance capital expenditures related to information technology include expenditures on existing servers,
networking equipment and current software. The following table sets forth our recurring maintenance capital expenditures for the years ended
December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 . The decrease in recurring maintenance capital expenditures from 2017 was primarily related to various
roof replacement projects in our facilities located in Australia and New Zealand.
101
Real estate
Personal property
Information technology
Total recurring maintenance capital expenditures
Total recurring maintenance capital expenditures per cubic foot
Repair and Maintenance Expenses
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
(In
thousands,
except
per
cubic
foot
amounts)
37,613 $
44,102 $
3,175
3,187
1,890
3,914
43,975 $
49,906 $
36,153
3,213
5,079
44,445
0.048 $
0.053 $
0.047
$
$
$
We incur repair and maintenance expenses that include costs of normal maintenance and repairs and minor replacements that do not
materially extend the life of the property or provide future economic benefits. Repair and maintenance expenses consist of expenses related to
our existing temperature-controlled warehouse network and its existing supporting personal property and are reflected as operating expenses
on our income statement. Examples of repair and maintenance expenses related to our warehouse portfolio include ordinary repair and
maintenance on roofs, racking, walls, doors, parking lots and refrigeration equipment. Examples of repair and maintenance expenses related
to personal property include ordinary repair and maintenance expenses on material handling equipment ( e.g. , fork lifts and pallet jacks) and
related batteries. The following table sets forth our repair and maintenance expenses for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016
.
Real estate
Personal property
Total repair and maintenance expenses
Repair and maintenance expenses per cubic foot
Growth
and
Expansion
Capital
Expenditures
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
(In
thousands,
except
per
cubic
foot
amounts)
19,813 $
21,467 $
32,536
52,349 $
31,254
52,721 $
20,956
30,888
51,844
0.057 $
0.056 $
0.055
$
$
$
Growth and expansion capital expenditures are capitalized investments made to support both our customers and our warehouse
expansion and development initiatives. It also includes investments in enhancing our information technology platform. Examples of growth
and expansion capital expenditures associated with expansion and development initiatives include funding of construction costs, increases to
warehouse capacity and pallet positions, acquisitions of reusable incremental material handling equipment, and implementing energy
efficiency projects, such as LED lighting, motion-sensor technology, variable frequency drives for our fans and compressors, rapid-close
doors and alternative-power generation technologies. Examples of growth and expansion capital expenditures to enhance our information
technology platform include expenditures related to the delivery of new systems and software and customer interface functionality.
The decrease in expenditures can be attributed to the reduction in construction and acquisition activity. The reduction in construction
activity is primarily due to three buildings being constructed in 2017 compared to the two buildings in 2018. In 2017, Clearfield, Middleboro
and Rochelle were under construction and at the end of the third quarter of 2017, our Clearfield facility was placed into service and spending
was ceased. In 2018, only our Middleboro and Rochelle facilities were under construction with our Middleboro facility announcing its grand
opening in August 2018. The Rochelle facility expansion is expected to be completed during the first quarter of
102
2019. Furthermore, the purchase of our building in San Antonio in 2017 contributed to the decrease in expenditures, as there have been no
facility acquisitions during 2018.
The following table sets forth our growth and expansion capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016
.
Expansion and development initiatives
Information technology
Total growth and expansion capital expenditures
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
$
$
(In
thousands)
72,049 $
3,686
75,735 $
102,653 $
5,973
108,626 $
27,529
4,649
32,178
103
Contractual
Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018 :
Total
Less
than
1
Year
1-3
Years
3-5
Years
More
than
5
Years
Payments
due
by
period
Principal on mortgage and term loans
Interest on mortgage and term loans (1)
Sale leaseback financing obligations, including interest (2)
Capital lease obligations, including interest
Operating leases
Growth and expansion commitments (3)
Total (4)
$
1,364,957 $
6,513 $
13,785 $
744,659 $
422,891
220,038
48,622
93,949
54,382
69,138
16,829
12,415
25,453
54,382
138,149
34,438
22,138
31,641
—
99,720
35,511
7,494
16,098
—
$
2,204,839 $
184,730 $
240,151 $
903,482 $
600,000
115,884
133,260
6,575
20,757
—
876,476
(1)
Interest payable is based on interest rates in effect at December 31, 2018 . Amounts include variable-rate interest payments, which are calculated utilizing the applicable
interest rates as of December 31, 2018 .
(2) Sale leaseback financing obligations are subject to multiple expiration dates and bear interest rates that vary from 7.00%-19.59% . For more information, see Note 11 to our
consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(3) Growth and expansion commitments reflect open commitments related to a construction expansion project expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2019 as well
as a potential land purchase backstopped by a customer if construction is not substantially commenced within certain parameters.
(4) The table above excludes $2.3 million (included in 'Other assets' in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet) aggregate fair value as of December 31, 2018 of two
cross-currency swap agreements expiring in 2023 and 2026.
Historical
Cash
Flows
The following summary discussion of our cash flows is based on the consolidated statements of cash flows and is not meant to be an
all-inclusive discussion of the changes in our cash flows for the periods presented below.
Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2018 to Year Ended December 31, 2017 and Comparison of Year Ended December 31, 2017 to Year Ended
December 31, 2016
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Operating Activities
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
$
188,171 $
163,327 $
(In
thousands)
(125,703)
84,942
(138,831)
(18,604)
118,781
(41,653)
(95,322)
For the year ended December 31, 2018 , our net cash provided by operating activities was $188.2 million , an increase of $24.8
million , or 15.2% , compared to $163.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . The increase was primarily attributable to operating
income of $180.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $43.0 million , or 31.4% , from $137.0 million for the the
year ended December 31, 2017 . Further contributing to the increase in our net cash provided by operating activities is a $21.0 million
decrease in interest payments.
104
For the year ended December 31, 2017 , our net cash provided by operating activities was $163.3 million , an increase of $44.5
million , or 37.5% , compared to $118.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 . The increase was primarily attributable to operating
income of $137.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 , an increase of $4.9 million, or 3.7%, from $132.1 million for the the year
ended December 31, 2016 . Contributing to the increase in our net cash provided by operating activities are a $8.5 million decrease in interest
payments and favorable changes in working capital primarily driven by better collections on accounts receivable from major customers in our
domestic operations.
Investing Activities
Our net cash used by investing activities was $125.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , a decrease of $13.1 million , or
9.5% , compared to $138.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 . Additions to property, plant, and equipment of $145.2 million
during 2018 accounted for the use of cash in investing activities and included outlays mainly associated with the expansion of our warehouse
facility in Rochelle, IL and the purchase of a portion of a facility that was previously operated in under a lease agreement. Net proceeds of
$19.5 million were primarily from the sale of two warehouse facilities, which partially offset the additions to property, plant and equipment.
Our net cash used by investing activities was $138.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 , an increase of 97.1 million , or
232.9% , compared to $41.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 . Additions to property, plant, and equipment of $149.0 million
during 2017 included, among others, the acquisition of a new warehouse facility in the United States of approximately $32.0 million, and
construction in progress on three other warehouse facilities totalling $48.7 million. Total additions to property, plant, and equipment for the
year ended December 31, 2017 were partially offset by net proceeds of $10.2 million associated primarily with the disposal of three domestic
warehouse facilities.
Financing Activities
Our net cash provided by financing activities was $84.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an increase of $103.5 million
, or 556.5%, compared to $18.6 million of cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 . Cash provided by
financing activities for the current period primarily consisted of $600.0 million received from the debt private placement, $525.0 million
received in connection with the issuance of our Senior Secured Term Loan A Facility, $493.6 million net proceeds from the IPO, $92.7
million in proceeds from the follow-on public offering, $14.8 million in proceeds from stock options exercised, $9.0 million of proceeds from
reimbursements of underwriters' fees and $1.1 million of proceeds from construction loan. These cash inflows were partially offset by $900.0
million paid to extinguish term loans, mortgage notes, and construction loans, $622.4 million to complete the early retirement of the 2010
Mortgage Loans and ANZ Loans, $78.5 million of quarterly dividend distributions and stub period dividend distributions paid to both
preferred and common shareholders of record as of the day prior to the IPO effective date, $16.6 million paid for debt issuance costs, $13.0
million of repayments on lease obligations, $12.7 million paid for tax withholdings remitted to authorities related to stock options exercised,
and $8.2 million paid for underwriters' fees.
Our net cash used in financing activities was $18.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 , a decrease of $76.7 million , or
80.5% , compared to $95.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 . Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended
December 31, 2017 primarily consisted of $56.9 million of recurring repayment on our term loans, mortgage notes and construction loans,
$48.7 million of dividend distributions, $28.0 million of net repayments on the 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, $10.5 million
of payments related to our lease obligations and $4.2 million in financing costs mostly incurred for the expansion and second repricing of our
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility. These cash uses were partially offset
105
by $110.0 million of proceeds received in connection with the expansion of our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility and $19.7 million in
proceeds received as part of a new loan for the construction of a warehouse facility.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the Operating Partnership was $84.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 , an
increase of $103.5 million , or 556.5%, compared to $18.6 million of cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
Cash provided by financing activities for the current period primarily consisted of $600.0 million received from the debt private placement,
$525.0 million received in connection with the issuance of our Senior Secured Term Loan A Facility, $597.4 million of cash contributed by
the Parent related to equity issuances, and $1.1 million of proceeds from construction loan. These cash inflows were partially offset by $900.0
million paid to extinguish term loans, mortgage notes, and construction loans, $622.4 million to complete the early retirement of the 2010
CMBS and ANZ loans, $86.7 million of distributions to the Parent, $16.6 million paid for debt issuance costs, and $13.0 million of
repayments on lease obligations.
Net cash used in financing activities by the Operating Partnership was $18.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 , a
decrease of $76.7 million , or 80.5% , compared to $95.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 . Net cash used in financing activities
for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily consisted of $56.9 million of recurring repayment on our term loans, mortgage notes and
construction loans, $48.7 million of distributions to Parent, $28.0 million of net repayments on the 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit
Facility, $10.5 million of payments related to our lease obligations and $4.2 million in financing costs mostly incurred for the expansion and
second repricing of our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility. These cash uses were partially offset by $110.0 million of proceeds received in
connection with the expansion of our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility and $19.7 million in proceeds received as part of a new loan for
the construction of a warehouse facility.
Withdrawal
Liability
from
Multi-employer
Plans
As of December 31, 2018 , we participated in seven multiemployer pension plans administered by labor unions representing
approximately half of our employees. We make periodic contributions to these plans pursuant to the terms of our collective bargaining
agreements to allow the plans to meet their pension benefit obligations.
In the event that we withdraw from participation in any of the multiemployer pension plans in which we participate, the documents
governing the applicable plan and applicable law could require us to make an additional contribution to the applicable plan in the amount of
the unfunded vested benefits allocable to our participation in the plan, and we would have to reflect that as an expense on our consolidated
statement of income and as a liability on our consolidated balance sheet. Our withdrawal liability for any multiemployer pension plan would
depend on the extent of the plan’s funding of vested benefits as of the year in which the withdrawal occurs, and may vary depending on the
funded status of the applicable multiemployer pension plan, whether there is a mass withdrawal of all participating employers and whether
any other participating employer in the applicable plan withdraws from the plan due to insolvency and is not able to contribute an amount
sufficient to fund the unfunded liabilities associated with its participants in the plan. The present value of all benefits vested under each of the
multiemployer plans that we participated in as of December 31, 2018 (based on the labor union’s assumptions used to fund such plan) did
not, as of the last annual valuation date applicable thereto, exceed the value of the assets of such plan allocable to such vested benefits. Based
on the latest information available from plan administrators, we estimate our share of the aggregate withdrawal liability for the multiemployer
pension plans in which we participate could have been as much as $511.7 million as of December 31, 2018 , of which we estimate that certain
of our customers are contractually obligated to make indemnification payments to us for approximately $455.8 million . However, there is no
guarantee that, to the extent we incurred any such withdrawal liability, we would be successful in obtaining any indemnification payments
therefor.
106
In the ordinary course of our renegotiation of collective bargaining agreements with labor unions that maintain these plans, we could
agree to discontinue participation in one or more plans, and in that event we could face a withdrawal liability. Additionally, we could be
treated as withdrawing from a plan if the number of our employees participating in the plan is reduced to a certain degree over certain periods
of time.
During the third quarter of 2017, we recorded a one-time charge of $9.2 million representing the present value of a liability associated
with our withdrawal obligation under the New England Teamsters and Trucking Industry Pension Plan, or the New England Fund, for hourly,
unionized associates at four of our domestic warehouse facilities. The New England Fund is grossly underfunded in accordance with ERISA
funding standards and, therefore, the terms of ERISA required the development of a rehabilitation plan, creating a new fund that minimizes
the pension withdrawal liability. As a result, current employers participating in the New England Fund were given the opportunity to exit the
New England Fund and convert to a new fund. We are obligated to pay our portion of the unfunded liability in respect thereof, estimated at
$13.7 million, in equal monthly installments of approximately $38,000 over 30 years, interest free. Under the relevant U.S. GAAP standard, a
participating employer withdrawing from a multiemployer pension plan should account for a loss contingency equal to the present value of
the withdrawal liability, and amortize the difference between such present value and the estimated unfunded liability through interest expense
over the repayment period.
Inflation
Our business could be impacted due to inflation. We believe, however, that we are well positioned to be able to manage our business
in an inflationary environment. Certain of our expenses are subject to normal inflationary pressures and this could lead to increases in the
operating costs of our properties, such as wages and benefits, insurance, real estate taxes, utility expenses, equipment repair and replacement
and other operating expenses. Although to date we have been able to offset inflationary cost increases with increased operating efficiencies
and the ability to increase prices in our customer contracts (many of which contain provisions for inflationary price escalators), we can give
no assurance that we will be able to offset any future inflationary cost increases through similar efficiencies or increased storage or service
charges.
Off-Balance
Sheet
Arrangements
As of December 31, 2018 , we had no material off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or
future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital
expenditures or capital resources.
107
Critical
Accounting
Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our historical financial condition and results of operations for the periods described is based on our
audited consolidated financial statements and our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements, each of which has been
prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these historical financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires
management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments in certain circumstances that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and
contingencies as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We
evaluate our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other
assumptions that we believe 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. Actual results may differ from these estimates under
different assumptions or conditions. For more information on our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to our consolidated financial
statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following critical accounting discussion pertains to accounting policies
management believes are most critical to the portrayal of our historical financial condition and results of operations and that require
significant, difficult, subjective or complex judgments. Other companies in similar businesses may use different estimation policies and
methodologies, which may impact the comparability of our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows to those of other
companies.
Revenue Recognition
Our primary revenue source consists of rent, storage and warehouse services revenues. Additionally, we charge transportation fees to
those customers who use our transportation services, where we act as the principal in the arrangement of the services. We also receive a
reimbursement of substantially all expenses for warehouses that we manage on behalf of third-party owners, with all reimbursements
recognized as revenues under the relevant accounting guidance. We also earn management fees, incentive fees upon achieving negotiated
performance and cost-savings results, or an applicable mark-up on costs. Revenues from storage and handling are recognized over the period
consistent with the transfer of the service to the customer. Multiple contracts with a single counterparty are accounted for as separate
arrangements. We recognize transportation fees and expenses on a gross basis upon delivery of products on behalf of our customers. We also
recognize management fees and related expense reimbursements as revenues as we perform management services and incur the expense.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets held and used are carried at cost and evaluated for impairment annually or when events or changes in circumstances
indicate such an evaluation is warranted. A substantial amount of our assets consist of long-lived assets, including real estate and other
intangible assets. The evaluation of our long-lived assets for impairment is a subjective process that includes determining whether indicators
of impairment exist, such as significant declines in a warehouse’s revenues or cash flows, significant increases in estimated future
maintenance costs, occupancy forecasts or other marketplace events that would lead us to believe that there is a decline in market value,
which might indicate that the carrying value of our long-lived assets might not be recoverable. When any indicators of impairment exist, the
evaluation of such long-lived assets then entails projections of future operating cash flows, which also involves significant judgment. Future
events, or facts and circumstances that currently exist, that we have not yet identified, could cause us to conclude in the future that our long-
lived assets are impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity,
results of operations and prospects, and on our ability to service our debt and make distributions to our shareholders.
108
During the year ended December 31, 2018 , we recorded an impairment charge of $0.7 million associated with an idle facility with a
net book value in excess of its estimated fair value based on a purchase offer. This amount is presented in the "Impairment of long-lived
assets" line of the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Goodwill Impairment Evaluation
We perform impairment testing of goodwill as of October 1 of each year, and between annual evaluations if events occur or
circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Our reporting units
are comprised of the following operations: U.S. warehouse, U.S. transportation, North America third-party managed, international
warehouse, international third-party managed, and international transportation. The goodwill impairment test involves a two-step process.
First, a comparison is performed of the fair value of each reporting unit with its aggregate carrying amount, including goodwill. If the
carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, we perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to
determine the amount of impairment loss. The second step includes comparing the implied fair value of the affected reporting unit’s goodwill
with the carrying amount of the goodwill. The results of our 2018 impairment test indicated that the estimated fair value of each of our
reporting units was substantially in excess of the corresponding carrying amount as of October 1, and no impairment of goodwill existed. Our
most valuable reporting unit, U.S. warehouse, had an estimated fair value approximately 137% greater than its carrying amount as of
October 1, 2018.
We estimate the fair values of reporting units based upon the net present value of future cash flows based upon varying economic
assumptions, including significant assumptions such as revenue growth rates, operating costs, maintenance costs and terminal value. These
assumptions are based on risk-adjusted growth rates and discount factors accommodating conservative viewpoints that consider the full range
of variability contemplated in the current and potential future economic situations. We also assess market-based multiples of other market-
participant companies, further corroborating that our discounted cash flow models reflect fair value assumptions that are appropriately
aligned with market-participant valuation multiples. If future changes to the fair value of our reporting units were to occur, we would be
required to perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to determine the ultimate amount of the impairment loss to record.
Income Taxes and REIT Election
As a REIT, we generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes if we meet minimum distribution
requirements, and certain income, asset and share ownership tests. However, some of our subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal, state and
local taxes. In addition, foreign entities may also be subject to the taxes of the host country. An allocation is required to be estimated on our
taxable income arising from our TRSs and international entities. A deferred tax component could arise based upon the differences in
U.S. GAAP versus tax income for items such as depreciation and gain recognition.
We believe that we have been organized and operated, and intend to continue to operate, in a manner intended to qualify as a REIT
under the Code and applicable state laws. A REIT generally does not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on its REIT taxable
income that it distributes to its shareholders, and accordingly we do not pay U.S. federal income tax on the share of REIT taxable income that
is distributed to our shareholders. We therefore do not estimate or accrue any U.S. federal income tax expense for income earned and
distributed from REIT operations. This estimate could be incorrect, because, due to the complex nature of REIT qualification requirements,
the ongoing importance of factual determinations and the possibility of future changes in our circumstances, we cannot be assured that we
actually have satisfied or will satisfy the requirements for taxation as a REIT for any particular taxable year. For any taxable year that we fail
or have failed to qualify as a REIT and for
109
which applicable relief provisions do not or did not apply, we would be taxed at regular corporate rates on all of our taxable income, whether
or not we made or make any distributions to our shareholders. Any resulting requirement to pay corporate income tax, including any
applicable penalties or interest, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and
prospects, and on our ability to service our debt and make distributions to our shareholders. Unless entitled to relief under specific statutory
provisions, we also would be disqualified from taxation as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year for which qualification was
lost. There can be no assurance that we would be entitled to any statutory relief.
Our operating partnership conducts various business activities in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Canada
through several wholly-owned TRSs. A TRS is subject to income tax at regular corporate tax rates. Thus, income taxes for our TRSs are
accounted for using the asset and liability method, under which deferred income taxes are recognized for (i) temporary differences between
the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards based on enacted tax rates
expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. Deferred tax assets are recognized only to the extent that it is more likely
than not they will be realized based on consideration of available evidence, including tax planning strategies.
Share-Based Compensation
We recognize compensation expense related to share-based awards. We amortize this compensation expense over the vesting period
of the award. The calculation of the fair value of share-based awards is subjective and requires several assumptions over such items as
expected stock volatility, dividend payments and future company results. These assumptions have a direct impact on our net income (loss)
because a higher share-based awards amount would result in lower net income for a particular period.
See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information regarding
accounting policies. See Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further
information regarding share-based compensation.
New
Accounting
Pronouncements
See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
110
ITEM
7A.
Quantitative
and
Qualitative
Disclosures
About
Market
Risk
Interest Rate Risk
Our future income and cash flows relevant to financial instruments are dependent upon prevalent market interest rates. Market risk
refers to the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates.
As of December 31, 2018 , we had $475.0 million of outstanding variable-rate debt. This consisted of our Senior Unsecured Term
Loan A Facility bearing interest at one-month LIBOR plus a margin up to 1.45% . At December 31, 2018 , one-month LIBOR was at
approximately 2.35%, therefore a 100 basis point increase in market interest rates would result in an increase in interest expense to service
our variable-rate debt of approximately $4.8 million. A 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would result in only a $4.8 million
decrease in interest expense to service our variable-rate debt.
Foreign Currency Risk
Our international revenues and expenses are generated in the currencies of the countries in which we operate, such as Australia, New
Zealand, Argentina and Canada. We are exposed to foreign currency exchange variability related to investments in and earnings from our
foreign investments. Foreign currency market risk is the possibility that our results of operations or financial position could be better or worse
than planned because of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company entered into cross-currency swaps to hedge the cash flow
variability from the impact of changes in foreign currency on the interest payments on the intercompany loan as well as the final principal
payment. Since the critical terms of the derivatives match the critical terms of the intercompany loans, the hedge is considered perfectly
effective. All changes in fair value will be recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss . When the local currencies in these countries
decline relative to our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar, our consolidated revenues, contribution (NOI) margins and net investment in
properties and operations outside the United States decrease.
During the second quarter of 2018, the International Practices Task Force declared Argentina a hyperinflationary economy. A
hyperinflationary economy has cumulative inflation of approximately 100% or more over a 3-year period. Reporting entities with operations
in Argentina are required to account for highly inflationary operations no later than July 1, 2018. Under highly inflationary accounting,
Argentina’s functional currency became the Australian dollar, the reporting and functional currency of the immediate parent company of the
Argentina entity, and its income statement and balance sheet have been measured in Australian dollars using both current and historical rates
of exchange prior to translation into U.S. dollars in consolidation. The impact of the change in functional currency to Australian dollars
resulted in a remeasurement of historical earnings reflected in retained earnings, which was previously measured at the average Argentine
peso to USD exchange rates applicable to the period, and a related decrease to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. This activity is
reflected within ‘Other’ on the Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the year ended December 31, 2018 . After the initial measurement
process described previously, the effect of changes in exchange rates on peso-denominated monetary assets and liabilities has been reflected
in earnings in Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net and was not material. As of December 31, 2018 , the net monetary assets of the
Argentina subsidiary were immaterial. Additionally, the operating income of the Argentina subsidiary was less than 3.5 percent of our
consolidated operating income for the year ended December 31, 2018 , 2017, and 2016.
We attempt to mitigate a portion of the risk of currency fluctuation by financing our foreign investments in local currency
denominations, effectively providing a natural hedge. However, given the volatility of currency exchange rates, there can be no assurance that
this strategy will be effective. As a result, changes in the relation of the currency of our international operations to U.S. dollars may also
affect the book value of our assets and the
111
amount of shareholders’ equity. A 10% reduction in the functional currencies of our international operations, relative to the U.S. dollar,
would have resulted in a reduction in our shareholders’ equity of approximately $7.0 million as of December 31, 2018 .
In order to raise funds to pay the remaining balance of our syndicated facility agreement with Goldman Sachs of AUD$203 million
and NZD$44 million, we entered into an intercompany loan with our subsidiaries. We initiated intercompany loans to Australia and New
Zealand using the remaining proceeds from the debt private placement (See Note 9 for further detail), in combination with the repayment of a
pre-existing intercompany loan payable to Australia totaling AUD$49.5 million, and a capital contribution of NZD$7.8 million from the US
to New Zealand. The intercompany loan principal is AUD$153.5 million and NZD$37.5 million. The interest rate is 4.68%, and interest is
due on January 8 and July 8 until maturity of both instruments. The Australian principal is due January 8, 2026 and the New Zealand
principal is due December 13, 2023.
We are exposed to foreign currency exchange variability related to investments in and earnings from our foreign investments. Foreign
currency market risk is the possibility that our results of operations or financial position could be better or worse than planned because of
changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company entered into cross-currency swaps to hedge the cash flow variability from the
impact of changes in foreign currency on the interest payments on the intercompany loan as well as the final principal payment. Since the
critical terms of the derivatives match the critical terms of the intercompany loans, the hedge is considered perfectly effective. All changes in
fair value will go through Accumulated other comprehensive loss .
For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , revenues from our international operations were $289.8 million , $289.7
million and $277.2 million , respectively, which represented 18.1% , 18.8% and 18.6% of our consolidated revenues, respectively.
Net assets in international operations were approximately $69.7 million, $79.4 million and $78.4 million as of December 31, 2018 ,
2017 and 2016 , respectively.
The effect of a change in foreign exchange rates on our net investment in foreign subsidiaries is reflected in the Accumulated other
comprehensive loss component of equity of our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM
8.
Financial
Statements
and
Supplementary
Data
The independent registered public accounting firm’s reports, consolidated financial statements and schedule listed in the “Index to
Financial Statements” on page F-1 of this Annual Report are filed as part of this report and incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM
9.
Changes
in
and
Disagreements
with
Accountants
on
Accounting
and
Financial
Disclosure
None.
112
ITEM
9A.
Controls
and
Procedures
Evaluation
of
Disclosure
Controls
and
Procedures
(Americold
Realty
Trust)
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its
reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and
communicated to its management, including its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions
regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, the Company’s management recognizes
that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired
control objectives, and its management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and
procedures. Also, the Company has investments in certain unconsolidated entities, which are accounted for using the equity method of
accounting. As the Company does not control or manage these entities, its disclosure controls and procedures with respect to such entities
may be substantially more limited than those it maintains with respect to its consolidated subsidiaries.
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) or Rule 15d-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, management of the Company
carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with participation of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the
effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures that were in effect as of December 31, 2018 . In making
this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal
Control-Integrated Framework (2013) . Based on the foregoing, the Company’s management concluded that its disclosure controls and
procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
We will be required to obtain an audit report from our independent registered public accounting firm beginning in 2019 regarding the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
None.
Evaluation
of
Disclosure
Controls
and
Procedures
(Americold
Realty
Operating
Partnership,
L.P.)
The Operating Partnership maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be
disclosed in its reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within
the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and
communicated to its management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of its general partner, as appropriate, to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, the Operating
Partnership’s management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only
reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and its management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-
benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Also, the Operating Partnership has investments in certain unconsolidated entities,
which are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. As the Operating Partnership does not control or manage these entities, its
disclosure controls and procedures with respect to such entities may be substantially more limited than those it maintains with respect to its
consolidated subsidiaries.
This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include a report of management's assessment regarding internal control over financial
reporting or an attestation report of the Company's independent registered public
113
accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for new registrants.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
None.
ITEM
9B.
Other
Information
None.
114
PART
III
ITEM
10.
Directors,
Executive
Officers
and
Corporate
Governance
The information required by Item 10 will be included in the definitive proxy statement relating to the 2019 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Americold Realty Trust to be held on May 22, 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference. Americold Realty Trust will file
such definitive proxy statement with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2018 fiscal
year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM
11.
Executive
Compensation
The information required by Item 11 will be included in the definitive proxy statement relating to the 2019 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Americold Realty Trust to be held on May 22, 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference. Americold Realty Trust will file
such definitive proxy statement with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2018 fiscal
year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM
12.
Security
Ownership
of
Certain
Beneficial
Owners
and
Management
and
Related
Stockholder
Matters
The information required by Item 12 will be included in the definitive proxy statement relating to the 2019 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Americold Realty Trust to be held on May 22, 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference. Americold Realty Trust will file
such definitive proxy statement with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2018 fiscal
year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM
13.
Certain
Relationships
and
Related
Transactions,
and
Director
Independence
The information required by Item 13 will be included in the definitive proxy statement relating to the 2019 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Americold Realty Trust to be held on May 22, 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference. Americold Realty Trust will file
such definitive proxy statement with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2018 fiscal
year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM
14.
Principal
Accounting
Fees
and
Services
The information required by Item 14 will be included in the definitive proxy statement relating to the 2019 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Americold Realty Trust to be held on May 22, 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference. Americold Realty Trust will file
such definitive proxy statement with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Company’s 2018 fiscal
year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
115
PART
IV
ITEM
15.
Exhibits,
Financial
Statements
and
Schedules
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
The following documents are filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
a. Financial Statements and Schedules
Financial
Statements:
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Statements of Partners' Capital
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries and Americold Realty Operating
Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
Page
F- 1
F- 3
F- 4
F- 5
F- 6
F- 8
F- 2
F- 10
F- 11
F- 12
F- 13
F- 14
F- 16
F- 97
b. Exhibits
Exhibit
No.
Description
EXHIBIT
INDEX
3.1
3.2
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Americold Realty Trust, dated as of January 22, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
Americold Realty Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2018 (File No. 001-34723))
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Americold Realty Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Americold Realty Trust's Current Report on Form
8-K filed on December 7, 2018 (File No. 001-34723))
3.3 Certificate of Limited Partnership of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
3.4
Limited Partnership Agreement of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to Americold Realty Trust’s
Registration Statement on Form S-11/A, filed on November 14, 2017 (Registration No. 333-221560))
3.5 First Amendment to the Limited Partnership Agreement of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
10.1
10.2
Credit Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2018, by and among the Operating Partnership, the Company, the Several Lenders and Letter of Credit Issuers
from Time to Time Parties Thereto and Bank of America, National Association, as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
Americold Realty Trust's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 5, 2018 (File No. 001-34723))
Note and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2018, by and among the Operating Partnership, the Company and the purchasers named therein
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Americold Realty Trust's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 5, 2018 (File No. 001-34723))
10.3#
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2018, by and between AmeriCold Logistics, LLC and Fred Boehler (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.3 to Americold Realty Trust's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2018 (Registration No. 333-221560))
10.4#
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2018, by and between AmeriCold Logistics, LLC and Marc Smernoff (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to Americold Realty Trust's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2018 (Registration No. 333-221560))
10.5#
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2018, by and between AmeriCold Logistics, LLC and Thomas Novosel (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.5 to Americold Realty Trust's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2018 (Registration No. 333-221560))
10.6#
10.7#
Letter Agreement, dated May 11, 2018, by and between Americold Realty Trust and Marc Smernoff (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to
Americold Realty Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, filed on May 15, 2018 (File No. 001-34723))
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2018, by and between AmeriCold Logistics, LLC and Thomas Musgrave (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.6 to Americold Realty Trust's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2018 (Registration No. 333-221560))
10.8#
Employment Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2018, by and between AmeriCold Logistics, LLC and Andrea Darweesh (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.7 to Americold Realty Trust's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2018 (Registration No. 333-221560))
10.9#
Employment Agreement, dated as of September 11, 2018, by and between AmeriCold Logistics, LLC and Carlos Rodriguez (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to Americold Realty Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on September 11, 2018 (File No. 001-34723)
10.10# Employment Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2018, by and between AmeriCold Logistics, LLC and James Snyder
10.11# Employment Agreement, dated as of September 25, 2018, by and between AmeriCold Logistics, LLC and James Harron
10.12# Employment Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2018, by and between AmeriCold Logistics, LLC and David Stuver
10.13
10.14
10.15
Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement, dated January 18, 2018, by and among the Company and the shareholders of the Company signatories
thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Americold Realty Trust's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2018 (Registration No.
333-221560))
First Amendment to Shareholders Agreement, dated March 8, 2018, by and among the Company and the shareholders of the Company signatories thereto
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Americold Realty Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, filed on
May 15, 2018 (File No. 001-34723))
Registration Rights Agreement, dated January 18, 2018, by and among the Company and the shareholders of the Company signatories thereto
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Americold Realty Trust's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2018 (Registration No. 333-
221560))
10.16
Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to Americold Realty Trust’s Registration Statement on Form S-11/A,
filed on December 19, 2017 (Registration No. 333-221560))
10.17
Americold Realty Trust 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Americold Realty Trust’s Registration Statement on
Form S-11/A, filed on January 12, 2018 (Registration No. 333-221560))
10.18
Americold Realty Trust 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to Americold Realty Trust’s Registration Statement on
Form S-11/A, filed on December 20, 2017 (Registration No. 333-221560))
117
10.19
Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, effective as of January 23, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Americold Realty
Trust's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 23, 2018 (Registration No. 333-221560))
10.20
Form of Annual Trustee Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Americold Realty Trust’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, filed on May 15, 2018 (File No. 001-34723))
10.21
Form of Retention Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Americold Realty Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-
Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, filed on May 15, 2018 (File No. 001-34723))
10.22
Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Americold Realty Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, filed on May 15, 2018 (File No. 001-34723))
21.1 List of Subsidiaries
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Americold Realty Trust
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Americold Realty Trust
31.3 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
31.4 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 - Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
32.1
32.2
32.3
32.4
95.1
101
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 -
Americold Realty Trust
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 -
Americold Realty Trust
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 -
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 -
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act.
The following financial statements from Americold Realty Trust’s and Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.’s Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2018, formatted in XBRL interactive data files: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; (ii)
Consolidated Statements of Operations for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Equity
and Comprehensive Income (Loss)/Statements of Partners' Capital and Comprehensive Income for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 2018; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018; and (v) Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
# This document has been identified as a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
Certain agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain representations and warranties that the parties
thereto made to each other. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to such agreements and may have been
qualified by certain information that has been disclosed to the other parties to such agreements and other documents and that may not be reflected in such
agreements and other documents. In addition, these representations and warranties may be intended as a way of allocating risks among parties if the statements
contained therein prove to be incorrect, rather than as actual statements of fact. Accordingly, there can be no reliance on any such representations and warranties as
characterizations of the actual state of facts. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of any such representations and warranties may have changed
since the date of such agreements and other documents.
ITEM
16.
Form
10-K
Summary
Not Applicable.
118
Report
of
Independent
Registered
Public
Accounting
Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Opinion
on
the
Financial
Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Americold Realty Trust and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December
31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the
index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations
and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.
Basis
for
Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S.
federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The
Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our
audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or
fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide
a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2010.
Atlanta, Georgia
February 26, 2019
F- 1
Report
of
Independent
Registered
Public
Accounting
Firm
To the Partners
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Opinion
on
the
Financial
Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and subsidiaries (the
Partnership) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), Partners’
capital, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement
schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated
financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis
for
Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
Partnership’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Partnership in accordance with the U.S.
federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The
Partnership is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our
audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Partnership's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or
fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide
a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Partnership’s auditor since 2010.
Atlanta, Georgia
February 26, 2019
F- 2
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
Assets
Property, plant, and equipment:
Land
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Assets under construction
Accumulated depreciation and depletion
Property, plant, and equipment – net
Capitalized leases:
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Accumulated depreciation
Capitalized leases – net
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable – net of allowance of $5,706 and $5,309 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
Identifiable intangible assets – net
Goodwill
Investments in partially owned entities
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities, Series B Preferred Shares and shareholders’ equity (deficit)
Liabilities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Construction loan - net of deferred financing costs of zero and $179 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
Mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes and term loans - net of discount and deferred financing costs of $13,943 and $31,996 in the
aggregate, at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
Sale-leaseback financing obligations
Capitalized lease obligations
Unearned revenue
Pension and postretirement benefits
Deferred tax liability - net
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability
Total liabilities
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 20)
Preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value – authorized 375,000 Series B Cumulative Convertible Voting and
Participating Preferred Shares; aggregate liquidation preference of $375,000; zero and 375,000 shares issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
Shareholders’ equity (deficit):
Preferred shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value – authorized 1,000 Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Shares;
aggregate liquidation preference of $125; zero and 125 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
Common shares of beneficial interest, $0.01 par value – authorized 250,000,000 shares; 148,234,959 and 69,370,609 issued and
outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
Paid-in capital
Accumulated deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)
December
31,
2018
2017
$
385,232
$
1,849,749
577,175
85,983
2,898,139
(1,097,624)
1,800,515
11,227
49,276
60,503
(21,317)
39,186
208,078
6,019
194,279
25,056
186,095
14,541
58,659
389,443
1,819,635
552,677
48,868
2,810,623
(1,010,903)
1,799,720
16,827
59,389
76,216
(41,051)
35,165
48,873
21,090
200,006
26,645
188,169
15,942
59,287
$
$
2,532,428 $
2,394,897
— $
253,080
—
1,351,014
118,920
40,787
18,625
16,317
17,992
8,938
—
241,259
19,492
1,721,958
121,516
38,124
18,848
16,756
21,940
9,134
1,825,673
2,209,027
—
372,794
—
1,482
1,356,133
(638,345)
(12,515)
706,755
—
694
394,082
(581,470)
(230)
(186,924)
Total liabilities, Series B Preferred Shares and shareholders’ equity (deficit)
$
2,532,428 $
2,394,897
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 3
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Rent, storage, and warehouse services revenues
$
1,176,912
$
1,145,662
$
1,080,867
Years
Ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
Third-party managed services
Transportation services
Other revenues
Total revenues
Operating expenses:
Rent, storage, and warehouse services cost of operations
Third-party managed services cost of operations
Transportation services cost of operations
Cost of operations related to other revenues
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
Selling, general and administrative
Impairment of long-lived assets
Gain from sale of real estate, net
Total operating expenses
259,034
158,790
8,899
242,189
146,070
9,666
252,411
147,004
9,717
1,603,635
1,543,587
1,489,999
802,378
244,274
143,055
8,279
117,653
114,760
747
(7,471)
797,334
229,364
133,120
9,664
116,741
110,945
9,473
(43)
766,822
237,597
132,586
7,349
118,571
96,728
9,820
(11,598)
1,423,675
1,406,598
1,357,875
Operating income
179,960
136,989
132,124
Other (expense) income:
Loss from partially owned entities
Impairment of partially owned entities
Interest expense
Interest income
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net
Other expense, net
Income before income tax benefit (expense)
Income tax benefit (expense):
Current
Deferred
Total income tax benefit (expense)
Net income (loss) attributable to Americold Realty Trust
Less distributions on preferred shares of beneficial interest - Series A
Less distributions on preferred shares of beneficial interest - Series B
Less accretion on preferred shares of beneficial interest – Series B
Net income (loss) attributable to common shares of beneficial interest
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted
Net income (loss) per common share of beneficial interest - basic
Net income (loss) per common share of beneficial interest - diluted
Distributions declared per common share of beneficial interest
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
$
$
$
$
$
(1,069)
—
(93,312)
3,996
(47,559)
2,882
(532)
(1,363)
(6,496)
(128)
—
(114,898)
(119,552)
1,074
(986)
(3,591)
(1,944)
708
(1,437)
464
(1,368)
10,811
(6,465)
586
(5,879)
4,932
(16)
(28,436)
(936)
(24,456)
69,890
69,890
(0.35)
(0.35)
44,366
8,785
467
3,152
(13,051)
3,658
3,619
(9,393)
47,985 $
(1)
(1,817)
—
(608) $
(16)
(28,436)
(867)
46,167 $
(29,927) $
141,415
144,338
70,022
70,022
0.31 $
0.31 $
(0.43) $
(0.43) $
0.74 $
0.29 $
0.29
F- 4
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands)
Net income (loss) attributable to Americold Realty Trust
Other comprehensive (loss) income loss - net of tax:
Adjustment to accrued pension liability
Change in unrealized net (loss) gain on foreign currency
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Americold Realty Trust
Years
Ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
$
47,985
$
(608)
$
4,932
(901)
(11,640)
256
(12,285)
5,754
4,444
116
10,314
1,972
(3,144)
(70)
(1,242)
Total comprehensive income
$
35,700 $
9,706 $
3,690
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 5
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
(In thousands, except shares)
Balance - December 31, 2015
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Distribution on preferred shares of beneficial interest - Series A
Distributions on preferred shares of beneficial interest - Series B
Distributions on common shares
Accretion on preferred shares of beneficial interest - Series B
Stock-based compensation expense (warrants)
Stock-based compensation expense (Stock Options and
Restricted Stock Units)
Balance - December 31, 2016
Net loss
Other comprehensive income
Distribution on preferred shares of beneficial interest - Series A
Distributions on preferred shares of beneficial interest - Series B
Distributions on common shares
Accretion on preferred shares of beneficial interest - Series B
Stock-based compensation expense (Stock Options and
Restricted Stock Units)
Balance - December 31, 2017
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Redemption and distributions on preferred share of beneficial
interest - Series A
Distributions on preferred shares of beneficial interest - Series B
Distributions on common shares
Stock-based compensation expense (Stock Options and
Restricted Stock Units)
Stock-based compensation expense (modification of Restricted
Stock Units)
Common stock issuance related to share-based payment plans,
net of shares withheld for employee taxes
Preferred
Shares
of
Beneficial
Interest
Common
Shares
of
Series
A
Beneficial
Interest
Number
of
Shares
Par
Value
Number
of
Shares
Par
Value
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Deficit
and
Distributions
in
Excess
of
Net
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)
Income
Total
125
— 69,370,609 $
694 $ 387,091 $
(488,462) $
(9,302) $ (109,979)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(936)
3,900
4,932
—
(16)
(28,436)
(20,214)
—
—
2,536
–
—
(1,242)
—
—
—
—
—
—
4,932
(1,242)
(16)
(28,436)
(20,214)
(936)
3,900
2,536
125 $
— 69,370,609 $
694 $ 392,591 $
(532,196) $
(10,544) $ (149,455)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(867)
2,358
(608)
—
(16)
(28,436)
(20,214)
—
—
—
(608)
10,314
10,314
—
—
—
—
—
(16)
(28,436)
(20,214)
(867)
2,358
125 $
— 69,370,609 $
694 $ 394,082 $
(581,470) $
(230) $ (186,924)
—
—
(125)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— 1,847,274
F- 6
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
18
—
—
(133)
—
—
8,556
2,042
2,649
47,985
—
(1)
(1,817)
(104,976)
—
—
—
—
(9,492)
47,985
(9,492)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(134)
(1,817)
(104,976)
8,556
2,042
2,667
Other
Warrants exercise
Issuance of common stock
Conversion of mezzanine Series B Preferred shares
Balance - December 31, 2018
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— 6,426,818
— 37,350,000
— 33,240,258
—
64
374
332
(422)
(64)
576,964
372,459
1,934
(2,793)
(1,281)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
577,338
372,791
— 148,234,959 $
1,482 $1,356,133 $
(638,345) $
(12,515) $
706,755
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 7
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Operating activities:
Net income (loss) attributable to Americold Realty Trust
$
47,985
$
(608)
4,932
Years
Ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount
Amortization of below market leases
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss, net
Loss from and impairment of partially owned entities
Stock-based compensation expense (Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units)
Stock-based compensation expense (Warrants)
Stock-based compensation expense (Modification of Restricted Stock Units)
Deferred tax benefit
Gain from sale of real estate, net
(Gain) loss on sale of other assets
Impairment of inventory and long-lived assets
Multi-Employer pension plan withdrawal expense and amortization
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Other
Net cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities:
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant, and equipment
Additions to property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets
Net cash used in investing activities
Financing activities:
Distributions paid on beneficial interest shares – preferred – Series A
Distributions paid on beneficial interest shares – preferred – Series B
Distributions paid on common shares
Proceeds from revolving line of credit
Repayment of revolving line of credit
Proceeds from stock options exercised
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of certain stock awards
Payment of underwriters' costs
Reimbursement of underwriters' costs
Repayment of sale-leaseback financing obligations
Repayment of capitalized lease obligations
Payment of debt issuance costs
Repayment of term loans, mortgage notes and construction loan
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes
Proceeds from term loans and mortgage notes
Proceeds from construction loan
Net proceeds from follow-on public offering
Net proceeds from initial public offering
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Beginning of period
117,653
5,917
151
28,446
(2,882)
1,069
8,639
—
2,042
(3,152)
(7,471)
(152)
747
260
2,324
(1,940)
(5,219)
(6,246)
116,741
8,604
151
400
3,591
7,859
2,358
—
—
(3,658)
(43)
(107)
11,581
9,134
1,229
1,597
18,202
(13,704)
188,171
163,327
19,513
(145,216)
10,163
(148,994)
(125,703)
(138,831)
(134)
(1,817)
(76,523)
—
—
14,842
(12,680)
(8,205)
8,952
(2,595)
(10,360)
(16,563)
(1,522,347)
600,000
525,000
(16)
(28,436)
(20,214)
34,000
(62,000)
—
—
—
—
(2,100)
(8,429)
(4,212)
(56,868)
—
110,000
1,097
19,671
92,718
493,557
84,942
147,410
(3,276)
—
—
(18,604)
5,892
1,141
118,571
7,193
196
871
(464)
128
2,536
3,900
—
(586)
(11,598)
1,008
9,820
—
1,135
(19,123)
(4,570)
4,832
118,781
33,215
(74,868)
(41,653)
(16)
(28,436)
(20,214)
147,000
(119,000)
—
—
—
—
(5,337)
(36,203)
(10,834)
(405,360)
—
383,078
—
—
—
(95,322)
(18,194)
(284)
69,963
62,930
81,408
End of period
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows information:
Acquisition of fixed assets under capitalized lease obligations
Interest paid – net of amounts capitalized and defeasance costs
Income taxes paid – net of refunds
Acquisition of property, plant, and equipment on accrual
$
$
$
$
$
214,097 $
69,963 $
62,930
13,290
85,595
5,509
18,799
$
$
$
$
18,614
106,557
11,854
20,942
$
$
$
$
10,899
115,056
10,898
5,595
F- 8
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
(In thousands)
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the consolidated balance sheets to the ending cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balances above:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 9
As
of
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
$
$
208,078 $
6,019
214,097 $
48,873 $
21,090
69,963 $
22,834
40,096
62,930
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
Assets
Property, plant, and equipment:
Land
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Assets under construction
Accumulated depreciation and depletion
Property, plant, and equipment – net
Capitalized leases:
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Accumulated depreciation and depletion
Property, plant, and equipment – net
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable – net of allowance of $5,706 and $5,309 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
Identifiable intangible assets – net
Goodwill
Investments in partially owned entities
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities and partners' capital
Liabilities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Construction loan - net of deferred financing costs of zero and $179 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
Mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes and term loans - net of discount and deferred financing costs of $13,943 and $31,996 in the
aggregate, at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
Sale-leaseback financing obligations
Capitalized lease obligations
Unearned revenue
Pension and postretirement benefits
Deferred tax liability - net
Multiemployer pension plan withdrawal liability
Total liabilities
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 20)
Partners' capital:
General partner - 146,752,609 and 68,676,903 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
Limited partner - 1,482,350 and 693,706 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Total partners' capital
Total liabilities and partners' capital
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
December
31,
2018
2017
$
385,232 $
1,849,749
577,175
85,983
2,898,139
(1,097,624)
1,800,515
11,227
49,276
60,503
(21,317)
39,186
208,078
6,019
194,279
25,056
186,095
14,541
58,659
389,443
1,819,635
552,677
48,868
2,810,623
(1,010,903)
1,799,720
16,827
59,389
76,216
(41,051)
35,165
48,873
21,090
200,006
26,645
188,169
15,942
59,287
$
$
2,532,428 $
2,394,897
— $
253,080
—
—
241,259
19,492
1,351,014
118,920
1,721,958
121,516
40,787
18,625
16,317
17,992
8,938
38,124
18,848
16,756
21,940
9,134
1,825,673
2,209,027
712,078
7,192
(12,515)
706,755
184,240
1,860
(230)
185,870
$
2,532,428 $
2,394,897
F- 10
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Rent, storage, and warehouse services revenues
$
1,176,912 $
1,145,662 $
1,080,867
Years
Ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
Third-party managed services
Transportation services
Other revenues
Total revenues
Operating expenses:
Rent, storage, and warehouse services cost of operations
Third-party managed services cost of operations
Transportation services cost of operations
Cost of operations related to other revenues
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
Selling, general and administrative
Impairment of long-lived assets
Gain from sale of real estate, net
Total operating expenses
259,034
158,790
8,899
242,189
146,070
9,666
252,411
147,004
9,717
1,603,635
1,543,587
1,489,999
802,378
244,274
143,055
8,279
117,653
114,760
747
(7,471)
797,334
229,364
133,120
9,664
116,741
110,945
9,473
(43)
766,822
237,597
132,586
7,349
118,571
96,728
9,820
(11,598)
1,423,675
1,406,598
1,357,875
Operating income
179,960
136,989
132,124
Other (expense) income:
Loss from partially owned entities
Impairment of partially owned entities
Interest expense
Interest income
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net
Other expense, net
Income before income tax benefit (expense)
Income tax benefit (expense):
Current
Deferred
Total income tax benefit (expense)
Net income (loss) attributable to the Partnership
General partners' interest in net income (loss) attributable to unitholders
Limited partners' interest in net income (loss) attributable to unitholders
General partner weighted average units outstanding
Limited partner weighted average units outstanding
General partners' net income (loss) per unit
Limited partners' net income (loss) per unit
General partners' distributions declared per unit
Limited partners' distributions declared per unit
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
(1,363)
(6,496)
(128)
—
(114,898)
(119,552)
(1,069)
—
(93,312)
3,996
(47,559)
2,882
(532)
44,366
467
3,152
3,619
1,074
(986)
(3,591)
(1,944)
8,785
(13,051)
3,658
(9,393)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
47,985 $
(608) $
47,505 $
480 $
(602) $
(6) $
139,394
1,408
68,677
694
0.34 $
0.34 $
0.76 $
0.76 $
(0.01) $
(0.01) $
0.70 $
0.70 $
708
(1,437)
464
(1,368)
10,811
(6,465)
586
(5,879)
4,932
4,883
49
68,677
694
0.07
0.07
0.70
0.70
F- 11
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In thousands)
Years
Ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
Net income (loss) attributable to Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
$
47,985 $
(608) $
4,932
Other comprehensive (loss) income loss - net of tax:
Adjustment to accrued pension liability
Change in unrealized net (loss) gain on foreign currency
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge
Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Americold Realty Operating Partnership. L.P.
(901)
(11,640)
256
(12,285)
5,754
4,444
116
10,314
1,972
(3,144)
(70)
(1,242)
Total comprehensive income
$
35,700 $
9,706 $
3,690
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 12
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Partners' Capital
(In thousands, except shares)
Limited
Partners'
Units
Limited
Partners'
Capital
General
Partners'
Units
General
Partners'
Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)
Income
Total
Capital
Balance - December 31, 2015
693,706 $
2,703
68,676,903 $
267,611 $
(9,302) $
261,012
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Distributions to parent
Stock-based compensation expense
49
—
(487)
64
4,883
—
(48,179)
6,372
—
(1,242)
—
—
4,932
(1,242)
(48,666)
6,436
Balance - December 31, 2016
693,706 $
2,329
68,676,903 $
230,687 $
(10,544) $
222,472
Net loss
Other comprehensive income
Distributions to parent
Stock-based compensation expense
(6)
—
(487)
24
(602)
—
(48,179)
2,334
—
10,314
—
—
(608)
10,314
(48,666)
2,358
Balance - December 31, 2017
693,706 $
1,860
68,676,903 $
184,240 $
(230) $
185,870
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Distributions to parent
480
—
(1,069)
Contributions to partners' capital
788,644
5,800
78,075,706
Other
Stock-based compensation expense
15
106
47,505
—
(105,858)
574,202
1,497
10,492
—
(9,492)
—
—
(2,793)
—
47,985
(9,492)
(106,927)
580,002
(1,281)
10,598
Balance - December 31, 2018
1,482,350 $
7,192
146,752,609 $
712,078 $
(12,515) $
706,755
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F- 13
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Operating activities:
Net income (loss) attributable to Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
$
47,985 $
(608)
4,932
Years
Ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount
Amortization of below market leases
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss, net
Loss from and impairment of partially owned entities
Stock-based compensation expense
Deferred tax benefit
Gain from sale of real estate, net
(Gain) loss on sale of other assets
Impairment of inventory and long-lived assets
Multi-Employer pension plan withdrawal expense and amortization
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Other
Net cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities:
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant, and equipment
Additions to property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets
Net cash used in investing activities
Financing activities:
Distributions to parent
Proceeds from revolving line of credit
Repayment of revolving line of credit
Repayment of sale-leaseback financing obligations
Repayment of capitalized lease obligations
Payment of debt issuance costs
117,653
5,917
151
28,446
(2,882)
1,069
10,681
(3,152)
(7,471)
(152)
747
260
2,324
(1,940)
(5,219)
(6,246)
188,171
19,513
(145,216)
(125,703)
(86,679)
—
—
(2,595)
(10,360)
(16,563)
116,741
8,604
118,571
7,193
151
400
3,591
7,859
2,358
(3,658)
(43)
(107)
11,581
9,134
1,229
1,597
18,202
(13,704)
163,327
10,163
(148,994)
(138,831)
(48,666)
34,000
(62,000)
(2,100)
(8,429)
(4,212)
196
871
(464)
128
6,436
(586)
(11,598)
1,008
9,820
—
1,135
(19,123)
(4,570)
4,832
118,781
33,215
(74,868)
(41,653)
(48,666)
147,000
(119,000)
(5,337)
(36,203)
(10,834)
Repayment of term loans, mortgage notes and construction loan
(1,522,347)
(56,868)
(405,360)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes
Proceeds from term loans and mortgage notes
Proceeds from construction loan
General partner contributions
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Effect of foreign currency translation on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
Beginning of period
End of period
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows information:
Acquisition of fixed assets under capitalized lease obligations
Interest paid – net of amounts capitalized and defeasance costs
Income taxes paid – net of refunds
600,000
525,000
1,097
597,389
84,942
147,410
(3,276)
—
110,000
19,671
—
(18,604)
5,892
1,141
69,963
214,097 $
62,930
69,963 $
13,290 $
85,595 $
5,509 $
18,614 $
106,557 $
11,854 $
$
$
$
$
—
383,078
—
—
(95,322)
(18,194)
(284)
81,408
62,930
10,899
115,056
10,898
Acquisition of property, plant, and equipment on accrual
$
18,799 $
20,942 $
5,595
F- 14
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
(In thousands)
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the consolidated balance sheets to the ending cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balances above:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
As
of
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
$
$
208,078 $
6,019
214,097 $
48,873 $
21,090
69,963 $
22,834
40,096
62,930
F- 15
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1
.
Description
of
the
Business
The
Company
Americold Realty Trust and subsidiaries (ART, the Company, or we) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) organized under Maryland law.
During 2010, the Company formed a Delaware limited partnership, Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. (the operating partnership),
and transferred substantially all of its interests in entities and associated assets and liabilities to the operating partnership. This structure is
commonly referred to as an umbrella partnership REIT or an UPREIT structure. The REIT is the sole general partner of the operating
partnership, owning 99% of the common general partnership interests as of December 31, 2018 . Americold Realty Operations, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the REIT, is the sole limited partner of the operating partnership, owning 1% of the common general partnership
interests as of December 31, 2018 . As the sole general partner of the operating partnership, the REIT has full, exclusive and complete
responsibility and discretion in the day-to-day management and control of the operating partnership.
No limited partner shall be liable for any debts, liabilities, contracts or obligations of the operating partnership. A limited partner shall be
liable to the operating partnership only to make payments of capital contribution, if any, as and when due. After a capital contribution is fully
paid, no limited partner shall, except as otherwise may be legally required under Delaware law, be required to make any further contribution
or other payments or lend any funds to the operating partnership.
The operating partnership includes numerous qualified REIT subsidiaries (QRSs). Additionally, the operating partnership conducts various
business activities in the United States (U.S.), Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Canada through several wholly owned taxable REIT
subsidiaries (TRSs).
Ownership
Pre-Initial Public Offering
Prior to the IPO on January 23, 2018, YF ART Holdings, a partnership among investment funds affiliated with The Yucaipa Companies
(Yucaipa) and Fortress Investment Group, LLC (Fortress), owned approximately 100% of the Company’s common shares of beneficial
interest. In addition, affiliates of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Goldman) owned 325,000 Series B Preferred Shares, which were
converted to 28,808,224 common shares in connection with the IPO.
In addition, in connection with the IPO, China Merchants Holds International Company (CMHI), as defined in Note 7, converted their Series
B Preferred Shares into 4,432,034 common shares of the Company. After giving effect to the full exercise of the underwriters' option to
purchase additional common shares during the IPO, CMHI owned approximately 3.1% of the Company's common shares.
Initial Public Offering
On January 23, 2018, we completed an initial public offering of our common shares, or IPO, in which we issued and sold 33,350,000 of our
common shares, including 4,350,000 common shares pursuant to the exercise in full of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional
common shares. The common shares sold in the offering were registered under the Securities Act pursuant to our Registration Statement on
Form S-11 (File No. 333-221560), as amended,
F- 16
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
which was declared effective by the SEC on January 18, 2018. The common shares were sold at an initial offering price of $16.00 per share,
which generated net proceeds of approximately $493.6 million to us, after deducting underwriting fees and other offering costs of
approximately $40.0 million . We primarily used the net proceeds from the IPO to repay (i) $285.1 million of indebtedness outstanding
under our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility, including $3.0 million of accrued and unpaid interest and closing expense of $0.2 million
(ii) $20.9 million of indebtedness outstanding under our Clearfield, Utah and Middleboro, Massachusetts construction loans, including a
nominal amount of accrued and unpaid interest; and (iii) to pay a stub period dividend totaling $3.1 million to the holders of record of our
common shares, Series A Preferred Shares and Series B Preferred Shares as of January 22, 2018. Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares
also received a redemption payment from the offering proceeds of $0.1 million . The remaining $184.4 million net proceeds from the IPO
were used for general corporate purposes.
The following is a list of other significant events that occurred in connection with the IPO:
• All outstanding Series A Preferred Shares were redeemed resulting in a cash payment of approximately $0.1 million , including
accrued and unpaid dividends;
• All outstanding Series B Preferred Shares were converted into an aggregate of 33,240,258 common shares resulting in a cash
payment of approximately $1.2 million of accrued and unpaid dividends. The redeemed and converted preferred shares are described
in Note 7 ;
•
•
The cashless exercise by YF ART Holdings GP, LLC, an affiliate of Yucaipa (YF ART Holdings), of all outstanding warrants to
purchase 18,574,619 common shares, exercisable at a price of $9.81 per share, into an aggregate of 6,426,818 common shares based
on a deemed valuation of $15.00 per share pursuant to the terms of the warrants;
The issuance of new senior secured credit facilities (2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities), consisting of a five -year, $525.0 million
senior secured term loan A facility (Senior Secured Term Loan A Facility), with net proceeds of $517.0 million , and a three -year,
$400.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (2018 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility). The 2018 Senior Secured
Credit Facility also had an additional $400.0 million accordion option. Upon the completion of the IPO, $525.0 million was
outstanding under the Company's Senior Secured Term Loan A Facility and no borrowings were outstanding under the Company’s
2018 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility. During the month following the IPO, the Company paid $50 million of principal on
the Senior Secured Term Loan A Facility, resulting in an outstanding balance of $475.0 million . Borrowings under the Company’s
2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities bore interest, at the Company’s election, at the then-applicable margin plus an applicable
LIBOR or base rate interest rate. The base rate was the greatest of the bank prime rate, the one-month LIBOR rate plus one percent or
the federal funds rate plus one-half of one percent. The applicable margin as of the IPO varied between (i) in the case of LIBOR-
based loans, 2.35% and 3.00% and (ii) in the case of base rate loans, 1.35% and 2.00% , in each case, based on changes in the
Company’s total leverage. As of January 23, 2018, borrowings under our 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities bore interest at a
floating rate of one-month LIBOR plus 2.50% . The Company paid a total of $8.7 million of issuance costs related to the 2018 Senior
Secured Credit Facilities, of which $8.2 million were prepaid in escrow as of December 2017.
On February 6, 2018 , we amended the Credit Agreement with the lenders of our 2018 Senior Revolving Credit Facility to increase the
aggregate revolving credit commitments on this facility by $50.0 million to $450.0 million . Concurrently, we utilized cash on hand to repay
$50.0 million on our Senior Secured Term Loan A facility. As a result of these modifications, our total aggregate commitments under our
2018 Senior Credit Facilities remained unchanged at $925.0 million .
F- 17
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
On December 4, 2018, the Company recast its 2018 Senior Credit Facilities (2018 Recast Credit Facility) to, among other things, (i) increase
the revolver borrowing capacity from $450 million to $800 million , (ii) convert the credit facility (term loan and revolver) from a secured
credit facility to an unsecured credit facility, and (iii) decrease the applicable interest rate margins from 2.35% to 1.45% and decrease the fee
on unused borrowing capacity by 5 basis points. Refer to Note 9 for further details.
Follow-On Public Offering
On September 18, 2018, the Company completed a follow-on public offering of 4,000,000 of its common shares at a public offering price of
$24.50 per share, which generated net proceeds of approximately $92.5 million to the Company after deducting the underwriting discount and
estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, and an additional 6,000,000 common shares that are subject to a forward sale
agreement to be settled within one year. The Company did not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of the common shares subject to
the forward sale agreement that were sold by the forward purchaser or its affiliate. The Company accounts for the forward contract as equity
and therefore is exempt from derivative and fair value accounting. Before the issuance of the Company’s common shares, if any, upon
physical or net share settlement of the forward sale agreement, the Company expects that the common shares issuable upon settlement of the
forward sale agreement will be reflected in its diluted earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the
number of the Company’s common shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of
the number of common shares that would be issued upon full physical settlement of the forward sale agreement over the number of common
shares that could be purchased by the Company in the market (based on the average market price during the period) using the proceeds
receivable upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the reporting period). If and when the
Company physically or net share settles the forward sale agreement, the delivery of the Company’s common shares would result in an
increase in the number of common shares outstanding and dilution to our earnings per share. As of December 31, 2018 , the Company has not
settled any portion of the forward sale agreement. In connection with the the follow-on public offering, YF ART Holdings GP, LLC (YF
ART Holdings), a partnership among investment funds affiliated with Yucaipa, sold 16.5 million common shares, affiliates of Goldman sold
approximately 9.1 million common shares, and affiliates of Fortress sold approximately 7.2 million common shares.
On March 8, 2018, YF ART Holdings used the proceeds from a margin loan to pay in full the outstanding preferred investment, including the
preferred return thereon, of Fortress, which ceased to be a limited partner in YF ART Holdings and no longer has any economic interest
therein. As of December 31, 2018 , YF ART Holdings owned approximately 25.9% of the Company’s common shares.
Business
and
Industry
Information
The Company has a large global presence of temperature-controlled warehouses, with the largest network in the U.S. The Company is
organized as a self-administered and self-managed REIT with significant operating, acquisition and development experience. As of
December 31, 2018 , the Company operated a global network of 155 temperature-controlled warehouses, with 137 warehouses in the United
States, six warehouses in Australia, seven warehouses in New Zealand, two warehouses in Argentina and three warehouses in Canada. In
addition, the Company holds a minority interest in the China JV, as described in Note 3 , which owns or operates 12 temperature-controlled
warehouses located in China. The Company also owns and operates a limestone quarry.
The Company provides its customers with technological tools to review real-time detailed inventory information via the Internet. In addition,
the Company manages customer-owned warehouses for which it earns fixed and incentive fees.
F- 18
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
2
.
Summary
of
Significant
Accounting
Policies
Basis
of
Presentation
and
Principles
of
Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
U.S. (GAAP) and include all of the accounts of Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries and the operating partnership and the subsidiaries of
the operating partnership. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in which the Company does not have
control and is not considered to be the primary beneficiary of a Variable Interest Entity (VIE), but where the Company exercises significant
influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
The notes to the consolidated financial statements of Americold Realty Trust and the operating partnership have been combined to provide
the following benefits:
•
•
enhancing investors’ understanding of the Company and the operating partnership by enabling investors to view the business as a
whole in the same manner as management views and operates the business;
eliminating duplicative disclosure and providing a more streamlined and readable presentation since a substantial portion of the
disclosure applies to both the Company and the operating partnership; and
• creating time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of one set of notes instead of two separate sets of notes.
There are few differences between the Company and the operating partnership, which are reflected in these consolidated financial statements
and the accompanying notes. We believe it is important to understand the differences between the Company and the operating partnership in
the context of how we operate as an interrelated consolidated company. Americold Realty Trust’s only material asset is its ownership of
partnership interests of the operating partnership. As a result, Americold Realty Trust generally does not conduct business itself, other than
acting as the sole general partner of the operating partnership, issuing public securities from time to time and guaranteeing certain unsecured
debt of the operating partnership and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates. Americold Realty Trust itself has not issued any indebtedness
but guarantees the unsecured debt of the operating partnership and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, as disclosed in these notes.
The operating partnership holds substantially all the assets of the Company and holds the ownership interests in the Company’s joint
ventures. The operating partnership conducts the operations of the business and is structured as a partnership with no publicly traded equity.
Except for net proceeds from public equity issuances by Americold Realty Trust, which are generally contributed to the operating partnership
in exchange for partnership units, the operating partnership generally generates the capital required by the Company’s business primarily
through the operating partnership’s operations, by the operating partnership’s or its affiliates’ direct or indirect incurrence of indebtedness or
through the issuance of partnership units.
The presentation of stockholders’ equity and partners’ capital are the main areas of difference between the consolidated financial statements
of Americold Realty Trust and those of the operating partnership. As of December 31, 2018 and for each of the years ended December 31,
2018, 2017 and 2016, the general partner, Americold Realty Trust held a 99% interest in partnership units, and the limited partner, Americold
Realty Operations, Inc. held a 1% interest in partnership units. The general partnership interests held by Americold Realty Trust in the
operating partnership are presented as general partner’s capital within partners’ capital in the operating partnership’s consolidated financial
statements and as common stock, additional paid-in capital and accumulated dividends in excess of earnings within stockholders’ equity in
Americold Realty Trust’s consolidated financial statements. The limited partnership interests
F- 19
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
held by Americold Realty Operations, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ART, in the operating partnership are presented as limited partners’
capital within partners’ capital in the operating partnership’s consolidated financial statements and within equity in Americold Realty Trust’s
consolidated financial statements. The differences in the presentations between stockholders’ equity and partners’ capital result from the
differences in the equity presented at the Americold Realty Trust and the operating partnership levels.
To help investors understand the significant differences between the Company and the operating partnership, these consolidated financial
statements present the following notes to the consolidated financial statements for each of the Company and the operating partnership:
• Debt of the Company and Debt of the operating partnership
•
•
Partners' Capital
Selected Quarterly Financial Information
In the sections that combine disclosure of Americold Realty Trust and the operating partnership, these notes refer to actions or holdings as
being actions or holdings of the Company. Although the operating partnership is generally the entity that enters into contracts and joint
ventures and holds assets and debt, reference to the Company is appropriate because the business is one enterprise and the Company
generally operates the business through the operating partnership.
Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.
Property,
Plant
and
Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the
estimated useful lives of the respective assets or, if less, the term of the underlying lease. Depreciation begins in the month an asset is placed
into service. Useful lives range from 5 to 40 years for buildings and building improvements and 3 to 20 years for machinery and equipment.
Depletion on the limestone quarry is computed by the units-of-production method based on estimated recoverable units. The Company
periodically reviews the appropriateness of the estimated useful lives of its long-lived assets.
Costs of normal maintenance and repairs and minor replacements are charged to expense as incurred. When non-real estate assets are sold or
otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed, and any resulting gain or loss is included in the other
expense, net line on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Gains or losses from the sale of real estate assets are reported in
the consolidated statement of operations as an operating expense.
Costs incurred to develop software for internal use and purchased software are capitalized and included in the machinery and equipment line
on the consolidated balance sheet. Capitalized software is amortized over the estimated life of the software which ranges from 3 to 10 years.
Amortization of previously capitalized amounts was $5.2 million , $5.0 million and $4.6 million for 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and
is included in the depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense line on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
F- 20
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Activity in real estate facilities during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:
Operating facilities, at cost:
Beginning balance
Capital expenditures
Acquisitions
Newly developed warehouse facilities
Disposition
Impairment
Conversion of leased assets to owned
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes
Ending balance
Accumulated depreciation:
Beginning balance
Depreciation expense
Dispositions
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes
Ending balance
Total real estate facilities
Non-real estate assets
Total property, plant and equipment and capital leases, net
2018
2017
(In
thousands)
2,506,656 $
50,680
—
62,353
(30,199)
(747)
8,405
(21,781)
2,575,367
(770,006)
(87,355)
24,672
4,797
(827,892)
1,747,475 $
2,382,343
52,555
27,958
60,598
(20,780)
(9,473)
—
13,455
2,506,656
(692,390)
(86,169)
11,143
(2,590)
(770,006)
1,736,650
92,226
1,839,701 $
98,235
1,834,885
$
$
$
The total real estate facilities amounts in the table above include $80.3 million and $90.5 million of assets under sale-leaseback agreements
accounted for as a financing lease as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The Company does not hold title in these assets under
sale-leaseback agreements. During the second quarter of 2018 , the Company sold a facility resulting in an $8.4 million gain on sale of real
estate. In preparation of the warehouse disposal, the Company transferred most of its customers inventory to other owned warehouses within
the same region. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company disposed of an idle facility resulting in a $0.9 million loss on sale of real
estate, and purchased a portion of a facility that was previously operated under a lease agreement for $13.8 million .
In addition to purchasing and selling facilities, the Company also supported construction development projects throughout 2018. During the
third quarter of 2018, the Company commenced operations in a production-advantaged facility in Middleboro, MA which cost approximately
$23.4 million to construct. As of December 31, 2018, the Company is also investing in an expansion opportunity at the Rochelle, IL facility.
The expansion is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2019, with an approximate total cost of $73.4 million incurred as of
December 31, 2018. Refer to Note 20 for the remaining construction commitment on this project.
In 2017 , the Company acquired a new facility for a total cost of $31.9 million , which included $3.9 million of intangible assets associated
with an in-place lease. In addition, the Company disposed of two idle warehouse facilities and one operating warehouse facility with a net
book value of $9.2 million for an aggregate amount of $9.2 million . As of December 31, 2017 , the Company held for sale an idle facility of
the Warehouse segment with a carrying
F- 21
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
amount of $2.6 million , which is included in "Property, plant, and equipment – net" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. This
warehouse was sold in 2018 for a $0.9 million loss, as previously mentioned.
Impairment
of
Long-Lived
Assets
The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances (such as decreases in operating income
and declines in occupancy) indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. A comparison is made of the expected future operating
cash flows of the long-lived assets on an undiscounted basis to their carrying amounts.
If the carrying amounts of the long-lived assets exceed the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is
recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the estimated fair value of the long-lived assets, which the Company
calculates based on projections of future cash flows and appraisals with significant unobservable inputs classified as Level 3 of the fair value
hierarchy. The Company determined that individual warehouse properties constitute the lowest level of independent cash flows for purposes
of considering possible impairment.
For the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.7 million , $9.5 million and $9.8
million , respectively, in the "Impairment of long-lived assets" line item of the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. These
charges were associated with the planned disposal of certain facilities, and other idle facilities of the Company, with a net book value in
excess of their estimated fair value based on third-party appraisals or purchase offers. These impaired assets related to the Warehouse
segment.
Impairment
of
Other
Assets
In 2017 , the Company evaluated the limestone inventory held at its Quarry operations, and determined that approximately $2.1 million of
that inventory was not of saleable quality. As a result, the Company recognized an impairment charge for that amount, which is included in
the “Cost of operations related to other revenues” line item of the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the year ended
December 31, 2017 .
Also during 2017, the Company recognized an impairment charge totaling $6.5 million related to its investments in two joint ventures in
China accounted for under the equity method. It was determined that the recorded investments were no longer recoverable from the projected
future cash flows expected to be received from the ventures. The estimated fair value of each investment was determined based on an
assessment of the proceeds expected to be received from the potential sale, of the Company’s investment interests to the joint venture
partner. The impairment charge is included in the “Impairment of partially owned entities” line item in the accompanying consolidated
statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
There were no other asset impairment charges recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018 .
F- 22
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Capitalized
Leases
Capitalized leases are recorded at the lower of the present value of future minimum lease payments or the fair market value of the property.
Capital lease assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated asset life if ownership of the leased assets is transferred by the
end of the lease term or there is a bargain purchase option. If the lease does not transfer ownership at the end of the lease term or there is no
bargain purchase option, then the capital lease assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis using the lesser of the asset’s useful life or the
lease term. Depreciation expense on assets acquired under capitalized leases is included in the "Depreciation, depletion, and amortization"
expense line on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Cash
and
Cash
Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, demand deposits, and short-term liquid investments purchased with original maturities of
three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , the Company held $37.3 million and $26.8 million , respectively, of cash and cash equivalents in bank
accounts of its foreign subsidiaries.
Restricted
Cash
Restricted cash relates to cash on deposit and cash restricted for the payment of certain property repairs or obligations related to warehouse
properties collateralized by mortgage notes, cash on deposit for certain workers’ compensation programs and cash collateralization of certain
outstanding letters of credit.
Restricted cash balances as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
2010 mortgage notes’ escrow accounts
2013 mortgage notes’ escrow accounts
2013 mortgage notes’ cash managed accounts
Cash on deposit for workers’ compensation program in Australia
Term deposit for New Zealand subsidiary office lease bond
Total restricted cash
Accounts
Receivable
2018
2017
(In
thousands)
— $
974
2,410
2,635
—
6,019 $
15,149
795
2,612
2,130
404
21,090
$
$
Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount. The Company periodically evaluates the collectability of amounts due from
customers and maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated amounts uncollectable from customers. Management exercises
judgment in establishing these allowances and considers the balance outstanding, payment history, and current credit status in developing
these estimates. Specific accounts are written off against the allowance when management determines the account is uncollectable.
F- 23
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The following table provides a summary of activity of the allowance for doubtful accounts:
Allowance
for
doubtful
accounts:
Year ended December 31, 2016
Year ended December 31, 2017
Year ended December 31, 2018
Balance
at
beginning
of
year
Provision
for
doubtful
accounts
Amounts
written
off,
net
of
recoveries
Balance
at
end
of
year
$
$
$
2,363
4,072
5,309
(In
thousands)
1,135
1,229
2,324
574 $
8 $
(1,927) $
4,072
5,309
5,706
The Company records interest on delinquent billings within "Interest income" in the consolidated statements of operations, offset by a bad
debt provision equal to the amount of interest charged until collected.
Identifiable
Intangibles
Assets
Identifiable intangibles consist of a trade name and customer relationships.
Indefinite-Lived Asset
The trade name asset, with a carrying amount of $15.1 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , relates to "Americold" and has an
indefinite life; thus, it is not amortized. The Company evaluates the carrying value of its trade name each year as of October 1, and between
annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the trade name below its
carrying amount. There were no impairments to the Company’s trade name for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 .
Finite-Lived Assets
Customer relationship assets are the Company’s largest finite-lived assets amortized over 6 to 20 years using a straight-line or accelerated
amortization method dependent on the estimated benefits, which reflects the pattern in which economic benefits of intangible assets are
expected to be realized by the Company. Customer relationship amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016
was $0.8 million , $0.9 million and $1.8 million , respectively. The weighted-average remaining life of the customer relationship assets is 9.1
years as of December 31, 2018 . The Company reviews these intangible assets for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying
amount may not be recoverable. There were no impairments to customer relationship assets for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017
and 2016 .
Leasehold
Interests
-
Below
Market
Leases,
Above
Market
Leases
and
In-place
Lease
In reference to certain temperature-controlled warehouses where the Company is the lessee in an acquired business, below-market and above-
market leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease terms in a manner that adjusts lease expense to the market rate in
effect as of the acquisition date. In reference to certain temperature-controlled warehouses where the Company has a tenant lease assigned
through an acquisition, the resulting intangible asset is amortized over the remaining term of the tenant lease and recorded to amortization
expense. There were no impairments to leasehold interests for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 or 2016 .
F- 24
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Deferred
Financing
Costs
Direct financing costs are deferred and amortized over the terms of the related agreements as a component of interest expense. The Company
amortizes such costs based on the effective interest rate or on a straight-line basis. The Company uses the latter approach when the periodic
amortization approximates the amounts calculated under the effective-interest rate method. Deferred financing costs related to revolving line
of credits are classified as other assets, whereas deferred financing costs related to long-term debt are offset against "Mortgages notes, senior
unsecured notes and term loans", as applicable in the consolidated balance sheets.
Goodwill
The Company evaluates the carrying value of goodwill each year as of October 1 and between annual evaluations if events occur or
circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. When evaluating
whether goodwill is impaired, the Company compares the fair value of its reporting units to its carrying amounts, including goodwill. The
Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units based upon a combination of the net present value of future cash flows and a market-
based approach. Future cash flows are estimated based upon certain economic assumptions. Significant assumptions are revenue growth rates,
operating costs, maintenance costs, and a terminal value calculation. The assumptions are based on risk-adjusted growth rates and discount
factors accommodating multiple viewpoints that consider the full range of variability contemplated in the current and potential future
economic situations. The market-based multiples approach assesses the financial performance and market values of other market-participant
companies. If the estimated fair value of each of the reporting units exceeds the corresponding carrying value, no impairment of goodwill
exists. If a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss would be calculated by comparing the implied fair
value of goodwill to the reporting unit’s carrying amount. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amount assigned for fair
value to its other assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. There were no goodwill impairment charges for the years ended
December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 .
Revenue
Recognition
Revenues for the Company include rent, storage and warehouse services (collectively, Warehouse Revenue), third-party managed services for
locations or logistics services managed on behalf of customers (Third-Party Managed Revenue), transportation services (Transportation
Revenue), and revenue from the sale of quarry products (Other Revenue).
Warehouse Revenue
The Company’s customer arrangements generally include rent, storage and service elements that are priced separately. Revenues from
storage and handling are recognized over the period consistent with the transfer of the service to the customer. Multiple contracts with a
single counterparty are accounted for as separate arrangements.
Third-Party Managed Revenue
The Company provides management services for which the contract compensation arrangement includes: reimbursement of operating costs,
fixed management fee, and contingent performance-based fees (Managed Services). Managed Services fixed fees are recognized as revenue
as the management services are performed ratably over the service period. Managed Services performance-based fees are recognized ratably
over the service period based on the likelihood of achieving performance targets.
F- 25
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Cost reimbursements related to Managed Services arrangements are recognized as revenue as the services are performed and costs are
incurred. Managed Services fees and related cost reimbursements are presented on a gross basis as the Company is the principal in the
arrangement. Multiple contracts with a single counterparty are accounted for as separate arrangements.
Transportation Revenue
The Company records transportation revenue and expenses upon delivery of the product. Since the Company is the principal in the
arrangement of transportation services for its customers, revenues and expenses are presented on a gross basis.
Other Revenue
Other Revenue primarily includes the sale of limestone produced by the Company’s quarry business. Revenues from the sale of limestone are
recognized upon delivery to customers.
Contracts with Multiple Service Lines
When considering contracts containing more than one service to a customer, a contract’s transaction price is pre-defined or allocated to each
distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as the performance obligation is satisfied, either over time as work
progresses, or at a point in time. For contracts with multiple service lines or distinct performance obligations, the Company evaluates and
allocates the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation using our best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct
good or service in the contract. The primary method used to estimate standalone selling price is the expected cost plus a margin approach,
under which the Company forecasts expected costs of satisfying a performance obligation and then adds an appropriate margin for that
distinct good or service.
F- 26
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Income
Taxes
The Company operates in a manner intended to enable it to continue to qualify as a REIT under Sections 856-860 of the Code. Under those
sections, a REIT that distributes at least 100% of its REIT taxable income, as defined in the Code, as a dividend to its shareholders each year
and that meets certain other conditions will not be taxed on that portion of its taxable income that is distributed to its shareholders for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. Through cash dividends, the Company, for tax purposes, has distributed an amount equal to or greater than its
REIT taxable income for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 . As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , the Company has met
all the requirements to qualify as a REIT. Thus, no provision for federal income taxes was made for the years ended December 31, 2018 ,
2017 and 2016 , except as needed for the Company’s U.S. Taxable REIT Subsidiaries (TRSs), for the Company’s foreign entities, and a REIT
excise tax payment in 2017 disclosed in Note 18 of these financial statements. To qualify as a REIT, an entity cannot have at the end of any
taxable year any undistributed earnings and profits that are attributable to a non-REIT taxable year (undistributed E&P). The Company
believes that it has no undistributed E&P as of December 31, 2018. However, to the extent there is a determination (within the meaning of
Section 852(e)(1)) of the Code that the Company has undistributed earnings and profits (as determined for U.S. federal income tax
purposes) accumulated (or acquired from another entity) from any taxable year in which the Company (or any other entity that converts to a
Qualified REIT Subsidiary (QRS) that was acquired during the year) was not a REIT or a QRS, the Company will take all necessary steps to
permit the Company to avoid the loss of its REIT status, including, but not limited to: 1) within the 90-day period beginning on the date of the
determination, making one or more qualified designated distributions (within the meaning of the Section 852(e)(2)) of the Code in an amount
not less than such undistributed earnings and profits over the interest payable under section 852(e)(3) of the Code; and 2) timely paying to the
IRS the interest payable under Section 852(e)(3) of the Code resulting from such a determination.
If the Company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to U.S. federal income taxes at regular corporate rates and
may not be able to qualify as a REIT for the four subsequent taxable years. Even as a REIT, it may be subject to certain state and local
income and franchise taxes, and to U.S. federal income and excise taxes on undistributed taxable income and on certain built-in gains.
The Company has elected TRS status for certain wholly-owned subsidiaries. This allows the Company to provide services at those
consolidated subsidiaries that would otherwise be considered impermissible for REITs. Many of the foreign countries in which we have
operations do not recognize REITs or do not accord REIT status under their respective tax laws to our entities that operate in their
jurisdiction. Accordingly, the Company recognizes income tax expense for the U.S. federal and state income taxes incurred by the TRSs,
taxes incurred in certain U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions, and interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefit liabilities, as
applicable.
Taxable REIT Subsidiary
The Company has elected to treat certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries as TRSs. A TRS is subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes at
regular corporate tax rates. Thus, income taxes for the Company’s TRSs are accounted for using the asset and liability method, under which
deferred income taxes are recognized for (i) temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and
(ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards based on enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled.
The Company records a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when it estimates that it is more likely than not that future taxable income
will be insufficient to fully use a deduction or credit in a specific jurisdiction. In assessing the need for the recognition of a valuation
allowance for deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be
realized and adjust the valuation allowance accordingly. We evaluate all significant available positive and negative evidence as part of our
analysis. Negative
F- 27
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
evidence includes the existence of losses in recent years. Positive evidence includes the forecast of future taxable income by jurisdiction, tax-
planning strategies that would result in the realization of deferred tax assets, reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities, and the presence of
taxable income in prior carryback years. The underlying assumptions we use in forecasting future taxable income require significant
judgment and take into account our recent performance. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends on the generation of future
taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences are deductible or creditable.
The Company accrues liabilities when it believes that it is more likely than not that it will not realize the benefits of tax positions that it has
taken in its tax returns or for the amount of any tax benefit that exceeds the cumulative probability threshold in accordance with ASC 740-10,
Uncertain Tax Positions. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax (expense)
benefit in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
The earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, including any other components of the outside basis difference, are considered to be indefinitely
reinvested except for Canada which the Company elected to repatriate a portion of the unremitted earnings in the form of dividends 2018. If
our plans change in the future for any other foreign subsidiary or if we elect to repatriate the unremitted earnings of our other foreign
subsidiaries in the form of dividends or otherwise, we would be subject to additional income taxes which would result in a higher effective
tax rate. As disclosed in Note 18 of these financial statements, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation on December 22,
2017 which imposed a one-time inclusion for our REIT or tax for our TRS on the deemed repatriation of unremitted foreign earnings and
profits.
With respect to the foreign subsidiaries owned directly by the REIT, any unremitted earnings would not be subject to additional U.S. level
taxes because the REIT would distribute 100% of such earnings or would be subject to a participation exemption beginning in 2018.
Pension
and
Post-Retirement
Benefits
The Company has defined benefit pension plans that cover certain union and nonunion employees. The Company also participates in multi-
employer union defined benefit pension plans under collective bargaining agreements for certain union employees. The Company also has a
post-retirement benefit plan to provide life insurance coverage to eligible retired employees. The Company also offers defined contribution
plans to all of its eligible employees. Contributions to multi-employer union defined benefit pension plans are expensed as incurred, as are the
Company’s contributions to the defined contribution plans. For the defined benefit pension plans and the post-retirement benefit plan, an
asset or a liability is recorded in the consolidated balance sheet equal to the funded status of the plan, which represents the difference between
the fair value of the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation at the consolidated balance sheet date. The Company utilizes the services
of a third-party actuary to assist in the assessment of the fair value of the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation at each measurement
date. Certain changes in the value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation are not recognized immediately in earnings but instead
are deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized to earnings in future periods.
F- 28
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Foreign
Currency
Gains
and
Losses
The local currency is the functional currency for the Company’s operations in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. For these operations,
assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange on the consolidated balance sheet date, while income and expense items are
translated at average rates of exchange during the period. The resulting gains or losses arising from the translation of accounts from the
functional currency into U.S. dollars are included as a separate component of shareholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) until a partial or complete liquidation of the Company’s net investment in the foreign operation.
From time to time, the Company’s foreign operations may enter into transactions that are denominated in a currency other than their
functional currency. These transactions are initially recorded in the functional currency of the subsidiary based on the applicable exchange
rate in effect on the date of the transaction. On a monthly basis, these transactions are remeasured to an equivalent amount of the functional
currency based on the applicable exchange rate in effect on the remeasurement date. Any adjustment required to remeasure a transaction to
the equivalent amount of functional currency is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations of the foreign subsidiary as a
component of foreign exchange gain or loss.
During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company entered into two intercompany loan agreements, whereby the Australia and New Zealand
entities borrowed from the U.S. entity. These intercompany loan agreements were denominated in the functional currency of the respective
entities. The intercompany loan receivable balances as of December 31, 2018 are AUD $153.5 million and NZD $37.5 million , and are
remeasured at the end of each month to the United States Dollar (USD) with any required adjustment recorded in " Foreign currency
exchange gain (loss), net " in the consolidated statements of operations. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses on the remeasurement
of short-term intercompany loans denominated in currencies other than a subsidiary’s functional currency are recognized as a component of
foreign currency gain or loss, except to the extent that the transaction is effectively hedged. For loans that are effectively hedged, the
transaction gains and losses on remeasurement are recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transaction
gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of long-term intercompany loans denominated in currencies other than a subsidiary’s
functional currency are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) if a repayment of these loans is not
anticipated.
Recently
Adopted
Accounting
Standards
Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-15, Intangibles -
Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud
Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) . The ASU requires entities that
are customers in cloud computing arrangements to defer implementation costs if they would be capitalized by the entity in software licensing
arrangements under the internal-use software guidance. ASU 2018-15 is effective for all entities for annual periods, including interim periods
within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted and can be applied retrospectively or in the
period of adoption. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-15 in the third quarter of 2018 on a prospective basis and it did not have a
material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
F- 29
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of
Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) . The ASU permits entities to reclassify tax effects stranded in
AOCI as a result of tax reform to retained earnings. The guidance is effective for the Company in interim and annual periods beginning in
2019. Early adoption is permitted and can be applied retrospectively or in the period of adoption. The Company early adopted the ASU
during the first quarter of 2018. Because the deferred tax asset in OCI is currently subject to a full valuation allowance, there is no net
reclassification amount from AOCI to retained earnings during the year. However, our adoption of the principle will enable us to apply a
21% rate to the deferred tax asset when the valuation allowance no longer applies.
Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718)
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting . This
update provides guidance on determining which changes to the terms and conditions of share-based payment awards require an entity to
apply modification accounting under Topic 718. ASU 2017-09 was effective for all entities for annual periods, including interim periods
within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted ASU 2017-09 in the first quarter of 2018 and it did
not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Compensation - Retirement Benefits
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715), Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic
Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (ASU 2017-07) . This update requires that the service cost component of net
periodic pension and other postretirement benefits (OPEB) (income) expense be presented in the same income statement line item as other
employee compensation costs, while the remaining components of net periodic pension and OPEB (income) expense are to be presented
outside operating income. Retrospective application of the change in income statement presentation is required, while the change in
capitalized benefit cost is to be applied prospectively. ASU 2017-01 was effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2017. The Company’s adoption of this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 resulted in the reclassification of non-service cost
components in the amount of $2.8 million and $3.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, from “Selling,
general and administrative” expense to “Other expense, net”. The Company adopted this guidance using a practical expedient which
permitted the Company to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the prior comparative
periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements. The adoption and resulting reclassification had no
impact on the Company's net income (loss), earnings per common share, earnings per unit or cash flows.
Statement of Cash Flows, Restricted Cash
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash . Under this new guidance,
entities will be required to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the
statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and
restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are
presented in more than one line item on the balance sheet, a reconciliation of the totals in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in
the balance sheet is required. For public business entities, the guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December
F- 30
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-18 in the first quarter of 2018 and disclosure revisions
have been made retrospectively for the periods presented on the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of
Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . The update primarily affects the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the
fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. In addition, the FASB clarified guidance related
to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt
securities. For public companies, the amendments in this update were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including
interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-01 prospectively in the first quarter of 2018 and it did not have a
material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 (Topic 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers , to clarify the principles used to
recognize revenue for all entities. ASU 2014-09 provides new guidance related to the core principle that an entity recognizes revenue to
depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be
entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance results in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provides guidance for
transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively, and improves guidance for multiple element arrangements. During 2016,
the FASB issued additional ASUs to clarify certain aspects of ASU 2014-09, including ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations
(Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), in March 2016, and ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, in April
2016.
The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2018, applying the modified retrospective method, and determined that the standard
did not have a material impact to the amount or timing of revenue recognized for its revenue arrangements. Additionally, the Company did
not record any cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The most significant impact of the standard relates to the addition of
disclosures relating to contracts that contain performance obligations extending beyond the end of the reporting period, and quantifying and
disclosing methods of transferring services as it pertains to satisfying performance obligations. See Note 26 .
Adoption of the standards related to revenue recognition had no impact to cash from or used in operating, financing, or investing activities on
the consolidated statements of cash flows, and had no material impact on the Company’s processes and controls.
Future
Adoption
of
Accounting
Standards
Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging
Activities . This ASU refines and expands hedge accounting for both financial (e.g., interest rate) and commodity risks. Its provisions create
more transparency around how economic results are presented, both on the face of the financial statements and in the footnotes. It also makes
certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance. ASU 2017-12 is effective for public business entities
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption, including adoption
F- 31
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
in an interim period, is permitted. The Company will adopt this standard effective January 1, 2019, and believes the adoption of ASU 2017-
12 will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill
Impairment. This update eliminates step two of the goodwill impairment test, and specifies that goodwill impairment should be measured by
comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. Additionally, the amount of goodwill allocated to each reporting unit
with a zero or negative carrying amount of net assets should be disclosed. For public business entities that are SEC filers, this ASU is
effective for annual and any interim impairment tests for periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is allowed for all entities
as of January 1, 2017, for annual and any interim impairment tests occurring after January 1, 2017. The Company believes the adoption of
ASU 2017-04 will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting , which more closely aligns
the accounting for employee and nonemployee share-based payments. The standard will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods
beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than an entity’s adoption date of Topic 606. The Company
will adopt this standard on January 1, 2019, and does not expect the provisions of ASU 2018-07 to have a material impact on our
consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value Measurement - Disclosure Framework
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820 ): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure
Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The ASU removes
the requirement to disclose: the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; the policy for
timing of transfers between levels; and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The ASU requires disclosure of changes
in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income (loss) for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements
held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair
value measurements. For public business entities, this guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 with early
adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
Collaborative Arrangements
In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808): Clarifying the interaction between Topic 808
and Topic 606 . ASU 2018-18 clarifies that certain transactions between participants in a collaborative arrangement should be accounted for
under ASC 606 when the counterparty is a customer and precludes an entity from presenting consideration from a transaction in a
collaborative arrangement as revenue from contracts with customers if the counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. For public
business entities, these amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods therein. The
Company believes the adoption of ASU 2018-18 will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
F- 32
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Lease Accounting
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , which requires lessees to recognize leases on-balance sheet and
disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical
Expedient for Transition to Topic 842 ; ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases ; and ASU 2018-11, Targeted
Improvements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model (ROU) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability
on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification
affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the consolidated statements of operations.
The new standard is effective on January 1, 2019 with early adoption permitted. We will adopt the new standard on its effective date. A
modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. An
entity may choose to use either (1) its effective date or (2) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial
statements as its date of initial application. If an entity chooses the second option, the transition requirements for existing leases also apply to
leases entered into between the date of initial application and the effective date. The entity must also recast its comparative period financial
statements and provide the disclosures required by the new standard for the comparative periods. We will use the effective date as our date of
initial application. Consequently, financial information will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be
provided for dates and periods before January 1, 2019.
The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition to both lessors and lessees. We will elect the “package of
practical expedients” which permits us not to reassess our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct
costs. We will elect the practical expedient to continue to apply current accounting for all land easements that exist or expire before the
effective date of the standard. We will not elect the use-of-hindsight practical expedient. We will elect the short-term lease recognition
exemption for all leases that qualify. This means, for those leases that qualify, we will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities for
existing short-term leases of those assets in transition. We also will make an accounting policy election to not separate lease and non-lease
components for all of our leases.
While we continue to assess all of the effects of adoption, we currently believe the most significant effects on leasing arrangements where we
are the lessee relate to (1) the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities on our balance sheet for equipment and warehouses and (2)
providing new disclosures about our leasing activities. We do not expect this standard to have an impact on our existing sale leaseback or
capital lease arrangements.
On adoption, the Company's estimate for finance lease obligations is $40.8 million , with corresponding ROU assets of $39.2 million based
on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing arrangements for existing finance leases. Additionally,
we expect to recognize an additional operating lease obligation ranging from $77.6 million to $80.6 million , with corresponding ROU assets
ranging from $74.3 million to $77.3 million based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing
arrangements for existing operating leases.
ASU 2016-02, Leases , also requires lessors to classify leases as a sales-type, direct financing, or operating lease. A lease is a sales-type lease
if any one of five criteria are met, each of which indicate the lease, in effect, transfers control of the underlying asset to the lessee. If none of
those five criteria are met, but two additional criteria are both met, indicating that the lessor has transferred substantially all the risks and
benefits of the underlying asset to the lessee and a third party, the lease is a direct financing lease. All leases that are not sales-type or direct
financing leases are operating leases.
F- 33
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
For leasing arrangements where the Company is the lessor we will elect the practical expedient to present all funds collected from lessees for
sales and other similar taxes net of the related sales tax expense. Also, while the the new standard identifies common area maintenance as a
non-lease component of our real estate lease contracts, we will apply the practical expedient to account for our real estate leases and
associated common area maintenance service components as a single, combined operating lease component. Consequently, we do not expect
the new standard's changed guidance on contract components to significantly affect our financial reporting.
While we continue to evaluate certain aspects of the new standard, we do not expect the new standard will have a material effect on our
accounting for leasing arrangements where the Company is the lessor.
Other
Presentation
Matters
Securities
and
Exchange
Commission’s
(SEC)
Disclosure
Update
and
Simplification
Project
(DUSTR)
As part of the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Project, the SEC issued a final rule that eliminates or amends disclosure
requirements that are redundant or outdated in light of changes in SEC requirements, US GAAP, IFRS or changes in technology or the
business environment. As a result, certain amounts previously reported in the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements to conform to the current period’s presentation, primarily to change the presentation of Gain
from sale of real estate, net on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016. The Company
has included Gain from sale of real estate, net as a component of Operating Income to present gain and losses on sales of properties in
accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360-10-45-5. The change was made for the prior periods as the Securities and
Exchange Commission has eliminated Rule 3-15(a) of Regulation S-X as part of Release No. 33-10532; 34-83875; IC-33203, which had
required REITs to present gain and losses on sale of properties outside of continuing operations in the income statement.
Reclassifications
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. In addition, an immaterial adjustment was
made to reclassify certain prior period amounts from unearned revenue to the allowance for doubtful accounts. Finally, the Company
reclassified certain assets for which ownership and title transferred at lease expiration from the classification of Capitalized leases into the
respective asset classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018 . This included reclassification of the gross cost
and related accumulated depreciation.
Adoption
of
Highly
Inflationary
Accounting
in
Argentina
GAAP guidance requires the use of highly inflationary accounting for countries whose projected cumulative three-year inflation rate exceeds
100 percent. In the second quarter of 2018, published inflation indices indicated that the projected three-year cumulative inflation rate in
Argentina exceeded 100 percent, and as of July 1, 2018, we adopted highly inflationary accounting for our subsidiary in Argentina. Under
highly inflationary accounting, Argentina’s functional currency became the Australian dollar, the reporting and functional currency of the
immediate parent company of the Argentina entity, and its income statement and balance sheet have been measured in Australian dollars
using both current and historical exchange rates prior to translation into U.S. dollars in consolidation. The impact of the change in functional
currency to Australian dollars resulted in a remeasurement of historical earnings reflected in retained earnings, which was previously
measured at the average Argentine peso to USD exchange rates applicable to the period, and a related decrease to Accumulated other
comprehensive loss. This activity is reflected within 'Other' on the Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the year ended December 31, 2018 .
After the initial measurement process described previously, the effect of changes in exchange rates on peso-denominated monetary assets and
liabilities
F- 34
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
has been reflected in earnings in Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net and was not material. As of December 31, 2018 , the net
monetary assets of the Argentina subsidiary were immaterial. Additionally, the operating income of the Argentina subsidiary was less than
3.5 percent of our consolidated operating income for years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016.
3
.
Equity-Method
Investments
During 2010, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, made total cash investments of $46.2 million in two newly-formed Hong
Kong entities, China Merchants Americold Holdings Logistics Company Limited (CMAL) and China Merchants Americold Holdings
Company Limited (CMAH, together with CMAL, the Joint Venture). Through these subsidiaries, the Company acquired a 49% interest in the
Joint Venture, while China Merchants Holdings International Company (CMHI) acquired the remaining 51% interest in the Joint Venture.
CMHI is a Hong Kong based entity that is part of the China Merchants Group. Other affiliates of CMHI subsequently purchased 50,000
shares of the Company’s Series B Preferred Shares. As such, CMHI is considered a related party of the Company. The Joint Venture was
formed with the purpose of acquiring, owning, and operating temperature-controlled warehouses, primarily in the People’s Republic of
China. During 2015, the Company made an additional capital contribution of $1.3 million to the Joint Venture for general corporate purposes.
As of December 31, 2018 , the Joint Venture operated 12 warehouses in the People’s Republic of China.
The Company translates amounts in Chinese yuan to U.S. dollars when accounting for its interest in the Joint Venture. As a result, the
Company must also adjust the carrying value of its investment in the Joint Venture for its proportionate share of the cumulative unrealized
foreign currency translation gains and losses each period. The Company accounts for its investment in the Joint Venture as an equity-method
investment, as the Company has a 49% equity interest, but cannot control it. In accounting for its interest in the Joint Venture as an equity-
method investment, the Company includes its proportionate share of the Joint Venture’s net income or loss as an increase or decrease in the
carrying value of the equity-method investment. In addition, the Company routinely monitors its investment in the Joint Venture to determine
whether an other-than-temporary decline in the investment value has occurred.
In 2017, the Company recognized an impairment charge totaling $6.5 million related to our investment in the Joint Venture as we determined
that the recorded investment was no longer recoverable from the projected future cash flows expected to be received from the Joint Venture.
The estimated fair value of this investment was determined based on an assessment of the proceeds expected to be received from the potential
sale of our investment interests to the joint venture partner based on current negotiations.
F- 35
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The condensed summary financial information for the Company’s Joint Venture is as follows:
Condensed
results
of
operations
CMAL
2018
CMAH
(In
thousands)
Revenues
Operating (loss) income
Net (loss) income
Company’s (loss) income from partially owned entities
Condensed
results
of
operations
Revenues
Operating (loss) income
Net loss
Company’s loss from partially owned entities
Condensed
results
of
operations
Revenues
Operating (loss) income
Net (loss) income
Company’s (loss) income from partially owned entities
$
$
$
37,458 $
(1,748)
(1,960)
(1,419)
13,621 $
2,432
1,651
350
CMAL
2017
CMAH
(In
thousands)
38,662 $
(2,052)
(2,479)
(1,143)
12,294 $
314
(296)
(220)
CMAL
2016
CMAH
(In
thousands)
34,945 $
(2,184)
(2,645)
(1,396)
9,389 $
4,281
2,791
1,268
F- 36
Total
51,079
684
(309)
(1,069)
Total
50,956
(1,738)
(2,775)
(1,363)
Total
44,334
2,097
146
(128)
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Condensed
balance
sheet
information
CMAL
2018
CMAH
(In
thousands)
Total
Property, plant and equipment, net
Cash and cash equivalent
Accounts receivable
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Due from related parties
Other assets
Total assets
Debt
Accounts payable
Due to related parties
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
Equity including non-controlling interest
Condensed
balance
sheet
information
Property, plant and equipment, net
Cash and cash equivalent
Accounts receivable
Goodwill and other intangible assets
Due from related parties
Other assets
Total assets
Debt
Accounts payable
Due to related parties
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
Equity including non-controlling interest
Company’s equity investment before impairment
Less: Company’s impairment in equity investment
Company’s equity investment
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
10,812 $
9,237
5,357
15,043
—
9,662
50,111 $
6,199 $
5,007
—
23,094
34,300 $
19,760 $
179
2,316
325
19,974
5,727
48,281 $
9,540 $
969
—
11,825
22,334 $
30,572
9,416
7,673
15,368
19,974
15,389
98,392
15,739
5,976
—
34,919
56,634
15,811 $
25,947 $
41,758
CMAL
2017
CMAH
(In
thousands)
Total
13,108 $
7,935
6,416
15,905
5,900
6,206
55,470 $
9,611 $
4,651
17,824
4,483
36,569 $
24,559 $
915
1,805
344
14,414
3,745
45,782 $
6,350 $
611
11,384
2,183
20,528 $
37,667
8,850
8,221
16,249
20,314
9,951
101,252
15,961
5,262
29,208
6,666
57,097
18,901 $
25,254 $
44,155
9,379 $
(4,060)
5,319 $
11,059 $
(2,436)
8,623 $
20,438
(6,496)
13,942
F- 37
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The Company has an investment in another joint venture that is also accounted for as an equity-method investment since the Company can
exert significant influence over the operations, but cannot control the joint venture. The carrying amount of this other investment was $2.0
million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.
4
.
Goodwill
and
Intangible
Assets
The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and
2016 are as follows:
December 31, 2015
Impact of foreign currency translation
Write-offs
December 31, 2016
Impact of foreign currency translation
December 31, 2017
Impact of foreign currency translation
December 31, 2018
Warehouse
Third-party
managed
Transportation
Total
$
$
171,498 $
196
(112)
171,582
972
172,554
(1,658)
170,896 $
(In
thousands)
3,179 $
(123)
—
3,056
8
3,064
(174)
2,890 $
12,248 $
(57)
(24)
12,167
384
12,551
(242)
12,309 $
186,925
16
(136)
186,805
1,364
188,169
(2,074)
186,095
The write-offs in the table above relates to the residual goodwill allocated to the Company’s operations in Argentina.
F- 38
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Intangible assets subject to amortization as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
Customer
relationships
Above-market
leases
In-place
lease
Below-market
leases
Total
Gross
Additions
Accumulated amortization
Net definite lived intangible assets
Indefinite lived intangible asset (Trade name)
$
$
(In
thousands,
except
years)
33,788 $
—
(30,169)
3,619 $
143 $
—
(38)
105 $
3,778 $
—
(1,004)
2,774 $
Identifiable
intangible
assets
–
net,
December
31,
2018
Weighted-average
remaining
useful
life
at
December
31,
2018
9.1
4.8
4.8
33.2
Gross
Additions
Accumulated amortization
Net definite lived intangible assets
Indefinite lived intangible asset (Trade name)
$
$
33,788 $
—
(29,328)
4,460 $
— $
143
(16)
127 $
— $
3,778
(430)
3,348 $
Identifiable
intangible
assets
–
net,
December
31,
2017
Weighted-average
remaining
useful
life
at
December
31,
2017
10.0
5.8
5.8
33.8
9,126 $
—
(5,644)
3,482
$
9,126 $
—
(5,492)
3,634
$
46,835
—
(36,855)
9,980
15,076
25,056
42,914
3,921
(35,266)
11,569
15,076
26,645
During 2017, as part of an addition to the Company’s domestic cold storage operations in the Warehouse segment, the Company was
assigned a tenant lease. This transaction resulted in the recognition of above-market and in-place lease intangible assets that will be amortized
over the remaining term of the tenant lease.
Amortization of the above market lease asset is recorded as a reduction to lease revenue, while amortization of the in-place lease is recorded
as amortization expense.
F- 39
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The following table describes the estimated amortization of intangible assets for the next five years and thereafter. In addition, the table
describes the net impact on rent expense due to the amortization of below-market leases for the next five years and thereafter:
Estimated
Amortization
of
Customer
Relationships
and
In-
Place
Lease
Intangible
Assets
Estimated
Net
Decrease
to
Lease
Revenue
Related
to
Amortization
of
Above-Market
Leases
Estimated
Net
Increase
to
Lease
Expense
Related
to
Amortization
of
Below-Market
Leases
(In
thousands)
$
$
1,329 $
1,240
1,151
1,062
878
733
6,393 $
22 $
22
22
22
17
—
105 $
151
151
151
151
106
2,772
3,482
2018
2017
(In
thousands)
12,532 $
9,595
7,875
6,978
6,287
5,437
3,072
2,483
2,283
1,726
391
—
58,659 $
16,891
12,040
10,396
950
2,338
1,374
2,483
2,194
—
1,851
553
8,217
59,287
$
$
Years Ending December 31:
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Total
5
.
Other
Assets
Other assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
Prepaid accounts
Various insurance and workers’ compensation receivables
Inventory and supplies
Income taxes receivable
Other receivables
Deferred financing costs
Marketable securities - (Deferred compensation plan)
Straight-line rent
Fair value of derivatives
Utility, workers’ compensation escrow and lease deposits
Deferred tax assets
Deferred IPO costs
F- 40
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
6
.
Accounts
Payable
and
Accrued
Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
Trade payables
Accrued workers’ compensation liabilities
Accrued payroll
Accrued bonus
Accrued vacation and long service leave
Accrued health benefits
Accrued property taxes
Accrued utilities
Taxes payable
Dividends payable
Other accrued expenses
7
.
Redeemable
Preferred
Shares
Series
A
Cumulative
Non-Voting
Preferred
Shares
2018
2017
(In
thousands)
85,038 $
30,585
12,238
17,335
14,988
10,987
14,376
6,274
290
28,540
32,429
253,080 $
93,501
32,041
11,727
16,382
15,718
9,332
15,067
6,004
785
—
40,702
241,259
$
$
In January 2009, the Company issued 125 Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share
(Series A Preferred Shares) for proceeds of $0.1 million . The Series A Preferred Shares may be redeemed by the Company at any time by
notice for a price, payable in cash, equal to 100% of each share’s liquidation value of $1,000 , plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, plus, if
applicable, a redemption premium. The Company may redeem the Series A Preferred Shares without payment of a redemption premium.
Holders of the Series A Preferred Shares are entitled to receive dividends semiannually at a per annum rate equal to 12.5% of the liquidation
value.
In 2018, in connection with the IPO, all outstanding Series A Preferred Shares were redeemed resulting in a cash payment of approximately
$0.1 million , including accrued and unpaid dividends.
Series
B
Cumulative
Convertible
Voting
Preferred
Shares
During 2010, the Company’s Board of Trustees approved a series of agreements and documents that effected the conversion of 375,000
authorized and unissued preferred shares of the Company into 375,000 Series B Cumulative Convertible Voting Preferred Shares of
beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share (Series B Preferred Shares), and simultaneously authorized the sale and issuance of the 375,000
Series B Preferred Shares. On December 15, 2010, the Company issued 375,000 of the Series B Preferred Shares for proceeds of $368.5
million . Of this amount, 325,000 Series B Preferred Shares were issued to affiliates of the Goldman Sachs Group (Goldman) and 50,000
Series B Preferred Shares were issued to an affiliate of CMHI. As discussed in Note 3, affiliates of CHMI are also the majority partner in the
Company’s Joint Venture.
F- 41
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The Series B Preferred Shares contain certain conversion features, the terms of which are dependent upon the nature of the conversion event.
At each holder’s option, the Series B Preferred Shares may be converted into a number of the Company’s common shares of beneficial
interest (common shares), the conversion rate being based upon a variable price index, as defined. As of December 31, 2017 , each Series B
Preferred Share was convertible at the holder’s option into approximately 88 of the Company’s common shares. If all holders of the Series B
Preferred Shares had elected to convert all of their shares in this manner on December 31, 2017 , approximately 33,240,000 common shares
of the Company would have been issued for the 375,000 Series B Preferred Shares. The Series B Preferred Shares contain certain preemptive
rights, anti-dilution provisions, and protections in the event of a recapitalization. The Series B Preferred Shares have the equivalent voting
rights as the common shares. The Series B Preferred Shares are senior to any junior securities, and upon a qualifying liquidation event, as
defined, each holder of the Series B Preferred Shares would receive the greater of $1,000 cash per share, plus all accrued and unpaid
dividends, or the payment that would be paid in connection with such liquidation event in respect of the number of common shares into which
such Series B Preferred Shares could be converted.
Holders of the Series B Preferred Shares were entitled to a 5.0% annual fixed cash dividend (Fixed Dividend) based on the liquidation
preference of $1,000 per share plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. Additionally, the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares are entitled to
participate in dividends paid to holders of the Company’s common shares by receiving a dividend in an amount and in a kind equal to and
equivalent to what the holder would have received had such holder held the number of common shares for such common share dividend into
which the Series B Preferred Share could be converted on the record date (Participating Dividend). Beginning in 2011, and each year
thereafter, if Participating Dividends paid annually to the holders of the Series B Preferred Share do not equal or exceed 2.5% of the $1,000
per share liquidation preference, then holders are entitled to a dividend for the shortfall. Dividends are only payable when declared by the
Company’s Board of Trustees, but accrued and unpaid dividends are cumulative and payable upon any conversion or redemption event, as
defined, for the Series B Preferred Shares. There were no accrued or unpaid Fixed Dividends to the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares
as of December 31, 2017.
In connection with the IPO, Goldman and CMHI converted their Series B Preferred Shares into 28,808,224 and 4,432,034 common shares of
the Company, respectively, after taking into account a cash payment of approximately $1.8 million of accrued and unpaid dividends.
Goldman sold 5,163,716 common shares of the Company soon after the conversion of the Series B Preferred Shares.
Series
C
Convertible
Voting
Preferred
Shares
Contemporaneously with the authorization of the conversion and issuance of the Series B Preferred Shares by the Board of Trustees discussed
above, the Board of Trustees also authorized the conversion of an additional 375,000 authorized and unissued preferred shares into 375,000
Series C Convertible Voting Preferred Shares (Series C Preferred Shares). As discussed above, the Series C Preferred Shares are potentially
issuable to the holders of the Series B Preferred Shares upon conversion in connection with a non-qualifying IPO. As of December 31, 2017,
no Series C Preferred Shares were issued or outstanding. The IPO met the definition of a qualifying IPO and, therefore, the Series C Preferred
Shares are no longer issuable after December 31, 2017.
F- 42
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
8
.
Debt
of
the
Company
In this Note 8 , the "Company" refers only to Americold Realty Trust and not to any of its subsidiaries.
The Company itself does not have any indebtedness. All debt is held directly or indirectly by the operating partnership.
The Company guarantees the operating partnership's obligations with respect to its outstanding debt as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , as
detailed in Note 9 , with the exception of the 2013 Mortgage Loans which are guaranteed solely by Americold Realty Operating Partnership,
L.P.
F- 43
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
9
.
Debt
of
the
Operating
Partnership
A summary of outstanding indebtedness of the operating partnership as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows (in thousands):
Indebtedness
2010
Mortgage
Loans
Component A-1
Component A-2-FX
Component A-2-FL (1)
Component B
Component C
Component D
Total
2010
Mortgage
Loans
2013
Mortgage
Loans
Senior note
Mezzanine A
Mezzanine B
Total
2013
Mortgage
Loans
Senior
Unsecured
Notes
Series A 4.68% notes due 2026
Series B 4.86% notes due 2029
Total
Senior
Unsecured
Notes
ANZ
Term
Loans
Australia Term Loan (1)
New Zealand Term Loan (1)
2018
Senior
Unsecured
Term
Loan
A
Facility
(1)
2015
Senior
Secured
Term
Loan
B
Facility
(1)
Stated
maturity
date
Contractual
Interest
Rate
Effective
Interest
Rate
as
of
December
31,
2018
2018
2017
Carrying
Value
Estimated
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
Estimated
Fair
Value
1/2021
1/2021
1/2021
1/2021
1/2021
1/2021
5/2023
5/2023
5/2023
3.86%
4.96%
L+1.51%
6.04%
6.82%
7.45%
4.40%
5.38%
2.94%
6.48%
7.28%
7.92%
3.81%
7.38%
11.50%
4.14%
7.55%
11.75%
1/2026
1/2029
4.68%
4.86%
4.77%
4.92%
$
— $
— $
56,941 $
58,151
—
—
—
—
—
—
187,957
70,000
32,000
289,957
200,000
400,000
600,000
—
—
—
—
—
—
150,334
159,918
48,654
60,000
62,400
82,600
49,019
64,875
68,718
91,686
460,929
492,367
184,667
194,223
195,194
67,900
31,120
70,000
32,000
68,950
31,840
283,687
296,223
295,984
202,500
407,000
609,500
—
—
—
—
—
—
6/2020
6/2020
1/2023
12/2022
BBSY+1.40%
BKBM+1.40%
L+1.45%
L+3.75%
4.62%
5.21%
4.23%
5.79%
—
—
—
—
475,000
472,625
158,645
31,240
—
160,628
31,631
—
—
—
806,918
806,918
Total principal amount of mortgage notes, unsecured senior notes and term loans
Less deferred financing costs
Less debt discount
Total
mortgage
notes,
unsecured
senior
notes
and
term
loans,
net
of
deferred
financing
costs
and
debt
discount
2018
Senior
Unsecured
Revolving
Credit
Facility
(1)
2015
Senior
Secured
Revolving
Credit
Facility
(1)
1/2021
12/2018
L+1.45%
L+3.00%
0.34%
3.92%
Construction
Loan:
Warehouse Clearfield, UT (1)
Less deferred financing costs
2/2019
L+3.25%
5.18%
1,364,957
1,365,812
1,753,955
1,787,528
(13,666)
(277)
n/a
n/a
(25,712)
(6,285)
n/a
n/a
1,351,014 $
1,365,812 $ 1,721,958 $ 1,787,528
— $
— $
— $
—
— $
— $
— $
— $
n/a
— $
— $
— $
—
—
19,671 $
19,671
(179)
n/a
19,492 $
19,671
$
$
$
$
$
F- 44
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
(1) L = one-month LIBOR; BBSY= Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate (applicable in Australia); BKBM = Bank Bill Reference Rate (applicable in New Zealand).
Pre-IPO Senior Secured Credit Facilities
In December 2015, we entered into a credit agreement with various lenders providing senior secured credit facilities that consisted of a
$325.0 million senior secured term loan, which we refer to as our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility, and a $135.0 million senior secured
revolving credit facility, which we refer to as our 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, and, collectively with our Senior Secured
Term Loan B Facility, the pre-IPO Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The net proceeds from the Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility of
$314.4 million were used to repay a portion of the 2006 Mortgage Notes - Pool 2 tranche. Borrowings under our Senior Secured Term Loan
B Facility and 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility bore interest, at inception, of 5.50% per year plus one-month LIBOR with a 1%
floor, and 3.25% per year plus one-month LIBOR, respectively.
In April 2016, we upsized the commitments under our 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility by $15.0 million to increase the
aggregate borrowing capacity under that credit facility to $150.0 million .
In July 2016, we issued a $385.0 million incremental term loan under our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility and used the net proceeds to
repay, among other things, the balance of our 2006 Mortgage Loans. In connection with this refinancing, we lowered the credit spread on the
initial tranche of our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility from 5.50% to 4.75% per year plus one-month LIBOR with a 1% floor.
In January 2017, we lowered the credit spread on the outstanding tranches of the Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility from 4.75% to 3.75%
per year plus one-month LIBOR with a 1% floor.
In February 2017, we obtained an increase in the size of our 2017 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility of $20.0 million , for a total
commitment of $170.0 million .
In May 2017, we issued a $110.0 million incremental term loan under our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility and used the net proceeds to
release, among other things, three properties from the 2010 Mortgage Loans collateral pool (as described below), and repay $26.2 million of
our 2010 Mortgage Loans. Two of these properties were added to the borrowing base supporting our 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit
Facility.
Borrowings under our 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility bore interest, at our election, at the then-applicable margin plus an
applicable one-month LIBOR or base rate interest rate. Base rate was defined as the greatest of the bank prime rate, the one-month LIBOR
rate plus one percent or the federal funds rate plus one-half of one percent. The applicable margin varied between (i) in the case of LIBOR-
based loans, 3.00% and 3.50% and (ii) in the case of base rate loans, 2.00% and 2.50% , in each case, based on changes in our credit ratings.
In addition, any unused portion of our 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility was subject to an annual 0.40% commitment fee. As of
December 31, 2017 , borrowings under our 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at 3.00% per year plus one-month
LIBOR, or 4.57% per annum. As of that date, we had no amounts outstanding under the 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, but
we applied approximately $ 33.8 million of that credit facility to backstop certain outstanding letters of credit. In connection with entering
into the original agreement and subsequent amendments for the 2015 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, we capitalized approximately
$3.4 million of debt issuance costs, which we amortize as interest expense under the effective interest method. As of December 31, 2017, the
$1.2 million unamortized balance of these debt issuance costs was included in "Other assets" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
F- 45
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
After giving effect to the May 2017 amendments described above, the outstanding tranches of term loans under our Senior Secured Term
Loan B Facility bore interest, at our election, at (i) 3.75% per year plus one-month LIBOR with a 1.0% floor or (ii) 2.75% per year plus a
base rate with a 2.0% floor. The principal amount of the term loans outstanding under our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility was subject
to principal amortization in quarterly installments of approximately $2.0 million until the maturity date thereof, with a final payment of the
balance that was due on December 1, 2022. As of December 31, 2017, $806.9 million were outstanding under our Senior Secured Term Loan
B Facility, which was prepayable without premium or penalty. In connection with entering into the agreement and subsequent amendments
for the Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility, we capitalized a total Original Issue Discount (OID) of $8.4 million and incurred debt issuance
costs of approximately $21.6 million , of which $18.8 million were capitalized. The OID and capitalized debt issuance costs are amortized as
interest expense under the effective interest method. As of December 31, 2017 , approximately $21.0 million unamortized balance of OID
and debt issuance costs related to the Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility, in the aggregate, was classified as a contra-liability to the
"Mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes and term loans" line item of the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Our pre-IPO Senior Secured Credit Facilities were guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of our operating partnership and were secured by a
pledge in the stock of certain subsidiaries of our operating partnership, and contained certain financial covenants relating to the maintenance
of a specified borrowing base coverage ratio, a total leverage ratio and a fixed charge coverage ratio and other customary covenants.
Post-IPO Senior Secured Credit Facilities
In January 2018, simultaneous with the Company's IPO, we closed on a five -year, $525.0 million Senior Secured Term Loan A Facility and
a three -year, $400.0 million Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, which we refer to as the 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities. Our
2018 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility had a one -year extension option subject to certain conditions. We used the net proceeds from
the IPO, together with $517.0 million of net proceeds from our Senior Secured Term Loan A Facility, to repay the entire $806.9 million
aggregate principal amount of indebtedness outstanding under our Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility, plus accrued and unpaid interest, to
repay $20.9 million of indebtedness outstanding under our Clearfield, Utah and Middleboro, Massachusetts construction loans, and for
working capital.
At the completion of the IPO, borrowings under our 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities bore interest at a floating rate of one-month
LIBOR plus 2.50% . In addition, we applied approximately $33.6 million of our 2018 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility for certain
outstanding letters of credit.
On February 6, 2018, we amended the credit agreement with the lenders of our 2018 Senior Revolving Credit Facility to increase the
aggregate revolving credit commitments on this facility by $50.0 million to $450.0 million . Concurrently, we utilized cash on hand to repay
$50.0 million on our Senior Secured Term Loan A facility. As a result of these modifications, our total aggregate commitments under the
2018 Senior Credit Facilities remained unchanged at $ 925.0 million .
Borrowings under our 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities bore interest, at our election, at the then-applicable margin plus an applicable
LIBOR or base rate interest rate. The base rate was the greatest of the bank prime rate, the one-month LIBOR rate plus one percent or the
federal funds rate plus one-half of one percent . The applicable margin varied between (i) in the case of LIBOR-based loans, 2.35% and
3.00% and (ii) in the case of base rate loans, 1.35% and 2.00% , in each case, based on changes in our total leverage. In addition, any unused
portion of our 2018 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility was subject to an annual 0.30% commitment fee at times that we were utilizing
at least 50% of our outstanding revolving credit commitments or an annual 0.040% commitment fee at times
F- 46
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
that we were utilizing less than 50% of our revolving credit commitments, in each case, based upon the actual daily unused portion of our
2018 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility.
Prior to the December 2018 refinancing, borrowings under our 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities bore interest at a floating rate of one-
month LIBOR plus 2.35% . In addition, we applied approximately $29.6 million of our 2018 Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility for
certain outstanding letters of credit.
2018 Recast Credit Facility
On December 4, 2018, the Company entered into a recast credit agreement to, among other things, (i) increase the revolver borrowing
capacity from $450 million to $800 million , (ii) convert the credit facility (term loan and revolver) from a secured credit facility to an
unsecured credit facility, and (iii) decrease the applicable interest rate margins from 2.35% to 1.45% and decrease the fee on unused
borrowing capacity by 5 basis points. The terms of the revolver allow for the ability to draw proceeds in multiple currencies, up to $400
million . In connection with entering into the original agreement and subsequent amendments for the Term Loan A Credit Facility, we
capitalized approximately $8.9 million of debt issuance costs, which we amortize as interest expense under the effective interest method.
As of December 31, 2018, $5.4 million of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the revolving credit facility are included in "Other
assets" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
Our 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility is structured to include a borrowing base, which allows us to borrow against the lesser
of our Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility balance outstanding and $800 million in revolving credit commitments, and the value of
certain owned real estate assets, ground, capital and operating leased assets, with credit given for income from third-party managed
warehouses. At December 31, 2018 , the gross value of our assets included in the calculations under our 2018 Recast Credit Facility, was in
excess of $3.1 billion , and had an effective borrowing base collateral value (after concentration limits and advance rates as calculated under
the terms of our 2018 Recast Credit Agreement) of approximately $1.9 billion .
Our 2018 Recast Credit Facility contains representations, covenants and other terms customary for a publicly traded REIT. In addition, our
2018 Recast Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants, as defined in the credit agreement, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
a maximum leverage ratio of less than or equal to 60% of our total asset value;
a minimum borrowing base coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00;
a minimum pro forma fixed charge coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.40 to 1.00 which increased to 1.50 to 1.00 in the
first quarter of 2018;
a minimum borrowing base debt service coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00;
a minimum tangible net worth requirement of greater than or equal to $900 million plus 70% of any future net equity proceeds
following the completion of the IPO transactions; and
a maximum recourse secured debt ratio of less than or equal to 20% of our total asset value.
Our 2018 Recast Credit Facility is fully recourse to our operating partnership. As of December 31, 2018 , the Company was in compliance
with all debt covenants.
F- 47
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
$400 million Senior Unsecured 4.86% Notes due 2029 and $200 million Senior Unsecured 4.68% Notes due 2026
On November 6, 2018, the Company priced a debt private placement transaction consisting of (i) $200 million senior unsecured notes with a
coupon of 4.68% due January 8, 2026 (“Series A”) and (ii) $400 million senior unsecured notes with a coupon of 4.86% due January 8, 2029
(“Series B”), (collectively referred to as the “Senior Unsecured Notes”). The transaction closed on December 4, 2018. Interest will be paid on
January 8 and July 8 of each year until maturity, with the first payment occurring July 8, 2019. The initial July 8, 2019 payment will include
interest accrued since December 4, 2018. The notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Company and are guaranteed by the
Company and the subsidiaries of the Company. The Company applied a portion of the proceeds of the private placement transaction to the
$600 million Americold 2010 LLC Trust, Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2010, ART (2010 Mortgage Loans). The
Company also applied the remaining proceeds to the Australian term loan and the New Zealand term loan (ANZ Loans). See below for
further detail regarding the early extinguishment of debt under 2010 Mortgage Loans and ANZ Loans.
The Series A and Series B senior notes and guarantee agreement includes a prepayment option executable at any time during the term of the
loans. The prepayment can be either a partial payment or payment in full, as long as the partial payment is at least 5% of the outstanding
principal. Any prepayment in full must include a make-whole amount, which is the discounted remaining scheduled payments due to the
lender. The discount rate to be used is equal to 0.50% plus the yield to maturity reported for the most recently actively traded U.S. Treasury
Securities with a maturity equal to the remaining average life of the prepaid principal. The Company must give each lender at least 10 day’s
written notice whenever it intends to prepay any portion of the debt.
If a change in control occurs for the Company, the Company must issue an offer to prepay the remaining portion of the debt to the lenders.
The prepayment amount will be 100% of the principal amount, as well as accrued and unpaid interest.
The Senior Unsecured Notes require compliance with leverage ratios, secured and unsecured indebtedness ratios, and unsecured indebtedness
to qualified assets ratios. In addition, the Company is required to maintain at all times an investment grade debt rating for each series of notes
from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. In addition, the Senior Unsecured Notes contain certain financial covenants
required on a quarterly or occurrence basis, as defined in the credit agreement, including:
•
•
•
•
•
a maximum leverage ratio of less than or equal to 60% of our total asset value;
a maximum unsecured indebtedness to qualified assets ratio of less than 0.60 to 1.00;
a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00;
a minimum unsecured debt service ratio of greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00;
a maximum total secured indebtedness ratio of less than 0.40 to 1.00
As of December 31, 2018 , the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
ANZ Loans
In June 2015, we entered into syndicated facility agreements in each of Australia and New Zealand, which we refer to collectively as the
ANZ Loans, and separately as the Australian term loan and the New Zealand term loan. The ANZ Loans were non-recourse to us and our
domestic subsidiaries.
F- 48
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The Australian term loan was an AUD$203.0 million five -year syndicated facility. The $151.1 million net proceeds that we borrowed under
this facility were used to repay the AUD$19.0 million mortgage loan on one of our facilities, return AUD$30.0 million of capital to our
domestic subsidiary owning the equity of our Australian subsidiary, repay an intercompany loan totaling CAD$47.6 million , and return
AUD$70.0 million to the United States in the form of a long-term intercompany loan and working capital. This facility was secured by our
owned real property and equity of certain of our Australian subsidiaries and bore interest at a floating rate of Australian Bank Bill Swap Bid
Rate plus 1.4% . The Australian term loan was fully prepayable without penalty.
The New Zealand term loan was a NZD$44.0 million five -year syndicated facility. The $29.3 million net proceeds that we borrowed under
this facility were used to repay an intercompany loan plus interest totaling NZD$28.3 million , make a NZD$14.3 million dividend, and fund
working capital. The facility was secured by our owned real property, leased assets and equity of certain of our New Zealand subsidiaries,
and bore interest at a floating rate of New Zealand Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate plus 1.4% .
The New Zealand term loan was fully prepayable without penalty. In connection with entering into the agreement for the ANZ Loans, the
Company capitalized direct transaction-related costs and expenses of approximately $6.3 million as debt issuance costs. As part of the ANZ
Loans, we entered into interest rate swaps to effectively fix the interest rates on 75% of the notional balances.
The ANZ Loans were repaid in December 2018 using proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Unsecured Notes. In order to repay the ANZ
Loans, Americold Realty Operating Partnership initiated intercompany loans to the Australia and New Zealand subsidiaries, in combination
with the repayment of a pre-existing intercompany loan payable to Australia totaling AUD $49.5 million , and a capital contribution of NZD
$7.8 million from the U.S. to New Zealand. The Company entered into cross-currency swaps to hedge the cash flow variability from the
impact of changes in foreign currency on the periodic interest payments and the final principal repayments of the foreign-denominated
intercompany loans. See Note 10 for more information on these derivative contracts.
In total, USD $176.0 million was paid to extinguish the remaining outstanding principal, and USD$ 1.8 million was paid to terminate the
related interest rate swaps. As a result of terminating the interest rate swaps and related hedge accounting treatment, the remaining net fair
value recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) was reclassified to Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of
derivative instruments . Additionally, USD $0.1 million in legal fees and USD $2.2 million of unamortized deferred financing costs were
recorded to Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments in conjunction with the loan prepayment.
Construction Loans
In February 2017, certain of our subsidiaries entered into a $24.1 million construction loan with the National Bank of Arizona to finance the
development of an expansion to our Clearfield, Utah distribution facility. The facility was secured by a mortgage on the property and the
repayment of the construction loan was guaranteed by us. The construction loan bore interest, at our election, at a floating rate of one-month
LIBOR plus 3.25% or the bank defined prime rate (which may not be lower than LIBOR) and was scheduled to mature in February 2019.
In August 2017, certain of our subsidiaries entered into a $16.0 million construction loan with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to finance the
development of a production advantaged facility in Middleboro, Massachusetts. The facility was secured by a mortgage on the property and
the construction loan was supported by a limited repayment guaranty by us. The construction loan bore interest at a floating rate of one-
month LIBOR plus 2.75% and was scheduled to mature in August 2020.
F- 49
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Both construction loans were repaid in January 2018 in connection with the IPO.
2013 Mortgage Loans
On May 1, 2013, we entered into a mortgage financing in an aggregate principal amount of $322.0 million , which we refer to as the 2013
Mortgage Loans. The debt consists of a senior debt note and two mezzanine notes. The components are cross-collateralized and cross-
defaulted. The senior debt note requires monthly principal payments. The mezzanine notes require no principal payments until the stated
maturity date in May 2023. The interest rates on the notes are fixed and range from 3.81% to 11.50% per annum. The senior debt note and
the two mezzanine notes remain subject to yield maintenance provisions. We used the net proceeds of these loans to refinance certain of the
2006 Mortgage Loans, as described below, acquire two warehouses, and fund general corporate purposes.
The 2013 Mortgage Loans are collateralized by 15 warehouses. The terms governing the 2013 Mortgage Loans require us to maintain certain
cash amounts in accounts that are restricted as to their use for the respective warehouses. As of December 31, 2018 , the amount of restricted
cash associated with the 2013 Mortgage Loans was $3.4 million . Additionally, if we do not maintain certain financial thresholds, including a
debt service coverage ratio of 1.10 x, the cash generated will further be temporarily restricted and limited to the use for scheduled debt
service and operating costs. The debt service coverage ratio as of December 31, 2018 was 1.7 x. The 2013 Mortgage Loans are non-recourse
to the Company, subject to customary non-recourse provisions as stipulated in the agreements.
The mortgage loan also requires compliance with other financial covenants, including a debt coverage ratio and cash flow calculation, as
defined. As of December 31, 2018 , the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
2010 Mortgage Loans
On December 15, 2010, we entered into a mortgage financing in an aggregate principal amount of $600.0 million , which we refer to as the
2010 Mortgage Loans. The debt included six separate components, which were comprised of independent classes of certificates and seniority.
The components were cross-collateralized and cross-defaulted. No principal payments were required on five of the six components until the
stated maturity date in January 2021, and one component required monthly principal payments of $1.4 million . Interest was payable monthly
in an amount equal to the aggregate interest accrued on each component. The interest rates on five of the six components were fixed, and
ranged from 3.86% to 7.45% per annum. One component had a variable interest rate equal to one-month LIBOR plus 1.51% , with one-
month-LIBOR subject to a floor of 1.00% per annum. In addition, we maintained an interest rate cap on the variable rate tranche that capped
one-month LIBOR at 6.0% . We used the net proceeds of these loans to refinance existing term loans, fund the acquisition of the acquired
Versacold entities, and for general corporate purposes.
The 2010 Mortgage Loans were extinguished in December 2018 using proceeds from the Senior Unsecured Notes. The Company paid $416.7
million in consideration to defease the fixed rate component of the 2010 Mortgage Loans, including principal of $394.8 million , a defeasance
fee of $18.5 million and other fees of $0.1 million . The Company paid $48.8 million in consideration to repay the floating rate component of
the 2010 Mortgage Loans. Upon extinguishment of the 2010 Mortgage Loans, the $15.5 million balance of restricted cash was released for
operating purposes. In accordance with the defeasance agreement on the fixed rate component of the 2010 Mortgage Loans, a successor
borrower assumed all responsibilities of the Company under the original loan agreement. The transaction was accounted for as an
extinguishment of debt.
F- 50
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Debt
Covenants
The Company’s Senior Unsecured Credit Facilities, the Senior Unsecured Notes, and 2013 Mortgage Loans require financial statements
reporting, periodic requirements to report compliance with established thresholds and performance measurements, and affirmative and
negative covenants that govern allowable business practices of the Company. The affirmative and negative covenants include continuation of
insurance, maintenance of collateral, the maintenance of REIT status, and the Company’s ability to enter into certain types of transactions or
exposures in the normal course of business. As of December 31, 2018 , the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.
Loss
on
debt
extinguishment,
modifications
and
termination
of
derivative
instruments
During 2018, the Company completed multiple refinancing and extinguishment of debt transactions resulting in amount recorded to Loss on
debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments . During the first quarter of 2018, simultaneous with the IPO,
the Company closed on a Senior Secured Term Loan A and repaid the Term Loan B. Shortly thereafter, the Company amended the facility by
repaying a portion of the Term Loan A and increasing the capacity on the revolving credit facility. The total amount recorded to Loss on debt
extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments as a result of these transactions totaled $21.4 million , representing
the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and debt discount from Term Loan B. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the 2010
Mortgage Loans were extinguished. This resulted in an $18.5 million defeasance fee, as well as a $3.4 million write-off of unamortized
deferred financing costs recorded to Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments . Additionally,
during the fourth quarter of 2018, the ANZ Loans were fully prepaid, which resulted in a write-off of $2.2 million in unamortized deferred
financing costs and $1.8 million charge for termination of the related interest rate swaps, both recorded to Loss on debt extinguishment,
modifications and termination of derivative instruments .
The aggregate maturities of indebtedness as of December 31, 2018 , including amortization of principal amounts due under the Term Loan A,
Senior Unsecured Notes and mortgage notes for each of the next five years and thereafter, are as follows:
Years
Ending
December
31:
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Aggregate principal amount of debt
Less unamortized discount and deferred financing costs
Total debt net of discount and deferred financing costs
Special
Purpose
Entity
(SPE)
Separateness
(In
thousands)
6,513
6,750
7,035
7,312
737,347
600,000
1,364,957
(13,943)
1,351,014
$
$
Each of the Company’s legal entities listed in the table below is a special purpose, bankruptcy remote entity, meaning that such entity’s assets
and credit are not available to satisfy the debt and other obligations of either the Company or any of its other affiliates.
F- 51
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Legal
Entity/SPE
Related
Obligation
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2010 - 4 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2010 - 5 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2010 - 6 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2010 - 4 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2010 - 5 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2010 - 6 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2013 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2013 LLC
2010 Mortgage Notes
2013 Mortgage Notes
For financial reporting purposes, the assets, liabilities, results of operations, and cash flows of each legal entity in the table above are included
in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Because each legal entity is separate and distinct from the Company and its affiliates, the
creditors of each legal entity have a claim on the assets of such legal entity prior to those assets becoming available to the legal entity’s equity
holders and, therefore, to the creditors of the Company or its other affiliates.
10
.
Derivative
Financial
Instruments
Interest Rates
We are subject to interest rate volatility with regard to existing and future issuances of variable rate debt. From time to time, we enter into
swap agreements to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. To hedge the variability in cash flows due to changes in benchmark
interest rates, we enter into interest rate swap agreements related to variable rate debt. Refer to Note 9 , Debt of the Operating Partnership, for
details of the components of our debt.
The Company was party to interest rate swap agreements with financial institutions that fixed the variable benchmark component of its
interest rate on a portion of its ANZ Loans beginning on June 25, 2015. On December 12, 2018, the Company terminated these swap
agreements in conjunction with the extinguishment of its debt. The carrying amount of the Company's interest rate swap agreements were
recorded at fair value and previously qualified for hedge accounting. As a result of the termination of the swap agreements and in conjunction
with the extinguishment of the ANZ loans, $1.8 million in accumulated other comprehensive income was reclassified to " Loss on debt
extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative instruments " in the accompanying Statement of Operations. As of December 31,
2017 , the aggregate fair values of these cash flow hedges were $2.5 million , which was included in the "Accounts payable and accrued
expenses" line of the accompanying Balance Sheets.
Foreign Currency
To reduce cash flow volatility from foreign currency fluctuations, we enter into swap contracts to hedge portions of cash flows of
intercompany borrowing and lending activities, which are designated as cash flow hedges. The effective portion of the derivative's gain or
loss is recorded in AOCI and is subsequently reclassified to foreign currency exchange and derivatives gain (loss), net when the hedged
exposure affects net earnings. Gains and losses from these swaps offset the changes in value of interest and principal as a result of changes in
foreign exchange rates.
On December 11, 2018, the Company entered into cross-currency swaps to hedge changes in the cash flows of interest and principal on the
foreign-currency denominated intercompany loans between the Australia and U.S. entities and the New Zealand and U.S. entities. The critical
terms of the cross-currency swap agreements correspond to the
F- 52
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
intercompany loans, including the semi-annual interest payments being hedged, and the cross-currency swap agreements mature at the same
time as the intercompany loans. As the critical terms of the cross currency swaps match the underlying intercompany borrowings being
hedged, no ineffectiveness is recognized on these swaps and, therefore, all unrealized changes in fair value are recorded in AOCI. The
relevant terms are presented below:
Effective
Date
Notional
amount
Expiration
Date
12/13/2018
12/13/2018
AUD $153.5 million
NZD $37.5 million
1/8/2026
12/13/2023
As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate fair values of these cash flow hedges were $2.3 million , and are included in the "Other assets" line
of the accompanying balance sheet. The Company determines the fair value of these derivative instruments using a present value calculation
with significant observable inputs classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The actual amounts reclassified into earnings are
dependent on future movements in the foreign exchange rates.
The Company classifies cash inflows and outflows from derivatives within operating activities on the statement of cash flows. Amounts
reclassified from AOCI into earnings related to realized gains and losses on remeasurement of the intercompany loans are recognized at each
remeasurement date. Prior to termination of the interest rate swaps, historical amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings related to
realized gains and losses on interest rate swaps were recognized when interest payments or receipts occurred related to the swap contracts,
and corresponded to when interest payments were made on the Company’s hedged debt.
The following table summarizes the impact of the Company's interest rate swaps which were terminated in December 2018 and foreign
currency cash flow hedges on the results of operations, comprehensive loss and AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and
2016:
Interest
Rate
Swaps
Designated
as
Cash
Flow
Hedges
Loss
Recognized
as
AOCI
on
Derivatives,
Net
of
Tax
(Effective
Portion)
(In
thousands)
Consolidated
Statements
of
Operations
Classification
Loss
Reclassified
from
AOCI
into
Earnings,
Net
of
Tax
(Effective
Portion)
(In
thousands)
2018
2017
2016
$
$
$
(1,422)
1,422
1,538
Interest expense
Interest expense
Interest expense
$
$
$
1,191
1,547
1,139
Cross-Currency
Swaps
Designated
as
Cash
Flow
Hedges
Gain
Recognized
as
AOCI
on
Derivatives
Consolidated
Statements
of
Operations
Classification
Gain
Reclassified
from
AOCI
into
Earnings
(In
thousands)
(In
thousands)
2018
2017
2016
$
$
$
2,283
—
—
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss),
net
N/A
N/A
$
$
$
3,449
—
—
F- 53
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
11
.
Sale-Leasebacks
of
Real
Estate
The Company’s outstanding sale-leaseback financing obligations of real estate-related long-lived assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
are as follows:
1 warehouse – 2010
11 warehouses – 2007
Total sale-leaseback financing obligations
Maturity
7/2030
9/2027
Interest
Rate
as
of
December
31,
2018
10.34%
7.00%-19.59%
2018
2017
(In
thousands)
$
$
19,265 $
99,655
118,920 $
19,457
102,059
121,516
In September 2010, the Company entered into a transaction by which it assigned to an unrelated third party its fixed price “in the money”
purchase option of $18.3 million on a warehouse it was leasing in Ontario, California. The purchase option was exercised in September 2010,
and the Company simultaneously entered into a new 20 -year lease agreement with the new owner and received $1.0 million of consideration
to use towards warehouse improvements. Under the terms of the new lease agreement, the Company will exercise control over the asset for
more than 90% of the asset’s remaining useful life, and it has a purchase option within the last six months of the initial lease term at 95% of
the fair market value as of the date such option is exercised. The transaction was accounted for as a financing whereby the Company
recognized a long-lived asset equal to the purchase price of $18.2 million , a receivable of $1.0 million for the additional consideration, and a
financing obligation of $19.2 million . During 2018 and 2017 , the principal balance was amortized by nominal amounts. The long-lived asset
is being depreciated on a straight-line basis over its remaining economic useful life and a proportionate amount of each periodic rental
payment is being charged to interest expense on the effective-interest-rate method.
In September 2007, the Company completed a sale-leaseback of 11 warehouses for gross proceeds of $170.7 million . Concurrent with the
sale, the Company agreed to lease the properties for various initial terms of 10 to 20 years. The rent increases annually by 1.75% . The lease
terms can be extended up to four times at the discretion of the Company, each for a five -year period. The leases are guaranteed by an
unsecured indemnity from a related party and the Company had the ability to extend the lease through a period which exceeds 90.0% of the
assets’ remaining useful lives. The transaction was accounted for as a financing with an amount of each periodic rental payment being
charged to interest expense. The assets continue to be reflected as long-lived assets and depreciated over their remaining useful lives. In July
2013, the lease agreements for six of the 11 warehouses were amended. The amendments extended the expiration date on four of the
warehouse leases to September 27, 2027, reduced the annual rent increases from 1.75% to 0.50% on five of the warehouse leases and released
the guarantee by the unsecured indemnity from the related party. All of the 11 warehouses subject to the sale-leaseback transaction continue
to be accounted for as a financing.
In February 1996, the Company entered into a sale-leaseback agreement for one warehouse, which was accounted for as a financing. During
2011, the Company elected to extend the lease term for an additional five -year period ending in February 2016, with the option to purchase
the property for fair market value in August 2016. The Company exercised its option and purchased the property on September 15, 2016 for
$3.5 million . As a result, the Company recorded interest expense of $0.3 million to account for the difference between the purchase price of
the warehouse and the balance of the lease obligation extinguished.
F- 54
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
As of December 31, 2018 , future minimum lease payments, inclusive of certain obligations to be settled with the residual value of related
long-lived assets upon expiration of the lease agreement, of the sale-leaseback financing obligations are as follows:
Years
Ending
December
31:
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Total minimum payments
Interest portion
Present value of net minimum payments
12
.
Lease
Commitments
(In
thousands)
16,829
17,087
17,351
17,619
17,892
133,260
220,038
(101,118)
118,920
$
$
The Company has entered into capital and operating lease agreements for equipment and warehouses. The lease terms generally range from
five to 20 years, with renewal or purchase options.
As of December 31, 2018 , future minimum lease payments under capital leases are as follows:
Years
Ending
December
31:
(In
thousands)
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Total minimum lease payments
Interest portion
Present value of net minimum payments
F- 55
$
$
12,415
11,788
10,350
5,025
2,469
6,575
48,622
(7,835)
40,787
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
As of December 31, 2018 , future minimum lease payments under operating leases are as follows:
Years
Ending
December
31:
(In
thousands)
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Total minimum lease payments
$
$
25,453
20,590
11,051
8,204
7,894
20,757
93,949
Rent expense, inclusive of month-to-month rental charges, for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 was $36.7 million , $42.3
million and $40.4 million , respectively.
13
.
Fair
Value
Measurements
The Company categorizes assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair values into one of three tiers based upon fair value hierarchy. These
tiers include: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than
Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are
not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market, or other inputs that are
observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as
unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts
receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and revolving line of credit approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturities of
the instruments.
The Company’s mortgage notes, senior unsecured notes, term loans, and construction loans are reported at their aggregate principal amount
less unamortized original issue discount and deferred financing costs on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of
these financial instruments is estimated based on the present value of the expected coupon and principal payments using a discount rate that
reflects the projected performance as of each valuation date. The inputs used to estimate the fair value of the Company’s mortgage notes,
senior unsecured notes, term loans and construction loans are comprised of Level 2 inputs, including senior industrial commercial real estate
loan spreads, trading data on comparable unsecured industrial REIT debt, corporate industrial loan indexes, risk-free interest rates, and Level
3 inputs, such as future coupon and principal payments, and projected future cash flows.
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis include certain investments included in cash
equivalent money market funds and restricted cash assets. The Company’s cash equivalent money market funds and restricted cash assets are
valued at quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1), which the Company receives from the financial institutions
that hold such investments on its behalf. The fair value hierarchy discussed above is also applicable to the Company’s pension and other post-
retirement plans. The Company uses the fair value hierarchy to measure the fair value of assets held by various plans. Refer to Note 19 for the
fair value of the pension plan assets. The Company recognizes transfers between levels within the hierarchy as of the beginning of the
reporting period. There were no transfers between levels within the hierarchy for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 .
F- 56
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The Company’s assets and liabilities measured or disclosed at fair value are as follows:
Measured
at
fair
value
on
a
recurring
basis:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Interest rate swap liability
Cross-currency swap asset
Assets held by various pension plans:
Measured
at
fair
value
on
a
non-recurring
basis:
Long-lived assets written down:
Property, plant and equipment
Disclosed
at
fair
value:
$
Fair
Value
Hierarchy
Level 1
Level 1
Level 2
Level 2
Level 1
Level 2
Fair
Value
December
31,
2018
2017
(In
thousands)
208,078 $
6,019
—
2,283
30,281
29,456
48,873
21,090
2,463
—
32,626
33,102
Level 3
—
2,576
Mortgage notes, term loans and construction loan
Level 3
$
1,365,812 $
1,807,199
14
.
Dividends
and
Distributions
In order to comply with the REIT requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company is generally required to make common share
distributions (other than capital gain distributions) to its shareholders at least equal to 90% of its REIT taxable income, as defined in the
Code, computed without regard to the dividends paid deduction and net capital gains. The Company’s common share dividend policy is to
distribute a percentage of cash flow to ensure distribution requirements of the IRS are met while allowing the Company to retain cash to meet
other needs, such as principal amortization, capital improvements and other investment activities.
Common share dividends are characterized for U.S. federal income tax purposes as ordinary income, qualified dividend, capital gains, non-
taxable income return of capital, or a combination of the four. Common share dividends that exceed current and accumulated earnings and
profits (calculated for tax purposes) constitute a return of capital rather than a dividend and generally reduce the shareholder’s basis in the
common share. To the extent that a dividend exceeds both current and accumulated earnings and profits and the shareholder’s basis in the
common share, it will generally be treated as a gain from the sale or exchange of that shareholder’s common share. At the beginning of each
year, we notify our shareholders of the taxability of the common share dividends paid during the preceding year. The payment of common
share dividends is dependent upon our financial condition, operating results, and REIT distribution requirements and may be adjusted at the
discretion of the Company’s Board of Trustees.
The following tables summarize dividends declared and distributions paid to the holders of common shares and Series B Preferred Shares in
2018, 2017 and 2016:
F- 57
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Month
Declared/Paid
Dividend
Per
Share
2018
Distributions
Declared
Distributions
Paid
Common
Shares
Series
B
Preferred
Shares
Common
Shares
Series
B
Preferred
Shares
(In
thousands,
except
per
share
amounts)
January (a)
March/April
March (c)
March/April
June/July
June (d)
June/July
$
0.0186 $
1,291 $
619 $
1,291 $
619
0.1396
20,145
—
20,145
(79)
20
Dividend equivalents accrued on unvested
restricted stock units to be paid when the
awards vest.
Dividend equivalents paid on unvested
restricted stock units that are not expected to
vest (recognized as additional compensation).
—
—
0.1875
27,250
—
27,246
—
September/October
0.1875
28,072
—
28,072
October (e)
September/October
December/January (2019) $
0.1875
28,218
—
(114)
—
—
28
—
$
104,976
$
76,523
(114)
28
Dividend equivalents accrued on unvested
restricted stock units to be paid when the
awards vest.
Dividend equivalents paid on unvested
restricted stock units that are not expected to
vest (recognized as additional compensation).
Dividend equivalents accrued on unvested
restricted stock units to be paid when the
awards vest.
Dividend equivalents paid on unvested
restricted stock units that are not expected to
vest (recognized as additional compensation).
—
—
—
—
—
Series B Preferred Shares - Fixed Dividend
January (a)
Total distributions paid to holders of Series B Preferred
Shares (b)
1,198
1,198
$
1,817
$
1,817
(a) Stub period dividend paid to shareholders of record prior to the IPO.
(b) Last participating and fixed dividend paid to holders of Series B Preferred Shares in connection with the conversion to common shares on the IPO date.
(c) Declared in March and included in the $20.1 million declared.
(d) Declared in June and included in the $27.3 million declared.
(e) Declared in September and included in the $28.1 million declared.
F- 58
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Month
Declared
Dividend
Per
Share
Distributions
Paid
Month
Paid
2017
Common
Shares
Series
B
Preferred
Shares
(In
thousands,
except
per
share
amounts)
March
June
September
December
$
$
0.073 $
0.073
0.073
0.073
$
5,053 $
5,054
5,053
5,054
20,214
Series B Preferred Shares - Fixed Dividend
Total distributions paid to holders of Series B Preferred Shares
$
(a) Participating dividend.
(b) Paid in equal quarterly amounts along with the participating dividend.
2016
2,421
2,422
April
July
2,421
October
2,422
December
9,686 (a)
18,750 (b)
28,436
Month
Declared
Dividend
Per
Share
Distributions
Paid
Month
Paid
Common
Shares
Series
B
Preferred
Shares
(In
thousands,
except
per
share
amounts)
March
June
September
December
$
$
0.073 $
0.073
0.073
0.073
$
5,053 $
5,054
5,053
5,054
20,214
Series B Preferred Shares - Fixed Dividend
Total distributions paid to holders of Series B Preferred Shares
$
(a) Participating dividend.
(b) Paid in equal quarterly amounts along with the participating dividend.
2,421
2,422
April
July
2,421
October
2,422
December
9,686 (a)
18,750 (b)
28,436
The dividends declared and paid to holders of Series A Preferred Shares were $0.001 million , $0.016 million and $0.016 million for the
years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
For income tax purposes, distributions to preferred and common shareholders are characterized as ordinary income, capital gains, or as a
return of shareholder invested capital. The composition of the Company’s distributions per common share and per preferred share is as
follows:
F- 59
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Common
Shares
Ordinary income
Capital gains
Return of capital
Preferred
Shares
Ordinary income
Capital gains
Return of capital
2018
2017
2016
66%
0%
34%
100%
85%
0%
15%
100%
2018
2017
2016
100%
0%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
100%
15
.
Partners'
Capital
Allocations of Net Income and Net Losses to Partners
The operating partnership’s net income will generally be allocated to Americold Realty Trust (the general partner) and the operating
partnership’s limited partner, Americold Realty Operations Inc., in accordance with the respective percentage interests in the units issued by
the operating partnership. Net loss will generally be allocated to the general partner and the operating partnership’s limited partners in
accordance with the respective common percentage interests in the operating partnership until the limited partner’s capital is reduced to zero
and any remaining net loss would be allocated to the general partner. However, in some cases, losses may be disproportionately allocated to
partners who have guaranteed our debt. The allocations described above are subject to special allocations relating to depreciation deductions
and to compliance with the provisions of Sections 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code, and the associated Treasury Regulations.
Distributions
All distributions on our units are at the discretion of Americold Realty Trusts' board of trustees. We have declared and paid the
following distributions to the Parent for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
F- 60
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Month
Declared/Paid
Distributions
Declared
Distributions
Paid
(In
thousands)
2018
January (a)
January (e)
March/April
March (b)
June/July
June (c)
September (e)
September/October
October (d)
December/January
$
$
3,242 $
5,750
20,145
27,250
2,455
28,072
28,218
115,132 $
3,242
5,750
20,165
(79)
27,274
(114)
2,455
28,100
(114)
—
86,679
(a) Stub period distribution paid to Parent immediately prior to the IPO.
(b) Distribution equivalents declared in March and included in the $20.1 million , accrued on unvested restricted stock units to be paid when the awards vest.
(c) Distribution equivalents declared in June and included in the $27.3 million , accrued on unvested restricted stock units to be paid when the awards vest.
(d) Distribution equivalents declared in September and included in the $28.1 million , accrued on unvested restricted stock units to be paid when the awards vest.
(e) Distribution was paid to Parent for payment of underwriters' costs in conjunction with the offering completed in the respective quarter, and for conversion of
Series A Preferred shares in connection with the IPO.
2017
Month
Declared/Paid
Distributions
Paid
(In
thousands)
March/April
June/July
September/October
December
$
$
2016
12,161
12,171
12,162
12,172
48,666
Month
Declared/Paid
Distributions
Paid
(In
thousands)
March/April
June/July
September/October
December
$
$
F- 61
12,161
12,171
12,162
12,172
48,666
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
16
.
Warrants
On December 10, 2009, the Company issued to affiliates of Yucaipa warrants to purchase 18,574,619 additional common shares at an
exercise price of $9.81 per share (Warrants), which were exercisable at any time at the option of Yucaipa through December 10, 2016. In
2015, Yucaipa contributed the Warrants to YF ART Holdings L.P.
On December 7, 2016, the Company amended the agreement granting the Warrants to YF ART Holdings L.P. to extend the expiration date
from December 10, 2016 to March 10, 2017. As a result of this modification, the Company calculated the change in the estimated fair value
of the Warrants before and after the extension date, and concluded that the change in the expiration date increased the estimated fair value of
the Warrants by $3.9 million , which the Company recognized as a charge to stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December
31, 2016.
On March 10, 2017, YF ART Holdings L.P. did not exercise its option to purchase additional common shares under the Warrants, and the
Company amended the Warrants agreement several times during 2017, and ultimately extended the Warrants expiration date to January 31,
2018. The Company calculated the change in the estimated fair value of the Warrants before and after each extension date in 2017, and
concluded that the change in the expiration date, in each case, did not increase the estimated fair value of the Warrants. Therefore, the
Company did not recognize any charges associated with the Warrants during the year ended December 31, 2017 .
As discussed in Note 1 , in connection with the IPO the Warrants were exercised in full on a cashless basis resulting in the issuance of
6,426,818 common shares.
17
.
Share-Based
Compensation
All share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award. The Company issues time-
based, performance-based and market performance-based equity awards. Time-based and market performance-based awards are recognized
on a straight-line basis over the employees’ requisite service period, as adjusted for estimate of forfeitures. Performance-based awards are
recognized ratably over the vesting period using a graded vesting attribution model upon the achievement of the performance target, as
adjusted for estimate of forfeitures. The only performance-based awards issued by the Company were granted in 2016 and 2017.
Aggregate stock-based compensation charges related to stock options and restricted stock units were $10.7 million , $2.4 million and $2.5
million during the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and were included as a component of "Selling, general and
administrative" expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2018 , there was $24.0 million of
unrecognized stock‑based compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock units, which will be recognized over a
weighted-average period of 2.5 years .
Americold Realty Trust 2008 and 2010 Equity Incentive Plans
During December 2008, the Company and the common shareholders approved the Americold Realty Trust 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (2008
Plan), whereby the Company may issue either stock options or stock appreciation rights based upon a reserved pool of 4,900,025 common
shares. The Company awarded no options in 2018 , 2017 or 2016 under the 2008 Plan. The only active awards remaining under the 2008 Plan
were exercised during 2018. The Company is no longer permitted to grant awards under this Plan as a result of replacing the 2008 Plan with
the 2010 Plan. During December 2010, the Company and the common shareholders approved the Americold Realty Trust 2010 Equity
Incentive Plan (2010 Plan), whereby the Company could issue stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units,
stock bonus awards, and/or dividend equivalents with respect to the Company’s
F- 62
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
common shares, cash bonus awards, and/or performance compensation awards to certain eligible participants, as defined, based upon a
reserved pool of 3,849,976 of the Company’s common shares.
Modification of Restricted Stock Units
On January 4, 2018, the Company’s board of trustees approved the modification of awards to allow the grant of dividend equivalents to all
participants in the 2010 Plan with respect to any and all vested restricted stock units of the Company that have not been settled pursuant to the
2010 Plan. On the same day, the Company’s board of trustees resolved that no further awards may be granted under the 2010 Plan after the
approval of the Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (2017 Plan). As a result, the Company recognized share-based
compensation expense of $2.0 million to reflect the change in fair value associated with the modification of the dividend equivalents rights of
the outstanding equity awards under the 2010 Plan.
Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan
On January 4, 2018, the Company’s board of trustees adopted the 2017 Plan, which permits the grant of various forms of equity- and cash-
based awards from a reserved pool of 9,000,000 common shares of the Company. The maximum aggregate number of shares granted to any
participant other than a non-employee trustees or consultant in any calendar year for which options or stock appreciation rights (SARs) shall
be 1,000,000 shares, for awards other than options or SARs that are performance-based compensation, denominated in shares, shall be
1,500,000 shares.
On January 17, 2018, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2017 Plan. Equity-based awards issued under the 2017 Plan have the rights
to receive dividend equivalents on an accrual basis. Dividend equivalents accrued are paid upon the vesting of the awards, and for awards that
are forfeited during the vesting period no dividend equivalents will be paid. Certain restricted stock units issued in connection with the IPO to
retain key employees of the Company and time-based awards have the right to receive nonforfeitable dividend equivalent distributions on
unvested units. As of December 31, 2018, 7,399,311 shares of common stock, including awards convertible into or exchangeable for shares
of common stock remained available for future issuance under the 2017 Plan.
Restricted Stock Units
Restricted stock units are nontransferable until vested. Prior to the issuance of a common share, the grantees of restricted stock units are not
entitled to vote the shares. Time-based restricted stock unit awards vest in equal annual increments over the vesting period. The grant date fair
values for time-based restricted unit stock awards is equal to the closing market price of Americold Realty Trust common stock on the grant
date. Performance-based and market performance-based restricted stock unit awards vest upon the achievement of the performance target, as
well as completion of performance period.
F- 63
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The following table summarizes restricted stock unit grants by grantee type during the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 :
Year
Ended
December
31
2018
2018
2017
2017
2016
Grantee
Type
Director group
Employee group
Director group
Employee group
Director group
Number
of
Restricted
Stock
Units
Granted
373,438
1,263,751
18,348
141,288
18,348
Vesting
Period
1-3 years
1-4 years
2-3 years
5 years
2-3 years
Grant
Date
Fair
Value
5,975,008
22,195,706
198,892
1,897,498
198,892
$
$
$
$
$
Of the restricted stock units granted for the year ended December 31, 2018 , (i) 331,250 were time-based restricted stock units with a three -
year vesting period issued to non-employee trustees in connection with the IPO, (ii) 42,188 were time-based restricted stock units with a one -
year vesting period issued to non-employee trustees as part of their annual compensation, (iii) 659,751 were time-based restricted stock units
with various vesting periods ranging from one to four years issued to certain employees and (iv) 604,000 were market performance-based
restricted stock units with a three -year vesting period issued to certain employees.
Of the restricted stock units granted for the year ended December 31, 2017, (i) 18,348 were time-based restricted stock units with a three -
year vesting period issued to non-employee trustees as part of their annual compensation, (ii) 69,860 were time-based restricted stock units
with a five -year vesting period issued to certain employees a (iii) 71,428 were performance-based restricted stock units with a five -year
vesting period based upon achievement of annual Company EBITDA performance against target.
The restricted stock units granted for the year ended December 31, 2016 were time-based with a three -year vesting period, issued to non-
employee trustees as part of their annual compensation.
The following table provides a summary of restricted stock awards activity under the 2010 and 2017 Plans as of December 31, 2018 :
Restricted
Stock
Non-vested as of December 31, 2017
Granted
Vested (1)
Forfeited
Non-vested as of December 31, 2018
Year
Ended
December
31,
2018
Number
of
Time-
Based
Restricted
Stock
Units
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in
millions)
Number
of
Performance-
Based
Restricted
Stock
Units
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in
millions)
Number
of
Market
Performance-
Based
Restricted
Stock
Units
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in
millions)
34,633
1,033,189
(19,566)
(20,000)
1,028,256 $
N/A
26.3
71,428
—
—
—
71,428 $
N/A
1.8
—
604,000
—
(16,500)
587,500 $
N/A
15.0
The weighted average grant-date fair value of restricted stock units granted during years 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $17.21 , $13.13 and
$10.84 per unit, respectively. As of December 31, 2018 the weighted average grant date
F- 64
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
fair value of vested restricted stock units was $11.27 , for forfeited restricted stock units was $14.83 , and non-vested restricted stock units
was $17.06 per unit.
(1) For certain vested restricted stock units, common shares shall not be issued until the first to occur of: (1) termination of service; (2) change in control;
(3) death; or (4) disability, as defined in the 2010 Plan. For certain vested restricted stock units, common shares shall not be issued until the first to occur of:
(1) change in control or (2) set cliff vesting dates, as defined in the 2010 Plan. Holders of these certain vested restricted stock units are entitled to receive
dividends, but are not entitled to vote the shares until common shares are issued. The amount of vested restricted stock units was 613,605 as of December 31,
2018 and had a related aggregate intrinsic value of $15.7 million at $25.54 per unit.
Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
Market performance-based restricted units, which were determined to contain a market condition, utilize absolute total shareholder return
(TSR) over a three-year measurement period as the market performance metric. Awards will vest based on the Company’s TSR relative to the
percentage appreciation (rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent), in the value per share of stock during the performance period, over a
three-year market performance period, commencing on January 18, 2018 and ending on December 31, 2020 (or, if earlier, ending on the date
on which a change in control of the Company occurs), subject to continued services. In the event that the TSR upon completion of the market
performance period is achieved at the “minimum,” “target” or “maximum” level as set forth below, the awards will become vested as to the
market condition with respect to the percentage RSUs, as applicable, set forth below:
Performance
Level
Thresholds
Minimum
Target
Maximum
TSR
8%
10%
12%
Market
Performance
Percentage
50% of Target Award
100% of Target Award
150% of Target Award
In the event TSR falls between 8% and 10% , TSR shall be determined using a straight line linear interpolation between 50% and 100% and
in the event it falls between 10% and 12% , TSR shall be determined using a straight line linear interpolation between 100% and 150% .
In the event that the Company’s TSR does not meet 50% of the Target Award (i.e., the minimum threshold listed above), the Restricted Stock
Units shall be automatically forfeited and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall have any further obligations to the participant under
the agreement. In no event will the number of RSUs that vest pursuant to the agreement exceed 150% of the Target Award.
The fair values of the awards were measured using a Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the probability of the market vesting condition being
satisfied. The Company’s achievement of the market vesting condition is contingent on its TSR over a three-year market performance period,
relative to the total stock price. Monte Carlo simulation is well-accepted for pricing market based awards, where the number of shares that
will vest depends on the future stock price movements. For each simulated path, the TSR is calculated at the end of the performance period
and determines the vesting percentage based on achievement of the performance target. Upon achieving the minimum performance target,
RSUs will vest on the date and their payout will be the stock price at the time of vesting multiplied by the vesting percentage, plus cumulative
dividends paid; then discounted at the future payout of vested RSUs to the valuation date by the risk free rate. The fair value of the RSUs is
the average discounted payout across all simulation paths. Assumptions used in the valuations are summarized as follows:
F- 65
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Award
Date
2/26/2018
4/2/2018
7/1/2018
10/1/2018
Expected
Stock
Price
Volatility
30%
30%
30%
25%
Risk-Free
Interest
Rate
2.35%
2.34%
2.58%
2.85%
Dividend
Yield
4.70%
4.04%
3.41%
3.01%
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
The grant of performance-based restricted stock unit award in April 2017 resulted in a grant date fair value of $13.43 and was measured
utilizing the Black-Scholes methodology. The Company’s achievement of the performance vesting condition was contingent on the
achievement of Core EBITDA. The key assumptions used in the valuation of the April 2017 award was as follows:
Award
Date
4/10/2017
Expected
Stock
Price
Volatility
30%
Risk-Free
Interest
Rate
1.63%
Dividend
Yield
2%
Stock Options Activity
The Company did not grant any stock options during 2018 or 2017. The following table summarizes stock option grants under the 2010 Plan
during the year ended December 31, 2016:
Year
Ended
December
31
2016
Grantee
Type
Employee group
#
of
Options
Granted
1,355,000
Vesting
Period
5 years
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
$9.81
Grant
Date
Fair
Value
$
4,674,750
The Company’s calculations of the fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2016 were determined based on
the Black-Scholes option-pricing model utilizing the following assumptions:
Weighted-average expected life
Risk-free interest rate
Expected volatility
Expected dividend yield
2016
6.6 years
1.6%
33%
2.0%
The expected term is calculated using the assumption that the options will be exercised ratably from the date of vesting to the end of the
contractual term for each vesting tranche of awards. Our history approximates the ratable exercise period. The risk-free interest rate is based
on the U.S. Treasury yield curve for the period of the expected term of the stock option. Expected volatility is calculated using an index of
publicly traded peer companies.
F- 66
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The following table provides a summary of option activity for the year ended December 31, 2018 :
Outstanding as of December 31, 2017
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited or expired
Outstanding as of December 31, 2018
Number
of
Options
Weighted-Average
Exercise
Price
5,477,617 $
—
(2,993,709)
(128,121)
2,355,787 $
9.72
—
9.69
8.84
9.81
Exercisable as of December 31, 2018
1,167,789 $
9.81
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual
Terms
(Years)
6.0
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in
millions)
N/A
5.4 $
3.8 $
37.1
18.4
The total fair value at grant date of stock option awards that vested during the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 was
approximately $1.5 million , $1.6 million and $1.3 million , respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the year ended
December 31, 2018, was $38.8 million . There were no options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
18
.
Income
Taxes
As discussed in Note 2 , the Company operates in compliance with REIT requirements for federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, the
Company must distribute at least 90 percent of its taxable income (including dividends paid to it by its TRSs). In addition, the Company must
meet a number of other organizational and operational requirements. It is management’s intention to adhere to these requirements and
maintain the Company’s REIT status. Most states where we operate conform to the federal rules recognizing REITs. As of December 31,
2018, the operating partnership is a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes. In the future, if the Company issues partnership units
to unrelated third parties, the operating partnership will become a regarded partnership under federal tax law. As such, no provision for
federal income taxes has been included in the operating partnership's accompanying consolidated financial statements. Certain subsidiaries
have made an election with the Company to be treated as TRSs in conjunction with the Company’s REIT election; the TRS elections permit
us to engage in certain business activities in which the REIT may not engage directly. A TRS is subject to federal and state income taxes on
the income from these activities. A provision for taxes of the TRSs and of foreign branches of the REIT is included in our consolidated
financial statements.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation in the form of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that
significantly revises the U.S. tax code effective January 1, 2018 by, among other things, lowering the corporate income tax rate from a top
marginal rate of 35% to a flat 21%, imposing a mandatory one-time deemed repatriation of unremitted foreign earnings (commonly referred
to as the “transition tax”), limiting deductibility of interest expense and certain executive compensation, and implementing a territorial tax
system. The full impact of this change in tax law is final and the Company has completed its accounting for the tax effects of the TCJA as of
December 31, 2018. As a result of adopting the TCJA, a $3.8 million tax benefit was recognized during the year.
The Company determined that no inclusion was required for the mandatory one-time deemed repatriation of unremitted foreign earnings
(commonly referred to as the “transition tax”); the reduction was due to a refinement of
F- 67
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
the calculation of its share of earnings and profits of non-consolidated foreign subsidiaries at the TRS. Most foreign subsidiaries are owned
by the REIT which does not record deferred taxes.
The Company continues to assert that the undistributed earnings of its Hong Kong and Argentine subsidiaries are permanently reinvested.
The Company changed its assertion for the earnings of its Canadian subsidiaries in 2018, due to the Company's plans to remit cash in the
future, and recognized an amount of deferred tax liability related to the outside basis difference of $0.4 million . No additional income taxes
have been provided for any additional outside basis difference inherent in these entities, as these amounts continue to be indefinitely
reinvested in foreign operations. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability for any additional outside basis difference in
these entities is not practicable due to the complexities of the hypothetical calculation in determining outside basis. Undistributed earnings of
the Argentine subsidiary amounted to approximately $13.6 million at December 31, 2018.
The global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) provisions of the TCJA impose a tax on the income of certain foreign subsidiaries in excess
of a specified return on tangible assets used by the foreign companies. FASB Staff Q&A, Topic 740, No. 5, Accounting for Global Intangible
Low-Taxed Income, states that an entity can make an accounting policy election to either recognize deferred taxes for temporary basis
differences expected to reverse as GILTI in future years or provide for the tax expense related to GILTI in the year the tax is incurred. The
Company accounts for the GILTI as a period cost and thus has not recorded any deferred tax liability associated with GILTI. The amount of
taxable deemed dividend recorded for the Company for the 2018 year is $0.2 million . Also, as a result of IRS guidance issued during the
third quarter of 2018, the Company now includes any GILTI as REIT qualified income.
Following is a summary of the income/(loss) before income taxes in the U.S. and foreign operations:
U.S.
Foreign
Pre-tax income
2018
2017
2016
(In
thousands)
$
$
37,060 $
7,306
44,366 $
(11,212) $
19,997
8,785 $
(9,626)
20,437
10,811
The benefit (expense) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 is as follows:
F- 68
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Current
U.S. federal
State
Foreign
Total current portion
Deferred
U.S. federal
State
Foreign
Total deferred portion
Income tax benefit (expense)
2018
2017
2016
(In
thousands)
$
$
4,424 $
(353)
(3,604)
467
2,094
494
564
3,152
3,619 $
(4,848) $
(644)
(7,559)
(13,051)
2,277
(72)
1,453
3,658
(9,393) $
430
381
(7,276)
(6,465)
(797)
(64)
1,447
586
(5,879)
Income tax benefit (expense) attributable to income (loss) before income taxes differs from the amounts computed by applying the U.S.
statutory federal income tax rate of 21% to income (loss) before income taxes. The reconciliation between the statutory rate and reported
amount is as follows:
Income taxes at statutory rates
Earnings from REIT - not subject to tax
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
Provision to return
Rate and permanent differences on non-U.S. earnings
Valuation allowance
Non-deductible expenses
Change in uncertain tax positions
Amended returns/refunds
Effect of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Quarry tax basis in land
Investment in foreign subsidiary
REIT excise tax
Other
Total
2018
2017
2016
(In
thousands)
$
$
(9,317) $
9,015
(187)
360
(1,228)
(2,227)
4,021
347
—
3,797
—
—
—
(962)
3,619 $
(2,987) $
(425)
(445)
(205)
668
2,950
(2,345)
94
—
(3,113)
—
—
(4,772)
1,187
(9,393) $
(3,676)
(672)
615
(416)
1,739
(1,542)
(873)
564
360
—
(3,025)
616
—
431
(5,879)
F- 69
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are
as follows:
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss and credits carryforwards
Accrued expenses
Stock-based compensation
Other assets
Total gross deferred tax assets
Less: valuation allowance
Total net deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets and goodwill
Property, plant, and equipment
Other liabilities
Total gross deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liability
2018
2017
(In
thousands)
14,062 $
25,889
4,709
241
44,901
(19,627)
25,274
(5,628)
(35,672)
(1,144)
(42,444)
(17,170) $
6,592
26,263
3,511
356
36,722
(15,910)
20,812
(5,197)
(34,758)
(1,495)
(41,450)
(20,638)
$
$
As of December 31, 2018 , the Company has gross U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $41.2 million , of which
$20.4 million was generated prior to 2018 and will expire between 2032 and 2036 . These losses may be subject to annual limitation under
IRC section 382 as a result of our IPO. The remaining $20.8 million was generated after 2017 and is subject to new laws as set forth by the
TCJA and has no expiration date, but can only be utilized to offset up to 80% of future taxable income annually. The Company has state net
operating loss carryforwards of approximately $18.6 million from its TRSs, which will expire at various times between 2019 and 2037 . The
Company has an Alternative Minimum Tax credit carryforward in the amount of $3.8 million that can be used to offset regular tax until 2021
or any unused credit will be refunded beginning in 2018 and fully refunded by 2021 . The Company has recorded a refund receivable for the
$3.8 million . Additionally, the Company has a federal Research and Experimentation Credit of approximately $0.7 million that will expire
between 2036 and 2038 .
The Company established a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets exclusive of a portion of indefinite-lived intangibles for
one of its U.S. TRSs in 2014. In assessing the need for measuring and recording a valuation allowance existence or adjustment, the Company
considers recent operating results, the expected scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable benefits and tax
planning strategies. As a result of this assessment, the Company increased the valuation allowance from $15.9 million in 2017 to $19.6
million in 2018.
F- 70
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The following table summarizes the activity related to our gross unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and
2016 :
Balance at December 31, 2015*
Increases related to current-year tax positions
Decreases due to lapse in statute of limitations
Balance at December 31, 2016*
Increases related to current-year tax positions
Decreases related to prior-year tax positions
Decreases due to lapse in statute of limitations
Balance at December 31, 2017*
Decreases due to lapse in statute of limitations
Balance at December 31, 2018*
Tax
Interest
Penalties
Total
$
$
1,514 $
—
(657)
857
—
—
(73)
784
(353)
431 $
(In
thousands)
104 $
21
(106)
19
3
(4)
(12)
6
(6)
0 $
$
27
—
(19)
8
—
(8)
—
—
—
— $
1,645
21
(782)
884
3
(12)
(85)
790
(359)
431
*Balance would favorably affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized.
The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits include exposures related to positions taken on U.S. federal, state, and foreign income tax returns
as of December 31, 2018. There are no material unrecognized tax benefits related to positions taken in and after 2014. The Company believes
that it is reasonably possible that approximately $0.4 million of its unrecognized tax benefits related U.S. federal and state exposures may be
reduced by the end of 2019 as a result of a lapse of the statute of limitations and settlements with tax authorities.
In the normal course of business, the Company’s tax returns are subject to examination by various taxing authorities. Such examinations may
result in future tax and interest assessments by these taxing authorities and the Company has accrued a liability when it believes it is more
likely than not that the tax position claimed on tax returns will not be sustained by the taxing authorities on the technical merits of the
position. Changes in the recognition of the liability are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.
The Company accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.
Differences between the estimated and actual amounts determined upon ultimate resolution, individually or in the aggregate, are not expected
to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, but could possibly be material to the Company’s
consolidated results of operations or cash flow in a given quarter or annual period.
As of December 31, 2018, the Company is generally no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local, or foreign examinations by tax authorities
for years before 2015. However, for U.S. income tax purposes, the 2009 tax year was open as of December 31, 2018, to the extent that net
operating losses were generated in those years that continue to be subject to adjustments from taxing authorities.
In the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company filed a ruling request with the IRS for confirmation of a tax position for which it believes qualifies
(more likely than not) for the treatment historically applied by the Company. The Company settled the positions with the IRS in December
2017 and was required to make an excise tax payment in the amount
F- 71
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
of $4.3 million including interest to resolve the matter for years prior to 2017 and paid $0.6 million in 2018 to resolve the matter for 2017.
The payments, excluding interest, are included in Current income tax benefit (expense) in the consolidated statement of operations for the
year ended December 31, 2017.
19
.
Employee
Benefit
Plans
Defined
Benefit
Pension
and
Post-Retirement
Plans
The Company has defined benefit pension plans that cover certain union and nonunion employees in the U.S. Benefits under these plans are
based either on years of credited service and compensation during the years preceding retirement or on years of credited service and
established monthly benefit levels. The Company also has a post-retirement plan that provides life insurance coverage to eligible retired
employees (collectively, with the defined benefit plans, the U.S. Plans). The Company froze benefit accruals for the U.S. Plans for nonunion
employees effective April 1, 2005, and these employees no longer earn additional pension benefits. The Company also has a defined benefit
plan that covers certain employees in Australia and is referenced as superannuation (the Offshore Plan). The Company uses a December 31
measurement date for the U.S. Plans and the Offshore Plan.
F- 72
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Actuarial information regarding these plans is as follows:
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation – January 1, 2018
Service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial gain
Benefits paid
Other - plan change
Plan participants’ contributions
Foreign currency translation loss
Benefit obligation – end of year
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets – January 1, 2018
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Benefits paid
Other - plan change
Plan participants’ contributions
Foreign currency translation loss
Fair value of plan assets – end of year
Funded status
Amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31,
2018:
Retirement
Income
Plan
National
Service-Related
Pension
Plan
December
31,
2018
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
(In
thousands)
Superannuation
Total
$
(45,386) $
(33,405) $
(691) $
(3,002) $
(82,484)
(31)
(78)
(1,418)
(1,199)
753
3,125
2,718
—
—
—
930
—
—
—
—
(20)
33
—
—
—
—
(137)
(246)
(104)
179
1,391
—
(21)
309
(2,741)
4,090
5,039
—
(21)
309
(43,364)
(30,627)
(678)
(1,385)
(76,054)
38,218
24,518
(2,042)
(1,446)
1,499
1,135
(2,717)
(930)
—
—
—
—
—
—
34,958
23,277
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2,992
65,728
50
125
(3,438)
2,759
(1,391)
(5,038)
—
21
—
21
(295)
(295)
1,502
59,737
$
(8,406) $
(7,350) $
(678) $
117
$
(16,317)
Pension and post-retirement liability
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
Net loss (gain)
Prior service cost
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other
comprehensive income (loss):
Net loss (gain)
Amortization of net loss (gain)
Amortization of prior service cost
Amount recognized due to special event
Foreign currency translation loss
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)
Information for plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of
plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets
$
$
$
$
$
(8,406) $
(7,350) $
(678) $
117
$
(16,317)
9,718
4,278
9,718
4,278
—
—
3,337
(1,244)
—
—
—
(311)
(715)
—
—
—
(92)
(92)
—
(34)
—
—
—
—
2,093 $
(1,026) $
(34) $
170
14,074
65
105
(66)
—
(28)
(64)
26
(132) $
13,969
105
2,926
(1,959)
(28)
(64)
26
901
43,364 $
43,364 $
34,958 $
30,627 $
30,627 $
23,277 $
678 $
678 $
— $
1,385
1,186
1,502
$
$
$
76,054
75,855
59,737
F- 73
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Retirement
Income
Plan
National
Service-Related
Pension
Plan
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
December
31,
2017
Superannuation
Total
(In
thousands)
$
(45,249) $
(30,801) $
(703) $
(2,769) $
(79,522)
(65)
(504)
(1,583)
(1,070)
2,581
—
—
—
(1,256)
(1,734)
890
—
—
—
—
(22)
(14)
—
48
—
—
(153)
(722)
(120)
(142)
632
(181)
(2,981)
(2,960)
4,103
(133)
(43)
(43)
(226)
(226)
(45,386)
(33,405)
(691)
(3,002)
(82,484)
33,962
21,044
5,344
1,493
3,308
1,056
(2,581)
(890)
—
—
—
—
—
—
38,218
24,518
—
—
48
—
(48)
—
—
—
2,717
57,723
262
379
8,914
2,976
(632)
(4,103)
0
43
223
(48)
43
223
2,992
65,728
$
(7,168) $
(8,887) $
(691) $
(10) $
(16,756)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation – January 1, 2017
Service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial loss
Benefits paid
Other - plan change
Plan participants’ contributions
Foreign currency translation gain
Benefit obligation – end of year
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets – January 1, 2017
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Benefits paid
Other - plan change
Plan participants’ contributions
Foreign currency translation gain
Fair value of plan assets – end of year
Funded status
Amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as of
December 31, 2017:
Pension and post-retirement liability
$
(7,168) $
(8,887) $
(691) $
(10) $
(16,756)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss consist of:
Net loss (gain)
Prior service cost
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other
comprehensive income (loss):
Net loss
Amortization of net loss (gain)
Amortization of prior service cost
Amount recognized due to special event
Foreign currency translation loss
7,625
5,303
7,625
5,303
—
—
(2,518)
(1,889)
—
—
—
(398)
(814)
(212)
—
—
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)
$
(4,407) $
(1,424) $
Information for plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of
plan assets:
(58)
(58)
—
14
1
—
4
—
19
238
13,108
53
12,923
184
184
2
—
(9)
116
(51)
(2,900)
(2,702)
(221)
120
(51)
$
58
$
(5,754)
Projected benefit obligation
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets
$
$
$
45,386 $
45,361 $
38,218 $
33,405 $
33,406 $
24,518 $
691
691
$
$
— $
3,002
2,100
2,992
$
$
$
82,484
81,558
65,728
F- 74
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The components of net period benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 are as follows:
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of net loss
Amortization of prior service cost
Effect of settlement
Net pension benefit cost
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of net loss (gain)
Amortization of prior service cost
Effect of settlement
Net pension benefit cost
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of net loss (gain)
Amortization of prior service cost
Effect of settlement
Net pension benefit cost
December
31,
2018
Retirement
Income
Plan
National
Service-Related
Pension
Plan
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
(In
thousands)
31 $
1,418
(2,047)
1,244
—
—
646 $
78 $
1,199
(1,369)
715
—
—
623 $
— $
20
—
—
—
—
20 $
National
Service-
Related
Pension
Plan
Retirement
Income
Plan
December
31,
2017
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
(In
thousands)
65 $
1,583
(1,757)
1,889
—
—
1,780 $
504 $
1,256
(1,175)
815
212
—
1,612 $
— $
22
—
(1)
—
(4)
17
$
$
$
$
$
National
Service-
Related
Pension
Plan
Retirement
Income
Plan
December
31,
2016
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
(In
thousands)
$
$
108 $
1,767
(2,072)
2,125
—
737
2,665 $
516 $
1,288
(1,244)
745
212
—
1,517 $
— $
25
—
(3)
—
(11)
11
$
F- 75
Superannuation
Total
137
104
(172)
—
30
68
167
$
$
246
2,741
(3,588)
1,959
30
68
1,456
Superannuation
Total
153
120
(174)
—
9
67
175
$
$
722
2,981
(3,106)
2,703
221
63
3,584
Superannuation
Total
131
104
(163)
—
—
—
72
$
$
755
3,184
(3,479)
2,867
212
726
4,265
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The Company recognizes all changes in the fair value of plan assets and net actuarial gains or losses at December 31 each year. Prior service
costs and gains/losses are amortized based on a straight-line method over the average future service of members that are expected to receive
benefits.
All actuarial gains/losses are exposed to amortization over an average future service period of 6.4 years for the Retirement Income Plan, 7.6
years for the National Service-Related Pension Plan, 5.7 years for Other Post-Retirement Benefits, and 7.4 years for Superannuation as of
December 31, 2018 .
The weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations and net period benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2018 ,
2017 and 2016 are as follows:
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine obligations
(balance sheet):
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic
benefit cost (statement of operations):
Discount rate
Expected return on plan assets
Rate of compensation increase
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine obligations
(balance sheet):
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic
benefit cost (statement of operations):
Discount rate
Expected return on plan assets
Rate of compensation increase
December
31,
2018
Retirement
Income
Plan
National
Service-
Related
Pension
Plan
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
Superan-
nuation
3.95 %
3.50 %
3.35 %
7.00 %
3.50 %
4.15 %
N/A
3.65 %
7.00 %
N/A
3.70 %
N/A
3.10 %
N/A
N/A
3.70 %
3.25 %
3.70 %
6.00 %
4.00 %
December
31,
2017
Retirement
Income
Plan
National
Service-
Related
Pension
Plan
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
Superan-
nuation
3.35 %
3.50 %
3.75 %
7.00 %
3.50 %
3.65 %
N/A
4.15 %
7.00 %
N/A
3.10 %
N/A
3.40 %
N/A
N/A
3.70 %
4.00 %
4.20 %
6.00 %
4.00 %
F- 76
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine obligations
(balance sheet):
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic
benefit cost (statement of operations):
Discount rate
Expected return on plan assets
Rate of compensation increase
December
31,
2016
Retirement
Income
Plan
National
Service-
Related
Pension
Plan
Other
Post-Retirement
Benefits
Superan-
nuation
3.75 %
3.50 %
4.00 %
7.50 %
3.50 %
4.15 %
N/A
4.50 %
7.50 %
N/A
3.40 %
N/A
3.50 %
N/A
N/A
4.20 %
4.00 %
3.90 %
6.50 %
4.00 %
The estimated net loss for the defined benefit plans in the U.S. that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net
periodic benefit cost during 2019 is $2.1 million . There is no estimated prior service cost associated with this plan to be amortized from
accumulated other comprehensive income during 2019.
The estimated net gain for the other post-retirement benefit plan in the U.S. that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive
income into net periodic benefit cost during 2019 is nominal. There is no estimated prior service cost associated with this plan to be
amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income during 2019.
There is no estimated net gain for the Offshore Plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic
benefit cost during 2019. The estimated prior service cost associated with this plan to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive
income during 2019 is nominal.
The Company determines the expected return on plan assets based on their market value as of December 31 of each year, as adjusted for a)
expected employer contributions, b) expected benefit distributions, and c) estimated administrative expenses.
Plan
Assets
The Company’s overall investment strategy is to achieve a mix of investments for long-term growth and near-term benefit payments. The
Company invests in both U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities, fixed-income securities, and real estate.
The allocations of the U.S. Plans’ and the Offshore Plan’s investments by fair value as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
F- 77
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
U.S. equities
Non-U.S. equities
Fixed-income securities
Real estate
Cash and other
U.S.
Plans
Actual
Offshore
Plan
Actual
2018
2017
Target
Allocation
2018
2017
Target
Allocation
35%
25%
35%
5%
—
35%
25%
35%
5%
—
25–55%
15–45%
15–40%
0–5%
–
16%
46%
9%
8%
21%
16%
42%
16%
7%
19%
14%
41%
17%
7%
21%
To develop the assumption for the long-term rate of return on assets, the Company considered the historical returns and the future
expectations for returns for each asset class, as well as the target asset allocation of the U.S. Plans’ and Offshore Plan’s assets and the effect
of periodic rebalancing, consistent with the Company’s investment strategies. For 2019, the Company expects to receive a long-term rate of
return of 6.5% for the U.S. Plans and 5.0% for the Offshore Plan. All plans are invested to maximize the return on assets while minimizing
risk by diversifying across a broad range of asset classes.
The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets as of December 31, 2018 , by category, are as follow:
Assets
U.S. equities:
Large cap (1)
Medium cap (1)
Small cap (1)
Non-U.S. equities:
Large cap (2)
Emerging markets (3)
Fixed-income securities:
Money markets (4)
U.S. bonds (5)
Non-U.S. bonds (5)
Real estate (6)
Common/collective trusts
Total assets
Quoted
Prices
in
Active
Markets
for
Identical
Assets
(Level
1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level
2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level
3)
Balance
as
of
December
31,
2018
(In
thousands)
$
$
— $
—
1,165
11,065
3,494
—
8,735
5,822
—
—
30,281 $
F- 78
15,141 $
2,912
1,165
—
—
2,912
2,912
—
2,912
1,502
29,456 $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
15,141
2,912
2,330
11,065
3,494
2,912
11,647
5,822
2,912
1,502
59,737
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets as of December 31, 2017 , by category, are as follows:
Assets
U.S. equities:
Large cap (1)
Medium cap (1)
Small cap (1)
Non-U.S. equities:
Large cap (2)
Emerging markets (3)
Fixed-income securities:
Money markets (4)
U.S. bonds (5)
Non-U.S. bonds (5)
Real estate (6)
Common/collective trusts
Total assets
Quoted
Prices
in
Active
Markets
for
Identical
Assets
(Level
1)
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level
2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level
3)
Balance
as
of
December
31,
2017
(In
thousands)
$
$
— $
—
1,255
11,922
3,765
—
9,411
6,273
—
—
32,626 $
16,313 $
3,137
1,255
—
—
3,133
3,137
—
3,137
2,990
33,102 $
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
16,313
3,137
2,510
11,922
3,765
3,133
12,548
6,273
3,137
2,990
65,728
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Includes funds that primarily invest in U.S. common stock.
Includes funds that invest primarily in foreign equity and equity-related securities.
Includes funds that invest primarily in equity securities of companies in emerging market countries.
Includes funds that invest primarily in short-term securities, such as commercial paper.
Includes funds either publicly traded (Level 1) or within a separate account (Level 2) held by a regulated investment company. These funds hold primarily
debt and fixed-income securities.
Includes funds in a separate account held by a regulated investment company that invest primarily in commercial real estate and includes mortgage loans
which are backed by the associated properties. The Company can call the investment in these assets with no restrictions.
The U.S. Plans’ assets are in commingled funds that are valued using net asset values. The net asset values are based on the value of the
underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities, and then divided by the number of shares outstanding. The pension assets are
classified as Level 1 when the net asset values are based on a quoted price in an active market. The U.S. Plans’ assets are classified as Level 2
when the net asset value is based on a quoted price on a private market that is not active and the underlying investments are traded on an
active market.
The Offshore Plans are common/collective trusts and commingled trusts investments, which invest in other collective trust funds otherwise
known as the underlying funds. The Company’s interests in the commingled trust funds are based on the fair values of the investments of the
underlying funds and therefore are classified as Level 2.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , the Company does not have any investments classified as Level 3.
F- 79
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Cash
Flow
The Company expects to contribute $2.5 million to all plans in 2019.
Estimated
Future
Benefit
Payments
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future services, as appropriate, are expected to be paid for all plans as of
December 31, 2018 :
Years Ending December 31:
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Multi-Employer
Plans
(In
thousands)
7,636
5,005
5,001
4,953
4,801
23,374
50,770
$
$
The Company contributes to a number of multi-employer benefit plans under the terms of collective bargaining agreements that cover union-
represented employees. These plans generally provide for retirement, death, and/or termination benefits for eligible employees within the
applicable collective bargaining units, based on specific eligibility/participation requirements, vesting periods, and benefit formulas. The risks
of participating in these multi-employer plans are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects:
• Assets contributed to the multi-employer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other current or
former participating employers.
•
•
If a participating employer stops contributing to the multi-employer plan without paying its unfunded liability, the unfunded
obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers.
If the Company chooses to cease participation in a multi-employer plan, such full withdrawal is subject to the payment of any
unfunded liability applicable to the Company, referred to as a withdrawal liability. Additionally, such withdrawal is subject to
collective bargaining.
The table below outlines the Company’s participation in multi-employer pension plans for the periods ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and
2016 , and sets forth the contributions into each plan. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employer Identification Number
(EIN) and the three-digit plan number. The most recent Pension Protection Act zone status available in 2017 and 2016 relates to the plans’
two most recent fiscal year-ends. The zone status is based on information that we received from the plans’ administrators and is certified by
each plan’s actuary. Among other factors, plans certified in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded, plans certified in the orange
zone are (i) less than 80% funded and (ii) have an accumulated funding deficiency or are expected to have a deficiency in any of the next six
plan years, plans certified in the yellow zone are less than 80% funded, and plans certified in the green zone are at least 80% funded. The
“FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates whether a financial improvement plan (FIP) for yellow/orange zone plans, or a
rehabilitation plan (RP) for red zone plans, is
F- 80
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
either pending or has been implemented. As of December 31, 2018 , all plans that have either a FIP or RP requirement have had the
respective FIP or RP implemented (see table below).
The Company’s collective-bargained contributions satisfy the requirements of all implemented FIPs and RPs and do not currently require the
payment of any surcharges. In addition, minimum contributions outside the agreed-upon contractual rate are not required. For the plans
detailed in the following table, the expiration dates of the associated collective bargaining agreements range from February 13, 2019 to June
30, 2026. For all the plans detailed in the following table, the Company has not contributed more than 5% of the total plan contribution for
2018 , 2017 and 2016 .
The Company contributes to multi-employer plans that cover approximately 60% of union employees. The amounts charged to expense on
the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 were $17.4 million , $17.0
million and $16.6 million , respectively. Projected minimum contributions required for the upcoming fiscal year are approximately $17.1
million .
During the third quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a charge of $9.2 million representing the present value of a liability associated with
its withdrawal obligation under the New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Multi-Employer Pension Fund (the Fund) for hourly,
unionized associates at four of its domestic warehouse facilities. The Fund is grossly underfunded in accordance with Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) funding standards and, therefore, ERISA required the Fund to develop a Rehabilitation Plan. The Fund
Trustees chose to create a new fund that minimizes the pension withdrawal liability. As a result, current employers participating in the Fund
were given the opportunity to exit the Fund and convert to a new fund. The Company’s portion of the unfunded liability, estimated at $13.7
million , will be repaid in equal monthly installments of approximately $0.04 million over 30 years, interest free. Under the relevant U.S.
GAAP standard, a participating employer withdrawing from a multi-employer plan should account for a loss contingency equal to the present
value of the withdrawal liability, and amortize difference between such present value and the estimated unfunded liability through interest
expense over the repayment period.
F- 81
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Pension
Fund
EIN/Pension
Plan
Number
Pension
Protection
Act
Zone
Status
2018
2017
FIP/RP
Status
Pending/
Implemented
Americold
Contributions
2018
2017
2016
Surcharge
Imposed
(In thousands)
Central Pension Fund of the International Union of
Operating Engineers and Participating Employers (2)
Central States SE & SW Areas Health and Welfare
Pension
Plans (1)
New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry Pension
Plan (3)
36-6052390
Green
Green
No
$
6
$
3
$
2
36-6044243
Red
Red
Yes/Implemented
8,424
8,427
8,608
04-6372430
Red
Red
Yes/Implemented
456
566
641
Alternative New England Teamsters & Trucking Industry
Pension Plan
04-6372430
Green
Green
I.U.O.E Stationary Engineers Local 39 Pension Fund (1)
94-6118939
Green
Green
United Food & Commercial Workers International Union-
Industry Pension Fund (4)
51-6055922
Green
Green
Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Fund (1)
91-6145047
Green
Green
No
No
No
No
493
160
98
197
—
151
90
87
83
7,632
7,265
6,809
Minneapolis Food Distributing Industry Pension Plan (1)
41-6047047
Green
Green
Yes/Implemented
180
326
337
Total Contributions
$
17,441
$
16,969
$
16,631
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
(1) The status information is for the plans’ year end at December 31, 2018 and 2017.
(2) The status information is for the plans’ year end at January 31, 2018 and 2017.
(3) The status information is for the plans’ year end at September 30, 2018 and 2017. The Company withdrew from the multi-employer plan on October, 31, 2017.
(4) The status information is for the plans’ year end at June 30, 2018 and 2017.
Government-Sponsored
Plans
The Company contributes to certain government-sponsored plans in Australia and Argentina. The amounts charged to expense on the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations and for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 were $5.7 million , $5.4
million and $4.8 million , respectively.
Defined
Contribution
Plan
The Company has defined contribution employee benefit plans, which cover all eligible employees. The plans also allow contributions by
plan participants in accordance with Section 401(k) of the IRC. The Company matches a percentage of each employee’s contributions
consistent with the provisions of the plans. The aggregate cost of our contributions to the 401(k) Plan charged to expense on the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations for each of the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 was $3.9 million , $3.6
million and $3.6 million , respectively.
F- 82
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Deferred
Compensation
The Company has deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plan agreements with certain of its executives. The agreements
provide for certain benefits at retirement or disability and also provide for survivor benefits in the event of death of the employee. The
Company contribution amounts charged to expense relative to this plan were nominal for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and
2016 .
20
.
Commitments
and
Contingencies
Letters
of
Credit
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , there were $29.6 million and $33.8 million , respectively, of outstanding letters of credit issued on the
Company’s 2018 Senior Unsecured Revolving Line of Credit.
Bonds
The Company had outstanding surety bonds of $2.7 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 . These bonds were issued primarily in
connection with insurance requirements, special real estate assessments and construction obligations.
Construction
Commitments
As of December 31, 2018 , the Company had the following construction commitments related to its expansion of existing warehouse
facilities:
Commitment
start
period
Q1 2018
Total construction commitments
Committed
construction
cost
(in
thousands)
$
19,754
19,754
Construction
completion
period
Q1 2019
Additionally, on November 8, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement whereby an affiliate of the Company would purchase land for
approximately $46.6 million (approximately AUD $64.5 million ) and upon which the Company intends to build a state-of-the-art automated
facility for a customer. The customer has agreed to acquire the land at the amount the Company paid if construction of the facility is not
substantially commenced within certain parameters.
Collective
Bargaining
Agreements
As of December 31, 2018 , worldwide we employed approximately 11,000 people. Currently, 56% of the Company’s labor force is covered
by collective bargaining agreements, and 84 of our 155 warehouses have unionized associates that are governed by 69 different collective
bargaining agreements. We are currently in negotiations for 5 new agreements which will bring our total to 74 agreements. During 2019, the
Company will be renegotiating 12 collective bargaining agreements, covering all or parts of 29 operating warehouses worldwide. The
Company does not anticipate any workplace disruptions during this renegotiation process.
F- 83
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Legal
Proceedings
In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims that may result in such
proceedings, the Company and its legal counsel evaluate the merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims, as well as the perceived
merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought. If the assessment of a contingency suggests that a loss is probable, and the
amount can be reasonably estimated, then a loss is recorded.
In addition to the matters discussed below, the Company may be subject to litigation and claims arising from the ordinary course of business.
In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the outcome of such matters is not expected to have a material impact on
the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Kansas Breach of Settlement Agreement Litigation
This case was served against the Company in Wyandotte County, Kansas, on January 17, 2013, alleging breach of a 1994 Settlement
Agreement reached with customers of our predecessor company, Americold Corporation. The plaintiffs originally brought claims in 1992
arising from a fire the previous year in an underground warehouse facility.
In 1994, a settlement was reached whereby Americold Corporation agreed to the entry of a $58.7 million judgment against it and assigned its
rights to proceed against its insurer to satisfy the judgment. The settlement agreement contained a standard “cooperation provision” where
Americold Corporation agreed to execute any additional documents necessary to fulfill the intent of the settlement agreement. The plaintiffs
then sued Americold Corporation’s insurance company to recover on the consent judgments. The case was ultimately dismissed in 2012, and
the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that the 1994 consent judgment had expired and were unrevivable as a matter of law.
On September 24, 2012, the plaintiffs filed a separate claim in the district court of Wyandotte County, Kansas, alleging that the Company and
one of its subsidiaries, Americold Logistics, LLC, as successors to Americold Corporation, are liable for the full amount of the judgment,
based upon the allegation that the Company failed to execute a document or take action to keep the judgment alive and viable.
On February 7, 2013, the Company removed the case to the U.S. federal court and ultimately filed a motion for summary judgment, which
the plaintiffs vigorously opposed. On October 4, 2013, the court granted the Company's motion and dismissed the case in full. Only one
plaintiff appealed the dismissal to the U.S. Court of Appeals where oral argument was heard in November 2014 before the Tenth Circuit in
Denver. The Court of Appeals ordered that the case be remanded to the Kansas State Court and the judgment in favor of Americold be
vacated, finding U.S. federal diversity jurisdiction did not exist over the Company. The Company petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for
certiorari and oral argument that occurred on January 19, 2016.
On March 7, 2016, the United States Supreme Court handed down a decision in the Kansas Breach of Settlement Agreement Litigation case.
The decision was contrary to the position that the Company argued. Following the decision, the United States District Court for the District of
Kansas entered an Order vacating the judgment and remanding the case to Kansas state court for further proceedings. Regardless of the
venue, the Company remains confident that its defenses on the merits of plaintiffs’ claims are strong under Kansas law.
Following remand to Kansas state court, Plaintiffs initially petitioned the court to amend their complaint to drop their claim for damages and
only seek an Order of Specific Performance-namely to require Americold sign a new document reinstating the consent judgment assigned in
the 1994 Settlement Agreement. No amended complaint was
F- 84
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
filed, however, and plaintiffs filed a later motion to add back the damages claim, which was granted in February 2018. As of December 31,
2018 , pending before the court are the Company's motions to prevent Kraft and Safeway to remain in the lawsuit as plaintiffs on the theory
that they did not appeal the District Court's Order dismissing their claims and are bound by the judgment entered against them. Plaintiffs have
served limited discovery to us seeking communications with insurance counsel and representatives. We continue to assert a strong defensive
posture and will be in a better position to evaluate exposure as discovery and case preparation continues; however, given the status of the
proceedings to date, a liability cannot be reasonably estimated. The Company believes the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a
material adverse impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Preferred Freezer Services, LLC Litigation
On February 11, 2019, Preferred Freezer Services, LLC (“PFS”) filed a complaint against Americold Realty Trust alleging breaches of a
confidentiality agreement the parties had executed in connection with the bidding process for PFS. The complaint also alleges claims for
breach of good faith and fair dealing, tortious interference with economic advantage, unfair competition and misappropriation of confidential
information. PFS also filed motions seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction enjoining the Company from using PFS
confidential information and continuing discussions with owners of property leased to PFS for its operations. The Company denies the
allegations and believes PFS’s claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend this claim. The Company believes the ultimate
outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Environmental
Matters
The Company is subject to a wide range of environmental laws and regulations in each of the locations in which the Company operates.
Compliance with these requirements can involve significant capital and operating costs. Failure to comply with these requirements can result
in civil or criminal fines or sanctions, claims for environmental damages, remediation obligations, the revocation of environmental permits, or
restrictions on the Company’s operations.
The Company records accruals for environmental matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability
can be reasonably estimated based on current law and existing technologies. The Company adjusts these accruals periodically as assessment
and remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information become available. The Company recorded nominal
environmental liabilities in accounts payable and accrued expenses as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 . The Company believes it is in
compliance with applicable environmental regulations in all material respects. Under various U.S. federal, state, and local environmental
laws, a current or previous owner or operator of real estate may be liable for the entire cost of investigating, removing, and/or remediating
hazardous or toxic substances on such property. Such laws often impose liability whether or not the owner or operator knew of, or was
responsible for, the contamination. Even if more than one person may have been responsible for the contamination, each person covered by
the environmental laws may be held responsible for the entire clean-up cost. There are no material unrecorded liabilities as of December 31,
2018 . Most of the Company’s warehouses utilize ammonia as a refrigerant. Ammonia is classified as a hazardous chemical regulated by the
Environmental Protection Agency, and an accident or significant release of ammonia from a warehouse could result in injuries, loss of life,
and property damage.
F- 85
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Occupational
Safety
and
Health
Act
(OSHA)
The Company’s warehouses located in the U.S. are subject to regulation under OSHA, which requires employers to provide employees with
an environment free from hazards, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, and
unsanitary conditions. The cost of complying with OSHA and similar laws enacted by states and other jurisdictions in which we operate can
be substantial, and any failure to comply with these regulations could expose us to substantial penalties and potentially to liabilities to
employees who may be injured at our warehouses. The Company records accruals for OSHA matters when it is probable that a liability has
been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with all
OSHA regulations and that no material unrecorded liabilities exist as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 .
21
.
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)
Income
The Company reports activity in AOCI for foreign currency translation adjustments, including the translation adjustment for the investment
in the China JV, unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedge derivatives, and minimum pension liability adjustments (net of tax). The
activity in AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 is as follows:
Pension
and
other
postretirement
benefits:
Balance at beginning of period, net of tax
(Loss) gain arising during the period
Less: Tax expense (benefit)
Net (loss) gain arising during the period
Amortization of net loss and prior service cost (1)
Less: (Tax benefit)/Tax expense (2)
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net income (loss)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
Balance at end of period, net of tax
Foreign
currency
translation
adjustments:
Balance at beginning of period, net of tax
(Loss) gain on foreign currency translation
Less: Tax benefit
Net (loss) gain on foreign currency translation
Balance at end of period, net of tax
Cash
flow
hedge
derivatives:
Balance at beginning of period, net of tax
2018
2017
2016
(In
thousands)
$
(7,126) $
(12,880) $
(14,852)
(2,926)
2,663
(1,963)
27
(49)
(33)
(2,953)
2,052
—
2,052
(901)
2,712
3,042
—
3,042
5,754
(1,930)
3,902
—
3,902
1,972
(8,027)
(7,126)
(12,880)
8,318
(11,640)
—
(11,640)
3,874
4,444
—
4,444
7,018
(3,144)
—
(3,144)
(3,322)
8,318
3,874
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge derivatives
Less: Tax expense (benefit)
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedge derivatives
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net income (loss) (interest expense)
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net income (loss) (loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and
termination of derivative instruments)
Net amount reclassified from AOCI to net income (loss) (foreign exchange gain (loss), net)
Balance at end of period, net of tax
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss
(1,422)
(1,538)
(1,468)
862
173
689
(1,387)
(1,359)
44
(150)
(1,431)
(1,209)
1,191
1,547
1,139
1,825
(3,449)
—
—
—
—
(1,166)
(1,422)
(1,538)
$
(12,515) $
(230) $
(10,544)
F- 86
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
(1) Amounts reclassified from AOCI for pension liabilities are recorded in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
(2) Deferred tax impact of amounts reclassified from AOCI for pension liabilities are recorded in deferred income tax benefit in the consolidated statements of operations.
22
.
Related-Party
Transactions
Transactions with Goldman and CMHI
Goldman is part of the lending group under the 2018 Recast Credit Facility, and has a $90.0 million , or 7.1% , total commitment. Another
affiliate of Goldman was part of the lending group under the ANZ Loans (with a 2.5% participation in the Australia Term Loan and 31.8% in
the New Zealand Term Loan), which the Company repaid during December 2018. Goldman was also the counterparty to the interest rate
swap agreements related to the ANZ Loans as described in Note 10 , which were terminated in December 2018 in connection with the
extinguishment of the ANZ Loans.
As a member of the previously described lending groups, the Company is required to pay certain fees to Goldman, which may include interest
on borrowings, unused facility fees, letter of credit participation fees, and letter of credit facility fees. The Company paid interest expense and
fees to Goldman totaling approximately $2.3 million , $0.9 million , and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and
2016, respectively. Interest payable to Goldman was nominal as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Payments under the interest
rate swap agreements are not included in the figures above and totaled approximately $1.2 million , $1.5 million and $1.1 million for the
years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. In addition, a swap termination fee was paid to Goldman in 2018 of $1.8 million in
conjunction with the extinguishment of the ANZ Loans.
In December 2018, the Company entered into a cross-currency swap with Goldman to hedge the changes in the cash flows of interest and
principal payment on foreign-currency denominated intercompany loans, as further described in Note 10 . Payments under the cross-currency
swap agreements will not commence until 2019. From time-to-time the Company has entered into foreign exchange spot trades with
Goldman to facilitate the movement of funds between our international subsidiaries and the U.S., including the funding of the previously
mentioned intercompany loans.
In December 2017, the Company prepaid in escrow a $0.2 million fee to Goldman for its share of the 2018 Senior Secured Credit Facilities
commitment, which was related to the refinancing that occurred in tandem with the IPO. In connection with the IPO, Goldman and CMHI
converted their Series B Preferred Shares into 28,808,224 and 4,432,034 common shares, respectively. After giving effect to the full exercise
of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common shares during the IPO, and after giving effect to the sale by Goldman of 5,163,716
common shares in the IPO, Goldman and CMHI owned approximately 16.7% and 3.1% of the Company’s common shares, respectively. In
connection with the IPO, Goldman received a refund from the underwriters of approximately $1.6 million , which represents the underwriting
discount on the gross proceeds received by the selling shareholders.
In connection with the follow-on offering, Goldman sold 9,083,280 common shares, and after giving effect to the sale owned approximately
9.9% of the Company's common shares. In connection with the follow-on offering, Goldman received an underwriting fee of approximately
$5.0 million , and received a refund of approximately $0.7 million representing the underwriting discount on the gross proceeds received by
the selling shareholders.
In November 2018, CMHI sold 4,432,034 common shares. As of December 31, 2018, CMHI no longer owned any common shares of the
Company. Additionally, in December 2018, Goldman sold an additional 6,500,000 common shares of the Company, reducing their ownership
to 5.6% as of December 31, 2018.
F- 87
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Transactions with Fortress and YF ART Holdings L.P.
Fortress held $48.5 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility as of December 31, 2017. The Company
paid approximately $2.2 million in interest expense to Fortress during 2017 . The Company also paid out principal amortization to Fortress of
approximately $0.5 million in 2017 . In connection with the refinancing of the Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility in January 2018,
Fortress withdrew from the lending group under the 2018 Senior Secured Term Loan A. Fortress has no ongoing participation in our debt
obligations as of December 31, 2018. In addition, Fortress sold all previously owned common shares of the Company during 2018.
In connection with the IPO, YF ART Holdings L.P. received a refund from the underwriters of approximately $4.2 million , which represents
the underwriting discount on the gross proceeds received by the selling shareholders.
On March 8, 2018, YF ART Holdings L.P. entered into a financing agreement pledging 54,952,774 common shares of beneficial interest,
$0.01 par value per share, representing approximately 38.6% of the Company’s issued and outstanding common shares as of March 8, 2018.
YF ART Holdings L.P. used the proceeds from the financing agreement to pay in full the outstanding investment, including the preferred
return on an investment vehicle affiliated with Fortress Investment Group LLC, which directly beneficially owned 7,235,529 common shares
of the Company. As of December 31, 2018, Fortress no longer owns any common shares of the Company.
In connection with the pledge by YF ART Holdings described above, the Company delivered a consent and acknowledgment to YF ART
Holdings and the lenders under such margin loan agreement in which the Company, among other matters, agreed, subject to applicable law
and stock exchange rules, not to take any actions that would adversely affect the enforcement of the rights of the lenders under the loan
documents. The Company is not a party to the margin loan agreement and has no obligations thereunder. The Company also entered into an
amendment of the shareholders agreement, which addresses certain matters related to the margin loan agreement and related documents.
23
.
Geographic
Concentrations
The following table provides geographic information for the Company’s total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and
2016 , and total assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 :
Total
Revenues
Total
Assets
2018
2017
2016
2018
2017
$
$
1,313,811 $
227,374
32,363
11,752
18,335
1,603,635 $
1,253,879 $
219,738
33,289
18,319
18,362
1,543,587 $
(In
thousands)
1,212,799 $
207,035
33,676
19,780
16,709
1,489,999 $
2,242,078 $
226,666
51,419
7,154
5,111
2,532,428 $
2,078,187
244,841
54,672
11,598
5,599
2,394,897
U.S.
Australia
New Zealand
Argentina
Canada
24
.
Segment
Information
Our principal operations are organized into four reportable segments: Warehouse, Third-Party Managed, Transportation and Other.
F- 88
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
• Warehouse. Our primary source of revenues consists of rent and storage and warehouse services fees. Our rent and storage and
warehouse services revenues are the key drivers of our financial performance. Rent and storage revenues consist of recurring, periodic
charges related to the storage of frozen and perishable food and other products in our warehouses. We also provide these customers with
a wide array of handling and other warehouse services, such as (1) receipt, handling and placement of products into our warehouses for
storage and preservation, (2) retrieval of products from storage upon customer request, (3) blast freezing, which involves the rapid
freezing of non-frozen products, including individual quick freezing for agricultural produce and seafood, (4) case-picking, which
involves selecting product cases to build customized pallets, (5) kitting and repackaging, which involves assembling custom product
packages for delivery to retailers and consumers, and labeling services, (6) order assembly and load consolidation, (7) exporting and
importing support services, (8) container handling, (9) cross-docking, which involves transferring inbound products to outbound trucks
utilizing our warehouse docks without storing them in our warehouses, and (10) government-approved temperature-controlled storage
and inspection services. We may charge our customers in advance for storage and outbound handling fees. Cost of operations for our
warehouse segment consists of power, other facilities costs, labor and other services costs.
•
•
Third-Party Managed. We receive management and incentive fees, as well as reimbursement of substantially all expenses, for
warehouses and logistics services that we manage on behalf of third-party owners/customers. Cost of operations for our third-party
managed segment are reimbursed on a pass-through basis (typically within two weeks), with all reimbursements, plus an applicable mark-
up, recognized as revenues under the relevant accounting guidance.
Transportation. We charge transportation fees, including fuel surcharges, to our customers for whom we arrange the transportation of
their products. Cost of operations for our transportation segment consist primarily of third-party carrier charges, which are impacted by
factors affecting those carriers.
• Other . In addition to our primary business segments, we own a limestone quarry in Carthage, Missouri. Revenues are generated from the
sale of limestone mined at our quarry. Cost of operations for our quarry consist primarily of labor, equipment, fuel and explosives.
Our reportable segments are strategic business units separated by product and service offerings. Each reportable segment is managed
separately and requires different operational and marketing strategies. The accounting polices used in the preparation of our reportable
segments financial information are the same as those used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
Our chief operating decision maker uses revenues and segment contribution to evaluate segment performance. We calculate segment
contribution as earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and excluding corporate selling, general and
administrative expense, impairment charges, restructuring charges, acquisition related costs, other income and expense, and certain one-time
charges. Selling, general and administrative functions support all the business segments. Therefore, the related expense is not allocated to
segments as the chief operating decision maker does not use it to evaluate segment performance.
Segment contribution is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of
other companies. You should not consider our segment contribution as an alternative to operating income determined in accordance with
GAAP.
F- 89
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The following table presents segment revenues and contributions with a reconciliation to Income before income tax benefit (expense) for the
years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 :
Segment revenues:
Warehouse
Third-Party Managed
Transportation
Other
Total revenues
Segment contribution:
Warehouse
Third-Party Managed
Transportation
Other
Total segment contribution
Reconciling items:
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
Impairment of long-lived assets
Selling, general and administrative expense
Loss from partially owned entities
Gain from sale of real estate, net
Impairment of partially owned entities
Interest expense
Interest income
Loss on debt extinguishment, modifications and termination of derivative
instruments
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net
Other expense, net
Income
before
income
tax
benefit
(expense)
$
F- 90
Years
Ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
(In
thousands)
$
1,176,912 $
259,034
158,790
8,899
1,603,635
1,145,662 $
242,189
146,070
9,666
1,543,587
1,080,867
252,411
147,004
9,717
1,489,999
374,534
14,760
15,735
620
405,649
(117,653)
(747)
(114,760)
(1,069)
7,471
—
(93,312)
3,996
348,328
12,825
12,950
2
374,105
(116,741)
(9,473)
(110,945)
(1,363)
43
(6,496)
(114,898)
1,074
(47,559)
2,882
(532)
44,366 $
(986)
(3,591)
(1,944)
8,785 $
314,045
14,814
14,418
2,368
345,645
(118,571)
(9,820)
(96,728)
(128)
11,598
—
(119,552)
708
(1,437)
464
(1,368)
10,811
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
The following table details our long-lived assets by reportable segments, with a reconciliation to total assets reported for each of the periods
presented in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Assets:
Warehouse
Managed
Transportation
Other
Total segments assets
Reconciling items:
Corporate assets
Investments in partially owned entities
Total reconciling items
Total
assets
25
.
Earnings
per
Common
Share
Years
Ended
December
31,
2018
2017
(In
thousands)
2,054,968 $
43,725
35,479
13,554
2,147,726
2,082,156
43,035
32,402
13,897
2,171,490
370,161
14,541
384,702
2,532,428 $
207,465
15,942
223,407
2,394,897
$
$
Basic and diluted earnings per common share are calculated by dividing the net income or loss attributable to common shareholders by the
basic and diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding in the period, respectively, using the allocation method prescribed
by the two-class method. The Company applies this method to compute earnings per share because it distributes non-forfeitable dividend
equivalents on restricted stock units granted to certain employees and non-employee directors who have the right to participate in the
distribution of common dividends while the restricted stock units are unvested. For the year ended December 31, 2018 , the weighted-average
number of unvested restricted stock units that participated in the distribution of common dividends was 1,452,954 .
The shares issuable upon settlement of the forward sale agreement are reflected in the diluted earnings per share calculations using the
treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of the Company’s common shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share is
deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of common shares that would be issued upon full physical settlement of the
forward sale agreement over the number of common shares that could be purchased by the Company in the market (based on the average
market price during the period) using the proceeds receivable upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the
end of the reporting period). If and when the Company physically or net share settles the forward sale agreement, the delivery of common
shares would result in an increase in the number of shares outstanding and dilution to earnings per share. As of December 31, 2018, the
Company has not settled any portion of the forward sale agreement.
Prior to the IPO, holders of Series B Preferred Shares were entitled to cumulative dividends, which were added to the reported net loss
whether or not declared or paid to determine the net loss attributable to common shareholders under the two-class method.
F- 91
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
A reconciliation of the basic and diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2018 ,
2017 and 2016 is as follows:
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic
Dilutive effect of share-based awards
Equity forward contract
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
(In
thousands)
141,415
2,662
261
144,338
70,022
—
—
70,022
69,890
—
—
69,890
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, potential common shares under the treasury stock method and the if-converted method
were antidilutive because the Company reported a net loss. Consequently, the Company did not have any adjustments in these periods
between basic and diluted loss per share related to stock options, restricted stock units, warrants and convertible preferred shares in this
period.
The table below presents the weighted-average number of antidilutive potential common shares that are not considered in the calculation of
diluted income (loss) per share:
Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
Common share warrants
Employee stock options
Restricted stock units
26
.
Revenue
from
Contracts
with
Customers
Disaggregated Revenue
Year
ended
December
31,
2018
2017
2016
(In
thousands)
—
—
—
—
—
33,240
18,575
5,983
685
58,483
33,240
18,575
6,299
553
58,667
The following tables represent a disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers for the years ended December 31, 2018 , 2017 and
2016 by segment and geographic region:
F- 92
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
United
States
Australia
New
Zealand
Argentina
Canada
Total
December
31,
2018
(In
thousands)
Warehouse rent and storage
Warehouse services
Third-party managed
Transportation
Other
Total revenues (1)
Lease revenue (2)
Total revenues from contracts with all
customers
$
433,131 $
522,748
227,757
99,736
8,877
1,292,249
21,562
39,573 $
119,665
12,742
55,394
—
227,374
—
15,018 $
16,634
—
711
—
32,363
—
5,694 $
3,109
—
2,949
—
11,752
—
— $
—
18,335
—
—
18,335
—
493,416
662,156
258,834
158,790
8,877
1,582,073
21,562
$
1,313,811 $
227,374 $
32,363 $
11,752 $
18,335 $
1,603,635
United
States
Australia
New
Zealand
Argentina
Canada
Total
December
31,
2017
(In
thousands)
Warehouse rent and storage
Warehouse services
Third-party managed
Transportation
Other
Total revenues (1)
Lease revenue (2)
Total revenues from contracts with all
customers
$
413,647 $
508,982
214,400
85,947
9,644
1,232,620
21,259
40,086 $
116,287
9,227
54,138
—
219,738
—
17,695 $
14,776
—
818
—
33,289
—
9,139 $
4,013
—
5,167
—
18,319
—
— $
—
18,362
—
—
18,362
—
480,567
644,058
241,989
146,070
9,644
1,522,328
21,259
$
1,253,879 $
219,738 $
33,289 $
18,319 $
18,362 $
1,543,587
United
States
Australia
New
Zealand
Argentina
Canada
Total
December
31,
2016
(In
thousands)
Warehouse rent and storage
Warehouse services
Third-party managed
Transportation
Other
Total revenues (1)
Lease revenue (2)
Total revenues from contracts with all
customers
$
390,320 $
481,604
227,880
82,679
9,696
1,192,179
20,620
38,046 $
104,302
7,622
57,065
—
207,035
—
18,717 $
14,291
—
668
—
33,676
—
9,318 $
3,870
6,592
—
19,780
—
— $
—
16,709
—
—
16,709
—
456,401
604,067
252,211
147,004
9,696
1,469,379
20,620
$
1,212,799 $
207,035 $
33,676 $
19,780 $
16,709 $
1,489,999
(1) Revenues are within the scope of ASC 606: Revenue From Contracts With Customers . Elements of contracts or arrangements that are in the scope of other standards (e.g.,
leases) are separated and accounted for under those standards.
(2) Revenues are within the scope of Topic 840, Leases.
F- 93
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
Performance Obligations
Substantially all our revenue for warehouse storage and handling services, and management and incentive fees earned under third-party
managed and other contracts is recognized over time as the customer benefits equally throughout the period until the contractual term expires.
Typically, revenue is recognized over time using an output measure (e.g. passage of time). Revenue is recognized at a point in time upon
delivery when the customer typically obtains control, for most accessorial services, transportation services, reimbursed costs and quarry
product shipments.
For arrangements containing non-cancellable contract terms, any variable consideration related to storage renewals or incremental handling
charges above stated minimums are 100% constrained and not included in aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the
unsatisfied performance obligations disclosed below, given the degree in difficulty in estimation. Payment terms are generally 0 - 30 days
upon billing, which is typically monthly, either in advance or subsequent to the performance of services. The same payment terms typically
apply for arrangements containing variable consideration.
The Company has no material warranties or obligations for allowances, refunds or other similar obligations.
At December 31, 2018 , the Company had $597.8 million of remaining unsatisfied performance obligations from contracts with customers
subject to a non-cancellable term and within contracts that have an original expected duration exceeding one year. These obligations also do
not include variable consideration beyond the non-cancellable term, which due to the inability to quantify by estimate, is fully constrained.
The Company expects to recognize approximately 23% of these remaining performance obligations as revenue in 2019, and the remaining
77% to be recognized over a weighted average period of 14.8 years through 2038 .
As part of the Company’s adoption of ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018, the Company elected to use the practical expedient under
ASC 606-10-65-1(f)(3), pursuant to which the Company has excluded disclosures of transaction prices allocated to remaining performance
obligations and when the Company expects to recognize such revenue for all periods prior to the date of initial application of ASU 2014-09.
Contract Balances
The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in accounts receivable (contract assets), and unearned revenue
(contract liabilities) on the consolidated balance sheets. Generally, billing occurs monthly, subsequent to revenue recognition, resulting in
contract assets. However, the Company may bill and receive advances or deposits from customers, particularly on storage and handling
services, before revenue is recognized, resulting in contract liabilities. These assets and liabilities are reported on the consolidated balance
sheets on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period. Changes in the contract asset and liability balances during the year
ended December 31, 2018 , were not materially impacted by any other factors.
Opening and closing receivables balances related to contracts with customers accounted for under ASC 606 were $192.1 million and $198.3
million at December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. All other trade receivable balances relate to contracts accounted for under ASC 840.
Opening and closing balances in unearned revenue related to contracts with customers were $18.6 million and $18.8 million at December 31,
2018 and 2017 , respectively. Substantially all revenue that was included in the contract liability balances at the beginning of 2018 and 2017
has been recognized as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and represents revenue from the satisfaction of monthly storage and
handling services with average inventory turns of approximately 30 days.
F- 94
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
27
.
Selected
Quarterly
Financial
Data
(Americold
Realty
Trust)
-
Unaudited
The following table sets forth selected unaudited quarterly statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 :
Total revenues
Total operating expenses
Operating income
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders
Net income (loss) per common share (a)
Basic
Diluted
December
31
September
30
June
30
March
31
2018
$
415,817 $
402,010 $
394,667 $
(In
thousands,
except
per
share
amounts)
364,646
51,171
2,678
0.02
0.02
358,457
43,553
24,540
0.17
0.17
345,363
49,304
29,406
0.20
0.20
391,141
355,209
35,932
(10,457)
(0.08)
(0.08)
(a) Quarterly earnings per common share amounts may not total to the annual amounts due to rounding and the changes in the number of weighted common shares outstanding
included in the calculation of basic and diluted shares.
Total revenues
Total operating expenses
Operating income
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders
Net income (loss) per common share (a)
Basic
2017
December
31
September
30
June
30
March.
31
$
401,721 $
389,501 $
379,451 $
(In
thousands,
except
per
share
amounts)
357,667
44,054
673
362,059
27,442
(11,935)
350,744
28,707
(15,720)
372,914
336,128
36,786
(2,945)
0.01
(0.17)
(0.22)
(0.04)
Diluted
(0.04)
(a) Quarterly earnings per common share amounts may not total to the annual amounts due to rounding and the changes in the number of weighted common shares outstanding
(0.17)
(0.22)
0.01
included in the calculation of basic and diluted shares.
28
.
Selected
Quarterly
Financial
Data
(Americold
Realty
Operating
Partnership,
L.P.)
-
Unaudited
The following table sets forth selected unaudited quarterly statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 :
Total revenues
Total operating expenses
Operating income
Net income (loss) applicable to unitholders
Net income (loss) per unit (a)
2018
December
31
September
30
June
30
March
31
$
415,817 $
402,010 $
394,667 $
(In
thousands,
except
per
share
amounts)
364,646
51,171
2,678
358,457
43,553
24,540
345,363
49,304
29,406
391,141
355,209
35,932
(10,457)
0.02
0.17
0.21
(0.08)
F- 95
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements-(Continued)
(a) Quarterly earnings per unit amounts may not total to the annual amounts due to rounding and the changes in the number of weighted units outstanding included in the
calculation of units.
Total revenues
Total operating expenses
Operating income
Net income (loss) applicable to unitholders
Net income (loss) per unit (a)
2017
December
31
September
30
June
30
March.
31
$
401,721 $
389,501 $
379,451 $
(In
thousands,
except
per
share
amounts)
357,667
44,054
673
362,059
27,442
(11,935)
350,744
28,707
(15,720)
372,914
336,128
36,786
(2,945)
0.01
(0.17)
(0.22)
(0.04)
(a) Quarterly earnings per unit amounts may not total to the annual amounts due to rounding and the changes in the number of weighted units outstanding included in the
calculation of units.
29
.
Subsequent
Events
On January 31, 2019, the Company closed on the acquisition of a logistics company for $35.2 million . The Company services the fresh
produce industry with a temperature-controlled campus. The acquisition also includes an adjacent 163 contiguous acres of land.
F- 96
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2018
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial
Costs
Gross
amount
at
which
carried
as
of
December
31,
2018
Property
Buildings
Encumbrances
(3)
Land
Buildings
and
Improvements
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition
Land
Buildings
and
Improvements
(2)
Total
(4)
(5)
Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Depletion
(1)
(6)
Date
of
Construction
Date
of
Acquisition
1 $
2
1
1
1
— $1,251 $
— 5,780
—
871
— 9,509
200
—
12,385 $
47,807
4,473
16,810
5,022
760
7,326
684
806
10,748
$1,281 $
6,513
932
9,509
909
13,116 $ 14,397 $
54,400
5,097
17,616
15,061
60,913
6,029
27,125
15,970
— 4,297
— 1,851
3,369
12,731
(1,785)
455
630
1,958
5,250
13,080
5,880
15,038
(5,368)
(22,527)
(2,394)
(7,593)
(3,889)
(1,951)
(3,996)
1993
1976
1973
1965
1989
1963
2001
2008
2008
2008
2009
2009
2008
2008
Life
on
Which
Depreciation
is
Computed
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
— 1,623
17,652
1,601
2,273
18,604
20,877
(6,220)
1996
2008
5 - 40 years
—
—
— 2,270
—
—
— 2,678
852
—
—
—
— 2,000
1
—
986
1,002
— 1,855
— 4,645
— 1,600
—
—
694
14,382
— 9,100
— 1,500
— 12,621
— 61,445
—
—
— 2,881
36,966
24,659
365
1,943
8,916
2,451
11,989
2,117
957
5,796
5,891
8,951
16,136
6,108
13,731
8,505
356
33,880
1,455
14,945
(4,852)
(2,438)
6,070
2,025
26,044
22,466
32,114
24,491
10,840
943
104
600
3,422
1,924
2,016
672
680
1,361
3,635
3,016
1,007
526
186
5,752
1,567
4,694
—
2,820
895
10
2,410
—
1,269
1,918
4,664
1,600
34
709
9,104
1,571
12,697
62,356
101
2,164
F- 97
11,206
2,744
8,977
3,041
15,001
4,042
2,707
6,406
6,552
10,312
19,738
9,108
14,734
8,960
467
11,206
5,564
9,872
3,051
17,411
4,042
3,976
8,324
11,216
11,912
19,772
9,817
23,838
10,531
13,164
38,721
2,921
20,356
101,077
3,022
22,520
(4,715)
(9,521)
(3,678)
(1,460)
(2,711)
(2,270)
(5,717)
(3,990)
(731)
(2,461)
(2,574)
(4,044)
(12,931)
(4,383)
(4,362)
(3,231)
(2,941)
(19,957)
(2,029)
(7,946)
2004
1990
1999/2014
1971
1999
1962
1991
1991
1963
1969
1975
1986
1959
1965
2002
1996
N/A
1972
1962
1973
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2009
2009
2008
2008
2009
2009
2008
2008
2009
2009
2008
2008
2009
2008
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
US
Albertville, AL
Allentown, PA
Amarillo, TX
Anaheim, CA
Appleton, WI
Atlanta - Lakewood,
GA
Atlanta - Skygate, GA
Atlanta - Southgate,
GA
Atlanta - Tradewater,
GA
Atlanta - Westgate, GA
Atlanta, GA -
Corporate
Augusta, GA
Babcock, WI
Bartow, FL
Belvidere-Imron, IL
Belvidere-Landmark,
IL (Cross Dock)
Birmingham, AL
Boston, MA
Brea, CA
Brooklyn Park, MN
Burley, ID
Burlington, WA
Carson, CA
Cartersville, GA
Carthage Quarry, MO
Carthage Warehouse
Dist, MO
City of Industry, CA
Clearfield, UT
1
1
1
1
1
—
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
—
1
2
1
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2018
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial
Costs
Property
Buildings
Encumbrances
(3)
Land
Buildings
and
Improvements
—
—
—
—
16,238
806
768
497
1,468
539
21,569
1,429
8,728
14,385
12,228
Gross
amount
at
which
carried
as
of
December
31,
2018
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition
Land
1,222
781
1,128
13,182
490
1,124
860
508
2,929
580
Buildings
and
Improvements
(2)
22,473
2,118
9,845
26,106
12,676
Total
(4)
(5)
23,597
2,978
10,353
29,035
13,256
Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Depletion
(1)
(6)
Date
of
Construction
Date
of
Acquisition
(993)
(1,033)
(3,829)
(6,348)
(5,860)
2017
1971
1969
1994
2010
2017
2008
2008
2009
2010
Life
on
Which
Depreciation
is
Computed
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
Clearfield 2, UT
Columbia, SC
Connell, WA
Dallas, TX
Delhi, LA
Denver-50th Street,
CO
Dominguez Hills,
CA
Douglas, GA
East Dubuque, IL
East Point, GA
Fort Dodge, IA
Fort Smith, AR
Fort Worth-Blue
Mound, TX
Fort Worth-
Samuels, TX
Fremont, NE
Ft. Worth, TX
(Meacham)
Ft. Worth, TX
(Railhead)
Gadsden, AL
Gaffney, SC
Gainesville, GA
Garden City, KS
Gateway, GA
Geneva Lakes, WI
Gloucester -
Rogers, MA
Gloucester - Rowe,
MA
Gouldsboro, PA
Grand Island, NE
Green Bay, WI
Greenville, SC
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
—
—
1,724
521
—
2,244
2,244
(2,028)
1974
2008
5 - 40 years
— 11,149
400
—
—
722
— 1,884
— 1,022
308
—
10,894
2,080
13,764
3,621
7,162
2,231
1,144
1,498
610
2,467
1,102
1,926
11,149
401
753
2,020
1,226
342
12,039
3,577
14,343
5,952
8,060
4,124
23,188
3,978
15,096
7,972
9,286
4,466
(4,452)
(1,147)
(4,392)
(1,503)
(3,197)
(1,232)
1989
1969
1993
1959
1979
1958
2009
2009
2008
2016
2008
2008
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
— 1,700
5,055
1,369
1,700
6,424
8,124
(1,667)
1995
2009
5 - 40 years
— 1,985
629
27,604
13,447
3,109
2,833
5,466
2,109
645
16,155
8,560
18,264
9,205
(6,100)
(4,073)
1977
1968
2009
2008
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
— 5,610
24,686
2,954
5,842
27,408
33,250
(9,816)
2005
2008
5 - 40 years
23,921
— 1,857
100
— 1,000
400
—
446
—
— 3,271
— 1,579
8,536
9,820
3,263
5,704
4,721
19,693
36,020
562
(870)
132
774
1,070
2,332
2,408
1,955
351
1,000
411
446
3,197
2,265
9,000
8,698
3,395
6,467
5,791
22,099
37,742
10,955
9,049
4,395
6,878
6,237
25,296
40,007
(3,564)
(2,353)
(1,197)
(2,225)
(2,116)
(7,974)
(11,200)
1998
1991
1995
1989
1980
1972
1991
2008
2013
2008
2009
2008
2008
2009
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
— 1,683
3,675
2,892
1,818
6,432
8,250
(1,784)
1967
2008
5 - 40 years
— 1,146
— 4,224
430
—
—
—
200
—
2,833
29,473
6,542
2,028
1,108
6,648
2,426
(2,400)
2,689
423
1,272
4,821
479
69
200
F- 98
9,355
31,302
4,093
4,648
1,531
10,627
36,123
4,572
4,717
1,731
(2,846)
(8,514)
(1,848)
(2,239)
(1,234)
1955
2006
1995
1935
1962
2008
2009
2008
2009
2009
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2018
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial
Costs
Gross
amount
at
which
carried
as
of
December
31,
2018
Property
Buildings
Encumbrances
(3)
Land
Buildings
and
Improvements
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition
Land
Buildings
and
Improvements
(2)
Total
(4)
(5)
Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Depletion
(1)
(6)
Date
of
Construction
Date
of
Acquisition
Hatfield, PA
Henderson, NV
Hermiston, OR
Heyburn, ID
Houston, TX
Indianapolis, IN
Jefferson, WI
Lancaster, PA
LaPorte, TX
Leesport, PA
Lynden, WA
Marshall, MO
Massillon 17th,
OH
Massillon Erie,
OH
Memphis
Chelsea , TN
Middleboro, MA
Milwaukie, OR
Mobile, AL
Modesto, CA
Montezuma,GA
Montgomery,
AL
Moses Lake,
WA
Murfreesboro,
TN
Nampa, ID
New Ulm, MN
Oklahoma City,
OK
Ontario, CA
Ontario, OR
2
2
1
1
1
4
2
1
1
1
5
1
1
1
—
1
2
1
6
1
1
1
1
4
7
1
3
4
— 5,002
— 9,043
1,322
33,606
—
—
— 1,454
— 1,897
— 1,553
— 2,203
— 2,945
— 1,206
— 1,420
741
10,786
28,286
14,415
7,107
59
10,084
18,991
19,805
15,670
19,263
14,112
8,590
10,304
— 175
15,322
—
—
1,988
—
80
— 404
— 2,473
—
10
— 2,428
93
—
2
15,031
8,112
3,203
19,594
5,437
9,282
1,060
310
236
1,083
19,166
1,209
724
2,618
11,541
830
383
443
516
(82)
—
1,360
680
4,367
274
5,775
9,043
1,334
—
1,490
3,395
1,880
2,371
3,236
1,675
1,430
826
414
—
—
404
2,483
10
2,915
123
36,796 42,571
15,475 24,518
8,739
7,405
295
295
11,131 12,621
36,657 40,052
20,688 22,568
16,226 18,597
21,591 24,827
25,183 26,858
9,410 10,840
10,603 11,429
(11,914)
(4,736)
(2,844)
(168)
(3,356)
(11,862)
(7,872)
(4,826)
(6,796)
(6,652)
(3,506)
(3,951)
15,526 15,940
(5,350)
2,504
2,504
(2,439)
1
1
15,031 15,435
9,462 11,945
3,883
3,893
23,474 26,389
5,804
5,681
(1)
(127)
(5,361)
(1,317)
(9,566)
(2,396)
6,843
850
7,746
(523)
1,157
6,916
8,073
(2,041)
31,054
575
11,046
2,421
1,093
12,949 14,042
(4,867)
— 1,094
— 1,588
— 725
— 742
— 14,673
—
—
10,936
11,864
10,405
2,411
3,632
13,791
3,501
1,876
701
1,332
1,719
822
1,140
23,583
9,075
742
14,673
1,264
14,198 15,530
13,609 15,328
11,009 11,831
3,551
4,293
27,215 41,888
21,602 22,866
F- 99
(6,126)
(6,999)
(3,703)
1968
(1,578)
(11,061) 1987(1)/1984(2)/1983(3)
(12,076)
1962
1983
1988
1975
2014
1990
1975
1975
1993
1990
1993
1946
1985
2000
1984
1972
2018
1958
1976
1945
1965
1989
1967
1982
1946
1984
Life
on
Which
Depreciation
is
Computed
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
2009
2009
2008
2014
2009
2008
2009
2009
2009
2008
2009
2008
2008
5 - 40 years
2008
5 - 40 years
2008
2018
2008
2009
2009
2008
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
2013
5 - 40 years
2008
5 - 40 years
2008
2008
2009
2008
2008
2008
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2018
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial
Costs
Property
Buildings
Encumbrances
(3)
Land
Buildings
and
Improvements
557
—
—
500
— 3,182
500
—
1,390
35,085
305
—
15,809
12,810
11,312
9,883
18,298
2,402
Gross
amount
at
which
carried
as
of
December
31,
2018
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition
395
2,375
11
1,359
4,934
407
Land
579
580
3,182
506
1,947
316
Buildings
and
Improvements
(2)
16,183
15,105
11,324
11,236
22,675
2,798
Total
(4)
(5)
16,762
15,685
14,506
11,742
24,622
3,114
Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Depletion
(1)
(6)
Date
of
Construction
Date
of
Acquisition
(4,883)
(5,496)
(1,865)
(4,163)
(9,108)
(945)
1984
1993
2014
1981
1981
1952
2008
2009
2014
2009
2008
2008
Life
on
Which
Depreciation
is
Computed
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
— 1,860
18,178
1,817
2,174
19,682
21,856
(8,117)
1995
2008
5 - 40 years
— 2,071
36,658
629
2,165
37,193
39,358
(13,748)
2004
2008
5 - 40 years
— 1,261
9,910
2,433
1,359
12,244
13,603
(5,618)
1986
2008
5 - 40 years
—
40,275
708
3,055
— 7,244
—
—
— 2,014
— 1,894
638
—
258
—
856
—
844
8,032
— 2,082
— 1,800
— 1,551
— 2,177
—
—
17,948
— 1,333
1,078
— 1,477
842
886
3,712
19,485
15,832
21,096
7,181
22,481
22,902
11,101
7,895
11,936
4,780
10,754
7,566
12,129
15,038
20,056
21,216
11,836
9,586
14,159
11,169
10,715
2,385
2,931
9,094
3,749
708
3,111
8,098
—
— 2,014
1,986
638
631
1,009
871
2,194
1,800
1,592
2,408
27
2,410
629
675
3,338
1,201
1,913
541
1,302
5,197
2,064
666
817
851
1,397
402
1,380
1,225
1,651
921
923
F- 100
18,217
23,970
15,421
26,230
22,902
13,419
8,523
12,238
7,965
11,928
9,367
12,670
16,299
25,023
23,253
12,455
10,255
14,836
12,487
11,080
18,925
27,081
23,519
26,230
24,916
15,405
9,161
12,869
8,974
12,799
11,561
14,470
17,891
27,431
23,280
13,835
11,480
16,487
13,408
12,003
(5,221)
(10,657)
(5,522)
(12,589)
(2,239)
(6,978)
(2,493)
(3,894)
(4,033)
(4,504)
(2,754)
(4,726)
(5,134)
(8,846)
(6,738)
(3,940)
(3,462)
(4,457)
(3,654)
(4,236)
1995
1963
1958
1998
1982
1913
1998
1998
1972
1982
1956
1970
1999
1960
2010
1987
1988
1999
1992
1989
2008
2008
2009
2010
2017
2009
2008
2009
2008
2008
2009
2009
2008
2008
2010
2009
2008
2009
2008
2008
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
Pasco, WA
Pendergrass, GA
Phoenix2, AZ
Piedmont, SC
Plover, WI
Portland, ME
Rochelle, IL
(Americold Drive)
Rochelle, IL
(Caron)
Russellville, AR -
Elmira
Russellville, AR -
Valley
Salem, OR
Salinas, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
San Antonio -
HEB, TX
San Antonio, TX
Sebree, KY
Sikeston, MO
Sioux Falls, SD
Springdale, AR
St. Louis, MO
St. Paul, MN
Strasburg, VA
Syracuse, NY
Tacoma, WA
Tampa Plant City,
FL
Tarboro, NC
Taunton, MA
Texarkana, AR
Tomah, WI
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
4
5
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2018
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial
Costs
Gross
amount
at
which
carried
as
of
December
31,
2018
Property
Buildings
Encumbrances
(3)
Land
Buildings
and
Improvements
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition
Land
Buildings
and
Improvements
(2)
Turlock, CA (#1)
Turlock, CA (#2)
Vernon 2, CA
Victorville, CA
Walla Walla, WA
Wallula, WA
Watsonville, CA
West Memphis, AR
Wichita, KS
Woodburn, OR
York, PA
York-Willow
Springs, PA
Zumbrota, MN
Canada
Cold Logic/Taber
Australia
Arndell Park
BRIS CORPORATE-
Acacia Ridge
Laverton
Murarrie
Prospect/ASC
Corporate
Spearwood
New
Zealand
Dalgety
Diversey
Halwyn Dr
Mako Mako
Manutapu/Barber
Akld
Paisley
Smarts Rd
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
—
—
1
2
3
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
—
944
— 3,091
— 8,100
— 2,810
215
—
690
—
—
—
— 1,460
— 1,297
— 1,552
— 3,838
— 1,300
800
—
4,056
7,004
13,490
22,811
4,693
2,645
8,138
12,300
4,717
9,860
36,621
7,351
10,360
290
1,450
3,145
1,075
640
709
384
2,637
1,289
2,399
1,950
359
1,349
967
3,116
8,112
2,810
159
711
21
2,284
1,432
1,552
4,063
1,315
800
Total
(4)
(5)
5,290
11,544
24,734
26,696
5,549
4,044
8,522
16,397
7,303
13,811
42,408
4,323
8,428
16,622
23,886
5,390
3,333
8,501
14,113
5,871
12,259
38,345
7,695
11,709
9,010
12,509
Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Depletion
(1)
(6)
Date
of
Construction
Date
of
Acquisition
(1,829)
(3,172)
(6,580)
(7,734)
(2,976)
(1,107)
(6,914)
(5,350)
(2,557)
(4,126)
(13,461)
(2,928)
(3,514)
1,995
1985
1965
2004
1960
1982
1984
1985
1972
1952
1994
1987
1996
2,008
2008
2009
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2009
2009
Life
on
Which
Depreciation
is
Computed
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
—
—
12
3,375
88
3,300
3,388
(1,521)
1999
2009
5 - 40 years
— 13,489
29,428
(1,265)
11,810
29,842
41,652
(8,768)
1989/1994
2009
5 - 40 years
—
—
— 13,689
— 10,891
—
—
— 7,194
— 6,047
— 2,357
— 5,227
— 1,332
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
28,252
18,975
1,187
10,990
5,531
5,966
3,399
3,810
343
185
247
280
5,700
(3,530)
—
11,985
9,536
19,212
(1,493)
7,492
6,299
749
734
757
237
532
1,528
965
6,269
2,444
5,419
1,381
—
—
—
F- 101
280
35,656
16,800
280
47,641
26,336
12,907
10,392
20,399
16,691
6,058
6,614
3,964
3,998
875
1,713
1,212
12,327
9,058
9,383
5,379
875
1,713
1,212
(280)
(10,058)
(5,377)
(3,156)
(3,732)
(1,779)
(1,961)
(1,419)
(1,117)
(550)
(1,033)
(641)
1997/1998
1972/2003
1985
1978
1988
1988
1992
2000
2004
1984
1984
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
2009
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
5 - 40 years
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2018
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial
Costs
Gross
amount
at
which
carried
as
of
December
31,
2018
Buildings
Encumbrances
(3)
Land
Buildings
and
Improvements
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition
Buildings
and
Improvements
(2)
Total
(4)
(5)
Land
Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Depletion
(1)
(6)
Date
of
Construction
Date
of
Acquisition
Life
on
Which
Depreciation
is
Computed
1
1
—
—
—
706
4,984
(3,158)
—
1,826
1,826
(240)
1996/1999
2009
5 - 40 years
2,586
(1,985)
669
631
1,300
(172)
2000
2009
5 - 40 years
Property
Argentina
Mercado Central -
Buenos Aires,
ARG
Pilar - Buenos
Aires, ARG
Total
289,957 360,437
1,577,729
308,039
385,229
1,860,976 2,246,205
(669,917)
Land,
buildings,
and
improvements
in
the
assets
under
construction
balance
as
of
December
31,
2018.
US
Albertville, AL
Allentown, PA
Atlanta - Skygate,
GA
Atlanta -
Southgate, GA
Atlanta -
Tradewater, GA
Atlanta -
Westgate, GA
Atlanta, GA -
Corporate
Boston, MA
Brooklyn Park,
MN
Cartersville, GA
City of Industry,
CA
East Point, GA
Fort Worth-Blue
Mound, TX
Ft. Worth, TX
(Meacham)
Gateway, GA
Gloucester -
Rogers, MA
Gouldsboro, PA
Green Bay, WI
Hatfield, PA
Henderson, NV
Indianapolis, IN
Middleboro, MA
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
F- 102
16
31
50
15
5
25
569
58
113
32
123
11
12
241
87
54
4
127
—
40
612
85
16
31
50
15
5
25
569
58
113
32
123
11
12
241
87
54
4
127
—
40
612
85
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2018
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial
Costs
Gross
amount
at
which
carried
as
of
December
31,
2018
Property
Buildings
Encumbrances
(3)
Land
Buildings
and
Improvements
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition
Buildings
and
Improvements
(2)
Total
(4)
(5)
Land
Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Depletion
(1)
(6)
Date
of
Construction
Date
of
Acquisition
Life
on
Which
Depreciation
is
Computed
Milwaukie, OR
Modesto, CA
Moses Lake, WA
Murfreesboro, TN
Nampa, ID
Ontario, CA
Pasco, WA
Rochelle, IL
(Americold Drive)
Salinas, CA
Sikeston, MO
Strasburg, VA
Syracuse, NY
Tacoma, WA
Tampa Plant City,
FL
Vernon 2, CA
York, PA
Australia
Arndell Park
Laverton
Murarrie
Prospect
Spearwood
Sydney RT
Brisbane RT
New
Zealand
Dalgety
Diversey
Halwyn Dr
Mako Mako
Manutapu
Paisley
Smarts Rd
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
183
64
11
17
54
231
10
73,432
354
2,238
16
138
272
3
10
7
706
92
90
87
157
24
350
117
85
46
41
36
20
24
183
64
11
17
54
231
10
73,432
354
2,238
16
138
272
3
10
7
706
92
90
87
157
24
350
117
85
46
41
36
20
24
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
F- 103
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2018
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Initial
Costs
Gross
amount
at
which
carried
as
of
December
31,
2018
Property
Buildings
Encumbrances
(3)
Land
Buildings
and
Improvements
Costs
Capitalized
Subsequent
to
Acquisition
Buildings
and
Improvements
(2)
Total
(4)
(5)
Land
Accumulated
Depreciation
and
Depletion
(1)
(6)
Date
of
Construction
Date
of
Acquisition
Life
on
Which
Depreciation
is
Computed
Total
in
assets
under
construction
—
—
—
—
—
81,225
81,225
—
Total
assets
$
289,957 $360,437 $
1,577,729 $
308,039 $385,229 $
1,942,201 $2,327,430 $
(669,917)
F- 104
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2018
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
Schedule
III
–
Footnotes
(1) Reconciliation of total accumulated depreciation and depletion to consolidated balance sheet caption as of December 31, 2018:
Total per Schedule III
Accumulated depreciation on investments in non-real estate assets
Total accumulated depreciation and depletion per consolidated balance sheet (property, plant and equipment and capital
leases)
$
$
(669,917)
(449,024)
(1,118,941)
(2) Reconciliation of total Buildings and Improvements to consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018:
Building and improvements per consolidated balance sheet
Building and improvements capital leases per consolidated balance sheet
Assets under construction per consolidated balance sheet
Less: personal property assets under construction
Total per Schedule III
$
$
$
$
$
(3) Reconciliation of total mortgage notes and term loans to consolidated balance sheet caption as of December 31, 2018:
Total per Schedule III
Unsecured
Deferred financing and discount, net of amortization
$
Total mortgage notes and term loans per consolidated balance sheet
$
1,849,749
11,227
85,983
(4,758)
1,942,201
289,957
1,075,000
(13,943)
1,351,014
(4) The aggregate cost for Federal tax purposes at December 31, 2018 of our real estate assets was approximately $2.1 billion.
F- 105
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2018
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
(5) The following table summarizes the Company’s real estate activity and accumulated depreciation for the years ended December 31:
Real
Estate
Facilities,
at
Cost:
Beginning Balance
Capital expenditures
Acquisitions
Newly developed warehouse facilities
Disposition
Impairment
Conversion of leased assets to owned
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes
Ending Balance
Accumulated
Depreciation:
Beginning Balance
Depreciation expense
Dispositions
Impact of foreign exchange rate changes
Ending Balance
2018
2017
2016
$
2,506,656 $
50,680
—
62,353
(30,199)
(747)
8,405
(21,781)
2,575,367
2,382,343 $
52,555
27,958
60,598
(20,780)
(9,473)
—
13,455
2,506,656
(770,006)
(87,355)
24,672
4,797
(827,892)
(692,390)
(86,169)
11,143
(2,590)
(770,006)
2,379,980
46,761
8,922
—
(36,628)
(9,820)
(5,331)
(1,541)
2,382,343
(629,404)
(85,296)
21,885
425
(692,390)
Total
Real
Estate
Facilities,
Net
at
December
31
$
1,747,475 $
1,736,650 $
1,689,953
The total real estate facilities amounts in the table above include $80.3 million , $90.5 million , and $91.6 million of assets under sale-
leaseback agreements accounted for as a financing as of December 31, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The Company does not hold title
in these assets under sale-leaseback agreements. During the second quarter of 2018 , the Company sold a facility resulting in an $8.4 million
gain on sale of real estate. In preparation of the warehouse disposal, the Company transferred most of its customers inventory to other owned
warehouses within the same region. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company disposed of an idle facility, previously classified as held
for sale, for a $0.9 million loss on sale of real estate, and purchased a portion of a facility that was previously operated under a lease
agreement with a purchase price of $13.8 million . As of December 31, 2018, the Company has no facilities classified as held for sale. During
the year ending December 31, 2017, the Company acquired a new facility for a total cost of $31.9 million , which included $3.9 million of
intangible assets associated with an in-place lease and an above-market lease. In addition, the Company disposed of two idle and one
operational facilities with a net book value of $9.2 million for an aggregate amount of
F- 106
Americold Realty Trust and Subsidiaries
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Subsidiaries
Schedule III – Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation
December 31, 2018
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, as applicable and unless noted)
$9.2 million . As of December 31, 2017, the Company held for sale an idle facility of the Warehouse segment with a carrying amount of $2.6
million , which is included in "Property, plant, and equipment – net" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.
(6) Reconciliation of the Company’s real estate activity and accumulated depreciation and depletion for the years ended December 31, 2018
to Schedule III:
Total real estate facilities gross amount per Schedule III
Plus: Refrigeration equipment
Less: Quarry assets
$
Real estate facilities, at cost - ending balance
Accumulated depreciation and depletion per Schedule
III
Plus: Refrigeration equipment
Less: Quarry assets
Accumulated depreciation and depletion - ending
balance
F- 107
$
$
$
2,327,430
261,103
(13,166)
2,575,367
(669,917)
(160,916)
2,941
(827,892)
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
SIGNATURES
AMERICOLD
REALTY
TRUST
By:
/s/ Fred W. Boehler
Fred W. Boehler
Chief Executive Officer
Date: February 26, 2019
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
/s/ Fred W. Boehler
Fred W. Boehler
/s/ Marc Smernoff
Marc Smernoff
/s/ Thomas Novosel
Thomas Novosel
/s/ Jeffrey M. Gault
Jeffrey M. Gault
Title
Date
Chief Executive Officer, President and Trustee
February 26, 2019
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
February 26, 2019
Chief Accounting Officer and Senior Vice President
February 26, 2019
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
/s/ James R. Heistand
Lead Independent Trustee
James R. Heistand
/s/ George J. Alburger, Jr.
Trustee
George J. Alburger, Jr.
/s/ Ronald W. Burkle
Trustee
Ronald W. Burkle
/s/ Bradley J. Gross
Bradley J. Gross
Trustee
/s/ Michelle M. MacKay
Trustee
Michelle M. MacKay
/s/ Mark R. Patterson
Trustee
Mark R. Patterson
/s/ Andrew P. Power
Trustee
Andrew P. Power
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
CERTIFICATE
OF
LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP
OF
AMERICOLD
REALTY
OPERATING
PARTNERSHIP,
L.P.
EXHIBIT
3.3
The undersigned, desiring to form a limited partnership pursuant to the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act,
6 Delaware Code, Chapter 17, does hereby certify as follows:
I.
Name . The name of the limited partnership is Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. (the “Partnership”).
II. Registered Office . The address of the Partnership’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust
Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of the Partnership’s registered agent
for service of process in the State of Delaware at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.
III. General Partner . The general partner of the Partnership is Americold Realty Trust and the address for such general
partner is 10 Glenlake Parkway, Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30328.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Limited Partnership of Americold Realty
Operating Partnership, L.P. as of April 1, 2010.
GENERAL
PARTNER:
AMERICOLD REALTY TRUST, a Maryland real estate investment trust
By: /s/ Walter Metz
Name: Walter Metz
Title: VP, General Counsel and Secretary
FIRST
AMENDMENT
TO
THE
LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP
AGREEMENT
OF
AMERICOLD
REALTY
OPERATING
PARTNERSHIP,
L.P.
Exhibit
3.5
This FIRST AMENDMENT (this “ Amendment ”) to the Limited Partnership Agreement of Americold Realty Operating
Partnership, L.P. (the “ Partnership ”) is dated and effective as of February 26, 2019. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
shall have the meanings given such terms in the Partnership Agreement (as defined below).
W
I
T
N
E
S
S
E
T
H:
WHEREAS, the Partnership was formed on April 5, 2010 pursuant to a Certificate of Limited Partnership filed with the
Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
WHEREAS, Americold Realty Trust, a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “ General Partner ”), and Americold Realty
Operations, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Limited Partner ”), entered into that certain Limited Partnership Agreement of the
Partnership, dated as of November 30, 2010 (the “ Partnership Agreement ”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to Article 11, the General Partner may amend the Partnership Agreement without the consent of the
Limited Partner in certain circumstances;
WHEREAS, the General Partner desires to amend Exhibit A to reflect the existing Percentage Interest of the General Partner
and the Limited Partner in terms of the number of Partnership Units held by the General Partner and the Limited Partner; and
WHEREAS, such amendment would not require the consent of the Limited Partner pursuant to Article 11 of the Partnership
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations set forth herein, and of other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the General Partner, intending legally to be bound, hereby
agrees as follows:
1.
Exhibit A to the Partnership Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety and superseded and replaced
by Exhibit A attached hereto.
2.
and effect.
Full Force and Effect . Except as expressly amended hereby, the Partnership Agreement shall remain in full force
3.
Validity . Each provision of this Amendment shall be considered separate and, if for any reason, any provision(s)
which is not essential to the effectuation of the basic purposes of this Amendment is determined to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not impair the operation of or affect those provisions of this
Amendment which are otherwise valid. To the extent legally permissible, the General Partner shall substitute
133815704.v4
for the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision a provision with a substantially similar economic effect and intent.
4.
Applicable Law . This Amendment, and the application or interpretation thereof, shall be governed exclusively by
its terms and by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding the conflict of laws provisions thereof.
5.
Binding Agreement . This Amendment and all terms, provisions and conditions hereof shall be binding upon the
Partners, and shall inure to the benefit of the Partners and, except as otherwise provided herein, to their respective heirs, executors,
personal representatives, successors and lawful assigns.
6.
Headings . All section headings in this Amendment are for convenience of reference only and are not intended to
qualify the meaning of any section.
7.
Entire Agreement . The Partnership Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, constitutes the entire agreement
between the Partners pertaining to the subject matter hereof and fully supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous agreements
or understandings between the Partners pertaining to the subject matter hereof.
[ Remainder of page intentionally left blank ]
2
- 2 -
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the General Partner has caused this Amendment to be executed as of the date first above written.
GENERAL PARTNER :
AMERICOLD
REALTY
TRUST
By: /s/ Marc Smernoff
Name: Marc Smernoff
Title:Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
Signature Page to First Amendment to Limited Partnership Agreement of
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.
EXHIBIT
A
PARTNERS,
CAPITAL
COMMITMENTS
AND
PARTNERSHIP
UNITS
As of December 31, 2018
Name
and
Address
of
Partners
Partnership
Units
Percentage
Interest
General Partner
Americold Realty Trust
Contribution pursuant to Americold Contribution Agreement
146,752,609
Limited Partner
Americold Realty Operations, Inc.
1,482,350
Period from November 30, 2010 to December 31, 2017
99%
1%
Name
and
Address
of
Partners
Partnership
Units
Percentage
Interest
General Partner
Americold Realty Trust
Contribution pursuant to Americold Contribution Agreement
Limited Partner
Americold Realty Operations, Inc.
68,676,903
693,706
99%
1%
A - 1
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.10
THIS
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
(this “ Agreement ”), is dated this 26th day of March, 2018, by and between
AMERICOLD LOGISTICS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located in Atlanta,
Georgia (the “ Company ”) and James Snyder (the “ Executive ”).
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ Executive to serves as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the
Company and Executive wishes to be so employed;
W I T N E S S E T H :
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and for good and valuable
consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, each intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as
follows:
1.
Employment . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company hereby agrees to employ
the Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees to accept such employment, for the Employment Term (as defined below). During
the Employment Term, the Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company and shall report
to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “ CEO ”), performing the normal duties and responsibilities of
such position with respect to the business of the Company and such other duties and responsibilities commensurate with such
position as the CEO or the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) may reasonably assign to the Executive from time to
time.
2. Performance . The Executive shall serve the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates faithfully and to the best of the
Executive’s ability and shall devote the Executive’s full business time, energy, experience and talents to the business of the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, as applicable, and will not engage in any other employment activities for any direct or
indirect remuneration without the prior written approval of the Board; provided , however , that it shall not be a violation of this
Agreement for the Executive to manage the Executive’s personal investments, to engage in or serve such civic, community,
charitable, educational, industry, professional, or religious organizations as the Executive may select, or, with the prior approval of
the CEO and Board, to serve on the boards of directors of other companies, so long as such service does not create an actual or
potential conflict of interest with, or impair the Executive’s ability to
1
fulfill the Executive’s duties hereunder or conflict with the Executive’s covenants under Section 6 of this Agreement, in each case as
determined in the sole judgment of the CEO and Board.
3. Employment Term .
(a) Subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 7, the term of employment of the Executive hereunder shall
begin on March 26, 2018 (the “ Commencement Date ”), and shall continue for an indefinite period of time (the “ Employment Term
”).
4. Principal Location . The Executive’s principal place of employment shall be the Company’s offices located in the
Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area, subject to required travel.
5. Compensation and Benefits .
(a) Base Salary . During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary, payable in
equal installments in accordance with Company payroll procedures, at an annual rate of Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars
($350,000), pro-rated to reflect any partial year of employment. The Board or a committee thereof shall review Executive’s base
salary on an annual basis and may increase Executive’s base salary from time to time, in which case such increased salary then shall
become the Executive’s base salary for purposes of this Agreement.
(b) Annual Bonus . The Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus in respect
of each calendar year that ends during the Employment Term, to the extent earned based on the achievement of performance
objectives established by the Board or a committee thereof, after consultation with the Executive, no later than thirty (30) days after
commencement of the relevant bonus period, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Short-Term Incentive Plan, as amended from
time to time. The maximum annual performance-based cash bonus that the Executive may earn is ninety percent (90%), and the
target bonus is sixty percent (60%), in each case, of the Executive’s annual base salary at the rate in effect at the end of the relevant
calendar year, pro-rated to properly reflect any partial year of employment. If the applicable performance objectives are not attained
at least at the minimum level, no annual performance bonus shall be payable. The amount of such annual bonus awarded for a
calendar year shall be determined by the Board or a committee thereof after the end of the calendar year to which such bonus relates
and shall be paid to the Executive during the following calendar year when annual bonuses for the prior calendar year are paid to
other senior executives of the Company generally. The amount of any such annual bonus shall be pro-rated to properly reflect any
partial year of employment. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7(b), to be eligible for any such annual bonus under this Section
5(b), the Executive must be in active working status at the time the Company pays bonuses for the relevant year to other senior
executives generally. For purposes of this Agreement, “active working status” means that the Executive is employed by the
Company.
2
(c) Long Term Incentive Plan.
(i) The Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “
Stock Plan ”) in such amounts and at such times as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Americold
Realty Trust (“ ART ”) shall determine in its sole discretion. Any such awards shall be governed by the Stock Plan and any
Stock Plan award agreements between ART and the Executive.
(ii) Restricted Stock Unit Grant . In consideration of the Executive’s entering into this Agreement and as an
inducement to remain with the Company, the Executive shall be granted promptly following the Commencement Date, under
the Stock Plan, an award of 15,625 restricted stock units to be settled in shares of the common stock of ART (the “ Restricted
Stock Units ”), subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of ART. Such award shall
be governed by the Stock Plan and a restricted stock unit award agreement between the Executive and ART. Subject to terms
of the Stock Plan and the award agreement for the Restricted Stock Units, the Restricted Stock Units shall vest in equal one-
third (1/3) installments on the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant of such award, subject to the
Executive’s continuous employment with the Company from the date of grant of such award through such vesting dates,
except as otherwise provided in Section 7(b).
(d) Benefits . During the Employment Term, the Executive shall, subject to and in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the applicable plan documents in force from time to time and all applicable laws, be eligible to participate in all of the
employee benefit, fringe and perquisite plans, practices, policies and arrangements the Company makes available from time to time
to its executive employees generally.
(e) Paid Time Off . The Executive shall be entitled to not less than twenty-five (25) days of paid time off during
each calendar year, pro-rated for any partial calendar year of employment, in accordance with the Company’s policies and practices
with respect to its employees generally as in effect from time to time.
(f) Business Expenses . The Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company for all reasonable and necessary
business expenses actually incurred by the Executive in performing the Executive’s duties hereunder. All payments under this
Section 5(f) will be made in accordance with policies established by the Company from time to time and subject to receipt by the
Company of appropriate documentation.
(g) Directors and Officers Liability Insurance . During the Employment Term, the Company shall maintain director
and officer liability insurance covering the Executive on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other senior
executives, officers or directors of the Company, as such coverage may be in effect from time to time.
3
6. Covenants of the Executive . The Executive acknowledges that in the course of the Executive’s employment with the
Company the Executive will become familiar with the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ and affiliates’ trade secrets and with other
confidential and proprietary information concerning the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and that the Executive’s
services are of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. Therefore, the Company
and the Executive mutually agree that it is in the interest of both parties for the Executive to enter into the restrictive covenants set
forth in this Section 6 to, among other things, protect the legitimate business interests of the Company and those of its subsidiaries
and affiliates, and that such restrictions and covenants contained in this Section 6 are reasonable in geographical and temporal scope
and in all other respects given the nature of the Executive’s duties and the nature of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ and
affiliates’ businesses and that such restrictions and covenants do not and will not unduly impair the Executive’s ability to earn a
living after termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that (i)
the Company would not have entered into this Agreement but for the restrictive covenants of the Executive set forth in this Section
6, and (ii) such restrictive covenants have been made by the Executive in order to induce the Company to enter into this Agreement.
(a) Definitions . For purposes of this Section 6:
substantially similar to the business conducted by the Company.
“ Competing Business ” means any person or entity that engages in a business that is the same as or
“ Confidential Information ” means confidential information relating to the business of the Company and/or
its affiliates that (i) has been made known to the Executive through the Executive’s relationship with the Company or its affiliates,
(ii) has value to the Company and/or its affiliates and (iii) is not generally known to competitors of the Company and/or its
affiliates. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, methods of operation, business strategies, plans for acquisition or
expansion, terms of transaction documents (including but not limited to purchase and sale agreements, operating agreements, lease
agreements and employment agreements), financial information and projections, pricing and discount information, lists of and
information regarding current or prospective customers, vendors, licensees and licensors, product development activities, marketing
plans and strategies, non-public personnel information, and any other information of whatever kind that gives the Company and/or
its affiliates an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not possess such information, regardless of whether
such information is marked “confidential.” Confidential Information includes trade secrets (as defined under applicable law) as
well as information that does not rise to the level of a trade secret, and includes information that has been entrusted to the Company
or any of its affiliates by a third party under an obligation of confidentiality. Confidential Information does not include any
information that has been voluntarily disclosed to the public by the Company (except where such public disclosure has
4
been made by the Executive without authorization) or that has been independently developed and disclosed by others, or that
otherwise enters the public domain through lawful means.
(2) years of the Executive’s employment with the Company.
“ Customer ” means a current or actively sought prospective customer of the Company during the last two
the one (1)-year period following termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason.
“ Restricted Period ” means the period in which the Executive is employed with the Company together with
behalf of the Company during the last two (2) years of the Executive’s employment with the Company.
“ Services ” means services of the type conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Executive to or on
“ Territory ” means each geographic area in which the Company conducted business during the Executive’s
employment with the Company; provided , that if the Executive’s duties and responsibilities during the last two (2) years of the
Executive’s employment were limited to particular geographic areas, then the “Territory” shall be limited to such geographic areas.
(b) Noncompetition . During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, own, manage,
operate, control, consult with, be employed by or otherwise provide Services to, or participate in the ownership, management,
operation or control of, any Competing Business anywhere in the Territory. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive’s
ownership solely as an investor of two percent (2%) or less of the outstanding securities of any class of any publicly-traded securities
of any company shall not, by itself, be considered to be competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
(c) Non-solicitation of Customers . During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i)
solicit or attempt to solicit any Customer for purposes of providing products or services that are competitive with the products and
services provided by the Company or (ii) induce or attempt to induce any Customer to reduce or cease doing business with the
Company, or otherwise interfere with the relationship between any Customer and the Company.
5
(d) Non-solicitation of Employees . During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i)
solicit for employment or attempt to solicit for employment, directly or by assisting others, any person who was an employee or
independent contractor of the Company on, or within six (6) months before, the date of such solicitation or attempted solicitation or
(ii) induce or attempt to induce any employee or independent contractor of the Company to terminate such person’s employment or
independent contractor relationship with the Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such person and the
Company.
(e) Non-disclosure of Confidential Information .
(i) The Executive acknowledges that all Confidential Information is the property of the Company or its applicable
affiliates. The Executive further acknowledges that the Company and its affiliates intend, and make reasonable good faith
efforts, to protect the Confidential Information from public disclosure. Therefore, the Executive agrees that, except as
required by law or regulation or as legally compelled by court order ( provided that in such case, the Executive shall
promptly notify the Company of such order, shall cooperate with the Company in attempting to obtain a protective order or
to otherwise restrict such disclosure, and shall only disclose Confidential Information to the minimum extent necessary to
comply with any such law regulation or order), during the Employment Term and at all times thereafter, the Executive shall
not, directly or indirectly, divulge, transmit, publish, copy, distribute, furnish or otherwise disclose or make accessible any
Confidential Information, or use any Confidential Information for the benefit of anyone other than the Company and its
affiliates.
(ii) The Company does not wish to incorporate any unlicensed or unauthorized material into its products or
services. Therefore, the Executive agrees that the Executive will not disclose to the Company, use in the Company’s
business, or cause the Company to use, any information or material which is a trade secret, or confidential or proprietary
information, of any third party, including, but not limited to, any former employer, any competitor or any client, unless the
Company has a right to receive and use such information or material. The Executive will not incorporate into the Executive’s
work any material or information which is subject to the copyrights of any third party unless the Company has a written
agreement with such third party or otherwise has the right to receive and use such material or information.
(f) Company Intellectual Property . The Executive agrees to promptly disclose to the Company any and all work
product, inventions, artistic works, works of authorship, designs, methods, processes, technology, patterns, techniques, data,
Confidential Information, patents, trade secrets, trademarks, domain names, copyrights, and the like, and all other intellectual
property relating to the business of the Company and any of its affiliates which are created, authored, composed, invented,
discovered, performed, perfected, or learned by the Executive (either solely
6
or jointly with others) during the Employment Term (collectively, together with such intellectual property as may be owned or
acquired by the Company, the “ Company Intellectual Property ”). The Company Intellectual Property shall be the sole and absolute
property of the Company and its affiliates. All work performed by the Executive in authoring, composing, inventing, creating,
developing or modifying Company Intellectual Property and/or other work product to which copyright protection may attach during
the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company shall be considered “works made for hire” to the extent permitted
under applicable copyright law and will be considered the sole property of the Company. To the extent such works, work product or
Company Intellectual Property are not considered “works made for hire,” all right, title, and interest to such works, work product and
Company Intellectual Property, including, but not limited to, all copyrights, patents, trademarks, rights of publicity, and trade
secrets, is hereby assigned to the Company and the Executive agrees, at the Company’s expense, to execute any documents
requested by the Company or any of its affiliates at any time in relation to such assignment. The Executive acknowledges and agrees
that the Company is and will be the sole and absolute owner of all trademarks, service marks, domain names, patents, copyrights,
trade dress, trade secrets, business names, rights of publicity, inventions, proprietary know-how and information of any type,
whether or not in writing, and all other intellectual property used by the Company or held for use in the business of the Company,
including all Company Intellectual Property. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that any and all derivative works,
developments, or improvements based on intellectual property, materials and assets subject to this Section 6 created during the
Employment Term (including, without limitation, Company Intellectual Property) shall be exclusively owned by the Company. The
Executive will cooperate with the Company and any of its affiliates, at no additional cost to such parties (whether during or after the
Employment Term), in the confirmation, registration, protection and enforcement of the rights and property of the Company and its
affiliates in such intellectual property, materials and assets, including, without limitation, the Company Intellectual Property.
(g) Company Property . All Confidential Information, Company Intellectual Property, files, records,
correspondence, memoranda, notes or other documents (including, without limitation, those in computer-readable form) or property
relating or belonging to the Company and affiliates, whether prepared by the Executive or otherwise coming into the Executive’s
possession or control in the course of the performance of the Executive’s services under this Agreement, shall be the exclusive
property of the Company and shall be delivered to the Company, and not retained by the Executive (including, without limitation,
any copies thereof), promptly upon request by the Company and, in any event, promptly upon termination of the Employment Term.
The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Executive has no expectation of privacy with respect to the Company’s
telecommunications, networking or information processing systems (including, without limitation, stored computer files, email
messages and voice messages), and that the Executive’s activity and any files or messages on or using any of those systems may be
monitored at any time without notice.
7
(h) Enforcement . The Executive acknowledges that a breach of the Executive’s covenants and agreements
contained in this Section 6 would cause irreparable damage to the Company and its affiliates, the exact amount of which would be
difficult to ascertain, and that the remedies at law for any such breach or threatened breach would be inadequate. Accordingly, the
Executive agrees that if the Executive materially breaches any of the covenants or agreements contained in this Section 6, in addition
to any other remedy which may be available at law or in equity, the Company and affiliates shall be entitled to: (i) cease or withhold
payment to the Executive of any severance payments described in Section 7, for which the Executive otherwise qualifies under such
Section 7, and the Executive shall promptly repay to the Company 90% of any such severance payments the Executive previously
received (with the remaining 10% serving as consideration for the Executive’s release of claims described in Section 7(d), (ii)
institute and prosecute proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and injunctive and other
equitable relief without bond or other security or a showing of irreparable harm or lack of an adequate remedy at law, and (iii) an
equitable accounting by any court of competent jurisdiction of all profits or benefits arising out of such violation. Additionally, upon
a material breach by the Executive of this Section 6, the unvested Restricted Stock Units (and any other unvested stock-based awards
held by the Executive) shall be automatically canceled and forfeited without any further action.
(i) Scope of Covenants . The Company and the Executive further acknowledge that the time, scope, geographic
area and other provisions of this Section 6 have been specifically negotiated by sophisticated commercial parties and agree that they
consider the restrictions and covenants contained in this Section 6 to be reasonable and necessary for the protection of the interests
of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, but if any such restriction or covenant shall be held by any court of competent
jurisdiction to be void but would be valid if deleted in part or reduced in application, such restriction or covenant shall apply in such
jurisdiction with such deletion or modification as may be necessary to make it valid and enforceable. The restrictions and covenants
contained in each paragraph of this Section 6 shall be construed as separate and individual restrictions and covenants and shall each
be capable of being reduced in application or severed without prejudice to the other restrictions and covenants or to the remaining
provisions of this Agreement.
(j) Enforceability . If any court holds any of the restrictions or covenants contained in this Section 6 to be
unenforceable by reason of their breadth or scope or otherwise, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such determination not bar
or in any way affect the right of the Company and its affiliates to the relief provided in this Section 6 in the courts of any other
jurisdiction within the geographic scope of such restrictions and covenants.
(k) Disclosure of Restrictive Covenants . The Executive agrees to disclose in advance the existence and terms of
the restrictions and covenants contained in this Section 6 to any employer or other service recipient by whom the Executive may be
employed or retained during the Restricted Period.
8
(l) Extension of Restricted Period . If the Executive breaches any non-competition or non-solicitation covenant set
forth in this Section 6 in any respect, the Restricted Period will be extended for a period equal to the period that the Executive was in
breach of such covenant, up to a maximum period of one (1) year.
7. Termination .
(a) Termination of Employment . The employment of the Executive hereunder and the Employment Term may be
terminated at any time:
(i) by the Company with or without Cause (as defined herein) upon written notice to the Executive;
(ii) by the Company due to the Executive’s Disability (as hereinafter defined) upon written notice to the Executive;
(iii)
by the Executive with Good Reason (as defined herein);
(iv) by the Executive without Good Reason upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Company (which notice
period may be waived by the Company in its absolute discretion, in which case, such termination shall be effective
immediately upon the Company’s receipt of notice thereof from the Executive); or
(v) without action by the Company, the Executive or any other person or entity, immediately upon the Executive’s
death.
If the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason under this Section 7, the Company shall be obligated to
pay or provide to the Executive (or the Executive’s estate, as applicable) in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following such
termination, or at such other time prescribed by any applicable plan or applicable laws: (A) any base salary payable to the Executive
pursuant to this Agreement, accrued up to and including the date on which the Executive’s employment is terminated, less required
statutory deductions; (B) accrued and unpaid paid time off (if and as required by applicable law or the Company’s policies then in
effect); (C) any employee benefits to which the Executive is entitled upon termination of the Executive’s employment with the
Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans of the Company, as in place from time to time; and (D)
reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred by the Executive prior to the Executive’s date of termination
pursuant to Section 5(f) ((A)-(D) collectively, the “ Accrued Amounts ”).
(b) Termination by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason . If the Executive’s
employment is terminated (A) by the Company without Cause or (B) by the Executive for Good Reason (in either case, other than a
termination due to the Executive’s death or Disability), in addition to the Accrued Amounts, the Executive shall be entitled to
receive
9
as severance (subject to Section 7(d)) the amounts set forth in this Section 7(b), provided the Executive executes and does not revoke
the Release as required by Section 7(d).
(i) The Executive shall be entitled to an amount equal to the Executive’s annual base salary (as described in Section
5(a)), for a period equal to twelve (12) months (the “ Severance Period ”), payable starting on the sixtieth (60 th ) day
following the date of such termination (but with the first payment being a lump sum payment covering all payment periods
from the date of termination through the date of such first payment), in substantially equal installments in accordance with
the Company’s payroll practices during the Severance Period following the date of such termination, subject to reduction
pursuant to Section 6(h);
(ii) To the extent performance objectives applicable to the Executive’s annual bonus in the year of termination
(including any objectives applicable to the Company’s targeted budget) are earned as of the end of the relevant bonus period,
the Executive shall be entitled to the annual bonus earned for the calendar year of such termination pursuant to Section 5(b)
of this Agreement, pro-rated based on the number of days the Executive was actively employed by the Company during such
bonus period, payable at the time such annual bonus would otherwise be paid in accordance with Section 5(b) of this
Agreement;
(iii) Continued full participation in the Company’s health and welfare benefit programs (including full
reimbursement for all health, dental and vision expenses, but excluding participation in the Company’s short, long-term
disability plans) for a period of twelve (12) months following the Executive’s termination date (for the avoidance of doubt,
this continuation period shall run concurrently with any required continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”); provided that the Company’s obligation to make any payment pursuant to this
provision shall cease upon the date the Executive became eligible for coverage under the health plan of a future employer
(regardless of whether the Executive elects such coverage) and the Executive shall promptly notify the Company of his
eligibility for any such coverage;
(iv) Subject to Section 7(b)(v), if any Restricted Stock Units referenced in Section 5(c)(ii) remain unvested at the
time of such termination, the next installment of the Restricted Stock Units that would have vested on the next scheduled
vesting date shall vest as of the date of termination and the balance of any unvested Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited.
Also, if any awards issued to the Executive under the Stock Plan as to which vesting depends upon the satisfaction of one or
more performance conditions remain unvested at the time of such termination, a prorated portion of the performance-vesting
awards shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance through the last day of the applicable
performance period, based on the number of days during the applicable performance period that the Executive was
employed. Any performance-vesting awards that
10
are earned based on actual performance will vest and settle as provided in the applicable award agreement.
(v) If such termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for
Good Reason occurs within the twelve (12) month period following a Change in Control (as such term is defined in the Stock
Plan), (A) any Restricted Stock Units referenced in Section 5(c)(ii) which are not vested at the time of such termination shall
immediately become vested and (B) any other awards granted to the Executive pursuant to the Stock Plan as to which vesting
depends upon the satisfaction of one or more performance conditions and which are not vested at the time of termination
shall immediately become vested based on actual performance through the termination date.
(c) Definitions of Certain Terms . For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) “ Cause ” means the Executive’s (A) commission of an act that constitutes common law fraud or a felony,
commission of any other crime involving moral turpitude, or commission of any other tortious or unlawful act causing, or
which may likely cause, material harm to the business, standing or reputation of the Company without the good faith belief
that such conduct was in the best interests of the Company; (B) material breach of this Agreement, after the Company has
given the Executive thirty (30) days written notice and an opportunity to cure such breach to the extent curable; (C) willful
failure or refusal to perform the Executive’s material duties or obligations under this Agreement, including, without
limitation, failure or refusal to abide by the directions of the CEO or the Board or any written policy adopted by the Board, in
each case after the Company has given the Executive thirty (30) days written notice and an opportunity to cure such failure or
refusal to the extent curable; (D) willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of the Executive’s duties as an
employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; or (E) material misappropriation or
embezzlement of any property of the Company.
(ii) “ Disability ” means a condition entitling the Executive to benefits under the Company’s long term disability
plan, policy or arrangement in which the Executive participates; provided , however , that if no such plan, policy or
arrangement is then maintained by the Company and applicable to the Executive, “Disability” shall mean the Executive’s
inability to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, the Executive’s duties under this Agreement due to a mental
or physical condition that can be expected to result in death or that can be expected to last (or has already lasted) for a
continuous period of ninety (90) days or more, or for an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days in any three hundred
sixty five (365) consecutive day period, as determined by the CEO or the Board in its good faith discretion.
11
(iii) “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence, without the Executive’s consent, of any of the following events, other
than in connection with a termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause or due to death or Disability: (A) a material
reduction in the Executive’s rate of base salary stated in Section 5(a) and/or the amount of the Executive’s annual bonus
opportunity described in Section 5(b); (B) an action by the Company resulting in a material diminution in the Executive’s
titles, authority, duties, responsibilities or direct reports, (C) the Company’s relocation of the Executive’s principal place of
employment to a location outside of the fifty (50)-mile radius of Atlanta, Georgia; or (D) a material breach by the Company
of this Agreement; provided , however , that none of the events described in this sentence shall constitute Good Reason
unless and until (V) the Executive reasonably determines in good faith that a Good Reason condition has occurred, (W) the
Executive first notifies the Company in writing describing in reasonable detail the condition which constitutes Good Reason
within sixty (60) days of its initial occurrence, (X) the Company fails to cure such condition within thirty (30) days after the
Company’s receipt of such written notice, (Y) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good Reason condition continues to exist,
and (Z) the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment within sixty (60) days after the end of such thirty (30)-day cure
period. If the Company cures the Good Reason condition during such cure period, Good Reason shall be deemed not be have
occurred.
(d) Release of Claims . As a condition of receiving any severance for which the Executive otherwise qualifies
under Section 7(b), the Executive agrees to execute, deliver and not revoke, within sixty (60) days following the date of the
Executive’s termination of employment, a separation agreement containing a general release of claims against the Company and its
subsidiaries and their respective affiliates and their respective employees, officers, directors, owners and members, in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Release ”), such Release to be delivered, and to have become fully irrevocable, on or
before the end of such sixty (60)-day period. If the Release has not been executed and delivered and become irrevocable on or before
the end of such sixty (60)-day period, no amounts or benefits under Section 7(b) shall be or become payable.
(e) No Additional Rights . The Executive acknowledges and agrees that, except as specifically described in this
Section 7, all of the Executive’s rights to any compensation, benefits, bonuses or severance from the Company and its subsidiaries
and affiliates after termination of the Employment Term shall cease upon such termination.
8. Notices . All notices, requests, demands, claims, consents and other communications which are required, permitted or
otherwise delivered hereunder shall in every case be in writing and shall be deemed properly served if: (a) delivered personally, (b)
sent by registered or certified mail, in all such cases with first class postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or (c) delivered by a
recognized overnight courier service, to the parties at the addresses as set forth below:
12
If to the Company: Americold Logistics, LLC
10 Glenlake Parkway
South Tower, Suite 600
Attention: Andrea Darweesh
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
With copies to: King & Spalding LLP
1180 Peachtree Street
Attention: C. Spencer Johnson, III
If to the Executive: At the Executive’s residence address
as maintained by the Company in the
regular course of its business for
payroll purposes.
or to such other address as shall be furnished in writing by either party to the other party; provided that such notice or
change in address shall be effective only when actually received by the other party. Date of service of any such notices or other
communications shall be: (a) the date such notice is personally delivered, (b) three (3) days after the date of mailing if sent by
certified or registered mail, or (c) one business day after date of delivery to the overnight courier if sent by overnight courier.
9. Arbitration . Except as otherwise provided in Section 6(h) in connection with equitable remedies, any dispute, claim or
controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any dispute, claim or controversy concerning
the validity, enforceability, breach or termination hereof, if not resolved by the parties, shall be finally settled by arbitration in
accordance with the then-prevailing Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration
Association, as modified herein (“ Rules ”). There shall be one arbitrator who shall be jointly selected by the parties. If the parties
have not jointly agreed upon an arbitrator within twenty (20) calendar days of respondent’s receipt of claimant’s notice of intention
to arbitrate, either party may request the American Arbitration Association to furnish the parties with a list of names from which the
parties shall jointly select an arbitrator. If the parties have not agreed upon an arbitrator within ten (10) calendar days of the
transmittal date of such list, then each party shall have an additional five (5) calendar days in which to strike any names objected to,
number the remaining names in order of preference, and return the list to the American Arbitration Association, which shall then
select an arbitrator in accordance with Rule 13 of the Rules. The place of arbitration shall be Atlanta, Georgia or such other location
as mutually agreed in writing by the parties. By agreeing to arbitration, the parties hereto do not intend to deprive any court of its
jurisdiction to issue a pre-arbitral injunction or with respect to other proceedings described in Section 6(h) (or delay any such
proceedings), pre-arbitral attachment or other order in aid of
13
arbitration. The arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16. Judgment upon the award of the
arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party shall bear its or his or her own costs and expenses in any
such arbitration and one-half of the arbitrator’s fees and expenses.
10. Waiver of Jury Trial . THE
PARTIES
TO
THIS
AGREEMENT
EACH
HEREBY
WAIVES,
TO
THE
FULLEST
EXTENT
PERMITTED
BY
LAW,
ANY
RIGHT
TO
TRIAL
BY
JURY
OF
ANY
CLAIM,
DEMAND,
ACTION,
OR
CAUSE
OF
ACTION
(I)
ARISING
UNDER
THIS
AGREEMENT
OR
(II)
IN
ANY
WAY
CONNECTED
WITH
OR
RELATED
OR
INCIDENTAL
TO
THE
DEALINGS
OF
THE
PARTIES
HERETO
IN
RESPECT
OF
THIS
AGREEMENT
OR
ANY
OF
THE
TRANSACTIONS
RELATED
HERETO,
IN
EACH
CASE
WHETHER
NOW
EXISTING
OR
HEREAFTER
ARISING,
AND
WHETHER
IN
CONTRACT,
TORT,
EQUITY,
OR
OTHERWISE.
THE
PARTIES
TO
THIS
AGREEMENT
EACH
HEREBY
AGREES
AND
CONSENTS
THAT
ANY
SUCH
CLAIM,
DEMAND,
ACTION,
OR
CAUSE
OF
ACTION
SHALL
BE
DECIDED
BY
COURT
TRIAL
WITHOUT
A
JURY
AND
THAT
THE
PARTIES
TO
THIS
AGREEMENT
MAY
FILE
AN
ORIGINAL
COUNTERPART
OF
A
COPY
OF
THIS
AGREEMENT
WITH
ANY
COURT
AS
WRITTEN
EVIDENCE
OF
THE
CONSENT
OF
THE
PARTIES
HERETO
TO
THE
WAIVER
OF
THEIR
RIGHT
TO
TRIAL
BY
JURY.
11. Section 409A .
(a) The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with, or be exempt from,
Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “ Code Section 409A ”) and the
Company shall have complete discretion to interpret and construe this Agreement and any associated documents in any manner that
establishes an exemption from (or compliance with) the requirements of Code Section 409A. If, for any reason, such as imprecision
in drafting any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including, without limitation, equity compensation or
benefits) does not accurately reflect its intended establishment of an exemption from (or compliance with) Code Section 409A, as
demonstrated by consistent interpretations or other evidence of intent, such provision shall be considered ambiguous as to its
exemption from (or compliance with) Code Section 409A and shall be interpreted by the Company in a manner consistent with such
intent, as determined in the discretion of the Company.
(b) A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this
Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits that are considered nonqualified deferred compensation under
Code Section 409A upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service”
within the meaning of Code Section 409A, and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,”
“termination of employment” or like terms shall mean such a
14
“separation from service.” The determination of whether and when a separation from service has occurred for proposes of this
Agreement shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations.
(c) Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of the Executive’s separation
from service, the Company determines that the Executive is a “specified employee,” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, then
to the extent any payment or benefit that the Executive becomes entitled to under this Agreement on account of such separation from
service would be considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Code Section 409A such payment or benefit shall be paid or
provided at the date which is the earlier of (i) six (6) months and one day after such separation from service and (ii) the date of the
Executive’s death (the “ Delay Period ”). Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this
Section 11(c) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall
be paid or provided to the Executive in a lump-sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be
paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.
(d) Any reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement that constitute deferred compensation
within the meaning of Code Section 409A shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A,
including, without limitation, that (i) in no event shall any fees, expenses or other amounts eligible to be reimbursed by the Company
under this Agreement be paid later than the last day of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which the applicable
fees, expenses or other amounts were incurred; (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits that the
Company is obligated to pay or provide, in any given calendar year shall not affect the expenses that the Company is obligated to
reimburse, or the in-kind benefits that the Company is obligated to pay or provide, in any other calendar year; (iii) the Executive’s
right to have the Company pay or provide such reimbursements and in-kind benefits may not be liquidated or exchanged for any
other benefit; and (iv) in no event shall the Company’s obligations to make such reimbursements or to provide such in-kind benefits
apply later than the Executive’s remaining lifetime (or if longer, through the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Commencement Date).
(e) For purposes of Code Section 409A, the Executive’s right to receive any installment payments shall be treated
as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment
period with reference to a number of days (for example, payment shall be made “within thirty (30) days following such
termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company. In no event
may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement, to the extent
such payment is subject to Code Section 409A.
15
(f) The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Executive or any other
person if any provisions of this Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A but do
not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, Code Section 409A.
12. General .
(a) Governing Law . Unless preempted by federal law, this Agreement and the legal relations thus created between
the parties hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Georgia, without giving
effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Georgia or any other jurisdiction) that would
cause the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Georgia. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that
this Agreement was executed and delivered in the State of Georgia.
(b) Construction and Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be construed and
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be
prohibited by, or invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under, any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such
prohibition, invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any other jurisdiction,
and the parties undertake to implement all efforts which are necessary, desirable and sufficient to amend, supplement or substitute all
and any such prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with enforceable and valid provisions in such jurisdiction which
would produce as nearly as may be possible the result previously intended by the parties without renegotiation of any material terms
and conditions stipulated herein.
(c) Cooperation . During the Employment Period and thereafter, the Executive shall cooperate with the Company
and be reasonably available to the Company with respect to continuing and/or future matters related to the Executive’s employment
period with the Company and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates, whether such matters are business-related, legal, regulatory or
otherwise (including, without limitation, the Executive appearing at the Company’s request to give testimony without requiring
service of a subpoena or other legal process, volunteering to the Company all pertinent information and turning over to the Company
all relevant documents which are or may come into the Executive’s possession). Following the Employment Term, the Company
shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the Executive in rendering such services that are
approved by the Company. In addition, if more than an incidental cooperation is required at any time after the termination of the
Executive’s employment, the Executive shall be paid (other than for the time of actual testimony) a per day fee based on the
Executive’s base salary described in Section 5(a) at the time of such termination divided by 225.
(d) Nondisparagement. During the Employment Term and thereafter, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly,
take any action, or encourage others to take any action,
16
to disparage the Company, its employees, officers, directors, products, services, customers or owners; provided, however, this
provision does not apply to the Executive’s oral or written communications made in the performance of the Executive’s duties as
provided in this Agreement, including but not limited to expressions of opinion communicated internally at the Company or to the
Company’s directors.
(e) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Company and its successors and assigns and the Executive and the Executive’s heirs, executors, administrators, and successors;
provided that the services provided by the Executive under this Agreement are of a personal nature, and rights and obligations of the
Executive under this Agreement shall not be assignable or delegable, except for any death payments otherwise due the Executive,
which shall be payable to the estate of the Executive; provided further the Company may assign this Agreement to, and all rights
hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or any person, firm or corporation resulting from
the reorganization of the Company or succeeding to the business or assets of the Company by purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise; and provided further that in the event of the Executive’s death, any unpaid amount due to the Executive under this
Agreement shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.
(f) Executive’s Representations . The Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that: (i) the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Executive do not and shall not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a
default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the Executive is a party or by which the
Executive is bound; (ii) the Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, noncompetition or nonsolicitation
agreement or confidentiality agreement with any other person or entity besides the Company and (iii) upon the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of the Executive, enforceable
in accordance with its teens. THE
EXECUTIVE
HEREBY
ACKNOWLEDGES
AND
REPRESENTS
THAT
THE
EXECUTIVE
HAS
CONSULTED
WITH
INDEPENDENT
LEGAL
COUNSEL
REGARDING
THE
EXECUTIVE’S
RIGHTS
AND
OBLIGATIONS
UNDER
THIS
AGREEMENT,
TO
THE
EXTENT
DETERMINED
NECESSARY
OR
APPROPRIATE
BY
THE
EXECUTIVE,
AND
THAT
THE
EXECUTIVE
FULLY
UNDERSTANDS
THE
TERMS
AND
CONDITIONS
CONTAINED
HEREIN.
(g) Compliance with Rules and Policies . The Executive shall perform all services in accordance with the policies,
procedures and rules established by the Company and the Board. In addition, the Executive shall comply with all laws, rules and
regulations that are generally applicable to the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates and their respective employees, directors and
officers.
17
(h) Withholding Taxes . All amounts payable hereunder shall be subject to the withholding of all applicable taxes
and deductions required by any applicable law.
(i) Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and terminates and supersedes any and all prior agreements, understandings and
representations, whether written or oral, by or between the parties hereto or their affiliates which may have related to the subject
matter hereof in any way.
(j) Duration . Notwithstanding the Employment Term hereunder, this Agreement shall continue for so long as any
obligations remain under this Agreement.
(k) Survival . The covenants set forth in Sections 6 and 12(c) of this Agreement shall survive and shall continue to
be binding upon the Executive notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever.
(l) Amendment and Waiver . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the prior
written consent of the Company and the Executive, and no course of conduct or course of dealing or failure or delay by any party
hereto in enforcing or exercising any of the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Company’s right to
terminate the Employment Term for Cause) shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or be deemed
to be an implied waiver of any similar or dissimilar requirement, provision or condition of this Agreement at the same or any prior or
subsequent time. Pursuit by either party of any available remedy, either in law or equity, or any action of any kind, does not
constitute waiver of any other remedy or action. Such remedies and actions are cumulative and not exclusive.
(m) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which taken together shall
constitute one instrument.
(n) Section References . Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only
and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose. The words Section and paragraph herein shall refer to
provisions of this Agreement unless expressly indicated otherwise.
(o) No Strict Construction . The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this
Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted
jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring either party hereto by virtue
of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. When the context admits or requires, words used in the masculine
gender shall be construed to include the feminine, the plural shall include the singular, and the singular shall include the plural.
18
(p) Time of the Essence; Computation of Time . Time is of the essence for each and every provision of this
Agreement. Whenever the last day for the exercise of any privilege or the discharge or any duty hereunder shall fall upon a Saturday,
Sunday, or any date on which banks in New York, New York are authorized to be closed, the party having such privilege or duty
may exercise such privilege or discharge such duty on the next succeeding day which is a regular business day.
(q) No Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed
to give any person other than the parties to this Agreement and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors or
permitted assigns any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of any agreement or any provision contained
herein.
(r) Protected Rights . Nothing contained in this Agreement limits the Executive’s ability to file a charge or
complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or
commission (collectively, “ Government Agencies ”), or prevents the Executive from providing truthful testimony in response to a
lawfully issued subpoena or court order. Further, this Agreement does not limit the Executive’s ability to communicate with any
Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government
Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company.
(s) Defend Trade Secrets Act . The Executive is hereby notified that under the Defend Trade Secrets Act: (i) no
individual shall be held criminally or civilly liable under federal or state trade secret law for disclosure of a trade secret (as defined
in the Economic Espionage Act) that is: (A) made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or
indirectly, or to an attorney, and made solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law or (B) made in
a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal so that it is not made public;
and (ii) an individual who pursues a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of the law may
disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the
individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except as permitted by
court order.
[Signature Page Follows.]
19
[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, have hereunto executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first written above.
AMERICOLD LOGISTICS, LLC
Date: 3/29/2018_______________ By: /s/ Fred Boehler______________
Name: Fred W. Boehler
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
James Snyder
Date: 3/29/2018 _______________ /s/ James Snyder ________________
Exhibit
A:
Form
of
Release
WAIVER
AND
RELEASE
This Waiver and Release (this “ Release ”) is executed by James Snyder (the “ Executive ”) pursuant to Section 7(d) of the
Employment Agreement, dated as of [•], by and between AMERICOLD LOGISTICS, LLC and the Executive (the “ Employment
Agreement ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Release have the meanings given to them in the Employment
Agreement.
1.
General Release . In consideration of the payments and benefits to be provided to the Executive pursuant to Section
7(b) of the Employment Agreement, the Executive, on behalf of the Executive and anyone claiming through the Executive, hereby
fully and completely releases, acquits and forever discharges the Company, its affiliates and related entities, and each of their
respective current and former employees, officers, directors, shareholders, partners, members, managers, agents, employee benefit
plans and fiduciaries, insurers, trustees, attorneys, joint venture partners, transferees, successors and assigns (each a “ Released Party
” and collectively, the “ Released Parties ”), collectively, separately, and severally, of and from any and all claims, demands,
damages, causes of action, debts, liabilities, controversies, judgments, and suits of every kind and nature whatsoever, foreseen,
unforeseen, known or unknown, that arise out of or relate to the Executive’s employment or termination of employment with the
Company and that the Executive has had, now has, or may have against the Released Parties (or any of them) at any time up to and
including the date the Executive signs this Release, with the exception of the claims set forth in Section 2 below (the claims released
in this Release are collectively referred to as the “ Released Claims ”). The Released Claims include all claims arising under any
federal, state or local statute or ordinance, constitutional provision, public policy or common law, including Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (the “ ADEA ”), the Equal Pay Act, the Civil Rights Act of
1866, the Civil Rights Act of 1871, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (with respect to unvested benefits), COBRA, the
Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Georgia Equal Pay Act, the Georgia Prohibition of Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Georgia Equal Employment for People with Disabilities Code, all as amended; all
claims arising under discrimination laws, whistleblower laws and laws relating to violation of public policy, retaliation, or
interference with legal rights; all claims for compensation of any type whatsoever, including claims for wages, bonuses,
commissions, equity, vacation, sick leave, PTO and severance; all claims arising under tort, contract and/or quasi-contract law,
including all claims arising under the Employment Agreement; and all claims for monetary or equitable relief, including attorneys’
fees, back pay, front pay, reinstatement, experts’ fees, medical expenses, costs and disbursements. The Executive hereby waives any
right to seek or recover any individual relief (including any money damages, reinstatement, or other relief) in connection with any of
the Released Claims through any charge, complaint, lawsuit, or other proceeding, whether commenced or maintained by the
Executive or by any other person or entity, with the exception of any right to seek an award pursuant to Section 21F of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
2.
Excluded Claims . The Released Claims do not include (a) any claims for vested benefits to which the Executive is
entitled upon the termination of the Executive’s employment in accordance with the terms of the applicable benefit plans (for the
avoidance of doubt, no term or provision under the Employment Agreement shall be deemed a benefit plan for purposes of this
Release); (b) any claims related to acts, omissions or events occurring after the date this Release is signed by the Executive; (c) any
right that the Executive may have to indemnification or insurance coverage under the Company’s organizational documents or any
directors and officers insurance policy; (d) any claims that cannot legally be waived by private agreement.
3.
Covenant Not to Sue . Except for an action to challenge the validity of the Executive’s release of claims under the
ADEA, or as otherwise provided in Section 5 below, the Executive promises that the Executive will not file, instigate or participate
in any proceeding against any of the Released Parties relating to any of the Released Claims. In the event the Executive breaches the
covenant contained in this Section 3 , the Executive agrees to indemnify the Released Parties for all damages and expenses,
including attorneys’ fees, incurred by any Released Parties in defending, participating in or investigating any matter or proceeding
covered by this Section 3 .
4.
Representations . The Executive represents and warrants that (a) the Executive has been properly paid for all hours
worked and has received all wages, bonuses, vacation pay, expense reimbursements and any other sums due from the Company
(with the exception of the payments and benefits to be provided pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Employment Agreement); (b) the
Executive has returned all Company property in the Executive’s possession or control and has permanently deleted any Confidential
Information stored on any electronic device, web-based email or other storage location not owned by the Company but within the
Executive’s possession or control; (c) the Executive has suffered no work-related injury or occupational disease during the course of
the Executive’s employment with the Company that the Executive has not reported in writing to the Company; (d) the Executive is
not aware of any activity by the Company or any other Released Party that the Executive believes to be unlawful or potentially
unlawful; (e) the Executive has not filed any complaints, claims or actions against the Company or any other Released Party; and (f)
the Executive has not assigned, transferred, conveyed or otherwise disposed of any Released Claims.
5.
Protected Rights . Nothing contained in this Release limits the Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (collectively, “
Government Agencies ”). Further, this Release does not limit the Executive’s ability to communicate with any Government
Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including
providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company.
6.
Consideration Period . The Executive understands that the Executive has [twenty-one (21) days / forty-five (45) days]
to consider this Release before deciding whether to sign it. The Executive may sign this Release sooner if the Executive chooses, but
no sooner than the date of termination of the Executive’s employment. If the Executive chooses to sign this Release before the
expiration of such [21-day / 45-day] period, the Executive represents that the Executive’s decision to do so is knowing and
voluntary. The Executive agrees that any changes made to this Release after it was delivered to the Executive, whether material or
immaterial, do not restart the [21-day / 45-day] period described in this Section. The Company advises the Executive to consult with
an attorney before signing this Release.
7.
Right to Revoke . The Executive understands that the Executive has the right to revoke this Release within seven (7)
days after signing it. This Release shall not become effective until the eighth day following the date on which the Executive has
signed it without having revoked it (the “ Effective Date ”). If the Executive chooses to revoke this Release, the Executive must
deliver written notice of revocation to the Company in accordance with Section 8 of the Employment Agreement. Any such notice of
revocation must be delivered to the Company in a manner calculated to ensure receipt prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the day
prior to the Effective Date. The Executive understands that if the Executive revokes this Release, the Executive will not be entitled
to any of the benefits provided hereunder.
8.
General Provisions . The Released Parties expressly deny that they have any liability to the Executive, and this Release
is not to be construed as an admission of any such liability. This Release is to be construed under the laws of the State of Georgia.
This Release constitutes the entire agreement between the Executive and the Company with respect to the issues addressed in this
Release. The Executive represents that the Executive is not relying on any other agreements or oral representations not fully
expressed in this Release. This Release may not be modified except in writing signed by the Executive and an authorized Company
representative. The headings in this Release are for reference only, and do not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Release. As used herein, the phrase “including” means “including, but not limited to” in each instance. “Or” is used in the inclusive
sense of “and/or”. Should any part of this Release be found to be void or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or
Government Agency, such determination will not affect the remainder of this Release.
ACCEPTED
AND
AGREED
BY:
JAMES SNYDER
Date
20
EXECUTION COPY
Exhibit
10.11
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
THIS
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
(this “ Agreement ”), is dated this 25th day of September, 2018, by and between
AMERICOLD LOGISTICS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located in Atlanta,
Georgia (the “ Company ”) and Jay Harron (the “ Executive ”).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ Executive to serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
of the Company and Executive wishes to be so employed;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and for good and valuable
consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, each intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as
follows:
1.
Employment . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company hereby agrees to employ
the Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees to accept such employment, for the Employment Term (as defined below). During
the Employment Term, the Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Company and
shall report to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “ CEO ”), performing the normal duties and
responsibilities of such position with respect to the business of the Company and such other duties and responsibilities
commensurate with such position as the CEO or the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) may reasonably assign to the
Executive from time to time.
2. Performance . The Executive shall serve the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates faithfully and to the best of the
Executive’s ability and shall devote the Executive’s full business time, energy, experience and talents to the business of the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, as applicable, and will not engage in any other employment activities for any direct or
indirect remuneration without the prior written approval of the Board; provided , however , that it shall not be a violation of this
Agreement for the Executive to manage the Executive’s personal investments, to engage in or serve such civic, community,
charitable, educational, industry, professional, or religious organizations as the Executive may select, or, with the prior approval of
the CEO and Board, to serve on the boards of directors of other companies, so long as such service does not create an actual or
potential conflict of interest with, or impair the Executive’s ability to fulfill the Executive’s duties hereunder or conflict with the
Executive’s covenants under Section 6 of this Agreement, in each case as determined in the sole judgment of the CEO and Board.
3. Employment Term .
(a) Subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 7, the term of employment of the Executive hereunder shall
begin on September 17, 2018 (the “ Commencement Date ”), and shall continue for an indefinite period of time (the “ Employment
Term ”).
1
4. Principal Location . The Executive’s principal place of employment shall be his home office in Illinois; however, within
one (1) year from the Commencement Date of this Agreement, Executive’s principal place of employment shall be the Company’s
offices located in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area, subject to required travel.
5. Compensation and Benefits .
(a) Base Salary . During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary, payable in
equal installments in accordance with Company payroll procedures, at an annual rate of Three Hundred and Twenty Thousand
Dollars ($320,000), pro-rated to reflect any partial year of employment. The Board or a committee thereof shall review Executive’s
base salary on an annual basis and may increase Executive’s base salary from time to time, in which case such increased salary then
shall become the Executive’s base salary for purposes of this Agreement.
(b) Bonuses .
(i)
(ii)
One Time Bonus. The Executive shall be eligible to receive for a one-time, lump sum sign-on bonus in the
amount of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000), less applicable taxes and deductions, to be
payable the first applicable pay period in November 2018 provided the Executive is still employed at that
time. If the Executive’s employment is terminated not for Good Reason by the Executive or terminated for
Cause by the Company within the first or second year following the Commencement Date of this Agreement,
the Executive will be required to refund the One Time Bonus as provided in Section 7;
Annual Bonus . The Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus in respect
of each calendar year that ends during the Employment Term, to the extent earned based on the achievement
of performance objectives established by the Board or a committee thereof, after consultation with the
Executive, no later than thirty (30) days after commencement of the relevant bonus period, pursuant to the
terms of the Company’s Short-Term Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time. The maximum annual
performance-based cash bonus that the Executive may earn is ninety percent (90%), and the target bonus is
sixty percent (60%), in each case, of the Executive’s annual base salary at the rate in effect at the end of the
relevant calendar year, pro-rated to properly reflect any partial year of employment. If the applicable
performance objectives are not attained at least at the minimum level, no annual performance bonus shall be
payable. The amount of such annual bonus awarded for a calendar year shall be determined by the Board or a
committee thereof after the end of the calendar year to which such bonus relates and shall be paid to the
Executive during the following calendar year when annual bonuses for the prior calendar year are paid to
other senior executives of the Company generally. The amount of any such annual bonus shall be pro-rated to
properly reflect any partial
2
year of employment. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7(b), to be eligible for any such annual bonus
under this Section 5(b), the Executive must be in active working status at the time the Company pays bonuses
for the relevant year to other senior executives generally. For purposes of this Agreement, “active working
status” means that the Executive is employed by the Company.
(c) Long Term Incentive Plan.
(i) The Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “
Stock Plan ”) in such amounts and at such times as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Americold
Realty Trust (“ ART ”) shall determine in its sole discretion. Any such awards shall be governed by the Stock Plan and any
Stock Plan award agreements between ART and the Executive.
(ii) Restricted Stock Unit Grants . In consideration of the Executive’s entering into this Agreement and as an
inducement to remain with the Company, the Executive shall be granted promptly following the Commencement Date, under
the Stock Plan:
1)
2)
Time Based Restricted Stock Unit Grant . An award of 10,000 restricted stock units to be settled in
shares of the common stock of ART (the “ Restricted Stock Units ”), subject to the approval of the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of ART. Such award shall be governed by the
Stock Plan and a restricted stock unit award agreement between the Executive and ART. Subject to
terms of the Stock Plan and the award agreement for the Restricted Stock Units, the Restricted Stock
Units shall vest in equal one-half (1/2) installments on the first and second anniversaries of the date of
grant of such award, subject to the Executive’s continuous employment with the Company from the
date of grant of such award through such vesting dates, except as otherwise provided in Section 7(b);
and
Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit Grant . An award of 18,750 restricted stock units to be
settled in shares of the common stock of ART (the “ Restricted Stock Units ”), subject to the approval
of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of ART. Such award shall be governed by
the Stock Plan and a restricted stock unit award agreement between the Executive and ART. Subject to
terms of the Stock Plan and the award agreement for the Restricted Stock Units, the Restricted Stock
Units shall vest 100% upon completion of the Performance Period as described in the award agreement
subject to the Executive’s continuous employment with the Company from the date of grant of such
award through such vesting date, except as otherwise provided in Section 7(b).
3
(d) Benefits . During the Employment Term, the Executive shall, subject to and in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the applicable plan documents in force from time to time and all applicable laws, be eligible to participate in all of the
employee benefit, fringe and perquisite plans, practices, policies and arrangements the Company makes available from time to time
to its executive employees generally.
(e) Paid Time Off . The Executive shall be entitled to not less than twenty-five (25) days of paid time off during
each calendar year, pro-rated for any partial calendar year of employment, in accordance with the Company’s policies and practices
with respect to its employees generally as in effect from time to time.
(f) Business Expenses . The Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company for all reasonable and necessary
business expenses actually incurred by the Executive in performing the Executive’s duties hereunder. All payments under this
Section 5(f) will be made in accordance with policies established by the Company from time to time and subject to receipt by the
Company of appropriate documentation.
(g) Directors and Officers Liability Insurance . During the Employment Term, the Company shall maintain director
and officer liability insurance covering the Executive on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other senior
executives, officers or directors of the Company, as such coverage may be in effect from time to time.
6. Covenants of the Executive . The Executive acknowledges that in the course of the Executive’s employment with the
Company the Executive will become familiar with the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ and affiliates’ trade secrets and with other
confidential and proprietary information concerning the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and that the Executive’s
services are of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. Therefore, the Company
and the Executive mutually agree that it is in the interest of both parties for the Executive to enter into the restrictive covenants set
forth in this Section 6 to, among other things, protect the legitimate business interests of the Company and those of its subsidiaries
and affiliates, and that such restrictions and covenants contained in this Section 6 are reasonable in geographical and temporal scope
and in all other respects given the nature of the Executive’s duties and the nature of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ and
affiliates’ businesses and that such restrictions and covenants do not and will not unduly impair the Executive’s ability to earn a
living after termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that (i)
the Company would not have entered into this Agreement but for the restrictive covenants of the Executive set forth in this Section
6, and (ii) such restrictive covenants have been made by the Executive in order to induce the Company to enter into this Agreement.
(a) Definitions . For purposes of this Section 6:
substantially similar to the business conducted by the Company.
“ Competing Business ” means any person or entity that engages in a business that is the same as or
its affiliates that (i) has been made known to the Executive through
“ Confidential Information ” means confidential information relating to the business of the Company and/or
4
the Executive’s relationship with the Company or its affiliates, (ii) has value to the Company and/or its affiliates and (iii) is not
generally known to competitors of the Company and/or its affiliates. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, methods
of operation, business strategies, plans for acquisition or expansion, terms of transaction documents (including but not limited to
purchase and sale agreements, operating agreements, lease agreements and employment agreements), financial information and
projections, pricing and discount information, lists of and information regarding current or prospective customers, vendors, licensees
and licensors, product development activities, marketing plans and strategies, non-public personnel information, and any other
information of whatever kind that gives the Company and/or its affiliates an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors
who do not possess such information, regardless of whether such information is marked “confidential.” Confidential Information
includes trade secrets (as defined under applicable law) as well as information that does not rise to the level of a trade secret, and
includes information that has been entrusted to the Company or any of its affiliates by a third party under an obligation of
confidentiality. Confidential Information does not include any information that has been voluntarily disclosed to the public by the
Company (except where such public disclosure has been made by the Executive without authorization) or that has been
independently developed and disclosed by others, or that otherwise enters the public domain through lawful means.
years of the Executive’s employment with the Company.
“ Customer ” means a current or actively sought prospective customer of the Company during the last two (2)
the one (1)-year period following termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason.
“ Restricted Period ” means the period in which the Executive is employed with the Company together with
behalf of the Company during the last two (2) years of the Executive’s employment with the Company.
“ Services ” means services of the type conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Executive to or on
“ Territory ” means each geographic area in which the Company conducted business during the Executive’s
employment with the Company; provided , that if the Executive’s duties and responsibilities during the last two (2) years of the
Executive’s employment were limited to particular geographic areas, then the “Territory” shall be limited to such geographic areas.
(b) Noncompetition . During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, own, manage,
operate, control, consult with, be employed by or otherwise provide Services to, or participate in the ownership, management,
operation or control of, any Competing Business anywhere in the Territory. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive’s
ownership solely as an investor of two percent (2%) or less of the outstanding securities of any class of any publicly-traded securities
of any company shall not, by itself, be considered to be competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
(c) Non-solicitation of Customers . During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i)
solicit or attempt to solicit any Customer for purposes of providing products or services that are competitive with the products and
services provided by the Company
5
or (ii) induce or attempt to induce any Customer to reduce or cease doing business with the Company, or otherwise interfere with the
relationship between any Customer and the Company.
(d) Non-solicitation of Employees . During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i)
solicit for employment or attempt to solicit for employment, directly or by assisting others, any person who was an employee or
independent contractor of the Company on, or within six (6) months before, the date of such solicitation or attempted solicitation or
(ii) induce or attempt to induce any employee or independent contractor of the Company to terminate such person’s employment or
independent contractor relationship with the Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such person and the
Company.
(e) Non-disclosure of Confidential Information .
(i) The Executive acknowledges that all Confidential Information is the property of the Company or its applicable
affiliates. The Executive further acknowledges that the Company and its affiliates intend, and make reasonable good faith
efforts, to protect the Confidential Information from public disclosure. Therefore, the Executive agrees that, except as
required by law or regulation or as legally compelled by court order ( provided that in such case, the Executive shall
promptly notify the Company of such order, shall cooperate with the Company in attempting to obtain a protective order or
to otherwise restrict such disclosure, and shall only disclose Confidential Information to the minimum extent necessary to
comply with any such law regulation or order), during the Employment Term and at all times thereafter, the Executive shall
not, directly or indirectly, divulge, transmit, publish, copy, distribute, furnish or otherwise disclose or make accessible any
Confidential Information, or use any Confidential Information for the benefit of anyone other than the Company and its
affiliates.
(ii) The Company does not wish to incorporate any unlicensed or unauthorized material into its products or
services. Therefore, the Executive agrees that the Executive will not disclose to the Company, use in the Company’s
business, or cause the Company to use, any information or material which is a trade secret, or confidential or proprietary
information, of any third party, including, but not limited to, any former employer, any competitor or any client, unless the
Company has a right to receive and use such information or material. The Executive will not incorporate into the Executive’s
work any material or information which is subject to the copyrights of any third party unless the Company has a written
agreement with such third party or otherwise has the right to receive and use such material or information.
(f) Company Intellectual Property . The Executive agrees to promptly disclose to the Company any and all work
product, inventions, artistic works, works of authorship, designs, methods, processes, technology, patterns, techniques, data,
Confidential Information, patents, trade secrets, trademarks, domain names, copyrights, and the like, and all other intellectual
property relating to the business of the Company and any of its affiliates which are created, authored, composed, invented,
discovered, performed, perfected, or learned by the Executive (either solely or jointly with others) during the Employment Term
(collectively, together with such intellectual property as may be owned or acquired by the Company, the “ Company Intellectual
Property ”). The
6
Company Intellectual Property shall be the sole and absolute property of the Company and its affiliates. All work performed by the
Executive in authoring, composing, inventing, creating, developing or modifying Company Intellectual Property and/or other work
product to which copyright protection may attach during the course of the Executive’s employment with the Company shall be
considered “works made for hire” to the extent permitted under applicable copyright law and will be considered the sole property of
the Company. To the extent such works, work product or Company Intellectual Property are not considered “works made for hire,”
all right, title, and interest to such works, work product and Company Intellectual Property, including, but not limited to, all
copyrights, patents, trademarks, rights of publicity, and trade secrets, is hereby assigned to the Company and the Executive agrees, at
the Company’s expense, to execute any documents requested by the Company or any of its affiliates at any time in relation to such
assignment. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company is and will be the sole and absolute owner of all trademarks,
service marks, domain names, patents, copyrights, trade dress, trade secrets, business names, rights of publicity, inventions,
proprietary know-how and information of any type, whether or not in writing, and all other intellectual property used by the
Company or held for use in the business of the Company, including all Company Intellectual Property. The Executive further
acknowledges and agrees that any and all derivative works, developments, or improvements based on intellectual property, materials
and assets subject to this Section 6 created during the Employment Term (including, without limitation, Company Intellectual
Property) shall be exclusively owned by the Company. The Executive will cooperate with the Company and any of its affiliates, at
no additional cost to such parties (whether during or after the Employment Term), in the confirmation, registration, protection and
enforcement of the rights and property of the Company and its affiliates in such intellectual property, materials and assets, including,
without limitation, the Company Intellectual Property.
(g) Company Property . All Confidential Information, Company Intellectual Property, files, records,
correspondence, memoranda, notes or other documents (including, without limitation, those in computer-readable form) or property
relating or belonging to the Company and affiliates, whether prepared by the Executive or otherwise coming into the Executive’s
possession or control in the course of the performance of the Executive’s services under this Agreement, shall be the exclusive
property of the Company and shall be delivered to the Company, and not retained by the Executive (including, without limitation,
any copies thereof), promptly upon request by the Company and, in any event, promptly upon termination of the Employment Term.
The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Executive has no expectation of privacy with respect to the Company’s
telecommunications, networking or information processing systems (including, without limitation, stored computer files, email
messages and voice messages), and that the Executive’s activity and any files or messages on or using any of those systems may be
monitored at any time without notice.
(h) Enforcement . The Executive acknowledges that a breach of the Executive’s covenants and agreements
contained in this Section 6 would cause irreparable damage to the Company and its affiliates, the exact amount of which would be
difficult to ascertain, and that the remedies at law for any such breach or threatened breach would be inadequate. Accordingly, the
Executive agrees that if the Executive materially breaches any of the covenants or agreements contained in this Section 6, in addition
to any other remedy which may be available at law or in
7
equity, the Company and affiliates shall be entitled to: (i) cease or withhold payment to the Executive of any severance payments
described in Section 7, for which the Executive otherwise qualifies under such Section 7, and the Executive shall promptly repay to
the Company 90% of any such severance payments the Executive previously received (with the remaining 10% serving as
consideration for the Executive’s release of claims described in Section 7(d), (ii) institute and prosecute proceedings in any court of
competent jurisdiction for specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief without bond or other security or a showing
of irreparable harm or lack of an adequate remedy at law, and (iii) an equitable accounting by any court of competent jurisdiction of
all profits or benefits arising out of such violation. Additionally, upon a material breach by the Executive of this Section 6, the
unvested Restricted Stock Units (and any other unvested stock-based awards held by the Executive) shall be automatically canceled
and forfeited without any further action.
(i) Scope of Covenants . The Company and the Executive further acknowledge that the time, scope, geographic
area and other provisions of this Section 6 have been specifically negotiated by sophisticated commercial parties and agree that they
consider the restrictions and covenants contained in this Section 6 to be reasonable and necessary for the protection of the interests
of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, but if any such restriction or covenant shall be held by any court of competent
jurisdiction to be void but would be valid if deleted in part or reduced in application, such restriction or covenant shall apply in such
jurisdiction with such deletion or modification as may be necessary to make it valid and enforceable. The restrictions and covenants
contained in each paragraph of this Section 6 shall be construed as separate and individual restrictions and covenants and shall each
be capable of being reduced in application or severed without prejudice to the other restrictions and covenants or to the remaining
provisions of this Agreement.
(j) Enforceability . If any court holds any of the restrictions or covenants contained in this Section 6 to be
unenforceable by reason of their breadth or scope or otherwise, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such determination not bar
or in any way affect the right of the Company and its affiliates to the relief provided in this Section 6 in the courts of any other
jurisdiction within the geographic scope of such restrictions and covenants.
(k) Disclosure of Restrictive Covenants . The Executive agrees to disclose in advance the existence and terms of
the restrictions and covenants contained in this Section 6 to any employer or other service recipient by whom the Executive may be
employed or retained during the Restricted Period.
(l) Extension of Restricted Period . If the Executive breaches any non-competition or non-solicitation covenant set
forth in this Section 6 in any respect, the Restricted Period will be extended for a period equal to the period that the Executive was in
breach of such covenant, up to a maximum period of one (1) year.
7. Termination .
(a) Termination of Employment . The employment of the Executive hereunder and the Employment Term may be
terminated at any time:
8
(i) by the Company with or without Cause (as defined herein) upon written notice to the Executive;
(ii) by the Company due to the Executive’s Disability (as hereinafter defined) upon written notice to the Executive;
(iii)
by the Executive with Good Reason (as defined herein);
(iv) by the Executive without Good Reason upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Company (which notice
period may be waived by the Company in its absolute discretion, in which case, such termination shall be effective
immediately upon the Company’s receipt of notice thereof from the Executive); or
(v) without action by the Company, the Executive or any other person or entity, immediately upon the Executive’s
death.
If the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason under this Section 7, the Company shall be obligated to
pay or provide to the Executive (or the Executive’s estate, as applicable) in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following such
termination, or at such other time prescribed by any applicable plan or applicable laws: (A) any base salary payable to the Executive
pursuant to this Agreement, accrued up to and including the date on which the Executive’s employment is terminated, less required
statutory deductions; (B) accrued and unpaid paid time off (if and as required by applicable law or the Company’s policies then in
effect); (C) any employee benefits to which the Executive is entitled upon termination of the Executive’s employment with the
Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans of the Company, as in place from time to time; and (D)
reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred by the Executive prior to the Executive’s date of termination
pursuant to Section 5(f) ((A)-(D) collectively, the “ Accrued Amounts ”).
(b) Termination by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason . If the Executive’s
employment is terminated (A) by the Company without Cause or (B) by the Executive for Good Reason (in either case, other than a
termination due to the Executive’s death or Disability), in addition to the Accrued Amounts, the Executive shall be entitled to
receive as severance (subject to Section 7(d)) the amounts set forth in this Section 7(b), provided the Executive executes and does
not revoke the Release as required by Section 7(d).
(i) The Executive shall be entitled to an amount equal to the Executive’s annual base salary (as described in Section
5(a)), for a period equal to twelve (12) months (the “ Severance Period ”), payable starting on the sixtieth (60 th ) day
following the date of such termination (but with the first payment being a lump sum payment covering all payment periods
from the date of termination through the date of such first payment), in substantially equal installments in accordance with
the Company’s payroll practices during the Severance Period following the date of such termination, subject to reduction
pursuant to Section 6(h);
(ii) To the extent performance objectives applicable to the Executive’s annual bonus in the year of termination
(including any objectives applicable to the Company’s
9
targeted budget) are earned as of the end of the relevant bonus period, the Executive shall be entitled to the annual bonus
earned for the calendar year of such termination pursuant to Section 5(b) of this Agreement, pro-rated based on the number
of days the Executive was actively employed by the Company during such bonus period, payable at the time such annual
bonus would otherwise be paid in accordance with Section 5(b) of this Agreement;
(iii) Continued full participation in the Company’s health and welfare benefit programs (including full
reimbursement for all health, dental and vision expenses, but excluding participation in the Company’s short or long-term
disability plans) for a period of twelve (12) months following the Executive’s termination date (for the avoidance of doubt,
this continuation period shall run concurrently with any required continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”); provided that the Company’s obligation to make any payment pursuant to this
provision shall cease upon the date the Executive became eligible for coverage under the health plan of a future employer
(regardless of whether the Executive elects such coverage) and the Executive shall promptly notify the Company of his
eligibility for any such coverage;
(iv) Subject to Section 7(b)(v), if any Restricted Stock Units referenced in Section 5(c)(ii) remain unvested at the
time of such termination, the next installment of the Restricted Stock Units that would have vested on the next scheduled
vesting date shall vest as of the date of termination and the balance of any unvested Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited.
Also, if any awards issued to the Executive under the Stock Plan as to which vesting depends upon the satisfaction of one or
more performance conditions remain unvested at the time of such termination, a prorated portion of the performance-vesting
awards shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance through the last day of the applicable
performance period, based on the number of days during the applicable performance period that the Executive was
employed. Any performance-vesting awards that are earned based on actual performance will vest and settle as provided in
the applicable award agreement.
(v) If such termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for
Good Reason occurs within the twelve (12) month period following a Change in Control (as such term is defined in the Stock
Plan), (A) any Restricted Stock Units referenced in Section 5(c)(ii) which are not vested at the time of such termination shall
immediately become vested and (B) any other awards granted to the Executive pursuant to the Stock Plan as to which vesting
depends upon the satisfaction of one or more performance conditions and which are not vested at the time of termination
shall immediately become vested based on actual performance through the termination date.
(c) Definitions of Certain Terms . For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) “ Cause ” means the Executive’s (A) commission of an act that constitutes common law fraud or a felony,
commission of any other crime involving moral turpitude, or commission of any other tortious or unlawful act causing, or
which may likely cause, material harm to the business, standing or reputation of the Company without the good faith belief
that such conduct was in the best interests of the Company; (B) material breach of
10
this Agreement, after the Company has given the Executive thirty (30) days written notice and an opportunity to cure such
breach to the extent curable; (C) willful failure or refusal to perform the Executive’s material duties or obligations under this
Agreement, including, without limitation, failure or refusal to abide by the directions of the CEO or the Board or any written
policy adopted by the Board, in each case after the Company has given the Executive thirty (30) days written notice and an
opportunity to cure such failure or refusal to the extent curable; (D) willful misconduct or gross negligence in the
performance of the Executive’s duties as an employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates; or (E) material misappropriation or embezzlement of any property of the Company.
(ii) “ Disability ” means a condition entitling the Executive to benefits under the Company’s long term disability
plan, policy or arrangement in which the Executive participates; provided , however , that if no such plan, policy or
arrangement is then maintained by the Company and applicable to the Executive, “Disability” shall mean the Executive’s
inability to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, the Executive’s duties under this Agreement due to a mental
or physical condition that can be expected to result in death or that can be expected to last (or has already lasted) for a
continuous period of ninety (90) days or more, or for an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days in any three hundred
sixty five (365) consecutive day period, as determined by the CEO or the Board in its good faith discretion.
(iii) “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence, without the Executive’s consent, of any of the following events, other
than in connection with a termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause or due to death or Disability: (A) a material
reduction in the Executive’s rate of base salary stated in Section 5(a) and/or the amount of the Executive’s annual bonus
opportunity described in Section 5(b); (B) an action by the Company resulting in a material diminution in the Executive’s
titles, authority, duties, responsibilities or direct reports, (C) the Company’s relocation of the Executive’s principal place of
employment to a location outside of the fifty (50)-mile radius of Atlanta, Georgia; or (D) a material breach by the Company
of this Agreement; provided , however , that none of the events described in this sentence shall constitute Good Reason
unless and until (V) the Executive reasonably determines in good faith that a Good Reason condition has occurred, (W) the
Executive first notifies the Company in writing describing in reasonable detail the condition which constitutes Good Reason
within sixty (60) days of its initial occurrence, (X) the Company fails to cure such condition within thirty (30) days after the
Company’s receipt of such written notice, (Y) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good Reason condition continues to exist,
and (Z) the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment within sixty (60) days after the end of such thirty (30)-day cure
period. If the Company cures the Good Reason condition during such cure period, Good Reason shall be deemed not be have
occurred.
(d) Release of Claims . As a condition of receiving any severance for which the Executive otherwise qualifies
under Section 7(b), the Executive agrees to execute, deliver and not revoke, within sixty (60) days following the date of the
Executive’s termination of employment, a separation agreement containing a general release of claims against the Company and its
subsidiaries
11
and their respective affiliates and their respective employees, officers, directors, owners and members, in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Release ”), such Release to be delivered, and to have become fully irrevocable, on or before the
end of such sixty (60)-day period. If the Release has not been executed and delivered and become irrevocable on or before the end of
such sixty (60)-day period, no amounts or benefits under Section 7(b) shall be or become payable.
(e) Refund of One Time Bonus . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive without Good
Reason or terminated by the Company for Cause within one (1) year of the Commencement Date of this Agreement, Executive must
refund 100% of the One Time Bonus amount to the Company. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Executive without
Good Reason or terminated by the Company for Cause within two (2) years of the Commencement Date of this Agreement,
Executive must refund 50% of the One Time Bonus amount to the Company.
(f) No Additional Rights . The Executive acknowledges and agrees that, except as specifically described in this
Section 7, all of the Executive’s rights to any compensation, benefits, bonuses or severance from the Company and its subsidiaries
and affiliates after termination of the Employment Term shall cease upon such termination.
8. Notices . All notices, requests, demands, claims, consents and other communications which are required, permitted or
otherwise delivered hereunder shall in every case be in writing and shall be deemed properly served if: (a) delivered personally, (b)
sent by registered or certified mail, in all such cases with first class postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or (c) delivered by a
recognized overnight courier service, to the parties at the addresses as set forth below:
If to the Company: Americold Logistics, LLC
10 Glenlake Parkway
South Tower, Suite 600
Attention: James Snyder, General Counsel
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
With copies to: King & Spalding LLP
1180 Peachtree Street, Suite 1600
Attention: C. Spencer Johnson, III
If to the Executive: At the Executive’s residence address
as maintained by the Company in the
regular course of its business for
payroll purposes.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
or to such other address as shall be furnished in writing by either party to the other party; provided that such notice or change in
address shall be effective only when actually received by the other party. Date of service of any such notices or other
communications shall be: (a) the date such notice is personally delivered, (b) three (3) days after the date of mailing if sent by
certified or registered
12
mail, or (c) one business day after date of delivery to the overnight courier if sent by overnight courier.
9. Arbitration . Except as otherwise provided in Section 6(h) in connection with equitable remedies, any dispute, claim or
controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any dispute, claim or controversy concerning
the validity, enforceability, breach or termination hereof, if not resolved by the parties, shall be finally settled by arbitration in
accordance with the then-prevailing Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration
Association, as modified herein (“ Rules ”). There shall be one arbitrator who shall be jointly selected by the parties. If the parties
have not jointly agreed upon an arbitrator within twenty (20) calendar days of respondent’s receipt of claimant’s notice of intention
to arbitrate, either party may request the American Arbitration Association to furnish the parties with a list of names from which the
parties shall jointly select an arbitrator. If the parties have not agreed upon an arbitrator within ten (10) calendar days of the
transmittal date of such list, then each party shall have an additional five (5) calendar days in which to strike any names objected to,
number the remaining names in order of preference, and return the list to the American Arbitration Association, which shall then
select an arbitrator in accordance with Rule 13 of the Rules. The place of arbitration shall be Atlanta, Georgia or such other location
as mutually agreed in writing by the parties. By agreeing to arbitration, the parties hereto do not intend to deprive any court of its
jurisdiction to issue a pre-arbitral injunction or with respect to other proceedings described in Section 6(h) (or delay any such
proceedings), pre-arbitral attachment or other order in aid of arbitration. The arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration
Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16. Judgment upon the award of the arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party
shall bear its or his or her own costs and expenses in any such arbitration and one-half of the arbitrator’s fees and expenses.
10. Waiver of Jury Trial . THE
PARTIES
TO
THIS
AGREEMENT
EACH
HEREBY
WAIVES,
TO
THE
FULLEST
EXTENT
PERMITTED
BY
LAW,
ANY
RIGHT
TO
TRIAL
BY
JURY
OF
ANY
CLAIM,
DEMAND,
ACTION,
OR
CAUSE
OF
ACTION
(I)
ARISING
UNDER
THIS
AGREEMENT
OR
(II)
IN
ANY
WAY
CONNECTED
WITH
OR
RELATED
OR
INCIDENTAL
TO
THE
DEALINGS
OF
THE
PARTIES
HERETO
IN
RESPECT
OF
THIS
AGREEMENT
OR
ANY
OF
THE
TRANSACTIONS
RELATED
HERETO,
IN
EACH
CASE
WHETHER
NOW
EXISTING
OR
HEREAFTER
ARISING,
AND
WHETHER
IN
CONTRACT,
TORT,
EQUITY,
OR
OTHERWISE.
THE
PARTIES
TO
THIS
AGREEMENT
EACH
HEREBY
AGREES
AND
CONSENTS
THAT
ANY
SUCH
CLAIM,
DEMAND,
ACTION,
OR
CAUSE
OF
ACTION
SHALL
BE
DECIDED
BY
COURT
TRIAL
WITHOUT
A
JURY
AND
THAT
THE
PARTIES
TO
THIS
AGREEMENT
MAY
FILE
AN
ORIGINAL
COUNTERPART
OF
A
COPY
OF
THIS
AGREEMENT
WITH
ANY
COURT
AS
WRITTEN
EVIDENCE
OF
THE
CONSENT
OF
THE
PARTIES
HERETO
TO
THE
WAIVER
OF
THEIR
RIGHT
TO
TRIAL
BY
JURY.
11. Section 409A .
(a) The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with, or be exempt from,
Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance
13
promulgated thereunder (collectively “ Code Section 409A ”) and the Company shall have complete discretion to interpret and
construe this Agreement and any associated documents in any manner that establishes an exemption from (or compliance with) the
requirements of Code Section 409A. If, for any reason, such as imprecision in drafting any provision of this Agreement (or of any
award of compensation, including, without limitation, equity compensation or benefits) does not accurately reflect its intended
establishment of an exemption from (or compliance with) Code Section 409A, as demonstrated by consistent interpretations or other
evidence of intent, such provision shall be considered ambiguous as to its exemption from (or compliance with) Code Section 409A
and shall be interpreted by the Company in a manner consistent with such intent, as determined in the discretion of the Company.
(b) A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this
Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits that are considered nonqualified deferred compensation under
Code Section 409A upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service”
within the meaning of Code Section 409A, and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,”
“termination of employment” or like terms shall mean such a “separation from service.” The determination of whether and when a
separation from service has occurred for proposes of this Agreement shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in
Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations.
(c) Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of the Executive’s separation
from service, the Company determines that the Executive is a “specified employee,” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, then
to the extent any payment or benefit that the Executive becomes entitled to under this Agreement on account of such separation from
service would be considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Code Section 409A such payment or benefit shall be paid or
provided at the date which is the earlier of (i) six (6) months and one day after such separation from service and (ii) the date of the
Executive’s death (the “ Delay Period ”). Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this
Section 11(c) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall
be paid or provided to the Executive in a lump-sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be
paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.
(d) Any reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement that constitute deferred compensation
within the meaning of Code Section 409A shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A,
including, without limitation, that (i) in no event shall any fees, expenses or other amounts eligible to be reimbursed by the Company
under this Agreement be paid later than the last day of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which the applicable
fees, expenses or other amounts were incurred; (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits that the
Company is obligated to pay or provide, in any given calendar year shall not affect the expenses that the Company is obligated to
reimburse, or the in-kind benefits that the Company is obligated to pay or provide, in any other calendar year; (iii) the Executive’s
right to have the Company pay or provide such reimbursements and in-kind benefits may not be liquidated or exchanged for any
other benefit; and
14
(iv) in no event shall the Company’s obligations to make such reimbursements or to provide such in-kind benefits apply later than
the Executive’s remaining lifetime (or if longer, through the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Commencement Date).
(e) For purposes of Code Section 409A, the Executive’s right to receive any installment payments shall be treated
as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment
period with reference to a number of days (for example, payment shall be made “within thirty (30) days following such
termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company. In no event
may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement, to the extent
such payment is subject to Code Section 409A.
(f) The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Executive or any other
person if any provisions of this Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A but do
not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, Code Section 409A.
12. General .
(a) Governing Law . Unless preempted by federal law, this Agreement and the legal relations thus created between
the parties hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Georgia, without giving
effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Georgia or any other jurisdiction) that would
cause the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Georgia. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that
this Agreement was executed and delivered in the State of Georgia.
(b) Construction and Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be construed and
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be
prohibited by, or invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under, any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such
prohibition, invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any other jurisdiction,
and the parties undertake to implement all efforts which are necessary, desirable and sufficient to amend, supplement or substitute all
and any such prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with enforceable and valid provisions in such jurisdiction which
would produce as nearly as may be possible the result previously intended by the parties without renegotiation of any material terms
and conditions stipulated herein.
(c) Cooperation . During the Employment Period and thereafter, the Executive shall cooperate with the Company
and be reasonably available to the Company with respect to continuing and/or future matters related to the Executive’s employment
period with the Company and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates, whether such matters are business-related, legal, regulatory or
otherwise (including, without limitation, the Executive appearing at the Company’s request to give testimony without requiring
service of a subpoena or other legal process, volunteering to the Company all pertinent information and turning over to the Company
all relevant documents which
15
are or may come into the Executive’s possession). Following the Employment Term, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for
all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the Executive in rendering such services that are approved by the Company. In
addition, if more than an incidental cooperation is required at any time after the termination of the Executive’s employment, the
Executive shall be paid (other than for the time of actual testimony) a per day fee based on the Executive’s base salary described in
Section 5(a) at the time of such termination divided by 225.
(d) Nondisparagement . During the Employment Term and thereafter, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly,
take any action, or encourage others to take any action, to disparage the Company, its employees, officers, directors, products,
services, customers or owners; provided , however , this provision does not apply to the Executive’s oral or written communications
made in the performance of the Executive’s duties as provided in this Agreement, including but not limited to expressions of opinion
communicated internally at the Company or to the Company’s directors.
(e) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Company and its successors and assigns and the Executive and the Executive’s heirs, executors, administrators, and successors;
provided that the services provided by the Executive under this Agreement are of a personal nature, and rights and obligations of the
Executive under this Agreement shall not be assignable or delegable, except for any death payments otherwise due the Executive,
which shall be payable to the estate of the Executive; provided further the Company may assign this Agreement to, and all rights
hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or any person, firm or corporation resulting from
the reorganization of the Company or succeeding to the business or assets of the Company by purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise; and provided further that in the event of the Executive’s death, any unpaid amount due to the Executive under this
Agreement shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.
(f) Executive’s Representations . The Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that: (i) the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Executive do not and shall not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a
default under any contract, agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the Executive is a party or by which the
Executive is bound; (ii) the Executive is not a party to or bound by any employment agreement, noncompetition or nonsolicitation
agreement or confidentiality agreement with any other person or entity besides the Company and (iii) upon the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of the Executive, enforceable
in accordance with its teens. THE
EXECUTIVE
HEREBY
ACKNOWLEDGES
AND
REPRESENTS
THAT
THE
EXECUTIVE
HAS
CONSULTED
WITH
INDEPENDENT
LEGAL
COUNSEL
REGARDING
THE
EXECUTIVE’S
RIGHTS
AND
OBLIGATIONS
UNDER
THIS
AGREEMENT,
TO
THE
EXTENT
DETERMINED
NECESSARY
OR
APPROPRIATE
BY
THE
EXECUTIVE,
AND
THAT
THE
EXECUTIVE
FULLY
UNDERSTANDS
THE
TERMS
AND
CONDITIONS
CONTAINED
HEREIN.
(g) Compliance with Rules and Policies . The Executive shall perform all services in accordance with the policies,
procedures and rules established by the Company and the Board.
16
In addition, the Executive shall comply with all laws, rules and regulations that are generally applicable to the Company or its
subsidiaries or affiliates and their respective employees, directors and officers.
(h) Withholding Taxes . All amounts payable hereunder shall be subject to the withholding of all applicable taxes
and deductions required by any applicable law.
(i) Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and terminates and supersedes any and all prior agreements, understandings and
representations, whether written or oral, by or between the parties hereto or their affiliates which may have related to the subject
matter hereof in any way.
(j) Duration . Notwithstanding the Employment Term hereunder, this Agreement shall continue for so long as any
obligations remain under this Agreement.
(k) Survival . The covenants set forth in Sections 6 and 12(c) of this Agreement shall survive and shall continue to
be binding upon the Executive notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever.
(l) Amendment and Waiver . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the prior
written consent of the Company and the Executive, and no course of conduct or course of dealing or failure or delay by any party
hereto in enforcing or exercising any of the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Company’s right to
terminate the Employment Term for Cause) shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or be deemed
to be an implied waiver of any similar or dissimilar requirement, provision or condition of this Agreement at the same or any prior or
subsequent time. Pursuit by either party of any available remedy, either in law or equity, or any action of any kind, does not
constitute waiver of any other remedy or action. Such remedies and actions are cumulative and not exclusive.
(m) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which taken together shall
constitute one instrument.
(n) Section References . Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only
and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose. The words Section and paragraph herein shall refer to
provisions of this Agreement unless expressly indicated otherwise.
(o) No Strict Construction . The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this
Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted
jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring either party hereto by virtue
of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. When the context admits or requires, words used in the masculine
gender shall be construed to include the feminine, the plural shall include the singular, and the singular shall include the plural.
17
(p) Time of the Essence; Computation of Time . Time is of the essence for each and every provision of this
Agreement. Whenever the last day for the exercise of any privilege or the discharge or any duty hereunder shall fall upon a Saturday,
Sunday, or any date on which banks in New York, New York are authorized to be closed, the party having such privilege or duty
may exercise such privilege or discharge such duty on the next succeeding day which is a regular business day.
(q) No Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed
to give any person other than the parties to this Agreement and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors or
permitted assigns any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of any agreement or any provision contained
herein.
(r) Protected Rights . Nothing contained in this Agreement limits the Executive’s ability to file a charge or
complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or
commission (collectively, “ Government Agencies ”), or prevents the Executive from providing truthful testimony in response to a
lawfully issued subpoena or court order. Further, this Agreement does not limit the Executive’s ability to communicate with any
Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government
Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company.
(s) Defend Trade Secrets Act . The Executive is hereby notified that under the Defend Trade Secrets Act: (i) no
individual shall be held criminally or civilly liable under federal or state trade secret law for disclosure of a trade secret (as defined
in the Economic Espionage Act) that is: (A) made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or
indirectly, or to an attorney, and made solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law or (B) made in
a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal so that it is not made public;
and (ii) an individual who pursues a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of the law may
disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the
individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except as permitted by
court order.
[Signature Page Follows.]
18
[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, have hereunto executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first written above.
AMERICOLD LOGISTICS, LLC
Date: ____9/25/2018_____________ By: /s/ Andrea Darweesh___ ___
Name: Andrea Darweesh
Title: EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer
JAY HARRON
Date : 9/25/2018 _____/s/ Jay Harron__________________
Exhibit
A:
Form
of
Release
WAIVER
AND
RELEASE
This Waiver and Release (this “ Release ”) is executed by [•] (the “ Executive ”) pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Employment
Agreement, dated as of [•], by and between AMERICOLD LOGISTICS, LLC and the Executive (the “ Employment Agreement ”).
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Release have the meanings given to them in the Employment Agreement.
1.
General Release . In consideration of the payments and benefits to be provided to the Executive pursuant to Section
7(b) of the Employment Agreement, the Executive, on behalf of the Executive and anyone claiming through the Executive, hereby
fully and completely releases, acquits and forever discharges the Company, its affiliates and related entities, and each of their
respective current and former employees, officers, directors, shareholders, partners, members, managers, agents, employee benefit
plans and fiduciaries, insurers, trustees, attorneys, joint venture partners, transferees, successors and assigns (each a “ Released Party
” and collectively, the “ Released Parties ”), collectively, separately, and severally, of and from any and all claims, demands,
damages, causes of action, debts, liabilities, controversies, judgments, and suits of every kind and nature whatsoever, foreseen,
unforeseen, known or unknown, that arise out of or relate to the Executive’s employment or termination of employment with the
Company and that the Executive has had, now has, or may have against the Released Parties (or any of them) at any time up to and
including the date the Executive signs this Release, with the exception of the claims set forth in Section 2 below (the claims released
in this Release are collectively referred to as the “ Released Claims ”). The Released Claims include all claims arising under any
federal, state or local statute or ordinance, constitutional provision, public policy or common law, including Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (the “ ADEA ”), the Equal Pay Act, the Civil Rights Act of
1866, the Civil Rights Act of 1871, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (with respect to unvested benefits), COBRA, the
Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Georgia Equal Pay Act, the Georgia Prohibition of Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Georgia Equal Employment for People with Disabilities Code, all as amended; all
claims arising under discrimination laws, whistleblower laws and laws relating to violation of public policy, retaliation, or
interference with legal rights; all claims for compensation of any type whatsoever, including claims for wages, bonuses,
commissions, equity, vacation, sick leave, PTO and severance; all claims arising under tort, contract and/or quasi-contract law,
including all claims arising under the Employment Agreement; and all claims for monetary or equitable relief, including attorneys’
fees, back pay, front pay, reinstatement, experts’ fees, medical expenses, costs and disbursements. The Executive hereby waives any
right to seek or recover any individual relief (including any money damages, reinstatement, or other relief) in connection with any of
the Released Claims through any charge, complaint, lawsuit, or other proceeding, whether commenced or maintained by the
Executive or by any other person or entity, with the exception of any right to seek an award pursuant to Section 21F of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
2.
Excluded Claims . The Released Claims do not include (a) any claims for vested benefits to which the Executive is
entitled upon the termination of the Executive’s employment in accordance with the terms of the applicable benefit plans (for the
avoidance of doubt, no term or provision under the Employment Agreement shall be deemed a benefit plan for purposes of this
Release); (b) any claims related to acts, omissions or events occurring after the date this Release is signed by the Executive; (c) any
right that the Executive may have to indemnification or insurance coverage under the Company’s organizational documents or any
directors and officers insurance policy; (d) any claims that cannot legally be waived by private agreement.
3.
Covenant Not to Sue . Except for an action to challenge the validity of the Executive’s release of claims under the
ADEA, or as otherwise provided in Section 5 below, the Executive promises that the Executive will not file, instigate or participate
in any proceeding against any of the Released Parties relating to any of the Released Claims. In the event the Executive breaches the
covenant contained in this Section 3 , the Executive agrees to indemnify the Released Parties for all damages and expenses,
including attorneys’ fees, incurred by any Released Parties in defending, participating in or investigating any matter or proceeding
covered by this Section 3 .
4.
Representations . The Executive represents and warrants that (a) the Executive has been properly paid for all hours
worked and has received all wages, bonuses, vacation pay, expense reimbursements and any other sums due from the Company
(with the exception of the payments and benefits to be provided pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Employment Agreement); (b) the
Executive has returned all Company property in the Executive’s possession or control and has permanently deleted any Confidential
Information stored on any electronic device, web-based email or other storage location not owned by the Company but within the
Executive’s possession or control; (c) the Executive has suffered no work-related injury or occupational disease during the course of
the Executive’s employment with the Company that the Executive has not reported in writing to the Company; (d) the Executive is
not aware of any activity by the Company or any other Released Party that the Executive believes to be unlawful or potentially
unlawful; (e) the Executive has not filed any complaints, claims or actions against the Company or any other Released Party; and (f)
the Executive has not assigned, transferred, conveyed or otherwise disposed of any Released Claims.
5.
Protected Rights . Nothing contained in this Release limits the Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (collectively, “
Government Agencies ”). Further, this Release does not limit the Executive’s ability to communicate with any Government
Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including
providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company.
6.
Consideration Period . The Executive understands that the Executive has [twenty-one (21) days / forty-five (45) days]
to consider this Release before deciding whether to sign it. The Executive may sign this Release sooner if the Executive chooses, but
no sooner than the date of termination of the Executive’s employment. If the Executive chooses to sign this Release before the
expiration of such [21-day / 45-day] period, the Executive represents that the Executive’s decision to do so is knowing and
voluntary. The Executive agrees that any changes made to this Release after it was delivered to the Executive, whether material or
immaterial, do not restart the [21-day / 45-day] period described in this Section. The Company advises the Executive to consult with
an attorney before signing this Release.
7.
Right to Revoke . The Executive understands that the Executive has the right to revoke this Release within seven (7)
days after signing it. This Release shall not become effective until the eighth day following the date on which the Executive has
signed it without having revoked it (the “ Effective Date ”). If the Executive chooses to revoke this Release, the Executive must
deliver written notice of revocation to the Company in accordance with Section 8 of the Employment Agreement. Any such notice of
revocation must be delivered to the Company in a manner calculated to ensure receipt prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the day
prior to the Effective Date. The Executive understands that if the Executive revokes this Release, the Executive will not be entitled
to any of the benefits provided hereunder.
8.
General Provisions . The Released Parties expressly deny that they have any liability to the Executive, and this Release
is not to be construed as an admission of any such liability. This Release is to be construed under the laws of the State of Georgia.
This Release constitutes the entire agreement between the Executive and the Company with respect to the issues addressed in this
Release. The Executive represents that the Executive is not relying on any other agreements or oral representations not fully
expressed in this Release. This Release may not be modified except in writing signed by the Executive and an authorized Company
representative. The headings in this Release are for reference only, and do not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Release. As used herein, the phrase “including” means “including, but not limited to” in each instance. “Or” is used in the inclusive
sense of “and/or”. Should any part of this Release be found to be void or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or
Government Agency, such determination will not affect the remainder of this Release.
ACCEPTED
AND
AGREED
BY:
[•]
Date
19
EXECUTION COPY
Exhibit
10.12
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
THIS
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
(this “ Agreement ”), is dated this 12th day of September, 2018, by and between
AMERICOLD LOGISTICS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business located in Atlanta,
Georgia (the “ Company ”) and David Stuver (the “ Executive ”).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Executive currently serves as Senior Vice President, Distribution Support, of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to employ Executive to serves as Executive Vice President, Business Development and
Supply Chain Solutions of the Company and Executive wishes to be so employed;
WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company are currently parties to that certain Employment Agreement, dated January 26,
2018 (the “ Prior Employment Agreement ”); and
WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company mutually desire to terminate and cancel the Prior Employment Agreement and,
in connection therewith, to provide for the continued services and employment of the Executive by the Company on the terms and
conditions hereinafter set forth.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained herein and for good and valuable
consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, each intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as
follows:
1.
Employment . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company hereby agrees to employ
the Executive, and the Executive hereby agrees to accept such employment, for the Employment Term (as defined below). During
the Employment Term, the Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President, Business Development and Supply Chain Solutions of
the Company and shall report to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “ CEO ”), performing the normal
duties and responsibilities of such position with respect to the business of the Company and such other duties and responsibilities
commensurate with such position as the CEO or the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) may reasonably assign to the
Executive from time to time.
2. Performance . The Executive shall serve the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates faithfully and to the best of the
Executive’s ability and shall devote the Executive’s full business time, energy, experience and talents to the business of the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, as applicable, and will not engage in any other employment activities for any direct or
indirect remuneration without the prior written approval of the Board; provided , however , that it shall not be a violation of this
Agreement for the Executive to manage the Executive’s personal investments, to engage in or serve such civic, community,
charitable, educational, industry,
1
professional, or religious organizations as the Executive may select, or, with the prior approval of the CEO and Board, to serve on
the boards of directors of other companies, so long as such service does not create an actual or potential conflict of interest with, or
impair the Executive’s ability to fulfill the Executive’s duties hereunder or conflict with the Executive’s covenants under Section 6
of this Agreement, in each case as determined in the sole judgment of the CEO and Board.
3. Employment Term .
(a) Subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 7, the term of employment of the Executive hereunder shall
begin on September 4, 2018 (the “ Commencement Date ”), and shall continue for an indefinite period of time (the “ Employment
Term ”).
4. Principal Location . The Executive’s principal place of employment shall be the Company’s offices located in the
Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area, subject to required travel.
5. Compensation and Benefits .
(a) Base Salary . During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary, payable in
equal installments in accordance with Company payroll procedures, at an annual rate of Three Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand
Dollars ($375,000), pro-rated to reflect any partial year of employment. The Board or a committee thereof shall review Executive’s
base salary on an annual basis and may increase Executive’s base salary from time to time, in which case such increased salary then
shall become the Executive’s base salary for purposes of this Agreement.
(b) Annual Bonus . The Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual performance-based cash bonus in respect
of each calendar year that ends during the Employment Term, to the extent earned based on the achievement of performance
objectives established by the Board or a committee thereof, after consultation with the Executive, no later than thirty (30) days after
commencement of the relevant bonus period, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Short-Term Incentive Plan, as amended from
time to time. The maximum annual performance-based cash bonus that the Executive may earn is ninety percent (90%), and the
target bonus is sixty percent (60%), in each case, of the Executive’s annual base salary at the rate in effect at the end of the relevant
calendar year, pro-rated to properly reflect any partial year of employment. If the applicable performance objectives are not attained
at least at the minimum level, no annual performance bonus shall be payable. The amount of such annual bonus awarded for a
calendar year shall be determined by the Board or a committee thereof after the end of the calendar year to which such bonus relates
and shall be paid to the Executive during the following calendar year when annual bonuses for the prior calendar year are paid to
other senior executives of the Company generally. The amount of any such annual bonus shall be pro-rated to properly reflect any
partial year of employment. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7(b), to be eligible for any such annual bonus under this Section
5(b), the Executive must be in active working status at the time the Company pays bonuses for the relevant year to other senior
executives generally. For purposes of this Agreement, “active working status” means that the Executive is employed by the
Company.
2
(c) Long Term Incentive Plan.
(i) The Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Americold Realty Trust 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “
Stock Plan ”) in such amounts and at such times as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Americold
Realty Trust (“ ART ”) shall determine in its sole discretion. Any such awards shall be governed by the Stock Plan and any
Stock Plan award agreements between ART and the Executive.
(ii) Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Grant . In consideration of the Executive’s entering into this Agreement and
as an inducement to remain with the Company, the Company will not terminate nor cancel the granted award under the Prior
Employment Agreement of 15,625 restricted stock units to be settled in shares of the common stock of ART (the “ Restricted
Stock Units ”). Such award is governed by the Stock Plan and restricted stock unit award agreement between the Executive
and ART. Subject to terms of the Stock Plan and the award agreement for the Restricted Stock Units, the Restricted Stock
Units shall vest in equal one-third (1/3) installments on the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the current date of grant
of the award, subject to the Executive’s continuous employment with the Company from the date of grant of such award
through such vesting dates, except as otherwise provided in Section 7(b).
(d) Benefits . During the Employment Term, the Executive shall, subject to and in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the applicable plan documents in force from time to time and all applicable laws, be eligible to participate in all of the
employee benefit, fringe and perquisite plans, practices, policies and arrangements the Company makes available from time to time
to its executive employees generally.
(e) Paid Time Off . The Executive shall be entitled to not less than twenty-five (25) days of paid time off during
each calendar year, pro-rated for any partial calendar year of employment, in accordance with the Company’s policies and practices
with respect to its employees generally as in effect from time to time.
(f) Business Expenses . The Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company for all reasonable and necessary
business expenses actually incurred by the Executive in performing the Executive’s duties hereunder. All payments under this
Section 5(f) will be made in accordance with policies established by the Company from time to time and subject to receipt by the
Company of appropriate documentation.
(g) Directors and Officers Liability Insurance . During the Employment Term, the Company shall maintain director
and officer liability insurance covering the Executive on terms that are no less favorable than the coverage provided to other senior
executives, officers or directors of the Company, as such coverage may be in effect from time to time.
6. Covenants of the Executive . The Executive acknowledges that in the course of the Executive’s employment with the
Company the Executive will become familiar with the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ and affiliates’ trade secrets and with other
confidential and proprietary information concerning the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, and that the Executive’s
3
services are of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. Therefore, the Company
and the Executive mutually agree that it is in the interest of both parties for the Executive to enter into the restrictive covenants set
forth in this Section 6 to, among other things, protect the legitimate business interests of the Company and those of its subsidiaries
and affiliates, and that such restrictions and covenants contained in this Section 6 are reasonable in geographical and temporal scope
and in all other respects given the nature of the Executive’s duties and the nature of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ and
affiliates’ businesses and that such restrictions and covenants do not and will not unduly impair the Executive’s ability to earn a
living after termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company. The Executive further acknowledges and agrees that (i)
the Company would not have entered into this Agreement but for the restrictive covenants of the Executive set forth in this Section
6, and (ii) such restrictive covenants have been made by the Executive in order to induce the Company to enter into this Agreement.
(a) Definitions . For purposes of this Section 6:
substantially similar to the business conducted by the Company.
“ Competing Business ” means any person or entity that engages in a business that is the same as or
“ Confidential Information ” means confidential information relating to the business of the Company and/or
its affiliates that (i) has been made known to the Executive through the Executive’s relationship with the Company or its affiliates,
(ii) has value to the Company and/or its affiliates and (iii) is not generally known to competitors of the Company and/or its affiliates.
Confidential Information includes, without limitation, methods of operation, business strategies, plans for acquisition or expansion,
terms of transaction documents (including but not limited to purchase and sale agreements, operating agreements, lease agreements
and employment agreements), financial information and projections, pricing and discount information, lists of and information
regarding current or prospective customers, vendors, licensees and licensors, product development activities, marketing plans and
strategies, non-public personnel information, and any other information of whatever kind that gives the Company and/or its affiliates
an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not possess such information, regardless of whether such
information is marked “confidential.” Confidential Information includes trade secrets (as defined under applicable law) as well as
information that does not rise to the level of a trade secret, and includes information that has been entrusted to the Company or any
of its affiliates by a third party under an obligation of confidentiality. Confidential Information does not include any information that
has been voluntarily disclosed to the public by the Company (except where such public disclosure has been made by the Executive
without authorization) or that has been independently developed and disclosed by others, or that otherwise enters the public domain
through lawful means.
years of the Executive’s employment with the Company.
“ Customer ” means a current or actively sought prospective customer of the Company during the last two (2)
the one (1)-year period following termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason.
“ Restricted Period ” means the period in which the Executive is employed with the Company together with
4
behalf of the Company during the last two (2) years of the Executive’s employment with the Company.
“ Services ” means services of the type conducted, authorized, offered or provided by the Executive to or on
“ Territory ” means each geographic area in which the Company conducted business during the Executive’s
employment with the Company; provided , that if the Executive’s duties and responsibilities during the last two (2) years of the
Executive’s employment were limited to particular geographic areas, then the “Territory” shall be limited to such geographic areas.
(b) Noncompetition . During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, own, manage,
operate, control, consult with, be employed by or otherwise provide Services to, or participate in the ownership, management,
operation or control of, any Competing Business anywhere in the Territory. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive’s
ownership solely as an investor of two percent (2%) or less of the outstanding securities of any class of any publicly-traded securities
of any company shall not, by itself, be considered to be competition with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
(c) Non-solicitation of Customers . During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i)
solicit or attempt to solicit any Customer for purposes of providing products or services that are competitive with the products and
services provided by the Company or (ii) induce or attempt to induce any Customer to reduce or cease doing business with the
Company, or otherwise interfere with the relationship between any Customer and the Company.
(d) Non-solicitation of Employees . During the Restricted Period, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, (i)
solicit for employment or attempt to solicit for employment, directly or by assisting others, any person who was an employee or
independent contractor of the Company on, or within six (6) months before, the date of such solicitation or attempted solicitation or
(ii) induce or attempt to induce any employee or independent contractor of the Company to terminate such person’s employment or
independent contractor relationship with the Company, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such person and the
Company.
(e) Non-disclosure of Confidential Information .
(i) The Executive acknowledges that all Confidential Information is the property of the Company or its applicable
affiliates. The Executive further acknowledges that the Company and its affiliates intend, and make reasonable good faith
efforts, to protect the Confidential Information from public disclosure. Therefore, the Executive agrees that, except as
required by law or regulation or as legally compelled by court order ( provided that in such case, the Executive shall
promptly notify the Company of such order, shall cooperate with the Company in attempting to obtain a protective order or
to otherwise restrict such disclosure, and shall only disclose Confidential Information to the minimum extent necessary to
comply with any such law regulation or order), during the Employment Term and at all times thereafter, the Executive shall
not, directly or indirectly, divulge, transmit, publish, copy, distribute, furnish or otherwise disclose or make accessible any
Confidential Information, or use any Confidential Information for the benefit of anyone other than the Company and its
affiliates.
5
(ii) The Company does not wish to incorporate any unlicensed or unauthorized material into its products or
services. Therefore, the Executive agrees that the Executive will not disclose to the Company, use in the Company’s
business, or cause the Company to use, any information or material which is a trade secret, or confidential or proprietary
information, of any third party, including, but not limited to, any former employer, any competitor or any client, unless the
Company has a right to receive and use such information or material. The Executive will not incorporate into the Executive’s
work any material or information which is subject to the copyrights of any third party unless the Company has a written
agreement with such third party or otherwise has the right to receive and use such material or information.
(f) Company Intellectual Property . The Executive agrees to promptly disclose to the Company any and all work
product, inventions, artistic works, works of authorship, designs, methods, processes, technology, patterns, techniques, data,
Confidential Information, patents, trade secrets, trademarks, domain names, copyrights, and the like, and all other intellectual
property relating to the business of the Company and any of its affiliates which are created, authored, composed, invented,
discovered, performed, perfected, or learned by the Executive (either solely or jointly with others) during the Employment Term
(collectively, together with such intellectual property as may be owned or acquired by the Company, the “ Company Intellectual
Property ”). The Company Intellectual Property shall be the sole and absolute property of the Company and its affiliates. All work
performed by the Executive in authoring, composing, inventing, creating, developing or modifying Company Intellectual Property
and/or other work product to which copyright protection may attach during the course of the Executive’s employment with the
Company shall be considered “works made for hire” to the extent permitted under applicable copyright law and will be considered
the sole property of the Company. To the extent such works, work product or Company Intellectual Property are not considered
“works made for hire,” all right, title, and interest to such works, work product and Company Intellectual Property, including, but not
limited to, all copyrights, patents, trademarks, rights of publicity, and trade secrets, is hereby assigned to the Company and the
Executive agrees, at the Company’s expense, to execute any documents requested by the Company or any of its affiliates at any time
in relation to such assignment. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company is and will be the sole and absolute owner
of all trademarks, service marks, domain names, patents, copyrights, trade dress, trade secrets, business names, rights of publicity,
inventions, proprietary know-how and information of any type, whether or not in writing, and all other intellectual property used by
the Company or held for use in the business of the Company, including all Company Intellectual Property. The Executive further
acknowledges and agrees that any and all derivative works, developments, or improvements based on intellectual property, materials
and assets subject to this Section 6 created during the Employment Term (including, without limitation, Company Intellectual
Property) shall be exclusively owned by the Company. The Executive will cooperate with the Company and any of its affiliates, at
no additional cost to such parties (whether during or after the Employment Term), in the confirmation, registration, protection and
enforcement of the rights and property of the Company and its affiliates in such intellectual property, materials and assets, including,
without limitation, the Company Intellectual Property.
6
(g) Company Property . All Confidential Information, Company Intellectual Property, files, records,
correspondence, memoranda, notes or other documents (including, without limitation, those in computer-readable form) or property
relating or belonging to the Company and affiliates, whether prepared by the Executive or otherwise coming into the Executive’s
possession or control in the course of the performance of the Executive’s services under this Agreement, shall be the exclusive
property of the Company and shall be delivered to the Company, and not retained by the Executive (including, without limitation,
any copies thereof), promptly upon request by the Company and, in any event, promptly upon termination of the Employment Term.
The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Executive has no expectation of privacy with respect to the Company’s
telecommunications, networking or information processing systems (including, without limitation, stored computer files, email
messages and voice messages), and that the Executive’s activity and any files or messages on or using any of those systems may be
monitored at any time without notice.
(h) Enforcement . The Executive acknowledges that a breach of the Executive’s covenants and agreements
contained in this Section 6 would cause irreparable damage to the Company and its affiliates, the exact amount of which would be
difficult to ascertain, and that the remedies at law for any such breach or threatened breach would be inadequate. Accordingly, the
Executive agrees that if the Executive materially breaches any of the covenants or agreements contained in this Section 6, in addition
to any other remedy which may be available at law or in equity, the Company and affiliates shall be entitled to: (i) cease or withhold
payment to the Executive of any severance payments described in Section 7, for which the Executive otherwise qualifies under such
Section 7, and the Executive shall promptly repay to the Company 90% of any such severance payments the Executive previously
received (with the remaining 10% serving as consideration for the Executive’s release of claims described in Section 7(d), (ii)
institute and prosecute proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction for specific performance and injunctive and other
equitable relief without bond or other security or a showing of irreparable harm or lack of an adequate remedy at law, and (iii) an
equitable accounting by any court of competent jurisdiction of all profits or benefits arising out of such violation. Additionally, upon
a material breach by the Executive of this Section 6, the unvested Restricted Stock Units (and any other unvested stock-based awards
held by the Executive) shall be automatically canceled and forfeited without any further action.
(i) Scope of Covenants . The Company and the Executive further acknowledge that the time, scope, geographic
area and other provisions of this Section 6 have been specifically negotiated by sophisticated commercial parties and agree that they
consider the restrictions and covenants contained in this Section 6 to be reasonable and necessary for the protection of the interests
of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, but if any such restriction or covenant shall be held by any court of competent
jurisdiction to be void but would be valid if deleted in part or reduced in application, such restriction or covenant shall apply in such
jurisdiction with such deletion or modification as may be necessary to make it valid and enforceable. The restrictions and covenants
contained in each paragraph of this Section 6 shall be construed as separate and individual restrictions and covenants and shall each
be capable of being reduced in application or severed without prejudice to the other restrictions and covenants or to the remaining
provisions of this Agreement.
7
(j) Enforceability . If any court holds any of the restrictions or covenants contained in this Section 6 to be
unenforceable by reason of their breadth or scope or otherwise, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such determination not bar
or in any way affect the right of the Company and its affiliates to the relief provided in this Section 6 in the courts of any other
jurisdiction within the geographic scope of such restrictions and covenants.
(k) Disclosure of Restrictive Covenants . The Executive agrees to disclose in advance the existence and terms of
the restrictions and covenants contained in this Section 6 to any employer or other service recipient by whom the Executive may be
employed or retained during the Restricted Period.
(l) Extension of Restricted Period . If the Executive breaches any non-competition or non-solicitation covenant set
forth in this Section 6 in any respect, the Restricted Period will be extended for a period equal to the period that the Executive was in
breach of such covenant, up to a maximum period of one (1) year.
7. Termination .
(a) Termination of Employment . The employment of the Executive hereunder and the Employment Term may be
terminated at any time:
(i) by the Company with or without Cause (as defined herein) upon written notice to the Executive;
(ii) by the Company due to the Executive’s Disability (as hereinafter defined) upon written notice to the Executive;
(iii)
by the Executive with Good Reason (as defined herein);
(iv) by the Executive without Good Reason upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Company (which notice
period may be waived by the Company in its absolute discretion, in which case, such termination shall be effective
immediately upon the Company’s receipt of notice thereof from the Executive); or
(v) without action by the Company, the Executive or any other person or entity, immediately upon the Executive’s
death.
If the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason under this Section 7, the Company shall be obligated to
pay or provide to the Executive (or the Executive’s estate, as applicable) in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following such
termination, or at such other time prescribed by any applicable plan or applicable laws: (A) any base salary payable to the Executive
pursuant to this Agreement, accrued up to and including the date on which the Executive’s employment is terminated, less required
statutory deductions; (B) accrued and unpaid paid time off (if and as required by applicable law or the Company’s policies then in
effect); (C) any employee benefits to which the Executive is entitled upon termination of the Executive’s employment with the
Company in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans of the Company,
8
as in place from time to time; and (D) reimbursement for any unreimbursed business expenses incurred by the Executive prior to the
Executive’s date of termination pursuant to Section 5(f) ((A)-(D) collectively, the “ Accrued Amounts ”).
(b) Termination by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason . If the Executive’s
employment is terminated (A) by the Company without Cause or (B) by the Executive for Good Reason (in either case, other than a
termination due to the Executive’s death or Disability), in addition to the Accrued Amounts, the Executive shall be entitled to
receive as severance (subject to Section 7(d)) the amounts set forth in this Section 7(b), provided the Executive executes and does
not revoke the Release as required by Section 7(d).
(i) The Executive shall be entitled to an amount equal to the Executive’s annual base salary (as described in Section
5(a)), for a period equal to twelve (12) months (the “ Severance Period ”), payable starting on the sixtieth (60 th ) day
following the date of such termination (but with the first payment being a lump sum payment covering all payment periods
from the date of termination through the date of such first payment), in substantially equal installments in accordance with
the Company’s payroll practices during the Severance Period following the date of such termination, subject to reduction
pursuant to Section 6(h);
(ii) To the extent performance objectives applicable to the Executive’s annual bonus in the year of termination
(including any objectives applicable to the Company’s targeted budget) are earned as of the end of the relevant bonus period,
the Executive shall be entitled to the annual bonus earned for the calendar year of such termination pursuant to Section 5(b)
of this Agreement, pro-rated based on the number of days the Executive was actively employed by the Company during such
bonus period, payable at the time such annual bonus would otherwise be paid in accordance with Section 5(b) of this
Agreement;
(iii) Continued full participation in the Company’s health and welfare benefit programs (including full
reimbursement for all health, dental and vision expenses, but excluding participation in the Company’s short or long-term
disability plans) for a period of twelve (12) months following the Executive’s termination date (for the avoidance of doubt,
this continuation period shall run concurrently with any required continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”); provided that the Company’s obligation to make any payment pursuant to this
provision shall cease upon the date the Executive became eligible for coverage under the health plan of a future employer
(regardless of whether the Executive elects such coverage) and the Executive shall promptly notify the Company of his
eligibility for any such coverage;
(iv) Subject to Section 7(b)(v), if any Restricted Stock Units referenced in Section 5(c)(ii) remain unvested at the
time of such termination, the next installment of the Restricted Stock Units that would have vested on the next scheduled
vesting date shall vest as of the date of termination and the balance of any unvested Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited.
Also, if any awards issued to the Executive under the Stock Plan as to which vesting depends upon the satisfaction of one or
more performance conditions remain unvested at the time of such termination, a prorated portion of the performance-vesting
awards shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest based on actual performance through the last day of the
9
applicable performance period, based on the number of days during the applicable performance period that the Executive was
employed. Any performance-vesting awards that are earned based on actual performance will vest and settle as provided in
the applicable award agreement.
(v) If such termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for
Good Reason occurs within the twelve (12) month period following a Change in Control (as such term is defined in the Stock
Plan), (A) any Restricted Stock Units referenced in Section 5(c)(ii) which are not vested at the time of such termination shall
immediately become vested and (B) any other awards granted to the Executive pursuant to the Stock Plan as to which vesting
depends upon the satisfaction of one or more performance conditions and which are not vested at the time of termination
shall immediately become vested based on actual performance through the termination date.
(c) Definitions of Certain Terms . For purposes of this Agreement:
(i) “ Cause ” means the Executive’s (A) commission of an act that constitutes common law fraud or a felony,
commission of any other crime involving moral turpitude, or commission of any other tortious or unlawful act causing, or
which may likely cause, material harm to the business, standing or reputation of the Company without the good faith belief
that such conduct was in the best interests of the Company; (B) material breach of this Agreement, after the Company has
given the Executive thirty (30) days written notice and an opportunity to cure such breach to the extent curable; (C) willful
failure or refusal to perform the Executive’s material duties or obligations under this Agreement, including, without
limitation, failure or refusal to abide by the directions of the CEO or the Board or any written policy adopted by the Board, in
each case after the Company has given the Executive thirty (30) days written notice and an opportunity to cure such failure or
refusal to the extent curable; (D) willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of the Executive’s duties as an
employee, officer or director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; or (E) material misappropriation or
embezzlement of any property of the Company.
(ii) “ Disability ” means a condition entitling the Executive to benefits under the Company’s long term disability
plan, policy or arrangement in which the Executive participates; provided , however , that if no such plan, policy or
arrangement is then maintained by the Company and applicable to the Executive, “Disability” shall mean the Executive’s
inability to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, the Executive’s duties under this Agreement due to a mental
or physical condition that can be expected to result in death or that can be expected to last (or has already lasted) for a
continuous period of ninety (90) days or more, or for an aggregate of one hundred eighty (180) days in any three hundred
sixty five (365) consecutive day period, as determined by the CEO or the Board in its good faith discretion.
(iii) “ Good Reason ” means the occurrence, without the Executive’s consent, of any of the following events, other
than in connection with a termination of the Executive’s employment for Cause or due to death or Disability: (A) a material
reduction in the
10
Executive’s rate of base salary stated in Section 5(a) and/or the amount of the Executive’s annual bonus opportunity
described in Section 5(b); (B) an action by the Company resulting in a material diminution in the Executive’s titles, authority,
duties, responsibilities or direct reports, (C) the Company’s relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment to a
location outside of the fifty (50)-mile radius of Atlanta, Georgia; or (D) a material breach by the Company of this
Agreement; provided , however , that none of the events described in this sentence shall constitute Good Reason unless and
until (V) the Executive reasonably determines in good faith that a Good Reason condition has occurred, (W) the Executive
first notifies the Company in writing describing in reasonable detail the condition which constitutes Good Reason within
sixty (60) days of its initial occurrence, (X) the Company fails to cure such condition within thirty (30) days after the
Company’s receipt of such written notice, (Y) notwithstanding such efforts, the Good Reason condition continues to exist,
and (Z) the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment within sixty (60) days after the end of such thirty (30)-day cure
period. If the Company cures the Good Reason condition during such cure period, Good Reason shall be deemed not be have
occurred.
(d) Release of Claims . As a condition of receiving any severance for which the Executive otherwise qualifies
under Section 7(b), the Executive agrees to execute, deliver and not revoke, within sixty (60) days following the date of the
Executive’s termination of employment, a separation agreement containing a general release of claims against the Company and its
subsidiaries and their respective affiliates and their respective employees, officers, directors, owners and members, in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Release ”), such Release to be delivered, and to have become fully irrevocable, on or
before the end of such sixty (60)-day period. If the Release has not been executed and delivered and become irrevocable on or before
the end of such sixty (60)-day period, no amounts or benefits under Section 7(b) shall be or become payable.
(e) No Additional Rights . The Executive acknowledges and agrees that, except as specifically described in this
Section 7, all of the Executive’s rights to any compensation, benefits, bonuses or severance from the Company and its subsidiaries
and affiliates after termination of the Employment Term shall cease upon such termination.
8. Notices . All notices, requests, demands, claims, consents and other communications which are required, permitted or
otherwise delivered hereunder shall in every case be in writing and shall be deemed properly served if: (a) delivered personally, (b)
sent by registered or certified mail, in all such cases with first class postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or (c) delivered by a
recognized overnight courier service, to the parties at the addresses as set forth below:
If to the Company: Americold Logistics, LLC
10 Glenlake Parkway
South Tower, Suite 600
Attention: James Snyder, General Counsel
Atlanta, Georgia 30328
11
With copies to: King & Spalding LLP
1180 Peachtree Street, Suite 1600
Attention: C. Spencer Johnson, III
If to the Executive: At the Executive’s residence address
as maintained by the Company in the
regular course of its business for
payroll purposes.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
or to such other address as shall be furnished in writing by either party to the other party; provided that such notice or change in
address shall be effective only when actually received by the other party. Date of service of any such notices or other
communications shall be: (a) the date such notice is personally delivered, (b) three (3) days after the date of mailing if sent by
certified or registered mail, or (c) one business day after date of delivery to the overnight courier if sent by overnight courier.
9. Arbitration . Except as otherwise provided in Section 6(h) in connection with equitable remedies, any dispute, claim or
controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any dispute, claim or controversy concerning
the validity, enforceability, breach or termination hereof, if not resolved by the parties, shall be finally settled by arbitration in
accordance with the then-prevailing Employment Arbitration Rules and Mediation Procedures of the American Arbitration
Association, as modified herein (“ Rules ”). There shall be one arbitrator who shall be jointly selected by the parties. If the parties
have not jointly agreed upon an arbitrator within twenty (20) calendar days of respondent’s receipt of claimant’s notice of intention
to arbitrate, either party may request the American Arbitration Association to furnish the parties with a list of names from which the
parties shall jointly select an arbitrator. If the parties have not agreed upon an arbitrator within ten (10) calendar days of the
transmittal date of such list, then each party shall have an additional five (5) calendar days in which to strike any names objected to,
number the remaining names in order of preference, and return the list to the American Arbitration Association, which shall then
select an arbitrator in accordance with Rule 13 of the Rules. The place of arbitration shall be Atlanta, Georgia or such other location
as mutually agreed in writing by the parties. By agreeing to arbitration, the parties hereto do not intend to deprive any court of its
jurisdiction to issue a pre-arbitral injunction or with respect to other proceedings described in Section 6(h) (or delay any such
proceedings), pre-arbitral attachment or other order in aid of arbitration. The arbitration shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration
Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16. Judgment upon the award of the arbitrator may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party
shall bear its or his or her own costs and expenses in any such arbitration and one-half of the arbitrator’s fees and expenses.
10. Waiver of Jury Trial . THE
PARTIES
TO
THIS
AGREEMENT
EACH
HEREBY
WAIVES,
TO
THE
FULLEST
EXTENT
PERMITTED
BY
LAW,
ANY
RIGHT
TO
TRIAL
BY
JURY
OF
ANY
CLAIM,
DEMAND,
ACTION,
OR
CAUSE
OF
ACTION
(I)
ARISING
UNDER
THIS
AGREEMENT
OR
(II)
IN
ANY
WAY
CONNECTED
WITH
OR
RELATED
OR
INCIDENTAL
TO
THE
DEALINGS
OF
THE
PARTIES
HERETO
IN
RESPECT
OF
12
THIS
AGREEMENT
OR
ANY
OF
THE
TRANSACTIONS
RELATED
HERETO,
IN
EACH
CASE
WHETHER
NOW
EXISTING
OR
HEREAFTER
ARISING,
AND
WHETHER
IN
CONTRACT,
TORT,
EQUITY,
OR
OTHERWISE.
THE
PARTIES
TO
THIS
AGREEMENT
EACH
HEREBY
AGREES
AND
CONSENTS
THAT
ANY
SUCH
CLAIM,
DEMAND,
ACTION,
OR
CAUSE
OF
ACTION
SHALL
BE
DECIDED
BY
COURT
TRIAL
WITHOUT
A
JURY
AND
THAT
THE
PARTIES
TO
THIS
AGREEMENT
MAY
FILE
AN
ORIGINAL
COUNTERPART
OF
A
COPY
OF
THIS
AGREEMENT
WITH
ANY
COURT
AS
WRITTEN
EVIDENCE
OF
THE
CONSENT
OF
THE
PARTIES
HERETO
TO
THE
WAIVER
OF
THEIR
RIGHT
TO
TRIAL
BY
JURY.
11. Section 409A .
(a) The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with, or be exempt from,
Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “ Code Section 409A ”) and the
Company shall have complete discretion to interpret and construe this Agreement and any associated documents in any manner that
establishes an exemption from (or compliance with) the requirements of Code Section 409A. If, for any reason, such as imprecision
in drafting any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including, without limitation, equity compensation or
benefits) does not accurately reflect its intended establishment of an exemption from (or compliance with) Code Section 409A, as
demonstrated by consistent interpretations or other evidence of intent, such provision shall be considered ambiguous as to its
exemption from (or compliance with) Code Section 409A and shall be interpreted by the Company in a manner consistent with such
intent, as determined in the discretion of the Company.
(b) A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this
Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits that are considered nonqualified deferred compensation under
Code Section 409A upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service”
within the meaning of Code Section 409A, and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,”
“termination of employment” or like terms shall mean such a “separation from service.” The determination of whether and when a
separation from service has occurred for proposes of this Agreement shall be made in accordance with the presumptions set forth in
Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations.
(c) Any provision of this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if at the time of the Executive’s separation
from service, the Company determines that the Executive is a “specified employee,” within the meaning of Code Section 409A, then
to the extent any payment or benefit that the Executive becomes entitled to under this Agreement on account of such separation from
service would be considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Code Section 409A such payment or benefit shall be paid or
provided at the date which is the earlier of (i) six (6) months and one day after such separation from service and (ii) the date of the
Executive’s death (the “ Delay Period ”). Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this
Section 11(c) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall
be paid or provided to the Executive in a lump-sum, and any
13
remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates
specified for them herein.
(d) Any reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement that constitute deferred compensation
within the meaning of Code Section 409A shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A,
including, without limitation, that (i) in no event shall any fees, expenses or other amounts eligible to be reimbursed by the Company
under this Agreement be paid later than the last day of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which the applicable
fees, expenses or other amounts were incurred; (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits that the
Company is obligated to pay or provide, in any given calendar year shall not affect the expenses that the Company is obligated to
reimburse, or the in-kind benefits that the Company is obligated to pay or provide, in any other calendar year; (iii) the Executive’s
right to have the Company pay or provide such reimbursements and in-kind benefits may not be liquidated or exchanged for any
other benefit; and (iv) in no event shall the Company’s obligations to make such reimbursements or to provide such in-kind benefits
apply later than the Executive’s remaining lifetime (or if longer, through the sixth (6th) anniversary of the Commencement Date).
(e) For purposes of Code Section 409A, the Executive’s right to receive any installment payments shall be treated
as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment
period with reference to a number of days (for example, payment shall be made “within thirty (30) days following such
termination”), the actual date of payment within the specified period shall be within the sole discretion of the Company. In no event
may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement, to the extent
such payment is subject to Code Section 409A.
(f) The Company makes no representation or warranty and shall have no liability to the Executive or any other
person if any provisions of this Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A but do
not satisfy an exemption from, or the conditions of, Code Section 409A.
12. General .
(a) Governing Law . Unless preempted by federal law, this Agreement and the legal relations thus created between
the parties hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Georgia, without giving
effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Georgia or any other jurisdiction) that would
cause the application of the law of any jurisdiction other than the State of Georgia. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that
this Agreement was executed and delivered in the State of Georgia.
(b) Construction and Severability . Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be construed and
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be
prohibited by, or invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under, any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such
prohibition,
14
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement or any other jurisdiction, and the
parties undertake to implement all efforts which are necessary, desirable and sufficient to amend, supplement or substitute all and
any such prohibited, invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with enforceable and valid provisions in such jurisdiction which
would produce as nearly as may be possible the result previously intended by the parties without renegotiation of any material terms
and conditions stipulated herein.
(c) Cooperation . During the Employment Period and thereafter, the Executive shall cooperate with the Company
and be reasonably available to the Company with respect to continuing and/or future matters related to the Executive’s employment
period with the Company and/or its subsidiaries or affiliates, whether such matters are business-related, legal, regulatory or
otherwise (including, without limitation, the Executive appearing at the Company’s request to give testimony without requiring
service of a subpoena or other legal process, volunteering to the Company all pertinent information and turning over to the Company
all relevant documents which are or may come into the Executive’s possession). Following the Employment Term, the Company
shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the Executive in rendering such services that are
approved by the Company. In addition, if more than an incidental cooperation is required at any time after the termination of the
Executive’s employment, the Executive shall be paid (other than for the time of actual testimony) a per day fee based on the
Executive’s base salary described in Section 5(a) at the time of such termination divided by 225.
(d) Nondisparagement . During the Employment Term and thereafter, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly,
take any action, or encourage others to take any action, to disparage the Company, its employees, officers, directors, products,
services, customers or owners; provided , however , this provision does not apply to the Executive’s oral or written communications
made in the performance of the Executive’s duties as provided in this Agreement, including but not limited to expressions of opinion
communicated internally at the Company or to the Company’s directors.
(e) Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Company and its successors and assigns and the Executive and the Executive’s heirs, executors, administrators, and successors;
provided that the services provided by the Executive under this Agreement are of a personal nature, and rights and obligations of the
Executive under this Agreement shall not be assignable or delegable, except for any death payments otherwise due the Executive,
which shall be payable to the estate of the Executive; provided further the Company may assign this Agreement to, and all rights
hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company or any person, firm or corporation resulting from
the reorganization of the Company or succeeding to the business or assets of the Company by purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise; and provided further that in the event of the Executive’s death, any unpaid amount due to the Executive under this
Agreement shall be paid to the Executive’s estate.
(f) Executive’s Representations . The Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that: (i) the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Executive do not and shall not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a
default under any contract, agreement,
15
instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is bound; (ii) the Executive is not
a party to or bound by any employment agreement, noncompetition or nonsolicitation agreement or confidentiality agreement with
any other person or entity besides the Company and (iii) upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, this
Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of the Executive, enforceable in accordance with its teens. THE
EXECUTIVE
HEREBY
ACKNOWLEDGES
AND
REPRESENTS
THAT
THE
EXECUTIVE
HAS
CONSULTED
WITH
INDEPENDENT
LEGAL
COUNSEL
REGARDING
THE
EXECUTIVE’S
RIGHTS
AND
OBLIGATIONS
UNDER
THIS
AGREEMENT,
TO
THE
EXTENT
DETERMINED
NECESSARY
OR
APPROPRIATE
BY
THE
EXECUTIVE,
AND
THAT
THE
EXECUTIVE
FULLY
UNDERSTANDS
THE
TERMS
AND
CONDITIONS
CONTAINED
HEREIN.
(g) Compliance with Rules and Policies . The Executive shall perform all services in accordance with the policies,
procedures and rules established by the Company and the Board. In addition, the Executive shall comply with all laws, rules and
regulations that are generally applicable to the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates and their respective employees, directors and
officers.
(h) Withholding Taxes . All amounts payable hereunder shall be subject to the withholding of all applicable taxes
and deductions required by any applicable law.
(i) Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and terminates and supersedes any and all prior agreements, understandings and
representations, whether written or oral, by or between the parties hereto or their affiliates which may have related to the subject
matter hereof in any way.
(j) Duration . Notwithstanding the Employment Term hereunder, this Agreement shall continue for so long as any
obligations remain under this Agreement.
(k) Survival . The covenants set forth in Sections 6 and 12(c) of this Agreement shall survive and shall continue to
be binding upon the Executive notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever.
(l) Amendment and Waiver . The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the prior
written consent of the Company and the Executive, and no course of conduct or course of dealing or failure or delay by any party
hereto in enforcing or exercising any of the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Company’s right to
terminate the Employment Term for Cause) shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or be deemed
to be an implied waiver of any similar or dissimilar requirement, provision or condition of this Agreement at the same or any prior or
subsequent time. Pursuit by either party of any available remedy, either in law or equity, or any action of any kind, does not
constitute waiver of any other remedy or action. Such remedies and actions are cumulative and not exclusive.
(m) Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which taken together shall
constitute one instrument.
16
(n) Section References . Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only
and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose. The words Section and paragraph herein shall refer to
provisions of this Agreement unless expressly indicated otherwise.
(o) No Strict Construction . The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this
Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted
jointly by the parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring either party hereto by virtue
of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. When the context admits or requires, words used in the masculine
gender shall be construed to include the feminine, the plural shall include the singular, and the singular shall include the plural.
(p) Time of the Essence; Computation of Time . Time is of the essence for each and every provision of this
Agreement. Whenever the last day for the exercise of any privilege or the discharge or any duty hereunder shall fall upon a Saturday,
Sunday, or any date on which banks in New York, New York are authorized to be closed, the party having such privilege or duty
may exercise such privilege or discharge such duty on the next succeeding day which is a regular business day.
(q) No Third Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended or shall be construed
to give any person other than the parties to this Agreement and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors or
permitted assigns any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of any agreement or any provision contained
herein.
(r) Protected Rights . Nothing contained in this Agreement limits the Executive’s ability to file a charge or
complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or
commission (collectively, “ Government Agencies ”), or prevents the Executive from providing truthful testimony in response to a
lawfully issued subpoena or court order. Further, this Agreement does not limit the Executive’s ability to communicate with any
Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government
Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company.
(s) Defend Trade Secrets Act . The Executive is hereby notified that under the Defend Trade Secrets Act: (i) no
individual shall be held criminally or civilly liable under federal or state trade secret law for disclosure of a trade secret (as defined
in the Economic Espionage Act) that is: (A) made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or
indirectly, or to an attorney, and made solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law or (B) made in
a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal so that it is not made public;
and (ii) an individual who pursues a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of the law may
disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the
individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except as permitted by
court order.
17
[Signature Page Follows.]
18
[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, have hereunto executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first written above.
AMERICOLD LOGISTICS, LLC
Date: ___9/13/2018________________ By: __/s/Andrea Darweesh___________
Name: Andrea Darweesh
Title: EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer
DAVID STUVER
Date : __9/12/2018_________________ ________/s/ David Stuver_____________
Exhibit
A:
Form
of
Release
WAIVER
AND
RELEASE
This Waiver and Release (this “ Release ”) is executed by [•] (the “ Executive ”) pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Employment
Agreement, dated as of [•], by and between AMERICOLD LOGISTICS, LLC and the Executive (the “ Employment Agreement ”).
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Release have the meanings given to them in the Employment Agreement.
1.
General Release . In consideration of the payments and benefits to be provided to the Executive pursuant to Section
7(b) of the Employment Agreement, the Executive, on behalf of the Executive and anyone claiming through the Executive, hereby
fully and completely releases, acquits and forever discharges the Company, its affiliates and related entities, and each of their
respective current and former employees, officers, directors, shareholders, partners, members, managers, agents, employee benefit
plans and fiduciaries, insurers, trustees, attorneys, joint venture partners, transferees, successors and assigns (each a “ Released Party
” and collectively, the “ Released Parties ”), collectively, separately, and severally, of and from any and all claims, demands,
damages, causes of action, debts, liabilities, controversies, judgments, and suits of every kind and nature whatsoever, foreseen,
unforeseen, known or unknown, that arise out of or relate to the Executive’s employment or termination of employment with the
Company and that the Executive has had, now has, or may have against the Released Parties (or any of them) at any time up to and
including the date the Executive signs this Release, with the exception of the claims set forth in Section 2 below (the claims released
in this Release are collectively referred to as the “ Released Claims ”). The Released Claims include all claims arising under any
federal, state or local statute or ordinance, constitutional provision, public policy or common law, including Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (the “ ADEA ”), the Equal Pay Act, the Civil Rights Act of
1866, the Civil Rights Act of 1871, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (with respect to unvested benefits), COBRA, the
Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Georgia Equal Pay Act, the Georgia Prohibition of Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Georgia Equal Employment for People with Disabilities Code, all as amended; all
claims arising under discrimination laws, whistleblower laws and laws relating to violation of public policy, retaliation, or
interference with legal rights; all claims for compensation of any type whatsoever, including claims for wages, bonuses,
commissions, equity, vacation, sick leave, PTO and severance; all claims arising under tort, contract and/or quasi-contract law,
including all claims arising under the Employment Agreement; and all claims for monetary or equitable relief, including attorneys’
fees, back pay, front pay, reinstatement, experts’ fees, medical expenses, costs and disbursements. The Executive hereby waives any
right to seek or recover any individual relief (including any money damages, reinstatement, or other relief) in connection with any of
the Released Claims through any charge, complaint, lawsuit, or other proceeding, whether commenced or maintained by the
Executive or by any other person or entity, with the exception of any right to seek an award pursuant to Section 21F of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
2.
Excluded Claims . The Released Claims do not include (a) any claims for vested benefits to which the Executive is
entitled upon the termination of the Executive’s employment in accordance with the terms of the applicable benefit plans (for the
avoidance of doubt, no term or provision under the Employment Agreement shall be deemed a benefit plan for purposes of this
Release); (b) any claims related to acts, omissions or events occurring after the date this Release is signed by the Executive; (c) any
right that the Executive may have to indemnification or insurance coverage under the Company’s organizational documents or any
directors and officers insurance policy; (d) any claims that cannot legally be waived by private agreement.
directors and officers insurance policy; (d) any claims that cannot legally be waived by private agreement.
3.
Covenant Not to Sue . Except for an action to challenge the validity of the Executive’s release of claims under the
ADEA, or as otherwise provided in Section 5 below, the Executive promises that the Executive will not file, instigate or participate
in any proceeding against any of the Released Parties relating to any of the Released Claims. In the event the Executive breaches the
covenant contained in this Section 3 , the Executive agrees to indemnify the Released Parties for all damages and expenses,
including attorneys’ fees, incurred by any Released Parties in defending, participating in or investigating any matter or proceeding
covered by this Section 3 .
4.
Representations . The Executive represents and warrants that (a) the Executive has been properly paid for all hours
worked and has received all wages, bonuses, vacation pay, expense reimbursements and any other sums due from the Company
(with the exception of the payments and benefits to be provided pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Employment Agreement); (b) the
Executive has returned all Company property in the Executive’s possession or control and has permanently deleted any Confidential
Information stored on any electronic device, web-based email or other storage location not owned by the Company but within the
Executive’s possession or control; (c) the Executive has suffered no work-related injury or occupational disease during the course of
the Executive’s employment with the Company that the Executive has not reported in writing to the Company; (d) the Executive is
not aware of any activity by the Company or any other Released Party that the Executive believes to be unlawful or potentially
unlawful; (e) the Executive has not filed any complaints, claims or actions against the Company or any other Released Party; and (f)
the Executive has not assigned, transferred, conveyed or otherwise disposed of any Released Claims.
5.
Protected Rights . Nothing contained in this Release limits the Executive’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission (collectively, “
Government Agencies ”). Further, this Release does not limit the Executive’s ability to communicate with any Government
Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including
providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company.
6.
Consideration Period . The Executive understands that the Executive has [twenty-one (21) days / forty-five (45) days]
to consider this Release before deciding whether to sign it. The Executive may sign this Release sooner if the Executive chooses, but
no sooner than the date of termination of the Executive’s employment. If the Executive chooses to sign this Release before the
expiration of such [21-day / 45-day] period, the Executive represents that the Executive’s decision to do so is knowing and
voluntary. The Executive agrees that any changes made to this Release after it was delivered to the Executive, whether material or
immaterial, do not restart the [21-day / 45-day] period described in this Section. The Company advises the Executive to consult with
an attorney before signing this Release.
7.
Right to Revoke . The Executive understands that the Executive has the right to revoke this Release within seven (7)
days after signing it. This Release shall not become effective until the eighth day following the date on which the Executive has
signed it without having revoked it (the “ Effective Date ”). If the Executive chooses to revoke this Release, the Executive must
deliver written notice of revocation to the Company in accordance with Section 8 of the Employment Agreement. Any such notice of
revocation must be delivered to the Company in a manner calculated to ensure receipt prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the day
prior to the Effective Date. The Executive understands that if the Executive revokes this Release, the Executive will not be entitled
to any of the benefits provided hereunder.
8.
General Provisions . The Released Parties expressly deny that they have any liability to the Executive, and this Release
is not to be construed as an admission of any such liability. This Release is to be construed under the laws of the State of Georgia.
This Release constitutes the entire agreement between the Executive and the Company with respect to the issues addressed in this
Release. The Executive represents that the Executive is not relying on any other agreements or oral representations not fully
expressed in this Release. This Release may not be modified except in writing signed by the Executive and an authorized Company
representative. The headings in this Release are for reference only, and do not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this
Release. As used herein, the phrase “including” means “including, but not limited to” in each instance. “Or” is used in the inclusive
sense of “and/or”. Should any part of this Release be found to be void or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction or
Government Agency, such determination will not affect the remainder of this Release.
ACCEPTED
AND
AGREED
BY:
[•]
Date
19
All of the following are subsidiaries of both Americold Realty Trust and Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P., except
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. and Americold Realty Operations, Inc. are subsidiaries of only Americold Realty
Trust.
EXHIBIT
21.1
List
of
Subsidiaries
Subsidiary
Americold 2010 LLC
Americold Acquisition Partnership GP LLC
Americold Acquisition, LLC
Americold Australia PTY Ltd.
Americold Australia Realty Trust
Americold Australian Holdings PTY Ltd.
Americold Australian Logistics PTY Ltd.
Americold Brisbane Realty Trust
Americold Clearfield Opco, LLC
Americold Clearfield Propco, LLC
Americold Food Logistics PTY Ltd.
Americold Investments PTY Ltd.
Americold Logistics Hong Kong Limited
Americold Logistics Limited
Americold Logistics Services NZ Ltd.
AmeriCold Logistics, LLC
Americold Melbourne Realty Trust
Americold Middleboro Opco, LLC
Americold Middleboro Propco, LLC
Americold MFL 2010 LLC
Americold Nebraska Leasing LLC
Americold NZ Limited
Americold Propco Phoenix Van Buren LLC
Americold Property PTY Ltd.
AmeriCold Real Estate, L.P.
Americold Realty Hong Kong Limited
Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P.*
Americold Realty LLC.
Americold Realty Operations, Inc.*
Americold San Antonio Propco LLC
Americold Storage NB PTY Ltd.
Americold Sydney Realty Trust
Americold Transportation, LLC
Americold Transportation Services, LLC
AMLOG Canada Inc.
ART AL Holding LLC
ART First Mezzanine Borrower GP LLC
ART First Mezzanine Borrower Opco 2006-2 L.P.
ART First Mezzanine Borrower Opco 2006-3 L.P.
ART FIRST MEZZANINE BORROWER OPCO GP 2006-2 LLC
ART First Mezzanine Borrower Opco GP 2006-3 LLC
ART First Mezzanine Borrower Propco 2006-2 L.P.
Jurisdiction
of
Incorporation
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Delaware
Delaware
Australia
Australia
China
Australia
New Zealand
Delaware
Australia
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Nebraska
New Zealand
Delaware
Australia
Delaware
China
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Australia
Australia
Delaware
Delaware
Canada
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
ART First Mezzanine Borrower Propco 2006-3 L.P.
ART FIRST MEZZANINE BORROWER PROPCO GP 2006-2 LLC
ART First Mezzanine Borrower Propco GP 2006-3 LLC
ART First Mezzanine Borrower, L.P.
ART Icecap Holdings LLC
ART Leasing LLC
ART Manager L.L.C.
ART Mezzanine Borrower Opco 2013 LLC
ART Mezzanine Borrower Propco 2013 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower GP LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2006-1A L.P.
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2006-1B L.P.
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2006-1C L.P.
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2006-2 L.P.
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2006-3 L.P.
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2010 -4 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2010 -5 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2010 -6 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco 2013 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco GP 2006-1A LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco GP 2006-1B LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco GP 2006-1C LLC
ART MORTGAGE BORROWER OPCO GP 2006-2 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Opco GP 2006-3 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2006-1A L.P.
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2006-1B L.P.
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2006-1C L.P.
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2006-2 L.P.
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2006-3 L.P.
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2010 -4 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2010 -5 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2010 -6 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco 2013 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco GP 2006-1A LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco GP 2006-1B LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco GP 2006-1C LLC
ART MORTGAGE BORROWER PROPCO GP 2006-2 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower Propco GP 2006-3 LLC
ART Mortgage Borrower, L.P.
ART QUARRY TRSLLC
ART Second Mezzanine Borrower GP LLC
ART Second Mezzanine Borrower Opco 2013 LLC
ART Second Mezzanine Borrower Propco 2013 LLC
ART Second Mezzanine Borrower, L.P.
ART Third Mezzanine Borrower Opco 2013 LLC
ART Third Mezzanine Borrower Propco 2013 LLC
Atlas Cold Storage Logistics LLC
Atlas Logistics Group Retail Services (Atlanta) LLC
Atlas Logistics Group Retail Services (Denver) LLC
Atlas Logistics Group Retail Services (Phoenix) LLC
Atlas Logistics Group Retail Services (Roanoke) LLC
Atlas Logistics Group Retail Services (Shelbyville) LLC
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Minnesota
Delaware
Minnesota
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Cold Logic ULC
Distribution Development, L.L.C.
Icecap Australia MIT Holding, LLC
Icecap Properties AU LLC
Icecap Properties NZ Holdings LLC
Icecap Properties NZ Limited LLC
Icicle Australia Property Pty Limited
Inland Quarries, L.L.C.
KC Underground, L.L.C.
URS Real Estate, L.P.
URS Realty, L.L.C.
VCD Pledge Holdings, LLC
Versacold Atlas Logistics Services USA LLC
Versacold Logistics Argentina SA
Versacold Logistics, LLC
Versacold Midwest LLC
Versacold Northeast Logistics, LLC
Versacold Northeast, Inc.
Versacold Texas, L.P.
Versacold USA, L.L.C.
*subsidiaries of only Americold Realty Trust
British Columbia, Canada
South Dakota
Australia
Delaware
Delaware
New Zealand
Australia
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Argentina
Delaware
Delaware
Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Texas
Delaware
Exhibit
23.1
Consent
of
Independent
Registered
Public
Accounting
Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:
(1) Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-229819) of Americold Realty Trust, and
(2) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-222637) pertaining to the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, and the 2008 Equity
Incentive Plan of Americold Realty Trust;
of our reports dated February 26, 2019, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Americold Realty Trust and Americold Realty
Operating Partnership, L.P., included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Americold Realty Trust and Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. for the year
ended December 31, 2018.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
February 26, 2019
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT, AS AMENDED,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit
31.1
I, Fred Boehler, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Americold Realty Trust;
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 directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(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.
Date: February 26, 2019
/s/ Fred W Boehler
Fred W Boehler
Chief Executive Officer, President and Trustee
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT, AS AMENDED,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit
31.2
I, Marc Smernoff, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Americold Realty Trust;
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 directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(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.
Date: February 26, 2019
/s/ Marc Smernoff
Marc Smernoff
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT, AS AMENDED,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit
31.3
I, Fred Boehler, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, 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)) 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) [omitted pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-15(a)];
(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 directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(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.
Date: February 26, 2019
/s/ Fred W. Boehler
Fred W. Boehler
Chief Executive Officer, President and Trustee
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT, AS AMENDED,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit
31.4
I, Marc Smernoff, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, 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)) 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) [omitted pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-15(a)];
(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 directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(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.
Date: February 26, 2019
/s/ Marc Smernoff
Marc Smernoff
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit
32.1
In connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Americold Realty Trust (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Fred Boehler, President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee of the Company, certify,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 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 Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Dated: February 26, 2019
/s/ Fred W. Boehler
Fred W. Boehler
President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit
32.2
In connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Americold Realty Trust (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Marc Smernoff, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of the Company,
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 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 Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Dated: February 26, 2019
/s/ Marc Smernoff
Marc Smernoff
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit
32.3
In connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. (the Operating Partnership) for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Fred Boehler, President, Chief Executive Officer
and Trustee of the Operating Partnership, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 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 Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Operating
Partnership.
Dated: February 26, 2019
/s/ Fred W. Boehler
Fred W. Boehler
President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit
32.4
In connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Americold Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. (the Operating Partnership) for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Marc Smernoff, Chief Financial Officer and
Executive Vice President of the Operating Partnership, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 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 Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Operating
Partnership.
Dated: February 26, 2019
/s/ Marc Smernoff
Marc Smernoff
Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President
Exhibit
95.1
DODD-FRANK ACT DISCLOSURE OF MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION SAFETY DATA
The following disclosures are provided pursuant to Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the
“Act”) and Item 104 of Regulation S-K, which requires certain disclosures by companies required to file periodic reports under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that operate mines regulated under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”).
Mine Safety Information
The operation of our limestone quarry in Carthage, Missouri is inspected by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”)
on an ongoing basis. Whenever MSHA believes a violation of the Mine Act, any health or safety standard or any regulation has occurred, it
may issue a citation which describes the alleged violation and fixes a time within which the U.S. mining operator must abate the alleged
violation. In some situations, such as when MSHA believes that conditions pose a hazard to miners, MSHA may issue an order removing
miners from the area of the mine affected by the condition until the alleged hazards are corrected. When MSHA issues a citation or order, it
generally proposes a civil penalty, or fine, as a result of the alleged violation, that the operator is ordered to pay. Citations and orders can be
contested and appealed, and as part of that process, may be reduced in severity and amount, and are sometimes dismissed. The number of
citations, orders and proposed assessments vary depending on the size and type (underground or surface) of the mine as well as by the MSHA
inspector(s) assigned.
The following table includes information required by the Act for the quarter ended December 31, 2018.
Section
104
S&S
Citations
Section
104(b)
Orders
Section
104(d)
Citations
and
Orders
Section
110(b)(2)
Violations
Section
107(a)
Orders
Total
Dollar
Value
of
MSHA
Assessments
Proposed
Total
Number
of
Mining
Related
Fatalities
Received
Notice
of
Pattern
of
Violations
Under
Section
104(e)
Received
Notice
of
Potential
to
Have
Pattern
Under
Section
104(e)
Legal
Actions
Pending
as
of
Last
Day
of
Period
(1)
Legal
Actions
Initiated
During
Period
Legal
Actions
Resolved
During
Period
0
0
0
0
0
$118
0
No
No
3
1
0
Mine
or
Operating
Name
(MSHA
Identification
Number)
Carthage
Crushed
Limestone
(23-00028)
(1) See table below for additional detail regarding Legal Actions Pending as of December 31, 2018. With respect to Contests of Proposed Penalties, we have
included the number of dockets (as opposed to citations) when counting the number of Legal Actions Pending as of December 31, 2018.
018.
Contests
of
proposed
penalties
(b)
Mine
or
Operating
Name
(MSHA
Identification
Number)
Carthage Crushed Limestone
(23-00028)
Contests
of
citations
and
orders
(a)
Dockets
Citations
Complaints
for
compensation
(c)
Complaints
of
discharge,
discrimination
or
interference
(d)
Applications
for
temporary
relief
(e)
Appeals
of
judges'
decisions
or
orders
(f)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(a) Represents (if any) contests of citations and orders, which typically are filed prior to an operator's receipt of a proposed penalty assessment from
MSHA or relate to orders for which penalties are not assessed (such as imminent danger orders under Section 107 of the Mine Act). This category
includes: (i) contests of citations or orders issued under section 104 of the Mine Act, (ii) contests of imminent danger withdrawal orders under section
107 of the Mine Act, and (iii) Emergency response plan dispute proceedings (as required under the Mine Improvement and New Emergency
Response Act of 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-236, 120 Stat. 493).
(b) Represents (if any) contests of proposed penalties, which are administrative proceedings before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review
Commission (“FMSHRC”) challenging a civil penalty that MSHA has proposed for the violation contained in a citation or order. This column
includes one action involving civil penalties against agents of the operator that has been contested and two appeals of a decision or order.
(c) Represents (if any) complaints for compensation, which are cases under section 111 of the Mine Act that may be filed with the FMSHRC by miners
idled by a closure order issued by MSHA who are entitled to compensation.
(d) Represents (if any) complaints of discharge, discrimination or interference under section 105 of the Mine Act, which cover: (i) discrimination
proceedings involving a miner's allegation that he or she has suffered adverse employment action because he or she engaged in activity protected
under the Mine Act, such as making a safety complaint, and (ii) temporary reinstatement proceedings involving cases in which a miner has filed a
complaint with MSHA stating that he or she has suffered such discrimination and has lost his or her position. Complaints of Discharge,
Discrimination, or Interference are also included in Contests of Proposed Penalties, column (b).
(e) Represents (if any) applications for temporary relief, which are applications under section 105(b)(2) of the Mine Act for temporary relief from any
modification or termination of any order or from any order issued under section 104 of the Mine Act (other than citations issued under section 104(a)
or (f) of the Mine Act).
(f) Represents (if any) appeals of judges' decisions or orders to the FMSHRC, including petitions for discretionary review and review by the FMSHRC
on its own motion.